Main
@NEXT "disclaimer"
@PREV "notetonerds"
Table of Contents
This is the documentation of:
Program : The Guru 3.02 (February 10, 1996)
Language : Assembly
Author : Emiel Lensink
Disclaimer
Distribution (important !)
Postware (very important...)
About gurus (what every amiga owner should know...)
What is 'The Guru'
How to use it
System requirements
Customising
Language files
History (important historical events...)
Bug reports (no...)
The future (updates etc...)
The source
Technical specification
Kickstart 1.3 users (time to upgrade ?)
CrashZero
SimErr
Faults
CrashZero
@NEXT "simerr"
@PREV "notetonerds"
Table of Contents
CRASHZERO:
This is a very small program which causes your computer to crash with a
'Division by zero' alert. It was used during the development of 'The Guru'
for test purposes. Now that 'The Guru' is finished, this program is
completely useless.
SimErr
@NEXT "faults"
@PREV "crashzero"
Table of Contents
SIMERR:
This program generates a recovery alert. After this program has run, you
can click the 'LAST' button in 'The Guru' to retrieve the number shown in
the recovery alert. This program was made for test purposes only.
Faults
@NEXT "Main"
@PREV "simerr"
Table of Contents
FAULTS:
This is a small cli-only program. It lists all the dos error codes in
your rom. It was made to find any undocumented dos error numbers.
Disclaimer
@NEXT "distribution"
@PREV "main"
Table of Contents
DISCLAIMER:
Although I (the author) have thoroughly tested 'The Guru' and have done
everything possible to make the program reliable, you use it AT YOUR OWN
RISK! This software comes 'as is'; no warranties whatsoever. I am not
responsible for any damage caused by using this program, either direct
or indirect. If this program spontaneously low level formats your computer,
crashes your harddisk, blows your nose, or melts your neighbours, I AM
NOT RESPONSIBLE !!!
Distribution
@NEXT "postware"
@PREV "disclaimer"
Table of Contents
DISTRIBUTION:
'The Guru' is freely redistributable. You may give it to your friends, your
neighbours, to anybody you know and don't know. Spread the word AND the
disk! 'The Guru' may be included in PD libraries, on coverdisks, on CD's
etc. You may archive the files as long as they are unaltered after
dearchieving. The only restriction I make is that the program MAY NOT BE
SOLD FOR PROFIT, and that you keep all the files together. You should have
the following files:
TheGuru(.info) (drawer)
Guru3.0(.info)
Error.data(.info)
Docs(.info) (drawer)
Guru.guide(.info)
Guru.doc(.info)
Guru.iff(.info)
General(.info) (drawer)
SimErr(.info)
Faults(.info)
CrashZero(.info)
MAGICons(.info) (drawer)
Guru3.0.info
Sources(.info) (drawer)
Guru30.s(.info)
Fault.s(.info)
CrashZero.s(.info)
SimErr.s(.info)
Gadgets.i(.info)
GuruLogo.i(.info)
If your set is not complete I advise you not to use the program(s), because
of the possibility of viruses etc.
Postware
@NEXT "general"
@PREV "distribution"
Table of Contents
POSTWARE:
This program is postware. This means that if you like it and use the
program you should send me a postcard of your hometown or country.
My address is:
Emiel Lensink
Notengaarde 33
3992JR Houten
Holland
If you somehow can't afford a stamp or a postcard, I'm also reachable
through e-mail. My address:
emiell@odie.et.fnt.hvu.nl (preferred)
4923441@ibk.fnt.hvu.nl
zamorra@dds.nl (guaranteed to stay for quite a while,
but local (Holland) only!!)
General
@NEXT "whatisit"
@PREV "postware"
Table of Contents
GENERAL GURU KNOWLEDGE:
Every amiga owner has seen a guru message or software error as they are
called in kickstart 2.0 and above at least once in his/her life. That
nasty red flashing box has a purpose; the two numbers in the box can tell
you why your amiga crashed. The numbers take the following form:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Software failure. Press left mouse button to continue. |
| |
| Error: 12345678 Task: 87654321 |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
You see two numbers here, one behind error and one behind task.
The one behind task is the address in memory where the crash occurred.
You can use a monitor and/or dissassembler on that address to see the
instruction(s) that caused the error. The number behind error is the
real important one, it tells you precisely what error occurred.
There are three basic types of guru-messages, both in recovery and
deadend types.
1- PROCESSOR EXCEPTIONS:
This is your 680x0 speaking to you. This occurs if the processor p.e.
doesn't understand an instruction.
2- SPECIFIC ALERTS:
These are error codes generated by a specific subsystem of the OS.,
for example dos.library or graphics.library. This is the most frequent
occuring kind of error. Some programs generate their own GURU alerts,
but those are of course not included in the guru (cos I don't have 'em).
3- GENERAL ALERTS:
The number consists of 4 parts (see diagram below) which together form
a longword. (32 bits)
+-+-------+--------+-----------------+
|x|xxxxxxx|xxxxxxxx|xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx|
+-+-------+--------+-----------------+
| | | | | | |
Bit(s): 31 30 24 23 16 15 0
The meaning of this number is as follows:
Bit 31: This decides whether a number is a DEADEND or a RECOVERY
alert. If bit 31 is not set, it's a RECOVERY alert, which
means that you should be able to resume work after clicking
the left mousebutton. This kind of alerts usually appears
in an orange flashing box. If bit 31 is set, you have a
DEADEND alert, which means that your computer will reboot
and you lose all your unsaved work. This type of alerts
usually shows up in a flashing red box.
(Note: On kick 1.2/1.3 ALL alerts show up in a red box,
and a recovery alert usually reboots your computer.)
Bits 24-30: The amiga operating system is divided in diferrent subsystems
like dos, intuition, graphics, etc.. Every subsystem has
its own code. The number here tells you which part of the
operating system caused the crash.
Bits 16-23: This number indicates what the operating system couldn't do,
causing it to crash. This usually indicates things like
OpenLibrary, CreateLib etc...
Bits 0-15 : This part tells you what couldn't be opened, loaded, checked
etc... This indicates another subsystem.
An example: dos.library couldn't open timer.device.
The subsystem code for dos.library is $07000000, the errorcode for
OpenDevice is $00040000, and the code for timer.device is $00008015.
This is a rather serious error, so it'll probably a deadend alert, which
means bit 31 will be set ($80000000). The final alert number will be:
$80000000 ! $07000000 ! $00040000 ! $00008015 = $87048015.
(ps: try TheGuru on this number, it really works !!)
What is 'The Guru'
@NEXT "tutorial"
@PREV "general"
Table of Contents
WHAT IS 'THE GURU':
'The Guru' is a simple database for guru numbers, and dos error numbers.
It's mainly intended as a tool for (system friendly) programmers.
WHY USE IT ?:
Because it makes debugging your programs quite a lot easier, since after
every crash the OS finds out what went wrong, and tries to tell you using
a guru or software alert; just write down the number and enter it in 'The
Guru' for a description of what went wrong. No more tedious searching
in books or inconcise descriptions, 'The Guru' solves it all !!
Beside that (and this is useful for EVERY amiga owner) 'The Guru' also
offers help on dos error numbers. You'll probably have seen something like
'Couldn't load xxx, error 205'. Just enter this number in 'The Guru' and
instantaneously you know that '205' means 'Object not found'.
Happy bughunting!!
Tutorial
@NEXT "sysreq"
@PREV "whatisit"
Table of Contents
BIG DUMMIES GUIDE:
BUTTONS:
Here's a quick description of the various buttons and slider in the 'The
Guru' window:
LEFT 'SET' : Activate the guru display. You can now change it's contents.
RIGHT 'SET' : Activate the dos display. You can now change it's contents
LEFT/RIGHT '<' and '>' : Change the cursor position in the active display.
(The cursor is the brightest digit.)
'GURU' : Find the description of the current guru number.
'LAST' : Fetches the last guru number from the system.
'DOS ' : Find the description of the current dos error number.
'DEFAULT' : Sets everything to zero and shows the logo.
'ABOUT' : Shows very important information about the program.
'QUIT' : Guess...
KEYS:
'G' : Pressing the 'g' key is equivalent to clicking the 'GURU'
button.
'O' : Equivalent to the 'DOS' button.
'<' and ','
and '<-' : Equivalent to '<' for the active display.
'>' and '.'
and '->' : Equivalent to '>' for the active display.
'L' : Equivalent to the 'LAST' button.
'R' : Equivalent to the 'DEFAULT' button.
'U' : Equivalent to the 'ABOUT' button.
'Q' : Equivalent to the Quit button.
'[TAB]' : Switches active displays
'[1] to [9] and [A] to [F] : Same as the numeric buttons.
'[RETURN]' : Gets the description for the active display.
Just for an example try typing this string in 'The Guru' : 'r80000005'[ENTER]
Customising
@NEXT "language"
@PREV "sysreq"
Table of Contents
CUSTOMISING:
'The Guru' can be customized using tooltypes:
AUTOMATIC :
Intended for use in WBStartup; The Guru will only open a window if a
'last guru' number is set. If your computer did NOT crash before
starting The Guru it's very likely that no window will open. Also
it's advisable that you place the datafile and/or languagefile
somewhere else than in WBStartup. You can specify their locations
using the LANGUAGE and DATAFILE tooltypes.
AUTOFRONT :
The window pops to front as soon as it's activated.
(can be useful if the window is obscured by some other windows)
TOPAZ :
The Guru is fully font sensitive, and uses the default screen font for
text and buttons. If you don't like this you can specify this tooltype
to force The Guru into using Topaz 8.
PUBSCREEN=Screenname :
The Guru can open it's window on any public screen
LANGUAGE=Filename :
Different languages are supported through language files. The exact
format of a language file is specified in the language section.
If this tooltype is not specified, the default language (english)
will be used.
DATAFILE=Filename :
Specifies the exact filename and optional path of the data file.
If this tooltype is not specified, the default will be used, namely
the file Error.data in the same directory as the The Guru program.
Language files
@NEXT "history"
@PREV "customising"
Table of Contents
LANGUAGES:
The Guru uses language files for languages other than english.
If you want to make your own language file, here's how:
A language file is just a simple ascii file in the following format:
(line numbers are for clarity, NOT for inclusion in a language file)
1 : Short description of the file
2 : Who did it
3 : (not used)
4 : Text for 'SET' button
5 : Text for 'GURU' button
6 : Text for 'LAST' button
7 : Text for 'DEFAULT' button
8 : Text for 'DOS' button
9 : Text for 'ABOUT' button
10: Text for 'QUIT' button
11: (not used)
12: Text shown if data-file not found (1 line!)
13: Response text to 12
14: Text shown if data-file corrupt (1 line!)
15: Response text to 14
16: Key shortcut for 'GURU' button (1 character, no Amiga-X or so)
17: Key shortcut for 'LAST' button
18: Key shortcut for 'DEFAULT' button
19: Key shortcut for 'DOS' button
20: Key shortcut for 'ABOUT' button
21: Key shortcut for 'PRINT' button
NOTES: Keep the text for buttons SHORT.
WARNING: Do not make a language file any longer or shorter than the specs
above; it may lead to corrupt text output!
System requirements
@NEXT "customising"
@PREV "tutorial"
Table of Contents
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
'The Guru' should run on any amiga with at least kickstart 1.2 .
It has been successfully tested on the following configurations:
A3000 : 2 Mb CHIP, 4 Mb FAST, Kickstart 2.04
A3000 : 2 Mb CHIP, - Mb FAST, Kickstart 1.3
A3000 : 2 Mb CHIP,12 Mb FAST, Kickstart 3.1
A500+ : 2 Mb CHIP, - Mb FAST, Kickstart 2.04
A500+ : 2 Mb CHIP, - Mb FAST, Kickstart 1.3
A500 :0.5Mb CHIP,0.5Mb FAST, Kickstart 1.2
A1200 : 2 Mb CHIP, - Mb FAST, Kickstart 3.0
The program has also proven to be 100% enforcer and mungwall proof.
(Note: 'The Guru' produces one enforcer hit when clicking the 'LAST'
button. I don't know if there's a non system-private field to read
for the last guru number; currently I just read a long from $100...)
History
@NEXT "bugs"
@PREV "language"
Table of Contents
GURU HISTORY:
version 1.0 (July 28,1993) : - Real crap version with bugs...
- Released at SHN
version 1.1 (Aug. 1,1993) : - Fixed all bugs (I guess)
- Never really released
version 2.0 (Oct. 31,1993) : This is a complete recode...
- Better user interface
- Better descriptions
version 2.1 (Dec. 25,1993) : - Added customization by tooltypes in icon
version 2.2 (Jan. ?,1994) : Fixed a bug - opened a font but didn't free it
- Added zoom gadget in window
version 2.21 (Jan. 6,1994) : - Window is now NOCAREREFRESH (=300% faster)
- Added RMBTRAP, just looks nicer
version 2.3 (Feb. 3,1994) : A lot of changes on this one...
- Looks at screen palette for correct 3d
buttons. (The buttons looked inversed on
a kick 1.3 machine with 2.0 color palette)
- Changed the logo, looks nicer
- Looks good on a 2-color workbench too !
(now all text is readable...)
version 2.4 to 2.6 : - Miscellaneous fixes and changes
version 2.7 (Apr. ?,1994) : - Added PUBSCREEN tooltype
- Fixed a bug in window centering
version 2.8 (Jul. 12,1994) : - Changed format of data files slightly
- Improved searching routines somewhat
version 2.9 (Sep. 22,1994) : - Changed gadget rendering (8 color Wb)
- Fixed a bug in the data files
- Second public release !!
version 3.00 (Nov. 8,1994) : - Redesigned GUI
- Fully font sensitive (even on 1.3)
- Added a lot of new guru and dos errors
and descriptions.
- Localizable (?) (even on 1.3)
- Loads of other little things
version 3.01 (Jun. 25,1995) : - removed busy-loop in slider-handling
(now uses IDCMP_MOUSEMOVE to detect movement)
Version 3.02 (Feb. 10,1996) : - Changed some small bits in the code
- Added AUTOMATIC tooltype (as requested by a
lot of people)
Bugs
@NEXT "future"
@PREV "history"
Table of Contents
BUG REPORTS:
If you find a bug in The Guru please let me know.
Write down EXACTLY what you were doing at the time the bug showed up,
your configuration, and anything else that might be relevant.
Also I'd like to know if you know about any guru-numbers not yet included
in The Guru.
My address is:
Emiel Lensink
Notengaarde 33
3992 JR Houten
Holland
I will not reply to any mail unless you include a self-addressed envelope
and (if you don't live in Holland) an 'international reply coupon'. These
can be optained at your local post office.
Furure
@NEXT "source"
@PREV "bugs"
Table of Contents
THE FUTURE:
In my opinion 'The Guru' is completely finished, and no further updates
are planned. (except for some translated versions)
If you have any suggestions however, I'll be glad to hear about them,
and maybe they will eventually be implemented. (with your name in the docs,
Oooooh)
Feb 10, 1996: Okay... this definitely IS the last version. I'm planning to
translate the current version to dutch, and that's about it. No further
support from me on this one. Still all postcards and e-mail is welcome, as
usual :)
My address is in the 'bugs' section.
Source
@NEXT "tech"
@PREV "future"
Table of Contents
THE SOURCE:
Yes, it's included. It's included for instructional purposes only, the
only person allowed to release updates or new versions of 'The Guru' is
me. It probably won't even assemble, because I make extensive use of macro's
and custom includes.
Technical specifications
@NEXT "notetonerds"
@PREV "source"
Table of Contents
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Program name : The Guru 3.01
Author : Emiel Lensink
Language : 100% highspeed assembly
Features : - 101% operating system friendly
- runs on all amiga's
- looks pretty nice
- written by me
- can be configured
- fully font sensitive
- localizable
- smooth scrolling text window
- fast
- can open on any public screen
- written for only the Amiga
Add-ons : - multiple language files (to be released)
'The Guru' was developed using the following equipment & software:
- A3000 , 2Mb CHIP, 12 Mb FAST, running kickstart 3.1
- CyberVision
- Personal Paint
- Hisoft Devpac 3.14
- The Ultimate Graphics convertor (my own product, never finished)
- Enforcer & mungwall
- 3M & TDK floppy disks :)
Kickstart 1.3 users
@NEXT "crashzero"
@PREV "tech"
Table of Contents
NOTE TO KICKSTART 1.3 USERS:
'The Guru' 3.00 is still 1.3 compatible, but this is merely a patch of
some routines. Some features simply don't work, and I'm not going to
fix it; you fix it: UPGRADE !!
The features not available are:
- Can't open on public screens (you don't even have them...)
- No zoom button
- Amigaguide docs may or may not work
- No error requesters (you don't have EasyReqArgs...)
- All tooltypes must end with '=' so 'AUTOFRONT' must be 'AUTOFRONT='
- Not very thoroughly tested
Now don't write any complaining letters or so because I definitely
have stopped coding for 1.3 machines! Why don't you realise that you are
holding back AMIGA development; 1.3 compatible programs look crippled
when compared to their 2.0 only counterparts! Don't say '... but 1.3 does
everything I want it to do...'. Yeah, right... Be nice to your Amiga,
UPGRADE. 2.0 roms are available for next to nothing nowadays. UPGRADE.
