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General Category => Applications (CPC and CPC-related) => Topic started by: Prodatron on 22:18, 10 October 16

Title: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:18, 10 October 16
Would like to bundle all SymbOS activities now in this new thread. SymbOS 3.0 is still on its way, and during the last weeks there was a lot of activity especially regarding new CPC hardware support.


The actual preview package can be downloaded here:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/symbos-cpc-updates-and-infos/msg137192/#msg137192


Thanks to Dukes M4 Wifi/SD/Rom Board I got a lot of new motivations for SymbOS CPC since august, and Pulkomandys Albireo USB/SD/Serial board completed this in a great way as well.

[attach=2]

So here is a w.i.p. preview package of SymbOS 3.0:
http://www.symbos.org/download/preview-cpc161010.zip (http://www.symbos.org/download/preview-cpc161010.zip)

This version is not really 100% stable or designated as an R.C., but it's at least something you could try to see some progress and new hardware support. Especially when you want to try network on the Amstrad CPC in a multitasking environment, which is really a cool experience.
i will just paste the #readme.txt into this post as well, as you should carefully read it before installing and trying it on your CPC:


SYMBOS 3.0 CPC - PREVIEW 16/10/10 (WORK IN PROGRESS)
===============================================================================
This package contains another preview of SymbOS 3.0 - CPC edition.

It includes:
- M4Board SD card driver
- Network daemon with M4Board driver (w.i.p.)
- Albireo mouse driver (w.i.p.)
- advanced desktop (w.i.p., major 3.0 feature beside network and more)
- software package including UNZIP etc.

You will find two versions of SymbOS:

- M4BOARD version with SD card driver. If you have a Spinpoint.org M4Board
  (created by Duke) connected to your CPC you can just copy the whole package
  into the root directory of your SD drive and start SymbOS by typing
  RUN"SYM
  Your SD card should be unpartitioned. If you have a partitioned SD card
  please rename SYMBOS1.INI into SYMBOS.INI first (overwrite the existing one).
  Even SD cards with only one partition maybe partitioned (include an MBR),
  this depends on the format tool.

- IDE version (for SYMBiFACE II, X-MASS [http://www.centpourcent.net] and
  compatible). If you want to use the version with IDE driver please copy the
  content of the #IDE directory first into the root (overwrite the existing
  SYM*.* files). Regarding the SYMBOS.INI please read the previous section.

System requirements:
- The prepared package requires a system with 256K RAM or more.
  If you have a standard 128K system you should first delete the SYMBOS.INI
  so that SymbOS boots with minimal requirements. Then you can start the
  control panel (copy it from /SYMBOS/CP.EXE) from floppy disc and complete
  your configuration.

M4Board Wifi based Network daemon:
- the Network Daemon with M4Board driver is included in the package and will be
  autostarted during booting. If you don't have an M4Board you can remove it
  from the autostart menu. M4Board users currently have to configure the
  network settings in CPC-OS using the RSX command |NETSET (see M4Board
  documentation). I will add M4Board network configuration later to the network
  daemon.
- there are seveeral network tools and applications available. First there are
  several SymShell (command line) based available in the /SYMBOS/CMD directory.
  Second you will find GUI apps in the Startmenu -> Programs -> Network. The
  most important one currently is probably the IRC clinet called "syMIRC" by
  EdoZ developed in Quigs by Trebmint.
- currently there are stability issues. E.g. when you use WGET for downloading
  large files from websites you may get corrupt data or even filesystem errors.
  Usually this happend for files > 1MB but it can happen at any time as well.
  Please make a backup of your SD card before trying to do larger network
  tests. Duke and I are still working on finding and fixing the last issues.
  Please update your M4Board with the last firmware anyway, as regarding low
  leve access it runs much more stable now compared to the previouse versions.

Albireo USB mouse support:
- this is still beta. Mouse movement and wheel should work. But you will
  probably need a simple mouse. Usually the buttons are only working, if the
  mouse is moving. So it's a little bit tricky to use the mouse currently.
  PulkoMandy is helping me a lot to fix this issues. Additional bug reports are
  welcome of course!

Advanced Desktop:
- it includes nearly unlimited startmenu entries and desktop icons and it's
  very similiar to Windows 98 now. Just check the startmenu or do a right click
  on the desktop or on an icon. You can even add Desktop Widgets (have a look
  at the /SYMBOS/WIDGETS/ folder - w.i.p ;) ), but this is currently not stable
  as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any bug reports etc. are very welcome. But please note, that especially the M4Board wifi and the Albireo USB mouse support is not 100% finished/stable yet, so in this case you will see issues in any case. Anyway I hope someone of you will enjoy this update.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Duke on 23:01, 10 October 16
Big kudos for this amazing work, it is truely impressive.

Btw. dunno if it's only here, but the verne.freenode.net IRC server seems down atm. I use leguin.freenode.net to log on with SymIRC ;)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 23:09, 10 October 16
Duke, you are right, EdoZ reported the same, he is now using irc.freenode.net .
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 01:46, 11 October 16
Anyone on #CPC?

there is 16 users, but nobody is talking?

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 15:17, 11 October 16
Good NEWS! Very cool that others now can test it as well.

Yes i also noticed about the verne .. i changed my app to chat.freenode  and that seems to work fine.

I builded a new version.

If you need always the last update please check here! As i fix bugs as well i will upload a new version so now and then.http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/appstore/ (http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/appstore/)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 15:24, 11 October 16
Quote from: Edoz(MSX) on 15:17, 11 October 16
Good NEWS! Very cool that others now can test it as well.

Yes i also noticed about the verne .. i changed my app to chat.freenode  and that seems to work fine.

I builded a new version.

If you need always the last update please check here! As i fix bugs as well i will upload a new version so now and then.http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/appstore/ (http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/appstore/)

how about download it from a cpc?  :P
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 16:17, 11 October 16
Joseman.. yes you can do that as well

use WGET in SymbOS  and unzip it in SymbOS!

You can find WGET.COM and UNZIP.COM in the CMD directory bdw.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Gryzor on 16:47, 11 October 16
wget and unzip... Wow, just wow :D
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 17:01, 11 October 16
Here the proof :D

First get the files:
(http://msx.pics/images/2016/10/11/wget.jpg)

Than unzip them:
(http://msx.pics/images/2016/10/11/unzip.jpg)

And you are ready :D
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 21:21, 11 October 16

Hi,
I'm able to download SymIRC.zip via wget and could unzip it. So, network connection works well.
After starting SymIRC, entering nickname and try to connect then SymbOS crashes.

(somehow I can rotate the image, sorry...)


By the way. The new Desktop is very well done!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 21:31, 11 October 16
@Edoz(MSX) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1188) , unfortunately unzip gives a "corrupt archive header", but, i think that prodraton said that wget still didn't work on cpc... i don't have any  hurry, things will work when there is time for work on it, and we have a lot of time to wait as this is a hobbie :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:07, 11 October 16
I had some troubles with the combination of WGET and UNZIP on the CPC today as well. Anyway thank you for testing so far! I hope we can fix these issues soon!
@HAL6128, it's probably the network issue or wget download issue. There is an UNZIP option with CRC32 check, please have a look it...
UNZIP H
...maybe the ZIP was already corrupted due to the download.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: roudoudou on 07:31, 12 October 16
what is the required hardware to use TCP/IP with SymbOS ?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 07:48, 12 October 16
You need Duke's hardware:

See here: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/ (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/)

And if you want to run some applications you need internal memory as well..

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 07:50, 12 October 16
Quote from: HAL 6128 on 21:21, 11 October 16
Hi,
I'm able to download SymIRC.zip via wget and could unzip it. So, network connection works well.
After starting SymIRC, entering nickname and try to connect then SymbOS crashes.

(somehow I can rotate the image, sorry...)


By the way. The new Desktop is very well done!


Ops.. And if you download it with checksum in unzip? or just use a PC ;)  Is it always doing this? Or was it once? As it seems the first step of connection with the IRC server was ok..
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: CraigsBar on 09:24, 12 October 16
I a gonna try this tonight. Last night got away from me as I was playing RGB, H.E.R.O. and battlezone on my 'new' Atari 130xe ;) tonight is symbos and mahjong time!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 09:38, 12 October 16
I just did it like you described before in the picture above. I downloaded the file via CPC from SymbOS shell with wget and unzipped it. But I didn't check the checksum.

What I actually did was downloading the file (SymIRC.zip) and started unzipping. The first time unzip was frozen (it did nothing but printing the first two information lines and then stopped). I killed the shell, restarted it and tried to unzip the file again (just with unzip -e ...) and it seems to work. But the application crashes after trying to connect the server.

I will try later with a checksum performance.
If it doesn't work then I will try PC data transfer.

(It's pretty funny to have an "appstore" for the CPC. Would be cool to have an application on SymbOS for this. ...and QUIGS for programming. Just an idea :) )
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 10:28, 12 October 16

I tested unzipping ("unzip e SYMIRC.ZIP %r") the file with following results:


Extracting symirc.exe [SIZE MISMATCH]
Extracting symirc.GSH [OK, OK]
Extracting symirc.ico [OK OK]


Extracted: 2 (Size: 386, Compressed: 168)
Skipped: 0
Corrupt: 1


What do think?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 10:47, 12 October 16
Quote from: HAL 6128 on 10:28, 12 October 16
I tested unzipping ("unzip e SYMIRC.ZIP %r") the file with following results:


Extracting symirc.exe [SIZE MISMATCH]
Extracting symirc.GSH [OK, OK]
Extracting symirc.ico [OK OK]


Extracted: 2 (Size: 386, Compressed: 168)
Skipped: 0
Corrupt: 1


What do think?

You can do unzip t SYMIRC.ZIP to test the zip file. But what i see is that probably the archive was damaged during download with wget.
That is probably the reason.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: CraigsBar on 20:16, 12 October 16
OK, For me the M4 Mass Storage is not working.

I have tried multiple SD cards... on all of them the symbos folder is inaccessible so nothing works.

Error 33

I guess I am just outta luck :(

I so wanted to get the CPC online.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 20:45, 12 October 16
Quote from: CraigsBar on 20:16, 12 October 16
OK, For me the M4 Mass Storage is not working.

I have tried multiple SD cards... on all of them the symbos folder is inaccessible so nothing works.

Error 33

I guess I am just outta luck :(

I so wanted to get the CPC online.

Is this the ERROR in SymbOS? Error 33 means "Destination is no Directory"

Can you do START, RUN, BROWSE?

If so! .. can you check if the SYMBOS path is correct? See page 21. of the manual.

http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/msxorg/SymbOS%203%20install%20user%20and%20install%20guide.pdf (http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/msxorg/SymbOS%203%20install%20user%20and%20install%20guide.pdf)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Duke on 21:53, 12 October 16
Quote from: CraigsBar on 20:16, 12 October 16
OK, For me the M4 Mass Storage is not working.

I have tried multiple SD cards... on all of them the symbos folder is inaccessible so nothing works.

Error 33

I guess I am just outta luck :(

I so wanted to get the CPC online.
Also did you try to rename  SYMBOS1.INI into SYMBOS.INI?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: CraigsBar on 22:05, 12 October 16
Yes, with symbos.INI the wallpaper does not load. With symbos1.INI it all works, except annoyingly the symbos folder so none of the desktop shortcuts work. This is on the plus. Will check on the justcpc128k later
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: CraigsBar on 22:08, 12 October 16
Start run browse works fine and opens all folders... Except symbos (error 33).
All folders are perfectly accessible from basic with no issue.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:46, 12 October 16
Strange issue :/ In SymbOS you can access all folders with the expection of /SYMBOS/ itself? And it is still loading the wallpaper (it's placed in the SYMBOS folder, so at least during booting this folder seems to be accessible). Maybe you can rename/remove the /SYMBOS/NETD-M4C.EXE (network daemon) so it will not autostart it at the beginning? Maybe this is causing issues after booting. You should also check the filesystem integrity again.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: CraigsBar on 00:10, 13 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 22:46, 12 October 16
Strange issue :/ In SymbOS you can access all folders with the expection of /SYMBOS/ itself? And it is still loading the wallpaper (it's placed in the SYMBOS folder, so at least during booting this folder seems to be accessible). Maybe you can rename/remove the /SYMBOS/NETD-M4C.EXE (network daemon) so it will not autostart it at the beginning? Maybe this is causing issues after booting. You should also check the filesystem integrity again.
OK will test tomorrow.... I'm in bed now!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Takis Kalatzis on 06:17, 13 October 16
Hello, one quick question : I have just an 6128 (no memory expansions) with an M4 board. I copied the zip contents into root of SD card, deleted SYMBOS.INI and started SymbOS. I see the icons in the desktop and the start button, cursor appears but does not move at all. It should move with the keyboard arrows, correct?


I suspect it has something to do with "running the Control Panel from floppy to complete the configuration" : so the question is : how do I copy the Control Panel executable to a floppy drive? Whn the M4 board is active, Floppy Drive A cannot be accessed.



Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: anyf33 on 06:34, 13 October 16
Quote from: Takis Kalatzis on 06:17, 13 October 16
Hello, one quick question : I have just an 6128 (no memory expansions) with an M4 board. I copied the zip contents into root of SD card, deleted SYMBOS.INI and started SymbOS. I see the icons in the desktop and the start button, cursor appears but does not move at all. It should move with the keyboard arrows, correct?


I suspect it has something to do with "running the Control Panel from floppy to complete the configuration" : so the question is : how do I copy the Control Panel executable to a floppy drive? Whn the M4 board is active, Floppy Drive A cannot be accessed.
this a normal problem of symbos cursor move only with joystick !
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: anyf33 on 07:34, 13 October 16
Thank you for the symbOS m4 version ;D
excelent work

i have a 128k machine
please make a 128k version of symbos1.ini if you can.
with normal .ini i cannot see the sd card
with 1.ini i have memory problems (because of the wallpaper of course) so i just rename the graphics folder to graphics1 and the wallpaper was not loaded saving my small memory...
and now i can load calculator for example but no cmd or wget because i have memory full


Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Takis Kalatzis on 10:36, 13 October 16
Quote from: anyf33 on 06:34, 13 October 16
this a normal problem of symbos cursor move only with joystick !


I do not own a joystick (and never had one actually). So, is it impossible to use SymbOS without joystick?



Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: robcfg on 11:06, 13 October 16
Yes, use the cursor keys while pressing the COPY key.


COPY+Space to click.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 11:20, 13 October 16
@Takis, here are some of the shortcuts used in SymbOS:

The mouse pointer

See the following table how to control the mouse pointer with one of the three supported devices. Please note, that the "Copy" key on the CPC keyboard is renamed to "Alt" in SymbOS.

Mouse           Joystick        Keyboard
-------------------------------------------------
Move Up         Joystick Up     Alt + Arrow Up
Move Down       Joystick Down   Alt + Arrow Down
Move Left       Joystick Left   Alt + Arrow Left
Move Right      Joystick Right  Alt + Arrow Right
Left button     Fire 1          Alt + Space
Right button    Fire 2          Alt + Enter

Keyboard shortcuts

The following is a list of general keyboard shortcuts, which do not depend on a special application:

ALT  + ESC          - switch to the next window
CTRL + ESC          - open the start menu
CTRL + SHIFT + ESC  - start the Task Manager
ALT  + F4           - quit the current application
ALT  + M            - open the menu of the current window

In most dialogues you can use the following keys:

RETURN              - apply changes and close dialogue
ESC                 - discard changes and close dialogue
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: anyf33 on 12:27, 13 October 16
Quote from: Takis Kalatzis on 10:36, 13 October 16

I do not own a joystick (and never had one actually). So, is it impossible to use SymbOS without joystick?
ahhh finaly i find the shortcut . it is control+esc to open the start menu. then you can use arrow keys
also with tab you can move through desktop shortcuts. (no use because of the 128k memory :( )
p.s.
http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/msxorg/SymbOS%203%20install%20user%20and%20install%20guide.pdf
in page 26
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 13:24, 13 October 16
I will publish an alternative config for 128K systems soon. But please note, that with a 128K system you won't have much fun with network in SymbOS, as beside starting the network daemon there is not much memory left for applications. You should get a X-MEM + MotherX4 from Toto ( http://www.centpourcent.net/store/c5/CPC_Boards.html ) when you want to enjoy the full capabilities.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 15:06, 13 October 16
Yes more the 128 is not needed to boot SymbOS.. but if you want to play with Network and the applications (SymIRC need 34k or so) than memory is very nice to have!.. and cool part is that this X-MEM/MotherX4 and M4 hardware is very cheep to buy!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 18:52, 13 October 16
Quote from: Joseman on 21:31, 11 October 16
@Edoz(MSX) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1188) , unfortunately unzip gives a "corrupt archive header", but, i think that prodraton said that wget still didn't work on cpc... i don't have any  hurry, things will work when there is time for work on it, and we have a lot of time to wait as this is a hobbie :)

@Joseman (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=135) and @HAL 6128 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=365), it would be nice if you could try it again after updating the M4Board firmware:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/msg135402/#msg135402 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/msg135402/#msg135402)
So far I don't have any corrupt data anymore when downloading files with WGET in SymbOS. I will do some more tests as well, but it seems to be fine now.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Scarlettkitten on 21:49, 13 October 16
I'm new to Symbos, what does mice does it support, I've AMX or Multiplay, would any of these work?


Soph
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 22:11, 13 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 18:52, 13 October 16
@Joseman (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=135) and @HAL 6128 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=365), it would be nice if you could try it again after updating the M4Board firmware:
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/msg135402/#msg135402 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/msg135402/#msg135402)
So far I don't have any corrupt data anymore when downloading files with WGET in SymbOS. I will do some more tests as well, but it seems to be fine now.

EDIT: the problems were with the microsd, once formatted... all goes well!!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 22:35, 13 October 16

Hey, great. The M4 update works!
Downloading from CPC with wget and unzipping the file works sufficiently (testing ok / no CRC errors)
I was able to connect then to the IRC Chat room and could talk to myself (CPC nickname was HAL6128 and PC nickname was Guest27193).
Good job!
That's pretty cool. Amazing!!
[attach=2]
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 00:48, 14 October 16
Quote from: Scarlettkitten on 21:49, 13 October 16I'm new to Symbos, what does mice does it support, I've AMX or Multiplay, would any of these work?
Hi Soph, SymbOS supports keyboard (see some posts above), Joystick, AMX (joystick compatible) mouses, SYMBiFACE II mouse (PS/2) and USB mouses via the Albireo board.

Quote from: HAL 6128 on 22:35, 13 October 16
Downloading from CPC with wget and unzipping the file works sufficiently (testing ok / no CRC errors)
I was able to connect then to the IRC Chat room and could talk to myself (CPC nickname was HAL6128 and PC nickname was Guest27193).
Good job!
That's pretty cool. Amazing!!
Seems, that you were even faster than me!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 01:06, 14 October 16
Thanks to Dukes last firmware update of the M4Board the network seems to be now fully stable!
So I was able to record a video, how a CPC can download software from a website (using WGET) to the M4Board SD card, uncompress it (using UNZIP) and starting/using it while playing AY music all the time (using SYMAMP with Soundtrakker 128 modules):

I was using an USB mouse connected to PulkoMandys Albireo board all the time, and everything was working just great!
I am still impressed by the new hardware for the CPC published during the last time by Duke, PulkoMandy and TotO!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 07:05, 14 October 16
Pfff. That looks so cool on the CPC! Thank you so much Prodatron and Duke! Getting the CPC connected is so crazy if you think about it ;)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Takis Kalatzis on 09:04, 14 October 16
It really looks very cool!


I wonder how hard would it be to write an IRC client for AMSDOS? (for those of us who just have the plain old CPC 6128)..
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Duke on 18:19, 14 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 01:06, 14 October 16
Thanks to Dukes last firmware update of the M4Board the network seems to be now fully stable!
So I was able to record a video, how a CPC can download software from a website (using WGET) to the M4Board SD card, uncompress it (using UNZIP) and starting/using it while playing AY music all the time (using SYMAMP with Soundtrakker 128 modules):

I was using an USB mouse connected to PulkoMandys Albireo board all the time, and everything was working just great!
I am still impressed by the new hardware for the CPC published during the last time by Duke, PulkoMandy and TotO!

I had to try this myself. It runs beautifully. Right now I have IRC + SymAmp and Video at 6 fps, crazy on a CPC, never would have thought that :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: ronaldo on 21:49, 14 October 16
@Prodatron (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=13) , really nice work and amazing release. This is a huge milestone for the Amstrad community. Congratulations :D.

However, I cannot make it work. I have an Amstrad CPC 464, an MX4 board and 2 expansions: M4 and X-MEM (576K total RAM). I've got latest M4 firmware installed (1.1.0b3) and 2 different SD cards for testing purposes (8GB and 16GB). In both cases, I get the same result:
I tried formatting cards in different ways, uncompressing and copying symbos again, erasing everything... Same result always.
Could it be a problem on 464s? May it be related to the size of the cards (8GB and 16GB)? Is there anything else I can try?

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:28, 14 October 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 21:49, 14 October 16
@Prodatron (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=13) , really nice work and amazing release. This is a huge milestone for the Amstrad community. Congratulations :D .

Hi Ronaldo, it's an honour for me to read these words from you! :)
Did you already try replacing SYMBOS.INI with SYMBOS1.INI? (in case your SD cards have an MBR)
TBH I didn't try SymbOS on a 464 without an FDC765 before. Not sure, if the system manager, which is responsible for mass storage access as well, could hang if the FDC isn't present. I will make some tests here by myself.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: MissionComplete on 22:36, 14 October 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 21:49, 14 October 16

However, I cannot make it work. I have an Amstrad CPC 464, an MX4 board and 2 expansions: M4 and X-MEM (576K total RAM). I've got latest M4 firmware installed (1.1.0b3) and 2 different SD cards for testing purposes (8GB and 16GB). In both cases, I get the same result:

       
  • Symbos boots, but seems unable to read anything from disk. There is no mouse on the screen and I only can open Start menu and navigate it, but options do not respond. There is no background or icons and the clock advances normally.

I have exactly the same problem with M4 and X-MEM in my 464. However, Symbos works fine in my 6128 with the expansions. Firmware in the M4 board: 1.09.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: ronaldo on 00:06, 15 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 22:28, 14 October 16
TBH I didn't try SymbOS on a 464 without an FDC765 before. Not sure, if the system manager, which is responsible for mass storage access as well, could hang if the FDC isn't present. I will make some tests here by myself.
That was exactly the problem! I've attached the DDI clone and everything works now! Fantastic!

You may consider now checking for this posibility and letting no-FDC if you are using an M4. It could even be interesting to add cassette support in the future. That could open possibilities for application converting games from DSK to cassette or for developers in general :). But that's another story...

Thank you very much for your work! It's really amazing! :D
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: mr_lou on 05:46, 15 October 16
I've only glanced at SymbOS so far. Tried it once on my CPCplus and didn't get far, don't remember why.
So far I haven't added any additional memory to any of my machines, because I haven't had a need. But this online IRC thing is really intriguing, and I already have the M4 card.... and Bryce's USB mouse-port.

@Bryce (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=225)! I think it's time to get myself that memory expansion you made room for back then.  :)

Having the CPCplus, I can't help wonder if there's a cartridge version of SymbOS available. Would be awesome to have a cartridge version with the essentials, for extreme fast loading.
I have no knowledge about the technical aspects, so sorry if I'm fantasizing about the impossible.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 09:07, 15 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 22:28, 14 October 16
Did you already try replacing SYMBOS.INI with SYMBOS1.INI? (in case your SD cards have an MBR)
TBH I didn't try SymbOS on a 464 without an FDC765 before. Not sure, if the system manager, which is responsible for mass storage access as well, could hang if the FDC isn't present. I will make some tests here by myself.
I realized that symbos is looking/checking during booting after something on the Discs. I have a 6128 with two Floppy drives and there MUST be a Disc inside the Drive. In theres is NO disc in the drive then the booting process hangs / stops. (The symbos.ini configuration says booting from harddrive and the system Folders is also on the harddrive.)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 10:53, 15 October 16
Is there an easy way to have AZERTY keyboard without remapping everything by hand ?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 14:07, 15 October 16
Quote from: ronaldo on 00:06, 15 October 16
That was exactly the problem! I've attached the DDI clone and everything works now! Fantastic!

You may consider now checking for this posibility and letting no-FDC if you are using an M4.
That's true. You could create a SYMBOS.INI without floppy disc drives with the control panel, but currently a fresh installation can't be booted without them. I will do some changes in the FDC driver that a missing FDC won't hang it anymore.

Quote from: ronaldo on 00:06, 15 October 16It could even be interesting to add cassette support in the future. That could open possibilities for application converting games from DSK to cassette or for developers in general :) . But that's another story...
You would need an extra application for this, as SymbOS itself is completely based on blockdevices. Would be funny though to access tapes in this environment :)

Quote from: HAL 6128 on 09:07, 15 October 16
I realized that symbos is looking/checking during booting after something on the Discs. I have a 6128 with two Floppy drives and there MUST be a Disc inside the Drive. In theres is NO disc in the drive then the booting process hangs / stops. (The symbos.ini configuration says booting from harddrive and the system Folders is also on the harddrive.)
It should continuing after a while, but it takes some seconds. I am booting at without inserted discs all the time, I just have to wait a little bit. But of course this is currently annoying. The reason for this is the direct SD card access for HxC floppy emulators, which is new in 3.0 but not 100% finished. Switching between a HFE image and direct FAT32 SD card access requires a special track seek maneuver which may take much longer than a usual one, and that's the reason why it's currently trying to access the floppy disc for such a long time.
And SymbOS always wants to have a look at the devices, when they are initialized during booting or when changing the settings. Maybe I shouldn't do that anymore for removeable devices.
Together with the modification which I have to do now for machines without FDC I will optimize this as well.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 14:09, 15 October 16
Quote from: remax on 10:53, 15 October 16
Is there an easy way to have AZERTY keyboard without remapping everything by hand ?
Good point. I always wanted to add the possibility to load and save keyboard definitions. Especially for the MSX this is very important, too, as they have tons of different keyboards. I will implement this into the control panel!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 14:44, 15 October 16
And a dsk mounter, for use in symcommander, to save cpc software to the SD card!! (or ide).

Currently 99% of software is in dsk... could be a handy option!

this makes me think again in Quigs... Actually Prodatron and Edoz are doing the 100% of symbos applications...

All our needs are request to prodatron...

I think that since symbos 3.0 the number of users have incremented 10x, i think that with quigs there be more software from now on... in theory...



Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 14:51, 15 October 16
Quote from: HAL 6128 on 09:07, 15 October 16
I realized that symbos is looking/checking during booting after something on the Discs. I have a 6128 with two Floppy drives and there MUST be a Disc inside the Drive. In theres is NO disc in the drive then the booting process hangs / stops. (The symbos.ini configuration says booting from harddrive and the system Folders is also on the harddrive.)


For some reason, that's the contrary for me : no floppy in the 3' drive or it won't boot...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: CraigsBar on 14:59, 15 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 22:46, 12 October 16
Strange issue :/ In SymbOS you can access all folders with the expection of /SYMBOS/ itself? And it is still loading the wallpaper (it's placed in the SYMBOS folder, so at least during booting this folder seems to be accessible). Maybe you can rename/remove the /SYMBOS/NETD-M4C.EXE (network daemon) so it will not autostart it at the beginning? Maybe this is causing issues after booting. You should also check the filesystem integrity again.

OK I sorted it :)

the problem was simple really!!

The Partition on the SD Card was called symbos. and I guess having the partition called Symbos with a folder called Symbos confused, erm symbos!

I renamed the partition to 'Sym-M4' and all works well now.

SymIRC seems nice and stable with the M4 externally powered (RTC, X-Mem and Albireo bus powered on the Mother4x)

As soon as the newly updated Albireo mouse driver is available in the next beta release it'll be totally awesome
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Maniac on 15:20, 15 October 16

Just got round to trying this and it's awesome! Like @CraigsBar (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=482) I too had issues with my 6128+ but I didn't have a partition (or didn't think I did) but after removing the original SYMBOS.INI and renaming SYMBOS1.INI as indicated it all worked!


One quick question; would it be possible to pull the time from the M4 board? When I booted in to Symbos it just says midnight unless you set it.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 16:32, 15 October 16
Quote from: mr_lou on 05:46, 15 October 16Having the CPCplus, I can't help wonder if there's a cartridge version of SymbOS available. Would be awesome to have a cartridge version with the essentials, for extreme fast loading.
I am not sure if this would make sense today. Now you can load SymbOS from the M4 within about one second or from the X-MASS with Acmedos at a similiar speed, and can have all your software there on FAT formatted SD/IDE. A catridge version wouldn't be that flexible, so for people it would probably make more sense to buy an M4Board instead of a SymbOS CPC+ catridge.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 16:44, 15 October 16
@Joseman (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=135) : DSK reader, maybe even with a batch option, which is proceeding hundrets of DSK files and copy them all to their auto-created subdirectories :) Would be a nice idea. Yes, we need more people developing in Quigs! :)
@CraigsBar (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=482): Thanks for your bug report regarding directory and volume ID confusion! Didn't know about this issue before, will have a look at it.
@Maniac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=930): I was already thinking about this. My original plan was to write an own NTP client, which could be added to the autostart menu, as this can be helpful for the MSX as well. Maybe it's easier to grab the time from the M4Board.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 17:21, 15 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 16:44, 15 October 16
@Joseman (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=135) : DSK reader, maybe even with a batch option, which is proceeding hundrets of DSK files and copy them all to their auto-created subdirectories :) Would be a nice idea. Yes, we need more people developing in Quigs! :)
@CraigsBar (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=482): Thanks for your bug report regarding directory and volume ID confusion! Didn't know about this issue before, will have a look at it.
@Maniac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=930): I was already thinking about this. My original plan was to write an own NTP client, which could be added to the autostart menu, as this can be helpful for the MSX as well. Maybe it's easier to grab the time from the M4Board.


I can confirm that the time is well grabbed from a Dobbertine clone. But you have to disable the TIMEROM rom, or it will crash symbos...
But i long for using ntp/m4 board so i can free a slot in my MotherX4


Also, having both M4 Board SD card support and HXC SD Card support at the same time works well. It's great for exchanging datas between both.
Now if someone can devellop an HXC management app :D
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 22:14, 15 October 16
Quote from: Joseman on 14:44, 15 October 16
this makes me think again in Quigs... Actually Prodatron and Edoz are doing the 100% of symbos applications...

Trebmint is working very hard to make Quigs public... and for sure everyone could build apps like i do when it is released. They are very simple to make thanks to trebmints IDE.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 09:23, 16 October 16
There are examples for working with symstudio on youtube. Do. you have an example for symstudio to study which goes deeper into details than handling forms?


Yesterday my IRC on the CPC crashed two times after posting the third message.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Trebmint on 13:30, 16 October 16
Quote from: HAL 6128 on 09:23, 16 October 16
There are examples for working with symstudio on youtube. Do. you have an example for symstudio to study which goes deeper into details than handling forms?


Yesterday my IRC on the CPC crashed two times after posting the third message.
Quigs will be released as a beta with the final release of 3.0, I promise. Its altered a lot since the Symstudio days several years back, mainly as I've used Edo to test and code for it, so its grown as he required parts to work. I will have new youtube videos up and showing how to code from first release, and quite a few tutorial projects, but I also hope that using intellitype and a very loose language structure (in that i can look Basic-ish or C-ish) that it won't really be a struggle for people to get to grips with.


Initially it will only be good for form based symbos apps, but i will be continuing next year adding console and hopefully full screen for game development.


If you have any specific questions about the language or editor I will try and answer
 
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: dragon on 13:57, 16 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 16:32, 15 October 16
I am not sure if this would make sense today. Now you can load SymbOS from the M4 within about one second or from the X-MASS with Acmedos at a similiar speed, and can have all your software there on FAT formatted SD/IDE. A catridge version wouldn't be that flexible, so for people it would probably make more sense to buy an M4Board instead of a SymbOS CPC+ catridge.


Who knows, i reroute 2.1 rom loader to cartridge because i not have expansions.


On thing why symbos not suport Mode 0  with 16 colours because the resolution?.Maybe is possible add another type modes as the used in lastest  games. To show backgrounds with 16 colours?.





Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 17:29, 16 October 16
Quote from: dragon on 13:57, 16 October 16On thing why symbos not suport Mode 0  with 16 colours because the resolution?.Maybe is possible add another type modes as the used in lastest  games. To show backgrounds with 16 colours?.

Mode 0 support has been removed since SymbOS 2.1. The resolution is a little bit too low, so you don't have much fun with this mode. Another reason is, that it would blow up the code of the low level screen routines a lot, if the direct display of 16colour bitmaps should be supported on the CPC as well. So I don't see any chance for Mode 0 support inside the GUI.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:25, 16 October 16
Quote from: remax on 10:53, 15 October 16
Is there an easy way to have AZERTY keyboard without remapping everything by hand ?
Can someone give me a quick info what are the english chars for these french characters:
é
è
ç
à
ù
Unfortunately I don't have a french CPC for testing, but I checked this picture:
(http://amstrad.cpc.free.fr/amstrad/images/6128fr.jpg)
Two additional questions:
- do you need to press SHIFT to get 1,2,3,... - as on the picture it looks like this?!?
- the key left to the right shift seems to have three definitions @, \ and $. What do you have to press for each?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 22:33, 16 October 16
Quotedo you need to press SHIFT to get 1,2,3,... - as on the picture it looks like this?!?


Yes !  :D


Quote from: Prodatron on 22:25, 16 October 16Can someone give me a quick info what are the english chars for these french characters:éèçàù


What do you mean ?


Quote from: Prodatron on 22:25, 16 October 16- the key left to the right shift seems to have three definitions @, \ and $. What do you have to press for each?


Strange key in fact... I don't know where it's supposed to do what is written on it. CPM perhaps ?


Under AMSDOS :

Without anything -> $
With Shift -> à
With control -> ç
With Shift+Control -> Q (but i guess it comes from keyboard clash)


French Keyboard definition is weird under AMSDOS (for example : | on keyboard gives ù on screen).
I think noone would be angry if you make french keyboard display on screen the same thing that what's on the keyboard...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:55, 16 October 16
Thanks for the infos!

Quote from: remax on 22:33, 16 October 16
What do you mean ?
[...]
for example : | on keyboard gives ù on screen
This is exactly what I mean!  :D
I would like to know what ASCII values you get when pressing éèçàù.

Example:
10 a$=inkey$:if a$<>"" then print asc(a$)
20 goto 10

Maybe you could give me the results? :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 22:59, 16 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 22:55, 16 October 16
Thanks for the infos!
This is exactly what I mean!  :D
I would like to know what ASCII values you get when pressing éèçàù.

Example:
10 a$=inkey$:if a$<>"" then print asc(a$)
20 goto 10

Maybe you could give me the results? :)


I'm going to bed, but i'll give you this tomorrow if noone did before ;)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 23:01, 16 October 16
Thank you very much and good night! :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: 00WReX on 02:15, 17 October 16
Hello Prodatron,

Is this what you are looking for...

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Keyboard_Versions#Character_Set_ROMs (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Keyboard_Versions#Character_Set_ROMs)

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 07:08, 17 October 16
é -> 123
è -> 125
ç -> 92
à -> 64
ù -> 124
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 13:21, 17 October 16
Thanks a lot for the infos @00WReX (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=518) and @remax (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=314) !

Attached is an updated control panel, which includes a load/save option inside the keyboard settings. Please replace the CP.EXE file in your installation with this new one.
The ZIP includes four different keyboard presets:
CPC-DK.KYB -> danish CPC keyboard
CPC-ES.KYB -> spanish CPC keyboard
CPC-FR.KYB -> french CPC keyboard
CPC-UK.KYB -> english CPC keyboard (same for german "Schneider" models)

I hope I didn't make any mistakes, but it would be nice, if someone from the french, spanish and danish guys with such a CPC keyboard could have a look at it.
Please note, that the fonts stay the english ones, so you won't see any additional international characters, but the correspondent one from the english ASCII charset, but the mapping should be correct with these presets.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 16:32, 17 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 13:21, 17 October 16
Thanks a lot for the infos @00WReX (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=518) and @remax (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=314) !

Attached is an updated control panel, which includes a load/save option inside the keyboard settings. Please replace the CP.EXE file in your installation with this new one.
The ZIP includes four different keyboard presets:
CPC-DK.KYB -> danish CPC keyboard
CPC-ES.KYB -> spanish CPC keyboard
CPC-FR.KYB -> french CPC keyboard
CPC-UK.KYB -> english CPC keyboard (same for german "Schneider" models)

I hope I didn't make any mistakes, but it would be nice, if someone from the french, spanish and danish guys with such a CPC keyboard could have a look at it.
Please note, that the fonts stay the english ones, so you won't see any additional international characters, but the correspondent one from the english ASCII charset, but the mapping should be correct with these presets.


Seems nearly OK (except international chars). Only problem : you should have "," on minus M instead of "`".


As a temporary fix, type "044" in Normal, then you can type a ",".


fX keys do nothing (in AMSDOS on default it gives numbers).


Attached : fixed file
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 00:01, 18 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 13:21, 17 October 16
Thanks a lot for the infos @00WReX (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=518) and @remax (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=314) !

if someone from the french, spanish and danish guys with such a CPC keyboard could have a look at it.
Please note, that the fonts stay the english ones, so you won't see any additional international characters, but the correspondent one from the english ASCII charset, but the mapping should be correct with these presets.

I can confirm that this spanish definitions are wrong:

":", "+", "*"
it displays(in the test box):
"+","}","{"

but the definitions seems to be ok...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 21:23, 21 October 16
Here is a new preview package of SymbOS CPC with improved M4Board network and Albireo USB mouse support.

http://www.symbos.org/download/preview-cpc161021.zip

The changes are described in the #readme.txt, which I am pasting here as well:

SYMBOS 3.0 CPC - PREVIEW 16/10/21 (WORK IN PROGRESS)
=========================================
This package contains
- a new preview of SymbOS 3.0 - CPC edition
- the actual M4Board firmware ("M4FIRM_v110x2.zip")
You should install this firmware on your M4Board before using the updated
SymbOS package.

Changes since the last update:
- Albireo USB mouse driver with full working buttons
- Network daemon with M4Board driver
  - high stability for single connections
  - full support for network and WIFI settings and connection status
- loading/saving keyboard definitions for internationalisation

The package is arranged like the previous one (see section below).

Some details about the changes:
- USB MOUSE DRIVER
  Thanks to PulkoMandys investigations it was now possible to write a full
  working driver for standard USB mouses. The previous version couldn't handle
  the button status in a good way, this is fixed now.
  You may still get issues with very advanced gaming mouses etc. For such
  devices the driver should first ask the mouse for its capabilities which can
  be quite an annoying, as the USB HID standard allows all kind of bit
  resolutions for all parts of the protocol. Not sure if I will add this in the
  future as it doesn't make sense.
  The best thing is to buy a standard USB mouse with a wheel and three buttons
  for your CPC. SymbOS provides the only CPC GUI with mouse wheel support
  anyway, so that's more than enough ;)
- M4BOARD NETWORK STABILITY
  Duke made several improvements to the M4 firmware to increase the stability
  of its Network API. This API was especially written for applications, which
  are using the TCP functionality directly like the SymbOS network daemon. It's
  now possible to download large files of several megabytes with WGET or have
  very long Telnet sessions (like ASCII Star Wars) in SymbOS.
  There is still an issue with multiple connections at the same time. This
  still has to be fixed.
- M4BOARD CONFIGURATION
  It's now possible to configure all network and Wifi settings of the M4Board
  inside the SymbOS Network Daemon. You will see the actual network settings
  (IP, Gateway, Subnet, primary and secondary DNS, DHCP) in the "TCP/IP" tab
  and the SSID/password of your hotspot in the "Driver" tab. Changing the
  network settings or pressing "Connect" next to the Wifi settings will re-
  configure the M4Board and ask it to reconnect to your network. You will see
  the different status messages in the "Status" tab.
- KEYBOARD DEFINITIONS LOAD- AND SAVEABLE
  The keyboard settings inside the control panel have been extended with a
  "load" and "save" button. You can use this to redefine your keyboard layout
  with existing presets (english, french, spanish, danish) or create own
  presets. This package contains the folder "/symbos/keyboard/" with several
  keyboard definitions. If you find any mistakes in these presets please
  contact me.


Some screenshots:
CPC is downloading a 2,1MB File from my homepage...
[attach=2]
Wrong WIFI-password...
[attach=3]
Placed my Smartphone with Wifi Hotspot in the basement, but the ESP8266 of the M4Board still has connection in the 2nd floor of my house :)
[attach=4]
TCP/IP settings:
[attach=5]

PS:I will update the first post of this thread with the link to the actual package all the time.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: CraigsBar on 22:26, 21 October 16
I am so going to test this tonight!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Duke on 05:21, 22 October 16
Cool  8)

The download link seems to point at the last release though, but this one works: www.symbos.org/download/preview-cpc161021.zip
Btw. the M4FIRM_v110b5.zip can also be used (http://www.spinpoint.org/cpc/M4FIRM_v110b5.zip)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 11:55, 22 October 16
Quote from: Duke on 05:21, 22 October 16The download link seems to point at the last release though
Ops, you are right, that was a copy&paste issue with only changing the link title. Thanks, I corrected the link in the post above.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: opticpow on 13:14, 22 October 16
Hi @Prodatron (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=13) ,

Please forgive me if I've missed some obvious doco. I've not run it SymbOS before. How do I go about setting this up on my xmass?

Thanks,

Wayne.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 20:02, 22 October 16
Hi Wayne,

please copy the directory structure of the new package to your root and then move the files from /#IDE/ into your root (overwrite the existing SYM*.* files).
Now you can start the IDE version (X-MASS, SYMBiFACE II etc.) with RUN"SYM inside the root.
Currently I don't remember exactly if the DOM of the X-MASS is formatted with or without an MBR. If it doesn't find the partition after booting, please rename the SYMBOS1.INI into the SYMBOS.INI.

I will copy some parts of the #readme.txt here again, which may be relevant for you:

Quote
- IDE version (for SYMBiFACE II, X-MASS [http://www.centpourcent.net] and
  compatible). If you want to use the version with IDE driver please copy the
  content of the #IDE directory first into the root (overwrite the existing
  SYM*.* files). Regarding the SYMBOS.INI please read the previous section.

  Your device should be unpartitioned. If you have a partitioned device
  please rename SYMBOS1.INI into SYMBOS.INI first (overwrite the existing one).
  Even devices with only one partition maybe partitioned (include an MBR),
  this depends on the format tool.

System requirements:
- The prepared package requires a system with 256K RAM or more.
  If you have a standard 128K system you should first delete the SYMBOS.INI
  so that SymbOS boots with minimal requirements. Then you can start the
  control panel (copy it from /SYMBOS/CP.EXE) from floppy disc and complete
  your configuration.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 20:48, 22 October 16
Hi @Prodatron (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=13)

This is getting better and better!

I know is WIP, the M4 version doesn't save the custom colors for the desktop, i like to change the colors occasionally  :-[

Edit: I let symbos and symirc alone, the screensaver came and when i moved the cursor, the colors that i redefined on the last sesion where there!!! (symbos loaded the original colors, but the screensaver put my colors  :-\ ).
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 08:45, 23 October 16
I realized the same issue. The Symbos.ini stored the right values but somehow they won't be activated. After booting you go directly to the desktop configuration and click on a slide the colour theme is restored.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 10:06, 23 October 16
Thanks for the hints, I will check this later and try to reproduce it in the emulator (unfortunately without real hardware until thursday).
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: opticpow on 23:54, 23 October 16
Thanks @Prodatron (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=13) , I eventually got it working. I was having issues as I was copying the files using CPCdiskXP, the amsdos header was causing me problems. Now to get one of the m4 wireless boards from @Duke (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624) so I can talk to the interwebs.

Wayne.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Takis Kalatzis on 08:42, 28 October 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 20:02, 22 October 16
Hi Wayne,

please copy the directory structure of the new package to your root and then move the files from /#IDE/ into your root (overwrite the existing SYM*.* files).
Now you can start the IDE version (X-MASS, SYMBiFACE II etc.) with RUN"SYM inside the root.
Currently I don't remember exactly if the DOM of the X-MASS is formatted with or without an MBR. If it doesn't find the partition after booting, please rename the SYMBOS1.INI into the SYMBOS.INI.

I will copy some parts of the #readme.txt here again, which may be relevant for you:




Question : How do you copy CP.EXE to floppy? Do you mean a 3.5 floppy disk?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 18:41, 04 November 16
Quote from: Takis Kalatzis on 08:42, 28 October 16
Question : How do you copy CP.EXE to floppy? Do you mean a 3.5 floppy disk?
Are you able to transfer DSK files to real floppy discs? Or do you own an HxC? You can use WinApe to transfer single files to a DSK (-> change disc -> edit).
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 18:48, 04 November 16
The SymbOS homepage got a little update during the last days.

Beside some little tweaks regarding the design I added a new application area, which is now generated through a new database:
http://www.symbos.org/apps.htm
This makes it much easier to administrate all existing applications and update them including the download packages, which always have the pure files as well as the disc images for Amstrad (CPC+PCW) and FAT (MSX,Enterprise) machines.
With a total amount of 42 we have the answer to the ultimate question of life now  ;D
The "history" section has been updated as well, there are still some missing parts.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 18:57, 04 November 16
Cool to see so many applications! Lets grow it upcoming time :-)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Takis Kalatzis on 10:09, 06 November 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 18:41, 04 November 16
Are you able to transfer DSK files to real floppy discs? Or do you own an HxC? You can use WinApe to transfer single files to a DSK (-> change disc -> edit).


I finally managed to transfer CP.EXE to a floppy, started SymbOS from M4 Board SD and executed CP.EXE from floppy.
I am a bit confused about what I should do next. I mean, how I will be able to see and execute other SymbOS applications.
a) Should I also copy them to Floppy disk?
b) Is there a way to setup M4 board's SD disk as an External Storage? If yes, what are the correct parameters for this?
c) SymbOS has A drive as boot default. So, Symcommander for example tries to run from 3' floppy and fails. Can the boot default be changed to SD card where SymbOS is installed?


Sorry for the questions, but it's the first time I'm trying to use SymbOS.

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: anyf33 on 10:56, 06 November 16
Quote from: Takis Kalatzis on 10:09, 06 November 16

I finally managed to transfer CP.EXE to a floppy, started SymbOS from M4 Board SD and executed CP.EXE from floppy.
I am a bit confused about what I should do next. I mean, how I will be able to see and execute other SymbOS applications.
a) Should I also copy them to Floppy disk?
b) Is there a way to setup M4 board's SD disk as an External Storage? If yes, what are the correct parameters for this?
c) SymbOS has A drive as boot default. So, Symcommander for example tries to run from 3' floppy and fails. Can the boot default be changed to SD card where SymbOS is installed?


Sorry for the questions, but it's the first time I'm trying to use SymbOS.

Now you must go to control panel and tell symbOS that you have m4 board!!! i like my english  :laugh: . or to speak right> you must configure in storage m4 board. thats why symbos searching in drive A!!!. @podatron give the  1.ini that configure the m4 board properly. but it have desktop background which it take a serius 16k of memory!!!.
HINT-> also remove screensave.this give you extra 10k!! and the you can run mostly all aplications in 128k.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 11:58, 06 November 16
I just made a package for 128K CPCs, which have the M4Board but no memory expansion:

http://www.symbos.org/download/preview-cpc128k-m4sdcard.zip (http://www.symbos.org/download/preview-cpc128k-m4sdcard.zip)

The M4Board SD card is already configured, and the system drive is set to drive C: which is the SD card.
If it doesn't find your SD card, please rename SYMBOS1.INI into SYMBOS.INI (overwrite it; it's the version for SD cards with MBR).
You should be able to start all apps from the desktop icons or startmenu.

As mentioned before 128K is quite limited for SymbOS, but at least something like this is still possible:
[attach=2]
Running 4 applications at the same time...
[attach=3]
Pac-Man and the task manager can still be started at once:
[attach=4]

I am still recommending you the X-MEM from TotO, if you want to have the full fun with multitasking and networking on your CPC :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Jungsi on 14:50, 12 November 16
Thanks for this great software. Have it now running on the X-Mass. Next test will be the M$ board. :-)


One question:
Is there a chance that the great CPC RTC board gets supported by SymbOS in the future - would be great
not to have set date/time every time I start SymbOS :-)


Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 15:09, 12 November 16
Quote from: Jungsi on 14:50, 12 November 16
Thanks for this great software. Have it now running on the X-Mass. Next test will be the M$ board. :-)


One question:
Is there a chance that the great CPC RTC board gets supported by SymbOS in the future - would be great
not to have set date/time every time I start SymbOS :-)


It is...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Jungsi on 17:10, 12 November 16
Quote from: remax on 15:09, 12 November 16

It is...
Hmm....then I'am doing something wrong ;-)
CPC RTC is active and SymbOS is starting with time set to 00:00
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 17:48, 12 November 16
What version of SymbOS do you use ?

Envoyé de mon Nexus 5 en utilisant Tapatalk

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Jungsi on 18:01, 12 November 16
Quote from: remax on 17:48, 12 November 16
What version of SymbOS do you use ?

Envoyé de mon Nexus 5 en utilisant Tapatalk
Preview 3.0
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 18:32, 12 November 16
Me too... Probably a configuration problem...

Envoyé de mon Nexus 5 en utilisant Tapatalk

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 01:52, 14 November 16
@Jungsi (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1231) , your RTC jumpers are set to "internal" and you are using the last preview version from this thread?
I just tested it again (now my Mother4X is fully equiped with Albireo + M4Board + X-MEM + DobbertinRTC) and here it still works fine.
@Others, maybe there could be a conflict with the ROMs of the X-MEM or the M4?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 03:48, 14 November 16
I am totally amazed right now.
It was the first time I connected FOUR different hardware expansions from FOUR different creators to my CPC at the same time!
[attach=2]
- M4Board by Duke
- X-MEM by TotO
- Albireo by PulkoMandy
- Dobbertin RTC by DXS
...all attached to the Mother4X by TotO.
All this hardware was created only during the last 2,x years, and this is really fantastic what you guys achieved!

It's really cool, that TotO was starting this new CPC hardware hype in 2014, DXS did his great RTC clone, while PulkoMandy created the first hardware with USB master and SD card reader, and then suddenly Duke came up with the revolutionary network + more hardware for the CPC.

Due to Jungsis issues I was testing it all in SymbOS today again. It was working fine, and so I realized, how you can use all this additional hardware at the same time on the CPC in SymbOS:
- M4Board SD-Card reader with a FAT32 32GB card + Wifi with full internet access
- X-MEM -> 576KB total ram
- Albireo with a real USB mouse including the wheel
- Dobbertin RTC clone with the actual time and date

Rhino likes to talk about the "true potential" of the Amstrad and I think this is a good way to use it as well :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 14:00, 14 November 16
Here is a new package of SymbOS CPC (release candidate 1) with working widget support and increased booting speed.

http://www.symbos.org/download/preview-cpc161114.zip

The changes are described in the #readme.txt, which I am pasting here as well:


SYMBOS 3.0 CPC - RC1 16/11/14
===============================================================================
This package contains
- SymbOS 3.0 release candidate 1 - CPC edition
- a pre-installation for the M4Board and SYMBiFACE II compatible IDE interfaces

Changes since the last update (see section below):
- fixed bug in the widget management of the extended desktop; the widget
  feature can now fully used as well
- no FDC access during the startup phase; increased booting speed

The package is arranged like the previous ones (see last section in this file).

Some details about the changes:
- WIDGET SUPPORT (EXTENDED DESKTOP)
  This feature of the extended desktop finally has been debug and can be fully
  used now. Widgets are little apps, which can be placed directly inside the
  desktop area beside the icons and the background graphic. Like widgets for
  modern smartphones the may show the actual time and date, the actual weather
  conditions or whatever. They are not realized as forms (windows) but as
  elements of the desktop itself. They can be resized and freely placed
  anywhere on the screen. Currently there is a clock and a cpu meter available
  as desktop widget (see \SYMBOS\WIDGETS\*.WDG) and a preview of a weather
  widget for machines with network connection. To add a new widget you have to
  right-click the desktop, choose "New" -> "Widget" and select a widget file
  and a size.
- INCREASED BOOTING SPEED
  During the device initialisation SymbOS won't access mass storage devices
  anymore, which are "removeable". This is increasing the booting speed, as
  there is no delay anymore caused by the floppy drives.


The clock and cpu meter widget running on the real machine:
[attach=2]
Resizing a widget:
[attach=3]
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Jungsi on 18:38, 14 November 16
Thats a great new release! I like it. It's starting much faster and the widgets are really cool :-)


With the MX4 Board (and X-MEM) the CPC RTC is working for me with SYMBOS (CPCRTC set to INT)


X-MASS
Like you said I've set the CPC RTC to "Int".


With the X-MASS this is not working in my setup (X-MASS, CPCRTC, XMEM)
CPCRTC Manual:
In parallel with a MegaFlash or X-Mem on a MX4: set the 3 jumpers to "Ext"
For a correct working X-Mass you need the rom slot for ACMEDOS and the CPCRTC.


Strange ;-) I don't know how the others have done it :-)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: dragon on 19:37, 14 November 16
One think i don't try it. (i waiting for x-mem and x4). But is necesary the  rtc motherboard clone to view the hour and date obligatory?.

Symbos can't access to  a ntp server with m4?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 20:07, 14 November 16
@Jungsi (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1231) , thanks for trying the new version! TBH I have no idea why the RTC is working or not working with a different hardware setup :/ SymbOS is just searching for the RTC ROM, and if it could be found it is using the clock. My RTC seems to have an empty batterie. If it is switched off for a longer periode, it forgets the last time/date and has to be reconfigured, but that problem isn't SymbOS related.

@dragon (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=251): Yes, I am planning to provide an NTP client for SymbOS. Another idea is to use the time/date of the M4Board itself, as it is doing NTP anyway. This would be a quick solution, but as SymbOS needs a general NTP client anyway (due to the other platforms) I guess I will implement such a client directly.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 22:28, 14 November 16
Would it be possible to set time via internet instead of the rtc?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:36, 14 November 16
Yes, with an NTP client! :)
That's on my Todo list after the 3.0 release...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 23:11, 14 November 16
If i remember well i have to remove the rtc rom in order to have correct time and no crash when trying to access time settings

Envoyé de mon Nexus 5 en utilisant Tapatalk

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 08:12, 15 November 16
Just a short testing feedback: Yesterday I tried the new preview. I put the SD out of the M4 and into the PC. I copied the files over the old files existing on the SD Card and put it back into the M4. After booting SymbOS the CPC crashed. After resetting the SD wasn't accessible anymore. So I put it out again into the PC. Windows offered me formatting the card. I took a deeper dive with Winhex and have seen that the MBR was vanished and overwritten by SymbOS. It seemed that symbos.ini was directly stored in sector 0. I was able to restore most files and data into the PC.

I have no clue about the root cause, maybe I did something wrong?

So I formatted the SD and copied the preview again onto the card. Booting works fine now, but the IRC client freezes the whole CPC if I want to start connection.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 12:36, 15 November 16
Was the network daemon started and active before you started SyMIRC?
Was it hanging after starting or after you pressed the connect button?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Takis Kalatzis on 13:06, 15 November 16
Quote from: HAL 6128 on 08:12, 15 November 16
Just a short testing feedback: Yesterday I tried the new preview. I put the SD out of the M4 and into the PC. I copied the files over the old files existing on the SD Card and put it back into the M4. After booting SymbOS the CPC crashed. After resetting the SD wasn't accessible anymore. So I put it out again into the PC. Windows offered me formatting the card. I took a deeper dive with Winhex and have seen that the MBR was vanished and overwritten by SymbOS. It seemed that symbos.ini was directly stored in sector 0. I was able to restore most files and data into the PC.

I have no clue about the root cause, maybe I did something wrong?

So I formatted the SD and copied the preview again onto the card. Booting works fine now, but the IRC client freezes the whole CPC if I want to start connection.


Similar thing happened to me with the previous 128k preview version. Actually SymbOS did not crash but my M4 SD card was not accessible. When I rebooted, SD card was completely unaccessible.  I had to format the SD and re-configure M4 from the beginning. Conclusion : always keep a backup of the M4 SD card before playing around with SymbOS.
Did not try yet the alternative MBR solution, though.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 14:42, 15 November 16
Quote from: Edoz(MSX) on 12:36, 15 November 16
Was the network daemon started and active before you started SyMIRC?
Was it hanging after starting or after you pressed the connect button?
Honestly I don't know. There was the network symbol in the task bar, but I didn't check explicit about connectivity.
I tried SyMIRC two times:
The first time it crashed directly after pressing button "connect".
The second time SyMIRC changed (after pressing button "connect") to the status register / window where the information will be shown about fetching "data status", but freezed after 2 seconds...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 14:52, 15 November 16
Did you enter a nickname before pressing "connect". Not sure if this could cause a crash. I didn't test it with the newest M4 firmware, I will have to update my M4 this evening and will test it again. Yesterday syMIRC was working fine with the actual SymbOS package.

Regarding the destroyed boot sector: Oops! I never had such a problem since weeks, when the SD part was fully debugged. SymbOS shouldn't write to the SD card directly after booting. Did it happen after you shut down SymbOS? (the pre-installation has config autosave activated, so SymbOS will save the current config, when you shut down the system)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 15:20, 15 November 16
Hmm, I was booting SymbOS and if I remember right then SymbOS was started without background screen (orange screen, black border), no widgets.
But in that moment I haven't thought about a problem, so I started the SymIRC and crashed the CPC. No shutdown process took place...
I have done a screenshot of the first sector (sector 0). I will add it later.

After formatting the SD and copying all the stuff, I booted SymbOS without problems (default screen background with the "dragon"), and widgets (clock, system performance) etc.
I entered my nickname within SymIRC, yes.
I tested it with the newest M4 firmware (V1.1.0 - Beta 7). I'm going to switch back to M4 firmware (V1.1.0 - Beta 5) today evening, because I realized some issues with newest firmware regarding loading the game "defence" (CAS_IN_CHAR).

At the moment I have the Firmware 3.15 and 3.15 Exp in the ROM slots (lower rom) and 1. Will do further test :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 22:17, 15 November 16
I updated the M4 right now to the newest firmware.
WGET is running fine, and currently I am online at #CPC, and syMIRC is running fine as well.
Please note that there is a still an issue with the M4 Network api. It would be possible to load data from the network in a faster way, but this may cause a crash of the M4Board. That's one of the two last issues I have to fix together with Duke (beside having multiple connections).
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: 00WReX on 09:41, 16 November 16
Quote from: HAL 6128 on 08:12, 15 November 16
Just a short testing feedback: Yesterday I tried the new preview. I put the SD out of the M4 and into the PC. I copied the files over the old files existing on the SD Card and put it back into the M4. After booting SymbOS the CPC crashed. After resetting the SD wasn't accessible anymore. So I put it out again into the PC. Windows offered me formatting the card. I took a deeper dive with Winhex and have seen that the MBR was vanished and overwritten by SymbOS. It seemed that symbos.ini was directly stored in sector 0. I was able to restore most files and data into the PC.

I have no clue about the root cause, maybe I did something wrong?

So I formatted the SD and copied the preview again onto the card. Booting works fine now, but the IRC client freezes the whole CPC if I want to start connection.

I just had what appears to be the same thing happen.

I had an SD card with the previous SymbOS release, so I copied the files from the new release straight over the top (selecting replace all).
SymbOS loaded but without a background picture or any programs available.
When I put the SD card into my PC it said the card needed to be formatted.
I formatted the card and placed SymbOS on it again...same thing.

Then I remembered about copying symbos1.ini onto the card, renamed as symbos.ini
I had forgotten about that  :doh:

That worked  :)

Cheers,
Shane
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 11:52, 16 November 16
Thanks for this hint! Maybe it was the same issue with HAL6128 und Takis SD card problem.
I will modify the partition management in the way, that partition 1 is always the first partition, no matter if the medium has an MBR or not. In this case there is no need anymore to have different INI files for Sd cards with and without an MBR.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 12:06, 16 November 16
Interesting. I assumed that symbos.ini is the right one that is customized for the M4 (FAT32 SD with MBR). With the wrong harddrive configuration initialized (X-Mass config for exampel without a MBR) things will obviously go wrong.
Thanks for helping. :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: protek on 13:26, 16 November 16
Hmm, should give this version and the latest AcmeDos a try to see if I can get the X-Mass finally working.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: remax on 14:28, 16 November 16
If only someone could write a SymbOS HXC configurator it would be wonderful !
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 02:40, 29 November 16
Have you ever seen CPC Starkos sound modules played on an Enterprise 64/128 computer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbEzlhNLshc

Geco from the Enterprise scene is currently updating SymAmp for playing Soundtrakker 128, Starkos and PT3 modules on this cool Z80 machine.
The Enterprise doesn't have an AY-3-8912 (PSG) like the CPC or MSX but a chip called "Dave" which is responsible for the sound as well, but not compatible to the AY. So it's quite impressive that it's still possible to emulate the PSG on this machine in a good way.
Btw Geco is the one who coded the software Amstrad CPC emulator for the Enterprise (+ ZX Spectrum emulator for the EP, ZX81 emulator for the EP, VIC-20 emulator for the EP, ... :D )
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: TotO on 11:30, 29 November 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 02:40, 29 November 16
Have you ever seen CPC Starkos sound modules played on an Enterprise 64/128 computer?

Why not using the GA interrupt to rasterise the SymbOS CPC taskbar?  :-\
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 14:03, 29 November 16
Not a bad idea, but there are some issues.
The last GA interrupts occurs about 9,5 pixellines before the end of the 320x200 screen. The taskbar has a height of 14 pixels, so I would have to move the whole screen downwards and waste some time when waiting for the correct line.
Another problem of course are locked interrupts during mass storage access (FDC and M4 SD card).
It's not impossible, but would require some work.

The video chip of the Enterprise ("Nick") is using a table in memory, where you can set screen resolution and the first 8 colours for each single pixel line. That made it so easy to have a taskbar with its own 4 colours.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: TotO on 15:06, 29 November 16
Yes, it's true. That will require more work than result.  ;D
May be that should be more easy for PlayCity users...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: PulkoMandy on 15:23, 29 November 16
... or Albireo with the CURSOR interrupt. Or Amstrad Plus. But I see it as a waste of precious CPU time :)
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: TotO on 15:48, 29 November 16
Quote from: PulkoMandy on 15:23, 29 November 16... or Albireo with the CURSOR interrupt.
Sure, may be using CURSOR too. But, this signal is fine for a hardware pointer.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 10:59, 30 November 16
Very cool to see it on the Enterprise machine like this!
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 16:55, 21 December 16
Hi @Prodatron (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=13)

I've problems with 2 CPC's with a M4 and the last version of symirc (1.23112016).

All goes well, but when the screensaver comes, the CPC freezes, it happened with 2 different CPC and 2 different m4 boards (they were on the same irc channel, both m4 online at the same time.

regards!

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 17:24, 21 December 16
Hi Joseman,


will try to reproduce it this evening. Does it happen immediately when the screensaver is starting or just after a while?

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 17:27, 21 December 16
Quote from: Prodatron on 17:24, 21 December 16
Hi Joseman,


will try to reproduce it this evening. Does it happen immediately when the screensaver is starting or just after a while?

to be honest i don't know, i leaved the room and when i came it was freezed, but i think that is inmediately or 1-5 minutes...

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 18:07, 21 December 16
The same to mine. I realized this behavior only when SymIrc is connected.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 19:48, 21 December 16
I made some tests, and it seems, that it's the combination of the M4Board-based Network Daemon and the 3D Starfield Screen Saver.
It is crashing after a while after the screen saver has been started. This also happens within a Telnet session, so it's not syMIRC related.
The screen saver is using screen MODE 0, and the M4Board requires upper rom access (rom and screen mode switching use the same register), so maybe there is still a conflict sometimes, I will check this...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Rennert on 16:31, 31 December 16
Hi, I have tested the package on my M4 ;)
It works fine. But some questions: works real websites on Symzilla? No connections, but wget works fine.
I can't set date&time, test it with and wihout CPC RTC, time is only 00:00
How can i set the weather widget?

Thx and a happy New year
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: dimdim80 on 00:01, 07 February 17
Hello ,could someone pls tell where i can purchase this MX4 Board card and memory and symbos?
Thanks.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: genesis8 on 08:41, 07 February 17
Symbos is free, see the banner at Prodatron's signature 2 messages before yours for the link.


For the wifi card, just ask in PM to duke, which reminds me that I must reply to him about my order o.O
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: rpalmer on 11:34, 07 February 17
Quote from: dimdim80 on 00:01, 07 February 17
Hello ,could someone pls tell where i can purchase this MX4 Board card and memory and symbos?
Thanks.

Memory expansions are no longer available from Cent Pour Cent as TotO is no longer building them as far as I know.

Rpalmer
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 19:20, 11 March 17
Hi , I have recently buying an M4 Board  .. and i'm testing SymbOS ... but i'm only have a 128k RAM  on my CPC6128 , so i can't run Daemon Network & SymBOS IRC Client ... Memory Full ... is there any solution .. ? thx
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Skunkfish on 18:56, 12 March 17
Some advice from the SymbOS site:

QuotePlease note, that on a 128K system there is only about 33KB (CPC)/44KB (MSX) memory available for applications, as the operating system already requires about 79K (+16K video ram). 33KB/44KB is enough to run most existing application, but you will need to deactivate the desktop background graphic, the screen saver and the SymbOS extensions, as these require additional memory and would shrink the free memory down a lot.[/size][/font][/size]
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 20:41, 12 March 17
Quote from: Skunkfish on 18:56, 12 March 17
Some advice from the SymbOS site:


Ok , thx , Desktop background is off , SymbOS extensions too , i think that screen saver is ON .. i will try to deactivate this

EDIT: not works .. i need more RAM .. :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh:
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Takis Kalatzis on 09:45, 13 March 17
Hello,


From previous communications I had with Prodatron (I too have an 6128 with M4 board), the feedback was that there is no way to run the Network Daemon and IRC client without a memory expansion. I guess 128K are not enough for this, whatever backgrounds/screensavers you may deactivate.


Best regards,


Takis
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 11:00, 13 March 17
Quote from: Takis Kalatzis on 09:45, 13 March 17
Hello,


From previous communications I had with Prodatron (I too have an 6128 with M4 board), the feedback was that there is no way to run the Network Daemon and IRC client without a memory expansion. I guess 128K are not enough for this, whatever backgrounds/screensavers you may deactivate.


Best regards,


Takis

That's true ... and in this moment .. it's nos possible to buy Memory Upgrade for Amstrad ,, because http://www.centpourcent.net/ it's closed  :picard:
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: KaosOverride on 14:04, 13 March 17
@Prodatron (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=13),  looks like with all this expansions supporting almost romboard emulation if may be possible that SymbOS code could be run directly from ROM slots to free 16 or 32kb.  I know that this could mean rearrange lot of code,  but whe can gain precious free ram...
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 11:12, 22 March 17
Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 19:20, 11 March 17
Hi , I have recently buying an M4 Board  .. and i'm testing SymbOS ... but i'm only have a 128k RAM  on my CPC6128 , so i can't run Daemon Network & SymBOS IRC Client ... Memory Full ... is there any solution .. ? thx

No i'm sorry. You need to have a memory expansion for symIRC. Other bennift of memory is that you can open multiple applications as well ;) I'm sure you will be happy then :D
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: number-one on 13:03, 29 April 17
Quote from: Joseman on 16:55, 21 December 16
I've problems with 2 CPC's with a M4 and the last version of symirc (1.23112016).

Hello, where have you downloaded this version of symirc ?

I have SYMBOS 3.0 CPC - RC1 16/11/14 and symirc V1.0
I have CPC 6128 with the M4 (M4FIRM_v203b2) and  X-Mem Boards (READ ROM jumper NO position).

Where I can find the last symbos user manual ?

How can I format a floppy disk ?

The wget command crash symbos.

Symzilla cant't find the server at http://www.symbos.de (http://www.symbos.de).
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Edoz(MSX) on 09:02, 01 May 17
Quote from: number-one on 13:03, 29 April 17
Hello, where have you downloaded this version of symirc ?

I have SYMBOS 3.0 CPC - RC1 16/11/14 and symirc V1.0
I have CPC 6128 with the M4 (M4FIRM_v203b2) and  X-Mem Boards (READ ROM jumper NO position).

Where I can find the last symbos user manual ?

How can I format a floppy disk ?

The wget command crash symbos.

Symzilla cant't find the server at http://www.symbos.de (http://www.symbos.de).


Hi Number one:
Documentation can be found here:

http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/msxorg/SymbOS%203%20install%20user%20and%20install%20guide.pdf (http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/msxorg/SymbOS%203%20install%20user%20and%20install%20guide.pdf)

About the crash, are you sure the M4 has the last firmware installed? In previous versions it has this problem. Probably if you update to the last release of the M4 it will solve the issue.
Symzilla is still a beta version, which only allow DOX browsing. But you cannot use it online at the moment. (This is something which needs to be created first)
Formating a disk is not supported by SymbOS. Use windows, or CPC AmsDos util for this.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Joseman on 22:17, 01 May 17
Quote from: number-one on 13:03, 29 April 17
Hello, where have you downloaded this version of symirc ?

I have SYMBOS 3.0 CPC - RC1 16/11/14 and symirc V1.0
I have CPC 6128 with the M4 (M4FIRM_v203b2) and  X-Mem Boards (READ ROM jumper NO position).

Where I can find the last symbos user manual ?

How can I format a floppy disk ?

The wget command crash symbos.

Symzilla cant't find the server at http://www.symbos.de (http://www.symbos.de).

Hi, the last version of symirc is on this site:

http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/appstore/

Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: rpalmer on 00:01, 02 May 17
Quote from: number-one on 13:03, 29 April 17Symzilla cant't find the server at http://www.symbos.de

As far as i can tell, the reason symzilla cannot access web sites is that there is no 'web server' in symbos. No web server support means symzilla is left only accessing local files.

While symzilla is capable of displaying DOX files, there is only a small amount of support for this format. The overwhelming support is HTML along with Java, Javascript, silverlight, swift and so on. To handle HTML is very taxing on memory resources and would be slow at best (I should know as i created a HTML processor for the CPC and it requires alot of memory of the order of 256 - 512 K bytes and this is for a standalone program).

rpalmer
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: msmthng on 20:09, 02 October 17
Hi, is it possible to use the same HD for BDOS and SymbOS?
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: HAL6128 on 20:41, 02 October 17
No, but there's a BDOS version (1.69 I think) with different system drivers, where you can use two drives (master/slave mode). If I remember right then BDOS should be on the master and SymbOS on the slave or vice versa, not sure, never tried it.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: Prodatron on 21:09, 02 October 17
Bdos is using an own proprietary filesystem, which isnt compatible with any usual FS. Iirc the version which supported two partitions based on an mbr allowed the first partition to be fat16/32 and the second for bdos.
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: number-one on 14:25, 09 December 17

Hello, I have a machine running Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa on my local network.
I have setup telnet server successfully  with this tuto (http://pangate.com/827).


With putty telnet client on Windows I can remote access to Linux.


But with telnet on symshell I have these strange characters.
(see the pictures attached)

My goal displaying cryptocurrencies prices on my CPC with coinmon (https://github.com/bichenkk/coinmon).
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 08:54, 03 February 18
(https://scontent.fmad3-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27336231_2031299447141924_2985145766417231696_n.jpg?oh=1e0422db9cbf4a7aa721d57e5e044243&oe=5B249932)
(https://scontent.fmad3-4.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27073327_2031299487141920_3947845908218302456_n.jpg?oh=e277a5a192c9aa20aa190e9a790eccbf&oe=5ADC20E3)

a guy post this cover on facebook group ... soon for download , he said
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: villain on 10:21, 03 February 18
Looks like the PCW is missing in the description...  :o
Title: Re: SymbOS CPC updates and infos
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 19:36, 09 December 18
Hi @Prodatron ,  (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/profile/?u=13)Do you plan to add support for more than 512 kb of ram for Symbos? , Thank you  8)
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