Hello,
Atari800MacX is a wonderful application, yet it's also a bit overwhelming. I have many questions, but I'll start with my most immediate problem, which is that when I attempt to run most programs, I get an error message saying, "Unable to load Binary/BASIC file!"
I'm pretty sure I've got all the OS ROMS I'm supposed to have. If there are some which are better than others, could you direct me to a source?
Or is that not the issue at all?
I get this error message when attempting to run the program by loading it as an executable file. If I choose "insert cartridge" or "load tape," on the other hand, I just get the Atari Memo Pad screen with no error message.
Which brings me to another question:
Does it really matter "how" I attempt to load a program? It seems that with a lot of the Atari 800 game roms out there, even if they're supposed to be images from ROM cartridges or tape or disk software, the surest way of getting them to actually load and run is if I choose the "load executable file" option.
Another thing: How can I know which machine type I should select when I go under Preferences/Atari/Atari Type? And how much does that matter? Will a 5200 game play OK if I've got, say, Atari OS/B (48k) selected? Of course, that would sound like a question I could answer myself by trying it, but I'm having a heck of a time getting most games to run at all, so that makes it kinda hard to test that one thing.
Please be assured that I did try reading Atari800MacX's support documentation and Help files. It's just that they're almost as vast and intimidating as the program itself!
Thank you in advance for your guidance in this matter.
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Atari800MacX problems: Help, Please!
Started by FlightSuit, May 4 2009 5:59 PM
6 replies to this topic
#2 OFFLINE
FlightSuit
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Stargunner
Posted Wed May 6, 2009 12:15 PM
Well I figured out one thing: download your game ROMs from AtariAge, and they're a lot likelier to work properly! Most of my questions are still unanswered, though, so please do chime in if you know the answers.
Say, anybody know where I can download a copy of "Preppie?" I used to have that, but now I can't find it. Used to love playing that game on my actual Atari 800 back in the day.
Say, anybody know where I can download a copy of "Preppie?" I used to have that, but now I can't find it. Used to love playing that game on my actual Atari 800 back in the day.
#3 OFFLINE
Allan
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River Patroller
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#4 OFFLINE
atarimac
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Chopper Commander
- Location:Missouri, USA
Posted Wed May 6, 2009 9:08 PM
It matters greatly how you load the file.
The load executable file is only used if you are trying to load a binary image that normally would have been stored on an Atari disk (one file, not the whole disk). Most of the time, these files have a .xex extension (although they could be .com or none if you take them off of an Atari disk).
Most disk images are .atr files, and you need to use "Insert Floppy" for that (or even easier, use the buttons in the Media Window).
Most Cartridges are .bin or .car files. Both are loaded with "Insert Cartridge...", but with .bin files you will need to know the type of cartridge (you will be presented with a list of choices based on size). With .car files, someone has already done that, and the cartridge type is stored with the file.
Cassette images are .cas, and you use "Insert Cassette" for those.
So, unlike a lot of the consoles out there that are emulated, the Atari was a real computer, so the images are just "ROMS", and you need to know what the file is you are trying to load.
The load executable file is only used if you are trying to load a binary image that normally would have been stored on an Atari disk (one file, not the whole disk). Most of the time, these files have a .xex extension (although they could be .com or none if you take them off of an Atari disk).
Most disk images are .atr files, and you need to use "Insert Floppy" for that (or even easier, use the buttons in the Media Window).
Most Cartridges are .bin or .car files. Both are loaded with "Insert Cartridge...", but with .bin files you will need to know the type of cartridge (you will be presented with a list of choices based on size). With .car files, someone has already done that, and the cartridge type is stored with the file.
Cassette images are .cas, and you use "Insert Cassette" for those.
So, unlike a lot of the consoles out there that are emulated, the Atari was a real computer, so the images are just "ROMS", and you need to know what the file is you are trying to load.
#5 OFFLINE
FlightSuit
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Stargunner
Posted Fri May 15, 2009 2:23 AM
Thank you for your responses, guys! Now for a really embarrassing question:
What commands do I type in once I've loaded a cassette or disk? I know it's something like c:load and d:load, but I don't recall specifically. I say "embarrassing" because I've owned an Atari 800 since I got it brand-new back in the 1980s; I just can't recall the exact commands that need to by entered, but I should remember, darn it!
What commands do I type in once I've loaded a cassette or disk? I know it's something like c:load and d:load, but I don't recall specifically. I say "embarrassing" because I've owned an Atari 800 since I got it brand-new back in the 1980s; I just can't recall the exact commands that need to by entered, but I should remember, darn it!
#6 OFFLINE
FlightSuit
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Stargunner
Posted Fri May 15, 2009 2:49 AM
D-oh, I answered my own question.
From the Atari800MacX help files:
"Once the cassette is started by holding start during reboot, or by using the CLOAD/CSAVE basic call, you must press the space bar to continue loading/saving the file."
What!?
Preppie is in machine language, so I'm guessing I don't want to, or can't, have the BASIC cartridge inserted when loading it from the cassette image. OK. So I need to hold down the "start" button during reboot? When I want to press "start" "select" or "option" in Atari800MacX, I always just use the little window containing those buttons, but I can't very well hold down a virtual button while clicking elsewhere.
The documentation indicates that the F4 key is the equivalent of the "start" button, so I tried holding it down, then chose a coldstart with the Preppie cassette inserted, then hit the space bar and...
It worked!
Thanks again, guys, for your guidance.
From the Atari800MacX help files:
"Once the cassette is started by holding start during reboot, or by using the CLOAD/CSAVE basic call, you must press the space bar to continue loading/saving the file."
What!?
Preppie is in machine language, so I'm guessing I don't want to, or can't, have the BASIC cartridge inserted when loading it from the cassette image. OK. So I need to hold down the "start" button during reboot? When I want to press "start" "select" or "option" in Atari800MacX, I always just use the little window containing those buttons, but I can't very well hold down a virtual button while clicking elsewhere.
The documentation indicates that the F4 key is the equivalent of the "start" button, so I tried holding it down, then chose a coldstart with the Preppie cassette inserted, then hit the space bar and...
It worked!
Thanks again, guys, for your guidance.
#7 OFFLINE
Zedex
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- 97 posts
Star Raider
Posted Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:15 PM
How do I get the ROMs needed to start the damn emulator?
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