12/28/86 

by Steven Hirsch

Files:

NEW2E80.DVR
PCPISCRD.DRV


Purpose:

This library contains files and information necessary to 
implement the 'advanced' features of BGii on the PCPI AppliCard 
CP/M system.


Bridger Mitchell's BackGrounder ii is a minor miracle! Hopefully 
many folks have already tried the demo version (available on fine 
BBS systems everywhere), and maybe even purchased the full-blown 
version. Like many others, I was dismayed to find that the only 
screen drivers supplied were for Heath terminals and certain 
Kaypro machines. 

After a weekend of headbanging, I have generated a new version of 
the PCPI FAST2E80.DVR file. This updated driver supports the 
'report cursor position', and the 'transmit screen' function. For 
lack of imagination, I used the Heath/Zenith conventions:

ESC, 'n' ===> Report cursor position. A string is sent (via 
console input) which consists of :

                  ESC, '=', Y+32, X+32

ESC, '#' ===> Transmit screen. The entire screen (1920 chars) is 
sent via conin. A <cr> is appended at the end. Inverse characters 
have their hi-bit set.

Unfortunately, the source code for the driver is proprietary, and 
though it is floating around on BBS's, I will not assist in it's 
propogation.

It was also necessary to hack up Bridger's H19SCRDV file, to 
produce PCPISCRD.DRV. Again, the source is copyrighted. I will 
forward my modified source to Plu-Perfect, and they will likely 
include it in future accessory disk releases.

A minor patch to the PCPI Z80 bios is necessary, in order to 
permit the return of 8-bit data from the screen. Just do this:

ddt PCPICPM
(blah, blah)

-s1A36
E6  00
7F  00
xx  .
-g0

A>save 54 NEWCPM (or whatever..)

Now, generate a boot disk using NEW2E80.DVR instead of 
FAST2E80.DVR (yes, Martha, you must have a IIe!!), and give 
INSTALL the name of your patched system file. Test this disk to 
make sure that it is OK, and see if programs using direct cursor 
addressing (WordStar, etc.) perform correctly.

If all goes well, install the PCPISCRD.DRV file into LOADBG.COM 
using the SETBG.COM utility. The directions are fairly clear on 
this. Fire up BGii and enjoy cut, paste, flip, swap, and all of 
the other marvelous tricks!

You will note a spurious cursor appearing in the upper left of 
the screen on every other 'suspend' operation. This is being 
worked on as you are reading this, and should be solved in a 
future release. It is **not** in the file, and does not appear on 
screen dumps!

Please leave messages for me on Lilliput (#2), Z-CENTRAL, and/or 
Downspout if any problems are encountered.