X-MASS, a mass-storage expansion for all CPC.

[merlinkv]

XMASS.EXE fails to start ... all times I get the "File is not executable: The selected file is not executable in the SymbOS environment." message ....... 

Also I have found that the SymbOS only boots with FDD 40 tracks single side ..... ??

[Prodatron]

SymbOS supports...

1.) CP/M based file systems:
- CPC Data format
- CPC System format
- PCW format

2.) FAT file systems:
- FAT12 format (all single and double side variations)
- FAT16 format
- FAT32 format

Regarding XMASS.EXE it seems that the file is corrupted on your computer?

[merlinkv]

Thanks for the infor Prodatron, I will try again ....

Errrrr .... I can read PCW disks with the CPC ?

[Ast]

it's just a 32 bit value, nothing special (stored in little endian)

I'm all right with that but it don't represent the size of the file...

I had spoken a lot here so see what i started to code... What do you think of ?

[merlinkv]

My steps:

- SymbOS roms installed.
- Recorded SymbOS-CPC.dsk on standard 3" CPC disk with WriteDSK 1.1 (I have it in ROM). Before, I've just added the Xmass.exe, Appcmder.exe and Appshell.exe files to the dsk file.
- System OFF .... ON ... |SYM ... SymbOS starts without problems. 
- SymCommander opens and I tried to execute Xmass.exe ....  same error as before.

Size of the Xmass.exe file is 3K (3072 bytes) downloaded from here .... is correct?

[Ast]

Yes, the size of "xmass.exe" is 3kb...

[merlinkv]

I don't know what is wrong ..... I think my steps are correct, right?

[Ast]

Follow this post : X-MASS, a mass-storage expansion for all CPC.

...

What i Do,

first copy all .rom on the X-Mem

-run"sym from disk
-Create a symbos repertory then copy from a: to c: all ".exe" files
-modify all parameters to make them run Under C: drive
-Save "symbos.ini in C drive on the root

As you probably guess C drive is X-Mass, of course.

reset then Go -> ùsym

[Prodatron]

@Ast, that's f*ing cool!!! 

[Prodatron]

- SymCommander opens and I tried to execute Xmass.exe ....  same error as before
Size of the Xmass.exe file is 3K (3072 bytes) downloaded from here .... is correct?

Ops, strange. I will upload it to another place soon....

[gerald]

I'm all right with that but it don't represent the size of the file...

According to microsoft, yes

Code Select Expand

DIR_FileSize | 28 | 32-bit quantity containing size in bytes of file/directory described by this entry.

What makes you think it's not ?

[Ast]

Take the size of a file before copying in the X-mass with symbOS. Then when copying these file, look at the size. You'll see a little difference between the same file, approximatively 128 bytes (more or less).

@Prodatron : Yes, it's good but the road is long to do Something better quickly usable.
I will be surprised to see that ACMEdos and SymbOS don't use the same Root, so it's impossible to see ACMEDOS directory from SymbOS and same thing from symbOS to ACMEdos...
But ACMEdos use Amsdos Compatibilty instead of SymbOS using FAT16 MS-DOS compatibility.
Two différents Tools in fact, but symbOS is more documented for the moment. So, guess which system i'll use ?

[merlinkv]

Just a little problem ...... I can't copy to C: because SymbOS don't recognize my DoM.

Previously my DoM was formatted with BonnyDOS, but I've deleted the BonnyDOS partition before trying to use with SymbOS ....

I'm going crazy .... maybe is better to wait to the ACMEDOS rom .....

[Ast]

Do you format your Dom in Fat 16
If not, wait for my next tool usable very very quickly !!! Then you can install SymbOS^^

[Prodatron]

Just a little problem ...... I can't copy to C: because SymbOS don't recognize my DoM.

Previously my DoM was formatted with BonnyDOS, but I've deleted the BonnyDOS partition before trying to use with SymbOS ....

I'm going crazy .... maybe is better to wait to the ACMEDOS rom .....

BonnyDOS is using an own filesystem which is proprietary and so not readable by any other system (like SymbOS). If you would be able to format the DoM again in FAT16 or FAT32 SymbOS would be able to handle it again. Strange, that the xmass.exe doesn't work, but I think it's just corrupt in your case.

[gerald]

Take the size of a file before copying in the X-mass with symbOS. Then when copying these file, look at the size. You'll see a little difference between the same file, approximatively 128 bytes (more or less).

128 byte less, or 128 less ?

[Prodatron]

@Prodatron : Yes, it's good but the road is long to do Something better quickly usable.
I will be surprised to see that ACMEdos and SymbOS don't use the same Root, so it's impossible to see ACMEDOS directory from SymbOS and same thing from symbOS to ACMEdos...
But ACMEdos use Amsdos Compatibilty instead of SymbOS using FAT16 MS-DOS compatibility.
Two différents Tools in fact, but symbOS is more documented for the moment. So, guess which system i'll use ?

AFAIK Acmedos supports FAT32 (and FAT16?) as well, so both SymbOS and Acmedos should be able to access the same directories and files on an IDE storage. I really wonder on what are you currently working!?

[merlinkv]

@Ast ... waiting for your tool mate ... Thanks

@Prodatron, yes my friend I know BonnyDOS uses a different filesystem, but I've deleted the partition. About Xmass.exe I've downloaded the file three or four times from this site. then I unzipped it with different tools (to test) and same results .... 3072 bytes and not working ....

[Ast]

128 byte less, or 128 less ?

Sometimes 70 bytes, sometimes 120, ... sometimes same size... Who knows why ? I've no idea about it....

Maybe it comes from the type (00,01,02... Basic, Bin, AscII, Protected or not...)

[Ast]

@Ast ... waiting for your tool mate ... Thanks

@Prodatron, yes my friend I know BonnyDOS uses a different filesystem, but I've deleted the partition. About Xmass.exe I've downloaded the file three or four times from this site. then I unzipped it with different tools (to test) and same results .... 3072 bytes and not working ....

I think bunnyDos formatted or corrupted (why not?) a cluster, so your copy of xmass.exe is corrupted too...

[gerald]

Sometimes 70 bytes, sometimes 120, ... sometimes same size... Who knows why ? I've no idea about it....

Maybe it comes from the type (00,01,02... Basic, Bin, AscII, Protected or not...)

This has to be checked with @Prodatron
It's Symbos that wrote the file to the disk.
And DIR_FileSize is the file size in byte, whatever you think 

[Ast]

So Prodatron, we are waiting for your answer about this point...

[merlinkv]

If I use BonnyDOS everything is working fine: dirs, files, copy, delete .... but, as I said, I've deleted the BonnyDOS partition, then I started SymbOS and xmass.exe from the 3" FDD (not from one BonnyDOS partition) ....

My 3" unit runs all games & tools ... the only file I can't run is xmass.exe (under SymbOS, of course).

[Prodatron]

The current version of XMASS.EXE is 2488 bytes, and at least it runs well in the Emulator. I attached it again.
Hope we can fix this issue!

[robcfg]

How did you copy xmass.exe into the 3" disk?


I'd try using a tool on PC to create a disk image, insert xmass.exe and then writing it to a physical disk. I think your problem can be due to the amsdos header.


Maybe @Prodatron can answer whether this could be a problem or not.