Re: ProTERM 3.1 verses Inits/DAs

[dempson@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <4pl838$j07@earth.alpha.net>,
Ron Higgins <rhiggins@earth.execpc.com> wrote:
> I am having trouble with ProTERM v3.1 losing characters when run from
> GS/OS.
> 
> If I do a shift-boot (no DAs or Inits loaded), I don't have this problem.

> I did a clean install of GS/OS 6.0.1, and added the Calculator, File
> Finder, and Control Panel, so they show up under the Apple menu in the
> Finder (These are called CDAs?).

No, they are NDAs (New Desk Accessories).  Classic Desk Accessories
(CDAs) appear in the "Desk Accessory" menu that is accessed by
pressing Control-Apple-Escape.

New Desk Accessories can only be used in IIgs desktop programs, but
Classic Desk Accessories can usually be used in any GS/OS or ProDOS-8
program (some require a particular operating system and/or application
to be running).

> I also see the following icons appear [...] while GS/OS is loading.
> Some sort of "boot" shaped thing, I think this is the Set Start device
> something or other.

That's right.  The "SetStart" control panel just allows you to boot
into a program other than Finder without having to rearrange files in
your System folder (and easily change your mind later).

> The Sound icon so I can assign various sounds to various actions.

That's the "Sound" control panel, and it is one of the more likely
culprits.

> and the ZipGS icon, so I can adjust the setting of the 9 MHz ZipGS I have
> in this system.

That will be the "Zip Control" control panel.

> I've played with selecting the icons for these items [...] setting
> the Inactive button ON. 
> 
> This makes them not appear during or after boot is complete, but I still
> have problems in ProTERM.

There may be other programs being loaded during boot.  Not all
programs display icons - there are quite a lot of control panels for a
full installation, most of which don't give an icon during boot, and
there may be other INITs installed (in the *:System:System.Setup
directory).

In particular, if you used the "Easy Update" option to install the
system software, you might have the "EasyAccess" INIT present.  If you
have a ROM 1 IIgs, this will definitely use up interrupt time (every
time you push a key), and can cause problems with some programs (if a
program waits for a keypress with interrupts locked out, the computer
has to be turned off!)

Have a look in the System.Setup folder (inside System) and see if you
can spot either "EasyAccess" or "CloseView".  If they are present, mark
both of them Inactive (using Icon Info, as you described).  CloseView
provides a magnified view of the desktop, and also causes problems
with some programs.

> I'm thinking that setting them inactive still causes them to load,
> but I don't see them, yet they are still there somewhere causing trouble.

If the "Inactive" box is marked, then the file is not loaded into
memory at all (well, it might be, but if so it is unloaded again
without being executed or being hooked into the system).

> So, my questions are as follows:
> 1) Does anyone know what I need to do to get ProTERM v3.1 to stop losing
>    characters?

Don't boot via GS/OS, or try using a different startup program.  I've
heard reports that Finder itself seems to enable enough background
interrupt handling that it can cause ProTerm to lose characters at
high baud rates.

> 2) How does one actually disable an Init or DA, since I'm thinking that
>    changing the icon info to "inactive" isn't the correct way.

That is the correct way.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand