• Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions (21/31)

    From Michael Current@21:1/5 to Marc G. Frank on Sat Jul 11 11:02:10 2020
    [continued from previous message]

    1200XL computers. With the RAMBO XL, gives a 192KiB RAM drive.
    - RD260.COM supports the 800XL RAM upgrade to 256KiB as published in
    the September 1985 BYTE magazine by Claus Buchholz, giving a 192KiB
    RAM drive.
    - Several notable patches to SpartaDOS 3.2d have been developed, such as:
    o Bob Woolley created a patch utility program that will modify SpartaDOS
    3.2d to support the XF551's high speed I/O
    o "SpartaDOS 3.2z" was the result of a patch developed and distributed by
    Computer Software Services (CSS, Bob Puff) for SpartaDOS 3.2d to allow
    SpartaDOS to support the CSS Multiplexer (MUX).
    See: http://nleaudio.com/css/products/Mux_docs.htm
    - Rights purchased from ICD by Fine Tooned Engineering (FTe, Mike Hohman) in
    1993 (November?).
    - FTe SpartaDOS 3.2g changes included:
    o Support for a ninth drive, D9:
    o D: means current working drive, instead of D1:
    o Full support for upper/lower case
    o CWD, CREDIR, DELDIR commands changed to CD, MD, RD
    o TDLINE Y2K bug fixed
    o 1200XL function keys work properly
    SpartaDOS 3.2gx differs only in that it locates the disk buffers under the
    OS to save RAM. 3.2gx is intended for use in systems that include a
    parallel device (MIO, Black Box); it is not compatible with BASIC XE nor
    any other programs using RAM under the OS.
    - Many disk-based SpartaDOS versions are available for download from
    Thunderdome, kept by SysOp Fox-1: http://mixinc.net/atari/a8men.htm
    Direct link: http://mixinc.net/atari/download_a8/sdsys.htm#top

    SuperDOS V2.9 (C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.3E(C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.3T(C) 1986 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V4.4 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V5.0 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SuperDOS V5.1 (C) 1988 Paul Nicholls
    SUPERDOS V5.2 (C)2012 JAMES BRADFORD
    ------------------------------------
    - Developed by Paul Nicholls for Super Products (Australia), Happy Computers
    (USA), Technical Support (USA), Antic Arcade Catalog (USA)
    - Disk drive types supported:
    1) Atari 810 (& compatible)
    2) Atari 1050 (& compatible)
    3) SSDD 5.25" Single-Sided, Double Density
    4) Supermax high speed (versions 4.x and up)
    5) XF551 high speed (versions 5.x)
    6) US Doubler UltraSpeed (versions 5.x)
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    3) Atari DOS 2.5
    4) "Atari DOS 2 Skewed Sectors" for Supermax drives
    Antic: "Skewed sector disks read and write much faster than standard
    format disks (while Atari DOS 2.0 and 2.5 can still read and write
    them)."
    - Menu driven. Density-smart: Automatic density detection.
    - Fully RAM-resident. Highly configurable.
    - Supports four floppy disk drives and assumes that any drive reference above
    4 is a RAM drive.
    - RAM drive support is provided for Axlon banked memory (128KiB or 256KiB) or
    Port B banked memory (256KiB or 320KiB).
    - V5.0 changes:
    1. Full support for the Atari XF551 disk drive, including Double-
    sided/Double density and high speed transfer.
    2. Complete XF551 compatibility with previous disk drives. Double
    density drives can read files on Double-sided disks (just as
    Single density drives can read Enhanced density disks).
    3. High speed transfer and skewed sectors for US Doubler, XF551, and
    SUPERMAX.
    4. Full sector count displayed, no more 999+.
    5. Full support for Newell 256KiB memory upgrade for 800XL.
    6. Hold down [Esc] during boot up to reserve the 130XE memory banks
    for your program. 256KiB and 320KiB computers can use BASIC XE and a
    RAM drive.
    7. Bug in RAM drive reboot (coldstart) routine fixed.
    8. The right margin is no longer set to 37.
    - Rights and source code purchased by James Bradford (1994?)
    - V5.2 changes:
    - Modded slightly to increase the RAM drive speed
    - Disabled the Axlon banked memory RAM drive support
    - Available:
    http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/197622-superdos-ramdisk-speed/

    BiboDOS V 5.1N (p) E.Reuss (c) 1987 COMPY SHOP
    BiboDOS V 5.2F (p) E.Reuss (c) 07/1987 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 5.4RF (p) E.Reuss (c) 06/1988 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 6.4RF (p) E.Reuss (c) 06/1988 Compy-Shop
    BiboDOS 5.4AN Turbo-BASIC-Version/R-Disk Jan/89
    Bibo-DOS 7.0 (p) E.Reuss (c) 1990 by J.Kruszona
    --------------------
    - XL/XE only
    - Densities supported: single, medium, double
    - Disk allocation/filesystems:
    1) Atari DOS 2.0 Single Density
    2) Atari DOS 2.5 Enhanced Density ("Medium Density")
    3) Atari DOS 2.0 Double Density
    4) "Atari DOS 2.0 Quad Density" (XF551 DSDD 360KiB)
    - Version 6 and up only
    - Extension to above standards:
    Long/large directories (128 files per disk)
    - N versions without high speed support
    - F versions support high speed with the Speedy 1050 and Happy
    - R versions support 64KiB, 128KiB, or 256KiB RAM drive for Port B
    banked memory.
    - 130XE and Compy-Shop memory upgrade types supported by default;
    can also be customized to support other memory upgrade types

    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 1.5 (1988 February)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 1.7 (1988 August)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 2.0 (1989)
    Turbo-DOS XL/XE 2.1 (1990)
    --------------------------
    - Developed by Martin Reitershan, Herbert Barth, and Frank Bruchhaeuser
    for Martin Reitershan Computertechnik
    - Supports a wide range of relatively advanced hardware while maintaining a
    very high degree of compatibility with Atari DOS 2.5.
    - Master-Disk produces 4 different versions:
    1) Normal Version
    2) HS: Version for 1050 with Happy or Speedy 1050
    3) XF: Version for XF551 high speed
    4) EX: Full version (all three versions)
    - Andreas Koch contributes:
    supports 256KiB Xtra RAM / RD and supports use of batch files; has converter for DOS 3 and DOS 4; supports 4 formats, up to DSDD 360KiB; does not use RAM under OS ROM; DUP uses a Command Processor; all commands are available via
    HELP key; works with XL/XE computers only, does not load/boot on Atari
    400/800.
    - Atari DOS XLE (1990), developed by Reitershan, was built upon Turbo-DOS.

    BW-DOS Ver. 1.00 (C) BEWESOFT 1994 (Jiri Bernasek)(94-06-16)
    BW-DOS Ver. 1.10 (C) BEWESOFT / ABBUC 1994 (94-07-14)
    - Update #1 Released: 4/95
    BW-DOS Ver. 1.30 (C) BEWESOFT 1995 (Jiri Bernasek)(95-12-17)
    - Update #2 Released (with Ver. 1.30): 95-12-17
    ------------------
    Another popular, powerful DOS is BW-DOS (it is pronounced "Bay Vay Dos"), freeware by Jiri Bernasek - BEWESOFT.
    Disk allocation/filesystem: SpartaDOS File System (SDFS) version 2.0
    Andreas Koch writes: "SpartaDOS compatible. Does not use any speeder internally, but comes with external XF551 speeder. Supports 4 drives and RAM drive for Port B banked memory up to 1MiB; supports 4 densities: a) Single (90KiB), b) Enhanced/Medium (130KiB), c) Double (180KiB) and d) DSDD (360KiB); does not use any RAM under OS ROM (so it works on an Atari 800 and with Turbo- BASIC XL); unlike SpartaDOS most commands are external, thus the DOS is only 5KiB short; supports a PAL clock (made by ABBUC regional group "ARGS"); comes with many great utilities (which can also be used with SpartaDOS)."
    - Ver. 1.10 distributed by ABBUC as the "Jahresgabe" 1994
    - BW-DOS Update #1 Released: 4/95
    - New versions of: MENU, RAMDISK, DIRMAST.
    - New commands: MOVE, RTIME8, ARGSRTC
    - New driver: ARGSPRN
    - New program: BWDFUNCT.BAS
    - New in BW-DOS 1.30:
    - Reading the last byte of a file is now indicated by status 3.
    - Installation of new "E:" drivers is now allowed.
    - The command "TYPE" is no more limited to 64 characters per line.
    - The method of handling the allocation pointers (positions 18 and 20 in
    sector 1) was changed. The new method provides much better protection
    of the directory-area on disk, and so the directories are not mixed
    between data sectors as often as under older BW-DOS versions or
    SpartaDOS. This results in faster access to directories. 100% read/
    write compatibility with every SpartaDOS versions 2.x and later
    retained.
    - BW-DOS Update #2 Release: 12/95 with BW-DOS 2.30
    - New versions of: BACKUP, COPY, UNERASE
    - New commands: DOSDRIVE, NEWED
    - New driver: RAMBOX
    Available: http://wiki.strotmann.de/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=BEWE%20DOS%201.30%20Manual

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.3.5) What should I know about filenames and filename extensions?

    Atari disk operating systems generally support file specifications in the form of a filename of 1 to 8 characters, with an optional filename extension of
    zero to 3 characters.

    Valid characters for use in filenames/filename extensions:
    (varies somewhat by DOS version)
    - The letters 'A' to 'Z'
    - The digits '0' to '9'
    (Many DOS versions do not permit filenames to start with a digit.)
    - The underscore character ('_') (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    - The "at" symbol ('@') (DOS XE)
    Spaces and other characters are generally not permitted.

    Filenames, including filename extensions, are generally arbitrary, but file naming conventions can be helpful. The most common method is to reserve specific extensions for certain types of files. The following list contains some of the more commonly used extensions and their typical corresponding file types.

    Filenames reserved by some DOS versions for files to be automatically run at system startup are listed here as well.

    File formats are binary unless described below as "text" where:
    - Binary format files are made up of a sequence of bytes of any value from
    0-255.
    - Text format files (technically, a special case of binary files) are
    limited to printable/displayable alpha-numeric characters and symbols,
    organized into lines.

    .ACT Action! program source code
    .ALF AlfCrunch archive file containing one or more compressed files
    .AMP Antic Music Processor file
    .AMS Advanced MusicSystem file or Advanced MusicSystem II file
    .ARC Archive file containing one or more compressed files, compatible with
    the multi-platform SEA ARC format. On the Atari, best supported by
    SuperARC/SuperUnArc or the SpartaDOS X ARC external command.
    .ASM Assembler Editor program source code, LISTed. ATASCII text.
    .ASC ASCII text file
    .ATA ATASCII text file
    .BAS BASIC SAVEd program. Less common: .SAV
    .BAT Batch file of DOS commands (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS). ATASCII text.
    - AUTOEXEC.BAT batch file runs at system boot
    (DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    .BIN (1) File transferred using CompuServe CIS 'A' Protocol. Fully supported
    on the Atari by TSCOPE/MSCOPE/RSCOPE; also download support by Express!
    3.x (file naming convention used on CompuServe before February 1987); or
    (2) a ROM dump file as described in another section of this FAQ list
    regarding file formats for entire disks/tapes/cartridges.
    .BXL BASIC XL SAVEd program
    .BXE BASIC XE SAVEd program
    .CMD Batch file of DOS Commands (XDOS). ATASCII text.
    .COM DOS external Command (DOS 2.5,DOS XE,SpartaDOS,RealDOS,XDOS)
    .CTB Compiled Turbo-BASIC XL program
    .DAT Data file (typically created/used by another program)
    .DCM Disk Communicator 3.2 disk image file. Less common: .DSK or .DC3
    .DOC Documentation text file (perhaps ASCII or ATASCII)
    .DOS DOS system file (SpartaDOS,RealDOS)
    .EXE Executable ('Load and Go') machine language (object code) program
    .HLP Help text file (perhaps ASCII or ATASCII)
    .LGO LOGO SAVEd workspace file. ATASCII text.
    .LST LISTed BASIC program. ATASCII text. Less common: .LIS
    .M65 MAC/65 SAVEd program source code
    .MIC Micro-Painter picture file ("uncompressed"; 62 sectors under DOS 2.0S).
    Format, minus color data, also supported by Illustrator versions using
    the filename PICTURE and [Insert] to save file or [Clear] to load file. .MUS Music Composer file
    .OBJ Object code (machine language) file (not 'Load and Go')
    .OBX Modern naming convention for an object code (machine language) file (not
    'Load and Go'). Used to discourage modern computers from thinking that
    Atari .OBJ files might be MS-DOS/MS-Windows object code files.
    .PIC Micro Illustrator/KoalaPainter/AtariArtist "compressed" picture
    .PLT PILOT SAVEd program. ATASCII text.
    .PRN Text file formatted for copying to Printer (perhaps ASCII)
    .SAV File named MEM.SAV may be employed by DOS to preserve the contents of
    memory to disk when DUP.SYS (DOS 2.0,DOS 2.5) or KCP.SYS (DOS 3) is
    loaded into memory.
    .SCP SpartaDOS SCOPY disk image file. Used with SCOPY, an external command
    distributed with SpartaDOS 3.2.
    .SFX Self-Extracting archive file. Created with the CTH SFX program.
    .SYS DOS System file or driver
    - AUTO.SYS can be used to automatically poke data in RAM locations on
    system startup (DOS I)
    - AUTORUN.SYS binary file is launched on system boot
    (DOS 2.0,DOS 3,DOS 2.5,RealDOS,XDOS)
    - AUTORUN.SYS batch file of DOS commands runs at system boot (XDOS) .TUR Turbo-BASIC XL SAVEd program. Less common: .TBS
    .TXT Text file (perhaps ATASCII or ASCII)
    .UTL A DOS external utility program (DOS 3)
    .XEX Modern naming convention for an executable ('Load and Go') machine
    language (object code) program. Used to discourage modern computers
    from thinking that Atari .EXE files might be MS-DOS/MS-Windows
    executable programs.
    .XMO Binary file, uploaded/download using XMODEM file transfer protocol
    (file naming convention used on CompuServe before February 1987)

    Additional file extensions associated with Atari picture formats are listed at the website for RECOIL (Retro Computer Image Library), a viewer of pictures in native formats of the Atari 8-bit (and other platforms) for modern computers: http://recoil.sourceforge.net/

    Additional file extensions associated with Atari music formats are listed at the website for ASAP (Another Slight Atari Player), a player of Atari 8-bit music for modern computers: http://asap.sourceforge.net/

    File extensions associated with Atari disk image, cassette image, or cartridge ROM formats normally used with Atari emulators, rather than on the Atari itself, are described elsewhere in this FAQ list.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.3.6) What Atari programs can use MS-DOS 5.25" or 3.5" diskettes?

    Except for recent versions of SpartaDOS X, Disk Operating Systems designed for the Atari are not designed to use MS-DOS format floppy disks directly, in part corresponding to the fact that disk drives designed for the Atari do not normally support such disk formats.

    This section highlights software programs designed to run on the Atari that allow the Atari to use an MS-DOS formatted floppy disk in combination with a disk drive also supporting such formats.

    Solutions involving modern storage devices with firmware that emulates Atari floppy disks, so that the devices can be used by Atari DOS versions using native Atari DOS filesystems, are described elsewhere in this FAQ list.

    IBMXFR IBM Transfer Program, by Happy Computers, Inc.
    - For use with the Happy 1050 Enhancement upgrade for the Atari 1050
    - Can read/write 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks

    IBM DOS and IBM 360, by TOMS
    - Available on ROM in TOMS Turbo Drive LDW, TOMS Multi Drive LDW, and
    TOMS Multi Drive 1050 disk drive upgrades
    - Can read/write 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks

    IBMST, by TOMS
    - Available on ROM in TOMS 720/720C/720CR floppy disk drives for the Atari
    - Can read/write:
    - 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD Atari ST (MS-DOS like) format 720KiB floppy disks

    IBMREAD.COM IBM/ST Transfer Utility, by Computer Software Services (CSS)
    - Supplied on disk with the XF Update, XF Single Drive Upgrade, and
    XF Dual Drive Upgrade for the Atari XF551
    - With XF Update, can read:
    - 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - With XF Single Drive Upgrade or XF Dual Drive Upgrade, can read:
    - 3.5" SS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" DS-DD MS-DOS format 720KiB floppy disks
    - Supports the increased sector density of the 'twister' ST disk formats
    (10 sectors/track)
    - Supports ASCII->ATASCII text conversion

    BBXFER.COM, version 1.9, by Computer Software Services (CSS)
    - Available on ROM in CSS Black Box/Floppy Board interface combination
    - Can read/write:
    - 5.25" SS-DD MS-DOS format 180KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 5.25" DS-HD MS-DOS format 1200KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" SS-DD MS-DOS format 360KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" DS-DD MS-DOS format 720KiB floppy disks
    - 3.5" DS-HD MS-DOS format 1440KiB floppy disks

    SpartaDOS X, by DLT Ltd.
    - Can read MS-DOS FAT12 (as of SDX 4.46) or FAT16 (as of SDX 4.47)
    format storage media, including floppy disks and hard disks
    - Hardware device must support 512-byte sectors
    - SDX detailed elsewhere in this FAQ list

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.4) Are there Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for the Atari?

    Section started by: Andreas Koch
    Other contributors: Mathy van Nisselroy, Kathleen Ferrante

    G.O.S. by Total Control Systems (David Sullivan)
    - Public domain program released 1986 (written in Action!)

    Window XL/XE (c)1986, by Joerg Forg / Megamania Soft inc.
    - Andreas Koch writes: a Turbo-BASIC XL GUI with some nice add-ons, like
    calculator, editor and other things.

    RAOS (Rat Actuated Operating System) by Zobian Controls
    - Marketed 1986/1987 for use with the company's SuperRAT or earlier RAT
    mouse controllers (neither of which shipped)
    - Was to include Z-DOS desktop (DUP.SYS replacement)
    - Never shipped

    XL-TOS by Marc Ebner
    - Published in Atari Magazin, 1987/01 Jan/Feb, with supplements published
    in issues 3/4-87 Mar/Apr and 5/6-87 May/Jun.
    - Andreas Koch writes: the BASIC file, which consists of many data lines
    creates a short object code file); unfortunately this GUI only looks
    good, it loads almost nothing...

    GOE (cartridge), developed by Total Control Systems (David Sullivan)
    - Written in Assembly
    - Promoted by Merrill Ward & Assoc. / Shelly Merrill as "ST Jr." early 1988
    - Demo version(s?) released by TCS fall 1988
    - Full cartridge version never shipped.

    Diamond GOS, developed by Reeve Software / ReeveSoft (Alan Reeve)
    (co-marketed by USA Media / Shelly Merrill as "ST Jr." Aug 1988 - Apr 1989)
    - Supports: DOS 2.5 and compatible, SpartaDOS, DOS XE
    o Diamond GOS version 1 (1988)
    - Diamond DeskTop 1.0 (disk) DUP.SYS replacement
    o Diamond GOS version 2 (1989) package:
    - Diamond DeskTop 2.0 (cartridge) + Utility Diskette
    - Diamond Programmer's Kit (Programmer's Manual)
    - Diamond Paint (disk)
    o Diamond GOS version 3 (1991) package:
    - Diamond DeskTop 3.0 (cartridge) + utility diskette
    - Diamond Paint (disk)
    - Diamond Write (disk)

    Atari Desktop, by Piotr Bieniek (c) 1992 ABC Software (Poland)
    Andreas Koch writes: includes editors, converters, file copiers, sector
    copy, tape+turbo tape copy, small games, CMC finder and player and much
    much more; works with 64KiB RAM and keyboard input; disk manuals only in
    Polish language...

    Screen Aided Management (SAM) by RaindorfSoft for Power Per Post (Germany)
    - It is available in two different versions:
    a) Atari Magazin type-in listings or Lazy Fingers disks (public domain)
    b) Commercial version 2.0 which has many add-ons
    - Supports: Atari DOS 2.5
    - V1.25i, 1994 is available from DGS, http://www.dgs.clara.net/
    DGS SAM page: http://www.dgs.clara.net/sam.htm

    BOSS-XL by Mirko Sobe (MS Software)
    - Requires 64KiB XL/XE
    - Supports: ATARI-DOS, Turbo-DOS
    - Current Version: v4.5 Edition 2000 (primary development 1993-1997)
    - System Software:
    - File Manager (Desktop was the BOSS-XL V2.0)
    - BOSS-font editor (XE-version)
    - Icon Editor (XL-/XE-Version)
    - Written in Turbo-BASIC XL

    BOSS-XE by Mirko Sobe (MS Software)
    - Requires 64KiB XL/XE, 128KiB or more recommended
    - Supports: ATARI-DOS, Turbo-DOS
    - Current Version: v8.1 Edition 2000 (developed 1997-2000)
    - Written in Turbo-BASIC XL
    - System Software:
    - BOSS parameter
    - BOSS-font editor (XE-version)
    - Icon editor (XL / XE version)

    BOSS-X by Mirko Sobe (MS Software)
    - Requires 128KiB XL/XE, 256KiB or more recommended
    - Supports: MYDOS 4.50 and above; Atari ST Mouse
    - Current Version: 10:33, 2003 (developed 2000-2003)
    - Written in Turbo-BASIC XL
    - System Software:
    - File Manager
    - BOSS parameter
    - BOSS-font editor (X version)
    - Icon editor (X version for colored symbols)
    - BOSS-X framework
    - multiple screen savers

    ST-TOS a small BASIC program, that looks like a GUI; it can merely load
    BASIC files and do a few DOS commands, like lock, unlock, delete and such...

    BASIC desktop, a GUI written in BASIC just as a sample, what can be done
    with an 8-bit computer; this one loads BASIC and text files (maybe also ML
    files);

    DCS, the desktop construction set from Tom Hunt; there are 3 different
    versions available, a) for DOS 2.5, b) for MyDOS and c) for Sparta-DOS; I have tested the Sparta DOS version, which worked with batch files and could easily load some ML files, text files and BASIC files (which were already on the DCS disk); it also works with high densities and/or hard disk partitions up to 16MiB and supports subdirs of course; hmm, freeware or shareware ?!?

    ATOS - GUI by Tom Hunt/Closer To Home.
    1) Lets you use any demo or intro as a screen saver!!
    2) Works with all Atari hardware, BB, MIO and Hard drives, SpartaDOS support
    3) Lets you run files like full games and demos and then
    return back to the desktop. It uses Overlays.

    TRS Desktop by Tristesse (By Epi, Pin, Trub) (2005)
    - A graphic user interface for SpartaDOS X to be used with hard drives.
    - http://www.atari8.info/trsdesktop.php
    - http://trub.atari8.info/sdx_files/TRS_desktop_v09d_alfa.zip

    GUI project demo, by Jonathan Halliday (2012)
    - A work in progress

    ------------------------------

    Subject: 7.5) What should I know about R: and T: modem device handlers?

    The Atari computer Operating System does not provide a modem device handler. Modems can be connected to the Atari in several different physical ways: via
    an 850 interface or equivalent, via a joystick/controller port, or via the SIO port. For each way a modem can be connected to the Atari, application
    software code specific to that type of modem must be utilized by the computer to communicate with the modem.

    Some Atari programs, especially commercial telecommunications programs, simply support one or several specific modem types, incorporating the necessary modem-specific software routines internally.

    Some programs, especially earlier public domain/freeware/shareware programs, were released in several versions, each dedicated to a particular modem or modem type.

    Finally, as multiple modem types gained popularity, public domain/freeware/ shareware authors started abstracting the modem device handling software routine from the rest of their telecommunication programs, allowing for a single version of the main program to work with one or more separately- distributed modem handler routines. Users were then expected to combine an application with an appropriate modem handler in order to create a complete, working telecommunications software package.

    This section attempts to list all Atari modem device handler files that can be used in combination with telecommunications programs requiring such a handler.

    R: modem device handler on 850 interface ROM

    The 850 contains an R: handler, supporting devices R1: through R4:, in its
    ROM. This R: handler supports the full range of capabilities of the RS-232-C serial interface ports provided by the 850, but is typically used with an RS- 232-C serial interface modem.

    With no powered disk drive #1 present, the R: handler loads from the ROM of a powered 850 into computer RAM on system startup. An extended beep is emitted through the computer's audio signal as the handler is loaded.

    The R: handler can also be loaded from 850 ROM into computer RAM as part of a system Disk Boot or afterward by running a brief software utility for that purpose. Such utilities include:
    - AUTORUN.SYS, distributed with Atari DOS 2.0S (1980)
    - RS232.COM, distributed with OS/A+ and DOS XL by OSS (1982-1984)
    - RS232FIX.COM, distributed with DOS XL by OSS (1982-1984).
    Explicitly attempts to correct some of the known bugs in the 850 R: handler. - HANDLERS.SYS, distributed with Atari DOS 3 (1983)
    - RS232.ARx, distributed with SmartDOS by Rana Systems (1984)
    - Should be renamed RS232.AR1 to be autorun by SmartDOS
    - Supports both warm and cold re-boots of the system
    - AUTORUN.SYS, as generated by the Atari DOS 2.5 SETUP.COM utility (1984)
    - RS232.COM for SpartaDOS, distributed with ICD SpartaDOS and with the ICD
    P:R: Connection (1986)
    - RS232.SYS for Atari DOS 2, distributed with the ICD P:R: Connection (1986)
    - BOOT850.COM, distributed with AMODEM 7.4 and 7.5 by Trent Dudley (1987)
    - RDRIVER.SYS, distributed with Atari DOS XE (1988)
    - ATARI850.AUT, distributed with MYDOS 4.50
    - X850.COM, distributed with ANSITERM by Robert Sinclair (1992)
    - PR.COM, distributed with ANSITERM by Robert Sinclair (1992)
    - RS232.COM, part of RealDOS
    - RS232.COM, part of SpartaDOS X

    Special to the P:R: Connection (popular 850 workalike):
    - PRC.SYS is an R: handler "translator" distributed with the P:R: Connection
    by ICD (1986). Allows some telecommunications programs (such as HomePak
    HomeTerm) with integrated support for 850-based modems, but that do not load
    or use the internal 850 R: handler, to work with the P:R: Connection.

    R: modem device handlers for MPP-1000C, MPP-1000E, Supra 300AT, or
    Volksmodem VM1 with F Cable
    - MPPHAND.AUT, Version 1.0, by John S. DeMar, 1983(?)
    'Smartmodem and "R:" Device Emulator, for the MPP-1000C Modem'
    - MPP 1000C Modem/850 Emulator by Jordan Chilcott. Three versions:
    - MPP850.DRV -- MPP Modem Driver Rev. 1.0 (c) 1984 Jordan L. Chilcott,
    Standard version tested with: AMODEM, AMIS, FORUM. (alias MDRIVE.XMO)
    - SMARTMPP.DRV -- MPP Modem Driver Rev. 1.0S (c) 1984 Jordan L. Chilcott
    Also supports "Smartmodem" features of MPP modems.
    (aliases SMDRV.XMO, AMDM6HD.MPP)
    - HOMEMPP.DRV -- MPP Modem Driver Rev. 1.0H (c) 1985 Jordan L. Chilcott
    For use with HomePak HomeTerm. (aliases HMDRVE.XMO, HMDRV.XMO)
    - HTM450.XMO -- Version modified for 450 baud
    - MPP450.DOC -- Documentation by Charles Johnson
    - MPP R: Driver
    - DRIVER.REG -- MPP R: Driver (c)1985
    - DRIVER.HPK -- Modified for use with HomePak HomeTerm
    - DRIVER.SML -- MPP R: Short Driver (c)1985
    - 300AT R: Handlers from Supra Corporation, Version 2.x,
    by Willie Brown and Mark White
    - RDRVR.30A -- SUPRA 300A R: Driver v2.2, c1986
    - Full driver, includes a limited set of HAYES SMARTMODEM commands.
    - SRDRVR.30A -- SUPRA 300A R: Short Driver v2.0, c1986
    - For BBS users, written to be short and only include the bare essential
    SIO calls.
    - MPPHNDLR.COM, by Trent Dudley, distributed with AMODEM 7.4 and 7.5, 1987.
    "I have rewritten this MPP R: handler to make its relocation routine
    compatible with SpartaDOS."
    - MPP850.HAN, by James Dillow (author of DeTerm MPP), 1988.
    - MPP.COM, by Bob Puff, modified version of MPP850.HAN by James Dillow,
    distributed with BobTerm 1.10 (6/89), 1.20 (4/1990), & 1.21 (4/27/1990)

    R: modem device handlers for Supra 1200AT

    - RDRVR.12A -- SUPRA 1200A Driver v1.0 (c)1986
    - 1200AT R: Handler from SUPRA Corporation Version 2.x, Willie Brown

    T: modem device handler on 1030 modem ROM

    In addition to the ModemLink software program, the 1030 modem ROM also
    contains the T: modem device handler that can be loaded and utilized by user programs apart from ModemLink.

    The T: device handler does not use the SIO protocol for data transmission with the computer, creating potential conflict with other devices connected via
    SIO that also don't use the SIO protocol, including the C: cassette handler built into the Atari OS. Consequently, there should be no program recorder attached to the system when using a T: modem device handler.

    The handler supports tone dialing, but is not self-relocating, and thus must
    be loaded before Atari BASIC is initialized. Extensive T: handler details published by Russ Wetmore: http://www.atarimagazines.com/v4n4/1030modem.html

    Utilities to load the T: handler from the 1030 ROM include:
    - AUTO1030.SYS, by Russ Wetmore for Antic, August 1985 (alias THANDLR1.030)
    - BOOT1030.COM, by Trent Dudley, distributed with AMODEM 7.4 and 7.5, 1987

    T: modem device handlers for both 835/1030 (& XM301) and 850-based modems

    - '835/850 Handler' (alias AUTO1030.OBJ) by AMODEM author Jim Steinbrecher,
    distributed with his Atari MODEM-835/850 Ver. 4.2, 01-15-84
    - TSHANDL.OBJ, by Ken Fowkes, is the T: handler code extracted from his
    DiskLink program (1984).

    T: modem device handlers for the 1030/XM301 modems

    - HANDLER.OBJ, by Atari, distributed with the XM301 modem on the XE Term disk.
    A slight superset of the 1030 ROM T: handler; it too supports tone dialing
    but is likewise not self-relocating. Shipped fall 1985.

    T: modem device handlers for the 835/1030/XM301 modems

    - THANDLER.COM, by Trent Dudley, distributed with AMODEM 7.4 and 7.5, 1987.
    A self-relocating version of the Atari XE Term T: handler.

    R: modem device handlers for both 850-based and 835/1030/XM301 modems

    - R.BIN, by Joe Miller and Russ Wetmore for Star Systems Software, 1984/5(?)
    "A combined handler for 850-based and 835/1030 modems...an extensive
    modification of Joe Miller's original handler from his...TSCOPE. While
    TSCOPE uses a "T:" handler (standard for 835/1030 modems), R.BIN is
    installed as an "R:" device." Self-relocating. Does not support tone
    dialing on the 1030.
    - RHANDLR1.030 is identical to R.BIN but also executes RUN "D:MENU" after
    loading (perhaps for a disk of the month for an Atari user group).
    - 'RHANDLER2' (RHANDLR2 or RHAND2.BIN or RHAND2.AUT or ANO835) is a slightly
    modified version of R.BIN which also executes the BASIC command
    RUN"D:*.RUN" after loading.
    - RHAN1030.AUT and RHAND3.BIN are two different derivatives of 'RHANDLER2'
    where the provision to RUN"D:*.RUN" after loading has been removed.
    - ATARISRS.232, by JM/RW, is the R.BIN driver code extracted from
    VT-10-Squared, and then distributed with OmniCom, 1986-1987
    - RBIN1030.BIN / RHANDLER.COM / R1030.XMO, by JM/RW/MG, are derivatives of
    ATARISRS.232, possibly/probably modified for SpartaDOS compatibility by
    Mike Gustafson. Distributed with AMODEM 7.4 and 7.5, 1987

    R: modem device handlers for the 1030/XM301 modems

    - SMARTT.COM, V7.14.86 by Joe Hitchens (author of VTERM)
    - HANDLER.XM, by James Dillow (author of DeTerm XM301) (1988?)
    - XM850.HAN, by James Dillow, based on his HANDLER.XM (1988?)

    R: modem device handlers for the 835/1030/XM301 modems

    - XM.COM, by Bob Puff, modified version of XM850.HAN by James Dillow,
    distributed with BobTerm 1.10, 6/1989
    - XM.COM (re-written), by Bob Puff, distributed with BobTerm 1.20 (4/1990)
    and 1.21 (4/27/1990)

    R: modem device handlers for the R-Verter/SupraVerter Modem Adapter (SIO)

    Note that handlers designed for the Atari SX212 modem via SIO may also work with the R-Verter/SupraVerter.

    - The A.I.D. R-Verter was distributed with 4 different R: handler versions,
    originally written by Royce W. Powell, (c) April, 1984 by A.I.D.:

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