Date   : Tue, 14 Mar 2006 10:18:23 +0000
From   : Richard_Talbot-Watkins@...
Subject: Re: Model B compatibility on a Master

Paul J wrote:

> Have heard there was an upgrade you could get for a Master, possibly
> by vine micros, to make it more compatible with earlier software
> written for model B.

There's a utility on the Master Welcome Disc called "Convert" which has a
go at fixing a few of the main incompatibilities (namely direct-poking UDGs
and, uhmm, a few others).  It has a slight performance hit, but it succeeds
in getting a fair few titles working better.

> Can anyone provide any more info on this, or on any other options
> available to help with sotware compatibility on the Master.

Another thing which can help some titles where sprites appear in a thin
strip along the top (e.g. Frak, Castle Quest) is to set up a lookup table
in Master Filing System RAM which echoes the one present on a BBC B (DFS
only, as this memory is used as ADFS workspace):

FORN%=0TO31:?(&C375+N%*2)=(N%*640)DIV256:?(&C376+N%*2)=(N%*640)AND255:NEXT
?&E0=&75:?&E1=&C3

> I have had problems with some software, can get it run ok, but ctrl-break

> does not return the machine to a useable state. Is there anyway to force
> ctrl-break to reset all the memory ?

Yep:
*FX 200,2
then CTRL-BREAK.

Cheers,
Rich


**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
postmaster@...

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been checked
for all known viruses.

**********************************************************************
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe