When using the A&J Microdrive “ESOS” (Exatron Stringy Operating System), there are times when you don’t want it to change your RAMTOP. RAND USR 13083 instead of USR 12345 to initialize the system and take you to the “directory mode” menu without affecting current RAMTOP setting.
When using “Economy mode”, only use the CERTIFY command (option 4) if you have nothing in the computer’s program space (i.e. execute a NEW first). Otherwise you’ll get clear-screen-itis.
With programs that allow you to RUN, you can save a little tape by entering CLEAR before you save it.
Pull out the wafer when done with it. Otherwise you’ll get little bumps caused by constant capstan pressure. This usually doesn’t cause problems until you try to re-initialize or certify the wafer. The reason is that the bumps will normally occur between files, but when you re-initialize you’ll get parity errors when the bump is encountered.
If you have a Hunter board or other RAM in the 8-16K range, you might have conflicts with the A&J EPROM (especially if you can’t selectively turn off the top 4K block). No problem, you can run the A&J operating system in RAM. POKE the EPROM contents (from 12288 to 16383) into RAM, (1 REM or string variable), and save to tape. Then simply remove the EPROM, and put it in a safe place. Actuate your 8-16K RAM and reload the tape. The code can then be POKEd (or block-transferred) back down, and will work fine. The other 4K (8192-12281) is yours to do with as you see fit. -fn