** 2 pages Q&A / 1760 words **
** I've resent the unused AC4 stuff again **
** Use any with grabs first **
** Recycle leftovers for AC6! **

** boxout **
Following on from your review of the US Robotics Sportster Voice 33.6 Modem in AC#3 there's no need to wait for Atarians to program voice mail (Answerphone run by computer).
The registered v2.46 of ConNect supports the ZyXEL voice modems and TIA TR29.2 standard modems. The Sportster acts like a ZyXEL machine giving you the opportunity to record your own messages through the "ext mic" option so long as:
** bulleted list **
* Your serial interface supports 38600 baud
* You set up the recording directory yourself
* You SHOUT!
** end list ** Peter Swan, Bristol
** end boxout **

** Q **
** TIMESLCE.GIF here **
Every time I install Stewart, the MagiC customiser, I get a crash and an alert box reports "68000 exception error", why?
** A **
This happens with a number of programs under MagiC. The solution is to disable timeslicing during booting. This is achieved by commenting out the #_TSL line in MAGX.INF (add a ; character at the start of the line using any ASCII editor). Once at the desktop open the TSLICE.CPX and turn pre-emptive multitasking on - which reactivates timeslicing. You only need to do this the first time after editing MAGX.INF and it solves these problems for good.
Harry Sideras


External File Systems
** Q **
I recently came across a reference to loadable filesystems, and was told these can be used on my Atari ST. Now I do not consider myself to be a beginner when it comes to ST matters, but this is the first time I have heard of loadable file systems. I have a 4Mb STe with 330Mb hard disk. Please explain what loadable filesystems are, and how I could set one up.
Paul Dion, Warwick.
** A **
The TOS filesystem (TOSFS) is adequate for most tasks you are likely to carry out. It takes care of things such as file attributes and the way files are structured on disk but doesn't support long filenames and other features which are becoming increasingly important for online use. A loadable filesystem replaces TOSFS offering enhanced features. The main filesystems available are:
** bulleted list **
* CD filesystem (CDFS)
* Minix filesystem (MinixFS) * RAM filesystem (RAMFS)
** end list **
CDFS supports the ISO9660 filesystem standard used on most CDs, RAMFS is a dynamically resizeable RAM disk and MinixFS is the most commonly used. MinixFS offers:
** bulleted list **
* Long filenames up to 64 characters in any mixture of upper and lower case including spaces.
* UNIX-like symbolic and hard links (file alias variants)
* Files can be assigned ownership attributes, under a multi-user system
* Hard disks can have huge partitions without increasing the sector size.
* Faster and more robust than TOSFS
** end list **

All three filesystems are free - available from PD/Shareware libraries and online services. There are a things you need to be aware of:
** bulleted list **
* Requires MiNT or MultiTOS
* Incompatible with TOSFS - needs separate disk/partition
* Disk utilities designed for use with TOSFS such as defragmentation utilities do not work with Minix disks
* Many non-MiNT (usually older) programs are not able to access files with long filenames
** end list **

Installing the filesystems is straightforward. I cannot emphasise how important it is that you backup your hard drive before installing this. If you're not confident create a Minix filesystem on a floppy disk before risking your data! Here's a step by step guide to installing a MinixFS on your hard disk:
** bulleted list **
* From the MinixFS distribution, click on MINIT.TTP, and enter the following parameters: -V -n 2 -P A:
This creates a filesystem on drive A: supporting filenames up to 30 characters, disk protection - this avoids disk problems if you mistakenly copy files from a TOS partition to a Minix partition.
* Put MINIXFS.XFS into either C:\MINT or C:\MULTITOS, where C is the boot partition. If you have MultiTOS installed use C:\MULTITOS
* Reboot with MiNT/MultiTOS and you should be able to use the MinixFS partition!
** end list **
Denesh Bhabuta
** FREEDOM.GIF **
** Caption **
Freedom displaying long filenames installed under MultiTOS on a MinixFS partition
** end **

PC Rodents
** Q **
Is there any way to use a PC mouse on my Atari? My overused and damaged original Atari mouse wants to retire.
Martin Quested, London
** Q **
You can still by an Atari specific mouse from Atari dealers. They have evolved and are generally nicer to use than the original. These typically cost between £10 and £15 pounds.
It is possible to use a serial PC mouse plugged into the serial port along with a PD utility imaginatively called Mouse v2.5. It works well but doesn't feel exactly the same as a 'real' Atari mouse. Obviously if you're already using the serial port for a modem this isn't a feasible idea.
Phil Hough

SCSI Masterclass
** Q **
Why does my Falcon hard disk keep locking up? The external 340Mb Quantum external MiniS hard disk keeps locking up with the message "Your output device is not receiving data". I'm running HD Driver and my Falcon has all the stability mods fitted.
Copying a file from C: to D: can set it off. Sometimes direct to disk recording will work other times it won't. Worst of all if I start a raytracing and go to bed then get up in the morning to find POV on line 3 displaying that darn alert. ARGH!
Scott Forshaw, via CIX
** A **
SCSI lock-ups do seem to afflict Falcon owners more than other machines, although other machines can be affected. The problem generally seems to get worse if you burden the system with an enlarged desktop and/or a large colour palette.
** TREECHK.GIF here **
If you have a copy of Kobold (or Egale) run the Tree check utility and check each SCSI partition against itself in every screen resolution you normally use (in 2, 16 and 256 colours). If you get a problem or mismatch is any of these tests then you do have a SCSI problem.
Suggested treatments and possible cures!
** bulleted list **
* SCSI termination: Whatever you've read SCSI termination rules are made to be broken - experiment! In case you're wondering the Falcon is terminated internally on the motherboard.
* Try disconnecting any other SCSI devices.
* Try substituting a different SCSI cable - the shorter the better rule applies.
* Run in mono at the lowest practical resolution for the task in hand.
* The hard disk driver software and buffer method employed by individual applications is crucial. Programs which buffer data in large chunks (such as D2D software) are more prone to lock-ups. Try changing your hard disk driver software as follows:
** If you're using ICD, HD Driver or any AHDI version other than AHDI v6.05c try changing to this particular version - it's slightly slower and cures lock-ups for some people.
** If you're using AHDI v6.05c try HD Driver or AHDI v6.06.
* Changing from TOS to MagiC or Geneva also affect the speed of the system and may make a difference.
* Fitting Nemesis may well fix the problem because the installation procedure includes a complete diagnostic of the SCSI subsystem and fitting of specially selected suppression components.
* Back-up, reformat and partition (BURP), preferably using HD Driver v6 (don't use any HD-Driver v5.x - they were buggy).
* Work from a RAM disk where feasible.
* Switch over to an IDE drive - no SCSI lock-ups!
* If you're running a Falcon or TT turn SCSI arbitration on using HD Driver, or other utility, then it can control and reset the SCSI bus if it hangs. There's an annoying timeout so be patient because it avoids having to power off then on again. The SCSI arbitration setting is stored as part of the boot-configuration data stored in non-volatile memory (NVRAM).
** end list **
Joe Connor, Doug Little, Al Goold, Derryck Croker, Darryl Piper, Martyn Dryden, Bob Culveston, Andy Humphreys, Daron Brewood,  Keith Jackson and the rest of the CIX gang.


Quantum light
** Q **
Some time ago I acquired a battered TT with no hard drive. Since resurrecting it for my college studies I have bought a new Quantum drive mechanism, which works fine except I don't know where to plug in the drive activity light! I've been told by various sources it goes into various places (including the motherboard) but none of them worked. There are some small sockets on the drive itself but the plug is too big for any of them.
David Dobson via email
** A **
The drive light socket is usually a small socket on the drive somewhere. Exactly where the socket is depends on the drive model (which you didn't mention) so we suggest you check out Quantum's web site, which provides excellent technical information:
** BC on **
http://www.quantum.com
** BC off **
You should be able to obtain a suitable miniature plug from any good electronics supplier.
Shiuming Lai


IMG-ination
** Q **
Can you recommend a decent package to edit IMG pictures? My setup is a Mega ST 4 with NEC 3D Multisync monitor.
Melanie Ferris, Billericay
** A **
You'll find dozens to choose from in any PC/Shareware catalogue but here's a shortlist of currently supported alternatives:
** bulleted list **
* The demo version of PixArt can load and save monochrome images - to save colour images you can buy the full package from 16/32 (in the UK).
* If monochrome is all you need take a look at Munch, an excellent shareware package supported by InterActive.
* Gribnif's Arabesque Professional (available from Titan Designs in the UK) is fast, feature packed and also supports vector graphics in the form of GEM or Calamus vector graphics.
** end list **
Shiuming Lai

Ready to float!
** Q **
I have the opportunity to buy a used Motorola 68882 FPU quite cheaply. Is this the one that's suitable for Mega STe computers?
Gary Manley, Co Durham
** A **
Yes, so long as it's in a PLCC package (flat and square with legs on the sides - like the main processor). However it's not a Plug&Play upgrade because you'll also need a PAL interface chip to enable your computer to recognise the coprocessor. Take advice from System Solutions or The Upgrade Shop...
Shiuming Lai

Whining STe
** Q **
My Atari 1040STe is connected to my HiFi system via a pair of RCA phono leads and when the volume is turned up there is a high pitch whining noise. Is my computer broken? I have disconnected the HiFi in case I damage it.
Bob Morro, London
** A **
No, this is a problem with the design of the machine. The STe audio system is not properly isolated from the rest of the components so it inherently picks up noise. Adjusting the graphic equaliser on your HiFi system may alleviate the problem.
Shiuming Lai