PCLINK.SYS support?

[TheMontezuma]

Now that the PCLINK seems to work smoothly on all platforms, I built the binaries for testing:

 

Windows binaries:

WIN-RespeQt-PCLINK-URL.zip

 

OSX binaries:

OSX-RespeQt_PCLINK_URL.zip

 

Raspberry Pi binaries:

RPI-RespeQt-PCLINK-URL.tar.gz

 

I also added support for a new feature: the "URL upload" (also known from the SIO2BT Android app).

The Atari can now submit the URLs via SIO, which can be used for submitting the HI-SCOREs in games

(RespeQt opens a web browser and submits the URL provided by the ATARI).

 

There is a very nice game Planetary Defence 2012 from Tom Hudson, which uses a "B:" device to submit the HI-SCORE.

Originally the "B:" device was implemented in the Colleen emulator only, but now I wrote my own "B:" handler, which sends the URL via SIO,

so you can play the game on the orginal hardware and still automatically submit your HI-SCORE

Please use the pd2012.atr image, since it loads automatically the "B:" handler and the game.

 

You do not need SIO2BT app anymore to do it (although it is still most convenient in my opinion).

It also works with RespeQt on any platform (Win,OSX, Linux) connected to ATARI via SIO2PC, SIO2PC/USB or via Bluetooth.

 

I would be happy ro receive any feedback from you.

 

 

 

 

[flashjazzcat]

Fantastic - thank you!

[greblus]

Thank you!

 

I've just cherry-picked it to my Android repo. Haven't tested it yet, but it's a great feature.

 

I'm a bit short on time now but after recent interview with Kris Meier (Texas-sized BBS) I can't stop thinking about adding a minimal tcp modem support to AspeQt.

 

W.

[TheMontezuma]

Thank you!

 

I've just cherry-picked it to my Android repo. Haven't tested it yet, but it's a great feature.

 

I'm a bit short on time now but after recent interview with Kris Meier (Texas-sized BBS) I can't stop thinking about adding a minimal tcp modem support to AspeQt.

 

W.

 

Thanks

 

A tcp modem?

You mean a Telnet Client proxy (like in APE) to connect to a BBS?

 

This may be interesting to you:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/249426-sio2pi-atari-as-a-terminal-for-a-raspberry-pi-visiting-bbs/

 

I described my experiments with Raspberry Pi using ATARI as a terminal.

This way you can also connect to any BBS.

 

One can add a telnet client to the AspeQt/RespeQt, but it is not that easy, especially if it should work with Software Handshake and Bluetooth.

It is also on my "TO DO" list for the SIO2BT app and I already have some ideas, but I need more time... So maybe you will be faster with AspeQt

[greblus]

Thanks

 

A tcp modem?

You mean a Telnet Client proxy (like in APE) to connect to a BBS?

 

Yeah, so far I'm following the greats (Altirra and atari800 sources). The hardest part to me is to come up with a proper device handler on the Atari side (what i still know almost nothing about), or maybe some existing one could be used. On PC side it's a tcp socket.

 

W.

Edited November 1, 2016 by greblus

[TheMontezuma]

 

The hardest part to me is to come up with a proper device handler on the Atari side (what i still know almost nothing about), or maybe some existing one could be used. On PC side it's a tcp socket.

 

On the atarimania.com you will find ATARI 850 Interface Module Operator's Manual. It is a good starting point for reading.

Basically the R: device and the 850 can use so called "Concurrent I/O" mode.

In this mode the SIO protocol is "on hold" as long as the Command Line is not active. The Atari can send and receive data (full duplex).

A raw TCP/IP socket on the PC side is not enough. You want to connect to a Telnet Server, so you need to have a Telnet Client to negotiate with the Server...

 

For the AspeQt/RespeQt one may consider to re-use PUTTY code (PLINK), see:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/217539-ice-t-xe-276-released/page-4?do=findComment&comment=2879458

Edited November 2, 2016 by TheMontezuma

[greblus]

Lots of useful info. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

 

W.

[Bikerbob]

I have been reading all this.. and maybe I missed a post, but can you now access the PCL with the same D#??

 

IF I mount a folder in drive 2 - if I do a dir pcl2: I get only a few files that it seems to understand exe files.. or 8.3 format maybe?

 

If I access D2: I get all the files, full file names. - is that the way its supposed to work now?

 

James

[greblus]

Hi James, do you have lowercase and uppercase files in such mounted directory?

[Bikerbob]

I would assume so. The dir I mounted was the download Dir of the computer..

 

My point is.. when I did the copy command to copy everything from D1... I did it like this copy d1:*.*, d2:

 

and it worked.

 

SO I didnt need to refer to PCL: for it to write??

 

James

[greblus]

If some files are not visible probably you've set showing either uppercase od lowercase files when using PCLINK (previously it was a compile-time option and few days ago Marcin added it to RespeQt as an configuration option).

 

But the second question, have you tested it in Altirra? As far as I know on Real h/w it should give you Device NAK error.

[flashjazzcat]

Mounted folders can be accessed by two methods: via the PCL device, or the corresponding disk ID. However, device $3x access (i.e. Dn:) is read only and delivered in DOS 2.x format with a corresponding limit of 64 entries (which I think should be lifted, BTW). PCL access, meanwhile, is r/w, in SDFS format, and includes directories and a pretty much unlimited number of entries per folder.

[Bikerbob]

If some files are not visible probably you've set showing either uppercase od lowercase files when using PCLINK (previously it was a compile-time option and few days ago Marcin added it to RespeQt as an configuration option).

 

But the second question, have you tested it in Altirra? As far as I know on Real h/w it should give you Device NAK error.

 

No I only use real hardware, I dont run Altirra.

 

So I will do it again.. once I get my video on my 800xl fixed.. or maybe I will do it on the 800.. and see what happens. It was either REALDOS or Sparta.. those are the two I am playing with now. But I know I was really surprised that the PCL: device only showed 3 files when there were 18 plus 4 directories, but if I did dir D2: I got everything listed.

 

James

[flashjazzcat]

SDX is the only DOS which can access the PCLink server (with the PCLINK.SYS driver installed).

[Bikerbob]

Oh yes I remember now it was on my 800 incognito machine, because after this was when I msged you Flash about the SDX 4.8 image.

 

Anyway.. I will see if I can repeat it.. and I will take shots with my phone camera.

 

James

[TheMontezuma]

As Greblus mentioned you will only see lower case 8+3 file names.

In the source code (Github) there is already an update including a checbox, for the upper case 8+3 file name support (on the PC side).

 

A PCLINK was meant to work as another Sparta Dos X disk.

As long as you copy files from the ATARI to the PCLINK-ed folders, there are no restrictions about the file names.

Everything which is allowed in SDX will work. However long file names with mixed upper/lower case on the PC side are not be supported and such files are ignored.

[Bikerbob]

I know you guys wrote this.. but mine is not working as you describe.

 

I see all the files in the directory.. if they have mixed upper/lower.

my folder was loaded in AspeQt under drive 4.

d4: I can read all files names .. no issues.

pcl4: it will show me d4: as the location but will only show me the lower case files, but they do seem more accurate with file size etc.. than with D4:

 

I cannot copy from say d3:,d4: I have to type d3,pcl4:

 

but the sparta promt will always say D4: even if I change the drive to PCL4:

 

so ... why am I getting behavour that is sounds like Im not supposed to have??

 

James

Edited November 27, 2016 by Bikerbob

[flashjazzcat]

Update to a newer version of SDX. Older releases did not allow anything but Dn: to be set as the default logged drive.

[flashjazzcat]

BTW: AspeQt doesn't have the PCLink feature at all. Use RespeQt.

[Bikerbob]

Sorry, yes.. right on both.. was using my original SDX cart, and also RespeQT not Asp..

 

James

 

PS tried it again with 4.47 on my U1mb - same result see attached images.

Edited November 28, 2016 by Bikerbob

[flashjazzcat]

Yep: like I said, you need to update SDX. 4.47 won't log PCL: as the default drive. We're on 4.49 now.

[_The Doctor__]

4.49 hates mixed drive types and doesn't play nice with sio2pcusb and APE... so I like he am sticking with 4.47

[_The Doctor__]

okay I got 4.49d working ... looks like some fixes may be on the way for it.... but it actually is working on Standard 130XE with no upgrades and a PBI device.... so once I get r4 actually working this should be much better than remote or pcmirror.....

[_The Doctor__]

okay I rolled back to r3, pclink still works with that... and it's been made clear that r4 shouldn't require any extra intervention, it's just not doing any useful sio. please check out r4 with real rs232 sio2pc's and not usb devices..

[TheMontezuma]

okay I rolled back to r3, pclink still works with that... and it's been made clear that r4 shouldn't require any extra intervention, it's just not doing any useful sio. please check out r4 with real rs232 sio2pc's and not usb devices..

 

Sure, I did. I have an XP (WIN32) laptop with real rs232 and succesfully performed the tests with R4.

However I used a SIO2PC cable using CTS signal and not DSR, which seems to make a difference...