MB02+ <-> ResiDos copy tool 1.5

[hood]

Dear friends of MB02+ or ResiDos,

I have made next version of copy tool between MB02+ and ResiDos (http://www.worldofspectrum.org/residos). It has improved input of BSDOS files. For next improvements, see pictures or visit my homepage.

You can download the program and read the info in English on my website http://hood.speccy.cz


http://hood.speccy.cz/dwnld/mbresi15_2.bmp

http://hood.speccy.cz/dwnld/mbresi15_3.bmp

http://hood.speccy.cz/dwnld/mbresi15_1.bmp



Enjoy


Hood

[Antipod]

yep, probably useful tool... but where is GUI( mouse support, file panels, progress bars etc )?:D
It's not 1982 now;)

[hood]

yep, probably useful tool... but where is GUI( mouse support, file panels, progress bars etc )?:D
It's not 1982 now;)

Hello Antipod, thanks for critics, you are right. It is so simple because:

1) I am not very good coder
2) it is not my main work. My main work is nmi menu for MB02+.
3) not many people will use it
4) my native system is MB02+, I do not know ResiDos much. It was Garry Lancaster, the author of ResiDos, who did ResiDos copy routines

Of course, a commander would be good. But at the moment, the scene in the Czech Republic is dead, only me and Velesoft are coding. Otherwise, others spend their time talking over internet what would be good for speccy and how things could be improved, you know...:sleep:

Actually, what ways of transfer do you use between PC and ZX Spectrum in ex-CCCP community? Diskettes, CF/SD cards, direct transfer through cable, or wireless transfer?

Here, we are using diskettes, CF/SD cards and now we are trying to transfer files through paralell port on PC and ZX, just via cable- where speccy is the master. The author is Dr.Beep, you may find him on www.worldofspectrum.org in the forum. His web in English is:
http://www.zxspectrum.00freehost.com/zxpc.html

or in Spanish but also some pictures and more info:
http://www.speccy.org/trastero/cosas/JL/DrBeep/PC-ZX.html

Hood

P.S. I always say, that it is a big shame, that ex-CCCP speccy comunity is using mainly Betadisk. If MB02+ would be spread between ex-CCCP users, amazing software would be produced for this system.

[Black_Cat]

P.S. I always say, that it is a big shame, that ex-CCCP speccy comunity is using mainly Betadisk. If MB02+ would be spread between ex-CCCP users, amazing software would be produced for this system. :) MB02 + too different from the ex-USSR designs, it is unnecessarily cumbersome. This prevents the promotion of MB02+ in the ex-USSR.

[Antipod]

Of course, a commander would be good. But at the moment, the scene in the Czech Republic is dead, only me and Velesoft are coding.If you need I can try to support you with some GUI code just for fun. But I'm not guarantee quick implementation.

Actually, what ways of transfer do you use between PC and ZX Spectrum in ex-CCCP community? Diskettes, CF/SD cards, direct transfer through cable, or wireless transfer?
I copied ( now I don't have real spectrum ) *.trd and *.scl files to 720 MB MS-DOS disks than I used some converters on real spectrum to copy those files to real TR-DOS disk.

[hood]

:) MB02 + too different from the ex-USSR designs, it is unnecessarily cumbersome. This prevents the promotion of MB02+ in the ex-USSR.

....yes, maybe, I am not a hardware specialist but MB02+ connects of course to Z80 processor. The problem is that it has DMA chip. This chip must be close to Z80 bus in order to work OK. that is why we must have MB02+ connected directly on a bus, we cannot use cable:(

But MB02+ has a lot of additional features. It was designed more then 10 years ago, but it is still very good. It has:

RTC chip, parallel 8255 chip, kempston joystick port, IDE interface, 512KB SRAM backuped with battery, nmi button, FDD.

The price now is about 190 USD. And it looks like this (my old web page, in Czech, but you will see photos):

http://www.kissrevival.com/speccy/MB02/MB02+.htm

In Czech Republic, we mostly use original ZX Spectrums, mainly 128kb.

In case, somebody would be interested, I could try and get MB02+ for him.

Hood

Добавлено через 16 минут

If you need I can try to support you with some GUI code just for fun. But I'm not guarantee quick implementation.

I copied ( now I don't have real spectrum ) *.trd and *.scl files to 720 MB MS-DOS disks than I used some converters on real spectrum to copy those files to real TR-DOS disk.

Many thanks Antipod, but I am also short of time and if I want do something good on speccy, it will be my nmi menu, not this copy tool. This is my opinion at the moment, but who knows, the situation can change. Do you have some photos of your GUIs?

Hood

[Black_Cat]

It has:

RTC chip, parallel 8255 chip, kempston joystick port, IDE interface, 512KB SRAM backuped with battery, nmi button, FDD.
- DMA chip has no prospects for the ZX Spectrum. Modern clones operate on a frequency of 7 to 70 MHz.
- In the USSR, focused on another chip RTC - type DS1685.
- 8255 chip needs a little, but who needs - he mounts his own or buys clone with the port.
- Kempston joystick port is present in all ex-USSR clones ZX Spectrum.
- The standard IDE interface for all ex-USSR clones is NemoIDE.
- 512KB SRAM backuped with battery is not very interesting, because from the ex-USSR clone a is a large amount of RAM.
- Nmi button & FDD is present in the controller TR-DOS.

What are the benefits of the use it MB-02+?

[balu_dark]

Ну и наверно NMI handler есть у ТРДОС ? ;)
какие собственно то проблеммы - юзать чтото новое для новых разработок?
или какойто ...т делает сейчас защиту привязанную к конкретной версии ТРДОС использованием нестандартных точек входа? нет? тогда нахрена эти все теории меории что круче трдоса только яйца? в трдос кроме кастрированного мэджика - нету никакого обработчика. а что до юзания ЛЮБОГО нового железа для связи с современными интерфейсами от SD карты до CD-ROM меняется только одна строка в сорсе на каждый вызов обработчика диска. какие проблеммы?

[Black_Cat]

balu_dark, ты вообще о чём? :) ..и при чём здесь TR-DOS?

[Antipod]

Do you have some photos of your GUIs?
Nop, there's no GUI right now;). It supposed to be created for your project only. I think it should have simple look and not very difficult piece of work. ( ex: listbox with multiple selection... )

[balu_dark]

- DMA chip has no prospects for the ZX Spectrum. Modern clones operate on a frequency of 7 to 70 MHz.
- In the USSR, focused on another chip RTC - type DS1685.
- Kempston joystick port is present in all ex-USSR clones ZX Spectrum.
- The standard IDE interface for all ex-USSR clones is NemoIDE.
- 512KB SRAM backuped with battery is not very interesting, because from the ex-USSR clone a is a large amount of RAM.
- Nmi button & FDD is present in the controller TR-DOS.


я про это.
а преимущество у их системы то - что она хотябы написана и работает.

[Black_Cat]

а преимущество у их системы то - что она хотябы написана и работает.а система тут при чём? Вопрос был об аппаратной части MB-02+, которая просто не нужна. Если ResiDos будет уметь поддерживать NemoIDE или контроллер SD-card то это будет интересно, а тащить гору морально устаревшего железа ради ResiDos - это просто никому не нужно, поэтому MB-02+ у нас никто не использует и никогда использовать не будет.

[hood]

- DMA chip has no prospects for the ZX Spectrum. Modern clones operate on a frequency of 7 to 70 MHz.
- In the USSR, focused on another chip RTC - type DS1685.
- 8255 chip needs a little, but who needs - he mounts his own or buys clone with the port.
- Kempston joystick port is present in all ex-USSR clones ZX Spectrum.
- The standard IDE interface for all ex-USSR clones is NemoIDE.
- 512KB SRAM backuped with battery is not very interesting, because from the ex-USSR clone a is a large amount of RAM.
- Nmi button & FDD is present in the controller TR-DOS.

What are the benefits of the use it MB-02+?

Of course, in that situation, almost none. But we in Czech Republic and almost all world uses original machines and they do not have such extra features like RTC, IDE, etc...

But, basically, the only thing that is required for MB02+ to work is paging of lower 16kB memory. Tell me Black Cat, is any of ex USSR clones able to page RAM in lower 16kb? Of course, slight modification in ports would have to be done in the software, to work on your machines.

Hood

Добавлено через 9 минут

Nop, there's no GUI right now;). It supposed to be created for your project only. I think it should have simple look and not very difficult piece of work. ( ex: listbox with multiple selection... )

Antipod, thanks very much for your offer, but for me, it would be a lot of work. Copying between both systems and syntax check is done in machine code, but all other (menu, counters of progress,....) is done in BASIC. If I want to implement GUI, the whole architecture would have to be changed. And copying space starts on 32768-65535.

If I have time, I will ask you for it, all right??:)

Hood

[Antipod]

Copying between both systems and syntax check is done in machine code, but all other (menu, counters of progress,....) is done in BASIC. If I want to implement GUI, the whole architecture would have to be changed. And copying space starts on 32768-65535.

If I have time, I will ask you for it, all right??:)
First of all we'll try not to modify whole architecture - new code should replace your basic routines...
ok. Feel free to ping me when ready:)

[Black_Cat]

Tell me Black Cat, is any of ex USSR clones able to page RAM in lower 16kb?What are the requirements for RAM in CPU0? Clone Scorpion, Kay, Pentagon-1024SL allow RAM0 (r/w only) in CPU0.

[hood]

а система тут при чём? Вопрос был об аппаратной части MB-02+, которая просто не нужна. Если ResiDos будет уметь поддерживать NemoIDE или контроллер SD-card то это будет интересно, а тащить гору морально устаревшего железа ради ResiDos - это просто никому не нужно, поэтому MB-02+ у нас никто не использует и никогда использовать не будет.

I understood a bit russian...yes, question was hardware, but we mustnot forget software. MB02+ was realeased 12 years ago and hardware is one thing. Of course, software breathes life into hardware. So, Busy soft (a guy from Slovakia) has written BSDOS operating system version 308 which we are using still today. Only some details:

- BSDOS itself uses two 16kB banks- one contains modified BSROM 118 (a modified ROM with many many very useful features, one of them is, that the load/save routines are redirected to disk services, so any TAP with standart loader can be loaded on MB02+). The second bank contains disk routines.
- thanks to DMA chip, we can work with HD floppies, that have capacity 1,8MB!!
- one diskette has 255 directories, each directory can have 65000 files
- there can be up to 255 virtual drives, so HDD is divided into such small virtual diskettes and we are using hdd as normal diskettes. Capacity of one virtual hdd drive is cca 2,1MB.
- because the architecture of MB02+ enables to change RAM in lower 16kB memory, we can very easily change systems, without any hardware modification. I personally have 512kB SRAM, that is divided in 16kB blocks. So, very easily, I load into these banks different operating systems (at the moment we have about 4 such operating systems), and for example with one OUT instruction form BASIC line (or through my nmi menu), I just switch between the systems. At the same time, I can have all of them on my computer and choose any of them.

These are the main features of MB02+ where I see the main power.

For me TRDOS is horrible, comparing to BSDOS, BUT! The software that exUSSR scene has written for it is absolutely great and I really envy you. I must say. Your coding power is great, and I only wish some coders would have MB02+ and write programs for it. This is really my dream:D

Hood

Добавлено через 9 минут

What are the requirements for RAM in CPU0? Clone Scorpion, Kay, Pentagon-1024SL allow RAM0 (r/w only) in CPU0.

uughh, I do not know, what you exactly mean by "requirements for RAM in CPU0" is it some kind of mode?

The hardware of MB02+ is designed in a way, that I change lower 16kB of memory with OUT instruction (write can be disabled/enabled). Precisely, I am talking about the block 0-16383. But I must say it is not standart RAM that we page in lower 16kb, but it is SRAM, which is however for CPU and whole system visible as a normal RAM.

Hood

[Black_Cat]

uughh, I do not know, what you exactly mean by "requirements for RAM in CPU0" is it some kind of mode?No, CPU0 this window 0-16kb, RAM0 - is zero Bank of RAM clone. We want to know the shared addresses RAM & ROM in CPU0 window, as well as features such as read only ROM, read only RAM, r/w RAM, read ROM & write RAM?

[hood]

No, CPU0 this window 0-16kb, RAM0 - is zero Bank of RAM clone. We want to know the shared addresses RAM & ROM in CPU0 window, as well as features such as read only ROM, read only RAM, r/w RAM, read ROM & write RAM?

I have now talked with Velesoft, he explained me, that clones ATM Turbo and Sprinter can page their own RAM page from address 0. So, these clones could easily run BSDOS. Only IDE ports would have to be re wrtitten. But these clones do not have write protection of 0-16383 so it may be a problem in several games.

Do, you think, would be somebody interested and try BSDOS on your clones? Shall we try to modify BSDOS to work on your machines?

Hood

[Black_Cat]

But these clones do not have write protection of 0-16383 so it may be a problem in several games.Typically, the ex-USSR, the problem is solved with the help of "blunt hot object", ie the soldering iron. :) You need to agree on a hardware protocol to achieve the necessary results.
Do, you think, would be somebody interested and try BSDOS on your clones? Shall we try to modify BSDOS to work on your machines?I believe that this interest is, especially if BSDOS be able to work on all major clones: Scorpion, Kay, Pentagon.

[hood]

Typically, the ex-USSR, the problem is solved with the help of "blunt hot object", ie the soldering iron. :) You need to agree on a hardware protocol to achieve the necessary results.I believe that this interest is, especially if BSDOS be able to work on all major clones: Scorpion, Kay, Pentagon.

Ok, I will ask Velesoft, he has Sprinter at home and we may try to modify BSDOS for your machines, hopefully it will be no problem. I will let you know about the results.

Only, Velesoft told me, that IDE ports for Sprinter are unknown or hidden. Could you tell us which IDE ports are used by Sprinter?

Добавлено через 16 минут

Typically, the ex-USSR, the problem is solved with the help of "blunt hot object", ie the soldering iron. :) You need to agree on a hardware protocol to achieve the necessary results.I believe that this interest is, especially if BSDOS be able to work on all major clones: Scorpion, Kay, Pentagon.

again, I talked with Velesoft (he actually knows your clones best in Czech Republic) and he told me, that without special MB02+ card to modify BSDOS for Scorpion and Pentagon would be problem. Only some additional MB02+ card would be needed. I think, Velesoft, has such card nearly ready, but definitely, users of Scorpion and Pentagon would need this card, and only after that they can use BSDOS:(( Would they be willing to do that? To connect one more card? What do you think?

[Black_Cat]

Only, Velesoft told me, that IDE ports for Sprinter are unknown or hidden. Could you tell us which IDE ports are used by Sprinter?Sprinter is not the most common computer, moreover, he no longer supported by the manufacturer and stop its development. Now supported clones Scorpion, Kay, Pentagon, as well as the ZX Spectrum compatible computer ATM-2+. It must be because of that memory management in all of these computers is different from one another. A single standard for memory management and video mode management is still in development. Therefore, eliminate the distinction is only possible with the device drivers.

[balu_dark]

но ведь у нас был CASHE RAM который как раз подменял нулевую банку ПЗУ и народ в него например плеер ковоксовых мелодий тулил если не ошибаюсь. и вроде это было стандартной доработкой пентагона. если все как я помню - достаточно для работы их системы поставить 16 или 32к озу на кэш и все будет кул.

[Black_Cat]

I think, Velesoft, has such card nearly ready, but definitely, users of Scorpion and Pentagon would need this card, and only after that they can use BSDOS( Would they be willing to do that? To connect one more card? What do you think?In order to answer this question should be understood that wants to make VELESOFT.

Добавлено через 2 минуты

но ведь у нас был CASHE RAM который как раз подменял нулевую банку ПЗУ единого стандарта небыло

[VELESOFT]

http://velesoft.speccy.cz/prodej/prodej4/mb02-mem.htm

This is my old interface with MB02 memory paging support. Function is very similar as russian cache sram for ZX. This interface can disable internal ZX rom and replace adress space 0-16383 with external sram or rom page.

Info about new memory paging port #17 (write only port) :
D0-D4 - number of page 0-31
D5 - memory write enable (1) / write disable (0)
D6 - 1=external sram enable (D7 must be 0)
D7 - 1=external rom enable (D6 must be 0)

After power-on/reset is external memory disable(reset port). Signals BANK0-BANK4 from port #17 is connect to A14-A18 on external SRAM and ROM.

Software for MB02 interface can be modified for any other ZX clones with ram paging(with selectable write protect) in rom area.

[balu_dark]

in some russian clones like "Robik" or its precessor based on programable logical chip (not remember name but it has RE3 and RT11 in schematic) also used port but number 15(dec)
write to this port was enable RAM(low 16k from computer RAM chip).
as i remeber this maded for using CP/M system on this ZX-clones.anyway - protect from write in low memory not present (this is IMHO cos i use this PC in 1993 little later - i extend it to 128k so not need disable ROM anymore.)

Добавлено через 1 час 15 минут
http://sblive.narod.ru/ZX-Spectrum/Baltik/Baltik.htm
i remember this clone - "Baltic"
at this pace exist scans from one of soviet magazines with detail descriptions of computer itself and ports map.

[Black_Cat]

Software for MB02 interface can be modified for any other ZX clones with ram paging(with selectable write protect) in rom area.VELESOFT, can I have software support for the internal DRAM computer?

[VELESOFT]

VELESOFT, can I have software support for the internal DRAM computer?

Yes, but ZX clones with ram paging in low 16kB not support write protect feature. Software for MB02 use modified ZX roms (rom image in ram page with write protect). If rom images will used in ram page only, then software/games can rewrite rom area.:v2_frown:

Systems for MB02 support NMI button for call menu. On russian ZX clones is NMI button used only for BETADISC(TR-DOS snapshot) :v2_frown:

After reset is on MB02+ set external rom page with boot menu. You can exit from menu and continue to start computer, or set MB02 mode and use any system from MB02+.

Systems for MB02:
BS-DOS (2MB fdd images - hdd support)
RESIDOS (fat 16 support)
FATWARE (fat 16 support - read only ZX emulator files TAP,SNA,Z80,SCR,GIGASCREEN)
DEMFIR (same as FATWARE, but support real CD-ROM and work with ISO images on HDD/CF)
ZXVGS (CP/M)

[Black_Cat]

VELESOFT, for what purpose is memory banking interface - just replacement ROM, or there are system variables OS, data and programming code?
This is my old interface with MB02 memory paging support.The interface is supported by all operating systems?

[VELESOFT]

VELESOFT, for what purpose is memory banking interface - just replacement ROM, or there are system variables OS, data and programming code?
Yes, complette code of all systems is in external memory only. This memory is used for new stack, screen barkup, free space for sector loading from IDE (fork with fat13/iso/cd-rom). External memory disable original ZX rom and replace it with external sram memory with modified zx rom(+write protect). This modified rom can swith to any external sram page with write enable/disable page.


The interface is supported by all operating systems?
No. This is original systems for DIVIDE. But I modify this code for easy use in other interfaces with 16kB ram paging. Only RESIDOS is designed for MB02 memory.

Добавлено через 12 минут

VELESOFT, for what purpose is memory banking interface - just replacement ROM, or there are system variables OS, data and programming code?

But theoretically is possible use only modified rom memory(bigger than 16kB) containing main code of new system. Code in rom can copy main code of system to extra memory used in russian zx clones. And system can work complette in higher 16kB (49152-65535).

Or next way:
Modified rom can before starting system backup zx memory(16384-49151) to extra memory (>128kB) and copy main code of system to this memory(at 16384-49151). Before exit form system must be refresh original ZX memory from backup.

[hood]

VELESOFT, for what purpose is memory banking interface - just replacement ROM, or there are system variables OS, data and programming code?The interface is supported by all operating systems?

We have talked about it with Velesoft and he agreed to release schematics of his memory upgrade (very easy schematics, actually):

http://velesoft.speccy.cz/prodej/prodej4/mb02-mem.htm

So, ex USSR speccy users can build it and use it on their machines. In case, somebody needs help with building the hardware or needs software for it, Velesoft and me are here to help.

Hood

[balu_dark]

I see only pictures of device itself. where is schematics?

[hood]

I see only pictures of device itself. where is schematics?

No schematics are released yet, Velesoft must display it on his web, so please, be patient.

Hood

[balu_dark]

yes i find sch at his page. but not at your link - this is why i ask.

[VELESOFT]

I see only pictures of device itself. where is schematics?

I find yet only old version of my schematic (not actual, but very similar):
http://velesoft.speccy.cz/other/mb-proto-sch.png

And this is board (also this old version):
http://velesoft.speccy.cz/other/mb-proto-brd.png

I can find on my old HDD latest version of MB02 modul :v2_wink2: