Support

Help with Twinax, the TN5250 terminal for IBM i.

Contact

Email [email protected]. Please include your macOS version and Twinax version (Twinax ▸ About Twinax).

Describing a screen problem? Session ▸ Save Host Data Stream (⇧⌘D) saves exactly what the host sent, never anything you typed, and makes most display issues quick to pin down.

Common questions

Programs fail with CPF4169 “device file does not contain an entry for screen size”

The program’s screens are 27×132 and your session is 24×80. In Configure, set Terminal type to 27 x 132 color (IBM-3477-FC) and reconnect. That type handles 24×80 screens too.

I see “Required PC program (PCO.EXE) is not active”

That host is asking for IBM’s Windows-only PC Organizer. Twinax answers these prompts with Enter for you; check that Skip PC Organizer (PCO.EXE) prompts is on in Configure ▸ Advanced.

F1–F12 change brightness or volume

Hold fn with the key, or turn on “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” in System Settings ▸ Keyboard. The key bar under the screen works too, and Shift turns it into F13–F24.

Can I change what keys do?

Yes: Twinax ▸ Keyboard Mapping… (⌘;). Press Record Key, press the Mac key, pick the 5250 function. Common picks: Return as Field Exit and Keypad Enter as Enter.

Which ports do I use?

23 for plain TN5250, 992 for TLS. If your IBM i uses a self-signed certificate, turn on “Accept self-signed certificates” for that host only.

Characters look wrong (accents, symbols)

Set EBCDIC code page in Configure to match your IBM i (for example 285 for the UK, 273 for Germany).

The host says my display device is in use

The device name in Configure is already signed on elsewhere. Close the other session, or leave the device name empty to get an automatic one.

Where can I try it without an IBM i?

Twinax includes a PUB400 session: a free public IBM i at pub400.com. You can see the sign-on screen right away; signing on needs a free PUB400 account.