256 byte blocks. Note
that
if
USER BIOS area is reserved, the
total
area
of
the USER BIOS plus the RAM disk
cannot
exceed 24K bytes.
If
U is
the
num-
ber entered for the USER BIOS and R
is
the number entered for the
RAM
disk,
then
U/4
+ R must
not
exceed 24. This is because the
RAM
disk is assigned
in units
of
lK
and
the USER BIOS in units
of
114 K.
Before the USER BIOS question has been answered the display will show
SYSTEM
INITIALIZE
ENTER
DATE
TIME
(MMDDYYhhmmss)
000000000000
ENTER
DAY
(0
to
6)
0
ENTER
RAM
DISK
SIZE
09
ENTER
USER
BIOS
SIZE
00
Fig.
2.8
On
pressing the I
RETURN
I key it will clear
and
ask a further question.
RAM
DISK
FORMAT
(YIN)
?
Formatting a disk makes it possible for programs
and
data
files
to
be stored
as
if
the
RAM
disk were a conventional floppy disk. Until it is formatted
data
cannot be written
to
the disk. There are times when it
is
necessary
to
go through
the initialization procedure when the disk contains files.
In
this case only is it
permissible
to
say
'N'
to
this question. The disk will
not
be formatted,
but
there
is no guarantee
that
the files will be intact
or
that
the RAM disk can be read.
When the Y key is pressed, the
RAM
disk will be formatted
and
the display
will change
to
show the
MENU
screen.
A typical
MENU
screen would be:
***
MENU
screen
***
03/01/84
(WED)
04.26.07
54.5k
CP/M
C:PIP
C:PIP
COM
C:STAT
COM
C.SUBMIT
COM
C:FILINK
COM
C.TERM
COM
C.CONFIG
COM
Fig.
2.9
ver
2.2
PAGE
1/1
C.XSUB
COM
B.BASIC
COM
This type
of
screen makes it easier
to
run
programs
and
saves typing. The set-
ting up
and
use
of
the
MENU
screen
is
described in section 2.2.3d.
2-10
2.2 Operating The Computer
2.2.1 The Keyboard
If
you are used
to
using a normal typewriter
or
another computer, you will see
that
the keyboard is similar. You will already have used the keyboard
if
you
have set
up
and
initialized the PX-8,
but
in order
to
use all
of
its facilities you
will need
to
study this section
to
understand the special keys
and
key combina-
tions. There are also special key combinations which only apply
if
you are us-
ing
CP
1M,
the BASIC language
or
a particular applications program. Special
use
of
certain keys
and
key combinations under
CP
1M
are explained in Chap-
ter 3, and under BASIC in the BASIC Reference Manual. Consult the appropri-
ate Manual for any applications software.
a) Alphanumeric keys
Most keys
on
the keyboard generate characters, alphabetic, punctuation and
numerals
or
graphics characters. These keys are called auto-repeat keys. Each
auto-repeat key generates a certain character code repeatedly
if
it
is
pressed and
held
on
for more
than
a specified period
of
time. This normally causes a charac-
ter
to
be printed
on
the screen. Some keys are switch keys which alter the charac-
ter code
output
by
the character keys, for example
to
allow one key
to
output
either upper
or
lower case characters. Other keys are special keys which allow
insertion
and
deletion
of
characters, for example.
D
:.
Auto-repeat keys
_ :
Switch
keys
Fig.
2.10
The time before starting repetition
and
the repetition interval can be set by the
2-11
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