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I'm pleased to announce the release of the version 4.0 firmware update for U1MB, Incognito, SIDE2, SIDE3, 1088XEL, and 1088XLD. The update includes a redesigned SIDE loader, and completely redesigned BIOS plugins with support for SIDE3, Sophia 2, and PokeyMAX. Also newly introduced is support for an NTSC colour palette in VBXE (loaded transparently when the machine is turned on). User documentation has also been comprehensively updated, with sections covering the new SIDE3 loader and Incognito. Most excitingly, Incognito is now capable of supporting firmware plugins, subject to release of a CPLD JED update which I have been testing for Candle. The SIDE3 loader is now capable of native PDM (FujiConvert) playback as well (see the manual for discussion of all new features). https://atari8.co.uk/ultimate-1mb-firmware-update-4-0-released/ Since I spent the entirety of Saturday preparing and uploading all this stuff (after spending the previous day moving my website and work emails), I'll forego further disucssion for the moment, and hopefully answer any questions as we go on. I will probably make a video showing a topical overview of what's been released as well. All ROMs inlclude the newly released SpartaDOS X 4.49e; I thought we might as well get in sync with the SIDE3 ROM, which uses this version by default. Meanwhile, SpartaDOS 3.x, Bewe-DOS and RealDOS users can find RTC drivers for U1MB and SIDE3 on the APT toolkit disk. I would not be surprised if I screwed something up while preparing the files here, so if anything looks anomalous, please let me know. Likewise, please use this thread to discuss any installation or usability issues. The menus in the setup menu and loader are quite different now (many controls are 'modal' to facilitate interactive facilities via callbacks), but this actually makes things like setting the clock quite a bit easier. Feedback from testers of pre-release versions (indeed, some variation of this firmware has found its way onto all U1MB and Incognito machines which have been through my hands these past few months) has been positive, so hopefully the only work that remains to do will involve minor bug fixes. Meanwhile, now that this update is released, I hope to focus on ambitious new features in the SIDE3 loader, such as FAT write capability, more media playback support, and auto-mounting media. Update (060621) Thanks to Doug_in_NC on Discord for immediately spotting that I'd broken joystick trigger handling in main BIOS 4.02 for U1MB and Incognito. Fixed in 4.03, so please head over to the firmware section and update (U1MB/1088 users may update the 'FIRMWARE.ROM' file, and Incognito users need flash only 'IBIOS.ROM'). Blog post: https://atari8.co.uk/u1mb-and-incognito-firmware-4-0-bug-fix/ The 'complete' ROM images also have the update (disregard file creation date). SIDE3 Loader Update (230621) For those who already updated their SIDE3 loader or are yet to do so, please be sure to download version 0.40, which fixes MegaCart, Sic! and AtariMax 1Mbit/8Mbit emulation bugs. https://atari8.co.uk/firmware/side3/ Update (070721) Blog post: https://atari8.co.uk/u1mb-incognito-1088xel-and-1088xld-firmware-update/
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Following several months of development and testing and one year after the prior update (version 2), I'm pleased to announce the release of version 3.00 of the 'alt' firmware for the Ultimate 1MB, Incognito, 1088XEL/XLD, and SIDE/SIDE2. Please head over to the firmware page of my website to download the updates: https://atari8.co.uk/firmware/ New features: Number of BIOS configuration profiles increased from three to four Massively faster and more powerful loader search facility Loader’s built-in FAT DOS now supports subdirectories Loader now remembers the last accessed FAT folder Loader scripts may include paths Loader can now open the location of any already mounted image Usability improvements to the loader and BIOS setup menu Optional synthetic ‘IO sound’ with ATRs and hard disk partitions Improved loader compatibility Auto-booting banked cartridge conversions on SIDE/SIDE2 All hardware-specific HDD functionality moved to plugins Several important bug fixes This thread will cover any installation and usability issues, and discussion of any further updates and fixes. Documentation has also been heavily revised, and we have the exciting prospect of ebiguy's excellent OSS language cart conversions for SIDE/SIDE2. I will be making some quick-start videos when I get time; for now the task of simply getting everything prepared and uploaded was daunting enough. Thanks to the volunteers who tested the beta and release candidate versions, and I hope everyone enjoys the end result.
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I'm pleased to (finally) announce the release of version 4.2 of my firmware for Incognito, Ultimate 1MB, SIDE, SIDE2, 1088XEL and 1088XLD. https://atari8.co.uk/firmware/ There's also an updated SIDE3 loader, as well as the updated SIDE Loader packaged for AVG's SIDE emulation mode. Not a great deal has been added in terms of functionality, but everything has been updated to match the general look and feel of the new SIDE3 loader. I have fixed the Sophia 2 plugin (users reported lengthy black-screen pauses, and this was caused by a very nasty bug), and the U1MB BIOS now reports the hardware JED version correctly. Needless to say, we should use this thread to discuss any issues or suggestions.
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I made an interesting discovery today with my SIDE2 Cartridge. First some basics - I own a 600XL in stock configuration, with 1064 expansion, a 800XL in stock configuration and my "daily driver", a 130XE that I freshly extended with a U1M from Lotharek this week and that has a built-in a SIO2SD that I added a long time ago. I also own a SIDE2 cartridge since 2015, but the SIO2SD i built into the 130XE was always "good enough" and familiar, so I never used the SIDE2 much. Yesterday I decided to give the SIDE2 a go together with the U1M and updated it's really ancient firmware with the most recent one from FJC. Had a few issues with that because UFLASH didn't like the Cart at first, but the alternative way with SIDE2.COM worked fine and after the update UFLASH also started to work. Flashed the SIDE2OSS ROM. So far everything works great on the 130XE with U1M. Today I wondered what happens if I use the SIDE2 with the other machines and discovered an interesting difference between the 800XL and the 600XL with 1064. As I had not used both machines for a longer period of time this was intended to also test the machines to make sure they still work fine - I loaded the CF Card with games and digged the machines out of storage. I am aware that the 64K of a stock machine is only enough for basics, so I didn't expect too much. I first tested the 600XL and everything worked surprisingly well - I could run games using the SIDE Loader. I tried SpartaDOS X - everything was accessible and I could even run SIDECFG and switch the ROMs: Tried UFLASH and got a "179 Memory conflict", but that was expected. If I remove the 1064, the SIDE2 is not able to run at all. So far, so good. The 600XL seems to work fine. Then I tried the 800XL and to my surprise it behaved differently - the SIDE Loader was not able to detect the CF card properly: I then switched to SpartaDOS X - after turning on the machine, drivers were loaded, but no partitions visible or accessible: If I reset the machine with the reset button, I can access the CF card and the partitions on it: But trying to run SIDECFG gives me a "179 Memory Conflict" here. I first thought that the machine might have hardware problems, but it works fine otherwise - the builtin memory test is fine and I was able to run several games from an external SIO2SD without problems. So the hardware of the 800XL also seems to work fine to me. But now I'm lacking an explanation, why the machines behave differently. The only idea I got after a lot of googling: Does anybody know if the SIDE2 is able to use the 16KB RAM of the 600XL that the 1064 disables by default? From my understanding it should be the only difference between the two machines and 16k more memory might really be the big difference here. Otherwise I am lost what the problem of the 800XL is, that the SIDE2 behaves so different with the same amount of memory while everything else seems to work. Would appreciate any help in getting this sorted out. The 600XL and the 800XL were my first two computers, so I want to keep them in stock configuration and working as good as possible.
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I have a new Side2 cart and would like to run Atariwriter Plus from a partition on the cart. I am unfamiliar with Spartados. I have tried starting with the X command, but it hangs. I assume there is a memory problem, and that there is some configuration that needs to be done to get this to run. The computer is a stock 130XE. I have three partitions on the cart/compact flash, and the first is set as bootable.
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I am pleased to announce the release of version 3.10 of the Ultimate 1MB, Incognito and SIDE firmware, incorporating the recently released SpartaDOS X 4.49, and version 4.0 of the SDX 'soft-driver' for SIDE, MYIDE, and Colleen. Updated APT tools and user documentation are also provided. What's New As well as several minor bug fixes, this release brings with it numerous performance, stability and usability improvements. Some highlights: Loader's recursive search speed improved by 25 per cent. Optional keyboard/joystick acceleration feature in loader speeds up navigation of long directories Long filename extensions now remain on-screen even while filename is scrolling left to right Card hot-swap reliability improved Card compatibilty improved ATR swap button now works in loader Loader issue with SD/CF adapters fixed Stereo POKEY detection now compatible with SimpleStereo v3 ATR swap button can now be disabled on the Incognito Better boot drive handling (fixes issues with some boot loaders run from FAT-hosted ATRs) Improved DCB error checking in PBI BIOS and support for immediate-mode IO XF551 high-speed SIO bug fixed Regression regarding CONFIG.SYS boot drive setting fixed FDISK large volume/disk bug fixed Please see the changelogs for the main BIOS, PBI BIOS and SIDE Loader for a complete list of changes. To download the updates, please visit the atari8 firmware page. SDX 4.49 Thanks to DLT, we have the welcome release of SpartaDOS X 4.49. Unfortunately the ROMs hosted on the official SDX site were put together before I released the updated APT tools and SDX soft-drivers. As ever, however, SDX ROMs for all platforms are included in the new firmware release, with the extra tools I like to provide (notably the LSDEV and LSDSK utilities on the CAR: volume). Note the plethora of ATR disk images I provided in prior updates has been done away with; all ROMs for U1MB and Incognito are included on the corresponding 'FIRMWARE.ATR' disk image. This makes the preparation of subsequent updates a little less labour intensive. Please look at the updated README files in the ZIP archives for complete descriptions of the archive contents. I hope you enjoy the updated firmware and tools, and as always I welcome feedback including bug reports and feature suggestions (although we are rapidly reaching the end of the road when it comes to available code space on the existing hardware). Donations are likewise welcomed and appreciated, although they are by no means obligatory. Special thanks to Lotharek at lotharek.pl for his continued provision of Candle O'Sin's fabulous U1MB, SIDE2 and Incognito devices, and for offering my firmware pre-installed at the point of sale. Please continue to support his invaluable efforts and accept no substitute. As usual, please use this thread to discuss any issues so I can address them as efficiently as possible. Since there is barely any code space left, the idea here is to have a milestone release with no known bugs. All issues known about since version 3.02 have been addressed, but since there have been a fair amount of changes and additions, there's always the possibility of another minor point release. We shall see.
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I bought an 800XL from ebay which was advertised as having a Sophia Rev C installed and a SIDE 2 cartridge. It turned out to also have an Ultimate 1MB board installed. Anyway, as a newbie to the Atari 8 bit world, I am struggling to work out how to get the SIDE 2 cartridge to behave. The Sophia board works like a charm, and the Ultimate 1MB appears to function, at least to some extent. It has SpartadosX 4.46 and Ultimate BIOS 1.02 from 2016 by FJC. I am stumbling over which settings I need to have on the U1MB and SIDE2 so I can FDISK a CF card. The system came with a Sandisk 8GB card that had been wiped, and as yet I am unable to run FDISK on it. When I try FDISK all I get is a "138 Device does not respond" . In case the card is the issue, I have another 8GB Sandisk on order, but it hasn't arrived yet. If I boot with the card in and switch down, then the LED on the SIDE 2 does not illuminate and the display is just a cursor square on the top left corner. If I boot without the card inserted. the LED illuminates and the bootup screen comes on, which suggests the CF card is at least part of the issue. What settings to I need set on U1MB and what else do I need to do to get this to work other than a new CF card? Current settings: Extended RAM: 1088KB RAMBO System: Stock XL BASIC Slot: BASIC XEGS slot : Grayed out and Disabled SpartaDOS X : Enabled Graphical OS : Grayed Out and Disabled Boot to loader : Disabled VBXE, Soundboard, Stereo Pokey : grayed out and disabled COVOX : Disabled PBI BIOS : Enabled PBI Device ID : 0 Hard Disk : Enabled ATR swap button : Enabled Boot Partition : D1 HDD Write Lock : Disabled Drive 1 swap : Disabled High-speed SIO : Disabled
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Hi, I'm very new in this Side2 + Ultimate 1MB world (literally, I just got it 2 days ago and installed it yesterday), so this may be a stupid question, but I cannot figure it out: My setup: 65XE (no ECI), Sophia rev.C, Rapidus, Ultimate 1MB, Side2 Configuration: Rapidus: 6502C Ultimate 1MB: 1088K, XL OS 1.3, SpartaDOS X disabled, Boot to Loader disabled, PBI BIOS disabled Side2: switch down, CF SanDisk Ultra 16 GB When I boot the computer, I get this screen: that seems to imply it is detecting some CF media. Because this is the first time using this CF, I ran FDISK, go to Initialize and I get: I After choosing that device, I get this screen: I enter some values in FAT and APT, it goes to a confirmation screen, press Save and get a message saying that the disk requires initialization. If I go to the Properties option, I get: Any ideas on what could be happening? Is the CF card not being recognized properly? Is there are a limit in the size of the CF, and 16GB is too big? The same CF, in Linux, works fine. In fact, I created a FAT32 partition, copied some ROMs and ATRs but, when I start the computer with the same configuration, but the SIDE2 switch in the up position, the Side Loader says "No media". Thanks for any tips and info! Andres. P.S.: I just tried the LSDEV command, and I get: Device: 2.0.1 Media: Controller: SIDE Driver v.4.0 Size: 0KB 512bps the LSDSK command says "No devices found"
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Hi All, A little background. I have a U1M, SIDE2 combo going in an 800XL. I recently assembled a TK-II Stereo board without the PS/2 keyboard interface. I don't know if I have found a bug in FJCs firmware for SIDE2 (ver3.02), or U1M (ver3.02), or both or not at all. with the TK-II stereo board. Or if it is an issue with the TK-II board, or my 800XL. Here is what I can duplicate. With the A4 line connected to the TK-II board, the computer will boot, other times it won't. I'll just get a black screen. I have the Stereo option enabled in U1M. If I disconnect the A4 line from the board and turn it on, it'll boot constantly. When I boot it up and then connect the A4 line while it's on (probably not safe) and select a game, like Yoomp!, it'll say stereo not detected. I press reset, and it'll then detect stereo. If I power cycle the computer, SIDE2 Loader comes back up and the keyboard will not respond. Pressing Help and Reset, and go into the U1M setup, keyboard will respond, and I disable stereo mode and save, the keyboard will work again.
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I have been looking for quite a while and I cannot find a manual for the Incognito's basic function. I'm interested in keyboard shortcuts and basic functional instructions as well as using the SIDE component of it. Is there a good page or PDF? I see many great resources for installation, but this unit was installed by someone else who at the time was experienced. Nowadays I'm sure I could do it myself if needed. And the board did work before, so I would assume it's functional. I've figured out a little from reading threads but here is what I came up against: Side loader ('L' from Incognito menu) just shows flashing characters on the left, whether I have a flash card installed or not. I tried switching to SpartaDOS and now the 'atr' key and reset only bring up SpartaDOS. It worked before. I can't get back to the Incognito menu. I was mainly hoping to use the SIDE function to play some games and update the firmware in the Incognito and SIDE as needed. I'd love to do more like try the new GUI, but first things first. I used the system a few years back but just pulled it out to mess with it again. I've been mainly using an XL with a Harmony cart.
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I'm pleased to announce the release of firmware version 3.02 for the Ultimate 1MB, Incognito, 1088XEL/XLD and SIDE/SIDE2. Since the update's primary purpose is to correct issues present in the version 3.00 and earlier released, it is highly recommended for all users. Please head over to the firmware page of my website to download the updates: https://atari8.co.uk/firmware/ New Features (over version 2.01) Include: Number of BIOS configuration profiles increased from three to four Massively faster and more powerful loader search facility Loader’s built-in FAT DOS now supports subdirectories Loader now remembers the last accessed FAT folder Loader scripts may include paths Loader can now open the location of any already mounted image Usability improvements to the loader and BIOS setup menu Optional synthetic ‘IO sound’ with ATRs and hard disk partitions Improved loader compatibility Auto-booting banked cartridge conversions on SIDE/SIDE2 Bug Fixes For users who previously updated to version 3.00 in July, the following fixes/changes have been implemented: Loader Fixed: Unnamed FAT entries missing from partition list Fixed: Selected entry not consistently tracked during search Fixed: SIDE2 displayed as 'SIDE1' in stand-alone loader's device menu Fixed: Logged directory cluster number corrupted after MAP file processing Changed: Boot drive override (to D1:) now issued on restart if a disk image exists on drive 1 (instead of immediately after mount operation) Changed: No boot drive override issued when 'Boot SpartaDOS X' is selected (allows easy booting from CONFIG.SYS drive after mounting ATRs) BIOS Changed: message and menu item wording Changed: progress bar code rewritten for brevity Added: L+RESET starts loader if SELECT+RESET coldstart hotkey is enabled PBI BIOS Fixed: SIO status command now reliably returns enhanced density bit in first byte (DVSTAT) for 130K ATRs Fixed: Dummy format command now returns error if enhanced density format attempted on single density (90K) ATR Changed: Boot drive override clears after first use Changed: SIO status command for device $20 now returns complement of controller error register in second byte (as per device $3x) Feedback If anyone notices any screw-ups, please let me know directly or via this thread. I sat on this update for several days purely because changing just one byte of code in the firmware necessitates the complete re-assembly of a many ROMs and ATR images, which is repetitive and even excruciating process, especially when one notices a bug while demoing the software on video. As usual: please use this thread to report your experiences, both positive and otherwise. Videos As mentioned above, I've made a couple of videos which attempt to demonstrate some of the more useful features of the SIDE Loader, both stand-alone and when used in conjunction with Ultimate 1MB. The same methodologies apply by and large to Incognito and the 1088XEL/XLD. I'll be making more of these videos, since there's still more to cover regarding advanced usage.
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I'm pleased to announce the release of the v.2.0 'alt' firmware for the Ultimate 1MB, Incognito, 1088XEL and SIDE/SIDE2. The update had been slated for release late in 2017, but the emergence of the 1088XEL and the requirement for custom U1MB firmware for the new motherboard heralded a prolonged period of firmware development and redesign for all supported devices. Since the 1088XEL's XEL-CF compact flash adapter can handle dual physical disks, I redesigned the U1MB PBI BIOS to accommodate primary and secondary devices, which in turn prompted significant alterations to the XEX loader. Many useful changes and augmentations were carried back to the 'standard' firmware builds (targeting the SIDE cartridge). Since releasing the 1088XEL U1MB firmware here a couple of weeks ago (which has been subject to a minor fix pertaining to DracOS compatibility since then), I realized that the SDX "soft drivers" (for SIDE, MYIDE, Colleen, etc, which hadn't been updated since 2014) could also benefit from some fixes and augmentations. Likewise the various APT tools (FDISK, ATRMNT, MOUNT, etc) on the 'toolkit' disk, many of which required amendments in order to work with the updated PBI BIOS. Then I remembered that the APT Toolkit manual and the APT API Programmer's documentation hadn't been updated in years either... It seemed imprudent to relase - say - the new SIDE/SIDE2 ROMs with old versions of the soft-drivers and outdated documentation, so the past couple of weeks have been spent on documentation and toolkit/driver updates. I finally started assembling the ROMs and ATRs a few days ago, and even this was a painstaking process. I closed my website down imagining that the site updates and media uploads would be completed within twenty-four hours... five days later, it was still closed. In any case, I completely underestimated the sheer volume of software, firmware and documentation, so I can only apologise to those who have recently been gently pestering me for the U1MB update via email. Many complain of poorly documented hardware and software products in the A8 community, so I hope the time I've spent on four fairly lengthy PDF manuals has not been wasted. Not everything is complete. The MYIDE SDX ROMs and drivers are not yet uploaded and many download sections have placeholders for the moment. But U1MB, Incognito, SIDE and 1088XEL owners may download the latest firmware and tools and consult freshly updated documentation: Download here: https://atari8.co.uk/firmware/ Installation instructions and readme files will be updated in due course. I reached the stage this evening where not uploading everything would delay release by another week or more. As usual, please use this thread to discuss any installation or usage issues. The updates to the SDX soft-drivers (SIDE.SYS, COLLEEN.SYS, etc) have not been subjected to testing by anyone but myself, so if any early adopters encounter problems, please let me know. Also released is the RAPIDISK driver (which allows faster HDD transfers at 20MHz) and Rapidus-specific BIOS plugins for U1MB (also on the 1088XEL). I hope to make some 'quick-start' videos and general guides over the coming days/weeks, but as usual it's all a question of available time.
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I get an error: 179 memory conflict when trying to execute Altirra Basic from one of Side2's APT partitions. Based on what I've found through searches, I suspect that it is a conflict with Side2 being present as a cartridge. So I tried entering "D3:X ALTIRRA" and I still get the same error (ALTIRRA.COM is present in the main directory of the C: drive D3). Anybody have a suggestion? Configuration... Stock 1200XL No U1 Meg New Side2 Cart with preformatted CF card from Lotharek Thanks, Michael
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so i got my SIDE2 from lotharek in the mail but i am unaware as to the appropriate size or type of CF or CF drive to use. I hear tell some persons are using dual cf adapters, microdrives, etc..etc.. Can someone inform me as to what to do? what to buy, limits and expectations? thank douglas
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Please find a major update to the APT soft-drivers, PBI BIOSes, and partitioning and hard disk management tools here: http://atari8.co.uk/apt/ All drivers are updated, with brand new tools provided on customised SDX 4.46 builds and an APT Toolkit ATR if you prefer to run them from disk or with another DOS. Existing tools like FDISK have been heavily revised, while most other tools are brand new. The tools are: FDISK MATR APTDISK APTDEV ATRMNT MOUNT CHECKAPT UFLASH General documentation is provided in PDFs, while detailed coverage is included in text files on the toolkit ATR, which also includes all the soft-drivers and both PBI ROMs. SDX soft-drivers (pre-installed on custom SDX ROMs) are provided for the following hardware: MyIDE / MyIDE+Flash MyIDE 2 SIDE SIDE2 Colleen Most important, perhaps, are the major updates to the Ultimate 1MB and Incognito PBI BIOSes. These updates provide very greatly improved compatibility with SpartaDOS 3.x, MyDOS, RealDOS, as well as many, many ATR-based game titles and demos. Non-standard ATRs are now supported, and a raft of efficiency and stability improvements have been made. Several bugs have been fixed, and useful new enhancements implemented. See the BIOS changelog for details. I won't say too much more, since it's getting late and preparing these updates has taken almost a month of intensive work. I must express my thanks to AA member ProWizard for inspiring the recent frenzy of development and assisting me so ably and generously via testing and bug reports. Thanks also to Candle for his work on the latest SIDE loader and his provision for UFLASH support direct from FAT32. If you find bugs, experience issues or just discover broken links, etc, please let me know and I'll fix anything as soon as possible. There is such a lot of material here that I could hardly expect perfection, but at least I guarantee any problems will now be easy to rectify and probably caused by my own stupidity or tiredness. Ultimate and Incognito users my simply want to flash the PBI BIOS update and SDX 4.46 build and then read the manuals later on. PS: IDEa BIOS to follow... just ran out of time and steam tonight.
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Is there some docs that explain how to update SDX on the SIDE2 (and presumably the original SIDE)? The update files that I've seen are XEX files. I have looked here, but have found nothing about updating SDX. IF it works like the IDE+2, then I should be able to boot to the internal SDX then load/execute the XEX update file. But I'd rather hear from someone that knows instead of guessing. Thanks, Larry