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FALCOR4

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Posts posted by FALCOR4

  1. Posted

    On 3/18/2019 at 10:10 AM, FALCOR4 said:

    Attached is a version of the Explorer that I've wanted to release for many years now. I did some updates and fixed three known bugs; this is the Paisley version.

     

    This version was intended to be under 16k (original was over 18k) to fit into two ROM/GROM banks with room for a simple loader. The file attached is a cartridge version with JG's loader for two ROM banks.

     

    It no longer has two of the Exp screens; the options screen and the register screen nor does it have the user-configuration-save function. It added help screens, a memory mapped device function, a GRAM simulator switch (which was a utility that came with the Gram Kracker) and changed the GROM base address field to a GROM page field. There were a few more minor changes, all in the interest of single screen utility and stability.

     

    I want to thank retroclouds and FarmerPotato for helping to beta test it. It was very helpful and they found some goof ups of mine that I introduced in the rewrite. If you find something not working quite right please let me know as well.

     

    Also, if anyone wanted to come up with a key strip that would be very cool!

     

    LEXP.bin 32 kB · 22 downloads

     

    Thanks,

    Doug

    This one fixes an annoying memory block address nit that is in Paisley v2.0a

     

    LEXP_V21a.bin

     

    Doug

    • Like 4

  3. Posted

    That brings back some memories.  I was at Craig's place in San Dimas when he received the letter to, "cease and desist" using the name Explorer for our new product since as it had been copyrighted (or applied for, I don't exactly remember) by Jerry.  That was an interesting day as everything was printed to go to market....and, that is when the "Explorer" became the "MG Explorer."  The rest is history.  Confusion between the two products was common at the time.

    • Like 4

  5. Posted

    Does someone have a picture showing how the PEB switch is wired for an older push button PEB?  This PEB was given to me some 33 years ago in pieces and with no switch.  I'm doing a refresh on it (caps, fan, cleaning) to put it back into service.  Also, any clever ideas for a switch replacement?  Thanks!

    Old PEB wiring.jpg

    • Like 1

  10. Posted

    Comparing it to the original strip-Please feel free to abbreviate as it makes sense and thank you for doing this:

     

    CTRL

    1 - same - SINGLE Step

    2 - same - CONT Step

    3 - same - SELECT AP/EXP Screen

    4 - same - INTRUPS On/Off

    5 - same - SOUND Off

    6 - AP SCREEN On

    7 - blank

    8 - blank

    9 - SELECT GRAM Sim Mode

    0 - blank

    = - same - QUIT

     

    FCTN

    1 - same - Memory Select

    2 - same - Memory Window Size

    3 - same - Disassem Size

    4 - same - Page Up

    5 - same - Search

    6 - same - Page Down

    7 - blank

    8 - Write to MMD

    9 - same - Edit Field/Mem

    0 - same - Basic Bias On/Off

    = - same - ASCII/HEX

    • Like 2

  12. Posted

    The only manual available is the original MG Explorer manual mentioned earlier in this thread. Much of it still applies to this version sans the deleted screens and a few other minor changes. It's a good place to start. I embedded help screens in this version to try and bridge the gap a bit.

     

    I'm not sure I will ever get around to updating a manual for this version. I do still have the original text, just need to sit down and figure out how to get the formatting to come across to the PC then I could consider it. Just takes time :-)

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    Attached is a version of the Explorer that I've wanted to release for many years now. I did some updates and fixed three known bugs; this is the Paisley version.

     

    This version was intended to be under 16k (original was over 18k) to fit into two ROM/GROM banks with room for a simple loader. The file attached is a cartridge version with JG's loader for two ROM banks.

     

    It no longer has two of the Exp screens; the options screen and the register screen nor does it have the user-configuration-save function. It added help screens, a memory mapped device function, a GRAM simulator switch (which was a utility that came with the Gram Kracker) and changed the GROM base address field to a GROM page field. There were a few more minor changes, all in the interest of single screen utility and stability.

     

    I want to thank retroclouds and FarmerPotato for helping to beta test it. It was very helpful and they found some goof ups of mine that I introduced in the rewrite. If you find something not working quite right please let me know as well.

     

    Also, if anyone wanted to come up with a key strip that would be very cool!

     

    LEXP.bin

     

    Thanks,

    Doug

    • Like 8

  17. Posted

    I believe that the console compares the first 32 bytes or so between library slot 0 and 1. If they don't match then it invokes the "Review Library" routine that you are seeing. So, any condition, such as a dirty connection or something similar may cause this to happen accidentally? I believe that to be the case?

    • Like 1

  18. Posted · Edited by FALCOR4

    Top Radio Supply

    17885 Mt. Elliott

    Detroit, Michigan 48212

     

    My console is a beige non-v2.2 sent in as defective that, evidently, they repaired? Or, they bought repaired? It came with just the lower motherboard shield soldered to the board (top shield omitted) and a large resistor in-line with the power input (inside the console) to the newer switching P/S which may have been standard on those units by that time. There was a heat sink added to the 9918 and the 9904 does not have a heat sink. Looks like their board is a hand layout and not a computer layout. Something in-the-day you might etch in a pan or your sink (not saying i ever did that!!!!).

     

    Those are some details that come to mind. It was a gift from Craig to me and my favorite console....

     

    Doug

     

    post-63752-0-59617300-1550800320_thumb.jpg

    • Like 3

  20. Posted · Edited by FALCOR4

    Here's a old 16/32K 16-bit daughter board sold back in 1985 by Radio Supply. I'm posting the pic for those who may be interested in the history. It had a 16k/32k switch attached to the wires you see that I removed and soldered it to 32k (the switch became flaky).

     

    It did require you to unsolder the TMS9900 and remount it on the daughterboard. A chore not for the faint hearted. It doesn't appear that the motherboard has been modified by cutting traces; I see that the crystal is now mounted on the bottom of the motherboard and it has two wires on the top of the motherboard. But, they do not connect to the daughterboard.

     

    Thanks to everyone for posting other mods. I've been interested in them so this is educational for me.

     

    I used this console back in the 80's because it would assemble quite a bit faster than a normal console. It cut my development time down which was helpful. I never used it to play games so I wouldn't know how it reacted. Today, you can just use the PC for development; didn't have that back then (too bad!).

     

    post-63752-0-13024900-1550688449_thumb.jpg

    • Like 8

  22. Posted

     

    I found a picture of an example EGROM box here:

    https://aug.99er.net/images/Unreleased/EGROMbox.JPG

     

    And here's the GSIM (I think):

    https://aug.99er.net/images/Unreleased/ROMSIM.JPG

     

    I have an EGROM very similar to this, but it is a raw board without a box or power supply. I'll take a picture of mine and post it as soon as I can. I would love to see more of the GSIM boxes!

     

    Ksarul, I can't quite tell from a front view of the second picture if that is the GRAM simulator that Craig and I used. Do you have a photo of the top of the circuit board in the aluminum case, with the top off of course? That might spark some memory of it. Also, this is a stretch, do you know if it incremented the GRAM address on a GRAM address write? Some of the early simulators tended to do that. Thx.

    • Like 3

  25. Posted

    I'll keep trying to find the guy who wrote Advanced Diagnostics. Have been looking for him for about a year now; thought I had a good lead but no response. I worked with him on the disk protection stuff but I don't know if I have enough code in my stash to do a cartridge. Nevertheless, it's his so it probably shouldn't be released without his permission. I wouldn't feel right about it although, realistically, I doubt he would mind.

     

    The MG Explorer is actually an early example of a code emulator and it does have a memory editor as well as some other tools.

    • Like 1
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