gel@condor.UUCP (George Lahti) (09/18/87)
We need help loading programs into the C-128 in CP/M mode.
(1) For Normal C-128 mode (BASIC 7.0) we have a nice VT110
modem program that has a good transfer function (that
uses xmodem on the other computer). Programs and
text files and data files can be downloaded. However,
the programs that transfer this data to CP/M mode don't
work very well. Large files cannot be transferred
easily (modem transfer to a memory-block then switch
to CP/M mode and write to disk).
(2) Quantum-Link is great for games and talking to people,
but poor in getting technical help (at least for me
and my son). They could not supply us with a reliable
program.
(3) We bought the early C-128 that didn't have the CP/M
modem program on the disk. In Spring 1986 we ordered
the new disks (for $5). When booted, the disk date
is (was) the latest (Dec 85). However, there were no
modem programs.
(4) Quantum-Link could not supply us with a CP/M modem
program either.
(5) All we have for CP/M is Turbo Pascal. Locally it is hard
to get much of anything else. My friends have many
useful programs (editors, etc), but we have no method
to get them into our machine.
(6) C-128 CP/M is nice to learn on (Turbo Pascal), but it
seems fairly useless for any semi-real applications.
The Normal C-128 (BASIC) mode is much more useful;
many programs are available.
------------------------
Therefore, we are asking for any advice that we can get.
Many other people on this net have had good results with
Q-Link and Commodore for CP/M items, but we have had bad
luck. Who should we contact to get some results?
------------------------
Thank you.sentinel@killer.UUCP (09/20/87)
In article <8009@condor.UUCP>, gel@condor.UUCP (George Lahti) writes: > > We need help loading programs into the C-128 in CP/M mode. > (1) For Normal C-128 mode (BASIC 7.0) we have a nice VT110 > modem program that has a good transfer function (that > uses xmodem on the other computer). Programs and > text files and data files can be downloaded. However, > the programs that transfer this data to CP/M mode don't > work very well. Large files cannot be transferred > easily (modem transfer to a memory-block then switch > to CP/M mode and write to disk). If you can transfer a small file of 40k or so with the program you have, I suggest you check out RDCBM21.LBR, which can probably be found on Q-Link and on various CP/M BBSs here and there. It can reliably transfer any size file you can come up with from a CBM disk to a CP/M disk. It requires at least one 1541 or 1571, but can take advantage of more than one and use the 1700 or 1750 RAM expanders. The only thing to watch out for is that RDCBM21.LBR is a *library*. If you are not familiar with CP/M libraries, this means that you will have to obtain a librarian program... I recommend NULU.COM. Once you have that, you can dissolve the program library and get to work. Note that this is similar to the Library programs for the C-64 and C-128, but that CP/M libraries are NOT compatible with C-64 or C-128 librarian programs. >(comments about Q-Link deleted here and below since I don't use Q-Link and > thus cannot respond to them) > > (3) We bought the early C-128 that didn't have the CP/M > modem program on the disk. In Spring 1986 we ordered > the new disks (for $5). When booted, the disk date > is (was) the latest (Dec 85). However, there were no > modem programs. As far as I know, Commodore dosn't (and never did) supply a terminal program with CP/M... the update only supplied the new version of CP/M that would allow the operation of the modem. You will still have to find a CP/M modem program for yourself... MEX and IMP are both excellent, free CP/M terminal programs that should fill the bill nicely. > (5) All we have for CP/M is Turbo Pascal. Locally it is hard > to get much of anything else. My friends have many > useful programs (editors, etc), but we have no method > to get them into our machine. If you have a 1571, you can probably persuade it to read your friends' disks. If they can give you stuff in one of the formats the 128's CP/M handles already, then you're all set. If not, I know of at least one program (UNIDRIVE) which allows the 1571 to read a few (10 or 20) additional formats. This is by far the easiest way to go about transferring CP/M programs from one system to another, if you have a 1571. > (6) C-128 CP/M is nice to learn on (Turbo Pascal), but it > seems fairly useless for any semi-real applications. > The Normal C-128 (BASIC) mode is much more useful; > many programs are available. I'm not sure I would call it "useless". The 128 and 64 modes may have better software available, depending on your tastes, but CP/M still has a place. For instance, it's incredibly handy if you deal with MS-DOS machines on a regular basis... the 1571's ability to handle MFM formats and the similarity of CP/M to MS-DOS are the primary reasons. It's also nice if you need to deal with big files... say 200k or more. Many CP/M programs handle files bigger than memory with ease, while most C-128 and C-64 mode programs are limited to memory size. So, it all depends on what you want to use it for... > ------------------------ > Therefore, we are asking for any advice that we can get. > Many other people on this net have had good results with > Q-Link and Commodore for CP/M items, but we have had bad > luck. Who should we contact to get some results? > ------------------------ > Thank you. DISCLAIMER: I wrote RDCBM21, mentioned above. So it shouldn't be surprising that I recommended it. In any event, I don't stand to gain anything (except maybe a little recognition) by doing so, so it probably doesn't matter... G'day, eh? --TS -- Rob Tillotson ...ihnp4!killer!sentinel 3922-1 Newport Ave. -or- Fort Wayne, IN 46805 ...rutgers!unirot!sentinel (219) 483-2722 (top one preferred)
wjt@wp3b01.UUCP (Bill Taggart) (09/20/87)
In article <8009@condor.UUCP> gel@condor.UUCP (George Lahti) writes: > >We need help loading programs into the C-128 in CP/M mode. >(1) For Normal C-128 mode (BASIC 7.0) we have a nice VT110 > modem program that has a good transfer function (that > uses xmodem on the other computer). Programs and > text files and data files can be downloaded. However, > the programs that transfer this data to CP/M mode don't > work very well.......... >(4) Quantum-Link could not supply us with a CP/M modem > program either. Both IMP and MEX, two excellent modem programs offering xmodem transfers, are available on QLink. They were all upload in late 1985 and early 1986. They require either the Dec 6 or 8, 1985 version of the CP/M operating system to work. The Dec 6 version is available also on QLink. I prefer MEX myself, that is what I am using right now. I have modified the terminfo entry for the adm31 so I can use MEX with vi. It works well, but a little slow. I agree that QLink is not the best place to get technical information. To download MEX directly you want: mex.com and mex.hlp uploaded by Popcorn The IMP program files: imp.doc, i2func.doc, i2func.com, i2lib.doc, and i2lib.com uploaded by LES J, and i2c8-1.asm and imp-c128.com uploaded by Bill P1 I hope this helps you get started. -- --- Bill Taggart ihnp4!wp3b01!wjt