mgt disk reader
i started writing a program for the pc to read and disassemble the files in MGT image files, but i have not had the time to do much with it latley, so i thought someone else might find a use for the unfinished code (Visual basic.net 2003) http://www.madvanman.co.uk/MGT_Reader.rar
what it can do in its current state is read the directory and only partially disassemble a file to screen.
what it can do in its current state is read the directory and only partially disassemble a file to screen.
Post edited by madvanman on
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If you are interested in the PlusD then meet your new best friends me and DEATH....
Could your utility be adapted to rip files off .MGT images and drop them into .TZX format files?
Please see this thread.
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15695
Shit I made a post that didn't go off topic....
Errr errr... I just got a DVD from Amazon Robin of Sherwood Series 1 I'm convinced it's a pirate at worst, "pre-owned" at best.
There that's better.
;)
I need to be able to access both real disks and images, alter loading syntax and save as TZX/TAP. I would like a little drop down box that enables me to select a group of files in a certain order. Then, the option to alter the loading syntax of each and every selected BASIC file selected. This involves searching for occurances of LOAD D*" (in decimal or hex) and replacing it with LOAD " (two spaces before the quote, overwriting D and *). Then, the option to save the selected files back to floppy or be written out in order as a .tap/tzx file. Doing this manually is easy but time consuming. I would then (as I do now) test the files on Spectaculator.
Now that program would require lots of very specialised routines, I don't think I could think of another person who would use that software in that particular way. I can see the need of "generic" disk reader routines and file copy utilities though and I honestly think that there is a real need for them. I think that gifted programmers should be encouraged to build a library of generic routines that are tried and tested. Then people like me with very little experience in programming can come along and say "I want to build this program". Peple in the know can then just tell me what routines I need, and the order it should go in - a bit like a lego kit, only with C++ (or whatever) source code.
Apart from RealSpec, which try as I might, I just can't get along with, there isn't anything that emulates the +D fully. Everybody seems to think that the +D is well emulated - but I have to disagree. Any software that allows +D users the chance to use the floppies on their emulators has to be a good thing and I'm really looking forward to seeing just what Spectaculator can do - just how far does the emulation go?
I have a great little program called Transit. On RealSpec, it does exactly what it's supposed to and actually copies files from the emulated +d disk onto tape - well at least it makes the right noises and flashes the border properly. It doesn't seem to want to actually record the audio as a wav, TZX or TAP. If Spectaculator emulates as deeply as that, to allow me to use Transit on it. then I'll be paying the registration fee!
Until then, I'm gonna give the hex editor method a good testing :)
I really don't know what to say. Really, I don't.
Edit: Where can I get a copy of this "transit" program to test ZXSpin with? It's not listed in infoseek.
D.
Oops - I hope I haven't upset you Paul, you are one of the few people I would worry about upsetting.
From what I've read, Spin only supports the +D at a BASIC level and does not use hook codes or whatever. If Transit runs properly on Spin, I will be pleased, honest! If it doesn't, I won't complain - but I'll have to get on with the conversions either way, so I can't afford to wait since as you say, so much stuff needs to be on infoseek. Anyway, I thought Spin was no longer to be developed - at least for a while?
Transit - heh heh, my need for the program I've described and Transit are strongly connected. Transit is just one of a collection of very good freeware programs that I have in the library. Now, my intention is to rip all files off the 100 or so +D floppies, convert each one to load from tape, and then TZX them so that they can be used, catalogued and put on my own website (as well as WoS). The fact you can't find it on Infoseek underlines the importance of the job - I've got hundreds and hundreds of files here, all sitting on floppy disks waiting to be converted. Doing them by hand takes an age since I test every file in both an emulator and a real grey 128/issue4 48K machine.
Transit is one of the files I have converted, since I use it a lot. PM me an Email addy and I'll send you a tzx. Or if you rather, let me know and I'll upload to WoS FTP incoming - I assume you can get it from there?
Yes. We pretty much cut every corner possible to get the +D emulation up and running quickly.
People who want to load the stuff on a real spectrum but don't own a disk interface are therefore stuffed. Tape, being the lowest common denominator, is the format I have to use - everybody can use tapes, and if the files are in TAP/TZX format, they are easily converted direct to real tapes, and are easily handled by every emulator worth a look. :-p