Documentation for MegaBoot v1.1 by Darek Mihocka and Ignac A. Kolenko Jr. MegaBoot is yet another program to stick in your AUTO directory. It has 3 functions: - switch to medium rez (if in color) - and load the DESKTOP.INF appropriate for the current resolution (a MUST for anyone with 2 monitors and a hard drive!!!) - do a quick memory test (optional) 0. System Requirments MegaBoot must be placed in the AUTO directory of your boot disk. This can be either A: or C: if your hard drive boots automatically. MEGABOOT.PRG should be the first file in your AUTO directory. This allows the memory test to test all of memory, before any RAMdisks take part away. This also allows other AUTO programs to function in 80 columns, which is usually better than looking at a wide 40 column display (especially if you just switched from mono!). If you encounter any problems with this program, or have suggestions for other features that could be put in, contact Darek Mihocka on Compuserve at 73657,2714 and on GEnie and DELPHI as DAREKM. Also if you have any questions regarding the aSTronomer in START, or the ST Xformer in ST Log, feel free to drop a message. the aSTronomer is a star charting program from the latest START. The ST Transformer is an Atari 800 emulator that appears in the September 1987 issue of ST LOG magazine. Be sure to try out the MegaWatt Accessory and provide your ideas. ************************************************************************* 1. Memory Test The memory test consists of a 2 pass destructive test of the heap. On a 1 Meg machine is takes about 3 seconds to completely finish. At boot up time, less than 100K of memory is actually used, so most of the available memory is tested. The 32K of screen memory will show it's defects (if any) very clearly, and any defects in lower RAM will probably result in the computer not booting. So the memory that is tested is what will be used by accessories and applications. The memory test only executes if one of the Shift keys is being pressed. The first pass writes hex values $FF to all the memory locations, then goes back and checks them all. The second pass then does the same thing with value $00. If any bytes change in value, the memory test is reported to have failed, otherwise it passes. If the memory test does fail, use a more complex memory testing program to isolate the exact memory location that fails. 2. Medium Resolution The ST normally boots up in lo resolution if it is in color. This results in a 40 column desktop. By switching to medium rez, you can save the DESKTOP.INF file to allow it to boot up in 80 columns next time. However, any programs in the AUTO directory will still be executed in 40 column mode, since DESKTOP.INF is loaded after the files in AUTO execute. MegaBoot solves this problem by switching to medium resolution right away. It must be the first file in the AUTO directory. 3. DESKTOP.INF A major problem with having 2 monitors is that a desktop saved in monochrome will boot up in 40 column mode on a color monitor. This usually results in half the icons and windows being off the screen, especially if you have a hard drive with 10 or more icons! Conversly, a desktop saved in color will boot up in monochrome with most of the icons bunched up in the top half of the screen. To solve this, you must save DESKTOP.INF twice. In monochrome, save it and then rename it to DESKTOP.HI. In color, save it and rename it to DESKTOP.MED. MegaBoot will then copy the appropriate file to DESKTOP.INF so that the desktop comes out properly. DESKTOP.HI and DESKTOP.MED can be changed to hidden files so that only DESKTOP.INF appears on the desktop. Remember to update them if you wish to modify DEKSTOP.INF, since DESKTOP.INF gets erased on every boot. *************************************************************************