Microsoft KB Archive/262883

= SAMPLE: NEWVBTERM.EXE MSComm Control Techniques =

Article ID: 262883

Article Last Modified on 8/5/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Enterprise Edition

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This article was previously published under Q262883



SUMMARY
NewVBTerm.exe is a sample that demonstrates various MSComm control techniques that include answering the modem, simple text file transfer, data receipt and processing, packet reassembly, and use of the OnComm event.

This article contains the Readme file information that accompanies the sample and is also a reference point for downloading the sample.



MORE INFORMATION
The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

NewVBTerm.exe

Release Date: Jun-08-2000

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

NewVBTerm.exe - Readme.txt
The purpose of this Readme file is to discuss in greater detail how to use and interpret the NewVBTerm sample program. This description goes over all of the menu items and discusses the functionality of each item.

General
This application has been designed more as a sample app for various MSComm control techniques than a true &quot;Terminal&quot; application. These techniques include answering the modem, simple text file transfer, data receipt and processing, packet reassembly, and use of the OnComm event.

frmNewTerm
General UI

The form consists of a main text box that displays all events and other text. There are also &quot;status lights&quot; that give the state of the Comm port and the CD, RTS, and CTS lines as well as the Send and Receive events.

There is a button labeled Send that appears when you are connected to another computer. This sends the contents of the text box out of the Comm port to the remote computer.

There is a status bar at the bottom of the form that displays text messages about the state of the application.

The form also contains the following menu choices:

File Menu

Transmit File - Used to transmit text files to another application that can handle file transfer, typically another instance of NewVBTerm. NewVBTerm has been designed specifically to handle this type of transfer. When a file is actually being transmitted, the status light turns Cyan (greenish-blue) in color.

Receive File - Used in conjunction with the Transmit File menu item to transfer files between two computers. This menu item is checked when in receive mode, unchecked at all other times. In order to complete a file transfer when the file is finished transmitting the form to the sender side, click Receive File again (to unchecked state). This closes and saves the received file.

Clear Text Box - Erases the contents of the main terminal text box.

Show Events - Lists all OnComm events in the main terminal text box when checked.

Show Received Data - Displays all data received by the MSComm control in the main terminal text box when checked.

Exit - Closes all open ports and terminates the application.

Comm Port Menu

Open Port - Opens the Comm port without dialing a number. Used for null modem cables and receiving files.

Close Port - Closes the Comm port.

Settings - Brings up the Settings form (frmControlProps). This form is discussed later in this article.

Options - Bring up frmOptions, which is also discussed later in this article.

Dial Menu

Dial Number - Opens the Comm port (if necessary), prompts the user for a phone number to dial, and then dials it.

Hang Up - Disconnects the session and closes the Comm port.

Answer Mode - Opens the port and places it in answer mode, where a call can be answered when another modem dials it.

frmOptions
There are two sets of two choices each on this form. The top-most is Startup Options, which loads either the default values at startup or the &quot;recommended&quot; values the next time the app is started.

The second set of options is the modem type. Choose Null Modem cable if you are using a null modem cable because this allows for direct connection.

The Return button takes you back to the main form.

frmControlProps
General UI

There are two columns displayed. The left-hand column of text boxes is filled with the current settings of the MSComm control. The text on the right is the Microsoft &quot;recommended&quot; values for the MSComm control. The recommended values are those that are most likely to enable the user to establish a modem connection. Keep in mind that the recommended settings may not work for your system without several changes.

In addition, there are two menu items available on the form:

File Menu

Back to Terminal - Closes the form and returns to the main form (frmNewTerm). The settings shown in the text boxes are also saved as &quot;session only&quot; settings.

Values Menu

Load defaults - Loads the default settings that are saved in the registry by the Save as defaults menu item.

Save as defaults - Saves the currently displayed values as the defaults. These settings are stored in the registry under

HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\VB

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VBA Program Settings\NewVBTerm\Properties\

Save for session only - Saves the settings indicated in the text boxes to the MSComm control. It does not save any of the settings to the registry. These settings are lost after exiting the program.

Set recommended values - Loads the MSComm control with the above-mentioned Microsoft recommended settings. The settings are not saved to the registry unless you choose Save as defaults.

Clicking the button labeled Close closes the form and returns you to the main form (frmNewTerm). The settings shown in the text boxes are also saved as session only settings.

Additional query words: vbterm newvbterm

Keywords: kbhowto kbdownload kbprogramming kbfile kbsample kbctrl KB262883

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