MESS and Multi GROM port

[RobertLM78]

Is there compatibility issues with certain carts and the 'multi' gromport? I've noticed a few things don't work with it, including 4a_dos.rpk and dv_super_disk_manager.rpk. By 'not working' I mean they don't even show up on the selection list after the title screen.

[RobertLM78]

BTW I should mention that I'm running the EVPC, and am not using the second cartridge port .

[+mizapf]

Some cartridges can only run on the base GROM bank (like Parsec), since they have hardcoded 9800 address references. Also, ROM-only cartridges will not show up in the list when not mounted in the cart1 slot because the slot can only be activated by a GROM access to the respective base address. You can still select the slot in the "Navarone style" by going into the OSD menu and then manually select the cartridge. Do the cartridges show up in the cart1 slot?

 

[Edit: I did not see your recent message. So the cartridges do not show up in cart1? This should work, actually. What about the standard TI-99/4A?]

Edited July 7, 2014 by mizapf

[RobertLM78]

Heya Michael, thanks for the reply. Neither the 4a_dos.rpk nor the dv_super_disk_manager.rpk show up in any slot I put them in, including cart1. However, rxb, xb, and editor_assembler all work in cart1. So ROM-only carts are not compatible with the multi port, or just not compatible with slot 1?

 

I've just played around a little with the 4A, but I get the same results with it.

[Omega-TI]

Is there compatibility issues with certain carts and the 'multi' gromport? I've noticed a few things don't work with it, including 4a_dos.rpk and dv_super_disk_manager.rpk. By 'not working' I mean they don't even show up on the selection list after the title screen.

 

That's interesting. 4A DOS is a program designed to reside at the >6000 location of RAM like in a Super Carts 8K memory. Could the reason it does not show in the GROM menu be because it's be doing an over write of what 4A DOS would have displayed?

 

Also 4A DOS has a little quirk that you must be made aware of, if it cannot locate a CHARA1 file, you'll only get blue screen. So if you are putting this in a CART, you'll want to place the CHARA1 somewhere in the cart itself. (Of course I'm sure someone already thought of this so I'm probably just spinning my wheels).

[RobertLM78]

Also 4A DOS has a little quirk that you must be made aware of, if it cannot locate a CHARA1 file, you'll only get blue screen. So if you are putting this in a CART, you'll want to place the CHARA1 somewhere in the cart itself. (Of course I'm sure someone already thought of this so I'm probably just spinning my wheels).

I don't think you're spinning your wheels, I think that's a great idea . I'm not sure how to actually implement it, but it seems like it should be doable. I use a hard disk with MESS, and I have FWeb on it, so I have a disk with a simple LOAD program to start FWeb if I wish, and I have CHARA1 on there for 4a_dos.

 

I think there must be some sort of conflict like you mention that is making it not show up on the menu.

 

[On the topic of 4a_dos, I've noticed it has some real short comings- like the path length seems to have an approximately 25 character limit, and there is no MKDIR nor RMDIR commands. Do we have the source to 4a DOS to possibly rectify these issues?]

Edited July 7, 2014 by RobertLM78

[Omega-TI]

 

[On the topic of 4a_dos, I've noticed it has some real short comings- like the path length seems to have an approximately 25 character limit, and there is no MKDIR nor RMDIR commands. Do we have the source to 4a DOS to possibly rectify these issues?]

 

I agree, 4A DOS does have some drawbacks and limitations for anyone using more than standard disk drives (real or emulated). I used is almost exclusively when all I had to play with for storage was disk drives. It also works quite well with a Nano-PEB. In fact I still recommend it for those users, but when you upgrade to a hard drive or HDX, you'll out-grow it.

 

Again. yes, the path has to be short also when you do a directory and it shows the sub-directories you get a funky little character that buggers up the look of the display. I was going to go in and fix it but a better program fell into my lap and I've been using it ever since.

[RobertLM78]

I agree, 4A DOS does have some drawbacks and limitations for anyone using more than standard disk drives (real or emulated). I used is almost exclusively when all I had to play with for storage was disk drives. It also works quite well with a Nano-PEB. In fact I still recommend it for those users, but when you upgrade to a hard drive or HDX, you'll out-grow it.

Too bad about those limitations - I've found that RXB and DM2K are the best things so far for managing hard disks.

 

Again. yes, the path has to be short also when you do a directory and it shows the sub-directories you get a funky little character that buggers up the look of the display. I was going to go in and fix it but a better program fell into my lap and I've been using it ever since.

HDX, perhaps?

[RXB]

Too bad about those limitations - I've found that RXB and DM2K are the best things so far for managing hard disks.

 

HDX, perhaps?

RXB 2014 will include updates to many previous problems.

 

Including updated Hard Drive and Floppy support with longer pathnames to accommodate SCSI or future devices.

Better SAMS support expanded.

Want to fix the freaking crappy XB RND number routine as the damn this is so slow and a ignorantly complex way to get a RANDOM number, and RANDOM seed.

Upgrade Fonts as suggested by Senior Falcon.

Upgrade menu screen to be a little less offensive to some and get less hassle about it.

 

I am open to suggestions but obviously can not do everything for everyone as I have a limited amount of space.

 

I have also considered making RXB to be a new type of module that takes two Cart Slots so would occupy 80K of GROM and this would allow a 80 column version to be made.

[+mizapf]

So ROM-only carts are not compatible with the multi port, or just not compatible with slot 1?

 

Just tried, yes, ROM-only cartridges do not work with the multi-cart slot (check e.g. Defender). Maybe I explicitly disabled it (have to check, don't remember every detail :-) ). The multi-cart slot does not work without GROMs. However, you can choose the respective slot using the OSD menu (Dip switches, "Multi-cartridge slot"); I just checked it.

[RXB]

 

Just tried, yes, ROM-only cartridges do not work with the multi-cart slot (check e.g. Defender). Maybe I explicitly disabled it (have to check, don't remember every detail :-) ). The multi-cart slot does not work without GROMs. However, you can choose the respective slot using the OSD menu (Dip switches, "Multi-cartridge slot"); I just checked it.

You can run RXB in any slot but that means the GRAMKRACKER and not use any cart with ROMS or a ROM cart.

Same goes for the PGRAM or GRAMULATOR.

 

The only Exception is the HSGPL card, but then you can not just flip a switch and write to GRAM on that card like you can with the GRAMKRACKER.

 

The muti port cart has no GRAM so unlike the GRAMKRACKER you can not mofify any carts.

[Omega-TI]

Too bad about those limitations - I've found that RXB and DM2K are the best things so far for managing hard disks.

 

HDX, perhaps?

 

Yep, I use DM2K with the HDX now to manage stuff on the TI side of things and QWIKLOAD-H as my menu loader as it resides in the Super Cart and has everything available instantly when I turn on the system.

 

The attached photo shows the freaky little character in 4A DOS when a sub-directory is present...

[RobertLM78]

Yeah I've seen those funky 'directory' types . Like you say though, 4a_dos is really only any good for floppy systems.

[+mizapf]

You know, the Geneve is really good at being DOS-like and supporting hard disks. (I mean, you're using an emulation already.)

[RobertLM78]

You know, the Geneve is really good at being DOS-like and supporting hard disks. (I mean, you're using an emulation already.)

Hehehe - you're right, I haven't fired up the Geneve in weeks - hell maybe even months. I really should re-familiarize myself with it, seeing as I can do everything on there that I can do on the TI- and more .

 

I think its been a novelty to have a hard disk on the TI: no constant disk swapping, but the Geneve gives the best of both worlds. I've been trying to completely understand Tony's AUTOEXEC so that I can make my own customized menu, but at this point I'm just using command line (from a disk that is essentially the same as his, too). Is there any documentation for the Geneve, such as a manual for MDOS? I'd set up a system from scratch instead of basically using someone else's set up.

[Gazoo]

Hehehe - you're right, I haven't fired up the Geneve in weeks - hell maybe even months. I really should re-familiarize myself with it, seeing as I can do everything on there that I can do on the TI- and more .

 

I think its been a novelty to have a hard disk on the TI: no constant disk swapping, but the Geneve gives the best of both worlds. I've been trying to completely understand Tony's AUTOEXEC so that I can make my own customized menu, but at this point I'm just using command line (from a disk that is essentially the same as his, too). Is there any documentation for the Geneve, such as a manual for MDOS? I'd set up a system from scratch instead of basically using someone else's set up.

 

If you have questions about the AUTOEXEC, just ask. I'd be happy to explain why it does what it does. It wasn't written in a day, but developed over years. You're not gonna write something like that in a day, or a weekend.

 

Gazoo

[RobertLM78]

If you have questions about the AUTOEXEC, just ask. I'd be happy to explain why it does what it does. It wasn't written in a day, but developed over years. You're not gonna write something like that in a day, or a weekend.

Gazoo

It's really quite an impressive set up .

Edited July 7, 2014 by RobertLM78

[+InsaneMultitasker]

 

You're not gonna write something like that in a day, or a weekend.

 

Gazoo

25 years ago I would have argued this statement, we would have sat down together after the Faire and made a go of it. Of course, who knows if it would have written anything worthwhile :) :)

[Gazoo]

25 years ago I would have argued this statement, we would have sat down together after the Faire and made a go of it. Of course, who knows if it would have written anything worthwhile :) :)

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

 

We were younger then.

Edited July 8, 2014 by Gazoo

[Omega-TI]

RXB 2014 will include updates to many previous problems.

 

I have also considered making RXB to be a new type of module that takes two Cart Slots so would occupy 80K of GROM and this would allow a 80 column version to be made.

 

I guess I'm slow here because I'm not sure... are you talking about two VIRTUAL cart slots for MESS or two REAL carts for use on a real TI with a modified widget? If so, would a new modified design for a single cart make more sense, assuming you could address that much GROM, I don't know. If this is this just a MESS thing, I believe we are about to come to a fork in the road where some people will be playing with the TI-99/4A's and others a TI-99/Faux A.

 

I understand the appeal for some when it comes to emulation and simulation, but for me personally, if the real TI cannot be made to do it, it's false and I'm not remotely interested... but that is just me.

[Gazoo]

 

I guess I'm slow here because I'm not sure... are you talking about two VIRTUAL cart slots for MESS or two REAL carts for use on a real TI with a modified widget? If so, would a new modified design for a single cart make more sense, assuming you could address that much GROM, I don't know. If this is this just a MESS thing, I believe we are about to come to a fork in the road where some people will be playing with the TI-99/4A's and others a TI-99/Faux A.

 

I understand the appeal for some when it comes to emulation and simulation, but for me personally, if the real TI cannot be made to do it, it's false and I'm not remotely interested... but that is just me.

 

Well, it's possible. And I've just recently proved my theory of Grom bank switching. So yes, it can be done, and with the ubergrom cart, no modified widget. One cart.

 

Yeehaw!

 

Gazoo

[Gazoo]

You can run RXB in any slot but that means the GRAMKRACKER and not use any cart with ROMS or a ROM cart.

Same goes for the PGRAM or GRAMULATOR.

 

The only Exception is the HSGPL card, but then you can not just flip a switch and write to GRAM on that card like you can with the GRAMKRACKER.

 

 

There's no switches on the HSGPL, as long as you're in bank >10 you can write to GRAM to you're heart's content.

That's the principle that HSGPL MENU is built on. Best Gram Emulator Device made so far for a GPL Programmer, IMHO.

 

Gazoo

[jacquesg]

Am I correct in assuming that if I put many ROM programs on a disk created by using Gazoo's HSGPL menu loader program I can avoid having to move ROM programs that I want to use to banks 0 and 1 by using CALL BANK(x) followed by CALL GRAM ?

 

Along the same line would not RXB have to be installed on the first bank of the HSGPL card in order to use CALL GPOKE that is in some RXB statements?

 

I have not yet used RXB 2012 to any large extent but would like to do so in the near future.

 

Jacques

[RXB]

 

I guess I'm slow here because I'm not sure... are you talking about two VIRTUAL cart slots for MESS or two REAL carts for use on a real TI with a modified widget? If so, would a new modified design for a single cart make more sense, assuming you could address that much GROM, I don't know. If this is this just a MESS thing, I believe we are about to come to a fork in the road where some people will be playing with the TI-99/4A's and others a TI-99/Faux A.

 

I understand the appeal for some when it comes to emulation and simulation, but for me personally, if the real TI cannot be made to do it, it's false and I'm not remotely interested... but that is just me.

I can no longer afford the cost of using real hardware as:

 

1) I am not that good with hardware.

2) Retired with Fixed income so can not afford the real hardware or fixing it.

 

Thus emulation is my only real choice at all.

[RXB]

 

There's no switches on the HSGPL, as long as you're in bank >10 you can write to GRAM to you're heart's content.

That's the principle that HSGPL MENU is built on. Best Gram Emulator Device made so far for a GPL Programmer, IMHO.

 

Gazoo

What is the GRAM address line?

Bank >10 implies page 16.

Some modules will not work on any PAGE but page 1.