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From: carter@cat27.cs.wisc.edu (Gregory Carter)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: A plea for assistance!
Keywords: help
Message-ID: <1991Feb8.042342.7481@daffy.cs.wisc.edu>
Date: 8 Feb 91 04:23:42 GMT
References: <1963@gold.gvg.tek.com>
Sender: news@daffy.cs.wisc.edu (The News)
Organization: U of Wisconsin CS Dept
Lines: 85

dond@gold.gvg.tek.com (Don Davis)
writes:

I am a new ATARI user who is full of questions. Hopefully some
of you can help me get started. There aren't any other ATARI users
in my area (that I know of) and the "good deal" I got didn't include
much documentation! Thanks in advance for any replies.

I need a description of the operating system. I would really like 
to know how the desktop works, how files are managed, how 
does the OS know what devices are connected, ect. Where can
I find one?

I have an ATARI 520ST with 500K ram (s/n# A11003969 - does that mean 
anything to anyone???). What are my options for upgrading?
I have a printer that will not operate with the CENTRONICS cable (the
same printer/cable operate fine when attached to "one of those
other PC's"). How does the ST know if there is a serial or
a parallel printer attached? What is the correct cable 
configuration to use?

What are my options for a hard drive? What type of HD am I looking
for? I now have two floppies - SS354's.  

Is there a translation capability to read/write IBM & MAC 3" discs?

Are either of the monitors compatable with other PC's? I have a SM124
and a SC1224 as well. (e.g. I don't need two monitors,
simultaneously - could the one I'm not using be hooked as a
display for something else?)

Must I dismantle the unit to read the PROM version? Is there a way to 
ask it? ...and what is the current version of the OS? If I don't
have the current version, how can I get it?

Thanks again for any help offered. I'm excited about the ST and 
looking forward to becoming "more functional"!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, as for your first question about operating system information you
might want to try investing in Mark Williams C.  The compiler kinda sucks,
but the documentation shows you how to do almost anything you want on your
ST with complete working programs...I learned most of my knowledge by typing
in all the examples myself...and screwing around with them in all sorts
of ways.

As for your upgrade question, icky poo.  500K?  With MWC you will want at
least 2.5 megs so you can make a RAM disk to keep your CC files in OR ELSE
you will be sitting waiting all day for a compile to complete.
(I think most will agree Zubair 3D is a fine memory upgrade I loved mine)

As for the printer, the ST doesn't explicitly have to know if the printer
it self is serial or parallel, you simply plug it into the germaine port.
(You didn't sy anything whether the printer was serial or centronics)

As for the hard drive options, I would go with:

#1 Choice is ICD drives.  (They look neato and are easily expandable)
   (Did I mention they are fast too?)

#2 Supra is an excellent drive too.

#3 Yes, then we have Atari's MEGA file series comming in third...they look
   better on the outside than on the inside.  :)
   (Although!  My Mega STe's drive IS NO SLOUCH and is comparable if not
    faster than an ICD setup (157N).

As for the floppies, EGADS, I suppose they are useful, but you really should
sell both and get a SF314.  FORGET MWC if you have 500K and two floppies
as a working development/exploration system.  

The monitors, Mmmmm, I am not sure about THAT.  Let someone else answer that
question...it would be a pain I would guess though...

As for the ROMS, if you have version 1.0, Great HornyToads, get to your
dealer and have them order the NEW RAINBOW 1.4 TOS, otherwise half your
hard disk performance is GONE.  (I mean, you wouldn't want to spend all that
money on a fast ICD drive and then hook it up to TOS 1.0 would you now?)

In my long winded conclusion, have fun!  Goodluck in your TOSLand pursuits.
And remember, a hppy program is one that does what TOS tells it too.
(Except if its TOS 1.0)

--Gregory