				BLOK*LOAD MANUAL
			  -----------------------------

			   (C) 1988 THEODORE DEVELEGAS
			       HELL*ENIC SOFTWARE
			       17 KOUNTOURIOTOU ST
			       GR-15562 HOLARGOS
			       ATHENS - GREECE


GENERAL FACTS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
--------------------------------
BLOK*LOAD is a multiface resident program. It will cooperate with any
model that meets these requirements:

     1... Has a "programmable jump" facility.
     2... Uses ports 159 and 31 to page the multiface ROM
          in and out respectively.
     3... It is not a multiface designed for the +3.
          This model cannot accomodate resident programs.

In addition, multiface v48 users might find it useful to have an ON/OFF
switch installed, if their machines don't have it by default.
You should contact Romantic Robot for details on this matter.
BLOK*LOAD is also compatible with Romantic Robot's multiprint interface.
However, multiprint owners should check that their machine meets the
requirements above.
BLOK*LOAD can back-up any 48k program, but not 128k ones.
Another program, named 128k*LOAD, is especially designed for that purpose.
Write to us for details.
Any program can be backed-up, at either the normal Spectrum speed
or at one of ten turbo speeds available.
Both v48 and v128 multiface owners will be able to use a toolkit
in order to peek and poke the computer memory.
For v48 multiface owners only, an option to save the screen is included.
All resulting copies reload independently of both the utility and the
multiface. The screen image remains intact, with a mere 100 bytes of the
middle section spoiled.

WHY USE BLOK*LOAD INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL MULIFACE OPERATION
----------------------------------------------------------
The main feature of BLOK*LOAD is its sophisticated loading system.
Many Spectrum owners actually hate fast-loading programs because of the
loading problems, sudden crashes etc. that bring along.
Upon saving the back-up, the memory contents are compressed and sliced
into blocks of 1 kilobyte each.
Upon reloading, the user is informed of the number of the block that
is currently loading, and any errors are detected by the loader.
If an error occurs, the user is requested to reload the specific block
that was misloaded, and only that one.
After the blocks (a maximum of 39 blocks at any speed, or a topmost
of 40 blocks at normal speed) comes the screen image.
The program will take an average of 2 seconds to decompress and a final
block of code (1280 bytes) will follow.
These two blocks of code are always saved at normal speed, and thus
a checking for error is not necessary, nor performed.
BLOK*LOAD provides the user with a reliably-loading tape back-up, that
leaves a very small part of the screen corrupted.

HOW TO USE THE BLOK*LOAD
------------------------
A)  Installing BLOK*LOAD. Follow these steps:

    1... You must have a multiface fitted. BLOK*LOAD cannot work on
         its own.
    2... Reset your computer and switch multiface ON.
         Load BLOK*LOAD. If you own a 128k Spectrum get into 48k Basic
         and don't use the tape loader.
    3... BLOK*LOAD will install itself in the multiface RAM and a soft
         reset will be performed (ie USR 0) .
         Now you can load the program that is to be backed-up.
         If this program is a multifaced copy, v48 multiface owners
         should switch the multiface OFF and enable it after the
         program has loaded. Otherwise BLOK*LOAD will be corrupted.
         Note that v128 multiface owners will not face this problem
         at all, as the BLOK*LOAD will lock itself off.
    4... At the desired point, press the multiface button.


B)  The main options:
    
    You will be confronted by BLOK*LOAD's main menu.
    Select one of the three options available by pressing the
    highlighted key:  [S]ave  [R]eturn  [P]oke

C) Their results:

*  By pressing the [R] key you'll return to the program you stopped.
   No part of it will be corrupted in any way.

*  The [P]oke option offers you a mini-tool kit, so that poking and
   peeking of memory locations is possible.
   Enter the address number (0-65535) that you want to poke/peek.
   Of course, poking is only possible in the area 16384-65535.
   The contents of the selected address will be displayed.
   At this point, the following options are available:

     1... Press <SPACE> to select a new address.
     2... Use the left/right arrows to move back/forth one memory
          location or the up/down arrows to move back/forth eight
          memory locations.
     3... Press the [Q] key to return to the main menu.
     4... Press any other key first, then enter a new value for
          the selected address. If you enter an invalid number
          (ie number>255) it will not be accepted. Instead, the
          current value will be displayed again.
          At this point (ie either after a valid or an invalid
          entry) you can use the <SPACE>, arrows, or [Q] keys.

*  Having selected the [S]ave option, what will appear next depends
   on the version of your multiface.
   Thus, v48 multiface users will be asked to select from [P]rogram
   and [S]creen saving, whilst for v128 multiface users BLOK*LOAD
   will assume that program saving was intended and so this menu
   will not appear at all. This is due to memory limitations.
   Next comes a prompt: " <Enter> filename "
   Up to ten normal, capshifted or symbolshifted characters can be
   used to form the filename. The <DELETE> and <CAPSLOCK> keys
   are functional. You must enter a name. <ENTER> on its own will
   not be accepted.
   After this, a menu "[A]bort  [P]roceed" will appear.
   By [A]borting, you'll return to the main menu.
   By [P]roceeding, you'll be asked to "<Start tape, then press any key>"
   had your choice been to save the screen, otherwise a new prompt will
   appear:  "Keys: <1-0> Turbo  <N> Normal"
   Press the [N] key to select the normal Spectrum speed (1500 baud).
   Also, ten turbo speeds are available, from 1800 to 4500 baud
   (ie from 1.2 to 3 times the normal speed) in steps of 300 baud.
   To calculate the speed, use this formula:
   Speed = 1500 + (key * 300) , where key is the number you press.
   Key [0] has a value of ten.
   At the press of the button the program will be compressed.
   In very rare cases, if the selected speed was turbo and the program
   was compressed to 40 blocks, a message will be displayed that
   informs the user of the event and prompts him to select normal speed.
   If this is the case, press a key to return to the main menu.
   Out of a total of 670 games that have been tested so far, only two
   (Flunky, Druid II) were compressed to 40 blocks.
   The actual saving will then begin, and the number of the block that
   is being saved will be displayed. The screen image is the next block
   to be saved, and after a small pause a last bit of code is saved.
   You can abort the whole procedure at any time by pressing <BREAK>.

   AT ALL TIMES ENSURE THAT NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT TAKES PLACE!

   We at HELL*ENIC hope that you find this program useful.
   February 1989, the author: Theodore Develegas.
