781 lines
33 KiB
Plaintext
781 lines
33 KiB
Plaintext
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*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
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SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE Issue #130 November 6, 1988
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*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
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Publisher/Editor: Ron Kovacs
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Post Office Box 74
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Middlesex, NJ 08846-0074
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CONTENTS
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*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
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(#) Editors Desk.......................Ron Kovacs
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(#) ZMag Newswire................................
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(#) Zmods (1200XL Modification)....Charles Koontz
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(#) Notes on Programming..........Ctsy Atari8*SIG
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(#) ZMag Newswire Part 2.........................
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(#) ST Section...................................
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(#) PC Pursuit Recommendations...................
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*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
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This issue conveyed via Paybax BBS. 302-731-5558. All bauds.
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*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
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Editors Desk
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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We are back on GENie in the Atari 8 Bit RT. Our NEW GEnie Mail address is
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ZMAG. Please make a note of this if you want to contact us in the future.
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November 8th is here and it is your RIGHT and NEED to vote. The ritual of
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elections cannot be complete if we DO NOT take advantage of this right.
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Please attend the Formal Conference on CompuServe November 9th at 9pm EST.
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The guests for this CO will be Ralph Mariano, Editor of our sister
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publication ST-REPORT. I will also be there to field your comments and
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questions. Enter GO CONVENTION at any CompuServe prompt to enter this CO
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area.
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Please give the SELECT BBS a call at (916) 392-7279!
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November 8: Election Day
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November 10: Day of Founding of the Marines 1775
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November 11: Veterans Days
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November 13 - 19: American Education Week!
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Thanks for reading ZMAGAZINE!
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ZMag Newswire
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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SUNNYVALE (NOV 1) USA Today: Atari reported they will be giving credit for
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purchasing Atari cartridges. They are sold presently at a cost of $10 to
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$30 each. Also stated in the article, Atari will give prizes and give
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away a two week vacation. If this expirement works, they will continue
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this promotion as a way of luring more people to purchase Atari products.
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COMDEX UPDATE: (NOV 6): Atari failed to register on-time for the Comdex
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preview. (Ed. Hope this isn't s sign of things to come.) The Laptop seems
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to be the highlight scheduled along with desktop publishing displays.
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Z-Mods
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Atari 1200XL Split Chroma Modification
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by Charles D. Koontz
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This easy modification to the 1200XL provides a true chroma output to the
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1200XL monitor jack. It allows the use of -split video- monitors for
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sharper images and truer color.
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This modification involves installation of one wire to the foil side of
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the 1200XL main circuit board (motherboard). Now to get the usual
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tiresome, but necessary, warnings out of the way:
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This modification is installed at the risk of the user. Any warranty on
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the 1200XL will be invalidated. The author assumes no responsibility for
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damage done during, or by, the modification.
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EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
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(1) Screwdriver - Phillips head
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(1) Screwdriver - blade
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(1) Soldering iron & solder
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(1) Wire cutter or knife
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THE MODIFICATION
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1. Disconnect all power, TV, stick, paddle, drive, MIO, etc. from the
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1200XL.
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2. Turn the 1200XL upside down on your work surface.
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3. Remove the six Phillips head screws securing the bottom of the 1200XL
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to its top.
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4. Carefully holding top and bottom together, turn the unit upright.
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Move the top away from you, exposing the keyboard ribbon cable
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connectors.
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5. Make a note of the mating polarities of the keyboard ribbon cable and
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its connector.
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6. Push the keyboard connectors away from you, disconnecting the top and
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keyboard from the motherboard.
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7. Remove the top (and keyboard) assembly and lay it aside.
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8. Remove six Phillips head screws which secure the motherboard to the
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bottom shell.
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9. Remove the left plastic cartridge and joystick frame and lay it aside.
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10. Remove the motherboard from the plastic bottom shell. Lay the bottom
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shell aside.
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11. Using a flat blade screwdriver, gently pry up eleven -pop- fasteners
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that secure the top and bottom shields to the motherboard.
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12. Position the motherboard in front of you just as it would be if it
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were still in the 1200XL.
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13. Find transistor Q19 in front of, and slightly to the right of, the
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large upright cylindrical electrolytic capacitor (C39) at the right
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rear of the motherboard.
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14. Just to the left of Q19 is capacitor C118. The left lead of C118 is
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where the chroma signal appears. Find its connector on the foil side
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of the circuit board and solder one end of an insulated hookup wire
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to it.
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15. Before cutting the other end of the wire to length, carefully route
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it so it will fall under one of the elevated areas of the bottom
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shield edge when the shield is replaced. The other end of the wire
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must reach pin 5 of the monitor output jack J2.
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16. Solder the other end of the hookup wire to pin 5 (the unused
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connector) of the monitor output jack J2.
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17. Carefully re-position the top and bottom shields on the motherboard,
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making sure the new wire is not pinched by the shield edge and the
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insulating sheet is in place under the bottom shield.
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18. Fasten the shields to the motherboard by pressing the eleven -pop-
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fasteners into place. WARNING - BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT YOURSELF ON
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THE SHIELD EDGES.
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19. Position the motherboard in the plastic bottom shell. Position the
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left plastic cartridge and joystick frame in place.
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20. Fasten the motherboard to the bottom shell with six Phillips head
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screws.
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21. Position the keyboard and top unit on top of, and slightly to the
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rear of, the bottom.
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22. Reconnect the two ribbon connectors from the keyboard to the
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motherboard.
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a. Large black connector is fastened without twisting its short ribbon
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cable.
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b. Small black connector is fastened with the red stripe on its small
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grey ribbon cable to your left.
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23. Move the top unit into position over the bottom.
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24. Holding the top and bottom together, turn the unit upside down.
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25. Fasten the top and bottom together with the remaining six Phillips
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head screws.
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26. You're done!!! Find a monitor cable terminated with four phono plugs
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and you're in business.
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Radio Shack has such a cable. (If it's the same as mine the plugs are:
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black-audio, red-luminance, yellow-chrominance, white-composite but unused
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with a split video monitor like the Commodore 1702.)
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On the chance that your cable is wired differently, some experimenting
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will be necessary to find the right hookup. Plug the din connector end
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into the 1200XL monitor jack. Turn on the 1200XL and run a disk or
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cartridge program that uses sound. (Donkey Kong?)
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a. Find the audio plug by sequentially plugging each plug into your
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monitor's audio input jack. MARK IT!
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b. Find the luminance plug by sequentially plugging the remaining three
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plugs into your monitor's COMPOSITE VIDEO jack (not the luminance
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jack). You'll know you have the right plug when you get a monochrome
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picture. MARK THE PLUG and move it to the monitor's luminance jack.
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c. Find the Chrominance plug by sequentially plugging the remaining two
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plugs into your monitor's COMPOSITE VIDEO jack (not the Chrominance
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jack). When you get a fine color picture, MARK THE PLUG. That is the
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composite video plug. It remains unconnected.
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d. The remaining plug carries the chrominance signal. MARK IT. Connect
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it to the monitor's chrominance input jack.
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e. Why are you reading this step? The modification is done and your
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1200XL is properly connected to the monitor. Play DONKEY KONG.
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Seriously, if you have trouble, leave electronic mail for me at:
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GEnie - CHARLEKOONTZ CompuServe - 74206,3444
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Notes on Programming
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Ctsy: CompuServe Atari 8 Bit SIG
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Sb: #PROGRAMMING
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Fm: ROBERT ABRAMS 73547,1552
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To: KEITH JOINS 72347,75
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Keith, I would like to ask you a few questions with regard to binary
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files. If I am wrong, please correct me.
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Binary files are either created with the Atari Assembler Editor or the
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MAC/65. Is this correct? Now, if a Basic program is compiled with a
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compiler, is it turned into a machine language file?
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According to my DOS 2.5 manual and some other texts on Atari basic, with
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regard to -Option K- in DOS, to save a file using the -Binary Save-
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option, the format is as follows:
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SAVE-GIVEFILE,START,END(,INIT,RUN)
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Now, the START= the beginning of the program's address and the END=the
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end of the program's address--both of which are given in hexadecimal
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numbers. INIT and RUN, respectively, are used if one wants the program to
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automatically execute on loading. Does this mean that if a binary file is
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saved without the INIT and RUN addresses, when it loads it will not run?
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If this is the case and if someone saved a file without INIT and RUN
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addressses, would they then use Option M -RUN AT ADDRESS from the DOS
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menu to get the binary program to run?
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Now, the format to save a binary file (and to get it to run (execute) on
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loading is:
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FILENAME,START,END(,INTI,RUN)
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Question, how does one find out what the START,END, INIT and RUN addresses
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are? Does the Atari Assembler Editor/MAC/65 provide this information? Is
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it correct to say that one can't save a Basic file as a binary file unless
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it is compiled? After compiling, how does one find out where these
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respective addresses are? Does the compiler provide this?
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Lastly, with regard to the USR statement in Basic.
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Format: USR(memadr[,numexpr...])
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Example:
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A=USR(1536),ADR(A$),ADR(B$)),
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How does one find the -memadr,- i.e., the starting address of the machine
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language program?
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In the above, the -,numexpr- is also called an -argument.- Below is a
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hardware stack. Please explain this to me. I am lost
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USR COUNT
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----------------
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1ST USR Argument
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----------------
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2nd USR Argument
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----------------
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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-----------------
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Final USR Argument
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-------------------
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Basic Program's
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Return Address
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-------------------
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Stack Contents
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Prior to USR
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---------------------------------------
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How does one know what the Basic program's return address is? Now I
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understand that that a machine language program can return to Basic by
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executing the assembly language RTS instruction. I am kind of lost here,
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I guess for anyone to get Basic to use the USR one must have a background
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in assembly. Is that correct. However, there is a commercial product that
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has many Basic subroutines that perhaps I could use to apply the USR/RTS
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statements. I am really interested in this stuff. I tell, this just
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fanscinates me. Getting back to what I was saying, I believe the software
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is called -QuickCode-. Have you heard of this. If yes, what do you think
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of it? Perhaps you could help me with this stuff.
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Should only a person who is into assembly use the Basic USR/RTS
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statements? Are there machine language subroutines avilable to the Basic
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programmer to help this person do things with Basic that can't be done
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otherwise. Perhaps this -QuickCode- is what I am looking for. It could
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certainly help me with Basic and Assembly. I understand it works with the
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MAC/65. Phew!!!!!! I'm done now and I am still lost.
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Bob
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Fm: Keith Joins/Sec. Leader 72347,75
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To: ROBERT ABRAMS 73547,1552
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Bob...
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Just a couple of questions, eh? Whew! <grin>
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OK--Mac/65 and the Atari Assem/Editor do produce binary files. However so
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do such things as Action, a 'C' compiler, Lisp and any other language that
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produces a machine lanuage (binary) type object file. Basic is a kind of
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interpreted language. What that means is that the basic code or actually
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the basic tokens are changed to machine language instructions as the
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program is run. That is why it is so much slower than a binary file. A
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basic compiler changes the basic code to the machine language instructions
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prior to running and saves them as a binary file of sorts.
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Your next question requires a little understanding of how a binary file is
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created or stored. It will always begin with a header of 255 255 which is
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FF FF in hex. Next are four bytes that indicate the start and end address
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of the file, or the first segment of the file. This is the memory address
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that the file will load into. Then you will have the actual data, the
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total number of bytes here being equal to the number of bytes between the
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start and end address.
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Now you are either at the end of the file or you could have a second
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segment of the same program. If you have a second segment, then the next
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four bytes will again be the load addresses, start and end. FF FF could
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be repeated, but is not necessary. This can be repeated as often as you
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want.
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The INIT address is used to cause an immediate execution at the address
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specified when THAT segment is loaded before the rest of the program is
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loaded in. (sound familiar from your question about screens being
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loaded?) The RUN address is used when the entire program has loaded. An
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INIT address is not required to have a program run automatically but a RUN
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address is. If no RUN address is specified in a program, then you have to
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use option 'M' from DOS to execute the program after loading it.
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In assembly, you specify the start, run, and init addresses. The end
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pretty much takes care of itself. The start address is determined by
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where you assemble the program in memory. The RUN address is where your
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program begins execution. These two are not necessarily the same.
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To set up your run address you simply place the address your program
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begins execution at in memory locations 2E0-2E1. After the program is
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loaded, the computer will jump to the address contained in these two
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locations.
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Most assemblers allow you to assemble directly to disk. However you can
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assemble your program to memory and then use the DOS option 'K' to binary
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save it, specifing the RUN address and the INIT address if needed. Again
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these are addresses that you have set up in your program. The start and
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end addresses are still based on where you assembled your program to in
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memory.
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You can't really binary save a basic program since the tokens will not
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mean anything to the computer until they have been translated into ML
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instructions.
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With a USR call from Basic, the address of the routine is either a
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specific address such as 1536 that you mentioned, or the address of a
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string that contains the ML routine. If the ML routine is in a string
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then you really don't need to know what it's address is since Basic
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handles that for you with the ADR command.
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The stack is 256 bytes of memory (page one) that is reserved for keeping
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track of a bunch of values your computer needs to navigate with. It is a
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last in-first out type of operation. In other words, the last value
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placed there will normally be the first one removed.
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When you do a USR call, the return address of your basic program is first
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placed on the stack. You don't really know or care what it is, much
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different from an assembly program where you might want to change the
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return address of your JSR.
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The next thing placed on the stack are any parameters passed with the USR
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call, such as ADR(A$) and ADR(B$) in your example. Finally the number of
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parameters passed is placed on the stack. If there are no parameters then
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this would be a zero, but it is ALWAYS placed there.
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Now your ML routine takes over. The first instruction of a ML subroutine
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used by a Basic USR call is PLA or 104 decimal. If you look at basic
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programs that have the routine in data statements, you will always see
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this 104 as the first number. This is because you have to do something
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with the first value coming off the stack--the number of parameters
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passed. Even if you don't want it for anything, you have to get it off
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the stack or your program will crash. You then use the PLA instruction to
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get the parameters themselves from the stack and do whatever you want with
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them, according to the function of the ML subroutine.
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The stack is then untouched until your subroutine encounters an RTS when
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it is finished. The RTS will pull the return address of your basic
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program off the stack and that is where execution resumes. Again note
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that each value on the stack was used in the reverse order that they were
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placed there. Also remember that parameters are optional.
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To write your own USR routines you do need to know assembly. I am familiar
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with QuickCode and in fact own the product. I have used it some and it
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does it's intended function well. It is a collection of Macros for Mac/65.
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A Macro is a series of instructions that are stored together with a name.
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When the assembler encounters the macro name, it substitutes the stored
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lines in place of the name in your code. This lets you define new commands
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or operatives.
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|
|
||
|
The macros in QuickCode are used to establish these commands, such as
|
||
|
COLOR, GR., OPEN, CLOSE, etc that are not valid assembly instructions.
|
||
|
Using the output of these routines for basic USR routines would be of
|
||
|
limited value.
|
||
|
|
||
|
QuickCode does not produce relocatable code so any routines created with
|
||
|
it would have to be placed in a specific memory area where it was
|
||
|
assembled at. There are very few places in memory that are protected and
|
||
|
that would be of the size needed. Macros produce large object files since
|
||
|
the actual macro code replaces the macro name every time it is encountered.
|
||
|
Page six would normally not be big enough.
|
||
|
|
||
|
QuickCode could be of use to you in writing a totally ML program as it
|
||
|
does help with things that you would normally have to write yourself. The
|
||
|
macros can also be turned into subroutines for use in your programs.
|
||
|
|
||
|
There are some ready-to-use subroutines that can be used in your Basic
|
||
|
programs, depending on what you want to do. I think I recall seeing an ad
|
||
|
recently for a disk of such. I am not at home right now so I can't check
|
||
|
for sure. Let me know if you are interested and I'll see if I can find
|
||
|
it.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Bottom line--if you want to use USR for what YOU want, learn assembly.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Keith
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
ZMag Newswire -- Part 2
|
||
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
**Press Release**
|
||
|
|
||
|
Innovative Concepts (I.C.)
|
||
|
31172 Shawn Drive
|
||
|
Warren, MI 48093
|
||
|
CompuServe: 76004,1764
|
||
|
Phone: (313) 293-0730
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Note: The following NEW products, will be available for sale, starting
|
||
|
November 11, 1988 (advance orders are welcomed).
|
||
|
|
||
|
The XF35 Kit
|
||
|
------------
|
||
|
For Atari XF551 owners, now it's EASY to upgrade your set-up, to use the
|
||
|
newer 3.5- drive! Allows you to store up to 720K on each disk! Fully
|
||
|
tested, to work with: MyDOS, SpartaDOS (ICD), and the new SpartaDOS X
|
||
|
cartridge (ICD), in the 720K (80 tracks/side) format. And, 40 track
|
||
|
formats are still available, for use with most other DOS's. Also, the
|
||
|
high speed skewing is still available to use, in the upgrade ROM.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Kit includes: Installation/User instructions, Upgrade ROM, and all
|
||
|
required connecting cables. Note: To allow for easier access, the XF551's
|
||
|
- 34 pin connector (J4), is desoldered, and replaced with a 34 pin header
|
||
|
connector. NO other soldering/desoldering is required. And, NO trace
|
||
|
cutting to perform. Everything else, is -just plug ins-! Note: The 3.5-
|
||
|
drive mechanism, and it's mounting bracket, are not included in this kit.
|
||
|
(see below)
|
||
|
|
||
|
Price: $34.95 (+ $3.00 S&H)
|
||
|
|
||
|
Note: A COMPLETE conversion kit, including all of the above, PLUS: A High
|
||
|
Quality - 3.5- 720K drive mechanism, mounting bracket, with the SpartaDOS
|
||
|
Construction Set (ICD), are also available. Call or write, for more
|
||
|
details.
|
||
|
|
||
|
The IC Chip
|
||
|
-----------
|
||
|
Now, Atari 1050 owners with the Happy Board installed (original or clone),
|
||
|
can now boot-up SpartaDOS skewed disks, WITHOUT having to go into the U.S.
|
||
|
Emulation Mode anyore! A REAL time-saver! Automatically adjusts to U.S.
|
||
|
Emulation mode, when a program or utility, is -looking- for a U.S. Doubler
|
||
|
(ICD), such as SpartaDOS or CopyMate 4.4 (an excellent sector copier).
|
||
|
Includes: Instructions, Upgrade ROM, and 2 disks (both sides), full of
|
||
|
Happy-type programs and utilities.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Note: Just as before, you still CANNOT format U.S. sector skewed disks.
|
||
|
However, you can still read and write to them. All other Happy functions,
|
||
|
are still available.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Installation, is just a matter of unplugging the Happy 1050 Board's ROM,
|
||
|
and installing this new one. NO soldering, desoldering, or trace cutting
|
||
|
required!
|
||
|
|
||
|
Price: $29.95
|
||
|
|
||
|
Also, see our current catalog, for our Immitator Controllor, which is
|
||
|
another great add-on, for the Happy 1050 Board (original only).
|
||
|
|
||
|
Ramdrive + 192K
|
||
|
---------------
|
||
|
Due to the current high cost of 41256 DRAMS, we at I.C. now have a low-
|
||
|
cost, 192K memory upgrade (total), for the Atari 130XE. Best of all,
|
||
|
unlike other memory upgrades, you do NOT loose the 130XE's Extended Antic
|
||
|
modes! ALL 130XE type software (like Typesetter and Planetarium) run as
|
||
|
normal! With the extra 64K of RAM, you can:
|
||
|
|
||
|
Use Basic XE, and still have an additional 64K ramdisk!
|
||
|
|
||
|
With the included instructions, you can set-up Atariwriter + (under
|
||
|
SpartaDOS 2.3x/3.2x), for it's 3 main programs (AtariWriter+, Proof Reader,
|
||
|
and Mail merge) to run from a ramdisk!
|
||
|
|
||
|
Includes ramdisk handlers, to set-up a 707 sector (single density) ramdisk
|
||
|
for Atari DOS 2.0S/2.5, source code, and other utilities. Also includes
|
||
|
instructions for setting up ramdisk(s) with: MyDOS, TopDOS, SpartaDOS 2.3x
|
||
|
/3.2x, and the new SpartaDOS X Cartridge.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Price: $34.95 (+ $3.00 S&H)
|
||
|
|
||
|
Note: Installation is required, by a person experienced in soldering and
|
||
|
desoldering. NO trace cutting required!
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
ST Section
|
||
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
ST Filename Extender definitions
|
||
|
|
||
|
Executable programs
|
||
|
|
||
|
.PRG (GEM program)
|
||
|
.TOS (TOS program)
|
||
|
.TTP (Program which requires input)
|
||
|
.RSC (Resource file)
|
||
|
.DAT (Data file)
|
||
|
.PIC (Picture file)
|
||
|
.TXT (Text file)
|
||
|
.DOC (Documentation file}
|
||
|
.C -----
|
||
|
.MOD |
|
||
|
.SRC |
|
||
|
.PAS ^
|
||
|
.ASM (Source Code files)
|
||
|
.BAS (BASIC program)
|
||
|
.LOG (LOGO program)
|
||
|
.SNG (Music Studio file)
|
||
|
.NEO (NEOchrome drawing)
|
||
|
.PI1 --------
|
||
|
.PI2 |
|
||
|
.PI3 (Degas drawings)
|
||
|
.PC1 --------
|
||
|
.PC2 |
|
||
|
.PC3 (Compressed DEGAS Elite drawing)
|
||
|
.TNY (Compressed TINY format picture)
|
||
|
.TN1 --------
|
||
|
.TN2 |
|
||
|
.TN3 (Compressed TINY2 format picture)
|
||
|
.ARC (ARChived file)
|
||
|
.PQ1 --------
|
||
|
.TQT |
|
||
|
.PQG (SQUeezed files)
|
||
|
.LBR (LIBraried files)
|
||
|
.LQR (SQUeezed LIBrary files)
|
||
|
.MSA (Magic Shadow Archived)
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
PC Pursuit Recommendations Report
|
||
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
Telenet Communication Corporation
|
||
|
Field Operations HQ Tech Support
|
||
|
Reston, Virginia
|
||
|
|
||
|
Introduction
|
||
|
|
||
|
Because of many customer complaints concerning PC Pursuit's inability to
|
||
|
allow file transfers, Field Operations was requested to provide
|
||
|
recommendations for file transfer via PC Pursuit. In compliance with this
|
||
|
request, this document provides the following:
|
||
|
|
||
|
* Recommendation on the best file transfer protocols to be used with PC
|
||
|
Pursuit.
|
||
|
* Recommendation on the hunt-confirm sequence and line parameters which
|
||
|
provide optimum performance of various protocols.
|
||
|
* The average transfer rates which can be expected using the correct hunt
|
||
|
-confirm sequence and optional parameter settings.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Recommendations
|
||
|
|
||
|
This recommendation outlines the most common file transfer protocols used
|
||
|
with PC Pursuit. The performance of the protocols in the direct connect
|
||
|
and PC Pursuit environments are also indicated.
|
||
|
|
||
|
The following protocols were tested via the Chicago in-dial to the
|
||
|
Washington DC out-dial; the observations are summarized below.
|
||
|
|
||
|
PC Pursuit XMODEM file transfers performed at an average throughput of 30
|
||
|
when the correct hunt-confirm and terminal type was utilized.
|
||
|
|
||
|
XMODEM does not support flow control, therefore it is suggested that the
|
||
|
-relaxed- mode be invoked if the user's communications software permits
|
||
|
this feature.
|
||
|
|
||
|
The performance of YMODEM file transfers VIA PC Pursuit was found to have
|
||
|
an average throughput of 56 when the correct hunt confirm and terminal
|
||
|
type is employed. Although YMODEM does not support flow control, it uses
|
||
|
large 1024 byte packets which the network PAD handles quite readily under
|
||
|
normal conditions. As a result, YMODEM is rated one of the faster
|
||
|
protocols for file transfer via PC Pursuit.
|
||
|
|
||
|
WXMODEM file transfers utilizing the correct hunt-confirm and terminal
|
||
|
type performed well with an average transfer rate of 52. This protocol
|
||
|
is capable of handling flow control which enables it to perform with
|
||
|
better reliability in the PC Pursuit environment. Users should be aware
|
||
|
that an early version of PROCOMM is known to have a software problem which
|
||
|
can affect the performance of WXMODEM file transfers.
|
||
|
|
||
|
An optimum average throughput of 47 was obtained by KERMIT file transfers
|
||
|
via PC Pursuit. The throughput was optimized by modifying the packet size
|
||
|
to 90 and adjusting the (host) window size to 16 (for uploads). KERMIT
|
||
|
software which supports the sliding window feature performs with optimum
|
||
|
efficiency in the PC Pursuit environment.
|
||
|
|
||
|
SEALINK file transfers via PC Pursuit performed exceptionally well with
|
||
|
an average throughput of 74 with the correct hunt-confirm and terminal
|
||
|
type. SEALINK supports flow control and was specifically designed to
|
||
|
operate in the networking environment.
|
||
|
|
||
|
File transfers utilizing ZMODEM protocol via PC Pursuit yielded an
|
||
|
average transfer rate of 61. ZMODEM performs well in the PC Pursuit
|
||
|
environment, however; the local configuration for ZMODEM file transfers
|
||
|
proved to be cumbersome and difficult for the user. ZMODEM requires
|
||
|
several parameters to be set locally and on the local pad. These parameter
|
||
|
settings can vary depending on the type of machine and the type of
|
||
|
communications software. The X.3 PAD parameters which should be employed
|
||
|
are 1:0,4:10,5:1,7:8,12:1. In addition, flow control (XON/XOFF) should be
|
||
|
enabled at the user PC. Because of the difficulty in configuring ZMODEM
|
||
|
for file transfer, it is recommended that only seasoned computer users
|
||
|
attempt ZMODEM file transfers via PC Pursuit.
|
||
|
|
||
|
The following text summarizes file transfer performance of the protocols
|
||
|
tested. The protocols are listed in order (PCP best to worst) in two
|
||
|
categories: 1) performance via direct connect, 2) performance via PC
|
||
|
Pursuit utilizing the recommended hunt confirm and parameter settings
|
||
|
shown. It should be noted that the optional parameters need only be
|
||
|
employed if a user experiences problems with transferring a particular
|
||
|
file.
|
||
|
|
||
|
File Transfer Procedures
|
||
|
|
||
|
This section outlines the step by step procedure for executing file
|
||
|
transfers via PC Pursuit. These procedures must be followed exactly to
|
||
|
achieve optimum transfer rates. The optional X.3 parameters shown above
|
||
|
indicates the parameters which provide the best transfer rate.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 1
|
||
|
Set PC communications software to 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, full
|
||
|
duplex. Depending on the type of protocol to be used, disable or enable
|
||
|
local (XON/XOFF) flow control.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 2
|
||
|
Dial local rotary with the communications software set at the desired
|
||
|
speed.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 3
|
||
|
Upon answer use the correct hunt confirm sequence:
|
||
|
|
||
|
At 300/1200bps use - <CR D CR>
|
||
|
At 2400bps - <@ D CR>
|
||
|
NOTE: -D- MUST BE UPPER CASE.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 4
|
||
|
At prompt -TERMINAL = - enter <D1> and return.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 5
|
||
|
At the -@- prompt enter the destination mnemonic, out-dial speed, ID and
|
||
|
password. It is important that out-dial speed matches in-dial speed. DO
|
||
|
NOT MIX IN-DIAL AND OUT-DIAL SPEEDS.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 6
|
||
|
If pad X.3 parameters are to be changed, do so at this point by entering
|
||
|
<@ CR>. Set parameters as prescribed. Return to out-dial port by entering
|
||
|
<CONT>.
|
||
|
|
||
|
An example of the proper syntax for modifying X.3 PAD parameters would be
|
||
|
-SET 7:8,1:0.- To display the current PAD parameter settings, the user
|
||
|
should enter -PAR?.-
|
||
|
|
||
|
These are only two of many user commands available. Many of the user
|
||
|
commands are clearly defined in the Telenet document -How to Use Telenet's
|
||
|
Asynchronous Dial Service.-
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 7
|
||
|
Upon connecting to the destination pad, insure communication with the
|
||
|
out-dial modem by entering <ATZ>. The destination modem will respond with
|
||
|
-OK-.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 8
|
||
|
Enter <ATD> and the local number you wish to dial.
|
||
|
|
||
|
STEP 9
|
||
|
Queue host file transfer and start file transfer.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Please note that these are the basic steps needed to achieve successful
|
||
|
file transfers. Since communications software may vary from package to
|
||
|
package, additional steps may be needed to initiate the start of the file
|
||
|
transfer at the user software level.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Summary
|
||
|
|
||
|
Extensive testing has resulted in identifying the expected performance of
|
||
|
six file transfer protocols when used with PC Pursuit. These protocols
|
||
|
have been determined to perform satisfactorily with PC Pursuit when the
|
||
|
correct hunt-confirm, terminal type and parameters are employed.
|
||
|
|
||
|
It is the recommendation of Field Operations that customers be informed
|
||
|
of the correct logon procedures and the protocols which provide the most
|
||
|
reliable file transfers. Customers should also be reminded that PCP users
|
||
|
can expect a small degree of network delay which is considered a common
|
||
|
characteristic of packet switched networks. In addition, users should
|
||
|
also be informed that poor quality voice grade telephone lines can
|
||
|
adversely affect file transfer sessions.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Field Operations is one of many Telenet groups dedicated to providing
|
||
|
customers with complete support for PC Pursuit. Field Operations will
|
||
|
offer assistance with file transfer problems providing the customer is
|
||
|
willing to release a copy of the problem software as well as provide the
|
||
|
pertinent information necessary to resolve the problem.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Because problems can vary in nature, the information required to resolve
|
||
|
problems can differ from one problem to the next. But at the very least
|
||
|
the following information will be required:
|
||
|
|
||
|
* Type of communication software * Type of PC, make, model
|
||
|
* Type of modem * Call origin
|
||
|
* Call destination * Speed in
|
||
|
* Speed out * Type of session
|
||
|
* Time of failure * Date of Failure
|
||
|
* Point of failure in session * Out-dial number
|
||
|
* Network Address (if possible) * Copy of PC Software
|
||
|
|
||
|
Additional information may be required depending on the nature of the
|
||
|
problem.
|
||
|
|
||
|
FILE TRANSFER--PERFORMANCE STATISTICS
|
||
|
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS DIRECT CONNECT
|
||
|
|
||
|
General Communication Parameters = 8 bits 1 stop bit N no parity
|
||
|
Terminal Type = D1
|
||
|
|
||
|
PERFORMANCE STATISTICS DIRECT CONNECT
|
||
|
|
||
|
| XFR |
|
||
|
| PROTOCOL SPEED SECONDS CPS BPS RATE |
|
||
|
|======================================================|
|
||
|
| |
|
||
|
| SEALINK UP 1200 ***517 87.15 871.49 73|
|
||
|
| SEALINK UP 2400 ***270 166.87 1668.74 70|
|
||
|
| SEALINK DN 1200 ***428 105.27 1052.71 88|
|
||
|
| SEALINK DN 2400 ***230 195.90 1958.96 82|
|
||
|
| ZMODEM UP 1200 ***408 110.43 1104.31 92|
|
||
|
| ZMODEM UP 2400 ***201 224.16 2241.59 93|
|
||
|
| ZMODEM DN 1200 ***391 115.23 1152.33 96|
|
||
|
| ZMODEM DN 2400 ***195 231.06 2310.56 96|
|
||
|
| YMODEM UP 1200 **259 102.80 1027.95 86|
|
||
|
| YMODEM UP 2400 **126 211.30 2113.02 88|
|
||
|
| YMODEM DN 1200 **244 109.11 1091.15 91|
|
||
|
| YMODEM DN 2400 **130 204.80 2048.00 85|
|
||
|
| WXMODEM UP 1200 **277 96.12 961.16 80|
|
||
|
| WXMODEM UP 2400 **159 167.45 1674.47 70|
|
||
|
| WXMODEM DN 1200 **405 65.74 657.38 55|
|
||
|
| WXMODEM DN 2400 **131 203.24 2032.37 85|
|
||
|
| KERMIT UP 1200 **356 74.79 747.87 62|
|
||
|
| KERMIT UP 2400 **211 126.18 1261.80 53|
|
||
|
| KERMIT DN 1200 **322 82.68 826.83 69|
|
||
|
| KERMIT DN 2400 **178 149.57 1495.73 62|
|
||
|
| XMODEM UP 1200 **259 102.80 1027.95 86|
|
||
|
| XMODEM UP 2400 **140 190.17 1901.71 79|
|
||
|
| XMODEM DN 1200 **268 99.34 993.43 83|
|
||
|
| XMODEM DN 2400 **146 182.36 1823.56 76|
|
||
|
======================================================
|
||
|
**File size = 26624 ***File size = 45056
|
||
|
|
||
|
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
|
||
|
Syndicate ZMagazine is Copyright (C)1988 by APEinc, Syndicate Pubishing.
|
||
|
All Rights Reserved. Reprint permission granted in User Group Newsletters
|
||
|
providing Syndicate ZMagazine and Issue #130 are credited.
|
||
|
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
|