RAM DISK EMULATION

5.3

Always end a session with the RAM disk by copying any files on the RAM disk that you wish to permanently save to a floppy disk. Programs can also be directly saved to the RAM disk from memory. Similarly, programs can be loaded into the Apple’s memory from the RAM disk.

CAUTION: When using a RAM disk, DO NOT create a file greeter in size than the disk you can save it too. A standard 5 1/4 inch Apple disk drive can save 128K of data with DOS on the diskette, or 140K without DOS. A hard disk drive is recommended for large files.

Auto—boot Disks

You may create disks that will automatically install the RAM disk, transfer to the RAM disk those files you would like to have there, and then run a selected program from the RAM disk.

To create an auto—boot disk, you may use the disk onto which you transferred the RAM disk program. That disk already has the RAM disk drive program on it. You will need to copy one other file to the disk, FID. Use FID to make a copy of itself onto the auto—boot disk.

Next, after clearing memory with the “NEW” command, enter this Applesoft line: 10 PRINT CHR$(4)”EXEC AUTO—BOOT”. Save this short program under the name HELLO, the boot file of the disk you initialized earlier. This program will automatically run when you boot the disk.

Last, create an EXEC file to control the auto—boot process. An EXEC file is a text file that can control the Apple just as you would from the keyboard. You may create a text file with your favorite word processor or from an Applesoft program like the following. Consult your DOS 3.3 manual for sore information on EXEC files.

EXEC File Maker

Comments

 

 

 

 

10

D$= CHR$(4)

Set DOS command prefix

20

PRINT D$”OPEN AUTO—BOOT”

Create a text file

30PRINT D$”WRITE AUTO—BOOT”

31:

32: REM EXEC PILE CONTENTS 33:

40PRINT “BRUN MULTIDRIVE.DOS” Run the RAM disk program

50

PRINT “BRUN FID”

Run the FID program

60

PRINT “1”

Select “Copy” from the FID menu

70

PRINT “6”

Slot 6 for program to copy from

80

PRINT “1”

Drive 1 for program to copy from

90

PRINT “3”

Slot 3 for program to copy to

100

PRINT “1”

Drive 1 for program to copy to

110

PRINT “=”

Select all programs for copying

120

PRINT “N”

no prompt, copy all

130

PRINT “B”

Begin copying (any key would start it)

131:

 

140

PRINT D$”CLOSE AUTO-BOOT"

Save EXEC file to disk