#Writing MS-DOS on Amiga
9 messages in this thread
Very basic question: writing MSDOS graphics files with an Amiga 4000. I have
read the manual but I am still unclear. How do I take the Amiga formatted disk
, turn it into an MS-DOS disk and write to it? Do I re-name it? Will it
automatically reformat it to MS-DOS when I format it? Do I go into Directory
Opus and copy the AdPro converted IFF and Postscript files to it? Your help
needed urgently on this embarrassingly basic matter. Christie Horn
Christie,
You cannot use an Amiga formatted disk in your MS-DOS machine. Format the
disk on the MS-DOS machine. Then put that disk into your Amiga and your
Amiga drive can write to it in MS-DOS format if you use the right device
name. I think that device is PC0: for MS-DOS disks under the OS system in
the 4000, but I don't have a 4000. On older machines, it was called DI0:.
It is also possible to format disks in MS-DOS format on your Amiga, but I
don'T have a 4000 manual, so I cannot help with that. On my older
machine, I must use Mformat and DI0:, but I suspect it has changed a
little in the new system.
—Betty
a b
Christie: Since you have a 4000, you also have "cross-dos" as part of your
operating system. Make sure the "cross-dos" icon is in your WBStartup
directory. Now, when you put a floppy into a drive, you should see two icons
df0: and pc0:…..df0 is AmigaDos recognition of the floppy, and pc0 is the
same physical disk being looked at by "cross-dos" as an MS-DOS disk. If the
disk is already formated, question marks (???) will appear after either df0:
(indicating it is AmigaDos format) or after pc0: indicating it is AmigaDos
format. If you wish to format the disk as an MS-DOS disk, simply click on pc0:
and select "format" from the "icons" menu. You will be prompted if you wish to
format the disk as 720K ( or with your 4000, perhaps as 1.44K). After
formatting, you can rename the MS-DOS disk if you want…I usually use a name
like PCDISK1 to make the distiction from Amiga Disks. You could also format
the disk in an MS-DOS machine if you have one. Once you have the MS-DOS disk
formatted, it will appear as an icon pc0: without question marks. To save
file to the disk, simply use the "save as" command in the application; choose
pc0: as the destination and "voila"…your file will be on the MS-DOS disk.
You can do this with text files, graphics files, spreadsheets easily exchanging
information between Amigas and MS-DOS machines. Good luck! Rick
Christie: In my previous message, the line <question marks (???) will appear
after either df0: (indicating it is AmigaDos format)> should read
…..(indicating it is MS-DOS format)…. SOrry 'bout that. I don't know how
to edit my messages in the Amigausers forum with this dumb 286 machine. Maybe
Betty can tell me. Rick
Rick,
There is a very cumbersome way to edit messages from a term program, but
why not get yourself an automatic program that will make life easier and
cut your bills here? For a 286, your choice is more limited than for
some, but in IBMCOM, Library 1, there is one called ATOSIG.EXE that will
work on your machine. Not as many-featured as the newer ones, but it
works on the older machines, and most newer ones don't. I'm not sure, but
I think OZCIS1 will work on the 186 machines, too. You will find it by
typing GO OZCIS. I cannot recall for sure, but I think OZCIS1 is in
Library 1. I know that the newer OZCIS2 (big resource hog – requires 386
and really wants 486) is in a different directory. Both are still
supported, though.
OR, you could use an Amiga online, and use the wonderful AutoPilot!! <g>
—Betty
Thanks Betty. I like the "why don't you use an Amiga" proposal best. I am
on the verge of buying a new modem, and this one will be an external model I
can use on my 2000. Thanks again!
Great, Rick. That really is the best way – especially if you can use
AutoPilot.
—Betty
Rick –
Following up on Betty's response to you, TAPCIS is another automatic
message program for CompuServe for MS-DOS machines (that should work on a
286). You can type 'go tapcis' for info.
Jeff Schweiger
Christie,
The PC0 icon must be moved into the DOSDrivers directory which can be
found in the Worbench partition (SYS:), of your hard drive. So Drag it
from its storage directory and drop it on the DOSDrivers drawer icon.
While your at it double-click on it to MOUNT PC0: to use it now, or warm
boot your computer to activate it. Don't put it in WBStartup, that is to
start commodities like a screen blanker, Magic User Interface, etc. not
for system software like CrossDOS.
Since you have an A4000 you should also have a 1.88MB floppy drive and can
read/write directly to MSDOS 1.44MB high density disks. You are limited to
720K like most of the older Amiga owners. However, some of us "older amiga
owners" have since added the HiD drive. 🙂
SYS:devs/DOSDrivers/PC0
You an rename your MSDOS formatted disk anything you like but are limited
to the MSDOS naming conventions of eight.three, eight character name plus
a three character suffix.
You can use any directory utility or Shell you have to copy files to the
floppy. Are you familiar with DOS on an MS-DOS box? Same for AmigaDOS
copy Work:ADPRO/picfiles.IFFF pc0:
Copy Work:ADPRO/pic#?.#? PC0: copies all files in ADPRO starting with
pic.
Christopher