Note: This is the wording from the original manual that came with the BoosterLink / DeskLink program.  Portions have been altered to reflect Club 100 specific information.  This documentation is included in the DL-ARC.EXE file available for free from the Club 100 bbs and web site. 

                          Richard Hanson, Proprietor
                       Club 100: A Model 100 User Group
                    P.O. Box 23438, Pleasant Hill CA 94523
         925-932-8956, 937-5039 fax, www.club100.org, rick@club100.org

    "I highly recommend using a TS-DOS ROM in your Model "T" for accessing
    DESKLINK.  Club 100 manufactures the most excellent TS-DOS ROM" __Rick

Note: The name BoosterLink and DeskLink refer to the same program.  It was originally named BoosterLink to be used by those using a Booster Pac.  The program was upgraded and renamed as DeskLink, which is the same as you have, yet the documentation retained the older name. 


                         INTRODUCTION TO BOOSTER-LINK

BOOSTER-LINK is a program that emulates the Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2 on your IBM PC, XT, AT, or compatible computer. In plain English, this means that BOOSTER-LINK makes one of the drives on a PC-compatible computer act like a portable disk drive. 

Once BOOSTER-LINK is running on your PC-compatible computer you can exchange files with any of these notebook computers: the Tandy 100, 102, or 200 or the NEC PC-8201A or PC-8300. 

BOOSTER-LINK is part of a pair of programs. The other part is TS-DOS or some other program that operates the Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2. When you are using BOOSTER-LINK, the disk-operating program operates one of the drives of the PC-compatible as though it were a portable disk drive. 

The first step to transferring files is to connect your computers by cable. Then start BOOSTER-LINK on your PC-compatible computer. Finally, on your notebook computer start the program that operates the Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2. 

While transferring files you will confine your attention to the notebook computer and operate it just as though you were accessing the portable drive. 


                            TS-DOS AND BOOSTER-LINK

If TS-DOS is your choice to run the disk drive of your PC-compatible computer through BOOSTER-LINK there are a few considerations you should be aware of before you start BOOSTER-LINK. 

Note: The information in this section does not apply to you if-

 - you have the Traveling Software BOOSTER PAK

 - you have the TS-DOS ROM chip or

 - you are using a disk-operating system other than TS-DOS Skip to CONNECTING THE COMPUTERS if you find yourself in any of these categories. 

Which Version of TS-DOS You Need Versions of TS-DOS earlier than 3.00 do not work properly with BOOSTER-LINK. If you have an earlier version you will find the latest version in this archive. 

If uncertain about which version you have, look at the label on the TS-DOS master disk or start the program and look for the version number in the top line of either of the TS-DOS file menus. 


                COPYING TS-DOS INTO YOUR PC-COMPATIBLE COMPUTER

In any of the several forms in which it is sold (except the TS-DOS ROM chip), TS-DOS always consists of two parts: the operating program and a small program that starts TS-DOS by loading the operating program from disk (or directly from RAM) into the high memory of a notebook computer. 

The loader program may be a file by itself-TSLOAD.CO. Or it may be included in the software of certain Traveling Software ROM-based products, including the Ultimate ROM II and any of the Sardine products. With BOOSTER-LINK the loader program-whether as a separate file or as part of a ROM chip--will continue to reside in the notebook computer, and you will start TS-DOS as usual. 

What is different about using TS-DOS with BOOSTER-LINK is the location of the TS-DOS operating program. In order to load the operating program into high memory the loader program now must find the operating program in the PC-compatible computer instead of the portable disk drive. 

If you already have TS-DOS (in any version other than the TS-DOS ROM chip), you must now undertake these Operations: 

 - Before doing anything else, start TS-DOS as usual on your notebook computer and copy the TS-DOS operating program from the portable disk drive into the RAM of that computer. 

Reminder: The TS-DOS operating program is named DOS100.CO on the Tandy 100 or 102; DOS200.CO on the Tandy 200; and DOSNEC.OO on either NEC computer. 

 - Then follow the instructions on the next few pages: remove the cable connecting the notebook computer to the portable disk drive and connect the notebook computer to your PC-compatible computer; create a directory for BOOSTER-LINK and start BOOSTER-LINK on your PC-compatible computer. 

 - Finally-when you have BOOSTER-LINK running on your PC-compatible computer and TS-DOS running on your notebook computer copy the TS-DOS operating program to the PC-compatible computer (see STARTING TS-DOS IN THE FUTURE). 


                           CONNECTING THE COMPUTERS

BOOSTER-LINK can exchange information between computers only if they are connected by cable through their RS-232C serial ports 

Tandy 100 or 102 or NEC Computers. If you have the Tandy 100 or 102 or either NEC notebook computer you can use a standard null modem cable to make this connection. (Depending on the null modem cable you have, you may need to use a gender-changer.) Attach one end of the cable to either the COM1 or COM2 serial port of your PC-compatible computer. Attach the other end to the RS-232C serial port of your notebook computer. 

Tandy 200. If you have a Tandy 200 you may use the BOOSTER-LINK cable supplied by Traveling Software or use a null modem cable, on which pins 4 and 5 have been grounded together. 

Attaching the BOOSTER-LINK Cable. If you received a cable with your BOOSTER-LINK package, you will notice that one end has only one connector, the other end two connectors. Attach the end with the single connector to the RS-232C serial port of your notebook computer. The other end of the cable offers this choice: a smaller DB9 connector, which plugs into serial ports with 9 pins, and a larger DB25 connector, which plugs into serial ports with 25 pins. Select whichever of these connectors matches a serial port on your PC-compatible computer. 

Note: The connectors on the split end of BOOSTER-LINK cable are female and thus compatible with the male serial ports on most computers. On some computers, however, the serial ports are female. If one of your computers falls into this category, you will have to purchase a gender-changer before you can attach the BOOSTER-LINK cable. 

Serial Ports on PC-Compatible Computers. It is unfortunate but true that many PC-compatible computers do not label their serial ports. Looking at the rear panel of your computer, you may not be able to distinguish a serial port from a parallel port or some other connector. 

If you are confused, you are advised to seek help from your computer dealer, the manufacturer of your computer, or a computer users' group. Otherwise, you will have to try one connector after another until you guess the right one; if you happen to guess the wrong one, you will not damage your computer. 


                     CREATING A DIRECTORY FOR BOOSTER-LINK

You are about to create a directory for BOOSTER-LINK on your PC-compatible computer. This directory will-

 - store the operating program for BOOSTER-LINK and, if you are going to use TS-DOS, for TS-DOS as well 

 - store files for transfer between your notebook computer and your PC-compatible computer 

This directory will receive the files you transfer from your notebook computer. Any files you want to transfer from your PC-compatible computer must be moved into this directory before you run BOOSTER-LINK. 

We suggest that you name this directory ROOT. You may choose a different name, but ROOT is the default directory for BOOSTER-LINK. By settling for ROOT you will save yourself a few keystrokes each time you run BOOSTER-LINK. (See STARTING BOOSTER-LINK ON A PC-COMPATIBLE COMPUTER) 

Regardless of its name, this directory must reside at the second level in the hierarchy of directories on a disk-that is, immediately below the actual root directory of your disk. BOOSTER-LINK will not transfer files into or out of the actual root directory. 

On Hard Disk Computers. To create a directory for BOOSTER-LINK on a hard disk computer turn on your computer and type this at the system prompt (usually C>): 

MKDIR \ROOT or
MKDIR \XXXXXXXX

where XXXXXXXX is the directory name you wish to use instead of ROOT.

Now log onto the directory you just created. At the system prompt type-

CD \ROOT or
CD \XXXXXXX

where XXXXXXXX is the directory name you chose instead of ROOT.


               STARTING BOOSTER-LINK ON A PC-COMPATIBLE COMPUTER

To start BOOSTER-LINK log onto the drive and directory in which you have installed DESKLINK.COM on your PC-compatible computer, as instructed earlier. 

Then at the system prompt enter a command in this format: 

DESKLINK \DIR /2 /S

Only DESKLINK is required in every case. Whether and how you include the other items depends on these factors: 

\DIR

This item specifies the name of the directory in which files copied from your notebook computer will be stored in your Pc-compatible computer. If you specify no directory, a directory named ROOT will be assumed. (This is why we suggest that you create a ROOT directory for BOOSTER-LINK.) To specify a different directory, type \ followed immediately by the name of that directory. 

/2

If you attached the null modem cable to the COM2 serial port of your PC-compatible computer, type /2. But if you attached the cable to the COM1 serial port, Omit this item. 

/S

This item directs BOOSTER-LINK to transfer information at a slower rate-9600 baud instead of 19200. You should not have to type this item unless you are sure that your computer does not operate at 19200 baud. If you are unsure, Omit this item at the outset, but if you get a communication error when you try to access the PC-compatible computer, exit BOOSTER-LINK and include this item when you restart the program. 

Note: For a reminder of the options available for starting BOOSTER-LINK, you can refer to the screen of your PC-compatible computer. At the system-prompt you use when you start the program, type-

DESKLINK /?

Examples: If you have created a MISC directory for BOOSTER-LINK (instead of ROOT) and have attached the null modem cable to the COM2 serial port, start BOOSTER-LINK by typing this at the appropriate system prompt on your PC-compatible computer: 

DESKLINK \MISC /2

If you have created a ROOT directory but are operating through the COM2 serial port and must operate at the slower rate of transmission (9600 baud), type this: 

DESKLINK /2 /S


                            THE BOOSTER-LINK SCREEN

Once BOOSTER-LINK is running on your PC-compatible computer you will see a screen indicating-

 - the directory now active on your PC-compatible computer--either ROOT or whatever you have named the BOOSTER-LINK directory instead of ROOT 

 - the serial port--COM1 or COM2--you are communicating through

 - the transfer rate-either 19200 or 9600 baud

The BOOSTER-LINK screen will not change as long as BOOSTER.LINK remains active. Since control of the disk drive on your Pc-compatible computer has now been turned over to TS-DOS (or whatever disk-operating system you are using), you must now transfer your attention to your notebook computer to access files on the PC-compatible computer. 


                               MORE ABOUT TS-DOS

"Friends... trust me on this: If you are not using another option ROM in your Model "T" put a TS-DOS ROM in your Model 100, 102, 200 or NEC PC8201a and you will not regret it.  TS-DOS on ROM is absolutely the most useful ROM available for file transfers and file management."  __Rick 

If you are using TS-DOS in any version other than the TS-DOS ROM chip, now is the time to copy the TS-DOS operating program to your PC-compatible computer. 

As previously explained, you should have started TS-DOS on your notebook computer while it was still connected to the portable disk drive and before it was connected to your PC-compatible computer. Then you should have copied the TS-DOS operating program from the disk drive into the RAM of your notebook computer. 

Now that your notebook computer is attached to your PC-compatible computer and BOOSTER-LINK is running, move back to your notebook computer. In the RAM file menu of TS-DOS place the cursor over DOS100.CO, DOS200.CO, or DOSNEC.CO and press F1 (Save) and then ENTER. You have just copied the program to your PC-compatible computer. To save memory delete the program from your notebook computer: press F2 (Kill) and then Y 

Note: If you see this message when running TS-DOS Drive Not Ready-you most likely did not specify the correct serial port when you started BOOSTER-LINK. Exit BOOSTER-LINK and specify a different serial port. If the message returns, you may not be using a standard null modem cable. 


                         STARTING TS-DOS IN THE FUTURE

When you want to use TS-DOS with BOOSTER-LINK in the future you will not have to copy the operating program to your PC-compatible computer; this is a one-time-only operation. As long as TS-DOS can locate the operating program on your PC-compatible computer, you will be able to run TS-DOS without worrying about the operating program. (TS-DOS will display a Not Found message whenever it cannot locate the operating program.) 

To use TS-DOS with BOOSTER-LINK any time after the first, follow these steps: 

1. Connect your computers by cable.

2. Run BOOSTER-LINK on your PC-compatible computer.

3. Run TS-DOS on your notebook computer.


                              TRANSFERRING FILES

Once BOOSTER-LINK is started on your PC-compatible computer and the PC-compatible and notebook computers are properly connected, you are ready to use the disk-operating program on your notebook computer to transfer files between the two computers. 


                          TRANSFERRING NOTEBOOK FILES

Files created on your notebook computer will be transferred to your PC-compatible computer--and back to your notebook computer--with their file names unchanged. When you view the menu of files you have transferred to the PC-compatible computer, you will see file names like CONFlG.DO, TSLOAD.CO, and soon. 

Users of the Traveling Software BOOSTER PAK will also see files names with this extension: <>. These are subdirectories of the BOOSTER-LINK directory. To log onto any of these subdirectories place the bar cursor over its file name and press ENTER 

Caution: Your notebook computer makes certain assumptions about files on the basis of their extensions. Do not change those extensions while the files are stored in your PC-compatible computer. If you try to copy files back into your notebook computer with the wrong extensions you run the risk of cold starting your notebook computer. 


                       TRANSFERRING PC-COMPATIBIE FILES

Files created on your PC-compatible computer can be transferred to your notebook computer only on these conditions: 

1) The files must be in ASCII format. (Files created by most word processors must be converted to ASCII; otherwise you will see unusable characters when you view them on your notebook computer.) 

2) Files names must contain no more than 6 characters and they must have a DO extension. (Only names that meet these two requirements will be recognized by TS-DOS and included in the disk menu.) 

3) The files must be transferred to the ROOT directory or whatever directory it is that you have created for BOOSTER-LINK. (Only files in this directory will appear in the TS-DOS disk menu.) 


                             LEAVING BOOSTER-LINK

Once you are through transferring files press F10 or Ctrl-C on your PC-compatible computer to leave the program and return to the operating system. 

It does not matter whether you leave BOOSTER-LINK before or after your disk-operating program. 

end...
