PFM upgrade questions

[+dhe]

So I'm new to PFM and will appreciate any help I can get.

 

My PFM Version was very old.

I read the PFM-DOC, it mentions the PFM boot menu. Is that documented else where, I think I accidentally got in to once, by hitting the wrong key!

 

Currently my Geneve has MDOS v5 - it doesn't see the scsi drives.

First Physical Floppy responds to:  c:

Second Physical Floppy responds to d:

 

 Before running:

   pfmcoreup corev81

 I had a ramdisk at G:

 It was mentioned in the docs some data would change so you would probably have to reformat any ramdisk provided by PFM, I guess that means me.

 

  Running pfmcoreup corev81 worked in that, the BIO's, first displayed when the machine is powered on, states it's running corev81.

 And loads the old MDOS V5.0

 

   I think I need to find out what keys bring up PFM Menu, how to test load Geneve OS 7.3 and then finally finish up with:

     a) loading MDOS in to pfm memory.

     b) recreating the flash drive, make a floppy with what I want on it, and then copying the floppy to pfm ramdisk area?

     c) getting the scsi drives seen again (I don't remember if MDOS 5 supported scsi).

 

  Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Dan

 

 

 

[+mizapf]

22 minutes ago, dhe said:

First Physical Floppy responds to:  ?

Don't worry - be happy.

(Isn't automatic emoji translation great?)

[+dhe]

Sigh {} ?

 

[+InsaneMultitasker]

1 hour ago, dhe said:

It was mentioned in the docs some data would change so you would probably have to reformat any ramdisk provided by PFM, I guess that means me.

the file "PFMDOC" runs through the steps at a high level, here is an excerpt of what you should be following.  the PFM menu is not used to load the OS nor the flashdisk.  Which docs are you looking at?

 

 

------------------------
1. UPGRADE THE PFM CORE
------------------------

From the command line: PFMCOREUP <corefile>

             Examples: PFMCOREUP COREV81     (current path)
                       PFMCOREUP H:COREV81   (with path)

If the PFM device is detected, the program will load the core file and validate
its integrity. If successful, you will be asked to confirm the program step.
If you select "Y" to program, the new core will be loaded into your PFM.

-----------------
2. INSTALL THE OS
-----------------
If you are ready to install MDOS 7.30, proceed with this step. Although not
recommended, you may continue to use the old MDOS loaded in your device.

From the command line:   PFMSYS  <systemfile>

             Examples:   PFMSYS  SYSTEM"/"SYS    [quotes required for slash]
                         PFMSYS  H:HDOS

PFMSYS will load the OS into memory. The program will check the integrity of
the OS file. If the program reports an error or changes, consider obtaining
another copy of the OS.  (See also CRCOS7)

You will be prompted to program the PFM with the OS. If you select "Y",
the OS will be loaded within a few second.

When finished, you may restart your Geneve.  Autoexec will load from DSK1
or default for the system file.

---------------------------
3. INITIALIZE THE FLASHDISK
---------------------------
The flashdisk mimics a read-only ramdisk.

Use REMAP xT where x=DSK1-9 to access this device.

Capacity: PFM+      444 sectors
          PFM512   1440 sectors

The flashdisk is loaded by means of a sector-based disk at this time. Future
enhancements may allow for disk images and other means.

 

 

[+9640News]

1 hour ago, dhe said:

   I think I need to find out what keys bring up PFM Menu, how to test load Geneve OS 7.3 and then finally finish up with:

     a) loading MDOS in to pfm memory.

     b) recreating the flash drive, make a floppy with what I want on it, and then copying the floppy to pfm ramdisk area?

     c) getting the scsi drives seen again (I don't remember if MDOS 5 supported scsi).

 

  Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Hold the space bar for the menu when you first turn on the Geneve.

[+dhe]

Hi,

 

  Beery - I'm holding the space bar but not seeming to get a menu? Tap / Hold down, should it matter?

 

  Closer - some notes that might help the visitor from 2035 who isn't familiar with this procedure! ?

 

   I ran CRCOS7 first - to verify the files integrity - and CRC was happy.

 

   I then ran from the a: drive:

        PFMSYS B:SYSTEM"/"SYS

        It also reported back, CRC good, and the value being 'CRC: 9610'

   The programming took about one second to complete.

        Not even long enough to read an obligatory warning - please do not power cycle this machine while updating... ?

 

    Not quite understanding how things work, CTRL-ALT-DEL - apparently doesn't do a real reset, as I first tried that and ended up with MDOS v5.00R again.

    A power down/power up cycle loaded the new Geneve OS from PFM.

 

     REMAP 7T - Brought back the internal PFM RAMDISK - which as programmed has all the utilities you might need to get things going from a boot strap prospective.

 

     I had forgotten the type command has the ability to start and stop scrolling with CTRL - S/T (Start/sTop) - until a part of the PFM-DOC which I wanted to read started scrolling by and 'muscle memory' kicked in! ?

 

     Hope this helps someone or soothes some nerves.

 

**    So my two sticking point are:

             1) is there some DOCS on REMAP, I want to bring the SCSI drives back in to the loop?

             2) I'd like to get that PFM menu back up, holding the space bar when the PFM BIOS comes up doesn't seem to do anything and MDOS boots as normal.

 

     I appreciate all the help so far, and it feels fantastic to bring this Geneve up from about 12 years ago, to 4/2021!!!

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Did you reload the PFM flashdisk after you programmed the OS?  If not, your flashdisk may look ok, but some of the files will be corrupt. 

 

Spacebar is what I use to activate the PFM menu, though there isn't much use for it

 

[+dhe]

>  Did you reload the PFM flashdisk after you programmed the OS?  If not, your flashdisk may look ok, but some of the files will be corrupt. 

O' Noosss - I'll have to get a directory and recreate, because the stuff there is perfect for debugging.

 

My next task is to custom build a floppy cable and get the GoTek going for easily moving files from PC to TI Geneve System.

Then it's getting Chris's VGA converter going so I can see the screen.

[+InsaneMultitasker]

Basic steps are : you'll execute a batch file to create an internal memory ramdisk;  you'll copy the desired files to the internal ramdisk and then run the PFM utility (I forget its name offhand) to copy that ramdisk to the PFM flashdisk.

 

Sounds like you're having a fun Geneve day

[+9640News]

Dan,

 

CTRL-SHIFT-SHIFT reloads MDOS for a fresh boot.

CTRL-ALT-DEL does a warm reboot of MDOS, but does not reload MDOS from your device.

 

The MDOS 7.30 docs has all the details on REMAP, SCSMAP commands for the disk based I/O devices and the hard drive image formats/devices under SCSx. Control.

 

Beery

[+InsaneMultitasker]

8 hours ago, dhe said:

    I had forgotten the type command has the ability to start and stop scrolling with CTRL - S/T (Start/sTop) - until a part of the PFM-DOC which I wanted to read started scrolling by and 'muscle memory' kicked in! ?

You can also use the /more switch that was added a few versions earlier.

 

"TYPE A:PFMDOC /more"     

 

The output commands like TREE, DIR, etc. use their own output routines so support for this switch exists only in TYPE at present. 

[+dhe]

I've printed out all the documentation, and my red pen is out! ?

[+InsaneMultitasker]

On 6/10/2021 at 3:26 PM, dhe said:

I've printed out all the documentation, and my red pen is out! ?

Have you been able to put down the red pen long enough to update your flashdisk? 

 

[+dhe]

No, boss, but I did:

Build a custom floppy cable for GoTek/teak floppy controllers,

Figured out how to build new image for GoTek, so I have an easy way to move new files like MDOS/DM2K/ROS to TI Systems,

Replaced Epson Ribbon and cleaned platinum,

Replaced failed Syquest EZ135 Platter,

Found bug in TP99 and figured out a work around,

Bought New NiCadd Batteries, to place my old 256K Horizon in to production with your new CFG/ROS (thanks!),

Sent in updates, for several CYC Documents,

I'm a man rich in opportunities. ?