Lower ROM Board

[TFM]

Is there is any need or opportunity for a community written enhanced/ faster firmware?
If so this might increase the number of people who would want a lower rom board.
What improvements are needed in the firmware?

A Lower-RoM box is new, so people don't realize now its potential. You can do anything to the firmware. And we do have it's source code. The limit is your imagination.

[archcosmo]

Hi Bryce

I'm interested in one too (voted for the expansion module, but the standalone device is cool too) - if nothing else, to try out patched AMSDOS as well 

but could you expand a little on this comment please:
"Also: 6128 users would need to put ROM 7 on a MegaFlash or other external ROMBoard, as the Lower ROMBoard disables the internal ROM 7."

specifically, I've got a switchable AMSDOS/PARADOS 32K EPROM installed in a socket on my 6128 (wrote about installing/programming it in another forum topic) - such a ROM would also be disabled as per the above?

thanks

[TotO]

Well, if you want a serious expansion: 4 MB RAM (compatible to RAM7 and Jareks expansions).
0.5 MB is outdated and too small IMO.

Most CPC programs don't use 128K when available and you said 512K is outdated? 

[Bryce]

Most CPC programs don't use 128K when available and you said 512K is outdated? 

I fully agree. 512K is rarely used to it's full potential, so why bother with more. I would prefer a decent 512K solution (DK compatible), than a non-standard 4MB, that cost more any only has one program that would ever use it.

@Archcosmo: The way these boards work is that they permanently hold ROMDIS High. This disables ALL internal ROMs including any ROM 7 (ParaDOS or AMSDOS) which are inside the CPC. Because of this, you would need to put a valid ROM 7 "Behind" (ie: external = DDI-1 or ROMBoard) the Lower ROM expansion to have a ROM 7 once again. There is no other easy way to replace the lower ROM.

@Beaker: PM sent.

Bryce.

[fgbrain]

I also voted yes for an addon for Megaflash. It opens new horizons to fully customize your CPC 


Hey Bryce, can I get a usbmouse adapter from you?

[Bryce]

Hmmm, you're not the first to ask about a mouse adapter recently. I might consider a small batch over Christmas, I'll let you know. What type would you need USB for external or internal build?

Bryce.

[fgbrain]

Well the internal version seems more elegant, if its not to hard to install..

[Bryce]

The internal version needs to be connected to the 9 pins of the joystick port and to 5V and GND. You also need to cut a hole somewhere for the USB port and I'd also recommend adding an on/off switch. If you can handle all of that, it's an easy installation. But the external device is also quite compact, it just needs to be plugged into the joystick port and connected to the 5V supply somehow.

Bryce.

[TotO]

The internal version needs to be connected to the 9 pins of the joystick port and to 5V and GND. You also need to cut a hole somewhere for the USB port and I'd also recommend adding an on/off switch. If you can handle all of that, it's an easy installation. But the external device is also quite compact, it just needs to be plugged into the joystick port and connected to the 5V supply somehow.

If internal and hack, it's better to remove the CPC ROM and replacing with a custom one?

[Bryce]

Sorry, we kind of changed subjects, I was referring to the internal USB Mouse Adapter, not an internal Lower ROM hack.

For an internal Lower ROM, yes, just remove and swap the ROM.

Bryce.

[TFM]

Hmmm, you're not the first to ask about a mouse adapter recently. I might consider a small batch over Christmas...

Well, first sorry for firing up the offtopic even more. But if you consider making another batch of them, then I would take one too. I would slightly prefer the external version, but it doesn't really matter. Just PM me if you have one for me :-)

My try to go back to topic again... Yes the lower ROM. Isn't it the beginning of everything CPC? You switch the machine on and the thrusty Z80 starts it's duty at address &0000 - that's in the lower ROM ;-)

[00WReX]

The internal version needs to be connected to the 9 pins of the joystick port and to 5V and GND. You also need to cut a hole somewhere for the USB port and I'd also recommend adding an on/off switch. If you can handle all of that, it's an easy installation. But the external device is also quite compact, it just needs to be plugged into the joystick port and connected to the 5V supply somehow.

Bryce.

I would also be interested in a an external mouse adapter...sounds like another use for the PSP 5v power supply 

Chers,
Shane

[Cpcmaniaco]

Here, I am another man interested in a an external mouse adapter...

Like all of your CPC hardware things.

[RockRiver]

I'm an owner of a SymbiFace, then maybe standalone device for me... but  another crazy idea...(sorry mates): if majority choose module that plugs onto the MegaFlash there will be the possibility to plug MegaFlash+SymbiFace at the same time? Are both compatibles? I think one RomBoard cancel the other... Or could I use 64 roms, sum of the two romboards? OK, OK last is a silly question...

Now I am in doubt... but I want the winner device, Bryce, put me on the list...

[and sorry the little OffTopic: another boards request: CPC-SID & if finally IDE/8255 doesn't work -people in Spain are checking it- an IDE interface for people that haven't got symbiface. Possibility to use newOS: Bonny, Symb, Future... to more people. Maybe one day my symbiface could break :-(   But all of this in a future, now is time for USBmouse... ]

bgbrain said: <<It opens new horizons to fully customize your CPC >> Yezzzz!!! , I think so!!!! I want it. In XXI century CPC owners are users, not Amstrad or Locomotive. I don't want that companies on my CPC system startup.

[TFM]

Rockyriver: Yes, right. Two ROM boards will not provide more ROMs. One will take over the other one. The SF2 contains 512 KB expanson ROM - right as the MegaFlash. They use different types of memory, but provide ROM numbers from 0-31 both. If you don't have a MegaFlash, you would need the stand alone version.

[MiguelSky]

A reasigning ROM position design similar that the Ramcard uses could be fine for the multiple ROM board, being the one for the lower one fixed.

[TFM]

A reasigning ROM position design similar that the Ramcard uses could be fine for the multiple ROM board, being the one for the lower one fixed.

That's not enough, I assume you still need additional logic ICs in addition. It all depends on the original hardware-design of the used ROM-expander.
MegaFlash for example was inteded to be reliable, 512 KB and cheap. It would be possible to add functionality, but it would cost more money. And CPC users usually (most of them I assume) are not used to spend much money for hardware. Actually a pity 

BTW: As far as I know, the SF2 deactivates similar cards. But I did only one test (time reasons in my last holiday). So don't consider running a second ROM card in parallel. I may be wrong here. Tests would be needed. But the SF2 production has ended 5 years ago or so. We can consider it historic now. And I'm sad about that, as like for all not any longe produced CPC hardware expansions.

However, what you say is right and should be considered. 

[Bryce]

The RAMCard address decoding was made from the start to have these switches. The MegaFlash would need a complete re-design for this. It would need at least two more ICs, which would make it bigger (I like small expansions) and more expensive. And I consider it totally pointless, how many people really have all 32 ROMs installed at any one time? None? Thought so.

Bryce.

[MiguelSky]

Then, a standalone lower ROM solution or a mod for MegaFlash could be the appropiate.

[RockRiver]

Ok, I like small boards too (at least smaller than CPC  ).
The "standalone" version could be as little as http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/FO-DOS ??
Or much smaller like japanese electronic things... Would I connect with SF2 ?

[TFM]

Ok, I like small boards too (at least smaller than CPC  ).
The "standalone" version could be as little as http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/FO-DOS ??
Or much smaller like japanese electronic things... Would I connect with SF2 ?

Huge that FartDOS, much bigger than the Mega Flash.

BTW: Do you guys know where the MegaFlash has its name from? Can you imagine the flash you get from soldering 96 hours in a row *hehehehe*

[MacDeath]

I don't even have a megaflash card...

[00WReX]

I don't even have a megaflash card...

I don't have any sort of ROM card...thats why I placed an order for a MegaFlash & the USB mouse adapter...and will be ordering a lower ROM replacement board as well...treating myself for Christmas    thanks to Santa Bryce.


EDIT: Well I do have a DDI so I suppose I do technically have a ROM board    ...would an SSA also count

[Bryce]

It will be a lot smaller that the FODOS card. and I think I'll make it with a generic through connector so that you can connect a MegaFlash, SF2 or whatever.

@MacDeath: I still have parts for one or two MegaFlashes, so you can still have one if you want one.

Bryce.

[TFM]

It will be a lot smaller that the FODOS card. and I think I'll make it with a generic through connector so that you can connect a MegaFlash, SF2 or whatever.

@MacDeath: I still have parts for one or two MegaFlashes, so you can still have one if you want one.

Bryce.

The through connector is a good and important idea. (I couldn't live without it ).