Re: Need help getting Images to a Real Disk...

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Kris Lane writes ...
> 
 ....
> 
> I figured out how to get my 2 computers two talk to each
> other using a direct cable connection from an IBM Com
> Port and the Super Serial Port on the Apple. Using
> communications software on both sides, and having the
> IBM computer uploading the image and the Apple II
> downloading the image, I thought it would work, but here
> is the problem:
> 
> I have only 1 disk drive, and when I go to download the
> file from the IBM, needless to say, I always get a "diskette
> full" message, since the disk can't hold both the Apple II
> Comm software and the complete image.
> 
> First off, am I doing this right? Is that how you do it? And if
> so, what is the problem? I've tried removing the disk with a
> blank one as soon as I press the download keystokes, but
> then it tells me that the "Volume is Not Availible", damnit. :-(
>

     You would need to do something earlier than the moment of transfer in order to
get the volume recognized. For instance, you may be able to insert the target
diskette and set a "Destination Volume". Or, you may be able to insert the diskette
and request a CATALOG.

     In any case, assuming your drive is a 5.25" drive, having a single disk drive
is a serious limitation for normal NULL modem file transfers. You can transfer
small .shk files to a 'blank' diskette and unshrink them on the same diskette
without much hassle. Beyond this you quickly get into 'more bother than it's worth'
territory.
 

     Since you have a Super Serial Card, ADT looks like your best bet. Once you do
the 300 baud transfer to get the Apple II part of ADT transferred, ADT can do
fairly rapid transfers (9600 baud or better) of 5.25" .dsk disk image files.

     It helps to know a few things about ADT ...

o- ADT will correctly transfer only 5.25" disk images which have DOS 3.3 sector
ordering. This includes most .dsk files. However, some .dsk files have ProDOS
sector ordering-- they will seem to transfer okay but will not work-- e.g. they
will not boot. (ProDOS order disk images should have the ".po" suffix.)

o- The PC side of ADT needs to run under DOS, not just a DOS window. If running
Windows, restart your computer in DOS mode and start ADT under DOS.

o- The target diskette for an ADT transfer should be a DOS 3.3 formatted or INITed
diskette. It can be swapped in just before starting the transfer. (It's a good idea
to write protect your Apple II ADT program disk-- just in case you forget to swap
in a target disk for a transfer.)

> Can someone please help me by emailing me at kris@jerseycape.com
 ....

     Okay; a copy will be emailed.



Rubywand