========================================================================= (C) 1994 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May be reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt.Type XTX99437,GENIE and press [RETURN]. The system will prompt you for your information. ========================================================================== ************ Topic 14 Sun Nov 11, 1990 BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.] at 16:00 EST Sub: Mega STE Information on the MEGA STe. Please place all your questions, comments, and concerns in this topic. 201 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 1 Wed Jan 19, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 23:42 EST I just installed Ram Baby on my MSTe. In the docs it says to always remove the print spooler and ram disk before changing resolutions. Does anyone know why? Is this necessary even though the computer automatically re-boots upon resolution change? Thanks - Tommy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 2 Thu Jan 20, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 03:22 EST Tommy, Ataris cannot deal properly with accessories when you change resolutions. They are unplugged, so to speak. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 3 Thu Jan 20, 1994 M.RIVMAN1 [MATT] at 18:41 EST Tommy - Maybe you could post over in Cat 4 Top 11, where you got ahold of Intersect's Ram Baby. Jim mentioned it worked on the Turbo 030 and someone was looking for it. Thanks, Matt ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 4 Thu Jan 20, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 21:35 EST Sheldon, >Atari-ST RoundTable >Category 14, Topic 14 >Message 186 Sun Jan 09, 1994 >S.WINICK at 18:10 EST > > GFN, > > >> Sheldon, would you exchange a 68881 16mhz for my 68882 16mhz? > > Why don't you ask that question to the dealer you purchased the > 68882 from? Best I can do would be sell you a 68881. > > Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) >---------- > Thanks for jogging my memory. GFN ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 5 Thu Jan 20, 1994 M.LYDA [mike] at 22:57 EST What are the signs of a power supply going bad in a MSTE? Would very faint vertical lines be a sign? (on white background shows up as one pixel wide) They show up the most when contrast is turned all the way up and brightness way down... then the lines appear to flicker. The lines are spaced approx. two characters apart. I had noticed them before when my internal hard drive was being accessed. oh.. I've been running a BBS on it for about 2 yrs. (24hrs.), so the inside is probably a bit dusty. (so what's a good way to get the dust and grime out?) Also, can anyone recommend a _quiet_ fan for this thing? thanks.. Mike Lyda ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 6 Fri Jan 21, 1994 K.CAVAGHAN2 [OakSprings] at 07:32 EST >M.LYDA [mike] at 22:57 EST >(so what's a good way to get the dust and grime out?) Hi Mike, The easiest way that I've found to clean the insides out is to carefully open the case (powered off, of course) and with a soft bristle paint brush and a hair blower, gently brush off of the motherboard and memory chips and blow the gunk away. The brush also helps to get into all of the tight nooks and crannies. As well make sure to use the hair blower on high power in both directions when cleaning the fan. You might be amazed at the amount of junk that gets stuck in there. Depending on your computer environment, this can be a rather messy job so plan your cleaning area accordingly (ie: don't use the living room unless you want to vacuum and dust later . NB: you don't have to take out your HD to do this but it does help and it probably wouldn't hurt to clean it as well. Good luck, Kent ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 7 Fri Jan 21, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 13:35 EST Al - Thanks. >Ataris cannot deal properly with accessories when you change resolutions. They >are unplugged, so to speak. So, since I'm using X-boot after the resolution change, there wouldn't really be any harm done to not disable the Ram Disk? (Aside from losing whatever's in the Ram Disk) - Tommy P.S. This is my first quote in a message and I'm awfully gosh darned excited. :-> Also : Thanks Matt. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 8 Sat Jan 22, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 03:03 EST Tommy, You're right. There's no harm. To the computer, a ramdisk is just another program, and if you're not interested in saving what's on it, just hit the reboot button. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 9 Sat Jan 22, 1994 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 12:27 EST mike LYDA, Those white lines sound like a RAM problem. Or, some kind of noise. Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 10 Sat Jan 22, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 17:05 EST Has anyone heard anything about certain Mega STe's being overtaxed in the power supply if a hard drive is internally installed? (I'm thinking of putting a hard drive in mine for back up purposes.) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 11 Sat Jan 22, 1994 S.WINICK at 18:52 EST Tommy, The MegaSTe is DESIGNED to have an internal hard drive. You will need the MegaSTe hard drive interface kit if your machine doesn't already have one. The kit includes the hard drive bay mounting cover, interface board, 50-pin ribbon cable, power extension cable, RF shielding, software and mounting screws. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 12 Sun Jan 23, 1994 D.LIGHT2 [DPL] at 00:24 EST I had stripes on my screen also, after stacking ram chips to get 1 meg in my 520 ST. One of the outputs of one of the ram chips wasn't making good contact. The computer ran OK til it tried getting into the upper 500 K of ram. Monitors that are not blanking properly can also cause slightly diagonal lines on the screen. DPL ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 13 Sun Jan 23, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 09:13 EST Sheldon, I'm a little surprised - No price or availability mentioned on the MSTE Internal Hard Drive kit... Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 14 Mon Jan 24, 1994 S.WINICK at 02:29 EST Lee, >> I'm a little surprised - No price or availability mentioned on >> the MSTE Internal Hard Drive kit... It is my policy to NOT quote pricing on the public areas of GEnie. Anyone wanting specific pricing can contact either myself or any of the other fine Atari dealers who are active here online to get pricing and place an order. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 15 Mon Jan 24, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 18:12 EST Sheldon, Sorry. That's a good policy as I now realize that quoting pricing could start a minor price war and nobody in the Atari community needs that. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 17 Wed Jan 26, 1994 F.HENSE [FRANK] at 23:27 EST Al, Unless your using coderam!!! :-) ( which is resetable) Frank ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 18 Sun Jan 30, 1994 J.KORB at 13:57 EST I may have found an easy way to check whether a Mega STE has a High Density (HD) floppy drive. After recently reading the posts on the Mega STE, I once again was curious if my Mega STE had an HD floppy. I had tried formating in HD in the past but with no success. After the recent download, I checked my floppy drive for the second post supposedly characteristic of a HD drive. Mine had the second post so I was again determined to find a way of resolving this issue. Some time back I had purchased SpeedoGDOS and had installed it on my Mega STE. I had also purchased the WordPerfect SIX.0 FONT PACK from Bitstream to use with SpeedoGDOS. These fonts come on HD floppies. At the time I had a friend copy them to lower density floppies to install on my computer. It suddenly occurred to me that if the floppy drive in my computer was HD then it might be able to read HD disks. I pulled out a HD Speedo font disk and put it in my drive. I was pleasantly surprised to see the full directory come up on the screen. After some experimentation I found that the drive would read the HD disk and would write the files to my hard drive or external floppy drive. It still would not write to the HD disk, but this is probably due to the lack of an AJAX chip. I also found out that the HD hole was necessary otherwise the drive would look for a lower density disk and would display an error message. I now believe that I already have a HD drive, and will be looking for an AJAX chip to install rather that purchase the full conversion kit. Others may wish to check out their Mega STE using this method. Is the above method a valid way to check for a HD drive? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 19 Mon Jan 31, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 03:24 EST J. Korb, No, that's not a reliable way (although in your case, you obviously have a case!). But it does work as a rough check. Reading the directory of a floppy does not itself mean that the sectors that hold data can be read. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 20 Mon Jan 31, 1994 J.KORB at 22:12 EST Al Fasoldt, I thought that reading the directory may not mean that the sectors can be read so that is why I verified it by copying the files to the hard drive and/or external floppy drive. Since I was successful in transferring these files it appears that the internal drive does read the high density disk. Jim ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 21 Mon Jan 31, 1994 D.LIGHT2 [DPL] at 23:48 EST I just did the mentioned High Density Drive test. It failed miserably. Since I can't read any part of a 2HD disk, does that mean I don't have a 2HD drive, or can there be other reasons? DPL ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 22 Wed Feb 02, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 00:29 EST Just set up an MSTE, but have no manuals. I've heard that the speed can be switched between 8 and 16 mhz. Can anyone tell me how. Thanks, --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 23 Wed Feb 02, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 01:02 EST Sandy, You can change the speed with the General CPX or with some auto folder programs. Search the libraries using MSTE or something similiar. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 24 Wed Feb 02, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 02:59 EST Sandy - As a fellow MSTE owner, I'd be happy to tell ya' how to switch speeds on your computer. Actually, there are several ways. The 'standard' way would be to use Extensible Control Panel (XControl) and the General Setup CPX module. With it you can set the default speed to 8 or 16, and also switch speeds on the fly. Since the computer actually boots by default at 8Mhz (for compatibility reasons), I have a nice little program in my AUTO folder to kick it into 16Mhz first thing. This program is available in the library, along with one to put in 16/No Cache, and one for switching dwon to 8Mhz. These were written by John Townsend. The best program I have for speed switching on-the-fly is MHZ 1.1 by DMJ. It allows you to assign a key combination to toggle between 8/16Mhz using any combination of Control/Alternate/Left & Right Shift keys. This is great if you need to toggle speeds often. This one is also available in the ST Library here. If you use NeoDesk, you can configure it to switch speeds for individual programs, or turn the cache off, etc. Basically though, you'll probably find that you'll rarely want/have to switch to 8Mhz, unless you want to play certain games or for viewing Spectrum and PhotoChrome format picture files. You might want to do a search in the library under 'Mega ste' or something like that. There are some other speed switching options available here. Hope you enjoy your new MSTE. It's a very nice computer! - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 25 Thu Feb 03, 1994 T.HAYSLETT [Tom [TLC]] at 05:24 EST Hi Sandy, Re switching the speed on your Mega STe, there are several ways. One of the easiest is to download a file called TLC_MEGA.LZH from the libraries, it runs as an ACC or PRG and lets you speed switch on the fly. It also contains several tiny programs you can place in your AUTO folder to set the speed you want when you turn on your system. Tom [TLC] ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 26 Sat Feb 05, 1994 D.KAUFMAN [d.a.k.] at 14:14 EST J. Korb, Please let us know if and when you get TOS 2.06 and an Ajax chip, if your drive becomes a full-fledged HD drive. Perhaps many of us 2.05, 720K'ers have HD drives too! You may have come up with an alternative to replacing the drive, due to your experimental creativity. It certainly never occurred to me to try what you did, so we are thanking you in advance. (-: d.a.k. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 27 Sat Feb 05, 1994 M.RIVMAN1 [MATT] at 23:13 EST d.a.k. ! Howdy! Shortly after J.Korb posted his thoughts re: the HD floppy 'test' someone posted that it is not a reliable test. I hope they are right, only because I tried to read an HD disk formatted on a 486 and got the old 'drive x is not responding' message. My guess is that if I couldn't even recognize the disk, mine Mega STe has a true DD drive only. The disk was formated via MS DOS 6.2 ala command line... not through windows. Don't know if this makes a difference though. I will be going for the HD upgrade kit, but may do an AlberTT card or better (if $ permit) first. Hope all is well with you, later, Matt ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 28 Sun Feb 06, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 04:35 EST I'm sure I'm jumping in here late and out of context :-> but are you guys saying that you can't just format a disk and have the "bytes available" tell you if it's DD or HD? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 29 Sun Feb 06, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 08:33 EST Tommy, No, they're saying that they might have a high density drive and not know it. To have a high density floppy drive in a MegaSTE and know it requires (at least) three things: a.) A high density drive, b.) an AJAX chip, c.) a dip switch set properly. It has been discovered that some MegaSTEs were sent out with "a." and not "b." or "c.". On such a machine you can cut the cost of the HD floppy upgrade somewhat since "a." costs money which might not have to be spent. Only if you have all of a, b, and c, will you get the High Density option on Format Floppy Disk dialog. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 30 Sun Feb 06, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 12:40 EST Tommy, No. It't not that simple. I wish it were! Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 31 Sun Feb 06, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 14:54 EST >Only if you have all of a, b, and c, will you get the High >Density option on Format Floppy Disk dialog. So if you see the High Density option on the Format Floppy Disk dialog, you've got HD? Still confused - Tommy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 32 Mon Feb 07, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 04:47 EST With the question of whether or not some MSTE floppy drives are HD drives or not being thrown around here, I decided to check into mine. On a visual inspection, I did see the detection pins on both sides of the drive. I got curious. I don't have any HD disks here, so I made the proper hole for the HD detection. When I tried to access this disk, I could get a directory, but got errors when trying to read the files (that were already on the disk) When I covered the hole up with tape, it could again read the files. This leads me to believe that the drive may very well be HD, and when it detects a HD disk in the drive it confuses the rest of the system (I _know_ I have the WD1772 chip) since it doesn't know how to respond to the drive when it kicks into HD. Am I correct in assuming that this is what's happening, and all I really need to go HD is an AJAX chip? If so, I'm ordering one pronto! (Sheldon....check your E-Mail!) If I'm wrong on this, I may just get the HD upgrade kit, but I really don't to buy anything I don't need! - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 33 Mon Feb 07, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 06:33 EST Mick, Simply checking for the detection pins on both sides will not tell you whether or not you have a HD drive. My DD drive that came in my MSTE had the pins on both sides and DEFINATELY was a DD drive. The Atari computers do not use the second hole or detection pin in the HD drives. I can format a DD disk to HD without the second hole. I DO NOT do normally (I use HD disk), but only did it for testing. When I purchased my MSTE and from what everyone told me, I was also under the impression that I had a HD drive as it had both detection pins. I then bought the AJAX chip and changed the #7 jumper only to find out that it WAS NOT a HD drive. I then had to purchase the HD drive. I could have saved myself some $$$ by checking first to make sure the drive was HD and bought the package deal (HD and AJAX) that most dealers had. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 34 Mon Feb 07, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:51 EST Tommy, No. If you see the High Density option on the Format Floppy Disk Dialog you have the dip switch set. Unfortunately it's also possible to have all three of A, B, C and have trouble formatting HD floppies. On my MSTE I can read & write HD floppies reliably, but I can't format them reliably as it will usually "crap out" toward the higher tracks (75-80). At least I can buy preformatted 'BM high density floppies, renumber them and use them. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 35 Mon Feb 07, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 18:46 EST Mick, Once again I'll get a lot of people who will tell me this is not so, but it is: All current 3.5-inch drives (except those odd few that support 2.88M) are 1.44M. There are no new 720K drives any more. So my bet is that your drive is a 1.44M drive, is it's in a late model MSTe. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 36 Mon Feb 07, 1994 D.KAUFMAN [d.a.k.] at 21:30 EST Koloth, >It has been discovered that some MegaSTEs were sent out with "a." >and not "b." or "c.". On such a machine you can cut the cost of the >HD floppy upgrade somewhat since "a." costs money which might not >have to be spent. Only if you have all of a, b, and c, will you get >the High Density option on Format Floppy Disk dialog. Very well said. I think you're ready for the logic portion of the LSAT's! d.a.k. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 37 Tue Feb 08, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 01:12 EST Wayne, I'm aware that the presence of detection pins on both sides of the drive is not an accurate method of determining whether or not the drive is HD or not. What I found interesting was that when a disk with both holes was accessed, it caused an error. This same 720k disk works fine when the HD hole is covered up. To me, this seems to indicate that the HD detect pin is definitely active in some way or another. I may just yank the drive out of the system and try it on a friends system. He's using HD. If I can find the drive manufacturer & model number, maybe I can save myself that trouble too. Al, My MSTE is a couple of years old, so it may have a 720k drive in it, but from what I've been able to tell so far, I'm encouraged. If I can manage to get HD by just getting AJAX, I'll be thrilled! If not, I'll just get another drive mech and AJAX. Now, here's where things get a little questionable; If I just go for the AJAX chip (assuming I have a HD drive), is it reliable to use TOS 2.05 and the HD Cookie program, or is 2.06 really that important? I'm really trying to get by here as cheaply as possible, so every penny saved helps! Thanks all for the input...... - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 38 Tue Feb 08, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:38 EST D.A.K., Thanks. I try. Now the problem is that I'm forgetting how A, B, and C are defined. So much for the memory section. LSAT's aren't likely. Wayne, If you need the AJAX and a drive, the "kit" would be your best bet if you can get it as it comes with TOS 2.06 chips. As I understand it TOS 2.06 fixed the IBM compatibility for 1.44 MB diskettes and maybe fixed something else too, but I'm not sure what. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 39 Tue Feb 08, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 07:36 EST Mick, TOS 2.06 is NOT a must have for 1.44 support. The Cookie will take care of most of the stuff. The main problem from what I understand is that 2.05 didn't do very well in the MSDOS compatibility area. A friend of mine has been using 2.05 and the Cookie for the 1.44 with no problems now for several years. If MSDOS compatibility isn't important, then no problems. Of course, there are programs that will write a MSDOS compatibile boot sector. If you end up buying the upgrade kit, then TOS 2.06 will come with it anyway. $150 for TOS 2.06, Ajax chip and floppy drive isn't a bad price. All I remember about the drive numbers is that the HD drive's model number is lower than the DD drive's model number. If you can get the model number from your drive, then I should be able to remember if it is the DD or HD drive. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 40 Tue Feb 08, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 18:18 EST For other reasons, I would suggest TOS 2.06. It seems programs behave better with TOS 2.06 because of a bug in TOS 2.05. Can't remember exactly what but, it was a bug that affected a lot of programs. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 41 Tue Feb 08, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 19:41 EST Mick, 2.06 is worth it, definitely. And you can get a manual on 2.06 from the 'Heads. I have 3.06, the TT equiv. of 2.06, and am very glad I do. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 42 Wed Feb 09, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 05:05 EST **** AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! *** After much experimentation and a couple of frustrating hours of banging my head against the wall, I've just determined that my Blitter chip is going out on me. When it's turned on, I get little horizontal bands of color in various spots on the screen. As soon as I turn it off, they no longer appear. You wouldn't believe the 'stuff' I went through trying to track this down! I was convinced it was a software problem, but when I finally narrowed it down to XControl, it didn't take to long to figure out it had something to do with a CPX module. It was confusing me at first, because I forgot that the General CPX was turning my BLiTTER on even though NEWDESK.INF had it off. Soooo, depending on the cost of a new BLiTTER (I think that's the correct spelling, isn't it?), I may have to put off my HD upgrade. Off to E-Mail Sheldon I guess....... - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 43 Wed Feb 09, 1994 D.GEPPERT [MR.DON] at 15:51 EST Mick.... I had a similar problem, although it did it in mono as well a color. I did get those horizontal lines but even worse, as soon as I accessed the menus the whole OS bombed big time. When I disabled the blitter with software it all stopped so I removed it from the computer and am currently seeking a new one. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 44 Wed Feb 09, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 23:08 EST Speaking of horizontal lines, though I think in a different context, I just bought a game that goes crazy scrolling down the screen like old T.V.s used to do when they were on the fritz. Anyone know why? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 45 Thu Feb 10, 1994 M.KOHL1 [Zero One] at 00:39 EST So, how much does an Ajax chip cost? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 46 Thu Feb 10, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 04:13 EST YAHOOOOO!!!! Looks like I don't need to replace my BLiTTER chip after all! A friend (who has done a bit of work on ST's) suggested cleaning the connectors on the chip. That seems to have done the trick! I pulled the chip, cleaned all of the pins and the socket with a cotton swap dipped in alcohol, put it back in, and so far all is well again! May have saved me a few bucks too. Oh, while I had the computer opened I checked the model number of the floppy drive. It is an Epson SMD-380. Anyone know if it is DD or HD? - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 47 Thu Feb 10, 1994 S.WINICK at 05:46 EST Mick, The Epson SMD-380 is a DS/DD drive mechanism. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 48 Thu Feb 10, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:27 EST Tommy, Most likely the game was written for european 50 hertz (hz) video. Most monitors can have their vertical hold adjusted to correct the problem. Some can be adjusted so they'll switch between 50 and 60 hz and only blink. An inconvenience, but not fatal. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 49 Thu Feb 10, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 08:40 EST Mick, Good lesson to us all. Thanks for posting the latest BlITtEr news. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 50 Thu Feb 10, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 18:18 EST Hi again. You guys spoiled me with your speedy and helpful advice about switching processor speeds, so here I am again with my next problem of the day. It seems my Mega ST2 has a 25 pin connector for the modem -- same connector as the printer. This matches the cable ends for my Supra 2400. However, the MSTE has a 9 pin connector, which I discovered when I tried to change over just now. Is there a standard adaptor, with appropriate pin connections, which might be available at, say, Radio Shack or a local computer store? Or else, what do you advise? --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 51 Thu Feb 10, 1994 M.SLAGELL [Mark] at 19:42 EST Sandy, I recently had to do the same thing, hook my old modem to an MSTe 9-pin serial port. I found that a new 9-to-25 pin cable was actually a couple of bucks cheaper than the adaptor. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 52 Thu Feb 10, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 20:39 EST -> At least I can buy preformatted 'BM high density floppies, -> renumber them and What's this "renumber them" business? I just bought a box of preformatted HD disks, but haven't tried them out yet. Thought I would just go ahead and use them, but are you saying this is not the case? --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 53 Thu Feb 10, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 20:41 EST Thanks Mark, I'll Gemail to Sheldon W. and ask him to send a 9 to 25 pin cable. --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 54 Thu Feb 10, 1994 J.KORB at 21:20 EST I would like to bring everyone up to date on the continuing saga of whether I was able to convert my Mega STE internal floppy drive to High Density (HD) without replacing the drive mechanism. I was able to obtain an Ajax chip which I installed in my Mega STE. After setting switch 7 to the on position, I attempted to format a disk in HD format. Unfortunately the drive would spin for some time and then display an error message on the screen. I then took a look at the cookie jar and discovered that the HD format routine was not being installed. Since I had upgraded to TOS 2.06 over a year ago, the HD format routine should have appeared in the cookie jar. Apparently the system was not reading the drive as HD. I then forced the HD format to install by use of the FDC patch program. After verifying that the HD format was installed, I once again tried to format in HD ..... and once again it failed. It appears that there is something that still has to be done to the disk drive - either replacement or possibly some jumper change to be recognized as a HD drive. Maybe someone else can provide the information on what still needs to be done. Jim ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 55 Thu Feb 10, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 21:55 EST Sandy, Your MSTe has an AT connector, the current standard for the industry. All cables except old ones will fit it fine. RS sells adaptors, of course. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 56 Thu Feb 10, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 22:27 EST Cheaper and more reliable, by far. :) Sandy, You don't need to renumber the disks. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 57 Fri Feb 11, 1994 EXPLORER.1 [] Ron [] at 00:15 EST Jim, I believe the very early MSTe's needed a couple of wires added and a PAL change to make the floppy work in HD [anyone here know for sure?]. Any idea when your MSTe was made (serial number)? Ron @ AEO ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 58 Fri Feb 11, 1994 M.RIVMAN1 [MATT] at 00:20 EST Sandy, Hi there! Yes, Radio Shack should have either the 25 pin to 9pin cable, _or_ a 25 pin female to 9 pin male adapter plug. I think there will be only a few dollars difference between the two. I opted for the full cable, but only because adding the adaptor would have meant I needed to add more distance between the main body of the machine and the wall, effectively creating a larger footprint on my desk. I like as much room as is available for those times I need to do 'pen and paper' writing etc. If your local Radio Shack doesn't have any in stock, my guess is that any computer shop or electronics store that sells systems will have the parts. Take care, and BTW - I'm still sitting on the remainder of the shares I bought @ 1 7/16! I'm having some fun now, just watching and waiting!!! (sorry, topic cops!) Matt ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 59 Fri Feb 11, 1994 D.LIGHT2 [DPL] at 01:15 EST Sandy, I'd suggest not using an 9 to 25 pin adapter on any socket that is PC board mounted, which I think is the case here. The added weight and leverage can cause board damage. I've not seen it on a MSTe, but have on other equipment. DPL ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 60 Fri Feb 11, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 03:22 EST Thanks for the advise re the 9 <--> 25 pin cable. I was going to order one from Sheldon, but I can probably get one from a nearby Staples or Radio Shack -- as soon as I can get out of the door that is. What a winter this is. Worst one I can remember in a long time. Almost as bad as those around Syracuse I imagine. Matt - - Keep on holdin on and enjoyin fella. It looks like it's trying to turn, but may need 2 months or more. The latest chart should get into the library in the next few days. Among other things, it will show the fractal and cycle basis for thinking this. A GEnieLamp special. --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 61 Fri Feb 11, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 03:59 EST Sheldon, Thanks for the info on the drive. Looks like my best bet is for HD is going with the full upgrade kit after all. For anyone who may be interested, Best Electronics has the Mylar internal keyboard circuit for the MSTE/TT keyboards in stock. I've been in need of one of these for quite a while now and will have one in a couple of days. Beats shelling out for a totally new keyboard (which seemed like the only option for a while). The part costs $29.95. - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 62 Fri Feb 11, 1994 S.WINICK at 05:31 EST Mick, Many Atari dealers also carry those MegaSTe mylar circuit boards for the keyboards. We've been stocking and selling them for some time already. If you should need one, you might try checking with your favorite dealer first. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 63 Fri Feb 11, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 18:17 EST Sandy, The 25 pin to 9 pin serial port adapter is a standard item anywhere that sells computer cables. It's the same one used on the IBM PC and it's many clones. The Atari uses the diskette's serial number to detect disk swaps and thus if the serial numbers are the same you can easily scramble a diskette's directory if you change diskettes and don't update the internal (in memory) copy of the diskette's directory and then write to the new diskette using the wrong directory. Whenever I buy pre-formatted diskettes I always replace their serial numbers using a small utility called UNEEKIT to give each diskette a random serial number, just to make sure. Someday I'll write down the GEnie library number for UNEEKIT and put in a place where I can find it as I repeat this message about every two months. Jim Korb, A manufacturer and model number of your floppy disk drive would appear to be needed for anyone to be able to help you on jumper settings, etc. Al, > you don't have to renumber the disks. I thought you did. Have newer versions of TOS overcome this problem ? Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 64 Sat Feb 12, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 03:20 EST Sheldon, Live and learn I guess. I had tried to find one about a year or so ago here on GEnie, but had no luck back then. Since then, I've managed to 'fix' it, but it's not a fix that's going to last too long. Had I known, you would've heard from me! - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 65 Sat Feb 12, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 04:11 EST Sandy - From what I understand the preformatted IBM disks all come with the same disk number on the disk, and Ataris get confused because when you do a disk change, they want to see a new number. There's a program in the library called UNEKIT (Hope that's the right spelling) that easily gives the disk a "unique" number. P.S. Just read Al's post (who knows more about Ataris than I do) and he says you don't need to renumber. Al, are you sure this is true, even when say, switching disk while doing a HD backup? I remember having some trouble while doing a backup w/ Diamond Back and thought this was the problem. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 66 Sat Feb 12, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 09:20 EST Tommy, Sandy, Al, I also remember that STDCAT (a disk cataloger) complains when it sees a serial number more than once and provides tools for you to change them. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 67 Sat Feb 12, 1994 B.CONNOLLY1 [Bud] at 15:26 EST Mick, The Epson SMD-380 is a 720k drive. For the rest of you, a short list of 1.44MB drives: Make Model -------------- ---------- Chinon C359 Epson SMD-1040 SMD-340 SMD-349 Fujitsu M2537 Mitsubishi MF355A, AF, B, or C (1" high) Mitsumi D 359P NEC FD-1335H (1" high) Pacific Rim U1.44 Panasonic JU-257 (1" high) Sony MPF-17 TEAC FD-235HFN (1" high) Toshiba ND-3561 (1" high) All drives are 3.5", Half Height unless noted. All info from the Nov. 1991 edition of the Hard Drive Bible, (c) Corporate Systems Center 1991 so your drive may not be listed! Bud ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 68 Sat Feb 12, 1994 ST.LOU [Lou Rocha] at 15:41 EST Boy, you learn something everyday here on GEnie! I had no idea about the serial numbers on pre-formatted disks. That simple explanation clears up the mystery I have experience lately in swapping files to the 486 from the TT! ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 70 Sat Feb 12, 1994 J.KORB at 22:38 EST Ron & Lee B., With all of the discussion on the MSTE disk drive, I have been experimenting to see if I could convert my MSTE to a High Density (HD) floppy without changing the disk drive. I discovered that my MSTE could read HD disks in its original condition (with TOS 2.06) although it was very slow in doing so. I though that it was at least worth a try at installing the required upgrades without doing the disk drive. So far I have replaced the WD 1772 chip with the AJAX chip and changed out the PAL chip with Version 2. The only remaining item is the disk drive. It is an Epson SMD-340 which is supposed to be a HD drive. Does anyone know how to set the jumpers? Mick Poche, Thanks for posting the message about Best Electronics having the Mylar internal keyboard circuit for the MSTE/TT keyboards in stock. I had my CONTROL key on my keyboard go out about a month ago due to a break in the Mylar circuit board. You may not know how aggravating that can be especially when writing carriage returns in macros or using programs that extensively use the CONTROL key. Luckily I was able to get it repaired for a nominal charge at Compu-Seller West here in Chicagoland. They are about the only remaining Atari dealer in the Chicago area. Since I cannot risk having my keyboard go out anytime in the future, I am planning on ordering the keyboard circuit as soon as Best Electronics opens on Monday. Thanks again. Jim ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 71 Sun Feb 13, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 03:24 EST -> I had my CONTROL key on my keyboard go out about a month ago due -> to a break in the Mylar circuit board. Jim - - What a coincidence! Tonight is the first time I am running some of my everyday programs on the MSTe, and three functions which require the CONTROL key are not working. I thought this might have something to do with the processor speed or something else I don't yet know about -- I'm converting from a normal Mega ST -- but I think you have clarified it. I'm going to try changing back to my old keyboard. Does anyone know of any unexpected problems in such a match-up? I wouldn't want to blow some circuit in the MSTe because the ST keyboard is not compatible? --Sandy PS: Managed to walk throught the worst storm in 10 years and pick up a 9<->25 pin cable as suggested here, and the modem obviously works fine. They only had a 10' length, so that's some more spaghetti clogging up my poor desk which presently has the 2 computers and 2 monitors along with 2 keyboards, the modem, and a few other goodies. There's not even any room left for a mouse pad. PS2: Well, that did it, In order to send this message, I of course had to use the CONTROL key for the break. So I changed keyboards and all seems OK. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 72 Sun Feb 13, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 04:34 EST Here is the description of that utility we have 'all' been needing. Number: 30290 Name: UNEEKIT.LZH Address: L.W.BENJAMIN Date: 931005 Approximate # of bytes: 6144 Number of Accesses: 104 Library: 2 Description: This tiny utility can save you a lot of time. With it you can purchase PC pre-formatted diskettes and give each a unique serial number. The ST uses the diskette serial number to detect disk swaps and thus your disks have to have unique serial numbers. Now instead of taking an hour to format that box of diskettes you can purchase preformatted disks and spend only minutes with UNEEKIT giving each a random serial number. ---------- TT Compatible. Use latest version of QUESTER's LZH program to extract Keywords: unique,diskette,serial number,IBM, Preformatted --------------------------------- I will try it out in the morning on my box of 1.44 disks. BTW, the price difference between pre- and un- formatted HD disks is very small. I paid $9.95 for a box of 11 3M disks (it had a "bonus" disk packed in). --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 73 Sun Feb 13, 1994 S.WINICK at 08:01 EST Sandy, The MegaST and MegaSTe keyboards are completely interchangeable. The Control key on the MegaSTe keyboard appears to be the weak link on the mylar circuit board. We've seen that one go out on the majority of keyboard mylars that we've replaced. In fact, we replaced one with that exact problem on Friday. The customer discovered the problem when logging onto the UNCA VAX which requires several control key sequences to move around the system and even to log off properly. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 74 Sun Feb 13, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 08:49 EST J.KORB, Sorry, I don't have any information on FDDs. Sandy, Thanks for posting the description for UNEEKIT. I guess I should have done it myself, but now I can capture your post and put it in my MegaSTE information directory for future use. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 75 Sun Feb 13, 1994 MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp] at 09:05 EST Sandy, What Sheldon said. I've had two MSTe keyboards fail. The first lost the control key. The second lost the esc and 2 keys. These seem to be the common failures. I picked up a spare mylar at Glendale from Best. I haven't needed it yet (knock on wood) but it's ready, just in case. Changing the mylar is about a 10 minute job with a modicum of manual dexterity. Mike Allen ST HelpDesk~Sysop Written: 6:53 AM Mountain Time Sunday, February 13, 1994 ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 76 Sun Feb 13, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 10:46 EST Sandy, Your old Mega keyboard will work fine with the MSTE. I tried it when I had a Mega. My Shift key under the Control is the one I always had problems with. Now my Enter key on the keypad is intermittant. The MSTE keyboards do have a HIGH failure rate. Everyone I know of personally has had one key or another fail on the MSTE keyboard. I still like it though. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 77 Sun Feb 13, 1994 M.LYDA [mike] at 11:40 EST Jim; my control key went out also.... same break in the mylar circuit board. I couldn't afford a replacement mylar sheet at the time, so I just rejoined the break with solder (heheheh...) and it's still working fine - 6 months later. The I key also has a spot that the case rubs the mylar sheet. I'll eventually be buying a replacement sheet from Sheldon, and probably cutting away the keyboard case where it rubs the mylar. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 78 Sun Feb 13, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 21:04 EST Well, I took apart my MSTe keyboard -- getting the bottom shield off required the most dexterity. No obvious breaks in the printed circuit, but it is obvious that the terminals are well worn. Actually, almost all seem equally worn, except for the numerical keypad, but the only known problems are a dead control key and an intermittent space bar. (Wayne, it's 'e'! ;->) At least, I now have some room on the desk. How much does a new mylar circuit board cost? Does this replacement usually fix the problem, or is there some other weak point, for example the flexible fingers under the keys which are supposed to press against the printed terminals? I agree that the MSTe keyboard is nice to use, has a good feel. But my Mega board is just fine and has never given me a problem, although it must be quite loaded inside with 7 years of NYC dirt. --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 79 Sun Feb 13, 1994 C.HENDERSON2 [Chuck] at 22:29 EST Has anyone else had a problem when re-booting after running for awhile ( as in changing resolutios)? my 4 meg MSTe with TOS 2.05 goes thru the boot process untill it's time to run NEOLOAD.PRG and it locks up and just sits there. I s this a TOS bug or ???? All ideas appreciated. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 80 Mon Feb 14, 1994 BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp] at 17:18 EST Chuck, Your Mega STE is probably re-loading the desk accessories when you change your rez. Are you running any .ACCs that might not like the rez change for some reason? Some .ACCs, like IDLE.ACC, tell you to be sure to disable them before doing a rez change, 'cause they'll hang up you up, about like you have described. :) regards, Bob Brodie ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 81 Mon Feb 14, 1994 R.WELTER2 at 19:18 EST Bob, Nice to see you here again "bird watching". Thought you had taken up "cat watching" for keeps(grin) >Your Mega STE is probably re-loading the desk accessories when you change your >rez. Are you running any .ACCs that might not like the rez change for some >reason? What is the order of things when the Atari loads files on Boot-up? I know the auto folder is first, but do the ACCs load next, or is it the desktop/newdesk files next? Rich ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 83 Tue Feb 15, 1994 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:28 EST An Atari Owner's Guide to 1.44 High Density Floppy Disks & Drives A few years a go one of the PC mags had a VERY technical article about the differences between 360, 720, 1.2 and 1.44 disks. It delved deeply into magnetisim, coercivity, ferrite particles, etc. The well tested (and proven) conclusion was: use a disk the way it is designed to be used; otherwise, you WILL lose data. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but lose it you will. Punching a 720K disk to turn it into a 1.44 disk is a bad thing. The two types of disks are different in their magnetic properties, and coatings. It is just not a reliable cost savings. It is not the same as when us old 8-bitters used to make 'flippy' disks with a punch. Parts needed to use a 1.44 floppy on a MSTe or TT: 1. Switchable 8/16Mhz signal to the floppy drive. 2. AJAX chip. 3. 1.44 drive mech 4a. TOS 2.06 (3.06 on the TT). 4b. TOS 2.05 with the HD cookie (3.05 on the TT). 5. Flip DIP switch #7. 6. ALL OF THE ABOVE! The pre production version of the MSTe will NOT use a 1.44 drive. How to tell: There is a chip located between the SIMMs and the Ajax (or WD1772). If it is rectangular, sorry you loose. If it is square and surface mounted then a 1.44 will work. If you are still having problems, check: 1. Bad Ajax 2. Bad drive mech 3. Data cable too close to power cables 4. Power supply needs middle screw removed We recently replaced 720k and 360k drives in old 520 and 1040s with TEAC 1.44 drives. Passed all Atari bench tests as 720K drives. NOTE: They will NOT work as 1.44 drives on these machines. Remember you must have TOS 2.x, Ajax AND a 16Mhz signal. Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 84 Tue Feb 15, 1994 BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp] at 17:02 EST Rich, I've always been a bird lover at heart. But I've got a cat, too. :) On boot up, the system loads the acc's after the auto folder and then reads the desktop/newdesk.inf file. If you suspect that the culprit is the newdesk file, you can always rename it. But what about the acc's you're running? I thought the problem came at a rez change. Wayne, Thanks. Mike- Nice piece of work! regards, Bob Brodie ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 85 Tue Feb 15, 1994 G.FUQUAY [GGF] at 22:30 EST All, I have recently been plagued with a minor annoying problem. About two weeks ago, a dialogue box containing the message that "Drive x is not responding." "Cancel or Return to try again". Well, at first I would click on cancel, and the system would reboot. And during the reboot, the same dialogue might reappear. Finally, I started clicking on "RETRY", and the system would continue with the operation and complete it. Since then, I have backed up the HD and reformatted it, in the hope that it would take care of the problem. It seemed to help for a while, but it has started all over again. My system is a Mega STe with 4 megs and Seagate ST157 HD. I have Warp9, UIS 3.3, Beckmeyer HD accelerator, SpeedoGdos in the auto folder. I use MultiDesk 3.4a for accessories. Has anyone had any similar problems with theirs? Thanks, Gary ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 86 Wed Feb 16, 1994 C.NICHOLLS [BILL] at 00:07 EST I took my Mega STE into my dealer's here in Vancouver, B.C., for the upgrade to TOS 2.06, since he had the ROM's and the HD drive at a good price. He installed everything then found he hadn't got an Ajax chip. The HD drive didn't work without it in my case. He tried several dealers both in Vancouver and Toronto, and came to the conclusion there are no Ajax chips in Canada. No doubt this has something to do with Sunnyvale's closing down the formerly reliable Atari Canada. Now I'm stumped, and see no way of upgrading. The dealer thought there was no point in just installing the ROM's without the capability of using an HD drive. Is it possible to buy an Ajax chip by mail order? Chuck, I have had intermittent problems of freezing during a warm reset, but they don't appear to be consistent, and I have tended not to worry about it. Maybe I should... Bill ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 87 Wed Feb 16, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 05:10 EST Gary, It sounds like you have a sector going bad. Use your HD utilities to do a mark bad sectors. It should show up and be marked as bad. If it doesn't show up using a single pass, then try doing it using more than one pass. A temporary fix is to find out what file it is having problems with, rename it and put a fresh copy of it on the drive. This will basically keep the sector as used. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 88 Wed Feb 16, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:23 EST Mike, Thanks for the information on the 1.44 MB drives. I've got an old single sided external drive, someday I might want to upgrade it to 720 (for the 1040) or 1.44 (for the MSTE). Bill, I would think that an Atari dealer would be able to order an AJAX direct from Sunnyvale... but you never know. The Intermittent freeze sounds like a loose chip. Try reseating all of the socketed chips, or better yet, ask your dealer to do it. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 89 Wed Feb 16, 1994 S.WINICK at 07:05 EST Bill, Have your dealer contact me and we'll arrange to ship him an AJAX controller for your MegaSTe -- I have plenty of them in stock. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 90 Wed Feb 16, 1994 S.WINICK at 07:08 EST Gary, I'd recommend taking your MegaSTe to an authorized service center and have a complete diagnostic test run on it. The problems you've described might be caused by a bad drive controller or sound chip. Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 91 Thu Feb 17, 1994 D.BRYANT12 [DAN BRYANT] at 02:55 EST Is it possible to hook up a mouse or trakball to the left port on the keyboard? I have an annoying unrelated problem which seems to be with my trakball. Frequently when I click on a button, the cursor begins blinking at a very fast rate. In Word Perfect, it usually causes the "repeat" dialogue box to appear instead of whatever item I selected from the drop down menu. If often inserts a "1" into the text as well. I'd take the mouse off my 1040 STE and switch but it is such a pain to access the mouse port on the 1040.... ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 92 Thu Feb 17, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 20:12 EST Matt, Though the Albert TT is more expensive to begin with, in the long run it is the better buy. IMHOP. GFN ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 93 Thu Feb 17, 1994 C.NICHOLLS [BILL] at 22:58 EST Sheldon, Thanks very much indeed. See your E-Mail. Bill ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 94 Fri Feb 18, 1994 D.HOHENSTEIN [PRIMETIME] at 20:33 EST You need a PAL chip as well to make a 68881 run on a MSTe? That's news to me. How much will a PAL chip set one back, and won't that screw up RF output (for those of us who like video tape)? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 95 Fri Feb 18, 1994 S.WOLF4 [Sandy] at 20:45 EST Probably not the right topic -- I don't know which other -- but is there a way to send a picture of the screen into a PI3 file in an arbitrary situation. Some programs have a provision for this, but most do not. I know the - combo sends it to the printer, but I want to make a PI3 file which I can then upload into the library. Perhaps a utility/accessory, or something I don't know about in TOS 2.06, or other? --Sandy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 96 Fri Feb 18, 1994 EXPLORER.1 [] Ron [] at 21:54 EST Sandy, To send screen dumps to a file, give Barrel a try. -- Ron ---------- Atari-ST RoundTable Number: 6759 Name: BARREL.ARC Address: RJROBINSON Date: 880430 Approximate # of bytes: 7560 Number of Accesses: 399 Library: 2 Description: BARREL is a Versatile RAM Buffer and Printer Spooler. It also allows you to capture screen dumps in Degas format to save as a disk file when you press ALT-HELP, or send printouts to another program or file. by Moshe Braner --- Please use ARC.TTP (file #1271) to extract this file. COLOR/MONO. Keywords: print, spooler, screen, dump ---------- ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 97 Fri Feb 18, 1994 ST.LOU [Lou Rocha] at 22:35 EST Sandy, I use SNAPIT.PRG on my SM124... it saves your screens to a series of SNAP00x.PI3 files which you can later rename. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 98 Sat Feb 19, 1994 J.MORRISON38 [~ Jimmo ~] at 01:26 EST Sandy... lots of screen snapshot utilities are available; check the libraries. I use "FF_RSAVE" by Chet Walters (shareware (a bargain)), for dumping to my HP a HP IIp compatible. It dumps OR saves to disk in two different sizes of images. ...Great for saving/printing images for your own documentation... ~ Jimmo ~ ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 99 Sat Feb 19, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:21 EST Sandy, I use SNAP_3_1.PRG by Mark Overgaard in my auto folder. It also is activated by Alt-Help and allows saving to a .PIx file or can send the image to the printer. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 100 Sat Feb 19, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 13:58 EST Sandy - I think Image Copy 2 (available from Codehead) will do what you want. It will save pictures on the screen to many different types of files for importing into other programs etc. There was a review in ST Informer (last issue?) on it. P.S. Just saw Ron's post. That sounds interesting too, though more limited. (A lot cheaper though, if it does what you want). ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 101 Sat Feb 19, 1994 B.CONNOLLY1 [Bud] at 15:27 EST J.KORB, I can confirm that the Epson SMD-340 is a 1.44MB floppy. But my hard drive bible doesn't have a phone number for EPSON so that you can call and get your jumper info. Is Epson known by another name? Bud ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 102 Sun Feb 20, 1994 M.BILINSKI at 00:06 EST Can anyone tell me what graphic cards are available _and still supported_ for the Mega STe? Nothing really fancy: just something that will permit me to hook- up to a SVGA. Hopefully, something under or around the 250-300$ range. Marek ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 103 Sun Feb 20, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 07:57 EST Greetings, I have an embarassing question for you all. I used to use FCOPY III to copy whole disks all in one pass and it doesn't seem to work under MSTE/TOS 2.06. Has anyone found a PD/Shareware disk copier that does work for this combination _and_ 1.44 MB diskettes ? Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 104 Sun Feb 20, 1994 J.KORB at 17:12 EST For those that might be interested in the outcome of whether the internal disk drive on my MSTE is a High Density (HD) floppy after I discovered that it could read HD disks, the answer is yes. It turned out to be an Epson SMD-340 drive which is a 1.44 Mbyte drive. The only problem is that my MSTE is an early version which apparently cannot be upgraded to HD. So I guess Im stuck with 927K. Jim ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 105 Mon Feb 21, 1994 M.RIVMAN1 [MATT] at 00:01 EST Jim, I know it was just posted here a short time ago, but... what will let me know if _my_ MSTe is one which can not be upgraded??? Thanks, Matt ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 106 Mon Feb 21, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 07:38 EST Tommy, Good point (and forgive me for taking this long to respond; I've been away). I admit to having no knowledge at all of the status of serial numbers of pre- formatted disks; this, after all, depends on how the disk supplier handles it. But the latest versions of MS-DOS do a good job of placing a unique disk number on all disks whether during formatting or disk copying, so these will work on an Atari no matter what. BTW, the best Atari backup utility is probably GOOD, which predates Diamond Back, but is never fooled by the disk-change bug. I swear by it, and even run it under Geneva. Sandy, There are many freeware and shareware utilities that capture the screen to a Degas file. But the $40 Imagecopy 2 app from the CodeHeads is the king of kaptures (sorry ...) and will do the most amazing thing with screen captures -- any part of the screen, at that. Marek, Crazy Dots II from Gribnif is supported, has hardware routines that speed up the display, and works with most graphics software and all other software. Gribnif Software P.O. Box 779 Northampton, MA 01061 Work phone: 413 247-5620 Fax line: 413 247-5622 email: GRIBNIF Lee, MaxiFile should do this. Ain't free, but it's invaluable, and that makes it better than free. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 107 Tue Feb 22, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:07 EST Al, I've only tried the demo of MaxiFile and (sadly) I never liked the interface. Oh well. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 108 Tue Feb 22, 1994 R.JONES82 [Bob Jones] at 19:26 EST Sandy, I use a program called snapshot to save PI3 files via alt-help. It works without a hitch on my Mega STe. I think it came with my calligrapher package. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 109 Thu Feb 24, 1994 B.CONNOLLY1 [Bud] at 20:59 EST I'm still trying to track down why a Maxtor 7245S hard drive can't be recognized by a Mega STe internal host adapter. Wayne Watson reported that he has a Maxtor LXT-7213S working with his Mega STe. I downloaded the specs for these two drives from the Maxtor BBS. The only difference, besides size, is that the 7245S is FAST SCSI. I've heard of SCSI, SCSI-2 and FAST SCSI, but I'm not sure what the differences are, nor do I know what the Mega STe internal host adapter can handle. Does anyone have information about what SCSI types the internal host adapter can handle? thanx Bud ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 110 Sun Feb 27, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 12:08 EST Marek, The only way to go for you is the Dover Research Albert TT. I am in the process of finishing a review of the card for ST Informer and it will be very favourable to say the least. (The Albert TT is 299.00 right in your range the Crazy Dots is 750.00) GFN ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 111 Sun Feb 27, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 23:27 EST GFN, Except that the AlberTT is limited to 16 colors, which puts it out of the league for graphics work. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 112 Sun Feb 27, 1994 D.HOHENSTEIN [PRIMETIME] at 23:44 EST The Albertt card is for TT's, though, isn't it? I have a Mega STe and am also thinking of upgrading (Until the Falcon comes in a two-piece case). ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 113 Mon Feb 28, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 02:29 EST Hey Al - It was great seeing the interview with you in Current Notes. "Hey, I know that guy!" :-> . ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 114 Mon Feb 28, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 08:10 EST AlberTT works in the MSTe and TT. There is no functional difference between the two in terms of the VME port. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 115 Mon Feb 28, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 19:07 EST GFN, Isn't the ALBERTT only 16 colors ? Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 116 Tue Mar 01, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 08:32 EST Lee, Yes, 16 colors. That puts talk of the AlberTT into a different category. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 117 Tue Mar 01, 1994 R.PERRY4 [Randy] at 18:53 EST After owning a Mega Ste for a year and a half, I just found out I have a high- density drive. I thought I didn't have an HD drive because there was no HD option in the desktop formatting dialog box. By accidently putting a HD disk in my drive and reading it, I discovered I have one. I called Atari to find out why I wasn't getting formatting options for the HD drives and found out that Carl, the Atari tech person, had been let go (he was apparently the _only_ tech person at Atari) so I had to speak directly to Bob Brodie. Bob said I could solve the problem by setting a dip-switch under the hard drive case but, since he didn't have a MegaSTe manual, he couldn't tell me which one, and, if I set the wrong one I could screw up my machine. ??? So, does anyone have the dip-switch settings I need for my TOS 2.05 MegaSTe? Thanks in advance Randy Perry ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 118 Tue Mar 01, 1994 D.HOHENSTEIN [PRIMETIME] at 23:17 EST Randy, I believe it's switch number 7. Or you could get a CPX called "Dipschalter". It's a dipswitch CPX that works just fine for setting things up for a high denisty drive. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 119 Tue Mar 01, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 23:24 EST Randy, Dip #7 will give you the HD option. Also, with 2.05, you will need to download the FDC.??? file. It will install the _FDC cookie into the cookie jar. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 120 Wed Mar 02, 1994 D.GEPPERT [MR.DON] at 11:38 EST When a company let's go it's only tech person that's really scary !!! ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 121 Wed Mar 02, 1994 TOWNS [John] at 13:49 EST Well, I have heard that Atari is expanding its customer service group. So, I wouldn't neccessarily jump to the conclusion that since Atari let Carl go that they are in trouble. Who knows.. maybe Carl wasn't the best employee in the world or they wanted to start with a new approach. We really don't know what the story is. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 122 Wed Mar 02, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 14:28 EST It will install the _FDC cookie into > the cookie jar. What is this cookie jar? I keep hearing references to it, but never have known what it is. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 123 Wed Mar 02, 1994 DMJ [dmj] at 21:08 EST Tommy, The cookie jar is simply a place in memory where programs (and TOS) can leave "cookies" which indicate the capabilities of the computer. Many AUTO programs also put cookies in the cookie jar to announce their presence to other applications. Normally you don't have to worry about what's in the cookie jar; TOS and AUTO programs take care of it for you. ~dmj ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 124 Wed Mar 02, 1994 R.PERRY4 [Randy] at 22:37 EST TO: PRIMETIME WAYNE WATSON Thanks for the timely response guys; that done did it. What a surprise to have a HD drive; I was real pissed off when I bought the machine and thought it didn't have one (what an idiot). BTW I'm posting the downloading info for the files you mentioned in case anyone else needs them. DIPS.LZH #25588 dip-switch setter FDCPATCH.LZH #24014 _FDC cookie installer Randy Perry ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 125 Sun Mar 06, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 10:20 EST Al, Not totally out of the leage for graphics, if what you mean by graphics are of a print variety ala' Pagestream or any DTP. Of course animation and picture viewing though adequate, definately are not the Albert TT's stronger applications. >Atari-ST RoundTable >Category 14, Topic 14 >Message 112 Sun Feb 27, 1994 >D.HOHENSTEIN [PRIMETIME] at 23:44 EST > >The Albertt card is for TT's, though, isn't it? I have a Mega STe and am also >thinking of upgrading (Until the Falcon comes in a two-piece case). >---------- > No the Albert TT is also for the Mega STe it is a vme card. Al, You beat me to the punch. >Atari-ST RoundTable >Category 14, Topic 14 >Message 115 Mon Feb 28, 1994 >L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 19:07 EST > >GFN, > > Isn't the ALBERTT only 16 colors ? > > Take Care, > Lee B. > >---------- > Lee, Yes it is, but I use it more for the ability to work in a large monitor format. To me the colours are secondary. >Atari-ST RoundTable >Category 14, Topic 14 >Message 116 Tue Mar 01, 1994 >A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 08:32 EST > >Lee, > >Yes, 16 colors. That puts talk of the AlberTT into a different category. > >Al > >---------- > Whereas the Crazy Dots II could be called a high rez graphics card, the Albert TT could be called a High Rez Card that could put them into different categories, but also there is a $500.00 difference in the cards which also puts them into different categories. The choice comes down to what is your primary use of your computer and which of the cards would serve those uses best. Mega STe ( for the topic cops) GFN ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 126 Mon Mar 07, 1994 GENIELAMP.ST [John G] at 21:55 EST What GFN said! The AlberTT's primary benefit is the extended desktop real estate (and I do mean extended - you thought Geneva was useful at normal resolutions, you should use it at 1024x768!) The colors make it, well, 'nice.' I'm not a desktop graphics artist (heck I don't even _own_ a color printer!), and I don't get kicks out of GIF files, so anything over 16 colors is overkill. I love my AlberTT! John ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 127 Tue Mar 08, 1994 T.HOPPER at 01:14 EST Hi everyone! I was just reading the messages here (hadn't seen them in about a month), and I thought I'd add a little something to an old topic. With everyone talking about the Atari's need for unique serial numbers on each disk, you should keep in mind that the Atari doesn't actually generate trully random numbers. In fact, _no_ machine can (VonNeuman proved this back in the forties), so what you actually get are pseudo-random numbers which are generated based on a seed number; if you give the "random" number generator different seeds, you get different numbers, but if you give the generator the same seed, you get the same "random" number. I don't know how the Ataries generate their numbers, but I assume the algorithm for it is only mediocre, so some people may run into difficulties no matter what they do. Such problems aren't likely, though; the more disks you use, the more likely it is that you'd have a problem, and since most people probably aren't formatting hundreds of disks, the chance of a problem is small. I doubt this will ever be of practical use, but at least it falls under the category of little-known trivia, so I'm sure it will be of interest. -Tom ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 128 Tue Mar 08, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 07:51 EST Tom, Interesting point. I don't know how these random numbers are arrived at either (although I do know that all the random-number generators I've used or written were indeed mediocre!), but maybe someone else here knows. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 129 Thu Mar 10, 1994 R.PERRY4 [Randy] at 00:13 EST Hi, I asked recently about the dip-switch settings on the MSTe for high density support and was told about the software dip-switching program. Just curious...does anyone know what the other switches control? Randy Perry ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 130 Fri Mar 11, 1994 D.BRYANT12 [DAN BRYANT] at 03:12 EST I don't recall if I have already posted this question, but can anyone tell me if it is possible to attach my trakball to the port on the left side of the keyboard? Dan ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 131 Fri Mar 11, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:18 EST Dan, What kind of a trackball is it ? The old Atari track ball works fine as a joystick and there have even been published instructions on how to adapt it for use as a mouse. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 132 Sat Mar 12, 1994 D.KAUFMAN [d.a.k.] at 14:09 EST Hey, Randy, Primetime and all HDD Assistors(?) All you fellas are great! This discussion began with having to obtain TOS 2.06 and the AJAX chip if you had a HDD. Now all you gotta do is speak German and eat some cookies? (-: mmmmm.... Being the unoriginal copycat that I am, I also recently purchased the Word Perfect DOS (Speedo) Font Pack to use with AW. (Such a deal, 50 fonts for 25 bucks! ...and I could actually buy it at a local STORE!) Due to the HDD discussion here I attempted to load the fonts onto my hard drive without converting these HD disks to DD, and they loaded without a hitch. I then d/l'd the German CPX and the FDC Cookie program. The HDD format came up and I was able to format a HDD disk I had hanging around. Furthermore, as a test I copied over 1.1mb of stuff from my hard drive to this floppy and it successfully performed this operation, so I guess I, too, now have a HDD drive on my Mega STE, without even opening the unit! I got mine in 1992 on an exchange for a defective MSTE, and it was supposedly an old one with a DD drive (it does has tos 2.05). I submit that perhaps *all* MSTE's may have HD drives. Try d/l'ing these two programs! The only anomaly I found was that ORE's Diamond Formatter will not recognize the Cookie and the 18/20 sector option remains greyed out. Why? Thanks again to everyone. d.a.k. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 133 Sat Mar 12, 1994 J.KORB at 18:46 EST d.a.k. You may have to change the jumpers on the floopy drive in order to get Diamond Formatter to recognize a HD drive. I found that my Mega STE would not indicate a High Density drive with the standard jumpers. If your floppy drive is an Epson SMD-340 then try changing the jumpers on the pins to the following: Lower o o o o o o---o o Left Standard Side o o---o o---o o o o Lower o o o o o o---o o Left | High Density Side o---o o o o o o o Jim ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 134 Sat Mar 12, 1994 R.PERRY4 [Randy] at 21:08 EST To D.KAUFMAN Glad to hear someone else discovered a HD drive on their MSTe (in spite of Atari's brilliant marketing and tech support). I haven't had a problem formatting under ORE's formatter...can you format from the desktop, is the HD formatting option available? Randy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 135 Sat Mar 12, 1994 D.BRYANT12 [DAN BRYANT] at 23:10 EST Lee, The trackball works fine as a mouse already, however, I would like to hook it up to the port on the left side of the keyboard but it doesn't work from that side. Another question-- Does anyone know if it is possible to link a MegaSTE to either an IBM or a Mac when using Spectre GCR? I need to gain access to a data file on another machine. Dan B ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 136 Sun Mar 13, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 00:09 EST Dan, You should be able to link up using the RS232 ports and a null modem when using a Spectre GCR. There may be other ways but, this should work. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 137 Sun Mar 13, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 09:11 EST Dan, What kind of trackball is this ? I know with the (I think) CX-22 it could be modified to use as a mouse and still worked as a joystick. I just found mine, but it doesn't have any identification on it and mine hasn't been modified for use as a mouse. I've even seen them modified so that you could use the mouse on a pass through connector so that you could use the trackball for the motion and the buttons on the mouse. I don't know if you can do telecommunications with a Spectrum GCR, but wouldn't it be easier to put the file on an MS-DOS formatted diskette and read it directly on the Atari ? Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 138 Mon Mar 14, 1994 M.BILINSKI at 01:22 EST Having a Mega STe also, (bought it second hand) how may I check to see if I have a HD drive? Marek ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 139 Mon Mar 14, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 04:12 EST Marek, For me, the only sure way to tell that I didn't have a HD drive was to open the computer up, remove the drive, and check the drive model. All other 'tests' I did seemed to indicate (to me at least) that it was HD, but it wasn't. (Sheldon told me so, but I've never been one to listen!) Even if you have a HD drive installed, you _may_ still need an AJAX controller chip and TOS 2.06 if you have 2.05. I'm sure the guys who discovered that they _do_ have HD drives can tell you exactly what they did to find out for sure and get them working. - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 140 Mon Mar 14, 1994 M.RIVMAN1 [MATT] at 18:44 EST Any and all: Tried to load the FDC_COOKIE patch into my MSTe and only got the 'Attempting to load ...' message at bootup. Also used the software DIPS to set the #7 dip switch. The standard TOS desktop showed the High Density option for formating, but would not do the operation. NeoDesk had all HD options still greyed out. Should I conclude from this that mine is only a DD floppy, or should I still look at the physical drive to be sure? Thanks, Matt ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 141 Tue Mar 15, 1994 Y.DUFRESNE [Papageno] at 02:43 EST Dan and Wayne, The RS232 null modem does work, I tryed it. Not very fast but simpler than anything else. (except putting a Mac disk in the Atari drive, of course...) Yanick @ CGA ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 142 Tue Mar 15, 1994 TOWNS [John] at 11:12 EST Matt.. sounds like you have a DD floppy. You could open up the machine and check. There are probably some markings on the drive that would indicate whether or not its a HD drive. -- John ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 143 Tue Mar 15, 1994 M.LEE34 at 20:15 EST I have just got a MEGASTE with TOS 2.05. I have some TOS 2.06 chips to install. The TOS 2.05 chips are numbered from left to right $8BC7 and $OB26 The TOS 2.06 chips are called "O" (or ODD) and "E" (or EVEN). Can anyone tell me which of the two sockets I need to place these chips in.Your help will be much appreciated. I love this MEGA keyboared already.*s ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 144 Wed Mar 16, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 01:44 EST It appears I may possibly be having BlitTer problems again, but I'm just not sure, so I need some help. When using my modem at 14,400 baud (yes, SerialFix 2.0 is installed), I get some characters dropped. When I turn the BlitTer off, everything is fine. I checked things out with Qindex 2.2, and with the BlitTer off, the TOS Text Scroll index is about 108% (STe Medium). With it _on_, I get a 103% index. And this is with Warp 9 (v.3.80) installed. Is this normal? I had previously had some screen garbage due to the BlitTer chip, but after a good cleaning of the contacts, it has all cleared up. So, could someone with a similar setup check these numbers out and see if this is normal? For now, I'm turning the BlitTer off when using 14,400 baud. - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 145 Wed Mar 16, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 08:30 EST Mick, Apparently the blitter has to be off for high-speed operation of the modem. This has been reported by others. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 146 Wed Mar 16, 1994 MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp] at 13:13 EST Mick, I too have found the the BLiTTER seems to slow some things down slightly on my MSTe, even without Warp9. I asked Atari about this many moons ago, but never got an answer. Mike Allen ST HelpDesk~Sysop Written: 10:48 AM Mountain Time Wednesday, March 16, 1994 ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 147 Wed Mar 16, 1994 J.TRAUTSCHOL [Missionware] at 22:08 EST The blitter causes system interrupts that definitely cause serial port slowdowns. We discovered this some time ago while developing Flash II. Flash II automatically turns off the blitter under conditions that cause these slowdowns. John Trautschold Missionware Software ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 148 Thu Mar 17, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 02:40 EST Thanks to all who replied about the blitter/modem problem. I'm relieved to find out it's not something freaky with just my system. I now have NeoDesk set up to turn the blitter off when I execute any terminal programs. Glad that feature is available! - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 149 Thu Mar 17, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 03:42 EST Mick, There are a few things that will actually slow down when using the Blitter versus just running with Warp 9. I discovered this as soon as I got my MSTE as I wanted to find out how much better it was versus my old 1040. The Blitter does still provide some improvement though. Try running GEMbench. It does a better job at showing you thing than Quick Index does. In other words, this is normal. I have never suffered with dropped characters with the Blitter on using 14400. Maybe it's a problem with just some of the Blitters out there. Like maybe a bad batch or something? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 150 Thu Mar 17, 1994 D.GEPPERT [MR.DON] at 11:15 EST Anyone.... I'd be interested in a comment from you guru's about the positive and negative aspects of the Blitter. I've never really been clear on this. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 151 Thu Mar 17, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 19:01 EST Al, Blitter off for high-speed modem use ? I'm not so sure. I'm testing some drivers (drivin, mfp, scc) with a 14.4 modem and I leave my blitter on all the time and everything seems to work fine. (MSTE, TOS 2.06). Your mileage may vary. I've seen transfer rates of over 900 CPS on Delphi and a local BBS when running at 9600. If that's a slowdown, I'm just too used to 2400. Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 152 Fri Mar 18, 1994 D.BRYANT12 [DAN BRYANT] at 01:47 EST Papageno, When you say the RS232 null modem works to connect a MegaSTE and a Mac, I assume you mean that would enalbe to telecommunication programs to talk to each other. Or would that allow me to gain direct access to the hard disk of the Mac? Better yet, if I connected to an IBM with MacLan, could I access the hard drive there? The Nike method (use your tennis shoes to run a disk down the hall) does not work very well as the data file is over 1 meg and I do not have a HD floppy. (I know there are programs to split files but that is just too much of a pain.) Lee, My trakball is a Kraft and is a great sub for a mouse, but because of my desk layout, I keep it on the left side and hence have this annoying cord always in my way. If I could connect to the left port... Question on the BLITTER discussion--should I turn the blitter off when printing thru the serial port? Dan ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 153 Sat Mar 19, 1994 D.KAUFMAN [d.a.k.] at 15:03 EST To J.Korb & Randy Perry, Matt & M.Poche With the Cookie installed, and the CPX with jumper 7 on enabled, I do indeed get the High Density option, and did successfully format an HD disk (which the machine also wrote to and I successfully ran a program from the HD disk). I guess I'm too lazy to open the machine right now and physically change the jumpers for the Diamond Formatter. Also the HDD access seems slow compared to my Ambra 486/33 at work. Desktop HDD formatting is OK; I just happen to like the Diamond Formatter a lot more. Matt, I also get the "attempting to load" message at bootup with the Cookie, but I thought that meant it *did* load, no? Anyway, I guess I was lucky that the HD options worked after using the two programs. However, I did say I WAS lazy and probably opening the machine and checking the drive is the only sure way of knowing. Thanks for all your help. d.a.k. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 154 Sat Mar 19, 1994 M.RIVMAN1 [MATT] at 21:21 EST DAK- Hey, sounds like you've got yourself an HD floppy there, my friend. I don't think I was that fortunate with my MSTe. I also share some of your lazyness, as I haven't yet opened up the case to check. Remember though, I bought mine new, recently, so I will wait until the warranty is out. About the 'attempting to install' message... all I can say is that after seeing that message, I ran sysinfo.prg and checked the contents of the cookie jar. No listing for FDC at all. Hmm, wonder if it goes by another name? I'll have to check by # of slots used.... Well, I checked. Sysinfo.prg shows the same number of slots being used whether I have run FDCPATCH or not. Guess it is _not_ installing! Boo Hoo! See ya, Matt ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 155 Sat Mar 19, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 23:07 EST Dan, With STalker or Flash II on the Atari, and a decent Mac telecomm app on the Mac, you'll be able to do the same kind of transfers you would do by phone, via the null-modem connection. STalker's host mode will also let you call via the Mac and rummage through the ST's files. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 156 Sun Mar 20, 1994 K.ESTES [Kenne@SFRT] at 01:08 EST >Message 155 Sat Mar 19, 1994 >A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 23:07 EST > >Dan, > >With STalker or Flash II on the Atari, and a decent Mac telecomm app on the >Mac, you'll be able to do the same kind of transfers you would do by phone, >via the null-modem connection. Find Zterm for the Mac. Set the programs to the same params (making sure the baud rates are the same) and initiate a zmodem up or download on either system. It's automatic after that. It's been awhile but I did a transfer at 19.2 bps. That's a rush. DEfinitely an "E" ticket ride. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 157 Sun Mar 20, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 11:25 EST I noticed a slowdown also with the blitter turned on, but when I put in my Albert TT card it seems as if the blitter actually helps in drawing to the larger screen size. (especially when using spreadsheets) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 158 Sun Mar 20, 1994 S.FOSKETT [Lancer] at 16:02 EST Perhaps someone out there would be so kind as to tell me what the DIP switches in the MSTE do! I have a german CPX to set 'em but the author admits not knowing what they do! I'd LIKE to translate the software and add it to the BOAST collection (see my post in the Hard Drives BB) but not without some idea of what they do! Also, is the MSTE's cart port located in a different "location" (meaning memory location) than on the ST? Or is there something strange about the STE bus? Or perhaps TOS 2.06? thanks, .s. (I hope these posts are being posted!) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 159 Sun Mar 20, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 16:51 EST I'm confused about the Clipboard CPX. I'm using TOS 2.06 on a Mega STE. Is this a CPX found in the library? Thanks - Tommy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 160 Sun Mar 20, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 17:56 EST Tommy, It might be included in a collection of CPXes. We need to set up separate downloadable CPX files here. I'll see what I can do to help. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 161 Sun Mar 20, 1994 CBARRON at 23:05 EST FWOI my clipboard cpx is (c)1991 SDS. Don't remember what file its in. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 162 Mon Mar 21, 1994 S.FOSKETT [Lancer] at 00:31 EST AFAIK, Clipboard CPX 01.00 DOES set up the MSTE's clipboard correctly... Too bad more software doesn't USE the Atari clipboard protocol! Not STalker, not STeno, not Aladdin... .s. (of course, AtariWorks doesn't use the "standard" keyboard shortcuts...) ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 163 Mon Mar 21, 1994 MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp] at 03:36 EST Lancer, Actually, AtariWorks does use the standard keyboard short-cuts. It's just that the "standard" wasn't defined until SDS published "The Atari Compendium." The use of the control key rather than the alt key is explained in The Compendium: "The use of the ALTERNATE key as a modifier in a keyboard equivalent is discouraged because international users use the ALTERNATE key to access special keyboard characters." Mike Allen ST HelpDesk~Sysop Written: 1:28 AM Mountain Time Monday, March 21, 1994 ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 164 Mon Mar 21, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 08:50 EST Lancer, An upgrade to STalker and STeno is coming soon, and corrects the clipboard problem. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 165 Mon Mar 21, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 13:02 EST Al, CBARRON, Lancer, thanks! Guess I should do a search for CPX? - Tommy ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 166 Mon Mar 21, 1994 T.DUNBAR2 [Tommy] at 13:41 EST Mike , Al , everybody - What programs DO use the Atari Clipboard? >An upgrade to STalker and STeno is coming soon, and corrects the clipboard >problem. I just bought STeno a couple of days ago. Do you know if this is going to be a free upgrade, or did I just have bad timing? :-> Any idea about new features etc.? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 167 Mon Mar 21, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 18:04 EST Lancer, Dip # 7 turns on the High Density Floppy option. That's the only one I know about. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 168 Tue Mar 22, 1994 Y.DUFRESNE [Papageno] at 00:18 EST Dan, I was talking about 2 term programs talking to each other. It would not be very practical with such large files ie quite slow but still a good solution if this is occasionnal. I think someone else answered the LAN question in the spectre topic? Yanick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 169 Tue Mar 22, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 01:09 EST Tommy, I can't tell you more about the STeno upgrade. Gribnif will have to do that. Many, many apps use the clipboard -- STraight FAX!, Atari Works, That's Write 3, Calligrapher 3, oodles of others, just to name some that are running right now as I write this. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 170 Tue Mar 22, 1994 D.BRYANT12 [DAN BRYANT] at 02:47 EST Al & Kenne, Thanks for your responses. When I get ambitious, I'll give the null modem a try. Yanick, I got an answer to the LAN question, but it was not what I wanted to hear! Dan ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 171 Tue Mar 22, 1994 A.PETRIE1 [Suzie/AL] at 21:16 EST Matt: I have FDC-cookie in such a point in my auto folder that the next message stays on screen for several seconds. that way you can not only see the attempting to install message, but also the fdc installed message. AL P ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 172 Wed Mar 23, 1994 M.RIVMAN1 [MATT] at 20:41 EST Al P - Thanks for the info. Odd, I hadn't even thought to do anything like that. I have a little program that stops the boot process when it is run, and resumes with a keypress... guess I should see if I _can_ get the entire msg. Thanks again, Matt ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 173 Wed Mar 23, 1994 D.KAUFMAN [d.a.k.] at 21:10 EST Matt, You may be right about the cookie not installing from the auto folder on boot- up. When I ran FDC from the desktop, I got a successful install message. Does this mean I obtained the HDD option just with the jumper CPX, and the cookie never installed these coupla weeks? Does one *only* need the CPX, and not the cookie? Just what IS under the hood of my MSTE? WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? (-: d.a.k. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 174 Thu Mar 24, 1994 C.NICHOLLS [BILL] at 00:01 EST I am trying to get my Mega STE upgraded to use the HD drive, and I am having amazing problems. First of all, there apparently wasn't an Ajax chip in Canada. Thanks to Sheldon Winick, I got one, but no thanks to Canada Customs, it took a month. Now it appears that even with TOS 2.06, and an Ajax chip, the HD drive can recognize but cannot format an HD disk. It seems that I have a very early production MSTE. My dealer had this experience with another customer, and found that the only way the HDD could be made to work was by changing another chip in addition to the Ajax. He thinks it was a PAL, but can't now remember for sure. At any rate, for these early MSTE's it is not enough to install an Ajax chip, TOS 2.06 and the ccrrect drive. Does anyone know (1) what chip I need, and (2) where I can get one? Also, I got hold of that German CPX for the dip switches. It reads the settings, but does not seem to alter them. Is this normal? Bill ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 175 Thu Mar 24, 1994 D.BRYANT12 [DAN BRYANT] at 02:23 EST I have just added UltraScript to my software library but cannot figure out how to access my laser as it is connected to the serial port (modem 1) and UltraScript seems to only use the parallel port. Ideas anyone? Dan B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 176 Thu Mar 24, 1994 M.POCHE [Mick] at 04:34 EST Bill, If I remember correctly (and I could be totally off base here), there is a small chip located near the floppy controller chip that has to be changed on some MSTE's for HD to work successfully. I believe it is closer to the front of the case than the AJAX...between the RAM andthe AJAX actually. I think that if it's one of the older rectangular shaped chips, it needs replacing, and if it's the square kind, it should be ok. (really technical terms here, huh?) I know mine is a square chip, but I've never made the move to HD. I'm sure that Sheldon or one of the many other folks 'round here can give you a little more insight into this. - Mick ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 177 Thu Mar 24, 1994 F-D-PERCIVAL [Fred P.] at 06:31 EST Posted a couple of years ago by Mike Drysdale, then an Atari dealer: The pre production version of the MSTe will NOT use a 1.44 drive. How to tell: There is a chip located between the SIMMs and the Ajax (or the WD1772). If it is rectangular, sorry you lose. If it is square and surface mounted then a 1.44 will work. My MSTE has the rectangular chip, so I never pursued the high density option. Is there a way to convert a machine like this? ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 178 Thu Mar 24, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 22:26 EST D.A.K. You only need the FDC program if you TOS 2.05. Also, try placing the FDC program in a different order in the Auto Folder. My MSTE has the square chip and HD cap. There was a PAL chip that needed to be replaced and I believe some wiring done to the older MSTEs in order to get HD. I know TOAD and Sheldon know how to do this and if it can be done. Some of the very early MSTEs cannot be made to use HD. Some of them just required the center screw in the power supply to be removed. Some just need the floppy cable rerouted as to not be near the power cord that goes to the hard drive, etc. For those that have trouble getting their MSTE to use a HD floppy, I suggest you send it to Sheldon, Toad or another dealer that knows what they are doing and have them to check it out or fix it for you. Unless you know what to do (or what you are doing), you can mess things up pretty easily. Just give Sheldon or Toad a call. I am sure they could help you determine what action may be required. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 179 Fri Mar 25, 1994 S.HAMMOND [Steve H.] at 00:04 EST Bill, Yes you do need an upgraded PAL chip. I got a HDD kit from Best Electronics in San Jose, CA that included the HD mech., the Ajax chip, TOS 2.06 and a new PAL chip. If Sheldon or Toad do not have the PAL try:BEST Electronics 2121 The Aameda, Suite 290 San Jose, CA 95126-1127 (408)243-6950 ps. On my my machine the PAL was located just in front of the power supply. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 180 Fri Mar 25, 1994 EXPLORER.1 [] Ron [] at 00:23 EST Bill, Some old info -- hope this helps -- Ron @ AEO . . . From Usenet: Article 6292 (1 more) in comp.sys.atari.st.tech: From: reeuwijk@dutentb.et.tudelft.nl (C. van Reeuwijk) Subject: Re: Continuing 1.44 Drive Woes Message-ID: <1992Aug17.073932.15272@donau.et.tudelft.nl> Date: 17 Aug 92 07:39:32 GMT References: <1992Aug11.005337.4789@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> <4228@wet.UUCP>,<92225.1 43240JJL101@psuvm.psu.edu> <1992Aug13.120654.3514@peponi.wcc.govt.nz> Sender: news@donau.et.tudelft.nl (UseNet News System) Organization: Delft University of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering Lines: 36 Nntp-Posting-Host: duteela.et.tudelft.nl I got this from the Atari Benelux BBS: ---- Technical information date: 25 may 1992 number: 105 High Density drive in MEGA STE If you install a high density kit in a MEGA STE with a serial number starting with A13 or a lower number (for example: A09) and it doesn't work in HD mode then the following points must be checked: Test if there is a connection between U7 pin 32 and UA2 pin 19. If there is no connection, solder a wire between these points. Check if the PAL UA2 has the CO number C301901-002 (the PAL C301901-001 doesn't work with a HD drive). C301901-002 has order number 620100 [for Atari Benelux at least - CvR]. --- Disclaimer: I only translated this. I'm not responsible for fried Ataris or HD drives. Remember that you may need a AJAX chip to replace the original disk controller. I recommend the replacement anyway since even if the original controller works at the higher speed, it was never designed for it. Since I am one of the unlucky victims, I will try the patch above as soon as possible. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= C. van Reeuwijk e-mail: reeuwijk@et.tudelft.nl Delft University of Technology Phone: +15-781429 Dep. of Electronic Engineering Telefax: +15-785922 Mekelweg 4 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands End of article 6292 (of 6293)--what next? [npq] ---------- ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 181 Fri Mar 25, 1994 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 06:13 EST An Atari Owner's Guide to 1.44 High Density Floppy Disks & Drives A few years a go one of the PC mags had a VERY technical article about the differences between 360, 720, 1.2 and 1.44 disks. It delved deeply into magnetisim, coercivity, ferrite particles, etc. The well tested (and proven) conclusion was: use a disk the way it is designed to be used; otherwise, you WILL lose data. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but lose it you will. Punching a 720K disk to turn it into a 1.44 disk is a bad thing. The two types of disks are different in their magnetic properties, and coatings. It is just not a reliable cost savings. It is not the same as when us old 8-bitters used to make 'flippy' disks with a punch. Parts needed to use a 1.44 floppy on a MSTe or TT: 1. Switchable 8/16Mhz signal to the floppy drive. 2. AJAX chip. 3. 1.44 drive mech 4a. TOS 2.06 (3.06 on the TT). 4b. TOS 2.05 with the HD cookie (3.05 on the TT). 5. Flip DIP switch #7. 6. ALL OF THE ABOVE! The pre production version of the MSTe will NOT use a 1.44 drive. How to tell: There is a chip located between the SIMMs and the Ajax (or WD1772). If it is rectangular, sorry you loose. If it is square and surface mounted then a 1.44 will work. If you are still having problems, check: 1. Bad Ajax 2. Bad drive mech 3. Data cable too close to power cables 4. Power supply needs middle screw removed We recently replaced 720k and 360k drives in old 520 and 1040s with TEAC 1.44 drives. Passed all Atari bench tests as 720K drives. NOTE: They will NOT work as 1.44 drives on these machines. Remember you must have TOS 2.x, Ajax AND a 16Mhz signal. Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 182 Fri Mar 25, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 08:43 EST Mike, This debate could last forever, but I'll just point out that a source at one of the largest disk-manufacturing companies explained privately that it costs too much for them to make separate formulations for 720K and 1.44meg disks. Ones that past the test for 1.44 are marked accordingly, and the others are sold as 720K disks. Oddly, many of the disks that pass the test are simply diverted to 720K sales. Disk formulations used to be quite different, but the same drive-head signals are now used in both kinds of drives. (There are no 720K drives being made anyway; any that are sold are old stock.) This guy has been accurate in the past. He's the one who explained to me years ago how the "single-sided" scam worked. All disks are of course double-sided; ones that are tested on both sides are labeled double-sided, and ones that are tested on ONE side are labeled single-sided ... that much we all know (or should know). But he discovered that one factory was testing the wrong side, without any increase in returns or customer complaints. Luckily, single-sided disks are also a thing of the past. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 183 Sat Mar 26, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 05:43 EST Mike and Al, I'd like to reprint your comments on floppies/flippies and 1.44 High Density in my newsletter. Is this okay with you ? Take Care, Lee B. Middle Georgia Atari User's Group (MGAUG) Newsletter Editor ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 184 Sat Mar 26, 1994 M.DRYSDALE [Drys] at 09:39 EST Koloth, Permission is granted to anyone who wishes reprint my post about HD floppies and drives as long as it improves someone's lot in life. Al, I remember that tale about single sides vs double sides. I would not be surprised to learn that some manufacturerer of floppies uses the same formula for both disks. I know that technology in this business changes with the speed of light. That said, I'd like to an article as technical as the one I cited, written based on today's drives and disks. Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 185 Sat Mar 26, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 13:39 EST Lancer, Atari Works uses the clipboard correctly, but clips imbedded code so its portability to other prgs is a tad on the useless side. Tommy, EDHAK 3.03 uses the clipboard properly. GFN ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 186 Sat Mar 26, 1994 D.KAUFMAN [d.a.k.] at 16:37 EST Wayne Watson (and others), > D.A.K. > You only need the FDC program if you TOS 2.05. Also, try placing > the FDC program in a different order in the Auto Folder. I do have TOS 2.05. I tried many different positions in the auto folder with no-load results. The reason that the Diamond Formatter didn't recognize the HDD option was that the Cookie didn't install from the auto folder. Also, auto-running fdcpatch.prg with x-boot (2.59) locked up my system. But, aaah, Codekeys start-up macro ran it and installed it. The result is that Diamond Formatter now recognizes the HDD option. Finally, [off-topic?], doing a floppy inventory, I discovered I had 35 Atari Word-Perfect disks(!), not including the most recent (4/91) version (7 more). WPCorp. certainly didn't mind sending you a set of at least six disks when anything was wrong or there was an upgrade (The good ol' days?). Therefore, I don't think I'll be buying any HD floppies anytime soon. I have plenty of 720k's to re-format. I wonder how many old version disks we all have, and the age-old question. Where shall I put them??? (-; I guess I'll have to buy a file cabinet just for floppies, not to mention out-of-date manuals. d.a.k. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 187 Sun Mar 27, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 08:13 EST Mike, Thanks. I'm working on my newsletter and having trouble filling it (as always). If you send me your address in E-Mail and I use your quote I'll send you a complimentary copy of the newsletter. People who I've printed in the past may find that they stay on the mailing list for quite a while. Even though we've only got 12 paying members, we keep our costs low and thus we're able to send out more than twenty newsletters a month. We'll see how the vote goes the next time we run out of money. GFN, What do you mean by saying that Atari Works clipboard "clips imbedded code" ? Does it strip non-ascii, or is it size limited so graphics are "clipped" ? Take Care, Lee B. Middle Georgia Atari User's Group (MGAUG) Newsletter Editor ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 188 Sun Mar 27, 1994 BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp] at 09:36 EST OK, I am upgrading my TOS to 2.06 and installing a Panesonic 1.44 drive (mine had the AJAX). If I owned an external .720 drive, can I just swap the mech and run both an external and internal 1.44 with no problems? I assume so as the machine itself is set for High Density. Sure would come in handy with Diamond Back! ~~~~Brian ... Written on Sunday 27 March 1994 at 10:36 a.m. ADT ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 189 Sun Mar 27, 1994 JIM.K [Jim~ST Sysop] at 10:49 EST Brian, I installed an Epson SMD-300 1.44 drive in a Future GTS-100X case just to run Diamond Back with HD floppies. You might have to experiment with the jumper settings to get the computer to recognize the B floppy. After I set the jumpers correctly, the drive has performed flawlessly. Jim Kudron 27Mar94 10:33:30 ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 190 Sun Mar 27, 1994 BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp] at 13:14 EST Thanks jim for the information! ~~~~Brian ... Written on Sunday 27 March 1994 at 02:13 p.m. ADT ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 191 Mon Mar 28, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 20:13 EST >Atari-ST RoundTable >Category 14, Topic 14 >Message 187 Sun Mar 27, 1994 >L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 08:13 EST > > >GFN, > > What do you mean by saying that Atari Works clipboard "clips imbedded >code" ? Does it strip non-ascii, or is it size limited so graphics are >"clipped" ? > > Take Care, > Lee B. > Middle Georgia Atari User's Group (MGAUG) Newsletter Editor > > >---------- > Lee, The size of the clip is determined by the amount of disk space your clipboard is located in. I use drive G with a folder called clipboard set through Atari Clipboard CPX. When you cut a piece of text or data from AW it leaves all the code, such as formatting, fonts, formulas in the clip. This is alright for transporting data between AW modules, but not for importing into other prgs that use the Atari clipboard standard. I've never clipped graphics but I suppose it works. GFN ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 192 Mon Mar 28, 1994 A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 21:58 EST Lee, OK with me to reprint anything I write in msgs here at any time, unless the msgs have a note attached that say NO REPRINT. (That's the standard kind of thing here.) GFN, Works saves an ASCII version of each clip it puts in the clipboard, as far as I recall. I didn't believe this either until I looked in the clipboard after doing a Copy command. Al ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 193 Tue Mar 29, 1994 C.NICHOLLS [BILL] at 01:08 EST Steve, Ron, Drys, Thanks very much for the information. I will pass it on to my dealer and see what happens next. Bill ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 194 Tue Mar 29, 1994 T.WILKINSON1 [TomWilkinson] at 03:01 EST Could anyone tell me what the "least expensive" method of upgrading the graphics capabilities on my Mega STE are? I cannot afford Crazy Dots. Is there some kind of Nova VME? I heard about this somewhere. I'm look ing primarily for compatibility with Calamus SL, Outline Art and Gem applications. Don't really care whether it's compatible with the games or not. Thanks for any help. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 195 Tue Mar 29, 1994 L.W.BENJAMIN [Koloth] at 06:23 EST GFN, Sounds like it's only a problem when exporting to other applications. The easy way to fix that would be to have two types of clip. The standard one that is for AW only and a special one that strips codes. On the other hand, you could have an external utility, say a desk accessory that would strip codes of stuff in the clipboard (or any file for that matter) that you could use before importing AW files or other stuff with codes in it. Now that I've read Al's post (thanks Al :), it sounds like AW already does this automatically. I've gotta find the money to buy it! Take Care, Lee B. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 196 Thu Mar 31, 1994 C.NICHOLLS [BILL] at 01:56 EST My saga with getting my Mega STE upgraded to use an HD drive may be nearing its end, with the help I've received. I called Best Electronics first (because they are on the same coast)to get a new PAL chip, the missing ingredient, and they either could not or would not sell it except as part of a total upgrade kit, which I didn't need since I already had everything else. So I called Toad, and in less than a minute I had a PAL chip ordered and on its way. VERY much better service! Toad gets top marks from me. Best is not the best, it seems. Bill ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 197 Thu Mar 31, 1994 K.ESTES [Kenne@SFRT] at 02:44 EST In BEST's defense I'll say that they carry darn near everything. To do this he sometimes has the parts special ordered or manufactured in in bare minimum quantities. I really don't know but I suspect that he didn't want to break up the kit because he didn't have extras and it would cost him more in the long run. With that said.... I met the Toad folks at Glendale. They were great. I'm glad they could solve your problem. I'm glad you problem _could_ be solved. Also, in BEST's defense, the kit contains totally compatible parts. The '82 doesn't work. A lot of people thought they were being smarter than Atari and buying the faster chip only to learn it didn't work. Then they had to unload the fast chip and get the correct one or try to exchange a chip. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 198 Fri Apr 01, 1994 BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp] at 16:52 EST OK, concerning upgrading to HDD. Mike D. stated: >How to tell: There is a chip located between the SIMMs and the Ajax (or >WD1772). If it is rectangular, sorry you loose. If it is square and >surface mounted then a 1.44 will work. OK, mine is square and marked C398789-001. What chip is this called? I must have an AJAX since it is marked C302096-001A, correct? For interest, what is the C301712-001, partially in the hard drive bay and partially under the 3 1/2 inch drive. Is it the 68000 chip? So which one is the PAL that Bill was talking about and how do I know if I need to upgrade/replace it? ~~~~Brian ... Written on Friday 01 April 1994 at 05:41 p.m. ADT ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 199 Fri Apr 01, 1994 R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson] at 23:33 EST Brian, That chip IS the PAL chip. If you have the square surface mount one, then you should not have a problem upgrading to HD. If the floppy controller says WD1772 on it, then you do not have the AJAX. If it DOES NOT say WD1772 on it, then you have the AJAX. All you need to do now is check to see if you have a HD floppy. I believe the drive number will be SMD-340. Try flipping Dip #7 to ON (all the way towards the front under the HD) and see if you can format in HD. You do not need a HD diskette to do this test. ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 200 Fri Apr 01, 1994 BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp] at 23:44 EST Thanks Wayne! I thought so but wasn't sure. I know I can't read a HD since I have brought a few home by mistake {grin}. In fact, that is the main reason for getting the upgrade. I am tired of remembering to save on a 720K disc in order to bring home work. ~~~~Brian ... Written on Saturday 02 April 1994 at 00:42 a.m. ADT ------------ Category 14, Topic 14 Message 201 Sat Apr 02, 1994 G.NELSON16 [GFN] at 11:23 EST Al, I could swear that when I loaded the AW clip into EDHAK I got imbedded code. Tom W., The least expensive way of upgrading is through the Albert TT. It gives large screen 16 colour capability, so it is somewhat limited in some regards, but it definately enhances your computability/productivity. Lee, I think AW is the non standard format,but then maybe the reason I think this is because my greatest use of the clipboard has always been with text processors that do not export code. GFN ------------