Emulating Other Computers On The P.C. By James G. Johnston When I first became involved with the PC world, I purchased a copy of the Z80 Emulator by Gerton A. Lunter available from Brian at B.G. Services. This has proved the perfect solution to all my problems relating to my collection of Spectrum adventures. I have the +D ROM installed in the emulator so it can read all my +D formatted discs and load my adventures straight in. Snapping the file when loaded or for a 'save' position is a push button job. This emulator having proved so suitable to my needs there was no need to venture further. However, I found that recently there have been more and more emulators available on the Net. This, coupled with the increase of 8 bit software appearing on the Net as Shareware and Freeware etc., I decided that it was time to have another look around. I did a search on the Net and came up with an Amstrad CPC emulator which appealed to me. This was called CPE v5.21 by Bernard Schmidt and Ulright Doewich. This emulator contains the true CPC ROM images with permission from Amstrad and Locomotive Software. After unzipping the files, I found two .EXE files (cpe.exe and cpesetup.exe) - so, contrary to the normal procedure, I read the instruction files. Briefly, I could run the cpe.exe file as it was and it would run the emulator as set up at source or I could REMOVE the prefs.cpe file and then run the set-up file and create my own finely tuned set-up which would then run by using cpe.exe. (NOTE: the original prefs.cpe file must be REMOVED or the program will not create a new file - it does not amend prefs.cpe files). After a short test period, I fine tuned the emulator and was off and running. There was no problem in the supply of CPC "vapourware" discs, (which the emulator uses), as the Net has a large archive available containing a wide range of software, including many adventures. As time went on I was able to create my own empty save discs and save my current position on the adventure I was playing (Well I cheated actually. I found a disc image which was not write protected, copied it and, using CPM+, erased it. I then made 10 copies of the clean disc for my future use.) I found that using the CPC emulator enabled me to cover a wider range of the adventure field and although the set-up and operation of the two emulators was completely different I had no problem in using either. I now became interested to find out what other emulators were available and soon discovered that almost every computer was available in some form or other. I downloaded and set up the TRS 80 emulator complete with discs of adventures (Scott Adams etc.) and some games. This again worked very well. At present, under construction, are emulators for the C64, ST, Atari 800 etc. but lack of time is delaying them. One thing I did do, was to download a few other Spectrum Emulators - just to check them out. While none of them carry the service and update facilities offered with the Z80 from Brian, there was one that I found particularly easy to use and thought it might interest others thinking about trying Spectrum emulation on their PC. This emulator, by James McKay, is called x128v08s.zip and needs an additional file in its folder called dos4gw.exe. The operation is simplicity itself. Unzip the two files into a common folder, double click on x128.exe and wait for the emulator to load. When it is loaded, press F1 for a display of the operating F keys (You can also arrow down and press enter on the display). With these keys you can locate and load your emulator files and run them. However, as usual, if all else fails - read the instructions (i.e. You will need a file of suitable emulator files available to the emulator). The one major point about this emulator, other than its price and ease of use, is the fact that its scope of operation includes Multiface 128; Z80, SNA & SLT; TAP, VOC & TZX. The TZX especially, it being one of the newer form of file type for emulators. One little word of warning about loading TZX files as well as choosing the file (F7) and turning the tape on (F8) You have to wait while it loads - complete with the blue and yellow bars etc. It does load 'em and takes as long as the original spectrum. This emulator I would recommend to anyone considering trying out a Spectrum emulator but who does not wish to go to the expense of the Rolls Royce version. The emulators mentioned in the article, with some sample software, are available from the SynTax Library. More Emulation on the P.C. A follow-up to my article - Emulating Other Computers on the P.C. by James G. Johnston Just when I thought that a plateau had been reached with machine emulation, I came across this beauty on the Net. You can get it from http://www.void.demon.nl/emulators.html (World of Spectrum - Emulators) or simply order it from the SynTax Library - In Zip or unzipped format The ZX Spectrum Emulator - Windows 95 (version 103a) By Vaggelis Kapartzianis, runs under M/S Windows95/NT ZX32 v.103a has just been updated and will handle 'tzx' file format as well as all the normal ones (including 'zxs') To find out all the detail, read - ReadMe.rtf file that comes with the emulator, written by the author of the utility. Getting to know you !!! Load up the emulator by double clicking the zx32.exe icon. Double click on 'full screen' or press F4. Press F10 or right mouse button, Click on ZX at top left of screen then click on 'pause' to remove it. Right button again, click on ZX then 'OPEN' (or any other part of the menu with arrow up/down keys). Locate your Spectrum file and double click on it to load and run in the usual manner. Quick way to finish - back to menu and click on 'EXIT' or choose another adventure. NOTE - 'PAUSED' on the screen must be removed before loading taps as the emulator will stay 'paused' until told otherwise. If you forget then after tap is loaded go to menu and remove PAUSED. - o -