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Conference 7.286::atarist

Title:Atari ST, TT, & Falcon
Notice:Please read note 1.0 and its replies before posting!
Moderator:FUNYET::ANDERSON
Created:Mon Apr 04 1988
Last Modified:Tue May 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1433
Total number of notes:10312

1314.0. "I have a GEMULATOR !!!" by LOOKIN::DSMMGR (Pigman, Pigman, ha ha charade you are...) Mon Oct 05 1992 13:03

    I have a GEMULATOR !!!!
    
    I sent off my order to Purple Mountain Computers and took advantage of
    their special offer proce of $ 199.95 (299.95 regular price) and
    now have it installed on a 386sx/25
    
    Basically for those who haven;t guessed, it allows your pc to emulate
    an ST. For your money you get an 8-bit plug-in board with TOS2.06 on
    it and a disk containing the emulation s/w. Documentation is scant to
    say the least.
    
    Still, I've got it going and while somewhat on the slow side .. you'd
    really need a 486 to get full speed emulation... it is quite useable.
    
    It needs a lot of memory (4meg minimum, 8meg recommended). I have 4 meg
    and it needs to use virtual memory to supliment this (ie it uses disk
    swapping techniques). What is nice is that it will run in all three
    resolutions and allows multiple versions of TOS top be loaded.
    
    This is just a real quick tell the world I've got it note so if you
    have any questions, let me know and I'll try and answer them
    
    Cheers for now
    
    
    Jonathan
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1314.1U.K.?SUBURB::JAMESHLeft Handed People are SUPER NaturalWed Oct 07 1992 10:121
    Anyone hear of this in the U.K.?
1314.2All I knowCOMICS::DSMMGRPigman, Pigman, ha ha charade you are...Wed Oct 21 1992 08:25164
    
    
    GEMULATOR is distributed worldwide by Purple Mountain Computers
    in the US. If you are interested the address is :
    
    		   	Purple mountain Computers, Inc.
    		        15600 NE 8th St. Ste. A3-412
           		 Bellevue, WA  98008
    
    
    
    Here follows all the GEMULATOR info I have. If you have questions 
    I will try and answer them, but the PC I used Gemulator in has been
    taken away from me |8-( so I have nothing to run it on.
    
     | | |  GEMULATOR UPDATE
     | | |  Press Release and Annoucement
     | | | 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
     DOS compatible computer runs Atari ST software!
    
     GEMULATOR A REALITY
    
     Yes, it's true!  Gemulator allows users to run Atari ST software on
    386/
     486 DOS compatible computers.  And it's ready to be shipped on
    September
     12, 1992.  Gemulator, which is produced by Branch Always Software, is
     now distributed world-wide exclusively by PMC (Purple Mountain
     Computers).  The retail price has been reduced from $499.95 to
    $299.95.
     How were we able to do this?  The Gemulator software is being offered
    as
     shareware, with a nominal shareware fee.
    
     For the $299.95 users receive the Gemulator hardware board, TOS 2.06
     ROMs pre-installed, and the shareware Gemulator software.
    
     GEMULATOR FEATURES
     Gemulator offers the following:
                                                                                    
     ||| ability to install up to four versions of TOS 1.0 to 2.06 at once
         (great for developers testing software compatibility)
     ||| access to the STE 4096 color palette
     ||| use of all three ST screen resolutions (on one VGA monitor)
     ||| total compatibility, runs most major software such as:
         ~ Calamus               ~ PageStream
         ~ Degas                 ~ Sierra graphic adventures
         ~ Flash                 ~ Sim City
         ~ GDOS/G+Plus           ~ Tempus 2
         ~ HotWire               ~ Warp 9
         ~ LDW Power             ~ Word Writer
     ||| printing from any ST program (including Calamus or PageStream)
     ||| access to all ST disks (including TOS 1.0 and Twisted disks)
     ||| access to hard drives
     ||| in fact, you'll be able to share your PC's disk drives, hard
    drives,
         printer, monitor... there's no need for having duplicate equipment
         if you don't need it
     ||| Windows compatible
     ||| easy installation, all you need is a screwdriver
    
     All of Gemulator's incredible features will be demoed by Gemulator
     creator Darek Mihocka at the Glendale Atarifest (September 12th and
     13th).
    
     GEMULATOR TESTED
    
     Gemulator has been thoroughly tested on a variety of equipment
    including
     386 machines, laptops (portable ST's are now a reality, even though
     Atari has stopped production of the ST portable Stacy), large screen
     monitors, 486 33 and 50 MHz machines, and with hundreds of software
     titles.  The minimum requirement is a 386 DOS compatible with 4
     megabytes.  On 486 machines Gemulator will emulate an ST at full speed
     (equal to the speed of a standard stock 1040 ST) or faster (our test
     computer -- a 486 33 MHz with VRAM II Ergo video card ran
    approximately
     30% quicker than a standard 1040).  On 386 machines Gemulator will
     emulate an ST slower than full speed; however, Warp 9 may be used to
     significantly boost performance.  We are in the process of acquiring a
     66 MHz machine for testing, but we anticipate at minimum a speed
    quicker
     than the Mega STe.
    
     OUR GOAL
    
     Is there a reason why we're doing this?  Aside from profit, which
     because of our price reduction is a moot point, we do have a primary
     reason for offering Gemulator: to expand the Atari market.  When Darek
     first came to us, we saw this as a perfect opportunity.  We don't have
     to wait for Atari do their thing (advertise, expand, etc.)  Now you,
    the
     user, have that power.  By giving DOS clone users the opportunity to
    run
     ST software (and invest money into ST manufacturers), the ST market
    will
          expand.  Money is the most powerful tool (money talks) and it'll
    be
     telling ST developers that the market is growing, they'll make more
     software, and then things will finally take off for ST users.  So help
     us achieve our goal to expand the market, buy a Gemulator board, and
    get
     others to buy one too.
    
     SPECIAL OFFER
    
     If you send in your order with payment (MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO PMC)
     postmarked by September 14, 1992, you'll receive a special price of
     $199.95.  You can also FAX your order with Visa/MasterCard number and
     expiration date.  Either way, add $15 for Insured UPS 2nd Day Air
     shipping/handling (if you reside outside of the USA, call for shipping
     price).  This price is a special offered to the hundreds of people
    that
     have already pre-ordered and has been made in dedication to their
     tremendous support.  This special discount will also be available to
     users at the Glendale Atari show.  After September 14, 1992, Gemulator
     will be available directly from PMC and at finer computer dealers near
     you for $299.95.  Demonstration videos are available for $10, and
     information brochures are free.
    
     For further information contact:
     Purple Mountain Computers, Inc.
     15600 NE 8th St. Ste. A3-412
     Bellevue, WA  98008  206.747.1519: voice/fax
     PMC.INC  : GEnie
     72567,302: CompuServe
    
     Comments From Darek Mihocka
    
     I've done a lot of optimization work on the software.  The executable
     file is now well under 3 meg in size, so it takes up less disk space
    and
     memory.  The speed is also improved.  I'll be uploading the software
    to
     GEnie on 9/11/92, so you can just download it and use it with the
     Gemulator boards you already have.  If you need one or two more boards
     drop by at the Glendale or WAACE shows to talk to me and I'll give you
     some.
    
     The shareware price will be about $50-$70, and those users will then
     receive updates.  I've already got a version of Gemulator that
    emulates
     4 meg and 8 meg STs, as well as a 486 version which runs faster than
    the
     regular 386/486 version.
    
     So, here's hoping it sells well. I had moderate success with shareware
     before (Quick ST and ST Xformer) so I'm going to give it one more try.
     The feedback I received from users at the recent Atari shows I demoed
     Gemulator at was that $199 was a price they liked, but $499 wasn't. 
    So
     by breaking it up into two products (the $199 board and ROMs, and a
    $50
     shareware program) the average user can make his PC into an ST for
    $199
     or $249 with all the bells and whistles.
    
    
    Cheers,
    
    	Jonathan
1314.3SPESHR::HAMILTONBuzz HamiltonMon Nov 09 1992 13:0413
I got my GEMulator this past Friday.

Yes, the mouse is slow and double-clicks are 'difficult'. I'm running on
a 386/25 (DS325c) with 16MB.

Other than the mouse (you learn alternatives quickly), the main pain is
the inability to write to the hard disk. This is fixed in the first
maintenence release which is available now.

The other problem is that PageStream CG fonts don't seem to be available.
This, however, is NOT a problem with GEMulator, but, with PageStream.
PageStream 2.1 and 2.2 do not rebuild the FONTLIST.V2 file properly.
The same thing occured running on a real ATARI 1040.
1314.4SPESHR::HAMILTONBuzz HamiltonMon Nov 09 1992 13:054
P.S.
GEMulator comes with TOS 2.06 and no docs.
Does anyone know how to avoid the ramcheck that occurs when you
enter 2.06 for the first time?
1314.5ASD::MIDIOT::POWERSBill Powers ZKO3-2/S11Mon Nov 09 1992 14:2912
RE: .4

>GEMulator comes with TOS 2.06 and no docs.
>Does anyone know how to avoid the ramcheck that occurs when you
>enter 2.06 for the first time?

   Buzz,

      In order to avoid the mem test on my system at home when I power
   up, I just hit any key.

   bill powers
1314.6hit the SPACEBARCOMICS::DSMMGRPigman, Pigman, ha ha charade you are...Tue Nov 10 1992 09:4212
    Yes, hit the spacebar and the ram-check aborts
    
    Gemulator really seems to need a 486SX/DX if it is to provide the 
    real speed as seen on a normal Atari. I haven't got one yet (still
    looking for pennies) so I haven't been able to try it.
    
    Overall though I was impressed.
    
    Jonathan
    
    PS Yes, the documentation is a joke !!
    
1314.7midi supportHLDE01::VOS_CFri May 28 1993 10:208
Hi,
Has anybody any experience  using a Midi interface in combination with the 
Gemulator? I'm having a ST1040 now and a midi-keyboard.  
I would like to use the Steinberg software like 24 if possible. For instance is 
it possible to use a Soundblaster card as a 'normal' midi port from the 
Atari emulator ?

Chris
1314.8questionsZUR01::BOLLIGERTue Jun 22 1993 13:3512
    
    I have some questions about the Gemulator
    
    1. what is the newest revision of it ?
    
    2. does he use the PC harddisk ( Read/Write ) ?
    
    3. are GFA programs running ?
    
    
    Thank's FRED
    
1314.9KERNEL::BROWNMDRACOThu Jul 20 1995 16:403
    Any info on this?  Anybody got a second hand one for sale?
    
    Mark
1314.10Gemulator 4.0FAILTE::ROBSONBSun Jul 23 1995 00:4719
    
     I saw a recent advert for the current revision (Gemulator 4.0)
    in a magazine. Version 4 is apparantly written and optimised for
    Windows95, but also runs on Windows 3.1 and OS/2 Warp ("but not
    all features will run as fast or as well").
     The advert said that with Gemulator 4.0 and Windows95, you can run
    MS-DOS, GEM, TOS, and Windows programs together at the same time
    on the same desktop.
     Speedwise, the advert went on to say that a 33MHz 486 emulates
    the full speed of an Atari ST or STE, a 66MHz 486 the full speed of
    an Atari MegaSTE, a 60MHz Pentium the full speed of the Falcon,
    and a 90MHz Pentium the full speed of a TT.
     Launch price is advertised as 99.95ukp until July 31st, then
    119.95ukp thereafter. TOS 2.06 ROMs appear to be an extra, at 39.95ukp.
     The UK distributer is FaST Club (0115 945 5250) who I think would
    probably be able to supply full details.
    
    Brian
    
1314.11KERNEL::BROWNMDRACOMon Jul 24 1995 08:264
    Excellent stuff, thanks for the reply, my old ST games may not be just
    gathering dust.
    
    Mark