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Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:28 pm
by system11
I just picked up a working Memotech HRG, is the ROM inside the exact same one I see is bundled in the ROM directory with the EightyOne emulator? There are 2 PALs on the PCB too, does anyone know if those have been dumped?

I preserve arcade hardware mainly but I can desolder the parts and try to dump them if it's not been done yet - I'd just rather not have to if someone else has already gone to the trouble!

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 9:53 pm
by 1024MAK
It’s always worthwhile checking these two sites:
Kio's Sinclair ZX Computers Archive
and
ZX81 Tapes, Hardware and Books Collection

As well as searching this forum and forum.tlienhard.com.

Mark

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 2:19 am
by XavSnap
Hi system11,

For many ZX81 ROMs, the dump can be saved in a "P" file, directly on a tape recorder.

Example: (to save the 0-1024 first ROM bytes)

Code: Select all

10 DIM R$(1024)
20 FOR A=0 TO 1023
30 LET R$(A+1)=CHR$ PEEK A
40 NEXT A
50 SAVE "ROMoneKB"
Just edit the "P" file in a binary editor to extract the R$ segment.

Have Fun.

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 7:13 am
by XavSnap
ZX81 BIOS MONITOR:
BiosDump.zip
(5.86 KiB) Downloaded 204 times
Rom_Compare.zip
(412.09 KiB) Downloaded 225 times

Memotech IF ROM: (ROM $0000 -> $1FFF)

Code: Select all

     1  REM [HEX:\
2A,12,40,EB,21,00,00,01,\
00,20,ED,B0,C3,5B,00,C9 ]

     2 DIM A$(8192)
     3 LET A$(1)=CHR$ USR 16514
     4 STOP 
     5 SAVE "DUMP-BIOs"
     6 RUN 
# VB81 XuR [If_Dump.p]
# SAVE"DUMP-BIOS" Line 5
# 1 REM: 16 Bytes@4082-4091
1 REM [DEC:\ 42, 18, 64,235, 33, 0, 0, 1, 0, 32,237,176,195, 91, 0,201 ]

;------- TASM ASM mnemonics. -------
; Compile this file using:
; Set TASMOPTS = -b
; tasm -80 ThisCode.tas MyBinary.BIN
;-----------------------------------
; Zx81 Program name: VB81 XuR [If_Dump.p] : SAVE"DUMP-BIOS" Line 5
; REM line name: 1 REM: 16 Bytes@4082-4091

#define ORG .org ; TASM cross-assembler definitions
#define equ .equ
;------------------------------------
;-BASIC sub-routine entry. -
;+----------------------------------+
; Lb4082 ; <- USR BASIC Enty.
;+----------------------------------+
;------- ROM and RAM Symbols -------
RAM_DEST equ $4012
ERROR_3 equ $0058

ORG $4082 ; [@16514/@h4082]
Lb4082:
LD HL,(RAM_DEST) ; GET DEST
EX DE,HL
LD HL,$0000
LD BC,$2000
LDIR
JP ERROR_3+3 ; []*BIOS ROM*
RET ; ==========================
.end


Were :
DE= A$ location. (target)
HL= ROM location. (source)
BC= ROM length (Bytes).

Memotech HRG @ 8192 to 10240 (length 2048 bytes)
The PALs are used to the address memory decoding. (??? EDIT: Next message !)

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 8:15 am
by XavSnap
Hi system11,

IC1 & IC2 ! Can you read the component reference ?

There is a 1K memory on this card... is where two 4x1024 bits RAM ships ?

Image

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 3:03 pm
by 1024MAK
IIRC IC1 and IC2 are the PAL chips.
The RAM used, is the internal 1K bytes of RAM in the ZX81. There is no RAM on this board (the Memotech HRG board).

The logic on this board (including at least one PAL) does the memory decoding for the internal 1K bytes of RAM in the ZX81.

Mark

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 2:36 am
by XavSnap
Thanks Mark,

I had to have a look to my codes to remember this hidden buffer...

The Memotech HRG use the internal ZX81's RAM to mirror the BASIC ROM, and patch the default values.

HRG ROM:
OutHRG.JPG
The IN/OUT command is use to switch the RAM to /RAMCS with a PEEK command.
It's located between $0000-$0400 memory offset.

This ROM/RAM trigger isn't support in EO.

Memotech HRG display ( IN/OUT A,5F ) 0=BASIC (ROM not patched)/2=memory buffer or 3=INVERTED+Memory buffer
Bit#1= Memory buffer.
Bit#0= Inverted character set.

Example/RAM test:
FRANCAIS.P
(2.72 KiB) Downloaded 190 times
PRN0032.jpg
PRN0032.jpg (8.11 KiB) Viewed 3845 times
Type LIST to view the command in french (FAST=VITE).

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 8:28 pm
by system11
So would the file I found bundled with the emulator be an accurate dump of the chip? If so, I don't need to desolder and dump it.

Yes IC1 & 2 are a PAL16 and a PAL14, I have the hardware to read these and if necessary brute force ones with the protection set.

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 8:42 pm
by 1024MAK
If you can, the programming details of the PALs would be useful. I’ve not seen these details published anywhere yet.

Mark

Re: Memotech HRG ROM/PAL dumps?

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2023 9:16 pm
by system11
How rare are these by the way so I know how much I'm risking? ;) It was part of a £300 lot on ebay.. I plan to keep it in working condition hence checking on availability of all programmable elements.