Preconfigured builds

Installation - Pre-Configured Builds

The 8.10a SD2IEC Build for use on your Commodore 64

The SD2IEC build of Color 64 v8.1a is preconfigured build for use on Commodore 64 or Commodore 128 (in 64 mode) with an SD2IEC drive. The build created was used in this configuration, to include a WiModem (cbmstuff.com). The expected drive assignment for the SD2IEC is drive 8.

I have run this configuration also with a REU which compliments the build nicely as the SD2IEC drive can still have minor delays in loading large overlays (unless using jiffydos or something similar).

The download is an image of a 4GB SD card that you can burn using tools like Etcher (Raspberry Pi Imager also works). It can easily be modified to go beyond just the SD drive when configuring in +SETUP. However, without modification, this build imaged on a freshly formatted SD card will have what you need to start building your BBS. You will see several folders already configured for the SD drive and they are already configured in your setup.

If you are using TurboMaster, Swiftlink, a REU or Lt. Kernal HD, you will need to re-run the BOOTMAKER 8100 program to set these up. Otherwise, you will be good to go.

Included folders in this build are:

• Aux1: Auxiliary 1 drive; User profile area supporting the BBS.PROFILE module
• Aux2: Auxiliary 2 drive
• Aux3: Auxiliary / Games drive
• Uploads: Drive for uploads
• Downloads: Drive for downloads
• Dracopy: Copy program to help you on your way
• Help: Drive for help and text files
• Network: holds Network 1.26a supporting files
• Primsgs: Private messages drive
• Pubmsgs: Public messages drive
• Pswd: Password folder
• BBS Documents: for PC use – this manual.

There are no additional installation steps other than burning the image to your SD card. Running +SETUP after you have done this though is highly encouraged.

The LTK Builds for use on your Linux or Windows PC

The LTK builds were developed on LINUX Vice 3.9 and Windows 11 with TCPSER pre-configured and are in a near read-to-run state. Both versions are preconfigured with three LUs with the following assignments:

• LU 0 User 0: Holds all Program, System, Help, Text files, Caller Log, Network files
• LU 1 User 0: Public and Private messages
• LU 1 User 1: Category 1 for downloads
• LU 1 User 2: Category 2 for downloads
• LU 1 User 3: Category 3 for downloads
• LU 1 User 4: Category 4 for downloads
• LU 1 User 5: Category 5 for downloads
• LU 1 User 15: Uploads
• LU 2 User 0: Aux 1 Files (includes user signature information)
• LU 2 User 1: Aux 2 Files (currently not utilized in this build)
• LU 2 User 3: Aux 3 Files (holds the game area for this build)

Additional details on these builds:

• The LTK specific modifications from the Color 64 8.0 disks are incorporated into the overlays as recommended by the original developers. See "Faster Disk Access" section of LTK Specific System Requirements.
• BOOTMAKER has already been completed for system setup
• Modifications of Main Parameters (in +SETUP program) are not required, but highly encouraged. You, as the Sysop, should review selections made prior to deploying your system.
• MODEM INIT string in +SETUP has already been properly defined for this configuration for operation with TCPSER and 38400 baud.
• Two Games are prebuilt with the system. Additional games are included in the D64 files (disks 4 and 5), also included with this distribution
• Be sure to update the file "√games menu" on LU 2/User 3 with the games you are including with your system. See Adding Games section.

Installation:

• Linux users: run "vicebuild.sh" in your home user directory.
• Window users: Download the build in your local user's directory (like "Documents").
• If you desire email notifications of BBS activity:
  • install python3 if not installed
  • modify "notify.py" for SMTP server information and selected username and password for BBS login to the script
  • modify √BBS.INIT program at lines 35705-35706 to match username/password selected (currently they match as "username" and "password") and verify IP setting of your PC in this section as well!
  • modify "mybbs.sh": remove remark for python3 execution
  • When BBS is in operation, at the call screen, press "up arrow" (the "\" key on PC keyboard - to enable/disable feature)

See Email Notification Option for full details.

Running the LTK build

• Linux users
  • Open a terminal in the directory color64_v81a_ltk build on your computer
  • run "./mybbs.sh" - this will launch both VICE and TCPSER, default port used is 8502
• Windows
  • Open Windows Explorer and double-click on "mybbs.bat" - this will launch both VICE and TCPSER, default port used is 8502
• From there you can run the BBS, Setup, or Editor (to edit screens)
  • L +BBS to load and run BBS
  • L +SETUP to enter BBS setup
  • L +EDITOR to load editor and modify system screens

Next Section: BBS Operation

Installation