The Original Laptop Computer . . . 1983
As you may remember, users of Tandy and NEC notebook computers once were faced with a dilemma: limited room for files and no efficient way of storing and retrieving them. Files could be stored only on cassettes-a slow and not very reliable method. Then disk drives were introduced. They greatly increased the flexibility of notebook computers, but the first disk operating systems left much to be desired.
In this vacuum Traveling Software developed TS-DOS so that notebook computer users could realize much more of the potential of their machines. TS-DOS continues to prove itself as one of our most popular programs for notebook computers.
Though it has undergone various changes since its introduction, TS-DOS retains its original design. It provides menus as easy to use as those built into the computer themselves: the user need only move the bar cursor to select a file and then press a function key to perform a particular operation. By adding the tagging feature, we speeded up those operations that involve several files at once: the user need only tag the files to be copied or deleted and then complete the operation with a keystroke or two.
We also made it possible to leave a small portion of TS-DOS resident in RAM for use with TEXT and BASIC files. When this portion is resident, the user can press a function key to copy a TEXT file to and from disk either from within the file (on Tandy computers) or from the main system menu (on NEC computers). Programmers can use this resident portion to access disks through standard BASIC commands.
And now Traveling Software is pleased to make available this version of TS-DOS, which allows notebook computer users to store their data directly on an IBM-compatible PC, greatly increasing storage size and ease of use.
Section 1: Using This Book
• How to Get Started
• How to Use the Program
• Terms Used in This Book
Section 2: Getting the ROM Version Started
• Introduction
• Memory Requirements
• Preparing the Portable Disk Drive
• Installing the Chip
• Initializing the Chip
— Restarting TS-DOS
— Removing the Chip
Section 3: Getting the Disk Version Started
• Introduction
• Operating a Portable Disk Drive
• Software on the Master Disk
• Preparing the Portable Disk Drive
— Setting the DIP Switches
• Starting TS-DOS for the First Time
— With the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine
• Booting from Disk
• Preparing to Use TS-DOS
— Formatting a Disk
— Copying DOSXXX.CO to RAM
— Copying DOSXXX.CO to Disk
— Deleting DOSXXX.CO from RAM
• Running TS-DOS
— Running TS-DOS from RAM
• Copying the Master Disk
• Memory Requirements
Section 4: The PC Connection
• TS-DOS and PC-Compatible Computers
• Starting Your Version of TS-DOS
— Starting the TS-DOS ROM Chip
— Starting the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine
— Starting TS-DOS by Itself
Section 5: The TS-DOS File Menus
• Introduction to TS-DOS
• The RAM File Menu
— The Status Line
— RAM Function Key Commands
• The Disk File Menu
— The Status Line
— Disk Function Key Commands
— Paging
• Tagging
— Tagging More Than One Page of Files
• Printing and Other Commands
• Compressing TEXT Files
Section 6: Using TS-DOS with TEXT and BASIC
• The Resident Portion of TS-DOS
— Conflicts with Other Programs
— Installing the Resident Portion
— Removing the Resident Portion
• TS-DOS TEXT Commands
— Saving Files
— Loading Files
• TS-DOS BASIC Commands
• The Sample BASIC Program
Appendix A: Error Messages
Appendix B: Removing the ROM Chip
Appendix C: Sample TS-DOS BASIC program
Appendix D: RAM Recovery with the TS-DOS ROM
How to Get Started
If you are like most people, the question on your mind right now is How do I get the program started?
The answer is, it depends. It depends first on whether you intend to use TS-DOS with a portable disk drive or a PC compatible computer. Then it depends on the version of TS-DOS you purchased-whether on the TS-DOS ROM chip or a 3 1/2 inch disk.
As you soon will discover, the pages of this manual explaining the operation of TS-DOS are few compared with those explaining the steps necessary to getting the program started. Because the getting-started pages cover a variety of situations, it is important that you locate the instructions you need; ignore the rest.
Choose the description that fits you and turn to the sections that will get you started:
You want to use the ROM chip version of TS-DOS with a portable disk drive: Turn to Section 2. There you will learn how to install the ROM chip in your computer and make TS-DOS available for use.
You want to use the disk version of TS-DOS with a portable disk drive: Whether you intend to use TS-DOS by itself or in combination with the Ultimate ROM II or the T-Word/Sardine chip, turn to Section 3. There you will learn how to prepare the disk drive, run TS-DOS off the master disk, and prepare a disk of your own to run the program
You want to use the TS-DOS ROM chip with BOOSTER-LINK and a PC-compatible computer: Section 4 will orient you to the use of TS-DOS with your PC-compatible computer. You will be referred to the pages in Section 2 you need to follow for installing the TS-DOS chip and starting the program
You want to use the disk version of TS-DOS with BOOSTER-LINK and a PC-compatible computer: Turn to Section 4 for a general orientation to the use of TS-DOS with your PC-compatible computer. There you will be referred to the parts of Section 3 you need to get TS-DOS started.
You want to use the disk version of TS-D05 with BOOSTER-LINK and the Ultimate ROM II, the T-Word/Sardine ROM chip, or the Sardine Plus ROM Pack: Turn to Section 4 for a general orientation to the use of TS-DOS with a PC-compatible computer. As that section explains, you must refer to your BOOSTER-LINK manual and to the manual for the Ultimate ROM II, T-Word/Sardine, or the Sardine Plus ROM Pack to get started.
How to Use the Program
Once you have TS-DOS running you are ready to learn how to use it.
Section 5: The TS-DOS File Menus, begins with a brief overview of the TS-DOS program. The remainder of the for files in your computer (RAM files) and the other for section introduces you to the two TS-DOS menus: one files on disk. The function keys available in each menu are listed and explained.
Section 6: Using TS-DOS with TEXT and BASIC, explains how to install and use the resident portion of TS-DOS. Whether working with TEXT files or programming in BASIC, you may find that this small portion of the program will meet your needs. Here you will learn how to use SAMPLE. BA, the sample program that illustrates the use of BASIC commands with the resident portion of TS-DOS.
Also in this book ...
Appendix A: An alphabetical list of error messages and steps to recover from them.
Appendix B: Instructions on removing the TS-DOS ROM chip from your computer.
Appendix C: A listing of SAMPLE.BA, the sample BASIC program included on the master disk as an illustration of how to program with TS-DOS.
Appendix D: The steps to take to recover TEXT files in the event that you accidentally cold start your computer.
Terms Used in This Book
Listed below are some terms frequently used in this book.
Byte: A unit of information. Example: the word random requires six bytes of memory, one for each character. When this manual specifies that a certain operation requires so many bytes free, look at the number in the lower right corner of your computer's main system menu to determine if you meet the requirement. There are 1,024 bytes in one kilobyte (1K).
Cold Start: The process by which all the contents of RAM even the date and time-are cleared. After a cold start the main system menu of your computer will show only the BASIC, TEXT, TELCOM, ADDRSS, and SCHEDL files (all located in ROM). Cold starts may happen spontaneously, while you are performing some operation on your computer. Or as a last resort you may have to cold start the computer yourself if it locks up and you are unable to use the keys even after pressing the RESET button.
To cold start a Tandy computer, make sure the computer is oil and then hold down CTRL BREAK while you press RESET . To cold start an NEC computer, make sure the computer is on and then hold down SHIFT CTRL while you press RESET
DIP Switches: The four small switches on the bottom of many models of portable disk drives which determine the rate of transmission between the disk drive and the computer. (DIP is an acronym for Dual In-line Package.)
Formatting: The process that prepares a disk to accept data. Only after a disk is formatted can it be used to store and retrieve files. Note: Formatting a disk also erases any information that may be on that disk. Format only blank disks or disks containing information you no longer want to save.
High Memory: The part of RAM used by machine-language and some BASIC programs while they are operating. Files located in high memory do not appear on the computer's main system menu-but they eat up memory just the same.
K: The abbreviation for kilobyte, a unit of measure that equals 1,024 bytes. If a file is 4K in size, it contains 4,096 characters, spaces, numbers, and symbols.
RAM: Random Access Memory, the part of the computer's internal hardware that makes it possible to store and retrieve information . In this book, RAM is used as shorthand for the part of memory in which document and program files are stored.
ROM: Read Only Memory. The contents of a ROM chip are set during manufacture and are permanent unless erased by ultraviolet irradiation. The user cannot modify the chip. Information can be read from a ROM chip but not to it.
Introduction
Follow the instructions in this section, and you will be ready to use the ROM version of TS-DOS.
Once you complete these instructions, skip sections 3 and 4 and move on to sections 5 and 6 for instructions on how to use the program.
Getting the ROM version started requires three steps:
If you are used to installing and initializing the Ultimate ROM II chip, you are prepared for the TS-DOS chip. These processes are identical for the two chips.
Memory Requirements
The ROM version of TS-DOS places few requirements on the limited memory of your notebook computer. Unlike the disk version, the ROM version does not require that you store the operating program, D0SXXX.CO, on disk or in RAM. This program resides in the ROM chip and is ready for use whenever your chip is installed and initialized.
When you initialize the ROM chip a small file is created to give you access to the program. Other than the few bytes occupied by this file you may never need additional memory to operate TS-DOS.
If you are using TS-DOS to operate a 200K Tandy Portable Disk Drive or, through BOOSTER-LINK, a PC-compatible computer, there are no additional memory requirements for TS-DOS. But if you are using a 100K Tandy or Purple Computing disk drive, you will need a certain number of bytes free to perform a few operations like renaming a file; the memory requirements for these operations are noted wherever in this manual those operations are explained.
Software on Disk
The disk you received with your TS-DOS ROM chip contains several files, only one of which may interest you. The file named SAMPLE. BA is a sample program that demonstrates the use of BASIC commands with TS-DOS. See Section 6 and Appendix C for more information.
The other files on the disk are intended for use with the disk version of TS-DOS. On the ROM version the functions of these files are performed entirely by the ROM chip. (If these files, see page 3-3).
Preparing the Portable Disk Drive
Follow the instructions below to prepare your portable disk drive for TS-DOS.
If you have a 200K Tandy Portable Disk Drive ignore the first step; this drive has no DIP switches. But if you have a 100K Tandy or Purple Computing portable disk drive be sure to follow the instructions in the first step for turning the DIP switches off.
Installing the Chip
Follow these steps to install the TS-DOS chip in your computer.
Handle your TS-DOS chip with care. Do not touch the contact pins, and leave the label in place; by removing it, you may destroy the program.
Tandy 100: The ROM module expansion compartment is located at the bottom center of the Tandy 100.
Tandy 102: The ROM module expansion compartment is located near the lower right corner of the Tandy 102.
Tandy 200: The ROM module expansion compartment is the one at the lower right corner of the Tandy 200.
NEC PC-8201 or 8300: The ROM expansion compartment is located at the bottom of the NEC. (Remove the three screws.)
Tandy 100: The receptacle is the lower of the two in the compartment.
Tandy 102: The receptacle is the one on the far right side of the compartment.
Tandy 200: The receptacle is the one on the left side of the compartment.
NEC PC-8201 or 8300: The receptacle, labeled ROM 1, is the second one from the left side of the compartment.
Though interchangeable with each other, the Tandy 100 and 102 versions of TS-DOS are not interchangeable with that for the Tandy 200. Installing a Tandy 100 or 102 version in a Tandy 200, or vice versa, will cold start the computer and destroy all data in RAM.
NEC PC-8201/8300: Hold the TS-DOS chip so that the notch on the chip is toward the small ROM 1 label on the computer, near the receptacle. Align the pins with the receptacle and gently but firmly press the chip into place. Be careful not to bend the pins: they may break! Make sure all the pins are inserted.
If the screen is blank, immediately turn the computer off, return to the ROM module expansion compartment remove the chip, and repeat the entire installation process. If your system has locked up so that the keys are inoperative, press the RESET button on the back of your computer. If that fails, you will have to cold start your computer.
Initializing the Chip
Once your TS-DOS chip is properly installed, you must initialize it before you can begin using the program.
On the Tandy 100/102: CALL 63013,1
On the Tandy 200: CALL 61167,2
On the NEC 8201/8300: POKE63911,1:EXEC62394
If you have an NEC PC-8201/8300 with more than one memory bank or if you have outfitted your computer with some kind of memory expansion device, you must perform this step for each of the banks in which you want to make TS-DOS available.
If the screen is blank immediately turn the computer off, return to the ROM module expansion compartment, remove the chip, and repeat the entire installation process. If your system has locked up so that the keys are inoperative, press the RESET button on the back of your computer. If that fails, you will have to cold start your computer.
Restarting TS-D05
To restart TS-DOS anytime after the initialization session, place the bar cursor in the main system menu over TS-DOS and press ENTER
The TS-DOS file is created each time the TS-DOS chip is initialized. This small file must reside in the RAM of your notebook computer if you are to have access to TS-DOS.
Removing the Chip
If you want to replace the TS-DOS chip with another chip be sure to delete (kill) it before removing the chip. See Appendix B for detailed instructions.
Introduction
If you intend to use TS-DOS to operate a portable disk drive, the instructions in this section are geared specially to you. But if you intend to use TS-DOS in combination with BOOSTER-LINK to operate a PC-compatible drive, please see Section 4 first; only a few parts of this section apply to you.
Operating a Portable Disk Drive
In any version other than the TS-DOS ROM chip, TS-DOS consists of two programs: an operating program and a program that loads the operating program into the high memory of your notebook computer.
The loading program must reside in your notebook computer before you can start TS-DOS. It can reside there as a separate file or as a function built into one of Traveling Software's ROM products, including the Ultimate ROM II and the T-Word/Sardine ROM chip. If you have one of these ROM products the loading program resides in your notebook computer as soon as you install and initialize the chip. If you lack these ROM products you must follow the procedures outlined later in this section for creating the loading program in your notebook computer; you will then activate this program each time you want to run TS-DOS.
The TS-DOS operating program may reside either in your computer or on a 3 1/2 inch disk in the portable disk drive. Most users prefer to keep the operating program on disk and save the limited RAM in the computer for other files, but the decision is yours.
These are the main steps you must follow to get TS-DOS started:
In Preparing the Portable Disk Drive you will find important information about your disk drive and how it must be prepared for TS-DOS.
In Starting TS-DOS for the First Time you will learn how to operate the program from the master disk.
In Preparing to Use TS-DOS you will learn how to prepare a disk of your own to operate the program.
And in Running TS-DOS you will learn how to use that disk to run TS-DOS.
Software on the Master Disk
The TS-DOS master disk contains four files. Note that if you are using TS-DOS with the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine, only the last two files — DOSXXX.CO and SAMPLE.BA — are of interest to you.
BOOT: The file that loads the TS-DOS loading program, TSLOAD.CO, from disk into RAM. The BOOT file will remain on the disk, never to be loaded into the computer.
TSLOAD.CO: The TS-DOS loading program. It loads the TS-DOS operating program into high memory and runs TS-DOS. Size: about 550 bytes.
DOSXXX.CO: The TS-DOS operating program. To run TS-DOS you will load this program into the high memory of your notebook computer — either from your portable disk drive or from your PC compatible. The name of this file differs according to the make of your notebook computer:
Preparing the Portable Disk Drive
TS-DOS operates a variety of portable disk drives. Regardless of the kind of portable disk drive you have, follow these steps to prepare the drive for TS-DOS:
If you have the Tandy Portable Disk Drive 2 (the 200K version) you are ready to start TS-DOS. Since your disk drive lacks DIP switches, ignore any instructions in this section relating to changes in these switches. Note that this drive is referred to as the 200K drive later in this section
If you have the original Tandy Portable Disk Drive (the 100K version) or the Purple Computing disk drive, continue reading for instructions on setting the DIP switches on these disk drives. Note that these drives are referred to as 100K drives later in this section.
Setting the DIP Switches
There are four switches-called the DIP switches-on the bottom of the 100K Tandy or Purple Computing disk drive. Their settings are vital to the operation of TS-DOS.
The DIP switches must all be in the off position when you are operating TS-DOS. But to begin loading TS-DOS the first time many users will have to set the DIP switches temporarily to the on position. Only users of Traveling Software's Ultimate ROM II or the T-Word/Sardine ROM are exempt from this.
If you have the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine ROM chip set all the DIP switches to the off position.
If you do not have the Ultimate ROM II or the T-Word/Sardine ROM chip, set all the DIP switches temporarily to the on position. (You will be instructed to reset them once you have completed the initial loading process.)
Follow these steps to set the DIP switches:
If the disk drive is turned on when you change the DIP switch settings, remember to turn the drive off, wait a few seconds, and turn it on again. Otherwise the drive will not recognize the new settings.
Starting TS-DOS for the First Time
You are about to learn how to operate TS-DOS from the master disk. To do so, you must load the operating pro gram, DOSXXX.CO, into the high memory of your notebook computer.
How you load DOSXXX.CO into high memory depends on the form of the loading program you have at your disposal:
Once you have completed either of these sets of instructions, you are ready to prepare your own disk for TS-DOS.
Starting with the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine
You are about to use your Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine ROM chip to load the TS-DOS operating program into the high memory of your notebook computer.
Make sure you have installed your ROM chip and initialized the programs according to directions in the manual for the chip. Then follow these steps:
The disk access light on the disk drive should light, indicating that TS-DOS is being loaded. After a few seconds, you will see the RAM File Menu of TS-DOS.
(If your computer beeps or if you see a Can't message on the screen see step 4) DOSXXX.CO is temporarily loaded into high memory; it will not appear in the main system menu when you exit the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine.
Sometimes when you select TS-DOS, you will see this message: Change HIMEM? (Y/N)? If you have backed up your machine-language programs (step 2), press Y to start TS-DOS. Otherwise, press N, save the programs, and repeat the above steps.
Booting from Disk
If you do not have the loading program built into the Ultimate ROM II or the T-Word/Sardine ROM chip you must load the loading program, TSLOAD.CO, into your notebook computer from the TS-DOS master disk. Once that program is in your computer you can load the operating program into high memory.
If you intend to operate a portable disk drive rather than a PC compatible, these are the procedures you are about to undertake:
Creating IPL.BA
You are about to type a short program. Type it accurately: just one wrong character will foil your efforts.
If you see an error message preceded by a number, you have made an error in the line indicated by that number. Remain in BASIC and see Having Problems?
Loading TSLOAD.CO.
You are now going to use IPL.BA, the program you just created, along with BOOT, on the master disk, to load TSLOAD.CO into RAM. If you have problems, refer to Having Problems?, on the next page.
Loading TSLOAD.CO....
Return to the main system menu by pressing F8 on the Tandy, SHIFT F5 on the NEC. You should now see TSLOAD.CO listed in the menu.
Note: Once you have loaded TSLOAD.CO, you are free to delete IPL.BA. It is no longer needed.
Having problems?
If the Now Loading TSLOAD.CO message did not appear (step 5) and the system locked up, look into these possible causes:
Begin by freeing up the system: press SHIFT-BREAK on any of the Tandy computers, SHIFT-STOP on the NEC. You are then in BASIC.
If you discover that you have made one of the errors listed above, correct the situation. Turn the disk drive off then on; return to the main system menu; rerun IPL.BA (step 5).
If you cannot locate any of these errors, it is likely that you made an error while entering IPL.BA. (You may even have received an error message indicating a problem in one of the lines.) To correct IPL.BA follow these steps:
If your computer beeps and the access indicator light on the disk drive flashes, this may be the problem: your computer already has a program or a fragment of a program in high memory and thus cannot load TSLOAD.CO. To correct the situation go into BASIC and enter the commands below that apply to your computer:
Remain in BASIC and type a CLEAR statement. Then return to the main system menu and try again. For the CLEAR statement you are to type, consult the label on the back side of your master disk. The statement will appear in this form:
For TSLOAD.C0 — CLEAR ###,######
Type CLEAR followed by the numbers on your disk. Press ENTER and, exit BASIC, and try loading TSLOAD.CO again.
If ?OM Error appears on the screen, the computer does not have at least 6,500 bytes of free memory. Go into BASIC and kill enough files to meet this requirement. Leave BASIC and refer to Loading TSLOAD.CO.
A final caution: keep the portable disk drive away from a desktop computer or monitor; radio waves from either may interfere with communications between the drive and the computer.
If you are still stymied, call us for help at (206) 483-8088.
Loading DOSXXX.CO into High Memory
By loading the TS-DOS operating program, DOSXXX.CO, into high memory , you can begin using the program.
If you are using the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine, you may see this message: Change HIMEM? (Y/N)? This message tells you that there is another machine-language program in your computer. Press Y to remove the program and start TS-DOS. Otherwise, press N, save the program, and repeat the above steps.
If the computer merely beeps it is likely that another program is already loaded in high memory.
Preparing to Use TS-DOS
In this section we will pick up where we left off in Starting TS-DOS for the First Time-in the RAM File Menu of TS-DOS. You now will learn how to...
When you complete these operations you can transfer files between your computer and the disk (or disks) you have prepared.
These instructions assume that, like most users, you want to use TS-DOS with the operating program on disk. Most people prefer to place the operating program on each back up disk. Others prefer to use a single working disk that they place into the disk drive each time they start up TS-DOS.
There is yet another way to use TS-DOS: store the operating program in RAM, without copying it to disk. The disadvantage of this approach is the amount of memory required to store and operate the program. If you want to operate TS-DOS from RAM instead of disk, follow the instructions on the next page, Copying DOSXXX.CO to RAM. Then turn to Running TS-DOS from RAM.
Formatting a Disk
Insert Disk. Press "Y" to begin.
Press Y, and the disk will begin formatting. The small access indicator light on the front of the disk drive will blink as this is happening.
Copying DOSXXX.CO to RAM
Though you probably won't want to leave it there, you must now load DOSXXX.CO into RAM. Once in RAM, DOSXXX.CO can then be copied to disk by TS-DOS.
To copy DOSXXX.CO into RAM, follow these instructions:
If you are going to operate TS-DOS with DOSXXX.CO in RAM rather than on disk, skip to Running TS-DOS from RAM.
Copying DOSXXX.CO to Disk
Deleting DOSXXX.CO from RAM
Now that you have copied the operating program to disk, you no longer need it in RAM, unless you intend to copy it to other disks immediately. Leaving it in RAM consumes valuable memory.
Running TS-DOS
You are now ready to run TS-DOS from the disk you have prepared. Once again you will see the TS-DOS RAM File Menu. Section 5 of this manual explains the commands you may use in this menu and the Disk File Menu for copying files between your computer and the disk drive.
With the Ultimate ROM II: If you have the Ultimate ROM II, select TS-DOS in the Ultimate ROM II menu and press ENTER. If the Change HIMEM? message appears, press Y.
With T-Word/Sardine: If you have the T-Word/Sardine ROM chip, select the DOS function in the T-Word file--selection screen: press F7 on a Tandy, SHIFT F2 on an NEC. If the Change HIMEM? message appears, press Y.
Without the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine: If you lack both the Ultimate ROM II and T-Word/Sardine, select TSLOAD.CO in the main system menu and press ENTER. Remember to keep TSLOAD.CO in RAM; without it, you will not be able to operate TS-DOS from disk.
If your computer merely beeps when you select TSLOAD.CO in the main system menu, see Having Problems?
Running TS-DOS from RAM
As noted earlier, you can operate TS-DOS by storing the operating program — DOSXXX.CO — in RAM. You may prefer this setup, particularly if you are going to be away from your disk drive for a time-and still want to use those features of the program that do not require access to the drive.
The chief disadvantage of leaving the operating program in RAM is memory. You must leave at least 11,000 bytes free in your computer.
To run TS-DOS directly from RAM, select DOSXXX.CO in the main system menu and press ENTER. Note that you do not need TSLOAD.CO in your computer to start TS-DOS in this way.
If your computer merely beeps when you select DOSXXX.CO in the main system menu, enter BASIC and type a CLEAR statement. Then return to the main system menu and try again. For the CLEAR statement you are to type, consult the label on the back side of your master disk. The statement will appear in this form:
For DOSXXX.CO — CLEAR ###,######
Type CLEAR followed by the numbers on your disk. Press ENTER and then exit BASIC: press F8 on the Tandy computers, SHIFT F5 on the NEC.
Copying the Master Disk
Now that you have TS-DOS running, make it your first task to copy the master TS-DOS disk. Set aside the master and use only the copy whenever possible. If something happens to the copy, make another from the master.
With TS-DOS, you must perform these operations to copy the master disk:
These are the same operations outlined in Preparing to Use TS-DOS.
There is one file on the master disk you cannot copy with TS-DOS: BOOT. If you are using the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine, you will never have need for this file Even if you are operating TS-DOS without either of these, you will not need this file again as long as you keep either DOSXXX.CO or TSLOAD.CO in RAM; if you ever delete both of these files, however, you will have to fall back on BOOT, located on the master disk. Keep the master disk in a safe place!
Memory Requirements
To run TS-DOS with the operating program on disk you need about 6,500 bytes of free memory in your notebook computer. (If you are running TS-DOS with the operating program in RAM you will need at least 11,000 bytes.)
There are a few operations — like the TS-DOS Name command — that require a certain amount of free memory in addition to these basic requirements if you are using a 100K drive. The memory requirements for such operations are noted on the pages where those operations are explained.
TS-DOS is not limited to operating portable disk drives. It can operate the drives of PC-compatible computers as well. You can thus store files from your Tandy or NEC notebook computer on a PC compatible, eliminating the need for a portable disk drive completely.
To transfer files between a PC and a notebook computer you need another Traveling Software program, BOOSTER-LINK (AKA DeskLink) This program makes one of the drives on your PC compatible act like a portable disk drive.
When you use TS-DOS in combination with BOOSTER-LINK you'll first run BOOSTER-LINK on your PC; like a portable disk drive this computer is then available only for accessing files. You then run TS-DOS on your notebook computer and use that computer to transfer files and perform the other disk-management operations that TS-DOS makes available.
A Word about TS-DOS
Because TS-DOS is available in a variety of forms it may help you to understand a few basics about the operation of the program.
TS-DOS consists of two parts: an operating program and a program that loads the operating program into the high memory of your notebook computer. The manner in which these two programs are used varies from one version of TS-DOS to another.
The TS-DOS ROM Chip
On the TS-DOS ROM chip the operating and loading programs are combined; this chip by itself is sufficient to operate TS-DOS. Only a cable and BOOSTER-LINK are required to complete the connection to a PC.
Other Versions of TS-DOS
In any other version the operating program and the loading program are distinct. To use any of these forms of TS-DOS with BOOSTER-LINK the operating program should reside in the PC-compatible computer, the loading program in the notebook computer.
You received the TS-DOS operating program on the BOOSTER-LINK disk along with the program for BOOSTER-LINK itself. Instructions in the BOOSTER-LINK manual will guide you through the steps for getting these operating programs into your PC.
You received the loading program in one of two possible forms: as a separate file (TSLOAD.CO) to be loaded into your notebook computer from a portable disk drive or as a function built into the software of certain ROM chips. These chips include the Ultimate ROM II and the T-Word/Sardine ROM, including the Sardine Plus ROM Pack.
Starting Your Version of TS-DOS
Before starting BOOSTER-LINK on your PC compatible you should have TS-DOS available to use on your notebook computer. How you go about doing that depends on what you ordered with BOOSTER-LINK. These are the possibilities:
Once both TS-DOS and BOOSTER-LINK are running you will find complete instructions for transferring files between your notebook and PC-compatible computers in Sections 5 and 6 of this manual.
Starting the TS-DOS ROM Chip
The instructions for installing the TS-DOS ROM chip and initializing the program are included in Section 2 of this manual. Ignore the instructions for preparing the disk drive and begin on page 2-4. As soon as you have initialized the program, you are ready to start BOOSTER-LINK. Refer to the BOOSTER-LINK manual for complete instructions.
Starting the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine
If you just received the Ultimate ROM II or the T-Word/Sardine ROM chip refer to the manual accompanying that product. Install the chip and initialize the programs. Then refer to the BOOSTER-LINK manual for instructions on getting that program started on your PC.
Once BOOSTER-LINK is running, return to the Ultimate ROM II or T-Word/Sardine manual for instructions on starting TS-DOS on your notebook computer. In the Ultimate ROM II, TS-DOS is available in the main program menu by placing the bar cursor over TS-DOS and pressing ENTER. In T-Word/Sardine, TS-DOS is available by pressing the function key corresponding to the DOS prompt in the file-selection screen.
If you just received the Sardine Plus ROM Pack follow the instructions in that manual to get the system running. Then refer to the BOOSTER-LINK manual for instructions on getting that program started on your PC. Once BOOSTER-LINK is running, refer to the Sardine manual for instructions on starting TS-DOS on your notebook computer.
Starting TS-DOS by Itself
If you purchased TS-DOS on a 3 1/2 inch disk for your portable disk drive and BOOSTER-LINK on a disk for your PC, the instructions you need to start TS-DOS are contained in Section 3 of this manual. Please note, however, that only certain parts of that section apply to you.
Your first concern is to create a short program in your notebook computer. See Creating IPL.BA. Then continue with the instructions Loading TSLOAD.CO, to use the IPL.BA program to load TSLOAD.CO into your notebook computer. (Keep this file in your computer: it is the file that gives you access to your PC.)
Once you have TSLOAD.CO loaded, turn to your PC compatible and follow the instructions in the BOOSTER-LINK manual to prepare your PC to operate as a portable disk drive.
When you have BOOSTER-LINK running on your PC move back to your notebook computer, place the bar cursor in the main system menu over TSLOAD.CO and press ENTER. You should now see the TS-DOS RAM File Menu, explained in Section 5 of this manual.
Note: If your computer merely beeps when you select TSLOAD.CO in the main system screen, enter BASIC and type a CLEAR statement - Then return to the main system menu and try again. For the CLEAR statement you are to type, consult the label on the back side of your master disk. The statement will appear in this form:
For TSLOAD.CO — CLEAR ###,######
Type CLEAR followed by the numbers on your disk. Press ENTER and then exit BASIC: press F8 on the Tandy computers, SHIFT F5 on the NEC.
TS-DOS offers the flexibility of operating from menus or, by means of TEXT and BASIC commands, outside the menus.
There are two file menus-one for files in RAM on your notebook computer, the other for files on disk. In these menus you can perform a variety of file-management operations, much as you would in the main system menu of your notebook computer. To transfer files back and forth between your computer and disk drive, for example, you simply move the bar cursor over a file name and press a function key-no need to type anything.
Also in the file menus you can press certain keys to perform such useful operations as reviewing the contents of files and printing a directory of files on disk or in RAM.
When using the TEXT commands, you are limited to two TS-DOS functions: load and save. Pressing a function key on a Tandy computer loads a file from disk into the RAM file currently displayed on the screen; on the NEC PC 8201/8300 this operation is performed in the main system menu of your computer - Similarly, pressing another function key saves a RAM file to disk.
In BASIC, you can use all the file-management commands either interactively, to achieve an immediate response, or as part of a program you write to use the full capacities of your disk drive.
For information on the use of these TEXT and BASIC commands, see Section 6. The other features of TS-DOS are covered in this section.
The RAM File Menu
Each time you run TS-DOS, the RAM File Menu is the first to appear on your screen:
TS-DOS (M100 4.00) (c)87,TSI. #0
CONFIG.DO UR-2 SAMPLE.BA DOS100.CO
-.- -.- -.- -.-
-.- -.- -.- -.-
-.- -.- -.- -.-
-.- -.- -.- -.-
RAM Free:13313 File:318
Save Kill Name Disk DOS-OFF Menu
|
The RAM File Menu should have a familiar look, resembling as it does the main system menu of your notebook computer. Most of this menu is occupied by a list the files in RAM.
The significant differences between this menu and the main system menu appear in the top line and the bottom two lines.
Unless you are using a 100K portable disk drive the top line shows information about the disk you are accessing through TS-DOS. If you are connected to a 200K disk drive the right end of the top line shows either #0 or 1, indicating the bank currently selected on the disk. If you have BOOSTER-LINK running on your PC compatible, this line displays the name of the directory currently logged on that computer.
The very bottom line of the RAM File Menu shows the prompts for the TS-DOS function key commands; the line above that is the status line.
The Status Line
The second line from the bottom-the status line-shows this information:
Note that as you press the arrow keys to move the bar cursor from one file name to another, the value for File: changes to reflect the size of the currently selected file.
RAM Function Key Commands
On the bottom line of the RAM file menu are listed the six TS-DOS function key commands available here. On a Tandy computer all six commands appear at once. On the NEC PC-8201/8300, five are listed at the outset; the other appears when SHIFT is pressed.
Before using most of the function key commands, press the UP or DOWN arrow key to move the bar cursor and select a file. Other options — like Disk, and DOS-ON/OFF — do not require you to select a file.
These are the function key commands in this menu:
F1 Save: Copies to disk file DO, .BA, or CO RAM file selected by the bar cursor. By pressing ENTER immediately after the Save as: prompt appears, you assign to the file to be saved the name that appears on the RAM File Menu. To save the file with a different name, type up to six characters-without .DO, .BA, or any other extension-and press ENTER. The file is saved once the Save as: prompt disappears.
To quit without completing the Save process, press CTRL-C at the Save as: prompt.
Caution: Do not use the Save command with files that have anything but the DO, BA, or .CO extensions — or variations of those like .CA (used by Lucid) or .DP or .DC (used by the TEXT Compression utility of the TS-DOS ROM chip). You cannot save invisible files, files that lack extensions, or files whose extensions do not match the type of file. (Included in the last category is the WSPECT.DT file of Write ROM.)
If the name you assign to the file to be saved already exists on disk, this prompt will appear:
File exists - A)ppend R)eplace Q)uit.
Press A to append the RAM file to the end of the disk file. (You cannot use the append feature with any files except .DO files.) Press R to replace the disk file with the RAM file. Press Q to quit the Save command without completing the operation.
Note: With the Append option, you can create a single disk file up to 64K in size. Though you could never load a file of this size directly into your computer, you could print it or view it on screen directly from disk. Or you could use it in combination with other disk software applications like T-Word on the Ultimate ROM II.
F2 Kill: Deletes the RAM file selected by the bar cursor. In response to the Sure? prompt, press Y to delete the file, any other key to leave it intact.
F3 Name: Renames the file selected by the bar cursor. In response to the New Name: prompt, type a six-character file name and press ENTER. (No need to type .DO, .BA, or any other extension.) If you do not want to rename the file, press ENTER.
If you are using a 100K disk drive, the Name command requires an additional 1,300 bytes of free memory over the minimum needed to operate the program.
F4 Disk: Replaces the RAM File Menu with the Disk File Menu - Before pressing F4, be sure that your disk drive is connected to your computer and turned on. Otherwise, you will see this prompt: Disk not in drive. Press any key. Also make sure that the DIP switches on your disk drive are set correctly. See Section 3 for the correct settings.
F5 DOS-ON/OFF: Turns on and off the resident portion of TS-DOS. With this portion resident in RAM, you can operate TS-DOS with both TEXT and BASIC commands. See Section 6 for details.
Tandy F8, NEC SHFT F5 Menu: Exits TS-DOS and returns to the main system menu of your computer with the disk version of TS-DOS, to the Ultimate ROM II menu with the Ultimate ROM II, or to the T-Word file-selection screen with T-Word/Sardine.
The Disk File Menu
While in the RAM File Menu, press F4 and the Disk File Menu appears:
TS-DOS (M100 4.00) (c)87,TSI. #0
DOS100.CO SAMPLE.BA TS-DOS.C0 -.-
-.- -.- -.- -.-
-.- -.- -.- -.-
-.- -.- -.- -.-
-.- -.- -.- -.-
RAM Free:89600 File:4964
Load Kill Name Ram Frmt Log Mkdr Menu
|
As the RAM File Menu does for RAM files, the Disk File Menu shows all the files on the disk you are accessing through TS-DOS.
Unless you are using a 100K portable disk drive the top line shows information about the disk you are accessing through TS-DOS. If you are connected to a 200K disk drive the right end of the top line shows either #0 or 1, indicating the bank currently selected on the disk. If you have BOOSTER-LINK running on your PC compatible, this line displays the name of the directory currently logged on that computer.
The very bottom line of the Disk File Menu shows the prompts for the TS-DOS function key commands; the line above that is the status line.
The Status Line
The second line from the bottom of the Disk File Menu-the status line-shows this information:
Note that as you press the arrow keys to move the bar cursor from one file name to another, the value for File: changes to reflect the size of the currently selected file.
Disk Function Key Commands
On the bottom line of the Disk File Menu are listed the eight TS-DOS function key commands available here.
Three of the commands — Kill, Name, and Menu — work with disk files exactly as they do with RAM files in the RAM File Menu.
Two of the other commands reverse the operations of their counterparts in the RAM File Menu: Load restores files Saved in the RAM File Menu; and Disk returns to the RAM File Menu.
These are the function key commands in the Disk File Menu:
F1 Load: Copies to RAM the .DO, .BA, or .CO disk file selected by the bar cursor. By pressing ENTER immediately after the Load as: prompt appears, you will assign to the file to be loaded the name that appears on the Disk File Menu. To load the file with a different name, type up to six characters-without .DO, .BA, or any other extension-and press ENTER. The file is loaded once the Load as: prompt disappears.
Caution: Do not use the Load command with files that have anything but the .DO, .BA, or .CO extensions — or variations of those like .CA (used by Lucid) or .DP or .DC (used by the TEXT Compression utility of the TS-DOS ROM chip). You cannot load invisible files, files that lack extensions, or files whose extensions do not match the type of file. (included in the last category is the WSPECT.DT file of Write ROM.)
If the file name you type already exists in RAM, you will be notified. Press Y to replace that RAM file with the disk file, N to leave the files as they are.
F2 Kill: Deletes the disk file selected by the bar cursor. in response to the Sure? prompt, press Y to delete the file, any other key to leave it intact.
F3 Name: Renames the file selected by the bar cursor. in response to the New Name: prompt, type a six-character file name and press ENTER (No need to type .DO, .BA, or any other extension.) if you do not want to rename the file, press ENTER.
On the 100K disk drive the Name command requires an additional 1,300 bytes of free memory over the minimum needed to operate the program.
F4 RAM: Returns to the RAM File Menu.
F5 Frmt: Formats a blank 3 1/2 inch disk for your portable disk drive. Press Y to begin formatting; press any other key to return to the disk menu without formatting. This command is available only for the portable disk drives; it is not available for BOOSTER-LINK.
Caution: If you are not sure whether a disk contains data, it is a good practice before formatting to use the Log function key to make this determination. Any data on a disk when you format it will be lost.
Tandy F6, NEC SHFT F1 Log: Causes TS-DOS to activate the disk drive and display the directory of files on the disk now in the drive. Each time you change disks, press F6 to log that disk before using any of the other commands.
Tandy F7, NEC SHFT F2 Bank or MkDr: With the 200K portable disk drive, alternates between bank 0 and 1 (look in upper right corner of the menu for the current selection); with a PC-compatible computer and BOOSTER-LINK, allows you to create a directory on the PC compatible. (Not available unless you are using either a 200K portable disk drive or BOOSTER-LINK.)
Once you select this command to create a directory on a PC-compatible, move to that computer, which now asks for a name for the new directory. Type a name on the PC press ENTER to create the directory. That name now appears in the upper right corner of this menu on your notebook computer.
Tandy F8 NEC SHFT F5 Menu: Exits TS-DOS and returns to the main system menu of your computer with the disk version of TS-DOS, to the Ultimate ROM II menu with the Ultimate ROM II, or to the T-Word file-selection screen with T-Word/Sardine.
Paging
TS-DOS separates long lists of file names into "pages." When there are more files on disk than can appear at once in the Disk File Menu, you must move from page to page in order to view the files in their entirety. Press these keys to "page" through long lists of files:
Tagging
With tagging you can load, save, or kill several files at once — at a substantial savings in time. You can select certain files for tagging-or you can tag all files. You can remove tags one at a time or all at once.
The tag feature can be used in either the RAM File Menu or the Disk File Menu of TS-DOS. (It is not available with either the TEXT or BASIC commands of TS-DOS.)
In the RAM File Menu, you can tag files to be saved to disk or killed. In the Disk File Menu, you can tag files to be loaded into RAM or killed.
T Tags the name of the file selected by the bar cursor. Pressing Y places a < marker just in front of the filename. As soon as you finish tagging, press any of these function keys:
F1 in the RAM File Menu to save those files to disk without changing their names
F1 in the Disk File Menu to load those files into RAM without changing their names
F1 in either the RAM File Menu or the Disk File Menu to kill those files
As soon as you press a function key, the operation begins. It is complete when all of the > markers have disappeared.
To remove a < marker from a file name, place the bar cursor over the name and again press T.
G Tags all file names (Global Tag) displayed on the screen. Pressing G places the < marker at all of the file names. Once the files are tagged, load, S save, or kill them, as desired.
U Removes the tags (Untags) from all file names with the < marker.
Note: Any markers you place beside file names in either of the TS-DOS menus will automatically be removed as soon as you leave that menu.
Tagging More Than One Page of Files
You can tag only the files displayed on the screen. if there are more files than can fit on the screen at once you must tag files one screen at a time.
As an example, say that you are looking at the Disk File Menu on your Tandy 200 computer and you have some thirty files on the disk (too many to be displayed on the screen at once). Now you want to load into RAM files from both pages of files. Begin in the first page; tag the files you want loaded and press F1 to load them. Then press SHIFT DOWN ARROW to move to the second page and repeat the tagging and loading operations.
Printing and Other Section Commands
While using the RAM and Disk File Menus, you can...
P Prints the contents of the DO file selected by the bar cursor in the RAM File Menu or the Disk File Menu.
Once the printing has started, press any of these keys:
SPACE to pause the printing and to resume it.
ESC to cancel printing (or press SHIFT BREAK on the Tandy 100/102/200, SHIFT STOP on the NEC)
L Displays on the computer screen the contents of the DO file the file selected by the bar cursor. The file scrolls upward on the screen. Press SPACE to pause-and then resume-the scrolling at any point. Press ESC to cancel the operation. Once a file is w displayed in its entirely, press any key to return to a TS-DOS menu.
D Prints the directory of files in RAM or on the disk in the disk drive.
Using a printer with compressed print mode, you can print directories small enough to attach to 3 1/2 inch disks.
Compressing TEXT Files
With the TEXT Compression utility on the TS-DOS ROM chip you can compress document (.DO) files by as much as 30%. By compressing files you can fit more of them into your computer and onto disks.
When using TEXT Compression, keep these things in mind.
Compressing Files: R
Whether the extension becomes .DP or .DC depends on the ratio of uppercase to lowercase letters in the file. Either way, remember that any file names appearing on your screen with a .DP or .DC extension must be expanded before they can be used.
Expanding Files: R
To expand a compressed file, make sure it is in RAM. Then follow the steps for compressing files, above. In step 3, pressing R will change the extension from either .DP or .DC back to .DO. The file is now ready to use.
The Resident Portion of TS-DOS
The small resident portion of TS-DOS is integrated with the TEXT and BASIC programs built into your computer. When this portion is resident in your notebook computer you can perform certain operations without having to call up the TS-DOS menus.
While in TEXT on the Tandy computers, you can copy files to and from disk. On the NEC you can perform the same operations with TEXT files from the main system menu.
If you program in BASIC the resident portion of TS-DOS lets you write new programs — or convert existing programs &3151; to use all the capabilities of the portable disk drive.
The resident portion does not give you access to the TS-DOS file menus, but at only 2.7K, it does save memory space. After installing this resident portion in high memory, you can use it with TEXT files and in BASIC without having the TS-DOS loading program (TSLOAD.CO) in your computer or the operating program (DOSxxx.CO) resident in RAM or accessible on disk.
Conflicts with Other Programs
You should not install the resident portion of TS-DOS while any other program resides in high memory. (If you are using the ROM version of TS-DOS ignore this caution.)
This caution is intended particularly for users of the ROM View-80 program on the Ultimate ROM II chip. Remove TS-DOS from high memory; then use ROM View 80. You may could start your computer otherwise.
Installing the Resident Portion
F5 To install the resident portion of TS-DOS, simply press F5 in the RAM File Menu of TS-DOS. The function key prompt will is now installed.
Because this portion of TS-DOS is resident in high memory, you will not see it listed as a file in the main system menu of your computer.
Removing the Resident Portion
The resident portion will stay on until you return to the TS-DOS RAM File Menu and turn it off by pressing F5 The function key prompt changes from DOS-ON to DOS-OFF, indicating that the resident portion has been removed.
If you are using the disk version and the TS-DOS RAM File Menu is not available, you must enter BASIC to remove the resident portion.
TS-DOS TEXT Commands
With the resident portion of TS-DOS installed, you can both load and save TEXT files to and from disk.
On the Tandy computers these operations are performed while editing a file in TEXT. On the NEC, they are performed in the main system menu.
Remember that the resident portion of TS-DOS must be installed before you can use it. If it isn't installed, this message will appear after you press ENTER to access a disk: Aborted.
Saving Files
Tandy F3 NEC F2 Saves a TEXT file to disk. On the Tandy computers, press F3 while in a TEXT file. On the NEC, select a TEXT file in the main system menu and press F2.
On the Tandy 100/102/200. When you press F3, this prompt appears: Save to:. Type 0: (or 1: for the second bank of a 200K drive) and then up to six characters for the name under which you want the file to be saved on disk — no .DO extension required. Press ENTER.
If you press ENTER without typing a file name, you will abort the process. (If you see an Aborted message make sure that the write-protect tab on the disk completely covers the window.)
Caution: If you type a file name that already exists on disk, the TEXT file in RAM automatically will overwrite the disk file with that name.
On the NEC PC-8201/8300. When you press F2 this prompt appears: SAVE filename.DO as__. Type 0: (or 1: for the second bank of a 200K drive) and then up to six characters for the name under which you want the file to be saved on disk. End the file name with .DO. Press ENTER.
If you type 0: or 1: without including a name and press ENTER, the file selected by the bar cursor will be saved with its current file name.
Caution: If you designate a file name that already exists on disk, the TEXT file in RAM will overwrite the disk file with that name.
In response to the query Ready?__ , press Y or ENTER to begin the save process, any other key to abort it.
Loading Files
Tandy F2 NEC F1 Loads a file from disk and places it in RAM. On Tandy computers press F2 while in a TEXT file. On the NEC, press F1 in the main system menu.
On the Tandy 100/102/200. Pressing F2 places a TEXT file at the end of the currently selected file, regardless of the position of the cursor. When you press F2, this prompt appears: Load from:. Type 0: (or 1: for the second bank of a 200K drive) and then the file name you wish to load from disk — no .DO extension required. Press ENTER.
If you press ENTER without typing a file name, you will abort the process.
On the NEC PC-8201/8300. When you press F1 in the main system menu, this prompt appears: Load from___ Type 0: (or 1: for the second bank of a 200K drive) and then up to six characters for the name of the file to be loaded. End the file name with .DO. Press ENTER.
In response to the query Save as__, type up to six characters and a .DO extension for the name of the file you want in RAM. (Omit the 0: or 1: prefix.)
In response to the query Ready?__, press Y or ENTER to begin the loading process, any other key to abandon the operation.
If the file name you type in response to the Save as prompt already exists in RAM, you will see this message: Sure?__. Press Y to begin loading over the file in RAM; press any other key to cancel the load command and preserve the contents of the RAM file.
TS-DOS BASIC Commands
Through the resident portion of TS-DOS you can access your portable disk drive with standard BASIC commands. Whenever you use an input or output command, remember to precede the file name with the 0: or 1: prefix to designate a disk file instead of the RAM file default.
Note: Only one disk file can be open at a time. Close a disk file before opening another.
In practice, this means that you must separate your disk file read and write commands. Once you have opened a disk file, you cannot use any disk commands other than CLOSE or variations of INPUT and PRINT.
The following is a list of some of the BASIC commands you can use with your portable disk drive. Included with many of the commands are references to lines in the sample BASIC program listed in Appendix C. (This program is stored on the master disk as SAMPLE.BA.)
The Sample BASIC Program
SAMPLE.BA is included on your TS-DOS disk mainly to illustrate the use of BASIC commands to access disk and RAM files though you may well find use for this small (4K) program-either as it exists or as you modify it to your needs.
With SAMPLE. BA you can store names and addresses in a file on disk or in RAM and then print or list on screen the contents of that file.
The program also shows RAM and disk directories and lets you kill and rename files in RAM or on disk.
Starting SAMPLE.BA
To load SAMPLE.BA, place the master disk in your disk drive. Go to the TS-DOS Disk File Menu, place the cursor over SAMPLE BA, and press F1 to load. Press ENTER in response to the Load as: prompt.
Before running SAMPLE.BA, you must install the resident portion of TS-DOS. In the TS-DOS Disk File Menu, press F4 to return to the RAM File Menu; then press F5 to install the resident portion. Exit TS-DOS an return to the main system menu.
Using SAMPLE.BA
In the main system menu, place the bar cursor over SAMPLE.BA and press ENTER. This screen then appears:
Main Menu
=========
(D)irectory (A)dd record
(S)elect a file (L)ist report
(R)ename a file (P)rint report
(K)ill a file (Q)uit
File: Not Selected
|
The eight options are listed in two columns. The first letter of each option is enclosed in parentheses. To select an option, press the letter in parentheses — as an upper — or lowercase letter.
Example: Press D or d to select (D)irectory. This prompt then appears: (R)am or (D)isk. Press R for the directory of RAM files, D for the directory of disk files. Press any key to return to the main menu.
Note this message at the bottom of the main menu: File: Not Selected. You must select a file before renaming or killing files, adding records, or listing or printing reports.
To select a file, press S. This prompt then appears:
File name: [..........]
Type the file name in upper- or lowercase and press ENTER. (Whether you include the DO file is up to you.) The name you type should be that of an existing file unless you intend to open a new file and immediately begin to enter name and address records with the (A)dd record option.
The next prompt gives you the chance to designate the location of the file: (R)am or (D)isk. Press the appropriate key and you are returned to the main menu.
With the (A)dd record option, you can add records to a name and address file. Having pressed A, type the person's first name and press ENTER. Type the last name, press ENTER, and continue through street address, city, state, and ZIP code.
Once a record is complete, you have the chance to review its contents and tell the program whether the information you have entered is correct. Press Y to let it stand and to move to the next record. If you press N, you have the chance to re-enter the entire record.
To stop entering records, press 0 and ENTER in the first name field.
Press L to list on your screen the contents of your name and address file; press P to print the file. Note that these two options can be used only with files you have created using the (A)dd record option of this program.
With the (R)ename option, you will be asked to enter a new file name. Then you must designate whether the file is in RAM or on disk. Pressing R for a file now on disk, for example, will produce an error message and abort the program.
Press K to kill the selected file. Then press Y to complete the process, N to leave the file intact.
Press 0 to leave the program and return to the main system menu.
Aborted
You tried to use the TS-DOS TEXT commands without installing the resident portion through the RAM File Menu.
Communication Error
The DIP switches on the Tandy Portable Disk Drive may not all be turned off. The disk may be damaged or the disk drive may not be functioning properly.
Directory Full
Whether in RAM or on disk, you have used up all of the file slots and cannot enter a new file without deleting an existing file.
Disk Full
The disk has no more memory space, or, using the append option, you tried to create a file larger than 64K.
Disk not in Drive
There is no disk in the disk drive.
Drive not Ready
Your disk drive is not turned on, or it is not connected to your computer.
Drive Trouble
Your disk drive has an internal operating problem.
File Empty
The file you are trying to copy or rename is empty. It must have at least one character.
File Exists
When renaming a file, you have designated as the new name a name that already exists in RAM or on disk.
Printer not Ready
The printer is not turned on or it is not connected to the computer.
RAM Full
Your computer has no more memory space.
Write Protect
If copying to a disk or renaming a file on disk, make sure that the write-protect tab covers the hole.
#5 FC Function call error:
The resident portion of TS-DOS may not be turned on. Check the RAM File Menu and press F5 if the prompt for that key reads DOS-OFF. This message may also appear when you try to load a machine-language program into high memory or rename a file as one that already exists.
#7 OM Out of memory error:
There is not enough free memory in your computer for the file you want to load from disk. Or, if you are renaming a file, you have not left the 1,300 bytes free necessary to perform this operation.
#1810 [Tandy] #2410 [NEC] Input/output error:
There may be a variety of causes. Check your disk drive and see that it is turned on and connected to your computer. On the Tandy Portable Disk Drive, make sure that the DIP switches are all turned off. Make sure that there is a formatted disk in the drive and its write-protect tab covers the small window beneath it.
#26 UE Undefined error:
The file you are trying to copy is empty. TS-DOS cannot copy files unless they contain at least one character.
#52 FF File not found:
The file you have designated does not exist on the disk
#54 EF In put past end of file:
With your INPUT commands, you are trying to read something not included in the file.
#55 NM Bad file name:
The file name you have specified may not meet the requirements of your computer. Or in renaming a file, you have not included an extension.
#57 FL Disk limit error:
There is no more free memory on the disk, or you have used up all the file slots.
Once you have installed and initialized the TS-DOS chip, you are not committed to having the TS-DOS program in your computer forever. Because the TS-DOS file, which accesses the program, takes up only about 50 bytes of memory, it is unlikely you will want to remove it except to replace the TS-DOS chip with another.
Before removing the TS-DOS chip, first make sure that TS-DOS is turned off. Then remove the TS-DOS program by killing the TS-DOS file.
Turning TS-DOS Off
Removing the Program
Enter BASIC and kill the TS-DOS file.
Removing the Chip
Once you have killed the TS-DOS file, turn the computer off, remove the cover from the ROM expansion compartment, and gently pry the chip free.
Replacing the Chip
Each time you replace the TS-DOS chip in your computer, you must follow the installation and initializing steps outlined in Section 2.
Failure to re-initialize and re-install the chip each time you replace it in your computer may cause your computer to cold start and lose all the contents of its memory.
A Guide to SAMPLE. BA
Outlined below are the major routines of the SAMPLE.BA program, explained in Section 6. The numbers refer to the lines in which the routines appear in the program.
Main program 15-220 (D)irectory option 1500-1540 (S)elect a file option 2000-2060 (R)ename a file option 2500-2580 (K)ilI a file option 3000-3040 (A)dd record option 3500-3830 (L)ist record option 4000-4070 (P)rint report option 4500-4600 (R)am or (D)isk prompt 8000-8060 Optional entry of DO extension 8050-8060 Select a file first prompt 8500-8520 Centering text on screen 9000-9020 Get character routine 9500-9520 Get string input routine 10000-20530 |
10 'SAMPLE TS-DOS PROGRAM 15 CLEAR 256:SCREEN,0 20 BS$=CHR$(8):DE$=CHR$(128):CR$=CHR$(13) 30 CH$="D"+"S"+"R"+"K"+"A"+"L"+"P" 40 VK$=BS$+DE$+CR$ 50 NU$="":DT$="." 60 HT$="(Hit any key to continue)" 70 RD$="(R)am or (D)isk" 80 MG$="Not Selected" 90 ER$="Select a file first" 100 FN$="File name: [........]" 105 ':::[ Main program starts here ]::: 110 CLS 120 A$="Main Menu":GOSUB 9000:PRINT 130 A$="==== ====":GOSUB 9000:PRINT 140 PRINT " (D)irectory";TAB(25);"(A)dd record" 150 PRINT " (S)elect a file";TAB(25);"(L)ist report" 160 PRINT " (R)ename a file";TAB(25);"(P)rint report" 170 PRINT " (K)ill a file";TAB(25);"(Q)uit" 180 PRINT 190 IF FD$="" OR FD$=".DO" THEN FD$=MG$ 200 A$="File: "+FD$:GOSUB 9000 210 GOSUB 9500 220 IF C$="Q" THEN MENU 230 ON INSTR(CH$,C$)+1GOSUB1000,1500,2000,2500,3000,3500,4000,4500 240 CLOSE#1:GOTO 110 250 :::::[ END OF MAIN PROGRAM ]::::: 260 :::::[ SUBROUTINES BEGIN HERE ]:: 1000 BEEP:BEEP:RETURN 'hit a wrong key return to 240 1499 'Directory Routine 1500 CLS:GOSUB 8000 1510 CLS 1520 IF C$="R" THEN FILES ELSE LFILES 1530 PRINT:PRINT:A$=HT$:GOSUB 9000 1540 GOSUB 9500:RETURN 1999 'File selection routine 2000 CLS:PRINT:PRINT:A$=FN$:GOSUB 9000 2010 FOR I=1 TO 9:PRINT BS$;:NEXT I 2020 GOSUB 10000:IF IS$="" THEN 2055 2022 CLS 2030 GOSUB 8000 2040 IF LEN(IS$)> 2 THEN GOSUB 8050 ELSE IS$=IS$+".DO" 2050 IF C$="D" THEN IS$="0:"+IS$ 2055 FD$=IS$ 2060 RETURN 2499 'Rename a file routine 2500 CLS:PRINT:PRINT 2510 IF FD$=MG$ THEN GOTO 8500 2520 A$="Enter New file name: [........]":GOSUB 9000 2530 FOR I=1 TO 9:PRINT BS$;:NEXT I 2540 GOSUB 10000 2550 IF LEN(IS$)>2 THEN GOSUB 8050 ELSE IS$=IS$+".DO" 2560 GOSUB 8000 2570 IF C$="D" THEN IS$="0:"+IS$ 2580 NAME FD$ AS IS$:FD$=IS$:RETURN 2999 'Kill file routine 3000 CLS:IF FD$=MG$ THEN GOTO 8500 3010 PRINT:PRINT:A$="OK to delete"+FD$+" (Y/N)":GOSUB 9000:GOSUB 9500 3020 IF C$<>"Y" THEN GOTO 3040 3030 KILL FD$:FD$="" 3040 RETURN 3499 'Add Record Routine 3500 IF FD$=MG$ THEN GOTO 8500 3510 CLS 3520 A$="ENTER NEW MEMBER":GOSUB 9000 3530 PRINT 3540 PRINT"Enter first name" 3550 PRINT"(or 0 to quit) [...............]"; 3560 FOR I=1 TO 16:PRINTBS$;:NEXT I 3570 GOSUB 10000:F$=IS$ 3575 IF F$="0" THEN RETURN 3580 PRINT"Last Name [....................]"; 3600 FOR I=1 TO 21:PRINTBS$;:NEXT I 3610 GOSUB 10000:L$=IS$ 3620 PRINT"Address [....................]"; 3630 FOR I=1 TO 21:PRINTBS$;:NEXTI 3640 GOSUB 10000:S$=IS$ 3650 PRINT"City [....................]"; 3660 FOR I=1 TO 21:PRINTBS$;:NEXTI 3670 GOSUB 10000:Y$=IS$ 3680 PRINT"State [..]";BS$;BS$;BS$; 3690 GOSUB 10000:E$=IS$ 3700 PRINT"Zip Code [.....]"; 3710 FOR I=1 TO 6:PRINTBS$;:NEXTI 3720 GOSUB 10000: Z$=IS$ 3730 CLS:PRINT 3740 PRINT"First Name: "+F$ 3750 PRINT"Last Name: "+L$ 3760 PRINT"Address: "+S$ 3770 PRINT"City, St: "+Y$+", "+E$ 3780 PRINT"Zip Code: "+Z$ 3785 PRINT:PRINT" Is this correct (Y/N)?" 3790 GOSUB 9500 3800 IF C$="N" GOTO 3510 3810 OPENFD$FORAPPENDAS1 3820 PRINT#1,F$;",";L$;",";S$;",";Y$;",";E$;",";Z$ 3830 CLOSE#1:GOTO 3510 3999 'List report routine 4000 IF FD$=MG$ THEN GOTO 8500 4010 OPENFD$FORINPUTAS1 4020 INPUT#1,F$,L$,S$,Y$,E$,Z$ 4030 CLS:PRINT F$;" ";L$ 4040 PRINT S$:PRINT Y$:PRINT E$:PRINT Z$ 4045 PRINT:PRINT:A$=HT$:GOSUB 9000:GOSUB 9500 4050 IF EOF(1) THEN GOTO 4070 4060 GOTO 4020 4070 CLOSE#1:RETURN 4499 'Print report routine 4500 IF FD$=MG$ THEN GOTO 8500 4510 CLS:PRINT:PRINT:A$="Hit any key to begin printing":GOSUB 9000:GOSUB 9500 4520 OPENFD$FORINPUTAS1 4530 INPUT#1,F$,L$,S$,Y$,E$,Z$ 4540 LPRINTF$;" ";L$ 4550 LPRINTS$ 4560 LPRINTY$;", ";E$;" ";Z$ 4570 LPRINT 4580 IF EOF(1) THEN GOTO 4600 4590 GOTO 4530 4600 CLOSE#1:RETURN 7999 'Ram or Disk prompt routine 8000 CLS:PRINT:PRINT:A$=RD$:GOSUB 9000 8010 GOSUB 9500:RETURN 8020 'Is there an extension if not add .DO 8050 IF MID$(IS$,LEN(IS$)-2,1)<>"." THEN IS$=IS$+".DO" 8060 RETURN 8499 'Select file first prompt routine 8500 CLS:PRINT:PRINT:A$=ER$:GOSUB 9000 8510 PRINT:PRINT:A$=HT$:GOSUB 9500 8520 RETURN 8999 'Center text routine 9000 I=(40-LEN(A$))/2 9010 PRINTTAB(I);A$; 9020 RETURN 9499 'Get Character routine 9500 C$=INKEY$:IF C$="" THEN GOTO 9500 9505 'Line 9510 checks to see if character is 9506 'uppercase, if not then make it uppercase 9510 IF C$>"Z" THEN C$=CHR$(ASC(C$)-32) 9520 RETURN 9999 'Get String input routine 10000 IF WS$=NU$ THEN GOSUB 10500 10030 IS$=WS$ 10040 WS$=NU$ 10050 RETURN 10500 IC$=INKEY$:IF IC$="" THEN 10500 10510 ON INSTR(VK$,IC$)+1 GOTO 10540,20000,20000,20500 10530 'Line 10540 checks for a printable character 10540 IF IC$ < " " OR IC$ > "z" THEN GOTO 10500 10544 'If character is not uppercase change it to uppercase 10545 IF IC$>"Z" THEN IC$=CHR$(ASC(IC$)-32) 10550 B$=B$+IC$ 10560 PRINT IC$; 10570 GOTO 10500 19999 'backspace routine 20000 IF LEN(B$) < 1 THEN GOTO 10500 20010 B$=MID$(B$,1,(LEN(B$)-1)) 20020 PRINT BS$;DT$;BS$; 20030 GOTO 10500 20499 'Carriage return routine 20500 WS$=B$ 20510 B$=NU$ 20520 PRINT 20530 RETURN |
Upon losing your files to a cold start, and if you have a TS-DOS ROM installed in your machine, issue the following command in BASIC.
In both cases, in a few moments you will be returned to the menu with a file called RECOVR.DO wherein you will find your .DO file contents -- use cut and past to separate.
The Original Laptop Computer . . . 1983