Date   : Mon, 05 May 1997 12:28:20 +0100
From   : Mr M F Scholes <m.f.scholes@...>
Subject: Re: Re: Info about BBC micro

Robert Schmidt wrote:
> Ivo van Poorten wrote:
> >
> > Dear sir,
> >
> > Two days ago, I bought an old BBC micro (a model B, I think, after
> > reading some of your web-pages) at the fleemarket on Queensday for
> > only Fl.10,- (that's for about 5 US$). Now the problem is, I don't
> > have a bootable floppy. When I turn it on, it greets me with
> > 'Acorn MOS' and on the next line 'Acorn ADFS'. It does not say
> > BBC Microcomputer, Basic > etc.etc.
> > Do you have any suggestions? As I said, it's probably a model-B
> > with two diskdrives with a 40/80tracks switch at the backside.
>
> Hi Ivo,
> 
> I'm at a loss to why your BBC doesn't display the correct messages.  You
> don't need a bootable floppy to start the BBC - you should instantly be
> able to write and run BASIC programs.  Maybe some other language ROM
> than BASIC is installed, and is broken.  Also, your BBC seems not to be
> a model B, but a Master (because of the "MOS").  I don't know much about
> Masters, but I know they store some setup parameters in CMOS memory -
> maybe the CMOS battery is flat.
> 
> I have forwarded this reply to the BBC Micro mailing list, and maybe
> someone there can be of assistance.
> 
It is probably a Master, does it has a numeric keypad, LEDs at the top
of the keyboard near ESCAPE one of which is POWER, and 2 slots near the
BREAK key for cartridges, if is so it is Master. The problem is ADFS
(Advanced disc filing system) wants to read the disc catalouge into
memory, (ADFS stored the catalouge, so typing *cat (*.) doesn't access
the disc, but if there is no disc, it hangs up, as the disc system
doesn't tell the computer there is no disc available.

To solve the problem:
a) Put an ADFS disc in the drive, assuming you have any, maybe the
Welcome disk..
or
b) Change to using the DFS system: Hold down 'D' whilst you switch on,
this puts the computer in DFS (Disc filing system) mode which doesn't
need a disc, but only temperaly (sp?) if you want to use DFS normally,
you need to configure the computer. But first it would be wise to reset
the configuration, by holding down DELETE when you switch on. Then after
holding down D to be in DFS type *ROMS, it should come up with something
like this:
F Terminal
E View
D ADFS
C Basic
B Edit
A Viewsheet
9 DFS
8 ? (This is for a rom that fits in the computer you might have
something here)
7 ? (This is normally sideways RAM, but can be used for more ROMS in the
computer, but it removes the sideways RAM)
6 ? (Ditto)
5 ? (Ditto)
4 ? (Ditto)
3 ? (This is for ROM chips that fit in cartridges that go in the slots
in the case)
2 ? (Ditto)
1 ? (Ditto)
0 ? (Ditto)

DFS is in 9 so type *Configure FILESYSTEM 9 (I think, anyone want to
confirm this?)
This set the computer to start in DFS, test it by pressing
CONTROL-BREAK.

If you do have any disks, check if one of them is the Master Welcome
Disk, this has tutorials, utilities (including PANEL, a configuration
program), and an ADFS Format program, it is in ADFS format, so refer to
part a.

If you have anymore problems, email me.

Mark Scholes