INSTALLING NEWSYS.DOC 12/22/85 (Updating Your CPM+.SYS) To Enable Downloading In The Commodore 128 CP/M Mode Converting NEWSYS.COM and IMP.COM to CP/M Format This Text will explain how you will be able use the "CP/M Mode" of your Commodore 128 for telecommunication via the modem (user port). There are hundreds of CP/M Bulletin Boards (RCPM's) across the country with thousands of public domain CP/M programs (free), information and help that you will soon be able to access. Most of these are listed in a program called PDSE-nnn.LST and a shorter reference list called PDFT-nnn.LST. All but a few are free, unless calling long distance. OBJECTIVE: To have an "updated" 128 CPM+ Operating System and a good 300/1200 bps CP/M telephone modem program that will allow you direct access to CP/M files. THE END OF CONVERSIONS! PROBLEM 1: The original 128 CP/M+ operating system which was shipped with your computer does not support the use of a modem. 2: Now that an update program is available (NEWSYS.COM) which fixes the first problem, how can you get it without the abil- ity to use your modem in the CP/M mode?? SOLUTION: Download the CP/M programs that you will need, using a 64 or 128 modem program. Then convert them to CP/M format. You can use either a "Punter" or "Xmodem" protocol terminal program, depending on the protocol used by the particular source. WHAT YOU WILL NEED ------------------ "NEWSYS.COM" This program, from Commodore engineering, automatically updates your old "CPM+.SYS" to a newer version which fixes the modem problem and speeds up other functions. It will enable use of the 300/1200 bps Commodore 1670 modem or other modems when using the 1011A adapter interface card. "64CONVERT." This utility converts programs that are in "64 disk format" over to "CP/M disk format". "IMP-C128.COM" IMP-C128 is a Commodore 128 version of Irv Hoff's CP/M "IMP" telephone modem program. It will autodial the Commodore 1670, Hayes "AT" compat- ible or Racal-Vadic modems. It can also be used with other modems if dialing is done manually. It is the only modem program available that has automatic 1k transmission size (saves 8-9% throughput over older modem programs that can only send 128 characters per transmission) and also is the only modem program having both KMD and MODEM7 batch modes. (This allows automatic sending or receiving a number of files from RCPM systems using the KMD file transfer program which has replaced the pro- gram formely used at most RCPM systems called XMODEM.COM.) It can be used on any system that offers ASCII in the terminal mode and XMODEM protocol (either CRC or checksum) in the file transfer mode. It remains the newest of the public domain modem programs. Files to get later ------------------ "IMP.DOC" (get this later) Instruction file. The "DOC" file is optional at this point as IMP dis- plays a built-in "Command Menu" by typing "M" at the Command line. Try to use IMP itself to download "IMP.DOC". This will save the 16 minutes it would take to convert it to the new CP/M disk itself. You will want to get this program and make a copy on your printer, as it contains very useful information on the full use of the IMP modem program. IMP.DOC is in the IMP244.LBR which is free and is available on RCPM systems around the country. "I2C8-1.ASM" (get this later) This is the small file that is used to convert the standard IMP modem program to the Commodore C128. It has all the options on it that the use can change if desired. It will likely appear as "I2C8-1.AQM" which is a "squeezed file". (This is a means of compressing ASCII text files so they only use about 2/3rds normal storage space - thus allowing more files to be stored on a given disk as well as taking considerably less time over the telephone to obtain. You use a program called "USQ.COM" to unsqueeze them on your own disk, for normal use. You may never make any changes in the options currently in use with IMP-C128.COM but unless you get this file, you will not know what options you COULD be using. Instructions ------------ There have been many different methods for doing C64 to CP/M conversions. The following method has been tested by several different users and has worked suitably for them. 1. You must have two disk drives, #8 and #9. (CP/M calls these A and B.) 2. From your CP/M mode, format two disks: 1> "64 Single Sided Disk" (This disk will be used for the con- vert program.) NOTE: THIS MUST BE A CP/M C64 SINGLE-SIDED NOT A 128 SINGLE-SIDED FORMAT 2> "C128 double sided disk", will be your new SYSTEM DISK. 3. From your "64 mode", format a regular 64 disk or select such a disk that has at least 230 blocks available. (375 blocks available if planning to copy the IMP.DOC at the same time.) NOTE: At this point you will have four disks for this project, you will find it convenient to temporarily put a number on each, so the followin discussion can be accurately followed: 1. the C64 disk mentioned in paragraph 3 just now 2. the CP/M 64 single-sided disk from paragraph 2 3. the CP/M C128 double-sided disk from paragraph 2 4. the normal CP/M system disk used to boot CP/M 4. With disk 1 in drive #8 and using either a 64 modem program that has XMODEM protocol, a 64 Punter modem program or a 128 modem program with XMODEM protocol, download the following three programs to it: a) 64CONVRT (may go by other similar names) b) NEWSYS.COM (will modify the original BIOS) c) IMP-C128.COM (modem program for use with CP/M) 64CONVRT is a C64 "PROGRAM" file, and should be downloaded as such. NEWSYS.COM and IMP-C128.COM are going to be "converted" and MUST be downloaded as "SEQUENTIAL" files ONLY! (If you take these two as "program" files, the conversion will NOT WORK. Your disk should now contain these files; 64CONVRT (copied as a "program" file) NEWSYS.COM (copied as a "sequential file) IMP-C128.COM (copied as a "sequential file) 5. After downloading the files to your 64 diskette, insert disk 2 (the new CP/M 64 single-sided disk in drive #9. Activate 64CONVRT in drive #8: LOAD "64CONVRT",8 The program is menu driven: a. tells you to insert disks into #8 and #9 (already done) b. "any key" to continue c. type "0" for #8 d. type "0" for #9 e. disk #9 then reads and displays the CP/M directory f. then says "any key" to continue g. this brings up the menu with 6 choices h. select #3 choice: "CBM to CP/M" i. asks for: CBM file name? NEWSYS.COM | \note a period is used here, just like the original name j. then asks for: CP/M user, filename, type ? 0,NEWSYS,COM | | | | | | | \type of file | | \note a comma is used here, NOT a period! | \name of file \disk user area, be sure to use 0 here at this time 6. This is a 26-1/2k file with 212 records. It will take about 11-1/2 minutes to transfer, so do not get excited if 5-10 minutes have gone by and it is still not finished. (BE PATIENT.) 7. After NEWSYS.COM has been transferred, then transfer IMP-C128.COM in a similar manner. This is an 18k file with 144 records and will take about 7-3/4 minutes. 8. Once you have converted both of the CP/M files over to disk 2 in #9, remove both disks. Lay aside the C64 disk (disk 1) from #8 (you are finished with it), put the normal CP/M system disk (disk 4) into #8 (will now be called CP/M drive A:) and put disk 3 (the 128 CP/M double-sided disk) in drive B: (#9), then hit the reset key to boot the system in CP/M mode. 9. You will now move the two operating system files from the system disk (disk 4) in drive A: (#8) to the empty disk (disk 3) in drive B: (#9). Use PIP to move the following programs to the new disk: A>PIP B:=A:PIP.COM A>PIP B:=A:CPM+.SYS A>PIP B:=A:CCP.COM 10. Remove both disks, you are done with the CP/M system disk (disk 4). Put disk 3 into drive A: (#8) and disk 2 into drive B: (#9). You will need to reboot the system since you changed disks. Now copy these two files: A>PIP A:=B:NEWSYS.COM A>PIP A:=B:IMP-C128.COM 11. Everything that is needed is now (finally!) on the A: drive (disk 3). 12. Now we will replace the old CPM+.SYS with the new one: A>NEWSYS This will give you a bit of explanation and have a line showing how to use the file, then returns to the main A> prompt again, now type: A>NEWSYS C and it will do its own thing, at the termination of which YOU ARE ALL DONE. The directory will show three files in place of the original two: CPM+.SYS (the new version) OLDCPM+.SYS (the original version) CCP.COM (needed when booting) 13. All finished. You can rename the modem program if you like: A>REN IMP.COM=IMPC-128.COM It was given the longer name so it would be properly identified as a C128 modem program when you were downloading it from another system that likely does not use this version and would not want to mix them up. 14. You may wish at this time to replace the CPM+.SYS file on your other bootable disks, so all have the new program and there will be no confusion. You can do this with PIP as shown above. Put the disk into drive B: and then type B: to select that drive. Then type a CTL-C to log it in, else you may see an error when try to copy a file to that drive. 15. The rest of these comment involve using the IMP modem program. 16. When bringing up IMP, just say: A>IMP and you are in business. Type: A>>COMMAND: M to get the first page of a 3-page menu. Type: A>>COMMAND: CAL to see the numbers currently in the telephone library, ready for autodialing. Type: A>>COMMAND: (escape char.) to see the list of current function key assignments. These are activated when in the terminal mode by preceeding the number with an ESC character. Type: A>>COMMAND: ? to see a list of the current parameters. When/if you change any via the commands listed in the menu, you can check to see if your change is now in use. A>>COMMAND: T puts you in the terminal mode. To return to command mode just type ESC-E. 17. Beyond this point you should get the IMP.DOC file and read it for additional information on how to transfer files, how batch mode can be used on RCPM systems offering the KMD.COM file transfer program, how IMP is the only modem program with automatic 1k protocol to save file transfer time, etc. (About 8-9% at 1200 bps.) NOTE: The Commodore C128 is considerably slower than most CP/M computers, so the times shown for file transfers should be increased at least 20% for the C128. You will eventually want to get the IMP244.LBR which contains nu- merous additional files of interest (including the .DOC file) so the telephone library can be easily changed, the function key as- signments changed to the operator's preference, a note on how to select the options IMP offers for special purposes, etc. This is free and is available on most RCPM systems, one that is easy to access is TCBBS in Detroit - (313) 846-6127. Another which is in the Chicago area is also very easy to access: (312) 983-5147. SUMMARY ------- 18. The original draft of this help guide was prepared by George Smonig. After helping several other people install the new CPM+.SYS version and get IMP.COM running, the final draft was made by Irv Hoff. We hope you enjoy using it. Irv Hoff George Smonig Los Altos Hills, CA DataShall II Commodore BBS (415) 948-2166 - voice (914) 961-7032