Help fixing Vector-06c

[KTSerg]

... Is there a reason to load multiple BIOSes? Or do you put something else in the extra ROM space?

A lot of bootloader programs:
http://sensi.org/scalar/categories/42/

A universal boot, which is quite enough for most users:
http://sensi.org/scalar/ware/540/

I have several options written in my ROM, but I haven’t switched for many years and I don’t even remember which options you can choose.

Some users have installed a program with additional features in the ROM:
http://sensi.org/scalar/ware/541/
The instructions for revision are there.

[svofski]

Is there a reason to load multiple BIOSes? Or do you put something else in the extra ROM space?

I think the main point of this particular ROM adapter is to keep it nice, tidy and easily reversible. Also the soviet chips have different pin pitch, 2.5 vs 2.54, and the adapter is supposed to help with that. But it's definitely more work and the author warns us that it's an untested concept so far.

[cyb2600]

I think the next thing I should do is try to get a Combodevice, if I can't then there's no reason to replace the ROM. I actually like the existing boot loader. You don't have to type in a command to load a game and it gives you a visual representation of the loading progress. It seems to work very reliably, too.

[svofski]

The pretty bootloader is what instantly turned me into a fan of v06c back in the day.
The ROM upgrade only becomes necessary when you build a Combodevice or some other kind of ramdisk and/or floppy controller, because the stock one can't boot from a floppy or ramdisk.

[cyb2600]

At first I was skeptical of a a 512 byte BIOS, but it's actually very convenient. I don't have to type any commands from BASIC to load a game. The keyboard is very nice too, it has a very soft touch. Far superior to the keyboard on the BK-0010.

[ivagor]

offtop about keyboard

Судя по картинке, клавиатура герконовая, похоже это кишиневский вектор (ну и год выпуска об этом говорит). До сих пор считал, что герконовые клавиатуры для вектора стали позже делать.

[свернуть]

[cyb2600]

The keyboard circuit board has "33 11 89" written on it with black ink. and "7 103 541" etched onto the circuit board.

I think the manual has some warranty information in the back. It appears to have been purchased in 1990

[svofski]

Produced January 31, 1990 in Minsk.

You can file a formal complaint about product quality to 220817 Minsk, Kulman, 1, MPOVT OJSC

[ivagor]

I was wrong about Kishinev, interesting information.

[x-code]

At first I was skeptical of a a 512 byte BIOS

Would you please let me suggest a small correction, if you don't mind?
To be precise, it's not BIOS at all, as this ROM is not even available to any application programs running on a Vector (and neither does it contain any reusable input/output routines).

This is just a bootloader, no more and no less. Once you reset the machine in "normal mode" (via BLK+SBR), the bootloader ROM is completely disabled, and only becomes active again if you reset the machine in "bootloader mode" via "VVOD+BLK".
I believe the Vector is unique in this regard, as in the majority of 8-bit home computers of the era the on-board ROM is an inherent part of the machine's address space.