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Documents for BootUte v1.0
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BootUte was written by Paul Toyne
Released on 01/03/94.
1) What is bootute ?
2) BootUte's Options
3) Error Messages
4) Disclaimer
5) Distribution
6) A1200 Compatability
7) Greetings
8) Future Versions
9) Testing
10) Contacting Me
BootUte was written in 100% assembler.
What is BootUte ?
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BootUte is a program that enables the loading, saving and executing
of bootblocks.
BootUte requires Kickstart and Workbench 2.0 or above, it also
requires any version of reqtools.library.
reqtools.library is © Nico Francois.
My main aim in producing this program was to make games and demos
that wouldn't work on my 1200 work.
I have expanded somewhat on my original idea so that it will be
useful to all people with accelerators, or with kickstart 2.0 and
above.
BootUte was written over a period of a couple of months on-off work.
It was written in 100% assembler using Devpac 3.
Why kickstart 2.0 and above only ?
I have two reasons for that :
1) It is a lot easier to provide a good user interface under 2.0+.
2) If you are an acclerator owner you should have at least 2.0, and
if you don't I would suggest upgrading.
BootUte's options
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Bootblock operations
Read bootblock from DF0:
Reads the bootblock from drive DF0: to the buffer.
Write bootblock to DF0:
Writes the bootblock from the buffer to drive DF0:,
re-calculating the checksum so that it is correct.
File operations
Load bootblock to buffer
Loads a file from disk to the buffer.
The file must be one of the following :
·Raw data (1024 bytes long)
·Executable with only 1 code hunk
(1052 bytes long)
·An executable with a BootUte header.
(1220 bytes long)
The checksum can be invalid, because BootUte corrects it
automatically when the file is loaded.
Save from buffer
Saves the buffer to a file, using the file type specified in
the preferences section.
Buffer Operations
Execute
Executes the file in the buffer using the options specified
in the General Preferences section.
Clear
Clears the bootblock from the buffer.
Information
Displays the following information about the bootblock
that is in the buffer :
·Bootblock type (OFS, FFS etc.)
·Correct checksum.
·Whether the current checksum is valid.
·An ASCII dump of the bootblock.
Quit BootUte
Exits BootUte.
About BootUte
This displays information about the current version of
BootUte being used, and information about your Amiga
system.
Preferences
The preferences section is a set of six check boxes, split into two
sections, where options are either on or off.
General Preferences
Disable CPU Caches
This option disables the Instruction and Data caches found
on the 68020 processor and above.
It is only selectable if a 68020 or above is present in the
system.
Trap MOVE SR,<ea>
This option traps the assembler command MOVE SR,<ea> because
it is a 'Supervisor Mode' instruction on the 68010 and
above, whereas on the 68000 it can be used in 'User Mode'
and 'Supervisor Mode'.
It is only selectable if a 68010 or above is present in the
system.
No OS
This option disables multi-tasking and the systems
interrupts, making the program think that the operating
system isn't initialised.
No AGA
This option disables the AGA chipset, enabling more AGA
incompatable programs to run.
Save Preferences
NOTE : Only one of the below, or neither can be selected at the same
time, both cannot be selected at the same time.
Raw Binary
This option makes the 'Save bootblock from buffer' option
save the data as a binary file, so that it can't be run.
BootUte Header
This option makes the 'Save bootblock from buffer' option
save the data using a special header that enables demo's
to be run from the CLI.
This is a list of the possible error messages BootUte can give
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If BootUte quits straight away, without displaying any error
messages, it means that it couldn't allocate the memory that it
needs to function.
Alert number 0003 8004
BootUte was unable to open v36 or above of the intuition.library,
this should only ever appear if you are running less than
kickstart 2.0 (v36)
You must be running Kickstart 2.0 or above
BootUte was unable to open all of the libraries it needs as
v36 or better, this should only appear if you have a mixture
of pre 2.0 libraries and post 2.0 libraries in your libs:
drawer.
Unable to open reqtools.library
BootUte was unable to open the 'reqtools.library', it needs this
file in the libs: directory for all of it's requesters.
Unable to open screen.
BootUte was unable to open it's screen, this may be due to the
fact that the 'PAL' monitor file hasn't been run.
Unable to open window.
BootUte was unable to open the window that it uses.
Unable to open trackdisk.device.
BootUte was unable to open the 'trackdisk.device' that it needs
for the reading and writing of the bootblocks.
Unable to allocate ReqTools file requester.
BootUte was unable to allocate the structure necessary for the
'reqtools.library' file requester, this may be due to low
memory conditions.
Unable to read the bootblock
BootUte was unable to read the bootblock of the disk in DF0:
A possible cause is that there wasn't actually a disk in DF0:
Unable to write the buffer because it is empty.
BootUte was unable to write the bootblock buffer to DF0: because
the buffer was empty.
Unable to save the buffer because it is empty.
BootUte was unable to save the bootblock buffer to disk because
the buffer was empty.
Unable to execute the buffer because it is empty.
The buffer couldn't be executed because it was empty.
Unable to clear the buffer because it is empty.
The buffer couldn't be cleared because it was already clear.
Unable to write the bootblock.
BootUte couldn't write the bootblock to the disk in DF0:
A possible cause is that there isn't a disk in the drive.
There was an error reading the file.
BootUte couldn't read a bootblock to the buffer.
A possible cause is that the disk has got a read/write error.
There was an error writing the file
BootUte couldn't write the buffer to a file.
Possible causes are : the disk in the drive is write protected.
the disk is full.
the disk has got a read/write error.
Sorry, the file you are trying to
load isn't a valid bootblock
You are trying to load a file as a bootblock, and it isn't a
valid format.
Disclaimer
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This software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied. By using it, you agree to accept the
entire risk as to the quality and performance of the program. Should
the software prove defective, you assume the cost of all necessary
servicing, repair or correction.
Distribution
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BootUte is ©1994 TLS and may only be distributed by a PD library with
prior permission from me, to get this permission print out the file
called PD_Register.doc, fill it in and post it, along with a
small stamped self addressed envelope, to the address on the bottom
of the form.
The program can be distributed by any other means (BBS, mail etc.) as
long as the following conditions are met :
1) No money changes hands.
2) The following files are included, in their original state and
are not modified in any way :
BootUte - 5844 bytes long.
BootUte.doc - 11777 bytes long.
BootUte.guide - 12636 bytes long.
PD_Register.doc - 1820 bytes long.
Install.doc - 404 bytes long.
reqtools.library - Any version.
A1200 Compatability Information
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This information is only useful for users with A1200's
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A lot of compatability problems are due to the fact that the new
Amiga 1200's don't have any fast ram fitted as standard. If you own
an A1200, then I suggest that you buy a fast ram expansion as it
makes lots more programs run.
Greetings
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I would like to greet the following people :
Oliver Norton (Edge) - Betatester (A4000/040)
Hope to see some AGA stuff now!!
You lucky g!t, do you think I might be able to do the same?
Michael Morris - Betatester (A500+)
Come on, when are you going to get a new Amiga, it's about
time isn't it?
Future Additions
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The following options will definately be added to future versions of
BootUte :
»» 'Delay' option to allow for bootblocks/files that require mouse
buttons to be held down to access a 'hidden' part.
»» 'No Fast Ram' option to turn off fast ram, if it is fitted.
»» 'VBR to zero' option to reset the Vector Base Register to zero.
»» 'Localisation' - For workbench 3.0+ to enable users in other
countries to have the menus etc in their own
language.
»» Ability to use other screen modes apart from the built in
'PAL: Hires', using the ReqTools Screen mode requester.
»» Ability to use drives other than DF0:
»» Ability to load and execute executable files.
»» 'No Fast Ram' option for programs that don't like fast ram.
The following options may be added to future versions of BootUte,
providing I get enough feedback from you (the users).
»» 'Fake Fast Ram' option for users unable to afford a fast ram
expansion.
»» 'Arexx interface'
If you think of any more options, or want the 'possible' options
added then write/or e-mail me (see further down this file for my
address.)
Testing BootUte
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BootUte has been tested on the following platforms/configurations.
Amiga 1200
2 mb Chip, 4 mb Fast & 20Mhz 68881
80 mb Seagate 2.5" IDE Hard Drive
External Power XL High Density floppy drive.
Kickstart 3.0 ROM (v39)
Amiga 4000/040
2 mb Chip, 2 mb Fast
120 mb Seagate 3.5" IDE Hard Drive
Kickstart 3.0 ROM (v39)
Amiga 500+
1 mb Chip, 0 mb Fast
Kickstart 2.04 ROM (v37)
BootUte has been tested fully with 'Enforcer', and has been found to
produce no enforcer hits.
Contacting me
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I can be contacted in the following ways:
E-Mail (Internet) : se1pt@dmu.ac.uk
Snail-Mail :
Paul Toyne,
1 Sherrard Drive,
Sileby,
Leicestershire
LE12 7SG
ENGLAND