Oakland CPM Archive/oakcpm.iso/cpm/sysutl/switchio.lbr/IO2.DQC/IO2.DOC

Text File | 1986-06-21 | 5.6 KB | 88 lines

                  IO2 - HOW TO USE AND INSTALL
                          by Dan Silva

This program changes the IOBYTE in your computer so you can change the
printer assignments that CP/M uses.  This program is only for systems
with two ports that are supported by CP/M.  The fact that most of the
work is done by CP/M causes this program to be so small and fast to
execute.  The instructions to patch the .ASM file are included in the
source, and are reproduced below.  In addition, some cautionary advice
is in order:

I tried to make this program so that it won't work if it doesn't recognize
the value currently in the IOBYTE.  If this happens, the program will do
nothing, and dump you back to CP/M (after printing a warning message.)

As with ANY new program you may acquire, you should ALWAYS first test
it on a "junk" diskette, with any other drives either disabled or set
to "read/only".  This is not so much of a concern with IO2, unless you
make radical changes to the source.

Since the only thing this program messes with is the IOBYTE,
the most it should ever do is maybe re-assign your console so you can
no longer "talk" to your computer.  This would give the appearance of a
"crash".  All you need to do in this case is reset the system and re-patch
the source code to match YOUR particular set-up.  With the tests I've run,
the program refused to run if it encountered a system it didn't recognize.

PLEASE double-check the IO values in the files even if you have a Kaypro or
Osborne, as your system may not be set up the same.  If you can't find any
information on what you're IOBYTE values should be for serial or parallel
port selection, here's a way to find out:

You'll need BASIC and your SETUP or CONFIGURE program, or STAT.  Perform
the following steps in sequence.  Use the setup program or STAT to change
the printer to parallel.  Exit that program and load BASIC.  Now, execute
the following statement: PRINT PEEK(3) <return>.  This is the IO value
for the parallel printer. (Write it down.)  Now re-run your set-up
program or STAT, and change the printer to serial.  Exit, load BASIC
and execute PRINT PEEK(3) <return> again.  This is the IO value for the
serial port.  You may now edit the .ASM file, loading the value for the
serial port as IOSER, and parallel port as IOPAR.  Don't forget to change
the terminal name (add your name, if you wish), and save the edited file.

ASM and LOAD as usual.  You now have a utility that you will use as often
as you change printers.  The compiled program is only 2K long, so you
can have it on as many disks as you need.  Have fun!

The following is a reprint of the head of the .ASM source:

***************************************************************************
*                                                                         *
*    What the heck is IO2?  Does your computer have both a parallel and   *
*    serial printer port? (Kaypro and Osborne do.)  Do you have a printer *
*    attatched to both? (I do.)  Would you like to switch between the     *
*    two quickly and easily without the hassle of using STAT?  (I do.)    *
*    If so, read on, to find out how to patch this program for your       *
*    computer system, and find out how easy it is to change your printer  *
*    selection.  It's small, and can be kept on every disk where you may  *
*    want to switch printers quickly.   Enjoy!                            *
*                                                                         *
*    This is IO2, by Dan Silva.  This program is based on "SWITCHIO", a   *
*    program which appeared in an article in Profiles magazine called     *
*    "Love That IOBYTE" by David Weinberger.  This program was originally *
*    written for Kaypro computers.  I have made it transportable by       *
*    adding some equates at the beginning.  Also, I made it so you can    *
*    check which printer is selected without changing the setting.        *
*                                                                         *
*    I made IO2 relatively easy to install.  All you need to know is what *
*    the IO numbers are for your machine and enter them here, Assemble    *
*    with ASM and you're on your way.                                     *
*                                                                         *
*    To use:  Type IO at the console.  The program will load quickly      *
*    (it's a small file), and tell you what printer is currently assigned *
*    as the primary LST: device.  It will then ask you if you wish to     *
*    change it. (for example, from the parallel port to the serial port)  *
*    If you do, the program will change it and display the current value. *
*    If you don't want to change it, the program will exit.  This works   *
*    out to be much faster and easier to use than STAT for this purpose.  *
*                                                                         *
*    Please do not change the "credits" listed above, or elsewhere in the *
*    program.  You may not sell or otherwise make any money from this     *
*    program, as it is being distributed solely in the public domain.     *
*                                                                         *
*    SWITCHIO is copyright (c) 1984 by David Weinberger.                  *
*    IO2 is copyright (c) 1986 by Dan Silva.                              *
*                                                                         *
***************************************************************************