+Guitarman Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Being a product of the Atari 8bit world, I have recently started breaking out my ST hardware in my collection and diving in head first, mainly working my way through how the ST, as a system, works. Being in the IT industry, is hasn't been that hard learning and finding my way around on the ST. For these tasks, I am using a MegaST2, Megafile30, Mono monitor. My first (hard way) learning experience was the AHDI setup of the Megafile. The version I had was for a Megafile20 so I only got 20mb of the drive recognized, until I learned about....newer AHDI!! Of course, this meant reformat, repartition, reinstall... you get the idea. Now I have a Megafile30 partitioned to 2 15mb drives. Of course now I have found out I could have made it one 30mb partition!! Will I change it again?? Probably!! Next (hard way) lesson, installing apps that use GDOS. I first installed PublisherST. Then installed WordUp. All of a sudden, PublisherST wouldn't work. THEN... I learned about the ASSIGN.SYS file, needs to be in the root folder, is usually different for each different program that needs it, files called by the ASSIGN.SYS file in no 1 folder on the HDD, if changed a reboot is needed for GDOS to read the changes, and so on. Of course, then I learned about G+Plus by Codehead (which I had in my disk library) and its ability to choose ASSIGN.SYS files on the fly. So I installed G+Plus, reinstalled the GDOS apps, making sure to copy the created ASSIGN.SYS file to each apps folder, and created swappable ASSIGN files for each program that G+Plus will allow me to select when I run the app. Wheeewwwwwwww. Now, to my main question. In my search for knowledge on G+Plus, I read a lot of info on other Codehead programs for the ST like MultiDesk, MaxiFile and Hotwire, some of them listed and GEM replacements. In my continued quest to do, fail, learn and do again, I would like to know what the best or most commonly used GEM replacements are and what some of the most common and useful utilities and desktop accessories are. I know this will be opinion based but I like diversity in learning. I'm sure my poor Megafile30 is going to hate me by the time the learning and experimenting is done but it's all for the greater good!! I would, though, like to find the Codehead software I listed above to mess with. Does anyone know where I could find them or disk images of the Codehead utilities?? Thanks for any assistance given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jens Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 As a desktop replacement I'd recommend gemini. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory DG Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 (edited) I just use Geneva and NeoDesk 4. So sweet... Edit: Found this while looking up NeoDesk 4... Replacement Desktops http://www.spythis.com/cca/60.PHP Edited September 12, 2006 by Gregory DG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 It's funny you say that! I just came from Dan's house (Mr. Gribnif Software). He sold me his old Mega STE tonight! The floppy was dead, but that was ok. I swapped the floppy from my old 1040f into it! It's soooo nice to have a hard drive again.....Even if it's only 20mb. I just use Geneva and NeoDesk 4. So sweet... Edit: Found this while looking up NeoDesk 4... Replacement Desktops http://www.spythis.com/cca/60.PHP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jens Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 (edited) Well - did he provide you with a copy of Geneva then? There are much newer versions of Teradesk than on that spythis site. Edited September 12, 2006 by jens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Well - did he provide you with a copy of Geneva then? There are much newer versions of Teradesk than on that spythis site. No he didn't.... I will get it and Neodesk someday.... But first i gotta get a new color monitor and a bigger hard drive first. I noticed sense I installed the 1040 floppy in the mega i've been getting a lot of floppy/drive error's. Any idea's anyone? And Xenon2 locks up after the intro! But maybe that game doesn't work on the mega? ohh and Dan's a heck of a nice guy. I got the Mega STE4 and SC124 monitor for $125! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jens Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I use Geneva with Gemini - works great, and one doesn't have to buy Neodesk. Teradesk should go with it as well. I would ot use a color monitor. Monochrome is much better imho but not too popular over in the US. Try another drive. A hd one is possible. Just change the front. And one jumper has to be set for this. It is possible or even probable that a lot of ST (without e) software will not run under TOS 2.0x. Demos are most probable to not run if not STe specific I think. A real pile of bucks for me but in the US this is quite fair I think. Germany is much cheaper in Atari things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DarkLord Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I just came from Dan's house (Mr. Gribnif Software). The important question is, does he still have *any* interest in things Atari...in other words, any chance he'll resume Atari work...? PS Example, will he patch Neodesk/Geneva so it works on a CT60 equipped Falcon? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paolo Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Hey, Zeptari1! Maybe you should boot Xenon in compatibility mode, that is without blitter and at 8MHz. Can't remember the exact keystroke for that, though, since it is loooong time I don't boot my STe that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Wow, lot's of reply's! Maybe i'll hook up the mono monitor i got with the mega. How about helping me out finding some of the best apps and games that run on my mega ste on a mono monitor? But, first things first. So a HD drive will work on my mega, even if it came with a DD drive? Will any HD drive work? And which jumper to I have to set? How about a Floppy test program? How do I tell which version of TOS I have? Thanks -Rick I use Geneva with Gemini - works great, and one doesn't have to buy Neodesk. Teradesk should go with it as well. I would ot use a color monitor. Monochrome is much better imho but not too popular over in the US. Try another drive. A hd one is possible. Just change the front. And one jumper has to be set for this. It is possible or even probable that a lot of ST (without e) software will not run under TOS 2.0x. Demos are most probable to not run if not STe specific I think. A real pile of bucks for me but in the US this is quite fair I think. Germany is much cheaper in Atari things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 The next time I talk to him I'll ask. But I think he's done with ST. He keeps an Atari TT around just to make copy's of his Gribnif software when he makes a sale. -Rick I just came from Dan's house (Mr. Gribnif Software). The important question is, does he still have *any* interest in things Atari...in other words, any chance he'll resume Atari work...? PS Example, will he patch Neodesk/Geneva so it works on a CT60 equipped Falcon? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 Hey, Zeptari1! Maybe you should boot Xenon in compatibility mode, that is without blitter and at 8MHz. Can't remember the exact keystroke for that, though, since it is loooong time I don't boot my STe that way. Please, do tell!!! How do I boot in compatibility mode. This is my first Mega STE system. So I'm still learning. One more thing, my mega ste goes into a black screensaver mode. I had no idea it could do this! How do I change or shut it off? -Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DarkLord Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 The next time I talk to him I'll ask. But I think he's done with ST. He keeps an Atari TT around just to make copy's of his Gribnif software when he makes a sale. -Rick Too bad - he's obviously a very talented guy. I talked to him on the phone once, when I upgraded my copy of Geneva/Neodesk to the last version he released. Wish he was still active.... Thanks for the reply. PS From your control panel, you can tell what version of TOS you have, as well as how much RAM... HTHs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 The next time I talk to him I'll ask. But I think he's done with ST. He keeps an Atari TT around just to make copy's of his Gribnif software when he makes a sale. -Rick Too bad - he's obviously a very talented guy. I talked to him on the phone once, when I upgraded my copy of Geneva/Neodesk to the last version he released. Wish he was still active.... Thanks for the reply. PS From your control panel, you can tell what version of TOS you have, as well as how much RAM... HTHs. My control panel doesn't have that? I must have an older version. Can someone point me to the latest version? Thanks -Rick How do I boot in compatibility mode? I'm still lost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Guitarman Posted September 16, 2006 Author Share Posted September 16, 2006 Geneva and NeoDesk.... are they still available or can they be downloaded anywhere?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Geneva and NeoDesk.... are they still available or can they be downloaded anywhere?? You can buy them from > http://www4.pair.com/gribnif/index.htm -Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paolo Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Hey, Zeptari1! Maybe you should boot Xenon in compatibility mode, that is without blitter and at 8MHz. Can't remember the exact keystroke for that, though, since it is loooong time I don't boot my STe that way. Please, do tell!!! How do I boot in compatibility mode. This is my first Mega STE system. So I'm still learning. One more thing, my mega ste goes into a black screensaver mode. I had no idea it could do this! How do I change or shut it off? -Rick As I told you, I can't really remember, but it was something in the line of "hold right shift while booting" or " "hold CTRL key while booting" or "hold ESC" or "TAB"... You got the idea. Sorry, I can't even try it right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DarkLord Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 My control panel doesn't have that? I must have an older version. Can someone point me to the latest version? Thanks -Rick How do I boot in compatibility mode? I'm still lost! Hmm, you were talking about a Mega STe, right? If so, then it has to be either TOS v2.05 or v2.06... Mega STe's came with a new control panel with CPX's - control panel extensions. Fairly nice setup, IMHO. You can download it from just about any Atari ftp site, or the like... Try different combo's while booting up. When you see the Atari emblem on screen, hold down shift, if that doesn't work, hold down alt, or control. What it does is bypass starting your hard drive, AUTO folder programs, ACCs/CPXs, etc, so that you wind up at a flat plain TOS lo-res desktop, where theoretically, everything should work. HTHs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Mega STe's came with a new control panel with CPX's - control panel extensions. Fairly nice setup, IMHO. You can download it from just about any Atari ftp site, or the like... HTHs. Anyone know where i can download the latest/newest control panel with CPX? What's the big deal with control panel extentions? I guess I'll find out once i try it, right? -Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Zeptari Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Nevermind I found it at a couple different places. I hope I'll let me get some of my older software working. -Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillek Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 On 9/16/2006 at 8:23 AM, Zeptari1 said: You can buy them from > http://www4.pair.com/gribnif/index.htm -Rick Don't think that site works anymore... also, I was under the impression he was offering them for free now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stirrell Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 6 minutes ago, Tillek said: Don't think that site works anymore... also, I was under the impression he was offering them for free now? This link seems to be working:http://www4.pair.com/gribnif/ And, yes, both Geneva and NeoDesk are available to download for free:http://www4.pair.com/gribnif/downloads/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillek Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Ok... that specific link doesn't work, but other parts do. http://www4.pair.com/gribnif/downloads/neodesk/ And he does have it (and others) for free download. http://www4.pair.com/gribnif/downloads/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillek Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Ok, so we got this... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Wow! 16 year bump! My Mega ST is long gone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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