
     A certain problem has plagued me during my Sysoping years, whether I was
using RBBS, PCBoard, etc.  The problem is a familiar one, Nodes locking up.  I
run a 2 Node system using PCBoard 14.5 and when users drop carrier while using 
DSZ Zmodem for example, the board shows that user as still logged on and 
transferring, even though they aren't.  Does not happen often, but it does 
happen.  One solution is to use a timer and do a cold reboot of the system, 
which I do once a day.  Another way I've found is to use a program called
CMONITOR (included in this .ZIP file), *** THIS WILL ONLY WORK ON SYSTEMS USING
DESQVIEW *** monitors the carrier for a specific port and if the carrier is 
lost, closes the window and re-opens again.  Seems to be only one version of
this program around and has it's quirks, like opening multiple windows and not
closing them.  But, to the topic of this memo, when Node 2 locks up and I call
remotely on Node 1 I use the CMON.COM program included here to force DESQview 
to close Node 2's window and re-open it.  Thus resetting the Com port and 
program.  Here is the procedure:
 
1. Make sure that you have CMON.COM and CMONITOR.COM in your DESQview
   directory.  

2. Use Sysop Menu selection 10 Perform DOS Function (be very careful with this
   function, as it will hang if you execute a command that prompts you for
   input) and enter the following line:  

     CMON c:\desq386\P2-PIF.DVP 2 _______________________
         /               |                               \
    <path> <name of DESQview Open Window file for Node 2> <Com port to re-open>

   This will cause CMON.COM to check Com 2 (you can specify which Com port you
   are using this for) for carrier, if none found then CMON.COM will close 
   Node 2 using DESQview file P2-PIF.DVP (my configuration file for Node 2) 
   and re-open it again.  If you need to find out the configuration file name
   of your Node, go to your DESQview Open Window menu for listings.


     Remember, this is mainly for Sysops who want to keep an eye on their
boards remotely, while at work, on vacation, etc.  Works great and gets rid of
that annoying constant ring for your users.  If you have any questions, please
contact me at:

                                 The Movie BBS
                                (718) 762-5292

Take care!
