Loading
BBS Operation - Loading the BBS
Loading the BBS
At this stage you should already have:
- Created your parameters file (√bbs.parms)
- Created your password file
- Built most of your core system messages and Help files
- Placed the correct files on each drive as defined in SETUP
Each drive defined in your parameters must contain the proper disk or disk image with the required files. If you plan to begin with files already available in the download directory, place them on the appropriate drive now.
There are two separate startup paths:
Loading the System without a REU
If you are not using a RAM Expansion Unit, insert your Boot disk and load:
+ bbs
Type RUN and press RETURN.
JiffyDOS users may auto-RUN with:
£+bbs
Lt. Kernal HD users may simply type:
+ bbs
and press RETURN.
If you enabled “Swap Disks” in SETUP, you will be prompted to insert your Program disk after the initial boot stage. The system will then load √bbs.parms and all overlays from the Program drive.
If successful, you will see:
Working...
Proceed to Entering the Date & Time.
If the system fails to boot, verify that all required files are present on the Program and System drives.
Loading the System with a REU
Confirm you answered “Y” to the REU option in bootmaker and enabled disk swapping if necessary.
Insert the Boot disk and load:
+ram.start
RUN it.
JiffyDOS users may auto-RUN with:
↑+ram.start
The script will copy overlays and ML files into the REU. Scrolling disk commands are normal.
If you see a FILE NOT FOUND ERROR, reset immediately and confirm these files exist:
- √sys.loadml
- √sys.mlinit
- +ram.bbs
- +ram.reboot
- Required ML file
You may be prompted to insert your Program disk during the process.
After copying completes, the system will appear to reset. This is normal. You should briefly see the Color 64 title screen followed by:
Working...
Entering the Date & Time
Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
If the displayed date (from √variables) is correct, press RETURN.
If you change the date, you will be asked whether to reset time limits. On first startup, answer “N”.
Next, set the time:
- Enter hour in 24-hour format.
- Enter minute (0–59).
Examples:
- Midnight = 0
- 2 PM = 14
- 8 PM = 20
The system calculates the day of week automatically.
Regenerating the Message Index
You will be asked whether to regenerate the message index.
The index speeds startup and is normally saved at shutdown. If the system was not shut down properly, the index will automatically rebuild.
Regenerate if:
- Messages were scratched offline
- Disk errors occurred
- Maximum message settings were changed
If improper shutdown is detected, the system will rebuild the index regardless of your answer.
After disk activity completes, the BBS will come online.
Rebooting the BBS
All boot prompts have defaults. Most of the time, pressing RETURN four times will restart the system.
To bypass prompts:
- Use +reboot (non-REU)
- Use +ram.restart (REU systems)
The Wait-For-Call (WFC) Screen
When initialization completes, the √wfc file is displayed.
You will see modem initialization in the upper left. If it ends with “OK”, the modem initialized correctly.
When a connection occurs:
- The modem answers
- Carrier is detected
- Login sequence begins
Manual controls:
- Hold Commodore to force answer
- Press Commodore after answer to hang up
After five invalid sign-on attempts within 24 hours, the system pauses answering for approximately three minutes. Press Commodore to cancel the delay if needed.
The system is now ready for callers.
Next Section: The Sysop Menu