Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Stephen Adolph]

nice job all!  great detective work!

On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 12:02 PM Brian K. White  wrote:

> On 3/7/22 21:21, Brian K. White wrote:
> > On 3/7/22 17:05, Stephen Adolph wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J
> >> <
> https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J>
>
> >>
> >>
> >> Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM
> >> POWER" for either M100 or T200?
> >>
> >> I don't actually think this is for M100...
> >>
> >> steve
> >
> > It's the style like in Panasonic HHC.
> >
> > I don't know if this is specifically meant for HHC, just that it's
> > that shape.
> >
> > https://duckduckgo.com/?iax=images=images=panasonic+hhc+rom
> >
>
> Looks like it probably is for HHC after all.
> When you search "panasonic hhc rompower" there are hits.
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/254974271406
>
> --
> bkw
>
>

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Mike Stein]

You're probably right; note that the HHC ROMS only had 24 pins.




On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 9:21 PM Brian K. White  wrote:

> On 3/7/22 17:05, Stephen Adolph wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J
> > <
> https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J
> >
> >
> > Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM POWER"
> > for either M100 or T200?
> >
> > I don't actually think this is for M100...
> >
> > steve
>
> It's the style like in Panasonic HHC.
>
> I don't know if this is specifically meant for HHC, just that it's that
> shape.
>
> https://duckduckgo.com/?iax=images=images=panasonic+hhc+rom
>
> --
> bkw
>

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Brian K. White]

On 3/7/22 21:21, Brian K. White wrote:

On 3/7/22 17:05, Stephen Adolph wrote:



https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J 
 



Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM 
POWER" for either M100 or T200?


I don't actually think this is for M100...

steve


It's the style like in Panasonic HHC.

I don't know if this is specifically meant for HHC, just that it's 
that shape.


https://duckduckgo.com/?iax=images=images=panasonic+hhc+rom



Looks like it probably is for HHC after all.
When you search "panasonic hhc rompower" there are hits.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254974271406

--
bkw

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Brian K. White]

On 3/7/22 20:31, you got me wrote:
I don't recall ever seeing an option ROM for the m100 that didn't have 
the flex circuit wrap around over the chip.


There are several forms of rom pinout adapter for M100. The "Guardian" 
like Ultimate Rom II has is just one. (the wrap-around thing you're 
talking about)


Aside from that, there are also simple PCB's with a DIP chip soldered 
on, PCB's with a SOIC chip soldered on, and the EME ROMBO (an 
upside-down U shaped interposer that fits down over the top of the 
chip), and there were 2 roms sold by Radio Shack that came on custom 
PDIP chips installed right on the carrier with no pinout adapter needed. 
(Multiplan and Interactive Solutions).


--
bkw




*From:* M100  on behalf of Tom Wilson 


*Sent:* Monday, March 7, 2022 10:57 PM
*To:* M100 Mailing List 
*Subject:* Re: [M100] mystery ROM
I know I'm curious, but not $50 curious.

Tom Wilson
wilso...@gmail.com <mailto:wilso...@gmail.com>
(619)940-6311



On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 2:05 PM Stephen Adolph <mailto:twospru...@gmail.com>> wrote:




https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J

<https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J>

Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM
POWER" for either M100 or T200?

I don't actually think this is for M100...

steve




--
bkw

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Brian K. White]

On 3/7/22 17:05, Stephen Adolph wrote:



https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J 



Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM POWER" 
for either M100 or T200?


I don't actually think this is for M100...

steve


It's the style like in Panasonic HHC.

I don't know if this is specifically meant for HHC, just that it's that 
shape.


https://duckduckgo.com/?iax=images=images=panasonic+hhc+rom

--
bkw

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[you got me]

I don't recall ever seeing an option ROM for the m100 that didn't have the flex 
circuit wrap around over the chip.

From: M100  on behalf of Tom Wilson 

Sent: Monday, March 7, 2022 10:57 PM
To: M100 Mailing List 
Subject: Re: [M100] mystery ROM

I know I'm curious, but not $50 curious.

Tom Wilson
wilso...@gmail.com<mailto:wilso...@gmail.com>
(619)940-6311



On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 2:05 PM Stephen Adolph 
mailto:twospru...@gmail.com>> wrote:


https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J

Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM POWER" for 
either M100 or T200?

I don't actually think this is for M100...

steve

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Tom Wilson]

I know I'm curious, but not $50 curious.

Tom Wilson
wilso...@gmail.com
(619)940-6311



On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 2:05 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

>
>
> https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J
>
> Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM POWER"
> for either M100 or T200?
>
> I don't actually think this is for M100...
>
> steve
>

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Ben Wiley Sittler]

Possible it's one of their HP-41C ROM modules, see for instance
https://vintagecalc.com/hp-41c-custom-software-modules/

On Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 14:24 Ben Wiley Sittler  wrote:

> Old trademark info suggests it's software related to insurance and
> financial planning, but no idea beyond that (platform? Who knows!)
>
> Basis for my belief:
> https://trademarks.justia.com/734/44/rompower-73444378.html
>
> On Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 14:05 Stephen Adolph  wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>> https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J
>>
>> Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM POWER"
>> for either M100 or T200?
>>
>> I don't actually think this is for M100...
>>
>> steve
>>
>

Re: [M100] mystery ROM

[Ben Wiley Sittler]

Old trademark info suggests it's software related to insurance and
financial planning, but no idea beyond that (platform? Who knows!)

Basis for my belief:
https://trademarks.justia.com/734/44/rompower-73444378.html

On Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 14:05 Stephen Adolph  wrote:

>
>
> https://www.ebay.ca/itm/255421613953?hash=item3b78508781:g:dAYAAOSwfbFiJS8J
>
> Never seen this before.  Does anyone recall a product called "ROM POWER"
> for either M100 or T200?
>
> I don't actually think this is for M100...
>
> steve
>

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Daryl Tester]

Resent from correct email address - pre-coffee here.

On Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:31:56 -0700, John R. Hogerhuis wrote:

But they eventually got it all decoded and the Python code is around 
on the

internet somewhere.


Yeah, I was vaguely aware of this, and got the impression hers was a 
greenfields
implementation, so just wanted to let her know that there was prior art 
if she
required it.  Or she may have wanted to scratch an itch from scratch 
(heh).

Either way, more power to her.

--
Regards,
  Daryl Tester
  Handcrafted Computers Pty. Ltd.

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[John R. Hogerhuis]

On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 3:37 AM, Daryl Tester <
dt-m...@handcraftedcomputers.com.au> wrote:

>
> At Linux conf last year there was someone who was using a Raspberry Pi and
> the TPDD protocol to interface to her
> Brother (no double entendre intended). *[thank goodness] *

I didn't get a chance to catch up and exchange notes.


No reason not to! I collaborated for a while with some of those folks and
we shared notes on the TPDD-1 protocol and I started the process of
decoding the data format. The Brother knitting machines use the sector
access protocol of the TPDD-1

But they eventually got it all decoded and the Python code is around on the
internet somewhere.

-- John.

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Daryl Tester]

On 15/03/17 17:54, John R. Hogerhuis wrote:


On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 12:14 AM hargarg trurthsr > wrote:

So the TPDD was used with Brother sewing machines as well ?   You learn 
something new everyday...

Knitting machines. A device that prints 2 dimensional patterns in multiple 
colors of yarn.


At Linux conf last year there was someone who was using a Raspberry Pi and the 
TPDD protocol to interface to her
Brother (no double entendre intended). I didn't get a chance to catch up and 
exchange notes.

--
Regards,
 Daryl Tester
 Handcrafted Computers Pty. Ltd.

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Brian White]

The little rectangle connector is easy too. A standard 2x4 idc female will
plug right in, complete with polarity key.

On Mar 15, 2017 3:14 AM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:

> So the TPDD was used with Brother sewing machines as well ?   You learn
> something new everyday...
>
>  I always thought the cable was just a cable. Didn't know it had parts in
> it. Someone sold three of them last year on ebay for $35...I guess I
> could wait and see if anyone else sells them or try to make one. The 25 db
> part is easy enough to find, but I don't know who sells the square plug
> that goes into the TPDD.  I don't think I'd even use the TPDD, but I guess
> at this point, it's like a novelty item.
>
> On 3/14/2017 5:12 PM, Brian White wrote:
>
> There is documentation how to build the cable, somewhere on club100 or
> bitchin100 or in the M100SIG archive. Unfortunately it's an active cable
> with electronics in it. It converts from rs232 to ttl, and does a peculiar
> dirty trick to rob power from the rs232 port.
>
> http://ratthing.com/club100/tpdd.do
>
> While looking in your stuff, look for a cable that is beige colored and
> flat like an 8 or 10 conductor telephone cable.
>
> If you want to use the drive, you will also need a new belt. the one
> inside is turned to goo by now.
>
> google or ebay search "FRW 8.5 belt"
>
> You'll need some alcohol and swabs to clean the tar up.
>
> Power is easy. Lot's of universal power packs have a 6v setting and
> reversable polarity and a barrel connector.
>
> I used this one right off the shelf at WalMart for a while:
> http://www.powerline.com/universal-1300
>
> But then I found Radio Shack 273-1763 and Adapata Plug "M". But you have
> to get those from ebay and other sellers that happen to have some. It's
> tiny, doesn't block other plugs, light weight (no transformer), 6v,
> reversable polarity, ridiculously over-spec (1800ma while the devices only
> draw 400ma), and says Radio Shack on it.
>
> I got several of those and use them on the tpdd-2, a couple model 100s and
> a model 102, and a CCR-82 tape drive. They all take the same power.
>
> Or of course, simply 4 AA batteries. :)
>
> On Mar 14, 2017 8:25 AM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:
>
> Just found the portable drive. It's the second version. I can't find the
> power cable or the rs-232 cable, though
>
> On 3/13/2017 5:28 PM, Brian White wrote:
>
> The dos that comes with the disk drive is loaded from the disk drive from
> a file on disk (the first time), and you have to kick the process off by
> typing in a tiny bit of BASIC manually first, which does listen on the com
> port. You need the Utility Disk that came with the drive, or a copy. If you
> have lost it, there are a few people here who will make you a copy. There
> is no way to do it over the internet (yet). Someone has to make a copy from
> another copy, usng the same model of drive, and mail you an actual floppy,
> and you must then make a few copies yourself the first thing you do when
> you get it.
>
> But once that dos is instlled, it never sits at a blank screen. It makes a
> file listing menu.
>
> The Utility Disk is different for TPDD vs TPDD-2. So if you need to ask
> for a copy, you have to know which kind to ask for.
>
> Looks like you have your manual at least, and looks like it's for TPDD.
>
> REX is really cool. Stephen (Steven?) Adolph has kindly published all of
> the files and info necessary to build a REX onesself, and after several
> weeks I managed to do it and produce two working REXs. Now that I have
> taken the raw info and made a recipe I can follow, and already have all the
> special software installed and working, I could repeate the process a lot
> faster. The goal is, hopefully someone ELSE could follow the recipe too.
> It's eleventy-seven hundred steps, but it doesn't actually require all that
> much in tools and it's mostly written down now. It could be fleshed out
> with a little more detail, but it worked for me.
>
> There is also a few other forms of DIY option rom modules that are
> essentially the same as the old EME systems Rombo, but now open source.
> Anyone can go on OSHPark and order a few PCBs for about $5 for 3. and get
> the 28C256 or 28F256 (depending on the type of board) from digikey or ebay
> or wherever. These only act exactly like an original simple option rom,
> except you can write them yourself with a $30 programmer, and re-write them
> too. They don't do any of the 50 things a REX does, but then again they are
> also about 500 times easier and simpler to build and use. These are
> designed by a guy named Adam who goes by "FigTronix" on OSHPark.
>
> I have started documenting all this stuff at http://tandy.wiki . It's a
> bit skeletal still so far, and poorly organized, but it's a wiki. I will
> gradually work on it over time, and so can anyone else who wants to. It's
> only been up a few days. Even the stuff that is up there already, a lot of
> it I have more info 

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[John R. Hogerhuis]

On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 12:14 AM hargarg trurthsr 
wrote:

> So the TPDD was used with Brother sewing machines as well ?   You learn
> something new everyday...
>

Knitting machines. A device that prints 2 dimensional patterns in multiple
colors of yarn.

-- John.

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[hargarg trurthsr]

So the TPDD was used with Brother sewing machines as well ?   You learn 
something new everyday...

 I always thought the cable was just a cable. Didn't know it had parts in it. 
Someone sold three of them last year on ebay for $35...I guess I could wait 
and see if anyone else sells them or try to make one. The 25 db part is easy 
enough to find, but I don't know who sells the square plug that goes into the 
TPDD.  I don't think I'd even use the TPDD, but I guess at this point, it's 
like a novelty item.

On 3/14/2017 5:12 PM, Brian White wrote:
There is documentation how to build the cable, somewhere on club100 or 
bitchin100 or in the M100SIG archive. Unfortunately it's an active cable with 
electronics in it. It converts from rs232 to ttl, and does a peculiar dirty 
trick to rob power from the rs232 port.

http://ratthing.com/club100/tpdd.do

While looking in your stuff, look for a cable that is beige colored and flat 
like an 8 or 10 conductor telephone cable.

If you want to use the drive, you will also need a new belt. the one inside is 
turned to goo by now.

google or ebay search "FRW 8.5 belt"

You'll need some alcohol and swabs to clean the tar up.

Power is easy. Lot's of universal power packs have a 6v setting and reversable 
polarity and a barrel connector.

I used this one right off the shelf at WalMart for a while:
http://www.powerline.com/universal-1300

But then I found Radio Shack 273-1763 and Adapata Plug "M". But you have to get 
those from ebay and other sellers that happen to have some. It's tiny, doesn't 
block other plugs, light weight (no transformer), 6v, reversable polarity, 
ridiculously over-spec (1800ma while the devices only draw 400ma), and says 
Radio Shack on it.

I got several of those and use them on the tpdd-2, a couple model 100s and a 
model 102, and a CCR-82 tape drive. They all take the same power.

Or of course, simply 4 AA batteries. :)

On Mar 14, 2017 8:25 AM, "hargarg trurthsr" 
> wrote:

Just found the portable drive. It's the second version. I can't find the power 
cable or the rs-232 cable, though

On 3/13/2017 5:28 PM, Brian White wrote:
The dos that comes with the disk drive is loaded from the disk drive from a 
file on disk (the first time), and you have to kick the process off by typing 
in a tiny bit of BASIC manually first, which does listen on the com port. You 
need the Utility Disk that came with the drive, or a copy. If you have lost it, 
there are a few people here who will make you a copy. There is no way to do it 
over the internet (yet). Someone has to make a copy from another copy, usng the 
same model of drive, and mail you an actual floppy, and you must then make a 
few copies yourself the first thing you do when you get it.

But once that dos is instlled, it never sits at a blank screen. It makes a file 
listing menu.

The Utility Disk is different for TPDD vs TPDD-2. So if you need to ask for a 
copy, you have to know which kind to ask for.

Looks like you have your manual at least, and looks like it's for TPDD.

REX is really cool. Stephen (Steven?) Adolph has kindly published all of the 
files and info necessary to build a REX onesself, and after several weeks I 
managed to do it and produce two working REXs. Now that I have taken the raw 
info and made a recipe I can follow, and already have all the special software 
installed and working, I could repeate the process a lot faster. The goal is, 
hopefully someone ELSE could follow the recipe too. It's eleventy-seven hundred 
steps, but it doesn't actually require all that much in tools and it's mostly 
written down now. It could be fleshed out with a little more detail, but it 
worked for me.

There is also a few other forms of DIY option rom modules that are essentially 
the same as the old EME systems Rombo, but now open source. Anyone can go on 
OSHPark and order a few PCBs for about $5 for 3. and get the 28C256 or 28F256 
(depending on the type of board) from digikey or ebay or wherever. These only 
act exactly like an original simple option rom, except you can write them 
yourself with a $30 programmer, and re-write them too. They don't do any of the 
50 things a REX does, but then again they are also about 500 times easier and 
simpler to build and use. These are designed by a guy named Adam who goes by 
"FigTronix" on OSHPark.

I have started documenting all this stuff at http://tandy.wiki . It's a bit 
skeletal still so far, and poorly organized, but it's a wiki. I will gradually 
work on it over time, and so can anyone else who wants to. It's only been up a 
few days. Even the stuff that is up there already, a lot of it I have more info 
and pictures to put up when I get a chance.

--
bkw


On Mar 13, 2017 6:16 PM, "hargarg trurthsr" 
> wrote:

Monoprice 479 -- good to know for future reference. Thanks.

The DOS I used was pre all of that. I'm talking ancient. I think 

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Brian White]

There is documentation how to build the cable, somewhere on club100 or
bitchin100 or in the M100SIG archive. Unfortunately it's an active cable
with electronics in it. It converts from rs232 to ttl, and does a peculiar
dirty trick to rob power from the rs232 port.

http://ratthing.com/club100/tpdd.do

While looking in your stuff, look for a cable that is beige colored and
flat like an 8 or 10 conductor telephone cable.

If you want to use the drive, you will also need a new belt. the one inside
is turned to goo by now.

google or ebay search "FRW 8.5 belt"

You'll need some alcohol and swabs to clean the tar up.

Power is easy. Lot's of universal power packs have a 6v setting and
reversable polarity and a barrel connector.

I used this one right off the shelf at WalMart for a while:
http://www.powerline.com/universal-1300

But then I found Radio Shack 273-1763 and Adapata Plug "M". But you have to
get those from ebay and other sellers that happen to have some. It's tiny,
doesn't block other plugs, light weight (no transformer), 6v, reversable
polarity, ridiculously over-spec (1800ma while the devices only draw
400ma), and says Radio Shack on it.

I got several of those and use them on the tpdd-2, a couple model 100s and
a model 102, and a CCR-82 tape drive. They all take the same power.

Or of course, simply 4 AA batteries. :)

On Mar 14, 2017 8:25 AM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:

Just found the portable drive. It's the second version. I can't find the
power cable or the rs-232 cable, though

On 3/13/2017 5:28 PM, Brian White wrote:

The dos that comes with the disk drive is loaded from the disk drive from a
file on disk (the first time), and you have to kick the process off by
typing in a tiny bit of BASIC manually first, which does listen on the com
port. You need the Utility Disk that came with the drive, or a copy. If you
have lost it, there are a few people here who will make you a copy. There
is no way to do it over the internet (yet). Someone has to make a copy from
another copy, usng the same model of drive, and mail you an actual floppy,
and you must then make a few copies yourself the first thing you do when
you get it.

But once that dos is instlled, it never sits at a blank screen. It makes a
file listing menu.

The Utility Disk is different for TPDD vs TPDD-2. So if you need to ask for
a copy, you have to know which kind to ask for.

Looks like you have your manual at least, and looks like it's for TPDD.

REX is really cool. Stephen (Steven?) Adolph has kindly published all of
the files and info necessary to build a REX onesself, and after several
weeks I managed to do it and produce two working REXs. Now that I have
taken the raw info and made a recipe I can follow, and already have all the
special software installed and working, I could repeate the process a lot
faster. The goal is, hopefully someone ELSE could follow the recipe too.
It's eleventy-seven hundred steps, but it doesn't actually require all that
much in tools and it's mostly written down now. It could be fleshed out
with a little more detail, but it worked for me.

There is also a few other forms of DIY option rom modules that are
essentially the same as the old EME systems Rombo, but now open source.
Anyone can go on OSHPark and order a few PCBs for about $5 for 3. and get
the 28C256 or 28F256 (depending on the type of board) from digikey or ebay
or wherever. These only act exactly like an original simple option rom,
except you can write them yourself with a $30 programmer, and re-write them
too. They don't do any of the 50 things a REX does, but then again they are
also about 500 times easier and simpler to build and use. These are
designed by a guy named Adam who goes by "FigTronix" on OSHPark.

I have started documenting all this stuff at http://tandy.wiki . It's a bit
skeletal still so far, and poorly organized, but it's a wiki. I will
gradually work on it over time, and so can anyone else who wants to. It's
only been up a few days. Even the stuff that is up there already, a lot of
it I have more info and pictures to put up when I get a chance.

-- 
bkw


On Mar 13, 2017 6:16 PM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:

> Monoprice 479 -- good to know for future reference. Thanks.
>
> The DOS I used was pre all of that. I'm talking ancient. I think it's the
> one I got from Radio Shack with the Floppy when I bought it.  It was fairly
> basic, I think with a simple menu to load, save, delete on floppy, and I
> think I do remember it needing the floppy drive hooked up to function.
>
> REX sounds super interesting -- possibly the most useful item ever made
> for the portables.  I'll consider buying a SuperREX.
>
> On 3/13/2017 9:13 AM, Brian White wrote:
>
>
> Too late now I guess, but just get a Monoprice 479 for $2 and it's the
> perfect cable for M100/102/200/600 to a pc all pre-made molded in one
> piece. No null-modem adapters or gender changers needed.
>
> If you need a usb-serial adapter 

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Brian White]

The dos that comes with the disk drive is loaded from the disk drive from a
file on disk (the first time), and you have to kick the process off by
typing in a tiny bit of BASIC manually first, which does listen on the com
port. You need the Utility Disk that came with the drive, or a copy. If you
have lost it, there are a few people here who will make you a copy. There
is no way to do it over the internet (yet). Someone has to make a copy from
another copy, usng the same model of drive, and mail you an actual floppy,
and you must then make a few copies yourself the first thing you do when
you get it.

But once that dos is instlled, it never sits at a blank screen. It makes a
file listing menu.

The Utility Disk is different for TPDD vs TPDD-2. So if you need to ask for
a copy, you have to know which kind to ask for.

Looks like you have your manual at least, and looks like it's for TPDD.

REX is really cool. Stephen (Steven?) Adolph has kindly published all of
the files and info necessary to build a REX onesself, and after several
weeks I managed to do it and produce two working REXs. Now that I have
taken the raw info and made a recipe I can follow, and already have all the
special software installed and working, I could repeate the process a lot
faster. The goal is, hopefully someone ELSE could follow the recipe too.
It's eleventy-seven hundred steps, but it doesn't actually require all that
much in tools and it's mostly written down now. It could be fleshed out
with a little more detail, but it worked for me.

There is also a few other forms of DIY option rom modules that are
essentially the same as the old EME systems Rombo, but now open source.
Anyone can go on OSHPark and order a few PCBs for about $5 for 3. and get
the 28C256 or 28F256 (depending on the type of board) from digikey or ebay
or wherever. These only act exactly like an original simple option rom,
except you can write them yourself with a $30 programmer, and re-write them
too. They don't do any of the 50 things a REX does, but then again they are
also about 500 times easier and simpler to build and use. These are
designed by a guy named Adam who goes by "FigTronix" on OSHPark.

I have started documenting all this stuff at http://tandy.wiki . It's a bit
skeletal still so far, and poorly organized, but it's a wiki. I will
gradually work on it over time, and so can anyone else who wants to. It's
only been up a few days. Even the stuff that is up there already, a lot of
it I have more info and pictures to put up when I get a chance.

-- 
bkw


On Mar 13, 2017 6:16 PM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:

> Monoprice 479 -- good to know for future reference. Thanks.
>
> The DOS I used was pre all of that. I'm talking ancient. I think it's the
> one I got from Radio Shack with the Floppy when I bought it.  It was fairly
> basic, I think with a simple menu to load, save, delete on floppy, and I
> think I do remember it needing the floppy drive hooked up to function.
>
> REX sounds super interesting -- possibly the most useful item ever made
> for the portables.  I'll consider buying a SuperREX.
>
> On 3/13/2017 9:13 AM, Brian White wrote:
>
>
> Too late now I guess, but just get a Monoprice 479 for $2 and it's the
> perfect cable for M100/102/200/600 to a pc all pre-made molded in one
> piece. No null-modem adapters or gender changers needed.
>
> If you need a usb-serial adapter on the pc side, anything works. They all
> have the right 9pin, male, DTE wiring.
>
> I don't know of any dos's that sat at a blank screen waiting. Even teeny
> has a prompt.
>
> I was just playing with a REX last night and loaded all of the roms
> available on-line plus one that is not anywhere else on-line that came in
> one of my M100's. They all display some kind of menu.
>
> --
> bkw
>
> On Mar 13, 2017 11:48 AM, "hargarg trurthsr" 
> wrote:
>
>> I'm fairly sure it's probably the DOS for the floppy drive now. When I do
>> call 63012 it prints a line feed and just waits there like it's looking for
>> the  floppy drive.  I've ordered some parts to try to make a null modem
>> cable to connect to the PC.  I could probably write a program to send the
>> ROM content to PC and save on it at some point. I doubt that it's anything
>> all that interesting.
>>
>> Anyway, thanks everyone for tips and pointers. This is a great mailing
>> list.
>>
>>
>> On 3/13/2017 6:38 AM, Brian White wrote:
>>
>> The rombo is a generic device that can have any rom you wanted loaded on
>> it, like a thumb drive. Doesn't have to be written by or even licensed by
>> EME. And there are a few different roms that had disk support in them.
>>
>> After re-seating, call 63012 still didn't work any better?
>>
>> If you're really curious you could mail the rom to one of us who can read
>> it out. (I could do it easy) Or maybe you have a local electronics shop and
>> they can read it. If it's a rombo, then it has a standard 28 pin soic
>> eprom, and they can clip a 

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Brian White]

Too late now I guess, but just get a Monoprice 479 for $2 and it's the
perfect cable for M100/102/200/600 to a pc all pre-made molded in one
piece. No null-modem adapters or gender changers needed.

If you need a usb-serial adapter on the pc side, anything works. They all
have the right 9pin, male, DTE wiring.

I don't know of any dos's that sat at a blank screen waiting. Even teeny
has a prompt.

I was just playing with a REX last night and loaded all of the roms
available on-line plus one that is not anywhere else on-line that came in
one of my M100's. They all display some kind of menu.

-- 
bkw

On Mar 13, 2017 11:48 AM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:

> I'm fairly sure it's probably the DOS for the floppy drive now. When I do
> call 63012 it prints a line feed and just waits there like it's looking for
> the  floppy drive.  I've ordered some parts to try to make a null modem
> cable to connect to the PC.  I could probably write a program to send the
> ROM content to PC and save on it at some point. I doubt that it's anything
> all that interesting.
>
> Anyway, thanks everyone for tips and pointers. This is a great mailing
> list.
>
>
> On 3/13/2017 6:38 AM, Brian White wrote:
>
> The rombo is a generic device that can have any rom you wanted loaded on
> it, like a thumb drive. Doesn't have to be written by or even licensed by
> EME. And there are a few different roms that had disk support in them.
>
> After re-seating, call 63012 still didn't work any better?
>
> If you're really curious you could mail the rom to one of us who can read
> it out. (I could do it easy) Or maybe you have a local electronics shop and
> they can read it. If it's a rombo, then it has a standard 28 pin soic
> eprom, and they can clip a soic28 test clip on it.
>
> Or if you want I could tell you exactly what to get and what to do if you
> wanted to get an eprom burner and test clip and dump it yourself. Though
> finding the BASIC program to do it would be about $75 cheaper!
>
> Then we can look at it easy.
>
> On Mar 13, 2017 7:03 AM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:
>
>> The only thing that I can think of is, it might be the DOS for the
>> portable floppy drive which I had at one point(I still might somewhere). I
>> don't know if EME systems was ever involved with that or whether the
>> portable floppy drive required an option ROM to operate.
>>
>> On 3/13/2017 12:54 AM, Mike Nugent wrote:
>>
>> EME Systems (Dr. Tracy Allen) offered several products for the "Model T”
>> notebooks. Take a look at a back issue of Portable 100 for the ads. For
>> example, go to http://www.club100.org/library/libp100.html and near the
>> bottom right side of the page, select "Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 1992” to
>> download or view that issue of P100. (Direct link to the PDF: Vol. 9 No.
>> 9 Sep/Nov 1992 )
>>
>> See the ad for the XR4 on page 2 as indicated by a PDF reader. (The
>> actual magazine's page is CII, the inside of the front cover.) The OWL
>> weather logger ad appears on page 19 (magazine page 17). EME’s ROMBO and
>> extRAM show on page 28 (magazine page 26).
>>
>> I don’t know if the EME Systems address and phone numbers are still valid.
>>
>> I’m sure other mention of EME Systems has been made on this mailing list.
>> Tracy himself may even have posted. Maybe check the archives?
>>
>> I hope this info helps lead you to the info you need.
>>
>> — Nuge —
>>
>>
>> On Mar 12, 2017, at 9:56 AM, hargarg trurthsr 
>> wrote:
>>
>> I have a model 102 with 32k ram expansion which I got in the 80's. I
>> just recently rediscovered it in closet and found some rom installed in
>> the option rom slot. It has an eme systems logo on it, but I have no
>> idea what it is. I've already tried calling 63012 and 63013 and the
>> computer just freezes when I do that. Is there any way to figure out
>> what the rom is from basic ?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[hargarg trurthsr]

I'm fairly sure it's probably the DOS for the floppy drive now. When I do call 
63012 it prints a line feed and just waits there like it's looking for the  
floppy drive.  I've ordered some parts to try to make a null modem cable to 
connect to the PC.  I could probably write a program to send the ROM content to 
PC and save on it at some point. I doubt that it's anything all that 
interesting.

Anyway, thanks everyone for tips and pointers. This is a great mailing list.


On 3/13/2017 6:38 AM, Brian White wrote:
The rombo is a generic device that can have any rom you wanted loaded on it, 
like a thumb drive. Doesn't have to be written by or even licensed by EME. And 
there are a few different roms that had disk support in them.

After re-seating, call 63012 still didn't work any better?

If you're really curious you could mail the rom to one of us who can read it 
out. (I could do it easy) Or maybe you have a local electronics shop and they 
can read it. If it's a rombo, then it has a standard 28 pin soic eprom, and 
they can clip a soic28 test clip on it.

Or if you want I could tell you exactly what to get and what to do if you 
wanted to get an eprom burner and test clip and dump it yourself. Though 
finding the BASIC program to do it would be about $75 cheaper!

Then we can look at it easy.

On Mar 13, 2017 7:03 AM, "hargarg trurthsr" 
> wrote:

The only thing that I can think of is, it might be the DOS for the portable 
floppy drive which I had at one point(I still might somewhere). I don't know if 
EME systems was ever involved with that or whether the portable floppy drive 
required an option ROM to operate.

On 3/13/2017 12:54 AM, Mike Nugent wrote:
EME Systems (Dr. Tracy Allen) offered several products for the "Model T” 
notebooks. Take a look at a back issue of Portable 100 for the ads. For 
example, go to http://www.club100.org/library/libp100.html and near the bottom 
right side of the page, select "Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 1992” to download or view 
that issue of P100. (Direct link to the PDF: Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 
1992)

See the ad for the XR4 on page 2 as indicated by a PDF reader. (The actual 
magazine's page is CII, the inside of the front cover.) The OWL weather logger 
ad appears on page 19 (magazine page 17). EME’s ROMBO and extRAM show on page 
28 (magazine page 26).

I don’t know if the EME Systems address and phone numbers are still valid.

I’m sure other mention of EME Systems has been made on this mailing list. Tracy 
himself may even have posted. Maybe check the archives?

I hope this info helps lead you to the info you need.

— Nuge —


On Mar 12, 2017, at 9:56 AM, hargarg trurthsr 
> wrote:

I have a model 102 with 32k ram expansion which I got in the 80's. I
just recently rediscovered it in closet and found some rom installed in
the option rom slot. It has an eme systems logo on it, but I have no
idea what it is. I've already tried calling 63012 and 63013 and the
computer just freezes when I do that. Is there any way to figure out
what the rom is from basic ?

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Brian White]

The rombo is a generic device that can have any rom you wanted loaded on
it, like a thumb drive. Doesn't have to be written by or even licensed by
EME. And there are a few different roms that had disk support in them.

After re-seating, call 63012 still didn't work any better?

If you're really curious you could mail the rom to one of us who can read
it out. (I could do it easy) Or maybe you have a local electronics shop and
they can read it. If it's a rombo, then it has a standard 28 pin soic
eprom, and they can clip a soic28 test clip on it.

Or if you want I could tell you exactly what to get and what to do if you
wanted to get an eprom burner and test clip and dump it yourself. Though
finding the BASIC program to do it would be about $75 cheaper!

Then we can look at it easy.

On Mar 13, 2017 7:03 AM, "hargarg trurthsr"  wrote:

> The only thing that I can think of is, it might be the DOS for the
> portable floppy drive which I had at one point(I still might somewhere). I
> don't know if EME systems was ever involved with that or whether the
> portable floppy drive required an option ROM to operate.
>
> On 3/13/2017 12:54 AM, Mike Nugent wrote:
>
> EME Systems (Dr. Tracy Allen) offered several products for the "Model T”
> notebooks. Take a look at a back issue of Portable 100 for the ads. For
> example, go to http://www.club100.org/library/libp100.html and near the
> bottom right side of the page, select "Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 1992” to
> download or view that issue of P100. (Direct link to the PDF: Vol. 9 No.
> 9 Sep/Nov 1992 )
>
> See the ad for the XR4 on page 2 as indicated by a PDF reader. (The actual
> magazine's page is CII, the inside of the front cover.) The OWL weather
> logger ad appears on page 19 (magazine page 17). EME’s ROMBO and extRAM
> show on page 28 (magazine page 26).
>
> I don’t know if the EME Systems address and phone numbers are still valid.
>
> I’m sure other mention of EME Systems has been made on this mailing list.
> Tracy himself may even have posted. Maybe check the archives?
>
> I hope this info helps lead you to the info you need.
>
> — Nuge —
>
>
> On Mar 12, 2017, at 9:56 AM, hargarg trurthsr 
> wrote:
>
> I have a model 102 with 32k ram expansion which I got in the 80's. I
> just recently rediscovered it in closet and found some rom installed in
> the option rom slot. It has an eme systems logo on it, but I have no
> idea what it is. I've already tried calling 63012 and 63013 and the
> computer just freezes when I do that. Is there any way to figure out
> what the rom is from basic ?
>
>
>
>

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[hargarg trurthsr]

I pulled the option ROM out and plugged it back in and tried printing chr$ of 
$ to $8000 again. I'm getting something different now -- no alternating 
patterns, just a bunch of random chr$, so something is there. I didn't see any 
recognizable English words, though which is odd if there was some program in 
there.

On 3/13/2017 2:18 AM, Stephen Adolph wrote:
It might be worth re seating the chip to make sure the contacts are working.

On Monday, March 13, 2017, Mike Nugent 
> wrote:
EME Systems (Dr. Tracy Allen) offered several products for the "Model T” 
notebooks. Take a look at a back issue of Portable 100 for the ads. For 
example, go to http://www.club100.org/library/libp100.html and near the bottom 
right side of the page, select "Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 1992” to download or view 
that issue of P100. (Direct link to the PDF: Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 
1992)

See the ad for the XR4 on page 2 as indicated by a PDF reader. (The actual 
magazine's page is CII, the inside of the front cover.) The OWL weather logger 
ad appears on page 19 (magazine page 17). EME’s ROMBO and extRAM show on page 
28 (magazine page 26).

I don’t know if the EME Systems address and phone numbers are still valid.

I’m sure other mention of EME Systems has been made on this mailing list. Tracy 
himself may even have posted. Maybe check the archives?

I hope this info helps lead you to the info you need.

— Nuge —


On Mar 12, 2017, at 9:56 AM, hargarg trurthsr 
> 
wrote:

I have a model 102 with 32k ram expansion which I got in the 80's. I
just recently rediscovered it in closet and found some rom installed in
the option rom slot. It has an eme systems logo on it, but I have no
idea what it is. I've already tried calling 63012 and 63013 and the
computer just freezes when I do that. Is there any way to figure out
what the rom is from basic ?

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[hargarg trurthsr]

Yes, I'm the original owner of this m102. I bought it in '88 or so at Radio 
Shack. I don't ever remember buying/using any option ROM -- hence the mystery.

On 3/12/2017 11:12 PM, roger wrote:
Is this a US machine or an international one?

Roger



Skickat från min Samsung Galaxy-smartphone.

 Originalmeddelande 
Från: "John R. Hogerhuis" <jho...@pobox.com><mailto:jho...@pobox.com>
Datum: 2017-03-13 07:04 (GMT+01:00)
Till: Model 100 Discussion 
<m100@lists.bitchin100.com><mailto:m100@lists.bitchin100.com>
Rubrik: Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

The low bytes in an option rom are the reset and other interrupt entry points.

-- John.

On Sun, Mar 12, 2017 at 10:27 PM hargarg trurthsr 
<fungus...@outlook.com<mailto:fungus...@outlook.com>> wrote:

Thank you for that program. I tried print chr$ the option rom address $ to 
$8000 and there are some stuff at the very beginning, but nothing identifiable 
and then it's just pages and pages of mostly ";" + 0 (59, and 0). Weird...   
The first bytes starting from $ are 56, 191, 239, 255, 191, 255, 251, 49, 
248, 255, 239, 127, 118, 255, 190, 44, 62, 251, 255, 255, 126, 255 ,255, 122, 
254, 191, 135, 250, 255, 255, 237, 43, 188, 127, 215, 251, 254, 255, 250 ,28 
,254, 123, 108, 255, 219, 191, 255, 54, 254, 255, 242, 127, 78, 255, 199, 46, 
120, 59, 4, 51, 0, 57, 0, 63, 0, 59, 1, 59, 0, 59, 0, 27

and then it goes mostly alternating between 59, and 0 to $8000.

If there is a program there, it's a very small one.  I tried poking the values 
into virtual T and tried disassembling, but not familiar enough with m102 and 
assembly.

Anyway, thank you again.

Yes. So a simple PEEK loop in BASIC won't work.

Found this online, might work, but you need to modify it to run in a loop (it 
only peeks one byte)

1 REM --- PEEK OPTION SOCKET ---
100 FOR X=0 TO 13
110   READ D
120   POKE 65351+X,D
130 NEXT X
200 INPUT HL
210 CALL 65351,0,HL
220 PRINT PEEK(63360)
1000 DATA 243,62,1,211,232,126,50,128,247,175,211,232,251,201

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.sys.tandy/jI1HjKOEPAY<https://groups.google.com/forum/#%21topic/comp.sys.tandy/jI1HjKOEPAY>

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Stephen Adolph]

It might be worth re seating the chip to make sure the contacts are working.

On Monday, March 13, 2017, Mike Nugent  wrote:

> EME Systems (Dr. Tracy Allen) offered several products for the "Model T”
> notebooks. Take a look at a back issue of Portable 100 for the ads. For
> example, go to http://www.club100.org/library/libp100.html and near the
> bottom right side of the page, select "Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 1992” to
> download or view that issue of P100. (Direct link to the PDF: Vol. 9 No.
> 9 Sep/Nov 1992 )
>
> See the ad for the XR4 on page 2 as indicated by a PDF reader. (The actual
> magazine's page is CII, the inside of the front cover.) The OWL weather
> logger ad appears on page 19 (magazine page 17). EME’s ROMBO and extRAM
> show on page 28 (magazine page 26).
>
> I don’t know if the EME Systems address and phone numbers are still valid.
>
> I’m sure other mention of EME Systems has been made on this mailing list.
> Tracy himself may even have posted. Maybe check the archives?
>
> I hope this info helps lead you to the info you need.
>
> — Nuge —
>
>
> On Mar 12, 2017, at 9:56 AM, hargarg trurthsr  > wrote:
>
> I have a model 102 with 32k ram expansion which I got in the 80's. I
> just recently rediscovered it in closet and found some rom installed in
> the option rom slot. It has an eme systems logo on it, but I have no
> idea what it is. I've already tried calling 63012 and 63013 and the
> computer just freezes when I do that. Is there any way to figure out
> what the rom is from basic ?
>
>
>

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Mike Nugent]

EME Systems (Dr. Tracy Allen) offered several products for the "Model T” 
notebooks. Take a look at a back issue of Portable 100 for the ads. For 
example, go to http://www.club100.org/library/libp100.html and near the bottom 
right side of the page, select "Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 1992” to download or view 
that issue of P100. (Direct link to the PDF: Vol. 9 No. 9 Sep/Nov 1992)

See the ad for the XR4 on page 2 as indicated by a PDF reader. (The actual 
magazine's page is CII, the inside of the front cover.) The OWL weather logger 
ad appears on page 19 (magazine page 17). EME’s ROMBO and extRAM show on page 
28 (magazine page 26).

I don’t know if the EME Systems address and phone numbers are still valid.

I’m sure other mention of EME Systems has been made on this mailing list. Tracy 
himself may even have posted. Maybe check the archives?

I hope this info helps lead you to the info you need.

— Nuge —


On Mar 12, 2017, at 9:56 AM, hargarg trurthsr  wrote:

> I have a model 102 with 32k ram expansion which I got in the 80's. I 
> just recently rediscovered it in closet and found some rom installed in 
> the option rom slot. It has an eme systems logo on it, but I have no 
> idea what it is. I've already tried calling 63012 and 63013 and the 
> computer just freezes when I do that. Is there any way to figure out 
> what the rom is from basic ?
> 

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[roger]

Is this a US machine or an international one?
Roger


Skickat från min Samsung Galaxy-smartphone.
 Originalmeddelande Från: "John R. Hogerhuis" 
<jho...@pobox.com> Datum: 2017-03-13  07:04  (GMT+01:00) Till: Model 100 
Discussion <m100@lists.bitchin100.com> Rubrik: Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option 
Rom slot 
The low bytes in an option rom are the reset and other interrupt entry points. 
-- John. 
On Sun, Mar 12, 2017 at 10:27 PM hargarg trurthsr <fungus...@outlook.com> wrote:





Thank you for that program. I tried print chr$ the option rom address $ to 
$8000 and there are some stuff at the very beginning, but nothing identifiable 
and then it's just pages and pages of mostly ";" + 0 (59, and 0). Weird...   
The first bytes starting
 from $ are 56, 191, 239, 255, 191, 255, 251, 49, 248, 255, 239, 127, 118, 
255, 190, 44, 62, 251, 255, 255, 126, 255 ,255, 122, 254, 191, 135, 250, 255, 
255, 237, 43, 188, 127, 215, 251, 254, 255, 250 ,28 ,254, 123, 108, 255, 219, 
191, 255, 54, 254, 255,
 242, 127, 78, 255, 199, 46, 120, 59, 4, 51, 0, 57, 0, 63, 0, 59, 1, 59, 0, 59, 
0, 27
and then it goes mostly alternating between 59, and 0 to $8000.  


If there is a program there, it's a very small one.  I tried poking the values 
into virtual T and tried disassembling, but not familiar enough with m102 and 
assembly.
Anyway, thank you again.






Yes. So a simple PEEK loop in BASIC won't work.



Found this online, might work, but you need to modify it to run in a loop (it 
only peeks one byte)




1 REM --- PEEK OPTION SOCKET ---

100 FOR X=0 TO 13

110   READ D

120   POKE 65351+X,D

130 NEXT X

200 INPUT HL

210 CALL 65351,0,HL

220 PRINT PEEK(63360)

1000 DATA 243,62,1,211,232,126,50,128,247,175,211,232,251,201





https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.sys.tandy/jI1HjKOEPAY

Re: [M100] Mystery Rom in Option Rom slot

[Douglas Quagliana]

You could try writing a little FOR loop in basic to PEEK the memory and print 
the contents. 

Perhaps something like

FOR I=62000 TO 65535: PRINT CHR( PEEK(I)); : NEXT 

then look for something readable like "Option ROM (C) 1986 Club100" ... or 
whatever. You might need to change the starting and ending addresses. 

Good luck,
Douglas

> On Mar 12, 2017, at 8:56 AM, hargarg trurthsr  wrote:
> Is there any way to figure out 
> what the rom is from basic ?
>