Soft OS switcher for AtariMax 32in1 OS

[Rybags]

 

OSSw3.xex

 

First off - big thanks to Steve (classics) for providing example code for communicating with the 32in1 OS PIC.

 

I've started work on a disk-loadable OS switcher for use with the AtariMax 32in1 OS.

Normally, you have to power your machine off/on and hold Select to be able to choose another OS, but this utility allows choosing another without having to do that.

 

* Also, I've created a "Warmstart" option so that you don't lose your program, and an option to reboot the disk without clearing the current RAM contents. Note that changing OS version on the fly could cause software instability, so use with caution.

 

** Additionally, the utility allows switching Basic off or on for non-coldstart operations, and also allows you to reset the default banking condition of an inserted AtariMax Flashcart.

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE: * Warmstart and reboot without RAM-Clear still work-in-progress.

** Basic switching and Flashcart features not yet implemented.

 

The program currently loads around $9400-$9AFF so anything you have there will be wiped.

 

Also note that standard OS equipped machines can use the features of this utility, except of course for the changing OS part.

 

Future plans:

. make "Lite" versions which will switch to a specific OS image with no other options.

. create a configuration utility which lets you customise the menu to match what your 32in1 has - for those people who have created customised 32in1s or running older versions with different entries.

Edited September 5, 2010 by Rybags

[+skr]

That´s great stuff, exactly what I missed! Thanks a lot!

[Rybags]

Still early progress... I just ran it a minute ago and the comms side isn't 100% - probably just put some retry logic in there.

 

I'm tempted to redo that part using Pokey Timers rather than loops, but I'll see how it goes.

[spookt]

Very nice! I'll have a play later on my 32-in-1 800xl.

[+Stephen]

Very cool - I look forward to your progress on this.

[Rybags]

The utilty is fully usable right now for it's most common function - switching the OS and cold rebooting.

 

Warm switching/rebooting is a bit more tricky. In all likelihood, there might be some OSes that are too incompatible, but for the common ones like XL/XE revisions, switching among them shouldn't be a problem.

[+bf2k+]

That's very interesting...

[+Roydea6]

Future plans:

. make "Lite" versions which will switch to a specific OS image with no other options.

. create a configuration utility which lets you customise the menu to match what your 32in1 has - for those people who have created customised 32in1s or running older versions with different entries.

A configuration utility would be great in this progam. I use this program but not needed often. The lite version would be used by me more often. Just wondering if ever an update might be done.

[Rybags]

Possibly. Yes, it started simple and went bloatware kinda quick.

 

I've not done any update - TBH my 32in1 has probably sat on the same OS for most of the last 9 months or so.

 

A lite version would be good. My line of thinking was to have a SpartaDOS version that could take a parameter, and one for "dumb" DOSes like 2.x where you'd need to run a specific program to select the OS you want.

 

Problem I have is there's this, 2 or 3 game projects and the ATRLoad project that I'm either working on or have put on hold and plan to resume in the last year or so.