TECHNICAL BULLETIN #193 - Rev 1.00 (9/25/96)

==============================================================================
TITLE  :  File Transfer FAQ
PRODUCT:  PROCOMM PLUS 2.x (DOS)
==============================================================================

Q: Why do files that I download abort at unpredictable places?  In other
   words, during numerous attempts to download the same file, the download
   aborts at different places.

A: There are several reasons downloads may abort at unpredictable places in
   the file transfer.

 1.Your telephone line may have line noise.  Have the telephone line checked
   by the telephone company, or try a different line.

 2.You may be experiencing a problem with Hardware Flow Control. If you have
   Hardware Flow Control enabled in Setup and your modem, or the modem cable
   (if external modem), doesn't support Hardware Flow Control, file transfers
   may abort randomly.  Fix this by disabling Hardware Flow Control in Setup |
   Terminal Options | Option D.

 3.If you're using a 14400bps modem or greater, your port must have a 16550
   UART. Check with your MIS department or local computer store to determine
   if your internal modem or serial port (for external modem) has a 16650
   UART.

 4.Downloads may abort if characters are lost due to TSR (Terminate and Stay
   Resident) programs disabling interrupts. Confirm this by not loading any
   unnecessary programs in your AUTOEXEC.BAT.

 5.Downloads may abort if characters are lost or duplicated due to a hidden
   IRQ conflict. Check with your MIS department or computer store for more
   information on your system's IRQ assignments.

 6.PCPLUS and the host system you're transferring files with may be set to use
   different file transfer protocols.  Check with the host system
   administrator to determine the proper file transfer protocol to use.

 7.You may be using a streaming protocol (such as ZMODEM) with a non-MNP
   connection, or without an MNP modem. 

 8.If you're using PCPLUS 2.0 and moving the mouse causes a file transfer to
   abort, you need to upgrade to PCPLUS 2.01. This upgrade is free by
   downloading PCINST.EXE from any of the Quarterdeck support delivery
   systems.

 9.If Carrier Detect (CD) fluctuates and "Abort xfer if CD lost" is enabled in
   Setup | Protocol Options | General Options | Option C, the transfer may
   abort. This situation indicates a possible BPA or IRQ conflict. Check with
   your MIS department or computer store for more information on your system's
   IRQ and Base Port Address assignments.

10.If you're transferring a file via ASCII, the timeout value may be too
   tight. Increase the ASCII download timeout setting in Setup | Protocol
   Options | ASCII Options | Option H.

Q: Why does the download try for a while but never really get going?

A: There are several reasons why a download may never really get going:

 1.There may be a procedural error, such as mismatched protocols, poor timing,
   or failure to involve both sides.  Verify that you're initiating the
   download properly.  Check with the system administrator of the host site
   for details.

 2.If you're using KERMIT, there may be a problem with the exchange of
   initialization packets.  Check the parity settings, flow control, and
   option settings. KERMIT problems may be the result of a slow host system. 
   Wait for a "smiley face" before pressing PageDown to begin the download.

 3.There may be a problem with 8-bit protocols and hardware switching from
   E-7-1 to N-8-1 while online. 

 4.You may be trying the file transfer with an incompatible implementation of
   the protocol.  Check the protocol implementation on the host side.

Q: Why would a download abort at a specific place every time with the same
   file?

A: There are several reasons why a download may abort at a specific every
   time with the same file:

 1.XON/XOFF flow control (Software Flow Control) may be enabled in an MNP
   modem; disable it.

 2.You may be running a disk-caching or virus-checking TSR which is disabling
   interrupts during writes causing you to lose characters.  Fix this by
   enabling Hardware Flow Control.

 3.You may be out of disk space.  Verify this by checking the amount of
   available disk space on your system.

 4.Hardware Flow Control may be failing, suggesting a broken modem.  Try
   reducing the port speed.  Check with your modem manufacturer to verify a
   broken modem.

==============================================================================
   To ensure that you have the latest version of this document, compare its
   revision number to that of the same document on any of our support sites.
  This technical bulletin may be copied and distributed freely as long as it
       is distributed in its entirety and it is not distributed for profit.
           Copyright (c) 1996 Quarterdeck  All rights reserved.
==============================================================================