EazyLink2 User Guide

Welcome!

Welcome to the EazyLink2 User Guide. This is displayed when you have selected the Help > User Guide menu item from the desktop application. You may also have arrived here through our project wiki navigation system. The words EazyLink and Eazylink2 are used interchangeability throughout this document.

This user guide is written for all the Desktop versions of the EazyLink. Where necessary, specific details of desktop operating system features will be mentioned by displaying the OS icon.

Feedback is most welcome, to help us improve EazyLink

Installation

To install Eazylink to your Desktop, download the application and run it from our software repository. Currently there are three versions available; for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. The installers are quite self explanatory, behaving similarly on all three platforms.

On Windows however, the end-user will have a system warning screen about the software not being an officially signed application by Microsoft; this can be ignored (we don't write viruses and our software-installer is built on Linux or Mac OS X).

Antivirus software can also examine new programs and delete them without warning. This is called a 'false positive' error. If this happens to you, please report this to your virus software provider so that they can update their records

Connect the Z88 to the Desktop

The Z88 has a female 9 way 'D' RS-232 connector which is used to connect to the Desktop. The connections are not the standard PC type as the Z88 was around before that standard was adopted. The recommended way to connect them together is to use the PC to Z88 cable. The PC end of this cable of this cable (either a 9 or 25 way 'D' female connector) plugs into the Desktop's Serial Port.

Serial to USB converter

Desktops that use USB and not Serial ports, need a Serial to USB converter. Choose one that supports 'hardware handshaking' and a driver available for the Operating System you are using. The cable type puts less strain onto the connectors than the adapter type. A disk with the manual and drivers are normally supplied with the converter, but these drivers can be years out of date. You are advised to read the manual to see which driver it uses. Then use Google to search for the latest driver.

If you are purchasing a new converter, the ones that use the Prolific chip set are quite popular and support various Operating Systems. These two examples have been tested with Windows xp. Please let us know how they work with different Operating Systems.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ABC-Products%C2%AE-converter-convertor-Converter/dp/B000Z3MBG8/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

The CheckChip Version Tool reported it to be using one of the "End Of Life" chips. These are not going to be updated with new drivers.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00425S1H8/?tag=uk77fansdelivery.co.uk-21

This one looks a better choice, it uses the PL2303HXD (HX Rev D) chip. The driver supports Windows 8.
Download the Latest Prolific Drivers here:
http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31

It is hoped that as more uses use this program a list of known Serial to USB converters can be listed here so that users may have a more informed choice.

Before running the program, you need to know the device name the operating system has allocated to the serial port you are using to connect to the Z88. This is either a physical number that is on the computer e,g, COM.1 COM.2 (device names on Windows). If you are using a Serial to USB converter the driver will automatically allocate a new serial port device name, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions for details how to find out that name (COM port number on Windows).

Terminology

There may be words or phrases that are used in this document that the user is unfamiliar with. Just in case you are one of them, they are covered here.

There are two types of Z88 programs. they behave in different ways. These are:-

• Z88 Popdown
• Z88 Application

A Z88 Popdown runs as a temporary program. When it is started, it will 'pop up' over what you doing before. When it is closed or exited by the ESC key, you are returned to the previous Z88 Application program you were running previously.

A Z88 Application on the other hand can be 'suspended' when you  leave it. This enables you to carry on where you left off. Suspended Z88 Applications are displayed on the INDEX page.

To close a Suspended Activity, move the cursor over the Z88 Application running and issue the <>KILL command.

Note: You will not see any Z88 Popdown listed here.

The EazyLink2 uses two programs.

• EazyLink Client
• EazyLink Server

The Eazylink Client is the one running on the Desktop. Once communication has been established, you control the suite from there.

The EazyLink Server runs on the Z88. Once you start it, you can put the Z88 to one side and leave it alone.

EazyLink

Using the Program

There are two Z88 Popdowns that this program supports. These are the :-

• EazyLink Popdown
• Imp-Export Popdown

The Eazylink Popdown is an additional application on the Z88.  All commands are operated on the Desktop. It is available on Flash or EPROM cards from Rakewell. Just follow the instructions that came with the card and the application will be ready to use. Should the user wishes to make their own copy, they can use Imp-Export to upload the application and blow the image on a card.

The Imp-Export Popdown is the standard communication application that is on all Z88. It enables users to connect to a Z88 without any additional applications. It supprts sending and receiving files but it requires the user to use both the Desktop's and Z88's keyboard.

WARNING - If you are using a slow Desktop, it is quite eay to start up multiple copies of Eazylink if you keep selecting it. Please be patient, select it once and wait. This is also true if the program becomes 'non-responsive,' wait until it responds again and then either shut it down or issue the next command. When closing the program, please ensure that any external command windows have been closed, otherwise you may produce a serial port lockup. These can only be cleared by rebooting the Desktop. 

EazyLink

This is the preferred mode of operating as it uses all the options offered from the Desktop.

EazyLink prerequisites

• Install the software on the Client
• Install EazyLink on the Z88
• Connect the Z88 to the Client (with the Serial to USB Converter if required)

On the Z88 Select []L to start Eazylink

There are commands listed in the left-hand window. These are not normally used as all commands are sent from the Desktop. The only useful command is "QUIT EAZYLINK" or ESC to exit .

Which version are you running?

If you are running the 'stand-alone' version of the Eazylink application the version number is on the main HELP page.

If you are running Eazylink in OZ the version number isn't on the Eazylink HELP page.  

It is shown in grey in the bottom left-hand corner of the display. All versions of the Z88 Eazylink popdown will work with EazyLink2, the functions available will depend on the version used. As part of OZ V4.3, EazyLink V5.1 features were integrated then. The latest version, V5.2 functions were integrated into OZ V4.3.1, This was released in August 2012.  

On the Desktop, Start Eazylink

If this is the first time you have run Eazylink, you will be directed to the:-

Setup Wizard

Please follow the instructions given carefully. If you know which Serial Port you are using with the Z88, use the list that displays the available ports to select this. If you are unsure which one it is, there is a 'Detect Z88' facility which can be used.

Select Settings and select the serial port device name the Z88 is connected to. If you are unsure which one this is

If you get a communication error, make a note of the messages on the Z88 screen and try again.

If you get continuous communication errors, go to Solving Communication Errors (see below).

The Display

Drop-down menu(s) are along the top. The two windows below display the files on the Z88 (left-hand) and the Desktop (right-hand). The files displayed initially may not be recognizable. This is because EazyLink2 selects the root directory of your main drive. This can be changed to where you want to store the files from the Z88. initially due to the wrong drive and directory

When the Z88 has connected successfully, the above display will be shown. Until the correct settings are found or used, you may get used to seeing this message. 

Reading Z88 Devices Command Failed!

The three responses (apart from 'not again') are:

The Commands

Top Menu

 Z88 Line

This line repeats some of the commands above. They are here to enable quicker selection with the mouse.

Hidden commands

These following commands are in the Z88 and Desktop windows and are selected by using the right-hand mouse button whilst the cursor is in the window.

Z88 Window

Desktop Window

Transfering Files

There are two methods of transferring files.

• Using the menus above
• Drag and Drop

Drag and Drop

Files may be dragged and dropped between the Z88 and Desktop windows. Files may also be dragged from other program's windows e.g. Windows Explorer into the Z88's window, but not the other way around. When illegal moves are attempted, a 'no waiting' symbol.

 Source Filename Error

If the Desktop's filename doesn't comply with the Z88's filename of 12.3 format or uses illegal characters, the user is invited to change the name before the transfer can take place. See 'Specifying Z88 file names in full' for more details.

(Temporary Suggested Menus) - Work in Progress

The idea of this section is to see what the menus would look like if all the commands were there and could be accessed using the keyboard. Commands that are selected using the 2nd button on the mouse remain where they are.

Imp-Export

This mode's primary role is to allow users to download files so that a copy of the Eazylink popdown can be written to a Flash card or EPROM on the Z88.

It only allows saving and receiving files from the Z88's root Directory.

You should skip this section if you already have a copy of the Z88 Eazylink.

• Connect Z88 to the Desktop.
• On the Desktop, start Eazylink2

Get the Z88 Server Popdown

To do it yourself you will need to

• Download the software.

• Establish a Serial connection between the Z88 and the Desktop
• Transfer the software to the Z88 using EazyLink2 Imp-Export mode
• Run the software on the Z88 to blow the image into an EPROM or Flash card.

Start Eazylink2.

The left hand side of the screen is not used with Imp-Export and will be blank. If and when you receive the Reading Z88 Devices Command Failed! Choose 'Ignore.'

On the top menu bar, Select Settings

• Select Serial Port. Change the 'Default Serial Port:' to the device name the Z88 is connected to.
• Select General, untick all EazyLink functions and click OK.
• Select Translations, untick all EazyLink functions and click OK.

Send to the Z88

On the top menu bar, Select Z88

• Select - Send files to Z88 Imp/Export popdown

If 'Show Details...' is selected, you will be presented with a help screen listing instructions (without the screen shots) on how to use the Z88. 1.

Start Z88

Select Panel []S

Change Default device to :RAM.1 - You will need extra RAM in your Z88 for the file and it needs to be in slot 1. 

Remember to PRESS ENTER TO UPDATE otherwise these settings will not change. 

Note that the Transmit and Receive rates Parity and Xon/Xoff settings are the correct value as given. Scroll down to the next instruction. 2.

Select Imp-Export []X

Scroll down to the next instruction. 3.

Now you can click 'Yes' to 'Is Z88 ready?'

The Desktop will now display a window for you to select which file(s) to send.

Receive from Z88

On the top menu bar, Select Z88

• Select - Receive files from Z88 Imp/Export popdown

 You will now be presented with Select Receive Directory. Create and/or Choose which Directory to use.

NOTE: You need to select OK here on the Desktop before starting the Z88. If you get the Imp-Export Receive Command Failed! message, Choose Retry.

If 'Show Details...' is selected, you will be presented with a help screen listing instructions (without the screen shots) on how to use the Z88. 1.

Start Z88

Select Panel []S

Change the Default device to :RAM.1 or where your files are. 

Remember to PRESS ENTER TO UPDATE otherwise these settings will not change. 

Note that the Transmit and Receive rates Parity and Xon/Xoff settings are the correct value as given. Scroll down to the next instruction. 2.

Select Imp-Export []X

NOTE: Before doing the following command you should have started the Desktop command.

Scroll down to the next instruction. 3. On Z88, select (S)end by pressing s and then the Enter key.

You now have two choices

• Use a wildcard i.e. * to fetch all the files in the root directory, or
• Fetch the files individually, (making sure the spelling is correct), following the instructions 4) and 5) given in 'Show Details' or Help. 

If you get a communication error, make a note of the messages on the Z88 screen and try again.

If you get continuous communication errors or nothing happens, go to Solving Communication Errors (see below).

Using the Desktop with 2 Z88s

Additional copies of Eazylink2 may be run at the same time, connected to Z88s using different serial ports.

Specifying Z88 file names in full

 The full form of a file name is

:DEVICE/DIRECTORY/DIRECTORY/ ....

where DIRECTORY and filename are each of the form 

name.extension 

oonsisting of a name of up to 12 letters or digits, followed by an optional extension of up to three letters or digits,

The following extensions are used for system functions:

DIRECTORY

is a directory name subject to the same constraints as filename

.

In addition the following symbols can be used:

. I

name Parent directory of

name 

.

Current directory

j

Device  specifications

DEVICE can be specified as one of the following:

Note: RAM. - files must be deleted before a soft reset is performed with Operating Systems up to and including 3.0.

Wildcards

The device, directory and file name can contain the following wildcards:

Note that the characters '/' and '\' may be used interchangeably.

Problem Solving Area

EazyLink2 and the Z88 should work straight away, but if it doesn't this section will help you to find out why it doesn't.

Resetting the Z88

The Z88 never gets turned off. When the Shift keys are used to turn the display on and off, the Z88 keeps running it its low power mode. Sometimes a fault may appear due to something that was done in the past. So that we can test it at a known state, the Z88 needs to be reset by giving the Z88 a HARD RESET. If you have any important data, make sure that it is saved on either an EPROM or Flash card.

Hard Reset

Do this by opening the card flap, pressing the reset switch 2 times with an unbent paperclip, then shut the card flap.

Select Panel []S

Change Default device to :RAM.1 - You will need extra RAM in your Z88 for the file and it needs to be in slot 1. Move the cursor key down to Default Device, use <> right arrow to move it to the end of the line, DEL the 0 and put in the 1.

Remember to PRESS ENTER TO UPDATE otherwise these settings will not change. 

Select Filer []F

The Filer will still be pointing to ;RAM.0, so this is a good time to point it to RAM.1.

Move the left-hand cursor to SELECT DEVICE or use the quick keyboard command, <>SV

Change RAM.0 to :RAM.1 quick keyboard command <>right-arrow DEL 1 ENTER

Solving Communication Errors.

Test the Z88 Serial Port

If the Z88's serial port has never been used, it may have never worked.

To test it, you can use a 9 way 'D' plug with pins 2-3 4-5 and 8-9 connected, or you can use a paperclip cut into three to make these three connections.

On the Z88

• Make the connections as described above.
• Select the Terminal []V

• Type some characters on the keyboard like "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"

• Check that these characters appear on the screen
• Remove the connections
• Type some more characters, they should not appear on the screen.

If that all works, the Z88 Serial Port is working.

Is the correct cable being used?

If you are using a standard PC Cable, it will not work. Get the correct cable from Rakewell.

Using a Serial to USB convertor?

have you

• Downloaded a copy of the latest drivers for your Operating System?
• Checked that it supports hardware handshaking?

Test the Client's Serial Port

If you are unable to get it working, try downloading a Free Terminal Emulation program for your Client's Operating System and do a similar excercise as described in the "Test the Z88 Serial Port" section.