CP/M/CPM_CDROM.iso/enterprs/cpm/text/cpm-p1.arc/CPM-128.01

Text File | 1991-04-12 | 32KB | 823 lines

   L E A R N I N G   E X P E R I E N C E   B B S  -  M E N U

#5 - CP/M and C128 selected.

Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 2.  8-30-89 12:15.53  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: GETTING STARTED IN CP/M

I use CP/M on my C128 a fair bit so this board can provide some CP/M
advice for the beginner. We will be esatablishing a good CP/M file library
too but we can't hope to compete with Canada Remote systems. They have a
massive CP/M library and I just couldn't afford the hard disks it would
take to hold it all.

Right now, we have one of the largest online CP/M libraries I've seen
around Toronto (but that's because there aren't many good CP/M boards).
For instance if you have the REU there are two good files here to get you
started - I think they're call RAM... or REU... and they're in the CP/M
Misc file directory.

To look at the descriptions of the files, at the main prompt, just c to
C)hange directories, pick the CP/M Misc directory from the list shown
automatically. Then f to see the F)iles descriptions. If you want just the
file names, l to L)ist them in two columns on an 80 column screen.
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 3.  8-30-89 12:28.48  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: CP/M ON THE C128

If you haven't used CP/M before on your C128, the first thing you should
know is that you have all you need to get started already. But you're
going to have to find the CP/M disk that came with you're machine - "Let's
see, now where did I put that disk 4 years ago?" ;-)

If you really can't find it, you can probably find a friend who'll give
you a copy - after all, it is C128 specific and if you've got a C128, you
already have a licence to use it, automatically. So while it's technically
breaking the law, it's not breaking the spirit or intention of the law -
you've already paid for a copy.
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 4.  8-30-89 12:38.04  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: CP/M ON THE C128
ALSO SEE: 6.

While your C128 came with all you need to get started with CP/M, you may
need some other things depending on your hardware.

REU - if you have the REU (HUGE help in CP/M, as in GEOS) you need to
upgrade your CP/M BIOS as the initial version doesn't know what to do with
the REU. This new BIOS should be included with your REU, so if you have
the REU, but can't find the REU BIOS now after 4 years, find a friend
again.

1581 - if you have a 1581, you need to buy an new upgraded BIOS (which
also understands the REU). This didn't come included in your 1581 purchase
so instead of finding a friend, you should try to buy this from Commodore
first - about $25. It comes on a 3.5" disk with the rest of the CP/M files
that you should want to make things easier. I recommend you get it (even
though I still haven't got mine).

Getting the 1581 BIOS takes some determination. After 4 tries at Commodore
on Pharmacy in Toronto, I've just been using Miklos Garemczeghy ?spell?
program Jugg'ler 128 which let's you C128 read almost ANY CP/M disk ever
made (not 8" and 10" disks of course, but any 5.25" or 3.5").  But, you
should be able to buy the 3.5" CP/M BIOS disk from Commodore in the USA
and Commodore on Pharmacy can give you the address.
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 5.  8-30-89 12:54.51  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: CP/M ON A C128 AND 1541

If you only have a 1541 disk drive for your C128, you can still run CP/M,
but you'll get fed up with it fast asSUPER SLOW and the small disk
capacity is a pain.

Buy a 1581! You'll love it for CP/M, GEOS and downloading from bbses, even
if you don't use it to clean up the disk clutter with it's 5x greater
capacity. The combination of MUCH faster speed and capacity will make your
C128 feel like a whole new computer, and the 1581 should be available for
about $150 - $170. The best peripheral deal you'll get.

However, the REU is also a great deal. But it depends more on how you use
your computer. It's more expensive than the 1581 and less flexible so you
should get the 1581 first. But the REU makes CP/M and GEOS go like greased
lighning. I find my C128 with the 1581 and REU to be very close to an XT
clone with hard drive in performance potential, after all, both have 640k,
the C128 is about as fast as a 4.77 mhz clone, and the HUGE size of MS-DOS
programs makes the 1581 comparable to a hard disk in size (most good
MS-DOS software needs 2 megs on your disk when installed so a 20 meg hard
drive gives you space for about 10 major pieces of software!).

Anyway, if you've only got one drive and it's a 1541, you will probably
need to buy a 1581 to be happy with CP/M (or GEOS).

If you get a REU too, you'll be living in luxury.
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 6.  9-01-89 21:43.28  (RECV'D)
    From: Joe Janakovic
      To: Doug Purdy
 Subject: CP/M ON THE C128
ALSO SEE: 4, 7, 83.

Hi;

I've got an interesting story to tell regarding the 1581 CP/M upgrade
available from Commodore.

When I got my 1581 drive in December 1987, I immediately mailed aaway for
the 1581 CP/M upgrade.  I think the price was around $20 or so.  Anyhow, I
waited until Feb '88 and still didn't hear from them (although my check
was cashed back in Dec when they recieved my payment)!

After repeated calls to Commodore, I found out that CBM Canada was
currently all out of the disk and they had to order them from Europe (yep
EUROPE!!).

Anyway, May rolled around and more calls to CBM resulted in me finding out
that they have received their disks and mailed out what was due 3 weeks
ago.

This was fine, but I still didn't recieve the disk!  Eventually it was
late July '88 that`I recieved the CP/M disk!  At this point I was just
glad to have gotten something for my money.

Six months...... I guess you have to be really patient when dealing with
these people.  (I've learned my lesson and WILL NOT deal with them in the
future)!!

P.S.  One thing I have to admit, though, CP/M on the 1581 is super.  My
alternative would be to use the 1541.  This is what put me off CP/M until
i got the 1581.... The 1750 REU is just as great...


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 7.  9-06-89 13:36.14  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Joe Janakovic
 Subject: CP/M ON THE C128
ALSO SEE: 6, 11, 47.

Thanks for the comments Joe, they'll probably help others - maybe me -
hope I don't have to wait 6 months!

Noticed that there really is a lot of ZDOS stuff being uploaded to the
CP/M conference on CRS. Ray Whidden has Z3DOS for CP/M for his C128. Are
you thinking of getting it too?
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 10.  9-17-89 13:45.17
    From: John Willson
      To: All
 Subject: 128 SPECTRUM

HI!
looking through some magazine a few week ago ,I seen some picture in ythe
magazine that was done by a program for the 128 called 128 spectrum.
The description of this program was very impressive but I can't say the sam
for the picture it produced. Its worst than some of the 64 picture.
Does anyone own this program. If so ,is this program worth what it cost.
l8ter....


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 11.  9-18-89  4:24.23  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Eugene Gibas
 Subject: NEW USER NEEDS HELP!
ALSO SEE: 7, 14.

Welcome Eugene,

The messages blitzed by probably cause you would be used to Punter boards
and you typed 'n' at the 'read messages' prompt.

While that might give you new messages on a Punter bbs, here it causes
nonstop message reading - as if you set a Punter bbs to 'cont 0'.

All you have to do to read messages here is 'r' to get into read message
mode, then hit return at the end of each message and you'll get the next
one.

Any time you're at the 'read messages' prompt, typing a number gives you
that message and resets your pointers to that message number. If you want
to read all the cp/m messages again, just type '1' at the message prompt.

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 12.  9-21-89 15:24.24  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: XLINK, RDCBM ETC ARE HERE

Uploaded Xlink to the C128 Misc directory, RDCBM to the CP/M directory and
a mess of other format copiers. I had to use TRANS12C.LBto get the files
from my 1571 CP/M disks to the bbs as I suspect I can't read a "natural"
1571 CP/disk as it's probably GCR instead of MFM. So I just go straight
to MS-DOS MFM using TRANS128.COM in C128 CP/M mode. Only trouble is I
decided I didn't want my CP/M files dated when I started in CP/M so I set
my C128 to ignore dates and the files I put up here with any disk copier
will end up dated 1980! Sheesh! So many things to do!

Anyway those who want to get started in CP/M will find Xlink and RDCBM
here now. So with your normal C128 native mode or C64 term, you can
download CP/M files to your usual CBM disks, then boot CP/M and read the
files into a CP/M disk using RDCBM.

Xlink is used the first time only to move RDCBM to a CP/M disk. After that
RDCBM is much easier to use, though you could continue to use Xlink,
especially for MS-DOS --> CBM copying.

If they're not already here, I will upload 2 CP/M terms later: MEX and IMP
for those of you who'd prefer to do it all in CP/M.

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 13.  9-21-89 17:01.03  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: IMP

I uploaded IMP today too - C128-IMP.ARC and it's another disk translation
from my CP/M disks so it has the 1980 file date too and shouldn't appear
in the i for new uploads command response.
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 15.  9-25-89 10:29.40  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: C128 AND CP/M

One of the reasons many of us have our computers is to learn a bit about
computers - do a little exploring.

The C128 is a great machine for that. We have the usual C64 environment,
the C128 similar but far more powerful BASIC environment, Geos - a
Mac/Amiga graphics type environment, and CP/M - a more "standard" computer
environment.

CP/M is quite similar to most other computers from pcs to minis and
mainframes, and the Amiga CLI. If you play around with CP/M a bit on your
C128, you'll find it a lot easier to learn how to use other computers that
you'll run into, at work, on bbses and remote connect services, and
probably just about any computer you may buy in the years ahead.

It is a lottle (is that half little, half a lot) frustrating at first, but
you might be glad you went through it in a no-pressure, fun atmosphere
rather than under the boss's eye at work.

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 16.  9-25-89 21:23.56  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: All
 Subject: RDCBM

After using NULU to de-library the above I have ended up with prgms that
do not have the COM designation but rather .CZM and .DZC .  Neither seem
to "load & run" (if those terms apply in CP/M).  The RDCBM.LBR prgm was
not the one on this BBS. Any assistance would be appreciated.   *DOUG*


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 17.  9-25-89 22:24.36  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Gerry Moss
      To: Doug Purdy
 Subject: TRANS128
ALSO SEE: 19.

Doug, I d/l TRANS128 the other night and finally got around to trying it
and found it to work very well.  This prg finally gets me around the
problem I had with XLINK, namely the approx. 40K filesize limit.  Having
a PC at work and a 128 at home, I want to be able to transfer files back
and forth.  Using RDCBM and TRANS128, I finally am able to do this
effortlessly!!  Thank you.

                         Regards, Gerry

PS: re the CP/M upgrade to the May87 version, the file 'CPM+.SYS' is
the only one required to upgrade. It is posted on Compuserve in the
CPMFORUM for d/l.  The thinking behind this is that only 128 users will
d/l it, and if you own a 128, you already paid for the CP/M license.
If you agree with this, I'll upload it for you.



Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 19.  9-27-89 17:28.37  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Gerry Moss
 Subject: TRANS128
ALSO SEE: 17.

Glad I had a program that can be that useful to you. Thanks for letting me
know!

On the subject of the May '87 version, I didn't know that it could be free
to all C128ers. I was told that there was a $20-$25 fee to get it from
Commodore. But FOG has it too I understand. Maybe the fee Commodore
charges is a copy charge, not a new CP/M licence? At least that's the way
it looks with it available from FOG and Compuserve.

If all this is true to the best of your knowledge, then I see no problem
about an upload here. I will post an inquiry on Usenet which Commodore
reads and if they don't disagree, I will leave the program on this bbs and
send it to others. Actually, doesn't Commodore log on to Compuserve too?
If so, we could assume that all has been checked out already and it is
already paid for if you have a C128.

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 20.  9-27-89 17:37.37  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Gerry Moss
 Subject: CP/M LIBRARY
ALSO SEE: 18.

Yes, the catalogs could help decide the best way/s to build/maintain a
large current C128 library. As for TPUG catalogs, Ken Poulton's been good
enough to upload them and his are probably more up to date. Not sure if
he's uploaded the CP/M one yet but if he doesn't havwe it we might be able
to ask Ray Whidden to upload that one as he would be most current on CP/M
in TPUG.

My goal isn't to have all the TPUG disks on-line (we don't have near
enough space) but to make it easier to find out if they have something
when we're looking for it, and which disk we should be looking for.

So please upload those catalogs and thanks very much for offering!

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 21.  9-27-89 22:37.50  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: All
 Subject: .CZM & .DZC
ALSO SEE: 24.

More by good luck than by my great knowledge of CP/M I used uncr-z80 and
lo and behold the above files converted into .com & .doc .  Now why does
the RDCBM.COM prgm refuse to list the directory of my 1581?  Is it only
made for 1571/41 drives?
                                      *DOUG*


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 22.  9-27-89 22:50.26  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: Gerry Moss
 Subject: CP/M+ MAY '87

Could you please advise re the above version i.e., how does it differ from
the Dec '85 version?  I am using the latter modified by dk1581 so that I
can read/write to a 1581 but have to boot from a 1571.   *DOUG*


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 23.  9-28-89 22:45.41  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Gerry Moss
      To: Doug Purdy
 Subject: CP/M & UPLOADS
ALSO SEE: 27.

Doug, I have uploaded the folowing;
(i) the May '87 CPM+.SYS
(ii) CPMLIB.ARC, an archive of TPUG CP/M readme files
(iii) INPUTCPM.ARC a collection of INPUT articles on how to get started
with CP/M.  Included in this is a file called 'CP/M Startkit', sound
familiar?  I found it on TPUG BBS when I was starting out with CP/M
and found it quite useful. Maybe you could post it as a bulletin.
I have the 16 disk INPUT CP/M series if anyone is interested, but
the TPUG disks and your section #9 cover the same ground.  If the
articles refer to anything you can't find, leave me a note and I'll
upload it.  I put all these in Section#9.

                         Regards, Gerry


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 24.  9-28-89 23:51.12  (RECV'D)
    From: John Milligan
      To: Doug Mair
 Subject: RDCBM
ALSO SEE: 21, 29.

Hi Doug,

     The RDCBM.COM, as you suspected, works only with 1571/41 drives, at
least the latest version I have seen (2.1, I think)

     Re the MAY 1987 CP/M System - it gives the 'official' version of 1581
support. As I recall the patched version is not compatible (I can't
remember why) with this MAY 87 version. If you are using the 1581, go
ahead and grab the new system file. You can boot fron the 1581 with this
version, by the way, but only if your 1581 is device 8.

                                          John Milligan


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 25.  9-29-89 11:20.27
    From: Ray Whidden
      To: All
 Subject: CPM+.SYS
ALSO SEE: 32.

Hi All 1581 users,
   Technically, the latest version is not PD and should not have been
posted (to the best of my knowledge) on Compuserve.  Unless Commodore
posted it, of course.  DRI, the author of CP/M apparently wanted a few
coins for the 3.5" disk drive support so they determined the $20 or so
cost of the disk that C= put out.  Of course, the CPM+.SYS file by itself
is not much use because you need to be able to format the disk so you also
need the new FORMAT.COM program.  Also, C= made it worthwhile to spend the
$20 by including CP/M source files, .SUB files plus the MAC/RMAC/LINK
combo to assemble & linkedit program plus SID/XREF/HIST package for
debugging.  These days, shipping and handling is a $5.00 item so $20.00 is
a pretty reasonable price.  The problem is getting the darn disks.
Apparently First Osborne Group (FOG) were trying to arrange with C= to
provide the disk as authorized distributers.  I don't know how successful
they were.  Regards, Ray


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 27.  9-29-89 14:39.02  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Gerry Moss
 Subject: CP/M & UPLOADS
ALSO SEE: 23.

Thanks VERY much Gerry!
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 28.  9-29-89 14:40.22  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Ray Whidden
 Subject: VDE/ZDE
ALSO SEE: 26, 48.

Would appreciate ZDE. Didn't know any of the Z stuff would run under plain
CP/M.     Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 29.  9-29-89 22:47.15  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: John Milligan
 Subject: CP/M MAY '87
ALSO SEE: 24.

Thanks for taking the time to provide that info John.         *DOUG*


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 30.  9-30-89 22:30.09  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: All
 Subject: MAY '87 CPM+.SYS
ALSO SEE: 34, 35.

On the one hand (disk) I have the above and the BIG ? is now what do I do
with it?  I believe I start by using RDCBM.COM and getting it onto a CP/M
formatted disk (oops! where did those other files go? Darn I just
formatted them out of existence!). I use PIP to go from the 1571 disk to
the 1581 disk that I formatted using CPM+.SYS (Dec '85 modified by DK1581
so that I can format 1581 disks).  Before doing that I erased the CPM+.SYS
from the 1581 disk (It wasn't bootable anyways). Now I have the May '87
CPM+.SYS on the 1581 and it still won't boot.   So to recap I D/loaded 1
file, erased 1 file and formatted out of existence at least 6 files
The BLUEJAYS had a more successful day and don't need any help but I
wouldn't mind a liitle if anyone has read this far and is willing to
offer.                  *DOUG*
P.S. My next step, having noted Ray Whidden's message is to obtain the NEW
Format.Com file and try from the beginning with a blank 1581 disk.  I'll
keep you posted on the results.
P.S.S. Is cp/m good for anything on the C128 or was it just intented to
distract mankind from productive things in life like doing the Fall
clean-up around the house!?


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 31.  9-30-89 22:56.18  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: All
 Subject: MY PREVIOUS MESSAGE 30
ALSO SEE: 36.

I don't know if this BBS lets you re-edit your message after saving, but
the way things are going for me today I am not about to try! Please excuse
the jumbled line in my previous message which must have occurred
after/during saving.   The line should read along the lines of; I used PIP
to put the new CPM onto a 1581 disk that I had formatted using an earlier
version of cpm+.sys (modified by dk1581 so that I can format 1581 disks)
                           *DOUG*


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 32. 10-01-89  1:30.43  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Ray Whidden
 Subject: CPM+.SYS
ALSO SEE: 25, 49.

Oops! DRI did the 3.5" format on spec? Thought the BIOS was the hardware
manufacturer's problem and then doing it on spec on top of that?! DRIis to
be commended for being so supportive of CP/M! Too bad they didn't take the
next logical step and distribute the disks too. With that kind of attitude
we'd get FAR better service than from West Chester! Very strange
situation.

Anyway, guess I'd better get the file off the bbs until I get a
clarification, and I'd better send in my $20 - hey, I don't have to wait!!

Thanks Ray,

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 33. 10-01-89  1:39.32  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Ray Whidden
 Subject: VDE/ZDE - ZMP TOO?
ALSO SEE: 26, 50.

If ZDE works in vanilla CP/M, does ZMP too? Understand that's an IMP with
Zmodem protocol and 9600 capability. Though whether it would even begin to
run on a C128 with Commodore's wierd RS-232 port is a big question.

Do you know anything about it?
Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 34. 10-01-89  1:47.01  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Doug Mair
 Subject: MAY '87 CPM+.SYS
ALSO SEE: 30.

Know how you feel! I went through a similarly frustrating experience.
First I downloaded it to a 1581 CBM disk, then realized RDCBM couldn't get
it. But only AFTER I'd renamed my existing cpm+.sys! Then I went for Xlink
only to realize that, of course, it didn't understand the 1581 either!

Things got a mite tense as I couldn't be sure that my other CPM+.SYS files
understood the REU! Anyway, finally figured out the fastest way was to put
it on an MS-DOS disk on the bbs and Xlinked it onto my CP/M boot disk.
Phew!!

You'll be glad to know there's a formatter here called NFORMAT.COM which
seems to work fine. It, for some STRANGE reason, doesn't work the same as
the 1571 side of the SAME program. The 1571 seems to automatically write
the boot tracks, whether or not you want it to. The 1581 side, you first
format, then write the boot sectors IF you want them.

Haven't a clue if it let's it actually boot from the 1581 as I don't
intend to fiddle with the drive dipswitches to change the 81 to device 8
and the 71 to 9. I wrote a PROFILE.SUB and a B2REU.SUB to take advantage
of 81 speed for most of my "boot" (170k) as long as I don't mind using
both drives - 71 boots CP/M, 81 sets up my REU.

I've go a message already done earlier tonight explaining this boot
process and the .SUB files. I'll post it here in a minute or two.

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 35. 10-01-89  2:10.50  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Doug Mair
 Subject: SMART UNERASE
ALSO SEE: 30.

There is a smart unerase that you may want to try on those 6 files. Not
sure if it's "smart" enough to deal with a formatted disk and I'm not sure
if RDCBM's format overwrites all the sectors (the data) or just hits the
directory and maybe sets up the sectors. If the latter you may have a
chance. There are some UNFORMAT programs for some operating systems, for
instance MS-DOS doesn't really format out the data when you reformat a
previously formatted disk. MS-DOS users have to use a disk wiper or a
special program to overwrite the data or their confidential company data
would still be available to people who know how to get it back!

But if you've got other copies of the files that's a much easier way.

A caution about any cross format copier. Avoid occasional problems due to
differences in disk alignment - always use an empty disk, never write back
onto a data disk from the other machine. Problems don't occur often but
when they occur, Murphy sent them!

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 36. 10-01-89  2:25.20  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Doug Mair
 Subject: MY PREVIOUS MESSAGE 30
ALSO SEE: 31.

Nope, this board, at least this version as far as I know, doesn't have a
post save edit feature for users. Don't think it would be hard to add, so
maybe one will turn up soon.

Noticed I got some funny results myself when I was using DesTerm. I
believe I recall other sysops saying that some callers have tried to
cursor up to change a line. In some cases, as with DesTerm, this is
possible. The bbs records ALL and if your term sends the right control
characters for MS-DOS, you can type line 1 of you message, start typing
line 2, hit a code for cursor up (the cursor key in Desterm) and the rest
of your line 2 typing will overwrite line 1 on the screen! Line 1 will
still be there in the message file and visible to the sysop, but someone
with an ANSI or VT100 term wouldn't be able to see it.

This actually happened to me when I called in with DesTerm the other day.

It might even get changed BEFORE the bbs sends it out the modem to you!
In that case, the message would read the same funny way to any term.

Maybe your funny results came from a similar process.

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 37. 10-01-89  2:45.12  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: All
 Subject: .SUB BOOT FILES

Well, I'm typing this message in VDE in CP/M on the C128. I've got the
May '87 CPM+.SYS on disk and have been having fun setting up my
PROFILE.SUB file to take advantage of the 1581.

I'm not really sure what's best. My configuration is 1571, 1581, 1750.
Before the 1581, I used to have profile.sub copy 170k of cp/m
utilities, that I use often, to the ramdisk in the REU, leaving 340k
free as a second 1571.

One enhancement is to make a second disk for fast reboots as everything
stays undisturbed in the ramdisk as long as you don't turn off the
machine or run a program in any mode that uses the REU RAM too. Then
another logical trick is to boot with two disks so if the REU is empty,
I can copy that 170k to the REU from the faster 1581.

I'm not sure if I still need to guard 340k free in the REU anymore as I
now have two physical disks. Anyway, in case anyone's interested or has
any suggestions, Here's my "warmboot" disk's profile.sub:

Program                       Explanation
----------------------------- ----------------------------------------
conf;no 40col=off             I think this speeds up the C128.
c1571/2;no [a,e,m             Think this turns off verify on drives.
setdef m:,* [order=(com,sub)] Tells CP/M to check REU for *.SUB files.
jugg d                        Adds Jugg'ler 128 disk definitions.
date set                      Gets date/time from me.
m:                            Makes REU the current default drive.
dirsys                        Dir of system files in REU (the 170k).

And here's my program to refill the REU (I've A2REU.SUB and B2REU.SUBs,
this is B2REU below).

pip m:=b:*.com                Copies program type files to REU from b:.
pip m:=b:jugg.def                "   jugg.def.
m:                            Changes to drive m:.
set m:*.*[ro sys]             Sets all m: files READ ONLY + SYSTEM.
dirsys

Setting all of my 170k of files in the REU to read only and system is
like putting them in a separate subdirectory (user area in CP/M talk)
but much easier (CP/M treats different users as 007 spy type security
risks so they're hard to use). This way I'm using CP/M the way it was
designed to work.

In the profile.sub program file (yes *.sub files are programs too -
multiple command programs - in MS-DOS they're *.BAT or "batch" files
and PROFILE.SUB is called AUTOEXEC.BAT - on mainframes, they're
"profiles" too), anyway the PROFILE.SUB file is automatically run right
after CP/M boots up.

As I like to use batch files without hassles, I tell CP/M in
profile.sub to treat *.SUB files as programs. This happens in the line:

setdef m:,* [order=(com,sub)]

This line tells CP/M to always check drive m: (the REU) first, for
programs of *.com filetype, then *.sub files if there's no *.com, then
to check the current default drive the same way if it's not on m:. This
makes CP/M really run fast, like it has 170k of built-in ROMs.

The last trick in the profile.sub is in the 2 lines:

conf;no 40col=off
c1571/2;no [a,e,m

The ";no" is a password to allow CP/M to run these programs. I SET
password protection ON on the disk and SET the password "no" to both
these files so I could use them with the password but keep CP/M from
copying them to the REU as they only need to be run when booting up.

This way I only have to read up on how to do this when changing my .sub
files and the rest of the time, it's no problem when I forget exactly
how to do it.

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 38. 10-01-89  2:46.43  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Purdy
      To: Ray Whidden
 Subject: ARGH!!!
ALSO SEE: 51.

ARGH!!  After setting up my May '87 CPM+.SYS I decided to set up a 1581
disk with all my DRI CP/M files so I'd only have one place to look for
stuff. But I couldn't file my DRI offer disks. I searched everywhere I
could think for about 4 hours but no luck.

Must be in a very safe place, you know, the place you'd never think of.
Maybe I'll get inspired in a few days, but after finding my TPUG
catalogues, my pipe and my VIC 20 tapes - things I'd been looking for
for years - I'm not too confident.

So, I still have the DRI offer book and that was worth the money by
itself anyway. But now I have to face the horror of trying to get some
CP/M stuff from Commodore.

I think they have the DRI offer disk/s at Pharmacy for $10 to $20 but I
think the West Chester 3.5" disk also contains the DRI offer files and
nothing more except for the May '87 CPM+.SYS. Anyone know if this is
true?

I'm not in a hurry for the files but I do want them. It IS lots
nicer to pick them up next week than send away for them for 6 months
from now. Any advice?

Doug


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 39. 10-01-89 13:31.16  (NO KILL)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: All
 Subject: THE CONTINUING CP/M SAGA

Well I re-did everthing and got the May '87 cpm+.sys on a 1571 disk along
with NULU and FORMAT.LBR The system boots and displays the May '87 date,
so far so good. Using NULU to Extract from FORMAT.LBR all I end up getting
is a message saying  "Error 88: seek to unwritten sector".  I will take
Doug Purdy's advice and try the NFORMAT file on this BBS to see how that
works.  Regarding my files lost by formatting; fortunately they were just a
few recent D/loads and therefore I can obtain them again.  It goes to
show however that you have to be REALLY sure before you say yes to the 'OK
to format?' prompt.                 *DOUG*


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 40. 10-01-89 13:54.10  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: Doug Purdy
 Subject: SCRAMBLED MESSAGES

I think I can say with some degree of confidence Doug that I did nothing
at this end to scramble my message. (Only someone that has accidently
re-formatted a disk can speak with such firmness, however whether he is
believed is another matter!) Rather I now believe that some line noise
sent characters to your BBS that did not show on my screen.  This has now
made me decide to list all my messages before saving along with reading
after saving.  Its the old 'measure twice before cutting rule' that I am
now applying to the formatting of disks!          *DOUG*


Msg Base: #5 - CP/M and C128
  Msg No: 41. 10-01-89 16:07.29  (NO KILL)  (RECV'D)
    From: Doug Mair
      To: Doug Purdy
 Subject: THE SWEET SMELL OF ....
ALSO SEE: 42.

SUCCESS!! With the help of you, NFORMAT.COM and the May '87 version I now
have a bootable CP/M system from my 1581. If I value my spare time at $20
per hour it only cost me $120. so the $20 to CBM would have been more
economical!                               *DOUG*