Converting a 7.37 BBS

Conversion - BBS Convert

Note: The documentation below comes from the original 8.0 manual. It's important to note that there is no formal testing on converting 7.37 to 8.10a, though I have proven converting an 8.0 to 8.1 (strict file replacement) and 8.1 to 8.10a.

It may be prudent then to: 1) follow the below instructions to get to 8.0 2) THEN follow 8.10a instructions for upgrade.

Please report back so this wiki can be updated accordingly!

The "BBS CONVERT" Utility

The included program called "bbs convert" is used to convert some of your important V7.37 or Super ML files to version 8.0 format. To use this utility, you must boot the "+shell" program to install ML in memory. Then LOAD and RUN the "bbs convert" program as you would a regular BASIC program and insert your Program disk if required.

There MUST be a √bbs.parms file present for you to be able to use this conversion utility. If you are going to convert your original √bbs.parms file, then make sure that the file is located in the Program Files. Otherwise, make sure you have used the version 8.0 SETUP program to create a √bbs.parms file.

The program will first check to see if your √bbs.parms file is version 8.0 format. If it is not, you will be asked some questions to convert your parms file. Otherwise, since you must have re-entered your parms, you should skip the next few paragraphs and continue reading at "The Conversion Menu".

The first question you will be asked is if you were running Super ML. Answer "Y" if you did install the Super ML upgrade.

The next question will ask if you were running Network 64. Answer "Y" to this question if you were running any version of Network.

The program will then read in the current parms and re-write them to disk. If your parms file is not the exact same stock format for V7.37 or Super ML (with or without Network), then the conversion will be faulty.

Once your parms are saved the main menu will be displayed.

The Conversion Menu

From this menu you have 5 options, although some of them are not intended for all systems. Once again, you should make sure that you have a backup of any of the affected areas before proceeding with the conversion. Otherwise, you may run the risk of irretrievably losing an important file. Here is a description of each menu option:

Convert Password File

Use this option to convert your V7.37 or Super ML password file to version 8.0 format. Each user record will occupy exactly one block of disk space, so you will need to make sure that have enough room on your Password File drive to store both the old file and the new one. You will be informed of this fact when you choose this option, and you will be asked if you wish to proceed with the conversion. The actual conversion process may take a while, depending on how many users you have on your system.

The password file converter considers several possibilities. If you are one of those SYSOPs who has decided to use the Expiration Date field as other information such as "GUEST" or "SYSOP" flags, then it will be preserved in the transfer. Expiration dates will be converted appropriately also. Finally, if you installed one of the mods that makes use of this field as a phone number, then it will automatically be stored in the new dedicated phone number field of the password record.

Convert UD Directories

You must use this option to convert your UD directories to use the new date format of version 8.0. Using this is mandatory if you wish to keep your current UD directories.

Convert Network v1.24 Parms

Color 64 version 8.0 includes version 1.26a of Network 64. If you were previously running version Network version 1.24, then you need to convert your Network parms with this option. Those who were using version 1.26 don't need to use this option; your Network parms file is already compatible.

Convert Super ML Messages

If you were using the Super ML upgrade, then you will need to use this option to convert your system messages to version 8.0 format. What is done is that the MCI commands and CTRL/O characters are updated to the new format, because version 8.0 does not use CTRL/A as the MCI prefix, and uses CTRL/Y instead of CTRL/O. You will be asked for the device, drive, and init parameters of the files you wish to convert.

Next you will be asked for the pattern of files to convert. If you are doing your System Files drive, then you should just enter "√*" as the pattern.

The program will then automatically read in the directory of the drive using the pattern it was given and will convert all the sequential files matching that pattern. Even if some of the files are not Super ML messages, it should be safe to convert them, because CTRL/A and CTRL/O are not standard Commodore 64 control characters and thus non-Super ML files should be unaffected. If you are concerned about the integrity of other sequential files, you should copy them to another disk before using this conversion option. Note that if you have Commodore 128-specific sequential files on your system, then the CTRL/O character (which enables flashing characters) will be incorrectly converted to a CTRL/Y, so make sure that any files that are 128-specific are moved to a safe area.

You should use this option on your System Files, and Public Messages, and any other drive which may contain Super ML format messages. Note that the entire conversion process will be aborted if a disk error occurs while the files are being processed. You should make sure that there are no locked files in the directory because they will cause an error if the utility attempts to convert them.

Convert √variables File

This option will convert your V7.37 or Super ML variables file to use the new version 8.0 date format. This is mandatory if you wish to preserve your current variables.

After Using "BBS CONVERT"

Once you are finished converting all the necessary files, read the "MF Convert" section on converting your √mod file if you are planning to use it for 8.10a. Otherwise, you can proceed to the Converting 8.0 or 8.1 to 8.10a section.