Re: extended ROM format
Both of you told: 1) What about adding an extra filem instead of changing the original ROM? Like this: nemesis2.rom - The original, unmodified .ROM image nemesis2.crc - The file containing CRC and additional info. 2) As far as I can see, there are two possibilities: 1. Extending the .rom format. 2. Keeping a seperate file with a list of CRCs and mapper information. This has proved to be a bitch to maintain (since the user-base isn't that big I suppose). MESS uses this. :) So, Why discuss if you can use both solutions? That is: -If you want separate files: Nemesis2.rom Nemesis2.inf (any .ext you want) -If you want a single file: Nemesis2.xrm = Append(Nemesis2.rom + Nemesis2.inf) And you always can pas from 1 file to 2 files, and from 2 files to 1 file. Another idea: In the extra data, you can include a list of related files. That is: (Example) GOLF.XRM ( Extended Rom, or what name you want) 0..16383: Original ROM data 16384.. : Extra info - CRC, Mapper, Name, Year, .. *Note: Use 2 different CRC: One for the ROM data, other for the Extra info - ASCIIZ text for comments. p.e.: "Nice Golf game, but quite simple..." *Note: Don't use CRC for this ASCIIZ text. - ASCIIZ text for a file list: Contains: - GOLF.JPG : JPG with image of the game - GOLF.EMU : Extra info for emulators - GOLF.ICO : Icon - GOLF.HLP : Playing guide - GOLF.XXX : Other file ... This way, you can know if there is any file related to a ROM. And you can add more files in the future. But this starts to become a bit complex. A too complex format will complicate the development of Romloaders. So, if MSX emulators' authors want to add more information, it's better to add a 'second ending header' instead complicating the first heading. That is: 1) Original ROM Data (.ROM) 2) Extra info for LoadRoms (.LRM) 3) Extra info for Emulators (.EMU) And more: 1) Original ROM Data (.ROM) 2) Extra info for LoadRoms (.LRM) 3) Extra info for Cheats (.CHT) : To include 'All lives', 'start stage', ... 4) Extra info for Emulators (.EMU) Of course, you can work with the 4 separated files, or 1 single file (by adding the 4 files into 1) Hope to have helped with my ideas. Bye. Daniel Zorita. -- For info, see http://www.stack.nl/~wynke/MSX/listinfo.html
Re: extended ROM format
Why don't fix this 'header' at the end of the file instead of the beginning? So, old ROM loaders can load the new format (by ignore the extra bytes) And new ROM loaders can read and use the new bytes? I don't think existing emulators will ignore the extra bytes. They could also load the extra bytes and allocate too many pages. Or maybe some emulators will refuse to load a ROM file that isn't a power of two in size. Well, but this way, you always can convert a extender ROM into a standar ROM by only 'cutting' the file to 16K, 32K, ... This is a operation more easy than deleting a header at the beginning. Easily you can make a ROMCUT.COM to cut extended ROMs into power of two size. Also, it will be easy to convert old ROM into extended ROM, by only adding the extra data at the ending (append it), and also, you can make a easy tool like EXTROM.COM who asks you the information related with the ROM, and generates the extended ROM append. To append is fast than to insert. I also would add some extra bytes for details about the game, in text mode. For example, after the byte 80 of the ending-header, you can add a ASCIIZ text with: -Kind of game -Originality: The Rom is the original, modified, with cheats, etc ... -Fails detected A comments section of arbitrary length. Sounds like a good idea. If the header size is not fixed, this can be easily implemented. And if the 'header' is at the end of the file, it is very easy to add information, without worring about size. Well, I am not an expert in ROMs world. But the only thing that I say is that is better to append the extra data than to insert it at the beginning of a file. I hope soon you all can make a nice ROM loader that works better than current ones. Because I always had troubles when loading ROMs into my TR GT, and I prefered Basic loaders, despite they are ugly, slow, and so (But at least, run!) Bye. Daniel Zorita. -- For info, see http://www.stack.nl/~wynke/MSX/listinfo.html
RE: NEW MSX. NICE !!. BUT BEST ????
Well, more discussion about the New MSX: Maybe I seem to refuse the idea of a new MSX. That's wrong. I like very much a new MSX. But I dream on a NICE new MSX. The news from ASCII (very short, unfortunatelly) give us the idea of a "Turbo- MSX 2+". If that is the only chance, well, I accept. But it looks very poor !! Let me list 2 ways of react: a) Accept the new MSX in the way that ASCII thinks. b) Try to convince ( and press a bit ) to ASCII to make a better new MSX. I think "b)". But if you (and most MSXers) consider that I'm wrong, I am disposed to change to "a)" in order to not disturb. Will you ask me to "change to a) " ??? Do you think that I'm disturbing thinking "b)" Please, advertise me. I may be wrong believeing that ASCII can make a nice MSX with cute technology of year 2000. But I don't know about ASCII, and I may be wrong, as they only can make a new MSX with the 1990's technology. Really, I would like that the "New MSX project" was not a close project. I wish that ASCII can improve the design along the time, before fixing MSX-3 features. The 3 main features I will like to improve are: 1) The CPU: a 32 bit Z80. Doesn't matter if Z380, Z480, Z123,Z***, ZMSX but please, a CPU that can store more than 64KB of code, and can access in linear way several MB of data. Cannot they contact Zilog to design a new CPU ?? 2) The VDP resolutions: If they want to make a graphic O.S. for MSX-3, a 512x212x16 colors screen is not enough. A 256x212x19K screen is not enough for showing JPGs or WEBs. If the old MSX screens are going to be emulated with a FPS processor, it's easy to add more powerful screen modes !! 3) A 32-bit MSX-DOS -3 , compatible with DOS-2 (Mscsi, IDE, ...) but with the chance to address HDDs of more than 10 GB, and variable cluster size. Is it too much for the current technology ?? I think NO. Because Sega and Sony have made much more powerful systems, at very low prices: Dreamcast and PSX-2. For the double money (60.000 or 70.000 yens) a powerful MSX is possible. Money is not a trouble for MSXers. POWER is the trouble for MSXers. You should grow up and stop reacting as a 8-years old child. "If ASCII thinks to make another 8-bit MSX, I feel in right to behave as a 8-years old child. When ASCII makes a 32-bits MSX, I will behave as 32-years old man." Have you tried to tell a 8-years old child: (Man): "ASCII will make a new MSX!!!" (Child): "Yes? That's nice !!. How many bits it will be ?? (Man): "It will be a 8 bits" (Child):" Haaa Heee Ha Ha Jua Jua !!!" consider what is possible and what isn't, and why. And then you should contact ASCII and offer them your help. You're right. These discussions have been too wide and useless. Please, give us a official e-mail address to send to ASCII ideas about new MSX. Going out to the street, get nacked, and dance until the new MSX appears ?? No. This is Takamichi's mission. :) I knew you will say that !! =;-D Well, please, if you reply me, give me detailed ideas, not only refusing all I say. Bye. Daniel Zorita. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] See also http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
NEW MSX. NICE !!. BUT BEST ????
Hi, Isn't this just great?!?! Ag0ny had an official interview with ASCII. So it seems, ASCII indeed has again commercial plans in some form with the MSX-system I dare to say this is the most interesting news we had in more then 10 years. Well, it's better to say that this is the ONLY OFFICIAL news in 10 years. But you don't must to forget the huge efforts of amateur groups during this time. Without earning none money, amateur groups have been supported MSX sytem for 10 / 15 years. Now, ASCII returns to get our money before developing a new MSX. Yes, they want to sell a MSX EMULATOR before making a new MSX. If they don't get money from internet and the emulator, they will not make a new MSX. It is nice, but you CANNOT CONSIDER THEM AS HEROES !! They are only bussiness men. So, what should we do ?? To buy 100 emulators each one to support a new MSX manufacturing ? To feel guilty if finally none new MSX appears ? is it to easy to forget what has been happening about MSX this 10 years ?? So easy to forget MSX meetings, Msound, GFX9000, Mscsi and IDE, RAM expansions, amateur NICE games, NICE magazines ?? So easy to forget what happened with Europe South America about MSX 2+ and Turbo- R ? News from Japan is nice, but DON'T forget what really happened to MSX from 1980's. Where has ASCII been this time ? Where Konami was ? And no one, absolutely no one (except for Takamichi) reacts... It is because the ONLY THING you can do about a NEW MSX is HEAR. (Except if you are one of the "secret men" involved in the project) Yes, only HEAR, because Japanese MSX "officials" still don't contact MSX groups to discuss about their ideas. They are TOO GOOD for us. We are so poor, than we only must give them our ears, and our money. They are TOO CLEVER for us ( ... or may be anybody from us is TOO CLEVER for them, to say how things must be done ... ) A new MSX is nice, but I'm afraid that a BETTER NEW MSX is possible. Of course, I will buy that MSX in the future. But I will always wonder "How nice a BEST NEW MSX could be ? ". Please, believe me. The only thing that you can do until a new MSX appears, is to WAIT, wait, wait, and pray perhaps. Because this is the only thing ASCII will let us. What will happen to MSX amateur groups ? Should we STOP our activities ? Are we stupid now ? Should we stop making MSX meetings ? I just don't get it, guyz.Sorry, but I don't. Still ?? Why "don't get" why a new MSX will be still a 8-bits Z80 ?? Why don't think that maybe a poor PSX-1 is still more powerful than a MSX-4. Even a Gameboy VDP is more powerful ! In your opinion, what shoud we do ?? Going out to the street, get nacked, and dance until the new MSX appears ?? Well, that's all. Excuse me for my attitude today. But I get tired about "secrets", and about the idea that ALL WE HAVE DONE THESE YEARS CAN BE FORGOT IN ONLY A DAY. And that the new MSX may be a "MSX Turbo-R-Plus". Daniel Zorita. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] See also http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
RE: NEW MSX. NICE !!. BUT BEST ????
Hi, again. First at all, to say that my previous message was "a bit" exagerated. As someone asked us "to react" about the "new MSX" news, that's what I did. The news about MSX, is very interesting, and we are happy. But some things are still not clear, and could be done better. I pretended to WARN people, to not forget the MSX story during these past 15 years. Don't make the same mistakes again. Bye. Daniel Zorita = = = Detailed replies: Of course. Who has forgotten the amateur groups? Nobody by the moment. But if MSX returns to commercial scene, it may happen. Hope not. But must be ready... I think that if ASCII haven´t seen the work of amateur groups they never would thought in the possibility of release a new MSX. I'm not sure of that. Do you know any group that has been asked by ASCII ?? I think that only a few Japanese groups -fortunately- contacted ASCII. Yes! ASCII is a company!! You didn´t know it? Yes, so, let's start to deal them as a company. Ask them to put a lot of money for developing. Can you imagine "Intel" makes a emulator of PENTIUM-4 before building it ? No. One emulator for me is enough... If new MSX finally doesn´t appear we all will be very happy with this new emulator... Yes, I agree. Any thing will be nice, as we are customed to nothing. But only an emulator ... and now that there are a lot of nice MSX emulators !! We hope a real new MSX, not only a emulator. Everybody (if is an expert ) can make an emulator. But who can make a new computer ? I have no memory problems. And it´s said that new MSX will be backward compatible. So Msound, GFX9000, Mscsi, bla bla bla, bla bla bla, will work fine in this new machine. I wish you are right. I wish it will be 100% HW compatible with MSX. But I am still not sure. If any technical feature is disabled, and some HW is not compatible with new MSX, it will be a disaster !! I guess that it will be compatible with games cartridges. But we need it is compatible to devices like Mscsi, IDE, Msound, etc. expansions, amateur NICE games, NICE magazines ?? So easy to forget what happened with Europe South America about MSX 2+ and Turbo- R ? That´s past. News from Japan is nice, but DON'T forget what really happened to MSX from 1980's. Where has ASCII been this time ? Where Konami was ? That´s history. Yes, that's past, and that's history. But the history repeats itself, mainly if people "forget". And I don't like the history of MSX to happen again ( the causes that made the MSX dissapear from the official scene) But have not Ag0ny and Japanese users talked with ASCII? Fortunately YES. And thanks to them, we have a few information. But I don't know if they can discuss technical features to ASCII. They are TOO GOOD for us. We are so poor, than we only must give them our ears, and our money. They are TOO CLEVER for us ( ... or may be anybody from us is TOO CLEVER for them, to say how things must be done ... ) A new MSX is nice, but I'm afraid that a BETTER NEW MSX is possible. Yes. Always things can be better than they are... For example, Sega videoconsoles, except last one. I wish a new MSX is so good computer as Sega's Dreamcast is so good console. Amateur groups maybe could be professional groups (SW and HW developers). Haven´t you thought this? Yes, but big software companies will try to get the market, and keep amateur groups away. Another trouble is that if new MSX is focused at Japan, only japanese groups can convert into professional. Why "don't get" why a new MSX will be still a 8-bits Z80 ?? Yes, you can also have made this question in 1985, 1988 and 1990. And I will make it again in the 2000, 2010, 2020 ... "Why don't make a 32 bit MSX ?? " Why don't think that maybe a poor PSX-1 is still more powerful than a MSX-4. Even a Gameboy VDP is more powerful ! I don´t think so. Hope you are right again. But if the new MSX keeps the MSX 2+ VDP, it is too pour. Even Gameboy can handle more sprites, and easy scroll. In your opinion, what shoud we do ?? Going out to the street, get nacked, and dance until the new MSX appears ?? Yes!!! I like dancing OK !, let's make a Carnival about MSX !! Surely brazilian people is the most proper for that !! And that the new MSX may be a "MSX Turbo-R-Plus". I prefer call it MSX3... But why don't do the same than Netscape, who passed from Navigator v4.* to Navigator 6 ?? MSX-4 sounds nice. And MSX-5 ?? Well, that's all. So, it's the time for POSITIVE PEOPLE. Please write just now !! Don't let me be right !!! Bye. Daniel Zorita. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] See also http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
RE: Z380
I see. And this new, advanced MSX, won't be compatible with old softwares, NOO ! You YES can run old software in MMSX. Else, we don't consider to make such a thing ! The "new software" term only refers to the usage of only-Z380 board. If you only get the Z380 board, you must have to get new soft to use it, the same as happens with FM, MSound, GFX9000, and other peripherals. The Z380 is a project finished. You can get a board now if you want. The MMSX is still a project. Some parts are done. Other parts are still in design. But the nice thing of the MMSX is that you can remove any card from the MMSX and use it separately into a normal MSX. (For example, the Z380, the Sound device, the Video device, ...) Note that MMSX means "modular MMSX", that is, a normal MSX, but separating the parts into "cards". And some cards, are 100% compatible, but expanded, like CPU, Sound, Video. what's the point of this? I want a new MSX, and MMSX looks great to me, but if i can't run the old apps, it's not a MSX to me... I hope to have answered this in the previous text. a MMSX can run old software. But it is still a project. a Z380 is like a "coprocessor". it has to be programmed, like a co-processor. But this "coprocessor" is from 5 to 30 times faster than a Z80 !! In the other hand, my Ciel MSX2+ turbo with z380 card would still be a MSX capable of running all the old softwares and would have a new board capable of running new 32 bits apps. Of course, the Ciel MSX2+ computer is a good idea. It is another way to improve a MSX. It has advantages and disadvantages. But you also can plug a Padial's Z380 into your Ciel, and then, you will have two Z380 processors. isn't it interesting ? That's what MSX means, I think. Backward compatibility and new technology without breaking the standard. We agree at that !! The Padial's Z380 is not a new standar. It is a "peripheral" for processing. You can have the Z380 card plugged, and run your MSX as usual. If you run old software, nothing happens, as they don't use the external Z380. But you can use new software that access external Z380. Remember that MSX also means "Expandable system". A question about that Ciel MSX2+ computer. What is the clock for the internal Z380 ? How deals 32bit-addresses ? Please, give me some details about that machine. I have very few info about it. (I'm not an investigator. I'm only a poor programmer) Bye. Daniel Zorita = = = MSX Mailinglist. To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe msx [EMAIL PROTECTED]" (without the quotes) in the body (not the subject) of the message. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] More information on MSX can be found in the following places: The MSX faq: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/ The MSX newsgroup: comp.sys.msx The MSX IRC channel: #MSX on Undernet
RE: Z380
lemme guess... the orginal MSX is going to be emulated on MMSX ..
hahahahaha
No, you're wrong.
That is only for Sound. It is hardware-emulation for sound. And it is the
way of joining all MSX sound devices into 1 single processor. It has no
sense to build a FM, and separatelly, a PSG, a PCM, a OPL4, if they can
be joined into 1 processor.
It is the same as if you say that 9958 "emulates" 9938.
The rest of MSX parts are not emulated. Are implemented.
Anyway, the MMSX is a project for next years.
The main thing now, is the Z380, that can be used in a MSX-1, MSX-2, 2+ or
TR.
It exists and runs.
If you don't like, we understand. But other people like.
Bye,
Daniel Zorita.
=
=
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Z380 Questions and Answers
July 5th 2000
As I read again several questions at MSX list about Z380 Padial's board,
here I write some questions and answers:
1-
Question:
-
" The 1KB common memory makes data transfer between Z380 and MSX slow ??"
Answer:
No.
The 1KB memory is a very-fast memory that can be accessed at the same time
by MSX and by Z380.
So, while the MSX reads p.e. a 256 byte block, (using LDIR or similar)
The Z380 can write another 256 byte block in another starting address.
This way, the MSX is making continuously LDIRs, without waiting for the
Z380.
The same thing for I/O, ( OTIR instead LDIR )
Note that both CPU: Z80/R800 and Z380 works the same time, so, it is more
powerfull 2 CPUs than 1, not ?
2-
Question:
-
Why Padial's Z380 card doesn't make old programs run faster ?
Why you have to make new software to use the Z380 ?
Answer:
Making old programs run faster has only sense for "aplications".
For MSX, there are only a few aplications. Most are games.
Making games run faster has no sense, because they are VDP synchronized, and
if not, you cannot play a game 10 times faster than usual !
If you want to make old aplications run faster, you have to modify them
to run under Z380. (Note that it is easy, as Z380 is 100% Z80 compatible )
The main idea for the Z380 board is to make new 32-bit powerful software.
Some things are not possible at 8-bits, 64K, because huge data, and so.
Now, you haven't to use the mapper, as you can access linearly the Z380 Ram.
And a 18.4 MHz Z380 is several times faster than a 28.6 MHz R800 CPU !!
*Anyway, there is a way to replace the MSX internal CPU for the Z380
Padial's CPU: You have to modify a few your MSX. Then, the Z380 card halts
the Z80, and replace it.
This way, you have to work at 3.5 MHz instead 18.4 MHz, because MSX hardware
doesn't support high clock.
But 3.5MHz Z380 is from 2 to 6 times faster than a 3.5MHz Z80.
And you can access both memory: Internal MSX memory, and Z380 card linear
memory, the same time !
3-
Question:
Why Padial's Z380 board doesn't include a VDP or Sound device?
Answer:
Because Padial is making a separate VDP and a separate Sound device.
Making all in only 1 board is impossible, and too expensive to buy all.
For example, you can use a GFX9000 with Z380, at 18.4 MHz
(Using Padial's 32 bits slot-expander -like a motherboard for the Z380- )
The Z380 disconnect the expansor from MSX, and access GFX at higher speed.
About new Padial's development:
He's working on a very interesting Sound device:
By using DSP signal processors (very fast processors, for deal data)
you can hardware-emulate several MSX devices at the same time,
and even beter:
For example: PSG+SCC+FM+PCM+MModule+MSound+MIDI+ are in
the SAME card !!!. You even can have 16 FM devices at the same time.
But it depends that people make the emulation program
( These DSP processors include a C compiler for this matters)
4-
Question:
-
What about the new MSX ??
Answer:
We all like a new MSX.
We wish they make a new one.
But we haven't any sure information about this.
That people doesn't ask world-MSX users what we would like for a new MSX.
The few news we have, it is like a new MSX 2+, but a bit faster.
Like a Turbo-R-Plus ??
We cannot be stopped waiting a magic new MSX appears.
They will make a new MSX for ... 1 people around the world ??
What happens if nothing is created? several years lost ?
Anyway, the Z380 card is very interesting for all MSX users.
2 CPUs working at the same time in a MSX !!!
It is not a project. It is a fact !!! Several people have a Z380 card now !!
Who has a new MSX ??
We also apreciate other hardware projects.
We like FACTS, not WORDS.
Well, I hope this text has helped.
Excuse us, for not writting more about the Z380 card,
but we haven't time to write and program often, sorry.
Remind the LPE-Z380 web ( I will update it soon )
www.terra.es/personal/dzorita/lpez380.html
or the same, at:
http://teleline.terra.es/personal/dzorita/lpez380.html
Bye.
Daniel Zorita.
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An extra week for the 4KB contest
July 3rd 2000 Hi, Here, we agreed to give an extra week for the 4KB MSX1 game contest. So, some people will be able to finish it at time, and the others will improve their games. Then, the deadline is July 14th 2000 (We will not give any extra day !) Bye. Daniel Zorita. MSX Mailinglist. To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe msx [EMAIL PROTECTED]" (without the quotes) in the body (not the subject) of the message. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] More information on MSX can be found in the following places: The MSX faq: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/ The MSX newsgroup: comp.sys.msx The MSX IRC channel: #MSX on Undernet
Z380 News
Sp, July 2nd 2000 Hello to everybody. Say that Konamiman finished the version 3 for the Z380 BIOS (Eprom). I just recorded the Eprom and tested it successfully. Most importan things of this version: a) The Basic CALL commands for accessing Z380 have been moved to the Z380 itself. So, the 1KB common Ram memory is now nearly empty, free for the user. b) Users can add their own Basic CALL commands, from disk. You can load hundreds of new commands, and the best thing is that they don't spend any MSX memory, because they are stored into the Z380 memory. And is the Z380 who executes this commands !!! So, they can be a lot of fast !! And you can use the whole linear Z380 memory for more powerfull commands. You can go to MSX DOS, coming back to Basic, a lot of times, and the new commands added, remains OK !! For example, Konamiman did this new PCM commands CALL ZPCMREC (d31..16,d15..0,L31..16,L15..0,Frec) CALL ZPCMPLAY(d31..16,d15..0,L31..16,L15..0,Frec) So, you can record and play several Megabytes of PCM sound, without changing blocks, mapping memory or nothing. (The start address, and the length, are 32bit- values !!) The maximum frecuency is about 25 KHz !! They run OK (Of course, only at a Turbo R) That's all. Hope to release more Z380 stuff soon. Daniel Zorita. = = = = = = = = = MSX Mailinglist. To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe msx [EMAIL PROTECTED]" (without the quotes) in the body (not the subject) of the message. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] More information on MSX can be found in the following places: The MSX faq: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/ The MSX newsgroup: comp.sys.msx The MSX IRC channel: #MSX on Undernet
4kb contest.
Sp, June 29th 2000 Hello. Only to say that there is still only 1 week until the deadline for the 4KB MSX1 Game contest. ( it ends July 7th 2000 ) Several people says there is not time enough. As the main objetive is to get several MSX1 games, and the best quality possible, if you (who are programming a game for the contest) think, we can give an extra week for the contest. But all programmers must agree. Please, reply soon, if you need an extra week, or if you want to keep the current date of July 7th. Bye, Daniel Zorita. *Please write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] * === === MSX Mailinglist. To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe msx [EMAIL PROTECTED]" (without the quotes) in the body (not the subject) of the message. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] More information on MSX can be found in the following places: The MSX faq: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/ The MSX newsgroup: comp.sys.msx The MSX IRC channel: #MSX on Undernet
Sorry: ( Out to #FC-#FF )
24-6-2000
Sorry,
I was wrong.
At Turbo-R, the mapper registers are 5 bits when reading.
It was at a MSX2 (8245) where you can read the 8 bits of a external 4MB
memory.
So, at T-R, the bits b7,b6,b5 are always "1", as you told.
Excuse me for the mistake.
The trouble is also with other MSX, like some MSX2+ internally expanded from
64KB to 128 or 256K, but with only 3 bits for the mapper !!!
I think that the only way is to consider ports FC..FF as "write only".
So, you have to write down in any Ram variable, the value for these
registers
(Like it happens with VDP registers)
Or to use MSX-DOS 2 mapper routines (but this is only useful for DOS 2
programs)
Bye.
Daniel Zorita.
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RE: Out to #FC-#FF
Surely your machine has a internal modification ...
No, my TR is not modified.
And the 4 MB expansion is external.
I think the matter is that internal TR memory, has only a register of 5 bit
for the mapper,
and the remaining 3 bits are "unconnected".
But the 4 MB cartridge has a register of 8 bits for mapping.
Well, if you want, I can make a serious test of the 4MB external, and T-R.
Anyway, I don't think you need more than 512 KB at a Turbo R, mainly if you
have got a MegaScsi, it is enough 512 KB Ram.
I think it is more interesting other peripherals like Z380 board I have got.
It can access lineally the Ram, up to 128 MB.
Bye
Daniel Zorita
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RE: Out to #FC-#FF
Sp, June 22th 2000 Hello. At my Turbo R A1GT, with a 4MB Padial's Ram expansion, all bits of ports HFC to HFF are active You can do: OUT 252,222 ?INP(252) 222 OK OUT 252,0 ?INP(252) 0 OK So, it works as suppossed: Well. Bye. Daniel Zorita = = = = = = MSX Mailinglist. To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe msx [EMAIL PROTECTED]" (without the quotes) in the body (not the subject) of the message. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] More information on MSX can be found in the following places: The MSX faq: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/ The MSX newsgroup: comp.sys.msx The MSX IRC channel: #MSX on Undernet
Sorry, wrong address for 4KB contest. Check right one
While www.aamsx.org translate the text about the contest, You can check
the
English web of the contest at:
WRONG:
...teleline.terra.es/presonal/dzorita/icon...
RIGHT:
http://teleline.terra.es/personal/dzorita/iconcur.html
("personal" instead of "presonal")
Excuse me.
Bye,.
Daniel Zorita
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More information on MSX can be found in the following places:
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MSX Z380 Web, and 4 KB MSX1 Game contest.
Spain, June 5th 2000 Hello, friends. Only to say that here in Spain, we organized a game programming contest. It is of 4KB game for MSX1 !!! You can check the web at: http://teleline.terra.es/personal/dzorita/iindex.html It also contains the LPE-Z380 MSX card information. (This is the official web) Please, check it if you have a bit of time. Bye. Daniel Zorita [EMAIL PROTECTED] MSX Mailinglist. To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put "unsubscribe msx [EMAIL PROTECTED]" (without the quotes) in the body (not the subject) of the message. Problems? contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] More information on MSX can be found in the following places: The MSX faq: http://www.faq.msxnet.org/ The MSX newsgroup: comp.sys.msx The MSX IRC channel: #MSX on Undernet
Some answers about Z380
Spain, April 23th 2000
Hello to everybody.
I will tell some things about Z380 in a fast way.
1- As I own one Z380 card, I know what I am talking about.
2- About a FlashRom for Z380 BIOS: It is dangerous !! If you program the
BIOS and make a bug, maybe the Z380 will never run again because the bug.
So, how can you correct the bug if you cannot use Z380 to re-program the
FlashRom ??
It is like PC FlashRom Bios trouble, and famous VIRUSES. The virus delete
the BIOS memory, and you must waste the main board !!
Well, you can use a removable FlashRom chip, but I don't know if it is easy.
Anyway, it will increase the price of the board, and can allow some non
compatibility if people reprogram the BIOS by his way.
3- About the comparisons from Z180 to Z380, I heard a lot of incorrect
things from Z380. Please, read the Z380 information from Zilog's web
www.zilog.com ) Documents are in PDF format.
The Z380 seems to be the definitive Zilog's processor. It is fully 32 bits
processor, and the instruction set is very proper, as it includes a lot of
new instructions, addressing modes, and so.
You can make 32 bits loads, operations and comparisons, even without using
DDIR commands (because you can turn from 16 bit mode to 32 bit mode with
only one command)
The memory is fully linear ( 4 GB of addressing space )
4- I think that the Z380 solves the MSX CPU limitations.
The best feature, is the linear memory (32 bits to access it) because it
allows to make long programs that deal with long data segments. Now, you
don't need to map the memory like the Z80, using the memory map.
At the same CPU speed, Z380 is double fast than Z80 executing the same
instructions.
This Z380 card is 14.3 MHz, so, it is similar to a Z80 at 28.6 MHz.
And if you use 32 bits registers, you do the same things with half
instructions.
5- New instructions: The MULT and DIV instructions are always useful, but
they are used very few times. Anyway, you have them.
But the more interesting instructions, are the ones like 32 bits transfer,
relative jumping ( CALLR, JR with 8,16,24 bits of relative address)
Also, the 8 sets of registers (HL,DE,BC,AF,IX,IY) that allows you to make
faster routines avoiding so much memory access.
At the 16 bits memory mode, you can make faster data loads...
I think that the Z380 instruction set is perfect to MSX.
The only thing is that by now, the speed of 14.3 MHz is the only way of
having a mid-prize board, but it is enough for MSX.
6- Other thing: The "BOTH" mode of using the LPE-Z380 card: It doesn't turn
off the main MSX processor: That is, you use the Z80+Z380 or R800+Z380 at
the same time.
As the Z380 needs the MSX CPU to manage with internal I/O data, memory, DISK
Rom, and so, it is a very special way of working:
-The main program can run on the Z380
-The MSX CPU works as Hardware sever ( ports, MSX memory, Roms like diskrom,
keyboard, VDP, Vram, ...)
So, it is a paralell working mode, in wich you add the both processor's
power.
This way, you can use the MSX hardware (like VRAM) at 100% because the Z80
is 100% transferring data.
If you use only 1 processor at the system, you will not use VRAM at 100%
because the processor also must run the whole program.
Well, that's all by now.
Bye.
Daniel Zorita [EMAIL PROTECTED]
MSX Mailinglist. To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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More information on MSX can be found in the following places:
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