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Vortex Expansions RAM card

2,038 bytes added, 12:54, 27 August 2018
/* Technical */
== Technical ==
 
BOS ROM exists at rom slot 6 and is decoded exactly (no repeat).
 
DFxx is decoded by the Vortex RAM Expansion (for BOS) and uses xx0xxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx (same as other ROM expansions).
 
The FBBD port is decoded as: xxxxx0xxx0xxxx0x
 
This means just 3 bits are decoded for it.
 
Data written to the vortex RAM doesn't write through to main RAM.
 
On Reset the BOS rom is activated.
 
Bits 7 and 6 written to FBBD are ignored. Bit 5 is for enabling the ram expansion. Bit 2,1,0 set the bank.
 
Bit 3 is documented as enabling and disabling the ROM, but I found it didn't work exactly like that.
 
If bit 3 is set to 1, and upper ROM is enabled with port 7fxx, then ROM on the Vortex RAM Expansion is enabled in the range &c000-&7fff.
 
If bit 3 is set to 1, and lower ROM is enabled with port 7fxx, then ROM on the Vortex RAM expansion is enabled in the range &c000-&7fff.
 
If bit 3 is 0, then normal operation happens. ROM is visible in the range &c000-&7fff only if ROM slot 6 is selected and the upper rom is enabled with port 7fxx. When bit 3 is 0, the rom is not visible in the range &0000-&3fff at any time.
 
It is possible this part of my (arnoldemu) vortex ram expansion is broken, but all other operation works perfectly and the BOS rom is active at reset time and can be used as normal.
 
On my (arnoldemu) vortex ram expansion, the bus has the value 0. It seems the vortex is forcing the value on the bus.
 
== Description ==
RAM expansions card from [[Vortex Computersysteme|Vortex]], mounted between CPC464 mainboard and CPU/Gate Array. It won't fit on CPC664, CPC6128, or CPC+ boards. The card is not compatible with the standard [[dk'tronics]] memory expansion-sytle [[Standard Memory Expansions]]. Sold in different sizes of RAM as '''SP 64''', '''SP 128''', '''SP 256''', '''SP 320''' and '''SP 512'''. Resulting in a maximum RAM size of 576K (64K internal, plus 512K external). The smaller SP64-SP320 versions can be upgraded to SP512 by mounting additional RAM chips in the spare sockets. There is also a cut-down version, '''SP 64/M''', which contains only 64K RAM, no BOS ROM, and which isn't upgradable.
Sold in different sizes of RAM as '''SP 64''', '''SP 128''', '''SP 256''', '''SP 320''' The expansion was available directly from Vortex (germany) and '''SP 512'''. Resulting in a maximum RAM size of 576K also from [[Screens Microcomputers]] (64K internal, plus 512K externaluk). The smaller SP64-SP320 versions can be upgraded to SP512 by mounting additional RAM chips in the spare sockets.
Usable under [[BASIC]] and [[CP/M]]:
* Banked BASIC programs (using |GOTO, |GOSUB, |RETURN commands, for example: |GOTO,bank,line)
* Pseudo Floppy (unlike a RAMDISK, this "floppy" can be accessed only via special RSX commands)
* Debugger (aka Z80 Monitor) activated via |MONitorMON (v1.0) or |XM (v2.1)
* Printer Spooler
* Plus some extras like |FAST and |SLOW
<gallery caption="The Vortex Expansion RAM card">
 
Image:sp512top.jpg|Vortex Expansion RAM (top)
Image:Sp512bot.jpg|Vortex Expansion RAM (bottom)
Image:cpc464bf.jpg|CPC 464 before put the Expansion RAM card
Image:cpc464af.jpg|CPC 464 after put the Expansion RAM card
Image:Vortex_PCB_Top.jpg|Vortex Expansion (Top, scanned)Image:Vortex_PCB_Bottom.jpg|Vortex Expansion (Bottom, scanned)File:Vortex Memory Expansion Advert (CPC Schneider International, issue 8-1985, page 15).jpg|Advert (CPCI 8-1985)
</gallery>
== Technical (very incomplete) Installation ==
* This section describes how you can access the See [[Installing Vortex Expansion RAM of the SP512.* The exact decoding (e.g. complete or partial) of I/O port addresses is not confirmed at this time.* The port addresses given are recommended and are those used by B.O.S.]].
I/O port &FBBD: Bit Function 7 Unknown 6 Unknown (Discology utility uses it - does it choose RAM in 32K blocks instead of 64K blocks??) 5 When 1, bits 2..0 define which 64k block of SP512 RAM to select. When 0, chooses internal 64K RAM of CPC464. 4 Unknown 3 Unknown 2..0 Used to choose the 64K block of the SP512 to select== Manual ==
I/O port &7F00* [[Media: Bit Function 7 Set to Vortex SP 512 Kb (BOS 1 6 1 = make RAM visible in range &8000-&FFFF, .0 = make ) Manual.pdf|RAM visible in range &0000-&7FFFExpansions for CPC 464 (Vortex) Manual]] {{DE}} {{PDF}} 5 Set to 1 to activate SP512* [[Media:RAM Expansions for CPC 664 (Vortex) Manual. If bit 5 of &FBBD is 1 will select SP512 ram, otherwise select pdf|RAM of CPC464.Expansions for CPC 664 (Vortex) Manual]] 3 1 = Upper ROM disable, 0 = Upper ROM enable 2 1 = Lower ROM disable, 0 = lower ROM enable 1,0 Screen mode{{DE}} {{PDF}}
* When bit 5 is 0, then bit 6 is ignored.* When reading, ROM has priority over the [[Media:Vortex RAMExpansions SP64-SP512 User Handbook (English) (Screens Microcomputer Distribution Ltd).pdf|RAM Expansions for CPC 464 (Screens Microcomputer Distribution Ltd) Manual]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
== * [[Media:Vortex BOS 2.0 Manual ==.pdf|BOS 2.0 (Vortex) Manual]] {{DE}} {{PDF}}
* [[Media:Vortex SP 512 kb RAM Expasion ManualVortex_Ext_SPM_-_Memory_mapping_(DEU).pdf|Vortex SP 512 kb RAM Expasion ManualMemory mapping]] {{DE}} {{PDF}}* [[Media:Vortex_Ext_SPM_-_Principe_d'utilisation_des_cartes_d'extension_RAM_(pdf) (germanFRA).pdf|Principe d'utilisation des cartes d'extension RAM]] {{FR}} {{PDF}}Note* [[Media: Above is the original manual for BOS 1.0, not containing info on newer versionVortex_Ext_SPM_-_Principe_of_operation_and_control_(sENG) like BOS 2.1.pdf|Principle of operation and control]] {{EN}} {{PDF}}
== Software ==
* Further patches - the manual contains additional patches for some BASIC and CP/M programs
* [[Discology]]
* [[RCPM]] (RAM CP/M, 1989-1990 by [[Guenter Radestock|Günter Radestock]])(RCPM is an alternative to the PATCH.COM from Vortex)* [[G-Paint]] 2.0 (by Günter Radestock) == Downloads == * [[Media:Bos10.zip]] - BOS v1.0 ROM-image* [[Media:BOS10ALT.ZIP]] - BOS v1.0 ROM-image (Alternative version)* [[Media:Bos21.zip]] - BOS v2.1 ROM-image* [[media:vramid.zip|Vortex RAM ID ROM]] - RAM ID ROM Image
== Weblinks ==
* [http://www.vortex.de Vortex/ICP-Homepage]
* [http://www.kjthackercpctech.f2sorg.comuk/docs/sp512.html Vortex SP512 RAM Card]
[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:Memory expansions]][[Category:Expansion ROM]]
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