Date   : Thu, 03 Dec 1987 19:53:00 CST
From   : <OPTON%UHVAX1.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: running ZCPR3 on a CPM3 system

I have an orphan computer (Visual Technology 1050) that runs
CPM3 (banked).  Does anyone have any experience (rumor?,
advice?) on adapting the CPM3 BIOS to run ZCPR3?  Following the
cookbook instructions in Richard Conn's user's manual were
spectacularly unsuccessful.  I also tried simply lifting out
the calls required for CPM 2.2, and then running SYSGEN on it,
to make the system into a cpm 2.2 system, and THEN following the
install procedure, but this was
also unsuccessfully.  (I have a sneaking suspicion that I have
to change the boot sector, but I have no proof, and I don't know
how to look at the boot sector.)

Perusing the postings I have noticed some discussion on other
BDOS replacements, such as Z80DOS and some others.  What are
their claims to fame, and how do they compare with each other
and with ZCPR?

How do I read and alter the boot sector (trk 0 sec 1 on my disks)?
Also, how do I read the first two tracks?  Can I change these
easily?  Is there a program available, preferably in the PD?
(I tried to write a quick and dirty one, and the results were
less than useful.  So I sez to myself, 'Why reinvent the wheel?')

Does anyone have any suggestions for a general purpose (and
inexpensive) general accounting program for CPM based
systems.

I realize this is a lot of questions, so I thank everyone
for their patience, and help.

Lee Thomison
BITNET: OPTON@UHVAX1
landline: (713) 749-3127