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1.
Valery Prokopenko
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Nov 1 2000, 8:49 pm
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: "Valery Prokopenko" <l@tums1.ukrtec.net> -
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 13:51:04 +0300
Local: Wed, Nov 1 2000 7:51 pm
Subject: PC Xformer cable
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I have made PC Xformer cable. Connect to LPT. I start xformer.exe -x ( Xformer version 3.8). The program gives out the message " Unable to calibrate cable ". What me do?
2.
Rick Cortese
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Nov 2 2000, 12:16 am
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: "Rick Cortese" <ricor@netmagic.net> -
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 07:16:57 -0800
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 12:16 am
Subject: Re: PC Xformer cable
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The Xformer cable is about a 15 year old design and I don't think Derek supports it any longer.
The Xformer cable used timing loops and IMO was really set up to handle the slower computers available at the time. Problems started happening ~when the Pentiums came out. Maybe you could test the cable on an old 386/486 to see if it works.
Other then that, use the cable to build a SIO2PC or Prosystem cable and go from there. They should allow you to convert the ATR to XFD format after some jumping through hoops.
The only restriction is you can't run copy protected images from the emulators. If you know enough to build a Xformer cable, you know enough to build an SIO2PC cable. The extra cost/parts for an SIO2PC is only about 90¢ and they should never go obsolete.
"Valery Prokopenko" <l@tums1.ukrtec.net> wrote in message
...
> I have made PC Xformer cable. Connect to LPT. > I start xformer.exe -x ( Xformer version 3.8). > The program gives out the message " Unable to calibrate cable ". > What me do?
3.
Mark Bedingfield
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Nov 2 2000, 11:14 am
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: "Mark Bedingfield" <m@baypc.com.au> -
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 13:20:46 +1100
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 11:20 am
Subject: Re: PC Xformer cable
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"Rick Cortese" <ricor@netmagic.net> wrote in message
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> The Xformer cable is about a 15 year old design and I don't think Derek > supports it any longer.
> The Xformer cable used timing loops and IMO was really set up to handle the > slower computers available at the time. Problems started happening ~when the > Pentiums came out. Maybe you could test the cable on an old 386/486 to see > if it works.
> Other then that, use the cable to build a SIO2PC or Prosystem cable and go > from there. They should allow you to convert the ATR to XFD format after > some jumping through hoops.
> The only restriction is you can't run copy protected images from the > emulators. If you know enough to build a Xformer cable, you know enough to > build an SIO2PC cable. The extra cost/parts for an SIO2PC is only about 90¢ > and they should never go obsolete.
Wasnt there a version of Xformer for the ST? I have been trying to find out for years.
Mark
4.
Rick Cortese
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Nov 2 2000, 11:46 am
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: "Rick Cortese" <ricor@netmagic.net> -
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 18:47:12 -0800
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 11:47 am
Subject: Re: PC Xformer cable
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"Mark Bedingfield" <m@baypc.com.au> wrote in message
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> "Rick Cortese" <ricor@netmagic.net> wrote in message > ... > > The Xformer cable is about a 15 year old design and I don't think Derek > > supports it any longer.
> > The Xformer cable used timing loops and IMO was really set up to handle > the > > slower computers available at the time. Problems started happening ~when > the > > Pentiums came out. Maybe you could test the cable on an old 386/486 to see > > if it works.
> > Other then that, use the cable to build a SIO2PC or Prosystem cable and go > > from there. They should allow you to convert the ATR to XFD format after > > some jumping through hoops.
> > The only restriction is you can't run copy protected images from the > > emulators. If you know enough to build a Xformer cable, you know enough to > > build an SIO2PC cable. The extra cost/parts for an SIO2PC is only about > 90¢ > > and they should never go obsolete.
> Wasnt there a version of Xformer for the ST? I have been trying to find out > for years.
Yes, I actually bought a Xformer cable from B&C when they first came out and IIRC the package had a disk with Xformer on it. Could have been seperate, but I seem to recall a disk in there.
There was also someone who wrote an ST program that installed the 1050 on your desktop so you got an bit more of disk storage.
5.
Don
More options
Nov 2 2000, 12:30 pm
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: Don <d@qnet.com> -
Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2000 18:34:32 -0800
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 11:34 am
Subject: Re: PC Xformer cable
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Mark Bedingfield wrote:
> Wasnt there a version of Xformer for the ST? I have been trying to find out > for years.
> Mark
Yes, there is version for the ST. It was still listed at emulators.com. It works with only ST computers i tried a TT and it wouldnt work. Very simple to build uses 1 resistor.
Don
6.
RHamiIton5
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Nov 2 2000, 12:05 pm
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: rhamiit@...edy.com (RHamiIton5) -
Date: 02 Nov 2000 03:05:11 GMT
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 12:05 pm
Subject: Re: PC Xformer cable
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>"Rick Cortese" ricor@netmagic.net replied: >The Xformer cable is about a 15 year old design and I don't think Derek >supports it any longer.
That is about it; Derek sent me a response to my email saying any PC faster than a P75 was probably out of range...
-Ron
I don't have a solution but I admire the problem.
MS-DOS compatability
1.
Andreas Magenheimer
More options
Nov 2 2000, 2:01 am
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: Andreas Magenheimer <magea@mail.uni-mainz.de> -
Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2000 18:01:32 +0100
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 2:01 am
Subject: Re: MS-DOS compatability
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"John K. Picken" schrieb:
> The USD can only handle 128- and 256-byte sectors. All PC drives (HDD and > FDD) use 512-byte sectors so there's no way. The Happy controller firmware > must have included a 512-byte capability at the hardware level.
> jkp
Well, they did not. they used a (software-) trick. Since the Happy has a track buffer it could buffer up to 6-8k; the program just told the Happy to split the 512bytes into two sectors of 256 bytes. You can do this with almost any drive that is capable of 256 bytes per sector. Just write a program that splits 512 bytes sectors in two 256 bytes sectors and you are done... -Andreas
P.S.: A friend of mine tried it with a self-written program for the XF551 and it worked. You know: the XF does not have a track buffer...
What is your favorite Atari 8-bit video game?
1.
Andy
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Nov 2 2000, 6:19 am
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: "Andy" <vlnw30@cableinet.co.uk> -
Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2000 21:19:07 GMT
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 6:19 am
Subject: Re: What is your favorite Atari 8-bit video game?
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yeah, the atari was brilliant, it never got the recognition it deserved here in UK. I loved missile command, fort apocalypse, elektraglide, quasimodo, mercenary, beta lyrae, mountain king, bruce lee, phantom, zybex, ninja commando, draconus, ninja, spellbound, god I could go on forever. I don't think new games will ever be as playable as these, sigh...
Steve Breech <sbree@atarist.com> wrote in message
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> Hmmm...I would have to say: > 1.)Jumpman (Epyx) > 2.)The Nightmare (Epyx) > 3.)Crypt of the Undead (Epyx) > 4.)The Eidolon (Epyx) > 5.)Hardball (?)
> But, I'll tell you all what....I like WAY TOO MANY games on the 8 bit Atari. > These computers rely upon FUN GAMEPLAY rather than catchy graphics and > sounds. I don't know how many games I have bought for my win machine > because the caught my eye, only to realize that the game just isn't any fun. > Oh well, that's my 2 cents worth. > Steve.
2.
Mark Bedingfield
More options
Nov 2 2000, 11:13 am
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: "Mark Bedingfield" <m@baypc.com.au> -
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 13:19:41 +1100
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 11:19 am
Subject: Re: What is your favorite Atari 8-bit video game?
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"Andy" <vlnw30@cableinet.co.uk> wrote in message
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> yeah, the atari was brilliant, it never got the recognition it deserved here > in UK. I loved missile command, fort apocalypse, elektraglide, quasimodo, > mercenary, beta lyrae, mountain king, bruce lee, phantom, zybex, ninja > commando, draconus, ninja, spellbound, god I could go on forever. I don't > think new games will ever be as playable as these, sigh...
I spent nearly 10 years playing Alternate Reality the Dungeon to christ know's what hour of the morning and I never got bored with it once. But I am married now:-)
Mark
Giving something back in return...
1.
patchell
More options
Nov 2 2000, 9:33 am
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
From: patchell <patch@silcom.com> -
Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2000 16:29:40 -0800
Local: Thurs, Nov 2 2000 9:29 am
Subject: Re: Giving something back in return...
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sup8p@mail.cth.com.au wrote: > On Thu, 1 Jan 1970 01:59:59, patchell <patch@silcom.com> wrote:
> > I want to thank all of those who helped me in locating the Action! > > stuff (well, I ordered it at least, that is all I can hope for until it > > arrives).
> > In re-payment, I thought I would make something availiable that some > > of you die hard hackers might find interesting at the very least. I > > have posted the source code for the Duplicator Board. Anyway, here is > > the URL:
> >
> Just for your info, Some guy in West aust made a copy of it and was > selling it. I seen it, pulled it apart (didn't have plated through > holes) and took photo's of it. Did a circuit despite the numbers > rubbed off the chips. and took a copy of the rom. Didn't do anything > about it.
> James B
Well, I can't complain. I did the same thing for the 810 Happy board. (there is a picture on my website).
-- -Jim ------------------------------------------------ * Visit: *----------------------------------------------- *If you didn't buy a home in Santa Barbara, * You didn't pay enough! ------------------------------------------------