Batboard

I tried looking through the other topics about computer speeds for running RSS. I couldnt find what I was looking for.

I know somebody Posted something about Changing the speed of the computer to run the RSS. I have a pentium 2 I think 266mhz. I found the MS DOS shortcut for the Game mode to run RSS, but I am afraid the copmuter is still to fast.

Another thing, The comport is hooked up directly while running The Game Mode DOS correct?

Any info would be great and sorry to bring this topic up again,

Josh S.

Hi:

It is assumed most have some general knowledge about the RSS and have the
RSS Book.

In earlier series RSS, its very clear
the use of a 386-485-25 is called for.
( Period )

If you elect to use anything faster, or try
Mo'slo, Alternate methods, you risk corrupting your Primary Code Plug in your
Radio. If that happens, you could be out
as much as 379.00 for Motorola to fix it, or
125.00 for me...

Slow computers are as common as chickens, and there really is no reason not to have a
stand alone computer !

Why clutter up your OS with a 16 Bit Program?

I have programmed 1000's of ~//~ radios, and to date, not one problem while using a 386 w/12MB of ram. And with later Programs, I use a 486-25 With System Commander with
DOS 6.22, Win95, Win3.1,

So, unless you have a WINDOWS based RSS program, in short ( for most persons ) I would say FORGET IT ( Period ).

Only CDM/Pro Series and a few others have
Windows based programs, and although perhaps
others have been sucessful with their Pentiums, chances are pretty high they are
savy enough to fix a code plug problem if it
developes.

I hate ate to be stern, but I also hate being the bad guy for charging 125.00 for fixing a corrupted code plug in Motorola radios.

Sad to see a radio costing in the 600.00 Price class to 3000.00 and up can be corrupted by a memeory glich.

Once you Push <b>( F8 )</B>, its like throwing
Dice at a crap table when it comes to Motorola products

You should have a Stable Programminmg Platform, a Factory Rib Box ( minimum ) along
with Factory Cables ( Prefered ) or well made
Clone cables, Power Supply for the Rib Box, Fresh Battery, and a UPS for the Computer.

If all eles fails, please feel free to contact me @ [email protected] and I am
more than willing to help.

Monty

You haven't posted any actual questions, so it's hard to give an answer. If you're afraid the computer is too fast, and don't have the luxury of a few "test" units, then don't use it. The "MS-DOS Mode for Games with EMS & XMS support" allows for direct hardware handling of the COM port, so there's no Windows getting in the way, if that's what you're asking. People don't seem to understand, when it comes to RSS, there are 2 separate issues:

1) Windows - Major issue if you are trying to read/write a radio through a DOS box while in Windows. This can kill your radio! Also an issue if you use the "Reboot in MS-DOS Mode" from the shutdown menu, or using the "F8-Command Prompt only" during startup. Both have aspects of the Windows shell in effect. You need to boot the computer in such a way that no part of Windows loads. The Gaming shortcut will accomplish that, as will a bootdisk. A separate DOS only partition, using System Commander or similar program, will give you the best of both worlds.

2) Processor speed - Most of the older DOS RSS was designed for processor speeds of 25MHz or less. Your performance will vary from one machine to the next. Some newer DOS RSS (MTSX, ASTRO, MCS, LCS, etc) is supposedly able to work on much faster processors, but I haven't seen any firm numbers in writing. Personal experience shows me that a Pentium 366 seems just fine for those newer RSS versions.

I'm sure there are other hardware issues which will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. They all claim to be "100% IBM compatible", but I've seen many issues for other types of software that say differently.

When in doubt, read one of Monty's many well written posts regarding a "stable programming platform". That way, there's no worries, if you're the worrying type.

Todd