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AWOL hard disk
![[Q]](images/i_q.gif)
My System is an Atari STe with 4Mb and external 120Mb Quantum hard
drive. I have a problem with my hard drive. I accidentally substituted
my DESKTOP.INF on drive C: with the DESKTOP.INF from my SPAT scanner
master disk in Drive A:. Now the STe clashes during "loading
configuration". I have tried the usual procedure to reboot the hard
disk:
- Booting from Drive A: using ICD 5.5.0 with the HD connected but
switched off.
- Switching on the HD.
- Double-clicking on ICDBOOT.PRG to boot the HD.
- I then tried creating an icon for Drive C: but TOS reports "This
drive does not exist" and removes the icon.
Is it possible to salvage my files without reformatting the hard
disk?
R Berni, by post, Torino, Italy
![[A]](images/i_a.gif)
It seems likely the DESKTOP.INF is only part of the problem. It's
possible ICDBOOT.SYS on C:\ is corrupted and it's a hidden file so it
doesn't show up in the directory window. Try this:
- Turn off everything.
- Turn on Atari computer, wait for desktop to appear.
- Turn on hard disk
- Insert back-up copy of ICD software disk into floppy
- Run ICDBOOT.PRG, it should display your hard disk name and
partitions
- Run HDUTIL.PRG. Click on [BOOT] Set hard disk auto boot, make
sure the C radio button is selected then select OK.
- Copy ICDBOOT.PRG to Drive C:\
- Quit to desktop
- Re-install hard disk desktop icons.
- Delete DESKTOP.INF file from drive C.
- Save a new DESKTOP.INF file
- Reset machine and everything should run normally again.
Bob Culverston
![[Q]](images/i_q.gif)
I am using Geneva with a 4Mb STe, TOS 2.06. It seems that the
Blitter is not switched on when using Geneva - how do I get it to
function?
John Cloke, Bodmin
![[A]](images/i_a.gif)
From TOS 1.02 the desktop has a Blitter option in the Options
menu. Make sure it is ticked then Save Desktop.
If you're using Neodesk enable the Blitter in the Neo Control
Panel then save your Neodesk configuration.
Bob Culverston
Mega DMA
![[Q]](images/i_q.gif)
I've recased my Mega ST into a mini tower but currently have an
unsightly cable looping from the external DMA port back into the case to
join a Link and a SCSI hard disk. I notice the Mega ST has internal DMA
pins but there are more pins internally than externally and I don't
trust my multimeter readings. Can anyone help?
garnett@ihug.co.nz
![[A]](images/i_a.gif)
The internal DMA pins were used with internal drive kits including the
ICD AdSCSI Micro ST. The ACSI internal connector pins are:
Pin
1 GND 2 D0
3 *RESET 4 D1
5 GND 6 D2
7 GND 8 D3
9 GND 10 D4
11 *ACK 12 D5
13 GND 14 D6
15 GND 16 D7
17 GND 18 #CS
19 A1 20 GND
21 GND 22 R/#W
23 DRQ 24 #INT
# signal: active low
The extra pins are all additional ground pins with the rest directly
connected to the respective pins of the external 19 pin ACSI connector.
Source: Atari ST Profibuch
Peter Rottengatter, via Usenet.
Palette switching
![[Q]](images/i_q.gif)
How do I convert an image so I can use it as a background image in
Thing?
Mike Kerslake, via CiX
![[A]](images/i_a.gif)
You need to change the colour palette of the image. To do this using
Imagecopy set Options/Screen/Mapping/Palette to "Screen" with "Match
colours" selected, and display the image in the appropriate screen
resolution before saving it in image (IMG) format.
Jeremy Hughes
Self extracting archives
![[Tip]](images/i_tip.gif)
Here's a trick which makes it much easier to extract Reader Disk
software from TOS 1.04 onwards.
- Open a desktop window to display the self-extracting TOS file to be
unpacked.
- Open another window to where you would like the archive unpacked to.
- Without "topping" the first window (i.e. the second window remains
highlighted) click and hold down the right mouse button while
double-clicking on the archive with left mouse button - it sounds more
painful than actually doing it.
- Release the right button and the TOS program will run from the
inactive window and unpack the archive into the active window!
Derryck Croker
CAB conjecture
![[Q]](images/i_q.gif)
I haven't tried to use CAB online yet but reading the manual I first get
the impression that I need multitasking for full capability but that I
can probably use it without (I also have Geneva). I also get the
impression PPP-Connect will only work under Magic?
Oliver Skelton, atari.st conference on CiX
![[A]](images/i_a.gif)
- PPP-Connect needs MagiC because SOCKETS.PRG is written for MagiC
(although we have heard unconfirmed reports it does run under MiNT).
- CAB will run under TOS, Geneva, MiNT, MagiC etc BUT...
- Most of the new modules in CAB 2.5 offer enhanced functionality when
run in parallel so a multitasking OS is desirable.
Effectively this means use MagiC for everything or don't use
PPP-Connect. If you already have a working STiK/STiNG set-up there's no
compelling reason to change.
Joe Connor
Icons in Freedom
![[Q]](images/i_q.gif)
I'm trying to set up the Freedom replacement file selector on my
machine. The only problem is I don't get any of the groovy icons.
I guess it's something to do with the path to the image folder,
but I can't pin it down.
Martin Franklin, via CiX
![[A]](images/i_a.gif)
For Freedom v1.15e edit FREEDOM.CNF so the #IMAGEPATH points to a folder
containing FREEDMXX.IMG where XX equates to the number of blitplanes for
your screen resolution:
- FREEDM01.IMG Mono resolutions
- FREEDM04.IMG 16 colour resolutions
- FREEDM08.IMG 256 colour resolutions
Snippet from FREEDOM.CNF:
------------ 8< ----------------
; Path to Images (FREEDMxx.IMG):
; Note: Use upper case only
#IMAGEPATH C:\FREEDOM
------------ 8< ----------------
Martyn Dryden
![[A]](images/i_a.gif)
If you're using Freedom 2 the icons are called from compiled GEM files
called:
- Colour: F2ICONSC.CVD
- Mono: F2ICONSM.CVD
Locate these files and set the path to these from within Freedom using
the CONFIG.CPX.
Joe Connor
SPEEDBALL 2 Playing Guide
Having spent getting on for five years honing my skills at this game,
I've decided to share my experience with y'all!
Attributes: The key attributes to boost are POWER, THROWING, SPEED and
STAMINA - the others can wait until needed. If your first match in the
league or cup is against one of the vastly better sides such as Steel
Fury, concentrate on SPEED and STAMINA. In the team management game
INTELLIGENCE is more important. There are several key tactics:
- Get control of the SCORE MULTIPLIER. This should be your first
priority because the ELECTROBALL is much more effective and you score
more points. Use of the ELECTROBALL can also help you to score goals and
gain control of the SCORE MULTIPLIER, but be careful you aren't robbed
of the ball while you have the ELECTROBALL because you'll probably find
your player takes a beating, your opponents will take control of the
SCORE MULTIPLIER, and you'll be in serious trouble. Most teams don't
make a big effort to take control of the SCORE MULTIPLIER which works to
your advantage.
- Always tackle from behind. You are virtually guaranteed a successful
tackle, even if your opponents stats are much higher than yours.
- Collect money. Without cash you'll have little chance of doing well.
Transfers: There are only a few players really worth buying, unless
their stats over 220 you can build up any team member instead. Here's a
few pointers:
- Attack: JAMS is brilliant up front and NORMAN is worth buying.
- Midfield: STRAVOS is the man, despite being ugly with a sixties
style haircut!
- Defence: GARRICK is worth a look.
Of course, you'll need good reflexes, an unbreakable wrist and a
sturdier-than-sturdy joystick, but if you follow my tips, you'll be
winning the league and cup fairly easily!
Dave Seaman
GOT A PROBLEM?
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Q&A
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AC#6 BUG REPORT
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- N.AES is an AES replacement not a multitasking OS. N.AES must be
used with MiNT to provide a multitasking OS, however MiNT can be used
without N.AES or with other AES versions, such as MultiTOS.
- In the News pages we reported PPP-Connect was the first software
offering PPP internet access for the Atari platform. This is not true
because PPP support is available using MiNTNet - although it's not easy
to set up. STiNG now also offers PPP support.
- In the Letters pages we incorrectly reported Infopedia is a product
developed by Homa Systems to access PC-based CD-ROMs on the Atari. In
fact the product is called Atari CD Master and this does support
Infopedia, an encyclopaedia CD-ROM from Softkey.
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PURE C ISN'T
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If you upgraded an Atari ST with a 68882 maths co-processor (FPU) you
may run into problems using programs compiled with Pure C or Pure
Pascal.
The Pure C/Pascal compilers insert code in a program to detect the
presence of an FPU and to use it if it is there.
On 68020/68030 equipped machines it calls subroutines written in FPU
machine code but on 68000 equipped machines it has to use subroutines
which emulate the CPU/FPU communication protocol built into the 68020
and later chips.
Unfortunately the Pure C/Pascal code is not a true emulation of that
protocol and in many cases 68881/68882 FPU's return different responses.
The Reader Disk contains a more detailed explanation of the problem, and
an executable program called FIX_FPU.PRG along with commented assembler
source code and HiSoft BASIC listings. The following programs have been
tested and appear to work OK:
- Pre v1.5 CAB was performing floating point calculations, although
Alexander denies this!
- Kandinsky contains five subroutines which can be patched.
- HDDriver utility program (partitioning won't work without the patch)
- DA Vector, DTP package (demo version).
- Zorg registered version (the un-registered version appears to unpack
itself at run-time - in any case this patching program won't fix it)
- Five to Five, sound file conversion utility.
- Gemview v2.24 and maybe other versions.
- Atari CD Master from Homa Systems House (INFOPEDI.PRG and
PLAYSND.PRG)
- Probe House DMA Sample Player (PHPLAYER.PRG).
The patch program may work on other problem programs but neither I nor
Atari Computing accept any liability or responsibility for any direct or
indirect damage that may arise, either financial, material or any other
kind from either the use or misuse of this software and associated
documentation. All trademarks used are recognised and acknowledged.
David Leaver
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