VAX 6400 booting saga: how to transfer binaries to VMS with kermit?

From: Geoff Roberts <geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au>
Date: Mon Dec 10 22:59:01 2001

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gunther Schadow" <gunther_at_aurora.regenstrief.org>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 2:03 PM
Subject: VAX 6400 booting saga: how to transfer binaries to VMS with kermit?


> Hi,
>
> I'm ripping my hair out over VMS (as usual). I have a little
> magic file that I need to transfer from PC to VAX.

What is the 'magic' file supposed to do?

> kermit on both ends. I thought I knew how to use kermit,

Kermit is a bitch of a thing. VMS Kermit is a real bitch of a thing.
Personal experience. What version?

> but no matter what I do, the file will never work as an
> executable on the VAX. It always complains about a corrupt
> descriptor block and it comes up too long. The file is
> exactly 2048 bytes long and when I send it it comes up as
> 5/6 blocks with DIR/SIZE=ALL. That is one block too many,
> isn't it?

Not necessarily.
True Size of file data in blocks / Actual number of blocks used to store the
file.
Often different. I have files that are 1 and 3.

> The funny thing is, when I do a round trip with kermit
> PC -put-> VAX -get-> PC, I get two identical files on the
> PC. But when I do VAX -get-> PC -put-> VAX of a working
> .EXE file on the VAX, I end up with a broken copy (same
> error.) So, what can I do?
>
> I have SET FILE TYPE BINARY on both sides.

I vaguely remember something else needs to be tweaked. In Receive
Parameters I think.
>
> I'm so sorry for bothering you with my VMS ignorance, I
> greatly appreciate your patience and help.

You have probably just been playing with Unix too long. ;^)

Does the VAX have ZIP and UNZIP on it?

Can you do the following at the terminal and give me the results?
SHO LICENSE
SHO SYSTEM
SHO NET
SHO DEV
SHO TERM
And from inside Kermit
sho all


cheers

Geoff Roberts
Computer Systems Manager
Saint Mark's College
Port Pirie, South Australia
geoffrob_at_stmarks.pp.catholic.edu.au
ICQ 1970476
Received on Mon Dec 10 2001 - 22:59:01 GMT