Lower ROM Board

[Ynot.zer0]

Hi Bryce,  I've missed out on this thread and whilst I usually say "I'll have one" to anything you make, I'm lacking info on what it is you are making.  Of what use would it be to me (and others) to use on our combinations of CPC 464, 6128, 6128+ machines?  Maybe that'll help me to do my usual chant 

[Bryce]

Well generally the board (as seen above) is connected to the Expansion port of either a 464, 664 or 6128. It allows you to replace the entire ROM0 (including the Lower ROM where the Firmware is located) externally without making any internal changes to the CPC. The ROM0 on the MegaFlash only replaces the upper part of ROM0, but with this new board you can replace both upper and lower sections of ROM0 allowing you to use BASIC 1.0 on a 6128 or BASIC 1.1 on a 464 because the correct Firmware is loaded with the matching BASIC. It will work with the MegaFlash or as a stand-alone device. It should also work on a Plus, but I haven't tested this yet.
The board will have both BASIC 1.0 and BASIC 1.1 (and matching firmware) installed, so the one board can be used on both machines if you own both.

Bryce.

[00WReX]

You can also play around with the text, just for fun...have a bootup screen looking like the one attached.
Files also attached so you can throw them into an emulator to look at them...the distributor codes have
been changed (except Amstrad & Schneider).

You could also for example put the Spanish ROM onto it and get the Ñ / ñ key function...I actually
intend on doing this for a Spanish keyboard 464 I have that at some point has had an English ROM fitted.

Depending on your abilities, you have the possibility to change the whole firmware and test it on a real CPC...

Also the classic 6128 actually came with 3 different versions of BASIC. 1.20, 1.21, & 1.23.

http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/repository

So for example, if you have a version 1.20 CPC6128, you can put 1.23 on it...

But to play around yourself, you would need an EPROM programmer...
I suspect that may be the stumbling block for some, I will need to get one myself also.

Cheers,
Shane

[TFM]

@TFM: As you see above, I actually did something The layout is just about finished, although I might try to reduce it's size further, or maybe go to a PLCC EPROM (the little square type used on the MegaFlash) to get the size down. Other than that, I'm just waiting to see how many people really want one. So far I have got 2 people. Two people is NOT a batch I would need at least 20 confirmed people interested before I would consider making it.

Bryce.

Hi Bryce, I decided to leave it to you to talk about the kind of memory you use, since it's you developing the board. However, you can count on me for software, in case there is need :-)

If you could tell the "rough" pricing for one unit this would surely help people to decide. I take two of them anyway :-)))

Hi Bryce, I've missed out on this thread and whilst I usually say "I'll have one" to anything you make, I'm lacking info on what it is you are making. Of what use would it be to me (and others) to use on our combinations of CPC 464, 6128, 6128+ machines? Maybe that'll help me to do my usual chant 

No offense friend, but just read this thread

[Bryce]

No offense friend, but just read this thread

Obviously you need to follow your own advice! I gave the exact price in my post on page 5 where I attached the picture of the layout.

Bryce.

[MaV]

I'll have one!

[TFM]

Obviously you need to follow your own advice! I gave the exact price in my post on page 5 where I attached the picture of the layout.

Bryce.

You edited you post ;-) Haha!

[TFM]

So far I have got 2 people. Two people is NOT a batch I would need at least 20 confirmed people interested before I would consider making it.

Actually we have 7 + 15 people (look upper end of page).

[fgbrain]

I voted to use it as a plug-in to my MegaFlash, but after realizing this

But to play around yourself, you would need an EPROM programmer...

it's not really useful for me 

[Gryzor]

@TFM, do you have a change list for that wincpc version? I really love that emu, a shame Flynn doesn't update it any more...

[Bryce]

You edited you post ;-) Haha!

Nope, it's been there all the time.

From negative experiences from the past, I can assure you that 15 + 7 votes in a poll do not equate to 22 orders.

@fgbrain: You only need an EPROM burner if you want to change the contents of the EPROM. If you only want BASIC 1.0 and 1.1 to use on you CPCs, then that's on it when you get it.

Bryce.

[TFM]

@TFM, do you have a change list for that wincpc version? I really love that emu, a shame Flynn doesn't update it any more...

- No update list. But look at the debugging window 
- Just contact him and motivate him for updates 

[TFM]

@fgbrain: You only need an EPROM burner if you want to change the contents of the EPROM. If you only want BASIC 1.0 and 1.1 to use on you CPCs, then that's on it when you get it.

Well, there seems to be a need to be able to program it from the CPC side. I also don't want to buy an EPROM burner just to be able to program the LowerROM. Can't you use a similar construction like for the MegaFlash? So the CPC can program it? Or did I miss the point here?

[buzby]

hi bryce
you can count mme in as always 

[Bryce]

Well, there seems to be a need to be able to program it from the CPC side. I also don't want to buy an EPROM burner just to be able to program the LowerROM. Can't you use a similar construction like for the MegaFlash? So the CPC can program it? Or did I miss the point here?

Don't you read your E-Mails? I investigated making it writable from the CPC. It would end up being bigger, more complicated and more expensive than the MegaFlash, which would definitely be too expensive for the functionality it offers. A suitable EPROM programmer can be bought for €16: http://www.ebay.de/itm/PIC-EPROM-Programmer-Prog-rammierer-27C25-6-27c512-A03-/200537495240?pt=Elektroger%C3%A4te&hash=item2eb0f756c8

Bryce.

[TFM]

You did write me once that you think about integrating a Flash memory. That's all. I got no second email about this topic.

[Bryce]

I sent it on the 2nd of Feb I think.

Bryce.

[qbert]

Hi Bryce !


Count me on it too... the low ROM bank is the last of my 464 to resist my MegaFlash !
How much will it cost ?

[Bryce]

If I can get 20 orders it would cost €35.

Bryce.

[RockRiver]

I know there is now abaible (thanks Bryce) an EPROM option but I'm still thinking about on Flash option... mulish, yeahhh
See that at Wos for speccy cousins from Guesser


And mates, see please Guesser FLASH rom project web. I think it's very well option, don't you?


Ok Bryce said that Flash Lower ROM board will be little expensive but seems that Guesser design will be economic... he present a Flash Writer software direct on spectrum computer. Maybe would be a Flash option of Bryce's Lower ROM board? Yeeeees I'm obstinate.


I want that for modded lower ROM version. I want, you know, mod my CPCs booting message. Not for Amstrad's standard zero low ROMs.
Finally if cannot be possible, I  will contact Bryce to buy the EPROM option. But in my opinion more tedious to me buy an EPROM burnner, etc...

[Bryce]

Hi Rockriver,
      the reason why a flashable version for the CPC would be more expensive was because of the amount of adress-decoding required and the fact that I wanted the device to be external with no special connections like the Spectrum in the picture. Also, there was very little interest in the board, so I didn't want to spend months working on something that only a handful of people were interested in and the Spectrum has many LowerROMs available with bugfixes, additional drivers etc. There's not many available for the CPC, so having just two permanently written versions (464 and 6128) more or less covered everything.

Bryce.

[RockRiver]

Sorry Bryce!!! Thanks for the hundredth answer. Finally understood. I am hard headed.
Going to buy an Eprom burner then.

[Bryce]

No problem. By the way, the 27C512 and most other EPROMs only work down to -40°C, so you will only be able to use it during the summer months in Antartica

In case you are interested in my version of the LowerROM board, I don't actually have any left at the moment. But I'm collecting names, so if I get another 5 or 6 people interested, I'll build another small batch of them.

Bryce.

[RockRiver]

...summer months in Antartica

Gods save Buthan winter...
Here working happy with USBmouse adapter for CPC by Bryce
Thanks man for your CPC hardware research and work. Regards from southern South

[TFM]

With the availability of the LowerROM board, people will (hopefully) now start to patch the OS and so we will have more than only the 464 and 6128 version.

We already have the following:

- The Mister X and TFM patched OS, couple of nice patches and gimmicks.

- The FutureOS autoboot lower ROM, but not even I do use it (often).

So it's time to create some new stuff!
And if you don't know what: Exchange your character set fist ;-)



Oh, btw: How much LowerROM have been sold up to now?