Changes
A CP/M Plus disk image file is a raw binary image of a CP/M hard disk or partition. Its name must be in the form CPMDSK0x.IMG where x=1, 2, 3 or 4 in order to be recognized by HDCPM. The size of the file depends on the Disk Parameter Block of the virtual hard disk it represents and for the initial release of HDCPM it is fixed and equal to 1 reserved track * 256 sectors per track * 512 bytes per sector + 8MB data = 8519680 bytes. If possible create your CPMDSK01.IMG file in a modern computer and copy it in the root directory of your FAT formatted medium. You can use the free online hex editor hexed.it or any hex editor capable of creating binary files filled with a specific pattern.<br />
In case of hexed.it select 'New file' fill in 'Size of the new file = 8519680' and 'Fill Pattern = 0xE5' and press apply. Save the file as CPMDSK01.IMG If you have a FAT capable DOS installed in your AMSTRAD you can use the provided MAKEIMG.BAS utility to create your image file. Keep in mind that it takes more than 1.5 hour for a 8MB image file to be created that way.<br />
CP/M disk image files can be accessed by a modern computer with [[cpmtools]]*. Use the command |HDDEF to see the record you must insert in the diskdefs file.<br />
The HDCPM record for diskdefs is:
* You are ready to go.<br />
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====ROM commands====
* |HDCPM mounts the hard disks and boots CP/M Plus. If USIfAC II is used enable the USB disk with the |USB command first.
* |HDCPMT works like |HDCPM but also utilizes the RTC.
* |HDDPB shows the Disk Parameter Block.
* |HDDEF shows the diskdefs entry for CP/M tools and the file system size.
* |DATE displays the current date.
* |TIME displays the current time. If M4 Board is used |DATE and |TIME will be redirected to M4 |TIME.<br />
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====The HDCPM binary file====
* If USIfAC II is used, use your PC to copy HDCPM.BIN to your USB flash disk. Then insert it to your USIfAC II power up your Amstrad and enable the USB disk with the |USB command.
* Execute the file from the floppy disk or from your mass storage device with RUN"HDCPM". HDCPM will detect your mass storage interface and you will see the initialization message: 'CP/M+ Hard Disk boot loader v1.04' Then it will mount any available hard disk images and boot CP/M Plus.
* M4 board and USIfAC II use their own FAT aware DOS so you can run HDCPM.BIN directly from their mass storage device. For all the other interfaces you will need to have a FAT aware DOS, like CubeMDOS or UNIDOS, installed.<br />
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====The MAKEIMG.BAS and MAKEIMG.EXE utilities====
MAKEIMG.BAS<br />
Although this utility should not be your first option, you can use it to make a new empty CP/M disk image file.<br />
In case you decide to use it make sure you have a FAT aware DOS installed in your system. MAKEIMG makes use of the firmware calls CAS_OUT_OPEN, CAS_OUT_CLOSE and CAS_OUT_CHAR so your DOS must support them.<br />
Copy the files MAKEIMG.BAS and MAKEIMG.BIN to the root directory of your FAT formatted hard disk and make it your current drive. Run the utility with 'RUN"MAKEIMG"' and don't hold your breath!<br />
Making an image file this way takes more than 1.5 hour for an 8MB file so literally... don't hold your breath.<br />
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MAKEIMG.EXE<br />
This utility is a SYMBOS* application.<br />
Use this utility to create your CP/M hard disk images from within SYMBOS. It is a bit faster than its Basic counterpart. It takes between 25 and 60 (or more) minutes for your image file to be created, depending on the characteristics of your media. Disable your screen saver before using it in order to gain some speed.<br />
MAKEIMG.EXE has been developed with Quigs* for Symbos.<br />
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====The HDMGR.COM utility====
====The RTC.COM utility====
====Error messages====
