J.E.Lawrie HINTS-2. v.4 The :RAM.- bug The Z88 operating system can create two files which go in :RAM.- They are S.sgn and K.sgn. If they stay there they can cause a failure which will require a soft reset (only suspended files are lost) or a hard reset (everything lost!). You can go to RAM.- periodically to check that it is empty. A better way is to type the following on the top line of a Pipedream file - save it with a name like CLEAR.CLI, as plain text. #F|ER:RAM.-/*~EN~E|[#I To clear :RAM.- you go to the RAM where you put CLEAR.CLI, put your cursor over it, press TAB, press <> (diamond) E and X The CLI will go to RAM.-, empty it and return you to the Index. Easy & quick. Z88 Spares Try Rakewell Ltd., 24 Putnams Drive, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, BUCKS Tel: 01296 630617 Fax: 630292. Ask for Vic Gerhardi. He's got the "Z88 MAGIC" book, being the main author of it. There is also W.N.Richardson & Co., 6,Ravensmead, Chalfont-St.-Peter, Buckinghamshire SL9 0NB Tel/Fax 01494 971319 - The "QL man". "Extras" for the Z88 The first additions required for the Z88 are - a 128k RAM for Slot 1 - especially if the in-built RAM is only 32k. Another 128k for Slot 2 can come later, unless of course you are wealthy and can afford a 512k or a 1 Meg RAM for slot 1 !. and an EPROM for Slot 3 so that you can save files to it. A 32k will do for a start. If you find later that you need a 128k EPROM to back-up your RAM files then you can use the 32k to send files/messages to another Z88 user or to the Z88 Software Library. Be wary of using a 256k EPROM. If you load more than 150k you could have problems, certainly on a version 3 Z88. You may be O.K with a version 4. How can you tell which "version" you have? - S'easy - go to the INDEX, press HELP, press left arrow and read the top line. Now the next thing you need is an EPROM eraser so that when your EPROM is full you can empty it. Cost about £40 new but you might get a second- -hand one for about £20. You can of course build your own, much faster than the standard type, for about £23 - see my ERASER.DOC file for the details. Will erase a 128k in six mins and the awful-to-erase 32k in 15. When you have these the only limitation to what you CAN have is the size of your bank balance. Of course, a "Topper" (the cover over keyboard and screen) is really essential. And a case of some kind if you are going to carry it around a lot. A disc drive is the best thing you can ever add to the Z88. If you can acquire a Tandy "Portable Disc Drive 2" Model No. 26-3814, as used with the Tandy 100, 102 and 200 models with its connector cable - should be under £50 - grab it, then write to me and I'll help you do the rest - no charge! No technical knowledge needed. Sell off your excess EPROMs and you could end up with a profit. END Back to HINTS-INDEX