Share via

HyperTerminal overview

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

HyperTerminal overview

HyperTerminal is a program that you can use to connect to other computers, Telnet sites, bulletin board systems (BBSs), online services, and host computers, using either your modem, a null modem cable or Ethernet connection.

Though using HyperTerminal with a BBS to access information on remote computers is a practice that has become less common with the availability of the World Wide Web, HyperTerminal is still a useful means of configuring and testing your modem or examining your connection with other sites. For more information, see Set up a new connection.

HyperTerminal records the messages passed to and from the computer or service on the other end of your connection. Therefore, it can serve as a valuable troubleshooting tool when setting up and using your modem. To make sure that your modem is connected properly or to view your modem's settings, you can send commands through HyperTerminal and check the results. HyperTerminal has scroll functionality that allows you to look at received text that has scrolled off the screen.

You can use HyperTerminal to transfer large files from a computer onto your portable computer using a serial port rather than going through the process of setting up your portable computer on a network. For more information, see Send a file to a remote computer.

You can use HyperTerminal to help debug source code from a remote terminal. You can also use HyperTerminal to communicate with older character-based computers.

HyperTerminal is designed to be an easy-to-use tool and is not meant to replace other full-feature tools available on the market. You can use HyperTerminal to perform the specific tasks described above, but do not attempt to use HyperTerminal for more complex communication needs. For more information on what HyperTerminal does and does not support, see the HyperTerminal frequently asked questions list at the Hilgraeve Web Site.

Web addresses can change, so you might be unable to connect to the Web site or sites mentioned here.