================ MASTERDOS by Dave Ward ================ MasterDOS is a set of IIGS programs that allow you to create, store and run images of Dos 3.2 & Dos 3.3 disks on a ProDOS volume (hard disk or 3.5" drive). You can also copy files between images and even recreate DOS3.3 disks from Prodos image files. Once in "DOS" mode, MasterDOS images appear to be placed at up to 8 Slot and Drive locations in emulation. The MasterDOS package must contain the following files; MASTER.SYSTEM, Q, QC, QD and QM. In standard form, the following 6 image files are also included; MASTERDOS.IDL, BILL.BUDGE.IDL, BIG.IDL, FORTYTRACKS.IDL, MAGIC.IDL, MASTERDOSN.IDL. Three Demo games are included within file BILL.BUDGE.IDL. MASTER.SYSTEM obeys standard PRODOS startup conventions. MASTERDOS.IDL is the default startup file. MasterDOS Utilities may be invoked to start a selected image. On the other hand, an individual image file may be run in conjunction with MASTER.SYSTEM using a launcher like ProSel. In such a case the "Application:" is MASTER.SYSTEM whilst the "Startup:" file is specified as TARGET.IDL. TARGET.IDL will start the DOS file already specified by Utilities. A ">" sign makes it possible to override the default startup within an image. In this case the Prosel8 "Startup:" specification is appended with the chosen DOS file thus, TARGET.IDL>DOSFILE. (BEWARE. The current version of MasterDOS is entirely intolerant of error in Launcher specification). MasterDOS Utilities are accessible from within any image (Type from Basic). Utilities are used to apply attributes which may be saved to an individual image file. Utilities pre-define "internal parameters" within an image such as Speed, 40/80 column, DOS startup file, DOS3.2/3.3 and Size (tracks). (Some image files behave like standard 140K DOS3.3 disks with 35 tracks but images containing from 17 to 50 tracks may also be created.) Utilities and the built-in File Utility will serve with up to 64 images within a single subdirectory. ESCape from Utilities exits to your launcher. MasterDOS File Utilites are invoked from Utilities and operate on files within images. The following features are offered:- - Catalog - Copy - Type - Lock - Unlock - Delete - Rename - Files are copied between images. A majority of DOS programs and unprotected games will function under MasterDOS. DOS programs requiring more than 48K will fail at this time. MasterDOS programs are still being developed and certain options are not yet operational. Most users will find that the carefully written user interface presents no problem. This documentation should be enough to get you going. After that be prepared to experiment a little!!!! In the meantime here are a few general guidelines for MasterDOS which will help you to get started:- 1. If you want to get rid of an image use a Prodos Utility to delete a surplus image file. 2. The MasterDOS convention is that each image name contains an "IDL" suffix. For instance if you should wish to convert the DOS3.3 "SystemMaster" disk into a ProDos image file, then the name could become something like DOS3.3.IDL. This is how to proceed :- A. Launch MasterDOS by selecting file MASTER.SYSTEM. B. You will arrive at the very first MasterDOS.IDL image file which contains a HELLO program designed to present brief instructions as follows :- ------------------------------- This is a Beta version of MasterDOS, a program that allows you to create, store, and run images of DOS 3.3 or DOS 3.2 from a ProDos Hard Disk or a 3.5" disk. Normally, whenever you have the Applesoft prompt ']', pressing 'Q' will take you to the utilities menu. Item 5 in the Utilities, allows you to create and store images of your DOS3.3 or DOS3.2 disks. Once they have been created, you may run them by choosing Item 1 in the Utilities to select the Image you require and then booting it by choosing Item 8. If the Image you are running does not have a normal 'QUIT' option and you can access the GS Control Panel, you will find a CDA called 'MasterDOS.Bye' that can be used to exit MasterDOS. (If you cannot access the Control Panel then try CTRL-RESET.) PRESS ANY KEY NOTE:- 1) At the moment, only 48K programs are supported. 2) Not all options have been implemented on the Beta version. 3) Whilst lowercase is supported by MasterDOS, remember that not all programs will accept lowercase input. WHEN READY, PRESS 'Q' TO GO TO THE UTILITIES MENU. ------------------------------- B. As soon as you press "Q" you are presented with the Utilities Menu. ------------------------------- MasterDOS Utilities ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prefix : /YOUR.DISK Boot Image : MasterDOS.IDL Startup Program : HELLO {AppleSoft} Sectors in Disk : 0800 Sectors Free : 0739 1> Directory of DOS Image files available. 2> File Utilities. 3> Change list of eight IMAGES associated with MasterDOS. 4> Amend Startup program details. 5> Create new Images & Copy: DISKS <--> IMAGES. 6> 7> Visit the Monitor. 8> Boot CURRENT Image, in Slot 6,Drive 1. 9> Help. 0> MasterDOS Manual. Please Enter Number or ESCape [ ] ------------------------------- C. Place your DOS3.3 System Master in your 5.25" drive (Use physical Slot6 Drive1). D. Choose option <5> then choose option <1> DOS3.3 diskette E. A new menu will request a name. Type: and press . (The suffix "IDL" is created automatically to create the name DOS3.3.IDL.) F. Copying the 5.25" disk track by track, an image file of your System Master disk is created. After that, you are returned to the MasterDOS Utilities Menu. G. Choose <1> and you are presented with a directory of DOS Image files available from 01 to 08. H. Choose the name "DOS3.3.IDL" by typing the appropriate number (probably 07). I. Choose <4> to amend Startup program. You are presented with the following Menu:- --------------------------- Edit ImageFile defaults. Amend Startup details 1> Current Startup: UNKNOWN 2> Startup filetype: AppleSoft (or_Text or Binary) 3> Text Screen type: 40 Column (or_80 Column) 4> Processor speed: 1.023MHz Speed. (or_Fast Speed) 5> Save as NEW Defaults. Please Enter Number or ESCape [ ] --------------------------- J. Choose <1> and enter the DOS3.3 startup name. then for the main Utilities Menu. (Take care to use Capitals). K. Choose <8> and you will be presented with the normal System.Master opening screen. (Note: MasterDOS does not handle Integer Basic at this time and very few of the System Master Utilities actually perform. Items like COPYA and FID may appear to work but they are harmless and have been disabled.) 3. The MasterDOS system includes 6 images including MasterDOS.IDL and BILL.BUDGE.IDL. The remaining images are effectively empty. 4. BILL.BUDGE.IDL contains 3 sample games. They may be selected from a menu. These games are exceptional in that you cannot leave them by using the built in CDA "MasterDOS Bye", ie OA-CTRL-ESC will not work. It will be found that MasterDOS is sufficiently robust for you to use CTRL-RESET followed by . Enjoy! Dave Ward 97 Lambert Road Uttoxetter Staffs. ST14 7QY England Phone: 0889 562192 The programs comprising MasterDOS are freeware. They may be used on the explicit understanding that the user makes use of them entirely at his own risk. This has been prepared for the benefit of the AppleII community in general. Postscript ---------- I have collected a myriad of DOS3.3 programs and I wanted to access a few more directly from my hard disk. Other authors have written systems which achieve this end. My object has been to push the envelope a little further out and widen the range of DOS programs that can be handled. I would like to thank Terry Morris for his many contributions to this project. I would really appreciate any suggestions for improvements or other personal encouragements. Send them to the above address. I know it is a pain to write a letter but ....If you find it fails somewhere or you would like something changed I'll probably do it - but I need to know about it.