The Cortex "send" computer controls experimental timing, data collection, and sending commands to the graphics ("receive") computer. The "send" computer contains the data acquisition card, while the "receive" computer contains a graphics card. The two computers are connected via a serial cable between COM1 ports. The serial cable connecting the two computers must be a null modem cable. (Laplink-style cables will work).

IMPORTANT: The following document covers the installation instructions when using the DOS send program with the DOS (Scitech graphics based) receive program. If you are interested in trying the DOS send program with the Windows (DirectX graphics based) receive program, please see the document entitled "Instructions for the DirectX Receive Program (DXRECV.EXE)".

"Receive" computer installation:

1. Install Sci-Tech Display Doctor. A demo copy, which is usable for 21 days, can be downloaded from the Sci-Tech web page (www.scitechsoft.com). Otherwise, a licensed copy should be purchased from Sci-Tech.
2. During the installation of Display Doctor, allow the autoexec.bat to be changed. After installation, the autoexec.bat must contain the line "C:\SDD60A\UNIVBE.EXE -w", so that the Display Doctor will automatically be launched upon bootup. Also, make sure that the linear frame buffer capability is enabled in Display Doctor, by double-clicking on the Display Doctor Control Center icon and looking at the "Compatibility Testing" section.
3. Download and unzip the latest Cortex distribution code from the Cortex web page (). Besides the Cortex web page, code can also be downloaded directly from cog.nimh.nih.gov via anonymous FTP. The Cortex zip files are located in the /cortex.dist directory on cog. The minimum files that the receive computer must contain are: RVESACTX.EXE, DOS4GW.EXE, and PC8X8.FNT. These three files must all reside in the same directory.
4. If you have bitmaps associated with your tests, they must also reside in the Cortex directory on the receive computer, since the bitmap files do not get transmitted over the serial line. (If they are not there, you will get the error "can't calculate image size" on the send computer.)

"Send" computer installation:

1. It is not necessary to install the Sci-Tech Display Doctor on the send computer. Therefore, just download and unzip the latest Cortex distribution code from the Cortex web page or from the cog ftp site.
2. Edit the c:\cortex\remote32\cortex.cfg file to reflect your system setup. Make sure that the line "COM_PORT 1 115200" has been uncommented.
3. The testing files (items, conditions, timing files) must be located on the send computer. (I also found that the associated *.lut file must be located in the directory from which the send program is running.)

Running Dual Computer Cortex:

1. For best results, both computers should run Cortex in DOS mode. Shut down your receive computer and choose "Restart the computer?". When the computer displays the "Starting Windows 95…." message, press the F8 key. In the menu that appears, choose option 6 ("Command Prompt Only"). The computer will boot to a C:> prompt. Change to the Cortex directory containing the executables (usually \REMOTE32), and type "RVESACTX" to start the receive program running. (I found that dual cortex works best when the receive program is started first.)
2. Shut down your send computer and restart into DOS as described above. Change to the Cortex directory containing the executables (usually \REMOTE32), and type "WCSEND" to start the send program running. (If the 32-bit WCSEND.EXE program does not work properly, try the 16-bit "CORTSEND.EXE" located in the \cortex\remcort\ directory.)

In order to make the computer boot up in DOS without having to hit F8, you can do the following:

1. In C:\ there is a hidden system file called MSDOS.SYS. In order to be able to edit it, the easiest way is to go to a DOS prompt, change to C:\, and then type "attrib -h -r -s msdos.sys". Of course, before you edit it, make a backup copy!!
2. Edit msdos.sys. In the [Options] section, add the following lines (or change them if they are already there) to look like this (explained below):
   • BootMenu=1
   • BootMenuDefault=6
   • BootMenuDelay=60
3. Save the file, and change it's attributes back to hidden, read-only, system file, by typing "attrib +h +r +s msdos.sys".
4. Reboot, and it should show you the menu!
5. NOTE: The above options are set so that:
   • BootMenu=1 means that you want to show the menu. If you no longer want to see the menu, you will have to edit it to say BootMenu=0.
   • BootMenuDefault=6 means that if you don't press any menu key, it will automatically boot up with option 6 (command prompt only).
   • BootMenuDelay=60 means that it will wait 60 seconds before running the default menu item. The default time is 30 seconds. Of course, you can make it less, if you want.