prindle@nadc@caip.RUTGERS.EDU (02/20/86)
From: prindle@NADC C128 CP/M users: A new (4 Dec 85) version of the CP/M BIOS (overlay to CPM+.SYS) for the 128 is available for Beta Test on Compuserve, Genie, and perhaps other telecom services. You download NEWSYS.COM to a C128 disk, use a conversion program available from the same source to write it to a CP/M (C64 format) diskette, then run NEWSYS.COM with the old CPM+.SYS present on the same diskette. This yields a new CPM+.SYS containing the new BIOS. The new BIOS supports the RS232 port (Device RS232) at up to 1200 baud. This seems to work well. There is a good XMODEM terminal program for use with this BIOS available for download from the same source called IMP-128.COM. Be sure to get the documentation too. Use the same process to convert to CP/M format. Once you have this running, you can download directly to a CP/M diskette and throw away the conversion program. The new BIOS also has some problems - The TPA (Transient Program Area) has been reduced from 59K to 58K. This is inexcusable considering that the 59K is already somewhat smaller than what DRI says is typical for a banked system. The keyboard scan is now interrupt driven, which eliminates that awful keybounce problem they used to have, but makes the whole system run about 20% slower. Since the keyboard scan seems to run at about 20hz. (at the default FEEL of 2), it can't possibly take up 20% of the available CPU time so I don't know where the lost time is going. Also, the new keyboard scan is supposed to buffer up to 8 characters ahead, and acts like it is doing so, but in the end, only the last character typed gets returned to the program reading from CONIN:, so it appears something is broken there. Lastly, there is a new little program CONFIG.COM which allows setting some of the C128 BIOS specific parameters such as key click volume, background/border/ text colors, secondary addresses, disk drive assignments, etc. My particular favorite is CONFIG PRT1=ASCII5 which puts my CARDCO printer interface in transparent mode and sends real ASCII to the printer. In summary, if you have an account on Compuserve, Genie, or possibly some other services, you should download NEWSYS.COM, IMP-128.COM, IMP-128.DOC (or better yet the LU type library with all the IMP pieces in it), and CONFIG.COM. Of course, you can skip IMP if you aren't into modems. Supposedly, Commodore will, once they get all (-most all) the bugs out, mail this new software to all C128 user's who have mailed in their DRI License Registration card, but don't hold your breath. If you don't use Genie or the like, check for these programs in your local Commodore User's group. Frank Prindle Prindle@NADC.arpa