L E R M S O F T W A R E ************************* (C) TAPE COPIER and MINITAPE 5 ------------------------------ INTRODUCTORY SHEET ------------------ We honestly believe that our package of two 100% m/code programs, (for making BACK UP copies of YOUR programs) is the most advanced and comprehensive available. "TAPE COPIER" is the "main" program and this will suit most of your requirements. The second program is called "MINITAPE" of which there are 2 versions - one of which copies, as an extra, onto the microdrive. Suitable for all Spectrums the package can copy ALL programs that we are aware of (at the time of going to press, except some of those produced by LERM software). They will copy ANY type of bytes, but they don't copy themselves. Both programs are very "user friendly", and simple to use. The package got a 5 star rating from HOME COMPUTING WEEKLY with 3 out of 4 maximum 100% ratings! Explanation of "part programs" and "headerless" programs are given in the instructions for "TAPE COPIER". WE WARN YOU NOT TO USE THESE UTILITIES TO BREAK COPYRIGHT LAWS -------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial companies MUST NOT be defrauded of revenue by selling or giving away of software. THIS IS IN YOUR INTEREST ! USES AND FEATURES ----------------- Neither occupies any of the PROGRAM area. All options (except the "m" mode) allow you to make repeat copies. You are given FULLY comprehensive instructions. When memory is refered to the 48k machine will be the first value, and the 16k the second. Both programs give the header data, and program names. TAPE COPIER ----------- This should be the package you use most of the time. It boasts the following features: * Copies UP TO approx 41.7k (or 8.9k) in one loading. * Copies any number of programs or part programs within the computers memory and USUALLY tells you if you are short on bytes. REPEAT copies. * Allows you to ABORT - that is change your mind at any time by entering break - option to carry on loading after a break - save just a header if you require! * 2 program options, one of which allows CONTINIOUS loading up to 41 or 9k. The "m" MAXBYTES option makes a working copy of a SINGLE part occupying the FULL 16 or 48k. This copies ALL types of programs (headerless etc). MINITAPE -------- * Same memory, and abort features as TAPE COPIER. Press "y" kev for more program parts, but won't copy "headerless" and other specially written programs. REPEAT copies. * You can save each program part AUTOMATICALLY or just some parts of the loaded PROGRAM(S). * You can VERIFY your copies in exactly the same way as SAVING with the AUTO function off or on. * It is very "user friendly" and tells you what to do, and what it is doing at each stage, giving you all the options for full control. * STOPS both basic and LOAD""CODE programs - essential to HELP YOU COPY onto the microdrive. * M/DRIVE - if purchased this will copy onto the microdrive. (Basic or CODE or arrays) General comments. ----------------- 1. You are supplied with both programs. "TAPE COPIER" then shortly afterwards "MINITAPE". 2. To LOAD either program: (a) Rewind the tape to the start of either "TAPE COPIER" or "MINITAPE" depending on which you want to use. (see "USES and FEATURES") (b) Press "j" (for LOAD), then "" (holding down symbol shift and pressing "p" twice). Your screen should now show LOAD "" (c) Now PRESS ENTER, and start PLAY on your recorder. If the load fails rewind the tape and adjust the volume control on your recorder, and try again. NOW PLEASE TRY COPYING A SIMPLE PROGRAM FIRST. CHECK THAT THE PROGRAMS WORK. WE REGRETABLY DO SEND OUT A SMALL NUMBER OF FAULTY TAPES - THIS IS UNAVOIDABLE AS TAPES ARE DELICATE AND WE CAN'T TEST EVERY TAPE WE SELL! Sometimes your cassette recorder doesn't quite suit a particular copy. IF THE TAPE IS FAULTY THEN SEND IT BACK FOR REPLACEMENT - we normally are v.prompt!! 3. Do experiment with both programs to realise their full potential. Try either break to see what happens (this is the abort feature EXCEPT when copying onto the microdrive. 4. We are always updating our programs, and to obtain the latest version (after checking that there is one !), simply SEND a SAE and £1.50 together with YOUR OLD TAPE to our address. 5. FOR LONG PROGRAMS (MORE THAN 41/9k) WITH SEVERAL PARTS - COPY WHAT YOU CAN, SAVE THAT - THEN LOAD IN THE FINAL PART(S) AND SAVE THEM. (MINITAPE tells you - "not enough memory" if there isn't enough ROOM AVAILABLE for the next program part - TAPE COPIER USUALLY does!) GUARANTEES ---------- MONEY BACK GUARANTEE -------------------- If ON RECEIPT you are not completely satisfied with your programs and want a full refund, send the tape back STRAIGHT AWAY. Please state your reason for return, giving all details if for some strange reason the package failed to work. GENERAL GUARANTEE ----------------- Your programs are guaranteed for 6 months. Send back the faulty copy and it will be replaced free of charge. OTHER HIGH QUALITY LERM PRODUCTS -------------------------------- EDUCATION ONE at £4.99 GRAPHICS and SOUND TOOLKIT £5.50 TEACHERS MARKS BOOKS £4.99 (SAE for details) REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS THEN CONTACT US AT LERM, 16 STONEPIT DRIVE, COTTINGHAM, MKT HARBOROUGH, LEICS. ROCKINGHAM 771130 (evenings). If you write to us you must enclose a stamped addressed envelope. (this saves us time and postage costs) P.S. OLD TAPE COPY OWNERS will see that we have swopped the names of the programs. INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAPE COPIER 5 ------------------------------ INTRODUCTORY NOTE ----------------- This is the "main" program. Note its features from the INTRODUCTORY SHEET. Try copying some SIMPLE programs with it (total less than 42k or 9k). Most programs will copy CONTINIOUSLY with ease. REMEMBER to keep and READ the instructions. FOR INFORMATION --------------- THIS SECTION CAN SEEM RATHER CONFUSING - DON'T WORRY YOU DON'T NEED TO UNDERSTAND IT FOR MOST PROGRAMS - SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP OVER THIS FOR THE TIME BEING. It is important that you understand how programs are made up. ALL PROGRAMS begin with a TONE (red/cyan thick stripes) followed by a short burst of yellow/blue - this is the HEADER. We shall abreviate this as T for TONE, and H for HEADER. After this there is another T followed by some more yellow/blue - these are BYTES (could be Basic, code, arrays or whatever). We shall call them B for BYTES. This when you write a simple Basic program and save it you will have T H T B Now most programs have several parts. e.g if you save a Basic program and then some CODE you will have to do 2 savings as your program has two parts. 2 PARTS T H T B T H T B (the Basic) (the CODE) Some programs load in 3 program parts or even more. So MISS OUT the HEADER (called "headerless"). 3 PARTS e.g. T H T B T B T H T B (ALL must start (HEADERLESS) (normal like this) last part) Some programs even have a short part that SEEMSas if it were a HEADER - we shall use the abbreviation F (false header). 4 PARTS e.g. T H T B T F T B T B (normal (false (both parts 1st part) header) headerless) As F looks like a header parts 2 and 3 appears like T H T B, thus fooling you into thinking it only has 3 parts. The MOST obvious sign of "F" is when the copier doesn't take in the bytes despite the fact that the tape is still sending them out. In "TAPE COPIER" you have 2 modes (or options). Naturally you can use a mixture of these modes to copy the various program parts. You will use the "c" mode nearly all the time. It loads in headerless and all types of program CONTINIOUSLY up to 42k (9k). The "m" mode (for MAXBYTES) is explained later on. The "MINITAPE" manual gives you explanation of the HEAD numbers. GETTING STARTED --------------- LOAD your Spectrum with "TAPE COPIER" as per the instructions given on the introductory sheet. If loaded correctly a message "HERE ARE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS" will appear. START ----- NOTE that with the "c" mode you can enter "BREAK" at any time. The program won't crash, but merely go onto another stage. TAPE COPIER will save exactly what it has taken in to date. e.g during a LOADING a "break" will then give you the chance to either LOAD MORE programs or SAVE what has already been loaded. e.g during a SAVE TAPE COPIER moves on to SAVE the next part in its memory UNTIL it has tried to save every program in its memory. "c" mode -------- The loads in CONTINIOUSLY up to 41.7k (or 9k). If you think the total program is likely to exceed this then COPY it in 2 parts. e.g T H T B T H T B *T B (copy up to here first) (copy this last) * STOP THE RECORDER playing here, and enter BREAK. (i.e at the START of the TONE - this is so that you will have enough TONE as a lead in when you load in the last bytes later on). (i) Rewind the tape to its start. Press PLAY on your recorder and "c" on your Spectrum, and wait until the loading is complete (including "headerless" parts), subject to the program not being too long as mentioned above. (ii) After the LOADING enter "BREAK" by pressing caps shift and the space key. This can be done while loading and only bytes loaded to the time of entering break will be copied. (iii) At this point you can either press "n" for NO MORE LOADING or "c" to load in more bytes. (iv) On the assumption that you have finished loading place a blank tape into your recorder, start it recording, and then press the "c" key. Pressing "a" for advance will take you back to the START for loading in a NEW program. Note that all parts are saved automatically without stopping. By entering "BREAK" at any time you stop TAPE COPIER saving that program part, and it goes onto saving the next, until no more saving is due to be done. By repeating "BREAK" you will eventually arrive at stage (v). (v) When you have finished copying press "y" to make another "repeat" copy (you are taken back to part (iv)) OR "n" for no more copies (you are taken back to the START.) IF THE ABOVE FAILS TO MAKE YOUR COPY (this won't be very often), there are 3 possibilities; (A) The program has an "F" described in the "FOR INFORMATION" section. CURE - STOP the tape at the beginning of every tone (EXCEPT THE FIRST 2) : enter BREAK: press "c" for more loading and restart the recorder loading i.e you ISOLATE every part as you probably aren't sure which part has the "F". e.g T H T B *T F *T B *T B (this can be loaded in normally) * stop the tape at each of these points, enter break; press "c" and start tape YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SAVE IN TWO PARTS if the program exceeds 42k (16k). If you think this might be necessary then save just before the longest part. (B) ONE SINGLE program part occupies more than 42k (or 9k). CURE - use the "m" mode (MAXBYTES). e.g for T H T B * T H T B (normal "c" for ("m" for this part short part) as it exceeds 42 or 9k) ONCE you enter this mode by pressing CAPITAL "M" (caps shift held down while pressing the "M" key) you DON'T go back to the start AFTER saving, as the computer crashes by wiping out all its programs (just like pulling out the plug), and you will have to re-enter "TAPE COPIER" for more copying. IT ISN'T user friendly to save on memory. THIS MODE WILL COPY HEADERLESS and NORMAL parts up to nearly the whole of the computers memory, and a working copy even if it occupies all 48k (16k). PLEASE IGNORE THE FUNNY SCREEN PICTURES THAT MIGHT APPEAR. Entering BREAK causes a computer crash. (i) To enter this mode enter CAPITAL "M". The screen will clear in BLUE. Rewind the tape to the start of the long program part exactly to where the TONE starts. (ii) Press the "c" key and start loading waiting until the loading is complete. (iii) Place your fresh tape into the recorder, start it recording, and press the "ENTER" key on your Spectrum. After saving the Spectrum will crash. (C) The program has a very short burst of bytes in it (RARE!) CURE You must do some CAREFUL but not difficult timing using the "c" mode. e.g We will show the SHORT burst of bytes as "b". T H T B T B T b *T B (* use normally up to here but stop the tape QUICKLY just after the "b" during the TONE) Having stopped the tape enter BREAK. (you might want to save here if you think the program exceeds the 42k or 16k). REWIND the tape back to the T before the b. Press play and wait until the short b HAS PASSED then QUICKLY press "c" while you are still in the next T that appears just after the b. In this way you will have isolated the b in TAPE COPIER memory. THE MOST OBVIOUS way to spot that a program has a short B is that the copier gets confused showing the TONE as THICK YELLOW/BLUE (or something like) rather than RED/CYAN. MEMORY SHORTAGE --------------- If the message "WARNING: not enough memory" appears you should quickly stop the tape, enter break, and save what you already have, copying the rest separately. i.e copy in 2 parts. TO STOP RUNNING TAPE COPIER in "c" mode you will have to remove the power supply. INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINITAPE 5 --------------------------- For the features of this program see the introductory sheet. Use it only for programs that have proper headers. The 5M version copies onto the microdrive. 1. GETTING STARTED ------------------ LOAD your Spectrum with "MINITAPE" as per the instructions given on the introductory sheet. Note that MINITAPE has the "BREAK" at any time feature (see TAPE COPIER instructions), except if saving onto the microdrive. 2. LOADING ---------- Rewind the tape you want to copy to its start. Press PLAY on your tape recorder, and the "c" on your Spectrum. Wait until the message "I HAVE YOUR PROGRAM IN MY MEMORY" appears on your screen. 3. If the program you are copying has more than one part, then QUICKLY press "y" and keep the tape running. You should see normal red/cyan loading patterns. If you miss the boat rewind tape to the start TONE of the part you are trying to LOAD, press PLAY. 4. You can of course LOAD many programs and part programs until the computer knows that there isn't enough MEMORY AVAILABLE for the next part. In this case "TAPE COPIER" will tell you "Not enough memory", and you will be moved onto instruction 6. If there are still some more parts to be copied then you will have to COPY these parts after saving the bytes your Spectrum already has in its memory. BE SURE if this happens to start loading the last parts at the header. e.g T H T B T H T B * if warning of memory short happens here then your SECOND LOADING will have to start at the TONE just before marked * 5. If no more parts are required then press "n" for no, and you will move onto instruction 6. 6. SAVING --------- There are 3 saving options which are decided by pressing the "r" key. These options are ONE ALL STOP MINITAPE selects the "ONE" option, but by continually pressing "r" you move from one option to the next in a circle. What do they mean? ------------------ ONE means that MINITAPE will only save ONE program part (header or bytes), at a time - i.e the program being currently named one on the screen. After saving this if there are any more parts then they can be saved individually as well. Pressing "a" (for advance) means that you can "skip" saving that program part, and MINITAPE goes on to ask you to save the next program and so on until you have gone through all the loaded programs. ALL means that ALL programs loaded in will be saved one after the other without stopping. i.e. AUTOMATIC (AUTO) saving. (if you enter BREAK while saving you will be taken back to the start of this instruction.) STOP means that the saved program will have its automatic running removed if the program usually auto-ran. ANY PROGRAMS THAT WERE LOADED BY LOAD""CODE WILL HAVE THIS CHANGED TO LOAD"" (i.e the CODE part will be removed). You will thus be able to break into the listing. The LOAD""CODE type may still be difficult to deal with, indeed even the LOAD"" type may be very secured. 7. To start SAVING place your blank cassette in your recorder. Start it recording, press "c", and then just WAIT. 8. If you have LOADED just ONE program and press "a" for advance then "TAPE COPIER" takes you back to instruction 2, ready to LOAD programs again. The program that is in your Spectrum memory is now lost. 9. VERIFYING ------------ When the copying is complete a message "VERIFY ? THEN rewind the tape" will appear. You should now have a perfect copy of your program(s). 10. If you DON'T want to verify then press "n" for no, and you will be moved onto the next stage at instruction 12. If you DO want to VERIFY then: (a) Press "r" if you want to verify ALL parts automatically - just like the SAVE mode. (MINITAPE automatically selects ONE for you) (b) Rewind your copy back to its start. (c) Press PLAY on your recorder. (d) If AUTO is OFF then press "c" to VERIFY each part. Pressing "a" for advance moves you on to the next stage. You can verify separate programs. IF YOU USED STOP WHEN SAVING A LOAD""CODE PROGRAM YOU CAN'T VERIFY IT. 11. If the VERIFY fails to agree with your copy then a message "ERROR ON TAPE" appears. You can now repeat the VERIFY procedure again (i.e go back to instruction 10) or by pressing "n" go onto the next stage at instruction 12. 12. MULTIPLE (repeat) COPIES ---------------------------- Now the message "MULTIPLE COPIES NEEDED ?" appears. Press "y" for yes to make more copies of the SAME program(s) and you are taken back to instruction 6. Press "n" for no and you are taken back to instruction 2, ready to LOAD in other programs to be copied. IF YOU USED STOP PREVIOUSLY THIS MEANS THAT REPEAT COPIES WILL ALSO BE STOPPED. HEADER DATA ----------- For the technically minded you are shown for any program its "header data". The Spectrum has a 17 numbers in its header. This tells the Spectrum the program name and other vital information. On the screen will appear something like HEAD: 0 12 2 20 0 100 1 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th There will always be SEVEN numbers shown. What do they mean? ------------------ First number: 0= basic 1= number array 2= string array 3= code (loaded/saved using LOAD""CODE or SAVE"name"CODE) Second and Third: The 2nd plus 256 times the 3rd gives the number of bytes that are to be loaded in. Fourth and Fifth: If BASIC (i.e 1st number=0) the 4th plus 256 times the 5th gives the AUTOMATIC line number from which the program would run. If this is greater than 32768, no AUTO run occurs. If CODE (i.e 1st number=3), the 4th plus 256 times the 5th indicates which address where the first byte should be loaded when placed in the computers memory. Sixth and Seventh: The 6th plus 256 times the 7th gives the number of bytes of BASIC if the first number was 0. (note this number will usually be less than given by the 2nd and 3rd above as the latter includes bytes for the variables as well as the basic.) e.g for the above it is BASIC, with 12+256x2=524 bytes to be loaded in, auto line number is 20+256x0=line 20, with 100+1x256=356 bytes of BASIC e.g.2 for 3 12 3 10 144 20 11 you would have CODE of length 12+256x3=780 which would start to be loaded in from address 10+256x144=36874. NOTE you can often spot from this if the header is the "F" type referred to in the TAPE COPIER manual. e.g. 3 12 2 0 0 12 100 (this would load CODE into address 0 - the ROM which isn't possible!) e.g.2 3 0 2 3 100 2 19 (the bytes that follow this header can't last for very long as there are only 0+256x2=512 bytes - this only takes 20 seconds to load.)