Cmdram: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:16, 16 February 2026

Specific System Requirements – CMD RAMLink

Color 64 operates very effectively with the CMD RAMLink from Creative Micro Designs. When used in conjunction with a CMD HD and connected via the parallel cable, overlay load times can be significantly reduced.

If you have a Commodore 17XX-series REU and prefer not to configure it as expanded memory for the RAMLink, you may instead operate it in direct mode and use it with RAMDOS. Follow the RAMLink manual instructions for accessing the REU in direct mode, then proceed with the standard Color 64 installation steps for configuring RAMDOS.

The CMD SwiftLink RS-232 interface is compatible with RAMLink and should be connected to the Pass-Thru port. However, SwiftLink will not function if the RAMLink is operating in direct mode, as the Pass-Thru port is disabled in that configuration.

If your RAMLink includes a RamCard with installed RAM, you may run Color 64 overlays directly from it. Be sure to maintain disk backups of any files stored on the RAMLink. Since √bbs.parms is read from the Program Files drive, verify that the file resides in the correct location for your configuration.

Additional file groups may also be stored on a RAMLink equipped with RamCard memory, but this is recommended only if the unit has battery backup. Without battery backup, a power interruption will result in complete data loss. Even with battery backup, it is advisable to store primarily static file groups—such as Help Files or Text Files—on the RAMLink.

If your RAMLink includes the Real Time Clock option, refer to the CMD HD section for instructions on enabling automatic date and time synchronization through the appropriate initialization merge.

Specific System Requirements

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 {{DISPLAYTITLE:CMD RAMLink}}
-[[Specificsystemrequirements|Specific System Requirements]] - <strong>CMD RAMLink</strong>
+[[Specificsystemrequirements|Specific System Requirements]] – '''CMD RAMLink'''
-Color 64 works great with this super device from Creative Micro Designs.  If you also have a CMD HD, you can use the parallel cable and have your overlays load in a flash.
+Color 64 operates very effectively with the CMD RAMLink from Creative Micro Designs. When used in conjunction with a CMD HD and connected via the parallel cable, overlay load times can be significantly reduced.
-If you have a 17XX series REU from Commodore and you do not wish to use it as extra RAM on the RamLink, you can also use it with RAMDOS.  Just follow the instructions in your RamLink manual for accessing the REU "as is" (i.e. "direct" mode), then follow the regular Color 64 installation instructions for using RAMDOS.
+If you have a Commodore 17XX-series REU and prefer not to configure it as expanded memory for the RAMLink, you may instead operate it in direct mode and use it with RAMDOS. Follow the RAMLink manual instructions for accessing the REU in direct mode, then proceed with the standard Color 64 installation steps for configuring RAMDOS.
-The SwiftLink RS-232 interface from CMD can be used with RamLink and should be plugged into the Pass-Thru port of the RamLink.  However, the SwiftLink cartridge will NOT function if the RamLink is in "direct" mode, because the Pass-Thru port would be disabled.
+The CMD SwiftLink RS-232 interface is compatible with RAMLink and should be connected to the Pass-Thru port. However, SwiftLink will not function if the RAMLink is operating in direct mode, as the Pass-Thru port is disabled in that configuration.
-If you also have RamCard and RAM installed in your RamLink, you can also run your Color 64 programs on it if you wish.  You just need to make sure that you have disk backups of all files that you put onto the RamLink.  Because the √bbs.parms are read in from the Program Files drive, you need to make sure that your √bbs.parms file is in the proper place.
+If your RAMLink includes a RamCard with installed RAM, you may run Color 64 overlays directly from it. Be sure to maintain disk backups of any files stored on the RAMLink. Since √bbs.parms is read from the Program Files drive, verify that the file resides in the correct location for your configuration.
-You can also run any other file groups on a RamLink with RamCard, but you should do so only if you have the battery backup option.  If you do not have the battery backup and power fails, all files on your RamLink will be lost. Even if you do have the battery backup, it is suggested that you only store "static" file groups like Help Files or Text Files on RamLink.
+Additional file groups may also be stored on a RAMLink equipped with RamCard memory, but this is recommended only if the unit has battery backup. Without battery backup, a power interruption will result in complete data loss. Even with battery backup, it is advisable to store primarily static file groups—such as Help Files or Text Files—on the RAMLink.
-If you have the Real Time Clock option on your RamLink, you should also read the above CMD HD section for information on the "ict.init" merge which will allow your BBS to automatically read the time and date from the CMD RamLink.
+If your RAMLink includes the Real Time Clock option, refer to the CMD HD section for instructions on enabling automatic date and time synchronization through the appropriate initialization merge.
 [[Specificsystemrequirements|Specific System Requirements]]