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98 lines
3.7 KiB
HTML
98 lines
3.7 KiB
HTML
<HTML>
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<HEAD>
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<TITLE>X-BOOT 5.0</TITLE>
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</HEAD>
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<BODY BACKGROUND="6502proc.gif">
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<CENTER>
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<H1>X-BOOT version 5.0</H1>
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<HR>
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</CENTER>
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<H2>INTRODUCTION</H2>
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This tool converts Atari executable files to disk images (ATR).
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Since its first version, X-BOOT lost significance, because now you
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can load an executable directly to Atari (e.g. using
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<A HREF="xload.htm">X-LOAD</A>), and the emulators (e.g.
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<A HREF="http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl">Atari800Win PLus</A>).
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However, X-BOOT may still be useful, especially when using
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professional loader.
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<H3>CHANGES</H3>
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<H4>Version 5.0</H4>
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<UL>
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<LI> long file names support
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<LI> more flexible syntax: both <TT>obxmask atrfile</TT>
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and <TT>obxfile atrpath</TT> can be used
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<LI> internal write protection flag (supported by APE and Atari800)
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set in generated disk images
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<LI> headers with end address less than start allowed
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<LI> Unix-like <TT>-p</TT> option allowed
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</UL>
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<H4>Version 4.0</H4>
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<UL>
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<LI> wildcards support - now you can convert a set of files
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<LI> .ATR name not required - name can be taken from executable
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<LI> no length limit - files longer than 60k allowed
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<LI> truncated executables are supported
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<LI> checking for memory conflicts
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<LI> better errors handling
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</UL>
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<H4>Version 3.2</H4>
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<UL>
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<LI> .OBX is default extension of Atari executable
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</UL>
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<H4>Version 3.1</H4>
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<UL>
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<LI> first release
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</UL>
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<HR>
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<H2>USAGE</H2>
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Syntax for invoking X-BOOT is following:<P>
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<TT>XBOOT [/p] obxfiles [atrpath][atrfile]</TT><P>
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Parameters in brackets are optional.<P>
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If file name extension is omitted, the default .OBX or .ATR is added.
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If no <TT>atrpath</TT> is given, disk images are written by default in
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the directory where executables are.<P>
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If file name contains spaces, you should enclose it in quotation marks.<P>
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<TT>/p</TT> switch (or equivalent <TT>-p</TT>) forces writing 'professional
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loader', which allows you to load code/data intro the RAM under ROM and starts
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the program with disabled ROM and interrupts. By default, standard loader is
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used, which can load any Atari executable not demanding DOS nor any special
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loader.<P>
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Both loaders disable Atari Basic, so you don't need to hold the OPTION key
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while booting.<P>
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Below are some examples:<P>
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<DL>
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<DT><TT>XBOOT -p test</TT>
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<DD>Converts <TT>test.obx</TT> to <TT>test.atr</TT> in current directory
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using professional loader.
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<DT><TT>XBOOT d:\games\*.xex \atrs\</TT>
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<DD>Converts all files in <TT>d:\games</TT> with <TT>.xex</TT> extension
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and writes disk images to directory <TT>\atrs</TT> on current drive
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using standard loader.
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<DT><TT>XBOOT "c:\test\Very Long File Name.AtariExecutable" /p</TT>
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<DD>Converts <NOBR><TT>c:\test\Very Long File Name.AtariExecutable</TT></NOBR> to
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<NOBR><TT>c:\test\Very Long File Name.atr</TT></NOBR> using professional loader.
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<DT><TT>XBOOT d:* /p .</TT>
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<DD>Converts all .OBX files in current directory on <TT>d:</TT>
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to current directory on current drive using professional loader.
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</DL>
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<HR>
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<H2>DETAILS</H2>
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Produced ATR is single density and as short as possible.
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Loader occupies one boot sector.<P>
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X-BOOT does not store the executable file in ATR as an Atari file.
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You can't read it from an Atari DOS nor extract it somehow or other.
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You can only run it by booting.<P>
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For more details, read source files of the loaders:
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<UL>
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<LI>Standard: <A HREF="xbootstd.asx">XBOOTSTD.ASX</A>
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<LI>Professional: <A HREF="xbootpro.asx">XBOOTPRO.ASX</A>
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</UL>
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Loaders are so simple that they even do not detect end of file. Instead,
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they are modified when end of file is reached. The disk image contains one
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additional block, which doesn't belong to the executable file, but alters
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the loader to run the program instead of initializing.
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<P><HR><P><A HREF="index.htm">Back</A>
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</BODY>
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</HTML> |