After a few seconds you will see the following message on the screen:
CP/M 2.2 - Amstrad Consumer Electronics plc. A>
This is a 'Sign on' message indicating that the operating system is under the control of CP/M.
The displayed A> on the screen is a prompt, (similar to Ready during normal BASIC operation) indicating that the computer is awaiting your instructions.
CP/M uses several prompts, all of which will be explained later in this manual under the section concerning CP/M.
Once you are operating CP/M, you cannot enter BASIC commands into the computer, as these will not be understood.
If for example, you type in the BASIC command:
cls
The Computer will return your entry, together with a question mark:
CLS?
indicating that it does not understand your command. To briefly look at some of the CP/M commands, type in:
dir
On the screen you will see a directory of CP/M and utility COMmands one of which is format. Type in:
format
On the screen you will see:
Please insert disc to be formatted into drive A then press any key
Remove the CP/M disc and insert your new blank disc, then press any black or blue key. Formatting will start, commencing at Track 0 and ending at track 39, after which you will be asked on the screen:
Do you want to format another disc (Y/N):
If you wish to format the other side of your blank disc, or format another disc, type Y (for Yes) and you will receive the initial message once again.
The formatting process can be repeated any number of times until you answer the repeat question N (for No), whereupon the system will ask you to:
AMSTRAD Disc Drive & Interface | Foundation 4.4 |
