PATPCW.BAS -- A POTENTIAL FIX TO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM
----------------------------------------------------

Cambridge Computer's "Z88 Developers' Notes" says that serious problems
can occur if you have a warm reset with a file in :RAM.-.  The obvious
reference is to using the []+S function (or any of the []+ CLI's); and
the solution is to ERase any RAM.-/S.SGN files you create as soon as
possible. And I have always done so.

The quote from the Z88 Developers' Notes:

  "The device :RAM.- can use memory from anywhere in the system,
   and as such it is very useful for large files.  Due to a bug in
   the current operating system (version 2.2/3.0) if any files are
   stored in the device when a Soft Reset occurs, the system
   becomes badly confused, and it is very likely that a crash will
   follow sometime later.  If you need to use :RAM.- files, then it
   is vital that they are deleted immediately after use."

But today I has a lockup -- happening when I went into filer and tried to
Erase a :RAM.-/S.SGN file that was there: No dice!  Even after a Warm Reset,
I got this lock up when trying to kill, or overwrite, a S.SGN file.
Hmmmm.. why, and what to do?

I've known for some time that the Basic patches, PATCH.BAS & PATCH2.BAS,
create files in :RAM.-  (e.g., f.cli and e.cli).  This *could* be the
problem, since it is a little hard to avoid them, while using the Basic line
editor.

Tonight I went into the PATCH.BAS program (in my PC) and modified it to
write those files to :RAM.0 instead of :RAM.-.  My "patched PATCH" is called
PATPCW.BAS.

Needless to say, it is not well tested. On the encouraging side:

   o The patches were put together in early 1988; I believe the :RAM.- bug
     came to light later.

   o There is a BAS program editor CLI as part of an application in the
     Developers' Notes.  It writes the little e.cli files, etc. to :RAM.0

This is really a "caveat emptor" job.  If you use it, let me know (installs
by chaining, just like the original).  Note, that it is PATCH.BAS based --
and does not include the added goodies of PATCH2.BAS.

Phil Wheeler -- 1/29/89