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Text File | 1995-03-23 | 16.3 KB | 450 lines

PC-TaskDemo 3.1 =============== Copyright © 1992-5 Chris Hames All Rights Reserved ReadMe.Demo rev 1.0 21/03/1995 Copyright © 1995 Quasar Distribution & Chris Hames Published exclusively by Quasar Distribution Distribution and License ------------------------ This demo distribution may be freely copied as long as all files are included and the following conditions are adhered to. No more than USD $5.00 may be charged for a floppy disk containing it. This distribution is for evaluation purposes only, any use beyond that requires purchase of the complete PC-Task 3 package. All references describing/advertising this distribution must clearly state that it is a Demo version. This demo distribution may be freely placed on any CD-ROM as long as the above conditions are adhered to. This demo distribution may not be placed on any Magazine Cover Disk or Cover CD-ROM, without the express written permission of Quasar Distribution. You may not decompile, dissasemble, reverse engineer, modify, or translate the program or documentation. About the Program ----------------- Even though the world computer market is still dominated by PC's, the Amiga range of computers is excellent. You may wish to run PC software but do not want to purchase a second computer. This is where PC-Task is ideal. It allows you to run the majority of PC software packages (that require an 80286 processor or below) on your Amiga computer, making use of the peripherals and memory (up to 16MB) which you already own. The Multitasking capabilities of the Amiga range of computers is what has set it apart from other computer systems. PC-Task is no exception - it works without taking over your computer. When in operation the PC-Task application can be switched to when required. Multiple versions of PC-Task can be executed at the one time allowing you to run multiple PC packages at once. At last pre-emptive multitasking comes to the PC! The main down side of software emulation is speed, however,the faster your Amiga, the faster PC-Task's emulation will run. Program Description ------------------- PC-Task 3 is the first and only software 80286 emulator for the Amiga range of computers. The following features are included in this release: - Switchable 8086/80286 emulation - Support for up to 16MB RAM (15MB extended) of PC memory - Up to 2 floppy drives and 2 hard drives supported - Supports hard disk files and hard disk partitions - High density floppies and CD-ROM support - Select from MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA and SVGA (512K-2MB) video modes - Support for up to 256 colours on AGA machines (32 on Old/ECS machines) - Compatible with graphic boards (eg. EGS Spectrum, Picasso) - Parallel, Serial and PC speaker emulation - Mouse support, including Serial Mouse emulation - Run multiple PC-Task processes on the same machine - Run MS-DOS applications in a window on a public screen (eg. Workbench) - Transfer files between your Amiga and MS-DOS - Support for David Salamon's GoldenGate bridge cards - Compatible with MS Windows 3.0 - 3.11 * * MS Windows 3.1 requires 1.5 MB contiguous RAM and sufficient hard disk space (around 10MB) NOTE: Neither MS-DOS or MS Windows are included. About this Demo --------------- This demo has been released to give you some idea of the speed and functionality of the PC-Task package. You will not be able to run software that needs to write to disk (such as MS Windows, FDisk, Format etc.). This demonstration version is a generic 680x0 version of PC-Task and is considerably slower than the full 68020_60 specific version. We estimate that the demo is 25% slower on a 68020/30, 20% slower on a 68040 and very much slower on a 68060 (due to the 68060 not having one often used instruction inbuilt anymore). The full package contains the following features which have been removed from this demo: - A comprehensive user reference manual - Writing to Floppy/HardDiskPartition/HardDiskFile enabled. - Parallel port emulation enabled. - Optimized version for 68020 and higher processors - Turbo Version (requires 4x RAM for speed increase) - The hardfile.device so you can use a Filesystem to access your PC-Task or Bridgeboard HardDiskFile from AmigaDOS. - An MS-DOS program to copy files from AmigaDOS to PC-Task - An MS-DOS program to copy files from PC-Task to AmigaDOS - An MS-DOS program to show AmigaDOS directories under PC-Task - An MS-DOS program to quit PC-Task - An MS-DOS program to start the mouse driver - A CD-ROM driver allowing access to CD-ROMs under PC-Task's emulation Using the Demo -------------- - System Requirements PC-TaskDemo 3.1 requires an Amiga computer with at least 512K of RAM and AmigaOS 1.2+. Please note that some features of PC-TaskDemo 3.1 will only work if you have at least 1MB of RAM. Some display features will also be unavailable if you do not have an AGA compatible Amiga or a third party graphics card. - Running the Demo If you are running Kickstart 1.2/1.3 double click TDPatch1213 first. The PC-Task 3.1 Demo can easily be run by double clicking the PC-TaskDemo 3.1 icon. The program should load and display an option screen. Click on the START button to start the emulation. Insert a bootable DOS system disk into the drive specified as A on the option screen. Pressing return should now boot DOS just like a real PC. - Creating a Bootable MS-DOS Disk In order for you to be able to use the PC-Task emulation (or even a real PC) a bootable MS-DOS disk is needed unless you have a bootable HardDiskFile or partition from which to boot. To create a system disk (720K bootable) for use with PC-Task, you can insert a 3.5" DSDD (double sided double density) disk in a real PC's drive A: and enter at the MS-DOS prompt: format A: /s Or format A: /s /f:720 Or format A: /s /n:9 Insert this disk when you boot the emulator. A Brief Guide to some of PC-Task's Options ------------------------------------------ - The Option Screen The option screen allows you to change the various functions of PC-Task. To start the emulation just click the start button or press the return key, after you have set the options to suit your preferences. - Floppy Disk Options On the bottom left of the option screen are two text gadgets used to assign PC-Task's floppy drives A and B for use during emulation. The floppy drives can be assigned to any device, by entering the name of the drives into the text gadgets. People who mount their drives as MS-DOS drives, so they can read and write files using the AmigaOS 2.1+ MS-DOS filesystem, or other such software, can enter the device names that they use for that (e.g. PC0: & PC1:) in the text gadgets. - Hard Disk Options If you have an existing bridgeboard hard disk file, click the left mouse button on one of the hard disk text gadgets and enter the file name (including path) in the text gadget e.g. "Work:IBMHardDiskFile". PC-Task does not work with JLink virtual drives. You can also specify an existing MS-DOS partition that has been FDisk'ed and formatted. Make sure that you do not have a CrossDOSFileSystem line in your mountlist for that partition. - Graphics Adapter Options You can emulate five different display adapters with PC-Task. You can toggle between modes by clicking the left mouse button on the gadget right of the Graphics Adapter text. MDA is a monochrome, text only adapter that gives faster screen updates. CGA is the default graphics option and has the most complete implementation and compatibility. EGA will do the same modes as MDA and CGA and adds some higher resolution graphics modes. VGA will do all the modes of MDA, CGA, EGA and higher resolution graphics modes. One VGA mode requires a machine with the AGA chipset (such as the A1200 & A4000) or with a graphic board capable of 256 colours in order to display the correct colours. Other machines will display the mode but with incorrect colours. SVGA modes are high resolution graphics modes, some of which require a machine with the AGA chipset or a graphics board capable of 256 colours in order to display the correct colours. Other machines will display the mode but with incorrect colours. Many PC games use non-standard modes and features of EGA/VGA/SVGA and therefore will not run correctly. - Advanced Video Options Underneath the Graphics Adapter options you are able to select Advanced Video Options. This will bring up another window allowing you to select the Amiga screen mode for each graphics mode available and whether to open a window on seperate screen. The method of screen update may also be changed. - Video Modes The modes supported by PC-Task are listed below: Mode Type Size Graphics Adapters Colours Mode $00 Text 40*25 CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 2 Mode $01 Text 40*25 CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 16 Mode $02 Text 80*25 CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 2 Mode $03 Text 80*25 CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 16 Mode $04 Graphics 320*200 CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 4 Mode $05 Graphics 320*200 CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 4 Mode $06 Graphics 640*200 CGA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 2 Mode $07 Text 80*25 MDA,EGA,VGA,SVGA 2 Mode $0D Graphics 320*200 EGA,VGA,SVGA 16 Mode $0E Graphics 640*200 EGA,VGA,SVGA 16 Mode $0F Graphics 640*350 EGA,VGA,SVGA 2 Mode $10 Graphics 640*350 EGA,VGA,SVGA 16 Mode $11 Graphics 640*480 VGA,SVGA 2 Mode $12 Graphics 640*480 VGA,SVGA 16 Mode $13 Graphics 320*200 VGA,SVGA 256 Mode $100 Graphics 640*400 VGA,SVGA 256 Mode $101 Graphics 640*480 SVGA 256 Mode $102/6a Graphics 800*600 VGA,SVGA 16 Mode $103 Graphics 800*600 SVGA 256 Mode $104 Graphics 1024*768 SVGA 16 Mode $105 Graphics 1024*768 SVGA (1Mb),SVGA (2Mb) 256 Mode $106 Graphics 1280*1024 SVGA (1Mb),SVGA (2Mb) 16 Mode $107 Graphics 1280*1024 SVGA (2Mb) 256 - Mouse, Parallel, Serial & Sound Options You can toggle the Parallel, Serial, COM2 Mouse and Sound gadgets to on or off by clicking the left mouse button on these gadgets at the top right of the option screen. The COM2 Mouse option emulates a Microsoft compatible serial mouse on COM2. The Sound option emulates basic PC motherboard sound. (simple beeps etc.) - Memory Options In the bottom right of the option screen there are three sets of left/right gadgets that allow you to change memory options of the PC. Conventional Memory Sets the amount of memory PC-Task will allocate for emulation with the maximum base memory allowed being 704K, if MDA or CGA graphics adapter selected, and 640K if EGA, VGA or SVGA is selected. For best compatibility select 640K. If the emulator fails to get the amount set it will try for a smaller amount until it gets too low to be functional. Extended Memory Sets the amount of extended memory which will be allocated for emulation. You are able to select up to 15MB of extended memory. It is best if you do not allocate all available fast RAM on your Amiga for emulation. If you allocate more, PC-Task may use Chip memory, which will slow down the emulation. To use extended memory you must use HIMEM.SYS. Consult your MS-DOS manual for futher details. Minimum Leave Available This is the minimum amount of memory that the emulator will leave available for other Amiga programs, after it has allocated the main memory. - ToolTypes and Keywords LANGUAGE = ENGLISH, DEUTSCH or FRANÇAIS - Forces PC-Task's language PUBSCREEN = (PUBSCREEN NAME) - Select which Public Screen PC-Task windows will open on. - Turning the Mouse Driver On To turn the internal DOS mouse driver on press LeftAmiga-P. This should be done prior to starting the PC program that you wish to use the mouse with. - Rebooting & Quitting the Emulator PC-Task can be rebooted just like a real PC, using the same keys as a PC. To do this, press the Ctrl-Alt-DEL keys all at the same time. To quit the emulator press LeftAmiga-RightAmiga-DEL or RightAmiga-DEL. Purchasing the full PC-Task product ----------------------------------- - Availability PC-Task 3.1 is available from Quasar Distribution, Authorised Distributors and their dealers. PC-Task is available as: PC-Task 3.1 - PC-Task 3.1 English program and documentation PC-Task 3.1 DEU - PC-Task 3.1 German program and documentation PC-Task 3.1 VF - PC-Task 3.1 French program and documentation PC-Task 3.1 is NOT available directly from Chris Hames - Ordering from Quasar Direct Current pricing from Quasar Distribution is: PC-Task 3.1 AUD $129.00 Shipping (all orders) AUD $ 10.00 Quasar Distribution are able to accept payment in the following forms: Visa / Mastercard (please include expiry) International Money Order (made payable to Quasar Distribution) Bank Draft (made payable to Quasar Distribution) Cash (we don't recommend sending cash through the mail) Orders should be forwarded to Quasar Distribution at the address below. Please contact your local Authorised Distributor for local pricing and availability. - Upgrades from previous versions All users of PC-Task V1-V2 registered with Chris Hames or Quasar Distribution should have received notification by mail of this upgrade. With the V3 release ALL support and upgrades for PC-Task are now handled by Quasar Distribution. Users of the Quasar Distribution package who have not returned their product registration card, should contact Quasar Distribution, or their local authorised distributor for upgrade pricing and availability. Purchasers of the DevWare PC-Task 2 package in North America should contact Quasar Distribution for current upgrade policy and pricing. Contact Information ------------------ Quasar Distribution (Publisher) can be contacted at: Quasar Distribution P.O. Box 188 Southland Victoria 3192 Australia Phone +61 (0)3 583 8806 Fax +61 (0)3 585 1074 BBS +61 (0)3 584 8590 InterNet: pctask@quasar.dialix.oz.au AmigaNet: Justin Deeley @ 41:300/584.0 Chris Hames (Author) can be contacted at: InterNet: bytey@melbourne.dialix.oz.au Note: Please only contact Chris Hames directly if you get no response from Quasar Distribution or they are not able to help you with your specific problem. Authorised Distributors (as of 22/03/95) ---------------------------------------- Australia & New Zealand (and anywhere else not listed) Quasar Distribution P.O. Box 188 Southland Victoria 3192 Australia Phone +61 (0)3 583 8806 Fax +61 (0)3 585 1074 BBS +61 (0)3 584 8590 France France-Festival-Distribution 3 Rue Anatole France FR 13220 Chateauneuf-Les-Martigues France Phone +33 42-76-18-70 Fax +33 42-76-18-70 Germany Casablanca Multimedia Wiemelhauser Straße 247a 44799 Bochum 1 Germany Phone +49 (0)234 7 20 35 Fax +49 (0)234 7 20 60 North America Wonder Computers Inc. 1301 Richmond Road Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2B 7Y4 Phone +1 613 596 2542 Fax +1 613 596 9349 U.K. Meridian Software Distribution East House East Road Industrial Estate East Road London SW19 1AR U.K. Phone +44 (0)81 543 3500 Fax +44 (0)81 543 2255 All distribution enquiries should be directed to Quasar Distribution. Trademarks ---------- PC-Task is a trademark of Chris Hames used under exclusive license by Quasar Distribution. IBM, VGA, EGA, CGA & MDA are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.. MS-DOS is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Inc.. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Disclaimer ---------- No responsibility or liability will be accepted for any damage that may appear to have resulted from use of this program. All use is at your own risk. The software is provided "as is" without any warranty implied or otherwise to the fitness or accuracy of the software and documentation. The documentation is believed to be correct but the author and/or publisher reserves the right to update the software and/or documentation without notice.