File: "-ReadMe.Pro"             (7 pages)             Update: December 29, 2023

Quit Start Manual of FutureOS
=============================

I.00 Installation of the Operating System FutureOS
--------------------------------------------------
I.01 You have received FutureOS on the installation disc
--------------------------------------------------------
You are the owner of one of the following ROM expansions: M4, X-MEM, MegaFlash,
FlashGordon, ROM-RAM-Box, SYMBiFACE II, III, RAMcard  etc. In this case you put
the installation disc in your  drive  and  start the installation process with:
run"disc". Then please follow the instructions of the installation application.
To omit problems: In case  you  installed  FutureOS before please use identical
ROM numbers.  Alternatively  uninstall  FutureOS  and  all  its  expansion ROMs
(XROMs) before you start the new installation process.

I.02 You got FutureOS on EPROM
------------------------------
If you are using an EPROM card,  then  FutureOS was either delivered on four 16
KB EPROMs or on two 32 KB EPROMs. Every  one of the four 16 KB EPROMs needs its
own ROM number. If you got  two  32  KB  EPROMs  then every EPROM needs two ROM
numbers. All the ROM numbers are preselected.
Please install your EPROMs in the  correct  sockets  of  your EPROM card, to be
able to assign the correct ROM select. The ROM numbers may be selected by using
jumpers' f. e.

I.03 You got FutureOS on Cartridge
----------------------------------
In this case please put the cartridge  into  the cartridge port of the 6128plus
computer and switch it on. If FutureOS  doesn't boot by itself then please type
in the RSX command |OS.
Attention: If other ROMs or  ROM  expansions  are connected, they may interfere
with the FutureOS ROMs. In this case please switch off the corresponding ROMs.

I.10 Verify the installation
----------------------------
I.11 The sign on message
------------------------
After the installation of  FutureOS  you  have  to  reset your computer system.
After a reset or after you switch the  computer on the standard sign on message
should appear like usually. FutureOS will add four lines. The following example
shows it for the CPC6128 (English version):

 FutureOS CPC Turbo Desk ROM active!
 FutureOS CPC Utility ROM active!
 FutureOS Floppy ROM active!
 Future Operating System CPC (c)1989 - 2024

If one or more of the above lines  are missing, then there was a problem during
the installation. Or  the  corresponding  ROMs  were  installed  correctly, but
beyond ROM number 15 (or 31 when using the ROM Booster).
In case ROM numbers below 16  have  been  used, please switch your computer off
and then disconnect other hardware  expansions.  Switch your computer on again.
If 'start up messages' are still missing, then the CPC is not able to recognize
one or more of the FutureOS ROMs.  Please  make  sure, that there are no DOUBLE
occupations of ROM numbers.
Attention: The computer needs a stable supply of 5 Volt!

I.12 Further information
------------------------
The system utilities 'OS Infor' and  'Config  OS' will provide more information
about your FutureOS system ROMs.

I.20 Working with FutureOS
--------------------------
After successful installation you  can  work  with  FutureOS.  Start the system
using the RSX commands |OS or |FDESK.  When starting FutureOS under BASIC using
the |FDESK command it is  possible  to  return  from  FutureOS to BASIC without
changing the first 48 KB of the RAM.  However, in this case additional 48 KB of
expansion RAM (E-RAM) will be occupied during the FutureOS session. But usually
you will start the system using the command  |OS,  to be able to use all memory
for the work with FutureOS.

After starting FutureOS you will come directly  to the Turbo Desktop. The upper
screen part is filled with icons. Below there is the area to display file names
and for the two status lines.
The Desktop can be controlled by  either  using  icons or the keyboard. And the
mouse pointer can be moved by using Cursor  keys and Copy, Joystick or a mouse.
In addition the icons can  be  activated  by  using the keyboard. The following
'hot keys' can be used:

SPACE: (then press key A-M) to select medium    L: Load a file
D ...: read Directories                         S: Save a file
X ...: eXecute an application / RUN menu        K: call bacKground app. / shell
V ...: View text, picture or file-header        P: Print files or DIRectories
E ...: Erase files or format disc               A: tag all used files Again
N ...: reName file(s)                           U: Untag all tagged files
C ...: Copy disc or files                       O: Use the OK icon
G ...: Get current file (un)tagged              I: Use the I icon
F ...: FileCopy, copy files                     Q: Quit the OS or restart it
R ...: Start application from ROM
H ...: Activate shell for M4 mass storage - OS should run on the M4 expansion
J ...: Jump to the first file name of the current DIR in file selection area
B ...: Move the mouse pointer to the next file name, without tagging a file
SHIFT and CONTROL browse up and down through directories


I.21 General information about the Graphical User Interface
-----------------------------------------------------------
Enter the RSX command |OS in Basic  to  start FutureOS and enter the Desktop of
the FutureOS, called Turbo-Desk. In  case  the  Spartan  mode is off, the upper
screen part consists of four lines of icons, containing seven icons each. Using
Spartan mode only currently usable icons  are  displayed. The lower half of the
screen is used to work with  files.  The  two  lines  at the bottom are used to
display status or error messages.
If you look at the upper left corner  of the screen, you see the mouse pointer.
You can control the mouse pointer using the Joystick, cursor keys, mouse, track
ball, analogue joystick, light pen and the Grafpad 2.
To activate an icon move the  mouse  pointer  over the desired icon. Then press
Fire or Copy.  The  icon  will  now  be  activated  and  its  function  will be
accomplished. ESC allows you to abort icon functions.
If you have selected drive icons and subsequently clicked at the DIR icon, then
you can use the mouse pointer to tag files in addition.

ATTENTION: Before you can work  with  files  or  applications  you must tag the
corresponding drive icons and then click at  the DIR icon. This is needed since
FutureOS buffers the DIRectories in E-RAM to speed up floppy access.
In case the Auto-DIR option  is  active  the  directory  of  a medium gets read
immediately after you click at the icon of a medium (A-M).

During regular operation you HAVE to click  at  the DIR icon after EVERY change
of a floppy disc to read and buffer the DIRectories again.





I.22 The icons of the storage media A..M - hot keys: first SPACE, then A to M
---------------------------------------- - ----------------------------------
The icons for storage media are the icons of  the  upper line A, B, C, D, E, F,
G, H and M; and the four left  icons  of  the  second line I, J, K and L. Every
letter symbolizes a storage medium.
- A symbolizes the internal 3 inch drive
- B symbolizes the drive at disc-drive-B port of the CPC
- The icons C and D symbolize drives C (DS 3) and D (DS 4) of the internal FDC.
  If you expand the decoding of the internal  FDC you can work with four drives
  A, B, C and D (hardware patch needed).
- The icons E and F  symbolize  the  two  5.25"  or 3.5" drives of the external
  Vortex F1-D, F1-S, M1-D or M1-S controller
- If you add two further drives (drive  select  3 and 4) to the external Vortex
  controller, you can use them through the icons G and H.
- The four partitions of  the  (Dobbertin-)hard-disc are symbolized through the
  icons I, J, K and L
- The M icon symbolizes a RAM disc, compatible to the 444 KB Dobbertin RAM disc
  Medium M is inactive. Please don't use!
- The M4 SD card (media N and O) can be accessed by using the mass storage icon

The icon of an unused medium is shown in dark. If you want to use it, then move
the mouse pointer over the icon and click  at it. The icon turns from dark into
bright. After selecting the storage media you need to click at the DIR icon.
By clicking on the drive icons  you  can  select and deselect them alternately.
Storage media with a stripped icon  can't  be used, because the assigned drives
are not connected.

I.24 The DIR icon - hot key: D (DIRectory)
----------------- - ----------------------
The DIR icon is the fifth icon  from  left  in the second icon line. DIR stands
for the word DIRectory (of a floppy  or hard-disc). The activation of this icon
reads all the DIRectories of  all  tagged/activated  devices. The first page of
the DIRectory of the first medium will be displayed on the lower screen.
When using more than one medium at  the  same  time, only the DIR of one medium
will be displayed at a time. Using the keys SHIFT and CONTROL allow you to page
the DIRectories up and down.

FutureOS buffers the DIRectories of all active  media in E-RAM. Therefore it is
necessary to re-read the DIRs after changing a  disc by using the DIR icon. The
The DIR icon can also be used by pressing the key "D" on the keyboard.

To be able  to  perform  file  operations  the  DIRectories  of the appropriate
devices have to be read first.  Under  FutureOS all DIRectories are buffered in
expansion RAM. The RAM-buffering of  DIRs  strongly  increases the speed of all
kinds of file-operations.

The selection of devices can be done by using the mouse pointer or by using the
keyboard: First you press the space key,  and then a message will be displayed.
Now you enter a letter  from  "A"  to  "M"  to select the corresponding storage
medium. This procedure seems to  be  a  little complicated, but eventually it's
quicker than typing 'CAT' in BASIC.

I.25 The selection of files / start applications
------------------------------------------------
To be able to start an application or  to work with files you must first select
the appropriate medium  which  contains  the  files.  Then  you  must  read the
directory of that device by using the DIR icon.
If the lower part of the  screen  shows  a  directory  you can simply tag files
through moving the mouse pointer over the  filename and press Copy or Fire. The
name of a tagged file is now  shown  underlined. And the mouse pointer advances
to the next file name automatically. For untagging a file just click it again.
Under FutureOS all file-operations deal with  tagged  files only. After using a
file it's status becomes 'used' (file-name is shown streaked out).

I.26 The TYPE icon - V (View)
------------------ - --------
The TYPE icon (located right of the  DIR  icon)  is the sixth icon from left of
the second icon line. Its function is the TYPing of files, viewing pictures and
the presentation of file-headers (including file-icons) on the screen.

* To  show  files  on  screen  you  must  first  tag  their  file-names  in the
directory(ies). Then you have to activate  the  TYPE  icon, a menu appears. Now
press the '1' key for  TYPing  files.  First  the  file-header  is shown (if it
exists). Then please press any key.
If you want to view a picture then  this  will be loaded and shown now. You can
adjust the screen MODE by using the  cursor  keys or joystick's Right and Left.
And the screen format can be selected by the Up and Down keys.
In case of viewing a text file, after  pressing any key, a second menu appears.
This second menu gives you the  possibility  to  select the screen format (rows
and lines) in which the first  file  shall  be displayed. For regular files you
should display them with the usual 80  chars  per  line and 25 lines per screen
(select 1).
FutureOS then loads the file in an E-RAM buffer and shows it on the screen. You
can page up and down through the use  of  the cursor keys or a joystick (up and
down). To end the file-show simply press COPY or Fire.
If you have tagged  more  files  (different  DIRs  are  possible) it's the same
procedure for every file.

* Option 2) of the initial TYPE icon  menu shows you the 128 bytes file-headers
of all tagged files. After showing  the  first file-header, simply type any key
to show the next file-header of the next tagged file (if there is one).
If you press the ESCape key the  function  is aborted and the last file remains
tagged. After pressing ESC the last used file  is now the first tagged one. You
can start it with the RUN icon for example.
Using FutureOS the file-header  is  strongly  expanded,  all  the 128 bytes are
used. A pure AmsDOS  file-header  always  contains  some string-trash, but that
isn't dangerous. FutureOS  file-headers  give  you  more  information; they can
contain additional text or a (semi-)graphic  icon. But they're fully compatible
to AmsDOS headers.

I.27 The LOAD icon - hot key: L (Load)
------------------ - -----------------
The LOAD icon is located at the right  of  the TYPE icon; it's the seventh icon
of the second icon line. Its function  is  to load files into memory. Like ever
only previously tagged files are used.
To load the first tagged file, just click  on  the LOAD icon or press 'L'. Then
the LOAD menu appears. This menu asks  you  how  to load the tagged file. There
are five ways to load a file:

- Loading type 0: loads the file  to  the  memory address specified by its file
  header, into the corresponding (expansion-)RAM
- Loading type 1: loads a  file  into  the  main memory at address &0000. These
  files may end with the extension '64K'.
- Loading type 2: loads files bigger than  64 KB in the expansion RAM. The file
  gets loaded to address &4000 of the  first expansion RAM block &7FC4. This is
  the first byte of the first block of  the expansion RAM. The file can contain
  up to 4 MB. Such a file may end with the extension 'X16'.
- Loading types 3 and 4 allow loading a file at any address in the standard RAM
  (type 3) or any expansion-RAM (type 4).









I.28 The SAVE icon - hot key: S (Save)
------------------ - -----------------
The SAVE icon is the second from right  of  the second icon line. It allows you
to save parts of the memory as files.  But  you can only save to a medium which
is active and its directory must  have  been  read. The SAVE menu provides four
ways to save a file:

- 1) Save Foreground program: allow  you  to  save a previously started program
  back to a medium. You can edit  target  medium, user number, filename and the
  extension of the program/file. The  target  medium  is symbolized through the
  letter at the beginning of the string (please use A-O only).
- 2) Save Background program: Same  as  option  1).  But  the saved file is the
  actually present Background-program. You  can  save a Background-program only
  if you've started one before.
- 3) Save main memory:  gives  you  the  possibility  to  save  a file with the
  maximum length of 64 KB out  of  a  defined  RAM configuration. First you are
  asked for medium,  user,  filename  and  extension.  This  is managed through
  editing the string  "A00:ProgNameExt".  Then  you  are  asked  for the start-
  address. After that you're asked for the RAM configuration. Usually you enter
  the value &C0, that means saving from  the  standard 64 KB. The last question
  examines the file-length in KBs.
- 4) Save expansion-RAM: This type of saving is very similar to type 3) saving.
  The difference is that the expansion RAM is  to be saved. The file can have a
  length up to 4 MB, depending on the connected expansion RAM.

I.29 The OK icon - hot key: O (OK)
---------------- - ---------------
The OK icon is the second from the  right  of the third icon line. It gives you
the possibility to jump back to  a  previously started application. But only if
the application provides this  feature.  Some  programs  are  using the Desktop
features by enabling the OK icon. If  you  haven't started a program which uses
the OK icon functionality and you click on OK there will be an error message.

I.30 The ERAse icon - hot key: E (Erase)
------------------- - ------------------
The ERAse icon is located at the most  left  end of the third icon line. It has
different functions, which  are  all  connected  with  erasing  data. After the
activation of the ERA icon you can choose one of the following functions:

- 1) Erase file(s): By pressing '1' you'll enter the file eraser. It allows you
  to erase tagged files of different devices  at the same time. Pressing '4' or
  '5' chooses the erase mode. With '4)  All  &  now' you erase all tagged files
  immediately. The erased files are then gone forever - be Careful!
  Using '5) With security-query' you  can  delete  files selective. You will be
  queried for every file if it should be erased or not.
- 2) Format disc: allows you  to  format  discs. You can format Data-, System-,
  IBM- or Vortex. After choosing the format you  will be asked for the drive in
  which the disc is located. Please put in the disc in the correct drive first,
  then press the drive-letter 'a' to 'h' and hit RETURN.
  If auto-DIR is enabled, then after formatting the DIRectory will be read.

I.31 The REName icon - hot key: N (Name, reName)
-------------------- - -------------------------
The REName icon is the second  icon  from  left  in  the third icon line. After
activation press '1' to  REName  files.  However,  only  tagged files are used.
After pressing 1 the first tagged  filename  is  displayed twice. The upper one
remembers you how it looks like before renaming. The lower filename is there to
be edited.  You  can  change  the  user-number,  the  file-name  and  the file-
extension. You can only use  chars  between  32  and  127 inclusive for the new
name.
Pressing '2' in the REName menu allows to change the name of the disc. But only
when using formats with disc-names.


I.32 The COPY icon - hot keys: C (Copy) and F (Filecopy)
------------------ - -----------------------------------
The third icon from the left of the third  icon line is the COPY icon. Option 1
provides the possibility to copy files  multidirectional. That means that there
can be multiple sources and multiple targets of files. All tagged files will be
copied. In the following menu you can decide if you want to copy all the tagged
files to one target medium (option 3) of if you want to copy different files to
different targets (option 4). Here you  can  choose target medium, user number,
file-name and extension.
Attention: To copy to/from M4 SD card please use the Mass-Storage Icon!
Option 2 of the main-menu allows you  to  copy a complete disc. Data-, System-,
IBM- or Vortex format can be used. You can use both sides of a disc, the can be
single/double sided and may use double-steps.
If the source and the target drive  is  identical  you have to swap the source-
and target-discs. Messages will indicate  that. The disc-format is investigated
automatically. Depending on the format the target-disc may be formatted.
The hotkey 'f' will bring you directly to the file-copy mode.

I.33 The PRINT icon - hot key: P (Print)
------------------- - ------------------
The PRINT icon is located at the  fourth  left position in the third icon line.
It has two features: The printing  of  DIRectories or files using the connected
printer. Hence the icon-menu provides two options:

1) Print file(s): allows you the  printing  of  all tagged files one after one.
   The ESC key aborts, but does not erase the printers buffer.
2) Print DIR: prints out the DIRectory  of  a  medium. Just enter the letter of
   the device (a - m) and press RETURN.

I.34 The RETAG icon - hot key: A (All, retag All)
------------------- - ---------------------------
The fifth icon of the third icon  line  is  the ReTag icon. Its function is the
retagging of all used (previously tagged) files shown streaked out. These files
will become tagged again (shown underlined).
Through the RETAG icon you can use a subset of files for different operations.

I.35 The UNTAG icon - hot key: U (Untag)
------------------- - ------------------
The sixth icon of the third icon  line  is  the  UNTAG icon. Its function is to
UNTAG all tagged files. That includes the files  on the M4 SD-card (media N and
O). After a click on this icon  all  previously  tagged (or used) files will be
untagged. You can use the DIR icon  to  achieve the same effect (if you haven't
removed a disc), it reads all DIRs again.

I.36 The MONitor icon - hot key: M (Machine Monitor)
--------------------- - ----------------------------
The MONitor icon is the icon at   the  right  end  of the third icon line. It's
used to start the machine monitor of FutureOS. More information is given in the
big manual. Please use the monitor  only  if  you  are familiar with your CPC's
hardware.

I.37 The ALARM (WECKER) icon - hot key: W (Wake up)
---------------------------- - --------------------
The second icon from the right end of the forth icon line is the ALARM / WECKER
icon. Use the Cursor-keys and COPY, Joystick and Fire or ESC to set the Alarm /
Wake up time video oriented.

I.38 The END icon - hot key: Q (Quit)
----------------- - -----------------
The END icon is located at the right of the forth icon line. It allows to:
1. Start FutureOS new: start FutureOS new (Cold boot)
2. Initialize  AMS-OS:  ends  the  current  FutureOS  session  and  initializes
   Amstrads firmware OS. This function is equal to a reset of the CPC.

I.39 The RUN icon - hot keys: X (eXecute) and R (ROM Application)
----------------- - ---------------------------------------------
The RUN icon is located most left in the  lower icon line. In case you click at
the RUN icon and any file is tagged, then this file will be loaded into RAM and
subsequently executed. The first tagged file will be used.
If there is no tagged file present the following options will be displayed:
1) Start actual Foreground-program: The last started program will be restarted,
because it's still in the RAM  and  the  OS  has memorized its location through
it's file-header.
2) Start actual  Background-program:  The  actual  Background  program  will be
started. A Background program  is  a  special  program  which  is nested in the
expansion memory.
3) Jump into RAM: This option allows  to  jump  at any address in any connected
(expansion-)RAM. Select RAM configuration  &C0  to  jump  into the main memory.
Attention! You should know where to jump.
4) Start ROM application: Will start  an  application from a FutureOS expansion
ROM. First you select the XROM, then the application of this XROM.
This option can be called directly using hot key 'R' of the Desktop.

I.40 The TIME and DATE icons - hot keys: Z (Time) and Y (Date)
---------------------------- - -------------------------------
They're located in the lower icon line. The TIME icons at the left side and the
DATE icons at the right side. You can  use  them  to set time and date. This is
done by using Cursor-keys, Copy or Joystick  and  Fire. Press the ESCape key to
abort.
Date and time of connected Real-Time-Clocks will be set.

I.41 The mass storage / IDE icon - hot key: H
-------------------------------- - ----------
This icon is located at the right  end  of  the  second icon line. It allows to
access the SD card of  the  M4  expansion.  Therefore  a  fifth FutureOS ROM is
needed, this will be installed in the M4 automatically.

I.42 The <I> icon - hot key: I (Information)
----------------- - ------------------------
The <I> icon is the seventh  icon  of  the  third  icon line. It will start any
available INFOrmation- or Help-system. If there  is no INFO/HELP system present
nothing will happen except the appearance of an error-message.



        Comments, critics and notices are welcome every time.
            Only together, we can make the system better.
                 Send email to: FutureSoft at gmx.de

                          Important notice:
                 You can contact me through internet
                         http://www.FutureOS.de

