PC Link 2

PC Link 2 is the Cambridge Computer PC link program. It allows you to transfer files from a Z88 to any true IBM PC based computer as ASCII, or translate them from Pipedream into Wordstar or Lotus 1-2-3. By downloading the correct filters, the Wordstar file may be imported into Microsoft Word. Likewise Microsoft Excel can import Lotus 1-2-3 files for spreadsheets.

Alternatively, you can download files from your fixed system as an ASCII file to the Z88, and then translate them into PipeDream as 'Plain Text'.

It consists of
(9 way 'D' male plug to a 25 way 'D' female socket)	a 25-to-9 way adapter lead *	PC Link II ROM pack *	3½" and 5¼" disks
The cable to connect the Z88 to the PC with an adapter for computers that have a 9 way male plug for its serial port *		Instruction manual
* Items required for Eazylink upgrade.

Making a Z88 to PC Lead When Cambridge advertised thier Z88 - PC Link we all thought it was a lot of money to pay for the cable. I made up a cable and discovered it was not as easy as I first thought. Several years on and people are still making the same mistake as I did back then. The following was taken off a Z88 site. I invite you to not burn your fingers with a soldering iron or find out that you can't fit the covers onto the plug that fits into the Z88 or use the wrong circuit diagran to wire up the lead. Save yourself all this hassle - buy the cable. I have transferred various files types on my z88 to a PC. The other day, I wanted to do the inverse process for the first time. I wasn't able. I tried the Z88XPort program and the MSDOS command, without good results. The z88 complains about "Poor data received".		Have you checked serial settings? Reset turns Xon/Xoff back on, make sure it's turned off. Yesp; the problem is that I am able to send a file from the z88 to the PC, but not in the inverse direction. As Vic points out it is likely a cable problem. So, is it possible to have a cable allowing transferrings to the PC but failing when transferring to the z88 ? I'm using a Compaq PC Laptop with Windows98. Z88-Xport needs a working hardware flow control. Z88 RTS needs to be connected to PC CTS. See Help, Cable for the full pinout. Xon/Xoff is ignored so doesn't matter. The cable I am using is a self-made one. I have followed the wirings given in the z88 book: Thank you everybody. I've re-wired my link cable, so everything works now. It's a shame I saw that wiring scheme before yours. :-D
Z88 to PC Lead The Z88 to PC Lead consists of the moulded 9 way plug that fits into the Z88 correctly and has a 25 way female connector for the PC's COM port (which was the standard connector when the Z88 came out). If your computer has a 9 way plug for the COM.1 serial port there is an adapter lead available that you use on the PC end. If the cable you have has a 25 way male connector - it is the serial printer cable, you cannot use it for the PC,		Some users have been tempted to 'build their own' only to find that the cover that fits over the plug stops the plug from fitting into the Z88 correctly. If you really want to do it yourself make sure you use a moulded plug with the locking screws removed to fit into the Z88 and have the correct connections (it is not a standard cable) - or better still just buy this correct cable.

 

Link 2

RangerLink 2 is a high performance PC to Z88 file transfer package featuring throughput at four times the speed of PC Link II, multiple file transfers and true data transparency.

The PC client end has been re-written to allow faster computers to use this program again.

The Z88 computer is often used as an extension of desk-top PC systems, allowing users to take data into the field and to bring back reports, notes and correspondence written "on the move." When used When used in this way, the Z88 offers by far the best combination of size weight and capability for the needs of typical portable computer users, especially when compared with expensive "laptop" computers.

Data is usually transferred between PC and Z88 by serial connection, using software on each computer to control the transfer. However, existing transfer packages suffer from slow data rates and can only handle one file at a time. RangerLink addresses these issues by providing a wide range of new facilities, including the ability to mark multiple files or the contents of entire directories for transfer in either direction.

RangerLink consists of an application ROM (v5.02) for the Z88, together with a PC program disk and a connecting cable (which can be purchased separately if requested). The application is driven from the Z88, which displays "windows" showing the current PC and Z88 directories, together with a command menu. Commands can be selected from either

the menu,
from the command menu
or by using the short form <> keystrokes.

This program allows selection of device and directory on both the PC and Z88, and files to be copied, renamed or erased.

The communication protocol used to communicate between the computers continuously checks for the connection, so that it is not necessary to start the programs in any order. If the RangerLink program is interrupted, for instance in order to use the a different application on either the Z88 or PC, communication is automatically re-established when RangerLink is re-invoked. When file transfer is in progress the Z88 screen shows a display of the file name currently being transferred, the file size, the waiting in the queue. Filenames appear in the destination device window as they are transferred.

A useful feature of RangerLink is "Type," which allows a quick look at the contents of any file on the Z88 screen.

The original PC program (v3.56) was quite useful if you are using an old PC in DOS (up to a 486) with a small amount of memory. Dennis Gröning has now re-written this allowing faster computers to use it and the ability to change the serial ports.

Z88 Computer Links

Description	Price	VAT	Total
Amiga Link (Sector Software)	£25.00	£4.38	£29.38
Archimedes Link (Lindis)	£24.95	£4.37	£29.32
Arc Link inc. Z88, WP2/3 & NC100 (S & S)	£39.00	£6.83	£45.83
Archimedes Link PipeDream (Colton)	£34.00	£5.95	£39.95
Atari ST Link -Use Z-TERM, PC AT Cable and Terminal software on Atari
BBC-Link (Cambridge)	£8.95	£1.57	£10.52
Mac-Link (Cambridge)	£32.95	£5.77	£38.72
USB Serial Adapter for MAC with Mac-Link (Cambridge) FREE	£69.00	£12.08	£81.08
Mac Link inc.. Z88, WP2/3 & NC100 (S&S)	£39.00	£6.83	£45.83
PC AT 9/25 way Serial Cable	£12.95	£2.27	£15.22
PC AT 9 way extension Serial Cable	£9.00	£1.58	£10.58
PC-Link 2 (Cambridge)	£29.79	£5.21	£35.00
RangerLink 2 (Ranger)	£29.79	£5.21	£35.00
PC L 2 /EazyLink	£51.06	£8.94	£60.00
PC Link 2 to EazyLink upgrade	£29.79	£5.21	£35.00
PC Link 2 to EazyLink upgrade (ROM only for MAC users)	£8.51	£1.49	£10.00
MAC Link or PC-Link 2 ROM only (Cambridge)	£20.00	£3.50	£23.50
PCW Import/Export (C-Port)	£29.95	£5.24	£35.19
PCW Serial/Parallel Card PCB Connector	£49.95	£8.74	£58.69
PCW Serial/Parallel Card Plug Connector	£69.95	£12.24	£82.19
QL Link (Sector Software)	£25.00	£4.38	£29.38
Z88 to Z88 Link Cable	£12.95	£2.27	£15.22
zTape Cassette Tape Backup & lead	£43.47	£7.61	£51.08
z-TERM Software (Wordmongers)	£43.47	£7.61	£51.08

© Rakewell Limited 1998 - 2008