Hey all,
N8-DDW-MSXBIOS_7_15_2012.zip is now available on the wiki. This version of the MSX BIOS fixes the PS/2 keyboard issues, fixes boot issues with missing media and includes several source code cleanups.
The remaining TODOs (perhaps not in this order):
· Get my N8-2312 assembled so that I can debug the SD and floppy problems
· Write a loader that will boot CP/M from media
The thought here is to switch the system to an all ram memory config and load CP/M with a small footprint cbios with stub calls to the MSX bios for console and disk io. This would not be a fork of Wayne’s work (nowhere nearly as comprehensive and in no way designed to be the canonical version of CP/M for the N8), but something much smaller and more MSXish. This would be more like the CP/M version that was available on the commodore 64 or 128 (40 col console IO, etc)
· Work on the ROM basic to allow mass storage saves and loads of programs, add graphics and sound commands, and PERHAPS add floating point (may be a total re-write)
· Add support for IDE Hard Drives
· Create system documentation
The N8 MSX implementation is getting more and more complex. It would be a good idea to document the differences from the MSX standard, the memory configuration, and a how-to on patching MSX roms that do not work first time.
· Create a list and an archive of working MSX roms
If there are any questions or suggestions, please let me know!
Dan Werner
From: n8...@googlegroups.com [mailto:n8...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Dan Werner
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2012 8:18 PM
To: n8...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [N8VEM: 14237] Re: New N8 MSX BIOS RELEASE
I just replaced the N8-DDW-MSXBIOS_7_14_2012.ZIP on the wiki. The floppy performance should be much better now.
On Saturday, July 14, 2012 7:00:53 PM UTC-5, Dan Werner wrote:
Hey All!
I just uploaded N8-DDW-MSXBIOS_7_14_2012.ZIP to the wiki. This version of
the MSX BIOS now has full support for 1.44mb floppy drives. Hopefully this
should allow those who have the latest N8 boards to use the MSX BIOS by
booting from a FAT12 formatted 1.44mb floppy. I have included folders in
the zip file that contain boot files for both the floppy and the SD card.
This still has bugs and the floppy access is still VERY SLOW, but it should
work most of the time. I will continue to clean up the floppy code, and
work on the keyboard code while I wait for the parts for the new N8 board
to arrive. Once they do I will circle back and correct the SD card code do
that it will work with either revision of the board.
Dan Werner
-----Original Message-----
From: n8...@googlegroups.com [mailto:n8...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Dan Werner
Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 10:59 AM
To: N8VEM
Subject: [N8VEM: 13157] Re: New N8 MSX BIOS RELEASE
"loader program does not properly respond to keyboard (joystick works fine)"
has been corrected in the posted release.
Dan
On Feb 5, 10:00 am, "Dan Werner" <danwe...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I just uploaded N8-DDW-MSXBIOS_2_5_2012.zip, which contains a new
> ROM.bin rom image for the N8. There is also a new loader.img program.
>
> This replaces the FAT file system implementation with one that is much
> more robust. File writing is supported and performance is much
> better. It also supports FAT files systems up to the full 2GB.
>
> System boot up is also cleaner.
>
> To do list:
>
> * loader program does not properly respond to keyboard
> (joystick works fine)
>
> * add the BIOS API calls for the rest of FAT filesystem
> (today only "mount", "opendir" and "readdir" have api code
>
> * add support for the floppy and PPIDE drives (SD support
> only right now)
>
> * Document the RAM/ROM layout and the new file system
> calls, as well as the banking scheme - in order to achieve as much MSX
> compatibility as possible, the banking scheme and memory layout is
> fairly complex and needs to be properly documented.
>
> * write a loader.car to boot CP/M (or other OS) from media.
>
> * Improve the built in basic - the current basic is usable
> but it lacks many features including file system, graphics and sound
> commands that were included in MSX basic. It also needs more testing.
>
> * Clean up the source archive.
>
> * I am still not 100% happy with the keyboard code. It
> could be just my crappy keyboard, but it still feels less than responsive.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan Werner
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