Installing and Using the VT320 Video Terminal

4 Set-Up

Overview

The VT320 has seven set-up screens that list the settings for the terminal's operating features.

You can display these screens and change settings from the keyboard. This chapter describes the set-up screens and how to change settings.

Most set-up features are initially set to a factory-default setting that works with most Digital systems. The VT320 has these factory-default settings permanently stored. If you change settings, you can use set-up to reset the terminal to the factory-default settings.

You can also select and save settings to match your host system. The VT320 saves your selections in nonvolatile memory, along with the factory-default settings. When you shut power off, you do not lose your saved settings.

You can change all set-up features from the keyboard. Your host system can also change some settings, as described in the VT320 Programmer Reference Manual. See Appendix B to order other VT320 manuals.

Entering and Leaving Set-Up

To enter or leave set-up, you press the Set-Up key (the third key from the left on the top row of the main keypad). When you enter set-up, any text on the screen disappears, and the Set-Up Directory appears. When you leave set-up, the text that was on the screen reappears.

The Set-Up Directory lists all the set-up screens. You can select any set-up screen from the Set-Up Directory. You can also move from screen to screen. You can return to the Set-Up Directory from any set-up screen. You can only display one set-up screen at a time.

Set-Up Screen Format

The terminal displays set-up screens on the bottom third of the screen. Figure 4-1 shows the set-up screen format.

Figure 4-1 Set-Up Screen Format

How to Change Settings

You use the arrow keys to move the set-up cursor to a particular feature on a set-up screen. Most features have two or more possible settings. You use the Enter key to change the setting of the feature highlighted by the cursor. Each time you press Enter, the setting changes. Depending on the feature, the change takes effect immediately or when you leave set-up.

Some features are action fields. When you move to an action field and press the Enter key, the terminal performs the action. For example, six of the set-up screens have an action field that reads To Directory. When you move to this feature and press Enter, the Set-Up Directory screen replaces the current screen.

Example
This example shows how to change the screen display from 80 to 132 columns.

  1. Press Set-Up to enter set-up. The Set-Up Directory appears. The cursor is on the Display field.
  2. Press Enter. The Display Set-Up screen appears.
  3. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to "80 Columns". Press Enter to change the setting to "132 Columns".
  4. Press Set-Up to leave set-up.

When you change a feature setting, the VT320 uses that setting until you turn the terminal off or change the setting again. To save a new setting, read the next section.

How to Save Your Settings

You can save the feature settings you select. When you do, the VT320 automatically uses your settings each time you turn the terminal on. In this way, you can set the VT320 to your computing environment.

You use the Save feature to save your settings. After you change settings to match your host computer, return to the Set-Up Directory. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the Save feature, then press Enter. The VT320 saves all current set-up settings and displays a "Done" message on the status line. The terminal uses these settings until you or an application save a new set of settings.

If you temporarily change some settings without saving them, you can Recall your last set of saved settings from the Set-Up Directory.

Status Line

The status line shows you the current position of the screen cursor, the printer status, and the modem status (if used). Table 4-1 describes the three status line fields, from left to right. The status line appears on line 25 at the bottom of the screen. If you display the status line outside of set-up, the line appears in reverse video.

By default, the status line only appears in set-up. You can use the Status Display feature in the Display Set-Up screen to control the status line. The feature has three settings.

No Status Display
(default)
The status line appears only in set-up or when selected by the host system.
Indicator The status line appears at all times.
Host-Writable The host system can write messages in place of the status line.

You can display the indicator status line in English, French, or German. Use the Set-Up Language feature in the Set-Up Directory screen to select the language.

Table 4-1 Status Line Messages
Field Value Meaning
1   Cursor position
(l,c) The cursor is currently at line l, column c.
2   Printer status
Ready The printer is ready.
Not Ready The printer is not ready.
None No printer is connected.
Auto The terminal is in auto print mode.
Controller The terminal is in printer controller mode. See Chapter 6.
3   Modem status*
DSR The modem is ready to send or receive data.
No DSR The modem is not ready to send or receive data.
* This field appears only when the VT320 has a modem connected.

A Guide to Set-Up Features

Table 4-2 lists the features available on each set-up screen.

Table 4-2 A Guide to Set-Up Features
Set-Up Directory Display Set-Up General Set-Up
Display Set-Up
General Set-Up
Communications Set-Up
Printer Set-Up
Keyboard Set-Up
Tab Set-Up
On-Line/Local
Clear Display
Clear Communications
Reset Terminal
Recall Saved Settings
Save Settings
Set-Up Language
Keyboard Language
Factory Defaults
Exit Set-Up
To Next Set-Up
To Directory
80/132 Columns
Display/Interpret Controls
Auto Wrap
Smooth/Jump Scroll
Light/Dark Screen
Cursor
Cursor Style
Status Display
To Next Set-Up
To Directory
Terminal Mode
Terminal ID
UDK Lock
User Features Lock
Character Set Mode
Keypad Mode
Cursor Key Mode
New Line
User-Preferred Set
Communications Set-Up Printer Set-Up Keyboard Set-Up
To Next Set-Up
To Directory
Transmit Speed
Receive Speed
XOFF
Data Bits/Parity
Stop Bits
Local Echo
Host Port Selection
Disconnect
Transmit Rate Limit
Auto Answerback
Answerback =
Concealed
To Next Set-Up
To Directory
Transmit/Receive Speed
Printer to Host Comm
Print Mode
XON/XOFF
Data Bits/Parity
Stop Bit
Print Page
Printed Data Type
Print Terminator
To Next Set-Up
To Directory
Typewriter/D.P. Keys
Caps/Shift Lock
Auto Repeat
Keyclick
Margin Bell
Warning Bell
Break
Compose Key
<x] DEL/BS
,, and .. Keys
<> Key
`~ Key
  Tab Set-Up  
To Next Set-Up
To Directory
Clear All Tabs
Set 8 Column Tabs
Tab Fields and Ruler

Set-Up Directory Screen

This screen always appears when you enter set-up. You can select any set-up screen from the Set-Up Directory. You can also perform such functions as saving and recalling feature settings. Table 4-3 describes the Set-Up Directory features. All features, except On-Line/Local, are action fields.

Table 4-3 Set-Up Directory Features
Feature Settings* Function
Display Display These fields display the selected set-up screen. For example, Display selects the Display Set-Up screen.
General General
Comm Comm
Printer Printer
Keyboard Keyboard
Tab Tab
On-Line/Local   Selects whether or not the VT320 can communicate with the host system.
On-Line Lets the VT320 communicate with the host system.
Local Puts the host system on hold. The VT320 sends keyboard data to the screen only.
Clear Display Clear Display Clears the screen when you leave set-up.
Clear Comm Clear Comm Clears communication as follows.
  • Stops any print operation.
  • Stops any escape sequence, control sequence, or device control string (DCS).
  • Stops printer controller mode and returns to normal print mode.
  • Clears the keyboard buffers.
  • Clears the receive buffer.
  • Clears the transmit buffer.
  • Sends an XON signal to the host.
  • Resets the XOFF received flags at the printer and host.
Reset Terminal Reset Terminal

Resets many VT320 operating features to a default setting used by most application programs.

The screen, communication, character set modes, and user-defined keys are not affected. See Chapter 13 of the VT320 Programmer Reference Manual.

Recall Recall Sets all set-up features to their saved values. Clears the screen.

NOTE: If you use a modem, Recall disconnects communication with the host system.

Save Save Saves all current feature settings in all set-up screens.
Set-Up=_____ English
Francais
Deutsch
Selects the language used to display set-up screens.
_____ Keyboard   Lets you select one of the following languages or dialects to match your keyboard.
  North American
British
Flemish
Canadian (French)
Danish
Finnish
German/Austrian
Dutch
Italian
Swiss (French)
Swiss (German)
Swedish
Norwegian
French/Belgian
Spanish
Portuguese
 
Default Default Sets all set-up features to their factory-default settings. Clears the screen and returns the cursor to the upper-left corner.

NOTE: If you use a modem, Default may disconnect communication with the host system.

Exit Exit Lets you leave set-up.
* Default settings are in bold type.

Display Set-Up Screen

This screen lets you select display features such as 80 or 132 columns, smooth or jump scrolling, and a block or underline cursor. Table 4-4 describes the Display Set-Up features.

Table 4-4 Display Set-Up Features
Feature Settings* Function
To Next Set-Up To Next Set-Up Displays the General Set-Up screen.
To Directory To Directory Displays the Set-Up Directory.
_____ Columns 80 Columns Selects an 80 or 132-column screen display for text. Takes effect in set-up and clears the screen.
132 Columns
_____ Controls   Selects whether to execute or display codes from the host system. This feature is useful for debugging programs.
  Interpret Controls Executes control codes, but does not display them.
Display Controls Displays control codes as characters, but does not execute them.
Auto Wrap   Selects whether or not text automatically wraps to the next line when you reach the right margin.
  No Auto Wrap When the cursor reaches the margin, the VT320 displays each new character in the last column of the line. Each new character overwrites the previous character.
Auto Wrap When the cursor reaches the margin, the VT320 displays new characters on the next line.
_____ Scroll   Selects how fast lines appear on the screen.
  Smooth Scroll Limits the speed at which new lines appear on the screen, producing a smooth, steady scroll.
Jump Scroll Displays new line as fast as they are received, producing a jump scroll.
_____ Text, _____ Screen   Selects a normal or reverse video display.
  Light Text, Dark Screen Selects a normal screen display (light text on dark background)
Dark Text, Light Screen Selects a reverse video display (dark text on light background).
Text Cursor Cursor Selects whether or not to display the text cursor.
No Cursor
_____ Cursor Style Block Selects a blinking block or blinking underline cursor.
Underline
_____ Status Display   Selects how and when to display the status line at the bottom of the screen.
  No Status Display The status line only appears when you are in set-up.
Indicator The status line appears at all times.
Host Writable Host applications can write messages in place of the status line.
* Default settings are in bold type.

General Set-Up Screen

This screen lets you select the terminal's general operating features, such as operating mode and multinational character sets. Table 4-5 describes the General Set-Up features. See Chapter 2 for more on character sets.

Table 4-5 General Set-Up Features
Feature Settings* Function
To Next Set-Up To Next Set-Up Displays the Communications Set-Up screen.
To Directory To Directory Displays the Set-Up Directory screen.
_____ Mode _____   Selects the terminal's operating mode. Lets the VT320 work as a VT200 series, VT100 series, or VT52 terminal.
  VT300 Mode, 7-Bit Controls Lets the terminal use all VT320 features. This mode supports 8-bit graphic display characters and 7-bit control characters. Select this mode for all VT200 applications. Digital recommends this mode for most applications.
VT300 Mode, 8-Bit Controls Lets the terminal use all VT320 features in an 8-bit environment with 8-bit control characters. Select this mode for all VT200 applications that use 8-bit control characters. This mode is the most efficient, but not yet supported by many applications.
VT100 Mode Lets the terminal run applications that require strict VT100 compatibility. In general, use VT300 Mode, 7-Bit Controls if possible.
VT52 Mode Lets the terminal run VT52 applications.
Terminal ID VT320 ID
VT100 ID
VT101 ID
VT102 ID
VT220 ID

Selects the device attributes response (terminal ID).

This response lets the host system know specific operating attributes of the terminal.

NOTE: If you use the VMS operating system, version 4.6 or later can recognize VT320 terminals. If your operating system does not recognize your VT320, select the "VT220 ID" setting.

User Defined Keys _____   Selects whether or not the host system can change user-defined key (UDK) definitions.†
Unlocked Allows the host to define UDKs.
Locked Prevents the host from defining UDKs.
User Features _____  

Selects whether or not the host system can change your settings for the following features.

  • Auto Repeat
  • Smooth/Jump Scroll
  • Light/Dark Screen
  • Tab stops
  • Keyboard lock
  Unlocked Lets the host change user features.
Locked Prevents the host from changing features.

NOTE: Some applications expect to control the above user features. For these applications, set User Features _____ to "Unlocked".

Character Set Mode   Selects the type of character sets to use, 8-bit multinational sets or 7-bit national sets.

NOTE: If you set the Keyboard feature in the Set-Up Directory to "North American", you cannot select "7-Bit Characters". If you set the operating mode to "VT100", you cannot select "8-Bit Characters".

  8-Bit Characters Supports the 8-bit DEC Multinational or ISO Latin-1 set. Both include the 7-bit ASCII set. You select the specific 8-bit set with the User-Preferred Character Set feature in this screen.
7-Bit Characters Makes the VT320 use one of the 7-bit national replacement character sets (NRCs). You select the NRC set with the Keyboard feature in the Set-Up Directory screen.
_____ Keypad   Selects whether the numeric keypad keys send the characters on their keycaps or programming functions.
  Numeric The keypad keys send the characters on their keycaps (using ASCII character codes).
Application The keypad keys send programming functions defined by an application.

NOTE: If you set the Keypad feature above to "Numeric", the Enter key works like the Return key.

_____ Cursor Keys   Selects whether the arrow keys control cursor movement or send application control functions.
  Normal The arrow keys move the cursor up, down, left, right (using ANSI cursor control sequences).
Application The arrow keys send application control functions.
_____ New Line   Selects whether or not the Return key moves the cursor to a new line.
  No New Line The Return key sends a carriage return only.
New Line The Return key sends a carriage return and a line feed.

NOTE: When you set the Keypad feature to "Numeric", the New Line feature affects the Enter key the same as it does the Return key.

User-Preferred Character Set   When Character Set Mode is set to "8-Bit Characters", selects the DEC Multinational set or ISO Latin-1 set for use. The difference between the two sets is their supplemental character set, called a user-preferred set.
  UPSS DEC Supplemental Selects the DEC Multinational character set. This set is compatible with Digital applications.
UPSS ISO Latin-1 Selects the International Standards Organization (ISO) character set.
* Default settings are in bold type.
† You can define the function of some top-row keys by using programming sequences. See Chapter 10 of the VT320 Programmer Reference Manual.

Communications Set-Up Screen

This screen lets you select features that affect how the VT320 communicates with your host system. The default settings work with most of Digital's computer systems. Table 4-6 describes the Communications Set-Up features.

Table 4-6 Communications Set-Up Features
Feature Settings* Function
To Next Set-Up To Next Set-Up Displays the Printer Set-Up screen.
To Directory To Directory Displays the Set-Up Directory screen.
Transmit= _____†   Selects the baud rate the VT320 uses to send data to the host system.
  75
110
150
300
600
1200
2400
4800
9600
19200
The terminal's transmit speed must match the host's receive speed. However, the VT320 can transmit at one speed and receive at another.
Receive= _____† Receive=Transmit
75
110
150
300
600
1200
2400
4800
9600
19200

Selects the baud rate the VT320 uses to receive data from the host system.

The terminal's receive speed must match the host's transmit speed. However, the VT320 can transmit at one speed and receive at another.

XOFF _____† XOFF at 64
XOFF at 128
No XOFF

Selects how many characters the VT320 can receive before sending the host system an XOFF signal to stop sending data.

For example, "XOFF at 64" means the VT320 sends XOFF to the host when the input buffer contains 64 characters. See Appendix C.

___ Bits, ___ Parity†
8 Bits, Even Parity
8 Bits, Odd Parity
8 Bits, No Parity
8 Bits, Even Parity, No Check
8 Bits, Odd Parity, No Check
7 Bits, Even Parity, No Check
7 Bits, Odd Parity, No Check
7 Bits, No Parity
7 Bits, Even Parity
7 Bits, Odd Parity
7 Bits, Mark Parity
7 Bits, Space Parity
Selects the character format used to communicate with the host system. See Appendix B in the VT320 Programmer Reference Manual.
___ Stop Bit†   Selects the number of stop bits (1 or 2) used in the character format.
  1 Stop Bit Digital recommends using 1 stop bit for most applications.
2 Stop Bits Use this setting for baud rates under 300.
Local Echo   Selects whether or not to send the characters you type directly to the screen.
  No Local Echo Sends keyboard data to the host. The host may or may not send the data back to the screen.
Local Echo Sends keyboard data to the screen and to the host.
Host Port Selection   Selects which cable connector you can use on the rear of the VT320 to connect to the host system.
  RS232, Data Leads Only Selects the 25-pin RS232 connector. Use this setting if you do not have a modem.
RS232, Modem Control Selects the 25-pin RS232 connector. Use this setting if you have a modem requiring EIA modem control.
DEC-423, Data Leads Only Selects the 6-pin DEC-423 connector. Use this setting if you do not have a modem.
DEC-423, Modem Control Selects the 6-pin DEC-423 connector. Use this setting if you have a modem.

NOTE: The next feature only works when you use the "RS232, Modem Control" setting above.

Disconnect, ___ Delay   When modem control is in effect, selects the time delay the VT320 uses before disconnecting from the communication line. A disconnect occurs when the VT320 no longer detects the received line signal detection (RLSD) signal.
  Disconnect, 2 s Delay This setting is for all countries except the United Kingdom.
Disconnect, 60 ms Delay This setting is used in the United Kingdom.
______ Transmit   Selects a limited or unlimited terminal transmit speed.
  Limited Limits the terminal to sending 150 to 180 characters per second, regardless of the baud rate selected by the Transmit feature. This reduces the interrupt burden on the operating system.
Unlimited Selects an unlimited terminal transmit speed.
Auto Answerback Auto Answerback
No Auto Answerback
Selects whether or not to send the answerback message to the host system after a communication line connection.
Answerback =  

Lets you type an answerback message of up to 30 characters. When you select this feature, the VT320 displays the prompt "Enter Answerback =" on the status line.

You can conceal your message with the Conceal feature in this screen.

NOTE: The VT320 sends this message to the host system when (1) you type Ctrl-Break, or (2) the host requests the message by sending an ENQ character. Host requests do not affect screen data or require a user response.

Concealed   Selects whether or not the VT320 can display the answerback message in set-up.
  Not Concealed The VT320 can display the answerback message in set-up.
Concealed The VT320 cannot display your answerback message. You cannot reset this feature to "Not Concealed", except by entering a new answerback message.
* Default settings are in bold type.
† Does not apply to the printer port. See the Printer Set-Up screen.

Printer Set-Up Screen

This screen lets you set up the VT320 to work with different types of printers. Table 4-7 describes the Printer Set-Up features.

Table 4-7 Printer Set-Up Features
Feature Settings* Function
To Next Set-Up To Next Set-Up Displays the Keyboard Set-Up screen.
To Directory To Directory Displays the Set-Up Directory.
Speed= ____ 75
110
150
300
600
1200
2400
4800
9600
19200
Selects the baud rate the VT320 uses to send data to a printer.
Printer to Host Comm   Selects whether or not the printer can send data to the host system.
  No Printer to Host Data can only move from host to printer.
Printer to Host Data can move from host to printer, and from printer to host.

NOTE: XON/XOFF flow control operates independently between the terminal and printer, and between the printer and host.

Print Mode   Determines when and how printing takes place.
  Normal Lets you start print functions from the keyboard.
Auto Print Prints the current line of text when the VT320 receives a line feed, form feed, or vertical tab from the host.
Controller Lets the host send data directly to the printer, without displaying the data on the screen.
XOFF   Selects whether or not to use XON/XOFF flow control with the printer. See Appendix C.
  XOFF
No XOFF
 
___ Bits, ___ Parity   Selects a character format to match the printer's.
  8 Bits, No Parity
8 Bits, Even Parity
8 Bits, Odd Parity
7 Bits, No Parity
7 Bits, Mark Parity
7 Bits, Space Parity
7 Bits, Even Parity
7 Bits, Odd Parity
 
___ Stop Bit 1 Stop Bit
2 Stop Bits
Selects the number of stop bits that match the printer's character format.
Print _______   Selects how much of the screen to print when you press the Print Screen key.
  Full Page Prints the full screen.
Scroll Region Prints only the scrolling region.
Printed Data Type   Lets you select the VT320 character sets that match the Digital printer's character sets.
  National Only Use with a printer that supports the ASCII set (in "8-Bit" multinational mode) or the current national set (in "7-Bit" national mode). Examples: LA34, LA36, and LA120 printers.
National and Line Drawing Use with a printer that supports the VT100 line drawing set and (1) the ASCII set (in "8-Bit" multinational mode), or (2) the current national set (in "7-Bit" national mode). Example: LA100.
Print All Characters Use with a printer that supports the multinational and line drawing sets. Example: LA50.
Print Terminator No Terminator
Terminator = FF
Selects whether or not the VT320 sends a form feed (FF) at the end of a print operation.
* Default settings are in bold type.

Keyboard Set-Up Screen

This screen lets you control the function of several keys: Lock, Break, Compose, <x], . (period), , (comma), < >, and ~. You can also control the keyboard's margin bell, warning bell, and keyclick.

The "_____ Keys" feature lets you select between standard typewriter characters and data processing characters. This feature affects keys with characters on the right half of their keycaps. Data processing characters allow European model keyboards to use characters that appear as standard typewriter characters on the North American/United Kingdom keyboard.

Table 4-8 describes the Keyboard Set-Up features.

Table 4-8 Keyboard Set-Up Features
Feature Settings* Function
To Next Set-Up To Next Set-Up Displays the Tab Set-Up screen.
To Directory To Directory Displays the Set-Up Directory.
______ Keys   Selects the characters sent by keys that have three or more characters on their keycap.
  Typewriter Selects the characters on the left half of the keycaps.
Data Processing Selects the characters on the right half of the keycaps.

NOTE: When you select "Data Processing" keys, the keyboard can only send ASCII characters. For keys with three or more characters, you cannot use the characters on the left half of the keycap.

______ Lock   Selects the function of the Lock key (Chapter 3).
  Caps Lock After you press Lock down, the alphabetic keys send their uppercase character. Other keys still send the bottom character on their keycap.
Shift Lock After you press Lock down, all keys send the top character on their keycap.
Auto Repeat Auto Repeat
No Auto Repeat
Selects whether or not a key sends its character repeatedly when you hold the key down.†
Keyclick Keyclick
No Keyclick
Selects whether or not keys make a sound when you press them.
Margin Bell Margin Bell
No Margin Bell
Selects whether or not the VT320 makes a bell tone when the text cursor approaches the right margin.
Warning Bell Warning Bell
No Warning Bell
Selects whether or not the VT320 makes a bell tone when (1) operating errors occur, or (2) you press Ctrl-G.
Break Break
No Break

Selects whether or not the Break key sends a break signal (Chapter 3).

You can end communication with a modem by pressing Shift-Break, regardless of the Break setting.

Compose Compose
No Compose
Selects whether or not the Compose Character key works (Chapter 5).
Backarrow Key   Selects whether the <x] key sends a delete (DEL) character or a backspace (BS) character.
  <x] Delete Pressing <x] sends a DEL character.
<x] Backspace Pressing <x] sends a BS character.
,, and .. Keys   Selects which characters the comma and period keys send.
  ,, and .. Keys The comma key sends a comma when shifted or unshifted. The period key sends a period when shifted or unshifted.
,, and .. Keys Send ,< and .> The comma key sends a comma when unshifted and a < character when shifted. The period key sends a period when unshifted and a > character when shifted.
<> Key‡   Selects which characters the angle bracket key sends.
  <> Key The angle bracket key sends a < when unshifted and a > when shifted.
<> Key Sends `~ The angle bracket key sends a ` when unshifted and a ~ when shifted.
`~ Key‡   Selects which character the tilde key sends.
  `~ Key The tilde key sends a ` when unshifted and a ~ when shifted.
`~ Key Sends ESC The tilde key sends an escape (ESC) character.
* Default settings are in bold type.
† The following keys never repeat: Hold Screen, Print Screen, Set-Up, Return, Break, Lock, and Ctrl.
‡ This feature applies only to the North American/United Kingdom and Dutch keyboards.

Tab Set-Up Screen

This screen lets you set the number of tab stops on a line. When you press the Tab key outside of set-up, the cursor advances to the next tab stop on the line. Table 4-9 describes the Tab Set-Up features.

There is one tab stop field for each column on the screen. You can use a screen display that is 80 or 132 columns wide. See the Columns feature in the Display Set-Up screen.

You can use the arrow keys or Tab key to move the set-up cursor to any tab stop field. Press the Enter key to place a T in a blank field or erase a T from that field. This screen shows the default tab stop settings.

Table 4-9 Tab Set-Up Features
Feature Settings* Function
To Next Set-Up To Next Set-Up Displays the Display Set-Up screen.
To Directory To Directory Displays the Set-Up Directory.
Clear All Tabs Clear All Tabs Clears all tabs previously set.
Set 8 Column Tabs Set 8 Column Tabs Automatically sets tabs every 8 columns, starting with column 9.