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Dreamloader Help
https://www.retrohackers.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=101		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  wildside [ Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:48 am ]
Post subject:  Dreamloader Help
Can anyone help me understand how to build/use Dreamloader with simple programs that use load"XXX",8,1 within BASIC to load extra files?

I see that the DreamLoader config allows for 'LoadFile/LoadTS' which is what I'm assuming I should be looking for. But the documentation is extremely vague.

The SlySpy example uses the other load method and I'm having trouble understanding that anyhow. :) And the Elvira Demo is alread packet into a DFI which means that I can't see how it's built. :(

Anyone got a simple How To or a complex example that hasn't been compiled into a DFI yet? :)

~Blair
Author:  NinjaDRM [ Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Please give a rough example what you want to do. From what I assume so far, DreamLoad seems not to be the appropriate tool for your case. (Remember that you can just have one drive switched on with DreamLoad, and this drive can _only load_ files then). If you simply want to load multifile BASIC-things from MMC, you will just need the DFI-Plugin providing KERNAL-Load for MMC.
Author:  wildside [ Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
NinjaDRM wrote:
Please give a rough example what you want to do. From what I assume so far, DreamLoad seems not to be the appropriate tool for your case. (Remember that you can just have one drive switched on with DreamLoad, and this drive can _only load_ files then). If you simply want to load multifile BASIC-things from MMC, you will just need the DFI-Plugin providing KERNAL-Load for MMC.


Actually... Just loading Files from One Drive is fine. I normally have no other drives attached (except Tape).

I've got about 5 apps that I use like made and was hoping to convert them from Tape to DFI. :)

All of similar format (Have been using 64Browser/CML as programing model):

BOOT.PRG
-> Loads DRIVERS.ML (Machine Lang Drivers for different User Port Options)
-> Loads Pretty Logo or Music
Then calls a Load and Run of a final App

This format has worked great for Tape loading and with a Tape Fast Loader this makes the whole thing "usable". But I'd like to upgrade from "usable" to "FAST".

Also... not owning a RR, I'd like to begin looking at converting programs to DFI using DreamLoader. Even if it is time consuming.

And if I can use DL to activate a DFI on MMC as a Read Only DISK... then I'll have LOADS of options for multiload games. :) I just thought it was a bit more difficult.

~Blair
Author:  NinjaDRM [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Well, then DreamLoad may be a good tool for you :)

Shouldn't be too hard. Compile DreamLoad, so the LoaderCode and the BufferPage is not in the way ($cd00-$d000, but could also be under ROM). Use ZP-locations which are used by standard load, too. Then make the load-vector point to a small wrapper to DreamLoad. Voila!

What portions of the documentation are vague to you?
Author:  wildside [ Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
NinjaDRM wrote:
Well, then DreamLoad may be a good tool for you :)

Shouldn't be too hard. Compile DreamLoad, so the LoaderCode and the BufferPage is not in the way ($cd00-$d000, but could also be under ROM). Use ZP-locations which are used by standard load, too. Then make the load-vector point to a small wrapper to DreamLoad. Voila!

What portions of the documentation are vague to you?


Ok... got the "simple stuff" down. I understand the basics in the dload.cfg and think I have sorted out the Loader and buffer so they aren't in the way.

It's the wrapper and ZeroPages that I'm not understanding. :) Yeah dumb ain't I.

Bear with me... I've a very high learning curve through example (even the most simplest) but it's been 15+ years since dealing with my C64.

Does anyone know what format ElviraDemo was in before compiling? I am doubting it was a LevelPacked game. Is there a zip of the source for that around?

~Blair
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