A tool for the Foenix 256K and Jr. which allows to copy files from one drive to another. Of course it also works for copying files to another location on the same drive. Additionally it is possible to transfer files between the F256 and a PC via an RS-232 serial connection.

Use the provided makefile to build the program as a .pgz file which can be started through pexec. You will need 64tass and a python3 interpreter in your path for the makefile to work.

Start the program via pexec, i.e enter /- dcopy.pgz at the BASIC prompt. dcopy uses a simple user interface which allows you to enter the drive number and file name of the file to copy from and the same information of the file to copy to. While copying a dot is drawn on the screen for each block that has been copied. Valid drive numbers are 0, 1, 2 and S, where S is to be used when a file transfer via RS-232 is desired.

Entering information can be aborted by simply entering an empty string into any of the text entry boxes. When you press Control+c or the RUN/STOP key dcopy executes a soft reset which brings up the BASIC prompt again.

When transferring data via a serial line you also need to run dcopy.py on your PC. Get help about the software by entering python dcopy.py --help:

usage: dcopy [-h] -p PORT [-d DIR]

A program that allows to transfer files between your PC and your Foenix 256

options:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -p PORT, --port PORT  Serial port to use
  -d DIR, --dir DIR     Directory to use for sending and receiving files

Specify the COM-port to use via the -p or --port options. The -d or --dir options can be used to determine a "home directory" for the server where files sent from or requested by the F256 are stored. If neither -d nor --dir is given then the current directory is used as a "home directory".

• If you initiate a serial file transfer from the F256 when dcopy.py is not running, dcopy locks up. If you experience this behavior please use the reset button to restart your Foenix. I have ideas about how to prevent this but at the moment this is how things are.
• You will not be warned when you overwrite existing files on the F256 or your PC
• Device S can not be used as source and target of a file transfer at the same time
• You will need additional hardware on the PC side in order to be able to use the serial line. You will need at least a null modem cable and most likely a USB to RS-232 serial adapter.
• You can not use the WiFi module and serial transfers via dcopy at the same time, i.e. if you have an active WiFi board in your F256 then serial data transfer via dcopy will not work. I guess you can deactivate the WiFi board by deactivating DIP switches 3 and 4. After that dcopy should work. If you simply transfer data between drives 0, 1 and 2 then it does not matter whether you have a WiFi board or not and dcopy works as expected.

File transfer via the serial interface at 115200 BPS seems to be a little bit faster than reading from SD card. I.e. reading a file of 301 blocks from an SD card takes about 11 seconds. Copying the same file via dcopy over a serial line takes about 20 seconds, i.e. the serial transfer is a bit faster than reading from SD card. I typically can send/receive files to/from drive 0 via RS-232 at about 4000 bytes/sec. When the source or the target is an IEC device (drive 1 or 2) the speed via RS-232 drops to about 400-500 bytes/sec.