Looking for a MITS Manual

[RichCini]

All:

I’m working on adding support in the Altair32 Emulator for directly reading WAV file samples of audio cassettes. Initially, I’m working with the 88-ACR but it should be a snap to modify that code to support the KCS. The sample tape provided was for the MITS Disk Boot Loader. I knew that this was provided in PROM, but I didn't know it was on cassette, also. I have the source code and ROM image, but no manual of any sort.

Anyway, me and a buddy of mine are starting to parse the WAV samples and it would help greatly if we could get a copy of the manual for the tape version of the DBL. The owner of the tape doesn’t have it. What I’m really looking for is the toggle loader or whatever was used to bring the DBL in from cassette.

If anyone has it and would be willing to scan it for me, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!

[Erik]

I'd love to see that as well. . . :)

[RichCini]

I don't even really need the manual, but I need the code for the first-stage loader. The tape has data on it we can't readily identify yet. We think it might be the load address and possibly some other data, but without seeing the loader, we can't be sure.

[Erik]

I have the binary image for the DBL paper tape. . . would that help?

[RichCini]

I have the binary image for the DBL paper tape. . . would that help?

Erik --

Yes, that will certainly help clear up some things. I have the ROM binary which of course doesn't have any loader info. I spoke to someone yesterday who worked at MITS in 1975-1977 who mentioned that the DBL was loaded with the same kind of loader as with the other tape (either paper or audio) formats which is the same as in the development system manual. I was hoping that the DBL manual -- which seems to be as scarce as hen's teeth -- would confirm that only a small toggle loader was required and that the tape didn't contain a secondary loader as with BASIC.

So, with a combination of your tape image and my binary image, I should be able to determine if there is indeed a secondary loader.

[Erik]

Erik --

I was hoping that the DBL manual -- which seems to be as scarce as hen's teeth -- would confirm that only a small toggle loader was required and that the tape didn't contain a secondary loader as with BASIC.

So, with a combination of your tape image and my binary image, I should be able to determine if there is indeed a secondary loader.

The zip file should be in your inbox now.

If you ever locate the manual please let me know. . . :)

[billdeg]

Exactly what manual are you looking for?
Bill

[RichCini]

Bill --

Your question sparked me to look in unusual places for the manual for this code. I (and many others) assumed that the manual for the Disk Boot Loader existed as a separate manual, but it appears that it doesn't. There are two manuals relating to the Altair Disk system. The first is the 88-DCD manual, which is only for the hardware. I looked at the manual closely and indeed, there's nothing in it about software.

But there is a separate AltairDOS manual which, frankly, I never actually read because I don't use AltairDOS. This manual, which I have on my Altair32 site, contains the elusive toggle bootstrap code in Appendix F.

Thanks again, Bill, for asking the right question :-)

[billdeg]

I believe I have the manual, but I don't have any disks. Glad you found what you were looking for. I have the manuals, a MITS drive, and associated controllers with cables.

Yes I would like the disks if anyone has the boot disk lying around. :-)

Bill

[RichCini]

I believe I have the manual, but I don't have any disks. Glad you found what you were looking for. I have the manuals, a MITS drive, and associated controllers with cables.

Yes I would like the disks if anyone has the boot disk lying around. :-)

Bill

Bill --

Although I think I found the answer I needed in the AltairDOS manual, if there was indeed a separate manual I could compare the loaders. So, no rush, but if you find a separate manual, please let me know.

I have an image of an AltairDOS disk as part of the Altair32 but so far, no way to move it to a real disk, primarily because I don't have an Altair disk system. If you want to take a shot at developing a utility, you can use the image I have.

[billdeg]

I probably have what you have the Altair DOS User's Manual from June 1977. The first few pages go through how to bootstrap the system under various situations, etc.

What I plan to do, once I get a boot disk, is to use a turnkey system monitor to load the DOS bootstrap.

Bill