ZX Pilot #31 20 февраля 1999

Железо

GMX - Further development boards "ScorpionZS-256 Turbo +" to set the GMX. Working with GMX.

                  G M X



(C) ANATOLY APOLLO



              Few of GMX.


   In late December 1998
finally sent to me from the company's "Scorpion" GMX card with 
2 MB RAM, ordered back in March. The board comes bundled cable 
with 10-pin connector and a floppy disk with the current 
version of Flash ROM content. 

   Installing GMX PCB Scorpion ZS-256
T + took no more than an hour. Fixed GMX
does not prevent the use of expansion slots (similar fears were 
expressed Spectrum in some editions). Below

I quote a fragment of instructions for connecting GMX:



  Refinement of boards "ScorpionZS-256, Turbo,

        Turbo + "to set the GMX.


   Scorpion ZS-256 - the first ever board
(Yellow), without modifications,

   Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo - the same fee,
but with the refinement Turbo,

   Scorpion ZS-256 Turbo + - a green dress.


   Names of chips for which there is
links in the description.

   DD38-IR22 (IR23) (data buffer);

   DD53-IR23 (port FF);

   DD43-KP11 (output multiplexer RGB);

   DD42-TM2 (trigger forming sinhrosmes);

   DD31-LA4 (shaper of human clock).


   What to do:

   ----------------

   1. Cut the wire, suitable for
DD38 / 1, and submit to this leg of +5 V (for the yellow card 
instead of the Turbo is necessary: 

   - Wire coming from the DD68 / 6 to move on
land

   - A wire connecting the DD38 / 1 - Dop.IMS /
vyv.4 deleted

   - Connect DD68 / 6 - Dop.IMS/vyv.5);

   2. Cut the wire, suitable for
DD53 / 1, and submit to this leg of the +5 V;

   3. Cut the wire, suitable for
DD43/15, and submit to this leg of the +5 V;

   4. Cut the wire coming from the
DD42 / 5 (jumper on the site R21), or vypayat this resistor;

   5. Vypayat resistor R56 (R81 on the green
card Turbo +) to INT processor;

   6. Remove diode from ALTER-s on WAIT processor;

   7. Reduce the electrolytic capacitor in the circuit RESET 
CPU up to 0,1 (or less).


   Can this capacitor is generally removed
(Which I did - AA), if the computer
when the power goes out in the stable
Set Up.

   Of fault capacitor (typically 10-47mkF)
location:

   - On a yellow card next to 14.15 contacts music processor;

   - On the green board next to the connector edge.

   8. If you need a separate cadre
Sync, then cut the wire,
coming from the DD13 / 8, if not - wire 2
train left free;

   9. Unsolder cable from the board GMX (attached to the 
motherboard), in accordance with the table: 


GMX X1 Scorpion ZS-256

VCC 1 VCC +5 V

VS 2 XP1/22B (bottom) Personnel sinhroimp.

G '3 DD43/12 Digital Green

R '4 DD43 / 7 Digital Red

I '5 DD43 / 9 digital Lum.

B '6 DD43 / 4 Digital Blue

MAG 7 XP1/15A top

SYN 8 R21 Sinhrosmes VT1/BASE

GND 9 GND Common



   10. Install the socket for the processor
Z80 on the main board (if it is not already installed);

   11. On the main board removed from the sockets PZU27512 or 
PPZU27010 ... 27040; 

   12. Once you can earn GMX
remove (better to leave - AA):

   - All chip RAM 41256 (565RU7)

   - Multiplexers, working on the RAM:
DD15, 16, 17, 18, 19 - KP11 (KP14).


   If we compare the above-mentioned improvements to the scheme 
of Scorpio, then we can see that on the main board in the 
controller are only FDD, keyboard port, the port Kempston 
joystick, printer port and muzprotsessor, and tape input

/ Output and audio beep. Everything Else
or not working, or working for nothing.
Ie almost cost GMX can connect to any Spectrum.


   Immediately after powering into the work
comes sewn into the ROM GMX-Loader. After
run short test operations,
top of the screen for 1-2 seconds appears
Inscription:



     To go to the GMX Loader Set Up

        press the DELETE



   (The same inscription appears always after resetting the 
computer, regardless of the mode). 

   If during the output of this inscription is to click on the 
button DELETE (or hold it at power), the control program 
receives boot (Set Up Loader) Otherwise, the program will 
launch the Shadow Monitor (basic scheme for GMX).


   If pressed DELETE, will
Menu:



         GMX Loader (c) 1998 MOA

         -----------------------

       En. Restart your computer


          The choice of computer circuits

              1 2 3 4 5 6 7


       Sp. Change the current drive

        P. Download ROM drive A:



                                V1.1

    ---------------------------------



   Boot menu allows you to perform two
basic steps:

   1. Download one of six schemes (keys 1 - 7)

   2. Refresh the contents of Flash-Memory
floppy disk.

   Pressing ENTER will start the current scheme.


   Select a scheme computer:

   ----------------------

   Chip Flex, installed on board
GMX, allows the device to work with different "schemes" 
(file-circuits), emulating thus various schemes of 'real' 
computers without resorting to additional hardware for 
programming. Faylshema itself is stored in your Flash GMX, 
rather there can be stored up to six options

circuits, conventionally denoted by numbers from 1
to 7, except 3.

   Each file pattern is associated a certain hardware 
configuration, installed when loading the circuit, and moreover 
the corresponding program. For GMX V5.0 firmware file schema 
distributed as follows:


   1. Start a file-scheme. With this scheme
GMX card is loaded after power-up, usually immediately after 
this happens restart any other scheme 

   2. Working (or "base") file-scheme.
The scheme is used for basic operation
GMX card and launch the Shadow Monitor (version GMX).

   4. File-scheme, converting GMX full analog computer 
Pentagon-128. 

   5. File-scheme, converting GMX full analog computer Composit.

   6. File-circuit loads the test board
GMX.

   7. Backup file scheme (for version 5.0
similar to number 2).

   Select a scheme from which the board operates
GMX at a particular point by pressing the corresponding number 
key. Number of file-scheme is fixed in the memory GMX and 
subsequent "shedding" of the computer (The button RESET) is 
restored (for exception test GMX - Number 6).


   Pressing ENTER causes the loading of the current scheme.


   I must say that almost everything promised in
many promotional articles found
implemented (for example mode 640 * 200 pixels you can 
immediately see by selecting a schema-6 (Test)).


   But the regime is 320 * 200, each point of its
color, and has remained unrealized.


   In the Pentagon - it works as a
ordinary neturbirovannom Pentagon
TR-DOS 5.03. Clicking on the MAGIC does not cause
Shadow Monitor, and flushed ordinary @-file. Go all the demos 
and programs, all multicolor and curb the effects - both on 
ordinary Pentagon. All temporal characteristics of the Pentagon 
to fully comply with this! All of the additional ports are 
blocked. Except for one thing ... 


   PORT XX00 (global port settings)
remains available for recording in any mode. That he remembers 
the mode of the computer (option scheme, the parameters of the 
temporal characteristics). If you write to your computer 
freezes or starts to get up something obscene.


   Of those programs that I ran, I
did not go to the game "tag", although a simple
Pentagon is proceeding normally.


   Naturally, the program on the hard drive in
mode Pentagon - not available.


   About Composite can not say anything. I
it did not drive and do not know why he even needed?


   Now about the test fee - in this mode
tested everything. All ports, parameters, bus, memory, etc. The 
list of tests is a whole page, and description of all the 
tests, about seven pages. Testing program based on the 
principle and gives MENU opportunity to make testing as

individual devices, and all devices
sequentially. When an error is detected
program gives a message
and usually fixate on the failed
site.

   I have all the tests passed without any
failures, the full program.


   But back to the basic configuration of your computer. Fully 
preserved all the usual features Scorpion ZS-256-Turbo with 
ProfPZU 27040. Normally works with the hard drive and a clock 
CMOS, with the controller and IBMKey Kempstom mouse. In normal 
IsDos'e creates a RAM-disk to 896Kb (using the driver for 
Profi-1024). 

   Unfortunately, due to a lack of programs
Extended graphics mode is 640 * 200 pixels
You can see only in test mode.
In this case, the screen displays 25 lines of 80
characters per line, filled with the word
"SCORPION" (at 10 words per line). Size
screen while the vertical - as usual
and horizontal - in full-screen TV.

   In the Shadow Monitor, new features (via the item "GMX" 
menu, HM): 

   - You can choose INT (skorpionovsky
or the Pentagon);

   - You can change the configuration or GMX
Scorpion-256 (GMX or Shadow) without resetting
computer;

   - Can be downloaded by selecting the appropriate menu option 
scheme Pentagon or Composit (and the computer will reset and 
will menu, the Pentagon or composite).



   Unfortunately, in the mode Scorpion (and GMX)
ceased to move the program Digital Studio
(Option for Covox), which previously worked perfectly on 
Scorpio (including a hard drive). In the Pentagon it goes, but, 
naturally, only from CD - the hard drive in This mode is not 
available. 

   I think if pozapuskat more programs, certainly show up and 
other neiduschie program. 


   Below I've listed (without detailed analysis) ports board 
GMX: 

   xxFE - port border.

   xxFF - Port Attributes screen (only
reading).

   7FFD - port configurations.

   1FFD - Expansion port.

   7EFD - port mode GMX.

   DFFD - Expansion port memory (Profi).

   78FD - Port 2 of the first window (# 8000 - # BFFF) for
work with the RAM.

   7AFD - Port scroller ml.bayt (8 bits).

   7CFD - Port scroller st.bayt (6 bits).

   xx00 - global port settings (always available!)


   Now we will focus on the technical shortcomings.

   1. Fee General Sound card with GMX not
work.

   2. Lack of horizontal sync signal can not connect a 
CGA-Monitor. 

   For me, the most significant was
the second disadvantage. Because I mainly
working with texts and use the TV instead of the monitor is not 
going to, how would nor was navorochena fee GMX - I have to

stop using it (until
figured out how to zasinhronizirovat from her
Monitor).


   But not everything is hopeless, because GMX card allows 
without any problems produce a complete reprogramming

Flash ROM and, thus, to replace options schemes
(I hope they will).


   Download new version:

   ------------------------

   All that needs to be done to replace the Flash-memory - 
apply for a connector X7 GMX board programming voltage

+12 V power on the computer and pressing
press DELETE, go to the GMX Loader Set Up,
insert a floppy with GMX Flash ROM (diskette
with the current version is attached to the board) in
the selected drive (key SPACE) and press the button "P".

   Initially, the test will be performed on the data
disk. If everything is OK, the program
moves to the second stage - the actual
Programming Flash memory chips.
Upon successful completion of the operation - issued a message.

   If in the process of reprogramming
there are any failures, the operation can be repeated.

   Errors that occur when data is written,
Can not damage the bootloader. It is located in a 
hardware-protected memory area. 


   Replacement loader:

   --------------------

   If the floppy disk with the software contains a boot loader 
GMX newer version, then when you try to reprogram the ROM will 
get a message about it. 

   To reprogram the boot
than supply voltage of +12 V is required
jumper X8 (in other cases they should never be!).

   Error while writing bootloader entails
a complete loss of performance fees GMX, which can only be 
corrected in service center for special equipment.



   At this point I probably will finish.


       INC HL

        INC DE

        DEC C

        LD A, 0

        ADD A, C

        JR NZ, SR6

        INC B

        JR SR1
; Routine survey of the keyboard
KEY PUSH HL

        LD HL, 23611

        RES 5, (HL)
K1 BIT 5, (HL)

        JR Z, K1

        LD A, (23560)

        POP HL

        RET