KERMIT.TXT File (c) Hewlett-Packard Company, 1990 OVERVIEW -------- Kermit file-transfer protocol enables you to transfer files between your HP 48 calculator and a computer. Kermit is built into the HP 48, and when you also have Kermit running on your computer, your HP 48 and computer are ready to "talk to each other." Kermit protocol was developed at the Columbia University Center for Computing Activities. Kermit is available for many systems for a nominal fee from Columbia and from various user group organizations. PROCEDURE --------- You may need to refer to your calculator and computer manuals to help you follow this procedure. 1. Connect the 4-pin end of the serial interface cable to your HP 48; connect the 9-pin end of the cable to the COM1 or COM2 port on your computer. (This may require the 25-pin adapter.) 2. Run Kermit on the computer. (From the prompt for the directory in which Kermit was installed, type KERMIT and press [ENTER].) 3. Configure the Kermit port setting to match the port to which the serial cable was connected in step 1, and configure the Kermit baud setting to match the computer's setting. (You can use the Kermit SET command to do both of these--see the "EXAMPLE" section below.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: The default baud for the HP 48 is 9600. So, unless you need to use another setting for your system, you should set your computer and Kermit to 9600 baud also. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Make sure the HP 48 baud matches the setting from step 3. Also, make sure the IR/wire transmission mode is set to "wire." (Both of these parameters can be viewed and set using the I/O SETUP menu on the HP 48.) 5. Follow the instructions in the "HP 48 Owner's Manual" for transferring data between an HP 48 and a computer. 6. When you're finished, type Q and press [ENTER] to quit Kermit. KERMIT HELP ----------- To get help in Kermit on the computer, type a question mark (?) and press [ENTER]. Kermit displays a list of commands. To get help on a specific command, type the name of the command followed by a space and then a question mark, and then press [ENTER]. For example, type SET ? and press [ENTER] to get help on the SET command. EXAMPLE ------- This example assumes that you've connected the serial cable both to your calculator and to the COM1 port in the computer and that you have a variable in your HP 48 VAR menu named DATA1. It also assumes that the HP 48 baud and the computer baud are set to 9600 and that you've prepared for a file transfer as described in the "HP 48 Owner's Manual." Here are the keystrokes to transfer the file DATA1 from the HP 48 to the computer: Computer Keystrokes: KERMIT [ENTER] Runs Kermit protocol. SET PORT 1 Sets Kermit port to COM1. SET BAUD 9600 Sets Kermit baud to 9600 to match the calculator and the computer. RECEIVE [ENTER] Prepares the computer to receive a file. Calculator Keystrokes: [VAR] ['] {DATA1} Recalls the variable to be transferred to the stack. [left-shift][I/O] Selects the I/O menu and {SEND} transfers the file to the computer. The file DATA1 is copied into the directory in which Kermit resides. Now assume that you quit Kermit and edited the file DATA1 on your computer. Here are the keystrokes to send it back to the HP 48: Computer Keystrokes: KERMIT [ENTER] Runs Kermit protocol. SET PORT 1 SET BAUD 9600 SEND DATA1 [ENTER] Transfers the edited DATA1 to the HP 48, where it shows up in the VAR menu. (If the old DATA1 still exists, the new DATA1 is given an extension so the old version isn't overwritten.) Calculator Keystrokes: [left-shift][I/O] Prepares the HP 48 to receive {RECV} a file. HELPFUL HINTS ------------- o The Kermit PUSH command gets you out of Kermit temporarily and into DOS so that you can manipulate files. You return to Kermit by typing EXIT and pressing [ENTER]. o The Kermit STATUS command displays a screen showing the current Kermit configuration settings. The baud and port settings are the first two in the list. o You can execute the DOS directory command from within Kermit by typing DIR and pressing [ENTER]. o For additional information on Kermit protocol, a book by Frank da Cruz, "KERMIT, A File Transfer Protocol" (1987. Bedford, MA: Digital Press) is available in many bookstores or can be ordered.