Creating boot files

Installation - Creating the Boot Files

The next step to accomplish is to use the included "bootmaker" utility to create the boot programs that start the essential BBS operations. All the boot programs begin with a "+" (plus sign) symbol; the +bbs program you copied to the boot files is an example of this. Creating these boot programs is very important because you set some important parameters for the system, such as whether you are using the SwiftLink RS-232 cartridge.

The bootmaker utility creates your boot programs by loading in the +bbs boot program, modifying it, and then storing it back to disk along with the other boot programs. For this reason, it is necessary that you already have the +bbs program present in the Boot Files.

Running the Bootmaker Program Insert your boot disk, then LOAD and RUN the "bootmaker" program.

Note: You will be asked several times for device, drive, and init commands for disk drives. In all the questions, these parameters are limited to specific ranges. The device number must be in the range of 8 to 30, the drive number must only be 0 or 1, and the init command can be a maximum of 16 characters. Read the section entitled "Drive Initialization Commands" for information on the proper init command for your disk drives. Note that the drive init command is always preceded by a quotation mark in the bootmaker questions. This allows special characters like colons to be entered in the init command, but the quote mark will NOT be part of the drive init command. Do not delete the quote mark, or enter any other quote marks, or you may cause an error. One more note about the drive init command: You can separate multiple commands with the “!” (exclamation point) character, but the "i" command will not change the default drive number as described in the section "Drive Initialization Commands". If you are not familiar with this feature, just remember that the boot programs can only access drive 0 or 1 or a disk device. In the drive parameter questions you can simply press RETURN to accept the default. You can also edit the line by retyping it or by using the left and right cursor keys.

The following questions will occur:

Device, Drive and Init command for boot programs:

The first question you will be asked is the device, drive, and init command for the drive your boot programs are stored on.

For this question, you should enter the information for the drive that you copied all the boot files to; it must have the "+bbs" program stored on it. Edit this if necessary and press RETURN. The program will then notify you that it is loading the "+bbs" program into memory.

For SD2IEC using raw directory (not disk images), ensure your folder structure is the way you want it prior to running this step. For example, a folder called “Help” for help files, one for “Aux3” for games, or “System” for your system folder. Here is an example of a good folder breakdown on SD2IEC:

Folder	For	Drive/Initialization Command
ROOT (//)	Program/System Files	0:!cd//
PUBMSGS	Public Message Area	0:!cd//pubmsgs
PRIVMSGS	Private Message Area	0:!cd//privmsgs
UD64UPLOADS	Upload Area	0:!cd//ud64uploads
UD64GAMES	Download Area – 64 Games	0:!cd//ud64games
UD64UTIL	Download Area – 64 Utilities	0:!cd//ud64util
HELP	Help Files / Text files	0:!cd//help

Running system with Ram Expander

Next, you will be asked if you are going to run your system with a Commodore 17XX series Ram Expansion Unit. When first setting up your system, consider waiting on this option until you are familiar with the system and have a successful setup. Once you are in a good state, you can re-run bootmaker and your SETUP program to reconfigure your system. Otherwise, answer "Y" to this question if you have an REU and you want to run your overlays on it.

Boot Drive

Next, you will be asked to enter the device, drive, and init parameters for your Boot drive. This is the drive that you will be running your Boot Files on; with all the files you use to create your Boot disk. This can be the same as your Program Files drive if you have the available drive space. The boot programs will use this information when loading your utilities like +SETUP, so this must be the drive that you will always use to load your boot programs from.

Program Drive

After this, you will be asked to enter the parameters for the Program drive. This is the drive that the Program Files (overlays) are stored on. If you have a separate Program disk, and you will need to swap the disks during the boot operation, then this should be the same as the Boot drive question.

External Drive: If you are using a REU on your system, then this will be the device your Program Files will be loaded from (Device 15 is commonly used but is user-defined when RAM Dos is run). Drive will always be “0”. ICT HD users note: The included ICT utility overlay assumes you have your REU set to device 15.

Need to Swap Disks

If you entered the same parameters for your Boot drive and Program drive, the system will ask if you need to swap disks when booting your BBS system. If you have separate Boot and Program disks and only one disk drive to boot from then you need to answer "Y" to this question. If you are using the "bm small" program, then this question will not be asked.

Using TurboMaster CPU

Next, you will be asked if you are using the Schnedler Systems 4.09 Mhz TurboMaster CPU. If you have one and you wish to run your system with the Turbo Master device, answer "Y" to this question.

Using SwiftLink Cartridge

The next question asks if you are using the Creative Micro Designs SwiftLink RS-232 cartridge. If you do have the cartridge (or have the CRT file attached in VICE) and you want to use it with your system, answer "Y" to this question.

Using Lt. Kernal HD

The next question depends on your answer to the SwiftLink question. If you answered "N" to the SwiftLink question, then you will be asked if you are using a Lt. Kernal Hard Drive on your system. You must answer "Y" to this question IF you are using Lt. Kernal. Otherwise, the system will not run properly.

SwiftLink Address

If you answer "Y" to the SwiftLink question, then you will be asked a technical question regarding the installation of your SwiftLink cartridge. The SwiftLink cartridge must use a certain portion of the computer's memory to allow programs to interface with the cartridge. The stock SwiftLink cartridge shipped by CMD is set to occupy the section of memory known as page $DE00. There is an optional hardware modification that users can perform to change this address to either $DF00 or $D700. If you have never modified your SwiftLink cartridge, then simply use $DE00. Otherwise, those who have modified their cartridge will know what the address is set to. If you are not sure then just use $DE00, and then if the BBS program is not sending or receiving from the modem you will know that this needs to be changed to one of the other two addresses (a little experimentation may be necessary).

You made it through your first stage of setup! You will observe the system create the boot programs on the disk with the "+bbs" program on it. These include “+reboot”, “+setup”, “+net setup”, “+editor” and “+shell”. If you opted for REU use, you will also see “+ram.start”, “+ram.restart”, “+ram.reinit”, “+ram.bbs” and “+ram.reboot” created. These will be the files you frequently use in the operation of your system and each of them are approximately 3 blocks in size.

Next Section: Boot Program ("+") Details

Installation