Date   : Tue, 09 Sep 1986 19:55:14 GMT
From   : Dave Haynie <daveh%cbmvax.cbm.uucp@...>
Subject: Re: C128 info

> 
> Can somebody tell me all the CP/M formats (double sided as well as
> single sided) the Commodore 128 will read and convert to run.
> 
> Larry

The C128 has built-in code to read and write Kaypro II, Kaypro IV,
Osborne Double Density, and some kind of IBM format.  The limit on
this, however, is only the software.  I believe there is at least one
public domain program out there that will set the 1571 drive up for many
different formats.  The 1571 drive has a programmable MFM controller that
can read most of the CP/M formats that have been used once it is properly
set up.  As for software compatibility, the C128 is most compatible with
a Kaypro.  This is basically screen driver compatibiliy, as I've found most
CP/M stuff to be very transportable (Epson stuff is often an exception to
this; they do quite a bit of machine specific things).  The C128 screen
driver is an ADM-31 (or ADM-3A) with a few extensions for color.  Some 
Kaypro machines have a few non-compatible extensions to the ADM standard,
though the latest versions of the C128 BIOS (December '85 or later) are
a bit more Kaypro compatible than the early C128 BIOS was.  



-- 
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Dave Haynie    {caip,ihnp4,allegra,seismo}!cbmvax!daveh

	"I gained nothing at all from Supreme Enlightenment, and
	 for that very reason it is called Supreme Enlightenment."
							-Gotama Buddha

	These opinions are my own, though for a small fee they be yours too.
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