Hi guys!
I just got my CPC Dandanator Mini Dual and want to connect it to my German CPC.
Unfortunately the manual doesn´t say what´s the correct way to do so and I can´t find reliable info about it.
Please take a look at the picture. Can you help me? 1 or 2?
Thank you very much!
(https://www.phenix-noir.de/connect.jpg)
From what I understood from this video, you don't need to use the cable on a CPC. It's only needed for the PLUS.
German CPCs (not Plus) have indeed Centronics connectors instead of the edge ones.
Quote from: robcfg on 13:44, 12 December 23German CPCs (not Plus) have indeed Centronics connectors instead of the edge ones.
If the MX4 to edge connector board follows the MX4 standard, picture 1 is correct
Quote from: DR400 on 14:10, 12 December 23Quote from: robcfg on 13:44, 12 December 23German CPCs (not Plus) have indeed Centronics connectors instead of the edge ones.
If the MX4 to edge connector board follows the MX4 standard, picture 1 is correct
This would make sense button-wise, too. ;)
Is it possible to damage hardware if the connector is used the wrong way?
I also found this thread: https://www.va-de-retro.com/foros/viewtopic.php?style=36&p=151986
Mhhh...I think this could proof that 1 is correct...
I have the normally sized Dandanator and I connect it like in picture 1.
Quote from: eto on 16:27, 12 December 23I have the normally sized Dandanator and I connect it like in picture 1.
THX for the info
So, I've connected the Dandanator now.
The reset button is working, and when the USB cable is plugged in, Windows confirms that the device is recognized.
On the PC side, I can also launch the Java software and select the correct COM port.
Unfortunately, I have encountered a different problem now:
Upon powering on both the Schneider CPC 6128 and the 6128 Plus, the Basic screen appears, and I can't access the Dandanator menu.
It doesn´t show up!
Does anyone know about this issue?
Since I need to switch to the Writer mode on the CPC, I can't install any software?
Any ideas?
Thank you all!
(https://www.phenix-noir.de/dancpc.jpg)
You can load the initial loader via disk or tape, or even type it in.
Quote from: SerErris on 23:37, 14 December 23You can load the initial loader via disk or tape, or even type it in.
Where can I find an dsk image with the loader?
I thought the CPC instantly boots into the Dendanator?
If the ROM is on it, yes. If nothing is on it - no.
Quote from: SerErris on 00:23, 15 December 23If the ROM is on it, yes. If nothing is on it - no.
But I can´t upload a ROM because the Dandanator doesn´t show up the menu, so I can´t switch to Writer mode.
Where can I find an dsk image with the loader?
In the Dandanator JAVA app (2.6) you select
Extra -> EEPROM writer to DSK.
That puts the loader on a dsk file.
Or you type in this code an save it to tape/disk on the CPC
10 FOR N=&A000 TO &A026: READ A$
20 POKE N, VAL("&"+A$):NEXT
30 CALL &A000
40 DATA F3,21,05,70,11,05,10,7B,FD,FD
50 DATA FD,77,00,06,08,7E,0F,38,FC,E3
60 DATA E3,2B,34,34,35,7E,1F,CB,19,00
70 DATA 10,F7,71,1B,7B,B2,20,E7,E9
You can get this code if you go to the EEPROM Writer page in the ROM Generator Java app and then click the Rocket.
This is the minimal loader that gets you into loader mode on the CPC. And if I do not remember wrong you would then need to click on the USB symbol to load the full loader.
And this is what the code does:
;load the loader via Serial interface and execute
org #a000
di ;disable interrupts
ld hl,#7005 ;load to address #7005
ld de,#1005 ;read #1005 bytes
ld a,e ;initialize dandanator configuration
db #fd,#fd ;Trigger for Dandanator
ld (iy+#00),a ;Enable Serial Port, Disable EEprom write, Serial Out idle.
.loadByte
ld b,#08 ;Load a byte (8 bits)
.waitActive
ld a,(hl) ;load a bit from serial port
rrca ;rotate bit 0 into carry
jr c,waitActive ;if idle loop
ex (sp),hl ;(wait some time) 6 NOP or 6 µsec
ex (sp),hl ; ... 6 NOP
dec hl ;next byte 2 NOP
inc (hl) ; ... 3 NOP
.readBit
inc (hl) ; ... 3 NOP
dec (hl) ; ... 3NOP
ld a,(hl) ;read bit from Serial - total wait is 23 NOP or 23µsec
rra ;rotate bit in carry
rr c ;and rotate into C register from left. C accumulates the byte
nop ;more timing (1 nop)
djnz readBit ;read next bit
ld (hl),c ;now save byte to memory
dec de ;decrease counter (how many bytes to read)
ld a,e ;check if DE = 0
or d
jr nz,loadByte ;if not read next byte
jp (hl) ;download done: start the downloaded code
Thank you very much.
Will try it!