BBS terminal to Amiga 500

[Dr. Chef]

Hello. I would like to try BBS for the first time, but I'm having issues installing NComm to my Amiga 500.

Specs:

A500 NTSC model
WB 1.3
512k chip + 512k slow trapdoor ram A501.
Floppy Drives: 1
I have a amiga explorer setup, where I have usb to rs232, and rs232 connected to null modem (serial port)

I would like to run a terminal program such as NComm. On the Windows side of things, I'm running BoycoT. I saw a youtube video of someone being able to boot from start up, but I'm having issues installing to floppy. I'll explain.

I have one working floppy drive. My external drive wont work, so I have to use the stock, built in floppy drive. When I run the software, I get an error stating: 'Cant open req tools library'. Is there an easier way to install? I've tried installing via the installer, but that doesn't work, or I'm unable to get it to work. I don't know what to do. How did you get NComm to work on a stock A500?

Thanks,

Dr. Chef.

Edited for clarity.

[danbeaver]

Could you explain the RS232 serial to USB? Is this what you are using instead of a null modem cable?

Otherwise you need a full WorkBench disk with all the libraries and devices and the Ncom program; I never tried this off floppies as a hard drive was the easiest method for me with a complete WorkBench installation.

Also, the reqtool.library and installation program are from OS3.1, I believe.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

When I run the software, I get an error stating: 'Cant open req tools library'.

Have you installed reqtools.library?

http://aminet.net/package/util/libs/ReqToolsUsr.lha

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Also, does NComm work under 1.3?  You're going to be pretty limited with that kind of setup.

[Dr. Chef]

Could you explain the RS232 serial to USB? Is this what you are using instead of a null modem cable?

Otherwise you need a full WorkBench disk with all the libraries and devices and the Ncom program; I never tried this off floppies as a hard drive was the easiest method for me with a complete WorkBench installation.

Also, the reqtool.library and installation program are from OS3.1, I believe.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm using a null modem cable. That's what I meant. I'm using nullmodem to rs232 and rs232 to usb. There are versions of reqtool.library that could work with wb1.3 via NComm version 3.0 on Aminet. I cant install to my workbench floppy because its full, and I cant copy to libs for that same reason. I have amigaexplorer, so I can try any suggestions you guys have.

Is there a way to install ncomm to a seperate floppy and have it bootup at start up? I saw a youtube video where someone has a working NComm setup under wb1.2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOreJxIZMpw

Is there a way to have a lightweight workbench, where I can boot directly into NComm?

Also, does NComm work under 1.3?  You're  going to be pretty limited with that kind of setup.

There is a older version that works for 1.3 and 2.0. Also, I'm unsure if this is true, but I read messages stating that the later version can run on 1.3.

[danbeaver]

The version of Ncom I used worked in KS/OS 1.3, but as noted, I used it from a hard drive.  With 1 floppy drive, you are not going to have anything but trouble;  with enough RAM you can set up a RAD drive and load everything there making it perform like a hard drive.  

At this point I would normally be sarcastic and glib, with a comment like, "Simply put, a 5 ounce sparrow cannot carry a 1 pound coconut," but this weeks threads have been about what one CAN do with an A500 -- an A500 AND money!  So get out there and spend!  Start with a replacement floppy for the one not working...

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Is there a way to install ncomm to a seperate floppy and have it bootup at start up? I saw a youtube video where someone has a working NComm setup under wb1.2

Is there a way to have a lightweight workbench, where I can boot directly into NComm?

Make a separate copy of your Workbench disk, delete any tools and utilities you don't need to free up space, copy NComm on there and the required libraries to make it run, then just edit the Startup-Sequence on that boot disk to be something like:

Setpatch
Run >NIL: NComm
Endcli

You might need to leave a little more of the factory Startup-Sequence than this (like LoadWB if you want a Workbench window open in the background), but that should give you an idea.  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Also, +1 to what @danbeaver said.  

[danbeaver]

Or you can do that ; )

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Also run everything with as minimal settings as possible.  Like if you can drop the screenmode down to 2 colors to conserve memory, do it.  I know there's a small shell tool that works under 1.3 that will even cut the Workbench window down to 2 colors (since you can't select that with 1.3 preferences), something to consider if you want to keep a Workbench window open in the background behind NComm.

You can make this work!  I have vague memories of going online 20-something years ago using a similar setup, only I had two floppy drives, and of course was using a dial-up modem at the time to connect to real BBS's.  

[Dr. Chef]

Cool, I'll have to try that. So, if I do this all from WB 3.x from Amiga Forever, I'd be able to run with out a problem? Should I stick with version 3.0 or should 3.6 work with the earlier version of NComm?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Cool, I'll have to try that. So, if I do this all from WB 3.x from Amiga Forever, I'd be able to run with out a problem? Should I stick with version 3.0 or should 3.6 work with the earlier version of NComm?

If you run this through emulation you can emulate a much more powerful system, so yes, you'd have fewer problems.  But there's something nostalgic and quaint about getting it working on a classic A500.  

Not sure what you mean by 3.6, is that a version of NComm?  Or do you mean Workbench 3.9?

[Dr. Chef]

There are 2 versions on Aminet. 3.0 and 3.6. 3.6 is free and comes with a keyfile so you can use the full version.

You can make this work!  I have vague  memories of going online 20-something years ago using a similar setup,  only I had two floppy drives, and of course was using a dial-up modem at  the time to connect to real BBS's.  

Yeah, I'm using a modem emulator on my PC, but for my first time to play on a BBS will be a treat.

Or you can do that ; )

Eventually, when I get the money, I might upgrade my Amiga so I can have a Gotek and a hard drive. Using a single floppy drive and swapping floppies is defiantly not fun.

[Tenacious]

Make a separate copy of your Workbench disk, delete any tools and utilities you don't need to free up space, copy NComm on there and the required libraries to make it run, ...

+1.  That really is the way many of us started.  If you are going to be a floppy only operation for a while, you really should make a vastly trimmed down version of the WB disk as a standard you can duplicate as required for all of your favorite apps.

If you add FAST ram (upto 8 Megs. See Kipper2K's offerings), a system like yours really starts to feel more spacious after booting (easily the slowest part of using the system).  With a spacious Ram Disk:, you can de-archive there, execute them there, and only if you like them - commit them to permanent floppy.

A RAD: drive becomes possible and makes the system even more livable (much faster than a HD) after the first boot.  Sadly, I suspect this option gets explored by very few people.

[Dr. Chef]

Okay, I'm lost. I was able to delete the different applications that came bundled with Workbench that I didn't need, to free up to a little more than 100KB's, but how do I install directly to wb1.3?

I have reqtools in libs. Now what? I tried copying ncomm to ram: and then running the installer. Basically, I typed in install df0:, but nothing happens, or nothing I'm aware of. If I try to install with version 3.0, the earlier version, I get errors while the installer attempts to install. If I run version 3.6 in ram, with out installing, it loads, but I cant connect to serial.device.

Edit: If I try to copy Ncomm, installer and all, then I don't believe I'll have enough space to copy everything.

If you add FAST ram (upto 8 Megs. See Kipper2K's offerings), a system  like yours really starts to feel more spacious after booting (easily the  slowest part of using the system).  With a spacious Ram Disk:, you can  de-archive there, execute them there, and only if you like them - commit  them to permanent floppy.

That seems like a nice option, plus the price very reasonable.