Running OBX files on a real machine

[Ely]

I've finally got the space to setup my 130XE, 1050 and SIO2USB.

 

This setup works fine so thought if try those Tritone demos out on a proper machine rather via Emulation but I can't figure out how to run an OBX file. I thought if I just copied them to a DOS 2.5 disk and used the Load Binary they'd run but it just hangs.

 

Can someone help me?

[Ely]

I guess no one knows how to do this then :-/

[Rybags]

OBX is generally the output from an assembler (Object Code) and often has no run address included.

 

Some emulator situations will just attempt to run at the load address. Proper executable files include the run address.

 

Additionally, Atari800Win+ at the least will allow loading binary/executables into RAM even if that RAM isn't swapped in, this isn't normal behaviour.

 

Best bet is to insert run address into the module if you're developing yourself, e.g.

 

*=$2E0

.WORD <run address>

 

If it's something downloaded/sourced elsewhere, then try find another copy somewhere else.

[Ely]

Thank. It sounds like a non-starter on a real machine then, as I don't have that kind of knowledge.

[ricortes]

That is the probable conclusion.

 

IIRC if there is no run address DOS will load and jump to the first byte of the file. If that isn't the actual start of the code, most likely a crash will occur. Just as likely, the file was created w/o the load address prepended to it. The file may be overwriting DOS or loading at hardware. Could be the file started off as a ROM meant to be loaded with an emulator or burnt into a cartridge. Really an almost infinite number of possible screw ups. There wasn't a good convention for naming files to distinguish them, still is shaky.

 

If you want to find out a closer to the truth answer, upload the file and I or someone else will take a look at it.

[Ely]

It's from the Tritone thread on here.

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/212810-tritone-gtia-beeper-engine/

[+Stephen]

If you're using APE on the PC, it has a "mirror" feature. Map the folder on your PC with the image to D1, and turn on the machine. APE loader can often load & run these files.

[Ely]

Ah okay, I'll give that a try.

[+CharlieChaplin]

Well,

 

most of these OBJ files are normal ML files, that only have to be renamed to *.COM/EXE/XEX and then can be loaded with DOS binary load option or with a gamedos. I would always rename them first and then try to load them with DOS or gamedos.

 

There are also DOS versions and tools, that can show you the start-, end-, init- and run adress(es) of a ML file. Use such a DOS (e.g. TurboDOS XL/XE by Reitershan, type e.g. HEA FILENAME.OBJ to get this info) and if you can see it has a run or init adress, simply rename the OBJ file to COM/EXE/XEX...

 

In case the OBJ file does not have a run or init adress, it may be part of another program (BAS, ML, whatever), if not you can try to add the run/init adress by simply using the start-adress as the run/init adress (some DOS and gamedos versions already do this by default)... if I remember correctly the GTIA beeper sounds by XXL are all normal ML files, one can use a gamedos to start them or one can add a run-adress by using the start-adress as the run-adress...

 

-Andreas Koch.

 

EDIT: Just downloaded Tritonetest.obx, it does have a (low) start and run adress of $0C00, so just rename to COM/EXE/XEX and load it with a gamedos or fileloader, e.g. MyPicoDOS or Nano DOS Converter or something similar... (MypicoDOS would even load the file when named *.OBX)...

Edited December 6, 2013 by CharlieChaplin

[Ely]

It works great with APE using Mirror Mode, thanks for the help

[xxl]

a few tunes on tritone engine (better version of TRITONE):

http://xxl.atari.pl/download/beepemall4.atr

[+Stephen]

These sound really goon on real hardware. Amazing what can be done by twiddling a single-bit.