TZJB Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Was Ultra Menu DOS by CSS ever a thing? I have seen it referenced in the Super Archiver documentation. I have just found a copy in the a8preserved archive but it's a 76KB ATX file. It boots to a menu in Altirra using USD emulation but won't boot from RespecQt on a real 800XL even with Super Archiver emulation. I wondered if anyone used it and has the documentation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndusGT Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Never used it but have it and the documentation, three pages: 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TZJB Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 4 hours ago, IndusGT said: Never used it but have it and the documentation, three pages: Thanks, that's great. The document explains the functions well. It seems like it has a Fenders type 3 sector Mach Ten Menu writer built in for binary files too. I can't work out if the ATX disk image is protected or just a bad disk. It certainly has many bad sectors but I don't know if they are intentional. Does anyone have a cleaned up version by any chance? Ultra Menu-DOS, The (1985)(Computer Software Services)(US)[disk].zip 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 The menu writer was included in the UltraSpeed Plus OS module as part of the XL-FIX (800) OS. I have used it, and I believe that it supported both SD and DD disks. I don't believe that any sector copier was included with the US+ OS version, except there is a mini-copier in the US+ OS itself. Interesting to see the full package! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TZJB Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 UPDATE: This disk is deliberately custom protected which is a bit weird for a DOS disk. I just tried to copy the disk image to a floppy disk and failed using Archiver v3.02 and Archiver v3.12. I used RespecQT in CHIP mode to my real Super Archiver II. It appears that the disk has some 19 sector tracks and some weird sectors. The Archiver program completed the copy with v3.02 but not v3.12 stopping at track 13. The completed copy will not successfully boot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 It's really not a dos disk (regardless of the name). It's a utility disk, and I'm pretty sure I have seen a cracked version -- "Cracked by Kilroy"? Also, this disk was apparently dumped for the Software Preservation Initiative, according to this post, so it should be available at least in SCP format: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TZJB Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 3 hours ago, Larry said: It's really not a dos disk (regardless of the name). It's a utility disk, and I'm pretty sure I have seen a cracked version -- "Cracked by Kilroy"? Also, this disk was apparently dumped for the Software Preservation Initiative, according to this post, so it should be available at least in SCP format: Yes I found it in that archive. I have it booted succesfully from my Fujinet now, and as you say it's more geared towards utilities. The SCP file wasn't included in the ZIP file for this software, just the ATX. If you come across the Kilroy version please attach. I'm guessing that they didn't sell many copies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Were you able to successfully boot the ATX? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TZJB Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 Just now, Larry said: Were you able to successfully boot the ATX? Yes I put the ATX image on my Fujinet microSD card and booted it from Fujinet D1: However it's very hit and miss as it may or may not load, probably due to timing. I need to try SDrive-MAX now. Ho-hum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 I wasn't fast enough... What client do you use. I've never dealt with torrents before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TZJB Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 58 minutes ago, Larry said: I wasn't fast enough... What client do you use. I've never dealt with torrents before. I use Tixati. Lots of user options and can be bound to an interface. Port forwarding isn't necessary either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 For those who want to try it, Altirra boots that ATX image with no issues. I used XL/XE, stock 810 drive, and XLOS-2 for the settings. Be sure to make the disk Read/Write after mounting on the "Disk Drives" user interface. I'll try it on real hardware later using APE with the VAPI.DLL add-on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DjayBee Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 IMO the original disk has physical damage for copy protection. It writes to weak sector 196 and afterwards verifies that the sector is still weak. If the drive is able to actually write the sector, it will be a good one afterwards. The ATX reliably does not work for me in Altirra, except I configure full disk emulation of US Doubler. Then I have no idea why it works because the protection is still being checked. If you find time, please check if this image works. Ultra Menu-DOS, The (1985)(Computer Software Services)(US)[cr CSS].atr For me it booted in Altirra and I was able to write the three sector menu to a blank disk. Woot, one CSS cracks another CSS. 🤣 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SoulBuster Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Thank you for the Ultra Menu! It looks WAY different than the one in the OS+ system. It looks like it might be a trimmed down Ultra Menu. Mach Ten from OS+ Ultra Menu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DjayBee Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Nope, the disk I posted can initialize new disks. If you press OPTION, the menu changes. There you can define source (haven't found out how to use that) and destination drive by pressing F or T. If you then insert a disk with XEXs into, say drive 2, press T until it show "2" and then press M for Mach_Menu, the menu is written to that disk. I guess that with C you can copy files from the From-disk but with the DOS 2 disk I tried, writing always ended with an error 160. Booting the disk after it was initialized looks very similar to your screenshot: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SoulBuster Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 oh I see. Installer vs installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SoulBuster Posted December 21, 2023 Share Posted December 21, 2023 Here is the Installer from the OS They output the same thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.