MVladimir

Please post this edited STL.

This article is interesting from the side of historical moments and events. And if somebody know all story of Best & Bradley history - don't read from this source... First I found this article in Russian translation, and then I found the original, I don’t know what Vice is as an information resource and what is its reputation, I just read an interesting topic for me and shared a link...

https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kvkx9/dont-piss-off-bradley-the-parts-seller-keeping-atari-machines-alive Some semi-long read regarding Best & Bradley....

It seems that in OS 6 the "reverse" OPTION key is in $04B7 - $F0 (hopefully it can be changed to $D0), which roughly corresponds to the similar code in this area in OS 3 and OS 4. Slightly shifted indeed. Thanks for the tip. I'll check tomorrow. I tested this patch, it works!!! The original OS 6 has CRC32: 527A9C88. OS 6 with patch for "reverse" OPTION key has CRC32: 4F50E675 Only the first checksum is changed since we are changing $04B7 in the first part of ROM ($F0 -> $D0) Checksums updated with Hias patchrom utility.

It seems that in OS 6 the "reverse" OPTION key is in $04B7 - $F0 (hopefully it can be changed to $D0), which roughly corresponds to the similar code in this area in OS 3 and OS 4. Slightly shifted indeed. Thanks for the tip. I'll check tomorrow.

In current OS (R3 or R4 - original) $049F can be changed from F0 to D0 to have "reversed" OPTION key (not pressed) to boot in DOS from disk (or SelfTest w/o DOS)

Already in discussion:

Thanks for this release. Can you tell me where and what to change the value for the "reverse" OPTION key? (Hope the values is the same as early, need an address in ROM code where to change) Then I renew checksum using Hias utility. I want to have this patch. You can reply in PM if you don't want distribute this trick.

The two versions are not quite a correct understanding of my question. There is only one version, but let's just say - if what is now enough - we use beta3, if more is needed - the next versions. That is, having slightly supplemented beta3 with previously excluded and corrected test options, to say that it is an edited stable system and can be used as a replacement for the original version 3. That's what I meant by compatibility with the system I currently have on my computers. I do not have extensions and high-speed devices, but sometimes crashes due to errors of the original system are annoying. Please try to make beta 3.1 - it will be the same as the original one with a rewritten Self Test page and additions. And this will be a certain completed stage in the work. Sorry for some persistence......

Let's think about compatibility. Not everyone has high-speed devices and memory expansions. But OS bug fixes, Option key reversal, keyboard shortcuts added, a simple speed patch, a fixed math package that works with BASIC and TurboBasic are likely to be needed by many owners of standard, unmodified computers. I think that we need to have two OS modification branches. One can stop at the current version and define it as "for standard computers". It probably needs to be improved a little, to return the memory check up to 128K to the test part, and probably something else. The other can be further developed with attention to high-speed devices, memory expansions and other modifications. Unfortunately, I am not a programmer, I can only state my vision of problems in words.

Thank you, Brian! Nice to read so qualified answers. This project is great, waiting for stable release.

Thank you for reply, I understand reasons. SIO path is implemented? I don't find it in notes for sources. You write only that Shift-Control-Delete cold starts the computer. If path is in OS so I want to know: All of this keystrokes are implemented? Or only one for coldstart? How to boot without highspeed?

Visually looks better! Time to time Break key don't interrupt tests. Don't know why, but sometime.... On keyboard test this key work well. And - when we're on a keyboard test, we can forget where we are (the memory test has a visible ending, so does the sound). There is no indication that our computer is still alive or already die when we don't press any keys. In the original OS, we have all the tests running continuously in a circle, and this shows us that the computer is working. Maybe it possible put somewhere a flashed point which show us the computer state? For example a dot, right of color system indicator, under same place where BASIC version?

It seems to me that in the first post of this thread there are hints of a possible solution/way, if it is feasible in the new BIOS. First check first part of memory, if OK copy there test code for rest of memory and test it for serviceability and performance. And I'm only talking about standard 64K or 128K memory, without any extensions. On unmodified machines this should work without problems, but with extended memory it will show the health of the base memory. In notes to revision 5.99: This is permanent change or we can toggle left margin? I check on my unmodded 130XE - left margin is always 0 after boot.

Yes, sure! My apologies, typo....