[[Category:Cpctech.org]]
A guide to running software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC+ computer
* == Restarting a an Amstrad CPC+ to load cassette or disc software * Restarting a Amstrad CPC to load cassette or disc software * Loading cassette software on a Amstrad CPC/CPC+ * Loading disc software on a Amstrad CPC/CPC+ ==
== Restarting a = Amstrad CPC+ to load cassette CPC464, CPC664, CPC472 or disc software CPC6128 ===
If you are using * Switch off the computer and switch it on again.The computer will show the startup message and there will be a CPC464+“Ready” prompt.[[File:Cpc6128.gif|center|frame|The Amstrad CPC 6128 when (re)booted.]]You can now follow the instructions to use cassette or disc software.
* switch the computer off.* insert the system cartridge (this contains the game "Burnin' Rubber" and "Locomotive BASIC").* switch on the computer. A menu will be displayed with two options "f1 === Amstrad BASIC" and "f2 Burnin Rubber'".CPC+ ===
# Switch the computer off.# Insert the system cartridge (which contains the game “Burnin' Rubber” and “Locomotive BASIC”).# Switch on the computer.A menu will then be displayed with two options “f1 Amstrad BASIC” and “f2 Burnin Rubber”.[Picture of CPC464+ or CPC6128+ startup display[File:Cpcplus.gif|center|frame|The menu]] * # Press f1 to select "Amstrad BASIC"“Amstrad BASIC”.* # The screen will clear and then display:<pre> BASIC 1.1 Ready</pre> [Picture of CPC464+ or CPC6128+ BASIC prompt]* You can now follow the instructions to use the cassette or disc software == Restarting a Amstrad CPC to load cassette or disc software == If you are using a CPC464, CPC664, CPC472 or CPC6128: * Switch off the computer and switch it on again. The computer will show the startup message and there will be a "Ready" prompt. [Picture of CPC6128 startup display] * You can now follow the instructions to use cassette or disc software
== Loading cassette software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC+ system ==
* # Restart the computer. (see # Insert the instructions above for cassette into the CPC+ and CPC computers)cassette player.* Insert '''Note:''' On a CPC464 or CPC464+ system you must insert the cassette into the internal cassette player.
(On If you are using a CPC with a disc interface you will need to type <code>|TAPE</code> and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464 ) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+ system you must insert the cassette into the internal cassette player.,CPC6128+).
'''Note:'''* The <code>|</code> symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and “@” (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard.* The CPC664, CPC6128 and CPC6128+ have a disc interface built-in, and this command must be used to enter cassette mode.* The CPC464 and CPC464+ have a cassette player built in. If you are using a CPC with have a disc interface (Amstrad/Schneider DDI-1 or Vortex) connected you will need to type:this command to enter cassette mode. If you do not have a disc interface, you do not need to type this command.
|TAPENow type <code>RUN"</code> and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+).
and then '''Tips:'''* On a CPC464 system you can press SHIFT and the large small ENTER key (CPC464on the keypad) or RETURN key (CPC6128, together instead of typing <code>RUN"</code>.* On a CPC464+,CPC6128, or CPC6128+)system you can press SHIFT and ENTER together instead of typing <code>RUN"</code>.
NOTEThe message <code>Press PLAY then any key:</code> will be displayed.
* the "[[File:Cpc6128r.gif|" symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and "@" (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard.* The CPC664, CPC6128 and CPC6128+ have a disc interface built in, and this command must be used center|frame|Commands to enter load from cassette mode.* The CPC464 and CPC464+ have on a cassette player built in. If you have CPC with a disc interface (Amstrad/Schneider DDI-1 or Vortex) connected you will need to type this command to enter cassette mode. If you do not have a disc interface, you do not need to type this command. * Now type:]]
RUN"# Press the PLAY button on the cassette player.# Press any key on the Amstrad keyboard, and the cassette will start to play.
After a short time you will see the message <code>Loading <filename> block x</code> where <code><filename></code> is the filename of the program found and then press <code>x</code> is the number of the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+)blocks.
Tips[[File:Cpcload.gif|center|frame|Loading the file LOADER, located on block 1.]]
* On a CPC464 system you can press SHIFT and the small ENTER key (on the keypad) together instead of typing RUN".* On a CPC464+, CPC6128, or CPC6128+ system you can press SHIFT and ENTER together instead of typing RUN". * The following message will be displayed:=== Troubleshooting ===
Press PLAY then any key: [Picture shows the commands to load from cassette on a CPC with a disc interface] [Picture shows commands to load from cassette on a CPC without a disc interface] * Now press the PLAY button on the cassette player* Now press any key on the Amstrad keyboard, and the cassette will start to play.* After a short time you will see the following message: Loading <filename> block x where "<filename>" is the filename of the program found and "x" is the number of the block. [Picture shows a cassette program loading] If you do not see this message: * If you see the error "Bad command" “Bad command” then make sure you type in "<code>|TAPE"</code>.* try rewind Try completely rewinding the cassette to the start again and waitingwait. It is possible that the Amstrad missed the first file. * the The cassette is may not be made for the Amstrad and will not won't load.* the The cassette is may be damaged and it is not possible to run the program on itbe unusable.* The cassette may have been inserted on the wrong side of the cassette has been inserted .
For each block that is successfully read, the Amstrad will report the block number.
When all of the blocks of the file have been loaded, the program will start automatically.
If there is a error, a the message will be displayed: :<code>Read error a </code> or :<code>Read error b </code> will be shown.
If this happens, you can rewind the cassette to the start of the block with the error and try again.
If you have a an external cassette recorder, then you can try to adjust the volume, this . This may make a difference.
== Loading disc software on a real Amstrad CPC/CPC+ system ==
* # Restart the computer. (see the instructions above for the CPC+ and CPC computers).* # Insert the disc into the disc drive.* # Type: :<code>CAT </code> or <code>|DIR </code> and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+).
These commands will display a listing (directory) of the files on the disc.
NOTE: * the "|" symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and "@" (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard. There are normally 3 responses to this command: 1. Drive A: disc missing Retry, Ignore or Cancel? This message will be displayed if the disc is not inserted, or the disc is inserted and the drive belt in the disc drive has worn out and needs replacing. [Picture showing 'Disc missing' error message] 2. Drive A: read fail Retry, Ignore or Cancel? This message will be displayed if the directory can't be read or the directory is corrupted. It is possible the disc may not have a directory. In this case try the "|CPM" loading method described below. [Picture showing 'Read fail' error message] 3. A message similar to the following will be displayedNote: Drive A: user 0 DISC.BAS 1K 177K free This is the directory of the files on the disc. Here you will see the names of each file. If you typed "CAT" then you will also see the size of each file. In both cases, the amount of free space is also displayed. [Picture showing directory listing from 'CAT' command] [Picture showing directory listing from '|DIR' command] o If there was a "Read fail" error, please try the loading method using the "|CPM" command. (see the instructions below) o If the directory is displayed, please continue to follow these instructions. * The directory shows the list of files on the disc. o If there is a single file, then this should be RUN by typing: RUN"<filename> replacing <filename> with the name of the file. e.g. RUN"disc.bin [Picture showing a directory with a single file] NOTES: + If the file has a ".BAS", ".BIN" or ". " (3 spaces) as an extension then you can omit it.
e.g. if The <code>|</code> symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and “@” (at) together on the file is "DISCAmstrad keyboard.BIN" you can type:
RUN"discA message similar to the following will be displayed:
instead of<pre>Drive A:user 0DISC.BAS 1K177K free</pre>
RUN"This is the directory of the files on the disc.binHere you will see the names of each file.If you typed <code>CAT</code> then you will also see the size of each file.In both cases the amount of free space is also displayed.
+ The disc operating system is not '''Note:''' In case sensitive. Therefore you do not need to type of a “Read fail” error, please try the name exactly as shownloading method using the <code>|CPM</code> command. i.e. "disc.bin" is (see the same as "DISC.BIN". o If there is more than one file, look for a small file with a ".BAS", ".BIN" or ". " extension. e.g.instructions below)
Drive A: user 0 The directory shows the list of files on the disc.If there is a single file, then this should be run by typing <code>RUN"<filename></code> replacing <code><filename></code> with the name of the file.(e.g. <code>RUN"disc.bin</code>)
ZAPTBALL'''Note:''' If the file has a <code>.BAS 4K ZAPTBALL</code>, <code>.BI3 14K ZAPTBALLBIN</code> or <code>.BI0 2K ZAPTBALL</code> (3 spaces) as an extension then you can omit it.BI4 11K ZAPTBALL(e.BI1 13K ZAPTBALLg.BI5 8K ZAPTBALLif the file is <code>DISC.BI2 8K ZAPTBALLBIN</code> you can type <code>RUN"disc</code> instead of <code>RUN"disc.LEV 8Kbin</code>)
112K freeThe disc operating system is not case sensitive, therefore you do not need to type the name exactly as shown.(i.e. <code>disc.bin</code> is the same as <code>DISC.BIN</code>.)
ReadyIf there is more than one file, look for a small file with a <code>.BAS</code>, <code>.BIN</code> or <code>. </code> extension.
In this example, the file "<pre>Drive A: user 0 ZAPTBALL.BAS" should be run 4K ZAPTBALL.BI3 14KZAPTBALL.BI0 2K ZAPTBALL.BI4 11KZAPTBALL.BI1 13K ZAPTBALL.BI5 8KZAPTBALL.BI2 8K ZAPTBALL.LEV 8K112K freeReady</pre>
[Picture showing a directory with multiple files]In this example, the file <code>ZAPTBALL.BAS</code> should be run.
If the computer crashes, resets or "PROGRAM “PROGRAM LOAD FAILED" FAILED” is displayed, then choose another file and try again.
== Loading disc software using "|CPM" = Disc reading error messages ===
You should attempt to start a program on a disc using this method if there is a "Read fail" error with the "CAT" or "|DIR" commands.==== Disc missing ====
* Restart This message will be displayed if the computer (follow disc is not inserted, or the instructions above) * At disc is inserted and the "Ready" prompt, typedrive belt in the disc drive has worn out and needs replacing.<pre>Drive A:disc missingRetry, Ignore or Cancel?</pre>
|CPM==== Read fail ====
and then press This message will be displayed if the large ENTER key (CPC464) directory can't be read or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+)the directory is corrupted.It is possible the disc may not have a directory. In this case try the "|CPM" loading method described below.<pre>Drive A: read failRetry, Ignore or Cancel?</pre>
NOTE: o the "== Loading disc software using <code>|" symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and "@" (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard. CPM</code> ==
[Picture showing 'You should attempt to start a program on a disc using this method if there is a “Read fail” error with the <code>CAT</code> or <code>|CPM' command]DIR</code> commands.
# The screen will clearRestart the computer.# At the “Ready” prompt, type <code>|CPM</code> and then press the large ENTER key (CPC464) or RETURN key (CPC6128, CPC464+,CPC6128+). There are 3 possible results:
1'''Note:''' The <code>|</code> symbol can be obtained by pressing SHIFT and “@” (at) together on the Amstrad keyboard.
Drive A: read failThe program loads and run!
Retry, Ignore or Cancel?=== Disc reading error messages ===
If you press the "R" key, then the "read ==== Read fail" message is repeated. If you press "I" or "C" keys then the following message is displayed.====
Failed to load boot sector<pre>Drive A: read failRetry, Ignore or Cancel?</pre>
RetryIf you press the “R” key, Ignore or Cancel?then the “read fail” message is repeated.
[Picture showing 'Read fail' error after '|CPM' command has been executed]If you press “I” or “C” keys then the following message is displayed.
These errors show that the command has failed and that the program can't be started using the "|CPM" command.<pre> 2.Failed to load boot sectorRetry, Ignore or Cancel?</pre>
Failed to load boot sectorThese errors show that the command has failed and that the program can't be started using the <code>|CPM</code> command.
Retry, Ignore or Cancel?==== Failed to load boot sector ====
[Picture showing '<pre>Failed to load boot sector' error after '|CPM' command has been executed]Retry, Ignore or Cancel?</pre>
This error shows that the command has failed and the program can't be started using the "<code>|CPM" command. 3. The program will load and run! The program can be started using the "|CPM" </code> command.