** 2 pages Q&A / 2412 words **
** Recycle any leftovers for AC5! **

Acrobatic files
** Q **
Having started browsing the web a few months ago I have come across lots of files in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Are there any programs available on the ST which will allow me to read these?
Mark Jones, via email
** A **
GhostScript can read acrobat-files. The current Atari version is 3.53 which allows you to view PDF files on screen and even print them out. To download the current version point your browser at:
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URL: http://godel.ph.utexas.edu/Members/timg/gs/gs.html
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Denesh Bhabuta


Atari and music?
** Q **
I'm looking for some information on setting up a Mega STe 4 for music, specifically getting this machine rigged up to some keyboards. What interfaces are available and what software would you recommend? I am mainly interested in using Cubase, Notator and Logic - are these the same thing?
Wayne Johnson, California
** A **
A Mega STe 4 is an excellent machine for MIDI. The extra speed (compared with a standard ST) is very helpful.
Interfaces
If you purchase Emagic Logic, this includes the LOG3 Interface, which is a combination dongle and MIDI expander featuring three additional sets of 16 MIDI channels (48 + STe's 16) on its four MIDI out ports (two of the ports on the LOG3 output the same information) resulting in a total of 64 MIDI channels.
MIDI ins are much harder to come by. The Emagic Unitor II offers two outputs and two inputs and when used with LOG3 provides 96 MIDI channels and a total of three MIDI ins.
You can expand using other interfaces to provide more independent channels. The options include:
** Bulleted list **
* Kawai MM-16 MIDI Mixer, providing MIDI merge capability, effectively adding an additional MIDI in. There are a wide variety of (usually expensive) MIDI merge boxes.
* Emagic/C-Lab Export (not for Falcon) serial port interface, 3 MIDI outs
* Steinberg MO-4 - Parallel Port interface, 4 MIDI outs
** end list **
Software
The three biggies are Cubase, Notator and Logic. Development for the Atari versions has more or less stopped. You may have to look hard for Atari versions though, as most music shops these days tend to cater for Mac/PC owners - and their bigger wallets.
However, Emagic have recently released a v2.5 upgrade for Atari Logic. It apparently includes features from Mac Logic 2.6 and since the newest Mac/PC versions are 2.6.x, MIDI-only work using Atari Logic probably just about rivals the best versions for Mac/PC. The non-Atari versions have the audio features which are missing from the Atari version though (Except for the Logic Audio Falcon 2.01 which isn't very good for Audio stuff anyway).
Notator SL came before Logic and some early versions of Logic were called Notator Logic, but they are not the same. Some people have reported Logic seems sluggish in comparison as they could load, save and format disks without interrupting the MIDI playback within Notator. Additionally, Logic requires frequent screen redraws, taking up precious time.
Logic and Notator can be a bit confusing at first but are incredibly flexible when you get accustomed to them. Cubase is supposedly easier to use for beginners but lacks all the configurability of Logic.
Steve Taylor

Powerless with a price
** Q **
My 10 year old 520STFM is starting to switch off by itself all of a sudden. It crackles and sometimes it comes back on if I thump the top of the case. I'm worried a may need a new power supply and I heard they were expensive.
Dave Featherstone, Preston
** A **
It does sound like a power supply problem. They're not as expensive as they used to be but you may have nothing more than a dry solder joint on the PSU board. It's a fairly straightforward repair but since the unit is 10 years old and there's mains voltage involved we recommend you buy a replacement power supply. The Upgrade Shop or System solutions will be able to help.
Shiuming Lai

Emulate
** Q **
I have an Atari 1040 STe computer and since most computers used now are PCs I am interested to know how to go about turning my Atari into a PC computer. A friend mentioned a software emulator costing around £50 can turn an Atari computer into a PC, but is that only the start? Would I need a monitor instead of a television, and would I need a High Density (HD) disk drive? Would I be able to use this as an external drive with my existing Double Density internal drive? I would be grateful if you could tell me step by step how to go about this conversion.
L.Willey, Bracknell
** A **
Whatever you do, it's not possible to turn your STe into a fully fledged IBM PC compatible computer - if that's what you want you'd be better off buying a complete PC system. Alternatively you could stick with your STe and find native Atari software to carry out the tasks you propose to carry out on a PC.
We are not aware of any currently available PC emulators although there the secondhand market is awash with them so you should be able to pick one up cheaply if you decide to go this route. TO be Frank, unless you want to use specific DOS based programs, PC emulation on a ST/e machines isn't a practical option given the system resources required by modern Windows software and the low cost of native PC hardware.
Regarding your specific questions, yes, so long as your TV can display ST-Medium resolution, you should be able to get CGA mode using a PC emulator.
A High Density disk drive is not required but it's a worthwhile upgrade to any ST - most PC software is supplied on HD disks (or CD-ROM).
Some PC emulators are tricky to install (just one more reason to forget the idea) but once installed are usually set up using an installation program.
Denesh Bhabuta
** EMULATE1.GIF here **
Setting up the screen according to your hardware under AT-Once 386SX
** EMULATE2.GIF here **
Useful online help is available


Ready to float!
** Q **
I have the opportunity to buy a used Motorola 68882 FPU quite cheaply. Is this the one that's suitable for Mega STe computers?
Gary Manley, Co Durham
** A **
Yes, so long as it's in a PLCC package (flat and square with legs on the sides - like the main processor). However it's not a Plug&Play upgrade because you'll also need a PAL interface chip to enable your computer to recognise the coprocessor. Take advice from System Solutions or The Upgrade Shop...
Shiuming Lai


Hard disk IDEas?
** Q **
I'm thinking of upgrading my Mega STe internal hard drive. Can I use an IDE drive - these seem to be cheaper and more readily available than SCSI drives?
David Smith, Wirral
** Q **
No, you must use a SCSI drives except on Falcon machines which includes hardware to support both the SCSI and IDE interfaces. Choose a drive mechanism which has 'parity enabled' and doesn't require 'bus arbitration' and it should work first time with Atari and third party drivers. If you have a SCSI drive which needs bus arbitration get a copy of HD-Driver which supports this feature.
Again, buying from an Atari dealer is the easy way to avoid problems.
Phil Hough


Quantum light
** Q **
Some time ago I acquired a battered TT with no hard drive. Since resurrecting it for my college studies I have bought a new Quantum drive mechanism, which works fine except I don't know where to plug in the drive activity light?! I've been told by various sources that it goes into various places (including the motherboard) but none of them worked. There are some small sockets on the drive itself but the plug is too big for any of them.
David Dobson via email
** A **
The drive light socket is usually small white socket on the drive somewhere. Exactly where this socket is depends on the drive model (which you don't mention) so check out Quantum's web site, which provides excellent technical information:
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http://www.quantum.com
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You should be able to obtain a miniature plug from any good electronics supplier.
Shiuming Lai


Motherboard switchover
** Q **
I have a Mega STe and have in the past had some problems with various peripherals. As there wasn't a reliable technician in my area who knew about STs I ordered a motherboard from Toad. I have some experience of replacing floppy and hard drives and TOS chips. Apart from protecting everything from static electricity are there any particular pitfalls I should watch for?
Karl Blinkhorn, Lancaster
** A **
Opening the Mega STe to extract the power supply is fairly easy as you only need to unscrew two screws. Be careful with the PSU connector though as it can be a bit tough unplugging it from the main board. Be firm but not too firm. The motherboard is held down by numerous screws, all of which will need to be undone. You need to be very careful when lifting the motherboard from the case. The problem is the reset button - there is no good way of lifting out the board without bending the reset button part a little. Replacing the new motherboard in the case is fairly easy. Just remember to attach all the parts back on the motherboard in the correct place. It may be an idea in the beginning to mark on a drawing where various things plug in, by examining the Mega STe before pulling it apart.
Steve Taylor


IMG-ination
** Q **
Can you recommend a decent package to edit IMG pictures? My setup is a Mega ST 4 with NEC 3D Multisync monitor.
Melanie Ferris, Billericay
** A **
Arabesque Professional (£39.95 from Titan) should fit the bill nicely. It is fast, feature packed and has a user-definable virtual canvas limited only by your available memory. As a bonus, it can also handle vector graphics in the form of GEM or Calamus vector graphics.
Shiuming Lai


Dead floppy
** Q **
Is it possible to find a replacement for my dead and broken internal floppy drive ?
James Greenstreet, Sheffield
** A **
Yes, standard PC drives should work in theory, although some need slight modification. Buy from an Atari dealer and you'll avoid any potential headaches.
Phil Hough


Sample the silence
** Q **
I use ProTracker, and the sample mixing function doesn't seem to work. When I mix two samples all I get is silence!
Mark Boothe, Manchester
** A **
Take a look at the parameters of the sample block. ProTracker sets the volume of the resultant sample to zero by default. Simply adjust this to suit and enjoy your work.
Shiuming Lai
** PROTRACK.GIF here **
Look for this section within Protracker if you want to listen to your creations.


PC Rodents
** Q **
Is there any way to use a PC mouse on my Atari? My overused and damaged original Atari mouse wants to retire.
Martin Quested, London
** Q **
You can still buy a proper Atari specific mouse from Atari dealers and they're generally nicer to use than the original. These typically cost between £10 and £15 pounds.
It is possible to use a serial PC mouse plugged into the serial port along with a PD utility imaginatively called Mouse v2.5. It works well but doesn't feel exactly the same as a 'real' Atari mouse. Obviously if you're already using the serial port for a modem this isn't a feasible idea.
Phil Hough


Shareware registration
** Q **
I am a firm believer of the shareware ethic and have registered all the programs I use regularly. Having the facility to register various shareware programs within the UK is a boon to us Atari owners. However sometimes I have to wait up to a month for my registration key. Why do I have to wait so long for something which surely only takes a matter of minutes?
Joseph Adams, Grimsby
** A **
First of all, thank you for registering the programs you use - your direct action helps keep the Atari platform alive. InterActive and CyberSTrider handle the bulk of UK registrations for overseas authors and both Joe and I do it as a hobby to do our bit towards the continued success of our favourite platform.
However, neither of us earn a living from the schemes and we both have other jobs, families which take priority over registrations not to mention our contributions to this magazine!
Over the years registrations have continued to rise and we both find it difficult to resist adding support for 'just one more' extra special program - which adds up to more work. The only sensible way is to process registrations in batches so if you're lucky it takes a few days and if you're unlucky it can take up to a month. We can't do two things at once so please be patient and only start to worry if your cheque has been cashed and you haven't yet received your registration. Neither Joe nor I cash cheques until we process your registration/s.
Denesh Bhabuta

Whining STe
** Q **
My Atari 1040STe is connected to my HiFi system via a pair of RCA phono leads and when the volume is turned up there is a high pitch whining noise. Is my computer broken? I have disconnected the HiFi in case I damage it.
Bob Morro, London
** A **
No, this is a problem with the design of the machine. The STe audio system is not properly isolated from the rest of the components so it inherently picks up noise. Adjusting the graphic equaliser on your HiFi system may alleviate the problem.
Shiuming Lai


** Boxout begin **
System Audio Manager (SAM)
Pressing the [Tab] key toggles the different available selections as the default button. However, this does stop working after a dialog has been displayed, for example, selecting a sample while holding down [Control] to show information about it - unless you hold the [Alternate] key! Unfortunately none of this seems to apply on a Falcon.
Shiuming Lai

SAM.GIF
Assign sounds to various system events
** Boxout end **

** start boxout **
MagiC ExtenDOS
If you're getting 'invalid drive' errors using ExtenDOS v2.1 under MagiC you need to upgrade. The current version is ExtenDOS Pro 2.4A.
Patch files have recently hit BBSs and FTP sites and should be available from PD/Shareware libraries by the time you read this. The filenames to look out for are: EPRO_210.ZIP, EPRO_23A.ZIP, EPRO_240.ZIP, and EPRO_24A.ZIP. If you're using v2.1 you'll need all of them. Alternatively contact your ExtenDOS supplier for an upgrade.
Denesh Bhabuta
** end boxout **