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N_SYSCOM.TXT
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1994-05-10
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5KB
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104 lines
-----------------------
Manual for N_SYSCOM 1.1
-----------------------
It is now possible to see the Gemdos, Bios, Xbios and GEM (AES
and VDI) actions your computer is doing on screen. N_SYSCOM.ACC can
only be run as an accessory; settings can be changed (not saved
however) by clicking on the "System Command" menu. You can choose
between showing or not showing the system commands. Clicking on
"Yes" leads to the question about the position you want the
information showed. "Top" means at the top of the screen, "Menu" means
just under the menu bar and "Bottom" means at the bottom of the
screen.
The momentary value will be the default button. Defaults at startup
are "No" and "Bottom".
Information will be displayed with the system 8x8 font; this
information is written to the screen directly, which is the reason
N_SYSCOM only works with the highest, monochrome resolution. Writing
to the screen is done with a VBL routine, which writes the
information each time the screen has renewed 4 times, so about 72/4
times per second.
The VBL routine is installed in the first entry in the VBL queue with
the XBRA id "NSC1". The vector already installed there will be
executed after this VBL routine is ready.
N_SYSCOM installs its own Gemdos, Bios, Xbios and Gem vector. This
is done with the same XBRA id "NSC1". The op-code sent to one of
those system vectors is translated in a 'normal' readable code and
printed on screen. The opcode is then sent to the original system
vector, so no commands are lost ...
Showing the information on the screen takes time. Some measures with
Quick Index 1.6 show that your Atari is working at about 95% of
the original velocity when N_SYSCOM is installed; there is
practically no loss when no information is shown ...
N_SYSCOM works with all TOS versions and in High resolution (640*400)
only ...
There are no bugs known about this program except the ones described
above, which are not bugs actually. This program is strictly Public
Domain, so it may not be sold in any way. N_SYSCOM.TXT should
always be accompanied by N_SYSCOM.ACC and the other way around. Use
it at your own risk (though, what can happen?).
N_SYSCOM is written in assembler. The actual code is only 1000 bytes:
the rest is data (all the 'readable' commands have to come from
somewhere!). The source can be obtained for a small fee. Write to the
author for further information.
-------------------
Update N_SYSCOM 1.2
-------------------
N_SYSCOM 1.1 has a bug, which did not get my attention because
it never happened to me... The line with the information is skipping
1 pixel sometimes and sometimes the whole infoline is filled with
garbage. This happened because I added d0.b as d0.w to a0 (for
those of you who know what I am talking about). That was all. I
always use N_SYSTEM.ACC which has its own VBL routine, and this one
clears d0.l, so adding d0.b as d0.w does not lead to any bug
behaviour.
At the request of several people I added the option to save the
settings. This is done by writing to N_SYSCOM.ACC at the bootdisk
directly. If N_SYSCOM.ACC does not exist or does not have the proper
filelength an alertbox will tell you so.
I also added the possibility to slow down your computer in order to be
able to follow what's going on in a more detailed way. The alertbox
with the "Slow down computer" question has the options of "Much"
(almost all computer action can be followed, but serious computing is
out of the question), "Little" (make an IBM PC of your Atari) or "No"
slowing down. VDI actions are still hard to follow even when "Much"
is selected. "Much" slows your computer down to 6%, "Little" to 50%.
Those values can vary when you're using other VBL installing programs.
All the slowing down routine does is consume CPU time. When too much
VBL routines are installed your computer will do nothing at all any
more, and you'll have to reboot.
The fact that the filelength is tested means that you may not pack,
crunch and/or squeeze this file ...
All the other options and possibilities of the 1.1 version are the
same, except for the XBRA id, which is now "NSC2". The velocity has
gone up to 97%. All the extras for the 1.2 version lead to an extra of
only 400 bytes. The size of this accessory is rather ridiculous.
N_SYSCOM takes little more than 13K of your computers memory when it
is installed.
This program still is PD; I can take no responsibility for the (mis)use
of it.
Noud van Kruysbergen
N.I.C.I.
P.O. Box 9104
6500 HE Nijmegen
email:kruysbergen@hnykun53.bitnet