To initialize the XR4 RAM banks from files stored on a IBM PC compatible disk:
1) Insert the distribution disk for the XR4 software into your 3.5" floppy drive. Select that drive by typing its designator (A: or B:) at your dos prompt. Type DIR and you will see the directory of the distribution disk, which includes the files XR4MNJ.BA and XR4OSJ.BA. and LAPTAP.EXE, in addition to others. The disk may contain files in both the T200 and in the T100/102 formats. Make a backup, and include a copy of the LAPTAP.EXE program in the same directory as the file versions you will be using. Carry out the following steps from your backup directory. These instructions also apply if you download the programs we have sent you via email.
2) Start the program LAPTAP.EXE by typing its name at the dos prompt. LAPTAP It will give you a screen with 3 options:
<R>ECIEVE data from the Tandy
<S>END data to the Tandy
<Q>UIT Note, by default LAPTAP uses com1:
It may be that you have a mouse or a modem connected to com1:. If you want to connect your cable to com2: instead, start LAPTAP with the instruction, LAPTAP 2 Choose <S>, the SEND option in LAPTAP. Then, in response to the "file to send" prompt that appears, type, XR4OSJ.BA <ENTER> The LAPTAP program will then instruct you to prepare the Tandy to receive the data, but wait. Do the following first, before you "press any key" to start the actual transfer:
3) Connect the Tandy to the proper com: port on the PC via a null modem cable. Go into the BASIC application on the Tandy and press the <F2> key. In response to the Load" prompt, type, COM:88N1E <ENTER>
4) On the PC, press any key to start the actual transfer. A count of bytes transferred will appear on the PC screen. (Trouble? See in case of difficulty, below...) When the transfer is finished, respond <N>o to the question about <EOF> posed by the LAPTAP program, and LAPTAP will return to its main screen. An OK prompt will appear on the lowest line of the Tandy screen. On the Tandy, press the <F3> key, and in response to the SAVE" prompt type, XR4MNJ <ENTER> Another OK prompt will appear. Stay in BASIC, because you now need to transfer a 2nd file.
5) Go back to the PC and choose the <S>end option again, and in response to the "file" prompt type, XR4MNJ.BA <ENTER> Another prompt will appear instructing you to "press any key" when the Tandy is ready. Wait.
6) First, press the <F2> key and in response to the Load" prompt type, COM:88N1E <ENTER>
7) On the PC now press any key to start the actual transfer. At its completion answer <N>o to the <EOF> question. You are finished at the PC end, and you can select <Q>uit to terminate the LAPTAP program.
8) On the Tandy, you should again see an OK message with the cursor blinking on the line below it. On the Tandy press the <F4> key. This action will start the XR4OSJ program. Proceed to select the number of RAM banks (1 to 4) vs. ROM banks you desire, as described in the XR4 manual.
9) When the creation of the RAM banks is complete, the OK message and the blinking cursor will reappear. There will also be a listing of the initial contents of your XR4 bank 1. This listing should include a reverse video tag something like, XR4j__1/? followed by the the file list, which should contain at least one file, "XR4MNJ.BA". Type NEW <ENTER> to remove the XR4OSJ program from memory in the Tandy. You should not need it again.
10) You can now start using the XR4 banks as described in the XR4 manual. You can use either the XR4MNJ.BA program to move between the banks and to activate your ROM chips, and/or, you can use the "Direct" or emergency commands. Remember, even if you lose everything in RAM by some accident, the entire contents of the XR4 banks will survive intact 99.99% of the time. You should not have to use the XR4OSJ.BA program again in the near future.
In case of difficulty:
If the count of bytes does not appear and advance, or if the OK message does not appear on the Tandy at the completion of the count of bytes, then there may be a problem with the serial cable.
Only 3 wires in the cable are important, connected to pins 2, 3 and 7. The cable is connected to a com: port that does not match the one shown ON the LAPTAP screen. The LAPTAP program may have problems with some "screamer" 386 and 486 computers.
Try turning off Turbo mode if the LAPTAP program gets stuck or crashes. The statement "COM:88N1E" was incorrectly entered on the Tandy. There is a slight possibility that the XR4 programs are corrupted during the transfer. A message on the Tandy screen about a DS error or some error may appear. This may occur if the cables are loose or flakey. Try the transfer a second time. Refer to the XR4 manual for further information about the XR4 software.
