FIRMWARE 3.1 / Lower ROM / Megaflash

[SyX]

Of course, it's perfectly possible to add those predefined commands to the function keys, although i think that we should add in the last line of the screen the commands associated to the function keys, as happens in msx computers... and we need to reach an agreement about useful commands

It would be nice to use "non volatile ram" for saving for system and program configurations, for example a rom in the MegaFlash or an RTC with a few KBs of ram.

[TFM]

It would be nice to use "non volatile ram" for saving for system and program configurations, for example a rom in the MegaFlash or an RTC with a few KBs of ram.

Some years ago I defined a data structure for the usage of the nvRAM of the SF2 and the CPC Booseter. Details are in the FutureView and I guess also in the Wiki.

Please keep up with that standarts. Needes sources are provided.

[00WReX]

It would be nice to have commands like CAT, LIST |A, |B or |CPM as function keys. Not sure about BASIC commands, but OS type commands definitely

Bryce. 

Yes, that would be nice.

Basically for this reason alone I have the Microstyle ROM on my ROM boards.

[attach=2] [attach=3]

Or maybe use some of the CTRL+<keys> that are not currently used.

Example...

ctrl+d = |dir
ctrl+l = list

etc

Cheers,
Shane

[Gryzor]

@Bryce: I agree, I guess OS commands are much more frequent than BASIC ones...

@Syx: erm, yes, but now you're talking about a new device But yes, a bottom line with the commands would be nice indeed!

@00WReX: Microstyle looks nice, I had forgotten about that! I should probably load it onto my board...

[Bryce]

I only ever loaded Microstyle once to try out the games. I didn't realise it offered that. Really cool. It will be uploaded to my MegaFlash tonight

What exactly does f6 do?

Bryce.

[00WReX]

Sorry, only included page 2 of the help screen...
Below is screen 1...PANIC is one of the RSX's that is added with this ROM.

Basically just used to reset screen colours back to default...

[attach=2]

Cheers,
Shane

[TotO]

"CRTL + Alpha/Digit Keys" don't have to be used as commands, because :
1- It's not in coherency with the original Locomotive spirit
2- It's not possible to add functions on them, only extra chars (see answer 1)

"CRTL + Function Keys" can be used for RSX, but :
1- To be usefull, the RSXs have to launch something w/o parameter.
2- To be usefull, the user have to be free to customize the keys. (not possible in FW but ROM allow that)

Thank you for your ideas. We keep them on the box.
Adding a |A |B, when you can type those shorts commands as faster as pressing a key, look so gadget.
Better than each people load a dedicated ROM for it's own shortcuts usages. (like I can see it on the previous page)

[SyX]

With this conversation i have remembered an old program for the spanish magazine "Amstrad Semanal" (i have attached), that it can be useful for testing the idea.

The instructions for loading are:

Code Select Expand

MEMORY &9FFF:LOAD"WINKEY",&A000:CALL &A000

After that use the RSXs "|ON" to show what print the function keys and "|OFF" to hide.  For redefine the functions keys use KEY FKEY_NUMBER (0-9),"string" + CHR$(13) (for adding an ENTER to the string). For example: KEY 0,"LIST"+CHR$(13)

@Syx: erm, yes, but now you're talking about a new device But yes, a bottom line with the commands would be nice indeed!

Well, i think that everybody would like to configure freely the commands for the function keys, but not everybody is able to rewrite the eprom with the firmware. And because that, this functionality is much better for a rom in the MegaFlash or for another non volatile ram device (an RTC + RAM powered for a battery, jejeje).

[TotO]

Great program!!!
Let me share my settings! 

Code Select Expand

KEY 0,"0"
KEY 1,"1"
KEY 2,"2"
KEY 3,"3"
KEY 4,"4"
KEY 5,"5"
KEY 6,"6"
KEY 7,"7"
KEY 8,"8"
KEY 9,"9"

[Gryzor]

Great program!!!
Let me share my settings! 

Code: [Select]KEY 0,"0"
KEY 1,"1"
KEY 2,"2"
KEY 3,"3"
KEY 4,"4"
KEY 5,"5"
KEY 6,"6"
KEY 7,"7"
KEY 8,"8"
KEY 9,"9" 

[HAL6128]

...a question: The new Firmware only allows Control+Keys which were defined in ROM and the function of other Control+Keys were disabled?  Is that correct?
Just aksing because I wanted to work with Protext (ROM version) and tried to make settings for a Right-Justify (e.g. press Control+J), re-formatting (Ctrl+F), Help (Ctrl+H) etc. which weren't active any more.

[TFM]

Yes, I have the same problem. A major drawback. However no problem with a LowerROM, just switch it "hot".

[Gryzor]

Ooh, yeah, it's quite bad if it takes over key bindings even in other programs... Of course, yes, it's not a biggie, just reboot with the original FW!

[TotO]

We are looking that.
What I know is the Firmware change only the ASCII char for the CRTL+KEY.
So, it does not affect a program that properly test the keyboard.

[SyX]

...a question: The new Firmware only allows Control+Keys which were defined in ROM and the function of other Control+Keys were disabled?  Is that correct?
Just aksing because I wanted to work with Protext (ROM version) and tried to make settings for a Right-Justify (e.g. press Control+J), re-formatting (Ctrl+F), Help (Ctrl+H) etc. which weren't active any more.

It's as TotO says, Protext is reading chars generated for keys, instead of key numbers for function keys, as we changed those for showing the chars that we thought they are more useful, at least for us

We both don't use Protext and because that we never saw this problem in our tests... and neither will see it

Now after i have checked it and read the manual during this morning, Protext use practically all the CTRL combinations, not nice for our new combinations in the firmware.

There is varios solutions, as TFM and Gryzor says, for the Lower ROM users is so easy as when you need Protext change to the original firmware. Another fast fix, it would be insert the original keytable in the FW3.1, but you are losing the new chars. A more elegant solution would be make a pair of RSXs for enabling/disabling the new original keytable, it would be easy to put in a rom in the MegaFlash  (i have tested this, using KEY DEF from basic, for redefining the new CTRL combos to the oldies and then Protext worked again).

[TFM]

We are looking that.
What I know is the Firmware change only the ASCII char for the CRTL+KEY.
So, it does not affect a program that properly test the keyboard.

Well, that not the point. The point is in which way it does influence the programs which one usually uses. Your intention is to make life more easy right? Let's keep it that way

[TotO]

In life, peoples who want to change nothing are free to do nothing.
Others go ahead with ideas and convictions.
The past errors don't have to limit the future ways.
Else, the human stay a monkey.

[TFM]

That's so true   And now give me my banana

[TotO]

And now give me my banana

Why, FutureOS change nothing in the CPC life ?   
The LowerROM is an opportunity for doing new things for peoples who buy it.

[TFM]

Why, FutureOS change nothing in the CPC life ?   
The LowerROM is an opportunity for doing new things for peoples who buy it.

1. I agreed with you, and I made a funny joke - which may not have been French enough?
2. I see no connection to FutureOS here, but you tend to mention it when I post something. Slowly I see a pattern (imagine scary sound effects right here...)
3. The only thing about FutureOS you know is it's name, right?
And - hey - you are a well appreciated member of the scene, like others too. It's not my intention to offend you. I know writing a post never tells one if a sentence is ment serious or not. So just assume the positive 

[TotO]

1. I agreed with you, and I made a funny joke - which may not have been French enough?
2. I see no connection to FutureOS here, but you tend to mention it when I post something. Slowly I see a pattern (imagine scary sound effects right here...)
3. The only thing about FutureOS you know is it's name, right?
And - hey - you are a well appreciated member of the scene, like others too. It's not my intention to offend you. I know writing a post never tells one if a sentence is ment serious or not. So just assume the positive 

You said: "give me my banana" in answer to "else humain stay a monkey if he don't go ahead".
Because you make FutureOS and ask for a banana, I may suppose that FutureOS don't go ahead.
It's just a joke, nothing more... A you, because you don't understand (connexion) you though that is a personal attack.  May be your susceptibility. Sorry, but it was not the goal of my post to offense you.

[TFM]

Mine either! Well, I had a hard time during the last days, few sleep, and Engish is second language for both of us. That doesn't make it more easy either.   But back to topic now... I used 3.1 quite a while and I can say it runs very stable and realible. Well done!

[00WReX]

Have just started using this firmware on my Lower ROM board...on a real CPC    (previously only tried it on an emulator).
I must say I do like it, and the mouse functionality is nice.

The "ESC" feature to bypass the ROMs is also very handy also.

Thanks again guys 

Cheers,
Shane

[CraigsBar]

Just Last night I made a Plus cart with this Lower Rom, The Plus Default basic rom and Parados 1.1 in slot 7.


As the 6128+ has no tape interface then the tape commands were pretty useless anyway. This however is an excellent update. Good work all round.


One question tho. Is anything special needed for the 32 rom initialisation to work, or have I missed something? I have various foreground roms in slots above 15 (DosCopy & Crime, Stylerom etc) on my Symbiface 2 and they appear not to be initialised automatically at boot.


With the 32 rom booster in slot 15 all is well however this is a rather 'untidy' solution 


I will upload the CPR and BIN files tonight if anyone else in interested in using this on a Plus, or i can burn roms for anyone who wants them as I have over 50 blank 27c2001s left

[Bryce]

Strange, that setup should work, but maybe TotO or SyX can answer that. I'm not sure if Firmware one needs to have the Classic 6128 Basic or whether the Plus Basic will work too.

Bryce.