From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: BBC MIDI Interface
ReplyTo: 3SQ (Tim Parsons)
It is fairly simple to add a MIDI
interface to the BBC. It's not
something that is specific to the PC.
In fact, MIDI on the PC is something
that is notoriously difficult to
implement.
On one of the disks from my PD
library, JGH-007, there is a circuit
diagram for a BBC MIDI interface and
some software to patch into the SOUND
code to direct all sounds to the MIDI
interface. Disks are available from
the library for £1.00, and if you
mention it I'll enclose a photocopy of
the diagram. For £20.00 I can build
and supply the interface myself.
JGH, 70 Camm Street, Sheffield, S6 3TR
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Windozzzzz...
ReplyTo: 20G (Roy Dickens)
Yes, there are so many PC/DOS/Windows
books available because the damn thing
is so difficult to use, and also
because out there, there are people who
know this and realise that they can
make a fast buck if they write a bad
book, give it a nice shiny cover and a
£50 cover price. I recently tried to
find ONE book that would teach me 80x86
machine code in detail. It was
impossible. I can't afford to buy
dozens and dozens of books on the off
chance that one of them might be
useful. Because of the massive
plethora of useless books it is
difficult to ask the local library to
inter-library-loan one because I would
have to give them a list of about a
hundred books so I could go through
them to see which one is actually what
I need.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Acorn Manuals, etc
I run a small publishing concern, and
am gradually building up a list of old
Acorn and BBC manuals that I intend to
reprint. I'll probably do it in small
quantities as and when people request
them. I am aiming to keep the prices
of them as low as possible, keeping in
the spirit of mutual self-help
amongst those of us still dedicated
to the trusty Beeb.
Currently the list includes the
following hard-to-get-hold of items:
BBC B/B+ Service Manual
Econet Advanced User Manual
Advanced (8271) Disk User Guide
... I am writing notes similar in
layout to the above giving technical
details of the 1770 DFS and hardware.
and some others.
Most of the easier-to-get books and
manuals are available from CJR.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Transferring BBC<->DOS
ReplyTo: K2Q (Jon Nicholson)
You can access DOS disks up to 720k in
size on any BBC series machine with a
1770 disk controller. That is, the
Master, Compact, most B+s, and some Bs
with 1770 upgrades. You cannot access
DOS disks with the 8271 controller.
Any machine with a serial interface
can transfer files to a PC via its
interface. There are various ways of
doing this, and I'm currently writing
a couple of programs to help do this.
The biggest difficulty is that PC
serial ports are unbuffered, and so
you have to be careful not to miss
bytes arriving.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Teletext Adapter
ReplyTo: D6E (Richard Harker)
You say that you plug in an Acorn
Teletext adapter, and when you do
*HELP you get: ATS 2.59 Morley.
Well, you either need a Morley
Teletext adaptor to go with your
Moreley ROM, or an Acorn ROM to go
with you Acorn adapter. The ROM is the
easiest option, and they are available
from me or CJR. I believe we both
charge the same.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Master Compact ROM images
ReplyTo: D6E (Richard Harker)
I can supply you with all the ROM
images on disk, however, if you need
them because you MOS ROM is knackered,
bear in mind that they all go into one
single 64k ROM (eg 27512). Blowing
each one into a 16k ROM is unlikely to
work correctly, particulary the Utils
which needs to be in bank 15.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: CP/M on the BBC Z80
ReplyTo: K2Q (John Nicholson)
If the Z80 you have is the Acorn one,
I can help you. I have all the
software that comes with it which I
can duplicate for you. If it is the
Torch Z80, then I would recommend
nailing it to a wall as a nice piece
of decoration. It is increadibly
difficult to get the Torch Z80 card to
do anything other than exactly what
Torch wanted it to do. You can't even
make MOS calls to bypass CP/M and
access the gubbins of the BBC.
Anyway, I can also transfer files to
and from most formats of CP/M disk.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Reading directories
ReplyTo: K2Q (John Nicholson)
You ask, where can I read the ADFS
directory from memory... etc...
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO,
NO!
You should ask "How can I read the
filenames from the directory?"
You should never try to sneak past
defined operating system calls,
especially when they have been put
there for you to use, unless you have
a seriously desperate reason to do so.
People ignoring the standard calls and
just fiddling a system is the biggest
single cause of programs not working
on other people's machines.
Anyway, OSGBPB with A=8 is the call to
read the filenames in the currently
selected directory. A short program to
read all the names in a directory
into an array follows:
DIM ctrl% 20,data% 20,name$(80)
OSGBPB=&FFD1
ptr%=0:n%=0
REPEAT
ctrl%!1=data%
ctrl%!5=1
ctrl%!9=ptr%
X%=ctrl%:Y%=X%DIV256:A%=8
CALL OSGBPB
ret%=ctrl%!5
ptr%=ctrl%!9
IF ret%=0 THEN data%?(1+?data%)=13:
.... name$(n%)=$(data%+1):
.... n%=n%+1
UNTIL ret%<>0
(.... means that the line continues.
Don't press RETURN.)
This fragment will read all the
filenames into the array name$(),
counting from zero, and n% will be set
to the number read. On various of the
disks from JGH-PD there is a program
MCat which is comprehensively REMmed
to explain how to read filenames and
how to 'walk' up and down a directory
tree. There are also various packages
available that provide in effect a
text-based desktop front-end to
navigate disks with.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: ADDCOMM
ReplyTo: K2Q (John Nicholson)
The sort routine that ADDCOMM uses is
in ADDCOMM. There is no sort routine
in any BBC or Master OS, as there is
no filing system in any OS that needs
to sort filenames. The only filing
system present in any OS is the Tape
Filing System.
DFS sorts file names before displaying
them, but it sorts them by flagging
each name as it displays them, it
doesn't actually sort them. ADFS
stores filenames in order, so it
doesn't need to sort the prior to
display.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Master Compact Welcome Disk
ReplyTo: L1M (Janny Looyenga)
The Master Compact Welcome disk is
available from CJR, with the DFS rom
image on it. CJR can also blow it into
an EPROM for you.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: BBC Lemmings
ReplyTo: D4A (Paul Richmond)
The only instructions for the BBC
Lemmings cover disk is in the April
1994 Micro User itself. I can send you
a photocopy for two first-class
stamps.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: Real-Time Clocks
ReplyTo: D5B (Jon Ripley)
HADFS implements a pseudo-real-time-
clock on machines that don't have one.
The code is fairly simple and can be
incorporated into any sideways rom
software that you write. Contact me
for details
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: More on CP/M
ReplyTo: D6K (Mike Mallett)
To run CP/M, you need a CP/M system
disk, in a similar way to you needing
a DOS system disk the first time you
install DOS.
Almost all the BBC CP/M documentation
is also applicable to the Master. I
have come across a total of four books
dealing specifically with the BBC Z80.
I may be able to reprint them if
people need them.
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: MOS+ and MOS 3.50
ReplyTo: K5P (Andrew Fay)
Dabs Press's MOS+ basically gives you
all the features of the MOS 3.50
upgrade, so it would be pointless
having both. If you already have
MOS+, continue using it, unless you
desperately need a spare rom socket
From: W79 (Jonathan Harston)
Subject: BBC B Repair & Service Manual
ReplyTo: K6E (Roger Lingwood)
I have and can reprint copies of the
BBC B and B+ Service manual. It is
about 200 A4 pages with large A3
diagrams of the computers. I can
supply it full-size for £12.00 inc of
p&p. Alternatively, I can reduce the
text pages down to A5 and just keep
the diagrams as large sheets for £6.00
inc of p&p.
My address is: 70 Camm Street,
Walkley, Sheffield, S6 3TR.
From: D6E (Richard Harker)
Subject: Help Offer
I can copy software between ANY of the
following formats, providing that the
disks have no copy protection on them.
BBC 3.5" ADFS or DFS
BBC 5.25" ADFS or DFS
Archimedes 3.5" L D E and F formats
PC 5.25" 1.2m and 360k
PC 3.5" 1.44m and 720k
Atari 3.5" 720k and 360k
It is your responsibility to ensure
that no copyright laws are broken.
Make sure that you backup all disk(s)
that you send me. Please send me the
disk(s) to copy from, the disk(s) to
copy to, and an SAE.
My adress is: Elmlea, Sewardstone Road,
Chingford, London, E4 7RG.
Tel. 0181 5241210 (evenings, weekends)
From: D6E (Richard Harker)
Subject: Help (Exile)
I have an Exile map, and solution.
The map covers 2 A4 pages. The
solution covers 17 pages, and is over
8000 words. I have professionaly
printed it on an Archimedes at 300dpi
I can photocopy these 2 for you, at a
cost of 6p per page, if you send me
a large (preferably A4) SAE, and the
money
Or if you send me a blank disk, and
SAE, I can send you the solution as 4
Text files which you can print out.
The text files total over 40k.
************************************
** The solution and map are NOT my **
* own work, and nor do I say or *
* imply that they are mine. Also, *
* I have been given no permission *
** by the author to distribute them **
************************************
Tel. 0181 5241210 (Evenings, weekends)
OR WRITE TO : Richard Harker, Elmlea,
Sewardstone Road, Chingford, London,
E4 7RG.
From: K4V (Trevor Crapper)
Subject: Hardware projects
Having read lots of things about using
the function keys as a means to keep
on going, while this does help in the
short term the problem is not going to
go away.
Here are some alternatives:-
1. Buy a keyboard from the editor, or
from anyone who has one for sale.
2. Buy a can of WD40, put the plastic
pipe in the spray nozzle and inject
WD40 around the keys that aren't
working. Now tap these keys until
they start to work.
3. Take the keyboard out of the Beeb
and do the same as above only this
squirt the WD40 down between all
keys.
NOTE: WD40 does have a strong smell
and it will run, so do this job
in an open area rather than in
small enclosed space, open the
windows if you do the job
indoors.
(Chris I don't want to go into the job
of removing and replacing the keys on
an individual basis, or the drastic
job of replacing all the keys because
I have not done it before. I was given
instructions on how to tackle it by
Martin Pickering, if you want a name)
Your ROM Chip removal and replacement
is something else that could be given
more airings too.
Trevor Crapper
From: D6G (Sprow)
Subject: Master Cards
TO ALL VIGLEN/CARE CARTRIDGE USERS.
These are the little ROM packs that
plug into the 'ashtray' on the left
hand side of the BBCs keyboard and
which prevent you continually having
to open up the case to swap ROMs.
If you use these, or were intending to
move over to them, but are put off by
them being useless on the Master 128
then I may have the solution...
I have designed (based on Acorn
approved circuitry) a little card
that plugs directly into the
cardridge slot on a Master,which then
has a slot in the top of it for
accepting a Viglen/Care ROM
cartridge.Called the 'MasterCard'.
Hence,if you ever have the need to
use the packs in either or both
machine's you can use the same packs
on both.
I am currently in the process of
choosing a company to make up the
double sided printed circuit board
required by the design, but before I
commit any money to the cards I need
to guage the interest.
Hence,if you think you might want to
buy such a addon, or want more
details, write to me, or register your
'vote' by phoning me:
*Send no money now
*These are a brand new design (C)1996
*I intend to keep the price below `9
*They are fully Acorn compatible
For details or to reserve a card
Robert Sprowson,
6 Bollinbrook road,
MACCLESFIELD,
Cheshire.
SK10 3DJ.
Telephone (01625) 431067
8BSmail me on D6G
To: D7X and 999
From: K3H (ALBERT SCHOFIELD)
Subject: SNAPSHOT DISC UTILITY.
Hello Martin. Welcome to the club. I
read your article with great interest.
I too am an avid SNAPSHOTter. I
usually use it as a sort of half-way
house for getting a game to work on
disc unaided. The main reason that
SNAPHOT will not work on some programs
is because the *WAIT command uses the
6522 USER VIA TIMER. This unit is used
mainly to drive the printer and user
port. Unfotunately some games also use
this unit and this interferes with the
*WAIT command.
Sometimes SNAPSHOT will not shoot at
all. Sometimes it shoots repeatedly
and the solution is, as you say, to
press break at the right time.
Sometimes it shoots much too early and
the solution then is to use a much
higher number with the *WAIT command.
Sometimes as high as forty or fifty.
When SNAPSHOT does not shoot at all
this can sometimes be got round in
various ways. It is true that SNAPSHOT
will not normally work with ELITE but
if you can get SNAPSHOT to shoot
before ELITE uses the 6522 timer then
you will succeed.
When ELITE is first run, the usual
ACORNSOFT screen comes up with a
window in the middle containing the
title, in this case ELITE. This stays
on the screen for about five seconds.
During this time SNAPSHOT will work.
This calls for a bit of tricky timing
and several attempts may be necessary.
I usually use *WAIT 2, then wait for
about seventeen seconds and then enter
*ELITE2. The disc cannot be BOOTed as
pressing break disables SNAPSHOT but
*EXEC !BOOT may be used. I have the
superior software version of ELITE but
I should think that it is basically
the same as the original Acornsoft
version.
Also some games use the 6522 timer in
the instructions or the initial
screen. In this case just load the
game itself. Sometimes SNAPSHOT will
not shoot at the first attempt but
will succeed at the second attempt so
don't give up too easily. Finally if
you have problems transfering any
particular program I am always ready
to give help. More next month.
From D6K (M.Mallett)
Subject DUAL FORMAT DISCS
It is possible to format 5.25"
discs so they can be read on a BBC
and a PC !
On the PC use the following on a
360k disc :
FORMAT A: /4 /1
A: is the drive, or B:
/4 is only if you use a 1.2 mb drive
/1 formats only one side
The last 'switch' is rarely used
but is still in DOS to allow it to
read discs from some very early
drives.
On the BBC in DFS use :
*FORM 40 2
2 formats the side which has not
been used by the PC
40 is for 40 tracks, you can use 80
or you can use similar commands in
your favourite formatter.
I don't know if this is possible
using ADFS.
I hope someone can find some
practical use for this !
From: 3WU (Fred Price)
Subject: DFS & ADFS
Since last Christmas when I got my
Master and since then I have used ADFS
as well as DFS and found them both very
interesting to use in their own way,
As word processing go's I use the
View-8 3000 program in DFS on all my
radio scripts in DFS. So how could I
store them in ADFS without using the
control disc or other method? It's
very easy:
When I have a prog on the screen in
View or a Basic prog in DFS, I simply
put my ADFS disc in and do an A Break.
That puts me into ADFS, then just save
it. It's a similar thing changing from
ADFS to DFS as long as you change the
disc to the format you are going to
use when you do the D Break.
This may seem a bit confusing but
it is very simple and easy to use and
now I use this system a lot and only
use other programms for bulk copying.
A short while ago there was an
item about selecting ADFS/DFS by using
Ctrl/A/Break - Or A/Break Or *ADFS or
Ctrl/D/Break - Or D/Break Or *DISC,
you can also try Shift/D/Break for DFS
also in ADFS don't be frightened by the
Break key as you will find you will
use it more often to control things.
But do not forget when you use this
system to change the disc, otherwise
the drive is hunting for something
that's not there. HAPPY HUNTING.