Technical Note: TN006
Date: 8 April 1986
Starting up with ROM Based ST's.
The following information is aimed at ROM based Atari ST computers, i.e. the Atari 520STM, Atari 1040STF and those Atari 520ST computers with ROMs installed. To check whether your computer has a ROM based Operating System:
- Set up the ST, Disk Drive and Monitor (or TV) as described in the ST Owners Manual supplied with your computer.
- Turn on the monitor or TV and Disk Drive, ensure that the computer is turned off.
- Insert the Language Disk supplied with your computer into Disk Drive A.
- Turn on the computer, the Disk Drive Busy light will illuminate. If your system is ROM Based, the Desktop as described in the ST owners guide will appear. If you have a computer requiring a disk based Operating System, the computer will display a message prompting you to insert your System Disk.
- If you still have a disk based machine, please contact your Dealer for information on obtaining and installing Operating System ROMs.
Installing Desk Accessories
Desk Accessories are one or more (up to six) programs that reside in your computers memory alongside a main GEM application, such as ST Basic or ST Logo. These Accessories can be accessed at any time and may provide small utilities such as a notepad, diary or calculator. The Language Disk supplied with the Atari 520STM and Atari 1040STF contains two files ending with '.ACC', these files contain four useful utilities, each of these being described in detail in the ST Owners Manual.
If you have recently installed ROMs into your Atari 520ST, these '.ACC' files reside on your original System Disk. We suggest that you create a new 'Startup' diskette containing the two Accessory files. This disk should then always be inserted in Disk Drive A before turning your computer on.
Creating a Startup Diskette. - 520ST Owners Only
- Power up your system with the original System Disk inserted in drive A. In in doubt consult your ST Owner's Manual.
- When the Desktop appears, format a blank diskette, again, follow the instructions contained in the ST Owner's Manual if necessary.
- When formatting is complete, copy both of the '.ACC' files contained on your original System Disk across to your newly formatted 'Startup Disk'. You will now have a diskette containing only two '.ACC' files.
- Put your original System Disk in a safe place, you may require to create another 'Startup' diskette in the future!!!
- If you wish to have the Desktop Accessories installed, insert your Startup Diskette into Drive A before switching your computer on.
IMPORTANT: While it is not necessary to insert a diskette into ROM based machines when booting up it will greatly reduce the initial 'Booting' time.
If you have problems in creating a Startup diskette, or require Operating System ROMs to be installed please contact your Dealer.
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