HPLX communications plugin for Total Commander

Version 1.1

Pavel Zampach


This plugin enables to work with files on HP100/200LX directly from Total Commander (version 5.10 and newer is needed) using Filer protocol. TC is available on address http://www.ghisler.com

History

1.1

used directory cache for speed-up work with the same directory

if file FSPLUGIN.INI is not found, error message is displayed. No default communications parameters are used.

1.02

"execute file" function added (see below), simpler access to INI file (see Installation), small bug fixed (copying from CD-ROM to HPLX caused error)

1.01

handshakeless communications used, HPLX and PC can be connected with 3-wire cable

1.0

new handling of INI file presented in TC 5.51 is used (see Installation), small bugs fixed

Beta 4

file time and attributes are copied in direction HPXL -> PC, more robust communications routines used

Installation

  1. Copy HP200LX.WFX file to some directory on PC (Total Commander directory is probably the best place)

  2. In Total Commander, choose Configuration - Options - Operation - FS Plugins, click on [Add], choose the HP200LX.WFX file and click OK.

  3. Copy FSPLUGIN.INI file

    • TC ver. 5.51 and newer – into the same directory where WINCMD.INI is situated (standard is Windows directory, see below). If FSPLUGIN.INI already exists (it can be used by other FS plugins) append content of the distributed file to existing one.

    • TC ver. 5.10-5.50 – into Windows directory (usually C:\WINDOWS or C:\WINNT)

  4. Edit section [HPLX] in FSPLUGIN.INI file

    • TC ver. 5.51 and newer – choose the Network Neighborhood, right click on the HPLX icon and click on "Properties". Now you can edit the file in Notepad.

    • TC ver. 5.10-5.50 – you have to edit the file manually

    As Port use value COM1 - COM8, as Speed use one of the values [19200, 38400, 57600, 115200]. Drives are names of HPLX drives. If file is not found, error message is displayed.

  5. Connect PC and HPLX with null modem cable (important ;-), only 3-wire cable (RX-TX, TX-RX, GND-GND) can be used now

  6. On HPLX run Filer. For the first time check and set communications parameters (port, speed, server mode enabled).

  7. You can now access the HPLX file system via the Network Neighborhood

Upgrade

Simply replace old file HP200LX.WFX by new one.

Operations enabled on HPLX

  • browse directories

  • copy or move files from/to HPLX

  • make and remove directories

  • delete files

  • rename files

  • execute files – file is copyied into the temporary directory on PC and executed according to the Windows rules

Limitations

  • Rename/move files on HPLX is possible only on the same drive f. e. rename A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT to A:\PP\AUTOEXEC.BAT is OK, but rename A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT to C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT is not OK

  • Filer protocol doesn't support change of file time and attributes on HPLX

  • Capacity of directory cache is 1024 files/subdirectories

Feedback

Please, send your bug reports, comments and suggestions to