My CFHDX setup.

 

 

 

 

CFHDX, WHAT IS IT?

 

If you don’t know what a CFHDX is it’s software that runs on a NanoPEB and a Windows PC that enables the transfer of files between the PC and the TI99. The software was created by the great F.G.Kaal and is on his website http://www.ti99-geek.nl/ .

To do this bit of alchemy you will need a cross-over cable (or an HDX cable - more on that later) between the NanoPEB serial port and the PC serial port to transfer the files. You can also print to the PC from the nanoPEB in a different fashion using the same cable (also more on that later).

 

HOW TO:

I’m going to be describing the NanoPEB procedure which is similar to CF7+ except the NanoPEB has a serial port and the CF7+ has a parallel port and needs a special cable.

For the NanoPEB you need a cross-over cable to attach the serial port of the Nano to the serial port of PC (female to female). If you don’t have a cross-over you can create a special HDX cable for little next to nothing.

Here’s a picture of that HDX cable I created.

 

 

 

 

THE HDX CABLE:

When creating the HDX cable you only need to attach 5 of the wires. The other pins are not needed.

The cable is serial female to female and here are the pins to attach:

pin 2 to pin 3 which is the RXD

7 > 8 RTS

5 > 5 GND

3 > 2 TXD

8 > 7 CTS

 

THE SOFTWARE:

After you created the cable, or decided to just use a cross-over cable, you will need to download the software for the HDX from Fred G. Kaals site: http://www.ti99-geek.nl/

First part is the HDX server for the PC. On his Project Page click on TI99 HDX server and download the software.

Now download the TI99 software from the Project page CFHDXS1. Install this software on your TI99.

 

HDXSERVER

The CFHDX uses the following comport settings.

38400 baud

8 bit

Even

1 stop bit

None

You might need to set these settings on the comport on your PC before starting the HDXserver. On my XP, I did.

Now start the HDXserver on your PC. Be sure the COMMUNICATIONS SETTINGS in OPTIONS are set to your comport and the CFHDX comport settings above.

 

 

 

FILES SETUP ON HDXSERVER

 

 

 

 

Next you will want to set the location of your FILES directory in OPTIONS. This is the directory where you store the files that you will be sending and receiving to/from the TI99. These are files in FIAD format much like used in Classic99 in the DSK1-3 directories. The files can be in either theV9T9 format or TIFILES format. If you store your files in a .DSK use TIDIR, or other like program, to extract the files from the .DSK. Fred recommends you keep TIDIR resident to pull the files from .DSK while running HDXserver as needed. There is also a DISKS directory that enables you to copy complete disk using another program. Personally, I never got this to work right. I kept getting read errors. I would just sick with the FILES.

 

CHHDXS1

In E/A, or equivalent program, start CFHDXS1 on the TI99 in E/A-5. This file will be on the CFHDXS1 disk you should now have loaded on your TI99. I load mine into DRV1. When the HDXserver detects that the CFHDXS1 is running you will get a message in the below message area: TI99HDX: <TI99/4a initialized, HDX Version xx>

 

 

 

 

CFHDXS1 USAGE

 

When CFHDXS1 starts on the TI99 read the HELP screen then of all the shortcut keys then PRESS ENTER to start the CFHDXS1 server on the TI99.

Start typing and this will fill in the SRC which is HDX1. (be sure to add the period).

 

 

 

 

 

This now displays the content of the FILES directory from your PC.

Some action keys from the HELP screen:

Function-2: marks files.

Function 6: brings up COPY/DELETE/MOVE/(UN)PROTECT bottom menu. This will perform the actions on the files you marked with Function 2. For COPY/MOVE a question of DST, which is the destination, is required. Set DSK1-3 as the destination.

Press H for the HELP screen from the beginning and a list of the other commands.

 

That’s about it for the HDX on the NanoPEB. Useful? Sorta. It’s not really good to pull the CF card in and out of it’s slot of the NanoPEB too many times. That connector isn’t the most durable thing in the world. Still, if I had a lot of files to transfer I would still pull the CF and use TIDIR on the PC to transfer the files as it’s lot easier and faster.

 

That’s it for Now.

HLO

 

 

PS

I'm going to create a separate blog for the printing using a VT100 terminal emulator on the PC. 

Also, ignore the 2 pictures at the bottom, I can't seem to get rid of them for some reason.