Re: New pane in the ass newbie question

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Jorge writes ...
> 
> When io make a basic prog how do i save it to tape ???
> does any tape recorder works ?
 ....

     If you have a ][, ][+, or ][e, you can save BASIC programs to cassette
tape. The command to enter is ...

SAVE

There is no file name specified. (So, you need to keep notes about where
programs are on a tape-- like the tape counter number where each program
starts.)


     The command to load in a BASIC program is ...

LOAD


     There are also monitor commands for writing and reading blocks of code
to tape. In the monitor (looking at the "*" prompt), ...

300.322W

writes a block of bytes from $300 through $322 to tape.

300.322R

reads a block of bytes into $300 through $322 from tape.



     You can use most cassette tape recorders or decks. The most important
factors are decent speed stability and freedom from noise.

     For SAVE, the recorder input level is usually going to be set
automatically by the recorder. The tricky part is setting the right output
level when you want to LOAD the program back in.

     Usually, it's best to start the cassette recorder or deck before Return
is pressed to enter a tape command to start the SAVE, LOAD, etc.. For
example, to LOAD a program, you want to set the tape to just before the
10-second leader tone starts. Then, type in LOAD, start the tape, wait for a
second or two and press Return.

     Something which makes a difference with some cassette recorders is
having just the cable you are using connected-- like, to SAVE, only the cable
going to the tape input would be connected. For other recorders or decks, it
may not matter whether you leave both cables connected.

     If, for LOADing files, you get the cassette output from the "Ear" jack,
it may help to use a cable which has a resistor across the output (roughly 50
to 100 Ohms)-- like, it could be soldered from the signal line to Ground
inside one of the jacks.

     Getting a cassette setup working takes some experimantation; but, once
you have it going, results are fairly reliable. We used tape for a year or so
on our ][+ before finally getting a disk drive.

     

Rubywand