MyRD2 and MyIDE

[+Larry]

I've been using MyRD2 as my default ramdisk with MyDos 4.50 for several weeks, and it has worked quite well with my Black Box HD setup. So as I change from HD to HD, I've been replacing Ramboot.Aut (NOT Ramboot3.Aut) with MyRD2. But tonight when I tried to put it onto a MyIDE drive, it failed. It would load the ramdisk code, then the screen turned black and goes to never-never-land. Has anyone else had an issue like this with MyRD2 and a MyIDE (3.5F)?

 

MyRD2 also has one little feature that I don't care for -- I made the ramdisk D9: but instead of going back to D1: after loading, it leaves the default drive as D9:. Not a big deal, but it just seems like the default drive at boot-up should always be D1:, and nine times out of 10, I forget to switch the default to D1: (until I get a File Not Found error).

 

-Larry

[+Roydea6]

After I started using BFE. [bATCH FILE ENHANCE] On one of Hias's distribution files, I made an autoexec.bat file that loads and copies files from D1: to the ramdisk. And after I got an MyIDE running stable I quit using MyRD2. But I seem to remember that after loading MyRD2 I had to use R option to reset default drive and the H option to rewrite the DOS files to make D1: the default. Also I use 4.53/3 so this might not be valid for 4.50.

 

 

 

[Fres]

I also use MyBFE, and it's great. You can set your ramdrive number in it, as well as a lot of other initial settings. It's really quite powerful, and was designed for MyDOS 4.50 (although I use it with MyDOS 4.53/4). I am also using it with MyIDE 3.5f.

 

This is probably not very helpful as I may have misunderstood what you are trying to do, and since I am not familiar with MyRD2.

 

(P.S. and O.T.: Hello to a fellow Indy person. I'm the one that sold you that P:R: Connection at my house near Broad Ripple 10 or so years ago. My name has changed a couple of times, and I do not resemble my avatar at all, so I thought that might not be obvious.)

 

-John

[1050]

MyRD2's "feature" of selecting the ramdisk for the default drive was dropped with the very first release of those programs. All subsequent offerings of MyRD2 at Mathy's MyDOS page have been the type where the default drive setting is left alone.

 

You might try MyRD instead of MyRD2 and see if that doesn't "come back" from never-never land?

 

BFE sounds like it deserves a link of it's own? I couldn't find it but maybe thats just me.

[Mathy]

Hello 1050

 

It's just you.

 

Go to my MyDOS page, it's the last link just above "other versions of MyDOS". You'll probably need DISKCOMM too, which you can find on my special stuff page.

 

sincerely

 

Mathy

[Fres]

Mathy's page has lots of great information. In fact, that's where I learned about BFE.

 

However, I DID have to jump through a few hoops (worth it) to get it working. The important files can be found from this XL Search

 

and I've attached a zip below, in case that's more convenient.

mydos_bfe.zip

[+Larry]

Thanks for the replies!

 

I believe the copy of MyRD2 that I was using is from Mathy's site, but to be sure, I just D/L'd it again and tried it with MyDos 4.50 & MyIDE 4.4F. Still goes to never-never land, but with a blue screen rather than black. I then tried MyDos 4.55 B3 with the same results. Perhaps it doesn't like the OS in ram, which most of the MyIDE flash carts use for the OS. 4.55 B3 also works fine with Ramboot.aut (as Autorun.ar0).

 

I am not copying anything to the ramdisk (and have no directory named Ramdisk), so that shouldn't really enter into the issue.

 

I'll try some more versions of MyDos tomorrow, and maybe re-flash the cart with 3.5F and also try MyRD.

 

-Larry

 

 

 

 

MyRD2's "feature" of selecting the ramdisk for the default drive was dropped with the very first release of those programs. All subsequent offerings of MyRD2 at Mathy's MyDOS page have been the type where the default drive setting is left alone.

 

You might try MyRD instead of MyRD2 and see if that doesn't "come back" from never-never land?

 

BFE sounds like it deserves a link of it's own? I couldn't find it but maybe thats just me.

Edited November 21, 2010 by Larry

[flashjazzcat]

What's the most recent, least bug-filled version of MyDOS? I've been struggling to put a release disk for The Last Word together in MyDOS format, but after the fifth time of the disk no longer being bootable after writing some files to it, I'm ready to give up.

 

OK: I think I got the latest version from Mathy's page. I also downloaded Lee Barnes' cleaned up source code.

Edited November 25, 2010 by flashjazzcat

[+Roydea6]

I like the 4.53/3 version the best. It only has three digits for file sector size. BUGS are not noticable in any of the versions if you don't use any RAMDISK. But I only write my programs in Basic or Turbobasic, some Assemly Editor Cart. The four digit version is trouble some to have my programs work with SDX and MyDOS, so I stay with the three digit version.. Although with the MyDOS 4.55 beta version you can specify with the 'O' key if you want three digits or four digits.

 

The Last Word works very good with MyDos /without ramdisk installed/. The 'R' key option will set LW32 directory and read all Last Word installation files, and moves between Directories fairly easy for loading and saving work files.

 

With SDX 4.4x I still have problems with the Path command. I would like to understand the path command more. But reading the documentation, understanding and getting the info put into the CONFIG.SYS, LW.SYS, LW.CFG still has me stumped.

[Mathy]

Hello guys

 

Latest version available is 4.55 beta 3, latest version I have (not on my site) is 4.55 beta 4, latest version Lee has is 4.55 beta 5.

 

sincerely

 

Mathy

[+Larry]

This is becoming more interesting... I believe I can now see part of what is happening.

 

All of the following tests used a Newell 256KB modified 800XL with the stock XL OS, using the Black Box as D1:.

 

I used a clean copy of MyDos 4.50 written to my Black Box HD, D1:. The machine boots perfectly to BASIC or the Dup menu.

 

Then I copied Ramboot.Sys to D1: as Autorun.Sys. The computer boots perfectly to either BASIC or the Dup menu. In addition it sets up the default ramdisk to D8: copying Dup.Sys and Mem.Sav. This is the combination that I've used for ~20+ years with very few issues.

 

Then I copied MyRD to D1: as the Autorun.Sys file. With a cold boot, the XL boots fine to the Dup.Sys menu, and also set ups the ramdisk as D9: copying Dup.Sys to the ramdisk. D: remains as D9: (see screen shot below). HOWEVER, the computer will not boot to internal BASIC. It boots to a blank blue screen, and the keyboard is unresponsive. I interpreted this before as never-never-land with a blue screen.

 

Then I copied MyRD2 to D1: as the Autorun.Sys file. With a cold boot, the XL boots fine to the Dup.Sys menu, and also set ups the ramdisk as D9: copying Dup.Sys to the ramdisk. D: remains as D9: (see screen shot below). HOWEVER, the computer will not boot to BASIC. It boots to a blank blue screen, and the keyboard is unresponsive. I interpreted this before as never-never-land with a blue screen.

 

So this could be some type of a hardware conflict with the Newell 256 KB upgrade. I'll repeat tomorrow with a stock XE and see how that goes. But the machine does use the ramdisk as the default drive, and (as I interpret it) the README file says that it does. Perhaps Mathy's site has an older version? Dunno, but I downloaded the MyRD archive again to be sure.

 

-Larry

 

 

MyRD2's "feature" of selecting the ramdisk for the default drive was dropped with the very first release of those programs. All subsequent offerings of MyRD2 at Mathy's MyDOS page have been the type where the default drive setting is left alone.

 

You might try MyRD instead of MyRD2 and see if that doesn't "come back" from never-never land?

 

BFE sounds like it deserves a link of it's own? I couldn't find it but maybe thats just me.

Edited November 26, 2010 by Larry

[flashjazzcat]

With SDX 4.4x I still have problems with the Path command. I would like to understand the path command more. But reading the documentation, understanding and getting the info put into the CONFIG.SYS, LW.SYS, LW.CFG still has me stumped.

I'll put plenty of examples on the next release disk. Basically, the thing to remember is that the SDX "PATH" and the LW path are entirely independent of one another. Other than that, they work in much the same way.

[+Larry]

I repeated the tests using a stock 130XE. The results are identical to the Newell-upgraded 800XL.

I did add one more variable -- I plugged in an Atari BASIC cart using MyRD2. BASIC comes up, but there is no cursor until BREAK or RESET is pressed. Other than that, the system seems to behave normally, and appears to behave as expected after pressing BREAK.

 

I like MyRD2, and I hope that these issues were taken care of (or can be taken care of) fairly easily. I'd certainly be willing to Beta-test any mods.

 

-Larry

 

This is becoming more interesting... I believe I can now see part of what is happening. (snip...)

[Mathy]

Hello Larry

 

Are you really renaming MyRD(2) to AUTORUN.SYS? MyDOS 4.5x doesn't autostart AUTORUN.SYS. You have to change the extender of the first file that is to be autorun to .AR0. So if you want to autorun MyRD(2) directly after DOS has booted, MYRD2.SYS (or >COM or whatever) becomes MYRD2.AR0. The next file that is to be autostarted should have the extender .AR1, etc., etc. up to .AR9. But you always have to start with .AR0 and can not skip a number.

 

sincerely

 

Mathy

[+Larry]

Hi Mathy-

 

Yes, I am (still) using MyDos 4.50 which only recognizes Autorun.Sys.

 

The docs indicate that MyRD and MyRD2 should work with 4.50:

> Then› move either MYRD or MYRD2 to D1: and› rename them AUTORUN.SYS or if using› MyDOS 4.53/4 only the extension of› .AR0 needs to be added.<

 

-Larry

 

Hello Larry

 

Are you really renaming MyRD(2) to AUTORUN.SYS? MyDOS 4.5x doesn't autostart AUTORUN.SYS. You have to change the extender of the first file that is to be autorun to .AR0. So if you want to autorun MyRD(2) directly after DOS has booted, MYRD2.SYS (or >COM or whatever) becomes MYRD2.AR0. The next file that is to be autostarted should have the extender .AR1, etc., etc. up to .AR9. But you always have to start with .AR0 and can not skip a number.

 

sincerely

 

Mathy

Edited November 26, 2010 by Larry

[+Roydea6]

 

Go to my MyDOS page, it's the last link just above "other versions of MyDOS". You'll probably need DISKCOMM too, which you can find on my special stuff page.

 

sincerely

 

Mathy

 

I just downloaded the MyDos45a.arc, MyDos45b.arc, and MyDos45c.arc and all three have CRC errors with my Unarc24.com. So I tried unarcing them with Window PC, and I get CRC errors also. The arc file MyDos453.arc works and unarc's fine..

 

I did this to test MyRD.com and MyRD2.com. On testing this I found the same problems as Larry.

[+Roydea6]

Larry-

Try out this atr:

mydos45.3 but the myramd2.aut should also work with the 45.0 version. It does not return D8: as the default folder.

 

MYDOS45.3.ATR

 

This was on one of my mydos455 ATR'S I downloaded here at AtariAge or [somewhere.com]. It is a Lee Barnes signed file.

[+Larry]

Hi Roy-

 

I'll give it a try today!

 

-Larry

 

Larry-

Try out this atr:

mydos45.3 but the myramd2.aut should also work with the 45.0 version. It does not return D8: as the default folder.

 

MYDOS45.3.ATR

 

This was on one of my mydos455 ATR'S I downloaded here at AtariAge or [somewhere.com]. It is a Lee Barnes signed file.

[+Larry]

Hi Roy-

 

Yes, this version that you posted of MyRD2 appears to work properly. Thanks very much!

 

I tested it with the Black Box system and it comes up with D8: as the ramdisk, and D: = D1: (as I think it should). BASIC also works, as well as cartridges such as BXL and BXE and the Turbo Basic cart. This still doesn't work with MyIDE. No big deal -- just a FWIW.

 

-Larry

[Fres]

Larry-

Try out this atr:

mydos45.3 but the myramd2.aut should also work with the 45.0 version. It does not return D8: as the default folder.

 

MYDOS45.3.ATR

 

This was on one of my mydos455 ATR'S I downloaded here at AtariAge or [somewhere.com]. It is a Lee Barnes signed file.

 

Wow, lots of useful MyDOS tools in one place. Thanks!