News:

Printed Amstrad Addict magazine announced, check it out here!

Main Menu
avatar_Executioner

New version of ParaDOS finally released.

Started by Executioner, 05:12, 26 November 15

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Executioner

After much optimising and squeezing, I managed to get all the features I wanted in a new version of ParaDOS, and fully tested (btw, this is what was delaying the release of WinAPE). The new features are:

Support for Vortex and PCW (SS40 and DS80) formats.
Fixed the file copy bug when a file was exactly 32768 bytes (some formats).
Add the missing Backup command.
Created a Plus version which still has the |GAME, |JEUX etc commands to launch Burnin' Rubber.
Improved error handling (eg, you can Cancel a Log of a bad disc).
Improved Escape key handling (works in most places and asks for the logged disc when required).

Go to the WinAPE Web Site to download the new version.

Enjoy,
Richard

Audronic

Thanks for the New Version.
Where can I find some Docs Please


Ray
Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

Ast

_____________________

Ast/iMP4CT. "By the power of Grayskull, i've the power"

http://amstradplus.forumforever.com/index.php
http://impdos.wikidot.com/
http://impdraw.wikidot.com/

All friends are welcome !

Executioner

Quote from: Audronic on 06:35, 26 November 15
Thanks for the New Version.
Where can I find some Docs Please

The following text is the updated info on the DDB/DPB. There may be a user manual somewhere on the Wiki.

ParaDOS uses a locking technique to reset the drive definitions to their default values when the CPC
gets reset. There is a slight possibility that some programs may confuse the locking system, but that
should be rare.

The lock works by placing the bytes #53 and #44 at address #BAFA and #BAFB respectively (ie.
"PD", short for ParaDOS). If these two bytes are intact, it is assumed that the bytes at addresses
#BAFC and #BAFD respectively are also intact, and these are used as the master copy of the DDB
and DPB (Drive Definition Byte and Drive Parameter Byte).

The values that are actually used to determine the number or tracks, number of sides, default side
and stepping mode are stored in the DDB at #BAFF. The byte at #BAFE determines the format
preference for DATA, SYSTEM and IBM formats. These two bytes are copied from #BAFC and
#BAFD on reset if the lock is intact. This allows a user-defined setting to be used, which will survive
through resets as long as the lock survives (for example, type |DRIVE, and configure the drive
settings. When you reset all the settings remain intact).

The actual values for the DDB are as follows:

Drive A:
---------
bit 7 - Head use when single-sided (Normally 0)
bit 6 - Single stepping (0) or double-stepping (1).
bit 5 - Number of tracks per side (0 = 40, 1 = 80)
bit 4 - Number of sides, single-sided (0) or double-sided (1).

Drive B:
---------
bit 3 - Head use when single-sided (Normally 0)
bit 2 - Single stepping (0) or double-stepping (1).
bit 1 - Number of tracks per side (0 = 40, 1 = 80)
bit 0 - Number of sides, single-sided (0) or double-sided (1).


The DPB bits are as follows:

Bit 4 - (0) Bit 2 Selects ROMDOS D1/IBM, (1) Bit 2 Selects Vortex/PCW
Bit 3 - (0) Disable, (1)Enable Ultraform format rather than ROMDOS D10 (*Config says D1)
Bit 2 - (0) Disable, (1)Enable IBM format rather than ROMDOS D1 (*Config says D10).
Bit 1 - (0) Disable, (1)Enable extended DATA and SYSTEM formats (Electro Formats)
Bit 0 - Drive configuration (DDB) usage affected by formats. (0 = Unlocked, 1 = Locked)

Vortex, PCW (SS40) and PCW (DS80) are new to ParaDOS 1.2.

So to make a temporary change to the drive definition, poke &baff or &bafe with the new value. To
make a semi-permanent change, poke &bafd or &bafc and the corresponding byte at &baff or
&bafe. To make a permanent change, change the ROM at address #3ffe (DDB) or #3ffd (DPB). If these
values are changed, the ROM checksum at #3fff should be adjusted accordingly.

The correct default values for 40 track, single-sided drive B should be 0 and 0.

To allow 80 track, double-sided discs to be used in Drive B: use DDB=#03. Disabling Electro
formats allows 40 track, single-sided DATA and SYSTEM format discs to be used in drive B:


CraigsBar

All sound awesome. I'll remake some plus cart images as soon as I get a chance.
IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

Executioner

Quote from: Audronic on 06:35, 26 November 15
Where can I find some Docs Please

On the Wiki ParaDOS page there's the original manual also: ParaDOS - CPCWiki

Audronic

Procrastinators Unite,
If it Ain't Broke PLEASE Don't Fix it.
I keep telling you I am Not Pedantic.
As I Live " Down Under " I Take my Gravity Tablets and Wear my Magnetic Boots to Keep me from Falling off.

Kris

@Craiglist: DId you already update the Cartridge version ?
Thank you.




||C|-|E||

Awesome!! Thank you very much! I will update the Plus as soon as I can!!  :D

TFM

Support for Vortex format! Great! That's what we missed all the time! Well done!  :) :) :)


btw: How can I patch the ROM to enable Vortex by default? Is it like for the previous version (same address)?
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

Executioner

Quote from: TFM on 19:39, 26 November 15
btw: How can I patch the ROM to enable Vortex by default? Is it like for the previous version (same address)?

See the documentation above, I put the DPB and DDB as the last bytes in the ROM except the checksum. The bytes are at #3FFD/#3FFE and are now in the same order as the RAM_DPB/DDB at #BAFE/#BAFF, so select the format you want and copy the bytes at #BAFE/F to #FFFD/E in the ROM, then adjust the checksum.

TFM

TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

CraigsBar

Quote from: Kris on 10:49, 26 November 15
@Craiglist: DId you already update the Cartridge version ?
Thank you.
Not yet. I'll hopefully do it over the weekend.

Sent from my A3-A30 using Tapatalk

IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

Kris

Great news !! :)


Quote from: CraigsBar on 08:48, 27 November 15
Not yet. I'll hopefully do it over the weekend.

Sent from my A3-A30 using Tapatalk

CraigsBar

Quote from: Kris on 11:48, 27 November 15
Great news !! :)
Since my beautifully recapped a600 is mia somewhere between Bryce and me, I have an evening on the CPC ahead if me. So I will get the cart done tonight.
IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

TFM

Quote from: CraigsBar on 18:13, 27 November 15
Since my beautifully recapped a600 is mia somewhere between Bryce and me, I have an evening on the CPC ahead if me. So I will get the cart done tonight.


Well, I speak a prayer to the Z80 gods to keep the situation like it is.  :)  Who needs an amiga when you can have a CPC.  ;D :) :)
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

CraigsBar

#16
Quote from: CraigsBar on 18:13, 27 November 15
Since my beautifully recapped a600 is mia somewhere between Bryce and me, I have an evening on the CPC ahead if me. So I will get the cart done tonight.

Ok It's done and works beautifully. I am so glad to see Richard was not tempted to "change the fookin colours" as I quite like them as they are ;)



ParaDOS 1.2+ on my Amstrad 4128plus - YouTube


And the CPR is attached


Edit: Added FW3.15 with Parados 1.2+ and full working Burning Rubber.
Edit2: Added one more.. this is the Megaflash patched cart with bugfixes and that initialises all 32 roms with Parados 1.2+
IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

||C|-|E||

I just updated with the first CPR and everything works very well! Thank you!  :-*

CraigsBar

Quote from: ||C|-|E|| on 01:03, 28 November 15
I just updated with the first CPR and everything works very well! Thank you!  :-*
Excellent news, these 3 bin files currently sit in slots 0, 1 and 2 on my c4cpc.

If anyone wants or needs other keyboard language combinations with parados 1.2+, speak now lol!
IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

Kris

#19
Hi Craigsbar, I need the Fr version please :)
Thank you.

@ Executionner: it seems that RAM size calculation is still wrong (I got 552Ko for 1152Ko in reality) ?


CraigsBar

Quote from: Kris on 13:22, 30 November 15
Hi Craigsbar, I need the Fr version please :)
Thank you.

@ Executionner: it seems that RAM size calculation is still wrong (I got 552Ko for 1152Ko in reality) ?
Which one?

Stock, fw 3.15 or patched?

Let me know and I'll do it tonight.
IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

Kris

From my side, I would need the "stock & FW3.15" versions :)
Thank a lot

CraigsBar

Quote from: Kris on 15:17, 30 November 15
From my side, I would need the "stock & FW3.15" versions :)
Thank a lot
OK, will have a look tonight.
IRC:  #Retro4All on Freenode

Executioner

Quote from: Kris on 13:22, 30 November 15
@ Executionner: it seems that RAM size calculation is still wrong (I got 552Ko for 1152Ko in reality) ?

ParaDOS can't use any more than 552K of RAM. If you have 1152K then it's not Dk'Tronics compatible.

TFM

#24
Quote from: Kris on 13:22, 30 November 15
Hi Craigsbar, I need the Fr version please :)
Thank you.

@ Executionner: it seems that RAM size calculation is still wrong (I got 552Ko for 1152Ko in reality) ?


Shouldn't you have 1088 KB (= 512 + 512 + 64). You can check it with this tool:

ht tp://cpcwiki.eu/imgs/2/28/E-RAM_Test_2014.zip  (Delete space at beginning)


(WinApe just passed successful the 4 MB Test  :) ).
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod