Date   : Wed, 02 Nov 1994 08:34:08 +0000 (GMT)
From   : clr1@...
Subject: Re: Reading BBC disks

On Tue, 1 Nov 1994, Mark Cooke wrote:
> I'd also like to start a discussion on everyone's ideas for doing disk
> I/O.  Various ways have been bandied about.
> 
> 1. Intercepting the FDC read/write and emulating the FDC and physical disk.

Well, for what it's worth I would certainly not like to try this on my 
machine. The BBC did not have my 420Mb of precious data attacked to it 
and I'd rather it didn't try to format my hard disk as a 600Kb floppy...

> 2. Intercept osword 7F for sector read/write

This is my personal favourite; it allows you to use BBC disks safely and 
also could be adapted to support a "virtual" hard drive.

> 3. Blow it all, and write an FS rom that breaks out to the emulator.

Certainly a thought. Might be tricky though, and if (2) can be 
implemented then there might not be much point.

> I'm sure there are countless other variations - thoughts & ideas please.

I'm afraid you've covered all mine!

+-------------------+-------------------------------------+
| /-- |_| /-- | (~  | "I'm in two minds, and both of them |
| \-- | | |   | _)  | are out of it at the bar"           |
+-------------------+--- Marillion - Clutching at Straws -+