ICT Hard Drive
Specific System Requirements – ICT HD
InConTrol Data Chief HFD20 Hard Drive
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.