The tape to disk drive converter.
Instructions for Duplidisk II
By Quickbeam Software
Virtually all programs written for the Dragon 32 will also work with the Disk Operating System (DOS) in; so why not put all your tape based software onto disk. After all, disks are more convenient and faster (just about with Delta Dos!) than tape. This is what DUPLIDISK is designed to do.
DUPLIDISK adds a software DOS DETACH to EVERY program it converts, to fool the Dragon into thinking that there is no cartridge inserted.
DUPLIDISK will not convert all software, but you may well be surprised just what it will convert (it surprises me!)
So, if you have any software on tape which you would like on disk, try converting it. At most it will be the equivalent of loading it from tape four times.
Decide which converter is relevant to you: the SUPER DOS, CUMANA DOS and DRAGON DOS version is on side 1, with the DELTA DOS version on side 2.
Load in DUPLIDISK (CLOADM). You will have to leave the DOS cartridge plugged in. After it has loaded, press a key to go to the title screen.
Rewind the tape with the program to be converted on, and press play. If the program is basic, non auto-run (when it loads usuall you have to type 'Exec') or one of the 70+ programs it will convert straight off, it will load then go to the save procedure.
After the filename block has loaded, the tape will stop (so make sure the remote is connected), and 5 options will be displayed. Four options are to tell the converter how to try to convert the program, with option 5 "the don't bother option".
The loading systems catered for are briefly described below, a fuller description is not possible due to copyright (a long description of laziness!)
Option 1 - load in one: After the filename, a continuous block of program (no gaps). This is the most popular loading system.
Option 2 - load in two: After the filename, a short block of code, a gap, then a continuous block of program til the end of loading. This is the least useful option.
Option 3 - block saved: This type of program is very long, with short blocks of code with gaps in between, and the cassette relay clicking in between each block.
Option 4 - Split loaders: This option has a few short blocks of code with gaps in between to start with, after the loading screen a large block of code, with two small blocks of code to end with.
Very descript, don't you think! (Have you ever tried describing loading systems without examples?) If you have no idea about loading systems, I suggest you try all options in order. If it still does not convert, then DUPLIDISK cannot do it.
(If you have the wrong converter for your DOS loaded in, this is where the fun starts).
Do not try to save your converted program to an important disk. DUPLIDISK's save routine is very reliable, but save your program to a blank disk and copy it to other disks (let the copy command corrupt your disks). To save it, simply make sure your disk is ready then press a key. When you press 'N' in reply to "ANOTHER COPY?" you go back to the convert procedure.
TAPE INPUT ERROR: Wrong loading system, program too large or a tape error. Adjust the volume and try again. If it was a converter option, try a different option.
DISK OUTPUT ERROR: For DRAGON DOS, the description for error codes are at the back of the DRAGON DOS manual.
For DELTA, you will have to guess what the error is - only joking!
DELTA error codes:
| 128 | - Drive not ready |
| 129 | - Seek error |
| 130 | - Verify error |
| 131 | - CRC checksum error |
| 132 | - Write protected disk |
| 135 | - Lost data |
| 138 | - File protected |
| 139 | - No disk space |
| 140 | - Directory full |
| 142 | - Disk type |
| 153 | - Disk type |
| 143 | - Past EOF |
No other errors should occur, just ignore them if they do.
Change disk, close drive door, turn disk drive on etc, as necessary for the error, then retry saving.
UNEXPECTED ERROR (Not on DELTA DOS version)
Trying to save to a write protected disk usually, or other general errors. If the cause is obvious, rectify the error, or else carry on from where it left off. If it persists, reload the converter.
The converted programs always load back in at 1536 for DELTA, 3072 for DRAGON DOS.
DOS DETACH is 92 bytes long and at the start of the program. After DOS DETACHING, it copies the program to its original position.
The stack is modified, so if a program simply RTS's after execution, it will probably spectacularly crash.
If the program converted was basic, four graphics pages are reserved (PCLEAR4).
No program in the memory can be guaranteed to be there after execution of a converted program (basic programs will be lost).
If you do have a remote, I hope you're fast on the stop button.
DUPLIDISK has been extensively tested and does not crash (too often).
If you attempt to crash DUPLIDISK, I hope it chews your disks up.
DUPLIDISK was designed to be user friendly (so what went wrong).
DUPLIDISK is about 6k and takes approximately 45 seconds to load.
DUPLIDISK will convert 29349 bytes on DRAGON DOS, 28234 bytes on DELTA DOS (program size on disk).
DUPLIDISK will convert more than one program without having to reload, programs up to 26000 bytes without CORRUPTING. It will not need to reload on a Dragon 64.
No part of the above documentation or program may be copied, reproduced, lent, sold or resold without prior written permission of Quickbeam Software.
NB: USERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO INFRINGE ANY COPYRIGHT ACTS
Dragon 32/64
Type "CLOADM". When loaded, type "EXEC".
© Copyright 1986 Quickbeam Software