=========================================================================
 
INFO-ATARI16 Digest         Tue,  6 Feb 90       Volume 90 : Issue  163
 
Today's Topics:
                    Atari & IBM Disk Drive Pinouts
               caches that work with >16 meg partitions
                     Genie <-> Usenet 2-way trial
                     Hard Disk Cleaning Supplies
                   How to make newsletter available
                       MEANING OF DESKTOP BOMBS
                Page flipping using the VBL interrupt.
       Spectre GCR--SoundMaster questions--Hard Drive questions
                          Supra, Spectre GCR
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date: 6 Feb 90 14:06:15 GMT
From: sapphire.eng.ohio-state.edu!bks@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu  (Brian K Smith)
Subject: Atari & IBM Disk Drive Pinouts
Message-ID: <76705@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu>
 
  I am hoping to try and hook up an ibm compatable 1.44 meg 3.5 or an
ibm 720k 3.5 floppy to my 1040ST. I would like to hook it to the internal
drive connections, or possibly to the external drive port. Does anyone
have the pin outs for the ibm drive and/or the internal st drive, if
different.  Any hints or suggestions would be appreiciated...
  Thanks,
   Brian
 
 
-=-
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
And we'll have fun, fun, fun 'til our grade point takes the money away...
bks@cis.ohio-state.edu             Brian K. Smith
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 6 Feb 90 15:34:11 GMT
From:
 cs.utexas.edu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!watserv1!watdragon!tiger!swklassen@
 tut.cis.ohio-state.edu  (Steven W. Klassen)
Subject: caches that work with >16 meg partitions
Message-ID: <20587@watdragon.waterloo.edu>
 
In article <2020@atari.UUCP> apratt@atari.UUCP (Allan Pratt) writes:
>The hardest-hit class of programs is the "add cache sectors" or  other
>disk-caching kind, because it  needs to know how big a buffer to
>allocate.  The answer to that question is impossible to compute, so
>it's available from the hard-disk driver.  (It's impossible to compute
>because it involves a user-preference value which can be patched into
>the driver: with removable media you could pop the cartridge and put in
>one with larger logical sectors, so the user tells the driver a
>minimum for the "maximum sector-size" value to use.)
>
>CACHExxx.PRG from Atari, of course, interrogates the driver and uses
>that number correctly.
 
Where can I get the latest version of CACHExxx.PRG?  Does anyone
have any comments on this or other caching programs?  (Ie. any
problems using them with partitions >16 meg or any comments
about their usefulness.)
 
Is this program public domain or do I need to shell out $$$ for it.
(I'm willing to do that if it is a useful program.)  If it is not
in the public domain, what info do I need to give my dealer so that
he can get it for me?
 
 
Steven W. Klassen                       +-----------------------------+
Computer Science Major                  | Support the poor...buy fur! |
University of Waterloo                  +-----------------------------+
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 6 Feb 90 09:57:59 GMT
From: well!dsmall@apple.com  (David Small)
Subject: Genie <-> Usenet 2-way trial
Message-ID: <15995@well.UUCP>
 
Okay --
        I don't want to generate any controversy re: the GEnie uplink thing,
which was admittedly not handled well last time around.
 
        It looks like there's an okay on the GEnie end for a gateway to
GEnie with the following:
 
        1) 2-way note throughput. (see below for more).
        2) email
        3) *No* copyright hassles (see below)
 
        The last such uplink, as you'll recall, was 1-way, no email, and while
GEnie was accused of copyright hassles, it really wasn't that way.
 
Okay, on #1:
 
        2-way notes. Yes, this can be done. However, there will need to be
experimentation done, because GEnie's notes paradigm is different than
USENET. Also, GEnie users will require some training in the customs of USENET;
for instance, quoting from previous notes when making comments,
signature lines -- all the stuff you really only learn by *reading notes*,
and by reading the ever-helpful How To Be On USENET materials that come with
the news package.
 
        We have one or two dim flickers of ideas for how to resolve the notes
paradigm problem (suggestions are welcome).
 
        We also want to make certain we  do not flood USENET with low-signal
high-noise notes. Hence, we won't be hooking straight to the Atari ST RT
on GEnie, where the note volume would overwhelm USENET. Instead, it would be
to an experimental, controlled, limited-access area, where people who don't
understand USENET customs & protocol don't get their notes posted here.
(Probably at the start, the best way, especially for testing purposes, would
be to grant access to people who are already on USENET on the GEnie end.)
 
        On the GEnie end, notes are concentrated by broad subjects
("TT", "Hard Disks", etc) into "topics", rather than by individual header;
otherwise, we'd end up overwhelming the GEnie system software by starting
too many 1-3 reply topics.
 
        Again, suggestions are welcome.
 
        #2: Email. My mailer is not bright enough to handle nearly anything.
This will have to be put off for a bit until I get a better one running.
I mean, it would be nice if Internet addresses worked.. :-)
 
        #3: Copyright hassles. Much was made of little in the anthology
copyright. I talked with GEnie about it. Their only concern is that local
BBS's don't mass-download GEnie notes, lifted directly from GEnie, with
their "value added". However, they know enough about USENET to know that
the news software, by its very nature, makes *every* news site form the
same "compilation" of notes in the /usr/spool/news/comp/sys/atari/st
subdirectory -- so there's little point to GEnie claiming any copyright.
I realize there are people out there that distrust GEnie or anything
corporate, so I can probably get a formal statement saying yes, we'll blow
off the copyright for USENET stuff.
 
        What I propose is a TRIAL PERIOD of 30 days for a 2-way link.
If at the end of 30 days it didn't work, I'll say oh well, and go do something
else. This is an experimental project anyway and may not work, and it may
not be possible to really resolve the differences in note paradigm schemes
between USENET and GEnie, on a practical, day to day level. In addition,
it may not be possible for GEnie's editor as a practical matter to do things
like quote from a previous article and so forth.
 
        As usual, I'll filter anyone who asks out of the feed, including
those who've already asked.
 
        The approved method seems to be a vote; would you please send me
your thoughts at    dsmall@well.sf.ca.us, or well!dsmall, or however the
note got to you. If even a fair minority is opposed, I'll drop it. I'm
proposing this only because many people were careful to say that their only
real objection to the previous link was its 1-way nature.
 
        There's no rush, by the way. We're busy with 2.5, getting the final
version through beta test (sheesh, 832K is a bitch), writing newsletters,
and the ever-popular packing & shipping tape.
 
        Now, I'm asking *here*, where it'll happen, *before* asking in the
news.* areas, which I'll go to *only* if you local people, who it'll affect,
okay it. THIS IS JUST TO SEE IF I SHOULD PURSUE IT FARTHER. IT DOESN'T MEAN
I'LL TURN IT ON TOMORROW; IT AIN'T EVEN WRITTEN!
 
        I do think there is a substantial advantage in GEnie being able to
access the more international group that USENET has, for both networks.
ST activity in Germany is the envy on the US. Similarly, I get many questions
(34 tonight) via email from users in Europe regarding Spectre, hard disks,
and other things; I'm sure other U.S. companies would like to be able to
communicate with their international users. And finally, while GEnie is looked
down on by some, it's the home of some important stuff -- Jim Allen's
discussion of the 6-chip TOS 1.4 EPROM hassle with SGS 373's, which anyone
with a Mega and that TOS ought to know about; up to date discussions of
PC-Ditto II, which have barely made it here (Bill's working on a software
fix for the problems); the collapse of the large distributor CSS; T-16
accelerator support, and lots of other stuff. It seems to me that it never
hurts to have access to *more* information; comp.sys.atari.st hardly
overwhelms my ability to read it. (A working balance that doesn't drown
USENET in GEnie notes is of course required; at first, I'll hand enforce it,
and anyway the software will need testing. I'll try to avoid any bad postings
by checking them out before allowing UUCICO to send them on their way.)
 
        I realize that this was a very emotional topic a while ago. However,
it was made very clear to me that what people objected to was the 1-way link;
a 2-way link was frequently mentioned as "just fine", much as Portal and
The Well manage their "gateways" (although the Well is just "rn" to me.)
 
        Anyway, what do you think? Would you mind a 30-day trial period
under those conditions above? If, after that, you don't think it belongs,
then it can go into the bit bucket as another one that didn't work.
I need to do some experimenting on how to link the paradigms effectively, but
I won't start until people say it's alright.
 
        Anywho, I've cleaned out my mailbox, and will be checking back
periodically. If anyone really cares, someone else can tally votes, but look,
I'm not going to go to the effort of bringing up a link if it isn't wanted.
 
        Thanks for your time; long note, huh?
 
        -- Dave Small / Gadgets by Small, Inc.
?
 
p.s. I'd appreciate it if we could go easy on discussing this publicly
until there's been a bit of time for it to propogate and for email to
come in. If there's a negative response, there's no point in discussing it
anyway, is there?
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 6 Feb 90 10:50:40 GMT
From: eru!luth!sunic!mcsun!hp4nl!ruuinf!ruunsa!nspit@BLOOM-BEACON.MIT.EDU
 (Werenfried Spit)
Subject: Hard Disk Cleaning Supplies
Message-ID: <490@ruunsa.fys.ruu.nl>
 
bmaraldo@watserv1.waterloo.edu (Commander Brett Maraldo) writes:
 
 
>       I was wondering if there was a program that would help to
>clean up my hard disk; that is, somethig that would organize all the
>fragmented files and what-not and place all the unused space in a
>large continuous section on the drive.  You know what I mean, don't
>you? :-)
 
>Brett L Maraldo
 
Yes, there is: the CRUNCH harddisk optimizer.
 
 
Werenfried Spit
   R.J. v.d. Graafflaboratorium            +31-(0)30-53-2330
   Postbus 80.000
   3508 TA  Utrecht                        nspit@fys.ruu.nl
   The Netherlands                         spit@hutruu51.bitnet
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 6 Feb 90 09:21:09 GMT
From: well!dsmall@apple.com  (David Small)
Subject: How to make newsletter available
Message-ID: <15994@well.UUCP>
 
Okay, those who know more about the 'net and UUCP and FTP than I.
(This should narrow the field by approximately 1%).
 
         We're putting the finishing touches on the next Gadgets
newsletter, and I'd like to make it available online here in some
fashion. It's way too long to just post, unless I broke it into
32K pieces (I believe 32K is the UUCP limit; I've run into it
elsewhere moving files Well <-> Gadgets machine), and look, by far
not everyone here has a Spectre unit nor cares, *and*, it goes
against my grain to more-or-less advertise this way.
 
        Still, I'd like some easy way for net users to be able to
download the newsletter from somewhere.
 
        FTP: I know nothing about FTP. I have no man page for FTP,
no FTP on either my 7300 or the more generic UNIX machine. If someone
is willing to act as an FTP site for the newsletter, and for Doug
Wheeler's much improved GCR disk tester, for downloading, I'd be happy
to send them along, however is needed. Email me here
(dsmall@well.sf.ca.us) if interested.
 
        UUCP: I suppose I could set up my 7300 for UUCP'ing the stuff
across; that'd mean a call for you.
 
        EMAIL: I could probably break the newsletter into <32K segments
and email it upon requests, but this would get old pretty fast, as
you can imagine. Also, I've had bad luck with email bouncing back to me.
I'd really prefer not to do this unless there's no other way.
 
        So, if you would, please educate me on how I can make this available
to you with minimum hassles to us both, and without having to publicly post
it; same goes for Doug's GCR Tester program.
 
        Finally, Doug has also written a truly excellent pageprinter program
for the SLM-804. It outputs your text in form suitable for 8 1/2 x 11 3-ring
binding, double sided, with easy directions to do the double siding. The
result is 4 pages of text reduced on to 1 physical page doublesided, set up
to easily "flip", so facing pages keep continuity. It's currently shareware
on GEnie and is just excellent; if nothing else, it saves a heck of a lot
of paper. Check it out -- it's really nice.
 
        It's no problem for me to post the newsletter to CIS or GEnie; I know
enough to fumble by there (and fumble I do). Here, I don't have the knowledge
to make a good fumble of it even.
 
        If you could email instead of replying here, it'd waste less bandwidth..
 
        -- thanks, Dave / Gadgets by Small
 
p.s. Would anyone care for a *brief* 2.5 features list as a post? Would that
be an acceptable compromise?
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 5 Feb 90 23:07:00 GMT
From:
 cs.utexas.edu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!torsqnt!tmsoft!masnet!canremote!lyn.ibson
 @tut.cis.ohio-state.edu  (LYN IBSON)
Subject: MEANING OF DESKTOP BOMBS
Message-ID: <90020603025405@masnet.uucp>
 
The following was posted (somewhere? sometime?) by Darryl May, an
Atari Tech Specialist, "an official list of errors that can appear"
while operating the ST.  First is a list of bombs (errors from the
68000 processor) then a list GEM error messages.
   (What you see is what you get; I don't understand a word of this.)
# of bombs                Description
=========================================================
    1.....................Reset: Initial PC2
    2.....................Bus Error
    3.....................Address Error
    4.....................Illegal Instruction
    5.....................Zero Divide
    6.....................CHK Instruction
    7.....................TRAPV Instruction
    8.....................Privilege Violation
    9.....................Trace
   10.....................Line 1010 Emulator
   11.....................Line 1111 Emulator
   12, 13.................[unassigned, reserved]
   14.....................Format Error
   15.....................Uninitialized Interrupt Vector
   16 - 23................[unassigned, reserved]
   24.....................Spurious Interrupt
   25 - 31................Levels 1-7 Interrupt Autovector
   23 - 47................Trap Instruction Vectors
   48 - 63................[unassigned, reserved]
   64 - 255...............User Interrupt Vectors
--
   GEM error code         Description
=================================================================
   0......................OK (no error)
   1......................Fundamental Error
   2......................Drive Not Ready
   3......................Unknown Command
   4......................CRC Error
   5......................Bad Request
   6......................Seek Error
   7......................Unknown media
   8......................Sector Not Found
   9......................No paper
  10......................Write Fault
  11......................Read Fault
  12......................General Error
  13......................Write Protect
  14......................Media Change
  15......................Unknown Device
  16......................Bad sectors on format
  17......................Insert Other Disk
  32......................Invalid Function Number
  33......................File Not Found
  34......................Path Not Found
  35......................No Handles Left
  36......................Access denied
  37......................Invalid Handle
  39......................Insufficient Memory
  40......................Invalid Memory Block Address
  46......................Invalid Drive Specified
  47......................No More Files
  64......................Range Error
  65......................Internal Error
  66......................Invalid Program Load Format
---
 ? RNet 1.03M: SoftNet London, CANADA 519/685-5306
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 5 Feb 90 07:28:19 GMT
From: van-bc!ubc-cs!alberta!calgary!marc%cpsc.UCalgary.CA@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU
 (Marc Schroeder)
Subject: Page flipping using the VBL interrupt.
Message-ID: <2480@cs-spool.calgary.UUCP>
 
I posted here almost a week ago asking if anyone could tell me how
to flip between two graphics screens using the VBL interrupt.
 
Well, I didn't get any replies telling me how to do it, although
many people asked if they could have my results when I was done :-)
 
(BTW, almost all of my reply mail bounced back with a "host unknown",
or something similar.. If you want to re-write me, by all means ...)
 
I got it working on my own, and now have a slight degree of gray
scaling for diplaying certain specific pictures (I use it to display
the fractals I generate on a NeXT computer up at the university
on my monochrome monitor at home, which is originally why I wanted
to do the page flipping in the first place. Fratals are more
interesting in "colour").
 
The only problem is this: The flicker is annoying. It's not really
extreme unless you start working with more than 3 shades, but STILL.
The flicker would probably go away if I was doing the page flipping
on a colour monitor, between two colour images (to generate a
possibility of 512 colours on a medium rez. screen at a time instead
of 16), but that's just an educated guess (I havn't tried it).
I say this because if two corresponding bit mapped "pixels" are
roughly the same colour, as you flip between them there shouldn't
be a big shock to the eye. Rather, if you flip between a white
"pixel" and a black "pixel" at 70 Hz (I think that's the value,
or is it 60?), then they eye CAN perceive the change.
 
Can anyone think of a way to get rid of the flicker for a monochrome
picture? Maybe using the HBL would have certain advantages.
 
  Thanks,
 
 
  /\ _  _      \        iNet/Envoy : m.schroeder (org. id = kort)
 (  / \/ \    / \       e-mail     : marc@cpsc.UCalgary.CA
   /  /  /   /   \                   ms@flip.cpsc.UCalgary.CA
  /  /  / (_/____/      Fidonet    : Marc Schroeder @ 1:134/47
        \__/
 
 Marc A. Schroeder      * 1st year computer science
                          University of Calgary
 
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 6 Feb 90 08:56:58 GMT
From: well!dsmall@apple.com  (David Small)
Subject: Spectre GCR--SoundMaster questions--Hard Drive questions
Message-ID: <15992@well.UUCP>
 
[The basenote asks questions about SoundMaster with Spectre GCR].
 
        You'll be pleased to hear that version 2.5 (it may be 2.6 shortly)
is just passing final beta test. In it, 60 hz vblank is supported, so both
benchmark programs that use VBL, and more importantly, SOUND, which is
intrinsically tied to VBL, are dead on. No more high pitched sounds; no more
need to convert resources to get the pitch straight. Doug Wheeler did the
coding for this, and many other 2.5 fixes.
 
        With any luck, 2.5 will be out in less than a month. Gotta finish
off the newsletter, get disks duped, start mailing. Free to 2.3K owners.
 
        As for HD Backup, the only name I've heard is DiskFit. Many do not
work because we don't use Apple's SCSI dispatcher... which would be, err,
entertaining.
 
        -- thanks, Dave / Gadgets
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 6 Feb 90 09:07:42 GMT
From: well!dsmall@apple.com  (David Small)
Subject: Supra, Spectre GCR
Message-ID: <15993@well.UUCP>
 
[The basenote lists some bizarre problems encountered with a Quantum 80-s
drive, which apparently fooled Spectre into thinking it was 105 mb long.]
 
        Kevin, I'm sorry I missed you via Email; I can't get to the WELL
as often as I'd like, as we're putting the final touches onto 2.5 (very
time intensive).
 
        I think you'll find that what happened is Supra's software left
glop in the trailing ends of the partition sector. GEM ignored it.
However, the Spectre utilities saw the glop, and somehow interpreted it
as reasonable partition data. I really have no idea how it got there;
perhaps a previous user had formatted the drive as a 100 meg unit,
and gotten far enough to stamp out a partition sector? I'm puzzled.
 
        Anyway, I'm glad in a way that the problem is resolved, and you've
found the top possible sector # on your drive. Another way to find this is
just to run PARTCOPY with a long sector count, from the drive to itself,
until it reports a failure.
 
        Naturally, there's always the possibility the Spectre software
screwed up; however, I recall *many* times seeing trash in the "bottom"
of the Supra partition table. I usually go zero it out by hand when I
find it. I'll bet that's what happened to you.
 
        -- thanks, Dave / Gadgets
 
------------------------------
 
End of INFO-ATARI16 Digest V90 Issue #163
*****************************************
