XEX and CAS to ATR

[Champions_2002]

I want to be able to convert these file formats to atr (XEX,COM,EXE,XFD,DCM.CAS,CAR,ROM,BIN,BAS)

 

Iam trying to run them from a frontend (Gamebase), but the above file formats do not run from this, so if anybody can tell me how to convert them

[www.atarimania.com]

Hi,

 

I remember I was briefly discussing this with you some time ago and you had sent me a sample of your work. Here's my two cents...

 

If you're doing this for yourself, that's fine.

 

Now if you start converting all these files to a single format, your database will, IMO, make no sense at all and I certainly wouldn't want to see something like this made public. I think there's enough crap out there already - fake ATR images for example - and the last thing we need is yet another set of program files in an arbitrary format that confuses people (particularly when it's for emulator needs only!).

 

Teaming up with people that would help you make sure verified files in native format (executables, BAS, CAS, ATR, ATX images) load properly with that frontend would be, I believe, a smarter move for the future.

 

--

Atari Frog

http://www.atarimania.com

Edited September 14, 2007 by www.atarimania.com

[+Philsan]

I agree with Atarimania.

2 weeks ago I have asked how to convert files format but only for personal use.

Transforming .com games into autobooting .atr

I think that on the web only verified files in native format should be downloadable.

[Champions_2002]

Like you both said there are too many formats, so this project is for my eight year old son only i wil not be releasing it to the public, so that is why i want the files in atr.

[tjlazer]

Like you both said there are too many formats, so this project is for my eight year old son only i wil not be releasing it to the public, so that is why i want the files in atr.

 

 

Get ATRUtil, it works great! You can make any EXE, COM, BIN or XEX file to a ATR. Its called a KBOOT file. Which is not a real ATR disk, but a emulated ATR disk. A real ATR disk is 90k, the KBOOT file is about as large as the EXE file, but runs the same (so you cannot normally transfer the KBOOT ATR to a real Atari disk)

[kenfused]

Get ATRUtil, it works great! You can make any EXE, COM, BIN or XEX file to a ATR. Its called a KBOOT file. Which is not a real ATR disk, but a emulated ATR disk. A real ATR disk is 90k, the KBOOT file is about as large as the EXE file, but runs the same (so you cannot normally transfer the KBOOT ATR to a real Atari disk)

It technically is a real ATR disk, it is just not a standard size disk (in sector count) and some programs may not be able to cope with that. Many programs assume 720 or other fixed amount of sectors. If you can sector copy the sectors that exist to a real disk it would work. Note that it is a boot disk ATR that is created (like many commercial disks) and not a DOS disk that is created. A lot of people don't like these ATR's, but this functionality was added before emulators could directly load EXE's, before emulators and programs had the H: drive, back when PC-XFormer was the main emulator and SIO2PC was the main disk emulator. ATRUTIL does let you recreate the original EXE though.

 

--Ken

[Champions_2002]

Like you both said there are too many formats, so this project is for my eight year old son only i wil not be releasing it to the public, so that is why i want the files in atr.

 

 

Get ATRUtil, it works great! You can make any EXE, COM, BIN or XEX file to a ATR. Its called a KBOOT file. Which is not a real ATR disk, but a emulated ATR disk. A real ATR disk is 90k, the KBOOT file is about as large as the EXE file, but runs the same (so you cannot normally transfer the KBOOT ATR to a real Atari disk)

 

how do i do the above i have tried to convert xex to atr but AtrUtil will not load xex files in so i'am stuck

[Wrathchild]

Temporarily rename the XEX to COM or EXE,

the XEX extension is a way of allowing the

association with an emulator (i.e. double click

to launch the title) avoiding the other two which

are reserved by Windows

Edited September 19, 2007 by Wrathchild

[dwhyte]

What about a utility to convert a standard boot disk to .xex... Would love to have LetterPerfect file-erized...

[carmel_andrews]

Dwhyte...re: your last comment...only possible if you now how to hack data from a multistage load disk into a binary file

 

and that you know where in mem. the data from the disk loads, if it does bankswitching etc or if, like BBSB and some firebird UK titles scrambles or encrypts the data in mem. i.e. (the data on the disk doesnt correspond to the data in memory)

 

Also the above scenario only applies to games/utilities that doesn't load in additional data..i.e like gauntlet, zork series, the pawn, winter olympics etc etc (although i have seen a binary version of gauntlet and winter olympics on the homesoft menu's but with the additional data represented as linked files)

[dwhyte]

Dwhyte...re: your last comment...only possible if you now how to hack data from a multistage load disk into a binary file

 

and that you know where in mem. the data from the disk loads, if it does bankswitching etc or if, like BBSB and some firebird UK titles scrambles or encrypts the data in mem. i.e. (the data on the disk doesnt correspond to the data in memory)

 

Also the above scenario only applies to games/utilities that doesn't load in additional data..i.e like gauntlet, zork series, the pawn, winter olympics etc etc (although i have seen a binary version of gauntlet and winter olympics on the homesoft menu's but with the additional data represented as linked files)

 

Standard one stage binary load... I used to have a program that would do it in the 80s... Actually, come to think of it... I may be able to use COMPUTE!'s MLX program for that purpose...

[Ray Gillman]

As a professional librarian, I disagree with the notion of preserving data in it's original form as a priority.  I understand it reduces the rare "specialness" one feels when they discover a previously missing game or utility in some attic chest and miraculously manage to restore the bytes but haven't we already DONE the deed of violating the sacred cassette when we made it into a CAS file?  Yes we have.  I think some of this apprehension comes from the horrible situation of "compilation disks" where we wind up with multiple versions and copies of the same game buried amongst an ocean of menu'ed crap with sometimes random vulgar graphics with proud pirates names and ancient group credits.  Those we can all agree are a violation of so many codes or archiving and normalcy that they do more harm than good to the people who wish to preserve the GOOD and the BEST parts of this phenomenon. 

Keeping data available for future readers for the long term, will require more acceptance of the emulator recreations.  Just as we use pdf files and readers to preserve the documentations rather than insisting that everyone keep original paper copies only, we use CD's and MP3's to preserve the old sounds from tapes and vinyl, and I feel it important to convert things like CAS files into say ATR files so they can be added to builds such as the "a8" presentation.  Continue the journey - build the ultimate a8 or xbox recreation and allow future children to learn and allow them too to be amazed by what was possible in 1981 with such low end tech.

[www.atarimania.com]

The question, I believe, was more about the conversion of existing files. While this may have been a valid question in 2007 due to some emulator shortcomings, I don't think it's really relevant in 2019 as Altirra or modern devices can now load everything under the sun. In short, no need to have 17 so-called "versions" in funky formats if we already have the real thing (or something that is close enough).

 

Missing / undumped software, that's another story. I'll be the first to admit that it's better to have a cut-down crack found on a menu than nothing at all (that's why our team advocates people to archive pirate collections as well as this is often the only source for lost titles). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ray Gillman]

I've had some success converting CAS files because some are just BASIC in some cases thus loaded with CLOAD command so it's easy enough to dump them to ATR file and throw in an autoload to load them or put turbobasic and name it autorun.bas.  I love some of the cheezy star treks like Tari Trek seems there was never the original ATR found anywhere just the CAS file.  I see two versions of the tari trek -  Not sure why anyone would ever want to keep those as CAS files like that.  My favorite was the TREK 3.5 by Adventure International was it?  Simmons - Micklus says in the code here

With all the new pandoras box consoles being the latest thing now the old 8bit files are either going to get less interest or maybe a lot more.
Anyone tried one of these?  I wonder if is any way to upload 8bit stuff to run on it?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H96KPPH/

 

Do these look like one of these borrowed from the other in their design phase?  I suppose they all copied the "idea"

 

Edited November 25, 2019 by Ray Gillman