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MASTERDOS
by Dave Ward
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MasterDOS is a set of IIGS programs that allow you to create, store and run
images of Dos 3.2 & Dos 3.3 disks on a ProDOS volume (hard disk or 3.5" drive).
You can also copy files between images and even recreate DOS3.3 disks from
Prodos image files. Once in "DOS" mode, MasterDOS images appear to be
placed at up to 8 Slot and Drive locations in emulation.
The MasterDOS package must contain the following files; MASTER.SYSTEM, Q, QC, QD
and QM. In standard form, the following 6 image files are also included;
MASTERDOS.IDL, BILL.BUDGE.IDL, BIG.IDL, FORTYTRACKS.IDL, MAGIC.IDL,
MASTERDOSN.IDL. Three Demo games are included within file BILL.BUDGE.IDL.
MASTER.SYSTEM obeys standard PRODOS startup conventions. MASTERDOS.IDL is the
default startup file. MasterDOS Utilities may be invoked to start a selected
image. On the other hand, an individual image file may be run in conjunction
with MASTER.SYSTEM using a launcher like ProSel. In such a case the
"Application:" is MASTER.SYSTEM whilst the "Startup:" file is specified as
TARGET.IDL. TARGET.IDL will start the DOS file already specified by Utilities.
A ">" sign makes it possible to override the default startup within an image.
In this case the Prosel8 "Startup:" specification is appended with the chosen
DOS file thus, TARGET.IDL>DOSFILE. (BEWARE. The current version of MasterDOS
is entirely intolerant of error in Launcher specification).
MasterDOS Utilities are accessible from within any image (Type <Q> from Basic).
Utilities are used to apply attributes which may be saved to an individual
image file. Utilities pre-define "internal parameters" within an image such as
Speed, 40/80 column, DOS startup file, DOS3.2/3.3 and Size (tracks). (Some
image files behave like standard 140K DOS3.3 disks with 35 tracks but images
containing from 17 to 50 tracks may also be created.) Utilities and the
built-in File Utility will serve with up to 64 images within a single
subdirectory. ESCape from Utilities exits to your launcher.
MasterDOS File Utilites are invoked from Utilities and operate on files within
images. The following features are offered:- - Catalog - Copy - Type -
Lock - Unlock - Delete - Rename - Files are copied between images.
A majority of DOS programs and unprotected games will function under MasterDOS.
DOS programs requiring more than 48K will fail at this time. MasterDOS programs
are still being developed and certain options are not yet operational. Most
users will find that the carefully written user interface presents no problem.
This documentation should be enough to get you going. After that be prepared to
experiment a little!!!!
In the meantime here are a few general guidelines for MasterDOS which will help
you to get started:-
1. If you want to get rid of an image use a Prodos Utility to delete a surplus
image file.
2. The MasterDOS convention is that each image name contains an "IDL" suffix.
For instance if you should wish to convert the DOS3.3 "SystemMaster" disk into a
ProDos image file, then the name could become something like DOS3.3.IDL. This
is how to proceed :-
A. Launch MasterDOS by selecting file MASTER.SYSTEM.
B. You will arrive at the very first MasterDOS.IDL image file which contains
a HELLO program designed to present brief instructions as follows :-
------------------------------- This is a Beta version of MasterDOS, a program
that allows you to create, store, and run images of DOS 3.3 or DOS 3.2 from a
ProDos Hard Disk or a 3.5" disk.
Normally, whenever you have the Applesoft prompt ']', pressing 'Q' will take you
to the utilities menu.
Item 5 in the Utilities, allows you to create and store images of your DOS3.3
or DOS3.2 disks.
Once they have been created, you may run them by choosing Item 1 in the
Utilities to select the Image you require and then booting it by choosing Item
8.
If the Image you are running does not have a normal 'QUIT' option and you can
access the GS Control Panel, you will find a CDA called 'MasterDOS.Bye' that can
be used to exit MasterDOS. (If you cannot access the Control Panel then try
CTRL-RESET.)
PRESS ANY KEY
NOTE:-
1) At the moment, only 48K programs are supported.
2) Not all options have been implemented on the Beta version.
3) Whilst lowercase is supported by MasterDOS, remember that not all programs
will accept lowercase input.
WHEN READY, PRESS 'Q' TO GO TO THE UTILITIES MENU.
-------------------------------
B. As soon as you press "Q" you are presented with the Utilities Menu.
-------------------------------
MasterDOS Utilities
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prefix : /YOUR.DISK
Boot Image : MasterDOS.IDL
Startup Program : HELLO {AppleSoft}
Sectors in Disk : 0800
Sectors Free : 0739
1> Directory of DOS Image files available.
2> File Utilities.
3> Change list of eight IMAGES associated with MasterDOS.
4> Amend Startup program details.
5> Create new Images & Copy: DISKS <--> IMAGES.
6>
7> Visit the Monitor.
8> Boot CURRENT Image, in Slot 6,Drive 1.
9> Help.
0> MasterDOS Manual.
Please Enter Number or ESCape [ ]
-------------------------------
C. Place your DOS3.3 System Master in your 5.25" drive (Use physical Slot6
Drive1).
D. Choose option <5> then choose option <1> DOS3.3 diskette
E. A new menu will request a name. Type: <DOS3.3> and press <RETURN>. (The
suffix "IDL" is created automatically to create the name DOS3.3.IDL.)
F. Copying the 5.25" disk track by track, an image file of your System Master
disk is created. After that, you are returned to the MasterDOS Utilities Menu.
G. Choose <1> and you are presented with a directory of DOS Image files
available from 01 to 08.
H. Choose the name "DOS3.3.IDL" by typing the appropriate number (probably
07).
I. Choose <4> to amend Startup program. You are presented with the following
Menu:-
---------------------------
Edit ImageFile defaults.
Amend Startup details
1> Current Startup: UNKNOWN
2> Startup filetype: AppleSoft (or_Text or Binary)
3> Text Screen type: 40 Column (or_80 Column)
4> Processor speed: 1.023MHz Speed. (or_Fast Speed)
5> Save as NEW Defaults.
Please Enter Number or ESCape [ ]
---------------------------
J. Choose <1> and enter the DOS3.3 startup name. <HELLO> then <RETURN> for
the main Utilities Menu. (Take care to use Capitals).
K. Choose <8> and you will be presented with the normal System.Master opening
screen. (Note: MasterDOS does not handle Integer Basic at this time and very
few of the System Master Utilities actually perform. Items like COPYA and FID
may appear to work but they are harmless and have been disabled.)
3. The MasterDOS system includes 6 images including MasterDOS.IDL and
BILL.BUDGE.IDL. The remaining images are effectively empty.
4. BILL.BUDGE.IDL contains 3 sample games. They may be selected from a menu.
These games are exceptional in that you cannot leave them by using the built in
CDA "MasterDOS Bye", ie OA-CTRL-ESC will not work. It will be found that
MasterDOS is sufficiently robust for you to use CTRL-RESET followed by <Q>.
Enjoy!
Dave Ward
97 Lambert Road
Uttoxetter
Staffs. ST14 7QY
England
Phone: 0889 562192
The programs comprising MasterDOS are freeware. They may be used on the
explicit understanding that the user makes use of them entirely at his own
risk. This has been prepared for the benefit of the AppleII community in
general.
Postscript
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I have collected a myriad of DOS3.3 programs and I wanted to access a few more
directly from my hard disk. Other authors have written systems which achieve
this end. My object has been to push the envelope a little further out and widen
the range of DOS programs that can be handled. I would like to thank Terry Morris
for his many contributions to this project.
I would really appreciate any suggestions for improvements or other personal
encouragements. Send them to the above address. I know it is a pain to write a
letter but ....If you find it fails somewhere or you would like something
changed I'll probably do it - but I need to know about it.