－－－　EP.COM v0.09a document　－－－ 1996/11/04 K.Tsujikawa. □ files included in this archive EP.HED header file for reprinting EP.DOC this file EP.COM Virtual Floppy Disk Setup Tool Body □ Introduction EP.COM is a virtual floppy disk setup tool that supports MEGA-SCSI v2.10 or later. There are two functions of Virtual Floppy Disk: Assign a floppy disk image file to the drive. ・ Play floppy disk software comfortably on HDD/MO, etc. It is necessary to convert the contents of the floppy disk into a file in advance. For filemaking, you can use my work "FDSAVE.COM". turboR also allows you to switch CPUs while gaming, making it even more comfortable. In addition, it is possible to switch to FDD if necessary, so copy measures are taken. It is also possible to switch to FDD only at that time. In addition, the user disk is an FDD, which may be a good way to use. The software reset function is useful when used in conjunction with EPM.COM. EPM.COM is an FSW developed and published by Namu-san. □ usage MSX-DOS(2) on command line A>EP filename.ext d: [/F][/W] A>EP filename.ext [/B|/Bx][/D][/R][/W] and so on. d : drive letter to assign (A:~H:) x : Specify the number of disks to boot from (0~Fh) /f : force allocation of partitions that are already assigned /w : write-protect the drive /B : Start the software /d : initialize and then set the extended partition table /R : Apply a software reset after setting is complete. Be sure to specify the file name. Wildcards are allowed. (However, an error occurs when multiple files are applied to the drive allocation) In addition, A>EP or A>TYPE EP.COM If so, a brief description is displayed. If the Read Only attribute of the file is turned ON, writing is It will be banned. However, please turn it off on the user disk. If you want to replace the disc during the game, hold down the virtual floppy disk replacement key while Please seth. Then, the [CAPS] lamp flashes, so it corresponds to the corresponding disk Press the numeric key on the number you want to do. It will switch to that. By default, the virtual floppy exchange key is KANA. On the numeric keypad, '0123456789.,+-*/' corresponds to disks 0 through 15. This setting is the same as SHEM.COM, so if you are a streak person, you will know it immediately. Similarly, CPU switching is the virtual floppy disk exchange key while accessing and 'Z','R' Press to switch to Z80 and R800. (Do not do it except for tR) To release the virtual floppy disk, reset the MSX and hold down the virtual floppy disk release key Launch it. By default, the virtual floppy release key is GRPH+INS. Key customization can be changed with ESET.COM. □ usage example (beware of long sentences!) Using YS2 as an example of playing with MO, I will explain how to use the virtual FD. Please remove the protection with a copy tool file etc. in advance. The virtual floppy disk exchange key is [KANA] and the virtual floppy disk release key is [GRPH] + [INS]. Suppose G:FDD, F:MO drive. Insert the YS2 program disk into G: and file it as follows. A>FDSAVE G: F:YS2-PROG.FD0 Next, put the YS2 data disk in G: and file it as well. A>FDSAVE G: F:YS2-DATA.FD1 This completes the fileization of YS2 disks. Just in case, YS2-PROG. Make sure that the FD0 and YS2-DATA.FD1 files have the Read Only attribute. You may be. (Use MSX-DOS2's ATTRIB command, MM.COM, etc.) This is only the first time. If you want to play YS2 from now on, you can only work from here. 　Set up the virtual floppy disk. The screen is as follows. 　　A>EP E:YS2*.FD? /B /D /R 　-------------------------------------------------------------------- 　　FD emulate table setter for MEGA-SCSI ver 0.08 　　 Copyright (c) by K.Tsujikawa. 　　 　　0 : YS2-PROG.FD0 ... OK 　　1 : YS2-DATA.FD1 ... OK 　　 　　EX-Partition changed. Thank you. 　-------------------------------------------------------------------- 　「0 : YS2-PROG.FD0」 indicates that YS2-PROG corresponds to on the numeric keypad. 　「1 : YS2-DATA.FD1」 similarly indicates that corresponds to on the numeric keypad. 　「Illegal FAT chain !」 is displayed, please try again from FDSAVE. Hopefully, the reset will take place and the game will launch. 　After the opening, if [SET DATA DISK AND HIT RETURN KEY] is displayed 　Hold down the KANA key and press the RETURN key. 　After the [CAPS] light flashes, press on the numeric keypad to replace the disk. 　If you want to use a user disk (floppy disk), click 　Insert the user disk and select Load user disk. When [SET USER DISK AND HIT RETURN KEY] is displayed, press the [KANA] key. The press RETURN key. After the [CAPS] light flashes, press on the numeric keypad to see the floppy disk drive. to (Even if it is not, any key on the numeric keypad other than and is acceptable.) During the game, if you want to switch to R800, enter the house and access the disk Let it. At that time, press the [KANA] key. As usual, [CAPS] flashes. Now press R to switch to the R800. Also, if you press [Z] at this time, it will be Z80. (The CPU switching function is exclusive to turboR. Do not use with MSX2+ or lower.) To reset the game and play from the beginning, press the reset switch and then Press and hold the KANA key until the CAPS light flashes. After the [CAPS] light flashes, press on the numeric keypad to start YS2. If you don't want to play YS2 anymore, press [GRPH] + [INS] to start MSX. □ About compatible software Since it does not depend on memory mappers, etc., we believe that there is no software that cannot be supported in principle. Eh. Please let me know if there is any software that does not work. Here are some that have been confirmed to work: MSX-DOS1,2, YS1,2,3, Xak Gazelle Tower, Phantom City, Princess Maker Sorcerer, Sengoku Sorcerer, Dragon Slayer Heroes Legend Magic Story 1-2-3, Arrester 2, Arrester Gaiden, Heidiphos, History of the Three Kingdoms 2 Puyo Puyo, Columns, Tetris, Quinple, FeedBack, Herzog Grafsaurus, Snatcher, SD Snatcher, Konami Game Collection 1,2,3,4,Ahh □ troubleshooting When the software does not work well with the virtual FD, try the following Please. Please report "It doesn't work~" after that. 　・In EP.COM, "Illegal FAT chain!" is not displayed? Prepare a partition dedicated to the virtual floppy disk. Please delete the file. Hang CHKDSK on the drive. (A>CHKDSK d: /F) If you are asked anything in CHKDSK, enter 'Y'. Created by CHKDSK, FILE????.CHK Delete all CHKs. Then, recreate the file with FDSAVE again. ・Isn't there a problem with the original data itself? (Protection, etc.) Prepare a blank disk and format it normally. FDLOAD writes the file to the disk. Remove MEGA-SCSI from the slot and try booting to the disk. If you can't start it with this, there is a problem with the original data. If it is caused by protection, please crush the protection checker. ・ Isn't it software that starts only when [CTRL] is started? It is often glorious software. Also pay attention to the CTRL boot setting in the ESET.COM. ・ There is also software that does not start when [CTRL] is started. Often in micro cabins soft. Also pay attention to the CTRL boot setting in the ESET.COM. (In MGINST v2.15 and later, the specification in CTRL boot is ignored during virtual FD) ・ It is software for 1DD... Maybe we can't handle it. I'm not confident because I haven't tried it. ひゅるりら～。(no translation) ・ If it does not work If the one FDLOADED to a blank disk works, cancel the virtual floppy disk once. Please. Then, hold down the driver disconnect key to reset. It should then try to boot from the floppy disk. At this time, please report whether it works properly or not. In addition, the model name of the MSX used for installation and virtual FD, Don't forget to report the title and company name. In addition, don't forget the model name of the main unit and the version of the MGINST.COM/EP.COM. □ precautions Virtual FD is basically solid, but other than that, it cuts corners quite a bit. So there are so many things to be aware of. ・ The protection checker must be removed. The data must reside in a contiguous area of the disk. ・ Models without a numeric keypad cannot use disk replacement. ・ If you try to switch CPUs other than turboR, there is a risk of runaway. ・ When you play a game that is not designed for R800 with R800, the behavior is doubtful. (The music on the screen or FM sound source is disturbed, PAUSE does not work, PAUSE runs out of control when PAUSE, etc.) □ promise With regard to any accidents, damages, etc. caused in connection with the use of this software, We are not responsible for anything. Please use it at your own risk. This software is the copyrighted work of Tsujikawa. Distribution is free as long as you do not modify the contents of this archive. However, it is prohibited to exchange money beyond the actual cost of distribution. Reprints are generally welcome. In that case, please contact us in advance. □ contacts NATSUME-NET NAT26712 FALCON-NET FALC0385 MARIO-NET Tsuji e-mail(NIFTY) BXC04611@niftyserve.or.jp Tsujikawa 〒145 Kazuhiro Tsujikawa, 1-29-22-12 Higashi-Yukiya, Ota-ku, Tokyo --- end of 'EP .DOC' ---