Dragon series
Getting started with game emulation
By Alastair
Latest revision: 27.08.2010
Types of Dragon
An unmodified Dragon 32 has 32 kiB of RAM, all other unmodified Dragons that were released - the Dragon 64, Dragon 200, and Tano Dragon - have 64 kiB of RAM. For compatibility purposes the 64 kiB Dragons start in Dragon 32 mode, even so, a very small number of programs written for the Dragon 32 will not work on the other computers. There are workarounds to this problem, if you are using a real (unmodified) Dragon you will have to edit the program, if you are using an emulator you can either emulate a Dragon 32 or you can use a modified Dragon 64 ROM image.
The Keyboard
Dragon's do not have a dedicated backspace/delete key, instead the left arrow key doubles as the backspace/delete key. Nor do Dragon's have a CapsLock key, to change from upper case (the default) to lower case, and vice-versa, press SHIFT and 0 (zero) together. In normal text mode, unless you have a modified Dragon, you will not see lower case letters instead you will see colour inverted text. For the majority of Dragon games you will not use lower case letters, if you find that a program will not respond to your input you may have the keyboard in lower case mode, try pressing SHIFT and 0 to see if that resolves the problem.
Dragon 64 Mode
To put a 64 kiB Dragon into Dragon 64 mode, either type:
EXEC (followed by the ENTER key)
if you have just turned the computer on or issued an emulator hard reset. If you have been using the computer and do not want to switch if off then on or issue an emulator hard reset (not recommended) then type:
EXEC 48000 (ENTER)
On changing into Dragon 64 mode the cursor will change to a flashing blue square. If you receive a "?FC ERROR" then you are using or emulating a Dragon 32.
Loading Cartridges
On a real Dragon switch off the computer, insert the cartridge, and switch the computer back on, the program should start automatically. For emulators, read the instructions for that emulator.
Loading Cassettes
Most games written for the Dragon were written for the Dragon 32 and came on cassette. To avoid possible problems when loading a cassette do not have a disk controller cartridge inserted (in an emulator either do not use the Dragon Disk Operating System ROM, or read the emulator's instructions on how to turn it off).
Unless the program states otherwise keep the Dragon in Dragon 32 mode. An example of where you may wish to change to Dragon 64 mode is with the Mysterious Adventures, in Dragon 32 mode you are restricted to text descriptions, in Dragon 64 mode you also get the graphics.
After inserting the cassette (read the Dragon or emulator's instructions), follow the program's loading instructions. If you have no instructions then type either:
CLOAD (ENTER)
if the program is written in BASIC, or if the program is written in machine code (assembler) type:
CLOADM (ENTER)
If you do not know which language the program is written in then try CLOADM, if you receive a "?FC ERROR" then you are likely attempting to load a BASIC program so rewind (or reinsert the tape image with some emulators) and try CLOAD.
If the game does not autorun or give on-screen instructions on how to proceed, then for BASIC programs type:
RUN (ENTER)
and for machine code programs type:
EXEC (ENTER)
There are a small number of programs where having typed CLOADM you use RUN, the Mysterious Adventures being an example, so if EXEC fails try RUN instead.
If you are having problems with any cassette program then get in contact on the forum, the program may have more complicated loading instructions than normal. For example, "Klartz and the Dark Forces" requires you to type PCLEAR 2 (ENTER) before typing CLOADM.
Loading Disks
The most common Dragon disk operating system (DDOS) was originally created by Dragon Data. The following instructions apply to this version of DDOS and its later enhancements (including SuperDOS and DOSplus).
On a real Dragon read the instructions that came with your disk drive controller. For emulators as well as reading the emulator's instructions you must have an appropriate controller ROM. If you have set everything up correctly then on starting the computer you will be met with a message mentioning DRAGONDOS, SUPERDOS, or DOSPLUS. Again consult the relevant instructions on how to load a disk or disk image on your system. Use drive 1 unless you have instructions telling you otherwise.
If known, follow the program's loading instructions, otherwise type:
BOOT (ENTER)
If you receive a "?BT ERROR" then type:
DIR n (ENTER)
where n is the drive number (from 1 to 4 inclusive), if no number is given then the default number (unless changed) is 1. If the listing scrolls off the screen then retype the DIR command and press SHIFT and @ together to pause the listing, press any other key to continue the listing.
If you can see the program you wish to run type:
RUN "n:filename.ext" (ENTER)
where filename.ext is the complete filename of the program including the full stop and extension, although in the case of filename.BAS you may omit the full stop and extension. Again, n is the drive number and if n: is omitted then the default drive is used.
If the program does not run then look for a "menu", "loader", "filename.run", or similar and run that program instead. If you still have problems then get in contact on the forum.