utilx.dat contains all the information from your sub-space messages, and some more. If you have a program which supports utilx.dat files, it will benefit from the added information by providing you more reliable displays.

PHost can send you files through utilx.dat. One important file sent this way is the configuration file pconfig.src. When you request such a file using the send command, you need a program to extract it. If you cannot do that, obtain the files from your host manually.

  • Winplan and DOS Planets do not support util.dat nor pconfig.src.
  • VPA 3.51 reads file transfers, and a few other parts of utilx.dat; VPA 3.61 reads many more parts. It also reads pconfig.src.
  • PCC reads most parts of utilx.dat. File transfers are handled during unpacking. It also reads pconfig.src.
  • EchoView reads almost all utilx.dat parts. It also reads pconfig.src.

In general, you have to place the utilx.dat and pconfig.src file in the game directory for the programs to find it.