Downloading and Uploading Files

CONTENTS :
How do I download a file (transfer it from CUUG to my home computer)?
Once logged in to a host, type:

sz -e -l 512 -b file1

where file1 is the file you'd like to download. Increase the 512 to 1024 or remove it to increase throughput (and maybe increase errors). Finally, start a Z-Modem download on your computer software. How to do this depends on your software, so read your manual. If the transfer gets errors, see the next question.

I'm trying to download files using Zmodem and it keeps timing out on me. Any suggestions?
A: Check you are logging in correctly, as described in the previous question.

A: Change the "-l 512" in the sz command to a smaller number, like "-l 256".

A: There are a number of switches you can use and you will have to play around with it to get the ones that work best for you. Modifying these can make a big difference. Command line (with everything): sz -b -e -u -o -w 1536 -l 512 file1. file1 can be a single file, a list, or contain wildcards (? or *)

-b sets the transfer mode to binary. (as versus ascii) You need this when transfering ZIP, ZOO, or other archive or binary files.
-e escapes all the control characters
-u removes the file from your directory once it had been downloaded successfully (VERY helpful).
-o use CRC-16 error checking instead of 32 - this slows things down a tad but seems to work in some instances.
-w #### This is the window size to use. Similar to -l.
-l #### We suggest 512 or 1024 but any number that can be divided by 256 will do. Smaller numbers reduce errors.
I'm using <package> to download files to my system with Zmodem and it keeps aborting on me. I use (the above) settings but it doesn't help.
A: If you use Telix check to see if it is a beta version. The Beta form is REALLY flakey with our system. If you are using the Beta, I suggest that you update your Telix to a newer version. You might want to try "Telemate" as an alternative. It's set up much like Telix but has been a little more reliable.

A: If you are NOT using Telix check to see if you have the newest version of the software. If it's shareware, there might be a newer version that fixes some of the bugs that are causing the problems.

A: Procomm seems to be having some problems as well - especially with binary files. You might have to manually set the file type for the download to binary (on both ends) in order for it to work correctly.

A: ANSI terminal servers are having problems too... as well as people who use ANSI settings for there emulation.

A: 2400 baud modems are having problems no matter what the program...

A: Modems that do not have error correction (v.42bis, MNP5) have a hard time too...

A: I've even heard of people turning off data compression on their modems and having better success (if its >= 9600)

A: If you are using "cu" from a UNIX box you will have to set the terminal on the machine you connect to to the correct one for what you are using. (i.e. if you use an HP 700/96 console remember to "set term=hp;tset"! ;)

I downloaded a ZIP file onto my system but when I try and unzip it I get an error message about needing to us PKZIPFIX. What did I do wrong?
A: ZIP, ZOO, ARC, ARJ, .tar.Z and a number of other compression programs have to be downloaded in BINARY. That is, while in FTP you have to set the transfer type to binary (type "binary" at the FTP> prompt) AND you have to use the "-b" switch with Zmodem (assuming you use 'sz'). If you do both of these and it still says to use zipfix, assume the file is corrupt and find another site to get it from.
How can I upload files to the system.
It depends on which protocol you wish to use. To receive using Kermit type "kermit" at the % prompt and then type "receive" or "r" at the "Kermit-C>" prompt. With Xmodem, simply type "rx" at the % prompt. With Ymodem it's "rb" and Zmodem "rz". Then, start the transfer at your end (see you software manual on how to do this). If it gives you errors, reduce the frame (packet) size, set binary mode, etc. on your end to slow down the transfer rate.
I'm using the Telemate program that you suggest and the login sequence you suggest and I still can't download files. What's next?
Try changing machines you are downloading from and if that doesn't work have a look and see who else is downloading files (type "w" at the prompt). The more people that are downloading the worse the error rate.
What kind of throughput should I expect?
A 28.8 modem can generate rates of about 3000 characters (bytes) per secons with compression. On a 14.4 modem, you can get as high as 1600cps on compressed files. This goes down as low as 500cps if the modems on each end don't work well together, if there are many people downloading, or if you use a 9600 baud modem.
Last updated on February 1, 1997 E-Mail: help