Re: DOS 3.3 programs on a IIgs?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Koichi Takagi writes ...
> 
> I have some old DOS 3.3 disks from my //c that I want to use on this
> super-duper IIgs. Some have a "hello" program.
> 
> What I do now is:
> Boot the GS in GS System 6.01 (off the Focus HD in Slot 7)
> Go to the control panel and change it to boot from Slot 6.
> Restart from the floppy, run my program
> When I'm done, press ctrl-opt-power to restart to the Control Panel
> Change it to boot from "Scan" so it starts up from the HD.
> 
> There's got to be a better way?
> Double-clicking programs on the floppies from the GS finder is not usually
> successful, and I still can't quit from the ones that do work back to
> GS/OS.
> ....

     To run DOS stuff I usually just get to the Applesoft prompt (e.g.
double-click Basic.System on the Finder) and enter PR#6. Dave Althoff's
idea of running a program which does the PR#6 is even easier. One way to
get back to the Finder is to do a PR#7 (if your hard disk is in Slot 7)
from the Applesoft prompt-- i.e. you need to reboot.

     The explanation for all this bother is that DOS 3.3 and numerous
variants are not really supported by the GS OS. Probably, this is just
as well. The chief motivation for full support would be running old DOS
games, etc. from hard disk or Zip disk; yet, quite a few old "DOS 3.3"
wares bypass standard DOS file routines when writing to disk. Were DOS
3.3 fully functional from the Finder, many users would be virtually
certain to end up with trashed hard drives.


     Actually, there is another way to run DOS 3.3 stuff on your GS
which can be very convenient. Several years ago Roger Wagner, Inc.
released "SoftSwitch" by Ken Kashmarek. It is a Classic Desk Accessory
which lets you 'capture' a running 128k or smaller program and Save it.
SS is especially nice for playing old adventure games like Alternate
Reality: The Dungeon and Wizardry V because you can quickly revert back
to a Saved situation.



Rubywand