Item 3230929 87/09/13 21:39 From: CHUCK.WAGON Carl F. Howard To: THERTZ Todd H. Hertz cc: CHUCK.WAGON Carl F. Howard W8SDZ Keith Petersen, CP/M SysOp DEB deb! Christensen *FlagShp**StarShp* B.DUERR William O. Duerr, CP/M SysOp Sub: CP/M Start up Item 7384081 87/09/13 19:35 From: THERTZ Todd H. Hertz To: CHUCK.WAGON Carl F. Howard Sub: c128 cp/m startup Chuck... Assuming that you are a c128 user, what is the best way to get started in commodore 128 cp/m. My main problem right now is I have no way to dl programs from the round table onto a cp/m formatted disk. What would you recommend? And what would be a good way to see what cp/m has available for it? Are there any cp/m magazines out? Thanks For Your Time, Todd =END ------------------------------------------------------------------ Todd... . Thanks for your inquiry, it is always a pleasure to meet and help out new GEnie members. I've been on line for about a year and three months now and can remember struggling the first few months my self. : In answer to your first question, I will assume you are using a C-128, 1571 and 80 Column Monitor as a minimum system configura- tion. If you are not using an 80 column monitor leave me a note and I will get you some instructions to adapt your 40 column monitor to a Mono Chrome 80 Column monitor. : The Best and easiest program I could recommend for C-128 to CP/M transfers is a public domain program found here on GEnie in the Commodore S/W Libraries called CROSSLINK2.LBR File No. 3023 in Lib. 09. It runs in native C-128 mode. It will allow you to transfer to and from Commodore, CP/M and MSDOS disk formats. It will make the initial transfers you will be making as painless as possible. It is fully menu driven and comes with documenta- tion to help you figure out how to use it After you're up and running in CP/M mode I would suggest a CP/M program called RDCBM21.LBR File No. 3733 Lib. 34 in the CP/M S/W Libraries. It will allow you to read a Commodore disk format while your in CP/M mode. : I would also recommend that you down load the C-128MEX.COM CP/M terminal program (File No. 2530 lib 34 CP/M R.T.) along with my short tutorial MEXHELP.DZC (File No. 4377 Lib 34 CP/M R.T.) to get you started. If you down load your files with MEX you won't have to convert them too CP/M format. If you are already on line and familiar with tellecomunicating procedures you should be able to get the hang of MEX with out too much difficulty. The only difference between mex and Commodore Term programs is that it is a command line driven program as opposed to a menu driven program. When you stop and think about what it is that you want to do all terminal programs perform the same functions so with a little patience you should be able to master MEX pretty quickly and the effort will be well rewarded as you will find it to be a very powerful piece of communications software and give you some advantages and features not found in native Commodore Term S/W. : : Concerning what is available... Run and on line search of the CP/M Library No. 34. To do this move to the CP/M Software Libraries by typing M,686 at any GEnie Menu Prompt or when you sign on. Once you get to this Menu Select the Set Libraries option and follow the prompts until you are presented with the Commodore Library selection (Lib No. 34) Use either option 2 or 3 to get a listing of the files in this Library (follow the prompts either one will give you the listing they just list them in different order and option 3 will allow you to do selective file searches as opposed to listing the entire Library). Note the programs in Library 34 are known to work on a C-128 however this is not the only place to find CP/M software for your 128. Other programs in the CP/M R.T. may be compatible with your 128, this is just a good place to start. : : For more help in getting started I suggest you down load the CP/M Primer series of articles written by Michael Mantino (MikeM), file Numbers 2122, 2247, and 2413 also in Lib 34. They are an excellent introduction to using your 128 in CP/M mode and go beyond the material found in your 128 Users manual. : : Concerning CP/M Magazine.. I used too down load READ $ ONLY Magazine. The publication was very informative an interesting reading related to both CP/M and MSDOS machines. Many of the back issues are still here on GEnie and you can get a listing by doing an on line search in the CP/M Libraries by using "MAGAZINE" as the search string. The author got into Desk Top Publishing a few months back and has since stopped publishing (New TOYs are addictive) However, I'm sure you will glean a lot of good stuff by down loading the back issues as I did and they will broaden your scope of Personal Computing knowledge as well. Also you may want to check the Flagship "Starboard Journal" a Semi regular GEnie Commodore magazine found in Library No. 1 on the Commodore R.T. : : One last Tip... If you are going to use your 128 in CP/M mode on a regular basis and are really serious about getting into 128 CP/M MODE. I highly suggest that you purchase a 1750 Ram expansion module. It is a cheap alternative to a second disk drive and will allow you to overcome the infamous Commodore Slow drive problem by allowing you to use it as a true RAM Disk an option not yet available to this date in native 128 mode. : : Well Todd, This ought to get you thinking. If you've got more questions after reading all this or you get stuck on any of the above give me a holler and I'll be glad to help. : : : Regards, : -=[CARL]=- [CHUCK.WAGON] [CARL.H] : P.S. - That goes for any and all who may have questions!!! I * Thought * this answer might benefit many other NEW Members. Please feel free to Leave me E-Mail if you need help with any of these files or have any questions about GEnie CP/M files or CP/M in general. =END=