Firmware Selector - NEWS

[Scott]

Hello,

I have the following problem with my Divide Plus: If I use the Firmware Selector to choose the ResiDOS Firmware, then the NMI Button has no function. So it isn't possible to start the Task Manager. If I choose FATware and type in OUT 23,104 then starts the Task Manager by pressing NMI in normal way.

Another question: How can I deinstall the Firmware Selector?

Thanks in advance
Scott-Falk Huehn

[RWAP]

Tygrys is working on the list of bugs in the firmware selector and hopefully a new version will be released soon !!

Keep in touch for news of updates.

[RWAP]

Just installed the firmware selector, couple of questions?

I'm running on a heatsink 128.

1. The +divide firmware seems to do nothing just gets a red border around
the selector screen and then needs reset.

2. Games like Alien 8 used to need an OUT 253,48 command to force 48 mode
to work (just crashed after title screen otherwise) I thought the M key selector of 48 or 128
would do this, but seems to make no difference. If set in 48 on the menu
they still crash.

Otherwise works great

Thanks for any advice.

Tygrys should soon release a new version of the Firmware selector which corrects some bugs. He is investigating the issue with +divide which appears to be a bug within the Firmware itself. In the meantime, press the reset button on the Spectrum and it will work.

As for Alien 8...
The good news is that a patched version of Alien 8 is now available which will work on the Spectrum + 128K, +2 etc without this OUT command. If you need this, due to copyright restrictions, we can only supply it as an upgrade to the original and will need an email with proof that you own the original.

Do any other games struggle with this bug?

[RWAP]

Hello,

I have the following problem with my Divide Plus: If I use the Firmware Selector to choose the ResiDOS Firmware, then the NMI Button has no function. So it isn't possible to start the Task Manager. If I choose FATware and type in OUT 23,104 then starts the Task Manager by pressing NMI in normal way.


Thanks in advance
Scott-Falk Huehn

The Manual has now been updated - the issue with the ResiDOS firmware was due to an error in the manual! According to Tygrys, the correct command to launch ResiDOS is:

Code: Select all

OUT 23,72: POKE 18455,237:POKE 18456,65:POKE 18457,199
PRINT USR 18455

Can someone please confirm?

The updated version of the firmware selector will reflect this correction.

Rich

[RWAP]

v1.1 of the Firmware selector is now available and will be sent out to all current owners.

This is a bug fix version rather than additional extras for hte time being.

Feedback welcome!

Rich

[stevethedoc]

Great news about 1.1, any details on when it will be mailed out to those who bought 1.0 last year.

Thanks

[RWAP]

I will email it out this weekend!

[stevethedoc]

Hi
Thanks for the 1.1 version of the firmware. I've finally managed to grab some time and test it.

The main problem I used to have was that selecting 48K mode from the menu still caused Alien 8 (and a lot of other Ultimate games) to crash when starting from the menu. The new 1.1 firmware still has this problem. I have to go to basic and out 253,48 to get them to work. Does the 48K option on the firmware do this switch?

Also the NMI button still seems to have no effect on the Residos task menu.

Thanks for any help.

[RWAP]

v1.2 is currently being tested by some helpful contributors!

However, we will release a version with !48K mode to handle the Ultimate games as they seem to be the only ones to suffer from this - it will give the flexibility required.

As for the NMI task selector in residos - I must admit this seemed to work for me - does it work if you use out 23,104 to load residos instead?

[Vapula]

The Manual has now been updated - the issue with the ResiDOS firmware was due to an error in the manual! According to Tygrys, the correct command to launch ResiDOS is:

Code: Select all

OUT 23,72: POKE 18455,237:POKE 18456,65:POKE 18457,199
PRINT USR 18455

Can someone please confirm?

The updated version of the firmware selector will reflect this correction.

Rich

18455 = 4817h 48h=72, 17h=23
Code : 237 (ED) 65 (41) --- OUT (C),B 199 (C7) --- RST 0
when you use USR xxx under basic, basic load the address in BC, push it then do a RET. So, on entry, BC holds 4817h
OUT(C),B will output 48h (=72) to port 17h (23), RST 0 is similar to Print USR 0 and resets the computer.

Basically, the 3 pokes + te print USR do an "Out 23,72, Print USR 0" so the OUT 23,72 before the pokes is not needed.

From Machine Language, you don't need to do the poke/calling the subroutine, only to do the out then jump to address 0. It can be done using
"01 17 48 ED 41 C7" (LD BC,4817 OUT(C),B, RST 0)

I hope this will help.