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Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 1         Tue Sep 29, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 00:34 EDT
 
I have a Seacrate ST296N 85MB hard drive and wondered if the following stats
are 'normal' for such a drive (using an ICD AdSCSI + adapter)

Data transfer rate--408 K/sec; and Seek Rate (avg)--31ms.

I have a read cache set to about 12k.  I can't quite figure how to best set up
the read cache (how big, how many blocks, how many sectors per block, do I
need TOS buffers, etc)  so this may affect the outcome.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 2         Tue Sep 29, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     at 05:56 EDT
 
Bob,

        Those stats sound about right.

        Catch set up is really dependent on your personal use as to what will
work best.

>> Joe Meehan <<
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 3         Tue Sep 29, 1992
ICDINC                       at 08:40 EDT
 
Bob, The cache setup will not affect the RATEHD rates that you are showing.
      \ The numbers are about right for a 2:1 interleave Seagate.  YOu could
try 1:1 (requires reformatting) and it will either be faster (around 600K/sec)
or much slower (around 100K/sec).

            - TOM -

PS  The Link will do 1:1 with all Seagates.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 4         Wed Sep 30, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 00:34 EDT
 
STARFALL - One thing that I thought was odd when I adjusted my SC1224 to
handle 50Hz programs was that when I went back to 60Hz, I didn't have to
readjust it, so now it'll handle both 50Hz and 60Hz without needing adjustment
(although the screen drops down about half an inch in 50Hz mode).  Anyway, it
confused me as to why this happened because it seems like my monitor is now,
in a way, 'auto-detecting' sync rates.  It's nice, though! <grin>


R.MESTON1 - I guess you got yours the same way mine is set up.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 5         Wed Sep 30, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 23:23 EDT
 
Tom-

Thanks for the info about formatting with a 1:1 interleave.  Having formatted
my drive only once, I had forgotten about such details.... It was initially
2:1.  So, it's data transfer rate went from 408 K/sec to 680 K/sec--a
noticeable increase in speed!
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 6         Thu Oct 01, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 03:11 EDT
 
R.MORROW10 - Hmmm...  That's strange.  I have an ICD host and an ST296N and
reformatting it to 1:1 made it SLOWER than the 400 and something K/sec. data
rate at 2:1 interleave.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 7         Thu Oct 01, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 06:11 EDT
 
There are still some Seagates out there that you can do 1:1 interleave on.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 8         Thu Oct 01, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     at 06:42 EDT
 
 > That's strange.  I have an ICD host and an ST296N and reformatting it
 >to 1:1 made it SLOWER than the 400 and something K/sec. data rate at
 >2:1 interleave.

        I guess that is why you just have to try it to see what works best
with your system.

>> Joe Meehan <<
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 9         Thu Oct 01, 1992
ICDINC                       at 08:35 EDT
 
What Joe said.  Also, The Link can handle 1:1 on all of them. We cut down on
the command overhead.

         - TOM -
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 10        Thu Oct 01, 1992
J.KUDRON [Jim~ST Sysop]      at 20:46 EDT
 
Messages #1-193 have been archived and are in the library-File #25956.



 Jim Kudron
 <ST Sysop>
 1Oct92


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 11        Sun Oct 04, 1992
C.HERBORTH [-Chris-]         at 12:45 EDT
 
Bob,

I've got a Seacrate ST296N, and I _always_ get about 450K/sec, and a seek rate
of 31ms...  My cache is pretty big (ICDBOOT.SYS takes up about 220-250k)... 
The 'crate is formatted with a 1:1 interleave, and I use an AdSCSI+.  At 2:1,
it runs slower by about 100k/s.

12k for read cache (TOS buffers?  sector buffers?) is pretty tiny, IMHO.

-Chris-

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 12        Sun Oct 04, 1992
C.ROSE4 [RAGE]               at 17:17 EDT
 
I know there's a company out there that makes this product, I saw them at the
Glendale Show.  I think they might be called BEST Electronics.  The product
that I'm interested in is an expansion unit that plugs into the cartridge
port.  This unit allows 4 devices to be pluged into the cartridge port at the
same time.  They are individually activated with a desk accessory. If anyone
can give me any info on this product, or the company, it would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 13        Sun Oct 04, 1992
T.MCCOMB [=Tom=]             at 20:47 EDT
 
Wizztronics.  They'll be at WAACE.

-Tom McComb

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 14        Sun Oct 04, 1992
J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead]       at 23:04 EDT
 
The ICD Rate HD program is unaffected by ICD's cache.  It is a raw test of
your hard drive's speed.  The best way to test the effects of different cache
sizes would be to copy a particular set of files under different circumstances
(different cache sizes).  It's also best to do the copy twice in each test
since the second copy will truly show the effects of the cache (filled with
data from the first copy).

John
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 15        Mon Oct 05, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 00:09 EDT
 
Chris-

After someone suggested that I try to reformat the HD at 1:1, I did. Lo and
behold, my data transfer rate (as measured by RATEHD.PRG) went to 680 k/sec
from 408.  I don't bother with a huge cache anymore; if I don't notice a speed
difference (and ratehd.prg doesn't either) then it's not really worth it, IMO.
My HD is only about 20% full.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 16        Mon Oct 05, 1992
J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead]       at 01:19 EDT
 
C.Rose4,

Wizztronics makes the CartMaster.

  P.O. Box 122
  Port Jeff Sta., NY  11776

  (516) 473-2507
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 17        Mon Oct 05, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     at 06:11 EDT
 
        Just encase it has not been suggested here.  If you are looking for
better real time read speeds with your HD; be sure to have and use a de-frag
utility.

>> Joe Meehan <<
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 18        Tue Oct 06, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 04:23 EDT
 
Chris,

Right, a 12K cache is much too small.

My ICD cache totals about 600K. It caches 150 megs of drive space.

John,

Good point about testing cache sizes. The drive should also be defragged at
the beginning and after every test pass (or every other one if you do two
passes for each cache size).

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 19        Tue Oct 06, 1992
P.GRIFFITH2 [PGRIF]          at 22:04 EDT
 
  I just got a strange message while formatting a disk in Spectre 3.0. It read
"Caution: Initial Restore Failed in XRestore" I have no idea whether this is a
message from TOS 2.06 or Spectre 3.0 or Mars. The same thing happened the
other day under the same circumstances and soon after exiting Spectre, I got a
warning that I should use FOLDERxxx.PRG, after which the system froze. Has
anyone seen this before and does anyone know where that first message came
from?
 I'll post this message on the GBS RT also.
     Paul
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 20        Wed Oct 07, 1992
B.STOREY [Billy B.]          at 07:41 EDT
 
Paul, I suspect it is trying to tell you that you should run FOLDERxxx.PRG.


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 21        Wed Oct 07, 1992
P.GRIFFITH2 [PGRIF]          at 22:44 EDT
 
   Billy B.,
    I have my ICD booter v 6.0.0 set at 300 folders, and have 4 megs of
memory(MEGA 2 ST w/ 4megs). I will up the folders to 600.
    I probably should have included this info in my post.
    Thanks.
             Paul


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 22        Fri Oct 09, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom]              at 02:24 EDT
 
HELP!

I am trying to re-install my TOS 1.0 ROMs into my old-style 520ST, but I don't
know the correct order to put the chips back in.  If some kind soul out there
can tell me how to do this, let me know!

Thanks!

Dom
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 23        Fri Oct 09, 1992
RJROBINSON [ Ron ]           at 19:45 EDT
 
Dom,

  Starting from the socket closest to the back of the machine:

  U2  CO26160                                   ___ Pin 1
  U3    "   1                                  /
  U4    "   2                         ---------
  U5    "   3                        |        (
  U6    "   4                         ---------
  U7  CO26265

                    -- Ron


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 24        Fri Oct 09, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom]              at 21:22 EDT
 
Ron,

Thank you very much!

Dom
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 25        Fri Oct 09, 1992
B.HARVEY7 [BRIAN/Sysop]      at 23:25 EDT
 
I am wondering what people think of the Oki UL400 laser? Is it worth $400.00
Is it a good laser? WHy is it so cheap?
                                        ~~~~Smokey~~~~
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 26        Sat Oct 10, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom]              at 00:12 EDT
 
Brian,

As far as I can tell, the OKI OL400 is so cheap because it is not really a
laser printer, but an LED printer.  It uses LED's instead of a laser beam.  It
is also a 4ppm printer, so it is slower that the other printers out there and
can't be upgraded past 2.5Mb's.

I would say that it is a good general purpose printer, but it may fall  short
of your needs if you do heavy duty stuff.

I am trying to decide between the OKI OL400 and the Panasonic KXP-4410.

Dom
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 27        Sat Oct 10, 1992
C.HERBORTH [-Chris-]         at 14:50 EDT
 
Hi folks,

I just picked up a couple of old Quantum drives (Q250 - 50M SCSI mechs) for an
excellent price...  Can anyone tell me what the jumpers are?  The devices were
used, and didn't come with a spec sheet.. :-( They were being used in
telephone switching equipment, so they should be pretty heavily used...

I assume that A0,A1 and A2 are the SCSI address jumpers, and the EP is the
enable parity jumper (which I should take off for use with my ICD host), but
what are the others?  They're labelled WS, SS, RO, and P1...

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a case with at least four drive
bays?  I've already got two drives hooked up in a nice two-bay under-the-
monitor style case...  The ideal case would have four 5.25" bays, or three
5.25" bays and a 3.5" bay and a 200W or 250W power supply (one of my current
drives is a Seacrate 296N, a big loud powersucker)...

-Chris-

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 28        Sun Oct 11, 1992
B.HARVEY7 [BRIAN/Sysop]      at 00:42 EDT
 
Dom or anyone,
        Is the output as good as a laser printer with the OKI OL400? Is there
anyother major differences?
                                        ~~~~Smokey~~~~
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 29        Mon Oct 12, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom]              at 03:03 EDT
 
Brian,

Not really sure about the output.  I would think that it would be fine since
it is 300x300 dpi and is not ink.

I will probably buy an OKI OL400 since it is so cheap.

Dom
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 30        Wed Oct 14, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 02:21 EDT
 
Anyone know if I can simply take a 1.44 MB floppy and a new floppy controller
and drop them into my STe/TOS 2.06 without any problems? I may have to cut the
case, but that's not a big deal.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 31        Wed Oct 14, 1992
T.MCCOMB [=Tom=]             at 21:42 EDT
 
No you can't.  You need additional support circuitry.

-Tom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 32        Wed Oct 14, 1992
D.KELLER14 [AL GO RHYTHM]    at 23:44 EDT
 
Any suggestions for a quick and painless method of backing up my HD's to DAT? 
I have a Seagate 150 Meg and a Siemens 380 Meg, both with ICD cards (and both,
obviously, attached to ST's).  Is there an interface made for DMA to DAT?

Thanks.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 33        Thu Oct 15, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 00:58 EDT
 
Has anyone noticed an apparent bug in TOS 2.06 when you're reading an ASCII
file from the desktop?  If you use the spacebar to page down, it will work as
advertised and not pass any lines (you can read everything).  However, when
you use the left mouse button to page down, which is much more convenient, TOS
skips the top 2-4 lines of the next page-they scroll by without stopping, so
you lose those lines. Since you can't backup (unfortunately), you must exit it
and start over.

There were no AUTO programs loaded.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 34        Thu Oct 15, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 06:39 EDT
 
Bob M.,

I believe this is a known bug (or feature) in 2.xx.  I noticed it with my 2.05
and I saw mention of it in one of the UK mags.

        Mike Allen

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 35        Fri Oct 16, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:23 EDT
 
Bob,

I think this bug has been mentioned by others. It's not a serious problem;
just install a text reader such as ASCIVIEW or REVENGE or even STeno as your
replacement for the desktop "show text" function.

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 36        Fri Oct 16, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:03 EDT
 
So then, it's time for the programming guru's at Atari to come up with a patch
program for it...
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 37        Fri Oct 16, 1992
D.D.MARTIN [Swampy]          at 20:40 EDT
 
BOB --

My favorite text reader is DCOPY.  It has a very fast search routine, page
forward and backward, and print capability.

Hugs...Swampy
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 38        Sat Oct 17, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 21:49 EDT
 
D.D.,

The REVENGE reader is also excellent. It doesn't seem to work in TT medium,
but in ST high it's just fine. Very fast, with many, many options.

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 39        Sun Oct 18, 1992
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 12:35 EDT
 
I've noticed that if I quickly tap the left mouse button instead of pressing
it, I get the correct scroll while reading a text file in 2.06.  I would take
this to mean a new manifestation of the old "Button Fix" problem.
 ===Tomas===
 October 16, 1992 @ 23:57:07 pm PDT


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 40        Sun Oct 18, 1992
J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead]       at 17:51 EDT
 
Tomas,

By golly, you've figured it out!  The "Show" function of the desktop will
scroll one screenful from the time that you _let_go_of_ the button.  If you
hold the button down long enough to scroll five lines, it will scroll a
screenful plus five lines.  This has nothing to do with the "Button Fix"
double-scrolling bug, but it is most definitely related to the mouse button. 
If you tap real quickly, you can let go before a line has scrolled and the
screen will scroll exactly one page.  Warp 9 users are penalized by the extra
text speed.  <grin>

John
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 41        Mon Oct 19, 1992
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 02:09 EDT
 
 

 >J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead]
 >By golly, you've figured it out!

 Ah, shucks boss.  'Twern't nuthin'.
 ===Tomas===
 October 18, 1992 @ 20:37:00 pm PDT


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 42        Sat Oct 24, 1992
O-ZONE [Flakes]              at 18:02 EDT
 
  This may actually be a software question but I couldn't find a more
appropriate place so here goes...

  After having collected a bunch of cool icons from all over I began tediously
loading them into the DESKICON.RSC file on my root drive in my Mega 4 STE.
Every day I would do a little more, Then I would designate them and save the
desktop. Eventually I started noticing that some of the icon names and
designations were not appearing on boot up. I noticed that I could only
install up to 14 programs to run from function keys and worst of all, the
message "System out of memory" would appear when I tried to run some programs.
The .INF file is about 4.2Kb. I backed it up, made a copy then removed most of
the icon designations. I ran the CPU with the copy and didn't have these
problems. Apparently there is a limit to how much can be in the .INF file. Is
there any way around this or do I have to give up some of my neat icons?
<sniff>
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 43        Sat Oct 24, 1992
A.MASON4 [Anna]              at 22:47 EDT
 
Flakes

Which version of TOS do you have?  If you are using NEWDESK, your .RSC file is
very limited in size.....somewhere in the area of 64K I think (my brain isn't
functioning too well today <grin>)

I have TOS 2.06 in my 4mb 1040ST.  I spent a very long time selecting icons,
etc. when I had the new TOS installed and wound up having a problem similar to
yours.....getting the "system out of memory" prompt.  My .RSC file had
evidently become corrupted and/or too large and I had to re-do everything
(selecting only those icons that I deemed unexpendable.)

                 Anna @ Atari Advantage

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 44        Sun Oct 25, 1992
F-D-PERCIVAL [Fred P.]       at 08:45 EST
 
According to The Newdesk Icon CPX manual, the limiting factor in customizing
TOS 2 or 3 is the NEWDESK.INF file. It has a 4192 byte maximum. Mine are all
over 3300 with moderate use of unique icons. I've heard that the file size
restriction has been removed for TOS 4.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 45        Sun Oct 25, 1992
N.WALKER3                    at 10:08 EST
 
Bill Rehbock at WAACE confirmed that the file length for NEWDESK.INF has
indeed been removed in the Falcon.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 46        Sun Oct 25, 1992
J.WISNIEWSK2 [Jeff - ST'er]  at 10:36 EST
 
  Flakes,

The DESKICON.RSC is limited to 200 icons or 64K, whichever comes first and the
NEWDESK.INF file is limited to 4196 in length.  What happens when your NEWDESK
file gets close to the limit, you will start to get an 'Out of Memory' message
for everything you try to do. You must decrease the size of the file.

I started to get that error when my NEWDESK file size got close to 4090 or so.
You will have to decide what icons and function keys you want and just use
them.

Anna,

All you had to do was decrease the size of your NEWDESK.INF file.

         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
         ^^^^    JSW    ^^^^
         ^^^^   ST'er   ^^^^
         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sunday, October 25, 1992 - 10:53:52 am


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 47        Sun Oct 25, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     at 11:55 EST
 
Flakes,

        Take a look at your NEWDESK.INF file and notice that some old lines
are still there that should have been disposed of.  For some reason NESDESK
does not seem to get rid of lines when they have been disposed up.  You now
have a INF file that is too big to make any additions to.  The fix is to
delete the unneeded lines to make more room.  Save the file as an ASCI file.

>> Joe M <<
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 48        Sun Oct 25, 1992
D.D.MARTIN [Swampy]          at 16:12 EST
 
FLAKES --

You got it.  You hit the limit.  TOS limits the INF file to about 4K (I think
that was the figure... but I could be wrong.  In any case it will give you the
out of memory error when you reach it)

Hugs...Swampy
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 49        Sun Oct 25, 1992
O-ZONE [Flakes]              at 20:13 EST
 
  I use TOS 2.05 and yup, my file was 4221b. Guess I'll have to do without.
Gee, I guess I really identified a bug. This is a first for me.
                                                Flakes
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 50        Sun Nov 01, 1992
GREEN                        at 20:59 EST
 
I amlooking to add a 1.44 meg floppy to my 1040stf w/tos 1.4.  Is there a way
to do that?  Actually, I assume that there are several ways to do it and I 
would be interested in hearing about them.  The prefered method would allow me
to add a 1.44 drive either externally or internally and use the other drive 
on the B drive line.  I probably would'nt want to use the DMA port but would
be interested in hearing what that would entail.  Thanks.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 51        Mon Nov 02, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 04:38 EST
 
Green,
  In your case, you would need a board that plugs into the WD1772 socket (I
think). The you have to buy the drive to go with it. I am not sure who makes
them and if they still do but, by the time you add it up, you could probably
spend a few extra $$ and get a floptical. The floptical plugs in like a hard
drive (SCSI) and acts like a slow HD. The one good thing about it is that you
would get 720K/1.44meg/21meg floppies. It would probably be easier to install
and you get the extra meg and speed.

  Even though it was a simple process to add the 1.44 to my MSTE, if I had to
do it all over again, I would get a floptical. As it is, I will end up getting
a Syquest 88 instead.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 52        Mon Nov 02, 1992
J.BRIGHAM                    at 20:25 EST
 
 I just res cently pickup    ed up a 520ST with a 2.5 Aerco Upgrade and
 a T-16 accelerator. The problem is that the computer won't
 acess D D D D D C C C C     pull up the disk drive. I check the drive with my
520STFM and 
 it works fine. I removed the memory board and reinstalled the 
 MMU. I prees  ssed down on all the chips that could be loose. The
 board is a revision B Atari motherboard. There is a resistor
 soldered to one of the original memory chips that might have been 
 added for the board. Could this be it? I live in Florida and this
 computer is my son's Christmas present. If no o  one can help me, please
 steer me to a  n authorized dealer. Thats Ft Walton Beach, Florida.
 Thanks ahead of time.

        Brig

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 53        Mon Nov 02, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 22:55 EST
 
I  believe that TOS 1.04 doesn't support hi-density drives.  This means that
you will have to upgrade to TOS 2.06, or about $140 for just the TOS upgrade
for your machine, plus another $160 for dealers such as Toad Computers to do
the HD floppy installation.  Oh yeah, you'll need a new floppy controller
chip, but that's probably included in package deals such as Toad's.

'Course, upgrading to TOS 2.06 is worth it in it's own right.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 54        Tue Nov 03, 1992
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 00:21 EST
 
Green,

There at least three German companies offering internal 1.44 drive boards (one
or two versions also support an external drive).  Most if not all involve a
little soldering, some involve cutting at least one chip pin away from the
motherboard.  Others involve the above plus a small board or chip is soldered
on top of the WD1772 chip or replaces it.  Software is included sometimes but
I beleave not necessary.  Teac drives are highly recommended and most often
separate.

Just this weekend I downloaded a small Auto folder program which installs a HD
cookie (_FDC to be exact) - now my TOS 2.06 format dialog box shows a third
entry.  Along with SINGLE SIDED and DOUBLE SIDED I now have a HIGH DENISITY
box to select, and it works too.

Wayne's idea about floptical is a good one.  Big advanage with a 21MB
floptical is that you can take it to another system so you don't lose your
investment, or at least not all of it.  The big disadvanage is its price.


Frank...



 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 55        Tue Nov 03, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     at 05:51 EDT
 
GREEN,


         There are two ways to add a 1.44 floppy to your 1040.  


         You could get one of the Optic-floppy disk that use the DMA
 port like a HardDrive, they will even accept a higher capacity floppy.


         You could also get a TOS 2.06 update and a new drive
 mechanism, I believe that will also give you 1.44.


 >> Joe M << 



 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 56        Tue Nov 03, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 19:53 EST
 
Frank,
  How about uploading that FDC cookie program. I have a friend who needs it.
Thanks.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 57        Thu Nov 05, 1992
M.BRIDAK [Mike]              at 23:10 EST
 
        Hello, I have a general (Maybe not so general, Pretty darn specific
come to think of it.) question...  Way back when there was an article in an ST
mag. about building a simple weather fax inferface. Any hoo, I have the
Software, component placement, and pc board trace layouts from a .gem file in
the LIB and was wondering if ANYONE knows the values for the components I am
to stuff into the board once I get it etched.

Thanks.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 58        Sat Nov 07, 1992
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 00:21 EST
 
Wayne,

Try FCDPATCH.LZH, #24014, here in the libraries.  I beleave it also installs a
'_FCD' cookie.  It only 7K.

Frank...
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 59        Sat Nov 07, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 09:56 EST
 
Frank,
  Thanks. Will look for it.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 60        Mon Nov 09, 1992
M.THOMPSON52 [11]            at 01:25 EST
 
Bypassing my Hard drive


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 61        Wed Nov 11, 1992
C.HERBORTH [-Chris-]         at 23:40 EST
 
Any version of TOS will swallow a high-density floppy drive, but the floppy
controller in STs, STes, and many Mega STes and TTs simply can't deal with
them.

I have a DreamPark "PowerDrive" card in my c.1986 1040STf (TOS 1.4) in a
normal Toshiba 1.44M floppy drive (bought from some klone store).  Works like
a dream!  Doesn't require a driver, and I've only found a few mutant games
that wouldn't boot with it.

I do believe that DreamPark has vanished though...

-Chris-

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 62        Tue Nov 24, 1992
G.LEONE [Gerry]              at 21:08 EST
 
Hey, GEMSOUND is a great program.  But could someone help a non-programmer
type (me) and translate these variables (or whatever they are)?  I can't tell
what's what, so I can't tell what's supposed to happen when:

        F_Alert         Fsel_Inp        Fsel_Exi        Menu_Tno
        Form_Do         F_Dial          F_Error         F_Button
        Graf_Rub        Graf_Dra        Graf_Mbo        Graf_Gro
        Graf_Shr        Graf_Mov


The Sys_Bell and T_Click ones I figured out on my own ;-)

Thanks in advance!

  -Gerry
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 63        Wed Nov 25, 1992
W.ROSADO [Bill]              at 22:01 EST
 
I have a problem with my Stacy.

Sometimes the Hard drive doesnt boot and I can hear a whirring sound like the
harddrive is trying to come up to speed but it cant.

Please Help.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 64        Wed Nov 25, 1992
EXPLORER.5 [Bob]             at 22:17 EST
 
Check Cat 2, Topic 16, Message #122 for your answer.

 |) |
 |)O|)

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 65        Thu Nov 26, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     at 12:30 EDT
 
Message: 63, left on November 25, 1992  From: W.ROSADO [Bill]


  > I have a problem with my Stacy.  Sometimes the Hard drive doesnt boot
  > and I can hear a whirring sound like the harddrive is trying to come
  > up to speed but it cant.  Please Help.


         Could you say a little more about the spin up sound?  Is it
 different than it used to be?


         You might try re-instilling your boot software or
 re-formating the drive.


 >> Joe M << 






 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 66        Fri Nov 27, 1992
LYRE                         at 22:06 EST
 
Gerry,

I'm definitely not a programmer and don't have and/or use Gemsound. However,
those look rather like system variables built into BIOS (or GEM or XBIOS or
whatever part of the system it is).

The Graf_ stuff are grafics commands related to dialog boxes. Shr=shrink,
Rub=rubberband, Dra=draw (I think), Gro=grow, Mov=move. Of these the shrink
and grow are those annoying lines you get at the corners of dialog boxes as
they appear/disappear from the screen. The Draw probably places the dialog on
the screen.  Move most likely accounts for the new window/dialog position.

Fsel is the File Selector.  Inp=input and Exi=exit - but these are definitey
guesses.

The F_ stuff seem to be dialog (called forms very frequently) status stuff. 
Alert is probably one of the ?/! dialogs.  Error and Button seem to be flags
to check the status of the dialog.

What any of this has to do with the operation of Gemsound I wouldn't even
attempt to explain.  You could probably check further into these questions in
the programming topics.

                                                        Lyre

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 67        Sat Nov 28, 1992
J.WISNIEWSK2 [Jeff - ST'er]  at 05:21 EST
 
  Gerry,

Check out Category 2, Topic 16.  The definations were explained in there over
the past week.

                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                ^^^^    JSW    ^^^^
                ^^^^   ST'er   ^^^^
                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Saturday, November 28, 1992 - 4:57:26 am
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 68        Sat Nov 28, 1992
J.NYMAN [J.C.]               at 09:35 EST
 
Help! I have friends trying to get me to jump ship from Atari to IBM pc. I
would like to gain more speed and hd capacity, but I have many $$$  invested
in Calamus, Cubase, etc, and in Atari hardware. My question: What would I need
to do to upgrade my setup without costing another fortune? I have an Atari
Mega2 (upgraded to Mega4--can this be increased some more?), 30 mg hd (I know
I'll have to increase this), Moniterm Big monitor, Atari SLM804 printer. I
don't know anything about the TT. Is this the next step to gain more speed and
power? Also, there in no longer an Atari dealer in Phoenix. Can I trust a mail
order house to purchase new equipment, and, if installation of memory chips or

something like that is needed, who will do it? It's really a drag not having
any local support.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 69        Sat Nov 28, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 11:45 EST
 
J.C.,
  If you go mail order, do it from one of the reputable dealers. Not only will
you be helping the dealers but, you will also get some support if you have
problems. Regular mail order houses do not offer much support. Of course, hard
drives can be obtained fairly cheap from Computer Shopper. You can get a 213
meg Maxtor drive for ~$530.00.

  I have heard of someone that has an upgrade for the ST that will take it
above 4 meg. I can't remember who does it but, for some reason I think it is
Jim Allen. I may be wrong though.

  A lot of dealers will do installations for you and offer fairly quick
turnaround times. There are 3 dealers I know of online that are pretty
reputable.

  Sheldon Winick  S.WINICK
  Team Computers  ??
  Toad Computers  ?? (I think they are online)

  This is just the 3 I can think of. There may be more.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 70        Sat Nov 28, 1992
LYRE                         at 19:25 EST
 
J.C.,

I know that Jim Allen J.ALLEN27 from Fast Technologies, offers speed
accelerators and also has the ability to add more memory.  I was just looking
over the Turbo 030 board he sells last night.  I've requested a price from him
with my set-up last night also.


Fast Tech's topic is CAT 4, TOP 11.  Definitely get the first 2 messages in
the topic as they might help you understand what the product is/does.  Also,
in this same Aladdin pass I see that Jim has responded to my question.  I
would suggest grabbing that message also - it's # 166.

                                                        Lyre



 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 71        Sat Nov 28, 1992
E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen]         at 20:06 EST
 
I know this is a weird request, but can someone please tell me what size
screws are needed to mount a floppy in a 520/1040STf(m) case?

I need three, and I don't have any samples to match it up with to find out. 
The "raisers" are there -- I just need the screws.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 72        Sat Nov 28, 1992
K.CAVAGHAN2 [OakSprings]     at 20:13 EST
 
J.C.,

Sounds like a SST board (by Gadgets by Small) may be of help to you. While I
don't have one :{, I believe it allows you to run a 68030, and a much expanded
RAM capacity in your Mega.  I'll leave it to others to flesh it out more or
you may wish to check the Gadgets by Small RT for more info.

Kent Cavaghan
 OakSprings Software

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 73        Sat Nov 28, 1992
G.LEONE [Gerry]              at 21:35 EST
 
LYRE -- Thanks for your guesses.  In a sentence, GEMSOUND substitutes sampled
sounds (like gunshots) for system sounds (like the bell).

Jeff ST'er -- Thanks.  I'll go check that out.  Appreciate it!

  -Gerry
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 75        Sun Nov 29, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     at 11:41 EDT
 
Message: 68, left on November 28, 1992  From: J.NYMAN [J.C.]


  >Help! I have friends trying to get me to jump ship from Atari to IBM
  >pc. I would like to gain more speed and hd capacity,


         You have no real limit to HD capacity with the Atari system,
 so don't bother taking that into consideration.  If you want more
 speed and RAM I suggest one of the 030 boards or a TT.  You will have
 a 32 bit 32 mhz machine equal to -about- a 50 mhz 486 (there is no
 way to do a direct comparison).  


         As for memory I am working with 8 megs on my TT but you can
 put in over 100 megs (thats RAM megs) if you like.  Remember you will
 not need as much RAM on an Atari to do the same work as you would on
 a MS-DOS machine.


         You are not likely to find anything as fast as your SLM804
 printer for a PC




         As for the end price, I guess you need to do some shopping.
 There are good mail order Atari dealers.  Get your prices (hardware
 and software totals) and compare the prices and the capabilities.  I
 stayed with Atari, and I am familiar with DOS, I work on them all day
 at work (I manage computer operations with a base of about 40 PCs.).


         You will need to decide what is right for you.


         Some of the mail order companies I have used.  (Actually 
 have not done much mail order I have visited most of them.)


  Judy Baumgardner
  Anthill Computing
  P.O. Box 361 
  Mt. Vernon, OH  43050
  Work phone: 1-393-1524
  Modem line: 1-436-3137


  David Small
  Gadgets By Small
  340 West Littleton Blvd #210 - 211
  Littleton, cO  


  ATY Computer
  3727 13th Aveue
  Okland, CA  94610
  Work phone: 415-482-3775


  Power (Team) Copmuters
  Imperial Plaza
  Clinton Township, MI  48038
  Home phone: 313-228-4500 
  Fax line: David Nichilas store manager


  Toad Computers
  556 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd.
  Severna Park, M D  21146
  Home phone: 1-410-554-6999  (BBS)
  Work phone: 1-410-544-6943
  Fax line: 1-800-448-TOAD  (Orders)

  Jim Allen


 >> Joe M << 











 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 76        Sun Nov 29, 1992
L.NEILANDS [Leo]             at 23:10 EST
 
I can't help you but you may be able to help me - a more lowly creature in
levels of HD knowledge.
 I have a simple ICD faST box with the old Miniscribe 30Meg spinning away.
Actually I replaced the older one with this one some time ago when it would
power itself off.
 Now my problem... after a complete and proper formatting the drive tests out
clean -i.e. no bad sectors. However after any amount of writing and deleting
to the drive the bad sectors start to march in.
 Using CLEAN-UP for example I'll get say 3 (eg.3341,4355,5344). OK, so I do a
clean-up and then another check. Now I might have 3 or 4 MORE BAD SECTORS! And
the more I do this the more I find until the program starts finding file links
as well. This same thing happens with other diagnostic programs as well!
 Now - it's not the cables, it's not the media, it's not the program.
 My data is quite usable until I do 'too many' deletes and writes. *** Oh
yeah! One final clue ... upper right corner of screen - the mysterious <sense
$80> or $81, $82, $11, and $7F !!!
 I can't be the only one with a HD going bananas like me >;Q
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 77        Mon Nov 30, 1992
J.WISNIEWSK2 [Jeff - ST'er]  at 00:26 EST
 
  Leo,

I had that on a MiniScribe drive (might have even been the same model type)
and I found out that it was the interface board (not the ICD board, the one
physically attached to the drive) that was on the drive.  It was getting so
hot I cook could my dinner on it.

                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                ^^^^    JSW    ^^^^
                ^^^^   ST'er   ^^^^
                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sunday, November 29, 1992 - 11:56:58 pm
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 78        Mon Nov 30, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:52 EST
 
J.NYMAN - Believe me, there's TONS of us (stupid <grin>) loyal Atari users who
have no local support.  Use some of the more 'prominent' mail order houses
(e.g. Rising Star Computers, Joppa Computers, Toad Computers, etc.) if you
want to mail order stuff.  If you want dealer-performed hardware upgrades, I'd
recommend Toad Computers.  The only upgrades I can think of would be an
accelerator (16-25MHz 68000 accelerator or the $600 TinyTurbo030 40MHz 68030
board, depending on how much you want to spend).  One thing you MIGHT want to
consider is selling your 4MB MEGA2 and 30MB HD and buying a Mega STE (16MHz
68000), or if you need a lot more power and more RAM, a TT030 (32MHz 68030)
which already supports the Moniterm, so you'd only have to buy the CPU for
around $1500 (or waiting for the Falcon's).  It all depends on exactly what
you want.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 79        Mon Nov 30, 1992
ICDINC                       at 11:12 EST
 
Ed, It has been a while but I think they use M3x6 screws.  (metric)

       - TOM -
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 80        Mon Nov 30, 1992
L.NEILANDS [Leo]             at 23:35 EST
 
AHA! Now we're getting somewhere! Somewhere around this old hovel of ours
there lies a dead MiniScribe. I was clever enough to monkey around and switch
the interface boards with another used drive that I foolishly bought. The
problems travelled with the boards!
 One board had a power cut-off problem - got hot - turned off.
 The other one (the one I'm using) has some weird read/write fetish. It seems
to imagine bad sectors and eventually creates them. It's a BAD thing! - Is
this still doomed to be a mystery?    --- Leo
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 81        Tue Dec 01, 1992
E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen]         at 00:53 EST
 
Thanks, Tom!!
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 82        Tue Dec 01, 1992
J.WILSON103 [John]           at 06:47 EST
 
Can anyone assist mwaa on this problem?  I am wanting to make a disk purchase
from an outfit called PMC in Bellevue Washington.  I received a newspaper from
them titled ST News...I cannot find the price of the PD disks in the
paper...that is what I am looking for, the price...thanks in advance.

 J_Dub
 ~~~~~
 Monday, November 30, 1992 8:05:56 pm


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 83        Wed Dec 02, 1992
G.LEONE [Gerry]              at 00:43 EST
 
A good question, John Wilson!  I got the same paper, asked myself the same
question, and figured it was just me.

Anyone??

 -Gerry
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 84        Fri Dec 04, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 07:10 EST
 
Steve:

 > [stuff deleted] if you need a lot more power and more RAM, a TT030
 > (32MHz 68030) which already supports the Moniterm...

Are you sure that the TT supports the Moniterm?  I thought that the TT only
supported it's own (i.e. Atari's) 19" monitor?

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 85        Sat Dec 05, 1992
E.WEEKS [Eric]               at 16:18 EST
 
Having lost the only ST dealership around, is there a mail order place I can
get an ST joystick from?  Or tell me if a joystick for another computer will
work.  (Joystick recommendations also solicited, but must work for either
hand.)  Thanks!
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 86        Sat Dec 05, 1992
EXPLORER.1 [ Ron ]           at 18:17 EST
 
Eric, try Toad Computers for a joystick.  You do know the old Atari game
system adn Atari 400/800 joysticks work with the ST?  Some people won't use
anything but the Atari, I like the Epyx.

        Toad Computer
        570F Governor Ritchie Highway
        Severna Park, MD  21146
        Phone: 800-448-8623

               Ron @ Atari Explorer




 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 87        Sun Dec 06, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:36 EST
 
D.ALVEAR1 - Hmmm...  I THOUGHT they were the same, but perhaps not.  I don't
have a TT, so I can't be sure.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 88        Sun Dec 06, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 13:18 EST
 
Eric,

Atari joysticks are all over the place. Most big toy stores will have them
(either OEM or another brand). ST and XL/XE joysticks are the same.

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 89        Sat Dec 12, 1992
C.WARD7 [Craig]              at 00:37 EST
 
I'm looking for suggesstions.

The internal microdisk drive on my 1040STf has just gone bad.  Is it possible
to replace it with a 1.44 HD drive?  Are there many choices in this area or
would I be stuck with Atari hardware?  (Not that that would be bad -- this
drive is 6 years old.)

I am interested in doing this because I *just* upgraded the machine to 4meg
and TOS 2.06 and added a SyQuest cartridge drive and want to get some use out
of the new configuration.

On a related note, can my SF314 handle 1.44 microdisks with TOS 2.06?

Thanks in advance!

Craig -- GEnie: C.WARD7

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 90        Sat Dec 12, 1992
B.BILLJONES2 [BILL JONES]    at 20:31 EST
 
Howdy Craig,

        Yes it is possible to replace the drive with a 1.44 floppy. there was
a flurry of messages earlier in this base that listed a few option available. 
With TOS 2.06 someone mentioned that there is an auto folder patch program
that will enable the 1.44 option.  However, I'm not sure if you still need to
update your floppy controller chip. Anyone with some handy answers?

Bill

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 91        Sun Dec 13, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 04:17 EST
 
C.WARD7 - Toad Computers has a 1.44MB HD floppy kit for 520/1040 models
(though it may require modifications in the casing).
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 92        Mon Dec 14, 1992
S.MCKINLEY2 [WRAITH]         at 23:58 EST
 
HELP! I have an Atari 520ST and would like to upgrade to something useful for
newer software. Iwould like to get some feedback as to what I need to get. I'm
grateful for any suggestions.*s
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 93        Tue Dec 15, 1992
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 02:01 EST
 
Wraith,
 All you really need is more memory and a hard drive.  That and both (mono and
color) monitors.
 ===Tomas===
 December 14, 1992 @ 22:48:32 pm PST


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 94        Tue Dec 15, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 20:22 EST
 
Wraith-

Get a 520 or 1040STe.  These have SIMMs in them, so if you see a good deal on
a 520STe, you can upgrade it to 4 MB in a matter of minutes. SIMMs are
industry-standard memory modules.   They have a 4096 color pallette, DMA sound
(and stereo outputs) that will knock your socks off even at 8 MHz.  You can
also upgrade to TOS 2.06 easier with these- it's just a simple remove and
replace job.  Not so the ST- adapter boards are needed.

Like Tomas suggested, if nothing else, get a hard drive.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 95        Tue Dec 15, 1992
AEO.3 [Lyre]                 at 21:13 EST
 
Wraith,

I agree with Tomas (MUSE).  However, it can be a little more convoluted then
that.  Yes, you will definitely need more memory and for mainy programs a hard
drive is mandatory.

However, after these enhancements, you need to state what you want to do.  For
instance, if you want additional speed their is the SST (Gadgets by Small) and
Turbo030 (Fast Tech).  Then their are graphics cards.  Also 1.44 meg floppies.
Etc.

I am not - by any stretch of the imagination - saying that you *have to* give
us more info.  Simply that depending on what uses you plan to put your
improved machine to may effect the types of upgrades you need.

                                                Lyre
                                                ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 96        Wed Dec 16, 1992
J.BEAUCAIRE [JBEAU]          at 03:48 EST
 
Hey, for only about $200 you can have the 2.5 meg memory upgrade installed in
your current machine...plenty of headroom for the most powerful stuff around
for the ST today.  You should also have at least TOS 1.4 in your machine for
good speed in the machine.

I am currently running on just that...a 2.5 meg 520ST and haven't run into any
speed or memory problems with anything I tried.

The memory upgrade I would recommend is Z-Ram.  I had installed in two
machines and it's great!  If you do the installation yourself (I did and I am
NOT a techie) be sure to use some sort of waxy glue to hold the upgrade in
place firmly.  Good luck!

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 97        Thu Dec 17, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:12 EST
 
Does anyone know anything about the Royal CJP450 compact inkjet printer (i.e.
is it crap or what)?  It's DeskJet-compatible, has 300dpi resolution, and
supposedly does 3ppm, but I need to know if it's any good or not because I can
get a VERY good deal on one if they ARE any good.  Would it be better to get a
Canon BJ-10 or doesn't it really matter?  I WOULD like an HP DeskJet, but
they're a bit more expensive.

Also, though I'm asking this in the 'Multisync monitors' topic as well, does
anyone know if the following monitors are 'ST-compatible' multisyncs?:

  Relisys RE9511
  Relisys RE9513L
  KLH SV29N

If so, does anyone have any opinions on them?
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 98        Thu Dec 17, 1992
T.MCCOMB [=Tom=]             at 23:35 EST
 
How 'good' is the deal?  Genuine DJ500's are around $350 now. 3 year Warranty.
Ink Carts widely available.

 -Tom McComb
  {10:36 pm}  Thursday, December 17, 1992


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 99        Fri Dec 18, 1992
O-ZONE [Flakes]              at 18:10 EST
 
  Wow! I guess no one noticed that Wraith was looking for SOFTware. I bought
my first computer 2 years ago for use in my MIDI music studio. Although it
worked out just fine for this application, one of the unexpected advantages I
discovered was how it could help put my financial life in order. Using a
personal accounting package has enabled me to balance my checkbook to the
penny, (that's right) every month and to figure out where I was spending money
and where I could cut down thus making long range financial planning possible.
I can also do budget projections through the year and estimate what my taxes
will be. I use a program called PHA$AR for this and I found it to be quite
easy to learn and set-up even for a complete novice user as I was.

  If you don't already have Aladdin, I recommend that you download it from the
STALADDIN RT library. It makes using GEnie a breeze although it is a bit more
difficult to learn. Luckily there is an RT devoted to it with many helpful
people. With this program you can download and save topic lists, making
finding out about specific or general software packages easier.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 100       Fri Dec 18, 1992
DARLAH [RT~SYSOP]            at 20:17 EST
 
Steve:

Although the word 'crap' is not on any profanity lists, be aware that some may
find it offensive. Try to rephrase the question when you can. Crap can also be
used to be a description of junk.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 101       Sat Dec 19, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 00:56 EST
 
T.MCCOMB - It's normally $288 (I think) but is on sale for $197 (+ $59 for a
70-sheet feeder, which is normally $77) BRAND NEW (I don't recall the warranty
period, but it's at least 1 year).  It uses the same ink carts as the DeskJet
Plus, so new ink carts shouldn't be a problem for it.  I was just wondering if
anyone had any experience with them (Royal brand) as far as quality is
concerned.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 102       Sat Dec 19, 1992
D.D.MARTIN [Swampy]          at 09:22 EST
 
Crap is also a very popular gambling game.

Swampy

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 103       Sat Dec 19, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 20:45 EST
 
HELP!

I need an ASCII diagram on how to install TOS 1.04 in a 1040STf ASAP! I sold
TOS 1.04 to someone, but I couldn't find my installation instructions.  (Don't
forget the obligatory space or else GEnie will mess your picture up. :-)

Thanks in advance,

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 104       Sun Dec 20, 1992
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 03:41 EST
 
Dom-

Look on the old TOS ROM sockets.  There should be a notch on one end of all of
them.  This notch corresponds to the notch on the ROM chips.  Now, from what I
remember, there are different part numbers on each ROM that are incremental,
i.e. 22526, 22527, 22528 and so on. I think they were installed in order. 
What I don't remember is where the low number went = power supply end or
spacebar end!
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 105       Sun Dec 20, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 05:03 EST
 
Rob,

The big problem here is that we live a little ways apart and I can't be there
to hand hold the installation.  Also, i don't want him to blow his computer
up.  If somebody out there has TOS 1.04 in their 1040STf and would like to
draw me an ASCII picture of the six-chip set up.  Please do so.  Oh, the guys
address is B.HYUN2, so you could e-mail to him.  (With a cc: to me of course :-
)

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 106       Mon Dec 21, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:48 EST
 
One thing I was wondering is if I got this DeskJet Plus compatible printer
(the Royal (Olivetti) CJP450), should it be usable with just about everything?
In other words, should I be able to use it with just about ANY program, or
would I need some type of Epson-compatibility mode (like with a Canon BJ-10ex)
to have better 'support' for the printer?

Here's the problem I'm having:  I can get the Royal CJP450 for $197 (+ $59 for
a 70-sheet feeder tray) or I can get a Canon BJ-10ex for about $280 (not
including sheet feeder).  Here's a list of features for the CJP450 (taken from
the side of the box):

 Printing nozzles:                                                      50
                                        (the Canon BJ-10ex has 64 nozzles)
 Graphic & text resolution:                                  300 x 300 dpi
                                    (the Canon BJ-10ex does 360 x 360 dpi)
 Print speeds (LQ/draft):                              80/160 cps @ 10 cpi
 Emulation:                                   Hewlett-Packard DeskJet Plus
               (the Canon BJ-10ex has IBM Proprinter & Epson FX emulation)
 Portrait resident fonts:                         Times Nordic (PS) 6-12pt
                                    Letter Gothic 5-6-10-12-16.7-20-24 cpi
 Portrait & landscape resident fonts:             Courier 5-10-16.7-20 cpi
 Font styles and attributes:   Medium, Bold, Italic, Sub, Super, Underline
 Cut sheet formats:                      Letter-Legal-Envelope-European A4
 Parallel interface
 1 expansion slot for optional font, memory or emulation cards
 (it also uses the same ink cartridges as the HP DeskJet Plus)

 Options:
    Soft Font Kits:            HP DeskJet Plus compatible soft fonts
    Emulation cards:                     IBM Proprinter, Epson FX850


So to any of you out there who are very familiar with printers, does this
Royal CJP450 sound like a good deal for $197 + sheet feeder for $59 (normally
$288 + $77, respectively), or would I probably be better off going ahead and
getting a Canon BJ-10ex or other inkjet/bubblejet?  I would GREATLY appreciate
any input on this.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 107       Tue Dec 22, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 02:09 EST
 
My brother just got a BJ-10e and it works great, he got it for about $350.00
with the sheet feeder.  I like it a lot.  I used to have an HP DJ+, but I sold
it for a laser printer.

I'd say that either printer is a great deal.  Since the Royal printer emulates
a DJ+, I don't think you'll have a problem using it.  And many programs
support the BJ-10e series.  If the output is comparable, i.e. you can't tell
the difference, then go with the cheaper model.  Since you are buying inkjet
technology, you really can't go wrong.  (My opinion of course.  ;-)

Sounds like this Royal printer is quite a deal.  It may be slow, but if it
works?  Who cares?  Where did you see this printer for that low price?  Also,
what are its dimensions?  Is it a good portable printer?  Just wondering as I
might be interested in a printer for my STacy on the road.

Dom
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 108       Tue Dec 22, 1992
POTECHIN [RT~Sysop]          at 09:37 EST
 
I have always found the quality of the Canon BJ superior to that of the HP DJ
although the price usually reflects the difference. Calamus has drivers for
both but I am not familiar with the Royal brand.

Nathan @ DMC
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 109       Wed Dec 23, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:07 EST
 
D.ALVEAR1 - Thanks for your thoughts!  The Royal CJP450 is currently on sale
at ComputerLand Express (at least the one here in Roswell, GA).  When not in
use (and not including the sheet feeder), it folds up into a rectangular box
that's about 4-5" x 4-5" x 14-16".  I'm considering just waiting until I save
up enough money for a Canon BubbleJet or HP DJ500, though (since the DJ500
does 3ppm).  The CJP450 just SEEMS like such a nice deal!
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 110       Wed Dec 23, 1992
G.LEONE [Gerry]              at 20:09 EST
 
Anyone know what a .PCS graphics file is?  What can be used to view it?

  -Gerry
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 111       Wed Dec 23, 1992
ST.LOU [Lou Rocha]           at 20:32 EST
 
Gerry, PCS is the format for Photochrome. The library files needed to view it
is file # 26980 PCSVIEW3.LZH (viewer) or you can get the whole Photochrome
program in file 26831 PCHROME3.LZH. The colors are outstanding.


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 112       Wed Dec 23, 1992
BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp]           at 21:01 EST
 
Gerry,
        .pcs refers to PHOTCHROME. The topic number is:

 >Atari-ST RoundTable
 >Category 7,  Topic 30        Fri Sep 18, 1992
 >B.REEVES2 [Alter Ego]        (Forwarded)
 >Sub: Photochrome - 19200 out of 32768 colors
 >
 >Move over Spectrum!  Here comes Photochrome!  Super HAM allows 4096 colors
on
 >both an ST and STE.  Photochrome allows 19200 colors on an STE.  Lets talk
 >about it.


                                *******Brian*********
        Written on Wednesday 23 December 1992 at 09:55 p.m. AST

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 113       Thu Dec 24, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:22 EST
 
POTECHIN - I was looking through a COMPUTER PRINTER BUYER'S GUIDE (I'm sure
you or some others here are familiar with what I'm talking about as there are
several done by the same people) and it happened to have the Royal CJP450 in
it.  Anyway, it said that the printer was sold under three different brands --
Olivetti, Royal, and Smith Corona -- (but all were made by Olivetti).  It DID
give it a good review, but I'm still juggling my options as the Canon
BubbleJets seem like they might be nicer with the 360dpi resolution rather
than 300dpi resolution.  I'm just considering the Royal because of the rather
attractive price.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 114       Thu Dec 24, 1992
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 04:29 EST
 
Steve,

Like I said before, at that price, you can't go wrong.  I agree that 360 dpi
is MUCH cleaner than 300 dpi when it comes to inkjets, but the price range you
are talking about is a STEAL!

I am VERY impressed with my brothers Canon BJ-10e.  It has excellent output,
and you should be able to buy it mail-order for about $350.00 with a sheet-
feeder.  I haven't had much time to play with his BJ-300, but it is my
understanding that the BJ-300 does NOT emulate any BubbleJet printers?  Sounds
pretty stupid, but as far as I can tell the BJ-300 emulates an IBM Proprinter
or an Epson LQ printer.  I'll have to yell at Canon for a BJ-130 emulation...
:-)

Dom
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 115       Fri Dec 25, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 00:27 EST
 
Dom,

So far I have used my BJ-300 in the IBM X24E mode with the BJ10e GDOS drivers
and it seems to work fine.

        Mike Allen

By the way, the BJ-300 is down to $400 now.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 116       Fri Dec 25, 1992
POTECHIN [RT~Sysop]          at 21:26 EST
 
Olivetti makes quality product!

Nathan
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 117       Fri Dec 25, 1992
G.LEONE [Gerry]              at 23:28 EST
 
LOU and BRIAN --

Thanks for the .PCS info.  Somehow I must've spaced out when those files were
uploaded.  I'll have to download 'em immediately.

  -Gerry
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 118       Sat Dec 26, 1992
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 00:55 EST
 
D.ALVEAR1 - I could've sworn I just read somewhere that the BJ-300 is also
compatible with an older model BubbleJet (and I think it DID say BJ-130 --
either that or it was BJ-30e or somesuch (I remember a 30 being in it)).
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 119       Mon Dec 28, 1992
S.STRINGER [STRING]          at 01:06 EST
 
I need a monitor extension cable that is longer than my Monitor Master. Does
anyone know where I can get one? String

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 120       Tue Dec 29, 1992
J.KING78 [JOBIKI]            at 06:36 EST
 
Help the technologically ignorant in regards to a repeatingly bombing  Mega ST
2. I have opened it up before and reseated the chips but I still received
start up bombing. The promblem seems to get worse as time goes on. I now have
opened it up again (thank God for multiple ST's) and I would like to perhaps
remove the blitter chip and see if that works. The question I have is which
square one is it when looking at the unit from the front ? Is the power supply
next ? I would like to fix the problem since the wife and kids have retaken my
system for their fun.Thank you for any help.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 121       Tue Dec 29, 1992
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 09:57 EST
 
Jobiki,
 Have you tried swapping the power supply between your ST's to see if the
problem moves with it?
 ===Tomas===
 December 29, 1992 @  6:46:38 am PST


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 122       Tue Dec 29, 1992
J.KING78 [JOBIKI]            at 22:24 EST
 
Tomas,
 I will give it a try this weekend and see what good if any happens.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 123       Fri Jan 01, 1993
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:32 EST
 
Well, I'm now using a Royal CJP450 Compact Ink Jet printer w/ a 70-sheet
automatic sheet feeder and LIKING IT! <grin>  I actually bought the thing two
weeks ago, but I hadn't opened it because I was considering spending more on a
Canon bubblejet or maybe even an HP DeskJet 500 (and I didn't want to take a
chance of missing out on the Royal at it's incredible price of $197 + $59 for
the ASF).  I also wanted to try to find a buyer for my old Panasonic 9-pin dot
matrix printer.

Anyway, for those interested, it IS a rather nice printer (especially for the
price! <grin>).  Including the sheet feeder, it's about 1/2 to 3/4 the size of
an HP DeskJet 500 (minus the ASF, the printer folds up into a rectangular box
4.52"(115mm) x 13.46"(342mm) x 5.78"(147mm) that weighs 6.4 pounds.  According
to the specs, it will do 1.5-2ppm depending on print quality.  It's HP DeskJet
Plus compatible, though I haven't tried it yet with PageStream 2.2 or whatever
else I might have with a DeskJet printer driver.  The manual says that drivers
for the Olivetti JP150, Olivetti JP350, HP DeskJet, HP DeskJet Plus, or HP
LaserJet can be used.  I may also buy the Epson FX850 emulator card for it
sometime.  It also has 25 character sets. I'm using some fairly cheap paper,
but the print quality is quite nice, not to mention the noise -- or lack
thereof.

Well, I'm off to play! <grin>  I just thought I'd let everyone know how it's
worked out.  Thanks to those who helped me with my decision!

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 124       Sun Jan 03, 1993
E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen]         at 19:50 EST
 
What's a line conditioner?


I had a very "interesting" experience the other day, that has encouraged me
even more to look into a good (like an Isobar) surge protector.  When the
heater in our house clicks on, lights flicker and television images sometimes
shrink momentarily.  Until a few nights ago, I saw no reactions to my TT; one
night my TT rebooted when the heater kicked in.  Kinda scared me.  Time to get
some good power protection... :^/

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 125       Mon Jan 04, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 00:28 EST
 
If the power is dropping to the point that the TT reboots, I would say there
is something wrong. You need to have it checked out. About the only thing I
know of to protect against that is a UPS power supply. Of course, a good surge
protector is also recommended. The Isobars are nice. That problem you are
having can take a toll on the computer after awhile.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 126       Mon Jan 04, 1993
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:31 EST
 
Are there any TSR's or other programs which will allow the TOS screen dumps
(Alt-Help) to work on an HP DeskJet?  Now that I have this new DJ+ compatible
ink jet printer, I find I can't use it with much (only PageStream and for
straight ASCII text dumps).  Maybe I DO need the Epson emulator card for it???
<grin>

Also, is it possible to save a default color palette for the desktop (e.g. so
that the desktop boots up with a blue desktop instead of green) without a desk
accessory (like XCONTROL)?  I always thought it was saved in the DESKTOP.INF
file, but I'd never actually tried doing this in the 6 3/4 years I've been an
ST user.  I don't want to have to take up an entire .ACC space just for this. 
And speaking of the DESKTOP.INF file, does anyone know what all the info is
that's contained in it (specifically, the first 5 lines (and even MORE
specifically, the third line (c#...)))?
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 127       Mon Jan 04, 1993
F-D-PERCIVAL [Fred P.]       at 06:26 EST
 
Steve,

There are at least two HiRez screen dump TSRs in the ST Library. I use one of
them. I can't tell you the name of the file, though! There is also a TOS
program called DEGASPR.TTP which does an excellent job of converting color
Degas pictures to DeskJet black & white prints. This is in the library as
well.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 128       Mon Jan 04, 1993
M.JONES52 [Jonesy]           at 08:18 EST
 
Ed,

   First off, if your TV flickers and TT occasionally resets when your heater
(water heater or furnace?) energizes, either you've got those appliances on
the wrong circuit or your house service needs bolstering.  Maybe I'm a nut,
but I figure anything that draws heavy amps at startup oughta have it's own
circuit.  It might be a good idea to talk to a friendly electrician and your
local electric company (not a few of which will have a field tech visit to
check out your situation.)
   A surge protector (supressor) will lop off the surge or spike when a heavy-
draw appliance comes up to speed or the ones that come courtesy of the power
company, but it won't do diddely about the initial current drop.  Good ones
also filter out stray rf interference.
   A line (or power) conditioner massages the current to make it all clean and
pretty.  They cost more.  You'd have to check specs and such to find out how
well a particular model handles spikes.
   Related, and next up the line, is a dedicated power supply, similar to what
you can find in physics and computer labs.  Hmm, maybe it's time to check
around in surplus...  With these, you can dial up just about any AC or DC
current and voltage needed.  I wouldn't be surprised if some of the
electronics magazines had roll-your-own designs for this stuff.
   As someone posted elsewhere not too long ago, according to a Bell Labs
study they said they'd read, something like eighty-seven percent of electronic
equipment damage wasn't caused by spikes and surges but by sags.  The only way
to deal with sags is a good power supply or unimterruptible power supply. 
Prices on these are coming down into the $250 - $350 range.
   Byte magazine several years ago had a fine article on UPS's and such, might
be worth digging out.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 129       Mon Jan 04, 1993
M.RIVMAN1 [MATT]             at 21:24 EST
 
TO ALL-

The other day after booting up my 520ST and Supra HD on the Mono monitor, I 
switched via xswitchit, to my color monitor, only to find MUCH interference in
the picture each time the HD reads.  There are lines going through the entire
screen, and the picture (whole screen) fades a bit.  I tried  removing and
resetting the cable but this did not seem to help.  The color monitor is about
4 feet to the left and 10 inches above the HD.  Mono  monitor is about 8
inches to the right of the color one.  No problem with the mono.  Also, both
_were_ working fine until a day ago or so.   Any suggestions?  Would this be a
HD problem or Monitor prob?

Thanks for any help Matt
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 130       Mon Jan 04, 1993
G.LEONE [Gerry]              at 21:57 EST
 
Steve Johnson --

Don't know the answer to ANY of your questions except one...

If you currently use a RAM disk as a desk accessory, you might think about
switching to SI_RAM.ACC  .  Not only is it an instantly resettable ramdisk, it
also saves the color of the desktop.  You set the desktop once with
CONTROL.ACC, save SI_RAM, then get rid of the Control Panel.

  -- Gerry
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 131       Wed Jan 06, 1993
D.FARRINGTO1 [David <><  .]  at 00:02 EST
 
Ed:

I echo what Jonesy said "Get and electrical friend to look at the problem",
most important if the problem is getting worse!  As your setup is right now an
UPS may add to the problem.  What I mean is the UPS will protect your computer
things but when it changes from back-up to commercial power the load to the
120 volt plug is greater. If your having problem now get it check. Then buy an
UPS.


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 132       Wed Jan 06, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:51 EST
 
LONG POST WARNING

Yes, Steve,

There's an explanation, somewhat limited, of the desktop.inf file hanging
around somewhere.

Here is an excerpt of one file I found (not the one I was looking for,
either):


  Date: 27 Jan 87 20:45:43 GMT
  From: mcvax!ukc!jbww@seismo.css.gov  (J.B.W.Webber)
  Subject: Desktop.inf + LESS (an alternative to SHOW|PRINT|CANCEL)
  To: info-atari16@score.stanford.edu

       There is more that can be done to modify the behaviour of
   the ST desktop than appears to be generally  realised.

       As Bill Silvert recently pointed out, desktop.inf contains
  (mainly) plain ascii text, and the names of installed applications
  can be edited to include path information :

 > For example, suppose that you use EZSQUEEZ.PRG to unsqueeze files
 > from a RAMdisk.  You click on it, then go to Install Application, and
 > give the file extension ?Q?.  Then you save the desktop and edit
 > DESKTOP.INF by inserting the path C:\BIN\ before EZSQUEEZ.PRG.  Next
 > time you boot from that disk, any time you click on a squeezed file
 > it will be automatically unsqueezed, so long as the file
 > C:\BIN\EZSQUEEZ.PRG is available.

      There are other useful modifications that can be made,
      to configure the behaviour of the desktop.

      Recently, Peter Jaspers-Fayer queried whether it was possible to
 do anything about the action of the desktop, when displaying/printing
 a file.  This is particularly relevant now that LESS is available.

 The few lines of desktop.inf before and including some application
 installation information are :

 #F FF 04   @ *.*@
 #D FF 01   @ *.*@
 #G 03 FF   *.APP@ @
 #G 03 FF   *.PRG@ @
 #F 03 04   *.TOS@ @
 #P 03 04   *.TTP@ @
 #P 03 04   d:\FASTBAS.PRG@ *.BSC@

 The action of the desktop is clearly to try matching a 'double-clicked'
 file against these templates, IN REVERSE ORDER.
 Once a match has been made, the desktop then takes either the specified
 action, or if none, the default action.

 [ Thus if the bottom template is changed to d:\DUMP.TTP@ *.*@ then an
 attempt will be made to dump ALL files. Interestingly, not only will
 .prg (etc) files not be executed, they will also not be displayed as
 executables on the desktop. ]

 If no other match is found, the top line wakes up the SHOW|PRINT|CANCEL
 alert box that so incenses pjf (and me).

 The simple solution is just to insert the name of one's favourite
 display routine, as below.  This will then ensure that any
 non-executable is then read using the facilities of LESS, (thus ending
 that sinking feeling, as the crucial paragraph that one was looking for
 flashes off the top of the page.)

 #F FF 04   d:\LESS.TTP@ *.*@
 #D FF 01   @ *.*@
 #G 03 FF   *.APP@ @
 #G 03 FF   *.PRG@ @
 #F 03 04   *.TOS@ @
 #P 03 04   *.TTP@ @

      Printing is best handled by a proper configurable printer spooler,
      - a few examples exist,  but how about one that just looks and acts
        like a ram disk ? - (double click on icon to open,  multiple file
        copy/delete), as well as having printer info. for each file.

 jbww@ukc.ac.uk    -  Physics Lab., University of Kent, Canterbury, U.K.

       Regarding the last point :
 one is a direct ascii copy of the desktop, as it would be saved to disk,
 the other is the actual 'working copy'. Temporary changes to the way the
 desktop acts (that are not to be recorded to disk) need only modify the
 latter copy ( i think ).

(end of quotation)

There are a quite a few ways to save your color (and other settings) without
the need for CONTROL or XCONTROL DAs. One is GETDEFS.ACC.

Here is, in part, what the docs say:

     To  use GETDEFS.ACC,  use the control panel to  set all  options
     (remember to set the printer  options  too) and  then  save  the
     desktop.  You may  now  remove  the control panel and install
     GETDEFS.ACC on your boot disk.  The  next  time you boot,  you
     should  get  the  correct colors  on the desktop along with the
     correct  keyboard response,  mouse click speed and printer
     configurations.


I have GETDEFS and can send it up if it is not here.

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 133       Sat Jan 09, 1993
MYECK.WATERS [myeck]         at 19:11 EST
 
All the lights in my house used to dim quite noticably whenever our furnace
kicked in - until we had the furnace overhauled this fall. You're gonna need a
UPS though, as a surge protector dobesn't help there.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 134       Mon Jan 11, 1993
R.VOORNEVELD [BOB]           at 18:08 EST
 
I have a TT with both the TTM195 and PTC1426 monitors.

Is there a way to switch between monitors without having to fumble behind the
machine and switch the cables?

Bob
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 135       Tue Jan 12, 1993
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 03:02 EST
 
Does anyone have any recommendations on the best brand(s) of paper to use for
inkjet printers?  I just bought some paper today and it doesn't work very well
(it seems to be very absorbant so that printing on it is VERY smeared).  By
the way, said paper is Burlington DP paper.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 136       Tue Jan 12, 1993
R.VOORNEVELD [BOB]           at 19:04 EST
 
 Steve,

Paper Direct, 1-800-A-PAPERS, sells a aper called Inkjet ultra specifically
recomended for ink jet printers, I don't know anything about it but it might
be worth a call.

Bob
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 137       Wed Jan 13, 1993
A.MASON4 [Anna]              at 23:34 EST
 
Steve,

Hammermill Plus paper works very well with the Deskjet 500.  I've also tried
some from Paper Direct <their sampler kit...which is really neat!> and it's
great!

      Anna @ Atari Advantage

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 138       Thu Jan 14, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 04:15 EST
 
Mike and Steve:

That's what my brother has been doing, but it seems weird that there isn't a
native BJ mode?  I mean if the BJ-130 was the BJ standard, shouldn't all BJ
printers support that?

String:

You could try Best Electronics, (408) 243-6950.  They should have some sort of
extension cable available.  Tell them Dom Alvear sent you.  :-)

Dom



 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 139       Fri Jan 15, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 00:24 EST
 
Howdy!

It's me again.  :-)

I purchased these null modem cables from a company and it turns out they sent
me regular cables!  Argh!  I don't want to send back the cables since it would
be cheaper for me just to buy new ones or fix the ones I have.

Since these cables have snap-together hoods, it would be a simple matter of
switching around the correct wires.  These cables are 9-pin to 25-pin serial
cables,  so it should be a matter of swapping just a few lines, right?  Since
the 25-pin side has more room to play with please tell me which wires to
desolder and switch.

Thanks!

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 140       Fri Jan 15, 1993
S.JOHNSON10 [Steve]          at 01:20 EST
 
Thanks for the paper information.  By the way, the paper used for the laser
printer at work which works really well in my inkjet printer (I only took
about 3 sheets! <grin>) is Macro Xerographic Bond.  I guess I'll stop by some
office supply stores and see what they carry.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 141       Fri Jan 15, 1993
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 01:52 EST
 
Dom,
 From the book: "Mastering Serial Communications" by Peter W. Gofton, this
info:

     ______           ______
     |  2 |----->-----| 3  |
     |  3 |-----<-----| 2  |
     |  4 |----->-----| 5  |
     |  5 |-----<-----| 4  |
     |  6 |-----<-----| 20 |
     |  7 |-----------| 7  |
     | 20 |----->-----| 6  |
     ------           ------
       DTE              DTE

 These are the only connections needed to make a null modem connection.  I
guess you reverse #s 2 & 3, 4 & 5 and 6 & 20.
 ===Tomas===
 January 14, 1993 @ 22:36:31 pm PST


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 142       Fri Jan 15, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 18:15 EST
 
Dom,

  1-------4
  2-------3
  3-------2
  4-------1
  5-------5
  6  NC   6
  7-------8
  8-------7
  9  NC   9

  NC = No Connection
  1 = Carrier Detect
  2 = Received Data
  3 = Transmitted Data
  4 = Data Terminal Ready
  5 = Ground
  6 = NC
  7 = Request to Send
  8 = Clear to Send
  9 = Ring Indicator

  I switched 1 & 4 on the cables so that the software would think there is a
Carrier. Some software may require a Carrier before it does something. I use
to test my BBS software out from another computer. I also installed a DPDT
switch with center off so I could turn CD on and off for either computer.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 143       Sat Jan 16, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 03:15 EST
 
Tomas,

Thanks for the help.  I'll get to work on it this weekend.  I'll let you know
the results.  :-)

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 144       Sat Jan 16, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 03:38 EST
 
Wayne,

Thanks for the additional info.  I'll may do the CD modification as well.

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 145       Sun Jan 17, 1993
C.BORGES                     at 23:07 EST
 
Steve:
  Depending on which printer cartridges you use, you could also purchase
'Plain Paper' ink cartridges (any printer using HP Ink/QuietJet or Deskjet
cartridges).

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 146       Wed Jan 20, 1993
TVCOM [MICHAEL M.]           at 01:11 EST
 
Can somebody tell me what a Jato boaaard is and why it is I might want one.?

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 147       Fri Jan 22, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 19:34 EST
 
Tomas,

Thank you VERY much for giving me the information on how to fix my "Null
Modem" cable.  Other than forgetting how hot a desoldering tool gets and
trying to cook my fingers, the fix went by without a hitch.

It appears that the company that I bought the cables from and I have a
difference of opinion as to what a null modem cable is. They sell both a "Null
Modem" cable and an "Adaptor for Null Modem" cable.  I bought the "Null Modem"
cable which appears to be just a modem cable.  The also sell a "Modem Cable"
which should do the same thing?  I should have bought the "Adaptor for Null
Modem" cable, but I did not know there was a distinction.  I just ordered what
I thought I wanted.  Oh well, at least it was an easy fix.

If somebody walked up to you on the street and said, "Psst.  I've got a null
modem cable here, wanna buy it?", what kind of cable would you think it was. 
:-)

Ciao!

Dom
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 148       Fri Jan 22, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 20:28 EST
 
Micheal M writes:

 > Can somebody tell me what a Jato boaaard is and why it is I might
 > want one.?

The J.A.T.O. board is the Jet Assisted Take Off board.  It was one of the
first 16Mhz accelerator boards on the market.  You would want one if you want
little, if any, acceleration on your machine.  Don't get it, you would be
better served with an AdSpeed from ICD or a Turbo16, 20, or 25 from Fast
Technologies.  Both are here on GEnie. ICD is on page 1220 and Jim Allen is in
Topic 11, Category 4.

Ciao!

Dom


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 149       Fri Jan 22, 1993
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 22:58 EST
 
Dom,
 Glad you got it going!  The null modem connector would have worked of course,
but you have that extra set of connections to worry about.
 Hope your fingers recover.
 ===Tomas===
 January 22, 1993 @  7:25:13 pm PST


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 150       Thu Jan 28, 1993
K.SPRINGER1 [FROZEN NORTH]   at 01:07 EST
 
Ed Krimen-  and others with dimming lights:

Late comment on your Jan 03 post about dimming lights. (I've been on a 5 week
vacation.  Eat your heart's out, all! :-)  )

If your lights dim when the heater goes on, you definitely have one or more
electrical problems with your house.  More likely to happen in older houses,
IMO, as they are more likely to have had changes made to the wiring by
previous homeowners who do not know enough about electrical circuits to
properly and safely modify the circuits.

Related to this type of problem, there has been more than one fire generated
by overloaded circuits.  The proliferation of computer equipment and other
electrical goodies contribute this problem, and a lot circuits are simply
overused due to ignorance of the potential problem.  If you want more info
about this, check the Fire Department category in over in A.L.E.R.T. and get
the Sysops names there.  They are both Atari owners, but can't remember their
names at the moment. I used to be the local volunteer Fire Chief.

For anyone operating out of their house and have a large amount of computer
and electrical gear in use, I would recommend you get some dedicated circuits
installed just for that equipment.  Do your best to find knowledgeable help,
as just because they say they know what they are doing, get references and
second opinions.

Regards, Ken Springer

PS.- One of the ALERT sysops names is Dave Flory.  He just posted a reply in a
topic I read after writing most of this reply.  Email address is D.FLORY
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 151       Thu Jan 28, 1993
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 02:40 EST
 
Ken,
 Thanks for that reminder and safety tip.  I just bought an older home myself.
My playroom (the computer room) had no electricity other than some old wall
fixtures with single two-prong receptacles.  I had two new circuits added.  I
really didn't have any other option unless I wanted to run the computer on
natural gas. <G>  I had the job done by a pro even though I grew up in a
family of electricians.
 ===Tomas===
 January 27, 1993 @ 11:05:04 pm PST


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 152       Thu Jan 28, 1993
POTECHIN [Nathan @ DMC]      at 09:08 EST
 
Dave Flory is an extraordinary individual BUT he is a Motorcycle Police
Officer not a Fireman. :-)

A five week vacation Ken? Aren't you ashamed? :-) I wish. I wish.

Nathan
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 153       Thu Jan 28, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 20:34 EST
 
Tomas,

If you run a computer on natural gas, do you get more flames in a topic like
this?

If you are in Germany and work for the CodeHeads while running a computer on
natural gas, turning the heat up too high produces a Warp, Nein?

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 154       Thu Jan 28, 1993
K.SPRINGER1 [FROZEN NORTH]   at 22:35 EST
 
Nathan-

Must admit I just assumed Dave Flory was a fireman since he is listed as sysop
and posted some notices in the Fire Chief's area.  I wonder if he thinks I
promoted him?  :-)

Not ashamed a bit about 5 week vacation.  I never said it was a 5 week _paid_
vacation.

Al-

Very, very bad pun!  BTW, have you resolved the subject of how the desk
accessories are displayed on the screen, as I mentioned in email to you? 
(Secrets of Neodesk, remember?)  I have not read all the postings between Dec.
19-Jan 27 in case you posted an answer.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 155       Thu Jan 28, 1993
BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp]           at 22:46 EST
 
ALso, the light dimming can be related to an unbalanced panel. NO this is not
what you think [grin]. The load on one side is much heavier than the load on
the other.

                                *******Brian*********
        Written on Thursday 28 January 1993 at 11:05 p.m. AST

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 156       Thu Jan 28, 1993
L.JOHNSON13                  at 23:47 EST
 
Hi. A friend of mine wants to know: Where can he get some STEROTEK 3-D LCD
glasses for the atari? Remember these?  They were supposed to allow you to
create 3-D cad, using CAD-3D v. 2.0 or something.  I haven't heard anything
about them for years... Does anyone own a pair, or can give me any info on
them presently?  Thanks.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 157       Fri Jan 29, 1993
D.FLORY [ALERTsys*Cop]       at 00:06 EST
 
Nathan, extraordinary? perhaps I like to think I deviate above the
 norm. Ex-motorcop, now a Mac systems techie at work. Soon to take the
 long vacation, Dec. 15th, I'll be an ex-cop. We _do_ have a _bunch_
 of fire people in A.L.E.R.T. 

  Dave Flory, ALERTsys*Cop
  14:46 PST - 03/03/28
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 158       Fri Jan 29, 1993
MUSE [Tomas]                 at 03:39 EST
 
Al,
 :-)
 ===Tomas===
 January 28, 1993 @ 10:51:28 pm PST

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 159       Fri Jan 29, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 06:32 EST
 
Frozennnnnnnn Nnnnnnorth,

Brrrrrrrrrrrace yourself -- I have not yet found what the 'Heads have said is
true, that the DAs load in any merry old fashion. I don't doubt that what John
and Charles say is true, but I haven't seen it on my system.

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 160       Fri Jan 29, 1993
J.BRENNER1 [See Flat]        at 18:07 EST
 
L.Johnson13,
            RE: Stereoteck, Go to the hardware for sale topic. There was a
pair listed a few days ago. It might not be sold yet since there is not much
software to use them with.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 161       Fri Jan 29, 1993
D.D.MARTIN [Swampy]          at 19:31 EST
 
AL --

%^)

Hugs...Swampy
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 162       Sun Jan 31, 1993
J.FRENCH2 [James French]     at 12:33 EST
 
All, I am having a problem with my 520STFM expanded to 1 meg with TOS 1.04. It
seems that whenever my computer has been on for about an hour it bombs out
when I try to do a cold or warm boot.  It will keep doing an endless of warm
boot-bomb, warm-boot bomb, etc.  Here's the weird part: When the Gemini
desktop replacement is installed I can always boot up and use my computer as
per normal except when I try to exit from Gemini-- the computer bombs and
locks up.  Note:  this started to happen after I installed TOS 1.04 and had
the power supply looked at.

Thanks. P.S. I know this is probably a problem with either the ROMS or the
power supply but then why would my computer work when Gemini is used?
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 163       Mon Feb 01, 1993
AEO.4 [Britton@AEO]          at 01:44 EST
 
James,
  It is possible that yoy may just have a loose chip(s) in your ST
  If you did the piggy-back memory upgrade you should re-check your
  solder connections.  On older ST's it's a good idea to re-seat the
  socketed chips on the motherboard when experiencing flaky operation.
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 164       Tue Feb 02, 1993
STARFALL [Alan]              at 12:28 EST
 
        Just a guess -- when you're using the GEM Desktop, you're spending
most of the time running from the ROMs.  Gemini runs out of RAM, calling the
ROMS but at different addresses than where the GEM Desktop is.  It's possible
that one of the chips that contains the GEM Desktop is making a bad
connection.

      /
  /  *  /  Alan
 *     *
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 165       Thu Feb 04, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 19:49 EST
 
This may seem like an off the wall question, but I am using a multi-sync
monitor with my Mega ST.  I was wondering if it would be possible to wire up a
speaker inside the Mega?  Alternatively I could just buy one of those cheapo
R/S 9-volt speakers, but I kinda want to do this for "fun".

Thanks for any suggestions.

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 167       Fri Feb 05, 1993
J.ROTTMANN                   at 22:47 EST
 
Help ANYONE!!!!!  I'm thinking about buying a hard drive,but have no idea
where to start.  I have an ATARI 1040ST with one meg memory.  Right now I play
mostly games, but I soon hope to be starting my own mail order business and
would like to use my computer as mush as possible for this.  Please dont get
to technical with me as I am just about a complete computer idoit.  But where
Do I even start? Thanks!
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 168       Sat Feb 06, 1993
R.MORROW10 [Bob M.]          at 22:31 EST
 
If you're looking for a new hard drive, better start with about $400. Since
the Atari ST/STE line doesn't have an industry-standard SCSI (small computer
serial interface) port, we have to buy specialized "host adapters" which
adjust the hard drive's signals to something the Atari's ACSI (Atari computer
serial interface) can understand. I recommend a host adapter made by ICD. 
They're the best.  I would say a 45 megabyte drive should be fine.

The host adapter and hard drive all fit in one case.  (they have to, actually)
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 169       Sat Feb 06, 1993
RRWELDIN [ Ron W ]           at 23:33 EST
 
J.ROTTMANN,

A good place to start (IMHO) would with a call to Toad Computers (410) 544-
6943. Be prepared to have problems with self booting games when the hard drive
is connected. The people at Toad can explain it all and offer good advice.

.......Ron
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 170       Sun Feb 07, 1993
C.LEAZOTT1 [Chuck]           at 10:26 EST
 
Actually...all the pieces could hang, by string, from the ceiling if that be
your design...although I don't know who would do that except maybe for some
love-crazed artist.

<Z>

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 171       Sun Feb 07, 1993
ARCHIVIST [Charlie]          at 23:12 EST
 
J.Rottmann, you need a few things to get a hard drive going on the older Atari
models. First, of course, is that there is little room inside the original
case to put a hard drive. So you will likely need an external case to put it
in, and an external power supply in that case to run it. Both are easily
available from a number of dealers.

Second, as has been mentioned, you need something in the middle between the
Atari ASCI port and the hard drive itself. ICD makes a variety of 'host
adaptors' to do this translating job. Most must be built into the case for the
Hard Drive, but their latest one called the ICD Link does not. The Link is a
little self-contained host adaptor that converts the Atari ASCI to the (now
nearly) standard SCSI. You plug one end into your Atari and the other into any
SCSI hard drive.

This one is great because a lot of companies sell premade SCSI drives, case,
power supply and all. All you'd need to do is plug in and format the disk and
you're working.

Most (I think all, but I haven't checked) of the retailers that advertize in
the Atari Magazines sell the Link mail-order. Then you're free to buy the
actual HD just about anywhere. The disadvantage is that it's one more box with
cables sticking out of it on your desktop. :-) I know mine is pretty crowded,
and I had an extra large desk custom made for me. How you proceed depends on
you.

Charlie/sysop jr.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 172       Mon Feb 08, 1993
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 13:31 EST
 
Dom,

I too use have a multisync connected up to my MegaST. As the Multisync is also
color capable its connected thru a switch box, and as the switch box has audio
output I was able to connect a home built (kit) cheapo amplifier to it without
have to open up the MegaST.

The only way to wire up a speaker inside your ST is thru an amplifier.  The
good news is: everything else, except the speaker, is already present.  Pin 1
of the Monitor connecter is the audio output. Pin 13 will supply you with
ground.  Power for you amplifier can be taken directly from the power supply
(be carefull).  A small DC 5 or 12 volt amplifier should be available at any
good electronic store (see if you can find one with a volume control).

Frank...

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 173       Tue Feb 09, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 18:34 EST
 
Frank,

Thanks for the tips.  I actually just wanted to do it this way so that I
didn't have so many wires running all over my desk.  My MS-box also has an
audio out.

Now I have another question.

After buying my brother a Stacy for his trip to Japan, I have decided that I
want one too.  :-)  Now I am wondering if it is possible to upgrade a Stacy
1/20 to a Stacy 4/20 or beyond?  I know that there once existed a RAM board by
JRI that would replace the one in a Stacy 1 and allow you to go up to 4MB's. 
Do these still exist?  Does Atari have anything like this hidden away in their
warehouses?  Please let me know what I can do.

Thanks in advance,

Dom


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 174       Thu Feb 11, 1993
C.LEAZOTT1 [Chuck]           at 22:25 EST
 
Greetings, all...

I'm ready to tackle the job of changing my GEM ICONS to something other than
the default ones.

How about some quick and easy hints, and the names of the correct files to
download to make my desktop better looking.

Perhaps a backgroung picture with the new ICONS?

Any help here?

<Z>

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 175       Fri Feb 12, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 18:37 EST
 
Chuck,

The CodeHeads have an icon swapper, and there are icon editors, too; check the
file listings here.

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 176       Sat Feb 13, 1993
C.LEAZOTT1 [Chuck]           at 21:49 EST
 
Many thanx, Al.  I'll do a search on ICON and DESKTOP and see what I can find.

<Z>

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 177       Sun Feb 14, 1993
AEO.5 [Ed Krimen]            at 15:13 EST
 
I need some advice.  I was just about to buy a SCSI tape backup drive, but
then I thought twice about it and contemplated a floptical drive instead.

The reason I thought against the tape backup and for the floptical was that I
could use the floptical for other things besides backing up my 200megs of hard
drive storage.  I have eight partitions ranging in size between 20- and
30megs, and I could use one floptical for each partition.  It would be quite
handy.  Then I could also use flopticals for other stuff besides backups.

Whatcha all think?
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 178       Sun Feb 14, 1993
AEO.3 [Lyre]                 at 18:48 EST
 
Ed,

Personally I would opt for the floptical.

My reasoning is simple.  With all of the large, intensive programs that are
available, I effetively get a Syquest without having to pay the full price for
one.  An with programs like Calamus, DynaCADD, various Lexicor products, etc,
the floptical can perform "double duty."  Both as a back-up mechanism and as a
"mini-Syquest."

Admittedly the tape is cheaper, but if I am going to pay that kind of money
for the drive unit itself I want the most functionality out of it that my
money could buy.

Just my opinion.

                                        Lyre

                                        5:05 pm, February 14, 1993

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 179       Mon Feb 15, 1993
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 13:11 EST
 
Flopticals or removable disk might not have that 'backup' image that tapes do
but they're more intuitive to use, you can see and touch each individual file
or folder (just like a normal hard disk), you can backup and retrive more
randomly and used the drive as a normal hard disk too.  I been using a Syquest
for years now (with seven disk) and find it a perfect backup unit and
workhorse device.  Its a darn to machine to have when testing software too. 
Go for the floptical.

Frank...
 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 180       Mon Feb 15, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 18:08 EST
 
Ed,

A Syquest makes a lot more sense. I use two of them. I have a Floptical also,
but it is not cost-competitive yet. Maybe when disk prices come down to $10 or
less.

Al

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 181       Mon Feb 15, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 19:34 EST
 
I agree with Al. I'd prefer the Syquest over the floptical. The flopticals
just don't have the edge yet. For just a little bit more or even less, the
Syquest provides greater storage capacity and speed over the floptical. Of
course, both are more economical than a tape unit as you can also use the disk
drives as extra drives. The 88 meg Syquest makes a great backup unit AND an
extra 88 meg HD. Like Al said, when they drop down to a lower price, then the
flopticals will be a better value.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 182       Wed Feb 17, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 04:55 EST
 
I'll put a vote in for a floptical drive.  The media is around $17.00 if you
buy in bulk.  And Oregon Research is updating Diamond Back to support
flopticals.  The media price should drop BELOW $10.00 within the year.

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 183       Wed Feb 17, 1993
D.ALVEAR1 [Dom Alvear]       at 18:34 EST
 
Help!  This is driving me nuts!

I downloaded the program PhotoChrome not too long ago and have been playing
with it.  It seemed to work well, and I would support the graphics format if I
programmed for the ST.  The problem I am having is the way the program
determines the type of ST you have.

I have 2 Mega ST4's at my disposal.  One has a JRI ST4096C color board
installed with a 6-chip TOS 1.04 set.  The other has no color board and a 2-
chip TOS 1.04 set.  Big deal.

It is!  On the 2-chip computer, PhotoChrome gives me all it's options
including the .PCS-STe and the PhotoChrome 32K options.  On the 6-chip
computer it deletes those two!  These are essentially the same machine save
the number of TOS chips.  I know the motherboards are different revisions, but
how can a program detect that?

Would some kind soul out there download PhotoChrome (if you don't have it) and
determine if I am crazy?  %^$  If you have an ST with a 2-chip TOS, that is
not an STe, I would think that PhotoChrome would still disable the STe modes? 
It apparently does not.  Is it possible to tell how many TOS chips you have? 
If somebody with a 6-chip TOS has access to all six graphics modes, then
please tell me your setup as well.  I will probably just switch to a 2-chip
TOS on the other machine, but I am not sure if this will help.

I need the 2-chip TOS anyway since it draws less current and I will be putting
a heavy load on the P/S in the near future with upgrades.

Dom

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 184       Wed Feb 17, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 19:07 EST
 
Yea, but the 88 meg Syquest makes a nice little extra HD, it doesn't take
forever to format and backups fly.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 185       Wed Feb 17, 1993
BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp]           at 19:49 EST
 
Anyone responding to Dom's dilemma, please post in cat 7 topic 30,
Photochrome.

I have been following your posts there Dom and thus I know why you are posting
here.

                                *******Brian*********
        Written on Wednesday 17 February 1993 at 08:40 p.m. AST


 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 186       Wed Feb 17, 1993
AEO.5 [Ed Krimen]            at 20:16 EST
 
Thanks for the responses, everyone!

Hmm, Frank and Lyre like the floptical.  Al and Wayne like the Syquest.

Anyone else like the flopticals? :^)

I understand what you guys are saying about Syquests, with price/performance
and all.  I never really liked the Syquest media, though; it seemed too
fragile, with a hard drive platter in a plastic casing, even though I know for
the most part that people have lived with them without problems for years.

The last time I asked Al for computer purchasing advice, I didn't listen to
him and now I wish I had listened. :^)  Maybe I should listen this time. :^)

Maybe I'll get a Syquest drive.  I just need the bare drive.  Anyone know off
hand where they can be purchased inexpensively?

Thanks.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 10
Message 188       Wed Feb 17, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 23:43 EST
 
Ed,
  First, I just ordered one from Lotsa Bytes (or whatever). They uploaded a
file with their current specials. I am sure you can find them in Computer
Shopper fairly cheap but, I wanted to support an Atari dealer. They need all
the help we can give them.

  Second, I believe there is a place and use for the Syquest and a place and
use for the flopticals. While the flopticals offer a good backup medium, I
believe that the price/performance ratio is still not good enough over that of
the Syquest. I base this however on my needs and desires.

  The Syquest (I got the 88meg one) offers high storage capacity which not
only can make a good backup but also serve as a second HD. It doesn't take
long to format them and backup your HD. I have over 250meg to backup and I
don't want to spend several hours doing it. The initial price is a little
higher but, the speed of backups and formats TO ME overrides this higher
initial cost. The Syquest will also be a good drive to do Direct 2 Disk
recording also.

  The floptical drive, can store 21 meg which makes a good backup but, it
doesn't function very well as an extra HD because of the slower speed. Because
of the fact that it is an SCSI device and it allows formatting of 1.44 & 720K
disk along with 21meg, it makes for a good second floppy drive for the older
ST systems. The floppy doesn't have much of a possibility of HD crash also.
The length of time it would take to format enough disk to backup 250+meg and
to do the actual backup, is just more time than I want to spend doing it. The
floptical will not make a good drive to do direct 2 disk recording becuase of
the slow speed.

  You just have to look at the pros and cons of both setups and determine for
yourself what you need or desire more.

 ------------