X-MEM, a new memory expansion for all CPC.

[arnoldemu]

Did you try SymbOS with your expansion on a 464? It doesn't use #c3, only #c1,#c2 and #c4-#c7. But I was sure, that it doesn't work on a 464...

Yes c3 does work on 464 but to be 100% you need to have upper rom disabled if you want to read/write &4000-&7fff.

[TotO]

Still wonder, why you would need a ram disc, as you can load all applications at the same time and don't need to quit them again.

To unpack from ROM the system files and set C: as default drive on 464 w/o floppy?
To store files and exchange them with BASIC w/o using floppies for example?
The RAD resist to the reset and to a fast power OFF/ON !

Did you try SymbOS with your expansion on a 464?
It doesn't use #c3, only #c1,#c2 and #c4-#c7. But I was sure, that it doesn't work on a 464...

Haha. 

SymbOS CPC 464 - YouTube

[TotO]

Is there a ROM image of FW3.13 around somewhere?

Please, wait the X-MEM release. Need more work actually.
The RAD (RAm Disc) start from an extra ROM actually, because not sure to fit inside.

[greatxerox]

hello Toto^^
stp, peux tu expliquer en français (un résumé) des fonctionnalités de ce chip, j'en ferai une news sur amstrad.eu  et je ferai pointer sur ce topic.


merci^^

[CraigsBar]

Please, wait the X-MEM release. Need more work actually.
The RAD (RAm Disc) start from an extra ROM actually, because not sure to fit inside.

I like the sound of that even more... Straight into a Symbiface2 I assume as both memory expansions are dk'tronics compatible


Oh No! another expansion I am looking forward to. I wonder if this would fit internally in my 2nd 6128plus.


Craig

[TFM]

TFM will said: "so FutureOS pointer will not work" ... And it's true. (tested yesterday)
Hey Stefan! Time to make it a great command line OS only!!! 

Well, you made the RAM expansion as much comprehensive as possible. 
btw.: Command line is exactly what I never wanted (take CP/M+  ).

[redbox]

btw.: Command line is exactly what I never wanted (take CP/M+  ).

It's what I've always wanted... *nix on a CPC would officially rulez.

[TotO]

With its great performances and hardware support, a command line version of FutureOS will be the best alternative of CP/M and *NIX for the CPC.
Its GUI should be a layer over it to not force peoples to use a mouse than nobody own.
The command line system should be based on BSD.


With the X-MEM, it may be more interesting as more peoples will be able to use it.

[Bryce]

Isn't that what QCMD does?

Bryce.

[redbox]

Isn't that what QCMD does?

No, that's really a utility ROM with a command line interface.

[TFM]

Ok, that's getting a bit off topic now, but I will be back at topic at the end of the post.

With its great performances and hardware support, a command line version of FutureOS will be the best alternative of CP/M and *NIX for the CPC.

For command line we already have SymbOS, it's performance is great and like I remember it's kind of command line it great. Others do know much more about it than me.

Its GUI should be a layer over it to not force peoples to use a mouse than nobody own.
The command line system should be based on BSD.

For input you can use any mouse, keyboard, cursor keys, joystick 1+2 or others.

With the X-MEM, it may be more interesting as more peoples will be able to use it.

Back to X-MEM! Thank's to TotO we know pretty precisely how the X-MEM works. Now let me ask a question: Which kind of software is Syx working on? Or is it secret?

[TotO]

Thank's to TotO we know pretty precisely how the X-MEM works. Now let me ask a question: Which kind of software is Syx working on? Or is it secret?

SyX do a great work on the FW3.x !
Now, it's possible to use a simple CALL from the BASIC to program any ROM and we no more need to turn the hard switch ON/OFF on each programming. (it's use is more like a floppy disc now)

10 MEMORY &3FFF:LOAD"MYROM.ROM"
20 CALL &B8DD,&4000,1,256        (,256 is optional)

Now, MYROM is written at ROM 1 using a 256bytes page.

10 MEMORY &3FFF:LOAD"BLANK.ROM"
20 FOR i = 1 TO 31
30 CALL &B8DD,&4000,i
40 NEXT i

The ROM Board is now cleaned. (sure, lazy blanking but more understandable)

Better to come...

[TFM]

Interesting! 


How to switch on and off a ROM for write access?

[TotO]

How to switch on and off a ROM for write access?

Not needed, it's automatic. The switch is only used to force hard protection against paranoia. 

[TFM]

Not needed, it's automatic. The switch is only used to force hard protection against paranoia. 

Yes. I got that. So how does that automatic work? Which Flash do you use? The same as in the FlashGordon, so you have to unprotect the Flash for every write cycle? But this is not in agreement with the 256 bytes page written by SyX program.

[beaker]

Dilemma! Do I even bother with my MegaROM now? I guess I may as well still...

Yeah, I think I am going to throw my LowerROM and Megaflash I am using in my CPC464 in the trash[nb]joking - I am going to use it on my CPC 6128[/nb] now as it's too bulky and lacking in features and use this instead 

Going to order 2, 1 for the CPC 464 and one for the CPC 664.
Does anyone know if I can put my Symbiface 2 inside my CPC 6128+ case?

@Bryce - any details on the Amiga project? I've got a second mess around A1200 and it's been ages since I bought anything from you

[TotO]

Yes. I got that. So how does that automatic work? Which Flash do you use? The same as in the FlashGordon, so you have to unprotect the Flash for every write cycle? But this is not in agreement with the 256 bytes page written by SyX program.

The ROM logic is handled by the CPLD as the same way as the "CTC-AY" cartridges, not like the Megaflash or the FlashGordon.
The X-MEM use a Winbond W29C040 in DIP package. (not compatible with FlashGordon but MegaFlash)
Because I have tried W29C020 too, it's why the SyX programs support 128 and 256 bytes pages values.

So, peoples using a MegaFlash + Lower-ROM stay compatible.

[MartinW]

   I've had the X-Mem store page up since the weekend now and keep going to purchase it. But reality is that I don't really use the 6128 at the moment and I'd want the motherboard, the X-Mem and the mini booster and those altogether come up at £75. Which is a lot for something I may not use!


I'm off to finish the MegaROM. Might rekindle my interest.

[TFM]

The ROM logic is handled by the CPLD as the same way as the "CTC-AY" cartridges, not like the Megaflash or the FlashGordon.
The X-MEM use a Winbond W29C040 in DIP package. (not compatible with FlashGordon but MegaFlash)
Because I have tried W29C020 too, it's why the SyX programs support 128 and 256 bytes pages values.

So, peoples using a MegaFlash + Lower-ROM stay compatible.

Ah thanks!

So writing a ROM is like:
- Unprotect Flash
- Write to Flash
- Protect Flash

And that's it, right?

[TotO]

Yes, it is. 

[jbaudrand]

Does futur game will use x-Mem?

[TFM]

Sure. All games which need more than 64 KB (128 KB) of RAM and all games which like to run in ROM.

[MacDeath]

Does futur game will use x-Mem?

any 464 or (rarer) 664 user may be interested just for the extra RAM so they get the 128k productions.

The ROM is also usefull to have patched firmwares, like ù becoming | as in |cpm instead of ùcpm with french keyboards.

[awergh]

So I was wondering as I have a 464 + DDI is there someway I can still use both this and the DDI? or do I have to wait for Bryce to develop a DDI-2 which has a passthrough so that other devices can be attatched after the DDI?

[IanS]

So I was wondering as I have a 464 + DDI is there someway I can still use both this and the DDI? or do I have to wait for Bryce to develop a DDI-2 which has a passthrough so that other devices can be attatched after the DDI?

The cable for the X-MEM could have an extra connector added like the serial interface (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_RS232C_Top_FR.jpg), you could plug your DDI-1 in there. Though finding a reversiboard (as maplin used to call them) may be difficult.

Has anyone ever had a batch of reversiboards made up recently?