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ROManager for MegaFlash and Symbiface

Started by TFM, 07:30, 28 August 11

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Bryce

As far as I know, the MegaFlash version would work on the SymbiFace, just a few milliseconds slower, but the SymbiFace version wouldn't work on the MegaFlash (due to write-delays being required for Flash).

Bryce.

TFM

#26
Quote from: norecess on 11:55, 27 September 11
Why don't you try to merge all your versions of ROMManager into a single one?

If the way to manage it change (writing stuff)... just display a question to the user at startup, something like :

(M)egaFlash or (S)ymbiface ?

It wouldbe easier for you to manage... and easier for people to catch up new versions.

That's right, it would be more easy for me. But not for the User. Why bother the user with an additional question? Ok, the software could sense which one is attached. But nobody is using both expansions at the same time. They are not compatible, because both provide ROMs. So one of them will deactivate the other or they collide and crash. I'm fine with two special versions, it's a bit more work but both versions will probably evolve in slightly different ways.
Actually I have six versions (MF, SF for FutureOS, CPC-OS Disc and CPC-OS ROM). It's a bit a work, but why not.

Also people either have the MF or the SF. So it's not a problem for them.

Quote from: Bryce on 12:04, 27 September 11
As far as I know, the MegaFlash version would work on the SymbiFace, just a few milliseconds slower, but the SymbiFace version wouldn't work on the MegaFlash (due to write-delays being required for Flash).

No, the SF2 gets its ROMs programmed at &4000. (The MF as you know at &C000).

However the ROManager for the MF shall be able to program the ROM-RAM-Box and the French RAMcard, but I can't try. Can somebody confirm?
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

norecess

6 versions !? wow..


Pressing M key at startup would not bother me, but this is me.

TFM

Ok, also the SF2 version is not ready for download. One ROM (16 KB), that contains the Inicron ROM Booster (ZAQ) and the ROManager. Thank's to all of you for help and support and interrest.

I hope that an friend from Spain who has the SF2 will like this version.

Links (for MegaFlash and SF2):

http://www.colorado-boys-muenchen.de/users/futureos/files/MF_ROManager.zip

http://www.colorado-boys-muenchen.de/users/futureos/files/SF_ROManager.zip

Good nite!


TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

robcfg

Next week I'll have some time to test both the MegaFlash and the SF2, but tomorrow starts GameFest and I'll be there with some more friends supporting the retro side of the event  ;D

MiguelSky

The rom version working fine here :) Only trouble in loading from Hard Drive with BonnyDOS partition (as before, same than disc version). Great job !!

TFM

Well, I'm using the standard DISC vectors, therefore most DOS are supposed to be compatible.

Is it possible to set up an CPC emulator with BonnyDOS? (WinApe?) Maybe that way I can check which parts of BD are incompatible. Or does BD require hardware to run? Any experiences?


TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

Pentagon

Bdos is working fine here with RomManager and Harddisc. I dont have any issues. I just got an issue when i start the CPC with active BDOS ROM, but without active harddisc. Then i get an error and a crash with megaflash. The inicron box doesnt crash in that case and i got a message from BDOS "Harddisc not found", Megaflash just crash. Dunno what that issue is, but if you switch on the harddisc that issue is fixed immediatly.

Should work fine then.

Kindly regards
Tom / Pentagon


Bryce

#33
Interesting. I'll take a look at the hardware of both and see if I can see anything different that could cause that. But they are so similar in function and in how they are decoded, that I really can't think of what could cause that.

Did both devices have exactly the same selection of ROMs saved in the same positions?

Bryce.

Pentagon

Hello Bryce,

yes i did the roms at the same positions like i did in inicron box. So the config is the same. I can start the inicron box now with my cpc but without a plugged harddisc. The CPC give me a message that he didnt found a harddisc.

When i do the same with the megaflash i get a crash and no message from Bdos, my screen turn into another color border and some messy letters. Its still possible to type but sometimes not. So its crashed, when i delete the BDOS Rom then everything is fine again. Thanks a lot for the modding switch you gave me, without that switch i had to remove the poor little flashchip 2000 times. LOL ;-)

So i dont know, whats the problem in that case, but its interesting yes.

If i plug a harddisc to the CPC and then switch on CPC with megaflash, Bdos is starting up fine and everything is running fine and smooth like the inicron box did too. The inicron box can work and startup without running harddisc, Bdos is booting and recognize that its missing, with megaflash its not working without harddisc, just with plugged and ready to go harddisc.

Well i can live and deal with that, but its important to people who like to use Megaflash with BDOS.

There is another thing to explain. People with an Symbiface II, dont need to flash a megaflash with BDOS, cause the Symbiface II have its own ROM Box inside. So just people who are using the first version of CPC IDE or my fixed version of CPC Free IDE, need the megaflash with a flashed BDOS. The Symbiface I, CPC-IDE, CPC-Free IDE doesnt have a built in ROM Box. So im thinking that MiguelSky is using megaflash without SFII, but with an SFI / CPC-IDE, else it doesnt make any sense to flash BDOS inside the megaflash. Nobody would plug a SFII and a Megaflash together at the same port, cause the SFII has its own Rom Box inside.

Please excuse my poor english, i am very sorry.

Kindly Regards
Tom / Pentagon


TFM

To me this sounds like a power-surge problem.

BTW: Like I know from Dr. Zed a SF1 never existed. If it does though, then a picture would be interresting.
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

MiguelSky

Quote from: Pentagon on 07:01, 30 September 11So im thinking that MiguelSky is using megaflash without SFII, but with an SFI / CPC-IDE, else it doesnt make any sense to flash BDOS inside the megaflash.
Hi, pentagon :)


No, I'm using a Symbiface2 and I use its own IDE. Well, I'll try to reproduce my matter: I choose Load 1 rom and sign C has the unit from where I want to load; it changes to the screen with the disc directory in the right and show the one in the path I had previously selected (ROM directory, in my drive). Well, the info is bad tabuled due the format of CAT command of BonnyDOS, you know, it shows the type of file, the permissions... but the name of files is yet legible. I introduce then the file name, 0C:MAXAM150.ROM, for example (this rom was copied from the RMA dsk and has a 17kb size, I assume is has his header) bad the red border is show, the beed is sound and the Bad command message is displayed. Sometimes, it hangs the CPC and don't let me continue without restarting the CPC. I though it could be due to the rom position of ROManager as I had it below the BDOS rom in my last message (the TFM message gave me the clue) but now I changed it above it and there is not difference.

TFM

Well, my guess is that Bonnydos has a problem either in changing the device or in loading a file. I have to try to simulate the problem. However, since I'm not the coder of it, it's questionable if I can help here.

Are games running with bonnydos?
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

MiguelSky

Yes, a good bunch of them :) I make a dump of the entire NVG by extracting the files from nonprotected dsks to folders. The ones unprotected by XOR don't work anyone. You can see a list of some working games I tried here http://amstradcpc.mforos.com/attachments.php?accion=download&foroid=305097&fileid=1375572&rand=107226


You asked above about use BDOS in an emu. I tried and it is not possible, none of the emus emulates the HDD in a manner that BDOS can handle it.

TFM

#39
Quote from: MiguelSky on 08:29, 03 October 11
You asked above about use BDOS in an emu. I tried and it is not possible, none of the emus emulates the HDD in a manner that BDOS can handle it.

Yes, but does file load / save work from disc?


After thinking about this for a while (what's the difference between games and ROManager?), my guess is that BD can't work with filenames like "0A:filename.ext". In detail I guess it has a problem with the 0A part of it, which selects drive and user.

If this it true, I may could create a work-around.

I will ask in the C64 forum, where the BDOS programmer is usually to be found.... Question posted!
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

MiguelSky

Quote from: TFM/FS on 20:23, 03 October 11

Yes, but does file load / save work from disc?
Do you mean in emu? There is no way in mount the HDD in emus.

QuoteAfter thinking about this for a while (what's the difference between games and ROManager?), my guess is that BD can't work with filenames like "0A:filename.ext". In detail I guess it has a problem with the 0A part of it, which selects drive and user.

If this it true, I may could create a work-around.

I will ask in the C64 forum, where the BDOS programmer is usually to be found.... Question posted!
Hey, from diskette it is working, if this is that you are asking. Respect the 0A: I tried to load without it too without results (I set the drive in the early screen).

TFM

Quote from: MiguelSky on 21:15, 03 October 11
Do you mean in emu? There is no way in mount the HDD in emus.
Hey, from diskette it is working, if this is that you are asking. Respect the 0A: I tried to load without it too without results (I set the drive in the early screen).

Sorry, with disc I did mean floppy disc. Just to check the filename functionality.

But the 0A seems not to be the problem, seems to be something hard-disc specific.
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

TFM

Two things:

- It seems I'm not able to solve the problem of bdos and ROManager incompatibility. You should contact the programmer of bdos himself for help. Maybe he can help you. I don't have the bdos, so I can't help.

- I do need somebody who has a MegaFash connected to a CPC 464 and also a CPC 664 for beta testing of the ROManager for 64 KB CPCs. SyX did help me already for long hours with the 128 KB version. Any kind of help in testing is appreciated. Email me to futuresoft at gmx dot de.
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

SyX

Well, you know that i only have a pair of 6128, but i don't mind to test the 464 and 664 version, if you promise don't page the ram, jejejeje.

TFM

TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

TFM

Good news!

Here it is, the ROManager 64K for CPC 464 and 664. Download at www.futureos.de (download section).

Good nite now :-) ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZ!

THX to SyX for testing :D D D
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

SyX

Je je je, always a pleasure my friend ;)

TFM

Now, I'm pretty much done with all the ROManager stuff. If ever there will be a new release, then it will be not before 1.44. However this can take a looong time. I intend to continue some of my bigger projects now.
TFM of FutureSoft
Also visit the CPC and Plus users favorite OS: FutureOS - The Revolution on CPC6128 and 6128Plus

SyX

It's an splendid work and you should be proud of it ;)

But now it's time to follow with your other projects, ¡¡¡Animo!!! :D

redbox

Can I just ask what changes were required to make it 464/664 compatible?

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