BOOST.THD --- Copyright 1987 by Phil Wheeler An original compilation of Compuserve Model 100 Forum messages for use by Forum members only. Booster Pak is one of the new developments for the Model 100/102. It provides "megaRAM" capability and a new operating system, with an increase in the size (and $$$ !) being the cost. These messages give impressions of the Booster Pak and its extended Model 100 operting system. Message range: 161890 to 162208 Dates: 12/2/87 to 12/8/87 Sb: #Booster Pack Review Fm: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 To: sysop I have tried to find a review of TS booster in Dl13, but cant find it. Is ther one there or should I write one? Derek Sutton Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 There is no review yet, but the product description is in the file BOOSTR.PRD in DL13. Fm: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 To: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 OK tony I'll look at the prod dscription. I'm playing with mine right now I'ts pretty interesting, but not for the faint-hearted! You HAVE to want to be a bit of a hacker.... Derek Fm: Tony Anderson 76703,4062 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 That seems to be what Denny says, too. He has one. Fm: Denny Thomas 76701,40 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 Concur about the BP. This is the first M100 product where I actually had to sit down and *really* read the manual. Normally, I check out the loading instuctions and blast away. (much to the shagrin of my documentarian brother) That didn't get me very far this time. Fm: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 To: Denny Thomas 76701,40 I agree. I hate manuals too, but this one is a necessity. I have several problems so far: I cant load or save files to other directories even following the directions! I cant get the X-Tel pgm to work with my Worldport. Still using your LINK pgm - for whic I thank you muchly, by the way. Saved mylife in Europe! I hae amindset that likes the old bank swithching. It seems so much easier to look on the extra memory as "other" M100's. '. Still bashing away at this new toy, though. minor gripe. Why did they have to vhange the size of the screwholes so my "legs' dont fit? Fm: John Kupersmith 73146,3452 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 Derek -Saw your message about the Booster Pack and can identify with it since I've been trying one out for a couple of weeks now. Think I'm just beginning to get the hang of it--have managed to copy files between directories in the RAMdisk & between it & workspace, but that's probably no big deal. I do like the "cold-start-proofness" of it. Typing "call911" is sure easier than dragging out the old cassette recorded & starting all over again ... Also like the way you can be writing something and save a version to RAMdisk whenever you want to. That's good for us indecisive writers! Didn't they send you a set of legs made skinny to fit the new holes? They sent me a pair with the BP & will also sell them for $4.95/pair. Now if they would only get hip and make a M100style carrying case (slipcase); I'm getting a little tired of sticking this high-tech wonder in a plastic bag! --John Fm: Denny Thomas 76701,40 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 Do you type in the directory name when asked for new name? You have to put a "/" in front of the directory name to make it work. I went through that one too! There is a new program that works with the BP version of X-tel. I don't remember if I have uploaded my version yet, and since I'm at a store (my lines are down) I'll have to get back to you, If you want to try, you can do a BRO /KEY BOOSTER in DL 3 to see what comes up. Fm: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 To: John Kupersmith 73146,3452 After reading your message I went back and searched thru the "peanuts" - NO LEGS. Ive improvised a pair though. do yu have Sardine on ROm? I'd think that would also make Booster a better writers tool. I used to have the PG Designs ram expansion. You can copy files into other banks with that accessory too, effectivly stopping the cold-start nightmare. But it requires the Disk Drive to get the menu pgm to access the banks! Nothing could be easier than call911! Fm: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 To: Denny Thomas 76701,40 Havent had time to check for the X-tel/Boooster version of "link". I rarely (read NEVER) use Xmodem, sothat part of the pgm isnt important to me. But the access to TEXT and being able to locate and KILL files *is*. Looking forward to finding it. The reason I was having trouble loading and saving files to other directories was that I didnt realize that the dirname is case-sensitive! NOw I have that hurdle behind me I'm pretty satisfied. But dont you find that there is a lot of memory overhead? It seems to me that I had about 5k per bank open in the old setup I used with the PGDesigns 128, and even without the games or XTel, I have precious little memory left from my 136k in Booster (I only bought two extra chips at the advice of the lady on the phone). I think I might have to dig deep for a 256k module! Fm: Denny Thomas 76701,40 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 Yes, I am always moving files around to get the max available space. I have 256K and have the same problem as you. (isn't there a Murphy's law about that? Something like: "Your requirements always expand to fit available ram." You can get additional 32K modules for around 20 bucks apiece, which will get you out to 256K. If you have a modem that will do 1200 baud, it is always preferable to use a protocol download. X-Tel will download faster than the scroll rate of 600 baud and you won't have to do a checksum (usually) on the downloaded file. Fm: John Kupersmith 73146,3452 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 Derek -Yeah, call911 is great. Works pretty well on the telephone too. No, I don't have Sardine. Thought of getting the 4 ROM set but decided to save $$$, check my own spelling, and put RAM in those slots instead. I'm sort of hoping I can stop short of buying the $$$ expansion board and 256K chips -- figure 352K should be enough for a while? Do you have any of their other add-ons like the modem or Nicad pack? I'm curious about weight as well as function ... Fm: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 To: Denny Thomas 76701,40 Yeah. files alwways expand to overfill the spsce available! I think I can swing a 256k module - its about the same price as 8 32ks and is open for mucha expansion as time progresses. I remember when I got my 64k ram expansion I knew I'd never fill it........ Then came the 128k.... now the booster! Fm: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 To: John Kupersmith 73146,3452 I have the Nicad pack. It weighs about 6oz. But I am used to using Nicads, since I had a "stick" of them on my old setup. I hate cords, and I spend too much cash on batteries. I can lug the extra weight I already have a Worldport modem. I'm damned if I will spend another $200 for an internal version of the same thing WITHout the European phone compatiblity - which I need twice a year. I think I'm gonna get a 256k module. and ask for a set of legs too! By the way I tried to load X-tel off the Booster and onto dosk, then into one of my other M100s. It coldstarted the thing! RUKL RULE:Dont try to pinch the software! Fm: Denny Thomas 76701,40 To: Derek Sutton 71266,1350 Heh, heh, the BP version of X-tel is specific to the BP (as you found out!) It handles the keyboard hook differently than the normal version.