Lack of Control Key Features

[Mark Bondurant]

I can run the 4/16K Basic, but ^G doesn't make a sound, ^H doesn't backspace, ^C doesn't break. I run the Daisy program and I hear nothing, even with headphones plugged into the back. What am I missing?

[Chris Davis]

One of the things you need to keep in mind is when you're using this is that you're back in 1975.  It was usually assumed you were using a teletype or other paper terminal.

So the bell (CTRL-G) was a literal metal bell on the terminal, not a speaker in the computer.  Backspace didn't exist, instead a rubout character was used.  In the case of 4k/16k Microsoft basic, that was an underscore.  So typing "liss_t" was just like typing "list" to the computer.  Some applications, like CP/M or Altair Disk BASIC use the backspace character as you're used to.

I don't know why CTRL-C is not working, I just tried it and it works in both 4k basic and 16k basic when using the keyboard/VGA monitor.

That is not a headphone jack, it's an output for the Processor Technology Music System.  To use that, see page 46 of the printed documentation, or page 32 of the PDF file: https://github.com/dhansel/Altair8800/raw/master/Documentation.pdf

"Daisy" plays through a nearby AM radio, just like in 1975: https://adwaterandstir.com/2017/05/30/play-daisy/

[Mark Bondurant]

" "Daisy" plays through a nearby AM radio, just like in 1975: https://adwaterandstir.com/2017/05/30/play-daisy/"

I am, literally, and I mean literally, floored that you implemented that. We used to code AM radio songs on our school's Interdata 15.

[Steve S]

Thank You! - This is very appreciated information. It might be good to mention this on using a USB connection. 

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

That's something I don't understand why we need to add two caps and a resistor if the port is just for the Processor Technology music system ... 

[Chris Davis]

You don't, they're on the PCB.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

That's the confusion in the manual.  It say's we need it for the simulator ... and I figured simulator meant the same as emulator, since there wasn't any indication in the doc's that it was actually built-into the Altair-Duino, in the manual.  

[Chris Davis]

The "manual" you're talking about is David's manual for his project.  My kit is one implementation of his project.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

The two printed manuals I have both on page 46 have the exact same info, and on page 1 after the assembly section, the title is: "Altair 8800 Simulator" ... I'm just saying, maybe the .PDF manual should be updated now to reflect that difference.  

[Chris Davis]

The latest assembly manuals do not include David's documentation.

[Thomas Runge]

Understandable from one perspective.

On the other hand: I'm glad David's documentation was available in printed form right away...