BL, BS, and BANKFILE.
--------------------

BS/CMD (standing for BANKSAVE) is a program for DOSPLUS 4 only, to save the 
complete content of a the alternate 64k memory as a single disk file called 
BANKFILE. The contents of the second 64k may be a memdisk, or simply solid data
put there by some other method. BS does not load the memdisk driver, as DOSPLUS
has optional configuration files which can be used to do this, or not, as 
desired.

BL/CMD (standing for BANKLOAD) is the complementary program which loads all the
data stored in BANKFILE into the second 64k memory. It always loads the 
complete 64k.

See SAVESYS/TXT for SAVESYS, LOADSYS, for TRDDOS users.

To use BS/CMD, you must first fill the second 64k memory with data or programs 
as required. Then simply type BS and press <ENTER>. Initially, creating the 
BANKFILE is rather slow as repeated accesses to the directory are necessary, 
but once the file has been created it is reasonably fast (about           ).

DOSPLUS has the ability to create more than one memdisk at a time, and it is 
possible to put the entire system into a memdisk using only Bank 1 of the 
additional memory. Bank 2 is thus available for data or programs. So that
Bank 2 can be updated without interfering with the system files in Bank 1, the 
command BS2 is available. This will save just Bank 2 to the top half of 
BANKFILE without affecting the lower half of the file. This facility needs to 
be used with care, and only if BANKFILE contains two memdisks. 

To use BL/CMD, simply boot up and type BL. The whole of BANKFILE will be read 
into Banks 1 & 2 of the second 64k of memory. You cannot load Banks 1 and 2 
separately using these programs. (It might be possible, but I didn't find the 
need for it so didn't include it.)


BANKFILE does not contain the memdisk driver. This is intentional as there are 
cases where Banks 1 and 2 may be filled with data which is not a memdisk. 
Where there is a memdisk, the solution is to create a configuration file which 
is loaded immediately AFTER Bankfile. To create the configuration file, simply 
type SYSTEM <filename> while the memdisk is active and the DOSPLUS 
configuration will be created. Although DOSPLUS config. files should officially
have the extension /CFG, I find it easier to ignore this. Typing SYSTEM C0/CMD 
will create a config file called C0/CMD, which can be brought into use by 
typing just C0 from DOS Ready. This is simpler than C0/CFG, and does not take 
up so much room on DOSPLUS' "Auto" line.

To summarize: 1) Create your memdisk and fill it with files/data.
              2) Save the configuration file - SYSTEM xxxxxxxx/CMD
              3) Save the actual memdisk using BS. 
              4) For future updates use BS2, if Bank 1 contains only the
                  system files, otherwise use BS.

              5) To reload use BL;C0  (loading first the data, then the driver)


I have been using these programs for at least three years, and reckon they are now bug-free, but if any turn up please get in touch with me.

No room on the disk for a demo file, but it is fairly obvious. DON'T try to use MEMSYSx files with BL ... they don't work! 

Henry H.Shepherd,
3,White House Close,
Shippon,
Abingdon,
OXON OX13 6LP.
(Tel 0235-21921)  