SymbOS 4.0 released

[XeNoMoRPH]

[Prodatron]

Question: The support for the NET4CPC (of d_kef) means support for the Ethernet-module, right?

Hi @HAL6128 , yes, there is a Network Daemon driver for the Net4CPC ethernet module by @d_kef . The whole work (driver + integration) has been done by D_kef itself, which is very cool.

D_kefs repository:
https://github.com/salafek/Net4CPC
(see "/extra" for the SymbOS network daemon code)

IIRC you build your own Net4CPC? In this case you should be able to test it, please use "netd-n4c.exe", which is included in the "MassStorageCompletion" package.

[d_kef]

The whole work (driver + integration) has been done by D_kef

That's rather an exaggeration.
I used the Network Daemon and W5100 source code that had been already published at the SymbOS site and only wrote 4 or 5 low level routines and redesigned the settings form in a way to reflect the Net4CPC options.

Thanks for the mention anyway and especially thanks for your continuous work on SymbOS.
You are doing an amazing job there.
Every new feature and app is setting a new limit for what a 40 years old 8-bit system can do.

d_kef

[McArti0]

DSKA1,2MB 15s2h80tr FAT12 SymbOS40-250131 v3.dsk

[HAL6128]

Question: The support for the NET4CPC (of d_kef) means support for the Ethernet-module, right?

Hi @HAL6128 , yes, there is a Network Daemon driver for the Net4CPC ethernet module by @d_kef . The whole work (driver + integration) has been done by D_kef itself, which is very cool.

D_kefs repository:
https://github.com/salafek/Net4CPC
(see "/extra" for the SymbOS network daemon code)

IIRC you build your own Net4CPC? In this case you should be able to test it, please use "netd-n4c.exe", which is included in the "MassStorageCompletion" package.

I've already built it and got it run. Thanks to @d_kef. Nice and exciting device for CP/M by the way!!
I'm going to try it with SymbOS.

[dodogildo]

@Prodatron I'm not having any sound fx/music with Pac Man. Yes, I activated OPL4 on Sound Daemon settings and I know my Wozblaster Reloaded is fine because I can listen MODS with Symamp. I can hear system startup tune etc. Any advice?

[Prodatron]

@Prodatron I'm not having any sound fx/music with Pac Man. Yes, I activated OPL4 on Sound Daemon settings and I know my Wozblaster Reloaded is fine because I can listen MODS with Symamp. I can hear system startup tune etc. Any advice?

Hi @dodogildo , the sound file for PacMan is not included in the download packages, as it's currently only for testing purposes. A release is currently still pending, but further "official" sound material is needed.

[harzretro]

Hello,

symbos was is the reason to start my real cpc today. Wanted to test it with my unifac. I copied all the files to a usb stick and make run"sym
I see the Bootscreen, afterwards it go away and the system don't make anything anymore. It is the same reaction as the previous version.

What i'm doing wrong?

Im using a cpc464 with unifac. Test it with 464 and 6128 mode.

Axel

[Prodatron]

SymbOS doesn't work with 64K only, so if your config is a CPC464 + Usifac II, it won't boot.

As a minimum you need either a 6128+USifac II or a 464+ULifac (this has a 512K expansion).

[harzretro]

SymbOS doesn't work with 64K only, so if your config is a CPC464 + Usifac II, it won't boot.

As a minimum you need either a 6128+USifac II or a 464+ULifac (this has a 512K expansion).

Ups, i mean ulifac. I try it with a cpc464 and 6128 to start it from the main directory.  It starts with the bootscreen and after it it go blank.

But i don't know if i have to do something before like a configuration.

Today i showed someone a video and he was really excited!

And i like to show it more often.

[Prodatron]

SymbOS doesn't work with 64K only, so if your config is a CPC464 + Usifac II, it won't boot.

As a minimum you need either a 6128+USifac II or a 464+ULifac (this has a 512K expansion).

Ups, i mean ulifac. I try it with a cpc464 and 6128 to start it from the main directory.  It starts with the bootscreen and after it it go blank.

But i don't know if i have to do something before like a configuration.

Today i showed someone a video and he was really excited!

And i like to show it more often.

Hm, I tried it with a 6128 right now both with Usifac and Ulifac again, and it works fine. But I have to admit, that my current 6128 has the @eto s iRam640 memory expansion integrated.
I will try a 464 without additional expansions later as well.

[Prodatron]

But i don't know if i have to do something before like a configuration.

No, it autodetects everything, so it should boot directly, when you just unzip the stuff to your root.

Today i showed someone a video and he was really excited!

And i like to show it more often.

Thanks, that's nice to hear, hope we get it fixed soon!

[harzretro]

I made a new usb stick. 
Now i get the following screen with my 6128. But i cannot do anything and the usbdevice is flashing arround. With the 464 it stuck just before this screen.

Inside the usbdevice are the all files frim symbos.

[harzretro]

Know i got two running versions. Don't know if i'm doung everything correctly, but its going on.

At the moment i'm using a 6128.

First version: the 1.2 mb disc image seems to be functional. Yeaaa. Didn't test, don't know why ....

And i have some problems with my usb mass storage. I toik another one and now it is loading little bit more! 

And i can run some aplications, but the mass storage aplicatiins aren't found, and also the file manager has some problems ...
And while loading from ulifac the disc drive is running, too.

I get the error inside the Picture.

[McArti0]

This message at 1.2MB is possible when the mass storage device timing is tripping. But this icon layout occurs when the system does not detect the RAM expansion or fails to download the configuration file. Your device is probably a bit loose. try to run the application A:\APPS\Symon.exe from the Start>Run... menu

[McArti0]

Try 720kB.

[harzretro]

I don't know WHY, but symbos is running from the masstorage, now!!!!

Is there a way to use the wifi from the ulifac?

IRC would be great ... talk to my c64

[Gryzor]

Late to the game, but... wow.

[Prodatron]

I don't know WHY, but symbos is running from the masstorage, now!!!!

Very good news!
Did it just suddenly run with the same hardware/disc config you tried before, or did you change something?
Did you start it directly from the USB stick, or did you use McArtis 720K disc image to boot it?

Is there a way to use the wifi from the ulifac?

IRC would be great ... talk to my c64

There is currently no Network Daemon driver available, as I still don't have a Wifi module.
I found an old eBay link for such a module, but it doesn't work anymore. I found actual ESP8266-01S wifi modules, but these have 8pin connectors, so I am not sure, if it would be ok to connect only the four GND, TXD, RXD, VCC pins to the Ulifac and leave the other four unused.

[harzretro]

I don't know WHY, but symbos is running from the masstorage, now!!!!

Very good news!
Did it just suddenly run with the same hardware/disc config you tried before, or did you change something?
Did you start it directly from the USB stick, or did you use McArtis 720K disc image to boot it?
.

I use another usb stick and there i can boot directly. After taking the other mass storage device which doesn't work before it suddenly work, too .....

[ajcasado]

I don't know WHY, but symbos is running from the masstorage, now!!!!

Very good news!
Did it just suddenly run with the same hardware/disc config you tried before, or did you change something?
Did you start it directly from the USB stick, or did you use McArtis 720K disc image to boot it?

Is there a way to use the wifi from the ulifac?

IRC would be great ... talk to my c64

There is currently no Network Daemon driver available, as I still don't have a Wifi module.
I found an old eBay link for such a module, but it doesn't work anymore. I found actual ESP8266-01S wifi modules, but these have 8pin connectors, so I am not sure, if it would be ok to connect only the four GND, TXD, RXD, VCC pins to the Ulifac and leave the other four unused.

To use the ESP-01, you need an adapter because it operates at 3.3V. This adapter not only performs the level shift from 3.3V to 5V but also provides the four necessary pins for serial communication: Tx, Rx, 5V, and GND. https://www.ebay.es/itm/115821589269?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=1185-127638-7840-0&ssspo=A7F_SkTWT3G&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=VLupIVzWTZ6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

If you're going to explore this network access method for the Symbos Network Daemon, I recommend delving into the various firmware options for the esp8266. I'm quite advanced in getting the native FUZIX network driver to work with the SLIP protocol using the Usifac 2's serial port connected to an ESP-01 running this firmware: https://github.com/martin-ger/esp_slip_router

[Prodatron]

Thanks a lot @ajcasado ! So I will now wait for the package, it should arrive end of february.
Good to hear, that you have experiences with it, maybe I could need some help later. My first plan was just to send typical AT commands to the ESP, like described in @ikonsgr s manual, but let's see...

[ajcasado]

You're welcome, @Prodatron ,glad to be of help. If you finally decide to tinker with other firmware for the ESP8266, you will also need a programmer module. Depending on whether you have the ESP-01 or ESP-01S version, you might need a specific programmer model. If you don't choose the right one, as happened to me, you can usually fix it by soldering a small bridge on the programmer board to make it work.

[Prodatron]

You're welcome, @Prodatron ,glad to be of help. If you finally decide to tinker with other firmware for the ESP8266, you will also need a programmer module. Depending on whether you have the ESP-01 or ESP-01S version, you might need a specific programmer model. If you don't choose the right one, as happened to me, you can usually fix it by soldering a small bridge on the programmer board to make it work.

Thanks, that's good to know! So it's impossible to flash it somehow from CPC/Ulifac side, right?

I really wonder if it makes sense to use a different firmware then, since in that case any other would also need a programmer to get it working with such a special network driver.

What do you think, does the other firmware have big advantages? As a minimum I need the ability to open a passive (server listening) or active (client) TCP connection. Two or more at the same time would be better of course.

[ajcasado]

Thanks, that's good to know! So it's impossible to flash it somehow from CPC/Ulifac side, right?

Well, not exactly impossible, but it wouldn't be trivial either. Maybe if you think it's worth exploring this possibility, a thread could be opened in the forum for that purpose.

I really wonder if it makes sense to use a different firmware then, since in that case any other would also need a programmer to get it working with such a special network driver.

You're right. Maybe the only useful case would be using firmware that works with a device already supported by SymbOS, so you
can reuse code that already works.

What do you think, does the other firmware have big advantages? As a minimum I need the ability to open a passive (server listening) or active (client) TCP connection. Two or more at the same time would be better of course.

That functionality is already built into the factory firmware, so it's probably the best option.
In my case, for Fuzix, I've explored two firmware options for the ESP8266: the AT Hayes modem and the SLIP protocol. Both have already been implemented on other platforms, so the only thing needed is to support the Usifac as a TTY device, which I'm halfway through. So far, I can ping my home router and use a serial terminal on my PC as a Fuzix console.