News:

Printed Amstrad Addict magazine announced, check it out here!

Main Menu
avatar_Duke

Amstrad CPC WiFi

Started by Duke, 07:36, 07 May 16

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 7 Guests are viewing this topic.

Prodatron

#2775
Quote from: GUNHED on 13:18, 03 November 22BTW: Prodatrons routines work with LBA sectors as he told me on XzentriX meeting. That's different vom M4 functions like  C_SIZE.
Erm, today everything works with LBA sectors. SymbOS just doesn't use the highlevel filesystem routines of the M4 board, as it is accessing sectors directly (thanks again to Duke for making this possible!) - FAT12/16/32 has been implemented directly in Z80 in SymbOS back in 2004.

As Amsdos doesn't support binaries with >64K and random access for big ("ascii" :) ) files I guess the compatibility of the M4 board is already given. If you need more, you can use C_Size like it is etc.?
I still wonder if there is a new standard for handling big files and random file access (seek, random read/write) e.g. in new Amsdos compatible systems like UniDos etc?

GRAPHICAL Z80 MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

GUNHED

#2776
Here is an example how it does look like: Please look at file "Prowort.4OS"
One picture is from PC and the other one like it's shown on CPC screen.

The same file is shown as 32 KB under M4 DOS, but as 96 KB on PC.

Also the same file is 96 KB on every physical CPC disc.

Therefore it would be great to enhance M4 DOS in a way to be compatible with Amsdos or other DOS for floppies (they all show 96 KB in the directory).

http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Duke

@GUNHED I havent had time to check up on it, but C_FSIZE, *should* report the correct filesize, it does not look in any header, unless you are inside a .DSK image. Can you confirm the file is in the FAT32 filesystem and not inside a .DSK image?

I will setup a test when I find some time.

GUNHED

Quote from: Duke on 14:09, 04 November 22@GUNHED I havent had time to check up on it, but C_FSIZE, *should* report the correct filesize, it does not look in any header, unless you are inside a .DSK image. Can you confirm the file is in the FAT32 filesystem and not inside a .DSK image?

I will setup a test when I find some time.
Yes, of course, it's a single file. Please have a look when you have time.
It would be awesome.  :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

For testing please use the file I posted in the ZIP before.  :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Prodatron

Works great here with my M4Board. ProWort.4OS is displayed with 96K.


  You cannot view this attachment. 

The M4 board even displayes very large files (with "M" instead of "K") correctly.

GRAPHICAL Z80 MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

GUNHED

#2780
Very strange!
Well, I assume you removed the file header in your case, so the size is shown correctly.
Can you check if a file-header is there? I guess not, so that's not the problem we're talking.
btw: Which firmware do you use?
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Prodatron

#2781
Of course I didn't modify the file, why should I? It's just the one you posted here, copied directly on the SD card.
For sure the M4Board doesn't examine any file headers when displaying the directory. That wouldn't make any sense, and the FAT filesystem is storing the exact filelength in bytes, it doesn't have these limitations of old CP/M based filesystems, in FAT there is no need for a header to have this information.
The firmware should be from around 2017.
The first 128bytes start with 0,"Prowort 4OS" and end with "TFM", so I guess that is the fileheader.

GRAPHICAL Z80 MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

GUNHED

Hi there,
Well, over the weekend I did some testing and that's what I found out...
Having the same 96 KB file on SD card in root directory and in sub-directories seems to be different. The 96 KB file is shown with 96 KB in sub-directories (also C_FSIZE provides &018000 as result - all correct). In the root directory it was different.
After reformatting the SD card I wasn't able to reproduce the size difference. So I will make more tests to confirm this finding. 
Good thing: Now it all seem to work as it should. I will keep you updated about any new results. 
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Prodatron

In the root directory the same file is displayed with 96K as well.
I guess you broke something on your side, when copying the file on the SD card?You cannot view this attachment.

GRAPHICAL Z80 MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

GUNHED

All possible, need to do more testing.
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

erebos007

Hello !  :D

PM sent @Duke for 1 board when/if available

JayBlood

Hi Duke. Cpc Wifi receveid today. Thanks a lot!!! :) :) :)
Jay

zhulien

#2787
Quote from: Prodatron on 23:54, 03 November 22
Quote from: GUNHED on 13:18, 03 November 22BTW: Prodatrons routines work with LBA sectors as he told me on XzentriX meeting. That's different vom M4 functions like  C_SIZE.
Erm, today everything works with LBA sectors. SymbOS just doesn't use the highlevel filesystem routines of the M4 board, as it is accessing sectors directly (thanks again to Duke for making this possible!) - FAT12/16/32 has been implemented directly in Z80 in SymbOS back in 2004.

As Amsdos doesn't support binaries with >64K and random access for big ("ascii" :) ) files I guess the compatibility of the M4 board is already given. If you need more, you can use C_Size like it is etc.?
I still wonder if there is a new standard for handling big files and random file access (seek, random read/write) e.g. in new Amsdos compatible systems like UniDos etc?
If that is the case, how does Random Access Database work? Unfortuntaely I missed out on the one that sold on ebay - if anyone has it, it would be nice to get a dump of it.

"written in BASIC, and claims to have Random Access facilities, which is able to access, in theory:- 9 Mbytes (nine million bytes) of storage memory! Or to those who think of k rams; 9 Mbytes equals approximately 8800k of disc storage"
https://cpcrulez.fr/applications_bureau-random_accesss_database.htm

Prodatron

CP/M is able to do random file access.
Amsdos not at all. Until you try to introduce some hacks.

GRAPHICAL Z80 MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

GUNHED

Just some information for you:

The function C_WRITE2 (&431B) does take up blocks of up to 2 KB (not up to 64 KB as I thought from previous information).

If you write more than 2 KB using  C_WRITE2 the M4 expansion will crash and you need to do a reset of the M4 with its reset button.

This may only be of interest to programmers, but I thought I tell it here.  :)
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

zhulien

Quote from: Prodatron on 22:04, 01 February 23CP/M is able to do random file access.
Amsdos not at all. Until you try to introduce some hacks.
Random Access Database is an AMSDOS BASIC program with some machine code subroutines, not sure what they did as I haven't been able to get a copy.  I did come across it many years ago and missed out on the ebay auction so it definitely exists.

asertus


Prodatron

Quote from: zhulien on 09:17, 07 February 23
Quote from: Prodatron on 22:04, 01 February 23CP/M is able to do random file access.
Amsdos not at all. Until you try to introduce some hacks.
Random Access Database is an AMSDOS BASIC program with some machine code subroutines, not sure what they did as I haven't been able to get a copy.  I did come across it many years ago and missed out on the ebay auction so it definitely exists.
No idea how they did this. Maybe with direct sector read/write?
I remeber that there were some programs which used an ASCII file and read the original and wrote a copy of the complete file on the fly to insert/delete parts, which was horrible slow...
Random file access means, that you can open a file, move the file pointer to any position inside the file, and then read or write any amount of data to/from the file.
Amsdos only has sequential read/write for Ascii files or "in one piece" read/write for binary files.
CP/M was able to do random file access in 128byte records, or even in other portions since 3.x.

GRAPHICAL Z80 MULTITASKING OPERATING SYSTEM

Iridium+

Quote from: erebos007 on 16:06, 01 January 23Hello !  :D

PM sent @Duke for 1 board when/if available

Me too! 👍

waltermixxx

I got my order in last night for an M4 board with Edge connector, and one of those adapter boards with and IDC on top and a pass through edge connector for the M4 wifi board. :)  Hoping to plug in some kind of ram expansion on the IDC connector. :)   Looking forward to receiving my M4 and adapter board. :) 

Amstrad CPC 464 + M4 :)

zhulien

#2795
Quote from: asertus on 13:23, 07 February 23Do you mean this one? I had in my AMSOFT, Indescomp welcome disc, with my 6128.

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=6355

https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=6356

Nope, this one.  Perhaps they wrote their own low level random access RSXs or calls - https://cpcrulez.fr/applications_bureau-random_accesss_database.htm

I'll open a new thread so we don't keep spamming this one - in applications.

GUNHED

Guys, maybe it's time to get the 'Random access' post out and make an own topic out of it. There it can be discussed which OS do support it. Or which software and so on...

Here it would be nice to focus on the M4 card.  ;)
http://futureos.de --> Get the revolutionary FutureOS (Update: 2023.11.30)
http://futureos.cpc-live.com/files/LambdaSpeak_RSX_by_TFM.zip --> Get the RSX-ROM for LambdaSpeak :-) (Updated: 2021.12.26)

Apollo

@Duke Got my M4 yesterday, pure beauty! 8) Looking forward to my vacation to "play" with it. ;D
CPC - My beloved first computer!

waltermixxx

Just a quick question,  is it possible to create a blank.dsk image put it on the sd card, and mount that disk image, then from basic 1.1 write and save basic programs to that mounted disk image, as if it were a floppy...   please let me know.   I have not received my M4 yet, so just wondering.
Amstrad CPC 464 + M4 :)

waltermixxx

I've been making my way through the  112 pages, and found this inquiry on page 73 about saving to a mounted .dsk image file.  It seems as of  M4FIRM_v204b6.zip this was not possible.   I will keep reading incase I find the answer.   Hoping it's possible as of the latest firmware, but certainly not the end of the world as I belive you can save your basic programs right onto the sd card. :)   I shall keep reading.  It's been great reading through, kills the time until my M4 arrives. :)  

Cheers. :)
Amstrad CPC 464 + M4 :)

Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod