Using Spectra RSS on a newer computer to edit saved files?

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:23 pm

I know that there's probably not one RSS that will run on a P-IV, at least,
not that you could safely program a radio with.

But it would be convenient for me to do my codeplug editing on my main
PC, and then save the codeplug to a floppy to transfer to my programming PC.

However, if I try to run the Spectra software, for example, under XP, it won't start up as it can't control the com port.

For codeplug editing, obviously I don't NEED the com port.

Has anyone come up with a workaround that will let me run the RSS on a recent computer despite the com port issue?

Elroy

HLA · Post by **HLA** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:25 pm

that will work fine, you can even do that in a dos window.

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:00 pm

However, if I try to run the Spectra software, for example, under XP, it won't start up as it can't control the com port.

NO, it doesn't work on my main PC. For the reason stated. It simply exits after it can't get access to the com port. That's what I'm asking about. I need a workaround or fix.

Elroy

Will · Post by **Will** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:16 pm

Elroy Jetson wrote: It simply exits after it can't get access to the com port. That's what I'm asking about. I need a workaround or fix.

Elroy

A good "workaround" is boot your computer into REAL DOS. Remember that the Spectra software was written waaay back in the mid 90's. Unfourtunetly XP will not run this software even in it's socalled DOS mode,, BTDT. Bin there done that did not work.. went to real DOS.

Elroy Jetson · Post by **Elroy Jetson** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:21 pm

So I can't really get there from here as I'm not about to make this a dual boot machine with DOS being the second OS.

I guess I can live with the laptop. I'll just hook up an external keyboard.

Elroy

Post by **HumHead** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:56 pm

If your computer's BIOS supports booting from USB, you can make a bootable USB flash drive with DOS and the appropriate software on it. No muss, no fuss, no partitions, and easily portable between machines.

Wavetar wrote a great guide here: http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=55522

Post by **akardam** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:39 pm

I've had good success with running RSS just for editing under a DOS emulator like DosBox (http://dosbox.sourceforge.net).

If I try and run it from the command prompt under 2k, I get the same problem, however it runs just peachy under DosBox. Give that a try.

Post by **wavetar** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:11 am

I second Arkadam's suggestion. DOSbox works perfectly for running RSS such as Spectra & LCS which simply do not want to open within a Win2k / XP command prompt. In fact, I detailed this very issue in this thread:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... ght=dosbox

Also, the USB booting option as Humhead pointed out is great for booting into pure DOS on newer computers that are capable of it.

Elroy Jetson wrote:I know that there's probably not one RSS that will run on a P-IV, at least,
not that you could safely program a radio with.

Actually, most RSS written after 1995 or so will, for the most part, work. See these threads for further details:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... ing+laptop

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=52894

Todd