Volume Ill.iv TIM MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv
The Blurb 2 Advertising Rates 3 PD Software Librarian 3 Hard drive Update 4 XLR8er Update 4
Letters to the Editor 5 ROMC Availability 6 Resource: Bulletin Boards 12 Resource: Computer Clubs 13 Resource: Companies 13 News Releases 13
DOS Subjects 18 LDOS Topics 17 LSDOS Topics 21 XLR8er/Graphics/Rapidos problem Solved! 42 MSDOS Topics 48 3.5" Floppy Differences explained 50
The Language Forum 52 An "interview" with Niklaus Wirth, from usenet 52 Checking for a file from Model 4 BASIC, by C. A. Ainsworth - 54 Logic in the C Language, by Ken Peck 55
MISOSYS Products Tidbits 59 Little Brother Data Base 63 MC C-Compiler 67 On-line Help with PRO-WAM, by Jeff Joseph 73
The Hardware Corner 78 Keep your printer clean and oiled, by C. A. Ainsworth 79 Surviving the HARD DISK crash, by Ken Strickler 89 Hardware Tinkering, by Richard R. King 95
List of Advertisors Anitek Software Products 46 Cornucopia Software, Inc. 15 Frank Slinkman MP Hypersoft IRC Microdex Corporation 45 MISOSYS, Inc. 45,49,51,58,76 Pacific Computer Exchange 76 Powersoft 16,17 TfMaker Research Company 15 The File Cabinet 15 TRSTimes magazine MP
The Blurb - 1 - The Blurb Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill,iv
Postal Union mail. There is a $5 charge because it takes up so much of my time. for each inquiry except under certain cir- As there is always room for improvement, cumstances (the sender did not receive a your input is always welcome. I have return receipt for which the required fee made attempts over the years to integrate was paid at the time of mailing, among the readers' suggestions into the 'look' of others concerning express mail, as well as TMQ. After all, it's your publication too. insured mail between the United States Thanks for being there. and Canada). Packages sent outside of the United States are usually sent via the The following piece relates to the forum Postal Service. I can either be at risk by on CompuServe sponsoredby MISOSYS. sending a second shipment on a claim of Don't tell me you never knew that Com- non-receipt prior to the waiting (and search) puServe had a forum devoted to the TRS- period, or use other carriers at a much 80 lineup and MISOSYS products? Well greater cost for foreign shipments. This where have you been? Support? That's subject is under discussion due to an ex- what it's been there for, folks! tremely irate individual in Canada who has been shipped a product twice and for which I have not yet received confirma- Message Base Contest! tion of receipt. Anyone out there have any Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Attention ideas? Points to Ponder All!!! Justin case you haven't noticed, the messages here have been slowly creeping Can we talk??? Right now I'm looking at Don't forget the vacation season is com- up towards that magic mark of a hundred a stack of mail approximately two feet ing up soon. So here's some advance thousand messages, that's 100,000 mes- high. Believe me, all of it will not get notification as to when MIS OSYS will be sages posted here since this Forum was answered. There is just not enough profit closed for business. We'll be shut down founded. left in this business to hire someone just to from June 30th until July 5th inclusive. staff a position to answer all of the cards We'll also be closed from August 7th In honor of this glorious occasion, we're and letters I receive. I try to do the best I through 11th. Hours of operation from running a special contest. Specifically, can. Support of our products comes from June 1st through September 1st will be here's the rules: reading our manuals, reading TMQ, rais- 9am-5pm EDST. I hope you all take some ing questions on our CompuServe forum, time to enjoy the summer. And for the 1)Upload to Library 16- Open Forum a folks down under who experience winter checking in with Computer Clubs, asking short text file that contains your guess as your friends, and trying once or twice when we up here have summer, don't let to the exact date and time that will be before you pick up the phone or draft a the snow get you down; there's always stamped on message number 100,000 here letter - generally incomplete to ascertain skiing, skating, and building snow folk - in the LDOSjTRSDOS6 Forum. Only the problem. I continue get requests for not to mention shovelling, slipping, and guess files stamped with a date prior to assistance on matters totally unrelated to sliding. the calendar date that the message base MISOSYS. I get phone calls on my 800 hits 100,000 will be considered. One guess order line asking for the telephone num- Finally, this issue turned out to be a fat per customer. ber of Aerocomp, or Anitek, or Tandy one. Even so, it is over my limit of 80 Customer Support (I don'teven know that pages (limit for mailing weight). But the 2)In the event that message number 100,000 one). I get calls and letters asking how to last issue was a tad short, and ads are is a (P)rivate message, the first non-(P)rivate do something in PROFILE, SuperScrip- helping to pay the postage, so I may just message after 100,000 will be substituted. sit, or General Ledger. Please spread the break even. In order to keep it from being excessively over, I had to eliminate a word that MISOSYS is not a general 3) The top three closest guesses will re- resource for supporting software which planned chapter on ' 'Applications for the User". Starting off Volume IV, my-next ceive prizes, and there will be a prize for is not published by MISOSYS - or the both the author and the recipient of the Model 4 in general. issue will be heavy in programs. I also plan to include my Technical Corner magic message 100,000. Turning to another sore spot of mine, I am continuing the articles on Computer Math. So keep a look out for the Fall issue. 4)In the event that I detect any tampering beginning to wonder how we still permit by folks trying to make the messages the postal service to continue their "op- As a post script, this issue completes three scroll abnormally fast, or leaving trivial eration". According to the International messages, I reserve the right to change the Mail Manual, Issue 6 effective October 5, years of publishing effort. I think TMQ has come a long way since that first issue rules anyway I darn well want to. Please, 1988, [USPS] customers must wait 60 let's keep it clean! days for items sent by air [90 days for in 1986. The level of subscriptions has items sent by service] before initiating never met my expectations, but get some an inquiry [for non-delivery] regarding joy out of doing this publication. I better,
The Blurb -2- The Blurb Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv
quickly. I usually wait about a month DISK NOTES 3.4 after TMQ is mailed before sending out renewal notices. Each issue of THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY usually contains program listings, patch listings, and other references to files we TMQ advertising have placed onto a disk. DISK NOTES 3.4 corresponds to this issue of TMQ. If If you are interested in reaching a dedi- you want to obtain all of the patches and cated TRS-80 audience, consider THE all of the listings, you may conveniently MISOSYS QUARTERLY. If you have a purchase a copy. Due to the abundance of TRS-80 Model III or 4 related product to textual material included in this issue, sell, you can reach these buyers by plac- there was no space for the five or so ing your advertisement in our publica- BBS' and Clubs programs I wanted to publish. So DN3.4 tion. TMQ is read world-wide. Our sub- will have lots of free space. I set aside space in TMQ as a service to the scribers are predominantly in the United States; however, we do have a significant Model 1/111/4 community of users to pub- DISK NOTES is priced at$ 10 Plus S&H. licize the following three things: a list of number in Canada, Europe, and Austra- The S&H charges are $2 for US, Canada, lia. phone numbers of companies still serv- and Mexico, $3 elsewhere. If you pur- icing and supporting this market, a list of chase DISK NOTES 3.4 with the coupon public computer bulletin boards, and a Note that this issue contains a consider- which accompanies this TMQ issue, you list of computer clubs which support the able response from the 'advertising' can save $2.50; the cost then being only TRS-80 user. The responses received to community. Perhaps I made the rates too $7.50 + S&H. date appear in the Letters to the Editor low! Anyway, I'll keep them as they are. column (note that the list of 'Resource: Please mention TMQ when you call or Companies' was generated by me). Mail write to these folks; they deserve your me any additions, deletions, or changes. support. Current space rates are as fol- lows: Out of print TMQ's available Full page $125 For out of print issues, we are providing Half page $75 back issues of THE MISOSYS QUAR- TMQ Schedule Quarter page $50 TERLY via copier reprint. The price is Ninth page $20 $12.50 plus $2.75 S&H in the U.S. and You should have recognized that this is- CANADA. For foreign zone D, the S&H sue is entitled 'Spring/Summer 1989'. I rate is $5.50; zone E is $6.50. The price gave up trying to migrate TMQ up three Note the ninth-page ad layout designated 'The Marketplace', which is the last page for regular back issues still in print is $10 months just so the 'season' matches the + S&H. We are currently out of print on delivery. Too bad I started the 'Summer of this issue. I compose this so you have no artwork charge. Just submit your text. all issues except ll.iii and Volume ifi. 86' issue in the Fall; issue Id was mailed Here's a synopsis of past issues: on August 19th, 1986! We accept only black & white ads; how- ever, ads for our inside covers are printed in the same color as the cover (TMQ Volume I See the index in issue Our new target for mailing the THE alternates between PMS colors: green 354, III.i. MISOSYS QUARTERLY is the last week purple 266, blue 293, and red 199). If you of the respective month as follows: Spring Volume II See the index in issue would like to place your ad in THE MI- III.iii. issue in February, Summer issue in May, SOSYS QUARTERLY, give me a call. Fall issue in August, and Winter issue in November. This schedule changes nei- lilA Reading NEWDOS/80 disks; An LB archival utility; Popup ther the published month nor does it re- PD Software Librarian Application Window; XMODEM in duce the quantity of any subscriber's Vic McClung has volunteered to be the C; Getting into computer math, part remaining issues in their subscription; It I; TMQ Volume I index. only changes the 'seasonal' nomencla- librarian for the collection of TRS-80 ture of the magazine so you guys and gals public domain diskettes. Henceforth all IJLII Getting into computer math have one less thing to write in about. requests and contributions be directed Part 2; Writing interactive RATFOR/ directly to him at: FORTRAN programs; PRO- Note that your mailing label usually has EnhComp: a review; Desktop pub- the expiration date of your subscription. lishing and the Model 4; A better TERM/APP; adding floppy drives; For instance, those with "89/08" com- and a new XLR8er interface. plete their subscription with this issue. If you want to save me the cost of mailing a IELiI The CRC program; P0: a renewal notice, send in your renewal fee page display program; Locating high
The Blurb - 3 - The Blurb olume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv
memory routines; FIXMA3; Jumbo users who are looking for a drive package, embedded battery (10-year life), and header tape backup forPC clones; New style I can ship today - with software! On the for connection to standard 9-pin joystick for TMQ using Pagemaker; and an other hand, although I will be offering (4-position, single button). Drive kits Index to Volume II. individual components (drives, cases, host include auto-controller sensing driver and adaptors, cables, etc.), I will not be selling formatter software for ease of installa- controllers by themselves. Anyone who is tion, archive/restore file management interested in just our host adaptor and software, and sub-partitioning software; Drive update software will need to procure their own software support for Model 4 or III is compatible hard disk controller. available (one supplied). Drive kits re- finally have some good news, mostly. quire a 50-pin SCSI to 50-pin edgecard ecollect that in TMQ III.iii, I noted that My drive packages will be offered as 'pre- host connecting cable. [rect software control of the sector size assembled kits'. your 'kit' will be as- La WDXT-GEN controller was not pos- sembled to order and fully tested; all you At this time, I am accepting orders for ble, and I was pursuing alternatives. will need to do is plug it in and install the proposed August shipments of 'pre-as- software. MISOSYS likes to do things the sembled kits' only; orders for our host vestigated what it would take to 'modify' right way; so I'm going to be offering a adaptor will be accepted once shipments board to get at the WD 1010 controller hardware clock option (the clock chip fits commence. Orders received prior to Sep- p. It would have taken cutting 11 traces right on the host adaptor), and a joystick tember 1st, 1989 will receive a host con- [wiring 22 leads between the GEN and port option (with joystick) which emu- necting cable at no charge. The following e external circuitry. That was not a lates the old Alpha Products port inter- prices are currently in effect and are sub- ction to take. face. ject to change: also was looking for some Omti 5510 I have tried to stay within my proposed 20 Megabyte kit: M3 or M4 $495 )ntrollers which were short card XT - target of $495 for a 20 Megabyte pack- 20 Megabyte kit: MAX-80 $450 'pe. I actually found a supply of approxi- age; however, my original assumptions 40 Megabyte kit: M3 or M4 $645 Lately 240 of these at Arrow Canada. But were based on using an inexpensive header 40 Megabyte kit: MAX-80 $600 e price was a little high; I would have connector on the hard drive case. Inex- Hardware clock option $30 ad to purchase the entire block; and that pensive header connectors are Out (note Joystick option $20 'as all there was folks! that lots of Tandy hard drive folks have Host interface cable $20 problems with those connectors); 50-pin Additional software interface $30 o I finally latched onto some supply of Champ connectors are in. The 'champ' Note: shipping weight will be approxi- daptec 4000A controllers and Xebec connector is the standard connector these mately 20 pounds per drive kit; freight 1410A controllers. Both of those con- days for SCSI ports. This connector looks charges are additional. ollers use a subset of Small Computer just like the 36-pin 'Centronics' printer ystems Interface (SCSI). The Xebec connector you see on all parallel port 1410 was popular a number of years ago, printers, but it's 50 pins, not 36. I'm using id was used by VR Data, ARM, and top quality Amp bail lock Champ connec- thers. The Adaptec 4000 was used by tors. So the host (your computer) to hard XLR8er Update obo Systems for the WIN series of hard drive connecting cable will be an addi- rives associated with the MAX-80. I tional charge (see pricing below). ave purchased a reasonable supply of As of this writing, I havejustreceived 100 iese two types and am still on the lookout The MISOSYS hard drivekits use aLead- XLR8er boards. These will probably be r a continuing supply (at reasonable man case which supports up to two half the last ones available. Ordering this )sts). The Adaptec 4000A is still being height drives or one full height drive; quantity allowed me to reduce my manu- Lanufactured; the Xebec S 1410A is dis- includes a 60-watt power supply and fan. facturing cost; thus, I want to pass some of )ntinued (Xebec no longer manufactures 20 Megabyte kits include a Seagate half that on to the purchasers of these boards. height ST225 drive; 40 Megabyte kits In addition, memory prices have been include a Seagate half height ST25 1 drive. coming down, and I want to make those engineering of our host adaptor has Kits include either an Adaptec 4000A reductions available to XLR8er purchas- ady commenced. I expect to corn- hard drive controller or a Xebec S 1410A ers. Effective immediately the price of nce shipping in August. The fallout of hard drive controller; choice of controller the XLR8er board is as follows: re-design is that the controller I will is ours. The Host adaptor which interfaces using for this hard drive project will the controller to the host computer is XLR8er with OK RAM $150 be re-usable in a PC environment; designed and manufactured by MISOSYS vever, a benefit is that by using an or its contractors; uses a state of the art XLR8er with 256K RAM $200 aptec 4000 controller, I have a drive Programmable Logic Device (PLD) for ich plugs directly into the hard drive address decoding and control; includes a Shipping & Handling is additional. I of the MAX-80. So any MAX-80 socket for a DS 1287 clock chip with
Blurb -4- The Blurb Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv
our mailing out new catalogs at frequent intervals. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: They'll probably in- We have published information on our sist on retaining the copyright for abillion MS-DOS products from time to time in years... THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY. For instance, TMQ III.ii has advertisements on the rear cover which provide information on DED- 86, RATFOR-86, and ED/ASM-86, as well as our MS-DOS version of Lair of the LS-DOS 6.3 updates Dragon. TMQ III.i carried our ad for LB86. This issue should carry informa- tion of our new HartFORTH-86 release as well as the Colorado Memory Systems Fm Jerry Locke: Well I just bought at tape drives and Fujitsu floppies we're Radio Shack another copy (I have two carrying. 4p's) of LS-DOS 6.3 that is Level L+. I was not aware before now that there is a "site" license available. Maybe that is more what I need; I collect the 4/4P equip- MISOSYS ment when I can find it cheap and it would Remember Chemical be inconvenient to buy a new DOS each time I find a machine. Since I have two MS-DOS Products Bank's PRONTO? copies, can I take $80 off instead of $40 from the price of the site license?
What does 't.i-" mean, anyway? The update Fm Pete Betz: Roy, None of my MI- Fm Ron documentation stated that the release levels SOSYS literature seems to deal with Ungashick: Roy, Tread recently that Chemical Bank, who had "PRONTO" come in pairs (A,B ... K,L, etc.) but what (YECH!) MS-DOS software. How can I as a trademark for their electronic bank- is a plus sign for? Has LS-DOS 6.2 for the find out what you have available for (UGH!) ing system, has discon- 2/12 been updated to 6.3 yet? MS-DOS machinery? I'd especially like tinued that venture to get SAID working on my 1400LT so I Does this I know, always full of ques- won't have to shift mental gears between mean tions! Let me tell you what! machines. have been doing lately. About Si /2 years ago my original 4p died What was the last issue of TMQ sent I due to injuries caused by my solder Out? I've suddenly realized I haven't re- gun. I purchased a 1400LT and sort of ceived anything since Summer-1988, , ( lost interest. Two months ago a friend but I don't think I was due to expire. \.J LIi;4 told me about a 4p for sale for $200 so I bought it. Back in the 'IRS-80 world Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Funny you should again.., it's great to be back. I also ask. I have your Fall issue sit- ) finally got my B.S. in computer ting on my desk marked re- science so I am now working in the turned - not at this address. It CS field. Trying to start a business on was sent to P0 Box 8071. the side of supporting and training for You're not due to renew until PCs. Any suggestions? later on this year. Quickly get a correct address to me as the I have downloaded about 50 public do- next issue (Winter 88/89) main utilities for MS-DOS to try to get it should be mailed in about 10 as friendly and useful as LS-DOS has days. that you are free to change PRO-WAM always been. back to PRO-NTO? Just kidding. Any- MIS OS YS publishes two catalogs/flyers; way, it must be nice to know that your Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Jerry, one is for TRS-80 and the other is for MS- product outlasted theirs. Support and training for PC users is an up DOS. We supply a fresh TRS-80 flyer and coming field. I'm no expert on the with a TRS-80 product order while the topic, but I can see problems with not MS-DOS catalog goes out with the MS- being taken seriously as a "small" player DOS product order. Economics preclude in the field, plus capital expenditures might
Letters to the Editor -5- Letters to the Editor Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv cause a problem "bootstrapping" yourself sponse. So far, comment has been favour- handle the hi-density drives. It may take a into a viable position. You might want to able. I hope these comments find their fast Model 4 to keep up. check out the CompuServe CONSULT way to you. Forum for others in similar positions, On the other hand, checkout my report on though perhaps more oriented towards Thank you for your continued support for 3.5" drives in the MS-DOS Topics section programming-for-hire. the Model 4. I truly hope that you will of DOS Topics in this issue. receive, in return, strong support from we Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Jerry, The "-i-" of users. Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Kent, Roy's "L+" indicated a 1-byte change associ- gotcha covered. The only thing I'd add is ated with the SPOOLer. There was never Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Because of the little that some of the 1.2 meg disk drives a 6.3 update for the Model II LS-DOS 6.2. interest fed back to me, I decided not to nominally rotate at 360 RPM in the HI) If you purchased those two 6.3's from offer the XROM as a product; however, I mode, and 300 RPM mode. Others stay at MISOSYS or LSI, then I would accom- have discussed with its author the possi- 360 RPM and the IBM AT disk controller modate you on trading them in towards bility of directly making it available. actually reads them at a 300 kHz data rate the site license version. Therefore, anyone having an interest in rather than the normal 250 kHz rate. that revised Model 4 BOOT ROM, and associated hard disk boot software, con- Lastly, the 3.5 inch 1.44 meg drives rotate tact the following for additional informa- at 300 RPM, that's how they gain the Is that new ROMC tion: extra capacity over the 1.2 meg five inch- ers. You could probably squeeze 36 sec- :MA.D.SOfttire. tors per track on there rather than 32 (256 available? P 0 Box31323 byte sectors)...... FórtWOrth,X.76I3 T
Fm Kent Fasick: Roy, A couple months Floppies for sale LB & LS-DOS ago, something was mentioned about a Model 3/4 ROM modified with a built-in hard drive driver. I was wondering what was deleted to make room for the driver, Fm Dayton Sumner: Roy, Would your Fm Donald R. Arrowood: In the TMQ and since the HD wouldn't need a boot Fujitsu half-heights be suitable for con- Vol. II, Issue i, on a upgrade for LB from disk, how would you change operating verting a 4P to double sided drives? three disks to a two disk upgrade by systems if the drive is partitioned into CP/ sending back the three disks and $12+ $2 M, LDOS, and LS-DOS? Also, was a Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Certainly. All you S&H - Is this still the current way/price price ever established? I'd appreciate any need to add is the "full-pin" internal cable. for the upgrade & does the LB Mainte- info at all. I don't have them available for folks who nance Utilities I have, still the same to use may need the internal cable; however, I for the upgraded version. Fm Brian E. Bradley: Dear Roy, I'm may just look into generating them as pleased to enclose my money order for well. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Donald, The $12 + US $30.00 to renew my subscription to S &H is still the way to get the 2-disk vs 3- The MISOSYS Quarterly. I look forward disk replacement for LB in order to create to it's arrival every three months. You a 6.3-type startup disk for LB on a floppy- might be interested in knowing that it hits based system. There is absolutely no change my mailbox about 10-12 days after you 1.44 M drives in the behavior of LB or the LBMU. The send it. In my experience, that is a couple 2-disk set just has some utilities to create of days longer than normal most mail Fm Kent Fasick: How do 1.2 meg 5.25" the MemDISK system image file instead takes. disks and 1.44 meg 3.5" disks compare to of supplying it a a 6.2 version as was done 8" disks for format and transfer rate? My with the original LB. Regarding the proposed new ROMC for disk controller (Micro Mainframe) sup- the desktop Model 4, I would be very posedly can handle 8" drives and I was Note also, that if you have PRO-WAM, interested in it. I really have no idea what wondering if it might be feasible to add a then you may also want to request the LB it is worth in terms of actual cost, but for couple of these to my Mod 4. 1.x beta release. We have been working the convenience it would provide, I'd be on the first phase of a new LB product willing to pay in the range $30.00-$50.00 Fm MISOSYS, Inc: They should use the release. The first phase is porting and re- range. I hope this item provokes a good 500KHz transfer rate - same as the 8" grooming the source to use with MC (on response. I've opened a topic in the TANDY drive. So if you write a driver to switch to the Model 4) and MSC (under MS-DOS). RT on GEnie to try to make more users the 2Meg clock on your FDC, that should The beta disk(s) is the result of complet- aware of it, and encourage a greater re-
Letters to the Editor -6- Letters to the Editor Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv ing phase 1. Phase 2 will commence shortly; As far as confirming exact replication of (1) 26-45 17: Profile Upgrade compatible Rich and I have had an in-depth discus- our master disk, that may be possible by with Profile II version 01.01.00 (Model sion over the large list of possible en- using Hans de Wolf's CRC program which 11/12/16), or hancements and improvements. I'm prori- appeared in TMQ III.iii. I hope to get the tizing the list as soon as this issue of TMQ data generated by running his program (2) 26-4515: Profile Plus goes to the printer. against all of our master disks published soon; perhaps in this issue, or a DISK (3) 26-483?: Scripsit Wordprocessor - NOTES. Harddisk version Current Versions (4) 26-4834: Scripsit Dictionary Model 4 HELPS (5) 26-4521: Visicalc
Fm Mark P. Fishman: Roy, Could you by any chance post a list of the current version numbers or revision levels of Fm Fred Campbell: I would like to get LS-DOS 6.3 Updates, MISOSYS products (both MSDOS and the addresses of some magazines that are TRS8O) in one of the LIB s? I know there for the Model 4. Can anyone give me this BASIC, BBS's, are some (many) products I need to up- information? I also saw a message that date, and a list like this would help me said something about a Model 4 Utilities send the right disks. The list doesn't have diskette. Where can I order it? Do they to include any information about changes mail to Japan? I appreciate the good infor- Fm Ben Carpenter: Dear Roy, I have from prior versions, just the current numbers mative help that I have received from this several questions I hope you can help me and product names. This would be a big forum's members [LDOS CompuServe with. help. forum - PCS-49]. The Cherry blossoms are in full bloom and it is very beautiful in I purchased a used Hard Drive and it was Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Mark, Versions are Tokyo right now. set up with LS-DOS 6.3, Level-J. I re- irrelevant as we don't necessarily change ceived the original disk and the instruc- version numbers when patches are in- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Fred, The cherry tions with it. I see on page 34 of Vol II.iv stalled. Dates are equally unusable as the blossoms are in full bloom in Washing- TMQ that you now have control of this date of a user-installed patch would differ ton, DC, too. But they're about ready to package and also that there is a level L+? from ours. fall off. Can I get the registration changed to me and can I get an upgrade to level L+? Is Fm Mark P. Fishman: OK Roy, then I Contact us for subscription to The MI- level L+ the latest version? will complete my task of reviewing my SOSYS Quarterly, and also about a cata- library of TMQs and comparing notes of log of software. Also available are CN80 I have done a little programing in Basic patch dates to the disks. Have there been P0 Box 680, Casper WY 82602-0680 but no machine language programing so (m)any patches or updates that were not (published monthly) and TRSTimes could you give me a description in lan- announced in TMQ? I seem to recall at magazine at 20311 Sherman Way, Suite guage that a green horn could understand least one such discussion here on the SIG, 221, Canoga Park CA 91306 (published of the different programs listed on the perhaps about RATFOR? bi-monthly). inside front cover of Vol ll.iv TMQ? Also recommend what to do or read to start Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Mark, Every patch learning Machine language programing ever applied by MISOSYS has been pub- on a Mod 4 (and what program or pro- lished in TMQ. That's every patch since Wanted for Mod 16 grams would be required). Also do you the demise of NOTES FROM MISOSYS. have a basic compiler for the Mod 4? TMQ Id had a lot of patches to bridge that gap. Patches proposed by others which I have heard that you can run in to trouble were not official MISOSYS patches may if you move LS-DOS 6.3 from one com- not have appeared in TMQ. So if you have Fm Rae Hansen [CompuServe puter to another because each computer is all TMQ issues, you have all the patches. 72336,27231: A Boy's Home in Southern like finger prints, each one is a little You may not have all of the releases as California is trying to locate the follow- different. Is this so? there have been some upgrades. But those ing Radio Shack software and manuals (like PRO-WAM 1.x to 2.x and MC 1.6 (I for their Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 16 Do you have any knowledge of the opera- believe that's the number)) were also with two 8.4 megabyte harddisks operat- tion of the two programs by Spectre Tech- announced in THE MISOSYS QUAR- ing under TRS -DOS Model 16: nologies Inc on the inside back cover of TERLY. Vol II.iv TMQ?I am particular interested
Letters to the Editor -7- Letters to the Editor Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv in Rembrandt because the ad said it did good source for information. sion bus; all address decoding and bus not need a HI-Res board. buffering is done on the controller board. What you got with the hard disk was most Other than that, the board is nearly equiva- Along with this Hard Drive I also re- likely LDOS 5.1.3 or 5.1.4, both of which lent to a stock WD 1000 controller board, ceived an original disk, Radio Shack Cat were at one time provided by Tandy. You no longer being manufactured. No 26-1130 (Hard Disk Operating Sys- can get the latest version of the DOS from tem) with LDOS Version 5.1.3 for model us. That's the LDOS 5.3 upgrade kit at a An alternative is a WD1002-HDO con- III along with the manual. What is the price of $34.95 plus $2 S&H. You would troller which used to be a Western Digital latest version and what is the cost of re-use the hard disk driver which came controller; but WD sold the manufactur- updating? with the drive. ing rights to a company called RMT Sys- tems out in Irvine. The WD1002-HDO is At the present time I have a Mod 4 and a As far as a BBS goes, The MISOSYS the standard 5.75" by 7.75" and will need Mod III and I am thinking of starting a Quarterly issue III.iii contains some input a miniscule host adaptor to do the address BBS using the mod III. I would like some from folks running a BBS; this issue has decoding and bus interface, but it will helpful suggestions that would make things those summarized and includes additional then work with the standard Tandy hard go a little easier. I am aware that if the ones submitted. Why not write to them, or disk driver as well as our RSHARD. But BBS takes off and does good I will have to give their BBS a call. I know of BBS' still that WD1002-HDO will set you back upgrade to aMSDOS class machine but at chugging along on Model I computers. $225 each in 1-24 unit quantities; $192.91 this time I am not going to spend the There is no need for an MS-DOS machine in 25-100 unit quantities. I looked at that money to upgrade as I like TRS DOS and to run a BBS. HDC as a possibility for our hard drive LS-DOS. package, but at $200 per controller, it's impossible to sell a 20 Meg drive package Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Ben, Either your for under $500. seller never sent in the registration card, Tandy's HD Controller or it is not yet in the data base. To get your Check out The Blurb for our announce- master disk refreshed to L+, all you need ments concerning the MISOSYS haul drive do is return the master disk along with the project. fee of $12. Note with your submittal that the disk should be registered to you. It can Fm Mark Mueller: Did you see that then be taken care of. Radio Shack has lowered the cost of a Model 4 hard disk controller to $299.95? More queries on our I recommend that if you want to learn What a bunch of pals, eh? Seriously, does assembly language, then start with an anyone remember if that includes the host Hard Drive Project assembler. PRO-CREATE is a good choice adapter, or is that part of the connecting to start with. Get a book on the Z80. That cable set? may be difficult since it is an older chip, but you should find something in a good And, Roy, how close is the Hard Disk Fm Jeff Joseph: I'm interested more than computer bookstore. Look through old project to fruition? I've got a 4P that is ever in your Model 4 hard drive project copies of 80 Micro (perhaps available in a approaching requiring a hard disk (due to now! I waited six months for Aerocomp good library). your LB Database ... (grin)) to run the to deliver a 40-Meg unit and then had to application it is dedicated to. send it right back because it won't work We have a BASIC compiler called PRO- with my XLR8er! Some hardware incom- EnhComp. It was reviewed by Mark Al- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Actually Mark, a patibility, they said... Darn, I really liked len Reed in TMQ III.ii, of which you discrete-chip hard disk controller (HDC) it, too. should have a copy. such as Tandy's is very expensive. The low cost of the XT-type controllers comes You distribute it, but I think I should ask You can use a single copy of LS-DOS 6.3 from the extremely high levels of integra- anyway: is YOUR Model 4 hard disk on more than one computer provided the tion used in the chips which keep compo- going to work with the XLR8er? operation is not concurrent. You are li- nent costs down, and consume precious little board space. Printed Circuit Board censed to use it on one machine at a time. Your clock/calendar option is also an Concurrent use on more than one ma- stock is getting costly these days. So al- advantage over Aerocomp's drive. But I chine is a violation of the single user though we would wish to have Tandy's have one small nagging reservation - just license agreement. controller come to a price competitive what does a 'Leadman case' look like with XT controllers, it just isn't going to after all? I mean, say it's not one of those I have no knowledge of the two programs happen; it can't! ugly clunky-looking PC-type white rocks by Spectre Technologies. Note that they (please!). Aerocomp's drive in stainless are now being marketed by Computer The Tandy controller is designed to plug steel at least looks sleek and aerodynamic. News 80. Thus, Stan Sister would be a directly into the 50-pin TRS-80 expan- I know it shouldn't matter what the thing
Letters to the Editor -8- Letters to the Editor Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv looks like, but I'm going to have to spend As far as the internal modem, yes, I am you could please help me to obtain the a lot of time looking at it. Perhaps you going to do one. Essentially all I need to additional software for use with this de- could even publish a picture of the beast do is to come up with a mounting arrange- vice driver; the hard drive I have is as in the next TMQ? ment and cable installation for our 'ITS 12P follows - Model HH 738 made in 1987. modem. That's the one which mounts in Other numbers on the drive are - 250018 One other concern.., the size of the driver. the 4P modem slot. I need to have a - 000/70455904, also the serial number of Aerocomp's weighed in at 490 bytes (so physical mounting arrangement, a power - 78106727. On the motor there is a note says MEMDIR/CMD). I don't even know cable interface, and a means of plugging which reads - "this drive supports RLL it if would fit in lomem with PEXMEM into the RS-232 serial port. Also, an ex- and becomes 36IvlB drive". (number found since I couldn't get them to work to- tender for the RR 1 telephone interface is on casting is 10034 1-000) just found it. gether. But, isn't that sort of large for a needed. That just winds up being a short HI) driver? With your driver, do you cable with an RJ11 plug on one end and The drive came from a stripped IBM PC know yet if I'll be able to fit it in lomem double RR 1 jack on the other. As soon as machine that expired a short while ago. I alongside PEXMEM and PRO-WAM? I come up with all of the cabling and am assured the drive is in working order This concerns me greatly. mounting facility, I'll make the announce- but I have not as yet paid for it I want to ment. I already have on order an appropri- see it working first. One more thing: will it be possible to ate cable connector which matches the expand it beyond 20 meg? What other PC 4P's modem power connector. I realize you will expect payment for the hard disks besides the ST-225 will be software driver for the Model ifi H/D and usable with your controller/host adapter? I will offer to pay using my Barclaycard How fast is the ST225 (transfer rate and Visa if that is ok. seek time) and are other, faster HDs us- Model III Hard Drive able? Hopefully I have given you enough infor- Needs mation regarding the hardware I have to A lot of questions, I know. Anyway, I'll allow you to identify the driver I require. need three or four of them when you get If it's a new version of LDOS I require, I around to shipping them (if they look will obviously wish to order it as soon as good next to my 4Ds), so let me know Fm Leighton H. Davies: I have been I can be informed as to it's availability when you're ready! advised to contact you by a long standing and cost. friend of mine by the name of Leo Knaggs, Did I read that right? Are you really who is I believe known to you. We are I will close by stating that although LDOS considering doing an internal Model 4D members of NATGUG. I am the Model I so far I have found very good indeed, the modem? Sign me up! and Model III Librarian for the group. wading through the manual can slow down (TRS 80). my operation of it quite a bit. I find the Fm MISOSYS, Inc: First Jeff, I would drive configuration available suits just expect that our hard drive package - once The reason for my writing is as follows: about ANY possible combination of drives Nye get it completed - will function with some time ago I purchased at an auction a I can throw at the Model I and the Model the XLR8er installed. If you really want TRS 80 Model III twin disk computer III, including -3" 40 trk SS, 3.5" 80 track to see what the case looks like, I am along with a considerable amount of vari- SS & DS, to all my 5.25" drives both 40 & enclosing a copy of the case. I cannot ous DOS's including your LDOS versions 80 track single and double sided. Many confirm the size of the driver until I get to 513 and 530 for the Model 111.1 also found thanks for writing such incredible soft- implement it, but 490 bytes sounds large. a 514 version for the Model 1.1 have more ware for us mere mortals who cherish I cannot comment on any aspect of my or less converted myself to the LDOS (and sweat over) our venerable 11 year driver until the host adaptor is completed. system on the Model III in the last 4/5 old Model I's and our not so old model months since obtaining these Dos's; Ill's. The controller can support up to eight however, I have now managed to collect heads and 1024 cylinders. That multiplies the Hard Drive parts to add a hard drive to Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Leighton, this is in out to about 65 Megabytes, assuming a the Model Ill, i.e. the host adapter card response to your letter concerning assis- drive were available at a reasonable cost and today the hard drive interface card tance on finding a hard disk driver for with those characteristics. I suspect that I made by Western Digital Corp (type WD your assembled hard drive parts. will make 30 Megs and 40 Megs available 1001-O5 made in 1982 serial No. 13968). soon after the project is complete. I believe that the WD1001 hard disk Reading the book I had with the LDOS controller (HDC) was not a direct plug-in The average seek speed of the ST-225 software I see mentioned that LDOS will to the 50-pin data bus of the Model Ill, drive is 65 milliseconds; transfer rate is support the use of Hard drives. I assume although the HDC is similar to the WD1000/ fixed to the ST506 interface which is 5 however this software is not contained 1010 used by Tandy; that's why you also Megabits/second between the drive and within the normal DOS 's for use with the have a host adaptor. Percom used a host the controller. Model Ill machine. I wonder therefore if adaptor for their drive package which also
Letters to the Editor -9- Letters to the Editor Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv used the WD1001 controller. My last question is very frank; is the users who wouldn't consider switching to Model 4 a dead horse? I know of some an MS-DOS computer, they have too much LDOS, like some other DOS products, businesses that are still using them, but invested in their Model 4 and it does the has internal support for a hard disk drive, the rest of the world is MS-DOS based. I job for them. I'm doing some heavy word but the driver is the particular software am hesitant to change because everything processing and graphics operations merg- interface between the drive and HDC, and I need can be done by the Model 4 and at ing graphics and text for generating THE the DOS. The only driver we have that the same time, there is so much more MISOSYS QUARTERLY. The Model 4 may be "close" is our RSHARD driver available (both hardware and software couldn't keep up with that. Thus, I also which works only with Tandy's hard disk wise) for the PC-compatibles. have a 386-based MS-DOS machine. But drive, or equivalent. If your host adaptor I still use the many Model 4s I have for the mimics the ports used by Tandy's (OC8H Thank you very, very much for your time work they were geared to perform. through OCFH) package, then RSHARD and help. will work. If it mimics the operation but uses different ports, then you would have Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Ron, We are still to patch our driver. We don't have the working on a design for a host adaptor to More TRS-80 Computer time to offer you details about where to enable using a low-cost controller. We patch; you would have to find the port ran into a snag due to some bad informa- Clubs references yourself (or seek assistance tion received from Western Digital con- from NATGUG experts). RSHARD is cerning the ability to use the WDXY- $29.95 + $6S&H to UK. GEM controller. We have now settled on using the Adaptec 4000 and Xebec S1410 Fm Glyn Roberts: Dear Roy, Just a note If your host adaptor doesn't mimic Tandy's, controllers. The host adaptorm is being to tell you about the most southerly User as far as the port interface, then RSHARD designed. I am targeting shipments to Group in the world (latitude 42 degrees 36 won't work. commence by August 1989. minutes south). It is: The drive which you are referencing as The MISOSYS Quarterly is still being RLL is probably a 20 Megabyte drive published; in fact, I am getting more and using MFM encoding as supported by the more involved in it. It is currently being WD1001 HDC. That's what you call a prepared using PageMaker on a 386 PC. standard ST412 interface (sometimes The subscription cost is still $25/year for known as ST506-type). third class mailing, $30/year for first class mailing.
As far as the last question, "is the Model Still more hard drive 4 a dead horse?", I'll be equally frank. If The Group is situated on a very pleasant I were going out today to buy my first island with some 440,000 other people queries... computer, I certainly would not select a which sits in the "Roaring Forties" just Model 4. But if I already had one, and was south of that 'small island' called Austra- using one for awhile, if it was still doing lia. the job for me that I needed to be done, I Fm Ron McLain: Sirs, In the last news- would not bother to get another different We Thugs meet twice a month with some letter I received from you folks, which type of computer. The end user usually 15-25 members attending regularly. The looks to be dated sometime in 1988, there forgets to factor in the cost associated Group membership of 65 is made up of was a reference to an external hard drive with learning to use a new computer sys- MS DOS and TRS 80 owners, as there are for the Tandy Model 4 computer, which is tem as well as the cost of obtaining new only fifteen Model 3-4-4P users left in the the machine I am currently running my software. Some folks can't even afford to group at last count. photography business on. switch from one program to another be- cause of the tremendous amount of time it takes to learn some of the complex soft- I have the task of producing the Groups Did the drive ever become reality? If they ware packages. The bottom line is whether monthly newsletter, which is called are available, what is the cost and ship- your current computer is doing the job for 'THUGGERY', and I am always on the ping charges? Can the end-user install the look out for interesting news items. We y. If not, better look elsewhere. If its are currently running Barry Thrippleton's hardware, or should it be done by a tech- peripheral changes, then an add-on may nician? series of articles on LB. I look forward to still keep it humming without having to getting TMQ each quarter as it always has re-learn new environments or new soft- some very useful tips and hints in it. Is The MISOSYS Quarterly still being ware. offered? Is the price still $25 per year? Do you have any objections if I were to For example, I hear from lots of Model 4
Letters to the Editor _10- Letters to the Editor Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv occasionally quote from TMQ in our anymore and its hard to use their AL Newsletter? It would be short paragraphs interface cleanly from C. Anyway, I can and not complete articles and the source More TRS-80 Bulletin now clear the screen, set/reset/comple- would always be acknowledged. ment/test Pixels, draw lines and boxes Boards (sort of), and am working on ellipses. I've In between Newsletter deadlines, I have been stealing stuff like crazy, so I'm not been having fun with RATFOR recently sure I can share it. Does anybody know of and achieving a 125% increase in speed a good book on very low-level graphics? over interpreted BASIC on my 64180 4P. Fm Ken Peck, McGregor, TX: Dear I am at a total loss on how to do fillO. Roy, Here's some of that free advertising Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Glyn, I have no for "hello, world" that supports the TRS- Another project is a subset of curses for problems with any computer club quoting 80 Model 4. MC and the Model 4. I'm getting tired of excerpts from The MISOSYS Quarterly. reinventing that particular wheel everytime Just cite the source to make everyone I try to port an interactive program be- happy. tween MC and MSC... not to mention some other environments I must deal with from the Apple II on. There are a couple of related projects such as a generalized menu manager and window editor. I may It's never to late to start... put some of this stuff together for an article for TMQ one of these days. Hello, world runs Mel Patrick's FastPlus II on a vintage TRS-80 Model 4 (serial Enjoyed the aggie Hacker's Hexadecimal Fm Max E. Thow: I don't know why lam numberless than 175). It says IBM on the calendar... even if the year 0x7C4 is almost embarking on this XLR8er Board up- front, because I salvaged a couple of old gone. I showed it to our High School grade, I am in my 74th year. I left the work principal who said that when he was at force 12 years ago when my organisation floppy drives off of IBM-PC folks who were moving up to hard-drives. It has a 5 A&M they had their own computer lan- was at the talking stage of computerisa- Meg Aerocomp HD. There are areas for guage called "Aggieland" which was also tion. I branched out into computerisation used on NASA's computers at one time some eight years later at the age of 70 TRS-80, MS-DOS, and programming. LD Callers most likely should log on and then and is still used at A&M in research. years +. I am still very much a novice Can't be much of a language, though immediately off BUT be sure to leave me amongst a group of extremely sophisti- MISOSYS doesn't have a Model 4 com- cated computer "buffs" who have "conned" a message requesting access to TRS-80, MS-DOS, and/or programming areas. piler for it... or is Aggie Land what they me into taking on the job of their Treas- call Assembly Language at A&M? urer. Usually within 24 hours, invariably within three days, I will give access. Oh yes, put me down for one of those HDs I suppose I'm really keeping up with the TMQ discussions about loading the sys- for the Model 4... maybe even two. Even- "Joneses". The decision confronting me tually that Aerocomp 5 Megger will die was MS-DOS or upgrade the4P, Because tem into the XLR8er' s memory reminded me of something I used to do and have and I don't relish fixing it. of the large number of records I have built been planning to do again on a smaller up over the past couple of years, I was a Fm Lamar Owen, Stone Mountain, GA: little afraid of the first alternative. scale. At one time I had hacked up a DOCONFIG so that when I booted up, it Dear Roy, Thank you for the conversation would execute, copy a core image of dealing with the @BANK patches the I have only recently encountered your MEMDISK from floppy and then "SYS- other day. I learned a good bit from that. publication, The MISOSYS Quarterly, even GEN" the whole thing up with MEMDISK This letter, and the enclosed check are for though my Group has been getting it for operative as drive 0. The whole thing took an order for a copy of THE SOURCE, sometime. Jam very impressed, although about 15 or 20 seconds. You aren't sup- which you quoted me a price of $40. I I must admit much of what is written in posed to be able to do that, and some- would very much like a full product cata- completely "over my head". Neverthe- where along the line someone fixed log of your excellent software for the less, I certainly will be a regular reader in TRSDOS 6.x so couldn't. But it was fun TRS-80. the future. while it lasted. Thank you for keeping MISOSYS the I'vebeen tinkering with acoupleofModel excellent software giant it is and for keep- 4 projects. One is a MC-callable graphics ing us TRS hackers happy with top notch library for the Graphyx Solution high products. Keep up the good work. resolution board. I've got one of those installed on my Model 4PDRRXLR8er, For your records, my birthdate is 01/29/ but I don't like programming in BASIC 68,1 own three Model I'S, two Mod III's,
Letters to the Editor - 11 - Letters to the Editor Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv two Mod 4's, and a few others. All ma- other banks for bank 0 during the running chines were salvage except for one of the of a BASIC program, for instance, allow- mod 4's. All work now. My BBS phone ing a larger BASIC program while I have number is: PRO-WAM, OD, SPOOLER and the like TRS-80 Clubs & BBS loaded? systems
One more question - please. In LAIR-OF- THE-DRAGON, are the commands to the game typed in to the keyboard, or of the Fm MISOSYS, Inc: In our issue Ill.ii of I am currently enrolled in the BSEET cursor control type? The reason I ask, is The MISOSYS Quarterly, I requested input program at DeVry Atlanta, and I have two that I am helping a friend get computer from any club or BBS still serving the more months until graduation. Have a oriented, and he is having a little trouble TRS-80 community of users. I wanted the good day, and keep on hacking! finding the keys. He doesn't want to take information to start a section in TMQ typing, and the games that require WORD which would list the known clubs and INPUT seem to keep his attention and bulletin board systems. In this issue, lam teach the keyboard at the same time. (I publishing the two lists of responses I never thought that I would see a time have so far received. Memory Use, LB Beta, when I would be looking for a game!) and more... If you are representative of a club or BBS Looking forward to hearing from you, catering to the TRS-80 users, and are not and if the LAIR program is keyboard yet on my list, please submit your infor- driven, I'll have to get it by the end of JAN mation. Fm Ken Strickler: Dear Roy, I would (you know 30% off!). I will send you like to try the new LB, but have a bit of a anything that you need for LB, but what I In addition, I would be willing to include am using I don't, think you can read! problem with sending you working disk. an ongoing list of company addresses and My normal configuration is to run di- telephone numbers for those establish- rectly from my HARD DISK, which means Fm MIS OSYS, Inc: I know of no utility ments still catering to the TRS-80. Adver- that I really don't have the configured which will allow programs to automati- tising in TMQ is not a prerequisite to be disk. My backup procedure uses a LS- cally switch upper memory to some other included in this list. Contact MIS OS YS to DISKdisk on a 80 TRK DSDD floppy, bank strictly to allow a larger BASIC be included. and I don't know if you can read these. It workspace. That would be a pretty good is exciting to know that LB will now trick. Alternatively, if everything installed Resource: Bulletin Boards "LIVE", with PRO-WAM, as I usually in memory is "cleanly interfaced", it is have PRO-WAM loaded all of the time possible that DOCONFIG will allow you now. (Usually bank 4, with
Another area of interest, is that as I use LAIR is keyboard oriented; you type in more and more of HIGH MEM for drivers words. Thus, it sounds like it is suited for and pointers, do you know of a program your needs. which would substitute say one of the
Letters to the Editor -12- Letters to the Editor Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv
Resource: Computer SYDNEY TRS-80 Users Group Nuys, CA 91408 P0 Box 223 Clubs Bankstown 2200 T/Maker Research Company, 812 Pol- AUSTRALIA lard Road, Suite 8, Los Gatos, CA 95030, [408-866-0127]
Mid Cities TRS-80 Users Group TRSTimes magazine, 20311 Sherman (MCTRUG) Way, Suite 221, Canoga Park, CA 91306 P. 0. Box 171566 Arlington, Tx 761303 Resource: Companies Try-o-Byte, 1008 Alton Circle, Florence, SC 29501 [803-662-9500]
Tandy National Parts - Hardware [817- Aerocomp, P0 Box 223957, Dallas, TX 870-56001 HUB Computer Users Group 75212 [214-637-5400] (HUBCUG) 530 Buschman St. Anitek Software Products, P0 Box News Releases Hattiesburg, MS 39401 361136, Melbourne, FL 32936 [407-259- 9397] New Product Announcement Computer News 80, P0 Box 680, Cas- per, WY 82602 LeScript 2.0 National Ainstrad Tandy & General User Group Computer Reset, P0 Box 461782, Gar- "PC-set" IBM PC Character ROM up- Oakfield Lodge, Broad Lane, land, TX 75046 [214-276-8072] grade for TRS-80 Models 3, 4 and 4P Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, Bristol. BS 17 2TY. Great Britain Cornucopia Software, Inc., 1625 Bev- erly Place, Berkeley, CA 94707 [415- Anitek Software Products is releasing ver - 528-70001 sion 2.0 of its LeScript Word Processing System for the TRS-80 Model 1, 3, and 4 GRL Software, Suite 209, 1051 KLO May 1, 1989. The MS-DOS version is NYBBLERS Rd., Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X6, CANADA scheduled for release in toward the end of CHABOT COLLEGE May 1989. LeScript 2.0 contains more 25555 Hesperian Blvd. Hypersoft, P0 Box 51155, Raleigh, NC than 30 new features and enhancements Hayward, CA 27609 [919-847-4779] over its predecessor, version 1.80.
Microdex Corp., 1212 N. Sawtelle, LeScript 2.0 now contains drivers for the Tucson, AZ 85716 [602-326-3502] Hewlett-Packard Laser Jet II printer and compatibles. The drivers support Times Adelaide Micro User's Group Inc. Micro-Labs, Inc., 902 Pinecrest, Roman, Helvetica, Gothic, Prestige, Pica, G.P.O. Box 214, Richardson, TX 75080 [214-235-0915] Elite, Courier, Presentation, Optima, Ga- Adelaide, South Australia 5001 ramond, Cooper Black, Coronet Bold, AUSTRALIA Broadway, Bauer Bodoni Black Con- MISOSYS, Inc., P0 Box 239, Sterling, densed, Century Schoolbook, University VA 22170 [703-450-4181: Orders to 800- Roman, and Line Printer type faces - MISOSYS] bold, medium, and light stroke weights - upright and italic type styles - point sizes Pacific Computer Exchange, 1031 SE from 6 to 30- character pitches from 10 to FJ.Seccull General Secretary Mill, Suite B, Portland, OR 97214, [503- 16.66 - upright and landscape orientation TRS-80 SYSTEM 80 COMPUTER 236-2949] - and proportional justification in point USERS GROUP INC. sizes from 6 to 14.4. Included in the laser 41 Montclair Street, Powersoft, 4951 Airport Parkway, Suite printer driver enhancement package is Aspley, QLD 4034 700, Dallas, TX 75248 [214-458-1197] support for the HP's pattern drawing, gray AUSTRALIA scale drawing, and rule line drawing func- Storage Power, 10391 Oakhaven Dr., tions. These are very useful for adding Stanton, CA 90680 [714-952-2700] shaded areas, boxes, borders, visual high- lights, and attractive drawings and charts The File Cabinet, P0 Box 322, Van to your documents.
Letters to the Editor - 13 - Letters to the Editor Volume ffl.iv TIM MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv
tion. You can tell LeScript to route its more printer drivers for many of the newly LeScript 2.0 has been totally rewritten for printer output to a disk file under any released printers. speed. No more long waits. Most editing name you choose. This is great for creat- functions, like search, page up/down, scroll, ing preformaued document files that can LeScript 2.0 for the TRS-80 Model 1, 3, move/copy block, perform approximately be uploaded to a BBS. It also provides a 4/4p is available from Anitek Software 400% faster than in version 1.80. Some simple way to see byte-for-byte exactly Products for $ 129.95, and includes abuilt- functions actually perform as much as what LeScript is sending to the printer in on-line 70,000 word spelling checker 1000% faster than the previous edition. and how it is decoding your printer com- dictionary. A version of LeScript 2.0 LeScript 2.0 is so fast and responsive that mands. without the build-in spelling checker (called you will almost swear it knew what key LeScript 1.90) will be marketed through you were going to push before you even LeScript 2.0 now has a built-in safeguard Cornucopia Software. Updates to version pushed it. that warns the user if he attempts to exit 2.0 are available to current owners. The the program without saving his text. The cost of the update is $40 from 1.8, $60 LeScript 2.0 now has 4 text windows in- warning message, including which text from 1.7,$70 from 1.6,$80 form 1.5 and stead of just 2. Now you can load up to 4 window the unsaved text is in, flashes on earlier. Add $3 for s/h and add $3 if documents into LeScriptatthe same time. the screen if any text has been typed to LeScript master disk not returned. For Work on them individually or move and that document since it was lasts saved to more information contact: Anitek Soft- copy blocks of text from one editing window disk. ware Products, P0 BOX 361136, Mel- to another. bourne, FL 32936, or call 407-259-9397. LeScript 2.0 now has a powerful and easy Or Cornucopia Software, Inc., 415-528- LeScript 2.0 now has instant "pop-up" to use line drawing feature. Now you can 7000. help screens sorted by topic with menu se- draw lines, boxes, rules, and borders as lection capabilities to get you quickly to easily has holding down the cursor keys. the information you need. The help text This function utilizes the single line, double The second new product that Anitek Soft- file used by this function can be custom- line, and bar line IBM-PC line drawing ware Products is releasing this month is ized by the user. Add screens or menus, character set and gray scale characters "PC-set", the IBM PC Character set ROM change screens or menus, delete what you found on more recent model printers - upgrade for the TRS-80 Model 3, 4 and don't need, or even write your own per- laser printer not required. LeScript will 4p. "PC-set" gives your TRS-80 access to sonal set of helps. even display these lines on the screen the entire set of characters found on IBM exactly as they will print out on comput- PC compatible computers. Great for cre- LeScript 2.0 now has 148 macro keys and ers equipped with either the Grafyx Solu- ating line drawings, diagrams, charts, and programmable special characters. These tion Hi-Res board or Anitek's "PC-set" gray scale shaded areas in your docu- 148 special characters along with the 96 IBM character set ROM upgrade. On com- ments right on the screen, and then print- standard alpha-numeric characters give puters not so equipped, LeScript will dis- ing them using the IBM character mode you access to 244 of the 256 characters play a very close representation of these of your printer. Great also for displaying found in your computer's character ROM. lines using available characters. and printing many special characters and Any of these 148 characters can be repro- symbols not found in the TRS-80 charac- grammed to a string of characters and LeScript 2.0 now has two status fields at ter set. You can select between "PC-set" printer commands that LeScript will send the top of the screen which display the or the TRS-80 standard character set to the printer when the character is en- current page number and line number (of manually or through software control, so countered in the text while printing. Or that page) that the cursor is on, while you you can still run programs that use the you can reprogram any of these 148 key are editing. No more guessing what page TRS-80 graphic characters. Installation is combinations to key macros so that sev- you are working on or how far you are easy and can be performed in about one eral functions can be performed just by from the bottom of the page - LeScript hour. pressing one key combination. Or they tells you. These fields are typically 100% can be left at their defaults, producing on accurate on ordinary document files and "PC-set" is available for the Model 3 and the screen and printing on paper their pre- within about 98% accurate on documents non-gate-array 4 and4pfor$39.95 + $3s/ programmed character value. containing the more complex formatting h, and for the gate-array 4 and 4p for commands. $59.95 + $3 s/h. For more information LeScript 2.0 now has an instant "pop-up" contact: Anitek Software Products, P0 display of the 148 key macros/program- Other features now in LeScript 2.0 in- Box 361136, Melbourne, FL 32936, or mable characters. If you forget how one clude: Move cursor forward or backward call 407-259-9397. of the macro keys was programmed or by tab stops without erasing text. Page which key combination produces a cer - backward and forward in directory. Larger tain character, LeScript will show you type-ahead keyboard buffer. Ability to instantly. turn auto justification and formating on and off. Ability to abort document spell LeScript2.0 now has a Print-to-Disk func- checking before completion. And over 30
Letters to the Editor -14- Letters to the Editor Add $4.00 for ground shipment or $7.00 for 2nd day air shipment. California residents add 7% sales tax. With Deluxe Documentation $49 (Limited quantity) Set of IBM Compatible Disks as well $20 T/Maker Integrated Software includes: WORD PROCESSOR SPELLING CHECKER DATABASE SPREADSHEET This may be your last chance for a T/Maker in BAR CHARTS UTILITITES its classic box and binder format. Regularly APPLICATIONS LANGUAGE enhanced until 1985, this is the same product that sold for $450 and was referred to in sup- T/Maker Research Company erlative terms by major computer magazines. 812 Pollard Road (Suite 8) Los Gatos, CA 95030 It's not just a very useful computer program, it's a piece of computer history--the world's (408) 866-0127 first integrated package. dw (If you have a PC Compatible, consider T/Master, the next generation: $139)
Im TY O Save Money! 0 0 ______0 0 LOWEST PRICES EVER! 0 The File Cabinet______MS/DOS TRS-80 C) Pueuc DOMAIN SOFTWARE FOR YOUR TRS-80 0 0 P.O. Box 322, Van Nuys, CA 91408 0 Electric Webster Speller 55% off $ 39.99 $ 39.99 C) OVER THE YEARS, THE FILE CABINET HAS COLLECTED SOFTWARE C) E.W. price w/ TMQ Coupon only: $ 19.99 $ 19.99 FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD. 0 wlCorrecting Feature add: $ 39.99 $ 59.99 "The Cadillac" of Spelling Checkers - 80 Micro, 3/82 (-) THE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN TESTED AND CATALOGED INTO WHAT C) El. Web. Hyphenation 35% off IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF PUBLIC o md $ 32.49 DOMAIN SOFTWARE FOR THE TRS-80 MODELS 1, 3 • AND 4 IN E.W. Grammar & Style 35% off $ 49.99 $ 32.49 C) 0 THE WORLD. EACH DISK IS FILLED TO NEAR CAPACITY WITH "A fantastic ... Grammar Checker" - 80 Micro, 4/85 0 QUALITY SOFTWARE, MUCH OF WHICH CAN'T BE FOUND ANYWHERE The Works! (All E.W.featiires) $ 119.99 $149.99 C' ELSE. C-— ) LeScript 1.9 50% off (reg 199.99) $ 89.99 $ 64.99 0 THERE ARE PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESS, EDUCATION, PROGRAMMING, Allwrite W/P (w/o support) 67% off N.A. $ 64.99 C—) ENTERTAINMENT, AND COMMUNICATIONS. THERE ARE EVEN Whoops Instant Speller/Thesaurus $ 39.99 N.A. C) SPECIAL CATALOGS FOR THOSE WITH HIGH RESOLUTION BOARDS "delivers its full potential superbly" - 80 Micro 6187 0 AND ORCHESTRA-90 (TM) MUSIC SYNTHESIZERS. C> Combo (Word Proc. & Spell) 55% off $ 129.99 $ 99.99 SO COME ON AND BEAT THE HIGH COST OF LONG DISTANCE PHONE C) Whole Works! (All EW Feat. & HI/P) $ 199.99 $199.99 C) BILLS AND FIND THAT SOFTWARE YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR. THE COST OF EACH CATALOG IS REFUNDABLE WITH YOUR FIRST 0 ORDER SO WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOOSE? o r Order Now: 415528700F1 0 flit Catilogit eve On Ouh C_) o Visa, MasterCard, checks O.K. Add 53 for C.O.D. Add S5 for shipping & TRS-80 MODEL 4 CATALOG $5.00 - C) handling. Add sales tax in Calif. Specify W/P when ordering. Prices good until TRS-80 MODEL 1/3 CATALOG $5.00 8/10/89 while supplies last! C) TRS—O MODEL 4 HIGH RESOLUTION/READMAC $4.00 C...) TRS-80 ORCHESTRA-90 MUSIC FILE CATALOG $3.00 t, ' '1 0 Cornucopia Software, Inc. C.-) 1625 Beverly Place, Berkeley, CA 94707 Oownload Through The Mail! : SUPER UTILITY PLUS • The greatest utility ever written for the TRS-80. Every TRS-80 magazine has said so! Five-Star Excellent Reviews in 80-MICRO, 80-US, INFO WORLD, POPULAR ELECTRONICS, FAMILY COMPUTING, Creative Computing & more! "The King of Utilities" - Reads, repairs and works with all the popular TRS-80 operating systems Models I, III, 4! Allows you to set up two drives for two different DOS's and copy between them easily! If you use a TRS-80 with disk drives, then this is a must-have program that you will wonder how you did without for so long! Super Utility has won numer- ous awards, has received many 5-Star reviews and this could be your last chance to purchase a copy at this unheard of price. Super Utility does so many things, you will never use its full potential, but it isn't that hard to use since it is completely menu-driven with the most common defaults built right in. It is configurable for all the popular TRS-80 operating systems and will even allow you to set one drive for one system and another drive for a different operating system and copy files easily between the two. Even between Model I and III or 4, regardless of density, track number, number of sides, or system used. We have thousands of letters in our files over the years about how Super Utility has saved the user from various problems. Super Utility removes or decodes passwords (strips them right off a disk in one pass), reformats a disk without erasing the data, fixes problems, backs up most protected disks, etc. This was the very best utility ever written for the TRS-80 and now is the time to get your own copy. Super Utility has over 65 functions and features. Too many to describe! A fantastic buy. Does not work on hard disks. Our ToolBox or Toollielt has similar features for hard drive use, as well as floppy. SU+ does not support Newdos/80 double-sided disks. '86 price: $79.95 Super Utility Plus (Mod ifi & I) - Disk repair, password removal plus 65 other functions with manual. $34.95 Super Utility Plus 414P14D (same as above for TRS-80 Model 4,4P, 4D - Reads/Writes 4,111 & 1.) $34.95 The Model 4 version of Super Utility has all the features of the Model 1/ifi version, but more! It uses the larger amount of memory for quicker operation•, plus utilizes the three function keys. One key is even defineable by the user to go right to their favorite or most used function in Super Utility 4. Also, boots right up in a Model 4P without having to first load the ModelA/Ill rem file. Many other niceities for the 4 have been implemented in this version of Super Utility. Extra Super Utility manuals, disks or unprotected disks: Need an extra manual for your SUPER UTILITY? Pick up an extra manual (3-hole punched) for only $10. Need an extra disk? Send $10 (if registered) for an extra copy. Want the unprotected CMD file version? Send $20 and your serial number (if registered) and well send you the unprotected CMD file version.
LDOS ToolBox (Hard Disk Check, Repair, Modify, much more! Like a "SU+" for hard disk) $24.95
> Original 1986 price: $49.95 - by Klan Watt, author of Super UtllIty+, PowerMail+ and many more great programs! If you own a hard disk and use LDOS, this is the perfect insurance policy for your data. The LDOS TOOLBOX is like a Super Utility+ for hard disks. Features Disk Check and Disk Repair, Sector Modification, plus many, many other useful utilities that makes using a hard drive even easier. Each program contains a built- in Help command, so many times you don't even need to look things up in the manual - just press
> Original 1986 price: $49.95 - by Kim Watt, author of Super Utlllty+, PowerMail+ and many more great programs! This is similar to The LDOS TOOLBOX, except it is for the Model 4 TRSDOS 6 operating system (all versions). >>>> BOTH LDOS TOOL BOX AND MODEL 4 TOOLBELT FOR ONLY $44.95! <<<< Back/Rest - Super Fast Hard Disk Backup and Restore. Saves hours of time! For I, ifi or 4. $34.95 > Original 1986 price: $99.95 Initially written for ourselves, BACK/REST has proven to be a great time-saver for thousands of TRS-80 hard drive users. When reviewed by 80-MICRO, they gave it FIVE STARS - perfect! It saves hours of time and is very easy to use. BACK/REST can back up 10 megabytes in about 18 minutes and 20 ring in about 30-40 minutes. It also tells you how many disks to have ready. Works under LDOS or TRSDOS 6 (both versions on same disk). Great utility for hard disk users! Superior Hard Disk Drivers for Tandy disk systems. Mix Model ifi and 4 easily. $49.95 > Original 1986 price: $99.95 Our hard disk drivers out-performs the Tandy drivers in many ways. Our drivers allow you to combine LDOS and TRSDOS 6 on the same drive and boot from either system (with floppy disk). They run faster and take much less memory from the system. Only for use with Tandy Hard Drives. PowerMail Plus (Please specify Model 4, ifi /l.) 5 Star mailing list-data system! $34.95 > Original 1986 price: $99.95 This program was also written for ourselves when all the other mailing list/data base systems couldn't keep track of all the types of data we wanted to keep track of. We needed speed, we needed hard drive support and we needed a crash-proof data structure. PowerMail+ was top-rated (5 stars) in several publications and has never been topped. Works on floppies or hard disk under all popular TRS-80 operating systems. Allows importing of data from several other once popular mailing systems to avoid re-typing. Written in machine language by the author of Super Utility, this program is FAST and sorts up to 10 levels very quickly. If you keep track of names and addresses along with associated data for any situation, this is the one to use. Many churches, organizations and businesses use PowerMail+ for all the different kinds of lists they need to pull from. Each record has 24 user-defineable "flags" to allow total customization for your exact needs. Text-Merge Form Letter Module - Create customized "form letters" and labels with PowerMAIL+! $15.00 This optional module for PowerMail allows you to create customized "form letters" or custom labels, lists, etc. with PowerMail Plus and any word processor that saves text in ASCII format. Very easy to use and really gets the effect you want. Allows completely defineable report generating from your PowerMail-e. data. PowerSCRIPT - A Major Enhancement for SCRIPSIT 4, ifi and I (not SuperScripsit) $24.95 > Original 1986 price: $39.95 One of our very best sellers, this modification for Radio Shack's SCRIPSIT program turns it into a POWERHOUSE! Our program merges with your copy of SCRIPSIT to create a new program that outperforms most other IRS-SO word processors without relearning a new program! PowerScript adds new features in two important areas. The first area is in the printer control. PowerSeript allows you to add printer control codes directly in the body of your text! Now it is easy to add underlining, bold face, the different sizes of print, etc. Initially set up for the EPSON type dot-matrix printers, it is configureable to just about any printer during set-up. If you have more than one printer type, then just set up a copy of PowerScript for each printer you have. The second area of improvement is in disk and file control. PowerSeript adds several neat features to SCRIPSIT, including the ability to see an alphabetized directory without exiting the program, seeing how much free space you have, and others. This has been one of our most popular programs and we have received many, many complimentary letters on its performance. It works on the Model I, Ill or 4 versions of SCRIPSIT. It will even make a Model I version of SCRIPSIT work on a Model III or 4 (in the III mode). Lastly, PowerSeript removes the limited copy "feature" of SCRIPS1T so that you may make as many copies as you need or copy it to your hard disk without hassle.
PowerDraw (animated TRS-80 screen graphics! Easy to use. Great for kids or adults!) $19.95 > Original 1986 price: $39.95 - by Kim Watt INFOWORLD, 80-MICRO and 80-US magazines really loved this program when they reviewed it. It does many things and is fun to use as well. First, PowerDRAW allows you to create graphics (mixed with text if desired) and save them to disk. It also allows you to create up to 33 "frames" of animation and "play" them like a movie. It also allows you to save the graphics in several modes, including BASIC listings, CMD file format, and others. These can then be merged into your own programs, etc., either in BASIC or machine language! Many of PowerSoft's opening screens were created with PowerDraw. In fact, it even creates animated opening screens (like we use in Super Utility, PowerTool, etc.) to really pep up the program. It also allows you to print the screens on Epson-type and several other types of printers. Lastly, PowerDraw has the ability to load in many types of TRS-80 graphic's and convert them to BASIC listings like a BASIC program generator!
PowerDOT 2.0 for printers. Mix text with graphics. no problem. Build new fonts. $19.95 > Original 1986 price: $49.95 This program is similar to PowerDraw, but quite different. It allows you to create "hi-res" type screen graphics combined with text, and allows you to create drawings much larger than your screen. The screen is a "window" to a much larger drawing arrow and you use the arrow keys to move about the drawing. In a way, it is similar to Macpaint for the Macintosh computer. It also allows you to create custom fonts for ads, etc. Many of our early ads were created with PowerDot. It creates the hi-res effect due to each TRS-80 block pixel being printed as a single dot. Please specify if EPSON, Okidata, Pro Writer, or Radio Shack printer.
PowerDriver Plus for SuperSCRIPSIT and SCRIPSIT PRO and Epson printers $17.95 Allows EPSON or compatible printers to be fully utilized with SuperScripsit. This is a replacement driver for the ones you got with SuperSeripsit. It fully supports the various Epson and Epson compatible printers to the limits of their capabilities. Model I, III or 4 is supported in the same package. Easy to install. Once installed, works without any extra thinking. Thousands of happy customers!
Leo Christopherson TRS-80 Animated Game Disk with sound (Leo's Greatest Hits) $12.95 This is one of the greatest values in games ever produced. Leo Christpopherson wrote the very first animated game for the TRS-80 and the country went wild for it, Android Nim. To watch these life-like creatures will make everyone laugh as they shake their heads up and down or side to side and blink at you stupidly as it waits for you to make a move. Then Leo invented how to make the TRS-80 produce sound and added it to NIM. He then followed Android Nim with the other games, even getting Radio Shack to sell Dancing Demons, which is a real scream. It alone is well worth the price of this disk, but you get ALL of Leo's programs on one disk for one great low price. If you haven't yet bought this disk, do it now! It is a classic! Each one of these games originally sold for $9.95 - $19.95 EACH. The disk includes the famous games: ANDROID NIM, BEEWARY, DUELING DROIDS, DANCING DEMONS (once sold by Radio Shack for $14.95), SNAKE EGGS and ANIMATED LIFE. All games feature full sound effects and some of them are even in 3-part harmony! You and your family will just love this disk! Dancing Demon even features saving your song and dance routines to disk and four of them are included! The possibilities are endless and it is always entertaining. A great way to "show off' what your computer can do and always fun.
KIM WATT GAME DISK - Space Colony, Symon, Capture, Horse Race Slots - 3 with Sound $ 7.95 Kim Watt, author of Super Utility and other famous programs wrote some games that Adventure International published back in the early 70's. They are inter- esting in that most people have never seen these, as by the time SUPER UTILITY was established in the market, these games, as well as Adventure, were gone. Originally these were sold on three separate diskettes (or tapes), but we have combined them all on one disk for you collectors. LANCE MICKLUS' GREATEST GAMES .3 Disk Set! $17.95 This is a great collection as it features space games (Space Trek), adventure games (Dog Star Adventure), gambling games ('Flie Mean Craps Machine, which also includes a Craps tutorial booklet on disk), board games (Mean Checkers Machine), as well as some darn useful programs that you might use for real purposes. Also has some educational games for the kids. You will enjoy owning this set of programs by one of the early pioneer programmers for the TRS-80, Lance Micklus. Special! All 3 Game Disk Sets for only $29.95! Five disks crammed full of games that you and your family will really enjoy! If ordering the single density, Model I version of game set, the price is $34.95.
4951 AirportAirport Parkway, Suite 700 Dallas, TX 75248. (214) 458-1197 Please add $3 s/h, $5 for 2-day (Blue Label). COD adds $4 to total. Ireign adds $12. Texas residents must add 8% sales tax. Prepaid or COD orders only. No P.O.'s allowed. Visa/MC is OK' 24 hour shipping! Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv
weren't on the disks. In addition to the disagree with your supposition that many two original Mach III disks, I am enclos- files are (were) missing from the Mark III ing a blank disk to hold the remaining collection. When the Mark collections files, (If there is any charge for this up- were announced in TMQ Issue I.iii, it grade, or for the missing files, please listed all of the names of the files which advise.) were included in each collection. It did not list a set of product names. Only a few Have you given any further consideration out of the Mach 2 product were in fact to doing an 'official' Model I upgrade? inadvertently missing from the III collec- Has there been any significant demand tion. The others you noted are not on the for one? Have you considered working list. with Mr. Hodges, and adapting his patches as the 'official' model I upgrade? (It would FIELPGEN does indeed stand alone to sure make our lives easier if we could get create your own HELP files; it needs any future operating system patches di- nothing else from the LSI HELP package rectly from you, rather than having to try to be useful. Check out Jeff Joseph's ON- to figure out how to adapt your Model III LINE Help for the Model 4 with PRO- patches to work on the Model I.) WAM which appears in this issue.
Looking through the latest Quarterly, I MISOSYS is not an infinite resource; saw practically NO mention of the Model when you or anyone else wants MTSOSYS I anywhere! Have you completely aban- to provide something, be it a product, a doned us? There are several active Model product upgrade, or even a response to a I users in the New Orleans area whom I letter, it is "Roy Soltoff'who either does have been trying to convince to subscribe the work, or pays a free-lance individual Why not a Model to the Quarterly. If you are totally aban- to do it. Everything has a cost. I cannot doning us, I see little reason to even justify either spending my time or paying LDOS 5.3? continue my own subscription much longer. someone else to support such a product I would hate to do that, as I like LDOS and upgrade as a Model 1 5.3 release. Thus, you put out some great software for the MISOSYS will do no "official" or other- TRS-80. Speaking of which, what do you wise Model I upgrade. Yet I did publicize Fm Sam Hills, Slide!!, LA: Dear Roy, still offer that runs on the Model I? The Hodges' work. Incidentally, the 5.3 re- Enclosed is my order for the LDOS 5.3 price list in the latest Quarterly had a lease for the Model III was certainly not upgrade to be used with T. J. Hodges' column labeled 'Model III' and one la- just a set of patches. I spent many months Model I patches. When I spoke with you beled 'Model 4', but no mention of which upgrading the 5.1.3 source code to 5.1.4 a couple of months ago, you quoted the Model III products worked on the Model level, then updating many modules with price as $34.95 less 30% (for the coupon I. new code and revised code to groom a 5.3 special) = $24.37 + $2 S&H. Jam enclos- release. If you want a "set of patches", see ing a copy of an invoice dated 6/3/87 I am interested in your hard-drive kit, but the folks in Canada who have worked up which shows that I have a $25.95 credit >> ONLY << if it works with the Model patches to some of the various DOS prod- from when I ordered the Model I upgrade I (specifically, with the LNW-80). I would ucts to support extended dates. Microsys- kit that you never produced. If my calcu- like to add a hard drive to my computer, tems Software won't do it for even their lations are in error, please advise and I but I don't plan to buy a model III or 4. Model III DOSPLUS! will remit the difference. There's a lot of life left in this old ma- chine yet! (One of these days I may buy an As far as TMQ covering the Model I Also, I am enclosing my Mark III disks Amiga. That machine sure has great graph- arena, I confess that I must respond simi- for upgrading. Several important files were ics! And that multitasking operating sys- larly to what other magazines would say; missing (not enough room on just 2 disks, tem! Do you have any plans to write I print what is supplied tome. The articles obviously). Among the files not present anything for it? I DON'T plan to buy an I personally write are meant for the widest were the source file for MemDisk (I have Incredible Blue Monster, though.) Also, audience; the Model I users do not collec- anLNW-80, which has extended memory will your hard drive kit work with the tively represent that size of audience. like the Model III, but not mapped in LOBO expansion interface? Iknow some- However, if someone were to submit an exactly the same way, so I need that one who has one, and he's even madder article which referred specifically to the source file in order to make MemDisk than I am about the lack of an official Model I, I would consider publishing it. work with my hardware!), most of the Model 1 5.3 upgrade, because he CAN'T Remember, "He who presents a problem files for the Help system (what WAS run anything but LDOS! but does not offer a solution, is part of the included is useless without files from the problem". Mach2 package. There were several other Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Sorry, Sam, but I files named in the documentation that
DOS Subjects -18- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv
Incidentally, I have no plans to deal with posite DOS can offer assistance. Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Don, One the Amiga. The resources are just not option is to get LDOS from MISOSYS to present. Perhaps I'll just skip out and start use as your Model 3 mode operating sys- cultivating Shiitake mushrooms. tem. Media interchangeable with TRSDOS 6/LS-DOS 6 as it uses the same disk LDOS Cony questions format. More on Hodges' If you don't mind copying things back Fm Gary Phillips: Roy (or anyone else and forth, you can format a disk as thirty- Model 1/111 5.3 composite who's listening), is there any reason that five track, single-density and single sided. LDOS 5.3's CONV utility should not Model 3 TRSDOS 1.3's CONVERT util- work with XLR8er installed? I got my ity will think this is a Model 1 disk and XLR8er and my 5.3 at about the same read it fine. Fm Arthur N. McAnmch: Having four time, and CONY has never worked right. fully functional Model I's and several It restores the head on the floppy drive a spares, I was one of the few who indicated couple of times, then announces an "At- an interest financially to you for a Model tempted to read locked/deleted data" er- I LDOS 5.3. Naturally, I did not hesitate ror. ordering from Tom Hodges, his version LCOMM's "Command?" as a composite of a Model I 5.1.4 and the I don't need CONY often, and have worked Model 111 5.3.0. I'm hoping that it pro- around it by using CONY under LS-DOS, LDOS Documentation vides a valuable system; however, there which succeeds even on the same disk- are several shortcomings. The most an- ettes rejected by the LDOS CONY. To- noying is that the K1/DVR for 5.3.0 will day I ran into the problem again, and just function when patched, but when you to make sure my copy wasn't farkied I got Fm David J. Kelton: Roy, I haven't had attempt to SYSGEN this, the system a new copy of CONY from the master the opportunity to communicate with you "bombs" - Big Time! Can you help? diskette. But it still fails the same way. for some time. I'll take care of a bit of Have I missed something? housekeeping first: I received my most A minor problem is that he did not pro- recent TMQ's as follows: 3.1 on 08/23/ vide a patch to enable BOOT on 5.3a. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Don't know. If you 88, 3.2 by 12/05/88 (I was in the hospital What address do you need to jump to in have a TRSDOS 1.3 disk which doesn't and don't have the exact date), and 3.3 on Mode1IROM to reboot? I've tried 0000H, CONY under that situation, why not make 03/10/89. and it just drops dead. Any suggestions? a BACKUP of it and send it to me. I just checked LDOS 5.3's CONY on a non- I hope to return to you soon a small thanks Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Art, As far as the gate array Model 4 with an XLR8er run- for all the help and training you provided Model I patches are concerned, I have not ning at M= 1,R=40. Worked perfectly for me through TMQ. I'm just not an experi- seen them so I can't advise you. As far as me. I even used the RAMDISK as the enced computer jock, so much of what is altering the BOOT command code, that is destination drive. in TMQ is just plain over my head; but I probably tough. The Model III can boot can do manual labor. Recently I started by a simple RST 0, which takes up one working on upgrading my LDOS 5.1.0 byte of code space in the SYS 1/SYS documentation (came with my RS Smeg module. The Model I needs a HALT in- Model 3 <=> Model 4 hard drive) to LDOS 5.3. I'm re-keying struction which takes only a single byte; all the text into Superscript files with each however, unless the disk drive has been command in a separate file. For now, I'm activated and sent a SEEK to cylinder 0, only doing the commands that got up- the machine will not be able to detect the Fm Don Parriott: Does anyone have or dated in some way by 5.3. I'm nearly disk drives and will just boot into ROM know of software to: Read a Model 4 disk finished with the job, but I have found one cassette mode. SEEKing to 0 takes up six from the Model 3 mode (TRSDOS 1.3) thing with which I need help. bytes of code space. That's probably why OR write to a Model 3 disk while in the Tom Hodges didn't come up with a patch Model 4 mode. The LDOS 5.3 upgrade kit documenta- for that. tion states that the "CMI)" option has I have a model 4, and many applications been added to LCOMM to allow execu- You are unclear if the system bombs that run under TRS DOS 1.3 and LS-DOS tion of library commands. I've never been when you try to SYSGEN with the MI 6.X. It would be nice to exchange data able to get this to work. I think I finally DYR installed or bombs on boot-up if it between these programs. LDOS 's CONY! understand why. It appears that LCOMM was sysgened. But again, since I don't CMD is only a one way path, so it doesn't tries to use the
DOS Subjects _19- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv
DVRuses
DOS Subjects -20- DOS Subjects Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv there is a LDOS 5.3, for Mod 3? What is 5.1.4. Our current product brochure lists the difference between 5.1.4 and 5.3? the significant enhancements added to What can I do to my "3" to make it go? this release.
I understand that you have a Librarian, for The address you have for Vic McClung is Public Domain disks, is it still Vic McClung, still current; we post that address in each 914 Crescent, Sikeston, MO 63801? issue of TMQ. I realize that you are a very busy man and As far as the question from your other half probably will find it difficult to find the concerning "pull-down" menus, I believe Converting TRSHD6/ time to answer this. I would very much few programs provide such a thing. There like the information on the subscription is a mouse add-on available from Micro- DCT to use 1K granules and also catalog if one is available. Labs. It is somewhat useful with hires graphics programs from Micro-Labs or I have one question from my spouse, Microdex. having just finished a University com- puter science course (using a MAC SE) - Are there programs with pull down menu's? Is there a mouse available? Help Help with file size me! Thank you for listening and keep the R/S's going. This is how to modify your hard disk for Fm MISOSYS, Inc: William, A sub- Fm DeWitte Wilson: Hi, I run a bulletin 1K granules. scription to The MISOSYS Quarterly from board on a Model 4 (in III mode), and Canada is $30/year (that's four issues). everything has been going well, but I've This method appears to work as de- Interestingly enough, I have added sub- just noticed that the smallest file size is 4k scribed. However, I do not accept re- scription information onto the first page - even if the file only has 1 character in sponsibility for any consequences of using of issue III.iii; this information will ap- it, it still allocates 4k on the disk. You can this information, and everything you pear in each issue forthcoming. see that after a while, this would take up do is at your own risk. all of the ten megs that I have. I would say that the Model 4 is better than (1) Make a backup of your current hard the Model III in that larger address space I'm using LDOS 5.3, and the HD driver is disk boot disk. This will become your is available (but not for BASIC programs), TRSHD5/DCT. Has anything else come new boot diskette once you have finished you can address a larger screen size (80x24), out on this - like patches to bring it down this whole procedure. Make sure it has the DOS has more features, and expanded to 2k, or even 1k? I have another hard disk TRSHD6/DCT, TRSFORM6/CMD, and memory is available to programs designed that uses some other drivers, and the small if you're using LSDOS 6.3, DATECONV/ to utilize additional memory. To my file size on there is 2k, so I know it is CMD. knowledge, you can still obtain the Model possible. III to4 upgrade kit (26-1123) from Tandy. (2)Create a patch file called TRSHD6A/ A quick check to National Parts at 817- All help will be greatly appreciated. The FIX with these four lines: 338-2394 confirmed that the kit is still drives I am using are the standard 5 meg available as of today (April 4th) at a price primary & secondary that RS used to sell. of $199.95 plus shipping.
You can replace that broken disk drive with a better (read as lower power con- Fm Gary Phillips: DeWitte, You need sumption) double sided disk drive. For the RSHARD5/DCT driver from MI- instance, I sell a Fujitsu half-height 360K SOSYS. If you use it, and partition your drive (that's 2-sided) for $75 + S&H. If drives suitably, it will reduce the granu- Then type: RENAME TRSHD6/ you don't want to invest the $200 in your larity of the HD files. TRSHDx is only DCT . DRIVER: f to TRSHD6A/DCT Model Ill for a Model 4 conversion, you barely workable as a hard disk driver. The can still take advantage of Model III soft- RSHARD package is high quality, reli- Where "f" is the drive containing the ware. Or you can look around for a used able, and only costs about $30. Call 800- backup of the boot diskette), and then Model 4 which should be in the range of MIS OSYS during a weekday afternoon enter the following command. $300-400 (Pacific Computer Exchange with your MC or VISA card handy to lists 2-drive 64K Model 4 for $385). order it. PATCH TRSHD6A/DCT:f USING TRSHD6A LDOS 5.3 is a large upgrade to LDOS
DOS Subjects -21- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv
(3) Reboot your system with this backup You can use this procedure to change one, of the boot diskette. several, or all of the drives on your ND to 1K grans. Any changes to the ND won't Custom Font System 4 (4) Type: SYSTEM (SYSTEM:4) affect floppy; disks they will still have 1.5K grans. This makes the floppy your system drive while you change the hard drive. During If you are using a 4P, and have installed Fm James R. Pitney: Okay, here is an- all of step 5, therefore, you will have to some sort of HD boot scheme, re-read its other one for you all. Has anyone used refer to what is usually :0 as :4. docs CAREFULLY before doing any- "Custom Font System 4" (available spe- thing! It maybe necessary to re-install the cial order from RS)? Will it work with an (5) For each drive you want to change: bootroutine after modifying the hard disk. EPSON FX-100? Will it work with any- thing besides SuperSCRIPSIT? (LeScript (5a) Backup ALL the files on that drive If any of the drives you want to change are to be exact)? I'd like to have my letters in used by LDOS S.x, the procedure gets Olde English, but called both RS and (5b) Type: SYSTEM tricky. Suggestion, Modify the CONFIG/ MicroSoft (who wrote the program!) and SYS.CCC file on the LDOS Hard disk neither of them could tell me if it would boot diskette, by changing DCT+8 for the work! AH, TANDY! I love your hard- Then answer the prompts. affected drives from 2F to E3 to reflect ware, but you support is lacking! I'd the change. appreciate any help anyone can give on those questions! (Sc) Type: TRSFORM6 : d
Then answer the prompts. Disk Name, Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Sony James, Master Password, etc. For the Manual Model 4 FILTERS and but that package is specifically for the lockout of tracks prompt answer "N". Tandy DMP 2100P, 2200 and so forth. Then let the format begin. @CHNIO Bill's got it spotted that these all have a Toshiba heritage, not Epson. (5d)Type: LIST BOOT/SYS. LSIDOS: d (HEX) Fm James R. Pitney: Thanks for the Fm Daniel L. Srebnick: Regarding the information, Joe. Is there a similar pro- gram available for the Epson printer from This is to allocate the remainder of the proper @CHNIO calling and return se- anyone? space necessary for BOOT/SYS. This is quence for a filter, the Programmer's ESSENTIAL, since TRSFORM6 assumes Guide states that prior to loading, the an unmodified driver, and you have thrown contents of IX should be saved. It also Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: I don't know its calculations off by modifying TRSIID6/ states that following return from the chained off hand of a Epson font generation pro- DCT. routine, IX should be restored. However, gram for the Model 3/4 line. Did the FX- upon examining the source of CLICK! 100 actually have downloadable font (Se) If you are using LSDOS 6.3 then FLT, I notice that this is not done. Are capabilities? I thought that came in with there times that you can get away without the '85 series (FX-85/185). Didn't really enter DATECONV : d doing this? I have written a low memory work much with anything between the filter to slow down the keyboard when MX-80/17T with add-on Graphtrax (still (Si) Restore your files back to the Hard used with the XLR8er and Michel Houde's have it, still works) and the FX-286, so disk. patches operating at 0,1,80, and would could easily be wrong. like to keep memory usage to a bare (5g) Repeat Steps 5a-5f for each drive to minimum. It seems to work fine both be changed. ways, saving the contents of IX or not bothering to, as THE SOURCE examples Hard Disk Crash (6) Type: SYSTEM (SYSTEM--4); this show. makes the hard drive the system drive again. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: You can get away with it if you are sure that none of the Fm Dayton Sumner: I'm using LS-DOS (7) Type: SYSGEN (DRIVE=4); this upstream drivers or filters are going to use puts the updated configuration on your 6.3 on a Model 4-D, and I have a Radio the IX register. For instance, say you are Shack 5-Meg hard drive. Recently, it has boot diskette. a filter associated with *PR and you alter been doing some strange things when I LX. If the FORMS filter is installed after first boot up in the morning. But it usually (8) The floppy disk is now your new boot you, it will probably cause a crash since works OK on the second or third try - as disk. Label it, and make several backups FORMS uses IX. You probably have no if it was just cold, or something. Now, of it. Your old boot disks will not work upstream filter in the *KI chain, but it suddenly, I can't get past the Time prompt. anymore. could happen sometime. Just be aware! All I get is "Error 1 1H" repeating. There
DOS Subjects -22- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv are a few files on the hard disk that I may just put it back and take it to the edges one at a time, cleaning the edges haven't backed up, and I'd like to access shack. with a new pink rubber eraser, then put- them if possible. Two questions: Does the ting the connector back in place in the hard drive need to go to the computer I've also wondered if I might get this same orientation it had originally. DON'T hospital? Is there a way I can salvage problem from a bad cable. The one I have put any back upside down, please. what's on it before it goes? is rather questionable. The drive bearings are part of the disk Fm Gary Phillips: Dayton, I had the If, like yours, it's a bad bearing, is that bubble itself, and replacing the bubble same problems with my 5 Meg drive. In something that gets replaced when I put in gets you new bearings. In fact, replacing my case, it turned out to be the bearings a new bubble - either a replacement 5- the bubble is the ONLY way to get new on the disk unit itself. These were wearing meg or a larger one? bearings unless you have a terrifically out, causing the speed of the drive to slow well-equipped shop for rebuilding hard down and the power consumption to rise. Fm Fred Oberding: Dayton, the scroll- drives in your basement (only a few spe- In turn that made the alignment of the ing ERROR nn, such as your 11 H, means cialists attempt this, and generally the controller card slip out of tolerance. If that access to the system drive is not data on the drive would be erased in the you are handy with electronics and yry possible, and the system can't load SYS4 process.) If you open up the drive to careful, you can try my solution, but if to print a real error message. However it experiment, just be very cautious. you have any doubts, I'd say you best take has been my experience, that if you get an the drive to the Shack for a checkout, and ERROR 22H that usually indicates a Don't touch anything if you are uncertain make it very clear to them that they should missing data or address line, due to a cut of what you are doing. Don't turn adjust- NOT erase any of your data. That limits cable or broken pin on the 50 pin I/O ment screws at random. I mention this what they can do, but they can check the connector. Which doesn't appear to be because just playing around at random alignment for you. your problem. I would suspect that your can easily make a small problem into a hard drive hasn't been re-formatted, nor much bigger one. The C33 nudge is safe With the power off, you can unscrew the backed-up since day one. to try, but don't turn it very far either way, cover of the unit and remove it carefully. and don't mess with any other variable Do not disturb any wiring. Make sure Gary Phillips suggestion is a good idea, resistors or capacitors on the card. Adjust- your filter is clean (you do clean the filter however, there are a number of mods that ing these things properly requires some regularly, I hope?). Examine the big cir- may be missing from the controller board, high-powered scopes that I assume you cuit board on top carefully. If it is the including the changing out of the trimmer don't have handy. same board I have (there are several ver- capacitor C-33, for a negative tempera- sions, I'm afraid) you will find a small ture coefficient one. Fm Dayton Sumner: Fred, I am increas- trimmer capacitor labeled C33, located ingly suspicious of a cable problem. The just below and left of board center. Have I have installed a 20 meg ST-225 also, its guy I bought the drive from mentioned, a plastic alignment screwdriver handy, surprising how you find a use for all that casually, that I might have cable trouble, and try powering on your system and extra room! However, before you install a particularly if I unplugged the cable from booting normally. When the Error 11H new bubble, you should be prepared to the back of the drive. message begins to scroll across your screen, have all the mods installed on the control- use the plastic tool to adjust C33 ever so ler board and have it aligned with a good Well, I opened the case to try Gary's idea slightly one way and/or the other. If this dual trace 0-scope. When you put in a and when I did I found what appears to be gets you a clean boot, immediately do new bubble the controller is going to a taped and patched connection to the your necessary backup. remain, and it could be the weakest link. internal cable. And now, with the cable re-connected I'm getting nothing - just The drive may continue to work for months, I am not trying to discourage you. You the H in the upper right corner of my or it may fall completely in a short time. may only need a reformatting to get you screen indicating that the computer doesn't Once you have a backup, you can decide back in operation. When you get the recognize that there is a hard drive down whether to take it to the Shack for repair message stating that "the drive appears to there at the end of the cable.I think my or attempt replacing the disk bubble your- be unformatted", you should still be able next move needs to be getting someone to self and realigning it. I did the latter using to get a directory read out. Get your files fix the cables. an ST225 from MISOSYS, and now have off and try a reformat and backup. If a 20 Meg drive instead of a Meg. Hope problems still occur, get it aligned Fm Dayton Sumner: Gary, The cable this helps you. may not be my ONLY problem, but it's Fm Gary Phillips: Dayton, yes, a faulty one of them. After opening the case to Fm Dayton Sumner: Gary, That's the cable could cause your hard drive prob- LOOK at your possible fix I found what first encouraging thing I've heard in two lem. Oxidation on the connectors or card appears to be a taped and patched internal rather hectic days. Thanks a lot. I'm not edges could also cause this problem, and cable and connector And now my com- sure how far I'll get but I'm brave enough you can check for that by carefully re- puter won't even recognize that there is a to at least take the cover off and look. I moving the connectors from their card hard drive down there. At this point I'll
DOS Subjects -23- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv take it to the shack for cable repairs at DOS 6.x orLDOS 5.x and lists for $29.95 drive is functioning normally - even least. If they can get me access to the files, plus shipping, well worth the price. If you with the scroungy internal cable back in that will be fine. After that I'll be able to don't have diskDISK, you should con- place. Thanks very much for taking the decide about upgrading. sider that as well. time to help!
What's the cost for the replacement 20- Fm Fred Oberding: Dayton, if the taped Fm Dayton Sumner: Gary, Fred Ober- meg bubble, and how complicated is the and patched cable is the inside portion of ding's idea worked. I got the drive booted procedure for installing and aligning it? the 50 pin cable that comes from your and I have saved everything. In fact, the How complete are the instructions that computer, you can try the following: drive is even now working just fine. come with it? Remove the inside cable where it plugs I really believe the problem was in one of Fm Gary Phillips: Dayton, The latest into the controller board on top, being the cables, which I will replace as fast as TMQ I have here (Fall '88 III.ii) lists the careful not to bend any of the pins and my local RS can get me new ones from 20 meg bubble (ST-225) at $225 plus note the stripe, either black or red on one FT. Worth. I'm still very much interested, $7.50 for shipping. There was a special edge of the cable; this is pin # one. however, in replacing this bubble. Even if offer to subscribers (are you a subscriber?) it works, one of the heads has several hits that included a coupon for an additional Remove the 50 pin cable, coming from on it and is far from reliable. And the extra discount on any hardware order with that your computer, from the plug in the back capacity is very appealing. issue. I used mine and got the bubble for and plug it directly into the controller even less. board, with the stripe on the edge aligned Tell me some more encouraging things on the same side of the connector as the about how easy it is to install it. At one $225 is about the going price for a new 20 taped cable was. point you mentioned aligning the new meg bubble. There are some brief instruc- drive. How complex is that? I've gotten tions included, and to make the replace- Now if we got the cable connected the braver in the past couple of days. And I ment in a Radio Shack 5 meg box you right way around, try to boot your system. sincerely thank you for your help and have to remove and resolder 3 wires. The Hopefully it should be working OK. Twill encouragement. cables, connectors and mounting screws look up the part number for this cable and are all directly compatible between the get back with you later. Fm Gary Phillips: Sorry, I don't know units. I believe Joe has put a more com- anyone in that part of the country. Perhaps plete set of instructions for this swap and Fm Doug Mayfield: Dayton, Before you someone else here will chime in. Roy's go operation somewhere in the DL here; I try anything else, try removing the con- got you on the level of complexity. My got the idea originally from reading his nector from the back of the HI) (ribbon reference to "alignment" was only rele- notes to another user. cable) then reconnecting it to the HD. I vant if you had changed C33 in order to had a similar problem several times, and save your data from the 5 meg bubble. If you have no experience with this sort of since I have been doing this the problem Otherwise, no adjustment to the control- thing, I'd say don't try it yourself, but hasn't come back. ler board should be necessary for the look for someone local to help you. Just ST225. reading through the message threads here I also tried setting up the HD [so it] wasn't recently points up how easily confused the system drive, and recovered the files Fm Fred Oberding: Dayton, have many people seem to get even when fol- before reformatting the ND, but since I scrounged-up the following information lowing what others of us think are clear have found this, it really helps. I am not on the cables for the 5 Meg HD: and simple instructions. If you don't feel sure but I guess it is just dirty connectors. comfortable about replacing those patched Hope this helps. AW-3034: External 50 pin cable from up cables yourself, for instance, you proba- computer to ND; $21.72 retail; bly won't feel comfortable about swap- Fm Dayton Sumner: Gary, Once again ping the disk unit either. (And once you you have encouraged me. I like the price, AW-3030: Internal 50 pin cable for ND - swap it, I bet Radio Shack won't work on and the procedure doesn't sound too over- $43.65 retail; it at all...) whelming. But in case I get chicken, and idea on where I find someone to help me AW-3036: Internal 34 pin control cable - Another important thing to keep in mind: within the Baltimore (or D.C.) area? $31.86 retail; if you are running with the hard disk drivers supplied by Radio Shack (TRSFIDx/ Fm Dayton Sumner: Fred, Disregard last AW-3037: Internal 20 pin data cable - DCT) then you can't access the full 20 message. Your suggestion did it! I plugged $ 13.50 retail meg capacity. You would also need to get the external cable into the board - for a a better driver module. MISOSYS has a minute, nothing, then I straightened out a Hope this info helps. The toll free number very fine one that includes some testing kink in the external cable and voila! It for Radio Shack National parts is 800- and backup utilities as well. Their booted right up. I have now saved EVE- 442-2425, and they accept plastic. They RSHARDx package runs under eitherLS - RYthing. And for the moment the hard will want to know the catalog number of
DOS Subjects -24- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv the HD, 26-1130. Until Jean establish firm production costs Otherwise, reboot again but w/o the CLEAR on the host adaptor, I cannot develop a button (to restore whatever configuration Fm MISOSYS, Inc: I'm not sure that 800 final cost. We are not going to be using a you use), and type MEMORY number is still valid for National Parts; try PC-XT type controller; it was just un- (A="N",B0)
Hard Disk Driver Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Sony Bob, but that only turns off the setting of the "file open Open Files under bit" (referred to as the NETWORK bit) for files henceforth being opened. Turn- Fm Dayton Sumner: Roy, Today's mail LS-DOS 6.x ing off the network bit doesn't cause the brought a Sale Brochure from Radio Shack DOS to ignore the status of files with their offering a 20-Meg external hard drive at "file open bit" already set in their direc- (half price) $499. Say's it's for the Model tory entry. 1000. If I buy your Hard Disk Driver Fm Kent Fasick: I've recently copied a Software, would it work with a Model 4? lot of files ontoLDOS 5.3 datadisks using Fm Kent Fasick: Bob, No Pro-Warn. Super Utility 4. When reading these un- What I did was move A LOT of files from Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Dayton, That 20 derLS-DOS ,everything shows up as open Newdos to Ldos. Then happened to look Meg drive will work okay as a secondary files, but LDOS sees them as O.K. Don't at the data disks while running LS-DOS to an existing Radio Shack primary. But remember running across this before. Any and got all the file open flags. I remember for the Model 4, you also need the Model ideas? hearing something once about SU leaving 4 hard disk controller, a means of con- files open when using it to transfer files, necting the controller to the 50-pin ex- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: LDOS doesn't use a but this is the first I've run into it. pansion bus, a housing for the controller, "file open bit", LS-DOS does. The direc- a power connection for the controller, and tory bit in question is DIR+1, bit-S. That Fm Les Mikesell: Kent, Using the DOS6 connecting cables between the controller bit was reserved for future use under LDOS; REPAIR utility on a disk should fix the and the external hard drive. What you thus, all files maintained by LDOS never file open bits. Its real purpose is to rewrite don't realize is that in the PC-XT environ- should have had that bit set. the directory from a model 1 disk with the ment, controllers plug in to the mother- correct data address mark for the model 3/ board and all that is contained in an exter- I suspect that SU4, for some unknown 4 but as a side effect it clears the file open nal hard drive is a case, power supply, and reason, sets that bit in the directory when bit (or at least it used to..). the drive itself. it is copying. Of course, you obviously weren't copying those files originally from Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Kent, In So better wait for abetter solution, such as LDOS disks, yet I know of no other DOS addition to REPAIR, you can use RESET our upcoming hard drive - which is get- which used that bit. Check any documen- on an individual filespec, but RESET ting closer. I have now firmed up the tation on the original DOS for that. doesn't take wildcards... controller MISOSYS will be using, and I have the quote from the engineering To restore such a file to its proper direc- company doing the host adaptor. I would tory state under LS-DOS, use the RESET suspect that I'll be shipping in about 3 filespec command on each individual file. Function Keys and VT100 months. If you have our GO:SYS package, you could use the WC utility to designate a set And I still should be able to come in at of files with one command invocation. about $495 or a few bucks more to handle Fm Alan Varga: Anybody out there who the interconnect cable between the exter- Fm Bob Haynes: Kent, Do you use knows how to remap/reassign values to nal case and the Model 3 or 4. One thing PROWAM 1.0 by chance? It's the only the Model 4 keyboard? I want to call my I'm doing which was not in my original program I know of requiring the LS-DOS computer at work as a VT100, but I need plan is to use the standard 50-pin CHAMP "file open"bitbe set (seeRoy's message). four function keys to use the software connector on the drive case. That connec- package at the other end once I'm logged tor looks like a "Centronics" printer con- Boot LS-DOS 6.3 clean (hold CLEAR till on with my emulator. Any help would be nector but it has 50 pins. That is a standard LS-DOS Ready appears) then try your appreciated. See VT100.TXT in DLO for connector in the external drive market directories. That should do it, I believe details. Thanks much. these days. But the connector and plug LS-DOS defaults to having the "file open" pair cost me about $10 in quantity. The bit reset. Fm Adam Rubin: Alan, I can't see header connector I originally intended to VT100.TXT until our sysop merges it use is relatively cheap. into the DL, but I gather you already have
DOS Subjects - 25 - DOS Subjects Volume hilly THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Iil.iv the video emulation under control, and one-line description of each escape se- Thanks for the help. I'm interested in just need to simulate PF1 to PF4? If that's quence, and their "VT100 User Guide", reading up on how to solve simple com- the case, KSM would be the easiest way to which has a thorough description of each patibility problems between different ter- handle it. I think that one of the libraries escape sequence the VT 100 sends or rec- minals and systems without getting too here [CompuServe forum PCS-49] even ognizes (and a thorough description of technical, since I'm not a hardware jock has a patch to make KSM use Clear-0 to each key, knob, and light on the VT100). and I'm approaching all of this from a Clear-9 instead of Clear-A..Z, in case Best bet for those is probably to call your user's viewpoint. I also have to try out my Clear-A..Z conflicts with your emulator. local Digital office, or perhaps a good bookkeepers Macintosh VT 100 emulator Or am I missing the point here? library. (Hmm ... the main terminal room yet. or engineering library of a college or Fm Alan Varga: Sounds close enough university, maybe?) If all that's left to do Fm Adam Rubin: Alan, Character attrib- Adam, but I have to make sure that the is to emulate the VT100's function keys, utes on a VT100 are controlled exactly KSM will run concurrently with my COMM though, you shouldn't need these. the way you described; there's an escape program (FastTerm 14.80). Mel Patrick sequence for that function. At this point, uses a lot of the alphabet in
DOS Subjects -26- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv ing it with KSM/PAT, zapping FF/KSM 64K. This usually means that such addi- VERT to move it to MOD III. I discov- and installing the filter. The PF keys work tional banks are used either as a "RAM- ered a while back that the pseudo-MOD I just fine. Still, it'd be nice to know why DISK" or for data storage. It is unusual to disk had to be formatted under TRSDOS FastTerm's macros don't work. find a program that will execute code in 6.2 or the Proofread program would think these additional banks [the only one that the LS -DOS Time was a password. Fm Adam Rubin: Alan, A lot of users comes to mind is the spooler]. here seem to like FastTerm, so I down- Yesterday I had a file originally written loaded the newest version (14.9) from A program could be written in basic to under LS-DOS that I couldn't seem to Library 0 here. I haven't tried it yet, but utilize an additional ram bank as a data transfer without the "password". My so- the "short" manual provided with it says array storage (special interface code is lution was to convert it to ASCII with the (in the "New for Version 11" section) that necessary, i.e. @EXIrvIEM), however, Scripsit Utility and then convert that back in VT100 mode, the codes for PF1-PF4 storage of the basic interpretive code is to Scripsit on another disk so could copy can be generated by roofread even shows up in the main isn't much. I own a Model 4 recently the "other" 64K to edit two other docu- menu.) Anyway, I like it. Your local Radio upgraded from 64K to 128K. I upgraded it ments at the same time. (Probably not Shack should be able to tell you if it's because some of the things I was doing compatible with PowerS cript, though.) A available, special-orderable, or whatever; kept bumping up against the memory fairly recent MISOSYS Quarterly had an price when I got it was $99. If you have limits on BASIC, SCRIPSIT (enhanced example of accessing the extra memory any questions on this or on my other with PowerScript), and VISICALC. from BASIC for data storage. (Your pro- messages to you,just ask. Hope this helps! grams would need rewriting to do this.) After conversion only VISICALC was Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Dayton, the reason able to find the additional memory. BASIC I've found that the extra 64K of memory why TRSDOS 1.3's CONVERT utility is still has about 29K of available memory is most useful for the print spooler, indicating the file as being PASSWORD and SCRIPSIT about 36K, the same as MemDisk, or both. Most of your pro- protected is due to the LS-DOS 6.3 ex- before. Using SUPERUTILITY 4 I am grams should work with both of those "as tended dating field in the directory. Pre- able to look at the program file, but I am is". Hope this is useful! 6.3 operating systems used that same field fairly well lost after that. Any hints about as auserpassword field. I don't know why opening up these memories would be CONVERT didn't accept the file if the appreciated. Further, is it possible that OWNER password was "blank", which it there are some patches that would do the Proofread Program would normally be on an unprotected file. job? In any event, the FUNDATE program in I've talked to my local Radio Shack man this issue of TMQ is just the answer to that about the problem who effectively said, Fm Dayton Sumner: I usually use Model problem. Instead of reverting an entire "Model 4? What's that?" and gave me 4 SuperScripsit for word processing and 6.3 disk back to pre-6.3 directory conven- some phone numbers where no one ever just eyeball the text for typos and correc- tions, it allows you to alter a single file's answers the phone. tions. But occasionally I feel the need to directory entry. If you really have to get a run itagainsta spelling checker. Since the file from LS-DOS 6.3 to TRSDOS 1.3, after copying it to the 35S1 media, use Fm David Huelsmann: Don, Programs only one I've got runs with Model III have to be specifically written to take SuperScripsit, I have to move the file to a FUNDATE on it. Then TRSDOS 1.3 will look at that ifie as having no PASSWORD. advantage of any memory available above pseudo-MOD I disk and then use CON- DOS Subjects -27- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv tern with a hard drive of a different con- the program was suppose to halt. figuration. Try that with your "mirror HARD DISK BACKUP image" BACKREST. Since BACKREST I don't recall which RST vector. I swore it always works in mirror image, you have a was 38H, but it didn't work. Ideas any- hard time restoring an entire drive to a one? new drive of different capacity. Better not Fm Dayton Summer: Can someone tell use it to "download" your hard drive's Fm Jim Beard: Shane, If SVC @DE- me the relative advantages of using the files before switching to a larger hard BUG doesn't work (LD A,27/RST 28H) HDCOPY4/BAS program from LSI to drive bubble! then you can compile it to a single-step- backup my Hard Disk as compared to just ping and at breakpoints, and you may be using the LS-DOS 6.3 BACKUP Utility? Fm Dayton Sumner: Bill, I have used able to activate an active DEBUG by a Is one faster... better... easier... or what? BACKUP for specific files or groups of RST 28H. files and it seems to work well enough— Bill Brandon: Dayton, BACKUP wasn't even tells me to change if the destination Fm Shane Dawalt: Gads, Jim. I had for- meant for use with HD's. I've not tried to disk is full. Just wondered if there was a gotten about the DEBUG SVC, and it back up my HD that way, so I'm not sure more specific reason for using one or the never occurred to me that there actually the LS-DOS 6.3 Backup command will other. WAS a DEBUG SVC lest I would have even work with a hard disk - you may get looked in the SVC tables myself. Any- an error message back. Even if Backup Fm Adam Rubin: Dayton, Not a ques- way, yes, it did work. Thanks. does work, it will back things up file by tion of advantages, just a question of file, which is very, very slow. I don't use which to use when. HDCOPY4/BAS will Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Don't swear, Shane, HDCOPY4/BAS either, but it probably backup a file that's too big to fit on one the DEBUG one-byte restart is RST 30, makes an image backup: much faster. floppy disk, but BACKUP won't. For not RST 38 which is the RTC interrupt. (My 15 meg was bought second-hand, everything else, BACKUP is LOTS faster and all the software came with it for doing and easier. Here's another long-about way to debug, backups image-fashion, in case you were or step through, a filter or device driver wondering howl do all those things I said Fm Dayton Sumner: Adam, I suspected installation, especially useful when you I don't use this or that for. Roy's stuff is something like that and appreciate the don't want to ZAP in a DEBUG restart. real good, and I'd use it if I weren't so confirmation. However, I did recently use Knowledge of the DOS sequencing of doggone cheap.) BACKUP and when it ran out of space on command line processing is necessary, the destination disk it did ask me to insert but that's available from THE SOURCE - Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Not true, Bill. another disk and DOS Subjects -28- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv breakpoint at that address. Assume the @EXMEM and a RAMdisk at the same B (that passes the function number). So word at the top of the stack contains a time? put an invalid function number in register 2C73H, as it does in 6.3, then a DEBUG B (invalid for @EXMEM), then issue the command of the form, 2) How can my program cheek whether SYC. You should return with error 43. If @EXMEM is installed, and activate it if register B is altered, then the SVC is G, 2C73 DOS Subjects -29- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv I order it from and of what sort of quality is it? MOD Date Mystery Config or No Config? Also, can anyone recommend a "C" compiler with nearly complete implem- entation of K&R standard, also for Mod4? Fm Dayton Sumner: Ijust noticed some- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Some folks got thing that puzzles me. My 5-Meg Hard confused over how to apply the patches Fm Pete Betz: Steve, FORTRAN is a Drive is partitioned into 4 virtual drives. developed by Michel Houde for the XLR8er problem - the Radio Shack version is A Directory for Drive 0 shows current board. The root of the problem was in not pretty good, but has been unavailable for Mod dates and times as expected with LS- starting with a fresh master disk - one sometime. You just have to find someone DOS 6.3. But the other three drives have which had no configuration file. you can talk into selling his copy. It took no times and the Mod dates are most in me nearly a year to do that, but I'm pretty '80 of '81 - even on files I created new This problem is also pertinent to any pleased with it now that I have it. last week. Can't see that it makes a damn patch which alters the BOOT/SYS file by bit of difference, but I'm curious why this extending the code which is loaded into As for C, don't even hesitate. Buy MI- is. Anyone have an answer? low memory by the booting process. Even SOSYS' compiler, called PRO-MC, and if your SYSTEM disk has no modules in you'll be getting an outstanding software Fm Bob Haynes: Dayton, Sounds like low memory, if it has a CONFIGURA- package. (This is the only one to buy you (or your setup JCL) neglected to TION FILE, then the CONFIG/SYS file anyway, as the old Radio Shack/ALCOR DATECONV your data partitions when contains all of the alterable system point- is a buggy piece of trash.) This will likely you originally configured your drive. Do ers and flags. There is a pointer to the start require that you also obtain MISOSYS' a of available low memory which abso- PRO-MRAS relocatable assembler, but lutely must be correct if you want to no home should be without one of those, DATECONV :z (CS) DOS Subjects -30- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Don't forget to DATE entering the second of the commands Please clarify this question and please shown above (with the DATA disk in give me the right answer. CONV your data disks! drive :1 and a system disk which contains the DATECONV/CMD program file). The second question is: Attached please Please ensure that you have upgraded find a completed WARRANTY REGIS- properly. Files under 6.3 are correctly TRATION form as per your request ex- Fm Robert M. Simmons, Rocky River, dated up through 12/31/99. cept one confusion: I did not find the Ohio: Dear LSI, Do you have an update of equivalence of Registration #. LSDOS63J: I have one of your system I don't know what you are referring to updated discs s/n A600K1467 1 ID 14120. when you speak of a monthly newsletter On your instructions (See page 16) it's I can forward my master copy of the J concerning "ICOM". MISOSYS publishes mentioned that all customers letters should version to you for upgrading if there is a quarterly magazine covering our prod- have ID reference as I did above, but it's one. uct line and related machine environ- not mentioned what is the registration No. ments. A subscription is $25/year. required on the WARRANTY REGIS- The file date that appears on DIR seems to TRATION FORM? have reached the top of its capability, ie, entries made in 1988 are shown as 1980. Perhaps this will be your new office No: 1989 entries are shown as 1981. I find No room for 6.3s BASIC who knows? May be you can explain [it nothing on the 02/02/87 update instruc- toil me. This was the reason for what I tion sheet that refers to this. when upgrading? wrote both numbers. Please do the re- quired correction and please let me know. My system consists of a model 4D with a Thank you for your assistance. 15 meg hard drive. Thanks for your help. Fm Jupiter Muntean, Kitchener, On- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Jupiter, if you re- p.s.1 hear that there is a monthly newslet- tario: Dear Sir, Re: LS-DOS 6.3 Upgrade ceived a disk full message during the ter concerning ICOM. Do you have infor- kit. I carefully read your instructions, but backup of BASIC, it generally means that mation on it? for the moment I am still confused about the disk you were copying to did not have two problems as follows: BASIC on it. It's a simple matter to check, Fm MISOSYS, Inc: In response to your just invoke the DIR command using the letter of February 22nd to LSI, MISOSYS First question is: On your white page (I) parameter. It would be extremely rare took over the LS-DOS 6.3 product in July No: 1 on bottom under the title: "UPDAT- to get a disk full just by typing the update of last year (1988). We sent a flyer to that ING SYSTEM DISK" It's written: command, BACKUP :0:1 (I,S,OLD). You effect to all registered users of 6.3. You "Updating system disk may take two or should only copy the BASIC interpreter are in the data base at your current ad- three steps. Place the 6.2 disk in drive 1, files if the target disk already has BASIC. dress. and issue the command: Note thought that the 6.3 BASIC facility The current release of 6.3 is "L+", and has BACKUP :0 :1 (I,S,OLD) DOS Subjects -31- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 "NOTE: To obtain the ID#for the top line Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Dear Pastor Dryer, Do this operation when your Profile disk on the registration card: Place the beige concerning your printing problem when is booted. In the off chance that your master disk in drive :0 and BOOT your using Profile 4 after updating with LS- Profile disk does not have the FORMS! machine. Enter the DATE and the TIME DOS 6.3, although I can't say for sure, my FLT program file on it, another method is (in 24 hour format). When the LSDOS guess is that the FORMS filter was in- to boot your LS-DOS 6.3 disk, place your Ready prompt appears type: ID DOS Subjects DOS Subjects - 32 - Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv You wrote with shipment of my 6/30/88 Sounds like a puzzler, to me. you have any idea what I am doing wrong? order of The Source, that the System files I hope you can solve my problem. in memory should be compared with the As far as the Visicalc 2.9.2,1 have no idea disk or perhaps there might be a faulty what the problem could be. I requested Fm MISOSYS, Inc: You express confu- memory. COMP6 (from Radio Shack 6.2 Charles to send me a copy of the disk so I sion over the differences between 1/ Utilities) give the files a clean bill of could look into it, but by then he had ABORT, //EXIT, and//STOP in LS-DOS health. MEMTEST (mode 3) also reports already discarded it. If you still have your 6.3 and Job Control Language. There are nothing wrong. I have also tested banks 0 disk, make a copy with DISKCOPY and differences in their behavior and instances and 1 by filling with different characters set the copy to me. I'll look into it. within a specific JCL ifie where one should during aswitch-wait-examineroutine and be used over another. But the greatest can find nothing changed in the 8000H - confusion you are experiencing originates FF06H range. A KSM filter refuses to be not from any difference in JCL operation replaced above FF06 but the failure with Job Control Language: between LS-DOS 6.3 (Model 4 mode) MEMDISK also occurs on non SYSGENed and LDOS 5.3 (Model Ill mode), but from disks. the different command execution facility I/EXIT, I/STOP, and (LDOS BASIC's "CMD var$" versus This is no great deal, more an annoyance Microsoft's Model 4 BASIC's "system than anything but I do wonder about some I/ABORT execution var$"). Let me touch on these differences defect that could affect other applica- first. tions. Oh yes, everything else tried to date JCL macros "explained" with MEMDISK appears to work per- The CMI) facility in LDOS allows you to fectly. Any suggestions will be appreci- execute any command from BASIC and ated. return to BASIC at the conclusion of the Fm F. Cornet, Amsterdam, the Nether- command. The command may be a single Dear Mr. Soltoff, I have difficul- I would also like to rebut J A Layman's lands: instance (one program) or a multiple in- ties when trying to use the termination rebuttal (TMQ III.ii, page 13). I too ac- stance controlled by Job Control Lan- macros: IIABORT, //EXIT and IISTOP. quired Visicaic 02.09.02 as part of a bar- guage. This facility requires close coordi- The table 1 on page A-5 of the Mod-4 gain priced "house cleaning" package. It nation between BASIC, JCL, and the DOS. won't even run from the release disk, It Owner's Manual describes //ABORT and There is specific code programmed into //EXIT as to return to DOS Ready or comes up and accepts entries for about BASIC and DOS to coordinate the proc- BASIC Ready. I understand this to mean two minutes and then proceeds to replace ess and provide the necessary linkage to that the return to DOS occurs when the the entries with garbage. Any ideas what enable its "flawless" operation. BASIC job command has been entered directly to look for and where? allows you to invoke any command be- from DOS Ready and that the return to cause it saves the entire state oftheBASlC BASIC takes place once the JCL com- program by shifting its runtime environ- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Dale, concerning mand has been entered from a BASIC ment to high memory and protecting it- the inability of using MemDisk as a command line. SYSTEM disk in any version of DOS 6, self by temporarily lowering the high although this may appear to be a silly memory pointer, }HGH$. This facility question, are you perhaps establishing the On the other hand //S TOP is described to even allows you to invoke a second or return to the user program. I understand MemDisk as an "5" type density disk? third instance of BASIC, providing that this to mean that after return to the pro- The DOS requires that the SYSTEM disk memory sufficient to run the program is be double density. Personally, I don't gram from which the JCL command has still available. expect that you have never tried MemDISK been entered, this program proceeds exe- in double density as a SYSTEM disk, but cution (under BASIC or DOS as the case Unlike LDOS's BASIC, Microsoft's Model I had to ask. may be). 4 BASIC provides the "SYSTEM" com- mand to permit the execution of DOS Another question, have you ever tried to Unfortunately however this does not work! library commands. Such commands exe- use the SPOOLer loaded into one of the Even when using the example on page A- cute entirely within a region of the DOS expanded memory banks? There are a 37 of the manual under the heading "Inter- known as the library overlay region. What few Model 4s which have a problem in facing with Basic" any of the three mac- BASIC does is cause the invocation of being unable to execute code in the ex- ros return to DOS Ready. I tried also TRS- your command string (first setting a sys- panded memory banks. If your machine is DOS 6.x with same negative result. But tem flag to ensure that the DOS permits of that category, it may also be associated LDOS 5.13 R 1981 (mod.3) proves to do only a library command), then upon re- the job correctly. with the problem. But when the MemDisk turn from the library command, BASIC is the SYSTEM disk, code is swapped to reloads its BASIC/O Vi overlay file. That regular memory during "loading" of the It seems strange that I would be the first overlay is the portion of the BASIC inter- requested file no differently than what person to discover a bug of this kind, preter which loads into the DOS library would occur in reading/writing a data file. already appearing in TRS-DOS 6.x. Do overlay region (2600H-2FFFH). DOS DOS Subjects - 33 - DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv library commands return to BASIC be- itself. The line 1000 statement causes that To explain the difference in behavior, I'll cause they are programmed properly for it BASIC program to terminate and invoke use the following JCL: to happen. They execute entirely in the the JCL. Remember the Model III's library overlay region; they maintain the CMD"E",var$? That's the same effect. This is a JCL test integrity of the stack pointer; and they The "BASIC" on the line following the / BASIC test/bas terminate via a RET instruction (some- /ALERT macro just invokes BASIC again. //macro thing akin to the RETURN at the terminus You could start a new program running by of a GOSUB routine). adding the program name to the BASIC The "macro" will be replaced by one of command. But why the IISTOP? Let's the three termination macros. But first Once the "library-command-only" sys- examine that. notice that the example JCL file is not tem flag has been set, you can fool the being invoked from BASIC; it is invoked DOS into loading some other program Here's what Table Ion page A-5 (here our from DOSReady. You should now under- which follows the same "rules" as a li- manuals match) of the TRS DOS manual stand from the previous discussion that brary command by using the RUN com- says about the Termination Macros. invoking DO from Model 4 BASIC puts mand. For instance, you into the same position as if you had //ABORT Stops execution, displays invoked the DO from DOS Ready. SYSTEM-RUN SETX ( ... )" "Job aborted". Returns to TRS DOS or BASIC Ready. Next, you must understand what causes invokes the SETX program from BASIC. the fetching of a line of text from the JCL Of course, any program invoked this way //EXIT Stops execution, displays file. A JCL file line is fetched when JCL from BASIC has to follow the rules out- "Job done". Returns to is active and a DOS @KEYIN service call lined above. The result of what happens if TRSDOS or BASIC Ready. is invoked. That service call is used by the you try to do otherwise is generally a DOS, for example, following the DOS crashed system. //STOP Stops execution. Returns Ready prompt to accept a command siring. control to the user program. BASIC uses it for input and line input. The reason why "DO", which is a DOS library command, cannot return to BA- The definitions are misleading, at best, Using my sample JCL, the first line input SIC is that by its very nature, DO cannot and certainly don't clarify the exact dif- request within TEST/BAS will be satis- adhere to the "rules". Since DO invokes a ferences among the three macros. The fied by the line which immediately fol- JCL file which can execute just about definitions are also technically incorrect lows the BASIC statement. If the BASIC anything, DO cannot return to BASIC. as IIABORT and //EXIT cannot return to program has no input request and termi- DO doesn't maintain the stack, doesn't anything other than DOS. The processing nates with a STOP or END, BASIC next exit via a RET statement, and has no of IIABORT and //EXIT is quite similar; issues a Ready prompt and uses its INPUT control of the memory utilization of the they both cause JCL to become inactive, process (which uses @KEYIN) to get programs invoked by the JCL file's com- but I/ABORT causes an exit to the your next typed command. If the BASIC mands. In fact, the action taken by the @ABORT service call while //EXIT causes program terminates using SYSTEM with- DOS in setting up the DO processing will an exit to the @EXIT service call. At the out any input statement, then thenextJCL reinitialize the stack pointer to the system DOS level without JCL active, @ABORT line would be used for execution after stack. and @EXIT are treated identically. Thus, BASIC exits. we can consider //EXIT and IIABORT to Now let's move on to the three JCL exe- be identical in behavior once the distinc- Regardless of what the BASIC program cution macros. My TRS DOS 6 manual is tion within JCL processing is concluded. does, if the macro is ABORT, when that different from yours as I have a keyboard The difference in posted messages is that JCL line is fetched, you will see "Job chart on my page A-37. Let me assume distinction between the two within JCL aborted" on the screen followed by "LS- you are referencing the sample JCL file processing. This means that the TRS DOS DOS Ready". Your program would have on my page A-31 which is invoked from manual is certainly wrong on the point of terminated. The same would be true, except the BASIC statement, 1000 SYSTEM //EXIT and //ABORT. On the positive for the posted message, if the macro was "DO = ALERT/ JCL: 0" and looks like side, the explanations in Interfacing with EXIT. But the behavior of the job stream the following: BASIC further on in the manual are cor- if the macro is STOP depends on the input rect. requirements of BASIC and the program Your procedure is com- which is RUN. If the program has any plete. Press ENTER to res- When JCL processes //STOP, it makes INPUT requests, JCL will become inac- ume. JCL inactive, then passes control to @KEY. tive and the INPUT must be satisfied from //ALERT (1,0,7,0) Since the JCL line fetching was caused by the keyboard. If the program has no IN- BASIC a @KEYIN service request, that request PUT requests but terminates with END, //STOP is still active. @K.EY then passes a key- then the BASIC ready prompt will cause This doesn't demonstrate a BASIC pro- board fetch back to @KEYIN which an INPUT; JCL will become inactive and gram invoking a DO file then returning to continues to request keystrokes normally. the input will be fetched from the key- DOS Subjects -34- DOS Subjects Volume ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv board. gram called PRO-CREATE Editor/As- Finally, I commend to our TMQ readers sembler Ver 4.3 and have been trying who may be experienced in the subject of But notice what happens if the BASIC without success to use it as a USR subrou- writing USR assembly language modules program has no INPUT and terminates tine in some basic programs in my TRS- which interface with BASIC, that an ar- with SYSTEM. The exit from BASIC 80 MODEL 4 computer since receiving ticle, or articles, on the topic would be a results in the JCL processing of #S TOP. it. valuable submission. There are still many This makes JCL inactive without issuing folks who have not tackled this program- any prompt and returns control to the I successfully used that procedure with ming technique. The subject matter should keyboard. So the DOS is waiting for its the TANDY Series 1 Editor assembler include externally loaded modules, mod- next command but the LS-DOS Ready and TRS-80 Models I and III and it still ules poked into protected memory via prompt has not been issued. All you will works with the Model 4 when booted up READ DATA statements, and packed see is a blinking cursor; certainly that is in the Model III mode. strings. insufficient for you to know what is hap- pening. I purchased your Editor Assembler be- cause TANDY does not offer such soft- The end result is that you should use II ware for their Model 4 and it saves a lot of SEARCH1 from BF&B EXIT when the JCL is executing a pro- time to call a machine language sort from gram which terminates back to DOS with- Basic when sorting a list of data items. and More questions on Out issuing any line INPUT requests. You Can you possibly explain why this cannot should use //STOP when the JCL is be done with your program? USR interfacing executing a program which issues line INPUT requests. Only use /ABORT when Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Writing a USR rou- you want to terminate the JCL with a Job tine is not dependent on what assembler aborted message in contrast to afob done you are using. Rather it is dependent on R&d Déchêne message. And finally remember that under the BASIC you are writing it for and the arpenteur-gdomètre Model BASIC, you cannot invoke aJCL operating system you are using. That 1600, Boul. Sacrd-Coeur, file via a SYSTEM"DO..." and expect to determines the computer environment you St-Fdlicien, G8K 1H3 return to that BASIC program at the line are operating under. CANADA immediately following the SYSTEM state- ment as is the case with LDOS. If you want to write a USR routine to operate with Model 4 BASIC, which by Incidentally, another place where folks the way is supported by Radio Shack and I am using LS-DOS 6.3 and BASIC go wrong is in invoking COMM from JCL neither MISOSYS nor LSI, you need to 01.01.01 on a model 4 and I want to use with the subsequent line coded as II read and understand the documentation in the assembler program SEARCH1/CMD EXIT. The first time you try to enter a your TRSDOS user manual covering the (frum Basic Faster and Better by Lewis "file ID", COMM will be immediately USR facility. Both the USR routine itself Rosenfelder p. 132). This program is written terminated without releasing the COM and the means of addressing it in the for Model 1 and 3 with ROM calls. driver's received character interrupt vec- BASIC program are different than the tor because COMM uses @KEYIN to interface in Model III mode. That's be- I know I have to modify line 110 "CALL fetch the name of the file you want to read cause the integer conversion routines are OA7FH" and line 860 "JP OA9AH". At or write. COMM can be invoked from addressed differently. Please study your JCL if the terminating macro is //STOP. line 120, HL register must contain TRSDOS 6.x user manual's section in VARPTR(ARRAY(0)). How can I mod- Of course, if you never use the File ID BASIC on USR. function, when you exit COMM, you will ify lines 110 and 860 to work with BASIC be back at LS-DOS Ready without re- 01.01.01? My Basic instruction is: Again I must reiterate, programming a J=USR(ARRAY(0)). ceiving a prompt; it was suppressed by the USR has nothing to do with the assem- //STOP! bler, but the person using the assembler InMODEL4 OWNERMANUALp.2-170, has to be knowledgeable in interfacing to "Upon entry to a USR routine.., when the a particular implementation of BASIC argument is a number, HL register points via the USR. to the argument storage area (Asa)... Your How do I write USR routine can call BASIC'S FRCINT rou- As an aside, you may wish to consider our tine to put the argument into HL in 16-bit, routines under LS-DOS? BASIC compiler, PRO-EnhComp, as it signed two's complement forms." allows imbedded inline assembly code. With it, you don't have to utilize con- This means to me that if HEX$( VARPTR( toned USR-coded functions in order to ARRAY(0))) = 84B411, HL=84B4H. Is it Fm H. V. Ennor, King City, OR: About interface assembly modules with BASIC possible that HL=two's complement of eight months ago, I purchased your pro- to produce hybrid programs. DOS Subjects - 35 - DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv 84B411 on entry of SEARCH1? If so which The result of VARPTR (ARRAY (0)) is TRSDOS 1.3, I find that the program assembler instructions can I use to take it the form needed, and register HL will be won't convert the file. It tells me that the back to 84B4H? Are those true? set properly. On the other hand, your file is protected. I assume the problem hes biggest problem is that the SEARCH! to do with the directory changes that re- LD A,L ASM program needs more than just the sulted from the time-stamping feature in NEG changes you noted. Line 110 needs to be LS-DOS. I guess CONVERT is looking LD L,A altered to conform to the FRCINT code for a password where the time is now LD A,H identified in the TRSDOS 6.x manual written end is not finding the right data. NEG instead of the CALL OA7FH. Butline86O LD H,A also needs to be altered to conform to the I have followed the procedure described MAKINT code. Those two changes result in the TRSDOS 6.2 manual. I COPY the In SEARCH1, at line 840, BC holds the in a necessity to re-assemble the SEARCH1 file to a ramdisk first, then to a single value I need for the variable J in basic. To program to alter the "magic array" data. density 35 track disk using the replace JP OA9AH" can I do this:? Sounds like this is beyond the scope of (CLONE=NO) parameter. When I boot your expertise. I cannot do it for you. up in TRS DOS 1.3 the CONVERT utility PUSH BC returns a "Can't CONVERT a protected LD HL, (MAHINT) Concerning the access of the communica- file.." message. It works perfectly well, EX (SP),HL tions port through BASIC, you would however, if I reboot in TRSDOS 6.2.1 RET need to SET *CL COM at the DOS level. with the 6.3 disk in drive 1 and COPY From BASIC, you can invoke SETCOM (cloneno) from that to a ramdisk (for- On an other hand, hww can I simulate with an appropriate parameter string to matted under 6.2.1), then back to the 35 these GWBASIC instructions to work with alter the defaultparameters. UseBASIC's track SD disk. Have I missed something BASIC on model 4: SYSTEM" command- string" state- in the does for 6.3? ment. But I doubt that you will be able to OPEN "COM1:9600,N,8,2" AS operate at 9600 baud! You can subsequently Is there a way to move directly from a 6.3 #1 'open RS-232-C 9600BPS, OPEN "I",bufferl, ' F*CLll forinput disk without the added intermediate step no parity, and OPEN "0", buffer2, "*CL" for into 6.2.x? I have a feeling this may be 1 8-bit, 2-stop-bit output. one of those questions that you've an- OUT &H19,3 'set DTR and swered a million times or that is covered RTS somewhere in the LSI documentation that I've overlooked. Use any of this in TMQ OUT &H19,0 'reset DTR and Moving files from LS- if you like. Have enclosed a SASE if you RTS have a few minutes to answerby mail. I'm DOS 6.3 to TRSDOS 1.3 also enclosing screen dumps of my at- If you know where I can find a program tempts. such as SEARCH1 that will work on an IBM XT, I will, appreciate that you write Thanks again for the magazine and for me where I can get it. Thank you very Fm Karl Krelove, Levittown, PA: Roy, your help. much! Thanks for the TRS coverage. It almost seems that the TRS80 computer line was Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Karl, concerning the Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Real, This is in re- the only one whose coverage increased problem in moving a file from LS-DOS sponse to your letter of February 22nd after it was abandoned by its manufac- 6.3 to TRSDOS 1.3 using a 35S1 diskette addressed to Logical Systems Inc. MI- turer. Or maybe I just never noticed the as the interchange medium, you hit the SOSYS took over the distribution and other literature while 80 Micro was still in nail on the head when you correctly as- support of the LS-DOS 6.3 product in July the field. Anyway, my Model 4P is a very sumed that the new date and time exten- of last year (1988). MISOSYS has no useful machine and I'm not thinking of sion which replaced the user password responsibility to support BASIC other than giving it up. Find enclosed my renewal field was being interpreted by TRSDOS the enhancements LSI added to BASIC. for TMQ and I hope you do find the idea 1.3 as a password-protected file. The BASIC is a product of Microsoft of going to a bi-monthly format work- Corporation and is supported by Tandy. able. One solution, temporarily, is to move the For this reason, MISOSYS cannot pro- file to a disk formatted by TRSDOS 6.2. vide you a detailed answer to your ques- I have a question about LS-DOS 6.3 that You could copy the FORMAT/CMD file tions which concern interfacing BASIC you might answer. I've read over the from the 6.2 disk (probably name it to a USR routine. Nevertheless, let me instructions I received with the original FORMAT62/CMD) and run that under provide you with a few pointers. disk and can't find an answer (am I read- 6.3, or just boot up a 6.2 disk and FOR- ing right over it?). When I want to move MAT the 35S1 disk. Another solution Signed two's complement form is the a file from an LS-DOS disk to a TRS DOS would be to utilize the UNDATE utility standard format of integers in BASIC. 1.3 disk using the CONVERT utility in program which was published in The DOS Subjects -36- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv MISOSYS Quarterly I.iv to reverse the that I can get an LS-DOS to run on both process of DATECONV. This utility turns my machines for $90.00 minus $39.95 an x.3 diskette into apre-x.3 diskette. But times 2, or $10.10? ALLWRITE stack-prob UNDATE is a Model III LDOS program. If not, I want to get some more help. If I lem patching in detail Perhaps what I need to do is to provide a have to use the two separate LS-DOS-s on FUNDATE (file undate) utility which the two machines, I have this question. would undate a single file for you to Once I have booted using the correct LS- transfer to a 35S1 diskette (or other pur- DOS can I then use system disks which Fm Pastor Stephen A. Torkko, North pose). Sounds like a good utility for the contain the other LS-DOS? Or is it neces- Bend, OR: Some of us are a bit denser next TMQ! sary to have the correct DOS in the system than others in catching on to some things! drive? Finishing reading the current issue of The MJSOSYS Quarterly (ffl.iii) cover to cover, I feel confident that there is no problem especially devouring all the comments How do I use multiple with using disks prepared on the other about Michael Houde's ERAMDISK/ machine as data disks. But if lam wrong, CMD, I began to get a glimmer that it copies of LS-DOS 6.3? tell me. does not seem to be just the patches to existing programs that are available on Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Leslie, You are in "Disk Notes", but also the program list- the data base of registered 6.3 users. LSI ings included in the specific issues. Fm Dr. Leslie McKown, Roseyvile IN: did not send out any notices. MISOSYS Several questions, But first, the situation. took over 6.3 as of July 1988. We don't Assuming I am not still in the dark, I think I am a long time TRS-80 Model 4 owner. send out notices specifically for 6.3. The I want to order Disk Notes #3.2. Check is The original DOS I purchased was last major notice went to all registered 6.3 enclosed. From what I seem to under- TRSDOS6.2. When LS-DOS 6.3 upgrade folks back in June of last year advising stand, the ERAMDISK program (and came out, I purchased it and have been them ofMISOSYS taking over 6.3. If you ERAMLD program) is not specific just to using it ever since. want to "stay in tune", you may want to the XLR8er board, but will also work consider a subscription to The MISOSYS with my normal speed Model 4 with the Yesterday I purchased a used TRS-80 Quarterly. Alpha Tech board. IF MY UNDER- Model 4. Included with the computer was STANDING IS CORRECT, it will be an the complete TRSDOS6.2 system - disk, A "site license" version of 6.3 is available answer to prayer. Please send it post- manual, etc. Also included was LS-DOS which permits its operation on any num- haste! If ERAMDISK will not work with- 6.3. I purchased the whole thing, includ- ber of machines owned by the same en- out the XLR8er, then please don't sent it ing the beige upgrade disk, addendum to tity. Since you have only two machines, as I don't need any of the other patches! the manual, original 6.2 manual. I have and you have two copies of 6.3, there is no programs. several questions: need for a site license. Either of your copies will work on either machine. The I am still stuck using TRSDOS 6.2 (even I am pretty sure that I sent in the registra- key point to know is that the license you though I purchased 6.3 more than a year tion card for the LS-DOS 6.3 I purchased get when you purchase 6.3 permits its use ago and have kept it up to date with the originally, but I have never received any on one machine. Which particular ma- patches in The Quarterly as they have information about updates. I understand chine does not matter - but you are violat- come along) because I have an Alpha there have been some. I am not so much ing the agreement if you use it on more Tech 512K Ram Board and the ONLY interested in what went wrong, as how to than one machine concurrently. driver I have for it is the infamous get on the proper list. What should I do? RAMDRV44/DCT from RAI which de- Your use of two copies on two machines spite my attempt to modify it as per a past Since I have purchased another LS-DOS is 100% legitimate, and perfectly usable. issue of Quarterly will not work with 6.3. 6.3 system, complete with original disk Just be sure to not switch between two and all copies, also TRSDOS 6.2 original different releases of the DOS. I tried any number of times to download disk, manual, etc., I think that makes me RAMDRIVE3/DCT from Compuserve, the legal owner of that LS-DOS system, but either our back-country phone lines with the right to be registered as owner. (GTE) or my version of "XMODEM" is How dd I go about getting registered? defective because each and every time my computer would lock up after a few I have read that it is possible to get one hundred bytes and only a reboot (orange copy of LS-DOS 6.3 to use on more than button type!) would allow me to escape. one computer. As I understood it, the cost Joe Kyle DiPieiropaolo responded to one of doing this was $90.00 less whatever of my pleas for help, but when his sugges- was already invested in it. Does this mean tion did not work, and he did not respond DOS Subjects -37- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv .....-. , .- work on your "non-XLR8er'd" Model 4. 00 01 02 03 01 05 0& 07 OB 08 If(, 00 OC 00 00 OF But you do need to be using the Alpha Technology memory patches which I • ..Z,. I. tto..o 00. -. 2n 09 SC CD SC 53 21 CD SC SO CD 10 53 01 0070 12 in 00 CD 07 59 11 4000 91 SC provided quite some time ago and which It 11 =h I.3. SI SD 35 00 23 00 00 2fl SD SO 35 00 23 22 SF SE 1 101 hI..'i.I5 '70 122?1S022 E39950CD1'.73lCD4A3SE2I appeared in TMQ Volume I issue, ii (the ...... 1.11 00 20 0102 751E5 ES ES 09 ES EM <50 E9E5E5E SE2E9ESE5E0E5E5E5E5 so-called AT patches). t0 05 ES ES ES ES ES ES ES ES £5 ES ES ES ES ES ES `70> I ES 05 ES ES ES ES ES 00 ES ES 0$ ES ES ES ES ES E0 ES ES ES ES ES ES ES ES ES ES £9 £0 0 05 ES ES Now abbut patching your copy of AL, ES 0$ ES ES ES £9 ES ES ES ES ES 05 ES ES ES 00 05 00 0005 ESESES ES 0509 09 050500 05 here's a short step-by-step direction. Your E0. 05 ES ES ES ES ES 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 ...... ES 05 05 ES ES ES £5 ES 05 ES ES ES ES ES ES ES version of AL is 1.12 dated 12/17/85. It's ES ES €0 ES ES ES ES ES ES ES ES ES ES D0 ...... - -- 0. ES ES ES 05 00 05 05 05 ES ES ES 00 05 ES ES ES transfer address is 70BAH as you located ES EM ES 05 55 ES 05 ES ES ES ES £5 ES 09 E5 00 with FED (I will assume that's the LSI FIo; L.'CII0:0 EOF X'FF' Fcor - O: 7 11 0.-to: X00 - XCD - 205 version of FED, not the FED/APP which is part of the Mister ED application pac Fito ODif.o,- - Coovroht 2°94 MI009YS. Inc. I - S 9 C E F 9 H I N 0 5 0 Y. 31: for PRO-WAM). So do the following: 1. Find Load address 70BAH via F L 0001 02 03 04 0505 07 5909 on 09 SC 00 00 OF 70B4 -. FE 20 20 01 FE 39 20 11 CD 73 55 FE 42 20 00 CD <10> 73 59 FE 12 20 05 ±2 An 55 CD 79 00 2t 71 20 <25> 20 2022 30 50 02 32 00 02 09 02 SC 99 23 CD 73 2. It will probably point to an instruction, U ------U. <50> 95 FE 20 20 01 FE 39 20 14 CD 73 55 FE 11 70 05 .U.P...w. 't1: 0Di'coo 3.1 - Covrlcht 1990 KISDE'E. inc. 26 00. FED's commands to accomplish thisare:H 31 00 26 00 DOS Subjects -38- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Model 4 Word processor Christmas Of After I use the backup copy of LS-DOS63L But I made another copy of the tan disc 1985 - I think from Nelson's Electronics I insert a backup copy I made of the today to use and it says "Source disk is Radio Shack in Winner, SD. Doug Nelson reserve disc, TRSDOS62, DATE 22-APR- write protected - MOD flags not updated". (owner) has helped me update my disks as 87, which I also keep in the back of the It also says, "Program not found" if I they came in. The Word Processor has :0 Radio Shack Owner's Manual and it will attempt to open a document. I used the tan and:1 and aDWP21O printer. open the file or docUment I want, then I disc to "backup" the disc Doug made, but can continue to use my word processor. I still get cylinder 28 - 'Data record not When we moved in May of 1988 I didn't have thrown away the sheet of instruc- found during write'??? think about sending in a change of address tions that came with the LSDOS 63L and I don't know if Doug did, but I'm sure update. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Mrs Cole, from the he would forward to me any mail con- description you provided, it appears that cerning my Word Processor. I have tried to copy the TRSDOS to the your machine has developed a physical LS-DOS and LS-DOS fills up before problem with the upper floppy disk drive. I was using my Supersôripsit (:0) LS- TRSDOS is completely copied. I've tried An error of "data record notfound during DOS63L, updated 11/13/87) on Monday. copyingLS-DOS toTRSDOS and itwon't write" specifically implies that the trouble I'd copied a document from a data disc in let me. is with the disk being written to and not :1 to :0 and was updating the document, the disk being read from. The message, deleting paragraphs, etc. when I noticed In looking through my owner's manuals "source disk is write protected, modflags that it was "sluggish". I was able to com- to see what I can do, I saw the pink slip of not updated" is not an error message, it is plete the updating and used my shift, up paper entitled "DON'T PANIC" with your an informative message which tells you arrow to bring the cursor back to the address and postcards with the TRSDOS that the source disk has either the write beginning of the letter. It didn't move and Ft. Worth, Texas address. I don't know if protection notch covered or software write after a short while the red light on :1 went I'm to send them my change of address or protection is activated. In either case, out. Nothing I did would budge it - it just if I send it only to you now. So, I've there is no problem. died! This has happened before and Doug enclosed that card and if I should also never figured out why. Usually I hit the send one to Ft. Worth, please let me Note that neither the LS-DOS 6.3 "tan" "reset" button, take the disc out, put in the know; I have more change-of-address cards diskette nor any copy of it contains your cleaning discs, clean both drives and start here which I can use to send a change of Scripsit program; it is strictly a complete over. The original document I was work- address to them. system disk. That's why you got "Pro- ing on remained on the disc but the updat- gram notfound" when you tried to invoke ing I did was lost. I have also enclosed the data on the LS - Scripsit using that disk. DOS and TRSDOS discs I keep in re- But this time I didn't hit the "reset" button serve. Any help you can give will be Also, MIS OSYS took over the support of I just took the disc out of :0 and cleaned gladly accepted. I pay about $15 + for the LS-DOS 6.3 from LSI back in July of last both drives, then slipped the superscripsit updates I receive so know it is important year (1988). Of course, neitherMISOSYS disc back into :0. 'Disc error' appeared on to have the proper disc! nor LSI has anything to do with Radio the screen. I took it out, shut off the Shack registered products. The change of machine, put the disc back in, and turned You'll notice on the yellow postcard the address card which you sent to LSI should on the machine again and got the same address of Radio Shack in Kearney where be sent to Radio Shack. message. I again took out the disc, shutoff I buy my ribbon cartridges. They are the machine and pulled the plug from the located in the Hilltop Mall; I'm sure they wall, then started all over. I still got "disc only sell items needed for computers and error" on the screen. So I took out the don't help with updating them as Doug reserve disc I keep in the back of one of did. We live some 30 miles from Kearney More on Desktop pub- my Radio Shack manuals and made a - little hard for them to "run up to the lishing and the Model 4 "back up" copy on the Superscripsit disc house" like Doug did! I have used all along. It still wouldn't work, so I reformatted the disk and then Clarification: The disc - LS-DOS 6.31, - did the "backup" process and it still won't sent to me from your company is tan. Fm Gary W. Shanafelt, McMurry Col- do anything past entering the date. I can When I use it in drive :0 to open a docu- lege: Dear Roy, The latest Quarterly, Vol get it to work through the date, but it ment, 'Program notfound' appears on the III no. 1, arrived in Abilene yesterday. won't show me the directory, nor will it screen. open a file or document. It just shows Imagine my surprise and delight to see the letter from Lee C. Rice (p. 15) offering "error 22H" on the screen. At the end of Doug Nelson made a copy of your tan disc information about hooking up a Model 4 the "backup" process it 'read' cylinder 28 which I keep in Radio Shack manual (11- with a HP laser printer. I would be inter- for a longer time than it did the other 13-87). I used it and it also says "Program ested in anything he (or anyone else) has cylinders and printed out, "Data Record not found". It also says at cylinder 28 to offer on interfacing the TRS-80 with Not Found During Write'. "Data record not found during write". laser printers to do desktop publishing. DOS Subjects -39- DOS Subjects Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Please encourage him to describe his system Fm Lee C. Rice, Marquette University: 37K. The files are edited as a single massive and the utility programs he has written! Dear Dr. Jackson, Thank you for your file, then transferred to the Model 4's, letter relating to my short article in The split up into Allwrite-sized modules using Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Gary, see the dia- MISOSYS Quarterly. I'll try to answer the some Fortran software we created for this logue between Lee Rice and Laird G. questions you ask, although I'm not quite purpose, and then sent to the HP+ by Jackson which follows. sure what configuration you desire for the Allwrite. Model 4 units. Here at school we have Fm Laird G. Jackson, M.D., Jefferson twelve Model 4 systems and several Zenith Transferring from the Zeniths to the Model Medical College: Dear Dr. Rice, I read systems (latter running either MSDOS or 4s is done by direct-connect R5232 cables your short article on Model 4 Radio Shack UNIX - UNIX is much better!). Only two using Omniterm (on both ends), and at computers and the use of Allwrite for text Model 4s and one Zenith (which happens 9600 baud. The Model 4 systems are also formatting in the fall 1988 issue of the to be running MSDOS) are on line to the on line to the VAX via multiplexor (9600 MISOSYS Quarterly. I fall into your de- FIP+. Our connection is via manual switch baud) in VT100 emulation mode, The scription of somebody who owns a num- boxes. It is not necessary to power down MS DOS systems are not so files written ber of Model 4s and has used those in the the HP-i- before manually switching from by MSDOS users which are to be uploaded past in a multiplexed office management one source to another. If there is a shared to the VAX, or downloaded from the system. Since then, we've converted to a hardware printer buffer [we do not have VAX for MS DOS machines, must be sent Unix 5.2 system with multiple users. The one here at the offices but I have one at first to the Model 4s. TRSDOS handles word processors available for that are home], the buffer should be flushed or the file transfers better than MSDOS WYSI, WYG type and our particular one cleared before swapping. This hardware anyway. is Crystal Writer. It has all of the defects configuration has worked successfully for that you list and I'd like to follow your several years. We do have a few Model 4 users who are path using Allwrite. now formatting documents for TROFF. If you are using a switching system which For them the transfers go the other way. What I don't quite understand is the con- has caused trouble (surges when lines are They use whatever Model 4 editor they nections that you may use in getting your swapped), the HP+ can be manually taken prefer, then transfer their source files to text files out of the Model and into either off lime at its own control panel - and this the Zeniths, where TROFF (with the front another system or to a laser printer. My procedure is less drastic than powering it end loader EROFF) formats them to the understanding is that a direct connection down (since no downloaded fonts are HP+. to a laser printer which is shared would lost). best be done through a programmable Finally, if you have UNIX systems con- switching arrangement since otherwise At home I have a similar configuration - a nected to the HP+ also, you might con- you would have to power down the laser 286 micro and a Model 4, both on line to sider TROFF as a UNIX-based Allwrite printer while you made a a manual switch an I-IP+, and each on line to a dot matrix clone. If you already know Allwrite, learn- in order to avoid the possibility of electric printer as well (FX80 for the Model 4, ing TROFF takes minutes. damage. If one wished to transfer the NEC P-6 for the Zenith). I have just ASCII file that Allwrite edits out to a file installed an 80meg hard drive on the Zenith I hope that some of the above information within Unix and then format it with nroff, in order to install UNIX and throw MSDOS will be of help to you. Thank you again for I assume that one would use perhaps the into the trash heap. I use manual switches your letter. RS 232 port or alternatively there are also (the electrical switch boxes were too converters that will convert the parallel expensive!), and have never had any prob- output of the printer port to a serial output lems UNLESS I forget to flush the hard- and perhaps that in itself could be output- ware 256K print buffer; but, even then, ted through some pipe in Unix so that it the problems are only those of misidenti- Model 4 graphics: would flow directly through the print fied (by the I{P+) control codes. request cue as is. Hi-Res, RLE, GIF Here at the office and at home we usually Any helpful words of advice that you don't move text files from the Model 4 to might have would be appreciated. Unfor- the UNIX/IvISDOS environment, but rather the other way around. We print two jour- Fm David Mandeville: Jam interested in tunately, my sophistication regarding these being able to create and view graphics on things has severe limitations as you can nals and one series of annual volumes (average 300 pages per volume) - but my model 4p but I seem to be having probably tell from the preceding descrip- trouble finding software for this purpose. tions. I must say that I found your article these are all formatted under Allwrite. They are often PRODUCED, however, I understand that there is a utility that will interesting and particularly so in view of allow the use of RLE graphics on the the general look down your nose attitude using EMACS on the Zenith or EDT on the central VAX systems. The advantage model 4 but I have not come across it as that people have toward the older ma- yet. chines. Thanks for any help you can give of EMACS and EDT is the buffer size (about 640K) - Allwrite limits you to me. Does videotex plus for the model 4 sup- DOS Subjects -40- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv port any graphics at all? What about other tried the program and, if I didn't already Fm Gary Phillips: Adam, Thanks for the comm programs like Kermit? I am very have a hi-res board and didn't need the info. I went ahead and wrote my own RLE ignorant about the whole subject of graph- ability to print graphics, would pay Mel print program in assembly language. It ics in general so any help would be very the $15 (I think that's what he was asking) does two sizes, one with a printer pixel much appreciated. and use it. It's good stuff. exactly equal to the RLE pixel and one with the image rotated 90 degrees and Fm Frank Slinkman: David, The tig Fm Gary Phillips: Adam, I know of at enlarged 2x. Works nicely and is VERY question is: do you have an (optional, least one place where CIS does use semi- fast compared to those BASIC jobbies. extra cost) hi-res graphics board, either graphics 4. In the MQUOTE stock history Now I'm tempted to tackle GIF, if I can from RS or from Micro-Labs? section, you can display charts of histori- find the specs... cal stock prices as cute graphs on your Fm Adam Rubin: David, If you want to screen. They issue you a warning that Fm Frank Slinkman: Gary, GO PICS for see graphics on your screen, you'll have your terminal may "distort" the charts information on how to get the GIF specs. to buy a graphics board from either Radio because it doesn't support a higher reso- One file is named GIFSTD.TXT, I be- Shack or Microlabs. No way around that, lution, but they do seem to work OK. lieve. There is another which is an appli- I'm afraid. Also, if you run the VIDTST program you cation for status as aGIF developer, which get a couple of cutesy pictures on your will give you free access to the graphics On the other hand, if you'd like to print screen in semigraphics 4. forum, and to DL 17 of that forum, which graphics on your printer, that's (proba- has all kind of valuable info on how to bly) somewhat easier. For example, there Now as for this RLE business, I didn't write your encoder/decoder, but also on are programs on CompuServe that will know about the printer support programs dithering, LZW compression, and other print an RLE image on a Radio Shack you mention. Are there any for Epson things you'll run into putting together a DMP printer (which is what I have), so I printers as opposed to DMP's? Or, alter- GIF encoder/decoder. can download an RLE file, log off, and natively, is there source code that can be then print the picture. modified? I'd like to get at some of the Fm Adam Rubin: Gary, I knew you'd weather maps sometimes... find an RLE program somewhere! DOS Subjects -41- DOS Subjects Volume Ill;iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv idea if my Model 4P is a gate array or non is released, perhaps other users of such I would be very interested to know if gate array what ever that means. The conflicting software will provide me with RapiDOS for the Model 4, version 1.3 serial number on my machine is 011561 the appropriate patches so that I may will run with the XLR8er installed since I and it has a Radio Shack graphics board publish them. Jam including a copy of the now have a 4D which I intend to purchase installed somewere in it. patch to version 1.6.4 CHESS, but you an XLR8er for in the near future. appear to be using ti Model III version. To H.I. Tech, Inc (01/07/88: "Sirs, I Fin MIS OSYS, Inc: Arthur, Concerning purchased your XLR8er board for my Concerning the other side of your ques. "Rapidos", Ken Strickler was not neces- R.S. Model 4P from Micro-Labs in Octo- tion, whethór the XLR8er will work in the sarily precise concerning the problems he ber of last year. After a delay of two Model III mode of a Model 4, the answer was having.. The trouble was that certain months, which Micro-Labs attributed to a is certainly, providing the DOS (or pro- hires graphics programs running under manufacturers supply problem, I installed grams running under a DOS) use no un- Rapidos would not work on his XLR8er- the XLR8er with only one problem. documented Z80 instructions. TRSDOS equipped machine. Subsequent to the 1.3 used undocumented Z80 instructions release of TMQ III.iii, I received a copy There was a small circuit board attached unsupported by the 64180 processor of of Tournament Chess from Micro-Labs directly over the Z80 chip in my. machine. the XLR8er board. I have some patches to and proceeded to uncover the root of the The thickness of the ribbon cable connec- TRS DOS 1.3 which correct that DOS. problem. I have developed a patch for tor, supplied by you, prevented me from Tournament Chess to allow it to work reinstalling the approximately 3 X 4 inch We also have an interface disk for Model properly with an XLR8er. I hope to enlist board firmly in its fasteners. III LDOS which adds a large RAMDISK, the aid of other folks having an XLR8er as well as a utility to alter the speed of the and the conflicting graphics programs so The XLR8er is amazing while running machine (a Model III equivalent to that other patches may be developed. The TRSDOS 6.2, LSDOS 6.3 and Basicg SET180). The Model 4P needs a special author of the graphics programs is being software but ignores any attempt to run booting facility when trying to boot a advised of the method to avoid the con- my Model 4P in the Model III mode. A Model III. disk when the XLR8er is in- flict in the future. So there is no specific large part of my software is written for the stalled. That utility is on the Model III conflict between Rapidos and the XLR8er Model IlL. Before buying the XLR8er, a interface disk. I am including a copy of nor any specific conflict with the graphics Micro-Labs advertisement assured me that t.heTRSDOS 1.3 patches; the LDOS inter- programs which cannot be rectified by a a patch was being prepared to allow the face disk is $10 + $2 S&H. simple code change. XLR&er to run Micro-Labs Tournament Chess game. The game gets as far as Fm, Arthur N. McAninch: Thank you, displaying the chess board then locks up. Roy, for TMQ Volume III.iii! It is so chocked full of valuable information, it'll XLR8er/Graphics/Rapi- Would you please tell me if the XLR8er take me days-to. assimilate! modification to my computer is designed dos problem is the joys- to run in the Model III mode, if it is One thing in particular caught my eye that tick software interface! designed to run Micro-Labs Tournament I rnui comment on right away. On page Chess game and if I could have possibly 12, Ken Strickler mentions RapiDOS will screwed up its installation in some way not function on a Model 4 with the XLR8er that involves the circuit board that I board installed. I just installed the Alpha Roy Soltoff mentioned? Tech board in my old 26-1069 "A" board MISOSYS, Inc. machine and experienced a similar problem Fm MIS OSYS, Inc: Dear W. R., This is and solved it! With the AT board, Rapi- in response to your letter of February 12th DOS for the Model 4, versions 1.6 and 2.0 A good puzzle is something I like to concerning the XLR8er board, Model III refused to boot up at I ordered a plain tackle every now and then. The handful of mode operation, and Tournament Chess. vanilla RapiDOS for the Model 4 in order reports I have received relating the inabil- Attached is a letter I just sent to Ted to get the complete operating system with ity of running certain hires graphics pro- Carter of Micro-Labs concerning my find- documentation from Micro-Labs. The grams operating under Rapidynamics ings after researching the problem run- version I received was version 1.3 for the rapidos operating system on a machine ning Tournament Chess on an XLR8er- Model 4! Definitely a Model 4 version, equipped with an XLR8er was certainly a equipped Model 4. The letter explains the but an older version. Guess what? It booted puzzle. MISOSYS sells the XLR8er add conflict and offers a solution specifically up and performed normally - even with on board which incorporates an improved, for Model 4 version 1.6.4 CHESS. I don't the AT board installed! I moved all my faster processor and expanded memory. have the time to examine all versions of HI-RES programs from RapiDOS ver- Radio Shack used to sell a graphics board; that program, nor do I have the time to sions 1.6 and 2.0 to 1.3 disks. Now, I can MicroLabs continues to sell their board. investigate other programs developed by run all the Micro-Labs Hi-Res programs Because the price of hires graphics has Rapidynamics Software. However, when as before! come down to more reasonable levels, I the III.iv issue of The MISOSYS Quarterly have noticed a marked increase in the DOS Subjects - 42 - DOS Subjects Volume HI.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv number of Model 4 folks purchasing and ten utility files (BACKUP, BUILD, COPY, you got past the boot sector. So I copied making use of hires graphics. DIRL, FORMAT, FREE, HELP, LIST, that file over to my hard drive and named PURGE, and RENAME), and the CHESS it something unique. Knowing that the In certain older Model 4s, it was apparent files. ROM boot loader loads the second sector that the addition of .a graphics board and of the boot track (track 0, sector 1) into an XLR8er board resulted in aproblemof To call Rapidos a"DOS" is really stretch- 4300H for execution, I used DEBUG to co-locating the two boards physically. ing the imagination. Perhaps all I saw was read sector 1 of track 0 into memory at Because they both mount in the same area a "run-time" version which is supplied to 4300H. I then DUMPed the page of memory of a Model 4's motherboard, when both enable the running of the hires graphics to a disk file. After disassembling the are desired, one or the other must be game programs. In any event, it is fast little boot file, I knew that it was reading relocated. Because of that, I purchased booting. In fact, when booted on a cold its BOOT/SYS file starting from sector 2. two hires graphics boards from Micro- machine, the DOS is at its "Ready" mes- I used my PRO-CESS product (part of Labs. I then proceeded to at least work up sage before the video screen is suffi- GO:CMD) to load the copied file in im- one installation of both a graphics board ciently warmed to reveal characters. Why age form; stripped off the first two blocks and an XLR8er in a non-gate array desk- is this so? of "image data", then re-wrote it to disk. top Model 4 - a 26-1069 Rev C board. I waas then able to load it as a standard This was achieved by relocating the graph- "DOS" stands for "disk operating sys- load module back into PRO-CESS to sort ics board to the area between the dual disk tem". A part of a DOS is its "file system" it by load address; that makes it easier for drive housing and the shield surrounding which is the part of the DOS enabling the my disassembler, PRO-DUCE, to deal the motherboard and floppy disk control- storage of data and programs on a storage with data strings. ler. I used an 8" shielded ribbon cable for medium of various sorts. The "runtime" the interconnect, and this was reported version of Rapidos is actually a subset of Working with a disassembled copy of that upon in a previous issue of THE MISOSYS a file system. It appears to have only those BOOT/SYS, I then was able to evaluate QUARTERLY. One puzzle solved! facilities which provide nine character the CHESSH code to find out where device service functions and six disk I/O CHESSH/EXE was being, loaded into Next, I became disturbed by the handful functions. That allows it to be pretty small. memory. It took a little while of pouring of reports associated with graphics pro- In fact, the entire runtime facility is stored through the BOOT/SYS disassembly to grams running under Rapidos. I person- within the first track of the disk. That track down what was being done, but I ally have not gotten into hires graphics on allows the boot code to rapidly load its eventually learned that CBESSHJEXE was the Model 4; my time is devoted to other file system. In contrast, LS-DOS stores being loaded into memory starting at matters. However, I finally got a hires just its device drivers and a few pages of 2100H. From there I went to investigating graphics program when Frank Slinkman data within that first track (4.5K); it has to CHESSH/EXE. dropped me a copy of his slot machine load another 4.5K of S YS O/SYS and 1.5K program. It worked here perfectly well. of SYS1/SYS before you can see the The chess program is a big file. I person- So I began to suspect the problem was Ready message. But a full DOS provides ally don't like to waste a lot of paper in with Rapidos. I decided to investigate the a much richer command set and service disassembling a large program; better to issue. facilities. let the output go to disk and search through disk files than waste trees. So I loaded the I gave Ted Carter, of MicroLabs, a call to To invoke, say the hires version of CHESS, CHESSH/EXE inage file into PRO-CESS get some information on Rapidos. Ted you type "CHESSH". I noticed that one of and wrote it to disk as an object file. What noted that the author insists that no un- the files was called "CHESSH" and an- I did then was take a first disassembly documented Z80 instructions are used in other was called "CHESSH/EXE"; the scan to build up a text file of data areas. either Rapidos itself or the hires programs former was 15K while the latter was Then Iran the object file back through the developed by that author. Taking him on 31.5K. After browsing through CHESSH, disassembler using the screening datatext his word, Ted offered a copy of Tourna- which was an object code file (CMD- file and requested the output to disk using ment CHESS to me suggesting I explore type), I noticed that it made a few calls to module sizes of 32K PRO-DUCE auto- the root cause of the difficulty. I took him low memory locations (obviously into the matically partitions disk output into mul- up on the offer. Within a week, a few "DOS"), and referenced a string with the tiple source files of the specified size). copies of Tournament CHESS on differ- name "CHESSH/EXE", which under fur- This generated six source files. ent versions of RapiDOS arrived. ther scrutiny, was strictly a core image file. I realized that I had to disassemble I then had to analyze the code in an When I examined the CHESS disk, I was the CHESSH/EXE file to search out the attempt to understand its flow of execu- encouraged by the use of the standard problem, but I then realized that in order tion to coordinate the code with what I DOS 6.x directory structure. That allowed to do that, I had to find out where it was saw on the screen. Yes, it wasn't easy, but me to begin my investigation without being loaded into memory! I had to first it had to be done. The claims were that the having to develop a set of tools by which disassemble the "DOS"! programs which locked up the computer, the disk's files could be "disected". The did so when they were requesting key- runtime disk contained a BOOT/SYS file, The "DOS" was a load-image file, once board input. So my investigation centered DOS Subjects - 43 - DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv on looking for that kind of code. Without interpreted by the Tournament Chess code through and changed all the IN A, (0011) burdening you with the details, I eventu- as if the UP, LEFT, and RIGHT positions to an IN A,(40H). Since the Chess pro- ally found the culprit. Tournament CHESS were simultaneously activated. Since gram is much more popular than the other works using either the standard keyboard this is an impossible result, it is ignored. programs I was satisfied with having the or an Alpha Products (remember them?) But since the entire keyboard scanning is best fix done for that program only. joystick. The problem was obscure, not so ignored if the position movement results much because the XLR8er doesn't truly in some value, no other key code is ac- Anyway, you might want to mention in the execute properly the documented Z80 cepted. The computer is "locked up" and TMQ that all of our programs now work instruction set, but rather because the requires a RESET. with the XLR8 board if the customer will method of coding the joystick port access mention it when he orders. Those who in Tournament Chess is interfered with by There are three solutions to this problem. already have our programs and the XLR8 the internal port I/O of the 64180 CPU. One easy solution for those with an XLR8er board may get an updated version by and without a joystick is to patch one byte sending the ORIGINAL disk to us in a disk Here's the interference in a nutshell. The in each of the three routines to substitute mailer along with $1 for return postage." 64180 CPU, used on the XLR8er board, an XOR A instruction for a CPL instruc- has 64 internal I/O registers accessible via tion. This clears any valuereadby the port the standard IN and OUT port instruc- input. tions. To be able to isolate whether the 1/ Now with that discussion out of the way, 0 is to an internal register or to an external Another solution with an Alpha Products let's look at how I found the information port, the 64180 uses a trick of noting the joystick is to change the port value to to develop the patch. I searched through value of the high-order address lines. An something other than port 00H-317H. It all of the source files generated from the I/O instruction places the port address on may be little known, but the Alpha Prod- disassembly looking for an IN A, (0) the low 8-bits. In the case of a port indi- ucts joystick actually can be read with any instruction; I found three of them. The rect instruction [i.e. IN B, (C) ], the port value from 0011 through 7FH. That's first was at address 681311 and was sur- contents of register B are placed on the 8 because the stick only decodes the Al, rounded by the following code: high address lines; if port direct [i.e. IN IN*, and EXIOSEL* lines of the external A,(n)], then the contents of register A bus. So patching the OOH port number to, LD A, (0F35F) appear on the 8 high address lines. If the say 4011 will still read the Alpha Products AND A value so placed is zero, then the 64180 joystick but does not reference an internal JR NZ,6837H interprets the I/O as internal, whereas if 64180 port. I don't like that solution be- IN A, (OOH) the value so placed is non-zero, then the cause some other joystick may work only CPL 64180 interprets the I/O as external. with port 0. AND A JR NZ,6837H Tournament Chess accesses port zero which So my third solution is to create a larger LD I-IL, 0F480H was documented by Alpha Products as the set of patches which alter the Tournament XOR A port to control their joystick. In Tourna- Chess code so that register A is always ment Chess, there are three different loca- non-zero when the IN A, (0) instruction This code checks for a "saved" key entry; tions in the program which input from is executed. I have developed the patch if one existed, it bypassed the scan of the port zero via an IN A, (0) instruction for Tournament Chess Version 1.6.4, which joystick and keyboard. The alpha Prod- which places the current contents of reg- was the one you MicroLabs supplied to ucts joystick uses reverse logic; an en- ister A onto the 8 high address lines. me. So far, I have patched only the hires gaged stick position closure, say UP, Unfortunately in each case, register A graphics version. generates a zero in its corresponding bit contained a zero; this input was then inter- position. With no joystick plugged into preted by the 64180 as an internal register I forwarded Ted Carter a copy of the patch the bus, reading port zero should give a input rather than external. Thus, internal as well as the information I had learned value of OFFH. Thus, the CPL instruction register 0 was read rather than the "joys- through my detective work. Here's his inverts the stick logic and would result in tick". response: a non-zero value if the joystick was moved to one of the four positions (or if the fire Without a joystick connected, an external button was depressed). input from port zero returns a value of OF.FH but an internal port zero read re- "Dear Roy, I appreciate your excellent It's always a good idea to NOT write the turns a value of 12H, or other value de- detective work in figuring out why the most compact code when you first write a pending on the setup of the 64180's ASCI Rapidynamic games didn't work with the program. In that way, you, or someone channel 0. Tournament Chess uses the XLR8 board. I went ahead and created a else, can always come back and stramline joystick directions in common with the version of all of the affectedRapidynamic the code to introduce additional instruc- keyboard ARROW keys and the fire but- programs which will not hang up on the tions. My task with this pioece of code ton in common with the SPACEkey (hook XLR8 board. As I don't have the source was to add some instruction to make reg- and unhook a piece). The 12H value is code, I have to confess that I just went ister A non-zero prior to the IN A,(0) DOS Subjects -44- DOS Subjects Professional results with TRS-80 Our capacity for (ove is (imit(ess! Fully supported products for 9-tow about your on-tine storage? Models III and 44p4D PC/XT/AT, Tandy, and 1000/o compatibles (MSDOS) çc ( e O3J.E JOISTS ...... " OJC WFICES WL C ~ JL WIC 0 Improve your cm - line storage with Fujitsu floppy drives from I7v(ISOS7'S. fPick. either xT.CAD PROFESSIONAL by Microdex. Computer Aided 5.25" Drafting software for technical production and education. Fta(f-lieg/It 360f1(clrives or 3.5" 720J( Create, edit, modify precise drawings, details. 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Updates come with free instruction addendums, or you can purchase a new LeScript manual for only $15.00. Pick up the phone and call today! 407-259-9397 VISA and MasterCard accepted Anitek Software Products P0 Box 361136, Melbourne, FL 32936 Volume IH!iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv instruction. The code could be easily revised RET NZ This code also reads the joystick port and to look like the following code with no Lb D,A ;Set D=O merges its value with the ARROW keys change in length: INC A ;Added to of the keyboard. If either a "stick" value set A <> 0 or an ARROW entry is sensed (or EN- LD A, (0F35F) IN A, (003) TER, CLEAR, or SPACE), the code jumps AND A CPL to another routine which handles the en- JR NZ,6837H ADD A,A try. I revised this code to appear as fol- INC A ;Added to ADD A,A lows: make non-zero ADD A,A IN A, (003) LD HL,0F440 LD B,7 ;Relo- CPL OR (EL) cated instruction AND A AND 783 OR B ;Added to JR NZ,6837H SCF make A non-zero LD HL,0F480H RET Z IN A, (00H) XOP. A ;Elimi- RRCA CP L nated since A already 0 RRCA ADD A,A RRCA ADD A,A This difference capitalized on the fact LD E,A ADD A,A that register A would have already been LD D,O Deleted LD HL,0F440 zero if the joystick input was "zilch"; as unnecessary OR (EL) thus, the original XOR A instruction was JR NZ,903F1-I unnecessary! The second piece of code The third, and last, piece of code having DEC 3 ;Added to having the port input was at 61304H. This the port input was at 902311. This code make 3=6 code was as follows: was as follows: LD 3,6 ;Deleted IN A, (00H) RET NZ The handy work reduced the code length IN A, (003) CPL needed to set register B to a value of 6. It CP L ADD A,A did this by taking advantage of the fact ADD A,A ADD A,A that the register value was 7; a simple ADD A,A ADD A,A decrement instruction (one byte length) LD 3,7 ADD A,A replaced the two-byte load instruction. LD HL,0F440 LD EL, 0F440 OR (EL) OR (HL) Now thatl had the revised code all worked AND 783 JR NZ,903FH out, it was a simple matter to search the SCF LD 3,6 RET z RRCA RRCA RRCA LD E,A LD D, 0 This code reads the joystick, shifts the inverted value read three bit positions so that the UP, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT stick positions, if any, align with the keyboard row containing the ARROW keys; but it restricts its observation to the four direction positions. I capitalized on the fact that register D was not altered throughout the code front end and register A was zero at the entry. Thus the revised code took the following form: DOS Subjects - 47 - DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv CHESSH/EXE file for the affected code; looking at the front end of tape deal: or at least I thought it was going to be before you can use tape you need to ilny simple. A slight snag developed. FED2 is the drive. And they aren't cheaper than a a powerful file and disk zapping tool. But floppy drive. The last tape drive I used it is too smart for its own good some was slow (to my liking anyway); 20 min- times. FED2 maps out a file it thinks is a utes for 15 megs. load module if the file starts off with a character value used as a record indicator. On the other hand, MSDOS's BACKUP If the resulting mapping effort tracks an utility is slower going at40 minutes for 16 invalid load record type character, it dis- Tape Backup Devices megs (if I'm at the machine to pop n' push penses with the mapping. CHESSH/EXE disks). I personally would like tape backup is a plain vanilla binary file, which hap- as one cartridge is MUCH smaller than a pens to start with a 04H character. FED2 pack of 13 floppies. My HD uses 13-1.2 thought it was the end of a PDS entry and Fm Shane Dawalt: Roy, On your floppy- meg floppies to backup C:. Four to five stopped mapping immediately. But it only turned-tape-drive subject, you do still have 1.2 meg floppies to backup D:. allowed access of the first sector of the a floppy on your 386, yes? Floppies are file. still in vogue, although they may be eclipsed One investment at a time; I'm still getting a bit by the 3.5" floppies (are they called floppies. FED has an entry parameter to force it to floppies?). Isn't 40Mb tape cartridges suppress the automatic mapping. By in- expensive (near $20 a tape)? They could Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Shane, The DC2000 voking FED2 with the command, FED2 have come down by now, I haven't been cartridge is about $20. Overall, the con- *CHESSH/EXE, it bypassed the map- looking at tape drives lately. It was a good venience of saying, "Go and back up ping and allowed me to explore the entire idea until I noticed the externals were thyself" without having to screw around file. I simply searched for the hexadeci- upwards of $500. Since that's only used with switching floppies in and out, is well mal string "DB 00", which is the port once every 3 or 4 weeks, it wouldn't be worth the cost, now that reliable tape input code, and correlated the exact file worth it. drives are below $300 (I remember pay- position of my three code changes. From ing $500 for a 35S1 floppy back when...). the result of this effort, the CUES SHX/ Fm Jim Beard: Shane, One answer is the FIX patch was developed (see box). use of SCSI interfaces. You plug a card When drives get big, and your only means into an expansion slot, and the SCSI inter- of backup is to floppies, you tend to start Anyone with an XLR8er using any other face is available. Bernoulli boxes use neglecting the backup process. That's when Rapidos graphics program which uses SCSI and have a 28 ms access time for 10 it will come up and bite you. I believe it's joystick control probably has the same MB and 20 MB versions, although they time to start laying in a level of protec- have their own interface card so that you problem. If you want to do some investi- tion. I currently use just a few tapes, gation and arrive at patches for other can boot off of the "HD". The SCSI inter- alternating total backups between them. graphics software, get in touch with me. face can also be used by tape backup The cost of one tape might equal the cost The tools you will need to find where to systems. Standardization of the interface of the quantity of 1 .2Meg floppies needed, patch, are a copy of PRO-CESS (or and configuration should lead to lower but what about the convenience? No, tape CMDFILE version 2), PRO-DUCE or other prices. backups are in. good disassembler, and perhaps FED2 or other disk zapper. There are easy patches Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Shane, Fm Shane Dawalt: Roy, Refresh my which can clear the problem provided you Compare the cost per megabyte of tape. memory please, how big is your HD which don't use a joystick, or there are involved It's easy to crack $.50 per megabyte, you are backing up? Anyway, I suppose patches to keep things working. I very whereas it's difficult to get floppies under you're right. How often do you backup about $35 per megabyte, so they cost much prefer the complex patches which your HD? I y to back mine up once every keep the joystick access to port 00H as my less, not more. That's not the reason why two weeks. I admit, however, that most of hard disk host adaptor, soon to be re- people go to tape though. If you only the times that schedule gets rearranged to leased, will have a joystick port option backup once a month, you don't need once every month. My problem isn't the addressable only via port OOH. tape. For folks who backup once a day or actual backup, it's the garbage collection more than once a week (and many don't required BEFORE the backup that I hate. that should), stuffing between twenty- You know, deleting temporary files, backup eight and over a hundred diskettes into a files and files you just don't need any- floppy drive for x minutes is no picnic. more. Compare that to putting in one tape before going out to lunch or taking a break. Shane, I have an 80 When you come back, it's done. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Meg drive in the 386 machine. The drive is partitioned into two 32-Megabyte par- Fm Shane Dawalt: Joe, I suppose I'm titions (C & D) and one 16-Megabyte DOS Subjects -48- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv suspect you pay for the 4 its easy enough to do with DoubleDuty, reliability and the lower and certainly the AT should handle this Are you still fussing volume. On the other just as easily, but how? with floppies for 0 hand, I am willing to deal on a box of five I'm running DOS 3.3. Also, I need a way BACKUP? Our QIC40 DC2000 tape cartridges to slow down an AT to run at a 4.77 Mhz JUMBO tape drive to bring the tape cost effective rate. My kids (and I) are going under $20/tape. nuts trying to play games designed for the from MISOSYS is your solution! slower clock rate. The Colorado Memory Systems' JUMBO tape drive is one drive that Fm Shane Dawalt: fits all computers. It comes ready for internal use in AT's, XT's, and PC's, and connects to your floppy disk controller. Our adaptor board Roy, I understand why Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Kent, For can be used to connect JUMBO when all FDC connectors are in use. you don't relish the idea running two programs at once, in addition Kits convert Jumbo to external use. of pulling floppies. I to DESQview (which is what I use), there's M In about 5.5 minutes, JUMBO backs up lOMB's file-by-file - the fastest in the industry! 40MB's gets backed up in about 18 to 20 thought you were work- Software Carousel (ideal if you just need minutes. Uses industry-standard DC2000 tape cartridges. ing with a 40 megabyte program Swapping, not true multi-task- P JUMBO plugs into your floppy disk controller to save cost,power, unit. Yeah, 80 mega- ing) and DoubleDOS (easier to set up than and a slot. Needs 5-1/4" (or 3.5" with faceplate) mounting slot. bytes would force you DES Qview, but not nearly as flexible or W, Our tape adapter board mounts in your host computer to provide two more floppy ports —especially useful in286 and 386 comput- to sit and wait too long. powerful). ers. When used with our external JUMBO, it lets you share your I see the reason for the JUMBO drive between computers. tape backup. ii JUMBO has custom chips, high speed brushless motors, automatic Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Kent, I use Software circuits, no pots to vibrate out of calibration, and fewest parts to Solutions' Software Carousel on the AST assure long life and technical leadership for years to come. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: 286 machine. That allows us to switch ii By using advanced Reed-Soloman error correction, JUMBO typi- Shane, Even with a 40 between the LB data bases, the INVOICE cally backs up more than 100,000 cartridges before encountering its' first error—of less than one errorper 1000years if the cartridge Meg drive, the tape program, HQ modules, and another parti- is fully backed up every working day. backup is preferred. tion for anything else I feel like running at Even with a 20 Meg the time. Switching is done simply by Jumbo $295 ($5S&H) MISOSYS, Inc. drive the tape backup is Tape Adaptor $75 ($3S&H) P.O. Box 239 depressing DOS Subjects -49- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE MIS QSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv installing Carousel. now stocking two types of Fujitsu 3.5" Encoding. With a 9 sector format (512 floppy drives (720K-M2532K and bytes per sector), the M2532K emulates 1.44Meg-M2537K), based on informa- the industry standard 720 Kbyte micro tion provided in the Fujitsu M253XK3.5" flexible disk drive. Programmer's Journal Mini-Flexible Disk Drive Product Speci- fication, I have uncovered the exact dif- M2533K Provides a host controlled ferences among the various types. If you normal/high density interface line (pin-2) are in the market for 3.5" floppy drives, which changes the data transfer rate while Fm MIS OSYS, Inc: As we have reported make note of these differences so you are maintaining a spindle rotational speed of in Programmer's Journal, MISOSYS has purchasing what you want. Just so my 360 RPM. Data transfer rate is 300 Kbits been carrying that magazine's files in the readers can become knowledgeable of per second in normal mode and 500 Kbits MS-DOS section of our Compuserve fo- these differences, I am providing the fol- per second in high density mode. With a rum. Unfortunately, getting the process lowing excerpt from that Fujitsu manual. 15 sector format (5 12 bytes per sector) the going smoothly has taken sometime. The M2533K emulates an industry standard difficulty stemmed from receiving in a "The M253XK Family of 3.5" Micro 5.25" 1.2 Mbyte disk drive. timely manner, the diskette pertaining to Flexible Disk Drives offer superior per- each issue. I admit there has been a prob- formance, reliability and construction in M2534K Provides a host controlled lem. Here's one query... 3.5" Micro Flexible Disk Drive technol- normal/high density interface line (pin-2) Fm Jeffrey M. Butterfield: I was won- dering how serious you are about provid- ing the source code from the Pro gram- mer' sJournal on the forum [CompuServe PCS-49]. Seems like there is a bit ofalag (2 issues?), and that the code is infre- quently posted. Would appreciate your comment. 360 Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Jeffrey, Rest as- sured I am ironing Out the difficulties. PJ fell down on the job of automatically sending me the disks so I could get them uploaded. I have been biting their ears lately. They have recently sent me the last three issues (6.6, 7. 1, and 7.2) so that I can get them up on the forum. These issues should be available now. If you have some serious questions about the problem of timeliness, the questions should be addresses to PJ - perhaps in a letter to the editor? ogy. Standard soft sectored 3.5" (89mm) which changes data transfer rate and spindle diskettes are used as the storage medium. rotational speed. Spindle speed is 300 FM (Frequency Modulation) or MFM RPM in normal mode, and 360 RPM in 3.5" Floppy Differences (Modified Frequency Modulation) record- high density mode. Data transfer rate is ing methods are acceptable. 250 Kbits per second in normal mode and 500 Kbits per second in high density mode. There are five models in the M253XK In normal mode the M2534K emulates an Fm MISOSYS, Inc: There appears to be Family: M2532K (720 Kbyte drive) and in high some confusion concerning the interface density mode the M2534K emulates an characteristics of 3.5" floppy drives. I M2532K Records 8,717 flux transi- M2533K (1.2 Mbyte drive). must admit that I too was unaware of the tions per inch and has aper disk unformat- level of differences which existed among ted storage capacity of 1 Mbyte with M2536K Provides a host controlled 3.5" floppy drives. However, since I am MFM Encoding or 500 Kbytes with FM normal/high density interface line (pin-2) DOS Sübjècts _50- DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv Volume Ill.iv TIlE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 which changes the data transfer rate while maintaining a spindle rotational speed of 300 RPM. The M2536K allows only read operations in normal mode. Read and write operations are allowed in high den- sity mode. Data transfer rate is 250 Kbits per second in normal mode and 500 Kbits per second in high density mode. With an 18 sector format (512 bytes per sector) the M2536K emulates a double density/double sided, 135 track per inch, industry stan- dard 1.44 Mbyte disk drive. M2537K Same as the M2536K, ex- cept the M2537K allows read and write operations in either normal or high den- sity mode. A summary of storage capacities is given in Table 1-1." Programmer's Journaldown loads are now available from INRLO~~~~ MISOSYS' forum on Compuserve: GO PCS49 HartFORTH-86 Here's the FINE PRINT "HartFORm programs can invokeotherpro- grams via EXEC and EXEC.PROG. HartFORTH is a full 79-STANDARD Any MISOSYS software product ft Functions create new files from within FORTH. It Is a Direct Threaded Code , -J . • , . HartFORTH, and allow the current Virtual purchw.ieuased wrectiy jr orn 1Vil)L'J1) implementation which provides Memory file to be changed for another and execution speed between 1O% and 4O% may be returned within 30 days manipulated at the Individual block leveL faster than classical Indirect of the invoice date for a full re- ft Provides the recommended 79-STANDARD the DbuBL,E NUMBER STANDARD E=NSION Threaded Code Implementation. Hart- fund of the product purchase Cost. word set that Implements 32-bit operations. FORTH Is designed to run under DOS Returns must be in a "like - new" )I.CASE: and SWITCH: functions allow multi- so the Virtual Memory that it accesses way branching decisions to be saleable condition taken with for storage and retrieval purposes Is a on and be ac- execution continuing In-line once the word file created and controlled by the oper- compan4ed by a copy of the branched to completes. ating system. Enhancements to the 79- original invoice. B+String manipulators include: "VARIABLE, "CONSTANT, "!, 'LEFT, 'RIGHT, 'MID, STANDARD have been built into the and">. HartFORI'H kernel In the form of func- HartFORTH-86 1+ DOS software and hardware interrupt vec- tions to call the DOS file handling iOU- tor access support via: GET. VECTOR, c + " ' tines so that other fileses may be created I PUT. VECTOR, THIS. SEG, DI, and HI. and accessed If required. A library ol U611 1 Ads ftV24 program input, output, and Interrupt standard screens Is supplied with input support. HartFORTH to provide often used ex- MISOSYS, Inc EN tensions to the language such as double P Box 239 SAVE OVLY CORRECT? . LOAD OVLY length and floating o point math editing ter in VA 2"17-02'° NEW OVLY RUN OVLY and LEAVE OVLY of source screens string manipulation g , 1+ Screens provide trigonometric functions arrays, etc. 800-IvHSOSYSor 7034504181 SIN. • COS. • TAN. • SIN, COS, and TAN. DOS Subjects - 51 - DOS Subjects Volume Ill.iv THE; MISOS 115 QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv the computer industry. him to end his musical career and enter the lucrative field of software comedy. In fact, what began as an innocent inquiry Once he explained Pascal's comedic eventually revealed a shocking and ex- possibilities, Kahn was hooked and quickly clusive piece of information: that the agreed. invention of Pascal nearly 20 years ago was intended entirely as a joke, an April Since most of the staff at Apple Computer Fool's prank. Inc. was educated at the University of California at San Diego, they were also in Wirth tried to explain. "Every year at the on the joke, Wirth said. "That's why they Swiss Federal Institute for Technology kept pushing Pascal. A bunch of fine kids, [the University in Zurich where Wirth is a those Apple guys. Born comedians, most professor of computer science] I taught of them. Except this one guy - he had no the same classes, gave the same tests, told sense of humor at all. [Editor's hint: not the same jokes," he began. "it was boring. Woz.] I needed a little humor. So I started talk- ing about this crazy language called Pas- When we finally decided to do a DOS that cal. Eventually, the Pascal joke became was even funnier than UCSD Pascal, the so popular I just kept adding to it, making feeling was that UCSD was already the it more and more elaborate. ultimate. But then one of the guys pro- An "interview" with posed doing a DOS that was written in Niklaus Wirth "But some of the students went to class so Pascal but used hieroglyphics instead of a seldom that they missed the joke and written language. What a genius! We thought Pascal was a real language! Imag- were rolling in the aisles. But that one ine the looks on their faces when they got guy, he thought we were serious. What a out into the world and discovered there nerd!" submitted by: was no such thing as a language called Lee C. Rice, Ph.D. Pascal. Hoo-boy! They sure learned to Wirth's list of the funniest features of Department of Philosophy pay attention after that!" he said, gig- Pascal begins with the lack of string data Marquette University gling. type, no random file access, primitive Milwaukee, WI 53233 numeric handling, and the existential Several of his better students, he contin- absurdity of the semicolon. ued, figured they'd make some money by fleecing the people who actually believed "But I'd have to say that my crowning Roy, since you seem to like poking fun at in Pascal and so wrote a simple Pascal achievement was the lack of input and Pascal and other languages, I thought I'd compiler for this purpose. It was actually output functions. First you can't get any- send you this article I pulled off of usenet a kind of prank, much like selling elevator thing in too easy. And once it's in, you some time back. passes to high school freshmen. can't do much with it. Pascal isn't good with letters and it's not good at all with "Yes, yes," Wirth said, "the UCSD oper- numbers. Besides, I made it very picky. ating system started the same way. The You have to recompile, recompile, re- Several prominent software companies same bunch of rascals who did the whole compile forever. Ha! And once you've have caused a stir lately by dropping all Pascal thing kept pushing the idea until it done something with the data, you can't development work in Pascal and adopting reached the point of complete absurdity. get it out." Wirth started chuckling un- Microsoft BASIC. When queried all have They were hysterical! Especially late at controllably. "Philippe has said C is a declined to comment about this move, but night - they'd come up with some really write-only language - I made Pascal a one company insider (code-named Deep boffo material. Then the next week they'd read-only language!" His chuckling turned Poke) suggested talking to Nildaus Wirth modify it and it would get even more into hysterical laughter that went on for to get the full story. entertaining." several minutes. Speaking from his home in Zurich, Swit- Wirth's best student was Philippe Kahn, "Of course, some didn't get the joke," he zerland, Wirth proved to be a far more who he met while Kahn was a student. "I finally said when he could see again. genial soul than one might imagine, being used to go to a small bistro called 'Der "They kept trying to make Pascal actually the founder of Pascal and all. BUt the Blaue Engel' after my classes, and it useful. But I stopped them; I made the European lifestyle obviously agrees with happened that Kahn played jazz saxo- original Pascal a standard. That meant him, and he was more than willing to phone there while people danced on the anyone who made Pascal good for any- provide some insights into this strange tables." Wirth was impressed with Kahn's thing was nonstandard and out on a limb!" phenomenon, currently taking place in talent and evident wit and encouraged The Language Forum -52- The Language Forum Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv How will all this affect the future of writing team and decided to stick it to altering drugs? Yes, yes, yes! You see it Modula-2? Wirth's merry manner and them with. a life-time project." now - manuals!" beaming face suddenly became hard when presented with this question; perhaps this True BASIC is not "True" in the sense Wirth considers Gates, who wrote all the was taboo territory, sacred subject matter. most people understand the word, Wirth BASIC manuals and who was on the staff continued. Rather, "True" is itself an of many others, a "comic genius." "Mitch "Modula-2 is a real language," he finally acronym for a "Totally wRecked-Up Kapor should get more recognition - he's said, his demeanor solemn. "It represents Example of." The professors who came far better than Neil Simon. And what's- a serious effort on my part to make amends up with it are amazed that no one has yet his-name, the guy who wrote the Word- for any damage caused by well-meaning caught on to the joke; they felt sure their Star manual - he got an award at a dinner but unimaginative people teaching and insistence on the LET keyword would be we threw for him a few years back. That learning Pascal. a dead giveaway. "Of course there were manual is a classic in the truest Marxist other clues, but this was the most clear- [brothers] sense of the word! Pure slap- "But it's so hard! Pascal is a very good cut," Wirth said. "They even called Micro- stick! But the bestof them all is the author joke, yes? But to make a really good soft BASIC a street BASIC in hopes that of the dBase II manual. Now there is a language from it is not so easy," he sighed. Bill Gates would challenge them and reveal writer for the ages!" the joke." But Gates refused to play along, In addition to Pascal, Wirth admitted, and both professors had to all but beg As for the IBM manuals, Wirth considers three other languages also were intended Wirth to tell the world the truth about them mere hack work. "Anyone can do as pranks: Forth, PL/l, and True BASIC. True BASIC before things went any fur- stuff like that," he snorted. ther. "Forth is essentially black humor," Wirth But perusing a copy of the manual for said. "Charles Moore [who created the Jokes abound in the world of operating NEWDOS, he seemed a little more im- language in the late 1960s] designed it as systems as well, according to Wirth. In pressed. "Hmmmm. Not bad work. Not a native language for people whose brains addition to the UCSD Pascal operating bad at all," he said. "But it's still simple ran backward." Originally, he continued, system, said Wirth, "Tandy, Apple, and stuff. 'To do this, read page 40. But to it was supposed to be the ultimate parody Commodore were for a number of years know what's on page 40, you have to read of Hewlett-Packard calculators, which carrying out a private comedic battle to page 65, which refers to page 15, which Moore had been competing with unsuc- see who could produce the world's funni- shows a whole list of exceptions for page cessfully for years. As an astronomer, he est DOS." 53.' Entertaining, but hardly in the class had used BP's calculators out of necessity of any of the modem masters of the art." rather than any appreciation for their design. Tandy's TRS-DOS (Tandy Radio Signal But when his attention was brought to the But to his great surprise, he found that Detection Operating System - a reference fact that none of the error numbers listed there were actually quite a few people to the fact that early machines would in the NEWDOS manual were ever re- whose brains did run in reverse. Eventu- reboot when any transmitted signal was turned to the BASIC programmer, and ally, Moore came to see Forth as a boon, detected) was an early front-runner until that the most common disk setup (double- especially for backward thinkers. "At least Apple came out with the very amusing density, double-sided) was not on the it keeps them off the streets out of really Control-D command what could enable configuration menu, Wirth admitted that serious trouble" Wirth said. "Imagine one or disable disk operations. In the end, these were indeed nice touches. of them trying to drive a car or operate though, Commodore won the battle. It's heavy machinery!" DOS was oriented towards records ex- Although it is a known fact that, most of actly the size of punch cards and took over the early computer manuals (probably PL/I originally stood for "Prostituted four minutes to boot from disk since it even the NEWDOS manual) were written Language/Interface," Wirth explained. The read disk data more slowly than most by programmers and that programmers designers were under so much pressure to audio tape machines and even some 300- are notoriously poor writers, Wirth would add features and include every possible baud modems. not be deterred from his opinion that these construction from every other language writings are works of art. in existence that they eventually gave up But the funniest joke of all is, in Wirth's and decided to play the whole thing for estimation, also the most common, and "Most people fail to consider that good laughs. They said 'yes' to every request, he's amazed so few people have caught programmers are very bright. Their no matter how absurd, and even added on to it yet. thoughts are extremely well organized things to the language no one ever could and most of them have the benefit of or would use. They scoured journals for "Come on, come on. Surely you can guess," higher education. Their brains are not off-beat syntax and weird symbolic nota- he said, his voice rising in excitement. warped by overexposure to TV and their tion; some of their better ideas came from "What one thing makes users more livid attention spans are not short-circuited by early editions of The Mad Reader and than any other? What one computer prod- overindulgence in sex, drugs, or alcohol. other E. C. publications. Besides, several uct makes you feel sure it was produced They are not constrained by convention- of them were upset with the compiler- by a team of trained gerbils on mind- ality. If you want to get picky, there are a The Language Forum -53- The Language Forum Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv lot more programmers than there ever To determine whether a disk file is pres- were writers. And programmers simply ent, something like the following may be work harder than writers. Few writers inserted in your BASIC program, which work 100 hours a week, almost all pro- Checking from Model 4 uses the fact, noted above, that a call to an grammers do." input modality sequential file would re- BASIC for the existence of turn an error if the file were not present. The result, according to Wirth? "All pro- a floppy disk file grammers write at least as well as Faulkner. 100 PRINT "INSERT DISK Most are as good as Proust, and about a WITH MYFILE/DAT IN DR.1, third are as good as Dickens. Several The Language Forum - 54 - The Language Forum Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv from file not found, might sneak in after zeroes (false) and ones (true) and a few the ON ERROR GOTO of line 110, trans- symbols such as '-' for 'not', '+' for lating into a WRONG DISK error in line 'exclusive or', 'V' for 'or', and "i" for 1000 when in reality the error might be LOGIC in the C Language 'and'. Now our truth tables look like those something else. In such a case, knowing illustrated in Table H. that the file is really there, you would resort to the BASIC ERR orERRS$, used When digital computers came along, there in the immediate mode, for clarification, ... Ken Peck..... was a natural affinity between these and maybe issue instructions to BASIC 400 West Jobuson, p202 machines, populated as they are, buy a from the keyboard. That is the way I work McGregor, .TX.76657.. universe of millions, billions, and even it, which I feel is the simplest and least trillions of zeroes and ones. So great was clutters the program with error traps. the need for people who understood such However, anyone particularly wishing to things 30 years ago, that men in grey catch one or more specific type(s) of Over 100 years ago George Boole, an flannel suits would regularly raid univer- error, other than file not found, could English mathematician and logician, sity philosophy departments looking for include the necessary trap(s) inside the developed the basis of symbolic logic bright young students who understood error-handler, e.g. line 1000, to do what- which has come to be known as Boolean such things. At that time I was more ever is desired (see ERR in the TRS DOS6/ algebra. For decades it was of interest interested in the weightier matters of God, LSDOS manual). only to mathematicians and logicians. man, beauty, and justice; it was nearly Modern symbolic logic is based on it, not twenty years later that I became inter- Now, a possible addition to this method: to mention the logic of digital computers, ested in the universe of zeroes and ones in You do keep backups of your important which came much later. computers. files, don't you? Yes, I thought you did. Well, one way of keeping backups is to Boole's world was populated were every- I threw in a new logical operation, the have material saved to both working disk thing was either true or false. If something exclusive or; actually it is equivalent lo and backup disk when running the pro- was not true, it was false; if it was not the more complex (x V y) * -(x * y) [x or gram, which is the one I favor (admit- false, it was true. If something was true, y and not x and y]. The symbolic logic tedly, you need enough drives). Doing it while something else was false, then symbols are old ones (and not those of by only running the working disk with the something and something else was false. Boole); I chose them from many systems program, and then backing up separately But something or something else was because they relate to other issues in the later, involves the possible omission of a true. lowest levels of computer programming. backup [shudder!] and the consequent Those who are following Roy's articles danger of having two different versions of on [Getting into computer math] should one's files. These logical relationships can be ex- pressed in "truth tables" as illustrated in recognize the "and" truth table as being Table I. one and the same as the binary multiplica- If you wish to test for the presence of both the working file and the backup when running your program, you could insert, in the above, lines 150/190, similar to Table I 100/140, changing drive and error line not numbers to suit, and adding another error p I p .q I p and q p q I porq line such as 1010 (with a suitable drive true false true number) which would RESUME at 150. I true true true true I true false I true true false I false true false I true false true false false true The MISOSYS EnhComp compiler has a I true false false I false false false very neat and simple way of checking for I false the presence of a file with EXISTS. There are also truth tables for implica- tion table. And the "exclusive or" truth tion, equivalance, etc. But since comput- table happens to be the same thing as the ers aren't terribly concerned about the "facts" for binary addition. (Yes, I know, truth of statements such as "If there is a there is a carry out of the case of 1+1.) unicorn in my living room, then Elvis lives" I won't go into that. (It happens to These relationships are the concern of the be true.) engineers at Intel, Motorola, etc. who design the microcode and circuitry which This whole system of Boolean algebra or determine the functioning of the arithme- symbolic logic can easily be expressed in tic and logic unit of our processing units. The Language Forum -55- The Language Forum Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv follows night, if something is not zero, it Table II must be true. And as night follows days, if something is not true, it must not be not xI -x xylxVy xyIx+y xylx*y zero. Consequently, 011 001 0 00! 0 001 0 if (flags & BIT _MASK) 1 10 011 1 01! 1 011 0 dothisQ; 101 1 10! 1 101 0 else lii 1 111 0 lii 1 dothatQ; Assembly language programmers deal with flags I BIT MASK; will do_thisO if, and only if, some corre- more abstract logical operations which /* 0100 I 0001 = 0101 */ sponding bit in both flags and BIT-MASK operate on bytes. Most assembly languages are set to ones. Note that it matters not have instructions such as NOT (CPL for Note that only the one bit(s) of BiT_MASK what value is returned by the expression Z80), OR, XOR, and AND. These are affect bits in flag. If I want to reset the "flags & BIT _MASK," be it 1 or 65535, it know as "bitwise" operations because they flag to zero, I 'and' flags with the 'not' of is "true" so long as it is "not false," that is, perform their logical operations on the my BIT-MASK "not zero." individual bits of their operations. So in an 8-bit operations, these operators pro- flags & -BIT MASK; Enter C's logical operators. A logical duce results as illustrated in Table III. /* 0101 & -0001 = 0100 */ operator returns either true or false. If the logical expression is false, it must return On an even higher programming level Note that 'not BIT-MASK' becomes 1110. zero. If it is not false, it must not return these become the basis for the bit-twid- I can toggle the flag with 'xor' zero. What it does return, as long as it is dling operations, inC '-', 'I', '&', ". In not zero, matters not. As the British logi- C these are not even called "logical" flags " BIT MASK; cian, Wittgenstein, would probably say, operations, they are "bitwise." C's bit- /* 0101 A 0001 = 0100; 0100 "It is arbitrary, whatever pleases you." wise operators perform their magic on the 0001 = 0101 *1 What pleased Ken Thompson and Dennis individual bits of integral operands (char, Ritche was one. So C's logical operators int, long). Floats and doubles will most I can test the flag with 'and' return 0 if false and 1 if true. (Authorita- likely give flakey results when used with tive references to support that statement these operators. (What the compiler should flags & BIT _MASK; will follow.) Now I still care enough about do is try to cast real operands as some /* 0101 & 0001 = 0001; 0100 God, beauty, and justice to find it aes- integral type, thus losing the fractional & 0001 = 0000 */ thetically pleasing that Truth is unity at part and possibly messing up both magni- the highest level of language and at the tude and sign, then performing the bit- Note that all bits except the masked bit are lowest levels of electronic circuitry, rather wise operation. If the bitwise operation is always set to zero. than -1, as some permanently brain dam- performed directly on real types, the re- aged programmers would have us be- sult is guaranteed to be garbage.) lieve, or -0, which doubtless comes from too much wearing of grey flannel suits. Table III C's logical operators are 'II' and '&&', to which I also add the equality operators, NOT 01010101 becomes 10101010 and '!&, the relational operators, '<','>','<=',and'>=',andnot, '!'.Allof 01010011 OR 00110101 becomes 01110111 these operators share one common fea- ture: they return a boolean false (0) or a 01010011 XOR 00110101 becomes 01100110 boolean true (1). Unlike the bitwise op- erators, they cannot return 2 or -1 or 01010011 AND 00110101 becomes 00010001 65536 or any other value except 0 or 1. Also, unlike bitwise operators, they are well behaved when the operands are floats The purpose of these operators is bit- This brings us to an even higher level of or doubles. twiddling, pure and simple. If I want to abstraction; that level at which the pro- have 16 flags stored in an unsigned short grammer is saying "If something is true, int, I can set the flag to one with 'or' (I will do this, else do that" or "While something show just four bits)... is true, do this." At any level of our logic, if something is zero, it is false. As day The Language Forum - 56 - The Language Forum Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv There is another difference. Typically the printf( " 3 " 5 %d.\n", 3A5); entire "god & country & mother" expres- 1* prints "3'5 = 6." *1 bitwise sion will be evaluated before the value is returned. On the other hand, "god && Bitwise inclusive OR [K&R A7.13] or if (flags & BIT MASK) country && mother" will stop as soon as bitwise OR [H&S 7.6.8] operator (I) re- do—this(; the expression is know to be false. If god turns the bitwise OR of the operands. else is false, we do not need to know about do—that Q; country and mother; the end_is_nearO. printf ("112 = %d.\n", 112); /* prints "112 =3." */ logical The discussion of bit-wise and logical operators and TRUE and FALSE in TMQ Logical operators if (flags && [issue II.ii, pages 42-44] is guaranteed to BIT MASK) confuse anyone who does not know C. So These operators perform logical or boolean do—this 0; here is the definitive word. operations on their operands. They al- else ways return 1 or 0 depending on whether do—that 0; Bitwise operators or not the operation is true or false. (Remember, we are talking about C here, These operators correspond to correspond- not any other language.) If a mainframe C The bitwise condition is true if, and only ing machine operations on each bit of the compiler returns -1 or -0 for any of these if, one or more corresponding bits in flags operands. They may be performed only operations, it is not a conforming C com- and BIT—MASK are set to 1. Consequently on intergal types (char, int, and long). piler. 0011 & 0001 will do_this() and 0010 & They return values depending on the 0001 or 0000 & 0001 will do_thatO. The operation and type. For example, for 8-bit Logical negation operator (!) returns 1 i logical condition is true if, and only if characters, abitwise operator will return a the operand is zero, otherwise 1. [K&R flags is not false (i.e., not zero) and value in the range of x00-xff, inclusive, A7.4.6; H&S 7.5.4] BIT _MASK is not zero; conversely, it is for 16-bit integers, a bitwise operator will false if either flahgs or BIT—MASK is return a value in the range of x0000-xffff. printf("!0 = %d.\n", !0); zero (false). Consequently 0011 &&0001 1* prints "!0 = 1." */ and 0010 && 0001 will do—this( and These operators correspond to correspond- 0000 && 0001 will do_thatO. Given the ing machine operations on each bit of the Relational operators (ç>, <=, >=)return apparent meaning construct, 0010 && operands. They may be performed only 0 if the specified relation is false or 1 if it 0001 would constitute a logic error. on intergal types (char, int, and long). is true. [K&R A7.9>; H&S 7.6.4] They return values depending on the operation and type. For example, for 8-bit printf("0<0 = %d.\n", 0<0); characters, a bitwise operator will return a 1* prints "0<0 = 0." *1 bitwise value in the range of x00-xff, inclusive, for 16-bit integers, a bitwise operator will printf("0>0 = %d.\n", 0>0); if (god & country & return a value in the range of x0000-xffff. 1* prints "0>0 = 0." */ mother) all-is-well(); One's complement operator [K&R A7.4.6] printf("0<=0 = else or bitwise negation [H&S 7.5.5] (-) re- 0>=0) endisnearO; turns the one's complement or bitwise 1* prints "0<=0 = 1." */ negation of the operand. logical printf("0>=0 = %d.\n", printf("-0 = %d.\n", -0); 0<=0) if (god && country && 1* prints "-0 = l." *1 1* prints "0>=0 = 1." *1 mother) all—is—well(); Bitwise AND operator (&) returns the Equality operators (==, !=)return 0 or 1. else bitwise AND of the operands. [K&R A7.1 1; If the operands are equal, then ==returns endisnearO; H&S 7.6.6] 1 and != 0; if the operands are not equal, then == returns 0 and != 1. [K&R A7.10; If god = 1 and country =2, and mother = printf("1&2 = %d.\n", 1&2); H&S 7.6.5] 4, the bitwise condition will have a logi- 1* prints "1&2 = 0.") */ cal value of false, indicating that the printf("0==0 = %d.\n", end_is_nearO. This most likely is a logic Bitwise exclusive OR [K&R A7.12] or 0==0) error. With the same values, the logical bitwise XOR [H&S 7.6.71 operator (A) 1* prints "0==0 = 1." *1 condition will be true and all_is_wellO. returns the bitwise exclusive OR of the operands. printf("0!=0 = %d.\n", The Language Forum -57- The Language Forum Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv 0!=0) ; printf("41 12 = %d.\n", 1* prints "O!=O 412); / prints "4112 = 1." */ Logical AND operator (&&) returns 0 if 1* 2 is not evaluated / either Operand is 0 or I if both operands are not zero. The expression is evaluated left to right and stops as soon as the printf("OI 10 = expression evaluates to 0. [K&R A7. 14; 0110); H&S 7.7.1] 1* prints "0110 = 0." *1 printf("0&&l %d.\n", References: 0&&l) 1* prints \SJ ] = 0." *1 Kernighan, Brian W. & Ritchie, Dennis /* 1 is not evaluated */ M. [K&R]; The C Programming Lan- guage; 2nd Edition. (Englewood Cliffs, printf("2&&3 = New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1988) 2&&3) ; 1* prints "2&&3= 1." */ Harbison, Samuel P. & Guy L. Steele, Jr. Logical OR operator (II) returns 0 if both [H&S]; C: A Reference Manual; 2nd operands. are 0 or 1 if either is not 0. The Edition. (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: expression is evaluated left to right and Prentice Hall, 1988) stops as soon as the expression evaluates to 1. [K&R A7.15; H&S 7.7.2] " APPLICATION SOFTWARETO S T R E T C H MISOS. I S YOUR TRS-80 MODEL 4 MISOSYS has been supplying the LB Data Manager PROWAMTM Version 2 TRS-80 community with profes- A flexible data manager sional quality software since 1978; Window & Application Manager that's over nine years of experi- LB is easily used by anyone for managing Our applications turn your 128K Model 4 ence captured in a host of other their data. It's menu driven for ease of use; into a sophisticated business or personal software products ranging from absolutely no programming needed. Requires machine rivaling the best of them. Because language compilers and assem- a Model 4 with 128K or a hard drive. LB86TM, easily installed PRO-WAM comes with blers, fine crafted utilities, other an MS-DOS version is also available. many useful and powerful menu-driven time application software, and operat- • Store up,to 65534 records per data base savers and work organizers. PRO-WAM is ing systems. We also publish a • Up to 1024 characters per record accessed with a single keystroke; its export magazine, THE MJSOSYS QUAR- • Up to 64 fields per record TERLY, which is available on a • Nine field types for flexibility and import functions allow you to move • Select and sort on up to 8 fields data across windows between programs. subscription basis for just $25 per • Keep multiple indexes for accessing data year in the U.S. Call or write us • Address CARDS, LABELS, and new • 10 input/update screens per data base HEADINGS for display and export for a catalog of our complete • 10 printout formats per data base • Improved BRINGUP tickler file; product line. • Extensive on-line help available new PRINTING and sorting • Improved CALENDAR flags BRINGUP LB [L-50-510] $74.95 + $5S&H items visually on screen • Ten 3 x 5 CARD files with FORMS and FIELDS using reverse video • New virtual PHRASE access for export • New TODO list manager with "who does it" • Plus many other vital applications! M/C and VISA accepted PRO-WAM[M-51-025] $74.95 +$5S&H S&H: $5 $6 Canada, $15 Other The Language Forum _58- The Language Forum Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv 350 PRINT "after sort" array in question. It must be either "A%(1)", 400 FOR A = 1 TO N "A!(1)", "A#(1)", or "A$(1)". That's so 420 PRINT A(A) BSORT knows what array to look for. 450 NEXT A Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Dave, Didn't BSORT require the name of an integer variable rather than an integer constant? I'm far from my docs, so could be all wet here, but that sticks in my mind. Fm Pete Granzeau: No, BSORTrequires an integer constant, or else have the entire command string constructed dynamically. That's engraved on my heart, now. Fm Dave Spiceland: Pete, So I assume you've used BSORT with no problems. For some reason it refuses to work and I'm stuck doing a VERY slow sort (about 15-minutes) using BASIC. I'm not a pro- gramming whizz, but this is frustrating. Any suggestions would be appreciated at What does DiskDISK do? this point. Fm Pete Granzeau: Okay, I wanted to Fm John Grant, Jr.: I finally -received read in an undetermined number of rec- my hard drive from Aerocomp. We talked ords into an array, sort them on data on the phone about this; .and a few other BSORT/CMD and LS-DOS 6.3 which appeared in column 14 (for about things, though there is no reason that you 20 characters). As I filled the array, I kept would remember the conversation. the current position in variable I. When I had all the records, the program executed What I'm really writing about is to ask Fm Dave Spiceland: I'm trying to do a the following two commands: you what your "DiskDISK" does. I be- sort using the BSORT/CMD utility in- lieve that you gave a short explanation in cluded with the TRSDOS 6.2 Utilities. 500 A$="RUN. one of your ads in one Of your past issues For some reason the program aborts and BSORT"+STR$(I)+",A$ (1) (14,20)" of TMQ, but I haven't been able to find it will not sort the arrays. I HAVE used the 510 SYSTEM A$ (though it's got to be somewhere). program with and without the BSORTA/ FIX and it always aborts@ Line 300. Will If you printed variable A$, you'd find that Fm MISOSYS, Inc: John, DiskDISK is a BSORT work on numbers AND strings it read something like this: utility which essentially creates a 2-tier equally well? Will it work with LS-DOS directory on a large capacity disk drive. 6.3? (which is what I'm using) RUN BSORT 522,A$(1) (14,20) Since the DOS is limited to an allocation of 256 file slots maximum on any one Here's a copy of a test program I've been Hope that helps. drive partition, folks wishing to store lots using which always aborts at Line 300: of small files usually run out of file slots, Fm MISOSYS, Inc: When all else falls, rather than disk space. DiskDISK estab- 40 N=6 read the documentation. I've reprinted lishes a virtual disk drive, similar to a 50 DIM A(N) the information on the first page of the RAMDISK, but uses a file on the host 60 OPEN "I",1,"TEST2/DAT" BSORT documentation within the box drive as its storage space. So instead of 100 FOR A = 1 TO N titled, "BSORT - BASIC Sort Utility". the virtual drive contents stored in RAM, 125 INPUT#1,B Let's all read this first and see who comes they are stored on the host disk drive - 130 A(A)=B up with the answer. Then come back and which is usually a hard drive. 150 NEXT A see if your solution matches mine. 200 FOR A = 1 TO N Using DiskDISK, one can create floppy- 220 PRINT A(A) Give up? Well the documentation states sized disk drives. But one is not limited to 250 NEXT A that "A declaration tag (!,#,$,%) must be just 180K virtual drives, one can set up a 300 SYSTEM"RUN ESORT used for any array specified". "A(1)" is virtual drive as "double sided", or 80- 6, +A (1)" not sufficient to locate the referenced tracks, or other combinations. Our MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -59- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv store on a 2.5 Meg hard drive partition, diskDISK lets you store over 1500. You need at least one free drive slot (out of the eight available) to "connect" a virtual disk to the DOS. You can have as many concurrently available as you have free drive slots. They may also be switched by a single command. DiskDISK is certainly the answer to a hard drive users storage problems. Minor Error in EnhComp BC fixes in TMQ III.iii Fm Carl Berger, Largo, FL: Roy, The patches on page 40 in the TMQ Volume III.iii seem to be reversed. I have the M- 2 1-072 Model4 PRO-EnhComp but when I type BC MISOSYS Products' Tidbits - 60 - MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Target TEMP/BAS and Fm MISOSYS, Inc: James, The easiest You can trim a booting SYSTEM disk way to direct the RUN facility from down to include all SYSn/SYS modules TEMP/CMD the supervisor mode to use a drive except SYS5, SYS9, SYS 11, SYS 13, and other than zero, is simply to create probably SYS7 and SYS8. Such a disk two files on the drive you wish to use. would use about 36K. That leaves plenty One file should be named "TEMP! of room for EnhComp files. But you may Fm James F Hennessey, Albuquerque, CMD" and the other "TEMP/BAS". want to keep BACKUP, according to your NM: I have a model 4 PRO-EnhComp, The DOS will search for like-named tastes. reg. no. 00168, which I recently pur- files during the compilation and run chased from you. I have some questions processing. It will find your files. Just All references to TRS DOS 6.x are equiva- about it. make sure you don't have files with lent to LS-DOS 6.x, as the two nomencla- those names on drive zero. tures just refer to different releases of the Is there a way to direct the RUN to drive same DOS. The acronym "LDOS" refer- :1? When I RUN a program as described Since any drive can be used, the thrust of ences a Model Ill mode system. on pg. 2-1 of the instructions, TEMP/BAS your second question is moot. However, and TEMP/CMD go to drive 0. Luckily, I underlying your question is the misunder- Finally, the patch references to BC on have PURGED/REMOVED enough files standing that you can't touch the DOS page 40 of TMQ 3.3 should refer BC65/ from the LDOS 6 disk so that there are files which have protection. That's far FIX to Version 2.6, not 1.6; that was a 57k of free space on drive 0. Even if I can from the truth. Any file on an "unpro- typo. Use the BC65 fix as it pertains to compile to drive 1, there are only 57k of tected" disk can be moved via the BACKUP PRO-EnhComp, which is what you have. free space on the EnhComp disk. utility. This includes invisible files [using the "(INV)" parameter], as well. Files If only drive 0 can be used, what are the with EXEC privileges cannot be copied minimum files required on the LDOS 6 with the COPY utility without knowledge disk to support EnhComp? Can the excess of the password, but they can be moved be PURGED/REMOVED or can the re- with BACKUP. If you specify the "(0)" quired files be COPIED to another disk? parameter, then BACKUP will ask you to The files have various degrees of protec- confirm any file it includes in its file- tion. specification match. Similarly, you can erase any file from a disk in which you Does the instruction on pg 2-3 MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -61- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv recognized by the system either with a PARMDIR handy disk or without, and without freezing the computer. This might indicate some bug for DiskDISK in SWAP. Of course, avoiding SWAP forces one to interchange drive designations as the very last item of a JCL, which aborts after a H rtFORTH changeover with SYSTEM (SYSTEM=n), so the use of SWAP has many advantages for me which I would dislike to lose. Here is a handy dandy for PARMDIR. For Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Charles, It turns out, the HARD DISK users who have seg- the problem is not just in this version of mented their HARD DISKS into smaller, SWAP, but existed in the old SWAP since managable diskDISK's and would like an the release of TRSDOS 6.2 way back in easy way to obtain a DIR for all of the HartFORTH-86 documen- time. LSI added a bit in the Drive Control diskDISK's, without assigning individu- Table which could be used to inhibit the ally and printing out a DIR, try the follow- tation errata @CKDRV routine (that checks for the ing. (You must have PARMDIR, cur- existence of a diskette). Seems that since rently available in the GO:SYS module) 6.2, LSI defaults the :0 drive to inhibit @CKDRV, I guess because it has to have 1) Set MEMDISK for bank 1, SPOOLER Fm Pete Betz: Roy, HaiiForth-86 is great, a disk in there anyway. They revised the for bank 2. as expected. Simple but powerful, as the SYSTEM (SYSTEM=d) library command saying goes. Here's some errata from the to re-engage the @CKDRV test when Glossary: drive :0 was swapped with another; SWAP 2)Set *ff FORMS did not. So what happened was when you page 29: + or; should be + or = SWAPped :0 and :4, drive :4 then had to 3) FORMS (c=85,m=3,1=60) - have a disk in it. I have developed a patch (,ffhard), if your printer can handle page 29: 2CONSTANT's stack notation to SWAP which fiddles with the DCT it. should be d -> @CKDRV bit. The following patch fixes up the problem. 4) Space down 3 lines on printer - and reset (top of page now 3 lines down. page 31: S> should be S>D 5) Enter -PARNDIR /DSK DOFILE:1 page 21: the description for LOADS should (A"DD :3 ",X=";DIR :3 be: Will load blocks commencing with (P, I) ",Y";TOF") block n 1 and ending with block n2. (This is a worthwhile change from Model 4 (If you want system files, use X---; DIR HartForth that just didn't get changed in :3(I,S,P)) the documentation.) 6)DO DOFILE:1 page 14: It would be very helpful to change the description at the top for the tick from This will provide you with a directory of Find address... to Find parameter field all of your diskDISK files and their con- address... tents on separate pages. Just staple to- gether, or put in a notebook. Real handy Hope these will be of help. (When the to look up programs in! heck do we get SAID-86? Composing these messages with EDLIN is driving me nutty!) Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Pete, I actually have a preliminary "SAID-86" which Mark Reed has been developing. However, its performance in terms of speed needs improvement, and it needs to handle multiple editing buffers - similar to Model 4 SAID. I can't believe you're using MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -62- MISOSYS Products' tidbits Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv EDLIN! by the executables so that they can be board, (1) DSDD diskette drives, I used stored on one diskette; the load time is LB version 1 t install the system disk in By the way, thanks for the errata. Both also hastened. In fact, after some inten- memory (SyS 1-4, 6-8, 10-12), PRO- Andrew and myself went over the manual sive testing here, I may very well cut in WAM is not installed, no other configura- a few times, but some things just never get this release as our existing version 1.x tion parameters, TYPE, SMOOTH, FAST, picked up. Will insert your errata in the product. LS-DOS 6.3J, C. Itoh Riteman 15 printer README. w/hex dump feature. 1) Option 14 has four 2-character fields LB Beta Report for paths. While the fields will accept A through Z, only a colon followed by a number appears to be legal. If this is the case, why not just imply the colon and let me just enter a drive number (which is not Fm Daniel L. Srebnick: There appears to currently accepted as the first character). be a conflict with the spooler and the The message " Fm MIS OSYS, mc: Daniel, that involves 2) After defining the paths to my (4) file the same bug I came across when having types, I SELECT DATA BASE NAME, Fm David Huelsmann: Roy, Couple of *PR routed to a disk file. I got a "Printer the DEFINE PRINT FORMATS to re- suggestions/requests concerning LB. not available" error. The method of test- view one of them. Using MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -63- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv I get on the final printout, enclosed is one installed) that LB was not passing some receive them. I therefore return to you the example. I tried defining the Printed Lines parameters to the filter. The net result was diskette I made from your master beta copy (which is the source of my test runs), along with the files I've been using to Printer Parma, Plaid Formats and Sample Screen Format for File - TUG generate this report. Both are formatted Print Format File 4 5 DSDD. I will continue testing other areas Physical Lines Per Page .. 12 of the code as time permits, and providing pr i nted Lines Per Page . F'hyeical Line Luir.qth ..... lee feedback as I go. If you have some up- Columns Per RecOrd ...... BE Left Margin Setting ...... 0 dates you'd like me to test, I'll do my best Indent on Wrap-around . ... S Records FrintCd ... 1 to do so. Repeat Record Count/. .... 1 * Name .EN PLEN S Format Calm ------____ ------Fm MISOSYS, Inc: DearRich, concern- LAST NAME 18 18 V 2 PIRBT..NAME 16 16 V ing the LB Beta release, the problem you 3 ADDRESS 22 22 V were having in your print screen defini- 4 CITY 14 14 Y S STATE 2 2 V tion was that you only showed text as frZIP 5 5 V 7 PHONE 12 12 N lines 1-6 of the screen. You had HEADER: B MACHINES 11 11 V PAID THRU 5 5 N None, Text: 1-6, and FOOTER: None. /13/1 • RTUG - Richard R. King Since the was on the 7th line, the A4/i 508 OrlCane Plat U /15/1 Raleigh, NC 27609 and were on the 8th screen line, and the A6A was on the 9th screen line, LB just ignored it. What you put on the screen - - FTUD- Richard R. Kng I BOB Orleans Place doesn't magically appear on your print- Raleigh NC 2709 out if it occurs on aline not covered by the c \V79'2"1 screen direction. For all LB knows, any- thing else could be a note to you. If you had shown the text as lines 1-9, your printout would have been as expected...... See page 42 of the manual, "Defining - 21 File #S Coen I beadec ---- .... 1__._grintpg5e,- . None 1 R1 C0l.u(11fl header, text, and footer areas". (I guess what I really don't understand is Now I'm sure that much of the code is If you have the FORMS filter installed, whether or not LB is keeping track of the working correctly, but I've spent enough you must avoid setting parameters in it number of \13\ characters I am embed- time in this area already, and I'm sure that which would cause forming. Best to just ding in my documents when I do so, you are not waiting specifically for my leave FORMS set at 66/66. That way, it adding to the confusion.) Then too, it feedback, so if I sit on this thing too long, won't conflict with LB's counters. LB appeared (when I had the FORMS/FLT you will ignore my comments when you does not communicate with FORMS. MISOSYS Products' Tidbits - 64 - MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv \10\\l0\\l0\\l0\\10\ "d'\lO\ , 10^\10\\10\\10\ 'l'\lo\ "3' '2'\10\ '4' '5'\10\ '6^ ^7^ ^ 8^ \10\ '9' \10\\10\\10\\10\\10\\10\\10\ '14' THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY Subscription al "lO'Rate " Please return by April 30, 198 A - United States via Third Class B - Canada, Mexico, or United Stat via First class mail ...... C - Columbia, Venezuela, Central America, etc. AO-Air ...... '0 D - South America, Europe, North Africa via AO-Air ...... E - Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East via AC-Air ...... \10\\10\\10\ Please pay via US check, Postal y order,\10\ MasterCard. VISA, or Choice\10\\10\ Print Screen - File Header : 1-3 Text : 2-16 Footer : None Rec: Y Row :1 Column:1 As far as the LB Beta release and com- mand 14, the answer to why you weren't THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY Subscription renewal Rate able to adjust the "path" for the data file is *** Please return by April 30, 1988 ** right there in the manual. Quoting page A - United states via Third Class mail ...... $25.00 111, "Ifyou do have a data set active, you B - Canada. Mexico, or United States will not be allowed to change the data file via First Class mail ...... $30.00 C - Columbia, Venezuela, Central path, since LB has already opened that America, etc. AU-Air ...... $32.00 file and knows the path and drive it is on." C - South America, Europe, North Africa via AC-Air ...... $35.00 Incidentally, the correct procedure for E - Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East via AO-Air .....$40.00 using command 14 is identical to that discussed in the manual. Just disregard path and consider all entries to designate Please pay via US check. Postal money order. the drive specification. MasterCard, VISA, or Choice MISOSYS Products' Tidbits - 65 - MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv TIM MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Incidentally, you must have read the no- sorted on a 2 KEY format. KEY is an path, since LB has already opened that file tice in The Blurb concerning the LB beta alpha group identifier, KEY2 is the nu- and knows the path and drive it is on." version which I made available, therefore merical identifier in the group. When That's why you can't change the "drive" you should have known that that release originally assigned, KEY2 had been as- for a data file which is currently active. had no improvements; the purpose of the signed odd numbers (1,3,5,7, etc.) so that release was to test the re-grooming of the any additions could be added as even As far as your enhancement, I gather that source code for compilation using our numbers. That worked OK until I had to you use a field to force a particular order MC compiler rather than Manx's Aztec add several in one place. I used smaller by its entry. Your use of KEY2 as a compiler. That means you should not have and smaller incremental numbers in KEY2 subfield order force may be unique. I been surprised to find the test copy void of to accomplish this. Now, I would like to really don't think that I would want to add improvement in the "print definition" RENUMBER the KEY2 field into inte- the code overhead necessary to "renum- department. Thanks for the input. All is gers again. I can go through the whole file ber" that kind of field. Perhaps you should welcome. All requests for changes went and manually renumber the KEY2 field, explore an external program to adjust into the LB file folder. At this point in but maybe it could be automatic. It needs your field content like Daniel Srebnick time, I am accepting no further input to be RENUMBERED restarting in each did with his archive utility in TMQ III.i. because the redesign phase to reach ver- KEY group. sion 2.0 has begun. My target for release A 1.44 Meg floppy uses a floppy control- is late 1989. I have also been working on my 'COM- ler running a 2 MHz clock, not a hard PATIBILITY' chart, and 'BLEW' my drive controller. It would be easier to system up again! I couldn't access my modify the FDC in the Model 4 to soft- DISKdisk, although $DD and $DL were ware switch its clock to 2 Megs from 1 More questions on LB's present in the MEMIDIR print out. (en- Meg so the 500 K}{z data transfer could closed) I will keep you informed as to be done. But I am not intending to add a "PATH" option progress. floppy controller to the hard drive. If I were even foolish enough to consider I suppose that it is too late for another such a thing, I would have to design a 'IDEA' on the 'HARD DISK', but how controller using a 765 chip so that it Fm Ken Strickler, Stanwood, WA: Roy, about a slot for a 1.44Meg Floppy to would be able to support one of the low- I have been 'playing with' the BETA LB backup the hard disk, or a pair of 1.44's cast 40Meg tape drives which work off Version a little bit, and here is how it has for those who want to use the high capac- the floppy controller in a PC. I say foolish been going. ity floppies. I think that the new controller enough because the potential sales couldn't would handle them, wouldn't it? Just an pay for the development costs. There was no HELP on the distribution idea. disk, so I transferred the HELP file from Anyone with a good electronics back- my original disk. Seems to work OK. I'm Saw something about 'SNOW' on the ground who is interested in pursuing this sure that the HELP file will be on the final coast there, (North Carolina), and hope direction, though, should investigate the disk. you weren't caught up in it! Kids would DP8473 chip from National Semiconduc- probably LOVE it! Not ME! tor. This is a one-chip floppy disk control- Next, I loaded the COMPLETE LB sys- ler compatible with the NEC !.LPD765A tem into my XLR8er board. LB and Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Ken, the LB manual controller chip. According to National's LBMAINT take about 300K of the 320K seems clear to me concerning Option 14, ads, "All you need to add is an address available. With the LB program in 'RAM- View/Modify Path settings. "Screen" refers decoder, a crystal, and a few passive DISK', I was impressed with the speed to the screen and print format files. You components." It uses an analog data sepa- that the various modules were loaded!Like are aware that when you define an edit/ rator and handles transfer rates from 250K having a 'BIG' machine! update screen, a file is generated as "file- to 1M bbs. It also handles disk drives with name/VDn". This is noted on page 114. as many as 4000 tracks; sounds great for the new floptical drives! Option 14 (PATH) is a little confusing as Likewise, each print definition screen it pertains to the Model 4, as I wasn't sure generates a file which contains the printer what the path to the SCREEN was. I report definitions. The View/Modify al- Yes, the snow really hit the coast - Vir- found that I could DEFAULT after defin- lows you to designate which drive will ginia Beach and Norfolk areas too - but ing the PATH for the FILE and get into contain these files (they have to be in the we got but a few flakes here West of DC. the file. I'm sure that an UPDATE would same "path". Certainly, when it refers to The kids would have loved it. I wouldn't clear up the wording in the manual. the IRS-80, path refers strictly to a disk have minded much since I have a 4-wheel drive specification - at this time. drive Jeep and the office is at home. As for enhancements, one which might be helpful is to be able to RENUMBER a Also note the sentence on page 111 which KEY field. The problem arises in the says, "If you do have a data set active, you following manner. I have a FILE which is will not be allowed to change the data file Fm Ken Strickler: You knew that you MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -66- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv TIlE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv would hear - but here it is again - LIKE MC and nested condi- #include MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -67- MISOSYS Products Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv For a couple of reasons I wanted a TOUCH Well I step through utimeO until it returns LD HL,0000H utility for my Model 4 under LS-DOS 6.3. from _CHKPAT, where upon it does an Return zero on error For one thing I got tired of the squirrelly error exit. Well, back to my broken down RET dates on the files I moved from MS-DOS library for _CHKPAT and a listing from CSEG$002C: to LS-DOS 6.3 with TRSCROSS. UNREL and then to DEBUG some more. LD HL,DSEG$0004 What _CHKPAT does is call _CHKPER, Continue processing Very simple. MC provides udateO that which fortunately is in the same module. sets a file's mod date/time to the system _CHKPER calls @FSPEC for a valid This bandages the bug with out fixing it. date/time or a date/time specified by the filespec, then (if valid) @OPENs it. If Now utimeO, chmodO, gattrib, and sat- caller. All I need to do is flush it out with that succeeds, it picks up the 2nd byte tribO should work as advertised. And this some code that picks up a filename and from the DCB, masks off all but the 3 low approach does have the advantage that it optional date and time from the command order bits. The resulting BYTE is stored might be "patchable." But what about line, fix it up for utimeO, and call it. in the "low order byte" of _ACCLVL, accessO? Well, it turns out that accessO which appears to have been declared in uses _ACCLVL as an offset in an eight Since this might be of use to others, I the module as a global integer. Anyway, it byte table. Since the high order byte of needed to fix it up with error checking and occupies a word. Note that the "high order _ACCLVL contains garbage, accessO may messages so that it is well behaved. The byte" of _ACCLVL contains whatever get its "data" from almost anywhere in result is TOUCH/CCC. happened to be there to begin with memory. This is not going to be so easy to zero if I cleared memory, otherwise gar - fix; and the fix is not going to be "patch- Only it turned out to be a flakey program. bage pure and simple. The file is then able." Sometimes it worked, most of the time it closed and _CHKPER returns. didn't. And when it didn't I always got So instead, I decided to correct the prob- something bizarre from sys_errlistO. It Back to _CHKPAT. The first thing it does lem by going back to the CKPTH6 mod- was almost like I had failed to initialize on returning is to load _ACCLVL as a ule and force _ACCLVL to be initialized something. WORD into HL and then to test for zero. to zero. I changed So I tried memory (clear). Voila, it worked! LD HL, (ACCLVL) ACCLVL: Iran some other programs and tried again LD A,H ; This is DS 2 - Raid time again. Obviously I have the garbage byte failed to initialize something. So I stripped OR L ;Zero to the program until I ended up with for valid CHKPER JR Z,CSEG$002C ; ACCLVL: #option ARGS 0 Go if zero DW 0 ;int #option FIXBUFS 65535 LD I-IL, 0000H ; _acclvl = 0; #option REDIRECT 0 Return zero on error RET This adds nine bytes near the beginning of main() CSEG$002C: LIBC/REL and can't be a patch. (That is LD HL,DSEG$0004 nine bytes to the library; it only adds two if (utime ("testfile/ Continue processing bytes to finished programs.) So for those dat", ((char *)0))) with the tools here are the steps. puts ("SNAFU"); So anytime the garbage byte is not zero, _CHKPAT is told by _CHKPER there is 1. Use SPLITLIB to break LIBC/REL an error and _CHKPAT tells UTIME that into smaller chunks, e.g. splithb libc 11000 Nothing to initialize. Nothing to go wrong. it is no go. Incidentally, this bug will also :0 But the bug was alive and well. So I got to affect chmodØ, gattribO, and sattribO. use all of those neat MISOSYS tools. AccessO may also be affected, since it 2. Rename LIBC/R0 1 libc/rel. SPLITLIB breaks up LIBC/REL into bite knows about _ACCLVL and calls sized chunks. MLIB extracts UTIIvIE/REL _CHKPER. 3. Load this chunk of the library into from LIBC/REL. (Incidentally, anyone MLIB and extract the CKPTH6 module. who has used the MS-DOS librarian must My first thought was to recode _CHKPAT appreciate the work Rich did on that one. by changing my assembly listing to 4. Use UNREL to get an assembly listing It is a joy to work with.) UNREL disas- of CKPTH6/REL. sembles TJTIME/REL. I get an assembly LD HL, (_ACCLVL) listing of T/CCC from MC and a map LD A,L ; Zero 5.Edit CKPTH6/ASM at line 88 by chang- from MRAS. I load up DD and run DEBUG. for valid CHKPER ing "DS 2" to "DW 0" This is the first Boy, it's been a couple of years and am I OR A thing in the DSEG. Be sure you are chang- rusty! JR Z,CSEG$002C ; ing _ACCLVL: and not one of the Go if zero DSEG$000n definitions; they do not need MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -68- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv TIlE MISOSIIS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv to be initialized. command line and if the argument does VOID *data; not begin with a '-', places it in a linked char *(*func) 0; 6. Assemble the edited CKPTH6/ASM to list. The assumption is that this is one of CKPTH6/REL with MIAS. perhaps several filenames to be processed by the program. Now the data item will be a void pointer 7. Go back to MLIB, reload the LIBC/ whenever ANSI is defined and a charac- REL we made earlier and replace CKPTH6 Arguments that begin with '-' are as- ter pointer otherwise. with our new CKPTH6 and save the up- sumed to be a "switch". A string of char- dated library as LIBC/REL. acters indicate valid switches for the pro- Now I need to create my array of these gram. A corresponding array of structures structures. The syntax generally is: 8. Put the library back together with contain a pointer to a data item and a pointer to a function for processing the static struct CLAPSWITCHtg append libc/r02 libc/rel switch. A switch can simply turn a flag switches[] = (strip) on, set a variable to some value, point a append libc/r03 libc/rel pointer to a string, or perform some other (VOID*) &data name, (strip) function defined by the program. function name }, append libc/r04 libc/rel (strip) The current switch processing functions must be passed a pointer to either an 9. Recompile any programs you have integer or a pointer to a string. There is no To get an address for data, we must use written that call accessO, chmodO, gat- particular reason why functions could not the "address of" operator; to shut up strict tribO, sattribO, or utimeO. be written to set longs, floats, and/or type checking by ANSI compilers and doubles. Consequently, a structure is LINT we must cast that address to be a The only fixes I can suggest to those defined... void pointer. without the UNREL and MRAS programs are to buy them from MISOSYS or to struct CLAPSWITCHtg The K&R compilers I have tried this on remember to explicitly initialize _acclvl are all happy with that construct, but MC to zero in main() or your initialization ????? *data; goes through the ceiling. The primary routine before calling the affected func- char *(*func) 0; complaint is an "illegal constant expres- tions. Something like sion." By the time the compiler gets through cascading errors to the end of the program main() The question is, what type should be given it is in a endless loop of errors. TEST! to "data?" In good old fashioned K&R it CCC is a subset of the code demonstrating extern mt accivi; would be declared a pointer to char or the problem. even, God forbid, simply an integer. En- accivi = 0; ter ANSI, which says that it should be I have also included "LOGIC", a clarifi- declared a void pointer and assignments cation (I think) of the discussion of bit- will do it. cast. wise and logical operators with appeared in the last TMQ. If you want to use some Now the whole point of a generalized (set or all of it, feel free to do so. of) function(s) such as this, is to make it as portable as possible across various com- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Kenneth, concern- void pointer casts? pilers, operating systems, and machines. ing past MC issues and other matters, I did Since K&R compilers, including the Minix receive your previous input, but as you C compiler and MC, do not support void surmised, I was sort of buried in work; the pointers, I hit upon a "portable" solution. flu added miser and lost productive time Fm Ken Peck: Roy, I may be missing First I define: to an otherwise hectic schedule. something, but I think I have found a bug in MC. The CLAP/CCC file is a library #ifdef ANSI You correctly located and cured the prob- function I have been working on for some #define VOID void; lem with _ACCLYL in the ckpth module time now. It works fine with MSC, Power #else of the library. Since I had a few other little C, Turbo C, the C compiler that come #define VOID char; tweaks to do on the libraries, I wound up with Minix and even passes PC-LINT #endif making changes to a half-dozen or more muster. However, MC, has a problem modules. with one construct. and my structure becomes CLAP/CCC is a command line argument struct CLAP SWITCHtg parser. It takes each argument from the MISOSYS Products' Tidbits - 69 - MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume ItLiv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Concerning the MC bug report illustrated The scanO and fscan() modules were or more. Any library diskette received by the CLAP/CCC program, I passed that updated to support field suppression on without a return address label will not be on to Rich for his input. There is a limita- %c, %s, and %[ translations. This affects returned. Any disk received in packaging tion in MC on the kind of construction LIBC and MATH. which has an excessive weight will not be which you put together. Rich suggested a returned unless you include postage for Work-around of the following in addition In the CKPTH5 and CKPT146 modules of its mailing! to your "portable" solution: LIBC, the _chkpathO function was re- vised to properly reflect a zero initializa- If you are using a release earlier than 1.6, #ifdef ANSI tion of the integer variable, _acclvl. please note that the upgrade offer an- #define CVOIDSTAR (void *) nounced in TMQ II.ii is still open: Return #else The stat() function in the STAT5 module both your disks with $20 + $2 S&H ($3 #define CVOIDSTAR (Model III only) was changed to correct Canada, $6 Foreign). #endif code differentiating between a device and a file. This work-around would be used to create your array of structures. Instead of, The _dirwr() function in the DIRRW5 and DIRRW6 modules was changed with (VOID*) &data name, the addition of a missing RET statement function name }, added to the end of the function. you would use, Remember that old bug I came across in UL2DST which did a POP AF of the RET CVOIDSTAR &data name, address, but then did a $HS which af- function name }, fected the flag register? I corrected that by relocating the $HS to precede the POP I checked this out with TEST/CCC, and AF. Seems like the L2DST module had it, of course, works except for the two the same bug (see Daniel Sun's report). lines in the table setting array space for While I was about it, I checked all of the the two string data items, i_strand 0_ste (I conversion modules in LIBA to ensure PRO-CREATE and "Load deleted the"&" operator). I'm sure you that they didn't also have that problem. would have preferred a modification to l2dst() was changed. file format error" the compiler, but at this point, it would have been impossible to pull off. The fdfixO function in LIBA was changed per the update identified back in TMQ Thanks for the input on logic. I'm sure it II.iii, but never updated on the master Fm Bob Haynes: Here I am, trying to will clear up the issue for most. Inciden- library disk. That switched the conver- write a driver for Tom Crompton, and I tally, you should have received a new sion from using ints to using longs. I have get stopped by the dumbest problem; I GO:SYS diskette some time ago with the a complaint that it still doesn't meet the must be overlooking something! revised PaDS and patched copies of a few precision of a double, but I don't see any other GO:SYS modules. Let me know if reason to include a separate conversion Today, using Pro-Create (MAS/CMD v you don't have the revised copy. routine to handle the 7-byte double char - 4.3a) under LS-DOS 6.3, I have been acteristic. See Daniel Sun's report previ- happily assembling /CMD files with the ously noted. source file I'm working with. Now all of a sudden, after a source edit, MAS is Thus, with these changes, the affected blowing back to DOS, rejecting my source MC Library revision libraries were LIBA, LIBC5, LIBC6, and with the following: MATH. As has been my policy with MC for many years, bug corrections to the MAS 4.3a - Copyright (c) libraries have been available at no charge. 1982/83/84 by MISOSYS, Inc. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: The previous re- All rights reserved. ports referenced the discovery of a few If you are currently using the 1.6 release, minor bugs in the libraries of our C com- you can obtain the revised library disk by ** Error code = 34, Re- piler, MC. There have been a few more returning your MC library diskette (don't turns to X1 2F2C' minor changes developed for selected return the program diskette). Please re- ** Load file format error library modules. These changes have now turn it in a protective diskette mailer and Open FCB, Drive=0, DEC=71 been integrated into the distribution disks. insert a return address label. Do not use a Last SVC = 102, Returned Here's a summary of the changes which cardboard box, or any other kind of pack- to X'1A19' were introduced into the MC libraries: aging which by itself weighs two ounces MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -70- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv TIlE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume ]ll.iv LS-DOS Ready Learning this stuff is tough - I have two IRPC CHAR,#STRING books, but there has to be better books DEFB MAS seems to load fine, since I get the than these! Can you recommend any? '&C}IAR' .XOR.CODE startup message. I checked for file open Hopefully, they will still be available... ENDM error using the 'MEMORY (A="N", B=1)' DEFB LF.XOR.CODE command. No open. Moved the source Fm MISOSYS, Inc: I am enclosing our ENDM file to another drive; a retry shifted the latest brochure which identifies current drive # in the error message to the new pricing. I have no recommendatiotis as to Note that STRING in IRPC may not be drive. I've gone over, every byte of that books on learning Z80 assembly language surrounded by angle brackets. If STRING source file, looking for errors... Sure, coding as I have no idea what is still available. I contains a space, IRPC considers that it errors, but nothing to cause MAS to refuse would recommend starting with EDAS; has reached the end of the string, even if to read it that I can think of. however, if you want to advance to using there are more characters after the space. a relocatable assembler, then go directly Surely IRPC should either allow angle Since when does MAS spit out load file to MRAS. Our language products should brackets to delimit a string without being format errors on a source file? Thought be available for quite some time. included as part of it, or it should only only DOS used that when rejecting un- terminate the string when the end of the loadable /CMD files! line is reached. However, the latter alter- native would run into trouble if a com- MAS runs fine on all sorts of other source ment existed after the string on the end of files, rejecting only this one. Guys I really MRAS doesn't yet sup- the line. need to get this program up and running; port F80! any suggestions at all would be much Turning now to MLINK, I have found a appreciated. couple of problems. First and most impor- tant are the switches for specifying the Fm MIS OSYS, Inc: Bob, If your source Fm F.T.C. Harris, Highgate, London: origin addresses of the Common, Data, file has a line which exceeds 128 charac- Dear Sirs, I recently purchased your MRAS Link and Program segments. The address ters in length, then the "Load file format package and have handed it over to Will of these is specified as a four digit hexa- error" will be generated. Hutchinson, of 8 Down Road, Weymouth decimal number. If any of these digits is Devon who has met some problems with an upper case A, B, C, D, E, or F, it it and writes as follows: terminates the number. Thus -D-A000 actually causes he Data segment to start at 0000 hex and -P=520F actually causes the "After some time spent testing its (i.e. Program segment to start at 0520 hex. If MRAS) capabilities, afew problems have the alphabetic characters are lower case, become apparent and I should like to the address is correctly interpreted. This bring them to your attention. must be a bug!! Taking the various programs in order, MRAS itself for the most part is fine. The other problem is simply one of mis- understanding. I had hoped that MLINK However, there is one limitation that has would allow us to link FORTRAN pro- proved somewhat irritating. One program grams despite its lack of support of spe- of mine contains a macro to XOR each cial link item 12. In fact, even the sim- byte of a string with a constant. Under M80, the macro is as follows: plest FORTRAN program seems to be incompatible with MLINK. Odd addresses are associated with FORTRAN entries XORIT MACRO STRING MRAS or PRO-CREATE? and, although the linking process seems IRPC CHAR, MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -71- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSIIS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv resulted was hopelessly corrupted. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Dear F.T.C., Sorry to be so late with a reply, but I get more was "fixed" with the application of MLK511/F[X and MLK69/FIX back in If this is because of lack of support for correspondence than I can deal with. Some letters really do not get answered. But let 1986. But I checked the code out and Special Link Item 12, then do you plan to found that you are indeed correct; the add this to MLINK at any time in the me try to give you some response which you will accept. patch had a bug! It was bypassing the future? The overlay and virtual memory SUB 7 instruction (to convert the 'A'-'F' facilities could be of considerable use and to a numeric range 3AH-3M, but by- The MLINK linker provided with MRAS in any case the speed of MLINK alone passing it only on upper case A-F! The will not handle Microsoft FORTRAN F80- gives it a decided advantage over L80! patches for Model III MLINK and Model compiled files. That's a plain and simple 4 MLINK are: Last is MLIB where again the problem is response. One reason is that MLINK does minor. In interactive mode, option M not support the chain address special link produces the expected prompt: item which is used in F80 when a forward reference is being compiled (reference to Set printer to top ofform... a symbol not yet declared). Chain address is used on one-pass compilers, such as The manual states that any key press will F80. Another reason is that F80 has no knowledge of the code and data segment start printing, but in fact only a few line Now I took a look at the MLIB code feeds are printed and then the program lengths until it finishes compiling. MLINK uses a virtual storage record-oriented which interrogates for top-of-form if the returns to command level. If the printer is mode is interactive (i.e. JCL not active or ROUTEd or the program is in JCL mode, facility which has to pre-allocate blocks of memory for storage of segment data SPOOLer not active); I really can't test the prompt is not displayed and no prob- this on a Model I. According to the code, lem occurs. and other linkage data (such as REQ state- ments, chain external, and other). F80's there should be no problem if you enter any character other than BREAK. De- Finally two general problems with LDOS. REL stream begins to output code, data, and linkage information prior to the seg- pressing the BREAK key in response to Firstly, if a file of 5 or more extents is the query will certainly cause the exact RENAMEd only the HIT entry for the ment size specifications. Such data must be stored in memory; MLINK expects the behavior you suggest. You may wish to FPDE is updated. The FXDE entry(ies) confirm this. Perhaps you used the BREAK is(are) left unchanged. While this causes segment size data first so it can assign a block of memory. key since the manual said any key press no effect to system operation, it does will start printing. cause a directory error which is sensed by DIRCIIECK (Logical Systems, Inc.) or I have started to revise MRAS and MLINK: MRAS to support the 64180 extended If any key press causes the abort, perhaps PCHECK (Breeze/QSD Inc.). This CAN you can step through the code to investi- be fixed by DIRCHECK or PFIX, but it is instructions, and MLINK to support F80 relocatable bit streams, and a larger vir- gate. The prompt is displayed by code not too difficult to be updated; I have a starting at address 662AH. Just 'C' through subroutine written to allow the renaming tual file. The lack of adequate time for program development is something which the calls and examine the code coming of files from FORTRAN which updates back from the keyboard request. Unless the HIT entries for both the FPDE AND keeps me from announcing anything in that regard. you press BREAK (which returns a value any FXDE(s). of 1), which is tough to do when you are Whether MRAS should support angle in the DEBUGger, the code should just The other problem is more serious. If a proceed the same as if JCL were active. program file is loaded with an area of high brackets surrounding a string to designate memory reserved: no error is produced if no space terminator is moot; it does not at this point. One of the things I had to rely On your problems with LDOS, both have the program file overwrites this suppos- been discussed many years ago. LDOS edly sacrosanct area. Thus essential driv - on when implementing MRAS was the documentation of M80 - which left much only alters the Hash Index Table (HIT) ers and filters may be corrupted without entry for the primary directory entry. This warning, causing a system crash. I feel to be desired. Had I known years ago that IRPC was supported by M80 in that fash- causes absolutely no problems with the that the loading process should abort if an DOS. There is no plan to change that. attempt to load memory higher than the ion, I would have probably supported it in current value of HIGH$ is made. MRAS. I'll keep it in mind for the next release (see above). Your recommended change to restrict loading of any file into an area above I shall be interested to hear any responses HIGH$ is unworkable. That would then you may have to this letter - perhaps you I thought I had already fixed the problem with the pdc switches and the A-F argu- restrict programs from loading modules may even have some solutions for me? In into protected memory. Folks have been any case, I would like to put mu general ment back a long time ago. Actually, it appreciation for your products on record, LDOS in general has no peer!!" MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -72- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv doing that with BASIC for many years. first released for the Model I computer. Folks have customarily lowered HIGH$ Other vendors, such as MISOSYS, con- then used the area above it for their own tinued to utilize that convention. An as- purposes, such as loading programs, sembler would require that the last text modules, etc., which are loaded via the character of the file be followed by a @LOAD DOS facility - the same facility CTRL-Z so that the assembler could rec- PRO-WAM used for loading programs. There can be ognize the actual end of text, regardless of no change to the loader without nega- what the DOS had in its directory (assum- tively affecting literally thousands of ing the DOS permitted the file to be read programs already in existence. at least up to that point). SAID defaults to adding a CTRL-Z character to the end of a text file when it is in the ASM or CCC mode because it is designed to coordinate with our assemblers (which use the CTRL- ON-LINE Help for the MRAS: SAID's file Z convention). modes; CCC, ASM, and Model 4 with PRO-WAM SAID actually does a little more than just TXT adapt to a CTRL-Z addition based on the mode, ASM mode also alters it to auto- matically upper case assembly language as required and set tab at every eight Fin John Foote, Wilmette, IL: The edi- columns. CCC mode sets tabs at every tor "Said", in MRAS has three modes for four columns. TXT mode, I believe, sets filing text, CCC, ASM, and TEXT. The the terminator character to a NULL, as is first two modes use a 1AH terminator at typically the convention with word proc- the end of the file. TEXT does not. I use essor text files. I think I've found a good use for PRO- another program that requires the use of the block save feature of Said. Blocks WAM that your readers may find interest- When using the EXT= parameter in SAID, ing: saved with CCC or ASM will not down just enter the character string without the load in my other program, but TEXT files "I"; thus, if you want to edit files with an will. Apparently the 1AII makes the dif- I have the HELPGEN program from your extension of "/TFC", invoke SAID with a Mark IV Collection, and have made a ference. Also I find the use of the TEXT command of: default confusing. I don't understand the number of help files with it for the various applications I use on my Model 4 since it significance of the default statement in SAID (EXT="TFC") Said. In going into Said with an ending of was always a pain having to dig into the /tfc, the ending is never changed even manuals when I wanted to invoke some under the default query. Perhaps someone little-used feature. The built-in help fa- would explain the significance of the lAB, cilities, whenever available, were just too and also whether the incomIng text should incomplete most of the time to be useful. use /txt or if the ending makes a differ - The problem was that you can't run HELP! ence in down loading after saving a block. CMD from inside an application - it's too big! Fm MISOSYS, Inc: The significance of a lAB terminator (which is a CTRL-Z) is My initial solution was to put two Model based on history. When Micros devel- 4s on my desk and run HELP on the other oped, all assemblers used a CTRL-Z computer. The problem with that was that character to indicate the end of the text. I would lose my concentration while This originated in the CP/M world where moving my hands and eyes to a new an exact end-of-file position for a file was keyboard and monitor. The amount of not maintained in the directory. Thus, two desk space that arrangement left me with kinds of files were recognized: binary was less than desirable, also. files which always used a full sector, and text files which were composed of ASCII Then I thought about modifying HELPP/ characters only and which had a CTRL-Z CMD (from PRO-WAM) to work with character as the last character of the text. HELPGEN help files. That was beyond my abilities, and HELPP can only display In the TRS-80, the CTRL-Z convention a single screen of information, with no was followed by the assemblers Tandy keyword menu, and no use of reverse video highlighting. MISOSYS Products' Tidbits - 73 - MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv My next idea was to run DoubleDuty on text does show up but it's all bunched essor, would probably prove unusable since the one computer, using my main applica- together and my keystrokes produce gar- the video character data can't be pumped tion in partition 1 and HELP in partition 2. bage characters. Evidently TERM can't across the slow communications line That worked satisfactorily but came at a handle the video control codes these pro- anywhere near as fast as it is being done huge price: DoubleDuty gobbles 1551 grams send, or those codes aren't going on thehost. Even at 9600 baud, it may be bytes of high mern, and 444 bytes of low out the RS-232 through the LINK at the too slow. mem. That wasn't workable either, since Other computer. Interestingly enough most that wouldn't leave me enough memory all of the DOS commands work fine through On the other hand, programs which per- to use my, XLR8er, my hard disk, and the serial link, but almost none of the form infrequent updating of the video PRO-WAM. What to do? applications software will. I also tried screen through the @YDCTL service call using COMM/CMD with all different would be good candidates for remote access. Whilst perusing the DOS and PRO-WAM communications parameter settings with PRO-WAM's TERM may have sufficient manuals, I was struck with a flash of identical results. Is there something simple code space to support LS-Host/I'erm's inspiration! Why not run HELP on the to correct this? @VDCTL handling if the host portion second computer (as before), but access it was used on the host instead of just the through the RS-232 serial port Using the The fact that the XLR8 can be equipped *KI and 9)0 link. Given time, I may look PRO-WAM TERM application? This is with two additional RS-232 ports also into that. what I did: connect the two machines appears potentially intriguing! If the using a homemade null modem cable, and applications could be fixed to work through load COM/DVR on both. At--the 'auxil- the serial ports, you could connect three iary' computer LINK *DO *CL and LINK auxiliary TRS-80s and run four programs *1(1 *CL, then load HELP/CMD. Use simultaneously! It seems that you could Mister ED with PRO- SETCOM to set the baud rate the same at even use VED to export and import data WAM 1.0 both computers (the fastest I could go was between the computers via TERM. That 4800 baud). Now at the primary computer is, if those extra ports are supported by a load PRO-WAM and then your applica- new version of COM/DVR. tion. Whenever on-line help is desired, Fm John Foote, Wilmette, IL: I have invoke PRO-WAM and run TERM. Once I'm grateful to you for including TERM received my program, "Mr Ed", under you're in TERM, you only have to in the PRO-WAM package. I thought I'd your invoice number 89-10668.1 find that MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -74- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv DIALER from the WAM1/APL library window, for sure! and made it a standalone /APP file to be invoked from PRUN? I wonder where that bit of code escaped from. It surely couldn't be in PRO-WAM You obviously use the COM driver (I'll (that's not an ironic comment). The RESET assume you use it for access to the forum), command would ordinarily undo the PRO-WAM's DIALER so the COM driver is functioning. I have ROUTE command (RESET *DO). never had anyone with your problem and and COM/DVR status there are over 2000 copies of PRO-WAM You could try opening the DIALER win- OR why not to use Car- in use. Have you tried applying any of the dow, then opening the LIB Exec window DIALER patches for RS modems? Try on top of it with Fm Thomas Crompton: I'm still having Also, RESET that DIALER/DAT file. It Why not try making a fresh copy of LS- a problem with DIALER in PROWAM is opening up when DIALER gets in- DOS (or whatever you're using) from 2.0. It will not read the DIALER/DAT voked, but since you have to RESET, the your master, then copy PRO-WAM onto file. It does not have a ? by it in the DIR. file is left open. the same disk, again from your master. I list the file and the first character is an Then see if it will run. If it doesn't, the . Is that normal or would that cause the Fm Thomas Crompton: Bill, I am using PRO-WAM master may have become system to lock up and the DIALER/APP a SmartDuck ADC 1200 modem. It works boogered somehow. (Be sure this brand- not to be able to read the DIALER/DAT fine with XT4 and DESKMATE calls so new copy of the system is done on a file. When I run DIALER, I get a blank I assume the switches are ok. DIALER brand-new disk, or one that you have window and the system then locks up. I gives me the correct window without *CL zapped with an eraser, and formatted anew.) can not use DIALER with the dialing set butl can not make calls and I do not get When you have fixed the problem, it will feature but I would like to use the dialing the two (or even one) beeps. Roy asked if be REAL obvious! feature. That's the only application not I had *CL COM/DVR installed correctly working; the others work fine. Any sug- or if I had a version without it installed. Let me know whether this worked, and gestions? Maybe I should try to SYSGEN another what you saw if it didn't. COM/DYR after resetting it. I'll try now Fm Bill Brandon: Thomas, What kind of - let you know the outcome. Fm Thomas Crompton: Bill, I found the modem are you using? Are all the DIP problem with DIALER. I had to re-set the switches set correctly? This is really bi- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Thomas, Is the COM SETCOM for the values of DTR and CD. zarre. I'm having a hard time seeing any driver in high memory or low memory? I needed DTR=OFF and CD=IGNORE. connection between *CL and what you Can you send me a memory map? I have- When that was set up right everything are getting in the window (which is a I n't a clue as to your problem. works now. That was a hard one. Thanks DAT file). for your help and if I can ever be of help Fm Thomas Crompton: Bill, I tried to to you, let me know. Will DIALER give you the correct win- reset *CL and remove it. When I do this I dow WITHOUT *CL set? It should beep get about 12 char of junk and the words Fm Bill Brandon: Thomas, Glad you at you twice, and then bring up the data in route *do (nil in the left-hand top of the found the problem and got it fixed. I still the window. You wouldn't be able to dial window and the rest is blank window. wonder what that ROUTE instruction was out this way, but knowing whether part of After resetting and removing *CL I set it doing in the window, though. the /APP works correctly will at least this way SET *CL COM/DVR (from the narrow the problem. PROWAM manual). I get into DIALER Fm Thomas Crompton: Roy, I have without locking up but I get the junk and solved the PROWAM problem. The COM Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Thomas, Have you the words route *do (nil, but it doesn't driver parameters had to be reset. I set the confirmed that your COM driver is in- lockup the system and I can exit (BREAK) DTR=OFF and CD=IGNORE and that stalled correctly? Have you created a situ- from the DIALER/APP and I can call solved the problem completely. PRO- ation in which the COM driver is not additional windows too. Any idea what WAM works fine now with the exception installed. Since I used your master disk the problem is and how to get around it? of when I return to PRO-WAM from which you returned to test out DIALER DES KMATE. Is that a stacking problem? and it worked perfectly on my machine, I Fm Bill Brandon: Well, that "route *do Thanks for checking the disk out and the cannot understand why you are having (nil)" business is real interesting. It means other assistance. such a problem. Have you tried to invoke that whatever would ordinarily be going DIALER from PRUN, just to try some- to the CRT is being sent to la-la land If the above problem with PRO-WAM thing else? Have you tried to extract instead. That would explain the blank and DES KMATE has a solution similar to MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -75- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Allwrite let me know. Unless you have a good reason to do so, always keep the COM driver options set Fm MISOSYS, Inc: All, there's the cul- to ignore carrier detect. I believe the only prit. I have no idea why you have the utility for not ignoring carrier detect would COM driver established with CD=ON. be in the operation of a host program or That has the driver honor Carrier Detect. bulletin board operation. Even so, such The result is that any program's attempt programs can obtain the carrier detect to send a character to the driver will status without the driver requiring it for a receive a "not ready to transmit" status "transmit ready" status. until the modem returns a carrier detect status to the driver. When PRO-WAM's DIALER first acti- vates and determines that the COM driver RATFOR-M4 version 2 is installed, it sends out the MACRO-@ dialing string. Since you had your driver wait for carrier detect (via CD=ON), DIALER was constantly trying to send out that string to the modem, but the serial Fm Gary Phillips: Roy, Jim tells me that driver was always returning with a "not RATFOR-M4 has a version 2.0 now. What ready" indication. Such an indication would are the upgrade policies for my version be normal if the driver was still process- 1.0? If there was an announcement in ing the previous character. So DIALER TMQ I can't seem to find it. was caught in an infinite loop. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: There wasn't any announcement in TMQ. Send me your HARDWARE TO ENHANCE THE OPERATION MISOSYS OF YOUR MODEL 4 XLR8erTM Hard Drive components TT512P 1200 bps modem for 413 Full "AT" command set Memory expansion & Speedup Upgrade your existing SMeg drive or build Turn your Model 4/4D/4P into a speed anew. Expand your PC to an XT with these Speed up your standard components. demon. By plugging in our XLR8er card Model 4P's with its Hitachi 64180 processor and 256K 1.Seagate ST-225 drive, 20 Megabyte, commu- nica- of expanded memory, you get a much $225 + (5 Ibs) $7.50/$10.50 S&H tions ca- pabii- faster Model 4 with 8 more banks of 2.WD-XTGEN hard drive controller, ties with the memory. Get a 320K RAM disk! Or in- $75 + (1 lb) $4.00I$6.00 S&H only full feature 3.External hard drive case e/w 60 Wt 1200 stall PRO-WAM, install a big RAM disk, ps; for 1 full or 2 half height, 300/ and still have memory banks available for $125 + (10 lbs) $13.00/$18.00 S&H baud in- ternal editing buffers. The XLR8er extends the Items 1&2 plus connecting cable set modem for you life of your computer and speeds your $285 + (6 Ibs) $8.50/$11.50 S&H 4P; available from MISOSYS. throughput. te that S&H figures are US 48 States/ Features: • Improved speed: up to 8 MHz Z80 equivalent waii&Alaska. Outside US please write III • On board "AT" command set • Expanded RAM - 256KB memory - optional • Expanded 110 - Ciarcia bus - optional • Software utilities - LS-DOS 6.x, LDOS 5.x, or CP/M - one provided, each additional $10 • Simple plug-in Installation • One year warranty XLR8er OK Ram [R-MB-003] $1 50+$5S&H XLR8er 256K Ram [R-MB-004] $200+$5S&H Please specify Computer Model & Number (26-) TT51 2P [H-4P-5121 $89.95 + $5S&H and if Hires graphics board is installed MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -76- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Iil.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv disk and I'll put it on. That goes for works fine on modules without type 12 the problem. anyone else with a 1.0 version of RAT- records in them, but most F80 routines do FOR include chain address. The typical crash Certainly I agree that the docs say UN- involves keyboard lock-up, disk drive REL doesn't support chain address. But it Fm Gary Phillips: Thanks for the note on accesses, and even activation of the sound does seem as though it ought to politely RATFOR. My disk and postage are on the routines (weird noises suitable for arcade say something like "Chain address record way. You didn't mention an upgrade fee, games). Quite a hazardous situation. I encountered. Not supported." Rather than but I'll include $10 for a disk refresh. If referred to conversation in which you doing that, it locks up the system, some- you decide it should be more, just say so. suggested UNREL for looking into FOR- times putting garbage out to the printer or LIB/REL and I find no patches for UN- activating the disk drives! Not a very Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Actually, I wasn't REL. Any comment? polite way to go down, especially since going to charge you anything. Them weren't the user might not always know whether a that many Model 4 versions shipped for A separate question, on the Model 4 /REL file contains the forbidden record me to worry about it. Jim convinced me to Hardware Interface kit. I bought the kit type. update to the newer version which needs when it first came out, for use with my two disks. second 4P that runs a BBS system under Fm MISOSYS, Inc: I'll still look into LDOS 5.3. At the time I found that using UNREL as it could be able to trap the the MEMDISK/SET2RAM was unreli- unsupported codes just like I trap in able, sometimes causing system lockups. MLINX. Neither of us could pinpoint the problem. There were some early patches but those were already present on my master disk- ette. Sometime in the last year or so I thought I remembered seeing a much newer patch for this software in TMQ, but now I ifRADIO SHACK can't find it again. Is my memory failing me or was there a patch for mod 3 mode TANDY OWNERS! IvIEMDISK/SET2RAM that appeared Find the computer much later? equipment that TANDY no longer sells. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Gary, I know of no PACIFIC patch that appeared later. The few prob- lems occurred early on and were fixed. Of COMPUTER Don't UNREL F80-com- course, running any "misbehaved" pro- EXCHANGE piled modules gram which "pokes" into the ROM ad- buys and sells used TANDY dress range would certainly prove dis- TRSDOS trous. XENIX MSDOS Are you sure that you had a problem with Fm Gary Phillips: Roy, a couple more UNREL in unrelling FORLIB? I believe I COMPUTERS & nuisance questions for you. A few months had unrelled FORLIB as well as the GRLIB PERIPHERALS ago I purchased UNREL on the TMQ without any problem. Certainly if a mod- We sell everything from Model 3's to special, with the particular intention of Tandy 6000's and all the printers and using it to muck around in the library ale contains a chain address record, UNREL would not handle it. But FORTRAN's hard disks to go with them. If we don't routines provided with Microsoft FOR- libraries should have been assembler have it in stock, we will do our best to TRAN. (You had in fact recommended it produced, not F80 produced. Perhaps you find it for you. We have the largest data to me for the purpose some time earlier.) base of used Radio Shack equipment to I finally got around to experimenting with tried to unrel a F80 compiled module. Now true, UNREL shouldn't crash. If I draw from. All equipment comes with it and had some rather unpleasant experi- warranty. ences. get a chance, I'll look into the code to see what direction it takes on detection of an PACIFIC unsupported link code. COMPUTER Running on a 4P with LS-DOS 6.3, XLR8er, and hard disk, I found that UNREL causes EXCHANGE: spectacular crashes when asked to proc- Fm Gary Phillips: Roy, Sorry for my The One Source For ess any /REL file containing the "chain imprecision regarding UNREL. Yes, the input that consistently causes crashes is Used Tandy Computers: address" type 12 record. I realize that the 1031 S.E. Mill, Suite B documentation states this function to be output from F80 rather than excerpted from FORLIB. I was looking at both Portland, Oregon 97214 unsupported by UNREL, but really it ought 503-236-2949 to handle it a little more gracefully. It things at the same time when I discovered MISOSYS Products' Tidbits -77- MISOSYS Products' Tidbits Volume Ill.jv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv which seemed to be the worst offender, on propyl alcohol (sold in drugstores as rub- a number of long printouts, in the hope it bing alcohol) brushed on with a small would misbehave more frequently. After clean paint brush and mopped up with a time, it did. paper tissues. That surface is a milky translucent plastic, and as soon as it was In doing so, it became evident that, con- clean I could see, by looking through a trary to my previous supposition, the use strong magnifier, that the pins were also on a 4D with XLR8er board had nothing coated with ink inside the plastic. So I to do with it; eventually it seemed to fail arranged a saucer-like container with about both on a machine with the board in- 1/2" of alcohol and set the head in it to stalled and on one without it. dissolve as much ink as possible and left it to soak a few hours. The alcohol ended One of the things that gave me a clue was up dark with dissolved ink. Then, still that I ran the printer in the printout-hex- suspecting there might be more, I re- codes mode whereby, instead of respond- moved a circular cover on the back of the ing to data from the computer and print- head, held by two screws, which exposed ing out text or complying with commands the right-angle bends in the pins and enabled in the usual way, the printer prints out the me to carefully and gently push to make hex codes; for instance, where there's an the pins protrude for further cleaning. "A" in the text, the printer renders it as 41 Care must be taken not to lose or drop any Left Margin Printer Prob- (hex) on paper. Many hours of this showed of the shims that align that removed cover. lems; Continued no spurious characters from the computer. That enabled me to get still more ink out. Also, another thing that attracted my at- Finally, I left the snout of the head under tention was that, in normal printout mode, a reading light for a time to warm it just all problems vanished when I issued the sufficiently to evaporate any water con- code to change from the default of bidi- tained in the alcohol to prevent any dan- Fm Charles A. Ainsworth: Roy, In cor- rectional printing to unidirectional print- ger of rust. respondence, I described problems I was ing, left to right; which made me suspect having with DMP430 printers on model a defect in the right-to-left cycle of print- I reassembled the head and now the printer 4D, and you made several interesting out. works fine and has printed several hundred suggestions [see TMQ II.iii, pps 22-23]. pages of text perfectly without any sign of In essence, the problem consisted of After exhausting all possibilities of a the problem. unpredictable and erratic changes in margin, software problem, I decided to take a especially on word processing and similar closer look at the mechanics of the printer. It would seem that the reason why the jobs when ending one sheet and advanc- Eventually I removed the printer head to problem often appeared when starting a ing to another, when the margin would check for clogged pins, as the head face new page is twofold. First, the stepper- change at the beginning of the new page. nearest the paper is very hard to see other- type motor that moves the carrier isn't all I had experienced a similar problem pre- wise. Eureka! I discovered the problem. that powerful and I found it can be easily viously, but then it was due to a loose belt, The pins were gooey with ink, which stopped in its tracks. Second, when start- but in the present case the belts were seemed to be semi-dried-out, which was ing a new page, several line feeds go out properly adjusted. undoubtedly clogging the pins at times. to the platen stepper-type motor and this By my reasoning, the following was hap- seems to cause a voltage drop in the Well, I was faced with one of those darned pening. The DMP430 ribbon always moves power supply, sufficient to allow the car- ornery intermittent problems, extremely from left to right whichever way the head rier motor to stall if it encounters even a hard to reproduce at will and to trace to its is moving; when the head moves from slight resistance such as sluggish head source. After many hours of testing, puz- right to left in bidirectional printout and pins dragging against the ribbon. It may zling and cussing, I remembered Sher- the pins are busy, obviously the pins, if be a combination of the carrier return lock Holmes' statement to Watson: When sluggish, are more likely to catch on the coming together with the last line feed, probable solutions to a problem don't ribbon as the head is moving against the perhaps associated with some weakness work out, the answer is bound to lie in ribbon movement. When the head is moving in power-supply regulation, but I didn't something improbable, however improb- left to right, with the ribbon, there's less have time or inclination to explore that able it may be. possibility of the pins jamming on the further. ribbon. Which is borne out by the fact that So I proceeded along those lines. To be the problem invariably vanished with left- So why the gooey ink debris on the head? able to get things into focus I decided to to-right-only unidirectional printing. It might be because all my printouts need use a brute force approach, kill or cure, to to be sharp and black so when I purchased try to get a greater frequency of recur- So I cleaned the exterior face of the sur- a ribbon reinker I made some tests and rence. Of my two printers, I ran one, face the pins project through, using iso- decided I preferred to run the ribbon through The Hardware Corner - 78- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv the reinking cycle twice. Perhaps I have suggest you do not use the black industrial left margin in the wrong place, until been over-inking so now I will experi- type rubber cement sold at hardware stores sometimes, after several pages, it would ment with a single pass even though that which may create stains which are hard to repeat the performance and move the may mean more frequent reinking. In any remove and which may just not be suit- margin elsewhere. The only cure was to event, knowing the cause of the problem able for this purpose. When attaching the stop printout and power down, then power and its solution, all's well. fabric strip to the cardboard, leave about up and start again, when the left margin 1/2" projecting at one end and turn this returned to normal (and sometimes shifted I hope that the above may be of some over and cement on the other side, to again later on). interest to you. Thanks again for your prevent the end working loose in use. At help. the rate my strips are used, I expect my $8 I'm an enthusiastic hardware dabbler and investment to last me many years. have been stung painfully several times Since the [above discovery], I have de- with repair bills, so this time I rebelled vised a method to cure such a thing. I and decided to analyze and explore be- previously described what I had done for fore rushing off to a repair shop and cleaning the head by removing it, but risking being socked for a new electronics obviously that isn't a remedy for every- board (or something equally ridiculous) day operation. when perhaps only a couple of screws had The Mystery of the Me- to be tightened. Some thought suggested To clean the head, at the front surface andering Margin it might be either the electronics or a normally hard to see clearly or to reach mechanical problem. I soon discarded the with any sort of instrument or brush, I electronics as a probable cause, as I couldn't purchased at Radio Shack one of their or imagine how the margin could suddenly floppy drive cleaning kits, cat. #26-408, change that way due to the electronics and which costs about $8 and includes a 5-11 Keep Your Printer Clean then remain uniform at a new setting. 4" fabric-like disk and a bottle of cleaning Typically, electronic faults are often inter- fluid. I cut away the disk jacket leaving and Oiled! mittent and flickering, which would have the bare disk, which I sliced radially into made the margin jagged. strips. I mounted each strip on a piece of fairly stiff cardboard obtained from a So I concentrated on the mechanical as- discarded set of binder index tabs. I se- pects and found the answer which led to a cured the fabric from the disk with office quick, easy and free repair, consisting of type rubber cement (obtainable in station- a simple belt tightening. To explain, Twill ery stores) which appears to be impervi- first describe the operation of some perti- ous to the alcohol used for drive cleaning; nent parts of the machine for those unfa- the latter also cleans away printing ink Imagine starting your printer on a 50- miliar with it. Probably many other print- very well. page job, going on a lunch break and ers are quite similar. returning to find most of the printout on So now, whenever I change a ribbon I the platen! The DMP430, like many machines, has a simply pour a few drops of the cleaning pair of guide rails parallel to the front, on fluid on my strip, ease the head back from That's what happened to me with a Tandy which slides a carrier which supports the the platen with the appropriate printer DMP430 dot-matrix printer; I found the print head. There is an endless toothed lever, insert the strip, move the head for - solution which I would like to share with belt running the length of the machine and ward to a point where it will press against others who might have the same problem back and fastened at one point to the head the strip loosely enough to move it up and on this or similar machines, perhaps sav- carrier. At the left the belt runs over a down, and I do a little scrubbing to get the ing them a trip to the repair shop. (Inci- sprocket which is part of a stepper type head and pins clean. So far, It has worked dentally, note that I am not covering the motor which positions and drives the carrier fine. so-called "laser" printers here.) and head, via the belt, according to in- structions to the motor from the electron- As I may have already stated, isopropyl The printer worked hard and well more ics. At the right the belt runs over another alcohol (drugstore rubbing alcohol) is also than a year since it was purchased. Then, sprocket which drives the ribbon trans- perfect for removing ribbon ink. suddenly, at unpredictable moments there port mechanism. would be a noise I can only describe as a When attaching the fabric to the card- cross between a grunt and a growl, and the At the instant the printer is powered up, board strip, apply the rubber cement uni- left margin on the printout would shift to the electronics have no way of knowing formly and sparingly, being sure none the right, with part of the line printing on where the head was left at the end of the remains on the face that contacts the print the uncovered part of the platen to the previous printing session, so, to set a head. If you get any excess, let it dry and right of the paper. The machine would reference point, they move the carrier to then it can be easily frisked off by hand. I continue this way, with a perfectly even the extreme left, where a photocell senses The hardware Corner -79- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv its arrival at the limit of travel, stops it and One may be puzzled as to how to remove One way to gauge the tension is to ob- reverses it a short distance (some 2 or 3 the top. In my printer, there are four serve the belt with the printer in opera- spaces) to the right to a home position recessed screws in the upper part and one tion. It should, at the most, vibrate slightly (printout column 1); the electronics then in the center of the back. But removing (maybe 1/16" or so), due to the driving record the fact that the head is at the home them still does not allow one to raise the force being applied in a number of suc- position and, for all subsequent head top. The secret is that at the lower edge of cessive small impulses, but not flap from movements, keep a running tally as they the front, the cover has projections that side to side which would indicate loose- have to be constantly aware of the exact latch to the base; after taking those screws ness. location for proper printout formatting. out, it can be removed by pulling off the platen knob, removing the ribbon, gently If in doubt, stay slightly below tension, My conclusion was that there was slip- sliding the carrier leftwards out of the reassemble and test, and retension if nec- page in the belt which drives the carrier, way, inserting fingers inside the center of essary, which is no particular hardship as due to stretch or slackness. With the belt the front and pushing towards the front of opening and closing the machine only suddenly slipping out of register with the the machine, which undoes the latches takes a few minutes. One can make com- drive motor, the electronics would not and allows removal of the complete top. parative measurements of belt length and know that the physical carrier and head Carefully keep away from the flat cable tension by carefully measuring the dis- location had been changed to disagree that connects to the printing head and tance from the screw head to the end of with the electronic tally and would thus moves with it, which is rather delicate. the slot. be unaware of the true physical location and produce an incorrect left margin. This On the right of the machine front there is Those motor plate screws are secured seemed to be confirmed by the fact that a panel containing the on-line switch, with a dab of paint, which you will crack when the printer was switched off and form feed switch, lights, etc., connected when loosening; after you have adjusted then on, the reset to the left margin was by cables which go backward and plug and tightened firmly, and are satisfied repeated and things returned to normal. into the electronic board and don't have things work properly and no further ad- My suspicion of belt slippage also seemed much length to spare, so take care not to justment is required, apply a light smear to be confirmed by that noise I heard damage them by tugging. Once the top of almost any hard-setting paint to secure when the margin shifted, probably due to has been removed partially, one can swing against future loosening; the amount of teeth skipping over the sprocket instead it over and reach in and unplug the cables paint has to be small (about the size of a of engaging it positively. from the board at the back, carefully not- pinhead or less) and I used a toothpick to ing which way around the plug goes for smear it on. Don't overdo it as you may So I opened the printer and took a look later reinsertion. have a problem next time you want to inside. If you were to do the same, for the adjust. Don't get paint in the screw head protection both of yourself and your equip- Once I had the top off, an examination of slots! If the screws and plate are oily, ment, be sure to unplug the power cord the belt showed it was slack and no doubt wipe them first with a small brush or a before opening up, to avoid accidentally had been slipping over the motor sprocket; cotton swab stick moistened (not flooded) powering up with your hand or tools in- the motor, located at the left, is mounted with cleaning solvent otherwise the paint side, which might cause carrier move- on a support plate held by two screws on will not adhere (I use Varsol, available at ment and injury or damage, and would opposite sides of the motor, which can be hardware stores). Use the solvent spar- also present the danger of electric shock. loosened to adjust belt tension. One screw ingly, let it dry before applying the paint Also unplug the control cable which might is in a round hole and the other is in a slot and don't splash it around, as it might be damaged when moving the machine which allows for adjustment. damage sensitive parts. around. To adjust the belt tension, I first loosened Here is a slight digression to include another The printer contains electronic compo- the screw in the round hole, about a quar- item which might be troublesome: I have nents which might be damaged by dis- ter of a turn. Then, firmly holding the heard that on some DM1' printers the main charges of static electricity one may accu- motor to tension the belt to prevent it power switch is poor and flimsy and may mulate, so if you open it up be sure to wear loosening and falling, which would in- cause strange things to happen due to poor a grounded wrist strap you can get from volve some juggling to get back into or intermittent contact. Poor contact could Radio Shack or other suppliers for a couple position, I slackened the slot screw. I put conceivably produce an excessive volt- of dollars or so; connect it to a good additional tension on the belt by pulling age drop when the power supply is fully ground, such as a ground connection on on the motor and tightened up again. loaded, as when both head and platen your installation or a water faucet. Do not motors operate together, perhaps causing improvise the strap; the commercial one The tension to put on the belt is hard to a motor stall. Obviously, in such a case a contains a resistor to limit shock in case of define; it should be taut without applying new switch might cure the troubles; to accidental contact with live parts. It would undue force which might cause stretch anyone handy with such items and some be dangerous to connect yourself directly (even breakage) and premature bearing simple tools and soldering, a switch change to ground as the consequences of electric wear; cease pulling when you feel the belt should not be a major problem. Tandy and shock would be much more serious. is quite taut. others sell many kinds of switches, one of The Hardware Corner -80- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv which should probably fit. Try for some- aren't good to breathe. In any event, don't bution, then wipe up any excess with thing beefier than the original as an exact let any solvent whatsoever get on the paper tissues to prevent dripping or run- duplicate might recreate the problem. In cable. For the outside of the printer, use ning. the worst case, if you felt you could not only a rag or sponge, moistened with find a suitable switch you could fit in water with a little soft soap to be sure of In some cases, the carrier has a recessed place of the existing one, you could by- not marring the finish with chemicals. felt wick as a reservoir to assist guide rail pass the switch with jumpers and insert an Don't get things wet enough for water to lubrication; add a few drops of oil, letting in-line switch in the power cable. run into the machine! Also take a good each one soak in before applying the next. look around and inspect for anything loose I have not been able to verify this possibil- or visibly abnormal or worn. Printer manuals may specify that grease ity of switch trouble myself on the must be used in certain places, in which DMP430, but can attest to the fact that on Lubrication is simple and easy. Use good case follow the manual if it disagrees with a couple of DWP410 daisy wheel printers lubricants; pennies saved on them might my suggestions. I favor IBM grease #23, I used to have, both needed the main well turn into dollars spent on repairs; my part #9900692, which I have also used power switch changed to cure erratic favorite oil is sold by IBM at their service with good results for years. A small semi- operation. In both cases, the machine would warehouses: Oil #10, part #1280443, which stiff paintbrush, about 1/4" or 3/8", may start acting up when one brushed very I have used very satisfactorily for years on help in applying grease and working it in; gently, almost feather-light, on the switch typewriters and printers; to locate the keep the brush wrapped when out of use lever during operation, denoting bad nearest source, call the number listed for so it doesn't pick up dirt (which grease contacts or weak contact pressure. End of IBM supplies in your local phone book; or does easily) or wash it with soap and digression, now back to my main subject. perhaps you could get a good lubricant warm water after each use and dry thor- from a reputable typewriter or printer oughly to prevent any water getting in In some cases, belt skip or erratic head dealer or repair shop. Personally, I avoid next time around, which might cause rust. movement may be caused by excessive "universal" type popular oils sold at hard- Don't over-lubricate by leaving blobs of friction of moving parts due to severe lack ware or variety stores for household use grease which might make a mess if they of lubrication; some of the cheaper print- on sewing machines, appliances, bicycles soften and get around as the machine out papers may tend to drop lint inside the and the like, which seem too thin and, warms up. machine which can mix with the lubricant perhaps due to the operating temperature and dry it up or even clog working parts. of some printer parts, may be liable to Some printers move the carrier very fast, gum after a short time, which is just as bad especially when skipping a sequence of as not having any lubricant, if not worse. blank spaces, and the tug on the belt is Model 4 video appreciable. The tug is also considerable Use oil sparingly and avoid flooding; the due to a certain whiplash effect at head most common fault of the uninitiated is a reversal at line ends. Such stresses are tendency to overoil, sometimes grossly, much more severe when lubrication is leaving a messy machine ready to trap Fm Clint R. Bridges: I need some tech- poor or absent and/or when the machine is and collect dirt and perhaps even ruin nical help. I just purchased a Model 4 dirty, due to greatly increased friction. printouts with oil stains: usually two or from a friend of mine. The machine has Which are good reasons for systematic three drops are the most that should be worked fine fora number of years. Shortly inspection, cleaning and lubrication. A applied at each point, which requires a after I got it home, running TRS DOS 6.0, regular schedule for this, say every 6 small oiler with a longish fine snout (such the 80 column video went on the fritz. It months (or oftener for very busy ma- as 1 or 2 oz. capacity squeezable plastic suddenly went crazy and I had to take the chines), will keep your printer working at ones sold by many hardware stores). machine apart and adjust the horizontal its best, perhaps quieter, and will proba- Lubricate both carrier rails in several places controls to get a picture back. Now the 80 bly extend its life and save on repair bills. along their lengths, the platen bearings, x 24 letters are on the screen but they are the bearings of the gears that operate the jiggly and nervous looking. Things ap- Before you reach for the oil or grease can, platen, any gears in the ribbon advance pear to be just fine when I run TRSDOS use a small clean paint brush, say 1/2" mechanism, tractor shaft bearings (for 1.3 on it and have a 64 column screen but wide, to remove any dust, dirt, paper built-in tractors) and other items which the 80 column looks bad. Any sugges- debris, lint, etc., from surfaces and work- may obviously need it. If your printer has tions? ing parts. If you have to remove stubborn an add-on tractor, check it also for lubri- grease, oil or dirt and wish to use a sol- cation; tractor end covers may have to be Fm Fred Oberding: Clint, I believe your vent, I again suggest Varsol. Stronger removed on some models. Keep the lubri- video phase lock loop circuit needs to be ones, such as trichloroethane, paint re- cant well away from drive belts; oil or tweaked. The video is OK in 64 character movers, paint-brush cleaners, acetone and grease may attack them and will almost mode but not in 80 character. Boot-up in such like, may attack some plastics like certainly cause slippage. As you lubri- Model 3 basic and enter the following the head traveling cable (an expensive cate, operate parts manually a few sec- line: repair!) or others and give off fumes which onds for lubricant penetration and distri- The hardware Corner - 81 - The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv OUT 132,4 The Hardware Corner -82- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv Aztec 65 watt supplies are subject to the Fm David Huelsmann: Timothy, I'm 42 Cylinder Floppies? - cracking you have discovered. I don't exploring the possibility that the chips are think that it is the quality of the solder not fast enough. I can't remember what I Don't do it used, but more due to strong vibrations in had originally put in there so I'll check the supply, perhaps coupled with a wave later tonight. However, replacing 1 Meg solder line set a bit too fast producing thin of 256 x 1 chips in todays market may not fillets. be the most economical idea. Fm Fred Campbell: I recently discov- ered that I can get 42 cylinders out of my Fm Jim Beard: Joe, The fillet around the Fm Fred Oberding: David, I don't have single sided, double density disks. I al- 12v line to the video was thin. It should the Anitek speed up kit, I have an XLR8er ready use both sides of the disks. I use my have been enough to hold, though. The board which gives the same speed in- wife's manicure scissors and a notcher fillets around the 120v connector pins crease with my Gate Array 4. I'm curious that a friend told me about to "convert" was NOT thin, and these exhibited the as to which number IC you replaced with the disks. They look a little strange, but "fence post in wet ground" behavior. Other the 74HCT245. The one suggested in the they work fine. I bought the notcher at a pins with good fillets gave easily with a XLR8er manual for a Gate Array 4 is a store that specializes in "Apple" supplies. mushy feel. FDC bi-directional buffer. I tried, U-28, the G/A equivalent of the IC suggested for Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Fred, I strongly the non-G/A, which feeds the keyboard recommend that you avoid trying to for- address buffer, but it will not work with a mat past cylinder 39 (the 40th) on a 40- Anitek Speed-Up 74HCT245 inplace of the stock74LS245. cylinder drive. This can result in head The keyboard address buffer is U-40, a damage over the long term. Your best 741716, and the keyboard data buffers are solution would be to invest a modest sum U-55/56 a MC14502B and MC1452B. into the acquisition of 2-sided drives. They I'm not having any keyboard problems are relatively inexpensive (ours are $75 + Fm David Huelsmann: I've just installed neither are any Gate Array XLR8er board S&H), and they will provide you with a Anitek's 6M1HZ speed-up in my 4D. I also users I know of. doubling of ON-LINE capacity PLUS the replaced the 74LS245 keyboard buffer additional facility of being more portable chip with a 74HCT245 (after installing a I did replace the video RAM IC, U-16, with other users. Are the two extra cylin- socket of course). It seems to work ok with a faster 120 ns, 6116-2, in lieu of the ders worth risking that drive? except for some flaky characters seen stock 150 ns unit; this may help some as from the keyboard which I suspect are the keyboard buffer is in video RAM. related to both the new speed and that ribbon cable that comes from the key - There are at least two versions of the board and plugs into the side of the moth- DSDD drives in the 4D and one of them Upgrade for 5-Meg HD erboard. If I remove the metal piece that had a crystal controlled motor speed control. normally mounts on the side of the moth- You apparently have one of each. erboard and extends to the drive tower and usually holds the keyboard ribbon Fm David Huelsmann: Fred, U-28 was Fm Dayton Sumner: Roy, In discussing cable under it, then I have only a few flaky where I placed the 74HCT245 and it works a problem I'm having with my hard drive, keyboard problems. Obviously this cable just fine. Obviously, the XLR8 board could Gary Phillips mentioned replacing a 5- has been compressed too much. Anybody have been a choice for speeding up the Meg bubble with an ST225 from MI- have any suggestions for a better fix? CPU, however, I have gotten quite spoiled SOSYS to upgrade his drive to a 20-meg. by my 1 Meg AlphaTech board and don't As long as I had everything tore apart, I want to give it up. I will try a different I'd be interested in knowing first approxi- also was adjusting the RPM on my two Z80B since the speed-up at 6.17 MHZ is mately how much this might cost. And I inboard drives. No problem with drive 1, slightly pushing the rated 6 MHZ opera- need to know how complicated it is for a it had an adjusting trimmer on the under tion of the Z80B. If I still can't get it to not-very-handy layman to tackle. How side near the "flywheel". However, drive work, then I guess I'll give it up. Replac- clear and complete are the instructions for 2 had no adjustment trimmer visible any- ing my 32 256x1 chips rated at 150 nsecs the modification. How clear and com- where. Both are supposedly the original with 120nsecs or better chips at $12/chip plete are the instructions for configuring and same drives. Any ideas? just isn't worth the expense. and initializing the drive when it's done? Fm Timothy Sewell: David, I regards to Thanks for the info on the Drives. My two Fm MISOSYS, Inc: We sell the ST225 your characters on the screen, make sure outboard drives are TEAC and are not drive for $225 + S&H ($7.50-$10.50). your memory chips are 120 ns or faster. adjustable. Ijust didn't expect to find one The Tandy driver will not support the That cured my problems when I installed of each on the internal drives. entire drive - you will also need a new the board into my computer (I run 100 ns hard disk driver, such as our RSHARD chips). package ($29.5). The hardware Corner -83- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv The instructions I can provide are clear drive took care of those three wires before switching) and the faint sound of a motor but you need to wield a soldering iron as I bought it. slowing down. Both lights on the drive the Tandy drive has three wires connected stay ON! It is hard to hear because of all to its drive electronics card. If you do no Seems someone also mentioned needing the noise the cooling fan produces. From soldering, then this is not the time to start. to align the drive when it is installed. Is then on anytime I try to access the hard Why not find a friend who could do the that true? If so, is it a complex procedure drive, I get the Error 1 1H message. If I job? The following are the "instructions" requiring great skill and much equipment? turn the drive off and back on again (re- I provide on request; they originated with start it), things work normally. Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Fm MISOSYS, Inc: A drive does not get aligned. I believe the comment from that Now here is the strange part. This usually someone was that you may need to align happens during the first seconds to about the controller. Yes, that requires skill and 20 minutes after the drive is on. After I equipment. restart the drive, it usually works fine, Changing to a larger HD sometimes for 8 or more hours without bubble Fm Dayton Sumner: Roy, One more any problem. dumb question. I have heard the DiskDisk The wires need to go as follows: Orange is avaluable adjunct to a20-Meg drive. In If I use the drive every day, especially if it to pin five on the twenty pin data cable; brief, what does it do? has been used more than once a day, I White to pin eight on the thirty-four pin have been able to avoid the problem for as control cable; and Yellow to pin twenty- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: It does essentially long as 30 days. However, if I leave the six on the thirty-four pin cable. the same as a MemDISK but uses the hard drive sit for a day or especially a few days, drive as the host media instead of RAM. I may have to restart it several times in All of the above connections can be made Let's you add many smaller virtual drives one day. This still happens in the first 20 on either the hard disk logic board itself, on your hard drive. Each concurrently minutes. or on the haul disk controller board. Looking available virtual drive uses one drive slot at the ST225 here in my hand, there are (out of the 8 available). Thus, it let's you To avoid the problem I have sometimes convenient attachment points for the White overcome all of the DOS limitations of turned the hard drive on and let it run for and Yellow wires. Just follow the trace file slot restrictions on a single drive par- 10 minutes or so every day whether I use back from the edge card a bit and you'll tition. Takes up little memory for the it or not. Since summer is coming and find a feed-through pad to solder to. driver and linkage. There's more infor- hence vacations, I would like to get this mation in MISOSYS Products' Tidbits. problem fixed. Besides, very rarely, the The Orange wire is another matter. Since problem occurs even after the drive is pin five is on the "other" side of the board, "warmed up". and there is no trace coming from the edge card, you'll have to remove the logic Hard Drive Woes BTW, the drive is new. I received, set up, board and very carefully tack solder to the and formatted it in July. Except for the edge of the connector finger. Make sure described problem I am very happy with that you can still fully seat the connector, the drive. If anyone has any ideas on how and that only the very tip gets soldered. to cure this problem, please respond. Fm John G. Gelesh: Can anyone help me This connection would be more easily with a hard disk problem I have been Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Sounds to me like a made at the hard disk controller end. having? I own a Hard Drive Specialists power supply problem. I have one Radio Simply remove the controller board from (HDS) 20-meg hard drive. I am not sure Shack 15 Meg drive which had a similar the supporting chassis, and solder the lead but I think it is a Tandon TM612. I have problem on power up. Most of the time, I on the foil side at the connector pin itself. written to HDS about the problem but would hear a click (like a relay) and the You can connect the White and Yellow they have not replied. drive would not start turning. Switching wires in this manner also if desired. the power switch OFF, pausing, then ON Anyway the problem is this. The drive generally solved the problem. Once on, it Finally, if you want to skip the White and apparently "shuts off". When I try to appeared to stay on without further prob- Yellow wires completely, all you'll lose access it I get an ERROR 1 1H. I use the lem. is the green activity light. If you don't hard drive in two drive slots (Drive care about the write-protect switch, just 0=System and Drive 1=Data). I use Pow- However, the problem at power on be- tie the red wire to plus five via a 220 ohm ersoft' s Hard Disk Driver with the drive, came more severe. I decided to swap out LS-DOS 6.3 uses partitions 1 and 2, LDOS resistor. the power supply. It was a Tandy 65 5.3 uses partitions 3 and 4. watter which I then replaced with an Astec Fm Dayton Sumner: Sounds good! I'm 65 watter from another spare R/S drive. Here is a graphic description of what Funny but the problem completely disap- the original klutz with a soldering iron but happens. I hear a faint click (like a relay it happen S that the previous owner of this peared. I may have had the same kind of The Hardware Corner - 84 - The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv power supply problem as the Model 4 like a dream. So, in the interim, I can "That's ridiculous" is not directed at the folks are experiencing. access one of my two HDs. Model 3 being resurrected. It is directed at Tandy. [For those of you who have a I did try the Tandy power supply back in Fm Joe Kyle-DiPietropaolo: Daniel, The spot in your heart for the Model 3.] the other hard drive and it worked there. green light is driven by the logical AND So perhaps the power stakes needed to be of Seek Complete (ready) AND Select for Fm Mark Mueller: Well Shane, I sup- nudged. I'm going to do some further the bubble in question. pose I could see their point to one extent: investigation such as resoldering the stakes It is a discontinued machine, and old at and try it back in the original hard drive. that. But, since it took me all of 15 min- In your case, I do suspect the power sup- utes to fix it, and the tech SHOULD have ply. been set up to find the problem faster than Bring 'em back alive! I did, and I had to run down the Street and buy the capacitor, and..., well, you get the point. The repair bill, even assuming a $50/hr charge, should have not been more More HD Problems Fm Mark Mueller: Well, I'm the kind than $30. Especially since the power supply that takes some kind of weird satisfaction capacitors are some of the most unreli- in making "dead" equipment come back able components in the box, and supply to life. Early last year I bought a used voltages are the FIRST thing to check in Fm Daniel L. Srebnick: I am trying to Model 3 off one of the local RSCC stores any troubleshooting job. determine why my hard disk (RS 5 meg) for $35. I had gone in for a tent sale will not show ready. I thought I had a looking for model 4 stuff, and the man- cable problem, but replaced the cable and ager asked me if I was interested in it. He it still does not work. Can someone check said that someone had brought it in to get their 5 megger and advise if the green fixed. They diagnosed it as a bad disk Another case of ready light will show active if the drive is controller (wouldn't boot) and estimated SPEEDUP powered on with no cable connected to $ 100+ to fix it. The guy then just left it as the Mod 4.1 think it is supposed to - mine a "trade in" on a T1000. I plugged it in at is not. And yes, the bulb checks Out ok. the store, pushed reset while holding down the Break key, looked at the MEM num- Fm Shane Dawalt: Surprisingly, I found Fm Adam Rubin: Okay Daniel, I un- ber (in Basic), saw it was A-OK, gave him U3 (a PAL) was stealing a good 13MHz plugged the 50-conductor cable from the a check for $35 and walked out with it. from my machine. Against my better back of my Radio Shack 5-meg hard drive When I got it home, I opened it up and judgement, I tied the Ml pin high and (cat. #26-1130), and powered it up. After checked the power supply voltages. The have been working with that configura- a few seconds (as always), the green light +12 line was low, so I hooked the scope tion ever sense (around 5 or 6 months came on. Just for the heck of it, I then up to it. There was noise all over the line. now). Working just fine and the clock pushed in the red button, and the red light I replaced the capacitor ($1.19), plugged speed is 4.055ish MHz. I know, 55KHz came on. Anything beyond that, I'll leave it back in, and she booted right up. Not high for the Z80A, but I figured the Z80A to the hard drive experts. bad: A Model 3 for $36.19. The $35, by the way, was what the RSCC manager was underrated (and if it wasn't I'd buy a owed the service center. These TRS8O's Z80B and replace the Z80A). [Measure- Fm Daniel L. Srebnick: Well Adam, it ment was taken by my own speed sensing does confirm that the problem is not the are remarkably resilient, and there is very program with max resolution of approxi- cable. little you can't fix (cheaply) if you know mately 1200Hz.] Last time I had the bonnet where to look. popped on the M4, I tested PCLK with my Fm Jim Beard: Actually Daniel, it shows frequency counter. It noted 4.0553840MHz. that the problem is inside the 5 Meg disk Fm Shane Dawalt: Mark, And yet an- You know, I can actually tell a speed drive. How about identifying the signal other M3 is resurrected ... That's ridicu- difference in MEMDISK initialization (the sequence that turns on the green light? If lous. $1.19 part and Tandy wants $100 for RAM verification). Also, scrolling is abit there is some kind of internal self-test, a board swap. I have a feeling those techs faster. [Now I've been dreaming of add- how can its results be accessed? in the repair centers are board junkies ing disk DMA w/floppy controller. Won't only. Other than fixed test points, they get designed or prototyped, but a nice Fm Daniel L. Srebnick: No Jim, I have couldn't pinpoint a problem with or with- thought anyway.] swapped bubbles already. It is the con- out ared dot & arrow pointing to the exact failed component. OTOH, I suppose, troller. I sent it in for repair. As I was Fm Jim Beard: Yup, U3 is a clock di- leaving the store, I saw the Model 4 RD perhaps, that may save the customer $$$$ vider, taking the 20+ MHz signal and controller on the closeout table for $112! in the long run - labor cost would be 50 dividing it down to 4+ MHz. If it works, it No box, no docs, but took it home, plugged times (or more) the component cost. works. Most of them would; Tandy was my external 10 megger into it and it works not taking chances on "lemons" by hay- The hardware Corner -85- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv ing variable clockrates or some thatdidn't ray Model 4, this weekend, which I would and we were back in business. Thankfully work, and apparently lowering the yield like to pass on for what it's worth. Hooked it didn't have to go to the Service Ctr, as of completed motherboards was unac- up my daughter's Mod 4, which has been they would probably have wanted to re- ceptable for production volume or cost in storage since she graduated from Law place the board. reasons. school last June, and it would not boot TRSDOS/LSDOS 6x, but it would boot Fm Adam Rubin: Shane, if you have a TRSDOS 1.3, a good indication of a few minutes to spare, would you be able memory problem. Hard Disk interface to run the program on TMQ II.ii p.49, and let me know what you get this time? Ran a copy of aR/S Service Center Model 4 memory test on it; and it indicated that Anyone who's following this discussion it was not jumpered for 128K, which it would probably also be interested in our was, and that it had bad bits 1, 6, and 7 in Fm Michael Strait: With my last order earlier discussion, which is preserved for bank 0, at location 0038, (ROM???). First from MISOSYS, the enclosed catalog posterity in "Focus on Speed", TMQ II.ii, thing was to swap the two sets of RAM mentioned a hard disk installation kit for pp.44-54. with each other, then substitute a different a Model 4. I was wondering if anyone set - no go either way. knows if this kit exists yet or if anyone has Fm Shane Dawalt: Adam, I entered and a WD-10 10 hard disk controller interface executed your test program given in TMQ Next the schematics and scope came out, for a Model IV for a reasonable price. My II.ii, p49, and obtained an execution time and a lot of grey matter got exercised, but old 8X300 board is getting intermittent on of 5:23! Recall my unmodified hardware everything looked OK; Nothing out of the me and consumes a lot of power, being an executed this code in 6:29. Apparently, normal. I remembered the faint smell of internal Hard Disk system. old Model 4's with U3-7 tied high implies burning resistor, when I first tried to boot o wait-state operation (as one would it; so off came the board for a close Fm MISOSYS, Inc: See TheBlurb in this expect). Of course, this is true if-and- inspection under a strong light - nothing, issue about our upcoming hard drive. But only-if (iff) video I/O is not being done. I all resistors looked OK. I know of no reasonable cost replacement should suspect my M4 is probably func- for Tandy's 1000/1010 hard disk control- tioning as a 4P or the newer gate array Back in the unit, for another go with a ler. M4s. Interesting. scope. Replaced an iffy buffer IC after installing a socket - still no joy. Fm Adam Rubin: Yep, it does indeed look like you are now running at 0 wait I then remembered some problem with Another bad states, as the schematic and your modifi- those little black jumpers, on a friend's cation imply. (Good thing you ran the Tandy clone. Touched a probe to the top program before that, though, or else we'd of the jumper that pulls down pin 25 of U- Power Supply never have figured out that SET b,(Ir+d) 5, a gate array address decoder, and it has two Ml cycles.) indicated a high. Now mother taught me that ground is suppose to be a low! Can't As you pointed out, any video I/O would see any trace leaving the stake that is Fm Gary Phillips: Well, chalk up an- technically change this to a non-zero value, supposed to be grounded. other case of bad solder on a 4P power but as the worst-case video wait is about supply. I've been having video stability 1.28 T-states per character (either my Off with the board again and out with the problems on and off for a couple of months. calculation of that was wrong before, or Ohmmeter. Stakereads infinite to ground. At first just brightness variations, but in it's wrong now), it won't be very much On underside of board, a trace goes to the the last week sometimes the whole screen above zero. If we display 1K characters right a 1/4' to a feed through and back to would go out of sync and look like video per second (as LIST does), we'd still get the top side. Then a thin (extremely thin) snow for several seconds. Finally got around well over 99.9% of the full clock speed. trace leads to a fat pad on the ground end to opening the case and examining the of a cap, with a fair size trace to the PCB's power supply (Tandy, not ASTEC) this edge ground plane. Between the feed AM. I could not see cracks or cold solder through and ground the trace has burned joints, even with a magnifying glass, but open; the white stencil of the capacitors resoldered the power supply pins just in More hardware Problems "c" number is brown where the trace case, reassembled the system, and voila! inG/A4 melted. Apparently that trace was so thin, She is cured. Best screen image I've had it offered some low wattage resistance, to in a long time. Anyone who is having the surge of the power supply being acti- video deterioration on a model 4 should vated after 8 months. check this out. Fm Fred Oberding: Ran into a really strange memory problem with a gate ar- Well, a little bit of wire wrap soldered-in Fm Jim Beard: Gary, Did you try mov- The Hardware Corner -86- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv ing the power supply pins with your fin- the RD problems you see, Shane. The first The folks who have the problems GEN- gers? Mine had a "fence post in wet ground" and probably biggest is aging hardware. ERALLY are abusing their equipment. feel before I resoldered them. The Tandy 5 Meggers commonly in use True, there is always going to be equip- with model 4's were basically a sound ment failure. But let's not help it along. design, but they're all a good 5 to 8 years old now. Many have had two or more Fm Shane Dawalt: Roy, I guess you're DS floppy setup owners, may have been abused and banged right. Never thought about people abus- about, etc. ing their HDs. I guess I'm locked into my mode of thinking when it comes to com- The drives made by MicroSmart (a mis- puter equipment: Don't touch it unless it nomer if ever there was one) may have needs servicing (general maintenance as Fm Jerry Pendergraft: I am interested been ok as hardware, but apparently the well as surgery). I guess I cannot believe in putting at least one double sided drive software provided to support them was someone would actually scoot their ilDs in my M4P. What do I need in the way of very, very bad. Those particular drives around the desk while everything's run- cables, configuration information, etc. etc. are not compatible with MISOSYS driv- ning or slam and bang things around the Any help would be appreciated. ers, so the owner has been stuck with the HD. (Fortunately, my HD is inside of my lousy software provided by the original MS DOS machine so, to move the HD, I Fm MISOSYS, Inc: You will need to vendor. Add to this the fact that documen- must move the entire CPU ... and the replace the existing cable which connects tation of the RD systems is usually pretty weight of the CPU discourages that! from the motherboard to the floppy drives poor (e.g., the "plug it in and run" ap- with one having all pins intact. Then use proach, no details provided) so when a I must admit, I've never heard of an air the drive select jumpering on the drives problem arises the owner is at a loss. filter on an RD. Does that mean that the themselves. Unfortunately, with the 4P - external units have internal fans to cool at least with mine - you cannot just flip None of this means that hard disks don't the controller/etc. and an air filter is used over the cable due to the connector at the work with model 4's or that the hardware on the air flow input? I've never really motherboard end. You may try to replace itself is unreliable. (Row long does the seen an external monster up close yet, so the existing 34-pin edge card floppy con- average car last in daily use before it I have no idea. While we're on the sub- nectors with new ones available at your needs to be overhauled and completely ject, I thought the HD bubbles were sealed "friendly" Radio Shack store. rebuilt? About three years, I'd say. Yet - How can contaminants cause a crash? these drives may have been in daily serv- No special configuration at the DOS level ice for 5 years or more before problems Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Shane, The Radio is needed. Just specify SIDES =2 as one of arose...) Shack hard drive (and most other units) the parameters when FORMATting a have a muffin fan at the exterior of the diskette. Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Shane, the folks unit. The fan is covered with a permeable who are having problems generally are (like a very airy sponge) thin filter. This not maintaining them. For instance, I have filter is designed to trap dust to minimize heard from so many folks having a prob- the dust intake into the unit. The filter Are HD Problems Exces- lem with their R/S drive which they have should be cleaned probably about once had for 4-5 years. When asked if they per month depending on how clean/dirty sive? have ever cleaned the air filter, I usually the environment. When the filter clogs, get, "What's that?". Get the idea? the air flow is restricted and the internal temperature of the case rises. If it rises too How about the folks who SMOKE around much, you can destroy electronic parts. Fm Shane Dawalt: Roy, Is it me, or have their computer equipment? Then when I been seeing a fair amount of messages they have a hard drive crash, or lose a Many users have their equipment on their pertaining to HD problems on model 4s? floppy they yell at us suppliers. Hey guys, desks. When they close a drawer, if it is It seems there is always someone wanting keep your equipment in a CLEAN envi- done with a heavy strike, the impulse help because the drive refuses to talk to ronment and most of your troubles will shock can be severe. ITnal drives are usually the controller, the controller refuses to disappear. mounted on shock-resistant mountings; talk to the M4 or the controller can't talk however, there is certainly a limit. Why to the lower level device. Then there's the How about the users who bang on their push it? Take care of the equipment. setup phase which always contains this hard drive. Or the ones who move it error n' that error. I can't begin to under- across the desk top while it is on? Now for And anybody who smokes around their stand why there are so many problems the folks who keep a computer (with hard equipment is begging for trouble. Smoke with something that should be plug-in, drive) on their desk, PLEASE DON'T ruins disk drives, floppy media, and will load up and go. Any comments (or ideas)? slam any desk drawers SHUT while the necessitate more frequent cleaning of the eciuipment is on. IMPULSE shock is pretty CRT, not to mention deterioration of elec- Fm Gary Phillips: Several reasons for heavy for that kind of equipment. tronic connections (read that as connector The hardware Corner -87- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv interfaces). hours to 50,000 hours simply because of plies have similarly been identified as the the ST225's track record in actual instal- culprit for many of the other Air Force RD bubbles are sealed; but they are sealed lations. computer system failures involved in the with an air-flow filter. This filter is a high- ISC study, which included monitor and grade product which is supposed to trap Here's another possible cause for prema- memory problems. Livingston said the minute particulate. A drive chamber is ture failure. I came across the following power fluxes trigger heat concentrations not a vacuum; the heads FLY above the article in Electronic Buyers' News, May that can have disastrous effects on the surface because the heads are aerody- 8th, 1989. semiconducter circuits housed inside the namic and have wings. They ride on a computer peripherals. cushion of air whose motion is caused by SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. - A two- the rotation of the platter assembly. The year study of U.S. Air Force computer But he declared the service could not gap between head and surface is approxi- system failures by the service's Inspec- afford the cost of buying uninterruptible mately 2-5 um, much smaller than the tion & Safety Center has disclosed an power supplies (UPS), which might elimi - thickness of a human hair. unacceptably high rate of hard disk prob- nate most of the power woes. Each of the lems. Air Force's computers would require its An airplane attains its lift due to the shape own dedicated UPS unit, at a cost of of its wing. The forward to aft distance According to ISC data reflecting the per- about $800 each, he added. across the top is greater than the distance formance of 250 Air Force computer sys- across the bottom. This requires the air tems throughout the country, 32.6% of all In the past year, the ISC has sought to flowing across the top of the wing to maintenance problems were traced to hard stem the staggering hard diskfailure rate move at a rate faster than the air flowing disk failures that resulted in an average by installing a software pro gram supplied across the bottom of the wing. The differ- system downtime of 3.64 days. by San Diego-basedPrime Solutionsinc., ence in air flow produces an upward force which eliminated disk-related system we call LIFT. It is this force which per- ISC project director John Livingston, at crashes between last November and March mits tons of aircraft to rise up in the air. Norton Air Force Base, here, reported of this year, Livingston reported. But all of the upward force is caused by last week that in working closely with the the air pressure on the wing, not by the disk manufacturer and a software sup- Although he voiced continued confidence engines. The engines just serve to propel plier, the source of many of the disk fail- in the Prime Solutions software, Living- the plane forward which produces the air ures have been identified as temperature- ston disclosed that in recent weeks, the currents. The airplane needs sufficient air related problems in disk memory cards as ISC has recorded several nee disk-related density to fly. well as power supply troubles, which he performance problems that are now un- added are common to many Air Force der review by Seagate. The same principle acts to propel a sail bases. boat; the shape of the sail as it bellows out "We have no other way ofprotecting what causes a pressure differential created by "Since we brought these findings out in we're doing than to pound into the user's the air currents of differing velocity. The the open, the systems vendors tell us they head to back up the data being stored," sail being vertical causes that pressure figure a 28% failure rate for hard disks is Livingston remarked. differential to exert a horizontal force the norm. I don't like it. To me, it's too rather than a vertical force as is the case high a percentage rate," Livingston com- Funny, but with power feed problems with the airplane wing. The head of a plained. causing more than just temporary loss of winchester-type hard disk drive needs an data from work-in-progress, no one wants air density for the same reason; the heads Most of the Air Force systems studied to invest in an UPS or SBS!I tried selling have wings which cause it to fly above the were made by Zenith Electronics Corp., them but got no takers. platter's surface. and they incorporated 20-megabyte drives manufactured by Scotts Valley, Calif.- And finally, equipment does break over based Seagate Technology. Noting that time. Even a disk drive has a mean time Seagate is regarded as the leader in the between failure (MTBF) of anywhere from hard drive industry, Livingston said he 10,000 hours to 50,000 hours. Just assum- believes the failure rate of drives from ing usage on the order of eight hours per other suppliers would be even worse in day times 22 days per month times 12 environment applications. months per year gives over 2000 hours of use. In five years you have reached that "We get a lot of blackouts. A lot of our 10,000 hours MTBF. Early hard drives bases have power flux problems like that, probably had a lower MTBF than current especially during the summer months," technology drives. In fact, I just read a he admitted. report where Seagate upped the published MTBF of their ST225 drive from 20,000 Trouble associated with base power sup- The Hardware Corner _88- The Hardware Corner Volume ffl.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv DATA. This is the 'INFORMATION' to DOTWR1TER and the 54 FONT DISKS that the APPLICATION PROGRAM which are available. Since I haven't been manipulates. ie . The Operating System able to get all of the FONT DISKS yet, I Surviving the HARD has the HARDWARE as it's DATA BASE. don't know the exact requirements, but I DISK Crash and Elimi- Programs which allow the 'WRITING' of have exceeded the 720K mark! programs, are FIRST the DATA, then nating Massive Backups become thePROGRAM. ie. BASIC when Now, since we will need and Operating being entered is the DATA BASE of the System in Drive 0, a decision will have to BASIC INTERPRETER but becomes the be made to put the OPSYS and SCRATCH APPLICATION PROGRAM when it is AREA on DRIVE 0 with the APPLICA- 'RUN', using a DATA BASE designed TION program on DRIVE 1, or the OP- by the programmer. Still, the code falls SYS and APPLICATION on DRIVE 0, into the 2 groups, APPLICATION, OR with the DATA BASE (SCRATCH AREA) DATA BASE! on DRIVE 1. If you have a MEMDISK, XLR8er or Alpha-Tech Memory expan- Sooner of later, If you are using a HARD After an APPLICATION program has sion, the Operating System, (stripped for DISK, you too will be blessed with the been written, compiled, and debugged, MEMDISK, everything plus MORE if loss of DATA or ACCESS to your MASS and is in its' FINAL form, changes are additional memory is available), is placed STORAGE device. After your first FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. On the other in MEMORY with the APPLICATION CRASH, you will think of all of the ways hand, the DATA BASE seems to be PROGRAMinoneDRIVEandtheDATA that it might have been prevented! Natu- CONTINUALLY CHANGING. If the BASE in the other DRIVE. (This is the rally, one of the favorite ways is to HARD DISK is used as a speed up device BEST approach.) You can see that under BACKUP your HARD DISK on aREGU- (after all - IT IS ), and is used to store this approach, the loss of the HARD DISK LAR basis. THAT IS WHAT I TELL ONLY APPLICATION PROGRAMS, represents an inconvenience, but com- ALL OF MY CLIENTS, but alas, DO I which HAVE ALREADY BEEN puter tasks can still be accomplished! If DO IT? Of course NOT. After all I'M the BACKED UP, AND ARCHIVED then you don't have the extra memory, the EXPERT. HA! we have accomplished a major task al- easiest approach is the OPSYS - SCRATCH ready, NAMELY: Daily, Weekly or to allow the use of DRIVE 1 for the While we are investigating SURVIVAL, Monthly BACKUPS have been eliminated, application. Remember, that DISK has we ought to be ABLE to continue our as the APPLICATION PROGRAMS already been set up as an APPLICATION operations WITHOUT our HARD DISK, SELDOM CHANGE and you already have disk. Depending on the DISK DRIVE and since the HARD DISK is out for repair BACKUPS. APPLICATION PROGRAM size, you may someplace. This takes advance planning, have SCRATCH AREA available on that and some currently available SOFTWARE. Next, the HARD DISK has to be config- DISK also. ured in a method which will allow use of TheprocedureisCAIREFULPLANNING the APPLICATION PROGRAMS in the As an example, this article was initially and HARD WARE ALLOCATION. Each event of HARD DISK LOSS. Using soft- written on a 4P, using no MEMDISK, a SYSTEM configuration is slightly differ- ware such as DISKdisk, a HARD DISK 'STRIPPED' operating system, with ent, but the procedure remains relatively can be segmented into 'CHUNKS' the ALLWRITE ONLY, no spelling checker, constant. The more resources available, size of your BACKUP device. If you have no DOTWRITER on DRIVE 0, and a the easier the task becomes! a 40 TRK SSDD drive than 180K SCRATCH DISK in DRIVE 1. This port- 'CHUNKS' are the right size. If you have able configuration allows me to 'TRAVEL' The MOST DIFFICULT would be the an 80 TRK DSDD drive, than 720K and write while away from my main sys- 'STRIPPED' computer, consisting of 2 - 'CHUNKS' are possible! Smaller sizes tem. Since the FLOPPY's are interchange- 40 TRK SSDD Disk Drives and a HARD can be configured for particular applica- able, I will BOOT up my main machine, DISK, leading up to the EASIEST con- tions. In all cases, any file larger than a and using the SCRATCH DISK, run the sisting of 1 -40 TRK DSDD, 1 - 80 TRK physical device, (ie. takes more that 1 spelling checker and print the final copy! DSDD, 1 XLR8er board w/256 K( 320K disk for backup) will be inaccessible during I can still 'PRE-VIEW' the text, and if I including the 64K internal to the ma- the time HARD DISK DOWN TIME. If had a printer, could print the 'DRAFT' ,or chine.) and a HARD DISK. you have a 720K drive, however, as your 'FINAL' unchecked article. second internal drive, most of your data When reduced to CONCEPT, there are bases will be accessible. I know of only With a little practice and some time to only TWO (2) types of information that a one program for the TRS-80 model 1/111/ experiment you can find just the combi- computer uses. The FIRST is the APPLI- IV which requires that kind of storage! nation which is easiest to use. Remember, CATION PROGRAM. This is the pro- That program is a word processor THESE PRECAUTIONS MUST BE gram which performs the 'WORK',what- (ALLWRITE in my case) linked to ELEC- SETUP PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. Under ever the programmer has designed into TRIC WEBSTER, including HYPHENA- normal conditions, I use my HARD DISK the PROGRAM. The SECOND is the TION and GRAMMAR CHECKER, linked for my APPLICATION PROGRAMS, with The hardware Corner - 89 - The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv a SCRATCH AREA on the HARD DISK, and compare the files. The S 1410 used a few days ago. Now my Model 4 (128K + 180K FLOPPY, 720K FLOPPY or a Z80A CPU, so it will be an interesting job the XLR8er Board) will load TRSDOS RAMDISK. If you use the RAMDISK to convert the Intel HEX file to a load 1.3, basic, and backup itself. However, I and LOSE YOUR DATA, DON'T module for disassembly purposes. If you have another, more serious problem with BOTHER TO TELL ME THAT YOU can't get your HARD DISK III working my system. FORGOT TO SAVE IT TO A FLOPPY with that S1410 controller and ST225 BEFORE YOU TURNED YOUR SYS- drives, perhaps I can copy this other The problem involves trying to write to a TEM OFF! EPROM for you which probably will hard disk. The DOS I use is normally support the ST225. TRSDOS 6.02.01 extended though I can Now for me, let me see, how do I recover use TRS DOS 6.03 if necessary. I bought that data on the HARD DISK that has Incidentally, VRHARD5/DCT will sup- a used, Radio Shack 5 meg hard disk that intermittent ACCESS ERRORS. Let's see port the ST225 drive configuration para- was upgraded with a new 15 meg disk. I meters. formatted the disk (in 6.02.0 1) and con- figured the system for use with the ram- Until next time, PLAN AHEAD! disk as the system drive. The system was set at its fastest speed. I need the ramdisk as a system disk because of its high speed, XLR8er speed affects file accessing ability. I didn't date con- cassette operation vert the hard disk. On my first copying of VR Data Hard Disk III a file to the hard disk from a floppy disk, controller? the machine locked up. After reset, on trying to read the directory, I got a GAT Fm Donald Stewart, Countryside IL: error from the hard disk and the hard disk Thank you for the TRSDOS 1.3 patches couldn't be accessed. I was unable to use the normal procedure for formatting and a Fm DeWitte Wilson: Since I enjoyed that you sent me a few days ago. Now my Model 4(128K + the XLR8er Board) will service man reformatted the disk with a VRHARD5/DCT, and the Xebec control- low level format procedure. ler on the Hard Disk III, can Ijust buy two load TRSDOS 1.3, basic, and backup ST-225 drives and put them into the Hard itself. However, I'm still having some Disk III case and use the Xebec controller problems with TRSDOS 1.3. The computer may be writing to the hard disk faster than should be done. Unless I instead (since Radio Shack hasn't had can fix this problem, I won't be able to use their trace cutting hands on it yet), or will I'm trying to load Advanced Statistical I have problems accessing 612 tracks with Analysis from a cassette tape recorder the hard disk. Are there any patches, procedures, or programs that can prevent VRHARD5? into my machine so that I can save it to this from happening? I'm enclosing a self disk. The computer doesn't load the pro- gram properly. It doesn't come out of the addressed envelope so that the patches for Fm MISOSYS, Inc: DeWitte, You proba- the TRSDOS 6.02.0 1 and 6.03 operating bly cannot put two ST225's into that cload command phase. I have to break to get out to "ready". Data is being trans- systems can be sent to me. Thank you for HARD DISK III case unless you geta new your help. EPROM for the S 1410 Xebec controller. ferred, but no program is listed. Are any That controller had a special PROM for patches available to fix this problem? Or, Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Donald, To begin the Syquest drives. That's probably be- does anyone have a very good statistical with, cassette operation of your machine cause the Syquest drives used no write program for the model 4 on disk? is highly dependent on the actual speed of precomp and used the reduced write cur- rent lead (signal pin 2 on the 34-pin con- I'm enclosing a self addressed envelope the CPU. Because of the speedup in op- so that the patches for the TRSDOS 1.3 eration of your machine with the XLR8er nector) as a cartridge change lead. Xebec installed, cassette operation in Model III is not really in the business anymore. I'm system can be sent to me. Thank you for mode would be either unreliable or unus- not sure where you could get a "normal" your help. able. You may be able to tinker with the EPROM unless you knew someone who wait states and memory refresh to get a set had a "regular" S 1410 controller and was able to copy their EPROM. of values which would be equivalent in your machine to the stock Model 4 oper- XLR8er doesn't affect ating in Model III mode. In order to do As it happens, I just dug up a very old that, you would need a utility operating controller which I believe is a Xebec hard disks under TRSDOS 1.3 which would adjust S1410, as it was used in a prototype ARM the 64180 registers. The utility would be drive package which I dredged up from similar to the SET180 or SETX utility the back room. I dumped the contents of operating in Mode14 mode. Ireally would the Intel 2732 EPROM to a disk file. Fm Donald Stewart: Thank you for the not recommend spending too much time When I get the chance, I'll open up my TRS DOS 1.3 patches that you sent me a with a cassette program on that machine. Hard Disk ifi to dump the Syquest EPROM The Hardware Corner _90- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv The only hard drive problem I have ever a clock on there, but when I got the hard what we did with it, the XLR8er refused heard of with someone using an XLR8er drive the two seemed incompatible so I to work reliably. The 6-inch cable you board was where the shield was pressing disconnected it. The guy who installed sent worked fine, but that left us with a against the 50-pin interface [see the fol- the clock I think may have extended the problem. Where would we mount the lowing letter]. I believe that in that par- pins. Certainly the pins seemed close to XLR8er board? The 6-inch cable was too ticular machine, the internal 50-pin con- the screen so I got some clear adhesive short to run over the top of the mother- nector was installed. When the shield was tape and stuck it on the inside of the board. taped in the vicinity of that connector, the screen. Suddenly the hard drive woke up hard drive worked perfectly. Since you and I am in business. I can only conclude We decided on a different approach. First, just got that drive, how sure are you that it that the RF screen was shorting some or we unscrewed the motherboard and eased worked reliably? all of the S50 connections. I now have it forward. Then, we wrapped the cable seven drives (system=256K RAM, over the motherboard's left edge and around The computer is not writing to the disk HARDA, HARDB, HARDC (2.5Meg) to its back side, where we fastened the faster than it can handle throughput. I Floppy DRO, DR1, DR2 (360K)). Thank XLR8er with tape. Finally, we returned know that is a fact, at least with the you very much indeed for your patient the motherboard to its original position TRS}{L)6/DCT and RSHARD6/DCT driv- support. One of those problems needing a and replaced its screws and cables. ers, one of which is what I expect you are wild stretch of imagination. using. Since it's not a speed problem, I've been testing the system heavily for there are no patches to overcome the Now that I am back in XLR8er business, weeks. At first, I had problems; they mostly difficulty. Dig a little deeper to ensure could you please send me the CP/M ver- centered around PRO-WAM, and I even- that the drive is working correctly. sion interface disk for the XLR8er and tually realized that banks 1 and 2 of the also LS-Utility and debit my VISA. Model 4D's RAM weren't fast enough for the XLR8er. Since then, I have specified (BANK= 10) on the PRO-WAM command Check your 50-pin inter- line, and everything is fine. I really enjoy Another solution for the increased system speed and the mas- face connector sive RAM disk. I have had occasional re- mounting the XLR8er in a boots since locking out banks 1 and 2; I have been unable to explain or duplicate 4D e/w Graphics them. I think they may have been caused Fm W. John Russell: Dear Roy, Thank by occasional errors in the lower 64K of you for your letter of December 20 1988. memory, whereLS-DOS resides; I willbe I really appreciate the level of support you able to test that theory when the 150- have given to me over the problem with Mark Allen Reed nanosecond RAM arrives from Jameco the XLR8er and the hard drive. Reeds' House... of Color Electronics. The problem may also have (len Road Plain been electrical interference from house- West Lebanon. Nil 03784 Your lucid letter really set me thinking hold appliances. hard. Loading the driver into low memory did not cure the problem. Removing the I should mention that Jam very impressed XLR8er board made the hard drive again You may remember my telephone call in with the utilities and patch files included accessible. Then I had a crash and the early January. We were having trouble with the XLR8er board. They greatly RAM began to play up. I had not altered installing an XLR8er board into our TRS- enhance its performance. MicheiHoude's the original memory which seemed to be 80 Model 4D, which was already equipped LS-DOS patches, ERAMDISK driver, and probably 200 nanosecond so I figured it with the Grafyx Solution [hires graphics ERAMLD program provide a compre- was time to swap the lot. A week later I board]. The computer was re-booting with hensive package which I use every day. had installed 150 nanosec in both banks. alarming regularity, so we took it apart Your BANKER utility has proven useful, While I had the cover off, I thought I again to find out what was wrong. Unfor- too; I use it to temporarily lock out faulty would try just once more to see if the new tunately, when we unplugged the XLR8er, banks 1 and 2 so that Mister ED's TED memory cured the problem. Even though we accidentally broke a pin on its cable. application doesn't use one of them for its I had discussed selling it to some other On the telephone, you offered to send us text buffer. model 4 users, I could not see why faulty two replacement cables. Since I placed RAM would do it, particularly with two the telephone call on Tuesday morning, As you requested, Jam returning the cable different areas, but with the cover off, it and we received the cables on Friday we didn't use and the cable we acciden- was worth a try. afternoon, I have to say thanks for the tally broke. Thank you for a fine product. prompt service! As I re-installed the XLR8er, I noticed that the RF screen was very close to the As you surmised, our Model 4D is too pins of the S50 bus. I had previously had sensitive for a 7.5-inch cable. No matter The hardware Corner _91- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv TIM MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv Another XLR8er resident, I added SYS 1 1/SYS to the Template disk and repeated the installa- tion. Everything then went as per expec- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: John, JCL doesn't installed! tations. My question is, How come SYS 11/ "unhook" until either the end of file (EOF) SYS is required AFTER the JCL has or a termination macro is reached. If you seemingly run its course? Perhaps you used 'SYSTEM (SYSTEM=d)' to switch would like to comment on this subject in SYSTEM drives, after the switch SYS 11/ a future issue of TMQ. SYS still needs to be accessed to detect 2/49 Oxford Street, the "end" of the job stream. That's why MORTDALE N S W 2223 Also I have found that a number of users the hard drive needed that particular sys- VSTR4LI& of TRSDOS 6.X and LS-DOS 6,3 when tem module. they are confronted with this error mes- sage are unable to work out what is the Also, we used to sell LSI's track buffering Dear Roy, Great rejoicing in the Mercer trouble. For some reason, best known to software package called OverDrive. There household! The XLR8er board has been themselves, the people responsible for the were some problems with its operation installed and is working like a charm. I TANDY version of the TRSDOS 6.X under 6.3, so we stopped marketing it. We was much too eager to get it up and manuals make no mention of this cause may take another look at OD for use with running, to take time out to establish any for that error message. Instead they sug- 6.3, as well as support for expanded memory base running times for before and after gest there may be an error in the applica- above bank 2! tests. So I am unable to give any precise tion program. Perhaps you might like to comparison figures. draw the attention of TMQ readers to this point. Incidentally, another reason for purchasing "The Programmer's Guide". Having the ability to load up a limited XLR8er uses HD64180 system, as well as the most regularly used modules of ALLWRITE and ELECTRIC Perhaps I should mention that so far I alias Z80180 WEBSTER has made my use of these have not tried any of the alternative pro- even more rewarding. Alter reading Charles grams that came on the disk with the A. Ainsworth's contribution in the Spring XLR8er, but have just used the plain 1988 issue of TMQ, I prepared a 56 track vanilla version. Although the RAMs in Fm MISOSYS, Inc: The following ex- single sided disk in one of my 80 track my machine are almost certainly 200ns, cerpt appeared in SYDTRUG NEWS, March double sided drives to use as template for the setup currently is M=0,I= 1,R=80, and 1989. Make note that the Zilog Z80180, my Ramdisk. Now I can do a mirror it is purring along beautifully. otherwise known as the Zi 80, is a second image backup which really flies. I can't source licensee of the Hitachi HD64 180. get over the difference between the time I am led to believe that one of our mem- That processor chip is used on the XLR8er taken to read the source tracks and the bers has installed both an AT memory board available from MISOSYS. So if time taken to write and verify them on the board and an XLR8er, I understand it is in any of you want to "play" around with the Ramdisk. a4P. It seems that he found it necessary to extended instructions, an XLR8er board shorten the cable connecting the key- may be an easy choice. There is just one thing that has me puzzled board to overcome some instability, but I at this juncture. When setting things up I have not seen the machine and have no decided that, for my purposes in this par- further details. ticular application, I would have no need Zilog Introduces CMOS Z180 for JCL files once the system was set up. Now if I could lay hands on some disk Therefore thought I, as the system disk caching software for the Model 4 I be- [The following information was received, used for booting had SYS 1 1/SYS on it; lieve the XLR8er would be even more via a number of intermediaries, from an effective, but so far I have not come and it would be in control until SETUP! unknown source. It is believed to be accu- across anything in that line. You haven't JCL had done its thing, it should be pos- rate. sible to save some space on the Ramdisk given any thought to that have you? It by leaving off SYS 1 1/SYS. Apparently would surely be popular if you could provide something of that sort. Zilog has recently announced the CMOS not so: When the JCL had reached the end Z80180, a highly integrated and enhanced of its task, everything went berserk and version of the 8-bit Z-80 microprocessor. entered an endless loop with an error Many thanks for supporting us with such Upwardly software compatible with Z-80 message (I think it was "Error 07") scroll- a fine product, (it was installed at a group code, the Z180 operates at an 8 MHz meeting by our president, and drew many ing ad nauseam. The red panic button was clock frequency and incorporates key the only answer. favourable comments about the high stan- system functions on-chip that raise the dard of the board etc.) and all the best performance of this 8-bit processor to 16- Having encountered this message before wishes for you and your family. bit levels. The Z180 interfaces directly, when a required System Module was not The Hardware Corner -92- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv TIlE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv with no external circuitry, to peripheral entire commercial temperature range of 0 MARKED UN-AVAILABLE after the circuits designed for the Z-80. to 70 degrees Celsius. A 6 MHz version is ERAMLD Load command. I will check also available. farther!) I think that I AM JUST ABOUT The high performance Z180 incorporates READY to get on to the next phase of my an on-chip memory unit that can address system development. The first phase has up to 1 megabyte (Mbyte) of memory, consisted of getting the SOFTWARE and supports the 64 kilobytes (Kbytes) of We goofed on TT512P OPERATING SYSTEM and UTILITIES logical I/O space. Two direct memory to live 'TOGETHER' in harmony. I in- access (DMA) channels support memory- modem cover plates! tend to make a 'COMPATIBILITY to-memory and memory to I/O transfers. CHART' and will send you one. There is In addition to supporting the entire Z-80 a CONFLICT between MINIDOS (Mark instruction set, the Z180 incorporates seven IV Collection) and ZSHELL. If ZSHEL new high-level instructions including Fm Ken Strickler: Dear Roy, I received is active, MOST MINIDOS COMMANDS multiply (MLT). Other key features of the the MODEM's the other day - ThANKS. FAIL. The one that worked OK was high integrated Z180 include an on-chip I make the following observations to you The hardware Corner -93- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - Spring/Summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv graphics board interfered with the mo- check it out. So, I have carefully read, and It is not to say that I don't recommend the dem board. If that is true with the Radio re-read your 'blurb' on the Colorado UPS or SBS power, because I COULD Shack modem board as well, then the Memory Systems DJ10, and have acouple NOT AGREE MORE WITH ITS APPLI- fault lay with the MicroLabs graphics of un-resolved questions. CATION. I RECOMMEND THEM TO board. I have heard of folks mounting a EVERYONE AS ANOTHER MEANS graphics board, a TeleTrends modem, 1)If the Hard disk capacity is greater that OF 'BULLET-PROOFING' THE COM- and an XLR8er in a 4P. The XLR8er was 1 tape, can the second tape be requested PUTER SYSTEM HARDWARE. If the mounted within the cage housing the CRT. by the dumping software? unit is of the UPS type, continuous power Perhaps they were using a Radio Shack 'CLEANING' is performed, and clean hires board. 2) The system is currently an AT&T power is just what your system needs! PC6300 with both of the drive slots full. We are considering both a 30Meg and a The system would have to be the EXTER- Fm MISOSYS, Inc: Ken, Here's some 40Meg option for the hard drive project. NAL TYPE requiring the ADAPTOR direct answers to your questions on the An 80 Meg drive is out of the question BOX, but will the control card fit the Colorado Memory Systems tape backup since the controller can address only 65 PC6300 box. I need the dimensions of the I'm selling. Megs in a single drive (8 heads times 32 card. (I assume that it is STANDARD SPH times 256 bytes/sector times 1024 unless it might be the SHORT card like a The backup to disk process not only auto- cylinders). The case supports two half TANDY 1000.) matically tells you when you need to height drives. insert another tape, but it also advises you 3) If you might have an 8 1/2 x 11 'some- before it starts that you'll need more than Fm Ken Strickler: Thank you for the thing' that I could show them, it would one - assuming your tape already has letter of Feb 27th. The RJ1 1 prongs do not sure help. some volumes stored on it or the hard appear broken. Maybe one was just 'loose'. drive volume exceeds 40 Megabytes. I checked both of the MODEM's again, 4) I see in the TMQ that the TAPE is and everything seems to be OK now. The marked FRIDAY, will they usually get a The adaptor card is very short. It's 5.75" registrations are also enclosed. tape for each day of the week? long by 3.75" high. I can't imagine any machine where it won't fit. On the HD subject, I assume that the 30 5) Will the unit be able to be connected to MEG configuration is with the RLL con- the HARD DISK unit that you are cur- I have a4-page document which describes troller. I understand that the RLL format rently designing? the CMS Jumbo Tape drive. One is on the is getting more reliable, however I still way to you. Anyone else interested in this hear a lot of negative side. The major The reason that I open/close a file only at tape drive for their MS-DOS machine can portion seems to be that the systems fail in the time of the WRITE process, is part of just call or write to request the informa- under a year, and these systems, while the 'BULLET-PROOFING' that I use. tion. operated 'DAILY' are not run 24 hours a While a UPS or SBS backup system will day! (Of course my 5MEG that I just had protect the computer from the COMMER- The CMS Jumbo drive, as does all of the re-furbished crunched in less than a YEAR CIAL POWER failure, operators of the QIC-40 drives, plugs into the floppy disk also. I do, however, run the DISK DRIVE computer seem 'DETERMINED' to TURN controller on the PC. But that controller is 24 HOURS PER DAY, since there is no OFF the computer when in the MAIN an NEC jiPD765. That FDC has a richer head parking available, and most head- MENU, and NOT USE the EXIT as pro- command set than the WD179x series as parking is just a 'CONTROLLED CRASH' vided. I used to close all of the files in the used in the TRS-80. So although the tape ANYWAY! On the problem of exceeding EXIT ROUTINE. I had a couple of alter - drive is "bus-compatible" to the TRS-80 the 65 MEG boundary, I think that the natives in mind, like gating the CRT B+ FDC, you cannot control it with the early IBM's had a problem exceeding 32 to a METAL ON/OFF switch, but found commands available. I have noted else- MEG, and would 'Partition' a larger drive that some people 'JERK' differently. Some where in this issue that National Semi- into 32 MEG chunks, probably using the remove their hand, others 'JAM' the switch conductor has released a DP8473 single- CYL OFFSET or equivalent. I also note OFF. Of course the RESET BUTTON chip FDC compatible with the 765. Some that the 42 meg is about the largest 1/2 would also have to be 'HOT' Next I enterprising young hotshot should be able height around in quantity. (I am looking considered a little servo driven unit that to design up a small board using that chip. at the jb Technology ad in the COM- would 'COVER' the switches and buttons Perhaps there's a cost-effective solution. PUTER SHOPPER.) How about 1 FULL while files were OPENED, but the ex- HEIGHT drive in lieu of 2 HALF pense of installing these devices was a HEIGHTS? The 790 MEG drive men- problem, not to mention that if activated, tioned in my letter was a FULL HEIGHT and the power was OFF, the switches DRIVE! could not be turned off prior to applying power! Kind of a catch 22! Besides that, I have a client that is interested in a TAPE my LAWYER said that the 'EXPOSURE' DRIVE BACKUP, and I said that I would gained here could well lead to a lawsuit! The Hardware Corner -94- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume ffl.iv Hardware Tinkering and easy here. When the display is as 2) After reading Dennis Kitz's (remem- stable and upright as you can make it, ber him?) method to reverse the Model I move the jumper back to E22/E23. The video display in The Custom Trs-80, P.103, picture should now be steady as a rock. Bob and I decided to adapt the scheme to the model 4. It turns out that RS did too - My model III had a nasty habit, from time similar circuitry is already in place, at to time, where the display would shimmy least on the original logics. Sheet 3 of 6, a little whenever I did an access to a disk mid way down the right edge, shows U24 drive. I measured the voltage to the as an exclusive or with U24-10 receiving mother board and it was within tolerance. the serial dots and U24-9 tied to +5v. In TMQ II.iv, P.88 was a question about Pulled the power connectors apart (a gentle Breaking the 5 volt connection to U24-9 R.S. computer model 26-1067. 26-1067 pressure on the bright metal showing and install a switch to shift it between +5 was the 16k cassette version of the do- through the side of the plastic housing, volt and ground and you will have LB's mestic model 4 (a model III in model 4's while gently tugging the wire lead from reverse video working properly (ie., re- skin). Friend Bob bought one of these the housing) one wire at a time (don't versed reverse video). However, this new during the R.S. sellout, then up- want to mix the wires - instant expensive produces an undesired result; the retrace graded it to disk by moving the required at power up time), then cleaned the metal lines are very visible and annoying. The components from his model III. contact surface (pink pearl eraser) and "fix" is to pick up a timing signal from the opened the contact loop just a little to video controller chip and feed that through After reading several articles about model make it fit tighter in the housing, then the "video mode" switch to U24-9. The 4 clock speeds during Ml fetch (includ- reinstall it in its slot. Did this for each of timing signal is available at the high-res ing III.i,P.70), Bob and I scoped out his the contacts in each of the connectors, and interface, pin J10-18. The drawing shown machine to see what his clock was doing. erased each of the fingers the connector below depicts these connections. He has the Rev. C board, which contains slipped over. Put it all back together and chips U201 thru U205 (the upper right the problem was gone. When Bob's model WARNING: The Revision C board has side of the board as you sit at the key- 4 started acting up the same way, we this block wired backwards, with the dots board). Neither R.S. tech manual shows knew where to go. We also adjusted C210, coming into U24-9, and U24-10 control- those chips. (Anybody have the logics as noted above. ling the display of black-on white or white- pertaining to the Rev. A, B & C boards? on-black (U24-8 is the output signal). I Would appreciate a set.) We scoped U3- Have you ever wanted to create a black- cannot tell you about any other revision 7 (PM1), U3-19 (PCLK) and U57-6 on-white screen, one that looks more like level. Verify carefully before you alter. If (*PCLKB at the Z-80). The clock was a newspaper than a dungeon? Take your U24 is not a 74L586, or output pin U24- solid as a rock, leading us to conclude that choice from the following 2 methods. 8 does not connect to J5-2 (video connec- this version runs the full 4 mhz. at all tor on the main board) through a 56 ohm times. 1) Many boards have a jumper near the resistor (R58) and a 68uh inductor (L2), Highres connector marked E14/E15. Those then DO NOT MODIFY THE BOARD. Also near U4 (same corner) is a small that don't should have a jumper across 2 BTW, the Model III does not have this orange-plastic-covered trimmer capaci- pins of the Highres connector, J10. The built-in "feature". tor labeled C210 (some boards have fixed jumper controls video circuitry when the components). If the video stability is Highres board is not installed. Remove Radio Shack has/had a pretty good mem- marginal when switching from Mod III to said jumper and you have instant reverse ory shaker called M4MEM/CMD. I be- Mod 4, or if the screen tears while in mod video, with a caveat. Some packages like lieve it takes over an hour to run one 4 mode, try this adjustment. With the LB allow you to create reverse video cycle, and it will cycle continuously until cover off but connected and the machine areas on the screen. You will not see the you interrupt it or a memory fault is powered up, IPL in cassette mode reversed reverse video with this method. detected. It came on a Mod Ill disk; it ( The hardware Corner -95- The Hardware Corner Volume Ill.iv THE MISOSYS QUARTERLY - spring/summer 1989 Volume Ill.iv GO:CMD product is a collection of GO:MTC product is a collection of pro- The GO:SYS product is a collection of pr( ducts designed to provide additional util- ms designed to provide maintenance sup- grams designed to provide additional fn for your computer operation. The prod- -t services for your computer operation. tures to LS-DOS 6.3 operation. The progran 5 in this group have been rewritten for programs in this group have been rewrit- in this group have been rewritten for Model del 4 LS-DOS 6.3. You get FASTBACK for Model 4 LS-DOS 6.3. You get LS-DOS 6.3. You get DOCONFIG f FASTREAD for hard disk large file RCHECK to perform an integrity check manipulating CONFIG/SYS files; DOEDI Eve/restore; PRO-CESS to manipulate your disk's directory and repair certain to provide command editing; MEMDIR I cutable command files; COMP to com- Js of errors; FIXGAT to re-construct a get a memory directory; PaDS for the prov e two files or disks; FED2 to investigate rupted Granule Allocation Table; IOMON sion of Partitioned Data Sets; PARMDIR I I zap disk or file sectors on a full-screen trapping disk input errors; MAPPER to obtain parameterized directory informatic is; IFC updated with new features for ck the granulization of files stored onyour for listings and Job Control Langua ractive1y copying, moving, renaming, k; RAMTEST to perform an exhaustive processing; SWAP to switch drive assigi eting, and invoking files; ZCAT for cata- i of all DRAM memory in your computer; ments; WC for wild card command invou ing 6.3 diskettes. All documentation has I UNREMOVE to restore a file inadver- tion; and ZSHELL to provide command lii •n revised and is printed in a convenient tly deleted. All documentation has been I/O redirection, piping, and multiple con by 8.5" format. Order M-33-300 for ised and is printed in a convenient 5.5' by mands on a line. All documentation has bet 05 ($5 S&H Us). "format. Order M-33-100 for $59.95 ($5 revised and is printed in a convenient 5.5" F .H US). 8.5" format. Order M-33-200 for $59.95 EXCiTING MOD 4 HI-RES TRSTimes CASINO GAMES! Great fun! Superlative Graphics! Golden Oldies magazine 20311 Sherman Way, Suite 221 Canoga Park, CA 91306 VIDPOKR4 is a 100% accurate video available from poker machine simulation. Winning TRSTImes, the bl-monthly magazine devoted exclusively to system included. 128K reqd. $19.95 the TRS-80 Models I, III, 4 & 4P, SLOTMOD4 is a 100% accurate, fully features 'Type-In' programs In animated slot machine simulation with Basic & Assembly language, sound. Specify Standard or XLR8er Hands-on tutorials, Hints & Tips, version. Both games on same Reviews, CPIM coverage, Questions $14.95. & Answers, Letters, humor, disk for $29.95. Add $3 S&H to total and much more. order. Both games require RS oruLabs 1989 calendar-year subscription rates: hi-res board. U.S. & Canada: $18.00 Frank Slinkman, 4108C Fairlake Other countries: $23.00 Lane, Glen Allen, VA 23060 SUBSCRIBE NOW! Rent this space Rent this space Rent this space $20 $20 $20 The Marketplace -96- The Marketplace creen is not what