Re: What are some basic commands?

["Simon Biber" <simon@basilisk2.cjb.net>]

The procedure to format a disk depends on which operating system you are
using.

If you don't have any startup disks then you need to get them or download
from the internet and transfer them over by a null-modem serial cable. There
are several archives which include the required files and instructions to
transfer a simplified copy of DOS 3.3 to the memory from which you can INIT
a disk as below. Then transferring a program called ADT (Apple Disk
Transfer) is a good idea, because you can then send a copy of the ProDOS
system disk, which can format 3.5" disks.

If you already have DOS 3.3 or similar, then you can format another disk
with the command
INIT <startupfile> [, Sn] [, Dn]
Where <startupfile> is the name to save the current program (in BASIC
memory) as, which will be run upon starting the disk. S specifies the slot
the disk controller is in (1-7, usually 6), and D specifies the drive number
(1-2, usually 1). For example:
NEW
10 PRINT "DOS 3.3 slave disk"
INIT HELLO

If you are using Prodos, there is no command to format a disk. You need to
get a copy of the Prodos utilities which are on the main system disk, then
you can start them by typing a - (dash) then the name of the file (CAT gives
a listing). For example:
-SYSUTIL.SYSTEM
Follow the prompts to initialise a new disk. You might also want to copy
PRODOS and BASIC.SYSTEM to the disk to make it bootable.

In GS/OS the command is in the menu. Easy enough to find :-)

Simon.

"Mike K" <lps_keppel@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I just got my IIgs up and running after 12 years.  I forgot what commands
I
> can use in basic though.  I need to know how to format a disk (if I can
> without the system) and do other things.
>
> Can anyone help?
>
> Thanks!
>
>