This virtual device emulates either a HP82161A cassette drive, a HP9114B disk drive or a virtual HDRIVE1 device to access files on a LIF image file.
The directory listing of the current LIF image file is displayed on the tab. The listing is updated if the drive has been idle for 3 seconds. The column headers can be checked to get a sorted list of the directory.
The virtual devices have the following HP-IL configuration:
Device Type | Accessory ID | Default Address | Device ID | Standard Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|
HP82161A | 0x10 | 0x02 | 131.072 Bytes | |
HP9114B | 0x10 | 0x02 | HP9114B | 630.784 Bytes |
HDRIVE1 | 0x10 | 0x02 | HDRIVE1 | 655.360 Bytes |
If a non existing file is mounted to the virtual drive it must be initialized by the HP-IL controller first. The resulting LIF image file is initialized with the standard capacity of the current device type
In most cases you should apply the HDRIVE1 drive type. Apply the HP9114B drive type if you use software that requires compatibility with that device. Use the HP82161A drive type if the controller is a HP-41.
Note: the HP-41 can only access the first 130K bytes of larger disk media.
Note: pyILPER requires a valid LIF header when mounting existing LIF image files including:
If you mount a LIF image file with incorrect header information you get a warning and the default medium size of the current drive type is used. Warning: in this case you must select the proper drive type. Otherwise the image file may become corrupted.
If a LIF image medium is initialized by a HP-41 HP-IL module or an early HP-71B HP-IL module pyILPER fixes wrong or missing header information.
Warning:Be extremely careful with PRINTER IS, DISPLAY IS and KEYBOARD IS statements and enabling or disabling virtual or real devices. See the caveat below.
The drive tab has the following controls:
If pyILPER detects a compatible version of the (at least Version 1.7.7 is required) at launch the drive tab enables the following buttons:
File context menu (right mouse button click on selected file in the directory listing):
To avoid data corruption The virtual drive must be deactivated (Device enabled check box unchecked) in order to use the file management functions.
The LIF image file management functions only support file names which contain letters and digits. Unfortunately, the HP-41 IL-Module is less strict and file names may contain other characters. You can rename these files to proper LIF file names.
To use the LIF image file management functions it is recommended that you know the basics about LIF image files, LIF files and the . Reading the LIFUTILS tutorial is a good starting point.
Before adding or (reenabling) a virtual drive be sure to reset any DISPLAY IS, PRINTER IS or KEYBOARD IS assignments before issuing a RESTORE IO to assign a new address to the new virtual drive. At the worst the virtual drive might become the current display, printer or keyboard device which can result in data corruption.
If you notice any strange things, e.g. the calculator beeps and displays confused characters shut down pyILPER immediately! Then reset all device assignments and start pyILPER again.