Eazylink2

Introduction & Hardware Needed
Being able to communicate between the Z88 and the Desktop has always been the main attraction of having the Z88. What is the point of not being able to share files between the PC or Mac computers? The software for the Desktop (PC or Mac) is downloadable from the Wiki. Users have different requiments.		These are:- to get data off their old EPROM cards, a 'once off' exercise and then get rid of the Z88 altogether. to use the Z88 as it was in the 80's, transferring files as a backup to their destop to use the laterst version of OZ, get faster transfer speeds and enjoy the latest refinements of the Z88. The following hardware and software is needed.
USB to Serial Adapter or Lead
Two typs of adapters   USB to Serial Adapter   USB adapter with cable Z88 Serial Link with laptop		Whatever you decide you will need: PC AT 9/9 way Serial Cable If your computer has a standard 9D serial port - (or a and Standard Serial Cable extender and Rakewell's Z88 Serial Link)  USB/serial device, with Rakewell's Z88 Serial Link (with standard serial cable extender if needed) or PC AT 9/9 way Serial Cable If the computer only  has a USB connector.
Option 1 - Z88 9/9 way Serial Cable
At first sight this looks like a 9 way extension cable. It isn't. Although the plugs and sockets are the same, the		connections are different to the now standard connections. If you are handy with a soldering iron, you can modify existing cables to use. Again, details are on the Wiki. The Z88 will not connect to the Desktop with a straight-through cable.
Option 2 - Using Z88 Serial Link
Z88 Serial Link is a lightweight alternative to using the Z88 PC Serial Cable. Often when using a laptop, the extra bulk that the cable gives is unwelcome.It can be used both with a Mac or PC.		The Z88 Serial Link fits in-between the Z88 and the USB Serial Adapter. This changes the connections allowing the Z88 to be used with Eazylink or any other Z88 communications software.
Using Z88's Imp/Exp Popdown
Using both the software on the Desktop, the connecting cables and the Z88's own Imp/Exp popdown program, files may be transferred each way. It is painfully slow and not 100% reliable,		but it works on a good day. Commands are made on both the Z88 and the Desktop, useful for four handed operators.
Using Eazylink with the Z88
Eazylink2 is available free on the web for your desktop.It is downloaded from the Z88 wiki https://cambridgez88. jira.com/wiki/x/HIDYAg Using a 32K EPROM card to run the Eazylink popdown is faster and is controlled at the Desktop end. If you have either a		or a 32K EPROM, these maybe erased and used as an Eazy / Flash Application card. We can do that for you on the condition that if the EPROM doesn't erase for any reason, we will return it to you. If you haven't got either, they may be purchased.
Upgrading to OZ 4.7.1
Eazylink here allows fast transfers at 38,400 baud and are crc checked. Use either the 512K/512K Flash/RAM card, or the 1M  Flash and 1M RAM cards configuration. See OZ Upgrade

I have got to say it's really easy to use and very fast. It's the full file transfer and backup solution I have been looking for but never found. Everything else is really inferior. A few clicks and your files are transferred between the PC and Z88 in a whiz. Best tool I ever brought for the Z88. I really do wonder how I lived without!

Best Regards,
Steven Pannell - 04 June 2004
Technical Project Manager
zooplus AG

Note for All Users Eazylink2 (on the PC end) has been written to run on Windows xp 7/8/10 32/64 bit Mac & Linux machines See Z88 Wiki Quick Internet Links for further information.

Key points

• It works with a USB to Serial Converter – so even if your PC or MAC does not have a serial port, you just need one of those.
• It retains the 12 character filenames that the Z88 uses
• It is faster than PC Link II
• It runs on Windows xp 7/8 32/64 bit, Mac & Linux Desktops
• v5.2.3-06 can Save and Fetch files directly from the Flash file area. - NOTE this is available as a download
  or is available here at extra cost *.

How to use files with Eazylink

The following items are required to use Eazylink

• a USB to Serial Converter – if your PC or MAC does not have a built-in serial port
• either
  a Z88 - PC AT 9/9 or
  a Z88 - PC AT 9/25 way (with a 9/25 pin adapter) Serial Cable
  to link the Z88 to the Desktop computer. The PC Cable is also required if you are using a MAC. It plugs into the USB to Serial Converter.
  
• the Eazylink or OZ 4.7.1 ROM to plug into the Z88

OZ 4.5 and above or Eazylink 5.2.2 Upgrade These updates attract an extra cost. Users may return their Flash cards with their remittance and postage (currently £30 inc VAT). NOTE: Files on an INTEL Flash Card can not be updated Save or Fetch files directly to the Flash card with this Eazylink upgrade. Avoid using RAM space just as a bridge between the two. The file areas look like RAM and are labeled :EPR.1, :EPR.2 and :EPR.3 depending which slot is used.

Z88 Computer Links & OZ 4.7 upgrade *

Description	Price	VAT	Total
PC AT 9/25 way Serial Cable	£7.50	£1.50	£9.00
PC AT 9/9 way Serial Cable	£12.50	£2.50	£15.00
Z88 Serial Link	£12.50	£2.50	£15.00
PC-Link 2 (Cambridge)	£29.17	£5.83	£35.00
* EazyLink or OZ 4.7 upgrade	£25.00	£5.00	£30.00
PC Link 2 to EazyLink upgrade (ROM only for MAC users)	£8.33	£1.67	£10.00
MAC Link or PC-Link 2 ROM only (Cambridge)	£20.00	£4.00	£24.00

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