Comp.Sys.Acorn FAQ List

Last alterations 2nd of August 1999

Recent alterations:-

Contained below is a list of the most commonly asked questions about Acorn machines in the comp.sys.acorn hierarchy. Before posting to comp.sys.acorn.*, if you are new to the groups, check to see if your question(s) are already answered below. Corrections and/or additions to the list should be sent to :-

pvigay@interalpha.co.uk

And I'll try to add them as soon as possible....

This FAQ is posted monthly to comp.sys.acorn.misc, comp.sys.acorn.announce, comp.answers and news.answers.

For Web browsers out there, the FAQ is available at :-

http://www.vigay.com/riscos/FAQ/

This contains the latest version of the FAQ, as well as a few other documents I have placed up for perusal.

Lastly this list is maintained by Paul Vigay. Most of it is copyright Philip R. Banks who created it and maintained it until I took over from 1st Dec 1998. Obviously as time progresses and I manage to update and revise sections then copyright will gradually become more and more mine. However, the aim of this FAQ is to share information and help newcomers to the Acorn scene, therefore permission is granted for free distribution of the entire list or quoted segments of it.
If you wish to include segments of the list into other documents then proper attribution must be performed and if you wish to include a part of the list, or the list in full, in any commercial product then express permission must be obtained from myself.

Index of Questions.

The questions have been categorised loosely into related sections, in an effort to make finding the desired information simpler and quicker.

Section 1: Acorn Hardware and Operating Systems.

1.1) What is an Acorn machine?
1.2) What kind of Acorn machines are there?
1.3) What versions of the ARM processors are there?
1.4) What are the main new features of RISC OS 3?
1.5) What are the differences between RISC OS 3.5 and RISC OS 3.6?
1.6) What are the differences between RISC OS 3.6 and RISC OS 3.7?
1.7) What are the differences between RISC OS 3.7 and RISC OS 3.8/4?
1.8) What are the graphics capabilities of the Acorn machines?
1.9) Is Virtual Memory possible under RISC OS?
1.10) What is the current status of Linux for Acorn machines?
1.11) What 'Easter Eggs' are present in RISC OS?
1.12) What is the current status of RiscBSD for Acorn machines?
1.13) What is RISC OS 3.8/Ursula?
1.14) What is 'Lazy Task Swapping'?

Section 2: Upgrades and Expansion.

2.1) What are the memory limits of the various Acorn machines?
2.2) What is a second processor and what second processors are there?
2.3) Can PC VGA & Multisync Monitors be added to an Acorn machine?
2.4) Are there any Acorn cards for IBM PC or compatible machines?
2.5) What is a VIDC enhancer? Will I need one for my new multisync monitor?
2.6) What configuration of serial cable should I use for modem work?
2.7) How can I get unfiltered sound from an Acorn machine?
2.8) Can I connect a SCART monitor to my Acorn machine?
2.9) How do I make a Null modem cable?
2.10) What are StrongARM dipswitch settings?

Section 3: Configuration.

3.1) What is ADFSBuffers and what is the best setting for it?
3.2) How do I enable solid drags in RISC OS 3?
3.3) To what size should I partition my Hard Drive?

Section 4: Hardware problems.

4.1) What do the hard drive error numbers mean?
4.2) What can I do with a 'Broken Directory' or a corrupt Free Space Map?
4.3) What does the power on self-test check?
4.4) My Real Time Clock has paused, how do I restart it?
4.5) Why doesn't *Speaker work on my machine?
4.6) What can I do about my fan making excessive noise starting up?

Section 5: Software Issues.

5.1) Why does DOSFS corrupt my files occasionally?
5.2) Where can I obtain the latest version of module X?
5.3) What are the current File-type allocation ranges?
5.4) Is there a Modula 2 compiler for the Arc?
5.5) What Public Domain Languages are available for Acorn machines?
5.6) Why does the RO3.5 desktop sometimes revert to the system font?
5.7) Why does ChangeFSI display a blank white window, not an image?
5.8) What causes the 'nager:Sprites22' error?
5.9) Is there a Real Audio or Real Video player for Acorns?

Section 6: Viruses.

6.1) How can I protect against viruses?
6.2) Where can I obtain a virus killer?

Section 7: Network resources.

7.1) What archives/FTP sites are available?
7.2) What Acorn related companies are available on the net via email?
7.3) What are the submission addresses for comp.{binaries,sources}.acorn groups?
7.4) How to retrieve the FAQ from the source...
7.5) What WWW pages are out there for Acorn topics?
7.6) What Acorn BBS's are there?
7.7) Where can I advertise second hand Acorn kit?
7.8) Where can I find a user group local to me?

Section 8: Compatibility with other Machines.

8.1) How compatible with other systems is an Acorn machine?
8.2) Is there a BBC BASIC for other machines?
8.3) Can I run 65Host on the Risc PC?
8.4) Can I read Acorn format discs on a PC?
8.5) What software handles files with this extension?
8.6) Is there a version of Draw for Windows?

Section 9: Technical Details.

9.1) How do I get a faster interrupt timer than the centisecond ones?
9.2) How can I create Interlaced GIFs on Acorn machines?

Section 10: Risc PC PC Card Details.

10.1) What is the latest version of the Emulator software?
10.2) Why does the serial port not work after using the card?
10.3) Why do Windows programs give incorrect colours in a 256 colour mode?
10.4) How much memory can I configure for the PCEmulator?
10.5) Can I use Win95 with the card?
10.6) Can I resize my PC partition?

Section 11: Hardware Compatibility.

11.1) What IDE drives work on Acorn machines?
11.2) What are the master / slave link settings for my IDE Drive?
11.3) Why won't my Western Digital IDE drive won't work after a cold boot?
11.4) What works with what?
11.5) What specification memory can I use with my RiscPC?

Section 12: Common Questions about the FAQ.

12.1) Why do I get the FAQ twice?
12.2) Why does the full FAQ have to be posted?
12.3) Isn't the FAQ overly long?
12.4) If I find something wrong or am unhappy with the FAQ, what do I do?
Thanks go to all the people who have contributed corrections and additions to the list. Without this help this list would be a hell of a lot buggier (spot the programmer... :-) ) than it is...
All additions, corrections & suggestions for the FAQ List should be sent to pvigay@interalpha.co.uk Being the maintainer of this FAQ I reserve the right to be wrong, incorrect, slow, out of date and generally how I please with the FAQ List.
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