A Typical HyperTerminal Session

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A typical communications session using HyperTerminal goes something like this:

1. Start HyperTerminal. For details, see "Starting HyperTerminal."
2. Open or create a connection file.

Before establishing a communications link, you have to supply HyperTerminal with the phone number and some additional information about how to communicate with the service you're calling. For details, see "Making New Connections."

3. Open the Call menu and choose Connect or click the Connect toolbar button, and then click the Dial button in the Dial dialog box. (Table 23-1 describes the toolbar buttons.)

Table 23-1. HyperTerminal Toolbar

Toolbar Icon	Description
	Creates a new connection file
	Opens an existing connection file
	Connects to a remote system (dials the modem)
	Disconnects from a remote system (hangs up the modem)
	Sends a file to the remote system
	Receives a file from the remote system
	Displays the properties dialog box for the current connection file

HyperTerminal uses your modem's built-in dialing capabilities to establish a telephone connection with the remote computer, which is often called the host computer (or simply the host). After a connection has been established, whatever you type into HyperTerminal's window is sent across the phone line to the host computer. If the person or computer at the other end of the line sends information back, it appears in HyperTerminal's window as though someone behind the screen were typing.

4. Log on to the host computer or service.

If you're communicating with a mainframe or information service, you'll probably be required to log on by entering a name and password.

5. Interact with the party you're connected to.

Your conversation might consist of nothing more than messages typed at the keyboard. Or you might transmit a great deal of information stored on the Clipboard by choosing Paste To Host from HyperTerminal's Edit menu. You can also exchange files with the host computer. For details, see "Transferring Files."

6. Log off the host computer or service.

The procedure for logging off depends on the service you use. Typically, you type quit, exit, bye, or a similar command at the service's command prompt or main menu.

7. Choose Disconnect from HyperTerminal's Call menu.

When you log off, the host computer might end the telephone connection itself. HyperTerminal might not recognize that, however, so it's best to use the Disconnect command regardless of what the other party does.

8. Close HyperTerminal.

If the telephone connection is still open (or if HyperTerminal thinks it is), HyperTerminal prompts you to disconnect from the host computer before quitting.