3 Link Manual (Reply to soap on a rope)

[Richardw]

I've found some stuff that could be of use in the 3 Link Manual. (See Soap on a rope thread)

See attached text file for info

Hope this helps,

From Richard

[MikeMcC]

Richard,

I never had a 3Link because, at the time I used a 3a, it was my only computer and I didn't have access to a PC. There is, however, a question I am now looking for an answer to:

In order to connect to a PC with the 3Link, is it first necessary to install "Comms" to the System screen from Drive 'C' (i.e. from the ROM chip in the Soap)?

I seem to think that I had to do this with the 3Fax Modem before using it for Data rather than Fax, but I don't remember for sure.

[Richardw]

Hi Mike,

When connecting to the PC via Psiwin, the 3 Link doesn't need the Comms app, the link does need to be turned on though. I tried connecting to a PC **without** Psiwin once and needed to use the Comms application along with Hyperterminal on the PC to establish a link.

The 3 Link was originally made for the Psion Series 3 so the Comms application is designed for that machine. When the Comms app is installed, the Psion Series 3a replaces it with a special 3a version from it's own rom!

Hope this is what you were looking for!

From Richard

[MikeMcC]

Richard,

When connecting to the PC via Psiwin, the 3 Link doesn't need the Comms app, the link does need to be turned on though Yes, I appreciate that when connecting with PsiWin, the Link must be on and that Comms must not be running, but what I need to know is whether it is possible to connect to a PC if Comms has not been installed to the System screen. Even though it isn't running, the PsiWin connection may be accessing the Comms software in the background. If you remove Comms from the System screen, can you still connect to the PC with PsiWin?When the Comms app is installed, the Psion Series 3a replaces it with a special 3a version from it's own rom! It does indeed but the "front end" from either the "3Link" or the "3Fax" modem is still required to be able to install Comms to the System screen - it cannot be installed directly from ROM with "Psion-J" as the 3c does.

[Conkers]

I dug out the handbook for my 3Link cable.
I was given my 3a last year, and the 3Link came with it, together with a 3 1/2" floppy entitled "RCOM - PC Comms Link software - 3 Link".
You ran the MCLINK.exe program on the floppy and this created a directory on the PC which allowed the 3a to communicate with my PC. It also meant that I didn't need to use Comms to link with my PC. I have also read the manual a bit further and if the MCLINK wasn't installed on the PC then you have to install comms.app to allow you to talk to the PC.
I've since installed PsiWin and I don't have the comms.app on my system screen. I never used this when I first got the 3a, and after a month I downloaded PsiWin so I never needed to use it.
Now I am using PsiMail too, then I still don't need the comms.app
To be perfectly honest, I'm not into programming so I didn't read past the stuff I needed, and anyway Psiwin backs up my 3a, and the stuff I e-mail with PsiMail (match reports etc) I can do without comms.
Hope this helps Mike

:)

[MikeMcC]

Conkers,

Thanks for the reply. It does seem that Comms doesn't need to be installed to be able to run PsiWin on a 3a - which is also the case with my 3c.

[Richardw]

Sorry Mike, I meant to say...


When connecting to the PC via Psiwin, the 3 Link doesn't need the Comms app [I]installed[I].

I guess the the Link could be accessing files needed from the 3Link rom but I have never needed to install the Comms app for this.

From Richard

[Conkers]

Just as a footnote to this thread (I am assuming we have reached a logical conclusion), I re-read my manual for the 3Link. This was written in May 1992 and is version 1.1. Everything in it refers to the original Series 3
It says that the comms.app was used to speak to other computers via the Com port or via a modem, and all the files had to be either ASCII or XMODEM/ YMODEM compatible.
The booklet I've got appears to suggest that this link is compatable with both PCs and Macs, and one connects to the Mac via the Modem port or Printer port. Which I assume means that these are the old Apple Macs, from the early '90s.
There is also quite a long section on the script language, and a section on the Script commands. With a further 5 appendices on Control characters; Files and Directories used; the interface (which tells you the pin/wiring arrangement); Parity, Stop & Data Bits; and how to switch on the Auto Wake up if you leave your Psion connected to a modem all the time.
I suppose if you buy a 3Link without this booklet, the whole thing would be a mystery.
Like I said, I’m not into programming, so most of this book was gibberish to me. As long as My Psion works and I can link with PsiWin and PsiMail (and my trusty 3Fax Modem), I'm a happy teddy. I can only assume Psion must have thought the same, when they launched PsiWin 1.1

[Richardw]

Yeah, that about sums it up. Its a pity the 3 Link manual isn't available on the web.