Msg: 3438 *Conference*

11-23-92 23:30:20

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : DAVID FIRTH

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #3437 (TANDY PDD)

David: The TPDD (100K) and TPDD2 (200K) drives came with a boot disk.  A "boot
disk" contains special machine code at sector 0 track 0 that loads the DOS into
a computer.  Booting the TPDD demands a very involved booting process.  (see
(T)op menu (H)elpfiles for TPDD booting instructions.)  The TPDD2 is much
easier to boot, i.e., insert disk with drive off, go into BASIC and do a
RUN"COM:98N1E, and turn on the drive.  However, a ROM-based DOS does not
require a boot disk, since the DOS is on ROM.  After a cold start, you simple
go into BASIC and do a CALL63013,1 to revive your DOS; no disk required.
 
As you say, doing assembly programming will cause lots of cold starts.  I am
sure you want the easiest loading and most powerful DOS available.  That would
be TS-DOS on ROM.  As for doing the actual assemble, you have 3 ways you can
fly: 1) Program utilities in our library, 2) ROM2/Cleuseau, and 3) A
MS-DOS-based assembler, like the one from King Computers in Los Angeles ($300).
 
The utilities in our online library are quite capable and easy to download and
use.  You will from several folks on this BBS who have used the RAM-based
assembly utilities; just ask.  As for ROM2/Cleuseau, there are two versions;
one without a DOS built in and one with.  As far as I know, the one we sell is
the one without the DOS built in.  The DOS-inclusive one is called the
developers ROM.  You might want to ask Tracy Allen about that one.  If you get
the ROM2/Cleuseau we sell you will have to add a RAM-based DOS, or go for a XR4
setup, or Booster Pak set up.  The Booster Pak set up comes with TS-DOS built
into the system ROMs.  All you need to do is add the ROM2/Cleuseau ROM and
you've got one heck of a development tool.  Using the XR4 requires owning both
ROMs and loading 2 of the 32K banks with those ROM images.  Once set up, it
should function fine.  In all case, you are on your own in machine language
development.  Lot's of thing can and do go "oops in the dark."
 
Well, I'll stop here.  I've raised a lot of issues that need fleshing out. I'm
sure you'll have even more questions.  Plus, others may add their two cents to
the thread, regarding M/l programming and laptop configurations and practice.
-Rick-