********* Welcome to Project 64! The goal of Project 64 is to preserve Commodore 64 related documents in electronic text format that might otherwise cease to exist with the rapid advancement of computer technology and declining interest in 8- bit computers on the part of the general population. Extensive efforts were made to preserve the contents of the original document. However, certain portions, such as diagrams, program listings, and indexes may have been either altered or sacrificed due to the limitations of plain vanilla text. Diagrams may have been eliminated where ASCII-art was not feasible. Program listings may be missing display codes where substitutions were not possible. Tables of contents and indexes may have been changed from page number references to section number references. Please accept our apologies for these limitations, alterations, and possible omissions. The author(s) of the original document and members of Project 64 make no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this material for any purpose. This etext is provided "as-is". Please refer to the warrantee of the original document, if any, that may included in this etext. No other warranties, express or implied, are made to you as to the etext or any medium it may be on. Neither the author(s) nor the members of Project 64 will assume liability for damages either from the direct or indirect use of this etext or from the distribution of or modification to this etext. ********* The Project 64 etext of the ~DigiDOS~, converted to etext by Raj Wurttemberg. DIGIDOS.TXT, Dec 2002, etext # # ********* DigiDOS The Ultimate DOS enhancement Package for the 64! DigiDOS is 4 powerful DOS systems all integrated into 1 powerful package. Speed up your 1541 2000%. You used to load programs at less than 2 blocks per second, now load them at almost 40 blocks per second! (DigiDOS speeds up all disk functions.) The real time monitor feature allows you to examine any program while it resides anywhere in your 64! The hardware-software combination of the GCR Nibbler makes it the most powerful copier available! The DOS wedge reduces commands down to 1 or 2 keystrokes, without using 1 byte of C64 memory. We know you will agree — DigiDOS is the ultimate DOS package (and with the flip of a switch you can return to the original unenhanced DOS). DigiTek, Inc. 10415 North Florida Avenue Suite 410 Tampa, Florida 33212 ----- Disclaimer DigiTek Incorporated makes no warranty, expressed or implied as to the quality, performance, merchantability or fitness of this product for any purpose other than that described in this manual. All risk relating to this products performance, reliability and suitability is with the purchaser. We will not be held liable or responsible for direct, or indirect or incidental or consequential damages, resulting from any defect in this product under any conditions. The programs are provided "as is". DigiTek reserve the right to make improvements in the product described in this manual at any time and without notice. This disclaimer is for our protection. However, we at DigiTek Inc think that this product is of the highest quality and we have fully supported it since its conception. If you have any problems we will do everything we can to satisfy you as a customer. The DigiDOS manual, utility disk and other DigiDOS routines are copyrighted under United States and International Copyright Laws. Any reproduction of any portion of this product or documentation is illegal and constitutes a copyright infringement subjecting the offender to possible civil prosecution. Commodore 64 is a trademark of Commodore Business Machines This manual and the DigiDOS system Copyright 1986 ----- Introduction Welcome to DigiDOS, the powerful DOS enhancement for your C-64! DigiDOS is a powerful utility and versatile aid. DigiDOS will provide you with a DOS wedge, a real time monitor, GCR Nibbler and the fastest disk loading speed of any DOS enhancement system on the market. To top it all off - for single file programs we present the special DigiDOS format that will increase loading speed 2000% (an incredible 40 blocks per second). ----- The DOS Wedge Perhaps the Most useful feature of DigiDOS is the DOS wedge. This wedge is designed to make loading, saving, reading directories and other DOS functions as convenient as possible. In this section we will examine each of the enhancements. Loading a program is much easier with the DigiDOS wedge. You can load a file simply by typing LOAD “filename” (return). You do not have to type in the ,8,1. The SAVE command works in the same format. If you want to load and run the first program on the disk, you can just press (SHIFT) (RUN/STOP). You can also load programs with the Function Keys. It is a matter of preference. Function Keys (Fl) = List Lists a basic program. (F2) = ML Monitor Enters ML Monitor (F3) = Run Runs program in memory. (F4) = Off Disables the DOS wedge (F5) = Load Loads first file on disk or file name on selected line. (F6) = Save Save a file in memory. (F7) = Directory Displays a fast directory (F8) = Switch Switch the DOS wedge from drive 8 to 9 and vice versa. If you switch to drive 9, then all the DOS wedge commands automatically are active on drive 9 until you switch back. Other DOS functions @R:newname=oldname Rename a file @S:filename Scratch a file @I Initialize Drive @V: Validate Disk @N:name,id Fast Format a new disk @* or @$ Read Directory. Same as F7 @T:filename Lock/Unlock file toggle @8 or @9 Assigns wedge. Same as F8 @ Read Error Channel Special Commands CTRL-(English Pound) = Text screen dump to printer ! = Unew BASIC ----- While reading a directory (or program listing) you can stop the listing (for good) with the Run/Stop key. You can pause the listing with the C= key. This will pause the listing until you release the C= key. If you want to pause the listing for a longer period of time, you can mash the CTRL key and the C= key at the same time. To resume listing in this instance, press the CTRL key. Reset Commands If your 64 crashes, you can normally rescue the program with all the variables intact by holding down the Run/Stop key while you hit the reset button (either your own or on the DigiDOS cable). Some programs do not allow you to reset the computer. However, with DigiDOS, you can reset them by holding down the space bar while hitting the reset button. Also, by pressing the C= key and the reset button, you can jump DIRECTLY to the DigiDOS monitor with the program still intact. CTRL Ins/Del - Escape Quote mode (same line) ?$xxxx - Hex convert (Example: ?$1000 will give decimal equiv of $1000) ?%xxxx - Binary convert (?%011 will give decimal equiv of 011) ----- The Utility Disk Included in your DigiDOS package is the DigiDOS Utility disk. This disk is not copy protected and we suggest that you make an immediate back-up and put the original away for safe keeping. To load any of the DigiDOS utilities, insert the Utility disk and smash F5. The Main Menu will load, and from there you can access any of the utilities on the disk. The Nibbler The DigiDOS Nibbler is for making archival backups of DOS protected software. Although the DigiDOS nibbler appears very simple in design, it is actually a very powerful copy program. Using the special parallel routines of the DigiDOS system, the Nibbler will archive programs that others cannot. The Nibbler is a single disk copier and all other peripherals should be disconnected when attempting to archive a disk. Also, be sure to have your source disk write protected. The DigiDOS Nibbler will not read the source disk until you have write protected it. This is done because the Nibbler writes very fast, and there is not much room for error. Single Disk Copier Also on the DigiDOS utility disk, you will find a single disk copier. It is for making copies of unprotected disks and some protected. It could not be easier to use. If you only have one drive, we think you will find this copier very useful because it is very fast for a single drive copier. Setting up a special DigiDOS formatted disk I have the need. The need for speed... — An Anonymous 64 User – DigiDOS will load multi-file programs and commercial programs faster than any DOS available for the 64, but for single file programs we have a special DigiDOS format. Using the DigiDOS parallel system and our special software, you will be able to achieve loads that have never before been imagined on the 1541 drive. You will be able to load a 200 block program in just a few seconds, and a 40 or 50 block program almost instantly. Setting up a DigiDOS disk takes only a few minutes, and is well worth the effort. The Formatter The first thing you must do is to format a blank diskette with the special formatter. Any information previously on this disk will be lost. ----- Program Copier This program is for copying single file programs to a previously formatted DigiDOS disk. Once you have copied them over to the specially formatted disk, they will load with amazing speed every time you stick the disk in the drive. Once a file has been copied to the specially formatted disk, it will read "0" blocks. That is because a DigiDOS disk uses a special directory format. Once you have loaded the special copier, insert the disk that contains the program you wish to have load fast. The directory of the source disk will be on the screen. Simply scroll to the program you wish to copy over, and select it. The copier will read the program into memory. When prompted, insert the specially formatted disk, and the program will then be written to it. Now, reset your 64, and stick the new disk in drive 8. The program will now load at amazing speeds. Once you have copied the program over, you never have to go through this procedure again. You can put as many programs on the specially formatted disk as space will allow. NOTE! It should be noted that the DigiDOS formatter and copier are only for setting up a DigiDOS disk. The formatter is NOT a regular formatter, and the copier is NOT a regular file copier. Also, DigiDOS disks are only compatible with 64’s that have the DigiDOS system installed. ----- Monitor Commands M 1000 ff - Enters the hexadecimal value $FF at memory location $1000 M 1000 - Displays memory in hexadecimal starting at location $1000 S”filename” 1000 - Saves the contents of memory from 2000 $1000 to $2000 L”filename” 1000 - Loads memory starting at $1000 G 1000 - Execute the program starting at $1000 @ I0: - Sends the command following the @ to the disk drive Scrolling Fl Scroll current screen backward in memory 40 bytes F3 Scroll current screen forward in memory 40 bytes F5 Scroll current screen backward in memory 16 bytes F7 Scroll current screen forward in memory 16 bytes How to use the Monitor You may enter to the monitor in the direct mode by pressing the F2 function key. After entering the monitor you can examine any byte from $0000 to $FFFF by using the function keys. You can switch off all the chips except the Kernal ROM. You will also notice that in addition to the hexadecimal dump at the top of the screen there is an ASCII or text dump at the bottom of the screen. This scrolls from left to right so that you can read any ASCII text that may be in memory. If you wish you may shift from upper case to lower case by using the commodore and shift key. To exit the monitor you press the X key this will put you back in the normal mode. Debugging with the Monitor One of the most powerful features of this monitor is the ability to enter the monitor from a running or crashed program. You may enter the monitor from a running program by depressing the reset switch while holding the commodore key then release the commodore key after the monitor comes on the screen then you may examine, save, load or alter the memory contents of any area of memory other than the ram under the Kernal ROM. To exit the monitor press X. ----- Example Program "x" loads with an autoboot then proceeds to load files to several other parts of memory then waits for key press after the files are loaded. You wish to combine all of these parts into a single program. Step l Load autoboot and wait till program is in memory Step 2 Stop program by pressing reset and the commodore key. Step 3 Examine the memory and use the s command to save the portion of memory that contains the program. Step 4 Exit the monitor using the X command. You may then load the program you saved for disassembly and debugging. ----- Special Notes Using DigiDOS with a second drive To use a second drive with DigiDOS, just connect it in the normal way. Although, your second drive will not have the speed your enhanced drive 8 will have, it will function as a normal drive 9 within the DigiDOS environment. Even though it will not have the speed, you can use the DigiDOS wedge on drive 9. For more information on this, see the section on the DOS wedge. DigiDOS and modem use Because of the special routines that DigiDOS uses on the User Port, it is not compatible with a modem or any terminal programs. To use a modem/terminal with DigiDOS, you must disconnect the drive from the User Port, and also return to the normal 64 mode by resetting and flipping the switch. Compatibility DigiDOS works with 99% of all software. If you do happen to find something that will not load under DigiDOS, try a few of the following ideas. Remember, you can always make DigiDOS disappear by flipping the switch and resetting, and in some cases disconnect the parallel connector. Try one of these first however. 1) Load "filename",8 It could be that the program you are trying to load must be loaded with a ,8 only. DigiDOS attempts to load programs with the ,8,1 extension. 2) Load "filename",8,2 The ,8,2 extension in DigiDOS means to load a little bit slower than the normal DigiDOS mode. You can slow down one more notch with the 8,3 extension. 3) It is possible that the DigiDOS wedge (not speed routines) could interfere with some load attempts. You can turn the wedge off by hitting F4. Try these hints before turning off DigiDOS completely. DigiDOS works with 99% of all software. ----- In Closing... If for any reason you must return a DigiTek product, you must first obtain a RMA number from DigiTek. To obtain this number, call DigiTek at 813-933-8032 during normal business hours (EST). You must put the RMA number on the outside of your returning package, and also on any correspondence you include. Your return will NOT be accepted unless your RMA number is clearly marked on your package. There will be no exceptions. This policy allows us to serve each and every one of our customers in a more efficient manner. We are committed to customer support. Please feel free to call us if you have any problems or questions regarding your DigiDOS system. We can be reached at the following numbers: Business Office 813-933—8023 Tech Support 501—661—1838 Support Products DigiTek Inc. has several support products under development for the DigiDOS system. Among them are- Second Drive Kit - Hook up your second drive to your DigiDOS system! This kit will include everything required to have a two drive DigiDOS system. Includes a super fast parallel dual drive copier. DigiDOS 128 (64 mode only) - Normal DigiDOS functions for the 64 mode of the 128/1541 drive. Nibbler Updates - As new protection schemes necessitate, DigiTek Inc will offer updates of our powerful parallel nibbler. Call for pricing and availability. ----- The DigiDOS System was produced by: Robin Wunderlich Victor Kutschenreuter Jon Fisher Jason Keimig Bill Longstreth Horst Schlindwein Hans Swartzwelder Georg Panagiotidis Tim Perez A great deal of time and effort has gone into the production of this product. To those below, we extend our sincere appreciation: Pathfinder Industries Jon Jacuzzi Cables To Go Adrain Barton Hawk Publications David Brock Pat Trujillo New Age Electronics Calavco Inc John Beckstedt Electro Products Graves Lithograph Roger White [End]