Echo #01 31 октября 1996

Железо

ZX-PROFI - Managing resources. Map of the computer system, SP-DOS. FDD 5.25/1.2Mb, 3.5/1.44 to SPECCY.

Writer: Andrew Panyutich.


                      Computer ZX-PROFI.

                     Resource management.


     I welcome all fans of the computer ZX-SPECTRUM in Belarus, 
and congratulations on the publication of the first national 
e-newspaper. I think that everyone is clear is an urgent need 
in obtaining and exchanging information among our programmers, 
hackers, and all the others. Feature of the computer market in 
Belarus sphere Spectrum-compatible machines is the almost 
complete lack of quality and advanced computer models (PROFI, 
SCORPION, ATM, KAY, etc.) and information on them. In 
connection with the This appearance of newspaper covering among 
other things features the work of such computers, a very 
important event. 


     I will cite just one example of ignorance of hardware 
features: HARDWARE analyzer in ECSTASY Mega Demo. At PROFI 
startup indicates a lack of turbo mode even if it is included! A

everything is very simple - in PROFI TURBO mode sampled signal
MOTOR (parallel connection of output 32 and 28-RDY-HOLD LSI 
Microcontroller 1818VG93) Controller TR-DOS. This fact means 
that at the time of the controller TR-DOS (or rather the time 
turning the engine drive disk drive) TURBO mode automatically 
turns off. Now it is clear the program's behavior when you 
start: download the program has occurred, and immediately began 
working analyzer computer hardware, although the signal is VG93

MOTOR has not withdrawn (time delay) and TURBO-mode is not 
enabled. Treat this feature so the computer is very simply:


 - Installation procedure to delay before starting the program.

 - Blanking signal by programming the VG93.


     Well, Now for the most entimi resources PROFI. Unlike 
proprietary 128-th SPECCY PROFI has not one but two system 
ports and CMR0 CMR1, which control all modes computer. In this 
case, port CMR0 (# 7FFD) is fully compatible with computer 
"SPECTRUM-128", and port CMR1 (# DFFD) is an extension of and 
manages the equipment and additional features, This is very 
important in some cases, has the switch. 


     With the port and CMR0 CMR1 16 kilobyte segments
Extended memory can be included in the card processor
one of two fixed place (with address # C000 - Box
Projection Room 1 at address # 4000-window projection room
2). In addition to a memory card includes a processor has 2 
segments: a Address # 0000 - segment 0 from the address # 8000 
- segment 2. 

 Appointment bit port CMR1 (# DFFD):

 D0
 D1 - the projected number of extended memory segment of RAM.
 D2

 D3 - the choice of the window projection:
 "0" - the window number 1, "1" - Box No. 2.

 D4 - "1" - disables lock port CMR0 and off ROMs, putting in 
its place memory segment 00. 

 D5 - "1" - blocks the controller TR-DOS, and includes ports
controller on the CPU access.

 D6 - "1" - projecting an additional screen (segment 06) on the 
map processor memory to place the segment 02, while bits D3 CMR0

must be equal to "1".

 D7 - "1" - includes an additional screen to display (toggles 
the clock). 



   Map of the computer (in the SP-DOS):


            07 - The segment, which is up and running
 07 / / operating system.

            06 - Additional ekrannnoe RAM for screen
 06 / / / 512 * 240 pixels.

            05 - Hardware-dependent modules.
 05 / / /

            04 - Reserved for system expansion and downloadable
 04 drivers.

 03 -----"----
            02 - Transit Programs (lies in the addresses
 02 / / / # 8000 - # 0BFF).

            01 - Transit Programs (lies in the addresses
 01 / / / # 4000 - # 7FFF).

            00 - Transit Programs (lies in the addresses
 00 / / / # 0000 - # 3FFF).


            This extra segments of the extended RAM. They
 08 can be used in the system as a RAM disk

            Their presence, location and sequence
 09 of the computer is not mandatory.

    .

    .

 2F



   The structure of the enlarged screen and other features of
PROFI continue next time.


   (Prepared according to the firm describing PROFI v3.2)



                             ******


    FDD 5.25 '/ 1.2Mb and 3.5' / 1.44 to SPECCY.


     Probably not one person buying or just SPECCY
procured in some way above mentioned drives, ran with cries of 
joy home with them to quickly connect to your treasure (and 
benefit from this there is a line - at least in Minsk, 5-inch 
BASF DDHD can buy much simpler and cheaper than the floppy 
DSDD!). And what was the same mold as wonderful working in the 
IBM-PC drive with a rare tenacity refused read and format in 
the TR-DOS. In this case, do not flee to the sellers with 
accusations of selling substandard technology, or seize 
favorite hammer. All is not easy, but very simply (though not 
always). To begin with some information: Controller TR-DOS for 
the normal operation requires index impulses coming from the 
drive, and not just a collection of every kind rubbish of any 
frequency - as a strictly defined. All drives, designed to 
800Kb, give these pulses with a frequency of 5Hz (disc rotation 
speed of 300 rpm). Drives, calculated at 1.2 MV, rotate the 
disc at a speed of 360 rpm (ie, 6 Hz) and the system TR-DOS in 
this case simply Crazy. Try to circumvent this trouble can be 
by jumpers (which can change the speed to acceptable) to be 
installed on board drive. But here too a clear council can not 
be, because there is a huge selection of drives of different 
companies, guided by the principle: I want - then tossed! 


   Accordingly, I am simply not able to check them all and
This opens space for young technicians. It is quite possible
that on some models of disk drives such bridges are not 
provided and will be one solution - to regulate the speed of 
rotation ROM manually. This will require an oscilloscope or 
frequency counter and a bit of experience in amateur radio. You 
can izgolnutsya and in the absence of special devices: connect 
the drive, take out the panels VG93 and tire selection drive to 
sit on the ground, apply for a tape input or any input, say 
Kempston J. signal with an 8-second contact interface 
connector, write a program that counts pulses from a connected 
port, find Trimmer on board disk drive that regulates speed, 
insert a floppy disk, turn on the computer ... 


     Better yet, find a specialist in this field and instruct 
all these things to him.


 (C) FALCON 24.7.96
 phone 8-01632-21390 (Andrew)


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     A huge thank you, Falcon, that you responded and sent it
letter. We are waiting for more information from you! Hello to 
all the other members of your group! 
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