Re: Pascal - CP/M - and Microdrive

[wood@futility.com]

On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:43:02 -0700 (PDT), mdj <mdj.mdj@gmail.com>
wrote:

>On Aug 17, 1:21�pm, David Schmenk <dschm...@YUCH.gmail.com> wrote:
>> wood.miles_@_verizon.net wrote:
>> > I just started back in 8 bit Apples after being away for 25+ years.
>> > (Something about job and family as I remember.)
>>
>> > I picked up an Apple //e Platinum from eBay and a Microdrive from
>> > ReactiveMicro. I've had a blast over the past month. Disk images from
>> > the web are not a problem to convert to 5.25" floppies or their own
>> > subdirectories on the Microdrive. CidarPress has been a treasure. I
>> > also found a working Z-80 Softcard at a garage sale. (I was told that
>> > it didn't fit an IBM.)
>>
>> > Now the questions. I can get CP/M working (v2.2 and v2.3.) Can either
>> > of these use the Microdrive or any hard disk on the Apple? Likewise,
>> > can the UCSD Pascal system use the drive or am I better off looking
>> > for another Pascal that will run under ProDOS?
>>
>> > I am having a bit (OK, a whole lot) of trouble running DOS MASTER.
>> > Other than the included documentation are there any additional tip
>> > sheets,, idiots guides to, or any thing like that available?
>>
>> > Wood
>>
>> I have Apple Pascal installed on a CFFA, so it should also work on a
>> Microdrive. �I believe you will need version 1.2 or 1.3 that supports
>> SmartPort devices. �I had to put my CFFA in slot 5, and dedicate the
>> full device (partition) to it. �So, I use a small 8 MB card. �You are
>> still limited to the number of files and no subdirectories. �But it sure
>> is a lot faster than floppies.
>
>You need 1.3 to support SmartPort for 3.5" drive access, which is
>about the only 'feature' that 1.3 adds
>
>Another solution is to use the Pascal Profile Manager with Pascal 1.2.
>This allows you to create a "Pascal Area" file on any ProDOS formatted
>volume. The file can have many Pascal Volumes within it - just like
>DOS.MASTER.
>
>Originally this was intended to only work with the ProFILE hard disk,
>but I did some investigation on this with Willi a couple of years
>back, and with a simple hack so it scanned for the device ID of any
>block device and not just the ProFILE controller card, it works fine.
>
>The only caveat: since it was written for ProFILEs it uses the "block
>device" interface (of which SmartPort is a superset). As such, it will
>only find the first ProDOS partition on (for example) an Apple SCSI
>card or CFFA.
>
>Matt

My thanks to all of you for the suggestions. There's a lot to think
about, explore, and learn. 

The PC on the other desk may have a slightly faster CPU (about 3,000
times faster times multiple cores), better graphics, and more current
manufacturer support; but, it has never been as much fun.

Thanks again.

Wood