Occasionally it happens that the Upgrade Installer reports it can't find a licensed version, and offers to let you browse to the location, but even when you choose the registered copy of the K95.EXE executable, it reports failure. This seems to happen only when you chose the "Don't make Registry entries" option when you installed your original version. If you remove your old version and reinstall it, but this time choose to make Registry entries, then the Upgrade Installer should be able to find it.

If you are upgrading from K95 2.0 or later and the upgrade fails for a spurious reason (e.g. "This update requires that you have an eligible Crypto-enabled Kermit 2.0 or 2.1 version installed", when that is the case), download the larger "full" upgrade and use that.

One user reported that the Upgrade Installer complained (on Windows 2000) "No valid Kermit 95 installation in C:\K95, try a different path". Repeated attempts to run the installer said the same thing. Rebooting didn't help. Downloading a fresh copy of the installer didn't help. He shut down and turned off the machine and went home. The next morning when he turned on the machine and tried the procedure again, it worked. The Mysteries Of Windows.

If you are one of the unfortunate few who can't get the upgrade installer to locate and verify your old copy of K95, the best course is to visit our electronic sales and distribution provider, e-academy.com, and purchase the new version; it's only $64 (less for academic institutions), which is probably less than the value of the time you would spend continuing to pursue the upgrade.

If all else fails, we would appreciate it if you would simply buy a new version; discounted copies are available on the Web from e-academy.com. Due to the harsh economic conditions, we no longer have sufficient staff to help people one-on-one with relatively ancient Kermit releases. Most other companies would have made you pay for upgrades all these years, and we never have -- which might be part of the problem!

INITIALIZATION AND CUSTOMIZATION FILES

How do I edit my K95 customization file?

Kermit 95 1.1.20 and earlier had all their files in one simple directory tree, typically C:\K95, which made it very easy to find your K95 initialization and customization files. Subsequent versions changed to the complex structure mandated by newer versions of Windows, in which the program files go in one place, program data for all users goes in another, and program data for each user goes in yet another. The names of these places vary from one Windows version to another, and from one country to another.

When people ask how to accomplish a certain customization, we give them a command (or list of commands) to do it. The next question is invariably, "where do I put these commands?" The answer is, "If you want them in effect for all your K95 sessions, put them in your customization file," meaning: edit your K95CUSTOM.INI file to include the desired commands. In early K95 versions, you could find this file in the same directory as K95 itself. But now where is it??? This is thoroughly explained in in the K95 Read Me document, but here is a simple recipe for how to edit your K95CUSTOM.INI file, wherever it is, in K95 1.1.21 or later. Start K95G or K95, then:

K-95> kcd appdata
K-95> run start notepad k95custom.ini

Remember, Kermit command files should be edited only by plain-text editors such as Notepad, DOS EDIT, or EMACS, not word processors like MS Word.

THE K95 DIALER

The Dialer is the graphical front end for Kermit 95. It is built using a portable GUI builder that creates versions for both Windows and OS/2.

Do I have to use the Dialer?

No. If you are comfortable typing commands (or creating command files, macros or scripts) for Kermit 95, you don't need to use the Dialer at all. The Dialer is recommended to newcomers to Kermit, since it makes it easy to set up any kind of connection. Some Kermit veterans prefer to use Kermit 95 directly.

What happened to the nice entry notebooks that we had in K95 1.1?

All the new pages (SSH, GUI, FTP, etc) made the notebook too big for Windows 9x/ME. For a detailed explanation CLICK HERE.

Why does it take a few seconds for the Dialer to start?

Because:

• The portable GUI builder has some extra overhead (the Dialer runs on OS/2 too).
• The Dialer makes backup copies of its database files for your protection every time it starts.

How do I get rid of unwanted Dialer entries?

You can not remove an individual predefined entry with the Remove button. However you can hide all the predefined entries by going into the Dialer's Options menu, selecting View, and then unchecking "Pre-defined". If you want to keep some of the predefined entries, just edit the ones you want to keep; this makes copies of them that are still visible even if you uncheck Pre-Defined. NOTE: This question is largely irrelevant in K95 1.1.21 and later, in which all the old and mostly defunct predefined entries (hundreds of them) were retired.

What are all the .DAT files?

Most of .DAT files in the Kermit 95 directory are used by the K95 Dialer:

DIALER.DAT

Contains the GUI screen definitions for the Dialer. It must not be renamed or deleted. A particular version of K95DIAL.EXE is keyed to a particular version of the DIALER.DAT file.

DIALINF.DAT

Contains the preloaded Dialer entries. This file is "read-only", primarily because it contains templates that are used for constructing other entries. (NOTE: In version 1.1.20 and earlier, this file contained hundreds of BBS and Telnet sites that by now are defunct; these have been removed to reduce the clutter -- if you need them send us e-mail.

DIALORG.DAT

(If any) Contains the preloaded Dialer entries for your organization. This file can be created by organizations that have K95 bulk or site licenses. Like DIALINF.DAT, this file is read-only.

DIALUSR.DAT

Contains (a) entries that you have added; (b) preloaded entries that you have edited; and (c) the information from your File and Options pages.

The remaining .DAT files are associated with the GUI setup and registration programs.

Why is my K95CUSTOM.INI ignored when I launch a connection from the Dialer?

Your K95.INI and K95CUSTOM.INI files are indeed executed, but the commands that come from the Dialer are executed after them, so when there is a conflict the Dialer settings override the INI-file settings. Make sure your Dialing Options menu notebook contains the desired settings, and also the notebook pages for the entries in question. The primary purpose of the INI files in K-95 is for when you start K95.EXE without the Dialer (or for key or macro definitions that you always want to be in effect and that don't conflict with settings made in the Dialer). As a last resort, you can enter commands into the Login Script text box in the Dialer entry -- the commands in this box are executed last.

STARTING, STOPPING, AND PASSING ARGUMENTS TO KERMIT 95

Why does Kermit 95 take a few seconds to start?

K95.EXE can take a while to start because:

• K95 performs a census of all the DLLs it needs to use -- TAPI, Kerberos, OpenSSL, Zmodem -- and then adapts itself automatically when any of the DLLs or required entry points within them are missing, rather than just crashing like most other applications would do.
• One user found that a 2.5-minute startup delay was due to a new Bluetooth installation and found that "If I stop my Bluetooth device, Kermit immediately 'boots' when started. After Kermit starts, I enable Bluetooth again and all is okay. I'm not sure why this is a problem except, I think, Bluetooth wants to own all unused ports." Later this was confirmed: "I removed my HP / Widcomm Bluetooth stack and replaced it with a Toshiba Bluetooth stack. I no longer have the problem of Kermit having a several minute delay to 'boot' unless Bluetooth is temporarily disabled. (I do have other problems with this new stack but, at least, it doesn't interfere with Kermit.)"
• If a SET PORT TAPI (Microsoft Telephony) or other TAPI-related command appears in your K95CUSTOM.INI, TAPI must be initialized, which takes some time, especially if your modem is turned off or not connected.
• An incorrect DNS configuration on the PC might cause the Kerberos DLL to take a long time trying to initialize itself.
• The initialization and customization file(s) are read unless you have started K95 with the "-Y" command-line option.
• Lack of physical memory might require that Windows 95 allocate swap space on the hard disk.

If you use K95 to make different types of connections, not just TAPI, take the TAPI-related commands out of your K95CUSTOM.INI file.

The following command-line options can be used to tell K95 not to load certain DLLs; this can speed startup:

• -# 2: Do not load Network DLLs (such as Winsock).
• -# 4: Do not load TAPI DLLs (for dialing out).
• -# 8: Do not load Security DLLs (for Kerberos, OpenSSL, encryption).
• -# 16: Do not load XYZMODEM DLLs (for XYZMODEM file transfer).

These numbers are powers of 2, representing single bits, and can be added to form a "bit mask" of options. Thus "-# 30" means don't load any of the above. On a 90 MHz PC, starting K95 1.1.16 with "-# 30" took about 1 second; without it about 4 seconds. You can omit the network DLLs if you will not be making network connections. You can omit TAPI if (a) you will not be making dialout connections, or (b) you will be using COM1 or COM2 directly rather than the TAPI modem device (i.e. the Control Panel name for the modem). You can omit Kerberos DLLs if you will not be making secure connections with Kerberos authentication. You can omit the XYZMODEM DLLs if you will not be transferring files with XMODEM, YMODEM, or ZMODEM.

Kermit 95 won't start at all!

Sometimes it seems that Kermit 95 "just sits there" when you start it for the first time after installing it, showing a blank black screen, or a toolbar and menu bar with nothing below it. In some cases this happens only on unprivileged user accounts, whereas K95 starts normally on accounts with Administrator privilege. This problem is frequently reported when running Kermit 95 on a remote desktop via Windows Terminal Services. Diagnosis: Part of Kermit 95's startup sequence is to query Microsoft Telephony (TAPI) to obtain a list of installed modems, as well as area and country codes and other dialing information. If the machine's Phone and Modem options in the Control Panel have not been set and the user does not the necessary privileges to set them (as is usually the case with Terminal Server), then Kermit 95 will hang for almost two minutes on startup while the Telephony API attempts to initialize its state. This is true on any machine, not just Terminal Server. Cure: When installing Kermit 95, the Administrator should ensure the machine's Phone and Modem Control Panel settings are filled in appropriately. About Terminal Services, one user also comments, "I used the setup launch icon from the kermit setup directory while logged in as Administrator [but] apparantly, when using Terminal Services, most (if not all) applications need to be installed using Add/Remove Software, otherwise it misses some setting which I have no clue about."

K95 won't start because "Cannot create crypto provider service"

The PROV_RSA_FULL Cryptographic Service Provider, which is one of the sources of randomness used to secure SSL/TLS and SSH, is either not installed on your machine (when it should be) or is inaccessible to your account. If you get this message, first make sure you have the current release of K95; if not, upgrade; if so, contact us.

Why does it take K95 several seconds to exit?

K95.EXE might take a while to exit because:

• K95 is careful to release all resources that it allocates.
• K95 is careful to close connections properly instead of just shutting down the subsystems (TAPI, Winsock, ...)

It can take Windows 20-30 seconds to release the TAPI device if your modem is disconnected or powered off. When it is connected and turned on, it still can take 5-10 seconds. That's Windows, not Kermit, being slow. If you can use the SET PORT COMx / SET MODEM TYPE xxx interface instead of the TAPI one (which is possible only for standard COM ports, not Winmodems, etc), opening and closing of modems will be faster.

How can I make K95 start in a given screen location?

The GUI version (K95G) accepts --xpos: and --xpos: command-line options. Arguments are in pixels and so depend on your PC's graphics resolution. You can put these in a .bat file or a shortcut. The GUI version also has a SET GUI WINDOW POSITION x y command to let you specify the screen location in a script. You can also specify the startup location for any connection in your Dialer database, on each entry's GUI Settings page.

How can I run a K95 script with arguments?

From a command window or Batch file:

  k95 scriptfilename = arg1 arg2 arg3 ... 

The equal sign (=) is necessary. arg1 becomes \%1; arg2 becomes \%2, etc. Note that you can not pass arguments on the command line if you invoke the script directly:

  scriptfilename.KSC arg1 arg2 arg3 ... 
  scriptfilename.KSC = arg1 arg2 arg3 ... 

Neither one of these forms works because Windows does not pass the arguments along when the application is invoked through the filename extension of a "data file" (.KSC in this case).

Specify the full pathname of K95 (or K95G) if it is not in the PATH. Specify the full pathname of the script file if it is not in the current directory.

In a shortcut to K95 or K95G you can put the script file name and arguments after the Kermit 95 executable name in the Target box of the Shortcut properties.

In a shortcut to a Kermit 95 script file, you can put the arguments to the script after the script file name in the Target box of the Shortcut properties.

From the Kermit 95 prompt, or within a Kermit 95 script, you can use the TAKE command, followed by the script file name, followed by its arguments.

How can I mix K95 arguments and script arguments on the command line?

Give the script file name as the first command-line argument. Then the K95 command-line arguments. Then an equal sign (=), and finally the arguments for the script. Example:

  k95g oofa.ksc --xpos:500 --ypos:500 = "This is script arg 1" scriptarg2

How can I run a K95 script by clicking on a URL?

Just make sure the script file name ends in ".ksc". Then use a URL (ftp:, http:, file:, whatever) that points to the script. Examples:

  http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/helper.ksc
  ftp://kermit.columbia.edu/kermit/scripts/ckermit/helper.ksc

How can I start K95 minimized?

You can do this in a Shortcut -- edit the properties and Choose Minimized (Console version only, not GUI). You can also start the Console version minimized with the Windows command START /MIN. This is useful for running Kermit scripts that don't need to interact with the user:

  @start /w /min "C:\Program Files\Kermit 95 2.1\k95.exe" scriptname = args...

K95 2.1.3 and later also have a --minimized command-line option (--maximized too).

Can I run K95 in a shell window of Windows EMACS?

Yes. You have to use the Console version (K95.EXE, not K95G.EXE). Start it like this (96 = 32 + 64, the codes for "use standard input" and "use standard output"):

  k95 -# 96

You can use it to make any kind of connection that you could make from a regular window: Telnet, SSH, Dialout, FTP, etc, and you can transfer files over the connection in the normal way.

The only fly in the ointment is that your keystrokes are read by EMACS, not K95, and EMACS intercepts Alt keys, F keys, and all Control characters, and furthermore, doesn't pass your keystrokes to Kermit until after you press the Enter key, so command-line editing (e.g. Ctrl-U), completion (Esc or Tab), ?-help, etc, don't work as they do when K95 has "direct access" to the keyboard. Escaping back from CONNECT mode is a bit tricky too; you have to type:

  Ctrl-Q Ctrl-] c CR

That's Ctrl-Q followed by Ctrl-Rightbracket, then the letter C, then press the Enter key. In fact, every control character is intercepted by EMACS, so to pass it through to Kermit you have to quote it with Ctrl-Q, and you probably also have to hit Enter afterwards.

And of course, when K95 is using stdio, there is no terminal emulation, so you can't (for example) run EMACS in your CONNECT session to the host :-)

But on the plus side, your CONNECT session is an EMACS buffer, so you can move around in it, edit it, etc, with regular EMACS commands.

SERIAL CONNECTIONS, MODEMS, AND DIALING

The Two Ways to Access a Serial Port or Modem

DOS veterans are accustomed to addressing serial ports (and modems through them) as COM1, COM2, etc, and to some extent Windows supports this model, at least when the PC actually has a real serial port. Increasingly, however, serial ports are becoming more abstractions than actual hardware, and Windows' DOS-like COM-port driver tends not to work with them: Winmodems, USB ports or modems, etc. The native Windows model for accessing serial ports and modems is called TAPI (Telecommunications Application Program Interface). You should be able to refer to any Windows serial port or modem through its Control Panel name. All TAPI devices are listed in the Modems tab of the Phone and Modem Options folder of the Windows Control Panel. A TAPI device is referred to in Kermit 95 by the name listed there, but with all spaces replaced by underscores.

Kermit 95 lets you use either the DOS-like interface or the TAPI interface. The rule of thumb is: if one doesn't work, try the other. Example:

DOS-Like Method	TAPI Method
set modem type usrobotics   set port com1 set speed 57600 dial 18007654321	set port tapi Courier_V.Everything_EXT_PnP_(V90-x2) set speed 57600 dial 18007654321

If you have only one TAPI device, that is the default device name for the SET PORT TAPI command; in that case you don't have to spell out the device name, you can just use:

set port tapi

For more about TAPI, consult the document TAPI - Microsoft Telephony included with the Kermit 95:

Help→Kermit 95 Manual→TAPI Command Reference

plus the other relevant items in this section, especially the next two:

How do I connect Kermit 95 to another device that's not a modem?

Such as router, a microcontroller, some piece of medical or factory-floor equipment:

1. You will need the appropriate cable, with the right connector on each end (9-pin or 25-pin or whatever), the right gender (male or female), and with various wires crossed, at minimum Receive and Transmit, rather than straight through. This is called a NULL MODEM cable, in contrast to modem cable, which is used to connect a computer or terminal to a modem, in which all the wires are straight through. Presumably the maker of the device will provide information about the required cable. If you can't get a null modem cable, you can use one or two modem cables plus a Modem Eliminator (also called a Null Modem Adapter) of the appropriate shape and genders. CLICK HERE to read more about null modem cables and modem eliminators.

2. Connect the PC to the device with the null modem cable.

3. Start K95G.EXE and give it the following commands:

   set port com1           ; Or COM2 or whatever the port is
   set carrier-watch off   ; Assume there is no carrier signal
   set flow none           ; Assume there is no flow control
   set speed 9600          ; Or whatever the speed has to be
   connect                 ; Begin terminal emulation
   

If the "set port" command gets an error messags, then read the next sections. Otherwise now you're in the (usually blue) "terminal screen". If you press the Enter key, you should see an intelligible response from the device -- a login or other prompt, a menu, or somesuch. If not:

• Maybe the PC port your cable is plugged in to is not the one you think it is. If you tried COM1, try COM2, and vice versa.
• Maybe the speed is wrong. Try different speeds: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600.
• Maybe the port on the device is not configured for interaction. Check the documentation for the device.
• Maybe the cable is not appropriate, or is loose, or has broken or missing wires.

There are many tools and techniques you can use for troubleshooting -- breakout boxes, loopback connectors, data scopes, etc -- but that's beyond the scope of this document. See, for example, Appendix II of Using C-Kermit.

Can I Use Kermit to Connect Two PCs by Their Serial Ports?

Yes. You need a null modem cable, as described in the previous item. Then start Kermit 95 on each PC, give an appropriate SET PORT command to each copy of K95, set each port to the the same speed, and give a CONNECT command to each. At this point, whatever you type on one PC's keyboard should appear on the other PC's screen. This demonstrates a successful connection. At this point you can (for example) put one copy in server mode, and give client commands to the other copy, or write a script for the client, in which it gives commands to the server, whatever you want. (Read the next few items about SET PORT commands.)

SET PORT COM1 doesn't work!

There are several possibilities. The most obvious one is that you have plugged your cable into (say) COM2 but you have told Kermit to use (say) COM1. The COM ports are not labeled on some PCs, so trial and error will be necessary. Try SET PORT COM1, and if that doesn't work, SET PORT COM2, SET PORT COM3, and so on. You can also look in the Control Panel to see what COM ports are actually defined on your PC (the dialog may vary from one Windows version to another):

Control Panel → System → Hardware tab → Device Manager → Ports

Another possibility is that some other process has the desired port open already; Windows won't let Kermit open it at the same time.

Let's assume you have a cable connecting your serial port to another computer or to a modem, and that is is the appropriate kind of cable (null modem or modem, respectively), and no other process is using it. If the SET PORT command identifies the physical port you are using, then SHOW COMM should say that at least one of the following modem signals is "On": DSR, CTS, or CD. Example:

[C:\tmp\] K-95> set port 1
[C:\tmp\] K-95> show comm

Communications Parameters:
 Port: com1, speed: 1200, mode: local, modem: generic
 Parity: none, stop-bits: (default) (8N1)
 Duplex: full, flow: rts/cts, handshake: none
 Carrier-watch: auto, close-on-disconnect: off
 Terminal bytesize: 8, escape character: 29 (^])
 Priority: regular

 Carrier Detect      (CD):  Off
 Dataset Ready       (DSR): On
 Clear To Send       (CTS): On
 Ring Indicator      (RI):  Off
 Data Terminal Ready (DTR): (unknown)
 Request To Send     (RTS): (unknown)
[C:\tmp\] K-95>

In that case, you probably have the correct port and now you can start experimenting with the speed, flow control, and parity. If they are all Off or Unknown, you probably have the wrong port or the wrong kind of cable (modem instead of null modem, or vice versa). HINTS:

1. If CD is Off, you have to tell Kermit to SET CARRIER-WATCH OFF before you can use the connection (see manual for explanation).

2. If CTS is Off, you have to tell Kermit to SET FLOW NONE or SET FLOW XON/XOFF, otherwise communication will not be possible (see manual).

3. When changing COM ports, you have to re-issue your SET SPEED, SET FLOW, and SET CARRIER-WATCH commands because these settings are particular to each port. Give the SET PORT command first, then the settings that go with that port, e.g.:

   SET PORT COM2
   SET SPEED 9600
   SET FLOW NONE
   SET CARRIER-WATCH OFF
   CONNECT

A second possibility is that the port on the other computer is not configured to do anything. For example, if it's a Unix computer, you have to configure it for logins, or else you won't see anything when you connect to it. See previous item in this FAQ.

A third possibility is that the port is a Windows-only device that can't be accessed through the COM port drivers because the underlying hardware (if any) is not the same as a real COM port, so you have to use the native Windows software interface, called TAPI, rather than the direct device ("DOS") interface to access it. So, for example, rather than:

SET PORT COM1

you might have to use:

SET PORT TAPI Communications_cable_betwee_two_computers

Look in the Control Panel's Modems folder and see what's there (in Windows XP, it's the Phones and Modems folder, and then you have to choose the Modems tab). Look at the list of modems. Do you see "Communications cable between two computers"? If so, try the SET PORT TAPI command shown just above. If not:

1. Click the Add button.
2. When the Wizard appears, click the check box that says "Don't detect my modem..."
3. Click Next.
4. Under (Standard Modem Types) you should see: "Communications cable between two computers" listed; select this and then click Next.
5. Choose the COM port you want to use (such as COM1), then click Next.
6. Once the Wizard completes, click Finish, you should see the new item.
7. Close out of the Phone and Modem options, close Control Panel.

Finally, if you have more than two COM ports, or a serial mouse, or any other devices that use IRQ 3 or 4, you might also have an interrupt conflict. Solving PC interrupt conflicts is WAY beyond the scope of this document.

Kermit vs TAPI Dialing

There are two ways to dial TAPI modems. The default method is to have the Windows Telephony (TAPI) subsystem configure and dial the modem (SET TAPI MODEM-DIALING ON). If you want Kermit to dial the modem itself (or you want to interact with the modem by hand in CONNECT mode) you must tell Kermit to SET TAPI MODEM-DIALING OFF before you open the port:

SET TAPI MODEM-DIALING OFF
SET PORT TAPI device-name
SET SPEED 57600                   ; Or other desired speed
DIAL number

Or if you want to dial the number by hand:

SET TAPI MODEM-DIALING ON
SET CARRIER-WATCH OFF
SET PORT TAPI device-name
SET SPEED 57600                   ; Or other desired speed
CONNECT                           ; Enter terminal screen
AT                                ; Now maybe you can type modem commands
OK

By-hand dialing is not guaranteed to work with TAPI modems. Who knows, maybe the modem and its driver use some secret dialing protocol instead of AT commands.

For a variety of reasons, one dialing method might work when another one doesn't. If TAPI dialing doesn't work, try Kermit dialing. And vice versa.

Will K95 Let My PC Accept Incoming Calls?

Normally you can't dial and log in to Windows and get a text-based shell like you can do with VMS, Unix, and other conventional operating systems -- Windows was not designed to allow that. But you can still set up Kermit on Windows to accept incoming calls and provide a file-transfer and management service. There are various ways to do this, of which the most user-friendly, called host mode, is described HERE and, in more detail, in Chapter 9 of your Kermit 95 manual (Help → Kermit 95 Manual → Chapter 9: Host Mode).

You can also write a Kermit script that awaits and handles incoming calls. Here's a simple example:

set port tapi             ; Or "set port com1", "set modem type usr", etc
set speed 57600           ; Or other speed
set flow rts/cts          ; Always use hardware flow control if available
set carrier-watch auto    ; (see below)
disable cd                ; (if desired) Don't let client change to other directories
while true {              ; Loop to wait for any number of calls
    cd some-directory     ; Change to desired directory
    answer 0              ; Wait for call to come in
    if success server     ; If answered successfully, enter server mode
}

SET CARRIER-WATCH AUTO means that Kermit does not require a carrier signal from the modem while waiting for a call to come in, but then requires the carrier signal after the call is answered so it can detect a disconnection and automatically exit from server mode and go back to await another call. Meanwhile, the ANSWER command automatically hangs up the phone and resets the modem before putting the modem into answer mode. Obviously many variations and refinements are possible; for example, you can DISABLE SEND to allow only uploads, or DISABLE RECEIVE to allow only downloads.

Suppose the script shown above is named ANSWER.KSC. The ".KSC" filetype associates it automatically with Kermit 95, so you can "run" it the same way you would run any program -- double-click on its icon or shortcut, put it in your Startup folder, put it in the System Startup folder, type its pathname at a CMD prompt, add it to your Start menu, etc.

Should I Use Host Mode or an ANSWER Script?

Host Mode lets people dial up your PC and interact with a menu, whereas the ANSWER script above is strictly for file transfer, and suitable for automated transfers. The ANSWER script requires no authentication, whereas host mode requires you to set up a multiple-user pseudo-user-ID/password system, in which each user must give a username and password to get the menu. The tradeoffs -- simple ANSWER script versus Host Mode -- are many, but remember, both are just scripts. You can change them to do whatever you want, or write your own. The basic mechanism for accepting incoming calls is shown in the ANSWER script above; whatever else you want to do is up to you.

Can I Always Have Host Mode (or an ANSWER Script) Running?

The simplest way to do this is to put the script in the System Startup folder, e.g. HOSTMDM.KSC or ANSWER.KSC. Make sure the script does not require interaction from the PC keyboard. If you don't want the Kermit window showing you can include the appropriate command-line option for that, as described HERE, e.g.:

"C:\Program Files\Kermit 95 2.1\k95g.exe" "path of script" --minimize

On Windows NT, 2000, and XP, you can make any application into a Service. Go to the Microsoft Download Center and search for the Resource Kit that goes with your version of Windows. Within the kit you will find a program called SRVANY.EXE and a Microsoft Word documentation file call SRVANY.DOC. Follow the directions provided in SRVANY.DOC for installing a non-service as a service. If you want to run a Kermit script as a service, you have to put the scriptfile pathname as the first argument to the pathname of the Kermit 95 executable (as shown above) in the service setup dialog. Also include "-# 128" (Do not terminate process in response to Session Logoff, "help options -#"). Example:

path\k95g.exe scriptfilepathname -# 128 [ = any parameters for script... ]

My connection is horrible, my scripts don't work

We often get complaints that a dialup script that worked correctly on one PC fails miserably when run on another PC. The answer is usually that the new PC does not have a real and properly functioning modem; instead it has a cheap simulated modem, or "Winmodem", explained HERE. Serial-port / modem communications can't be expected to work well unless your PC is equipped with a reliable internal modem, or a true buffered serial port (16550A UART) and a reputable external modem. "But" (you say) "Internet connections with the same modem work fine!" That's an illusion. The modem is getting gobs of errors but you don't see them because TCP/IP hides them from you; the only effect you see is slowness caused by repeated retransmissions.

Problems with Winmodems surface most frequently during script execution (as opposed to online interactive sessions) because OUTPUT commands can overdrive the Winmodem. Winmodems don't expect fast output from the PC but typing (at 10cps or less) doesn't bother them. You can work around this problem by adding a SET OUTPUT PACING command to your script to slow down the rate at which OUTPUT sends characters to the modem.

My connection fails with "ttsetspd failed"

When you make a connection with a modem, the modem reports the connection speed with a message like "CONNECT 31000". Usually this is the speed between the two modems, not the speed between your modem and your PC. In some cases, however, it can be the speed between your modem and your PC, depending on your modem make and model and configuration. In that case, Kermit has to change its interface speed to match the one reported by the modem. The classic example is the Hayes 2400 SmartModem -- if you dial it at 2400 bps, but the other modem supports only 1200 bps, your modem has to drop its speed down to match. This was many years ago, before the days of hardware flow control and "speed buffering". Nevertheless, Kermit has a setting to provide for this behavior, since some people still need it. The setting is:

set modem speed-matching { on, off }

SPEED-MATCHING ON means that Kermit should change its interface speed to match what the modem reports. Of course this setting is OFF by default for compatibility with modern modems.

The problem happens when Kermit's SPEED-MATCHING setting in ON but the modem is not really changing its interface speed. Then Kermit tries to change its interface speed to the one reported in the modem's CONNECT message. If it succeeds, you won't have any useful communication because the two interfaces are set to different speeds. If it fails ("ttsspd failed") it's because the reported speed (e.g. 31000) is not a legal interface speed (you can get a list of legal interface by typing "set speed ?" at the K-95> prompt).

The "ttsspd failed" problem happens most commonly when you SET PORT TAPI to use Microsoft's built-in modem database, but the database erroneously calls for speed matching. The solution is to tell Kermit to SET MODEM SPEED-MATCHING OFF after you have selected the TAPI modem:

set port tapi
set modem speed-matching off

Can K95 dial my ISP?

Because of Kermit 95's flexibility and programmability, many people ask us if there is a way that Kermit 95 can be used to make Dial Up Networking connections, in place of the standard Windows way. A variation on this question is: since Kermit can make modem calls, can I use it to make dialed connections to FTP servers? Unfortunately, the answer is no; Microsoft does not provide a way to let an application make a connection to a PPP or SLIP or FTP server (or Microsoft Windows Terminal Server) and then turn the connection over to the TCP/IP (or other network protocol) stack. The only way in Windows 95/98/ME or NT/2000/XP to make a dialup networking connection is with the built-in Dialup Networking dialer or (in Windows NT) RAS (see notes about RAS HERE). OS/2, on the other hand, allows this and Kermit 95 for OS/2 has this feature for both PPP and SLIP.

How do I use K95 with Cincinnati press brake machines?

We have a whole FAQ for just this topic; CLICK HERE to read it.

How can I make credit-card calls?

This applies when you have defined a dialing location in TAPI that includes a credit card number.

If you are using the K95 Dialer:

1. In the Dialer's main menu, choose Options.
2. Choose Dialing.
3. Make sure that both TAPI Modem Dialing and TAPI Phone Number Conversions are checked.

Then when placing a call, make sure:

• Your current modem is a TAPI device (not COM1, COM2, etc).
• Your current location is the one with the credit card information.
• The phone number is portable format, e.g. +1 (212) 7654321.

If the phone number is not in portable format, neither Kermit nor TAPI will be able to apply any prefixes or suffixes, including the credit card number. (This process is referred to as "Phone number conversions" in the menus.)

To create a new TAPI Location that uses a Credit Card:

• In the K95 Dialer choose "TAPI->Dialing Properties..." to display the dialog box.
• Click on the "New" button to create a new entry.
• Fill in the appropriate "area code" and numbers to use for getting an external line
• Check the "Dial using Calling Card" box and then press "Change"
• Select the appropriate Calling Card company and service from the list.
• Fill in the Calling Card number.
• Close all the dialogs to return to the K95 Dialer.
• To make the new location the active location, use the "Location->Current->" list to check the new location.

Now when you dial, these dialing rules -- including the calling card number -- will be used.

Can K95 make connections through the parallel port?

In Windows NT, no; in Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, and XP, yes. In Windows NT, it is not possible to "set port lpt1" -- i.e. to use a parallel port as a communications device, because bidirectional parallel ports are not supported by the NT drivers. But they are in Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, and XP, which include a COM-to-LPT interface. So in those Windows versions, you can:

  SET PORT LPT1

(or other parallel-port device). Only DOS names are allowed. Parallel ports (like Serial ports) are not automatically installed as TAPI devices since they are not modems. If you want a parallel port installed as TAPI device you must manually install it as a "Direct Serial Connection" device.

Can K95 use dialout modems on Telnet terminal servers?

Yes, this has always been possible. The command sequence is:

  set host hostname port
  set modem type name
  ...
  dial phone-number

However, since the modem is at the other end of a Telnet connection, you would not normally be able to control its serial-port settings. But if the terminal server supports RFC2217 Telnet COM Port Control K95 can do everything it could do with a local PC COM port: set the serial port interface speed and flow control method, sense modem signals, control the DTR signal, send BREAK, etc.

Can K95 be used with ADSL modems?

ADSL modems are generally used to make Internet connections. Kermit 95 can be used as a Telnet, SSH, Rlogin, FTP, or HTTP client over any Internet connection: SLIP, PPP, ADSL, DSL, Ethernet, you name it.

Does K95 work with Novell NASI modem sharing?

K95 works with any software that provides a TAPI interface or a COM port interface, and should work with any software that exports a Win32 device name. According to the Novell Support Website, http://support.novell.com/ on 24 July 1998, "In order for NT to access the modem pool, WIN2NCS version 2.11 must be used. . . . Windows NT is now supported. However, there is still an issue with the interaction of Win2NCS with Microsoft's TAPI which may cause problems with Host mode on some Remote Control applications. This is currently under investigation." (The download link provided for WIN2NCS no longer works.)

One user reported trouble using NASI until they selected "use hardware flow control always" in the NASI Workstation Global Settings configuration dialog.

Can K95 be used with ISDN?

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a digital alternative of the analog telephone system. CLICK HERE for an ISDN tutorial. Kermit 95 can be used with ISDN in the following ways:

• Kermit 95 works with any ISDN connection that provides TCP/IP services. In this case, K95 is simply a Telnet or Rlogin client, as it would be on any other kind of TCP/IP connection.

• Kermit 95 works with any ISDN device that provides a Windows Telephony Service Provider Interface (TSPI). In this case, Kermit can place ISDN calls using TAPI. Example: the AVM Fritz!Card with CapiPort driver, or the Teles X.75 Modem TAPI device for Windows 95.

• Kermit 95 works with any ISDN device that provides a 32-bit COM-port emulator, such as the version of Teles CAPI for Windows NT.

Kermit 95 does not include a direct CAPI interface.

NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Will K95 let my PC accept incoming network connections?

Yes. The preferred method for this in Windows NT, 2000, and XP is to install K95 as an Internet Kermit Service, explained HERE. You can also use host mode, which can be used in Windows 95/98/ME as well as NT/2000/XP, and is explained HERE. You can also execute a command such as:

set host /server * 3000

to tell K95 to wait for an incoming TCP/IP connection on port 3000 (or other port) and then automatically enter server mode when the connection comes in.

How do I tell which network interface to use?

On PCs that have more than one network interface (e.g. one for DSL to the outside world, another for a local network) you can force K95 to use a particular one with the SET TCP ADDRESS command, specifying the address that is associated with the desired interface.

In the Dialer on TCP/IP Settings page you will find a checkbox labeled "Use Default IP Address on Local Machine". If you uncheck the box, you will be allowed to specified an address which Kermit 95 should bind to when establishing connections.

Under almost all circumstances there will be no reason for you to use this. The only reason you should use this is if you have multiple network adapters which each can route to the destination address. For instance, you have a direct path and an alternate path over a VPN connection and the VPN software has not properly configured the routing tables to make the VPN be the default. Then you could enter the IP address assigned to the VPN and Kermit 95 will ensure that it uses the VPN for outbound packets. (However, Kermit 95 cannot force inbound packets to be delivered via the VPN.)

Kermit 95 Won't Connect to Certain TCP Ports

Kermit does not disallow connection to any TCP port. If the connection is failing (but connections to other ports succeed) it is being blocked by something outside Kermit. This could be a firewall anywhere along the path from your PC to the ultimate destination. In your own PC, you might find your Internet Connection Firewall or antivirus product (such as McAfee ViruScan Enterprise) is blocking connections to certain ports, such as 25, which is not unreasonable in these times of e-mail viruses.

Can Kermit 95 dial my PPP (or SLIP or ADSL) connection?

In OS/2: yes. In Windows, no. Windows provides no mechanism for a user application to turn a modem connection over to the Windows TCP/IP stack. This question is answered in more detail in the previous section.

Can Kermit 95 be the Telnet helper for my Web Browser?

Yes. This gives you many advantages over the regular Telnet program. Just to name a few: you can transfer files while in your Telnet session; you have more and better terminal emulations to choose from; and you have colors, scrollback, key mapping, and local printing. Simply point your Browser at the TELNET.EXE program in the Kermit 95 directory instead of at regular system Telnet.

Why does Dialup networking pop up whenever I make a Telnet connection?

This is not a Kermit problem -- the same thing would happen with any Internet application, such as Microsoft Telnet or FTP. To fix: open your Windows 95 Dial Up Networking folder (should be in your "My Computer" folder), go to Connections .. Settings .. General and choose "Don't prompt to use Dial-Up Networking".

Why does my Dialup Networking Connection freeze occasionally?

Most likely because you have "Allow OS to power down the NIC to save power" checked in the Control Panel.

How can I force the Telnet server to issue a login prompt?

When K-95 is used to Telnet to a host that whose Telnet server supports the TELNET NEW-ENVIRONMENT option or certain other options, K-95 sends your Windows user ID automatically, unless you have done something to prevent this from happening. In this case, the host does not prompt you for a user ID, but just a password.

If your Windows user ID is the same as your ID on the host you are Telneting to, you only need to supply your password on the host, since it already has your user ID.

However, if they are not the same, or if you want to ensure predictable behavior, e.g. in a script program, you can instruct K-95 not to send your user ID with the command:

  set login userid

(without a user ID). Then the host will give its normal login: or Username: prompt. Put this command in your K95CUSTOM.INI file or your script file, depending on where/when you want it to apply.

How do I make secure Internet connections?

Kermit 95 can make secure TCP/IP connections using SSH v1 or v2 (K95 1.1.21 and later), SSL, TLS, Kerberos 4, Kerberos 5, and Secure Remote Password (SRP) (CLICK HERE for information about secure Telnet servers). The secure connection methods are documented in the Kermit 95 Manual and in several supplementary documents. Secure connections are usually configured by network administrators rather than end users; consult your network administrator to see what forms of security are available at your site and to find out how to configure Kermit 95 to use them if they are among the methods supported by K95. If you are the network administrator and you need assistance, send email to kermit-support@columbia.edu. CLICK HERE for details about Kermit's security methods.

Why doesn't K95 support SOCKS5?

Although SOCKS5 is an open protocol (RFC 1928), the SOCKS5 reference implementation must be licensed for use, which would drive the cost, and therefore the price, of K95 up considerably. To add SOCKS5 to K95 would require a new implementation be written from scratch, something we have not had time to do. If you're a programmer and you want SOCKS5 added to K95, feel free to do the work (by adding it to C-Kermit; K95 shares the same network code); if you're interested in doing this, send us e-mail.

Can I make Kerberized Telnet connections through a Network Address Translator (NAT)?

An addressless ticket is required. But the version of MIT Kerberos for Windows which ships with Kermit 95 does not support addressless tickets in the Leash ticket manager. Future upgrades of Kermit 95 (when available) will include versions of MIT Kerberos for Windows which do. The first version of KfW to support addressless tickets is 2.5. You can download a zip file of the KfW binaries from http://web.mit.edu/kerberos/. The MIT binaries must replace those installed in the Kermit 95 program directory.

Can I use Kerberized FTP through a NAT?

No, Kerberized FTP uses channel bindings. You cannot successfully use it over a NAT. This is a limitation of Kerberos protocol design.

Also see: The FTP Client FAQ and Integrating Kermit 95 with Other Applications.

TERMINAL EMULATION

• Why Does My VT220 or VT320 Session Gets Stuck?
• How Do I Find Out What K95's Current Keymap Is?
• How Do I Load a Keymap File?
• Arkansas Medicare Key Map
• My Backspace Key Doesn't Work!
• My Arrow Keys Don't Work!
• My Numeric Keypad Doesn't Work!
• My Function Keys Don't Work!
• My Editing Keypad Doesn't Work!
• Help! My Keyboard Has Gone Crazy!
• How Do I Defeat Idle Session Termination?
• Why did my printer suddenly start printing?
• How do I Assign Colors to Screen Attributes?
• Problems with Linux Terminal Emulation
• Problems with SCO ANSI Terminal Emulation
• How Do I Access the Microsoft VTNT Telnet Server?
• How Do I Swap the Ctrl and Caps Lock keys?
• How Do I Access IBM Mainframes?
• How Do I Disable Scrollback?
• How Do I Clear the Screen without Saving it in Scrollback?
• Where is the technical documentation for xxx emulation?
• Why does scrolling or echoing seem slow?
• Does Kermit 95 Support Arabic Terminal Emulation?
• Does Kermit 95 Support Hebrew Terminal Emulation?

Why Does My VT220 or VT320 Session Get Stuck?

Short answer: It's a conflict between the VT220/VT320 architecture, which is designed to work with character sets that follow the ISO standard structure, and Microsoft character sets found in emails and other text originating from Windows that violate that structure. When Kermit 95 seems to be hung, look in the status line in the bottom of the screen and you will see something like "DCS String" on the right. Kermit is waiting for the rest of the DCS string, which, if you are reading Microsoft-style text, will never come.

• To clear this condition, use Alt-R to reset the terminal emulator.
• To avoid it altogether, change Kermit's terminal character set from Latin-1 (ISO 8859-1) to CP1252.

Longer answer: In the modern age, in which all the hard-fought standards of past decades have flown out the Window, I've had to switch from Latin-1 as my normal character set to CP1252, in order to keep my terminal emulator from getting wedged hundreds of times a day by "smart quotes" and other atrocities stuffed into the C1 control area. Sad to say, ISO 8859-1 and the other ISO Latin alphabets are next to useless now in the terminal-host environment because of Microsoft code page pollution. (It's fine that companies have their own proprietary code pages, but these should not be used for interchange on the open network, but too bad, it's already happened; the Internet is full of this stuff, and to make matters worse, as often as not it's labeled as ISO-8859-x.)

This, in turn, makes the Kermit's emulation of DEC VT220 and VT320 terminals problematic, because they were designed to use the 8-bit C1 controls of ISO 6449 and hosts that know about these terminals can and sometimes do use those controls (VMS in particular).

This is especially unfortunate since K95's default terminal emulation is VT320. New users will often find their very first terminal session getting stuck or going crazy, which does not leave a very good first impression. Just remember what terminal emulation means: it means doing what a particular terminal would do. If you were using a real VT220 (or 320, 420, or 520) terminal in the same situation, it would become totally wedged.

To adapt Kermit 95 to the new way of the world, change the character set from Latin1 to CP1252 (or from any other Latin alphabet that you are using to the corresponding Windows Code Page). This, by the way, is something you could not do with a real VT terminal! To change K95's terminal character set to CP1252:

• In the K95 GUI Toolbar, choose CP1252 in the character-set combo box; or:
• At the K-95> command prompt, type the command SET TERMINAL CHARACTER-SET CP1252 (which may be abbreviated SET TERM CHAR CP1252); or:
• Put this command in your K95CUSTOM.INI file; or:
• Add this command to any connection scripts that might need it; or:
• Choose CP1252 in the Character Set box of the Terminal page in the Dialer entry for each connection where it is necessary.

VMS poses a particular problem because it is perhaps unique among host platforms in actually using the standard 8-bit C1 control characters to control the terminal. You can tell VMS not to do this with the following DCL command:

$ SET TERM /NOEIGHT

This should inhibit VMS from sending 8-bit controls (in which case it sends the corresponding 7-bit two-character sequences, such as ESC P instead of DCS), but still allows the display of 8-bit text.

How Do I Find Out What K95's Current Keymap Is?

For some background on Kermit key mapping, see the K95 manual:

Toolbar → Help → Kermit 95 Manual → Contents → Using the Terminal Emulator → Key Mapping

Here is a complete and current list of Kermit's "keyboard verbs" for each terminal family:

http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/kverbs.html

Kverbs start with \K, followed by a descriptive name, like "\Kkp9", meaning "Send what the Numeric Keypad 9 key would send", or "\Kdecf07", "Send what what the DEC (VT220/320) F7 key would send". The first group of Kverbs in the table are strictly local in function, such as "\Kpaste", "\Kholdscrn", and the various local scrolling keys that allow you to move around in K95's scrollback buffer. Then come the Kverbs for each terminal family. In these lists, each Kverb is shown together with the actual terminal key to which it corresponds, for example, in the Wyse terminal section, "\Kwyreplace" corresponds to the Wyse terminal Replace key.

In Kermit 95, you can see what a particular key is mapped to as follows:

1. First make sure K95 is set to emulate the desired type of terminal. You can make this selection on the K95 Toolbar (which also shows the current emulation).

   

2. Use Alt-x (if necessary) to get to the K95 command screen (the command screen is shown above; it is usually white on black, with the K-95> prompt visible, as shown).

3. At the K-95> prompt type:

   show key

   and then press the desired key or key combination.

To find out what all the key assignments are at once use:

save keymap k95keymap.ksc

Now the file k95keymap.ksc (in K95's current directory) contains the current key assignments (of course you could give this file any other name you want, and you can put it in any directory you want). You can use this file in conjunction with the Kverbs table to find out which PC key corresponds to which terminal key. Once you know how the keys are mapped, you can test them against your application and satisfy yourself that they work. Then, if you wish, you can remap them to suit your preferences, simply by editing the k95keymap.ksc file using a plain-text editor such as Notepad. Read the next item for instructions on loading a keymap.

How Do I Load a Keymap File?

A key map file is like any other Kermit command file; it's just a file containing commands for Kermit. You have to tell Kermit, somehow, to execute the commands from that file. There are many ways to do this, including:

• At the K-95> prompt, give a TAKE command for the file, e.g.:

  K-95> take k95keymap.ksc
  

  If the file is not in K-95's current directory, you have to include the relative or full pathname, sufficient to let K-95 know where it is. HINT: use "forward slash" as the directory separator to avoid quoting problems, and if the file specification includes any spaces, enclose it in doublequotes:

  K-95> take "C:/Documents and Settings/fdc/Application Data/Kermit 95/k95keymap.ksc"
  

• If you always want the key map to be in effect, put the TAKE command in your K95CUSTOM.INI file (CLICK HERE for how to do this or see the README FILE for a thorough orientation to Where Things Are).

• If you always want to use a given key mapping for certain connections but not others, specify it in the desired Dialer entries. On the Keyboard page, under Key Map, click the button next to Read from file, then click Browse to find the file, then use the file browser to locate the file, then click Open. A copy of the file will appear in the text window of the Keyboard page and will be used whenever you launch this entry.

  Alternatively, make sure the file that contains the key mapping commands has the filetype ".KSC", and then put it (or a link to it) on your desktop, and then launch Kermit 95 by double clicking its icon.

• If you have custom-made scripts for certain applications or hosts, you can add a TAKE command for the keymap to those scripts.

For samples of Kermit 95 Key Mapping files see:

• The key maps that are distributed with Kermit 95, which are also available HERE.
• Some additional ones in the C-Kermit Script Library.

Arkansas Medicare Key Map

Health-care providers in Arkansas who previously had been using ProComm to access the state Medicare site have been instructed to switch to Kermit 95 since ProComm is not supported on Windows XP. Unfortunately they are not given clear instructions on how to configure Kermit 95 for this service. The missing instructions are:

1. Set the terminal emulation to VT100.
2. Load the custom key map created by Arkansas Medicare. CLICK HERE to download a copy of this map.

See previous item about how to load a key map file. In the K95 Dialer, you can make an entry for Arkansas Medicare if you don't already have one.

By the way, the instructions given out by Arkansas Blue Cross / Blue Shield are much too complicated and elaborate. Arkansas Medicare/Medicaid users who would like to replace all that by a simple script, please send email to kermit-support@columbia.edu or call our tech support number, 1-212-854-5126.

My Backspace Key Doesn't Work!

Please read THIS.

My Arrow Keys Don't Work!

Arrows are not normal characters. There are no arrow characters in (e.g.) the ASCII character set. Therefore terminal makers had to invent codes or sequences for arrow keys to send. Each kind of terminal sends its own special codes or sequences. So the first step in making arrow keys work is to make sure Kermit's terminal type agrees with the host computer's (or application's) idea of what kind of terminal you have. See the Backspace page for details.

To complicate the situation, on certain common types of terminals, notably the DEC VT100 series (VT100, VT102, VT220, VT320, etc), arrow keys can be in one of two modes: "Cursor" or "Application". In each mode, they send different codes. Thus, not only must Kermit's terminal type agree with the host, but so must the arrow keypad mode.

By default (that is, unless you give SET KEY commands to change things), Kermit uses the PC keyboard arrow keys as the VT terminal arrow keys. Each key has a "verb" assigned to it:

Key	Keycode	Assignment	Description
Up Arrow	\4390	\Kuparr	Sends what the terminal's Up-Arrow key sends
Down Arrow	\4392	\Kdnarr	Sends what the terminal's Down-Arrow key sends
Right Arrow	\4391	\Krtarr	Sends what the terminal's Right-Arrow key sends
Left Arrow	\4389	\Klfarr	Sends what the terminal's Left-Arrow key sends

The \Kxxxx's are Kermit Keyboard Verbs (Kverbs). The arrow-key Kverbs track the arrow keypad mode automatically. For example, in VT100-series terminals:

Kverb	Cursor Mode	Application Mode
\Kuparr	CSI A	SS3 A
\Kdnarr	CSI B	SS3 B
\Krtarr	CSI C	SS3 C
\Klfarr	CSI D	SS3 D

CSI is ESC (ASCII 27) followed by left bracket ([) on a 7-bit connection or decimal 155 on an 8-bit connection, and SS3 is ESC followed by O (uppercase letter O) on a 7-bit connection and decimal 143 on an 8-bit connection. Thus, as you can see, in VTxxx emulation each arrow key can send any of four different code sequences depending on the arrow keypad mode (Cursor or Application) and Terminal Controls Mode (7-bit or 8-bit).

How does the arrow keypad mode change? The host can change it by sending special escape sequences, or you can change it yourself by using the command:

SET TERMINAL ARROW-KEYS { CURSOR, APPLICATION }

Ditto for Terminal Controls Mode:

SET TERMINAL CONTROLS { 7, 8 }

My Numeric Keypad Doesn't Work!

Essentially the same story as the previous items (Arrow keys). Like the cursor (arrow) keypad, the numeric keypad can be in one of two modes: Numeric or Application. In Numeric mode, it sends what is printed on the keytop (except the Num Lock key). In Application mode it sends special escape sequences. The default assignments of the numeric keypad keys are Kverbs: \Kkp0, \Kkp1, \Kkp2, ... \Kkp9, \Kkp0 for the digits, and:

Key	Keycode	Assignment	Description
Num Lock	\4496	\Kgold	Sends what the terminal's "Gold" (PF1) key sends
Keypad Slash (/)	\4463	\Kpf2	Sends what the terminal's PF2 key sends
Keypad Asterisk (*)	\362	\Kpf3	Sends what the terminal's PF3 key sends
Keypad Minus (-)	\365	\Kpf4	Sends what the terminal's PF4 key sends
Keypad Plus (+)	\363	\Kpcoma	Sends what the terminal's keypad comma key sends
Keypad Enter	\4365	\Kpenter	Sends what the terminal's keypad Enter key sends

Problems occur when the terminal types don't match, the numeric keypad modes don't match, and/or the terminal controls modes don't match. Sometimes when the terminal receives "garbage" from the host, this can change the keypad mode. Relevant commands:

SET TERMINAL TYPE name
SET TERMINAL KEYPAD-MODE { NUMERIC, APPLICATION }
SET TERMINAL CONTROLS { 7, 8 }

The Kverbs that are assigned to the non-digit keypad keys by default vary with the terminal type. This example shows VT100-series terminal assignments. Other types of terminals do not have Gold or PFn keys and therefore have different verbs assigned.

Depending on the terminal type, the digit keys themselves can affected by the keypad mode. When the keypad is in Application mode, they send escape sequences (e.g. in VT100 emulation, the '4' key sends ESC, uppercase letter 'O', then lowercase letter 't'). When the keypad is in numeric mode, they send the digits that appear on their keytops (the '4' key sends the digit '4').

K95's numeric is in numeric mode by default. It can be changed by the SET TERMINAL KEYPAD command or by an escape sequence from the host (or "garbage" that mimics the escape sequence). To get the keypad back in numeric mode, you can:

• Press Alt-r (hold down the Alt key, press the 'R' key). This is the RESET Key (kverb \Kreset, unless you've reassigned it).
• Give the command SET TERMINAL KEYPAD MODE NUMERIC at the K-95> prompt.
• Have the host application send the appropriate escape sequence.

CLICK HERE for a diagram of the DEC editing and numeric keypads.

My Function Keys Don't Work!

Kermit 95 automatically assigns the right codes or sequences to the function keys for the terminal you are emulating. If function keys like F1, F2, etc, don't work, then:

1. Kermit's terminal type does not match that of the application on the other end of the connection. You have to choose matching terminal types.

2. Kermit's has been told to emulate a kind of terminal that does not have function keys, such as VT100 or ANSI. If you want to have function keys (e.g. because the host application expects you to use them), you must choose a terminal type that supports them, that is also supported by the host application. CLICK HERE for a list.

3. Kermit's terminal emulation is in 8-bit-controls mode and the host isn't receiving or understanding the 8-bit characters (VT220 or VT320 only).

Of course you can also assign anything else you want to function keys with the SET [TERMINAL] KEY command -- commonly-used shell commands, whatever. For detailed information about Kermit 95's Function key mapping for DEC VT220 and VT320 emulation, CLICK HERE.

DEC VT100-series terminals (VT100, VT101, VT102, VT125, etc) do not have F keys. But they do have PF keys as the top row of the numeric keypad: PF1-PF4. PF1 is also called the "Gold Key".

DEC VT200-series terminals (VT220, VT320, etc), have function keys F1 through F20, but F1-F5 are reserved for local use by the terminal. If you have host software that wants you to "press F1" (or F2-F5) on a VT220 or higher, that software would not work with a terminal because those keys don't send anything. These terminals, the like VT100-series, have PF1-PF4; try using them instead of F1-F4. Otherwise some investigation will be needed to find out what the host application expects to receive from the DEC F1-F5 keys! (This is always possible, but sometimes difficult.)

Higher-numbered function keys can be problematic. For example DEC VT220-series terminals have function keys up to F20, but the PC keyboard only has them up to F12. In this case there must be a mapping. Kermit's default mapping is Alt-F1 → F11, Alt-F2 → F12, ... Alt-F10 → F20.

My Editing Keypad Doesn't Work!

In most terminal emulations, notably VT100 and above but also many others, Kermit's editing keypad performs local functions: Page Up scrolls the screen up to access the Kermit's scrollback buffer, and so on. Here are the default assignments for VTxxx emulation:

PC Key	Unmodified	With Alt Key	With Shift Key	With Ctrl Key
Insert	Undefined	DEC Find (\KdecFind)	Paste (\Kpaste)	\KmarkCopyClip
Home	Top of Scrollback buffer (\Khome)	DEC Insert Here (\KdecInsert)	Undefined	Undefined
Page Up	Local scroll up one screen (\KupScn)	DEC Remove (\KdecRemove)	Undefined	Local scroll up one line (\KupOne)
Delete	Sends DEL (\127)	DEC Select (\KdecSelect)	Sends DEL (\127)	Sends Backspace (\8)
End	Bottom of scrollback buffer (\Kend)	Sends DEL (\127)	DEC Prev Screen (\KdecPrev)	Undefined
Page Down	Local scroll down one screen (\KdnScn)	DEC Next Screen (\KdecNext)	Undefined	Local scroll down one line (\KdnOne)

If you want the editing keypad to act like the DEC VT220 (or VT320, VT420, or VT520) keypad, you can use the Alt Key in combination with these keys. By default, K95's VT220 and VT320 emulators assign the editing keys positionally, rather than according to keytop labels:

DEC Keys: Find Insert Here Remove Select Prev Screen Next Screen

PC Keys: Insert Home Page Up Delete End Page Down

So on the PC keyboard, Alt-Insert = DEC Find; Alt-Home = DEC Insert Here, etc.

Of course you can remap these functions any way you want, for example:

set key \4397 \KdecFind    ; Gray Insert    = DEC Find
set key \4388 \KdecInsert  ; Gray Home      = DEC Insert Here
set key \4385 \KdecRemove  ; Gray Page Up   = DEC Remove
set key \4398 \KdecSelect  ; Gray Delete    = DEC Select
set key \4387 \KdecPrev    ; Gray End       = DEC Prev Screen
set key \4386 \KdecPrev    ; Gray Page Down = DEC Next Screen

This map assigns the functions to the same keys, but without requiring you to use the Alt key. The map is "positional", corresponding to the VT220 keys. Of course you can also assign them any other way you want, e.g. according to the keytop labels (to the extent they correspond). Put these commands in an appropriate place (see the the first couple items in this section for details).

Help! My Keyboard Has Gone Crazy!

The most likely explanation is that you accidently typed one of the following key combinations:

• Left-Alt-Left-Shift: This is a Windows function that Kermit never sees. If you have more than one keyboard language defined, this toggles your keyboard among them. You can undo this by typing Left-Alt-Left-Shift again, as many times as needed to return to the desired keyboard language (the number depends on how many keyboard languages you have defined). Or you can open the keyboard icon on the Windows Taskbar and explicitly select the desired language. Or if you really don't need to have multiple keyboard languages defined: use Control Panel → Regional and Language Options → Languages → Text services and input languages to remove keyboard languages; if you have only one defined, there will be no mysterious keyboard-language switching.

• Right-Ctrl-Right-Shift: Depending on what Windows version you have, this one might might also toggle among keyboard languages.

• Ctrl-CapsLock: This toggles PCTERM mode in Kermit's emulator, in which each key sends separate up/down codes. If you get into this mode by accident, Kermit's Terminal Screen status line says:

   PCTERM  Ctrl-CAPSLOCK to deactive.
  

  (if your current emulation includes a status line). In any case, you can restore the keyboard to normal with another Ctrl-CapsLock or, in K95G, in the Actions menu ("PCterm Keyboard", which toggles the PCterm keyboard on and off).

How Do I Defeat Idle Session Termination?

If you have a terminal session to another computer and you don't transmit any characters to it for a certain amount of time, your session might be terminated by the remote computer or by something between it and Kermit (but not by Kermit!) -- network address translators, firewalls, routers, etc.

To defeat this, you can tell Kermit to "do something" automatically every so often after you haven't transmitted anything on the connection for a given amount of time. The commands are:

SET TERMINAL IDLE-TIMEOUT number

Sets the limit on idle time in CONNECT mode to the given number of seconds. 0 (the default) means no limit.

SET TERMINAL IDLE-ACTION { EXIT, HANGUP, OUTPUT [ text ], RETURN }

Specifies the action to be taken when a CONNECT session is idle for the number of seconds given by SET TERMINAL IDLE-TIMEOUT. The default action is to RETURN to command mode. EXIT exits from Kermit; HANGUP hangs up the connection, and OUTPUT sends the given text to the host without leaving CONNECT mode; if no text is given a NUL (0) character is sent.

And for Telnet connections:

SET TERMINAL IDLE-ACTION { TELNET-NOP, TELNET-AYT }

Sends the indicated Telnet protocol message: No Operation (NOP) or "Are You There?" (AYT).

If you have a Telnet connection, try one of these; it is preferable to sending characters to the host session, since these Telnet messages are intercepted by the Telnet server and never reach your host session, yet they count as activity on the connection and should defeat any idle monitors between here and there.

Example 1: Suppose a certain Telnet connection has a five-minute idle limit; If you don't transmit anything to the host for five minutes (300 seconds) your session is closed. To defeat this, do:

set terminal idle-timeout 270        ; 4.5 minutes
set terminal idle-action telnet-ayt  ; Send Telnet "Are You There?"

Example 2: Suppose a certain dialup connection has a 10-minute idle limit; If you don't transmit anything to the host for ten minutes (600 seconds) your session is closed. Since it's not a network connection, you can't send network protocol messages; you have to send an actual character. Pick a character that is least likely to cause anything to happen on the remote end, such as NUL (ASCII 0) or Space (ASCII 32):

set terminal idle-timeout 570        ; 9.5 minutes
set terminal idle-action output      ; Send NUL

or:

set terminal idle-timeout 570        ; 9.5 minutes
set terminal idle-action output " "  ; Send Space

If you want these commands to be in effect for all sessions, put them in your K95CUSTOM.INI file. If you want them to be in effect for certain connections only, put them in the text box of the Login Settings page of the Dialer entry for each desired connection, or just type the commands at the K-95> prompt.

How do I Assign Colors to Screen Attributes?

Terminals (depending on which kind) are capable of showing characters with all sorts of different attributes: bold, dim, blinking, reverse video, underlined, italic, protected, etc. Kermit 95 supports all these. and more.

Sometimes people want to have certain attributes shown as colors of their choice. K95 supports this for the following attributes: Blink, Protected, Reverse, and Underline. You need two commands for this. First disable normal treatment of the given display attribute with:

SET TERMINAL ATTRIBUTE name-of-attribute OFF

Tells K95 not to display the named attribute. Choices include: BLINK, PROTECTED, REVERSE, and UNDERLINE. Example: SET TERMINAL ATTRIBUTE UNDERLINE OFF.

Then specify the colors to be used to simulate the attribute:

SET TERMINAL COLOR attribute-type foreground background

Chooses the fore- and background colors for items of the named type, including REVERSE-VIDEO and UNDERLINED-TEXT. Example: SET TERMINAL COLOR UNDERLINE RED BLACK.

We don't support color substitution for all attributes (such as Bold, Dim, Italic, Invisible