Subjects for ZOOMs ...

[Walt Perko]

Hi,  

AltairZ80 simulator:  

What is it?  

How to load and run various systems.  

A little about the Throttle and other more often used controls.  

How to UnMount and Mount .dsk files during the simulation.  

How to setup the .ini file to build a specific computer system (e.g., Z80 computer w/DAZZLER)   

Maybe for another ZOOM ...  

The FarmTek FDC+ board:  

How to use the various images in the FDC+ EPROM.  

FF00: Combined Disk Boot Loader (CDBL)  
FE00: Altair Multi-Boot Loader (MBL, boots cassette tapes, paper tapes)  
FD00: Altair Turnkey Monitor (TURMON)  
FC00: Intel Hex file loader  
F800: Altair Monitor (ALTMON)  

Maybe an extension demonstrating creating a customized EPROM:  

How to figure the offset that puts a ROM image at the proper place inside the EPROM chip?  

Build a new EPROM with different useful ROM images:  

C000:   CUTTER ROM  

any required Altair ROMs from the original if needed for BOOTing with the FDC+ board

F800:   AMON Monitor ROM

Can we use a smaller EPROM?  

Would a smaller EPROM allow for more RAM after BOOTing to CP/M?  

As I am working through a problem building my ZAltair mini-FP computer, when all is done and the system is up 'n running I hope to have a video of tests and then a ZOOM discussion on using the Front Panel toggle switches and the S100 Bus Display board (or a JADE Bus Probe board) to isolate the problem and get the computer working.  

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[Patrick Linstruth]

I am working on a AltairZ80 simulator demo. It should cover most of Walt’s suggestions.

A discussion on EPROMs also seems like a good idea for a future Zoom subject.

Too bad you don’t want to show your front panel when the system isn’t working. That’s the good stuff, like knowing it’s not working by looking at the front panel only. No TeraTerm required. A front panel with a working system is boring. :)

It’s like showing how to use tools to frame a house after the house is built.

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[Walt Perko]

Hi,  

I hope to be able to show the front panel while the system is not working ... hence some of the videos already posted on YouTube:  

https://youtu.be/fs1vQqeMx_Q

https://youtu.be/CqJyEpNm2Xs

https://youtu.be/3dt3BaW1PJY

But I need to know which video is best for the ZOOM ?  or if I should make a new video which I can "share" during the ZOOM?  

A list of tests with the current setup:  mini-Front Panel board, TDL ZPU board, FDC+ board S100 Bus Display board ... and then again with the Cromemco ZPU replacing the TDL ZPU if that fixes the problem or helps identify the problem.  

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[Joseph Corda]

Walt

I agree with Patrick ..  I’d like to see some of the steps that could be used to trouble shoot you system while it’s NOT fully working .. I feet that  help all of us in learning some additional basic trouble shouting steps  that a front panel can offer

Joe 

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[Terry Fox]

These aren't the boards I just sent back to you, are they Walt?  They were working happily together before I shipped them.

Terry

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Yes, other than the TDL ZPU board.  It's a conundrum ... but I'm guessing not a particularly uncommon problem.  

Seems pointing to the 9-Slot Backplane.  I hope not!  

I just finished two tests adding a S100 Bus Display board into the computer ... video #1 with the TDL ZPU, video #2 with the Cromemco ZPU ... 

I will edit and trim the videos down to the meat for display in the ZOOM tomorrow.  

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[Patrick Linstruth]

I think I have asked this before without getting an answer, is this a new untested backplane?

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[Walt Perko]

 Hi, 

Yes, this is a new untested backplane.  A great example why I think we need a two board diagnostics system for backplanes.  

I need to figure out a scheme for a 40-PIN PIC chip to do the testing ... maybe even display results real-time right on one or both boards.  

First scheme to figure out is what are the most important PINs to test since using a switch, the power into the test boards can be handled by an LM7805 or equivalent proving power up 'n down the slots.  

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