Is there a way to Auto Load and Run?

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Is there a way to AutoLoad:  

[Running Cuter for VDM-1]
[mounted disk image 'DISK11.DSK: VDM-1 programs (boots CP/M)' in drive 0]
[mounted disk image 'DISK01.DSK: CP/M (63k)' in drive 1]
[mounted disk image 'DISK05.DSK: Games (CP/M programs)' in drive 2]
[mounted disk image 'DISK07.DSK: WordStar (CP/M program)' in drive 3]

Then run:  

[Running Disk boot ROM]

.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Will the "a" function auto load all four drives in the proper order first before running the "Disk BOOT ROM"?  

.

[David Williams]

The configuration menu simply connects the virtual disks chosen to the specified emulated disk controllers, and yes, it's done before the boot ROM would be executed. It's up to the boot ROM to decide which drive to boot from, and the OS booted to decide how they are mounted.

On Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 9:11:22 PM UTC-7 John Galt wrote:

The disks are mounted in the order you set in the configuration menu. 

The disk boot would boot the first drive according to the rom used. 

you will have to load the rom you want through Xmodem transfer through the configuration menu. 

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

I went to the configuration menu, and typed a "m" to get to the "Configure Memory" section and an "A" ... 

Configure memory

RAM size (+/-)             : 64 KB
(c)lear memory on powerup  : no
(C)lear memory now
(A)dd ROM

E(x)it to previous menu


Command: A

Send ROM content in Intel HEX format now...

How do I get an Intel HEX file that tells the Altair-Duino Pro to perform this sequence?  

First, I set the address switches as: 
0 001 000 000 010 001

Then I press AUX1 DOWN to loads and Runs the CUTER ROM in memory at C000h

The console displays: 
[Running Cuter for VDM-1]

On the VDM-1 Display I should see the ">" prompt

Then I need to set the Address switches to mount the A: drive
0 001 000 000 010 001

Pressing AUX2 DOWN mounts the DISK11.DSK: VDM-1 programs (boots CP/M) in drive 0

Next setting Address switches to mount the B: drive
0 001 000 100 000 001

Pressing AUX2 DOWN mounts the DISK01.DSK: CP/M (63k) in drive 1

Next setting Address switches to mount the C: drive
0 001 001 000 000 101

Pressing AUX2 DOWN mounts the DISK05.DSK: Games (CP/M programs) in drive 2

Next setting Address switches to mount the D: drive
0 001 001 100 010 111

Pressing AUX2 DOWN mounts the DISK07.DSK: WordStar (CP/M program)' in drive 3

Now I select STOP then RESET then: 

Setting the address Switches to BOOT CP/M
0 001 000 000 001 000

Pressing AUX1 DOWN BOOTS the Processor Technology CP/M System

What I should see on the console screen:

[mounted disk image 'DISK11.DSK: VDM-1 programs (boots CP/M)' in drive 0]
[mounted disk image 'DISK01.DSK: CP/M (63k)' in drive 1]
[mounted disk image 'DISK05.DSK: Games (CP/M programs)' in drive 2]
[mounted disk image 'DISK07.DSK: WordStar (CP/M program)' in drive 3]

[Running Disk boot ROM]

On the VDM-1 Display I should see the CP/M BOOTed.

.

[David Williams]

You seem to think the boot ROM is some sort of script for the emulator. The boot ROM is actual 8080 or Z80 code that runs on the emulated system. That code can't mount disks, or do anything in response to the AUX switches. It can only do what a ROM on a real Altair could. On the real machine, the disks you want would be physically inserted into real disk drives and connected to real controllers.

The disk images you want need to already be configured in the emulated disk drives connected to the emulated controllers, then the boot ROM will proceed to boot whichever drive it's programmed to, generally the first drive on the first controller. In addition, the disk images have to be in a format compatible with the OS you boot.

Dave

[Walt Perko]

Hi,  

I found I need to run CUTER .dsk first, Then I need to mount the four drives before finally BOOTing to CP/M to have the Processor Technology system working.  

Drive (0) mounted disk image : DISK11.DSK: VDM-1 programs (boots CP/M)
Drive (1) mounted disk image : DISK01.DSK: CP/M (63k)
Drive (2) mounted disk image : DISK13.DSK: CP/M 3.0 disk 1 (boot)
Drive (3) mounted disk image : DISK05.DSK: Games (CP/M programs)

That's how I want to have the computer just turn ON and BOOT without needing to mount drives already specified in the configuration.  

.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Thinking about this some more, I don't understand why the DUE simulator can't just mount the drives selected in the configuration without needing to do a separate mounting ritual?  

It seems to me, if the drives were mounted at turning the computer ON, then the only thing the user needs to do is select the BOOT and goto work.  

IF the user wanted different drives, then just enter the configuration editor again, change the drives as needed and restart the computer and get to work.  

.

[David Williams]

That's what I do. I have 4 floppies and two hard disks configured in my default config, then I either choose the floppy boot ROM or the hard disk boot ROM. When it boots, I have either the 4 floppies, or two hard disks and two floppies mounted. I have another config I load when I want to boot Altair disk BASIC.

[Walt Perko]

Hi,  

Wow, I guess I had the wrong dsk files defined in my configuration in the past.  Now I have just the four in my BOOT notes and yes, I set the address switches to 0 001 000 000 010 001 AUX 1 DOWN to run the CUTER ROM, then just STOP, RESET and BOOT  0 001 000 000 001 000 AUX 1 DOWN  and now I can DIR on the VDM-1 terminal and see my four drives.  

Yeah, it takes time for things to sink in this thick skull ... 

.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Is it possible to copy the original Processor Technology CUTER.HEX file into the Auto-Start ROM so when the computer turns ON, it immediately runs the CUTER ROM so I only need to BOOT the floppy to play  Processor Technology games?  

.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

That is what I thought.  

.

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 7:11:33 AM UTC-7 John Galt wrote:

currently there is no way to automate the process that far for the VDM-1. you will still have to go through a process but much easier when you have the profiles all set and ready to go.

just a few switches on the front panel and your running your VDM-1 games.