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Specific System Requirements – ICT HD

Color 64 fully supports the InConTrol Data Chief HFD20 hard disk drive system.

Drive assignments are made using the ICT command structure. For example:

hm4 11 22 — assigns a chain beginning at partition 11 and ending at partition 22
h10 — assigns files to individual partition 10

Only certain file groups may be stored in chained partitions:

Public Messages
Help Files
Text Files
Uploads
Downloads

The following file groups must be assigned to individual partitions:

System Files
Private Mail
Caller Log
Password File
Boot Files
Program Files

If you are using the Epyx Fastload cartridge, Program Files must reside on H0 (the built-in floppy drive). Placing Program Files elsewhere may result in intermittent system lockups.

The ICT system has been successfully tested with the Burst Mode ROM from Chip Level Designs. This ROM enables burst-mode access and can increase disk performance by approximately two to ten times.

If you are using a 1764 or 1750 RAM Expansion Unit, additional Color 64 modules allow ICT maintenance operations to be performed directly from within the BBS. One such module is included with this package (see ICT Utilities Module below).

Download Directory Recommendation

When configuring SETUP, it is recommended that you answer “N” to the question “Multiple Directories Per Drive.” From the perspective of Color 64, each chain behaves as a separate drive. Using one directory per drive or chain eliminates the need to rename files before downloads. While both methods function, this approach simplifies administration.

Note that scanning for new downloads may be slightly slower on the ICT compared to standard Commodore disk drives. This is due to the need to read multiple files across separate partitions. Despite this, performance remains acceptable, particularly when using the Burst Mode ROM.

ICT System Merges

If you are using chained partitions on an ICT DataChief or MiniChief system, the following merges are required. Without these merges, upload and download directories will not function correctly on chained partitions:

ict.xfer → √bbs.xfer
ict.ovl → √bbs.ovl

ICT Utilities Module

Included with the Color 64 package is the √bbs.ict module for ICT users. This module provides:

Multi-chain compression routines
Automatic return to the “Waiting for Caller” screen
Busy modem control
Upload space scanning across chained partitions

The upload space scan routine reports total free blocks and maximum allowed upload size, allowing you to monitor when chains require compression.

The √bbs.ict module is intended for systems using:

ICT hard drive
17xx-series RAM Expansion Unit
RAMDOS

It allows pattern-based file copying between partitions, chains, and drives. It also performs chain compression and modem control from within Color 64. During copy operations, screen activity will appear at the top display area due to the underlying machine language routines.

Installing the ICT Module

To load √bbs.ict into your RAM module, modify √sys.ramove to copy the module into memory. If √bbs.ict resides on the Program Files drive, add the following line anywhere between lines 7100 and 7499:

7XXX &(8)="√bbs.ict":>310

If √bbs.ict is stored elsewhere, follow the instructions in the √sys.ramove documentation for adding modules to the script.

Next, modify √bbs.xfer so that typing “+” at the DOS prompt loads √bbs.ict. This can be accomplished by merging ict.load into √bbs.xfer.

Once complete, typing “+” and pressing RETURN at the DOS prompt will launch the ICT module.

Important Note

The busy modem feature does not function with the Commodore 1670 modem, as it does not support the ATH1 command or equivalent modem-busy commands.

The √bbs.ict module is intended specifically for ICT hard drive systems that also use RAM Expansion Units.

Specific System Requirements

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{DISPLAYTITLE:ICT Hard Drive}}
-[[Specificsystemrequirements|Specific System Requirements]] - <strong>ICT HD</strong>
+[[Specificsystemrequirements|Specific System Requirements]] – '''ICT HD'''
-Color 64 BBS fully supports the InConTrol Data Chief HFD20 hard disk drive system.  All you need to do is use "hm4 11 22" as the drive command for whatever files you want stored in a chain defined as starting at partition 11 and ending at partition 22 or h10 for files you want stored in an individual partition 10.  The only files that you can put in chain mode are Public Messages Help Files, Text Files, Uploads and Downloads.  System Files, Private Mail, Caller Logs, Password File, Boot Files and Program Files must be assigned individual partitions.  And if you are using the Epyx Fastload cartridge, you must put your program files on H0 (the built-in floppy) or you will experience intermittent system lockups.
+Color 64 fully supports the InConTrol Data Chief HFD20 hard disk drive system.
-The ICT has been tested with the Burst Mode Rom from Chip Level Designs and it works great!  This ROM allows your C64 or C128 to access your hard drive in its burst mode of operation, speeding up all disk access by 2 to 10 times.  Also, if you have a 1764 or 1750 Ram Expansion module, there are Color 64 modules available that will let you do all your ICT maintenance from within Color 64.  One such module is included in this package (see below after merge information).
+Drive assignments are made using the ICT command structure. For example:
-As far as download directories, I recommend you answer "N" to the question "Multiple Directories Per Drive" in SETUP.  As far as Color 64 BBS is concerned, each different chain looks like a different drive.  Running one directory per drive/chain has the advantage of not having to rename files before they can be downloaded too.  It will work either way, this is just my recommendation.
+* hm4 11 22 — assigns a chain beginning at partition 11 and ending at partition 22
+* h10 — assigns files to individual partition 10
-One last comment:  The scan for new downloads is a little slower on the ICT drive than on other drives.  That is because it IS necessary to read two different files in 2 different partitions.  So, we are having to open and close a lot more files than on the CBM drives.  But overall, it does work well and is still fast enough in my opinion (especially if you have the burst mode ROM in your computer).
+Only certain file groups may be stored in chained partitions:
+* Public Messages
+* Help Files
+* Text Files
+* Uploads
+* Downloads
-<strong>ICT System Merges  </strong>
+The following file groups must be assigned to individual partitions:
-If you run a system with an ICT (In ConTrol) DataChief or MiniChief hard drive, and you plan to use chained partitions, then you need to merge the following files into the specified programs.  If these merges aren't made, then your upload/download directories will not function properly on chained partitions:
+* System Files
-<ul><li>ict.xfer  -> √bbs.xfer </li>
+* Private Mail
-<li>ict.ovl    -> √bbs.ovl </li></ul>
+* Caller Log
+* Password File
+* Boot Files
+* Program Files
+If you are using the Epyx Fastload cartridge, Program Files must reside on H0 (the built-in floppy drive). Placing Program Files elsewhere may result in intermittent system lockups.
-<strong>The ICT Utilities Module  </strong>
+The ICT system has been successfully tested with the Burst Mode ROM from Chip Level Designs. This ROM enables burst-mode access and can increase disk performance by approximately two to ten times.
-Also included in your Color 64 package is a version of the popular "√bbs.ict" module for ICT Hard Drive users.  It adds a multiple-chain compress routine, auto-return to the waiting for caller screen, busy modem and a scan upload space routine that will scan all upload directories that are chains on an ICT and show you the total blocks free and the max blocks allowed on an upload.  This last routine can be used to keep an eye on your upload space on the ICT and to determine when you need to compress your chains.
+If you are using a 1764 or 1750 RAM Expansion Unit, additional Color 64 modules allow ICT maintenance operations to be performed directly from within the BBS. One such module is included with this package (see ICT Utilities Module below).
-For those that aren't already familiar with this program, it is a special program just for those people using an ICT hard disk drive, a 17XX series Ram Expander, and RAMDOS on your Color 64 BBS.  This routine allows you to copy files using a pattern match from any one partition or chain to any other partition or chain or drive.  It also allows you to compress chains, busy the modem, scan all upload space, etc. all from within Color 64 BBS. Note that when the program is doing a copy operation, you will see data flash across the top of the screen as the copy is proceeding, due to the ML routine.
+'''Download Directory Recommendation'''
+When configuring SETUP, it is recommended that you answer “N” to the question “Multiple Directories Per Drive.” From the perspective of Color 64, each chain behaves as a separate drive. Using one directory per drive or chain eliminates the need to rename files before downloads. While both methods function, this approach simplifies administration.
-All you need to do is to modify your "√sys.ramove" file to copy "√bbs.ict" into your ram module.  If you put your √bbs.ict module with your Program Files, this can be accomplished by adding the following line anywhere in the line range 7100 to 7499:  <strong>7XXX &(8)="√bbs.ict":>310 </strong>
+Note that scanning for new downloads may be slightly slower on the ICT compared to standard Commodore disk drives. This is due to the need to read multiple files across separate partitions. Despite this, performance remains acceptable, particularly when using the Burst Mode ROM.
-Otherwise, if your √bbs.ict module is located elsewhere, you will need to follow the instructions for adding to the script program in the section on the "√sys.ramove" program.
+----
-Next, you will need to modify your √bbs.xfer overlay so that it will load √bbs.ict when you type "+" from the DOS prompt.  Just merge "ict.load" into √bbs.xfer and this will be taken care of for you.  Once this is done, typing "+" and hitting return at the DOS prompt will send you to the ICT module.
+'''ICT System Merges'''
-Note: The busy modem feature does not work on the Commodore 1670 modem - it does not support the ATH1 command (or any other command that can be used to busy the modem).
+If you are using chained partitions on an ICT DataChief or MiniChief system, the following merges are required. Without these merges, upload and download directories will not function correctly on chained partitions:
-Remember, the √bbs.ict mod is for ICT hard drive systems with ram expanders only.
+* ict.xfer → √bbs.xfer
+* ict.ovl → √bbs.ovl
+----
+'''ICT Utilities Module'''
+Included with the Color 64 package is the √bbs.ict module for ICT users. This module provides:
+* Multi-chain compression routines
+* Automatic return to the “Waiting for Caller” screen
+* Busy modem control
+* Upload space scanning across chained partitions
+The upload space scan routine reports total free blocks and maximum allowed upload size, allowing you to monitor when chains require compression.
+The √bbs.ict module is intended for systems using:
+* ICT hard drive
+* 17xx-series RAM Expansion Unit
+* RAMDOS
+It allows pattern-based file copying between partitions, chains, and drives. It also performs chain compression and modem control from within Color 64. During copy operations, screen activity will appear at the top display area due to the underlying machine language routines.
+'''Installing the ICT Module'''
+To load √bbs.ict into your RAM module, modify √sys.ramove to copy the module into memory. If √bbs.ict resides on the Program Files drive, add the following line anywhere between lines 7100 and 7499:
+XXX &(8)="√bbs.ict":>310
+If √bbs.ict is stored elsewhere, follow the instructions in the √sys.ramove documentation for adding modules to the script.
+Next, modify √bbs.xfer so that typing “+” at the DOS prompt loads √bbs.ict. This can be accomplished by merging ict.load into √bbs.xfer.
+Once complete, typing “+” and pressing RETURN at the DOS prompt will launch the ICT module.
+'''Important Note'''
+The busy modem feature does not function with the Commodore 1670 modem, as it does not support the ATH1 command or equivalent modem-busy commands.
+The √bbs.ict module is intended specifically for ICT hard drive systems that also use RAM Expansion Units.
 [[Specificsystemrequirements|Specific System Requirements]]