More Dumb Questions

[zeke1312]

OK. I now have a functioning(?) C128 w/1571 & 1581 and a 1902A monitor. I've stumbled though and have been able to Load and List files on a diskette and run one of the programs. Well, maybe. Here it goes. I hope I'm not jumping around with my questions. If so please excuse me:)
 
I would like to do the following. Using Red Reader, load files from my PC to my C128 using a diskette created on my PC then loaded to my 1581. Then I would like to import those file(s) to my C128 for use. How do I run (execute) Red Reader and use it? Is there documentation on how to use Red Reader? Whoa, it as "simple" as loading files to an MSDos written diskette on the PC side then using Red Reader on the C128, load these files into my C128 and use the files? What about downloading zipped files and unzipping? I assume that takes place on the PC? Oh, I should note, I do not want to make a "hard" connection via cable connection between my PC and C128.

OK. I see several web sites that tell you and or allow you to download files that you use to assemble a CP/M boot diskette. Are all these downloads assume I'm downloading directly to a C128 and not a PC?  Oh, these files used to make a boot disk...you (well actually me) ya got to be kiddin'. I can't make hide nor hair of the whole process, if that's even the correct use of the words. I've been trying to get it through my thick head how to do this. You see, what I want to do is make a CP/M boot disk as the only one (1571) has errors on it (ebay, you get what you  pay for). I did get a C128 user manual from one of you fine folks and I thank you again!

Now, I visualize myself downloading files from the Internet to my PC, writing to the PC floppy, then via Red Reader running in the C128, import those files and use(run) them. Once loaded into the C128, do I need an assembler, complier or some other program that converts the files to something usable on the C128? I have more question but I better not push my luck as FireFox on my PC crashed again!

[Guest]

On the utilities floppy disk I sent you is several archiver programs for the 128, and a program called Omega-2 for the 64 mode (use "GO 64" to get to 64 mode from the 128).

To run a program from a CBM disk in 128 mode, you simply type RUN "PROGRAM",Ux where x is the drive number.

For 64 mode, you would use LOAD "PROGRAM",x : RUN again where x is the drive number.

Although what you're doing is technically feasible, you will find it a lot faster and easier to use 64Copy (It's under DOS\Disk Transfer Utilities on the CD I sent you) to write files into a D81 image and then use 1581Copy to write that D81 image to a blank disk.  Then you can just put the disk into your 1581 drive and the files are there and ready to use.

I would NOT try to decompress archives on the PC because a lot of filenames get mangled in the process if the archive has CBM files in it.  If the archive has disk images in it you will use the PUZIP program on the utilities disk which can not only open the file, but also write the disk image to a blank disk.