diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 27d759a..6d8f1a4 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ ROM 4X is an enhancement to the Apple //c version 4 firmware ROM. It adds the following features to the Apple //c version 4 firmware: - - Identifies and reinstates a *bootable* (it must have a boot block!) ProDOS-formatted RAM disk from battery-backed expansion memory (see below). + - Identifies and reinstates a *bootable* (it must have a boot block!) ProDOS-formatted RAM disk from battery-backed expansion memory (see below), such as the [RAM Express II+](http://a2heaven.com/webshop/index.php?rt=product/product&product_id=144) from A2Heaven. - Provides a menu of various tools upon pressing Ctrl+Closed-Apple+Reset (or holding Closed-Apple when powering up), that let you: - Enter the monitor unconditionally. - Reboot the machine (enter standard boot sequence). @@ -149,18 +149,45 @@ One file, `iic.defs` is included by all of the other source files. This has ent #### Basic Functional Tests - 1. With no bootable ProDOS RAMdisk, boot the system from power off or ctrl-oa-reset. + 1. Boot ProDOS from power off. Run SlotScan 1.62 and confirm that the slots are identified as expected, see below. + 2. With no bootable ProDOS RAMdisk, boot the system from power off or ctrl-oa-reset. - Expected: The system boots the same as an unmodified ROM 4. - 2. With a bootable ProDOS RAMdisk containing ProDOS, boot the system from power off or ctrl-oa-reset. + 3. With a bootable ProDOS RAMdisk containing ProDOS, boot the system from power off or ctrl-oa-reset. - Expected: The system boots from RAM disk, an inverse R may appear on line 24 of the display. - 3. Power on the system with the ca key pressed or use ctrl-ca-reset. + 4. Power on the system with the ca key pressed or use ctrl-ca-reset. - Expected: The menu is displayed. - 4. RAM disk recovery: + 5. RAM disk recovery: 1. Battery-backed RAM present with bootable ProDOS RAM disk: Power off the machine and leave it for 1 hr. Power on. - Expected: The system boots from RAM disk. - 2. Battery-backed RAM present with bootable ProDOS RAM disk: Erase main RAM from 0400 up (e.g. in monitor: `400:A0` then `401<400.BFFEM`) and press ctrl-oa-reset. + 2. Non-battery-backed RAM present with bootable ProDOS RAM disk: Erase main RAM from 0400 up (e.g. in monitor: `400:A0` then `401<400.BFFEM`) and press ctrl-oa-reset. - Expected: The system boots from RAM disk. +Expected SlotScan output: +``` +SlotScan Version 1.62 Copyright 1989-1994 by Robert S. Claney +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- +Apple Computer Type: //c, ROM Ver 4 (Newer Mem. Exp.) +Processor type: 65c02 +Total RAM: 128K + +-----Scanning for peripherals----- +Port 1: Serial Port (#1) +Port 2: Serial Port (#1) +Port 3: 80-Column Port (#8) +Port 4: RamCard SmartPort: 1 device found + Manufacturer #0 (Unknown) + Device 1: "RAMCARD", Size: 2048 Blocks (1024K, 1 Meg) + Type: Mem. expansion Version: 0.102 + Addl. info: (None) +Port 5: SmartPort: 0 devices found +Port 6: Disk ][ Port + Device Size: 280 Blocks (140K) +Port 7: Mouse Port (#0) + +Done. Press any key to continue, or Control-P to get a printout +``` + + #### Menu Item Functional Tests All cases: When any menu option is selected, the "ROM 4X MM/DD/YY" message is displayed on the bottom of the screen. @@ -181,10 +208,14 @@ All cases: When any menu option is selected, the "ROM 4X MM/DD/YY" message is d - Expected: The system boots from the internal 5.25 drive, skipping the RAM card. The system may proceed to the SmartPort if no disk is found. 7. Boot External 5.25 - Expected: The system boots from the external 5.25 drive, skipping the RAM card. The system may proceed to the SmartPort if no disk is found. + +### Ideas for Future + + - Replace Apple Slinky code with RamFactor code. (Difficulty: Hard) # The Whole Story -The Apple II Plus was the first computer my family owned. It's what I learned to program on. We spent hours at the keyboard typing in programs from magazines, and eventually I learned to modify them and write my own. As technology progressed, I switched to PCs like almost everyone else and largely forgot about the Apple II after the 90s. But, I held on to most of the stuff I'd acquired for it, much of which became cheap in the years after Apple discontinued the product line. +The Apple II Plus was the first computer my family owned. It's what I learned to program on. We spent hours at the keyboard typing in programs from magazines, and eventually I learned to modify them and write my own. As technology progressed, I switched to PCs like almost everyone else and largely forgot about the Apple II after the 90s. I still had an interest in my Apple IIs and managed to get hold of some more gear, including a //c and a couple of IIgs machines. The prices bottomed out a few years after Apple discontinued the line. Eventually I moved on and boxed it all up, sold a bit, but I held on to most of the interesting stuff I'd acquired. ## The Beginning and the New Old @@ -194,7 +225,7 @@ So then I go searching around the net only to discover that not only is there a Jumping into this new hardware for old computers craze, I bought a [Ram Express II+](http://a2heaven.com/webshop/index.php?rt=product/product&product_id=144#review) from [A2 Heaven](http://www.a2heaven.com/) and was excited to try out the whopping (really!) 1 MB of battery-backed memory in it, as well as the clock. I formatted the card, loaded up ProDOS, and rebooted... Instant-on! Much fast! -Then I powered down for a while to do non-hobby things, and instead of a super fast boot to ProDOS, I got the the familiar clunking of the Apple 5 1/4 floppy drive recalibrating. I thought to myself that surely I was doing something wrong, so I rebooted ProDOS and found the card in its initial state without what I had copied on it. +Then I powered down for a while to do non-hobby things. Upon return, instead of a super fast boot to ProDOS, I got the the familiar clunking of the Apple 5 1/4 floppy drive recalibrating. I thought to myself that surely I was doing something wrong, so I rebooted ProDOS and found the card in its initial state without what I had copied on it. Bummer.