Frank what you're looking to do is not impossible.
What you may want to consider as an alternative is to have your two
PC's connected to a device that will allow you to use the same
monitor, keyboard and mouse with either one.
Belkin makes a very good quality switch that you can get at any of the
major computer chains or via the Internet.
Please note: To do this correctly, you'll need one of the electronic
switches like the Belkin that I refer to. The less expensive,
mechanical switches will not allow you to toggle back and forth. With
a mechanical switch, you must decide which computer you will use,
place the switch in that position, then turn on the computer and only
use that one. The mouse and keyboard connections can get interrupted
with such a switch if you try to switch 'live' to the 'other'
computer.
A DB-9 serial port has all the connections you need.
Robert E. Naumann
N5NJ / V26O
N5NJ@arrl.net
www.qsl.net/n5nj
Plano, TX USA
ex KR2J, V26RN, W6V, WA2OVE
----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Grossman" <fgrossma@idt.net>
To: <ct-user@contesting.com>; "Michael Walker" <mike.walker@home.com>
Cc: <Grossmanzz@aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2000 05:27
Subject: Re: [ct-user] Has anybody used a Dell System with CT?
>
> Thanks Michael...and everyone else who took the time to comment on
my
> question...
>
> I will consider keeping CT on the 486, and will do that if I can't
make it
> fully functional on another machine, or if the machine generates too
much
> RFI. What I'm trying to do though is get all my ham applications on
one
> machine and be able to run them without switching cables around. In
> addition, I'd like to have an Internet connection available so my
Dad
> (W2LOZ) can use the machine for Web surfing and stuff without
jumping
> through hoops. So, the issue is to find a machine with two external
serial
> ports for radio control and packet accessible with DB25 connectors
on the
> rear panel. (Will a DB9 do for radio connections, if need be?) and
an
> internal 56K modem on another port. I also need a sound card for
modes like
> PSK31.
>
> 73,
> Frank
> wb2bxo@arrl.net
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Michael Walker <mike.walker@home.com>
> To: Frank Grossman <fgrossma@idt.net>; <ct-user@contesting.com>
> Cc: <Grossmanzz@aol.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2000 7:44 AM
> Subject: Re: [ct-user] Has anybody used a Dell System with CT?
>
>
> > Frank
> >
> > It isn't really a problem.
> >
> > In the DOS world, the program (CT) has direct control over the
hardware
> > (serial ports, parallel ports, video, etc). We need to tell CT
how the
> > hardware is configured. (Memory addresses and interrupts). As
long as
> you
> > can do this, then you won't have a problem. DOS does one thing at
a time
> > and does it well.
> >
> > In the Windows, or Unix world, we have many programs that want to
use the
> > hardware at any given time as it is a multi-tasking operating
system. We
> > define the hardware to the Operating systems and the programs talk
to the
> > OS directly (not the hardware). This is why CW doesn't work well
under
> > Windows. CT has to tell Windows to send a DIT and then the OS
tells the
> > parallel port to send the dit. If the OS is busy, then it takes
longer to
> > do this. This is why there are some CW daughter boards.
> >
> > So, if you really like CT and want it to work the way it was
designed,
> keep
> > your 386 (or your 486) and your 14" VGA monitor and use it only
for
> > CT. Or, if space is a premium, buy a video switch to switch back
and
> forth.
> >
> > Hope that helps. In the end, your new machine should be just
fine, just
> > make sure you boot it in Native DOS mode for your best
performance.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> > At 10:20 PM 11/28/00 -0500, Frank Grossman wrote:
> >
> > >Mike,
> > >
> > >What kind of "problem" are you referring to?
> > >
> > >I know that CT is "happiest" with a straight DOS machine, so I've
stayed
> > >with DOS machines in the shack for as long as I could get away
with it.
> The
> > >problem is that CT is the only program left that needs an old
> > >machine--everything else is being made for Win-95 on 200 MHz and
faster
> > >machines so I'm being forced to upgrade.
> > >
> > >Frank
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: Michael Walker <mike.walker@home.com>
> > >To: Frank Grossman <fgrossma@idt.net>; <ct-user@contesting.com>
> > >Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2000 7:28 AM
> > >Subject: Re: [ct-user] Has anybody used a Dell System with CT?
> > >
> > >
> > > > Frank
> > > >
> > > > Sounds OK.
> > > >
> > > > Most people have a problem with Serial Ports. As long as you
can
> address
> > > > them in the BIOS and know that their base address and IRQ's
are, then
> you
> > > > shouldn't have a problem.
> > > >
> > > > Mike
> > > >
> > > > At 12:40 AM 11/28/00 -0500, Frank Grossman wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >I'm considering buying a refurbished Dell OptiPlex for CT,
DX4WIN and
> > >PSK31
> > > > >applications. (I realize Dell is an expensive brand but I've
been
> real
> > > > >happy with their service and support, so I'm starting there.)
> > > > >
> > > > >Has any tried used an OptiPlex or related Del system with
these
> programs?
> > > > >In what configuration? With what results?
> > > > >
> > > > >It seems to me that a system with two externally accessible
serial
> ports,
> > > > >SoundBlaster, 128 Mb of main memory, a 10 GB HD and any clock
speed
> over
> > >400
> > > > >MHz should be fine.
> > > > >
> > > > >Comments?
> > > > >
> > > > >Frank
> > > > >wb2bxo@arrl.net
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >--
> > > > >WWW: http://www.k1ea.com/
> > > > >Submissions: ct-user@contesting.com
> > > > >Administrative requests: ct-user-REQUEST@contesting.com
> > > > >Problems: owner-ct-user@contesting.com
> > > >
> > > > *********************************************************
> > > > Mike Walker Corbeil Contest Club
> > > > VA3MW FN03
> > > >
> > > > CLX Custer - telnet//:va3mw.homeip.net:41112
> > > > *********************************************************
> > > > new email address: mike.walker@home.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >--
> > >WWW: http://www.k1ea.com/
> > >Submissions: ct-user@contesting.com
> > >Administrative requests: ct-user-REQUEST@contesting.com
> > >Problems: owner-ct-user@contesting.com
> >
> > *********************************************************
> > Mike Walker Corbeil Contest Club
> > VA3MW FN03
> >
> > CLX Custer - telnet//:va3mw.homeip.net:41112
> > *********************************************************
> > new email address: mike.walker@home.com
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> WWW: http://www.k1ea.com/
> Submissions: ct-user@contesting.com
> Administrative requests: ct-user-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems: owner-ct-user@contesting.com
>
--
WWW: http://www.k1ea.com/
Submissions: ct-user@contesting.com
Administrative requests: ct-user-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-ct-user@contesting.com
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