[DSP-10] DSP-10 under Puppy Linux: A potentially odd PC question.

[Mike]

On Fri, 25 Nov 2016 17:13:25 -0800
Courtney Duncan <courtney.duncan.n5bf at gmail.com> wrote:

> In particular is 5.2.8 still recommended?

Hi Courtney,
Wow , lots of questions. First, If you go the the Linux route, the iso file (that has gone missing) has been pruned and tuned to work with the DSP-10 with almost no further effort needed. Also if this is the route you decide on, the machine needs a serial port and CD drive. If no CD or serial, then 2 USB ports will do, or some combination, and the BIOS needs to have the option to boot from CD or USB. I suspect most do.

I use an adapter cable from the USB that converts to RS 232 and plugs into the DSP-10. So, I am running Puppy Linux on one USB port and an adapter cable on another USB port. 
Look for 

USB to RS232 Serial 9 Pin DB9 PIN PL2303 Cable Adapter Convertor DT

on ebay. They are selling for $1.99 with free shipping. 

A reasonably fast machine is nice if you decide to run other things simultaneously. DOSBOX is not an especially fast way to run DOS, but that's OK since all it has to do is keep up with a 9600 rs 232 port.

I don't have any new machines,but have heard rumors that some machines refuse to boot non-Windows  hard drive boot records. If this is true, then some one has probably figured a way around it. Not sure it comes into play if you boot from USB or CD.

Once running, there is no difference. Everything runs as before. Be sure to use the shut down procedure for the DSP-10 and DOSBOX.

Mike