THE BIOS (hardware)
========
status: unfinished
version: 1.0
It would be nice if the BIOS could be in FlashROM. That way, the BIOS can be
gradually enhanced and updated. The first release will then be earlier, and
eventual bugs etc. can be corrected later. It also opens the possibility to
add some kind of Dual-boot later (legacy-mode or enhanced mode with i.e.
WiOS).
The FlashROM should be in a socket, because if it's incorrectly programmed,
for example because of an electric net disturbance, or some incorrectly
implemented enhancements by a BIOS-developer, it should be possible to
easily remove it and re-program it on another MSX.
For this there should also be a cartridge (8 bit, which can also be used on
older MSX computers) with which you can re-program your FlashROM in case of
an incorrect Flash. I think the name "FlashCart" is very nice for this. Only
a few people really need it, say the BIOS developers, and also some central
MSX freaks per country. A list should be composed with all FlashCart owners,
so that 'moderate' users who mis-Flash their BIOS can look up who's the
closest owner, and step by to re-flash it. It could ofcourse also be done at
a fair. Another good idea for people who often mis-Flash their BIOS
(developers) is to have a second FlashROM at hand, so that they won't need
to use another MSX to Flash an older, correctly working version into the
ROM.
The FlashCart shouldn't be very expensive by the way. Look at the
IDE-interface, which costs about 40 euros. Next to the Flash logic it also
has IDE-logic and ofcourse the FlashROM of itself. And it won't need a
cover, because that would be quite impractical. So
I think it can be done for, say, 20 euros.
By the way, it would be nice if the Sunrise-IDE interface could be used as
FlashCart (disable the slot with your slotexpander or put it in after the
boot-sequence). Therefor it would be useful to use similar FlashROMs.
Afaik, FlashROMs aren't expensive, when an IDE with 512kB FlashROM is bought
it only costs 2 euros more than one with 128kB FlashROM, so I guess the
price of an 512kB FlashROM (which imho should be used) is about 4, 5 euros.
Please reply if you have any additions (but mind the CC's! So hit
reply-all...). About the "status" on top of this text, it indicates if it's
ready for use. So if a working scheme/board has been (virtually) created,
then the status will be finished. I trust the Phoenix webpage maintainer to
add this text to the page. The version increases as updates to this text
are being made.
~Grauw
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