Re: Pascal file system and Superdrive on IIgs

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

Tim Haynes <timhaynes@alumni.NO.SPAM.PLEASE.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:

> Hmmm... I posted about the FTA Weaky demo not loading properly on my
> Suerdrive controller-enabled ROM 01 IIgs.  It turns out that any Pascal file
> system floppy disk will boot into a '3.5" Disk Controller Test' on this
> machine.  This prevents such floppies from booting.  Does anyone have any
> suggestions for getting around this self test so that the disk actually
> boots??

It sounds like the built-in self test of the SuperDrive controller is
being invoked when Pascal attempts to boot.  The test software has a
specific entry point somewhere near the start of the $Cn00 area, but it
isn't documented in the user manual so I'd have to go hunting for more
detailed information.  Pascal must be calling this location (or
something which falls into it) during the boot sequence.

The most likely issue is the slot in which the SuperDrive card is
installed.  If the card is in slot 4, 5 or 6 then Pascal knows to treat
it as a disk controller.  (Pascal 1.3 will be able to use the SuperDrive
card, but earlier versions will ignore it because it doesn't look like a
5.25" controller.)

If it is in slot 1 or 2, then Pascal will try to treat it as a printer
or modem interface respectively, and may be attempting to call specific
entry points on the card to initialize it.  If this is the case then
your options are to either disable the slot before attempting to boot a
Pascal disk, or move the SuperDrive card to slot 4, 5 or 6.

Slot 3 would have the same problems as 1 and 2 - Pascal expects the
primary text I/O device to be there (80 column card or something like a
serial interface for an external terminal).

Pascal ignores slot 7 unless you are running special drivers, so you
could put the SuperDrive card there if you want to completely ignore it
in Pascal.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz