Epson PX-8 User Manual page 16

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