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N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #3428]

Sat, 09 September 2017 11:15

danwerner
Messages: 50
Registered: October 2015

Member

After many years, I have finally had some time to update the MSX CBIOS image for the N8 to support the SD hardware on the 2312 and newer boards -- and it is posted on the N8 wiki. I have also updated the N8 wiki with some information on the N8 CBIOS port and some instructions on how to get the system running. I also posted my "To-Do" list for CBIOS. Note that my current (hobby) priority is the 65C816 SBC, but I will try to get more of this work completed as I wait for parts Smile

If someone has a running 4314 board, it would be good to get this tested -- my newest N8 is only the 2312.

Dan

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #3429 is a reply to message #3428]

Sat, 09 September 2017 18:42

Wayne W
Messages: 385
Registered: October 2015
Location: Fallbrook, California, US...

Senior Member

This is great Dan.

Like you, the latest N8 I have is a 2312, so I cannot test the 4314, but I will try the new release on the hardware I have. I am out of town for a couple weeks, so it will be a bit before I can do this.

-Wayne

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #3431 is a reply to message #3429]

Sun, 10 September 2017 04:20

andrii_kutepov
Messages: 29
Registered: November 2015

Junior Member

Hi Dan,

Is there any information about the difference between version 2312 and 4314?
I almost finished assembling 4314 board. Getting ready to run.

Regards,
Andrii

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #3432 is a reply to message #3431]

Sun, 10 September 2017 06:49

Wayne W
Messages: 385
Registered: October 2015
Location: Fallbrook, California, US...

Senior Member

andrii_kutepov wrote on Sun, 10 September 2017 04:20

Hi Is there any information about the difference between version 2312 and 4314?

The best information I have ever seen is at https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/n8vem-gg-archive/html-201 5/May/msg00048.html. This was from John Coffman's assessment of the schematics. In theory, there are no significant differences between 2312 and 4314, but did go through rerouting. Dan's MSX software for the 2312 should work fine on 4314.

-Wayne

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #3433 is a reply to message #3431]

Sun, 10 September 2017 08:29

danwerner
Messages: 50
Registered: October 2015

Member

The only information I have about the 4314 is from the forum, specifically the message thread that Wayne mentions. I agree with Wayne, that based on the information that I have the MSX CBIOS should work fine. But please let me know if it does not, and I will try to work through any problems. Also, please take some time and record any issues you find when debugging the 4314 on the wiki!! For me, the N8 is one of the more unique projects we have here, with it's ability to run some of the old MSX cartridge images with lots of 80's graphics and sound. It is good to see new builders putting them together.

Dan

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #3539 is a reply to message #3433]

Wed, 27 September 2017 08:50

AC9MF
Messages: 6
Registered: September 2017
Location: Central Indiana

Junior Member

I will be happy to test the firmware once I have my 4314 finished. I posted a message in the general section for some help on a few items. What a great platform!

Amardeep

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #3545 is a reply to message #3539]

Wed, 27 September 2017 18:16

danwerner
Messages: 50
Registered: October 2015

Member

Sounds good, thanks!

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #7630 is a reply to message #3545]

Mon, 11 May 2020 18:32

rcini
Messages: 64
Registered: October 2015
Location: Long Island, NY

Member

To revive this topic a bit, while looking for something else in my shop, I found the N8 board I built years ago. I was trying to identify the version number, but the date code on the board is 3713 with a designation of "Home Computer VER 1", so it doesn't match any version (2312, 2511) available when I built it (maybe 2014). There are several clipped resistors on the front near the parallel port connector, and a bunch of resistors added on the rear -- an ECO of some sort which could identify the version.

I did update the ROM with the last one from the Wiki and it boots from the SD card just fine...so that's good. I also recall the ability to boot CP/M 2.2, but I don't remember how...there is a CP/M floppy in the box which leads me to believe that I got it working at one point. Any tips would be appreciated.

I also downloaded the RomWBW archive, but I haven't done anything with it yet.

Thanks!
Rich

Rich Cini

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #7634 is a reply to message #7630]

Tue, 12 May 2020 10:07

Wayne W
Messages: 385
Registered: October 2015
Location: Fallbrook, California, US...

Senior Member

rcini wrote on Mon, 11 May 2020 18:32

I was trying to identify the version number, but the date code on the board is 3713 with a designation of "Home Computer VER 1", so it doesn't match any version (2312, 2511) available when I built it (maybe 2014).

I also downloaded the RomWBW archive, but I haven't done anything with it yet.

Hi Rich,

Regarding RomWBW, it should work. The pre-built N8 ROM image expects a CSIO connected SD card slot. For the older boards, you should put the following line in your config file and build a new ROM.

SDMODE		.SET	SDMODE_N8

-Wayne

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Re: N8 MSX CBIOS Release [message #7637 is a reply to message #7634]

Tue, 12 May 2020 15:49

rcini
Messages: 64
Registered: October 2015
Location: Long Island, NY

Member

Thanks Wayne.

FYI, I found a picture (maybe from the old wiki) of the 2312 board and it's the board I have, even though the date code is 3713. I didn't realize another run was made. Not sure why there were resistor mods on the parallel port on my board. The clue was "J20" right next to the CPU...the 2511 board didn't have it.

Separately, I did recompile it with the change in switch you recommended and it works on the 2312 board. I've tried the ROM and floppy and no hitches so far. I have not tried anything with the SD card. Yay!

Rich

Rich Cini

[Updated on: Tue, 12 May 2020 18:04]

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