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1-5 of 5 messages
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Pacratt PK 232 MBX difficulties
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by G0GQK on July 2, 2009
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I have a Packratt 232 MBX which I used to use during the 90's with an ancient DOS PC long since thrown away. A few weeks ago I thought I might try and connect it again using an old PC using DOS in Windows 98,easier said than done !
The DOS window appeared, the diskette version 5.5 was inserted and C: WINDOWS.appeared. CD Packratt was typed in and the answer was it was an unsuitable command, or words to that effect. So that that came to a quick end.
Asking for advice I was told the Diskette would work with windows XP. Go to Start/ Programs/ Accessories/ then Command prompt where the page appeared as below
C: Documents and settings Administrator
I was advised to open the program, but er... which program ? then double click the .exe file
or use the Compatibility mode, right click the .exe file ( Where do I find that ?)then select Properties,, then choose Windows 98 compatibility mode.
Now I have to admit I am completely and totally confused. It has been suggested that perhaps my version 5.5 diskette is now so old it may be useless, so how can I find out if it is not functioning.?
In simple terms, what DOS commands must I make to have the disk working. I used to type CD Packratt, then enter then PP and it all appeared on the screen.
Is there a PK Packratt expert on QRZ who can give me a step by step guide to get this box working again.? I tried XP ware three years ago and couldn't make any sense of it so the 232 went back in its box again.
I would like to use it with the old Windows 98 PC and bring both back to life again. If the disk is useless
I'll just throw it away and forget all about it, but how can I find out ?
Kind regards, Mel G0GQK
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RE: Pacratt PK 232 MBX difficulties
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by W5RKL on July 4, 2009
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With the diskette in the computer's floppy drive,
double click "MY COMPUTER" icon on the windows desktop.
A window frame will open showing the floppy drive "A"
and the "C" drive.
Double click on the floppy drive "A" icon. The
contents of the floppy drive "A" will be displayed
in the window.
Locate the program on the floppy drive window,
place the mouse over the program's icon, and right
click the mouse "once". A Properties list will be
displayed.
Locate "Properties" at the bottom of the list and
click once on "Properties". When properties opens,
click once on the "Program" tab located on the top
of the properties window. At the bottom of the Program
tab you will see a drop down menu labeled "RUN". Click
the drop down menu and select "Maximize". Click the
check box below, labeled, "Close on exit" once so
there is a check mark in the box.
Now, click the properties "Screen" tab along the top
of the properties window then click the radio button
labeled "Full Screen", then click "OK". The Properties
window will close and you will see the floppy drive
"A" window again.
Locate the program again on the floppy drive window
and double click the program icon. The program should
run in a full screen DOS window now. When you close
the DOS program, the DOS window will also close and
return you to Windows.
A better way is to copy ALL of the software from the
floppy drive "A" to the "C" drive. Create a folder
on the "C" drive by doubling click "C" from the
window in "MY COMPUTER". Once the "C" drive contents
are displayed, place the cursor in any place other
than an icon, and right click once. Move the cursor
over the list that says "NEW" then select "FOLDER"
on the small list. A new folder will be created
but you will have to rename it.
Place the cursor over the new folder and right click
once, select "rename". The original folder name will
be highlighted. Simply type the name you want
the folder to be and press the "Enter" key.
Copy all of the files from the floppy drive "A" to
this folder. You can do this easily by double clicking
"MY COMPUTER" on the desktop. Then double click floppy
drive "A". When the contents of the floppy drive
are displayed, click "Edit" at the top of the window
and select "select all". The files on the floppy drive
"A" will all be highlighted. Place the cursor over
any one of the icon in the floppy drive "A" window
and right click. Click once on "Copy" from the list.
Double click MY computer again and double click
"C" drive. When the contents of "C" drive are displayed
you should see the folder you just created. Double
click that folder. the folder will be empty, no
files. Right click once, anywhere in the new folder
and select "Paste". The contents of the floopy drive
"A" will be copied onto the "C" drive folder you
just created.
You can create a short cut to the program by
placing the cursor over the program and right click.
A list will be displayed with one titled "SEND TO".
Place the cursor over "SEND TO" and another small
list will be displayed. Click on "Desktop (create a
shortcut)". This will create a short cut and place
the short cut on your windows desktop. To run the
program simply double click the icon on the desktop
and it should run.
If all this seems Greek to you, find someone who is
versed in Windows and knows how to do the steps I
have outlined.
Mike W5RKL
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RE: Pacratt PK 232 MBX difficulties
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by G0GQK on July 5, 2009
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Mail this to a friend!
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Hello Mike,
I really do appreciate your experience and time which you have spent in giving me such comprehensive help in getting my PK 232 MBX back into use again.
I've made a copy of your instructions and in the next few days I shall sit down, follow every word and make an attempt to get it going. This is into uncharted territory for me but your instructions are clear so I'm confident of success
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RE: Pacratt PK 232 MBX difficulties
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by KQ4KK on July 29, 2009
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I run PK Packratt 2.1 in Windows XP fine.
However, I could ONLY get it to install directly from the floppy. When I copied all the files from the diskette to the hard drive it crashed on installation. When I install it from the floppy, it workes fine.
I cannot get it to intall on Vista x64 however.. I guess I am asking too much.
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RE: Pacratt PK 232 MBX difficulties
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by W5RKL on July 29, 2009
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Mail this to a friend!
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I don't use Windows Vista and never will.
I can't say for sure but the reason the software may
be crashing is because of Pakratt configuration. I
ran into this quite a few times with floppy based
software. Again, I can't say for sure this is why
the software is crashing. The software may well be
written entirely for floppy based computer systems
and cannot be operated from a hard drive.
You might also try "Paket6.2", which has a text
terminal that will work just fine with the PK-232. It
is a DOS base software but runs in Windows just fine.
You can download it from one of the following websites.
ftp://ftp.tapr.org/software_lib/terminal/paKet62.zip
or
ftp://ftp.ro.debian.org/pub/mirrors/ftp.tapr.org/software_lib/terminal/paKet62.zip
I have used Paket6.2 before with Windows 2000 and it
is easy to configure and use.
Another text based software package called TaraTerm
will also work with the PK-232.
You do not have to use sophisticated and expensive
software to control/communicate with the PK-232!
You can download Taraterm at the following website:
http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA002416/ttermp23.zip
Taraterm is a simple single window text based terminal
program that operates in Windows. Configuration is
simple and easy. I have used it in a pinch when
working with my PK-232 and PK-88 TNCs.
There are other simple text based serial terminal
programs available on the Internet. If you send me
an e-mail I may be able to provide a software package
that will run in Windows and communicate with your
PK-232 using a multi window text base terminal
program. I can't say for sure it will run in Windows
Vista or not. My email address is good on this forum
as well as qrz.com.
Mike W5RKL
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