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README.md
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@ -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.
@ -182,9 +209,13 @@ All cases: When any menu option is selected, the "ROM 4X MM/DD/YY" message is d
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.