#DECMATES
5 messages in this thread
Does anyone know of a way to connect a DECMATE I or II to an IBM PC network
to use the DECMATE as a terminal? In the alternative, can the DECMate be
upgraded so that it can run IBM programs?
Robert,
There was a hardware option available for the DECmate II (but not the I)
that provided a coprocessor that would run some MS-DOS programs. But I
don't believe it was fully IBM-compatible. It was called the "XPU", and it
was not cheap… about as expensive as buying a whole separate IBM PC
clone, if not more so.
The other option you mention could be accomplished if you have the comm
hardware/software option on a DECmate I… not required on a DECmate II…
and you use the CX communications option from the DECmate menu. This makes
the DECmate work like a VT100 terminal. If you have software on your IBM
PCs that allows the use of an external VT100/ANSI terminal, then you're all
set. Most IBM PC applications don't normally work that way, though.
-Bill
I have transferred quite a few documents from our old decmate II to a
macint modem cable between the serial ports, and the cx option. it is an
awful w do it, extremely slow (9600 bps) and awkward. I was hoping someone
might know a way to read a decmate disk in a PC floppy drive. Is there a
software driver that can accomplish this? a controller card? We don't use
the decmates anymore and would like to get rid of them.
Allan,
First, please use the OPTIONS command or menu to "fix" your name. This
Forum, like most CompuServe forums, requires your full first and last name.
Thank you.
There is a program or two that can convert your DECmate files to
"something else". DEC's WPS-Plus/DOS comes with a facility for reading
DECmate disks and converting them to WPS-Plus/DOS files on a PC. I think
the word processor-to-word-processor exchange program called Software
Bridge may also be able to do it, but I'm not sure. You would certainly
need a high density (1.2Mb) disk on the PC to start with.
You can also turn to an outside service bureau, of course.
-Bill