Classic Computer Magazine Archive ANTIC VOL. 7, NO. 5 / SEPTEMBER 1988

Tech Tips

AUTOGO BASIC

By CARL EVANS

AutoGo BASIC helps you create AUTORUN.SYS files for your BASIC programs. When you boot your computer from drive 1 with a disk that's compatible with DOS 2 or 2.5, if the computer finds DOS.SYS it automatically RUNs any machine language program called AUTORUN.SYS.

If you have a binary load (machine language) file that you want to run automatically upon power-up, all you need to do is rename it AUTORUN.SYS. But things are different with BASIC programs.

AUTOGO.BAS creates a special AUTORIJN.SYS file that, in effect, tells the computer to RUN a specified BASIC file. For this to work, BASIC must be installed and the filename you specify must actually be on the disk. (Antic Disk owners receive an AUTORUN.SYS file on each monthly disk that enables them to run any BASIC program called MENU.-ANTIC ED)

When you LOAD and RUN AUTOGO.BAS, a Graphics 2 screen will prompt you to type the name of the BASIC file you want to AUTORUN. (Make sure it's on a DOS 2.0 or 2.5 disk.) You don't need to specify a drive number, since it's always assumed to be "Dl:". After you enter the filename, AUTOGO.BAS will write that AUTORIJN.SYS file to your disk and return the screen to Graphics 0.

At this point, you can turn off the computer for a few seconds and then turn it on again. If all the previous steps went well, your BASIC file will automatically LOAD and RUN.

Listing: AUTOGO.BAS Download


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