Portfolio Frequently Asked Questions, PORT.FAQ

by BJ Gleason, Copyright (c) 1992 by BJ Gleason

Send Updates, Comments and Suggestions to the author at:

     75300,2517 Compuserve

     bjgleas@auvm.american.edu

Edition: February 26, 1992

________________________________________________________________

Table of Contents

PORTFOLIO_____________________________________________

     1.   What is the Atari Portfolio?

     2.   How large should I set Drive C: to with the FDISK

          command?

     3.   Why does the screen flash when the computer is

          off?

RAMCARDS_______________________________________________

     4.   What size RAM cards are available?

     5.   Can I interface the RAMcards to other machines?

     6.   Can memory cards for the HP work on the Portfolio?

     7.   How often should the battery in the RAMcard be

          replaced?

     8.   How do I replace the batteries in the RAMcard with

          out losing the information?

BATTERIES______________________________________________

     9.   Can I use Nicads in the Portfolio?

     10.  Will the Parallel port and/or Serial port drain

          the batteries faster?

COMPATIBILITY / BUGS____________________________________

     11.  Will the Portfolio run IBM files?

     12.  What is the UPDATE program?

     13.  What are some of the Bugs in the Portfolio?

     14.  What are some of the Hardware Incompatibilities?

     15.  How do I reboot the Portfolio?

INTERNAL APPLICATIONS__________________________________

     16.  What ROM versions are available?

     17.  Can the ROM be upgraded?

     18.  Can I run MS/DOS 3.0 or later on the Portfolio?

     19.  How can I get a list of filenames when I want to

          load a

     20.  How can I find the developers names in the

          Portfolio?

     21.  Can Portfolio Applications run on a PC or a MAC?

PROGRAMMING____________________________________________

     22.  How can I make my programs smaller?

     23.  Is a Technical Manual Available for the Portfolio?

     24.  What languages are available for the Portfolio?

     25.  What PC Compilers can I use to develop programs?

     26.  Can Turbo Pascal 3.01A run on the Portfolio?

PBASIC_________________________________________________

     27.  How do I run a PBASIC program?

     28.  What is ALTR.COM?

     29.  Can I use PBASIC on the PC?

     30.  What are the differences between PowerBASIC and

          PBASIC?

FILE TYPES_____________________________________________

     31.  What do .ZIP and .ARC mean?

     32.  What is .PGC?

     33.  What is .PGX?

     34.  What is a .HOO file?

     35.  What is a .RUN file?

DISK STORAGE___________________________________________

     36.  Will the PDD1 or PDD2 from Radio Shack work on the

     37.  Can I attach a Hard Disk to the Portfolio?

     38.  When using the Flashdrive, the MD command lock up

          the

     39.  Can I hook an MS/DOS Compatible Disk Drive to the

          Port?

     40.  Did Xoterix release their hard disk unit for the

          Portfolio?

FILE TRANSFERS_________________________________________

     41.  How do I transfer files to and from the PC?

     42.  How do I transfer files to and from other

          machines?

SOFTWARE SOURCES_______________________________________

     43.  Where can I get programs for the Portfolio?

     44.  How do I get an account on Compuserve?

     45.  What is the Atari Portfolio Forum on Compuserve?

     46.  What is in the Atari Portfolio Libraries on

          Compuserve?

EXPANDING MEMORY_______________________________________

     47.  Can I increase the internal memory size of the

          Portfolio?

APPLICATIONS___________________________________________

     48.  Will WordPerfect Run on the Portfolio?

     49.  Is there a version of Tetris for the Portfolio?

     50.  What is a PREAD file?

     51.  Is there a program to capture the Portfolio

          Screen?

     52.  Can I do Animation on the Portfolio?

SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS__________________________________

     53.  How do I hook up a modem?

MISCELLANEOUS__________________________________________

     54.  What is the APB?

     55.  What is the Address of Atari?

     56.  Was that a Portfolio used in Terminator 2?

     57.  What is DIP?

     58.  What is the Address of DIP?

     59.  Is a keyboard cover available for the Portfolio?

     60.  What magazines/newsletters cover the Portfolio?

     61.  Who is Don Thomas?

     62.  What should I do if travelling Overseas with the

          Portfolio?

     63.  Can I put the Portfolio Through an X-RAY machine?

     64.  What do I do when the Portfolio dies?

________________________________________________________________

PORTFOLIO_____________________________________________

1.   What is the Atari Portfolio?

     The Portfolio is a "palmtop" personal computer that is very

     (but not completely) compatible with the IBM PC computer

     systems.  The base unit, when folded, is about the size of a

     VHS tape.  It unfolds to reveal a 40 characters by 8 lines

     screen and a 63 key keyboard.  It comes with 128k of RAM,

     which is divided between memory and a RAMdisk.  The Liquid

     Crystal Display screen is very easy to read, even in poor

     lighting, and has contrast adjustment built into the

     keyboard.  The keyboard is arranged in the standard QWERTY

     fashion (like a typewriter), making it very easy to find the

     keys, but the spacing of the keys is a bit tight.  The unit

     is powered by three AA batteries, which last about 100

     hours.  With the addition of the parallel interface you can

     upload and download files to another PC that has a parallel

     port.  A serial port is also available.

     Aside from DOS 2.11, the Portfolio also has a simple ASCII

     text editor, a calculator, a diary with alarms, and an

     address book that can dial numbers on touch tone phones. 

     Perhaps the most impressive built in application is a

     spreadsheet program that is compatible with Lotus 1-2-3.

2.   How large should I set Drive C: to with the FDISK command?

     If the computer should ever crash, all the files on drive C

     are lost.  Many users keep all their files on the RAMcard,

     and set the C drive to about 8k with the FDISK command. 

     This will leave you about 100k of free memory for your

     applications.

3.   Why does the screen flash when the computer is off?

     New users will occasionally notice the screen flash when the

     unit is turned off.  The computer will turn itself on about

     every two minutes to check the alarms in the diary.

RAMCARDS_______________________________________________

4.   What size RAM cards are available?

     In the United States:

          32k, 64k, 128k

     Outside the US, there are Memory Modules.  The are RAMcards

     with "boxes" on the ends.  They stick out of the unit by

     about an inch.

     256k, 512k, and 1Meg Memory Modules are available for the

     Portfolio from DIP systems in England.  They work just like

     RAMCards, and measure 20*50*70mm.  Contact DIP, 32 Frederick

     Sanger Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, United

     Kingdom, GU2 5XN.  (0483) 301555.  The prices are (in

     pounds) 256k 182.56, 512k 252.13, and 1Meg 373.87 and do not

     include shipping.

5.   Can I interface the RAMcards to other machines?

     Circuit Cellar INK Magazine, Issue 18, January 1991, has an

     article entitled "An Interface for Portable Battery-Backed

     RAM".  The article shows construction of an interface to

     read and write information from a Mitsubishi's Credit Card

     Memory.  This is the same card that is used on the

     Portfolio.

6.   Can memory cards for the HP work on the Portfolio?

     No.  They are completely different, and not compatible.  The

     same goes for the Poqet, PC-3000, and just about every other

     machine on the market.

7.   How often should the battery in the RAMcard be replaced?

     The battery in a memory card lasts about one year.  In order

     to make sure you replace the battery in time, write the

     replacement date on the card.  You could also set the diary

     to alert you in about a year.

8.   How do I replace the batteries in the RAMcard with out

     losing the information?

     Insert the RAMcard into the Portfolio, and turn the

     Portfolio ON.  The Portfolio will power the RAMcard while

     the RAMcard battery is pulled out and replaced.  Do not let

     the Portfolio power down automatically [after 2 minutes], or

     you will lose all the information.

BATTERIES______________________________________________

9.   Can I use Nicads in the Portfolio?

     It is possible to use rechargeable batteries, on the

     portfolio, but be warned.  The discharge drop-off on

     rechargeable batteries are much steeper than normal alkaline

     batteries, so you might not always see the LOW BATTERY

     warning.  Keep everything on a RAMcard is you want to use

     rechargables.

10.  Will the Parallel port and/or Serial port drain the

     batteries faster?

     Whenever using the serial or parallel port,  you should

     always use the AC adapter.  These ports require about as

     much power as the Portfolio and will quickly drain the

     batteries.

COMPATIBILITY / BUGS____________________________________

11.  Will the Portfolio run IBM files?

     Because of the unique design of the Portfolio, not all

     programs designed for a PC will run it.  There are a number

     of reasons.  The most common is that a program directly

     address the hardware.  Much of the Portfolio's hardware is

     slightly different and this will cause a conflict.  There

     are some other differences, but I will leave these for a

     more detailed description in another column.  For now, to

     make the Portfolio as compatible as possible with a PC,

     access the SETUP menu and under DISPLAY set EXTERNAL MODE to

     TRACKED, REFRESH to BOTH, and SPEED to FAST.  Note however,

     that the FAST setting will use up your batteries quicker.

12.  What is the UPDATE program?

     Atari has released an UPDATE program to fix some bugs in the

     Portfolio.

     The UPDATE program is available from several sources.  You

     can get the program from Atari on the DOS Utility Card (HPC-

     701 $89.85) or on the File Manager/Tutorial Card (HPC-704

     $20.00).  You can also download the program from the

     Portfolio areas on both GENIE and COMPUSERVE.  It can also

     be found on Atari's own bulletin board (408-745-2191), but

     new users will have to wait two business days for

     validation.  Once you have the program, place the UPDATE

     command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that it is activated

     when you reboot your machine.

13.  What are some of the Bugs in the Portfolio?

     If you try to load a zero length file into one of the built-

     in applications, the Port will lock up.  Reboot the machine,

     delete the zero length file, and you should be ready to go.

     There is the "ShotGun" bug.  When you power up the

     Portfolio, it will write a random byte to a certain memory

     location.  If an application is loaded, this can mangle the

     data file.  One way around is to exit any applications

     before the machine powers down, or enter the following lines

     in the CONFIG.SYS file:

          FILES=20

          BUFFERS=32

     The memory location will be inside the file buffer area, and

     will not affect the data files.

     The Portfolio will lock up if you try to load a file into

     the editor that ends with a <SPACE><RETURN>.  The UPDATE

     program fixes this bug.

14.  What are some of the Hardware Incompatibilities?

     One of the most obvious differences of the Portfolio is that

     it has a smaller screen that the PC.  The Portfolio's screen

     is 8 lines by 40 characters.  This can cause problems with

     programs expecting a larger screen.  There are two possible

     ways around this:  Rewrite the program (if you have access

     to the code), or change the Portfolio Screen mode via the

     Setup Menu.  The Portfolio has three Screen modes:  Normal,

     Static and Tracked.  Normal is the 8 lines by 40 characters

     mode.  In Static and Tracked, the 8 by 40 screen serves as a

     window to a virtual 25 by 80 screen.  You can use the ALT

     arrow keys to scroll around on the screen.  In tracked mode,

     the window automatically follows the cursor around on the

     screen.

     The second problem with the text screen is that while you

     can write directly to screen memory, it will not so up on

     the screen until a screen refresh is done.  The text is

     copied to the LCD screen when a refresh is performed.  In

     the Setup Menu are the Screen Refresh Options.  The default

     is Normal: No refresh.  You can also select a refresh based

     on the Timer, Keyboard Input, or Both.  For programs that

     write directly to the screen, you should select both, but it

     is highly recommended that you change the program to operate

     in the No Refresh (normal) mode, since this is the default

     for the Portfolio.

     MEMORY

     The next most obvious problem with the Portfolio is the

     severe lack of memory.  The standard Portfolio comes with

     128k of memory, and at least 15k of that is reserved for

     MS/DOS and the RAMdisk.  Care should be taken to keep

     programs as small as possible.  A common problem is that

     some program automatically assume that there is at least

     256k of memory available, and they just use it, instead of

     requesting it from the operating system.  This will

     typically cause the system to crash.

     GRAPHICS

     When you switch the screen mode to graphics, you can draw on

     the screen using the standard ROM BIOS calls, but you can

     not write text to the graphics screen.  The screen memory

     arranged different than a standard PC.  The graphics memory

     is arranged as 30 bytes (240 bits) across and 64 lines down. 

     Each pixel is either 1 (on), or 0 (off).  Direct graphics

     screen writes suffer the same problem with the refresh as

     the text screen, but there is one further complication.  You

     can not write text to the graphics screen.  PowerBASIC and

     PBASIC both work about this problem by creating and printing

     their own character set, which will allow text and graphics

     on the same screen.

     TIMER

     On a standard PC, there is a timer tick that occurs 18.2

     times a second in order to update the real time clock.  On

     the Portfolio, this has been reduced to 1 tick per second in

     FAST mode, and 1 tick every 128 seconds in NORMAL mode. 

     This reduction is to conserve battery power.  The FAST more

     require much more power, and will drain the batteries

     sooner.

     Some programs count the timer ticks during initialization in

     order to determine the speed of the computer.  If the code

     waits for 18 timer ticks, it will take 18 seconds in FAST

     mode, and over 36 minutes in NORMAL mode.  If a program

     appears to lock up the machine, reboot, and try setting the

     speed to FAST, and run the program again.  If possible,

     rewrite the program to use a predetermined number for the

     clock speed, instead of calculating it.

     PARALLEL AND SERIAL PORTS

     The detachable Parallel and Serial Port are at different

     addresses than a PC, and use a slightly different interrupt

     structure.  This leads to a major incompatibilities with

     communications programs.  Several communication programs are

     available from both commercial and public domain sources.

     EXTRAS

     On the plus side, the Portfolio has a number of built in

     options, such as drawing boxes, line editing, and menus

     (which are used in the built in applications), are available

     to the intrepid programmer.  The technical manual describes

     these options in detail, but there are a few languages that

     allow you to access these special functions.  Using these

     Portfolio Only features can reduce the size of your code,

     and make your program look and feel more like the built-in

     applications.

15.  How do I reboot the Portfolio?

     When the Portfolio locks up, there are three ways to reboot

     the machine.  First try the "three finger salute",

     <CTRL><ALT><DEL>.  If this has no effect, turn the machine

     upside down, and above the Atari label, there is a hole. 

     Use a paper clip to depress the switch in the hole.  If the

     Portfolio still refuses to reboot, you will have to cold

     boot the machine.  Remove the battery cover.  Use a paper

     clip to depress the small metal tab.  The cold reboot will

     take your Portfolio back to when you first got it.  You will

     even have to tell it what language you want to use. 

     Everything on drive C: will be lost.

INTERNAL APPLICATIONS__________________________________

16.  What ROM versions are available?

          1.056     First Version Released

          1.072     Current Version

          1.09      Not Released

17.  Can the ROM be upgraded?

     No.

18.  Can I run MS/DOS 3.0 or later on the Portfolio?

     No.  The unit is MS/DOS 2.11 compatible in ROM.  Due to the

     hardware differences, and memory limitations, other versions

     of DOS will not run on it.

19.  How can I get a list of filenames when I want to load a

     files into an application?

     When a built-in application asks for a filename to load,

     type *<return> to display a list of files for that

     application.

20.  How can I find the developers names in the Portfolio?

     To see the names of the people who developed the Atari

     Portfolio, follow these steps:  From the editor, press

     <FN><F2> to get the help menu.  Press <K> to select Keyboard

     Help.  Finally press <ALT><[> to find out who created your

     machine.

21.  Can Portfolio Applications run on a PC or a MAC?

     Yes.  ComputerBooks, in their infinite wisdom, has imported

     them so that they are available to American users for only

     $69.95 for the PC version, and $89.95 for the Mac Version. 

     The Mac version also includes a cable and software on a ROM

     card for file transfers.

     The program, called PC Applications or Pocket Mac, depending

     on your machine, is a complete implementation of the

     Portfolio software.  You do not need to use any conversion

     programs, and the file transfer software is built right into

     it.  It provides for a very nice and easy pocket-to-desktop

     linkage.  The desktop versions also give you a larger view,

     since it can make use of the 80 characters by 25 line

     screens.  It is so nice, that some Poqet computer users are

     using PC Applications on their machines instead of the

     Poqet's built-in applications!

     The address for ComputerBooks is 20351 Irvine Avenue, Suite

     9, P.O. Box 9167, Newport Beach, CA  92658.  Their phone

     number is 1-714-966-2023.

PROGRAMMING____________________________________________

22.  How can I make my programs smaller?

     Disk space is a prime concern on the Portfolio.  To make

     programs smaller, there are two utilities, LZEXE and PKLITE,

     which will compress programs to about 2/3's their original

     size.

23.  Is a Technical Manual Available for the Portfolio?

     If you are an amateur or professional developer and want to

     develop programs that take advantage of the inner workings

     of the machine, there is a Technical Reference manual

     available from Atari for 60 dollars.  Call Gail Johnson at

     (408)-745-2022 for more details.  The manual includes

     emulation software for the PC.  The cost is $60.

24.  What languages are available for the Portfolio?

     BASIC

     There are two version of BASIC available for the Portfolio. 

     The first is Atari's PowerBASIC compiler.  This is a

     reasonable straight forward compiler.  It allows for text

     and graphics on the same screen, but does not allow you to

     access the more interesting Portfolio Only features.  The

     other is PBASIC version 4.9, the 'freeware' BASIC

     interpreter for the Portfolio is available in the APORTFOLIO

     forum on COMPUSERVE.  PBASIC is an almost complete

     implementation, lacking only Random Access Files.  To it's

     credit, PBASIC does allows easy access to the Portfolio Only

     features.

     FORTH

     Essex Marketing Services, (203) 651-8284, have developed a

     FORTH-83 compiler for the Portfolio.  It has a kernel of

     just 8k, leaving a lot of room for programs and data.  There

     are versions available for the Portfolio, a PC, and the

     HP95LX, allowing for easy development across platforms.

     A86

     Eric J. Isaacson's A86 is not only one of the fastest

     assemblers, but it is one of the few assemblers that will

     run on the Portfolio.  Version 3.12 has been tested on the

     Portfolio.  Some earlier versions of this shareware

     assembler will cause the Portfolio to crash.

     TURBO PASCAL 3

     Because of the timer design (as described before), Turbo

     Pascal 3.01A from Borland International will not run easily

     on the Portfolio.  On Compuserve, in the APORTFOLIO forum,

     there is a document called PURBO.TXT that describes how to

     modify the compiler to run on the Portfolio.  After making a

     simple modification to the compiler with DEBUG, you then set

     the DISPLAY  to TRACKED and REFRESH to BOTH, and you are

     ready to run.  You can edit, run and compile TP3 programs on

     the Portfolio.  The compiled programs will also run on the

     PC, but the timing might be off, depending on the clock

     speed of the PC.

25.  What PC Compilers can I use to develop programs?

     BORLAND TURBO C

     This compiler is widely used by many developer writing code

     for the Portfolio.  To ensure compatibility, be sure to set

     DIRECTVIDEO to 0.  There are a number of libraries under

     development to provide Portfolio Only support to the

     language.

     TURBO PASCAL 5.5 and 6

     Turbo Pascal programs will run on the Portfolio, provided

     you don't use the CRT unit.  The CRT unit tries to calculate

     the clock speed.  There is a replacement available for the

     CRT unit, called The Portfolio Unit, available in the

     APORTFOLIO forum on Compuserve.  This emulates a fair number

     of the functions in the CRT unit, and it also adds access to

     a number of Portfolio Only functions, such as Boxes, Sounds,

     and Menus.  This unit will be examined in an upcoming issue

     of this column.

     PBASIC EDITOR

     The PBASIC interpreter will run on both the Portfolio and

     the PC.  But since the PC does not have the Portfolio Only

     functions, some statements will generate errors.  The PBASIC

     EDITOR, Version 2.0, takes care of that problem by providing

     Portfolio Emulation built into the editor.  This allows for

     easy development of BASIC programs on and off the Portfolio. 

     The editor is available on Compuserve.

     POWERBASIC

     The PowerBASIC compiler for the Portfolio will not run on

     the PC.  You could use a standard editor to create the

     programs, and then transfer and compiler them on the

     Portfolio, or you can buy a copy of PowerBASIC from Spectra

     Publishing (the company that created PowerBASIC for the

     Portfolio), and develop programs on the PC as well.  You

     must then transfer the source code to the Portfolio and

     recompile the program.  A special PowerBASIC development kit

     for the PC is expected soon, which will allow PowerBASIC

     users to access the Portfolio Only functions.

     MICROSOFT QUICKBASIC

     Is not exactly the best programming environment for the

     Portfolio.  Much of the generated code access hardware

     directly, causing problems on the Portfolio, and the

     executable programs tend to be very large even for the

     smallest programs.  Still, with a little work, and setting

     REFRESH to BOTH, will allow you to run these programs on the

     Portfolio.

26.  Can Turbo Pascal 3.01A run on the Portfolio?

     It will... it just takes an amazingly long time.  When TP3

     starts up, it tries to determine the clock speed of the

     computer.  It does this by waiting for a couple of timer

     ticks.  On a standard PC, these ticks are generated 18.2

     times a second.  On the Portfolio, these ticks occur about

     every 2 MINUTES!  So TP3 sits and waits.

     On Compuserve, in the APORTFOLIO forum, there is a document

     called PURBO.TXT that describes how to modify TURBO PASCAL

     3.01 to run on the Portfolio.  After making a simple

     modification to the compiler with DEBUG, you then set the

     DISPLAY  to TRACKED and REFRESH to BOTH, and you are ready

     to run.  You can edit, run and compile TP3 programs on the

     Portfolio.  The compiled programs will also run on the PC,

     but any the timing might be off, depending on the clock

     speed of the PC.

PBASIC_________________________________________________

27.  How do I run a PBASIC program?

     PBASIC does not have an internal editor like GWBASIC. 

     Create the BASIC program with the Portfolio's internal

     editor.  You can then run the program with the command:

          PBASIC filename

28.  What is ALTR.COM?

     ALTR is a TSR program for the Portfolio that will

     Automatically save the current file in the editor, exit the

     editor, and run PBASIC.  PBASIC.EXE must be renamed to P.EXE

     to be used with this utility.

29.  Can I use PBASIC on the PC?

     Yes, but you can not use any of the "Portfolio Only"

     features.

     The PBASIC Editor, a program to allow users on a PC to write

     PBASIC programs, has been upgraded to version 2.0.  The

     major improvement is that the editor now provides emulation

     for those nifty "Portfolio Only" features.  So you can now

     view PGC graphics, as well as Boxes, Sounds, and Menus on

     the PC.  This should help speed up Portfolio software

     development.  The PBASIC editor is available on Compuserve

     in the APORTFOLIO forum as PBE20.ZIP.

30.  What are the differences between PowerBASIC and PBASIC?

     Lets take a look at the Pros and Cons for each:

 

     PowerBASIC Pros:

 

          More memory available

          Programs run faster

          Random Access files

          Supplied on ROM Card

          Interrupt Driven Serial Input/Output

     PowerBASIC Cons:

 

          Only runs on the Portfolio

          Debugging is harder

          Does not interact with the editor

          Does not make use of the internal Portfolio features

          Doesn't allow for Hex constants

          Cost $75+

          PowerBASIC for the PC another $75+

 

     PBASIC Pros:

          Runs on the PC and the Portfolio (and HP)

          Editor points to errors

          Allows Access to internal features (Menus, etc.)

          Importing from a .WKS file

          PGC graphics support with Animation

          Cost: Free

          Updated regularly

     PBASIC Cons:

          Requires about 70k of memory to run

          Slower than a Compiler

          Not 100% compatible with GWBASIC

          Transfer to Portfolio can be a minor problem

     Here are the additional functions and statements included

     with PowerBasic.  Most of these command are to support the

     Random Access file.

     $COM      $STACK    CIRCLE    CVD       CVI       CVS

     DEF FN    END DEF   DEFINT    DEFSNG    DEFDBL    DEFSTR

     DO, LOOP  EXECUTE   EXIT      FIELD     GET       GET$

     LOC       LOF       LSET      MKI$      MKS$      MKD$

     OPEN COM  PUT       PUT$      RSET      SEEK      STRPTR

     STRSEG    SUB       END SUB   TONE

     Here are the additional functions and statements that are

     included with PBASIC.

     ACOS      ALARM     ASIN      BLOAD     BOX       BSAVE

     CHAIN     CLICK     CMODE     COSH      CWD$      DECR

     DEG       DIAL      DISPLAY   DMS       DOSVER    ERRWIN

     EVAL      FALSE     FINDFILE$ FINDNEXT$ FILESIZE  FIX

     FORMFEED  GETDISPLAY          GLOCATE   GPRINT    INCR

     INVERT    LTRIM$    MENU      MSD       NUMFMT    OFF

     PBVER     PGLOAD    PGSAVE    PGSHOW    PI        PORT

     PRINTER   PRTSC     RAD       RAND      REFRESH

     REPEAT/UNTIL        ROMVER    RTRIM$    RUN       SINH

     SHIFT     SOUND     SPACE$    STATUS    STOP      SWAP

     SYSTEM    TANH      TICK      TIMER     TRUE      VCSRLIN

     VLOCATE   VMOVE     VPOS      WAIT      WKSREAD   WKSREAD$

     WKSTYPE   WRITE     WRITE#

FILE TYPES_____________________________________________

31.  What do .ZIP and .ARC mean?

     If the filename ends in .ZIP or .ARC, that means that it is

     a compressed library containing several files.  To extract

     the files, you will need the PKUNZIP or ARC programs.

32.  What is .PGC?

     Don Messerli, of the Software Vineyard, has developed the

     .PGC (Portfolio Graphics Compressed) standard.  This

     standard, along with his excellent program, PGSHOW, allows

     for 9 frames per second of animation.  It is very

     impressive.  PBASIC also supports the .PGC standard, and

     allows up to about 4 frames per second.

33.  What is .PGX?

     This is a graphic animation file.  Use PGFLIX to display the

     file.

34.  What is a .HOO file?

     A .HOO file is a program designed to run from inside the

     Portfolio's internal editor.  Press <F6> inside the editor

     to get a list of .HOO files.

35.  What is a .RUN file?

     This is a program that can be run from the memory card,

     leaving all the memory free for your data.  The programs are

     of a special format, and have been specially written for the

     Portfolio.  You can not typically copy these files, since

     they have to be stored in consecutive sectors on the memory

     card.  To copy a .RUN card, the quickest way is to reformat

     the target card, and then copy the .RUN file first.  This

     will assure it is stored on the card correctly.  To execute

     a .RUN program, use the command:

          RUN filename.RUN

DISK STORAGE___________________________________________

36.  Will the PDD1 or PDD2 from Radio Shack work on the

     Portfolio?

     Yes.  There are drivers in the for both units.  The devices

     do not act as disk drives, but as mass storage devices.

     For the Model 100 computer, Radio Shack developed a 3.5 inch

     Portable Disk Drive (PDD) that could be plugged into a

     serial port.  There are two models, the PDD1, which can hold

     100k of data, and the PPD2 which can hold 200k.  It is not

     very fast (about 1.9kbps), but it runs on batteries and is

     about the size of a box of 5.25 inch disks.  The PPD1 is no

     longer available, but can often be found used at computer

     festivals.  The PDD2 is still sold by Radio Shack and costs

     about $220.  It often goes on sale for about $170.  To use

     either PDD with the Portfolio, you will need the serial

     port, and a program to access the unit.  PDD1.ZIP and

     PDD2.ZIP are both written by Brian C. Woodcox and are

     available in the APORTFOLIO forum on Compuserve.

     A driver for the PDD2 if available on a ROM card from John

     Feagans, Monterey Bay Whaling Company, 2681 N. Rodeo Gulch

     Road, Soquel, California, 95073, (408)-475-4290.  The cost

     is seventy dollars ($70.00) for the drivers on a ROM card,

     or forty dollars ($40.00) for the programs on an MS/DOS

     compatible disk.

     The problem is that the disk formats are unique to the PDD. 

     The drivers on Compuserve will also work on a PC, so you can

     read the disk via a serial port on the PC as well.

     TIP: If using disk formatted for the PDD units, be sure to

     mark on the labels "PDD" so you don't get them confused with

     other systems.

37.  Can I attach a Hard Disk to the Portfolio?

     There is finally a hard disk unit available for the

     Portfolio.  The BSE Company, 14701 Candeda Place, Tustin, CA 

     92680, (714)-832-4316, have developed the Flashdrive hard

     disk unit.  The unit interfaces to the Portfolio via the

     Parallel Interface.  The 20mb version sells for $499.

38.  When using the Flashdrive, the MD command lock up the

     computer.  Why?

     On some models of the Portfolio, there is a problem with the

     MKDIR (MD) command.  The designers of the Portfolio never

     anticipated a harddrive connected to the unit.  The MD

     command can not handle drives larger that 2mb.  BSE had to

     create their on version of the MD command, called ATMD, to

     bypass this problem.  It is included with the Portfolio

     driver.

39.  Can I hook an MS/DOS Compatible Disk Drive to the Port?

     There are two approaches to get the Portfolio to read and

     write standard 720k format disks.  The first is the

     Retriever, a serial operated, battery powered, IBM

     compatible, 3.5 inch disk drive for the Portfolio.  The

     problem, however, is that it is currently available only in

     England from DIP systems (0483) 301555, and cost 350 pounds

     (about 600 dollars).

     Another approach is the via the HPIL interface.  This

     interface allows connection to various HP devices, including

     a 3.5 inch disk drive.  There is a driver to allow the HP

     disk drive to read and write the IBM format.  Contact

     Interloop (408)-922-0520 for more information.  You can

     supposedly put together all the parts for this unit for

     about 500 dollars.

40.  Did Xoterix release their hard disk unit for the Portfolio?

     For those people holding their breath for the hard

     dive/memory expansion unit for Xoterix, bad news.  According

     to the president of the company, the unit has been postponed

     indefinitely.  They did not receive enough interest for them

     to put the unit into production.

FILE TRANSFERS_________________________________________

41.  How do I transfer files to and from the PC?

     The Portfolio has built-in software to communicate with the

     printer port on a PC via the Smart Parallel Interface.  The

     parallel interface comes with a command-line driven program

     called FT to perform file exchanges.  The program is

     provided on 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 inch disk for a PC.  The only

     real tricky part is the cable to go between the Portfolio

     and the PC.  You need a "Male-to-Male DB25 all-lines

     straight through" cable.  While it can be found in local

     stores (I bought one at Egghead Software), it would be

     easiest to obtain the cable from Atari (408) 443-8020.  The

     Parallel File-Transfer Cable (HPC-406) costs $19.95.  This

     approach to file transfer is reliable and easy, but not very

     fast.

     If you don't like the FT program that Atari supplies, there

     is a program on Compuserve in the APORTFOLIO library called

     FTMENU, which provides a "point-and-click" menu front-end to

     the FT program.

     Another approach to file transfer on a PC is Atari's PC Card

     Drive (HPC-301) which costs $99.95.  This hardware card is

     plugged into the PC's expansion bus.  At present there is no

     version for the PS/2 micro-channel bus.  A small box is

     attached to the card, with a slot to insert a memory card. 

     The software driver on the PC will now treat the memory card

     as if it was a regular disk drive on the PC.  It is referred

     to as the next drive (typically D:) on your system.  You can

     now use normal MS/DOS command to copy file to and from the

     memory card.  This is more expensive, but is very fast.

42.  How do I transfer files to and from other machines?

     File transfer to non-MS/DOS machine becomes a bit tougher. 

     Typically, you can connect two machines via their serial

     ports (by using a null modem cable), and use serial

     communications programs on both sides to exchange files. 

     This seems simple enough until you realize that the

     Portfolio does not have a serial communications program

     built into it.  Another problem is that the Portfolio has a

     non-standard serial port, so regular communication programs

     for a PC, such as Procomm, will not work.  Finally, you will

     have to have the Serial Interface for the Portfolio.

     On Compuserve, in the APORTFOLIO forum, there are two serial

     communication programs, XTERM by Jim Strauss, and ACOM by

     Charles Cook.  But how do you get the a serial program onto

     the Portfolio via the serial port without having a serial

     program already on the Portfolio?  Catch-22.  Here are some

     solutions:  

          1. Get a friend to copy the program onto a memory card. 

          

          2. If you have no friends (who own a Portfolio), ask a

          local dealer.  

          3. Get the Parallel Port and access to a PC, and use FT

          to copy the serial program.  

          4. Buy the DOS Utilities ROM card (HPC-701) for $89.95

          from Atari.  It has the XTERM program on it.

     Once you get the serial program on a RAM card, put a copy of

     it on every memory card you have, as well as drive C:, just

     in case.

     The serial cable will have to have a Female DB9 on the

     Portfolio side, and the proper connection for your machine. 

     For the Macintosh, you can order a serial cable from two

     sources:  Atari, the Portfolio-Mac File Transfer Cable (HPC-

     407) for $19.95, or Able Cables (415) 457-4028 for $20

     postpaid.  Atari also supplies a cable for the Atari-ST and

     other machines (Female DB9 to Female DB25) for $19.95, the

     Serial Null-Modem Cable (HPC-409).

     When transferring files on the Macintosh, be sure to disable

     the MacBinary option.

     A complete file-transfer package for the Macintosh is

     available from Computer Friends (503) 626-2291 for $189.00. 

     This includes software on ROM for the Portfolio, software on

     disk for the Mac, and the serial cable.  It does not include

     the serial port for the Portfolio.

SOFTWARE SOURCES_______________________________________

43.  Where can I get programs for the Portfolio?

          ATARI BBS: 408-745-2191

          FIDO  BBS: 301-997-7204

          Compuserve

          Genie

          Internet/Bitnet: ATARI.ARCHIVE.UMICH.EDU.

44.  How do I get an account on Compuserve?

     If you are not a member of COMPUSERVE, you should be.  The

     APORTFOLIO forum has perhaps the most complete collection of

     Public Domain, Freeware, and Shareware for the Portfolio. 

     It is also an official Atari support site.  Right now, new

     users you can sign up for free, and get a $15 usage credit. 

     Call (800) 848-8199 and ask for operator 198.  They will

     drop your Sign-Up kit in the mail to you.

45.  What is the Atari Portfolio Forum on Compuserve?

     The Atari Portfolio Forum on Compuserve has been called one

     of the most pleasant forum on the system.  Run by Master

     Sysop Ron Luks, and by Assistant sysops, Marty Mankins, Judy

     Hamner, and BJ Gleason, it strives to keep Portfolio users

     abreast with developments about the machine.  It is also an

     Atari official support site, which means that company

     employees drop by on a regular basis.

     There are thirteen Message Sections Available in the

     Portfolio Forum.  People who access the forum only for the

     libraries are missing out on a lot.  The message area allow

     users to meet, and exchange a lot of information on this

     little machine.  One user who checks into this forum

     everyday is Don Thomas - Marketing Manager for the

     Portfolio.  He always has a lot to say to all the members. 

     All you have to do is ask.  Many of the authors who write

     the software available in the libraries are available for

     comments, suggestions and bug reports.

     The forum message areas include: Forum Business,

     Communications, Utilities, Entertainment, Editors/Word Proc,

     Database Functions, Applications, Programming,

     Mac-to-Portfolio, Peripherals, *WISH LIST*, News & Reviews,

     and Community Square.

     A number of programmers online were complaining that they

     were running out of ideas for new programs for the

     Portfolio.  To help them out, the sysops of the forum added

     the *WISH LIST* area.  This message area is being used by

     forum members to suggest new ideas for the programmers. 

     From large to small, many users have been placing requests

     in this area, and then finding the program written just a

     few days, and sometimes, in just a few hours, later.  This

     idea was so popular, it has been spreading to other forums

     as well.

46.  What is in the Atari Portfolio Libraries on Compuserve?

     The most popular area in the forum has to be the Libraries. 

     As of February 1, 1992, there are now over 650 files

     available for downloading.  This is due, in large part, to

     the program marathoners [Don Messerli, David E. Stewart, and

     BJ Gleason], and all the rest of the members who have

     contributed over the years.

     The library areas are: Forum News, Communications,

     Utilities, Entertainment, Editors/Word Processing, Database

     Functions, Applications, Programming, Graphics, News &

     Reviews, Misc. Files.

     This sometimes can cause confusion to new users who want to

     find the latest program.  Compuserve has recently introduced

     new library software to the forum, that allows you to look

     for files in all areas at once.  For example, to browse all

     the libraries for all the files uploaded in the last 30

     days, you can use the command:  BRO LIB:ALL AGE:30

     With over 650 it is almost impossible to even begin to

     describe what is available.  Games of all kind, programming

     tools, as well as languages, hints, tips, and so much more. 

     In order to keep abreast of all the activity, sysop Judy

     Hamner, writes a weekly Forum News report which is available

     in LIB 1.  She summarizes the conversations going on in the

     message area, as well as listing all the files that had been

     upload in the previous week.  It is highly recommend you

     read these summaries in order to keep up.

     To access the forum, log onto Compuserve and type: GO

     APORTFOLIO at any prompt.

EXPANDING MEMORY_______________________________________

47.  Can I increase the internal memory size of the Portfolio?

     Yes.  There are two approaches.  There is a device available

     outside the US called Memory Expander+, which will increase

     the port's internal memory to 384k, and add a second RAMcard

     slot.  It plug in like the Parallel Port.

     The other approach is Megabyte Computers in Texas will now

     upgrade the Portfolio to 512k of memory internally.  The

     modification includes a six month warranty for the work. 

     The cost is 299 dollars.  For more information call, (817)

     589-2950.

     Megabyte Computers in North Texas will upgrade the memory in

     the Portfolio from the standard 128k to a whopping 512k.  To

     upgrade your system, you need to send you unit to Megabyte. 

     The modification takes about 3 days, and then the unit is

     shipped back.  You will then have 512k of memory in your

     unit.  The first thing you will notice is that drive C: is

     now 128k!  It can be reduced as low as 9k, or as high as

     464k.

     While this greatly increases the sizes and types of programs

     you can run, it will have no effect on the internal

     applications: they are still limited to about 55k in size.

     The best part of this upgrade is that Megabyte Computers has

     just dropped the price of the upgrade from $350 to $299.  If

     you cringe at someone opening up the Portfolio, you can buy

     a new Portfolio with 512k from Megabyte for $529.  But you

     shouldn't worry too much since Megabyte is a factory-

     authorized Atari service center, an Atari Dealer, and that

     many employees of Atari have had this upgrade done.  They

     also provide a six-month warranty on the upgrade.

     There is an external memory upgrade that will increase the

     Portfolio memory by 256k, but it is not available in the

     United States.  It is a genuine Atari Memory Expander+,

     which also adds a second card drive, but it will not pass

     the strict FCC standards for radio frequency emissions, so

     it can not be sold in the US.  Even if you travel overseas,

     or up to Canada to pick one up, you will find it to be more

     expensive than the internal upgrade.  It also lengthens the

     Portfolio by an additional four inches, making the unit a

     bit long, and a little wobbly.

APPLICATIONS___________________________________________

48.  Will WordPerfect Run on the Portfolio?

     Wordperfect Jr., designed for the IBM PC Jr., will work on

     the Portfolio.  You can create and edit files up to about

     20k.  Wordperfect no longer sells the Jr. version, but it

     can often be found at computer festivals.

49.  Is there a version of Tetris for the Portfolio?

     One of the most popular games for any computer system would

     have to be the now classic Tetris.  The implementors of this

     game for the Portfolio got around the 40 characters by 8

     lines screen limitation in an unique way.  To play, you hold

     the computer sideways.  There are two versions:  The first

     was PRTRIS.ZIP, which was quickly followed by TETRAD.EXE and

     TETRAD.DOC.  TETRAD is more advanced than PRTRIS, and allows

     for left and right handed play, but PRTRIS is about half the

     size of TETRAD.

50.  What is a PREAD file?

     This package is designed to add a simple text viewer onto a

     document file.  This will make the document executable, and

     can be read by typing in it's name.  The file can then be

     compressed with PKLITE or LZEXE, with both do a great job on

     text, 50% to 80% or better.  In general, the larger the

     file, the better the compression.

     You can create your document using any standard ASCII text

     editor.  With the Portfolio, the built in editor is file. 

     Set the word wrap ON for up to 39 characters.  This viewer

     can not handle lines that will not on one line.

     Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and The

     Hunting of the Snark have all been converted and compressed

     using the PREAD technique, so you can easily take the these

     classics with you on the road for some light reading!

51.  Is there a program to capture the Portfolio Screen?

     PGCAP is a program that will "capture" a screen image on the

     Portfolio and save it to a disk file.  This Terminate and

     Stay Resident (TSR) program is requires less than 1k of

     memory, and is activated by pressing <ALT-S>.  This will

     copy the contents of the screen to a file on your disk. 

     Depending on the screen mode, the file extension will be

     .PGT if in text mode, or .PGF is the screen was displaying

     graphics.  The main filenames will be "SCREENA", "SCREENB",

     etc.  To allow you up to 26 screen per session.

     

     Once you have captured the screen images, you can PGCONV to

     convert them into a form that can be used by a desktop

     publishing package.  PGCAP will import .PGC, .PGT, and .PGF

     files and export .PGC, .PGF, as well as .IMG (Gem) and .WPG

     (Wordperfect).  Figure 1 is a image from the Portfolio that

     has been converted into an .IMG file.

52.  Can I do Animation on the Portfolio?

     YES!  Don Messerli, of the Software Vinyard, has been

     working furiously on an Animation Package for the Portfolio,

     and the results have been staggering.  Depending on the

     complexity of the image, the package is able to display

     anywhere from 16 to 20 images per second on the Portfolio's

     LCD screen.  To see the results of his labor, download

     PGFLIX, the animation package, and either DOMINOS.ZIP or

     HORSE.ZIP, the mini-movies.  Mr. Messerli has also released

     a tool so that you can create your own animation, called

     MKPGX1.  Finally, there is now a program that will create

     stand alone animation.

SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS__________________________________

53.  How do I hook up a modem?

     To hook up a modem, you will need the serial port, cable,

     modem and a serial communication program.  Normal

     communication packages will not run on the Port due to

     hardware incompatibilities in the serial port.  There are

     two communication programs for the Portfolio.  XTERM was the

     first program available, and is on the DOS Utilities Card

     from Atari, but ACOM is a better package.  ACOM has all the

     features of XTERM, which include XMODEM file transfer

     protocol, but also provides remote execution of DOS

     commands, and a scrollback buffer for reviewing text that

     has scrolled of the screen.

MISCELLANEOUS__________________________________________

54.  What is the APB?

     Atari has released the APB (Accessories, Peripherals

     Bulletin) for the Portfolio.  This twenty page manual

     includes hints and tips, as well as listing third party

     vendor's hardware and software for the Portfolio.  For a

     copy, see your dealer, or write to Atari, 1196 Borregas

     Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1302.

55.  What is the Address of Atari?

     Atari, 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1302.

     

56.  Was that a Portfolio used in Terminator 2?

     For those who haven't seen TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY, keep

     you eye open for the Portfolio.  It plays a small but vital

     role in the movie.  John Conners uses the Portfolio to break

     into a Money Machine and to get into the vault at Cyberdyne.

57.  What is DIP?

     The Portfolio was developed by DIP systems in England.  They

     have much more software and hardware devices available than

     in the United States.  Contact them for more information.

58.  What is the Address of DIP?

     DIP, 32 Frederick Sanger Road, Surrey Research Park,

     Guildford, United Kingdom, GU2 5XN.  (0483) 301555.

59.  Is a keyboard cover available for the Portfolio?

     A custom cover is available in clear or opaque and attaches

     via small adhesive strips.  Call COMPUCOVER at (800)-

     874-6391.

60.  What magazines/newsletters cover the Portfolio?

     RE:PORT

          Each issue comes with a disk filled with source code

          for a wide number of utilities.  Subscriptions are $50

          a year for 6 issues, available from David Stewart at

          1618 South Beech Court, Broken Arrow, OK  74012. 

          Single issues are $10 each.

     ATARI USER

          AtariUser is a monthly Atari magazine, available by

          subscription for $20 a year.  For more information on

          AtariUser, call 800-333-3567.

 

 

     ATARI EXPLORER

          Atari Explorer is a bi-monthly Atari Magazine,

          available by subscription for $14.95 a year.  Order

          from Atari Explorer, 29-05 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106.

     TAKE IT WITH YOU

          A bi-monthly newsletter covering a wide variety of

          palmtop computer systems, including the Portfolio.  $18

          dollars a year.  Perfection Applied, 454 West 1010

          North, Orem, UT  84057.

61.  Who is Don Thomas?

     Do you want to talk to the Official Marketing Director for

     the Atari Portfolio?  Well, Don Thomas shows up on

     Compuserve in the APORTFOLIO forum everyday to chat with the

     users.  He has a large number of tips, and provides a great

     amount of help to the users.  His ID number is 75300,1267.

62.  What should I do if travelling Overseas with the Portfolio?

 

     Since the portfolio costs a few hundred dollars, before

     travelling outside of the US, it would be a wise idea to

     stop by customs and register it.  You can sometimes run into

     problems with customs when you return from overseas if you

     can't prove you bought the computer in the US.  There is a

     Customs offices at all international airports.  Ask for a

     "Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken

     Abroad" form.

63.  Can I put the Portfolio Through an X-RAY machine?

     Yes.  I have always run the Port through the x-ray machine. 

     But be warned: most security people will want to look at it

     anyway, since they won't recognize it.  When you show it to

     them, they will ask you to turn it on, so it's best not to

     have anything embarrassing on the screen.  Many of them will

     be very interested in the machine and will probably want to

     know more about it. 

64.  What do I do when the Portfolio dies?

     Atari has a trade in program for dead Portfolio.  At

     current, Atari will exchange an old Port for a New Port for

     $110 dollars.  Overnight shipping is available, at extra

     cost.  Contact Atari before sending the unit.

