ZXpand ROM release V4 beta

[sirmorris]

Well, there are no new features - well maybe only a tiny one - this is mostly a vanity release.

I've modified the start-up code so that a full DFILE is generated on reset. The boot is now almost instant as the machine doesn't have tp perform the slow DFILE expansion.

The "ZXPAND INTERFACE X.Y" banner is printed so you know that the board is plugged in

I've also (since playing with the ZX80 version of the ROM) seen how to make CAT work without parameters so now simply pressing V/NEWLINE will show the listing of the current working directory.

I'll probably ship new boards with this ROM unless people think that it's 'un-zeddy-like' to have a banner at startup?

[video link]

**edit - file removed - new version available in later post **

[Andy Rea]

I like it

i did wonder about CAT but that cool too

Andy

[RWAP]

I think it is a good idea - maybe also show the amount of free memory?

[Moggy]

Nothing wrong with a banner Lord Morris
Does this mean I'm going to lose more sleep Beta testing Your latest brainstorm
I thought the lights were going dim over Oxford

Regards Moggy

[siggi]

I've modified the start-up code so that a full DFILE is generated on reset. The boot is now almost instant as the machine doesn't have tp perform the slow DFILE expansion.

Is this behaviour limited to startup only?
If that is also performed on a NEW command, then there could be problems when you want to play 1K or 2K games (by setting RAMTOP down), because those programs might expect a collapsed display file.

Siggi

[Paul]

Is this behaviour limited to startup only?
If that is also performed on a NEW command, then there could be problems when you want to play 1K or 2K games (by setting RAMTOP down), because those programs might expect a collapsed display file.

Siggi

Are you thinking of typing in? Because on load all this would be loaded and the game would work.
If new would result in a full dfile with 1K , would then CLS not collapse it again?

[sirmorris]

@siggi: yes, exactly like Wilf's original code. The banner is only shown on reset, not NEW.

This is a very good point about 1k software - I'll test with RAMTOP set. Thanks Siggi!

C

[sirmorris]

Well I've tested it and all is well. The dfile-expansion happens in the code path which is only executed at reset. When NEW is invoked the original start-up code is executed and if RAMTOP < 1K then we get a collapsed DFILE.

I did however discover a bug :¬) my memory-clear routine was corrupting the value of RAMTOP which was 256 bytes too low

This new version corrects that behaviour. I've deleted the old version.

I've added code to show the memory configuration - there's no point in showing the size now, is there? It's always 32K at reset ;¬)

C

[sirmorris]

However the ROM image presented above doesn't seem to work with the real hardware - can anyone verify this please?

C

[Moggy]

However the ROM image presented above doesn't seem to work with the real hardware - can anyone verify this please?

C

As You Know Charlie I have only a speccy EPROM burner so rom images no good for Me:( ,but if You want to throw a 2764 My way I'll gladly burn the midnight oil.

Regards
Moggy