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