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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: abalore on 20:08, 20 December 18

Title: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 20:08, 20 December 18

Hi everyone,


For those of you who have a M4 board, I coded a front-end for it in ROM format. File is attached.


The RSX command to run the front-end is: |M4FE


It's done in asm with custom text printing routines, so it's very fast. Immediate to run, browse folders or run games.


It supports up to 2048 files per folder, it supports joystick (two buttons). It remembers the last visited folder when moving back to the previous folder or when resetting the CPC via "CPC RESET" button in the M4. That's useful for reviewing series of games without having to navigate to them every time. To turn your M4 equipped CPC into a game console just put the |M4FE command in the AUTOEXEC.BAS file and run your favorite games using the joystick.


The ROM has been tested on CPC464, CPC6128 and 6128+. If someone has a CPC664 or a 464+ with a M4 I'd be very grateful if he can try it to check if it works.


Comments or suggestions are also welcome.


Greetings,
Abalore


Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Skunkfish on 12:14, 21 December 18
This sounds great, I'll give it a whirl this weekend.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 13:42, 21 December 18
Quote from: Skunkfish on 12:14, 21 December 18
This sounds great, I'll give it a whirl this weekend.


Thanks, man! Here is a new version with SNA support.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 04:04, 23 December 18
Just an update to 1.3 version, changes are:


- Added Text file viewer (Automatically launched when clicking on ASCII files)
- Fixed a compatibility issue that was causing some games to not start


Greetings!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Joseman on 10:38, 23 December 18
Quote from: abalore on 04:04, 23 December 18
Just an update to 1.3 version, changes are:


- Added Text file viewer (Automatically launched when clicking on ASCII files)
- Fixed a compatibility issue that was causing some games to not start


Greetings!
Hi, great program!!
Nice to see the text viewer and the fast printing routines!
Only 2 "bugs" i saw:
-The front end refuse to enter on large directory names like "batman the movie" or "after the war", saying "unknow directory"
-When i enter my games directory that is veeeeery long, and i return to the root, the games still are listed if i scroll down the files!
Nice job keep it goin'!!



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 12:06, 23 December 18
Quote from: Joseman on 10:38, 23 December 18
Hi, great program!!
Nice to see the text viewer and the fast printing routines!
Only 2 "bugs" i saw:
-The front end refuse to enter on large directory names like "batman the movie" or "after the war", saying "unknow directory"
-When i enter my games directory that is veeeeery long, and i return to the root, the games still are listed if i scroll down the files!
Nice job keep it goin'!!


Hi Joseman,


thank you for your feedback. I fixed the bug with many directory entries. Please find the new version attached.


About long directory names, I'll post a fix for that soon.


Thanks again,
Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Joseman on 12:15, 23 December 18
Hi
I'm tweeting right now about this front end.  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 13:37, 23 December 18
Quote from: Joseman on 12:15, 23 December 18
Hi
I'm tweeting right now about this front end.  :)


Hey @Joseman (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=135), thanks so much for that. I fixed the issue with long directory names.


Please find the update attached.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 15:56, 23 December 18
Great piece of work!  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: jomicamp on 23:43, 23 December 18
Hi,
in which slot of the M4 virtual ROMBOX do you recommend to load it for the best compatibility? I am using a 6128 plus. Thank you in advance and congrts for the great work!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 01:43, 24 December 18
Quote from: jomicamp on 23:43, 23 December 18
Hi,
in which slot of the M4 virtual ROMBOX do you recommend to load it for the best compatibility? I am using a 6128 plus. Thank you in advance and congrts for the great work!


Hi jomicamp,


compatibility shouldn't be affected by the slot you install the M4FE ROM in, always you use a slot that is initialised by the system (below 16 with unmodified lower ROM, up to 31 otherwise). In other words, compatibility within M4FE is the same you have for M4 in general, except maybe a couple of games that need the few bytes of the M4FE central RAM footprint. But again, that doesn't depend on the slot used, and will happen with any other installed ROM.


Talking about the M4 in general, the best compatibility is achieved in any configuration that disables the internal disc drive. The configuration I use is:


- Modified lower ROM in slot 31
- M4 ROM in slot 6
- M4FE ROM in slot 2


I'm able to run the vast majority of the games. If you don't need to use your disc drive, I recommend something like this.


Regards,
Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 21:19, 25 December 18

Hi,

Here is the latest version with support for 64k entries per directory. The directory browsing mechanics has changed a bit, no more directory scroll when reaching the edges, just file up/down within the visible range and page left/right.


Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 14:27, 26 December 18
And yet another version.


The added feature for this is file search. By pressing S you can search for a file or subdirectory within the current directory. You can enter a full name or a subpart, the search is case insensitive.


Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 22:15, 26 December 18
A new update once per day!
I like it.
Thanks for this sw, Im going to test it.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 07:39, 27 December 18
I just tried and I'm getting lot of "disc missing" with games or black screen.I was surprised at the beginning to see this very small windows where we can see the directories.Keep it up! very nice software !
Does it works with XMAS card too?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 08:57, 27 December 18
Quote from: francouai on 07:39, 27 December 18
I just tried and I'm getting lot of "disc missing" with games or black screen.I was surprised at the beginning to see this very small windows where we can see the directories.Keep it up! very nice software !
Does it works with XMAS card too?


Hi francouai,


do you have the modified lower ROM installed? It usually fixes the "disc missing" problems.


I don't know what the XMAS card is, can you please send me a link?


By the way, here is a small update that improves the "Search" option


Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 09:11, 27 December 18
no, I'm still using the stock ROM.let me know where to get it and which slot to install it.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 09:22, 27 December 18

You can download the modified lower ROM from the M4 page

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/M4_Board


I install it in the slot 31
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Kris on 11:17, 27 December 18
Really nice and useful software !
Congrats ;)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 13:19, 27 December 18
Here is the today's update:


- DSK to Disc transfering feature


Currently limited to 'Data' format, assuming the destination disc has the same format.


Abalore



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 14:32, 27 December 18
I just installed the Modified lower ROM for CPC6128 on slot 31 and M4FE on slot.I tried to load RAmbo3 and Renegade, I'm still getting disc missing on the "real" drive A. :doh: 
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 14:45, 27 December 18
Quote from: francouai on 14:32, 27 December 18
I just installed the Modified lower ROM for CPC6128 on slot 31 and M4FE on slot.I tried to load RAmbo3 and Renegade, I'm still getting disc missing on the "real" drive A. :doh:


I confirm both games work here. I attached a screenshot of my setup. Please take a look at the checkboxes and numbers in the upper side too. Also, please try to run the games without M4FE, just plain RUN commands from basic prompt, to check whether it's a M4FE or M4 related problem.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 14:50, 27 December 18
Nice picture!
It works now, I forgot to check:
Lower-rom Enabled
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 14:56, 27 December 18
DSK files works fine.WOW!!!   keep up your software !! :D you should work on the design now..
thanks !  :D
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: villain on 21:44, 27 December 18
Thanks a lot for this really nice ROM. Search function and copy to disc are very useful.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 07:45, 28 December 18
the DSKtoDisc is great!
I have now to find a full unpacked Games pack to install on my M4 board. (any idea?)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 08:01, 28 December 18
Quote from: francouai on 07:45, 28 December 18
the DSKtoDisc is great!
I have now to find a full unpacked Games pack to install on my M4 board. (any idea?)
http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 18:03, 28 December 18
New version v1.9:


- Improved navigation. When you move down at the end of the list you go to the next page. Similar behavior when you move up at the beginning.
- Added compatibility with BASIC v2 models: CPC472 and CPC664.
- Custom text font added, with regular and bold variants.
- Current directory is checked to be a DSK before running the DSK2Disc feature.


Abalore



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Kris on 19:09, 28 December 18
Great update & improvement  :o
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 08:56, 29 December 18
I'm thinking to configure one of the PF keys of my CPC to launch directly ùM4FE. but I can't recall how to configure it on BASIC.  :doh: I'm using the  AUTOEXEC.BAS.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 12:02, 29 December 18
Quote from: francouai on 08:56, 29 December 18
I'm thinking to configure one of the PF keys of my CPC to launch directly ùM4FE. but I can't recall how to configure it on BASIC.  :doh: I'm using the  AUTOEXEC.BAS.


KEY n,"|M4FE"+CHR$(13)


Where n is 128 for F0, 129 for F1, and so on... 
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Jungsi on 16:19, 29 December 18
Thanks for this solution - good work. In combination with the autoexec.bas this is my now my main solution for starting games :-)


Is there the possibility for doing disk to dsk? Would be great for backup of old disks.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 20:44, 29 December 18
Quote from: Jungsi on 16:19, 29 December 18
Thanks for this solution - good work. In combination with the autoexec.bas this is my now my main solution for starting games :-)


Is there the possibility for doing disk to dsk? Would be great for backup of old disks.


Transferring discs to DSKs is not a current feature of the app, but it's interesting and I'll consider to add it in a future version.




By the way, here is the latest update with new options in the DSK2Disc feature:


- Support for both DATA and SYSTEM formats.
- Selectable destination drive (A or B).
- "Format" option, to prevent errors when DSK and disc formats don't match.
- "Verify" option, to check the disc on the fly.


Also, now you must trigger the DSK2Disc feature from the upper level directory, not from inside the DSK.


In my tests, I got the following transferring times:


- Format:Y  Verify:Y        59 seconds
- Format:N  Verify:Y        43 seconds
- Format:Y  Verify:N        43 seconds
- Format:N  Verify:N       26 seconds


That's all. This is a "content complete" version according to current app design. After some time of optimization and bug-fixing I'll release the 2.0 which may be considered as definitive.


All bug reports, opinions, suggestions, claims, threatens and insults will be welcome


Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 02:18, 30 December 18
Here is a small update that makes the DSK2Disc feature compatible with PCW discs too.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 08:33, 30 December 18
Can you please works on the Long filenames ?I see you have changer the shortcut color keys from yellow to full dark. it was better before!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Syncmaster319 on 10:36, 31 December 18
Quote from: francouai on 08:33, 30 December 18
Can you please works on the Long filenames ?I see you have changer the shortcut color keys from yellow to full dark. it was better before!



Long filenames would be amazing.  Great software!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 16:00, 02 January 19
Here is the 1.9.6 version.


The DSK2Disc feature has been greatly improved. It supports a wide range of DSK files: standard, bootable, PCW disc images, and many non-standard formats and sector sizes.


Currently I'm writing my own low level FDC routines to bypass the AMSDOS limitations, so in next version the DSK support will likely be universal.


Abalore



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 18:40, 02 January 19
The Ultimate Frontend for M4  :o
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: villain on 20:06, 03 January 19
Quote from: abalore on 16:00, 02 January 19

Currently I'm writing my own low level FDC routines to bypass the AMSDOS limitations, so in next version the DSK support will likely be universal.

Will this make it possible to write Imperial Mahjong on disk?

Btw... Would it be possible to sort the root directory in alphabetical order? There's quite a mess on my SD card. :-)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 20:54, 03 January 19
You can sort it by copying it to another device and then back.  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 21:08, 03 January 19
Quote from: villain on 20:06, 03 January 19
Will this make it possible to write Imperial Mahjong on disk?

Btw... Would it be possible to sort the root directory in alphabetical order? There's quite a mess on my SD card. :-)


You can write Imperial Mahjong already with the current version and it works.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 21:12, 03 January 19
This is Imperial Mahjong written using M4FE and running from disk.

Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: villain on 22:26, 03 January 19
Quote from: abalore on 21:12, 03 January 19
This is Imperial Mahjong written using M4FE and running from disk.
Tried this several times with different disks, always got a read fail. Other dsks worked without problems. Going to download the image again and try it with another CPC...
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 23:42, 03 January 19
Quote from: villain on 22:26, 03 January 19
Tried this several times with different disks, always got a read fail. Other dsks worked without problems. Going to download the image again and try it with another CPC...




Please try this very latest version, maybe there is a subtle change in disc management that makes the difference. If that's the case, sorry about that.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: villain on 16:21, 05 January 19
Quote from: abalore on 23:42, 03 January 19

Please try this very latest version, maybe there is a subtle change in disc management that makes the difference. If that's the case, sorry about that.
Tried it. Didn't work on the first try, had a write fail when the transfer was almost finished. But on the second try suddenly everything was fine. Played Mahjong for almost one hour. Thanks again for this very neat tool. :-D
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 20:26, 05 January 19
Quote from: villain on 16:21, 05 January 19
Tried it. Didn't work on the first try, had a write fail when the transfer was almost finished. But on the second try suddenly everything was fine. Played Mahjong for almost one hour. Thanks again for this very neat tool. :-D


I'm glad to hear that.


Here is a new version that features support for long names. It requires the M4 firmware v205b8 or higher.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 21:48, 05 January 19
Awesome! Now a help page could be a great thing.  ;) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 23:25, 05 January 19
Quote from: GUNHED on 21:48, 05 January 19
Awesome! Now a help page could be a great thing.  ;) :) :) :)


Do you mean a web site or something in the app itself?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 23:26, 05 January 19
Just a guide in the wiki would be great  ;D
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 14:35, 06 January 19
Quote from: abalore on 23:25, 05 January 19

Do you mean a web site or something in the app itself?


In the app itself, but only if there is enough space in the ROM. Again: Great work, well polished and fast.  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 20:26, 11 January 19
abalore (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/profile/?u=2595), got some bug with the last version.looks like since I have upgraded my M4 with the last BETA FWx.10.
I'm not able to enter into folder where .DSK files are; once selected, it going back to the root.I don't know why, but it happen very often with different folder's name.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 00:50, 12 January 19
Quote from: francouai on 20:26, 11 January 19
abalore (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/profile/?u=2595), got some bug with the last version.looks like since I have upgraded my M4 with the last BETA FWx.10.
I'm not able to enter into folder where .DSK files are; once selected, it going back to the root.I don't know why, but it happen very often with different folder's name.


Hi @francouai (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1823) ,


I made several tests and everything seems fine here, could you please post a snapshot of your M4 Rom Config page and/or a zip with an example of a directory tree that produces the failure.


Thank you!
Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 13:23, 12 January 19
Here it is a video to show you that I'm not able anymore to enter into some folders:
https://youtu.be/Tc5VJyjYoo8 (https://youtu.be/Tc5VJyjYoo8)

By using manually command (ùcd,"xxxxxx), it works fine.
And here it is my ROMS config.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 20:28, 12 January 19
I did some tests by downgrading to ROM 197 and the problem was fixed. I was able to jump into any kind of folders.If I upgrade to 198, the folder's problem is coming back.I'm going to use FW197 since this one works great on my CTRC1 azerty + M4 2.4e
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 23:07, 12 January 19
Quote from: francouai on 20:28, 12 January 19
I did some tests by downgrading to ROM 197 and the problem was fixed. I was able to jump into any kind of folders.If I upgrade to 198, the folder's problem is coming back.I'm going to use FW197 since this one works great on my CTRC1 azerty + M4 2.4e


Can you please try this new version?


Thank you!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Audronic on 05:29, 13 January 19
@abalore (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2595)


Is it possible to include a Delete file function Perhaps "Control - Delete"


Just a thought.


I like the rest of the Frontend


Thanks.   Ray
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 08:45, 13 January 19
abalore (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/profile/?u=2595), problem fixed with FW199 :P
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Syncmaster319 on 11:55, 13 January 19

Hi,

I have a couple of issues since the support for long filenames was added.

Firstly the TOSEC collection was really slow moving down the list of games.

I did some testing by cutting down the number of folders to see if that improved things as the other folders seemed to be fine.

Ultimately I have ended up with an exact copy of the folder again and file/folder navigation is fast.  Exact same structure! Must be an odd bug somewhere.

Secondly I now have an odd situation where all my folders are no longer alphabetical (see attached).  It ok when viewing via the web interface.

Very confused.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 13:10, 13 January 19
do you use "SD Card Formatter" to format before your SD card?what the size ? (I'm using 512mo)
if you are all fine with that, try to downgrade the FW to see if your problem is still there.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 18:09, 13 January 19
Finally tested it.


THIS-IS-AWESOME  :o




Tried though to test dsk transfer but gave me an AMSDOS error.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 19:00, 13 January 19
did you upload the AMSDOS rom like it need for this function?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 22:01, 13 January 19
Quote from: francouai on 19:00, 13 January 19
did you upload the AMSDOS rom like it need for this function?


2   M4FE
6   M4
8   AMSDOS
31 Modified for 6128
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: zhulien on 00:59, 14 January 19



may i suggest a feature?

that is, since the M4 also has wifi on it, that the M4 Front-End has the ability to copy files from the net?  perhaps the simplest way could be to allow bookmarks to be added which would be a name and a url, eg:

http://myfavouritecpcsoftwaresite.com/cpcdownloads/index.txt (http://myfavouritecpcsoftwaresite.com/cpcdownloads/index.txt)

the files.txt could perhaps be setup as a type (F for file, D for directory (i.e. other bookmark files), description, filename,url and filesize as a CSV... limit the size of such files.txt to 16kb (if you need a limit)

eg:

(inside index.txt)
Type,Description,Filename,URL,Filesize
D,Games A,,http://myfavouritecpcsoftwaresite.com/cpcdownloads/A.txt,
D,Games B,,http://myfavouritecpcsoftwaresite.com/cpcdownloads/B.txt,
D,Games C,,http://myfavouritecpcsoftwaresite.com/cpcdownloads/C.txt,

(inside c.txt)
Type,Description,Filename,URL,Filesize
F,Cybernoid,CYBNOID.ARC,http://myfavouritecpcsoftwaresite.com/cpcdownloads/C.txt,50KB

It would allow some elementary web download interface but with seamless integration with the rest of the Front End.  Far from optimal, but I am thinking keep it simple rather than not so the people can easily generate these files using a whatever means is easy for them, perhaps even Excel.

Treat it as a readonly filesystem.  Actually the M4 ROM could perhaps include this functionality somehow which would give every other software automatic feature?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 11:01, 16 January 19

Hello,

Here is a new version of M4FE that fixes an issue with some 'catart' file names.


Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 16:48, 16 January 19
you missed v200  ;D
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 16:51, 16 January 19
I like 201  :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Livingstone on 17:46, 18 January 19
10/10  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 22:04, 18 January 19
From gameathlon event today.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 15:25, 07 February 19
Well after re positioning my roms about 20 times, the disk transfer worked.
I moved the card to a 464plus and changed the lower rom.
Later moving back to the plain 6128 and re uploading the os mod, amsdos missing error.


Really don't know what is happening  :picard:
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 17:47, 07 February 19
Maybe it's not related to this ROM, can you test amsdos functions in general?

Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 17:49, 07 February 19
|disc works and can dir floppy.
Also without the amsdos on m4 I have random numbers in basic so I think it works.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 17:52, 07 February 19
Time for 2.025  ;D
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swisstoni on 12:38, 14 February 19
I'm new to the Amstrad and recently picked up an M4 board, please could someone be kind enough to give me a step by step guide to setting up the front end on the M4 board it would be much appreciated as ive no idea where to start.

Many Thanks
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 13:03, 14 February 19

@Swisstoni (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1968)

Hi,

if you already have setup your autoexec.bas and have access via your browser, then use this configuration.
Everything works fine except the dsk transfer, at least for me.


For a CPC 6128 you'll need the modified OS, it is somewhere in this post.


Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swisstoni on 13:32, 14 February 19
Thanks VincentGR no im not connected to WIFI im only just getting use to how the Amstrad works ive only been running games from the SD card so far will have to have a look at the wiki and work out how to setup the wifi and see what all these different roms do.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 13:41, 14 February 19
Nice, never tried to see if you can upload roms direct from the card, always used the web interface.


Here is an example:


10 |NETSET,"NAME=CPC6128, SSID=YOURSSID, PW=YOURPASS, DHCP=0, IP=IPOFYOURCPC, GW=YOURROUTERIP, NM=255.255.255.0 DNS=YOUROUTERORDNS, DNS2=THESAME"


SAVE "AUTOEXEC.BAS"
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 17:35, 14 February 19
Quote from: VincentGR on 13:41, 14 February 19
Nice, never tried to see if you can upload roms direct from the card, always used the web interface.


Well, I can confirm that ROM upload works since the FutureOS Installer works from disc and SD-card.  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 17:41, 14 February 19
I also used the |FCP command with * for complete disk copy and file by file.
Most of the times the disk I make is empty although KB are reduced and cat gives me nothing.
With |ls I can see the files on the disk (3" drive and 3.5) but when I try to run something it says file not found.


Any ideas?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 17:51, 14 February 19
Quote from: VincentGR on 17:41, 14 February 19
I also used the |FCP command with * for complete disk copy and file by file.
Most of the times the disk I make is empty although KB are reduced and cat gives me nothing.
With |ls I can see the files on the disk (3" drive and 3.5) but when I try to run something it says file not found.


Any ideas?


Oooopsss, I though I was on M4 thread.
I'll re post it there.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Duke on 20:18, 14 February 19
Quote from: VincentGR on 13:41, 14 February 19
Here is an example:


10 |NETSET,"NAME=CPC6128, SSID=YOURSSID, PW=YOURPASS, DHCP=0, IP=IPOFYOURCPC, GW=YOURROUTERIP, NM=255.255.255.0 DNS=YOUROUTERORDNS, DNS2=THESAME"


SAVE "AUTOEXEC.BAS"


Please do not save netsetup as AUTOEXEC.BAS - Once you run |NETSET, the configuration is saved to the microSD and automatically re-loaded on next powercycle. ;)
Sorry for OFFTOPIC!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: CraigsBar on 22:20, 14 February 19
Oh wow, how did I miss this notification. Well I saw it now and this rom is amazing. Thank you so much.

Sent from my ONEPLUS 3t using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: francouai on 20:54, 26 March 19
abalore (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/profile/?u=2595)> no more update with nice functions for your very nice software?  8) ;D
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 23:24, 26 March 19
BTW: The ROM-name contains two &0A bytes, this confuses some ROM managing software. Would be great it this great ROM could be made compatible (by removing the two control codes).  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 12:11, 27 March 19
Quote from: GUNHED on 23:24, 26 March 19
BTW: The ROM-name contains two &0A bytes, this confuses some ROM managing software. Would be great it this great ROM could be made compatible (by removing the two control codes).  :)


Could you please test this ROM I'm attaching here and tell me if it solves the compatibility issues?



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 21:14, 27 March 19
Quote from: abalore on 12:11, 27 March 19

Could you please test this ROM I'm attaching here and tell me if it solves the compatibility issues?


Very well! Excellent! Thanks a lot.  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 13:41, 08 April 19
Here is the latest version with compatibility improvements.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: breiztiger on 08:30, 20 April 19

hi


can we have info to what track number it write when use DSK to disc, like (T:00) after "TRansfering DSK to Disc"


and can you tell if we want another copy after write success ?


how can i set permanently format and verify at Yes ? (poke the rom but where ?)


thanks in advance
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: shifters74 on 09:47, 23 April 19
Hi,
this is truely an awesome rom to go with the m4!!
many thanks for the development of it!
shifters
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Livingstone on 08:49, 22 August 19
Abalore, it would be very difficult for the program to transfer from 3" to DSK?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 13:29, 22 August 19
Quote from: Livingstone on 08:49, 22 August 19
Abalore, it would be very difficult for the program to transfer from 3" to DSK?


I can't say right now, it's something that needs to be investigated, but for sure it won't be easy.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Livingstone on 18:08, 22 August 19
Ok
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Dominoid on 20:33, 14 September 19
I've been setting up my M4 board this evening and this software is bloody great! Thank you Abalore
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 15:06, 11 January 20
Guys, sorry to be a pain but I've got a 6128 and I just want to check what roms I need to get this front end going. Ive got M4FEv202 & Lower6128_mod is that right? What is the M4 rom?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 16:15, 11 January 20
You just need to enable M4 rom.


This is how it works for me:



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 17:02, 11 January 20
Cool, all sorted! Thanks
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 16:21, 12 January 20
Guys, I've got another problem. Once I'm powering down, my M4 board doesn't remember my wifi settings? What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 16:43, 12 January 20
Strange, it remembers the settings with the netset command  :-X
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 16:47, 12 January 20
It's also comes up with an error when I used the |M4FE command unless I set up the wifi each time.


I can only assume that one of the rims that I'm using is wrong. Where are you guys grabbing the M4 rom?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Maniac on 17:43, 12 January 20
The WiFi settings are stored on the SD card. If you don't have one installed or it's switched to read only it won't be able to save the settings.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 18:28, 12 January 20
I think that my M4 board has a loose connection on the SD card slot. I've just played about with it and it seems to be working again. Very odd.


One thing I have noticed is that next to the dir.txt file it says ERR.



Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 22:27, 12 January 20
Ok, it's not the SD card after all. Although it is sort of SD card related. My M4 board doesn't read the card when I first switch it on unless I hit the M4 reset button. Is that normal? I haven't used it in a while but I did update the firmware yesterday.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 15:25, 31 January 20
Hi everyone, I got my M4 back from Duke as I had to send it back for repair as the SD card was not always working. Anyway, it's back and it's now working fine, I've installed the front end and again that too is mainly working great, especially when using compact images from http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/ (http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/)


However, I'm trying to load the 128k version of Double Dragon, it loads the trainer fine and then tries to load from Disc A.



I'm still not sure that the M4 rom that I've got is the correct file. Where exactly are you guys getting that file from?


Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 15:30, 31 January 20

http://cpccrackers.free.fr/Downloads/

Search "Double Dragon".. version from le Famous Cach seems to run fine on M4, didnt try the others.

From DUKE
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 15:38, 31 January 20
Quote from: Swainy on 15:25, 31 January 20
Hi everyone, I got my M4 back from Duke as I had to send it back for repair as the SD card was not always working. Anyway, it's back and it's now working fine, I've installed the front end and again that too is mainly working great, especially when using compact images from http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/ (http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/)


However, I'm trying to load the 128k version of Double Dragon, it loads the trainer fine and then tries to load from Disc A.



I'm still not sure that the M4 rom that I've got is the correct file. Where exactly are you guys getting that file from?


Thanks in advance.


There are games that access directly to disc hardware instead of using the firmware calls, so the M4 hooks don't work with them. What I do in those cases is to write the games to disc using the included M4FE feature, and then play them from disc.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 17:58, 31 January 20
Thanks guys but where do I find the M4 rom?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 18:45, 31 January 20
Ignore my edited post...


The M4 rom is automounted at slot 6
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 20:01, 31 January 20
Ok, only mine doesn't say that it's mounted? I guess that's normal?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: VincentGR on 20:03, 31 January 20
Yes, I think I named it back then.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Duke on 08:07, 02 February 20
Quote from: Swainy on 15:25, 31 January 20
However, I'm trying to load the 128k version of Double Dragon, it loads the trainer fine and then tries to load from Disc A.

Are you using the modified lowerrom? -Otherwise this is a message you will often see when the discrom is re-initialized.
You can try this installer to setup the modified lowerrom:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/technical-support/the-compatibility-of-the-m4-card/msg179713/#msg179713

Quote
I'm still not sure that the M4 rom that I've got is the correct file. Where exactly are you guys getting that file from?
No where. The M4 rom file is embedded into the M4 board.
The slot which the M4 is set to (ie. 6) is occuppied by M4. However you can still upload a rom to that slot. It will not show, unless you do |M4ROMOFF
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 12:55, 02 February 20
Ok, I've now put that version of the lower rom into slot 31 and Double Dragon (the Cache version) is still trying to load from disc. Where should I be downloading the Amsdos rom from?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Swainy on 13:36, 02 February 20
Right, started from scratch and everything is now working!. Thanks guys!!!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: xesrjb on 15:02, 08 March 20
Quote from: abalore on 13:41, 08 April 19
Here is the latest version with compatibility improvements.


I will try...


xesrjb
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: CraigsBar on 19:41, 24 July 20
OK I have been using this (V2.0.2) for a long time now and I love it. The dsk to Disc option is amazing :)


But @abalore (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2595) are you still developing this ROM and (hopeffully) taking feature Requests?


I'd love to see support for the CPR files (Plus Cartridge Images) so that a CPR file could be flashed and launched straight from the M4FE interface.
Also a minotr touch, How about a clock taking it's time from the M4 clock in the top right corner of the screen?


Thanks


Craig

Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 23:54, 29 June 21
New M4FE version 2.0.3 which fixes a problem loading SNA files with name lengths other than 8.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: opticpow on 14:25, 08 July 21
Hi All,


I'm trying to install this and every time I add the rom to my M4, when I restart I get a black screen. The only way to recover seems to be to remove the rom files from the /m4 directory on my SD card.


I've tried with & without the Modified LowerROM, and tried M4FE in a number of different ROM slots. I'm using a 6128 with the M4 in slot 6.


Wayne.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 15:11, 08 July 21
Quote from: opticpow on 14:25, 08 July 21
Hi All,


I'm trying to install this and every time I add the rom to my M4, when I restart I get a black screen. The only way to recover seems to be to remove the rom files from the /m4 directory on my SD card.


I've tried with & without the Modified LowerROM, and tried M4FE in a number of different ROM slots. I'm using a 6128 with the M4 in slot 6.


Wayne.
Silly question: did you decompress the file?
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 15:30, 08 July 21
How to check for ROM integrity?
- See it the ROM works with an emulator, if not: Download it again!


The ROM is 12 KB, so it lacks the checksum at &FFFF, some installer-software may have problems with that.
The ROM has no header, same issue.


If the WEB interface doesn't work, use ROManager 2.37.


Also: pick the right ROM number (don't overwrite 0, 7, slot-of-M4-ROM).


Good luck!!!
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: opticpow on 13:46, 09 July 21
Hi Guys,


So I tired the rom on WinApe, and it loads fine. So I don't think there is anything wrong with the ROM.
I'm uploading the ROM via the web interface on the M4. I've tried both a 6128 & a 464 with the same result. ROM uploads fine, but when I reset the M4, I get the black screen.
Another thing I've tried is to upload the ROM on the CPC side using |romup,"M4FEv203.rom",5 then when I issue |romupd the CPC eventually returns to the prompt. However when running a |m4help, I get a strange character instead of the ROM name, and when I reset the M4, I don't the get banner from the M4FE ROM
It's a bit of a strange one!


Thanks, Wayne.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 17:23, 09 July 21
Quote from: opticpow on 13:46, 09 July 21
Hi Guys,


So I tired the rom on WinApe, and it loads fine. So I don't think there is anything wrong with the ROM.
I'm uploading the ROM via the web interface on the M4. I've tried both a 6128 & a 464 with the same result. ROM uploads fine, but when I reset the M4, I get the black screen.
Another thing I've tried is to upload the ROM on the CPC side using |romup,"M4FEv203.rom",5 then when I issue |romupd the CPC eventually returns to the prompt. However when running a |m4help, I get a strange character instead of the ROM name, and when I reset the M4, I don't the get banner from the M4FE ROM
It's a bit of a strange one!


Thanks, Wayne.

Could you record a video of what you do? Maybe there is a minimal detail unnoticed.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 17:24, 09 July 21
Quote from: opticpow on 13:46, 09 July 21
Hi Guys,


So I tired the rom on WinApe, and it loads fine. So I don't think there is anything wrong with the ROM.
I'm uploading the ROM via the web interface on the M4. I've tried both a 6128 & a 464 with the same result. ROM uploads fine, but when I reset the M4, I get the black screen.
Another thing I've tried is to upload the ROM on the CPC side using |romup,"M4FEv203.rom",5 then when I issue |romupd the CPC eventually returns to the prompt. However when running a |m4help, I get a strange character instead of the ROM name, and when I reset the M4, I don't the get banner from the M4FE ROM
It's a bit of a strange one!


Thanks, Wayne.
And let me insist, are you sure you are not trying to load the ZIP file? because the emulator will correctly load it but not the M4.


One last thing you can try is to update the M4 to the latest firmware if already didn't: https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/M4_Board
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Redbug on 20:05, 30 December 21
Hi Abalore,
Do you have tested it with CPCemu and it's m4 support ?
I could enter in a disk but running a file doesn't work. I always have 'file not found'
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 00:44, 31 December 21
Quote from: Redbug on 20:05, 30 December 21
Hi Abalore,
Do you have tested it with CPCemu and it's m4 support ?
I could enter in a disk but running a file doesn't work. I always have 'file not found'
Hello, I tried, but I don't know how to load ROM files into CPCemu (Linux version).
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: Redbug on 08:37, 31 December 21

Copy the m4fev203.rom file in the .cpcemu/rom folder

And in CPCemu.cfg:

ROM_BLOCK = 6, "M4.ROM", 0
ROM_BLOCK = 11, "M4FEv203.rom", 0


First line is already there ;)

Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 13:06, 31 December 21
Quote from: Redbug on 08:37, 31 December 21
Copy the m4fev203.rom file in the .cpcemu/rom folder

And in CPCemu.cfg:

ROM_BLOCK = 6, "M4.ROM", 0
ROM_BLOCK = 11, "M4FEv203.rom", 0


First line is already there ;)
It seems a problem with file names shorter than 8 characters. But if it works with the real hardware, I can't do anything about it.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: GUNHED on 16:27, 31 December 21
Quote from: abalore on 13:06, 31 December 21
... But if it works with the real hardware...
That's all that counts.  :)  And yes, same here.  :)
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: reno on 23:21, 19 February 24
Hello,

I'm trying to transfer a DSK to disc with M4FE 2.0.3, but when I select "Format: Y", the programs exits after just one track (I get "Ready" on top of the screen). Any ideas ?

Also, does this functionality support any DSK at a track level or does it only copy files onto the disk (and will never work with copy protected DSKs) ?

Any other utilities to transfer a DSK to a physical disk on the CPC using an M4 (i.e. not a Gotek as drive B + Discology) ?

Thanks
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: XeNoMoRPH on 07:40, 20 February 24
Quote from: reno on 23:21, 19 February 24Hello,
I'm trying to transfer a DSK to disc with M4FE 2.0.3, but when I select "Format: Y", the programs exits after just one track (I get "Ready" on top of the screen). Any ideas ?
Also, does this functionality support any DSK at a track level or does it only copy files onto the disk (and will never work with copy protected DSKs) ?
Any other utilities to transfer a DSK to a physical disk on the CPC using an M4 (i.e. not a Gotek as drive B + Discology) ?
Thanks
http://symbos.de/appinfo.htm?00015
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: abalore on 14:23, 20 February 24
Quote from: reno on 23:21, 19 February 24Hello,

I'm trying to transfer a DSK to disc with M4FE 2.0.3, but when I select "Format: Y", the programs exits after just one track (I get "Ready" on top of the screen). Any ideas ?

Also, does this functionality support any DSK at a track level or does it only copy files onto the disk (and will never work with copy protected DSKs) ?

Any other utilities to transfer a DSK to a physical disk on the CPC using an M4 (i.e. not a Gotek as drive B + Discology) ?

Thanks

You can send me the DSK file to test myself and maybe upgrade M4FE to support new formats.
Title: Re: Front-end for M4 board in ROM
Post by: reno on 15:32, 20 February 24
Quote from: abalore on 14:23, 20 February 24Hello,

I'm trying to transfer a DSK to disc with M4FE 2.0.3, but when I select "Format: Y", the programs exits after just one track (I get "Ready" on top of the screen). Any ideas ?

Also, does this functionality support any DSK at a track level or does it only copy files onto the disk (and will never work with copy protected DSKs) ?

Any other utilities to transfer a DSK to a physical disk on the CPC using an M4 (i.e. not a Gotek as drive B + Discology) ?

Thanks


You can send me the DSK file to test myself and maybe upgrade M4FE to support new formats.

Ah great !
It's Legend of Kage (original version).
Link: https://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&onglet=dumps&num=1290 or https://cpcrulez.fr/f/26k2
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