Sinclair Club #05 31 декабря 2001

Железо

Iron - Sprinter? Questions and answers!

       Sprinter? Questions and answers!



   (C) Alex Goryachev / PETERS PLUS LTD.


         Creation date: 17.12.2001


   This FAQ contains answers to frequently
asked questions about computer Sprinter.

Q: What is - Sprinter?
A: Personal computer Sprinter
(Sprinter) is a universal
PC-based 8-bit
CPU Z-80 Corporation Zilog.
Computer architecture is based on
reprogrammable logic array
(PPLM or PLD) Corporation ALTERAr. PPLM
is an integrated microcircuit with
a set of programmable logic
elements. Using PPLM allows
in software architecture, computer
without replacing any components of board
computer.

Brief description of computer Sprinter

Processor Z84C15 (21MHz/3.5MHz)
4Mb RAM
Fast RAM 64Kb
ROM 256Kb
VideoOZU 256Kb (512Kb)
Disk controller Kr1818VG93
              (Similar to WD1793)
Support drive: 3,5 "(1.44Mb/720Kb)
              5,25 "drive (720Kb)
Clock CMOS DALLAS
Controller HDD IDE / AT
The keyboard controller 101key/AT
Controller Mouse MS Mouse
Two slots for standard ISA-8
Audio output AY-3-8910 in PPLM,
              Audio DAC 16 bit
CGA monitor video output, RGB,
              TV with SCART.
Graphics Modes 320x256x256;
            640x256x16;


Sprinter computer has two of today
configurations for different modes
work.

 Configuration Sprinter is the main
configuration, providing the most
interesting possibilities for computer
conclusion of graphics and sound.
 Configuration ZX Spectrum is the first
configuration serves for compatibility with
other popular computers. You
can use several modes
Clone Computer Spectrum, without leaving your
Sprinter.
 The computer uses the standard Sprinter
modern peripherals. This allows you to
use an available printer
documents and drawings, the player
compact discs (CD-ROM) for listening
Audio CD, hard drive for storing your
files.

 Scope of delivery and use of
peripherals.

 Q: What is included in the board for
Computer Sprinter?
 A: The standard fee Sp2000
configuration is supplied assembled
with installed RAM (4Mb SIMM) and video RAM
(256Kb).

The entire kit consists of:

Fee Sp2000
IDE ribbon cable
FDD cable
Audio cable connector
Tape and joystick cable with connector
Train printer
Mouse trail.
Train video.
Video cable with SCART.
3,5 "bootdisk
CD with software
Brochures:
Guidance on building a computer Sprinter "
User Guide
"Working in the Spectrum"

 Q: Which hard drive should I use
computer Sprinter?
 A: You can use an IDE hard drive,
Formatted for MS-DOS FAT-16. If
volume exceeds 2 GB hard drive, then it
should be split into logical
devices, each of no more than 2GB
specification as dictated by FAT-16.

 Q: How can I connect the monitor to
PC Sprinter?
 A: You can use the analog CGA
monitor with a horizontal frequency of 15KHz and
RGB input (for example: Electronics, WTC
Commodore 1084), or TV, having
Connector SCART.

 Q: What power supply can be used
Card Sp2000?
 A: You need power supply
provides an output voltage of +5 V,
-5V, +12 V and-12V. Typically, these blocks
power installed in the computer cases
type AT.

 Q: Can I use ATX case for
installation in the circuit board Sp2000?
 A: Connectors PSU ATX enclosure does not
suited to the board Sp2000. Use the blocks
supply of housing AT.

 Q: Does your computer Sprinter
parallel and serial ports?
 A: Your computer has two Sprinter
serial ports. One
use the mouse and the other -
keyboard. of these ports are not
standard RS-232 port. Sprinter
also has a parallel port
used, for example, to connect
printer.

 Q: Why has the Sprinter bus ISA, rather than
Standard Spectrum?
 A: The fee Sp2000 has in its composition
almost complete set of peripherals
devices: hard disk controllers,
drive, keyboard, mouse AT and MS mouse,
It was therefore decided that such
device, developed under the
Cpektrumovskuyu bus, Sprinter-y is not needed.
And the ISA bus required to allow
Using ISA modems.

 Q: What software is already
created for the computer Sprinter?
 A: Today, the computer can Sprinter
use:
 - Disk Subsystem OS Estex
(Compatible with MS-DOS FAT16 operating
system).
 - Flex Navigator - a file manager
graphical user interface.
 - Black Cat Modem Terminal - Terminal
program. Supported protocols:
X-modem, Y-modem, Z-modem.
 - GFX-viewer - the viewer
image format BMP, PCX, and ZX
Spectrum.
 - FORTH - the core programming language
Forth.
 - CD-Player - a program playback
Audio CDs using
CD-ROM.
 - CD-Browser - a program to read data from
CD. eskolko demos
Programs:
 -DOS Commander - file manager in
text mode.
 -Doom - a game shooter. Demonstrates
hardware capabilities of the computer on
graphics output.
 -TASM - multi-text editor and
assembler.
 -2D-Studio - a graphical editor for
image format BMP (320x256, 256
colors). Working version with a minimum
functions.

 Listed software
Sprinter is a basic computer and
distributed free of charge.

 Q: I read that the board supports Sp2000
up to 64Mb of memory. Then why in the current
computer model used memory
limited to 4Mb?
 A: Payment is required Sp2000
hardware support for memory up to 64Mb, for
board all the contacts for this already
divorced, but also requires support in
PPLM containing a distribution scheme
computer memory. Distribution scheme
memory to 4Mb, we are using already the fifth
year, and the pattern of memory over
this volume has not yet been established and will
incorporated into the next model.

 Q: If a computer implemented Sprinter
not all features, then all of a
users will be able to update,
if necessary, the contents of PPLM?
 A: Yes to all. Changing content
(Layout logic elements)
PPLM happens every time I turn
computer because the schema is loaded
stored in EEPROM, and when you turn on your computer
Power loaded into PPLM.
Accordingly, for what would have
opportunity to modify the contents of PPLM
overwrite the contents of EEPROM. And it's done
Sprinter computer within 3 minutes
simply running EXE file with a new
Firmware for EEPROM. Sprinter can
overwrite its own EEPROM on this and
founded the possibility of its modernization without
replacement fee.

 Q: If you intend to further
upgrading computer Sprinter, you may
I may be no rush to buy
Boards Sp2000, and wait, for example,
appearance of the PCI bus and support for DIMM?
 A: The fee Sp2000 - serial card, and
hardware improvements on the move "does not
planned. All planned modernization
refer only to a change in the content
PPLM and will be available for all
computer users with the Sprinter
board installed Sp2000. And create
new fee, we do not plan.

 Q: What are the characteristics of a sound
PC Card Sprinter?
 A: The sound system is a computer Sprinter
is PPLM. For audio output
DAC uses Philips TDA1543. This DAC
can display 16-bit stereo sound
frequency up to 110KHz.

 Q: How can I set the CMOS on the board
Sp2000?
 A: The Sprinter can be fitted
CMOS: Dallas DS12887A, ODIN OED12C887.

 Configuration Spectrum.

 Q: Is there anything
incompatibilities between computers
Sprinter and Spectrum?
 A: Most programs are designed
for the Spectrum will work correctly
mode Sprinter-ZX, included by
default logging configuration
Spectrum. but some programs require
switching modes, for which they
written: Pentagon or Scorpion
respectively.

 Q: Can I access from Winchester
Spectrum BASIC.
 A: Yes you can. Use the
additional commands TR-DOS.

 Q: Does Sprinter Kempston
mouse and joysticks Kempston and Sinclair?
 About: Sprinter supports mouse in Kempston
Configuration and Spectrum MS serial mouse in
both configurations (Sprinter and Spectrum).
From Joystick supported only
Kempston, but do not forget that sticks
Sinclair duplicated on the keyboard.

 Q: I heard that the Sprinter can not
use a cassette tape with
programs for the ZX Spectrum. Is that so?
 A: No, Sprinter has the opportunity
connecting the recorder. Teams
Spectrum BASIC to work with
recorder also work.

 Q: I heard that the Sprinter has some
problems with playing music through AY?
 A: All the malfunction AY already
eliminated. On our site you can find
sound files that demonstrate
AY opportunities in the Sprinter-e.

 Customer support.

 Q: Does the firm Peters Plus
after-sales customer support
Computer Sprinter?
 A: Yes, this support is already provided.
Advice on the use of software
security, help in learning all
computer's capabilities to create
own user programs, new
versions of basic software,
Update BIOS, software upgrade
computer model Sprinter.

 Q: What can we expect in the updated
versions of the BIOS?
 A: In addition to correcting bugs or errors, and
improve the capabilities of the computer,
expected to include updates
Content PPLM chips, which are easily
and quickly produce changes in the model
Computer Sprinter.

 Q: How many users are now
Computer Sprinter? not whether the project will
abandoned after the sale of all
manufactured boards?
 A: Today, more than fifty people
purchased the computer's motherboard Sprinter.
Most of them live abroad
In: Belarus, Hungary, Italy, Poland,
Argentina, Austria, USA, Denmark. Many of
foreign users are
programmers who want to write programs
Computer Sprinter. We hope that
established abroad under will be available
domestic users. our company
is also involved in creating software
software, including attracting
Third-party programmers. We have great
plans and they are not restricted to any
the number of sold boards or
computers. Already made the second batch
Motherboard Sp2000 and before the end of 2001 will be
produced by another party boards.

 Q: Is there a guarantee
operation of your computer?
 A: We guarantee the performance fee
Sp2000 within one year from the date of
sale.

 Q: What should I do in case of any
failure in the computer Sprinter for
warranty period?
 A: First of all, you need to contact us
for consultation. If the fault
really serious, then you have
send us a fee for computer
testing and possible repair.

 Bid.

 Q: How much does a customized card
Computer Sprinter?
 A: Today is the price payment Sp2000
3255 rubles.

 Q: How can I get a motherboard of a computer
Sprinter?
 A: buy a computer or a fee can be
our office or by mail after
full prepayment. our coordinates
given at the end of the text.

 Q: How much does delivery of the order of
Russia?
 A: The cost of delivering up to 7% of
cost.

 Q: Can I buy clean clothes and
a set of core LSI Self
build?
 A: None. Sale net fees and
component parts are not produced.

 Coordinates LLC Peters Plus:

Russia
191014 St. Petersburg
st. Uprising 35-31

tel. (812) 327-3531

e-mail: sprinter@petersplus.ru
http://www.petersplus.ru
http://www.petersplus.com
----------------------------------------- You can ask a 
question, write to us 

FIDONET: 2:5030 / 529.56
e-mail: sprinter@petersplus.ru.
ModernWorD 2.1 by Demiurge Ash