30th Anniversary BBC and Electron Collection

[lurkio]

I just want to let you or Lee know when using the split file versions over on bbcmicro.co.uk. some throw a wrong disc type error in Beebem.

This is due to a long-standing bug in Win BeebEm which misidentifies some .SSDs as "DSDs in disguise".

I have also sent a message to mike wyatt (Beebem) reporting the problem.

So did I, six years ago. The bug still hasn't been fixed. Mike Wyatt is no longer the active maintainer of Win BeebEm:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19975&start=390#p297085

I have no idea if these games have loading problems on real hardware or not.

They shouldn't do.

[mad]

So did I, six years ago. The bug still hasn't been fixed. Mike Wyatt is no longer the active maintainer of Win BeebEm:

Mike Wyatt has just fixed the autoboot disc from the command-line, by a request from me last month.
fixed in version 415a (14th Nov).
so i can confirm he is still active in some capacity.

[lurkio]

Mike Wyatt is no longer the active maintainer of Win BeebEm:

Mike Wyatt has just fixed the autoboot disc from the command-line, by a request from me last month. fixed in version 415a (14th Nov).

I stand corrected! Apologies.

[chrisn]

So did I, six years ago. The bug still hasn't been fixed. Mike Wyatt is no longer the active maintainer of Win BeebEm:

Mike Wyatt has just fixed the autoboot disc from the command-line, by a request from me last month.
fixed in version 415a (14th Nov).
so i can confirm he is still active in some capacity.

That would have been me. Mike still hosts the BeebEm website and contributed some features to 4.15 (most notably the Music 5000 emulation), but I'm most actively working on Windows BeebEm. I'm aware of the SSD/DSD misclassification problem, and plan to investigate it some time, just have some other things in the pipeline first...

[mad]

That would have been me.
I'm aware of the SSD/DSD misclassification problem, and plan to investigate it some time, just have some other things in the pipeline first...

I must thank YOU then.

Can i be cheeky and ask if you could just rem out the dialog box code for now.
Then send me a beta build?
It would be nice not to click OK twice to close the box when running those files.

many thanks!

[lurkio]

Can i be cheeky and ask if you could just rem out the dialog box code for now ... It would be nice not to click OK twice to close the box when running those files.

Yes, I have long thought that that would be a good quick win for Win BeebEm -- if not a permanent solution!

I use Mac BeebEm every day, and Mac BeebEm doesn't have the code that tries to detect "DSDs disguised as .SSDs", and its absence has never bothered me!

I don't think that getting rid of the detection code would bother 99.9% of Win BeebEm users either. I mean, how many DSDs have ever accidentally had the .SSD filename extension applied anyway?! Probably very very few -- if any!

[chrisn]

Can i be cheeky and ask if you could just rem out the dialog box code for now ... It would be nice not to click OK twice to close the box when running those files.

Yes, I have long thought that that would be a good quick win for Win BeebEm -- if not a permanent solution!

I use Mac BeebEm every day, and Mac BeebEm doesn't have the code that tries to detect "DSDs disguised as .SSDs", and its absence has never bothered me!

I don't think that getting rid of the detection code would bother 99.9% of Win BeebEm users either. I mean, how many DSDs have ever accidentally had the .SSD filename extension applied anyway?! Probably very very few -- if any!

I agree. I'm not far off finishing the next release version, and simply disabling that feature is the easiest thing to do.

[lurkio]

... Games Disc 010 ... Disc010.zip ... Alien Destroyers from Micro Power ...

Possible issue with the above:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21187&p=299968#p299966

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Very strange that Alien Destroyers needs a *FX4,1 before loading.
There is a *FX4,2 in the downloader so maybe that interferes somehow?
Anyway a new *FX4,1 command has been added into the machine code part of ALIEN-L and now works as a standalone game or via the !BOOT.
Disc010 now re-posted in section 2.

Again, very strange!

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Created in December 2020... here is Games Disc 153.

Disc153.zip

(82.3 KiB) Downloaded 52 times

The disc is called Disc153.dsd so it can be loaded into a Datacentre on a real BBC without having to rename it.

The 18 games on this disc include...

Ayo from The Micro User (4.11).
Lander (36 Challenging Games) from Interface Publications.
Warp Hole from PCW Software.
Jingle Bells (STD) from Jack And Jill Software.
Christmas Word Search (Christmas Crackers) from The Micro User.
Rudolph's Nose from Home Computing Weekly.
Mystery Word (E) from Electron Computing (#3).
Time Star from PCW Software.
Domino by Alan Wagstaff.
Blackwolf (OS 1.2) from Popular Computing Weekly.
Sleigh Lander (Christmas Crackers) from The Micro User.
Ice Cream Vendors from PCW Software.
Train Shuffle from Popular Computing Weekly.
Ski Slope (Christmas Crackers) from The Micro User.
B*Bert from PCW Software.
Trek III from Acorn User (#004).
Tic-Tac-Toe (Christmas Crackers) from The Micro User.
Pontoon from Popular Computing Weekly.

NOTE: Jingle Bells allows you to save your score/position to disc.
Also, Mystery Word is an Electron title that seems to work OK on a BBC Micro.
Lastly, Blackwolf has been amended to work correctly with OS 1.2.

EASTER EGGS: If you press ESCAPE during some of the loaders and instructions, then you can skip to loading the game... This works on Ayo and Trek III.

All original filenames have been kept where possible, but some have been changed where they conflict with the limitations of the Disc Filing System. Copy protection routines have been removed.
This disc has also been checked for *KEY related issues and is OK.

Happy Xmas
Enjoy!
Mick.

Disc 154 will be out in the new year!

[iainfm]

Hi Mick,
I totally agree.
Although it is great to be able to iron out the bugs in these games, making them as playable as possible, we also need to keep track of the original code - bugs and all. We shouldn't revise history. ..
Back to bird strike: Yes if sometime could play the original on the beeb it would be really helpful

Lee

Found this thread while looking for something completely different

I can confirm the original bird strike played on an original beeb had this bug... I remember it well! I think it might be something to do with the score overwriting code/graphics areas after a certain value(?). The pigeon was the first thing to become corrupt, then gaps would appear in the clouds, then eventually the game would crash altogether.

It's one of my favourites, btw! Yes, it's simple, but it kept me entertained.

How about a speed-run record 'high score' to see who can crash the game the fastest? Is it quicker to get the bonuses or shoot the planes as quickly as possible?

Edit: It doesn't seem to be score-related. I ran it up on beebem and set the score to 9900(0). When it got to 9999(0) it just ticked round to zero as you'd expect. So, I dunno what corrupts it. I've tried to do a disassembly with beebdis, but I'm far from having something that will re-assemble yet.

[Michael Brown]

Created in January 2021... here is Games Disc 154.

Disc154.zip

(78.07 KiB) Downloaded 38 times

The disc is called Disc154.dsd so it can be loaded into a Datacentre on a real BBC without having to rename it.

The 18 games on this disc include...

Survival (AKA Follow) from Popular Computing Weekly.
Dizzy Dots from PCW Software.
The Domino Game (2P) from 8-Bit Software (Issue 40).
Double Your Money (E) from Electron Computing (#6).
The Lost Slipper (STD) from Jack And Jill Software.
Eggsasperation from Triffid Games.
Beetle Drive (V6) from Popular Computing Weekly.
Draughts from PCW Software.
Bounce (E) from The Electron User (7.04).
Cemetary by John Popplewell.
Horse Racing from Popular Computing Weekly.
Pyramid & Casino (AKA Games) from Garland Computing.
Sir Francis Drake Adventure Game from LCL.
Catapillattak (AKA Dilph) from Acorn Programs (Vol.8 ).
Electron Soccer (E) from Popular Computing Weekly.
Firing Range from Personal Computer News.
TicTacToe (2P) from Acorn Programs (Vol.5).
Copycat from A & B Computing (1.02).

NOTE: Double Your Money is an Electron title that has been amended to run on a BBC Micro.
Also, The Lost Slipper allows you to save your score/position to disc.
Lastly, Bounce and Electron Soccer are Electron titles that seems to work OK on a BBC Micro.

EASTER EGGS: If you press ESCAPE during some of the loaders and instructions, then you can skip to loading the game... None on this disc.

All original filenames have been kept where possible, but some have been changed where they conflict with the limitations of the Disc Filing System. Copy protection routines have been removed.
This disc has also been checked for *KEY related issues and is OK.

Happy New Year!
Enjoy!
Mick.

Disc 155 will be out next month!

[Arcadian]

Fantastic work Mick, Happy New Year!

Keep. It. Up.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc 005 in Section 1 due to finally adding instructions to Astro-Tracker.
Although it looks like there was never any issued with the original tape, Beebug did, however, issue a set of instructions for this game on page 43 of the Beebug magazine 1.08 in 1982. I have included the bulk of them here.

On the same page there are instructions for some of the other early Beebug games, and I will try and include them into those games asap.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc 035 in Section 3 due to adding instructions to Magic Eel.
Also, re-posted Discs 071 and 083 in Section 5 after adding instructions to both Cylon Attack and Starfire.

Again all 3 sets of instructions are taken from page 43 of the Beebug magazine 1.08 in 1982.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc 065 in Section 5 due to adding instructions to Time Lapsed.
I can confirm also that I have been able to play the start of this game and collect and use the key, hammer and spanner.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc 070 in Section 5 due to adding instructions to Zedon.
Some of the instructions were found in the game when you press the pause button. I also included some info off the Bazza cheat disc as well.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Discs 069 and 076 in Section 5 due to adding passwords to Omegas supplied by Bill C and instructions to Infection which were obtained from the Amiga/ST version.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Created in February 2021... here is Games Disc 155.

Disc155.zip

(144.06 KiB) Downloaded 20 times

The disc is called Disc155.dsd so it can be loaded into a Datacentre on a real BBC without having to rename it.

The 18 games on this disc include...

Caves from Jack The Lad.
Birdies (Four Games for the BBC) from Inspiring Software.
Flighting from PCW Software.
Organic Blaster from Acorn Programs (Vol.8 ).
From Old Kent Road To Mayfair (STD) by Richard S. Ball.
Word Square/Sea Battle/Pick-A-Pair (2P) from Garland Computing.
Scissor-Stone-Paper Game from A & B Computing (1.14).
Noughts+Crosses (Four Games for the BBC) from Inspiring Software.
Space Trader (STD) from PCW Software.
18th Hole (36 Challenging Games) from Interface Publications.
Swamp from Popular Computing Weekly.
Diamonds (Four Games for the BBC) (2P) from Inspiring Software.
Smiley Hunt (AKA Al's Smiley Hunt) from The Micro User (3.06/3.07).
Micro Adventure from Rucksack Games.
Beat The Tune (2P) (E) from Electron Computing (#3).
Lunar Man from Popular Computing Weekly.
Mancala (Four Games for the BBC) (2P) from Inspiring Software.
Golf from PCW Software.

NOTE: From Old Kent Road To Mayfair and Space Trader allow you to save your score/position to disc.
Also, Beat The Tune is an Electron title that seems to work OK on a BBC Micro.

EASTER EGGS: If you press ESCAPE during some of the loaders and instructions, then you can skip to loading the game... This works on From Old Kent Road To Mayfair and Space Trader.

All original filenames have been kept where possible, but some have been changed where they conflict with the limitations of the Disc Filing System. Copy protection routines have been removed.
This disc has also been checked for *KEY related issues and is OK.

Enjoy!
Mick.

Disc 156 will be out next month!

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc010 in Section 2 due to adding iainfm's bug fix to Bird Strike.
The fix has been added to BIRD? from &1B11 to &1B20 which just had unused code there before, and a JSR&1B11 has been placed at &1F03 followed by 3 NOPs at &1F06.
Thanks again to everyone who help identify and sort this error with the original release from Firebird.

Mick.

[lurkio]

... here is Games Games Disc 105 ... Jungle Journey from Retro Software ...

Looks like you might be using an old version of Jungle Journey:

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=21837

EDIT: I think the newest version is here:

http://www.retrosoftware.co.uk/wiki/ind ... #Downloads

[Arcadian]

Actually the latest versions aren't online yet, it's getting released on floppy disc in April on the Retro Power label (see advert below).

It'll have new loader screens to match the inlay colours for each particular release (e.g. Purple for the DFS release, Yellow for ADFS release ... and Red for Atom! )

I'll send Mick the 'purple' DFS version as soon as the physical version is available to buy ...

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc152 in Section 21 as the author of Skirrid has just uploaded a newer copy (Version 1.1) of his game which now includes built in instructions.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc079 in Section 5 as I have now been able to include some instructions for Miner from Ixion Software. These were taken from one of the adverts that has just been posted on the Forum for missing software.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc022 in Section 3 as I have now been able to include some instructions for Bomber Scramble from Kansas City Software. These were taken from another one of the adverts that has just been posted on the Forum for missing software.

In order to fit the new file onto the disc, I have had to removed the Alligata logo file for New Blagger. As that game was an unofficial hack, it turns out that Alligata did not publish it anyway.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc021 in Section 3 as I have now been able to include some instructions for The Guns Of Navarone from D.A.C.C. Software. These were taken from another one of the adverts that has just been posted on the Forum for missing software.

Mick.

[Michael Brown]

Hi All,
Just re-posted Disc114 in Section 11 as I have now been able to include some instructions for Bridge To The East from Ixion Software. These were taken from another one of the adverts that has just been posted on the Forum for missing software.

Mick.