jagossel wrote to All <=-
I've installed FreeDOS on it, got the packet drivers working, and installed the MTCP package. It really works. It does draw the ASCII
work properly, but it's really slow from emulating the Intel-based computers.
Finnaly! I can see properly rendered ASCII artwork from BBSes on my Android cell phone.
Mission acomplished (at the cost of performance)... :D
I've installed FreeDOS on it, got the packet drivers working, and installed the MTCP package. It really works. It does draw the ASCII work properly, but it's really slow from emulating the Intel-based computers.
Interesting. I'll have to try Bluewave on it. :) Maybe I'll get my dream o offline mail on the Android phone. :) Hmm, next step is to create a FreeDOS that is useful for BBS users. :)
Finnaly! I can see properly rendered ASCII artwork from BBSes on my Android cell phone.
Mission acomplished (at the cost of performance)... :D
Worth playing with. :)
Jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
The developer of Limbo that some (not all) operating systems will do a
lot of reading and writing; thus,p potentially, adding a lot more reads and writes than the mobile is used to.
I really do hope that FreeDOS (or MS-DOS even) have the lowest reads
and writes than other Windows 9x/NT based systems would have.
Anyway, do you have a useful image to share? (terminal program, networking, etc), or documentation on your FreeDOS setup?
Apparently, there is an Android app that is based off of QEMU: Limbo. It does run Intel-based architecture operating systems on a ARM processor.
I've installed FreeDOS on it, got the packet drivers working, and installed the MTCP package. It really works. It does draw the ASCII work properly, but it's really slow from emulating the Intel-based computers.
It's a pity they didn't include a virtual serial port <--> telnet
gateway, that would have been awesome for BBS/terminal use.
Apparently, there is an Android app that is based off of QEMU: Limbo. It does run Intel-based architecture operating systems on a ARM processor.
I've installed FreeDOS on it, got the packet drivers working, and installed the MTCP package. It really works. It does draw the ASCII work properly, but it's really slow from emulating the Intel-based computers.
Finnaly! I can see properly rendered ASCII artwork from BBSes on my Android cell phone.
Mission acomplished (at the cost of performance)... :D
Nice! I've thought about getting one of those cheap 2-in-1 android tablets a running DOSBOX/Windows 3.1 on it...I figured between pointing a comm port to TCP 23 it'd be enough, but having a whole IP stack and real DOS is even bett
There's an fTelnet app for Android that lets you connect to BBSes and displa ANSI fairly well:
Jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Anyway, do you have a useful image to share? (terminal program, networking, etc), or documentation on your FreeDOS setup?
I've looked at both Limbo's site, and FreeDOS's wiki pages on
installing FreeDOS in VirtualBox. The only thing I did differently that worked for me was to use PCNET instead of NE2000PCI for the network
card to emulate.
In Limbo, the hard drive idenitiers are confusing. You'll see "Hard
Drive A:" through "Hard Drive D:". At first, I thought that it had to
go to "Hard Drive C:", and when I went to put in the CD-ROM and
selected an ISO image, it removed the hard drive setting for "Hard
Drive C:". Found out that it only will either or, not both. Which makes sense after I realized the hard drive image should have been on "Hard Drive A:". If you think about having two IDE ports, it makes sense:
- Hard Drive A: Primary Master
- Hard Drive B: Primary Slave
- Hard Drive C/CD-ROM: Secondary Master
- Hard Drive D: Secondary Slave
I had to change the boot device from "Default" to CD-ROM, the FreeDOS installer will reboot once during the process (after running FDISK).
The ISOLINUX image for FreeDOS installer will provide an option to boot from the hard disk, once the full base image is installed. You'll need
the ISO image stil to get the "FDNET" and "MTCP" packages to install
using the FDIMPLES package manager. After that the ISO image can be removed, and the boot device back to "Default".
Everything else was already setup and ready to go, at least for me,
from that point and the network works just fine. In fact, I typed this whole message in Telnet, using FreeDOS in Limbo on my tablet.
I hope that helps, and that it goes smoothly for you. If not, let me
know and I'll see if I can get an image for you. Limbo wil do an export and import of images.
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
It's a pity they didn't include a virtual serial port <--> telnet
gateway, that would have been awesome for BBS/terminal use.
You know DOSBOX does, and there's a port for Android?
Vk3jed wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
You know DOSBOX does, and there's a port for Android?
Cool. :) Another option to try. :)
I had to change the boot device from "Default" to CD-ROM, the FreeDOS installer will reboot once during the process (after running FDISK). The ISOLINUX image for FreeDOS installer will provide an option to boot from the hard disk, once the full base image is installed. You'll need the ISO image stil to get the "FDNET" and "MTCP" packages to install using the FDIMPLES package manager. After that the ISO image can be removed, and the boot device back to "Default".
This is where I have trouble - where to put the CD image - Android is an unfamiliar envorinment for this sort of work, so locations are not obvious. The documentation I've seen totally misses that information. That makes it useless for me. :(
,Everything else was already setup and ready to go, at least for me, from that point and the network works just fine. In fact, I typed this whole message in Telnet, using FreeDOS in Limbo on my tablet.
I hope that helps, and that it goes smoothly for you. If not, let me know and I'll see if I can get an image for you. Limbo wil do an export and import of images.
So, what do you use for a terminal? Can you transfer files with it using zmodem, etc? As I said, it's a pity there's no serial to telnet gateway in Limbo, that would make it. Anyway, thanks, some of the "magic numbers" have been cleared up. I don't handle fragmented or incomplete documentation well
until I have a working model of what's going on in my head - one of my quirks.
:/
It's a pity they didn't include a virtual serial port <--> telnet gateway, that would have been awesome for BBS/terminal use.
You know DOSBOX does, and there's a port for Android?
Cool. :) Another option to try. :)
There's an fTelnet app for Android that lets you connect to BBSes and displays ANSI fairly well:
I've wanted to use DOSBox on the Android (both cell phone and tablet), but DOSBox Turbo doesn't allow the use of COM port emulation over IP; not sure about aDosBox, though. I've been told by the developer of DOSBox Turbo that the Android doesn't allow apps to open port, and I'm guessing, below 1024.
utI've wanted to use DOSBox on the Android (both cell phone and tablet), b
reDOSBox Turbo doesn't allow the use of COM port emulation over IP; not su
hatabout aDosBox, though. I've been told by the developer of DOSBox Turbo t
4.the Android doesn't allow apps to open port, and I'm guessing, below 102
If you root your phone, you could probably do it. Too bad, I wasn't thinking about platform limitations; I use DOSBOX with an old modem terminal app under Windows and it works like a charm to telnet into the BBS.
As far as rooting my phone, I'm not willing to do it on my phone or tablet at all. Maybe once the warrenty expires, I might do it to extend the life.
Jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I had to use Ghost Commander (open source as well), and move the ISO imsges that I've downloaded from /storage/emulated/0/Downloads to /storage/emulated/0/limbo/images (images is a new folder I had to
create). As opening the images in Limbo, it could very greatly between devices, and users. I noticed a huge difference between my phone and tablet when selecting the ISO image. :(
I used MTCP's Telnet client; sadly, it doesn't do downloads through any
of the *MODEM protocols. :( If there is a DOS terminal that I can use
that can do connections and downloads does in the same way as
SynchTerm, I am open to suggestions. :)
I agree, it would be nice to do COM emulation, but I wasn't looking for
it at the time; was more interested in messages on BBSes than
downloading from my phone or tablet; I'll let my PC handle that with SyncTerm.
If what I provided here didn't help, I apologize; let me where I can improve and help out better.
Jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
There are two ports that I know of: DOSBox Turbo (costs money to get a license), and aDosBox (open source); however, Android doesn't allow
user apps to open ports below 1024, making COM emulation over network useless. :(
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to jagossel <=-
If you root your phone, you could probably do it. Too bad, I wasn't
thinking about platform limitations; I use DOSBOX with an old modem terminal app under Windows and it works like a charm to telnet into the BBS.
Jagossel wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
That's how I knew about emulating a modom over the network and just
issue the ATDT command with the host name; works well on the PC where
port 23 can be opened, but apparently, Android won't let you open that
port. If I understood the developer of DOSBox Turbo correctly, the developer pretty much just stripped out that functionallity all
together. I haven't tried aDosBox, so I'm not sure if it will work
there either.
Believe me, if I were able to do it through DOSBox, I totally would
over using Limbo with FreeDOS.
As far as rooting my phone, I'm not willing to do it on my phone or
tablet at all. Maybe once the warrenty expires, I might do it to
extend the life.
I'm more interested in messages too, but I want to be able to read offline for multiple reasons:
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I used to do most of my BBSing with a DOS laptop and Bluewave. I'd download a packet before I left, and upload replies when I got home. I
did more reading and got more out of the messages when I could take my time on them and didn't have a chance to upload replies until later.
Me too, I used to use Bluewave on desktops and laptops. I remember one week when I was ill, offline mail helped pass the time. I just tagged a few more echoes for download, to give me more material to read, and I had plenty of time to type up replies. :)
Re: Re: Finnaly doing BBS Right...
By: Vk3jed to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon Aug 21 2017 04:32 pm
Me too, I used to use Bluewave on desktops and laptops. I remember one week when I was ill, offline mail helped pass the time. I just tagged a few more echoes for download, to give me more material to read, and I had plenty of time to type up replies. :)
My claim to BBS fame was having one of my messages in the welcome message packet that came with BlueWave. :)
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-
My claim to BBS fame was having one of my messages in the welcome
message packet that came with BlueWave. :)
That's how I knew about emulating a modom over the network and just issue th ATDT command with the host name; works well on the PC where port 23 can be opened, but apparently, Android won't let you open that port. If I understoo the developer of DOSBox Turbo correctly, the developer pretty much just stripped out that functionallity all together. I haven't tried aDosBox, so I not sure if it will work there either.
thThat's how I knew about emulating a modom over the network and just issue
eATDT command with the host name; works well on the PC where port 23 can b
tooopened, but apparently, Android won't let you open that port. If I unders
o Ithe developer of DOSBox Turbo correctly, the developer pretty much just stripped out that functionallity all together. I haven't tried aDosBox, s
tynot sure if it will work there either.
I found another app called iDosBox that seems to have the telnet functionali
still in it. I'll know when I attempt to use it. I'm part way through setting
up Telix and Bluewave as a self contained DOS offline mail setup. :) And Ican
listen on port 2323, if I want to run a BBS on it. Now porting my old RA setup
to the phone, that would be a neat trick! :D
jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Awesome! And I did find out that QEMU does serial port emulation over
the network; however, I haven't tried it in Limbo yet (it does let you
add additional parameters to pass over to QEMU that isn't normally available on Limbo's UI).
Now, being able to run a BBS on an Android devive: that I would be interested in seeing how it goes. :)
oxAwesome! And I did find out that QEMU does serial port emulation over the network; however, I haven't tried it in Limbo yet (it does let you add additional parameters to pass over to QEMU that isn't normally available on Limbo's UI).
OK, well it didn't work as planned. Seems the telnet functionality of lDosB
is also crippled - you can configure it, but it seems to do nothing. In DosBox
under Windows, Telix could connect to my BBS, but on the phone, Telix can't configure the serial port. :(
Now, being able to run a BBS on an Android devive: that I would be interested in seeing how it goes. :)
Well, looks like I will need to go the Limbo/Qemu route. So have to get my head around creating images. :/
Now, being able to run a BBS on an Android devive: that I would be interested in seeing how it goes. :)
Back in 2000, I ran a web site on my Palm Pilot over the 33.6 modem. Thought that was pretty cool.
Didn't know any palm pilots had a serial port, I know mine didn't or at least not that I was aware of, I still have my old pal pilot.
jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I'm sorry to hear that. Probably not surprising, given the limitations.
Now, being able to run a BBS on an Android devive: that I would be interested in seeing how it goes. :)
Well, looks like I will need to go the Limbo/Qemu route. So have to get my head around creating images. :/
Hope it all works out well for you! Let me know how I may help you;
just let me know on another board (outside of general). If you would
like, up to you, I can create a FreeDOS VM in Limbo for you. Just let
me know how much RAM you want in your image (probably can be changed to your needs on your instance of Limbo), and size of the hard drive image (5, 10, or 20GB), and I can get a working FreeDOS image going with networking set up amd ready to go. I just need a good way to have the image sent to you after I export it. :)
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to jagossel <=-
Back in 2000, I ran a web site on my Palm Pilot over the 33.6 modem. Thought that was pretty cool.
jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I'm sorry to hear that. Probably not surprising, given the limitations.
Yeah bummer, though I can't understand why, since apps can telnet out, and DoSBox is just another app. The serial emulation works well on the PC.
myNow, being able to run a BBS on an Android devive: that I would be interested in seeing how it goes. :)
Well, looks like I will need to go the Limbo/Qemu route. So have to get
head around creating images. :/
Hope it all works out well for you! Let me know how I may help you; just let me know on another board (outside of general). If you would like, up to you, I can create a FreeDOS VM in Limbo for you. Just let me know how much RAM you want in your image (probably can be changed to your needs on your instance of Limbo), and size of the hard drive image (5, 10, or 20GB), and I can get a working FreeDOS image going with networking set up amd ready to go. I just need a good way to have the image sent to you after I export it. :)
An image would be nice. But I would need to know how to add software to it, such as Bluewave and Telix. And do you have documentation on setting up the setial emulation? (or a link to it on the website)?
As for specs, 32M RAM should be heaps, I won't need much disk space, 1GB would
be plenty.
Thanks for your help.
I've got the hang of transferring files to and from the phone now too. Ghost Commander is really neat, especially once you install the plugins. :)
jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
Yeah bummer, though I can't understand why, since apps can telnet out, and DoSBox is just another app. The serial emulation works well on the PC.
I would have thought so as well, but I'm wondering if they are
emulating the part where either hosts can initiate the communication,
and have a server open so that the other host can start the
communication.
I can get started on an image for you, but I have some research and expirementation to do on my end. I'll do my best to make some time to
work on experiments and add it to my personal image. Then I can take
the concept over to the other image. At this point, I hadn't needed to copy files in and out of the VM, but I can look into it (one of the experiments). The wiki pages for FreeDOS suggests starting a FTP server and using a FTP client. I saw in a couple of sitea that mentions Samba.
As for specs, 32M RAM should be heaps, I won't need much disk space, 1GB wou
ld
be plenty.
The smallest that I can do is 5GB. Hopefully, that'll be more than
plenty for you; and that's not too much. For some reason, Limbo limits
the hard drive images to either 5, 10, or 20GB images. :/
Thanks for your help.
I've got the hang of transferring files to and from the phone now too. Ghost Commander is really neat, especially once you install the plugins. :)
I love Ghost Commander! Open source, dual pane navigation, plug ins,
it's awesome! I like the fact that I have it act as an FTP or Samaba client and transfer files between devices that way.
I will keep you updated on the progress on it. Like I said, I only get nights to work on side projects; my family, job, and church keeps me
busy daily all week. :)
Yeah bummer, though I can't understand why, since apps can telnet out, an DoSBox is just another app. The serial emulation works well on the PC.
I would have thought so as well, but I'm wondering if they are emulating the part where either hosts can initiate the communication, and have a server open so that the other host can start the communication.
I don't quite follow, little bit unclear on what you're referring to. :/
jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
I apologize, the scenrio that I had in mind was a null-modem
connection, where two computers are connected directly with each other
via the serial port. Either one of those computers could start
listening, and the other start communicating. I remember a DOS utility
that made it possible to transfer files from one computer to another
with a null-modem connection, but I don't remember the name of it; used
it once before when I was a 'tween (I believe). Some multiplayer games supported a null-modem connection as well.
That's what I was thinking of with QEMU and DOSBox has to listen on a Telnet port: either instances of DOSBox could be listening and the
other to initiate a connection.
Update on the research:
FTP is starting to look like the only way to transfer files back and
forth without needing to create floppy or CD images with the needed
The documentation on port fowarding is here, under "hostfwd": https://qemu.weilnetz.de/doc/qemu-doc.html#Network-options
On the image itself, I can have the FTP server ready to go, and you can just update the FTP password file to your liking.
As far as the serial port emulation goes, not sure what is going on
with it. Limbo/QEMU seems ti start/restart the VM infinitly, having to resort to going into Android's settings and killing all Limbo tasks.
If you're interested, the documentation for serial port emulation is
at: https://qemu.weilnetz.de/doc/qemu-doc.html#Debug_002fExpert-options
That's all I have for you at the moment. I'll keep you updated as soon
as I have more for you.
That would be Laplink, it used to work with both serial and parallel ports.
FTP works for me, it's a tried and true protocol. :)
What version of Android are you using? I'm using 6 IIRC.
jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-
That would be Laplink, it used to work with both serial and parallel ports.
Maybe it was, but I was thinking it was a utility that was included
with MS-DOS. Like I said, I don't remember all of the details of it,
but I remember doing it a couple of times before.
FTP works for me, it's a tried and true protocol. :)
Huh... I found out that there is a text document that gets installed
with the MTCP package of FreeDOS, and it is documentation for the FTP server. It does explain the syntax for the FT{ password text file.
What version of Android are you using? I'm using 6 IIRC.
I have Marshmellow on my phone, and Lollipop (I think, could be Kitkak [spell?]) on my tablet.
So, I did get the serial emulation working (kind of), but it was
something that I feared: probably need a custom program to be a "Telmet gateway" that can behave like a modem. :( You're open to work on it and see if you can get it work. I tried to use Telix and Kermit 3.14 for MS-DOS, neither one of them worked. I think I might be missing
something, or I would need to write up a program to emulate a modem;
but that's time I don't have at the moment.
Either way, the good news is that the base image is ready for you. It's
a ZIP file that is ~30MB, and I believe you should be able to extract
it directly in /storage/emulated/0/limbo, and then just do an "Import Machines" from Limbo's toolbar. It will read the CSV file and build out the machine configuration. The CSV will have the location of where the QCOW2 hard drive image ia located.
Just let me know how to have the image file transferred or shared with you. Just shot me an E-Mail through Tim's, Denn's, Nightfox's, or
MTLGeek BBSes. I rotation across all four of these BBSes. We discuss
more details on hpw to get it to you.
| Sysop: | MCMLXXIX |
|---|---|
| Location: | Prospect, CT |
| Users: | 325 |
| Nodes: | 10 (0 / 10) |
| Uptime: | 52:28:26 |
| Calls: | 508 |
| Messages: | 220050 |