BMAPFIX (c) $7C9 Don Maple

Don Maple
   PF 10 36 21
   40027 Dusseldorf
   Germany

   Don_Maple @ kr.maus.de
   dmaple @ cix.compulink.co.uk


NOTE: for version numbers see end of file!


Who needs this fix  Anybody who runs TOS 4.00 - 4.04 (which at the time of
==================  writing means the Falcon) and wishes to be able to change
Bconmap mapping. In plain speak, if you have problems with the Falcon serial
port this might be the solution.
NOTE: If the problem persists in the future versions of TOS 4.0x the patch
will be updated to reflect this.

Shake before use    The program can be run either from the Desktop or from
==================  the AUTO folder. The latter is naturally more convenient.
Running the program repeatedly does not do any harm as the fix is applied
only on the first run. If the fix installs OK the program tells you so
and if not it 'plinks' at you. You get the plink if (in this order):
1) the TOS version is other than what is tested for,
2) the TOS does'n even have a Bconmap,
3) the number of devices in Bconmap is already greater than or equal to 3
   (i.e., it's already fixed).

What's the problem  Falcon Bconmap table contains 3 devices but the maximum
==================  number of mappable devices is mistakenly set to 1. To
make matters worse the default preset in this table is the second entry.
Confused? Read on. The three Falcon Bconmap devices are 6, 7 and 8. They
are stored in a table and accessed using indices 1 (for 6), 2 (for 7) and
3 (for 8). Device 6, however, is MFP which on the Falcon is NOT connected
to the serial port. Devices 7 and 8 are SCC channels B and A respectivelly.

After booting the default Bconmap device is set to 7 and the number of
devices in table to 1. This is already inconsistent since 7 is the 2nd
entry in table and so already greater than the maximum number of devices.
Therefore, any attempt to change Bconmap ends up setting it to 6 which
effectively shuts the serial port down. The only Bconmap that can be changed
to is 6 (first entry) which on the Falcon does not exits. An attempt to
restore Bconmap to 7 also fails as that is the second entry and therefore
out of bounds.

The solution        Change number of devices in table to 3. This will make
==================  all devices available and the problem is solved. The
user can now map the serial device at will.

Caveat              It is up to the application program to realize that
==================  device 6 (MFP) on the Falcon no longer services the
serial port (by using _MCH/TOS version #/premonition/Tarot... etc). It is
beyond the scope of this patch to deal with that. For the user this means
that if the serial port is dead even after this fix is applied make sure
you select the appropriate device i.e., 7 or 8 in your application program.
Some application programs may blindly use 6 without checking and this patch
will at least make it possible to change back without rebooting!

Who and how much    Me and nothing! This program is freeware for personal
==================  use but not for commercial use. In other words OK
to copy but not to sell, or as I like to put it: OK to sell but not to
copy... ;-)

BMAPFIX Versions
==================

Version -1.0ž       This is a pre-release version for testing only. Also, the
                    program was called BCONFIX. Use a release version instead.

Version 1.0         First official release version. Applies the fix only to
                    TOS 4.00 - 4.04 inclusive.