X-MEM, a new memory expansion for all CPC.

[CraigsBar]

No, the code burned into the IDE pld  and RAM/ROM pld  on the board itself. Even if the PCB was replicated exactly, without these it's just a board.

[TFM]

I think we had this discussion many times and you should better stop saying that is PCB dependant.
There is NO WAY to disable the internal AMSDOS ROM on ANY 6128 PCBe supposed to work 

Yes, we hat that discussion often enough. The SF2 and the RRB can replace the ROM 7, which works for me, Toklkin, Mr.Ams, BrainBlaster, Prodatron and a lot of others.

[TFM]

Wait that made me think. So let's focus on Parados for now. Using X-mem if I put it in slot 6, will it override the IO disk handling of internal Amsdos rom on slot 7? So is there a point for replacing the rom 7 at all if I aim for external hardware like x-mem?

No. With exceptions Craig pointed out. But as long as you use an X-MEM it's pointless, since the X-MEM doesn't alter ROM 7. 

[TFM]

You can be sorry 
If you're with TFM on this, can you list how to identify a CPC that will work without any doubt with an external ROM7, without first plugging the extension ?

Are you serious? Look at the PCB number.

[Bryce]

Yes, we hat that discussion often enough. The SF2 and the RRB can replace the ROM 7, which works for me, Toklkin, Mr.Ams, BrainBlaster, Prodatron and a lot of others.

I have an RRB and I've had several SFIIs here to fix, I've never managed to replace ROM 7 on any non-asic machine I've tried it on. I had one machine that "almost worked" it would boot displaying ParaDOS, but it usually crashed within a few minutes, proving what Gerald and I suspect is the cause for these "working" machines.

Bryce.

[TFM]

No, but we really discussed this 100 time already. I know in person half a dozen people having RRB / SF2 running stable with ROM 7 replaced. And my 2 6128's do too.

[Prodatron]

The SF2 and the RRB can replace the ROM 7, which works for me, Toklkin, Mr.Ams, BrainBlaster, Prodatron and a lot of others.

That's not true. I never replaced my Rom7 with the SYMBiFACE II.

[TotO]

My 2 cents, but for the best compatibility between all CPCs w/o hack, the ROM7 have to be AMSDOS.
Many users put Parados on ROM6... If few problems exist, the best is to fix it... Not the CPC.

[TFM]

That's not true. I never replaced my Rom7 with the SYMBiFACE II.

Ok, you're one of the few German users who didn't do it. But most others did, because for some reasons German Schneider CPC 6128 do this w/o a problem.

[Ast]

I did some tests to find why many Amstrad Plus demos don't work correctly if my X-mem is connected, but i didn't really find any way to solve the problem.
Someone to help me? Can anyone confirm me the same problem?


This test has been made with my last demo "revival'n impact cooperation" in the part 1. You could find the dsk here

[TotO]

I suggest that you are using some differents addresses to access the RAM. No?

[Ast]

No... To access ram, i only use #7fxx port.

[TotO]

Really strange so...

[Ast]

TotO, please do the test on cpc and tell me if you have the same problem.

[gerald]

I did some tests to find why many Amstrad Plus demos don't work correctly if my X-mem is connected, but i didn't really find any way to solve the problem.

Does not work with the XMEM nor my own memory extension.
Are you sure you only use C0-C7 memory banks (1st 64K block of extension RAM) and not others ? Without the XMEM you always reach the 1st 64k extension block, whatever you select.

[CraigsBar]

I did some tests to find why many Amstrad Plus demos don't work correctly if my X-mem is connected, but i didn't really find any way to solve the problem.
Someone to help me? Can anyone confirm me the same problem?


This test has been made with my last demo "revival'n impact cooperation" in the part 1. You could find the dsk here

Yep, Mine does the same thing. I also noticed that the rb / mf patched plus cart also does not work with the XMem connected but works fine with the Symbiface.


Not a bother for me, my xmem and xmass are destined for my JustCPC 128k when it gets here on Saturday (It's at the post office awaiting collection)

[Ast]

Does not work with the XMEM nor my own memory extension.
Are you sure you only use C0-C7 memory banks (1st 64K block of extension RAM) and not others ? Without the XMEM you always reach the 1st 64k extension block, whatever you select.

Yes, i only use c0,c4,c5,c6 and c7 with port #7f...
Synergy Demo and xMas 2008 do the same thing...

[gerald]

Yes, i only use c0,c4,c5,c6 and c7 with port #7f...
Synergy Demo and xMas 2008 do the same thing...

AnorldWIP show the same symptoms (even with only 128k), WinApe is OK with 512k.
I guess you're doing something wrong 

[Ast]

Maybe yes... But what?
Unfortunately this intro by Roudoudou does the same thing...
Problem is only on amstrad plus, i think.

Edit:
Same problem with Mario+ and Shadow of the Beast+ who can only work without x-mem.... It's so strange!

[arnoldemu]

Maybe yes... But what?
Unfortunately this intro by Roudoudou does the same thing...
Problem is only on amstrad plus, i think.

Edit:
Same problem with Mario+ and Shadow of the Beast+ who can only work without x-mem.... It's so strange!

I'll take a look and tell you later

reminds me I need to add x-mem emulation to arnold wip.
I have quite a few devices emulated already including: lowerrom, megarom, kc compact ram expansion, vortex ram expansion, yarek's 4mb ram expansion, brunword mk2 and mk4..

[Ast]

No problems. Thanks.

[arnoldemu]

No problems. Thanks.

nothing obvious. both using asic pri.

both using expansion ram normally.

@Ast: Did you try x-mem and 464Plus?

I wonder if there is a conflict between ram on x-mem and internal 6128plus extra ram.

@gerald: I think it's a coincidence that demo doesn't work on arnold wip. It's using split screen and scroll quite heavily.

[CraigsBar]

nothing obvious. both using asic pri.

both using expansion ram normally.

@Ast: Did you try x-mem and 464Plus?

I wonder if there is a conflict between ram on x-mem and internal 6128plus extra ram.

@gerald: I think it's a coincidence that demo doesn't work on arnold wip. It's using split screen and scroll quite heavily.

I still have an unmodified 464plus. Will try this tonight.

[arnoldemu]

Yes, i only use c0,c4,c5,c6 and c7 with port #7f...
Synergy Demo and xMas 2008 do the same thing...

@gerald: I enabled I/o breakpoints in arnold debugger, set it to "dk'tronics ram compatible write" and it will break on the i/o write to select the ram. Then look at the IOAddr and value in the details to see the port and data that the z80 saw if it's not obvious from the dissassembly. I could see it was only these writes.

[gerald]

@gerald: I enabled I/o breakpoints in arnold debugger, set it to "dk'tronics ram compatible write" and it will break on the i/o write to select the ram. Then look at the IOAddr and value in the details to see the port and data that the z80 saw if it's not obvious from the dissassembly. I could see it was only these writes.

How do I set a I/O breakpoint