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r8048 Saturday 15th May, 2010 at 10:35:00 UTC by Fabio Priuli
Updated sysinfo (Thanks Duke for fixing the script)
[ROOT]sysinfo.dat
[docs]messnew.txt

sysinfo.dat
r8047r8048
1# ====== MESS System Information File ======
2# 
3# This file contains the basic system information for most of the drivers presented in the MESS distribution. The most current copy of this file resides at [[http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo]] and is also available in the MESS SVN repository.
4# 
5# All corrections and submissions are welcome, please try to duplicate formating of other entries to ensure that the file looks proper in the MESS release. Also when possible cite any references.
6# 
7# Driver entries are usually divided into these sections:
8# 
9#   * **Features** -- Usually a quick list of important or unique features of that system.
10# 
11#   * **Usage** -- This section lists any helpful commands for the computer or console in question, such as disk operating system and file loading BASIC commands. This information is not intended to replace a proper owner's manual for the system in question, and only contains the most simple commands that can also be found on any of dozens of websites devoted to the system. Moreover, this section can often have subsections devoted to the use of Cassettes, Floppies, Cartridges and/or other particular hardware. We also show here, when available, the original layout of keyboard and keypad.
12# 
13#   * **Known Issues** -- This section lists any known issues or bugs for the driver. These will be fixed as time and knowledge permit. Please be patient. If you have information that may help the MESS team resolve these issues go to the [[http://www.mess.org|MESS Homepage]].
14# 
15#   * **History and Trivia** -- This section contains various background pieces for a system. Much of the information in these section (and in the Features one) was kindly provided by Thierry Schembri and Olivier Boisseau of the [[http://www.old-computers.com|old-computers.com Museum]].
16# 
17#   * **Links** -- This section lists links to information resources on the web. If any link is outdated, or if you know any interesting link missing, please let us know.
18# 
19#   * **Other Emulators** -- This section lists alternative emulators for that system. If any link is outdated, or if you know of any good emulator missing, please let us know.
20# 
21# 
22# This file was generated on 2008-05-07 from the info stored in the MESS DevWiki.
23 
24$info=3do
25$bio
26====== 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (1993) ======
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32===== Features =====
33 
34 
35 
36  * CPU: 32-bit 12.5 MHz RISC CPU (ARM60), custom Math co-processor (designed by NTG for accelerating fixed-point matrix operations).
37 
38  * Display: Two accelerated video co-processors at 25Mhz clock rate, capable of producing 9-16 million pixels per second (36-64 megapixels interpolated), distorted, scaled, rotated and texture mapped.
39 
40  * System board: 50Mb/s bus speed, 36 DMA channels, 2 megabytes of main RAM, 1 megabyte of VRAM, 2 expansion ports.
41 
42  * Sound: Custom 16-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 25Mhz with 44.1 kHz sound sampling rate and 3D sound support. 3DO has also fully Dolby Surround support.
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48===== Usage =====
49 
50 
51 
52MESS supports the following 3do versions: 
53 
54 
55 
56  * 3do [3DO (NTSC)]
57 
58  * 3do_pal [3DO (PAL)]
59 
60 
61 
62=== BIOS options ===
63 
64 
65 
66Different 3DO models are supported for each version: "Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO", "Goldstar 3DO v1.01m", "Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO", "Goldstar 3DO Alive II", "Sanyo TRY 3DO" (the last two being NTSC only). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
67 
68 
69 
70== 3do ==
71 
72 
73 
74  "-bios 0" or "-bios panafz10" = Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
75 
76   
77 
78  "-bios 1" or "-bios goldstar" = Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer v1.01m
79 
80   
81 
82  "-bios 2" or "-bios panafz1" = Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
83 
84   
85 
86  "-bios 3" or "-bios gsalive2" = Goldstar 3DO Alive II
87 
88   
89 
90  "-bios 4" or "-bios sanyotry" = Sanyo TRY 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
91 
92 
93 
94== 3do_pal ==
95 
96 
97 
98  "-bios 0" or "-bios panafz10" = Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
99 
100   
101 
102  "-bios 1" or "-bios goldstar" = Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer v1.01m
103 
104   
105 
106  "-bios 2" or "-bios panafz1" = Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
107 
108 
109 
110 
111 
112===== Known Issues =====
113 
114 
115 
116The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
117 
118 
119 
120 
121 
122===== History and Trivia =====
123 
124 
125 
1263DO Interactive Multiplayer (often referred to as 3DO) is a set of technical specifications created by "3DO Company" in 1993. "3DO Company" was the result of a partnership between Matsushita, AT&T, Time Warner, MCA, Electronic Arts, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (a venture capital firm) and the New Technologies Group (NTG). None of these companies ever manufactured a single console. Other manufacturing companies (in the end only Panasonic, Goldstar and Sanyo) could license the rights to create their own console and label them as "3DO", by simply fulfilling the required specifications. 
127 
128 
129 
130The system was conceived by Trip Hawkins, the man who created Electronic Arts in 1982, and its technologies were originally designed by Dave Needle and Robert J. Mical of New Technology Group, which already designed the Atari Lynx. 
131 
132 
133 
134Technically, a 3DO system can run 3DO Interactive software, play audio CD's (including support for CD+G), View Photo-CDs and will eventually be able to play Video CD's with a special add-on MPEG1 FMV cartridge (but this cartridge was only available for the American Goldstar and Japanese Panasonic 3DO systems).
135 
136 
137 
138Despite a highly-promoted launch and its advanced technology, 3DO never met the expected success. The main reason for this has probably to be sought in the system's high price, not balanced by high quality titles, neither at launch nor immediately after. For sure, few titles exploited the full potential of the console, and the most well-received titles were often ports of games from other systems. This prevented any real 3DO penetration in the console market.
139 
140 
141 
1423DO Company's official position about the price was that 3DO was a high-end audio-visual system rather than a simple videogame console, so the price was fair. Only in 1996 they announced a price drop, probably to help the diffusion and popularity before the launch of the promised next-gen console M2, but it was definitely too late.
143 
144 
145 
146Among other interesting characteristics featured by 3DO:
147 
148  * a built-in music visualizer, the first in a console system, converting CD music to a mesmerizing color pattern;
149 
150  * a custom OS, loaded from CD (not present in the internal ROM), consisting of 
151 
152    * a multitasking kernel with drivers for peripherals, a complete file system and support for physical storage,
153 
154    * several software "folios" that provide a link between application software and the 3DO hardware, and are designed to allow software compatibility as new versions of the hardware are developed;
155 
156  * up to 8 controllers can be daisy-chained on the system at once; other peripherals may also be hooked into the system: a mouse, a steering wheel, a light gun and a flightstick have been produced; 
157 
158  * no regional lockouts and no copy protections; nevertheless, a few Japanese games cannot be played on non-Japanese 3DO consoles due to a missing special kanji font (at the request of the 3DO company, most third-party developers included this font directly on the game CDs so that they could be played on any 3DO console; however, a few did not).
159 
160 
161 
162In addition Panasonic, Sanyo and Goldstar models, also a 3DO Blaster ISA peripheral card for PCs was manufactured by Creative Technology, offering all the features of the home console and allowing the PC to play 3DO games.
163 
164 
165 
166The 3DO system was eventually discontinued at the end of 1996 with a complete shutdown of all internal hardware development and divestment of the M2 technology. 3DO restructured themselves around this same time, becoming a multi-platform software company until its bankrupt in 2003. Also, the "M2" technology, i.e. the second generation of the hardware based on a PowerPC 602 processor, was sold to Matsushita.
167 
168Later, Konami made an M2-based arcade board: as games ran straight from the CD-ROM drive, it suffered from long load times and a high failure rate. Only few games were developed for it.
169 
170 
171 
172== 3DO Models ==
173 
174 
175 
176  * Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan, Asia, North America and Europe).
177 
178  * Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan, North America and Europe): Less expensive than the FZ-1 and smaller, was characterized by its top-loading design, which addressed the problem of hardware failures of the CD tray in FZ-1.
179 
180  * Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (South Korea, North America and Europe): Early models of the Goldstar systems cause some games not to work.
181 
182  * Goldstar 3DO ALIVE II (South Korea only).
183 
184  * Sanyo TRY 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan only).
185 
186  * Creative 3DO BLASTER - PC card (ISA slot) with a 2X CD-ROM drive and one controller that enables a PC to play 3DO games.
187 
188 
189 
190== Canceled Models ==
191 
192 
193 
194Various other companies showed (or claimed to have) interest in manufacturing a 3DO based system. Among them: 
195 
196 
197 
198  * Samsung: home console including built-in MPEG decoding hardware;
199 
200  * Toshiba: car navigation system based around the 3DO architecture;
201 
202  * AT&T: home console including a modem for networked games and communication;
203 
204  * Scientific Atlanta: interactive TV test for US West;
205 
206  * American Laser Games, Atari Games, Electronic Arts: arcade systems based on the 3DO.
207 
208 
209 
210None of the above project seems to have reached the completion.
211 
212 
213 
214//(info from Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
215 
216 
217 
218 
219 
220===== Links =====
221 
222 
223 
224  * 3DO Today -- http://3do.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
225 
226  * [[wp>3DO_Interactive_Multiplayer]]
227 
228 
229 
230 
231 
232===== Other Emulators =====
233 
234 
235 
236  * FreeDo -- http://www.freedo.org/ (dead)
237 
238 
239 
240 
241 
242$end
243 
244 
245 
246#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
247 
248 
249$info=990189
250$bio
251====== Texas Instruments TM 990/189 Microcomputer (1979) ======
252 
253 
254 
255 
256 
257===== Usage =====
258 
259 
260 
261This driver emulates a TM990/189 with University Basic.
262 
263 
264 
265This computer has a 10-character 8-segment LED display and a 45-key keyboard. Key mapping can be read in the TAB menu.
266 
267 
268 
269Programs can be saved to tape with 'SAVE', and restored with 'LOAD'.
270 
271 
272 
273The 10-char window can be moved horizontally with Shift+V, Shift+W, Shift+Y and Shift+Z.  Previously typed characters can be deleted with Shift+M. You can discard the current line, exit List mode or break program execution with Shift+9 (ESC).
274 
275 
276 
277 
278 
279===== History and Trivia =====
280 
281 
282 
283The TM990/189 University Board Microcomputer was designed in 1978 and probably released in early 1979.
284 
285 
286 
287Its primary target was University computing courses.
288 
289 
290 
291It was sold with a simple assembler & debugger, UNIBUG, and a 500-page textbook titled "Introduction to Microprocessor".  The UNIBUG program has not been dumped, and is therefore not available.
292 
293 
294 
295TI additionally sold University Basic for the TM990/189.  It is a relatively simple Basic interpreter.  This program is emulated.
296 
297 
298 
299//(info from Raphael Nabet, author of the MESS driver)//
300 
301 
302 
303 
304 
305$end
306 
307 
308 
309#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
310 
311 
312$info=990189v
313$bio
314====== TM 990/189 University Board microcomputer with University Basic and Video Board Interface (1980) ======
315 
316 
317 
318 
319 
320===== Usage =====
321 
322 
323 
324This driver emulates a TM990/189 with University Basic and the optional Color Video Board.
325 
326 
327 
328You can use all the video opcodes documented in the University Basic Manual.
329 
330 
331 
332The optional demonstration EPROM set includes demonstration programs. They can be loaded with LOAD 0, LOAD 1, LOAD 2 and LOAD 3.  Some programs are supposed to do some user interaction, but they were set up to run in demo mode, so that you must edit the source code to run the programs interactively: for instance, to play the brick-wall game, you must type 'LOAD 2', then enter '5 SP=0' to disable demonstration mode, then 'RUN'.
333 
334 
335 
336There are two undocumented built-in Basic instructions that can be used if you have the demonstration EPROMs installed: PLOT and JOY.  These instructions are not fully implemented in University Basic, and they rely on assembly language subroutines located on the Demonstration EPROMs.
337 
338 
339 
340The PLOT instruction draws lines in multicolor mode (which is entered by "MODE 8" through "MODE 15"). "PLOT 0,n" sets up the screen for multicolor mode, and must be executed before any other PLOT instruction (n is ignored). "PLOT 1,c[,x,y]" sets the pen color to c, and sets the coordinates of the lower left corner to (x,y). "PLOT 5,x,y" sets the pen position absolutely, and "PLOT 3,x,y" sets the pen position relatively to the current pen position. "PLOT 6,x,y" draws a line from the current pen position to a new pen position
341 
342expressed absolutely, and "PLOT 4,x,y" draws a line from the current pen position to a new pen position expressed relatively to the current pen position. "PLOT 2,x,y" and "PLOT 7,x,y" do not do anything.
343 
344 
345 
346The JOY function reads the state of either joystick.  "JOY 0" reads the analog X-axis for joystick 1, "JOY 1" reads the analog Y-axis for joystick 1, "JOY 2" reads the button state for joystick 1, "JOY 3" reads the analog X-axis for joystick 2, "JOY 4" reads the analog Y-axis for joystick 2, and "JOY 5" reads the button state for joystick 2.
347 
348 
349 
350 
351 
352===== History and Trivia =====
353 
354 
355 
356The Color Video Board was released in 1980.  It includes a TMS9918 VDP, a joystick interface, and two EPROM sockets.  The VDP enables to display colorful graphics on a video monitor.
357 
358 
359 
360This board was not designed by TI, but an external society (Eyring Research Institute).
361 
362 
363 
364//(info from Raphael Nabet, author of the MESS driver)//
365 
366 
367 
368 
369 
370$end
371 
372 
373 
374#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
375 
376 
377$info=a1000n
378$bio
379====== Commodore Amiga 1000 (1985) ======
380 
381 
382 
383 
384 
385===== Features =====
386 
387 
388 
389  * CPU: Motorola MC68000 7.16 MHz
390 
391  * Co-Processors: Denise (video), Agnus (memory manager, blitter & copper), Paula (sound and disk access)
392 
393  * RAM: 256kb, upgradeable  to 512k internally. Extensible to 8.5 MB with extension card (512 KB CHIP RAM + 8 MB FAST RAM) and to 10 MB
394 
395  * ROM: 8 KB (The Kickstart isn't in ROM but loaded at the boot in RAM, where it takes 256 KB)
396 
397  * Text Modes: 60 x 32 / 80 x 32
398 
399  * Graphics Modes: 320 x 200 and 320x400 (32 colors), 640 x 200 and 640 x 400 (16 colors)
400 
401  * Colors: up to 64 colors among 4096 (EHB mode) The Amiga can display 4096 colors simultaneously (HAM mode) but only for static display.
402 
403  * Sound: Four 8 bit PCM voices, 9 octaves
404 
405  * I/O Ports: RGB, RF & composite video ouputs, external floppy disk port, Centronics, RS232c, Expansion port, stereo sound, Atari Compatible joysticks (2), RAM expansion port, keyboard connector
406 
407  * Keyboard: full-size typewriter style, 89 keys, 10 function keys and numeric keypad
408 
409  * Built In Media: one 3.5" disk-drive, double sided double density, 880k formatted storage capacity
410 
411  * OS: AmigaDOS (1.0/1.1/1.2/1.3) + WorkBench (GUI)
412 
413 
414 
415 
416 
417===== Known Issues =====
418 
419 
420 
421Sound is not currently supported.
422 
423 
424 
425The driver is now working fairly well, though some games may need more memory than currently emulated.
426 
427 
428 
429 
430 
431===== History and Trivia =====
432 
433 
434 
435The conceptor of the Amiga 1000 was Jay Miner, who created the Atari 800 many years before. He wanted to make the most powerful computer ever, then he joined a little California company called Amiga. He used the principle of the three coprocessors (again) to help the 
436 
437main processor. 
438 
439 
440 
441At the beginning, the Amiga had only 64 kilobytes of RAM!, Atari wanted to buy the Amiga but finally, Commodore succeeded to buy it (then there was a lawsuit, which Commodore won). It was meant to be a competitor to the Atari 520 ST.
442 
443 
444 
445The operating system was done by Metacomco, a British company who specialized in the 68000 processor (they also made languages for the Sinclair QL). It is a fully multitasking system which looks like UNIX with a graphical user interface. It was the very first personal computer with great graphics and sound capabilities with a GUI environment. Amiga BASIC was written by Microsoft (like most other versions of BASIC). The Amiga 1000 began to lose popularity one year later with the creation of its two main successors: the Amiga 500 and the Amiga 2000.
446 
447 
448 
449There were two versions of the Amiga 1000. The first one, just called "Amiga", was sold only in USA, had a NTSC display, and didn't have the video modes EHB and HAM, later versions would have this built in. The second one, called "Amiga 1000" (to avoid confusion with its successor, the Amiga 2000) had a PAL display, enhanced video modes (HAM & EHB) and was built in Germany.
450 
451 
452 
453//(info from old-computers.com)//
454 
455 
456 
457 
458 
459===== Links =====
460 
461 
462 
463  * Amiga Technologies Homepage -- http://www.amiga.de/
464 
465  * Amiga Interactive Guide -- http://amiga.emugaming.com/
466 
467  * AMIGART.COM -- http://www.amigart.com/
468 
469  * Hall of Light - the database of Amiga games -- http://hol.abime.net/
470 
471  * Amiga 1000 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=28
472 
473 
474 
475 
476 
477===== Other Emulators =====
478 
479 
480 
481  * UAE (Ubiquitous Amiga Emulator) -- http://www.freiburg.linux.de/~uae/
482 
483  * WinUAE -- http://www.winuae.net/
484 
485  * Experimental UAE -- http://www.rcdrummond.net/uae/
486 
487 
488 
489 
490 
491$end
492 
493 
494 
495#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
496 
497 
498$info=a2600
499$bio
500====== Atari 2600 Video Computer System (1977) ======
501 
502 
503 
504===== Features =====
505 
506 
507 
508  * Resolution: 160 x 260 (horz.) at 60.00 Hz
509 
510  * CPU: MOS 6507 1.19 MHz
511 
512  * Graphics Clock: 1.19 MHz
513 
514  * Bits: 8
515 
516  * ROM: 4k max
517 
518  * RAM: 128 bytes, in VLSI
519 
520  * Video Display Processor: Stella
521 
522  * Sprites: 32
523 
524  * Colors: 256 (static)
525 
526  * Sound Processor: Two Channel Square or Noise (TIA)
527 
528  * Cartridge ROM: 2k up to 64k
529 
530 
531 
532 
533 
534===== Usage =====
535 
536 
537 
538 
539 
540 
541 
542Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 2600 versions:
543 
544 
545 
546  * a2600 [Atari 2600 (NTSC)]
547 
548  * a2600p [Atari 2600 (PAL)]
549 
550 
551 
552both of them require a "cartridge" (cart) to run, either in .a26 or .bin format. You can start the emulation with
553 
554 
555 
556  mess a2600 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.a26"
557 
558 
559 
560Some games may require an additional tape to work, this can be added using the "cassette" (cass) device which expects a tape in either .wav or .a26 format.
561 
562 
563 
564== Controls ==
565 
566 
567 
568Original Atari 2600 has six switches on its top: Power (On / Off), TV signal (B/W or Color), Difficulty for each player (called A and B), Select, and Reset. Except for the power switch, games sometimes assign other functions to these switches. On later models the difficulty switches were miniaturized and moved to the back of the unit. 
569 
570 
571 
572Atari 2600 games can be controlled either through joysticks or paddle, the latter being much more precise. Both kinds of controller have a single button on its left.
573 
574 
575 
576Some cartridge requires the 12-keys keyboard controller (or the kid's controller) which has the following layout:
577 
578 
579 
580  1  2  3
581 
582   
583 
584  4  5  6
585 
586   
587 
588  7  8  9
589 
590   
591 
592  *  0  #
593 
594 
595 
596Among these games, A Game of Concentration (Hunt & Score, Memory Match), Alpha Beam with Ernie, BASIC Programming, Big Bird's Egg Catch, Brain Games, Codebreaker, Cookie Monster Munch, Grover's Music Maker (prototype), MagiCard, Oscar's Trash Race, Star Raiders. 
597 
598 
599 
600Sentinel and Shooting Arcade (prototype) use a lightgun, while Indy 500 and Stell-A-Sketch use a driving controller.
601 
602 
603 
604 
605 
606===== Known Issues =====
607 
608 
609 
610  * Good compatibility (few games are even more accurate than in Stella, e.g. Solaris and its space warp)
611 
612  * Support for almost any kind of controller (lightgun support is missing): joystick, paddle, keypad, booster grip and driving controller 
613 
614  * Support for Starpath Supercharger and Kid Vid Voice Module
615 
616  * You can select between joysticks or paddles in the "Input Devices" menu, accessible by pressing TAB
617 
618 
619 
620 
621 
622===== History and Trivia =====
623 
624 
625 
626The Atari Video Computer System (VCS) was released in 1977 at a suggested retail price of $299, which dropped quickly as sales soared; about 340,000 systems were sold the first year alone.  Joe Decuir, Steve Mayer and Ron Milner designed the VCS.  The Atari VCS was developed under the project codename "Stella".  The VCS later became known, both commonly and officially as the Atari 2600 (from the model number CX2600).  It is rumored that the number 2600 was chosen because 2600 cycles was a prominent long distance access tone, and that one of the developers had created devices that would trick pay phones into granting long
627 
628distance access as a hobby.
629 
630 
631 
632The 2600 became hugely popular and millions of its cartridge were sold. It was produced until Jan 1st, 1992, when Atari Corporation officially retired it.
633 
634 
635 
636The Atari 2600 success was so huge that still today, after more than 25 years from its appearance,
637 
638many hobbyists produce and sell new games for the console!
639 
640 
641 
642== Versions of Atari 2600 ==
643 
644 
645 
646Many versions of Atari 2600 were released:
647 
648 
649 
650  * Atari VCS CX2600: Original model. Woodgrain and black plastic enclosure. Light and heavy weighted plastic. Six silver switches across the upper front panel. Bundled accessories included two CX40 joysticks, one CX30 paddle controller, AC adapter, TV switch and a CX2601 Combat game cart.
651 
652 
653 
654  * Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I: Same as above except external cosmetic differences (the "difficulty" switches are labeled "skill level", the switch panel is silver instead of black, and the woodgrain pattern is different.)
655 
656 
657 
658  * Atari VCS 2600A: Revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the original, except there are four silver switches across the upper front panel instead of six. The difficulty switches were moved to the rear of the unit. Internally, the motherboard is a simplified one-piece design.
659 
660 
661 
662  * Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I(A): Same as above except for external cosmetic differences.
663 
664 
665 
666  * Atari VCS 2600A (black): Second revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the 2600A, except the enclosure has a more modern looking "black out" treatment. The areas of woodgrain on the original models are now simply black plastic. Internally, the motherboard is a slight revision of the 2600A.
667 
668 
669 
670  * Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II: Entirely new model of the 2600 designed exclusively for Sears. Black wedge-shaped enclosure, with push button switches and LEDs on top panel. Essentially an Atari 7800 shell. Four joystick connectors on lower front panel with rocker switch. Internally very different from other 2600 models, but still uses the same basic chipset. Bundled accessories include two combination joystick/paddle controllers, AC adapter, TV switch and a Space Invaders game cart.
671 
672 
673 
674  * Atari 2800: same as Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II but with Atari label. Released only in Japan. Very rare.
675 
676 
677 
678  * Atari 2600 "Jr.": Third revised model. It is slightly larger than a VHS video tape case. Some versions have "Jr" stamped onto the bottom sticker. Large black buttons. Power and b/w switches slide, while Reset and Game Select are push buttons. Jet black with large metallic silver strip running lengthwise across the front with "Atari 2600" on it. Marketed as the "Under 50 bux, the fun is back!" machine. Bundled accessories include one joystick, AC adapter, TV switch box, and RCA connecting cable. Box is designed as a carrying case with handle and a white section which reads: "This Atari 2600 belongs to:". No bundled cart. The unit came in either a maroon or silver box.
679 
680 
681 
682  * Atari 2600 "Jr.": same as above except silver plate has a larger rainbow strip without an embossed border.
683 
684 
685 
686== Miscellaneous notes ==
687 
688 
689 
690All 6 switch Ataris had a large shield casing. There were at least two 6-switch versions:
691 
692 
693 
694  * (6-1) The original. The entire bottom half of the console was made of quarter inch thick plastic (~6mm)! Combined with the thick aluminum RF casing, this is the heaviest 2600 ever made. Also, this 2600 has no 2/3 channel select switch. There is a channel select hole in the case and it's marked Channel A/B, but there's no switch inside on the PCB. These consoles came with "01 combat". (1977 models only)
695 
696 
697 
698  * (6-2) The lighter 2600. No armor plating. Bottom half of console is made of thin plastic, like the 4 switch models. Channel switch now present. Thick RF shield still present. Plain ol' "combat" included.
699 
700 
701 
702The were also minor variations on 4 front switch, woodgrain panel models. On some, the difficulty switches are marked "Expert/Novice" (or was it "Advanced/Beginner"?) and others are marked only as "A/B".
703 
704 
705 
706Many Atari 2600 clones exists. Probably the most famous is the Gemini, an inexpensive clone 2600 made by Coleco. It sports an all black, box-shaped enclosure with six small slide switches (say that fast) on top of front panel. On the back panel, there is an RF modulator port and a power adapter port. Two joystick ports and difficult switches live on the front panel. Bundled bits include two dual-joystick/paddle controllers, a 9volt/500ma DC adapter, an RF cable, a TV switch and Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap carts. 
707 
708 
709 
710== Never released hardware ==
711 
712 
713 
714Finally, quite a bit of 2600 hardware was announced but never released. Some examples: 
715 
716 
717 
718  * 2600 keyboard by Atari, called the Graduate or My First Computer. It was designed by Peripheral Visions Inc.
719 
720  * 2600 voice command system
721 
722  * a headband controller, Mindlink
723 
724  * Atari 2500 (http://www.atari-history.com/videogames/2500.html)
725 
726  * Atari 2700 - Remote control joystick/paddles, touch sensitive console buttons.
727 
728  * Amiga Power Module for 2600. Similar to the Supercharger, it had dialup capability (to play against others). Also, some 3D games were planned for it as well. 
729 
730 
731 
732//(info about 2600 versions, clones and unreleased hardware from Zube's "Atari 2600/7800 FAQ")//
733 
734 
735 
736 
737 
738===== Links =====
739 
740 
741 
742  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com/2600/history.html
743 
744  * Atari Historical Society -- http://www.atari-history.com/a2600.html
745 
746  * Atari Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600menu/2600menu.htm
747 
748  * Atari2600.com -- http://www.atari2600.com/
749 
750  * Dan B's Atari 2600 Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/a2600.shtml
751 
752 
753 
754 
755 
756===== Other Emulators =====
757 
758 
759 
760  * Stella -- http://stella.sourceforge.net/
761 
762  * PCAE  -- http://www.classicgaming.com/pcae/ (PC Atari Emulator)
763 
764  * z26 -- http://www.whimsey.com/z26/
765 
766  * x26 -- http://www.wintersolace.com/ (z26 front-end)
767 
768  * StellaX -- http://www.emuunlim.com/stellax/
769 
770  * no$2k6 -- http://nocash.emubase.de/2k6.htm
771 
772 
773 
774 
775 
776$end
777 
778 
779 
780#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
781 
782 
783$info=a310
784$bio
785====== Acorn Archimedes 310 (1988) ======
786 
787 
788 
789 
790 
791===== Features =====
792 
793 
794 
795  * CPU: ARM-2 32 bit RISC (ARM-3 in the A500 series) 4 / 8 MHz
796 
797  * Co-Processor: MEMC (memory), VIDC (Video and Sound), IOC (I/O)
798 
799  * RAM: 512 KB (up to 16 MB)
800 
801  * ROM: 512 KB
802 
803  * Text Modes: 132 chars. x 32 lines maximum
804 
805  * Graphic Modes: 21 screen modes - Up to 640 x 512 in colour mode, up to 1280 x 960 in monochrome mode
806 
807  * Colors: 256 maximum
808 
809  * Sound: 8 voices
810 
811  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS423, Video composite, RGB, Econet (network 250 KBits). Optional 4 expansion slots (podule slots), the 400/500 series came with 4 slots.
812 
813  * Keyboard: Complete 102 keys full-stroke keyboard - PC/AT layout
814 
815  * Built in Media: 800 KB 3.5" floppy drive, 3.5" disk-drive, from 20 to 53 MB
816 
817  * OS: ARTHUR (and RISC OS later)
818 
819  * Built in Language: BBC BASIC V
820 
821 
822 
823 
824 
825===== Known Issues =====
826 
827 
828 
829Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
830 
831 
832 
833 
834 
835===== History and Trivia =====
836 
837 
838 
839The Archimedes was the first RISC home computer. There were three series, the 300, 400 and 500 which shared the same hardware basis: the ARM-2 processor (ARM-3 for the A500) and three custom chips dedicated to memory (MEMC), video (VIDC) and I/O (IOC) controls.
840 
841 
842 
843The 300 series had 512 KB to 1 MB of memory and two expansion slots (64 pin). The 400 series had 1 to 4 MB of memory and four slots (three 64 pin and one 96 pin). The 500 series had 16 MB of RAM.
844 
845 
846 
847The operating system, first named Arthur then subsequently RiscOS, was in ROM along with the WIMP graphic interface (Windows Menu Icon Pointer), the fast BBC BASIC V interpreter and various utility programs, among them a Paint package, a music editor and an Acorn BBC model 2 emulator.
848 
849 
850 
851The built-in 800 KB 3.5" floppy drive was compatible with the old 640 KB format. A lot of expansion cards were developed for the Archimedes : MIDI, SCSI, Oscilloscope, IEEE 488, speech recognition, scanner, floating point co-processor.
852 
853 
854 
855Many programming languages were released as well : BASIC (which could be loaded from disk and ran faster than the ROM BASIC), C, Fortran 77, Pascal, Prolog and Lisp.
856 
857 
858 
859Although it was at least two times faster than the Atari ST and Amiga models, the Archimedes had no real success because of its high price, except in its country of origin (Great Britain) where it was very well-known and commonly used (especially in schools).
860 
861 
862 
863These computers were followed by a great family of computers called RISC PC which are still in production.
864 
865 
866 
867== Different Archimedes A300 - A400 - A500 versions  ==
868 
869 
870 
871  * A305 - 512 KB RAM
872 
873  * A310 - 1 MB RAM
874 
875  * A410 - 1 MB RAM
876 
877  * A420 - 2 MB RAM, 20 MB Hard disk
878 
879  * A440 - 4 MB RAM, 40 MB Hard disk
880 
881  * A540 - 16 MB RAM, 120 MB Hard Disk
882 
883 
884 
885//(info from old-computers.com)//
886 
887 
888 
889 
890 
891===== Links =====
892 
893 
894 
895  * Wocki's Acorn Site -- http://acorn.revivalteam.de/
896 
897  * Chris' Acorn Page -- http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/Archimedes.html
898 
899  * Archimedes 310 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=75
900 
901 
902 
903 
904 
905===== Other Emulators =====
906 
907 
908 
909  * Archie (DOS & Mac) -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Campus/5427/
910 
911  * Arculator -- http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/
912 
913  * Red Squirrel -- http://www.red-squirrel.org/
914 
915 
916 
917 
918 
919$end
920 
921 
922 
923#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
924 
925 
926$info=a400
927$bio
928====== Atari 400 Home Computer (1979) ======
929 
930 
931 
932 
933 
934===== Features =====
935 
936 
937 
938  * CPU: MOS 6502 1.79MHz
939 
940  * Co-Processors: ANTIC (Scrolling, Sprites, Video), CTIA / GTIA (Color, Sprites, Collisions), POKEY (Timers, Sound, Keyboard, Serial I/O), PIA 6810 (I/O including controller ports)
941 
942  * RAM: 8K or 16K (newer models)
943 
944  * ROM: 10K
945 
946  * Display:  24 x 40 text, 320 x 192 monochrome, 160 x 96 with 128 colors
947 
948  * Expansions: 2 internal expansion slots, 1 cartridge slot under front cover and a daisy-chainable expansion bus
949 
950  * Ports: 4 controller ports
951 
952  * Keyboard: QWERTY membrane keyboard with 61 keys, 4 function keys (Reset, Option, Select, Start)
953 
954  * TV video output
955 
956  * Storage: external 5.25" floppy drive, cassette recorder
957 
958  * OS: Atari OS
959 
960 
961 
962 
963 
964===== Usage =====
965 
966 
967 
968Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 400 versions:
969 
970 
971 
972  * a400 [Atari 400 (NTSC)]
973 
974  * a400pal [Atari 400 (PAL)]
975 
976 
977 
978Both drivers support cart dumps in .rom and .bin format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device, and up to four floppy drive for disks in .atr, .dsk and .xfd format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
979 
980 
981 
982== Keyboard ==
983 
984 
985 
986These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
987 
988 
989 
990Original Keyboard: QWERTY, 61 keys plus 4 function keys on the right
991 
992   
993 
994                                                            CLEAR   INSERT   DELETE                   SYSTEM
995 
996    ESC    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8@   9(   0)    <        >     BACK S   BREAK            RESET
997 
998     
999 
1000  CLF  SET                                                     UP _    DOWN |
1001 
1002    TAB      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P      -        =          RETURN           OPTION
1003 
1004     
1005 
1006                                                                  LEFT \  RIGHT ^     CAPS
1007 
1008       CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L     ;:      +        *       LOWR            SELECT
1009 
1010     
1011 
1012     
1013 
1014       SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,[     .]    /?     ATARI        SHIFT             START
1015 
1016     
1017 
1018     
1019 
1020                                     SPACE
1021 
1022 
1023 
1024Keys "TAB", "-", "=", "+" and "*" have 3 functions.
1025 
1026 
1027 
1028 
1029 
1030===== Known Issues =====
1031 
1032 
1033 
1034Most disk and cartridge images should work, though some graphic issues may exist. Note that the Atari 400 has less memory than the Atari 800, and some disk images may not work as a consequence; this is not a bug in the emulation.
1035 
1036 
1037 
1038 
1039 
1040===== History and Trivia =====
1041 
1042 
1043 
1044The Atari 400 and 800 were the first home computers to use custom coprocessors and the first to use "sprites" and special video interruptions like display lists, features that will be implemented several years after on the Commodore Amiga. It offered high graphic resolution, lots of colors and great sound capabilities, more than other computers could do then! The two models had same characteristics, the 400 is the low-cost version, it has only 16 KB (instead of 48 KB), one cartridge port (two for the 800) and a membrane keyboard (a typewriter style keyboard one for the 800).
1045 
1046 
1047 
1048Originally, the 400 was sold with 8 kb RAM, but later most 400's with 16 kb.
1049 
1050 
1051 
1052The Atari 400 was known inside Atari as code name "Candy". 
1053 
1054 
1055 
1056//(info from old-computers.com)//
1057 
1058 
1059 
1060 
1061 
1062===== Links =====
1063 
1064 
1065 
1066  * Atari 400 at the Atari Hystory Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/400800/400/400.html
1067 
1068  * Atari 400 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/atari400.shtml
1069 
1070  * Atari 400 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=76
1071 
1072 
1073 
1074 
1075 
1076===== Other Emulators =====
1077 
1078 
1079 
1080  * Atari800 (Unix, Amiga, MS-DOS, Atari TT/Falcon, SDL, WinCE) -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
1081 
1082  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
1083 
1084  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
1085 
1086  * Rainbow (historical) -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
1087 
1088  * PC Xformer (historical) -- http://www.emulators.com/xformer.htm
1089 
1090 
1091 
1092 
1093 
1094$end
1095 
1096 
1097 
1098#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1099 
1100 
1101$info=a500n
1102$bio
1103====== Commodore Amiga 500 (1987) ======
1104 
1105 
1106 
1107 
1108 
1109===== Features =====
1110 
1111 
1112 
1113  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.14MHz
1114 
1115  * Co-Processor: Agnus (MMU), Denise (video), Paula (Sound & I/O)
1116 
1117  * RAM: 512 KB (expandable to 9MB : 512 KB CHIP RAM + 512 KB Slow RAM + 8 MB FAST RAM)
1118 
1119  * ROM: 256 KB (DOS 1.2)
1120 
1121  * Text Modes: 60 x 32 / 80 x 32
1122 
1123  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 256 / 320 x 512 / 640 x 256 / 640 x 512
1124 
1125  * Colors: 32 (for 320 x X modes), 16 (for 640 x X modes) among 4096 + 2 Special modes: EHB 64 colors and HAM 4096 colors on static display.
1126 
1127  * Sound: 4 voice 8 bit PCM
1128 
1129  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232, Mouse, Joystick, RGB, Composite, External Audio, Bus
1130 
1131  * Built in Media: one 3.5" disk-drive
1132 
1133  * OS: AMIGA WorkBench 1.2 (first deliveries) then 1.3
1134 
1135 
1136 
1137 
1138 
1139===== Known Issues =====
1140 
1141 
1142 
1143The driver is now working fairly well, though some games may need more memory than currently emulated.
1144 
1145 
1146 
1147MESS supports various Kickstart ROM versions: v1.2, v1.3, v2.04, v3.1. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
1148 
1149 
1150 
1151  "-bios 0" or "-bios kick13" = Kickstart 1.3 (34.5)
1152 
1153   
1154 
1155  "-bios 1" or "-bios kick12" = Kickstart 1.2 (33.180)
1156 
1157   
1158 
1159  "-bios 2" or "-bios kick204" = Kickstart 2.04 (37.175)
1160 
1161   
1162 
1163  "-bios 3" or "-bios kick31" = Kickstart 3.1 (40.63)
1164 
1165 
1166 
1167 
1168 
1169 
1170 
1171===== History and Trivia =====
1172 
1173 
1174 
1175The Commodore Amiga 500 was the low-end successor of the Amiga 1000 and the predecessor of the Amiga 1200. It was the main competitor of the Atari 520 STf (there was a great "war" between the owners of these two computers).
1176 
1177 
1178 
1179It used a special system for its RAM configuration: 512 KB of Chip RAM which could be accessed by the Paula and Denise custom chips (sound & I/O and video, respectively) and Fast RAM which could be accessed only by the CPU.
1180 
1181 
1182 
1183The 68000 bus had two connectors, an external and an internal one. An extension card could be added through the internal connector on bottom of case and offered 512 KB of additional RAM and a battery-backed clock.
1184 
1185 
1186 
1187The Amiga 500 was followed by the Amiga 500+. The Amiga 500+ had the same characteristics as the Amiga 500 except it had 1MB of Chip RAM and used the AmigaOS 2.04, this version of Amiga OS needed 512 KB of ROM.
1188 
1189 
1190 
1191The Amiga A500+ was the shortest lived Amiga, lasting only 6 months before being replaced by the A600. Ironic that a machine designed to be cheaper and sold 'below' the 500+ should replace it and be sold for the same price(!)
1192 
1193 
1194 
1195Both versions could be connected to a TV set or to a video monitor with a better resolution. Two Amigas could be networked using a null modem cable.
1196 
1197 
1198 
1199This computer was, and is still used a lot in the "demoscene" to create cool videoclips with breaking graphics and sounds! 
1200 
1201 
1202 
1203//(info from old-computers.com)//
1204 
1205 
1206 
1207 
1208 
1209===== Links =====
1210 
1211 
1212 
1213  * Amiga Technologies Homepage -- http://www.amiga.de/
1214 
1215  * Amiga Interactive Guide -- http://amiga.emugaming.com/
1216 
1217  * AMIGART.COM -- http://www.amigart.com/
1218 
1219  * Hall of Light - the database of Amiga games -- http://hol.abime.net/
1220 
1221  * Amiga 500 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/amiga500.shtml
1222 
1223  * Amiga 500 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=65
1224 
1225 
1226 
1227 
1228 
1229===== Other Emulators =====
1230 
1231 
1232 
1233  * UAE (Ubiquitous Amiga Emulator) -- http://www.freiburg.linux.de/~uae/
1234 
1235  * WinUAE -- http://www.winuae.net/
1236 
1237  * Experimental UAE -- http://www.rcdrummond.net/uae/
1238 
1239 
1240 
1241 
1242 
1243$end
1244 
1245 
1246 
1247#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1248 
1249 
1250$info=a5200
1251$bio
1252====== Atari 5200 SuperSystem (1982) ======
1253 
1254 
1255 
1256 
1257 
1258===== Features =====
1259 
1260 
1261 
1262  * CPU: Motorola 6502C (8-bit) 1.78 MHz
1263 
1264  * RAM: 16K
1265 
1266  * Colors: 256, 16 on-screen
1267 
1268  * Resolution: 320x192
1269 
1270  * Sound: 4-channel
1271 
1272 
1273 
1274 
1275 
1276===== Usage =====
1277 
1278 
1279 
1280MESS currently supports two Atari 5200 versions
1281 
1282  * a5200 [Atari 5200]
1283 
1284  * a5200a [Atari 5200 (alt)]
1285 
1286 
1287 
1288Both drivers support cart dumps in .rom, .bin and .a52 format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
1289 
1290 
1291 
1292== Controls ==
1293 
1294 
1295 
1296The 5200 featured a controller with an analog joystick, numeric keypad, two fire buttons on both sides of the controller and game function keys for Start, Pause, and Reset. 
1297 
1298 
1299 
1300Keyboard input is a little difficult, using a joystick or a mouse is recommended.
1301 
1302 
1303 
1304 
1305 
1306===== Known Issues =====
1307 
1308 
1309 
1310Most games are playable. See a5200.hsi for a fairly exhaustive compatibility list.
1311 
1312 
1313 
1314 
1315 
1316===== History and Trivia =====
1317 
1318 
1319 
1320The Atari 5200 was introduced in 1982, and was actually designed to be a competitor to the Intellivision, before ColecoVision entered the market. Developed under the name of "Pam" (Atari, at the time, typically named projects after well-endowed female employees), Atari 
1321 
1322considered releasing it with that moniker; PAM in this case an acronym for "Personal Arcade Machine".
1323 
1324 
1325 
1326The 5200 shared much of the architecture of the Atari 400/800 computers, but featured a different cartridge connector and completely different controllers. Non-centering analogue joysticks which offered a full 360 degrees of mobility, were both innovative and unreliable. Other controller features included a keypad, and an ahead-of-its-time pause button.
1327 
1328 
1329 
1330The Atari 5200 suffered from its initial incompatibility with the VCS/2600 (an adapter was later released) and fierce competition from Coleco. When Warner Communications sold Atari Corp. to the Tramiels in 1984, they quickly removed it from the market.
1331 
1332 
1333 
1334== Different versions of the Atari 5200 == 
1335 
1336 
1337 
1338  * The initial 1982 release of the system featured four controller ports, where all other systems of the day had only two ports. It also featured the innovation of the first automatic TV switchbox, allowing it to automatically switch from regular TV viewing to the game system signal when the system was activated (previous RF adapters required the user to slide a switch on the adapter by hand). A single cable coming out of the 5200 plugged into the switch box was used for both electricity and the television signal.
1339 
1340 
1341 
1342  * The 1983 release of the Atari 5200 saw a scaled down controller port (2 instead of 4 ports) and a change back to the more conventional separate power supply and standard (non autoswitching) RF switch. It also saw changes in the cartridge port address lines to allow for the Atari 2600 adaptor released that year. While the adaptor was only made to work on the 2 port version, modifications can be done to the 4 port to make it line compatible. Furthermore, towards the end of the 4 port production run there were also an extremely limited number of 2600 adaptor compatible consoles produced. These much harder to find 4 port versions can be identified by an asterisk in the serial number.
1343 
1344 
1345 
1346//(info on the different hardware versions from Wikipedia)//
1347 
1348 
1349 
1350 
1351 
1352===== Links =====
1353 
1354 
1355 
1356  * Atari2600.com (covers many classical systems) -- http://www.atari2600.com/
1357 
1358  * Dan B's Atari 5200 Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/a5200.shtml
1359 
1360  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com/5200/history.html
1361 
1362  * Atari Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/5200/A5200.html
1363 
1364 
1365 
1366 
1367 
1368===== Other Emulators =====
1369 
1370 
1371 
1372== Dedicated Emulators ==
1373 
1374 
1375 
1376  * Jum52 (Jum's A5200 Emulator) -- http://www.geocities.com/james7780/emulators/emu5200.html
1377 
1378  * Virtual Super System (Dan Boris' 5200 emulator) -- http://atarihq.com/danb/a5200.shtml#emulator
1379 
1380  * kat5200 -- http://home.cfl.rr.com/jberlin/kat5200/index.html
1381 
1382 
1383 
1384== Atari 400/800/XL/XE Emulators also supporting Atari 5200 (due to hardware similarity) ==
1385 
1386 
1387 
1388  * Atari800 -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
1389 
1390  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
1391 
1392  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
1393 
1394  * Rainbow -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
1395 
1396 
1397 
1398 
1399 
1400$end
1401 
1402 
1403 
1404#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1405 
1406 
1407$info=a7800
1408$bio
1409====== Atari 7800 ProSystem (1986) ======
1410 
1411 
1412 
1413 
1414 
1415===== Features =====
1416 
1417 
1418 
1419  * CPU: Motorola 6502C (8-bit) 1.79 MHz
1420 
1421  * RAM: 32 KB
1422 
1423  * Resolution: 320 x 200
1424 
1425  * Colors: 256, 16 on-screen
1426 
1427 
1428 
1429 
1430 
1431===== Usage =====
1432 
1433 
1434 
1435Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 7800 versions:
1436 
1437 
1438 
1439  * a7800 [Atari 7800 (NTSC)]
1440 
1441  * a7800p [Atari 7800 (PAL)]
1442 
1443 
1444 
1445Both drivers require a “cartridge” (cart) to run, in .a78 format. You can start the emulation with
1446 
1447 
1448 
1449  mess a7800 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.a78"
1450 
1451 
1452 
1453== Controls ==
1454 
1455 
1456 
1457On the console, four buttons are present: POWER, PAUSE, RESET and SELECT. 
1458 
1459 
1460 
1461The slim controller features a central joystick and two buttons (one at each side of the controller).
1462 
1463 
1464 
1465 
1466 
1467===== Known Issues =====
1468 
1469 
1470 
1471Most games work fine, but a few have graphic and playability issues. See a7800.hsi for a full compatibility list.
1472 
1473 
1474 
1475 
1476 
1477===== History and Trivia =====
1478 
1479 
1480 
1481Originally developed in 1984 as the Atari 3600, the Atari 7800 Prosystem was released to the US market in 1986, in an attempt to compete in a revitalized home videogame market. The 7800 was actually designed by Gencomp as part of a lawsuit settlement (Gencomp had been sued for releasing a speedup chipset for Atari coinop Missile Command).
1482 
1483 
1484 
1485The 7800 was compatible with pre-existing Atari 2600 game program cartridges, without the need for expansion modules or turning switches, but was also designed to use enhanced 7800-only cartridges such as the pack-in "Pole Position 2". (n.b., only the 7800-specific cartridges are currently supported in MESS.) Many peripherals, including a computer/keyboard and high score saving cartridge were planned but never released.
1486 
1487 
1488 
1489Unfortunately for Atari, the system did poorly in the late 1980's market dominated by Nintendo.
1490 
1491 
1492 
1493www.atari-history.com has this interesting anecdote: "In the summer of 1984 the first 5,000 Atari 7800's had just been built in the new El Paso assembly plant. The production line manager, Brad Saville was eager to meet with Jack Tramiel to show him the new flagship Atari 
1494 
1495video game console. The meeting ended abruptly as Jack Tramiel was quoted "Get your pollution out of here! We make computers now and we don't want your garbage." The line manager was fired 2 days later. About 8-9 months later the line manager received a phone call from Atari asking him as to the whereabouts of the die molds for the Atari 7800. The ex-line manager responded 
1496 
1497that he did in fact know where they were and for $50/hour for about 200 to 300 hours of his time he would remember where they were and find them. The Atari Corp. representative who called was infuriated and informed the former production line manager that Atari's lawyers 
1498 
1499would be in contact with him. He never heard from Atari again."
1500 
1501 
1502 
1503== Revisions of Atari 7800 ==
1504 
1505 
1506 
1507  * Atari CX7800: Vastly modified and enhanced 2600 model. Two joystick ports on lower front panel. New chipset (except sound chip; pokey chips could be added to carts). Side expansion port for upgrades and computer add ons. Bundled accessories included two CX24 ProLine joysticks AC Adapter, switchbox, RCA connecting cable, and Pole Position II cartridge. Plays all 2600 games except 3 or so (which ones?).
1508 
1509  * Atari CX7800 Second Revision: Expansion port connector removed from mother board but is still etched. Shell has indentation of where expansion port was to be.
1510 
1511  * Atari CX7800 Third Revision: As above but only a small "blemish" mark on shell.
1512 
1513 
1514 
1515//(info on 7800 models from Zube's "Atari 2600/7800 FAQ")//
1516 
1517 
1518 
1519 
1520 
1521===== Links =====
1522 
1523 
1524 
1525  * The Atari 7800 Page -- http://www.atari7800.org
1526 
1527  * Atari2600.com (covers many classical systems) -- http://www.atari2600.com/
1528 
1529  * Dan B's Atari 7800 Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/a7800.shtml
1530 
1531  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com/7800/history.html
1532 
1533  * Atari Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800menu/
1534 
1535 
1536 
1537 
1538 
1539===== Other Emulators =====
1540 
1541 
1542 
1543  * EMU7800 -- http://emu7800.sourceforge.net/
1544 
1545  * [[https://home.comcast.net/~gscottstanton/|ProSystem Emulator]]
1546 
1547 
1548 
1549 
1550 
1551$end
1552 
1553 
1554 
1555#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1556 
1557 
1558$info=a800
1559$bio
1560====== Atari 800 Home Computer (1979) ======
1561 
1562 
1563 
1564 
1565 
1566===== Features =====
1567 
1568 
1569 
1570  * CPU: MOS 6502 1.79MHz
1571 
1572  * Co-Processors: ANTIC (Scrolling, Sprites, Video), CTIA / GTIA (Color, Sprites, Collisions), POKEY (Timers, Sound, Keyboard, Serial I/O), PIA 6810 (I/O including controller ports)
1573 
1574  * RAM: 8K base, up to 48K (with memory expansion boards)
1575 
1576  * ROM: 10K
1577 
1578  * Display: 24 x 40 text, 320 x 192 monochrome, 160 x 96 with 128 colors
1579 
1580  * Expansion: 4 internal expansion slots, 2 cartridge slots
1581 
1582  * Ports: 4 controller ports, RGB video output, TV video output
1583 
1584  * Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard with 62 keys, 4 function keys (Reset, Option, Select, Start)
1585 
1586  * Storage: external 5.25" floppy drive, cassette recorder
1587 
1588  * OS: Atari OS
1589 
1590 
1591 
1592 
1593 
1594===== Usage =====
1595 
1596 
1597 
1598Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 800 versions:
1599 
1600 
1601 
1602  * a800 [Atari 800 (NTSC)]
1603 
1604  * a800pal [Atari 800 (PAL)]
1605 
1606 
1607 
1608Both drivers support up to two cart slots for cart dumps in .rom and .bin format, using the "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2) devices, and up to four floppy drive for disks in .atr, .dsk and .xfd format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
1609 
1610 
1611 
1612== Keyboard ==
1613 
1614 
1615 
1616These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
1617 
1618 
1619 
1620Original Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard, 62 keys plus 4 function keys on the right
1621 
1622 
1623 
1624                                                            CLEAR   INSERT   DELETE                   SYSTEM
1625 
1626    ESC    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8@   9(   0)    <        >     BACK S   BREAK            RESET
1627 
1628     
1629 
1630  CLF  SET                                                     UP _    DOWN |
1631 
1632    TAB      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P      -        =          RETURN           OPTION
1633 
1634     
1635 
1636                                                                  LEFT \  RIGHT ^     CAPS
1637 
1638       CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L     ;:      +        *       LOWR            SELECT
1639 
1640     
1641 
1642     
1643 
1644       SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,[     .]    /?     ATARI        SHIFT             START
1645 
1646     
1647 
1648     
1649 
1650                                     SPACE
1651 
1652 
1653 
1654Keys "TAB", "-", "=", "+" and "*" have 3 functions.
1655 
1656 
1657 
1658 
1659 
1660===== Known Issues =====
1661 
1662 
1663 
1664Most disk and cartridge images should work, though some graphic issues may exist.
1665 
1666 
1667 
1668 
1669 
1670===== History and Trivia =====
1671 
1672 
1673 
1674The Atari 400 and 800 were the first home computers to use custom coprocessors and the first to use "sprites" and special video interruptions like display lists, features that will be implemented several years after on the Commodore Amiga. It offered high graphic resolution, lots of colors and great sound capabilities, more than other computers could do then! The two models had same characteristics, but the 800 had 48 KB of RAM (instead of 16 kb), two cartridge ports (only one for the 400) and a proper mechanical keyboard (a membrane keyboard for the 400).
1675 
1676 
1677 
1678In fact the very first Atari 800 Computers were shipped with 8 or 16 KB memory, expandable to 48 KB. After initial release, the 800 came standard with 48 KB memory.
1679 
1680 
1681 
1682Prior to production, the 800 was known inside Atari as code name "Colleen". It is rumored that Colleen and Candy (the 400 code name) were actually secretaries at Atari.
1683 
1684 
1685 
1686Many peripherals were product for the 800. Among these we recall: Atari 810 floppy drive, Atari 820 impact dot-matrix printer, Atari 850 Interface Module, Atari 830 Acoustic Couple Modem and Atari 835 Direct Connect Modem. 
1687 
1688 
1689 
1690The floppy drive uses single-sided 5 1/4-inch floppy disks, holding 90K of data on a disk. The data is transfered in serial format at 19200 baud. Up to 4 drives can be hooked up. 
1691 
1692 
1693 
1694The printer can produce 40 columns of 5x7 characters, at approximately 40 characters per second.
1695 
1696 
1697 
1698The 810 and 820 are considered "intelligent" peripherals - they have built-in processor chips which lighten the load on the computer's main processor. They can each be plugged directly into the Atari 400 or 800, with no other inteface required.
1699 
1700 
1701 
1702The Interface Module provides 4 separate RS-232-C serials ports and a single Centronics compatible printer port. It plugs into one of the controller jacks on the computer, which are actually both input/output, analog and digital ports. The Acoustic Couple Model requires both the Atari 850 Interface Module and the TeleLink I ROM cartridge to operate. On the other hand, the Direct Connect Modem requires only the Atari Telelink II ROM cartridge (and not the Interface Module) to operate.
1703 
1704 
1705 
1706Additional accessories include the external keypad, for fast data entry and the cassette tape drive, cheaper than the floppy drive but less reliable too. 
1707 
1708 
1709 
1710In 1983, Atari released the 800XL computer. It has the same CPU as the Atari 800, and runs at the same speed. Basically a cheaper version of the 800, it is supposed to be compatible with all Atari 800 software and peripherals, but it isn't. Improvements include: 64K base RAM vs. 8K, parallel I/O port (PBI), general purpose I/O port. 
1711 
1712 
1713 
1714//(info from old-computers.com)//
1715 
1716 
1717 
1718 
1719 
1720===== Links =====
1721 
1722 
1723 
1724  * Atari 800 at the Atari Hystory Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/400800/ATARI800/A800.html
1725 
1726  * Atari 800 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/atari800.shtml
1727 
1728  * Atari 800 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=460
1729 
1730 
1731 
1732 
1733 
1734===== Other Emulators =====
1735 
1736 
1737 
1738  * Atari800 (Unix, Amiga, MS-DOS, Atari TT/Falcon, SDL, WinCE) -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
1739 
1740  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
1741 
1742  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
1743 
1744  * Rainbow (historical) -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
1745 
1746  * PC Xformer (historical) -- http://www.emulators.com/xformer.htm
1747 
1748 
1749 
1750 
1751 
1752$end
1753 
1754 
1755 
1756#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1757 
1758 
1759$info=a800xl
1760$bio
1761====== Atari 800XL (1983) ======
1762 
1763 
1764 
1765 
1766 
1767===== Features =====
1768 
1769 
1770 
1771  * CPU: MOS 6502C 1.79 (NTSC) / 1.77 (PAL) MHz
1772 
1773  * Co-Processors: GTIA (video), POKEY (sound, I/O), ANTIC (video)
1774 
1775  * RAM: 16 KB (600 XL up to 64 KB) / 64 KB (800 XL, expandable to 128 KB)
1776 
1777  * ROM: 24 KB
1778 
1779  * Text Modes: five text modes, max: 40 x 24, min: 20 x 12
1780 
1781  * Graphic Modes: 16 graphic modes, maximum : 320 x 192
1782 
1783  * Colors: 256 (16 colors with 16 intensities)
1784 
1785  * Sound: 4 voices, 3.5 octaves
1786 
1787  * I/O Ports: Composite video output, cartridge slot, peripheral port (SIO), parallel bus, 2 joystick plugs
1788 
1789  * Keyboard: Mechanical keyboard
1790 
1791  * Built In Language: Atari Basic
1792 
1793 
1794 
1795 
1796 
1797===== Known Issues =====
1798 
1799 
1800 
1801The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
1802 
1803 
1804 
1805 
1806 
1807===== History and Trivia =====
1808 
1809 
1810 
1811The Atari 800XL, together with the 600XL, were successors of the Atari 400/800 series and the unsuccessful Atari 1200 XL in a more compact case. They could use almost the same software, just so long as the program was written correctly, because of some slight differences between OS versions.
1812 
1813 
1814 
1815The 800XL had 64 KB of RAM, two joystick ports and kept all the custom chips (Pokey, GTIA, Antic) of the previous models. It also featured the new Parallel Bus Interface (PBI) providing high speed access to the system bus. The new version of the graphic Antic chip offered 16 graphics modes instead of 12 for the 800.
1816 
1817 
1818 
1819An enhanced version, called 800XLF, appeared in summer 1984. It was equipped with the new "Freddie" chip which allowed faster memory management, especially for graphics display. This version was released in Europe with SECAM video interface.
1820 
1821 
1822 
1823Alongside the Commodore 64 and the Apple II, the 600 and 800XL were among the most popular home computers.
1824 
1825They would be replaced in 1985 with the XE series when Atari launched the ST. 
1826 
1827 
1828 
1829//(info from old-computers.com)//
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 
1834 
1835===== Links =====
1836 
1837 
1838 
1839  * Atari 800XL at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=27
1840 
1841  * Atari 800XL at the Atari Hystory Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/XL/XL-Pages/xl-range-main.htm
1842 
1843 
1844 
1845 
1846 
1847===== Other Emulators =====
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851  * Atari800 (Unix, Amiga, MS-DOS, Atari TT/Falcon, SDL, WinCE) -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
1852 
1853  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
1854 
1855  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
1856 
1857  * Rainbow (historical) -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
1858 
1859  * PC Xformer (historical) -- http://www.emulators.com/xformer.htm
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865$end
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1870 
1871 
1872$info=abc80
1873$bio
1874====== Luxor ABC 80 (1978) ======
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880===== Features =====
1881 
1882 
1883 
1884  * CPU: Z80 3MHz
1885 
1886  * RAM: 6 KB (up to to 32 KB)
1887 
1888  * ROM: 16 KB
1889 
1890  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (ViewData and Teletext compatible)
1891 
1892  * Graphics Modes: 78 x 75
1893 
1894  * Colors: Monochrome
1895 
1896  * Sound: 1 channel - Built-in speaker
1897 
1898  * I/O Ports: V24 / RS232
1899 
1900  * Storage: Optional 2 x 5.25" disk-drives (built in)
1901 
1902  * Keyboard:   Full-stroke 55 keys
1903 
1904  * Built in Language: Luxor Basic
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910===== Usage =====
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914== Keyboard ==
1915 
1916 
1917 
1918Full-stroke 55 keys
1919 
1920 
1921 
1922        1!   2@   3#   4¤   5%   6&   7/   8(   9)   0=   +?   É    <>
1923 
1924   
1925 
1926  UPPER
1927 
1928   CASE   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    Å    Ü    RETURN
1929 
1930   
1931 
1932   
1933 
1934   CTRL     A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    Ö    Ä    '*   <-
1935 
1936   
1937 
1938   
1939 
1940   SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,;   .:   -_   SHIFT   ->
1941 
1942   
1943 
1944   
1945 
1946                                 SPACEBAR
1947 
1948                                         
1949 
1950 
1951 
1952===== Known Issue =====
1953 
1954 
1955 
1956The driver is incomplete, with many remaining issues.
1957 
1958 
1959 
1960== To Do ==
1961 
1962 
1963 
1964  * screen timing PROMs are not dumped
1965 
1966  * 74S262 chip pinout/dump needed
1967 
1968  * keyboard scanning is awkwardly slow
1969 
1970  * graphics mode is not implemented
1971 
1972  * cassette interface
1973 
1974  * floppy disk controller card thru ABC bus
1975 
1976  * printer thru ABC bus
1977 
1978  * IEC thru ABC bus
1979 
1980 
1981 
1982 
1983 
1984===== History and Trivia =====
1985 
1986 
1987 
1988Luxor is a Swedish company that have made TV's and radio's for many years. However, the originators of the ABC-80 were not to be found at Luxor, but at the Swedish Zilog agent Scandia Metric and Computer Contruction Agency Dataindustrier (DIAB). Luxor were brought into the deal for their competence in CRTs and larger scale development.
1989 
1990 
1991 
1992Many schools in Sweden had ABC 80 or ABC 800 for the students. It was possible to connect together several ABC 80 thanks to a network called ABC NET. 
1993 
1994 
1995 
1996//(info from old-computers.com)//
1997 
1998 
1999 
2000 
2001 
2002===== Links =====
2003 
2004 
2005 
2006  * ABC Mastodont Manual (Swedish) -- http://hem.passagen.se/mani/abc/
2007 
2008  * Goran Lundberg's web site -- http://www.hultsfred.org/luxor.htm
2009 
2010  * Luxor ABC 800 homepage -- http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Luxor/index.en.html
2011 
2012  * Rikard's ABC80 links -- http://www.etek.chalmers.se/~e7rikard/abc80.html
2013 
2014  * Luxor ABC 80 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=37
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
2019 
2020===== Other Emulators =====
2021 
2022 
2023 
2024  * WinABC80 (ABC-80 emulator by Erik Isaksson) -- http://www.lysator.liu.se/~exon/archive.html
2025 
2026 
2027 
2028 
2029 
2030$end
2031 
2032 
2033 
2034#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2035 
2036 
2037$info=abc800c
2038$bio
2039====== Luxor ABC 800 (1981) ======
2040 
2041 
2042 
2043 
2044 
2045===== Features =====
2046 
2047 
2048 
2049  * CPU: Z80 3MHz
2050 
2051  * RAM: 32 KB
2052 
2053  * ROM: 32 KB
2054 
2055  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 80 x 24
2056 
2057  * Graphics Modes: 240 x 240 dots in four out of eight possible colours
2058 
2059  * Colors: Monochrome or colour monitor
2060 
2061  * Sound: 1 channel
2062 
2063  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS232, expansion bus slot
2064 
2065  * Keyboard: Full-stroke with function keys and numeric keypad
2066 
2067 
2068 
2069 
2070 
2071===== Usage =====
2072 
2073 
2074 
2075== Keyboard ==
2076 
2077 
2078 
2079Full-stroke with function keys and numeric keypad
2080 
2081   
2082 
2083        1!   2@   3#   4¤   5%   6&   7/   8(   9)   0=   +?   É    <>              PF1    PF2        7   8   9   CE
2084 
2085   
2086 
2087  UPPER
2088 
2089   CASE   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    Å    Ü    RETURN        PF3    PF4        4   5   6   -
2090 
2091   
2092 
2093   
2094 
2095   CTRL     A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    Ö    Ä    '*   <-          PF5    PF6        1   2   3   
2096 
2097                                                                                                                 RET
2098 
2099                                                                                                                 URN
2100 
2101   SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,;   .:   -_   SHIFT   ->          PF7    PF8          0     .
2102 
2103   
2104 
2105   
2106 
2107                                 SPACEBAR
2108 
2109 
2110 
2111 
2112 
2113===== Known Issues =====
2114 
2115 
2116 
2117The driver is incomplete, with many remaining issues.
2118 
2119 
2120 
2121== To Do ==
2122 
2123 
2124 
2125  * keyboard thru DART
2126 
2127  * connect 1.5MHz signal to CTC TRG0-2
2128 
2129  * use MAME's CRTC6845 video
2130 
2131  * connect CTC to DART/SIO
2132 
2133  * proper port mirroring
2134 
2135  * COM module DIP switch
2136 
2137  * HR (high resolution) graphics board
2138 
2139  * floppy controller thru ABC bus
2140 
2141  * Facit DTC (ABC 800M clone)
2142 
2143  * hard disks (ABC-850 10MB, ABC-852 20MB, ABC-856 60MB)
2144 
2145 
2146 
2147 
2148 
2149===== History and Trivia =====
2150 
2151 
2152 
2153Swedish computer system, successor of the Luxor ABC 80. Two versions are available: ABC 800M/HR (monochrome) and ABC 800C/HR (color)
2154 
2155 
2156 
2157There were several successors to the ABC800, most notably the ABC802 with built-in small 9" monitor and the ABC806 with more memory and more advanced 512x240x16 graphics.
2158 
2159 
2160 
2161The ABC 800 series was also sold by Facit under the DTC (DeskTop Computer) name, in a darker enclosure. 
2162 
2163 
2164 
2165//(info from old-computers.com)//
2166 
2167 
2168 
2169 
2170 
2171===== Links =====
2172 
2173 
2174 
2175  * ABC Mastodont Manual (Swedish) -- http://hem.passagen.se/mani/abc/
2176 
2177  * Goran Lundberg's web site -- http://www.hultsfred.org/luxor.htm
2178 
2179  * Lars Christoffersson page -- http://user.tninet.se/~lmx072e/abc800/
2180 
2181  * Luxor ABC 800 homepage -- http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Luxor/index.en.html
2182 
2183  * Luxor ABC 800 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=357
2184 
2185 
2186 
2187 
2188 
2189===== Other Emulators =====
2190 
2191 
2192 
2193  * WinABC80 (ABC-80 emulator by Erik Isaksson) -- http://www.lysator.liu.se/~exon/archive.html
2194 
2195 
2196 
2197 
2198 
2199$end
2200 
2201 
2202 
2203#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2204 
2205 
2206$info=acrnsys1
2207$bio
2208====== Acorn System 1 (1979) ======
2209 
2210 
2211 
2212 
2213 
2214===== Features =====
2215 
2216 
2217 
2218  * CPU: 6502 1 Mhz
2219 
2220  * RAM: 1 kb
2221 
2222  * ROM: 512 bytes
2223 
2224  * Text Modes: 8 x 1 (8 digits seven-segment LED display)
2225 
2226  * Graphic Modes: None
2227 
2228  * Colors: None
2229 
2230  * Sound: None
2231 
2232  * I/O Ports: Eurocard bus (100 x 160 mm cards), Tape interface (300 bauds), RAM I/O (16 lines I/O)
2233 
2234  * Keyboard: Calculator-style hexadecimal keyboard, 25 keys
2235 
2236  * Built In Language: Machine code
2237 
2238  * Peripherals: Memory expansion boards (4k / 8k), Video card, 4k Basic card, Assembler/Disassembler card
2239 
2240 
2241 
2242 
2243 
2244===== Usage =====
2245 
2246 
2247 
2248== Keyboard ==
2249 
2250 
2251 
2252This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
2253 
2254 
2255 
2256 
2257 
2258===== Known Issues =====
2259 
2260 
2261 
2262The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
2263 
2264 
2265 
2266 
2267 
2268===== History and Trivia =====
2269 
2270 
2271 
2272This 6502 modular system was the first computer produced by Acorn in 1979. It was basically the same type of computer as competitors offered at that time (KIM-1, MK14, Nascom, etc...) : a 6502 or Z80 CPU (in this case, a 6502) mounted on a simple "naked" board, with a one-line display and a hexadecimal keyboard. 
2273 
2274 
2275 
2276The System 1 is no exception : it featured an eight-digit seven-segment LED display, a hexadecimal keyboard (25 keys) and as there was no built-in BASIC in the computer, it had only machine-code.
2277 
2278Fortunately there was a tape-recorder interface communicating at 300 bauds. 
2279 
2280 
2281 
2282Like all these types of "hobbyist" computers, the main advantage was the expandability of the system. They were quite cheap machines because they were shipped basically "naked". Then you had to buy whatever cards you wanted (video, BASIC, sound, etc...). Here the system was Eurocard compatible, which was a well-known expansion board standard at that time.
2283 
2284If then you had "too many" expansion cards, a Eurocard rack was available to organise the whole system. 
2285 
2286 
2287 
2288The System 1 itself was composed of two Eurocard boards (one for the CPU and the other for the keypad and display) mounted one above the other (sandwiched, you could say), the two being connected by a ribbon cable. 
2289 
2290 
2291 
2292//(info from old-computers.com)//
2293 
2294 
2295 
2296===== Links =====
2297 
2298 
2299 
2300  * Mike Cowlishaw's Acorn Microcomputer Page -- http://www.cary.demon.co.uk/acorn/index.html
2301 
2302  * Acorn System 1 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=483
2303 
2304 
2305 
2306 
2307 
2308===== Other Emulators =====
2309 
2310 
2311 
2312  * Mike Cowlishaw's Acorn Microcomputer Emulator -- http://www.cary.demon.co.uk/acorn/acornEmulator.html
2313 
2314 
2315 
2316 
2317 
2318 
2319 
2320$end
2321 
2322 
2323 
2324#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2325 
2326 
2327$info=adam
2328$bio
2329====== Coleco Adam (1983) ======
2330 
2331 
2332 
2333 
2334 
2335===== Features =====
2336 
2337 
2338 
2339  * CPU: Zilog Z80-A 3.58MHz
2340 
2341  * Co-Processor: 6801 Master-microcomputer
2342 
2343  * RAM: 64 kb (25 kb available with Smart Basic), upgradeable  to 144 kb
2344 
2345  * VRAM: 16 kb
2346 
2347  * ROM: 32 kb
2348 
2349  * Display: TV (RF) & composite video, 36 x 24 text, 16 colors, 256 x 192 graphics   
2350 
2351  * Ports: cartridge, video, AdamNet
2352 
2353  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with 75 keys, separated arrow keys, ten command keys and six programmable function keys.
2354 
2355  * Expansion: 3 internal expansion slots
2356 
2357  * Peripherals: Daisy-wheel printer (required)
2358 
2359  * Storage: 1 or 2 internal cassette drives (Custom Digital Data Packs that look surprisingly like audio cassettes, but aren't the same), external 5.25" floppy drive available
2360 
2361  * OS: EOS (Elementary OS) similar to CP/M, OS-7, SmartBASIC (loaded from cassette)
2362 
2363 
2364 
2365 
2366 
2367===== Usage =====
2368 
2369 
2370 
2371Currently, MESS supports for the adam both cart dumps (in .rom, .col and .bin format) and disk images (.dsk format). The former ones are supported through the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter ones uses up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
2372 
2373 
2374 
2375== Keyboard ==
2376 
2377 
2378 
2379This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
2380 
2381 
2382 
2383Original Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard, 75 keys
2384 
2385   
2386 
2387  ESCAPE                                                          BACK                MOVE     STORE
2388 
2389    WP    HOME       I      II     III     IV      V      VI      SPACE   UNDO        COPY      SET     CLEAR
2390 
2391   
2392 
2393   
2394 
2395    \|     1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6_   7&   8*   9(   0)   -`   +=   ^~             INSERT   PRINT    DELETE
2396 
2397   
2398 
2399   
2400 
2401    TAB      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}
2402 
2403   
2404 
2405   
2406 
2407    CONTROL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;:   '"    RETURN                   UP
2408 
2409   
2410 
2411   
2412 
2413    SHIFT        Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?      SHIFT           LEFT              RIGHT
2414 
2415   
2416 
2417   
2418 
2419      LOCK                         SPACEBAR                                                    DOWN
2420 
2421 
2422 
2423 
2424 
2425===== Known Issues =====
2426 
2427 
2428 
2429Emulation is incomplete due to missing MC6801 AdamNet MCU dumps (Tape, Disc, Keyboard). It should nevertheless work ok.
2430 
2431 
2432 
2433 
2434 
2435===== History and Trivia =====
2436 
2437 
2438 
2439The ADAM was available in two models, the complete system and Expansion Module #3. When the memory console of Expansion Module #3 is connected to the ColecoVision, the two models are essentially identical in function. The expansion module #3 uses part of the ColecoVision hardware, thus the memory unit doesn't have any cartridge slot, and isn't delivered with any controllers nor TV switch box.
2440 
2441 
2442 
2443The whole system is made of the daisywheel printer, the memory unit and the keyboard. The power supply is built-in the printer!
2444 
2445 
2446 
2447The Smart Basic isn't in ROM and has to be loaded from a tape, however there's a little word processor in ROM, this word processor prints the text to the printer at the same time the user types on the keyboard, but can also be used as a classic wordprocessor.
2448 
2449 
2450 
2451The Adam had a pretty short life, only two years! Despite this there is still a community of Adam fans who still use their system. Nowadays, most Adam users use a 320k 5 1/4 inch disk drive, an external 2400 baud modem, and a 20, 30 or 40 megabyte IDE harddisk. Adams often have memory expanders up to 2 MB in size (which is usually used as a RAM disk), and also a parallel printer (like a bubble jet)! 
2452 
2453 
2454 
2455//(info from old-computers.com)//
2456 
2457 
2458 
2459 
2460 
2461===== Links =====
2462 
2463 
2464 
2465  * eColeco -- http://coleco.freeservers.com/
2466 
2467  * Coleco Adam Technical Manual -- http://drushel.cwru.edu/atm/atm.html
2468 
2469  * Adam Family Computer System -- http://www.sacnews.net/adamcomputer/
2470 
2471  * Coleco Adam at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/adam.shtml
2472 
2473  * Coleco Adam at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=57
2474 
2475 
2476 
2477 
2478 
2479===== Other Emulators =====
2480 
2481 
2482 
2483  * ADAMEm -- http://www.komkon.org/~dekogel/adamem.html
2484 
2485 
2486 
2487 
2488 
2489$end
2490 
2491 
2492 
2493#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2494 
2495 
2496$info=advision
2497$bio
2498====== Entex Adventure Vision (1982) ======
2499 
2500 
2501 
2502 
2503 
2504===== Features =====
2505 
2506 
2507 
2508  * CPU: Intel 8048 733kHz
2509 
2510  * RAM: 1K + 64 bytes internal to processor
2511 
2512  * ROM: 1K Cartridge ROM, 1K BIOS
2513 
2514  * Sound: COP411L 52.6 kHz micro controller with custom sound generation software. 16 Pure Tone, 13 Sound Effects
2515 
2516  * Graphics: 40 x 1 LED array and spinning mirror, 15 FPS
2517 
2518  * Colors: 2
2519 
2520  * Resolution: 150 x 40
2521 
2522  * I/O: 4 direction joystick, 4 buttons
2523 
2524  * Ports: Cartridge port, expansion port, headphone jack
2525 
2526 
2527 
2528 
2529 
2530===== Usage =====
2531 
2532 
2533 
2534MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run advision emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
2535 
2536 
2537 
2538  mess advision -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
2539 
2540 
2541 
2542== Controls ==
2543 
2544 
2545 
2546The Adventure Vision has a central Joystick and four control buttons (numbered from 1 to 4) at each side of the joystick, so that both a right or left handed player can play in comfort.
2547 
2548 
2549 
2550 
2551 
2552===== Known Issues =====
2553 
2554 
2555 
2556All four games are playable.
2557 
2558 
2559 
2560 
2561 
2562===== History and Trivia =====
2563 
2564 
2565 
2566The Adventure Vision was a cartridge based, electronic handheld video game that was manufactured by Entex Industries in 1982. It measured about 13 1/4" x 10" x 9" and used one vertical strip of 40 red LEDs and a spinning mirror to produce a screen with a 150 x 40 resolution drawn at 15 frames/sec. There were only four cartridges produced for it: Defender, Turtles, Super Cobra, and an Asteroids clone, Space Force.
2567 
2568 
2569 
2570Visit adventurevision.com -- http://www.adventurevision.com for more informations.
2571 
2572 
2573 
2574 
2575 
2576===== Links =====
2577 
2578 
2579 
2580  * AdventureVision.com -- http://www.adventurevision.com
2581 
2582  * Dan B's Adventure Vision Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/adventurevision.shtml
2583 
2584  * Adventure Vision at handheldmuseum.com -- http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Entex/AV.html
2585 
2586 
2587 
2588 
2589 
2590$end
2591 
2592 
2593 
2594#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2595 
2596 
2597$info=aim65
2598$bio
2599====== Rockwell AIM-65 (1977) ======
2600 
2601 
2602 
2603 
2604 
2605===== Features =====
2606 
2607 
2608 
2609  * CPU: Rockwell 6502 1MHz
2610 
2611  * RAM: 1 to 4 KB (up to 32 KB of static RAM)
2612 
2613  * ROM: 8 to 20 KB
2614 
2615  * Integrated 20 digit (16 segment) display
2616 
2617  * Full size keyboard
2618 
2619  * Integrated printer
2620 
2621  * Connector for tty input/output
2622 
2623  * Tape interface
2624 
2625 
2626 
2627 
2628 
2629===== Usage =====
2630 
2631 
2632 
2633To load custom ROMs, use the cartridge devices. ROMs with the extension ''z26'' go into slot 1, ''z25'' into slot 2 and ''z24'' into slot 3. 
2634 
2635 
2636 
2637For example, to use BASIC, load ''aim65_basic.z26'' into slot 1 and ''aim65_basic.z25'' into slot 2. Then type "5" in the emulation to start it.
2638 
2639 
2640 
2641== Keyboard ==
2642 
2643 
2644 
264554 keys QWERTY full-stroke keyboard.
2646 
2647   
2648 
2649        1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0    :*   F3   PRINT
2650 
2651   
2652 
2653  ESC     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    -=     F2     RETURN
2654 
2655   
2656 
2657    CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   LF @    F1   DEL
2658 
2659   
2660 
2661    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?     SHIFT
2662 
2663   
2664 
2665                                 SPACEBAR
2666 
2667 
2668 
2669 
2670 
2671===== Known Issues =====
2672 
2673 
2674 
2675  * No printer support
2676 
2677  * No tape support
2678 
2679  * Would suffer from support for intelligent terminals as tty equipment.
2680 
2681 
2682 
2683 
2684 
2685===== History and Trivia =====
2686 
2687 
2688 
2689 
2690 
2691 
2692 
2693This strange computer was designed to be a development system for 6502 based computers. It had no display except for a small 20 character LED screen and a very small thermal printer located directly on the motherboard which could print everything that was typed on the keyboard.
2694 
2695 
2696 
2697The board featured five 4 KB-ROM sockets. Two of them were dedicated to the AIM monitor program, including an instant input assembler (no labels) and a disassembler. Various programming languages (BASIC, FORTH...) or custom applications could be added in the three remaining sockets.
2698 
2699 
2700 
2701Several cards were developped for this machine, especially language cards and ROMs: a BASIC card (BASIC language with floating point mathematics capabilities), PL/65 (a mixture of the PL/1 and Algol languages), Instant Pascal (an interpreted version of Pascal), Assembler and the FORTH programming language.
2702 
2703 
2704 
2705In 1981 Rockwell introduced an improved model with a 40 character display as the AIM-65/40.
2706 
2707 
2708 
2709//(info from old-computers.com)//
2710 
2711 
2712 
2713Thanks to Richard A. Cini: provided help and pictures.
2714 
2715 
2716 
2717 
2718 
2719===== Links =====
2720 
2721 
2722 
2723  * AIM-65 Documentation -- http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/systems.htm
2724 
2725  * AIM-65 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/aim65.shtml
2726 
2727  * AIM-65 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=58
2728 
2729 
2730 
2731 
2732 
2733$end
2734 
2735 
2736 
2737#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2738 
2739 
2740$info=al520ex
2741$bio
2742====== Patisonic Aleste 520EX (1993) ======
2743 
2744 
2745 
2746 
2747 
2748===== Features =====
2749 
2750 
2751 
2752  * CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 3.5/4/7/8MHz
2753 
2754  * RAM: 512kB, expandable to 2MB
2755 
2756  * Audio: AY-3-8912
2757 
2758  * Video: 6845 CRTC
2759 
2760  * Video modes: 160x200x16, 320x200x4, 640x200x2, 320x200x16, 640x200x4, 256x212x16, 512x212x4
2761 
2762  * Palette: 64 colours (6-bit RGB)
2763 
2764  * RTC: MC146818
2765 
2766 
2767 
2768 
2769 
2770===== Usage =====
2771 
2772 
2773 
2774To start in CPC mode, hold SHIFT while booting.
2775 
2776 
2777 
2778To enter system setup, hold CLR (mapped to Backspace, by default) while booting.
2779 
2780 
2781 
2782Insert a bootable Aleste MSX disk image to boot to MSX-DOS.  Run an executable (*.com) program by typing the filename (without the .com extension) at the A> prompt and pressing ENTER.
2783 
2784 
2785 
2786 
2787 
2788===== Known Issues =====
2789 
2790 
2791 
2792Supports only MSX format disk images currently.
2793 
2794 
2795 
2796RTC emulation is not complete, time is not always constantly updated on screen in system setup.
2797 
2798 
2799 
2800The Magic Sound expansion is not emulated.
2801 
2802 
2803 
2804 
2805 
2806===== History and Trivia =====
2807 
2808 
2809 
2810The Aleste 520EX is a Russian clone of the CPC6128, that expands existing video mode and can run MSX-DOS. 
2811 
2812 
2813 
2814It also adds an MC146818 RTC/NVRAM, an Intel 8253 timer and the "Magic Sound" board, which is a 4-channel DMA-based sample player.   
2815 
2816 
2817 
2818Finally, it includes a software emulation of the MSX2 VDP, used in the ports of MSX games.
2819 
2820 
2821 
2822//(info from MESS driver)//
2823 
2824 
2825 
2826 
2827 
2828===== Links =====
2829 
2830 
2831 
2832  * [[http://aleste520.narod.ru/index.html]]  (Some pages are in Russian)
2833 
2834  * CPC Wiki link -- http://www.cpcwiki.com/index.php/Aleste_520EX
2835 
2836$end
2837 
2838 
2839 
2840#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2841 
2842 
2843$info=alice
2844$bio
2845====== Matra & Hachette Alice (1983) ======
2846 
2847 
2848 
2849 
2850 
2851===== Features =====
2852 
2853 
2854 
2855  * CPU: Motorola 6803 0.89 MHz (it's a cross between 6800 and 6809)
2856 
2857  * Co-Processor: MC-6847 Video Generator
2858 
2859  * RAM: 4 kb, 3 kb left for user [Alice 4k]; 16 kb, 8 kb left for user [Alice 32]
2860 
2861  * ROM: 8 kb [Alice 4k]; 16 kb [Alice 32]
2862 
2863  * Text Modes: 32 x 16 [Alice 4k]; 32 x 16, 40 x 25, 80 x 25 [Alice 32]
2864 
2865  * Graphics Modes: 64 x 32 [Alice 4k]; 64 x 32, 160 x 125, 320 x 250 [Alice 32]
2866 
2867  * Colors: 9 [Alice 4k]; 9 with Basic, 32 with machine code [Alice 32]
2868 
2869  * Sound: 1 channel
2870 
2871  * I/O Ports: Expansion port (18 pins), Tape-recorder (1500 bauds), TV (7 pins DIN plug), I/O serial port (4 pins DIN plug)
2872 
2873  * Peripherals: Printer, 16k RAM expansion
2874 
2875  * Built In Language: Basic Microsoft 1.0 (1982)
2876 
2877  * Keyboard: AZERTY, chicklet keyboard, 47 keys (1 SHIFT, 1 CONTROL, BREAK, ENTER), Basic statements written above each key
2878 
2879 
2880 
2881 
2882 
2883===== History and Trivia =====
2884 
2885 
2886 
2887In 1981, Matra signed a deal with Tandy/RadioShack to develop a MC-10 clone for 1983: the Alice. Matra then worked with Hachette (both were owned by the Lagardère group) to produce the documentation and to organize the distribution. Last but not least, the well known and excellent french illustrator Moebius drew a beautiful illustration for the docs and the box of the Alice.
2888 
2889 
2890 
2891Alice is quite limited in its possibilities but is also quite pleasant to use. Its case is whole red and the computer really looks like a toy.
2892 
2893 
2894 
2895Several educational programs were developed for this computer.
2896 
2897 
2898 
2899Then in 1984, Matra presents a new version : The Alice 32 with 16 kb RAM and improved graphical possibilities.
2900 
2901 
2902 
2903But this computer was, like the MC 10, a flop in the marketplace. It was replaced one year later by the Alice 90.
2904 
2905 
2906 
2907//(info from old-computers.com)//
2908 
2909 
2910 
2911 
2912 
2913===== Links =====
2914 
2915 
2916 
2917  * Romuald Line's Alice Page -- http://membres.lycos.fr/romualdl/alice/alice.html
2918 
2919  * Alice at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=60
2920 
2921 
2922 
2923 
2924 
2925===== Other Emulators =====
2926 
2927 
2928 
2929  * DCAlice -- http://alice32.free.fr/index.html
2930 
2931  * Alice 32 Emulator -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
2932 
2933 
2934 
2935 
2936 
2937$end
2938 
2939 
2940 
2941#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2942 
2943 
2944$info=amsterd
2945$bio
2946====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Amsterdam (1985) ======
2947 
2948 
2949 
2950===== Features =====
2951 
2952 
2953 
2954  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz
2955 
2956  * ROM: 64 KB
2957 
2958  * RAM: 16 KB
2959 
2960 
2961 
2962 
2963 
2964===== History and Trivia =====
2965 
2966 
2967 
2968Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers. 
2969 
2970 
2971 
2972They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules. 
2973 
2974 
2975 
2976The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
2977 
2978 
2979 
2980Mephisto Amsterdam was introduced in 1985. It was programmed by Richard Lang.
2981 
2982 
2983 
2984For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
2985 
2986 
2987 
2988 
2989 
2990===== Links =====
2991 
2992 
2993 
2994  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
2995 
2996  * Mephisto Amsterdam at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
2997 
2998  * Mephisto Amsterdam at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Amsterdam
2999 
3000  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
3001 
3002 
3003 
3004 
3005 
3006$end
3007 
3008 
3009 
3010#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3011 
3012 
3013$info=apexc
3014$bio
3015====== APE(X)C (All Purpose Electronic X-Ray Computer) (1951?) ======
3016 
3017 
3018 
3019 
3020 
3021===== Features =====
3022 
3023 
3024 
3025//(from the source code)//
3026 
3027 
3028 
3029  * 32-bit data word size (10-bit addresses): uses fixed-point, 2's complement arithmetic
3030 
3031  * CPU has one accumulator (A) and one register (R), plus a Control Register (this is what we would call an "instruction register" nowadays). No Program Counter, each instruction contains the address of the next instruction (!).
3032 
3033  * memory is composed of 256 (maximal value only found on the UCC - APE(X)C only has 32 tracks) circular magnetic tracks of 32 words: only 32 tracks can be accessed at a time (the 16 first ones, plus 16 others chosen by the programmer), and the rotation rate is 3750rpm (62.5 rotations per second).
3034 
3035  * two I/O units: tape reader and tape puncher.  A teletyper was designed to read specially-encoded punched tapes and print decoded text.
3036 
3037  * machine code has 15 instructions (!), including add, substract, shift, multiply (!), test and branch, input and punch.  A so-called vector mode allow to repeat the same operation 32 times with 32 successive memory locations. Note the lack of bitwise and/or/xor (!) .
3038 
3039  * 1 kIPS, although memory access times make this figure fairly theorical (drum rotation time: 16ms, which would allow about 60IPS when no optimization is made)
3040 
3041  * there is no indirect addressing whatever, although dynamic modification of opcodes (!) allows to simulate it...
3042 
3043  * a control panel allows operation and debugging of the machine.
3044 
3045 
3046 
3047 
3048 
3049===== Usage =====
3050 
3051 
3052 
3053You should specify a cylinder image with code to run in it. Arguably, APEXC does not require such an image, since you may enter code in the control panel, but this would be a pain in the ass.
3054 
3055 
3056 
3057If the program you run use punched tape I/O, you may specify tape image files. The first unit is read-only, the second unit is write-only.
3058 
3059 
3060 
3061In MESS, you can use "cylinder" (cyln) device to load a cylinder image and the "punchtape1" (ptap1) and "punchtape2" (ptap2) devices to choose which punchtape you want for input and output. The resulting MESS command line may look like this
3062 
3063   
3064 
3065  mess apexc -cyln ram_image.apc -ptap1 input.tap -ptap2 output.tap
3066 
3067 
3068 
3069**Important:** Note that, when you quit MESS or the APEXC driver, the contents of the cylinder are saved to the image you specified. This simulates the behavior of the APEXC, where the cylinder image IS the working memory. If you don't like this behavior, you may either write-protect the cylinder image file, or keep a backup copy elsewhere on your hard disk (highly recommended).
3070 
3071 
3072 
3073Note that the APEXC CPU is stopped on start-up, so that you may check the machine state and enter the start-up program address.
3074 
3075 
3076 
3077On start-up, the instruction at address 0 is loaded into the Control Register, then the machine is stopped. To run the program starting at address 0, just press the Run/stop switch (the Run/stop switch is mapped to the "Return" key on the main keyboard).
3078 
3079 
3080 
3081To start a program at another address, you need to load the first instruction into the Control register with the control panel. To do so, use keys "1" through "0" on the main keyboard to enter the 10-bit address into the 10 most significant bits of the Control Panel display, and set other bits to 0 with the three rows of keys under "1" through "0" (each key toggles a bit in the control panel display; don't be intimidated if it sounds complicated, it should eventually appear straight-forward when you try, provided you know what binary scale is). You have thus generated a Stop instruction pointing to the first instruction of the program. Write this instruction into the Control Register, by holding "Left Shift" pressed and pressing "1" on the numeric keypad. You should now press the Run/stop switch twice (mapped to the "Return" key on the main keyboard). First press executes the stop order, but fetches the first instruction of the program into the control register. Second press starts running the program, starting with the first instruction.
3082 
3083 
3084 
3085== Control panel usage  ==
3086 
3087 
3088 
3089This is relatively simple. The Control Panel may hold and display a 32-bit value. Display is made of 32 lamps, which show the current value in binary scale (each lamp represents one bit). Hence, the normal usage is loading the value you want to edit into the control panel, editing it, then saving it to the proper location.
3090 
3091 
3092 
3093== Default key map ==
3094 
3095 
3096 
3097  * Run/stop switch: "Return" key on main keypad
3098 
3099 
3100 
3101The next 6 keys may be used alone to read the register into the control panel display, or in combination with the Left Shift key to write the value in the control panel display into the register.
3102 
3103 
3104 
3105  * Read/Write Control Register: "1" key on numeric keypad
3106 
3107  * Read/Write Accumulator: "2" key on numeric keypad
3108 
3109  * Read/Write Register: "3" key on numeric keypad
3110 
3111  * Read/Write Current Head Block (never used on APEXC - used for bank switching): "4" key on numeric keypad
3112 
3113  * Read/Write Memory Location: "5" key on numeric keypad
3114 
3115  * Read/Write Memory Location pointed to by ML register: "6" key on numeric keypad
3116 
3117 
3118 
3119To write instead of reading: "Left Shift" key (when you press one of the 6 keys above, the designated register is read into the control panel display, unless this key is being pressed, in which case the value in the control panel display is written into the register)
3120 
3121 
3122 
3123  * Toggle bits 1 through 10 in display: keys "1" through "0" on the main keyboard
3124 
3125  * Toggle bits 11 through 20 in display: key row directly below the former on the main keyboard ("Q" through "P" if your keyboard is QWERTY)
3126 
3127  * Toggle bits 21 through 30 in display: key row directly below the former on the main keyboard ("A" through ";" if your keyboard is QWERTY)
3128 
3129  * Toggle bits 31 and 32 in display: key row directly below the former on the main keyboard ("W" and "X" keys if your keyboard is QWERTY)
3130 
3131 
3132 
3133 
3134 
3135===== Known Issues =====
3136 
3137 
3138 
3139Since I have no description of the control panel of an actual APEXC, I implemented a common-place control panel, so this part of the emulation is not accurate. I don't even know how an actual APEXC was operated, and the procedures I describe above are not accurate, either.
3140 
3141 
3142 
3143The driver should work correctly as of MESS .37b15. Still, it needs development tools, sample code and usage instructions desperately. I have tons of sample code (which was the reason for starting to write this driver), but still need to retype it. I have started work on an assembler, too.
3144 
3145 
3146 
3147 
3148 
3149===== History and Trivia =====
3150 
3151 
3152 
3153The APEXC was designed by Andrew D. Booth at Birkbeck College, London, in the early 50's. From 1943 on, he started working on the determination of crystal structures using X-ray diffraction data.  The computations involved were extremely tedious and there was ample incentive for automating the process. In 1947, along with his collaborator and future spouse Kathleen Britten, he spent a few months with von Neumann's team, which was the leading edge in computer research at the time. Booth designed an electromechanical computer, the ARC, in the late 40's. Later on, they built an experimental electronic computer named 'SEC' (Simple Electronic Computer), and finally the APEC (All-Purpose Electronic Computer) series.
3154 
3155 
3156 
3157== APEC series machines ==
3158 
3159 
3160 
3161According to a 1956 document, the APEC series included the following machines:
3162 
3163 
3164 
3165  * APE(X)C: Birkbeck College, London (before 1955)
3166 
3167  * APE(N)C: Board of Mathematical Machines, Oslo ('N' must stand for 'Norway')
3168 
3169  * APE(H)C: British Tabulating Machine Company (No idea what 'H' can stand for)
3170 
3171  * APE(R)C: British Rayon Research Association ('R' must stand for 'Rayon')
3172 
3173  * UCC: University College, London (circa January 1956)
3174 
3175  * MAC (Magnetic Automatic Calculator): "built by Wharf Engineering Laboratories" (February 1955)
3176 
3177  * The HEC (Hollerith Electronic Computer - silly name invented by BTM directors), built by the British Tabulating Machine Company [later to become International Computers and Tabulators (ICT), then International Computers Limited (ICL)], a commercial machine sold in several models (I have heard of HEC 1, HEC 2, HEC 2M [no idea what the difference with HEC 2 is] and HEC 4) (before 1955)
3178 
3179 
3180 
3181Only one of each of these machines was built, with the exception of HEC (and possibly MAC) which were commercial machines produced in small series. They were similar in design, with various small differences, mostly in I/O equipment (either punched-card machines - APEXC, APEHC - or teletypers (keyboard and printer, and paper tape reader and puncher) - APERC, APENC). Also, the UCC had 8k words of storage, instead of 1k word for other machines, and the MAC used germanium diodes in replacement of many tubes.  The HEC used standard
3182 
3183Hollerith punch cards; the HEC 4 had a printer, too, and it featured several instructions (divide) and registers not found on the APEXC.
3184 
3185 
3186 
3187I am sorry I know little more about Booth, his team, and the history of these machines.
3188 
3189 
3190 
3191== Technical Description ==
3192 
3193 
3194 
3195The APEXC is an incredibly simple machine.
3196 
3197 
3198 
3199Instruction and Data words are always 32-bit-long. The processor uses integer arithmetic with 2's complement representation. Addresses are 10-bit-long. The APEXC has no RAM, except a 32-bit accumulator and a 32-bit data register (used along with the 32-bit accumulator to implement 64-bit shift instructions and hold the 64-bit result of a multiplication). Instructions and data are stored in two magnetic drums, for a total of 32 circular magnetic tracks of 32 words. Since the rotation rate is 3750rpm (62.5 rotations per second), the program execution speed can go from as high as the theoretical maximum of 1 kIPS to lower than 100IPS if program instructions and data are not contiguous. Nowadays, many a pocket calculator is faster.
3200 
3201 
3202 
3203One oddity is that there is no program counter: each machine instruction includes the address of the next instruction. This design may sound weird, but it is the only way to achieve optimal performance with this cylinder-based memory.
3204 
3205 
3206 
3207The machine code is made of 15 instructions only, namely addition, subtraction, multiplication, load (3 variants), store (2 variants), conditional branch, right arithmetic bit shift, right bit rotation, punched-card input, punched-card output, machine stop, and bank-switching (which is never used on the APEXC, since it only has 1024 words of storage, and addresses are 10-bit-long). A so-called vector mode enables to repeat the same operation 32 times with 32 successive memory locations. Note the lack of bitwise and/or/xor and division. Also, note the lack of indirect addressing modes: dynamic modification of opcodes is the only way one may simulate it.
3208 
3209 
3210 
3211Another oddity is that the memory bus and the ALU are 1-bit-wide. There is a 64kHz bit-clock and a 2kHz word-clock, and each word memory and arithmetic operation is decomposed into 32 1-bit memory and arithmetic operations: this takes 32 bit cycles, for a total of 1 word cycle.
3212 
3213 
3214 
3215The processor is fairly efficient: most instructions take only 2 word cycles (1 for fetch, 1 for read operand and execute), with the exception of stores, shifts and multiplications. Yes, the APEXC CPU is a RISC: there is no other adequate word.
3216 
3217 
3218 
3219Note there is no ROM, and therefore no 'bootstrap loader' or default start-up program whatever. As far as I know, no executive or operating system was ever written for the APEXC, although there were subroutine libraries of sorts for common arithmetic, I/O and debug tasks.
3220 
3221 
3222 
3223Operation of the machine is normally done through a control panel which allows the user to start, stop and resume the CPU, and to alter registers and memory when the CPU is stopped. When starting the machine, the address of the first instruction of the program to be executed must be entered in the control panel, then the run switch must be pressed. Most programs end with a stop instruction, which enables to check the state of the machine, possibly run some post-mortem debugging procedures (a core dump routine is described in an APEXC programming book), then enter the address of another program and run it.
3224 
3225 
3226 
3227Two I/O devices were supported: a paper tape reader, and a paper tape puncher. The puncher output could be fed to a printer ('teletyper') unit when desirable. Printer output is emulated and is displayed on screen. Tape input was either computer-generated by the APEXC, or hand-typed with a special 32-key keyboard (each tape row had 5 data holes (<-> bits), which makes 32 different values).
3228 
3229 
3230 
3231 
3232 
3233 
3234 
3235$end
3236 
3237 
3238 
3239#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3240 
3241 
3242$info=apfimag
3243$bio
3244====== APF Imagination Machine (1978) ======
3245 
3246 
3247 
3248 
3249 
3250===== Features =====
3251 
3252 
3253 
3254  * CPU: Motorola 6800 3.579 MHz
3255 
3256  * Co-Processor: Motorola MC-6847P video display generator
3257 
3258  * RAM: 9 KB expandable to 17 KB
3259 
3260  * ROM: 14 KB
3261 
3262  * Text Modes: 16 lines x 32 char. (8 colours)
3263 
3264  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 192 (8 colours) - 256 x 192 (4 colours)
3265 
3266  * Colors: 8
3267 
3268  * Sound: Built-in music synthetiser & speaker, one channel, 5 octaves
3269 
3270  * I/O Ports: TV aerial output, Microphone jack, expansion port
3271 
3272  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard - 53 keys
3273 
3274  * Built in Media: 1500 baud, stereo cassette deck
3275 
3276  * Peripherals: 5.25" disk drive unit, expansion box, RS-232 & 8 KB RAM cartridges
3277 
3278  * Built in Language: APF Basic on cartridge
3279 
3280 
3281 
3282 
3283 
3284===== Usage =====
3285 
3286 
3287 
3288== Keyboard ==
3289 
3290 
3291 
3292This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
3293 
3294 
3295 
3296Original Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard, 53 keys
3297 
3298 
3299 
3300                                                                    HERE
3301 
3302     1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*    -=     IS
3303 
3304   
3305 
3306                                                            LINE
3307 
3308  ESC   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O_   P@    FEED   RETURN
3309 
3310   
3311 
3312                                                               RUB
3313 
3314   CTRL   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K[   L\    ;+   OUT  REPT  BREAK
3315 
3316   
3317 
3318   
3319 
3320   SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N^   M]   ,<   .>    /?     SHIFT
3321 
3322   
3323 
3324   
3325 
3326                                  SPACEBAR
3327 
3328 
3329 
3330== BASIC ==
3331 
3332 
3333 
3334In basic, pressing "FUNCTION" (currently mapped to "CTRL") and a letter/number will display a basic keyword making it easier to enter programs.
3335 
3336 
3337 
3338  * FUNCTION + Q = IF
3339 
3340  * FUNCTION + W = STEP
3341 
3342  * FUNCTION + E = STOP
3343 
3344  * FUNCTION + R = READ
3345 
3346  * FUNCTION + T = NEXT
3347 
3348  * FUNCTION + Y = PRINT
3349 
3350  * FUNCTION + U = END
3351 
3352  * FUNCTION + I = LIST
3353 
3354  * FUNCTION + O = REM
3355 
3356  * FUNCTION + P = USING
3357 
3358  * FUNCTION + 1 = GOSUB
3359 
3360  * FUNCTION + 2 = LET
3361 
3362  * FUNCTION + 3 = DATA
3363 
3364  * FUNCTION + 4 = INPUT
3365 
3366  * FUNCTION + 5 = DIM
3367 
3368  * FUNCTION + 6 = FOR
3369 
3370  * FUNCTION + 7 = RETURN
3371 
3372  * FUNCTION + 8 = THEN
3373 
3374  * FUNCTION + 9 = ON
3375 
3376  * FUNCTION + 0 = GOTO
3377 
3378  * FUNCTION + - = RESTORE
3379 
3380  * FUNCTION + ENTER = CLOAD
3381 
3382 
3383 
3384== Cassettes ==
3385 
3386 
3387 
3388MESS supports a "cassette" (cass) device for apfimag. It's possible to load either .wav or .apt cassette files, e.g. running at command line
3389 
3390 
3391 
3392  mess apfimag -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.apt"
3393 
3394 
3395 
3396Once the emulation has started and you have written a program, you can use 
3397 
3398 
3399 
3400  CSAVE"<filename>" 
3401 
3402 
3403 
3404to save the program to a file and 
3405 
3406 
3407 
3408  CLOAD"" 
3409 
3410 
3411 
3412to load the file back (or to load the cassette content at start).
3413 
3414 
3415 
3416== Floppy Disks ==
3417 
3418 
3419 
3420MESS supports two floppy drives for apfimag, corresponding to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). Basic disk images with the .apd extension are supported and can be loaded running
3421 
3422 
3423 
3424  mess apfimag -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.apd"
3425 
3426 
3427 
3428Once the emulation has started and you have written a program, you can use 
3429 
3430 
3431 
3432  SAVE"<filename>" 
3433 
3434 
3435 
3436to save the program to a file, and 
3437 
3438 
3439 
3440  LOAD"<filename>" 
3441 
3442 
3443 
3444to load the file back (or to load the floppy content at start). You can also use 
3445 
3446 
3447 
3448  DIR <drive number> 
3449 
3450 
3451 
3452(i.e. "DIR 0" or "DIR 1") to list the content of the disk.
3453 
3454 
3455 
3456 
3457 
3458===== Known Issues =====
3459 
3460 
3461 
3462  * Cassette loading and saving is working
3463 
3464  * Interrupts are not exact. I don't know enough about them, any info would be appreciated.
3465 
3466  * Disc interface is working, but there may be some bugs.
3467 
3468  * Keyboard emulation is almost ok
3469 
3470  * The M6847 emulation is very advanced *BUT* I don't think I have set it up correctly for the APF Imagination, therefore the graphics are wrong.
3471 
3472  * Memory emulation is not complete
3473 
3474 
3475 
3476 
3477 
3478===== History and Trivia =====
3479 
3480 
3481 
3482This strange hybrid computer came in two parts: a videogame console and a computer. The game system, called the APF MP-1000, was released in 1978. It had two controlers, each with a joystick and a numeric keypad. It came with a built-in game called "Rocket Patrol".
3483 
3484 
3485 
3486The computer console, the "Imagination Machine" was sold as an add-on for the MP-1000. You could also buy both at the same time (most people did). The computer has a 53-key standard typewriter keyboard, a built-in stereo cassette deck (1500 baud), a built-in sound-speaker and an internal operating system and BASIC language interpreter. The APF BASIC, delivered on cartridge, was quite poor. You had to use a lot of POKEs and CALLs to play with graphics. For example, to clear the screen, the command was CALL 17046.
3487 
3488 
3489 
3490The video game system nestled on top of the keyboard module. This computer add-on concept would later be used by several game system manufacturers like Coleco with their ColecoVision game system connected to the Adam Computer, or Intellivision and their ECS module (and keyboard component).
3491 
3492 
3493 
3494An additional disc interface was available.
3495 
3496 
3497 
3498//(info from old-computers.com)//
3499 
3500 
3501 
3502 
3503 
3504===== Links =====
3505 
3506 
3507 
3508  * Imagination Machine page -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
3509 
3510  * APF-M1000, APF-MP1000 & Imagination Machine F.A.Q. (by Sylvain De Chantal) -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/apf.txt
3511 
3512  * Imagination Machine at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=584
3513 
3514 
3515 
3516 
3517 
3518===== Other Emulators =====
3519 
3520 
3521 
3522  * APF Imagination Machine Emulator (Enrique Collado's APF emu for DOS) -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
3523 
3524  * Virtual APF (by emucompboy) -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
3525 
3526 
3527 
3528 
3529 
3530 
3531 
3532$end
3533 
3534 
3535 
3536#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3537 
3538 
3539$info=apfm1000
3540$bio
3541====== APF M-1000 (1978) ======
3542 
3543 
3544 
3545 
3546 
3547===== Features =====
3548 
3549 
3550 
3551  * CPU: Motorola 6800 (8 bit) 3.579 MHz
3552 
3553  * Co-Processor: Motorola MC-6847P video display generator
3554 
3555  * RAM: 1K 
3556 
3557  * ROM: None (Game Rocket Patrol built-in)
3558 
3559  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 192 (8 colours) - 256 x 192 (4 colours)
3560 
3561  * Colors: 8
3562 
3563  * I/O Ports: 2x Joystick, Cartridge, TV output
3564 
3565 
3566 
3567 
3568 
3569===== Usage =====
3570 
3571 
3572 
3573MESS currently supports cartridge dumps for apfm1000. The "cartridge" (cart) device supports .bin images, and you can run them using e.g.
3574 
3575 
3576 
3577  mess apfm1000 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
3578 
3579 
3580 
3581If you don't specify any cart, the built-in game "Rocket Patrol" will start.
3582 
3583 
3584 
3585== Controls ==
3586 
3587 
3588 
3589Games are controlled through the non-detachables joysticks and keypads. The 12-keys keypads are placed under the joystick and have the following layout
3590 
3591   
3592 
3593  7   8   9   0
3594 
3595   
3596 
3597  4   5   6   Cl
3598 
3599   
3600 
3601  1   2   3   En
3602 
3603   
3604 
3605  Cl,En=Clear and Enter
3606 
3607 
3608 
3609On the back of the controller a trigger is present (labeled as "Fire").
3610 
3611 
3612 
3613 
3614 
3615===== Known issues =====
3616 
3617 
3618 
3619  * The driver is still missing exact cpu/video timing (backgammon relies on exact video timing).
3620 
3621  * It lacks support for special cartridges (basic, space destroyer)
3622 
3623 
3624 
3625 
3626 
3627===== History and Trivia =====
3628 
3629 
3630 
3631The APF M1000 was released in 1978. It's a Video game system cart based, comes with 2 non-detachables joysticks with a numeric keypad on each ones (look likes a mini-calculator with a joystick), has "Reset" & "Power" buttons on the unit. It could be played on a Color TV only. This system seems to have been the pack-in unit with Imagination Machine.
3632 
3633 
3634 
3635A second model, the APF MP1000, was released in 1978. This system is basically the same as the M1000 model and both systems does come with built-in game called "Rocket Patrol".
3636 
3637 
3638 
3639Both of these systems had the ability to be expanded to the Imagination Machine & both can play each other cartridges.
3640 
3641 
3642 
3643 
3644 
3645===== Links =====
3646 
3647 
3648 
3649  * Imagination Machine page -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
3650 
3651  * APF-M1000, APF-MP1000 & Imagination Machine F.A.Q. (by Sylvain De Chantal) -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/apf.txt
3652 
3653 
3654 
3655 
3656 
3657===== Other Emulators =====
3658 
3659 
3660 
3661  * APF Imagination Machine Emulator (Enrique Collado's APF emu for DOS) -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
3662 
3663  * Virtual APF (by emucompboy) -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
3664 
3665 
3666 
3667 
3668 
3669$end
3670 
3671 
3672 
3673#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3674 
3675 
3676$info=apple1
3677$bio
3678====== Apple 1 (1976) ======
3679 
3680 
3681 
3682 
3683 
3684===== Features =====
3685 
3686 
3687 
3688  * CPU: MOS Technology 6502 1 MHz
3689 
3690  * Memory: 4 kB DRAM, expandable to 8 kB on board, or up to 52 kB with third-party expansion hardware
3691 
3692  * Screen: 40x24 characters
3693 
3694  * Storage: Optional cassette interface
3695 
3696  * Keyboard: No keyboard (sold separately)
3697 
3698 
3699 
3700 
3701 
3702===== Usage =====
3703 
3704 
3705 
3706Upon boot or reset, the system displays a "\" and a blinking "@" cursor on the next line.  The blinking "@" is the Apple 1's video cursor. The "\" is the prompt for the Monitor program.  From the Monitor, you can examine or change memory or execute another
3707 
3708program.
3709 
3710 
3711 
3712You can always interrupt a program and return to the Monitor by pressing the Apple 1's RESET switch ("F12").  This will not clear the screen or disturb memory contents.
3713 
3714 
3715 
3716To cold-boot the system, clearing the screen and memory, press the MESS Reset key ("F3", in partial emulation mode only).
3717 
3718 
3719 
3720The Apple 1's CLEAR SCREEN switch ("F2") will clear the screen and place the cursor at the upper left corner.  This only clears the video hardware, not the computer's memory, so you can use it whenever you like.
3721 
3722 
3723 
3724== Cassettes ==
3725 
3726 
3727 
3728To start the cassette interface's mini-monitor from the Monitor, type the Monitor command
3729 
3730   
3731 
3732  C100R
3733 
3734 
3735 
3736This mini-monitor will let you write memory regions to a cassette image or read a cassette image into memory.  It will only execute a single line of commands, and will then return you to the main Monitor, but this line can contain several write or read commands.
3737 
3738 
3739 
3740  * Cassette write command, writing data from memory at $xxxx-$yyyy
3741 
3742   
3743 
3744  xxxx.yyyyW
3745 
3746 
3747 
3748  * Cassette read command, reading data into memory at $xxxx-$yyyy
3749 
3750   
3751 
3752  xxxx.yyyyR
3753 
3754 
3755 
3756The starting and ending addresses xxxx and yyyy should be 4-digit hexadecimal addresses. The starting address can actually be shorter than 4 digits, but to be safe, the ending address should be exactly 4 digits.  (A bug in the cassette mini-monitor will cause digits missing from the ending address to be replaced by the trailing digits of the starting address, and if the starting address does not end with zeroes, much more data will be written or read than expected.)
3757 
3758 
3759 
3760If a command line contains multiple write or read commands, the corresponding memory regions will be written or read in sequence. These commands may be separated by spaces, which are ignored.
3761 
3762 
3763 
3764When a region is written, its data is preceded by a 10-second leader.  When a region is read, the leader can vary in length but should be at least 4-5 seconds.
3765 
3766 
3767 
3768If the cassette image doesn't contain enough data to fill a region, the mini-monitor will hang waiting for the remaining data, and the system must be reset.
3769 
3770 
3771 
3772When all the cassette commands have been executed, the mini-monitor will return to the Monitor, which will display a "\" prompt.
3773 
3774 
3775 
3776Some cassette command examples:
3777 
3778 
3779 
3780  * To read Apple 1 BASIC from cassette
3781 
3782 
3783 
3784   
3785 
3786  E000.EFFFR
3787 
3788 
3789 
3790  * To write a BASIC program to cassette, with BASIC's default LOMEM= setting of 2048
3791 
3792 
3793 
3794   
3795 
3796  4A.00FFW800.FFFW
3797 
3798 
3799 
3800  * To read a BASIC program from cassette, with LOMEM=768
3801 
3802 
3803 
3804   
3805 
3806  4A.00FFR300.FFFR
3807 
3808 
3809 
3810 
3811 
3812== BASIC ==
3813 
3814 
3815 
3816Once Apple 1 BASIC is loaded into memory, it can be started with the Monitor command
3817 
3818 
3819 
3820   
3821 
3822  E000R
3823 
3824 
3825 
3826This will start BASIC from scratch, removing any existing BASIC program and data. To return to BASIC from the monitor while preserving the current program and data, use the command
3827 
3828 
3829 
3830   
3831 
3832  E2B3R
3833 
3834 
3835 
3836The BASIC prompt is a ">".  Apple 1 BASIC is generally similar to Apple II Integer BASIC, but without the latter's graphics commands.
3837 
3838 
3839 
3840 
3841 
3842===== Known Issues =====
3843 
3844 
3845 
3846  * The cassette interface and $E000-$EFFF DRAM are always included; they cannot be switched off.
3847 
3848  * The DRAM at $E000-$EFFF is not included in the RAM configured by MESS's -ram option, due to limitations in how MESS presently manages configurable RAM.
3849 
3850  * Optional cassette interface is included and emulated.
3851 
3852  * 4 KB of DRAM is mapped to $E000-$EFFF.  This is required for Apple 1 BASIC.
3853 
3854 
3855 
3856 
3857 
3858===== History and Trivia =====
3859 
3860 
3861 
3862The Apple 1 was a kit computer that was introduced and sold in small quantities in 1976.
3863 
3864 
3865 
3866Steve Wozniak ("Woz"), who worked for Hewlett-Packard at the time, wanted to build his own computer. He could afford neither the Intel 8080 (the most popular microprocessor at the time) nor the Motorola 6800 (his own preference).  Therefore, he decided to build his computer around MOS Technology's new 6502 chip, which was quite compatible with the Motorola 6800 but far less expensive.  He proceeded to write a BASIC interpreter for the chip, and then turned to designing the computer that would run it, using an earlier paper design for the Motorola 6800.
3867 
3868 
3869 
3870The resulting computer was easier to use and more affordable than many other kit computers of the time, sporting a keyboard interface and TV-compatible video terminal circuitry, all on a single circuit board.  To keep costs down, the video memory was implemented using shift registers rather than RAM, with the downside being a slow display rate (60 characters per second). However, this was still much faster than the 10-character-per-second electromechanical Teletypes used with many early home computers. Wozniak's computer also used new, more compact 4-kilobit dynamic RAM chips instead of the 1-kilobit static RAMs used by most other designs. Wozniak promoted his computer and enhancements for it at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California.
3871 
3872 
3873 
3874Steve Jobs, who had worked with Woz on the game "Breakout" for Atari, convinced Woz to try to market and sell the computer. Together they formed the Apple Computer Company. Paul Terrell, the owner of The Byte Shop, a new local computer store, was interested in this
3875 
3876computer, but only if it was fully assembled and came with a cassette interface, so Wozniak designed one.
3877 
3878 
3879 
3880Normally, the Apple 1 was sold "naked", simply as a circuit board, without a monitor, power supply, keyboard, tape drive, etc. These would be added by the owner. Wozniak and Jobs assembled about 200 systems and sold about 170 of them. Most of these were later traded in to Apple for Apple IIs and were destroyed. About 30 to 50 are still in existence.
3881 
3882 
3883 
3884This machine was so popular that Jack Tramiel of Commodore (!) offered to buy Apple. Apple was, at the time, a major purchaser of MOS 6502 processors and Commodore owned MOS Technologies. Wozniak wanted $15,000 more than Tramiel offered. Needless to say, the deal fell through. 
3885 
3886 
3887 
3888//(info from old-computers.com)//
3889 
3890 
3891 
3892 
3893 
3894 
3895 
3896===== Links =====
3897 
3898 
3899 
3900  * Apple 1 Owners Club -- http://www.applefritter.com/apple1
3901 
3902  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
3903 
3904  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah02.html
3905 
3906  * Apple 1 Manual -- http://emulation.net/apple1/manual/apple1manx.html
3907 
3908  * Apple 1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=67
3909 
3910 
3911 
3912 
3913 
3914$end
3915 
3916 
3917 
3918#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3919 
3920 
3921$info=apple2
3922$bio
3923====== Apple ][ (1977) ======
3924 
3925 
3926 
3927 
3928 
3929===== Features =====
3930 
3931 
3932 
3933  * CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz
3934 
3935  * Memory: RAM 4kB expandable to 48kB, 12kB ROM
3936 
3937  * Screen: 6 colors at 280x192, 4-bit color at 40x48
3938 
3939  * Data path: 8-bit
3940 
3941  * I/O Ports: Video out (composite), 8 expansion slots, Tape recorder, Paddles
3942 
3943  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard - only supports uppercase letters
3944 
3945  * Built In Language: Integer Basic
3946 
3947 
3948 
3949 
3950 
3951===== Usage =====
3952 
3953 
3954 
3955Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
3956 
3957scroll_lock key.
3958 
3959 
3960 
3961Upon booting, you'll get the ROM monitor prompt ('*'), from which you can examine/modify/run at different memory locations.   
3962 
3963(Note: you would normally need to press RESET to get to the prompt, but this doesn't seem to be necessary in MESS.)
3964 
3965 
3966 
3967From the Monitor, press control-B then ENTER to get to Integer BASIC, which uses the greater than prompt ('>').
3968 
3969 
3970 
3971You can invoke the mini-assembler by entering 'F666G' at the Monitor.
3972 
3973 
3974 
3975To backspace, use the left arrow key.  The "Backspace" key is mapped to the Apple ][ "DEL".
3976 
3977 
3978 
3979== Keyboard ==
3980 
3981   
3982 
3983     1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*    -=    RESET
3984 
3985   
3986 
3987   
3988 
3989  ESC   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P@    REPT   RETURN
3990 
3991   
3992 
3993                                BELL
3994 
3995    CTRL    A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L    ;+   <-   ->
3996 
3997   
3998 
3999   
4000 
4001     SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B     N^   M    ,<   .>   /?  SHIFT
4002 
4003   
4004 
4005   
4006 
4007     POWER                         SPACEBAR
4008 
4009 
4010 
4011 
4012 
4013===== History and Trivia =====
4014 
4015 
4016 
4017The Apple ][ is an improved version of the Apple 1 kit computer first released in 1977. Along with the TRS-80 and the PET, it constituted one of the "second-generation" of computers, aimed at the general user rather than the specialized hobbyist.
4018 
4019 
4020 
4021The Apple ][ featured a beige plastic case, color graphics, and seven (eight?) expansion slots. It included a version of BASIC called "Integer BASIC" on the ROM which came with the machine.
4022 
4023 
4024 
4025It was an excellent home gaming platform.  It shipped with two game paddles (various models were used) and supports up to four. It also included a built-in speaker.
4026 
4027 
4028 
4029The cassette interface required a cassette recording deck and was quite finicky. The treble and bass on the cassette deck had to be fiddled with in just the right way.
4030 
4031 
4032 
4033Apple ][ was the very first commercial success of the Apple Computer Company.
4034 
4035 
4036 
4037Because Steve Wozniak wanted to demonstrate his Breakout game with the new Apple ][, he decided to add colour, sound and minimum paddle support to the Apple 1's heir.
4038 
4039 
4040 
4041The Apple ][ came with 4 KB RAM, but it was possible to add 4 KB or 16 KB RAM chips. Thus, the system could have memory in the following sizes: 4K, 8K, 12K,16K, 20K, 24K, 32K, 36K, or a full 48K. This was one of the strong points of the Apple ][: from the beginning, it was 
4042 
4043designed with expansion in mind. The 8 expansion slots were further proof of that - users could expand their system easily, just by plugging cards into the slots.
4044 
4045 
4046 
4047The ROM included the monitor, a 6502 disassembler, 'Sweet 16' a 16-bit CPU emulator and the Integer Basic written by Wozniak in machine language, assembled by hand on paper! Not having to load a language from tape or disk to start programing was also a significant advantage over competitors. Even the innovative plastic case proved to be an important feature to attract customers.
4048 
4049 
4050 
4051Just a few months after the Apple ][ presentation at the First West Coast Computer Fair in April 1977, Apple received about three hundred orders for the Apple ][, over a hundred more than the total number of Apple-1's sold.
4052 
4053 
4054 
4055The Apple ][ was followed in 1979 by the Apple II+, which brought some enhancements. 
4056 
4057 
4058 
4059== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
4060 
4061 
4062 
4063"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
4064 
4065 
4066 
4067"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
4068 
4069 
4070 
4071The generally preferred machine designations are:
4072 
4073 
4074 
4075  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
4076 
4077  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
4078 
4079  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
4080 
4081  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
4082 
4083  * Apple //c
4084 
4085  * Apple IIc+
4086 
4087  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
4088 
4089 
4090 
4091 
4092 
4093===== Links =====
4094 
4095 
4096 
4097  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
4098 
4099  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
4100 
4101  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
4102 
4103  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
4104 
4105  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
4106 
4107  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
4108 
4109  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
4110 
4111  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
4112 
4113  * Iowa universiry Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
4114 
4115  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
4116 
4117  * Apple ][ at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple_ii.shtml
4118 
4119  * Apple ][ at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=68
4120 
4121 
4122 
4123 
4124 
4125===== Other Emulators =====
4126 
4127 
4128 
4129  * Dapple - Apple II (II+, IIe) emulator for DOS and Unix with C source code -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/dapple/
4130 
4131  * AppleWin - A great apple 2+ and apple 2e emulator for windows -- http://applewin.berlios.de/
4132 
4133  * Apple Oasis - Emulates Apple IIe system including hard disk, clock, CP/M card, etc. -- http://www.geocities.com/APL24WIN/index.html
4134 
4135  * Catakig - MacOS -- http://www.radix.net/~cklipsch/ctkgdoc/
4136 
4137  * Bernie ][ the rescue - Mac & BeOS -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
4138 
4139  * YAE, Yet another Apple ][ Emulator - Unix -- http://quark.netfront.net:6502/
4140 
4141 
4142 
4143 
4144 
4145$end
4146 
4147 
4148 
4149#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4150 
4151 
4152$info=apple2c
4153$bio
4154====== Apple //c (1984) ======
4155 
4156 
4157 
4158 
4159 
4160===== Features =====
4161 
4162 
4163 
4164  * CPU: MOS 65C02 1.4MHz
4165 
4166  * Memory: 128kB RAM expandable to 1mB, 32kB ROM
4167 
4168  * Screen: 16 colors at 560 x 192 (double-hi-res); 4-bit color text mode at 40 x 48
4169 
4170  * Data path: 8-bit
4171 
4172  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Joystick/Mouse, RGB, Floppy Disk, RS232c (2)
4173 
4174  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 62 keys with arrows keys
4175 
4176  * Built In Media: one 5.25" diks-drive
4177 
4178  * OS: DOS 3.3, ProDOS, UCSD Pascal
4179 
4180  * Built In Language: AppleSoft BASIC
4181 
4182 
4183 
4184 
4185 
4186===== Known Issues =====
4187 
4188 
4189 
4190Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the
4191 
4192scroll_lock key.
4193 
4194 
4195 
4196The emulation of the rev. 4 and of some clones is Preliminary.
4197 
4198 
4199 
4200 
4201 
4202===== History and Trivia =====
4203 
4204 
4205 
4206The Apple //c was the compact (the "c" stands for compact) version of the Apple IIe. It had the same basic characteristics as the Apple IIe but included a lot of features which were optional on the IIe: floppy disk drive, 80-column display, color display, 128 KB RAM. But unlike the Apple IIe, it had no expansion slots, so it was hard to add features to this computer. It ran either with DOS 3.3 or with ProDOS.
4207 
4208 
4209 
4210The Apple //%%c was originally designed to be a portable version of the Apple ][, but it wasn't a stand alone system, it had no batteries and no LCD screen (Apple would soon release these items), it could also be used with a small 9" monochrome green screen which plugged into the unit. The Apple %%//c was mainly used as a desktop computer.
4211 
4212 
4213 
4214The Apple //c was replaced with the Apple IIc+ in 1988. 
4215 
4216 
4217 
4218//(info from old-computers.com)//
4219 
4220 
4221 
4222== Revisions ==
4223 
4224 
4225 
4226Apple //c went under several revisions: you can discover which machine you are using issuing the command 
4227 
4228 
4229 
4230   
4231 
4232  PRINT PEEK(64447).
4233 
4234 
4235 
4236  * If 255 is displayed, you have the first, original model. This model is known to have problems producing accurate baud rates for serial communications.
4237 
4238  * If 0 is displayed, you can use 3.5" drives, but you don't have the memory expansion connector.
4239 
4240  * If 3 is displayed, you have the memory expansion connector and you can plug in extra memory.
4241 
4242  * If 4 is displayed, you have the latest model with memory expansion connector and extra upgrades.
4243 
4244  * If 5 is displayed, you have an Apple IIc+.
4245 
4246 
4247 
4248== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
4249 
4250 
4251 
4252"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
4253 
4254 
4255 
4256"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
4257 
4258 
4259 
4260The generally preferred machine designations are:
4261 
4262 
4263 
4264  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
4265 
4266  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
4267 
4268  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
4269 
4270  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
4271 
4272  * Apple //c
4273 
4274  * Apple IIc+
4275 
4276  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
4277 
4278 
4279 
4280== Easter Egg == 
4281 
4282 
4283 
4284Enter 
4285 
4286 
4287 
4288  100 IN#5 : INPUT A$ : PRINT A$
4289 
4290 
4291 
4292at the ']' prompt (Applesoft Basic) and 'RUN' it. The names of the developers will display!
4293 
4294 
4295 
4296 
4297 
4298===== Links =====
4299 
4300 
4301 
4302  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
4303 
4304  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
4305 
4306  * Apple //c .dsk Archive -- http://www.multimania.com/apple2c/
4307 
4308  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
4309 
4310  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
4311 
4312  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
4313 
4314  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
4315 
4316  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
4317 
4318  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
4319 
4320  * Iowa universiry Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
4321 
4322  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
4323 
4324  * Apple //c at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple2c.shtml
4325 
4326  * Apple //c at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=69
4327 
4328 
4329 
4330 
4331 
4332$end
4333 
4334 
4335 
4336#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4337 
4338 
4339$info=apple2cp
4340$bio
4341====== Apple IIc Plus (1988) ======
4342 
4343 
4344 
4345 
4346 
4347===== Features =====
4348 
4349 
4350 
4351  * CPU: MOS 65C02 4MHz
4352 
4353  * Memory: 128kB RAM, 128kB ROM
4354 
4355  * Screen: 16 colors at 560 x 192 (256 colors with a upgrade that was availble in 1989); 4-bit color text mode at 40 x 48
4356 
4357  * Data path: 8-bit
4358 
4359  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Joystick/Mouse, RGB, Floppy Disk, RS232c (2), Video Expansion, Internal Modem Connector
4360 
4361  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard
4362 
4363  * Built In Media: one 3.5" diks-drive
4364 
4365  * OS: DOS 3.3, ProDOS, UCSD Pascal
4366 
4367 
4368 
4369 
4370 
4371===== Known Issues =====
4372 
4373 
4374 
4375Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the
4376 
4377scroll_lock key.
4378 
4379 
4380 
4381 
4382 
4383===== History and Trivia =====
4384 
4385 
4386 
4387The Apple IIc Plus unit was a direct response to the Laser 128EX/2.
4388 
4389 
4390 
4391Apple retrofitted the IIc design to try to compete with Video Technology's high-speed Apple II clone. The retrofitting is evident in the design of the motherboard. The motherboard runs at 1MHz, unlike the Laser 128EX/2. In order to run its programs faster, Apple used a 4MHz 65C02 with 8k of high speed SRAM cache and licensed the accelerator design from Zip Technologies (makers of the ZipChip accelerator for the IIe and IIc). They built an accelerator into a 1MHz motherboard rather than designing a faster motherboard from scratch.
4392 
4393 
4394 
4395The designers of the Apple IIc Plus originally wanted to make a portable IIGS. Apple's management, bent on promoting the Mac, balked at the idea. At the same time, the Laser 128EX/2 made a quick design cycle mandatory. The result was an updated IIc.
4396 
4397 
4398 
4399The Apple IIc Plus was the finest Apple 8-bit computer ever built, but due to a lack of marketing, the apparent backward step in technology compared to the 16-bit Apple IIGS, and the aggressive sales of the Laser 128EX/2, the IIc Plus also was to be the most short-lived of the Apple II models. 
4400 
4401 
4402 
4403//(info from old-computers.com)//
4404 
4405 
4406 
4407== Revisions ==
4408 
4409 
4410 
4411Apple //c went under several revisions: you can discover which machine you are using issuing the command 
4412 
4413 
4414 
4415   
4416 
4417  PRINT PEEK(64447).
4418 
4419 
4420 
4421  * If 255 is displayed, you have the first, original model. This model is known to have problems producing accurate baud rates for serial communications.
4422 
4423  * If 0 is displayed, you can use 3.5" drives, but you don't have the memory expansion connector.
4424 
4425  * If 3 is displayed, you have the memory expansion connector and you can plug in extra memory.
4426 
4427  * If 4 is displayed, you have the latest model with memory expansion connector and extra upgrades.
4428 
4429  * If 5 is displayed, you have an Apple IIc+.
4430 
4431 
4432 
4433== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
4434 
4435 
4436 
4437"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
4438 
4439 
4440 
4441"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
4442 
4443 
4444 
4445The generally preferred machine designations are:
4446 
4447 
4448 
4449  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
4450 
4451  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
4452 
4453  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
4454 
4455  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
4456 
4457  * Apple //c
4458 
4459  * Apple IIc+
4460 
4461  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
4462 
4463 
4464 
4465 
4466 
4467===== Links =====
4468 
4469 
4470 
4471 
4472 
4473  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
4474 
4475  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
4476 
4477  * Apple //c .dsk Archive -- http://www.multimania.com/apple2c/
4478 
4479  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
4480 
4481  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
4482 
4483  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
4484 
4485  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
4486 
4487  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
4488 
4489  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
4490 
4491  * Iowa University Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
4492 
4493  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
4494 
4495  * Apple //c at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=69
4496 
4497 
4498 
4499 
4500 
4501$end
4502 
4503 
4504 
4505#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4506 
4507 
4508$info=apple2e
4509$bio
4510====== Apple IIe series (IIe 1983 - //e 1985 - //e Platinum 1987) ======
4511 
4512 
4513 
4514 
4515 
4516===== Features =====
4517 
4518 
4519 
4520  * CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz [Apple IIe]; MOS 65C02 1MHz [Apple <html>&#47;&#47;</html>e]
4521 
4522  * Memory: 64kB RAM standard, 128kB RAM with extended 80-column card, 16kB ROM
4523 
4524  * Screen: 16 colors at 560 x 192 (double-hi-res); 4-bit color text mode at 40 x 48
4525 
4526  * Data path: 8-bit
4527 
4528  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Internal Slots (6), Memory slot, Tape, Joystick
4529 
4530  * Keyboard: Full stroke 52 key with cursor keys
4531 
4532  * Built In Media: None
4533 
4534  * OS: DOS 3.3 or ProDOS
4535 
4536  * Built In Language: Basic
4537 
4538 
4539 
4540 
4541 
4542===== Known Issues =====
4543 
4544 
4545 
4546Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the
4547 
4548scroll_lock key.
4549 
4550 
4551 
4552 
4553 
4554===== History and Trivia =====
4555 
4556 
4557 
4558The Apple IIe is the successor of the Apple ][+.  It was developed after the Apple /// failed to catch on with the public, and released in 1983. It was a very great success and was widely used in schools.  The Apple IIe features an optional 80-column text display, new keys on the keyboard, upper- and lower-case text, and bank-switching to increase the amount of addressable RAM. The Apple IIe also supported the new ProDOS operating system released in 1984.
4559 
4560 
4561 
4562Note the Apple IIe emulation includes the 80-column card and motherboard revision B, meaning that double-hi-resolution modes are available.
4563 
4564 
4565 
4566The Enhanced Apple IIe, a.k.a. the Apple //e (MESS system name, "apple2ee") was released in 1985.  It included ROM bugfixes, replace the 6502 processor with the 65C02, and added a character genrator ROM with new graphic characters called "MouseText".  The 65C02 and MouseText hurt compatibility with the older models slightly but gave it slightly better performance.
4567 
4568 
4569 
4570The Platinum Apple //e adopted the ||GS keyboard layout and minor motherboard modifications.
4571 
4572 
4573 
4574== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
4575 
4576 
4577 
4578"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
4579 
4580 
4581 
4582"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
4583 
4584 
4585 
4586The generally preferred machine designations are:
4587 
4588 
4589 
4590  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
4591 
4592  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
4593 
4594  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
4595 
4596  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
4597 
4598  * Apple //c
4599 
4600  * Apple IIc+
4601 
4602  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
4603 
4604 
4605 
4606 
4607 
4608===== Links =====
4609 
4610 
4611 
4612  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
4613 
4614  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
4615 
4616  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
4617 
4618  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
4619 
4620  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
4621 
4622  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
4623 
4624  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
4625 
4626  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
4627 
4628  * Iowa University Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
4629 
4630  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
4631 
4632  * Apple IIe at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple2e.shtml
4633 
4634  * Apple IIe at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=83
4635 
4636 
4637 
4638 
4639 
4640===== Other Emulators =====
4641 
4642 
4643 
4644  * Dapple - Apple II (II+, IIe) emulator for DOS and Unix with C source code -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/dapple/
4645 
4646  * AppleWin - A great apple 2+ and apple 2e emulator for windows -- http://applewin.berlios.de/
4647 
4648  * Apple Oasis - Emulates Apple IIe system including hard disk, clock, CP/M card, etc. -- http://www.geocities.com/APL24WIN/index.html
4649 
4650  * Catakig - MacOS -- http://www.radix.net/~cklipsch/ctkgdoc/
4651 
4652  * Bernie ][ the rescue - Mac & BeOS -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
4653 
4654  * YAE, Yet another Apple ][ Emulator - Unix -- http://quark.netfront.net:6502/
4655 
4656 
4657 
4658 
4659 
4660$end
4661 
4662 
4663 
4664#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4665 
4666 
4667$info=apple2gs
4668$bio
4669====== Apple ||GS (1986) ======
4670 
4671 
4672 
4673===== Features =====
4674 
4675 
4676 
4677  * CPU: Western Design Center 65C816 (16 bit) 2.8 MHz, switchable to 1 MHz
4678 
4679  * RAM: 128 KB (ROM 0, ROM 1) or 1 MB (ROM 3), expandable to 8 MB
4680 
4681  * ROM: 128 KB (ROM 0, ROM 1) or 256 KB (ROM 3), expandable to 1 MB
4682 
4683  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars x 25 lines
4684 
4685  * Graphics Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 + Apple II graphic modes (see below)
4686 
4687  * Colors: 4096
4688 
4689  * Sound: Ensoniq ES5503 32-voice wavetable synthesizer.  The ES5503 was designed by Bob Yannes after leaving Commodore and it's the true sequel to the C64's SID chip. The 5503 has 64k of dedicated wavetable RAM in the ||GS.  The ||GS also retains the speaker toggle of previous Apple IIs.
4690 
4691  * I/O Ports: 7 slots, memory expansion, RS422c (2), analogue RGB, Apple Desktop Bus (mouse & keyboard), Composite video, joystick, audio, disk port, AppleTalk
4692 
4693  * Keyboard: Detached 80-key full stroke with 10-key numeric pad and ADB pass-through port for the mouse.
4694 
4695  * Built In Media: None.
4696 
4697  * OS: All 8-bit Apple II OSes plus ProDOS 16 (a 16-bit translation layer over ProDOS, similar to how Windows 9x rode on top of DOS) and later GS/OS, a full 16-bit native OS with much better performance and advanced features like hot-swappable device drivers and plug-in filesystem modules to read CD-ROMs, MS-DOS FAT disks, and Macintosh HFS disks. The ||GS also included a full port of the Macintosh's "Toolbox" - GUI applications written in a high-level language such as C or Pascal were relatively easy to port aside from the endian and screen resolution differences.  In fact, the IIgs was the first Apple released with a color version of the Mac UI (although the Mac II followed it very closely).
4698 
4699 
4700 
4701 
4702 
4703===== History and Trivia =====
4704 
4705 
4706 
4707The Apple ||GS was originally the "IIX" project, which was intended to use the 65816 along with a special slot that could be used to add either an 8088 (for PC compatibility) or a 68000 (to run Mac software).  But the 65816 was running late (William D. Mensch famously laid it out by hand on his kitchen table, using no computer assistance) and Apple management killed the project.
4708 
4709It was later resurrected under the codename "Phoenix" (and later "Gumby" and "Rambo") when the 65816 was ready, and it did make it to market despite a lukewarm response from Apple management. The ||GS was made possible by the development of the "Mega II" ASIC, which contained the entire circuitry of an enhanced Apple IIe except for the CPU, ROMs, and RAM on a small single chip, but it was Steve Wozniak himself who gave a crucial boost to the engineers, coming up with a scheme that would maintain very high Apple II compatibility while still letting the ||GS be its own machine.
4710 
4711In tribute, the first production run of the ||GS had Woz's signature stamped onto the case.
4712 
4713 
4714 
4715Sales were strong initially and the ||GS even outsold the black and white Macintosh units that were its contemporary. The ||GS was the first Apple released that could show the Mac GUI in color and the first released machine with the new ADB peripheral connection (the Mac II and SE were introduced several months later).  Apple management was terrified of hurting Mac sales so they had forced the engineers to run the 65816 much slower than the 7 MHz 68000 of the Mac Plus (Wozniak and the engineering team had wanted to run the 65816 at 8 MHz). Even so, the ||GS's all-assembly language Toolbox was eventually tuned to the point where even at 2.8 MHz the GUI felt as snappy as its more powerful cousin. The slow CPU did hurt it for games though - games on the ||GS typically looked good and sounded great but animated poorly. The Apple ||GS disappeared from the market in 1992.
4716 
4717 
4718 
4719In one final gasp, the Apple II supporters at Apple designed the Apple ||GS Plus, code named "Mark Twain".  It was rumored to have an 8 MHz 65C816, a built in SuperDrive, 2MB on the motherboard, and a hard drive.  Apple management originally green lighted the new machine and reserved time during a satellite broadcast in September of 1991 to introduce it to the world, but it was killed at the last minute due to the usual objections that it could hurt the Macintosh.
4720 
4721A prototype leaked out of Apple years later and was much less ambitious than was originally thought: it contained the same ROM 3, but with 2 MB of RAM, an on-board SCSI controller, and an internal SCSI HDD.  So even if it had been introduced it would have been too little too late.
4722 
4723 
4724 
4725The Ensoniq chip in the Apple ||GS was a brilliant move by Apple, but like a lot of things related to the ||GS it was something of an accident. Although the 5503 powered several successful Ensoniq synthesizers (the ESQ-1, SQ-80, and the Mirage sampler), Bob Yannes remembered the impact of his SID on the Commodore 64 and wanted to get the chip into a computer. He first called Commodore, but
4726 
4727they weren't interested in chips they didn't make (they also passed on the 65816 CPU - imagine a C64 sequel with the 65816 and 5503!)  He called Apple and got bounced around to various people until it hit an engineer on the ||GS team who was heavily into electronic music.  As usual getting management to accept the chip was an uphill fight - originally the sockets for the 5503 and its RAM were to be
4728 
4729placed on the board and the chips sold separately, but finally they realized the cost difference was minor at that point and included the chips in every machine sold.  It was so close that the system software shipped with an error code defined for "Ensoniq not present".
4730 
4731 
4732 
4733The chip also caused legal trouble with Apple Records, which resulted in Apple never again putting a hardware synthesizer chip into a computer.  The Macs relied on a 4-voice DMA setup similar to the Commodore Amiga for years and now just use software synthesis.
4734 
4735 
4736 
4737The "SmartPort" external drive port supports both Apple IIe/IIc UniDisks (3.5" and 5.25" models) and the newer Apple 3.5 Drive which was shared with the Macintosh. You could have a total of 2 UniDisks and 4 Apple 3.5 Drives daisy-chained, although such a configuration would have put quite a strain on the stock power supply. Some companies also made SmartPort compatible harddisks, but these were relatively slow and most ||GS users used an add-on SCSI card and drive instead.
4738 
4739 
4740 
4741The difference between a UniDisk and a ||GS 3.5" drive is that the IIGS drive is controlled directly by the computer while the UniDisk has a separate processor. The UniDisk is thus much slower (up to 4x slower) than a ||GS 3.5" drive.
4742 
4743 
4744 
4745Apple and third parties both sold SCSI cards for the ||GS, and Applied Engineering sold a "high density" floppy drive that got double the density by spinning the disk at half speed.  There was never any official Apple support for the more conventional 1.44 MB SuperDrives that were used with the Mac - those required the newer "SWIM" controller chip, while the IIgs still had only the original "IWM" (shared with Macs up through the Mac Plus).
4746 
4747 
4748 
4749The ||GS was available initially as an upgrade motherboard for the Apple IIe - you got a board which would fit in the IIe case and had connectors for the IIe's power supply and internal keyboard and replacement stickers which changed the old "Apple" and "IIe" in Apple's original font into "Apple IIgs" in the newer Apple font.  All the other connectors were still present, and you could buy an ADB keyboard and mouse to use with it as well.  A IIe upgrade version of the ROM 3 motherboard was never made however.
4750 
4751 
4752 
4753The initial ROM 0 ||GS shipped with defects in the "Video Graphics Controller" custom ASIC that caused fringing in the old Apple II video modes under some circumstances.  A new VGC and a new ROM chip were a free upgrade to bring those systems up to ROM 1 specs.
4754 
4755 
4756 
4757 
4758 
4759== Graphic Modes ==
4760 
4761 
4762 
4763The Apple ||GS had a lot of graphic modes. All modes used a 12-bit palette for 4096 colors.
4764 
4765 
4766 
4767  * 320x200 with 16 colors per scanline. There were a total of 16 hardware palettes that could each  be assigned to one or more scanlines, making 256 colors on screen possible at once. Later software discovered that there was (barely) enough CPU time to rewrite the palette as the beam marched down the screen, giving 16 unique colors on each scanline and up to 3200 colors on screen at once (similar to the Amiga's HAM mode, but more limited).
4768 
4769  * 640x200 with 4 colors. The pixels were small enough in this mode that adjacent pairs of pixels blended to create the illusion of 16 colors, although this of course effectively reduced the effective resolution for things which weren't in black and white. Most apps using the GUI Toolbox ran in this mode, although the aspect ratio was pretty terrible.
4770 
4771  * Fill mode can be enabled on scanlines which are in the 320x200 mode. This makes color 0 repeat the last non-0 color present on the scanline, making it possible to draw filled polygons at a much higher speed than would otherwise be possible. It was used mostly in a few Eurodemos and a port of the Amiga game "Out Of This World".
4772 
4773  * Each scanline could independantly be in 320 or 640 mode, although such mixes weren't commonly seen. A per-scanline interrupt was also available for raster effects (such as the "3200 color" mode).
4774 
4775  * SVGA modes with 24-bit color could be added with a 3rd party VGA card, but it came late in the life of the ||GS and had little software support.
4776 
4777 
4778 
4779The ||GS also had all the graphics modes found on the //c.
4780 
4781 
4782 
4783  * Text mode: 40x24 and 80x24. Characters are formed by a 7x8 pixel matrix. Text mode is monochrome but can be set to a specific color. The background and border can each be set to different colors. Text mode is rarely used in GS programs since the OS, GS/OS, had a graphic desktop.
4784 
4785  * Low Resolution: 40x48 pixels in 16 colors. Double Low Resolution: 80x48 pixels in 16 colors. 
4786 
4787  * High Resolution: 280x192 pixels in 6 colors Double High Resolution: 560x192 pixels in 16 colors.
4788 
4789  * Combinations/Variations: 4 lines of text mode could be mixed with a truncated Low Resolution or High Resolution mode graphic. The text in mixed mode could be either 40 column or 80 column. Double Low Res and Double High Res modes couldn't be mixed with text.
4790 
4791 
4792 
4793//(info from old-computers.com and other sources)//
4794 
4795 
4796 
4797== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
4798 
4799 
4800 
4801"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
4802 
4803 
4804 
4805"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
4806 
4807 
4808 
4809The generally preferred machine designations are:
4810 
4811 
4812 
4813  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
4814 
4815  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
4816 
4817  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
4818 
4819  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
4820 
4821  * Apple //c
4822 
4823  * Apple IIc+
4824 
4825  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
4826 
4827 
4828 
4829== Easter Egg ==
4830 
4831 
4832 
4833The ||GS with ROM version 3 has an audio recording built-in. Upon booting, when you see the "Open Apple" move back and forth on the screen, press <Control> <Open Apple> <Option> <N>. You will hear the ||GS design team shouting "Apple II!", and see the designers' credits.
4834 
4835 
4836 
4837ROM 1 has the same Easter Egg without the audio clip due to its smaller ROM.
4838 
4839 
4840 
4841 
4842 
4843===== Links =====
4844 
4845 
4846 
4847  * A2central.com -- http://www.a2central.com/
4848 
4849  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
4850 
4851  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
4852 
4853  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
4854 
4855  * CSA2 Usenet Apple II FAQs and Links -- http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html
4856 
4857  * Ninjaforce (Makers of demos for the Apple IIGS, including the Ninjaforce Mega Demo) -- http://www.ninjaforce.com/
4858 
4859  * Free Tools Association (The premiere IIgs demo group, based in France.  They offer downloads of their productions plus a version of KEGS that runs as an Active X control inside Internet Explorer) -- http://www.freetoolsassociation.com/
4860 
4861  * What is the Apple IIgs? -- http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/
4862 
4863  * Apple IIgs at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=71
4864 
4865 
4866 
4867 
4868 
4869===== Other Emulators =====
4870 
4871 
4872 
4873  * XGS (Windows, DOS, Mac, NeXT - now discontinued) -- http://www.inwards.com/xgs/
4874 
4875  * KEGS (For Mac OS X, Win32, Linux, and Unix/X11 - extremely accurate) -- http://kegs.sourceforge.net/
4876 
4877  * KEGS32 (Win emulator based on the Kent Dickey's KEGS for UNIX) -- http://www.geocities.com/akilgard/kegs32/
4878 
4879  * Bernie II the rescue (The most fully featured IIGS emulator, only on the MacOS for PowerPCs) -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
4880 
4881 
4882 
4883 
4884 
4885$end
4886 
4887 
4888 
4889#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4890 
4891 
4892$info=apple2p
4893$bio
4894====== Apple ][+ (1979) ======
4895 
4896 
4897 
4898 
4899 
4900===== Features =====
4901 
4902 
4903 
4904  * CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz
4905 
4906  * Memory: RAM 48kB, 12kB ROM
4907 
4908  * Screen: 8 colors at 280 x 192, 4-bit color at 40 x 48
4909 
4910  * Data path: 8-bit
4911 
4912  * I/O Ports: Composite monitor, Internal Slots (8), Tape recorder In/Out jacks
4913 
4914  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
4915 
4916  * Built In Media: None
4917 
4918  * OS: DOS 3.2.1 and DOS 3.3
4919 
4920  * Built In Language: AppleSoft Basic (Microsoft F.P. version)
4921 
4922 
4923 
4924 
4925 
4926===== Usage =====
4927 
4928 
4929 
4930Invoking the emulator with a floppy disk will boot from that disk.  If booting without a floppy, use the RESET key ("F3" in partial keyboard emulation) to get to APPLESOFT.
4931 
4932 
4933 
4934You can identify the APPLESOFT prompt as "]".  Lines can be edited from APPLESOFT using the arrow keys or using Escape, then "I" for up, "J" for left, "K" for right, and "M" for down.
4935 
4936 
4937 
4938 
4939 
4940===== Known issues =====
4941 
4942 
4943 
4944Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the
4945 
4946scroll_lock key.
4947 
4948 
4949 
4950 
4951 
4952===== History and Trivia =====
4953 
4954 
4955 
4956The Apple ][+ is an incrementally improved Apple ][ that was released in 1979.
4957 
4958 
4959 
4960Most improvements centered around the ROM chip. It featured a floating point BASIC in ROM called APPLESOFT instead of Integer BASIC.  It also had an "autostart" capability which caused the machine to boot automatically from attached Disk ][ devices or other peripherals.  Bug fixes increased the number of hi-res color to 8 and eliminated the violet and green fringe around characters in text mode.
4961 
4962 
4963 
4964The emulator for the Apple ][+ includes a disk drive controller in slot two with two Disk ][ drives.  This revolutionary controller was probably the first commercial soft-sector 5.25" floppy drive, and was the cheapest ever at the when it shipped at $595.
4965 
4966 
4967 
4968Minor as these improvements may seem, it greatly increased the desirability of the Apple ][ line and gave a huge boost in sales to the Apple line.
4969 
4970 
4971 
4972The Apple II+ was sold in Europe as the Apple IIeuroplus which could display video in European PAL format, and had ESC sequences for European letters. It was followed by the Apple 2e.
4973 
4974 
4975 
4976//(info from old-computers.com)//
4977 
4978 
4979 
4980== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
4981 
4982 
4983 
4984"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
4985 
4986 
4987 
4988"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
4989 
4990 
4991 
4992The generally preferred machine designations are:
4993 
4994 
4995 
4996  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
4997 
4998  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
4999 
5000  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
5001 
5002  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
5003 
5004  * Apple //c
5005 
5006  * Apple IIc+
5007 
5008  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
5009 
5010 
5011 
5012 
5013 
5014===== Links =====
5015 
5016 
5017 
5018  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
5019 
5020  * DOS/ProDOS FAQ -- http://www.apple2.org/faq/FAQ.dos.prodos.html
5021 
5022  * APPLESOFT FAQ -- http://www.apple2.org/faq/FAQ.applesoft02.html
5023 
5024  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
5025 
5026  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
5027 
5028  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
5029 
5030  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
5031 
5032  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
5033 
5034  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
5035 
5036  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
5037 
5038  * Iowa universiry Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
5039 
5040  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
5041 
5042  * Apple ][+ at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple_ii_plus.shtml
5043 
5044  * Apple ][+ at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=571
5045 
5046 
5047 
5048 
5049 
5050===== Other Emulators =====
5051 
5052 
5053 
5054  * Dapple - Apple II (II+, IIe) emulator for DOS and Unix with C source code -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/dapple/
5055 
5056  * AppleWin - A great apple 2+ and apple 2e emulator for windows -- http://applewin.berlios.de/
5057 
5058  * Apple Oasis - Emulates Apple IIe system including hard disk, clock, CP/M card, etc. -- http://www.geocities.com/APL24WIN/index.html
5059 
5060  * Catakig - MacOS -- http://www.radix.net/~cklipsch/ctkgdoc/
5061 
5062  * Bernie ][ the rescue - Mac & BeOS -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
5063 
5064  * YAE, Yet another Apple ][ Emulator - Unix -- http://quark.netfront.net:6502/
5065 
5066 
5067 
5068 
5069 
5070$end
5071 
5072 
5073 
5074#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5075 
5076 
5077$info=apple3
5078$bio
5079====== Apple /// (1980) ======
5080 
5081 
5082 
5083 
5084 
5085===== Features =====
5086 
5087 
5088 
5089  * CPU: MOS 6502A 2 MHz
5090 
5091  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 512 KB)
5092 
5093  * ROM: 16 KB
5094 
5095  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars x 24 lines
5096 
5097  * Graphic Modes: 40 x 40-48 (16 col), 280 x 160-192 (6 col), 560 x 160-192 (2 col)
5098 
5099  * Colors: 16 maximum
5100 
5101  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Internal Slots (4), RS-232, Floppy disk port
5102 
5103  * Keyboard: Full stroke 74-key with numeric keypad
5104 
5105  * Built In Media:  140KB 5.25" disk-drive
5106 
5107  * OS: SOS
5108 
5109  * Built In Language: Business BASIC
5110 
5111 
5112 
5113 
5114 
5115===== Usage =====
5116 
5117 
5118 
5119== Keyboard ==
5120 
5121   
5122 
5123  ESCAPE   1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)    -_     =+      \|         7    8    9
5124 
5125   
5126 
5127   
5128 
5129      TAB     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P     [{     ]}    `~        4    5    6
5130 
5131   
5132 
5133   
5134 
5135    CONTROL      A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L     ;:   '"     RETURN       1    2    3
5136 
5137   
5138 
5139   
5140 
5141     SHIFT          Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>    /?  SHIFT    UP          0      .
5142 
5143   
5144 
5145  ALPHA   OPEN   CLOSED
5146 
5147  LOCK    APPLE  APPLE                 SPACEBAR                  LEFT  RIGHT  DOWN      -    ENTER
5148 
5149 
5150 
5151 
5152 
5153===== Known Issues =====
5154 
5155 
5156 
5157The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
5158 
5159 
5160 
5161 
5162 
5163===== History and Trivia =====
5164 
5165 
5166 
5167The Apple /// was designed to be a business machine. It was partly compatible with the Apple II (thanks to a few options in the operating system). It used a powerful memory management system and worked under SOS (Sophisticated Operating System) which was a great, device-independent, operating system. This OS was the "ancestor" of ProDOS (the "professional" Apple operating system) and some parts of this system were used later in the Lisa and Macintosh OSs.
5168 
5169 
5170 
5171Despite its unique features, the Apple /// had a lot of technical problems, namely, the horrible case design. It caused the internal temperature to get so hot that the motherboard would warp and some of the socketed chips would become unseated. To remedy this, Apple told people to literally pick up the computer several centimeters off the desk and drop it! It was a miserable flop in the marketplace.
5172 
5173 
5174 
5175The Apple ///%% was followed in december 1983 by the Apple %%/// plus which had an Apple IIe style keyboard and a new video interface. Four months later, it was discontinued.
5176 
5177 
5178 
5179//(info from old-computers.com)//
5180 
5181 
5182 
5183 
5184 
5185===== Links =====
5186 
5187 
5188 
5189  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
5190 
5191  * Apple /// at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple_iii.shtml
5192 
5193  * Apple /// at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?&c=72
5194 
5195 
5196 
5197 
5198 
5199$end
5200 
5201 
5202 
5203#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5204 
5205 
5206$info=aquarius
5207$bio
5208====== Mattel Aquarius (1983) ======
5209 
5210 
5211 
5212 
5213 
5214===== Features =====
5215 
5216 
5217 
5218  * CPU: Zilog Z80A   3.5 MHz
5219 
5220  * RAM: 4 KB (up to 32 KB), 1,7 KB free for user
5221 
5222  * ROM: 8 KB
5223 
5224  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 25 lines
5225 
5226  * Graphic Modes: 80 x 72 / 320 x 192 dots
5227 
5228  * Colors: 16
5229 
5230  * Sound: 1 voice (3 voices with the Mini-Expander)
5231 
5232  * I/O Ports: Tape, Printer, Bus
5233 
5234  * Keyboard: Rubber type. 49 keys
5235 
5236  * Built In Language: Specific Microsoft Basic interpreter
5237 
5238  * Peripherls: Thermic printer and plotter (1200 bauds), Tape-recorder (600 bauds), Mini-expander addon, RAM expansions (4 KB, 16 KB and 32 KB), Master expansion module & disk-drives (vaporware), Home Computer System
5239 
5240 
5241 
5242 
5243 
5244===== Usage =====
5245 
5246 
5247 
5248==BASIC==
5249 
5250 
5251 
5252From within the emulation, there are several BASIC command keyboard shortcuts available by pressing control and another key.
5253 
5254   
5255 
5256  CHR$      Ctrl[SPACE]
5257 
5258  CLOAD     Ctrl[Z]
5259 
5260  COPY      Ctrl[9]
5261 
5262  CSAVE     Ctrl[A]
5263 
5264  DATA      Ctrl[F]
5265 
5266  DIM       Ctrl[E]
5267 
5268  FOR       Ctrl[-]
5269 
5270  GOSUB     Ctrl[7]
5271 
5272  GOTO      Ctrl[5]
5273 
5274  IF        Ctrl[3]
5275 
5276  INPUT     Ctrl[T]
5277 
5278  LEFT$     Ctrl[V]
5279 
5280  LIST      Ctrl[2]
5281 
5282  MID$      Ctrl[B]
5283 
5284  NEXT      Ctrl[=]
5285 
5286  ON        Ctrl[6]
5287 
5288  PEEK      Ctrl[;]
5289 
5290  POINT     Ctrl[L]
5291 
5292  POKE      Ctrl[']
5293 
5294  PRESET    Ctrl[K]
5295 
5296  PSET      Ctrl[J]
5297 
5298  READ      Ctrl[D]
5299 
5300  REM       Ctrl[W]
5301 
5302  RIGHT$    Ctrl[N]
5303 
5304  RETURN    Ctrl[8]
5305 
5306  RUN       Ctrl[1]
5307 
5308  STR$      Ctrl[,]
5309 
5310  THEN      Ctrl[4]
5311 
5312  VAL       Ctrl[.]
5313 
5314   
5315 
5316  To break/stop a program, press Ctrl[C]
5317 
5318  To interrupt the LISTing of a program, press Ctrl[S]
5319 
5320  To repeat the entire last line you typed, press Ctrl[R]
5321 
5322  To get the machine to beep, press Ctrl[G]
5323 
5324 
5325 
5326== Keyboard ==
5327 
5328   
5329 
5330  RST    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0?   -_   =+
5331 
5332   
5333 
5334    CTL    Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    /^   <-`
5335 
5336   
5337 
5338    SHIFT    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;@   :*
5339 
5340   
5341 
5342      SPACE    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>    RTN
5343 
5344 
5345 
5346Note that the BASIC shortcuts listed above were also written above each key, to easier remeber the 
5347 
5348correspondent commands.
5349 
5350 
5351 
5352 
5353 
5354===== Known Issues =====
5355 
5356 
5357 
5358Image loading is not currently supported.
5359 
5360 
5361 
5362 
5363 
5364===== History and Trivia =====
5365 
5366 
5367 
5368The Aquarius was Mattel Electronics' (a division of a huge US toy manufacturer) attempt at entering the home computer market. It was a commercial failure, and was frequently found in bargain bins in toy stores for many years following. 
5369 
5370 
5371 
5372When the Intellivision Keyboard Component project was canceled, Mattel searched in a hurry to produce a small and cheap computer. They contacted Radofin Electronics Far East, based in Honk-Kong, who was manufacturing most of the Intellivision products. Radofin had just 
5373 
5374developped a line of three Z80 based computers. Mattel decided to sell the two first under their brand. The Aquarius 1 and 2 were born.
5375 
5376 
5377 
5378The Mattel Aquarius used a special version of the Microsoft Basic. When used with Basic, only 1.7 KB remained available.
5379 
5380 
5381 
5382There were no redefinable characters, but 256 predefined chars were available: 128 ASCII (numerals, upper and lower case alphabet, punctuation, symbols) and 128 graphic patterns. That was the only "graphical" features of the Aquarius !
5383 
5384 
5385 
5386Unfortunately the specifications were so poor for a 1983 computer, that the Aquarius 1 litteraly bombed. Three months after its release, Mattel decided to cancel the project and to sell back the rights and stocks to Radofin.
5387 
5388 
5389 
5390Radofin continued to sell Aquarius 1 & 2 under its own name, but without success...
5391 
5392 
5393 
5394Cool addons were developped for the Aquarius, but never made it to the shelves (apparently). There were a Master Expansion Module equipped with disk-drives and expansion slots for future add-ons. It even offered the CP/M compatibility!
5395 
5396 
5397 
5398Another sympathetic extension was the Home Computer System Command Console which allowed the Aquarius to directly control up to 255 electric devices. But when the computer was connected to this extension, it couldn't be used for anything else!
5399 
5400 
5401 
5402There were also a Modem planned and Mattel even announced network services for games and programs downloads...
5403 
5404 
5405 
5406//(info from old-computers.com)//
5407 
5408 
5409 
5410 
5411 
5412===== Links =====
5413 
5414 
5415 
5416  * Blue Sky Rangers' site -- http://www.intellivisionlives.com/
5417 
5418  * Mattel Aquarius homecomputer -- http://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/
5419 
5420  * Mattel Aquarius at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=73
5421 
5422 
5423 
5424 
5425 
5426===== Other Emulators =====
5427 
5428 
5429 
5430  * AqEmu -- http://www.classicgaming.com/aqemu/aqemu.htm
5431 
5432  * Virtual Aquarius -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
5433 
5434 
5435 
5436 
5437 
5438$end
5439 
5440 
5441 
5442#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5443 
5444 
5445$info=arcadia
5446$bio
5447====== Emerson Arcadia 2001 (1982) ======
5448 
5449 
5450 
5451 
5452 
5453===== Features =====
5454 
5455 
5456 
5457  * CPU: Signetics 2650A 3.58 MHz
5458 
5459  * Co-Processor: Signetics 2637UVI (audio & video processing unit)
5460 
5461  * RAM: 1024 bytes
5462 
5463  * 128x208 in 8 colors
5464 
5465  * 4 8x8 single color sprites
5466 
5467  * single channel sound
5468 
5469  * 2 controller with analog joystick and keypad
5470 
5471 
5472 
5473 
5474 
5475===== Usage =====
5476 
5477 
5478 
5479MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run arcadia emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
5480 
5481 
5482 
5483  mess arcadia -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
5484 
5485 
5486 
5487== Controls ==
5488 
5489 
5490 
5491Controller Layout:
5492 
5493   
5494 
5495    1    2    3
5496 
5497   
5498 
5499    4    5    6
5500 
5501   
5502 
5503    7    8    9
5504 
5505   
5506 
5507  CLEAR  0  ENTER
5508 
5509 
5510 
5511 
5512 
5513===== Known Issues =====
5514 
5515 
5516 
5517  * Look in hash/arcadia.hsi for some game-specific issues
5518 
5519  * Sound emulation is imperfect
5520 
5521  * Analog joystick emulation is imperfect
5522 
5523 
5524 
5525 
5526 
5527===== History and Trivia =====
5528 
5529 
5530 
5531Though what people generally think, the Emerson Arcadia 2001, is only a licensed system like many other ones software-compatible with it. Since the Arcadia 2001 is certainly the most known one of these systems, this console group has often been called "Emerson Arcadia 2001 clones". But the Emerson Arcadia 2001 was not necessarily at the origin of it. 
5532 
5533 
5534 
5535Philips / Signetics developed a hardware platform to demonstrate the possibilities of their Signetics 2650 & 2636 chipsets. Somehow, this hardware was licenced (by Philips) to many third-companies around the world resulting in systems like the Interton VC-4000, Voltmace DataBase, Acetronic MPU-1000, ITMC MPT-05, etc.
5536 
5537 
5538 
5539Some times later, the hardware was improved, with the use of a Signetics 2637 instead of the 2636 (handling the audio & video). This resulted in a new wave of licenced systems, all based on the same hardware and playing the same games. The Emerson Arcadia 2001 was one of these systems.
5540 
5541 
5542 
5543These new systems, based on the 2650 & 2637 chipsets, are "software-compatible" with each others (but NOT compatible with systems of the Interton VC-4000 family). This means that the same code can work on all of them, and therefore that they all could play each other games if their cartridge slots were identical (which is not the case, resulting in the sub-groups listed below)
5544 
5545 
5546 
5547The Software library is not very impressive, but there are good reasons for that. First, some titles ar almost just direct ports from "Interton VC-4000 & compatible systems" group. Philips (remember, at the origin of this ystem) also had great plans for his new hardware platform. It released adaptations of famous Arcade classics (Pac-Man, Berzerk, Phoenix, etc.) but Atari sue them. Philips was then forced to deeply modify those games, resulting in poor adaptations... at least for the Arcadia 2001. In fact, outside US, other compatible systems sometimes had un-modified versions in their library (e.g. Robot Killer for the MPT-03).
5548 
5549 
5550 
5551The Arcadia is equiped with two detachable controllers made of a screwable joystick, a 12-buttons keypad (flat membrane buttons) and 2 fire buttons (they in fact have both the same function). Small plastic layers were delivered with each game, explaining the different key functions when placed over the keypads (like with the Mattel Intellisivision).
5552 
5553 
5554 
5555The Control panel is made of 4 buttons (Start, Clear, Select A and Select B) and the power on/off button. 
5556 
5557 
5558 
5559== Different Models ==
5560 
5561 
5562 
5563As previously mentioned, this hardware was sold from several firms with different names and slightly different cartridge connectors. Among the systems, belonging to the so-called "Arcadia 2001 console group", we can recognize 5 different families of consoles:
5564 
5565 
5566 
5567  * Emerson consoles
5568 
5569    * Advision: Advision Home Arcade (Fr)
5570 
5571    * Bandai: Arcadia (Jp)
5572 
5573    * Emerson: Arcadia 2001 (US), Arcadia (Au)
5574 
5575    * GiG Electronics: Leonardo (It)
5576 
5577    * Hanimex: HMG-2650 (De), HMG-2650 (Ca), Home Arcade Centre (UK)
5578 
5579    * Intercord: Intercord XL 2000 System (De)
5580 
5581    * Leisure-Dynamics: Leisure-Vision (Ca)
5582 
5583    * Monaco Leisure: Tunix Home Arcade (NZ)
5584 
5585    * Schmid: Schmid TVG-2000
5586 
5587    * Tchibo: Tele-Fever (De? Sw?)
5588 
5589    * Tele-Computer: Cosmos (Es)
5590 
5591    * Tempest: Tempest Video Computer Game (Au)
5592 
5593  * MPT-03 consoles
5594 
5595    * Hanimex: Hanimex MPT-03
5596 
5597    * ITMC: ITMC MPT-03
5598 
5599    * Morning-Sun Commerce: Dynavision (Jp)
5600 
5601    * P.I.C.: Ekusera (Jp)
5602 
5603    * Poppy: Poppy MPT-03 Tele Computer Spiel (De)
5604 
5605    * Prestige: Prestige Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Fr)
5606 
5607    * Rowtron: Rowtron 2000 (Eu), Rowtron Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Eu)
5608 
5609    * Soundic: Soundic MPT-03 (Eu)
5610 
5611    * Tempest: MPT-03 (Au)
5612 
5613    * Tobby: Tobby MPT-03 (?)
5614 
5615    * Tryom: Tryom Video Game Center (US?)
5616 
5617    * //Unknown//: Intelligent Game MPT-03 (US?)
5618 
5619  * Orbit consoles
5620 
5621    * Grandstand: Video Master (NZ)
5622 
5623    * Orbit Electronics: UVI Compu-Game (NZ)
5624 
5625  * Ormatu consoles
5626 
5627    * Intervision: Intervision 2001 (Eu)
5628 
5629    * Ormatu Electronics BV: Ormatu 2001 (Nl)
5630 
5631    * Sheen: Sheen Home Video Centre 2001 (Au)
5632 
5633  * Palladium consoles
5634 
5635    * Mr. Altus: Tele Brain (De)
5636 
5637    * Palladium: Palladium Telespiel (De), Palladium Video Computer Game (De)
5638 
5639    * Polybrain: Polybrain Video Computer Game (De)
5640 
5641    * Trakton: Trakton Computer Video Game (Au)
5642 
5643 
5644 
5645//(info on models from Digital Archaelogy -- http://www.digitpress.com/the_digs/arcadia/)//
5646 
5647 
5648 
5649 
5650 
5651===== Links =====
5652 
5653 
5654 
5655  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 FAQ -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/arc2001.txt
5656 
5657  * Amigan Software / Arcadia 2001 Central (Huge Arcadia 2001 archive for download) -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
5658 
5659  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 Gaming Guide -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/gg/
5660 
5661  * Obscure Pixels (Many interesting weird & obscure stuff, including Arcadia 2001 / Interton VC 4000 compatible systems) -- http://www.retrogames.co.nz/
5662 
5663  * Digital Archaelogy: Emerson Arcadia 2001 -- http://www.digitpress.com/the_digs/arcadia/
5664 
5665 
5666 
5667 
5668 
5669===== Other Emulators =====
5670 
5671 
5672 
5673  * 2001 (for DOS) -- http://users.aol.com/mk14emu/arcadia.htm
5674 
5675  * Emulator2001 (for Windows) -- http://www.gstsoftware.co.nz/
5676 
5677  * WinArcadia -- http://amigan.byethost33.com/
5678 
5679 
5680 
5681 
5682 
5683$end
5684 
5685 
5686 
5687#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5688 
5689 
5690$info=astrocde
5691$bio
5692====== Bally Professional Arcade / Astrocade (1977) ======
5693 
5694 
5695 
5696 
5697 
5698===== Features =====
5699 
5700 
5701 
5702  * CPU: Z80 3.579 MHz
5703 
5704  * RAM: 4 KB
5705 
5706  * ROM: 8 KB
5707 
5708  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 102 (Basic cartridge : 160 x 88)
5709 
5710  * Colors: 8 (Basic cartridge : 2)
5711 
5712  * Sound: 3 voices + noise & vibrato
5713 
5714  * I/O Ports: Cartridge slot, 4 controller connectors, Expansion port, Light pen connector
5715 
5716  * Media: Cartridges
5717 
5718  * Number of Games: About 40 cartridges released
5719 
5720  * Built In Software: 4 built in programs (Gunfight, Checkmate, Calculator, Scribbling)
5721 
5722  * Peripherals: 2 additional controllers, audio cassette interface, RAM expansions, Computer expansion, light-pen
5723 
5724  * Controllers: 2 pistol shaped controllers with 1 trigger and a short 8 directions joystick / analogic knob
5725 
5726 
5727 
5728 
5729 
5730===== Usage =====
5731 
5732 
5733 
5734Currently, MESS emulates both Bally systems
5735 
5736 
5737 
5738  * astrocde [Bally Professional Arcade]
5739 
5740  * astrocdw [Bally Computer System]
5741 
5742 
5743 
5744Both drivers support cart dumps in .bin format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
5745 
5746 
5747 
5748Loading the Astrocade driver without a cartridge image will allow you to use the four built-in programs.
5749 
5750 
5751 
5752== Controls ==
5753 
5754 
5755 
5756Games are controlled through the controller that has a 1 trigger and a short 8 directions joystick / analogic knob on its top
5757 
5758 
5759 
5760On the console there are an EJECT button, a RESET button and a 24-keys keypad (with a calculator layout, for use with the built in calculator program). Various Astrocade programs (BASIC, Music Maker, Machine Language Manager etc.) came with a special overlay 
5761 
5762for the keypad, in order to easier remember the function of each key. The keypad layout is the following
5763 
5764   
5765 
5766  C     UP   DOWN  %
5767 
5768   
5769 
5770  MR    MS    CH   /
5771 
5772   
5773 
5774  7     8     9    x
5775 
5776   
5777 
5778  4     5     6    -
5779 
5780   
5781 
5782  1     2     3    +
5783 
5784   
5785 
5786  CE    0     .    =
5787 
5788 
5789 
5790 
5791 
5792===== Known Issues =====
5793 
5794 
5795 
5796To the best of our knowledge, full compatibility, aside from Bally Basic tape support.
5797 
5798 
5799 
5800 
5801 
5802===== History and Trivia =====
5803 
5804 
5805 
5806The game console commonly known as the "Bally Astrocade" was never officially sold by that name, having originally been released by Bally Manufacturing in 1978 as the Bally Professional Arcade. 
5807 
5808 
5809 
5810It was withdrawn rather quickly though, due to the success of the competing Atari VCS. 
5811 
5812 
5813 
5814A group of Pro Arcade enthusiasts under the name Astrovision Inc., bought the rights to the Pro Arcade and reintroduced it as the Bally Computer System, including the Basic cartridge as a pack-in. 
5815 
5816 
5817 
5818In 1982, the system and company was renamed Astrocade, once again trying to market it as a video game system. The system didn't last much longer, though; it was a product with a limited interest base even before the video game slump of the next few years.
5819 
5820 
5821 
5822 
5823 
5824 
5825 
5826===== Links =====
5827 
5828 
5829 
5830  * Bally Alley -- http://www.ballyalley.com/
5831 
5832 
5833 
5834 
5835 
5836$end
5837 
5838 
5839 
5840#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5841 
5842 
5843$info=at
5844$bio
5845====== PC/AT (CGA, MF2 Keyboard) (1987) ======
5846 
5847 
5848 
5849 
5850 
5851===== Known Issues =====
5852 
5853 
5854 
5855The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
5856 
5857 
5858 
5859 
5860 
5861===== History and Trivia =====
5862 
5863 
5864 
5865This is basically a PC/AT with American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) BIOS and diagnostics.
5866 
5867 
5868 
5869 
5870 
5871$end
5872 
5873 
5874 
5875#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5876 
5877 
5878$info=atarist
5879$bio
5880====== Atari ST (1985) ======
5881 
5882 
5883 
5884 
5885 
5886===== Features =====
5887 
5888 
5889 
5890  * CPU: Motorola MC68000 8 MHz
5891 
5892  * Co-Processor: 'Shifter' and 'Glue' custom chips
5893 
5894  * RAM: 512 KB
5895 
5896  * ROM: 192 KB
5897 
5898  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 columns x 25 lines
5899 
5900  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 640 x 400 dots
5901 
5902  * Colors: 16 among 512 (320 x 200) / 4 among 512 (640 x 200) / monochrome (640 x 400) this last mode needs a special monitor.
5903 
5904  * Sound: 3 voices, 8 octaves
5905 
5906  * I/O Ports: RGB, Cartridge, Midi (in/out), Centronics, RS232c, Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, Joystick, Mouse, TV modulator [STM & STfM only]
5907 
5908  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric and editing keypads
5909 
5910  * Built In Media: 3.5" disk-drive [on STf models], optional external 3.5" 360 KB disk-drive [on ST models] 
5911 
5912  * OS: TOS / GEM
5913 
5914 
5915 
5916 
5917 
5918===== Usage =====
5919 
5920 
5921 
5922MESS currently supports for the Atari ST both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
5923 
5924 
5925 
5926Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
5927 
5928 
5929 
5930== Keyboard ==
5931 
5932 
5933 
5934This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
5935 
5936 
5937 
5938=== BIOS options ===
5939 
5940 
5941 
5942Different versions of the TOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
5943 
5944 
5945 
5946  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = TOS 1.04 (Rainbow TOS)
5947 
5948   
5949 
5950  "-bios 1" or "-bios tos102" = TOS 1.02 (MEGA TOS)
5951 
5952   
5953 
5954  "-bios 2" or "-bios tos100" = TOS 1.0 (ROM TOS)
5955 
5956   
5957 
5958  "-bios 3" or "-bios tos099" = TOS 0.99 (Disk TOS)
5959 
5960 
5961 
5962=== RAM options ===
5963 
5964 
5965 
5966Different RAM configurations are possible for the atarist in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
5967 
5968 
5969 
5970  mess atarist -ramsize ram_value
5971 
5972 
5973 
5974where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
5975 
5976 
5977 
5978  256k - to emulate a 260ST
5979 
5980  512k - to emulate a 520ST
5981 
5982  1m (default) - to emulate a 1040ST
5983 
5984 
5985 
5986 
5987 
5988===== Known Issues =====
5989 
5990 
5991 
5992The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
5993 
5994 
5995 
5996 
5997 
5998===== History and Trivia =====
5999 
6000 
6001 
6002At the beginning, it started with the Atari 130 ST (ST means sixteen/thirty-two :16 bit data bus & 32 bit address bus), shown at the Winter Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in 1985. It was the great surprise of the show and was presented only six months after Jack Tramiel bought Atari, Inc. (He later named it Atari Corp).
6003 
6004 
6005 
6006The Atari 130 ST was only a prototype for the press demonstration and was never released because of its small memory size : the complete operating system couldn't fit in it. It was replaced by the Atari 260 ST and the Atari 520 ST. Despite its name, the Atari 260 ST was shipped with 512 KB of RAM, because the 192 KB operating system left less than 64 KB of free RAM.
6007 
6008 
6009 
6010The ST series was rushed onto the market as Atari had originally contracted Amiga Corp. to manufacture a 16-Bit home computer, but legal issues caused the dissolution of that contract resulting in Commodore Computer releasing the Amiga and Atari creating the ST using 'Off The Shelf' electronics to release a computer to coincide with Commodore's release of the Amiga. It was also designed to be a "Macintosh Killer", and was jokingly called the "Jackintosh". 
6011 
6012 
6013 
6014It offered lots of features never found on home computers before: 16 bit microprocessor, lots of interfaces, standard MIDI interface, high graphic resolution, lot of colors, enhanced GUI (Graphic User Interface). It was much more powerful and expandable than the Macintosh (MIDI, graphics, colors, and the like) and competitors weren't very numerous (Commodore 128, PC AT, & compatibles, and the old CP/M machines). That explains why more than 6 million of Atari ST's were sold around the world.
6015 
6016 
6017 
6018The Operating System was TOS (Tramiel Operating System, later renamed just "The Operating System") which was in fact no more than the old CP/M 68K. Notice that to make easy the transition from the PC to ST, all the high level calls of the TOS (called GEMDOS) were compatible with the DOS calls of the PC (int 21h).
6019 
6020 
6021 
6022All of the ST family systems used the GEM, which stands for Graphic Environment Manager, GUI (from Digital Research) which has a striking resemblance to the Macintosh GUI (windows, dialog boxes, desktop, desktop accessories, & bitmap fonts) even if it is a bit less friendly than the Apple one.
6023 
6024 
6025 
6026The 260ST Operating System (TOS & GEM) was supplied on floppies with earlier models, then into 6 x 32 KB ROM chips when the development of the O.S. was fully finished.
6027 
6028 
6029 
6030ST systems had several dedicated co-processors for interrupt handling (MFP 68901), sound (the old Yamaha YM 2149, same as General Instruments AY-3-8910 found in MSX computers, Amstrad or Oric), video (a custom chip called "Shifter"), and memory (a custom chip called "GLUE" and the MMU). 
6031 
6032 
6033 
6034The 520 ST featured same hardware basis and same amount of memory as the 260 ST. The main difference between them was the built-in ROM TOS operating system and GEM Graphics Interface. In fact, the Atari 520ST originaly came with the OS on floppy as the OS was not completely finished. Very shortly afterward they came with the OS on 6 ROM chips (TOS 1.0).
6035 
6036 
6037 
6038It was first sold in Germany where it met a great success then released in the United States about six months later. Colour and monochrome version were available. Sadly, users of the colour version couldn't expect programs written for the monochrome version to work until someone wrote an emulator allowing the software written for the monochrome version to run on a colour monitor.
6039 
6040 
6041 
6042Atari was the first company to offer built-in MIDI ports. This made the computer very popular with musicians. One game even used the MIDI connectors (Midi Maze) to connect up to 16 computers together in a MIDI network.
6043 
6044 
6045 
6046The original Atari 520 ST came with an external 360K single sided 3.5 floppy drive, the SF354. Most dealers either bundled it with separate power supply, or a much neater Cumana or Triangle branded drive at lower cost.
6047 
6048 
6049 
6050The 520 ST+ offered 1 MB of RAM instead of 512 KB. As the main board was designed to provide space for only 512 KB of RAM (16 x 41256 type chips), the second 512 KB bank chips were soldered on top of the original chips. Apparently, 1 Mb versions were sold as Atari 1040 ST in Australia
6051 
6052 
6053 
6054The model 520 STM came with a built-in TV modulator allowing a direct connection with the TV-set. 
6055 
6056 
6057 
6058The Atari 520 STf and 1040 STf, finally, were the direct successors of the Atari 260 ST and Atari 520 ST. In fact, they had the same technical characteristics except from built-in floppy drive (hence the f of STf).
6059 
6060 
6061 
6062The 3.5" floppy disk drive has been integrated with the power supply into the computer. The early first versions of the Atari 520 STf had a RAM based Operating System (they have a 32 KB ROM), this ROM will be quickly replaced by a 192 KB ROM which holds all the operating system (called TOS 1.0).
6063 
6064 
6065 
6066An enhanced version of the Atari 520 STf was launched a few months later : the Atari 1040 STf to replace the Atari 520+ : It also had the same characteristics as the 520 STf except its memory (1 MB instead of the 512 KB) and the floppy disk drive : it used 3.5" double side disks (720 KB). Not long after the launch of the 1040 STf, the 520 STf would be "unofficially" equipped with 720 KB floppy disk drives.
6067 
6068There was also a STfM model with a built-in floppy (the f) and an RF Modulator (the M).
6069 
6070 
6071 
6072//(info from old-computers.com)//
6073 
6074 
6075 
6076 
6077 
6078===== Links =====
6079 
6080 
6081 
6082  * AEX / Atari Explorer -- http://www.atari-explorer.com/index.html
6083 
6084  * Atari ST Demo History -- http://wwwbrauer.in.tum.de/~brandtf/ataridemos.html
6085 
6086  * Little Green Desktop -- http://www.atari.st/
6087 
6088  * Musique.Atari.Org -- http://atari.apinc.org/
6089 
6090  * The Atari Historical Society -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/
6091 
6092  * Atari 260 ST at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=922
6093 
6094  * Atari 520 ST at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=20
6095 
6096  * Atari STf models at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=25
6097 
6098 
6099 
6100 
6101 
6102===== Other Emulators =====
6103 
6104 
6105 
6106  * SainT -- http://leonard.oxg.free.fr/
6107 
6108  * Steem -- http://steem.atari.st/
6109 
6110  * Pacifist ! -- http://www.atari.st/pacifist/
6111 
6112  * Hatari -- http://hatari.sourceforge.net/
6113 
6114  * STonX (*nix OS) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/stonx/
6115 
6116  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
6117 
6118 
6119 
6120 
6121 
6122$end
6123 
6124 
6125 
6126#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6127 
6128 
6129$info=atariste
6130$bio
6131====== Atari STe (1989) ======
6132 
6133 
6134 
6135 
6136 
6137===== Features =====
6138 
6139 
6140 
6141  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 mHz
6142 
6143  * RAM: 4 x SIMM sockets - From 512 KB up to 4 Mb
6144 
6145  * ROM: 192 KB (256 KB in later versions)
6146 
6147  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines (bitmapped graphics)
6148 
6149  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 (16 colors) / 640 x 200 (4 colors) / 640 x 400 (monochrome)
6150 
6151  * Colors: 4096
6152 
6153  * Sound: 3 voices + 1 noise channel, 8 octaves + two 8 bit PCM channels
6154 
6155  * I/O Ports: Cardridge, Midi (in, out), Centronics, RS232c, Hard Disk, Floppy disk, RGB, Joystick, mouse, 2 x analogue controllers, Stereo RCA jacks
6156 
6157  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with editing and numeric keypads
6158 
6159  * Built In Media: 3.5" disk-drive
6160 
6161  * OS: TOS + GEM
6162 
6163 
6164 
6165 
6166 
6167===== Usage =====
6168 
6169 
6170 
6171MESS currently supports for the Atari STe both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
6172 
6173 
6174 
6175Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
6176 
6177 
6178 
6179== Keyboard ==
6180 
6181 
6182 
6183This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
6184 
6185 
6186 
6187=== BIOS options ===
6188 
6189 
6190 
6191Different versions of the TOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
6192 
6193 
6194 
6195  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = TOS 1.62 (STE TOS, Revision 2)
6196 
6197   
6198 
6199  "-bios 1" or "-bios tos106" = TOS 1.06 (STE TOS, Revision 1)
6200 
6201 
6202 
6203=== RAM options ===
6204 
6205 
6206 
6207Different RAM configurations are possible for the atariste in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
6208 
6209 
6210 
6211  mess atariste -ramsize ram_value
6212 
6213 
6214 
6215where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
6216 
6217 
6218 
6219  512k - to emulate a 520STe
6220 
6221  1m (default) - to emulate a 1040STe
6222 
6223 
6224 
6225 
6226 
6227===== Known Issues =====
6228 
6229 
6230 
6231The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
6232 
6233 
6234 
6235 
6236 
6237===== History and Trivia =====
6238 
6239 
6240 
6241The Atari STe is the successor of the Atari STf (The 'e' stands for 'enhanced') and is almost fully compatible with the STf.
6242 
6243 
6244 
6245In september 1986, Atari decided to make a successor to the STf. They planned to equip it with enhanced video features : Atari said then that the STe will have a 640 x 400 with 16 colors among 4096 and a 320 x 200 with 256 colors among 4096 graphic modes. Unfortunately, eventually, the STe will have none of these graphic modes.
6246 
6247 
6248 
6249The new features are :
6250 
6251  * a new version of the OS ("Rainbow" TOS 1.6 and later, 1.62),
6252 
6253  * a Blitter chip to quick perform memory moves (it is the the Mega STf one),
6254 
6255  * the video chip (Shifter) has been enhanced: the STe can perform, as the Amiga, hardware scrolling in all directions and it is possible to write into the video counters. It also handle 4096 colors instead of 512, unfortunately, it can only display a maximum of 16 of them (without trick).
6256 
6257  * 'phase lock' of the video output to an external video source permitting direct linking to genlocking device.
6258 
6259  * It has enhanced sound features too: two 8 bit PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation) channels which can replay stereo sound at 6.25, 12.5, 25, or 50 KHz and which can be mixed with the 3 FM channels.
6260 
6261 
6262 
6263Despite its new and interesting features, the Atari STe was a flop in the marketplace. The STf market was too important and the software editors (especially game editors) didn't sell STe versions of their products.
6264 
6265 
6266 
6267Not long after this, Atari launched the Mega STe to replace the Mega STf. 
6268 
6269 
6270 
6271//(info from old-computers.com)//
6272 
6273 
6274 
6275 
6276 
6277===== Links =====
6278 
6279 
6280 
6281  * Atari STe 520 / 1040 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=24
6282 
6283 
6284 
6285 
6286 
6287===== Other Emulators =====
6288 
6289 
6290 
6291  * SainT -- http://leonard.oxg.free.fr/
6292 
6293  * Steem -- http://steem.atari.st/
6294 
6295  * Pacifist ! -- http://www.atari.st/pacifist/
6296 
6297  * Hatari -- http://hatari.sourceforge.net/
6298 
6299  * STonX (*nix OS) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/stonx/
6300 
6301  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
6302 
6303 
6304 
6305 
6306 
6307$end
6308 
6309 
6310 
6311#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6312 
6313 
6314$info=atom
6315$bio
6316====== Acorn Atom (1979) ======
6317 
6318 
6319 
6320 
6321 
6322===== Features =====
6323 
6324 
6325 
6326  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
6327 
6328  * Co-Processor: 6847 Video Display Generator, PIA 8255 (keyboard & tape)
6329 
6330  * RAM: 2 KB (up to 12 KB, or 32 KB using external RAM expansion kit.)
6331 
6332  * VRAM: 6 KB
6333 
6334  * ROM: 8 KB (Atom BASIC and COS), up to 16 KB
6335 
6336  * Text Modes: 32 x 24 / 16 x 12
6337 
6338  * Graphics Modes: 64 x 64 (4 colors), 64 x 96 (4 colors), 128 x 96 (monochrome), 64 x 192 (4 colors), 128 x 192 (2 colors), 256 x 192 (monochrome)
6339 
6340  * Colors: 8
6341 
6342  * Sound: Built-in beeper
6343 
6344  * I/O Ports: Tape interface, UHF Modulated TV output, Acorn Bus Extension
6345 
6346  * Keyboard: QWERTY, full-stroke keyboard, 60 keys, ESC, BREAK, COPY, DELETE, CTRL, RETURN, LOCK, SHIFT (x2), REPT, arrow keys (x2)
6347 
6348  * Built In Language: Basic, machine-code
6349 
6350 
6351 
6352 
6353 
6354===== Usage =====
6355 
6356 
6357 
6358MESS currently supports two different Atom configurations:
6359 
6360 
6361 
6362  * atom [Acorn Atom]: the base version of the computer
6363 
6364  * atomeb [Acorn Atom with Eprom Box]: the expanded version with the additional ROMs
6365 
6366 
6367 
6368Both drivers allows to load cassette tapes in .wav format, through the "cassette" (cass) device, and disks images in .ssd format through two floppy drives, corresponding to "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
6369 
6370 
6371 
6372Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .atm files and that the "printer" (prin) is supported as well.
6373 
6374 
6375 
6376== Keyboard ==
6377 
6378 
6379 
6380This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
6381 
6382 
6383 
6384 
6385 
6386===== Known Issues =====
6387 
6388 
6389 
6390The original location of the 8271 memory mapped registers is 0xa00-0x0a04. (This is the memory range assigned by Acorn in their design.) This is in the middle of the area for expansion RAM. Many Atom owners thought this was a bad design and have modified their Atom's and dos rom to use a different memory area. The atom driver in MESS uses the original memory area. //(from the source)//
6391 
6392 
6393 
6394 
6395 
6396===== History and Trivia =====
6397 
6398 
6399 
6400The Acorn Atom was the ancestor of the BBC computers series. It was sold in kit or ready-assembled versions.
6401 
6402 
6403 
6404The great advantage of the Atom compared to its competitors (TRS-80 & PET), was its high resolution capabilities (256 x 192) which were quite unusual in 1979 for the price.
6405 
6406 
6407 
6408The built-in BASIC was in some ways quite limited (it could only use integers for example) but an optional 4K ROM added the ability to use floating point numbers, trigonometric functions, to convert degrees/radians and to draw graphics in color. More add-ons were also available enabling autonumbering, a faster cassette interface (1200 bauds), and functions such as INKEY$, MID$, READ, DATA, FILL, etc... 
6409 
6410There was even a BBC BASIC board available.
6411 
6412 
6413 
6414A lot of applications were available on sideways ROMs that plugged into the "utility ROM socket" as Acorn called it, such as the "Atom Word Pack ROM" (word processing) or Atom-Calc (a 4K ROM spreadsheet).
6415 
6416 
6417 
6418A colour card was available, connected to the BUS connector, it provided 8 colors, 4 simultaneously at the 64 x 192 resolution or 2 at 128 x 192 for example. But it was known to overheat!
6419 
6420 
6421 
6422A lot of other peripherals were developed : 
6423 
6424  * a 5.25" floppy disk drive (100K) which held the DOS in a 3K ROM but cost about twice as much as a new Atom!,
6425 
6426  * a digital-tape recorder,
6427 
6428  * a printer interface,
6429 
6430  * a network card called EcoNet which enabled linking of up to 250 Atoms (210 K/Bauds transfer rate),
6431 
6432  * RAM expansions.
6433 
6434 
6435 
6436//(info from old-computers.com)//
6437 
6438 
6439 
6440 
6441 
6442===== Links =====
6443 
6444 
6445 
6446  * Acorn Atom Projects -- http://www.howell1964.freeserve.co.uk/Acorn/Atom/Atom.htm
6447 
6448  * Atom Review -- http://home.wanadoo.nl/hhaydn/index-e.html
6449 
6450  * Atom user guide -- http://members.aon.at/~musher/bbc/essentials.htm
6451 
6452  * Oh no, not another computer museum! -- http://www.xs4all.nl/~fjkraan/comp/
6453 
6454  * Un-official ACORN ATOM Home Page -- http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~thoth/atom/atom.htm
6455 
6456  * Acorn Atom at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=80
6457 
6458 
6459 
6460 
6461 
6462===== Other Emulators =====
6463 
6464 
6465 
6466  * Acorn Atom Emulator (win) -- http://www.homepages.hetnet.nl/~wouterras/atom.htm
6467 
6468  * Acorn Atom Emulator (*nix) -- http://www.iwriteiam.nl/Ha_Atom.html
6469 
6470  * ATOMAC (mac) -- http://www.p-skids.freeserve.co.uk/#Atomac
6471 
6472 
6473 
6474 
6475 
6476$end
6477 
6478 
6479 
6480#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6481 
6482 
6483$info=atvga
6484$bio
6485====== PC/AT (VGA, MF2 Keyboard) ======
6486 
6487 
6488 
6489 
6490 
6491===== Known Issues =====
6492 
6493 
6494 
6495The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
6496 
6497 
6498 
6499 
6500 
6501===== History and Trivia =====
6502 
6503 
6504 
6505This is basically a PC/AT with American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) BIOS and diagnostics, and VGA card.
6506 
6507 
6508 
6509 
6510 
6511$end
6512 
6513 
6514 
6515#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6516 
6517 
6518$info=avigo
6519$bio
6520====== Texas Instruments Avigo 10 PDA (1997) ======
6521 
6522 
6523 
6524 
6525 
6526===== Features =====
6527 
6528 
6529 
6530  * CPU: Custom Z-80 8MHz
6531 
6532  * Memory: 1MB Flash memory (approx. 680KB user available)
6533 
6534  * Expansion: 1MB module
6535 
6536  * Display: 160 x 240 pixels, with Backlight (EL)
6537 
6538  * OS: Avigo OS
6539 
6540 
6541 
6542 
6543 
6544===== Usage =====
6545 
6546 
6547 
6548The Avigo PDA has a touchscreen you can use through the lightpen and 7 additional buttons below the touchscreen: (from left to right) POWER, LIGHT, ADDRESS, SCHEDULE, TO DO, MEMO, UP/DOWN.
6549 
6550 
6551 
6552 
6553 
6554===== Known Issues =====
6555 
6556 
6557 
6558This system does not work properly.
6559 
6560 
6561 
6562There is no documentation on the hardware available and more is required.
6563 
6564 
6565 
6566 
6567 
6568===== History and Trivia =====
6569 
6570 
6571 
6572The Avigo 10 (the only model of Avigo ever produced) is a Personal Digital Assistant ("PDA") that was marketed by Texas Instruments from the years 1997 through 2000. It was sold as a lower-priced competitor to the Palm Pilot.
6573 
6574 
6575 
6576Like the Palm Pilot, the Avigo has a touch-sensitive monochrome LCD screen, and can synchronize with a host PC using either a docking cradle or an infrared wireless connection. Unlike the Pilot, it has no built-in handwriting recognition capabilities; instead relying on the "T9" brand predictive text entry software, in addition to an on-screen keyboard.
6577 
6578 
6579 
6580Physically, the Avigo is larger than the Palm Pilot series, but smaller than the earlier Apple Newton, measuring 5.5 in. X 3.25 in. X .75 in. The casing is plastic, with a charcoal-gray matte texture. It has a hard flip-cover to protect the screen when not in use.
6581 
6582 
6583 
6584Electronically, the Avigo has relatively modest computing power for a device from that era. The CPU is a modified 8-bit Z-80 microprocessor running at eight megahertz. It uses bank-switching to exceed the 64 kilobyte memory restriction; a stock Avigo is equipped with one megabyte of flash memory, and 768 kilobytes of random access memory. The device is primarily powered by two "AAA" cell batteries, and uses a CR2025 lithium coin cell for RAM memory backup.
6585 
6586 
6587 
6588Some of the features of the Avigo that distinguish it from competing devices produced at the same time are:
6589 
6590  * The aforementioned T9 predictive text input
6591 
6592  * Support for running programs in the "landscape" orientation, in addition to "portrait"
6593 
6594  * A larger screen than the Pilot, with no silk-screened writing area
6595 
6596  * A built-in database application
6597 
6598  * A slot for a memory expansion card (which expands the flash memory capacity to two megabytes)
6599 
6600 
6601 
6602//(info from Wikipedia)//
6603 
6604 
6605 
6606 
6607 
6608===== Links =====
6609 
6610 
6611 
6612  * Texas Instruments' Avigo Page -- http://www.ti.com/avigo/
6613 
6614  * AVIGOnet -- http://www.gho.de/avigo/
6615 
6616  * Hitchhiker's Guide to the Avigo OS -- http://home.earthlink.net/~rdgill/avigo/
6617 
6618  * Avigo at Datamath Calculator Museum -- http://www.datamath.org/Personal/Avigo10.htm
6619 
6620 
6621 
6622 
6623 
6624===== Other Emulators =====
6625 
6626 
6627 
6628  * Avigo Simulator (dead link) -- http://users.bart.nl/~gv/avigosdk/simulator.htm
6629 
6630 
6631 
6632 
6633 
6634$end
6635 
6636 
6637 
6638#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6639 
6640 
6641$info=b2m
6642$bio
6643====== BNPO Bashkiria-2M (1989) ======
6644 
6645 
6646 
6647 
6648 
6649===== Features =====
6650 
6651 
6652 
6653  * CPU: KR580VM80A (i82xx clone) 2MHz
6654 
6655  * RAM: 64k + 64k (video RAM)
6656 
6657  * Video: 384 x 256, 4 colors
6658 
6659  * Palette: 4 shades of red, green, blue, and 4 grayscale for black and white monitor
6660 
6661  * Sound: Built in speaker, 32 Hz - 48 kHz
6662 
6663 
6664 
6665 
6666 
6667===== Usage =====
6668 
6669 
6670 
6671MESS supports two different hardware configurations for the Bashkiria-2M:
6672 
6673 
6674 
6675  * b2m [BNPO Bashkiria-2M]
6676 
6677  * b2mrom [BNPO Bashkiria-2M with ROM-disk module]
6678 
6679 
6680 
6681Both drivers currently support two floppy drives for .cpm disk images, corresponding to devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop1).
6682 
6683 
6684 
6685== Keyboard ==
6686 
6687 
6688 
6689This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
6690 
6691 
6692 
6693 
6694 
6695===== Known Issues =====
6696 
6697 
6698 
6699The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
6700 
6701 
6702 
6703 
6704 
6705===== History and Trivia =====
6706 
6707 
6708 
6709Bashkiria-2M was one of the many computers created between the end of the 80s and the beginning of the 90s to fulfill the needs of Russian schools and hospitals which were looking for cheap computer systems.
6710 
6711 
6712 
6713It was the second product of BPNO, a small manufacturer located in Bashkiria (now Republic of Bashkortostan), after the not-so-successful ARM-SHK Bashkiria.
6714 
6715 
6716 
6717//(info based on bashkiria-2m.narod.ru, roughly translated from Russian)//
6718 
6719 
6720 
6721 
6722 
6723===== Links =====
6724 
6725 
6726 
6727  * Bashkiria-2M page -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru
6728 
6729  * Bashkiria-2M at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#bashkirya
6730 
6731 
6732 
6733 
6734 
6735===== Other Emu =====
6736 
6737 
6738 
6739  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
6740 
6741  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
6742 
6743 
6744 
6745 
6746 
6747$end
6748 
6749 
6750 
6751#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6752 
6753 
6754$info=bbca
6755$bio
6756====== Acorn BBC Micro Model A (1981), B (1982), B+ (1985) ======
6757 
6758 
6759 
6760 
6761 
6762===== Features =====
6763 
6764 
6765 
6766  * CPU: MOS 6502 1.8 MHz
6767 
6768  * RAM: 16 kb [Model A], 32 kb [Model B], 64 kb [Model B+]
6769 
6770  * ROM: 32 kb
6771 
6772  * Text Modes: 80 x 32/25 (2 colors) / 40 x 32/25 (2 or 4 colors) / 20 x 32 (16 colors) / 40 x 25 (Teletext display)
6773 
6774  * Graphics Modes: 640 x 256 (2 colors) / 320 x 256 (4 colors) / 160 x 256 (16 colors)
6775 
6776  * Colors: 16 (8 colors + flashing option)
6777 
6778  * Sound: 3 channels + 1 noise channel, 7 octaves
6779 
6780  * I/O Ports: UHF TV out, BNC video out, RGB vide out, RS423, Cassette, Analogue In (DB15), Econet port, TUBE interface, 1MHz BUS, User port, Printer port, Disk-drive connector
6781 
6782  * Keyboard: Full-stroke QWERTY keyboard, 64 keys, 10 function keys, arrow keys
6783 
6784  * Built In Language: BBC Basic
6785 
6786  * Peripherals: Controler card for 1 to 4 5" 1/4 F.D. drives, Floppy disk unit 5" 1/4 250K, Numerical cassette recorder 100K, Second 6502 microprocessor with card
6787 
6788 
6789 
6790 
6791 
6792===== Usage =====
6793 
6794 
6795 
6796MESS currently supports the following computers:
6797 
6798  * bbca [BBC Micro Model A]
6799 
6800  * bbcb [BBC Micro Model B]
6801 
6802  * bbcbp [BBC Micro Model B+ 64K]
6803 
6804  * bbcbp128 [BBC Micro Model B+ 128K]
6805 
6806 
6807 
6808For each driver, MESS allows to use various devices:
6809 
6810  * a "cassette" (cass) device which supports tapes in .wav, .csw and .uef format
6811 
6812  * two floppy devices, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), which support disks in .ssd, .bbc and .img format
6813 
6814  * four cartidge devices, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge4" (cart4), which support cart dumps in .rom format
6815 
6816 
6817 
6818Also notice that the “printer” (prin) is supported as well. 
6819 
6820 
6821 
6822== Keyboard ==
6823 
6824 
6825 
6826These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
6827 
6828 
6829 
6830 
6831 
6832===== History and Trivia =====
6833 
6834 
6835 
6836The Acorn BBC model A was the successor of the Acorn Atom and its first name was Acorn Proton. It was a very popular computer in the UK and was widely used in schools, but it didn't have great success elsewhere (even though it did have great features, it was too expensive).
6837 
6838 
6839 
6840The Model A lacked some of the connectors of the Model B/B+ (User port, Tube, ...) on the underside.
6841 
6842 
6843 
6844This computer got its name because in 1980, the BBC decided to start a computer literacy television series. The network realized that, with more powerful and increasingly inexpensive microcomputers, it would soon be possible to create them with enough computing power to offer their owners personal hands-on experience with microcomputers at an affordable price.
6845 
6846The BBC considered the NewBrain computer and rejected it. Acorn and Sinclair Research, along with other companies, then submitted designs, and Acorn won. The BBC model B was then used almost universally in British schools from its birth into the 90's.
6847 
6848 
6849 
6850It was followed in 1982 by the Acorn BBC model B. The Model B had the same features but had 32 KB RAM (expandable to 64K).
6851 
6852 
6853 
6854The "Tube" was an expansion port which was designed to connect other processors to the BBC (6502, Z80, 68000 or ARM 1 RISC). An interface card was specially designed for the tube. It used another 6502 and a Z80.
6855 
6856 
6857 
6858One of its most popular peripherals was the "Torch" floppy disk unit, a 5.25" floppy disk drive with a Z80 which allowed the BBC to use CP/M software.
6859 
6860 
6861 
6862Acorn also made a "cheap" version of the BBC (fewer connectors & video modes) called Acorn Electron.
6863 
6864 
6865 
6866In 1985, the Acorn BBC Model B+ was released. The Model B+ had new features : 64K of RAM instead of 32 KB and internal circuitry for the Econet and Disk Drive as standard (both available as an upgrade in the models A and B). The later models included disk support as standard, using either an 8271 or a 1770 disk controller.
6867 
6868 
6869 
6870It was then followed by the BBC Master.
6871 
6872 
6873 
6874//(info from old-computers.com)//
6875 
6876 
6877 
6878 
6879 
6880===== Links =====
6881 
6882 
6883 
6884  * BBC Documentation Project -- http://www.bbcdocs.com/
6885 
6886  * The BBC Lives! -- http://bbc.nvg.org/
6887 
6888  * BBC Micro at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=29
6889 
6890 
6891 
6892 
6893 
6894===== Other Emulators =====
6895 
6896 
6897 
6898  * B-EM (Windows, MS-DOS, Mac OS X) -- http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/
6899 
6900  * BeebEm -- http://www.mikebuk.dsl.pipex.com/beebem
6901 
6902  * model-b -- http://modelb.bbcmicro.com/
6903 
6904 
6905 
6906 
6907 
6908$end
6909 
6910 
6911 
6912#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6913 
6914 
6915$info=bbcbc
6916$bio
6917====== BBC Bridge Companion (1985) ======
6918 
6919 
6920 
6921 
6922 
6923===== Features =====
6924 
6925 
6926 
6927  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4MHz (according to MESS source)
6928 
6929 
6930 
6931 
6932 
6933===== Known Issues =====
6934 
6935 
6936 
6937The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
6938 
6939 
6940 
6941 
6942 
6943===== History and Trivia =====
6944 
6945 
6946 
6947Bridge Companion is a bridge computer produced by BBC in 1985 and programmed by Andrew Kambites, math teacher and director of the English Bridge Union.
6948 
6949 
6950 
6951It allows to learn and play bridge on your TV, through different carts.
6952 
6953 
6954 
6955 
6956 
6957$end
6958 
6959 
6960 
6961#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6962 
6963 
6964$info=bbcm
6965$bio
6966====== Acorn BBC Master (1986) ======
6967 
6968 
6969 
6970 
6971 
6972===== Features =====
6973 
6974 
6975 
6976  * CPU: 65C102 2 MHz.
6977 
6978  * RAM: 128 KB
6979 
6980  * ROM: 128 KB (Expandable)
6981 
6982  * Text Modes: 40/80 x 25 lines, 20/40/80 x 32, Teletex mode (40 x 25 x 8 colours)
6983 
6984  * Graphic Modes: 160/320/640 x 256 dots in 2 to 8 colours
6985 
6986  * Colors: 8 among 16
6987 
6988  * Sound: 4 channels, 8 octaves - SN76489 sound generator
6989 
6990  * I/O Ports: Tube expansion, BBC High Speed Bus, FDD interface, User interface, RS423 serial, Analog, Econet network, Parallel, tape recorder, TV/RF, RGB & Composite outputs
6991 
6992  * Keyboard: Full stroke 93 key with numeric keypad and 10 function keys
6993 
6994  * Built In Media: Cassette & FDD interfaces
6995 
6996  * OS: MOS
6997 
6998  * Built In Language: BBC BASIC IV interpreter
6999 
7000  * Peripherals: External FDD unit, processor card, etc.
7001 
7002 
7003 
7004 
7005 
7006===== Usage =====
7007 
7008 
7009 
7010MESS allows to use various devices for the bbcm:
7011 
7012  * a "cassette" (cass) device which supports tapes in .wav, .csw and .uef format
7013 
7014  * two floppy devices, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), which support disks in .ssd, .bbc and .img format
7015 
7016  * four cartidge devices, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge4" (cart4), which support cart dumps in .rom format
7017 
7018 
7019 
7020Also notice that the “printer” (prin) is supported as well. 
7021 
7022 
7023 
7024== Keyboard ==
7025 
7026 
7027 
7028This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7029 
7030 
7031 
7032 
7033 
7034===== History and Trivia =====
7035 
7036 
7037 
7038The BBC Master was an enhanced version of the BBC Model B providing improved features, but sadly also introducing compatibility problems with earlier BBC systems.
7039 
7040 
7041 
7042These features were: loads more memory such as shadow, sideways and private RAM, 4 sound channels, twin cartridge sockets, as well as several built-in ROM software packages like View (word processor), ViewSheet (spreadsheet), ADFS (Advanced Filing System), a text editor and terminal utilities.
7043 
7044 
7045 
7046Like the Model B, the system had so many I/O ports that most of them had to be placed under the case. Luckily, they only used flat-cable connectors.
7047 
7048 
7049 
7050When it was released, the BBC Master met with great success. From 1986 to 1989, about 200,000 systems were sold, mainly to U.K. schools and universities. Several enhanced versions of the Master were launched in the following months 
7051 
7052 
7053 
7054  * The Master 512 was a Master 128 with 512 KB of RAM and an internal 80186 processor. It could be upgraded up to 1024 KB and ran MS-DOS.
7055 
7056  * The Master Turbo was a Master 128 with a 65C02 as a second processor.
7057 
7058 
7059 
7060The BBC Master and Master Compact could be considered the most accomplished 8-bit "home" computers and among the last mass-produced 8-bit machines. Production ended in 1993. While developing and marketing the BBC Master, Acorn realized the PC world was moving on from 8-bit to 16-bit processors and started developing their own 32-bit chip, the Acorn RISC Machine, or ARM.
7061 
7062 
7063 
7064//(info from old-computers.com)//
7065 
7066 
7067 
7068 
7069 
7070===== Links =====
7071 
7072 
7073 
7074  * BBC Documentation Project -- http://www.bbcdocs.com/
7075 
7076  * The BBC Lives! -- http://bbc.nvg.org/
7077 
7078  * BBC Master at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=850
7079 
7080 
7081 
7082 
7083 
7084===== Other Emulators =====
7085 
7086 
7087 
7088  * B-EM (Windows, MS-DOS, Mac OS X) -- http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/
7089 
7090  * BeebEm -- http://www.mikebuk.dsl.pipex.com/beebem
7091 
7092  * model-b -- http://modelb.bbcmicro.com/
7093 
7094 
7095 
7096 
7097 
7098$end
7099 
7100 
7101 
7102#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7103 
7104 
7105$info=bebox
7106$bio
7107 
7108 
7109====== Be Inc. BeBox Dual603-66 (1995) and Dual603-133 (1996) ======
7110 
7111 
7112 
7113 
7114 
7115===== Features =====
7116 
7117 
7118 
7119  * CPU: Two RISC-based PowerPC 603 or 603e @ either 66 or 133 MHz
7120 
7121  * RAM: Up to 256 MB (up to 8 72-pin SIMM modules)
7122 
7123  * ROM: Unknown
7124 
7125  * Text Modes: 80 columns x 25 lines
7126 
7127  * Graphic Modes: 640x480 to 1600x1200
7128 
7129  * Colors: 256 to 16.7 million
7130 
7131  * Sound: 16-bit stereo sound system - Dual MIDI channels
7132 
7133  * I/O Ports: 4xserial, Parallel, 3 x Infrared, SCSI II, 2 x Joystick, 2 x Midi, GeekPort
7134 
7135  * Keyboard: Standard PC-AT
7136 
7137  * Built In Media: 3.5" 1.44 MB FDD, SCSI & IDE HDD
7138 
7139  * OS: BeOs
7140 
7141  * Peripherals: 3 x PCI and 5 x ISA card slots
7142 
7143 
7144 
7145 
7146 
7147===== Usage =====
7148 
7149 
7150 
7151MESS supports both BeBox main models
7152 
7153 
7154 
7155  * bebox [BeBox Dual603-66]: the 66MHz model
7156 
7157  * bebox2 [BeBox Dual603-133]: the 133MHz model
7158 
7159 
7160 
7161== Keyboard ==
7162 
7163 
7164 
7165This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7166 
7167 
7168 
7169=== RAM options ===
7170 
7171 
7172 
7173Different RAM configurations are possible for the bebox and bebox2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
7174 
7175 
7176 
7177  mess bebox -ramsize ram_value
7178 
7179 
7180 
7181where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
7182 
7183 
7184 
7185  8m
7186 
7187  16m
7188 
7189  32m (default)
7190 
7191 
7192 
7193 
7194 
7195===== Known Issues =====
7196 
7197 
7198 
7199The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
7200 
7201 
7202 
7203 
7204 
7205===== History and Trivia =====
7206 
7207 
7208 
7209The BeBox was a short-lived dual processor PC, offered by Be Incorporated to run their own operating system, BeOS.
7210 
7211 
7212 
7213In October 1995, Be, Inc. unveiled its first (and last) computer, the BeBox.
7214 
7215 
7216 
7217Be was founded in 1990 by Jean-Louis Gassée, former manager of the French Apple subsidiary. For almost 5 years, 12 engineers from Apple, NeXT and Sun designed the BeBox and its operating system, BeOs. The total design cost was about US$9 million.
7218 
7219 
7220 
7221BeBox hadware was based on a dual PowerPC 603 CPU running at 66 MHz (later 133 MHz). The motherboard was not really innovative but featured a large range of Input/Output ports, including IDE and SCSI HDD interfaces, standard PC card slots, MIDI, audio, infrared ports plus a special GeekPort for hardware experiments.
7222 
7223 
7224 
7225The Be Operating System was also developed from the ground up. It aimed to be an alternative to the "Heavy weight" Windows and Mac OS's, which were handicaped by backward compatibility hardware and software issues.
7226 
7227BeOs was a clear and clean multi-processor (up to 8), multi-threading, multi-tasking, GUI-based operating system, optimized for digital media management. The first BeBox machines were mainly intended for use by software developers, BeOs was delivered 
7228 
7229with Metrowerks CodeWarrior and C++ languages.
7230 
7231 
7232 
7233In spite of its numerous advanced features, the BeBox never met the success expected by its designers, mainly because it was compatible with nothing else in the computing industry. Be sold around 1000 66 MHz BeBoxes and 800 133 MHz BeBoxes between October 1995 and January 1997, when production ceased.
7234 
7235 
7236 
7237In 1996, BeOs was ported to Apple PowerPC machines but Apple eventually preferred the NeXT basis for its future Mac OS X. Two years later, BeOs ran on Intel machines.
7238 
7239 
7240 
7241Because of the small size of the company and the competition from much larger competitors, the Be adventure finally ended on Novembre 2001 when the company sold all of its intellectual property and technology assets to Palm. Just before this happened, J.L. Gassée offered for free the latest version of his OS (R5) to Intel PC users.
7242 
7243 
7244 
7245Nowadays, although marginal, BeOs is still alive, and new releases and updates are regularly announced by the BeOs community. 
7246 
7247 
7248 
7249Initial prototypes were equipped with two AT&T Hobbit processors and three AT&T 9308S DSPs.
7250 
7251 
7252 
7253Of particular note were the CPU load meters on the front of the unit (dubbed the "blinkenlights"), and the GeekPort in back, which allowed for experimentation.
7254 
7255 
7256 
7257== GeekPort ==
7258 
7259 
7260 
7261It's a digital and analog I/O and DC power connector, 37-pin connector on the ISA bus. It consists of:
7262 
7263  * Two independent, bidirectional 8-bit ports
7264 
7265  * Four A/D pins routing to a 12-bit A/D converter
7266 
7267  * Four D/A pins connected to an independent 8-bit D/A converter
7268 
7269  * Two signal ground reference pins
7270 
7271  * Eleven power and ground pins: Two at +5 V, one at +12 V, one at -12 V, seven ground pins.
7272 
7273 
7274 
7275//(info from Wikipedia)//
7276 
7277 
7278 
7279 
7280 
7281===== Links =====
7282 
7283 
7284 
7285  * The BeBox Zone -- http://www.bebox.nu/
7286 
7287  * Beatjapan.org (Mirror of be.com, the official Be web site, now closed) -- http://www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/products/bebox/dual603spec.html
7288 
7289  * BeBox Photo Gallery (by Joseph Palmer: Be HW Engineer) -- http://www.josephpalmer.com/BeBox/BeBox.shtml
7290 
7291 
7292 
7293 
7294 
7295$end
7296 
7297 
7298 
7299#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7300 
7301 
7302$info=bk0010
7303$bio
7304====== Elektronika BK-0010 (1985) and BK-0010.01 (1986) =======
7305 
7306 
7307 
7308 
7309 
7310===== Features =====
7311 
7312 
7313 
7314  * CPU: K1801BM1-3
7315 
7316  * RAM: 16kB
7317 
7318  * ROM: 32kB
7319 
7320  * Colors: b/w or 4
7321 
7322  * Resolution: 512 x 256 or 256 x 256
7323 
7324 
7325 
7326 
7327 
7328===== Usage =====
7329 
7330 
7331 
7332Currently, MESS supports the following BK computers
7333 
7334 
7335 
7336  * bk0010 [Elektronika BK-0010]
7337 
7338  * bk0010fd [Elektronika BK-0010 with FDD]
7339 
7340  * bk001001 [Elektronika BK-0010.01]
7341 
7342 
7343 
7344All the drivers support cassette tapes in .wav format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
7345 
7346 
7347 
7348== Keyboard ==
7349 
7350 
7351 
7352This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7353 
7354 
7355 
7356 
7357 
7358===== Known Issues =====
7359 
7360 
7361 
7362Emulation of bk0010fd is still preliminary (no disk support present, at the moment). 
7363 
7364 
7365 
7366 
7367 
7368===== History and Trivia =====
7369 
7370 
7371 
7372The BK-0010 was the first Soviet home computer built in 1985. It comes with a quite powerful 16Bit DEC PDP-11 compatible processor called 1801BM1. Common programming languages were: FOCAL, BASIC, assembler - mostly on ROMs. The BK-0010 comes with a film keyboard. The BK-0010 is also known as BK-0010SH ("SH" means school model).
7373 
7374 
7375 
7376The BK-0010.01 was very much the same machine as the BK-0010 but it has a "real" keyboard. The BK-0010 / BK-0010.01 also have a ROM-Slot.
7377 
7378 
7379 
7380Additional info from Paul Romanchenko: the BK-0010.01 has a total of 32kB RAM that is divided into two regions: 16kB user space and 16kB screen area.
7381 
7382 
7383 
7384The 32kB ROM contains built-in BASIC interpreter (dialect Vilnus Basic). It has 4 colors in "low-res" mode (32 col x 24 rows), 2 colors in "hi-res" mode (62 col x 24 rows). BK-0010.01 is built after BK-0010, which has the same characteristic, but has only 8Kb ROM and hasn't built-in Basic. 
7385 
7386 
7387 
7388The FOCAL language was distributed in separate ROM block which connected via special socket.
7389 
7390 
7391 
7392//(info from homecomputer.de)//
7393 
7394 
7395 
7396 
7397 
7398===== Links =====
7399 
7400 
7401 
7402  * BK-0010 & BK-0010.01 at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#10
7403 
7404 
7405 
7406 
7407 
7408===== Other Emu =====
7409 
7410 
7411 
7412  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
7413 
7414  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
7415 
7416 
7417 
7418 
7419 
7420$end
7421 
7422 
7423 
7424#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7425 
7426 
7427$info=bondwell
7428$bio
7429====== Bondwell PRO28 Series - BW230 (1985) ======
7430 
7431 
7432 
7433 
7434 
7435===== Features =====
7436 
7437 
7438 
7439  * CPU on pc-type adapter: 8088 with 3.75/8 MHz (turboswitch)
7440 
7441  * socket for 8087
7442 
7443  * 512 kb RAM built in 
7444 
7445  * sockets for additional 128kb RAM on board
7446 
7447  * integrated floppy disk controller
7448 
7449  * setup RAM/realtime clock?
7450 
7451  * MF2 Keyboard (US layout)
7452 
7453  * socket for additional bios?
7454 
7455  * game port on motherboard or slot?, serial port on motherboard or slot? parallel port on motherboard or slot?, cga adapter in slot or motherboard?, harddisk controller in slot or motherboard?
7456 
7457  * 5" 1/4 360 kb disk drive
7458 
7459  * 32mb harddisk
7460 
7461 
7462 
7463 
7464 
7465===== Known Issues =====
7466 
7467 
7468 
7469Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
7470 
7471 
7472 
7473  * basically the same as mess ibmpc emulation
7474 
7475  * rtc/setup RAM not emulated
7476 
7477  * Character ROM dump missing
7478 
7479  * needs i8086 "dirval reset fix" to work
7480 
7481  * bios stops without emulation of disketts controller (->you have to start with disk image!)
7482 
7483 
7484 
7485 
7486 
7487===== History and Trivia =====
7488 
7489 
7490 
7491IBM PC compatible computer.
7492 
7493 
7494 
7495 
7496 
7497$end
7498 
7499 
7500 
7501#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7502 
7503 
7504$info=bw2
7505$bio
7506====== Bondwell Model 2 (1985) ======
7507 
7508 
7509 
7510 
7511 
7512===== Features =====
7513 
7514 
7515 
7516  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
7517 
7518  * RAM: 64K
7519 
7520  * ROM: 4K
7521 
7522  * Text Modes: 80 x 25
7523 
7524  * Video: 640x200 LCD (built-in)
7525 
7526  * Storage: 3.5" floppy diskette (built-in)
7527 
7528  * I/O: Parallel, Serial
7529 
7530  * OS: CP/M
7531 
7532  * Expansion: Limited internal expansion
7533 
7534 
7535 
7536 
7537 
7538===== Usage ======
7539 
7540 
7541 
7542== Keyboard ==
7543 
7544 
7545 
7546This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7547 
7548 
7549 
7550 
7551 
7552===== Known Issues =====
7553 
7554 
7555 
7556The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
7557 
7558 
7559 
7560 
7561 
7562===== History and Trivia =====
7563 
7564 
7565 
7566The Bondwell 2 was a late CP/M machine, designed and shipped towards the end of the lifecycle of the OS. 
7567 
7568 
7569 
7570It is, however, a true portable computer running CP/M, which is quite rare.
7571 
7572 
7573 
7574//(info from vintage-computer.com)//
7575 
7576 
7577 
7578 
7579 
7580===== Links =====
7581 
7582 
7583 
7584  * Model 2 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/bondwell2.shtml
7585 
7586 
7587 
7588 
7589 
7590$end
7591 
7592 
7593 
7594#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7595 
7596 
7597$info=c128
7598$bio
7599====== Commodore 128 (1985), Commodore 128D, Commodore 128D-CR ======
7600 
7601 
7602 
7603 
7604 
7605===== Features =====
7606 
7607 
7608 
7609  * CPU: 8502 1/2 MHz, 1.022 MHz (for C64 mode)+ Zilog Z80 ~2.5 MHz
7610 
7611  * Co-Processor: SID (sound), VDC & VIC-II (video)
7612 
7613  * RAM: 128 KB
7614 
7615  * VRAM: 16 KB
7616 
7617  * ROM: 48 KB
7618 
7619  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines
7620 
7621  * Graphics Modes: several, most used : 160x200 / 320 x 200 / 640 x 200
7622 
7623  * Colors: 16
7624 
7625  * Sound: 3 voices / 6 octaves
7626 
7627  * I/O Ports: RGB, Video Composite, Joystick (2), cartridge, Tape, User Port (RS232 compatible), TV, serial
7628 
7629  * Keyboard: Complete full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
7630 
7631  * Built In Media: 1571 disk-drive [C128D and C128D-CR only]
7632 
7633  * OS: C128 mode, C64 mode or CP/M
7634 
7635  * Built In Language: Basic
7636 
7637  * hardware emulation mode for c64
7638 
7639 
7640 
7641 
7642 
7643===== Usage =====
7644 
7645 
7646 
7647== Video ==
7648 
7649 
7650 
7651If the game runs too fast with the NTSC version, try the PAL version! If flickering is present in one video version, try the other video version.
7652 
7653 
7654 
7655== Keys ==
7656 
7657 
7658 
7659Mind that some PC-Keyboards does not behave well when special two or more keys are pressed at the same time (with my keyboard printscreen clears the pressed pause key!)
7660 
7661 
7662 
7663Remember also the following functions:
7664 
7665  * "shift-cbm" switches between upper-only and normal character set (when wrong characters on screen this can help) 
7666 
7667  * "run" (shift-stop) loads program from type and starts it
7668 
7669  * "esc-x" switch between two videosystems
7670 
7671 
7672 
7673Additional keys (to C64) are not useable in C64mode
7674 
7675 
7676 
7677== Lightpen ==
7678 
7679 
7680 
7681It's emulated through Paddle 5 x-axis, Paddle 6 y-axis
7682 
7683 
7684 
7685== Cassettes ==
7686 
7687 
7688 
7689Cassette images can have the .wav or .prg extensions, and multiple .prg files can be contained within a .zip file. Zip files must be placed in the current directory, and the contained .prg files are played in sequential order.
7690 
7691 
7692 
7693The format for WAVs are: 
7694 
7695  8 bit (16 bit may work, but this hasn't been tested), mono, 12500 Hz minimum. 
7696 
7697 
7698 
7699This has the same problems as an original Datasette tape drive: the tone head must be adjusted to get working (no load error...) wav-files. To adjust it, remember that tape volume is "DAC1 volume" within the MESS UI On Screen Display Options (accessed
7700 
7701with the tilde (~) key).
7702 
7703 
7704 
7705Once you're at the BASIC prompt you can load a tape typing:
7706 
7707  LOAD 
7708 
7709or 
7710 
7711  LOAD"" 
7712 
7713or 
7714 
7715  LOAD"",1 
7716 
7717You can use 
7718 
7719  LOAD"",1,1 
7720 
7721to load programs which requires a special address.
7722 
7723 
7724 
7725Warning: Currently tape support is broken in MESS.
7726 
7727 
7728 
7729== Floppy Disks ==
7730 
7731 
7732 
7733MESS currently emulates only loading from drive 8 and 9 in the C128 emulation. These drives correspond to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) emulated by MESS. To run a .d64 image you have to launch
7734 
7735 
7736 
7737  mess.exe c128 -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.d64"
7738 
7739 
7740 
7741Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
7742 
7743 
7744 
7745  * to list the content of the floppy
7746 
7747 
7748 
7749  LOAD"$",8
7750 
7751  LIST
7752 
7753 
7754 
7755  * to load a BASIC program from the disk
7756 
7757 
7758 
7759  LOAD"filename",8
7760 
7761 
7762 
7763  * to load a machine language program at its address
7764 
7765 
7766 
7767  LOAD"filename",8,1
7768 
7769 
7770 
7771  * to load the first program from the disk (useful if you're not sure of which is the correct one to load)
7772 
7773 
7774 
7775  LOAD"*",8
7776 
7777 
7778 
7779Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
7780 
7781 
7782 
7783  RUN
7784 
7785 
7786 
7787or the appropriate SYS call. If you launched the game on -flop2, you will need to use drive 9 in place of drive 8 in the commands above.
7788 
7789 
7790 
7791Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
7792 
7793 
7794 
7795== Cartridges ==
7796 
7797 
7798 
7799Cartridges may have any of the following extensions: .crt, .80, .90, .a0, .b0, .e0, .f0. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges may require more than one image.
7800 
7801 
7802 
7803  * .?0 files are loaded to the address specified in the extension.
7804 
7805  * .crt ROMs are loaded to the addresses specified in crt file.
7806 
7807 
7808 
7809To use "cartridge1" (cart1) or "cartridge2" (cart2) slots in MESS, simply launch
7810 
7811 
7812 
7813  mess.exe c128 -cart1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.crt"
7814 
7815 
7816 
7817and the game will start. Currently, only few of the available types of .crt files are supported.
7818 
7819Note that .prg files are often cartridge images as well, but in MESS they are assigned to the quickloader (see below).
7820 
7821 
7822 
7823== Quickloader ==
7824 
7825 
7826 
7827A quickloader is available via command line or using the F8 key. It supports program image files with extensions .prg and .p00. The quickloader loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It shall work with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
7828 
7829 
7830 
7831  mess.exe c128 -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
7832 
7833 
7834 
7835and simply type the command
7836 
7837 
7838 
7839  RUN
7840 
7841 
7842 
7843to start the program.
7844 
7845 
7846 
7847== C64 Mode ==
7848 
7849 
7850 
7851To enter in C64 Mode, hold down commodore key while resetting or turning on. Then type 
7852 
7853 
7854 
7855  go64 
7856 
7857 
7858 
7859at the C128 command mode
7860 
7861 
7862 
7863== CPM Mode ==
7864 
7865 
7866 
7867To run in CPM Mode, cpm disk must be inserted in device 8. Then turn on computer or type 
7868 
7869 
7870 
7871  boot 
7872 
7873 
7874 
7875at the C128 command mode
7876 
7877 
7878 
7879If you run into difficulty, be sure to start the emulation with the -log switch, and look into the error.log file that is created in your MESS directory.
7880 
7881 
7882 
7883== ROM Dumping ==
7884 
7885 
7886 
7887  * Dumping of the ROMs from the running machine: in the monitor program
7888 
7889   
7890 
7891  s "drive:name",device,start,end
7892 
7893  s "0:basic",8,f4000,fc000
7894 
7895  s "0:editor",8,fc000,fd000
7896 
7897  s "0:kernel",8,ee000,f0000
7898 
7899  s "0:char128",8,ed000,ee000
7900 
7901 
7902 
7903  * Z80 BIOS [missing, funet says there exists only 1 version!?]: I don't know, maybe there is a cpm utility allowing saving the memory area 0-0xfff of bank 0. (I don't want to develop (and can't test) this short complicated program)
7904 
7905 
7906 
7907  * BASIC [only 1 version!?]: In C64 Mode, enter
7908 
7909   
7910 
7911  poke43,0:poke44,160:poke45,0:poke46,192:save"0:basic64",8
7912 
7913 
7914 
7915  * Kernel [only 1 version!?]: In C64 Mode, enter
7916 
7917   
7918 
7919  for i=0 to 8191:poke 32*256+i, peek(224*256+i): next
7920 
7921  poke43,0:poke44,32:poke45,0:poke46,64:save"0:kernel64",8
7922 
7923 
7924 
7925  * C64 Charset [Swedish version or original C64 version]: in C128 Mode, enter
7926 
7927   
7928 
7929  monitor
7930 
7931  a 2000 sei
7932 
7933  lda #33
7934 
7935  sta 1
7936 
7937  ldy #0
7938 
7939  sty fa
7940 
7941  sty fc
7942 
7943  lda #c0
7944 
7945  sta fd
7946 
7947  lda #d0
7948 
7949  sta fb
7950 
7951  ldx #10
7952 
7953  lda (fa),y
7954 
7955  sta (fc),y
7956 
7957  iny
7958 
7959  bne 2015
7960 
7961  inc fb
7962 
7963  inc fd
7964 
7965  dex
7966 
7967  bne 2015
7968 
7969  lda #37
7970 
7971  sta 1
7972 
7973  cli
7974 
7975  rts
7976 
7977  (additional enter to end assembler input)
7978 
7979  x (to leave monitor)
7980 
7981  go64 (answer with y)
7982 
7983  sys 32*256
7984 
7985  poke 43,0:poke44,192:poke45,0:poke46,208:save"0:char64",8
7986 
7987 
7988 
7989  * C64 Charset [Swedish version or original C64 version]: in C64 Mode, load the program in the attachment and type
7990 
7991 
7992 
7993  load"savechar64",8,1
7994 
7995  sys 32*256
7996 
7997  poke 43,0:poke44,192:poke45,0:poke46,208:save"0:char64",8
7998 
7999 
8000 
8001  * C128D floppy disk bios: I think you have to download a program copying the bios to buffers. Then you could read this buffer into the computer, or write these buffers to disk. Transportation to your pc: 1571 writes to mfm encoded diskettes (in cpm mode only, or use 
8002 
8003program). Maybe the IBM CPM-86 formats are like the standard DOS formats, but using dd may create images known by some other emulators. 1581 writes mfm encoded: can one of these drives to a format know by linux? Some years ago I build a simple adapter pc/parport to vc1541 floppy disk drive.
8004 
8005 
8006 
8007== ROM Dumping with EEPROMer ==
8008 
8009 
8010 
8011  * C128:
8012 
8013 
8014 
8015| U18 |       | (read compatible 2764?)  |  8kB C64 character ROM, C128 character ROM |
8016 
8017| U32 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C64 Basic, C64 Kernel                 |
8018 
8019| U33 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C128 Basic at 0x4000                  |
8020 
8021| U34 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C128 Basic at 0x8000                  |
8022 
8023| U35 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C128 Editor, Z80Bios, C128 Kernel     |
8024 
8025 
8026 
8027  * C128 CR (cost reduced):
8028 
8029 
8030 
8031| U18 |       | (read compatible 2764?)  | 8kB C64 character ROM, C128 character ROM                    |
8032 
8033| U32 | 23256 | (read compatible 27256?) | 32kB C64 Basic, C64 Kernel, C128 Editor, Z80Bios, C128 Kernel |
8034 
8035| U34 | 23256 | (read compatible 27256?) | 32kB C128 Basic                                               |
8036 
8037 
8038 
8039  * C128 DCR: As C128 CR plus
8040 
8041 
8042 
8043| U102| 23256 | (read compatible 27256?) | 32kB 1571 system ROM |
8044 
8045 
8046 
8047 
8048 
8049 
8050 
8051===== Known Issues =====
8052 
8053 
8054 
8055Notice that Commedore 128D is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
8056 
8057 
8058 
8059C128 issues:
8060 
8061 
8062 
8063  * uses c64 emulation for c64 mode, so only notes for the additional subsystems here
8064 
8065  * rasterline based video system: no CPU holding, imperfect scrolling support (when 40 columns or 25 lines), lightpen support not finished, rasterline not finished
8066 
8067  * vdc emulation: dirtybuffered video system, text mode (only standard 8x8 characters supported), graphic mode not tested, lightpen not supported, scrolling not supported
8068 
8069  * z80 emulation: floppy simulation not enough for booting CPM, so simplified z80 memory management not tested
8070 
8071  * no CPU clock doubling
8072 
8073  * no internal function ROM
8074 
8075  * c64 mode: differences to real c64???
8076 
8077  * no sound
8078 
8079  * cia6526's look in machine/cia6526.c
8080 
8081  * keyboard
8082 
8083  * gameport a: paddles 1,2; joystick 1; 2 button joystick/mouse joystick emulation; no mouse; lightpen (not finished)
8084 
8085  * gameport b: paddles 3,4; joystick 2; 2 button joystick/mouse joystick emulation; no mouse
8086 
8087  * simple tape support (not working, cia timing, CPU timing?)
8088 
8089  * serial bus: simple disk drives, no printer or other devices
8090 
8091  * expansion modules: no c128 modules
8092 
8093  * expansion modules c64: ROM cartridges (exrom), ultimax ROM cartridges (game), c64 cartridges (only standard ROM cartridges), no other ROM cartridges (bankswitching logic in it, switching exrom, game), no ieee488 support, no cpm cartridge, no speech cartridge (no circuit diagram found), no fm sound cartridge, no other expansion modules
8094 
8095  * no userport: no rs232/v.24 interface
8096 
8097 
8098 
8099 
8100 
8101===== History and Trivia =====
8102 
8103 
8104 
8105The Commodore 128 was launched at the Las-Vegas Consumer Electronic Show 1985. It was presented then as a competitor for the Apple Macintosh and IBM PC (The famous advertisement said "Bad news for Apple and IBM"). In fact, the only star of this show was the Atari 130 ST!
8106 
8107 
8108 
8109It was the successor of the Commodore 64 and could use all the software and a lot of the hardware of the C64 (the 8502 could be slowed down 1 MHz for compatibility).
8110 
8111 
8112 
8113One of the main specialties of this machine was the additional Z80 CPU and Video chip, which means that you could attach two monitors. Thanks to the Z80, the Commodore 128 could run under CP/M + : lots of software were adapted for this computer and Osborne or Kaypro programs could run directly.
8114 
8115 
8116 
8117The 128D model: The 128D was the direct successor of the Commodore 128. It had exactly the same characteristics as the 128 except its external case which contained the Commodore 1571 floppy disk unit.
8118 
8119 
8120 
8121Actually there were two distinct Commodore 128Ds : The 128D and the 128D-CR (for Cost Reduced).
8122 
8123 
8124 
8125== 128D vs. 128DCR  ==
8126 
8127 
8128 
8129Differences between the 128D and the 128DCR were:
8130 
8131 
8132 
8133  * The 128D was never sold in the U.S. because of all the radio frequency interference it gave off.
8134 
8135  * The 128D-CR had a metal case rather than plastic for solving radio frequency problems. This version was sold in the U.S.
8136 
8137  * The 128D-CR did not have a cooling fan, although there was a place to mount one.
8138 
8139  * The 128D-CR case did not have storage clips for the keyboard.
8140 
8141  * The 128D-CR came with 64k of video RAM (for the RGB video chip) rather than 16k for the C128.
8142 
8143  * The 128D-CR's printed circuit board was different, and included the drive electronics. So there were 3 CPUs on the board.
8144 
8145  * The 128D-CR came with bugfixed (1986) ROMs in two 32k x 8 chips instead of four 16k x 8 ones.
8146 
8147  * The internal drive's ROM was different from the original 1571 ROM in two ways: it was bugfixed, and had changes for the new support chips. The bugfixes were bigger than the changes for the new hardware.
8148 
8149  * 128D-CR CPU RAM was in four 64k x 4 chips rather than sixteen 64k x 1 ones.
8150 
8151  * The 128D-CR did not have a carrying handle.
8152 
8153 
8154 
8155//(info from old-computers.com)//
8156 
8157 
8158 
8159== Easter egg == 
8160 
8161 
8162 
8163Entering the command 
8164 
8165   
8166 
8167  SYS 32800,123,45,6
8168 
8169 
8170 
8171in native mode would reveal a 40-column screen with a listing of the machine's main developers (and a message they left).
8172 
8173 
8174 
8175 
8176 
8177===== Links =====
8178 
8179 
8180 
8181  * Commodore 128 Alive! -- http://www.commodore128.org/
8182 
8183  * The Commodore 128 Page -- http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/
8184 
8185  * Commodore Computers -- http://www.commodore.ca/
8186 
8187  * Commodore 128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=96
8188 
8189 
8190 
8191 
8192 
8193===== Other Emulators =====
8194 
8195 
8196 
8197  * PC128 (DOS) - no more developed after v3.1 - no webpage
8198 
8199  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
8200 
8201 
8202 
8203 
8204 
8205$end
8206 
8207 
8208 
8209#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8210 
8211 
8212$info=c16
8213$bio
8214====== Commodore C16, Plus/4, and C364 (1984) ======
8215 
8216 
8217 
8218 
8219 
8220===== Features =====
8221 
8222 
8223 
8224  * CPU: 7501 0.89 MHz or 1.76 MHz
8225 
8226  * Co-Processor: None [Plus/4]; TED (video & sound) [C16]; VIC-II (video & sound) [C116]
8227 
8228  * RAM: 16 KB (12 KB free for user) [C16-C116]; 64 KB (60 KB free for user, and 48 KB free when used in high resolution) [Plus/4]
8229 
8230  * ROM: 32 KB [C16-C116]; 64 KB [Plus/4]
8231 
8232  * Text Modes: 40 chars. x 25 lines
8233 
8234  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 320 x 160 (with 5 lines of text) / 160 x 200 / 160 x 160 (with 5 lines of text)
8235 
8236  * Colors: 121 (15 colours x 8 luminances + black)
8237 
8238  * Sound: two channels; 4 octaves + white noise
8239 
8240  * I/O Ports: Tape, Cartridge, Joystick (2), serial, Composite Video, TV [all]; Floppy Disk, Printer, User port, RGB, expansion bus port [Plus/4 only]
8241 
8242  * Keyboard: 65 [C116] / 66 [C16] / 67 [Plus/4] keys with 4 function keys and 4 cursor keys
8243 
8244  * Built In Media: Cassette unit. Provision for 5.25
8245 
8246  * OS: ROM Based
8247 
8248  * Built In Language: Commodore BASIC 3.5 - Built-in machine code monitor (12 commands)
8249 
8250 
8251 
8252 
8253 
8254===== Usage =====
8255 
8256 
8257 
8258== Cassettes ==
8259 
8260 
8261 
8262Cassette images can have the .wav or .prg extensions, and multiple .prg files can be contained within a .zip file. Zip files must be placed in the current directory, and the contained .prg files are played in sequential order.
8263 
8264 
8265 
8266The format for WAVs are: 
8267 
8268  8 bit (16 bit may work, but this hasn't been tested), mono, 12500 Hz minimum. 
8269 
8270 
8271 
8272This has the same problems as an original Datasette tape drive: the tone head must be adjusted to get working (no load error...) wav-files. To adjust it, remember that tape volume is "DAC1 volume" within the MESS UI On Screen Display Options (accessed
8273 
8274with the tilde (~) key).
8275 
8276 
8277 
8278Within the emulation, use 
8279 
8280  LOAD 
8281 
8282or 
8283 
8284  LOAD"" 
8285 
8286or 
8287 
8288  LOAD"",1 
8289 
8290for loading normal programs. Use 
8291 
8292  LOAD"",1,1 
8293 
8294for loading programs to a special address.
8295 
8296 
8297 
8298== Floppies ==
8299 
8300 
8301 
8302Disk drives are simulated at the moment, and only file loads from drive 8 and 9 are implemented. You can load a program file from the ROM directory (*.prg,*.p00)
8303 
8304 
8305 
8306This must NOT be specified on command line, start the C16 emulation with no images specified
8307 
8308 
8309 
8310The directory command 
8311 
8312  LOAD"$",8 
8313 
8314is supported when using .d64 images.
8315 
8316 
8317 
8318Within the emulation, basic programs can be loaded with: 
8319 
8320  DLOAD"filename"
8321 
8322or
8323 
8324  LOAD"filename",8 
8325 
8326 
8327 
8328Machine language programs can be loaded to their address with: 
8329 
8330  DLOAD"filename"
8331 
8332or
8333 
8334  LOAD"filename",8,1
8335 
8336 
8337 
8338When a program is loaded, type 
8339 
8340  RUN 
8341 
8342or the appropriate SYS call to start it. 
8343 
8344 
8345 
8346Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
8347 
8348 
8349 
8350== Cartridges ==
8351 
8352 
8353 
8354Cartridges may have any of the following extensions: .bin .rom .lo .hi .prg. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges require more than one image to load (e.g., tutor.lo tutor.hi).
8355 
8356 
8357 
8358  * .prg files loaded at address in its first two bytes
8359 
8360  * .bin, .rom, .lo , .hi ROMs are loaded to cs1 low, cs1 high, cs2 low, cs2 high addresses accordingly to their order in the command line. 
8361 
8362 
8363 
8364Note that .prg and .p00 files are assigned to the quickloader (so you have to use the -cart switch when loading ROM images).
8365 
8366 
8367 
8368== Quickloader ==
8369 
8370 
8371 
8372A quickloader is available via the f8 key. It supports program image files with the .prg and .p00 extensions. This loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It works with most programs. The program can be started by entering "RUN" in the emulation.
8373 
8374 
8375 
8376== Miscellaneous ==
8377 
8378 
8379 
8380See "Keys (This Machine)" for key assignments.
8381 
8382 
8383 
8384Remember also the following functions:
8385 
8386  * "Shift-cbm" switches between upper-only and normal character set (if wrong characters are on screen this may help).
8387 
8388  * "Run" (shift-stop) loads the first program from device 8 (dload"*) and starts it.
8389 
8390 
8391 
8392If you run into difficulty, be sure to start the emulation with the -log switch, and look into the error.log file that is created in your MESS directory.
8393 
8394 
8395 
8396 
8397 
8398===== Known Issues =====
8399 
8400 
8401 
8402  * Memory check by C16 kernel will not recognize more memory without restarting MESS.
8403 
8404  * CPU clock switching/changing.
8405 
8406  * Imperfect colors; should be enough for 95% of the games and programs.
8407 
8408  * Imperfect scrolling support (when 40 columns or 25 lines)
8409 
8410  * Lightpen support missing.
8411 
8412  * Some PC-Keyboards do not behave well when special two or more keys are pressed at the same time (with my keyboard printscreen clears the pressed pause key!)
8413 
8414  * Expansion modules other than the 1551 floppy drive are not supported.
8415 
8416  * The rs232/v.24 interface is not supported, nor are printers and other parallel devices.
8417 
8418  * The Plus 4's userport is not supported.
8419 
8420  * Note if a game runs too fast with the NTSC version, try the PAL version!
8421 
8422  * The following features are emulated: rasterline based video system, keyboard, joystick 1 and 2, simple tape support, serial bus, simple disk drives, expansion modules, rom cartridges, simple ieee488 floppy support (c1551 floppy disk drive), quickloader
8423 
8424 
8425 
8426 
8427 
8428===== History and Trivia =====
8429 
8430 
8431 
8432When the first Commodore 264 prototype unofficially debuted at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January (?) 1984, the developers had obviously not yet agreed about the keyboard layout; some keys are unlabeled, the right shift key was missing, instead having a key which seems to be meant as a line feed key.
8433 
8434 
8435 
8436It was planned that when buying a C264, you could have chosen between these programs: 
8437 
8438  * 3 plus 1 (word processor, data base, spread sheet, windowing) 
8439 
8440  * Superscript (professional word processor) 
8441 
8442  * Magic Desk (word processor, data base, spread sheet, calculator) 
8443 
8444  * Logo 
8445 
8446  * Pilot 
8447 
8448  * Easycalc 264 (spread sheet) 
8449 
8450  * COM 264 
8451 
8452  * Financial Advisor 
8453 
8454 
8455 
8456The C264 should then be delivered with the selected program built in. The remaining programs could only be used with cartridges for the expansion port.
8457 
8458 
8459 
8460The official presentation of the C264 series took place on the Hannover fair in 1984. Luckily, the developers didn't eliminate the right shift key in the final keyboard layout. The formerly unlabeled keys bear a label now: the key that used to be the left arrow key on the C64 and the VC20 says 'Esc', the key between '@' and '*' bears the English pound sign, and the key that was labeled 'SHIFT LOCK' on all 8-bit computers Commodore ever produced now says - guess what - 'SHIFT LOCK' :-) (must have been a hard decision between SHIFT and CAPS lock).
8461 
8462 
8463 
8464A word about the C364 : This prototype was a C264 with a bigger keyboard (86 keys incl. a numeric keypad) and with a builtin speech synthesizer with a vocabulary of 250 words (which could be expanded by either diskettes or modules). Commodore dropped this model and decided to sell a separate speech module (Magic Voice) for the C64.
8465 
8466 
8467 
8468Among the Commodore news from the Summer CES 1984 was the renaming of the C=264 to Plus/4. This renaming came along with a slight change in the builtin software: you could not choose between many different programs anymore, but each Plus/4 was delivered with the 3-plus-1 
8469 
8470software. 
8471 
8472 
8473 
8474The built-in software was really limited: a word processing (only with 40 columns and can manage documents with only 99 lines of 77 columns), a very small spreadsheet (only 17 columns and 50 lines), a poor graph generator program (which can display graphically data 
8475 
8476from the sheets but only in text mode) and a small database (999 record with 17 fields each and only 38 characters by field). Most of these programs can only be used with a floppy disk unit. 
8477 
8478 
8479 
8480The Plus 4 can use peripherals of the C64 or the Vic 20, like the famous MPS-801 dot-matrix printer and the Disk Unit 1541 run well with it but it can't use C64 software (nor the same joysticks & Datasette as the C=64/VIC-20). 
8481 
8482 
8483 
8484This machine wasn't built to be a competitor of the C64 nor to replace it. It has an improved BASIC in relation to the C64, with graphic and sound instructions and a built-in assembler, but has lost lots of interesting C64 features like great soundchip or hardware sprites. 
8485 
8486 
8487 
8488The Commodore Plus/4 was an error in the Commodore marketing policy and had no success.
8489 
8490 
8491 
8492The Commodore 16/116 belongs to the Commodore 264 series (with the Commodore Plus/4). It was designed to replace the Commodore VIC-20, but was not compatible with it, nor with the C64. 
8493 
8494 
8495 
8496It had the same characteristics as the Commodore Plus/4 : same graphic resolution, same sound system, same CPU and speed, just less memory. It featured a version of the original 6502 CPU named 7501, and a new video chip named TED. With 16 colours, and 16 shades of colour, it had an amazing 128 colours available. But it had no hardware sprites like the ones on the VIC II 
8497 
8498chip, so animated games and collision detection were very hard to do.
8499 
8500 
8501 
8502It has a powerful basic language (contrary to the VIC-20 or the C64) which makes graphics and sounds easy to program.  The C16, like the Commodore Plus/4 was a commercial failure.
8503 
8504 
8505 
8506It seems that the first C16s had the two control ports labeled  JOY 0 and JOY 1 instead of JOY 1 and JOY 2, just as a hint for collectors :-)
8507 
8508 
8509 
8510The C116, revealed at the 1984 Summer CES, was a cut down version of the C16 using a cheap case - same but smaller as the +4, and a rubber keyboard. It was the cheapest Commodore computer ever made. It was sold only in Germany, in Austria and a few East European countries.
8511 
8512 
8513 
8514It came comes with 32 KB of ROM, only 16 KB of RAM and without any built-in software.
8515 
8516 
8517 
8518Commodore's hatred for shift keys finds expression in the very early C116's keyboard layout. This time, they made it even worse and removed the LEFT shift key and placed an Esc key there! Not to mention the Inst/Del key which resided at the SHIFT LOCK key's place. The versions sold later had the Inst/Del key next to the Home/Clear key in the top row next to the function keys, the Esc key where you would want it, and thank God, a left shift key again.
8519 
8520 
8521 
8522Note that both the C116 and the C16 lack a user port.
8523 
8524 
8525 
8526Final assembly was done in Mexico by a company named Sigma.
8527 
8528 
8529 
8530//(info from old-computers.com)//
8531 
8532 
8533 
8534 
8535 
8536===== Links =====
8537 
8538 
8539 
8540  * Commodore16.com -- http://www.commodore16.com/
8541 
8542  * The C16 - Plus 4 Retro Page -- http://yape.plus4.net/
8543 
8544  * Commodore Plus/4 World -- http://plus4.emucamp.com/
8545 
8546  * Plus/4 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/commodoreplus4.shtml
8547 
8548  * C16 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=97
8549 
8550 
8551 
8552 
8553 
8554===== Other Emulators =====
8555 
8556 
8557 
8558  * Minus4 -- http://minus4.plus4.net/
8559 
8560  * YAPE -- http://yape.plus4.net/
8561 
8562  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
8563 
8564  * WinEMU -- http://winemu.emuunlim.com/
8565 
8566 
8567 
8568 
8569 
8570$end
8571 
8572 
8573 
8574#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8575 
8576 
8577$info=c64
8578$bio
8579====== Commodore 64 (1982) ======
8580 
8581 
8582 
8583===== Features =====
8584 
8585 
8586 
8587  * CPU: 6510 0.985 MHz (PAL) / 1.023 MHz (NTSC)
8588 
8589  * Co-Processor: VIC II (Video), SID (Sound)
8590 
8591  * RAM: 64 KB
8592 
8593  * ROM: 20 KB
8594 
8595  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 25 lines
8596 
8597  * Graphic Modes: Several, most used : 320 x 200
8598 
8599  * Colors: 16 + 16 border colours
8600 
8601  * Sound: 3 voices / 9 octaves, 4 waveforms (sound output through TV)
8602 
8603  * I/O Ports: RGB (composite, chroma/luma and sound in/out), 2 x Joystick plugs, Cartridge slot, Tape interfarce (300 bps), Serial, 
8604 
8605  * User Port, TV RF output
8606 
8607  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 66 keys with 4 function keys
8608 
8609  * Built In Media: Cassette unit. Provision for 170 KB 5.25" floppy disc unit (1541)
8610 
8611  * Built In Language: Basic
8612 
8613 
8614 
8615 
8616 
8617===== Usage =====
8618 
8619 
8620 
8621== Cassettes ==
8622 
8623 
8624 
8625Cassette images with the .wav or .prg extensions as well as multiple .prg files contained within a zip file can be loaded. Zip files must be placed in the current directory, and the contained prg files are played in sequential order.
8626 
8627 
8628 
8629The format for WAVs are: 
8630 
8631  8 bit (16 bit may work, but this hasn't been tested), mono, 12500 Hz minimum. 
8632 
8633 
8634 
8635This has the same problems as an original Datasette tape drive: the tone head must be adjusted to get working (no load error...) wav-files. To adjust it, remember that tape volume is "DAC1 volume" within the MESS UI On Screen Display Options (accessed
8636 
8637with the tilde (~) key).
8638 
8639 
8640 
8641Once you're at the BASIC prompt you can load a tape typing:
8642 
8643  LOAD 
8644 
8645or 
8646 
8647  LOAD"" 
8648 
8649or 
8650 
8651  LOAD"",1 
8652 
8653You can use 
8654 
8655  LOAD"",1,1 
8656 
8657to load programs which requires a special address.
8658 
8659 
8660 
8661Warning: Currently tape support is broken in MESS.
8662 
8663 
8664 
8665== Floppy Disks ==
8666 
8667 
8668 
8669MESS currently emulates only loading from drive 8 and 9 in the C64 emulation. These drives correspond to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) emulated by MESS. To run a .d64 image you have to launch
8670 
8671 
8672 
8673  mess.exe c64 -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.d64"
8674 
8675 
8676 
8677Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
8678 
8679 
8680 
8681  * to list the content of the floppy
8682 
8683 
8684 
8685  LOAD"$",8
8686 
8687  LIST
8688 
8689 
8690 
8691  * to load a BASIC program from the disk
8692 
8693 
8694 
8695  LOAD"filename",8
8696 
8697 
8698 
8699  * to load a machine language program at its address
8700 
8701 
8702 
8703  LOAD"filename",8,1
8704 
8705 
8706 
8707  * to load the first program from the disk (useful if you're not sure of which is the correct one to load)
8708 
8709 
8710 
8711  LOAD"*",8
8712 
8713 
8714 
8715Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
8716 
8717 
8718 
8719  RUN
8720 
8721 
8722 
8723or the appropriate SYS call. If you launched the game on -flop2, you will need to use drive 9 in place of drive 8 in the commands above.
8724 
8725 
8726 
8727Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
8728 
8729 
8730 
8731== Cartridges ==
8732 
8733 
8734 
8735Cartridges may have any of the following extensions: .prg, .crt, .80, .90, .a0, .b0, .e0, .f0. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges may require more than one image.
8736 
8737 
8738 
8739  * .?0 files are loaded to the address specified in the extension.
8740 
8741  * .crt ROMs are loaded to the addresses specified in crt file.
8742 
8743 
8744 
8745To use "cartridge1" (cart1) or "cartridge2" (cart2) slots in MESS, simply launch
8746 
8747 
8748 
8749  mess.exe c64 -cart1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.crt"
8750 
8751 
8752 
8753and the game will start. Currently, only few of the available types of .crt files are supported.
8754 
8755Note that .prg files are often cartridge images as well, but in MESS they are assigned to the quickloader (see below).
8756 
8757 
8758 
8759== Quickloader ==
8760 
8761 
8762 
8763A quickloader is available via command line or using the F8 key. It supports program image files with extensions .prg, .p00 and .t64 (the latter are tape images, but most of them are loaded to a fixed address). The quickloader loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It shall work with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
8764 
8765 
8766 
8767  mess.exe c64 -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
8768 
8769 
8770 
8771and simply type the command
8772 
8773 
8774 
8775  RUN
8776 
8777 
8778 
8779to start the program.
8780 
8781 
8782 
8783== Miscellaneous ==
8784 
8785 
8786 
8787Gameport A supports paddles 1 & 2,  joystick 1, lightpen (implementation not finished). Gameport B supports paddles 3 & 4, joystick 2.
8788 
8789 
8790 
8791If you run into difficulty, be sure to start the emulation with the -log switch, and look into the error.log file that is created in your mess directory.
8792 
8793 
8794 
8795If the game runs too fast with the NTSC version, try the PAL version! (c64pal)
8796 
8797 
8798 
8799== Keyboard ==
8800 
8801 
8802 
8803                                                                             CLR    INST
8804 
8805      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     +    -    £    HOME   DEL           f 1
8806 
8807   
8808 
8809   
8810 
8811      CTRL   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @    *     UP    RESTORE          f 3
8812 
8813   
8814 
8815  RUN   SHIFT
8816 
8817  STOP  LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    =      RETURN             f 5
8818 
8819   
8820 
8821                                                                             CRSR  CRSR
8822 
8823  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   U/D    L/R           f 7
8824 
8825   
8826 
8827   
8828 
8829                                   SPACEBAR
8830 
8831 
8832 
8833Notes: "C=" is a key with the Commodore logo, "UP" is an arrow pointing up, the "CRSR" keys at the bottom-right corner are used to move the cursor on screen (Up/Down and Left/Right resp.). Also notice that in general modern QWERTY keyboards do not have enough keys, so by default the operation keys "+", "-" and "*" are mapped to the correspondent keys on the numeric pad of your keyboard. 
8834 
8835 
8836 
8837===== Known Issues =====
8838 
8839 
8840 
8841  * Tape support is currently broken
8842 
8843  * Cartridge support (.crt files) is reduced to few kind of carts 
8844 
8845  * The rasterline based video system currently has the following issues: no CPU holding, imperfect scrolling support (when 40 columns or 25 lines), lightpen support not finished, rasterline not finished.
8846 
8847  * Sound is not currently supported
8848 
8849  * The restore key is not currently working.
8850 
8851  * NTSC/PAL select not correct.
8852 
8853  * The Gameports do not support the mouse (Serial Protocol?).
8854 
8855  * No printer or other devices support in the serial bus (apart from simple disk drives).
8856 
8857  * Simple tape support not working (cia timing?)
8858 
8859  * As far as expansion modules go, non-bankswitching ROM cartridges (exrom) should work, but no other ROM cartridges (those with bankswitching logic in it, switching exrom, game). There is no ieee488 support nor support for other expansion modules.
8860 
8861  * No userport support and no rs232/v.24 interface.
8862 
8863 
8864 
8865== cia6526 issues ==
8866 
8867  * port a,b
8868 
8869  * handshake support, flag input, not pc output
8870 
8871  * no serial in/out, cnt
8872 
8873  * timer a,b
8874 
8875  * not counting of external clocks
8876 
8877  * not switching port b pins
8878 
8879 
8880 
8881 
8882 
8883===== History and Trivia =====
8884 
8885 
8886 
8887Designed similar to the Vic-20, the Commodore 64 featured a better video chip supporting sprites, as well as the famous sid6581 sound chip, two "Atari-compatible" joystick ports, and 64 kilobytes of RAM.
8888 
8889 
8890 
8891The Commodore 64 is, along with the Apple II and the Atari 8-Bit computers, one of the most famous home computers of its era. During its production from 1982 to 1993 (!) 17 to 22 million (!) of these computer would sell, to put in perspective, that's more than all the Macintoshes in the world. It was one of the first to offer a high quality sound chip and graphic resolution with many colors and sprites. A great range of peripherals was developed for this computer and can use several of the Vic 20 peripherals. 
8892 
8893 
8894 
8895Several versions of the Commodore 64 were launched : The first one (C64-1) uses the VIC 20 case, it will be quickly replaced with the C64-2 which uses the famous brown case and by the C64-3 with small cosmetic changes in the keyboard. A special version called Educator 64 or PET64 or CBM 4064 was proposed for schools and uses the PET case.
8896 
8897 
8898 
8899Commodore produced the first generation of C64s until May 1986, then it was discontinued and they introduced the C64C. According to the 64'er magazine, this version has been planned since the Hannover Fair in 1985, but as the old version sold so well during Christmas '85, its release date was pushed back.
8900 
8901 
8902 
8903The new model does not differ much from its predecessor, the only innovation is the flatter case, which makes the keyboard (which has off-white keys now) more ergonomic (it looks like the C128 case), as it is less higher than the old one. But the new case did not only have advantages: due to its low profile and additional metal screening, some of the numerous hardware expansions did not fit anymore. This was changed with the C64G. The 64'er staff noticed that VIC-II as well as the two CIAs have new version numbers; they didn't write which, though (these are probably just bugfixed chips). 
8904 
8905 
8906 
8907The official name for this model was "C=64 C", but nevertheless the German 64'er magazine decided to call it "C64-II" (because the first units didn't have the new name on the label at the bottom), the badges on all the 64 C's just says "Commodore 64". They pointed out 
8908 
8909that this name was only valid for the 64'er magazine, but since the 64'er was the magazine for the C64 for a long time, the name was widely accepted and so this model is mostly known as "C64-II" in Germany.
8910 
8911 
8912 
8913Then appeared the C64 "Aldi" (1987, only in Germany) and the C64G (1989). They were virtually same machines, this time with the new, short motherboard. So, although the case might look the same and the label says "Commodore 64", the boards may be completely different.
8914 
8915 
8916 
8917Commodore also released a "laptop version" (though hardly portable) of the C64, called SX64. This computer has a built-in 5" color screen, one detachable keyboard, one 5.25" floppy disk drive (the famous 1541) and a second one can be installed as well. A version called DX-64 was launched (in very limited quantities) at the same time, it has same characteristics as the SX64 except its two 5.25" floppy disk drives. The SX64 and DX64 computers never had success, but it is known as the world's first color portable.
8918 
8919 
8920 
8921Finally, the C64GS was released in 1990. Basically it was a re-boxed C64, without a keyboard or any other interfaces, except for the cartridge slot on top. It didn't have much success as you could buy a C64 for not much extra, and the C64GS games would still work on the C64.It came with one game cartridge containing International Soccer, Klax, Flimbo's Quest and Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun. The carts had a memory of 4 megabits (512k).
8922 
8923 
8924 
8925//(info from old-computers.com)//
8926 
8927 
8928 
8929 
8930 
8931===== Links =====
8932 
8933 
8934 
8935  * C64.com -- http://www.c64.com/
8936 
8937  * C64files.com -- http://www.c64files.com/
8938 
8939  * Commodore 64 Nostalgia -- http://www.staggs.pair.com/c64/
8940 
8941  * LEMON 64 -- http://www.lemon64.com/
8942 
8943  * C64 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/commodore64.shtml
8944 
8945  * C64 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=98
8946 
8947 
8948 
8949 
8950 
8951===== Other Emulators =====
8952 
8953 
8954 
8955  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
8956 
8957  * CCS64 -- http://www.ccs64.com/
8958 
8959  * Free64 -- http://www.umr.edu/~bmartin/
8960 
8961  * Frodo -- http://frodo.cebix.net/
8962 
8963  * Win64 -- http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/park/6558/win64.htm
8964 
8965 
8966 
8967 
8968 
8969$end
8970 
8971 
8972 
8973#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8974 
8975 
8976$info=c64gs
8977$bio
8978====== Commodore 64 Games System (1990?) ======
8979 
8980 
8981 
8982 
8983 
8984===== Features =====
8985 
8986 
8987 
8988  * CPU: MOS Technology 8500 (the 6510/8500 being a modified 6502 with an integrated 8-bit I/O port) 0.985 MHz (PAL)
8989 
8990  * RAM: 64 KiB (65,535 bytes)
8991 
8992  * Color RAM: 0.5 KiB 
8993 
8994  * ROM: 20 KiB (7 KiB KERNAL, 4 KiB character generator providing two 2 KiB character sets)
8995 
8996  * Video hardware: MOS Technology VIC-II MOS 8569 (PAL), 16 colors
8997 
8998  * Text mode: 40x25; user-defined characters; smooth scrolling
8999 
9000  * Bitmap modes: 320x200, 160x200 (multicolor)
9001 
9002  * Sprites: 8 hardware sprites, 24x21 pixels
9003 
9004  * Sound hardware: MOS Technology 8580 "SID", 3 voices, ADSR programmable.
9005 
9006  * I/O ports: High-quality Y/C (S-Video) (8-pin DIN plug) used with some Commodore video monitors (DIN-to-phono plug converter delivered with monitor), Composite video (one-signal video output to monitor included in aforementioned 8-pin DIN plug, and separate integrated RF modulator antenna output, which also carries sound, to TV on an RCA socket), 2 x screwless DE9M game controller ports (Atari 2600 de facto standard, supporting one digital joystick each, Cartridge slot (slot for edge connector with 6510 CPU address/data bus lines and control signals, as well as GND and voltage pins; used for program modules)
9007 
9008 
9009 
9010 
9011 
9012===== History and Trivia =====
9013 
9014 
9015 
9016The Commodore 64 Games System (often abbreviated C64GS) was the cartridge-based game console version of the popular Commodore 64 home computer. It was released by Commodore in 1990 as a competitor in the booming console market. It was released in Europe only and it was a considerable commercial failure.
9017 
9018 
9019 
9020Support from games companies was limited, as many were unconvinced that the C64GS would be a success in the console market. Among the software house which supported the Commodore console, Ocean Software was probably the most supportive, offering a wide range of titles, some C64GS cartridge-based only.
9021 
9022 
9023 
9024The software bundled with the C64GS, a four-game cartridge containing "Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun", "International Soccer", "Flimbo's Quest" and "Klax", were likely the most well-known on the system. These games, with the exception of "International Soccer", were previously ordinary tape-based games, but their structure and control systems (no keyboard needed) made them well-suited to the new console. "International Soccer" was previously released in 1983 on cartridge for the original C64 computer.
9025 
9026 
9027 
9028On the other hand, Commodore never produced or published a single title for the C64GS beyond the bundled four-game cartridge. "International Soccer" was the only widely-available game for the C64GS but had actually been written for the C64.
9029 
9030 
9031 
9032The reasons of the commercial failure of the C64GS were multiple. First of all, the lack of good games for the system and the general lack of support by software houses never made the system valuable to console users. Additionally, its hardware (the same as the C64) was already obsolete in 1990, when the competitors were 16-bit machines like the Nintendo SNES and the Sega MegaDrive. Finally, it was sold at the same price as the Commodore 64, making the whole computer a better choice for any interested user.
9033 
9034 
9035 
9036== Hardware-based problems == 
9037 
9038 
9039 
9040The C64GS was plagued with hardware problems. First of all, the C64GS was not compatible with most of the cartridges already available for the ordinary C64: the lack of a keyboard for the C64GS made many of them impossible to be started. This meant that people often bought secondhand C64 software on cartridge only to find that the games were not compatible. 
9041 
9042 
9043 
9044Even worse: the C64 version of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" was designed for the console, but it required the user to press a key to access the game, rendering it unplayable!!
9045 
9046 
9047 
9048To partially counter the lack of a keyboard, the basic control system for the C64GS was a joystick supplied by Cheetah called the Annihilator. This joystick was poorly built and had a short life, and was not widely available, making replacements difficult to come by.
9049 
9050 
9051 
9052//(info from Wikipedia)//
9053 
9054 
9055 
9056 
9057 
9058===== Links =====
9059 
9060 
9061 
9062  * C64GS at Zimmers.net -- http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/c64gs.html
9063 
9064 
9065 
9066 
9067 
9068$end
9069 
9070 
9071 
9072#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9073 
9074 
9075$info=c65
9076$bio
9077====== Commodore C65 (1991) ======
9078 
9079 
9080 
9081 
9082 
9083===== Features =====
9084 
9085 
9086 
9087  * CPU: CSG4510 1.02 or 3.5 MHz depending models
9088 
9089  * Co-Processor: Commodore CSG 4567 enhanced VIC chip (Video), Commodore CSG8580 SID chips (Sound)
9090 
9091  * RAM: 128 KB (DRAM), externally expandable from additional 512K bytes to 4MB
9092 
9093  * ROM: 128 KB (including C64 Kernel and BASIC 2.2, C65 Kernel, Editor, BASIC 10.0, ML Monitor (like C128), DOS v10)
9094 
9095  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 (C64 Mode), 80 x 25 (with blink, bold and underline attributes)
9096 
9097  * Graphic Modes: All C64 modes (320 x 200 bitmap mode) + 320 / 640 / 1280 x 200 / 400 in 2, 4 or 8 planes, interlaces and non-interlaced
9098 
9099  * Colors: Programmable 256-color RAM palette, with 16 intensity levels per primary color (yielding 4096 colors)
9100 
9101  * Sound: Dual 8580r5 SID Sound chips. 6 voices, 3 per channel
9102 
9103  * I/O Ports: RF video output jack, Analog video RGB port (DB-9), Composite video/audio port, Joystick (2), Cartridge slot, Tape, Serial bus port, User Port (RS232 compatible), RAM Expansion port, External floppy drive port, 2 x controller ports, Stereo audio output
9104 
9105  * Keyboard: 77 keys, including standard C64 keyboard + 8 function keys, TAB, Escape , ALT, CAPS Lock, no scroll, help
9106 
9107  * Built In Media: Built-in 3.5" double sided, 1MB MFM capacity drive
9108 
9109  * Built In Language: Basic 10.0
9110 
9111 
9112 
9113 
9114 
9115===== Usage =====
9116 
9117 
9118 
9119== Keys ==
9120 
9121 
9122 
9123Mind that some PC-Keyboards does not behave well when special two or more keys are pressed at the same time (with my keyboard printscreen clears the pressed pause key!)
9124 
9125 
9126 
9127Remember also the following functions:
9128 
9129  * "shift-cbm" switches between upper-only and normal character set (when wrong characters on screen this can help) 
9130 
9131  * "run" (shift-stop) loads program from type and starts it
9132 
9133 
9134 
9135== Lightpen ==
9136 
9137 
9138 
9139Emulated trhough Paddle 5 x-axis, Paddle 6 y-axis.
9140 
9141 
9142 
9143== Floppies ==
9144 
9145 
9146 
9147Only file load from drive 10 and 11 implemented. You can load a program file from the ROM directory (*.prg,*.p00)
9148 
9149 
9150 
9151This must NOT be specified on command line, start the C128 emulation with no images specified
9152 
9153 
9154 
9155The directory command 
9156 
9157  LOAD"$",10 
9158 
9159is supported when using .d64 images.
9160 
9161 
9162 
9163Within the emulation, basic programs can be loaded with: 
9164 
9165  LOAD"filename",10 
9166 
9167 
9168 
9169Machine language programs can be loaded to their address with: 
9170 
9171  LOAD"filename",10,1
9172 
9173 
9174 
9175When a program is loaded, type 
9176 
9177  RUN 
9178 
9179or the appropriate SYS call to start it. 
9180 
9181 
9182 
9183Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
9184 
9185 
9186 
9187== Quickloader ==
9188 
9189 
9190 
9191.prg and .p00 files supported. It loads program into memory and sets program end pointer (works with most programs). In this case, programs are ready to get started with RUN. It loads first ROM when you press quickload key (numeric slash)
9192 
9193 
9194 
9195When you encounter problems, start the program with -log and look into error.log file
9196 
9197 
9198 
9199 
9200 
9201===== Known Issues =====
9202 
9203 
9204 
9205  * rasterline based video system: quick modified vic6567/c64 video chip, no support for enhanced features, only 80 column mode, no CPU holding, imperfect scrolling support (when 40 columns or 25 lines), lightpen support not finished, rasterline not finished
9206 
9207  * no sound
9208 
9209  * cia6526's look in machine/cia6526.c
9210 
9211  * keyboard
9212 
9213  * gameport a: paddles 1,2; joystick 1; 2 button joystick/mouse joystick emulation; no mouse; lightpen (not finished)
9214 
9215  * gameport b: paddles 3,4; joystick 2; 2 button joystick/mouse joystick emulation; no mouse
9216 
9217  * serial bus: simple disk drives (device 10 and 11, hang in c64 mode!), no printer or other devices
9218 
9219  * expansion modules: none (did there any exist?)
9220 
9221  * expansion modules c64 (adapter needed): ultimax ROM cartridges not working; ROM cartridges (exrom) not working; no other ROM cartridges (bankswitching logic in it, switching exrom, game); no ieee488 support; no cpm cartridge; no speech cartridge (no circuit diagram found); no fm sound cartridge; no other expansion modules
9222 
9223  * no userport: no rs232/v.24 interface
9224 
9225 
9226 
9227MESS supports various revisions of c65: v0.9.910111, v0.9.910523, v0.9.910626, v0.9.910828, 
9228 
9229v0.9.911001. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
9230 
9231   
9232 
9233  "-bios 0" or "-bios 910111" = v0.9.910111
9234 
9235   
9236 
9237  "-bios 1" or "-bios 910523" = v0.9.910523
9238 
9239   
9240 
9241  "-bios 2" or "-bios 910626" = v0.9.910626
9242 
9243   
9244 
9245  "-bios 3" or "-bios 910828" = v0.9.910828
9246 
9247   
9248 
9249  "-bios 4" or "-bios 911001" = v0.9.911001
9250 
9251 
9252 
9253 
9254 
9255===== History and Trivia =====
9256 
9257 
9258 
9259Another case of vaporware! In the end of 1990, Commodore decided to create a successor for the famous C64. They worked on a prototype called C64 DX then C65.
9260 
9261 
9262 
9263The C65 had new great features: a very special version of the 7510 with lot of new opcodes, great graphic modes (better than the Atari ST or the Amiga!) and a great new processor: the DMA / Blitter. This chip can be programmed with a list of instructions to copy or set 
9264 
9265blocks of memory.
9266 
9267 
9268 
9269The machine was meant to be fully compatible with the C64, but it wasn't. A special key was added on the keyboard to switch between the two modes (C64 / C65).
9270 
9271 
9272 
9273The development of this machine was stopped (apparently because of problems with the VIC III controller and because of the cost of this computer), and because of the success of the Amiga (Notice that the C65 case looks like the Amiga one!).
9274 
9275 
9276 
9277Commodore produced about 50 C65's, the first ones display C64DX at boot, the latest display C65.
9278 
9279 
9280 
9281//(info from old-computers.com)//
9282 
9283 
9284 
9285 
9286 
9287===== Links =====
9288 
9289 
9290 
9291  * Commodore C65 prototype page -- http://www.heimcomputer.de/english/comp/c65.html
9292 
9293  * [[http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/65.html|C65 at Secret Weapons of Commodore
9294 
9295  * Toxic Waste's Commodore C65 Information Page -- http://www.toxic-waste.de/c65/
9296 
9297  * www.c65.org -- http://www.onlinekunst.de/c65/
9298 
9299  * C65 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=273
9300 
9301 
9302 
9303 
9304 
9305$end
9306 
9307 
9308 
9309#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9310 
9311 
9312$info=cbm30
9313$bio
9314====== Commodore PET/CBM 30xx (1979) ======
9315 
9316 
9317 
9318 
9319 
9320===== Features =====
9321 
9322 
9323 
9324  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
9325 
9326  * RAM: 8, 16 or 32 k
9327 
9328  * ROM: 14 k
9329 
9330  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 
9331 
9332  * Graphic Modes: None
9333 
9334  * Colors: Monochrome
9335 
9336  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, Tape (2)
9337 
9338  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, and sometimes calculator type
9339 
9340  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic
9341 
9342 
9343 
9344 
9345 
9346===== Known Issues =====
9347 
9348 
9349 
9350The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
9351 
9352 
9353 
9354 
9355 
9356===== History and Trivia =====
9357 
9358 
9359 
9360The CBM 3xxx and 4xxx series were revisions of the original PET 2001. The range was rebranded CBM (Commodore Business Machine), as PET was dropped.
9361 
9362 
9363 
9364The 3xxx series introduced the 3000 series ROM sets, BASIC v3, and a completely redesigned keyboard layout, which used a full typewriter keyboard instead of the "mickey mouse" keyboard of the PET, and dropped the on-board cassette unit.
9365 
9366 
9367 
9368//(info from old-computers.com)//
9369 
9370 
9371 
9372 
9373 
9374===== Links =====
9375 
9376 
9377 
9378  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
9379 
9380  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
9381 
9382  * CBM 30xx at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=102
9383 
9384 
9385 
9386 
9387 
9388===== Other Emulators =====
9389 
9390 
9391 
9392  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
9393 
9394 
9395 
9396 
9397 
9398$end
9399 
9400 
9401 
9402#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9403 
9404 
9405$info=cbm40
9406$bio
9407====== Commodore PET/CBM 40xx (1980) ======
9408 
9409 
9410 
9411 
9412 
9413===== Features =====
9414 
9415 
9416 
9417  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
9418 
9419  * RAM: 16 or 32 KB
9420 
9421  * ROM: 20 KB
9422 
9423  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 25 lines, upgradeable  to 80 columns
9424 
9425  * Graphic Modes: None
9426 
9427  * Colors: Monochrome
9428 
9429  * Sound: Programmable piezo buzzer
9430 
9431  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, I/O ports (8), Tape (2)
9432 
9433  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard
9434 
9435  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic 4.0
9436 
9437 
9438 
9439 
9440 
9441===== Known Issues =====
9442 
9443 
9444 
9445The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
9446 
9447 
9448 
9449 
9450 
9451===== History and Trivia =====
9452 
9453 
9454 
9455These computers are new versions of the PET series. The main improvement was the new ROM version (v4.0) which offered new possibilities such as direct disk operation commands (DLOAD, DSAVE, COPY, HEADER, etc.) or the ability to repeat cursor control characters by 
9456 
9457holding down keys. Late models also had a larger screen (12'') than the 2001 computers.
9458 
9459 
9460 
9461The disk drives were "Intelligent", which means that they were CPU driven (MOS 6502) and had internal RAM (4 KB) & ROM (16KB, which contained the DOS).
9462 
9463 
9464 
9465The 4032 and the 4016 were sold with an 80-column dot matrix printer (5x8 character matrix). This printer (4022) was an Epson printer with a Commodore name on it. 
9466 
9467 
9468 
9469//(info from old-computers.com)//
9470 
9471 
9472 
9473 
9474 
9475===== Links =====
9476 
9477 
9478 
9479  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
9480 
9481  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
9482 
9483  * CBM 40xx at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=103
9484 
9485 
9486 
9487 
9488 
9489===== Other Emulators =====
9490 
9491 
9492 
9493  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
9494 
9495 
9496 
9497 
9498 
9499$end
9500 
9501 
9502 
9503#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9504 
9505 
9506$info=cbm500
9507$bio
9508====== Commodore Business Machines B128-40 / Pet-II / P500 (1983) ======
9509 
9510 
9511 
9512 
9513 
9514===== Features =====
9515 
9516 
9517 
9518  * CPU: MOS 6509 (Zilog Z80 & Intel 8088 optional) 1 MHz
9519 
9520  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 896 KB, varying according to the model)
9521 
9522  * ROM: 28 KB
9523 
9524  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
9525 
9526  * Graphic Modes: 300 x 200
9527 
9528  * Colors: 16
9529 
9530  * I/O Ports: IEEE-488, Serial RS-232
9531 
9532  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys
9533 
9534  * Built In Media: Change according to the model
9535 
9536  * OS: ROM Based (CP/M or MS DOS optional)
9537 
9538  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
9539 
9540  * Peripherals: 2 x 170 KB or 500 KB or 1 MB 5" floppy disc unit, 8088 or Z80 card
9541 
9542 
9543 
9544 
9545 
9546===== Known Issues =====
9547 
9548 
9549 
9550The emulation of these systems is Preliminary.
9551 
9552 
9553 
9554 
9555 
9556===== History and Trivia =====
9557 
9558 
9559 
9560The CBM 500 had a 40-column, 300 x 200 pixels display. Contrary to the 600 and 700 it also had two ports for joystick, light pen and paddles.
9561 
9562 
9563 
9564MicroSoft Basic was in ROM. Both models had an option for a second processor (8088 or Z80) to function alongside the standard 6509, the 6509 was then used for I/O, display and keyboard management. They worked under Commodore DOS or CP/M and MSDOS when the computers used the other processors.
9565 
9566 
9567 
9568The 500 / 600 series was mainly sold in Europe, but a few models are known to have been sold in the United States.
9569 
9570 
9571 
9572//(info from old-computers.com)//
9573 
9574 
9575 
9576 
9577 
9578===== Links =====
9579 
9580 
9581 
9582  * Commodore 500, 600 and 700 computers page -- http://www.davidviner.com/cbm.php
9583 
9584  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
9585 
9586  * CBM 500 / 600 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=104
9587 
9588 
9589 
9590 
9591 
9592===== Other Emulators =====
9593 
9594 
9595 
9596  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
9597 
9598 
9599 
9600 
9601 
9602$end
9603 
9604 
9605 
9606#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9607 
9608 
9609$info=cbm610
9610$bio
9611====== Commodore Business Machines B128-80LP/610 and B256-80LP/620 (1983) ======
9612 
9613 
9614 
9615 
9616 
9617===== Features =====
9618 
9619 
9620 
9621  * CPU: MOS 6509 (Zilog Z80 & Intel 8088 optional) 2 MHz
9622 
9623  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 896 KB, varying according to the model)
9624 
9625  * ROM: 28 KB
9626 
9627  * Text Modes: 80 x 25
9628 
9629  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 512
9630 
9631  * Colors: Monochrome
9632 
9633  * I/O Ports: IEEE-488, Serial RS-232
9634 
9635  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys
9636 
9637  * Built In Media: Change according to the model
9638 
9639  * OS: ROM Based (CP/M or MS DOS optional)
9640 
9641  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
9642 
9643  * Peripherals: 2 x 170 KB or 500 KB or 1 MB 5" floppy disc unit, 8088 or Z80 card
9644 
9645 
9646 
9647 
9648 
9649===== Known Issues =====
9650 
9651 
9652 
9653The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
9654 
9655 
9656 
9657 
9658 
9659===== History and Trivia =====
9660 
9661 
9662 
9663The CBM 600 was the same as the 500 but had a 80-column display and 256 Kb RAM.
9664 
9665 
9666 
9667MicroSoft Basic was in ROM. Both models had an option for a second processor (8088 or Z80) to function alongside the standard 6509, the 6509 was then used for I/O, display and keyboard management. They worked under Commodore DOS or CP/M and MSDOS when the computers used the other processors.
9668 
9669 
9670 
9671The 500 / 600 series was mainly sold in Europe, but a few models are known to have been sold in the United States.
9672 
9673 
9674 
9675//(info from old-computers.com)//
9676 
9677 
9678 
9679 
9680 
9681===== Links =====
9682 
9683 
9684 
9685  * Commodore 500, 600 and 700 computers page -- http://www.davidviner.com/cbm.php
9686 
9687  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
9688 
9689  * CBM 500 / 600 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=104
9690 
9691 
9692 
9693 
9694 
9695===== Other Emulators =====
9696 
9697 
9698 
9699  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
9700 
9701 
9702 
9703 
9704 
9705$end
9706 
9707 
9708 
9709#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9710 
9711 
9712$info=cbm710
9713$bio
9714====== Commodore Business Machines B128-80HP/710, B256-80HP/720 and BX128-80HP/BX256-80HP/730 (1983) ======
9715 
9716 
9717 
9718 
9719 
9720===== Features =====
9721 
9722 
9723 
9724  * CPU: MOS 6509 (Zilog Z80 & Intel 8088 optional) 2 MHz
9725 
9726  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 896 KB)
9727 
9728  * ROM: 28 KB
9729 
9730  * Text Modes: 80 chars. x 25 lines
9731 
9732  * Graphic Modes: None
9733 
9734  * Colors: Monochrome
9735 
9736  * Sound: 3 voices, 9 octaves (same SID 6581 as C-64)
9737 
9738  * I/O Ports: IEEE-488, Serial RS-232, Cartridge, audio, cassette
9739 
9740  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function/programmable keys
9741 
9742  * Built In Media: optional built-in dual floppy disc drives
9743 
9744  * OS: ROM Based (CP/M or MS DOS optional)
9745 
9746  * Built In Language: Extended version of Microsoft BASIC 4.0
9747 
9748  * Peripherals: 2 x 170 KB or 500 KB or 1 MB 5" floppy disc unit, 8088 or Z80 card
9749 
9750 
9751 
9752 
9753 
9754===== Known Issues =====
9755 
9756 
9757 
9758The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
9759 
9760 
9761 
9762 
9763 
9764===== History and Trivia =====
9765 
9766 
9767 
9768The Commodore 700 series featured the same hardware basis as the 600 series but had a built-in tilt-and-swivel monochrome 12" monitor, a detachable keyboard and housing for two 5.25" floppy drives.
9769 
9770 
9771 
9772It was said that the 5/6/700 cases were designed by Porsche, not the more familiar Porsche auto factory, but the separate Porsche Design firm.
9773 
9774 
9775 
9776Three versions were available:
9777 
9778  * 710 (CBM 128/80 in USA): 128 KB RAM
9779 
9780  * 720 (CBM 256/80): 256 KB RAM
9781 
9782  * 730 (CBMX 256/80): 256 KB RAM and coprocessor
9783 
9784 
9785 
9786Both versions could be purchased with a built-in dual floppy disk drive which was compatible with the external 8250 dual drive unit. 
9787 
9788 
9789 
9790//(info from old-computers.com)//
9791 
9792 
9793 
9794 
9795 
9796===== Links =====
9797 
9798 
9799 
9800  * Commodore 500, 600 and 700 computers page -- http://www.davidviner.com/cbm.php
9801 
9802  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
9803 
9804  * CBM 700 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=952
9805 
9806 
9807 
9808 
9809 
9810===== Other Emulators =====
9811 
9812 
9813 
9814  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
9815 
9816 
9817 
9818 
9819 
9820$end
9821 
9822 
9823 
9824#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9825 
9826 
9827$info=cbm80
9828$bio
9829====== Commodore CBM 80xx (1981) ======
9830 
9831 
9832 
9833 
9834 
9835===== Features =====
9836 
9837 
9838 
9839  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
9840 
9841  * RAM: 32, 64 or 96 KB
9842 
9843  * ROM: 16 KB
9844 
9845  * Text Modes: 80 columns x 25 lines
9846 
9847  * Graphic Modes: none
9848 
9849  * Colors: Monochrome
9850 
9851  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, Cassette
9852 
9853  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard ("business keyboard")
9854 
9855  * Built In Media: None
9856 
9857  * OS: ROM Based (ROM v4.0)
9858 
9859  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic (v4.0)
9860 
9861 
9862 
9863 
9864 
9865===== Known Issues =====
9866 
9867 
9868 
9869The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
9870 
9871 
9872 
9873 
9874 
9875===== History and Trivia =====
9876 
9877 
9878 
9879The main improvement over the other PET / CBM computers is the 80-column display. The screen is 12" large and the ROM version is 4.0.
9880 
9881 
9882 
9883The CBM-80xx was often sold as a "bundle". It was made up of the computer (most often the CBM 8032, though other models were made), the 5.25" double disk drive CBM 8050 (500 KB, 77 tracks) and the bi-directional 132-columns, 160 CPS printer. The 8050 has a 6502 CPU, 4 KB 
9884 
9885of RAM and 12 KB of ROM (which contains the DOS). It was sold with Ozz, a Database, and a version of the spreadsheet "Visicalc".
9886 
9887 
9888 
9889//(info from old-computers.com)//
9890 
9891 
9892 
9893 
9894 
9895===== Links =====
9896 
9897 
9898 
9899  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
9900 
9901  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
9902 
9903  * CBM 80xx at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=105
9904 
9905 
9906 
9907 
9908 
9909===== Other Emulators =====
9910 
9911 
9912 
9913  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
9914 
9915 
9916 
9917 
9918 
9919$end
9920 
9921 
9922 
9923#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9924 
9925 
9926$info=cdtv
9927$bio
9928====== Commodore CDTV (1990) ======
9929 
9930 
9931 
9932 
9933 
9934===== Features =====
9935 
9936 
9937 
9938  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.14 MHz
9939 
9940  * Co-Processor: Denise (8373 SuperDenise), Paula, Agnus, Gary
9941 
9942  * RAM: 512 KB (later expanded to 1Mb Chip RAM)
9943 
9944  * ROM: 192 KB
9945 
9946  * Text Modes: 60 x 32 / 80 x 32
9947 
9948  * Graphic Modes: several graphic modes, most used : 320 x 240 (32 colors) / 640 x 240 (16 colors)
9949 
9950  * Colors: 4096
9951 
9952  * Sound: four 8 bit PCM voices
9953 
9954  * I/O Ports: One credit card type slot (to save games scores) , 1 video slot, 1 DMA extension, Mouse & infrared joystick, Parallel, Serial, 15kHz RGB video, External floppy, Stereo RCA Audio jacks (16 bit), Colour composite Video output, MIDI In/Out, Headphone Jack
9955 
9956  * Keyboard: optional full-stroke professional keyboard
9957 
9958  * Built in Media: Internal single speed CDROM (with caddy)
9959 
9960  * OS: AMIGA DOS, Kickstart: 1.3 (+ additional CD support)
9961 
9962 
9963 
9964 
9965 
9966===== History and Trivia =====
9967 
9968 
9969 
9970The Commodore Amiga CDTV is, in a way, the ancestor of the Amiga CD32 game console.
9971 
9972 
9973 
9974Basically, it is an Amiga 500 with a CDROM drive. It was sold without keyboard or mouse, but it was possible to connect them to the CDTV. A 3.5" floppy disk drive (800 KB), was developed for this computer.
9975 
9976 
9977 
9978It was designed to be a home entertainment device, but it was too expensive and only very little software was developed for this machine (Psygnosis made almost all the software for the CDTV). In fact, a few years later Philips succeeded with its CD-I where Commodore failed.
9979 
9980 
9981 
9982There were two CDTV models : the CDTV-1 used the Amiga 500 hardware and the CDTV-2 used the Amiga 500+ hardware.
9983 
9984 
9985 
9986There even has been a prototype developed in 1992 called "CDTV-CR" (for Cost Reduced). Unlike other Amiga CR revisions, the CDTV CR was completely redesigned, utilizing the updated Amiga 600 technology (for more information, visit the Amiga Interactive Guide).
9987 
9988 
9989 
9990The manager of the team promoting the CDTV was Nolan Bushnell, the man who founded Atari. By strange twist of fate, the man in charge of Atari at the time, was Jack Tramiel, the man who founded Commodore.
9991 
9992 
9993 
9994//(info from old-computers.com)//
9995 
9996 
9997 
9998 
9999 
10000===== Links =====
10001 
10002 
10003 
10004  * Commodore CDTV Information Pages -- http://www.cdtv.org.uk/
10005 
10006  * Amiga Technologies Homepage -- http://www.amiga.de/
10007 
10008  * Amiga Interactive Guide -- http://amiga.emugaming.com/
10009 
10010  * AMIGART.COM -- http://www.amigart.com/
10011 
10012  * The Database of Amiga games -- http://hol.abime.net/|Hall of Light
10013 
10014  * CDTV at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=106
10015 
10016 
10017 
10018 
10019 
10020===== Other Emulators =====
10021 
10022 
10023 
10024  * UAE (Ubiquitous Amiga Emulator) -- http://www.freiburg.linux.de/~uae/
10025 
10026  * WinUAE -- http://www.winuae.net/
10027 
10028  * Experimental UAE -- http://www.rcdrummond.net/uae/
10029 
10030 
10031 
10032 
10033 
10034$end
10035 
10036 
10037 
10038#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
10039 
10040 
10041$info=cgenie
10042$bio
10043====== EACA Colour Genie / EG-2000 (1982) ======
10044 
10045 
10046 
10047 
10048 
10049===== Features =====
10050 
10051 
10052 
10053  * CPU: Zilog Z80 2.2 MHz
10054 
10055  * RAM: 16 KB, 32 KB with memory expansion
10056 
10057  * ROM: 16 KB
10058 
10059  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 25 lines
10060 
10061  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 102 dots
10062 
10063  * Colors: 8 (text mode), 4 (graphic mode)
10064 
10065  * Sound: 3 channels (AY-8910)
10066 
10067  * I/O Ports: RS232, Joystick (2), Light Pen, RGB, Audio
10068 
10069  * Keyboard: Typewriter style, 63 keys with 4 function keys
10070 
10071  * Peripherals: Light-pen, parallel printer, floppy disc drives
10072 
10073  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
10074 
10075 
10076 
10077 
10078 
10079===== Usage =====
10080 
10081 
10082 
10083Currently, MESS supports cart dumps, cassette tapes and floppy disks for the cgenie. Cart dumps have to be in .rom format and can be emulated using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Below you can find informations on tapes and disks.
10084 
10085 
10086 
10087== Cassettes ==
10088 
10089 
10090 
10091MESS supports cassette tapes in .cas format. You can use the "cassette" (cass) device to run them, e.g. using at command line
10092 
10093 
10094 
10095  mess cgenie -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.cas"
10096 
10097 
10098 
10099From within the emulation you can use either 
10100 
10101  CLOAD 
10102 
10103or 
10104 
10105  SYSTEM 
10106 
10107commands to read images: 
10108 
10109 
10110 
10111CLOAD loads a file named BASIC(N).CAS, where (N) is the character you supplied 
10112 
10113(e.g., CLOAD"M" loads BASICM.CAS)
10114 
10115 
10116 
10117CLOAD is for BASIC type tapes only.  It should work if you have a BASIC *.cas file. 
10118 
10119File "names" in that case are _one_ character in length (inside the emulation).  In your 
10120 
10121roms/cgenie folder the names will be basicA.cas, basicB.cas and so on.  If you CSAVE"A you'll 
10122 
10123see a file basicA.cas later and you can CLOAD"A it again. 
10124 
10125 
10126 
10127To load a binary image there was a different command: SYSTEM, which supports 6 character filenames.
10128 
10129When you enter the SYSTEM command, you will see a prompt looking like this: 
10130 
10131   
10132 
10133  *?
10134 
10135and there you can enter a name of up to six (wow!) characters. E.g.
10136 
10137   
10138 
10139  *?chop16 [ENTER]
10140 
10141 
10142 
10143This will start loading a file named chop16.cas if it is in your rompath. If you don't have 
10144 
10145it... well, wait and see (nothing ;) ) 
10146 
10147 
10148 
10149If you have it, you'll see two stars 
10150 
10151  (**) 
10152 
10153in the upper right corner.  The right one will twinkle 
10154 
10155after every couple of bytes loaded, every 254 I think.
10156 
10157 
10158 
10159After several minutes you'll see the prompt again
10160 
10161   
10162 
10163  *?
10164 
10165 
10166 
10167Now type 
10168 
10169  / 
10170 
10171(slash) and press ENTER and the program will be started at its defined run address. If 
10172 
10173a program does not have a run address, you could also specify 
10174 
10175  /[decimal value] 
10176 
10177to run from a specific value...
10178 
10179 
10180 
10181== Floppy Disks ==
10182 
10183 
10184 
10185MESS supports up to four floppy drives for disks in .dsk format. Each drive corresponds to a device, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4). To run a .dsk image you can launch at command line
10186 
10187 
10188 
10189  mess cgenie -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.dsk"
10190 
10191 
10192 
10193When the emulation starts, tap [ENTER] and also confirm the following
10194 
10195  MEM SIZE?
10196 
10197with [ENTER].
10198 
10199 
10200 
10201After that you're in BASIC (DISK BASIC, to be exact, unless you disable cgdos.rom via the dip switches).
10202 
10203 
10204 
10205Now you can use the DISK BASIC extensions to issue commands.  Most important
10206 
10207  CMD"I[disk#] 
10208 
10209display inventory, disk# is optional and can be from 0 to 3.
10210 
10211You can use CMD"I0" to "CMDI3" to get an inventory of drive 0 to 3.
10212 
10213 
10214 
10215Use 
10216 
10217  CMD"S FILENAME/CMD" 
10218 
10219to start a binary executable (e.g. to start paint/cmd, type cmd"s paint/cmd) or use 
10220 
10221  LOAD"FILENAME/BAS" 
10222 
10223to load a basic program.
10224 
10225 
10226 
10227Other examples:
10228 
10229  CMD"Sname/cmd will start a binary file name/cmd from any disk
10230 
10231  CMD"Limage/bin:3 will load image/bin from disk 3
10232 
10233 
10234 
10235As you see, you can omit the blank between cmd"s and the filename.
10236 
10237 
10238 
10239To ease things you could also enable my DOS lookalike frontend ;) It's contained in newe000.rom (2,772 bytes; CRC 953491a7) but not enabled by default. If you enable it you can type HELP (hehe ;) and DIR and simply give a name to execute a binary file.
10240 
10241 
10242 
10243The optional newe000.rom is loaded if the corresponding "dip switch" is set from within the driver itself. There is no need to specify this ROM on the command line.
10244 
10245 
10246 
10247== Controls ==
10248 
10249 
10250 
10251The Colour Genie had two Joystick, each one features a 12-keys keypad below the stick. The keypad layout is the following
10252 
10253 
10254 
10255   
10256 
10257  *    0    #
10258 
10259   
10260 
10261  7    8    9
10262 
10263   
10264 
10265  4    5    6
10266 
10267   
10268 
10269  1    2    3
10270 
10271 
10272 
10273== Keyboard ==
10274 
10275 
10276 
10277This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
10278 
10279 
10280 
10281== Miscellaneous ==
10282 
10283 
10284 
10285Under the "Options" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, there are three settings: 
10286 
10287   
10288 
10289  "Floppy Disc Drives"  - enable or disable floppy disc controller.
10290 
10291  "DOS ROM C000-DFFF"   - enable 8K DOS ROM or make it RAM.
10292 
10293  "EXT ROM E000-EFFF"   - enable 4K Extension ROM or make it RAM.
10294 
10295 
10296 
10297=== RAM options ===
10298 
10299 
10300 
10301Different RAM configurations are possible for the cgenie in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
10302 
10303 
10304 
10305  mess cgenie -ramsize ram_value
10306 
10307 
10308 
10309where ram_value can assume one of the following values
10310 
10311 
10312 
10313  16k (default)
10314 
10315  32k
10316 
10317 
10318 
10319 
10320 
10321===== Known issues =====
10322 
10323 
10324 
10325Startup with CAS or CMD images does not always work. Use the BASIC SYSTEM or CLOAD commands to read cassette image files, or use the Colour Genie DOS ROM with floppy disc images to run programs. The driver does not yet emulate the printer port mode for AY-3-8910. Right now it always uses the AY-3-8910 ports for joystick emulation.
10326 
10327 
10328 
10329Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default.  Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
10330 
10331scroll_lock key.   
10332 
10333 
10334 
10335The Colour Genie driver should run most of the known programs out there. It supports the Motorola 6845 CRT controller with text and graphics modes (LGR and FGR), the AY-3-8910 sound chip with three audio channels and noise and the WD 179x floppy disc controller with up to four virtual floppy disc drives contained in image files.
10336 
10337 
10338 
10339The keyboard is relatively close to the original layout; see "Keys (This Machine)" in the TAB/Options menu.
10340 
10341 
10342 
10343Emulation of dual Colour Genie joysticks with keypads is also supported.
10344 
10345 
10346 
10347 
10348 
10349===== History and Trivia =====
10350 
10351 
10352 
10353The Colour Genie was the successor of the Genie 1, Genie 2 and Genie 3. It was intended to compete with the Tandy Color Computer although it was not at all compatible with its model (Z80 microprocessor instead of a Motorola 6809 in the CoCo)
10354 
10355 
10356 
10357The graphic resolution wasn't as good as the CoCo, furthermore it was not possible to mix characters and graphics.
10358 
10359 
10360 
10361However, the machine was reliable and solidly built. It featured a good mechanical keyboard and even a little level display located above the keyboard, which allowed to set the recording level of the tape recorder to improve reliability when writing onto a tape.
10362 
10363 
10364 
10365//(info from old-computers.com)//
10366 
10367 
10368 
10369 
10370 
10371===== Links =====
10372 
10373 
10374 
10375  * Colour Genie at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=128
10376 
10377 
10378 
10379 
10380 
10381 
10382 
10383===== Other Emulators =====
10384 
10385 
10386 
10387  * Colour Emu -- http://people.a2000.nl/rwesseli/ColourGenie.html (dead link)
10388 
10389  * EG 2000 -- http://pullmoll.de/cgenie/ (dead link)
10390 
10391 
10392 
10393 
10394 
10395$end
10396 
10397 
10398 
10399#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
10400 
10401 
10402$info=channelf
10403$bio
10404====== Fairchild Channel F (1976) ======
10405 
10406 
10407 
10408 
10409 
10410===== Features =====
10411 
10412 
10413 
10414  * CPU: Fairchild F8 1.79 MHz [NTSC], 2.22 MHz [PAL]
10415 
10416  * RAM: 64 bytes
10417 
10418  * Colors: 8, only four different colors per line, unless black/white palette were chosen, then only these two colors on the whole line.
10419 
10420  * Sound: played through the console with the built-in speaker [first models], played through TV [System II]
10421 
10422  * I/O Ports: TV out
10423 
10424  * Controllers: Two 'grip-stick' controllers attached to main unit with dedicated wires. 8 way digital movement, forward/backwards, left/right, push knob down/pull up and twist counter-/clockwise
10425 
10426  * Media: Cartridges
10427 
10428  * Built In Software / Game: Hockey, Tennis
10429 
10430  * Number of Games: 26 programmable cartridges with between 1 and 4 games on each.
10431 
10432 
10433 
10434 
10435 
10436===== Usage =====
10437 
10438 
10439 
10440MESS supports cart dumps in .bin format for channelf, using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Starting channelf without any cart would give access to the built in hockey and tennis games (at the G? prompt, 1=Hockey and 2=Tennis).
10441 
10442 
10443 
10444== Controls ==
10445 
10446 
10447 
10448Fairchild Channel F included two controllers: they are unique in their design. They kind of resemble a dynamite detonator, with a control knob at top that had 8 basic movements: up / down /left / right / twist left / twist right / pull up / pull down. 
10449 
10450 
10451 
10452On the console, five buttons are present: a RESET button, plus four button (numbered from 1 to 4). These were used to select games (e.g. without cart, at the G? prompt: 1=Hockey, 2=Tennis) and different time durations of a game (1=2 mins, 2=5 mins, 3=10 mins, 4=20 mins). Moreover 
10453 
10454   
10455 
10456  button 1 was the TIME  button
10457 
10458  button 2 was the MODE  button
10459 
10460  button 3 was the HOLD  button
10461 
10462  button 4 was the START button
10463 
10464 
10465 
10466MESS controls are mapped in the following way (P1 buttons as indicated in the //Input (this system)// menu): button 1 is mapped to "P1 Start", button 2 is mapped to "P1 button 5", button 3 is mapped to "P1 button 6", button 4 is mapped to "P1 button 7". 
10467 
10468P1 buttons 1 to 4 are reserved to PUSH DOWN, PULL UP, MOVE CLOCKWISE, MOVE COUNTERCLOCKWISE (movements you could do with the joystick, on the original hardware) respectively.
10469 
10470 
10471 
10472=== BIOS options ===
10473 
10474 
10475 
10476MESS emulates "Luxor Video Entertainment System" (Swedish version of Channel F) and "Fairchild Channel F", currently the Luxor version at the wrong speed though. Since it's a PAL system it's clocked at 2.22 MHz instead of 1.79 MHz. 
10477 
10478You can switch between the two, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
10479 
10480   
10481 
10482  "-bios 0" or "-bios sl90025" = Luxor Video Entertainment System
10483 
10484   
10485 
10486  "-bios 1" or "-bios sl31253" = Fairchild Channel F
10487 
10488 
10489 
10490 
10491 
10492===== History and Trivia =====
10493 
10494 
10495 
10496The Channel F was the first programmable video game system, having plug-in cartridges containing ROM and microprocessor code rather than dedicated circuits. Not a very popular or entertaining system, it was nonetheless important at the time for having a number of original features which were copied by later more successful systems.
10497 
10498 
10499 
10500Unique to the console is a 'hold' button that allowed the player freeze the game and also change either the time, the speed or both during the course of the game, without altering the score. Another feature which was used for the Hockey game was 'overtime' which allowed one minute of extra play should there be a tie-break in the score.
10501 
10502 
10503 
10504Detached controllers were just starting to appear on 'pong' units as opposed to having them directly on the unit itself. The Channel F controllers which were attached to the unit with dedicated wires, were gripped by the whole hand and enabled movement in all directions, including the twisting left and right for 'paddle' movement. There was no fire button, the joystick had 8 way digital movement, forward/backwards, left/right, pull knob down/pull up and twist counter-/clockwise.
10505 
10506 
10507 
10508Fairchild released twenty-six different cartridges for the system, with up to four games being on each cartridge. The games included sports, such as Hockey, Tennis and Baseball, educational, such as Maths Quiz, board games, such as Checkers, and shooting games, such as Space War. The cartridges had labels that contained the game instructions on them and each were given a sequential number. In this respect Fairchild started a trend in trying to boost game sales by numbering them and so appealing to consumers who wanted to complete their collection.
10509 
10510 
10511 
10512The Channel F console's popularity lowered when the Atari released their VCS in 1977 as the VCS had much better graphics, games and sound. Fairchild responded to the Atari VCS by changing the name of their console to the 'Fairchild Channel F' from its original name of the 'Fairchild Video Entertainment System', but this did not raise flagging sales.
10513 
10514 
10515 
10516In 1978, Zircon International Inc. bought the rights for the Channel F and released it as the Channel F System 2. This new system had some minor modifications : slightly different cosmetic design, sound output through TV speakers and the controller holders at the back of the unit. But this new model did not succeed either, as this time, Atari VCS, Intellivision and Odyssey2 were already on the market... 
10517 
10518 
10519 
10520At the end, Fairchild switched their efforts to developing the Spark-16 minicomputer.
10521 
10522 
10523 
10524Various version of the Channel F were marketed: in Sweden the game-station was made by Luxor in two different models similar to Channel F and Channel F System II. In Germany, the system was called SABA Videoplay or Nordmende Teleplay and in the UK it's called Grandstand. 
10525 
10526 
10527 
10528//(info from old-computers.com)//
10529 
10530 
10531 
10532 
10533 
10534===== Links =====
10535 
10536 
10537 
10538  * Fairchild Channel F Information -- http://www.videogames.org/html/ChannelFStuff/ChannelFIndex.html
10539 
10540  * Fairchild Channel F FAQ -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/channelf.htm
10541 
10542  * Tech Info on the F8 chip -- http://www.nyx.net/~lturner/public_html/Fairchild_F8.html
10543 
10544  * Channel F Datasheets -- http://members.cox.net/seanandalicia/chanfinfo.html
10545 
10546  * Sean Riddle's Home Page -- http://members.cox.net/seanriddle/chanf.html
10547 
10548  * Fredric Blaholtz's Home Page -- http://w5.nuinternet.com/s660100106/channelf.html
10549 
10550  * Chris's Channel F Page -- http://www.chris-hind.co.uk/mem01.html
10551 
10552  * JC Penney television commercial for the Fairchild Channel F -- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7639213472647728205
10553 
10554  * Channel F at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=890
10555 
10556 
10557 
10558 
10559 
10560$end
10561 
10562 
10563 
10564#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
10565 
10566 
10567$info=coco
10568$bio
10569====== Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer (1980) and Color Computer 2 (1983), Dragon Data Ltd. Dragon 32 (1982) and Dragon 64 (1983), Tano Dragon 64 (1983), Prologica CP-400 (1984) ======
10570 
10571 
10572 
10573 
10574 
10575===== Features =====
10576 
10577 
10578 
10579  * CPU: Motorola 6809 E 0.895 MHz (or 1.79 MHz) [CoCo, CoCo2], Motorola MC6809EP 0,9 MHz + Motorola MC-6847 Video Display Generator [Dragon 32, Dragon 64, CP-400]
10580 
10581  * RAM: 4 KB up to 64 KB [CoCo], 16k, 32k and 64k, depending on models [CoCo2], 32k [Dragon32], 64k [Dragon 64], 16k and 64k, depending on models [CP-400]
10582 
10583  * ROM: 8 KB [CoCo], 8k (Color Basic) but later models had 16k (Extended Color Basic) [CoCo2], 2 x 8K or 16K EPROM comprising Microsoft Extended BASIC [Dragon32], 32 kb [Dragon 64], 16k [CP-400]
10584 
10585  * Text Modes: max : 16 x 32, min : 16 x 8
10586 
10587  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, max : 256 x 192 (with 2 colors)
10588 
10589  * Colors: 9 [CoCo, CoCo2, CP-400], 8 [Dragon32, Dragon 64]
10590 
10591  * Sound: 1 voice (6-bit DAC) [CoCo, CoCo2], 1 voice, 5 octaves with the Basic, 4 voices, 7 octaves with machine code [Dragon 32, Dragon 64], 4 virtual channels [CP-400]
10592 
10593  * I/O Ports: Tape, RGB, Joystick (2), Monitor, Cartridge, Serial RS232
10594 
10595  * Keyboard: QWERTY calculator type keyboard [CoCo], QWERTY Mechanical keyboard [Dragon 32, Dragon 64], Full-stroke 53-keys keyboard + Arrow keys, BREAK, CLEAR, SHIFT (x2) [CoCo2]
10596 
10597  * OS: OS-9 Level 1
10598 
10599  * Built In Language: Tandy (Microsoft) BASIC interpreter [CoCo, CoCo2], Microsoft Extended Basic & Basic Interpreter 1.0 [Dragon 32, Dragon 64], Color Basic v1.0 [CP-400]
10600 
10601 
10602 
10603 
10604 
10605===== Usage =====
10606 
10607 
10608 
10609== Cassettes ==
10610 
10611 
10612 
10613MESS supports .cas files. Not all of these work; don't panic.
10614 
10615 
10616 
10617You can pick the cassette image you wish to run from the FILE MANAGER in the Tab/Options menu. Once you've selected the image, go back into the CoCo emulation, and use "scroll lock" to set it back in keyboard emulation mode.
10618 
10619 
10620 
10621If it's a BASIC program, type 
10622 
10623  CLOAD
10624 
10625  RUN
10626 
10627 
10628 
10629If it's an assembler programs, type
10630 
10631  CLOADM
10632 
10633  EXEC
10634 
10635 
10636 
10637If you include the name of the file (eg. CLOAD "PROG") it will skip any files preceding the one you specified.
10638 
10639 
10640 
10641== Snapshots ==
10642 
10643 
10644 
10645MESS supports .pak files. Go to file menu pick the .pak. It should automatically start running the game. If it does not run, it isn't supported yet.
10646 
10647 
10648 
10649== Cartridges ==
10650 
10651 
10652 
10653MESS supports .rom files. Go to file menu and pick the .rom. Reset to CoCo and it will start running the game. If it does not run it isn't supported yet.
10654 
10655 
10656 
10657== Floppies ==
10658 
10659 
10660 
10661MESS supports .dsk files. Basically the same as cassette images, except you insert the image in Floppy Disk#1 from the file manager. Once you return to the coco emulation, switch back to keyboard emulation mode by pressing SCROLL LOCK and type
10662 
10663  DIR
10664 
10665 
10666 
10667To load a binary file (/BIN), type 
10668 
10669  LOADM "GAME/BIN:1" 
10670 
10671  EXEC
10672 
10673(replacing the ":1" in LOADM with the appropriate drive designation ":0" through ":3" )
10674 
10675 
10676 
10677To load a basic file (/BAS), type 
10678 
10679  LOAD "GAME/BAS:0"
10680 
10681  RUN
10682 
10683 
10684 
10685//Thanks to "Axe" for the command summary.//
10686 
10687 
10688 
10689 
10690 
10691===== Known Issues =====
10692 
10693 
10694 
10695Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
10696 
10697scroll_lock key.
10698 
10699 
10700 
10701 
10702 
10703===== History and Trivia =====
10704 
10705 
10706 
10707The Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer was known to be called "CoCo" (Color Computer) by its users. It uses its own version of BASIC, "Tandy Color BASIC", instead of the Microsoft BASIC (this was the main difference with Dragon 32, and the main reason for the partial compatibility between the two machines: the two BASICs use different tokens so they are not binary compatible).
10708 
10709It was followed by the TRS-80 Color Computer II in 1982.
10710 
10711 
10712 
10713The TRS 80 Color Computer 2 (coco2) replaced the Color Computer "Model 1" in 1983. It has the same characteristics than the Model 1 but has a better keyboard and a more integrated circuitry.
10714 
10715 
10716 
10717There were several models of the Coco2, some with only 8k ROM (Color Basic) called Standard Color Computer 2, and others with 16k ROM (Extended Color Basic) called the Extended Color Computer 2. Some later models differ also in RAM capacity (16k, 32k or 64k).
10718 
10719It was replaced with the TRS-80 Color Computer 3 in 1986.
10720 
10721 
10722 
10723The Welsh Dragon 32 was one of the CoCo many clones and it enjoyed a pretty good success in Europe. Its ROM holds the Operating System and a version of the Microsoft Extended BASIC.
10724 
10725 
10726 
10727One of its characteristics is partial compatibility with the Tandy TRS 80 Color Series. They can use same peripherals and some cartridges, but most ROM calls will fail on the other computer. However, the Dragon did have at least two advantages over the first TRS-80 Color computer: 
10728 
10729  * a typewriter-style keyboard that was somewhat better than the Tandy's calculator-like keys
10730 
10731  * a Centronics parallel-printer port.
10732 
10733 
10734 
10735Two years later, Welsh launched the DRAGON 64 which has the same characteristics except the added memory (64k RAM instead of 32k), a RS232c port and minor ROM changes.
10736 
10737 
10738 
10739The Dragon 64, launched in 1983, was exactly the same computer as the Dragon 32, except that it had 64k RAM instead of 32k, an OS9 operating system and a RS232C connector.
10740 
10741 
10742 
10743The Extended Basic has been modified to provide RS232 I/O calls, to remove the USR bug present in the Dragon 32 ROM and to add calls allowing the additional interpreter to be invoked. This second interpreter was the same Extended Basic re-compiled to run from a higher memory address and stored in a EPROM. When invoked, the machine was switched into 64k RAM mode and the interpreter copied from EPROM to RAM giving an extra 16K BASIC workspace. (Source : Jon's Dragon Home Page)
10744 
10745 
10746 
10747The Dragon 64 was sold in various European countries. A slightly modified version was also manufactured and sold in the US by TANO (Technical Associates of New Orleans) from August 1983. They sold the machine under the TANO name for a few months but couldn't compete with the agressive price policy from Commodore, Atari and T.I. All the unsold machine were eventually sold off to a discount store called California Digital.
10748 
10749 
10750 
10751In 85 Eurohard, a spanish manufacturer, acquired Dragons Data. Then the Dragon 200 replaced the 64 with some minor changes: power-on lights, auto-repeat keyboard... They also also had plans for a 128k Dragon and a MSX Dragon.
10752 
10753 
10754 
10755Finally, CP-400 from brazilian company Prologica is another Tandy Color Computer clone. It was completely compatible with Color Computer 2. Prologica was indeed specialised in (illegal) cloning of popular micro-computers.
10756 
10757 
10758 
10759CP stands for Computer Personal. Released in 1984, the CP-400 shows an original plastic case, very similar to the Timex-Sinclair 2068! The calculator type keyboard uses a membrane for contacts. There is a cartridge slot on the right part of the case, accessed via a moving trapdoor.
10760 
10761 
10762 
10763The CP-400 was released as 16 KB or 64 KB models. But heating/voltage problems on first models led to frequent RAM corruption.
10764 
10765 
10766 
10767The CP-400 model II was later released, correcting those heating/voltage problems and offering a better keyboard (pseudo mechanical) and 64 KB RAM.
10768 
10769 
10770 
10771When the MSX systems came in 1985/1986 (in Brazil), sales of the CP-400 started to fall down disastrously. Prologica (and other companies that had launched the TRS Color in Brazil) did not provide necessary support in software and documentation. Even though the Color Computer was successfull in U.S.A., it was difficult to find material for it in Brazil.
10772 
10773 
10774 
10775== Tandy Color BASIC versions ==
10776 
10777 
10778 
10779(info from Lee Veal): In reality, the 'dialects' of BASIC on all versions of the TRS-80 Color Computer 1s & 2s were written by Microsoft for Tandy. That includes Color BASIC (CB), Extended Color BASIC (ECB) and Disk Extended Color BASIC (DECB). In fact, with very few modifcations, BASIC programs from an IBM-PC or compatible using Microsoft BASIC could run on a CoCo and viceversa. (The way I know that is that I did it. Some were quite complex graphics oriented programs.) Within one-half K of the beginning the Color BASIC ROM address, there's a character string that reads "COLOR BASIC 1.0(C) 1980 TANDYMICROSOFT". When you fire up a CoCo 1 that has only the Color BASIC ROM, you'll see on the screen
10780 
10781  COLOR BASIC 1.0
10782 
10783  (C) 1980 TANDY
10784 
10785 
10786 
10787The authors of Tandy's Color BASIC (Microsoft) left their name in the code, but they left it off the opening display. Subsequent levels of CoCo BASIC (Extended CB and Disk Extended CB) had Microsoft prominently displayed in the opening display. Thus, Color BASIC was quite compatible for obvious reasons with the BASIC that Microsoft develped for the PC. Extended and Disk Extended versions of CoCo BASIC were 
10788 
10789even more compatible with Microsoft's BASIC for the PC.
10790 
10791 
10792 
10793On the other hand, the BASIC dialects contained in computers like the Commodore-64, TI-994A, etc were quite incompatible with any version of Microsoft BASIC.
10794 
10795 
10796 
10797The BASIC developed by Microware (the developers of the OS-9 operating system and originally Tandy's first choice of a BASIC developer), called BASIC09, was NOT compatible with Microsoft BASIC. BASIC09 is and was a powerful language that compiled to intermediate code but it is more akin to Pascal then BASIC. 
10798 
10799 
10800 
10801== CoCo & CoCo II Double Speed == 
10802 
10803 
10804 
10805(info from Gary Clouse): The double speed mode was not really accomplished by changing the clock speed. The Synchronous address multiplexor (SAM) chip by default generated memory refresh cycles for the entire address space. The "double speed poke" disabled the refresh cycle for the upper 32k memory address, where the ROM was mapped. Since the ROM was static, it didn't need this and since BASIC spent most of its time in the rom routines, it would appear to nearly double the speed. The flip side of this was that many I/O functions that relied on timing loops would be unusable, such as saving data to a tape. Also if you were using the upper 32k of ram, the double speed poke would wipe the memory. 
10806 
10807 
10808 
10809//(info from old-computers.com)//
10810 
10811 
10812 
10813 
10814 
10815===== Links =====
10816 
10817 
10818 
10819  * CoCo Quest Color Computer Games and More! -- http://www.prowler-pro.com/coco/
10820 
10821  * Sock Master's Web Page -- http://www.axess.com/twilight/sock/
10822 
10823  * www.coco3.com -- http://www.coco3.com/
10824 
10825  * Dragon & Tandy CoCo Resources -- http://www.burgins.com/dragon.html
10826 
10827  * Dragon, The Archive -- http://www.dragondata.co.uk/
10828 
10829  * Graham's Dragon Page -- http://www.grempc.demon.co.uk/dragon/
10830 
10831  * The DRAGON Archive -- http://www.dragon-archive.co.uk/
10832 
10833  * CP400 -- http://www.cp400.cjb.net/
10834 
10835  * CoCo at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=91
10836 
10837 
10838 
10839 
10840 
10841===== Other Emulators =====
10842 
10843 
10844 
10845  * Color Computer II Emu by Jeff Vavasour -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#coco2
10846 
10847 
10848 
10849 
10850 
10851$end
10852 
10853 
10854 
10855#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
10856 
10857 
10858$info=coco3
10859$bio
10860====== Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer 3 (1986) ======
10861 
10862 
10863 
10864 
10865 
10866===== Features =====
10867 
10868 
10869 
10870  * CPU: Motorola 68b09e (uses an external clock generator) 2 MHz (0.89MHz under RS-DOS for compatability with FD expansion unit)
10871 
10872  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 512 KB. There were 1MB and 2MB upgrade boards as well)
10873 
10874  * ROM: 32 KB
10875 
10876  * Text Modes: 32 x 16, 40 x 25, 80 x 25
10877 
10878  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, the most interesting were: 320 x 200 (16 col.), 640 x 200 (4 col.), 640 x 400 (4 col. if 512 KB RAM)
10879 
10880  * Colors: 64
10881 
10882  * I/O Ports: Tape, Composite Video, analog RGB connector for use with Tandy CM-8 monitor, 2 joystick ports, cartridge slot, RS232
10883 
10884  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
10885 
10886  * OS: with optional disk drive : RS-DOS, OS-9 Level 2 was also popular
10887 
10888  * Built In Language: Tandy Extended Color Basic
10889 
10890 
10891 
10892 
10893 
10894===== Usage =====
10895 
10896 
10897 
10898Read the entry for the Color Computer and Color Computer 2 drivers. Much of the information there also applies to this driver.
10899 
10900 
10901 
10902 
10903 
10904===== Known Issues =====
10905 
10906 
10907 
10908Besides fully emulating the Color Computer 3 this driver also contains some extras. 
10909 
10910 
10911 
10912It contains an implementation of Jeff Vavasours' Virtual Hard Disk. See his Color Computer 3 emulator for information regarding it.
10913 
10914 
10915 
10916This driver also contains two different real time clocks. Currently they can be set under the "DIP switches". The two types are Disto and Cloud-9.
10917 
10918 
10919 
10920== Disto Real Time Clock ==
10921 
10922  * Chip: OKI m6242B
10923 
10924  * Addressed: $FF50 and $FF51
10925 
10926 
10927 
10928== Cloud-9 Real Time Clock ==
10929 
10930  * Chip: Dallas Semiconductor's Phantom Time Chip DS1315
10931 
10932  * Addressed: $FF79, $FF78, $FF7C
10933 
10934 
10935 
10936 
10937 
10938===== History and Trivia =====
10939 
10940 
10941 
10942The Tandy Color Computer 3 is the successor of the Tandy/TRS-80 Color Computer 2.
10943 
10944 
10945 
10946The CoCo3 came with 128K RAM, an analog RGB video port, enhanced 640x192 graphics capability, a 64-color palette and much more. (All ports contained on the CoCo 1 and 2 models were also available on the CoCo3, e.g. RS-232 serial, cassette, right and left joystick and a 40-pin expansion slot.)
10947 
10948 
10949 
10950The CoCo3 was upgradeable to 512 KB RAM. (After-market RAM upgrades have gone as high as 8MB, with rumors that 16MB and 32MB RAM upgrades may also be possible). A Multi-Pak (a 4-port bus expander) plugged into the Expansion Slot allowed use of controllers for floppy disk drives, hard drives (MFM, RLL, SCSI and now even IDE), multi-port true RS-232 devices, MIDI units and much much more.
10951 
10952 
10953 
10954It can work with OS-9 Level II (an operating system designed for 6809 processors). 
10955 
10956 
10957 
10958As its microprocessor was still an 8 bit (strange choice when Atari and Commodore were using a 68000), it couldn't access simultaneously to the 128k (or 512k), and thus used several RAM banks which could be switched (as the Thomson TO8, or MSX 2 computers). Unlike the CoCo and CoCo II the 3 had an interrupt controller. This did away with a lot of the timing loops used in its predecessors, and actually took some of the fun out of programming in Machine Language.
10959 
10960 
10961 
10962Tandy made several prototypes of a Color Computer model IV but it was never released.
10963 
10964 
10965 
10966//(info from old-computers.com)//
10967 
10968 
10969 
10970 
10971 
10972===== Links =====
10973 
10974 
10975 
10976  * CoCo Quest Color Computer Games and More! -- http://www.prowler-pro.com/coco/
10977 
10978  * Sock Master's Web Page -- http://www.axess.com/twilight/sock/
10979 
10980  * www.coco3.com -- http://www.coco3.com/
10981 
10982  * CoCo 3 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=109
10983 
10984 
10985 
10986 
10987 
10988===== Other Emulators =====
10989 
10990 
10991 
10992  * CoCo III Emu by Jeff Vavasour -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#coco3
10993 
10994 
10995 
10996 
10997 
10998$end
10999 
11000 
11001 
11002#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11003 
11004 
11005$info=coco3h
11006$bio
11007====== Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer 3 (Hitachi) ======
11008 
11009 
11010 
11011 
11012 
11013===== Usage =====
11014 
11015 
11016 
11017First off, also read the history for the Color Computer, Color Computer 2 and Color Computer 3 drivers. Much of the information there also applies to this driver.
11018 
11019 
11020 
11021This driver is exactly like the coco3 drivers except the MPU has been replaced by a Hitachi 6309. This chip has extra features not documented by Hitachi.
11022 
11023 
11024 
11025 
11026 
11027$end
11028 
11029 
11030 
11031#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11032 
11033 
11034$info=coleco
11035$bio
11036====== Coleco ColecoVision (1982) ======
11037 
11038 
11039 
11040 
11041 
11042===== Features =====
11043 
11044 
11045 
11046  * CPU: Z80A 3.58 MHz
11047 
11048  * Co-Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9928A (Video display unit), Texas Instruments SN76489AN (Sound generator)
11049 
11050  * RAM: 8 KB
11051 
11052  * VRAM: 16 KB (8 x 4116 memory chips)
11053 
11054  * Graphics Modes: 259 x 192
11055 
11056  * Colors: 16
11057 
11058  * Sound: 3 tone channels, 1 noise (Texas Instruments SN76489AN)
11059 
11060  * I/O Ports: Power in, Cartridge slot, Video output, Expansion connector, 2 x controller connectors
11061 
11062  * Controllers: 2 controllers with joystick, 12-button keypad and two fire buttons
11063 
11064  * Media: Cartridges (8K/16K/24K/32K)
11065 
11066  * Number of Games: More than 170 (174?)
11067 
11068  * Peripherals: Atari VCS 2600 adapter, Driving module, ADAM computer, Trackball, Super joysticks
11069 
11070 
11071 
11072 
11073 
11074===== Usage =====
11075 
11076 
11077 
11078Currently, MESS supports three variants of the Coleco hardware:
11079 
11080 
11081 
11082  * coleco [Coleco ColecoVision]
11083 
11084  * colecoa [Coleco ColecoVision (Thick Characters)]
11085 
11086  * colecob [Spectravideo SVI-603 Coleco Game Adapter]
11087 
11088 
11089 
11090All of them support cart dumps in .rom, .col and .bin format, in the "cartridge" (cart) device.
11091 
11092 
11093 
11094== Controls ==
11095 
11096 
11097 
11098ColecoVision standard controller features a Joystick, two fire button at sides, and a 12-keys keypad with
11099 
11100the following layout 
11101 
11102   
11103 
11104  1    2    3
11105 
11106   
11107 
11108  4    5    6
11109 
11110   
11111 
11112  7    8    9
11113 
11114   
11115 
11116  *    0    #
11117 
11118 
11119 
11120 
11121 
11122===== Known Issues =====
11123 
11124 
11125 
11126None. MESS emulation runs most cartridges accurately. 
11127 
11128 
11129 
11130== Extra Controllers Info and Status ==
11131 
11132 
11133 
11134  * Driving Controller (Expansion Module #2): It consist of a steering wheel and a gas pedal. Only one can be used on a real ColecoVision. The gas pedal is not analog, internally it is just a switch. On a real ColecoVision, when the Driving Controller is enabled, the controller 1 do not work because have been replaced by the Driving Controller, and controller 2 have to be used to start game, gear shift, etc. Driving Controller is just a spinner on controller 1 socket similar to the one on Roller Controller and Super Action Controllers so you can use Roller Controller or Super Action Controllers to play games requiring Driving Controller.
11135 
11136 
11137 
11138  * Roller Controller: Basically a trackball with four buttons (the two fire buttons from player 1 and the two fire buttons from player 2). Only one Roller Controller can be used on a real ColecoVision.  Roller Controller is connected to both controller sockets and both controllers are conected to the Roller Controller, it uses the spinner pins of both sockets to generate the X and Y signals (X from controller 1 and the Y from controller 2)
11139 
11140 
11141 
11142  * Super Action Controllers: It is a hand controller with a keypad, four buttons (the two from the player pad and two more), and a spinner. This was made primarily for two player sport games, but will work for every other ColecoVision game.
11143 
11144 
11145 
11146 
11147 
11148===== History and Trivia =====
11149 
11150 
11151 
11152After the success of their Telstar pong systems in the late 70's, Coleco decided to re-enter the videogame market, inspired by the success of cartridge based systems like the Atari VCS and Mattel Intellivision.
11153 
11154 
11155 
11156As the ColecoVision was released later than these competitors, it was possible for the Coleco engineers to put more hardware in the box while keeping the cost acceptable. The ColecoVision is thus powered by a Z80A cpu running at 3.58 MHz. It has 8 KB RAM, 16 KB VRAM, three-channel sound and a powerful video display unit (Texas Instruments TMS9928A) offering 16 colors, 32 sprites and a 256x192 resolution. The result is that when the system was finaly released in summer 1982, it was immediately considered the most technologicaly advanced home console. The games simply had arcade-quality graphics!
11157 
11158 
11159 
11160But even with this technological superiority, Coleco had to face the competition of Atari big arcade hits licenses and Intellivision realistic sports simulations. Coleco did not have enough money to compete with Atari for big licenses, so they secured licenses for small games with strong followings like Mr DO, Lady Bug, Cosmic Avenger and Venture. And Coleco's good relations with Sega resulted in a Zaxxon cartridge that sported excellent 3D effects.
11161 
11162 
11163 
11164But the best was to come: one february 1, 1982 Coleco and Nintendo signed an agreement which gave six-months exclusive license for Donkey-Kong! Their excellent version was thus exlusively sold as a pack-in with ColecoVision as an incentive to purchase the system, and it worked! The ColecoVision was an instant success.
11165 
11166 
11167 
11168Coleco marketed different add-ons for their console. The Expansion Module #1 is an Atari VCS adapter wich enables the ColecoVision to play Atari cartridges! Coleco sold 150,000 Atari adapters in just two months... Atari sued Coleco for $850 million, but lost the case.
11169 
11170 
11171 
11172The Expansion Module #2 is a complete driving controller with steering wheel, acceleration pedal and gear shift. It was shipped with Sega's classic racing game Turbo. The Expansion Module #3 is the ADAM computer.
11173 
11174 
11175 
11176A rollet controller was also sold to play games like Slither. The Super Action joysticks, a massive and complete controller, was used to play sports games like Super Action Baseball and Rocky Super Action Boxing.
11177 
11178 
11179 
11180ColecoVision was a great success, selling over six millions units in just three years. Unfortunately, the ColecoVision suffered the same fate as the rest in the great video game shake-out of 1984. Coleco's unsuccessful bug-ridden ADAM computer only complicated the problem, and Coleco stopped production of the ColecoVision in 1984.
11181 
11182 
11183 
11184Telegames purchased the rights to the system, and many of the manufactured games, and released a clone, The Personal Arcade, in 1988. It was later re-released by them, as the DINA.
11185 
11186 
11187 
11188//(info from old-computers.com)//
11189 
11190 
11191 
11192 
11193 
11194===== Links =====
11195 
11196 
11197 
11198  * coleco.free.fr -- http://coleco.free.fr/
11199 
11200  * ColecoVision FAQ -- http://www.classicgaming.com/colecofaq/
11201 
11202  * Norman G. Sippel's ColecoVision Page -- http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~ngsippel/cv.html
11203 
11204  * ColecoVision at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=755
11205 
11206 
11207 
11208 
11209 
11210===== Other Emulators =====
11211 
11212 
11213 
11214  * ColEm (for Unix/X, Macintosh, OS/2, MS-DOS, PalmOS5, Acorn, PocketPC, Dreamcast, PC98, Xfree86-OS/2) -- http://fms.komkon.org/ColEm/
11215 
11216 
11217 
11218 
11219 
11220$end
11221 
11222 
11223 
11224#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11225 
11226 
11227$info=compis
11228$bio
11229====== Telenova Compis (1985) ======
11230 
11231 
11232 
11233 
11234 
11235===== Features =====
11236 
11237 
11238 
11239  * CPU: Intel 80186 8 MHz
11240 
11241  * Co-Processor: 82720 (Graphic), 8087(arithmetic coprocessor),
11242 
11243  * RAM: 128 kb or 256 kb, expandable to 768 kb
11244 
11245  * ROM: Unknown
11246 
11247  * Text Modes: 50 x 25, 80 x 25
11248 
11249  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 400 (color), 1280 x 800 (monochrome)
11250 
11251  * Colors: Monochrome
11252 
11253  * Sound: No sound...
11254 
11255  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS232C, Monitor, Tape-recorder, Keyboard, 2 x iSBX-bus, Centronics, Analogue In/Out, Network socket, Graphic expansion slot, floppy disk, lightpen
11256 
11257  * Keyboard: Full-stroke separate keyboard with editing and numeric keypads. Built-in speaker and setup data.
11258 
11259  * Built In Media: Two 5.25" disk-drives, optional 10 Mb / 60 Mb external hard-disk
11260 
11261  * OS: CP/M86, UCSD-p, MS-DOS
11262 
11263 
11264 
11265 
11266 
11267===== History and Trivia =====
11268 
11269 
11270 
11271The Telenova Compis computer was designed to be used in Swedish schools. It featured a 80186 cpu and used CP/M 86.
11272 
11273 
11274 
11275The name "compis" would be a synthesis of the word Computer and the swedish word "kompis", meaning Buddy or mate. It was also a shorting for 'computer i skolan' (computer in school). The Compis was called Scandis in Norway.
11276 
11277 
11278 
11279There was a small speaker in the keyboard. On the later models (Compis II) the network identity and other setup-data of the computer were also stored in the keyboard. Compis II was also capable of running MD-DOS. Some models only had one floppy drive. It had amber 
11280 
11281monochrome display while the first model had green on black.
11282 
11283 
11284 
11285Svenska Datorer AB (Swedish Computers AB) went bankrupt shortly after beginning the production of the compis. Further production was taken over by the state-owned Televerket's company TeleNova that invested large amounts of money in the project.
11286 
11287 
11288 
11289The following languages were available on disk: Comal, Pascal, Fortran, Cobol. 
11290 
11291 
11292 
11293//(info from old-computers.com)//
11294 
11295 
11296 
11297 
11298 
11299===== Links =====
11300 
11301 
11302 
11303  * Hogia's PC Museum (swedish) -- http://www.hogia.se/pcmuseum/datorer75-84/datorer75-84-sida.htm
11304 
11305  * Telenova Compis page (swedish) -- http://www.df.lth.se/~pi/compis/
11306 
11307  * Telenova Compis page (swedish) -- http://www.abc80.net/old/ver1/compis/
11308 
11309  * Telenova Compis at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=358
11310 
11311 
11312 
11313 
11314 
11315$end
11316 
11317 
11318 
11319#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11320 
11321 
11322$info=comquest
11323$bio
11324====== Team Concept Comquest Plus German (19xx) ======
11325 
11326 
11327 
11328 
11329 
11330===== Features =====
11331 
11332 
11333 
11334  * Mono LCD display with about 144x100 pixels
11335 
11336  * Integrated speaker
11337 
11338  * Integrated keyboard and joypad
11339 
11340  * Integrated battery box
11341 
11342  * Serial port connector (for special printer)
11343 
11344  * Connector for external power supply
11345 
11346  * Cartridge slot
11347 
11348 
11349 
11350 
11351 
11352===== Known Issues =====
11353 
11354 
11355 
11356Not working (not even CPU is exactly known). Driver stopped until CPU type is recognized or info found.
11357 
11358 
11359 
11360Notice also that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
11361 
11362 
11363 
11364 
11365 
11366===== History and Trivia =====
11367 
11368 
11369 
11370Laptop computer for children. Produced in Hong Kong. It's been marketed in Europe and US too.
11371 
11372 
11373 
11374 
11375 
11376$end
11377 
11378 
11379 
11380#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11381 
11382 
11383$info=concept
11384$bio
11385====== Corvus Systems Concept (1982) ======
11386 
11387 
11388 
11389 
11390 
11391===== Features =====
11392 
11393 
11394 
11395  * CPU: Motorola 68000 8 MHz.
11396 
11397  * RAM: 256 KB expandable to 512 KB
11398 
11399  * ROM: 4 KB
11400 
11401  * Text Modes: 90 chars x 63 lines (Portrait mode), 117 chars x 47 lines (Landscape mode)
11402 
11403  * Graphic Modes: 707 x 479 dots
11404 
11405  * Colors: Monochrome
11406 
11407  * Sound: Sound generator
11408 
11409  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS-232 - 4 x Apple II compatible slots - 1 x RS 422
11410 
11411  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 91 keys with 10 function keys and numeric keypad
11412 
11413  * OS: CCOS, P-System, Unix, CP/M emulation
11414 
11415  * Peripherals: Shared 6 to 40 MB hard-disks, VHS tapes backup
11416 
11417 
11418 
11419 
11420 
11421===== Usage =====
11422 
11423 
11424 
11425Currently, MESS supports up to four floppy drives and one hard drive for concept. They correspond to devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4) and "harddisk" (hard), respectively.
11426 
11427 
11428 
11429The driver can boot from a 8" SSSD floppy image (.img format is supported).  Start the computer and press "F" when the computer asks for a boot device.
11430 
11431 
11432 
11433You may invoke the MACSbug debugger as well by pressing the key "D".  However, this version of MACSbug requires a terminal to be connected to the serial port to do anything useful, so you are out of luck.
11434 
11435 
11436 
11437== Keyboard ==
11438 
11439 
11440 
11441This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
11442 
11443 
11444 
11445 
11446 
11447===== Known Issues =====
11448 
11449 
11450 
11451  * The keyboard is not emulated fully.
11452 
11453  * Hard disks, serial ports, and Omninet are not emulated.
11454 
11455  * Only the original floppy controller (8" SSSD disks) is emulated.
11456 
11457 
11458 
11459 
11460 
11461===== History and Trivia =====
11462 
11463 
11464 
11465The Concept was announced in the spring of 1982.
11466 
11467 
11468 
11469This computer uses a state-of-art (at the time) MC68000 CPU.  Its CCOS operating system is a variant of the Merlin operating system by Silicon Valley Software: it is a mono-tasking OS, with source-level compatibility with the UCSD p-system, and vague reminiscences of UNIX.
11470 
11471 
11472 
11473The Concept has a bitmapped screen, which enables to mix text in any style and size with graphics, and some programs were reportedly WYSIWYG (which was uncommon at the time). The system includes a primitive window manager, but don't delude yourself: it is no GUI. The most original feature is probably the rotatable screen that can be used either in horizontal or vertical position. However you need to reboot the computer after flipping the screen. Another feature of interest is the integrated network support: the Concept can be used
11474 
11475either as a disk-less network computer or as a full-featured personal computer, and you could connect Concepts, Apple IIs and IBM PCs in an heterogeneous Omninet LAN.
11476 
11477 
11478 
11479Available programs were mostly business applications: word processor, spreadsheet, grapher, database, accounting... Thanks to its large screen, its WYSIWYG capability and to the use of various hierarchical menus, the Concept is relatively user-friendly for a 1982 business computer. There were also Pascal and FORTRAN compilers, a BASIC, a UCSD runtime, an 8080 simulator, a port of the CP/M OS, a version of SPICE to simulate discrete ICs, and even a paint program that could take advantage of a mouse.
11480 
11481 
11482 
11483The price was about $4000 for a bare 256-kbyte system in 1984 ($1000 for extra 256kbytes, $750 for floppy, from $2000 to $4000 for hard disk according to size).
11484 
11485 
11486 
11487//(info from old-computers.com)//
11488 
11489 
11490 
11491 
11492 
11493===== Links =====
11494 
11495 
11496 
11497  * Corvus Concept at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=653
11498 
11499 
11500 
11501 
11502 
11503$end
11504 
11505 
11506 
11507#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11508 
11509 
11510$info=coupe
11511$bio
11512====== MGT Sam Coupé (1989) ======
11513 
11514 
11515 
11516 
11517 
11518===== Features =====
11519 
11520 
11521 
11522  * CPU: Zilog Z80B (fully compatible with i8080 and Z80) 6MHz with screen off, 4.5 MHz with screen on can be slowed down to emulate ZX Spectrum
11523 
11524  * Co-Processor: Motorola MC 1377P Video Chip, Philips SAA1099 soundchip, ASIC handling graphics
11525 
11526  * RAM: 256 kb or 512 kb onboard (depending models), and up to 4Mb with external addons (4.5 Mb total)
11527 
11528  * ROM: 32 kb (BASIC, BIOS & disk bootstrap)
11529 
11530  * Text Modes: 32 x 24, 85 x 24
11531 
11532  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192, 512 x 192
11533 
11534  * Colors: 128 colors
11535 
11536  * Sound: Philips SAA1099 soundchip, 6 channels stereo FM synthesis, 8 octaves, 2 noise generators, 2 envelope generators, DAC digital output , sample rate 15.6 kHz. Built-in MIDI interface (in, out, through)
11537 
11538  * I/O Ports: RF video output (UHF, channel 36), RGB scart video output, serial / network socket, joystick connector (Atari standard), parallel interface, audio input, audio output
11539 
11540  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 72 keys, Reset button
11541 
11542  * Built In Media: one or two 3.5" ultraslim Citizen Double Density Drives (800 kb), first models had no disk-drives
11543 
11544  * OS: SamDOS, CP/M available
11545 
11546  * Built In Language: SamBasic
11547 
11548 
11549 
11550 
11551 
11552===== History and Trivia =====
11553 
11554 
11555 
11556In the last quarter of 1989 M.G.T. (Miles Gordon Technology) launched the Sam Coupé. M.G.T. was already known in the ZX Spectrum world for a range of hardware that they sold. The Sam was their pride and joy, and unfortunately to be their downfall.
11557 
11558 
11559 
11560This was a time when the 16-bit machines, the Atari ST and the Amiga, were really being to take off. Sales in computers such as the Spectrum was in rapid decline. The Sam was aimed to fill this gap, a powerful 8-bit machine with specs that in cases out performed those of the 16-bit machines, at an 8-bit price. It was hoped that current 8-bit owners, particularly Spectrum owners, would jump on the nicely priced Sam rather than a more expensive 16-bit machine.
11561 
11562 
11563 
11564//(info from old-computers.com)//
11565 
11566 
11567 
11568 
11569 
11570===== Links =====
11571 
11572 
11573 
11574  * Land of Pod - SamCoupé pages -- http://www.podboy.demon.co.uk/coupe/index.htm
11575 
11576  * Sam Coupé Pro-Dos Resource Site -- http://www.samcoupe-pro-dos.co.uk/
11577 
11578  * Sam Coupé Scrapbook -- http://www.samcoupescrapbook.co.uk/
11579 
11580  * Blinky's SAM Page -- http://home.wanadoo.nl/edwin.blink/samcoupe/
11581 
11582  * Sam Coupé at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=545
11583 
11584 
11585 
11586 
11587 
11588===== Other Emulators =====
11589 
11590 
11591 
11592  * SimCoupé -- http://www.simcoupe.org/
11593 
11594  * ASCD (DOS) -- http://aley.borec.cz/progs/#sam
11595 
11596  * SamCoupé (DOS) -- http://www.inf.upol.cz/~keprta/sam/samemu/welcome.html
11597 
11598 
11599 
11600 
11601 
11602$end
11603 
11604 
11605 
11606#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11607 
11608 
11609$info=cpc464
11610$bio
11611====== Amstrad CPC 464 (1984), Schneider CPC 464 (1985) ======
11612 
11613 
11614 
11615 
11616 
11617===== Features =====
11618 
11619 
11620 
11621  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
11622 
11623  * RAM: 64 kb (42kb left for user)
11624 
11625  * VRAM: 16 kb
11626 
11627  * ROM: 32 kb
11628 
11629  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
11630 
11631  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
11632 
11633  * Colors: 27
11634 
11635  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves +1 noise channel
11636 
11637  * I/O Ports: Printer port, Bus port, 1 Joystick plug (Atari standard), Floppy Disc Port, DIN plug for Amstrad monitor, Headphone / Sound stereo jack output
11638 
11639  * Keyboard: QWERTY mechanical keyboard. Numeric keypad and edit block with arrow keys
11640 
11641  * Built In Media: Tape Recorder (1000 or 2000 bauds)
11642 
11643  * OS: AMSDOS or CP/M
11644 
11645  * Built In Language: Locomotive Basic
11646 
11647 
11648 
11649 
11650 
11651===== Usage =====
11652 
11653 
11654 
11655Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default.  Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
11656 
11657scroll_lock key.   
11658 
11659 
11660 
11661== Floppies ==
11662 
11663 
11664 
11665With a disk image loaded, the emulation starts from the BASIC "Ready" prompt. 
11666 
11667From here you can enter commands to access the disk image
11668 
11669 
11670 
11671  * A directory listing can be obtained with: 
11672 
11673   
11674 
11675  CAT
11676 
11677 
11678 
11679  * A program can be run with: 
11680 
11681   
11682 
11683  RUN"filename"
11684 
11685 
11686 
11687The common programs to run are those with a .BIN or .BAS extension and usually the smaller of the files on the disk image.
11688 
11689 
11690 
11691On a few games you can type: 
11692 
11693  RUN"disc 
11694 
11695or 
11696 
11697  RUN"disk 
11698 
11699to start the game.
11700 
11701 
11702 
11703If a directory listing cannot be obtained, then the disc might be copy-protected. In this case, try: 
11704 
11705  |CPM
11706 
11707 
11708 
11709"|" is obtained by pressing "shift" and the "@" key together. Since the keyboard is mapped so the keys are in the roughly same place as on a real Amstrad keyboard, then @ can be found around the "[","@","]","#" keys of your PC keyboard.
11710 
11711 
11712 
11713The |CPM command works by loading and executing the first sector on the first track of the disc.
11714 
11715 
11716 
11717== Snapshots ==
11718 
11719 
11720 
11721Snapshots, which contain a memory dump, CPU state and hardware state, can be run from a command line interface with the following command: 
11722 
11723  mess cpc464 -snap "snapshot name"
11724 
11725 
11726 
11727The snapshot will start automatically.
11728 
11729 
11730 
11731== Miscellaneous ==
11732 
11733 
11734 
11735There are a few excellent utilities for creating and maintaining disk images for the Amstrad CPC emulators. Here are just a couple 
11736 
11737 
11738 
11739  * CPDRead -- http://www.classicgaming.com/caprice/
11740 
11741  * [[ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/amstrad/emu-util/cpcfs085.zip|CPCfs]]
11742 
11743 
11744 
11745Others can be found in the FAQ at http://genesis8.free.fr
11746 
11747 
11748 
11749 
11750 
11751===== Known Issues =====
11752 
11753 
11754 
11755Runs many disk images and snapshots well.
11756 
11757 
11758 
11759 
11760 
11761===== History and Trivia =====
11762 
11763 
11764 
11765The CPC464 was an 8-bit Amstrad computer, produced in 1984, with 64k of RAM and a tape recorder built in.
11766 
11767 
11768 
11769The Amstrad CPC 464 was one of the most successful computers in Europe. More than two million computers were sold. Despite its ordinary characteristics (like those of the Sinclair Spectrum and often less interesting than those of the others like the Commodore 64 or Atari XL/Xe series) or odd features (like video memory or strange floppy disk format), it was very popular because of its really low price and its interesting commercial concept : all peripherals were sold together (like the Commodore PET that was sold years earlier): 
11770 
11771CPU/keyboard, tape recorder, monitor (monochrome green or colour).
11772 
11773 
11774 
11775A huge number of programs and peripherals were developed for this machine. It ran AmsDos (Amstrad's Operating System). AmsDos was completely embedded in the Basic using so-called RSX commands starting with |, but it could not format disks, you needed a special application for that. The 464 also could use CP/M 2.2 or 3.0 when used with an external Floppy disk unit (3" Hitachi, 
11776 
11777180 KB / face). A lot of great CP/M software was adapted for the Amstrad CPC.
11778 
11779 
11780 
11781About 42 KB RAM was available for the user, the video memory and the ROM were mapped on the same addresses with a dedicated chip to switch the memory banks automatically.
11782 
11783 
11784 
11785Notice that the first Amstrad CPC prototype, called "Arnold", which gave the name ROLAND (Arnold acronym) to several CPC games, was built around a 6502 processor and only later the CPU was changed to a Z80. 
11786 
11787 
11788 
11789A few months later, the CPC series would be completed with a computer which offered a built-in floppy disk unit: the CPC 664. 
11790 
11791 
11792 
11793The Schneider CPC-464 was produced in Germany by Schneider Rundfunkwerke. It was first marketed successfully in Germany, then in France and Spain and maybe other European countries.
11794 
11795 
11796 
11797It was basically the same machine as the Amstrad CPC-64 with a less colorful case and keyboard and some slight hardware differences, like better quality back connectors. 
11798 
11799 
11800 
11801== OSes and Add-Ons ==
11802 
11803 
11804 
11805(info from Ekkehard Morgenstern): AMSDOS could be run only with Amstrad's 3" floppy disk drive. CP/M could be run either with 3" floppy disk drives or other drives available on the market. (I had a 5 1/4" Vortex disk drive with 704K capacity)
11806 
11807 
11808 
11809Actually CP/M was pretty good compared to MS-DOS, but of course it was only 8 bit. Interesting was that the Z80 processor was downwards compatible to the 8080 processor and hence allowed the 8-bit CP/M to be run without changes. But when programming in assembly language, you had to use the 8080 instruction set which had different mnemonics than the Z80's.
11810 
11811 
11812 
11813There was a lot of cool add-on hardware for the CPC. I had a MAXAM module which had a built-in editor, assembler and disassembler in ROM. This made it fairly easy to write BASIC and assembly mixed programs. (It would've been better though if the Locomotive BASIC would've had the ability to mix BASIC and assembly, like the BBC computer did)
11814 
11815 
11816 
11817Locomotive BASIC was surprisingly fast at the time and had even software interrupts, with which it was possible to react to hardware interrupts that were passed to the BASIC interpreter. Hence you could write programs that behaved like multitasking apps. The language also had an advanced sound architecture containing commands to define different wave-forms.
11818 
11819 
11820 
11821The tape drive routines in ROM had variable baud rate parameters, and so it was possible to store programs at 19200 baud or higher. However, this could lead to read errors of course, which was used as a copy protection by many programs sold on tape. 
11822 
11823 
11824 
11825== Amstrad CPC vs. Schneider CPC ==
11826 
11827 
11828 
11829(info from Lyall Moffitt): This document lists the differences between the English CPC's and the German CPC's. The original 
11830 
11831distributor in Germany was Schneider GmbH. The machines distributed by Schneider had the Schneider logo on them. (The monitors and some peripherals were also re-branded as "Schneider" e.g. Schneider DDI-1). Later CPCs were distributed by Amstrad and had the Amstrad logo on them.
11832 
11833 
11834 
11835The three models distributed by Schneider were:
11836 
11837  * Schneider CPC464: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have green and red keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
11838 
11839  * Schneider CPC664: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have blue keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
11840 
11841  * Schneider CPC6128: This had the Schneider logo followed by "CPC6128: schneiderCPC" printed on the keyboard.
11842 
11843 
11844 
11845Early German CPC's show "Schneider 64K Microcomputer ..." or "Schneider 128K microcomputer ..." on start-up. Later CPC's showed "Amstrad 64k Microcomputer ..." or "Amstrad 128K microcomputer ...". The start-up name is defined by option links on the P.C.B. German CPC464's and CPC664's have P.C.B. edge connectors like the English CPC's. German CPC6128's have real connectors, instead of the P.C.B. edge of the English CPC's. This was done to reduce RF emissions. The printer is a 36-way female centronics type, the Expansion is a 50-way female centronics type and the second disc drive is a 34-way female centronics type. All the other connectors are the same. (joystick, stereo sound, monitor and power). All German CPC's have internal metal shield covering the circuit board. This is used to reduce RF 
11846 
11847emissions. Therefore the German CPC's are much heavier than the English CPC's. Internally, all German CPC's were identical to the English CPC's. The P.C.B. was identical. The quick reference "sheet" on the top of the CPC6128 and CPC664 disc drive is also in German. The computer information, printed on the base of the computer is also in German. 
11848 
11849 
11850 
11851//(info from old-computers.com)//
11852 
11853 
11854 
11855 
11856 
11857===== Links =====
11858 
11859 
11860 
11861  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
11862 
11863  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
11864 
11865  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
11866 
11867  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
11868 
11869  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
11870 
11871  * CPC 464 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=84
11872 
11873 
11874 
11875 
11876 
11877===== Other Emulators =====
11878 
11879 
11880 
11881 
11882 
11883  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
11884 
11885  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
11886 
11887  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
11888 
11889  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
11890 
11891  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
11892 
11893  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
11894 
11895  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
11896 
11897  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
11898 
11899 
11900 
11901 
11902 
11903$end
11904 
11905 
11906 
11907#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11908 
11909 
11910$info=cpc464p
11911$bio
11912====== Amstrad CPC 464 Plus (1990) ======
11913 
11914 
11915 
11916 
11917 
11918===== Features =====
11919 
11920 
11921 
11922  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
11923 
11924  * RAM: 64 kb
11925 
11926  * ROM: 32 kb
11927 
11928  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
11929 
11930  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
11931 
11932  * Colors: 32 maximum (in low resolution) among 4096
11933 
11934  * Sound: 3 stereo voices, 8 octaves +1 noise channel
11935 
11936  * I/O Ports: Light pen / gun port, Stereo sound output, Centronics port, Extension port, 2 Joystick ports (Atari) + 1 analogic, Cartridge slot, RGB monitor DIN plug
11937 
11938  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY mechanical keyboard
11939 
11940  * Built In Media: Tape-recorder (without tape counter)
11941 
11942  * OS: AMSDOS, CP/M 2.2 and CP/M +
11943 
11944  * Built In Language: None [AMSDOS + Locomotive BASIC 1.1 + Burning Rubber (a game) on included cart, needed to boot]
11945 
11946 
11947 
11948 
11949 
11950 
11951 
11952===== History and Trivia =====
11953 
11954 
11955 
11956Amstrad CPC 464+ and CPC 6128+ were the successors of the Amstrad CPC 6128. Amstrad tried to prolong the life of the old 8-bit Amstrads, which suffered from competition with the new 16-bit home computers (like the Amiga and Atari ST).
11957 
11958 
11959 
11960Amstrad made some important modifications to maintain the level of its machines, the CPC 6128 Plus became 95% compatible with the CPC 6128 (using the same operating systems AMSDOS and CP/M 3.1). However, some software did not run on the plus range and Amstrad official statement was that the programmers where lazy and used bad programming in some software resulting in crashes on this machine.
11961 
11962 
11963 
11964Several new features were added: 16 sprites (16 colors each), fine hardware scrolling, increased color palette, an enhanced sound chip, a cartridge port ,and a redesigned keyboard. Some of these features were not even present (yet) on certain 16-bit computers (Atari STf didn't have hardware scrolling or sprites and the Amstrad sound chip was better than the Atari one!). regardless, this new version of the CPC didn't last long.
11965 
11966 
11967 
11968As Atari did with the 65-XE when it reached the end of its life, so Amstrad made a game console from the Amstrad CPC Plus hardware called the GX 4000. This console used the same programs as the computer but were supplied on cartridges. 
11969 
11970 
11971 
11972//(info from old-computers.com)//
11973 
11974 
11975 
11976 
11977 
11978===== Links =====
11979 
11980 
11981 
11982  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
11983 
11984  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
11985 
11986  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
11987 
11988  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
11989 
11990  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
11991 
11992  * CPC 464 Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=26
11993 
11994 
11995 
11996 
11997 
11998===== Other Emulators =====
11999 
12000 
12001 
12002  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
12003 
12004  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
12005 
12006  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
12007 
12008  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
12009 
12010  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
12011 
12012  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
12013 
12014  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
12015 
12016  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
12017 
12018 
12019 
12020 
12021 
12022$end
12023 
12024 
12025 
12026#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12027 
12028 
12029$info=cpc6128
12030$bio
12031====== Amstrad/Schneider CPC 6128 (1985) ======
12032 
12033 
12034 
12035 
12036 
12037===== Features =====
12038 
12039 
12040 
12041  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
12042 
12043  * RAM: 128 kb (2 banks of 64ko)
12044 
12045  * VRAM: 16 kb
12046 
12047  * ROM: 48 KB
12048 
12049  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
12050 
12051  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
12052 
12053  * Colors: 27
12054 
12055  * Sound: 3 channels, 7 octaves +1 noise channel
12056 
12057  * I/O Ports: Printer port, Expansion port, 1 Joystick plug (Atari standard), Floppy Disc Port, DIN plug for Amstrad monitor, Headphone / Sound stereo jack output, DIN plug for external tape recorder
12058 
12059  * Keyboard: All grey QWERTY / AZERTY mechanical keyboard. Numeric keypad with arrow keys
12060 
12061  * Built In Media: 3" disk-drive built-in
12062 
12063  * OS: AMSDOS or CP/M
12064 
12065 
12066 
12067 
12068 
12069===== Usage =====
12070 
12071 
12072 
12073Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default.  Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
12074 
12075scroll_lock key. 
12076 
12077 
12078 
12079== Floppies ==
12080 
12081 
12082 
12083With a disk image loaded, the emulation starts from the BASIC "Ready" prompt. 
12084 
12085From here you can enter commands to access the disk image
12086 
12087 
12088 
12089  * A directory listing can be obtained with: 
12090 
12091   
12092 
12093  CAT
12094 
12095 
12096 
12097  * A program can be run with: 
12098 
12099   
12100 
12101  RUN"filename"
12102 
12103 
12104 
12105The common programs to run are those with a .BIN or .BAS extension and usually the smaller of the files on the disk image.
12106 
12107 
12108 
12109On a few games you can type: 
12110 
12111  RUN"disc 
12112 
12113or 
12114 
12115  RUN"disk 
12116 
12117to start the game.
12118 
12119 
12120 
12121If a directory listing cannot be obtained, then the disc might be copy-protected. In this case, try: 
12122 
12123  |CPM
12124 
12125 
12126 
12127"|" is obtained by pressing "shift" and the "@" key together. Since the keyboard is mapped so the keys are in the roughly same place as on a real Amstrad keyboard, then @ can be found around the "[","@","]","#" keys of your PC keyboard.
12128 
12129 
12130 
12131The |CPM command works by loading and executing the first sector on the first track of the disc.
12132 
12133 
12134 
12135== Snapshots ==
12136 
12137 
12138 
12139Snapshots, which contain a memory dump, CPU state and hardware state, can be run from a command line interface with the following command: 
12140 
12141  mess cpc6128 -snap "snapshot name"
12142 
12143 
12144 
12145The snapshot will start automatically.
12146 
12147 
12148 
12149== Miscellaneous ==
12150 
12151 
12152 
12153There are a few excellent utilities for creating and maintaining disk images for the Amstrad CPC emulators. Here are just a couple 
12154 
12155 
12156 
12157  * CPDRead -- http://www.classicgaming.com/caprice/
12158 
12159  * [[ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/amstrad/emu-util/cpcfs085.zip|CPCfs]]
12160 
12161 
12162 
12163Others can be found in the FAQ at http://genesis8.free.fr
12164 
12165 
12166 
12167 
12168 
12169===== Known Issues =====
12170 
12171 
12172 
12173Runs many disk images and snapshots well.
12174 
12175 
12176 
12177 
12178 
12179===== History and Trivia =====
12180 
12181 
12182 
12183The CPC 6128 was a 8-bit Amstrad computer, produced in 1985. The CPC6128 was the third in the CPC series. It had basically the same hardware as the CPC464 and the CPC664.
12184 
12185 
12186 
12187The Amstrad CPC 6128 was the successor to the Amstrad CPC 664 which had a very short life. It had almost all the same features as the 664, except the memory. Like the 664, only 42 Kb could be accessed, the upper 64 Kb were used as a RAM disk or to store data. It was old with quite a good quality monitor (monochrome green or color) and a built-in 3" floppy disk drive (2 x 180 KB).
12188 
12189 
12190 
12191It ran under Amsdos (the Amstrad Operating System) or under CP/M 2.2 or CP/M 3.0 (CP/M +). The CP/M 2.2 OS was bundled with DR Logo and CP/M+ with GSX (the graphic extension of CP/M). Like the CPC 664, the Amstrad CPC 6128 was almost fully compatible with the CPC 464.
12192 
12193 
12194 
12195The German version of the Amstrad (Schneider CPC 6128) had different "real" connectors instead of mainboard edge connectors. Norbert Unterberg reports that the main reason for this was that the original Amstrad did not pass the German "FCC" test because it was polluting its surroundings with electromagnetic waves, and the rules for that were much stricter in Germany. That's why the Schneider got real connectors and a metal housing inside. However, after "Schneider Rundfunkwerke" stopped selling the Amstrad CPC series of home computers and the PCW series of word-processors, Amstrad continued to sell the CPC under the Amstrad brand name in Germany.
12196 
12197 
12198 
12199Lots of Amstrad or third-party peripherals could be added, among them: 2nd 3"/3.5"/5.25" FD max 800k, 20MB Hard disk (4x5MB), Max 252x16k EPROMS, Max RAM Installed 640k (576k in use), RS-232 Interface, Modem, 3 key Mouse, Light Pen, Centronics Dot Matrix Printer, "PC-Hormon" MSDOS emulator
12200 
12201 
12202 
12203== Amstrad CPC vs. Schneider CPC ==
12204 
12205 
12206 
12207(info from Lyall Moffitt): This document lists the differences between the English CPC's and the German CPC's. The original 
12208 
12209distributor in Germany was Schneider GmbH. The machines distributed by Schneider had the Schneider logo on them. (The monitors and some peripherals were also re-branded as "Schneider" e.g. Schneider DDI-1). Later CPCs were distributed by Amstrad and had the Amstrad logo on them.
12210 
12211 
12212 
12213The three models distributed by Schneider were:
12214 
12215  * Schneider CPC464: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have green and red keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
12216 
12217  * Schneider CPC664: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have blue keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
12218 
12219  * Schneider CPC6128: This had the Schneider logo followed by "CPC6128: schneiderCPC" printed on the keyboard.
12220 
12221 
12222 
12223Early German CPC's show "Schneider 64K Microcomputer ..." or "Schneider 128K microcomputer ..." on start-up. Later CPC's showed "Amstrad 64k Microcomputer ..." or "Amstrad 128K microcomputer ...". The start-up name is defined by option links on the P.C.B. German CPC464's and CPC664's have P.C.B. edge connectors like the English CPC's. German CPC6128's have real connectors, instead of the P.C.B. edge of the English CPC's. This was done to reduce RF emissions. The printer is a 36-way female centronics type, the Expansion is a 50-way female centronics type and the second disc drive is a 34-way female centronics type. All the other connectors are the same. (joystick, stereo sound, monitor and power). All German CPC's have internal metal shield covering the circuit board. This is used to reduce RF 
12224 
12225emissions. Therefore the German CPC's are much heavier than the English CPC's. Internally, all German CPC's were identical to the English CPC's. The P.C.B. was identical. The quick reference "sheet" on the top of the CPC6128 and CPC664 disc drive is also in German. The computer information, printed on the base of the computer is also in German. 
12226 
12227 
12228 
12229//(info from old-computers.com)//
12230 
12231 
12232 
12233 
12234 
12235===== Links =====
12236 
12237 
12238 
12239  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
12240 
12241  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
12242 
12243  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
12244 
12245  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
12246 
12247  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
12248 
12249  * CPC 6128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=111
12250 
12251 
12252 
12253 
12254 
12255 
12256 
12257===== Other Emulators =====
12258 
12259 
12260 
12261  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
12262 
12263  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
12264 
12265  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
12266 
12267  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
12268 
12269  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
12270 
12271  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
12272 
12273  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
12274 
12275  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
12276 
12277 
12278 
12279 
12280 
12281$end
12282 
12283 
12284 
12285#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12286 
12287 
12288$info=cpc6128p
12289$bio
12290====== Amstrad CPC 6128 Plus (1990) ======
12291 
12292 
12293 
12294 
12295 
12296===== Features =====
12297 
12298 
12299 
12300  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
12301 
12302  * RAM: 128 kb
12303 
12304  * ROM: 32 kb
12305 
12306  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
12307 
12308  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
12309 
12310  * Colors: 32 maximum (in low resolution) among 4096
12311 
12312  * Sound: 3 stereo voices, 8 octaves +1 noise channel
12313 
12314  * I/O Ports: Light pen / gun port, Stereo sound output, Centronics port, Extension port, 2 Joystick ports (Atari) + 1 analogic, Cartridge slot, RGB monitor DIN plug, External drive port
12315 
12316  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY mechanical keyboard
12317 
12318  * Built In Media: 3" disk-drive, but no tape plug
12319 
12320  * OS: AMSDOS, CP/M 2.2 and CP/M +
12321 
12322  * Built In Language: None [AMSDOS + Locomotive BASIC 1.1 + Burning Rubber (a game) on included cart, needed to boot]
12323 
12324 
12325 
12326 
12327 
12328===== History and Trivia =====
12329 
12330 
12331 
12332Amstrad CPC 464+ and CPC 6128+ were the successors of the Amstrad CPC 6128. Amstrad tried to prolong the life of the old 8-bit Amstrads, which suffered from competition with the new 16-bit home computers (like the Amiga and Atari ST).
12333 
12334 
12335 
12336Amstrad made some important modifications to maintain the level of its machines, the CPC 6128 Plus became 95% compatible with the CPC 6128 (using the same operating systems AMSDOS and CP/M 3.1). However, some software did not run on the plus range and amstrad official statement was that the programmers where lazy and used bad programming in some software resulting in crashes on this machine.
12337 
12338 
12339 
12340Several new features were added: 16 sprites (16 colors each), fine hardware scrolling, increased color palette, an enhanced sound chip, a cartridge port ,and a redesigned keyboard. Some of these features were not even present (yet) on certain 16-bit computers (Atari STf didn't have hardware scrolling or sprites and the Amstrad sound chip was better than the Atari one!). regardless, this new version of the CPC didn't last long.
12341 
12342 
12343 
12344As Atari did with the 65-XE when it reached the end of its life, so Amstrad made a game console from the Amstrad CPC Plus hardware called the GX 4000. This console used the same programs as the computer but were supplied on cartridges. 
12345 
12346 
12347 
12348//(info from old-computers.com)//
12349 
12350 
12351 
12352 
12353 
12354===== Links =====
12355 
12356 
12357 
12358  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
12359 
12360  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
12361 
12362  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
12363 
12364  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
12365 
12366  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
12367 
12368  * CPC 6128 Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=26
12369 
12370 
12371 
12372 
12373 
12374===== Other Emulators =====
12375 
12376 
12377 
12378  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
12379 
12380  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
12381 
12382  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
12383 
12384  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
12385 
12386  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
12387 
12388  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
12389 
12390  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
12391 
12392  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
12393 
12394 
12395 
12396 
12397 
12398$end
12399 
12400 
12401 
12402#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12403 
12404 
12405$info=cpc664
12406$bio
12407====== Amstrad/Schneider CPC 664 (1985) ======
12408 
12409 
12410 
12411 
12412 
12413===== Features =====
12414 
12415 
12416 
12417  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
12418 
12419  * RAM: 64 kb - 42 kb left for the user
12420 
12421  * VRAM: 16 kb
12422 
12423  * ROM: 48 kb (32 kb for the CPC 664 ROM + 16 kb for the AMSDOS ROM)
12424 
12425  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
12426 
12427  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
12428 
12429  * Colors: 27
12430 
12431  * Sound: 3 channels, 7 octaves +1 noise channel
12432 
12433  * I/O Ports: Printer port, Bus port, 1 Joystick plug (Atari standard), Floppy Disc Port, DIN plug for Amstrad monitor, Headphone / Sound stereo jack output, DIN plug for external tape recorder
12434 
12435  * Keyboard: QWERTY mechanical keyboard. Numeric keypad and edit block with arrow keys
12436 
12437  * Built In Media: 3" disk drive 
12438 
12439  * OS: AMSDOS or CP/M
12440 
12441  * Built In Language: Locomotive Basic v1.1
12442 
12443 
12444 
12445 
12446 
12447===== Usage =====
12448 
12449 
12450 
12451Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default.  Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
12452 
12453scroll_lock key.
12454 
12455 
12456 
12457== Floppies ==
12458 
12459 
12460 
12461With a disk image loaded, the emulation starts from the BASIC "Ready" prompt. 
12462 
12463From here you can enter commands to access the disk image
12464 
12465 
12466 
12467  * A directory listing can be obtained with: 
12468 
12469   
12470 
12471  CAT
12472 
12473 
12474 
12475  * A program can be run with: 
12476 
12477   
12478 
12479  RUN"filename"
12480 
12481 
12482 
12483The common programs to run are those with a .BIN or .BAS extension and usually the smaller of the files on the disk image.
12484 
12485 
12486 
12487On a few games you can type: 
12488 
12489  RUN"disc 
12490 
12491or 
12492 
12493  RUN"disk 
12494 
12495to start the game.
12496 
12497 
12498 
12499If a directory listing cannot be obtained, then the disc might be copy-protected. In this case, try: 
12500 
12501  |CPM
12502 
12503 
12504 
12505"|" is obtained by pressing "shift" and the "@" key together. Since the keyboard is mapped so the keys are in the roughly same place as on a real Amstrad keyboard, then @ can be found around the "[","@","]","#" keys of your PC keyboard.
12506 
12507 
12508 
12509The |CPM command works by loading and executing the first sector on the first track of the disc.
12510 
12511 
12512 
12513== Snapshots ==
12514 
12515 
12516 
12517Snapshots, which contain a memory dump, CPU state and hardware state, can be run from a command line interface with the following command: 
12518 
12519  mess cpc664 -snap "snapshot name"
12520 
12521 
12522 
12523The snapshot will start automatically.
12524 
12525 
12526 
12527== Miscellaneous ==
12528 
12529 
12530 
12531There are a few excellent utilities for creating and maintaining disk images for the Amstrad CPC emulators. Here are just a couple 
12532 
12533 
12534 
12535  * CPDRead -- http://www.classicgaming.com/caprice/
12536 
12537  * [[ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/amstrad/emu-util/cpcfs085.zip|CPCfs]]
12538 
12539 
12540 
12541Others can be found in the FAQ at http://genesis8.free.fr
12542 
12543 
12544 
12545 
12546 
12547===== Known Issues =====
12548 
12549 
12550 
12551Runs many disk images and snapshots well.
12552 
12553 
12554 
12555 
12556 
12557===== History and Trivia =====
12558 
12559 
12560 
12561The CPC664 was an 8-bit Amstrad computer, produced in 1985, with 64k of RAM and a 3" disk drive built in.
12562 
12563 
12564 
12565The Amstrad CPC 664 was sold for only one year. Successor to the Amstrad CPC 464, it was quickly replaced by the Amstrad CPC 6128. It was sold with a monochrome green or colour monitor and a built-in floppy disk drive. The floppy disk format was the Hitachi 3 inch, an uncommon format already used on the Tatung Einstein and the Oric Atmos.
12566 
12567 
12568 
12569Like the CPC 464, its price was very low, which explains why about 10,000 units were sold in less than a year.
12570 
12571 
12572 
12573The Locomotive Basic interpreter was the same as the CPC-464, but had some extra commands like FILL to fill a graphics area, FRAME to produce smoother graphics, and MASK to draw a series of dots. The editor was also slightly improved.
12574 
12575 
12576 
12577The 664 was delivered with the AMSDOS and CP/M 2.2 operating systems. The LOGO language was supplied with the CP/M disc. 
12578 
12579 
12580 
12581== Amstrad CPC vs. Schneider CPC ==
12582 
12583 
12584 
12585(info from Lyall Moffitt): This document lists the differences between the English CPC's and the German CPC's. The original 
12586 
12587distributor in Germany was Schneider GmbH. The machines distributed by Schneider had the Schneider logo on them. (The monitors and some peripherals were also re-branded as "Schneider" e.g. Schneider DDI-1). Later CPCs were distributed by Amstrad and had the Amstrad logo on them.
12588 
12589 
12590 
12591The three models distributed by Schneider were:
12592 
12593  * Schneider CPC464: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have green and red keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
12594 
12595  * Schneider CPC664: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have blue keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
12596 
12597  * Schneider CPC6128: This had the Schneider logo followed by "CPC6128: schneiderCPC" printed on the keyboard.
12598 
12599 
12600 
12601Early German CPC's show "Schneider 64K Microcomputer ..." or "Schneider 128K microcomputer ..." on start-up. Later CPC's showed "Amstrad 64k Microcomputer ..." or "Amstrad 128K microcomputer ...". The start-up name is defined by option links on the P.C.B. German CPC464's and CPC664's have P.C.B. edge connectors like the English CPC's. German CPC6128's have real connectors, instead of the P.C.B. edge of the English CPC's. This was done to reduce RF emissions. The printer is a 36-way female centronics type, the Expansion is a 50-way female centronics type and the second disc drive is a 34-way female centronics type. All the other connectors are the same. (joystick, stereo sound, monitor and power). All German CPC's have internal metal shield covering the circuit board. This is used to reduce RF 
12602 
12603emissions. Therefore the German CPC's are much heavier than the English CPC's. Internally, all German CPC's were identical to the English CPC's. The P.C.B. was identical. The quick reference "sheet" on the top of the CPC6128 and CPC664 disc drive is also in German. The computer information, printed on the base of the computer is also in German. 
12604 
12605 
12606 
12607//(info from old-computers.com)//
12608 
12609 
12610 
12611 
12612 
12613===== Links =====
12614 
12615 
12616 
12617  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
12618 
12619  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
12620 
12621  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
12622 
12623  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
12624 
12625  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
12626 
12627  * CPC 664 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=112
12628 
12629 
12630 
12631 
12632 
12633===== Other Emulators =====
12634 
12635 
12636 
12637  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
12638 
12639  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
12640 
12641  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
12642 
12643  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
12644 
12645  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
12646 
12647  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
12648 
12649  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
12650 
12651  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
12652 
12653 
12654 
12655 
12656 
12657$end
12658 
12659 
12660 
12661#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12662 
12663 
12664$info=crvision
12665$bio
12666====== Video Technology creatiVision / FunVision (1981) ======
12667 
12668 
12669 
12670 
12671 
12672===== Features =====
12673 
12674 
12675 
12676  * CPU: 6502A 2 MHz   
12677 
12678  * ROM: 2 KByte   
12679 
12680  * RAM: 16K dynamic (+1K static) expandable to 64K 
12681 
12682  * Text Modes: 24 x 28   
12683 
12684  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 16 colours 
12685 
12686  * Colors: 16 colours   
12687 
12688  * Sound: 3 channels   
12689 
12690 
12691 
12692 
12693 
12694===== Known Issues =====
12695 
12696 
12697 
12698Incomplete emulation of the keyboard.
12699 
12700 
12701 
12702 
12703 
12704===== History and Trivia =====
12705 
12706 
12707 
12708The Video Technology CreatiVision was a hybrid computer and video game console introduced by VTech in 1981. 
12709 
12710 
12711 
12712The CreatiVision was distributed in many European countries and South Africa, as well as in Australia under the Dick Smith Wizzard name. Other names for the system (which were likely clones) included the FunVision Computer Video Games System and Hanimex Rameses. 
12713 
12714 
12715 
12716The CreatiVision console sported an 8-bit Rockwell 6502A CPU at a speed of 2 MHz, 1kb of RAM and 16kb of Video RAM, and had a graphics resolution of 256 x 192 with 16 colors and 32 sprites. The console had 2 integrated joystick/membrane keypad controllers (much like the ColecoVision) which, when set in a special compartment on top of the console, could be used as a makeshift computer keyboard. The CreatiVision had interfaces for a cassette player, an extra rubber keyboard, floppy disk drive, parallel I/O interface, modem (likely unreleased), Centronics printer and one memory expansion module for use with the Basic language cartridge.
12717 
12718 
12719 
12720It was discontinued in 1984.
12721 
12722 
12723 
12724//(info from Wikipedia)//
12725 
12726 
12727 
12728 
12729 
12730===== Links =====
12731 
12732 
12733 
12734  * CreatiVEmu -- http://www.madrigaldesign.it/creativemu/
12735 
12736  * CreatiVision at Dark Watcher's Console History -- http://darkwatcher.psxfanatics.com/console/vtech.htm
12737 
12738 
12739 
12740 
12741 
12742===== Other Emulators =====
12743 
12744 
12745 
12746  * Funnymu -- http://www.geocities.com/potato.geo/funnymu.html
12747 
12748  * CreatiVEmu -- http://www.madrigaldesign.it/creativemu/
12749 
12750 
12751 
12752 
12753 
12754$end
12755 
12756 
12757 
12758#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12759 
12760 
12761$info=dai
12762$bio
12763====== DAI Personal Computer (1978) ======
12764 
12765 
12766 
12767 
12768 
12769===== Features =====
12770 
12771 
12772 
12773  * CPU: Intel 8080A 2 MHz
12774 
12775  * Co-Processor: AMD 9511 (optional numeric processor)
12776 
12777  * RAM: 48 kb
12778 
12779  * ROM: 24 kb
12780 
12781  * Text Modes: 60 x 24
12782 
12783  * Graphic Modes: 72 x 65 / 160 x 130 / 336 x 256 / 512 x 244 (later models) with 4 or 16 colors
12784 
12785  * Colors: 16
12786 
12787  * Sound: 3 stereo voices + 1 noise generator
12788 
12789  * I/O Ports: Parallel port, RGB, RS232c, Bus DCE, Stereo, 6 analogic inputs, Tape (600 bauds), Audio Stereo output
12790 
12791  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard with arrow keys (57 keys)
12792 
12793  * OS: CP/M with disk-drive extension
12794 
12795  * Built In Language: Basic
12796 
12797  * Peripherals: 5" 1/4 disk-drives, Memocom (digital tapes), joysticks, printers, robot arm, arithmetic coprocessor, plotter
12798 
12799 
12800 
12801 
12802 
12803===== Usage =====
12804 
12805 
12806 
12807Currently, MESS supports cassette tapes in .wav format for the DAI, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
12808 
12809 
12810 
12811== Keyboard ==
12812 
12813 
12814 
12815This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
12816 
12817 
12818 
12819 
12820 
12821===== History and Trivia =====
12822 
12823 
12824 
12825Rumour says that Texas-Instrument approached Data Applications International (DAI), a Belgium company, to design a personal computer with sound, graphics and colors for the European market, using Texas-Instruments components. But later Texas-Instruments decided to market their own personal computer, the TI-99/4, in Europe, so the "DAI" project was canceled.
12826 
12827 
12828 
12829Then, the Belgium company decided to market the project under their own brand. The DAI computer was born. At that time, 1980, the DAI specifications were impressive ! The main competitors were the Apple II, the Tandy TRS-80 and the Commodore PETs and CBM series, not computers known for their fantastic sound, colors and graphics...
12830 
12831 
12832 
12833Sometimes in 1982, the DAI wasn't produced by Data Applications International anymore, but INDATA, another Belgium company, succeeded to them, and sold the DAI under their own brand. The keyboard was then changed, it got colored, and one year later the DAI was equiped with a new enhanced graphic resolution (512x244)!
12834 
12835 
12836 
12837A lot of peripherals were developed for this computer : a hard disk (8 MB), several floppy disk drives and even a robot !! The DAI can run under CP/M.
12838 
12839 
12840 
12841//(info from old-computers.com)//
12842 
12843 
12844 
12845 
12846 
12847===== Links =====
12848 
12849 
12850 
12851  * F.J. Kraan's DAI pages -- http://www.xs4all.nl/~fjkraan/comp/dai/index.html
12852 
12853  * Le ParaDAI (French) -- http://perso.orange.fr/bruno.vivien/DAI/index.htm
12854 
12855  * DAI at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=470
12856 
12857 
12858 
12859 
12860 
12861$end
12862 
12863 
12864 
12865#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12866 
12867 
12868$info=dallas
12869$bio
12870====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Dallas 16bit / 32bit (1986) ======
12871 
12872 
12873 
12874 
12875 
12876===== Features =====
12877 
12878 
12879 
12880  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz / 68020 14 MHz
12881 
12882  * ROM: 64 KB
12883 
12884  * RAM: 16 KB / 64 KB
12885 
12886 
12887 
12888 
12889 
12890===== History and Trivia =====
12891 
12892 
12893 
12894Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers. 
12895 
12896 
12897 
12898They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules. 
12899 
12900 
12901 
12902The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
12903 
12904 
12905 
12906Mephisto Dallas was introduced in 1986. It was programmed by Richard Lang and was available in two version: one based on a 16bit CPU (68000) and one based on a 32bit CPU (68020). It was also possible to buy it as an upgrade for the Mephisto Amsterdam.
12907 
12908 
12909 
12910For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
12911 
12912 
12913 
12914 
12915 
12916===== Links =====
12917 
12918 
12919 
12920  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
12921 
12922  * Mephisto Dallas at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
12923 
12924  * Mephisto Dallas 16bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Dallas_68000
12925 
12926  * Mephisto Dallas 32bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Dallas_68020
12927 
12928  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
12929 
12930 
12931 
12932 
12933 
12934$end
12935 
12936 
12937 
12938#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12939 
12940 
12941$info=dc
12942$bio
12943====== Sega Dreamcast (1998) ======
12944 
12945 
12946 
12947 
12948 
12949===== Features =====
12950 
12951 
12952 
12953  * CPU: SH-4 RISC CPU 200 MHz
12954 
12955  * Video: Power VR2
12956 
12957  * RAM: 16 MiB 64 Bit 100 MHz
12958 
12959  * Video RAM: 8 MiB 4x16 Bit 100 MHz
12960 
12961  * Sound RAM: 2 MiB 16 Bit 66 MHz
12962 
12963  * Sound: Yamaha AICA Sound Processor with 23MHz 32-Bit RISC ARM7 CPU core built-in (64 channel PCM/ADPCM)
12964 
12965  * Storage Media: GD-ROM (up to 1.2 GB), Visual Memory Unit ("VMU") 1 Mbit (128 KiB) removable storage device and 4x memory cards that hold four times as much data.
12966 
12967  * Inputs: USB-like "Maple Bus". Four ports support devices such as digital and analog controllers, steering wheels, joysticks, 
12968 
12969  * Modem: Removable; speed varied among regions: Original Asia/Japan model had a 33.6 kbit/s; consoles sold after September 9, 1999 had a 56 kbit/s modem; All American models had a 56 kbit/s; All PAL models had a 33.6 kbit/s
12970 
12971  * Broadband: adapters are available separately and replace the removable modem (HIT-400: "Broadband Adapter", the more common model, this used a Realtek 8139 chip and supported 10 and 100 Mbit speeds; HIT-300: "Lan Adapter", this version used a Fujitsu MB86967 chip and supported only 10 Mbit speed)
12972 
12973 
12974 
12975 
12976 
12977===== Usage =====
12978 
12979 
12980 
12981Currently, MESS supports the following Sega Dreamcast versions:
12982 
12983 
12984 
12985  * dc [Dreamcast (US NTSC)]
12986 
12987  * dcjp [Dreamcast (Japan NTSC)]
12988 
12989  * dceu [Dreamcast (European PAL)]
12990 
12991  * dcdev [HKT-0120 Sega Dreamcast Development Box]
12992 
12993 
12994 
12995 
12996 
12997===== Known Issues =====
12998 
12999 
13000 
13001The emulation of this system is still Preliminary. 
13002 
13003 
13004 
13005 
13006 
13007===== History and Trivia =====
13008 
13009 
13010 
13011The Dreamcast (code-named White Belt, Black Belt, Dural, Dricas, Vortex, Katana, Shark and Guppy during development) is Sega's final videogame console and the successor to the Sega Saturn. An attempt to recapture the console market with a next-generation system, it was designed to supersede the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Originally released sixteen months before the PlayStation 2 (PS2), and three years before the Nintendo GameCube and the Xbox, Dreamcast was widely hailed as ahead of its time, and is still held in high regard for pioneering online console gaming. Nevertheless, it failed to gather enough momentum before the release of the PlayStation 2 in March 2000, and Sega decided to discontinue Dreamcast in March 2001, withdrawing entirely from the console hardware business. However, support continued in Japan where consoles were still sold and (few) new games were produced and shipped until 2007. 
13012 
13013 
13014 
13015== Design == 
13016 
13017 
13018 
13019When the time came to design the successor to the Sega Saturn, the new President of Sega, Shoichiro Irimajiri, took the unusual step of hiring an outsider, Tatsuo Yamamoto from IBM Austin, to head a "skunk works" group to develop the next-generation console. It soon became apparent that the existing Japanese hardware group led by Hideki Sato did not want to relinquish control of the hardware department, bringing rise to two competing designs led by two different groups.
13020 
13021 
13022 
13023The Japanese group led by Hideki Sato settled on an Hitachi SH4 processor with a PowerVR graphics processor developed by VideoLogic (now Imagination Technologies) and manufactured by NEC. This was originally codenamed "White Belt". The first Japanese prototype boards were silkscreened "Guppy", and the later ones "Katana".
13024 
13025 
13026 
13027The U.S. skunk works group (11 people in a secret suite away from the Sega of America headquarters) led by Tatsuo Yamamoto settled on an Hitachi SH4 processor with a 3dfx Voodoo 2 graphics processor, which was originally codenamed "Black Belt". The first U.S. prototype boards were silkscreened "Shark" and later "Dural".
13028 
13029 
13030 
13031When 3dfx declared its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in April 1997, it revealed every detail of the contract with Sega. Sega had been keeping the development of its next-generation console secret during this competition, and was supposedly outraged when 3dfx publicly laid out its deal with Sega over the new system in the IPO.
13032 
13033 
13034 
13035In July 1997, perhaps as a result of 3dfx's IPO, it was decided that the Japanese "Katana" would be the chosen format, renamed Dreamcast. In September 1997, 3dfx filed a lawsuit against Sega and NEC (later including VideoLogic), stating "breach of contract", and accusing Sega of starting the deal in bad faith to take 3dfx technology, although they later settled.
13036 
13037 
13038 
13039== Launch and Competition == 
13040 
13041 
13042 
13043The Sega Dreamcast was released on November 27, 1998 in Japan; on September 9, 1999 in North America (the date 9/9/99 featured heavily in U.S. promotion); and on October 14, 1999 in Europe. Dreamcast was the first console to include a built-in modem and Internet support for online gaming. Dreamcast enjoyed brisk sales in its first season, and was one of Sega's most successful hardware units. 
13044 
13045 
13046 
13047In April 1999, Sony announced its PlayStation 2. The actual release of the PS2 was not until March 2000 in Japan, and late-October 2000 in the United States. Sony's press release, despite being a year ahead of the launch of the PS2, was enough to divert a lot of attention from Sega. With the looming PS2 launch in Japan, Dreamcast was largely ignored in that territory. Dreamcast had great initial success in the United States, but had trouble maintaining this momentum after news of the PS2's release.
13048 
13049 
13050 
13051In 2000, the announcements of the Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube were widely regarded as the last straw for Dreamcast, which fueled speculation that Sega did not have the resources for a prolonged marketing campaign.
13052 
13053 
13054 
13055On January 31, 2001, Sega announced that production of Dreamcast hardware was to be discontinued by March of that year, although the 50 to 60 titles still in production would be published. The last North American release was "NHL 2K2", which was released in February 2002. With the company announcing no plans to develop a next-generation successor to Dreamcast, this was Sega's last foray into the home console business. 
13056 
13057 
13058 
13059On February 24, 2004, Sega released their final Dreamcast game, "Puyo Pop Fever". A small number of third-party games were still being released, such as "Chaos Field" released in December 2004, "Trizeal" released in April 2005, "Radilgy" released in February 2006, "Under Defeat" released in March 2006, and most recently "Radium", "Last Hope" released January 2007, "Trigger Heart Exelica" released February 2007, and "Karous" released March 2007.
13060 
13061 
13062 
13063Visual Novel games were still released even when the Dreamcast was discontinued. There was a big support until 2004. The last Visual Novel game released on Dreamcast was "Angel Wish", in early 2005.
13064 
13065 
13066 
13067Despite its short lifespan, as of 2007, Dreamcast is still a popular and highly-regarded console among many fans due to its impressive library of both mainstream and more offbeat titles. It is even starting to gain a cult following, as the system is becoming harder to find. 
13068 
13069 
13070 
13071== Hardware == 
13072 
13073 
13074 
13075The standard Dreamcast unit was made of white and grey plastic. The power light, like the Dreamcast logo in NTSC regions, was orange (this color was chosen because the Japanese consider it to be lucky). Games were sold in jewel cases. In North America, these initially had the Dreamcast name and logo on a white background, but later games used a black background, similar to the PlayStation's. Japanese games used an orange-and-white scheme, and European and Australian games used blue.
13076 
13077 
13078 
13079The unit was packaged with a video cable which supported composite video and stereo sound. Available separately were an RGB SCART cable, an S-Video cable, an RF connector (included as standard in the UK, Germany and Portugal), and a VGA adapter (see accessories below).
13080 
13081 
13082 
13083Although there was no reset button on the Dreamcast system itself, there was a way to reset a game during play. If the player wanted to reset a game, they would have to press the A, B, X, and Y buttons altogether and then press the start button. This would then take them to the game's main menu. If repeated, it would take players to the Dreamcast menu.
13084 
13085 
13086 
13087In North America, a black Dreamcast was released in limited numbers with a sports pack which included two Sega Sports titles. This was the same as other models except for the black casing and the Sega Sports logo located directly below the Dreamcast logo on the lid. Electronics Boutique offered a blue Dreamcast through its website. Similar offerings were sold through the Lik Sang website. Cases of different colors like blue, red, orange, and green were sold for replacements of the original casing. In Japan, Sega released many varieties of the system, including a limited edition Sonic anniversary version, a pink Sakura Taisen version, and a Hello Kitty version released in 2000 in Japan which, due to its limited production, has become an extremely rare collector's piece. The package contains a keyboard, controller, VMU, mouse, and a Hello Kitty trivia game. The console and accessories came in both translucent pink and blue in color with some printed designs.
13088 
13089 
13090 
13091The Brazilian version, manufactured by Tec Toy under license, was essentially the same as the North American version, but its video output was converted to the PAL-M standard and did not come with the modem, which was available separately.
13092 
13093 
13094 
13095Dreamcast in Europe had a blue spiral logo, similar to the logo on earlier Sega systems. This change is thought to have been for copyright reasons. A German company, Tivola, had been using a similar swirl logo years before Sega branded Dreamcast with the orange swirl.
13096 
13097 
13098 
13099As well as the VGA mode to connect to a PC monitor (again using an adapter), the European Dreamcast supported PAL video, in both 50 Hz and 60 Hz modes. This was a first for game consoles, as no previous PAL console had offered the option to play games at full speed, using the ability of many PAL televisions to operate at 60 Hz. This feature was exploited in previous consoles but only by modifying the console with a chip to allow it to run NTSC games (e.g. Sony's PlayStation), or by adding switches to the internal circuitry to manually select between 50 Hz and 60 Hz (e.g. SEGA's Master System, Megadrive or Saturn). Although the 60 Hz code had to be enabled on the disc, doing so was a simple matter, and only a small number of games lacked it. The 60 Hz feature has become standard on all major consoles released since.
13100 
13101 
13102 
13103A third-party company from China named Treamcast released a portable modified Dreamcast which used the original first-party Dreamcast components with a custom made plastic casing. This small system with its fold-down display resembled the later PS One. Many companies included software and a remote with the unit that enabled it to play MP3s and Video CDs. When the Internet import video game store Lik Sang contacted Sega to ask permission to sell a modified version of the system with Sega trademarks on the system, they were told that Sega did not approve of the unit, and felt that it violated their trademarks. In reality, this system is no different from a Dreamcast pre-modified with a third party shell, as the system's internals still use first party hardware, and the only modifications are the outside casing and internal sound and video adjustments.
13104 
13105 
13106 
13107In 2005, the internet import store Lan-Kwei started selling a "Treamcast" portable modified Dreamcast with a 16:9 widescreen LCD. Aside from the cosmetic differences in the case to accommodate the larger screen, there are no differences between the original Treamcast and the newer widescreen model.
13108 
13109 
13110 
13111== Accessories ==
13112 
13113 
13114 
13115  * Visual Memory Unit, or "VMU": It was the Dreamcast memory card. It featured a monochrome LCD screen, a D-Pad, and two gaming buttons. The VMU could play mini-games loaded onto it from certain Dreamcast games, such as a Chao game transferable from Sonic Adventure. It could also display a list of the saved game data stored on it, and two VMUs could be connected together end-to-end to exchange data. Standard memory cards could also be purchased without the additional features of the VMU. Most of these were manufactured by third-party companies, (such as the Nexus Memory Card), although Sega eventually released a 4X memory card. The 4X cards did not have the VMU screen or stand-alone abilities, but they had four times the space thanks to the ability to switch between four 200-block sectors. The VMU design cannot be considered a full success, as it was fairly power-intensive, draining the two watch batteries at an alarmingly fast rate, and the architecture could not be expanded.
13116 
13117 
13118 
13119  * Controller and Rumble Pack: Most Dreamcast games supported a rumble pack, or "Jump Pack", which was sold separately and could be plugged into the controller. In Japan, the Jump Pack was named the "Puru Puru Pack". The Dreamcast controller featured a similar design to the Sega Saturn's analog controller, offering an analog stick, a D-pad, a Start button, four action buttons (labeled A, B, X, and Y, two buttons less than the Saturn), and two analog triggers on the underside. It also contained two slots which could hold memory cards or the rumble pack, with a window on the front of the controller through which the VMU's display could be seen. The Dreamcast controller was somewhat larger than many other controllers, and some players found it difficult to hold.
13120 
13121 
13122 
13123  * VGA Adapter: Unique to Dreamcast was a VGA adapter for output to a computer display or HDTV compatible sets, providing much better quality than a standard television set. Not all games were compatible with the VGA adapter, but work-arounds existed to trick all but a handful of games into working with it.
13124 
13125 
13126 
13127  * Dreamcast mouse and keyboard: Dreamcast supported a mouse as well as a keyboard, which were useful when using the included web browser, and also supported by certain games such as The Typing of the Dead, Quake 3, Phantasy Star Online and Railroad Tycoon 2. Other games such as REZ offered undocumented mouse support.
13128 
13129 
13130 
13131  * Fishing Rod: A motion sensitive fishing rod was released for the few fishing games on the system.
13132 
13133 
13134 
13135  * Microphone: There was a microphone peripheral used for version 2.6 of the Planetweb web browser (providing long distance calling support), the European Planet Ring collection, "Alien Front Online", and "Seaman", the first console game to use speech recognition in the U.S.
13136 
13137 
13138 
13139  * Lightgun: Sega also produced a light gun for the system, although this was not sold in the United States, possibly because Sega did not want its name on a gun in light of recent school shootings (the Columbine High School massacre). American versions of light gun games even blocked out using the official gun. Several third parties made compatible guns for the few light gun games released, including "The House of the Dead 2" and "Confidential Mission". The only other light gun compatible games were "Death Crimson OX" and its Japanese prequel "Death Crimson 2", "Virtua Cop 2" on the "Sega Smash Pack", and a light gun minigame in "Demolition Racer No Exit".
13140 
13141 
13142 
13143  * Arcade Stick: A heavy-duty Arcade Stick was put out by Sega, featuring a digital joystick with six buttons using the same microswitch assemblies as commercial arcade machines. Although it could not be used for many Dreamcast games due to the lack of an analog joystick, it was well-received and helped cement Dreamcast's reputation for playing 2D shooters and fighting games. Adaptors are now available to use the Arcade Stick on other hardware platforms. Third-party sticks were also made, like the ASCII Dreamcast fighting pad, which some regard as having a more comfortable 6-button configuration and a more precise digital direction pad.
13144 
13145 
13146 
13147  * Twin Sticks: A twin stick peripheral was released specifically for use with the game "Virtual-On". This add-on mimicked the original dual arcade stick setup and made gameplay much more precise. They are extremely rare and often quite expensive.
13148 
13149 
13150 
13151  * Dreameye: Sega developed the Dreameye, a digital camera for Dreamcast, but it was only released in Japan.
13152 
13153 
13154 
13155  * "Samba de Amigo" controller: Sega developed a special maraca controller for the music game "Samba de Amigo".
13156 
13157 
13158 
13159  * Canceled Accessories: Toward the end of Dreamcast's lifespan, Sega created and displayed prototypes of a high-capacity VMU/MP3 player, DVD player, and Zip drive peripherals. None of these items became available to the public.
13160 
13161 
13162 
13163//(info from Wikipedia)//
13164 
13165 
13166 
13167 
13168 
13169===== Links =====
13170 
13171 
13172 
13173  * Dreamcast Scene -- http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/
13174 
13175  * Dreamcast Games at Sega of Japan -- http://www.sega.co.jp/dc/
13176 
13177  * [[wp>Dreamcast]]
13178 
13179 
13180 
13181 
13182 
13183===== Other Emulators =====
13184 
13185 
13186 
13187  * Chankast -- http://chanka.emulatronia.com/
13188 
13189  * NullDC -- http://www.emudev.com/forums/index.php
13190 
13191  * Makaron (Polish) -- http://dknute.livejournal.com/
13192 
13193 
13194 
13195 
13196 
13197$end
13198 
13199 
13200 
13201#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13202 
13203 
13204$info=dgone
13205$bio
13206====== Data General One / DG-1 (1984) ======
13207 
13208 
13209 
13210 
13211 
13212===== Features =====
13213 
13214 
13215 
13216  * CPU: 80C88 4Mhz
13217 
13218  * RAM: 128K expandable to 512K
13219 
13220  * ROM: 32K
13221 
13222  * Video: CGA and MDA LCD (640x256) or EL
13223 
13224  * I/O Ports: Serial (1 RS232C/RS-422, 1 RS-232C, both driven by 82C51), External Bus Adapter
13225 
13226  * Keyboard: 79-key QWERTY
13227 
13228  * Built-in Media: 1 or 2 internal 3.5" floppy drives
13229 
13230  * OS: MS-DOS 2.1, CP/M-86
13231 
13232  * Peripherals: external 5.25" floppy drive
13233 
13234 
13235 
13236 
13237 
13238===== Usage =====
13239 
13240 
13241 
13242== Keyboard ==
13243 
13244 
13245 
13246This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
13247 
13248 
13249 
13250 
13251 
13252===== Known Issues =====
13253 
13254 
13255 
13256The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
13257 
13258 
13259 
13260 
13261 
13262===== History and Trivia =====
13263 
13264 
13265 
13266Data General was one of the first minicomputer firms from the late 1960s. 
13267 
13268 
13269 
13270Data General's introduction of the Data General-One in 1984 is an interesting side-note, one of the few cases of a minicomputer company introducing a truly breakthrough PC product. The DG One was a nine-pound battery-powered MS-DOS machine equipped with dual 3 1/2" diskettes, a 79-key full-stroke keyboard, 128K to 512K of RAM, and a monochrome LCD screen capable of either the standard 80x25 characters or full CGA graphics (640x200).
13271 
13272 
13273 
13274Despite the memorable advertisements ("The first computer able to fit inside the IBM PC"), the DG-1 was, however, only a modest success. One problem was the use of 3 1/2" diskettes, which were slightly ahead of their time; popular software titles were not available in 3 1/2" format and this was a serious issue because then-common diskette copy-protection schemes made it difficult for users to copy the software into that format. Although Creative Computing termed the price of US$2895 "competitive", it was a very expensive system and usually-needed additions such as more RAM and an external 5 1/4" drive drove the price higher yet. But the Achilles heel was the liquid-crystal display itself, which was not backlit, had low contrast, and was frequently accused of serving better as a mirror than as a screen. Usable outdoors or in bright offices only, a flashlight, it was joked, was often necessary to see the contents of the screen. Another killer was the incompatible serial port chip, an Intel 82C51 was used to conserve power, instead of the 8250 used in the IBM PC. For a portable system, this was a critical flaw -- PC programs that used the serial port wouldn't run on the DG-1 because of the different register arrangement within the 82C51.
13275 
13276 
13277 
13278An updated version of the DG-1 (Model 2) appeared later, with a much improved electroluminescent screen, however being a light-producing display the screen could be washed out by bright sunlight. In addition, the new screen was power hungry, and consumed so much power that the battery option was removed, thereby causing the DG-1 to lose its status as a true portable.
13279 
13280 
13281 
13282//(info from Wikipedia)//
13283 
13284 
13285 
13286 
13287 
13288===== Links =====
13289 
13290 
13291 
13292  * DG-1 at Uncle Roger's Computers -- http://www.sinasohn.com/cgi-bin/clascomp/bldhtm.pl?computer=dg1
13293 
13294  * DG-1 at DigiBarn Systems -- http://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/dg-1/index.html
13295 
13296 
13297 
13298 
13299 
13300$end
13301 
13302 
13303 
13304#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13305 
13306 
13307$info=einstein
13308$bio
13309====== Tatung Einstein TC-01 (1984) ======
13310 
13311 
13312 
13313 
13314 
13315===== Features =====
13316 
13317 
13318 
13319  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 4 MHz
13320 
13321  * RAM: 64 KB (44 KB free for user)
13322 
13323  * VRAM: 16 KB
13324 
13325  * ROM: 8 KB (up to 32 KB)
13326 
13327  * Text Modes: 40 / 32 columns x 24 rows
13328 
13329  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 dots
13330 
13331  * Colors: 16
13332 
13333  * Sound: 3 voices, 7 octaves
13334 
13335  * I/O Ports: RS232c, Centronics, User port, Joystick (2), Bus Z80, Floppy Disk
13336 
13337  * Keyboard: Full-stroke QWERTY keyboard. 51 keys + 8 function keys
13338 
13339  * Built In Media: one or two Hitachi 3" floppy disk unit (380 KB)
13340 
13341  * OS: Xtal/DOS
13342 
13343 
13344 
13345 
13346 
13347===== Usage =====
13348 
13349 
13350 
13351When this driver starts, and a disk is not in the drive, an internal monitor program will start.
13352 
13353 
13354 
13355To use this driver you will need the Xtal operating system disks which will start CP/M and from here you can run many CP/M based
13356 
13357programs.
13358 
13359 
13360 
13361You can put a disk image into the drive and boot CP/M by pressing "CTRL"+"ALT" together.
13362 
13363 
13364 
13365 
13366 
13367===== Known Issues =====
13368 
13369 
13370 
13371The floppy disc emulation may not be fully working. Interrupts are not working properly.
13372 
13373 
13374 
13375MESS also supports the emulation of the Einstein connected with the 80-colum expansion card as a TESTDRIVER, i.e. not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
13376 
13377 
13378 
13379Thank you to Chris Coxall for the schematics, a dump of the bios ROM, and the Xtal operating system. He has been a great help with the development of this driver.
13380 
13381 
13382 
13383Thank you to Andrew Dunipace for help with the 80-column expansion card.
13384 
13385 
13386 
13387 
13388 
13389===== History and Trivia =====
13390 
13391 
13392 
13393The Tatung Einstein is a 8-bit computer with hardware similar to the MSX-1. The computer was produced with two 3" disk drives and ran the CP/M operating system.
13394 
13395 
13396 
13397More precisely, the Einstein runs under Xtal/DOS which is an operating system compatible with CP/M. It was possible to connect an other floppy disk drive and a 80 column card was available.
13398 
13399 
13400 
13401The Einstein was a very attractive computer but it was too expensive to have great market success. 
13402 
13403 
13404 
13405The TC-01 is the first version of the hardware, with the 256 being the second version aimed more towards games.
13406 
13407 
13408 
13409//(info from old-computers.com)//
13410 
13411 
13412 
13413 
13414 
13415===== Links =====
13416 
13417 
13418 
13419  * Chris Coxall's Tatung Einstein Page -- http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/retrocomputer/xindex.html
13420 
13421  * Tatung Einstein Reborn -- http://www.tatungeinstein.freespaces.com/index.html
13422 
13423  * Tatung Einstein at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=86
13424 
13425 
13426 
13427 
13428 
13429$end
13430 
13431 
13432 
13433#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13434 
13435 
13436$info=electron
13437$bio
13438====== Acorn Electron (1983) ======
13439 
13440 
13441 
13442 
13443 
13444===== Features =====
13445 
13446 
13447 
13448  * CPU: MOS 6502A 1 MHz
13449 
13450  * Co-Processor: custom ULA
13451 
13452  * RAM: 32 kb
13453 
13454  * ROM: 32 kb
13455 
13456  * Text Modes: 20 x 32, 40 x 25, 40 x 32, 80 x 25, 80 x 32
13457 
13458  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 256 (4 or 16 colors), 320 x 256 (2 or 4 colors), 640 x 256 (2 colors)
13459 
13460  * Colors: 8 colors + 8 flashing versions of the same colors
13461 
13462  * Sound: 1 channel of sound + 1 channel of white sound, 7 octaves. In fact 3 virtual sound channels mapped to the single available physical channel. Built-in speaker
13463 
13464  * I/O Ports: Expansion port, Tape-recorder connector (1200 baud), aerial TV connector (RF modulator), RGB video output
13465 
13466  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 56 keys, basic statements accessible through keys, 10 function keys (0...9 keys + FUNC), ESCAPE, CAPS LK/FUNC, CTRL, BREAK, COPY, RETURN, DELETE, SHIFT (x2)
13467 
13468  * Built In Language: Acorn Electron Basic + 6502 assembler
13469 
13470 
13471 
13472 
13473 
13474===== Usage =====
13475 
13476 
13477 
13478Electron emulation in MESS supports tapes in .wav and .uef format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
13479 
13480 
13481 
13482== Keyboard ==
13483 
13484 
13485 
13486This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
13487 
13488 
13489 
13490Original Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 56 keys
13491 
13492   
13493 
13494                                                                   ~^      ¦\
13495 
13496  ESCAPE   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0@   -=   LEFT   RIGHT   BREAK
13497 
13498   
13499 
13500  CAPS LK                                                      £{     _}      []
13501 
13502   FUNC      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    UP    DOWN    COPY
13503 
13504   
13505 
13506   
13507 
13508     CTRL       A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   :*     RETURN
13509 
13510   
13511 
13512   
13513 
13514     SHIFT        Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?    SHIFT    DELETE
13515 
13516   
13517 
13518   
13519 
13520                                     SPACEBAR
13521 
13522 
13523 
13524 
13525 
13526===== Known Issues =====
13527 
13528 
13529 
13530This system still has imperfect graphics and sound in MESS.
13531 
13532 
13533 
13534 
13535 
13536===== History and Trivia =====
13537 
13538 
13539 
13540The Acorn Electron is basically a cut-down version of the Acorn BBC-B with which it is partly compatible. After the success of the BBC, Acorn and founder Chris Cury wanted a product to compete with "under £200" computers and especially with the Sinclair Spectrum, its main threat. But sadly, Acorn failed to meet the demand for the new system, mainly because of production problems related to the large custom ULA at the heart of the Electron.
13541 
13542 
13543 
13544The next year (1984), Acorn decided to anticipate all these problems and focused on producing the Electron in vast numbers. But unfortunately, public demand and enthusiasm were on the wane, and despite an extensive £4-million advertising campaign, a third of the Electrons that were built never made it to the shelves, leaving behind large stockpiles of components that had been paid for but were never used.
13545 
13546 
13547 
13548Compared to the BBC and its flexible connectivity, the Electron was quite basic with only one expansion port to play around with. Fortunately, Acorn quickly released the Plus 1 expansion offering two ROM cartridge slots, a parallel / centronics interface and a joystick connector.
13549 
13550 
13551 
13552The built-in Acorn Electron BASIC, largely derived from the famous BBC BASIC, was impressive with innovative features such as the ability to define real procedures with DEF PROC and ENDPROC, or the handling of error events (in 1983!). There was even an OLD statement which would recover a program erased by NEW. A complete assembler language was also stored in the 32K ROM.
13553 
13554 
13555 
13556The graphics capabilities were also quite impressive for a computer of this category. Text mode of up to 80 columns and a high resolution of up to 640 x 256 pixels with 2 colors. The custom ULA developed especially for the Electron handled the video display, sound and I/O communications! This was the real heart of the Electron.
13557 
13558 
13559 
13560The mechanical keyboard was very good. BASIC statements were printed on most of the keys, allowing users to type them in one go. A small amber LED placed on the left part of the keyboard indicated if you were in lowercase or uppercase mode.
13561 
13562 
13563 
13564Despite being more powerful than the ZX Spectrum, the Electron didn't sell well and suffered from a lack of certain software.
13565 
13566 
13567 
13568//(info from old-computers.com)//
13569 
13570 
13571 
13572 
13573 
13574===== Links =====
13575 
13576 
13577 
13578  * BBC Documentation Project -- http://www.bbcdocs.com/
13579 
13580  * The BBC Lives! -- http://bbc.nvg.org/
13581 
13582  * Acorn Electron World -- http://www.acornelectron.co.uk/
13583 
13584  * Acorn Electron at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=121
13585 
13586 
13587 
13588 
13589 
13590===== Other Emulators =====
13591 
13592 
13593 
13594  * ElectrEm -- http://electrem.emuunlim.com/
13595 
13596  * Elkulator -- http://elkulator.acornelectron.co.uk/
13597 
13598 
13599 
13600 
13601 
13602$end
13603 
13604 
13605 
13606#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13607 
13608 
13609$info=ep128
13610$bio
13611====== Enterprise 128 (1985) ======
13612 
13613 
13614 
13615 
13616 
13617===== Features =====
13618 
13619 
13620 
13621  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
13622 
13623  * Co-Processor: NICK (video), DAVE (sound)
13624 
13625  * RAM: 128 KB (64 KB -of which 50 KB available- in Enterprise 64)
13626 
13627  * VRAM: 64 KB
13628 
13629  * ROM: 32 KB
13630 
13631  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 80 x 32-28 / 84 x 64
13632 
13633  * Graphic Modes: Eight graphic modes, max : 672 x 512 (2 col), most used : 256 x 160 (16 col)
13634 
13635  * Colors: 256 (simultaneously in the mode 180 x 80)
13636 
13637  * Sound: 3 channels + 1 noise channel, 8 octaves
13638 
13639  * I/O Ports: RGB Video / Audio output, Expansion port, Tape Interface, Joystick (2), 
13640 
13641  * Cartridge slot, RS432 (Serial/Net), TV output, Power input, Printer
13642 
13643  * Keyboard: Complete keyboard with function keys and built-in joystick
13644 
13645  * OS: IS-DOS, EXDOS
13646 
13647  * Built In Language: IS-Basic (ROM cartridge)
13648 
13649 
13650 
13651 
13652 
13653===== Usage =====
13654 
13655 
13656 
13657MESS supports up to four floppy drives for ep128. You can run disks in .dsk format using the correspondent devices, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
13658 
13659 
13660 
13661== BASIC programs ==
13662 
13663 
13664 
13665This computer has a built in word processor, from BASIC enter 
13666 
13667  TYPE
13668 
13669to enter it.
13670 
13671 
13672 
13673To run a program, enter from BASIC
13674 
13675  RUN"filename"
13676 
13677or
13678 
13679  LOAD"filename"
13680 
13681 
13682 
13683Alternatively, you can type
13684 
13685  :EXDOS 
13686 
13687to enter a CLI interface where you can type directly EXDOS commands. 
13688 
13689 
13690 
13691If typing from BASIC you must enter ":" in front of EXDOS commands.
13692 
13693 
13694 
13695== EXDOS commands ==
13696 
13697 
13698 
13699The following EXDOS commands are allowed:
13700 
13701 
13702 
13703  CHDIR [dir name] - Change Dir.[dir name] does not need to be enclosed in quotes.
13704 
13705  DIR - show directory listing
13706 
13707 
13708 
13709== Keyboard ==
13710 
13711 
13712 
13713This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
13714 
13715 
13716 
13717 
13718 
13719===== Known Issues =====
13720 
13721 
13722 
13723  * Some programs do not work well.
13724 
13725  * Not all graphic modes are emulated.
13726 
13727  * Interrupts are not emulated correctly.
13728 
13729  * Samples and simple tone is supported, complex effects using ring modulation and filtering are not supported.
13730 
13731  * Tapes are not supported.
13732 
13733 
13734 
13735 
13736 
13737===== History and Trivia =====
13738 
13739 
13740 
13741The Enterprise 64 was a very long-awaited computer, two years between its announcement and its marketing! It changed its name a lot of times: its first name was Elan 64, then Flan, lastly Enterprise.
13742 
13743 
13744 
13745It has great features, which wasn't found on all other home computers, like its interfaces, great graphics and sounds capacities provided by two special custom chips called "Nick" and "Dave".
13746 
13747 
13748 
13749The BASIC Interpreter is supplied on a ROM cartridge and can be easily replaced with any other language. This BASIC is a very powerful structured basic with great graphic commands and can store several programs simultaneously in RAM.
13750 
13751 
13752 
13753It has a small word processing in ROM and up to 32 computers can be linked together.
13754 
13755 
13756 
13757But despite its great characteristics and all its interfaces, the Enterprise 64 was a flop in the marketplace.
13758 
13759 
13760 
13761Several months later, a new model was launched: the Enterprise 128, which was nothing more than an Enterprise 64 with 128 KB RAM.
13762 
13763 
13764 
13765Unsold stocks of these systems (nearly all :-)), were sold to East-Europeans countries, and especially Hungary where it met great success. Thus, most nowadays Enterprise activity comes from here. 
13766 
13767 
13768 
13769//(info from old-computers.com)//
13770 
13771 
13772 
13773 
13774 
13775===== Links =====
13776 
13777 
13778 
13779  * Enterprise 128 Page (Hungarian) -- http://enterprise.8bit.hu/
13780 
13781  * Enterprise 128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=153
13782 
13783 
13784 
13785 
13786 
13787===== Other Emulators =====
13788 
13789 
13790 
13791  * EP128 Emu -- http://ep128emu.sourceforge.net/
13792 
13793  * ep32 -- http://web.axelero.hu/egzo/ep/
13794 
13795 
13796 
13797 
13798 
13799$end
13800 
13801 
13802 
13803#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13804 
13805 
13806$info=europc
13807$bio
13808====== Schneider EUROPC ======
13809 
13810 
13811 
13812 
13813 
13814===== Features =====
13815 
13816 
13817 
13818  * Integrated cga/mda/hercules graphics adapter, connector for CGA and MDA/Hercules monitors
13819 
13820  * Multi-language and keyboard support in bios
13821 
13822  * Integrated harddisk controller, connector for 2 external harddisks
13823 
13824  * 3 1/2 inch 720 kb disk drive, connector for 1 external disk drive
13825 
13826  * Integrated realtime clock
13827 
13828  * Setup memory
13829 
13830  * Connectors for: joystick/mouse, external xt busplane, external power supply, parallel port
13831 
13832  * AT type connector for rs232 serial port
13833 
13834 
13835 
13836 
13837 
13838===== Known Issues =====
13839 
13840 
13841 
13842The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. Temporary regressions are possible.
13843 
13844 
13845 
13846 
13847 
13848===== History and Trivia =====
13849 
13850 
13851 
13852IBM PC compatible computer "under the keyboard"
13853 
13854 
13855 
13856 
13857 
13858$end
13859 
13860 
13861 
13862#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13863 
13864 
13865$info=exidy
13866$bio
13867====== Exidy Sorcerer (1978) ======
13868 
13869 
13870 
13871 
13872 
13873===== Features =====
13874 
13875 
13876 
13877  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 2.106 MHz.
13878 
13879  * RAM: 8 KB, later 16KB (up to 48 KB)
13880 
13881  * VRAM: 2 KB
13882 
13883  * ROM: 8 KB
13884 
13885  * Text Modes: 64 chars. x 30 lines
13886 
13887  * Graphic Modes: 128 programmable graphics characters
13888 
13889  * Colors: Monochrome
13890 
13891  * Sound: By connecting a speaker to pins 1 and 4 of the parallel port.
13892 
13893  * I/O Ports: Expansion Bus (S100), Parallel Interface, Video out, Serial Interface, Tape recorder EAR & MIC (300 / 1200 bauds)
13894 
13895  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 79 keys with numeric keypad
13896 
13897  * OS: CP/M (needs the extender chassis with disk drive)
13898 
13899  * Built In Language: BASIC interpreter ROM cartridge
13900 
13901  * Peripherals: Floppy drive unit, S-100 bus expansion box, Intelligent tape recorder, Micromation's Doubler disk drive controller
13902 
13903 
13904 
13905 
13906 
13907===== Usage =====
13908 
13909 
13910 
13911Currently, MESS supports two different hardware configuration for the Exidy Sorcerer
13912 
13913 
13914 
13915  * exidy [Exidy Sorcerer]: 32k RAM with 4 floppy drives
13916 
13917  * exidyd [Exidy Sorcerer - diskless]: probably the most common configuration, 48k RAM with only the tape recorder connected
13918 
13919 
13920 
13921Both drivers support cart dumps in .rom format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device, and up to two cassette devices for tapes in .wav format, "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2).
13922 
13923Additionally, exidy supports up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format.
13924 
13925 
13926 
13927Also notice that, in both drivers, a “quickload” (quik) feature is present for .bin files and that the “printer” (prin) is supported as well.
13928 
13929 
13930 
13931== Keyboard ==
13932 
13933 
13934 
13935This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
13936 
13937 
13938 
13939 
13940 
13941===== Known Issues =====
13942 
13943 
13944 
13945The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
13946 
13947 
13948 
13949 
13950 
13951===== History and Trivia =====
13952 
13953 
13954 
13955The Sorcerer was first launched in 1978 (although some sources claim 1977, which appears unlikely), at a price of $895. It was powered by a Z80 running at 2.106 MHz with 8 kilobytes of RAM. The expansion systems and drives were released at the same time.
13956 
13957 
13958 
13959Sales in Europe were fairly strong, via their distributor, CompuData Systems. The machine had its biggest brush with success in 1979 when the Dutch broadcasting company, TELEAC, decided to emulate the BBC's success and introduce their own home computer. The Belgian company DAI was originally contracted to design their machines, but when they couldn't deliver, CompuData delivered several thousand Sorcerers instead.
13960 
13961 
13962 
13963By 1980 Exidy had already decided to give up on the machine, but sales in Europe were strong enough that CompuData decided to license the design for local construction in the Netherlands. They built the machine for several years before developing their own 16-bit Intel 8088-based machine called the Tulip, which replaced the Sorcerer in 1983.
13964 
13965 
13966 
13967One of the largest groups in The Netherlands was the ESGG (Exidy Sorcerer Gebruikers Groep) which published a monthly newsletter in two editions, Dutch and English. They were the largest group for a while in the HCC (Hollandse Computer Club) federation. The Dutch company De Broeders Montfort was a major firmware manufacturerer.
13968 
13969 
13970 
13971The Sorcerer also had a strong following in Australia. This is most likely due to Dick Smith Electronics, being a leading electronics and hobbyist retailer at the time, pushing the Sorcerer quite heavily. The Sorcerer Computer Users group of Australia (or SCUA) actively supported the Sorcerer long after Exidy discontinued it, with RAM upgrades, speed boosts, the "80 column card", and even a replacement monitor program, SCUAMON.
13972 
13973 
13974 
13975The history of the Sorcerer has interesting parallels with Exidy's competition's attempts to build a home computer, Bally's various attempts at making a "real" machine out of the Astrocade. It is particularly interesting that while the Astrocade (and Datamax UV-1) had limited text capabilities but excellent graphics, the Sorcerer instead had excellent text and only "usable" graphics.
13976 
13977 
13978 
13979//(info from Wikipedia)//
13980 
13981 
13982 
13983 
13984 
13985===== Links =====
13986 
13987 
13988 
13989  * Mike's Exidy Sorcerer Z80 Page -- http://www.lisp.com.au/~michael/exidy/
13990 
13991  * Exidy Sorcerer at DigiBarn -- http://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/exidy-sorcerer/index.html
13992 
13993 
13994 
13995 
13996 
13997===== Other Emulators =====
13998 
13999 
14000 
14001  * WSorcerer -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
14002 
14003 
14004 
14005 
14006 
14007$end
14008 
14009 
14010 
14011#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14012 
14013 
14014$info=famicom
14015$bio
14016====== Nintendo Famicom / Famicom Disk System (1983) ======
14017 
14018 
14019 
14020 
14021 
14022===== Features =====
14023 
14024 
14025 
14026  * CPU: Custom 6502 1.79 MHz
14027 
14028  * Co-Processor: 8-bit PPU (Picture Processing Unit)
14029 
14030  * RAM: Disk System + Keyboard + Basic: 1982 bytes free (Basic V2.0A), 4086 bytes free (Basic V3.0)
14031 
14032  * VRAM: 4 kb
14033 
14034  * ROM: 8 kb
14035 
14036  * Text Modes: 28 x 24
14037 
14038  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 240, 64 sprites on screen, but only 8 per scanline / sprite size : 8x8 or 8x16 pixels
14039 
14040  * Colors: 52 Available / 16 On-screen / 4 colours per Sprite
14041 
14042  * Sound: 5 channel sound (2 channels for square wave, 1 triangle wave, 1 noise channel and 1 PCM)
14043 
14044  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with functions keys and arrow keys
14045 
14046  * Built In Language: NS-HUBASIC V1.0, V2.0A, V2.1 or V3.0
14047 
14048  * Peripherals: Expansion memory unit, tape-recorder (used also for few games), Basic cartidges, Lightgun, Robot, dancing carpet, additional controllers...
14049 
14050 
14051 
14052 
14053 
14054===== Usage =====
14055 
14056 
14057 
14058Famicom controller consists of an 8-way directional pad, two action buttons (labeled A and B), a Start button and a Select button. On the main unit, a Power and a Reset buttons are present.
14059 
14060Additionally, Famicom Disk System switching is mapped to Player 1 Button 3 (default key [space]).
14061 
14062 
14063 
14064== FDS error messages ==
14065 
14066 
14067 
14068| Err. 01 | Disk Set Err. | No disk card.|
14069 
14070| Err. 02 | Battery Err. | No disk power supply -- batteries and/or AC adaptor.|
14071 
14072| Err. 03 | Write Protect Err. | Disk card is write protected.|
14073 
14074| Err. 04 | Game Maker Err. | Disk card not authenticated (game maker ID).|
14075 
14076| Err. 05 | Game Name Err. | Disk card not authenticated (game name ID).|
14077 
14078| Err. 06 | Game Version Err. | Disk card not compatible (version ID).|
14079 
14080| Err. 07 | A,B Side Err. | Wrong side of disk card set in drive.|
14081 
14082| Err. 08 | Disk No Err. | Disk card #1 wrong.|
14083 
14084| Err. 09 |  | Disk card #2 wrong.|
14085 
14086| Err. 10 |  | Disk card #3 wrong.|
14087 
14088| Err. 11~19 |  | There is something wrong with the Disk System memory.|
14089 
14090| Err. 20 | Disk Trouble Err. | Screen data wrong.|
14091 
14092| Err. 21 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block (Nintendo-HVC) wrong.|
14093 
14094| Err. 22 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$01 unrecognized.|
14095 
14096| Err. 23 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$02 unrecognized.|
14097 
14098| Err. 24 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$03 unrecognized.|
14099 
14100| Err. 25 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$04 unrecognized.|
14101 
14102| Err. 26 | Disk Trouble Err. | Unable to write to disk card.|
14103 
14104| Err. 27 | Disk Trouble Err. | Block end mark seen but ends prematurely.|
14105 
14106| Err. 28 | Disk Trouble Err. | File ends prematurely during read.|
14107 
14108| Err. 29 | Disk Trouble Err. | File ends prematurely during write.|
14109 
14110| Err. 30 | Disk Full Err. | No space left on disk card (full).|
14111 
14112| Err. 31 |  | File count in header and number of files on disk card do not match.|
14113 
14114| Err. 40 |  | Disk card is mess'd.|
14115 
14116 
14117 
14118 
14119 
14120===== History and Trivia =====
14121 
14122 
14123 
14124The Family Computer ("Famicom") was released in Japan on July 15th, 1983. The launch titles for the console were "Donkey Kong", "Donkey Kong Junior", and "Popeye". The console itself was intentionally designed to resemble a toy, with its bright red and white color scheme. It featured two hardwired controllers which were unusual, though not unprecedented, for consoles of this era. Additionally, the system had a 15-pin expansion port in the front side to accommodate add-on peripheral devices, such as the Light Gun, the Power Pad, the keyboard for BASIC programming, a Cassette Drive, and other specialized controllers. Among the devices produced for the console: a karaoke machine, true 3D glasses, and the Famicom Disk System (which incorporated the floppy drive dropped from the original specifications).
14125 
14126 
14127 
14128The system did not meet instant success: during its first year, many criticized the system as unreliable, prone to programming errors and rampant freezing. These critics were completely unfunded: Nintendo decided to recall most of the units and to reissue the system with a new motherboard. Quite soon the popularity of Famicom soared and it became the best-selling game console in Japan by the end of 1984. You can easily spot the recalled version of the Famicom because of its square buttons, replaced with circular buttons in all Famicom systems produced after the recall.
14129 
14130 
14131 
14132As the 1990s dawned, however, renewed competition from technologically superior systems such as the 16-bit Sega MegaDrive and Nintendo's own Super Famicom marked the end of the Famicom's dominance.
14133 
14134 
14135 
14136In 1992, Nintendo released the AV Famicom, a redesigned version of the Famicom. Two removeable controllers were included with the system, whose ports were now placed in the front of the system (while the expansion port was moved to the side). 
14137 
14138The controllers are identical to the ones released in the US.
14139 
14140 
14141 
14142Nintendo of Japan kept producing new Nintendo Famicom units for a niche market up until October 2003, when it was officially discontinued.
14143 
14144 
14145 
14146== Famicom Disk System == 
14147 
14148 
14149 
14150The Family Computer Disk System (FDS) was released on February 21st, 1986 by Nintendo as a peripheral for their popular Famicom console in Japan. It was a unit that sat underneath the Famicom and used proprietary floppy disks for data storage. Sharp also released the Twin Famicom, a composite console of both Famicom and disk system under license. The unit was also announced, but never released, for the US Nintendo Entertainment System. 
14151 
14152 
14153 
14154The device was connected to the Famicom deck by plugging a modified cartridge (known as the RAM Adapter) into the system's cartridge port, which attached via a supplied cable to the disk drive. The RAM adapter contained 32KB of RAM for temporary program storage, 8 kilobytes of RAM for tile and sprite data storage, and an ASIC known as the 2C33. The ASIC acted as a disk controller for the floppy drive, and also included additional sound hardware featuring primitive FM synthesis capabilities. The floppy disks used were double-sided, with a capability of 64 kilobytes per side. Many games spanned both sides of a disk, requiring the user to switch sides at some point during gameplay. A few games used two full disks. The Famicom Disk System was capable of running on six C-cell batteries or the supplied AC adapter, even though the Famicom itself was not portable.
14155 
14156 
14157 
14158The primary appeal of the FDS was the cost: a disk could be produced for a fraction of the price of a cartridge. Disk-based games retailed for less than ¥3000, compared to approximately ¥5000 or more for cartridges. Because floppy disks were less expensive than cartridges, and because of the additional features offered by the Disk System's hardware, many developers produced titles for the system that were sold cheaply at kiosks in retail stores. Also of note was Nintendo's Disk Writer, a vending machine that charged ¥500 to write a new game onto a blank disk or a disk already written with a game. With blank disks costing only ¥2000 apiece, this approach had obvious advantages over more expensive cartridges.
14159 
14160 
14161 
14162In 1986, the disks' 128K of storage space was quite appealing. The rewritable aspect of the disks also opened up interesting possibilities; games such as "The Legend of Zelda" (the first FDS game), "Metroid", and "Kid Icarus" were released to the FDS with a save feature. Many of these titles were subsequently ported to cartridge format and released for the NES a year or two later, with saving implemented with password resume or battery-backed memory.
14163 
14164 
14165 
14166Nintendo pushed the Disk System extensively in Japan, releasing all of its software exclusively on disk for nearly two years. However, the machine was not as successful as it was hoped. Nintendo turned off developers at the outset by demanding partial copyright ownership over any games developed for the FDS, causing many licensees to simply ignore the system outright. Four months after the release of the FDS, the first 128K cartridge-based game, "Makaimura", was released. Memory prices went down and battery backup technology improved a lot faster than Nintendo had anticipated, and all of a sudden, the FDS's storage capacity and saving abilities were no longer as appealing to developers. Publishers and retailers complained that the Disk Writer machines, while great for game buyers, were severely cutting into their profits. The final nail in the Disk System's coffin was an unlicensed device that connected two FDS systems in order to copy games. After a brief surge of FDS sales following the device's release, in 1993, Nintendo ordered all the vending machines to be dismantled.
14167 
14168 
14169 
14170While the Disk System was years ahead of its time in terms of a disc-format game console, the system and games both have reliability issues. The drive belt in the drive is a proprietary size, and standard floppy drive belts are too big. Until 2004, Japanese residents were able to send their systems to Nintendo directly for repairs/belt replacements.
14171 
14172 
14173 
14174== Regional differences ==
14175 
14176 
14177 
14178NES and Famicom were not exactly the same console, even if they shared most of the hardware.
14179 
14180 
14181 
14182  * Case design: The Famicom features a top-loading cartridge slot, a 15-pin expansion port located on the unit's front panel for accessories (as the controllers were hard-wired to the back of the console) and a red and white color scheme; the NES features a front-loading cartridge slot, an expansion port was found on the bottom of the unit and a more subdued gray, black and red color scheme. 
14183 
14184 
14185 
14186  * Cart design: Differences between NES carts and Famicom carts are not only aesthetic! The original Famicom and the re-released AV Family Computer both use a 60-pin cartridge design, which resulted in smaller cartridges than the NES (and the NES 2), which utilized a 72-pin design. Four pins were used for the NES lockout chip, 10NES. Ten pins were added that connected a cartridge directly to the expansion port on the bottom of the unit. Finally, two pins that allowed cartridges to provide their own sound expansion chips were removed. Many early games (such as Stack-Up) released in North America were simply Famicom cartridges attached to an adapter (such as the T89 Cartridge Converter) to allow them to fit inside the NES hardware. Nintendo did this to reduce costs and inventory by using the same cartridge boards in America and Japan.
14187 
14188 
14189 
14190 
14191 
14192== Peripherals ==
14193 
14194 
14195 
14196A number of peripheral devices and software packages were released for the Famicom. Few of these devices were ever released outside of Japan.
14197 
14198 
14199 
14200  * Famicom Disk System (FDS): popular floppy disk drive peripheral released for the Famicom in Japan only. Nintendo never released the Famicom Disk System outside of Japan (see above for more info on FDS).
14201 
14202 
14203 
14204  * Famicom BASIC: It was an implementation of BASIC for the Famicom. In fact, the BASIC cartidge was sold together with the keyboard. The keyboard is connected to the expansion port situated at the front of the Famicom, while then BASIC cartridge must be inserted into the Famicom catridge slot. As the keyboard is almost "empty", most of the Famicom's hardware is used, along with the Basic cartridge RAM chips. The Basic delivered with the keyboard is the NS-HUBASIC, where "N" stands for Nintendo, "S" for Sharp and "HU" for Hudson, as they all contributed to this project. Once inserted there is only 1982 bytes free to play with! But it was possible to back-up the program into the cartridge itself by powering it with 3 battery cells. This saving method wasn't reliable as quite often the programs were lost because of bad contacts... Hopefully, a tape-recorder was available, but again, the adjustment of the input level was quite difficult to get. Some games using the built-in save/load feature of the Basic cartridge were released such as "Lode Runner" (edit mode) and "Challenge Race". 
14205 
14206 
14207 
14208  * Famicom Data Recorder: Device for saving and loading programs onto standard audio cassettes for programs made in Family BASIC. Also used by few games either to provide additional data to the game, or to save edited data.
14209 
14210 
14211 
14212  * Famicom TV-NET: Connected the Famicom to an online service.
14213 
14214 
14215 
14216  * Famicom MODEM: It was a modem that allowed connection to a Nintendo server which provided content such as jokes, news (mainly about Nintendo), game tips, weather reports for Japan and allowed a small number of programs to be downloaded.
14217 
14218 
14219 
14220  * Famicom Light Gun: produced by Nintendo, it was used by few games. Among these: "Duck Hunt", "Hogan's Alley", "Wild Gunman", "Gumshoe" and "Bayou Billy".
14221 
14222 
14223 
14224  * Famicom Robot: Nintendo produced this Robot to provide an interactive medium between the TV screen and player. In the two games which supported it (i.e. "Gyromite" and "Stack Up"), Robot's actions affect gameplay on the screen and the player have to react to what happens in the game: in "Gyromite" Robot pushes and hold buttons on the second controller; in "Stack Up", the player has to press a button when Robot finishes a task.
14225 
14226 
14227 
14228  * Famicom Four-way Adapter: accessory which allows 4 player to play the same game.
14229 
14230 
14231 
14232  * Famicom 3D System: A liquid crystal shutter headset which gave compatible games the illusion of 3D depth.
14233 
14234 
14235 
14236  * Datach Joint ROM System: Produced by Bandai, it consists of a barcode reader unit which can be inserted as a normal cart in the Famicom; it has a port to insert its own carts, but only few games were produced (among them "Dragon Ball Z", bundled with the unit, and "SD Gundam World"). The barcodes are are used in the game to increase characteristics and to give items.
14237 
14238 
14239 
14240  * Karaoke Studio: Produced by Bandai, it consists of a microphone and a unit that operates on its own cartridges.
14241 
14242 
14243 
14244  * Family Trainer: Released by Bandai, this is a floor mat controller consisting of eight/twelve (depending on the side) pressure-sensors embedded between two layers of flexible plastic. It was used by "Athletic World", "Aerobic Studio", "Running Stadium", "Manhattan Police" and others.
14245 
14246 
14247 
14248  * Party Room 21 Controller: A quiz show buzzer controller for use of up to six people. Released in 1991 to use with "Gimmi a Break -Shijou Saikyou no Quiz Ou Ketteisen".
14249 
14250 
14251 
14252  * Power Glove: Imported in Japan by PAX, the Power Glove was intended to work in place of a regular controller. The Power Glove can track motion of the glove in three-space, finger position, and has a set of buttons/switches on the top of the wrist. It has two modes “hires” and “lores”: in “hires” mode, it tracks 3d position, the rolling and the position of fingers along with the state of SELECT, START, A, B, D-PAD switches (which are a part of the Famicom standard controller); in “lores” mode, the glove reports only the position of the hand on the x and y axis and the buttons (thus emulating a Famicom controller completely and allowing one to use the glove with non-glove-specific games). In “lores” mode, it is also possible to map up to 14 combinations of the buttons to movements of the glove.
14253 
14254 
14255 
14256  * Gun Sight: Produced by Konami, it is a head-mounted lightgun with a microphone and a crosshair that covered one eye. It was manufactured specifically for one Konami game, "Laser Invasion". Wearing the device on the head, the players had to shout "fire!" into the microphone to fire a shot at the on-screen object via the headset's crosshair. However, microphone technology was poor: saying almost anything else would cause the controller to react. 
14257 
14258 
14259 
14260  * Arkanoid Controller: specific controller with a knob in place of the D-Pad to control the paddle in the game "Arkanoid".
14261 
14262 
14263 
14264  * ASCII Stick L5: Controller produced by ASCII, designed for one hand use, with RPG players in mind: you can hold it in your left hand, while taking notes or drawing maps with the other hand!
14265 
14266 
14267 
14268  * Joycard Sanusui SSS: Controller released by Hudson Soft with adapter for headphones
14269 
14270 
14271 
14272  * Toyo Stick: Arcade style joystick released by Toyo.
14273 
14274 
14275 
14276 
14277 
14278//(info from Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
14279 
14280 
14281 
14282 
14283 
14284===== Links =====
14285 
14286 
14287 
14288  * NESDev -- http://nesdev.parodius.com/
14289 
14290  * NES World -- http://nesworld.parodius.com/
14291 
14292  * FDS at Famicom World -- http://www.famicomworld.com/Disk_System/Info.htm
14293 
14294  * [[wp>Nintendo_Entertainment_System]]
14295 
14296  * [[wp>Famicom_Disk_System]]
14297 
14298 
14299 
14300 
14301 
14302===== Other Emulators =====
14303 
14304 
14305 
14306  * Nestopia -- http://nestopia.sourceforge.net/
14307 
14308  * Nintendulator -- http://qmt.ath.cx/~nes/nintendulator/
14309 
14310  * olafnes -- http://olafnes.1emulation.com/
14311 
14312  * FakeNES -- http://fakenes.sourceforge.net/
14313 
14314  * RockNES -- http://rocknes.kinox.org/
14315 
14316  * SegaLi -- http://home.planet.nl/~haps/
14317 
14318  * FCE Ultra -- http://fceultra.sourceforge.net/
14319 
14320 
14321 
14322 
14323 
14324$end
14325 
14326 
14327 
14328#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14329 
14330 
14331$info=famitwin
14332$bio
14333====== Sharp Famicom Twin (1986) ======
14334 
14335 
14336 
14337 
14338 
14339===== History and Trivia =====
14340 
14341 
14342 
14343Sharp released the Twin Famicom in 1986.
14344 
14345 
14346 
14347It is a composite console of both Famicom and disk system under license. 
14348 
14349 
14350 
14351 
14352 
14353$end
14354 
14355 
14356 
14357#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14358 
14359 
14360$info=fellow
14361$bio
14362====== Salora Fellow (1983) ======
14363 
14364 
14365 
14366 
14367 
14368===== Features =====
14369 
14370 
14371 
14372  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 3.58 MHz
14373 
14374  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 (video processor)
14375 
14376  * RAM: 6 KB Up to 64 KB with memory addons
14377 
14378  * VRAM: 2 KB
14379 
14380  * ROM: 16 KB
14381 
14382  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
14383 
14384  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
14385 
14386  * Colors: 8
14387 
14388  * Sound: 1 voice & 3 octaves
14389 
14390  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out (DIN), Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
14391 
14392  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
14393 
14394  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
14395 
14396 
14397 
14398 
14399 
14400===== History and Trivia =====
14401 
14402 
14403 
14404Salora Fellow was basically the same machine as the Video Technology Laser 200/210 just with a different case in colors that matches Salora's other electronics.
14405 
14406 
14407 
14408Salora is a Finnish televison manufacturer and they mainly sold this machine in Scandinavia, mostly in Finland. Technically they are the same as the Vtech machines and the machine still says Vtech Laser 200 when booted.
14409 
14410 
14411 
14412The machine sold reasonably well because of Salora's good reputation, but was soon crushed by bigger companies like Commodore and Spectravideo with their better machines. Lack of software was an important factor of course. The machine was also a bit out of date on arrival.
14413 
14414 
14415 
14416The machine wasn't really localized as the Scandinavian Ä,Ö and Å letters were missing from the keyboard. Adding them to the rubber keys must have been too difficult or expensive.
14417 
14418 
14419 
14420Salora also distributed the Laser 2001 as the Manager. It was meant to be the high-end computer of Salora's 
14421 
14422computer range. 
14423 
14424 
14425 
14426== Revisions ==
14427 
14428 
14429 
14430There were two known mainboard revisions:
14431 
14432 
14433 
14434  * One is identical with the original Laser 200 and very badly made with lots of wires, hot glue and a small sister board.
14435 
14436  * The second one is of much better quality, as good as big company machines like Commodore, no sister board and only one long wire running through the whole board. There is also a switch on the underside of the machine to choose between color/black&white output. Maybe Salora got tired of fixing broken Fellow's and demanded better quality from Vtech?
14437 
14438 
14439 
14440//(info from old-computers.com)//
14441 
14442 
14443 
14444 
14445 
14446===== Links =====
14447 
14448 
14449 
14450  * Salora Fellow at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1117
14451 
14452 
14453 
14454 
14455 
14456===== Other Emulators =====
14457 
14458 
14459 
14460  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
14461 
14462  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
14463 
14464 
14465 
14466 
14467 
14468$end
14469 
14470 
14471 
14472#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14473 
14474 
14475$info=g7400
14476$bio
14477====== Philips Videopac Plus G7400 (1983) ======
14478 
14479 
14480 
14481 
14482 
14483===== Features =====
14484 
14485 
14486 
14487  * CPU: 8084 Intel 1.79 Mhz
14488 
14489  * RAM: 16Kb 
14490 
14491  * ROM: 16Kb
14492 
14493  * Video: 256 x 192
14494 
14495  * Colors: 16 
14496 
14497  * Sound: 1 Audio Channel
14498 
14499  * Additional Feature: It is backward compatible with Videopac G7000
14500 
14501 
14502 
14503 
14504 
14505===== Known Issues =====
14506 
14507 
14508 
14509Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
14510 
14511 
14512 
14513 
14514 
14515===== History and Trivia =====
14516 
14517 
14518 
14519Released in Europe during 1983, the G7400 was the next generation console for Philips. It featured the basic components of a Philips Videopac, plus a new graphic chipset, the "Plus". Philips intended to sell the new hardware for at least a couple of years, with plans for more than fifty Videopac cartridges. Due to the collapse of computer/console market in 1984, however, this promising console never took a great hold on the market, and the fifty cartridges quickly became four.
14520 
14521 
14522 
14523It seems there was also a plan to release this system in the United States with the name "Odyssey 3", under the Magnavox label, but it seems that no unit ever reached the market.
14524 
14525 
14526 
14527The first Videopac game to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the G7400 was "Terrahawks" (Videopac 51). Also some older Videopac cartridges such as "Race", "Stonesling", "Satellite Attack", "Freedom Fighters" and "Pickaxe Pete", were re-released for the upgraded console. In the majority of cases, these games were made backwards compatible with the old G7000 and, due to the limited space available on the carts, the enhancements reduced to addition of colourful backgrounds. 
14528 
14529 
14530 
14531Four carts only were produced with exclusive support for the G7400: "Helicopter Rescue", "Norseman" and "Trans American Rally" and the "Microsoft Basic Expansion Module".
14532 
14533 
14534 
14535There exist various variations of the G7400: the Jopac JO7400, the Schneider G74+ and the Radiola Jet 741. 
14536 
14537 
14538 
14539//(info from Odyssey FAQs and videopac.org//
14540 
14541 
14542 
14543 
14544 
14545===== Links =====
14546 
14547 
14548 
14549  * videopac.org -- http://www.videopac.org/
14550 
14551  * Dan Boris' Odyssey2 Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/o2.shtml
14552 
14553 
14554 
14555 
14556 
14557===== Other Emulators =====
14558 
14559 
14560 
14561  * o2em for DOS -- http://o2em.sourceforge.net/
14562 
14563 
14564 
14565 
14566 
14567$end
14568 
14569 
14570 
14571#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14572 
14573 
14574$info=galaxy
14575$bio
14576====== Galaksija (1983) ======
14577 
14578 
14579 
14580 
14581 
14582===== Features =====
14583 
14584 
14585 
14586  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.072MHz
14587 
14588  * RAM: from 2 KB to 6 KB [Galaksija], 48 KB [Galaksija Plus]
14589 
14590  * ROM: 4 KB (up to 8 KB), Several ROM sockets available
14591 
14592  * Text Modes: 32 x 16
14593 
14594  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48 (semi-graphic mode) [Galaksija], 256 x 208 [Galaksija Plus]
14595 
14596  * Colors: Monochrome
14597 
14598  * Sound: None [Galaksija], 3 Channel sound generator (AY-3-8912 or compatible) [Galaksija Plus]
14599 
14600  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, Tape, Monitor Video Output, RF TV Output
14601 
14602  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard
14603 
14604 
14605 
14606 
14607 
14608===== Usage =====
14609 
14610 
14611 
14612MESS supports a "snapshot" (dump) feature for .gal files.
14613 
14614 
14615 
14616== Keyboard ==
14617 
14618 
14619 
14620This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
14621 
14622 
14623 
14624=== RAM options ===
14625 
14626 
14627 
14628Different RAM configurations are possible for the galaxy in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
14629 
14630 
14631 
14632  mess galaxy -ramsize ram_value
14633 
14634 
14635 
14636where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
14637 
14638 
14639 
14640  2k
14641 
14642  6k (default)
14643 
14644  22k - 6k + 16k RAM expansion
14645 
14646  38k - 6k + 32k RAM expansion
14647 
14648  54k - 6k + 48k RAM expansion
14649 
14650 
14651 
14652 
14653 
14654===== Known Issues =====
14655 
14656 
14657 
14658  * Needs correct palette
14659 
14660  * Tape not emulated
14661 
14662  * Video hardware not emulated (hack used)
14663 
14664  * Sound not emulated (if any)
14665 
14666  * Needs Hi-res graphic (if any)
14667 
14668  * Work stopped until info about Galaksija hardware is available.
14669 
14670 
14671 
14672 
14673 
14674===== History and Trivia =====
14675 
14676 
14677 
14678ZX81 class kit built computer from Yugoslavia (Serbia) designed by Voja Antonic. Also available in complete form.
14679 
14680 
14681 
14682There were 7000 kit complets sold and approximately 10.000 made computers (including kit built ones).
14683 
14684 
14685 
14686The meaning of the name "Galaksija" is "Galaxy" and is pronounced "Galaxiya".
14687 
14688 
14689 
14690"Galaksija" was a very important computer - not for its features but for the effect it had on the "geek" society at the time. It was named after the same-name monthly magazine dealing with various scientific issues (i.e. Yugoslav equivalent of "Scientific American").
14691 
14692 
14693 
14694Sometime in 1983, the editor, Dejan Ristanovic, decided to release a special (but separate) issue dedicated to computers: "Racunari u vasoj kuci" - "Computers in your house". This was the first truly computer magazine in the country. Due to amazing popularity it first became a regular bi-monthly and later a monthly issue.
14695 
14696 
14697 
14698Voja Antonic heard about the plans to release the (first) special issue, contacted Dejan Ristanovic and the plans were made. It was originally thought that it will just be interesting to read but not really to make. Wrong: more than 8000 were made by enthusiasts (amazing number for such a small country).
14699 
14700 
14701 
14702The Galaksija was not envisioned as a *kit* but as a build-it-yourself computer (i.e. one did not have to purchase the kit at all, although kits were available) - so people made it themselves. Later on, some companies (such as "Elektronika Inzenjering" - Electronics Engineering) started making pre-built versions, mainly distributed to schools through "Zavod za udzbenike i nastavna sredstva" (Institute for textbooks and teaching aids).
14703 
14704 
14705 
14706An EPROM has to be sent to the authors to be programmed. The designs were found in the first issue of Racunari u vasoj kuci (which translates to "Computers in your home") magazine. There were 7000 kit complets sold and aproximately 10.000 made computers (including kit built ones).
14707 
14708 
14709 
14710It was a ZX81 class computer & was invented by Voja Antonic. The Galaksija had an improved, optimised BASIC. Originally the Microsoft Basic was meant to be used, but in order to fit in 4KB of ROM, the improvements were done. Galaksija used only capital characters (like the TI-99/4A).
14711 
14712 
14713 
14714The computer was designed in second half of 1983. The diagrams were published in very late December 1983 in the January 1984 issue of magazine "Racunari u vasoj kuci" (special issue of magazine Galaksija). Technically speaking first Galaskijas were made in 1983 but only by the creators. All others were made in 1984 and later.
14715 
14716 
14717 
14718RAM was a static RAM based on 6116 (2 KB) chips. The motherboard had three slots on-board to provide from 2 to 6 KB. Since first 8 KB were reserved for ROMs, RAM was expandable to max. 54 KB. Static RAM was chosen to simplify development although it was more expensive.
14719 
14720 
14721 
14722There is no VRAM. A part of RAM was used, read by the Z80A CPU which, in turn controlled the primitive video circuitry. Almost 75% of CPU time was used to generate the video signal but this made the computer a whole lot cheaper and easier to build.
14723 
14724 
14725 
14726About the ROM, two sockets ("A" and "B") were available for 2732 EPROMs (4KB each). ROM "A" contained the basics (initialization, video generation, BASIC interpreter and alike). ROM "B" was optional and contained additional BASIC commands, assembler, monitor, etc.
14727 
14728 
14729 
14730Galaksija only had a text mode (32x16). However, 64 semi-graphic characters composed of 2x3 blocks combinations allowed PSEUDOgraphics to be drawn in 64x48 resolution.
14731 
14732 
14733 
14734The build-it-yoursef price varied significantly based on when and where parts were purchased. Pre-built model (significantly more expensive, from "Zavod za udzbenike i nastavna sredstva") used to be priced as follows (in 1984 currencies)
14735 
14736 
14737 
14738  * ROM A only, 4 KB of RAM: 45,500 din (approx. 447 USD)
14739 
14740  * ROM A only, 6 KB of RAM: 49,500 din (approx. 487 USD)
14741 
14742  * Both ROMs, 4 KB of RAM: 55,500 din (approx. 546 USD)
14743 
14744  * Both ROMs, 6 KB of RAM: 59,500 din (approx. 585 USD)
14745 
14746 
14747 
14748Galaksija Plus was an improvement of regular Galaksija, created by different authors (hardware by Nenad Dunjic and software by software Milan Tadic). They added more RAM (48 K), more ROM (12K total) separate graphics mode (256x208). To reduce time it takes to save or load longer data (for large memory) the tape data recording speed was increased from 280 bps to 1200 bps. It was announced in the sixth issue (june/jully 1985) of the same magazine, now simply called "Racunari" (Computers). Estimated price at that time was much higher, mainly due to very high inflation in the country - 140,000 din.
14749 
14750 
14751 
14752The author of this computer, Voja Antonic, reports us that the "Glalksija" was initialy offered as a "do-it-yourself" project in the 1st issue of the first computer magazine in (former) Yugoslavia, and there is a lot of interesting stuff about it. It was the time when hardly anybody knew what is the computer, so at the first moment he had the estimation of about 100 built samples, but he received over 7000 replies that readers built it and that they work!
14753 
14754 
14755 
14756The story has many more details, including broadcasting Galaksija programs over the radio (people would save the programs to the tape and then load them later, while other unsuspecting listeners would hear unimaginable noise). 
14757 
14758 
14759 
14760//(info from old-computers.com)//
14761 
14762 
14763 
14764 
14765 
14766===== Links =====
14767 
14768 
14769 
14770  * Voja Antonic's page (in Yougoslavian) -- http://www.paralax.co.yu/pr83.htm
14771 
14772  * Ivan Siric's page -- http://www.inet.hr/~isiric/
14773 
14774  * Dejan Ristanovic's page -- http://user.sezampro.yu/~dejanr/rac1/index.htm
14775 
14776  * Josip's page -- http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/
14777 
14778  * Galaksija.org -- http://www.galaksija.org/
14779 
14780  * Galaksija at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=330
14781 
14782 
14783 
14784 
14785 
14786===== Other Emulators =====
14787 
14788 
14789 
14790  * Galaksija emulator by Miodrag Jevremovic -- http://solair.eunet.yu/~amidar
14791 
14792  * Galaxy -- http://www.sezampro.yu/~dejanr/
14793 
14794 
14795 
14796 
14797 
14798$end
14799 
14800 
14801 
14802#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14803 
14804 
14805$info=galeb
14806$bio
14807====== PEL Varazdin Galeb (1981) ======
14808 
14809 
14810 
14811 
14812 
14813===== Features =====
14814 
14815 
14816 
14817  * CPU: MOS 6502
14818 
14819  * RAM: 9 KB up to 64 KB
14820 
14821  * ROM: 16 KB (Monitor & BASIC interpreter)
14822 
14823  * Text Modes: 48 columns x 16 lines
14824 
14825  * Graphic Modes: 96 x 48 pixels
14826 
14827  * Colors: Monochrome
14828 
14829  * Sound: Built-in speaker - 1 channel, 5 octaves
14830 
14831  * I/O Ports: Composite video output, TV RF video output, Serial RS-232 port, Tape interface, Expansion connector
14832 
14833  * Built In Language: Basic interpreter
14834 
14835  * Keyboard: 59 key full-stroke keyboard (QWERTZ)
14836 
14837  * Built In Media: None
14838 
14839 
14840 
14841 
14842 
14843===== History and Trivia =====
14844 
14845 
14846 
14847Galeb was an 8-bit computer designed by Miroslav Kocjan and developed by PEL Varaždin. It was largely inspired by the Compukit UK 101, Ohio Scientific Superboard and Superboard II computers that appeared in the U.K. and U.S.A. in 1979.
14848 
14849 
14850 
14851The production ended at the end of 1984 and there were only 250 units produced (so it is extremely rare). It was replaced by the Orao, a better and cheaper model.
14852 
14853 
14854 
14855//(info from old-computers.com)//
14856 
14857 
14858 
14859 
14860 
14861===== Links =====
14862 
14863 
14864 
14865  * Galeb at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1048
14866 
14867 
14868 
14869 
14870 
14871===== Other Emu =====
14872 
14873 
14874 
14875  * Galeb Emu -- http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/
14876 
14877 
14878 
14879 
14880 
14881$end
14882 
14883 
14884 
14885#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14886 
14887 
14888$info=gameboy
14889$bio
14890====== Nintendo Game Boy (1989) ======
14891 
14892 
14893 
14894 
14895 
14896===== Features =====
14897 
14898 
14899 
14900  * CPU: 8-bit processor similar to Z80 at 4.194304MHz
14901 
14902  * RAM:  8kB internal
14903 
14904  * ROM:  256kBit up to 8MBit cartridges are known (resp. 32kB up to 1024kB). Probably, there are 16kB cartridges as well.
14905 
14906  * VRAM: 8kB internal
14907 
14908  * Display: Reflective LCD 160 x 144 dots
14909 
14910  * Colors: 4 shades of gray
14911 
14912  * Screen Size: 2.6"
14913 
14914  * Sprites: 40 sprites of either 8x8 or 8x16 [switchable]
14915 
14916  * Sound: 4 channels each of which can be mapped either to the left or to the right or to both speakers
14917 
14918  * Communications: Serial port. It can be used to connect 2, 4 or 16 units using the Game Link Cable (and the Four Player Link adapter). It is also used to connect the Game Boy Printer.
14919 
14920 
14921 
14922 
14923 
14924===== Usage =====
14925 
14926 
14927 
14928== Controls ==
14929 
14930 
14931 
14932Game Boy games are controlled through a 8-way Directional Pad (D-Pad), first introduced by Nintendo in its Game & Watch series of portable games and then used also in the NES controller, and 2 buttons named A and B. Additional buttons Start and Select are present on the console itself.
14933 
14934 
14935 
14936 
14937 
14938===== History and Trivia =====
14939 
14940 
14941 
14942Nintendo's Game Boy handheld was first released in 1989 in Japan and US, and in 1990 in Europe and Australia. The gaming device was designed by the long-time Nintendo employee Gunpei Yokoi. He was also the responsible of the Ultra Hand, an expanding arm toy created and produced by Nintendo in 1970, and the creator of the Game & Watch handhelds, which first introduced the revolutionary use of a directional pad to control games.
14943 
14944 
14945 
14946Yokoi designed the original Game Boy with clear ideas in mind: the system needed to be small, light, inexpensive and durable. And the final result succeeded in all these aspects. In particular, the Game Boy was small enough to be (almost) put in pockets. Also, the reflective b&w LCD screen, which could have been a weak point in comparison to backlit color screen of the Atari Lynx and the Sega Game Gear, turned out to be its advantage: its "poor" screen, indeed, allowed the Game Boy to work for ~30 hours (almost 5 times more than competitors) with only 4AA batteries.
14947 
14948 
14949 
14950Thanks to a very large library of games, Game Boy continued its success until 2000, when it was replaced by its successor: the Game Boy Color. The new console was actually released in 1998 in Japan, but for a couple of years many new games were still programmed to be compatible with the original hardware as well.
14951 
14952 
14953 
14954== Versions ==
14955 
14956 
14957 
14958The Game Boy console went through several design iterations, without significant changes to its computing power, since its release in 1989.
14959 
14960 
14961 
14962  * Game Boy: The original Game Boy was released on April 21, 1989 in Japan and in August 1989 in the United States. Later in 1990 it was also released in Europe and Australia. It plays games from ROM-based media contained in small plastic detachable units called cartridges (sometimes abbreviated as carts or GamePaks). The killer game that pushed the Game Boy into the upper reaches of success was "Tetris". "Tetris" was widely popular, and on the handheld format could be played anywhere. It came packaged with the Game Boy, and broadened its audience: adults and kids alike were buying Game Boys in order to play "Tetris", which could be played also by two players at once (via the Game Link Cable connecting two units through the link port). It was the first cartridge-based system that supported more than four players at one time (via the link port). Using more Four Player Link adapter it is possible to link together up to 16 Game Boy units, even if such a feature was used by "Faceball 2000" only.
14963 
14964 
14965 
14966  * Game Boy - Play It Loud!: In 1995, Nintendo released several Game Boy models with colored cases, advertising them in the Play it Loud! campaign. Specifications for this unit remain the same as the original Game Boy, including the monochromatic screen, and only a more powerful internal speaker was added. This new line of colored Game Boy models would set a precedent for later Nintendo handhelds, which all feature different colored units. "Play It Loud!" units were manufactured in red, yellow, green, black, blue, white and clear cases. There was also a red cased limited edition released in the United Kingdom dedicated to Manchester United, with the logos of the team on it.
14967 
14968 
14969 
14970  * Game Boy Pocket: In July 1996 (Japanese release date, September 1996 for the US release), Nintendo released this new version which is smaller, lighter and requires only 2 AAA batteries to work (about 10 hours of game play). The Pocket has a smaller link port, which requires an adapter to link with the older Game Boy. The port design will remain the same in subsequent Game Boy models, until the Game Boy Micro. The screen was changed to a true black-and-white display, rather than the original greenish monochromatic display, and a small LED was added to show the batteries level. It was produced in many color variations (the older ones did not have the battery LED): gray, red, yellow, green, black, silver, gold, pink and light purple... Additionally, various limited editions were produced, dedicated to Hello Kitty, Tamagotchi etc.
14971 
14972 
14973 
14974  * Game Boy Light: The Game Boy Light was only released in Japan in April 14, 1998. This Light version is about the same size as the Pocket and has a backlit screen for improved visibility. It uses 2 AA batteries, which give it approximately 20 hours with the light off and 12 with it on. 
14975 
14976 
14977 
14978== Accessories ==
14979 
14980 
14981 
14982Various accessories were produce for the Game Boy.
14983 
14984 
14985 
14986  * Pocket Camera / Game Boy Camera: This add-on was released by Nintendo in 1998 and it consists of a cart with a built in camera, which allow to save pictures and to edit them in some basic way. The camera can take greyscale 128 x 112 pixel pictures with a few simple effects, to store them in albums (and later reviewed singularly or as a slideshow) and to link them together. Also, a few built-in games are present: "Space Fever II" (a shoot'em up) and, through this, "Ball" (a juggling game similar to a Game & Watch), "DJ" (in which you can mix and create music) and "Run! Run! Run!" (a race against a mole and a bird). The camera can also be interfaced with the Pocket Printer / Game Boy Printer to produce hardcopies of the pictures.
14987 
14988 
14989 
14990  * Pocket Printer / Game Boy Printer: This is a thermal printer released by Nintendo in 1998, to be used with Game Boy and Game Boy Color handhelds. It was thought to be used mainly in conjunction with Pocket Camera / Game Boy Camera, to print hardcopies of the pictures. A few games supported it as well: "Link's Awakening DX", "Super Mario Bros. Deluxe", "Pokémon Yellow", "Pokémon Gold", "Pokémon Silver", "Pokémon Crystal", "Perfect Dark", "Donkey Kong Country" and "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2" among the others.
14991 
14992 
14993 
14994  * Game Genie, Action Replay, GameShark : cheat devices produced respectively by Galoob, Datel and Interact (GameShark is the US version of Datel's Action Replay).
14995 
14996 
14997 
14998//(info from Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
14999 
15000 
15001 
15002 
15003 
15004===== Links =====
15005 
15006 
15007 
15008  * Marat Fayzullin's Game Boy Pages -- http://fms.komkon.org/GameBoy/
15009 
15010  * Steve's Game Boy Page -- http://www.semis.demon.co.uk/Gameboy/Gbmain.htm
15011 
15012  * Game Boy Hardware in Japan -- http://maru-chang.com/hard/gb/english.htm
15013 
15014  * [[wp>Game_Boy]]
15015 
15016 
15017 
15018 
15019 
15020===== Other Emulators =====
15021 
15022 
15023 
15024  * no$gmb (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gmb.htm
15025 
15026  * Gambatte (GB, GBC) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/gambatte
15027 
15028  * BGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://bgb.bircd.org/
15029 
15030  * VisualBoyAdvance (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://vba.ngemu.com/
15031 
15032  * KiGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://kigb.emuunlim.com/
15033 
15034  * Mednafen (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
15035 
15036  * Hello GameBoy (GB,GBC) [no link]
15037 
15038  * GEST (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://koti.mbnet.fi/gest_emu/
15039 
15040  * D-BOY -- http://www.emucamp.com/boukichi
15041 
15042 
15043 
15044 
15045 
15046$end
15047 
15048 
15049 
15050#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15051 
15052 
15053$info=gamecom
15054$bio
15055====== Tiger game.com (1997) ======
15056 
15057 
15058 
15059 
15060 
15061===== Features =====
15062 
15063 
15064 
15065  * CPU: Sharp sm8521 8-Bit CPU
15066 
15067  * Screen: 192 x 160 resolution, 12 x 10 grid based touch screen, 3.5 in. diameter (Original) / 2,8 in. diameter (Pocket Pro)
15068 
15069  * Colors: Black and White, with 4 gray levels
15070 
15071  * Sound/Music: Mono, FM-synthesis, 8-bit, PCM, single speaker, located in the upper left corner
15072 
15073  * Ports: Serial Comm Port for the Compete.com cable, internet cable and weblink cable; 3.5 mm Audio In Jack for headphones; DC9 V in (AC Adapter); 2 Cartridge Slots (1 on the Pocket and Pocket Pro)
15074 
15075 
15076 
15077 
15078 
15079===== Usage =====
15080 
15081 
15082 
15083== Controls ==
15084 
15085 
15086 
15087Buttons on the console:   Power (On/Off); 8-way D-Pad; Action (A, B, C, D); 3 Function (Menu, Sound, Pause); Volume; Contrast; Reset (On system's underside)
15088 
15089 
15090 
15091 
15092 
15093===== Known Issues =====
15094 
15095 
15096 
15097The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
15098 
15099 
15100 
15101 
15102 
15103===== History and Trivia =====
15104 
15105 
15106 
15107The game.com (pronounced in TV commercials as "game com", not "game dot com" and not capitalized in marketing material) was a handheld game console released by Tiger Electronics in September 1997. Although aimed at an older target audience, sporting PDA-style features and functions such as a touch screen and stylus, Tiger hoped it would challenge Nintendo's Game Boy. Unlike other handheld game consoles, the first game.com consoles included two slots for game cartridges and could be connected to a 14.4 kbit/s modem. Later models reverted to a single cartridge slot.
15108 
15109 
15110 
15111Titles released at game.com's launch included Indy 500, Duke Nukem 3D and Mortal Kombat Trilogy, along with Lights Out which came packaged with the system. Tiger also produced equivalents to many Game Boy peripherals, such as the compete.com serial cable allowing players to connect their consoles to play multiplayer games or exchange high scores. Branded items such as an AC adapter, earphones, 
15112 
15113and a carry-case were also made available.
15114 
15115 
15116 
15117Unfortunately, many of the game.com's exclusive features had only limited functionality. The touch screen had a fairly low sensor resolution, so it was hard to use for precise input in games and few players made use of the PDA functions to keep phone numbers, addresses or the like. Furthermore, the failure of the built-in backup battery would erase any high scores or information stored on the console.
15118 
15119 
15120 
15121Tiger mostly botched the job of marketing the game.com to an older audience. While they were able to line up licenses like Mortal Kombat, Duke Nukem, and Resident Evil, few of these portable adaptations were developed by their original creators, or kept to the spirit of the original games. For example, the FPS Duke Nukem is presented first person, and while shooting does happen, the manner in which it is handled is far from that of the typical First Person Shooter: the player shifts around a room one tile at a time, always facing squarely north, and presses the fire button if an enemy happens to obstruct his gun. Turning, strafing, jumping, and the finer subtleties of aiming are thusly rendered non-existent, and the game has been described as "Duke Nukem: Dungeon Crawl".
15122 
15123 
15124 
15125Most game development, even on licensed games, was done in-house. As such, SDKs were not known to be widely available.
15126 
15127 
15128 
15129At the time, the platform was almost completely ignored by the enthusiast gaming press. Tiger also used insulting marketing, including ill-considered slogans such as, "It plays more games than you slackers have brain cells."
15130 
15131 
15132 
15133In an effort to revitalize their ailing system, Tiger would later release the game.com Pocket Pro. This was a smaller version of the game.com which had the same specifications as the original except that it had a single cartridge slot and required only two AA batteries. The initial version of the Pocket Pro featured a frontlit screen (advertised as backlit, but technically it's not) and is distinguished by its rough-textured black case. A subsequent re-release omitted the frontlight and came in four translucent colors (green, blue, pink, and purple).
15134 
15135 
15136 
15137This re-release enjoyed very limited success, and the console would be cancelled in 2000, along with its exclusive ISP. Most of its problems were due to a small lineup (only 20 games), poor distribution, and poor marketing. Moreover, its display, like the original Game Boy's, suffered from very slow screen updates (known as "ghosting"), which particularly hurt the fast-paced games Tiger sought licenses for. The game.com Pocket Pro had a slightly better display than the first model - on par with the Game Boy Pocket's one - capable of doing screen updates much faster.
15138 
15139 
15140 
15141== Internet features == 
15142 
15143 
15144 
15145Using the game.com with the modem was cumbersome. The user had to insert the game.com modem into one of the unit's game cartridge slots, connect the game.com to a phone jack, and dial into the game.com-exclusive (and fairly expensive) ISP. From there, the user could upload saved high scores, or check e-mail and view the web if they had the Internet cartridge (sold separately from the modem). This process would end up being a matter of trial-and-error; both Tiger's now-defunct website and the included manual gave incorrect instructions for setting up a game.com for internet access. Web access was text-only, and the later, single-cartridge versions of the game.com could not access the web or send e-mail at all. No games had actual online play with other people, only high score uploads. The monthly fee, two extra peripherals, and exceedingly confusing setup required meant that only a small percentage of the admittedly few game.com owners had a subscription to the game.com internet service, which would barely survive until the cancellation of the handheld itself.
15146 
15147 
15148 
15149//(info from Wikipedia)//
15150 
15151 
15152 
15153 
15154 
15155===== Links =====
15156 
15157 
15158 
15159  * Brian Provinciano's game.com page -- http://www.bripro.com/low/gamecom/index.php
15160 
15161  * slight's compendium -- http://www.coxhomestead.com/slight/compendium/
15162 
15163 
15164 
15165 
15166 
15167$end
15168 
15169 
15170 
15171#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15172 
15173 
15174$info=gamegear
15175$bio
15176====== Sega Game Gear (1990) ======
15177 
15178 
15179 
15180 
15181 
15182===== Features =====
15183 
15184 
15185 
15186  * CPU: 4 MHz Zilog Z80 (8-bit)
15187 
15188  * RAM: 8K
15189 
15190  * Video RAM: 16K
15191 
15192  * Colors Palette: 512; 32 max on screen
15193 
15194  * Resolution: 160x140 viewable from 256x224
15195 
15196  * Sprite size: 8x8 , 8x16 (16x16 in doubled mode)
15197 
15198  * Max # of sprites:  64 on screen; 128 in memory
15199 
15200  * Sound:  6 channel FM, 2 channel noise - Stereo
15201 
15202  * Battery life:  6 hours on 6 AA batteries
15203 
15204 
15205 
15206 
15207 
15208===== Usage =====
15209 
15210 
15211 
15212MESS emulates two different Game Gear versions: the BIOS-less model by Sega and the Majesco model. 
15213 
15214You can switch between the two, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, both for gamegear 
15215 
15216and for gamegeaj 
15217 
15218   
15219 
15220  "-bios 0" or "-bios none" = No BIOS
15221 
15222   
15223 
15224  "-bios 1" or "-bios majesco" = Majesco BIOS
15225 
15226 
15227 
15228 
15229 
15230===== Known Issues =====
15231 
15232 
15233 
15234== To do (see source): ==
15235 
15236 
15237 
15238  * LCD persistence emulation for GG
15239 
15240  * SIO interface for Game Gear (needs netplay, I guess)
15241 
15242  * PSG control for Game Gear (needs custom SN76489 with stereo output for each channel)
15243 
15244 
15245 
15246 
15247 
15248 
15249 
15250===== History and Trivia =====
15251 
15252 
15253 
15254The Game Gear was basically a portable Master System with a lower resolution screen, but allowed for a larger color palette, and therefore potentially better-looking graphics. In addition, it could also produce stereo sound (through headphones) as opposed to the 
15255 
15256Master System's monaural output, although very few games made use of the stereo capabilities. Unlike the original Game Boy, the system was held in a "landscape" position, with the controls at the sides, making it less cramped to hold. One of the more famous and unusual peripherals for the Game Gear was the "TV Tuner Adapter", a device that plugged into the system's cartridge slot, and allowed one to watch TV on the Game Gear's screen. Other add-ons included a magnifying glass to compensate for the relatively small size of the Game Gear's screen, and a rechargeable battery pack.
15257 
15258 
15259 
15260Because of the similarities between the Master System and the Game Gear, it was possible for Master System games to be written directly onto ROMs in Game Gear cartridges. Similarly, an adapter called the "Master Gear" allowed Master System cartridges to be plugged in and played on the Game Gear. The reverse (playing a Game Gear game on a Master System console) was impossible due to the Game Gear's aforementioned larger color palette.
15261 
15262 
15263 
15264The Game Gear was not very popular in Japan, where it was released to a generally apathetic audience, with build quality issues plaguing it early in its service life. Another problem was battery life: while better than earlier color backlit systems, its 5 hour battery life still wasn't as good as the Game Boy (since Nintendo handheld had a monochrome screen, lack of a backlight, and less powerful hardware). 
15265 
15266 
15267 
15268Also overseas, despite its color backlit screen and ergonomic, which made it technically superior to the Game Boy, the Game Gear did not manage to take over a significant share of the market. Again, elevated price and batteries short life were a relevant factor in the choice of buyers, although Sega highly advertised the system as the best system in the market.
15269 
15270 
15271 
15272The Game Gear, however, did better than other portable systems that tried to compete with the Game Boy, such as the preceding Atari Lynx. In the end, the Game Gear gained most of its sales by pushing the Lynx out of the market rather than eating into the Game Boy's dominant share.
15273 
15274 
15275 
15276The blue Game Gear sports edition, identical to the standard Game Gear, except in body color, was released in 1993, with the game World Series Baseball. Another specialty edition was a red Coca-Cola-themed Game Gear unit, released to the Japanese market, which came with a game entitled Coca-Cola Kid.
15277 
15278 
15279 
15280Support ended in 1997, but Majesco released a core version of the Game Gear in 2000 for a reduced price. The Majesco Core Game Gear differed slightly from the original Game Gear in that it was black and had a purple start button rather than dark grey and a blue start button, the logo on the front of the unit was no longer in color, and it did not support the television tuner accessory. It also had a somewhat better speaker that didn't distort as much when played loudly. It was part of Majesco's strategy of eking profits from products with margins too slim for the original manufacturer to pursue, and was accompanied by Majesco's licensed reissue of several classic Game Gear cartridges. Majesco-reissued cartridges are distinguished by having no plastic case, and a Majesco Sales logo on the label, as well as the current games ratings system, which differs slightly from the one formerly used by Sega. The Majesco logo was not prominent, and these were marketed under the Sega name.
15281 
15282 
15283 
15284The Game Gear was re-released in a smaller handheld form factor in late 2006. This small handheld device was powered by 3 AAA batteries, had a brighter active matrix screen, and contained 20 Game Gear and Sega Master System games. It was released under several brands including Coleco and PlayPal.
15285 
15286 
15287 
15288//(info from Wikipedia)//
15289 
15290 
15291 
15292 
15293 
15294===== Links =====
15295 
15296 
15297 
15298  * Sega Master System and Game Gear Hardware Reference Manual -- http://www.smspower.org/dev/sdsc/SMSGGHardwareReferenceManual.html
15299 
15300  * Charles MacDonald's GG & SMS Infos -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms.php
15301 
15302  * [[wp>Sega_Game_Gear]]
15303 
15304 
15305 
15306 
15307 
15308===== Other Emulators =====
15309 
15310 
15311 
15312  * Kega Fusion -- http://www.eidolons-inn.net/tiki-index.php?page=Kega
15313 
15314  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
15315 
15316 
15317 
15318 
15319 
15320$end
15321 
15322 
15323 
15324#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15325 
15326 
15327$info=gamepock
15328$bio
15329====== Epoch Game Pocket Computer (1984) ======
15330 
15331 
15332 
15333 
15334 
15335===== Features =====
15336 
15337 
15338 
15339  * CPU: NEC UPD78C06 6MHz
15340 
15341  * Screen: 75 x 64 LCD screen
15342 
15343 
15344 
15345 
15346 
15347===== Usage =====
15348 
15349 
15350 
15351MESS supports cart dumps in .bin format for gamepock, using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Starting gamepock without any cart would give access to the built in puzzle game and "graphic" program (you can switch between them using the Select button, mapped by default to '5')
15352 
15353 
15354 
15355 
15356 
15357===== History and Trivia =====
15358 
15359 
15360 
15361Game Pocket Computer was released by Epoch in Japan in 1984. It was one of the first handheld console with interchangeable cartridges.
15362 
15363 
15364 
15365Only five games were produced: "Astro Bomber", "Block Maze", "Mahjong", "Reversi" and "Store Keepers".
15366 
15367 
15368 
15369 
15370 
15371===== Links =====
15372 
15373 
15374 
15375  * Chris Covell's Game Pocket page -- http://www.disgruntleddesigner.com/chrisc/GamePokekon/
15376 
15377  * Game Pocket Computer at handheldmuseum.com -- http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Epoch/GamePock.htm
15378 
15379  * Game Pocket at miniarcade.com -- http://www.miniarcade.com/epoch/pgc.htm
15380 
15381  * [[wp>Epoch_Game_Pocket_Computer]]
15382 
15383 
15384 
15385 
15386 
15387 
15388 
15389$end
15390 
15391 
15392 
15393#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15394 
15395 
15396$info=gbcolor
15397$bio
15398====== Nintendo Game Boy Color (1998) ======
15399 
15400 
15401 
15402 
15403 
15404===== Features =====
15405 
15406 
15407 
15408  * CPU: 8-bit processor similar to Z80 at 8 MHz with two processor modes - Single (4MHz) and Double (8MHz)
15409 
15410  * RAM: 32Kb; for carts: 128Kb
15411 
15412  * ROM: up to 64MBit for CGB carts; from 256KBit to 16MBit for Game Boy carts
15413 
15414  * VRAM: 16Kb
15415 
15416  * Display: reflective LCD by Sharp, 160x144 pixels
15417 
15418  * Colors: 32768 colors; it supports 10,32, or 56 colors on-screen at once
15419 
15420  * Sprites: 40 sprites of either 8x8 or 8x16 [switchable]
15421 
15422  * Tiles: 512 on screen making use of the 16K of VRAM
15423 
15424  * Sound: 4 Channel FM stereo, single mono speaker but stereo headphones jack
15425 
15426  * Controls:  8 directional D-Pad, A, B, Select and Start buttons. 
15427 
15428  * Communication: Serial port at 512 Kbps (to connect more units or the Game Boy Printer), infrared port (for wireless connection of 2 units) 
15429 
15430 
15431 
15432 
15433 
15434===== Usage =====
15435 
15436 
15437 
15438== Controls ==
15439 
15440 
15441 
15442Game Boy Color games are controlled through a 8-way Directional Pad (D-Pad), first introduced by Nintendo in its Game & Watch series of portable games and then used also in the NES controller, and 2 buttons named A and B. Additional buttons Start and Select are present on the console itself.
15443 
15444 
15445 
15446 
15447 
15448===== History and Trivia =====
15449 
15450 
15451 
15452Released in October 1998 in Japan (in November 1998 abroad), Nintendo Game Boy Color (also referred to as GBC, or more correctly as CGB) is the evolution of the Game Boy consoles. It adds a color screen to a device only slightly larger than the Game Boy Pocket, without affecting too much battery consumption (2AA batteries guarantee around 30 hours of play). It also has double the processor speed, twice as much memory, and an infrared communications port. 
15453 
15454 
15455 
15456The console was released in many different color cases: Grape, Atomic Purple (see through), Dandelion, Berry, Kiwi, Teal. Additionally, there were many special limited editions dedicated to e.g. Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Card Captor Sakura and Sakura Wars. 
15457 
15458 
15459 
15460A major draw of the Game Boy Color is its backward compatibility: that is, a Game Boy Color is able to read older Game Boy cartridges and even play them in a selectable color palette. This backwards compatibility became a major feature, since it allowed the new console to start with a significantly larger library than any of its competitors.
15461 
15462 
15463 
15464This console is capable of showing up to 56 different colors simultaneously on screen from its palette of 32768, and could add basic four-color shading to games that had been developed for the original Game Boy. It could also give the sprites and backgrounds separate colors, for a total of more than four colors. This is achieved by pressing certain button combinations while the Game Boy logo is displayed on the screen. It is also possible to use a monochromatic color scheme that preserves the original look of the game. The palettes available for use when an original Game Boy game is played on a later Game Boy system are as follows
15465 
15466 
15467 
15468   Combo    | Background          | Sprite 1   | Sprite 2
15469 
15470  ---------------------------------------------------------
15471 
15472  Up        | Brown               | Brown      | Brown
15473 
15474  Up + A    | Red                 | Green      | Blue
15475 
15476  Up + B    | Dark Brown          | Brown      | Brown
15477 
15478  Down      | Red / Blue / Yellow | R / B / Y  | R / B / Y 
15479 
15480  Down + A  | Red / Yellow        | R / Y      | R / Y
15481 
15482  Down + B  | Yellow              | Blue       | Green
15483 
15484  Left      | Blue                | Red        | Green
15485 
15486  Left + A  | Dark Blue           | Red        | Brown
15487 
15488  Left + B  | Monochrome (*)      | Monochrome | Monochrome
15489 
15490  Right     | Red / Green         | R / G      | R / G
15491 
15492  Right + A | Dark Green (**)     | Red        | Red
15493 
15494  Right + B | Inverted Monochrome | Inverted   | Inverted
15495 
15496  ---------------------------------------------------------
15497 
15498  (*)  Original Colors
15499 
15500  (**) Default Palette
15501 
15502 
15503 
15504In addition, most Game Boy games published by Nintendo have a special palette that is enabled when no buttons are pressed. Any game that does not have a special palette will default to the Dark Green (Right + A) palette instead.
15505 
15506The palette change feature, however, resulted in graphic artifacts in certain games: a sprite that was supposed to meld into the background was now colored separately, exposing the trick.
15507 
15508 
15509 
15510The infrared communications was introduced to allow trading of items and sharing of custom character between two units in games which allow this kind of feature. Anyway, it was exploited only in few games (e.g. Pokémon) and it was dropped in the Game Boy Advance. Game Link Cable is still necessary to play head to head matches.
15511 
15512 
15513 
15514//(info from Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
15515 
15516 
15517 
15518 
15519 
15520===== Links =====
15521 
15522 
15523 
15524  * Marat Fayzullin's Game Boy Page -- http://fms.komkon.org/GameBoy/Tech/Hardware.html
15525 
15526  * Steve's Game Boy Page -- http://www.semis.demon.co.uk/Gameboy/Gbmain.htm
15527 
15528  * [[wp>Game_Boy_Color]]
15529 
15530 
15531 
15532 
15533 
15534===== Other Emulators =====
15535 
15536 
15537 
15538  * no$gmb (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gmb.htm
15539 
15540  * Gambatte (GB, GBC) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/gambatte
15541 
15542  * BGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://bgb.bircd.org/
15543 
15544  * VisualBoyAdvance (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://vba.ngemu.com/
15545 
15546  * KiGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://kigb.emuunlim.com/
15547 
15548  * Mednafen (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
15549 
15550  * Hello GameBoy (GB,GBC) [no link]
15551 
15552  * GEST (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://koti.mbnet.fi/gest_emu/
15553 
15554 
15555 
15556 
15557 
15558$end
15559 
15560 
15561 
15562#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15563 
15564 
15565$info=genesis
15566$bio
15567====== Sega MegaDrive / Genesis (1988) ======
15568 
15569 
15570 
15571 
15572 
15573===== Features =====
15574 
15575 
15576 
15577  * Main Processor: Motorola M68000 (16-bit) at 7.67 MHz
15578 
15579  * Co-processor: Z80a at 3.58MHz
15580 
15581  * RAM: 64k (Plus 64k Ram for sound)
15582 
15583  * Video RAM: 64k
15584 
15585  * Max Cart Size: ???
15586 
15587  * Max resolution: 320 x 224 
15588 
15589  * Color palette: 512 total; 64 max on screen
15590 
15591  * Max # of sprites: 80; 20 max per scanline
15592 
15593  * Sound Chips: YM2612 and a 4 channel TI PSG76489
15594 
15595  * Sound: Stereo FM-based sound with 8-bit audio samples 
15596 
15597 
15598 
15599 
15600 
15601===== Usage =====
15602 
15603 
15604 
15605Under the "Dip Switches" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, you can change the Region on the fly. You can choose between US, Japan or Europe (or you can come back to the default region of the driver you have chosen: genesis = US, megadriv = Europe, megadrij = Japan). Many cartridges compare their country codes with that of the Genesis itself and may behave differently, or lock up if the two types do not match.
15606 
15607 
15608 
15609MESS also emulates the SVP add-on chip present in "Virtua Racing" carts. Currently, the emulation is possible through the dedicated driver  gensvp which emulates both the Genesis console and the SVP chip. To play the Japanese or the European version of the game, simply start gensvp emulation and then change region using the "Dip Switches", as described above.
15610 
15611 
15612 
15613 
15614 
15615===== Known Issues =====
15616 
15617 
15618 
15619The code is now based on HazeMD. Accuracy of the emulation is great. More in detail
15620 
15621 
15622 
15623  * Cartridges up to 40MBit (5MByte) are supported, including the special mapper for Super Street Fighter II. 
15624 
15625 
15626 
15627  * The standard 3 and 6-button pads are fully supported. Other peripherals are not yet. 
15628 
15629 
15630 
15631  * Split screen effects and interlacing are fully supported. 
15632 
15633 
15634 
15635  * Sprite/layer priority should be perfect. 
15636 
15637 
15638 
15639Few issues are known:
15640 
15641 
15642 
15643  * Bass Masters Classic Pro Edition (U) [!] - Sega Logo is corrupt
15644 
15645 
15646 
15647  * Bram Stoker's Dracula (U) [!] - Doesn't Work (HV Timing)
15648 
15649 
15650 
15651  * Double Dragon 2 - The Revenge (J) [!] - Too Slow?
15652 
15653 
15654 
15655  * International Superstar Soccer Deluxe (E) [!] - Single line Raster Glitch
15656 
15657 
15658 
15659  * Lemmings (JU) (REV01) [!] - Rasters off by ~7-8 lines (strange case)
15660 
15661 
15662 
15663  * Mercs - Sometimes sound doesn't work
15664 
15665 
15666 
15667  * Some beta games without proper sound programs seem to crash because the z80 crashes
15668 
15669 
15670 
15671== Non-bugs, confirmed on real Genesis ==
15672 
15673 
15674 
15675  * Castlevania - Bloodlines (U) [!] - Pause text is missing on upside down level
15676 
15677 
15678 
15679  * Blood Shot (E) (M4) [!] - corrupt texture in level 1 is correct...
15680 
15681 
15682 
15683 
15684 
15685 
15686 
15687===== History and Trivia =====
15688 
15689 
15690 
15691Although the Sega Master System had proved a success in Brazil and Europe, it failed to ignite much interest in the North American or Japanese markets, which by the mid-to-late 1980s were both dominated by Nintendo. Hoping to increase their share, Sega set about creating a new machine that would be at least as powerful as the then most impressive hardware on the market - the 16-bit Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, and the Macintosh II home computers.
15692 
15693 
15694 
15695Since the Sega System 16 was very popular, Hayao Nakayama, Sega's CEO at the time, decided to make their new home system utilize a 16-bit architecture. The final design was ported to the arcade, and eventually used in the Mega-Tech, Mega-Play and System-C arcade machines. 
15696 
15697 
15698 
15699The first name Sega considered for their console was the MK-1601, but they ultimately decided to call it the "Sega MegaDrive". Sega used the name MegaDrive for the Japanese, European, Asian, Australian and Brazilian versions of the console. The North American version went by the name "Genesis" due to a trademark dispute, while the South Korean versions were called "Super Gam*Boy" and "Super Aladdin Boy" (this was the Korean version of MegaDrive 2). The Korean-market consoles were licensed and distributed by Samsung Electronics.
15700 
15701 
15702 
15703== Releases ==
15704 
15705 
15706 
15707  * In Japan: The MegaDrive was released in Japan in October 29, 1988, almost exactly a year after the NEC PC Engine. Although this initially caused slow sales, the MegaDrive soon eclipsed the earlier machine in popularity. However, after the release of the PC-Engine CD add-on and the Nintendo Super Famicom, the MegaDrive soon lost ground. The MegaDrive was not as popular as the two aforementioned systems in Japan.
15708 
15709 
15710 
15711  * In North America: In 1987, Sega announced a North American release date for the system of January 9, 1989. Sega was not able to meet the initial release date and U.S. sales began on August 14, 1989 in New York City and Los Angeles. The Genesis was released in the rest of North America on September 15 of the same year. The Genesis initially competed against the 8-bit NES, over which it had superior graphics and sound. Nonetheless, it had a hard time overcoming Nintendo's ubiquitous presence in the consumer's home and the huge catalog of popular games already available for it. In an attempt to build themselves a significant consumer base, Sega decided to focus on slightly older buyers, especially young men in their late teens and early 20s who would have more disposable income and who were eager for more "grown-up" titles with more mature content and/or more in-depth game play. As such, Sega released titles such as Altered Beast and the Phantasy Star series. Although the NES and Nintendo's impending SNES were still threats to Sega's market share, they had forced the theoretically competitive TurboGrafx-16 system into relative obscurity, thanks in part to NEC's poor North American marketing campaign.
15712 
15713 
15714 
15715  * In Europe: The European release was on November 30, 1990.
15716 
15717 
15718 
15719  * In Brazil: The MegaDrive was released by Tec Toy in 1990, only a year after the Brazilian release of the Sega Master System. Tec Toy also released the internet service Mega Net, and made exclusive games including a port of Duke Nukem 3D. The MegaDrive is still manufactured in Brazil, with many games built into the console.
15720 
15721 
15722 
15723== Competition ==
15724 
15725 
15726 
15727Eventually, the MegaDrive's main competition became Nintendo's 16-bit SNES, over which it had a head start in terms of user base and number of games, reversing the problem Sega had faced against the NES. The MegaDrive continued to hold on to a healthy fan base composed significantly of RPG and sports games fans. The release of "Sonic the Hedgehog" in 1991 began to threaten Nintendo's up-to-then stranglehold on the number one console position in the USA. Sonic was released to replace former mascot Alex Kidd, and to provide the "killer app" that Sega needed. This sparked what was arguably the greatest console war in video gaming history.
15728 
15729 
15730 
15731By 1992, Sega was enjoying a strong hold on the market. Faced with a slight recession in sales and a brief loss of market share to the SNES, Sega again looked to Sonic to rejuvenate sales. The release of the highly anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 2, coinciding with an aggressive ad campaign that took shots at Nintendo, fueled MegaDrive sales a while longer. Less than a year later, in 1993, Sega released a redesigned version of the console at a newly reduced price. By consolidating the internal chipset onto a smaller, unified motherboard, Sega was able to both physically reduce the system's size and bring down production costs by simplifying the assembly procedure and reducing the number of integrated circuits required for each unit.
15732 
15733 
15734 
15735Aside from the release of the Mega-CD (Sega CD in North America) and 32X add-ons for the MegaDrive, Sega's last big announcement came in the form of a partnership with Time Warner in the U.S. to offer a subscription-based service called Sega Channel, which would allow subscribers to "download" games on a month-by-month basis.
15736 
15737 
15738 
15739The failures of the Mega-CD and 32X, a lack of effective advertising, and disputes between Sega of America and Sega of Japan had taken their toll on the company. By mid 1994, Sega's console was not so popular anymore, and the official announcements of newer, more powerful consoles, such as the Saturn, Playstation, and N64 signaled that the 16-bit era was drawing to a close. Interest in the MegaDrive suffered greatly as a result, compounding its already falling sales. 
15740 
15741 
15742 
15743In 1996, less than a year after the debut of their Saturn console, Sega quickly brought their participation in the 16-bit era to an end by discontinuing production of the MegaDrive and its associated accessories. This obviously angered consumers around the world who had bought the Sega CD and 32X attachments only to see Sega abandon all support.
15744 
15745 
15746 
15747== Variations of the Sega MegaDrive ==
15748 
15749 
15750 
15751During its lifespan, the Sega MegaDrive and Genesis quite possibly received more officially licensed variations than any other console. While only one major design revision of the console was created during its lifespan, each region has its own peculiarities and unique items, while other variations were exercises in reducing costs (such as the removal of the little-used 9-pin EXT. port) or expanding the capabilities of the MegaDrive/Genesis. A list of these variations can be found below.
15752 
15753 
15754 
15755  * Sega MegaDrive (Japan)
15756 
15757    * Japanese-language settings
15758 
15759    * Headphone jack
15760 
15761    * AUX port marked A/V OUT
15762 
15763    * 9-pin EXT. port
15764 
15765    * Has a cartridge lock
15766 
15767    * On the circular molding, in purple is the text "AV Intelligent Terminal High Grade Multipurpose Use". At the bottom of the circle is a purple square section with a red power indicator LED.
15768 
15769    * "MegaDrive" is printed in white on the lower right of the console to the left of the Sega logo.
15770 
15771    * The reset button and start button on the joypad are blue.
15772 
15773    * Model number HAA-2510
15774 
15775 
15776 
15777  * Sega MegaDrive (Europe, Australia, and New Zealand)
15778 
15779    * Converted to display PAL 50 Hz signal
15780 
15781    * English-language settings
15782 
15783    * Unable to play Japanese MegaDrive games due to shape of cartridge and console. However, adapters were sold to play Japanese games in the European model.
15784 
15785    * Cartridge lock removed
15786 
15787    * The text "High Definition Graphics - Stereo Sound" located behind cartridge port (only found on earlier models).
15788 
15789    * The reset button and the start button are white.
15790 
15791    * Model number 1600-05 (original model), 1601-05 (second variation without "High Definition Graphics - Stereo Sound" text or EXT port)
15792 
15793 
15794 
15795  * Sega MegaDrive (Brazil)
15796 
15797    * Converted to display PAL-M (60 Hz) signal
15798 
15799    * English-language settings
15800 
15801    * Unable to play Japanese and European MegaDrive games due to region limitation. However, adapters were sold to play Japanese and European games in the Brazilian model.
15802 
15803    * Cartridge lock removed
15804 
15805    * Toymaker Tec Toy manufactured and distributed the console.
15806 
15807    * The text "High Definition Graphics - Stereo Sound" located behind cartridge port (only found on earlier models).
15808 
15809    * The reset button and the start button are white.
15810 
15811 
15812 
15813  * Sega MegaDrive (Asia): This console is a variant of the European MegaDrive and often mistaken for a Japanese MegaDrive.
15814 
15815    * No text printed around circle
15816 
15817    * Larger "16-Bit" logo used
15818 
15819    * Power panel magenta instead of white.
15820 
15821    * "Start" and "Reset" button are blue
15822 
15823    * Identical to European MegaDrive with PAL or NTSC output
15824 
15825    * Used Japanese MegaDrive logo and packaging similar to the Japanese version
15826 
15827    * Games packaged the same as European with the same labeling. However, the cartridges are shaped like Japanese MegaDrive games.
15828 
15829    * Model number: 1601-15 (revision without the EXT port)
15830 
15831 
15832 
15833  * Sega Genesis (North America)
15834 
15835    * Headphone jack
15836 
15837    * AUX port marked A/V OUT
15838 
15839    * 9-pin EXT. port on early models
15840 
15841    * Reset and start buttons are gray
15842 
15843    * "Sega Genesis" in white on top of machine below cartridge slot
15844 
15845    * Model number MK-1601 is made in Japan, newer revisions were made in Taiwan to cut production costs
15846 
15847 
15848 
15849  * Samsung Super Gam*Boy (South Korea): The official Korean release was licensed and marketed by Samsung Electronics, as were the games.
15850 
15851 
15852 
15853  * Sega MegaDrive 2 (Japan) [NOTE: This model was also released in Europe / Australia in certain packages.]]
15854 
15855    * New square shape
15856 
15857    * No headphone jack
15858 
15859    * One custom multi-output for picture and sound
15860 
15861    * Red colored flaps on cartridge port
15862 
15863    * The text "High Grade Multi Purpose Intelligent Terminal" located behind cartridge port.
15864 
15865    * Packaged with six-button controller.
15866 
15867    * No power LED
15868 
15869 
15870 
15871  * Sega MegaDrive 2 (Europe, Australia, and New Zealand)
15872 
15873    * New square shape
15874 
15875    * No headphone jack
15876 
15877    * A/V port switched to one custom multi-output for picture and sound (previously, only mono sound was used, as the stereo sound came through the headphone jack)
15878 
15879    * Push-button power switch
15880 
15881    * Power port smaller, and different AC adapter used
15882 
15883    * RF modulator removed
15884 
15885    * Has a red power LED between the power and reset buttons
15886 
15887    * Auto-switching RF lead included
15888 
15889    * Model number MK-1631-50
15890 
15891 
15892 
15893  * Sega Genesis (North America, second model) [NOTE: This model was not officially named "Genesis 2".]]
15894 
15895    * New square shape
15896 
15897    * No headphone jack
15898 
15899    * One custom multi-output for picture and sound
15900 
15901    * Has a red power LED between the power and reset buttons
15902 
15903    * "Genesis" in square above cartridge slot
15904 
15905    * Model number MK-1631
15906 
15907 
15908 
15909  * Samsung Super Aladdin Boy (South Korea)
15910 
15911    * Officially licensed Korean version of Sega MegaDrive 2
15912 
15913    * Licensed and distributed by Samsung Electronics
15914 
15915 
15916 
15917  * Sega Genesis 3 (North America): Announced in 1997 as a "budget" version, the Genesis 3 was manufactured by Majesco. In order to cut costs, the expansion port and circuitry were omitted, which made the Genesis 3 incompatible with the Sega CD, Sega 32X, Power Base Converter and Virtua Racing. It was released in 1998 as the "Genesis 3" in North America only. It originally retailed for $50 and was later lowered as far down as $19.99.
15918 
15919    * Smaller square shape
15920 
15921    * No expansion port
15922 
15923    * No headphone jack
15924 
15925    * No power LED
15926 
15927    * One multi-output for picture and sound
15928 
15929    * Does not support 32X or Power Base Converter
15930 
15931    * "Sega Genesis 3" below cartridge slot
15932 
15933    * Model number MK-1641
15934 
15935 
15936 
15937  * Sega MegaDrive 3 (Brazil) [NOTE: This model looks like the North American Sega Genesis 2.]
15938 
15939    * Lots of different versions with different built-in games.
15940 
15941 
15942 
15943== Sega MegaDrive derived hardware ==
15944 
15945 
15946 
15947  * The Victor/JVC Wondermega/X'eye: The Wondermega (named X'eye in North America) is a combined MegaDrive and Mega-CD sold by Victor (known as JVC outside Japan). It was never released in Europe.
15948 
15949    * Improved sound capabilities
15950 
15951    * MIDI port
15952 
15953    * 2 microphone inputs
15954 
15955    * S-video out (only in Wondermega, not in later X'eyes unless modded by user)
15956 
15957    * Packaged with a CD called Game Garden that had Flicky and Pyramid. The CD player is compatible with CD-Gs.
15958 
15959    * Another release came with Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, Prize Fighter, and a Karaoke CD+G demo CD.
15960 
15961    * Later Japanese pack had a platform game called 'Wonderdog' by Core.
15962 
15963    * Supported the "Wonder CD" peripheral that allowed one to create music and connect to MIDI-enabled devices.
15964 
15965    * Supported a music keyboard called the "Piano Player" that allowed users to create music and learn to use the keyboard.
15966 
15967    * Later given a redesign with a softer, more curved look. Some of the extra features were removed, and the joypads were remodeled infrared joypads.
15968 
15969 
15970 
15971  * Sega Multi-Mega/CDX: The Sega Multi-Mega (named CDX in North America) is an integrated MegaDrive/Genesis and Mega-CD/Sega CD console with the capability of also functioning as a portable CD player, aimed at the more affluent market. The British release sold at £350.
15972 
15973    * No built-in screen.
15974 
15975    * Could function as a portable CD player. CD control buttons are on the front of the console. A back-lit LCD displayed the track number. An extra line out port was provided for stereo equipment.
15976 
15977    * Powered by 2 AA batteries when operated as a portable CD player. The unit must be powered by an AC adapter to play video games.
15978 
15979 
15980 
15981  * The Mega Jet and Sega Nomad: The original technology behind the Genesis Nomad traces back to the Mega Jet, which was a semi-portable version of the MegaDrive that was used for in-flight entertainment by Japan Airlines. The device lacked its own screen, but could play MegaDrive cartridges when hooked up to a small monitor used on Japan Airlines flights. The unit featured a directional pad on the left side and six buttons on the right, similar to the layout of a game controller. A consumer version of Mega Jet was released by Sega of Japan on March 10, 1994. It was essentially the same as the unit that was used on JAL flights, meaning that it still lacked a screen and could not be powered on without an AC adapter. A mono DIN plug cord was added and the necessary AC adapter was included with the unit. No other additions or improvements were made. Sega followed it up in October 1995 with the Genesis Nomad for the American market, essentially a Mega Jet featuring a 3.25 inch color LCD screen, and a battery pack attached to the rear of the system, holding six AA batteries, making it completely portable, as opposed to simply being a small Genesis system. In addition to its other improvements over the Mega Jet, an A/V output plug was added to the top of the unit, allowing owners to play games on a television screen with a separate A/V cable. One particularly interesting feature was the ability for one player to play using a connected TV while another watched on the Nomad. The directional pad on the unit controlled all one-player games, and a port on the bottom allowed a second controller to be plugged in for two-player games. This meant that the Nomad could be a fully functional home system as well as a completely portable handheld solution with a pre-existing library of games available for it. While the Nomad won praise for its screen resolution and features, there were some problems. The 32X and Sega CD were not compatible with the unit, and Sega's Power Base Converter, used to play Sega Master System games on the Genesis/MegaDrive, was also incompatible. On paper, the Nomad was the perfect color portable. It had a full color, backlit display, and supported an estimated 600 titles already on the shelves in addition to being a functional home system. But despite the reduction of price, the handheld did not garner enough support to continue.
15982 
15983 
15984 
15985  * Pioneer LaserActive with MegaDrive module: LaserActive was the name given to Pioneer's CLD-A100 LaserDisc player. The player was both a Laserdisc and CD player right out of the box, while the addition of add-on modules manufactured by Sega and NEC could make the unit function as a gaming system as well. Sega's PAC-S1 module, released at a price of ¥39,000, allowed users to play MegaDrive, Sega-CD and specially created Mega LD games through the player. The Mega LD games were briefly thought to be the next evolution in gaming, mainly because the massive storage capacity of the Laserdiscs they were printed on meant that games could be multiple times larger than before and include broadcast quality full-motion video and digital audio as well as surround sound, all features that have become commonplace on modern DVD-ROM based systems. An NEC module, PAC-N1, gave the unit the capability to play Turbografx 16 games. The addition of either module also made the unit compatible with either Sega or NEC brand control pads. A later module was released for the unit by Pioneer, allowing it to function as a full-feature Karaoke machine. Pioneer later engineered 3D glasses for the system (Kit GOL-1), the glasses required an adapter to be attached before they could function with the player, but each adapter could support a pair of the goggles, allowing 2 users to play in 3D simultaneously. The LaserActive unit unfortunately did not survive for long. Its high cost and the general market disinterest in Laserdisc made the system a hard sell.
15986 
15987 
15988 
15989  * TeraDrive: The TeraDrive was an 80286 PC manufactured by IBM with an integrated MegaDrive. The system was released in Japan only. Three models were available and only the top-of-the-line model was supplied with a hard disk. A special monitor (sold separately) was available, which could display both 15 kHz RGB video signals from the MegaDrive hardware and the 31 kHz VGA output of the PC hardware, both from the VGA connector. The system also contained composite NTSC video and stereo RCA jacks for connection to a TV. Additionally, MegaDrive games could be played at the same time as the PC section is being used, and it was possible for the MegaDrive and PC hardware to interact with each other, as shown with the Puzzle Construction program. It was also possible for MegaDrive software to be run from the PC's RAM. Etymologically, TeraDrive is a pun on the terms "MegaDrive" and "tera", which equals 1*mega*mega.
15990 
15991 
15992 
15993  * Amstrad Mega PC: The Mega PC was a system produced by Amstrad under license from Sega with MegaDrive and IBM-compatible PC functionality in one. The Mega PC was similar in concept to the Teradrive, but was an unrelated project.
15994 
15995    * The PC section used an Intel i386SX running at 25 MHz. It had 1 MB of RAM and a 40 MB hard disk drive.
15996 
15997    * Released in Europe and Australia around 1992-1993
15998 
15999    * Cream-colored, with a sliding cover on the front to change between MegaDrive and PC modes.
16000 
16001    * The output from the MegaDrive section was only available through the VGA connector, to the supplied dual-sync (15 kHz/31 kHz) monitor.
16002 
16003    * Though the PC section is always running when the system is switched on, MegaDrive software cannot be used at the same time as PC software, due to the system having only one video output.
16004 
16005    * Could also be used with a Mega CD with the use of a special connector only available from Amstrad.
16006 
16007    * Most of the MegaDrive hardware is contained on an 8-bit ISA card, with AdLib-compatible sound on the same board.
16008 
16009    * The Mega Plus was an updated version of the Mega PC. It used an Intel i486 at 33 MHz and 4 MB of RAM.
16010 
16011 
16012 
16013  * Firebox Mini MegaDrive 6-in-1: Developed by Firebox, the Mini MegaDrive is around the same size as an average joystick, includes 6 built-in games and can plug directly into a television set without the need for an external power supply (the unit can run off an AA battery source). A single MegaDrive pad has a direct connection to the Mini MegaDrive, allowing the player to select 1 of the 6 in-built games to play, which include: Sonic the Hedgehog 1, Golden Axe, Kid Chameleon, Flicky, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine and Altered Beast. One of its major drawbacks is the lack of a secondary controller, and the lack of ability to connect one, hence any 2-player games are only playable single player.
16014 
16015 
16016 
16017  * Aiwa Mega CD: Probably the most unusual of any incarnation of the MegaDrive was a variant that was built around an Aiwa CD player. The unit was made up of two components - an Aiwa bookshelf-size CD radio and a dock which added the MegaDrive connections (excepting sound, which the main radio unit handled.) Oddly, Sega and Aiwa chose not to place the interface between the two on the sides that would connect, but instead opted to use a connection cable on the back. This variant of the MegaDrive is one of the rarest made, and only saw limited release into the Japanese market.
16018 
16019 
16020 
16021  * Radica Games' Legends Sega Genesis: The Sega Genesis/MegaDrive was brought back to life by the USA company Radica Games Limited under its Play TV collection. It consists of a classic Genesis joypad with a video cable ready for plugging into a television to play a variety of games. Some models actually condense the Genesis/MegaDrive system onto a single chip, allowing a cartridge slot to be added. As of March 2006, there are at least seven versions of the gadget:
16022 
16023    * Play TV Legends Sega Genesis, with the games Sonic 1, Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Kid Chameleon, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, and Flicky.
16024 
16025    * Play TV Legends Sega Genesis Volume 2, with the games Sonic 2, Ecco the Dolphin, Gain Ground, The Ooze, Columns, and Alex Kidd & the Enchanted Castle.
16026 
16027    * Play TV Legends Street Fighter 2, a pack of two 6-button pads with Street Fighter II and Ghouls 'n Ghosts.
16028 
16029    * Play TV Legends Menacer, a collection of light gun games from the Menacer 6-in-1 cartridge, including Pest Control, Space Station Defender, Whack Ball, Front Line, Rockman's Zone, and Ready, Aim Tomatoes.
16030 
16031    * Play TV Legends Outrun 2019, a racing wheel with the game included.
16032 
16033    * Play TV Legends Super Sonic Gold, a collection of Sonic games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Spinball and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine.
16034 
16035    * Arcade Legends Sensible Soccer Plus, a pack of two 3-button pads containing games from UK developer Sensible Software, including Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder and Mega Lo Mania.
16036 
16037 
16038 
16039== Miscellaneous ==
16040 
16041 
16042 
16043  * Some MSX machines released only in Arab countries by a company named Universal, which along with MSX software could also (allegedly) play MegaDrive games.
16044 
16045    * The A330 MSX had a cartridge port on the top of the machine. It has "Painting", "Calendar", "Arabic Writing", and "English Writing" as its programs.
16046 
16047    * The AX990 had 50 programs. They are likely to be an unofficial multicart or other MSX programs.
16048 
16049 
16050 
16051//(info from Wikipedia)//
16052 
16053 
16054 
16055 
16056 
16057===== Links =====
16058 
16059 
16060 
16061  * Genesis / MegaDrive Hardware infos -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/gen.php
16062 
16063  * [[wp>Sega_Genesis]]
16064 
16065 
16066 
16067 
16068 
16069===== Other Emulators =====
16070 
16071 
16072 
16073  * Kega Fusion -- http://www.eidolons-inn.net/tiki-index.php?page=Kega
16074 
16075  * Gens -- http://www.gens.ws/ (various forks exist)
16076 
16077  * HazeMD -- http://haze.mameworld.info/ (same emulation core as MESS)
16078 
16079  * Xega -- http://xega.emucamp.com/
16080 
16081 
16082 
16083 
16084 
16085$end
16086 
16087 
16088 
16089#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16090 
16091 
16092$info=geneve
16093$bio
16094====== Myarc Geneve 9640 (1987) ======
16095 
16096 
16097 
16098 
16099 
16100===== Features =====
16101 
16102 
16103 
16104  * CPU: Texas Instruments TMS9995 12 MHz
16105 
16106  * Co-Processor: Texas InstrumentsTMS9938 (Yamaha V9938) 128K display + TMS9901 Interrupt Controller + MM58274 real-time clock
16107 
16108  * RAM: 512 KB 1-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to 2mb) + 32 KB 0-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to 64K)
16109 
16110  * VRAM: 128 KB VDP RAM
16111 
16112  * Text Modes: 80 columns
16113 
16114  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 424 (256 colors), 512 x 424 (16 colors)
16115 
16116  * Colors: 512
16117 
16118  * Sound: SN76496 sound processor
16119 
16120  * I/O Ports: RGB & composit video ouput (8-pin DIN), mouse, joystick port, keyboard connector (IBM compatible)
16121 
16122  * OS: MDOS (very close to MS-DOS)
16123 
16124 
16125 
16126 
16127 
16128===== Usage =====
16129 
16130 
16131 
16132This driver emulates a Geneve with (almost) 2Mbytes of RAM, 4 floppy drives, and a mouse.  3 Hard Disk are supported by the HFDC disk controller.
16133 
16134 
16135 
16136You need an MDOS disk image to boot the Geneve.  Insert the image and run the computer.
16137 
16138 
16139 
16140 
16141 
16142===== Known Issues =====
16143 
16144 
16145 
16146  * Wait states are not emulated (except for the speech synthesizer), so the Geneve will always run at full speed.
16147 
16148  * The keyboard does not seem to work properly in BHDMV.
16149 
16150 
16151 
16152 
16153 
16154===== History and Trivia =====
16155 
16156 
16157 
16158Myarc is known as the builder of several fine extension cards for the TI99. They managed to remain in business for several years after TI abandonned its TI99 series of computers in 1983, and, in 1987, they even introduced their Geneve 9640 computer.  The computer is a single card to be inserted in the TI PEB as a replacement of the TI99 console.  The card has standard connectors to attach a PC-XT keyboard and a monitor, but no other I/O ports, as the Geneve relies on expansion cards in the PEB to provide disk and RS232 interfaces.  The Geneve features a TMS9995 at 12MHz, a V9938 VDP, an SN76496 sound generator (compatible with TMS9919), a MM58274 RTC, 512 kbytes of 1-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to almost 2 Mbytes), 32 kbytes of 0-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to 64 kbytes), and 128 kbytes of VRAM (expandable to 192 kbytes).  Thanks to the GenMod modification, the 512 kbytes of on-board RAM can be disabled so that 0-wait-state RAM may be used instead, but this breaks the TI99 emulation mode. 
16159 
16160 
16161 
16162Although the Geneve is compatible with the TI99, it is a different machine. It has a disk-based Operating System that looks like MS-DOS.  It has two operating modes: a native mode, and a TI99-compatible mode.  The TI99 mode is normally entered by running the GPL program: the Geneve can run most TI99 programs in this mode, which uses some special areas of CPU RAM to emulate GROMs and cartridge ROMs.
16163 
16164 
16165 
16166 
16167 
16168===== Links =====
16169 
16170 
16171 
16172  * www.ti99.com -- http://perso.orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/geneve.htm
16173 
16174 
16175 
16176 
16177 
16178$end
16179 
16180 
16181 
16182#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16183 
16184 
16185$info=glasgow
16186$bio
16187====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto III S Glasgow (1984) ======
16188 
16189 
16190 
16191===== Features =====
16192 
16193 
16194 
16195  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz
16196 
16197  * ROM: 64 KB
16198 
16199  * RAM: 16 KB
16200 
16201 
16202 
16203 
16204 
16205===== History and Trivia =====
16206 
16207 
16208 
16209Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers. 
16210 
16211 
16212 
16213They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules. 
16214 
16215 
16216 
16217The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
16218 
16219 
16220 
16221Mephisto III S Glasgow was introduced in 1984. It was programmed by Thomas Nietsche & Elmar Henne and it was the first Chess Computer by Hegener & Glaser based on a 16bit CPU.
16222 
16223 
16224 
16225For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
16226 
16227 
16228 
16229 
16230 
16231===== Links =====
16232 
16233 
16234 
16235  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
16236 
16237  * Mephisto Glasgow at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
16238 
16239  * Mephisto Glasgow at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_III-S_Glasgow
16240 
16241  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
16242 
16243 
16244 
16245 
16246 
16247$end
16248 
16249 
16250 
16251#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16252 
16253 
16254$info=gmaster
16255$bio
16256====== Hartung Game Master (1990) ======
16257 
16258 
16259 
16260 
16261 
16262===== Features =====
16263 
16264 
16265 
16266  * CPU: NEC upd7810
16267 
16268  * Screen: 64 x 64 Low Resolution LCD
16269 
16270  * Color: monochrome black/white tones
16271 
16272  * I/O ports: Headphone jack (unit includes small stereo headphones)
16273 
16274 
16275 
16276 
16277 
16278===== History and Trivia =====
16279 
16280 
16281 
16282The Hartung Game Master was sold in 1990? in Germany. Trying to 
16283 
16284compete with the Game Boy (another one like the Supervision and the
16285 
16286Mega Duck), didn't had any succes, very less than the Supervision. 
16287 
16288With a black & white monocrome LCD display, it ressembles graphically 
16289 
16290to a Atari 2600 with it's blocky pixels. The casing looks alike as 
16291 
16292the Sega Game Gear. The cartridges looks very much to the Supervision, 
16293 
16294and even has 40-pins like the Supervision but ain't compatible with 
16295 
16296each others. 
16297 
16298 
16299 
16300The Hartung Game Master has a black and grey color casing with a
16301 
16302border and name in red (or brown). Like the Game Boy or any other
16303 
16304portable systems, it has an On / Off Switch, a contrast control, a 
16305 
16306volume control, a AC adaptor input jack and a headphone jack, 
16307 
16308directional-cross pad, "A" and "B" buttons plus a Start and Select 
16309 
16310buttons. 
16311 
16312 
16313 
16314== Variants ==
16315 
16316 
16317 
16318  * Hartung/Impel/Watara Game Master - 1990? - Europe: Black and grey casing. See above.
16319 
16320  * Delplay Game Plus - 199? - France: White color casing which has a Game Boy style. Cartridges (white casing) are compatible with the other clones but the cartridges of the others cannot fit-in the cartridge slot of the Game Plus. This clone is the most unique and the much rarer of them all.
16321 
16322  * Game Tronic - 199? - France: Purple and black casing with yellow buttons. Border line and name are yellow. Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
16323 
16324  * Videojet Game Master - 199? - France: White/Light Cream color casing with light blue buttons. No border around the screen. The name is written in black and the name "Videojet" is written above the LCD screen. Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
16325 
16326  * Virella Electronics Game Master 2001 - 199? - Italy: Same as the Hartung/Impel/Watara Game Master(?). Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
16327 
16328  * Super Game - 199? - France: Exact duplicate of the Game Tronic with the exception of the name. Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
16329 
16330 
16331 
16332//(info from Game Master FAQs)//
16333 
16334 
16335 
16336 
16337 
16338===== Links =====
16339 
16340 
16341 
16342  * Game Master FAQs -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/hartung.txt
16343 
16344  * [[wp>Hartung_Game_Master]]
16345 
16346 
16347 
16348 
16349 
16350 
16351 
16352$end
16353 
16354 
16355 
16356#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16357 
16358 
16359$info=gx4000
16360$bio
16361====== Amstrad GX4000 (1990) ======
16362 
16363 
16364 
16365 
16366 
16367===== Features =====
16368 
16369 
16370 
16371  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
16372 
16373  * RAM: 64 KB
16374 
16375  * ROM: 32 KB
16376 
16377  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
16378 
16379  * Colors: 32 maximum (in low resolution) among 4096
16380 
16381  * Sound: General Instruments AY-3-8912 chipset, 3 stereo voices, 8 octaves, +1 noise channel
16382 
16383  * I/O Ports: Audio output, 2 x digital controller connectors, Analog controller port (IBM standard), Light gun connector (RJ11 socket), Audio & RGB video output (8 pin DIN), Scart connector (audio & video), power supply socket from external PSU, power supply socket from monitor
16384 
16385  * Controllers: Two controllers with one direction pad and two fire buttons each.
16386 
16387  * Built In Software: None, but the console was delivered with the cartridge "Burnin' Rubber"
16388 
16389  * Media: Cartridges (512 KB max.)
16390 
16391  * Number of Games: Less than 40 cartridges were released
16392 
16393 
16394 
16395 
16396 
16397===== History and Trivia =====
16398 
16399 
16400 
16401The GX4000 is a game system based on the hardware of the Amstrad 464+ and 6128+ computers. 
16402 
16403 
16404 
16405Like Commodore did at the same time with the C64 and the C64 GS, Amstrad tried to enter the gaming market with a console based on its aging but popular 8-bit technology (CPC computers). Sadly, at a time when 16-bit gaming systems like the Sega MegaDrive and Super Nintendo appeared on the shelves, the GX4000 did not stand the comparison and soon disappeared from the market. This also marked the end of Amstrad participation into home-computing world (apart from PC compatible systems). 
16406 
16407 
16408 
16409Like CPC+ computers, the GX 4000 have enhanced graphics and sound (DMA), colour palette of 4096, hardware sprites, hardware scrolling, and used 128 Ko to 512 KB carts. These carts could also be used by 464+ and 6128+ computers. 
16410 
16411 
16412 
16413Only a few cartridge games were released, adding to the frustration of unlucky buyers of this system... 
16414 
16415 
16416 
16417//(info from old-computers.com)//
16418 
16419 
16420 
16421 
16422 
16423===== Links =====
16424 
16425 
16426 
16427  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
16428 
16429  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
16430 
16431  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
16432 
16433  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
16434 
16435  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
16436 
16437  * CPC 464 Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=26
16438 
16439 
16440 
16441 
16442 
16443===== Other Emulators =====
16444 
16445 
16446 
16447  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
16448 
16449  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
16450 
16451  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
16452 
16453  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
16454 
16455  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
16456 
16457  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
16458 
16459  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
16460 
16461  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
16462 
16463 
16464 
16465 
16466 
16467$end
16468 
16469 
16470 
16471#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16472 
16473 
16474$info=hp48s
16475$bio
16476====== Hewlett Packard HP48S/SX/G/GX ======
16477 
16478 
16479 
16480 
16481 
16482===== Features =====
16483 
16484 
16485 
16486  * Memory: 32kb RAM [HP48S], 128KB RAM [HP48SX], 1MB ROM, 32kb RAM [HP48G], 128kb RAM [HP48GX]
16487 
16488  * 131 x 64 monochrome LCD display
16489 
16490  * Memory/cartridge slot
16491 
16492  * Battery slot
16493 
16494  * Infrared interface
16495 
16496  * Serial rs232 interface
16497 
16498 
16499 
16500 
16501 
16502===== Usage =====
16503 
16504 
16505 
16506Notice that pressing ON and - decreases contrast, while ON and + increases contrast
16507 
16508 
16509 
16510MESS supports the following various rom revisions of both HP 48S and HP 48G. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
16511 
16512 
16513 
16514== hp48s ==
16515 
16516   
16517 
16518  "-bios 0" or "-bios sxrom-a" = sxrom-a
16519 
16520   
16521 
16522  "-bios 1" or "-bios sxrom-b" = sxrom-b
16523 
16524   
16525 
16526  "-bios 2" or "-bios sxrom-c" = sxrom-c
16527 
16528   
16529 
16530  "-bios 3" or "-bios sxrom-d" = sxrom-d
16531 
16532   
16533 
16534  "-bios 4" or "-bios sxrom-e" = sxrom-e
16535 
16536   
16537 
16538  "-bios 5" or "-bios sxrom-ea" = sxrom-e(Alternate)
16539 
16540   
16541 
16542  "-bios 6" or "-bios sxrom-f" = sxrom-f
16543 
16544   
16545 
16546  "-bios 7" or "-bios sxrom-g" = sxrom-g
16547 
16548 
16549 
16550 
16551 
16552== hp48g ==
16553 
16554   
16555 
16556  "-bios 0" or "-bios gxrom-k" = gxrom-k
16557 
16558   
16559 
16560  "-bios 1" or "-bios gxrom-l" = gxrom-l
16561 
16562   
16563 
16564  "-bios 2" or "-bios gxrom-m" = gxrom-m
16565 
16566   
16567 
16568  "-bios 3" or "-bios gxrom-p" = gxrom-p
16569 
16570   
16571 
16572  "-bios 4" or "-bios gxrom-r" = gxrom-r
16573 
16574 
16575 
16576 
16577 
16578===== Known Issues =====
16579 
16580 
16581 
16582Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org. (G memory management not finished - S is a few bugfixes from working)
16583 
16584 
16585 
16586 
16587 
16588===== History and Trivia =====
16589 
16590 
16591 
16592Scientific Calculators.
16593 
16594 
16595 
16596The HP48 series was the top of the HP range from 1990 until the introduction of the HP49 in 1999. The range consists of the HP48S, HP48SX, HP48G, HP48G+, HP48GX and HP48GII. The GII model is still available.
16597 
16598 
16599 
16600The basic design and layout of the 48 series was also used for the HP38G, and then augumented to produce the HP49G, HP39G and HP40G. In addition to software changes between the models, the main difference between the 48/38 series and the 49/39/40 machines is the keyboard: the 48/38 machines having a "traditional" HP quality keyboard; the newer models having rubber keys. The displays have also been improved: the G series are better than the S series. Recent G series models use the even better display from the 49/39/40 machines.
16601 
16602 
16603 
16604The same CPU and much of the operating system is shared between the 28, 38, 39, 40, 48 and 49 machines. Consequently it is possible to port software from the earlier machines provided machine specific capabilities are avoided.
16605 
16606 
16607 
16608The HP48GII is different to the rest of the HP48 series because it uses an ARM CPU, like the HP49G+, to emulate the Saturn CPU of the earlier models. It also has a significantly different case and keyboard design.
16609 
16610 
16611 
16612//(info from hpcc.org)//
16613 
16614 
16615 
16616 
16617 
16618===== Links =====
16619 
16620 
16621 
16622  * Official and Public Domain HP ROM images -- http://www.hpcalc.org/hp.php
16623 
16624  * HP48S at HP Museum -- http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp48s.htm
16625 
16626  * HP48 at HPCC -- http://www.hpcc.org/calculators/hp48.html
16627 
16628 
16629 
16630 
16631 
16632===== Other Emulators =====
16633 
16634 
16635 
16636  * Emu48 -- http://privat.swol.de/ChristophGiesselink/emu48.htm
16637 
16638 
16639 
16640 
16641 
16642$end
16643 
16644 
16645 
16646#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16647 
16648 
16649$info=i8530286
16650$bio
16651====== IBM 8530 286 (Personal System 2 Model 30 286) (1989) ======
16652 
16653 
16654 
16655 
16656 
16657===== Features =====
16658 
16659 
16660 
16661  * CPU: 80286 with 10 MHz
16662 
16663  * Co-Processor: socket for 80287
16664 
16665  * RAM: 512kb (expandable to 1mb, 2mb or 4mb) (4? 30pin 8?bit simms)
16666 
16667  * 3 isa slots
16668 
16669  * integrated vga adapter
16670 
16671  * ps2 keyboard and mouse connectors
16672 
16673  * 3 1/2 inch high density (1.44mb) floppy disk drive
16674 
16675  * 1 parallel port
16676 
16677  * 1 serial port (pc style dsub)
16678 
16679  * mf2 keyboard with 102 keys
16680 
16681  * ps2 mouse with 2 buttons
16682 
16683  * greyscale or color vga monitor
16684 
16685  * optional: ethernet adapter with bnc (coax) and rj45 (twisted pair) connectors
16686 
16687 
16688 
16689 
16690 
16691===== Known Issues =====
16692 
16693 
16694 
16695  * Basically the same as ibmat emulation
16696 
16697  * ps2 mouse not emulated now
16698 
16699  * VGA emulation incomplete
16700 
16701  * Needs i286 core v1.5
16702 
16703 
16704 
16705Notice also that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
16706 
16707 
16708 
16709 
16710 
16711===== History and Trivia =====
16712 
16713 
16714 
16715Concrete IBM AT model.
16716 
16717 
16718 
16719Announced 1989-09-26 as a new entry level model. This is one of the few PS/2 computers with the classic ISA BUS (instead of MCA) and 30 pin SIMMs (100-150ns - ugh). It had a 10MHz 286 processor and came with either 512kB or 1MB of RAM, which could be upgraded to 4MB on the motherboard, 16MB with an adapter card. The case is the same elegant, one-drive-only as the 55. It cost between $2,965 and $3,865.
16720 
16721 
16722 
16723The IBM Personal System/2 Model 30 286 (IBM 8530-E21) is a new entry level 80286 version of the Model 30. It combines existing Model 30 function along with improved processor performance, 1.44MB diskette drive capacity and VGA graphics. The Model 30 286 utilizes the Intel 80286 processor and operates at 10MHz with one wait state to system memory. The IBM Personal System/2 Model 30 286 (IBM 8530-E01) is a single diskette drive, without a fixed disk drive, version of the Model 30 286. An optional 3.5-inch 20MB fixed disk drive feature (P/N 27F4969) is available.
16724 
16725 
16726 
16727One of the weirder aspects of this model is that it does not have a regular PC speaker, but a "beeper". Where this is physically located, I could not find out. It must be very small. Synthesized music sounds really horrible over this beeper, and synthesized speech is barely comprehensible.
16728 
16729 
16730 
16731The reason for this lies in the ISA BUS. Full length ISA cards are longer than their MCA counterparts, they fill the whole length of the case leaving no space for a speaker.
16732 
16733 
16734 
16735And it does not have a regular battery either, but a Dallas self-contained CMOS RAM module with integral real-time clock and battery. This feature, however, it shares with all the other models in the same case, as the 55. You can look at this thing on Tavi's page. It's not as bad as it sounds, it costs less than some batteries to replace, and, as with all PS/2 models, no soldering is needed.
16736 
16737 
16738 
16739//(info from Theodor Lauppert's Homepage, link below)//
16740 
16741 
16742 
16743 
16744 
16745===== Links =====
16746 
16747 
16748 
16749  * Theodor Lauppert's Homepage -- http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/computer/ps2/8530-286.htm
16750 
16751 
16752 
16753 
16754 
16755$end
16756 
16757 
16758 
16759#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16760 
16761 
16762$info=ibm5150
16763$bio
16764====== IBM PC - Model 5150 (1981) ======
16765 
16766 
16767 
16768 
16769 
16770===== Features =====
16771 
16772 
16773 
16774  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz
16775 
16776  * Co-Processor: Optional 8087 math coprocessor
16777 
16778  * RAM: 64 KB (The very first ones had only 16 KB)
16779 
16780  * ROM: 64 KB
16781 
16782  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 char x 25 lines
16783 
16784  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 (Optional CGA graphic modes)
16785 
16786  * Colors: Monochrome / 4 among 8 in 320 x 200 CGA mode
16787 
16788  * Sound: Tone Generator - built-in speaker
16789 
16790  * I/O Ports: Five internal 8 bit ISA slots, monitor, Centronics, cassette (!),
16791 
16792  * Keyboard: Full stroke 'clicky' 83 keys with 10 function keys and numeric keypad
16793 
16794  * Built In Media: One or two 160 KB 5.25" disk-drives
16795 
16796  * OS: MS-DOS, CP/M-86, USCD Pascal
16797 
16798  * Built In Language: IBM BASIC (Special Microsoft BASIC-80 version in ROM)
16799 
16800  * Peripherals: 5 expansion slots, 5, 10, 20 MB hard discs
16801 
16802 
16803 
16804 
16805 
16806===== Known Issues =====
16807 
16808 
16809 
16810The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. MDA, CGA, Herc graphic adapter are in good shape, and both floppy and tape support is supposed to work. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation)
16811 
16812 
16813 
16814 
16815 
16816===== History and Trivia =====
16817 
16818 
16819 
16820The grandfather of the now common personal computer
16821 
16822 
16823 
16824The computer which caused the death of CP/M computers.
16825 
16826 
16827 
16828In the early part of 1980, IBM decided to create a microcomputer (up to this date, IBM produced only mini and mainframes). They didn't really know that they wanted and they didn't think for one second that producing microcomputer was a profitable business (who would have thought!)!
16829 
16830 
16831 
16832After hesitation between the Intel 8086 (16 bit) and the Motorola MC68000, they decided to use the Intel 8088 (8 - 16 bit) processor, as the two other ones were considered too powerful! Then they asked to Digital Research (the creators of CP/M) to create an operating system for their new computer, as DR was not very interested, they then asked a small company (famous for its BASIC Programming Language) to write the operating system: Microsoft.
16833 
16834 
16835 
16836Microsoft wasn't capable of doing it, Bill Gates bought the rights to a small, hacked OS written by a small company called Seattle Computer Products: QDOS (which reportedly stood for "Quick and Dirty Operating System", which itself bears a striking resemblance to CP/M) which became PC-DOS and then later MS-DOS! In fact, when it was launched, three operating systems could run on the IBM-PC: PC-DOS, CPM-86, but also the UCSD D-PASCAL system.
16837 
16838 
16839 
16840The original IBM PC wasn't very powerful (and was certainly less powerful than lot of 8 bit computers at the time). The very first PCs had only 16 KB RAM and no floppy disk units, they used cassettes to load & store programs (notice that the commands to handle the cassette drives were present in the operating system all the way up to MS-DOS 5!).
16841 
16842 
16843 
16844But because of the name and the fame of IBM, it became a standard and IBM ran the business computer market up to the end of the 80's. Now, we can consider that about 90% of the microcomputers are PC compatibles and run under MS-DOS or Windows (At the beginning, Windows 
16845 
16846was just a graphic interface for MS-DOS, but that's another story).
16847 
16848 
16849 
16850Although the IBM PC XT was launched in 1983, IBM continued production of both units, in various configurations, for several years. The model types were followed by a xx version number, i.e. 5150-xx, where the xx represented the included options (amount of RAM, single or dual floppy disk drive, etc.).
16851 
16852 
16853 
16854The PC was available with either CGA or MDA (on an MPA card). The CGA adapter actually has an RCA composite output to hook it up to your TV if you did not want the CGA monitor. The output quality was PERFECT!
16855 
16856 
16857 
16858Another notable great feature of the PC line was the expansion base: it added additional (I think it was eight) 8-bit slots in an external enclosure.
16859 
16860 
16861 
16862//(info from old-computers.com)//
16863 
16864 
16865 
16866 
16867 
16868== Supported Systems ==
16869 
16870 
16871 
16872The following PC's and compatibles are supported by, or currently under development in MESS:
16873 
16874 
16875 
16876  * IBM PC: Intel 8088 process with 4.77 MHz clock.
16877 
16878 
16879 
16880  * IBM PC Junior: based on IBM PC, Special keyboard, CGA with 160x200x16, 320x200x16 and 640x200x4? colors, 3 channel sound chip
16881 
16882 
16883 
16884  * IBM PC/XT: based on IBM PC, Intel 8086 instead of 8088, but only RAM memory data bus, Enhanced to 16 bit.
16885 
16886 
16887 
16888  * Tandy1000 Series: IBM PC Junior compatible graphic system. Later the 640x200x16 graphic mode was also available. Later models were delivered with EGA/VGA compatible graphic system/card. IBM PC Junior compatible sound system. In later models there was also a DAC channel available. First series with own keyboard (own layout, different keys)
16889 
16890 
16891 
16892  * Tandy1000HX: First Tandy 1000 with EEPROM memory for configuration. Delivered with 3,5 inch double density disk drive (720kb).
16893 
16894 
16895 
16896  * Amstrad PC1512/PC1640/PC6400/PPC664?/PC2086?: Packed IBM PC/XT functionality in few custom chips. Power supply in the monitor was also used for the computer. Serial Port, Parallel Port, Real Time clock with battery buffered cmos RAM, Graphics adapter, mouse port for included mouse integrated in the motherboard. Joystick port for cpc-joystick in the keyboard.
16897 
16898    * Amstrad PC1512 (Schneider in Germany/Austria): CGA compatible graphics system with special 640x200x16 graphics mode. 512 KB RAM on board, sockets for additional 128 kb on board. It was delivered as: PC1512SD (1 5,25 inch double density disk drive (360kb)); PC1512DD (2 5,25 inch double density disk drives); PC1512HD10 (1 5,25 inch double density disk driver, harddisk controller and 10MB harddisk); PC1512HD20 (....20 MB harddisk) (monochrome (about 16 levels grays) or color monitor)
16899 
16900    * Amstrad PC1640 (PC6400 in the US - Schneider in Germany/Austria): EGA compatible graphics card and monitor
16901 
16902    * Amstrad PC2086 (Schneider in Germany/Austria): VGA compatible graphics card and monitors?
16903 
16904 
16905 
16906 
16907 
16908===== Links =====
16909 
16910 
16911 
16912  * PC at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=274
16913 
16914 
16915 
16916 
16917 
16918$end
16919 
16920 
16921 
16922#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16923 
16924 
16925$info=ibm5160
16926$bio
16927====== IBM PC/XT 5160 (and clones) (1983) ======
16928 
16929 
16930 
16931 
16932 
16933===== Features =====
16934 
16935 
16936 
16937  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz
16938 
16939  * Co-Processor: Socket for a 8087 math co-processor
16940 
16941  * RAM: From 64k to 640k, depending on models
16942 
16943  * ROM: 64 kb
16944 
16945  * Text Modes: 80 x 24 / 40 x 24
16946 
16947  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 [CGA modes]
16948 
16949  * Colors: 16
16950 
16951  * Sound: Tone Generator
16952 
16953  * I/O Ports: eight internal slots (five 8 bit ISA), RS232c, Centronics
16954 
16955  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad and function keys, 84 or 101 keys
16956 
16957  * Built In Media: One 5.25" FDD, 360k (3.5" on later models), 10Mb or 20Mb hard-disk
16958 
16959  * OS: MS DOS
16960 
16961  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
16962 
16963  * Peripherals: Numerous IBM and third-parties expansion cards, i.e. the QuadRam 512 KB RAM card
16964 
16965 
16966 
16967 
16968 
16969===== Known Issues =====
16970 
16971 
16972 
16973The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. MDA, CGA, Herc graphic adapter are in good shape, and both floppy and tape support is supposed to work. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation)
16974 
16975 
16976 
16977 
16978 
16979===== History and Trivia =====
16980 
16981 
16982 
16983The IBM PC XT is the successor of the IBM PC. The XT stands for EXtended Technology and was introduced in early 1983. It has enhanced features: CGA graphic card, hard disk, more memory, and no more tape port (!). But it wasn't very innovative.
16984 
16985 
16986 
16987There are in fact two versions of the XT motherboard. The first one can accept from 64k to 256k RAM, whereas the later one has support for 640K RAM max, the 101-key keyboard, a 3.5" FDD and a few other details...
16988 
16989 
16990 
16991In addiditon to the removal of the cassette port, the XT also had eight 8-bit ISA expansion slots VS the PC's five. The XT's slots were also positioned closer together, the same spacing all PCs still use today. This made old PC's totally worthless because you couldn't buy an XT clone board and drop it into a PC case. Eight slots was a huge boon to the "power user" who had previously found himself having to pick and choose what upgrades to install in the paltry five slots of the PC.
16992 
16993 
16994 
16995The 5160 was replaced with the PC XT S (20 MB Hard disk, slim size floppy disk unit, 640 KB RAM), then with the PC XT 286. 
16996 
16997 
16998 
16999Clones of the XT, such as the Tandy 1000 became commonplace by the end of the decade.
17000 
17001 
17002 
17003//(info from old-computers.com)//
17004 
17005 
17006 
17007 
17008 
17009===== Links =====
17010 
17011 
17012 
17013  * PC / XT at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=286
17014 
17015 
17016 
17017 
17018 
17019$end
17020 
17021 
17022 
17023#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17024 
17025 
17026$info=ibmat
17027$bio
17028====== IBM PC/AT (1984) ======
17029 
17030 
17031 
17032 
17033 
17034===== Features =====
17035 
17036 
17037 
17038  * CPU: Intel 80286 6 MHz
17039 
17040  * RAM: 512 KB (up to 3 MB)
17041 
17042  * ROM: 64 KB
17043 
17044  * Text Modes: 80 x 24 / 40 x 24
17045 
17046  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 350 (EGA mode)
17047 
17048  * Colors: 64
17049 
17050  * Sound: Beeper
17051 
17052  * I/O Ports: 8 x internal slots (six 16 bit ISA and two 8 bit ISA), RS232c, Centronics
17053 
17054  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard with numeric keypad and function keys
17055 
17056  * Built In Media: one 5.25" disk-drive, various Hard disk drives, from 20 MB
17057 
17058  * OS: MS-DOS
17059 
17060  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic interpreter
17061 
17062 
17063 
17064 
17065 
17066===== Known Issues =====
17067 
17068 
17069 
17070  * Preliminary driver
17071 
17072  * Rough Emulation of: keyboard, keyboard controller, dma chips, pic chips
17073 
17074  * Incomplete Emulation of the CPU
17075 
17076  * No Support for: high density disks, AT harddisks
17077 
17078  * Needs i80286 v1.5
17079 
17080 
17081 
17082 
17083 
17084===== History and Trivia =====
17085 
17086 
17087 
17088Extended IBM PC.
17089 
17090 
17091 
17092The IBM PC AT was the successor of the PC and the XT. IBM added a lot of new features: they abandoned the old Intel 8086 to the Intel 80286, so the PC AT used new 16 bit expansion slots.
17093 
17094 
17095 
17096The PC AT had a new version of the Microsoft OS: MS-DOS 3.0 which could manage the new 5.25" floppy disk format (1.2 MB), the new hard disk capacities (20 MB and more) and allowed file sharing. It had a new keyboard too (the same we use now, more or less) with cursor keys and a key that could lock it.
17097 
17098 
17099 
17100Two models were launched: the PC-AT model 1 (256 KB RAM, two floppy disk units and a color screen) and the PC-AT Model 2 (512 KB RAM, one floppy disk unit, one hard disk and a color screen).
17101 
17102 
17103 
17104This computer was revolutionary, but it was the last time IBM imposed a standard to the PC clone industry. The next year, the first PC based on a 80386 was made by Compaq and IBM failed to impose the PS/2 standard in 1986.
17105 
17106 
17107 
17108//(info from old-computers.com)//
17109 
17110 
17111 
17112 
17113 
17114===== Links =====
17115 
17116 
17117 
17118  * PC / AT at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=185
17119 
17120 
17121 
17122 
17123 
17124===== Other Emulators =====
17125 
17126 
17127 
17128  * Bochs -- http://bochs.sourceforge.net/
17129 
17130  * Virtual PC for Linux, Mac, NT (commercial) -- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
17131 
17132 
17133 
17134 
17135 
17136$end
17137 
17138 
17139 
17140#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17141 
17142 
17143$info=ibmpcjr
17144$bio
17145====== IBM PC Junior (1983) ======
17146 
17147 
17148 
17149 
17150 
17151===== Features =====
17152 
17153 
17154 
17155  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz
17156 
17157  * Co-Processor: Texas Instrument sn76496 n (Sound)
17158 
17159  * RAM: 64k (up to 640 KB); Extended model : 128k
17160 
17161  * VRAM: from 2k to 128k (use the conventional RAM)
17162 
17163  * ROM: 24 KB
17164 
17165  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
17166 
17167  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 (16 colors), 320 x 200, 640 x 200
17168 
17169  * Colors: 16
17170 
17171  * Sound: three channels
17172 
17173  * I/O Ports: 2 cartridges ports (64 KB each), Centronics (optional), RS232, Joystick, Light Pen, video out (RCA plug)
17174 
17175  * Keyboard: Chicklet keyboard (full stroke keyboard was available later)
17176 
17177  * Built In Media: one 5.25" disk drive
17178 
17179  * OS: MS DOS
17180 
17181 
17182 
17183 
17184 
17185===== Known Issues =====
17186 
17187 
17188 
17189The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. Graphic emulation is good and both cart and tape support have been added. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation).
17190 
17191 
17192 
17193 
17194 
17195===== History and Trivia =====
17196 
17197 
17198 
17199Enhanced IBM PC for home use.
17200 
17201 
17202 
17203After launching the IBM PC (and its great success), IBM tried to stand out a standard for home computers, it created then the PC junior, which itself is a "light" version of the PC especially designed for home activities.
17204 
17205 
17206 
17207Despite its qualities, the PC jr had few success and never managed to replace the established home computers like Commodore 64, Apple II or Atari 800.
17208 
17209 
17210 
17211Two IBM PC junior models were available: a basic one and a enhanced one (supplied with 128k, 30 programs, a 5.25" floppy disk drive [360 KB] and its controller).
17212 
17213 
17214 
17215Contrary to the IBM PC, the power supply is not integrated to the case, but is external. The keyboard is linked by infra-red to the CPU, though there was a RJ11 (standard phone jack) plug that could be used instead to save batteries. It is impossible to connect a 8087 math co-processor.
17216 
17217 
17218 
17219The RS232 connector is not a standard one. To use a standard RS232 device, the user has to buy a special adapter ("Berg" style connector breakout -> D25 connector).
17220 
17221 
17222 
17223The PC Jr runs under MSDOS 2.1 (the same version as the PC) and handles a hard disk when it is not possible to connect hard disk on the PC Jr (go figure)! There was an internal modem available that ran at 300 bps sold by IBM. Third party modems were also available at 1200bps.
17224 
17225 
17226 
17227A cartridge containing enhanced basic (with special graphics instructions) was also available. To get a 80 column text display, the extra 64k RAM expansion is needed.
17228 
17229 
17230 
17231Many IBM PC programs would not originally run on the PCjr because it did not include a DMA controller. This was available through a memory side-car add-on from Tecmar Systems. Many people were able to then run the PCjr as a competent business type of system as 
17232 
17233well.
17234 
17235 
17236 
17237//(info from old-computers.com)//
17238 
17239 
17240 
17241 
17242 
17243===== Links =====
17244 
17245 
17246 
17247  * Forever70...80...90... -- http://perso.orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/ibm.htm
17248 
17249  * Mike's PCjr Page -- http://mail.magnaspeed.net/~mbbrutman/PCjr/pcjr.html
17250 
17251  * PC Jr. Reborn -- http://www.micro-zone.com/index.html
17252 
17253  * PC Junior at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=186
17254 
17255 
17256 
17257 
17258 
17259$end
17260 
17261 
17262 
17263#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17264 
17265 
17266$info=intv
17267$bio
17268====== Mattel Intellivision (1979) ======
17269 
17270 
17271 
17272 
17273 
17274===== Features =====
17275 
17276 
17277 
17278  * CPU: General Instruments 16 bit Microprocessor 1 MHz
17279 
17280  * Memory: 4K internal ROM operating system, 2K RAM
17281 
17282  * Controls: 12 button numeric key pad, four action keys, 16 direction disk, overlay support
17283 
17284  * Sound: Sound generator capable of 3 part harmony with programmable ASDR envelopes
17285 
17286  * Color: 16 colors
17287 
17288  * Resolution: 192v x 160h pixels
17289 
17290 
17291 
17292 
17293 
17294===== Known Issues =====
17295 
17296 
17297 
17298This driver is almost complete. Still TBD are:
17299 
17300 
17301 
17302  * collision detection - 16-way controller mapping - default mapping of the right player 
17303 
17304  * controller - Only .ROM format cartridges (Intellicart) are supported in this release.
17305 
17306 
17307 
17308 
17309 
17310===== History and Trivia =====
17311 
17312 
17313 
17314At the end of 1979, Mattel Electronics released a video game system known as Intellivision along with 12 video game cartridges.  Poised as a competitor to the then king of the hill Atari 2600, Mattel Electronics called their new product "Intelligent Television", stemming 
17315 
17316largely from their marketing plans to release a compatible computer keyboard for their video games console.
17317 
17318 
17319 
17320Mattel fiercely battled with Atari but the Intellivision suffered greatly from the video game market crash of 1984.  After Mattel sold the rights to the system soon afterwards, the Intellivision was kept alive through their new owners, INTV Corp.  Another 35 games were 
17321 
17322released from 1985 to 1990, mostly through mail order service.  The system was generally very successful in the end, with over 3 million units sold and 125 games released before the system was finally discontinued in 1990.
17323 
17324 
17325 
17326During its lifetime, several models of the base system were released, as well as some interesting peripherals including a full computer adaptor, music keyboard, Intellivoice speech synthesis module, system changer to play Atari VCS games and PlayCable (an accessory 
17327 
17328to download games from your cable provider).
17329 
17330 
17331 
17332 
17333 
17334===== Links =====
17335 
17336 
17337 
17338  * Bluesky Rangers -- http://www.intellivisionlives.com
17339 
17340  * FAQ -- http://www.intellivision.ca/intellivisionfaq.pdf
17341 
17342 
17343 
17344 
17345 
17346===== Other Emulators =====
17347 
17348 
17349 
17350  * Bliss -- http://bliss.kylesblog.com/
17351 
17352  * Nostalgia -- http://www.shinytechnologies.com/nostalgia.php
17353 
17354 
17355 
17356 
17357 
17358$end
17359 
17360 
17361 
17362#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17363 
17364 
17365$info=intvkbd
17366$bio
17367====== Mattel Intellivision + Keyboard Component (1981) ======
17368 
17369 
17370 
17371 
17372 
17373===== Usage =====
17374 
17375 
17376 
17377The keyboard component has two cartridge slots - one to replace the occupied intv cart slot, and one for new keyboard carts (BASIC).   If you want to use the BASIC cart at startup, you must specify it as the second cart, even if the first cart slot is unused. (ex. -cart dummy -cart basic.bin)  Some tapes require the BASIC cartridge.
17378 
17379 
17380 
17381Also, there is currently no mapping to the normal intellivision hand controllers yet, when using the keyboard component.  This driver uses the full keyboard, to toggle to the standard MESS keys, hit scroll-lock.
17382 
17383 
17384 
17385 
17386 
17387===== Known Issues =====
17388 
17389 
17390 
17391This driver is almost complete.  The tape drive is not yet supported.
17392 
17393 
17394 
17395 
17396 
17397===== History and Trivia =====
17398 
17399 
17400 
17401The original keyboard component only saw a limited test marketing run of less than one thousand units in late 1981. It was color-keyed to match the original Intellivision, and the entire game console fit into the top of the unit. It sported a full-stroke 60-key keyboard, built in cassette recorder, and brought the total memory capacity of the Intellivision to 64K.
17402 
17403 
17404 
17405Spurred on by the increasingly popular home computer market, Mattel introduced the Entertainment Computer System (which replaced the original expansion keyboard) along with the INTV II in 1983. This unit plugs into the cartridge port of the INTV II, and has its own
17406 
17407cartridge slot, two additional controller ports, a cassette interface, music keyboard, and a balance dial for controlling the output level of the ECS's three additional voices.
17408 
17409 
17410 
17411The ECS came packaged with a 49-key chiclet-style keyboard, power supply, and a well-written manual describing INTV BASIC. Upon returning the registration card, users would receive "The Step-By-Step Guide To Home Computing", which included a very detailed BASIC Tutorial, and some more in-depth study of the ECS's abilities. The unit sported an additional voice chip, 10K of ROM and 2K of RAM for programming purposes.
17412 
17413 
17414 
17415 
17416 
17417$end
17418 
17419 
17420 
17421#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17422 
17423 
17424$info=intvsrs
17425$bio
17426====== Mattel Intellivision - Sears version (1981) ======
17427 
17428 
17429 
17430 
17431 
17432===== Known Issues =====
17433 
17434 
17435 
17436Please see the base (intv) system info for current status of this driver.
17437 
17438 
17439 
17440 
17441 
17442===== History and Trivia =====
17443 
17444 
17445 
17446This is the Sears version of the Mattel Intellivision.
17447 
17448 
17449 
17450Functionally identical to the original Mattel Intellivision, the Sears Tele-Games Super Video Arcade Console has a cream-colored case with a wood-grain front, and removable controllers that rest in the center of the console. The power and reset switches are circular in shape and about an inch in diameter.
17451 
17452 
17453 
17454 
17455 
17456$end
17457 
17458 
17459 
17460#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17461 
17462 
17463$info=jaguar
17464$bio
17465====== Atari Jaguar (1993) ======
17466 
17467 
17468 
17469 
17470 
17471===== Features =====
17472 
17473 
17474 
17475  * CPU: Motorola 68000 13.295 MHz
17476 
17477  * Co-Processors: TOM: 32 bit RISC CPU, 64 bit RISC POP (Programmable Object Processor), 64 bit RISC Blitter; JERRY: 32 bit RISC DSP
17478 
17479  * RAM: 2 MB DRAM
17480 
17481  * VRAM: Shared with system RAM (All processors have direct access to RAM)
17482 
17483  * ROM: 128 KB
17484 
17485  * Graphic Modes: 720 x 576 max.
17486 
17487  * Colors: 16.7 Millions
17488 
17489  * Sound: 2 DAC's, 16 bit stereo (Varying number of channels depending on software)
17490 
17491  * I/O Ports: 2 controller ports, RF out, Video edge connector (A/V output), Cartridge/Expansion port, DSP port
17492 
17493  * Controllers: 8-way d-pad, 15 buttons + Option + Pause
17494 
17495  * Media: Cartridge (6 MB max.)
17496 
17497 
17498 
17499 
17500 
17501===== Known Issues =====
17502 
17503 
17504 
17505The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
17506 
17507 
17508 
17509 
17510 
17511===== History and Trivia =====
17512 
17513 
17514 
17515The Jaguar was the last game system to be marketed by Atari Corporation. In fact, the hardware was originally designed by Flare Technology, a company formed by Martin Brennan and John Mathieson. They claimed that they could not only make a console far superior to the Sega MegaDrive or the SNES, but also be cost-effective. Impressed by their previous work on the Konix Multisystem, Atari persuaded them to close Flare and, with funding provided by Atari, to create a new company to develop their ideas. The new company was called Flare II and started to design two brand new consoles for Atari: one was a 32-bit architecture (codenamed "Panther"), and the other was a 64-bit system (codenamed "Jaguar"). However, work on the Jaguar design progressed faster than expected, and Atari canceled the Panther project to focus on the more promising 64-bit technology.
17516 
17517 
17518 
17519The Jaguar was released in the US in November 1993, initially marketed only in the New York City and the San Francisco Bay areas. A nationwide release followed in early 1994.
17520 
17521 
17522 
17523The marketing campaign used the slogan "Do the Math", claiming superiority over competing 16-bit systems. Initially, the system sold well, substantially outselling the highly hyped and publicized 3DO, which was also released during the holiday season of 1993. However, due to the presence of several dismal launch title, Jaguar was accompanied by the perception of having poor games. Things improved with the release of Jeff Minter's "Tempest 2000", and other successful games like "Doom", "Wolfenstein 3D" and "Alien vs. Predator".
17524 
17525 
17526 
17527Through its lifetime, the Jaguar had an overall low number of titles due to being difficult to develop for. This was due to serious bugs in the released hardware (such as a memory controller flaw that could halt processor execution out of system RAM). Customers also complained the Jaguar controller was needlessly complex, with over 15 buttons.
17528 
17529 
17530 
17531By the end of 1995, after the entrance of the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn, the Jaguar's destiny seemed decided and nothing changed with the aggressive marketing campaign claiming Jaguar to be the only 64-bit console on the market (despite the only 64-bit CPUs being graphical co-processors). 
17532 
17533 
17534 
17535Over the short life of the console, several add-on peripherals were announced. Yet only the Atari Jaguar CD drive and the JagLink (a simple two-console networking device) reached retail shelves. The voice modem and VR headset (with infrared head-tracking), existed in prototype form, but were never commercialized.
17536 
17537 
17538 
17539Production of the Jaguar stopped after Atari merged with JT Storage in a reverse takeover.
17540 
17541 
17542 
17543After the Atari Corporation properties were bought out by Hasbro Interactive in the late 1990s, Hasbro released the encryption coding to the Jaguar, finally opening the doors for homebrew development. Several game companies, including Telegames, ScatoLOGIC, and Songbird Productions, have not only released previously unfinished materials from the Jaguar's past, but also several brand new titles to satisfy the system's cult following.
17544 
17545 
17546 
17547//(info from Wikipedia)//
17548 
17549 
17550 
17551 
17552 
17553===== Links =====
17554 
17555 
17556 
17557  * Atari Jaguar FAQ -- http://www.electric-escape.net/atari/Jaguar/FAQ
17558 
17559  * JustClaws -- http://justclaws.atari.org/
17560 
17561  * [[wp>Atari_Jaguar]]
17562 
17563 
17564 
17565 
17566 
17567===== Other Emulators =====
17568 
17569 
17570 
17571  * Project Tempest -- http://pt.emuunlim.com/
17572 
17573  * Virtual Jaguar -- http://icculus.org/virtualjaguar/
17574 
17575  * Jagulator [no link]
17576 
17577 
17578 
17579 
17580 
17581$end
17582 
17583 
17584 
17585#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17586 
17587 
17588$info=jupiter
17589$bio
17590====== Jupiter Cantab Jupiter Ace (1981) ======
17591 
17592 
17593 
17594 
17595 
17596===== Features =====
17597 
17598 
17599 
17600  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.25 MHz
17601 
17602  * RAM: 3 kb (up to 51 kb)
17603 
17604  * ROM: 8 kb
17605 
17606  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 24 lines
17607 
17608  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48
17609 
17610  * Colors: Monochrome
17611 
17612  * Sound: Internal beeper
17613 
17614  * I/O Ports: UHF TV out (channel 36), User Port, Tape interface (1500 baud), Z80 Bus
17615 
17616  * Keyboard: QWERTY, chicklet keyboard, 40 keys, auto-repeat
17617 
17618  * Peripherals: RAM expansion
17619 
17620  * Built-In Language: Forth
17621 
17622 
17623 
17624 
17625 
17626===== History and Trivia =====
17627 
17628 
17629 
17630The Jupiter ACE looks very similar to the Sinclair ZX 81. Actually, the designers of this computer, Richard Altwasser and Steven Vickers, played a major role in creating the Sinclair Spectrum.
17631 
17632 
17633 
17634The ACE is very similar to the ZX 81, but has some extra features: it has a user port, and it can generate sound (the ZX 81 can't). It can also use RAM expansion modules for the ZX 81 smaller than 64KB via a small adapter.
17635 
17636 
17637 
17638Its most significant feature is its language: instead of using BASIC like other computers, it uses the FORTH language (as did the Hector HRX).
17639 
17640 
17641 
17642FORTH's advantages are that it's comprehensible, small, interactive, fast and extensible. It centers around writing procedures which operate on objects on a FIFO stack, and is not as intuitive as BASIC. FORTH was three to ten times faster than BASIC but was not as easy to learn.
17643 
17644 
17645 
17646This computer did not achieve significant success, probably due to its relatively obscure language - as far as the general public was concerned.
17647 
17648 
17649 
17650Steve Vickers wrote the ZX Spectrum manual - he has been an academic researcher working most recently (2003) at Imperial College London, and the Open University. 
17651 
17652 
17653 
17654//(info from old-computers.com)//
17655 
17656 
17657 
17658 
17659 
17660===== Links =====
17661 
17662 
17663 
17664  * Jupiter ACE FAQ -- http://users.aol.com/autismuk/ace/faq.htm
17665 
17666  * Ace Resource Site -- http://www.jupiter-ace.co.uk/
17667 
17668  * User Manuals -- http://www.jupiter-ace.co.uk/usermanual.html
17669 
17670  * Jupiter Ace at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=147
17671 
17672 
17673 
17674 
17675 
17676===== Other Emulators =====
17677 
17678 
17679 
17680  * VACE / XACE -- http://hem.passagen.se/tiletech/ace.html
17681 
17682  * EightyOne -- http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/
17683 
17684 
17685 
17686 
17687 
17688$end
17689 
17690 
17691 
17692#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17693 
17694 
17695$info=kaypro
17696$bio
17697====== Kaypro IIx (1982) ======
17698 
17699 
17700 
17701 
17702 
17703===== Usage =====
17704 
17705 
17706 
17707Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the
17708 
17709scroll_lock key.
17710 
17711 
17712 
17713 
17714 
17715===== History and Trivia =====
17716 
17717 
17718 
17719Despite its name, the Kaypro II was the first Kaypro model. The name was KAYPRO II, because the Apple II was the most popular system (besides the IBM PC) around back then, and Kaypro decided to follow in the image.
17720 
17721 
17722 
17723It was conceived by Non Linear Systems inc., a company with over 30 years' experience of producing small portable aerospace electronic equipment, which would later become Kaypro. Non Linear Systems was indeed founded by Andy Kay in 1952 to make digital multimeters (Andy 
17724 
17725Kay is the inventor of the digital multimeter).
17726 
17727 
17728 
17729Kaypro's computers were an extension of their test instrument design philosophy: rugged, reliable, reasonably priced, looking more like instruments than the creative, communications (and business) tools that they really are. All the hardware is packed into a solid aluminum case. These computers can resist to a lot of trouble as they proved when ten of them (Kaypro IV & 10) were used by doctors for the Paris-Dakar 84's edition. None of them failed despite extreme conditions.
17730 
17731 
17732 
17733The Kaypro II is a real "luggable" system. Even if it weights more than 10kg, it can be easily moved with the handle found at the back. Nonetheless, the Kaypro II is not the first portable full-size computer, that would be the Osborne 1, with its all-plastic case.
17734 
17735 
17736 
17737One asset of the Kaypro, over the Osborne 1 which was available at about the same time, is the 9" built-in monitor, easily twice the size of the tiny Osborne's 5" screen. 
17738 
17739 
17740 
17741Though the Kaypro 2 has no graphic features, it can display 80 x 24 characters. There are two single-sided / double-density full-heigth 5.25" disk-drives (190k each). One can be used to boot CP/M and the other to run the software.
17742 
17743 
17744 
17745At the rear of the system, one can find a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard connector, a brightness control knob and reset button.
17746 
17747 
17748 
17749Perfect Writer, Perfect Calc, Perfect Filer, Perfect Speller, S-Basic, CP/M and Profitplan were bundled with the system. Later WordStar was also available.
17750 
17751 
17752 
17753In 1983, they split-off the computer division, naming it Kaypro Computers. They were soon shipping 10,000 Kaypro II computers a month.
17754 
17755 
17756 
17757Over the next four years, they released the Kaypro 10, IV, 4, 2, 2X, Robie, 4X, 12X, 16, 2000, and Kaypro 1, in pretty much that order.
17758 
17759 
17760 
17761Most of their computers were based on the Z-80 microprocessor and ran the CP/M operating system up until 1986 or so. By that time, MS-DOS was taking over the world. Kaypro Computers made a few more systems, but couldn't compete. They filed for bankruptcy in 1990.
17762 
17763 
17764 
17765== Different models == 
17766 
17767 
17768 
17769As usual with Kaypro, the model names logic is quite dramatic to resolve. Several Kaypro "2" were marketed:
17770 
17771 
17772 
17773  * In 1984 a new Kaypro 2 (refered as Kaypro 2'84) is introduced. It has two SS/DD half-height floppy drives, a Z-80A running at 4.0 MHz, 2 serial ports and rudimentary graphics (through graphic characters).
17774 
17775 
17776 
17777  * The same year, the Kaypro 2X is released. Very similar to a Kaypro 2'84 but with DS/DD half-height drives.
17778 
17779 
17780 
17781  * Still in 1984, in order to be compatible with IBM software, a special version was marketed with an Intel 8088 CPU instead of the Z80A. It was called the Kaypro II Plus 88!
17782 
17783 
17784 
17785  * In 1985 another Kaypro 2 refered as "New 2" is sold. It is basically an old 2X motherboard, with one or two DS/DD floppy drives, but no 300 baud modem previously found on the 2X. It comes with just CP/M and Wordstar for software.
17786 
17787 
17788 
17789  * And to spice up a bit things, Kaypro decides to rename its Kaypro 4'84 as Kaypro 2X (sometimes also known as 2X MTC), thus dropping the previous 2X model! 
17790 
17791 
17792 
17793== Trivia == 
17794 
17795 
17796 
17797In 1985, Arthur C. Clarke published a sequel to 2001 : 2010 Odyssey Two. He worked with Peter Hyams in the movie version of 2010. Their work was done using a Kaypro computer and a modem, for Arthur was in Sri Lanka and Peter Hyams in Los Angeles. Their communications turned into the book The Odyssey File - The Making of 2010. 
17798 
17799 
17800 
17801//(info based on old-computers.com)//
17802 
17803 
17804 
17805 
17806 
17807===== Links =====
17808 
17809 
17810 
17811  * Kaypro II Project -- http://www.yoy.org/kaypro/Default.htm
17812 
17813  * Kaypro II at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=550
17814 
17815 
17816 
17817 
17818 
17819===== Other Emulators =====
17820 
17821 
17822 
17823  * Kaypro II JAVA Emu -- http://www.yoy.org/kaypro/html/kayproii1.html
17824 
17825 
17826 
17827 
17828 
17829$end
17830 
17831 
17832 
17833#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17834 
17835 
17836$info=kc85_3
17837$bio
17838====== VEB Mikroelektronik KC 85/3 (1987) ======
17839 
17840 
17841 
17842 
17843 
17844===== Features =====
17845 
17846 
17847 
17848  * CPU: U880 D (Z80 clone) 1,75 MHz
17849 
17850  * RAM: 32 KB (30 kb left for user), expandable up to 4 MB
17851 
17852  * ROM: 16 KB
17853 
17854  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 32 lines
17855 
17856  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 256 dots
17857 
17858  * Colors: 16 foreground, 8 background colours
17859 
17860  * Sound: 2 tone generators, 2 x 5 Octaves; Stereo when connected to a stereo hi-fi system (constant volume), mono over TV if connected through FBAS/RGB (32 volume levels)
17861 
17862  * I/O Ports: Color TV output through PAL HF-modulator, TV output via FBAS/RGB, cassette interface DIN connector (including TTL motor switch voltage) or sound output to a stereo, 2 expansion slots, expansion interface for set-top expansion
17863 
17864  * Keyboard: Chicklet keyboard, QWERTZ-Layout, 64 keys. 6 function keys (F1-F6), cursor keys. Keyboard connected to the UC through a mono audio-jack.
17865 
17866  * Peripherals: V24 interface, memory cards (16 / 64 kb), EPROM-module, several user ports, 5 1/4" diskdrive set-top (included own U880 system with 64K RAM !!)
17867 
17868  * OS: CAOS 3.1 (for cassette operation), MicroDOS (if working with diskdrive expansion, CP/M compatible)
17869 
17870  * Built In Language: Basic & CAOS 3.1 (Cassette Aided Operating System)
17871 
17872 
17873 
17874 
17875 
17876===== Known Issues =====
17877 
17878 
17879 
17880The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
17881 
17882 
17883 
17884 
17885 
17886===== History and Trivia =====
17887 
17888 
17889 
17890"KC" stands for "KleinComputer", which could be translated to "Small Computer".
17891 
17892 
17893 
17894The KC 85/3 was the successor of the KC 85/2. Improvements over the old system were more free RAM for programs (30 Kb instead of 18 Kb), a larger ROM (16 Kb over 4 Kb), which included the Basic interpreter (with the KC85/2, you had to load it from tape).
17895 
17896 
17897 
17898Both CAOS and Basic interpreter also had some new commands, especially for graphics management but the Basic remains fully compatible with the 85/2 version. 
17899 
17900 
17901 
17902//(info from old-computers.com)//
17903 
17904 
17905 
17906 
17907 
17908===== Links =====
17909 
17910 
17911 
17912  * KC Club -- http://www.kc-club.de/
17913 
17914  * KC 85/3 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=546
17915 
17916 
17917 
17918 
17919 
17920$end
17921 
17922 
17923 
17924#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17925 
17926 
17927$info=kc85_4
17928$bio
17929====== VEB Mikroelektronik KC 85/4 (1989) ======
17930 
17931 
17932 
17933 
17934 
17935===== Features =====
17936 
17937 
17938 
17939  * CPU: U880 D (Z80 clone) 1,77 MHz
17940 
17941  * Co-Processor: none. CPU even managed video processing.
17942 
17943  * RAM: 64 KB, expandable to max. 4 MB
17944 
17945  * ROM: 20 KB
17946 
17947  * Text Modes: 40 x 32 characters
17948 
17949  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 256
17950 
17951  * Colors: 16 colors/foreground, 8 colors/background
17952 
17953  * Sound: 2 tone generators, 2x5 Octaves; Stereo when connected to a stereo hi-fi system (constant volume), mono over TV if connected through FBAS/RGB (32 volume levels)
17954 
17955  * I/O Ports: Color TV output through PAL HF-modulator, TV output via FBAS/RGB, DIN connector for cassette drive (including TTL motor switch voltage) or to connect to a stereo, 2 expansion slots, expansion interface for set-top expansion
17956 
17957  * Keyboard: QWERTZ-Layout, Function keys (F1-F6), Cursor keys pretty small keys, not easy to type with; 64 keys; connected through mono DIN-jack
17958 
17959  * Peripherals: V24 interface, memory cards (16/64 KB), EPROM-module, several user ports, 5 1/4" diskdrive set-top (included own U880 system with 64K RAM!!)
17960 
17961  * Built In Media: none. external cassette player required (connected via DIN connector)
17962 
17963  * OS: CAOS 4.2 (for cassette operation), MicroDOS (if working with Diskdrive expansion, CP/M compatible)
17964 
17965  * Built In Language: CAOS 4.2 (Cassette Aided Operating System), integrated Basic interpreter
17966 
17967 
17968 
17969 
17970 
17971===== Known Issues =====
17972 
17973 
17974 
17975The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
17976 
17977 
17978 
17979 
17980 
17981===== History and Trivia =====
17982 
17983 
17984 
17985"KC" stands for "KleinComputer", which could be translated to "Small Computer".
17986 
17987 
17988 
17989The KC85/4 was the last one of the KC series. Although it doesn't look quite different, some internals changed. The whole design changed a bit, and software which used to access hardware directly, sometimes didn't work any longer, as some addresses changed.
17990 
17991 
17992 
17993Also, memory was expanded to 64 KB, and the whole memory could be used by software. The ROM increased to 20 KB. The CAOS system offered printer support for most of the available GDR printer models.
17994 
17995 
17996 
17997There are two expansion slots, which could be extended to four through an expansion set-top. 
17998 
17999 
18000 
18001//(info from old-computers.com)//
18002 
18003 
18004 
18005 
18006 
18007===== Links =====
18008 
18009 
18010 
18011  * KC Club -- http://www.kc-club.de/
18012 
18013  * KC 85/4 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=598
18014 
18015 
18016 
18017 
18018 
18019$end
18020 
18021 
18022 
18023#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18024 
18025 
18026$info=kccomp
18027$bio
18028====== VEB Mikroelektronik KC Compact (1989) ======
18029 
18030 
18031 
18032 
18033 
18034===== Features =====
18035 
18036 
18037 
18038  * CPU: UA880D 4MHz
18039 
18040  * RAM: 64 KByte
18041 
18042  * ROM: 32 KByte
18043 
18044  * Text Modes: 20 x 25, 40 x 25, 80 x 25
18045 
18046  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 (16 colors among 27), 320 x 200 (4 colors among 27), 640 x 200 (monochrome)
18047 
18048  * Sound: U8912 3 channels
18049 
18050  * Keyboard: QWERTY 69 keys
18051 
18052  * OS: KC compact 1.3 and BASIC 1.1
18053 
18054 
18055 
18056 
18057 
18058===== Usage =====
18059 
18060 
18061 
18062Image loading is the same as for the Amstrad CPC series.
18063 
18064 
18065 
18066Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
18067 
18068scroll_lock key.
18069 
18070 
18071 
18072 
18073 
18074===== Known Issues =====
18075 
18076 
18077 
18078Z8536 CIO is not emulated
18079 
18080 
18081 
18082 
18083 
18084===== History and Trivia =====
18085 
18086 
18087 
18088"KC" stands for "KleinComputer", which could be translated to "Small Computer".
18089 
18090 
18091 
18092The KC Compact is a clone of the Amstrad CPC series, made in East Germany by VEB Mikroelektronik. It was made in 1989 to celebrate 30 years of the DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik, i.e. East Germany). Soon after the Berlin wall came down, east and west merged, and production stopped.
18093 
18094 
18095 
18096The system contains a hacked Amstrad CPC 6128 Operating System and the Amstrad CPC 6128 BASIC. Unlike the CPC, this system didn't come with a built in disc drive or cassette unit, and did not require a special monitor. 
18097 
18098 
18099 
18100The base unit can connect to a TV through a aerial or scart lead. 
18101 
18102 
18103 
18104Not many of these systems were produced and they are rare.
18105 
18106 
18107 
18108The Amstrad CPC had a gate array chip which contained the logic for the palette, mode display, ROM paging, RAM paging and interrupt
18109 
18110system. This is emulated in the KC Compact using a lot of TTL logic chips and a Zilog 8536 chip.
18111 
18112 
18113 
18114Hardware that was designed for the CPC systems should work on the KC Compact, however, since the KC Compact has a different expansion port layout, an adaptor must be made.
18115 
18116 
18117 
18118 
18119 
18120$end
18121 
18122 
18123 
18124#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18125 
18126 
18127$info=kim1
18128$bio
18129====== Commodore/MOS Kim-1 (1975) ======
18130 
18131 
18132 
18133 
18134 
18135===== Features =====
18136 
18137 
18138 
18139  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
18140 
18141  * RAM: 1152 bytes
18142 
18143  * ROM: 2 KB (assembler)
18144 
18145  * Text Modes: 6 digits LED screen
18146 
18147  * Graphic Modes: None
18148 
18149  * Colors: No
18150 
18151  * Sound: Various square wave frequencies could be produced by software
18152 
18153  * I/O Ports: tape interface, bus expansion, serial (to connect to a terminal)
18154 
18155  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal keyboard, calculator type
18156 
18157 
18158 
18159 
18160 
18161===== Usage =====
18162 
18163 
18164 
18165Kim-1 has 23 keys to enter programs. 16 keys represent the hex digits, 7 keys are functions keys. MESS maps these keys in the following way (key=MESS key, name=original key)
18166 
18167 
18168 
18169^ key  ^ name ^ description                              ^
18170 
18171| F1   |  AD  | address mode                             |
18172 
18173| F2   |  DA  | data mode                                |
18174 
18175| F3   |  RS  | reset                                    |
18176 
18177| F5   |  GO  | execute from address                     |
18178 
18179| F6   |  PC  | program counter (hmm.. whatever)         |
18180 
18181| F7   |  ST  | step (note: NMI handling for K7 missing) |
18182 
18183| ENTER|  +   | increase address                         |
18184 
18185| 0-F  |  hex  | hex digits                               |
18186 
18187 
18188 
18189 
18190 
18191===== Known Issues =====
18192 
18193 
18194 
18195This driver supports the backdrop image of the KIM-1, and code images in .kim format.
18196 
18197 
18198 
18199 
18200 
18201===== History and Trivia =====
18202 
18203 
18204 
18205This prehistoric computer has no "real" keyboard and no video output, program are entered by the small hexadecimal keyboard (located in the lower right part of the picture) and results are displayed on the small LED "screen" (it can display only 6 digits). It has a simple monitor that allows one to examine & modify memory, load and save paper tape, load and save cassette tape, run and debug programs through a 'single step' mode. The monitor works with the built in keypad and LEDs, or a terminal like the Teletype ASR33.
18206 
18207 
18208 
18209It is possible to connect the KIM to a terminal via a dedicated serial port.
18210 
18211 
18212 
18213Soon after release, Commodore Business Machines would buy out MOS Technologies and distribute the KIM-1 with a Commodore name on it.
18214 
18215 
18216 
18217== Additional Info ==
18218 
18219 
18220 
18221(Info from Bob Leedom): The KIM-1 had "no video output", you say? And the "small LED screen...can only display 6 digits"? Not quite. The software could address each segment of the 7-segment displays in the "LED screen". As a result, tremendous ingenuity was unleashed by the KIM-1 User's Group, and the display was used for many clever things. The editors published my version of the artificial intelligence board game (in which the computer learns which moves lose, and never makes those moves again, until it's eventually unbeatable), my baseball game (two-player or you vs computer, six kinds of pitches possible, scoreboard, men-on-base display, lots more), and my semi-successful commercial entry called KIM-venture (a tiny version of Adventure, with XYZZY-type secret word, monsters, treasures, 26 rooms, and more). It was an amazing little computer. Mine still works!
18222 
18223 
18224 
18225//(info from old-computers.com)//
18226 
18227 
18228 
18229 
18230 
18231===== Links =====
18232 
18233 
18234 
18235  * The KIM-1 Enthusiasts Page -- http://www.kim-1.com/
18236 
18237  * Kim-1 at Ruud's Commodore Page -- http://www.baltissen.org/newhtm/kim.htm
18238 
18239  * Tech Infos -- http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/kim-1/index.html
18240 
18241  * KIM-1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=149
18242 
18243 
18244 
18245 
18246 
18247$end
18248 
18249 
18250 
18251#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18252 
18253 
18254$info=laser110
18255$bio
18256====== Video Technology Laser 110 (1983) ======
18257 
18258 
18259 
18260 
18261 
18262===== Features =====
18263 
18264 
18265 
18266  * CPU: Z80A 3,58 MHz
18267 
18268  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 video processor
18269 
18270  * RAM: 4 KB or 8 KB ? upgradeable  to 64 KB
18271 
18272  * ROM: 16 KB
18273 
18274  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines (Mode 0)
18275 
18276  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots (Mode 1)
18277 
18278  * Colors: Monochrome
18279 
18280  * Sound: Beeper, 1 voice & 3 octaves
18281 
18282  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out, Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
18283 
18284  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
18285 
18286  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
18287 
18288 
18289 
18290 
18291 
18292===== History and Trivia =====
18293 
18294 
18295 
18296The Laser 100/110 was the first model of the Laser 100/200/300 family.
18297 
18298 
18299 
18300The ROM was nearly identical to the one of the Tandy Radio-Shack TRS-80 Color Computer, with only minor changes. It's so close that when people write Laser emulators, they use TRS-80 CoCo ROM documentations (Laser detailed documentations are hard to find, especially about the ROM itslef).
18301 
18302 
18303 
18304The Basic was a Microsoft Basic just slightly modified to avoid lawsuits, some statements being stored in the ROM but not available on the machine!
18305 
18306 
18307 
18308Like the most of the Vtech products, the Laser 100/110 was "cheaply" conceived: chicklet keyboard, plastic case, light-weight... It was produced to compete against the first wave of micro-computers like the famous Sinclair ZX-81.
18309 
18310 
18311 
18312The difference between the Laser 100 and the Laser 110 must be the RAM size (like the Laser 200 and 210), though very little information on the Laser 100 is available.
18313 
18314 
18315 
18316The biggest difference with its big brother the Laser 200 was that it only had a black & white display.
18317 
18318 
18319 
18320An obscure VZ-100 version was also released but this wasn't the same machine as the VZ series sold in Australia and New-Zealand by Dick Smith Electronics. 
18321 
18322 
18323 
18324//(info from old-computers.com)//
18325 
18326 
18327 
18328 
18329 
18330===== Links =====
18331 
18332 
18333 
18334  * Laser 100/110 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=448
18335 
18336 
18337 
18338 
18339 
18340$end
18341 
18342 
18343 
18344#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18345 
18346 
18347$info=laser200
18348$bio
18349====== Video Technology Laser 200 (1983) ======
18350 
18351 
18352 
18353 
18354 
18355===== Features =====
18356 
18357 
18358 
18359  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 3.58 MHz
18360 
18361  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 (video processor)
18362 
18363  * RAM: 2 KB Up to 64 KB with memory addons
18364 
18365  * VRAM: 2 KB
18366 
18367  * ROM: 16 KB
18368 
18369  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
18370 
18371  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
18372 
18373  * Colors: 8
18374 
18375  * Sound: 1 voice & 3 octaves
18376 
18377  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out (DIN), Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
18378 
18379  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
18380 
18381  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
18382 
18383 
18384 
18385 
18386 
18387===== History and Trivia =====
18388 
18389 
18390 
18391The Laser 200 / 210 was the successor of the Laser 100 / 110 (which had only monochrome graphic modes).
18392 
18393 
18394 
18395Adman Harbison says: "The Video Technology Laser 200 (and the Laser 300) were marketed in Australia by Dick Smith Electronics and badged as the VZ200 and the VZ300 computers. For memory the computers were exactly the same, although he can not be too sure. Some of the peripherals that I got while I had such a machine were things like a 16Kb expansion cartridge, a printer/plotter which wasn't much bigger than those little calculators that print out accounts etc. and some joysticks. The trouble with these computers was that they tended to die after a couple of years use. But they were cheap and came with a few software titles."
18396 
18397 
18398 
18399 
18400 
18401===== Links =====
18402 
18403 
18404 
18405  * Planet VZ -- http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/laser/184/
18406 
18407  * The VZ200 -- http://vz200.tripod.com/
18408 
18409  * VZ Alive -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/
18410 
18411  * VZ Online -- http://www.vz200-online.de.vu/
18412 
18413  * VZ 200 / 300 Infos -- http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/6771/vz/
18414 
18415  * Laser 200/210 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=155
18416 
18417 
18418 
18419 
18420 
18421===== Other Emulators =====
18422 
18423 
18424 
18425  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
18426 
18427  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
18428 
18429 
18430 
18431 
18432 
18433$end
18434 
18435 
18436 
18437#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18438 
18439 
18440$info=laser210
18441$bio
18442====== Video Technology Laser 210 / Dick Smith VZ-200 (1984) ======
18443 
18444 
18445 
18446 
18447 
18448===== Features =====
18449 
18450 
18451 
18452  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 3.58 MHz
18453 
18454  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 (video processor)
18455 
18456  * RAM: 6 KB Up to 64 KB with memory addons
18457 
18458  * VRAM: 2 KB
18459 
18460  * ROM: 16 KB
18461 
18462  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
18463 
18464  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
18465 
18466  * Colors: 8
18467 
18468  * Sound: 1 voice & 3 octaves
18469 
18470  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out (DIN), Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
18471 
18472  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
18473 
18474  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
18475 
18476 
18477 
18478 
18479 
18480===== Usage =====
18481 
18482 
18483 
18484Basic programs start with 
18485 
18486   
18487 
18488  RUN
18489 
18490 
18491 
18492Other programs usually start with 
18493 
18494   
18495 
18496  X=USR(0)
18497 
18498 
18499 
18500X=USR(0) can be typed out with the following PC keystrokes: "X", "SHIFT -", "U", "S", "R", "SHIFT 8", "0", "SHIFT 9", "ENTER".
18501 
18502 
18503 
18504 
18505 
18506===== History and Trivia =====
18507 
18508 
18509 
18510The Laser 200 / 210 was the successor of the Laser 100 / 110 (which had only monochrome graphic modes).
18511 
18512 
18513 
18514Adman Harbison says: "The Video Technology Laser 200 (and the Laser 300) were marketed in Australia by Dick Smith Electronics and badged as the VZ200 and the VZ300 computers. For memory the computers were exactly the same, although he can not be too sure. Some of the peripherals that I got while I had such a machine were things like a 16Kb expansion cartridge, a printer/plotter which wasn't much bigger than those little calculators that print out accounts etc. and some joysticks. The trouble with these computers was that they tended to die after a couple of years use. But they were cheap and came with a few software titles."
18515 
18516 
18517 
18518 
18519 
18520===== Links =====
18521 
18522 
18523 
18524  * Planet VZ -- http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/laser/184/
18525 
18526  * The VZ200 -- http://vz200.tripod.com/
18527 
18528  * VZ Alive -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/
18529 
18530  * VZ Online -- http://www.vz200-online.de.vu/
18531 
18532  * VZ 200 / 300 Infos -- http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/6771/vz/
18533 
18534  * Laser 200/210 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=155
18535 
18536 
18537 
18538 
18539 
18540===== Other Emulators =====
18541 
18542 
18543 
18544  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
18545 
18546  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
18547 
18548 
18549 
18550 
18551 
18552$end
18553 
18554 
18555 
18556#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18557 
18558 
18559$info=laser310
18560$bio
18561====== Video Technology Laser 310 (1984) ======
18562 
18563 
18564 
18565 
18566 
18567===== Features =====
18568 
18569 
18570 
18571  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 3.54 MHz
18572 
18573  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6807
18574 
18575  * RAM: 16 KB (Up to 64 KB)
18576 
18577  * VRAM: 2 KB
18578 
18579  * ROM: 16 KB
18580 
18581  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
18582 
18583  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
18584 
18585  * Colors: 8
18586 
18587  * Sound: Beeper, 1 voice & 3 octaves
18588 
18589  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out, Memory expansion port, Expansion port
18590 
18591  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 46 mechanical keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
18592 
18593  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
18594 
18595 
18596 
18597 
18598 
18599===== Usage =====
18600 
18601 
18602 
18603MESS emulates two different BASIC ROM versions for Laser 310 / VZ-300: BASIC v2.0 and BASIC v2.1 (hack). You can switch between the two, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, both for laser310 and for vz300
18604 
18605   
18606 
18607  "-bios 0" or "-bios basic20" = BASIC V2.0
18608 
18609   
18610 
18611  "-bios 1" or "-bios basic21" = BASIC V2.1 (hack)
18612 
18613 
18614 
18615 
18616 
18617===== History and Trivia =====
18618 
18619 
18620 
18621The Laser 310 is only an improved version of the Laser 200/210. But both computers stay compatibles with each other, for software and hardware.
18622 
18623 
18624 
18625Basically, it has an enhanced keyboard and more memory.
18626 
18627 
18628 
18629This model was also sold worldwide, the most popular version being the VZ-300 from Dick Smith Electronics.
18630 
18631 
18632 
18633//(info from old-computers.com)//
18634 
18635 
18636 
18637 
18638 
18639===== Links =====
18640 
18641 
18642 
18643  * Planet VZ -- http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/laser/184/
18644 
18645  * VZ Alive -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/
18646 
18647  * VZ 200 / 300 Infos -- http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/6771/vz/
18648 
18649  * Steve75 Laser 310 Page -- http://utenti.lycos.it/STEVE75/laser.html
18650 
18651  * Laser 310 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=157
18652 
18653 
18654 
18655 
18656 
18657===== Other Emulators =====
18658 
18659 
18660 
18661  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
18662 
18663  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
18664 
18665 
18666 
18667 
18668 
18669$end
18670 
18671 
18672 
18673#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18674 
18675 
18676$info=laser350
18677$bio
18678====== Video Technology Laser 350 / 500 / 700 (1984?) ======
18679 
18680 
18681 
18682 
18683 
18684===== Features =====
18685 
18686 
18687 
18688  * CPU: NEC D780c (Z80A compatible) 3,58 MHz
18689 
18690  * RAM: 16 kb, up to 128 kb [Laser 350]; 64 kb (30 kb free), up to 128 kb [Laser 500 / 700]
18691 
18692  * ROM: 32 kb
18693 
18694  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 in 16 colors, 80 x 24 in 2 colors among 16
18695 
18696  * Graphic Modes: GR0 = 160 x 96 in 16 colors, GR1 = 160 x 192 in 2 colors among 16, GR2 = 320 x 192 in 2 colors, GR3 = 160 x 192 in 16 colors, GR4 = 320 x 192 in 2 colors among 16, GR5 = 640 x 192 in 2 colors
18697 
18698  * Colors: 16
18699 
18700  * Sound: 1 voice, 6 octaves (Beeper)
18701 
18702  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RGB DIN plug, Composite monitor out, Expansion port [All]; Memory expansion port [Laser 350 / 500 only]; 2 floppy disk drive ports, Centronic port [Laser 700 only]
18703 
18704  * Keyboard: AZERTY / QWERTY / QWERTZ, 77 mechanical keys, 10 function keys, INS / DEL / DEL LINE / CLS HOME keys, 4 cursor keys, CAPS LOCK key with led, 2 SHIFT keys
18705 
18706  * Peripherals: Disk drive, 64 kb & 128 kb memory expansion, Centronic Interface, RS232 Interface, Joysticks, Lightpen, Analogic/Digital converter, Digital/Analogic converter
18707 
18708  * Built In Language: Basic v3.0 (Microsoft Basic)
18709 
18710 
18711 
18712 
18713 
18714===== History and Trivia =====
18715 
18716 
18717 
18718Technically the Laser 350 / 500 / 700 / 750 are completely different from the Laser 100 / 200 / 300 family and thus non compatible with them.
18719 
18720 
18721 
18722All 4 computers are nearly identical but the Laser 350 use a Laser 300 case while the Laser 500 / 700 / 750 use a "new" case.
18723 
18724 
18725 
18726Though the CPU is still a Z80A compatible one (the D780c from NEC), its possibilities are better.
18727 
18728 
18729 
18730There are now 6 graphical modes, ranging from 160 x 96 in 16 colors to 640 x 192 in 2 colors. The memory size is also better compared to the old serie and goes from 16k RAM for the Laser 350, to 128k RAM for the Laser 750. The Laser 500 and 700 have 64k.
18731 
18732 
18733 
18734//(info from old-computers.com)//
18735 
18736 
18737 
18738 
18739 
18740===== Links =====
18741 
18742 
18743 
18744  * Laser 350/500/700 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=449
18745 
18746 
18747 
18748 
18749 
18750$end
18751 
18752 
18753 
18754#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18755 
18756 
18757$info=lisa2
18758$bio
18759====== Apple Lisa 2 / Mac XL (1983) ======
18760 
18761 
18762 
18763 
18764 
18765===== Features =====
18766 
18767 
18768 
18769  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 5 MHz
18770 
18771  * RAM: 1 MB (2MB max. via 3rd party upgrade)
18772 
18773  * ROM: 16 KB
18774 
18775  * Text Modes: 40 x 32 bit-mapped
18776 
18777  * Graphic Modes: 720 x 364 dots
18778 
18779  * Colors: Monochrome (12" built-in monitor)
18780 
18781  * Sound: Continuously Variable Slope Demodulator (CVSD)
18782 
18783  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS232, 3 proprietary slots
18784 
18785  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 77-key with numeric keypad
18786 
18787  * Built In Media: one Sony 3.5" floppy drive (400 KB)
18788 
18789  * OS: Lisa Office System or Mac OS [Lisa 2/Mac XL only]
18790 
18791  * Built In Language: Lisa OS
18792 
18793  * Peripherals: 5 MB or 10 MB external hard disk
18794 
18795 
18796 
18797 
18798 
18799===== Usage =====
18800 
18801 
18802 
18803This driver is still buggy. Neither the hard drive nor the serial port are supported. There are many other bugs remaining with MMU emulation. Only Macworks will boot.
18804 
18805 
18806 
18807When you boot up the Lisa, you can see a self-test progress indicator. At least one test will fail you must discard the error message by selecting the 'Ignore' or 'Start-up from...' button. Then, you get a boot device menu. Select the floppy drive unit, since it is the only available device.
18808 
18809 
18810 
18811If the mouse temporarily refuses to work, you may use the keyboard shortcuts Apple+2 and Apple+3 (the Apple key should be mapped to "Control"; you must use the numeric keys on the main keyboard, not on the numeric keypad). If the computer does boot, you will see an icon representing a weird floppy disk with a cross (maybe it actually represents a twiggy disk).
18812 
18813 
18814 
18815 
18816 
18817===== Known Issues =====
18818 
18819 
18820 
18821The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
18822 
18823 
18824 
18825 
18826 
18827===== History and Trivia =====
18828 
18829 
18830 
18831The Lisa project started in the summer of 1979. At the time, the idea was merely designing a powerful business computer, with scheduled release in march 1981. After his legendary visit to the Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) research center, Steve Jobs realized the GUI was the future of computing. So, in March 1980, a GUI was added to the Lisa specs.
18832 
18833 
18834 
18835Despite huge support from Apple, the project got behind schedule, and Lisa was introduced on January, 19th, 1983.
18836 
18837 
18838 
18839Lisa was the original code-name. Supposedly, the Lisa was named after Steve Jobs' eldest daughter, Lisa Nicole. The Lisa project cost over $50 million and was the result of more than 200 person-years of research and development. It was supposed to be the Next Big Thing. It was not however the first personal computer to use a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Several Xerox systems developped in Palo Alto, utilized the STAR operating system. STAR contained a very innovative icon-based interface as well as a built-in word processor and calculator.
18840 
18841 
18842 
18843Contrary to the "legend", Lisa was not the ancestor of the Macintosh. Lisa and Macintosh were two distinct projects. The original Lisa couldn't use Macintosh programs and Macintosh couldn't run Lisa software. The LISA OS (Office System) was a true preemptive multitasking operating system.
18844 
18845 
18846 
18847The Lisa was an impressive computer for its time. It had TONS of memory (1Mb on Lisa 1), a high-resolution graphic display, and it was fairly expandable. Its OS (weirdly called "Lisa 7/7 Office System") featured a complete GUI, and full preemptive multitasking with memory protection (something neither Windows 98 nor MacOS offer!). Its 68000 CPU was one of the fastest microprocessor in its time.
18848 
18849 
18850 
18851Unfortunately, Lisa was never too successful. It was quite expensive, and relatively few units were sold (possibly about 10,000 Lisa 1 and 80,000 Lisa 2). Little software was developed for it. Also, it was extremely resource hungry: it was reportedly slow, and its memory requirements were the major cause for its high price.
18852 
18853 
18854 
18855On 24th January 1984, Lisa 1 was replaced by Lisa 2, with 3.5" 800 KB floppies instead of the old 5.25" "twiggy" ones, and several small hardware changes.
18856 
18857 
18858 
18859In January 1985, Lisa 2 was replaced by Macintosh XL (the Lisa 2 could become a Mac XL through the replacement of a ROM chip on the inside of the machine), which had a modified video hardware, and used a variant of the Macintosh system instead of the 7/7 Lisa OS. Mac XL was presented as a development system for the Macintosh (Don't forget - in 1985 there was no hard disk available for the Macintosh). The Macintosh XL was discontinued in May 1985 (even if it has been sold until 1986) and became obsolete when the new "True" Macintoshes were launched (Macintosh II and Mac SE in 1987).
18860 
18861 
18862 
18863The remaining stocks were sold to another company (Sun Remarketing) which did manage to sell them.
18864 
18865 
18866 
18867Though ill-fated, the Macintosh XL was an interesting machine. It was slow, slower than even the original Macintosh, but it supported up to 2 Megabytes of RAM (while the original Macintosh came with 128kb or 512kb only), had a larger screen, supported hard drives units (which the original Macintosh could not do until the Hard Disk 20 was introduced), and it had three expansion ports (it was thus the first expandable Macintosh, more than 2 years before Macintosh II and Macintosh SE were introduced). A number of these was bought by developers who needed the hard drive and appreciated the larger screen (anyway, Macintosh development was originally done
18868 
18869on Lisa, so the transition from Lisa Workshop on Lisa to Macintosh Programmer Workshop on Macintosh XL was a natural one).
18870 
18871 
18872 
18873After the Mac Plus came out, all owners of Lisa's and previous Macintoshes were offered the option to exchange their old computers for the new Plus (for a fee of course). 
18874 
18875 
18876 
18877Rumor has it that an enhanced, 68020-based Lisa was in development when Apple discontinued the Lisa.
18878 
18879 
18880 
18881== Versions ==
18882 
18883 
18884 
18885Three versions of the Lisa 2 were successively released:
18886 
18887 
18888 
18889  * Lisa 2 basic version which had rather less memory (512 KB instead of 1 MB) and storage capability than the first Lisa,
18890 
18891 
18892 
18893  * Lisa 2/5, the nearest to the Lisa 1 at approx. half the original price, was sold with a 5 MB 'Profile' hard disk unit,
18894 
18895 
18896 
18897  * Lisa 2/10, which offered up to 10 MB of storage on an internal hard-disk. All Lisa's were expandable systems thanks to three slots in the back, mainly used for RAM expansion cards. Up to 7 drives hooked up at once on the same interface.
18898 
18899 
18900 
18901== The significance of Lisa == 
18902 
18903 
18904 
18905Lisa is a milestone in the history of computing. Arguably, the Xerox PARC research center invented most GUI concepts (along with Object-Oriented programming and Ethernet) 10 years before Lisa was introduced. However, although Xerox research was public, and some Xerox Altos were actually sold, or given to universities, these experiments remained little known, and raised little interest. I guess this was because computing was mostly the field of highly-trained professionals who did not care about ease of use (you know, the same kind of guys who laughed at Macintosh and worshipped the early IBM-PCs). So, Lisa made the world aware that GUI could exist, all the more since Apple was a major computer maker. Also, Lisa (along with Macintosh, Atari ST and Commodore Amiga) introduced GUI to hobbyists and home computer users, which enabled GUI to live.
18906 
18907 
18908 
18909//(info from old-computers.com)//
18910 
18911 
18912 
18913 
18914 
18915===== Links =====
18916 
18917 
18918 
18919  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
18920 
18921  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
18922 
18923  * Lisa Spotlight -- http://www.aci.com.pl/mwichary/guidebook/extras/spotlights/lisa
18924 
18925  * Lisa's World!! -- http://www.goodwill.co.jp/oldmac/lisa.html
18926 
18927  * Lisa at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=265
18928 
18929 
18930 
18931 
18932 
18933===== Other Emulators =====
18934 
18935 
18936 
18937  * IDLE (Icomplete Draft of a Lisa Emulator) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/idle-lisa-emu
18938 
18939  * Lisa Emulator (for Unix) -- http://lisa.sunder.net/
18940 
18941 
18942 
18943 
18944 
18945$end
18946 
18947 
18948 
18949#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18950 
18951 
18952$info=lviv
18953$bio
18954====== V. I. Lenin PK-01 L'viv (1989) ======
18955 
18956 
18957 
18958 
18959 
18960===== Features =====
18961 
18962 
18963 
18964  * CPU: 8080 2.5MHz (2MHz in first machines)
18965 
18966  * RAM: 64Kb
18967 
18968  * ROM: 8Kb
18969 
18970  * Colors: 4 
18971 
18972  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 256, 4 Colors
18973 
18974 
18975 
18976 
18977 
18978===== Usage =====
18979 
18980 
18981 
18982MESS supports three different L'viv versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
18983 
18984   
18985 
18986  "-bios 0" or "-bios lviv" = Lviv/L'vov
18987 
18988   
18989 
18990  "-bios 1" or "-bios lviva" = Lviv/L'vov (alternate)
18991 
18992   
18993 
18994  "-bios 2" or "-bios lvivp" = Lviv/L'vov (prototype)
18995 
18996 
18997 
18998 
18999 
19000===== Known Issues =====
19001 
19002 
19003 
19004Printer is not emulated. Timings are not implemented, due to it emulated machine runs twice fast as orginal. .RSS files are not supported.
19005 
19006 
19007 
19008 
19009 
19010===== Other Emulators =====
19011 
19012 
19013 
19014  * L'viv Java Emulator -- http://lvovpk.org.ua/ftp/lvov20j1/emul.htm
19015 
19016 
19017 
19018 
19019 
19020$end
19021 
19022 
19023 
19024#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19025 
19026 
19027$info=lynx
19028$bio
19029====== Atari Lynx (1989) and Atari Lynx II (1990) ======
19030 
19031 
19032 
19033 
19034 
19035===== Features =====
19036 
19037 
19038 
19039  * CPU: Two 16-Bit custom CMOS chips running at 16MHz (named Mikey and Suzy)
19040 
19041  * Sound: 8 bit DAC for each channel; 4 channels integrated stereo speaker (wired for mono in original)
19042 
19043  * Screen: 160 x 102 (horz) 60.00 Hz
19044 
19045  * Color: 4096 colors, 16 max per scanline
19046 
19047  * RAM: 64KB RAM of 120ns DRAM
19048 
19049  * I/O Ports: Headphone port (mini-DIN 3.5mm stereo; wired for mono on the original Lynx), ComLynx (multiple unit communications, serial)
19050 
19051  * Screen: 3.5" diagonal (3.25" x 1.88" approx.) 
19052 
19053 
19054 
19055 
19056 
19057===== Usage =====
19058 
19059 
19060 
19061Lynx is flip-able for optimal support of left and right hand players (hold down pause and press option 2 in many games). Some games want to be rotated by 90 degree.
19062 
19063 
19064 
19065In MESS are present
19066 
19067 
19068 
19069  * lynx [Atari Lynx]
19070 
19071  * linx2 [Atari Lynx II]
19072 
19073 
19074 
19075but due to missing dump of the Lynx II, only the Atari Lynx is usable (to a certain degree). For lynx, MESS supports cart dumps in .lnx format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
19076 
19077 
19078 
19079Also, a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .o files.
19080 
19081 
19082 
19083=== BIOS options ===
19084 
19085 
19086 
19087MESS supports two different Lynx dumps, both saved from a running machine (therefore the rom byte at 0xff09 is not readable: the 2 dumps differ only in this byte). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
19088 
19089   
19090 
19091  "-bios 0" = Lynx
19092 
19093   
19094 
19095  "-bios 1" or "-bios a" = Lynx (alternate rom save)
19096 
19097 
19098 
19099 
19100 
19101===== Known Issues =====
19102 
19103 
19104 
19105The emulation of these systems is still Preliminary. More in detail:
19106 
19107 
19108 
19109  * Several cartridges playable
19110 
19111  * Blitter imperfect
19112 
19113  * Timer system incomplete
19114 
19115  * Audio imperfect
19116 
19117  * No serial port emulation
19118 
19119  * Lynx II bios is needed!
19120 
19121 
19122 
19123 
19124 
19125===== History and Trivia =====
19126 
19127 
19128 
19129The Atari Lynx was the first handheld color videogame system produced.   
19130 
19131 
19132 
19133The system was originally developed by Epyx as the "Handy." Planning and design of the console was begun in 1986 and completed in 1987. The first appearance of the system was at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 1989. Due to financial problems, Epyx had to look for financial support and partners, finding an interested Atari. The two companies eventually agreed that Atari would handle production and marketing, while Epyx would be responsible of software development. Atari changed the internal speaker, removed the thumb-stick on the control pad and showed the console to the press at the Summer 1989 CES as the "Portable Color Entertainment System". The name was later changed to Lynx when actual consoles were distributed.
19134 
19135 
19136 
19137Since its appearance, in September 1989, Lynx suffered greatly the success of its rival Game Boy. Indeed, Nintendo's handheld was released almost contemporarily as Atari Lynx in US, at a half of its price. Despite the lack of colors on screen, the longer average battery life and the presence of a blockbuster title as Tetris, ensured to Game Boy a huge success.
19138 
19139 
19140 
19141In 1991, Atari relaunched the Lynx with a new look (rubber hand grips), slightly improved hardware (a clearer backlit color screen with a power save option, to turn off the backlight and reduce the battery consumption), new packaging and new marketing campaign.
19142 
19143The new system, called inside Atari "Lynx II", helped the sales, but Nintendo still dominated the handheld market.
19144 
19145 
19146 
19147In May 1991, Sega launched its Game Gear portable gaming handheld. Also a color handheld, in comparison to the Lynx it had a higher cost, larger bulk, and lower battery life. However, the Game Gear was backed up by significantly more popular titles making it a preferable second choice for a buyer.
19148 
19149 
19150 
19151In 1994, Atari shifted its focus away from the Lynx: as Nintendo's Super Nintendo and Sega's Genesis filled retailer's shelves, Atari refocused its efforts on its Jaguar console. Only a handful of games were released during this period. Finally, in 1996, Atari shut down its internal game development.
19152 
19153 
19154 
19155In the second half of the 1990s, Telegames released a number of games, including a port of Raiden, a platformer called Fat Bobby, and an action sports game called Hyperdrome. At the end of the decade, Hasbro, the current owners of Atari at the time, released the rights to develop for the system to the public domain. This allowed a number of independent developers to release games for the Lynx. In fact, some of these games had been already under development by other companies at one point, but rights to the game programs and all of the existing code was bought and finished by other developers.
19156 
19157 
19158 
19159The Atari Lynx had several innovative features:
19160 
19161  * it was the first color handheld, with a backlit display and a switchable right-handed/left-handed (upside down) configuration;
19162 
19163  * it had the ability to network with up to 17 other units via its "ComLynx" system (though most games would network eight or fewer players): originally developed to run over infrared links (RedEye was its codename), was changed later to a cable-based networking system ;
19164 
19165  * it was the first gaming console with hardware support for zooming/distortion of sprites, allowing fast pseudo-3D games with unrivaled quality at the time and a capacity for drawing filled polygons with limited CPU intervention (Blue Lightning, an After Burner clone, was especially notable and featured in TV advertising for the console)
19166 
19167 
19168 
19169The games were originally meant to be loaded from tape, but were later changed to load from ROM. The game data still needed to be copied from ROM to RAM before it could be used, so less memory was available and the games loaded slower than necessary.
19170 
19171 
19172 
19173//(info from Wikipedia, Lynx FAQs and Atari Age)//
19174 
19175 
19176 
19177 
19178 
19179===== Links =====
19180 
19181 
19182 
19183  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com
19184 
19185  * FAQ on Lynx -- http://www.electric-escape.net/atari/Lynx/FAQ
19186 
19187  * [[wp>Atari_Lynx]]
19188 
19189 
19190 
19191 
19192 
19193===== Other Emulators =====
19194 
19195 
19196 
19197  * Handy -- http://handy.sourceforge.net/
19198 
19199  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
19200 
19201 
19202 
19203 
19204 
19205$end
19206 
19207 
19208 
19209#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19210 
19211 
19212$info=mac128k
19213$bio
19214====== Apple Macintosh 128k / 512k (1984) ======
19215 
19216 
19217 
19218 
19219 
19220===== Features =====
19221 
19222 
19223 
19224  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.83 MHz
19225 
19226  * RAM: 128 kb (resp. 512 kb)
19227 
19228  * ROM: 64 kb
19229 
19230  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 32 lines bit-mapped pseudo-character mode
19231 
19232  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342 dots
19233 
19234  * Colors: black & white 9" monitor
19235 
19236  * Sound: 4 voices, 12 octave sound @ 22 kHz
19237 
19238  * I/O Ports: Two serial (RS 232/422) for printer and modem, mouse, external floppy drive, sound out
19239 
19240  * Keyboard: Full stroke 59-key
19241 
19242  * Built In Media: One 400k 3.5" internal floppy drive, 400K external drive optional
19243 
19244  * OS: Macintosh System 1.0
19245 
19246 
19247 
19248 
19249 
19250===== Known Issues =====
19251 
19252 
19253 
19254The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
19255 
19256 
19257 
19258 
19259 
19260===== History and Trivia =====
19261 
19262 
19263 
19264With their II and III series getting rather long in the tooth, and the Lisa being rather pricey, Apple had to do something to get back into the small-business market. They did.
19265 
19266 
19267 
19268The Macintosh can be considered the very first commercially successful computer to use a GUI (Graphical User Interface). It was, however, not the first GUI based computer, the first GUI based computer ever sold was the Xerox Star 8010 in 1981.
19269 
19270 
19271 
19272It was launched a while after the Lisa and was a very attractive alternative to PC compatibles and their old MS-DOS, and text-based applications. After uncertain beginnings, it met with great success despite having no hard disk, single-sided floppy disks, no expansion slot and very little memory!
19273 
19274 
19275 
19276It was replaced later by the Macintosh 512 (the same but with 512 KB RAM) then later, by the Macintosh Plus.
19277 
19278 
19279 
19280The Macintosh 128 and Macintosh 512 were non-upgradeable, non-expandable in almost all departments, but especially with regard to memory. The 128 and 512 had memory chips soldered directly to the main logic board.
19281 
19282 
19283 
19284The original System file was designated 'Macintosh System 1.0'. Apple went as far as System 7 before changing the name to 'Mac OS'. The System/Finder suite was designated 'Macintosh System Software 0.0.'. It wasn't until System 6 that the System file version and System Software designation coincided.
19285 
19286 
19287 
19288There were also two variants of Macintosh 512K. The 512K was shipped with a 400K floppy drive and 64 KB ROM, which did not support hierarchical file systems. The 512K Enhanced was shipped with 128 KB of ROM, an 800K floppy drive, and supported HFS right out of the box.
19289 
19290 
19291 
19292//(info from old-computers.com)//
19293 
19294 
19295 
19296 
19297 
19298===== Links =====
19299 
19300 
19301 
19302  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
19303 
19304  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
19305 
19306  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
19307 
19308  * Mac512 -- http://www.mac512.com/Welcome/Welcome.html
19309 
19310  * Mac 128 / 512 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=271
19311 
19312 
19313 
19314 
19315 
19316===== Other Emulators =====
19317 
19318 
19319 
19320  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
19321 
19322  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
19323 
19324 
19325 
19326 
19327 
19328$end
19329 
19330 
19331 
19332#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19333 
19334 
19335$info=mac512ke
19336$bio
19337====== Apple Macintosh 512k Enhanced (1986) ======
19338 
19339 
19340 
19341 
19342 
19343===== Features =====
19344 
19345 
19346 
19347  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.83 MHz
19348 
19349  * RAM: 512 kb
19350 
19351  * ROM: 128 kb
19352 
19353  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 32 lines bit-mapped pseudo-character mode
19354 
19355  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342 dots
19356 
19357  * Colors: black & white 9" monitor
19358 
19359  * Sound: 4 voices, 12 octave sound @ 22 kHz
19360 
19361  * I/O Ports: Two serial (RS 232/422) for printer and modem, mouse, external floppy drive, sound out
19362 
19363  * Keyboard: Full stroke 59-key
19364 
19365  * Built In Media: One 800k 3.5" internal floppy drive
19366 
19367  * OS: Macintosh System 1.0
19368 
19369 
19370 
19371 
19372 
19373===== History and Trivia =====
19374 
19375 
19376 
19377Introduced on 14th April 1986, the Macintosh 512ke was essentially a Macintosh 512k with the same 128k ROMs and double-sided 800 KB internal floppy drive as the Mac Plus.
19378 
19379 
19380 
19381It was sold as a poor man's Macintosh. Also, any existing Macintosh 512k could be upgraded to 512ke. (They could be upgraded to a Mac Plus, too, but this involved changing the motherboard.)
19382 
19383 
19384 
19385Since this model was discontinued a few months later (in August 1986), it may have just been a way for Apple to get rid of its excess Macintosh 512 motherboard. Or maybe they realized that 512 kb of RAM were not enough to run real-world Macintosh programs.
19386 
19387 
19388 
19389 
19390 
19391===== Links =====
19392 
19393 
19394 
19395  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
19396 
19397  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
19398 
19399  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
19400 
19401  * Mac512 -- http://www.mac512.com/Welcome/Welcome.html
19402 
19403 
19404 
19405 
19406 
19407===== Other Emulators =====
19408 
19409 
19410 
19411  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
19412 
19413  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
19414 
19415 
19416 
19417 
19418 
19419$end
19420 
19421 
19422 
19423#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19424 
19425 
19426$info=macclasc
19427$bio
19428====== Apple Macintosh Classic (1990) ======
19429 
19430 
19431 
19432 
19433 
19434===== Features =====
19435 
19436 
19437 
19438  * CPU: 8 MHz Motorola 68000
19439 
19440  * ROM: 512 KiB
19441 
19442  * RAM: 1 MiB, expandable to 2 or 4 MiB using 120 ns 30-pin SIMMs
19443 
19444  * Display: 9" b&w screen, 512 x 342 pixels
19445 
19446  * Audio: 8-bit mono 22kHz
19447 
19448  * Hard drive: 40 MB
19449 
19450  * Floppy: 1.4 MB double sided
19451 
19452  * Interfaces: ADB port for keyboard and mouse, Two mini-DIN-8 RS-422 Serial ports, DB-25 SCSI connector, Headphone 3.5 mm jack socket
19453 
19454 
19455 
19456 
19457 
19458===== Known Issues =====
19459 
19460 
19461 
19462The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
19463 
19464 
19465 
19466 
19467 
19468===== History and Trivia =====
19469 
19470 
19471 
19472The Macintosh Classic (code-named XO and Civic) was the first Apple Macintosh personal computer introduced at a price under US$1000. Demand for another "all-in-one"/"compact" Mac, such as the popular Macintosh Plus and the SE, spurred the introduction of the Classic. Limitations of the form factor prohibited major innovations in this model, which had the same 9-inch display, 512x342-pixel one-bit video, and 4 MiB memory ceiling as its predecessors. Unlike other Macs, memory expansion was only possible with a special memory expansion card only available on the more expensive model, or as an option installed later.
19473 
19474 
19475 
19476* Improvements over the Macintosh Plus: The Macintosh Classic had more Ram and the ability to connect to a hard drive internaly. Macintosh Plus had over heating problem, while the Macintosh Classic was less prone to have over heating issues Architecturally, it was very similar to an SE. Changes include a fixed hard drive bay, lighter chassis, brightness knob removed (for cost reasons), and surface-mounted circuits with minor changes (such as the aforementioned RAM card). The brightness knob was replaced by the PWM circuit that formerly controlled the floppy disk rotation speed, a function obviated by the use of a SuperDrive. Brightness settings were 
19477 
19478controlled using a control panel, which is operable only on this model and the newer Macintosh Classic II. Maximum Ram is 8 MB, The least amount would be 4 MB. The RAM card was the only card designed for the lone expansion slot on the motherboard. Unlike the Macintosh SE there was no way to add an extra card for video, Ethernet, or another option. Classics had 1 MiB on the motherboard and another 1 MiB on the card itself. There were two slots on the card which could hold either 512 KiB or 1 MiB SIMMs. A jumper needed to be set properly to read the amount of memory installed.
19479 
19480 
19481 
19482Although the Classic shipped with System 6.0.7, it could run earlier versions as well. A case in point is the hidden ROM disk which included a copy of System 6.0.3. System 7.5.5 is the latest supported version on this model.
19483 
19484 
19485 
19486One unique feature of the Classic was the ability to start from a ROM disk by holding down the Command+Option+X+O keys during the boot process. This would boot the Mac Classic into a special combination of the System and Finder that only the Mac Classic can run. The 40 MB hard disk drive model cost US$1500, while the US$1000 model was a stripped-down 1 MiB model without a hard drive.
19487 
19488 
19489 
19490The Classic was very popular in schools. The price was right for most districts, and the computers would often be purchased in large quantities. In addition, schools acquired these computers through other programs on a regular basis. Supermarkets such as Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle ran programs such as "Apples For the Students" in which a portion of the profits made at their stores would benefit local school districts. The Classic was the most popular computer to distribute through this and other programs, mostly because of its low cost.
19491 
19492 
19493 
19494//(info from Wikipedia)//
19495 
19496 
19497 
19498 
19499 
19500===== Links =====
19501 
19502 
19503 
19504  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
19505 
19506  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
19507 
19508 
19509 
19510 
19511 
19512$end
19513 
19514 
19515 
19516#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19517 
19518 
19519$info=macplus
19520$bio
19521====== Apple Macintosh Plus (1986) ======
19522 
19523 
19524 
19525 
19526 
19527===== Features =====
19528 
19529 
19530 
19531  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.8336 MHz
19532 
19533  * RAM: 1 MB (up to 4 MB) IBM RAM SIMM's as well as any other 1MB SIMM could be added
19534 
19535  * ROM: 128 KB
19536 
19537  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342 dots
19538 
19539  * Colors: Monochrome
19540 
19541  * Sound: Tone Generator & Digital-Analog converter (22kHz sampling rate)
19542 
19543  * I/O Ports: RS 232/422 x 2 for printer and modem, SCSI, external F.D. unit, ext. loudspeaker
19544 
19545  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 78 keys with numeric keypad
19546 
19547  * Built In Media: One 3.5" 800 KB disk-drive
19548 
19549  * OS: Macintosh System (from 3.2 to 7.5)
19550 
19551  * Built In Language: None
19552 
19553 
19554 
19555 
19556 
19557===== History and Trivia =====
19558 
19559 
19560 
19561Introduced on 16th January 1986, the Macintosh Plus was the first real improvement of the original Macintosh 128k (The Macintosh 512k was just a Mac 128k with 512 kb of RAM). It had several new features.
19562 
19563 
19564 
19565The extended ROM held the new version of operating system: it supported hard disk units, the SCSI bus, and the new file system: HFS (Hierarchical File System), along with many other new features (Time Manager etc.). Additionally, various routines and managers previously located in RAM (Appletalk manager, RAM Serial Driver, Standard File Package etc.) had been moved to ROM.
19566 
19567 
19568 
19569The new floppy disk unit could use double-sided 800 kb disks (compared to single-sided 400 kb for the Macintosh 128k). It came with 1 Mb of RAM, and could easily be expanded to 4 Mb, using standard 1Mb SIMMs. It had an enhanced keyboard with a numeric pad and last but not least, it had a SCSI 1 interface which allowed to connect several high speed peripherals (maximal transfer rate of 312 kbyte/s on Mac Plus - which is incredibly inefficient) such as hard disks and scanners.
19570 
19571 
19572 
19573Although the Mac Plus was made obsolete in march 1987 by the new Macintosh series (Macintosh SE and the Macintosh II), it remained in production as a cheaper alternative until the introduction of Macintosh Classic on 15th october 1990. This makes Macintosh Plus the longest lived Macintosh ever produced.
19574 
19575 
19576 
19577//(info from old-computers.com)//
19578 
19579 
19580 
19581 
19582 
19583===== Links =====
19584 
19585 
19586 
19587  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
19588 
19589  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
19590 
19591  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
19592 
19593  * Mac Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=282
19594 
19595 
19596 
19597 
19598 
19599===== Other Emulators =====
19600 
19601 
19602 
19603  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
19604 
19605  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
19606 
19607 
19608 
19609 
19610 
19611$end
19612 
19613 
19614 
19615#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19616 
19617 
19618$info=macse
19619$bio
19620====== Apple Macintosh SE (1987) ======
19621 
19622 
19623 
19624 
19625 
19626===== Features =====
19627 
19628 
19629 
19630  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.83 MHz
19631 
19632  * RAM: 1 MB (up to 4 MB)
19633 
19634  * ROM: 256 KB
19635 
19636  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342
19637 
19638  * Colors: Monochrome
19639 
19640  * Sound: 8-bit mono sound chip
19641 
19642  * I/O Ports: Centronics, ADB (2: Keyboard, mouse), RS232/422, Internal expansion slot (96-pin Eurodin)
19643 
19644  * Keyboard: Typewriter style, 84 keys with numeric keypad
19645 
19646  * Built In Media: One or Two 3.5" disk-drives, 20 to 80 MB HDD
19647 
19648  * OS: MAC OS 4.0
19649 
19650  * Built In Language: None
19651 
19652 
19653 
19654 
19655 
19656===== Known Issues =====
19657 
19658 
19659 
19660The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
19661 
19662 
19663 
19664 
19665 
19666===== History and Trivia =====
19667 
19668 
19669 
19670The Apple Macintosh SE was launched in 1987 at same time as the Macintosh II. It was an enhanced version of the Macintosh 128 and the Macintosh Plus. It had almost the same specifications as the latter, and unlike the Mac plus, it had an extension slot (which was not compatible with the NUBUS slots of the Macintosh II).
19671 
19672 
19673 
19674== Trivia == 
19675 
19676 
19677 
19678the ROM used only 89 KB of the available 256 KB. So to fill the chip, Apple put the photos of the development team into the ROM. To see these photos, press the debug button then type: G 41D89A.
19679 
19680 
19681 
19682The Mac 128, the 512k, the 512KE (same but with an 800K floppy drive), and the SE have the signatures of their developers molded as engravings on the inside of the case at the rear. 
19683 
19684 
19685 
19686== Additional info ==
19687 
19688 
19689 
19690(Info from Luca Rescigno): The Mac SE had a few different configurations that aren't listed. Originally, there was a dual 800kb floppy configuration or you could replace one of the floppies with a hard disk for extra money. 
19691 
19692 
19693 
19694A couple years later it was replaced with the SE FDHD (Floppy Disk High Density) which had a 1.4 MB "superdrive" and a 40 MB hard disk standard. Also, some people have managed to mount an internal hard drive in a dual-floppy SE. There's just barely enough room inside the case. One person even managed to replace both 800k floppies with salvaged 1.4 MB floppies, and they had to replace the ROM chips as well so it would recognize them. Finally, all SEs I've looked inside (including an FDHD) have two floppy controllers on the motherboard and one SCSI connector, so you can theoretically put dual floppies in a newer model.
19695 
19696 
19697 
19698//(info from old-computers.com)//
19699 
19700 
19701 
19702 
19703 
19704===== Links =====
19705 
19706 
19707 
19708  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
19709 
19710  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
19711 
19712  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
19713 
19714  * Mac SE at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=161
19715 
19716 
19717 
19718 
19719 
19720===== Other Emulators =====
19721 
19722 
19723 
19724  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
19725 
19726  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
19727 
19728 
19729 
19730 
19731 
19732$end
19733 
19734 
19735 
19736#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19737 
19738 
19739$info=max
19740$bio
19741====== Commodore MAX / Ultimax / VC-10 (1982) ======
19742 
19743 
19744 
19745 
19746 
19747===== Features =====
19748 
19749 
19750 
19751  * CPU: MOS 6510 (6502 compatible) 1 MHz
19752 
19753  * Co-Processor: SID (Sound chip), 6566 VIC-II (Video chip)
19754 
19755  * RAM: 2.5 kb
19756 
19757  * ROM: 2kb
19758 
19759  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
19760 
19761  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200
19762 
19763  * Colors: 16
19764 
19765  * Sound: SID (Sound Interface Device) : 3 voices, 9 octaves
19766 
19767  * I/O Ports: Power in (DIN7), Audio output (minijack), Cartridge port, RF TV out, Cassette interface (bus), 2 x joystick connectors
19768 
19769  * Keyboard: Flat membrane keyboard, 4 function keys, 2 arrow keys, <-, CONTROL, RUN/STOP, SHIFT LOCK, C=, SHIFT (x2), CLR HOME, INST/DEL, RESTORE, RETURN
19770 
19771  * Built In Language: MAX BASIC on cartridge
19772 
19773 
19774 
19775 
19776 
19777===== History and Trivia =====
19778 
19779 
19780 
19781The Commodore MAX was released after the VIC 20 and at the same time as the C64. It was intended to be Commodore's low-end offering ($150-$180), whereas the C64 was envisioned as a high-end product ($595).
19782 
19783 
19784 
19785The system was very inexpensive and lacked even basic features such a user expansion port. In reality, the MAX was a severely limited C64. Several MAX software titles could actually be run on the C64.
19786 
19787 
19788 
19789Some production models used the same video chip as the C64, while others used a 6566 (the NTSC C64 uses the 6567; the PAL C64 uses a 6569). Regardless of video chip, both variants offered only a single graphics resolution of 320x200 and could not utilize the "multi-color" functions available on the C64. The SID sound chip is identical to the one found in its C64 cousin. BASIC was stored on cartridge rather than in ROM.
19790 
19791 
19792 
19793Though initially planned for world-wide release, the Commodore MAX was sold primarily in Japan. It was advertised in North America under the name ULTIMAX, as well as in Germany under the name VC-10. 
19794 
19795 
19796 
19797//(info from old-computers.com)//
19798 
19799 
19800 
19801 
19802 
19803===== Links =====
19804 
19805 
19806 
19807  * Ultimax at Secret Weapons of Commodore -- http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/ultimax.html
19808 
19809  * Max at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=40
19810 
19811 
19812 
19813 
19814 
19815$end
19816 
19817 
19818 
19819#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19820 
19821 
19822$info=mbee
19823$bio
19824====== Applied Technologies Microbee 16 / 32 (1982) ======
19825 
19826 
19827 
19828 
19829 
19830===== Features =====
19831 
19832 
19833 
19834  * CPU: Z80A 2MHz / 3.375 MHz
19835 
19836  * Co-Processor: 6545 CRT controller
19837 
19838  * RAM: 16 KB or 32 KB depending models (battery-backed CMOS)
19839 
19840  * ROM: 16 KB (Microworld Basic) + 12 KB (for optional ROMs like word processor and telecommunications software)
19841 
19842  * Text Modes: 64 x 16
19843 
19844  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 48, 512 x 256
19845 
19846  * Colors: Yes, with later models
19847 
19848  * Sound: Internal loudspeaker, one channel, 2 octaves
19849 
19850  * I/O Ports: Serial RS 232, tape interface (300 and 1200 baud), composite and RGB (optional) video output, parallel port (optional on early units), expansion bus
19851 
19852  * Keyboard: Full sized, 60 keys, QWERTY standard layout
19853 
19854  * Peripherals: Printers, tape recorder, joystick, modem, optional colour board
19855 
19856  * Built In Language: Microworld Level II extended Basic
19857 
19858 
19859 
19860 
19861 
19862===== Usage =====
19863 
19864 
19865 
19866Currently, MESS supports the following Microbee systems:
19867 
19868 
19869 
19870  * mbee [Applied Technology Microbee 16 Standard]
19871 
19872  * mbeeic [Applied Technology Microbee 32 IC]
19873 
19874  * mbeepc [Applied Technology Microbee 32 PC]
19875 
19876  * mbeepc85 [Applied Technology Microbee 32 PC85]
19877 
19878  * mbee56 [Applied Technology Microbee 56]
19879 
19880 
19881 
19882The mbee driver supports tapes in .wav format, using the "cassette" (cass) device, and cart dumps in .rom format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
19883 
19884The other systems also support four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format.
19885 
19886 
19887 
19888Also notice that two different quickload features are present: "quickload1" (quik1) for .mwb and .com files, "quickload2" (quik2) for .bin files.
19889 
19890 
19891 
19892== Keyboard ==
19893 
19894 
19895 
19896These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
19897 
19898 
19899 
19900 
19901 
19902===== History and Trivia =====
19903 
19904 
19905 
19906Around 1978, Owen Hill teamed up with an electronic components company, Applied Technology of Hornsby (Sydney), to build a small computer he had designed. Applied Technology had been previously producing kits in Australia for S-100 boards. The Microbee was released as a kit in 1982 on the cover of Your Computer magazine, the manual was included free with the magazine. They were an immediate hit, being quite a powerful little system given the cost.
19907 
19908 
19909 
19910Applied Technology eventually changed their name to Microbee Systems, and sold ready-made versions. Their main market (especially for the 32) were Australian schools, which had the Microbee recommended as the preferred system.
19911 
19912 
19913 
19914Over the years there has been several versions of the Microbee. The early ones (16 and PLUS series) had monochrome display and clock rate at 2 MHz. Later ones (Colour/IC series), from june 1983, included colour and 3.375 MHz clock rate.
19915 
19916 
19917 
19918The Microbee 32 was followed by Microbee 56, 64 and 128 models. There were all disk based systems using CP/M. The Microbee 128 was intended as a high-end business system. There were also two really keen prototype systems, the Gamma and the Delta, which were intended to compete with the Amigas, but problems within the company led to their cancellation not long before the company's collapse. 
19919 
19920 
19921 
19922== Different models ==
19923 
19924 
19925 
19926  * 16 / 32k Home built - 2MHz clock, Z80
19927 
19928 
19929 
19930  * 32k IC (with EDASM) - 3.375 MHz clock. All later Z80 Microbees would run at this speed though many were over clocked up to 6 MHz.
19931 
19932 
19933 
19934  * 32k Personal Communicator (with Basic, Telcom terminal program and Wordbee - a word processor in ROM)
19935 
19936 
19937 
19938  * 32k PC85 (Word processor, Basic, Spreadsheet, Database in ROM) - the last of the line for ROM based machines - very neat and with built in networking.
19939 
19940 
19941 
19942//(info from old-computers.com)//
19943 
19944 
19945 
19946 
19947 
19948===== Links =====
19949 
19950 
19951 
19952  * Microbee archive -- http://members.ozemail.com.au/~mikeleys/microbee.html
19953 
19954  * The Flying Computer -- http://www.mdstud.chalmers.se/~md6cbm/bee/
19955 
19956  * Microbee 32 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=287
19957 
19958 
19959 
19960 
19961 
19962===== Other Emulators =====
19963 
19964 
19965 
19966  * Picomozzi -- http://www2.ee.mu.oz.au/pgrad/apsh/microbee/ (currently unavailable)
19967 
19968  * NanoWasp -- http://http://nanowasp.sourceforge.net/
19969 
19970  * uBee512 -- http://freshmeat.net/projects/ubee512/
19971 
19972 
19973 
19974 
19975 
19976$end
19977 
19978 
19979 
19980#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19981 
19982 
19983$info=mc10
19984$bio
19985====== Tandy Radio Shack MC-10 (1983) ======
19986 
19987 
19988 
19989 
19990 
19991===== Features =====
19992 
19993 
19994 
19995  * CPU: Motorola 6803 (6800 compatible) 0.89 MHz
19996 
19997  * Co-Processor: MC-6847 Video Generator
19998 
19999  * RAM: 4 kb (up to 20 kb), 3142 bytes left for user
20000 
20001  * ROM: 8 kb (Microcolor Basic)
20002 
20003  * Text Modes: 32 x 16
20004 
20005  * Graphic Modes: With Basic : 64 x 32, 8 colors; With machine-code : up to 128 x 192, 2 colors; With machine-code and 16k expansion RAM : 256 x 192, 2 colors
20006 
20007  * Colors: 9
20008 
20009  * Sound: Beeper with variable pitch and duration
20010 
20011  * I/O Ports: RGB DIN8 or RF jack (USA) video out, Expansion port, Tape (DIN6), Serial (DIN5), power IN
20012 
20013  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY, Calculator style keyboard, 48 keys, Basic statements written above keys, SHIFT, CONTROL, ENTER, BREAK
20014 
20015  * Peripherals: 16k RAM expansion, Printer
20016 
20017  * Built In Language: Microcolor Basic 1.0 (Microsoft)
20018 
20019 
20020 
20021 
20022 
20023===== History and Trivia =====
20024 
20025 
20026 
20027The Tandy MC 10 (MC means Micro Color) was designed as an "initiation" computer to compete with the Timex Sinclair 1000, the american version of the Sinclair ZX-81. It was more expensive than the Sinclair machine, but outpassed it in every category. It had sound, color, more memory and even a better keyboard.
20028 
20029 
20030 
20031In fact, the MC-10 is basically a cut down version of the Tandy "Coco" computers, but didn't have as much success as its big brothers.
20032 
20033 
20034 
20035It is fully compatible with the first version of the Matra Alice (a French computer). Actually both are the same computer (except for the case color, the Alice is red and the Tandy is white).
20036 
20037 
20038 
20039== Additional Info == 
20040 
20041 
20042 
20043(Info from Richard Vermeulen): The Tandy MC-10 micro color computer was not a commercial success. Tandy did not support this machine. In Basic you could only use 8 color and a graphic resolution of 64 x 32 dots. However, the MC-10 had much more capabilities: 2 color 256x192 graphics, 4 color 128 x 192 graphics and the sound-chip had synthesizer posibilities. If all these extra functions were mentioned in the manual, I bet that these machine would have sold much more. 
20044 
20045 
20046 
20047//(info from old-computers.com)//
20048 
20049 
20050 
20051 
20052 
20053===== Links =====
20054 
20055 
20056 
20057  * Inside MC-10 -- http://www.slowcomputing.org/ssouth/mc10/
20058 
20059  * Mr. Wizard's MC-10 Page -- http://mymc10.tripod.com/
20060 
20061  * The MC10 Archive -- http://users.bigpond.net.au/jagf/mc10.html
20062 
20063  * MC-10 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=163
20064 
20065 
20066 
20067 
20068 
20069===== Other Emulators =====
20070 
20071 
20072 
20073  * Virtual MC-10 -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
20074 
20075 
20076 
20077 
20078 
20079$end
20080 
20081 
20082 
20083#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20084 
20085 
20086$info=megaduck
20087$bio
20088====== MegaDuck/Cougar Boy ======
20089 
20090 
20091 
20092 
20093 
20094===== Features =====
20095 
20096 
20097 
20098  * CPU : 8-bit VLSI 
20099 
20100  * RAM: 64 kbit RAM 
20101 
20102  * Screen: 49 mm x 46 mm (160 x 144 pixels)
20103 
20104  * Color: 4 monochrome green tones
20105 
20106  * Contrast Adjustment, Power Switch, Volume controller, Built-in speaker, Headphone Jack 
20107 
20108  * Controls: Direction, A & B, Select, Start buttons (similar to the Game Boy)
20109 
20110  * Two Player Link (6-pin communications port), 36-pin Cartridge Slot
20111 
20112  * Size: 15.5 cm x 9.7 cm x 3.2 cm 
20113 
20114 
20115 
20116 
20117 
20118===== History and Trivia =====
20119 
20120 
20121 
20122The Mega Duck was released by Creatronic, Videojet and Timlex in 1993 mainly in Germany and France. The Cougar Boy was released by Cougar, an electronic manufacturer of device and accessories, had mainly distributed it in Brasil in 1993. Cougar brought the rights from Creatronics to manufacture it under its own name.
20123 
20124 
20125 
20126Looks much like a Game Boy with its monochrome green screen, "start", "Select", "A" & "B" buttons and directional pad but that's were the similiraties ends.
20127 
20128 
20129 
20130The carts are about 2 1/8 inchs by 2 1/2 inchs with 36 pins to connect with the cartridge slot of the Mega Duck (unlike the 32-pins of the Game Boy or the 40-pins of the Supervision).
20131 
20132 
20133 
20134With an external joystick (not included) two players could play against each other simultaneously.
20135 
20136 
20137 
20138There were around 30 games made for the system.
20139 
20140 
20141 
20142//(info from the MegaDuck FAQs)//
20143 
20144 
20145 
20146 
20147 
20148===== Links =====
20149 
20150 
20151 
20152  * MegaDuck FAQs -- http://www.pelikonepeijoonit.net/duckfaq1.txt
20153 
20154 
20155 
20156 
20157 
20158$end
20159 
20160 
20161 
20162#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20163 
20164 
20165$info=megast
20166$bio
20167====== Atari Mega ST (1987) ======
20168 
20169 
20170 
20171 
20172 
20173===== Features =====
20174 
20175 
20176 
20177  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 mHz
20178 
20179  * RAM: 1 / 2 / 4 MB 
20180 
20181  * ROM: 192 KB
20182 
20183  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines (bitmapped graphics)
20184 
20185  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 640 x 400
20186 
20187  * Colors: 16 (320 x 200), 4 (640 x 200), monochrome (640 x 400) among 512
20188 
20189  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves programmable sound generator
20190 
20191  * I/O Ports: Cardridge, Midi (in, out), Centronics, RS232c, Hard Disk, Floppy disk, RGB, Joystick, mouse
20192 
20193  * Built In Media: 3.5" 360 KB disk-drive
20194 
20195  * OS: TOS + GEM
20196 
20197 
20198 
20199 
20200 
20201===== Usage =====
20202 
20203 
20204 
20205MESS currently supports for the Mega ST both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
20206 
20207 
20208 
20209Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
20210 
20211 
20212 
20213== Keyboard ==
20214 
20215 
20216 
20217This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
20218 
20219 
20220 
20221=== BIOS options ===
20222 
20223 
20224 
20225Different versions of the TOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
20226 
20227 
20228 
20229  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = TOS 1.04 (Rainbow TOS)
20230 
20231   
20232 
20233  "-bios 1" or "-bios tos102" = TOS 1.02 (MEGA TOS)
20234 
20235 
20236 
20237=== RAM options ===
20238 
20239 
20240 
20241Different RAM configurations are possible for the megast in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
20242 
20243 
20244 
20245  mess megast -ramsize ram_value
20246 
20247 
20248 
20249where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
20250 
20251 
20252 
20253  1m - to emulate a Mega ST 1
20254 
20255  2m - to emulate a Mega ST 2
20256 
20257  4m (default) - to emulate a Mega ST 4
20258 
20259 
20260 
20261 
20262 
20263===== Known Issues =====
20264 
20265 
20266 
20267The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
20268 
20269 
20270 
20271 
20272 
20273===== History and Trivia =====
20274 
20275 
20276 
20277The Atari Mega ST was the "professional" version of the Atari STf (i.e. later version of Atari ST with built-in floppy drive).
20278 
20279 
20280 
20281Atari added the "Blitter", a custom chip designed to perform quick memory moves and increase display speed. The Mega ST had a small battery to hold time and date and a small fan (except for the Mega ST1).
20282 
20283 
20284 
20285This computer was especially designed to be the cheapest publishing solution (and it was!). 
20286 
20287 
20288 
20289The Mega ST had a pretty good success and was replaced by the Mega STe and by the TT. 
20290 
20291 
20292 
20293//(info from old-computers.com)//
20294 
20295 
20296 
20297 
20298 
20299===== Links =====
20300 
20301 
20302 
20303  * AEX / Atari Explorer -- http://www.atari-explorer.com/index.html
20304 
20305  * The Atari Historical Society -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/
20306 
20307  * Atari Mega ST at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=165
20308 
20309 
20310 
20311 
20312 
20313===== Other Emulators =====
20314 
20315 
20316 
20317  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
20318 
20319 
20320 
20321 
20322 
20323$end
20324 
20325 
20326 
20327#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20328 
20329 
20330$info=megaste
20331$bio
20332====== Atari Mega STe (1991) ======
20333 
20334 
20335 
20336 
20337 
20338===== Features =====
20339 
20340 
20341 
20342  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 / 16 mHz
20343 
20344  * Co-Processor: Optional Motorola MC68881 math co-processor
20345 
20346  * RAM: 1 / 2 / 4 MB - Up to 8 MB thanks to a 4 MB card connected to the VME bus
20347 
20348  * ROM: 256 KB
20349 
20350  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines (bitmapped graphics)
20351 
20352  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 640 x 400
20353 
20354  * Colors: 16 among 4096 (320 x 200) / 4 among 4096 (640 x 200) / monochrome (640 x 400)
20355 
20356  * Sound: 3 FM channels, 8 octaves + two 8 bit PCM channels
20357 
20358  * I/O Ports: Cardridge, Midi (in, out), Centronics, RS232c (2), Hard Disk, Floppy disk, RGB, Joystick, mouse, Stereo, VME Bus
20359 
20360  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 keys with numeric keypad, editing keys and 10 function keys
20361 
20362  * Built In Media: 3.5" disk drive, Seagate 48 MB hard drive. The 'open' version had 2 MB of RAM but no hard disk.
20363 
20364  * OS: TOS + GEM
20365 
20366  * Built In Language: None
20367 
20368 
20369 
20370 
20371 
20372===== Usage =====
20373 
20374 
20375 
20376MESS currently supports for the Mega STe both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
20377 
20378 
20379 
20380Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the two serial ports, "serial1" (serl1) and "serial2" (serl2), are emulated as well.
20381 
20382 
20383 
20384== Keyboard ==
20385 
20386 
20387 
20388This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
20389 
20390 
20391 
20392=== RAM options ===
20393 
20394 
20395 
20396Different RAM configurations are possible for the megaste in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
20397 
20398 
20399 
20400  mess megaste -ramsize ram_value
20401 
20402 
20403 
20404where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
20405 
20406 
20407 
20408  1m - to emulate a Mega STe 1
20409 
20410  2m - to emulate a Mega STe 2
20411 
20412  4m (default) - to emulate a Mega STe 4
20413 
20414 
20415 
20416 
20417 
20418===== Known Issues =====
20419 
20420 
20421 
20422The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
20423 
20424 
20425 
20426 
20427 
20428===== History and Trivia =====
20429 
20430 
20431 
20432The Atari Mega STe is the successor of the Atari Mega ST. It is an Atari STe with some features of the TT (the case, the VME bus) and has a new version of TOS (2.05 and 2.06).
20433 
20434 
20435 
20436It has (like the Mega STf) a battery-backed up clock. The user can choose in the configuration panel the speed of the CPU (8 or 16 MHz) and can switch on or off a small memory cache. Thanks to these two features, the Mega STe was really faster than the STf.
20437 
20438 
20439 
20440Some companies developed VME graphic cards for the Mega STe. This computer had less success than the Mega STf and was used as a publishing station or in music studios.
20441 
20442 
20443 
20444A minor note: the Mega and TT gave a nod to the earlier integrated-keyboard ST series by adding a tongue-and-groove design element for loosely connecting the keyboard to the base of the CPU.
20445 
20446 
20447 
20448The Mega STe ended production in 1993. This was also the only Atari product every to have an Appletalk networking port built-in. Some models included hard drives, and some did not. The drives were usually shipped separately to the the dealers, and installed in the store. The hard drive, a regular IDE drive (instead of the earlier ST models which used a SCSI-to-DMA interface board in the drive casing). 
20449 
20450 
20451 
20452//(info from old-computers.com)//
20453 
20454 
20455 
20456 
20457 
20458===== Links =====
20459 
20460 
20461 
20462  * Atari Mega STe at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=164
20463 
20464 
20465 
20466 
20467 
20468===== Other Emulators =====
20469 
20470 
20471 
20472  * SainT -- http://leonard.oxg.free.fr/
20473 
20474  * Steem -- http://steem.atari.st/
20475 
20476  * Pacifist ! -- http://www.atari.st/pacifist/
20477 
20478  * Hatari -- http://hatari.sourceforge.net/
20479 
20480  * STonX (*nix OS) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/stonx/
20481 
20482  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
20483 
20484 
20485 
20486 
20487 
20488$end
20489 
20490 
20491 
20492#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20493 
20494 
20495$info=microtan
20496$bio
20497====== Tangerine Microtan 65 (1979) ======
20498 
20499 
20500 
20501 
20502 
20503===== Features =====
20504 
20505 
20506 
20507  * CPU: 6502 0.75 MHz
20508 
20509  * RAM: 1 kb (up to 48k)
20510 
20511  * ROM: 1 kb (TANBUG v1), upgradeable  to 14kb
20512 
20513  * Text Modes: 32 x 16
20514 
20515  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 64 with graphic characters
20516 
20517  * Colors: Monochrome
20518 
20519  * I/O Ports: Bus, Tape, Monitor
20520 
20521  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal keyboard in basic version
20522 
20523  * Built In Language: Machine-code (through TANBUG)
20524 
20525 
20526 
20527 
20528 
20529===== History and Trivia =====
20530 
20531 
20532 
20533Tangerine developped this computer before they became Oric and produced the Oric-1. It was mainly sold in kit with a little hexadecimal keyboard.
20534 
20535 
20536 
20537The unextended Microtan 65 couldn't use Basic (Basic65) due to its RAM limitation (1kb), so only machine-code was usable.
20538 
20539 
20540 
20541Te 1kb ROM contained TANBUG, a monitor which allowed to enter machine code programs. But with the unextended Microtan65, there was no way to save your work (not tape facility), so you had to re-type your program each time you switched-on the computer!
20542 
20543 
20544 
20545//(info from old-computers.com)//
20546 
20547 
20548 
20549 
20550 
20551===== Links =====
20552 
20553 
20554 
20555  * Microtan Page at Oric World -- http://oric.ifrance.com/microtan.html
20556 
20557  * Geoff's Page -- http://www.geoff.org.uk/microtan/
20558 
20559  * Microtan 65 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=166
20560 
20561 
20562 
20563 
20564 
20565===== Other Emulators =====
20566 
20567 
20568 
20569  * David A. Brown Microtan 65 Emu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dbzillion/tann/tan65.html
20570 
20571  * Geoff's Microtan 65 Emu -- http://www.geoff.org.uk/microtan/download.htm
20572 
20573  * Microtan Java Emu -- http://oric.ifrance.com/microtan/microtan_java.html
20574 
20575 
20576 
20577 
20578 
20579$end
20580 
20581 
20582 
20583#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20584 
20585 
20586$info=mikro80
20587$bio
20588====== Mikro-80 (1983) ======
20589 
20590 
20591 
20592 
20593 
20594===== History and Trivia =====
20595 
20596 
20597 
20598In the beginning of the 80es, the radio amateur magazin "Radio" published the schematics of a computer called "Mikro-80". There are no industrial models of the Mikro-80, only the models assembled by the hobbyists. This was also the first "homebrew" computer in the USSR but it was very difficult to built because it consisted of more than 200 microcircuits. 
20599 
20600 
20601 
20602Another problem was that it only supported text-mode. Quickly, after the initial publication, a quite good basic interpreter was developed - it only uses 6.5kB RAM. 
20603 
20604 
20605 
20606It used a common tape recorder as "mass-storage".
20607 
20608 
20609 
20610//(info from homecomputer.de)//
20611 
20612 
20613 
20614 
20615 
20616===== Links =====
20617 
20618 
20619 
20620  * Mikro-80 at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#micro
20621 
20622 
20623 
20624 
20625 
20626===== Other Emu =====
20627 
20628 
20629 
20630  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
20631 
20632  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
20633 
20634  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
20635 
20636 
20637 
20638 
20639 
20640$end
20641 
20642 
20643 
20644#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20645 
20646 
20647$info=mk1
20648$bio
20649====== Novag Industries / Videomaster Chess Champion MKI (1978) ======
20650 
20651 
20652 
20653 
20654 
20655===== Features =====
20656 
20657 
20658 
20659  * 4 11 segment led digits (3 segments are not used)
20660 
20661  * Plug for external power supply
20662 
20663 
20664 
20665 
20666 
20667===== Usage =====
20668 
20669 
20670 
20671== Instructions ==
20672 
20673 
20674 
20675When emulation starts an 'L' shows up in the display. You can now enter the level (1-6) of play for the MK1. The machine now displays 'bp' and you can enter the mode you want to play; A for normal play, B to enter a specific board set up.
20676 
20677 
20678 
20679When choosing mode A four dots show up and you can enter your first move. You enter a move using the A-H and 1-8 keys and confirm the move with the 'Play' key ('D').
20680 
20681 
20682 
20683== Levels of play ==
20684 
20685 
20686 
20687  - Beginner. The MK1 replies almost instantly.
20688 
20689  - Experienced beginner. The MK1 replies within 3 to 14 seconds.
20690 
20691  - Average player. The MK1 replies between 5 to 30 seconds, depending on the complexity of the position.
20692 
20693  - Above average. The MK1 replies between 7 to 60 seconds, depending on the complexity of the position.
20694 
20695  - Very good player. The reply of the MK1 can take between 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the complexity of the position.
20696 
20697  - Most difficult level. The reply of the MK1 can take from 2 up to 40 hours, depending on the complexity of the position.
20698 
20699 
20700 
20701See also:
20702 
20703  * 
20704 
20705 
20706 
20707== Test program ==
20708 
20709 
20710 
20711The following level 1, mode A test program will put the MK1 into a checkmate position in just a few moves:
20712 
20713 
20714 
20715  - Enter E2E4
20716 
20717  - MK1 replies with E7E5
20718 
20719  - Enter F1C4
20720 
20721  - MK1 replies with G8F6
20722 
20723  - Enter B1A3
20724 
20725  - MK1 replies with F6E4 (knight takes pawn)
20726 
20727  - Enter D1H5
20728 
20729  - MK1 replies with F8A3 (bishop takes knight)
20730 
20731  - Enter H5F7 (checkmate)
20732 
20733  - MK1 replies with LOSE
20734 
20735 
20736 
20737 
20738 
20739===== Known Issues =====
20740 
20741 
20742 
20743  * Changing the L-S switch does not cause the CPU to reset.
20744 
20745 
20746 
20747 
20748 
20749===== History and Trivia =====
20750 
20751 
20752 
20753Early Chess Computer. First of a series of single chip Chess Computer programmed by David Levy and produced by Novag Industries Ltd.
20754 
20755 
20756 
20757It was sold from several firms in Germany as MKI.
20758 
20759 
20760 
20761For a list of Chess Computers produced by Novag Industries, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
20762 
20763 
20764 
20765 
20766 
20767===== Links =====
20768 
20769 
20770 
20771  * Boris is King's MK1 page -- http://www.boris-is-king.com/mk1english.htm
20772 
20773  * MKI at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
20774 
20775  * MKI at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_Chess_Champion_MK_I
20776 
20777  * a short history of Novag Industries -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En
20778 
20779 
20780 
20781 
20782 
20783$end
20784 
20785 
20786 
20787#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20788 
20789 
20790$info=mk2
20791$bio
20792====== Novag Industries Chess Champion MKII / Super System II (1979) ======
20793 
20794 
20795 
20796 
20797 
20798===== Features =====
20799 
20800 
20801 
20802  * 4 7segment led digit
20803 
20804  * Integrated speaker
20805 
20806  * Plug for external power supply
20807 
20808 
20809 
20810 
20811 
20812===== Usage =====
20813 
20814 
20815 
20816For the computer to start as white:
20817 
20818  - switch to black (h enter)
20819 
20820  - swap players (g enter)
20821 
20822 
20823 
20824Pinout and instructions for reading ROMs are in messroms.txt
20825 
20826 
20827 
20828 
20829 
20830===== Known Issues =====
20831 
20832 
20833 
20834  * Random number generation is not accurate (rriot6530 emulation)
20835 
20836 
20837 
20838  * Led emulation not accurate (noticeable while computer is thinking)
20839 
20840 
20841 
20842 
20843 
20844===== History and Trivia =====
20845 
20846 
20847 
20848Early Chess Computer programmed by David Levy (or Peter Jennings?) and produced by Novag Industries Ltd.
20849 
20850 
20851 
20852It was sold from several firms in Germany as MK2. 2 designs are known, but they seems to be functional the same.
20853 
20854 
20855 
20856For a list of Chess Computers produced by Novag Industries, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
20857 
20858 
20859 
20860 
20861 
20862===== Links =====
20863 
20864 
20865 
20866  * MKII at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
20867 
20868  * MKII at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_Chess_Champion_MK_II
20869 
20870  * a short history of Novag Industries -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En
20871 
20872 
20873 
20874 
20875 
20876$end
20877 
20878 
20879 
20880#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20881 
20882 
20883$info=mm4
20884$bio
20885====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto - Modul MM IV (1987) ======
20886 
20887 
20888 
20889===== Features =====
20890 
20891 
20892 
20893  * CPU: 65C02 4,9152 MHz
20894 
20895  * ROM: 32 KB
20896 
20897  * RAM: 8 KB
20898 
20899 
20900 
20901 
20902 
20903===== History and Trivia =====
20904 
20905 
20906 
20907Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers. 
20908 
20909 
20910 
20911They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules. 
20912 
20913 
20914 
20915The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz).
20916 
20917 
20918 
20919MM IV was introduced in 1987. It was programmed by Ed Schröder and featured an additional opening library (HG440, available separately).
20920 
20921 
20922 
20923For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
20924 
20925 
20926 
20927 
20928 
20929===== Links =====
20930 
20931 
20932 
20933  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
20934 
20935  * MM IV at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephis2.htm
20936 
20937  * MM IV at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_MM_IV
20938 
20939  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
20940 
20941 
20942 
20943 
20944 
20945$end
20946 
20947 
20948 
20949#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20950 
20951 
20952$info=mm5
20953$bio
20954====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto - Modul MM V (1990) ======
20955 
20956 
20957 
20958===== Features =====
20959 
20960 
20961 
20962  * CPU: 65C02 4,9152 MHz
20963 
20964  * ROM: 32 KB
20965 
20966  * RAM: 8 KB
20967 
20968 
20969 
20970 
20971 
20972===== History and Trivia =====
20973 
20974 
20975 
20976Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers. 
20977 
20978 
20979 
20980They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules. 
20981 
20982 
20983 
20984The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
20985 
20986 
20987 
20988MM V was introduced in 1990. It was programmed by Ed Schröder and featured an additional opening library (HG550, available separately). An upgraded version was also released, the MM V5.1.
20989 
20990 
20991 
20992For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
20993 
20994 
20995 
20996 
20997 
20998===== Links =====
20999 
21000 
21001 
21002  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
21003 
21004  * MM V at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephis2.htm
21005 
21006  * MM V at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_MM_V
21007 
21008  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
21009 
21010 
21011 
21012 
21013 
21014$end
21015 
21016 
21017 
21018#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21019 
21020 
21021$info=mo5
21022$bio
21023====== Thomson MO5 (French, Jun 1984) ======
21024 
21025 
21026 
21027 
21028 
21029===== Features =====
21030 
21031 
21032 
21033  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
21034 
21035  * RAM: 32 KB base
21036 
21037  * ROM: 16 KB including BIOS and BASIC
21038 
21039  * Video: 320x200, 16 fixed colors (with proximity constraints)
21040 
21041  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
21042 
21043  * Keyboard: AZERTY 58-keys French keyboard, with accents
21044 
21045  * Game-pad: two 8-way 1-button paddles
21046 
21047  * Lightpen: pixel horizontal and vertical resolution
21048 
21049  * Cartridge: optional, 4 KB to 64 KB
21050 
21051  * Cassette: 1200 bauds, TO7 incompatible
21052 
21053  * Floppies: up to 4 external drives, 3 different controllers for 2"8 (50 KB), 3"1/2 (320 KB), and 5"1/4 (80 KB or 160 KB) floppies, fully TO7 compatible
21054 
21055  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
21056 
21057 
21058 
21059 
21060 
21061===== Usage =====
21062 
21063 
21064 
21065== Cartridge ==
21066 
21067 
21068 
21069An optional .m5 or .rom cartridge can be used (-cart option).
21070 
21071 
21072 
21073Note that, unlike the TO7 and TO7/70, the MO5 is usable without a cartridge as the BASIC 1.0 is already included in ROM.
21074 
21075 
21076 
21077Due to major system incompatibilities, TO7 and TO7/70 cartridges cannot be run on a MO5.
21078 
21079 
21080 
21081== Cassettes ==
21082 
21083 
21084 
21085Most games were distributed on cassettes. They are used in the same way as for the TO7. You must insert them at command line, with the 
21086 
21087   
21088 
21089  -cass filename
21090 
21091option, and then either type 
21092 
21093  RUN"" (for BASIC programs or loaders) 
21094 
21095or 
21096 
21097  LOADM"",,R (for binary code programs) 
21098 
21099at the BASIC prompt. Using the wrong option will get you an error, so you should try both.
21100 
21101 
21102 
21103Cassette images can be raw sound files (.wav) or demodulates byte streams (.k5 or .k7).
21104 
21105 
21106 
21107Cassettes are slow, be patient (or put off throttling). See the to7 driver for more informations.
21108 
21109 
21110 
21111IMPORTANT NOTES: 
21112 
21113  * Cassette encoding is different and incompatible with that of the TO7, TO7/70. You cannot read TO7 .wav or .k7 files on a MO5. 
21114 
21115  * For the MO5 format, the .wav format is more robust than .k5 and .k7 and will work better. 
21116 
21117  * Cassettes are always saved in .wav format.
21118 
21119 
21120 
21121== Floppies ==
21122 
21123 
21124 
21125Floppies are used in the same way as for the TO7. Here is a quick checklist (see the to7 driver for more informations).
21126 
21127 
21128 
21129  - make sure the relevant floppy controller is emulated (see MESS's in-game configuration menu, reset if required), 
21130 
21131  - insert the MO5 BASIC DOS boot disk (not the TO7 one) in drive -flop0 before starting the emulator,
21132 
21133  - alternatively, insert the disk after starting the emulator and type DOS at the BASIC prompt, 
21134 
21135  - use the LOAD, DIR, SAVE, DSKINI commands.
21136 
21137 
21138 
21139MO5 floppy format and floppy images (.sap, .qd, .fd) are fully compatible with the TO7 ones. You can easily read TO7 floppies and load TO7 files on a MO5. 
21140 
21141 
21142 
21143However, due to major system incompatibilities, TO7 programs will not be runnable (except pure BASIC programs).
21144 
21145 
21146 
21147== Keyboard ==
21148 
21149 
21150 
21151It is similar to the TO7/70 one.
21152 
21153   
21154 
21155  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0  -=  +;  ACC      UP  DOWN
21156 
21157   
21158 
21159  CTRL    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:        LEFT RIGHT
21160 
21161   
21162 
21163  RAZ       Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L    M   ENTER        TOP
21164 
21165   
21166 
21167  SHIFT       W   X   C   V   B   N   ,<  .>  @^     BASIC      INS DEL
21168 
21169   
21170 
21171                         SPACE
21172 
21173 
21174 
21175As in the TO7/70, accented keys are typeset using the ACC key, and CAPS-LOCK is toggled with the SHIFT+SPACE combination.
21176 
21177 
21178 
21179The only differences are: 
21180 
21181 
21182 
21183  - the right SHIFT key has been replaced with a BASIC key to typeset BASIC commands quickly, 
21184 
21185  - there is no keyboard LED to tell you whether the CAPS-LOCK is on.
21186 
21187 
21188 
21189 
21190 
21191===== Known Issues =====
21192 
21193 
21194 
21195  * many .k5 and .k7 files use emulator-specific hacks and will not work in MESS, prefer .wav files (yes, I know, the opposite was true for the TO7!)
21196 
21197 
21198 
21199  * Features not implemented: RS232 and network.
21200 
21201 
21202 
21203  * Speech synthesis sounds terrible
21204 
21205 
21206 
21207 
21208 
21209===== History and Trivia =====
21210 
21211 
21212 
21213The MO5 is Thomson's attempt to provide a low-cost version of the TO7/70. 
21214 
21215 
21216 
21217It is based on the same gate-array technology, but has less memory and is less expandable.
21218 
21219 
21220 
21221Please note that it is software incompatible with the TO7 and TO7/70.
21222 
21223 
21224 
21225The MO5 is the first Thomson computer with an integrated BASIC. Unlike the TO7 and TO7/70, it does not require an external BASIC cartridge to operate.
21226 
21227 
21228 
21229Also, the MO5 (and its MO5E variant) is the only Thomson computer without a startup menu: it starts directly at the BASIC prompt (or whatever cartridge was plugged-in).
21230 
21231 
21232 
21233This is also the first Thomson computer of the so-called MO family (that also spawned the MO6 and MO5NR computers) which is incompatible with the TO family (TO7, TO7/70, and later TO8, TO9, TO9+) despite being based on similar hardware.
21234 
21235 
21236 
21237Causes of incompatibility are numerous:
21238 
21239  * The address map is different. 
21240 
21241  * The calling conventions to BIOS functions are different.
21242 
21243  * The Motorola 6846 programmable timer is missing (replaced with a fixed clock). 
21244 
21245  * The encoding of colors is incompatible (albeit more reasonable than the TO7/70 one that strives for TO7 compatibility). 
21246 
21247  * The cassette encoding is completely different (albeit more effective, robust, and simpler to implement).
21248 
21249 
21250 
21251The reason for all this is not very clear (maybe necessary design choices to make the computer cheaper, or an attempt to break with former design choices, or a marketing issue).
21252 
21253 
21254 
21255As a consequence, you cannot run TO7/70 programs on a MO5 (except pure BASIC programs, supposing that you do not load them from a cassette but, e.g., from a floppy).
21256 
21257 
21258 
21259Interestingly enough the floppy controller is the same as the TO7 one (its ROM has been designed to work for both families).
21260 
21261 
21262 
21263It was a main component of the government plan "Informatique pour tous" (i.e., "Computer Science for Everyone"). Many MO5 (and a few TO7/70) were bought by the government and put in schools to teach computer science to children. 
21264 
21265 
21266 
21267Such computers were connected into networks (unfortunately, network is currently not emulated in MESS, but I hope to get it working at some point). 
21268 
21269 
21270 
21271Thus, it featured a lot of educational software.
21272 
21273 
21274 
21275It was also a great game computer until the TO8 was built.
21276 
21277 
21278 
21279Unlike the TO7 cassette format, the MO5 cassette format is a quite simple MFM encoding (Modified Frequency Modulation) and is decoded
21280 
21281fully in software. This gave rise to variants: many games were encoded specially and used a special loader in order to prevent people from disassembling the raw files. Some emulators use a byte-based format that cannot represent these protections, and so, rely on emulator-specific hooks. These hooks are not emulated in MESS.
21282 
21283 
21284 
21285Thus, you should prefer raw .wav files that faithfully emulate protection schemes in MESS.
21286 
21287 
21288 
21289Note that byte-based images often use the suffix .k5 to differentiate them from TO7 files, but many also have a .k7 suffix which is confusing because they cannot be run on a TO7.
21290 
21291 
21292 
21293 
21294 
21295===== Links =====
21296 
21297 
21298 
21299  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
21300 
21301 
21302 
21303See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
21304 
21305 
21306 
21307 
21308 
21309===== Other Emulators =====
21310 
21311 
21312 
21313  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
21314 
21315  * Emul5: is a MO5-only emulator -- http://emul5.thomsonistes.org
21316 
21317 
21318 
21319 
21320 
21321$end
21322 
21323 
21324 
21325#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21326 
21327 
21328$info=mo5e
21329$bio
21330====== Thomson MO5E (French, 1984?) ======
21331 
21332 
21333 
21334 
21335 
21336===== Usage =====
21337 
21338 
21339 
21340Please see the mo5 driver for most usage information.
21341 
21342 
21343 
21344== Keyboard ==
21345 
21346 
21347 
21348We emulate the QWERTY version of the MO5E.
21349 
21350 
21351 
21352  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0£ -=  +;  ACC      UP  DOWN
21353 
21354   
21355 
21356  CTRL    Q   W   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:        LEFT RIGHT
21357 
21358   
21359 
21360  RAZ       A   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L  @^   ENTER         TOP
21361 
21362   
21363 
21364  SHIFT       Z   X   C   V   B   N   M   ,<  .>    BASIC      INS DEL
21365 
21366   
21367 
21368                         SPACE
21369 
21370 
21371 
21372The ACC combinations to get accented letters are a bit different.
21373 
21374 
21375 
21376 
21377 
21378===== History and Trivia =====
21379 
21380 
21381 
21382Export version of the Thomson MO5 computer.
21383 
21384 
21385 
21386The MO5E features a much nicer case and keyboard than the original one for the French market. 
21387 
21388 
21389 
21390Also, two game ports and 6-bit sound are included (they are optional extensions on the MO5, TO7, and TO7/70).
21391 
21392 
21393 
21394It exists in both AZERTY and QWERTY versions.
21395 
21396 
21397 
21398Apart form the slightly different BIOS and BASIC ROM, it is internally identical to the MO5, and fully compatible.
21399 
21400 
21401 
21402It seems that the MO5E was mainly exported to Germany.
21403 
21404 
21405 
21406 
21407 
21408===== Links =====
21409 
21410 
21411 
21412  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
21413 
21414 
21415 
21416 
21417 
21418===== Other Emulators =====
21419 
21420 
21421 
21422  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
21423 
21424  * Emul5: is a MO5-only emulator -- http://emul5.thomsonistes.org
21425 
21426 
21427 
21428 
21429 
21430$end
21431 
21432 
21433 
21434#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21435 
21436 
21437$info=mo5nr
21438$bio
21439====== Thomson MO5NR (French, 1986?) ======
21440 
21441 
21442 
21443 
21444 
21445===== Features =====
21446 
21447 
21448 
21449We only show the difference with the MO6.
21450 
21451 
21452 
21453  * Keyboard: 58-keys, AZERTY, no CAPS-LOCK, no LED
21454 
21455  * Integrated network controller (not emulated)
21456 
21457 
21458 
21459 
21460 
21461===== Usage =====
21462 
21463 
21464 
21465Please read the mo6 driver documentation.
21466 
21467 
21468 
21469== Keyboard ==
21470 
21471 
21472 
21473The keyboard actually has a MO5 layout (without CAPS-LOCK, LED, or function keys), not a MO6 one.
21474 
21475 
21476 
21477  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0  -=  +;  ACC      INS 
21478 
21479   
21480 
21481  CTRL    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:         DEL
21482 
21483   
21484 
21485  RAZ       Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L    M   ENTER      UP
21486 
21487   
21488 
21489  SHIFT       W   X   C   V   B   N   ,<  .>  @^     BASIC   LEFT RIGHT   
21490 
21491   
21492 
21493                   SPACE                                        DOWN
21494 
21495 
21496 
21497 
21498 
21499===== History and Trivia =====
21500 
21501 
21502 
21503Network-enhanced MO6.
21504 
21505 
21506 
21507Although the MO5NR is MO5-compatible, it is heavily based on MO6 design. It uses the same gate-array from the TO8, features the same video capabilities and memory.
21508 
21509 
21510 
21511Also, it incorporates the network extension (alas not emulated) that can be disabled, or masked by an external floppy controller.
21512 
21513 
21514 
21515 
21516 
21517===== Links =====
21518 
21519 
21520 
21521  * Main page for all Thomson drivers -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
21522 
21523 
21524 
21525 
21526 
21527===== Other Emulators =====
21528 
21529 
21530 
21531  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
21532 
21533 
21534 
21535 
21536 
21537$end
21538 
21539 
21540 
21541#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21542 
21543 
21544$info=mo6
21545$bio
21546====== Thomson MO6 (French, Sep 1986?) ======
21547 
21548 
21549 
21550 
21551 
21552===== Features =====
21553 
21554 
21555 
21556  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
21557 
21558  * RAM: 128 KB
21559 
21560  * ROM: 64 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 128
21561 
21562  * Video: 8 video modes (similar to TO8): 
21563 
21564    * legacy 320x200, 16 colors with proximity constraints
21565 
21566    * 320x200, 4 colors, unconstrained
21567 
21568    * 160x200, 16 colors
21569 
21570    * 640x200, 2 colors
21571 
21572    * 320x200, two 2-color pages
21573 
21574    * 320x200, two overlaid pages, 3 colors
21575 
21576    * 160x200, four 2-color pages
21577 
21578    * 160x200, four overlaid pages, 5 colors
21579 
21580  * Palette: 16 colors to be chosen among 4096.
21581 
21582  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
21583 
21584  * Keyboard: AZERTY 69-keys, French with accents
21585 
21586  * Game-pad: two 8-way 2-button paddles
21587 
21588  * Mouse (exclusive with game-pad)
21589 
21590  * Lightpen
21591 
21592  * Cartridge: optional, MO5 compatible
21593 
21594  * Cassette: 1200 bauds (MO5 compatible) and 2400 bauds
21595 
21596  * Floppy: requires an external controller (TO7, TO7/70 and MO5 compatible), up to four external 2"8, 3"1/2 or 5"1/4 drives, TO7-compatible floppies
21597 
21598  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
21599 
21600 
21601 
21602 
21603 
21604===== Usage =====
21605 
21606 
21607 
21608== Menu ==
21609 
21610 
21611 
21612From the startup menu, press 1 for the BASIC 128, 2 for the legacy BASIC 1.0, and 3 to set preferences (color palette, switch between lightpen and mouse, and change cassette speed).
21613 
21614 
21615 
21616== Cartridges ==
21617 
21618 
21619 
21620An optional cartridge can be inserted with the 
21621 
21622   
21623 
21624  -cart 
21625 
21626option. It can be started from the startup menu by pressing 0.
21627 
21628 
21629 
21630The MO6 can run MO5 cartridges, not TO7, TO7/70 ones.
21631 
21632 
21633 
21634== Cassettes ==
21635 
21636 
21637 
21638Most MO6 software are provided on cassettes.
21639 
21640 
21641 
21642Two cassette formats are available: 1200 bauds and 2400 bauds (double-speed). 1200 bauds cassettes are compatible with the MO5.
21643 
21644 
21645 
21646MESS recognizes two kinds of cassette images: raw sound (.wav) and preprocessed byte-level cassettes (.k5,.k7).
21647 
21648 
21649 
21650We recall that cassettes are loaded with one of the two following commands: 
21651 
21652  RUN"" (for BASIC files) 
21653 
21654or 
21655 
21656  LOADM"",,R (for binary files) 
21657 
21658when using the legacy BASIC 1.0.
21659 
21660 
21661 
21662If you use the newer BASIC 128, you must type 
21663 
21664  RUN"CASS:" 
21665 
21666and 
21667 
21668  LOADM"CASS:",,R 
21669 
21670instead.
21671 
21672 
21673 
21674The MO6 should load and run most MO5 software, provided you use the legacy BASIC 1.0. New, MO6 software generally also work with the BASIC 1.0. To improve the compatibility, use preferably .wav image formats and disable the external floppy controller in MESS's in-game menu.
21675 
21676 
21677 
21678The MO6 cannot load cassettes in the "TO" format (TO7, TO7/70, etc.).
21679 
21680 
21681 
21682== Floppies ==
21683 
21684 
21685 
21686As the MO5, TO7, TO7/70, and unlike the TO8, TO9, the MO6 does not have an internal floppy controller. You must first ensure that the relevant external floppy controller is activated in MESS's in-game configuration menu. Prefer the CD 90-351 controller which is the most versatile: it accepts 5"1/4, 3"1/2 floppies (.sap or .fd suffix, 80 KB to 320 KB), as well as 2"8 floppies (.qd suffix, 50 KB).
21687 
21688 
21689 
21690Four drives are emulated: -flop0 to -flop3. They are available directly from the BASIC 128 using the commands DIR, LOAD, RUN, SAVE, DSKINI0 (or DIR"1:" ... DSKINI1 for drive number 1, and so on).
21691 
21692 
21693 
21694The floppy format and floppy images are fully compatible with all other Thomson computers (TO and MO families). However, only MO5, MO6 and pure BASIC software will run correctly.
21695 
21696 
21697 
21698== Keyboard ==
21699 
21700 
21701 
21702The keyboard is a mix between the MO5 and TO9 ones. There are function keys, a CAPS-LOCK (with LED) and modern AZERTY-like layout, 
21703 
21704but also a BASIC key and no keypad.
21705 
21706 
21707 
21708        F1/F6     F2/F7     F3/F8     F4/F9     F5/F10
21709 
21710   
21711 
21712   #@   1*  2e  3"  4'  5(  6_  7e  8!  9c  0a  )�  -\  =+  ACC       UP
21713 
21714   
21715 
21716  STOP    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ^"  $&     ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT
21717 
21718   
21719 
21720  CTRL  [{ Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   u%  ]}            DOWN
21721 
21722   
21723 
21724  CAPS SHIFT W   X   C   V   B   N   ,?  ;.  :/  ><  BASIC   HOME   INS  DEL
21725 
21726   
21727 
21728                           SPACE
21729 
21730 
21731 
21732Also, as in the MO5 but unlike the TO9, digits are obtained with the SHIFT key is unpressed.
21733 
21734 
21735 
21736== Mouse ==
21737 
21738 
21739 
21740The mouse behaves as the TO8 one, i.e., you must choose whether a mouse or a game-pad is connected to the port using MESS's in-game menu (both cannot exist at the same time, but you can switch between them dynamically, without a reset).
21741 
21742 
21743 
21744The startup menu will then automatically detect the presence of the mouse and disable the lightpen. Use the startup preference menu (2) to revert back to the lightpen.
21745 
21746 
21747 
21748== Video ==
21749 
21750 
21751 
21752As for the TO9, you should switch to high-resolution video emulation in MESS's in-game menu if you intend to use software in 640x200 resolution. Otherwise, the low-resolution video emulation is sufficient and faster.
21753 
21754 
21755 
21756== Fun ==
21757 
21758 
21759 
21760In the startup menu, try holding M, O and 6 at the same time.
21761 
21762 
21763 
21764 
21765 
21766===== Known Issues =====
21767 
21768 
21769 
21770  * Mouse, video, sound: see the to8 driver
21771 
21772 
21773 
21774  * Cassette: .k5,.k7 compatibility issues, prefer .wav files
21775 
21776 
21777 
21778 
21779 
21780===== History and Trivia =====
21781 
21782 
21783 
21784The MO6 is the long-awaited successor of the MO5.
21785 
21786 
21787 
21788That is, a MO5-compatible computer and a cheap alternative to the TO8/TO9. It uses the same technology as the TO8. 
21789 
21790 
21791 
21792In particular, the very same gate-array is used for the video and memory management. It is versatile enough to adapt to a MO5-like address map and emulate the legacy 320x200 MO5 video mode instead of the legacy TO7/70 one.
21793 
21794 
21795 
21796It also provides many enhancements from the TO8 (4096 color palette, various video modes, hardware video page flip, flexible memory management, etc.).
21797 
21798 
21799 
21800 
21801 
21802The MO6 was made cheaper than the TO8 by limiting its memory to 128 KB (not expandable, in theory) and making it cassette-based (there is no floppy drive, an not even an internal floppy controller: it must be added as in the TO7 and MO5). Even the keyboard shrank and reverted to an archaic management based on CPU pooling (no dedicated keyboard CPU anymore).
21803 
21804 
21805 
21806 
21807 
21808===== Links =====
21809 
21810 
21811 
21812  * Main page for all Thomson drivers -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
21813 
21814 
21815 
21816See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
21817 
21818 
21819 
21820 
21821 
21822===== Other Emulators =====
21823 
21824 
21825 
21826  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
21827 
21828 
21829 
21830 
21831 
21832$end
21833 
21834 
21835 
21836#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21837 
21838 
21839$info=mpf1
21840$bio
21841====== Micro Professor 1 (1979) ======
21842 
21843 
21844 
21845 
21846 
21847===== Features =====
21848 
21849 
21850 
21851  * CPU: Zilog Z80 1,79 MHz
21852 
21853  * Co-Processor: 8255 Programmable Peripheral Interface (used for keyboard scanning and control of seven-segment LED display)
21854 
21855  * RAM: 2 KB (up to 4 KB)
21856 
21857  * ROM: 2 KB (up to 8 KB)
21858 
21859  * Text Modes: 6 digits (Six digit half-inch seven-segment red LED display)
21860 
21861  * Graphic Modes: None
21862 
21863  * Colors: No (red ;-) )
21864 
21865  * Sound: Beeper
21866 
21867  * I/O Ports: Z80 bus, PIO CPC I/O bus, cassette interface, EPROM slot
21868 
21869  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal calculator-type keyboard, 36 keys including, 16 hexadecimal keys, 19 function keys, and one user-definable key
21870 
21871  * Built In Language: Machine code
21872 
21873 
21874 
21875 
21876 
21877===== History and Trivia =====
21878 
21879 
21880 
21881The MPF-1 (MicroProFessor 1) was a computer system specifically designed by Multitech (now known as Acer!) as a learning tool for use in the teaching of microprocessor, microelectronics, and control technology. In the 80's it was sold as an Z80 CPU learning and initiation system.
21882 
21883 
21884 
21885The capacities of the system were quite poor. The standard model could be programmed only in machine code through the small hexadecimal keyboard. When sold in its original package it had the particularity to look like a book when closed.
21886 
21887 
21888 
21889There was an EPROM socket which can be compared to a cartridge slot. A mini-Basic EPROM and some other utilities and languages were available as options.
21890 
21891 
21892 
21893There are in fact two models : MPF-1 (later called MPF-1A) and MPF-1B. The MPF-1(A) is machine code programmed only whereas the MPF-1B offers a really crude version of BASIC (one button = 1 command, as per the early TRS-80) in addition to the machine code capabilities.
21894 
21895 
21896 
21897//(info from old-computers.com)//
21898 
21899 
21900 
21901 
21902 
21903===== Links =====
21904 
21905 
21906 
21907  * Lee Davidson's Page -- http://members.lycos.co.uk/leeedavison/z80/index.html
21908 
21909  * MPF-1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=479
21910 
21911 
21912 
21913 
21914 
21915$end
21916 
21917 
21918 
21919#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21920 
21921 
21922$info=msx
21923$bio
21924====== MSX 1 (1983) ======
21925 
21926 
21927 
21928 
21929 
21930===== Features =====
21931 
21932 
21933 
21934  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
21935 
21936  * Co-Processor: Video chip must be compatible with the Texas Instruments TMS 9918/A or TMS 9928/A (Japan : 60 Hz) or TMS 9929/A (Europe : 50 Hz)
21937 
21938  * RAM: At least 8 KB (most machines had 64kB built in)
21939 
21940  * VRAM: 16 KB
21941 
21942  * ROM: 32 KB BASIC/BIOS ( MSX BASIC V1.0)
21943 
21944  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (Mode 0); 32 x 24 (Mode 1)
21945 
21946  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 with 16 colors (Mode 2 - Hires mode); 64 x 48 with 16 colors (Mode 3 - Multi colour mode); 32 sprites
21947 
21948  * Colors: 16
21949 
21950  * Sound: General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator, 3 channels, 8 octaves
21951 
21952  * I/O Ports: Joystick socket (1 or 2), Cartridge slot (1 or 2), Tape-recorder plug (1200/2400 bauds), RGB video output, Centronics interface
21953 
21954  * Keyboard: At least 70 keys (including 5 F-keys with 10 functions and 4 arrow keys)
21955 
21956  * OS: MSX DOS
21957 
21958  * Built In Language: Microsoft Extended Basic (MSX Basic V1.0)
21959 
21960 
21961 
21962 
21963 
21964===== Usage =====
21965 
21966 
21967 
21968The MSX driver is very preliminary. Disk drive emulation doesn't work properly for example, and memory emulation isn't very good either. Various MSX1 models are emulated, and there is preliminary MSX2 support through the msx2 and msx2j driver.
21969 
21970 
21971 
21972The required bios dumps are available at http://www.file-hunter.com/ -- http://www.file-hunter.com/
21973 
21974 
21975 
21976== Cartridges ==
21977 
21978 
21979 
21980The ROM mapper (which is specified with -rom x in fMSX) is autodetected but isn't perfect. With the hsi files in the hash directory, cartridges with SRAM or a DAC (like Synthesizer or Majutsushi from Konami) are detected properly.
21981 
21982 
21983 
21984== Cassettes ==
21985 
21986 
21987 
21988Tape emulation is done via .wav files; the actual sound the MSX produces is recorded / played back, making tape emulation more authentic. Because of this, you can record your existing tapes to .wav and play them in MESS. Make sure your record them at high quality (44100Hz, 16 bit and mono).
21989 
21990 
21991 
21992.cas files are also supported but they're converted to sound by the driver on startup. There is no support for writing .cas files.
21993 
21994 
21995 
21996While recording or playback you can hear the sound through the sound card of your computer. You can control the volume by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" and "~". 
21997 
21998 
21999 
22000.tap files from Virtual MSX can be converted to .cas using imgtool (see imgtool.txt for more information).
22001 
22002 
22003 
22004== Memory emulation ==
22005 
22006 
22007 
22008The memory map is from a standard MSX1; there are no subslots, nor MSX2 memory mappers for RAM. RAM is 64Kb in slot 3, and slot 1 and 2 are where the cartridges end up.
22009 
22010 
22011 
22012== Sound emulation ==
22013 
22014 
22015 
22016The PSG, PPI (key click), SCC are emulated. The SCC isn't perfect yet, you can hear slight imperfections in King's Valley 2 (when you through the knife), F1 Spirit (when you start a race), Solid Snake (when you get to building 3). The SCC is called 'k051649' in the volume menu.
22017 
22018 
22019 
22020The FM-PAC is also emulated for which you need the ROM dump of an original Panasonic FM-PAC. However the sound emulation isn't very good at all. :/
22021 
22022 
22023 
22024The following DACs are emulated: SIMPL, Konami's Synthesizer, Konami's Majutsushi. The keyclick is also done through the DAC. To enable SIMPL (which disables the printer port), press "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and go to Dip Switches. Here set SIMPL to "On".
22025 
22026 
22027 
22028You can control the volumes by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" (so you go to UI mode) and then "~". Press "UP" and "DOWN" to see different sound chips, and "LEFT" and "RIGHT" to change the volume.
22029 
22030 
22031 
22032== Video emulation ==
22033 
22034 
22035 
22036The tms9928a (MSX1) emulation is very good, but doesn't emulate changes while the screen is being drawn to the screen. 
22037 
22038 
22039 
22040The v9938 emulation is preliminary and has problems with sprite mode 2 (MSX2 games), interlaced mode, graphic engine emulation, timing (Zanac Ex doesn't run correctly and Aleste only runs in the Japanese version of the driver).
22041 
22042 
22043 
22044Also the PAL/NTSC (50/60Hz) switch is an evil hack, the actual refresh rate of the screen isn't changed.
22045 
22046 
22047 
22048Also it's not very well optimized, I'll start optimizing as soon as it works alright. 
22049 
22050 
22051 
22052The v9958 isn't emulated at all. 
22053 
22054 
22055 
22056The MSX1 and MSX2 video chips only only display a limited number of sprites on one line; this causes sprite flickering, you can turn this off (which isn't like a real MSX of course) by pressing: "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and going to the Dip Switches menu. Set "Enforce 4/8 sprites/line" to "Off". Note that sometimes this feature is used for other purposes, like making sure a sprite is only partly displayed (when you enter a world in The Maze of Galious for example).
22057 
22058 
22059 
22060== Printer port ==
22061 
22062 
22063 
22064The printer port is emulated; output to the port is saved to disk. However no emulation/translation is done, so the data is raw. 
22065 
22066 
22067 
22068== Keyboard/joystick/mouse ==
22069 
22070 
22071 
22072The keyboard layout should be properly emulated. Joysticks seem to default to having key-bindings as well, so pressing "CTRL" or "ALT" will also work for the joysticks, but might give some unexpected results.
22073 
22074 
22075 
22076The mouse emulation doesn't work properly yet. :(
22077 
22078 
22079 
22080== Disks ==
22081 
22082 
22083 
22084Disks are emulated through proper wd2793 emulation. Currently only the Philips and Sony diskroms are supported; the Panasonic machines use the tc8566af diskcontroller (unemulated) and the Brazillian machines are port-based (not memory-mapped).
22085 
22086 
22087 
22088You need a proper diskrom dump, and the msx.hsi file in place. The diskrom should be recognized as type 15 otherwise the driver doesn't know it's a diskrom. 
22089 
22090 
22091 
22092Next specify the diskrom as one of the cartridges. That should do the trick. :) Note that only .dsk files are supported; other formats can be converted to .dsk using imgtool (it can convert .msx, .img, .ddi, .xsa, multidisks -- see imgtool.txt for more information).
22093 
22094 
22095 
22096Errors aren't properly handled yet. "not ready" is reported as "record not found", which results in "Disk I/O error" in MSX-BASIC.
22097 
22098 
22099 
22100Also not that memory emulation isn't complete so MSX2 memory mappers don't work yet.
22101 
22102 
22103 
22104 
22105 
22106===== Known Issues =====
22107 
22108 
22109 
22110The MSX driver currently emulates the MSX1, international, UK, korean and Japanese models.
22111 
22112 
22113 
22114  * Not emulated: Printer port, diskdrives, megaRAM, Sound Cartridge (SCC+), MSX2, etc..
22115 
22116 
22117 
22118  * Cartridge emulation: The MSX has 64kB RAM, like most (by far) MSX1 computers. It is located in slot 3. Two cartridges are allowed: the first in slot 1 and the second in slot 2. So subslots aren't emulated (yet). The msx.hsi file is important. The <extrainfo> tag specifies the type of ROM mapper. See msx.hsi for more information.
22119 
22120 
22121 
22122  * Sound emulation: The standard sound chip, the PSG (AY8910) is emulated, so is the extension that was included in some Konami cartridges: the SCC. The keyclick (PPI) is also emulated, as is the FM-PAC (you'll need the fmpac.rom of the original Panasonic FM-PAC for this). Unfortunately the YM2413 emulation in MAME does not emulate the volumes correctly. Last but not least, the DAC in Konami's Synthesizer is emulated, and the SIMPL (DAC on the printer port). The DAC in Konami's Matjusushi is also emulated, but the driver lacks MSX2 support.   
22123 
22124 
22125 
22126  * SRAM in cartridges: A number of cartridges (Hydlide 2, Xanadu, The Game Master 2 and more) had on-board sram. This sram is automagically saved as a MEMCARD.   
22127 
22128 
22129 
22130  * Tape emulation: Unlike other MSX emulators, the tape emulation is not done by trapping BIOS calls. In our opinion this is an evil kludge; apart from that, our setup does have an advantage. Tapes with a custom loader (using direct access to the hardware) will work fine. It is done by saving the tape as a .wav file. In principle, you could record a tape to .wav, and load them into MESS.
22131 
22132 
22133 
22134 
22135 
22136===== History and Trivia =====
22137 
22138 
22139 
22140In the early 80's, there were a lot of home computers, Microsoft and a Japanese company called ASCII corporation (directed by Kay Nishi) decided then to create an industry standard for the home computers: MSX (for MicroSoft eXtended). The new standard was based on an existing computer: The Spectravideo SV 318. Microsoft designed the MSX 1 computers and the first version of the OS: MSX DOS 1 (which looks like earlier versions of MS DOS).
22141 
22142 
22143 
22144Almost all Japanese and Korean computer companies made their own MSX computers (except perhaps NEC). Bill Gates was then very confident about the future of the MSX standard. Spectravideo (one of the MSX companies) made a 80 columns card and adapted CP/M on the MSX. A lot of software (especially a lot of games from Sega, Konami, Taito, Ascii,...) and hardware was developed for this standard. Despite all its qualities, the MSX family didn't have great success in USA, however was pretty known in Europe (Netherlands and France), in South America (Brazil) and USSR. This standard was replaced in 1985 by MSX 2. 
22145 
22146 
22147 
22148//(info from old-computers.com)//
22149 
22150 
22151 
22152== MSX compliant machines ==
22153 
22154 
22155 
22156  * Canon (Japan)
22157 
22158    * V-8: 16kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM)
22159 
22160    * V-10: 16kB RAM
22161 
22162    * V-20: 64kB RAM
22163 
22164 
22165 
22166  * Casio (Japan)
22167 
22168    * MX-10: 16kB RAM (other source says 64k), docking station available
22169 
22170    * MX-101: 16kB RAM (other source says 64k)
22171 
22172    * PV-7: 32kB RAM
22173 
22174    * PV-16: 16kB RAM
22175 
22176 
22177 
22178  * Daewoo/Yeno (Korea)
22179 
22180    * Ce-Tec MPC-80: 64kB RAM (other source says 32KB)
22181 
22182    * DPC-100: 16kB RAM, built in loudspeaker, available in green, blue or silver
22183 
22184    * DPC-200: 64kB RAM
22185 
22186    * DPH-64: 64kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM)
22187 
22188    * DPH-?: 64kB RAM, built in software, Arabic version
22189 
22190    * IQ-1000: 32kB RAM, produced for Korea
22191 
22192    * MX64: 64kB RAM
22193 
22194 
22195 
22196  * Dragon (Spain)
22197 
22198    * MSX-64: 64kB RAM
22199 
22200 
22201 
22202  * Dynadata (MSX from Daewoo in Spain)
22203 
22204    * DPC-200: 64kB RAM
22205 
22206 
22207 
22208  * Fenner (Italy?)
22209 
22210    * FPC-500: 64kB RAM
22211 
22212 
22213 
22214  * Fujitsu (Japan)
22215 
22216    * MB-H1: ??kB RAM
22217 
22218    * FM-X: 16kB RAM
22219 
22220 
22221 
22222  * General (Japan)
22223 
22224    * PAXON-PC K50: ??kB RAM, separate keyboard, computer and monitor in one box
22225 
22226    * PAXON-PC T50: 16kB RAM, RGB connector
22227 
22228    * PAXON-PC T55: 32kB RAM, RGB connector
22229 
22230 
22231 
22232  * Goldstar (Korea)
22233 
22234    * FC-80: ??kB RAM
22235 
22236    * FC-100: 16kB RAM
22237 
22238    * FC-200: 64kB RAM (with hole for light-pen)
22239 
22240 
22241 
22242  * Gradiente (Brazil)
22243 
22244    * XP-800 Expert 1.0: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard
22245 
22246    * XP-800 Expert 1.1: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard (with fixed ASCII tables, grey colour)
22247 
22248    * Expert plus: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard (black colour)
22249 
22250    * Expert DD plus: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard, 3,5" floppy disk drive (black colour)
22251 
22252 
22253 
22254  * Hitachi (Japan)
22255 
22256    * Hint: 16kB RAM
22257 
22258    * MB-H1 (Humanicatio): 32kB RAM, built in software (Sketch and Music)
22259 
22260    * MB-H1E: 16kB RAM
22261 
22262    * MB-H2: 64kB RAM, built in tape recorder
22263 
22264    * MB-H21: ??kB RAM
22265 
22266    * MB-H25: ??kB RAM
22267 
22268    * MB-H50: 64kB RAM
22269 
22270    * MB-H80: 64kB RAM, also built in software (Sketch and Music)
22271 
22272 
22273 
22274  * JVC/Victor (Japan)
22275 
22276    * HC-5: 32kB RAM (other source says 16kB RAM)
22277 
22278    * HC-6: 16kB RAM
22279 
22280    * HC-6AV: 32kB RAM, RGB connector
22281 
22282    * HC-7: 64kB RAM (Japanese version)
22283 
22284    * HC-7E: 64kB RAM (English version, other source says 32KB RAM)
22285 
22286    * HC-7GB: 64kB RAM
22287 
22288    * HC-30: 32kB RAM
22289 
22290    * HC-60: 32kB RAM
22291 
22292 
22293 
22294  * Kyocera (Japan)
22295 
22296    * YC-64: 64kB RAM
22297 
22298 
22299 
22300  * Mitsubishi (Japan)
22301 
22302    * Letus: 16kB RAM
22303 
22304    * ML-8000: 32kB RAM
22305 
22306    * ML-F48: 32kB RAM
22307 
22308    * ML-F80: 64kB RAM
22309 
22310    * ML-F110: 16kB RAM
22311 
22312    * ML-F120(D): 32kB RAM
22313 
22314    * ML-F8000: 32kB RAM
22315 
22316    * ML-FX1: 64kB RAM
22317 
22318    * ML-FX2: 64kB RAM, built in software
22319 
22320 
22321 
22322  * National/Matsushita (Japan)
22323 
22324    * CF-2000: 16kB RAM (MSX1)
22325 
22326    * CF-1200: 16kB RAM (MSX1)
22327 
22328    * CF-2700: 32kB RAM (MSX1)
22329 
22330    * CF-3000: 64kB RAM (MSX1)
22331 
22332    * CF-3300: 64kB RAM (MSX1 / 1 or 2 FDD)
22333 
22334    * FS-4000: 64kB RAM (MSX1)
22335 
22336    * FS-1300: 64kB RAM (MSX1)
22337 
22338 
22339 
22340  * Olympia (France)
22341 
22342    * PHC-2: ??kB RAM, same as some Sanyo?
22343 
22344    * PHC-28: 32kB RAM, same as Sanyo's PHC-28S
22345 
22346 
22347 
22348  * Panasonic (Europe)
22349 
22350    * CF-2000: 16kB RAM
22351 
22352    * CF-2700: 64kB RAM, same as Sanyo MPC-64
22353 
22354    * CF-3000: 64kB RAM
22355 
22356    * CF-3300: 64kB RAM
22357 
22358 
22359 
22360  * Perfect (Daewoo in Kuwait)
22361 
22362    * Perfect1: 64kb RAM, 1 slot, no reset, built in software
22363 
22364 
22365 
22366  * Philips (The Netherlands)
22367 
22368    * VG-8000: 16kB RAM
22369 
22370    * VG-8010: 32kB RAM
22371 
22372    * VG-8020: 64kB RAM, (VG8020 comes in 2 different versions (/00 and /20), new versions use sub-slot for RAM)
22373 
22374 
22375 
22376  * Pioneer (Japan)
22377 
22378    * PX-7 PALCOM: 32kB RAM, built in laser disk interface, superimpose (image & sound (stereo)), separate keyboard (UK version in black, JP version in black/silver (lila/blue keys) colour)
22379 
22380    * PX-V60: 64kB RAM
22381 
22382 
22383 
22384  * Radofin (Hong-Kong)
22385 
22386    * Triton: 64kB RAM
22387 
22388 
22389 
22390  * Radiola (France)
22391 
22392    * MX-180: 32kB RAM, Same as Philips VG-8010 with a different color case
22393 
22394 
22395 
22396  * Sakhr/Universal/Al Alamiah (Kuwait/Yemen) These computers are Yamaha and Sanyo MSX modified for arabian countries.
22397 
22398    * AX-100: 64kB RAM
22399 
22400    * AX-150: 64kB RAM
22401 
22402    * AX-170: 64kB RAM, built in special ROMs with Arabic characters set and software
22403 
22404    * AX-230: 64kB RAM, same software as AX-170 + 1MB of other software
22405 
22406    * AX-330: 64kB RAM, same as AX-230 but with built in SEGA-MEGADRIVE board
22407 
22408    * AX-990: 64kB RAM, 50 programs built in, SEGA-MEGADRIVE board built in
22409 
22410    * SX-100: 32kB RAM, 3 slots, RGB connector
22411 
22412    * SX-101: ??kB RAM, 3 slots
22413 
22414 
22415 
22416  * Samsung (Korea)
22417 
22418    * SPC-800: 64kB RAM
22419 
22420 
22421 
22422  * Sanyo (Japan)
22423 
22424    * MPC-2: 16kB RAM
22425 
22426    * MPC-3: 16kB RAM
22427 
22428    * MPC-4: 16kB RAM
22429 
22430    * MPC-5: 16kB RAM
22431 
22432    * MPC-6: 64kB RAM
22433 
22434    * MPC-10(mk2): 64kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM), lightpen-interface
22435 
22436    * MPC-11: 64kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM), lightpen-interface
22437 
22438    * MPC-64: 64kB RAM
22439 
22440    * MPC-100: 64kB RAM, hole for lightpen
22441 
22442    * MPC-200: 64kB RAM
22443 
22444    * MPC-X: 64kB RAM, built in lightpen, high-res adaptor and speech-synthesizer
22445 
22446    * PHC-27: 64kB RAM
22447 
22448    * PHC-28L: 64kB RAM, Same as PHC-28S but with 64kB RAM
22449 
22450    * PHC-28S: 16KB (or 32KB) RAM
22451 
22452    * PHC-30: 16kB RAM (other source says 32KB), built in tape recorder
22453 
22454    * PHC-30N: 64kB RAM
22455 
22456    * PHC-33: 32kB RAM
22457 
22458    * WAVY-MPC-10: 32KB (other source says 16KB) RAM, built in light pen unit
22459 
22460 
22461 
22462  * Schneider (Germany)
22463 
22464    * MC-810: 32kB RAM, (Same as Philips VG-8010 with a different color case)
22465 
22466 
22467 
22468  * Sharp/Epcom (Brazil)
22469 
22470    * HB-8000 HotBit: 64kB RAM (white colour)
22471 
22472    * HB-8000 HotBit 1.2: 64kB RAM (in black color)
22473 
22474 
22475 
22476  * Sony (Japan) Note: Some of the Sony's computer names are followed by a letter like HB-101P, or HB-101F or HB-700D. The last letter is only depending of the keyboard layout of the country. D=German (QWERTZ) F=French (AZERTY) S=Spanish P=UK (QWERTY)
22477 
22478    * HB-10: 64kB RAM
22479 
22480    * HB-11: 64kB RAM
22481 
22482    * HB-11U: ??kB RAM, built in dictionary Japanese-English
22483 
22484    * HB-20: 32kB RAM
22485 
22486    * HB-55: 16kB RAM
22487 
22488    * HB-75: 64kB RAM, built in program: Personal Databank (schedule/memo/address)
22489 
22490    * HB-101: 32kB RAM, (Same as HB-201 but with 32kB RAM, but other source says 16kB RAM)
22491 
22492    * HB-201: 64kB RAM, built in joystick (Same as HB-501 but without tape recorder)
22493 
22494    * HB-501: 64kB RAM, built in tape recorder ('BitCorder'), pause button, joystick
22495 
22496    * HB-701, 64kB RAM
22497 
22498    * HB-701FD: 64kB RAM, floppy disk drive
22499 
22500 
22501 
22502  * Spectravideo (Hong-Kong/USA)
22503 
22504    * SVI-728: 64kB RAM, numeric keypad
22505 
22506    * SVI-738: 64kB RAM, built in 80 columns card (V9938), RS232C interface, 360KB 3,5" floppy disk drive. Also called X'PRESS and also SVI-318 and SVI-328 MSX compatible with an emulator
22507 
22508 
22509 
22510  * Talent/Telematica (Argentina) 
22511 
22512    * DPC-200: 64kB RAM, Daewoo's MSX model sold under the Talent name
22513 
22514 
22515 
22516  * Toshiba (Japan)
22517 
22518    * HX-10: 64kB RAM
22519 
22520    * HX-10D: 16kB RAM
22521 
22522    * HX-10DP: 64kB RAM
22523 
22524    * HX-10DPN: 64kB RAM, built in program (??)
22525 
22526    * HX-10E: 64kB RAM
22527 
22528    * HX-10S: 16kB RAM
22529 
22530    * HX-20: 64kB RAM, built in word processor (in total 64kB ROM), RAMdisk feature (32kB of main RAM in page 0 and 1 are used, under BASIC), T6950 VDP (software compatible with 9929A which is normally used)
22531 
22532    * HX-20e: 64kB RAM, built in word processor, RS232C interface
22533 
22534    * HX-21: 64kB RAM, built in software
22535 
22536    * HX-22: 64kB RAM, RS-232C interface, RGB connector (SCART 21), built in word processor (in total 64kB ROM)
22537 
22538    * HX-30: ??kB RAM, built in software
22539 
22540    * HX-31: ??kB RAM, built in software
22541 
22542    * HX-32: ??kB RAM, built in software
22543 
22544    * HX-51: ??kB RAM
22545 
22546 
22547 
22548  * Triton (Hong-Kong)
22549 
22550    * PC64: 64kB RAM
22551 
22552 
22553 
22554  * Yamaha (Japan)
22555 
22556    * CX5: 32kB RAM
22557 
22558    * CX5F: 32kB RAM
22559 
22560    * CX5M: 32kB RAM, built in FM synthesizer (SFG-01) and MIDI-Interface
22561 
22562    * CX5MII: 64kB RAM, built in FM synthesizer (SFG-01), MIDI-interface
22563 
22564    * CX5MII/128: 128kB RAM, built in FM synthesizer (SFG-05), (V9938 built in), built in FM VOICING program II
22565 
22566    * CX-11: 32kB RAM
22567 
22568    * CX-100: 32kB RAM
22569 
22570    * YIS-303: 16kB RAM
22571 
22572    * YIS-503: 32kB RAM
22573 
22574    * YIS-503II/64: 64kB RAM, FDD
22575 
22576 
22577 
22578  * Yashica (Japan)
22579 
22580    * YC-64: 64kB RAM, Kyocera's MSX sold by Yashica
22581 
22582 
22583 
22584//(MSX system list compiled from the list by TRD, Manuel Bilderbeek & Alex Wulms. Thanks to Stefano Priore, for abridging it to MSX1 specific info.)//
22585 
22586 
22587 
22588 
22589 
22590===== Links =====
22591 
22592 
22593 
22594  * MSX FAQs -- http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
22595 
22596  * Passion MSX -- http://www.passionmsx.org/
22597 
22598  * MSX Resource Center -- http://www.msx.org/
22599 
22600  * MSX at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=90
22601 
22602 
22603 
22604 
22605 
22606===== Other Emulators =====
22607 
22608 
22609 
22610  * blueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
22611 
22612  * fMSX -- http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/
22613 
22614  * NLMSX -- http://nlmsx.generation-msx.nl/
22615 
22616  * openMSX -- http://openmsx.sourceforge.net/
22617 
22618  * RuMSX -- http://www.lexlechz.at
22619 
22620 
22621 
22622 
22623 
22624$end
22625 
22626 
22627 
22628#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22629 
22630 
22631$info=msx2
22632$bio
22633====== MSX 2 (1985) ======
22634 
22635 
22636 
22637 
22638 
22639===== Features =====
22640 
22641 
22642 
22643  * CPU: Zilog Z80A or equivalent 3.58 MHz
22644 
22645  * Co-Processor: V9938 Video Display Processor (MSX-VIDEO) 
22646 
22647  * RAM: at least 64 KB
22648 
22649  * VRAM: at least 64 KB
22650 
22651  * ROM: 48 KB
22652 
22653  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 32 x 24
22654 
22655  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48 / 256 x 192 / 256 x 212 / 512 x 212
22656 
22657  * Colors: 512
22658 
22659  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves
22660 
22661  * I/O Ports: Joystick (1 or 2), Cartridge (2), Tape (1200/2400 baud), RGB, Composite Video, Centronics, External Audio
22662 
22663  * OS: MSX DOS 2.0
22664 
22665 
22666 
22667 
22668 
22669===== Usage =====
22670 
22671 
22672 
22673The MSX2 driver is very preliminary. Disk drive emulation doesn't work properly for example, and memory emulation isn't very good either. Various MSX1 models are emulated, and there is preliminary MSX2 support through the msx2 and msx2j driver.
22674 
22675 
22676 
22677The required bios dumps are available at http://www.file-hunter.com/ -- http://www.file-hunter.com/
22678 
22679 
22680 
22681== Cartridges ==
22682 
22683 
22684 
22685The ROM mapper (which is specified with -rom x in fMSX) is autodetected but isn't perfect. With the hsi files in the hash directory, cartridges with SRAM or a DAC (like Synthesizer or Majutsushi from Konami) are detected properly.
22686 
22687 
22688 
22689== Cassettes ==
22690 
22691 
22692 
22693Tape emulation is done via .wav files; the actual sound the MSX produces is recorded / played back, making tape emulation more authentic. Because of this, you can record your existing tapes to .wav and play them in MESS. Make sure your record them at high quality (44100Hz, 16 bit and mono).
22694 
22695 
22696 
22697.cas files are also supported but they're converted to sound by the driver on startup. There is no support for writing .cas files.
22698 
22699 
22700 
22701While recording or playback you can hear the sound through the sound card of your computer. You can control the volume by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" and "~". 
22702 
22703 
22704 
22705.tap files from Virtual MSX can be converted to .cas using imgtool (see imgtool.txt for more information).
22706 
22707 
22708 
22709== Memory emulation ==
22710 
22711 
22712 
22713The memory map is from a standard MSX1; there are no subslots, nor MSX2 memory mappers for RAM. RAM is 64Kb in slot 3, and slot 1 and 2 are where the cartridges end up.
22714 
22715 
22716 
22717== Sound emulation ==
22718 
22719 
22720 
22721The PSG, PPI (key click), SCC are emulated. The SCC isn't perfect yet, you can hear slight imperfections in King's Valley 2 (when you through the knife), F1 Spirit (when you start a race), Solid Snake (when you get to building 3). The SCC is called 'k051649' in the volume menu.
22722 
22723 
22724 
22725The FM-PAC is also emulated for which you need the ROM dump of an original Panasonic FM-PAC. However the sound emulation isn't very good at all. :/
22726 
22727 
22728 
22729The following DACs are emulated: SIMPL, Konami's Synthesizer, Konami's Majutsushi. The keyclick is also done through the DAC. To enable SIMPL (which disables the printer port), press "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and go to Dip Switches. Here set SIMPL to "On".
22730 
22731 
22732 
22733You can control the volumes by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" (so you go to UI mode) and then "~". Press "UP" and "DOWN" to see different sound chips, and "LEFT" and "RIGHT" to change the volume.
22734 
22735 
22736 
22737== Video emulation ==
22738 
22739 
22740 
22741The tms9928a (MSX1) emulation is very good, but doesn't emulate changes while the screen is being drawn to the screen. 
22742 
22743 
22744 
22745The v9938 emulation is preliminary and has problems with sprite mode 2 (MSX2 games), interlaced mode, graphic engine emulation, timing (Zanac Ex doesn't run correctly and Aleste only runs in the Japanese version of the driver).
22746 
22747 
22748 
22749Also the PAL/NTSC (50/60Hz) switch is an evil hack, the actual refresh rate of the screen isn't changed.
22750 
22751 
22752 
22753Also it's not very well optimized, I'll start optimizing as soon as it works alright. 
22754 
22755 
22756 
22757The v9958 isn't emulated at all. 
22758 
22759 
22760 
22761The MSX1 and MSX2 video chips only only display a limited number of sprites on one line; this causes sprite flickering, you can turn this off (which isn't like a real MSX of course) by pressing: "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and going to the Dip Switches menu. Set "Enforce 4/8 sprites/line" to "Off". Note that sometimes this feature is used for other purposes, like making sure a sprite is only partly displayed (when you enter a world in The Maze of Galious for example).
22762 
22763 
22764 
22765== Printer port ==
22766 
22767 
22768 
22769The printer port is emulated; output to the port is saved to disk. However no emulation/translation is done, so the data is raw. 
22770 
22771 
22772 
22773== MSX2 RTC ==
22774 
22775 
22776 
22777The real-time clock, which keeps information like the time and date, should be emulated correctly. However in PAL mode the timing isn't correct as the refresh rate isn't properly adjusted. All settings are saved to disk.
22778 
22779 
22780 
22781== Keyboard/joystick/mouse ==
22782 
22783 
22784 
22785The keyboard layout should be properly emulated. Joysticks seem to default to having key-bindings as well, so pressing "CTRL" or "ALT" will also work for the joysticks, but might give some unexpected results.
22786 
22787 
22788 
22789The mouse emulation doesn't work properly yet. :(
22790 
22791 
22792 
22793== Disks ==
22794 
22795 
22796 
22797Disks are emulated through proper wd2793 emulation. Currently only the Philips and Sony diskroms are supported; the Panasonic machines use the tc8566af diskcontroller (unemulated) and the Brazillian machines are port-based (not memory-mapped).
22798 
22799 
22800 
22801You need a proper diskrom dump, and the msx.hsi file in place. The diskrom should be recognized as type 15 otherwise the driver doesn't know it's a diskrom. 
22802 
22803 
22804 
22805Next specify the diskrom as one of the cartridges. That should do the trick. :) Note that only .dsk files are supported; other formats can be converted to .dsk using imgtool (it can convert .msx, .img, .ddi, .xsa, multidisks -- see imgtool.txt for more information).
22806 
22807 
22808 
22809Errors aren't properly handled yet. "not ready" is reported as "record not found", which results in "Disk I/O error" in MSX-BASIC.
22810 
22811 
22812 
22813Also not that memory emulation isn't complete so MSX2 memory mappers don't work yet.
22814 
22815 
22816 
22817 
22818 
22819===== Known Issues =====
22820 
22821 
22822 
22823The MSX driver currently emulates the MSX1, international, UK, korean and Japanese models.
22824 
22825 
22826 
22827  * Not emulated: Printer port, diskdrives, megaRAM, Sound Cartridge (SCC+), MSX2, etc..
22828 
22829 
22830 
22831  * Cartridge emulation: The MSX has 64kB RAM, like most (by far) MSX1 computers. It is located in slot 3. Two cartridges are allowed: the first in slot 1 and the second in slot 2. So subslots aren't emulated (yet). The msx.hsi file is important. The <extrainfo> tag specifies the type of ROM mapper. See msx.hsi for more information.
22832 
22833 
22834 
22835  * Sound emulation: The standard sound chip, the PSG (AY8910) is emulated, so is the extension that was included in some Konami cartridges: the SCC. The keyclick (PPI) is also emulated, as is the FM-PAC (you'll need the fmpac.rom of the original Panasonic FM-PAC for this). Unfortunately the YM2413 emulation in MAME does not emulate the volumes correctly. Last but not least, the DAC in Konami's Synthesizer is emulated, and the SIMPL (DAC on the printer port). The DAC in Konami's Matjusushi is also emulated, but the driver lacks MSX2 support.   
22836 
22837 
22838 
22839  * SRAM in cartridges: A number of cartridges (Hydlide 2, Xanadu, The Game Master 2 and more) had on-board sram. This sram is automagically saved as a MEMCARD.   
22840 
22841 
22842 
22843  * Tape emulation: Unlike other MSX emulators, the tape emulation is not done by trapping BIOS calls. In our opinion this is an evil kludge; apart from that, our setup does have an advantage. Tapes with a custom loader (using direct access to the hardware) will work fine. It is done by saving the tape as a .wav file. In principle, you could record a tape to .wav, and load them into MESS.
22844 
22845 
22846 
22847 
22848 
22849===== History and Trivia =====
22850 
22851 
22852 
22853After the (relative) success of the MSX 1 computer (in Japan, Europe and South America), Microsoft and ASCII presented its successor. The main new feature was the very enhanced graphic modes, no other computers were able to display such graphics! The 128 KB VRAM was very impressive! It had a battery-backed clock and a new MMU (to handle more than the Z80 64KB limit). The MSX 2 standard, like the MSX 1, was designed by ASCII, the new operating system MSX DOS 2.0 was designed by Microsoft (it's almost a copy of MS-DOS 3.3). A while after launching the MSX 2 standard, Microsoft abandoned the project, but several manufacturers took it over.
22854 
22855 
22856 
22857//(info from old-computers.com)//
22858 
22859 
22860 
22861== MSX2 compliant machines ==
22862 
22863 
22864 
22865  * Canon (Japan)
22866 
22867    * v-25: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22868 
22869 
22870 
22871  * JVC/Victor (Japan)
22872 
22873    * HC-95: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
22874 
22875 
22876 
22877  * Kawai (Japan)
22878 
22879    * KMC-5000: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22880 
22881 
22882 
22883  * National/Matsushita (Japan)
22884 
22885    * FS-5500F1/F2: 64kB RAM (MSX2 / 1 or 2 FDD)
22886 
22887    * FS-4500: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22888 
22889    * FS-4700F: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22890 
22891    * FS-5000F2: 128kB Mapper RAM (MSX2 / 2 FDD)
22892 
22893    * FS-4600F: 128kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
22894 
22895 
22896 
22897  * Panasonic/Matsushita (Japan)
22898 
22899    * FS-A1: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22900 
22901    * FS-A1MK2: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
22902 
22903    * FS-A1F: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
22904 
22905    * FS-A1FM: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
22906 
22907 
22908 
22909  * Sony (Japan)
22910 
22911    * HB-F1XD: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22912 
22913    * HB-F500: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22914 
22915    * HB-F700: 256kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
22916 
22917    * HB-F9: 128kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
22918 
22919    * HB-G9000F: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
22920 
22921 
22922 
22923//(MSX2 system list compiled from the list by TRD, Manuel Bilderbeek & Alex Wulms. Thanks to Stefano Priore, for abridging it to MSX2 specific info.)//
22924 
22925 
22926 
22927 
22928 
22929===== Links =====
22930 
22931 
22932 
22933  * MSX FAQs -- http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
22934 
22935  * Passion MSX -- http://www.passionmsx.org/
22936 
22937  * MSX Resource Center -- http://www.msx.org/
22938 
22939  * MSX2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=288
22940 
22941 
22942 
22943 
22944 
22945===== Other Emulators =====
22946 
22947 
22948 
22949  * blueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
22950 
22951  * fMSX -- http://www.freeflight.com/fms/, http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/
22952 
22953  * NLMSX -- http://nlmsx.generation-msx.nl/
22954 
22955  * openMSX -- http://openmsx.sourceforge.net/
22956 
22957  * RuMSX -- http://www.lexlechz.at
22958 
22959 
22960 
22961 
22962 
22963$end
22964 
22965 
22966 
22967#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22968 
22969 
22970$info=msx2p
22971$bio
22972====== MSX 2+ (1988) ======
22973 
22974 
22975 
22976 
22977 
22978===== Features =====
22979 
22980 
22981 
22982  * CPU: Zilog Z80 3.58 MHz
22983 
22984  * Co-Processor: Yamaha V9958 Video Display Processor
22985 
22986  * RAM: at least 64 KB
22987 
22988  * VRAM: 64 KB or 128 KB (up to 192 KB)
22989 
22990  * ROM: 32 KB (Basic & BIOS) + 16 KB (SUB ROM > MSX-BASIC V3.0) + 16 KB (KANJI BASIC ROM + KANJI ROM) + 16 KB (DISK ROM)
22991 
22992  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 32 x 24
22993 
22994  * Graphic Modes: Same as MSX2 specs, plus 256 x 212/424; Additional KANJI screen modes (Japanese text screen modes): 40 x 24, 32 x 24, 256 x 192, 64 x 48
22995 
22996  * Colors: 19268
22997 
22998  * Sound: FM-PAC (OPLL YM-2413) - 9 channel FM synthesizer
22999 
23000  * I/O Ports: Joystick(1 or 2), Cartridge(2), Tape(1200/2400 bauds), RGB video output, CVBS/RF video output, Centronics, Sound output
23001 
23002  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
23003 
23004  * Built In Media: 720 KB 3,5" floppy drive built in
23005 
23006  * OS: MSX DOS
23007 
23008  * Built In Language: MSX-BASIC V3.0
23009 
23010 
23011 
23012 
23013 
23014===== Usage =====
23015 
23016 
23017 
23018The MSX2+ driver is very preliminary. Disk drive emulation doesn't work properly for example, and memory emulation isn't very good either. Various MSX1 models are emulated, and there is preliminary MSX2 support through the msx2 and msx2j driver.
23019 
23020 
23021 
23022The required bios dumps are available at http://www.file-hunter.com/ -- http://www.file-hunter.com/
23023 
23024 
23025 
23026== Cartridges ==
23027 
23028 
23029 
23030The ROM mapper (which is specified with -rom x in fMSX) is autodetected but isn't perfect. With the hsi files in the hash directory, cartridges with SRAM or a DAC (like Synthesizer or Majutsushi from Konami) are detected properly.
23031 
23032 
23033 
23034== Cassettes ==
23035 
23036 
23037 
23038Tape emulation is done via .wav files; the actual sound the MSX produces is recorded / played back, making tape emulation more authentic. Because of this, you can record your existing tapes to .wav and play them in MESS. Make sure your record them at high quality (44100Hz, 16 bit and mono).
23039 
23040 
23041 
23042.cas files are also supported but they're converted to sound by the driver on startup. There is no support for writing .cas files.
23043 
23044 
23045 
23046While recording or playback you can hear the sound through the sound card of your computer. You can control the volume by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" and "~". 
23047 
23048 
23049 
23050.tap files from Virtual MSX can be converted to .cas using imgtool (see imgtool.txt for more information).
23051 
23052 
23053 
23054== Memory emulation ==
23055 
23056 
23057 
23058The memory map is from a standard MSX1; there are no subslots, nor MSX2 memory mappers for RAM. RAM is 64Kb in slot 3, and slot 1 and 2 are where the cartridges end up.
23059 
23060 
23061 
23062== Sound emulation ==
23063 
23064 
23065 
23066The PSG, PPI (key click), SCC are emulated. The SCC isn't perfect yet, you can hear slight imperfections in King's Valley 2 (when you through the knife), F1 Spirit (when you start a race), Solid Snake (when you get to building 3). The SCC is called 'k051649' in the volume menu.
23067 
23068 
23069 
23070The FM-PAC is also emulated for which you need the ROM dump of an original Panasonic FM-PAC. However the sound emulation isn't very good at all. :/
23071 
23072 
23073 
23074The following DACs are emulated: SIMPL, Konami's Synthesizer, Konami's Majutsushi. The keyclick is also done through the DAC. To enable SIMPL (which disables the printer port), press "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and go to Dip Switches. Here set SIMPL to "On".
23075 
23076 
23077 
23078You can control the volumes by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" (so you go to UI mode) and then "~". Press "UP" and "DOWN" to see different sound chips, and "LEFT" and "RIGHT" to change the volume.
23079 
23080 
23081 
23082== Video emulation ==
23083 
23084 
23085 
23086The tms9928a (MSX1) emulation is very good, but doesn't emulate changes while the screen is being drawn to the screen. 
23087 
23088 
23089 
23090The v9938 emulation is preliminary and has problems with sprite mode 2 (MSX2 games), interlaced mode, graphic engine emulation, timing (Zanac Ex doesn't run correctly and Aleste only runs in the Japanese version of the driver).
23091 
23092 
23093 
23094Also the PAL/NTSC (50/60Hz) switch is an evil hack, the actual refresh rate of the screen isn't changed.
23095 
23096 
23097 
23098Also it's not very well optimized, I'll start optimizing as soon as it works alright. 
23099 
23100 
23101 
23102The v9958 isn't emulated at all. 
23103 
23104 
23105 
23106The MSX1 and MSX2 video chips only only display a limited number of sprites on one line; this causes sprite flickering, you can turn this off (which isn't like a real MSX of course) by pressing: "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and going to the Dip Switches menu. Set "Enforce 4/8 sprites/line" to "Off". Note that sometimes this feature is used for other purposes, like making sure a sprite is only partly displayed (when you enter a world in The Maze of Galious for example).
23107 
23108 
23109 
23110== Printer port ==
23111 
23112 
23113 
23114The printer port is emulated; output to the port is saved to disk. However no emulation/translation is done, so the data is raw. 
23115 
23116 
23117 
23118== MSX2 RTC ==
23119 
23120 
23121 
23122The real-time clock, which keeps information like the time and date, should be emulated correctly. However in PAL mode the timing isn't correct as the refresh rate isn't properly adjusted. All settings are saved to disk.
23123 
23124 
23125 
23126== Keyboard/joystick/mouse ==
23127 
23128 
23129 
23130The keyboard layout should be properly emulated. Joysticks seem to default to having key-bindings as well, so pressing "CTRL" or "ALT" will also work for the joysticks, but might give some unexpected results.
23131 
23132 
23133 
23134The mouse emulation doesn't work properly yet. :(
23135 
23136 
23137 
23138== Disks ==
23139 
23140 
23141 
23142Disks are emulated through proper wd2793 emulation. Currently only the Philips and Sony diskroms are supported; the Panasonic machines use the tc8566af diskcontroller (unemulated) and the Brazillian machines are port-based (not memory-mapped).
23143 
23144 
23145 
23146You need a proper diskrom dump, and the msx.hsi file in place. The diskrom should be recognized as type 15 otherwise the driver doesn't know it's a diskrom. 
23147 
23148 
23149 
23150Next specify the diskrom as one of the cartridges. That should do the trick. :) Note that only .dsk files are supported; other formats can be converted to .dsk using imgtool (it can convert .msx, .img, .ddi, .xsa, multidisks -- see imgtool.txt for more information).
23151 
23152 
23153 
23154Errors aren't properly handled yet. "not ready" is reported as "record not found", which results in "Disk I/O error" in MSX-BASIC.
23155 
23156 
23157 
23158Also not that memory emulation isn't complete so MSX2 memory mappers don't work yet.
23159 
23160 
23161 
23162 
23163 
23164===== Known Issues =====
23165 
23166 
23167 
23168The MSX driver currently emulates the MSX1, international, UK, korean and Japanese models.
23169 
23170 
23171 
23172  * Not emulated: Printer port, diskdrives, megaRAM, Sound Cartridge (SCC+), MSX2, etc..
23173 
23174 
23175 
23176  * Cartridge emulation: The MSX has 64kB RAM, like most (by far) MSX1 computers. It is located in slot 3. Two cartridges are allowed: the first in slot 1 and the second in slot 2. So subslots aren't emulated (yet). The msx.hsi file is important. The <extrainfo> tag specifies the type of ROM mapper. See msx.hsi for more information.
23177 
23178 
23179 
23180  * Sound emulation: The standard sound chip, the PSG (AY8910) is emulated, so is the extension that was included in some Konami cartridges: the SCC. The keyclick (PPI) is also emulated, as is the FM-PAC (you'll need the fmpac.rom of the original Panasonic FM-PAC for this). Unfortunately the YM2413 emulation in MAME does not emulate the volumes correctly. Last but not least, the DAC in Konami's Synthesizer is emulated, and the SIMPL (DAC on the printer port). The DAC in Konami's Matjusushi is also emulated, but the driver lacks MSX2 support.   
23181 
23182 
23183 
23184  * SRAM in cartridges: A number of cartridges (Hydlide 2, Xanadu, The Game Master 2 and more) had on-board sram. This sram is automagically saved as a MEMCARD.   
23185 
23186 
23187 
23188  * Tape emulation: Unlike other MSX emulators, the tape emulation is not done by trapping BIOS calls. In our opinion this is an evil kludge; apart from that, our setup does have an advantage. Tapes with a custom loader (using direct access to the hardware) will work fine. It is done by saving the tape as a .wav file. In principle, you could record a tape to .wav, and load them into MESS.
23189 
23190 
23191 
23192 
23193 
23194===== History and Trivia =====
23195 
23196 
23197 
23198After Microsoft left the MSX project in 1986, ASCII continued alone. They presented a new improvement of the MSX 2 standard in 1988.
23199 
23200 
23201 
23202No great enhancements, the MSX 2+ has 19268 colors instead of 512, some more graphic / KANJI resolutions and the FM-PAC cartridge is included, providing 9 channels of FM sound without drums or 6 channels FM sound with 5 FM drums.
23203 
23204 
23205 
23206MSX2+ computers were only produced by Panasonic, Sony and Sanyo (the one pictured here is the Panasonic FS A1 WSX). There were only available in Japan...
23207 
23208 
23209 
23210//(info from old-computers.com)//
23211 
23212 
23213 
23214== MSX2+ compliant machines ==
23215 
23216 
23217 
23218  * Panasonic/Matsushita (Japan)
23219 
23220    * FS-A1FX: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
23221 
23222    * FS-A1WX: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
23223 
23224    * FS-A1WSX: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
23225 
23226 
23227 
23228  * Sanyo (Japan)
23229 
23230    * Wavy 35: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
23231 
23232    * Wavy 70FD: 64kB Mapper RAM, built-in 3.5" disk-drive (MSX2+)
23233 
23234 
23235 
23236//(MSX2+ system list compiled from the list by TRD, Manuel Bilderbeek & Alex Wulms. Thanks to Stefano Priore, for abridging it to MSX2p specific info.)//
23237 
23238 
23239 
23240 
23241 
23242===== Links =====
23243 
23244 
23245 
23246  * MSX FAQs -- http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
23247 
23248  * Passion MSX -- http://www.passionmsx.org/
23249 
23250  * MSX Resource Center -- http://www.msx.org/
23251 
23252  * MSX2+ at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=291
23253 
23254 
23255 
23256 
23257 
23258===== Other Emulators =====
23259 
23260 
23261 
23262  * blueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
23263 
23264  * openMSX -- http://openmsx.sourceforge.net/
23265 
23266 
23267 
23268 
23269 
23270$end
23271 
23272 
23273 
23274#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23275 
23276 
23277$info=mtx512
23278$bio
23279====== Memotech MTX 512 / MTX 500 (1983), Memotech RS 128 (1984) ======
23280 
23281 
23282 
23283 
23284 
23285===== Features =====
23286 
23287 
23288 
23289  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
23290 
23291  * Co-Processor: TM 9918 or 9928 (video) and TI 76489 (sound)
23292 
23293  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 512 KB)
23294 
23295  * VRAM: 16 KB
23296 
23297  * ROM: 24 KB (MTX Basic)
23298 
23299  * Text Modes: 32 or 40 chars x 24 lines. 80 x 24 with FDX or HDX disc based expansions
23300 
23301  * Graphic Modes: four modes, maximum : 256 x 192. 32 sprites
23302 
23303  * Colors: 16 maximum
23304 
23305  * Sound: 3 voices + pink noise / 6 octaves
23306 
23307  * I/O Ports: Cassette port, Parallel I/O port, 2 x joystick ports, Audio ouput, Composite video output, Cartridge slot, Parallel/Centronics port
23308 
23309  * Keyboard: Full stroke 79 key with numeric keypad and 8 function keys
23310 
23311  * OS: CP/M
23312 
23313  * Built In Language: BASIC, LOGO, NODDY (interactive sequential controller, Z80 Assembler/Disassembler
23314 
23315  * Peripherals: 5.25" Floppy disc unit, Communication board with two RS232 interfaces and disk drive bus
23316 
23317 
23318 
23319 
23320 
23321===== Usage =====
23322 
23323 
23324 
23325The default emulation implements a MTX512 with 64K bytes RAM. However, the system supports memory sizes from 32K upto 512K, with 32K increments.
23326 
23327 
23328 
23329To load and run a tape image, just type LOAD "<image name>" at the Ready Prompt. To save a (BASIC) program, just type SAVE "<image name>" at the Ready Prompt.
23330 
23331 
23332 
23333The cassette image is a flat binary with the first 18 bytes being the original MTX tape header and the rest being the file data. The driver requires cassette images to be stored in the directory "...\software\mtx512".
23334 
23335 
23336 
23337The filename of the cassette image should be the same as the name stored in the header, without the trailing spaces. This name can be found at offset 1 to 15 (starting at 0).
23338 
23339 
23340 
23341MTX BASIC is pretty much a standard dialect, so you should have no problems using it, but its graphics and sound handling might be a bit esoteric.
23342 
23343 
23344 
23345 
23346 
23347===== Known Issues =====
23348 
23349 
23350 
23351  * Limited Z80 CTC support (input channel connections are not emulated).
23352 
23353  * No cassette device support; currently loading and saving is implemented by rewriting the ROM image (and there is no verify support).
23354 
23355  * No support for: joysticks, additional ROMs, communications board (e.g. RS-232 connections), FDX/HDX system, Node/Ring system.
23356 
23357 
23358 
23359 
23360 
23361===== History and Trivia =====
23362 
23363 
23364 
23365The Memotech company started manufacturing expansion cards and high quality memory modules for the Sinclair ZX 81 home computer.
23366 
23367 
23368 
23369The British Memotech MTX 512 has a hardware which looks like the Sord M5. It also has characteristics, which are close to the MSX standard, but is not MSX compatible.
23370 
23371 
23372 
23373It uses a dedicated chip for video (Texas Instrument TM 9918 or 9928) and sound (TI 76489) and has a very nice mechanical keyboard and a nice black aluminum case!
23374 
23375 
23376 
23377There exists also a second model, the MTX 500 which has the same characteristics, but only 32 KB RAM vs. 64 KB of the 512. It had no success and was replaced a short time later by the RS-128. 
23378 
23379 
23380 
23381//(info from old-computers.com)//
23382 
23383 
23384 
23385 
23386 
23387===== Links =====
23388 
23389 
23390 
23391  * MTX World -- http://www.mtxworld.dk/main.php
23392 
23393  * MTX at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=168
23394 
23395 
23396 
23397 
23398 
23399===== Other Emulators =====
23400 
23401 
23402 
23403  * Mt. Xemu -- http://www.classicgaming.com/mtxemu/index.html
23404 
23405 
23406 
23407 
23408 
23409$end
23410 
23411 
23412 
23413#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23414 
23415 
23416$info=mz700
23417$bio
23418====== Sharp MZ-700 (1982) ======
23419 
23420 
23421 
23422 
23423 
23424===== Features =====
23425 
23426 
23427 
23428  * CPU: Sharp LH-0080 (Zilog Z80A compatible) 4 MHz
23429 
23430  * RAM: 64 KB
23431 
23432  * VRAM: 2 KB
23433 
23434  * ROM: 2 KB
23435 
23436  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
23437 
23438  * Graphic Modes: 50 x 80
23439 
23440  * Colors: 8
23441 
23442  * Sound: one channel, 3 octaves
23443 
23444  * I/O Ports: Parallel, Joystick (2), Z80 Bus, Tape, RGB
23445 
23446  * Keyboard: Full stroke 69 key with 5 function keys and 4 cursor keys
23447 
23448  * Built In Media: Tape recorder
23449 
23450  * OS: optional CP/M with FDD
23451 
23452  * Built In Language: None - Monitor in ROM
23453 
23454 
23455 
23456 
23457 
23458===== History and Trivia =====
23459 
23460 
23461 
23462The Sharp MZ 700 series replaced the aging MZ 80 (MZ 80K, MZ 80A and MZ 80B) series. Moreover, the MZ 700 was compatible with the MZ 80K and MZ 80A.
23463 
23464 
23465 
23466There was no language in ROM (the ROM size is only 2 KB, it is just used for boot and OS calls), it has to be loaded from tape. So there was a lot of languages adapted for this machine (more than five versions of BASIC, assemblers, Pascal, Lisp, C, Fortran, Comal, Forth, & others).
23467 
23468 
23469 
23470The games were a bit poor because of the low resolution (which was actually graphical characters), but there were 512 graphic characters in ROM, which can be used to offset it (sort of).
23471 
23472 
23473 
23474It will be replaced with the MZ 800.
23475 
23476 
23477 
23478== Versions ==
23479 
23480 
23481 
23482The MZ 700 series is composed of four machines: the first three models were launched in 1983 (November 1982 in Japan) and the last one was launched in late 1985 (in fact, this one is the "ancestor" of the MZ 800)
23483 
23484 
23485 
23486  * the MZ 711 was the "naked" model (without any peripheral),
23487 
23488 
23489 
23490  * the MZ 721, has an integrated tape recorder
23491 
23492 
23493 
23494  * the MZ 731, has built-in plotter and tape recorder).
23495 
23496 
23497 
23498  * the fourth model was the MZ 780 which was actually a MZ 731 with a 80 columns card, a floppy disk drive and a Centronics port. It worked under CP/M.
23499 
23500 
23501 
23502//(info from old-computers.com)//
23503 
23504 
23505 
23506 
23507 
23508===== Links =====
23509 
23510 
23511 
23512  * Info about Sharp MZ -- http://www.sharpmz.org/index.html
23513 
23514  * Sharp Users Club -- http://sharpusersclub.org/
23515 
23516  * MZ-700 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=87
23517 
23518 
23519 
23520 
23521 
23522===== Other Emulators =====
23523 
23524 
23525 
23526  * MZ700Win by Maruyama -- http://homepage1.nifty.com/marukun/mz700/
23527 
23528 
23529 
23530 
23531 
23532$end
23533 
23534 
23535 
23536#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23537 
23538 
23539$info=mz800
23540$bio
23541====== Sharp MZ-800 (1984) ======
23542 
23543 
23544 
23545 
23546 
23547===== Features =====
23548 
23549 
23550 
23551  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5 MHz
23552 
23553  * RAM: 64 KB
23554 
23555  * VRAM: 16 KB (up to 32 KB)
23556 
23557  * ROM: 16 KB
23558 
23559  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
23560 
23561  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 - Hardware vertical scrolling accelerator
23562 
23563  * Colors: 4 (320 x 200 and 16 if extended VRAM), 2 (640 x 200 and 4 if extended VRAM)
23564 
23565  * Sound: 3 channels, 6 octaves + white noise generator
23566 
23567  * I/O Ports: Centronics, Joystick (2), Z80 Bus, Tape, RGB
23568 
23569  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 70 keys with 5 function keys, editing & arrow keys
23570 
23571  * Built In Media: Tape recorder
23572 
23573  * Built In Language: None
23574 
23575  * Peripherals: Quick-Disc unit, external single or dual FDD unit
23576 
23577 
23578 
23579 
23580 
23581===== Known Issues =====
23582 
23583 
23584 
23585Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
23586 
23587 
23588 
23589 
23590 
23591===== History and Trivia =====
23592 
23593 
23594 
23595The Sharp MZ 800 was the successor of the MZ 780. It was partially compatible with the 700 series and the old MZ 80K series as well.
23596 
23597 
23598 
23599The Tape drive could be substituted for a Quick-disk drive unit. The Quick-Disc was a small 2.8-inch disk with sequential access.
23600 
23601 
23602 
23603Like the MZ 700, there was no language in ROM, it had to be loaded from tape, quick disk or floppy disk. The ROM only contained boot code, OS calls and special code to allow the user to use the 64 KB RAM as a virtual disk.
23604 
23605 
23606 
23607A single or double 5.25" disk drive could be connected to the MZ 800. It then worked under a special version of CP/M called P-CP/M. Some great products like Wordstar, dBase II and Multiplan were adapted to it. Under CP/M, it was possible to read multiple disk formats from the 360 KB (Sharp format) to the 720 KB (CP/M IBM PC format).
23608 
23609 
23610 
23611The MZ 800 was sold in Japan under the name SHARP MZ 1500. The MZ 1500 had the same characteristics except its black case, a built-in Quick-Disc drive and a slighty different graphic video management.
23612 
23613 
23614 
23615== Versions ==
23616 
23617 
23618 
23619It was sold under three reference numbers:
23620 
23621 
23622 
23623  * MZ-811 without tape drive,
23624 
23625 
23626 
23627  * MZ-821 with built-in 1200-baud tape drive,
23628 
23629 
23630 
23631  * MZ-831 with tape drive and built-in 4-colour printer-plotter.
23632 
23633 
23634 
23635//(info from old-computers.com)//
23636 
23637 
23638 
23639 
23640 
23641===== Links =====
23642 
23643 
23644 
23645  * Info about Sharp MZ -- http://www.sharpmz.org/index.html
23646 
23647  * Sharp Users Club -- http://sharpusersclub.org/
23648 
23649  * MZ-800 Retro Museum -- http://www.wagemann.li/subpages/mz800/
23650 
23651  * Czech MZ-800 Community -- http://mz-800.xf.cz/
23652 
23653  * MZ-800 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=208
23654 
23655 
23656 
23657 
23658 
23659===== Other Emulators =====
23660 
23661 
23662 
23663  * Mz800em -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/mz800em/
23664 
23665  * MZ-800 Emu -- http://mz-800.xf.cz/
23666 
23667 
23668 
23669 
23670 
23671$end
23672 
23673 
23674 
23675#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23676 
23677 
23678$info=n64
23679$bio
23680====== Nintendo 64 (1996) ======
23681 
23682 
23683 
23684 
23685 
23686===== Features =====
23687 
23688 
23689 
23690  * Processors: 64 bit Risc CPU, (R4300I series) 93.75 MHz; Graphics 64-bit MIPS Risc Co-processor, GSP & DP, 62.5 MHz (RCP); Built-in Audio/Video Vector Processor (RSP); Built-in Pixel Drawing Processor (RDP)
23691 
23692  * Memory: 4.5 MB Rambus DRAM (36 megabits); Rambus DRAM subsystem; Custom 9-bit Rambus Bus (to the DRAM)
23693 
23694  * Video Resoloutions: 256x224 to 640x480. PAL also 768x576
23695 
23696  * Video Output: RF, Stereo A/V, S-Video
23697 
23698  * Colors:21-bit colour video output, 32-bit RGPA, pixel colour frame, buffer support
23699 
23700  * Audio: Digital Sound, Wavetable Synthesis
23701 
23702  * Major Special Features: Perspective correct texture-mapping, Realtime Anti-Aliasing, Tri-Linear Mip-Mapping, Z-Buffering
23703 
23704  * Expansion Options: Cartridge Slot; Controller Ports; Pak Holder (bottom of the controller); Extension port (bottom of the console); Memory Expansion Slot (top front of the console)
23705 
23706 
23707 
23708 
23709 
23710===== Usage =====
23711 
23712 
23713 
23714== Controls ==
23715 
23716 
23717 
23718The Nintendo 64 controller consists of an analog stick, an 8-way directional pad, 6 action buttons (A, B and 4 yellow buttons used either as option buttons, or to control the camera), two shoulder buttons (L and R), a red 'Start' button, and one digital trigger at the bottom (Z). 
23719 
23720 
23721 
23722 
23723 
23724===== History and Trivia =====
23725 
23726 
23727 
23728The Nintendo 64 is Nintendo's third home video game console. Named after its 64 bit processor, it was released on June 23, 1996 in Japan, September 29, 1996 in North America and Brazil, March 1, 1997 in Europe and Australia, and September 1, 1997 in France (the system also saw a release in South America, albeit an unofficial one).
23729 
23730 
23731 
23732Nintendo 64 is the culmination of work by Nintendo, Silicon Graphics, and MIPS Technologies. The SGI-based system design that ended up in the Nintendo 64 was originally offered to Tom Kalinske, then CEO of Sega of America by James H. Clark, founder of Silicon Graphics. SGI had recently bought out MIPS Technologies and the two companies had worked together to create a low-cost CPU/3D GPU combo that they thought would be ideal for the console market. A Sega of Japan hardware team was sent to evaluate the chip's capabilities and they found some faults which MIPS subsequently solved. However, Sega of Japan ultimately decided against SGI's design.
23733 
23734 
23735 
23736In the early stages of development the Nintendo 64 was referred to by the code name "Project Reality". This moniker came from the speculation within Nintendo that the console could produce CGI on par with then-current supercomputers. In 1994 the console was given the name Nintendo Ultra 64. The console design was shown for the first time in late Spring 1995. The final console was identical to this, but with a different logo. The console was introduced as the Nintendo 64 in Japan, contrary to speculation of it being called Ultra Famicom, at the 7th Annual Shoshinkai Software Exhibition in Japan. Photos of the event were disseminated on the web by Game Zero magazine two days later. In February 1996 Nintendo of America announced a delay of Nintendo Ultra 64 until September 1996 in North America. Simultaneously it announced that Nintendo had adopted a new global branding strategy, calling the console everywhere Nintendo 64. 
23737 
23738 
23739 
23740During this stage of development two companies, Rareware (UK) and Midway (USA), created the arcade games Killer Instinct and Cruis'n USA which claimed to use the Ultra 64 hardware. In fact, the hardware had nothing to do with what was finally released; the arcade games used hard drives and TMS processors. Killer Instinct was the most advanced game of its time graphically, featuring pre-rendered movie backgrounds that were streamed off the hard drive and animated as the characters moved. 
23741 
23742 
23743 
23744Nintendo dropped "Ultra" from the name on February 1, 1996, just months before its Japanese debut.
23745 
23746 
23747 
23748== Hardware == 
23749 
23750 
23751 
23752The CPU powering Nintendo 64 is a MIPS R4300i-based NEC VR4300. The CPU is clocked at 93.75 MHz and connects to the rest of the system through a 32-bit data bus. VR4300 is a RISC 5-stage scalar in-order execution processor with an integrated floating point unit. It is a 64-bit processor, in that it has 64-bit registers, a 64-bit instruction set, and 64-bit internal data paths. However, the cost-reduced NEC VR4300 CPU utilized in the console only has 32-bit buses whereas more powerful MIPS CPUs are equipped with 64-bit buses. Many games took advantage of the chip's 32-bit processing mode as the greater data precision available with 64-bit data types is not typically required by 3D games. Also 64-bit data uses twice as much RAM, cache, and bandwidth thereby reducing the overall system performance.
23753 
23754 
23755 
23756Nintendo 64's graphics and audio duties are performed by the 64-bit SGI co-processor, named the "Reality Co-Processor". The RCP is a 62.5 MHz chip split internally into two major components, the "Reality Drawing Processor" (RDP) and the "Reality Signal Processor" (RSP). Each area communicates with the other by way of a 128-bit internal data bus that provides 1.0 GB/s bandwidth. The RSP is 
23757 
23758a MIPS R4000-based 8-bit integer vector processor. It is programmable through microcode, allowing the chip's functions to be significantly altered if necessary, to allow for different types of work, precision, and workloads. The RSP performs transform, clipping and lighting calculations, triangle setup, and has a geometry throughput of approximately 100,000 full-featured polygons per second.
23759 
23760 
23761 
23762The RSP, as said, also frequently performs audio functions (although the CPU can be tasked with this as well). It can playback virtually any type of audio (dependent on software codecs) including uncompressed PCM, MP3, MIDI, and tracker music. The RSP is capable of a maximum of 100 channels of PCM at a time, but this is with 100% system utilization for audio. It has a maximum sampling rate of 48 kHz with 16-bit audio. However, storage limitations caused by the cartridge format limited audio size (and thus quality).
23763 
23764 
23765 
23766The RDP is the machine's rasterizer and performs the bulk of actual image creation before output to the display. Nintendo 64 has a maximum color depth of 16.7 million colors (32,768 on-screen) and can display a resolution range of 256x224 to 640x480 pixels.
23767 
23768 
23769 
23770The final major component in the system is the RAM. Nintendo 64 was the first console to implement a unified memory subsystem, instead of having separate banks of memory for CPU, audio, and video, for example.
23771 
23772 
23773 
23774The Nintendo 64 had some weaknesses that were caused by a combination of oversight on the part of the hardware designers, limitations on 3D technology of the time, and manufacturing capabilities. One major flaw was the limited texture cache of 4 KiB. This made it extremely difficult to load anything but small textures into the rendering engine, especially textures with high color depth, and was the primary cause of blurry graphics. 
23775 
23776 
23777 
23778== Accessories ==
23779 
23780 
23781 
23782  * Controller Pak: this is a memory card which is plugged into the controller and allows the player to save game progresses and configurations. Nintendo's original models offer 256 KB battery backed SRAM, but third party models allows up to 8 MB of SRAM. Initially very useful, the Controller Pak was not that used in later games where the ability to save to SRAM (or EEPROM) was added in the carts themselves. Anyway, some games continued to require the Controller Pak for saves, e.g. most of Konami games.
23783 
23784  * Rumble Pak: released in 1997 as an add-on for "Lylat Wars" / "Star Fox 64", this is an accessory which add a vibration feature in games which support it. It fits the same slot the Controller Pak uses, under the joypad.
23785 
23786  * Expansion Pak: a memory expansion that plugged into the console's memory expansion port. It contained 4 MB of additional RAM. Only a few games required this to work: "Donkey Kong 64", "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask", "Perfect Dark" (the single player mode), "Starcraft 64" (the multiplayer mode) and "Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2". Many other games, anyway, could use it to improve the graphics using the additional memory. Among these "Resident Evil 2", "Pokémon Stadium 2", "Shadow Man" and "Quake 2" (which features higher color depth if the Expansion Pak is present). It was available both separately and in bundle with "Donkey Kong 64" or "Majora's Mask".
23787 
23788  * Transfer Pak: this accessory plugs into the controller and allows the Nintendo 64 to transfer data between Game Boy and N64 games. Among the games which uses it: Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2, that rely heavily on the Transfer Pak to transfer the monsters from one game to the other, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Perfect Dark and Mario Artist.
23789 
23790  * Wide-Boy 64 CGB / AGB: a series of adapters similar to the Super Game Boy that was able to play Game Boy games; however, it was only released to the developers and the press. Analogous third party devices where also released, as the GB Hunter.
23791 
23792  * 64DD: This Disk Drive add-on to Nintendo 64 was released in 1999 in Japan. It adds to Nintendo 64 the possibility to read magnetic disks with higher storage capacity than normal cartridges. It also offered some network features through the RandNet service, which allowed players to compete which each other online, to share items for the games which supported this feature (e.g. "Mario Artist" games), to play demos of unreleased games, to browse internet and to listen to music online. It was never released outside of Japan.
23793 
23794  * VRU (Voice Recognition Unit): This device is required to play "Hey You, Pikachu!" (and it came bundled with the game). It consists of a ballast that connects into controller port 4 of the system, a microphone, a yellow cover for the microphone and a clip for clipping the microphone to the controller. Players would hold the L or Z button on the controller and talk to Pikachu. One major drawback is the fact that the VRU is only calibrated to high pitched voices like that of a child, so older children and adults will have problems issuing commands.
23795 
23796  * SmartMedia Cards: released by Tokyo Electron to be used in connection with the game "Mario no Photopi", these cards were common SmartMedia cards containing graphical elements from "Sylvanian Family", "Bomberman" or Nintendo characters as Yoshi. Players could plug a card with their pictures and one of these cards into the "Mario no Photopi" cartridge to modify the images, adding overlays or special effects from the SmartMedia card, and to save them on the memory card.
23797 
23798  * Dance Pad: A dance pad packaged separately, that is needed to play "Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Dancing Museum". It was released in Japan only.
23799 
23800  * Bio Sensor: An ear-clip that plugs into the Controller Pak slot of the N64 controller to measure the user's heart rate. Released only in Japan and compatible only with "Tetris 64", it was used to slow down or speed up the game depending on how fast the player's heart is beating.
23801 
23802  * Action Replay / GameShark: A cheat device made by Datel (resp. Interact, which licensed it for the US market). 
23803 
23804  * N64 Passport: Adapter and cheat device allowing players to play games from different regions on their Nintendo 64.
23805 
23806  * Dex Drive: Released by Interact, it allowed the player to upload data from their memory cards to the computer and viceversa.
23807 
23808 
23809 
23810//(info from Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
23811 
23812 
23813 
23814 
23815 
23816===== Links =====
23817 
23818 
23819 
23820  * [[wp>Nintendo_64]]
23821 
23822 
23823 
23824 
23825 
23826===== Other Emulators =====
23827 
23828 
23829 
23830  * Project64 -- http://pj64.emulation64.com/
23831 
23832  * UltraHLE -- http://www.ultrahle.com/
23833 
23834  * 1964 -- http://1964emu.emulation64.com/
23835 
23836  * Mupen64 -- http://mupen64.emulation64.com/
23837 
23838 
23839 
23840 
23841 
23842$end
23843 
23844 
23845 
23846#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23847 
23848 
23849$info=nascom1
23850$bio
23851====== Nascom 1 (1978) ======
23852 
23853 
23854 
23855 
23856 
23857===== Features =====
23858 
23859 
23860 
23861  * CPU: Z80 1 or 2 MHz.
23862 
23863  * Co-Processor: None
23864 
23865  * RAM: 1 KB
23866 
23867  * VRAM: 1 KB
23868 
23869  * ROM: 1 or 2 KB
23870 
23871  * Text Modes: 48 chars. x 16 lines
23872 
23873  * Graphic Modes: None
23874 
23875  * Colors: Monochrome
23876 
23877  * Sound: Unknown
23878 
23879  * I/O Ports: TV-UHF video interface, selectable serial port (Tape recorder or RS232 or Teletype current loop)
23880 
23881  * Keyboard: Full stroke 47 keys
23882 
23883  * Built In Media: Cassette tape
23884 
23885  * OS: Monitor in ROM
23886 
23887  * Built In Language: Monitor
23888 
23889  * Peripherals: Memory boards and various I/O interfaces
23890 
23891 
23892 
23893 
23894 
23895===== Usage =====
23896 
23897 
23898 
23899Nascom 1 supports .nas and .bin files.
23900 
23901 
23902 
23903The .nas files are loaded by the monitor. Type 
23904 
23905  L 
23906 
23907wait for the loading to finish, then type
23908 
23909  E<start addr> 
23910 
23911 
23912 
23913The start address is the address first displayed by the load, usually 1000.
23914 
23915 
23916 
23917To load the .bin files, use 
23918 
23919  R 
23920 
23921in the monitor.
23922 
23923 
23924 
23925MESS supports three monitor roms for the Nascom 1: NASBUG1.T1, NASBUG1.T2 and NASBUG1.T4. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
23926 
23927   
23928 
23929  "-bios 0" or "-bios T4" = NASBUG1.T4 (1979)
23930 
23931   
23932 
23933  "-bios 1" or "-bios T1" = NASBUG1.T1 (original version)
23934 
23935   
23936 
23937  "-bios 2" or "-bios T2" = NASBUG1.T2 (1978)
23938 
23939 
23940 
23941 
23942 
23943===== History and Trivia =====
23944 
23945 
23946 
23947The Nascom 1 was the most popular British made computer kit in the U.K. It was an affordable single board Z80 based computer with a keyboard attached by cable. It came as a kit or ready-built.
23948 
23949 
23950 
23951== Why Nascom? ==
23952 
23953 
23954 
23955Because the idea of a low cost computer intended for U.K. hobbysts was originated by an American company called Nasco. However, the board was designed in the U.K. by Shelton Instruments Ltd that, later, also designed and sold the Sig-Net.
23956 
23957 
23958 
23959The minimum configuration featured 2 KB RAM and 1 KB ROM monitor, but the Nascom could be gradually extended into a system that was powerful enough to compete with many home computers of the time, Pet, Apple or Tandy.
23960 
23961 
23962 
23963Actually, the RAM area was divided into two parts: 1 KB for user program and data and 1 KB for storing characters displayed to the television. The ROM monitor provided basic functions: enter program and data, display memory content and processor registers, save and load programs from a tape recorder.
23964 
23965 
23966 
23967A whole range of peripherals and expansions were available from independant suppliers, as well as a vast range of software and many user groups. Several magazines dedicated to the Nascom and its relatives, the Gemini computers, were published. Many languages were available 
23968 
23969including BASIC, PASCAL, C, FORTH, etc.
23970 
23971 
23972 
23973//(info from old-computers.com)//
23974 
23975 
23976 
23977 
23978 
23979===== Links =====
23980 
23981 
23982 
23983  * Nascom at 80 Bus -- http://www.80bus.co.uk/pages/nascom.htm
23984 
23985  * MIXTEL -- http://www.mixtel.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nascgem/index.html
23986 
23987  * Nascom Nostalgia -- http://www.myplace.nu/nascom/index2.htm
23988 
23989  * The Nascom Home Page -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/
23990 
23991  * Nascom 1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=814
23992 
23993 
23994 
23995 
23996 
23997===== Other Emulators =====
23998 
23999 
24000 
24001  * Nascom 1 Emu (DOS) -- http://members.aol.com/mk14emu/nascom.htm
24002 
24003  * Virtual Nascom -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/#Virtual%20Nascom
24004 
24005 
24006 
24007 
24008 
24009$end
24010 
24011 
24012 
24013#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24014 
24015 
24016$info=nascom2
24017$bio
24018====== Nascom 2 (1979) ======
24019 
24020 
24021 
24022 
24023 
24024===== Features =====
24025 
24026 
24027 
24028  * CPU: Z80-A 4 MHz.
24029 
24030  * Co-Processor: None
24031 
24032  * RAM: 9 KB expandable to 32 KB
24033 
24034  * VRAM: 1 KB
24035 
24036  * ROM: 10 KB - Monitor ( 2 KB) + Microsoft BASIC
24037 
24038  * Text Modes: 48 chars. x 16 lines
24039 
24040  * Colors: Graphic characters in ROM
24041 
24042  * Sound: Unknown
24043 
24044  * I/O Ports: Serial RS232, TV-UHF and composite video, I/O lines, TTY
24045 
24046  * Keyboard: Full stroke 53 keys with arrow and graphic keys
24047 
24048  * Built In Media: Cassette tape
24049 
24050  * OS: Monitor in ROM
24051 
24052  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
24053 
24054  * Peripherals: Memory board, graphic board, 5.25'' floppy disc controller
24055 
24056 
24057 
24058 
24059 
24060===== Usage =====
24061 
24062 
24063 
24064Nascom 2 supports .nas, .bin and .cas files.
24065 
24066 
24067 
24068The .nas files are loaded by the monitor. Type 
24069 
24070  L 
24071 
24072wait for the loading to finish, then 
24073 
24074  E<start addr> 
24075 
24076 
24077 
24078The start address is the address first displayed by the load, usually 1000.
24079 
24080 
24081 
24082To load the .bin files, use 
24083 
24084  R 
24085 
24086in the monitor.
24087 
24088 
24089 
24090The .cas files are used by BASIC. To get there from the monitor, type 
24091 
24092  EE000 
24093 
24094enter 
24095 
24096  49152 
24097 
24098as the memory size then 
24099 
24100  CLOAD "<letter>" 
24101 
24102 
24103 
24104You can then use RUN/LIST etc. The <letter> for the existing cassettes are
24105 
24106 
24107 
24108| adventr.cas  | A |
24109 
24110| snailr.cas   | S |
24111 
24112| startrek.cas | T |
24113 
24114| swinghs.cas  | M |
24115 
24116| swords.cas   | S |
24117 
24118 
24119 
24120MESS supports two monitor roms for the Nascom 2: NAS-SYS 1 and 3. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
24121 
24122   
24123 
24124  "-bios 0" or "-bios NasSys 3" = NAS-SYS 3 (final update)
24125 
24126   
24127 
24128  "-bios 1" or "-bios NasSys 1" = NAS-SYS 1 (1980)
24129 
24130 
24131 
24132 
24133 
24134===== History and Trivia =====
24135 
24136 
24137 
24138The Nascom 2 was a deep evolution of the Nascom 1 that required 18 months of design and development but offered lots of enhancements: a faster processor (4 MHZ.), greater RAM and ROM capacity (10 KB + 10 KB), built-in Microsoft BASIC, extended keyboard, improved tape interface, etc.
24139 
24140 
24141 
24142User RAM could be expanded to 32 KB on board and the system didn't need the use of expansion board or system bus to run large applications. Even now, the Nascom 2 is regarded as the most versatile single board computer in 1980's.
24143 
24144 
24145 
24146Sadly, in 1980, Nascom Limited company met difficulties in components sourcing, specially RAM chips, and the company ceased Nascom 2 deliveries. Some Nascom dealers will then set up the Gemini company and produce a copy of the Nascom 2. Finally, Nascom Limited is sold to Lucas Logic (later Lucas Nascom) in 1982 and the Nascom 2 will come back in a cased version called Nascom 3. 
24147 
24148 
24149 
24150//(info from old-computers.com)//
24151 
24152 
24153 
24154 
24155 
24156===== Links =====
24157 
24158 
24159 
24160  * Nascom at 80 Bus -- http://www.80bus.co.uk/pages/nascom.htm
24161 
24162  * MIXTEL -- http://www.mixtel.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nascgem/index.html
24163 
24164  * Nascom Nostalgia -- http://www.myplace.nu/nascom/index2.htm
24165 
24166  * The Nascom Home Page -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/
24167 
24168  * Nascom 2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=815
24169 
24170 
24171 
24172 
24173 
24174===== Other Emulators =====
24175 
24176 
24177 
24178  * Nascom-2 Emulator -- http://www.myplace.nu/nascom/nasemu.htm
24179 
24180  * Virtual Nascom -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/#Virtual%20Nascom
24181 
24182 
24183 
24184 
24185 
24186$end
24187 
24188 
24189 
24190#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24191 
24192 
24193$info=nc100
24194$bio
24195====== Amstrad NC100 Notepad Computer (1992) ======
24196 
24197 
24198 
24199 
24200 
24201===== Features =====
24202 
24203 
24204 
24205  * CPU: Z80
24206 
24207  * Co-Processor: NEC custom chip (various I/O and memory management)
24208 
24209  * RAM: 64 KB
24210 
24211  * ROM: Unknown
24212 
24213  * Text Modes: 80 char x 8 lines
24214 
24215  * Graphics Mode: 480 x 64 pixels
24216 
24217  * Colors: bluish grey LCD
24218 
24219  * Sound: Beeper
24220 
24221  * I/O Ports: Parallel Centronics, Serial RS-232
24222 
24223  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 64 keys
24224 
24225  * Built In Media: 1 MB PCMCIA slot
24226 
24227  * OS: BBC BASIC, word processor, diary, calculator, address book, serial terminal in ROM
24228 
24229  * Built In Language: BBC Basic
24230 
24231 
24232 
24233 
24234 
24235===== Usage =====
24236 
24237 
24238 
24239== Printer ==
24240 
24241 
24242 
24243Printer emulation is working. All data is saved out to a file on the host filesystem. The data is not processed in any way, so the file will contain the raw bytes output to the printer port.
24244 
24245 
24246 
24247== PCMCIA RAM Card ==
24248 
24249 
24250 
24251The NC100 supports a PCMCIA Ram card up to 1mb in size. 
24252 
24253 
24254 
24255The emulator supports all RAM card operations: reading, writing, formatting and write enable/write protect.
24256 
24257 
24258 
24259It also supports RAM cards of all sizes (128k, 256k, 512k and 1mb).
24260 
24261 
24262 
24263The file format of a RAM card is a simple memory dump; there are no headers or other information stored in the file.
24264 
24265 
24266 
24267If files have been saved onto the RAM card by the emulation, then the file on the host filesystem will be updated (the update will happen when MESS is exited, or a new card is inserted).
24268 
24269 
24270 
24271== Imgtool commands ==
24272 
24273 
24274 
24275Use imgtool to create blank cards, and to put/get files to the card image. At this time, only 1mb cards can be created and there is no support to create unformatted or executable cards.
24276 
24277 
24278 
24279Do not forget to insert memory card (as "Cartridge"), and if you want to write files to it make sure it is write enabled (see Dipswitches in UI).
24280 
24281 
24282 
24283  imgtool create nccard <card name>
24284 
24285 
24286 
24287Create a blank formatted memory card. The NC100 can write files to this.
24288 
24289 
24290 
24291You can view the files by
24292 
24293  - Pressing FUNCTION + B to enter BASIC, then typing "*." at the ">" prompt.
24294 
24295  - Enter wordprocessor menu and select list files.
24296 
24297 
24298 
24299  imgtool put nccard <card name> <host filesystem name> <nc100 name>
24300 
24301 
24302 
24303Put a file from the host filesystem (e.g. PC harddrive) to the nc memory card. The file will be cut if it is larger than 64k (64k is the maximum file size supported by the nc100 filesystem).
24304 
24305 
24306 
24307At this time, all files are assumed to be ASCII. There is no support to put binary or BASIC files.
24308 
24309 
24310 
24311  imgtool get nccard <card name> <nc100 name> <host filesystem name>
24312 
24313 
24314 
24315Get a file from the nc memory card to the host filesystem. Files are always saved as binary regardless of file type on memory card.
24316 
24317 
24318 
24319  imgtool dir nccard <card name>
24320 
24321 
24322 
24323Show a directory listing of the memory card.
24324 
24325 
24326 
24327  imgtool del nccard <card name> <nc100 name>
24328 
24329 
24330 
24331Delete a file from the memory card
24332 
24333 
24334 
24335== Serial ==
24336 
24337 
24338 
24339Serial is mostly working. 
24340 
24341 
24342 
24343MESS does not have a UI to change the serial device transmit/receive properties, so at this time it is fixed to: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity for the NC100 driver.
24344 
24345 
24346 
24347At this time, the serial device only supports a simple protocol. (Each byte is transmitted in a basic serial form, with start bits, data bits, parity and stop bits).
24348 
24349 
24350 
24351In the future the serial device will support xmodem and xmodem send/receive will then work in the emulation.
24352 
24353 
24354 
24355== XMODEM ==
24356 
24357 
24358 
24359XMODEM transfer instructions:
24360 
24361  - Enter wordprocessor.
24362 
24363  - Start a new document
24364 
24365  - Quit wordprocessor
24366 
24367  - Go to list documents.
24368 
24369  - Press MENU key
24370 
24371  - Here you can navigate the menu to find "XMODEM receive document".
24372 
24373  - Start XMODEM send on PC.
24374 
24375 
24376 
24377== BIOS ==
24378 
24379 
24380 
24381MESS supports two ROM revisions of the NC100: v1.00 and v1.06. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
24382 
24383   
24384 
24385  "-bios 0" or "-bios 106" = ROM v1.06
24386 
24387   
24388 
24389  "-bios 1" or "-bios 100" = ROM v1.00
24390 
24391 
24392 
24393 
24394 
24395===== Known Issues =====
24396 
24397 
24398 
24399The emulation is reasonably accurate. I have used NCIOSPEC.TXT published by Cliff Lawson at Amstrad to write the driver. Unfortunately this document does not describe undocumented hardware features, so at this time, any programs relying on undocumented behaviour will not work well. I am currently looking for NC owners (especially NC150 owners) to run some tests for me.
24400 
24401 
24402 
24403 
24404 
24405===== History and Trivia =====
24406 
24407 
24408 
24409The Amstrad NC100 Notepad computer is a portable computer.
24410 
24411 
24412 
24413This system has a LCD screen and nice keyboard. The memory is protected by a lithium battery which is charged when the computer is connected to a mains supply.
24414 
24415 
24416 
24417PCMCIA RAM cards can be used to store programs and documents.
24418 
24419 
24420 
24421The computer has a built in wordprocessor, BBC Basic, Serial Terminal, Calculator, Diary and more. The whole system is a personal organiser with lots of extras.
24422 
24423 
24424 
24425The NC 100, NC 150 and NC 200 were three products that its founder Alan Sugar was hoping would help revive the company's fortunes.
24426 
24427Cutting edge, they were not. Both were based on old eight-bit Zilog Z80 microprocessors. Curiously, both machines came with a BBC Basic interpreter on which users could develop their own applications.
24428 
24429 
24430 
24431The NC 100 was a £199 notebook computer the size of a piece of A4 paper, with a full size keyboard and a "letterbox" screen at the top, offering 80 columns by 8 lines.
24432 
24433 
24434 
24435It had an RS232 serial port and a Centronics parallel port for printer and communications. Built-in were 64 kilobytes of memory, expandable to 1 megabyte with the addition of an add-on memory card.
24436 
24437 
24438 
24439"If you can't use this new computer in five minutes, you'll get your money back," boasted the company in its launch advertising. For ease of use, it had four colour-coded keys giving instant access to a number of built-in applications, including a word processor, calculator, diary and address book.
24440 
24441 
24442 
24443At a time when an entry-level lap-top computer cost more than £2,000 and the sub-notebook had not been invented, the NC100 and NC200 offered a good value alternative for those with basic computing needs, such as word processing on the move.
24444 
24445 
24446 
24447By 1992, once fast-growing Amstrad was struggling. Its reputation as a PC maker had been undermined by a batch of dodgy Seagate disk drives at the same time that bigger-name vendors were engaged in a price war, squeezing Amstrad out of the market.
24448 
24449 
24450 
24451All the NC computers were made in Japan by Nakajima. The company also sold its own version of the NC-100, called ES-210.
24452 
24453 
24454 
24455//(info from old-computers.com)//
24456 
24457 
24458 
24459 
24460 
24461===== Links =====
24462 
24463 
24464 
24465  * NC page at Amstrad Computer Site -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/notepad.htm
24466 
24467  * Genesis8 Amstrad Page -- http://genesis8.free.fr/
24468 
24469  * Tim's NC User Site -- http://www.ncus.org.uk/
24470 
24471  * NC 100 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=753
24472 
24473 
24474 
24475 
24476 
24477===== Other Emulators =====
24478 
24479 
24480 
24481  * nc100em -- http://rus.members.beeb.net/nc100em.html
24482 
24483 
24484 
24485 
24486 
24487$end
24488 
24489 
24490 
24491#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24492 
24493 
24494$info=nc200
24495$bio
24496====== Amstrad NC200 Notebook Computer (1993) ======
24497 
24498 
24499 
24500 
24501 
24502===== Features =====
24503 
24504 
24505 
24506  * CPU: Z80
24507 
24508  * Co-Processor: Custom all-in-one chip including the CPU, various I/O and memory management
24509 
24510  * RAM: 128 KB
24511 
24512  * ROM: Unknown
24513 
24514  * Text Modes: 80 char x 16 lines
24515 
24516  * Graphic Modes: 480 x 128 pixels
24517 
24518  * Colors: bluish grey LCD
24519 
24520  * Sound: Beeper
24521 
24522  * I/O Ports: Parallel Centronics, Serial RS-232
24523 
24524  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 64 keys
24525 
24526  * Built In Media: 1 MB PCMCIA slot, 3.5" 720 KB floppy disk drive
24527 
24528  * OS: BBC BASIC, word processor, diary, calculator, address book, spreadsheet, serial terminal, games in ROM
24529 
24530  * Built In Language: BBC Basic
24531 
24532 
24533 
24534 
24535 
24536===== Usage =====
24537 
24538 
24539 
24540== Printer ==
24541 
24542 
24543 
24544Printer emulation is working. All data is saved out to a file on the host filesystem. The data is not processed in any way, so the file will contain the raw bytes output to the printer port.
24545 
24546 
24547 
24548== PCMCIA RAM Card ==
24549 
24550 
24551 
24552Same as NC100.
24553 
24554 
24555 
24556== Disk Drive ==
24557 
24558 
24559 
24560Not working. I am trying to find out the details of the disc interface by looking at lots of disassemblies!
24561 
24562 
24563 
24564 
24565 
24566===== Known Issues =====
24567 
24568 
24569 
24570Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
24571 
24572 
24573 
24574The emulation is reasonably accurate. There are no documents about the hardware of the NC200. Originally Cliff Lawson published details but these have been lost when his WWW site went down. Since then he has been unable to write up the details of the hardware (Cliff is a very busy man).
24575 
24576 
24577 
24578So I have worked out much of the NC200 hardware by disassembling the ROM and I have also had much help from Russel Marks.
24579 
24580 
24581 
24582 
24583 
24584===== History and Trivia =====
24585 
24586 
24587 
24588The Amstrad NC200 Notebook computer is a portable computer.
24589 
24590 
24591 
24592This system has a fold-down LCD screen, nice keyboard and disc drive. (The disc format is 720k PC Double Density DOS compatible).
24593 
24594 
24595 
24596The memory is  protected by a lithium battery which is charged when the computer is connected to a mains supply.
24597 
24598 
24599 
24600PCMCIA RAM cards can be used to store programs and documents.
24601 
24602 
24603 
24604The computer has a built in wordprocessor, BBC Basic, Serial Terminal, Calculator, Diary and more. The whole system is a personal organiser with lots of extras.
24605 
24606 
24607 
24608The NC200, was the last model of the NC series which was comprised of the NC 100 and NC 150.
24609 
24610 
24611 
24612It was a very much smarter, more professional design, with a larger fold-out screen, offering 80 columns by 16 lines, a built-in 3" inch, 720 kilobyte floppy disk drive for storage, but at a heftier price tag of £329.
24613 
24614 
24615 
24616It also had a spreadsheet, which the NC100 did not, as well as twice as much built-in memory at 128 kilobytes. 
24617 
24618 
24619 
24620//(info from old-computers.com)//
24621 
24622 
24623 
24624 
24625 
24626===== Links =====
24627 
24628 
24629 
24630  * NC page at Amstrad Computer Site -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/notepad.htm
24631 
24632  * Genesis8 Amstrad Page -- http://genesis8.free.fr/
24633 
24634  * Tim's NC User Site -- http://www.ncus.org.uk/
24635 
24636  * NC 200 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1141
24637 
24638 
24639 
24640 
24641 
24642===== Other Emulators =====
24643 
24644 
24645 
24646  * nc100em (preliminary NC200 support) -- http://rus.members.beeb.net/nc100em.html
24647 
24648 
24649 
24650 
24651 
24652$end
24653 
24654 
24655 
24656#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24657 
24658 
24659$info=neat
24660$bio
24661====== Chips and Technologies New Enhanced AT (1988) ======
24662 
24663 
24664 
24665 
24666 
24667===== Features =====
24668 
24669 
24670 
24671  * Support of LIM EMS4.0 (or only 3.2?)
24672 
24673 
24674 
24675 
24676 
24677===== Usage =====
24678 
24679 
24680 
24681MSDOS utilities for quickset and ems available
24682 
24683 
24684 
24685 
24686 
24687===== Known Issues =====
24688 
24689 
24690 
24691Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
24692 
24693 
24694 
24695  * Basically the same as mess ibmat emulation
24696 
24697 
24698 
24699  * Special chipset features not emulated yet
24700 
24701 
24702 
24703  * Not working
24704 
24705 
24706 
24707 
24708 
24709===== History and Trivia =====
24710 
24711 
24712 
24713Popular AT compatible chipset for 80286.
24714 
24715 
24716 
24717NEAT (New Enhanced AT) was chipset used to build AT-class machines from Chips and Technologies, Inc., a company acquired by Intel in 1998 and integrated into its Desktop Platforms Group.
24718 
24719 
24720 
24721 
24722 
24723$end
24724 
24725 
24726 
24727#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24728 
24729 
24730$info=nes
24731$bio
24732====== Nintendo Entertainment System (1985) ======
24733 
24734 
24735 
24736 
24737 
24738===== Features =====
24739 
24740 
24741 
24742  * CPU: 8bit NMOS 6502 CPU with a secondary PPU (Picture Processing Unit)
24743 
24744  * Clock Speed: 1.7897725MHz for NTSC and 1.773447MHz for the PAL version
24745 
24746  * Data Path width: 8-bits
24747 
24748  * SPR-RAM: 256 Bytes
24749 
24750  * ROM: 8k
24751 
24752  * Video Ram: 16 Kbits
24753 
24754  * Color Palette: 256; 16 max on screen
24755 
24756  * Sprites: 64 (8x8 or 8x16)
24757 
24758  * Sound: FM with 5 sound channels (4 analog, 1 digital)
24759 
24760  * Cart Size: 64k - 4 Megabit
24761 
24762 
24763 
24764 
24765 
24766===== Usage =====
24767 
24768 
24769 
24770NES controller consists of an 8-way directional pad, two action buttons (labeled A and B), a Start button and a Select button. On the main unit, a Power and a Reset buttons are present.
24771 
24772 
24773 
24774 
24775 
24776===== Known Issues =====
24777 
24778 
24779 
24780The NES driver should run most of the images currently out there with very little problem, with the exception of MMC5 mapper used by Castlevania III, Just Breed, Nobunaga's Ambitions II and others. It also doesn't yet support all the obscure one-game mappers used by many "pirate carts".
24781 
24782 
24783 
24784 
24785 
24786===== History and Trivia =====
24787 
24788 
24789 
24790Following a series of arcade game successes in the early 1980s, Nintendo made plans to produce a cartridge-based console. Masayuki Uemura designed the system, which was released in Japan on July 15, 1983. Launch title were three ports of Nintendo's successful arcade games: "Donkey Kong", "Donkey Kong Jr.", and "Popeye". 
24791 
24792 
24793 
24794The Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) did not meet instant success: during its first year, many criticized the system as unreliable, prone to programming errors and rampant freezing. These critics were completely unfunded: Nintendo decided to recall most of the units and to reissue the system with a new motherboard. Quite soon the popularity of Famicom soared and it became the best-selling game console in Japan by the end of 1984. You can easily spot the recalled version of the Famicom because of its square buttons, replaced with circular buttons in all Famicom systems produced after the recall.
24795 
24796 
24797 
24798Encouraged by its successes, Nintendo soon turned its attentions to the North American market. At first, Nintendo entered into negotiations with Atari to release the Famicom under Atari's name as the name "Nintendo Enhanced Video System". This deal eventually fell through. Subsequent plans to market a Famicom console in North America featuring a keyboard, cassette data recorder, wireless 
24799 
24800joystick controller, and a special BASIC cartridge under the name "Nintendo Advanced Video System" likewise never materialized. 
24801 
24802 
24803 
24804Finally, in June 1985 Nintendo unveiled its American version of the Famicom at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Nintendo rolled out its first systems to limited American markets on 18 October 1985, following up with a full-fledged North American release of the console in February of the following year. Nintendo simultaneously released eighteen launch titles!
24805 
24806 
24807 
24808In Europe and Australia, the system was released to two separate marketing regions (A and B). Distribution in region B, consisting of most of mainland Europe (excluding Italy), was handled by a number of different companies, with Nintendo responsible for most cartridge releases; most of region B saw a 1986 release. Mattel handled distribution for region A, consisting of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, starting the following year. Not until 1990 did Nintendo's newly created European branch take over distribution throughout Europe. Despite not having in Europe and Oceania the same success it had in Japan and North America, by 1990 the NES had become the best-selling console in videogame history.
24809 
24810 
24811 
24812As the 1990s dawned, however, renewed competition from technologically superior systems such as the 16-bit Sega MegaDrive (known as the Sega Genesis in North America) marked the end of the NES's dominance. Eclipsed by Nintendo's own Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), the NES user base gradually waned. 
24813 
24814 
24815 
24816Nintendo continued to support the system in America through the first half of the decade, even releasing a new version of the console, the NES 2, to address many of the design flaws in the original NES hardware. By 1995, though, Nintendo of America officially discontinued the NES. 
24817 
24818 
24819 
24820Despite this, Nintendo of Japan kept producing new Nintendo Famicom units for a niche market up until October 2003, when also Nintendo of Japan officially discontinued the line. 
24821 
24822 
24823 
24824Many videogame franchise, later migrated on new systems, had their origin on the Nintendo Famicom/NES: "MegaMan", "Castlevania", "Final Fantasy" and "Dragon Warrior", not to mention Nintendo series like "Super Mario Bros.", "The Legend of Zelda", "Kirby" and "Metroid".
24825 
24826 
24827 
24828== Regional differences ==
24829 
24830 
24831 
24832NES and Famicom were not exactly the same console, even if they shared most of the hardware.
24833 
24834 
24835 
24836  * Case design: The Famicom features a top-loading cartridge slot, a 15-pin expansion port located on the unit's front panel for accessories (as the controllers were hard-wired to the back of the console) and a red and white color scheme; the NES features a front-loading cartridge slot, an expansion port was found on the bottom of the unit and a more subdued gray, black and red color scheme. 
24837 
24838 
24839 
24840  * Cart design: Differences between NES carts and Famicom carts are not only aesthetic! The original Famicom and the re-released AV Family Computer both use a 60-pin cartridge design, which resulted in smaller cartridges than the NES (and the NES 2), which utilized a 72-pin design. Four pins were used for the NES lockout chip, 10NES. Ten pins were added that connected a cartridge directly to the expansion port on the bottom of the unit. Finally, two pins that allowed cartridges to provide their own sound expansion chips were removed. Many early games (such as Stack-Up) released in North America were simply Famicom cartridges attached to an adapter (such as the T89 Cartridge Converter) to allow them to fit inside the NES hardware. Nintendo did this to reduce costs and inventory by using the same cartridge boards in America and Japan.
24841 
24842 
24843 
24844  * Lockout Chip: The patented 10NES was a chip Nintendo added to NES in order to avoid unlicensed software to boot the system: at start, the NES unit checks for the presence of the chip in the cart and simply stops if the chip cannot be found. At least three versions were created, one put in US carts, one in UK carts and the last one in other European carts. These chips also prevented North American carts from playing on PAL consoles and viceversa.
24845 
24846 
24847 
24848== Accessories ==
24849 
24850 
24851 
24852  * Zapper: this is a Lightgun device produced by Nintendo. Few games used it: among these "Duck Hunt", "Hogan's Alley", "Wild Gunman", "Gumshoe" and "Bayou Billy".
24853 
24854 
24855 
24856  * R.O.B.: R.O.B. stands for Robotic Operating Buddy. Nintendo produced this Robot shaped device to provide an interactive medium between the TV screen and player. In the two games which supported it (i.e. "Gyromite" and "Stack Up"), R.O.B.'s actions affect gameplay on the screen and the player have to react to what happens in the game: in "Gyromite" R.O.B. pushes and hold buttons on the second controller; in "Stack Up", the player has to press a button when R.O.B. finishes a task.
24857 
24858 
24859 
24860  * NES Advantage: This arcade style controller produced by Nintendo features a joystick in place of the D-Pad, a variable-speed turbo for A and B buttons, a slow-down effect (consisting in repeated pressures of the Start button) and the possibility to plug it in both joypad ports (so that it can be used in games with alternating 2 players mode).
24861 
24862 
24863 
24864  * NES Max: This controller produced by Nintendo replaces the D-Pad with a button-shaped cycloid. It also featured two turbo buttons for A and B. Its shape anticipates the "winged" shape of Sony Playstation controllers.
24865 
24866 
24867 
24868  * NES Four Score / Satellite: Accessories which will allow 4 player to play the same game. The Satellite is wireless, allowing even more distance between the players and the unit.
24869 
24870 
24871 
24872  * Power Glove: In 1989 Mattel introduced the PowerGlove, a handtracking device based on a glove. The PowerGlove was intended to work in place of a regular controller. The PowerGlove can track motion of the glove in three-space, finger position, and has a set of buttons/switches on the top of the wrist. It has two modes "hires" and "lores": in "hires" mode, it tracks 3d position, the rolling and the position of fingers along with the state of SELECT, START, A, B, D-PAD switches (which are a part of the NES standard controller); in "lores" mode, the glove reports only the position of the hand on the x and y axis and the buttons (thus emulating a NES controller completely and allowing one to use the glove with non-glove-specific games). In "lores" mode, it is also possible to map up to 14 combinations of the buttons to movements of the glove. The only games which explicitly supported the Power Glove were "Super Glove Ball" and "Bad Street Brawler", other being announced but never released
24873 
24874 
24875 
24876  * Arkanoid Controller: specific controller with a knob in place of the D-Pad to control the paddle in the game "Arkanoid".
24877 
24878 
24879 
24880  * LaserScope: Produced by Konami, it is a head-mounted lightgun with a microphone and a crosshair that covered one eye. It was manufactured specifically for one Konami game, "Laser Invasion". Wearing the device on the head, the players had to shout "fire!" into the microphone to fire a shot at the on-screen object via the headset's crosshair. However, microphone technology was poor: saying almost anything else would cause the controller to react. 
24881 
24882 
24883 
24884  * Power Pad / Family Fun Fitness: Released by Bandai, this is a floor mat controller consisting of eight/twelve (depending on the side) pressure-sensors embedded between two layers of flexible plastic. It was used by "Athletic World" and "World Class Track Meet".
24885 
24886 
24887 
24888  * U-Force: This device, produced by Broderbund, uses infrared sensors and switches to recognize movements across the sensor and use them as input for the NES.
24889 
24890 
24891 
24892  * Miracle Piano: Created by The Software Toolworks, it is MIDI keyboard/teaching tool. It consisted of a keyboard, connecting cables and a cartridge. When connected to the console, the user followed the on-screen notes.
24893 
24894 
24895 
24896  * Aladdin Deck Enhancer: Produced by Camerica, the Aladdin system is kinda like a cartridge split up in two in two parts: the common chips have been put into the Deck Enhancer, while the game specific chip is contained in its own cart. This way, you can buy a single Deck Enhancer and several Compact Cartridge (cheaper than original cartridges because part of the circuitry was not needed). Only few games saw the release for the Aladdin Deck Enhancer, and most of them (except the bundled game "Dizzy the Adventurer") were also released on common carts.
24897 
24898 
24899 
24900  * Game Genie: Video game enhancer from Galoob (Codemasters), it was first introduced in 1991. It allows to change and customize gameplay and to create special effects on many popular video games. For example, you can have more lives or weapons, start on any level of the game, jump higher, be invincible, and more. The changes you make with Game Genie are not permanent, and disappear when the power to the game deck is turned off.
24901 
24902 
24903 
24904//(info from Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
24905 
24906 
24907 
24908 
24909 
24910===== Links =====
24911 
24912 
24913 
24914  * NESDev -- http://nesdev.parodius.com/
24915 
24916  * NESdevWiki -- http://nesdevwiki.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
24917 
24918  * NES World -- http://nesworld.parodius.com/
24919 
24920  * [[wp>Nintendo_Entertainment_System]]
24921 
24922 
24923 
24924===== Other Emulators =====
24925 
24926 
24927 
24928  * Nestopia -- http://nestopia.sourceforge.net/
24929 
24930  * Nintendulator -- http://qmt.ath.cx/~nes/nintendulator/
24931 
24932  * SegaLi -- http://home.planet.nl/~haps/
24933 
24934  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
24935 
24936  * olafnes -- http://olafnes.1emulation.com/
24937 
24938  * FCE Ultra -- http://fceultra.sourceforge.net/
24939 
24940  * FakeNES -- http://fakenes.sourceforge.net/
24941 
24942  * RockNES -- http://rocknes.kinox.org/
24943 
24944 
24945 
24946 
24947 
24948$end
24949 
24950 
24951 
24952#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24953 
24954 
24955$info=odyssey2
24956$bio
24957====== Magnavox Odyssey2 (1978), Philips Videopac G7000 / C52 (1979) ======
24958 
24959 
24960 
24961 
24962 
24963===== Features =====
24964 
24965 
24966 
24967  * CPU: Intel 8048 8-bit microcontroller running at 1.79 MHz
24968 
24969  * RAM: 64 bytes
24970 
24971  * Audio/video RAM: 128 bytes
24972 
24973  * ROM: 1024 bytes
24974 
24975  * Video: Intel 8244 custom IC, 160x200 resolution (NTSC), 16-color palette but sprites may only use 8 of these colors
24976 
24977  * Audio: Intel 8244 custom IC, mono, 24-bit shift register, clockable at 2 frequencies, noise generator [NOTE: There is only one 8244 chip in the system, which performs both audio and video functions]
24978 
24979  * Input: Two 8-way, one-button, digital joysticks. In the first production runs of the Magnavox Odyssey<sup>2</sup> and the Philips G7000, these were permanently attached to the console; in later models, they were removable and replaceable. Plus QWERTY-layout membrane keyboard
24980 
24981  * Output: RF Audio/Video connector, Peritel/SCART connector (France only)
24982 
24983  * Media: ROM cartridges, typically 2 KiB, 4 KiB, or 8 KiB in size.
24984 
24985  * Expansion modules: The Voice - provides speech synthesis & enhanced sound effects, Chess Module - The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> didn't have enough memory and computing power for a decent implementation of chess on its own, so the C7010 chess module contained a secondary CPU with its own extra memory to run the chess program.
24986 
24987 
24988 
24989 
24990 
24991===== Usage =====
24992 
24993 
24994 
24995Currently, MESS supports the following systems:
24996 
24997 
24998 
24999  * odyssey2 [Magnavox Odyssey<sup>2</sup>]
25000 
25001  * videopac [Philips Videopac G7000 / C52]
25002 
25003 
25004 
25005Both of them require a "cartridge" (cart) to work, either in .bin or .rom format. To launch the emulation simply type
25006 
25007   
25008 
25009  mess.exe videopac -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.rom"
25010 
25011 
25012 
25013 
25014 
25015===== Known Issues =====
25016 
25017 
25018 
25019The sound emulation of this system is Imperfect.
25020 
25021 
25022 
25023 
25024 
25025===== History and Trivia =====
25026 
25027 
25028 
25029Driver based on info by Dan Boris.
25030 
25031 
25032 
25033Magnavox (which merged with Philips in 1974) released the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> in 1978 to compete with brand new cartridge based video game systems like the Atari VCS, RCA Studio II or Fairchild Electronics Channel-F. 
25034 
25035 
25036 
25037Initially, Magnavox had developped a prototype system called "Odyssey 2", to replace the Odyssey, the first home videogame system to market, which had already been followed by a number of later models (each with a few technological improvements). It did not have the ability to use cartridges but had 24 games built-in and could be played by up to 4 players simultaneously. But this console never made it to the shelves, and the Odyssey<sup>2</sup>, a complete different system in fact, was marketed instead. 
25038 
25039 
25040 
25041The system is powered by an Intel 8048 microcontroller and a Video Display Controller (VDC) generating all audio and video. This VDC, which is a custom Intel IC, can generate 4 different types of graphic objects: a background grid, single characters, quad characters (made of 4 single characters) and sprites. A maximum of 4 independent sprites can be displayed. There are monochrome and of 8 x 8 pixels in size. Of course the VDC can detect sprite collisions. 
25042 
25043 
25044 
25045The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> has 64 pre-defined characters (letters and graphic symbols) in memory. Up to 12 foreground characters can be displayed from this internal character set. Many games (especially eraly ones) used a lot those pre-defined characters: man walking, right arrow, slopes, tree, ships, plane and a ball. 
25046 
25047 
25048 
25049Moreover, unlike any other system at that time, the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> included a full alphanumeric membrane keyboard, which was to be used for educational games, selecting options, or programming (Magnavox also released a game cartridge called "Computer Intro!" with the intent of teaching simple computer programming).
25050 
25051 
25052 
25053For joysticks, Odyssey<sup>2</sup> used the standard design of the 1970s and 80s: the original console had a moderately-sized silver controller, held in one hand, with a square housing for its eight-direction stick that was manipulated with the other hand. Later releases had a similar black controller, with an 8-pointed star-shaped housing for its eight-direction joystick. In the upper corner of the joystick was a single 'Action' button, silver on the original controllers and red on the black controllers.
25054 
25055 
25056 
25057Another strong point of the system was its excellent speech synthesis unit, which was released as an add-on for speech, music, and sound effects enhancement. Finally, the area that the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> may be best remembered for was its pioneering fusion of board and video games: The Master Strategy Series. The first game released was the instant classic "Quest for the Rings!", with gameplay somewhat similar to Dungeons & Dragons, and a storyline reminiscent of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
25058 
25059 
25060 
25061Though not as popular as the Atari VCS, or later Intellivision, the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> did well in the US and even better in Europe where it was marketed by Philips as the Videopac G7000 and Philips C52 in France. A further evolution of the hardware was released in Europe as Philips G7400, Videopac+ and Jopac. The US version, codenamed Odyssey<sup>3</sup>, reached only the prototype stage.
25062 
25063 
25064 
25065== Market life ==
25066 
25067 
25068 
25069  * United States: The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> sold moderately well in the US, with over a million of units sold by 1983. Not many new games were released, due to the lack of support by third-party developers, but the success of the Philips Videopac G7000 overseas convinced other companies to produce games for it: Parker Brothers and Imagic.
25070 
25071 
25072 
25073  * Europe: In Europe, the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> sold very well. In Europe, the console was most widely known as the Philips Videopac G7000 (Videopac C52 in France), or just the Videopac, although branded variants were released under the names "Radiola Jet 25", "Schneider 7000", and "Siera G7000". A rare model, the "Philips Videopac G7200", was only released in Europe: it had a built-in black-and-white monitor. Videopac game cartridges are mostly compatible with American Odyssey<sup>2</sup> units, although some games have color differences and a few are completely incompatible. A number of additional games were released in Europe that never came out in the US.
25074 
25075 
25076 
25077  * Brazil: In Brazil, the console was released as the "Philips Odyssey". The original Magnavox Odyssey was released in Brazil by a company named "Planil Comercio", not affiliated to Philips or Magnavox, but hadn't success. Therefore, the Brazilian branch of Philips released Odyssey<sup>2</sup> without its number. Odyssey became much more popular in Brazil than it ever was in the US; tournaments were even held for popular games like K.C.'s Krazy Chase! (Come-Come in Brazil).
25078 
25079 
25080 
25081  * Japan: The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> was released in Japan in December 1982 by Koton Trading Toitarii Enterprise (a division of DINGU company). "Japanese" versions of the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> and its games consisted of the American boxes with katakana stickers on them and cheaply printed black-and-white Japanese manuals. It was apparently not very successful: Japanese Odyssey<sup>2</sup> items are now very difficult to find.
25082 
25083 
25084 
25085//(info from old-computers.com and Wikipedia)//
25086 
25087 
25088 
25089 
25090 
25091===== Links =====
25092 
25093 
25094 
25095  * videopac.org -- http://www.videopac.org/
25096 
25097  * Odyssey2 Home Page -- http://www.classicgaming.com/o2home/index.asp
25098 
25099  * Dan Boris' Odyssey2 Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/o2.shtml
25100 
25101  * Odyssey2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=695
25102 
25103  * G7000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1080
25104 
25105  * C52 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1060
25106 
25107  * [[wp>Odyssey_2]]
25108 
25109 
25110 
25111 
25112 
25113===== Other Emulators =====
25114 
25115 
25116 
25117  * o2em for DOS -- http://o2em.sourceforge.net/
25118 
25119 
25120 
25121 
25122 
25123$end
25124 
25125 
25126 
25127#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25128 
25129 
25130$info=orao
25131$bio
25132====== PEL Varazdin Orao 102 (1984) and 103 (1985) ======
25133 
25134 
25135 
25136 
25137 
25138===== Features =====
25139 
25140 
25141 
25142  * CPU: 6502
25143 
25144  * RAM: 16 KB and 32 KB models (expandable to 64 KB)
25145 
25146  * ROM: 16 KB (monitor + BASIC)
25147 
25148  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 32 lines
25149 
25150  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 256 pixels
25151 
25152  * I/O Ports: Tape interface, TV output, Composite video output, User port, RS 232 connector
25153 
25154  * Built In Language: Basic (Pascal language supplied on tape)
25155 
25156  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard (61 keys), 4 function keys, 4 arrow keys
25157 
25158  * OS: DOS 0.1
25159 
25160 
25161 
25162 
25163 
25164===== History and Trivia =====
25165 
25166 
25167 
25168Orao was an 8-bit computer designed by Miroslav Kocijan to supersede Galeb (code named YU101), and developed by PEL Varaždin in 1984.  Orao became the computer of choice for educational use in the Croatian elementary schools, from 1985 to 1991. 
25169 
25170 
25171 
25172When turned on, it would start the monitor and you have to type a command to start the BASIC. There is no text mode. Characters are drawn in graphic mode in an 8x8 grid, allowing the system to display 32 characters x 32 lines. 
25173 
25174 
25175 
25176//(info from old-computers.com)//
25177 
25178 
25179 
25180 
25181 
25182===== Links =====
25183 
25184 
25185 
25186  * Orao at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=981
25187 
25188 
25189 
25190 
25191 
25192===== Other Emu =====
25193 
25194 
25195 
25196  * Orao Emu -- http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/
25197 
25198 
25199 
25200 
25201 
25202$end
25203 
25204 
25205 
25206#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25207 
25208 
25209$info=oric1
25210$bio
25211====== Oric 1 ======
25212 
25213 
25214 
25215 
25216 
25217===== Features =====
25218 
25219 
25220 
25221  * CPU: 6502A 1 MHz
25222 
25223  * Co-Processor: Custom gate array chip
25224 
25225  * RAM: 16 KB or 48 KB
25226 
25227  * ROM: 16 KB
25228 
25229  * Text Modes: 40 x 28
25230 
25231  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200 (high resolution)
25232 
25233  * Colors: 8
25234 
25235  * Sound: Programmable Sound Generator AY-3-8912 (from General Instruments), 3 voices, 8 octaves + white noise
25236 
25237  * I/O Ports: Bus, Printer, Tape, RGB
25238 
25239  * Keyboard: Chicklet keyboard, 57 keys. ESC, DEL ,CTRL, 2 x SHIFT, RETURN, 4 x arrow keys and one large spacebar
25240 
25241  * Peripherals: 4-pen plotter printer, 3" floppy disk drive unit
25242 
25243  * Built In Language: Oric Extended Basic v1.0
25244 
25245 
25246 
25247 
25248 
25249===== Usage =====
25250 
25251 
25252 
25253Use ''CLOAD""'' to load cassette images.
25254 
25255 
25256 
25257 
25258 
25259===== History and Trivia =====
25260 
25261 
25262 
25263This British computer was one of the most popular computers in Europe in the beginning of the 80's. It was a small computer, which was a competitor of the Sinclair Spectrum.
25264 
25265 
25266 
25267The two models (16 and 48) had the same technical characteristics. A small plotter was available for this computer.
25268 
25269 
25270 
25271Notice that the sound chip was the same one used in the Amstrad CPC, MSX computers and Atari ST!
25272 
25273 
25274 
25275Its ROM was very buggy, & was later replaced with the Oric Atmos.
25276 
25277 
25278 
25279//(info from old-computers.com)//
25280 
25281 
25282 
25283 
25284 
25285===== Links =====
25286 
25287 
25288 
25289  * Defence Force Oric -- http://www.defence-force.org/computing/oric/index.htm
25290 
25291  * Oric International -- http://www.oric.org/
25292 
25293  * Oric World -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/index_english.html
25294 
25295  * Pascal's Oric Page -- http://pleclerc.free.fr/Oric/OricPage.html
25296 
25297  * RhetOric -- http://www.rhetoric.8k.com/
25298 
25299  * Swedish Oric Page -- http://oric.skarstad.net/
25300 
25301  * The Reclutant Dragon -- http://freespace.virgin.net/james.groom/index.htm
25302 
25303  * The Spider's Oric Web -- http://oricspider.home.insightbb.com/
25304 
25305  * Twilighte -- http://twilighte.oric.org/
25306 
25307  * Oric 1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=180
25308 
25309 
25310 
25311 
25312 
25313===== Other Emulators =====
25314 
25315 
25316 
25317  * Euphoric -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/emulator.html
25318 
25319 
25320 
25321 
25322 
25323$end
25324 
25325 
25326 
25327#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25328 
25329 
25330$info=orica
25331$bio
25332====== Oric Atmos (1984) ======
25333 
25334 
25335 
25336 
25337 
25338===== Features =====
25339 
25340 
25341 
25342  * CPU: 6502A 1 MHz
25343 
25344  * RAM: 16 KB or 48 KB
25345 
25346  * ROM: 16 KB
25347 
25348  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 28 lines
25349 
25350  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200 (+ 3 text lines)
25351 
25352  * Colors: 8
25353 
25354  * Sound: Programmable Sound Generator AY-3-8912 (from General Instruments), 3 voices, 8 octaves + white noise
25355 
25356  * I/O Ports: Power supply, Expansion port, Printer/Centronics port, Tape-recorder DIN plug, RGB video out, RF TV out
25357 
25358  * Keyboard: QWERTY, mechanical keyboard, 58 keys. 4 arrow keys. ESC, CTRL, DEL, RETURN, SHIFT (x 2), FUNCT.
25359 
25360  * Peripherals: 3" floppy disc unit, 4 colour printer-plotter
25361 
25362  * Built In Language: Tangerine Basic (made by Microsoft)
25363 
25364 
25365 
25366 
25367 
25368===== Usage =====
25369 
25370 
25371 
25372The emulation supports Microdisc and Jasmin floppy disc controller emulation, this can be chosen using a Dipswitch. 
25373 
25374 
25375 
25376 
25377 
25378===== Known issues =====
25379 
25380 
25381 
25382  * The disc controller emulation is not exact and some programs may fail to load.
25383 
25384 
25385 
25386  * The cassette emulation is not exact and some programs may fail to load
25387 
25388 
25389 
25390  * Screen display should be accurate, but there might be some small bugs.
25391 
25392 
25393 
25394  * Tape programs are found but not loaded.
25395 
25396 
25397 
25398  * There are bugs in the Microdisc and Jasmin floppy disc controller emulation so some programs will not boot.
25399 
25400 
25401 
25402 
25403 
25404===== History and Trivia =====
25405 
25406 
25407 
25408The Oric Atmos was the successor of the Oric 1 and had almost the same features. Its main difference with the Oric 1 was the keyboard and the debugged ROM (the ORIC 1 had several bugs). Although improved, the loading process from tape was still very uncertain. The real mechanical keyboard was really better.
25409 
25410 
25411 
25412Two versions were available, with 16 or 48 KB of RAM. 16 KB version couldn't be upgraded, very few of them were sold.
25413 
25414 
25415 
25416There were also new Basic instructions and above all the Scart power supply was integrated on French models from 85! Fantastic, when you know that the Oric had the world record of cables and power supplies you had to use (1 for the computer, 1 for the tape recorder, 1 for the peritel supply and 1 more plug for the TV!).
25417 
25418 
25419 
25420The Atmos had really large success in France like its little brother the Oric-1. A lot of videogame companies got off the ground thanks to this machine, and quite a lot of people have a tender thought when then remember their Atmos.
25421 
25422 
25423 
25424In 1985, Eureka Informatique, a french company, bought back Oric. The Atmos then lived a bit longer thanks to some improvements (peritel power supply and better tape reliability) and cheap prices policy.
25425 
25426 
25427 
25428The Atmos was somehow legally licensed  in Yugoslavia as the Nova 64. The Pravetz 8D was a bulgarian clone of the Atmos. 
25429 
25430 
25431 
25432//(info from old-computers.com)//
25433 
25434 
25435 
25436 
25437 
25438===== Links =====
25439 
25440 
25441 
25442  * Defence Force Oric -- http://www.defence-force.org/computing/oric/index.htm
25443 
25444  * Oric International -- http://www.oric.org/
25445 
25446  * Oric World -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/index_english.html
25447 
25448  * Pascal's Oric Page -- http://pleclerc.free.fr/Oric/OricPage.html
25449 
25450  * RhetOric -- http://www.rhetoric.8k.com/
25451 
25452  * Swedish Oric Page -- http://oric.skarstad.net/
25453 
25454  * The Reclutant Dragon -- http://freespace.virgin.net/james.groom/index.htm
25455 
25456  * The Spider's Oric Web -- http://oricspider.home.insightbb.com/
25457 
25458  * Twilighte -- http://twilighte.oric.org/
25459 
25460  * Oric Atmos at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=79
25461 
25462 
25463 
25464 
25465 
25466===== Other Emulators =====
25467 
25468 
25469 
25470  * Euphoric -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/emulator.html
25471 
25472 
25473 
25474 
25475 
25476$end
25477 
25478 
25479 
25480#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25481 
25482 
25483$info=orion128
25484$bio
25485====== Orion 128 (1990) ======
25486 
25487 
25488 
25489 
25490 
25491===== Features =====
25492 
25493 
25494 
25495  * CPU: KR580VM80A (i8080A clone)
25496 
25497  * RAM: 128kB (expandable to 256kB)
25498 
25499  * ROM: 2kB     
25500 
25501  * Colors: up to 16 
25502 
25503  * Video: 384 x 256
25504 
25505  * Keyboard: 67 keys russian keyboard
25506 
25507 
25508 
25509 
25510 
25511===== History and Trivia =====
25512 
25513 
25514 
25515Orion schematics were published in 1990 in a magazine for HAM radio enthusiasts called "Radio". It is not clear if the machine was ever sold in assembled form as a mass-market product, or even only as a kit.
25516 
25517 
25518 
25519From the technical point of view the Orion-128 was superior to machines like the Radio-RK86 and its many compatible versions but it was never as popular as these.
25520 
25521 
25522 
25523The Orion has a TV-output and uses a tape recorder as mass-storage device. In 1992 a disk-drive extension was released and a CP/M 80 version was developed, allowing a wider range of software to be used. 
25524 
25525 
25526 
25527//(info from homecomputer.de)//
25528 
25529 
25530 
25531 
25532 
25533===== Links =====
25534 
25535 
25536 
25537  * Orion-128 page -- http://orion128.nikom.biz/ (russian)
25538 
25539  * Orion-128 at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html
25540 
25541 
25542 
25543 
25544 
25545===== Other Emu =====
25546 
25547 
25548 
25549  * OrionEmu -- http://www.nedopc.org/nedopc/orion/emul.shtml
25550 
25551  * Orion-128 Emu -- http://gri.irk.ru/orion/
25552 
25553  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
25554 
25555  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
25556 
25557  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
25558 
25559 
25560 
25561 
25562 
25563$end
25564 
25565 
25566 
25567#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25568 
25569 
25570$info=orionpro
25571$bio
25572====== Orion Pro (1994) ======
25573 
25574 
25575 
25576 
25577 
25578===== Features =====
25579 
25580 
25581 
25582  * CPU: Z80 5MHz
25583 
25584  * RAM: 512kB
25585 
25586  * ROM: 64kB
25587 
25588  * Colors: up to 16 
25589 
25590  * Video Modes: 11 different screen modes (text and graphics), from 384 x 256 to 512 x 256
25591 
25592  * Keyboard: 67 keys russian keyboard
25593 
25594 
25595 
25596 
25597 
25598===== History and Trivia =====
25599 
25600 
25601 
25602The Orion-Pro was the successor of the Orion-128. It was based on Z80 CPU running at 5,8 or 10Mhz (controlled by a DIP on board). It also had a 800k FDD controller, Centronics and RS-232 port. 
25603 
25604 
25605 
25606Orion-PRO uses CP/M as default disk operating system and there also were external boards (can be installed into three slots on main board) with 1.44Mb FDD controller, additional 1.5Mb of RAM, ROM-disk, EEPROM programmer, Sound board. 
25607 
25608 
25609 
25610Only ~2000 computer were released because it came in beginning of 1994 when cheap game consoles flooded shops. 
25611 
25612 
25613 
25614//(info from homecomputer.de)//
25615 
25616 
25617 
25618 
25619 
25620===== Links =====
25621 
25622 
25623 
25624  * Orion Pro at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html
25625 
25626 
25627 
25628 
25629 
25630===== Other Emu =====
25631 
25632 
25633 
25634  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
25635 
25636  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
25637 
25638 
25639 
25640 
25641 
25642$end
25643 
25644 
25645 
25646#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25647 
25648 
25649$info=osborne1
25650$bio
25651====== Osborne Computer Corp. Osborne 1 (1981) ======
25652 
25653 
25654 
25655===== Features =====
25656 
25657 
25658 
25659  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
25660 
25661  * RAM: 64 KB
25662 
25663  * ROM: 4 KB
25664 
25665  * Text Modes: 52 / 80 / 104 char. x 24 lines
25666 
25667  * Graphic Modes: Only graphic characters
25668 
25669  * Colors: Monochrome
25670 
25671  * Sound: Beeper
25672 
25673  * I/O Ports: RS232, IEEE 488, Modem port, Composite Video
25674 
25675  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
25676 
25677  * Built In Media: 2 x 5.25" FDD
25678 
25679  * OS: CP/M
25680 
25681  * Built In Language: None, but it was supplied with : CBasic, WordStar, SuperCalc, MailMerge, DBase II.
25682 
25683 
25684 
25685 
25686 
25687===== History and Trivia =====
25688 
25689 
25690 
25691The Osborne 1 is one of the first portable computers but needs external power source. Its name comes from Adam Osborne, the man who made this computer a reality (not quite true, see end of the text). 
25692 
25693 
25694 
25695It has a very small built-in screen (8.75 x 6.6 cm, which can display 128 columns!!) and weighs more than 10 Kg.
25696 
25697The first models couldn't display more than 52 columns by line, so to access to the 76 other columns, the user had to scroll among the screen thanks to the cursor keys.
25698 
25699 
25700 
25701It works under CP/M and was sold with Digital Research CBASIC (compiled BASIC), SuperCalc (spreadsheet), WordStar (word processor), MailMerge (mailing) and Microsoft's MBasic (MBasic source code was 100% upwards compatible with IBM PC's BASICA, source code only). 
25702 
25703 
25704 
25705This machine would be succeeded in 1983 by the Osborne Executive, which featured a larger screen and lower-profile disk drives. 
25706 
25707 
25708 
25709Despite its interesting characteristics, Osborne Computer Corporation suffered the competition of the first IBM PC compatibles and went bankrupt in 1983. One casualty was a planned portable computer called the Osborne PC (which, interestingly, was an MS-DOS clone). It was never released (even though prototypes exist).
25710 
25711 
25712 
25713//(info from old-computer.com)//
25714 
25715 
25716 
25717 
25718 
25719===== Links =====
25720 
25721 
25722 
25723  * Dave Mathews's Osborne O1 page -- http://www.davemathews.com/osborne.html
25724 
25725  * Osborne 1 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=181
25726 
25727 
25728 
25729 
25730 
25731$end
25732 
25733 
25734 
25735#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25736 
25737 
25738$info=p2000t
25739$bio
25740====== Philips P2000T & P2000M (1980) ======
25741 
25742 
25743 
25744 
25745 
25746===== Features =====
25747 
25748 
25749 
25750  * CPU: Z80 2.5 MHz
25751 
25752  * Co-Processor: None
25753 
25754  * RAM: 16 KB to 48 KB
25755 
25756  * VRAM: 1 [T] or 2 [M] KB
25757 
25758  * ROM: 4 KB + 16 KB in ROM cartridges
25759 
25760  * Text Modes: 40 [T] or 80 [M] columns x 24 lines
25761 
25762  * Graphic Modes: None
25763 
25764  * Colors: 7
25765 
25766  * Sound: Built-in beeper - 1 channel
25767 
25768  * I/O Ports: TV aerial, RGB, Serial [T], Monochrome composite video, Serial, FDD interface [M]
25769 
25770  * Keyboard: Typewriter type - 74 keys with numeric keypad
25771 
25772  * Built In Media: Mini cassette drive (42 KB)
25773 
25774  * OS: Philips JWSDOS, CP/M with extra card
25775 
25776  * Peripherals: Various interfaces through the Bus slot
25777 
25778 
25779 
25780 
25781 
25782===== History and Trivia =====
25783 
25784 
25785 
25786The P2000 desktop series was the first Philips attempt to penetrate the home computer market. It was released in March 1980 in two version, the P2000M and the P2000T.
25787 
25788 
25789 
25790The main difference lied in the video interface. The T version, aimed at home and educational use, could be connected to either a standard TV set or a special RGB monitor. The M version, more professional, had an additional 80-column card allowing to connect a monochrome composite monitor. This version shipped with a monitor cabinet also housing a dual 5.25" floppy drive.
25791 
25792 
25793 
25794The P2000 was a robust and well conceived machine. There was no built-in language but only a 4 KB ROM holding system basic and I/O routines. Two cartridges slots allowed to add ROM programs (slot 1) or interface cards (slot 2) like a modem or a parallel printer interface.
25795 
25796 
25797 
25798Programs and data could be stored through the built-in mini cassette drive which was seen by the user as a floppy drive with automatic search for a program (CLOAD command) or free space (CSAVE). A command also allowed to display the directory of a cassette tape.
25799 
25800 
25801 
25802The P2000 didn't meet a great success in Europe, except in the Netherlands, its country of origin (although the machine was made in Austria) where the very active Philips user group provided lots of original software and hardware extensions like CP/M or disk drive controller cards. The P2000 was also widely used in Dutch and German schools.
25803 
25804 
25805 
25806//(info from old-computers.com)//
25807 
25808 
25809 
25810 
25811 
25812===== Links =====
25813 
25814 
25815 
25816  * P2000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1042
25817 
25818 
25819 
25820 
25821 
25822$end
25823 
25824 
25825 
25826#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25827 
25828 
25829$info=pasogo
25830$bio
25831====== Koei PasoGo (1996) ======
25832 
25833 
25834 
25835 
25836 
25837===== History & Trivia =====
25838 
25839 
25840 
25841PasoGo is a contraction of Pasocon (personal computer) and Go. This is a portable device to play Go wherever you are.
25842 
25843 
25844 
25845It is built around a single chip (a PC-on-a-chip Vadem VG-230), has a large 2-colour low-contrast LCD screen, a directional pad and two buttons. The system was released in 1996, quite surprising since at the same time Nintendo was working on the Atlantis, which would have been released later as the Game Boy Advance. 
25846 
25847 
25848 
25849Around 10 games were released, all variations on the classic Go game.
25850 
25851 
25852 
25853 
25854 
25855===== Links =====
25856 
25857 
25858 
25859  * PasoGo at NFG games -- http://nfggames.com/games/pasogo/
25860 
25861  * PasoGo at UCD -- http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/portables/pasago_go.htm
25862 
25863 
25864 
25865 
25866 
25867$end
25868 
25869 
25870 
25871#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25872 
25873 
25874$info=pc1251
25875$bio
25876====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1251 (1982) ======
25877 
25878 
25879 
25880 
25881 
25882===== Features =====
25883 
25884 
25885 
25886  * CPU: CMOS SC61860 (8 bits) 576 kHz
25887 
25888  * RAM: 4 KB
25889 
25890  * ROM: 24 KB
25891 
25892  * Text Modes: 1 line x 24 char. 5 x 7 dot matrix
25893 
25894  * Graphic Modes: None
25895 
25896  * Colors: Monochrome LCD
25897 
25898  * Sound: CPU controlled piezo buzzer, fixed frequency and duration via BASIC statement
25899 
25900  * I/O Ports: Proprietary 11-pin expansion bus
25901 
25902  * Keyboard: 52 keys, QWERTY calculator type with numeric key-pad
25903 
25904  * Built In Language: BASIC interpreter
25905 
25906  * Peripherals: CE-126P thermal printer, CE-124 Tape recorder interface, CE-125 Thermal printer and micro cassette recorder
25907 
25908 
25909 
25910 
25911 
25912===== Known Issues =====
25913 
25914 
25915 
25916The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
25917 
25918 
25919 
25920MESS also supports the emulation of the Tandy TRS80 PC-3 as a TESTDRIVER, i.e. not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org
25921 
25922 
25923 
25924 
25925 
25926===== History and Trivia =====
25927 
25928 
25929 
25930Small pocket computer. Also marketed as Tandy TRS80 PC-3.
25931 
25932 
25933 
25934With the PC-1251, Sharp started off their product range of really tiny pocket computers. It was the third original design after the PC-121x and PC-1500 series.
25935 
25936 
25937 
25938Contrary to its predecessors, it was really pocket sized, measuring only 135 x 70 x 9.5 mm. Nevertheless, it featured a 24 character display, and with 4 KB RAM it even outclassed the PC-1500 basic version. The major drawback of the new design was that the tiny keys are only compatible with pointed fingers.
25939 
25940 
25941 
25942The PC-1251 was based on a new 8-bit CMOS micro processor, the SC61860, which was mounted on the main PCB together with the display driver chip SC43536. On an additional small PCB, 24 KB ROM (LH532917) and 4 KB RAM (two HM6116 2k x 8 chips) were located. A new feature was the so-called "reserve memory" which allowed to assign often used BASIC commands or functions to 18 of the alphanumeric keys.
25943 
25944 
25945 
25946Together with the PC-1251, the CE-125 thermal printer and micro cassette recorder unit was introduced. With integrated NiCd accumulators, it was fully mains independent and made the 1251 into a very compact mobile computing system. The CE-125 also featured an additional tape interface for external tape recorders.
25947 
25948 
25949 
25950The PC-1250 was the same machine as the PC-1251 but with only 2 KB of RAM.
25951 
25952 
25953 
25954//(info from old-computers.com)//
25955 
25956 
25957 
25958 
25959 
25960===== Links =====
25961 
25962 
25963 
25964  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
25965 
25966  * Pocket Computer 1251 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1091
25967 
25968 
25969 
25970 
25971 
25972===== Other Emulators =====
25973 
25974 
25975 
25976  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
25977 
25978  * POEMS -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/poems/
25979 
25980 
25981 
25982 
25983 
25984$end
25985 
25986 
25987 
25988#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25989 
25990 
25991$info=pc1350
25992$bio
25993====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1350 ======
25994 
25995 
25996 
25997 
25998 
25999===== Features =====
26000 
26001 
26002 
26003  * 150 x 32 pixel LCD display
26004 
26005  * integrated speaker
26006 
26007  * connector for printer and tape drive
26008 
26009 
26010 
26011Features of this model included a BASIC interpreter, an 8-bit sharp CPU, 8+32K ROM, 4K RAM which was expandable with a RAM cartridge to 12 or 20K.
26012 
26013 
26014 
26015 
26016 
26017===== Known Issues =====
26018 
26019 
26020 
26021The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
26022 
26023 
26024 
26025 
26026 
26027===== History and Trivia =====
26028 
26029 
26030 
26031Small Pocket Computer
26032 
26033 
26034 
26035 
26036 
26037===== Links =====
26038 
26039 
26040 
26041  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
26042 
26043 
26044 
26045 
26046 
26047===== Other Emulators =====
26048 
26049 
26050 
26051  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
26052 
26053  * POEMS -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/poems/
26054 
26055 
26056 
26057 
26058 
26059$end
26060 
26061 
26062 
26063#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26064 
26065 
26066$info=pc1401
26067$bio
26068====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1401 / 1402 (1983) ======
26069 
26070 
26071 
26072 
26073 
26074===== Features =====
26075 
26076 
26077 
26078  * CPU: SC 61860 (8 bits) 576 kHz
26079 
26080  * RAM: 4.2 KB [PC-1401]; 10.2 KB [PC-1402]
26081 
26082  * ROM: 40 KB
26083 
26084  * Text Modes: 1 line x 16 chars. (LCD screen), 5 x 7 dot matrix
26085 
26086  * Graphic Modes: None
26087 
26088  * Colors: Monochrome LCD
26089 
26090  * Sound: CPU controlled piezo buzzer, fixed frequency and duration via BASIC statement
26091 
26092  * I/O Ports: Proprietary 11-pin expansion bus
26093 
26094  * Keyboard: 76 keys, QWERTY calculator type with numeric key-pad and math function keys
26095 
26096  * Built In Language: Sharp BASIC interpreter
26097 
26098  * Peripherals: CE-126P thermal printer and tape interface
26099 
26100 
26101 
26102 
26103 
26104===== Usage =====
26105 
26106 
26107 
26108Holding C-CE while resetting, preserves basic programs. (Simulated when starting mess)
26109 
26110 
26111 
26112Holding CE while hitting reset prevents the basic area from being overwritten
26113 
26114 
26115 
26116(which of these is correct?)
26117 
26118 
26119 
26120Error Codes (found at the inner side of the top): (should be the same for several models)
26121 
26122   
26123 
26124  1 Syntax error
26125 
26126   
26127 
26128  2 Calculation error
26129 
26130   
26131 
26132  3 Illegal function argument
26133 
26134   
26135 
26136  4 Too large a line number
26137 
26138   
26139 
26140  5 Next without for return without gosub
26141 
26142   
26143 
26144  6 Memory overflow
26145 
26146   
26147 
26148  7 Print using error
26149 
26150   
26151 
26152  8 I/O device error
26153 
26154   
26155 
26156  9 Other errors
26157 
26158 
26159 
26160 
26161 
26162===== Known Issues =====
26163 
26164 
26165 
26166The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
26167 
26168 
26169 
26170 
26171 
26172===== History and Trivia =====
26173 
26174 
26175 
26176Small scientific calculator and pocket computer.
26177 
26178 
26179 
26180The PC-1401 was the first of a series of pocket computers with a new concept.
26181 
26182 
26183 
26184It combined the advantages of a BASIC programmable pocket computer and a scientific calculator. Nevertheless, it was much thinner than, for instance, the PC-1500, and well worth its price. Therefore, the PC-14xx series was very successful, especially among students.
26185 
26186 
26187 
26188The PC-1401 was developed based on the PC-125x series, thus it possessed the same BASIC core capabilities. In addition, it had a separate calculator mode, in which it could be used like any of Sharp's scientific calculators, such as the EL506H. For this purpose, the right section of the keyboard had 18 additional math keys, and it could be used as any standard AOS entry calculator. Moreover, a set of statistics functions was implemented.
26189 
26190 
26191 
26192In BASIC mode, the additional math buttons could be used as shortcut keys to enter the BASIC keywords of these math functions. A downside was the small display with only 16 characters, which made it somewhat hard to keep track of your BASIC program while programming.
26193 
26194 
26195 
26196As the PC-125x series, the PC-1401 was based on the SC61860 8-bit CMOS microprocessor, clocked with a 576 kHz ceramic resonator circuit, and the same display driver chip (SC43536). It had 4.2 KB RAM (two HM6116 2k x 8 chips plus some bytes in the display driver chip) and 40 KB ROM (SC613256). All chips and other components were soldered onto a single PCB. The RAM of the PC-1401 could not be extended by modules.
26197 
26198 
26199 
26200Together with the PC-1401, the CE-126P thermal printer and micro cassette interface unit was introduced. It was alcaline battery powered and could print 24 characters per line on special thermal paper. 
26201 
26202 
26203 
26204== Versions ==
26205 
26206 
26207 
26208The PC-14xx series consisted of various models; here, only those directly derived from the PC-125x hardware are described. At least three different models were widely available in the West:
26209 
26210 
26211 
26212  * PC-1401: This was the first machine of the series, released in 1983.
26213 
26214 
26215 
26216  * PC-1402: Released about one year later. Basically the same machine, but with more RAM. One of the HM6116 chips had been replaced by a D4364G 8k x 8 chip, resulting in 10.2 KB RAM (9678 bytes for BASIC).
26217 
26218 
26219 
26220  * PC-1421: This machine was also released in 1984. As the PC-1401, it had 4.2 KB RAM (3454 for BASIC). However, it was powered by a later release of the CPU and clocked with a higher clock rate (768 kHz), which made it one third faster. From the software's point of 
26221 
26222view,it was equipped with special math functions for business/financial matters.
26223 
26224 
26225 
26226(info from old-computers.com)
26227 
26228 
26229 
26230 
26231 
26232== Other related models (only few currently supported by MESS) ==
26233 
26234 
26235 
26236  * PC-1210: basic computer, 24 character display
26237 
26238 
26239 
26240  * PC-1211: same as PC-1210, 2 additional RAM chips
26241 
26242 
26243 
26244  * PC-1212: same as PC-1212, minor changes had been made to the ROMs
26245 
26246 
26247 
26248  * PC-1245: low cost version of PC-1251
26249 
26250 
26251 
26252  * PC-1251: basic computer, 24 5x7 character display
26253 
26254 
26255 
26256  * PC-1253: calculator, derived from the PC-1251, reduced keyboard
26257 
26258 
26259 
26260  * PC-1260: basic computer, 16x2 5x7 character display, 8 bit sharp CPU, 6+32kb ROM, 4kb RAM
26261 
26262 
26263 
26264  * PC-1261: pc1260 with 10kb RAM
26265 
26266 
26267 
26268  * PC-1262: re-release of PC-1261, slightly different PCB
26269 
26270 
26271 
26272  * PC-1350 with  ?? RAM
26273 
26274 
26275 
26276  * PC-1360
26277 
26278 
26279 
26280  * PC-1403: derived from the PC-1401, 8+32+32kb ROM, 8 kb RAM, 24 5x7 character display
26281 
26282 
26283 
26284  * PC-1403h: PC-1403 with 32 kb RAM
26285 
26286 
26287 
26288  * PC-1421: derived from the PC-1401
26289 
26290 
26291 
26292  * PC-1430: prequel to PC-1401
26293 
26294 
26295 
26296  * PC-1450: PC-1401 with some additional keys
26297 
26298 
26299 
26300  * PC-1475: derived from the PC-1450 with some PC-1403 features 24x2 5x7 character display
26301 
26302 
26303 
26304  * PC-1500:  basic computer, 26 character display
26305 
26306 
26307 
26308  * PC-1500a: expanded PC-1500
26309 
26310 
26311 
26312  * PC-2500: similar to PC-1350. it has better keyboard and a small built in color printer-plotter
26313 
26314 
26315 
26316 
26317 
26318===== Links =====
26319 
26320 
26321 
26322  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
26323 
26324  * Pocket Computer 1401 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1170
26325 
26326 
26327 
26328 
26329 
26330===== Other Emulators =====
26331 
26332 
26333 
26334  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
26335 
26336 
26337 
26338 
26339 
26340$end
26341 
26342 
26343 
26344#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26345 
26346 
26347$info=pc1403
26348$bio
26349====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1403 and 1403H (1986) ======
26350 
26351 
26352 
26353 
26354 
26355===== Features =====
26356 
26357 
26358 
26359  * CPU: Sharp CMOS SC61860 (8 bits) 768 kHz
26360 
26361  * RAM: 8 KB [PC-1403], 32 KB [PC-1403H]
26362 
26363  * ROM: 72 KB
26364 
26365  * Text Modes: 1 line x 24 chars. (LCD screen), 5 x 7 dot matrix
26366 
26367  * Graphic Modes: None
26368 
26369  * Colors: Monochrome LCD
26370 
26371  * Sound: CPU controlled piezo buzzer, fixed frequency and duration via BASIC statement
26372 
26373  * I/O Ports: Proprietary 11-pin expansion bus
26374 
26375  * Keyboard: 77 keys, QWERTY calculator type with numeric key-pad and math function keys
26376 
26377  * Built In Language: Sharp BASIC interpreter
26378 
26379  * Peripherals: CE-126P thermal printer and tape interface
26380 
26381  * No contrast adjustment
26382 
26383 
26384 
26385 
26386 
26387===== Known Issues =====
26388 
26389 
26390 
26391The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
26392 
26393 
26394 
26395 
26396 
26397===== History and Trivia =====
26398 
26399 
26400 
26401Small scientific calculator and pocket computer
26402 
26403 
26404 
26405As the PC-1401 family was rather successful, Sharp released an update three years later.
26406 
26407 
26408 
26409The two new models were named PC-1403 and PC-1403H.
26410 
26411 
26412 
26413The differences were not large, but very helpful. They had a better display, with 24 instead of 16 characters on the same display area, and lowercase letters could now be used. Thus, there was an additional SML key to switch between uppercase and lowercase entry mode. Moreover, matrix calculation functions had been added, such as addition, multiplication, inversion and determinant. They could be used in calculator mode only.
26414 
26415 
26416 
26417The hardware was based on a later incarnation of the SC61860 CPU, paced at 768 kHz. The RAM had also been expanded, with 8 KB in the PC-1403 (D4364G 8k x 8 static RAM), and generous 32 KB in the PC-1403H (D43256AG 32k x 8 static RAM). The new functions also required a larger ROM (72 KB, LZ92K32 plus SC6976T). 
26418 
26419 
26420 
26421//(info from old-computers.com)//
26422 
26423 
26424 
26425 
26426 
26427===== Links =====
26428 
26429 
26430 
26431  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
26432 
26433  * Pocket Computer 1403 / 1403H at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1173
26434 
26435 
26436 
26437 
26438 
26439===== Other Emulators =====
26440 
26441 
26442 
26443  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
26444 
26445 
26446 
26447 
26448 
26449$end
26450 
26451 
26452 
26453#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26454 
26455 
26456$info=pc1512
26457$bio
26458====== Amstrad PC 1512 (1986) ======
26459 
26460 
26461 
26462 
26463 
26464===== Features =====
26465 
26466 
26467 
26468  * CPU: Intel 8086 8 MHz
26469 
26470  * RAM: 512 KB (up to 640 KB)
26471 
26472  * ROM: 16 KB
26473 
26474  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
26475 
26476  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 (CGA graphic modes) + 640 x 200 / 16 colors (Amstrad specific mode)
26477 
26478  * Colors: 4 (CGA colors) / 16 (in Amstrad Mode)
26479 
26480  * Sound: Beeper
26481 
26482  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RGB, RS232, Mouse (proprietary), Joystick, 8 bit ISA slots (3)
26483 
26484  * Keyboard: Full-stroke professional keyabord, with function keys, numeric keypad and editing keys
26485 
26486  * Built In Media: One or two 5.25" disk-drives
26487 
26488  * OS: MS-DOS or DR-DOS
26489 
26490 
26491 
26492 
26493 
26494===== Known Issues =====
26495 
26496 
26497 
26498Basically the same as MESS ibmpc emulation
26499 
26500 
26501 
26502  * Emulated: special keyboard, special mouse, special joystick, unique dipswitches, unique color graphics adapter mode
26503 
26504 
26505 
26506  * CHARACTER ROM dump is missing, and so multinational character support
26507 
26508 
26509 
26510Work stopped until more information available or character ROM available
26511 
26512 
26513 
26514 
26515 
26516===== History and Trivia =====
26517 
26518 
26519 
26520IBM XT compatible desktop with modified CGA Monitor. Sold as Schneider PC1512 in Germany
26521 
26522 
26523 
26524The Amstrad PC 1512 was launched in 1986. After the Amstrad CPC 464, the CPC 664 and the CPC 6128 (three home computers based on the Z80) and the PCW 8256 and the PCW 9512 (both dedicated word processing computers based on the Z80 as well), Amstrad decided to make 
26525 
26526its first low-cost PC clone. It was a great European success, capturing more than 25% of the European computer market (impressive now and phenomenal then).
26527 
26528 
26529 
26530This cheap computer was, however, complete and offered more than some others did. The small power supply (57 W) was integrated into the monitor.
26531 
26532 
26533 
26534Eight models were offered: The PC 1512 SD/DD (with one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives) and two models with hard disk (HD10 with 10 MB hard disk and HD20 with 20 MB hard disk). FD and HD versions could be acquired with a monochrome or colour monitor.
26535 
26536 
26537 
26538The Amstrad used an "enhanced" CGA graphic mode, which could display 640x200 pixels with 16 colors (or grayscale). It was sold with MS-DOS 3.2, DR-DOS plus 1.2 (an operating system from Digital Research), GEM (a graphic interface, also used in the Atari ST, 
26539 
26540TT & Falcon), GEMPAINT and GEM BASIC.
26541 
26542 
26543 
26544The mouse port, although using 9 pins like a COM port, is proprietary to Amstrad. The port is female and is only for use with an Amstrad mouse. 
26545 
26546 
26547 
26548//(info from old-computers.com)//
26549 
26550 
26551 
26552 
26553 
26554===== Links =====
26555 
26556 
26557 
26558  * Amstrad 1512 Page -- http://www.amstrad1512.co.uk/
26559 
26560  * PC 1512 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=183
26561 
26562 
26563 
26564 
26565 
26566$end
26567 
26568 
26569 
26570#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26571 
26572 
26573$info=pc1640
26574$bio
26575====== Amstrad PC 1640 (1986) ======
26576 
26577 
26578 
26579 
26580 
26581===== Features =====
26582 
26583 
26584 
26585  * CPU: Intel 8086 8 MHz
26586 
26587  * RAM: 640 KB
26588 
26589  * VRAM: 64 KB
26590 
26591  * ROM: Unknown
26592 
26593  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
26594 
26595  * Graphic Modes: All EGA graphic modes (maximum : 640 x 350), Hercules mode for monochrome versions (maximum 720 by 350)
26596 
26597  * Colors: 16 among 64
26598 
26599  * Sound: Beeper
26600 
26601  * I/O Ports: Four 8-bit ISA slots (one being reserved of the internal HD controller), Centronics, RS232c, Mouse port (proprietary)
26602 
26603  * Built In Media: one or two 5.25" disk-drives, 20 or 30 MB HDD
26604 
26605  * OS: MS DOS 3.2
26606 
26607  * Peripherals: Most of the standard IBM/PC cards
26608 
26609 
26610 
26611 
26612 
26613===== Known Issues =====
26614 
26615 
26616 
26617Basically the same as PC 1512. Paradise EGA emulation incomplete, will profit from generic EGA/VGA improvements.
26618 
26619 
26620 
26621 
26622 
26623===== History and Trivia =====
26624 
26625 
26626 
26627IBM XT compatible with modified EGA monitor. Sold as Schneider PC 1640 in Germany. Sold as Amstrad PC 6400 in USA
26628 
26629 
26630 
26631The Amstrad PC 1640 was the successor to the Amstrad PC 1512. It had the same characteristics as its predecessor except for added memory (640 KB instead of 512 KB) and the EGA graphics standard. It also had great success, but to a lesser extent than the PC 1512. The PC-1640 was marketed under the name PC-6400 in the USA. It was also sold in Germany and maybe some other European countries under the name Schneider.
26632 
26633 
26634 
26635//(info from old-computers.com)//
26636 
26637 
26638 
26639 
26640 
26641===== Links =====
26642 
26643 
26644 
26645  * PC 1640 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=19
26646 
26647 
26648 
26649 
26650 
26651$end
26652 
26653 
26654 
26655#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26656 
26657 
26658$info=pc200
26659$bio
26660====== Sinclair PC200 Professional Series ======
26661 
26662 
26663 
26664 
26665 
26666===== Features =====
26667 
26668 
26669 
26670  * CPU: 8086 with 8 MHz
26671 
26672  * Co-Processor: socket for 8087 math coprocessor
26673 
26674  * RAM: 512 kb on board, sockets for additional 128kb
26675 
26676  * integrated cga/mda graphics adapter, connector for CGA and MDA/Hercules monitors and TV (hf modulated; PAL)
26677 
26678  * multi language bios
26679 
26680  * I/O Ports: rs232 serial port, centronics printer port, standard analog joystick port (delivered with sinclair joystick), proprietary pc1512 style mouse connector, delivered with sinclair 2 button mouse
26681 
26682  * Keyboard: integrated 102 key keyboard
26683 
26684  * Built In Media: 3" 1/2 720 kb disk drive, connector for external floppy disk drive, 2 ibm pc compatible expansion slots (half length)
26685 
26686  * delivered with msdos, dr gem, organizer software
26687 
26688 
26689 
26690 
26691 
26692===== Usage =====
26693 
26694 
26695 
26696Download the mouse driver at http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/johnhayward/pc200/software.htm
26697 
26698 
26699 
26700 
26701 
26702===== Known Issues =====
26703 
26704 
26705 
26706The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. Temporary regressions are possible.
26707 
26708 
26709 
26710 
26711 
26712===== History and Trivia =====
26713 
26714 
26715 
26716IBM XT compatible computer "under the keyboard". Marketed also as Amstrad PC20
26717 
26718 
26719 
26720The Sinclair PC 200 was one of the last computers built under the Sinclair brand (along with the PC-500). In fact it was not a Sinclair at all, but a desktop version of the Amstrad PPC-512.
26721 
26722 
26723 
26724The case bore a striking resemblance to the Atari 520 ST case. It had a built-in 3.5" floppy drive on the right and mouse and joystick ports under the keyboard. And indeed the PC-200 was officially marketed as an Atari 520-ST competitor : same price, same disk drive, same memory (512k) and same design.
26725 
26726 
26727 
26728But compared to the Amiga and 520-ST, the PC-200 looked like a naked pea, even for an IBM compatible. Its two ISA slots were not enough to reasonably expand the system. Standard IBM expansion cards were nearly twice the height of the computer, thus the computer needed to be opened permanently! In 1988, the MDA and CGA graphic modes were quite obsolete as most PC systems had adopted the more convenient EGA mode.
26729 
26730 
26731 
26732An interesting feature of the PC-200 was a TV output socket at the rear of the system, quite rare for a PC compatible system. It shows that Amstrad wanted to market the PC-200 as a low-range PC compatible system for the whole family.
26733 
26734 
26735 
26736At the same time, Amstrad presented the PC 20, which was in fact the same computer as the Sinclair PC 200 except for the color of the case (black for the Sinclair, white for the Amstrad) and the TV output (not implemented on the PC-20). 
26737 
26738 
26739 
26740//(info from old-computers.com)//
26741 
26742 
26743 
26744 
26745 
26746===== Links =====
26747 
26748 
26749 
26750  * PC 200 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=85
26751 
26752 
26753 
26754 
26755 
26756$end
26757 
26758 
26759 
26760#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26761 
26762 
26763$info=pc88srl
26764$bio
26765====== NEC PC-8801 series (1985) ======
26766 
26767 
26768 
26769 
26770 
26771===== Features =====
26772 
26773 
26774 
26775  * CPU: uPD780C-1(Z80A compatible) 4 MHz
26776 
26777  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 576 KB)
26778 
26779  * VRAM: 48 KB
26780 
26781  * ROM: 72 KB
26782 
26783  * Text Modes: 36/40/72/80 characters x 20/25 lines
26784 
26785  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 200 (8 colours), 640 x 400 (Monochrome)
26786 
26787  * Colors: 8
26788 
26789  * Sound: Beeper
26790 
26791  * I/O Ports: 4 expansion slots, Tape recorder (600/1200 baud), RS232C, CRT (MONO/DIGITAL), Centronics
26792 
26793  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard 67 key + 20 key numeric pad + 5 function keys
26794 
26795  * Peripherals: Dual 5" (2x320 KB) or 8" (2x1 MB) floppy drive unit
26796 
26797  * Built In Language: N88-BASIC, N-BASIC (PC8001 MODE)
26798 
26799 
26800 
26801 
26802 
26803===== Known Issues =====
26804 
26805 
26806 
26807== Status ==
26808 
26809 
26810 
26811CPU, text or graphics, YM-2203 sound(YM-2608 not yet), Extended RAM, 5'2D disk drives and Kanji ROM emulated.
26812 
26813 
26814 
26815NOTE: Currently, each model is separated which use "High-resolution" display and "Low-resolution" display. Because I don't know how to change display resolution and HSYNC frequency dynamically (when machine is running).
26816 
26817 
26818 
26819== ROM ==
26820 
26821 
26822 
26823BIOS images has same format as one of images for M88 emulator, but "disk.rom" is only used first 2K bytes, that is, you must truncate
26824 
26825last 6KB of "disk.rom". 
26826 
26827 
26828 
26829== Disk Emulation ==
26830 
26831 
26832 
26833The D88 format disk image is supported now, but multiple disks image files are not supported, That is, disk in image file must be only
26834 
26835one. The D88 disk image format is supported by more PC-8801 emulators. 
26836 
26837 
26838 
26839== To Do ==
26840 
26841 
26842 
26843Integrate "high-resolution" and "low-resolution" mode, optimization of CPU switching, more accurate speed(memory wait and DMAC overhead), YM-2608 sound, Joystick and mouse, 5'2HD or 8'2D floppy disk drives, Font substitution, Kana-Kanji dictionary ROM, test 
26844 
26845ROMs of other models, multiple disks image support, source clean-up, printer, RS-232C, CD-ROM, more good English documentation
26846 
26847 
26848 
26849 
26850 
26851===== History and Trivia =====
26852 
26853 
26854 
26855Early Z80 based computer commonly used in Japan
26856 
26857 
26858 
26859The NEC PC 8801 was the successor of PC 8001. It offered fine colour graphics. It had an optional MS-Dos board. It was one of the fist, if not the first color CPM computer.
26860 
26861 
26862 
26863It ran in three bootable modes: CPM, MS-Dos, and N88-Basic. The N-Basic would natively boot on the system without disk, just like the PC 8001. It also had a software / hardware switch to turn it into PC 8001 mode.
26864 
26865 
26866 
26867//(info from old-computers.com)//
26868 
26869 
26870 
26871 
26872 
26873===== Links =====
26874 
26875 
26876 
26877  * Aoto's PC-88 Page -- http://www1.plala.or.jp/aoto/index.html
26878 
26879  * Cisc's PC-88 Page -- http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/
26880 
26881  * Factorian!'s PC-88 Page -- http://www.kiwi-us.com/~ohta/pc88/index.htm
26882 
26883  * PC-8801 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=398
26884 
26885 
26886 
26887 
26888 
26889===== Other Emulators =====
26890 
26891 
26892 
26893  * M88 -- http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/
26894 
26895  * QUASI88 -- http://www.117.ne.jp/~show/pc8801/pc88emu.html
26896 
26897  * Project X88000 -- http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dungeon/6809/x88000.html
26898 
26899  * PC88Win -- http://home.highway.ne.jp/soltin/pc88win.html
26900 
26901 
26902 
26903 
26904 
26905$end
26906 
26907 
26908 
26909#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26910 
26911 
26912$info=pce
26913$bio
26914====== NEC PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 (1987) ======
26915 
26916 
26917 
26918 
26919 
26920===== Features =====
26921 
26922 
26923 
26924  * CPU: HuC6280 (7.16MHz)  (1.5 Million Instructions Per Second [MIPS])
26925 
26926  * Video: HuC6270 - 16 bit
26927 
26928  * Color Processor: HuC6260
26929 
26930  * Resolution: 256 x 216
26931 
26932  * Sound: 8 bit PCM stereo / 6-channel stereo
26933 
26934  * Ram: 8 Kbyte (64Kbit)
26935 
26936  * Video Ram: 64Kbyte (512 Kbit)
26937 
26938  * Cart Size: 256Kbit - 20 Megabit Max. (S.F. 2) Normally 8 Mbits
26939 
26940  * Colors Palette: 512 - (256 for sprites, 256 for the background.)
26941 
26942  * Max # of sprites: 64
26943 
26944  * Sprite Size: 16 x 16 , 32x64
26945 
26946 
26947 
26948===== Known Issues =====
26949 
26950 
26951 
26952Emulation of the CD-ROM addon is in progress. The internal audio CD player works perfectly and some games work as well (e.g. "Dracula X: Rondo of Blood"). It supports CHD images only (read 
26953 
26954this tutorial by Guru -- http://www.mameworld.net/gurudumps/tutorials/dumping_cds_&_hdds/index.html
26955 
26956to known how to produce an accurate CHD from your PCE CD-ROM). 
26957 
26958 
26959 
26960 
26961 
26962===== History and Trivia =====
26963 
26964 
26965 
26966The TurboGrafx-16, known as PC-Engine in Japan, is a video game console first released in Japan by NEC on October 30, 1987. The system was released in late August 1989 in North America. There was no official PAL version of the system, but a grey importer provided a very limited release in the UK and continental Europe in 1990 as Turbografx (not including the "16" in the title, and lowercase "g" in "grafx").
26967 
26968 
26969 
26970The PC-Engine was a collaborative effort between Japanese software maker Hudson Soft (which maintains a chip-making division) and NEC. The PC-Engine used as support for the games, in place of the carts used by most of the other consoles, a new media: the "HuCard" (Hudson Card; also referred to as "TurboChip" in North America). These cards were the size of a credit card (but slightly thicker) and thus were somewhat similar to the card format used by the Sega Master System for budget games. However, unlike the Sega Master System (which also supported cartridges), the TurboGrafx-16 used exclusively HuCards. 
26971 
26972 
26973 
26974It was also one of the first consoles to have an optional CD module (the first in the US, although in Japan it was the FM Towns Marty built-in CD-ROM to come first), allowing the standard benefits of the CD medium: more storage, cheaper media costs, and redbook audio. The efficient design, the support of many important Japanese software producers, and the additional CD ROM capabilities gave the PC Engine a very wide variety of software.
26975 
26976 
26977 
26978The PC-Engine was extremely popular in Japan. It was also graphically much more powerful of Nintendo's Famicom:it was capable of up to 482 colors at once in several resolutions, and it featured very robust sprite handling abilities, allowing games to be converted very faithfully from the arcade to the console. And even as graphics technology improved, gamers continued to stick to the PC Engine despite its shortcomings. New games were released for the PC-Engine up until 1999.
26979 
26980 
26981 
26982Despite its success, PC-Engine started to lose ground to the Nintendo Super Famicom. NEC made one final effort to resuscitate the system with the release of the Arcade Card expansion, bringing the total amount of RAM up to a then-massive 2048K and allowing conversions of popular Neo Geo titles. The additional memory even allowed the system to display 3D polygon graphics well beyond what the competing Super Famicom and Megadrive/Mega-CD could offer. By this time, however, it was too late -- only a relative handful of Arcade Card games were ever produced, and the expansion was never released in the US.
26983 
26984 
26985 
26986In North America, the TurboGrafx-16 was first released in late August of 1989, in New York and Los Angeles. Initially, the TurboGrafx-16 was marketed as a direct competitor to the NES and early television ads stressed TG-16's superior graphics and sound. Of course, TG-16 was also in direct competition with the Sega Genesis, which had had its own New York/Los Angeles test-market launch around the same time. 
26987 
26988 
26989 
26990Originally, the system was marketed by NEC Home Electronics based in Wood Dale, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. As its popularity tanked, the platform was handed over to a new company called Turbo Technologies Incorporated (TTI), based in Los Angeles. This company was comprised mainly of former NEC Home Electronics and Hudson Soft employees, and it essentially took over all marketing 
26991 
26992and first-party software development for the struggling system.
26993 
26994 
26995 
26996A problem for the TG-16 was the lack of a second controller port. Indeed, the Genesis only came with one controller, as the TurboGrafx-16, but it provided a port for a second. On the other hand, the TG-16 users were required, to enjoy simultaneous multiplayer modes in their games, to buy the Turbo Tap (a multitap accessory which permitted up to five controllers to be plugged into the system). Another problem in the battle against the Genesis were the pack-in games, which didn't showed off all the console capabilities as the Genesis' "Altered Beast".
26997 
26998 
26999 
27000The Genesis' Japanese counterpart, the Sega MegaDrive, was less popular than the NEC PC-Engine. In North America, however, the situation was reversed, and the Genesis had a larger success than the TurboGrafx-16.
27001 
27002 
27003 
27004The CD add-on for the TG-16 wasn't able to help the system as much as it did in Japan. It was indeed difficult to find outside of large cities, and it was widely considered to be overpriced. TTI tried to address this issue by releasing a combination system called the TurboDuo, as well as dropping the price of the CD add-on. Unfortunately, the cost of the TurboDuo was still too steep for most American consumers, even when NEC took the bold step of including seven pack-in titles and a coupon book with the system. Despite all these efforts, the company failed to attract much of a mainstream audience.
27005 
27006 
27007 
27008Many of the CD games for the Turbo platform were innovative and well-received, but the cost of the add-on system was a strong deterrent to buyers, especially when the competition sold for considerably less. Some of the most popular Japanese releases, such as "Demon Castle Dracula X: Rondo of Blood", "Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys", "Tengai Makyo II: Manjimaru" and Hideo Kojima's "Snatcher", never made it to North American shelves.
27009 
27010 
27011 
27012An interesting feature of the CD add-on was that there was no region protection on TG-CD / PC Engine CD-ROM software, so that North American units were capable to run Japanese software. Many mail order (and some brick-and-mortar) import stores advertised Japanese PCE CD and HuCard titles in the videogame publications of the era.
27013 
27014 
27015 
27016Another version of the system was also marketed, the handheld version called TurboExpress. Unfortunately, it suffered from short battery life, a hefty price tag, and a large number of units with missing pixels in their displays.
27017 
27018 
27019 
27020== Variations == 
27021 
27022 
27023 
27024  * Stand-alone systems
27025 
27026    * PC Engine (1987) - White, only RF output
27027 
27028    * PC Engine Shuttle (1989) - UFO-shaped system, unique expansion port (no CD option), AV output
27029 
27030    * PC Engine SuperGrafx (1989) - This system is very nearly the same as the original PCE, except it has a duplicate set of video chips (and an extra chip to coordinate the two) and four times as much RAM. Since the CPU was not upgraded most developers were unable to utilize the extra graphics capability, as the CPU just could not keep up. Only five games were released for it (two regular PC Engine releases, Darius Plus and Darius Alpha, were enhanced to utilize the extra sprite capability of the SuperGrafx).
27031 
27032    * PC Engine CoreGrafx (1989) - Dark grey, blue label, AV output
27033 
27034    * PC Engine CoreGrafx II (1991) - Light grey, orange label, AV output, Identical in function to the CoreGrafx
27035 
27036 
27037 
27038  * CD-ROM accessories
27039 
27040    * PC Engine CD-ROM2 (1988) - Designed for the original PC Engine
27041 
27042    * PC Engine Super CD-ROM2 (1991) - Designed for the CoreGrafx II
27043 
27044 
27045 
27046  * Portable systems
27047 
27048    * PC Engine GT (1990) - Portable system, identical in shape and function to the US-released TG Express
27049 
27050    * PC Engine LT (1991) - Semi-portable system (no battery option) similar in size to a normal PC Engine or CoreGrafx. Uses a very large attached screen, and folds up like a laptop (hence the LT moniker)
27051 
27052 
27053 
27054  * Duo systems
27055 
27056    * PC Engine Duo (1991) - Combination PC Engine + CD ROM system, dark grey, has a CD door lock and headphone port
27057 
27058    * PC Engine Duo R (1993) - Same as the Duo, but white/beige, shaped differently, and lacks the lock and headphone port.
27059 
27060    * PC Engine Duo RX (1994) - Same as the Duo R, slightly blue in colour. The only PCE packaged with a six-button pad.
27061 
27062 
27063 
27064  * Others
27065 
27066    * X1 Twin - Combination of Sharp X1 computer and PC Engine. Only played HuCards.
27067 
27068    * Pioneer LaserActive - Pioneer + NEC released a Laserdisc player with video game modules. One module allowed the use of PC Engine games.
27069 
27070 
27071 
27072  * Other region variations
27073 
27074    * TurboGrafx-16 - North American version of the PC-Engine
27075 
27076    * TurboGrafx-CD - North American version of CD-ROM2
27077 
27078    * TurboExpress - North American version of PC-Engine GT. Released in 1990, it was the most advanced handheld of its time and could play all the TG-16's HuCard games. It had a 2.6" screen, the same as the original Game Boy. It shared the capabilities of the TurboGrafx, giving it 512 available colors (9-bit RGB), stereo sound, and the same custom CPU at 7.16 MHz. The optional "TurboVision" TV tuner included RCA audio/video input, allowing the user to use TurboExpress as a video monitor, while the "TurboLink" allowed two-player play simultaneously (even if only a couple of games were developed to use this feature). 
27079 
27080    * TurboDuo - North American version of PC-Engine Duo. The system combined the TurboGrafx-16 and an enhanced version of the CD-ROM drive (the "Super CD-ROM2") into a single unit. The system could play audio CDs, CD+Gs, CD-ROM2 and Super CD games as well as standard HuCards. The Super System Card required for some games when using the original CD add-on as well as some of the Japanese variants of the TurboGrafx was built into the Duo (rather than requiring the card to be inserted when playing CD games).
27081 
27082    * Turbografx - (Unofficial) European version
27083 
27084    * Vistar 16 - Korean version
27085 
27086 
27087 
27088//(info from Wikipedia)//
27089 
27090 
27091 
27092 
27093 
27094===== Links =====
27095 
27096 
27097 
27098  * NECstasy -- http://www.necstasy.net/
27099 
27100  * Universo PCENGINE -- http://upce.netfirms.com/index.html
27101 
27102  * Turbo Station 16 -- http://pcenginefx.com/TS/
27103 
27104  * [[wp>TurboGrafx-16]]
27105 
27106 
27107 
27108 
27109 
27110===== Other Emulators =====
27111 
27112 
27113 
27114  * MagicEngine (commercial) -- http://www.magicengine.com/
27115 
27116  * Hu-Go! (for DOS, Windows, Linux, BeOS, Solaris) -- http://www.zeograd.com/
27117 
27118  * Hu6280 -- http://www.hu6280.com/
27119 
27120  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
27121 
27122  * GPengine (for GP32) -- http://www.gp32x.com/gpengine/
27123 
27124 
27125 
27126 
27127 
27128$end
27129 
27130 
27131 
27132#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27133 
27134 
27135$info=pcw16
27136$bio
27137====== Amstrad PCW16 (1994) ======
27138 
27139 
27140 
27141 
27142 
27143===== Features =====
27144 
27145 
27146 
27147  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 16 MHz
27148 
27149  * Co-Processor: Winbond 83787 I/O chipset
27150 
27151  * RAM: 1 MB DRAM + 1 MB Flash RAM (holds Operating System and built-in software)
27152 
27153  * ROM: Unknown
27154 
27155  * Text Modes: Bitmapped characters
27156 
27157  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 480 dots
27158 
27159  * Colors: Monochrome built-in display
27160 
27161  * Sound: 1 channel
27162 
27163  * I/O Ports: Serial & Parallel Ports, Serial mouse, AT keyboard
27164 
27165  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, PC-AT type
27166 
27167  * Built In Media: One 1.44 MB 3.5" disk-drive
27168 
27169  * OS: Roseanne + CP/M 2.2
27170 
27171 
27172 
27173 
27174 
27175===== Usage =====
27176 
27177 
27178 
27179To use the PCW16 you will need the OS rescue disc, when this has been inserted, and the on/off switch has been toggled (see UI for the dipswitch to do this), then the OS will be installed. When the OS is installed the computer is now useable and you can write documents and perform tasks.
27180 
27181 
27182 
27183The emulation will run the CP/M implementation by John Elliot. It should run almost all software provided it is in a disc image.
27184 
27185 
27186 
27187Development has been halted because this computer is in a working state. I plan to go back to it to fix the remaining problems at a later date when I have more time and more information.
27188 
27189 
27190 
27191If you want to see more added to this driver, please contact me and I will try and fix it. 
27192 
27193 
27194 
27195 
27196 
27197===== Known Issues =====
27198 
27199 
27200 
27201Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
27202 
27203 
27204 
27205All major functions are working and the computer is useable, however there are some accuracy problems.
27206 
27207 
27208 
27209== Screen Display ==
27210 
27211 
27212 
27213The screen emulation does not support mid-frame or mid-line changes. I don't think any programs do this yet?
27214 
27215 
27216 
27217== Printer ==
27218 
27219 
27220 
27221Not working. The printer emulation assumes a ECP/EPP compatible parallel port which is not yet emulated. Therefore you cannot print out documents :(
27222 
27223 
27224 
27225== Hard Drive ==
27226 
27227 
27228 
27229Not emulated. Has anyone used a hard-drive on their PCW16? Please let me know and I will add support for it.
27230 
27231 
27232 
27233== Analogue Joysticks ==
27234 
27235 
27236 
27237Not emulated. Are there any programs that use the joysticks?
27238 
27239 
27240 
27241 
27242 
27243===== History and Trivia =====
27244 
27245 
27246 
27247The PCW 16 replaced the PCW 9512. Contrary to the previous models, which used a text-based interface, the PCW 16 used a graphical user interface called The Desktop. The computer didn't run CP/M like the old PCW computers, but had its own operating system called Roseanne. Even though CP/M wasn't supplied, it was adapted to this machine by independent developers.
27248 
27249 
27250 
27251Unlike the previous PCW models which came with only the Locoscript word-processor, the PCW16 came with a complete range of built-in software - word-processor, spreadsheet, address book, diary/alarm, calculator and file manager.
27252 
27253 
27254 
27255Luckily, Amstrad abandoned the Hitachi 3" floppy format and switched to the standard MSDOS 3.5" 1.44 MB double-density floppy disk. The Roseanne system could use long filenames (up to 31 characters). The display was also standard: 640 x 480 VGA mode.
27256 
27257 
27258 
27259Amstrad provided Several internal expansions for the PCW-16, 1 MB RAM, 2 MB Flash RAM, Application ROMs, second FDD drive; but it seems that none of them saw the light.
27260 
27261 
27262 
27263//(info from old-computers.com)//
27264 
27265 
27266 
27267This is a successor to the PCW 8xxx and PCW9xxx series. It is a re-designed machine, with a 16MHz Z80 CPU, improved graphics and improved hardware, and a nice GUI system.
27268 
27269 
27270 
27271This system takes advantage of a Super I/O chip, as used in many PCs, which provides PC Floppy Disc Controller, Serial and Parallel port hardware. As a result, the system uses a PC-AT keyboard and PC Serial Mouse.
27272 
27273 
27274 
27275The PCW16 has a high-density floppy disc drive which uses the MSDOS filesystem.
27276 
27277 
27278 
27279The OS comes on a rescue disc and is installed into 2MB flash-file memory. This is also used for storing documents, files and user details. The main purpose of this machine, like the original is wordprocessing, spreadsheet and other business tasks.
27280 
27281 
27282 
27283Other programs have been written for it, including a CP/M "shell" by John Elliot (www.seasip.demon.co.uk), a route-planner and more. You can run these by selecting "Run External Program" from the "Tasks" menu.
27284 
27285 
27286 
27287This system contains the "Anne" ASIC custom chip designed by Amstrad. Technical information is still available and the rescue disc can be downloaded from Cliff Lawsons Amstrad computer support site at: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/ (the disc is listed in the files section). Cliff works at Amstrad plc, and has worked on the many projects from the Amstrad CPC to the latest e-mail phone.
27288 
27289 
27290 
27291 
27292 
27293===== Links =====
27294 
27295 
27296 
27297  * 16 Storm -- http://www.aster.fsnet.co.uk/pcw16.htm
27298 
27299  * PCW16 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=52
27300 
27301 
27302 
27303 
27304 
27305$end
27306 
27307 
27308 
27309#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27310 
27311 
27312$info=pcw8256
27313$bio
27314====== Amstrad PCW8256/8512/9512/9512+/10 ======
27315 
27316 
27317 
27318 
27319 
27320===== Features =====
27321 
27322 
27323 
27324  * CPU: Zilog Z80A (The CPU is running at 4 MHz, but is slowed down by the internal clock to 3,4 MHz) [PCW8xxx]; Zilog Z80A 4 MHz [PCW9xxx]
27325 
27326  * Co-Processors: Amstrad ASIC custom chip (Video), NEC 765 (DD controller) [PCW8xxx only]
27327 
27328  * RAM: 256 KB (16 banks of 16 kb each) [PCW8xxx]; 512 KB [PCW9xxx]
27329 
27330  * ROM: 48 kb [PCW8xxx]; No ROM chip: Bootstrap loader is masked onto a custom chip [PCW9xxx]
27331 
27332  * Text Modes: 90 x 32 [PCW8xxx]; 90 xchars. x 35 lines [PCW9xxx]
27333 
27334  * Graphic Modes: 720 x 256 (PAL), 720 x 200 (NTSC) [PCW8xxx]; 720 x 256 dots [PCW9xxx]
27335 
27336  * Colors: Monochrome (black & green) [PCW8xxx]; monochrome (black & white) [PCW9xxx]
27337 
27338  * Sound: Beeper, 1 channel
27339 
27340  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, Parallel
27341 
27342  * Keyboard: Mechanical keyboard with numeric keypad end special edit keys (COPY,CUT,PASTE,PRINT,etc.), 8 function keys [PCW8xxx];  Full-stroke 82 key with function keys, numeric keypad and special editing keys (COPY, CUT, PASTE, PRINT,etc.) [PCW9xxx]
27343 
27344  * Built In Media: 1 Hitachi 3" disk-drive (160 kb/side) [PCW8xxx]; 1 Hitachi 3" disk-drive (720k) [PCW9xxx]
27345 
27346  * OS: CP/M, CP/M+
27347 
27348  * Built In Language: Mallard Basic [PCW8xxx only]
27349 
27350  * Peripherals: Printer, parallel/Centronics interface [PCW8xxx]; Printer, RAM an serial expansion units [PCW9xxx]
27351 
27352 
27353 
27354 
27355 
27356===== Usage =====
27357 
27358 
27359 
27360These Systems Require a Boot Disk to Run!
27361 
27362 
27363 
27364 
27365 
27366===== Known Issues =====
27367 
27368 
27369 
27370Notice that these systems are TESTDRIVERs, i.e. they're not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/
27371 
27372 
27373 
27374 
27375 
27376===== History and Trivia =====
27377 
27378 
27379 
27380The Amstrad PCW 8256 was a dedicated word processing computer (PCW stands for Personal Computer Wordprocessor). It was supplied with everything necessary, the word processor, printer and dedicated keyboard (with Cut, Copy, Paste and Print keys). This model had great success because it was the first word-processing system available for such a low price. Once again Amstrad used the same principles with this professional computer as it did with the CPC-464 on the home-computer market. Two years later, 700 000 PCW systems had been sold!
27381 
27382 
27383 
27384All the hardware was located in the monitor case, as well as the 3" floppy disk drive. An optional secondary disk drive could be added (360 kb/side). There was only one power cord used for the printer, monitor and keyboard - it couldn't be simpler.
27385 
27386 
27387 
27388The printer was an Amstrad matrix printer (90 cps in draft mode and 20 cps in letter-quality mode), but it was not possible to connect another printer to the PCW. To use another printer, optional RS232 or Centronics interfaces were available.
27389 
27390 
27391 
27392The system was supplied with a word processor (on disk) developed by Locomotive Software (the company who made the BASIC language for the Amstrad CPC series) called LocoScript. Dr. Logo and a Basic called Mallard Basic were also delivered on disks (fun fact: Mallard is the name of an old train engine). This Basic was powerful and offered a lot of file-management capabilities. The Amstrad PCW-8256 was also delivered with CP/M+.
27393 
27394 
27395 
27396Locoscript was powerful but somewhat austere. You had to read 700 pages of documentation in order to master it. It used 154 Kb RAM, and the remaining 102 Kb could be used as a virtual disk. Each floppy disk, called a volume, could be divided in up to 8 sub-volumes. A particular page layout could be assigned to each of these sub-volumes. The system displayed text in an odd but useful 90 x 32 resolution. Of course as it was text-based software, you could not see exactly what would be printed (no WYSIWYG here). Another drawback was that it was not possible to link a document with an address book or a database, to generate multiple documents (this was to be corrected with LocoMail, LocoFile and LocoScript 2 a few years later). The 320k disks stored up to 90 pages of 2000 characters.
27397 
27398 
27399 
27400In Germany, the PCW series was called Joyce.
27401 
27402 
27403 
27404Another PCW model was launched a few months later: the Amstrad PCW 8512. It has the same characteristics apart from having 512 Kb RAM to handle bigger documents, and two 3" floppy disk drives. The top one is a single-sided, 40-track (180 Kbyte) drive, the bottom is a 
27405 
27406double-sided, 80-track (720 Kbyte) drive. 40-track disks could be read in the 80-track drive, but it's not advisable to write to them there because the 80-track drive has a narrower head. It had slightly darker plastic mouldings than the PCW-8256, grey instead of white. 
27407 
27408 
27409 
27410It was followed by the Amstrad PCW 9512, which had the same basic characteristics. However, it corrected two of the main criticisms of the 8512: the low quality of the printer and the machine's non-business-like styling.
27411 
27412 
27413 
27414It had a paper-white monochrome screen (black on white) unlike the 8512, which had a green monochrome screen (green on black). It was equiped with a 3" 720k floppy disk drive (a second one could be added) and used a daisywheel printer instead of the dot matrix printer of the PCW 8256/8512.
27415 
27416 
27417 
27418Like the previous models, it could run CP/M+ and was supplied with the Locoscript V2 word processor including LocoSpell and LocoMail, and Mallard Basic, both made by Locomotive software. DR Logo was also supplied as standard.
27419 
27420 
27421 
27422In 1991, two new models were produced: 
27423 
27424  * a cut-down model called the PcW 9256 (same characteristics, but only 256 KB RAM and a 3.5" disk-drive) which was a replacement in the PCW range for the PCW-8256; 
27425 
27426  * the PcW-9512+ which replaced the PCW-9512. It was almost the same machine but with a 3.5" 720K drive.
27427 
27428 
27429 
27430Finally in 1993, these models were replaced with the PcW-10. 
27431 
27432 
27433 
27434//(info from old-computers.com)//
27435 
27436 
27437 
27438These machines were designed primarily for word processing (hence the name "Personal Computer Word processor"), but are capable of a lot more.
27439 
27440 
27441 
27442The original PCW8256 system had a green screen monitor, with 2 3" disc drives mounted vertically in it, a keyboard and a special printer. (The CPU and other hardware was also contained in the base of the monitor)
27443 
27444 
27445 
27446Later models changed the case design, but also allowed the use of any printer that was available. (The original 8256 had a proprietary printer and interface).
27447 
27448 
27449 
27450The hardware is simple, a Z80 running at 4MHz, slowed to 3.3 with wait states, an Amstrad ASIC custom chip for driving the display (2 colours, 720x256 in PAL, 720x200 in NTSC), a beep for sound, and a NEC765 floppy disc controller.
27451 
27452 
27453 
27454The boot-program is contained on the printer chip, and is enabled at power-on or reset. The data is passed through a Amstrad custom ASIC chip, and is executed by the Z80. The program is simple, and just loads track 0, side 0,sector &01 to &f000 where it is then 
27455 
27456executed at &f010. (The first 16 bytes appear to contain some format parameters which are used to initialize CPM). I don't own a PCW machine so I don't know the exact display that the PCW shows on boot-up.
27457 
27458 
27459 
27460AFAIK, no dumps are available for this program. The MESS driver uses a program coded by myself. This program waits for a key to be pressed and then starts the boot procedure. If an error occurs, the screen will flash 6 times, and then it will repeat the procedure. If 
27461 
27462all is well, you will see some lines appear on the screen, and the boot will continue.
27463 
27464 
27465 
27466The original computer came with CP/M and Locoscript (a special word processor).
27467 
27468 
27469 
27470Since it was able to use CP/M there was a lot of public domain and CP/M programs available that would run on it.
27471 
27472 
27473 
27474A few games were written for it, two of these are "Head Over Heels" and "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy".
27475 
27476 
27477 
27478//(info from Kevin Thacker, author of MESS driver)//
27479 
27480 
27481 
27482 
27483 
27484===== Links =====
27485 
27486 
27487 
27488  * Ian Macdonald's PCW pages -- http://www.caliban.org/PCW.html
27489 
27490  * PCW at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=189
27491 
27492 
27493 
27494 
27495 
27496===== Other Emulators =====
27497 
27498 
27499 
27500  * Joyce -- http://www.seasip.demon.co.uk/Unix/Joyce/index.html
27501 
27502 
27503 
27504 
27505 
27506$end
27507 
27508 
27509 
27510#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27511 
27512 
27513$info=pdp1
27514$bio
27515====== DEC PDP-1 (1960) ======
27516 
27517 
27518 
27519 
27520 
27521===== Usage =====
27522 
27523 
27524 
27525Currently, MESS emulation of PDP-1 supports
27526 
27527 
27528 
27529  * a perforated tape reader - "punchtape1" (ptap1) device, supporting .tap and .rim tapes, for input
27530 
27531  * a perforated tape punch - "punchtape2" (ptap2) device, supporting .tap and .rim tapes, for output
27532 
27533  * a typewriter - "printer" (prin) device
27534 
27535 
27536 
27537The simplest way to load and run software is to insert a read-in mode tape (.rim file) in the perforated tape reader and press the read-in switch once, i.e. press simultaneously the "Control Panel" key (mapped by default to Left Control) and the "Read In" key (mapped by default to main keypad Return).
27538 
27539 
27540 
27541MESS also supports, to some extent, .drm files using "cylinder" (cyln) device.
27542 
27543 
27544 
27545== Misc ==
27546 
27547 
27548 
27549Three Dip Switches ("RAM size", "Hardware multiply" and "Hardware divide") enable or disable computer extensions. These switches are only read at reset. Therefore, if you edit them, you must reset the emulator (press F3 in partial keyboard emulation mode) for the changes to be taken into account.
27550 
27551 
27552 
27553The "RAM size" switch installs and removes type 15 memory expansion control: it is disabled when set on 4kw, enabled with 15-bit addresses when set on 32kw, and enabled with 16-bit addresses when set on 64kw. All known programs work well whether memory expansion control is installed or not. Only LISP can take advantage of the extra RAM.
27554 
27555 
27556 
27557The "Hardware multiply" and "Hardware divide" switches enable or disable the automatic multiply/divide extension. When they are enabled, two PDP-1 machine instructions (namely MUS and DIS) are replaced with two other, incompatible, instructions (MUL and DIV, respectively). 
27558 
27559Therefore, programs which use the former variant of these instructions require automatic multiply/divide to be disabled, whereas programs which use the latter require it to be enabled. In practice, Spacewar! requires automatic multiply and divide to be DISABLED (i.e. both switches OFF), whereas LISP requires automatic multiply and divide to be ENABLED (i.e. both switches ON).
27560 
27561 
27562 
27563For information on PDP-1 operation, you may have a look at: http://www.dbit.com/~greeng3/pdp1/pdp1.html -- http://www.dbit.com/~greeng3/pdp1/pdp1.html.
27564 
27565 
27566 
27567== Keyboard ==
27568 
27569 
27570 
27571This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
27572 
27573 
27574 
27575 
27576 
27577===== Known Issues =====
27578 
27579 
27580 
27581MESS currently supports three images: Spacewar! (first computer-based video game), Munching Squares (minimalistic yet beautiful graphic demo) and LISP (programming language). I have OCR'ed and assembled the source code of DDT (debugger), but I am still looking for bugs in this program. 
27582 
27583 
27584 
27585No other images are known at the time of writing: I know there were a text editor (Expensive Typewriter), an assembler/linker (MACRO), and even a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system (MIT PDP-1 Timesharing System), but I have no idea where a copy of these programs could be found (except for macro1, which is should be OCR'ed soon).
27586 
27587 
27588 
27589This driver emulates a complete PDP-1 system, including
27590 
27591 
27592 
27593  * operator control panel
27594 
27595  * perforated tape reader and punch
27596 
27597  * typewriter for keyboard input and printer output
27598 
27599  * optional type 30 precision CRT display
27600 
27601  * optional type 15 memory expansion control, with 64kwords of RAM (16 type 12 memory modules)
27602 
27603  * optional type 10 automatic multiply and divide
27604 
27605 
27606 
27607The internals of the sequence break (i.e. interrupt) system are implemented, but no device has been set up to trigger an interrupt.
27608 
27609 
27610 
27611 
27612 
27613===== History and Trivia =====
27614 
27615 
27616 
27617In 1957, Kenneth Olsen and Harlan Anderson founded a society called Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).
27618 
27619 
27620 
27621In 1960, they started selling the PDP-1. This was a very interesting computer for its time.
27622 
27623 
27624 
27625First of all it was cheap and fast for its time: about 100,000 dollars, and a theoretical maximum of 0.1 MIPS. It included 4 kWords of RAM, expandable to 64 kWord (as word size is 18 bits, this makes from 9 to 144 kBytes, which is HUGE for this time): this is an important detail, since, at this time, cheap computers (e.g. IBM 650) often had no RAM, and used a magnetic drum instead, which implied extremely long memory access times.
27626 
27627 
27628 
27629What made it even more interesting was that it was designed to be operated interactively. It featured an on-line typewriter (i.e. keyboard and printer), and a CRT (which was seldom used as a computer device at this time). You could even buy an optional light-pen (this device was the closest equivalent to today's mouse). Along with its simplicity, this made the PDP-1 quite user-friendly for its time.
27630 
27631 
27632 
27633The PDP-1 may be regarded as one of the first personal computers, since one person was quite enough to run and operate it (although, needless to say, its price was not the kind of price you would expect from a personal computer today).
27634 
27635 
27636 
27637The PDP-1 attracted the attention of various hackers in MIT. This resulted into the creation of Spacewar!, which was the first computer-based videogame, but this is another story.
27638 
27639 
27640 
27641The PDP-1 was a reasonably successful machine: 49 units were sold, which was not as bad as it sounds for this time. DEC intended to sell variants of PDP-1 with a bigger word size (PDP-3 with 36-bit words, and possibly other variants (PDP-2???) with 24-bit or 30-bit words), but it eventually did not. However, it later replaced PDP-1 with other models, including the first minicomputer (the PDP-8 in 1965), and, by the early 1970's, it had become a major computer manufacturer, second only to IBM.
27642 
27643 
27644 
27645 
27646 
27647===== Links =====
27648 
27649 
27650 
27651  * PDP-1 Handbook -- http://www.dbit.com/~greeng3/pdp1/pdp1.html
27652 
27653  * PDP-1 information on bitsavers.org -- http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp1/
27654 
27655  * PDP-1 paper tape images -- http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/DEC/pdp1/papertapeImages/ including SpaceWar.
27656 
27657 
27658 
27659 
27660 
27661===== Other Emulators =====
27662 
27663 
27664 
27665  * SIMH -- http://simh.trailing-edge.com/ can emulate a PDP1 as well as others PDP's and has software kits (DDT and lisp) for the PDP-1.
27666 
27667  * DEC XY Display Simulator -- http://www.ultimate.com/phil/xy/ for SIMH (in case you want to play SpaceWar :)
27668 
27669 
27670 
27671 
27672 
27673$end
27674 
27675 
27676 
27677#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27678 
27679 
27680$info=pet
27681$bio
27682====== Commodore PET 2001 (1977) ======
27683 
27684 
27685 
27686 
27687 
27688===== Features =====
27689 
27690 
27691 
27692  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
27693 
27694  * RAM: 4 KB (early version) then 8 KB
27695 
27696  * VRAM: 1 KB
27697 
27698  * ROM: 14 KB
27699 
27700  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
27701 
27702  * Graphic Modes: None
27703 
27704  * Colors: Monochrome
27705 
27706  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, Parallel port, second, "user port" for 8-bit I/O, cassette port inside the case, rarely used
27707 
27708  * Keyboard: 73 key 'chicklet' keyboard with numeric keypad
27709 
27710  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic 1.0
27711 
27712  * Built In Media: tape recorder
27713 
27714 
27715 
27716 
27717 
27718===== Usage =====
27719 
27720 
27721 
27722== Miscellaneous ==
27723 
27724 
27725 
27726To load a directory of available files you can use
27727 
27728   
27729 
27730  LOAD"$"[,<devicenumber>]
27731 
27732 
27733 
27734i.e. to see what is on a disk (device number=8) type
27735 
27736   
27737 
27738  LOAD"$",8
27739 
27740 
27741 
27742to see what is on a tape type (default)
27743 
27744   
27745 
27746  LOAD"$"
27747 
27748 
27749 
27750To load a file into memory from an external device
27751 
27752   
27753 
27754  LOAD"<filename>"[,<devicenumber>]
27755 
27756 
27757 
27758To run the file currently in memory type
27759 
27760   
27761 
27762  RUN
27763 
27764 
27765 
27766== Floppies ==
27767 
27768 
27769 
27770Since the diskdrive is device number 8, you have to use 
27771 
27772   
27773 
27774  LOAD"<filename>",8
27775 
27776 
27777 
27778e.g.
27779 
27780  LOAD"PACMAN",8
27781 
27782 
27783 
27784== Cassettes ==
27785 
27786 
27787 
27788Since the tape drive is the default device, you can simply use
27789 
27790   
27791 
27792  LOAD"<filename>"
27793 
27794 
27795 
27796e.g.
27797 
27798  LOAD"PACMAN"
27799 
27800 
27801 
27802 
27803 
27804===== Known Issues =====
27805 
27806 
27807 
27808  * I can't get programs to load from disk
27809 
27810 
27811 
27812  * Writing and executing programs in memory seems to work
27813 
27814 
27815 
27816  * There is white text that pops up to give status information on the bottom few lines that eventually block your view of the cursor and text entry 
27817 
27818 
27819 
27820 
27821 
27822===== History and Trivia =====
27823 
27824 
27825 
27826The name PET, besides being a marketing ploy to imply a user-friendly machine, is an acronym for "Personal Electronic Translator".
27827 
27828 
27829 
27830The Commodore PET 2001 was a great success. Three models were made : the PET 2001-8N with 8 KB RAM, PET 2001-16N with 16 KB RAM and the PET 2001-32N. They were conceived by Chuck Peddle who later founded Tandon, a drive manufacturer.
27831 
27832 
27833 
27834//(info from old-computers.com)//
27835 
27836 
27837 
27838 
27839 
27840===== Links =====
27841 
27842 
27843 
27844  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
27845 
27846  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
27847 
27848  * PDF's of manuals -- http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/default.htm
27849 
27850  * PET at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/pet2001.shtml
27851 
27852  * PET at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=191
27853 
27854 
27855 
27856 
27857 
27858===== Other Emulators =====
27859 
27860 
27861 
27862  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
27863 
27864 
27865 
27866 
27867 
27868$end
27869 
27870 
27871 
27872#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27873 
27874 
27875$info=pmd851
27876$bio
27877====== Tesla PMD-85 (1985) ======
27878 
27879 
27880 
27881 
27882 
27883===== Features =====
27884 
27885 
27886 
27887  * CPU: MHB 8080A 2,048 MHz (Xtal 18,432 MHz divided by 9)
27888 
27889  * RAM: 48 KB (Mod. 1), 56 KB (Mod. 2A), 64 KB (Mod. 3)
27890 
27891  * ROM: 4 KB (Mod. 1, 2A), 8 KB (Mod. 3)
27892 
27893  * Text Modes: 25 lines x 48 characters
27894 
27895  * Graphic Modes: 288 x 256 dots
27896 
27897  * Colors: 4 (Black, White, Grey, Blink) - 8 for the PMD-85-3
27898 
27899  * Sound: 1 channel
27900 
27901  * I/O Ports: Serial, Parallel
27902 
27903  * Built In Media: None
27904 
27905  * Keyboard: Full stroke 77 keys
27906 
27907  * Peripherals: Tape recorder
27908 
27909  * Built In Language: BASIC G cartridge
27910 
27911 
27912 
27913 
27914 
27915===== History and Trivia =====
27916 
27917 
27918 
27919Home computer for TV connection in Czechoslovakia.
27920 
27921 
27922 
27923The PMD-85 was a Czechoslovakian personal computer based on the MHB 8080A processor and manufactured by slovakian company Tesla Bratislava.
27924 
27925 
27926 
27927This machine was well known among kids and fans for its presence in schools in 80's.
27928 
27929 
27930 
27931== Versions ==
27932 
27933 
27934 
27935Several versions were available:
27936 
27937 
27938 
27939  * PMD-85-1 (most common)
27940 
27941 
27942 
27943  * PMD-85-2 (better keyboard and software)
27944 
27945 
27946 
27947  * PMD-85-2A (new motherboard)
27948 
27949 
27950 
27951  * PMD-85-3 (new motherboard again, pictured)
27952 
27953 
27954 
27955  * Mato (kit of a clone in a smaller case)
27956 
27957 
27958 
27959== The PMD series ==
27960 
27961 
27962 
27963(info by Andrej): Actually PMD series started much earlier. First one was PMD-81 (from 1981) followed by PMD-83 (of course manufactured in 1983-84) and the last one from series was PMD-85. While PMD-81 (as far as I know) had just cartridge for Basic G, PMD-85 had as standard Basic G, but also Pascal cartridge was available. Computer didn't have a monitor, it was plugged in regular (at that time B/W) TV. While PMD-85-3 had prominent keyboard, previous models had flat keys
27964 
27965 
27966 
27967== Some acid remarks ==
27968 
27969 
27970 
27971(from David Cady): In fact, this computer did not have a built-in language. That Basic G was a kind of a cartridge or a module. Above the keyboard, where the upper part of the rear panel begins, you can notice that module! It was huge (in comparison to Atari or Commodore cartridges), quite heavy (almost one fifth of the total weight of the computer) and, surprisingly, fragile. Probably therefore was this Basic G module shipped automatically with the computer (plugged in already - that might be the reason, why it's so often described as built-in). Basic G was really bad, it was a very-low-performance clone of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum Basic programming language. Just imagine, that holding down the function key and pressing a letter key meanwhile wrote the whole command on the screen although there was no indication for the upcoming command on the keyboard itself (unlike ZX). It was very uncomfortable to get used to this and majority of those, who worked with PMD's didn't use this "fast commands writing feature". The PMD 85/1 had a pretty miserable keyboard made of telephone keys (!). Writing a couple of A4's could become a blood-sweating experience.
27972 
27973 
27974 
27975PMD's were not really much cheaper in comparison to Atari, Commodore or ZX Spectrum computers (some of the peripherals were even more expensive than their 'western' equivalents), but they were the "official" computers for youth educating in computer science. Probably every other computer or programming club had several of those, so they became fairly widespread despite the quality.
27976 
27977 
27978 
27979PMD 85/2A, PMD 85/3 and Mato, Slovak successor to (and clone of) PMD 85/2, were basically the same shit. Sorry to say that, but I had to work with them, so I know, what I'm talking about. I didn't like ZX's, but I'd prefer them anytime to PMD's.
27980 
27981 
27982 
27983The peripherals - similar to ZX, any casette player/recorder could be plugged in. There was a special peripheral from Tesla that combined the tape recorder with a printer (the D-100 model or the BT-100 model). This printer had a single-pin head and you had to put a carbon paper (!) in between the head and the clean paper for the printer to work correctly - to print at all! 
27984 
27985 
27986 
27987That's what I call innovative approach :-) 
27988 
27989 
27990 
27991//(info from old-computers.com)//
27992 
27993 
27994 
27995 
27996 
27997===== Links =====
27998 
27999 
28000 
28001  * Peter Chrenko's Page -- http://www.kmit.sk/~peto/
28002 
28003  * Martin Schotek's Page -- http://www.schotek.cz/pmd/indexe.htm
28004 
28005  * PMD-85 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=730
28006 
28007 
28008 
28009 
28010 
28011===== Other Emulators =====
28012 
28013 
28014 
28015  * PMD85 Emu -- http://www.schotek.cz/pmd/index.htm#EMULATOR
28016 
28017 
28018 
28019 
28020 
28021$end
28022 
28023 
28024 
28025#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28026 
28027 
28028$info=pokemini
28029$bio
28030====== Nintendo Pokémon Mini (2002) ======
28031 
28032 
28033 
28034 
28035 
28036===== Known Issues =====
28037 
28038 
28039 
28040The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
28041 
28042 
28043 
28044 
28045 
28046===== History and Trivia =====
28047 
28048 
28049 
28050The Pokémon Mini is a handheld game console designed and manufactured by Nintendo and based on Satoshi Tajiri's Pokémon media franchise.
28051 
28052 
28053 
28054It is a officially the smallest ever cartridge-based system that includes a black-and-white LCD and an integrated gamepad. 
28055 
28056 
28057 
28058Other features of the Pokémon Mini include an infrared port used to facilitate multiplayer gaming, an internal timer, an accelerometer (shock detector), and a vibrator used to implement force feedback. 
28059 
28060 
28061 
28062Some of the Pokémon Mini games were included in the Gamecube game "Pokémon Channel", in a software emulator of the Pokémon Mini itself.
28063 
28064 
28065 
28066//(info from Wikipedia)//
28067 
28068 
28069 
28070 
28071 
28072===== Links =====
28073 
28074 
28075 
28076  * Team Pokéme -- http://pokeme.shizzle.it/
28077 
28078  * Pokémon Mini HW Reference -- http://www.sublab.net/pokemini/
28079 
28080 
28081 
28082 
28083 
28084$end
28085 
28086 
28087 
28088#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28089 
28090 
28091$info=ppc512
28092$bio
28093====== Amstrad PPC 512 / PPC 640 (1988) ======
28094 
28095 
28096 
28097 
28098 
28099===== Features =====
28100 
28101 
28102 
28103  * CPU: Nec V30 8 MHz
28104 
28105  * RAM: 512 KB [PPC-512]; 640 KB [PPC-640]
28106 
28107  * ROM: 16 KB
28108 
28109  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars x 25 lines
28110 
28111  * Graphic Modes: 320 or 640 x 200 dots
28112 
28113  * Colors: Monochrome green - 4 or 16 colours with external monitor
28114 
28115  * Sound: Beeper
28116 
28117  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232, CGA Monitor, Expansion ports A (25 pin port just bigger than a parallel port) and B (37 pin RS494)
28118 
28119  * Keyboard: Complete 102 key QWERTY mechanical keyboard, with numeric keypad, editing block and function keys
28120 
28121  * Built In Media: One or Two 3.5" floppy-drives (720 KB)
28122 
28123  * OS: MS DOS 3.2 or 3.3, GEM, Q-DOS II (menu driven interface)
28124 
28125  * Built In Language: None
28126 
28127  * Peripherals: Mouse Systems driver
28128 
28129 
28130 
28131 
28132 
28133===== Known Issues =====
28134 
28135 
28136 
28137Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
28138 
28139 
28140 
28141 
28142 
28143===== History and Trivia =====
28144 
28145 
28146 
28147With the Amstrad PPC-512 and 640, Amstrad wanted to make the cheapest portable PC compatible computer, in the same way as the Amstrad PC1512 was for desktop computers.
28148 
28149 
28150 
28151But, despite its pleasant form, this computer suffered due to its poor 9" LCD screen. It had one or two 3.5" 720 KB floppy drives and some versions could also be found with a 10 or 20 MB internal hard disk.
28152 
28153 
28154 
28155If you were tired of the poor LCD screen, you could connect a monochrome or CGA monitor to the PPC at home. The Amstrad CPC series monitors could be used too.
28156 
28157 
28158 
28159The differences between the PPC-512 and PPC-640 were a different colour case, a built-in modem (v21, v22, v22 bis and v23 protocols) and 640 KB RAM for the PPC-640. Both versions could run with 10 C size batteries (1 hour battery life), or with an external AC adaptor.
28160 
28161 
28162 
28163//(info from old-computers.com)//
28164 
28165 
28166 
28167 
28168 
28169===== Links =====
28170 
28171 
28172 
28173  * PPC 512 / 640 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=195
28174 
28175 
28176 
28177 
28178 
28179$end
28180 
28181 
28182 
28183#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28184 
28185 
28186$info=prav8d
28187$bio
28188====== Pravetz 8D (1985) ======
28189 
28190 
28191 
28192 
28193 
28194===== Features =====
28195 
28196 
28197 
28198  * CPU: CM630 - Bulgarian copy of the 6502 1 MHz
28199 
28200  * RAM: 48 KB
28201 
28202  * ROM: 16 KB
28203 
28204  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 28 lines
28205 
28206  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200 (+ 3 text lines)
28207 
28208  * Colors: 8
28209 
28210  * Sound: Programmable Sound Generator AY-3-8912 (from General Instruments), 3 voices, 8 octaves + white noise
28211 
28212  * I/O Ports: Power supply, Expansion port, Printer/Centronics port, Tape-recorder DIN plug, RGB video out, RF TV out
28213 
28214  * Keyboard: Full stroke 57 keys Qwerty + cyrillic
28215 
28216  * Peripherals: floppy disk unit, modem, dot matrix printer
28217 
28218  * Built In Language: Basic
28219 
28220 
28221 
28222 
28223 
28224===== Usage =====
28225 
28226 
28227 
28228== Disks ==
28229 
28230 
28231 
28232The disk drive interface has a boot-ROM which loads the DOS from the disc in the drive. 
28233 
28234 
28235 
28236The driver supports 2 versions of the disc interface:
28237 
28238 
28239 
28240  * "low dos 8d" has a 256 byte boot ROM and supports DOS v1.0 to v1.30 ("Apple 2" on dipswitch)
28241 
28242 
28243 
28244  * "high dos 8d" has a 512 byte boot ROM and supports DOS v2.10 and higher. ("Apple 2 v2" on dipswitch)
28245 
28246 
28247 
28248If you are using the standard prav8d driver you will need to type
28249 
28250   
28251 
28252  CALL #320
28253 
28254 
28255 
28256to start the boot procedure.
28257 
28258 
28259 
28260If you are using prav8dd (with the "BOBY" ROM), then the disc is booted automatically.
28261 
28262 
28263 
28264The Pravetz 8D uses Apple 2 compatible disk drives only and these are supported by the driver. 
28265 
28266 
28267 
28268== DOS Commands ==
28269 
28270 
28271 
28272Here is a brief listing of DOS commands provided by George
28273 
28274 
28275 
28276  * Options
28277 
28278   
28279 
28280  f  FileName (1-30 signs)
28281 
28282  d  drive (one or two) 
28283 
28284  v  volume
28285 
28286  a  beginning address
28287 
28288  e  end address
28289 
28290  l  record length
28291 
28292  r  record number
28293 
28294  b  number of byte in the record
28295 
28296 
28297 
28298  * Filetypes
28299 
28300 
28301 
28302  B  Basic program
28303 
28304  C  Bynary file
28305 
28306  T  Text file
28307 
28308  M  Text file, created with Make command ( batch file:) ) 
28309 
28310 
28311 
28312  * Commands
28313 
28314   
28315 
28316  DIR [1] [2] : not comment
28317 
28318   
28319 
28320  INIT [,Vv] [,Dd] : formatting Disk (in first or second Disk Drive)
28321 
28322   
28323 
28324  DOS [f] [,Dd], [,Vv] : writing Dos on the disk without formatting It. File f automatically starts after booting
28325 
28326   
28327 
28328  MAP [1] [2] : show chart of the disk.
28329 
28330   
28331 
28332  SAVE f [,A,a] [,Ee] [,Vv] [,Dd] : Saves file on the disk. If missing parameter of the addresses A,E :  saving Basic file in Memory
28333 
28334   
28335 
28336  LOAD f [,Aa] [,Dd] [,Vv] : loads file in memory
28337 
28338   
28339 
28340  MERGE : adding program in Basic to already exists in Memory - only for files B or C types. Loads file in Memory and start It. 
28341 
28342          (RUN and BRUN together in Apple ][)
28343 
28344   
28345 
28346  DELETE f [,Dd] [,Vv] : deleting file f
28347 
28348   
28349 
28350  RENAME f1, f2 [,Vv] [,Dd] : renaming last name of the file f1 with f2
28351 
28352   
28353 
28354  * f [,Dd] [,Vv] : lock/unlock file
28355 
28356   
28357 
28358  MAXFILES m : allowing up to m open files
28359 
28360   
28361 
28362  VERIFY f [,Dd] [,Vv] : checks surface integrity of file
28363 
28364   
28365 
28366  EXIT : leaving Dos
28367 
28368   
28369 
28370  OPEN f [,Vv] [,Dd] : open file for read/write
28371 
28372   
28373 
28374  CLOSE [f] : closing f. If there's no f pointed : closes all open files
28375 
28376   
28377 
28378  READ f [,Bb] : points that will be reading of the file with command INPUT
28379 
28380   
28381 
28382  WRITE f [,Bb] : writes in Text file
28383 
28384   
28385 
28386  APPEND f [,Vv] [,Dd] : adding information in Text file. Always there's WRITE after It
28387 
28388   
28389 
28390  POSITION f [,Rr] : allow writing or reading in Text file from r position in Program mode 
28391 
28392 
28393 
28394An example of the use of the commands is: 
28395 
28396  10LPRINT CHR$(2); "MAXFILES 5"
28397 
28398 
28399 
28400Another example is: to load a program called "MONITOR" type
28401 
28402  LOAD MONITOR
28403 
28404often you will see a load address (it is the first number with # prefix). Now type 
28405 
28406  CALL #<number> 
28407 
28408to execute the program.
28409 
28410 
28411 
28412 
28413 
28414===== Known Issues =====
28415 
28416 
28417 
28418The emulation is the same as the Oric Atmos. (I don't know if there are any hardware differences compared to an original Oric Atmos, if there are please tell me and I will implement them).
28419 
28420 
28421 
28422 
28423 
28424===== History and Trivia =====
28425 
28426 
28427 
28428The Pravetz 8D is a Bulgarian clone of the Oric Atmos. It was produced between 1985 and 1989: Pravetz is both the name of the firm and the name of the city where the firm is located. The "D" in the name stands for "Domashen" ('home' in Bulgarian) while the "8" 
28429 
28430stands for (you've never guess!) '8 bits'.
28431 
28432 
28433 
28434The main differences from the Oric Atmos were obviously the keyboard and the floppy interface.
28435 
28436 
28437 
28438The Pravetz 8D can display both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets - the one currently in use is selected by the key labeled  "C/L" which takes place of the "FUNCT" key present on the Atmos. Other features of the keyboard are the "ESC" and "CTRL" keys, labeled respectively 
28439 
28440"OSV" and "MK".
28441 
28442 
28443 
28444During Pravetz' glory days none of Oric's disk interfaces were imported in Bulgaria, thus the magazine "Computer for you" organized a competition to develop a disk interface which was compatible with the most widespread disk drive currently used, namely the Apple II's 
28445 
28446disk drive. The competition was won in 1989 by Borislav "Boby" Zahariev, student at MEI University of Sofia. The first version of the disk interface used top 16Kb of RAM to store the DOS, which prevented users from loading larger programs. Later Boris developed an 
28447 
28448upgrade of his interface which used in conjunction with a new version of the DOS allowed programs to use the whole memory. He provided also a new version of BIOS which detected the presence of the interface and automatically booted the DOS from the disk.
28449 
28450 
28451 
28452== Versions ==
28453 
28454 
28455 
28456There was a whole family of Pravetz computer which included the following models
28457 
28458 
28459 
28460  * Pravetz 82, 8M, 8A, 8E, 8C, 8D (8 bits)
28461 
28462 
28463 
28464  * Pravetz 16, 16A, 286 (16 bits, PC clones)
28465 
28466 
28467 
28468Most of 8 bits machines were Apple II compatibles, "8D" being the exception. The "8D" model was issued in 1985 and cost 420 lev - if you think that the average salary by that time was about 180-200 lev, you can see that it was pretty expensive.
28469 
28470 
28471 
28472The "82" model was the trade name of a machine called "IMKO-2" and was released in 1981. The "IMKO-2" was the upgraded version of the "IMKO", designed in 1979 and used for robot control.
28473 
28474 
28475 
28476Thanks to: Joro Dramchev, Ventzislav Alexandrov and Todor Arnaudov for Pravetz information, Fabrice Frances for Oric information.
28477 
28478 
28479 
28480 
28481 
28482$end
28483 
28484 
28485 
28486#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28487 
28488 
28489$info=primoa32
28490$bio
28491====== Microkey Primo Series (1984) ======
28492 
28493 
28494 
28495 
28496 
28497===== Features =====
28498 
28499 
28500 
28501  * CPU: U880A (GDR Z80A) 2.5 MHz (up to 3.5 MHz with some hacking)
28502 
28503  * RAM: 16 KB (up to to 48 KB depending on the model) 
28504 
28505  * ROM: 16 KB
28506 
28507  * Text Modes: 16 lines x 42 characters
28508 
28509  * Graphic Modes: 192 x 256 dots
28510 
28511  * Colors: Monochrome
28512 
28513  * Sound: Beeper
28514 
28515  * Keyboard: Membrane keyboard
28516 
28517  * Built In Language: BASIC interpreter
28518 
28519 
28520 
28521 
28522 
28523===== History and Trivia =====
28524 
28525 
28526 
28527The Primo computer series was manufactured by Microkey Kftt. (Kutatási Fejlesztési Termelési Társulás), and was originaly developed to be a school computer in Hungary.
28528 
28529 
28530 
28531There was a colour prototype as well, called pro PRIMO. 
28532 
28533 
28534 
28535== Versions ==
28536 
28537 
28538 
28539A type did not have built-in joystick and serial ports.
28540 
28541 
28542 
28543B type could works together with the Commodore VC1541 floppy drive unit (external software had to be load for this from tape). B type also featured a full stroke keyboard (capacitive was not a perfect way for quick typing).
28544 
28545 
28546 
28547//(info from old-computers.com)//
28548 
28549 
28550 
28551 
28552 
28553===== Links =====
28554 
28555 
28556 
28557  * Primo Hungarian Home Page -- http://www.primo.homeserver.hu/
28558 
28559  * Primo 32 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=38
28560 
28561 
28562 
28563 
28564 
28565===== Other Emulators =====
28566 
28567 
28568 
28569  * Primoemu -- http://www.primo.homeserver.hu/
28570 
28571  * Ultimo -- http://www.primo.homeserver.hu/
28572 
28573 
28574 
28575 
28576 
28577$end
28578 
28579 
28580 
28581#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28582 
28583 
28584$info=pro128
28585$bio
28586====== Olivetti Prodest PC 128 (Franco-Italian, 1986?) ======
28587 
28588 
28589 
28590 
28591 
28592===== Features =====
28593 
28594 
28595 
28596We only show the difference with the MO6.
28597 
28598 
28599 
28600  * Keyboard: QWERTY 69-keys, Italian
28601 
28602 
28603 
28604 
28605 
28606===== Usage =====
28607 
28608 
28609 
28610Please read the mo6 informations.
28611 
28612 
28613 
28614== Keyboard ==
28615 
28616 
28617 
28618The keyboard is a QWERTY version of the MO6 one.
28619 
28620   
28621 
28622        F1/F6    F2/F7    F3/F8    F4/F9    F5/F10
28623 
28624   
28625 
28626    [{   1!  2"  3S  4$  5%  6&  7/  8(  9)  0=  ç?  '£  ]}  ACC       UP
28627 
28628   
28629 
28630  STOP    Q   W   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ?@  +*    ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT
28631 
28632   
28633 
28634  CTRL ><  A   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   N   !"  #^            DOWN
28635 
28636   
28637 
28638  CAPS SHIFT Z   X   C   V   B   N   M   ,;  .:  (_  BASIC   HOME   INS  DEL
28639 
28640   
28641 
28642                               SPACE
28643 
28644 
28645 
28646 
28647 
28648===== History and Trivia =====
28649 
28650 
28651 
28652This Italian flavor of the MO6 was built by Thomson and sold by Olivetti.
28653 
28654 
28655 
28656 
28657 
28658===== Links =====
28659 
28660 
28661 
28662  * Main page for all Thomson drivers -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
28663 
28664 
28665 
28666 
28667 
28668$end
28669 
28670 
28671 
28672#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28673 
28674 
28675$info=psj
28676$bio
28677====== Sony PlayStation (1994) ======
28678 
28679 
28680 
28681 
28682 
28683===== Features =====
28684 
28685 
28686 
28687  * CPU: MIPS R3000A-compatible (R3051) 32bit RISC 33.8688 MHz
28688 
28689  * RAM: 2 MiB
28690 
28691  * Video RAM: 1 MiB
28692 
28693  * CD-ROM Buffer: 32 KiB
28694 
28695  * Operating System ROM: 512 KiB
28696 
28697  * Support: CD-ROM
28698 
28699 
28700 
28701 
28702 
28703===== Known Issues =====
28704 
28705 
28706 
28707CD Emulation is still missing. The driver can anyway run demos and games in executable form.
28708 
28709 
28710 
28711MESS supports several Playstation BIOS revisions (and few are known to be still undumped). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
28712 
28713 
28714 
28715== psj ==
28716 
28717   
28718 
28719  "-bios 0" or "-bios 1.0J" = SCPH-1000/DTL-H1000 (09/22/94)
28720 
28721   
28722 
28723  "-bios 1" or "-bios 1.1J" = SCPH-3000/DTL-H1000H (Version 1.1 01/22/95)
28724 
28725   
28726 
28727  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2.1J" = SCPH-3500 (Version 2.1 07/17/95 J)
28728 
28729   
28730 
28731  "-bios 3" or "-bios 2.2J" = SCPH-5000/DTL-H1200 (Version 2.2 12/04/95 J)
28732 
28733   
28734 
28735  "-bios 4" or "-bios 2.2D" = DTL-H1100 (Version 2.2 03/06/96 D)
28736 
28737   
28738 
28739  "-bios 5" or "-bios 3.0J" = SCPH-5500 (Version 3.0 09/09/96 J)
28740 
28741   
28742 
28743  "-bios 6" or "-bios 4.0J" = SCPH-7000/SCPH-9000 (Version 4.0 08/18/97 J)
28744 
28745   
28746 
28747  "-bios 7" or "-bios 4.3J" = SCPH-100 (Version 4.3 03/11/00 J)
28748 
28749   
28750 
28751== pse ==
28752 
28753   
28754 
28755  "-bios 0" or "-bios 2.0E" = DTL-H1002/SCPH-1002 (Version 2.0 05/10/95 E)
28756 
28757   
28758 
28759  "-bios 1" or "-bios 2.1E" = SCPH-1002/DTL-H1102 (Version 2.1 07/17/95 E)
28760 
28761   
28762 
28763  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2.2E" = SCPH-1002/DTL-H1202/DTL-H3002 (Version 2.2 12/04/95 E)
28764 
28765   
28766 
28767  "-bios 3" or "-bios 3.0E" = SCPH-5502/SCPH-5552 (Version 3.0 01/06/97 E)
28768 
28769   
28770 
28771  "-bios 4" or "-bios 4.1E" = SCPH-7002/SCPH-7502/SCPH-9002 (Version 4.1 12/16/97 E)
28772 
28773   
28774 
28775  "-bios 5" or "-bios 4.4E" = SCPH-102 (Version 4.4 03/24/00 E)
28776 
28777   
28778 
28779  "-bios 6" or "-bios 4.5E" = SCPH-102 (Version 4.5 05/25/00 E)
28780 
28781   
28782 
28783== psu ==
28784 
28785   
28786 
28787  "-bios 0" or "-bios 2.0A" = DTL-H1001 (Version 2.0 05/07/95 A)
28788 
28789   
28790 
28791  "-bios 1" or "-bios 2.1A" = DTL-H1101 (Version 2.1 07/17/95 A)
28792 
28793   
28794 
28795  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2.2A" = SCPH-1001/DTL-H1201/DTL-H3001 (Version 2.2 12/04/95 A)
28796 
28797   
28798 
28799  "-bios 3" or "-bios 3.0A" = SCPH-5501/SCPH-7003 (Version 3.0 11/18/96 A)
28800 
28801   
28802 
28803  "-bios 4" or "-bios 4.1A" = SCPH-7001/SCPH-7501/SCPH-7503/SCPH-9001 (Version 4.1 12/16/97 A)
28804 
28805   
28806 
28807  "-bios 5" or "-bios 4.5A" = SCPH-101 (Version 4.5 05/25/00 A)
28808 
28809   
28810 
28811== psa ==
28812 
28813   
28814 
28815  "-bios 0" or "-bios 3.0A" = SCPH-5501/SCPH-7003 (Version 3.0 11/18/96 A)
28816 
28817   
28818 
28819  "-bios 1" or "-bios 4.1A" = SCPH-7001/SCPH-7501/SCPH-7503/SCPH-9001 (Version 4.1 12/16/97 A)
28820 
28821 
28822 
28823 
28824 
28825===== History and Trivia =====
28826 
28827 
28828 
28829The first conceptions of the PlayStation date back to 1986. Nintendo had been attempting to work with disk technology since the Famicom, but the medium had problems. Its rewritable magnetic nature could be easily erased (thus leading to a lack of durability), and the disks were a piracy danger. Consequently, when details of CDROM/XA (an extension of the CD-ROM format that combines compressed audio, visual and computer data, allowing all to be accessed simultaneously) came out, Nintendo was interested. CDROM/XA was being simultaneously developed by Sony and Philips. Nintendo approached Sony to develop a CD-ROM add-on, tentatively titled the "SNES-CD". A contract was struck, and work began. Nintendo's choice of Sony was due to a prior dealing: Ken Kutaragi, the person who would later be dubbed "The Father of PlayStation", was the individual who had sold Nintendo on using the Sony SPC-700 processor for use as the eight-channel ADPCM sound synthesis set in the Super Famicom/SNES console through an impressive demonstration of the processor's capabilities.
28830 
28831 
28832 
28833Sony also planned to develop another, Nintendo compatible, Sony-branded console, but one which would be more of a home entertainment system playing both Super Nintendo cartridges and a new CD format which Sony would design. This was also to be the format used in SNES-CD discs, giving a large degree of control to Sony despite Nintendo's leading position in the video gaming market.
28834 
28835 
28836 
28837In 1989, the SNES-CD was to be announced at the June Consumer Electronics Show (CES). However, when Hiroshi Yamauchi read the original 1988 contract between Sony and Nintendo, he realized that the earlier agreement essentially handed Sony complete control over any and all titles written on the SNESCD-ROM format. Yamauchi was furious; deeming the contract totally unacceptable, he secretly cancelled all plans for the joint Nintendo-Sony SNES CD attachment. Indeed, instead of announcing their partnership, at 9 am the day of the CES, Nintendo chairman Howard Lincoln stepped onto the stage and revealed that they were now allied with Philips, and were planning on abandoning all the previous work Nintendo and Sony had accomplished. Lincoln and Minoru Arakawa had, unbeknownst to Sony, flown to Philips headquarters in Europe and formed an alliance of a decidedly different nature - one that would give Nintendo total control over its licenses on Philips machines.
28838 
28839 
28840 
28841The 9am CES announcement was a complete shock. Not only was it a complete surprise to the show goers (Sony had only just the previous night been optimistically showing off the joint project under the "Play Station" brand), but it was seen by many in the Japanese business community as a massive betrayal: a Japanese company snubbing another Japan-based company in favor of a European one was considered absolutely unthinkable in Japanese business.
28842 
28843 
28844 
28845After the collapse of the joint project, Sony considered halting their research, but ultimately the company decided to use what they had developed so far and make it into a complete, stand alone console. This led to Nintendo filing a lawsuit claiming breach of contract and attempted, in U.S. federal court, to obtain an injunction against the release of the PlayStation, on the grounds that Nintendo owned the name. The federal judge presiding over the case denied the injunction. Thus, in October 1991, the first incarnation of the new Sony PlayStation was revealed; it is theorized that only 200 or so of these machines were ever produced.
28846 
28847 
28848 
28849By the end of 1992, Sony and Nintendo reached a deal whereby the "Sony Play Station" would still have a port for SNES games, but Nintendo would own the rights and receive the bulk of the profits from the games, and the SNES would continue to use the Sony-designed audio chip. However, at this point, Sony realized that the SNES technology was getting long in the tooth, and the next generation of console gaming was around the corner: work began in early 1993 on reworking the "Play Station" concept to target a new generation of hardware and software; as part of this process the SNES cartridge port was dropped, the space between the names was removed, and the PlayStation was born.
28850 
28851 
28852 
28853The PlayStation was launched in Japan on December 3, 1994, the United States on September 9, 1995, Europe on September 29, 1995, and Asia-Pacific in November 1995. In America, Sony enjoyed a very successful launch with titles of almost every genre including Battle Arena Toshinden, Twisted Metal, Warhawk, Philosoma, and Ridge Racer. Almost all of Sony's and Namco's launch titles went on to produce numerous sequels.
28854 
28855 
28856 
28857The PlayStation was also able to generate interest with a unique series of advertising campaigns. Many of the ads released at the time of launch were full of ambiguous content which had many gamers rabidly debating their meanings. The most well-known launch ads include the "Enos Lives" campaign, and the "U R Not e" ads (the "e" in "U R Not e" was always colored in red, to symbolize the word "ready", and the "Enos" meant "ready Ninth Of September", the U.S. launch date). The Enos ad could also be read as Sony written backward with phonetic sound of "E" replacing the "y". It is believed that these ads were an attempt to play off the gaming public's suspicion towards Sony as an unknown, untested entity in the video game market. The PlayStation 3 slogan, "PLAY B3YOND", resembles this slogan, as the 3 is red.
28858 
28859 
28860 
28861The PlayStation logo was designed by Manabu Sakamoto, who also designed the logo for Sony's VAIO computer products.
28862 
28863 
28864 
28865Having lasted over 11 years, the PlayStation has enjoyed one of the longest production runs in the videogame industry. On March 23, 2006, Sony announced the end of production.
28866 
28867 
28868 
28869== Variants == 
28870 
28871 
28872 
28873The PlayStation went through a number of variants during its production run, each accompanied by a change in the part number. From an external perspective, the most notable change was the gradual reduction in the number of external connectors on the unit. 
28874 
28875 
28876 
28877This started very early on - the original Japanese launch units (SCPH-1000) had an S-Video port, which was removed on the next release. 
28878 
28879 
28880 
28881This also led to the strange situation where the US and European launch units had the same part number series (SCPH-100x) as the Japanese launch units, but had different hardware (Rev. C silicon and no S-Video port) - they were the same as the Japanese SCPH-3000, so for consistency should have been SCPH-3001 and SCPH-3002 (this numbering was used for the Yaroze machines, which were based on the same hardware and numbered DTL-H3000, DTL-H3001, and DTL-H3002). This series of machines had a reputation for CD drive problems - the optical pickup sled was made of thermoplastic, and eventually developed wear spots that moved the laser into a position where it was no longer parallel with the CD surface - a modification was made that replaced the sled with a die-cast one with hard nylon inserts, which corrected the problem.
28882 
28883 
28884 
28885With the release of the next series (SCPH-500x), the numbers moved back into sync. A number of changes were made to the unit internally (CD drive relocated, shielding simplified, PSU wiring simplified) and the RCA jacks and RFU power connectors were removed from the rear panel. This series also contained the SCPH-550x and SCPH-555x units, but these appear to have been bundle changes rather than actual hardware revisions.
28886 
28887 
28888 
28889These were followed by the SCPH-700x and SCHP-750x series - they are externally identical to the SCPH-500x machines, but have internal changes made to reduce manufacturing costs (for example, the system RAM went from 4 chips to 1, and the CD controller went from 3 chips to 1).
28890 
28891 
28892 
28893The final revision to the original PlayStation was the SCPH-900x series - these had the same hardware as the SCPH-750x machines with the exception of the removal of the parallel port and a slight reduction in the size of the PCB. The removal of the paralllel port was probably partly because no official add-on had ever been released for it, and partly because it was being used to connect cheat cartridges that could be used to defeat the copy protection.
28894 
28895 
28896 
28897The PSone was based on substantially the same hardware as the SCPH-750x and 900x, but had the serial port deleted, the controller / memory card ports moved to the main PCB and the power supply replaced with a DC-DC converter that was also on the main PCB.
28898 
28899 
28900 
28901With the early units, many gamers experienced skipping full-motion video or dreaded physical "ticking" noises coming from their PlayStations. The problem appears to have come from poorly placed vents leading to overheating in some environments - the plastic 
28902 
28903moldings inside the console would warp very slightly and create knock-on effects with the laser assembly. The solution was to ensure the console was sat on a surface which dissipated heat efficiently in a well vented area, or raise the unit up slightly by propping something at its edges. A common fix for already affected consoles was to turn the PlayStation sideways or upside-down (thereby using gravity to cancel the effects of the warped interior) although some gamers smacked the lid of the PlayStation to make a game load or work.
28904 
28905 
28906 
28907Sony then released a version dubbed "Dual Shock", which included a controller with 2 analog thumbsticks and a built in force-feedback feature.
28908 
28909 
28910 
28911Another version that was colored blue (as opposed to regular console units that were grey in color) was available to game developers and select press. Later versions of this were colored green - on a technical level, these units were almost identical to the retail units, but had a different CD controller in them that did not require the region code found on all pressed disks, since they were intended to be used with CD-R media for debugging - this also allowed the use of discs from different regions, but this was not officially supported, and different debug stations existed for each region. The two different color cases were not cosmetic - the original blue 
28912 
28913debug station (DTL-H100x, DTL-H110x) contained "Revision B" silicon, the same as the early retail units (these units had silicon errata that needed software workarounds), the green units (DTL-H120x) had Rev. C hardware. As part of the required tests, you had to test your title on both. Contrary to popular belief, the RAM was the same as the retail units at 2MB. The firmware was nearly identical - the only significant change was that debug printf()s got sent to the serial port if the title didn't open it for communications - this used a DTL-H3050 serial cable (the same as the one used for the Yaroze).
28914 
28915 
28916 
28917A white version was also produced that had the ability to play VCDs - this was only sold in Asia, since that format never really caught on anywere else. From a developer perspective, the white PSX could be treated exactly like any other NTSC:J PlayStation.
28918 
28919 
28920 
28921== Net Yaroze == 
28922 
28923 
28924 
28925A version of the PlayStation called the Net Yaroze was also produced. 
28926 
28927 
28928 
28929It was more expensive than the original PlayStation, colored black instead of the usual gray, and most importantly, came with tools and instructions that allowed a user to be able to program PlayStation games and applications without the need for a full developer suite, which cost many times the amount of a PlayStation and was only available to approved video game developers. 
28930 
28931 
28932 
28933Naturally, the Net Yaroze lacked many of the features the full developer suite provided. Programmers were also limited by the 2 MB of total game space that Net Yaroze allowed. That means the entire game had to be crammed into the 2 MB of system RAM. The user couldn't officially make actual game discs. The amount of space may seem small, but games like Ridge Racer ran entirely from the system RAM (except for the streamed music tracks). It was unique in that it was the only officially retailed Sony PlayStation with no regional lockout; it would play games from any territory.
28934 
28935 
28936 
28937== PSone ==
28938 
28939 
28940 
28941The PSone (also PSOne, PS one, or PS1), launched in 2000, is Sony's smaller (and redesigned) version of its PlayStation video game console. The PSone is about one-third smaller than the original PlayStation (38mm x 193 mm x 144 mm versus 45 mm x 260 mm x 185 mm). It was released in July 7, 2000, and went on to outsell all other consoles - including Sony's own brand-new PlayStation 2 - throughout the remainder of the year. Sony also released a small LCD screen and an adaptor to power the unit for use in cars. The PSone is fully compatible with all PlayStation software. The PlayStation is now officially abbreviated as the "PS1" or "PSone." There were three differences between the "PSone" and the original, the first one being cosmetic change to the console, the second one was the home menu's
28942 
28943Graphical User Interface, and the third being added protection against the mod-chip by changing the internal layout and making previous-generation mod-chip devices unusable. The PSone also lacks the original PlayStation's serial port, which allowed multiple consoles to be hooked up for multi-TV multiplayer. The serial port could also be used for an external mod-chip, which may have been why it was removed, although size-constraints may also be to blame.
28944 
28945 
28946 
28947//(info from Wikipedia)//
28948 
28949 
28950 
28951 
28952 
28953===== Links =====
28954 
28955 
28956 
28957  * Official Playstation Sites -- http://www.playstation.com
28958 
28959 
28960 
28961 
28962 
28963===== Other Emulators =====
28964 
28965 
28966 
28967  * pSX -- http://psxemulator.gazaxian.com/
28968 
28969  * ePSXe -- http://www.epsxe.com/
28970 
28971  * PSXeven -- http://batard.psxfanatics.com/
28972 
28973  * PCSX -- http://www.pcsx.net/
28974 
28975  * SSSPSX -- http://www.ssspsx.com/
28976 
28977  * Xebra -- http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/DrHell/ps1/index.html
28978 
28979 
28980 
28981 
28982 
28983$end
28984 
28985 
28986 
28987#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28988 
28989 
28990$info=ql
28991$bio
28992====== Sinclair QL (1984) ======
28993 
28994 
28995 
28996 
28997 
28998===== Features =====
28999 
29000 
29001 
29002  * CPU: Motorola MC 68008 7.5 MHz
29003 
29004  * Co-Processor: Intel 8049 IPC (RS232, speaker, joysticks, keyboard), Sinclair ZX8301 (Peripheral Control), Sinclair ZX8302 (Peripheral Chip)
29005 
29006  * RAM: 128 kb (up to 728 kb without additional CPU), 85 kb free under Super Basic
29007 
29008  * VRAM: 32 kb
29009 
29010  * ROM: 48 kb (up to 64 kb)
29011 
29012  * Text Modes: 40 x 25, 64 x 25, 85 x 25
29013 
29014  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 256 (8 colors), 512 x 256 (4 colors)
29015 
29016  * Colors: 256 color effects
29017 
29018  * Sound: Beeper
29019 
29020  * I/O Ports: 2 x Serial sockets (RS232), 2 x Sinclair Network sockets, 2 x Controllers sockets, ROM connector, Expansion bus, External microdrives bus, RGB video output, RF video output, 
29021 
29022  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY pseudo full-stroke keyboard, 5 function keys
29023 
29024  * Built In Media: 2 x microdrives (100 kb each)
29025 
29026  * OS: QDOS
29027 
29028  * Built In Language: Sinclair Super Basic
29029 
29030 
29031 
29032 
29033 
29034===== Usage =====
29035 
29036 
29037 
29038MESS supports several different QL (UK) revisions: v1.10 (JS), v1.0? (TB), v1.03 (JM), v1.02 (AH), v2.05 (Tyche), Minerva v1.89. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
29039 
29040 
29041 
29042  "-bios 0" or "-bios js" = v1.10 (JS)
29043 
29044   
29045 
29046  "-bios 1" or "-bios tb" = v1.0? (TB)
29047 
29048   
29049 
29050  "-bios 2" or "-bios jm" = v1.03 (JM)
29051 
29052   
29053 
29054  "-bios 3" or "-bios ah" = v1.02 (AH)
29055 
29056   
29057 
29058  "-bios 6" or "-bios tyche" = v2.05 (Tyche)
29059 
29060   
29061 
29062  "-bios 7" or "-bios min189" = Minerva v1.89
29063 
29064   
29065 
29066MESS also supports three different QL (Germany) revisions: v1.10 (MG), v1.14 (MF), Ultrasoft. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
29067 
29068 
29069 
29070  "-bios 0" or "-bios mg" = v1.10 (MG)
29071 
29072   
29073 
29074  "-bios 1" or "-bios mf" = v1.14 (MF)
29075 
29076   
29077 
29078  "-bios 2" or "-bios ultramg" = Ultrasoft
29079 
29080 
29081 
29082Finally, MESS supports few other non-UK versions, one revision each: ql_us (US version), ql_es (Spanish version), ql_fr (French version), ql_it (Italian version), ql_se (Swedish version), ql_dk (Danish version) and ql_gr (Greek version).
29083 
29084 
29085 
29086 
29087 
29088===== History and Trivia =====
29089 
29090 
29091 
29092The Sinclair QL (which stands for Quantum Leap) was the first attempt for Clive Sinclair to produce a computer for business. But after the success of the ZX-81 and ZX Spectrum, the QL can also be regarded as the first failure of Sinclair. In January 1984, Clive Sinclair presents the QL to the press, unveiling a very promising and inventive machine, based on the 68008 processor from Motorola. Indeed it was the first home computer based on a 32 bits CPU, just a few days before the Apple Macintosh. It was important for Clive Sinclair to unveil the QL before the Macintosh, but that was also one of the main reasons for the QL's failure...
29093 
29094 
29095 
29096The British ICL company conceived a desktop information system based on the QL mainboard. It was sold in the U.K. under the names One Per Desk and Merlin Tonto. The same model was also sold in Australia, with the name Telecom Computerphone. 
29097 
29098 
29099 
29100//(info from old-computers.com)//
29101 
29102 
29103 
29104 
29105 
29106===== Links =====
29107 
29108 
29109 
29110  * Club QL International -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/4807/
29111 
29112  * Thierry Godefroy's Page -- http://qdos.dyns.net/
29113 
29114  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/ql/ql.htm
29115 
29116  * QL at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=199
29117 
29118 
29119 
29120 
29121 
29122===== Other Emulators =====
29123 
29124 
29125 
29126  * QLAY -- http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/A.Jaw.Venema/
29127 
29128  * QPC2 -- http://www.kilgus.net/qpc/
29129 
29130 
29131 
29132 
29133 
29134$end
29135 
29136 
29137 
29138#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29139 
29140 
29141$info=raaspec
29142$bio
29143====== RA+A Spectrum I+ ======
29144 
29145 
29146 
29147 
29148 
29149===== Usage =====
29150 
29151 
29152 
29153This driver supported (at a certain point) the LED backdrop images: spec_bt.png and led.png
29154 
29155 
29156 
29157== Controls ==
29158 
29159 
29160 
29161The Spectrum I+ has 8 buttons, one for each color, which are mapped to "P1 button 1" to "P1 button 8" (they can be re-mapped from the //Input (This System)// menu).
29162 
29163 
29164 
29165 
29166 
29167===== History and Trivia =====
29168 
29169 
29170 
29171The Spectrum I+ was a "Stress Tester Unit" manufactured by Roy Abel & Associates, running on a modified black and white Vectrex hardware. The stress test consisted of a Luscher color test in which you have to choose between 8 colors, in order of your most to least favorite.
29172 
29173 
29174 
29175The unit output then the result of the test, judging how stressed you are.
29176 
29177 
29178 
29179Technically speaking, it had a 32K ROM cart and 2K additional battery backed RAM (0x8000 - 0x87ff). PB6 was used to signal inserted coins to the VIA. The unit was controlled by 8 buttons. Each button had a LED which were mapped to 0xa000.   
29180 
29181 
29182 
29183The service mode can be accessed by pressing button 8 during startup. As soon as all LEDs light up, press 2 and 3 without releasing 8. Then release 8 and after that 2 and 3. You can leave the screen where you enter ads by pressing 8 several times.
29184 
29185 
29186 
29187 
29188 
29189===== Links =====
29190 
29191 
29192 
29193Spectrum I+ at Vectrex Game Database -- http://vgdb.vectrex.com/vgdb/stresstester.html
29194 
29195 
29196 
29197 
29198 
29199$end
29200 
29201 
29202 
29203#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29204 
29205 
29206$info=rebel5
29207$bio
29208====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto - Modul Rebell 5.0 (1986) ======
29209 
29210 
29211 
29212===== Features =====
29213 
29214 
29215 
29216  * CPU: 65C02 4,9152 MHz
29217 
29218  * ROM: 32 KB
29219 
29220  * RAM: 8 KB
29221 
29222 
29223 
29224 
29225 
29226===== History and Trivia =====
29227 
29228 
29229 
29230Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers. 
29231 
29232 
29233 
29234They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules. 
29235 
29236 
29237 
29238The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
29239 
29240 
29241 
29242Modul Rebell 5.0 was introduced in 1986. It was the first Hegener & Glaser Chess Computer programmed by Ed Schröder.
29243 
29244 
29245 
29246For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
29247 
29248 
29249 
29250 
29251 
29252===== Links =====
29253 
29254 
29255 
29256  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
29257 
29258  * Rebell 5.0 at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
29259 
29260  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
29261 
29262 
29263 
29264 
29265 
29266$end
29267 
29268 
29269 
29270#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29271 
29272 
29273$info=roma
29274$bio
29275====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Roma 16bit / 32bit (1987) ======
29276 
29277 
29278 
29279 
29280 
29281===== Features =====
29282 
29283 
29284 
29285  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz / 68020 14 MHz
29286 
29287  * ROM: 64 KB
29288 
29289  * RAM: 16 KB / 64 KB
29290 
29291 
29292 
29293 
29294 
29295===== History and Trivia =====
29296 
29297 
29298 
29299Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers. 
29300 
29301 
29302 
29303They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules. 
29304 
29305 
29306 
29307The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
29308 
29309 
29310 
29311Mephisto Roma was introduced in 1987. It was programmed by Richard Lang and was available in two version: one based on a 16bit CPU (68000) and one based on a 32bit CPU (68020). No great changes were made compared to Mephisto Dallas.
29312 
29313 
29314 
29315For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
29316 
29317 
29318 
29319 
29320 
29321===== Links =====
29322 
29323 
29324 
29325  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
29326 
29327  * Mephisto Roma at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
29328 
29329  * Mephisto Roma 16bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Roma_68000
29330 
29331  * Mephisto Roma 32bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Roma_68020
29332 
29333  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
29334 
29335 
29336 
29337 
29338 
29339$end
29340 
29341 
29342 
29343#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29344 
29345 
29346$info=saturn
29347$bio
29348====== Sega Saturn (1994) ======
29349 
29350 
29351 
29352 
29353 
29354===== Features =====
29355 
29356 
29357 
29358  * CPU: Two Hitachi SH2 7604 32 Bit RISC chips at ~27 MHz (36 MIPS)
29359 
29360  * Sound CPU: Motorola 68EC000 at 11.3 MHz
29361 
29362  * Sound: 32 Channels, with 16 bit sampling at a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz max.
29363 
29364  * Resolution: 704 x 512 (horz) 60.00 Hz 
29365 
29366  * Colors: 32768 (static)
29367 
29368  * Main Memory: 1 Megabyte of SDRAM and 1 Megabyte of DRAM
29369 
29370  * Internal Memory Card 
29371 
29372  * Video Hardware: Two VDP (video display processors) chip sets (VRAM: 512Kb each)
29373 
29374    * VDP1 Draw Sprites, lines, warped sprites (quads)
29375 
29376    * VDP2 controls background graphics.
29377 
29378  * CDROM: Max 2x speed - custom interface controlled by Hitachi SH1 processor. (512 Kb Buffer RAM)
29379 
29380 
29381 
29382 
29383 
29384 
29385 
29386===== Known Issues =====
29387 
29388 
29389 
29390The emulation of this system is Preliminary. See source code for more information.
29391 
29392 
29393 
29394Partially added CD-ROM Emulation. It still needs work on inputs.
29395 
29396 
29397 
29398MESS supports different Saturn BIOS revisions: Japan v1.00, Japan v1.01, Overseas v1.00a, Overseas v1.01a. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
29399 
29400 
29401 
29402== saturnjp ==
29403 
29404   
29405 
29406  "-bios 0" or "-bios 101" = Japan v1.01 (941228)
29407 
29408   
29409 
29410  "-bios 1" or "-bios 100" = Japan v1.00 (940921)
29411 
29412 
29413 
29414== saturn / saturneu ==
29415 
29416   
29417 
29418  "-bios 0" or "-bios 101a" = Overseas v1.01a (941115)
29419 
29420   
29421 
29422  "-bios 1" or "-bios 100a" = Overseas v1.00a (941115)
29423 
29424 
29425 
29426 
29427 
29428===== History and Trivia =====
29429 
29430 
29431 
29432The Sega Saturn is a 32-bit video game console, first released on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America and July 8, 1995 in Europe.
29433 
29434 
29435 
29436The system was supported in North America and Europe until late 1998, and in Japan until the end of 2000. The last official game for the system, Yukyu Gensokyoku Perpetual Collection, was released by Mediaworks on December 4, 2000.
29437 
29438 
29439 
29440Sega's 27-member Away Team, comprising employees from every aspect of hardware engineering, product development and marketing, worked exclusively for two years to ensure the Sega Saturn's hardware and design met the precise needs of both the U.S. and Japanese markets. The Saturn was a powerful machine for the time, but its design, with two CPUs and 6 other processors, made harnessing its power extremely difficult. Many of the ancillary chips in the system were "off of the shelf" components. This increased the complexity of the design since less custom hardware was used. Rumours suggest that the original design called for a single central processor (making for 
29441 
29442an excellent 2D gaming experience but with very limited 3D capability), but a second processor was added late in development to increase 3D performance.
29443 
29444 
29445 
29446Third-party development was further hindered by the initial lack of useful software libraries and development tools, requiring developers to write in assembly language to achieve decent performance. Programmers would often utilize only one CPU to simplify development in titles such as Alien Trilogy.
29447 
29448 
29449 
29450The main disadvantage of the dual CPU architecture was that both processors shared the same bus, and besides 4K of on-chip memory, all data and program code for both CPUs were located in the same shared 2 MiB of main memory. This meant that without very careful division of processing, the second CPU would often have to wait while the first CPU was working, reducing its processing ability.
29451 
29452 
29453 
29454The hardware also lacked light sourcing and hardware video decompression support. Nevertheless, when properly utilized, the dual processors in the Saturn could produce impressive results such as the 1997 ports of Quake and Duke Nukem 3D by Lobotomy Software, and later games like Burning Rangers were able to achieve true transparency effects on hardware that used simple polygon stipples as a replacement for transparency effects in the past.
29455 
29456 
29457 
29458From a market viewpoint, the architectural design problems of the Saturn meant that it quickly lost third party support to the PlayStation. Unlike the Playstation's use of triangles as its basic geometric primitive, the Saturn rendered quadrilaterals. 
29459 
29460This proved a hindrance as most industry standard design tools were based around triangles, and multiplatform games were usually developed with triangles and the Playstation's larger market share in mind.
29461 
29462 
29463 
29464If used correctly the quadrilateral rendering of the Saturn would show less texture distortion than was common on Playstation titles, as demonstrated by several cross-platform titles such as Wipeout and Destruction Derby. The quadrilateral-focussed hardware and a 50% greater amount of video RAM also gave the Saturn an advantage for 2D game engines and attracted many developers of RPGs, arcade games and traditional 2D fighting games. Two different RAM cartridges were released for the system, a 1 MiB RAM cart by SNK for King of Fighters '96 and a 4 MiB RAM cart by Capcom for X-Men vs. Street Fighter. Both companies were known back then for their sprite-based 
29465 
294662D competitive fighting games and many of their subsequent games utilized their respective cartridges.
29467 
29468 
29469 
29470Tomb Raider was originally designed for the Saturn's quadrilateral-based hardware and as a result was incapable of displaying levels containing any triangular parts. This restriction remained in place for most of the 32-bit sequels. On the other hand, the quadrilateral ability allowed the Saturn to render First-person shooter games better than other consoles at the time, games like Quake, Powerslave, Duke Nukem 3D, HeXen. Also, the extra video RAM allowed larger levels than in PlayStation versions.
29471 
29472 
29473 
29474A true example of the Saturn's capability is widely considered to be the systems version of Shenmue, Yu Suzuki's multi-million dollar project that would eventually find a new home on the Saturn's successor, the Sega Dreamcast. Work on the title is believed to have been fairly complete, and several technical demos and gameplay footage have since been released to the public. The footage displays a system capable of producing fully rendered, entirely 3D locations and characters.
29475 
29476 
29477 
29478== Saturn in Japan == 
29479 
29480 
29481 
29482The Japanese Saturn was rushed to the market in November 1994, just a few weeks ahead of its rival, Sony's PlayStation. The difficulties in programming for the system along with the early release led to very few games being available at launch. Approximately 170,000 machines were sold the first day the console went on sale. Although the Saturn was outsold by the PlayStation in Japan between 1995 and 1997, Saturn software enjoyed higher sales, a fact boosted by their successful Segata Sanshiro advertising campaign, leading to the perception that the Saturn was the platform of choice for more dedicated gamers while the PlayStation had a more casual audience.
29483 
29484 
29485 
29486Many of the games that made the Saturn popular in Japan, such as the Sakura Taisen series and numerous quirky anime style RPGs, were never released in foreign territories due to policies put in place by then Sega of America president Bernie Stolar who believed 
29487 
29488that RPGs (or even most Japanese games in general) were not appealing to the North American audience.
29489 
29490 
29491 
29492== Saturn in North America == 
29493 
29494 
29495 
29496By the end of 1994 the 16-bit videogame era was in twilight in North America. Gamers were eagerly anticipating the new 32-bit machines from Japan. In early 1995 Sega president Tom Kalinske announced that the Saturn would launch in the U.S. on "Saturnday", (Saturday) September 2, 1995. This date was greatly anticipated by gamers and the media. It also allowed Sony to announce that the Playstation release date would be one week later on September 9, 1995.
29497 
29498 
29499 
29500However, at the first Electronic Entertainment Expo E3 in May 1995, Kalinske announced that the "Saturnday" date was a ruse and that the system was being released nationwide by a few select retailers immediately. This surprise move shocked everyone in attendance (Sony most of all) and it appeared that Sega had a real opportunity to take a commanding lead in the 32-bit race by beating the Playstation to the market.
29501 
29502 
29503 
29504In reality the "surprise attack" launch backfired for Sega. The Saturn was released at a high price point of $399 (Sony announced a $299 price for the Playstation at E3, as a response to the Saturn's release). Sega set the price high to capitalize on sales from early adopters who were willing to pay a premium to have the first machines available. Traditionally most videogame hardware is sold at a loss to allow for a price point low enough for quick adoption. With Sega having the market all to itself, it saw no reason to sell the system at a loss when demand was high in the marketplace.
29505 
29506 
29507 
29508The early launch also made the independent software companies angry because most of the third party games were slated to be finished and released around the September 2nd launch date. The early launch of the Saturn prevented them from capitalizing on the momentum inherent in an anticipated, planned release. Essentially the only software available on the shelves at launch was software released by Sega which, to many people within the software industry, appeared to be a move calculated to bring more sales to Sega's software at the expense of its rivals.
29509 
29510 
29511 
29512In addition, the retailers who were not included in the early launch (most notably Wal-Mart and KB Toys) felt betrayed by Sega allowing their competition to profit on the Saturn at their expense. This resulted in Sega having difficulties with these distributors for the Saturn (and also for its successor, the Dreamcast). As an example: the leadership within KB Toys were so angered by Sega's actions 
29513 
29514that they refused to release the Saturn at all and even actually going as far as having some retailers removing anything Sega-related in stores, providing more retail space in many American shopping malls for the Saturn's competition instead.
29515 
29516 
29517 
29518By the time of the Playstation's release on September 9, 1995, the Saturn had sold approximately 80,000 systems. The Playstation sold over 100,000 units upon release in the U.S., a record at the time for a new system. Sega's dreams of early domination of the new generation of hardware were quickly forgotten as momentum behind the Playstation continued to build.
29519 
29520 
29521 
29522From 1995-1997 the Saturn became the "other" system, running a distant third behind the Playstation and the Nintendo 64. However, it was the preferred system for many arcade gamers who eagerly anticipated Sega's arcade classic games being ported to the system. Sales of the Saturn would generally spike as new arcade ports were released, then die off shortly thereafter. By the end of 1997 the third party releases for the system had dried up, and Sega's support was slowly fading as focus turned to the Dreamcast.
29523 
29524 
29525 
29526== Saturn in Europe == 
29527 
29528 
29529 
29530Although the Sega Saturn launched in Europe in July 1995 - a few months before the PlayStation's release - the momentum for Sony's 
29531 
29532console amongst consumers was already building rapidly, stalling Saturn sales in the region. Nintendo's Ultra 64 (renamed Nintendo 64) also stole some of the limelight, despite the fact that it didn't actually hit European shelves until early 1997.
29533 
29534 
29535 
29536As a result, the Saturn never enjoyed the success it achieved in Japan or even the post-launch hype the machine was awarded in North America, leaving the market almost solely in Sony's hands. The PlayStation took the lead early on, and maintained it with ease throughout the Saturn's life, cementing its dominance in Europe.
29537 
29538 
29539 
29540== End of Saturn Era == 
29541 
29542 
29543 
29544As price drops continued throughout the 32-bit era, the system board design of the Saturn was not as easy to condense in a cost-saving 
29545 
29546manner, and Sega fell behind after price drops offered by Nintendo and Sony. This forced Sega to "bundle" more software with the system in an attempt to make the more expensive Saturn compete with its rivals. Although the quality of the bundled software was high, gamers preferred to purchase a cheaper system from the competition and purchase game titles of their own choice instead.
29547 
29548 
29549 
29550By early 1997 the Saturn was trailing the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in both North America and Europe to such an extent that senior management began planning a new platform and, by E3 in 1997, had begun talk of the system that would become known as the Sega Dreamcast. As Sega started aggressively moving forward with that project, a rift developed between Sega and many of their third-party developers and publishers. As the Saturn was popular in the Japanese marketplace, many Japanese developers saw little reason for Sega to rush another platform to market. As Sega began public discussion about their future platform to media barely two years after having launched the Saturn, many gamers decided that the Saturn was already dead. Sales quickly diminished, as the console's life expectancy dropped substantially after Bernie Stolar's public comments that "The Saturn is not our (their) future". 
29551 
29552 
29553 
29554This, combined with Sega's reputation, having pulled out on support rather quickly for both the Sega CD and 32X platforms, led to a large chain reaction that quickly caused the platform's future to collapse. Many Saturn projects were cancelled, in anticipation of the new console, because of the substantial drop in sales after Sega announced that they were working on a new platform and through developers' and publishers' frustration with Sega. In a magazine article involving Will Muscaeli, he summed up the life cycle of the Sega Saturn as being "disappointing". Some major publishers such as Electronic Arts were so dismayed at Sega's early abandonment of the Saturn that they vowed not to support any Sega consoles in the future.
29555 
29556 
29557 
29558With Sega now publicly saying they were working on a new console, sales for the Saturn substantially tapered off in the second half of 1997. This caused many games that were planned for a western Saturn release to be cancelled, including such highly anticipated titles such as Sonic X-treme, Policenauts and Lunar: Silver Star Story. A chain reaction of cancellations transformed a promising 1998 schedule of releases to a small handful of titles extending little beyond Panzer Dragoon Saga, Burning Rangers, Shining Force III (only part one of the three-part series) and Magic Knight Rayearth - the only third-party title released that year. Eventually the Saturn was discontinued in both Europe and North America in late 1998.
29559 
29560 
29561 
29562== Variations ==
29563 
29564 
29565 
29566Asian models: In Japan, Sega licensed the rights to produce Saturns to their hardware partners - Hitachi, who provided the CPUs and several other chips, and JVC who produced the CD drives for most models, although functionally identical Sanyo drives were sometimes used. SunSeibu released a model with a 7-CD changer for use in hotels. The concept of a multi-game player for hotel use is very common in Japan.
29567 
29568 
29569 
29570  * Sega HST-3200 Saturn (Gray case and Blue buttons): The original Japanese Saturn. Production was ended in favour of the White Saturn. This model had a black cartridge flap and came in a box labeled HST-0001. The power cord is un-notched and this machine has a drive access light.
29571 
29572 
29573 
29574  * Sega Saturn (White case and Purple/Gray buttons): Sega switched from purple to gray buttons during the production run. This controller was a matching white with multi-colored buttons similar to a Super Famicom controller with the bottom row buttons colored green, yellow and blue. The 'white' plastic is a very light gray and shares its color with the later Dreamcast. The cartridge flag is visibly gray. Limited models of the Saturn had oval buttons. Some people report faster CD access time with this model.
29575 
29576 
29577 
29578  * Sega Skeleton Saturn (Translucent smoky-gray case): Came with a matching smoky-gray controller. Both controller and system had "This is cool" printed on them. Only around 50,000 were produced. Has some compatibility problems, notably with Metal Slug and Space Harrier.
29579 
29580 
29581 
29582  * Sega Derby Saturn (Translucent blue case): Released on March 25, 1999, this model was only available as part of a promotion with ASCII's popular horse racing sim, Derby Stallion. It came with the same smoky-gray controller as the Skeleton Saturn but did not have "This is cool" printed on the system. After limited supplies of the Skeleton Saturn, the Derby Saturn was quickly bought in bulk by exporters and for a time was easier to find outside Japan than inside. Shares the compatibility problems of the Skeleton Saturn. It uses BIOS 1.01.
29583 
29584 
29585 
29586  * Hitachi Hi-Saturn (Charcoal case and Khaki buttons): This machine appears similar in color to the European and North American Saturn without close inspection. Hi-Saturn is printed on the CD drive lid. Controllers have the same color layout as the unit with pinkish-beige and dark bluish/gray buttons. The Hitachi logo appears on them. The machine was packaged in an almost all-black box with a light-gray/white border. Excepting some limited promotional bundles, the Hi-Saturn came packaged with an MPEG plug-in card allowing Video CD playback. The start-up screen differs slightly from other models - instead of a shower of pieces forming the Saturn logo, the word "Hi-Saturn" shoots out from the middle of the screen and then flips around till it is readable.
29587 
29588 
29589 
29590  * Hitachi Hi-Saturn Navi (MMP-1000NV) (Charcoal case and Khaki buttons): This is the only consumer Saturn to differ in functionality or shape. It is much thinner, and is flat instead of curved on top, in order to accommodate a folding LCD monitor that clips to the rear. It includes GPS capability, and has a standard port on the rear for use with an included antenna. Navi-ken CDs are used for map data. Since Navi-ken was only available in Japan, only Japanese maps are available.
29591 
29592 
29593 
29594  * JVC/Victor V-Saturn RG-JX1 (Light Gray case): Two-tone appearance, gray on top with a black base section. "V-Saturn" is printed on top of the machine. Features a V-Saturn logo in place of the SegaSaturn logo at boot-up.
29595 
29596 
29597 
29598  * JVC/Victor V-Saturn RG-JX2 (Light Gray case): Two-tone appearance, gray on top, dark-gray base section. "V-Saturn" is printed on top of the machine. Besides color and markings, this is completely identical to the Sega model. It features a 1.01 BIOS, and shares the boot-up sequence of the RG-JX1.
29599 
29600 
29601 
29602  * Samsung Saturn (Black case): Intended only for South Korea, this machine combines the older style oval-button shell with the smaller and newer mainboard which normally comes with a round-button shell. The Japanese language option is removed from the setup screen and the system lacks all LEDs.
29603 
29604 
29605 
29606North American models: All North American models are black in color and were produced by Sega.
29607 
29608 
29609 
29610  * MK-80000: Identical to the Grey Japanese Saturn but for color: the US model is black.
29611 
29612 
29613 
29614  * MK-80000A: Features a notched power cord, no drive access light and a 1.00a BIOS. Internal jumper locations are changed.
29615 
29616 
29617 
29618  * MK-80001: Similar in appearance to the MK-80000A, this machine has some changed internal jumper locations.
29619 
29620 
29621 
29622European/Australian models: European and Australian Saturns are identical as both regions share the same AC voltage and TV standard. 
29623 
29624There is no internal variation between PAL and SECAM machines as all were shipped with SCART leads. All models are black and externally quite similar to the North American variations. PAL and SECAM machines will have "PAL" next to the BIOS revision number on the system settings screen instead of "NTSC".
29625 
29626 
29627 
29628  * MK-80200-50: Version 1.01a BIOS.
29629 
29630 
29631 
29632  * MK-80200A-50: Lacks a drive access LED. Buttons are grey.
29633 
29634 
29635 
29636//(info from Wikipedia)//
29637 
29638 
29639 
29640 
29641 
29642===== Links =====
29643 
29644 
29645 
29646  * Satakore -- http://www.satakore.com/
29647 
29648 
29649 
29650 
29651 
29652===== Other Emulators =====
29653 
29654 
29655 
29656  * SSF -- http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~phantasy/ssf/index.html
29657 
29658  * Satourne -- http://satourne.consollection.com/
29659 
29660  * Saturnin -- http://www.saturnin.consollection.com/
29661 
29662  * Yabause -- http://yabause.sourceforge.net/
29663 
29664 
29665 
29666 
29667 
29668$end
29669 
29670 
29671 
29672#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29673 
29674 
29675$info=sb2m600b
29676$bio
29677====== Ohio Scientific Superboard II Model 600 (1978) ======
29678 
29679 
29680 
29681 
29682 
29683===== Features =====
29684 
29685 
29686 
29687  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz (could be overclocked to 2 MHz)
29688 
29689  * Co-Processor: None
29690 
29691  * RAM: 4 KB expandable to 8 KB on board
29692 
29693  * VRAM: 1 KB
29694 
29695  * ROM: 8 KB (OSI BASIC + Monitor)
29696 
29697  * Text Modes: 16 to 48 chars. x 16 lines
29698 
29699  * Graphic Modes: None, but 128 graphic characters
29700 
29701  * Colors: Monochrome
29702 
29703  * I/O Ports: Tape recorder and printer ports
29704 
29705  * Keyboard: Full stroke 50 keys
29706 
29707  * Built In Media: None
29708 
29709  * Built In Language: OSI BASIC interpreter
29710 
29711 
29712 
29713 
29714 
29715===== History and Trivia =====
29716 
29717 
29718 
29719The Superboard II, also called Model 600, was quite the same board as the british clone Compukit UK-101.
29720 
29721 
29722 
29723It came in only ready built version and did not featured neither power regulation on board - User had to build or buy a 5V external power supply - nor RF modulator to display on a standard TV, but only a composite video output.
29724 
29725 
29726 
29727A 40 pin IC socket allowed an expansion board and OSI bus to be connected, giving access to memory expansion (up to 64 KB) and floppy drive controller.
29728 
29729 
29730 
29731//(info from old-computers.com)//
29732 
29733 
29734 
29735 
29736 
29737===== Links =====
29738 
29739 
29740 
29741  * Superboard II at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=860
29742 
29743 
29744 
29745 
29746 
29747$end
29748 
29749 
29750 
29751#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29752 
29753 
29754$info=sc3000
29755$bio
29756====== Sega SC-3000 (1983) ======
29757 
29758 
29759 
29760 
29761 
29762===== Features =====
29763 
29764 
29765 
29766  * CPU: NEC D780C-1 (Z80A clone) 3.58 MHz
29767 
29768  * Co-Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9929A (VDP)
29769 
29770  * RAM: Depending on Basic cartridge used.
29771 
29772  * VRAM: 16 kb
29773 
29774  * ROM: 32 kb
29775 
29776  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
29777 
29778  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192, 256 x 220
29779 
29780  * Colors: 16-color palette with 16 intensities each (64 colors from a 256-color palette)
29781 
29782  * Sound: Texas Instruments SN-76596 PCM audio processor (6 channel sound)
29783 
29784  * I/O Ports: TV RF output, Composite video out, Cartridge slot, Expansion slot, Tape interface, Joystick (2), External Audio, Serial
29785 
29786  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard (SC-3000h) or rubber keys (SC-3000)
29787 
29788  * Built In Media: None
29789 
29790  * Built In Language: Sega Basic
29791 
29792  * Peripherals: Printer-plotter, floppy disk drive
29793 
29794 
29795 
29796 
29797 
29798===== History and Trivia =====
29799 
29800 
29801 
29802The SC-3000 is a computer based on the hardware of the first videogame systems released by Sega in Japan : the SG-1000 series. It can use the same game cartridges marketed for these consoles.
29803 
29804 
29805 
29806The SC3000 can't be used without a ROM cartridge, which can be either a game or language. There were three different BASIC cartridges. One came with only 1Kb of RAM (and you had only 512 bytes free !), the second with 16Kb and the last with 32Kb. In official adverts, they show a total RAM of 48Kb. This was counting the VRAM and the 32Kb BASIC cartridge...
29807 
29808 
29809 
29810Several great games were adapted by Sega for this computer. Several graphic characteristics of the SC-3000 are fairly close to MSX ones. For example, it was one of the first computers to offer 32 sprites.
29811 
29812 
29813 
29814Some months later, Sega released the SC-3000 H which was the same system but with a mechanical keyboard.
29815 
29816 
29817 
29818This computer was also marketed by Yeno under the same name (Yeno SC 3000 & SC 3000H). It was exactly the same computer except for the Yeno brand... 
29819 
29820 
29821 
29822//(info from old-computers.com)//
29823 
29824 
29825 
29826 
29827 
29828===== Links =====
29829 
29830 
29831 
29832  * SC-3000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=206
29833 
29834 
29835 
29836 
29837 
29838===== Other Emulators =====
29839 
29840 
29841 
29842  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
29843 
29844 
29845 
29846 
29847 
29848$end
29849 
29850 
29851 
29852#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29853 
29854 
29855$info=sf7000
29856$bio
29857====== Sega Super Control Station SF-7000 (1983) ======
29858 
29859 
29860 
29861 
29862 
29863===== History and Trivia =====
29864 
29865 
29866 
29867The SF-7000 is an add-on for the SC-3000 including:
29868 
29869 
29870 
29871  * 64 kb RAM and 8 kb ROM for boot
29872 
29873  * Floppy disk drive 3"
29874 
29875  * Centronics parallel port
29876 
29877  * RS232 Serial port
29878 
29879 
29880 
29881Notice that, according to the manual incipit, 
29882 
29883 
29884 
29885> Supercontrol Station SF-7000, containing a 3 1/2-inch compact floppy disk drive, 64K byte RAM, RS-232C terminal, and parallel printer terminal (applicable to Centronics), can be used as a high-performance peripheral device of SC-3000.
29886 
29887 
29888 
29889but the floppy is 3" and not 3" 1/2.
29890 
29891 
29892 
29893 
29894 
29895===== Links =====
29896 
29897 
29898 
29899  * SC-3000 & SF-7000 Tech Page -- http://membres.lycos.fr/mavati/sf7000/
29900 
29901  * SF-7000 at SMS Power -- http://www.smspower.org/museum/sf7000/
29902 
29903 
29904 
29905 
29906 
29907===== Other Emulators =====
29908 
29909 
29910 
29911  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
29912 
29913 
29914 
29915 
29916 
29917$end
29918 
29919 
29920 
29921#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29922 
29923 
29924$info=sfzch
29925$bio
29926====== Capcom CPS Changer (1995) ======
29927 
29928 
29929 
29930 
29931 
29932===== History and Trivia =====
29933 
29934 
29935 
29936Perhaps inspired by SNK's Neo-Geo, Capcom released the Capcom Power System Changer (CPS in this case NOT referring to Capcom Play System) in 1994, as an attempt to sell their arcade games in console format.  The console basically served as an encased SuperGun (Television JAMMA adapter) but was wired up so coin inputs could not be added by hackers, and only the special CPS Changer cartridge boards would work. The CPS Changer had outputs for Composite video, S-Video and 8 channel mono audio. Its joystick (named the "CPS Fighter") had the same connection as the Super Famicom, and was even marketed separately for that console.
29937 
29938 
29939 
29940The games came as PCBs in plastic casing, and were virtually identical to their CPS-1 arcade counterparts, though they often contained extra debugging features.  The CPS Changer was sold as a package deal of the console itself, one CPS Fighter controller, and the Street
29941 
29942Fighter II Turbo game for 39,800 yen. Additional games were sold for about 20,000 yen.
29943 
29944 
29945 
29946The CPS Changer sold poorly though, and support was dropped in March 1996 after releasing the console's only unique (as in non-CPS1) title: Street Fighter Zero, for 35,000 yen. Street Fighter Zero was a downscaled version of the CPS2 arcade version from the year prior. It ran somewhat choppier, had a reduced colour depth, and the sounds were at a lower sample rate.
29947 
29948 
29949 
29950Ten other games were released for the CPS Changer, though none have been dumped at present (to the best of our knowledge). If / when these are dumped, support will be added for them: 
29951 
29952 
29953 
29954  * Captain Commando (1995)
29955 
29956  * Final Fight  (1994)
29957 
29958  * The King of Dragons (1995)
29959 
29960  * Knights of the Round (1995)
29961 
29962  * Muscle Bomber:The Body Explosion (1994)
29963 
29964  * Muscle Bomber Duo: Burn Up Warriors (1995)
29965 
29966  * Quiz Capcom World 2 (1994)
29967 
29968  * Street Fighter II' Champion Edition (1994)
29969 
29970  * Street Fighter II Turbo (1994, Pack-in)
29971 
29972  * Street Fighter Zero (19??)
29973 
29974  * Tenchi O Kurau II (1995)
29975 
29976 
29977 
29978 
29979 
29980$end
29981 
29982 
29983 
29984#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29985 
29986 
29987$info=sg1000
29988$bio
29989====== Sega SG-1000 (1983) ======
29990 
29991 
29992 
29993 
29994 
29995===== History and Trivia =====
29996 
29997 
29998 
29999The SG-1000, which stands for Sega Game 1000, is a cartridge-based video game console manufactured by Sega. This system marked Sega's entry into the home video game hardware business, which they would continue to be in until the end of the Dreamcast in 2001. While the system was not very popular, it was the basis for the more successful Sega Master System.
30000 
30001 
30002 
30003It was test marketed in Japan in 1981 and first released to the Japanese market in July 1983, in direct competition with Nintendo Famicom. Sega's arcade background meant that a number of arcade games were converted to the system, most of which were very well done. The graphics and sound may seem primitive today, but it was cutting edge technology back then and the games are still quite playable even now.
30004 
30005 
30006 
30007While Sega marketed the console in Asia, Grandstand Leisure took care of overseas sales. The console was available in a number of countries such as New Zealand and Taiwan, where it was quite popular, Italy, Spain, and South Africa, but for some reason it was never released in North America.
30008 
30009 
30010 
30011Some clones were also available: Tsukada Original manifactured Othello Multivision, while Bit Corp produced Dina 2-in-1 ColecoVision , a clone brought to North America by a company called Telegames. Telegames called its clone the Telegames Personal Arcade and mainly advertised it as a ColecoVision clone, but it was able to play SG-1000 games as well.
30012 
30013 
30014 
30015It is remarkable SG-1000's wide availability on Taiwan's secondary market: this console is highly significant in Taiwan as one of its first and best-remembered consoles, where it was manufactured and sold (very briskly) under license. This was striking in that in the same time period from 1981 to 1986, Famicom games were widely pirated as standalone and multi-carts (replete with rudimentary switch banks to select the active ROM), as well as no less than three different pirated versions of the Atari 2600 with boastful monikers characteristic of the times ('Adventurer', 'Delight', 'Steadfast Creator').
30016 
30017Taiwan, among a few countries, also received a Mark IV version of the console - very likely a modified Sega Master System II - and the 'Mark' naming convention was further extended to the Mega Drive/Genesis (which became 'Mark V').
30018 
30019 
30020 
30021The SG-1000 was followed by the SG-1000 Mark II, which was released in 1984. 
30022 
30023 
30024 
30025//(info from old-computers.com & Wikipedia)//
30026 
30027 
30028 
30029 
30030 
30031===== Links =====
30032 
30033 
30034 
30035  * [[wp>Sega_SG-1000]]
30036 
30037  * SG-1000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1257
30038 
30039 
30040 
30041===== Other Emulators =====
30042 
30043 
30044 
30045  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
30046 
30047 
30048 
30049 
30050 
30051$end
30052 
30053 
30054 
30055#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
30056 
30057 
30058$info=sg1000m2
30059$bio
30060====== Sega SG-1000 Mark II (1984) ======
30061 
30062 
30063 
30064 
30065 
30066===== History and Trivia =====
30067 
30068 
30069 
30070In July 1984, Sega released an updated version of the console called the SG-1000 Mark II. Very similar to the SG-1000, it was just a minor update consisting mainly of cosmetic changes: the case was redesigned and the joysticks of the Mark I were replaced by joypads which could be stored in built-in holders located on either side of the console. 
30071 
30072 
30073 
30074There was also a connector where a SK-1100 keyboard could be attached, effectively turning the console into a computer. However, the Mark II was still outsold by its computer counterpart, the SC-3000 (which had a built-in keyboard).
30075 
30076 
30077 
30078The SG-1000 runs all SC-3000 games and applications, with the exception of Music and Basic Cartridges. The machine could be used just like the SC-3000, provided one had the keyboard attachment ready. The console also had an optional game card reader add-on called the Card Catcher that allowed for the use of Sega game card software. The Card Catcher would become built into both the SG-1000 Mark III, and the first version of the Sega Master System.
30079 
30080 
30081 
30082In 1985 the Mark II was replaced by the Mark III. 
30083 
30084 
30085 
30086//(info from old-computers.com & Wikipedia)//
30087 
30088 
30089 
30090 
30091 
30092===== Links =====
30093 
30094 
30095 
30096  * [[wp>Sega_SG-1000]]
30097 
30098  * SG-1000 Mark II at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1266
30099 
30100 
30101 
30102 
30103 
30104===== Other Emulators =====
30105 
30106 
30107 
30108  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
30109 
30110 
30111 
30112 
30113 
30114$end
30115 
30116 
30117 
30118#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
30119 
30120 
30121$info=sgx
30122$bio
30123====== NEC SuperGrafx (1989) ======
30124 
30125 
30126 
30127===== Features =====
30128 
30129 
30130 
30131  * CPU: HuC6280 (7.16 or 7.19 MHz, switchable by software)
30132 
30133  * Video: One 16-bit HuC6260 Video Color Encoder (VCE), two 16-bit HuC6270A Video Display Controllers (VDCs), and one HuC6202 Video Priority Controller.
30134 
30135  * Resolution: max 512 x 242 (usually games use 256 x 240)
30136 
30137  * Sound: 8 bit PCM stereo / 6-channel stereo
30138 
30139  * Ram: 32 Kbyte
30140 
30141  * Video Ram: 128Kbyte
30142 
30143  * Cart Size: 256Kbit - 20 Megabit Max. (S.F. 2) Normally 8 Mbits
30144 
30145  * Colors Palette: 512 - (256 for sprites, 256 for the background.)
30146 
30147  * Max # of sprites: 128
30148 
30149  * Sprite Size: 16×16, 16×32, 16×64, 32×16, 32×32, 32×64
30150 
30151 
30152 
30153 
30154 
30155===== History and Trivia =====
30156 
30157 
30158 
30159The SuperGrafx videogame console is an upgraded version of NEC's popular PC-Engine system. At first it was known as the PC-Engine 2, announced as a true 16-Bit system with improved graphics and audio capabilities, not expected to see release until 1990. However the final machine was named SuperGrafx, was released earlier than expected, in late 1989, only provided modestly enhanced graphics over the original PC-Engine.
30160 
30161 
30162 
30163The enhancements SuperGrafx did have, compared to the PC-Engine, were the following:
30164 
30165  * four times the amount of work RAM for the main CPU;
30166 
30167  * a second video chip with its own video RAM;
30168 
30169  * a priority controller chip that allowed the output of both video chips to be combined in various ways. 
30170 
30171 
30172 
30173On the other hand, its single 8-bit CPU had a heavy workload managing the extra video hardware.
30174 
30175 
30176 
30177The SuperGrafx was largely a failure due to a lack of software written to support its enhanced abilities. Only 7 titles were ever released: five of these were exclusive titles, the other two were regular PC-Engine releases capable of enhanced graphics. There were no CD, SCD, or ACD games written that took advantage of the SuperGrafx platform. However, the SuperGrafx can play PCE HuCards, PCE CDs, PCE Super CDs, PCE Arcade CDs, and the native SuperGrafx HuCards. These titles combined totals to a very respectable library of near 700 titles.
30178 
30179 
30180 
30181One notable accessory was the Power Console, designed to add a full flight yoke, throttle and keypad to the SuperGrafx, sliding over the entire console. Besides a prototype, no Power Consoles were ever produced.
30182 
30183 
30184 
30185//(info from Wikipedia)//
30186 
30187 
30188 
30189 
30190 
30191===== Links =====
30192 
30193 
30194 
30195  * NECstasy -- http://www.necstasy.net/
30196 
30197  * Universo PCENGINE -- http://upce.netfirms.com/index.html
30198 
30199  * Turbo Station 16 -- http://pcenginefx.com/TS/
30200 
30201  * [[wp>SuperGrafx]]
30202 
30203 
30204 
30205 
30206 
30207===== Other Emulators =====
30208 
30209 
30210 
30211  * MagicEngine (commercial) -- http://www.magicengine.com/
30212 
30213  * Hu-Go! (for DOS, Windows, Linux, BeOS, Solaris) -- http://www.zeograd.com/
30214 
30215  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
30216 
30217 
30218 
30219 
30220 
30221$end
30222 
30223 
30224 
30225#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
30226 
30227 
30228$info=sms
30229$bio
30230====== Sega Master System (1986) ======
30231 
30232 
30233 
30234 
30235 
30236===== Features =====
30237 
30238 
30239 
30240  * CPU: 3.6 MHz, 8-bit Z80 processor
30241 
30242  * RAM: 8K
30243 
30244  * Video RAM: 16K
30245 
30246  * Custom video controller (VDP) derived from the TI chip TMS9918/9928
30247 
30248  * Resolution: 256x192 tile-based screen in 16 colors
30249 
30250  * Sprites: 64 at 8x8, 8x16 or 16x16
30251 
30252  * Color Palette: 64; 32 max on screen (16 for sprites, 16 for background)
30253 
30254  * Scrolling: Hardware up/down/left/right - all or part of screen.
30255 
30256  * Sound chip: Generic SN76489 sound chip (PSG) made by Texas Instruments
30257 
30258  * Sound output: 3 square-wave sound and white noise/periodic noise channel
30259 
30260  * Music: Yamaha YM2413 FM sound chip
30261 
30262 
30263 
30264 
30265 
30266===== Known Issues =====
30267 
30268 
30269 
30270This driver runs just about everything!
30271 
30272 
30273 
30274To do (see source): SMS lightgun support, SMS 3D glass support
30275 
30276 
30277 
30278MESS supports several Sega Master System revisions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
30279 
30280 
30281 
30282== sms / smssdisp ==
30283 
30284   
30285 
30286  "-bios 0" or "-bios alexkidd" = US/European BIOS with Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1990)
30287 
30288 
30289 
30290== smspal ==
30291 
30292   
30293 
30294  "-bios 0" or "-bios alexkidd" = US/European BIOS with Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1990)
30295 
30296   
30297 
30298  "-bios 1" or "-bios sonic" = European/Brazilian BIOS with Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
30299 
30300 
30301 
30302== sms2kr ==
30303 
30304   
30305 
30306  "-bios 0" or "-bios akbioskr" = Samsung Gam*Boy II with Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1990)
30307 
30308 
30309 
30310== sms1 ==
30311 
30312   
30313 
30314  "-bios 0" or "-bios bios13" = US/European BIOS v1.3 (1986)
30315 
30316   
30317 
30318  "-bios 1" or "-bios hangonsh" = US/European BIOS v2.4 with Hang On and Safari Hunt (1988)
30319 
30320   
30321 
30322  "-bios 2" or "-bios hangon" = US/European BIOS v3.4 with Hang On (1988)
30323 
30324   
30325 
30326  "-bios 3" or "-bios missiled" = US/European BIOS v4.4 with Missile Defense 3D (1988)
30327 
30328   
30329 
30330  "-bios 4" or "-bios proto" = US Master System Prototype BIOS
30331 
30332 
30333 
30334== sms1pal ==
30335 
30336   
30337 
30338  "-bios 0" or "-bios bios13" = US/European BIOS v1.3 (1986)
30339 
30340   
30341 
30342  "-bios 1" or "-bios hangonsh" = US/European BIOS v2.4 with Hang On and Safari Hunt (1988)
30343 
30344   
30345 
30346  "-bios 2" or "-bios hangon" = US/European BIOS v3.4 with Hang On (1988)
30347 
30348   
30349 
30350  "-bios 3" or "-bios missiled" = US/European BIOS v4.4 with Missile Defense 3D (1988)
30351 
30352 
30353 
30354== smsj ==
30355 
30356   
30357 
30358  "-bios 0" or "-bios jbios21" = Japanese BIOS v2.1 (1987)
30359 
30360 
30361 
30362 
30363 
30364===== History and Trivia =====
30365 
30366 
30367 
30368The Sega Master System or SMS for short, is an 8-bit cartridge-based video game console that was manufactured by Sega. Its original Japanese incarnation was the SG-1000 Mark III. In the European market, this console launched Sega onto a competitive level comparable to Nintendo, due to its wider availability, but failed to put a dent in the North American and Japanese markets. The Master System was released as a direct competitor to the NES/Famicom. The system ultimately failed to topple its Nintendo competitor, but has 
30369 
30370enjoyed over a decade of life in secondary markets, especially Brazil.
30371 
30372 
30373 
30374The Sega Master System was rereleased in a smaller handheld form factor in late 2006. This small handheld device is powered by 3 AAA batteries, has a brighter active matrix screen, and contained 20 Game Gear and Sega Master System games. It was released under several brands including Coleco and PlayPal. More details about this device are available here.
30375 
30376 
30377 
30378== SMS in Japan == 
30379 
30380 
30381 
30382The SG-1000 Mark III came after the SG-1000 Mark I and SG-1000 Mark II. It was released in Japan on October 20, 1985. 
30383 
30384 
30385 
30386Typical of the era, game consoles had a mascot character. Sega's first mascot was Opa-opa from Fantasy Zone, as referenced in the manual for Zillion. Later on, especially in Western territories where Fantasy Zone was less popular, Alex Kidd emerged as a mascot. It is unclear if his mascot status was ever official, or if it was simply perceived because of the similarity to the Mario games that represented the competing Nintendo console.
30387 
30388 
30389 
30390The Master System had a second release in Japan, in 1987, under the new Master System name. 
30391 
30392 
30393 
30394The Japanese Master System included a built-in 3D glasses adapter, rapid fire, and a Yamaha YM2413 FM sound chip, all of which were separate accessories for the Mark III. 
30395 
30396 
30397 
30398== SMS in North America == 
30399 
30400 
30401 
30402The system was redesigned and sold in the United States under the name Sega Master System in June 1986, less than a year after the Nintendo Entertainment System was released. The Master System was subsequently released in other locales and markets (including the above mentioned second release in Japan in 1987) under the new Master System name. 
30403 
30404 
30405 
30406Though the Master System was a more technically advanced piece of hardware than the NES, it did not attain the same level of popularity among consumers in the United States. 
30407 
30408 
30409 
30410Its lack of success in the U.S. has been attributed to various causes, among them the difference in game titles available for each platform and the slightly later release date of the Master System. The licensing agreement that Nintendo had with its third-party game developers had a profound impact. Indeed, the agreement stated that developers would exclusively produce games for the NES. The Master System sold 125,000 consoles in the first four months. In the same period, the NES would net 2,000,000. Hayao Nakayama, then CEO of Sega, decided not to use too much effort to market the console in the NES-dominated market. 
30411 
30412 
30413 
30414In 1988, the rights to the Master System in North America were sold to Tonka, but its popularity continued to decline. The move was considered a very bad one, since Tonka had never marketed a videogame system and had no idea what to do with it. 
30415 
30416 
30417 
30418In 1990, Sega was having success with its Sega MegaDrive / Genesis and as a result took back the rights from Tonka for the SMS. They designed the Sega Master System II, a newer console which was smaller and sleeker but which, to keep production costs low, lacked the reset button and card slot of the original. In an effort to counter Nintendo's Super Mario Brothers, the new system included Alex Kidd in Miracle World, or later Sonic the Hedgehog, playable without any cartridges. Sega marketed the Master System II heavily; nevertheless, the unit sold poorly in North America. 
30419 
30420 
30421 
30422By 1992, the Master System's sales were virtually nonexistent in North America and sales in this market ceased. Sales were poor in Japan as well, due to the dominance of the main competitor, the Nintendo Famicom. The Master System left the Japanese market during 1989.
30423 
30424 
30425 
30426== SMS in Europe == 
30427 
30428 
30429 
30430In Europe, the Master System was very successful. Sega marketed the Master System in many countries, including several in which Nintendo did not sell its consoles. 
30431 
30432 
30433 
30434It had some success in Germany, where it was distributed by Ariolasoft beginning in winter 1987. In France, during the time the Sega Master System has been on sale, the console was distributed by the Virgin Group. In the United Kingdom, it was distributed by Mastertronic, who later merged with the Virgin Group. 
30435 
30436 
30437 
30438The Europeans had garnered lots of third party support for the SMS and as a result, it was able to outsell the NES in Europe, as opposed to what happened in Japan and North America where the console was discontinued much earlier. 
30439 
30440 
30441 
30442The Master System was supported until 1996 in Europe, the same time as it was with its successor, the also successful MegaDrive. Both were discontinued so that Sega could concentrate on the new Sega Saturn.
30443 
30444 
30445 
30446== SMS in Oceania == 
30447 
30448 
30449 
30450Sales of the SMS in Australia were exceptional as it was far more popular than the NES there; the SMS was able to gain greater market share there than that in North America due to Sega distributors Ozisoft having strong ties with retailers. 
30451 
30452 
30453 
30454In New Zealand it was largely successful as well - due to NES having a weak influence - and was supported until 1997.
30455 
30456 
30457 
30458== SMS in Brazil == 
30459 
30460 
30461 
30462Brazil was one of the SMS most successful markets. It was marketed in that country by Tec Toy, Sega's Brazilian distributor. 
30463 
30464 
30465 
30466A Sega Master System III (and even a semi-portable SMS VI) had been released in that market and several games had been translated into Portuguese. The characters in the said games had been modified so that they appealed to Brazilian mainstream audiences (for example, Wonder Boy in Monster Land featured Mônica, the main character from a popular children's comic book in Brazil, created by Maurício de Sousa). 
30467 
30468 
30469 
30470Brazil also produced 100% national titles, like "Sítio do Pica Pau Amarelo" (based on Monteiro Lobato workmanship) and "Castelo Ra-Tim-Bum" (from the TV Cultura series). One of the more notable Master System consoles in Brazil was the compact wireless Master System Compact developed by Tec Toy. 
30471 
30472 
30473 
30474The console transmitted the A/V signal through RF, dispensing cable connections. It was produced from 1994 to 1997 and is still a target for console collectors. A similar version, called Master System Girl, was also released in an attempt to attract female consumers. The only difference in this version was a strong pink casing and pastel buttons. 
30475 
30476 
30477 
30478Later in its life in Brazil, Game Gear games had been ported to the Master System and several original Brazilian titles were made for the system. 
30479 
30480 
30481 
30482Tec Toy also produced a licensed version of the wildly popular fighting game "Street Fighter II" for the Master System. Despite the limitations of the console, the game turned out to be fairly well received. 
30483 
30484 
30485 
30486The console production was familiar to the Brazilians, which explains the success in that market. The Master System is still being produced in Brazil. The latest version is the "Master System III Collection". It uses the same design as the Master System II (Master System III in Brazil), but is white and comes in three versions: one with 74 games built-in, other with 105 games and another with 112 games. 
30487 
30488 
30489 
30490However, in Brazil, it is hard to find the 3-D Glasses, the Light Phaser and even cartridges, leaving most Brazilians with only built-in games. 
30491 
30492 
30493 
30494== Media input == 
30495 
30496 
30497 
30498One of the most unique features of the Sega Master System was its dual media inputs: one cartridge slot and one card slot. The card slot accepted small cards about the size of a credit card. Most cards were games, but one card served an entirely different purpose. The 3-D glasses plugged into the console via the card slot, and allowed 3-D visual effects for specially designed cartridge games. In this fashion, both media inputs worked in tandem.
30499 
30500 
30501 
30502== Game controllers ==
30503 
30504 
30505 
30506  * Standard controllers: The Master System controller was considered extremely durable. However, there were only 2 buttons, one of which additionally performed the function of the traditional "Start" button; the pause button was on the game console itself. The original controllers, like Sega's previous systems, had the cord emerging from the side; during 1987 they changed the design to the now-typical top emerging cord. These early controllers also included a screw-in thumbstick; these were later omitted and the D-pad on the controller was redesigned without a screwhole for the thumbstick. When the game Street Fighter II was released (in Brazil only), a new six-button controller similar to the Sega Mega Drive controller was also released. The current Brazilian Master System consoles comes with two of those six-button controllers. The controller used the prevailing de facto standard Atari-style 9-pin connector and could be connected without modification to all other machines compatible with that standard, including the Atari 2600, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum with Kempston interface or similar.
30507 
30508 
30509 
30510  * Light Phaser: The Light Phaser is a light gun modeled after the Zillion gun from the Japanese anime series of the same name. The design also mirrored the 1980s trend of actual laser tag gun appearances.
30511 
30512 
30513 
30514  * 3-D Glasses: The 3-D Glasses used a shutter system to close the left and right lens rapidly to create a 3D effect. Some NES games, like Rad Racer and 3-D World Runner, also claimed to be 3-D, but used much cheaper red-cyan 3D glasses. The true Nintendo 3-D glasses which works with those games were only released for the Famicom in Japan. The Master System glasses can only be used in the original Master System since it hooks up directly to the card port not found in the Master System II. Such a system allows 3-D graphics in full color. A disadvantage is that it halves the effective frame-rate, which some users can perceive as flicker. The same technique, has been used with similar glasses for some 3-D films in movie theaters, though have been replaced by newer methods that wouldn't work on a home TV. Only six Master System games were 3-D compatible.
30515 
30516 
30517 
30518//(info from Wikipedia)//
30519 
30520 
30521 
30522 
30523 
30524===== Links =====
30525 
30526 
30527 
30528  * SMS Power -- http://www.smspower.org/
30529 
30530  * SMS Museum -- http://www.alexkidd.com/
30531 
30532  * Sega 8bit -- http://www.sega8bit.com/
30533 
30534  * UK SMS Page -- http://www.severedbbs.u-net.com/fletcher/SMS.html
30535 
30536  * Charles MacDonald's GG & SMS Infos -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms.php
30537 
30538  * [[wp>Sega_Master_System]]
30539 
30540 
30541 
30542 
30543 
30544===== Other Emulators =====
30545 
30546 
30547 
30548  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
30549 
30550  * KEGA Fusion -- http://www.eidolons-inn.net/tiki-index.php?page=Kega
30551 
30552  * SMS Plus -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/smsplus.php
30553 
30554  * FreezeSMS -- http://freezesms.emuunlim.com/
30555 
30556 
30557 
30558 
30559 
30560$end
30561 
30562 
30563 
30564#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
30565 
30566 
30567$info=snes
30568$bio
30569====== Nintendo SNES / Super Famicom (1990) ======
30570 
30571 
30572 
30573 
30574 
30575===== Features =====
30576 
30577 
30578 
30579  * CPU: Custom 16-bit - 65C816 at 3.58 MHz (Variable memory access speeds of 3.58, 2.68, and 1.79 MHz)
30580 
30581  * Co-processor: None (DSP and SuperFX were inside the cartridge of selected games )
30582 
30583  * RAM: 128 KB
30584 
30585  * Video RAM: 64KB
30586 
30587  * Color Palette: 32,768; 256 entry palette, writable during h-blank. up to 11-bit direct color mode.
30588 
30589  * Maximum Screen Resolution: 512 x 448 pixels (has unused 512 x 478 mode)
30590 
30591  * Max # of sprites: 128, 32 per scanline, limited to 34 tiles per line
30592 
30593  * Max and Min Sprite Size: 64 x 64 pixels; 8 x 8 pixels
30594 
30595  * Scrolling: Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal
30596 
30597  * Sound channels: 8 ADPCM with 64 Kb Ram
30598 
30599  * Sound Processor: Sony SPC700 ("wavetable-like" music, near 16-bit sound quality playback(CD) & Q-Sound surround sound.)
30600 
30601  * Cart Size: 2Mbit - 128 Megabit Max. Tales of Phantasia and Star Ocean, at 48 Mbit, are the largest. Tengai Makyo Zero and Dai Kaiju Monogatari are each 40 Mbit.
30602 
30603 
30604 
30605 
30606 
30607===== Usage =====
30608 
30609 
30610 
30611SNES controller features a 8-way directional pad, 4 front action buttons (A, B, X and Y), 2 shoulder button (L and R), a Start button and a Select button. The default mapping in MESS is the following (slightly different, compared to standard layout in other drivers):
30612 
30613 
30614 
30615         (L)->A                          (R)->Z
30616 
30617   
30618 
30619        Up                                  (X)->S
30620 
30621   
30622 
30623    Left  Right                        (Y)->X     (A)->D
30624 
30625                   (Select)  (Start)   
30626 
30627       Down           5         1           (B)->C
30628 
30629   
30630 
30631   
30632 
30633 
30634 
30635 
30636 
30637===== Known Issues =====
30638 
30639 
30640 
30641Most games that don't use special chips should do something (the DSP-1 is supported; other chips are not yet). 
30642 
30643 
30644 
30645Many popular games such as Super Metroid and Super Mario World are fully playable with sound and music. 
30646 
30647 
30648 
30649== To do ==
30650 
30651 
30652 
30653From the source:
30654 
30655 
30656 
30657  * Fix additional sound bugs
30658 
30659  * Emulate extra chips - SuperFX, DSP-2, SA-1 etc.
30660 
30661  * Add horizontal mosaic, hi-res, interlaced etc to video emulation.
30662 
30663  * Improve mode 7 now that byuu and anomie know the real formula. 
30664 
30665  * Handle interleaved roms (maybe even multi-part roms, but how?)
30666 
30667  * Add correct wait-state support (will require core changes by Aaron Giles). 
30668 
30669 
30670 
30671 
30672 
30673===== History and Trivia =====
30674 
30675 
30676 
30677The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, also known as Super Nintendo, Super NES or SNES, was Nintendo's 16-bit follow-up system to their 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System.  It was released by Nintendo in North America, Brazil, Europe, and Australia. In Japan and South-East Asia, the equivalent to the SNES is known as the Super Famicom. In South Korea, it is known as the Super Comboy and was distributed by Hyundai Electronics. Although each system is essentially the same, due to the different designs, each system can only play the carts specifically made for its system.
30678 
30679 
30680 
30681The SNES was a tremendous improvement over the original NES. The SNES featured higher quality graphics, brighter colors, bigger characters with more detail, revolutionary capabilities in scaling and rotating graphics (famous Mode 7) and high quality stereo sound.
30682 
30683 
30684 
30685Masayuki Uemura, already responsible of the Famicom design, was put in charge of the design of the new console and the Super Famicom was released in Japan on November 21, 1990. It was an instant phenomenal blockbuster, with Nintendo's initial shipment of 300,000 units quickly sold out within hours. The system was so phenomenally popular that it was said to have attracted the attention of the Yakuza, leading to the decision to ship the devices at night in order to avoid robbery.
30686 
30687 
30688 
30689In August of 1991, the Super Famicom was released in North America with a newly redesigned case and a brand new name: Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The release was an exciting surprise for North American gamers, since Nintendo had been advertising a launch date of September 9. The original system came packaged with the console, two controllers and the game "Super Mario World" along with the necessary cables to connect the system to the television. The SNES was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in April 1992, with a German release following a few weeks later. The PAL Region versions of the console looked identical to the Japanese Super Famicom, except for labeling and the length of the joypad leads.
30690 
30691 
30692 
30693SNES proved to be a global success for Nintendo, despite increased competition from Sega MegaDrive console (released in North America as the Genesis) and NEC PC Engine (known in North America as the TurboGrafx-16). Part of its success was probably due to the massive support from Capcom, Konami, Tecmo, Square Co. Ltd., Koei, and Enix, already partner of Nintendo in the production of many Famicom/NES titles.
30694 
30695 
30696 
30697By 1996, the 16-bit era of gaming had ended, and a new generation of consoles, including Nintendo's own Nintendo 64, caused the popularity of the SNES to wane. In October 1997, Nintendo released a redesigned SNES 2 in North America (which included the pack-in game "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island"). Like the earlier NES 2, the new model was designed to be slimmer and lighter than its 
30698 
30699predecessor but lacked S-Video and RGB output, and would prove to be among the last major SNES-related releases in America. A similar redesigned Super Famicom Jr. was released in Japan around the same time.
30700 
30701 
30702 
30703Nintendo of America ceased production of the SNES in 1999, slightly over a year after releasing its last first party game, "Kirby's Dream Land 3", in November 1997. The last SNES title to see release in the US was a version of "Frogger", released in the summer of 1998. In Japan, the Super Famicom continued to be produced until September 2003 and new games were produced until the year 2000.
30704 
30705 
30706 
30707== Accessories == 
30708 
30709 
30710 
30711A number of peripherals were released to add functionalities to the SNES. 
30712 
30713 
30714 
30715  * Super Scope: this was a light gun similar to the NES Zapper (though the Super Scope featured wireless capabilities) and the 
30716 
30717  * Super Advantage: this was an arcade-style joystick with adjustable turbo settings akin to the NES Advantage. 
30718 
30719  * SNES Mouse: released by Nintendo in conjunction with its "Mario Paint" title. 
30720 
30721  * Super Multitap: multiplayer adapter released by Hudson Soft (licensed by Nintendo) for use with its popular series of Bomberman games. It allowed support for up to eight players, although probably the only game to support 8 players is "Dino Dini's Soccer". 
30722 
30723  * BatterUP: baseball bat controller, it provided another innovative means of game-playing for SNES gamers. 
30724 
30725  * Super Game Boy: this was an adapter cartridge allowing games designed for Nintendo's portable Game Boy system to be played on the SNES. The Super Game Boy touted a number of feature enhancements over the Game Boy: color support (in reality, merely the ability to substitute a different color palette: the games themselves were still limited to four colors) and custom screen borders.
30726 
30727  * Game Genie / Pro Action Replay: third party cheat devices produced by Galoob and Datel repectively.
30728 
30729  * Satellaview: this was a modem which attached to the Super Famicom's expansion port and connected to the St. GIGA satellite radio station. Users of the Satellaview could download gaming news and specially designed games, which were frequently either remakes of or sequels to older Famicom titles, released in installments. Satellaview signals were broadcast from April 23, 1995 through June 30, 2000.     
30730 
30731  * XBAND: relatively short-lived service in the United States, similar to Satellaview, it allowed users to connect to a network via a dial-up modem to compete against other players around the country.
30732 
30733 
30734 
30735During the SNES's life, Nintendo contracted with two different companies to develop a CD-ROM-based peripheral for the console to compete with Sega's CD-ROM based addon, Sega CD. Ultimately, negotiations with both Sony and Philips fell through, and the two companies went on to develop their own consoles based on their initial dealings with Nintendo (the PlayStation and the CD-i respectively), Philips also gaining the right to release a series of CD-i titles based on popular Nintendo franchises.
30736 
30737 
30738 
30739== Enhancement chips == 
30740 
30741 
30742 
30743As part of the overall plan for the SNES/SFC, rather than include an expensive CPU that would still become obsolete in a few years, the 
30744 
30745hardware designers made it easy to interface special coprocessor chips to the console. Rather than require a complicated upgrade procedure found in the IBM PC Compatible world of computers, these certain enhancement chips were included inside the plug-in game cartridges themselves if needed for a specific game. This is most often characterized by an extra set of small leads under the cartridge.
30746 
30747 
30748 
30749  * Super FX: Developed by Argonaut Software, the Super FX chip is a supplemental RISC CPU that was included in certain game cartridges to perform functions that the main CPU could not feasibly do. The chip was primarily used to create 3D game worlds made with polygons, texture mapping and light source shading. Some 3D game carts that this chip can be found in are "Star Fox", "Doom", "Dirt Trax FX", "Stunt Race FX", "Vortex", and "Winter Gold". The chip however could also be used to enhance 2D games such as "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island". This chip went through three revisions, first starting out as a Chip-on-Board epoxy glob-top in the earliest "Star Fox" cartridges, labeled as Mario Chip-1. Within a year, the chip was given a more conventional surface-mount package and labeled as the Super FX GSU-1, which was used in various games. Finally, the design was tweaked to become the Super FX GSU-2 chip, which had a larger address bus and was manufactured with an improved semiconductor process to allow it to reach its target clock speed of 21 MHz. Although the pinouts and maximum clock speed differ, the instruction set for the Mario Chip-1, FX 1, and FX 2 chips are identical. "Star Fox 2", "Comanche", and "FX Fighter", all games designed to take advantage of the increased power of the Super FX GSU-2, were developed but never released for the SNES/SFC, disappointing many followers of the technology at the time.
30750 
30751 
30752 
30753  * DSP-1: This fixed-point Digital Signal Processor chip was created to allow programmers to generate more enhanced Mode 7 rotation and scaling effects in their games, and to perform very fast vector-based calculations. The chip can be found most notably in "Pilotwings" and "Super Mario Kart", as well as a few other games. Later revisions of the chip, the 1A and 1B, were functionally the same but included bugfixes in their internal math calculations.
30754 
30755 
30756 
30757  * DSP-2: A bitmap scaling and bitplane conversion chip used only in one game cartridge, Atari's port of "Dungeon Master" to the SNES console.
30758 
30759 
30760 
30761  * DSP-3: An assistant chip used only in one Japanese game for the Super Famicom titled "SD Gundam GX". This turn-based strategy game was advertised at the time as being so vast it needed a coprocessor to calculate the computer opponent's next move.
30762 
30763 
30764 
30765  * DSP-4: A DSP used in only one game cartridge, "Top Gear 3000". It primarily helped out with drawing the race track, especially during the times that the track branched into multiple paths, which was a unique feature for a game of this type on the SNES.
30766 
30767 
30768 
30769  * S-DD1 chip : Other than its normal processing and copy protection duties, this chip was primarily a graphics decompression chip. This allowed games to be bigger than normal by compressing the graphics data. Games that used this chip were "Street Fighter Alpha 2" and "Star Ocean". The game developers found it to be cheaper to add a specialized decompression chip rather than to add extra ROM space.
30770 
30771 
30772 
30773  * Cx4 chip: A chip created by Capcom. This chip was used to handle the wireframe effects, perform more general trigonometric calculations, and to help out with sprite positioning and rotation. The chip was used in "Mega Man X2" and "Mega Man X3".
30774 
30775 
30776 
30777  * SA-1 chip: This is an ASIC chipset with a 65c816 8/16-bit processor core, clocked at 10 MHz, containing some extra circuitry specified by Nintendo, including some fast RAM, a memory mapper, DMA, several programmable timers, and the region lockout chip. The SA-1 was a multipurpose chip that allowed games such as "Kirby Super Star", "Kirby's Dream Land 3", and "Super Mario RPG" to stay competitive in the changing marketplace during the aging SNES/SFC's final years.
30778 
30779 
30780 
30781  * SPC7110 chip: A data decompression chip used solely by Hudson in a few games.
30782 
30783 
30784 
30785  * OBC1: An object/sprite manipulation chip used exclusively in the title "Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge", AKA "Battleclash 2".
30786 
30787 
30788 
30789  * ST010: A chip created by Seta for general functions and handling computer cars' AI in their "F1 ROC II: Race of Champions" title. Generally thought to have been a single microcontroller unit with different mask ROMs on it for several Seta chips, two of which were used on SNES carts and at least one used on arcade systems.
30790 
30791 
30792 
30793  * ST011: A chip created by Seta for mostly AI functions in their "Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shougi" title. Likely uses the same microcontroller core as the ST010.
30794 
30795 
30796 
30797  * ST018: A chip created by Seta for as-of-yet unknown (but probably AI related) functions in their "Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shougi 2" title. Likely does NOT use the same core as the other two Seta chips due to a changed pin count.
30798 
30799 
30800 
30801  * S-RTC: A real-time clock chip used in one title, "Dai Kaiju Monogatari 2".
30802 
30803 
30804 
30805  * X-RTC?: A slightly different real-time clock chip used only in Hudson's "Far East of Eden Zero" cart, which also used an SPC7110 chip.
30806 
30807 
30808 
30809  * SGB CPU chip: This chip was used only inside the Super Game Boy peripheral and possessed a core identical to the CPU in a regular handheld Game Boy. Because the Super Nintendo was not powerful enough to use software emulation to simulate the Game Boy, circuitry equivalent to an entire Game Boy had to sit inside of the cartridge. The SGB CPU ran the main program from the inserted Game Boy cartridge, but relied upon the host Super Nintendo system to write to memory mapped registers the state of the gamepad buttons and to copy out the video frame buffer. Audio from the SGB CPU was passed along two pins on the SNES cartridge connector to be mixed with the SNES audio output.
30810 
30811 
30812 
30813  * MegaChips MX15001TFC: A chip made exclusively for Nintendo Power cartridges. The cartridges were equipped with flash ROMs instead of mask ROMs. They were designed to be able to be inserted into specialised kiosks where the user was able to copy games to their cartridge for a fee. The chip managed communication from the kiosks which included downloading the game data from the kiosk, and writing to the flash chips in the appropriate area. The chip also allowed the cartridge to contain several games which could be selected from an initial menu and function as if it were running from its normal cartridge.
30814 
30815 
30816 
30817//(info from Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
30818 
30819 
30820 
30821 
30822 
30823===== Links =====
30824 
30825 
30826 
30827  * SNES Central -- http://snescentral.edgeemu.com/
30828 
30829  * [[wp>Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System]]
30830 
30831 
30832 
30833 
30834 
30835===== Other Emulators =====
30836 
30837 
30838 
30839(in roughly decreasing order of accuracy)
30840 
30841 
30842 
30843  * BSNES -- http://byuu.org/
30844 
30845  * SNEeSe -- http://www.emuunlim.com/sneese/
30846 
30847  * ZSNES -- http://www.zsnes.com/
30848 
30849  * Snes9x -- http://www.snes9x.com
30850 
30851  * SNESGT -- http://gigo.retrogames.com/
30852 
30853 
30854 
30855 
30856 
30857$end
30858 
30859 
30860 
30861#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
30862 
30863 
30864$info=sordm5
30865$bio
30866====== Sord M5 (1982) ======
30867 
30868 
30869 
30870 
30871 
30872===== Features =====
30873 
30874 
30875 
30876  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
30877 
30878  * Co-Processor:  Z80A-CTC (timer), TMS 9929 (video processor), SN76489AN (Sound Generator)
30879 
30880  * RAM: 4 KB (up to 36 KB)
30881 
30882  * VRAM: 16 KB
30883 
30884  * ROM: 8 KB (up to 28 KB)
30885 
30886  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (characters matrix: 6 x 8 pixels)
30887 
30888  * Graphic Modes: 32 x 24 (character matrix 8x8), 64 x 48 (character matrix 4x4), 256 x 192 (full graphic)
30889 
30890  * Colors: 16
30891 
30892  * Sound: SN76489AN with 3 voices (6 octaves), 1 noise channel, 7 special sounds
30893 
30894  * I/O Ports: RF TV output, video & audio outputs, Joystick (2), Cartridge slot, Tape interface (2000 baud), Centronics (printer)
30895 
30896  * Keyboard: Calculator type, 55 keys. Upper/lower case letters, 64 graphic symbols, 28 Basic statements, FUNC, CTRL, SHIFT (x 2), RETURN, SPACE, RESET
30897 
30898  * Peripherals: Cartridge multiplexer (EC-5), 32 KB RAM expansion (EM-5), joysticks (JS-5), joypads (JP-5), expansion box (EB-5), thermal printer (PT-5), Parallel I/O cartridge (PI-5), Serial interface cartridge (SI-5), Floppy disk drive (FD-5)
30899 
30900  * Built In Language: Basic-G, Basic-I and Basic-F delivered on cartridges
30901 
30902 
30903 
30904 
30905 
30906===== Usage =====
30907 
30908 
30909 
30910This computer used cartridges. You can insert game cartridges, or if you want to use basic, you can insert one of 3 basic cartridges: "BASIC-I" a integer based basic, "BASIC-G" a basic for graphics, "BASIC-F" a basic for floating point operations.
30911 
30912 
30913 
30914== Cartridges ==
30915 
30916 
30917 
30918The Sord must have a cartridge to start up. Some cartridges may not work.
30919 
30920 
30921 
30922== Cassette ==
30923 
30924 
30925 
30926The cassette emulation uses .WAV sample files.
30927 
30928 
30929 
30930Saving commands: 
30931 
30932   
30933 
30934  save"cmt:<filename>" where <filename> is the name of the file. 
30935 
30936 
30937 
30938Loading commands: 
30939 
30940   
30941 
30942  old"cmt:" will load the next file on the cassette.
30943 
30944  chan"cmt:" and run"cmt:" can also be used to load and run the next file on the cassette.
30945 
30946 
30947 
30948 
30949 
30950===== Known Issues =====
30951 
30952 
30953 
30954  * no memory expansion supported
30955 
30956 
30957 
30958  * loading from cassette does not work
30959 
30960 
30961 
30962 
30963 
30964===== History and Trivia =====
30965 
30966 
30967 
30968The SORD M5 had no really great success outside Japan (and later Czechoslovakia) but had lot of interesting characteristics, very close to MSX computers released soon after. Anyway, It was not compatible with it. (It has the same CPU (Z80), a Z80 CTC timer chip and the same video chip, but a different sound chip and the I/O port assignments are not the same). In fact some MSX games have been converted to the Sord by enthusiasts.
30969 
30970 
30971 
30972Sord M5 design was quite original. The machine xas quite small. The two-tone grey plastic casing opened to reveal a bright yellow back, which housed the ROM cartridge slot. The keyboard was similar to the rubber matting of the Spectrum, but felt markedly better. Most keys had a Basic keyword on them in small light-grey letters (available by holding down the function key as an other key is pressed). There was no full-size space-bar.
30973 
30974 
30975 
30976There was only 4K of internal RAM, but memory expansions were available. The joysticks simply plugged into tiny DIN sockets, and there was a port for a Centronics printer. The power supply was external and rather cumbersome.
30977 
30978 
30979 
30980It used a dedicated video chip (Texas Instrument 9918, 9928 or 9929, depending on the model) and had the same video characteristics as the MSX computers (same graphic resolution, same number of colors, same number of sprites, etc.) but didn't belong to this family. The M-5 had 32 graphics symbols in ROM and could handle up to 32 sprites. Its sound chip was the Texas Instruments TI 76489, which wasn't MSX compliant. It had three independent sound channels which could produce a variety of music and synthesised sounds. The sound was sent 
30981 
30982through the TV speaker.
30983 
30984 
30985 
30986Several cartidge based languages were available: the Basic-I (very simple version for beginners, delivered with the system), the Basic-G (with lot of graphic commands) and the Basic-F (for mathematic and scientific applications). The M-5 supported Inp and Out in Basic to 
30987 
30988control Z-80A ports, but had no obvious connector to the external world other than the ROM cartridge slot into which the Basic cartridge had to be be inserted.
30989 
30990 
30991 
30992One year later the M5 Pro and M5 Jr were released with a built-in power supply unit (and more RAM?). 
30993 
30994 
30995 
30996//(info from old-computers.com)//
30997 
30998 
30999 
31000 
31001 
31002===== Links =====
31003 
31004 
31005 
31006  * Czech M5 page -- http://falabella.lf2.cuni.cz/~naidr/sord/
31007 
31008  * M5 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=217
31009 
31010 
31011 
31012 
31013 
31014===== Other Emulators =====
31015 
31016 
31017 
31018  * Emu5 -- http://www1.interq.or.jp/~t-takeda/m5/index.html
31019 
31020 
31021 
31022 
31023 
31024$end
31025 
31026 
31027 
31028#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31029 
31030 
31031$info=spec128
31032$bio
31033====== Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128 (1985), Amstrad ZX Spectrum +2, +2A, +2B (1986), Amstrad ZX Spectrum +3 (1987) ======
31034 
31035 
31036 
31037 
31038 
31039===== Features =====
31040 
31041 
31042 
31043  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5469MHz
31044 
31045  * RAM: 128kb
31046 
31047  * ROM: 32kb (16k 48k Basic + 16k 128k Basic) [ZX 128 and +2], 64 kb (4 x 16k pages) [ZX +2A/B and ZX +3]
31048 
31049  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
31050 
31051  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
31052 
31053  * Colors: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
31054 
31055  * Sound: 3 channels, 7 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912) [ZX 128], 3 channels, 8 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912) [ZX +2 and +3]
31056 
31057  * I/O Ports: Expansion bus, Numeric Keypad, RS232 / Midi Out, Video RGB, Tape (1200 baud) [ZX 128]; UHF PAL TV port, Serial interface (RS232) port, Parallel Printer port (8 bit), Auxiliary interface port, RGB Monitor (and PERITEL TV) port, MIDI output port, Two Joystick ports, Audio Out/Cassette port, Expansion I/O port (full Z80 bus) [ZX +2 and +3]; Second Disk Drive port [ZX +3 only]
31058 
31059  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, QWERTY, 58 keys, arrow keys, TRUE VIDEO, INV VIDEO, DELETE, GRAPH, EXTEND MODE, EDIT, CAPS SHIFT (x2), CAPS LOCK, SYMB SHIFT (x2), BREAK
31060 
31061  * Built In Media: None [ZX 128]; Tape Recorder [ZX +2]; 3'' Hitachi Floppy Disk Drive, single sided (40 track, 9 sector, 512 bytes/sector), CP/M compatible structure [ZX +3]
31062 
31063  * OS: +3DOS [ZX +3 only]
31064 
31065  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic 48k and Sinclair Basic 128k [ZX 128]; Sinclair Basic 48k (compatibility mode) and Sinclair Basic 128k [ZX +2]; Spectrum BASIC 48K (compatibility mode) and 128K Spectrum ZX+3 BASIC, integrated with +3 DOS [ZX +3]
31066 
31067 
31068 
31069 
31070 
31071===== Usage =====
31072 
31073 
31074 
31075A HTML version of the Spectrum 128 manual (converted by Damien Burke, with the approval of the copyright holder Amstrad) is available at: http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html -- http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html
31076 
31077 
31078 
31079 
31080 
31081===== Known Issues =====
31082 
31083 
31084 
31085The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
31086 
31087 
31088 
31089 
31090 
31091===== History and Trivia =====
31092 
31093 
31094 
31095The Spectrum 128 (code named Derby) is the successor of the Spectrum +. It was made just before Amstrad bought the right to use the Sinclair name in computer products. So it can be regarded as the last "real Sinclair Spectrum".
31096 
31097 
31098 
31099The 128 is the first real evolution of the old Spectrum. It has a lot of new features: 128kb RAM (two 64kb banks), a new sound chip (Yamaha AY-3-8912), RS232/Midi and video RGB outputs.
31100 
31101 
31102 
31103The Spectrum displays a menu when it is switched on:
31104 
31105  * "Tape Loader" to run programs on tape,
31106 
31107  * "Calculator" to enter operations without typing PRINT before,
31108 
31109  * "Tape Tester" to test the input level of the tape recorder,
31110 
31111  * "BASIC 48" and "BASIC 128".
31112 
31113 
31114 
31115The Spectrum 128 can use two versions of BASIC: BASIC 48 is just for the compatibility with the previous models and can't use the new features.
31116 
31117 
31118 
31119The Basic 128 mode has a full screen editor and the user can enter the Basic statements letter by letter instead of pressing key combinations. It has new keywords to use the extended memory as a RAM disk (unless bank-switching routines are utilized) and to handle the new sound chip and the MIDI out socket.
31120 
31121 
31122 
31123Because there were still large unsold stocks of Spectrum+ in the UK, the Spectrum 128 was first launched in Spain where the Speccy was already very popular. It was sold there with an external numeric keypad to connect the main unit. This "Spanish model" doesn't boot on a "start menu" as the UK version does (thus Spanish 128k models are slightly different than later UK models). But even after being introduced in UK it had a short market life and was replaced with the Spectrum +2. 
31124 
31125 
31126 
31127The Sinclair Spectrum +2 was the first Sinclair computer made by Amstrad after they bought the rights of the Sinclair computers products. Thus, it is not surprising that the Spectrum +2 is very similar in shape and functionality to the Amstrad CPC-464. It was a kind of mix between the Spectrum 128 and the CPC-464 !
31128 
31129 
31130 
31131Even though it used several features of the CPC-464, such as the built-in tape recorder and a good full-stroke keyboard (at last!), it is above all an improved Spectrum 128. Thus, the sound chip used is still the well-known Yamaha AY-3-8912 which is the sound chip of the MSX computers, Oric computers,Atari ST series) and many other computers of the 80s. It was the most popular sound chip at the time.
31132 
31133 
31134 
31135As on the Spectrum 128, two BASIC versions were implemented : the 48k BASIC to remain compatible with the original Sinclair Spectrum, and the 128k BASIC which was already introduced with the Spectrum 128. There was still a calculator mode in the start-menu but the "Tape tester" option of the 128 had been removed since the tape-recorder was built-in.
31136 
31137 
31138 
31139As with the other 128k models, and due to the limitations of the Z80 CPU which can only address 65536 bytes, the 128kb RAM was not directly usable (unless with bank-switching routines), but could be used as a RAM disk.
31140 
31141 
31142 
31143There were several models of the Spectrum +2 : the Spectrum +2 (gray case) which had a motherboard nearly identical to that of the 128, and the Spectrum +2A and +2B (black case) which were simply Spectrum +3 computers with a tape-recorder instead of the disk drive. It means that their motherboards were quite similar to that of the +3. The difference between the +2A and +2B was mainly due to a move in production from Hong Kong to Taiwan.
31144 
31145 
31146 
31147Note that the first ROMs developed by Amstrad for the +2 model caused compatibility problems with the old Spectrum software, so they changed a few things in later ROMs.
31148 
31149 
31150 
31151When Amstrad conceived the +2A/B and the +3 they redesigned the motherboard and made some internal changes on the bus. They also removed the keypad scanning routines of the spectrum 128 and +2 (remember the keypad sold with the Spanish Spectrum 128k ?). 
31152 
31153 
31154 
31155The Sinclair Spectrum +3 is the successor of the Spectrum +2, marketed one year earlier.
31156 
31157 
31158 
31159Just like the Spectrum+2 is a mix between the Spectrum 128 and the Amstrad CPC-464, the Spectrum +3 is a mix between the Spectrum 128 and the Amstrad CPC-6128. Indeed it has 3" disk-drive built-in the right-hand side of the case and a "real" full-stroke keyboard, 
31160 
31161just like the CPC-6128.
31162 
31163 
31164 
31165After the launch of the first Amstrad "Sinclair computer", the Spectrum +2, they redesigned the motherboard and the content of the ROMs to produce the Spectrum +2A/B and +3. They also made some internal changes on the bus and removed the keypad scanning routines of
31166 
31167the Spectrum 128 and +2 (remember the keypad sold with the Spanish Spectrum 128k).
31168 
31169 
31170 
31171As on the Spectrum +2, two BASIC versions are implemented : the 48k BASIC to remain compatible with the original Sinclair Spectrum, and the 128k BASIC which was already introduced with the Spectrum 128.
31172 
31173 
31174 
31175As with the others 128k models, and due to the limitations of the Z80 CPU which can only address 65536 bytes, the 128kb RAM is not directly usable (unless with bank-switching routines), but can be used as a RAM disk (drive M :).
31176 
31177 
31178 
31179So, the big change is the built-in 3" disk drive, exactly the same as the CPC-6128's drive. The operating system is called +3DOS and was developed by Locomotive Software Ltd who also conceived the CPC Basics and OS. So, of course, the +3DOS is very close to the 
31180 
31181CPCs disk operating system. The Amstrad FD-1 external drive can even be used with the Spectrum +3 as a second disk drive by connecting it directly to "DISK B PORT" at the back of the system.
31182 
31183 
31184 
31185The Spectrum +3 is considered the ultimate Spectrum model, gathering all the good points of the previous spectrum machines : 128k, convenient full-stroke keyboard, 3" built-in disk drive, 128k Basic, RAM disk, many interfaces... But sadly it was launched too late, 
31186 
31187at a time where the ST and the Amiga were already fighting on the shelves. It was the last official Sinclair Spectrum model ever made. The +2A and +2B models vere launched a little later, but were just a revision of the +2 model already marketed.
31188 
31189 
31190 
31191//(info from old-computers.com)//
31192 
31193 
31194 
31195 
31196 
31197===== Links =====
31198 
31199 
31200 
31201  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/
31202 
31203  * World of Spectrum -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/
31204 
31205  * Your Sinclair -- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/
31206 
31207  * ZX Specticle -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/
31208 
31209  * Speccy.cz -- http://www.speccy.cz/
31210 
31211  * Sinclair.hu -- http://www.sinclair.hu/
31212 
31213  * Zoom's Speccy Corner -- http://tcg.speccy.cz/zoom/
31214 
31215  * Spectrum 128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=35
31216 
31217 
31218 
31219 
31220 
31221===== Other Emulators =====
31222 
31223 
31224 
31225  * SpecEmu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.dunn4/
31226 
31227  * Speccy -- http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/
31228 
31229  * EmuZWin -- http://kolmck.net/apps/EmuZWin_Eng.htm
31230 
31231  * DSP -- http://leniad.cjb.net/dsp/index.htm
31232 
31233  * Unreal Speccy -- http://alonecoder.narod.ru/zx/
31234 
31235  * YASE -- http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~hackbart/download.htm
31236 
31237  * ZX Spectrum Emu -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
31238 
31239  * RealSpectrum -- http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
31240 
31241  * Spectaculator -- http://www.spectaculator.com/
31242 
31243  * GLECK -- http://gleck.emuunlim.com/
31244 
31245 
31246 
31247 
31248 
31249$end
31250 
31251 
31252 
31253#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31254 
31255 
31256$info=special
31257$bio
31258====== Specialist / Lik (1985), Specialist MX (1991) and Erik (1994) ======
31259 
31260 
31261 
31262===== Features =====
31263 
31264 
31265 
31266  * CPU: KR580IK80A or KR580VM80A (i8080 clones) 2 MHz
31267 
31268  * RAM: 32 KB or 48 KB 
31269 
31270  * ROM: 2 KB (up to 12 KB)
31271 
31272  * Display: black and white graphics, 384 × 256 (25 lines of text on the 64-digit displays ROM); up to 16 colors [MX and Erik only]
31273 
31274  * Keyboard: 80 keys (in the original model it was a film keyboard)
31275 
31276  * External memory: Cassette tape recorder, floppy drive [MX and Erik only]
31277 
31278 
31279 
31280 
31281 
31282===== History and Trivia =====
31283 
31284 
31285 
31286The "Specialist" was an 8-bit microcomputer for hobbyist. Built in 1985 by AF Volkov, the schemes and a description of the computer were published in the journal "Modelist-Constructor" in 1987.
31287 
31288 
31289 
31290== Clones ==
31291 
31292 
31293 
31294  * Lik: different circuitry, different keyboard and different Monitor (to make easier debugging)
31295 
31296  * Specialist MX: later version which added the floppy drive and the support for 16 colors graphics
31297 
31298  * Erik: software compatible with the Specialist, this computer had a Z80A CPU at 4MHz
31299 
31300 
31301 
31302 
31303 
31304===== Other Emu =====
31305 
31306 
31307 
31308  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
31309 
31310  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
31311 
31312  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
31313 
31314 
31315 
31316 
31317 
31318$end
31319 
31320 
31321 
31322#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31323 
31324 
31325$info=specpls4
31326$bio
31327====== Amstrad Spectrum +4 (2000) ======
31328 
31329 
31330 
31331<file>
31332 
31333The plus4.rom is copyright (c)1982-2000 Amstrad plc
31334 
31335and is distributed with their kind permission.
31336 
31337 
31338 
31339I would like to thank Cliff Lawson and Amstrad for making this
31340 
31341project possible, Phillip Kendall for the Spectrum ROM page, Ian
31342 
31343Collier for documenting the changes he made to the ROM and giving me
31344 
31345additional advice, Dr Ian Logan and Dr Frank O'Hara for the invaluable
31346 
31347Complete Spectrum ROM Disassembly, and whoever it was that sold the
31348 
31349book to me and contributors to comp.sys.sinclair for keeping me
31350 
31351constantly amused and informed.
31352 
31353 
31354 
31355-Andrew Owen, 24-2-2000
31356 
31357 
31358 
31359 
31360 
31361Introducing the Spectrum +4.
31362 
31363 
31364 
31365Remember when Apple promised its customers a whole new computer for
31366 
31367$99. What they meant was they hoped their new operating system would
31368 
31369change the experience of their users so profoundly it would make them
31370 
31371feel as if they had a new machine. Well now you can have a whole new
31372 
31373Spectrum for FREE!
31374 
31375 
31376 
31377 
31378 
31379What is the idea behind this?
31380 
31381 
31382 
31383I've taken the original 48K machine as my starting point and tweaked
31384 
31385it until the point where I don't think there is any further room for
31386 
31387improvement without adding extra hardware. Now if someone wants to
31388 
31389build a new machine at least they have a place to start.
31390 
31391 
31392 
31393 
31394 
31395How compatible is it?
31396 
31397 
31398 
31399The Spectrum +4 ROM is very similar to the one in the 48 and so it
31400 
31401should be 90% compatible or better with machine code. BASIC programs
31402 
31403may require minor modifications but should then run without problems.
31404 
31405 
31406 
31407 
31408 
31409What are the changes?
31410 
31411 
31412 
31413There are so many changes that it is impossible to summarize them all.
31414 
31415Only the important changes have been detailed with the exception of
31416 
31417the new NMI routine which is self explanatory.
31418 
31419 
31420 
31421 
31422 
31423THE KEYBOARD
31424 
31425 
31426 
31427The keyboard layout has been completely redesigned, based on the
31428 
31429standard international English keyboard, to make it quicker to use and
31430 
31431easier to remember which keys are where. This is made possible by
31432 
31433replacing the keyword entry system.
31434 
31435 
31436 
31437 
31438 
31439All the SHIFT functions on the number keys are retained, as are the
31440 
31441EXTEND and SHIFT-EXTEND attribute functions. But that is where the
31442 
31443similarity to the old keyboard ends.
31444 
31445 
31446 
31447 
31448 
31449All but a few symbols are accessed by holding down SYMBOL shift and
31450 
31451the relevant key, while the remainder are accessed using EXTEND mode.
31452 
31453Pressing either SHIFT or SYMBOL shift in EXTEND mode will give the
31454 
31455same result as if SYMBOL shift alone had been pressed. In addition to
31456 
31457the characters shown below, the 16 pre-defined graphics characters are
31458 
31459accessible using SYMBOL shift or EXTEND mode and keys Q-R and A-F.
31460 
31461 
31462 
31463 ---------------------------------------
31464 
31465 
31466 
31467| ! | @ | £ | $ | % | ^ | & | * | ( | ) |
31468 
31469 
31470 
31471| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
31472 
31473 
31474 
31475 ----------------------------------------
31476 
31477 
31478 
31479 |   |   |   |   |   |   | { | } | : | " |
31480 
31481 
31482 
31483 |   |   |   |   |   |   | [ | ] | ; | ' |
31484 
31485 
31486 
31487 | Q | W | E | R | T | Y | U | I | O | P |
31488 
31489 
31490 
31491  ---------------------------------------
31492 
31493 
31494 
31495   |   |   |   |   |   |   | | | _ | + |
31496 
31497 
31498 
31499   |   |   |   |   |(c)|   | \ | - | = |
31500 
31501 
31502 
31503   | A | S | D | F | G | H | J | K | L |
31504 
31505 
31506 
31507    -----------------------------------
31508 
31509 
31510 
31511     | ~ |   |   |   | ? | < | > |
31512 
31513 
31514 
31515     | # |   |   |   | / | , | . |
31516 
31517 
31518 
31519     | Z | X | C | V | B | N | M |
31520 
31521 
31522 
31523      ---------------------------
31524 
31525 
31526 
31527SYMBOL = Lower symbols
31528 
31529 
31530 
31531EXTEND = Upper symbols and attributes on number keys
31532 
31533 
31534 
31535SHIFT  = Upper case letters and functions on number keys
31536 
31537 
31538 
31539 
31540 
31541BASIC EDITOR
31542 
31543 
31544 
31545The most noticeable change is that all commands must be typed in full.
31546 
31547Instructions are converted into tokens automatically when you press
31548 
31549ENTER. It is also possible to use the cursors to move up and down
31550 
31551while editing a line. Instructions can be entered in both capital and
31552 
31553lower letters. No space is required between commands such as DEF FN or
31554 
31555after a command unless the argument begins with a letter.
31556 
31557 
31558 
31559 
31560 
31561BASIC COMMANDS
31562 
31563 
31564 
31565CAT, when entered without parameters, calls up the built-in monitor.
31566 
31567 
31568 
31569The PLOT, DRAW and CIRCLE commands have been modified to use the whole
31570 
31571screen.
31572 
31573 
31574 
31575ERASE "i" erases extra Interface 1 variables, extended channels and
31576 
31577such without affecting the BASIC program in memory.
31578 
31579 
31580 
31581The GO SUB, GO TO and CONTINUE commands have been replaced by GOSUB,
31582 
31583GOTO, and CONT, to replicate other BASIC interpreters.
31584 
31585 
31586 
31587MOVE can be used to shift data around in memory. For example, the
31588 
31589command MOVE "r0,6144","r16384" would copy the first 6144 bytes of ROM
31590 
31591to the screen area of memory.
31592 
31593 
31594 
31595The COPY command has been replaced by the FREE command which reports
31596 
31597the amount of free memory below RAMTOP.
31598 
31599 
31600 
31601 
31602 
31603THE MONITOR PROGRAM
31604 
31605 
31606 
31607The Spectrum +4 features a built-in monitor which can be accessed with
31608 
31609the CAT command or holding down SYMBOL shift, SPACE and B while
31610 
31611interrupts are enabled. The following commands are then available:
31612 
31613 
31614 
31615B             Return to BASIC (if possible)
31616 
31617 
31618 
31619D<hex_num>    Displays entered hex number in decimal notation
31620 
31621 
31622 
31623G<hex_addr>   Execute a subroutine at address G
31624 
31625              (RET will return to the monitor).
31626 
31627 
31628 
31629H<dec_num>    Displays entered decimal number in hex notation
31630 
31631 
31632 
31633M<hex_addr>   Hex and ASCII dump from given address
31634 
31635              (SPACE to exit).
31636 
31637 
31638 
31639R             View and/or change registers
31640 
31641              AF, BC, DE, HL, IX and SP.
31642 
31643 
31644 
31645S<hex_addr>   Patch memory from given address using hex editor
31646 
31647              (SPACE to exit editor).
31648 
31649 
31650 
31651 
31652 
31653BUG FIXES
31654 
31655 
31656 
31657Every effort has been made to fix all the bugs mentioned in The
31658 
31659Complete Spectrum Rom Disassembly and a few others besides as follows:
31660 
31661 
31662 
31663Fixed a bug the CLOSE # bug. eg CLOSE #4
31664 
31665 
31666 
31667Fixed the forwardspace (CHR$ 9) bug. e.g. PRINT "A";CHR$ 9;"B"
31668 
31669 
31670 
31671Fixed the backspace (CHR$ 8) bug. e.g. PRINT AT 0,0;CHR$ 8;"A"
31672 
31673 
31674 
31675Fixed the STR$ bug. e.g. PRINT "BUG"+STR$ 0.5
31676 
31677 
31678 
31679Fixed the division bug. e.g. IF 1/2<>0. 5 THEN PRINT "BUG"
31680 
31681 
31682 
31683Fixed the -65536 bug. e.g. PRINT INT -65536
31684 
31685 
31686 
31687Fixed the SCREEN$ bug. e.g. IF "X"=SCREEN$ (0,0) THEN PRINT "BUG"
31688 
31689 
31690 
31691Fixed the "scroll?" bug. Try pressing True Video at the request.
31692 
31693 
31694 
31695Fixed the syntax check error.
31696 
31697 
31698 
31699Fixed the double store bug at 257Dh.
31700 
31701 
31702 
31703Resolved the K-MODE bug. There is no 'K' mode.
31704 
31705 
31706 
31707Resolved printer buffer error. There is no COPY command.
31708 
31709 
31710 
31711Resolved the NMI bug. There is a different routine.
31712 
31713 
31714 
31715Fixed the 'lock up if interrupts are disabled on error report' bug
31716 
31717 
31718 
31719 
31720 
31721LEGAL NOTICE FOR THE CURIOUS
31722 
31723 
31724 
31725Just to make sure it was 100% okay to do this I wrote to Amstrad's
31726 
31727Cliff Lawson on 23/02/00. Here's what followed.
31728 
31729 
31730 
31731ME: I know it's okay in principle to distribute modified Spectrum
31732 
31733    ROMs as long as the copyright message is unchanged. However,
31734 
31735    I've just finished a very major overhaul of the ROM and would
31736 
31737    like to use an alternative message.
31738 
31739 
31740 
31741CL: Well you can't really associate a name such as "+4" with
31742 
31743    "Amstrad Consumer Electronics" because it makes it look as if
31744 
31745    it's an "official" development.
31746 
31747 
31748 
31749ME: Would this be acceptable?
31750 
31751 
31752 
31753      AMSTRAD CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PLC
31754 
31755       (C)1982-2000 unofficial +4 48K
31756 
31757 
31758 
31759CL: Yup, sounds OK but you do realize that the company was only
31760 
31761    called "Amstrad Consumer Electronics" for a few years in the
31762 
31763    early..mid 80's then the company name was shortened to
31764 
31765    "Amstrad plc" so it's a bit "out of date" to use it but I
31766 
31767    guess that probably describes the "Spectrum" too! :-)
31768 
31769 
31770 
31771ME: Mind if I quote you in the "readme" just so no one accuses me
31772 
31773    of violating copyrights?
31774 
31775 
31776 
31777CL: No problem.
31778 
31779 
31780 
31781 Visit the Amstrad website at http://www.amstrad.com
31782 
31783 
31784 
31785                   Amstrad plc. Registered in England No. 955321
31786 
31787Registered Office: Brentwood House, 169 Kings Road, Brentwood,
31788 
31789                   Essex CM14 4EF, England
31790 
31791 
31792 
31793</file>
31794 
31795 
31796 
31797 
31798 
31799$end
31800 
31801 
31802 
31803#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31804 
31805 
31806$info=spectrum
31807$bio
31808====== Sinclair ZX Spectrum (and clones) (1982) ======
31809 
31810 
31811 
31812 
31813 
31814===== Features =====
31815 
31816 
31817 
31818  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5 MHz
31819 
31820  * RAM: 16k or 48k (42k left for programming)
31821 
31822  * ROM: 16k (Basic & OS)
31823 
31824  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
31825 
31826  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
31827 
31828  * Colors: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
31829 
31830  * Sound: 1 voice / 10 octaves (Beeper)
31831 
31832  * I/O Ports: Expansion port, tape-recorder (1200 bauds), RF video out
31833 
31834  * Keyboard: QWERTY rubber keyboard (40 keys) with up to 6 functions by keys !
31835 
31836  * Peripherals: ZX printer, ZX microdrives
31837 
31838  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic
31839 
31840 
31841 
31842 
31843 
31844===== Usage =====
31845 
31846 
31847 
31848TK90X/TK95 add two commands to the Sinclair BASIC: 
31849 
31850  TRACE 1/0 (E cursor, Symbol Shift+P) 
31851 
31852turns on/off the display of the line currently executed, 
31853 
31854  UDG 0/1/2 (K/L/C cursor, Symbol Shift+X) 
31855 
31856controls the behavior of the (guess what?) UDGs: when the parameter is 0/1 they restore their shape to accented letters used in the Portuguese language (still haven't discovered the difference between 0 and 1) while the UDG 2 command activate the built-in character editor. 
31857 
31858 
31859 
31860You can use the keys 5,6,7,8 +CAPS or Symbol Shift to plot/move the cursor, the A-U keys to select the UDG to edit or copy (with the shift keys), INVERSE VIDEO key to reverse the character. 
31861 
31862 
31863 
31864Maybe there are yet more command-keys, but I haven't discovered them yet. Curiously, the BEEP command has been renamed to SOUND: who knows why... 
31865 
31866 
31867 
31868//(info from JoJo Priore)//
31869 
31870 
31871 
31872Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default.  Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the 
31873 
31874scroll_lock key.   
31875 
31876 
31877 
31878 
31879 
31880===== History and Trivia =====
31881 
31882 
31883 
31884The Sinclair ZX Spectrum was one of the most popular European computers of the 80's. Two models were launched: one with 16 kb RAM and one with 48 kb RAM.
31885 
31886 
31887 
31888One of its most "interesting" characteristics is its keyboard! Some keys have more than five (!) functions! It is impossible to type BASIC keywords letter by letter, instead you have to use function keys. A lot of peripherals and programs were developed for this computer. It seems that several models of this computers were launched (at least 3), but I've no technical details about them. It was replaced in 1984 by the Spectrum + and in 1985 by the Spectrum 128.
31889 
31890 
31891 
31892Alan Wilson reports to us : The 16K version of the computer had only the 16K ram chips loaded, while the 48K version had both banks full. To keep the prices down Sinclair used faulty 64K chips (internally 2 X 32K). All the chips in the 32K bank of RAM had to have the same half of the 64K chips working. A link was fitted on the pcb in order to choose the first half or the second half. It was possible with a few logic chips for the experimenter to have access to the faulty 32K bank.
31893 
31894 
31895 
31896//(info from old-computers.com)//
31897 
31898 
31899 
31900 
31901 
31902===== Links =====
31903 
31904 
31905 
31906  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/
31907 
31908  * World of Spectrum -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/
31909 
31910  * Your Sinclair -- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/
31911 
31912  * ZX Specticle -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/
31913 
31914  * Speccy.cz -- http://www.speccy.cz/
31915 
31916  * Sinclair.hu -- http://www.sinclair.hu/
31917 
31918  * Zoom's Speccy Corner -- http://tcg.speccy.cz/zoom/
31919 
31920  * ZX Spectrum at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=223
31921 
31922 
31923 
31924 
31925 
31926===== Other Emulators =====
31927 
31928 
31929 
31930  * SpecEmu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.dunn4/
31931 
31932  * Speccy -- http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/
31933 
31934  * EmuZWin -- http://kolmck.net/apps/EmuZWin_Eng.htm
31935 
31936  * DSP -- http://leniad.cjb.net/dsp/index.htm
31937 
31938  * Unreal Speccy -- http://alonecoder.narod.ru/zx/
31939 
31940  * YASE -- http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~hackbart/download.htm
31941 
31942  * ZX Spectrum Emu -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
31943 
31944  * RealSpectrum -- http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
31945 
31946  * Spectaculator -- http://www.spectaculator.com/
31947 
31948  * GLECK -- http://gleck.emuunlim.com/
31949 
31950 
31951 
31952 
31953 
31954$end
31955 
31956 
31957 
31958#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31959 
31960 
31961$info=srdm5fd5
31962$bio
31963====== Sord M5 with PI-5 parallel interface and FD-5 disc interface ======
31964 
31965 
31966 
31967 
31968 
31969===== Features =====
31970 
31971 
31972 
31973  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
31974 
31975  * Co-Processor:  Z80A-CTC (timer), TMS 9929 (video processor), SN76489AN (Sound Generator)
31976 
31977  * RAM: 4 KB (up to 36 KB)
31978 
31979  * VRAM: 16 KB
31980 
31981  * ROM: 8 KB (up to 28 KB)
31982 
31983  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (characters matrix: 6 x 8 pixels)
31984 
31985  * Graphic Modes: 32 x 24 (character matrix 8x8), 64 x 48 (character matrix 4x4), 256 x 192 (full graphic)
31986 
31987  * Colors: 16
31988 
31989  * Sound: SN76489AN with 3 voices (6 octaves), 1 noise channel, 7 special sounds
31990 
31991  * I/O Ports: RF TV output, video & audio outputs, Joystick (2), Cartridge slot, Tape interface (2000 baud), Centronics (printer)
31992 
31993  * Keyboard: Calculator type, 55 keys. Upper/lower case letters, 64 graphic symbols, 28 Basic statements, FUNC, CTRL, SHIFT (x 2), RETURN, SPACE, RESET
31994 
31995  * Peripherals: Cartridge multiplexer (EC-5), 32 KB RAM expansion (EM-5), joysticks (JS-5), joypads (JP-5), expansion box (EB-5), thermal printer (PT-5), Parallel I/O cartridge (PI-5), Serial interface cartridge (SI-5), Floppy disk drive (FD-5)
31996 
31997  * Built In Language: Basic-G, Basic-I and Basic-F delivered on cartridges
31998 
31999 
32000 
32001 
32002 
32003===== Usage =====
32004 
32005 
32006 
32007This computer used cartridges. You can insert game cartridges, or if you want to use basic, you can insert one of 3 basic cartridges: "BASIC-I" a integer based basic, "BASIC-G" a basic for graphics, "BASIC-F" a basic for floating point operations.
32008 
32009 
32010 
32011To use the disc interface, use the floating point basic "BASIC-F". This has support for the disc interface built-in.
32012 
32013 
32014 
32015This driver consists of
32016 
32017 
32018 
32019  * a Sord M5 computer
32020 
32021  * a Sord FD-5 disc interface
32022 
32023  * a Sord PI-5 parallel interface
32024 
32025 
32026 
32027The Sord M5 computer communicates with the FD-5 through the parallel interface.
32028 
32029 
32030 
32031The parallel interface has a Intel 8255 parallel peripheral interface chip: communication with the FD-5 is done using mode-2 operation. i.e. port A is a bi-directional 8-bit port, port C upper is a control port.
32032 
32033 
32034 
32035The floppy disc interface consists of
32036 
32037  * Z80
32038 
32039  * 16k ROM
32040 
32041  * RAM
32042 
32043  * NEC765 compatible disc controller
32044 
32045  * iternally the disc interface uses interrupts to transfer data into its own RAM.
32046 
32047 
32048 
32049The floppy disc drives are 3" and are believed to use 40 track, double density, double sided discs, giving 360K per disc.
32050 
32051 
32052 
32053The M5 sends 3 character commands, with parameters to the disc interface using the following command
32054 
32055   
32056 
32057  fx 0,<command>
32058 
32059 
32060 
32061<command> can be
32062 
32063   
32064 
32065  TDA
32066 
32067  TRA
32068 
32069  WBI
32070 
32071  RBI
32072 
32073  WTX
32074 
32075  RTX
32076 
32077  WBL
32078 
32079  RBL
32080 
32081  WMM
32082 
32083  RMM
32084 
32085  EXC
32086 
32087  SDR
32088 
32089  WDR
32090 
32091  RDR
32092 
32093  RDC
32094 
32095  OPN
32096 
32097  CLS
32098 
32099  CHN
32100 
32101  MAP
32102 
32103  SAP
32104 
32105  CAP
32106 
32107  ATR
32108 
32109  NAM
32110 
32111  DEL
32112 
32113  FMT: Format disc
32114 
32115  CPY
32116 
32117  GEN
32118 
32119  VPR
32120 
32121  RVI
32122 
32123  IDV
32124 
32125  FNM
32126 
32127  RDB
32128 
32129  WDB
32130 
32131  WHO
32132 
32133  DOM
32134 
32135 
32136 
32137 
32138 
32139===== Known Issues =====
32140 
32141 
32142 
32143  * no memory expansion supported
32144 
32145  * loading from cassette does not work
32146 
32147 
32148 
32149 
32150 
32151 
32152 
32153===== History and Trivia =====
32154 
32155 
32156 
32157The SORD M5 had no really great success outside Japan (and later Czechoslovakia) but had lot of interesting characteristics, very close to MSX computers released soon after. Anyway, It was not compatible with it. (It has the same CPU (Z80), a Z80 CTC timer chip and the same video chip, but a different sound chip and the I/O port assignments are not the same). In fact some MSX games have been converted to the Sord by enthusiasts.
32158 
32159 
32160 
32161Sord M5 design was quite original. The machine was quite small. The two-tone grey plastic casing opened to reveal a bright yellow back, which housed the ROM cartridge slot. The keyboard was similar to the rubber matting of the Spectrum, but felt markedly better. Most keys had a Basic keyword on them in small light-grey letters (available by holding down the function key as an other key is pressed). There was no full-size space-bar.
32162 
32163 
32164 
32165There was only 4K of internal RAM, but memory expansions were available. The joysticks simply plugged into tiny DIN sockets, and there was a port for a Centronics printer. The power supply was external and rather cumbersome.
32166 
32167 
32168 
32169It used a dedicated video chip (Texas Instrument 9918, 9928 or 9929, depending on the model) and had the same video characteristics as the MSX computers (same graphic resolution, same number of colors, same number of sprites, etc.) but didn't belong to this family. The M-5 had 32 graphics symbols in ROM and could handle up to 32 sprites. Its sound chip was the Texas Instruments TI 76489, which wasn't MSX compliant. It had three independent sound channels which could produce a variety of music and synthesised sounds. The sound was sent 
32170 
32171through the TV speaker.
32172 
32173 
32174 
32175Several cartidge based languages were available: the Basic-I (very simple version for beginners, delivered with the system), the Basic-G (with lot of graphic commands) and the Basic-F (for mathematic and scientific applications). The M-5 supported Inp and Out in Basic to 
32176 
32177control Z-80A ports, but had no obvious connector to the external world other than the ROM cartridge slot into which the Basic cartridge had to be be inserted.
32178 
32179 
32180 
32181One year later the M5 Pro and M5 Jr were released with a built-in power supply unit (and more RAM?). 
32182 
32183 
32184 
32185//(info from old-computers.com)//
32186 
32187 
32188 
32189 
32190 
32191===== Links =====
32192 
32193 
32194 
32195  * Czech M5 page -- http://falabella.lf2.cuni.cz/~naidr/sord/
32196 
32197  * M5 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=217
32198 
32199 
32200 
32201 
32202 
32203===== Other Emulators =====
32204 
32205 
32206 
32207  * Emu5 -- http://www1.interq.or.jp/~t-takeda/m5/index.html
32208 
32209 
32210 
32211 
32212 
32213$end
32214 
32215 
32216 
32217#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32218 
32219 
32220$info=ssystem3
32221$bio
32222====== Novag Industries Chess Champion Super System III / MK III (1979) ======
32223 
32224 
32225 
32226 
32227 
32228===== Features =====
32229 
32230 
32231 
32232  * LCD display with 4 digits and several symbols
32233 
32234  * Integrated speaker
32235 
32236  * Connection for external power supply
32237 
32238  * Connection for printer
32239 
32240  * Connection for board display
32241 
32242 
32243 
32244 
32245 
32246===== Known Issues =====
32247 
32248 
32249 
32250Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
32251 
32252 
32253 
32254Not working. Low priority for me because it uses features not implemented in via6522 emulation (pin b6 timer counting!)
32255 
32256 
32257 
32258 
32259 
32260===== History and Trivia =====
32261 
32262 
32263 
32264Early Chess Computer programmed by David Levy and produced by Novag Industries Ltd.
32265 
32266 
32267 
32268It was also sold in Germany with the name MK III.
32269 
32270 
32271 
32272For a list of Chess Computers produced by Novag Industries, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
32273 
32274 
32275 
32276 
32277 
32278===== Links =====
32279 
32280 
32281 
32282  * Super System III at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
32283 
32284  * Super System III at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_Chess_Champion_Super_System_MK_III
32285 
32286  * a short history of Novag Industries -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En
32287 
32288 
32289 
32290 
32291 
32292$end
32293 
32294 
32295 
32296#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32297 
32298 
32299$info=stbook
32300$bio
32301====== Atari STBook (1990) ======
32302 
32303 
32304 
32305 
32306 
32307===== Features =====
32308 
32309 
32310 
32311  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 MHz
32312 
32313  * RAM: 1 or 4 MB (no extension)
32314 
32315  * ROM: 256 KB
32316 
32317  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
32318 
32319  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 400
32320 
32321  * Colors: monochrome LCD display
32322 
32323  * Sound: three channels, 8 octaves
32324 
32325  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232c, Floppy Disk, internal IDE Hard disk, Midi In/Out, Dock Station connector
32326 
32327  * Keyboard: full stroke keyboard
32328 
32329  * Built In Media: One 2.5" disk drive
32330 
32331  * OS: TOS + GEM
32332 
32333 
32334 
32335 
32336 
32337===== Usage =====
32338 
32339 
32340 
32341MESS currently supports for the STBook both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
32342 
32343 
32344 
32345Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the two serial ports, "serial1" (serl1) and "serial2" (serl2), are emulated as well.
32346 
32347 
32348 
32349== Keyboard ==
32350 
32351 
32352 
32353This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
32354 
32355 
32356 
32357=== RAM options ===
32358 
32359 
32360 
32361Different RAM configurations are possible for the stbook in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
32362 
32363 
32364 
32365  mess stbook -ramsize ram_value
32366 
32367 
32368 
32369where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
32370 
32371 
32372 
32373  1m
32374 
32375  4m (default)
32376 
32377 
32378 
32379 
32380 
32381===== Known Issues =====
32382 
32383 
32384 
32385The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
32386 
32387 
32388 
32389 
32390 
32391===== History and Trivia =====
32392 
32393 
32394 
32395After the success of the Stacy, Atari presented a new portable computer: the ST Book. 
32396 
32397 
32398 
32399It was a rather nice toy: very light, impressive battery life, MIDI ports, battery-saved RAM, etc. 
32400 
32401 
32402 
32403The Hard Disk contains a small Null-Modem program to transfer files (very handy!). It has no internal floppy drive, the external floppy was a weird (and expensive!) unit that used the same interface as Atari's hard disks (ACSI). 
32404 
32405 
32406 
32407Despite its interesting characteristics, and because of the deplorable commercial policy of Atari, it had no success and only about one thousand units were sold in Europe. 
32408 
32409 
32410 
32411A word of warning: The cases & screen on this computer are VERY FRAGILE! Whatever you do, do not drop this computer, as it probably will shatter! 
32412 
32413 
32414 
32415//(info from old-computers.com)//
32416 
32417 
32418 
32419 
32420 
32421===== Links =====
32422 
32423 
32424 
32425  * Atari STBook at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=283
32426 
32427 
32428 
32429 
32430 
32431$end
32432 
32433 
32434 
32435#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32436 
32437 
32438$info=studio2
32439$bio
32440====== RCA Studio II (1977) ======
32441 
32442 
32443 
32444 
32445 
32446===== Features =====
32447 
32448 
32449 
32450  * CPU: RCA 1802 1.78 MHz
32451 
32452  * Co-Processor: CDP1861 video display chipset
32453 
32454  * RAM: 512 bytes (normally 256 bytes display RAM, 256 bytes program RAM)
32455 
32456  * ROM: 2 KB
32457 
32458  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 32 (theoretical maximum of 64 x 128 is possible)
32459 
32460  * Colors: Black & white
32461 
32462  * Sound: Single channel buzzer
32463 
32464  * I/O Ports: Cartridge slot, video output & power in
32465 
32466  * Media: Catridges
32467 
32468  * Controllers: Two built-in keypads (10 keys: numbers from O to 9)
32469 
32470 
32471 
32472 
32473 
32474===== Usage =====
32475 
32476 
32477 
32478== Controls Layout ==
32479 
32480 
32481 
324822 Keypads: Player 1 left, Player 2 right
32483 
32484 
32485 
32486Keypads have following Layout
32487 
32488   
32489 
32490  1  2  3
32491 
32492   
32493 
32494  4  5  6
32495 
32496   
32497 
32498  7  8  9
32499 
32500   
32501 
32502     0
32503 
32504 
32505 
32506== Misc ==
32507 
32508 
32509 
32510The console has 5 Built in programs in ROM. Without a cartridge inserted, the screen stays black after turning on. Player 1 selects game.
32511 
32512   
32513 
32514  1 Paint? not working now
32515 
32516  2 Not sure what game 2 is; it's not working currently
32517 
32518  3 Bowling, working
32519 
32520  4 Rally, not working now
32521 
32522  5 Math (calculate the sum of the 3 digits, and enter it), working
32523 
32524 
32525 
32526 
32527 
32528===== Known Issues =====
32529 
32530 
32531 
32532No support for st2 cartridges.
32533 
32534 
32535 
32536 
32537 
32538===== History and Trivia =====
32539 
32540 
32541 
32542Early console for TV connection, sold from several firms under different names
32543 
32544 
32545 
32546The RCA Studio II was the second programmable video game system in the world, following the Fairchild Video Entertainment System released a few months earlier. (The Magnavox Odyssey had cartridges, but was not programmable - the cartridges simply acted as jumpers to select games already built in to the analog electronics of the system). When looking at the Studio II, it's clear that best-selling systems of that time, Pongs, inspired RCA. Cosmeticaly, it looks like a pong...
32547 
32548 
32549 
32550But the Studio II is more than a pong, it also is programmable. A total of 10 cartridges were released before RCA dropped the system in 1979. The Studio II also came with 5 built in games: Bowling, Freeway (car racing), Patterns, Doodles, and Math. Unlike Fairchild's system, RCA's was only in black and white and the sound was through a single channel "Pong" style beeper housed in the system itself.
32551 
32552 
32553 
32554The controllers are quite basic: only two numeric keypads built-in the system, labeled "A" for left player and "B" for right player. The numeric keypads are composed of ten keys numbered from 0 to 9. Arrows are also drawn next to the keys to indicate that "4" is for left, "6" for right, "2" for up, "3" for up-right, etc. "0" is thus often used as the fire button (depending on games of course).
32555 
32556 
32557 
32558Sadly, the RCA was quickly outdated (the day it was released some would say) due to the fast pace techat technology was evolving at. 9 months later the Atari VCS was released, with color high resolution graphics, custom sound that actualy came through your television, 
32559 
32560and what was to become one of the largest game libraries of any console to date...
32561 
32562 
32563 
32564Some years later, color clone systems appeared in Europe. They were clearly marketed as cheap systems for people who couldn't afford more "modern" systems like the ColecoVision or Vectrex. They include the Soundic MPT-02 Victory, Hanimex MPT-02, Mustang 9016 Telespiel 
32565 
32566Computer, Conic M-1200 and the Sheen 1200 Micro Computer. Some have modifications from the original RCA Studio II such as detachable controllers or even color graphics. There were also some new cartridges produced for these systems, such as Concentration Match for the 
32567 
32568MPT-02.
32569 
32570 
32571 
32572It is interesting to notice that MPT-02 systems are Studio RCA 2 software-compatible, MPT-03 are Emerson Arcadia 2001 software-compatible and MPT-04/05 systems are Interton VC-4000 software-compatible systems... 
32573 
32574 
32575 
32576//(info from old-computers.com)//
32577 
32578 
32579 
32580 
32581 
32582===== Links =====
32583 
32584 
32585 
32586  * Paul Robson's Page -- http://www.classicgaming.com/studio2/
32587 
32588  * Studio II at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=728
32589 
32590 
32591 
32592 
32593 
32594===== Other Emulators =====
32595 
32596 
32597 
32598  * Paul Robson's Stem -- http://www.classicgaming.com/studio2/
32599 
32600 
32601 
32602 
32603 
32604$end
32605 
32606 
32607 
32608#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32609 
32610 
32611$info=super80
32612$bio
32613====== Dick Smith Super-80 (1981) ======
32614 
32615 
32616 
32617 
32618 
32619===== Features =====
32620 
32621 
32622 
32623  * Main Processor: Zilog Z80 2MHz
32624 
32625  * RAM: 16k, 32k or 48k (plus 3.5k with the "64k ram" modification and 0.5k for Chipspeed color board) [super80]; 16k, 32k or 48k (plus 2k Video RAM banked with Color RAM for modified Chipspeed board and 2k PCG RAM banked with Character Generator ROM) [super80v]
32626 
32627  * ROM: 12k
32628 
32629  * Text Modes: 32 x 16 characters [super80], 80 x 25 characters [super80v]
32630 
32631  * Colors: Monochrome (originally, this changed with upgrades, see below)
32632 
32633  * I/O: Cassette interface at 300, 600, or 1200 baud (software selectable); Parallel and Serial ports available as upgrades
32634 
32635  * Keyboard: Proper moving-key keyboard (identical to early microbee)
32636 
32637  * Built In: Monitor program; moreover, optional 10k Basic on tape or eproms (an early version of Microbee's Microworld Basic)
32638 
32639 
32640 
32641 
32642 
32643===== Usage =====
32644 
32645 
32646 
32647Currently, MESS emulates the following machines:
32648 
32649 
32650 
32651  * super80 [Super-80 (V1.2)]: This driver uses all the original Dick Smith roms and hardware, with the optional BASIC in ROM.
32652 
32653  * super80d [Super-80 (V2.2)]: This driver emulates an original upgrade by Dick Smith consisting of an upgraded ROM (to allow lower-case entries), and the replacement of the original character generator chip with a plugin board containing a new character generator and a few TTL chips; this substantial hardware modification added lower-case characters, some graphic symbols, and inverse mode.
32654 
32655  * super80e [Super-80 (El Graphix 4)]: This driver emulates a Super-80 v1.2 upgraded with a "El Graphix 4" homebrew ROM (created by Andrew Harding from Melbourne, see below) which included a new character generator, containing upper/lower case characters and a variety of graphical symbols.
32656 
32657  * super80m [Super-80 (8R0)]: This driver emulates an homebrew upgrade which adds most of the features other upgrades offered, i.e. many new commands, a debugged and enhanced BASIC, both character generators, both color schemes (or monochrome), both cassette systems, and an extra 4k of RAM.
32658 
32659  * super80v [Super-80 (with VDUEB)]: This driver emulates a Super-80 with modified VDUEB upgrade (mc6845 video controller on an extra card) which adds color and allows the software to read the character generator rom; compared to an original VDUEB upgrade, these modified ROMs feature better control of the hardware, an enhanced monitor and BASIC, and supports both cassette systems.
32660 
32661 
32662 
32663For each driver, MESS supports both cassette tapes (in .wav format), using the "cassette" (cass) device, and cart dumps (in .rom format), using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
32664 
32665 
32666 
32667Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .bin files.
32668 
32669 
32670 
32671Other upgrades **not supported** at the moment include:
32672 
32673 
32674 
32675  * super80f: a modified version of v2.2, created by Andrew Morton from Sydney, featuring the MDS 3000 baud cassette tape system.
32676 
32677  * super80g: newer ROM revision of the above.
32678 
32679  * super80h: a hardware-only modification, created by Mark Hurry (Chipspeed) from Sydney, which used extra memory to map each tile to a color (4-bit foreground and 4-bit background); the colors were generated by a TEA2018, driving a PAL generator; the composite output is suitable for the yellow input on a modern color TV.
32680 
32681  * super80j: similar to super80h, but instead of converting the signal to composite, the rgb and intensity signals were passed directly to a suitable color monitor (no longer available).
32682 
32683  * super80r: original VDUEB release by Robin Ward, with a modified and rather buggy ROM to support the new hardware; it is monochrome.
32684 
32685 
32686 
32687== Keyboard ==
32688 
32689 
32690 
32691These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
32692 
32693 
32694 
32695 
32696 
32697===== Known Issues =====
32698 
32699 
32700 
32701  * super80v: “Interlace and Video” options is currently not implemented 
32702 
32703  * all: Natively-supported Quickload Save facility has to be added
32704 
32705  * all: Natural keyboard has to be fixed
32706 
32707 
32708 
32709Currently, there are no plans to add support for the following features: 
32710 
32711  * different amounts of RAM (only 48k of main ram is supported) 
32712 
32713  * disk drives 
32714 
32715  * CP/M 
32716 
32717  * S-100 interface and board 
32718 
32719  * Parallel and Serial ports
32720 
32721 
32722 
32723 
32724 
32725===== History and Trivia =====
32726 
32727 
32728 
32729The original Super-80 computer was sold by Dick Smith Electronics in 1981 as a kit. Dick Smith later released a S-100 interface, a Parallel/Serial card for it and the Dick Smith lower-case generator kit (the original had upper-case only and no graphics).
32730 
32731 
32732 
32733Several homebrew upgrades were made available, such as graphics cards, faster cassette systems, speech/sound/color cards and more.
32734 
32735 
32736 
32737The most popular graphics addition was the El Graphics 4 ROM which provided lower-case letters, the 64 TRS-80 Lores symbols and 64 other graphic symbols.
32738 
32739 
32740 
32741Another one was an add-on board containing a 6845 crtc chip and programmable character generator. This opened the way for the use of a disk controller and CP/M.
32742 
32743 
32744 
32745Dick Smith quickly lost interest as newer computers became available, and by 1985 the Super-80 was practically forgotten. They claimed that “several thousand” kits were sold, but only few are known to work these days.
32746 
32747 
32748 
32749//(info from Raphael Nabet and Robbbert)//
32750 
32751 
32752 
32753 
32754 
32755== List of Upgrades ==
32756 
32757 
32758 
32759  * Dick Smith S-100 interface 
32760 
32761  * Dick Smith Basic 
32762 
32763  * Dick Smith Printer (parallel / serial) card 
32764 
32765  * Dick Smith Compu-voice (Votrax speech synthesis project)
32766 
32767  * Andrew Harding's El Graphics character generators 
32768 
32769  * MCE's VDUEB card, the one with the 6845 chip
32770 
32771  * Matrix Software's Sound Card 
32772 
32773  * Chipspeed's color board (16 foreground and 16 background colors) 
32774 
32775  * Computer Clinic's programmable character generator 
32776 
32777  * Micro data Storage made a fast (3000 baud) cassette system, and a graphics board 
32778 
32779 
32780 
32781 
32782 
32783===== Links =====
32784 
32785 
32786 
32787  * [[wp>Dick_Smith_Super-80_Computer]]
32788 
32789 
32790 
32791 
32792 
32793 
32794 
32795$end
32796 
32797 
32798 
32799#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32800 
32801 
32802$info=supergb
32803$bio
32804====== Nintendo Super Game Boy (1994) ======
32805 
32806 
32807 
32808 
32809 
32810===== Features =====
32811 
32812 
32813 
32814Supports 256 colors in static screens (i.e the title screen) and 12 colors in the normal game.
32815 
32816 
32817 
32818 
32819 
32820===== Known Issues =====
32821 
32822 
32823 
32824Like all Super GB emulators around, MESS does not use SNES emulation combined with GB emulation. It is on the TO DO List, anyway.
32825 
32826 
32827 
32828 
32829 
32830===== History and Trivia =====
32831 
32832 
32833 
32834The Super Game Boy is an adapter for the SNES that let you play Game Boy games on your TV. It also had some extended features like backgrounds around the game and primitive color, although not all games take advantage of this. It possible for Super Game Boy games to make use of the SNES sound hardware for extra effects. Try compairing Asteroids/Missile Commmand, Space Invaders or Donkey Kong to see some excellent use of the of enhancments. In 1994 the Super Game Boy sold for under $60.
32835 
32836 
32837 
32838There was a Super Game Boy 2 released in 199?. It has the same features of the original Super Game Boy but adds a green game link LED, red power LED and a Game link port.
32839 
32840 
32841 
32842 
32843 
32844===== Links =====
32845 
32846 
32847 
32848  * FAQs -- http://www.gamersgraveyard.com/repository/snes/peripherals/sgbfaq.txt
32849 
32850 
32851 
32852 
32853 
32854===== Other Emulators =====
32855 
32856 
32857 
32858  * no$gmb -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gmb.htm
32859 
32860  * BGB -- http://bgb.bircd.org/
32861 
32862  * KiGB -- http://kigb.emuunlim.com/
32863 
32864  * GEST -- http://koti.mbnet.fi/gest_emu/
32865 
32866 
32867 
32868 
32869 
32870$end
32871 
32872 
32873 
32874#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32875 
32876 
32877$info=svi318
32878$bio
32879====== Spectravideo SVI-318 (1983) ======
32880 
32881 
32882 
32883 
32884 
32885===== Features =====
32886 
32887 
32888 
32889  * CPU: Zilog Z80 3.6 MHz
32890 
32891  * RAM: 32 kb (12 kb free with Basic)
32892 
32893  * VRAM: 16 kb
32894 
32895  * ROM: 32 kb
32896 
32897  * Text Modes: 40 x 24
32898 
32899  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 / 64 x 48
32900 
32901  * Colors: 16
32902 
32903  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves
32904 
32905  * I/O Ports: CVBS & RF output, cartridge slot, expansion port, tape
32906 
32907  * Keyboard: 71 keys, calculator type keyboard
32908 
32909  * OS: CP/M optional with disk-drives
32910 
32911  * Built In Language: SV Microsoft Basic
32912 
32913  * Peripherals: Expansion box, disk-drives, printer, Coleco adaptor
32914 
32915 
32916 
32917 
32918 
32919===== History and Trivia =====
32920 
32921 
32922 
32923The Spectravideo SV-318 has characteristics very close to the MSX machines (same video, sprites, sound, I/O, etc.). It was even sold as an MSX computer in some places, but it is not fully MSX compliant and can't use MSX programs.
32924 
32925 
32926 
32927Notice that instead of using cursor keys, the Spectravideo uses a small joystick, which emulates cursor keys.
32928 
32929 
32930 
32931The photo above shows the SV318 with its expansion base. This provides 64 KB RAM, a 80 column video and a floppy disk controller and its floppy drive (5.25"), with all these peripherals, the SV318 can run under CP/M.
32932 
32933 
32934 
32935A more professional version of the SV318 was launched a while later: the SV-328 (which has 80 KB RAM and a numeric keyboard and the SV-728 case).
32936 
32937 
32938 
32939//(info from old-computers.com)//
32940 
32941 
32942 
32943 
32944 
32945===== Links =====
32946 
32947 
32948 
32949  * Roger's Spectravideo Page -- http://www.samdal.com/spectravideo.htm
32950 
32951  * SVI-318 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=227
32952 
32953 
32954 
32955 
32956 
32957===== Other Emulators =====
32958 
32959 
32960 
32961  * SVI Emu -- http://www.acc.umu.se/~yarin/sviemu/
32962 
32963  * BlueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
32964 
32965 
32966 
32967 
32968 
32969$end
32970 
32971 
32972 
32973#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32974 
32975 
32976$info=svi328
32977$bio
32978====== Spectravideo SVI-328 (1983) ======
32979 
32980 
32981 
32982 
32983 
32984===== Features =====
32985 
32986 
32987 
32988  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.6 MHz
32989 
32990  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 256 KB)
32991 
32992  * VRAM: 16 KB
32993 
32994  * ROM: 32 KB
32995 
32996  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 24 lines (optional 80 x 24)
32997 
32998  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 dots
32999 
33000  * Colors: 16
33001 
33002  * Sound: Three channels, 8 octaves
33003 
33004  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232c, RGB, Tape (1800 bauds); Joystick (2), Cartridge
33005 
33006  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad
33007 
33008  * Built In Media: None
33009 
33010  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC interpreter
33011 
33012  * Peripherals: SVI-904 Data Cassette, SV-605B expansion box, Graphics Tablet, 80 columns card, modem and RS232 interfaces
33013 
33014 
33015 
33016 
33017 
33018===== Usage =====
33019 
33020 
33021 
33022MESS supports two different version of SV BASIC: v1.1 e v1.11. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
33023 
33024   
33025 
33026  "-bios 0" or "-bios 111" = SV BASIC v1.11
33027 
33028   
33029 
33030  "-bios 1" or "-bios 110" = SV BASIC v1.1
33031 
33032 
33033 
33034 
33035 
33036===== History and Trivia =====
33037 
33038 
33039 
33040The Spectravideo SV 328 was the ancestor of the Spectravideo MSX SV-728 (it had the same case and almost all its features) and the successor of the SV-318.
33041 
33042 
33043 
33044This computer wasn't a MSX machine, even though its hardware design was almost the same as MSX computers. Its Microsoft Extended Basic was also close to the MSX Basic but not fully compatible. The cartridge slot couldn't use MSX cartridges. However, Coleco cartridges could run thanks to an optional card.
33045 
33046 
33047 
33048The SV-328 ran CP/M 2.2 or 3.0 when connected to the 5.25" 360 KB floppy drive unit. Several well known CP/M software were adapted to the SV328; i.e. dBase II and WordStar.
33049 
33050 
33051 
33052Several expansion devices were developed for this computer. Among them, the SV-605B expansion box which offered a 10 MB hard disk, two 5.25" DSDD floppy drives, one Centronics port and six expansion slots. Some other peripherals were released: Graphic Tablet, 80-column card, 1200/75 modem card, RS232 interface. 
33053 
33054 
33055 
33056== More informations == 
33057 
33058 
33059 
33060(info from Taneli Lukka - Finland): There were two different versions of this computer. They could be identified by a very small red MK II-logo beside the SVI-328 logo on top of the machine. The older MK I version had no built in RF-modulator, it was a separate box that you had to connect to a DIN-socket on the back of the machine. The MK II model had the modulator built in and it also had RCA-jacks for composite video and sound output. A much simplified motherboard consisting of three small PCB's joined together by many cables was introduced to cut costs and the PCB quality was generally worse than on MK I machines.The older SVI-318 also got a similar treatment, but I don't know anything about the details. All I know is that its MK II version was quite rare in most countries because it was introduced when the machine was already pretty dead.
33061 
33062 
33063 
33064== Spectravideo in Australia ==
33065 
33066 
33067 
33068(info by Mark Dodd): The Spectravideo User Group Of Australia ran for many years and the SV318 and SV328 were very popular with hobbyists and professionals alike. Unfortunately some resellers advertised and sold the machine as MSX compatible or upgradeable. I appeared as an expert witness in several consumer complaint cases where the machine had to be replaced, free of charge, for the later 
33069 
33070MSX compliant models. When MSX took of the User Group supported bith the older SV models and all MSX machines form different manufacturers.
33071 
33072 
33073 
33074//(info from old-computers.com)//
33075 
33076 
33077 
33078 
33079 
33080===== Links =====
33081 
33082 
33083 
33084  * Roger's Spectravideo Page -- http://www.samdal.com/spectravideo.htm
33085 
33086  * SVI-328 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=228
33087 
33088 
33089 
33090 
33091 
33092===== Other Emulators =====
33093 
33094 
33095 
33096  * SVI Emu -- http://www.acc.umu.se/~yarin/sviemu/
33097 
33098  * BlueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
33099 
33100 
33101 
33102 
33103 
33104$end
33105 
33106 
33107 
33108#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33109 
33110 
33111$info=svision
33112$bio
33113====== Watara Supervision (1992) ======
33114 
33115 
33116 
33117 
33118 
33119===== Features =====
33120 
33121 
33122 
33123  * CPU : M65C02 8-bit VLSI at 4 MHz
33124 
33125  * Screen:  LCD 61mm x 61mm (2.37" x 2.37"), 160 x 160 pixels, 4 grey levels
33126 
33127  * Sound: 4(?) stereo voices (integrated mono speaker, port for stereo speaker), Headphone jack (small stereo headphones included), Built-in mono speaker,
33128 
33129  * Controls: Directional buttons, A & B, Select & Start.
33130 
33131  * Power: 4 "AA" Batteries, External Power Supply Jack (DC6V)
33132 
33133  * 40 pin Cartridge port
33134 
33135  * Contrast Adjustment, Volume controller, Power Switch
33136 
33137  * Two Player Link (communications port) - DB-9 connector, similar to the old Atari joysticks.
33138 
33139  * Optional features: TV-link
33140 
33141 
33142 
33143 
33144 
33145===== Usage =====
33146 
33147 
33148 
33149Cartridge must be in for operation. Pinout of cartridge is in mess/messroms/svision.txt
33150 
33151 
33152 
33153 
33154 
33155===== Known Issues =====
33156 
33157 
33158 
33159There is still a lot open to do:
33160 
33161 
33162 
33163  * Support for the 4 in 1 power selected cartridges (power off/on cycle selects nexts 64k image in cartridge, done via hardware)
33164 
33165 
33166 
33167  * Tvlink emulation (microcontroller not dumped yet, basically 2 supervision, 1st for inputs transmitted tvlink cartridge, 2nd for game, microcontroller for copying game video data to crtc ram)
33168 
33169 
33170 
33171  * Probably tvlink (4 colors out of a palette of 4096) simulation, but only my Tron supports tvlink color selection
33172 
33173 
33174 
33175  * Multiple Supervisions linked together via serial port, but only my Tron supports 2 player via serial link (svisions is transmitting buttons of 2nd supervision to serial port in the needed protocol)
33176 
33177 
33178 
33179  * Selection of type of handheld/hardware via menu (but handheld, tvlink pal and tvlink ntsc are based on different clocks)
33180 
33181 
33182 
33183  * Selection of a palette in configuration menu instead of selection via driver
33184 
33185 
33186 
33187  * Switching audio to mono (like handheld internal speaker, tvlink)
33188 
33189 
33190 
33191 
33192 
33193===== History and Trivia =====
33194 
33195 
33196 
33197Non-color handheld manufactured and sold from several firms under different names.
33198 
33199 
33200 
33201The Watara Supervision is a monochrome handheld game console, originating from Hong Kong, and introduced in 1992 as a cut-price competitor for Nintendo's Game Boy. It came packaged with a game called Crystball, which is similar to Breakout.
33202 
33203 
33204 
33205The console has a slightly larger screen and larger buttons, and its games sold for far less than the Game Boy's. The games were simpler than the Game Boy's, and the console did not sell well. The original design for the console changed significantly through several iterations, and the last Supervisions were sold in 1996.
33206 
33207 
33208 
33209The Supervision was marketed by several different companies around the world and under several different names, including Quickshot Supervision, Travell Mate, and Hartung SV-100.
33210 
33211 
33212 
33213//(info from Wikipedia)//
33214 
33215 
33216 
33217== Variations ==
33218 
33219 
33220 
33221  * Model 9205 (bendable screen): Watara Supervision, Tai-Kerr Boy (HK), Vini-Spil Supervision (Dk), Quickshot Supervision QS-800 (UK), Hartung SuperVision SV-100 (De,Nl), Audiosonic Supervision GB-1000 (It,Fr)
33222 
33223 
33224 
33225  * Model GB-2000 (non bendable screen): Watara (US,Ca,etc.), Audiosonic (Fr,It), Vini-Spil (Dk)
33226 
33227 
33228 
33229  * Model 9600 (non bendable screen, no comm-port, three colour variations): Magnum International (US), Videojet (Fr)
33230 
33231 
33232 
33233 
33234 
33235===== Links =====
33236 
33237 
33238 
33239  * Syd Bolton's Page -- http://www.pixelpower.on.ca/supervision/
33240 
33241  * Supervision Museum -- http://slydc.20m.com/supervsn.htm
33242 
33243 
33244 
33245 
33246 
33247$end
33248 
33249 
33250 
33251#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33252 
33253 
33254$info=sx64
33255$bio
33256====== Commodore DX / SX 64 (1983) ======
33257 
33258 
33259 
33260 
33261 
33262===== Features =====
33263 
33264 
33265 
33266  * CPU: 6510 at 1 MHz
33267 
33268  * Co-Processor: VIC II (Video), SID (Sound)
33269 
33270  * RAM: 64k (38911 bytes free)
33271 
33272  * ROM: 20k
33273 
33274  * Text Modes: 40 chars. x 25 lines with 16 colors
33275 
33276  * Graphic Modes: several, most used : 320 x 200
33277 
33278  * Colors: 16
33279 
33280  * Sound: 3 voices, 9 octaves, 4 waveforms
33281 
33282  * I/O Ports: 2 joystick sockets (Atari standard), cartridge slot, expansion port, serial, RGB video output, keyboard
33283 
33284  * Keyboard: Full-stroke detachable keyboard, 66 keys, 4 function keys
33285 
33286  * Built In Media: 1 x 5¼" FDD [SX-64]; 2 x 5¼" FDD [DX-64]
33287 
33288  * Built In Language: SX-64 Basic v2.0
33289 
33290  * Peripherals: Z80 card
33291 
33292 
33293 
33294 
33295 
33296===== Known Issues =====
33297 
33298 
33299 
33300Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org.
33301 
33302 
33303 
33304 
33305 
33306===== History and Trivia =====
33307 
33308 
33309 
33310The SX/DX 64 is the "laptop version" (though hardly portable) of the C64. This computer has a built-in 5" color screen (just about enough for the eyes), a detachable keyboard with new functions, and one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives (the famous 1541), depending on the model.
33311 
33312 
33313 
33314The DX-64 and the SX-100 (SX-64 with black & white monitor) were first announced in January 1983 but the SX-100 never made it to the shelves and was replaced by the SX-64 later that year.
33315 
33316 
33317 
33318One important feature is that the SX/DX-64 lacks a cassette interface! People who upgraded from the classic C64 couldn't play their games stored on tapes ! Some programs that used the tape buffer for storage (of sprites say) had problems too. The cartridge slot is found on top of the case, and there is a sound speaker inside the unit (unlike the C64).
33319 
33320 
33321 
33322The DX-64 has the same characteristics as the SX64 except its two 5.25" floppy disk drives instead of one. A very small quantity was produced. It was probably never sold but only used by Commodore insiders.
33323 
33324 
33325 
33326The SX64 and DX64 computers never had success, probably because of higher selling prices, but were known as the world's first color portables.
33327 
33328 
33329 
33330The SX64 was not the only machine that Commodore made in this chassis, there was also the SX500, which was an Amiga in the SX case.
33331 
33332 
33333 
33334//(info from old-computers.com)//
33335 
33336 
33337 
33338 
33339 
33340===== Links =====
33341 
33342 
33343 
33344  * DX / SX 64 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=524
33345 
33346 
33347 
33348 
33349 
33350$end
33351 
33352 
33353 
33354#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33355 
33356 
33357$info=sym1
33358$bio
33359====== Synertek SYM-1/SY-VIM1 (1978) ======
33360 
33361 
33362 
33363===== Features =====
33364 
33365 
33366 
33367  * CPU: Synertek 6502 1 MHz
33368 
33369  * RAM: 1 KB expandable to 4 KB on board
33370 
33371  * ROM: 4 KB
33372 
33373  * Text Modes: 6 digit LED display
33374 
33375  * Sound: Built-in loudspeaker
33376 
33377  * I/O Ports: Tape recorder, Serial RS232, 51 I/O lines connector
33378 
33379  * Keyboard: 29 "sensitive" keys
33380 
33381  * OS: Supermon monitor
33382 
33383  * Built In Language: Hexadecimal monitor - Assembler
33384 
33385  * Peripherals: ASCII Keyboard, expansion slots card
33386 
33387 
33388 
33389 
33390 
33391===== History and Trivia =====
33392 
33393 
33394 
33395Very early computer.
33396 
33397 
33398 
33399Synertek was one of the suppliers of the 6502 processor, and the SYM-1 was intended as a chip evaluation board for hardware developers that were interested in programming and interfacing a 6502.
33400 
33401 
33402 
33403The SYM-1 was a single board computer. It had a hexadecimal display and a hex keypad for programs and data entry. It was originally called the VIM-1 until MOS Technology objected to the name.
33404 
33405 
33406 
33407It was actually quite a copy of the MOS KIM 1 offering same fonctionalities plus some enhanced features and connection capabilities, including a true serial RS232 interface instead of a 20mA current loop in the KIM. It also shared same I/O connectors with another 6502 development system, the Rockwell AIM-65
33408 
33409 
33410 
33411A ROM chip contained the hexadecimal monitor (written by Manny Lemas, the co-founder of Microcomputer Associates) as well as standard I/O routines. Several programming language and utility software were later released. Among them: RAE-1 (Resident Assembler and Editor), FORTH and various flavors of BASIC, of which a powerful single precision version that needed the use of a video terminal.
33412 
33413 
33414 
33415Like other evaluation boards of the times, the SYM-1 was delivered with a full set of documentations which covered all of the 6502 hardware and software capabilities.
33416 
33417 
33418 
33419It was reported to us that the Sym card also came in a 6809 version that supported Motorola compatibility. 
33420 
33421 
33422 
33423//(info from old-computers.com)//
33424 
33425 
33426 
33427 
33428 
33429===== Links =====
33430 
33431 
33432 
33433  * SYM-1 Resources -- http://www.6502.org/oldmicro/synertek/sym-1.htm
33434 
33435  * SYM-1 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=856
33436 
33437 
33438 
33439 
33440 
33441$end
33442 
33443 
33444 
33445#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33446 
33447 
33448$info=t1000hx
33449$bio
33450====== Tandy 1000HX (1987) ======
33451 
33452 
33453 
33454 
33455 
33456===== Features =====
33457 
33458 
33459 
33460  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz / 7.16 MHz
33461 
33462  * RAM: 256 KB (up to 640 KB)
33463 
33464  * ROM: 16 KB
33465 
33466  * Text Modes: Unknown
33467 
33468  * Graphic Modes: CGA/TGA, 160 x 200, 320 x 200, 640 x 200
33469 
33470  * Colors: 16 colours
33471 
33472  * Sound:  3 voices + 1 sound channel
33473 
33474  * I/O Ports: 2 x joysticks, monitor video output, composite video output, mono audio output, lightpen, parallel port, serial port (optional), external floppy drive, 3 internal expansion slots
33475 
33476  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard, 92 keys, 12 function keys
33477 
33478  * Built In Media: one 3.5" floppy disk drives (720 KB)
33479 
33480  * OS: MS-DOS 2.11 built-in ROM, DeskMate 2.0 and GW Microsoft Basic included with the system
33481 
33482 
33483 
33484 
33485 
33486===== Usage =====
33487 
33488 
33489 
33490Get the setup utility for msdos at Tandy's web side to change setup
33491 
33492 
33493 
33494== Keyboard ==
33495 
33496 
33497 
33498The Tandy 1000 series computers have 12 function keys (analogous to modern PC keyboards) whose functions depend on the program you are running. Some function keys have special functions during boot up, if you press them right after the startup "beep", while MS-DOS loads
33499 
33500 
33501 
33502  * F1 = Switches the computer into monochrome video mode.
33503 
33504 
33505 
33506  * F2 = Switches the computer into composite/TV video mode (40 Column/200 scanline mode). This can also be achieved by issuing a MODE command from DOS.
33507 
33508 
33509 
33510  * F3 = Reverses the drive references so B: becomes the primary drive, and A: becomes the secondary drive, this lets you start the computer from the B Drive.
33511 
33512 
33513 
33514  * F4 = Starts the computer in slow (4 MHz) mode. This is useful if a program runs too fast or not at all in normal (8 MHz) mode.
33515 
33516 
33517 
33518 
33519 
33520===== Known Issues =====
33521 
33522 
33523 
33524The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. TGA is finally emulated. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation)
33525 
33526 
33527 
33528 
33529 
33530===== History and Trivia =====
33531 
33532 
33533 
33534IBM PC Junior compatible
33535 
33536 
33537 
33538The Tandy 1000 was a line of IBM PC compatible computers made during the 1980s by the American Tandy Corporation for sale in their chain of Radio Shack electronics stores in Canada and the USA. The Tandy 1000 would be the successor to their influential TRS-80 line of computers, the Tandy 1000 would eventually replace the COCO line of 8 bit computers as well when Tandy decided to prematurely end that project in favor of the Tandy PC line of computers.
33539 
33540 
33541 
33542Targeted toward the home user with a modest budget, it copyied the IBM PCjr's 16-color graphics (PCjr's graphics were an extension of CGA video) and enhanced 3-voice sound, but didn't use the PCjr cartridge ports, instead the Tandy version had built-in game ports compatible with those on the TRS-80 Color Computer (COCO), as well as a port for a "light wand/pen". Most Tandy 1000 models also featured "line-level" sound and composite video RCA outputs built onto the motherboard so that a standard television could be used as a monitor, albeit with much poorer video quality. Unlike most PC clones, early Tandy 1000 computers had MS-DOS built into ROM allowing the OS to boot in a few seconds. Tandy also bundled onto floppy diskette "DeskMate", a suite of consumer-oriented applications, with several models. Besides a composite output to TV, as mentioned earlier, Tandy 1000's also housed a built in CGA video adaptor equal to PC standards built onto the motherboard and since the Tandy 1000 outlasted the PCjr by many years these graphics and sound standards became known as "Tandy-compatible" or "TGA", and many software packages of the era listed their adherence to Tandy standards on the package. One odd feature of the Tandy-1000, however, was a non standard edge card printer connector built onto the motherboard and protruding through the rear; an adaptor would be needed to work a standard IBM style printer.
33543 
33544 
33545 
33546The original line was equipped with the Intel-8088 CPU at 4.77MHz, which was later extended to faster clock speeds up to 7.16MHz, as well as the upgrade to 8086 and 80286 processors at 10MHz (in the TL & TX configurations). Common models of the machine included the Tandy 1000, EX, HX, SX, TX, SL, SL/2, RL, and TL, TL/2, TL/3.
33547 
33548 
33549 
33550The "T-1000" was a workhorse in the IBM PC world, large numbers of units are still in active service today as it's construction was quite robust. The T-1000 was Tandy's last attempt in the home computer market. In the early 1990's Tandy Corporation sold its computer manufacturing business to "AST Computers". When that occurred, instead of selling Tandy computers, Radio Shack stores began selling computers made by other manufacturers, such as "Compaq".
33551 
33552 
33553 
33554The Tandy 1000 HX, released in 1987, was designed as another entry level IBM compatible personal computer and the successor to the EX. Like the EX, the HX was a compact computer with the keyboard built into the computer casing. The computer came with an Intel 8088 CPU, 256 KB of memory, and had one 720 KB 3.5" disk drive on the right side of the machine behind the keyboard. HX computers came with MS-DOS 2.11 built into the ROM and "Deskmate 2" on diskette.
33555 
33556 
33557 
33558The computer's memory could be expanded to 640 KB by the use of a memory expansion card; by default these cards, sold by Tandy, came with 128 KB, but one could add another 384 KB in memory chips to this board. These cards were named "Plus Cards" and used a pin configuration instead of the slot system used by IBM or the T-1000. The cards themselves followed all the IBM standards and eventually 
33559 
33560Radio Shack started selling the adaptors in their stores to allow the cards to be inserted into a standard IBM 8-bit ISA slot. There were three such spots available in the computer case.
33561 
33562 
33563 
33564There was also a spare 3.5" drive bay in the computer case. On the back of the machine there was a port which allowed a user to connect an external 5.25" (360 KB) or 3.5" (720 KB) disk drive. There was also a connector for a printer.
33565 
33566 
33567 
33568The 1000 HX did not come with a hard drive, and Tandy Corporation did not manufacture fixed disks for this type of computer. A HDD could be purchased from third party vendors, however.
33569 
33570 
33571 
33572It was also here that the DOS in ROM was getting a little old and for the first time the settings on the computer could be changed so that instead of looking in ROM for DOS at bootup, it would go direct to the floppy drive instead. Most versions of MS-DOS worked with the 1000 HX, including 3.x, DOS 5.x & 6.x. DOS 4.0 did not work due to a bug in its environment that prevented it from working. 
33573 
33574 
33575 
33576//(info from old-computers.com)//
33577 
33578 
33579 
33580 
33581 
33582===== Links =====
33583 
33584 
33585 
33586  * Tandy 1000HX at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1211
33587 
33588 
33589 
33590 
33591 
33592===== Other Emulators =====
33593 
33594 
33595 
33596  * Tand-Em -- http://www.oldskool.org/pc/tand-em/
33597 
33598 
33599 
33600 
33601 
33602$end
33603 
33604 
33605 
33606#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33607 
33608 
33609$info=t1000sx
33610$bio
33611====== Tandy 1000SX (1986) ======
33612 
33613 
33614 
33615 
33616 
33617===== Features =====
33618 
33619 
33620 
33621  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz / 7.16 MHz
33622 
33623  * Co-Processor: Intel 8087 math. coprocessor available as an option
33624 
33625  * RAM: 384 KB (up to 640 KB)
33626 
33627  * Text Modes: 80 x 25 / 40 x 25
33628 
33629  * Graphic Modes: CGA/TGA, 160 x 200, 320 x 200, 640 x 200
33630 
33631  * Colors: 16 foreground colours + 8 background colours
33632 
33633  * Sound: 3 voices + 1 sound channel
33634 
33635  * I/O Ports: keyboard, 2 x joysticks, RGBI color monitor video output, composite video output, lightpen port, parallel port, serial port, 5 internal expansion slots, audio output (mono)
33636 
33637  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard, 90 keys, 12 function keys, numeric keypad
33638 
33639  * Built In Media: one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives (360 KB)
33640 
33641  * OS: MS-DOS 3.22, DeskMate II and GW Microsoft Basic included with the system
33642 
33643  * Peripherals: memory expansions, internal modems, 20 MB hard disk, etc.
33644 
33645 
33646 
33647 
33648 
33649===== Known Issues =====
33650 
33651 
33652 
33653Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
33654 
33655 
33656 
33657 
33658 
33659===== History and Trivia =====
33660 
33661 
33662 
33663The Tandy 1000 SX was similar to the Tandy 1000.
33664 
33665 
33666 
33667The difference with the original model 1000, is that the CPU (Intel 8088) can be set to two different speeds: 4.77 MHz and 7.16 MHz thus offering more speed than the original IBM PC on the same software. The SX also comes with more memory (384 KB) than the Tandy 1000 (128 KB).
33668 
33669 
33670 
33671//(info from old-computers.com)//
33672 
33673 
33674 
33675 
33676 
33677===== Links =====
33678 
33679 
33680 
33681  * Tandy 1000SX at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1215
33682 
33683 
33684 
33685 
33686 
33687===== Other Emulators =====
33688 
33689 
33690 
33691  * Tand-Em -- http://www.oldskool.org/pc/tand-em/
33692 
33693 
33694 
33695 
33696 
33697$end
33698 
33699 
33700 
33701#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33702 
33703 
33704$info=t9000
33705$bio
33706====== Thomson T9000 (French, Oct 1980) ======
33707 
33708 
33709 
33710 
33711 
33712===== History and Trivia =====
33713 
33714 
33715 
33716This is the prototype for Thomson's first home computer: the TO7.
33717 
33718 
33719 
33720Apart form the different startup menu and the more buggy BIOS, it is internally similar to the TO7, and fully compatible.
33721 
33722 
33723 
33724See the to7 entry for more information.
33725 
33726 
33727 
33728 
33729 
33730===== Links =====
33731 
33732 
33733 
33734  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
33735 
33736 
33737 
33738 
33739 
33740$end
33741 
33742 
33743 
33744#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33745 
33746 
33747$info=telstrat
33748$bio
33749====== Oric Telestrat (1986) ======
33750 
33751 
33752 
33753 
33754 
33755===== Features =====
33756 
33757 
33758 
33759  * CPU: MOS 6502 1 MHz
33760 
33761  * RAM: 64 kb
33762 
33763  * ROM: 48 kb
33764 
33765  * Text Modes: 40 x 28
33766 
33767  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200
33768 
33769  * Colors: 8
33770 
33771  * Sound: AY-3-8912 chipset; 3 channels, 8 octaves
33772 
33773  * I/O Ports: RGB video output (Scart), Parallel / Centronics port, Serial RS232s port, 2 Joystick sockets (Atari standard), Tape-recorder, Disk-drive port, Midi sockets, Expansion port (same as Atmos), Minitel plug (serial 1200/75 bauds)
33774 
33775  * Keyboard: AZERTY mechanical keyboard, 57 keys
33776 
33777  * Built In Media: Disk-drive controller built-in, for Microdisc 3" disk drive
33778 
33779  * OS: Stratsed (Sedoric compatible)
33780 
33781  * Built In Language: None (Basic on cartridge)
33782 
33783  * Peripherals: Diskdrive, printers, cartridges, ...
33784 
33785 
33786 
33787 
33788 
33789===== Known Issues =====
33790 
33791 
33792 
33793The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
33794 
33795 
33796 
33797In particular, disc emulation is not correct so it fails to boot! 
33798 
33799 
33800 
33801 
33802 
33803===== History and Trivia =====
33804 
33805 
33806 
33807This system is an update to the Atmos.
33808 
33809 
33810 
33811The Oric Telestrat is the successor of the Oric 1 and Oric Atmos with which it is compatible. It was launched some months after Oric was bought by Euréka, a French company in 1985.
33812 
33813 
33814 
33815It was designed especially for telecommunications, like the Goupil 2, the Thomson TO-9+ or the Exeltel. It was designed to be used with the Minitel (French videotext terminal): it has a special ROM (8 KB) enabling the Telestrat to act as a videotext server.
33816 
33817 
33818 
33819A 3" floppy disk drive was available (400 KB) which run under StradSED (the Oric operating system, compatible with the old Oric DOS).
33820 
33821 
33822 
33823Several ROM cartridges were developed for this machine: Midi software (unreleased), Hyper Basic (compiled basic), Telematic Basic (designed for telecommunications), etc...
33824 
33825 
33826 
33827//(info from old-computers.com)//
33828 
33829 
33830 
33831 
33832 
33833===== Links =====
33834 
33835 
33836 
33837  * Telestrat at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=235
33838 
33839 
33840 
33841 
33842 
33843$end
33844 
33845 
33846 
33847#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33848 
33849 
33850$info=ti81
33851$bio
33852====== Texas Instruments TI-81 (1990) ======
33853 
33854 
33855 
33856 
33857 
33858===== Features =====
33859 
33860 
33861 
33862  * CPU: Z80 2 MHz
33863 
33864  * Memory: RAM 32kB(?), ROM 128kB
33865 
33866  * Screen: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
33867 
33868  * Known ROM versions: 1.1, 1.8, 2.0
33869 
33870 
33871 
33872 
33873 
33874===== Usage =====
33875 
33876 
33877 
33878  * After start TI-81 waits for ON key interrupt, so press ON key to start calculator.
33879 
33880 
33881 
33882  * Video engine (with grayscale support) based on the idea found in VTI source emulator written by Rusty Wagner.
33883 
33884 
33885 
33886 
33887 
33888===== Known Issues =====
33889 
33890 
33891 
33892  * Grayscale effects emulated
33893 
33894 
33895 
33896  * 200Hz(?) timer and ON key interrupts emulated
33897 
33898 
33899 
33900  * There are bugs in port 3 emulation (ON/OFF)
33901 
33902 
33903 
33904  * To do: port 3 and 4, NVRAM, Better artworks, Drivers for other ROM versions
33905 
33906 
33907 
33908  * Needed
33909 
33910    * Any hardware info.
33911 
33912    * High quality artwork.
33913 
33914    * Dumps of other ROM versions (1.1 and 2.0).
33915 
33916 
33917 
33918 
33919 
33920===== History and Trivia =====
33921 
33922 
33923 
33924The TI-81, TI's first graphing calculator, was designed for algebra and precalculus. It has since been replaced by newer models which have faster processors, more memory, and popular features such as linking capability and flash upgradability. The TI-81 drew little in the way of third-party games and other programs, since the code must be typed into the calculator by hand. 
33925 
33926 
33927 
33928//(info from ticalc.org)//
33929 
33930 
33931 
33932 
33933 
33934===== Links =====
33935 
33936 
33937 
33938  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
33939 
33940  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
33941 
33942  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
33943 
33944 
33945 
33946 
33947 
33948===== Other Emulators =====
33949 
33950 
33951 
33952  * Texas Instruments TI-81 simulator -- http://www.ti.com
33953 
33954  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
33955 
33956 
33957 
33958 
33959 
33960$end
33961 
33962 
33963 
33964#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33965 
33966 
33967$info=ti82
33968$bio
33969====== Texas Instruments TI-82 (1993) ======
33970 
33971 
33972 
33973 
33974 
33975===== Features =====
33976 
33977 
33978 
33979  * CPU: ZiLOG Z80 6MHz 
33980 
33981  * Memory: 28K RAM
33982 
33983  * Screen Size: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
33984 
33985  * Known ROM versions: 3*, 4*, 7*, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0, 15.0, 16.0, 17.0, 18.0, 19.0, 19.006
33986 
33987 
33988 
33989 
33990 
33991===== Usage =====
33992 
33993 
33994 
33995MESS supports several TI-82 versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
33996 
33997   
33998 
33999  "-bios 0" or "-bios v16" = V 16.0
34000 
34001   
34002 
34003  "-bios 1" or "-bios v17" = V 17.0
34004 
34005   
34006 
34007  "-bios 2" or "-bios v18" = V 18.0
34008 
34009   
34010 
34011  "-bios 3" or "-bios v19" = V 19.0
34012 
34013 
34014 
34015 
34016 
34017===== Known Issues =====
34018 
34019 
34020 
34021The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
34022 
34023 
34024 
34025No dumps of any version but 16.0, 17.0, 18.0, 19.0
34026 
34027 
34028 
34029 
34030 
34031===== History and Trivia =====
34032 
34033 
34034 
34035The TI-82 was released as a more user-friendly version of the TI-85, at the sacrifice of many of its advanced features, but with a lower price tag. It was long believed that the TI-82 could not be programmed in assembly, but, as with the TI-85, a loophole was eventually found, making the TI-82 a much more attractive programming platform. The TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus have taken the place of the TI-82 as the standard in math and science classrooms and the TI-82 is expected to be discontinued shortly.
34036 
34037 
34038 
34039//(info from ticalc.org)//
34040 
34041 
34042 
34043 
34044 
34045===== Links =====
34046 
34047 
34048 
34049  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
34050 
34051  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
34052 
34053  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
34054 
34055 
34056 
34057 
34058 
34059===== Other Emulators =====
34060 
34061 
34062 
34063  * CalcEm -- http://calcem.sourceforge.net/
34064 
34065  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
34066 
34067 
34068 
34069 
34070 
34071$end
34072 
34073 
34074 
34075#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34076 
34077 
34078$info=ti83
34079$bio
34080====== Texas Instruments TI-83 (1996) ======
34081 
34082 
34083 
34084 
34085 
34086===== Features =====
34087 
34088 
34089 
34090  * CPU: ZiLOG Z80 6MHz 
34091 
34092  * Memory: 27K RAM
34093 
34094  * Screen Size: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
34095 
34096  * Known ROM versions: 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.10
34097 
34098 
34099 
34100 
34101 
34102===== Usage =====
34103 
34104 
34105 
34106MESS supports several TI-83 versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
34107 
34108   
34109 
34110  "-bios 0" or "-bios v102" = V 1.02
34111 
34112   
34113 
34114  "-bios 1" or "-bios v103" = V 1.03
34115 
34116   
34117 
34118  "-bios 2" or "-bios v104" = V 1.04
34119 
34120   
34121 
34122  "-bios 3" or "-bios v106" = V 1.06
34123 
34124   
34125 
34126  "-bios 4" or "-bios v107" = V 1.07
34127 
34128   
34129 
34130  "-bios 5" or "-bios v108" = V 1.08
34131 
34132   
34133 
34134  "-bios 6" or "-bios v110" = V 1.10
34135 
34136 
34137 
34138 
34139 
34140===== Known Issues =====
34141 
34142 
34143 
34144The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
34145 
34146 
34147 
34148 
34149 
34150===== History and Trivia =====
34151 
34152 
34153 
34154The TI-83 was released as the successor to the TI-82 and featured a newer, more contoured case design that has since been used on all of TI's newer calculators. The TI-83 features backwards compatibility with TI-82 programs and some newer financial functions, but by far the most notable aspect of this calculator is built-in assembly programming capability supported by TI itself. This advance saved curious programmers the trouble of "hacking" the calculator themselves to achieve this functionality, and marked the beginning of TI's embracement of assembly programming. The TI-83 was a popular programming platform, but has now been largely replaced by the TI-83 Plus, 
34155 
34156an updated model.
34157 
34158 
34159 
34160//(info from ticalc.org)//
34161 
34162 
34163 
34164 
34165 
34166===== Links =====
34167 
34168 
34169 
34170  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
34171 
34172  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
34173 
34174  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
34175 
34176 
34177 
34178 
34179 
34180===== Other Emulators =====
34181 
34182 
34183 
34184  * CalcEm -- http://calcem.sourceforge.net/
34185 
34186  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
34187 
34188 
34189 
34190 
34191 
34192$end
34193 
34194 
34195 
34196#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34197 
34198 
34199$info=ti83p
34200$bio
34201====== Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus (1999) ======
34202 
34203 
34204 
34205 
34206 
34207===== Features =====
34208 
34209 
34210 
34211  * CPU: ZiLOG Z80 8 MHz (running at 6 MHz)
34212 
34213  * Memory: 24K RAM, 160K Flash ROM
34214 
34215  * Screen Size: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
34216 
34217  * Known ROM versions: 1.03 (March 17th, 1999), 1.06, 1.08, 1.10, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 (August 25th, 2004)
34218 
34219 
34220 
34221 
34222 
34223===== Usage =====
34224 
34225 
34226 
34227MESS supports several TI-83 Plus versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
34228 
34229   
34230 
34231  "-bios 0" or "-bios v103" = V 1.03
34232 
34233   
34234 
34235  "-bios 1" or "-bios v110" = V 1.10
34236 
34237   
34238 
34239  "-bios 2" or "-bios v112" = V 1.12
34240 
34241 
34242 
34243 
34244 
34245===== Known Issues =====
34246 
34247 
34248 
34249The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
34250 
34251 
34252 
34253No dumps of any version but 1.03, 1.10, 1.12
34254 
34255 
34256 
34257 
34258 
34259===== History and Trivia =====
34260 
34261 
34262 
34263The TI-83 Plus is nearly identical to the TI-83, maintaining backwards compatibility but greatly increasing available memory and allowing for flash-upgradeable  ROM and commercial calculator-based applications.
34264 
34265 
34266 
34267//(info from ticalc.org)//
34268 
34269 
34270 
34271 
34272 
34273===== Links =====
34274 
34275 
34276 
34277  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
34278 
34279  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
34280 
34281  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
34282 
34283 
34284 
34285 
34286 
34287===== Other Emulators =====
34288 
34289 
34290 
34291  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
34292 
34293 
34294 
34295 
34296 
34297$end
34298 
34299 
34300 
34301#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34302 
34303 
34304$info=ti85
34305$bio
34306====== Texas Instruments TI-85 (1992) ======
34307 
34308 
34309 
34310 
34311 
34312===== Features =====
34313 
34314 
34315 
34316  * CPU: Z80 6 MHz
34317 
34318  * Memory: RAM 32kB, ROM 128kB
34319 
34320  * Screen: 128 x 64 pixels, 21 x 8 characters
34321 
34322  * Known ROM versions: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0A, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0
34323 
34324  * Link port
34325 
34326 
34327 
34328 
34329 
34330===== Usage =====
34331 
34332 
34333 
34334  * After start TI-85 waits for ON key interrupt, so press ON key to start calculator.
34335 
34336 
34337 
34338  * Video engine (with grayscale support) based on the idea found in VTI source emulator written by Rusty Wagner.
34339 
34340 
34341 
34342  * NVRAM is saved properly only when calculator is turned off during MESS exiting.
34343 
34344 
34345 
34346  * To receive data from TI press "R" immediately after TI starts to send data.
34347 
34348 
34349 
34350  * To send data to calculator start receiving on TI and choose file from Built-in File Manager.
34351 
34352 
34353 
34354  * To request screen dump from calculator press "S".
34355 
34356 
34357 
34358MESS supports several TI-85 versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
34359 
34360   
34361 
34362  "-bios 0" or "-bios v30a" = V 3.0A
34363 
34364   
34365 
34366  "-bios 1" or "-bios v40" = V 4.0
34367 
34368   
34369 
34370  "-bios 2" or "-bios v50" = V 5.0
34371 
34372   
34373 
34374  "-bios 3" or "-bios v60" = V 6.0
34375 
34376   
34377 
34378  "-bios 4" or "-bios v80" = V 8.0
34379 
34380   
34381 
34382  "-bios 5" or "-bios v90" = V 9.0
34383 
34384   
34385 
34386  "-bios 6" or "-bios v100" = V 10.0
34387 
34388 
34389 
34390 
34391 
34392===== Known Issues =====
34393 
34394 
34395 
34396  * Sound emulated (speaker connected to link port)
34397 
34398 
34399 
34400  * Link port emulated
34401 
34402 
34403 
34404  * Grayscale effects emulated
34405 
34406 
34407 
34408  * NVRAM emulated
34409 
34410 
34411 
34412  * 200Hz timer and ON key interrupts emulated
34413 
34414 
34415 
34416  * Snapshot loading (Virtual TI 2.0 save state files)
34417 
34418 
34419 
34420  * To do: port 3 and 4, Better artworks, Drivers for ROM versions: 1.0, 2.0, 7.0
34421 
34422 
34423 
34424  * Needed
34425 
34426    * Info about ports 3 (bit 2 seems to be always 0) and 4.
34427 
34428    * High quality artwork.
34429 
34430    * Dumps of ROM versions: 1.0, 2.0, 7.0
34431 
34432 
34433 
34434 
34435 
34436===== History and Trivia =====
34437 
34438 
34439 
34440The TI-85 was designed as a powerful engineering and calculus calculator. It was the first TI calculator to have a link port and assembly programming capability (through an unintentional loophole). It has since been eclipsed by the TI-86, which features TI-85 compatibility along with more advanced features.
34441 
34442 
34443 
34444//(info from ticalc.org)//
34445 
34446 
34447 
34448 
34449 
34450===== Links =====
34451 
34452 
34453 
34454  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
34455 
34456  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
34457 
34458  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
34459 
34460 
34461 
34462 
34463 
34464===== Other Emulators =====
34465 
34466 
34467 
34468  * [[ftp://users.aol.com/davidells/TI-Calc/|TI-85 Emulator by David Ellsworth and others]]
34469 
34470  * TI86EMU by Steve Gordon -- http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86
34471 
34472  * TI-8X emulator by Randy Gluvna -- http://ti8xemu.home.ml.org
34473 
34474  * TIGraph by Rene Doss & Joerg Sander [no link]
34475 
34476  * Virtual TI by Rusty Wagner -- http://vti.acz.org
34477 
34478 
34479 
34480 
34481 
34482$end
34483 
34484 
34485 
34486#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34487 
34488 
34489$info=ti86
34490$bio
34491====== Texas Instruments TI-86 (1997) ======
34492 
34493 
34494 
34495 
34496 
34497===== Features =====
34498 
34499 
34500 
34501  * CPU: Z80 6 MHz
34502 
34503  * Memory: RAM 128kB, ROM 256kB
34504 
34505  * Screen: 128 x 64 pixels, 21 x 8 characters
34506 
34507  * Known ROM versions: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
34508 
34509  * Link port
34510 
34511 
34512 
34513 
34514 
34515===== Usage =====
34516 
34517 
34518 
34519  * After start TI-86 waits for ON key interrupt, so press ON key to start calculator.
34520 
34521 
34522 
34523  * Video engine (with grayscale support) based on the idea found in VTI source emulator written by Rusty Wagner.
34524 
34525 
34526 
34527  * NVRAM is saved properly only when calculator is turned off during MESS exiting.
34528 
34529 
34530 
34531  * To receive data from TI press "R" immediately after TI starts to send data.
34532 
34533 
34534 
34535  * To send data to calculator start receiving on TI and choose file from Built-in File Manager.
34536 
34537 
34538 
34539  * Homebrew ROM by Daniel Foesch does nothing but showing charset.
34540 
34541 
34542 
34543MESS supports several TI-86 versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, 
34544 
34545   
34546 
34547  "-bios 0" or "-bios v12" = V 1.2
34548 
34549   
34550 
34551  "-bios 1" or "-bios v13" = V 1.3
34552 
34553   
34554 
34555  "-bios 2" or "-bios v14" = V 1.4
34556 
34557   
34558 
34559  "-bios 3" or "-bios v15" = V 1.5
34560 
34561   
34562 
34563  "-bios 4" or "-bios v16" = V 1.6
34564 
34565 
34566 
34567 
34568 
34569===== Known Issues =====
34570 
34571 
34572 
34573  * Driver for ti86grom (homebrew ROM by Daniel Foesch)
34574 
34575 
34576 
34577  * Sound emulated (speaker connected to link port)
34578 
34579 
34580 
34581  * Link port preliminary emulation
34582 
34583 
34584 
34585  * Grayscale effects emulated
34586 
34587 
34588 
34589  * NVRAM emulated
34590 
34591 
34592 
34593  * 200Hz timer and ON key interrupts emulated
34594 
34595 
34596 
34597  * Snapshot loading (Virtual TI 2.0 save state files)
34598 
34599 
34600 
34601  * To do: Many corrections of existing code, port 3 and 4, Better artworks, Driver for ROM version 1.2
34602 
34603 
34604 
34605  * Needed
34606 
34607    * Info about ports 3 (bit 2 seems to be always 0) and 4.
34608 
34609    * High quality artwork.
34610 
34611    * Redump of ROM version 1.5 (the one used by MESS is a bad dump)
34612 
34613 
34614 
34615 
34616 
34617===== History and Trivia =====
34618 
34619 
34620 
34621Just as the TI-83 succeeded the TI-82, the TI-86 followed up on the TI-85's advanced functionality while adding a stylish new case, assembly support similar to that of the TI-83, and greater memory capacity, while still maintaining compatibility with TI-85 programs. 
34622 
34623 
34624 
34625//(info from ticalc.org)//
34626 
34627 
34628 
34629 
34630 
34631===== Links =====
34632 
34633 
34634 
34635  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
34636 
34637  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
34638 
34639  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
34640 
34641 
34642 
34643 
34644 
34645===== Other Emulators =====
34646 
34647 
34648 
34649  * Emulator86 by Kirk Meyer [no link]
34650 
34651  * TI86EMU by Steve Gordon -- http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86
34652 
34653  * TI-8X emulator by Randy Gluvna -- http://ti8xemu.home.ml.org
34654 
34655  * Virtual 86 by Daniel Foesch -- http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/7142/?startpage=v86.html
34656 
34657  * Virtual TI by Rusty Wagner -- http://vti.acz.org
34658 
34659 
34660 
34661 
34662 
34663$end
34664 
34665 
34666 
34667#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34668 
34669 
34670$info=ti990_10
34671$bio
34672====== Texas Instruments Model 990/10 Minicomputer System (1975) ======
34673 
34674 
34675 
34676 
34677 
34678===== Usage =====
34679 
34680 
34681 
34682This driver emulates a TI990/10 CPU with mapping option, 1Mbyte of RAM, a generic disk controller at TILINE base >1ff800, a generic tape controller at TILINE base >1ff880, and a 911 VDT at CRU base >0100.
34683 
34684 
34685 
34686This is enough to build DX10 or DNOS. I have been able to build a working DX10 3.7 or 3.6 system from the relevant build and backup tapes. (Tape loaded as tape unit #1 and a blank disk image as disk unit #1 (with the SCOSTA flag at offset >A4 set to >0002, so that the build tape does not try to format the disk)). I have even managed to install the fun and games tape, and play pacman.
34687 
34688 
34689 
34690 
34691 
34692===== Known Issues =====
34693 
34694 
34695 
34696The controller panel is not emulated yet.
34697 
34698 
34699 
34700The computer seems to lock when running various installation scripts, and rebuilding the system.
34701 
34702 
34703 
34704 
34705 
34706===== History and Trivia =====
34707 
34708 
34709 
34710Texas Instruments was a minicomputer manufacturer since the late 1960s through the 1980s.
34711 
34712 
34713 
34714Around the summer of 1973, they started to design the TI990 as a successor to the 960 and 980 computers they were building at the time. In 1974, TI started to build the prototype of the TI990 series, the TI990/9.
34715 
34716 
34717 
34718In 1975, they released the first commercial system, the TI990/10. It was a minicomputer built with TTL logic. Although it was a 16-bit CPU, it supported an optional mapper to expand address space from 64kbytes to 2Mbytes.
34719 
34720 
34721 
34722The TI990 series development continued. In 1975 or 1976, TI started shipping the TMS9900 microprocessor, which implemented a subset of the TI990/10 feature set. Two CPU boards were built around the TMS9900: the TI990/4 (1976) and the improved TI990/5 (date unknown). These boards were much cheaper than the TI990/10, but they could only address 64kbytes, did not implement the memory bus fully (no DMA support), and could not run the DX10 OS.
34723 
34724 
34725 
34726Around 1978, TI released the TI990/12, a higher-end TTL implementation, which was faster, and supported many additional instructions and features when compared to TI990/10. It was replaced with a revised but similar TI990/12LR computer in 1982 or 1983.
34727 
34728 
34729 
34730In 1981, TI released the new TMS99000 microprocessor. In 1982, they replaced the TI990/10 CPU with a cheaper, smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient TI990/10A board built around the TMS99000 CPU. Additionally, they released an all-in-one Business System 300 (1982), later replaced with the Business System 300A (1984). Both computers included the CPU, RAM, video terminal, and hard disk/tape interface in a terminal case.
34731 
34732 
34733 
34734The TI990 series must have been abandoned around 1985, when TI introduced the S1500 series built around a 68020.
34735 
34736 
34737 
34738The TI990 computers were primarily used for business applications.
34739 
34740 
34741 
34742Two disk-based OS were available. 
34743 
34744 
34745 
34746  * DX10 was a multi-tasking, multi-user OS. 
34747 
34748 
34749 
34750  * DNOS (released around 1981) was similar to DX10 and mostly compatible with it. It supported extra features but it was bigger and slower. Neither OS could run on the lower-end 990/4 and /5 systems, but a kernel and various OS utilities were available as static-link libraries for embedded applications.
34751 
34752 
34753 
34754 
34755 
34756$end
34757 
34758 
34759 
34760#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34761 
34762 
34763$info=ti990_4
34764$bio
34765====== Texas Instruments Model 990/4 Minicomputer System (1976) ======
34766 
34767 
34768 
34769 
34770 
34771===== Usage =====
34772 
34773 
34774 
34775This driver emulates a TI990/4 CPU with 32kbytes of RAM, a FD800 disk controller at CRU base >0040 (>0080), and a 733 ASR at CRU base >0000.
34776 
34777 
34778 
34779This in enough to run various floppy-based programs that have been dumped by Dave Pitts.  Please refer to http://www.cozx.com/~dpitts/ti990.html -- http://www.cozx.com/~dpitts/ti990.html if you are interested in getting a copy of these programs or seeing another ti990 emulator.
34780 
34781 
34782 
34783 
34784 
34785===== Known Issues =====
34786 
34787 
34788 
34789The controller panel is not emulated yet.
34790 
34791 
34792 
34793 
34794 
34795===== History and Trivia =====
34796 
34797 
34798 
34799The TI990/4 board was released in 1976.  It is built around a tms9900.  While not as powerful as the high-end 990/10 and 990/12 boards, it was a lot cheaper. It was used as a terminal concentrator in large TI990 systems, and also as the base of various development systems.
34800 
34801 
34802 
34803See the entry for TI990/10 for a short rundown of the TI990 series.
34804 
34805 
34806 
34807 
34808 
34809===== Links =====
34810 
34811 
34812 
34813  * David Pitts' Page -- http://www.cozx.com/~dpitts/ti990.html
34814 
34815 
34816 
34817 
34818 
34819$end
34820 
34821 
34822 
34823#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34824 
34825 
34826$info=ti99_224
34827$bio
34828====== Texas Instruments TI-99/2 BASIC Computer (1983) ======
34829 
34830 
34831 
34832 
34833 
34834===== Features =====
34835 
34836 
34837 
34838  * CPU: Texas Instruments TMS 9995 10.7 MHz
34839 
34840  * Co-Processor: Unknown
34841 
34842  * RAM: 4 up (up to 36 kb)
34843 
34844  * ROM: 32 KB
34845 
34846  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
34847 
34848  * Graphic Modes: Unknown
34849 
34850  * Colors: Monochrome
34851 
34852  * Sound: No!
34853 
34854  * I/O Ports: Expansion port, Hex-Bus port, NTSC video out, tape-recorder
34855 
34856  * Keyboard: QWERTY calculator type, 48 keys
34857 
34858  * Built In Language: Lighted TI Basic
34859 
34860 
34861 
34862 
34863 
34864===== Known Issues =====
34865 
34866 
34867 
34868This TI99/2 driver is preliminary and could not be tested. (It may work, it may not work) 
34869 
34870 
34871 
34872Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
34873 
34874 
34875 
34876 
34877 
34878===== History and Trivia =====
34879 
34880 
34881 
34882The TI99/2 BASIC Computer was an attempt at producing a cheap ($100) computer. TI started designing it in the summer of 1982, it was first introduced in January 1983, and it was abandoned, before entering production, by April 1983.
34883 
34884 
34885 
34886It featured a TMS9995 microprocessor (with on-line timer and 256-byte RAM), 4kb of RAM, 24kb (or 32kb) of ROM, a B&W character-based display.  There was no sound generator. It was mostly incompatible with TI99/4(a), but it used the same Basic syntax and file format.
34887 
34888 
34889 
34890The computer was obviously unattractive. On the other hand, it would have been cheap, fairly fast for its time, and easy to program in both BASIC and assembly.
34891 
34892 
34893 
34894Moreover, the expansion port of TI99/2 carried every bus signal, and even allowed to disable the system ROMs and use one's own ROMs instead, so this computer could have been a hobbyist's dream.
34895 
34896 
34897 
34898Wanted (dead or alive): If you have an actual TI99/2 or TI99/2 ROM image at hand, please mail me at pytheas@club-internet.fr
34899 
34900 
34901 
34902 
34903 
34904===== Links =====
34905 
34906 
34907 
34908  * Sometimes -- http://sometimes.99er.net/
34909 
34910  * 99ers -- http://www.99er.net/
34911 
34912  * TI-99 Forever -- http://www.ti99.com/
34913 
34914  * TI 99/2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=267
34915 
34916 
34917 
34918 
34919 
34920===== Other Emulators =====
34921 
34922 
34923 
34924  * PC99 -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
34925 
34926  * Classic99 -- http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
34927 
34928  * Win994A -- http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
34929 
34930 
34931 
34932 
34933 
34934$end
34935 
34936 
34937 
34938#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34939 
34940 
34941$info=ti99_4
34942$bio
34943====== Texas Instruments TI-99/4 Home Computer (1979) ======
34944 
34945 
34946 
34947 
34948 
34949===== Usage =====
34950 
34951 
34952 
34953See also the sysinfo entry for the TI-99/4a driver.
34954 
34955 
34956 
34957The only extra feature is the IR remote handsets.  This feature was abandoned by TI at the last minute, but the support was seemingly not deleted from the TI-99/4 ROMs until the release of the TI-99/4a.  This feature is disabled by default because some programs are incompatible with it, but it can be enabled by setting the IR remote handsets dipswitch on and resetting the emulator (press F3 in so-called partial keyboard emulation mode to reset the emulator).
34958 
34959 
34960 
34961A few programs can use the improved joysticks (TI-Invaders seems to be one of them).
34962 
34963 
34964 
34965 
34966 
34967===== Known Issues =====
34968 
34969 
34970 
34971Requires full keyboard emulation.  At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default.  Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the scroll_lock key.
34972 
34973 
34974 
34975A TI-99/4 is not a TI-99/4a.  Most programs are compatible with both /4 and /4a, but some programs require a /4a.
34976 
34977 
34978 
34979The BwG disk controller has display bug which causes it to change the character definitions for no appearent reason, but, out of this, it seems to work fine. If this is an issue, you may revert to the TI disk controller.
34980 
34981 
34982 
34983 
34984 
34985===== History and Trivia =====
34986 
34987 
34988 
34989The TI-99/4 Home Computer was designed and built by Texas Instruments.  About 200 prototypes were built in 1978, it was first shown in June 1979, and TI started shipping it in October 1979.  It was replaced with TI-99/4a in the summer of 1981.  It was first sold in US, then was available in Europe in early 1981.
34990 
34991 
34992 
34993This computer was easy to use.  It displayed nice color graphics, and played sound.  It was highly expandable, too.  One expansion enabled the computer to speak.  Programs were generally on cartridges.  TI, which always tried to keep the control of program production, put an emphasis on games, education, and home utilities (home finance, etc.).  Incidentally, it was
34994 
34995the first 16-bit home computer.
34996 
34997 
34998 
34999The general architecture was odd.  The computer had only 256 bytes of CPU RAM, the remaining 16kb of RAM were attached to the video processor.  It had been designed to use some slow "GROM" cartridges, written in an interpreted language, "GPL".
35000 
35001 
35002 
35003Due to these poor designing and programming choices, the computer was slow. The keyboard was uneasy to use, and there was serious bugs in ROMs.  Also, it wasn't until November 1980 that TI could build a TV modulator to attach the computer to a TV instead of a monitor.  Worse, the computer was awfully expensive for a home computer (more than $1000 with the monitor, more than $500 with the modulator).  Unsurprisingly, it is estimated that only a few dozen thousand units were sold.
35004 
35005 
35006 
35007The design of TI-99/4 caused many headaches to TI engineers.  It was first designed as a console, then an inexpensive home computer (which explains its slowness and kludgy design), then a hybrid (with remote I/R joysticks and keypads - which were abandoned at the last minute - and a cartridge port).  It was intended to use a TI-designed microcontroller, tms9985, but the processor was never actually produced, so engineers had to use a software-compatible, high-end (in 1979) tms9900 with tons of glue logic. Note that the processor software design was remarkably weird (no stack, no on-chip data register).
35008 
35009 
35010 
35011 
35012 
35013===== Links =====
35014 
35015 
35016 
35017  * Sometimes -- http://sometimes.99er.net/
35018 
35019  * 99ers -- http://www.99er.net/
35020 
35021  * TI-99 Forever -- http://www.ti99.com/
35022 
35023 
35024 
35025 
35026 
35027===== Other Emulators =====
35028 
35029 
35030 
35031  * PC99 -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
35032 
35033  * Classic99 -- http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
35034 
35035  * Win994A -- http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
35036 
35037 
35038 
35039 
35040 
35041$end
35042 
35043 
35044 
35045#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35046 
35047 
35048$info=ti99_4a
35049$bio
35050====== Texas Instruments TI-99/4a Home Computer (1981) ======
35051 
35052 
35053 
35054 
35055 
35056===== Features =====
35057 
35058 
35059 
35060  * CPU: TI TMS 9900 (with 256 bytes 'cache', actually it accesses to 256 bytes of RAM) 3,3 MHz
35061 
35062  * Co-Processor: TMS 9918 (TMS 9929 in Europe) - Video / Sprite
35063 
35064  * RAM: 16 KB - Memory expansion card can be added : 4 KB or 32 KB (up to 52 KB)
35065 
35066  * VRAM: 16 KB
35067 
35068  * ROM: 26 KB  : 8 KB ROM connected to the CPU + 18 KB ROM in byte-serial bit-mapped circuits (usually known as GROM, Graphic Only Memory)
35069 
35070  * Text Modes: 32 x 24 (16 colors), 40 x 24 (2 colors)
35071 
35072  * Graphic Modes: Multicolor mode : 48 x 64 with 16 colors, 256 x 192 with 16 colors (only accesed via machine code) Sprites (only with TI-Extended Basic)
35073 
35074  * Colors: 16
35075 
35076  * Sound: 3 channels, 5 octaves (110Hz to 55kHz) and 1 noise channel (periodic and white)
35077 
35078  * I/O Ports: Tape interface, RGB video, Joystick (2), cartridge slot (Solid State Cartridge)
35079 
35080  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 48 keys, 2 x SHIFT, CTRL, ALPHA LOCK, FCTN
35081 
35082  * OS: TI's own system, but a p-code card could be added, which gave access to the UCSD p-system and a Pascal compiler.
35083 
35084  * Built In Language: TI Basic
35085 
35086 
35087 
35088 
35089 
35090===== Usage =====
35091 
35092 
35093 
35094This TI-99/4a driver offers a high level of compatibility, and implements several optional extensions
35095 
35096 
35097 
35098  * Image cartridges are in V9t9 format (see below for instructions).
35099 
35100 
35101 
35102  * Speech synthesis is emulated completely.  The speech synthesizer occasionally generates some weird noise instead of the expected phonemes.  I think the actual reason for this issue is the original ti-99/4(a) speech synthesizer uses a tms0285 instead of the tms5220 chip that is emulated: I think I have read somewhere that TI 99/8, which did use a tms5220, was affected by similar bugs. Incidentally, I have tried to hack the tms5220 emulator to sound more like a tms0285, but it is just a hack, I have not reverse-engineered the tms0285.
35103 
35104 
35105 
35106  * Three types of memory expansion cards are emulated: the original TI 32kbyte card, the Super AMS card, and the Foundation card.
35107 
35108 
35109 
35110  * Any of three different floppy disk controllers can be emulated: TI's original SD disk controller, SNUG's BwG disk controller, and Myarc's HFDC disk controller.  These disk controllers have different abilities: TI's controller only supports single density disks with 9 sectors per track and 40 tracks per sides; the BwG controller supports double density, and it uses no VDP RAM at all; the HFDC controller supports 80-track floppy disks (high density support is incomplete and non-functional on the TI-99 because of issues with the DSR, though it works fine on the Geneve).  Four floppy disk drives are emulated, though the TI controller only supports three of them (the fourth disk drive will be ignored by the TI-99 if the TI controller is selected, but it will work fine with other controllers). Floppy disk images are in V9T9 format. The older MESS-specific format that was used in MESS .69 and earlier has been abandonned; note that this format was compatible with single-sided V9T9 disk images (but not double-sided ones).
35111 
35112 
35113 
35114  * In addition to the floppy drives, the HFDC can support up to 3 MFM hard disks.  If you want to use these hard disks, you must use HFDC as the floppy disk controller.  Disk images use the MAME harddisk format (the sector size for HFDC harddisks is 256).  (BTW, early HFDC cards also included a tape interface which is not emulated.)
35115 
35116 
35117 
35118  * Thierry Nouspickel's IDE card prototype is emulated.  A description can be found on Thierry's site along with the required disk-based DSR.  Note that the disk image does not work very well with the BwG disk controller, though I cannot figure out why (it works fine with both the TI controller and the HFDC controller).  The hard disk image is in the standard MESS/MAME hardddisk format (with 512-byte sectors); since MESS does not support image diff file currently, only un-compressed images can be written to (compressed images ARE supported, but only as read-only disks).  Note that current versions of MESS emulate the latest (2004) prototype, contrary to MESS .84 and earlier that emulated an earlier (2001) prototype.  The 2004 prototype is incompatible with the 2001 prototype (IDE bus has been byte-swapped), so you need to download the latest DSRs and use a new, blank IDE hard disk image if you switch from MESS .84 or earlier.  You must use the DSR version for the 2004 prototype with a rtc65271 clock chip.  The state of the rtc65271 clock chip is now saved to disk, so that you can use the rtc RAM bootstrap loader to load IDEAL from the IDE harddisk, as explained in Nouspickel's IDEAL page.
35119 
35120 
35121 
35122  * Serial port and PIO emulation is incomplete.  On the one hand, nothing useful can be done with the RS232 interface, but, on the other hand, the PIO interface enables you to redirect PIO output to a file and save listings to this file by "printing" them to PIO.
35123 
35124 
35125 
35126  * SNUG's HSGPL support is incomplete, but you can already play with it if you want to.  You will need the HSGPL DSR (and probably the software manual, too) from the SNUG web site to do anything useful.  The FEEPROM is saved to a file called "hsgpl.mem", in the memcard folder.  The DSR and system GROM0 needs to be loaded into the FEEPROM: to do so, you can use a hex editor to create a hsgpl.mem file in correct format (see below). Afterwards, you may write extra GROM using the HSGPL DSR.  Note that Supercart and MBX paging are not emulated correctly, and there must be other issues. The format of the hsgpl.mem file is relatively simple:
35127 
35128    * byte 0 is always 0, and the rest of the file is made of four similar sections for each Flash EEPROM (DSR, GROM0, GROM1, and ROM6); 
35129 
35130    * the first byte of each section is 0, the second should be 1, and the next 512kbytes is the raw FEEPROM data.
35131 
35132 
35133 
35134  * The SmartMedia part of the USB-SmartMedia card is supposed to be emulated, but it has not been tested yet.
35135 
35136 
35137 
35138  * The tape interface is emulated.  The CS1 unit is read/write, whereas CS2 is write-only.   Tapes are stored as sampled wave files.  You may find that the emulated tape interface is a relatively simple way to exchange files with real-world TI-99s.
35139 
35140 
35141 
35142== Cartridges ==
35143 
35144 
35145 
35146Loading a cartridge: You do not need a cartridge image to run the computer, since TI-99/4a has a small built-in basic interpreter.
35147 
35148 
35149 
35150V9t9-format cart images are typically split into up to 3 files.  You MUST load all individual files.  Loading a single zip archive containing all the cartridge files will NOT work, you must uncompress the archive and select every file instead.  These files can be loaded in any order, as long as all necessary files are loaded.
35151 
35152 
35153 
35154The following file name extensions are recognized for cartridges dumps:
35155 
35156  * "g.bin", ".grom" or ".g": GROM dump
35157 
35158  * "c.bin", ".crom" or ".c": CPU ROM dump
35159 
35160  * "d.bin", ".drom" or ".d": CPU ROM dump for second page (pages cartridges only), to be loaded alongside a CPU ROM dump
35161 
35162 
35163 
35164The following two types are supported as alternatives to the CPU ROM type (these extensions are only found in MESS, not V9T9)
35165 
35166  * "m.bin", ".mrom" or ".m": minimemory CPU ROM dump; similar to CPU ROM dump, but the address range >7000->7fff is set up as RAM (paging is not supporting); unfortunately, there is no way you can save the contents of minimemory to disk
35167 
35168  * "b.bin", ".brom" or ".b": MBX CPU ROM dump; similar to CPU ROM dump, but the address range >6c00->6ffd is set up as RAM, and the paging scheme is different; unfortunately, I do not have any correct dump of a MBX cart to test emulation with.
35169 
35170 
35171 
35172== Configurations ==
35173 
35174 
35175 
35176Setting up the system configuration: A few dip switches enable or disable computer extensions.  These switches are only read at reset. Therefore, if you edit them, you must reset the emulator (press F3 in partial keyboard emulation mode) for the changes to be taken into account.
35177 
35178 
35179 
35180== Keyboard ==
35181 
35182 
35183 
35184Requires full keyboard emulation.  At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default.  Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the scroll_lock key.
35185 
35186 
35187 
35188 
35189 
35190===== History and Trivia =====
35191 
35192 
35193 
35194The TI-99/4a Home Computer was a TI-99/4 with improved keyboard, revised ROMs, and an additional graphics mode.  It was officially introduced in June 1981, and was retired in late 1983.
35195 
35196 
35197 
35198TI-99/4a was quite successful in Europe and US (possibly hundreds of thousand units built).  In 1983, though, competition on the home computer market was so harsh that TI had to cut down the price of TI-99/4a to less than $100, while suffering heavy losses.  So, by the end of 1983, TI had abandoned TI-99/4a, its prototype successors, and withdrawn from the home computer market.
35199 
35200 
35201 
35202 
35203 
35204===== Links =====
35205 
35206 
35207 
35208  * Sometimes -- http://sometimes.99er.net/
35209 
35210  * 99ers -- http://www.99er.net/
35211 
35212  * TI-99 Forever -- http://www.ti99.com/
35213 
35214 
35215 
35216 
35217 
35218===== Other Emulators =====
35219 
35220 
35221 
35222  * PC99 -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
35223 
35224  * Classic99 -- http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
35225 
35226  * Win994A -- http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
35227 
35228 
35229 
35230 
35231 
35232$end
35233 
35234 
35235 
35236#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35237 
35238 
35239$info=ti99_4ev
35240$bio
35241====== Texas Instruments TI-99/4a Home Computer with SNUG EVPC video card ======
35242 
35243 
35244 
35245 
35246 
35247===== Known Issues =====
35248 
35249 
35250 
35251EVPC emulation is not complete.  The palette chip is not emulated. The computer may crash on soft reset, though I have no idea why.
35252 
35253 
35254 
35255 
35256 
35257===== History and Trivia =====
35258 
35259 
35260 
35261See the TI-99/4a driver for non-EVPC information.
35262 
35263 
35264 
35265A common hack on the TI-99/4a is replacing the old tms9918/9928/9929a with an improved, upward-compatible v9938.  This enhanced vdp supports true 16- and 256-color graphic modes, high-res 512*192 graphic and 80-column text modes, accelerated 2D graphics, etc.  The only drawback is that some programs (including TI's own TI BASIC) will not run with the v9938.  Also, only specially designed programs can take advantage of the improved graphic modes.
35266 
35267 
35268 
35269The EVPC card does just that: it includes a v9938 with 128kb of VRAM, 64kb of extended RAM, an additional palette chip to program the palette in 256-color mode, and a DSR ROM with various useful subroutines.
35270 
35271 
35272 
35273Also, this driver uses a hacked TI BASIC GROM so that TI BASIC will work normally with the v9938.  Only two bytes were modified to derive file "994agr38.bin" from file "994agrom.bin": the bytes >F0 >0C >F8 at offset >216C of the file were changed to >00 >0C >00.  (This fix was contributed by Tony Knerr, but I have no idea who invented it first.)
35274 
35275 
35276 
35277 
35278 
35279===== Links =====
35280 
35281 
35282 
35283  * Sometimes -- http://sometimes.99er.net/
35284 
35285  * 99ers -- http://www.99er.net/
35286 
35287  * TI-99 Forever -- http://www.ti99.com/
35288 
35289 
35290 
35291 
35292 
35293===== Other Emulators =====
35294 
35295 
35296 
35297  * PC99 -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
35298 
35299  * Classic99 -- http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
35300 
35301  * Win994A -- http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
35302 
35303 
35304 
35305 
35306 
35307$end
35308 
35309 
35310 
35311#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35312 
35313 
35314$info=ti99_8
35315$bio
35316====== Texas Instruments TI-99/8 Computer (1983) ======
35317 
35318 
35319 
35320 
35321 
35322===== Usage =====
35323 
35324 
35325 
35326The TI-99/8 looks a lot like the /4(a).  Press any key to begin, then press A for the built-in BASIC interpreter, B to set speed, C, D, etc, for any inserted cartridge.  Set speed does not apply to the built-in BASIC interpreter, which will always run at full speed.  The default speed is "B TI-99/4A speed": you must run set speed to select any other speed.
35327 
35328 
35329 
35330Though the level of compatibility with the /4a is high, you may not access extensions provided by an inserted cartridge from /8 BASIC, whether they are packaged as a CALL or as a DSR.   
35331 
35332 
35333 
35334== Keyboard ==
35335 
35336 
35337 
35338Requires full keyboard emulation.  At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the scroll_lock key.
35339 
35340 
35341 
35342 
35343 
35344===== Known Issues =====
35345 
35346 
35347 
35348There is no known dump of TI-99/8 ROMs. I have reassembled the source code of the TI-99/8 ROMs, which has enabled me to reconstruct the core of the operating system. Unfortunately, several optional but important parts of the system (HexBus, P-System, Speech ROMs, and named subroutines in BASIC) are missing.
35349 
35350 
35351 
35352Speech that sounds fine on a /4(a) with the optional speech synthesizer may sound garbled on a /8 with its integrated speech synthesizer.This is because the /4a and the /8 do not use the same speech chip (TMS0285 vs. TMS5200C).On an actual /8, this only affects programs that use custom speech; under emulation, this currently affects programs that use pre-defined speech as well, because the /8 speech ROMs have not been dumped and we resort to using the incompatible /4(a) speech ROMs instead.
35353 
35354 
35355 
35356Mapper-level Read protect, Write protect and Execute protect are not emulated. Hard reset and P-code GROMs are not emulated either.
35357 
35358 
35359 
35360 
35361 
35362===== History and Trivia =====
35363 
35364 
35365 
35366When TI released the TI-99/4 in 1979, they announced that a bigger, more professional version of this machine would follow: the TI-99/7.  After several delays, the TI-99/7 project was abandoned, and in 1981 TI started a similar project with upgraded specs: the TI-99/8 (code-named Armadillo).
35367 
35368 
35369 
35370The project was nearing completion, with a prototype series in production, when TI terminated the TI-99 series in October 1983.  As a consequence, the TI-99/8 was never released, although several prototypes ended in private hands.
35371 
35372 
35373 
35374The TI-99/8 is similar to, yet different from, the TI-99/4(a).  Mostly, it looks like a super TI-99/4(a): it has a faster CPU, a better keyboard, and several features that were optional on the /4(a) (speech synthesizer, HexBus controller and UCSD P-system).  However, it includes several features that have no equivalent on the /4a: its memory mapper enables it to address 64kBytes of RAM simultaneously, to support more than 15MBytes of RAM, and to implement partial memory protection; also, its ROMs are a lot improved compared to the /4(a) ROMs: they support machine language programs much better, they implement several extra system calls for graphics, and they support I/O buffer in CPU RAM.
35375 
35376 
35377 
35378 
35379 
35380$end
35381 
35382 
35383 
35384#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35385 
35386 
35387$info=tmc600s2
35388$bio
35389====== Telmac TMC-600 (1982) ======
35390 
35391 
35392 
35393 
35394 
35395===== Features =====
35396 
35397 
35398 
35399  * CPU: 8-bit CDP1802 3.58 MHz
35400 
35401  * Memory: 20-28 KB internal ROM operating system, 8 KB RAM
35402 
35403  * Sound: 8 octaves, white noise generator, internal speaker
35404 
35405  * Color: 8 colors, blink attribute
35406 
35407  * Resolution: 240 x 216 pixels (40 x 24 or 20 x 24 characters)
35408 
35409  * Connectors: Tape recorder (DIN), EURO expansion bus, composite video, Centronics printer, PAL TV
35410 
35411 
35412 
35413 
35414 
35415===== Usage =====
35416 
35417 
35418 
35419  * press C at boot prompt to start the computer
35420 
35421 
35422 
35423  * type HELP for a list of commands
35424 
35425 
35426 
35427  * type SCREEN @4700 to see a picture
35428 
35429 
35430 
35431 
35432 
35433===== Known Issues =====
35434 
35435 
35436 
35437  * keyboard repeat delay varies, natural keyboard may help
35438 
35439 
35440 
35441  * white noise is not emulated
35442 
35443 
35444 
35445  * real-time clock is not emulated
35446 
35447 
35448 
35449MESS also supports the emulation of the Telmac TMC-600 Series I as a TESTDRIVER, i.e. not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
35450 
35451 
35452 
35453 
35454 
35455===== History and Trivia =====
35456 
35457 
35458 
35459Telmac TMC-600 is the only microcomputer ever designed and manufactured in Finland. Only 600 units were produced, hence the model name. The computer casing was available in black and brown. The computer was designed by Timo Virtaneva and Hannu Peiponen. Two versions were released, the later allowing the connection of multiple peripherals simultaneously. 
35460 
35461 
35462 
35463The TMC-700 expansion added Centronics interface with a custom connector, an RF modulator, and a real-time clock. 360KB 5.25" and 8" floppy disk drives could be connected using an external controller card. Other add-ons included RAM expansions, an I/O controller, an A/D converter, an RS-232C controller, a B/W 132-character display controller, and a parallel/serial slave computer. The TMC-600 was designed also for use in industrial process control applications, so BASIC ROMs with user-customized keywords were available on order. 
35464 
35465 
35466 
35467The manufacturer, Telercas Oy, was an early Finnish distributor for RCA semiconductors. Telercas Oy was merged with the Finnish electronics retailer Yleiselektroniikka Oy in 1988. 
35468 
35469 
35470 
35471 
35472 
35473===== Links =====
35474 
35475 
35476 
35477  * Pelikonepeijoonit -- http://www.pelikonepeijoonit.net/cgi-bin/page.cgi?pkpcode=telmac
35478 
35479 
35480 
35481 
35482 
35483$end
35484 
35485 
35486 
35487#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35488 
35489 
35490$info=to7
35491$bio
35492====== Thomson TO7 (French, Nov 1982) ======
35493 
35494 
35495 
35496 
35497 
35498===== Features =====
35499 
35500 
35501 
35502  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
35503 
35504  * RAM: 8 KB base + 16 KB extension = 24 KB
35505 
35506  * ROM: 6 KB BIOS
35507 
35508  * Video: 320x200, 8 fixed colors (with proximity constraints)
35509 
35510  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
35511 
35512  * Keyboard: AZERTY 58-keys French keyboard, with accents
35513 
35514  * Game-pad: two 8-way 1-button paddles
35515 
35516  * Lightpen: 8-pixel horizontal, 1-pixel vertical resolution
35517 
35518  * Cartridge: 4 KB to 64 KB
35519 
35520  * Cassette: 900 bauds
35521 
35522  * Floppies: up to 4 external drives, 3 different controllers for 2"8 (50 KB), 3"1/2 (320 KB), and 5"1/4 (80 KB or 160 KB) floppies
35523 
35524  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
35525 
35526 
35527 
35528 
35529 
35530===== Usage =====
35531 
35532 
35533 
35534== Cartridges ==
35535 
35536 
35537 
35538You really need a cartridge, as the TO7 is almost unusable without it. They have a .m7 or .rom suffix and are loaded with the -cart option.
35539 
35540 
35541 
35542A few software were distributed on cartridge. The most important one is the BASIC language that also serves as an OS and loader for many 
35543 
35544BASIC and binary software.
35545 
35546 
35547 
35548== Menu ==
35549 
35550 
35551 
35552From one to three options are available on the startup menu. If you have only one, it means there is no cartridge present. The last option always allows tuning the lightpen. It is quite useless (even on the real computer).
35553 
35554 
35555 
35556The first option shows the cartridge name and allows starting it. If the cartridge software is able to read cassettes or floppies, there is an extra middle option that will automatically load the first cassette file or some specific floppy file (e.g., with the BASIC 1.0 software, it is equivalent to RUN"" on a cassette and RUN"AUTO.BAT" on a floppy).
35557 
35558 
35559 
35560Click with the lightpen or use keys 1 to 3 to select an option.
35561 
35562 
35563 
35564== Cassettes ==
35565 
35566 
35567 
35568Most games were distributed on cassettes which are loaded from the BASIC 1.0 cartridge. Thus, to get foo.k7 working, you need to use the both options 
35569 
35570   
35571 
35572  -cart basic.m7 -cass foo.k7 
35573 
35574 
35575 
35576Type 
35577 
35578  1 
35579 
35580 
35581 
35582in the menu to get the BASIC prompt. 
35583 
35584 
35585 
35586Two cases may now arise.
35587 
35588 
35589 
35590If the game has a BASIC loader (.BAS, .BAT, .CMP files), type 
35591 
35592  RUN"".   
35593 
35594 
35595 
35596If it has a binary loader (.BIN, .ASM files), type 
35597 
35598  LOADM"",,R. 
35599 
35600 
35601 
35602Using the wrong command will result in a BASIC error, so you should really try both (do not forget to rewind between two retries).
35603 
35604 
35605 
35606Also, if you have the BASIC DOS loaded (see below), you must now type respectively 
35607 
35608  RUN"CASS:" 
35609 
35610and 
35611 
35612  LOADM"CASS:",,R 
35613 
35614 
35615 
35616because the default device will be the floppy drive 0 instead of the cassette reader.
35617 
35618 
35619 
35620Then, be patient. TO7 tapes are slow: 900 bauds (you can put throttling off).
35621 
35622 
35623 
35624Two cassette image formats are recognized: .k7 and .wav. The .wav format is simply the raw sound signal. .k7 have been preprocessed and decoded into the sequence of bytes the BIOS routines will output.
35625 
35626 
35627 
35628For now, you should prefer preprocessed .k7 files rather than .wav files, as the demodulation (done in hardware in the TO7) is not well emulated (except when the signal is very clean, such as the one output by the emulator when saving).
35629 
35630 
35631 
35632Cassettes are always saved in the .wav format. Do not forget to put the cassette reader into record mode using MESS's in-game menu.
35633 
35634 
35635 
35636== Floppies ==
35637 
35638 
35639 
35640First, you must make sure the correct floppy controller is emulated. Using MESS's in-game configuration menu, you can select between three alternate controllers. 
35641 
35642 
35643 
35644  * The CD 90-351 controller is the most versatile: it accepts 5"1/4, 3"1/2 floppies (.sap or .fd suffix, 80 to 320 KB), as well as the 2"8 so-called QuickDisk (.qd suffix, 50 KB). 
35645 
35646 
35647 
35648  * The CD 90-640 controller only accepts 5"1/4 floppies, while the CQ 90-028 only accepts 2"8 floppies.
35649 
35650 
35651 
35652After changing the current controller, you must reset the TO7.
35653 
35654 
35655 
35656Up to four floppy drives are emulated. They are named -flop0 to -flop3. The BASIC 1.0 cartridge is not able to exploit floppies by itself; you need a BASIC DOS extension in the form of a boot disk. Put the boot disk in the first drive (-flop0) as well as the BASIC 1.0 cartridge, and press 1. You should now be able to DIR, LOAD, SAVE. Use DIR"1:", DIR"2:" and DIR"3:" to access to
35657 
35658floppies in drives -flop1, -flop2 and -flop3. New floppies must be formatted using the DSKINI0 (for -flop0) to DSKINI3 (for -flop3) commands before being usable.
35659 
35660 
35661 
35662Two-sided drives are actually seen as two different drives. A two-sided disk must thus be split into two image files put into different slots (-flop0 and -flop1 for the first two-sided drive, -flop2 and -flop3 for the second two-sided drive).
35663 
35664 
35665 
35666Other, non-BASIC cartridges either include their own DOS (e.g., Colorpaint) or require a specific DOS boot disk (e.g., Logo, Forth).
35667 
35668 
35669 
35670== Keyboard ==
35671 
35672 
35673 
35674Here is the visual layout of the keyboard.
35675 
35676 
35677 
35678  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0  -=  +;  ACC      UP  DOWN
35679 
35680   
35681 
35682  CTRL    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:        LEFT RIGHT
35683 
35684   
35685 
35686  RAZ       Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L    M   ENTER        TOP
35687 
35688   
35689 
35690  SHIFT       W   X   C   V   B   N   ,<  .>  @^     SHIFT      INS DEL
35691 
35692   
35693 
35694                         SPACE
35695 
35696 
35697 
35698Unshifted keys appear on the left, and shifted appear on the right.
35699 
35700 
35701 
35702Caps-lock is "SHIFT+SPACE".
35703 
35704 
35705 
35706Accents are typeset with the "ACC" key, followed by A (grave), B (acute), C (hat), H (trema), or c (cedilla), then the key to accent.
35707 
35708 
35709 
35710== Lightpen ==
35711 
35712 
35713 
35714The main pointing device is the lightpen. A white cross indicates its position (added by MESS because the TO7 does not generally provide any visual feedback).
35715 
35716 
35717 
35718Move the white cross and click with the mouse button. The lightpen horizontal resolution is only 8-pixels.
35719 
35720 
35721 
35722== Printer ==
35723 
35724 
35725 
35726A printer port is emulated. Use the -prin option to tell MESS where to put its output.
35727 
35728 
35729 
35730 
35731 
35732===== Known Issues =====
35733 
35734 
35735 
35736  * Cassette: .wav files may not be readable unless generated by the  emulator, prefer the .k7 format
35737 
35738 
35739 
35740  * RS232 and MODEM extensions are not emulated
35741 
35742 
35743 
35744  * TV overlay extension is not emulated
35745 
35746 
35747 
35748  * Network extension is not emulated
35749 
35750 
35751 
35752  * Speech synthesis sounds terrible
35753 
35754 
35755 
35756 
35757 
35758===== History and Trivia =====
35759 
35760 
35761 
35762First computer commercialized by the French company Thomson.
35763 
35764 
35765 
35766The TO7 was quite expensive. Especially given that no BASIC cartridge was included and most peripherals (paddles, printers, floppy drives) required costly extensions.
35767 
35768 
35769 
35770The video system offers a 320x200 active windows with 8 fixed colors, but with peculiar constraints to save RAM space.
35771 
35772 
35773 
35774Each line is split into 40 spans of 8-pixels and each span can only have two different colors (among 8).
35775 
35776 
35777 
35778This allows representing 8 pixels with 14 bits (two 3-bit palette entries, and 8 1-bit pixel entries) instead of 24 bits.
35779 
35780 
35781 
35782The TO7 was quickly replaced (in 1984) by its successor, the TO7/70 (more RAM, more colors). See the to770 driver.
35783 
35784 
35785 
35786Not many TO7 software are available. Most were designed for the TO7/70 and do not work on the TO7.
35787 
35788 
35789 
35790Many TO7 were actually distributed with the T9000 ROM and have a T9000 startup menu!
35791 
35792 
35793 
35794 
35795 
35796===== Links =====
35797 
35798 
35799 
35800  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
35801 
35802  * Christophe's Lair: software and documentations -- http://lair.thomsonistes.org
35803 
35804  * Collection Thomson: technical documentations and a few original software -- http://gfournier.free.fr
35805 
35806  * Logiciels MOTO: software and links -- http://www.logicielsmoto.com
35807 
35808  * Serveur 87: software and technical documentation -- http://serveur87thomson.free.fr
35809 
35810  * MO5.COM: links, buy and sell Thomson computers -- http://www.mo5.com
35811 
35812  * Contacthoms: fan site -- http://a.contacthoms.free.fr
35813 
35814  * ToNews: site dedicated to Thomson computers -- http://membres.lycos.fr/tonews
35815 
35816  * Paris-Thoms: another fan site -- http://paris-thoms.perso.cegetel.net
35817 
35818 
35819 
35820 
35821 
35822===== Other Emulators =====
35823 
35824 
35825 
35826  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
35827 
35828  * FunzyTo7: first T9000, TO7, TO7/70 emulator ever -- http://www.sylvain-huet.com/hacks
35829 
35830 
35831 
35832 
35833 
35834$end
35835 
35836 
35837 
35838#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35839 
35840 
35841$info=to770
35842$bio
35843====== Thomson TO7/70 (French, 1984) ======
35844 
35845 
35846 
35847 
35848 
35849===== Features =====
35850 
35851 
35852 
35853We only show the differences with respect to the TO7.
35854 
35855 
35856 
35857  * RAM: 48 KB base + 64 KB extension = 96 KB
35858 
35859  * Video: 16 fixed colors instead of 8, but identical proximity constraints
35860 
35861  * Lightpen: the horizontal precision has improved to the pixel
35862 
35863 
35864 
35865 
35866 
35867===== Usage =====
35868 
35869 
35870 
35871Please read the documentation for the to7 driver.
35872 
35873 
35874 
35875== Cartridges, cassettes & floppies ==
35876 
35877 
35878 
35879They have the exact same format and image formats as the TO7 ones: .k7 for byte-processed cassettes, .wav for raw cassettes, .sap or .fd for 80 KB or 160 KB 5"1/4 and 320 KB 3"1/2 floppies, .qd for 50 KB 2"8 floppies, and .m7 and .rom for cartridge. Moreover, they are used in the exact same way. 
35880 
35881 
35882 
35883You need a BASIC 1.0 cartridge to load most cassettes, and an extra BASIC DOS boot floppy to use floppies. The TO7/70 is backward compatible with the TO7.
35884 
35885 
35886 
35887However, many TO7/70 software are designed to exploit the enhanced graphics capabilities and RAM space, and will not work on a TO7.
35888 
35889 
35890 
35891== BASIC 128 ==
35892 
35893 
35894 
35895Of particular interest is the BASIC 128 cartridge. Designed quite late, it allows exploiting the full memory of the TO7/70 and all 16 colors from the BASIC. It also provides its own DOS (no need for a DOS boot disk). 
35896 
35897 
35898 
35899However, many games were developed before the BASIC 128 appeared and are incompatible with it. 
35900 
35901 
35902 
35903Thus, you should  stick to the BASIC 1.0 to play games (most are coded in machine code, and so, can access all colors and RAM this way).       
35904 
35905 
35906 
35907== Keyboard ==
35908 
35909 
35910 
35911The TO7/70 keyboard is identical to the TO7 one. In addition, the ACC key can be followed by 6, 7, 8, 9, or 0 to typeset eacute, egrave, ugrave, ccedilla, and agrave directly.
35912 
35913 
35914 
35915 
35916 
35917===== History and Trivia =====
35918 
35919 
35920 
35921Enhanced TO7.
35922 
35923 
35924 
35925It has improved graphics features (16 colors instead of 8) and more RAM. The TO7/70 supports virtually all TO7 software, devices, and extensions (in particular, floppy and game controllers).
35926 
35927 
35928 
35929With the MO5, the TO7/70 was a very popular computer in France, despite its price. This may be due to the government plan "Informatique pour tous" (meaning: "Computer Science for Everyone") to buy schools a large amount of those.
35930 
35931 
35932 
35933Although it is backward compatible with the TO7, the TO7/70 has some notable hardware changes. In particular, a lot of generic chips have been replaced with a custom gate-array from Thomson.
35934 
35935 
35936 
35937The TO7/70 has a large library of games and educational software.
35938 
35939 
35940 
35941 
35942 
35943===== Links =====
35944 
35945 
35946 
35947  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
35948 
35949 
35950 
35951See the information for the to7 system for more links.
35952 
35953 
35954 
35955 
35956 
35957===== Other Emulators =====
35958 
35959 
35960 
35961  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
35962 
35963  * FunzyTo7: first T9000, TO7, TO7/70 emulator ever -- http://www.sylvain-huet.com/hacks
35964 
35965  * Thom: TO7/70-only emulator based on Funzy -- http://nostalgies.thomsonistes.org/thom_home.html
35966 
35967 
35968 
35969 
35970 
35971$end
35972 
35973 
35974 
35975#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35976 
35977 
35978$info=to770a
35979$bio
35980====== Thomson TO7/70 (Arabic, 198?) ======
35981 
35982 
35983 
35984 
35985 
35986===== Usage =====
35987 
35988 
35989 
35990This TO7/70 seems identical to the original one, except for the altered keyboard and different ROM.
35991 
35992 
35993 
35994It requires a special, 64 KB version of the BASIC 128 cartridge in order to typeset Arabic (-cart basic128a.m7).
35995 
35996 
35997 
35998Use CTRL+W to switch to Arabic and CTRL+F to switch back to Latin.
35999 
36000 
36001 
36002  * In Latin mode, CTRL+U and CTRL+X allow typesetting in-line Arabic
36003 
36004  * In Arabic mode, CTRL+E and CTRL+X typeset in-line Latin
36005 
36006 
36007 
36008See the to770 driver for more informations.
36009 
36010 
36011 
36012 
36013 
36014===== History and Trivia =====
36015 
36016 
36017 
36018Arabic version of the TO7/70.
36019 
36020 
36021 
36022 
36023 
36024===== Links =====
36025 
36026 
36027 
36028  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
36029 
36030 
36031 
36032 
36033 
36034$end
36035 
36036 
36037 
36038#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36039 
36040 
36041$info=to8
36042$bio
36043====== Thomson TO8 (French, Sep 1986?) ======
36044 
36045 
36046 
36047 
36048 
36049===== Features =====
36050 
36051 
36052 
36053  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
36054 
36055  * RAM: 256 KB base + 256 KB extended = 512 KB
36056 
36057  * ROM: 96 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 512, graphical DOS
36058 
36059  * Video: 8 video modes (same as TO9)
36060 
36061    * legacy 320x200, 16 colors with proximity constraints
36062 
36063    * 320x200, 4 colors, unconstrained
36064 
36065    * 160x200, 16 colors
36066 
36067    * 640x200, 2 colors
36068 
36069    * 320x200, two 2-color pages
36070 
36071    * 320x200, two overlaid pages, 3 colors
36072 
36073    * 160x200, four 2-color pages
36074 
36075    * 160x200, four overlaid pages, 5 colors
36076 
36077  * Palette: 16 colors to be chosen among 4096.
36078 
36079  * Sound: 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
36080 
36081  * Keyboard: AZERTY 81-keys, French with accents, identical to TO9
36082 
36083  * Game-pad: two 8-way 2-button paddles
36084 
36085  * Mouse (exclusive with game-pad)
36086 
36087  * Lightpen
36088 
36089  * Cartridge: optional, TO7 compatible
36090 
36091  * Cassette: 900 bauds, TO7 compatible
36092 
36093  * Floppy: integrated versatile controller, up to four external 2"8, 3"1/2 or 5"1/4 drives, TO7-compatible floppies
36094 
36095  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
36096 
36097 
36098 
36099 
36100 
36101===== Usage =====
36102 
36103 
36104 
36105== Menu ==
36106 
36107 
36108 
36109From the startup menu, press SHIFT+1 for the BASIC 512, SHIFT+2 for the legacy BASIC 1.0, SHIFT+3 to set preferences (color palette and switch between lightpen and mouse), SHIFT+5 to get the graphical DOS. SHIFT+4 is a loader for special kinds of floppy software (CHG applications).
36110 
36111 
36112 
36113== Cartridges ==
36114 
36115 
36116 
36117An optional cartridge can be inserted with the -cart option. It can be started from the startup menu by pressing SHIFT+0.
36118 
36119 
36120 
36121The TO8 can run TO7 and TO7/70 cartridges, but not MO5 ones.
36122 
36123 
36124 
36125== Cassettes ==
36126 
36127 
36128 
36129They have the same format as the TO7 and TO7/70 ones, and MESS recognizes the same image types (.wav and .k7).
36130 
36131 
36132 
36133We recall that cassettes are loaded with one of the two following BASIC commands: 
36134 
36135  RUN"" (for BASIC files),   
36136 
36137  LOADM"",,R (for binary files).
36138 
36139 
36140 
36141Please see the to7 driver for more informations.
36142 
36143 
36144 
36145Thanks to the backward compatibility, you should be able to run most TO7 and TO7/70 software, provided that you load them from the old BASIC 1.0 and not the BASIC 512. 
36146 
36147 
36148 
36149Note that to use cassettes with the BASIC 512, you must use the commands 
36150 
36151  RUN"CASS:" 
36152 
36153and 
36154 
36155  LOADM"CASS:",,R 
36156 
36157respectively because the cassette device is no longer the default one.
36158 
36159 
36160 
36161== Floppies ==
36162 
36163 
36164 
36165The TO8 has a versatile internal floppy controller that allows plugging up to four 2"8, 3"1/2 or 5"1/4 drives. MESS emulates all of this in devices -flop0 to -flop3. They accept .sap and .fd images (both can correspond to 160 KB 5"1/4 or 320 KB 3"1/2 floppies) as well as
36166 
36167.qd images (50 KB 2"8 floppies). 
36168 
36169 
36170 
36171They are fully compatible with the TO7, TO7/70, MO5 and TO9 floppy images. The software they contain may, however, be incompatible. The TO8 can generally run all TO7, TO7/70 and TO9 software, but not software from the MO family (e.g., MO5).
36172 
36173 
36174 
36175You can exploit floppies from the BASIC 512 using the commands DIR, LOAD, RUN, SAVE and DSKINI0 (DIR"1:", LOAD"1:", ..., DSKINI1 for -flop1, and so on). Most game floppies are bootable; they are run using the B option in the startup menu.
36176 
36177 
36178 
36179Some games are not bootable. You must start the regular BASIC 512 (SHIFT+3), then use DIR to see which programs are likely to be loaders, and launch them manually with a RUN"XYZ.BAS" or LOADM"XYZ.BIN",,R command.
36180 
36181 
36182 
36183A few rare games are actually BASIC 1.0 boot disks, incompatible with the BASIC 512; they are run using the C command in the startup menu.
36184 
36185 
36186 
36187Finally, the SHIFT+4 option in the startup menu provides a special launcher for applications with the .CHG suffix (e.g., Multiplan, Paragraphe).
36188 
36189 
36190 
36191As for all Thomson, double-sided drives are considered as two one-sided drives (either -flop0 and -flop1, or -flop2 and -flop3). So, two-sided floppies must be split into two images and put into two MESS floppy devices.
36192 
36193 
36194 
36195Drive number 4 corresponds to a virtual RAM disk that must first be setup using the SHIFT+3 option in the startup menu.
36196 
36197 
36198 
36199The graphical DOS (SHIFT+5, then select a drive) allows you to DIR, format or copy disks, but not to launch programs.
36200 
36201 
36202 
36203== Keyboard ==
36204 
36205 
36206 
36207The keyboard layout is exactly the same as the TO9 one.
36208 
36209   
36210 
36211        F1/F6    F2/F7    F3/F8    F4/F9    F5/F10
36212 
36213   
36214 
36215    #@   *1  e2  "3  '4  (5  _6  e7  !8  c9  a0  )°  -\  =+  ACC       UP         7   8   9
36216 
36217   
36218 
36219   STOP    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ^"  $&    ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT    4   5   6
36220 
36221   
36222 
36223   CTRL  [{ Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   u%  ]}            DOWN        1   2   3
36224 
36225   
36226 
36227  CAPS SHIFT W   X   C   V   B   N   ,?  ;.  :/  ><  SHIFT   HOME   INS  DEL      0   .   ENT
36228 
36229   
36230 
36231                         SPACE
36232 
36233 
36234 
36235== Mouse ==
36236 
36237 
36238 
36239A mouse is emulated. However, you cannot use both a mouse and a game-pad as they are connected to the same port. Use MESS's in-game configuration to select between the two. The startup menu automatically detects the presence of a mouse. It then disables the lightpen and uses the mouse as the pointer device instead. 
36240 
36241 
36242 
36243You can revert to the lightpen using SHIFT+3 in the startup menu, and then SHIFT+2 (useful when you revert to game-pad in MESS's in-game configuration, or if a mouse was incorrectly detected when you actually moved a game-pad).
36244 
36245 
36246 
36247The white cross disappears when a mouse is emulated. Also, you can switch between a game-pad and a mouse dynamically, without
36248 
36249resetting.
36250 
36251 
36252 
36253== Video ==
36254 
36255 
36256 
36257As for the TO9, you should switch to high-resolution video emulation in MESS's in-game menu if you intend to use software in 640x200.
36258 
36259 
36260 
36261Otherwise, the low-resolution video emulation is sufficient and faster.
36262 
36263 
36264 
36265 
36266 
36267===== Known Issues =====
36268 
36269 
36270 
36271  * Keyboard: the keyboard emulation is not accurate; in order to prevent the keyboard from hanging the whole computer, undocumented hacks have been introduced; it seems usable for now
36272 
36273 
36274 
36275  * Mouse: movement is jittery
36276 
36277 
36278 
36279  * Video: graphical glitches have been reported on games that use hardware video page switching
36280 
36281 
36282 
36283  * Mouse and paddles: they cannot be used at the same time, but this is not a bug (!)
36284 
36285 
36286 
36287  * Speech synthesis sounds terrible
36288 
36289 
36290 
36291 
36292 
36293===== History and Trivia =====
36294 
36295 
36296 
36297Successor of the TO7/70 as a home-computer.
36298 
36299 
36300 
36301Note that it is more recent than the TO9.
36302 
36303 
36304 
36305While the TO9 was a high-end semi-professional computer, the TO8 was meant to replace the TO7/70 as a home computer.
36306 
36307 
36308 
36309It has a more compact Amiga-like look, no separate keyboard, and less extension slots. Also, it has no integrated floppy drive, and less application software in ROM.
36310 
36311 
36312 
36313Despite this, it is considered much superior to the TO9.
36314 
36315 
36316 
36317It improves on the gate-array technology developed for the TO9 (the TO8 version is so mature that it will be reused unchanged on the TO9+ and MO6).
36318 
36319 
36320 
36321It allows a better and more flexible use of the address space (in particular, video page switching is now available in all video modes).
36322 
36323 
36324 
36325The TO8 has more RAM: 256 KB expandable up to 512 KB.
36326 
36327 
36328 
36329The integrated controller is very versatile (again, a custom Thomson gate-array that will be reused) and allows connecting any Thomson floppy drive (5"1/4, 3"1/2 and 2"8).
36330 
36331 
36332 
36333The BASIC 128 has been replaced with a BASIC 512 that allows accessing the whole memory (but a part can still be devoted to a virtual RAM disk).
36334 
36335 
36336 
36337The two missing TO9 application software could still be bought on floppies; they have been substantially debugged.
36338 
36339 
36340 
36341The music extension and second generation game ports (allowing 2-button paddles and a mouse) are included.
36342 
36343 
36344 
36345The TO8 was very popular and became the de-facto gaming computer in the Thomson family.
36346 
36347 
36348 
36349 
36350 
36351===== Links =====
36352 
36353 
36354 
36355  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
36356 
36357  * AMITO8: TO8 and Amiga emulation site -- http://membres.lycos.fr/amito8
36358 
36359 
36360 
36361See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
36362 
36363 
36364 
36365 
36366 
36367===== Other Emulators =====
36368 
36369 
36370 
36371  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
36372 
36373  * TEO: TO8 emulator -- http://nostalgies.thomsonistes.org/teo_home.html
36374 
36375  * EmuTO8: another TO8-only emulator -- http://membres.lycos.fr/jth/emuto8.html
36376 
36377 
36378 
36379 
36380 
36381$end
36382 
36383 
36384 
36385#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36386 
36387 
36388$info=to8d
36389$bio
36390====== Thomson TO8D (French, Dec 1987) ======
36391 
36392 
36393 
36394 
36395 
36396===== History and Trivia =====
36397 
36398 
36399 
36400This is simply a TO8 with an integrated 3"1/2 floppy drive.
36401 
36402 
36403 
36404As MESS emulates up to four 3"1/2, 5"1/4 and 2"8 floppy drives on the TO8 anyway, you won't see much difference between the TO8 and TO8D (except for the slightly different startup menu).
36405 
36406 
36407 
36408Please see the documentation for the to8 driver.
36409 
36410 
36411 
36412 
36413 
36414===== Links =====
36415 
36416 
36417 
36418  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
36419 
36420 
36421 
36422 
36423 
36424$end
36425 
36426 
36427 
36428#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36429 
36430 
36431$info=to9
36432$bio
36433====== Thomson TO9 (French, Sep 1985) ======
36434 
36435 
36436 
36437 
36438 
36439===== Features =====
36440 
36441 
36442 
36443  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
36444 
36445  * RAM: 112 KB base + 64 KB virtual disk extension
36446 
36447  * ROM: 136 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 128, graphical DOS, text processor & database software
36448 
36449  * Video: 8 video modes
36450 
36451    * legacy 320x200, 16 colors with proximity constraints
36452 
36453    * 320x200, 4 colors, unconstrained
36454 
36455    * 160x200, 16 colors
36456 
36457    * 640x200, 2 colors
36458 
36459    * 320x200, two 2-color pages
36460 
36461    * 320x200, two overlaid pages, 3 colors
36462 
36463    * 160x200, four 2-color pages
36464 
36465    * 160x200, four overlaid pages, 5 colors
36466 
36467  * Palette: 16 colors to be chosen among 4096.
36468 
36469  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
36470 
36471  * Keyboard: AZERTY 81-keys, French with accents, keypad & function keys
36472 
36473  * Game-pad: two 8-way 1-button paddles
36474 
36475  * Mouse (not emulated)
36476 
36477  * Lightpen
36478 
36479  * Cartridge: optional, TO7 compatible
36480 
36481  * Cassette: 900 bauds, TO7 compatible
36482 
36483  * Floppy: integrated controller and 3"1/2 drive + 2 external 3"1/2 drives, TO7-compatible 320 KB floppies
36484 
36485  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
36486 
36487 
36488 
36489 
36490 
36491===== Usage =====
36492 
36493 
36494 
36495== Menu ==
36496 
36497 
36498 
36499From the startup menu, press SHIFT+1 and SHIFT+2 to access the internal software (text-processor and database), SHIFT+3 to get the BASIC 128, SHIFT+4 for the old BASIC 1.0, SHIFT+5 to change the color palette, and SHIFT+6 to access the graphical DOS.
36500 
36501 
36502 
36503== Cartridges ==
36504 
36505 
36506 
36507An optional cartridge can be inserted with the -cart option. It can be started from the startup menu by pressing SHIFT+0.
36508 
36509 
36510 
36511The TO9 can run TO7 and TO7/70 cartridges, but not MO5 ones.
36512 
36513 
36514 
36515== Cassettes ==
36516 
36517 
36518 
36519They have the same format as the TO7 and TO7/70 ones, and MESS recognizes the same image types (.wav and .k7).
36520 
36521 
36522 
36523We recall that cassettes are loaded with one of the two following BASIC commands: 
36524 
36525  RUN"" (for BASIC files) 
36526 
36527  LOADM"",,R (for binary files)
36528 
36529 
36530 
36531Please see the to7 driver for more informations.
36532 
36533 
36534 
36535Thanks to the backward compatibility, you should be able to run most TO7 and TO7/70 software, provided that you load them from the old BASIC 1.0 and not the BASIC 128.
36536 
36537 
36538 
36539Note that to use cassettes with the BASIC 128, you must use the commands 
36540 
36541  RUN"CASS:" 
36542 
36543and 
36544 
36545  LOADM"CASS:",,R 
36546 
36547respectively because the cassette device is no longer the default one.
36548 
36549 
36550 
36551== Floppies ==
36552 
36553 
36554 
36555The TO9 has an internal 3"1/2 drive, and allows two more external 3"1/2 drives to be connected. They are named -flop0, -flop2, -flop3. 
36556 
36557 
36558 
36559In theory, drive number 1 (-flop1) does not exist: it corresponds to the hypothetical second side of the one-sided internal drive.
36560 
36561 
36562 
36563But MESS emulates -flop1 anyway...
36564 
36565 
36566 
36567Due to the fixed internal controller, only 3"1/2 floppies can be used. 2"8 floppies will no work while 5"1/4 floppies might work partially.
36568 
36569 
36570 
36571Floppies are TO7, TO7/70 and MO5 compatible. The same .fd and .sap image formats are recognized.
36572 
36573 
36574 
36575Floppies can be used directly form the BASIC 128 (SHIFT+3).
36576 
36577 
36578 
36579Then use the commands DIR, LOAD, SAVE, RUN, DSKINI as usual (see the to7 driver).
36580 
36581 
36582 
36583Most games are bootable. Simply insert the floppy in drive 0 (-flop0) and press D in the startup menu.
36584 
36585 
36586 
36587Using floppies with the old BASIC 1.0 is also possible, but more complex. You must first insert a BASIC DOS boot disk in drive 0, and then start the BASIC (SHIFT+4) in the startup menu.
36588 
36589 
36590 
36591The graphical DOS (SHIFT+6, then select a drive number) allows formatting and copying floppies, but not running them. 
36592 
36593 
36594 
36595Note that the 5-th drive, numbered 4, does not correspond to a real floppy, but to a 64 KB RAM disk.
36596 
36597 
36598 
36599== Keyboard ==
36600 
36601 
36602 
36603The keyboard is AZERTY, with a keypad, a CAPS-LOCK key and function keys.
36604 
36605   
36606 
36607         F1/F6    F2/F7    F3/F8    F4/F9    F5/F10
36608 
36609   
36610 
36611     #@   *1  e2  "3  '4  (5  _6  e7  !8  c9  a0  )°  -\  =+  ACC       UP           7   8   9
36612 
36613   
36614 
36615    STOP    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ^"  $&    ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT      4   5   6
36616 
36617   
36618 
36619    CTRL  [{ Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   u%  ]}            DOWN          1   2   3
36620 
36621   
36622 
36623   CAPS SHIFT W   X   C   V   B   N   ,?  ;.  :/  ><  SHIFT   HOME   INS  DEL        0   .  ENT
36624 
36625   
36626 
36627                  SPACE
36628 
36629 
36630 
36631As for modern AZERTY keyboards, SHIFT must be hold to enter digits.
36632 
36633 
36634 
36635== Mouse ==
36636 
36637 
36638 
36639Currently not emulated.
36640 
36641 
36642 
36643== Video ==
36644 
36645 
36646 
36647MESS has two emulation modes: low-resolution and high-resolution. 
36648 
36649 
36650 
36651The default is low-resolution, which is fast and sufficient to emulate most graphical modes (160x200 and 320x200 resolution). To represent faithfully the 640x200 TO9 mode, you should switch to the slower, high-resolution emulation mode in MESS's in-game menu.
36652 
36653 
36654 
36655 
36656 
36657===== Known Issues =====
36658 
36659 
36660 
36661  * External controller (masking the internal one) not emulated, 5"1/4 and 2"8 floppies will not work
36662 
36663 
36664 
36665  * Mouse not emulated
36666 
36667 
36668 
36669  * MODEM and RS232 ports not emulated
36670 
36671 
36672 
36673  * Speech synthesis sounds terrible
36674 
36675 
36676 
36677 
36678 
36679===== History and Trivia =====
36680 
36681 
36682 
36683Much improved successor of the TO7/70, destined for semi-professional usage. Note that it is older than the TO8.
36684 
36685 
36686 
36687The TO9 was a high-end product destined to a semi-professional usage.
36688 
36689 
36690 
36691It included lots of RAM, software in ROM, a 3"1/2 floppy drive. It had a desktop look with a separate keyboard and an optional mouse.
36692 
36693 
36694 
36695It was a TO family computer, backward compatible with the TO7 and TO7/70 (but not the MO5).
36696 
36697 
36698 
36699It was the first Thomson computer based on the new video gate-array that increased greatly the video capabilities.
36700 
36701 
36702 
36703Also, it was the first Thomson to have a dedicated keyboard chip (former ones relied on CPU pooling).
36704 
36705 
36706 
36707Alas it had many problems.
36708 
36709 
36710 
36711The text-processor and database management software included in ROM were quite buggy. Even the BASIC 128 was not able to access the full power of the TO9 (in particular, the 64 KB RAM extension could only be used as a virtual RAM disk, not as a main memory). The integrated floppy drive was one-sided.
36712 
36713 
36714 
36715It was considered somewhat immature and quickly replaced with the improved TO9+.
36716 
36717 
36718 
36719 
36720 
36721===== Links =====
36722 
36723 
36724 
36725  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
36726 
36727 
36728 
36729See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
36730 
36731 
36732 
36733 
36734 
36735===== Other Emulators =====
36736 
36737 
36738 
36739  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
36740 
36741 
36742 
36743 
36744 
36745$end
36746 
36747 
36748 
36749#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36750 
36751 
36752$info=to9p
36753$bio
36754====== Thomson TO9+ (French, Sep 1986?) ======
36755 
36756 
36757 
36758 
36759 
36760===== Features =====
36761 
36762 
36763 
36764We only show the difference with the TO8 and the TO9.
36765 
36766 
36767 
36768  * RAM: 512 KB
36769 
36770  * ROM: 96 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 512, graphical DOS
36771 
36772  * Video: similar to the TO8
36773 
36774  * Mouse: similar to the TO8
36775 
36776  * Floppy: integrated versatile controller, integrated two-sided 3"1/2 floppy drive (extendable to up to four 3"1/2, 5"1/4 or 2"8 drives)
36777 
36778 
36779 
36780 
36781 
36782===== Usage =====
36783 
36784 
36785 
36786Please read the documentation for the to8 driver.
36787 
36788 
36789 
36790IMPORTANT NOTE: the TO9+ and TO9 differ in the way the mouse and the floppy drives are managed. In these respects, the TO9+ behave as
36791 
36792the TO8, not the TO9.
36793 
36794 
36795 
36796 
36797 
36798===== Known Issues =====
36799 
36800 
36801 
36802  * Mouse, video, sound: see the to8 driver
36803 
36804 
36805 
36806  * Unemulated features: MODEM, RS232.
36807 
36808 
36809 
36810 
36811 
36812===== History and Trivia =====
36813 
36814 
36815 
36816Successor of the TO9.
36817 
36818 
36819 
36820Despite its name, the TO9+ is much more based on TO8 technology than TO9 (same video and memory systems, same floppy controller, same mouse, similar startup menu).
36821 
36822 
36823 
36824However, as the TO9, it is intended as a semi-professional product.
36825 
36826 
36827 
36828It keeps the desktop look of the TO9, with the separate keyboard.
36829 
36830 
36831 
36832It now has 512 KB of RAM (inextensible), the BASIC 512, and an integrated 3"1/2 floppy drive (double-sided, unlike the TO9 one). 
36833 
36834 
36835 
36836Also, software formerly provided in the TO9 ROM are now supplied on floppies.
36837 
36838 
36839 
36840Finally, it has enhanced communication capabilities by integrating either a MODEM or a RS232 extension (not emulated, alas).
36841 
36842 
36843 
36844 
36845 
36846===== Links =====
36847 
36848 
36849 
36850  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
36851 
36852 
36853 
36854See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
36855 
36856 
36857 
36858 
36859 
36860===== Other Emulators =====
36861 
36862 
36863 
36864  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
36865 
36866 
36867 
36868 
36869 
36870$end
36871 
36872 
36873 
36874#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36875 
36876 
36877$info=trs80
36878$bio
36879====== Tandy/Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I (1977) ======
36880 
36881 
36882 
36883 
36884 
36885===== Features =====
36886 
36887 
36888 
36889  * CPU: Zilog Z80 1.77 MHz
36890 
36891  * RAM: 4 kb / 16 kb depending on models (up to 48 kb)
36892 
36893  * VRAM: 1 kb
36894 
36895  * ROM: 4 kb (Basic Level 1) or 12kb (Basic Level 2)
36896 
36897  * Text Modes: 32 x 16, 64 x 16
36898 
36899  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 48
36900 
36901  * Colors: monochrome
36902 
36903  * Sound: None
36904 
36905  * I/O Ports: Monitor, cassette interface, expansion port
36906 
36907  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 53 Keys, optional numeric keypad
36908 
36909  * OS: TRS DOS - NEW DOS
36910 
36911  * Built In Language: Basic Level 1 (4k ROM models), Basic Level II (12k ROM models)
36912 
36913 
36914 
36915 
36916 
36917===== Usage =====
36918 
36919 
36920 
36921== Keyboard ==
36922 
36923 
36924 
36925The emulated keyboard is relatively close to the original layout.
36926 
36927 
36928 
36929Take a look into the "Options" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, and choose "Keys (This Machine)" to  find out more about the key mapping.
36930 
36931 
36932 
36933== Cassettes ==
36934 
36935 
36936 
36937Emulation of virtual tapes supported. Use 
36938 
36939  SYSTEM 
36940 
36941or 
36942 
36943  CLOAD 
36944 
36945commands to read images.
36946 
36947 
36948 
36949SYSTEM supports 6 character filenames and loads the corresponding FILENM.CAS image.
36950 
36951 
36952 
36953CLOAD loads a file named BASIC(N).CAS, where (N) is the character you supplied (e.g. CLOAD"M" loads BASICM.CAS)
36954 
36955 
36956 
36957== Disks ==
36958 
36959 
36960 
36961Emulation of virtual floppy discs supported. Use a NEWDOS/80 boot disk for drive 0 and set up correct PDRIVE parameters for the other drives. If only drives 0 to 2 are used they can be double sided by interpreting drive select 3 as head select bit.
36962 
36963 
36964 
36965Under the "Options" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, there are three settings.
36966 
36967  * "Floppy Disc Drives"  - enable or disable floppy disc controller.
36968 
36969  * "Video RAM"           - enable upper case only or upper/lower font.
36970 
36971  * "Virtual E000-EFFF"   - enable 4K Extension ROM or make it RAM.
36972 
36973 
36974 
36975 
36976 
36977===== Known Issues =====
36978 
36979 
36980 
36981The TRS-80 driver should run most of the known programs out there. It supports a WD 179x floppy disc controller with up to four virtual floppy disc drives contained in image files.
36982 
36983 
36984 
36985 
36986 
36987===== History and Trivia =====
36988 
36989 
36990 
36991The Tandy TRS-80 model 1, released in August 1977 at a US retail price of $399 for just the keyboard/computer or $599 including display and cassette storage unit, was the first member of one of the most famous computer families.The earliest models used a poor BASIC interpreter called Basic Level 1 (the interpreter and the OS fit in the 4 KB ROM) which had no instruction to save the program! It was replaced later with the Basic Level 2 which needed a 12 KB ROM. To offset its poor characteristics, Tandy developed a device called the Expansion Interface which brought a lot of new features: 16, 32 or 48 KB RAM, two tape unit connectors, a printer port, a floppy disk controller, a serial port and a real time clock.
36992 
36993 
36994 
36995When it was connected to a floppy disk unit, the TRS 80 used the TRS DOS operating system, it was pretty bugged and most of the TRS80 users preferred NEW DOS, it is an operating system done by a third-party company called Apparat. This OS was the real TRS 80 operating system.
36996 
36997 
36998 
36999The Model 1 was followed with the TRS 80 model II and model III (the model III had almost the same characteristics as the model I).
37000 
37001 
37002 
37003 
37004 
37005===== Links =====
37006 
37007 
37008 
37009  * Ira Goldklang's Page -- http://www.trs-80.com/
37010 
37011  * Timm Mann's TRS-80 Page -- http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html
37012 
37013  * TRS-80 Model I at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=409
37014 
37015 
37016 
37017 
37018 
37019===== Other Emulators =====
37020 
37021 
37022 
37023  * David Keil's TRS-80 Model I Emu -- http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model1.htm
37024 
37025  * Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 Model I Emu -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model1
37026 
37027  * TRS32 -- http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/
37028 
37029  * TRSF-80 -- http://members.aol.com/trsf80/
37030 
37031 
37032 
37033 
37034 
37035$end
37036 
37037 
37038 
37039#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37040 
37041 
37042$info=trs80m3
37043$bio
37044====== Tandy/Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III (1981) ======
37045 
37046 
37047 
37048 
37049 
37050===== Features =====
37051 
37052 
37053 
37054  * CPU: Zilog Z80 then Z80A 2.03 MHz
37055 
37056  * RAM: 16 KB (up to 48 KB)
37057 
37058  * ROM: 14 KB
37059 
37060  * Text Modes: 32 or 64 columns x 16 lines
37061 
37062  * Graphic Modes: 128 graphic characters
37063 
37064  * Colors: monochrome
37065 
37066  * I/O Ports: Tape (500 or 1500 bauds), Centronics, RS232
37067 
37068  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
37069 
37070  * Built In Media: Zero, one or two 5.25" disk-drives.
37071 
37072  * OS: TRS DOS (other OSes were available : New DOS, LDOS, MultiDOS, ...)
37073 
37074  * Built In Language: TRS-80 Level II BASIC
37075 
37076  * Peripherals: Various Tandy peripherals
37077 
37078 
37079 
37080 
37081 
37082===== Known Issues =====
37083 
37084 
37085 
37086Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
37087 
37088 
37089 
37090 
37091 
37092===== History and Trivia =====
37093 
37094 
37095 
37096The model 3 is generally regarded as the successor to the Model 1. Its two 5.25" floppy disk drives could convert model 1 disks.
37097 
37098 
37099 
37100Initially Radio Shack wanted to sell both the model 1 and 3 at the same time, but the FCC forced them to stop selling model 1. Is so they were discontinued because of the excessive radio noise that they put out.
37101 
37102 
37103 
37104However, the Model 3 wasn't FULLY compatible with the model 1. There were differences in ROM which meant some programs had to be converted, especially those machine language ones that made ROM calls.
37105 
37106 
37107 
37108== Model III configurations ==
37109 
37110 
37111 
37112(info by Dave Thompson): TRS-80 Model III was sold in multiple configurations. No hardrive configurations included: Model III with Level 1 ROM, 8k RAM sold for US$799. Model III with Level 2 ROM, 16k RAM sold for $999. The first floppy drive cost $849, and could store 168k. The second drive was cheaper, and could store more. The price difference is due to the first one included the drive controller. The increased space on the second drive (189k) was due to the first drive must also contain some TRS-DOS (the operating system).
37113 
37114 
37115 
37116//(info from old-computers.com)//
37117 
37118 
37119 
37120 
37121 
37122===== Links =====
37123 
37124 
37125 
37126  * Ira Goldklang's Page -- http://www.trs-80.com/
37127 
37128  * Timm Mann's TRS-80 Page -- http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html
37129 
37130  * TRS-80 Model III at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=18
37131 
37132 
37133 
37134 
37135 
37136===== Other Emulators =====
37137 
37138 
37139 
37140  * David Keil's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model1.htm
37141 
37142  * Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model4
37143 
37144  * TRS32 -- http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/
37145 
37146 
37147 
37148 
37149 
37150$end
37151 
37152 
37153 
37154#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37155 
37156 
37157$info=trs80m4
37158$bio
37159====== Tandy/Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4 (1983) ======
37160 
37161 
37162 
37163 
37164 
37165===== Features =====
37166 
37167 
37168 
37169  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
37170 
37171  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 128 KB)
37172 
37173  * ROM: 14 KB
37174 
37175  * Text Modes: 64 x 16 / 32 x 16 / 64 x 40 / 80 x 24
37176 
37177  * Graphic Modes: None
37178 
37179  * Colors: Monochrome green phosphore
37180 
37181  * Sound: Built-in speaker
37182 
37183  * I/O Ports: Tape (500 or 1500 bauds), Centronics, I/O ports compatible with Model III, Serial (4D)
37184 
37185  * Keyboard: Typewriter style 83 keys with numeric keypad
37186 
37187  * Built In Media: One or Two 5.25" disk-drives
37188 
37189  * OS: TRSDOS 6.0 or 1.3, LDOS, CP/M
37190 
37191  * Built In Language: None
37192 
37193 
37194 
37195 
37196 
37197===== Known Issues =====
37198 
37199 
37200 
37201Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
37202 
37203 
37204 
37205 
37206 
37207===== History and Trivia =====
37208 
37209 
37210 
37211The TRS-80 model 4 (ref 26-1068/69) was one of the last models of the TRS-80 series (and perhaps the less known). It ran at 4 MHz and displayed 80 columns x 24 lines in Model 4 mode, but was fully compatible with the TRS-80 model 3 and in Model 3 mode actually displayed 64x16 and ran at the Model 3's 2 MHz.
37212 
37213 
37214 
37215It had 64 or 128 KB RAM, the 64 upper KB being used as a ram disk. It had one or two 5.25" floppy disk (184 KB each) and ran under TRSDOS 6.0 or 1.3, LDOS or CP/M.
37216 
37217 
37218 
37219A transformation kit "TRS80 model III -> model IV" was available.
37220 
37221 
37222 
37223The Model 4 was followed by the Model 4D (ref. 26-1070). The only difference being double sided drives -384 KB, instead of single sided drives.
37224 
37225 
37226 
37227A portable version of the Model IV called Model 4P (ref. 26-1080) was also marketed few time after.
37228 
37229 
37230 
37231//(info from old-computers.com)//
37232 
37233 
37234 
37235 
37236 
37237===== Links =====
37238 
37239 
37240 
37241  * Ira Goldklang's Page -- http://www.trs-80.com/
37242 
37243  * Timm Mann's TRS-80 Page -- http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html
37244 
37245  * TRS-80 Model 4 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=244
37246 
37247 
37248 
37249 
37250 
37251===== Other Emulators =====
37252 
37253 
37254 
37255  * David Keil's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model1.htm
37256 
37257  * Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model4
37258 
37259  * TRS32 -- http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/
37260 
37261 
37262 
37263 
37264 
37265$end
37266 
37267 
37268 
37269#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37270 
37271 
37272$info=tutor
37273$bio
37274====== Tomy Tutor (1983) ======
37275 
37276 
37277 
37278 
37279 
37280===== Features =====
37281 
37282 
37283 
37284  * CPU: Texas-Instrument TMS 9995NL 2.7 MHz
37285 
37286  * Co-Processor: Texas-Instrument TMS 9918ANL (Videochip)
37287 
37288  * RAM: 16 kb (up to 64 kb)
37289 
37290  * VRAM: 16 kb
37291 
37292  * ROM: 32 kb (including TOMY Basic, GBASIC, and graphic software)
37293 
37294  * Text Modes 32 x 24 in 16 colors
37295 
37296  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 in 16 colors, 4 unicolor sprites
37297 
37298  * Colors: 16
37299 
37300  * Sound: 3 channels (2 music, 1 noise), 8 octaves
37301 
37302  * I/O Ports: Joystick port (9-pin DSUB, but not Atari compatible), RF output, Video composite/Audio outputs, I/O port, Cartridge slot, 5-DIN plug for tape-recorder
37303 
37304  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 56 rubber keys, with a large pink spacebar
37305 
37306  * Built In Language: GBasic + Tomy Basic on later machines. Integrated software : Tomy Paint (paint program)
37307 
37308 
37309 
37310 
37311 
37312===== Usage =====
37313 
37314 
37315 
37316When you turn on Tutor in MESS, you can choose between two built-in programs:
37317 
37318 
37319 
37320  * Graphic: It is a picture drawing program which allows to create 256*192 pictures in 16 colors (it is not clear if the pictures drawn in this program can be saved).
37321 
37322 
37323 
37324  * Basic: It is a Basic interpreter derived from the TI99 Extended Basic; quite unfortunately, Basic lacks I/O routines and a serious graphic library.
37325 
37326 
37327 
37328A third built-in program can be accessed by entering Graphic, pressing 3 times the MOD key (you will be in Graphic Mode 4: both sprites and screen grid present, but not the color palette menu) and pressing MON once. This way you access the MONitor and you can enter GBasic commands. GBasic is another Basic interpreter for Tutor: it is probably faster than Basic and it has better graphic capabilities, but the language itself is unfortunately lacking and the editor
37329 
37330 
37331 
37332Additionally, if you start the Tutor with a cartridge, i.e. if you run
37333 
37334 
37335 
37336  mess.exe tutor -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename"
37337 
37338 
37339 
37340a third option will appear in the selection screen: Cartridge. Selecting this option, the program in the cart will be started. Notice that, to avoid conflicts with the Down arrow at the Selection Screen, P1 controls (used when playing a cart) are mapped by default to the directions on the numerical pad of your keyboard:
37341 
37342 
37343 
37344| Up    | Keypad 8 |
37345 
37346| Left  | Keypad 4 |
37347 
37348| Right | Keypad 6 |
37349 
37350| Down  | Keypad 2 |
37351 
37352 
37353 
37354Only a few cartridges were released for the Tomy Tutor: almost 40 games and a few educational programs. 9 cartridges are known to have been dumped (8 games and an educational title).
37355 
37356 
37357 
37358 
37359 
37360===== Known Issues =====
37361 
37362 
37363 
37364Cassette emulation does not work.
37365 
37366 
37367 
37368 
37369 
37370===== History and Trivia =====
37371 
37372 
37373 
37374This computer is known as Tomy Tutor in US, and as Grandstand Tutor in UK. It was initially released in Japan in 1982 or 1983 under the name of Pyuuta (Pi-yu-u-ta, with a Kanji for the "ta"). The Japanese versions are different from the English-language versions, as they have different ROMs with Japanese messages and support for the katakana syllabus.   
37375 
37376 
37377 
37378The Tutor was not extremely successful, probably due to the fact that little software was available (and that the software that was available was not varied enough).
37379 
37380 
37381 
37382One question that remains open is the relationship between the Tutor and the TI-99 series.  From a hardware point of view, the Tutor has a lot in common with TI-99/4(a) (though the two computers are NOT compatible). From a software point of view, the Tutor Basic is directly derived from TI Extended Basic (there is even a GPL interpreter in ROM, though the Tutor variant of GPL is quite different from TI GPL).  However, other Tutor software do not seem to be derived from TI-99 software.  It is therefore likely that Matsushita designed the Tutor independently from TI and licensed  the TI Basic from TI as an afterthought; OTOH, the whole design might have originated from TI, as the computer really looks like a "TI-99/3" (the hardware is similar to the TI-99/4 series, whereas the concept is very close to the TI-99/2).
37383 
37384 
37385 
37386== Versions ==
37387 
37388 
37389 
37390There are at least 4 versions:
37391 
37392 
37393 
37394  * Pyuuta (1982 or 1983), the original system with title screens in Japanese but no Basic (only the toy-like Gbasic interpreter is available)
37395 
37396 
37397 
37398  * Pyuuta Jr. (1983?), a console with simplified keyboard
37399 
37400 
37401 
37402  * Tomy/Grandstand Tutor (circa October 1983?), with title screens in English and integrated Basic
37403 
37404 
37405 
37406  * Pyuuta Mk. 2 (1984?), with a better-looking keyboard and integrated Basic
37407 
37408 
37409 
37410//(info from old-computers.com)//
37411 
37412 
37413 
37414 
37415 
37416===== Links =====
37417 
37418 
37419 
37420  * Tutor at Floodgap Systems -- http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/tomy/
37421 
37422  * Tutor at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=337
37423 
37424 
37425 
37426 
37427 
37428$end
37429 
37430 
37431 
37432#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37433 
37434 
37435$info=tx0_64kw
37436$bio
37437====== TX-0 original demonstrator (64 kWords of RAM) (1956) ======
37438 
37439 
37440 
37441 
37442 
37443===== History and Trivia =====
37444 
37445 
37446 
37447The TX-0 was built in 1955-1956 at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, to demonstrate transistor technology (the TX-0 is regarded as the first transistorized computer ever) and test a 64kw magnetic core memory array for the TX-2 computer that was on the drawing board.  Once assembled, the TX-0 proved to be a reliable and interesting general purpose computer.
37448 
37449 
37450 
37451A CRT was installed in 1957, and a light-pen in 1958, which enabled interactive graphical operation, which was exceptional on computers of the time.  The TX-0 was one of the first computers with a light pen; on the other hand, some computers (e.g. Whirlwind) had had CRTs for years, but such CRTs were seldom used for interactive operation.
37452 
37453 
37454 
37455In July 1958, the computer was taken out of Lincoln Laboratory and transferred to room 26-248 at the MIT Electrical Engineering Department.
37456 
37457 
37458 
37459 
37460 
37461$end
37462 
37463 
37464 
37465#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37466 
37467 
37468$info=tx0_8kw
37469$bio
37470====== TX-0 upgraded system (8 kWords of RAM) (1962) ======
37471 
37472 
37473 
37474 
37475 
37476===== History and Trivia =====
37477 
37478 
37479 
37480After its transfer from the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in July 1958, the TX-0 was supported by the MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics, the MIT Electronic Systems Laboratory and the MIT Electrical Engineering Department.
37481 
37482 
37483 
37484A so-called Extended Input/Output System was installed soon after the transfer it enabled users to add custom I/O devices relatively easily.
37485 
37486 
37487 
37488The TX-0 originally had a 64kw memory matrix, which had been transferred to the TX-2 and replaced with a 4kw matrix in the spring of 1958; this 4kw matrix was extended to 8 kw in 1959.
37489 
37490 
37491 
37492Since the address size was reduced from 16 to 13 bits, more bits were available for instruction opcodes (5 instead of 2): the instruction set was subsequently extended from 4 instructions to 23.  The first three additional instructions, which required little processor changes, were implemented in 1959; the logical design for the other instructions was completed in 1960, and was implemented
37493 
37494from 1960 to 1962.  Also, a magnetic tape system was added in 1961.
37495 
37496 
37497 
37498There were projects for further expansion (e.g. timesharing system), but after the PDP-1 arrived at the MIT, further development on the TX-0 was stopped.
37499 
37500 
37501 
37502The TX-0 remained in operation at the MIT until 1975, at which point it was transfered to the Computer Museum set-up by DEC in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
37503 
37504 
37505 
37506Though the upgrades were designed not to break compatibility, only programs that use 8 kw of RAM and the 4 original instructions may run on both the 8kw model and the 64kw model. (Even so, there are changes in the microprogrammed operate instruction that may prevent programs to run on both models).  At the time of writing, all available programs were designed specifically for the later 8 kw model.
37507 
37508 
37509 
37510===== Links =====
37511 
37512 
37513 
37514 
37515 
37516  * Tape images of TX-0 -- http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/MIT/tx-0//
37517 
37518  * Information of TX-0 on bitsavers.org -- http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-0//
37519 
37520 
37521 
37522 
37523 
37524$end
37525 
37526 
37527 
37528#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37529 
37530 
37531$info=uk101
37532$bio
37533====== Compukit UK101 (1979) ======
37534 
37535 
37536 
37537 
37538 
37539===== Features =====
37540 
37541 
37542 
37543  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz. (could be "overclocked" at 2 MHz by modifying the clock divide circuit)
37544 
37545  * Co-Processor: None
37546 
37547  * RAM: 4 KB expandable to 8 KB on board
37548 
37549  * VRAM: 1 KB
37550 
37551  * ROM: 8 KB (Microsoft BASIC) + 2 KB monitor
37552 
37553  * Text Modes: 16 to 48 chars. x 16 lines
37554 
37555  * Graphic Modes: None, but 128 graphic characters
37556 
37557  * Colors: Monochrome
37558 
37559  * I/O Ports: Tape recorder (at 300 baud) and printer ports
37560 
37561  * Keyboard: Full stroke 50 keys
37562 
37563  * Built In Media: None
37564 
37565  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
37566 
37567  * Peripherals: Supports all Ohio Scientific expansions
37568 
37569 
37570 
37571 
37572 
37573===== Usage =====
37574 
37575 
37576 
37577MESS supports uk101 with a "cassette" (cass) device, to load .bas files.
37578 
37579 
37580 
37581== Keyboard ==
37582 
37583 
37584 
37585This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
37586 
37587 
37588 
37589=== RAM options ===
37590 
37591 
37592 
37593Different RAM configurations are possible for the uk101 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line
37594 
37595 
37596 
37597  mess uk101 -ramsize ram_value
37598 
37599 
37600 
37601where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
37602 
37603 
37604 
37605  4k (default)
37606 
37607  8k
37608 
37609 
37610 
37611 
37612 
37613===== Known Issues =====
37614 
37615 
37616 
37617The emulation of this system is still Preliminary. In particular, the keyboard doesn't work.
37618 
37619 
37620 
37621 
37622 
37623===== History and Trivia =====
37624 
37625 
37626 
37627Made in the UK by Compukit in New Barnet, North London, the UK-101 was originally a copy of the Ohio Scientific Superboard II. Two years and various legal battles later the UK-101 became, technically, behind its erstwhile rival.
37628 
37629 
37630 
37631You could buy the UK101 as a kit or as ready made for an extra fee. The kit came in a cardboard briefcase, in which there were anti-static tubes containing the 65+ ICs, a box of IC sockets, and bags containing passives (mainly 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitors) and keyboard bits (the keyboard switches were soldered directly to the PCB).
37632 
37633 
37634 
37635The UK101 came with a transformer in a plastic case, which was rectified and regulated down to +5, the regulator's heatsink was far too small and it would run very very hot, causing the RF modulator to drift channel. Many people relocated the regulator off-board onto a bigger heatsink to solve both problems.
37636 
37637 
37638 
37639It came with an A4-size book authored by Dr. A.A. Berk, covering assembly, trouble-shooting, and circuit diagrams with descriptions.
37640 
37641 
37642 
37643The UK101 was based around the 6502 processor. On top of ASCII characters, 128 graphic characters were available in ROM. The RAM memory was expandable from 4 KB to 8 KB on board, or 40 KB with an expansion board.
37644 
37645 
37646 
37647At the time, The UK101 was heavily supported by Watford Electronics in the UK, and by various electronics magazines who published circuits. There were many user groups and plenty of software available. It was thus possible to upgrade this machine beyond all recognision ! Several cases were also made and sold by a number of manufacturers. 
37648 
37649 
37650 
37651//(info from old-computers.com)//
37652 
37653 
37654 
37655 
37656 
37657===== Links =====
37658 
37659 
37660 
37661  * UK101 Hardware Page -- http://home.micros.users.btopenworld.com/uk101/uk101.html
37662 
37663  * Martin Ward's Software Page -- http://www.cse.dmu.ac.uk/~mward/martin/software/
37664 
37665  * UK101 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=802
37666 
37667 
37668 
37669 
37670 
37671$end
37672 
37673 
37674 
37675#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37676 
37677 
37678$info=ut88mini
37679$bio
37680====== UT-88 mini / UT-88 (1989) ======
37681 
37682 
37683 
37684===== Features =====
37685 
37686 
37687 
37688 Minimum configuration:
37689 
37690  * CPU: KR580VM80A (i8080 clone)
37691 
37692  * RAM: 1 Kb [ut88mini]; 64 Kb (+ 1 Kb Video RAM) [ut88]
37693 
37694  * ROM: 1 Kb [ut88mini]; 2 Kb [ut88]
37695 
37696  * Video: six 7-segment LED [ut88mini]; 64 x 28 text modes [ut88]
37697 
37698  * Keyboard: 17 keys hexadecimal keyboard [ut88mini]; 59 keys alphanumeric keyboard [ut88]
37699 
37700  * External Memory: Tape recorder
37701 
37702 
37703 
37704 
37705 
37706===== History and Trivia =====
37707 
37708 
37709 
37710UT-88 and UT-88 mini are two computers for hobbyists whose schematics were published on a Russian technical magazine.
37711 
37712 
37713 
37714 
37715 
37716===== Other Emu =====
37717 
37718 
37719 
37720  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
37721 
37722  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
37723 
37724  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
37725 
37726 
37727 
37728 
37729 
37730$end
37731 
37732 
37733 
37734#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37735 
37736 
37737$info=vc4000
37738$bio
37739====== Interton VC4000 (1978) ======
37740 
37741 
37742 
37743 
37744 
37745===== Features =====
37746 
37747 
37748 
37749  * grid 
37750 
37751  * 4 8x10 single color sprites
37752 
37753  * single channel sound
37754 
37755  * special << load/reset button (must be pressed after power up)
37756 
37757  * special > select button
37758 
37759  * special start button
37760 
37761  * 2 controller with analog joystick and 14 key keypad
37762 
37763 
37764 
37765 
37766 
37767===== Usage =====
37768 
37769 
37770 
37771== Controller keypad ==
37772 
37773 
37774 
37775(keys do not have a label)
37776 
37777   
37778 
37779     a       b
37780 
37781   
37782 
37783     c   d   e
37784 
37785   
37786 
37787     f   g   h
37788 
37789   
37790 
37791     i   j   k
37792 
37793   
37794 
37795     l   m   n
37796 
37797   
37798 
37799  Note that a,b,d are the same: fire
37800 
37801 
37802 
37803== Dumping Cartridges ==
37804 
37805 
37806 
378079316 type ROMs are commonly used in these cartridges (a little bit different to 2716). Look into messroms for a pinout of it.
37808 
37809 
37810 
37811 
37812 
37813 
37814 
37815===== History and Trivia =====
37816 
37817 
37818 
37819Driver based on info by Paul Robson, Christian Windler, sponsored by Andreas W.
37820 
37821 
37822 
37823The Interton VC 4000 was quite popular in Germany. Interton produced a series of pong systems before releasing the VC-4000 in 1978. The console is quite obscure outside Germany, but many "software compatible" systems can be found in many countries (at least in Europe). It's unclear if Interton really made the VC-4000 from scratch or if they bought the rights and the design to produce it, as many other brands produced similar systems the following years. The same thing will happen with very similar systems: Emerson Arcadia 2001 & "clones"...
37824 
37825 
37826 
37827According to the excellent research work from Dale Hansen, the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System from Radofin would be the first member of the line as it was released in 1976! Radofin then licensed  its system wordlwide to different companies.
37828 
37829 
37830 
37831The VC-4000 is powered by a Sgnetics 2650A CPU (same as Arcadia 2001) and a Signetics 2636 Video Controller (Arcadia 2001 uses a 2637). The two controllers are composed of a 12 keys keypad, 2 fire buttons and an analog joystick. On the control panel of the system, one can find an on/off switch and three buttons: RESET, SELECT and START.
37832 
37833 
37834 
37835One particularity about this videogame "family" (VC-4000 & clones), is that they seem to be the only systems which required the game to be loaded into internal RAM from the cartridge, before being able to play (generally through a LOAD PROGRAM or equivalent button found on the control panel. On the VC-4000 it's the RESET button).
37836 
37837 
37838 
37839About 40 cartridges were released (37 so far). The games are not bad for 1978, but not impressive too... 
37840 
37841 
37842 
37843//(info from old-computers.com)//
37844 
37845 
37846 
37847== Models == 
37848 
37849 
37850 
37851The Interton VC-4000 is part of a group of consoles that all use a Signetics 2650A CPU inside (the same processor used in the Emerson Arcadia 2001). This group of consoles is believed to have started with the Interton VC-4000 (produced as early as 1974, but sold in 1978), because out of the group this console has the largest amount of games. The games on the 1292 are also similar to the games on the Interton VC-4000 (some have same titles and numbers). There are about six sub-groups within the Interton VC-4000 group. These are:
37852 
37853 
37854 
37855  * Interton VC-4000 consoles
37856 
37857     * Grundig: Super Play Computer 4000
37858 
37859     * Interton: VC-4000
37860 
37861  * 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System consoles
37862 
37863     * Acetronic: MPU-1000, MPU-2000
37864 
37865     * Audiosonic: PP-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, PP-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System
37866 
37867     * Fountain: 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, 1392 Advanced Programmable Video System, Force 2
37868 
37869     * Grandstand: Advanced Programmable Video System
37870 
37871     * Hanimex: HMG-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, HMG-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System
37872 
37873     * Lansay: Lansay 1392
37874 
37875     * Prinztronic: VC-6000, Prinztronic Tournament
37876 
37877     * Radofin: 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, 1392 Advanced Programmable Video System
37878 
37879  * Database consoles
37880 
37881     * Videomaster: Database
37882 
37883     * Waddington/Voltmace: Database
37884 
37885  * Television Computer System consoles
37886 
37887     * Rowtron: Television Computer System
37888 
37889  * Video TV Game consoles
37890 
37891     * Karvan: Jeu Video TV
37892 
37893     * Societe Occitane Electronique: OC-2000
37894 
37895  * MPT-05 consoles
37896 
37897     * ITMC MPT-05
37898 
37899 
37900 
37901To the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System sub-group there possibly belong also the Lansay 1292 (needs confirmation as to whether this console exists) and the Acetronic MPU-3000, released 1980 (compatibility with the 1292 series needs to be confirmed).
37902 
37903 
37904 
37905Notice that consoles are directly compatible with the other consoles in its sub-group, i.e. the cartridge sizes are the same. It is quite possible (in some cases, depending on which machine is being used) that games can be played on another sub-group's console, but a converter would be needed. It is known for a fact that games made for the Database group of consoles can be played on the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System sub-group because Voltmace made a converter that would allow this. The converter was advertised but its release is unconfirmed. Database games can definitely be played on Interton VC-4000 sub-group consoles. Voltmace made a converter to allow this and it was released. It is quite possible that all of the consoles in the Interton VC-4000 are cross-compatible, if only the correct converters were made. This would mean that the only thing restricting us from playing one system's games on another system within a different sub-group would be the cartridge size and only the cartridge size.
37906 
37907 
37908 
37909//(info on the models from 1292 FAQ -- http://www.consoledatabase.com/faq/1292/1292faq.txt)//
37910 
37911 
37912 
37913 
37914 
37915===== Links =====
37916 
37917 
37918 
37919  * VC4000.de -- http://www.vc4000.de/
37920 
37921  * Obscure Pixels (Many interesting weird & obscure stuff, including Arcadia 2001 / Interton VC 4000 compatible systems) -- http://www.retrogames.co.nz/
37922 
37923  * VC-4000 & 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System FAQ -- http://www.consoledatabase.com/faq/1292/1292faq.txt
37924 
37925  * VC4000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=726
37926 
37927 
37928 
37929 
37930 
37931$end
37932 
37933 
37934 
37935#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37936 
37937 
37938$info=vcg
37939$bio
37940====== Palladium Video - Computer - Game ======
37941 
37942 
37943 
37944 
37945 
37946===== Features =====
37947 
37948 
37949 
37950  * CPU: Signetics 2650A 3.58 MHz
37951 
37952  * Co-Processor: Signetics 2637 (Audio & video processing unit)
37953 
37954  * RAM: 1024 bytes
37955 
37956  * ROM: None in the conventional sense, though there was some built into the processor chips.
37957 
37958  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 208 / 128 x 104
37959 
37960  * Colors: 8
37961 
37962  * Sound: Single channel beeper
37963 
37964  * I/O Ports: RF video output, Power in
37965 
37966  * Controllers: Two detachable controllers made of a screwable analog joystick and a 16-button keypad
37967 
37968  * Media: Cartridges
37969 
37970 
37971 
37972 
37973 
37974===== Usage =====
37975 
37976 
37977 
37978MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run vcg emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
37979 
37980 
37981 
37982  mess vcg -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
37983 
37984 
37985 
37986== Controls ==
37987 
37988 
37989 
37990Controller Layout:
37991 
37992   
37993 
37994   (no labels)
37995 
37996   
37997 
37998      2/fire
37999 
38000   
38001 
38002  x1    x2    x3
38003 
38004   
38005 
38006   1    x4     3
38007 
38008   
38009 
38010   4     5     6
38011 
38012   
38013 
38014   7     8     9
38015 
38016   
38017 
38018  Del    0   Enter
38019 
38020 
38021 
38022 
38023 
38024===== Known Issues =====
38025 
38026 
38027 
38028Same as arcadia, additional keys supported. Notice that this system is a TESTDRIVER, i.e. it's not included in the pre-compiled MESS you find at mess.org -- http://www.mess.org/.
38029 
38030 
38031 
38032 
38033 
38034===== History and Trivia =====
38035 
38036 
38037 
38038Emerson Arcadia clone with different cartridge connector/pinout and 4 additional keys per controller. Driver sponsored by Ward Shrake, Stefan P.
38039 
38040 
38041 
38042The Palladium Video-Computer-Game is one of the many systems "software-compatible" with the Emerson Arcadia 2001.
38043 
38044 
38045 
38046Philips / Signetics developed a hardware platform to demonstrate the possibilities of their Signetics 2650 & 2636 chipsets. Somehow, this hardware was licenced (by Philips) to many third-companies around the world resulting in systems like the Interton VC-4000, Voltmace DataBase, Acetronic MPU-1000, ITMC MPT-05, etc.
38047 
38048 
38049 
38050Some times later, the hardware was improved, with the use of a Signetics 2637 instead of the 2636 (handling the audio & video). This resulted in a new wave of licenced systems, all based on the same hardware and playing the same games. The Emerson Arcadia 2001 was one of these systems.
38051 
38052 
38053 
38054These new systems, based on the 2650 & 2637 chipsets, are “software-compatible” with each others (but NOT compatible with systems of the Interton VC-4000 family). This means that the same code can work on all of them, and therefore that they all could play each other games if their cartridge slots were identical (which is not the case, resulting in the sub-groups listed below)
38055 
38056 
38057 
38058The Software library is not very impressive, but there are good reasons for that. First, some titles ar almost just direct ports from “Interton VC-4000 & compatible systems” group. Philips (remember, at the origin of this ystem) also had great plans for his new hardware platform. It released adaptations of famous Arcade classics (Pac-Man, Berzerk, Phoenix, etc.) but Atari sue them. Philips was then forced to deeply modify those games, resulting in poor adaptations… at least for the Arcadia 2001. In fact, outside US, other compatible systems sometimes had un-modified versions in their library (e.g. Robot Killer for the MPT-03). 
38059 
38060 
38061 
38062The Palladium Video-Computer-Game was marketed at least in Germany. It is equiped with two detachable controllers made of a screwable analog joystick and a 16-button keypad (rubber buttons). Small plastic overlays were delivered with each game, explaining the different key functions when placed over the keypads (like with the Mattel Intellivision).
38063 
38064 
38065 
38066The Control panel is made of 4 buttons (Start, Reset, Selector A and B) and a power switch.
38067 
38068 
38069 
38070The Palladium Video-Computer-Game is not be confused with another Palladium cartridge model, the Tele-Cassetten-Game. The Mr Altus and Polybrain systems are however the same system marketed under different brands. 
38071 
38072 
38073 
38074== Different Models ==
38075 
38076 
38077 
38078As previously mentioned, this hardware was sold from several firms with different names and slightly different cartridge connectors. Among the systems, belonging to the so-called "Arcadia 2001 console group", we can recognize 5 different families of consoles:
38079 
38080 
38081 
38082  * Emerson consoles
38083 
38084    * Advision: Advision Home Arcade (Fr)
38085 
38086    * Bandai: Arcadia (Jp)
38087 
38088    * Emerson: Arcadia 2001 (US), Arcadia (Au)
38089 
38090    * GiG Electronics: Leonardo (It)
38091 
38092    * Hanimex: HMG-2650 (De), HMG-2650 (Ca), Home Arcade Centre (UK)
38093 
38094    * Intercord: Intercord XL 2000 System (De)
38095 
38096    * Leisure-Dynamics: Leisure-Vision (Ca)
38097 
38098    * Monaco Leisure: Tunix Home Arcade (NZ)
38099 
38100    * Schmid: Schmid TVG-2000
38101 
38102    * Tchibo: Tele-Fever (De? Sw?)
38103 
38104    * Tele-Computer: Cosmos (Es)
38105 
38106    * Tempest: Tempest Video Computer Game (Au)
38107 
38108  * MPT-03 consoles
38109 
38110    * Hanimex: Hanimex MPT-03
38111 
38112    * ITMC: ITMC MPT-03
38113 
38114    * Morning-Sun Commerce: Dynavision (Jp)
38115 
38116    * P.I.C.: Ekusera (Jp)
38117 
38118    * Poppy: Poppy MPT-03 Tele Computer Spiel (De)
38119 
38120    * Prestige: Prestige Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Fr)
38121 
38122    * Rowtron: Rowtron 2000 (Eu), Rowtron Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Eu)
38123 
38124    * Soundic: Soundic MPT-03 (Eu)
38125 
38126    * Tempest: MPT-03 (Au)
38127 
38128    * Tobby: Tobby MPT-03 (?)
38129 
38130    * Tryom: Tryom Video Game Center (US?)
38131 
38132    * //Unknown//: Intelligent Game MPT-03 (US?)
38133 
38134  * Orbit consoles
38135 
38136    * Grandstand: Video Master (NZ)
38137 
38138    * Orbit Electronics: UVI Compu-Game (NZ)
38139 
38140  * Ormatu consoles
38141 
38142    * Intervision: Intervision 2001 (Eu)
38143 
38144    * Ormatu Electronics BV: Ormatu 2001 (Nl)
38145 
38146    * Sheen: Sheen Home Video Centre 2001 (Au)
38147 
38148  * Palladium consoles
38149 
38150    * Mr. Altus: Tele Brain (De)
38151 
38152    * Palladium: Palladium Telespiel (De), Palladium Video Computer Game (De)
38153 
38154    * Polybrain: Polybrain Video Computer Game (De)
38155 
38156    * Trakton: Trakton Computer Video Game (Au)
38157 
38158 
38159 
38160//(info on models from Digital Archaelogy -- http://www.digitpress.com/the_digs/arcadia/)//
38161 
38162 
38163 
38164 
38165 
38166===== Links =====
38167 
38168 
38169 
38170  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 FAQ -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/arc2001.txt
38171 
38172  * Amigan Software / Arcadia 2001 Central (Huge Arcadia 2001 archive for download) -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
38173 
38174  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 Gaming Guide -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/gg/
38175 
38176  * Obscure Pixels (Many interesting weird & obscure stuff, including Arcadia 2001 / Interton VC 4000 compatible systems) -- http://www.retrogames.co.nz/
38177 
38178  * CVG at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1223
38179 
38180 
38181 
38182 
38183 
38184===== Other Emulators =====
38185 
38186 
38187 
38188  * 2001 (for DOS) -- http://users.aol.com/mk14emu/arcadia.htm
38189 
38190  * Emulator2001 (for Windows) -- http://www.gstsoftware.co.nz/
38191 
38192  * WinArcadia -- http://amigan.byethost33.com/
38193 
38194 
38195 
38196 
38197 
38198$end
38199 
38200 
38201 
38202#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38203 
38204 
38205$info=vectrex
38206$bio
38207====== GCE Vectrex (1982) ======
38208 
38209 
38210 
38211 
38212 
38213===== Features =====
38214 
38215 
38216 
38217  * CPU: Motorola 68A09 1.6 MHz
38218 
38219  * RAM: 1K x 4-BIT 2114 (two)
38220 
38221  * ROM: 8K x 8-BIT 2363
38222 
38223  * Graphic Modes: Vector graphics (built-in 9" Samsung B&W vector deflection monitor)
38224 
38225  * Colors: Black & white (colors simulated by plastic screen overlays)
38226 
38227  * Sound: General Instrument AY-3-8912
38228 
38229  * I/O Ports: 2 controller connectors
38230 
38231  * Media: Cartridges
38232 
38233  * Peripherals: Second controller, lightpen, 3D imager
38234 
38235  * Controllers: One built-in controller (joystick + 4 buttons). Second controller optional.
38236 
38237  * Built In Software - Games: Mine Storm (built-in the system)
38238 
38239 
38240 
38241 
38242 
38243===== Usage =====
38244 
38245 
38246 
38247MESS supports cart dumps in .bin, .gam and .vec format for vectrex, using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Starting vectrex without any cart would give access to the built in game "Mine Storm".
38248 
38249 
38250 
38251== Overlays ==
38252 
38253 
38254 
38255Overlays are supported in .png format. To use the overlays, first of all you have to download them from somewhere and put them in the ''artwork/'' directory. The easiest way is to grab them from Mr. Do's page -- http://www.mameworld.net/mrdo/mess_artwork.html.
38256 
38257This way you would also obtain the .lay file which provides a list of the available overlays. 
38258 
38259 
38260 
38261Finally, either run MESS with the ''-nonewui'' option and use the //TAB// menu under //Video Options// to select an overlay at run-time (//TAB -> Video Options -> Overlay//), or specify the desired overlay on the command line, e.g. with
38262 
38263 
38264 
38265  mess vectrex -cart "C:\pathtogame\Armor Attack (1982).vec" -view armor
38266 
38267 
38268 
38269The text after ''-view'' is the beginning of the name of the game as listed under Video Options; you only need to type enough letters that only one game matches.
38270 
38271 
38272 
38273The default, if no ''-view'' is specified and the artwork are present, is to use the "Mine Storm" overlay. To play without an overlay, use ''-view standard'' (or select //Standard// from the menu).
38274 
38275 
38276 
38277Notice that .lay files are in a .xml-like format, and it's very easy to modify them if you want to build your own (see any .lay file in the MAME / MESS source for an example of the syntax). 
38278 
38279 
38280 
38281 
38282 
38283===== Known Issues =====
38284 
38285 
38286 
38287No light pen support. Almost every cartridge is playable, except those requiring the light pen. See ''vectrex.hsi'' for a current compatibility list. 
38288 
38289 
38290 
38291 
38292 
38293===== History and Trivia =====
38294 
38295 
38296 
38297The Vectrex was released in the US late in 1982 by General Consumer Electric (GCE) at a suggested retail price of $199. The Vectrex differed from other consoles in that it had its own built in nine inch by eleven inch vector monitor, and thus didn't require (or even allow) the use of a television set. The system even contained a built in game, the Asteroids-like "Mine Storm". 
38298 
38299 
38300 
38301The monochrome Vectrex used screen overlays to give the illusion of color, and also to reduce the severity of the inherent flickering caused by the vector monitor.
38302 
38303 
38304 
38305In 1983, GCE was merged into Milton Bradley, who expanded the Vectrex's market to include Europe. As the video game market declined and then crashed, the Vectrex exited the market in early 1984. The rights to the system reverted to its developers, Smith Engineering. 
38306 
38307 
38308 
38309Smith Engineering briefly considered designing a handheld version of the device in 1988, though the success of the Nintendo Game Boy made such a project too risky. In the mid-1990s, Smith Engineering condoned the duplication of the Vectrex system image and cartridges for non-commercial uses.
38310 
38311 
38312 
38313 
38314 
38315===== Links =====
38316 
38317 
38318 
38319  * Vectrex Game Database -- http://vgdb.vectrex.com/index.pl
38320 
38321  * The Vectrex Preservation Society -- http://www.classicgaming.com/vectrex/
38322 
38323 
38324 
38325 
38326 
38327===== Other Emulators =====
38328 
38329 
38330 
38331  * DVE -- http://www.arcadeathome.com/dve/
38332 
38333  * ParaJVE -- http://vectrex-emu.blogspot.com/
38334 
38335 
38336 
38337 
38338 
38339$end
38340 
38341 
38342 
38343#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38344 
38345 
38346$info=vic20
38347$bio
38348====== Commodore VIC20 and VC20 (1981) ======
38349 
38350 
38351 
38352 
38353 
38354===== Features =====
38355 
38356 
38357 
38358  * CPU: Commodore Semiconductor Group 6502A 1.0227 MHz
38359 
38360  * Co-Processor: VIC-I (6560) for sound and graphics.
38361 
38362  * RAM: 5 KB (3583 bytes free), expandable up to 32 KB
38363 
38364  * VRAM: Screen memory shared with regular RAM
38365 
38366  * ROM: 16 KB 
38367 
38368  * Text Modes: 23 rows x 22 columns
38369 
38370  * Graphic Modes: 184 x 176
38371 
38372  * Colors: 8 character colors, 16 background/border colors
38373 
38374  * Sound: 3 voices / 3 octaves
38375 
38376  * I/O Ports: 1 joystick port, 1 user port, 1 serial port, 1 cartrige port, Composite video output, tape interface
38377 
38378  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 4 function keys, 66 keys
38379 
38380  * Built In Language: CBM Basic V2
38381 
38382 
38383 
38384 
38385 
38386===== Usage =====
38387 
38388 
38389 
38390== Cassettes ==
38391 
38392 
38393 
38394Cassette images with the .wav or .prg extensions as well as multiple .prg files contained within a zip file can be loaded. Zip files must be placed in the current directory, and the contained prg files are played in sequential order.
38395 
38396 
38397 
38398The format for WAVs are: 
38399 
38400  8 bit (16 bit may work, but this hasn't been tested), mono, 12500 Hz minimum. 
38401 
38402 
38403 
38404This has the same problems as an original Datasette tape drive: the tone head must be adjusted to get working (no load error...) wav-files. To adjust it, remember that tape volume is "DAC1 volume" within the MESS UI On Screen Display Options (accessed
38405 
38406with the tilde (~) key).
38407 
38408 
38409 
38410Within the emulation, use 
38411 
38412  LOAD 
38413 
38414or 
38415 
38416  LOAD"" 
38417 
38418or 
38419 
38420  LOAD"",1 
38421 
38422for loading normal programs. Use 
38423 
38424  LOAD"",1,1 
38425 
38426for loading programs to a special address.
38427 
38428 
38429 
38430== Floppies ==
38431 
38432 
38433 
38434Disk drives are simulated at the moment, and only file loads from drive 8 and 9 are implemented. You can load a program file from the ROM directory (*.prg,*.p00)
38435 
38436 
38437 
38438This must NOT be specified on command line, start the vic20 emulation with no images specified
38439 
38440 
38441 
38442The directory command 
38443 
38444  LOAD"$",8 
38445 
38446is supported when using .d64 images.
38447 
38448 
38449 
38450Within the emulation, basic programs can be loaded with: 
38451 
38452  LOAD"filename",8 
38453 
38454 
38455 
38456Machine language programs can be loaded to their address with: 
38457 
38458  LOAD"filename",8,1
38459 
38460 
38461 
38462When a program is loaded, type 
38463 
38464  RUN 
38465 
38466or the appropriate SYS call to start it. 
38467 
38468 
38469 
38470Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
38471 
38472 
38473 
38474== Cartridge ==
38475 
38476 
38477 
38478Cartridges may have any of the following extensions: .bin .rom .a0 .20 .40 .60 .prg. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges may require more than one image (for example, defender.60 defender.a0).
38479 
38480 
38481 
38482  * .20 files loaded at 0x2000 
38483 
38484  * .40 files loaded at 0x4000
38485 
38486  * .60 files loaded at 0x6000
38487 
38488  * .a0 files loaded at 0xa000
38489 
38490  * .prg files loaded at address in its first two bytes
38491 
38492  * .bin and .rom files are loaded at 0x4000 when 0x4000 bytes long, otherwise they are loaded at 0xa000
38493 
38494 
38495 
38496Note that .prg files are assigned to the quickloader (so you have to use the -cart switch when loading ROM images).
38497 
38498 
38499 
38500== Quickloader ==
38501 
38502 
38503 
38504A quickloader is available via the f8 key. It supports program image files with the .prg extension. This loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It works with most programs. The program can be started by entering "RUN" in the emulation.
38505 
38506 
38507 
38508== Miscellaneous ==
38509 
38510 
38511 
38512Note that the pixel ratio for the PAL version is about 13/10 ! Resolution 1024x768 is good, but only part of the screen is filled. 800x600 is acceptable. Better to define own display mode (when the graphic driver supports this). 
38513 
38514 
38515 
38516If you run into difficulty, be sure to start the emulation with the -log switch, and look into the error.log file that is created in your MESS directory.
38517 
38518 
38519 
38520See "Keys (This Machine)" in the TAB/Options menu for key assignments. Some key usages of note:
38521 
38522 
38523 
38524  * "stop-restore" in many cases will cause the prompt to reappear.
38525 
38526  * "shift-cbm" switches between upper-only and normal character set (if wrong characters are on screen this often can help)
38527 
38528  * "run" (shift-stop) load and start program from tape.
38529 
38530 
38531 
38532The emulated light pen uses Paddle 3 x-axis and Paddle 4 y-axis.
38533 
38534 
38535 
38536While a normal or well written program will work regardless of the video system (PAL or NTSC), if the screen is too wide right or low, or the screen doesn't fit in visible area or gameplay is too fast try using the PAL (vc20) version, instead.
38537 
38538 
38539 
38540 
38541 
38542===== Known Issues =====
38543 
38544 
38545 
38546Some PC-Keyboards do not behave well when two or more special keys are pressed at the same time (with my keyboard printscreen clears the pressed pause key!)
38547 
38548 
38549 
38550  * The timer system only 98% accurate.
38551 
38552  * The serial bus allows simple disk support, but no printer or other devices at present.
38553 
38554  * No userport, no rs232/v.24 interface.
38555 
38556  * No special expansion modules like ieee488 interface are supported in the expansion port.
38557 
38558 
38559 
38560Image compatibility is quite high, see vic20.hsi for a partial list. The emulation features a rasterline based video system which should be enough for all vic20 games and programs. The emulation supports the keyboard, as well as joysticks, paddles and lightpen, via the emulated gameport, and simple Disk and Tape support. The expansion slot supports RAM and ROM cartridges, though not special expansion modules (see known issues). For a more complete vic20 emulation, take a look at the very good vice emulator.
38561 
38562 
38563 
38564 
38565 
38566===== History and Trivia =====
38567 
38568 
38569 
38570The VIC-20 - a "family" version of the PET series (using the same microprocessor and Basic language) - was the first computer to sell more than one million units. Once dubbed the MicroPET during the 1980 Computer Electronics Show, it later became known as the VIC-20. 
38571 
38572VIC referenced the VIC-I (Video Interface Chip) chip used for graphics and sound. There does not seem to be any obvious rationale behind the usage of the number 20, other than the fact that it was close to the 22 characters per line and to the combined RAM and ROM
38573 
38574memory in the machine (5 KB RAM + 16 KB ROM).
38575 
38576 
38577 
38578Regarding the name, Michael Tomczyk, (manager of the VIC project) recalls: "VIC sounded like a truck driver, so I insisted on attaching a number. I picked "20" and when Jack Tramiel asked, "Why 20?" I replied, "because it's a friendly number and this has to be 
38579 
38580a friendly computer." He agreed. The number 20 has no relation to any technical feature -- just my idea of a friendly sounding number. That sounds a bit bizarre looking back on it, but we did a lot of things by instinct in those days."
38581 
38582 
38583 
38584The European name VC20 stands for VolksComputer.
38585 
38586 
38587 
38588The VIC-20 was designed by Bob Yannes who also created the SID chip for the C64. He later joined Ensoniq to design synthesizers.
38589 
38590 
38591 
38592The Video Interface Chip (or 'VIC' as it is commonly called), is one of the most important silicon chips in the VIC-20 microcomputer, coming second only to the 6502A microprocessor itself. The VIC is a specially constructed input-output (I/O) chip that offers a large 
38593 
38594variety of functions, but as suggested by its name, is primarily concerned with the production of the video output signal. It was originally intended to be sold to third-party manufacturers for use in video game machines. Demand for the chip was low, and so Commodore decided to make their own system to recoup their losses.
38595 
38596 
38597 
38598The VIC-20 was initially launched in Japan in late 1980 (under the 'VIC-1001' name) with a Japanese 'Katakana' set of characters. It was subsequently released in North America in May of 1981. Though these are the "official" release dates, several prototypes of the Commodore VIC-20 were reportedly available in late 1979. These early machines offered only 4 KB of RAM and used a different set of game cartridges.
38599 
38600 
38601 
38602Thanks to the colorful graphics and low cost, the VIC-20 was an immediate success. At its peak, more than 9000 units rolled off the assembly line each day. Adding to its success was the fact that it was the first color computer to break the $300 (USD) price barrier.
38603 
38604 
38605 
38606A wide range of peripherals and software were developed for the VIC-20. When it became obsolete, Commodore replaced it by the Commodore 16 which had no success.
38607 
38608 
38609 
38610//(info from old-computers.com)//
38611 
38612 
38613 
38614 
38615 
38616===== Links =====
38617 
38618 
38619 
38620  * VIC-20 Archive -- http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/vic20/index.html
38621 
38622  * VIC-20 Tribute Page -- http://www.geocities.com/rmelick/new_page_2.htm
38623 
38624  * VIC-20 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=252
38625 
38626 
38627 
38628 
38629 
38630===== Other Emulators =====
38631 
38632 
38633 
38634  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
38635 
38636  * Pfau Zeh -- http://www.classicgaming.com/pfauzeh/
38637 
38638 
38639 
38640 
38641 
38642$end
38643 
38644 
38645 
38646#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38647 
38648 
38649$info=vip
38650$bio
38651====== RCA Cosmac VIP (1977) ======
38652 
38653 
38654 
38655 
38656 
38657===== Features =====
38658 
38659 
38660 
38661  * CPU: RCA CDP-1802 1.7609 MHz (4.54 microsecond per machine cycle)
38662 
38663  * Co-Processor: RCA CDP-1861 video chip
38664 
38665  * RAM: 2 Kb, upgradeable  to 32 kb
38666 
38667  * ROM: 4 kb CMOS ROM + 512 byte Monitor ROM
38668 
38669  * Text Modes: Texts are displayed using graphical features
38670 
38671  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 32
38672 
38673  * Colors: Black & white
38674 
38675  * Sound: 1.4 kHz tone generator. Ouput may be connected to any small standard 8 ohm speaker
38676 
38677  * I/O Ports: Video output, tape cassette interface (100 bytes per second)
38678 
38679  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal membrane keyboard, 16 keys
38680 
38681  * Built In Language: CHIP-8 interpreter
38682 
38683  * Peripherals: Expansion interface, Parallel I/O interface
38684 
38685 
38686 
38687 
38688 
38689===== Known Issues =====
38690 
38691 
38692 
38693The driver is almost complete, with some remaining issues (e.g. discrete sound emulation is missing)
38694 
38695 
38696 
38697 
38698 
38699===== History and Trivia =====
38700 
38701 
38702 
38703Very early home computer for TV connection
38704 
38705 
38706 
38707The Cosmac VIP, originaly named VP-111, is a typical hobbyist "single-board" computer sold as a kit. You had to build it yourself ! The system uses a RCA CDP-1802 microprocessor like the RCA Studio II video game system. In fact the Studio II is very similar to the VIP and 
38708 
38709can be considered as its video-game version. But the VIP is also somehow an improved version of the original Cosmac Elf board system, described in Popular Electronics magazine, august 76 and the following months. The CDP-1802 CPU was also used as the heart of the Voyager, Viking and Galileo probes ! Until recently the 1802 was quite popular (for alarm systems for example) thanks to its CMOS technology ideal for low power systems.
38710 
38711 
38712 
38713The Cosmac VIP has a most basic hexadecimal keyboard (16 keys). The language stored in ROM is called CHIP-8 and is only 512 bytes long ! It consists of 31 instructions each of which is two bytes (or four hex digits) long. It's a kind of simplified machine language. 16 one-byte variables are provided. Subroutine nesting and machine language inserts are permitted. CHIP-8 was quite popular at that time (Telmac 1800, ETI 660 and DREAM 6800 used it) as it allowed to program video games easily. CHIP-8 was not only used in the late 70's and early 80's. It was used in the early 90's on the HP48 calculator because there was no programming tools to develop fast games on it. Then, a better version of CHIP-8 appeared: SUPER-CHIP. This interpreter has all the CHIP-8 features, as well as and some new ones like a 128*64 resolution (source: David Winter).
38714 
38715 
38716 
38717RCA also sold Tiny Basic, a simple Basic interpreter, as a 4K ROM on an expansion board.
38718 
38719 
38720 
38721With this system, basic functions are : type programs into RAM from the hex keyboard, save and load programs on tapes, display memory bytes in hex on CRT, step through RAM contents and examine microprocessor registers. Wow.
38722 
38723 
38724 
38725The Cosmac VIP is equiped with a sound chip and a real-time crystal clock. The sound produced can be heard through the tape output connector. It was delivered with some documentations (CHIP-8, machine language) and listings of 20 video games !
38726 
38727 
38728 
38729To the left of the hexadecimal keyboard are a reset switch and LED indicators for power-on and cassette operation. Memory add-ons, expansion port and parallel interface are pre-wired on the motherboard but have to be implemented as options. With the I/O interface, you could connect interface relays, sensors, printers or ASCII keyboards.
38730 
38731 
38732 
38733//(info from old-computers.com)//
38734 
38735 
38736 
38737 
38738 
38739===== Links =====
38740 
38741 
38742 
38743  * VIP at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=543
38744 
38745 
38746 
38747 
38748 
38749===== Other Emulators =====
38750 
38751 
38752 
38753  * CHIP-8 Emu -- http://myweb.worldnet.net/~winter/chip8/chip8.htm
38754 
38755 
38756 
38757 
38758 
38759$end
38760 
38761 
38762 
38763#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38764 
38765 
38766$info=wscolor
38767$bio
38768====== Bandai WonderSwan Color (2000) ======
38769 
38770 
38771 
38772 
38773 
38774===== Usage =====
38775 
38776 
38777 
38778WonderSwan Color in MESS requires a cart dump in .ws, .wsc or bin format to work. To run it, you can use the "cartridge" (cart) device, e.g. from command line
38779 
38780 
38781 
38782  mess wscolor -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.wsc"
38783 
38784 
38785 
38786 
38787 
38788===== Known Issues =====
38789 
38790 
38791 
38792WonderSwan Color emulation in MESS still has imperfect sound.
38793 
38794 
38795 
38796 
38797 
38798===== History and Trivia =====
38799 
38800 
38801 
38802The WonderSwan Color is a handheld game console designed by Bandai. It was released on December 30th, 2000 in Japan, and it had a moderate success.
38803 
38804 
38805 
38806The main feature of the WonderSwan Color, compared to the original WonderSwan, is of course the color LCD screen. In fact, the new system was slightly larger and heavier than his predecessor, and features 64k of RAM. On the other hand, no substantial change has been done to the internal hardware, making the WonderSwan Color fully compatible with the original WonderSwan library of games.
38807 
38808 
38809 
38810Prior to WonderSwan's release, Nintendo had virtually a monopoly in the Japanese videogame handheld market. Thanks to its low price, Bandai's handheld was able to cut its own position in the market.
38811 
38812 
38813 
38814Another reason for the WonderSwan's success in Japan was the fact that Bandai managed to get a deal with Squaresoft to port over the first "Final Fantasy" games, previously released on Famicom in the 1980s, with improved graphics and controls. Together with the large number of Bandai's games based on popular manga and anime brands, this helped to sell a lot of units. 
38815 
38816 
38817 
38818However, with the success of the Game Boy Advance and new agreements between Squaresoft and Nintendo, the WonderSwan Color and its successor, the SwanCrystal, quickly lost their advantage.
38819 
38820 
38821 
38822== Personal Data == 
38823 
38824 
38825 
38826Before a WonderSwan can play games, the player must enter some personal information. The personal data screen can be reached by pressing the start and power buttons simultaneously. It requests a name, birthday (year, month, day), sex and bloodtype. The name will appear under the Bandai logo when the system is turned on. Option settings for default volume and contrast may also be set here.
38827 
38828 
38829 
38830== SwanCrystal ==
38831 
38832 
38833 
38834The SwanCrystal was the third version of Bandai's WonderSwan handheld game console, succeeding the WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color. It was released November 2002.
38835 
38836 
38837 
38838It is essentially the same as the WonderSwan Color, except that it uses a TFT LCD, superior in response time to the LCD technology used previously. This helps the visualization of the game on the screen and reduces the ghosting effect. Other notable differences are the four selectable volume settings (only 3 three were present before), and the position of the power button (now in the front of the system, instead than on a side).
38839 
38840 
38841 
38842Due to lack of hardware changes, the Bandai SwanCrystal is compatible with games for both the WonderSwan Color and the original WonderSwan. 
38843 
38844 
38845 
38846The SwanCrystal was available in four case colors: Skeleton Blue, Skeleton Black, Blue Violet and Red Wine. 
38847 
38848 
38849 
38850//(info from Wikipedia)//
38851 
38852 
38853 
38854 
38855 
38856===== Links =====
38857 
38858 
38859 
38860  * [[wp>WonderSwan_Color]]
38861 
38862  * [[wp>Swan_Crystal]]
38863 
38864 
38865 
38866 
38867 
38868===== Other Emulators =====
38869 
38870 
38871 
38872  * Oswan -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/oswan/
38873 
38874  * Cygne -- http://cygne.emuunlim.com/
38875 
38876  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
38877 
38878  * WSCamp [no link]
38879 
38880 
38881 
38882 
38883 
38884$end
38885 
38886 
38887 
38888#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38889 
38890 
38891$info=wswan
38892$bio
38893====== Bandai WonderSwan (1999) ======
38894 
38895 
38896 
38897 
38898 
38899===== Features =====
38900 
38901 
38902 
38903  * CPU : 16-bit processor at 3.072 MHz 
38904 
38905  * Screen (dot matrix section): FSTN reflective LCD, 224 x 144 pixels (2.49-inch)
38906 
38907  * Display performance : Max. 512 characters, max. 128 sprites (32 on one horizontal line), two screens (overlay possible), screen windows and sprite windows.
38908 
38909  * Graphics : 8-shade monochrome in the dot matrix section and six icons at the static section.
38910 
38911  * Audio: 4-channel digital stereo sound. Built-in speaker or optional headphones with stereo adapter.
38912 
38913  * Size : 74.3mm x 121mm x 24.3 mm (H)
38914 
38915  * Weight : 93g (without battery) 110g (with battery)
38916 
38917  * Power : 1 AA battery or rechargeable pack, ~40 hours playtime
38918 
38919  * Connecting Ports : Link Port, Stereo Jack & cartridge port
38920 
38921  * Cartridge Capacity: ROM and/or RAM - maximum 128Meg (like Beat Mania)
38922 
38923  * Features: Can be played holding the unit vertically or horizontally. Built-in EEPROM and 1Kbit RAM for backing up game data. Several levels of energy-saving control.
38924 
38925 
38926 
38927 
38928 
38929===== Usage =====
38930 
38931 
38932 
38933WonderSwan in MESS requires a cart dump in .ws, .wsc or bin format to work. To run it, you can use the "cartridge" (cart) device, e.g. from command line
38934 
38935 
38936 
38937  mess wswan -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.ws"
38938 
38939 
38940 
38941 
38942 
38943===== Known Issues =====
38944 
38945 
38946 
38947WonderSwan emulation in MESS still has imperfect sound.
38948 
38949 
38950 
38951 
38952 
38953===== History and Trivia =====
38954 
38955 
38956 
38957WonderSwan is a handheld game console released in Japan by Bandai in March 1999. It was designed by Koto, a company founded by Gunpei Yokoi (the man whose designed the original Nintendo Game Boy), and Bandai. The WonderSwan was made to compete with the SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color and the Nintendo Game Boy Color, the market leader.
38958 
38959 
38960 
38961The WonderSwan was later replaced by the WonderSwan Color, an evolution of the hardware featuring a color display. Although some WonderSwan Color games are compatible with the original WonderSwan, many are designed exclusively for the WonderSwan Color. The latter ones show a "This cartridge is for WonderSwan Color only" message when run on the original WonderSwan.
38962 
38963 
38964 
38965The WonderSwan was available in ten different case colors, was playable both vertically and horizontally, and featured a fairly large library of games. Many of the games were based on popular Japanese manga and anime brands, thanks to Bandai's licenses.
38966 
38967 
38968 
38969As it was a console designed essentially for the Japanese market, most of the games are in Japanese, with only a few featuring English text.
38970 
38971 
38972 
38973//(info from Wikipedia)//
38974 
38975 
38976 
38977 
38978 
38979===== Links =====
38980 
38981 
38982 
38983  * [[wp>WonderSwan]]
38984 
38985 
38986 
38987 
38988 
38989===== Other Emulators =====
38990 
38991 
38992 
38993  * Oswan -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/oswan/
38994 
38995  * Cygne -- http://cygne.emuunlim.com/
38996 
38997  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
38998 
38999  * WSCamp [no link]
39000 
39001 
39002 
39003 
39004 
39005$end
39006 
39007 
39008 
39009#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39010 
39011 
39012$info=x68000
39013$bio
39014====== Sharp X68000 (1987) ======
39015 
39016 
39017 
39018 
39019 
39020===== Features =====
39021 
39022 
39023 
39024  * CPU: Motorola MC68000 10 MHz
39025 
39026  * Co-Processor: Unknown
39027 
39028  * RAM: 1 MB (up to 12 MB)
39029 
39030  * VRAM: 512 KB graphic + 512 KB text
39031 
39032  * ROM: 1 MB
39033 
39034  * Text Modes: Unknown
39035 
39036  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 240 / 256 x 256 / 512 x 240 / 512 x 256 / 512 x 512 / 640 x 480 / 768 x 512 / 1024 x 1024 / 128 sprites (16 x 16 dots)
39037 
39038  * Colors: 65535 (16 colors in 1024 x 1024 to 65K in 512 x 512)
39039 
39040  * Sound: FM Sound (Yamaha YM2151 : 2 channels / 8 octaves stereo) + ADPCM (OKI MSM6258V : 4 bit mono)
39041 
39042  * I/O Ports: Joystick(2), Audio IN / OUT, Stereo scope, TV Control, NTSC Video Image I/O, Expansion (2 slots), External FDD, SASI, RS232
39043 
39044  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
39045 
39046  * Built In Media: 2 x 5.25" disk-drive
39047 
39048  * OS: Human 68K 1.0 + VS
39049 
39050 
39051 
39052 
39053 
39054 
39055 
39056 
39057 
39058===== Usage =====
39059 
39060 
39061 
39062  * Some default key mappings:
39063 
39064    * Opt.1 -> Print Screen
39065 
39066    * Opt.2 -> Pause/Break
39067 
39068    * XF1 -> F11
39069 
39070    * XF2 -> F12
39071 
39072    * ; and + -> ; and :
39073 
39074    * : and * -> ' and "
39075 
39076    * " -> Shift-2
39077 
39078    * Roll Up and Roll Down -> Page Up and Page Down
39079 
39080 
39081 
39082  * Some keys are not mapped, as the X68000 has more keys than most PC keyboards do, but under Human68k, you can open a software keyboard using the right mouse button twice (make sure -mouse is enabled), allowing you to click on keys using the mouse pointer.  The software keyboard also includes a built-in calculator.
39083 
39084 
39085 
39086  * Executable files under Human68k or SX-Windows have the .X extension.  They are run by typing the filename at the command prompt, minus the .X extension, or double-clicking the file icon in SX-Windows.
39087 
39088 
39089 
39090  * Many basic DOS functions are also present under Human68k, like dir, tree, copy, even pushing F3 (not XF3) to re-display the last command.
39091 
39092 
39093 
39094  * Don't know how to type in Japanese filenames?  Under Human68k, you can push TAB to cycle through file or directory names in the current directory.  It can also complete file or directory names for you, if you have already typed the first few characters.
39095 
39096 
39097 
39098  * Most game disks are bootable, so generally no interaction with Human68k is needed for them.
39099 
39100 
39101 
39102  * Different BIOS versions are supported via the -bios parameter in MESS:
39103 
39104 
39105 
39106  "-bios 0" or "-bios ipl10" = IPL-ROM v1.0
39107 
39108   
39109 
39110  "-bios 1" or "-bios ipl11" = IPL-ROM v1.1
39111 
39112   
39113 
39114  "-bios 2" or "-bios ipl12" = IPL-ROM v1.2
39115 
39116   
39117 
39118  "-bios 3" or "-bios ipl13" = IPL-ROM v1.3 (92/11/27)
39119 
39120 
39121 
39122 
39123 
39124==== Keyboard layout ====
39125 
39126 
39127 
39128113-key (if I counted it right) Qwerty keyboard.
39129 
39130 
39131 
39132 
39133 
39134 
39135 
39136 
39137 
39138===== Known Issues =====
39139 
39140 
39141 
39142  * Lacks emulation of the OKI MSM6258 ADPCM.
39143 
39144  * Lacks hard disk (either SASI or SCSI) emulation.
39145 
39146  * Real-time clock alarm function is not emulated.
39147 
39148  * Raster effects don't work.
39149 
39150  * Keyboard emulation isn't perfect (not currently working until new MFP USART code is plugged in, you can still use the software keyboard via the mouse, however).
39151 
39152  * Setting of Supervisor area isn't emulated.
39153 
39154  * Some games have horizontal sprite offset issues ranging from minimal (Exciting Hour) to major (Kyukyoku Tiger).
39155 
39156  * List of tested games that don't work, or have major problems
39157 
39158    * Lemmings
39159 
39160    * Gemini Wing
39161 
39162    * Baraduke
39163 
39164    * Viewpoint (corrupt graphics, locks up after a short time)
39165 
39166    * Flying Shark
39167 
39168    * ...and probably a number of others
39169 
39170 
39171 
39172 
39173 
39174===== History and Trivia =====
39175 
39176 
39177 
39178Here is the first of a great family. It is the successor of the Sharp X1 family, shipped with a unique square screen monitor, fist in a grey case, then in black.
39179 
39180 
39181 
39182Instead of using the Zilog Z80, it uses a powerful Motorola MC 68000. This computer (and all its family) has great features (look at the emulator), it was more powerful than the other 68000 computers at this time (Atari ST or Amiga 500) : more colors or more hardware sprites, hardware scrolling, genlocking, perspective or playfields (up to 16) .
39183 
39184 
39185 
39186Unfortunately, it was never marketed outside Japan where it was and still is very very popular! Too bad, I'm sure it would have a great success!! A very great range of games were developed for the X680x0 serie and the best arcade conversions were done on this computer.
39187 
39188 
39189 
39190It runs under Human 68K, an operating system which looks like CP/M 68 or MSDOS and uses a graphic user interface called VS.
39191 
39192 
39193 
39194Notice that the development is still active on that computer, several OSes have been ported on the X68000, the most famous are Minix and Unix NetBSD and all the GNU tools and there are some projects under development : XNeptune (a Ethernet card) or Ko-Windows (a 'NextStep-like' graphic environment).
39195 
39196 
39197 
39198It was followed by the X68000 Ace and Ace HD. 
39199 
39200 
39201 
39202//(info from old-computers.com)//
39203 
39204 
39205 
39206 
39207 
39208===== Links =====
39209 
39210 
39211 
39212  * X680x0 Story -- http://www.kh.rim.or.jp/~tron/X68monogatari.html
39213 
39214  * X68000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=298
39215 
39216 
39217 
39218 
39219 
39220===== Other Emulators =====
39221 
39222 
39223 
39224  * Virtual X68000 -- http://www.vx68k.org/vx68k/
39225 
39226  * EX68 -- http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~yamama/emul/
39227 
39228  * XM6 -- http://www.ipc-tokai.or.jp/~ytanaka/x680x0/xm6.shtml
39229 
39230  * X68000 Java Emu -- http://homepage2.nifty.com/m_kamada/java/x68000/
39231 
39232 
39233 
39234 
39235 
39236$end
39237 
39238 
39239 
39240#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39241 
39242 
39243$info=z88
39244$bio
39245====== Cambridge Computers Z88 (1988) ======
39246 
39247 
39248 
39249 
39250 
39251===== Features =====
39252 
39253 
39254 
39255  * CPU: CMOS Z80A 3.2768MHz
39256 
39257  * RAM: 32 KB, 128 KB or 512 KB depending on models (the Z88 can address up to 4Mb of memory, subdivided into 256 banks of 16K each)
39258 
39259  * ROM: 128 KB (up to 1 MB)
39260 
39261  * Text Modes: 104 chars. x 8 lines
39262 
39263  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 64 (the screen is typically shared between a text area of up to 104 x 8 characters on the left and a graphics area of up to 256 x 64 pixels (on the right). Additionally there is a 16 x 64 pixel status information window at the far right)
39264 
39265  * Colors: 3 shades of gray
39266 
39267  * Sound: Miniature loudspeaker, used for alarms or warnings.
39268 
39269  * I/O Ports: RS232, 3 Expansion ports (RAM or EPROM), Z80 Bus
39270 
39271  * Keyboard: 64 rubber-key QWERTY arrangement, including full-size spacebar.
39272 
39273  * OS: OZ
39274 
39275  * Built In Language: Diary, PipeDream (combined wordprocessor/spreadsheet), Terminal, Printer Editor, BBC BASIC, Index (application/card manager), Filer (file/EPROM manager), Calendar, Calculator, Clock, Alarm, Import/Export (file transfer) and Panel (control settings).
39276 
39277 
39278 
39279 
39280 
39281===== Usage =====
39282 
39283 
39284 
39285== Keyboard ==
39286 
39287 
39288 
39289This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
39290 
39291 
39292 
39293 
39294 
39295===== Known Issues =====
39296 
39297 
39298 
39299The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
39300 
39301 
39302 
39303 
39304 
39305===== History and Trivia =====
39306 
39307 
39308 
39309The Z88 is a portable system with a LCD screen display and good sized keyboard.
39310 
39311 
39312 
39313Amstrad bought the rights to use the Sinclair name on computer products. However, while Sir Clive Sinclair (the creator of the ZX 80, ZX 81, ZX Spectrum and QL) retained ownership of Sinclair Research, he couldn't use the Sinclair name. Sir Sinclair therefore created a new 
39314 
39315company called Cambridge Research, with the intention of realizing an old project, the Pandora Project. The result of this work was the Z88 (it was achieved in 1988). Sir Sinclair at the time thought it was a revolution and said that this computer would be one of the best 
39316 
39317commercial successes. Actually it was Clive Sinclair's last contribution to the computer world!
39318 
39319 
39320 
39321This small machine was quite powerful; its operating system could exceed the 64 KB limitation of the Z80 with a good memory manager. It could also divide the memory into 16 KB pages, so the RAM could be expanded up to 3 MB thanks to 2 expansion ports. RAM cartridges of 32 KB and 128 KB were available. It had a built-in EPROM programmer available on the 3rd expansion port, so data could be saved directly on 128 KB EPROMs.
39322 
39323 
39324 
39325The ROM contained a lot of software: Pipedream (spreadsheet, word processor and database), the Z80 version of the BBC Basic (the Basic of the BBC or Electron), a diary, a calendar, a clock, a conversion tool, a VT 52 terminal emulator, Filer (the file manager of the Operating System) and a utility to transfer data to a PC compatible via a RS232 link. This transfer utility exported text and spreadsheet files into Wordstar or Lotus 1-2-3 formats.
39326 
39327 
39328 
39329The BBC Basic in the Z88, although very powerful, lacks an essential feature: there is neither an editor nor debugger! This means that mistakes in a line can only be corrected by typing the whole line again! (reported by Jan M.L. Bosmans)
39330 
39331 
39332 
39333//(info from old-computers.com)//
39334 
39335 
39336 
39337 
39338 
39339===== Links =====
39340 
39341 
39342 
39343  * Dennis Groning's Z88 Page -- http://www.algonet.se/~dennisgr/z88.htm
39344 
39345  * John Allen's Pages -- http://www.johnallen.com/z88/
39346 
39347  * Z88 Forever! -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/z88forever/
39348 
39349  * Z88 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=279
39350 
39351 
39352 
39353 
39354 
39355===== Other Emulators =====
39356 
39357 
39358 
39359  * Z88 Emu -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/z88forever/emulator.htm
39360 
39361 
39362 
39363 
39364 
39365$end
39366 
39367 
39368 
39369#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39370 
39371 
39372$info=zx80
39373$bio
39374====== Sinclair ZX 80 (1980) ======
39375 
39376 
39377 
39378 
39379 
39380===== Features =====
39381 
39382 
39383 
39384  * CPU: NEC 780C-1 (Z80 compatible) 3.25 MHz
39385 
39386  * RAM: 1 KB, 901 bytes available (upgradeable  to 64 KB)
39387 
39388  * ROM: 4 KB. Can be expended to 8 KB, thereby making it almost a ZX81
39389 
39390  * Text Modes: 32 chars. x 22 lines
39391 
39392  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 44 dots
39393 
39394  * Colors: Monochrome
39395 
39396  * Sound: None
39397 
39398  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, tape, TV/RF video
39399 
39400  * Keyboard: Membrane keyboard, 40 keys, 1 SHIFT key
39401 
39402  * Peripherals: 16 KB RAM extension
39403 
39404  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic
39405 
39406 
39407 
39408 
39409 
39410===== History and Trivia =====
39411 
39412 
39413 
39414A home computer built in the United Kingdom.
39415 
39416 
39417 
39418The Sinclair ZX 80 is the ancestor of the Sinclair ZX 81. It had a short life (less than one year)
39419 
39420 
39421 
39422After the modest but encouraging success of the MK-14 (initiation board with hexadecimal keyboard), Sinclair (at the time Sciences of Cambridge) decided to develop a slightly more advanced computer.
39423 
39424 
39425 
39426The ZX-80 is regarded as a pioneer system in micro-computing as at the time the only available computers were kits for hobbyists like the MK-14 or more expensive systems intended for education or research such as the Tandy TRS-80 or the Commodore PET.
39427 
39428 
39429 
39430The ZX-80 inaugurated the transition between the hobbyist world and the consumer electronics by proposing a true computer in its case for less than �100.
39431 
39432 
39433 
39434Technically, the ZX-80 is not a revolutionary system but is rather the result of a search for economy through the choice of the components, starting with the membrane keyboard, or the RAM memory limited to 1kb. The operating system, the editor and the Basic interpreter fit into the 4kb of the ROM !
39435 
39436 
39437 
39438The ZX-80 met some success with nearly 70.000 machines sold in less than one year, announcing the future success of the ZX-81 and at the same time the birth of a new major actor in the micro-computers world : Sinclair Computers Ltd. It was replaced in 1981 with the ZX 81, which was more integrated and cheaper.
39439 
39440 
39441 
39442//(info from old-computers.com)//
39443 
39444 
39445 
39446 
39447 
39448===== Links =====
39449 
39450 
39451 
39452  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zx80/zx80.htm
39453 
39454  * ZX80 World -- http://freespace.virgin.net/christopher.cox/zx80/index.htm
39455 
39456  * ZX80 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=262
39457 
39458 
39459 
39460 
39461 
39462===== Other Emulators =====
39463 
39464 
39465 
39466  * VB81 -- http://freestuff.grok.co.uk/vb81/
39467 
39468  * XTender -- http://www.delhez.demon.nl/
39469 
39470  * No$ZX81 -- http://www.work.de/nocash/zx8.htm
39471 
39472  * EightyOne -- http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/
39473 
39474 
39475 
39476 
39477 
39478$end
39479 
39480 
39481 
39482#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39483 
39484 
39485$info=zx81
39486$bio
39487====== Sinclair ZX 81 / Timex Sinclair 1000 (1981) ======
39488 
39489 
39490 
39491 
39492 
39493===== Features =====
39494 
39495 
39496 
39497  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5 MHz
39498 
39499  * RAM: 1 KB (901 bytes available, up to 64 KB)
39500 
39501  * ROM: 8 KB
39502 
39503  * Text Modes: 32 x 24 (but 2 lines are reserved for system messages and commands)
39504 
39505  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 44
39506 
39507  * Colors: Black and white
39508 
39509  * Sound: None
39510 
39511  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, tape, video
39512 
39513  * Keyboard: Touch-sensitive keyboard, 40 keys
39514 
39515  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic
39516 
39517 
39518 
39519 
39520 
39521===== Known Issues =====
39522 
39523 
39524 
39525MESS supports three revisions of the ZX81 bios. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
39526 
39527   
39528 
39529  "-bios 0" or "-bios 3rd" = 3rd rev.
39530 
39531   
39532 
39533  "-bios 1" or "-bios 1st" = 1st rev.
39534 
39535   
39536 
39537  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2nd" = 2nd rev.
39538 
39539 
39540 
39541 
39542 
39543===== History and Trivia =====
39544 
39545 
39546 
39547A home computer built in the United Kingdom.
39548 
39549 
39550 
39551The Sinclair ZX 81 was the successor of the ZX 80, and can be regarded as an evolution of it.
39552 
39553 
39554 
39555The ZX80 could not handle floating point numbers or cassette data files, but the ZX-81 could. The ZX-80 had 4k ROM : the ZX-81 had 8K ROM with 30 additional functions and some instructions to drive the printer. Thanks to a higher level of integrations (the total number of chips in the basic system was 4, against the ZX80's 21), the ZX-81 cost £30 less than the ZX-80. The plastic case was also different. Whereas the ZX-80 looked cheap in it lightweight white case, the ZX-81 was beautifully designed in its black ABS plastic case.
39556 
39557 
39558 
39559The keyboard was still formed by an underprinted plastic, but this one was made of non-reflective material. Even with this slight improvement it was quite horrible to use, that's why a lot of additional keyboards appeared quickly on the market. Some of the keys sported up to 5 functions, right in the Sinclair tradition, accessible through the "GRAPHICS", "SHIFT" and "FUNCTION" keys.
39560 
39561 
39562 
39563Here are the functions added over the ZX-80 : ASN, ACS, ATN COS, EXP, INKEY$, PI, SGN, SIN SQR, INT, LEN, LN, TAN, VAL, <=, >=, < >, COPY, DIM A$, FAST, FOR ... TO ... STEP, LLIST, LLIST n, LPRINT, PAUSE, PLOT, PRINT AT, PRINT TAB, SCROLL, SLOW, UNPLOT. Some are quite useful and make you wonder how it was possible to make anything on the ZX-80 !? However, one function disappeared: TL$ which was used to return a string minus its first character.
39564 
39565 
39566 
39567The ZX-81 could be operated in two modes, SLOW and FAST. The FAST mode which was the only mode available on the ZX-80, only refreshed the display when the system had completed computing, resulting in a painful screen flicker! It was a useful mode when you had to do a lot of calculation without the need to see what's going on all the time on the screen. The SLOW mode, which was indeed quite slooooowwww, behaved like all other computers did, refreshing the screen all the time.
39568 
39569 
39570 
39571The ZX81 contained only four main chips : the ROM, Z80A CPU, 1K RAM and the Ferranti custom-made chip! It is as simple as that. The machine was assembled by Timex Corporation in their Scottish plant.
39572 
39573 
39574 
39575This computer was a very great success in Europe in the beginning of the 80's. It was very cheap and a lot of people who now are working on modern PCs or Macs, made their first move on a ZX 81 even though its performance was actually poor!
39576 
39577 
39578 
39579A very great range of peripherals were developed for this computer, among them : 3.5" floppy disk units, keyboards, high resolution graphic cards, RS232 or Centronics interfaces, RAM expansions, etc... In fact, it was possible to make a pretty good computer from the ZX 81!
39580 
39581 
39582 
39583It was followed by the ZX-Spectrum and was also sold as the Timex Sinclair 1000 in the USA. The main difference was that the TS 1000 has 2 KB RAM instead of the 1 KB RAM of the original ZX-81.
39584 
39585 
39586 
39587//(info from old-computers.com)//
39588 
39589 
39590 
39591 
39592 
39593===== Links =====
39594 
39595 
39596 
39597  * Achromic's ZX81 Page -- http://zx81.achromic.co.uk/
39598 
39599  * Jame's Sinclair ZX-81 Page -- http://james.istop.com/zx81/
39600 
39601  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zx81/zx81.htm
39602 
39603  * TS1000.US -- http://www.ts1000.us/
39604 
39605  * ZX81 Stuff -- http://www.zx81stuff.org.uk/
39606 
39607  * ZX81 Home Page -- http://www.honneamise.u-net.com/zx81/
39608 
39609  * ZX Team -- http://www.zx81.de/
39610 
39611  * ZX81 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=263
39612 
39613 
39614 
39615 
39616 
39617===== Other Emulators =====
39618 
39619 
39620 
39621  * VB81 -- http://freestuff.grok.co.uk/vb81/
39622 
39623  * XTender -- http://www.delhez.demon.nl/
39624 
39625  * No$ZX81 -- http://www.work.de/nocash/zx8.htm
39626 
39627  * EightyOne -- http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/
39628 
39629 
39630 
39631 
39632 
39633$end
39634 
39635 
39636 
39637#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39638 
1# ====== MESS System Information File ======
2#
3# This file contains the basic system information for most of the drivers presented in the MESS distribution. The most current copy of this file resides at [[http://mess.redump.net/sysinfo]] and is also available in the MESS SVN repository.
4#
5# All corrections and submissions are welcome, please try to duplicate formating of other entries to ensure that the file looks proper in the MESS release. Also when possible cite any references.
6#
7# Driver entries are usually divided into these sections:
8#
9#   * **Features** -- Usually a quick list of important or unique features of that system.
10#
11#   * **Usage** -- This section lists any helpful commands for the computer or console in question, such as disk operating system and file loading BASIC commands. This information is not intended to replace a proper owner's manual for the system in question, and only contains the most simple commands that can also be found on any of dozens of websites devoted to the system. Moreover, this section can often have subsections devoted to the use of Cassettes, Floppy Disks, Cartridges and/or other particular hardware. We also show here, when available, the original layout of keyboard and keypad.
12#
13#   * **Known Issues** -- This section lists any known issues or bugs for the driver. These will be fixed as time and knowledge permit. Please be patient. If you have information that may help the MESS team resolve these issues go to the [[http://www.mess.org|MESS Homepage]].
14#
15#   * **History and Trivia** -- This section contains various background pieces for a system. Much of the information in this section (and in the Features one) was kindly provided by Thierry Schembri and Olivier Boisseau of the [[http://www.old-computers.com|old-computers.com Museum]]. Notice that we tried to credit the source of every bit of information we included, but we could have missed some: if you think that someone shall be credited and it's not, please let us know.
16#
17#   * **Links** -- This section lists links to information resources on the web. If any link is outdated, or if you know any interesting link missing, please let us know.
18#
19#   * **Other Emulators** -- This section lists alternative emulators for that system. If any link is outdated, or if you know of any good emulator missing, please let us know.
20#
21# A short (and hopefully catchy) introduction may also be present at the beginning of each entry, to give the user an immediate idea of the emulated system.
22#
23#
24# This file was generated on 2010-05-14 from the info stored in the MESS DevWiki.
25
26$info=3do
27$bio
28====== 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (1993) ======
29
30
31
32Probably the first 32bit console, 3DO features a wide selection of FMV games and only a few gems (like "Wing Commander III", "Lucienne's Quest", "Gex", and the original "Alone in the Dark").
33
34
35
36
37
38===== Features =====
39
40
41
42  * CPU: 32-bit ARM60 RISC CPU 12.5 MHz, custom Math co-processor (designed by NTG for accelerating fixed-point matrix operations).
43
44  * RAM: 2 MB RDAM + 32 KB SRAM (battery backed up)
45
46  * VRAM: 1 MB DRAM
47
48  * ROM: 1 MB
49
50  * Display: Two accelerated video co-processors (25MHZ [NTSC], 29.5MHZ [PAL] clock rate), capable of producing 9-16 million pixels per second (36-64 megapixels interpolated), distorted, scaled, rotated and texture mapped
51
52  * Graphic Modes: 640x480
53
54  * Colors: 16.7 million colors
55
56  * Sound: Custom 16-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 25Mhz with 44.1 kHz sound sampling rate and 3D sound support. 3DO has also fully Dolby Surround support
57
58  * I/O Ports: 1 AV I/O port (for FMV cartridge), 1 I/O Expansion port, 1 control port (can daisy chain up to 8 peripherals), stereo audio output, composite video output
59
60  * Media: CD-ROMs
61
62  * CD-ROM drive: 320ms access time, double speed 300kbps data transfer, 32KB RAM buffer
63
64  * Controllers: Standard DPad, 3 action buttons, L+R buttons, Start/Select, Head Phone Jack and volume control dial
65
66
67
68
69
70===== Usage =====
71
72
73
74MESS supports the following 3do versions:
75
76
77
78  * 3do [3DO (NTSC)]
79
80  * 3do_pal [3DO (PAL)]
81
82
83
84== Controls ==
85
86
87
883DO games are controlled through a 8-way Directional Pad (D-Pad), similar to the one present in most console controllers since mid-80s, and 5 buttons: 3 front buttons labeled as A, B and C, and two dorsal buttons L and R. Additional buttons P and X, used as Start and Select buttons, but also for Play and Stop functions in the CD player, are present on the controllers. Finally a headphone jack and a volume control dial are present, on the bottom part of the controller.
89
90
91
92A few games can be controlled through a steering wheel, a flightstick or a lightgun.
93
94
95
96Currently, MESS has no controller emulation.
97
98
99
100== BIOS options ==
101
102
103
104Different 3DO models are supported for each version: "Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO", "Goldstar 3DO v1.01m", "Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO", "Goldstar 3DO Alive II", "Sanyo TRY 3DO" (the last two being NTSC only). You can switch between them, changing the ''-bios'' parameter. At command line,
105
106
107
108  * [3do]
109
110
111
112  "-bios 0" or "-bios panafz10" = Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
113
114 
115
116  "-bios 1" or "-bios goldstar" = Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer v1.01m
117
118 
119
120  "-bios 2" or "-bios panafz1" = Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
121
122 
123
124  "-bios 3" or "-bios gsalive2" = Goldstar 3DO Alive II
125
126 
127
128  "-bios 4" or "-bios sanyotry" = Sanyo TRY 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
129
130
131
132  * [3do_pal]
133
134
135
136  "-bios 0" or "-bios panafz10" = Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
137
138 
139
140  "-bios 1" or "-bios goldstar" = Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer v1.01m
141
142 
143
144  "-bios 2" or "-bios panafz1" = Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
145
146
147
148== Software ==
149
150
151
152A list of 3DO software can be found [[:sysinfo:3do:softlist|here]].
153
154
155
156
157
158===== Known Issues =====
159
160
161
162The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
163
164
165
166
167
168===== History and Trivia =====
169
170
171
1723DO Interactive Multiplayer (often referred to as 3DO) is a set of technical specifications created by "3DO Company" in 1993. "3DO Company" was the result of a partnership between Matsushita, AT&T, Time Warner, MCA, Electronic Arts, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (a venture capital firm) and the New Technologies Group (NTG). None of these companies ever manufactured a single console. Other manufacturing companies (in the end only Panasonic, Goldstar and Sanyo) could license the rights to create their own console and label them as "3DO", by simply fulfilling the required specifications.
173
174
175
176The system was conceived by Trip Hawkins, the man who created Electronic Arts in 1982, and its technologies were originally designed by Dave Needle and Robert J. Mical of New Technology Group, which already designed the Atari Lynx.
177
178
179
180Technically, a 3DO system can run 3DO Interactive software, play audio CD's (including support for CD+G), view Photo-CDs and even play Video CD's by using a special add-on MPEG1 FMV cartridge (but this cartridge was only available for the American Goldstar and Japanese Panasonic 3DO systems).
181
182
183
184Despite a highly-promoted launch and its advanced technology, 3DO never met the expected success. The main reason for this has probably to be sought in the system's high price, not balanced by high quality titles, neither at launch nor immediately after. For sure, few titles exploited the full potential of the console, and the most well-received titles were often ports of games from other systems. This prevented any real 3DO penetration in the console market.
185
186
187
1883DO Company's official position about the price was that 3DO was a high-end audio-visual system rather than a simple videogame console, so the price was fair. Only in 1996 they announced a price drop, probably to help the diffusion and popularity before the launch of the promised next-gen console M2, but it was definitely too late.
189
190
191
192Among other interesting characteristics featured by 3DO:
193
194  * a built-in music visualizer, the first in a console system, converting CD music to a mesmerizing color pattern;
195
196  * a custom OS, loaded from CD (not present in the internal ROM), consisting of
197
198    * a multitasking kernel with drivers for peripherals, a complete file system and support for physical storage,
199
200    * several software "folios" that provide a link between application software and the 3DO hardware, and are designed to allow software compatibility as new versions of the hardware are developed;
201
202  * up to 8 controllers can be daisy-chained on the system at once; other peripherals may also be hooked into the system: a mouse, a steering wheel, a light gun and a flight stick have been produced;
203
204  * no regional lockouts and no copy protections; nevertheless, a few Japanese games cannot be played on non-Japanese 3DO consoles due to a missing special kanji font (at the request of the 3DO company, most third-party developers included this font directly on the game CDs so that they could be played on any 3DO console; however, a few did not).
205
206
207
208In addition Panasonic, Sanyo and Goldstar models, also a 3DO Blaster ISA peripheral card for PCs was manufactured by Creative Technology, offering all the features of the home console and allowing the PC to play 3DO games.
209
210
211
212The 3DO system was eventually discontinued at the end of 1996 with a complete shutdown of all internal hardware development and divestment of the M2 technology. 3DO restructured themselves around this same time, becoming a multi-platform software company until its bankrupt in 2003. Also, the "M2" technology, i.e. the second generation of the hardware based on a PowerPC 602 processor, was sold to Matsushita.
213
214Later, Konami made an M2-based arcade board: as games ran straight from the CD-ROM drive, it suffered from long load times and a high failure rate. Only few games were developed for it.
215
216
217
218== 3DO Models ==
219
220
221
222  * Panasonic FZ-1 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan, Asia, North America and Europe).
223
224  * Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan, North America and Europe): Less expensive than the FZ-1 and smaller, was characterized by its top-loading design, which addressed the problem of hardware failures of the CD tray in FZ-1.
225
226  * Goldstar 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (South Korea, North America and Europe): Early models of the Goldstar systems cause some games not to work.
227
228  * Goldstar 3DO ALIVE II (South Korea only).
229
230  * Sanyo TRY 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan only).
231
232  * Creative 3DO BLASTER - PC card (ISA slot) with a 2xCD-ROM drive and one controller that enables a PC to play 3DO games.
233
234
235
236== Canceled Models ==
237
238
239
240Various other companies showed (or claimed to have) interest in manufacturing a 3DO based system. Among them:
241
242
243
244  * Samsung: home console including built-in MPEG decoding hardware;
245
246  * Toshiba: car navigation system based around the 3DO architecture;
247
248  * AT&T: home console including a modem for networked games and communication;
249
250  * Scientific Atlanta: interactive TV test for US West;
251
252  * American Laser Games, Atari Games, Electronic Arts: arcade systems based on the 3DO.
253
254
255
256None of the above project seems to have reached the completion.
257
258
259
260== Controllers ==
261
262
263
264  * Joypad 3 buttons: standard joypad with 3 action buttons (A, B, C), two more front buttons (X, P) also used to control the CD player, and two dorsal buttons (L, R)
265
266  * Joypad 6 buttons: this joypad simply remaps 6 out of 7 buttons of the standard joypad for easier use with "Super Street Fighter II Turbo"
267
268  * Mouse: with 3 buttons
269
270  * Flight Stick Pro
271
272  * Gamegun
273
274  * Steering Wheel
275
276
277
278//(info from old-computers.org, Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
279
280
281
282
283
284===== Links =====
285
286
287
288  * 3DO Today -- http://3do.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
289
290  * [[wp>3DO_Interactive_Multiplayer]]
291
292  * 3DO at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1160
293
294
295
296
297
298===== Other Emulators =====
299
300
301
302  * FreeDo -- http://www.freedo.org/ (dead)
303
304
305
306
307
308$end
309
310
311
312#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
313
314
315$info=4004clk
316$bio
317====== Weinrich's 4004 Nixie Clock (2008) ======
318
319
320
321===== History and Trivia =====
322
323
324
325This is a clock designed by John L. Weinrich, around a i4004 CPU, in occasion of his retirement in 2008. Its //display// consists of 6 Nixie tubes and 4 Neon Lamps.
326
327
328
329===== Links =====
330
331
332
333  * Weinrich’s Home Page -- http://home.comcast.net/~4004clock/
334
335
336
337
338
339$end
340
341
342
343#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
344
345
346$info=990189
347$bio
348====== Texas Instruments TM 990/189 University Board Microcomputer (1979) ======
349
350
351
352
353
354===== Usage =====
355
356
357
358This driver emulates a TM990/189 with University Basic.
359
360
361
362MESS also emulates the 990189 with a "cassette" (cass) device, supporting .wav files.
363
364
365
366Finally, notice that the "serial" (serl) port is emulated as well.
367
368
369
370== Misc ==
371
372
373
374This computer has a 10-character 8-segment LED display and a 45-key keyboard. Key mapping can be read in the TAB menu.
375
376
377
378Programs can be saved to tape with 'SAVE', and restored with 'LOAD'.
379
380
381
382The 10-char window can be moved horizontally with Shift+V, Shift+W, Shift+Y and Shift+Z.  Previously typed characters can be deleted with Shift+M. You can discard the current line, exit List mode or break program execution with Shift+9 (ESC).
383
384
385
386
387
388===== History and Trivia =====
389
390
391
392The TM990/189 University Board Microcomputer was designed in 1978 and probably released in early 1979.
393
394
395
396Its primary target was University computing courses.
397
398
399
400It was sold with a simple assembler & debugger, UNIBUG, and a 500-page textbook titled "Introduction to Microprocessor".  The UNIBUG program has not been dumped, and is therefore not available.
401
402
403
404TI additionally sold University Basic for the TM990/189.  It is a relatively simple Basic interpreter.  This program is emulated.
405
406
407
408//(info from Raphael Nabet, author of the MESS driver)//
409
410
411
412
413
414$end
415
416
417
418#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
419
420
421$info=990189v
422$bio
423====== Texas Instruments TM 990/189 University Board Microcomputer with Video Board Interface (1980) ======
424
425
426
427
428
429===== Usage =====
430
431
432
433This driver emulates a TM990/189 with University Basic and the optional Color Video Board. You can use all the video opcodes documented in the University Basic Manual.
434
435
436
437MESS also emulates the 990189v with a "cassette" (cass) device, supporting .wav files.
438
439
440
441Finally, notice that the "serial" (serl) port is emulated as well.
442
443
444
445== Demonstration Programs ==
446
447
448
449The optional demonstration EPROM set includes demonstration programs. They can be loaded with LOAD 0, LOAD 1, LOAD 2 and LOAD 3.  Some programs are supposed to do some user interaction, but they were set up to run in demo mode, so that you must edit the source code to run the programs interactively: for instance, to play the brick-wall game, you must type 'LOAD 2', then enter '5 SP=0' to disable demonstration mode, then 'RUN'.
450
451
452
453There are two undocumented built-in Basic instructions that can be used if you have the demonstration EPROMs installed: PLOT and JOY.  These instructions are not fully implemented in University Basic, and they rely on assembly language subroutines located on the Demonstration EPROMs.
454
455
456
457The PLOT instruction draws lines in multicolor mode (which is entered by "MODE 8" through "MODE 15"). "PLOT 0,n" sets up the screen for multicolor mode, and must be executed before any other PLOT instruction (n is ignored). "PLOT 1,c[,x,y]" sets the pen color to c, and sets the coordinates of the lower left corner to (x,y). "PLOT 5,x,y" sets the pen position absolutely, and "PLOT 3,x,y" sets the pen position relatively to the current pen position. "PLOT 6,x,y" draws a line from the current pen position to a new pen position
458
459expressed absolutely, and "PLOT 4,x,y" draws a line from the current pen position to a new pen position expressed relatively to the current pen position. "PLOT 2,x,y" and "PLOT 7,x,y" do not do anything.
460
461
462
463The JOY function reads the state of either joystick.  "JOY 0" reads the analog X-axis for joystick 1, "JOY 1" reads the analog Y-axis for joystick 1, "JOY 2" reads the button state for joystick 1, "JOY 3" reads the analog X-axis for joystick 2, "JOY 4" reads the analog Y-axis for joystick 2, and "JOY 5" reads the button state for joystick 2.
464
465
466
467== Keyboard ==
468
469
470
471This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
472
473
474
475
476
477===== History and Trivia =====
478
479
480
481The Color Video Board was released in 1980.  It includes a TMS9918 VDP, a joystick interface, and two EPROM sockets.  The VDP enables to display colorful graphics on a video monitor.
482
483
484
485This board was not designed by TI, but an external society (Eyring Research Institute).
486
487
488
489//(info from Raphael Nabet, author of the MESS driver)//
490
491
492
493
494
495$end
496
497
498
499#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
500
501
502$info=a1000n
503$bio
504====== CBM Amiga 1000 (1985) ======
505
506
507
508
509
510===== Features =====
511
512
513
514  * CPU: Motorola MC68000 7.16 MHz
515
516  * Co-Processors: Denise (video), Agnus (memory manager, blitter & copper), Paula (sound and disk access)
517
518  * RAM: 256kb, upgradeable  to 512k internally. Extensible to 8.5 MB with extension card (512 KB CHIP RAM + 8 MB FAST RAM) and to 10 MB
519
520  * ROM: 8 KB (The Kickstart isn't in ROM but loaded at the boot in RAM, where it takes 256 KB)
521
522  * Text Modes: 60 x 32 / 80 x 32
523
524  * Graphics Modes: 320 x 200 and 320x400 (32 colors), 640 x 200 and 640 x 400 (16 colors)
525
526  * Colors: up to 64 colors among 4096 (EHB mode) The Amiga can display 4096 colors simultaneously (HAM mode) but only for static display.
527
528  * Sound: Four 8 bit PCM voices, 9 octaves
529
530  * I/O Ports: RGB, RF & composite video ouputs, external floppy disk port, Centronics, RS232c, Expansion port, stereo sound, Atari Compatible joysticks (2), RAM expansion port, keyboard connector
531
532  * Keyboard: full-size typewriter style, 89 keys, 10 function keys and numeric keypad
533
534  * Built In Media: one 3.5" disk-drive, double sided double density, 880k formatted storage capacity
535
536  * OS: AmigaDOS (1.0/1.1/1.2/1.3) + WorkBench (GUI)
537
538
539
540
541
542===== Usage =====
543
544
545
546MESS emulates the following computers
547
548
549
550  * a1000n [Amiga 1000 (NTSC)]
551
552  * a1000p [Amiga 1000 (PAL)]
553
554
555
556For both drivers, MESS supports two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .adf format.
557
558
559
560== Keyboard ==
561
562
563
564These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
565
566
567
568
569
570===== Known Issues =====
571
572
573
574The driver is now working fairly well, though some games may need more memory than currently emulated. The graphic emulation of these systems is known to be imperfect.
575
576
577
578
579
580===== History and Trivia =====
581
582
583
584The conceptor of the Amiga 1000 was Jay Miner, who created the Atari 800 many years before. He wanted to make the most powerful computer ever, then he joined a little California company called Amiga. He used the principle of the three coprocessors (again) to help the
585
586main processor.
587
588
589
590At the beginning, the Amiga had only 64 kilobytes of RAM!, Atari wanted to buy the Amiga but finally, Commodore succeeded to buy it (then there was a lawsuit, which Commodore won). It was meant to be a competitor to the Atari 520 ST.
591
592
593
594The operating system was done by Metacomco, a British company who specialized in the 68000 processor (they also made languages for the Sinclair QL). It is a fully multitasking system which looks like UNIX with a graphical user interface. It was the very first personal computer with great graphics and sound capabilities with a GUI environment. Amiga BASIC was written by Microsoft (like most other versions of BASIC). The Amiga 1000 began to lose popularity one year later with the creation of its two main successors: the Amiga 500 and the Amiga 2000.
595
596
597
598There were two versions of the Amiga 1000. The first one, just called "Amiga", was sold only in USA, had a NTSC display, and didn't have the video modes EHB and HAM, later versions would have this built in. The second one, called "Amiga 1000" (to avoid confusion with its successor, the Amiga 2000) had a PAL display, enhanced video modes (HAM & EHB) and was built in Germany.
599
600
601
602//(info from old-computers.com)//
603
604
605
606
607
608===== Links =====
609
610
611
612  * Amiga Technologies Homepage -- http://www.amiga.de/
613
614  * Amiga Interactive Guide -- http://amiga.emugaming.com/
615
616  * AMIGART.COM -- http://www.amigart.com/
617
618  * Hall of Light - the database of Amiga games -- http://hol.abime.net/
619
620  * Amiga 1000 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=28
621
622
623
624
625
626===== Other Emulators =====
627
628
629
630  * UAE (Ubiquitous Amiga Emulator) -- http://www.freiburg.linux.de/~uae/
631
632  * WinUAE -- http://www.winuae.net/
633
634  * Experimental UAE -- http://www.rcdrummond.net/uae/
635
636
637
638
639
640$end
641
642
643
644#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
645
646
647$info=a2600
648$bio
649====== Atari 2600 Video Computer System (1977) ======
650
651
652
653Atari 2600, also known as Atari VCS, has been synonym of video game for all the early '80s and it made Atari's fortune until the great video game crash of 1983. Some of its most notable titles include "Adventure", "Pitfall!" and "Breakout".
654
655
656
657
658
659===== Features =====
660
661
662
663  * CPU: MOS 6507 1.19 MHz
664
665  * ROM: 4k max
666
667  * RAM: 128 bytes, in VLSI
668
669  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 260 (horz.) at 60.00 Hz
670
671  * Sprites: 32
672
673  * Colors: 256 (static)
674
675  * Sound Processor: Two Channel Square or Noise (TIA)
676
677  * I/O Ports: Two controller connectors, Power in, RF TV output
678
679  * Controllers: 2 joysticks with one fire button each
680
681  * Media: Cartridges
682
683
684
685
686
687===== Usage =====
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 2600 versions:
696
697
698
699  * a2600 [Atari 2600 (NTSC)]
700
701  * a2600p [Atari 2600 (PAL)]
702
703
704
705both of them require a ''cartridge'' (''cart'') to run, either in .a26 or .bin format. You can start the emulation with
706
707
708
709  mess a2600 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.a26"
710
711
712
713Some games may require an additional tape to work, this can be added using the ''cassette'' (''cass'') device which expects a tape in either .wav or .a26 format.
714
715
716
717== Controls ==
718
719
720
721Original Atari 2600 has six switches on its top: Power (On / Off), TV signal (B/W or Color), Difficulty for each player (called A and B), Select, and Reset. Except for the power switch, games sometimes assign other functions to these switches. On later models the difficulty switches were miniaturized and moved to the back of the unit.
722
723
724
725Atari 2600 games can be controlled through either joysticks or paddles, the latter ones being much more precise. Both kinds of controller have a single button on its left.
726
727
728
729Some cartridge requires the 12-keys keyboard controller (or the Kid's controller) which has the following layout:
730
731
732
733  1  2  3
734
735 
736
737  4  5  6
738
739 
740
741  7  8  9
742
743 
744
745  *  0  #
746
747
748
749Among these games, "A Game of Concentration (Hunt & Score, Memory Match)", "Alpha Beam with Ernie", "BASIC Programming", "Big Bird's Egg Catch", "Brain Games", "Codebreaker", "Cookie Monster Munch", "Grover's Music Maker (prototype)", "MagiCard", "Oscar's Trash Race", "Star Raiders".
750
751
752
753"Sentinel" and "Shooting Arcade (prototype)" use a lightgun, while "Indy 500" and "Stell-A-Sketch" use a driving controller.
754
755
756
757MESS supports many different Atari 2600 controllers. You can choose among them in the ''Categories'' menu that you can access by pressing <key>Tab</key>. Available controllers are:
758
759  Joystick
760
761  Paddles
762
763  Driving
764
765  Keypad
766
767  Booster Grip
768
769  KidVid Voice Module
770
771You can use the "KidVid Voice Module" by selecting it in the right controller port, while using a standard joystick in the left controller port.
772
773
774
775== Software ==
776
777
778
779A list of Atari 2600 software can be found [[:sysinfo:a2600:softlist|here]].
780
781
782
783
784
785===== Known Issues =====
786
787
788
789  * Good compatibility (few games are even more accurate than in Stella, e.g. "Solaris" and its space warp)
790
791  * Support for Starpath Supercharger and Kid Vid Voice Module
792
793  * Missing support for lightguns and a few other controllers
794
795
796
797
798
799===== History and Trivia =====
800
801
802
803The Atari Video Computer System (VCS) was released in 1977.  The system was designed by Joe Decuir, Steve Mayer and Ron Milner, and developed under the project codename "Stella". Although the Atari VCS is not the first video game console ever, it became a star starting from in November of 1977. Millions of young players will hold it as mankind’s best invention ever.
804
805
806
807Initially the console was set to come with an integrated ROM game, but at the last minute, Atari preferred a cartridge version. This game was "Combat". Most importantly, this first cartridge will allow console owners to wait a few months for the release of new games. A first series of 8 will be followed later by many, among them, the famous "Space Invaders", a title giving Atari global success and will cash in more than $100 millions.
808
809
810
811In two years, Atari sold more than 25 million consoles and earned $5 billion in sales, mostly from cartridges and optional accessories. Many third companies will also encounter success, such as Activision and its "Pitfall!".
812
813
814
815In 1982, the VCS became "2600", followed by new systems "5200" and "7800". The new name Atari 2600 came from its model number CX2600. It is rumored that the number 2600 was chosen because 2600 cycles was a prominent long distance access tone, and that one of the developers had created devices that would trick pay phones into granting long distance access as a hobby. Not sure if there is any truth in this.
816
817
818
819In 1984 Atari was sold, but the 2600 continued to be produced and new games will appear until Jan 1st, 1992, when Atari Corporation officially retired it.
820
821
822
823The Atari 2600 success was so huge that still today, after more than 30 years from its appearance, many hobbyists produce and sell new games for the console!
824
825
826
827== Versions of Atari 2600 ==
828
829
830
831Many versions of Atari 2600 were released:
832
833
834
835  * **Atari VCS CX2600**: Original model. Woodgrain and black plastic enclosure. Light and heavy weighted plastic. Six silver switches across the upper front panel. Bundled accessories included two CX40 joysticks, one CX30 paddle controller, AC adapter, TV switch and a CX2601 Combat game cart.
836
837
838
839  * **Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I**: Same as above except external cosmetic differences (the "difficulty" switches are labeled "skill level", the switch panel is silver instead of black, and the woodgrain pattern is different.)
840
841
842
843  * **Atari VCS 2600A**: Revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the original, except there are four silver switches across the upper front panel instead of six. The difficulty switches were moved to the rear of the unit. Internally, the motherboard is a simplified one-piece design.
844
845
846
847  * **Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I(A)**: Same as above except for external cosmetic differences.
848
849
850
851  * **Atari VCS 2600A (black)**: Second revised model. Externally it is nearly identical to the 2600A, except the enclosure has a more modern looking "black out" treatment. The areas of woodgrain on the original models are now simply black plastic. Internally, the motherboard is a slight revision of the 2600A.
852
853
854
855  * **Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II**: Entirely new model of the 2600 designed exclusively for Sears. Black wedge-shaped enclosure, with push button switches and LEDs on top panel. Essentially an Atari 7800 shell. Four joystick connectors on lower front panel with rocker switch. Internally very different from other 2600 models, but still uses the same basic chipset. Bundled accessories include two combination joystick/paddle controllers, AC adapter, TV switch and a Space Invaders game cart.
856
857
858
859  * **Atari 2800**: same as Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II but with Atari label. Released only in Japan. Very rare.
860
861
862
863  * **Atari 2600 "Jr."**: Third revised model. It is slightly larger than a VHS video tape case. Some versions have "Jr" stamped onto the bottom sticker. Large black buttons. Power and b/w switches slide, while Reset and Game Select are push buttons. Jet black with large metallic silver strip running lengthwise across the front with "Atari 2600" on it. Marketed as the "Under 50 bucks, the fun is back!" machine. Bundled accessories include one joystick, AC adapter, TV switch box, and RCA connecting cable. Box is designed as a carrying case with handle and a white section which reads: "This Atari 2600 belongs to:". No bundled cart. The unit came in either a maroon or silver box.
864
865
866
867  * **Atari 2600 "Jr."**: same as above except silver plate has a larger rainbow strip without an embossed border.
868
869
870
871== Miscellaneous notes ==
872
873
874
875All 6 switch Atari 2600s had a large shield casing. There were at least two 6-switch versions:
876
877
878
879  * (6-1) The original. The entire bottom half of the console was made of quarter inch thick plastic (~6mm)! Combined with the thick aluminum RF casing, this is the heaviest 2600 ever made. Also, this 2600 has no 2/3 channel select switch. There is a channel select hole in the case and it's marked Channel A/B, but there's no switch inside on the PCB. These consoles came with "01 Combat" cart. (1977 models only)
880
881
882
883  * (6-2) The lighter 2600. No armor plating. Bottom half of console is made of thin plastic, like the 4 switch models. Channel switch now present. Thick RF shield still present. Plain old "Combat" included.
884
885
886
887The were also minor variations on 4 front switch, woodgrain panel models. On some, the difficulty switches are marked "Expert/Novice" (or was it "Advanced/Beginner"?) and others are marked only as "A/B".
888
889
890
891Many Atari 2600 clones exists. Probably the most famous is the Gemini, an inexpensive clone 2600 made by Coleco. It sports an all black, box-shaped enclosure with six small slide switches (say that fast) on top of front panel. On the back panel, there is an RF modulator port and a power adapter port. Two joystick ports and difficult switches live on the front panel. Bundled bits include two dual-joystick/paddle controllers, a 9volt/500ma DC adapter, an RF cable, a TV switch and Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap carts.
892
893
894
895== Peripherals ==
896
897
898
899  * **Starpath Supercharger**: Large cartridge that plugged into the 2600 slot. It has a cable with standard 1/8" jack for plugging into tape recorders. Games were distributed on cassette tape. The unit itself contains 6K RAM and 2K ROM. ROM is in top 2K and RAM is banked in lower 2K.
900
901  * **Kid Vid Control**: Coleco cassette recorder and cartridge interface. Additional wire connects recorder to joystick port. Voices and songs tell player what to do on screen. Tape shuts off automatically to wait for player input. 3 tapes per game, only games were "Berenstain Bears" and "Smurfs Save the Day".
902
903  * **Compumate**: 42 key touchpad computer add-on from Spectravideo. Adds 16K ROM, 2K RAM, and has BASIC. Looks like a small keyboard attached to a cartridge, which is in turn connected to the joystick ports.
904
905  * **CVC GameLine**: Gameline was a service offered by Control Video Corporation that admitted the downloading of games to the the 2600 over regular phone lines. The Gameline used a variable 800-2000 baud modem, according to Kevin Horton's no-longer-there Gameline Page. The Gameline Master Module originally sold for $49.95 and there was a one-time membership fee of $15. Charges were about $.10 a game or $1 for up to an hour of play. Contest games were $1 and there was a $.50 charge to enter a score. On your birthday, not only were you given free play for a day, but you also received a Happy Birthday screen, complete with cake, candles and music. The service did not last very long.
906
907  * **Personal Game Programmer**: By Answer, similar to Game Genie.
908
909  * **Game Selex**: from Starplex, allows 9 cartridges to be plugged in at once; turn a dial to choose the game.
910
911  * **ROM Scanner**: from Marjac, allows 10 cartridges to be plugged in, press a button to choose game.
912
913  * **Video Game Brain**: from RGA International Limited. A multiple cartridge adapter that holds six games to play, and contains 2 dummy slots for additional cart storage. You select the game you want to play by pushing a button in front of that cartridge.
914
915  * **Videoplexer**: by Compro was an 8 cart bankswitcher. It had a smoke brown plexiglass hood and 8 sensor touch buttons on the front panel. The manual claimed to Reduce the wear on your expensive system and cartridges.
916
917  * **Copy Cart**: from Vidco, allowed transfer of a game onto a blank cartridge. Battery powered, not all games can be copied because of memory limitations.
918
919  * **Unimex SP280**: by Unimex. A game duplicator which copied games to a EPROM cart. Available EPROM carts were 2K and 4K; 8K (and perhaps 16K) EPROMs were announced, but none have been seen. The manual stated that the carts could be erased by opening them and placing the EPROM under a tanning lamp (Unimex also offered erasing services for a nominal fee).
920
921
922
923== Controllers ==
924
925
926
927  * **Atari Joystick**: This joystick was packed in with most officially released Atari consoles. It features a Joystick and 1 action button. The directional controls of the very first models (1977-1979) were spring activated, the revised version that you normally find uses pressure contacts.
928
929  * **Atari Paddle Controllers**: These are the standard paddle controllers for use with games such as "Breakout" and "Warlords". You can connect a pair of controller per connector (this allows for 4-players in "Warlords"). While they may look similar to the Driving Controller, they do not allow 360 degree movements, so it is not possible to play "Indy 500" with the Paddle controllers.
930
931  * **Atari Driving Controller**: This looks similar to the Paddle Controllers, but it allows 360 degree movements. It was packaged with "Indy 500", the only game that uses 360 degree turning. Also, there is only one controller per cable, as opposed to the Paddle Controllers which allowed two controllers per cable.
932
933  * **Atari Space Age Joystick**: Marketed as an advanced controller, the Space Age joystick features a pistol grip and trigger button. The control stick is on the top of the unit, and an additional button sits atop that. Aside from the unusual shape and choice of buttons, this joystick doesn't add any new functionality, and is compatible with all other joystick games.
934
935  * **Atari Remote Control Joysticks**: These wireless controllers look like standard joysticks, but have a deeper base for batteries and extra wiring. The receiver plugs into the two joystick ports on the 2600 console.
936
937  * **Atari Track-Ball**: There exists two different Atari models, with different case and different shape of the fire buttons (triangular in later models).
938
939  * **Atari Kid's Controller**: Marketed for the "Children's Television Workshop" series of games.  Functionally it's the same as a Video Touch Pad or Keyboard Controller, but it's larger so that children may more easily use it. Separate Overlays for the controller were sold with the four CTW games.
940
941  * **Atari Keyboard Controllers**: Sold in pairs, functionally identical to the Kid's Controller and the Video Touch Pad. The Keyboard Controllers came packaged with Basic Programming, and Included overlays with commands.
942
943  * **Atari Video Touch Pad**: Also known as the "Star Raiders" controller, functionally identical to the Kid's Controller and Keyboard Controller.  Game included an overlay with commands, for use with "Star Raiders".
944
945  * **Atari Track & Field Controller**: This controller features a design similar to the arcade version. Sold with "Track & Field", but also available separately for use on other systems.  Will work with any game, but it only offers left/right/fire functions. It works surprisingly well, and certainly adds a new dimension to Track and Field.
946
947  * **Atari XE Light Gun**: Actually sold under the XE line, but compatible with the two Atari 2600 games that utilize a light gun, "Sentinel" and Atari's "Shooting Gallery (prototype)". It's also compatible with the Atari 7800 and other Atari home systems. Atari never made a gun specifically for the 2600.
948
949  * **Amiga Joyboard**: Sold with the skiing game "Mogul Maniac", the joyboard is a platform that you control by standing on it and leaning in different directions. It is also used by the prototype games "Off Your Rocker" and "Surf's Up". It's an interesting controller, but not terribly effective. You'll probably have better luck with a joystick.
950
951  * **CBS Booster Grip**: The Booster Grip is a controller add-in that plugs directly into the joystick port and provides a pass-through for the joystick. In doing so, it provides the two independent buttons necessary for "Omega Race".
952
953  * **Exus Foot Craz Activity Pad**: The Foot Craz was sold with "Video Jogger" and "Video Reflex", and is sort of a precursor to Nintendo's Power Pad.  It was intended to get lazy video game players off their rear's and engaged in physical activity.
954
955  * **Milton Bradley Cosmic Commander**: An elaborate joystick sold with the game "Survival Run", meant to appear like a futuristic space age controller. It functions like a regular controller, and was not sold separately from the game. It really doesn't work that well, and you can probably play "Survival Run" much better with a standard joystick.
956
957  * **Milton Bradley Flight Commander**: Packaged with "Spitfire Attack", an elaborate joystick meant to look like a fighter plane gun mount. It has a similar button/handle configuration to the Cosmic Commander, and still functions like a regular controller.  It was not sold separately from the game. It really doesn't work that well, and you can probably play "Spitfire Attack" much better with a standard joystick.
958
959  * **MNetwork Tron Joystick**: Molded in translucent blue plastic, this controller mimics its arcade counterpart. It also features a retractable cord like the Champ joysticks. It was sold in a large box that included MNetwork's "Tron: Deadly Discs" and "Adventures of Tron". It's actually a pretty nice controller.
960
961
962
963You can find pictures of each controller at AtariAge -- http://www.atariage.com/2600/archives/controllers_atari.html.
964
965
966
967== Never released hardware ==
968
969
970
971Finally, quite a bit of 2600 hardware was announced but never released. Some examples:
972
973
974
975  * 2600 keyboard by Atari, called the Graduate or My First Computer. It was designed by Peripheral Visions Inc.
976
977  * 2600 voice command system
978
979  * a headband controller, Mindlink
980
981  * Atari 2500 (http://www.atari-history.com/videogames/2500.html)
982
983  * Atari 2700 - Remote control joystick/paddles, touch sensitive console buttons.
984
985  * Amiga Power Module for 2600. Similar to the Supercharger, it had dial-up capability (to play against others). Also, some 3D games were planned for it as well.
986
987
988
989// (info from old-computers.com, AtariAge "2600 FAQ", Zube's "Atari 2600/7800 FAQ", and other sources) //
990
991
992
993
994
995===== Links =====
996
997
998
999  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com/2600/history.html
1000
1001  * Atari Historical Society -- http://www.atari-history.com/a2600.html
1002
1003  * Atari Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/2600menu/2600menu.htm
1004
1005  * Atari2600.com -- http://www.atari2600.com/
1006
1007  * Dan B's Atari 2600 Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/a2600.shtml
1008
1009  * Atari 2600 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=878
1010
1011  * [[wp>Atari 2600]]
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017===== Other Emulators =====
1018
1019
1020
1021  * Stella -- http://stella.sourceforge.net/
1022
1023  * z26 -- http://www.whimsey.com/z26/
1024
1025  * PCAE  -- http://www.classicgaming.com/pcae/ (PC Atari Emulator)
1026
1027  * StellaX -- http://www.emuunlim.com/stellax/
1028
1029  * no$2k6 -- http://nocash.emubase.de/2k6.htm
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035$end
1036
1037
1038
1039#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1040
1041
1042$info=a310
1043$bio
1044====== Acorn Archimedes 310 (1988) ======
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050===== Features =====
1051
1052
1053
1054  * CPU: ARM-2 32 bit RISC (ARM-3 in the A500 series) 4 / 8 MHz
1055
1056  * Co-Processor: MEMC (memory), VIDC (Video and Sound), IOC (I/O)
1057
1058  * RAM: 512 KB (up to 16 MB)
1059
1060  * ROM: 512 KB
1061
1062  * Text Modes: 132 chars. x 32 lines maximum
1063
1064  * Graphic Modes: 21 screen modes - Up to 640 x 512 in colour mode, up to 1280 x 960 in monochrome mode
1065
1066  * Colors: 256 maximum
1067
1068  * Sound: 8 voices
1069
1070  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS423, Video composite, RGB, Econet (network 250 KBits). Optional 4 expansion slots (podule slots), the 400/500 series came with 4 slots.
1071
1072  * Keyboard: Complete 102 keys full-stroke keyboard - PC/AT layout
1073
1074  * Built in Media: 800 KB 3.5" floppy drive, 3.5" disk-drive, from 20 to 53 MB
1075
1076  * OS: ARTHUR (and RISC OS later)
1077
1078  * Built in Language: BBC BASIC V
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084===== Usage =====
1085
1086
1087
1088== Keyboard ==
1089
1090
1091
1092This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
1093
1094
1095
1096== BIOS options ==
1097
1098
1099
1100Different versions of the RiscOS are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
1101
1102
1103
1104  "-bios 0" or "-bios 311" = RiscOS 3.11 (29 Sep 1992)
1105
1106 
1107
1108  "-bios 1" or "-bios 120" = Arthur/RiscOS 1.20 (25 Sep 1987)
1109
1110 
1111
1112  "-bios 2" or "-bios 200" = RiscOS 2.0 (05 Oct 1988)
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118===== Known Issues =====
1119
1120
1121
1122The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128===== History and Trivia =====
1129
1130
1131
1132The Archimedes was the first RISC home computer. There were three series, the 300, 400 and 500 which shared the same hardware basis: the ARM-2 processor (ARM-3 for the A500) and three custom chips dedicated to memory (MEMC), video (VIDC) and I/O (IOC) controls.
1133
1134
1135
1136The 300 series had 512 KB to 1 MB of memory and two expansion slots (64 pin). The 400 series had 1 to 4 MB of memory and four slots (three 64 pin and one 96 pin). The 500 series had 16 MB of RAM.
1137
1138
1139
1140The operating system, first named Arthur then subsequently RiscOS, was in ROM along with the WIMP graphic interface (Windows Menu Icon Pointer), the fast BBC BASIC V interpreter and various utility programs, among them a Paint package, a music editor and an Acorn BBC model 2 emulator.
1141
1142
1143
1144The built-in 800 KB 3.5" floppy drive was compatible with the old 640 KB format. A lot of expansion cards were developed for the Archimedes : MIDI, SCSI, Oscilloscope, IEEE 488, speech recognition, scanner, floating point co-processor.
1145
1146
1147
1148Many programming languages were released as well : BASIC (which could be loaded from disk and ran faster than the ROM BASIC), C, Fortran 77, Pascal, Prolog and Lisp.
1149
1150
1151
1152Although it was at least two times faster than the Atari ST and Amiga models, the Archimedes had no real success because of its high price, except in its country of origin (Great Britain) where it was very well-known and commonly used (especially in schools).
1153
1154
1155
1156These computers were followed by a great family of computers called RISC PC which are still in production.
1157
1158
1159
1160== Different Archimedes A300 - A400 - A500 versions  ==
1161
1162
1163
1164  * A305 - 512 KB RAM
1165
1166  * A310 - 1 MB RAM
1167
1168  * A410 - 1 MB RAM
1169
1170  * A420 - 2 MB RAM, 20 MB Hard disk
1171
1172  * A440 - 4 MB RAM, 40 MB Hard disk
1173
1174  * A540 - 16 MB RAM, 120 MB Hard Disk
1175
1176
1177
1178//(info from old-computers.com)//
1179
1180
1181
1182
1183
1184===== Links =====
1185
1186
1187
1188  * Wocki's Acorn Site -- http://acorn.revivalteam.de/
1189
1190  * Chris' Acorn Page -- http://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/Archimedes.html
1191
1192  * Archimedes 310 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=75
1193
1194
1195
1196
1197
1198===== Other Emulators =====
1199
1200
1201
1202  * Archie (DOS & Mac) -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Campus/5427/
1203
1204  * Arculator -- http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/arculator/
1205
1206  * Red Squirrel -- http://www.red-squirrel.org/
1207
1208
1209
1210
1211
1212$end
1213
1214
1215
1216#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1217
1218
1219$info=a400
1220$bio
1221====== Atari 400 Home Computer (1979) ======
1222
1223
1224
1225
1226
1227===== Features =====
1228
1229
1230
1231  * CPU: MOS 6502 1.79MHz
1232
1233  * Co-Processors: ANTIC (Scrolling, Sprites, Video), CTIA / GTIA (Color, Sprites, Collisions), POKEY (Timers, Sound, Keyboard, Serial I/O), PIA 6810 (I/O including controller ports)
1234
1235  * RAM: 8K or 16K (newer models)
1236
1237  * ROM: 10K
1238
1239  * Display:  24 x 40 text, 320 x 192 monochrome, 160 x 96 with 128 colors
1240
1241  * Expansions: 2 internal expansion slots, 1 cartridge slot under front cover and a daisy-chainable expansion bus
1242
1243  * Ports: 4 controller ports
1244
1245  * Keyboard: QWERTY membrane keyboard with 61 keys, 4 function keys (Reset, Option, Select, Start)
1246
1247  * TV video output
1248
1249  * Storage: external 5.25" floppy drive, cassette recorder
1250
1251  * OS: Atari OS
1252
1253
1254
1255
1256
1257===== Usage =====
1258
1259
1260
1261Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 400 versions:
1262
1263
1264
1265  * a400 [Atari 400 (NTSC)]
1266
1267  * a400pal [Atari 400 (PAL)]
1268
1269
1270
1271Both drivers support cart dumps in .rom and .bin format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device, and up to four floppy drive for disks in .atr, .dsk and .xfd format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
1272
1273
1274
1275== Keyboard ==
1276
1277
1278
1279These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
1280
1281
1282
1283Original Keyboard: QWERTY, 61 keys plus 4 function keys on the right
1284
1285 
1286
1287                                                            CLEAR   INSERT   DELETE                   SYSTEM
1288
1289    ESC    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8@   9(   0)    <        >     BACK S   BREAK            RESET
1290
1291   
1292
1293  CLF  SET                                                     UP _    DOWN |
1294
1295    TAB      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P      -        =          RETURN           OPTION
1296
1297   
1298
1299                                                                  LEFT \  RIGHT ^     CAPS
1300
1301       CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L     ;:      +        *       LOWR            SELECT
1302
1303   
1304
1305   
1306
1307       SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,[     .]    /?     ATARI        SHIFT             START
1308
1309   
1310
1311   
1312
1313                                     SPACE
1314
1315
1316
1317Keys "TAB", "-", "=", "+" and "*" have 3 functions.
1318
1319
1320
1321
1322
1323===== Known Issues =====
1324
1325
1326
1327Most disk and cartridge images should work, though some graphic issues may exist. Note that the Atari 400 has less memory than the Atari 800, and some disk images may not work as a consequence; this is not a bug in the emulation.
1328
1329
1330
1331
1332
1333===== History and Trivia =====
1334
1335
1336
1337The Atari 400 and 800 were the first home computers to use custom coprocessors and the first to use "sprites" and special video interruptions like display lists, features that will be implemented several years after on the Commodore Amiga. It offered high graphic resolution, lots of colors and great sound capabilities, more than other computers could do then! The two models had same characteristics, the 400 is the low-cost version, it has only 16 KB (instead of 48 KB), one cartridge port (two for the 800) and a membrane keyboard (a typewriter style keyboard one for the 800).
1338
1339
1340
1341Originally, the 400 was sold with 8 kb RAM, but later most 400's with 16 kb.
1342
1343
1344
1345The Atari 400 was known inside Atari as code name "Candy".
1346
1347
1348
1349//(info from old-computers.com)//
1350
1351
1352
1353
1354
1355===== Links =====
1356
1357
1358
1359  * Atari 400 at the Atari Hystory Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/400800/400/400.html
1360
1361  * Atari 400 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/atari400.shtml
1362
1363  * Atari 400 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=76
1364
1365
1366
1367
1368
1369===== Other Emulators =====
1370
1371
1372
1373  * Atari800 (Unix, Amiga, MS-DOS, Atari TT/Falcon, SDL, WinCE) -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
1374
1375  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
1376
1377  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
1378
1379  * Rainbow (historical) -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
1380
1381  * PC Xformer (historical) -- http://www.emulators.com/xformer.htm
1382
1383
1384
1385
1386
1387$end
1388
1389
1390
1391#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1392
1393
1394$info=a500n
1395$bio
1396====== CBM Amiga 500 (1987) ======
1397
1398
1399
1400
1401
1402===== Features =====
1403
1404
1405
1406  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.14MHz
1407
1408  * Co-Processor: Agnus (MMU), Denise (video), Paula (Sound & I/O)
1409
1410  * RAM: 512 KB (expandable to 9MB : 512 KB CHIP RAM + 512 KB Slow RAM + 8 MB FAST RAM)
1411
1412  * ROM: 256 KB (DOS 1.2)
1413
1414  * Text Modes: 60 x 32 / 80 x 32
1415
1416  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 256 / 320 x 512 / 640 x 256 / 640 x 512
1417
1418  * Colors: 32 (for 320 x X modes), 16 (for 640 x X modes) among 4096 + 2 Special modes: EHB 64 colors and HAM 4096 colors on static display.
1419
1420  * Sound: 4 voice 8 bit PCM
1421
1422  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232, Mouse, Joystick, RGB, Composite, External Audio, Bus
1423
1424  * Built in Media: one 3.5" disk-drive
1425
1426  * OS: AMIGA WorkBench 1.2 (first deliveries) then 1.3
1427
1428
1429
1430
1431
1432===== Usage =====
1433
1434
1435
1436MESS emulates the following computers
1437
1438
1439
1440  * a500n [Amiga 500 (NTSC, OCS)]
1441
1442  * a500p [Amiga 500 (PAL, OCS)]
1443
1444
1445
1446For both drivers, MESS supports
1447
1448
1449
1450  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .adf format.
1451
1452  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dump in .rom and .bin format
1453
1454
1455
1456== Keyboard ==
1457
1458
1459
1460These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
1461
1462
1463
1464== BIOS options ==
1465
1466
1467
1468MESS supports various Kickstart ROM versions: v1.2, v1.3, v2.04, v3.1. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
1469
1470
1471
1472  "-bios 0" or "-bios kick13" = Kickstart 1.3 (34.5)
1473
1474 
1475
1476  "-bios 1" or "-bios kick12" = Kickstart 1.2 (33.180)
1477
1478 
1479
1480  "-bios 2" or "-bios kick204" = Kickstart 2.04 (37.175)
1481
1482 
1483
1484  "-bios 3" or "-bios kick31" = Kickstart 3.1 (40.63)
1485
1486
1487
1488
1489
1490===== Known Issues =====
1491
1492
1493
1494The driver is now working fairly well, though some games may need more memory than currently emulated. The graphic emulation of these systems is known to be imperfect.
1495
1496
1497
1498
1499
1500===== History and Trivia =====
1501
1502
1503
1504The Commodore Amiga 500 was the low-end successor of the Amiga 1000 and the predecessor of the Amiga 1200. It was the main competitor of the Atari 520 STf (there was a great "war" between the owners of these two computers).
1505
1506
1507
1508It used a special system for its RAM configuration: 512 KB of Chip RAM which could be accessed by the Paula and Denise custom chips (sound & I/O and video, respectively) and Fast RAM which could be accessed only by the CPU.
1509
1510
1511
1512The 68000 bus had two connectors, an external and an internal one. An extension card could be added through the internal connector on bottom of case and offered 512 KB of additional RAM and a battery-backed clock.
1513
1514
1515
1516The Amiga 500 was followed by the Amiga 500+. The Amiga 500+ had the same characteristics as the Amiga 500 except it had 1MB of Chip RAM and used the AmigaOS 2.04, this version of Amiga OS needed 512 KB of ROM.
1517
1518
1519
1520The Amiga A500+ was the shortest lived Amiga, lasting only 6 months before being replaced by the A600. Ironic that a machine designed to be cheaper and sold 'below' the 500+ should replace it and be sold for the same price(!)
1521
1522
1523
1524Both versions could be connected to a TV set or to a video monitor with a better resolution. Two Amigas could be networked using a null modem cable.
1525
1526
1527
1528This computer was, and is still used a lot in the "demoscene" to create cool videoclips with breaking graphics and sounds!
1529
1530
1531
1532//(info from old-computers.com)//
1533
1534
1535
1536
1537
1538===== Links =====
1539
1540
1541
1542  * Amiga Technologies Homepage -- http://www.amiga.de/
1543
1544  * Amiga Interactive Guide -- http://amiga.emugaming.com/
1545
1546  * AMIGART.COM -- http://www.amigart.com/
1547
1548  * Hall of Light - the database of Amiga games -- http://hol.abime.net/
1549
1550  * Amiga 500 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/amiga500.shtml
1551
1552  * Amiga 500 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=65
1553
1554
1555
1556
1557
1558===== Other Emulators =====
1559
1560
1561
1562  * UAE (Ubiquitous Amiga Emulator) -- http://www.freiburg.linux.de/~uae/
1563
1564  * WinUAE -- http://www.winuae.net/
1565
1566  * Experimental UAE -- http://www.rcdrummond.net/uae/
1567
1568
1569
1570
1571
1572$end
1573
1574
1575
1576#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1577
1578
1579$info=a5200
1580$bio
1581====== Atari 5200 SuperSystem (1982) ======
1582
1583
1584
1585
1586
1587===== Features =====
1588
1589
1590
1591  * CPU: Motorola 6502C (8-bit) 1.78 MHz
1592
1593  * RAM: 16K
1594
1595  * Colors: 256, 16 on-screen
1596
1597  * Resolution: 320x192
1598
1599  * Sound: 4-channel
1600
1601
1602
1603
1604
1605===== Usage =====
1606
1607
1608
1609MESS currently supports two Atari 5200 versions
1610
1611  * a5200 [Atari 5200]
1612
1613  * a5200a [Atari 5200 (alt)]
1614
1615
1616
1617Both drivers support cart dumps in .rom, .bin and .a52 format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
1618
1619
1620
1621== Controls ==
1622
1623
1624
1625The 5200 featured a controller with an analog joystick, numeric keypad, two fire buttons on both sides of the controller and game function keys for Start, Pause, and Reset.
1626
1627
1628
1629Keyboard input is a little difficult, using a joystick or a mouse is recommended.
1630
1631
1632
1633
1634
1635===== Known Issues =====
1636
1637
1638
1639Most games are playable. See a5200.hsi for a fairly exhaustive compatibility list.
1640
1641
1642
1643
1644
1645===== History and Trivia =====
1646
1647
1648
1649The Atari 5200 was introduced in 1982, and was actually designed to be a competitor to the Intellivision, before ColecoVision entered the market. Developed under the name of "Pam" (Atari, at the time, typically named projects after well-endowed female employees), Atari
1650
1651considered releasing it with that moniker; PAM in this case an acronym for "Personal Arcade Machine".
1652
1653
1654
1655The 5200 shared much of the architecture of the Atari 400/800 computers, but featured a different cartridge connector and completely different controllers. Non-centering analogue joysticks which offered a full 360 degrees of mobility, were both innovative and unreliable. Other controller features included a keypad, and an ahead-of-its-time pause button.
1656
1657
1658
1659The Atari 5200 suffered from its initial incompatibility with the VCS/2600 (an adapter was later released) and fierce competition from Coleco. When Warner Communications sold Atari Corp. to the Tramiels in 1984, they quickly removed it from the market.
1660
1661
1662
1663== Different versions of the Atari 5200 ==
1664
1665
1666
1667  * The initial 1982 release of the system featured four controller ports, where all other systems of the day had only two ports. It also featured the innovation of the first automatic TV switchbox, allowing it to automatically switch from regular TV viewing to the game system signal when the system was activated (previous RF adapters required the user to slide a switch on the adapter by hand). A single cable coming out of the 5200 plugged into the switch box was used for both electricity and the television signal.
1668
1669
1670
1671  * The 1983 release of the Atari 5200 saw a scaled down controller port (2 instead of 4 ports) and a change back to the more conventional separate power supply and standard (non autoswitching) RF switch. It also saw changes in the cartridge port address lines to allow for the Atari 2600 adaptor released that year. While the adaptor was only made to work on the 2 port version, modifications can be done to the 4 port to make it line compatible. Furthermore, towards the end of the 4 port production run there were also an extremely limited number of 2600 adaptor compatible consoles produced. These much harder to find 4 port versions can be identified by an asterisk in the serial number.
1672
1673
1674
1675//(info on the different hardware versions based on Wikipedia)//
1676
1677
1678
1679
1680
1681===== Links =====
1682
1683
1684
1685  * Atari2600.com (covers many classical systems) -- http://www.atari2600.com/
1686
1687  * Dan B's Atari 5200 Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/a5200.shtml
1688
1689  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com/5200/history.html
1690
1691  * Atari Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/5200/A5200.html
1692
1693
1694
1695
1696
1697===== Other Emulators =====
1698
1699
1700
1701== Dedicated Emulators ==
1702
1703
1704
1705  * Jum52 (Jum's A5200 Emulator) -- http://www.geocities.com/james7780/emulators/emu5200.html
1706
1707  * Virtual Super System (Dan Boris' 5200 emulator) -- http://atarihq.com/danb/a5200.shtml#emulator
1708
1709  * kat5200 -- http://home.cfl.rr.com/jberlin/kat5200/index.html
1710
1711
1712
1713== Atari 400/800/XL/XE Emulators also supporting Atari 5200 (due to hardware similarity) ==
1714
1715
1716
1717  * Atari800 -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
1718
1719  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
1720
1721  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
1722
1723  * Rainbow -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
1724
1725
1726
1727
1728
1729$end
1730
1731
1732
1733#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1734
1735
1736$info=a7800
1737$bio
1738====== Atari 7800 ProSystem (1986) ======
1739
1740
1741
1742
1743
1744===== Features =====
1745
1746
1747
1748  * CPU: Motorola 6502C (8-bit) 1.79 MHz
1749
1750  * RAM: 32 KB
1751
1752  * Resolution: 320 x 200
1753
1754  * Colors: 256, 16 on-screen
1755
1756
1757
1758
1759
1760===== Usage =====
1761
1762
1763
1764Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 7800 versions:
1765
1766
1767
1768  * a7800 [Atari 7800 (NTSC)]
1769
1770  * a7800p [Atari 7800 (PAL)]
1771
1772
1773
1774Both drivers require a “cartridge” (cart) to run, in .a78 format. You can start the emulation with
1775
1776
1777
1778  mess a7800 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.a78"
1779
1780
1781
1782== Controls ==
1783
1784
1785
1786On the console, four buttons are present: POWER, PAUSE, RESET and SELECT.
1787
1788
1789
1790The slim controller features a central joystick and two buttons (one at each side of the controller).
1791
1792
1793
1794== BIOS options  ==
1795
1796
1797
1798Two different versions of the a7800 are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
1799
1800 
1801
1802  "-bios 0" or "-bios a7800" = Atari 7800
1803
1804 
1805
1806  "-bios 1" or "-bios a7800pr" = Atari 7800 (prototype with Asteroids)
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812===== Known Issues =====
1813
1814
1815
1816Most games work fine, but a few have graphic and playability issues. See a7800.hsi for a full compatibility list.
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822===== History and Trivia =====
1823
1824
1825
1826Originally developed in 1984 as the Atari 3600, the Atari 7800 Prosystem was released to the US market in 1986, in an attempt to compete in a revitalized home videogame market. The 7800 was actually designed by Gencomp as part of a lawsuit settlement (Gencomp had been sued for releasing a speedup chipset for Atari coinop Missile Command).
1827
1828
1829
1830The 7800 was compatible with pre-existing Atari 2600 game program cartridges, without the need for expansion modules or turning switches, but was also designed to use enhanced 7800-only cartridges such as the pack-in "Pole Position 2". (n.b., only the 7800-specific cartridges are currently supported in MESS.) Many peripherals, including a computer/keyboard and high score saving cartridge were planned but never released.
1831
1832
1833
1834Unfortunately for Atari, the system did poorly in the late 1980's market dominated by Nintendo.
1835
1836
1837
1838www.atari-history.com has this interesting anecdote: "In the summer of 1984 the first 5,000 Atari 7800's had just been built in the new El Paso assembly plant. The production line manager, Brad Saville was eager to meet with Jack Tramiel to show him the new flagship Atari
1839
1840video game console. The meeting ended abruptly as Jack Tramiel was quoted "Get your pollution out of here! We make computers now and we don't want your garbage." The line manager was fired 2 days later. About 8-9 months later the line manager received a phone call from Atari asking him as to the whereabouts of the die molds for the Atari 7800. The ex-line manager responded
1841
1842that he did in fact know where they were and for $50/hour for about 200 to 300 hours of his time he would remember where they were and find them. The Atari Corp. representative who called was infuriated and informed the former production line manager that Atari's lawyers
1843
1844would be in contact with him. He never heard from Atari again."
1845
1846
1847
1848== Revisions of Atari 7800 ==
1849
1850
1851
1852  * Atari CX7800: Vastly modified and enhanced 2600 model. Two joystick ports on lower front panel. New chipset (except sound chip; pokey chips could be added to carts). Side expansion port for upgrades and computer add ons. Bundled accessories included two CX24 ProLine joysticks AC Adapter, switchbox, RCA connecting cable, and Pole Position II cartridge. Plays all 2600 games except 3 or so (which ones?).
1853
1854  * Atari CX7800 Second Revision: Expansion port connector removed from mother board but is still etched. Shell has indentation of where expansion port was to be.
1855
1856  * Atari CX7800 Third Revision: As above but only a small "blemish" mark on shell.
1857
1858
1859
1860//(info on 7800 models from Zube's "Atari 2600/7800 FAQ")//
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866===== Links =====
1867
1868
1869
1870  * The Atari 7800 Page -- http://www.atari7800.org
1871
1872  * Atari2600.com (covers many classical systems) -- http://www.atari2600.com/
1873
1874  * Dan B's Atari 7800 Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/a7800.shtml
1875
1876  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com/7800/history.html
1877
1878  * Atari Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800menu/
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884===== Other Emulators =====
1885
1886
1887
1888  * EMU7800 -- http://emu7800.sourceforge.net/
1889
1890  * [[https://home.comcast.net/~gscottstanton/|ProSystem Emulator]]
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898$end
1899
1900
1901
1902#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
1903
1904
1905$info=a800
1906$bio
1907====== Atari 800 Home Computer (1979) ======
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913===== Features =====
1914
1915
1916
1917  * CPU: MOS 6502 1.79MHz
1918
1919  * Co-Processors: ANTIC (Scrolling, Sprites, Video), CTIA / GTIA (Color, Sprites, Collisions), POKEY (Timers, Sound, Keyboard, Serial I/O), PIA 6810 (I/O including controller ports)
1920
1921  * RAM: 8K base, up to 48K (with memory expansion boards)
1922
1923  * ROM: 10K
1924
1925  * Display: 24 x 40 text, 320 x 192 monochrome, 160 x 96 with 128 colors
1926
1927  * Expansion: 4 internal expansion slots, 2 cartridge slots
1928
1929  * Ports: 4 controller ports, RGB video output, TV video output
1930
1931  * Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard with 62 keys, 4 function keys (Reset, Option, Select, Start)
1932
1933  * Storage: external 5.25" floppy drive, cassette recorder
1934
1935  * OS: Atari OS
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941===== Usage =====
1942
1943
1944
1945Currently, MESS supports the following Atari 800 versions:
1946
1947
1948
1949  * a800 [Atari 800 (NTSC)]
1950
1951  * a800pal [Atari 800 (PAL)]
1952
1953
1954
1955Both drivers support up to two cart slots for cart dumps in .rom and .bin format, using the "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2) devices, and up to four floppy drive for disks in .atr, .dsk and .xfd format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
1956
1957
1958
1959== Keyboard ==
1960
1961
1962
1963These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
1964
1965
1966
1967Original Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard, 62 keys plus 4 function keys on the right
1968
1969
1970
1971                                                            CLEAR   INSERT   DELETE                   SYSTEM
1972
1973    ESC    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8@   9(   0)    <        >     BACK S   BREAK            RESET
1974
1975   
1976
1977  CLF  SET                                                     UP _    DOWN |
1978
1979    TAB      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P      -        =          RETURN           OPTION
1980
1981   
1982
1983                                                                  LEFT \  RIGHT ^     CAPS
1984
1985       CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L     ;:      +        *       LOWR            SELECT
1986
1987   
1988
1989   
1990
1991       SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,[     .]    /?     ATARI        SHIFT             START
1992
1993   
1994
1995   
1996
1997                                     SPACE
1998
1999
2000
2001Keys "TAB", "-", "=", "+" and "*" have 3 functions.
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007===== Known Issues =====
2008
2009
2010
2011Most disk and cartridge images should work, though some graphic issues may exist.
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017===== History and Trivia =====
2018
2019
2020
2021The Atari 400 and 800 were the first home computers to use custom coprocessors and the first to use "sprites" and special video interruptions like display lists, features that will be implemented several years after on the Commodore Amiga. It offered high graphic resolution, lots of colors and great sound capabilities, more than other computers could do then! The two models had same characteristics, but the 800 had 48 KB of RAM (instead of 16 kb), two cartridge ports (only one for the 400) and a proper mechanical keyboard (a membrane keyboard for the 400).
2022
2023
2024
2025In fact the very first Atari 800 Computers were shipped with 8 or 16 KB memory, expandable to 48 KB. After initial release, the 800 came standard with 48 KB memory.
2026
2027
2028
2029Prior to production, the 800 was known inside Atari as code name "Colleen". It is rumored that Colleen and Candy (the 400 code name) were actually secretaries at Atari.
2030
2031
2032
2033Many peripherals were product for the 800. Among these we recall: Atari 810 floppy drive, Atari 820 impact dot-matrix printer, Atari 850 Interface Module, Atari 830 Acoustic Couple Modem and Atari 835 Direct Connect Modem.
2034
2035
2036
2037The floppy drive uses single-sided 5 1/4-inch floppy disks, holding 90K of data on a disk. The data is transfered in serial format at 19200 baud. Up to 4 drives can be hooked up.
2038
2039
2040
2041The printer can produce 40 columns of 5x7 characters, at approximately 40 characters per second.
2042
2043
2044
2045The 810 and 820 are considered "intelligent" peripherals - they have built-in processor chips which lighten the load on the computer's main processor. They can each be plugged directly into the Atari 400 or 800, with no other inteface required.
2046
2047
2048
2049The Interface Module provides 4 separate RS-232-C serials ports and a single Centronics compatible printer port. It plugs into one of the controller jacks on the computer, which are actually both input/output, analog and digital ports. The Acoustic Couple Model requires both the Atari 850 Interface Module and the TeleLink I ROM cartridge to operate. On the other hand, the Direct Connect Modem requires only the Atari Telelink II ROM cartridge (and not the Interface Module) to operate.
2050
2051
2052
2053Additional accessories include the external keypad, for fast data entry and the cassette tape drive, cheaper than the floppy drive but less reliable too.
2054
2055
2056
2057In 1983, Atari released the 800XL computer. It has the same CPU as the Atari 800, and runs at the same speed. Basically a cheaper version of the 800, it is supposed to be compatible with all Atari 800 software and peripherals, but it isn't. Improvements include: 64K base RAM vs. 8K, parallel I/O port (PBI), general purpose I/O port.
2058
2059
2060
2061//(info from old-computers.com)//
2062
2063
2064
2065
2066
2067===== Links =====
2068
2069
2070
2071  * Atari 800 at the Atari Hystory Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/400800/ATARI800/A800.html
2072
2073  * Atari 800 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/atari800.shtml
2074
2075  * Atari 800 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=460
2076
2077
2078
2079
2080
2081===== Other Emulators =====
2082
2083
2084
2085  * Atari800 (Unix, Amiga, MS-DOS, Atari TT/Falcon, SDL, WinCE) -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
2086
2087  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
2088
2089  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
2090
2091  * Rainbow (historical) -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
2092
2093  * PC Xformer (historical) -- http://www.emulators.com/xformer.htm
2094
2095
2096
2097
2098
2099$end
2100
2101
2102
2103#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2104
2105
2106$info=a800xl
2107$bio
2108====== Atari 800XL (1983) ======
2109
2110
2111
2112
2113
2114===== Features =====
2115
2116
2117
2118  * CPU: MOS 6502C 1.79 (NTSC) / 1.77 (PAL) MHz
2119
2120  * Co-Processors: GTIA (video), POKEY (sound, I/O), ANTIC (video)
2121
2122  * RAM: 16 KB (600 XL up to 64 KB) / 64 KB (800 XL, expandable to 128 KB)
2123
2124  * ROM: 24 KB
2125
2126  * Text Modes: five text modes, max: 40 x 24, min: 20 x 12
2127
2128  * Graphic Modes: 16 graphic modes, maximum : 320 x 192
2129
2130  * Colors: 256 (16 colors with 16 intensities)
2131
2132  * Sound: 4 voices, 3.5 octaves
2133
2134  * I/O Ports: Composite video output, cartridge slot, peripheral port (SIO), parallel bus, 2 joystick plugs
2135
2136  * Keyboard: Mechanical keyboard
2137
2138  * Built In Language: Atari Basic
2139
2140
2141
2142
2143
2144===== Usage =====
2145
2146
2147
2148MESS emulates a800xl with the following devices
2149
2150
2151
2152  * up to two cart slots for cart dumps in .rom and .bin format, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2)
2153
2154  * up to four floppy drive for disks in .atr, .dsk and .xfd format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
2155
2156
2157
2158== Keyboard ==
2159
2160
2161
2162This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
2163
2164
2165
2166
2167
2168===== Known Issues =====
2169
2170
2171
2172The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
2173
2174
2175
2176
2177
2178===== History and Trivia =====
2179
2180
2181
2182The Atari 800XL, together with the 600XL, were successors of the Atari 400/800 series and the unsuccessful Atari 1200 XL in a more compact case. They could use almost the same software, just so long as the program was written correctly, because of some slight differences between OS versions.
2183
2184
2185
2186The 800XL had 64 KB of RAM, two joystick ports and kept all the custom chips (Pokey, GTIA, Antic) of the previous models. It also featured the new Parallel Bus Interface (PBI) providing high speed access to the system bus. The new version of the graphic Antic chip offered 16 graphics modes instead of 12 for the 800.
2187
2188
2189
2190An enhanced version, called 800XLF, appeared in summer 1984. It was equipped with the new "Freddie" chip which allowed faster memory management, especially for graphics display. This version was released in Europe with SECAM video interface.
2191
2192
2193
2194Alongside the Commodore 64 and the Apple II, the 600 and 800XL were among the most popular home computers.
2195
2196They would be replaced in 1985 with the XE series when Atari launched the ST.
2197
2198
2199
2200//(info from old-computers.com)//
2201
2202
2203
2204
2205
2206===== Links =====
2207
2208
2209
2210  * Atari 800XL at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=27
2211
2212  * Atari 800XL at the Atari Hystory Museum -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/XL/XL-Pages/xl-range-main.htm
2213
2214
2215
2216
2217
2218===== Other Emulators =====
2219
2220
2221
2222  * Atari800 (Unix, Amiga, MS-DOS, Atari TT/Falcon, SDL, WinCE) -- http://atari800.sourceforge.net/
2223
2224  * Atari++ -- http://www.math.tu-berlin.de/~thor/atari++/
2225
2226  * Atari800Win Plus -- http://www.a800win.atari-area.prv.pl/
2227
2228  * Rainbow (historical) -- http://www.chrislam.co.uk/
2229
2230  * PC Xformer (historical) -- http://www.emulators.com/xformer.htm
2231
2232
2233
2234
2235
2236$end
2237
2238
2239
2240#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2241
2242
2243$info=abc80
2244$bio
2245====== Luxor ABC 80 (1978) ======
2246
2247
2248
2249
2250
2251===== Features =====
2252
2253
2254
2255  * CPU: Z80 3MHz
2256
2257  * RAM: 6 KB (up to to 32 KB)
2258
2259  * ROM: 16 KB
2260
2261  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (ViewData and Teletext compatible)
2262
2263  * Graphics Modes: 78 x 75
2264
2265  * Colors: Monochrome
2266
2267  * Sound: 1 channel - Built-in speaker
2268
2269  * I/O Ports: V24 / RS232
2270
2271  * Storage: Optional 2 x 5.25" disk-drives (built in)
2272
2273  * Keyboard:   Full-stroke 55 keys
2274
2275  * Built in Language: Luxor Basic
2276
2277
2278
2279
2280
2281===== Usage =====
2282
2283
2284
2285Currently, MESS supports up to two floppy drives for disk images in .dsk format, using "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
2286
2287
2288
2289Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
2290
2291
2292
2293== Keyboard ==
2294
2295
2296
2297This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
2298
2299
2300
2301Original Keyboard: QWERTY, full-stroke 55 keys
2302
2303
2304
2305        1!   2@   3#   4¤   5%   6&   7/   8(   9)   0=   +?   É    <>
2306
2307 
2308
2309  UPPER
2310
2311   CASE   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    Å    Ü    RETURN
2312
2313 
2314
2315 
2316
2317   CTRL     A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    Ö    Ä    '*   <-
2318
2319 
2320
2321 
2322
2323   SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,;   .:   -_   SHIFT   ->
2324
2325 
2326
2327 
2328
2329                                 SPACEBAR
2330
2331
2332
2333== BIOS options ==
2334
2335
2336
2337Different versions of the DOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
2338
2339 
2340
2341  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = No DOS
2342
2343 
2344
2345  "-bios 1" or "-bios abcdos" = ABC-DOS
2346
2347 
2348
2349  "-bios 2" or "-bios abcdosdd" = ABC-DOS DD
2350
2351 
2352
2353  "-bios 3" or "-bios udf20" = UDF-DOS v.20
2354
2355
2356
2357== RAM options ==
2358
2359
2360
2361Different RAM configurations are possible for the abc80 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
2362
2363
2364
2365  16k (default)
2366
2367  32k
2368
2369
2370
2371
2372
2373===== Known Issue =====
2374
2375
2376
2377The driver is incomplete, with many remaining issues.
2378
2379
2380
2381== To Do ==
2382
2383
2384
2385  * screen timing PROMs are not dumped
2386
2387  * 74S262 chip pinout/dump needed
2388
2389  * keyboard scanning is awkwardly slow
2390
2391  * graphics mode is not implemented
2392
2393  * cassette interface
2394
2395  * floppy disk controller card thru ABC bus
2396
2397  * printer thru ABC bus
2398
2399  * IEC thru ABC bus
2400
2401
2402
2403
2404
2405===== History and Trivia =====
2406
2407
2408
2409Luxor is a Swedish company that have made TV's and radio's for many years. However, the originators of the ABC-80 were not to be found at Luxor, but at the Swedish Zilog agent Scandia Metric and Computer Contruction Agency Dataindustrier (DIAB). Luxor were brought into the deal for their competence in CRTs and larger scale development.
2410
2411
2412
2413Many schools in Sweden had ABC 80 or ABC 800 for the students. It was possible to connect together several ABC 80 thanks to a network called ABC NET.
2414
2415
2416
2417//(info from old-computers.com)//
2418
2419
2420
2421
2422
2423===== Links =====
2424
2425
2426
2427  * ABC Mastodont Manual (Swedish) -- http://hem.passagen.se/mani/abc/
2428
2429  * Goran Lundberg's web site -- http://www.hultsfred.org/luxor.htm
2430
2431  * Luxor ABC 800 homepage -- http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Luxor/index.en.html
2432
2433  * Rikard's ABC80 links -- http://www.etek.chalmers.se/~e7rikard/abc80.html
2434
2435  * Luxor ABC 80 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=37
2436
2437
2438
2439
2440
2441===== Other Emulators =====
2442
2443
2444
2445  * WinABC80 (ABC-80 emulator by Erik Isaksson) -- http://www.lysator.liu.se/~exon/archive.html
2446
2447
2448
2449
2450
2451$end
2452
2453
2454
2455#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2456
2457
2458$info=abc800c
2459$bio
2460====== Luxor ABC 800 M / 800 C (1981) and ABC 802 / 806 (1983) ======
2461
2462
2463
2464
2465
2466===== Features =====
2467
2468
2469
2470  * CPU: Z80 3MHz
2471
2472  * RAM: 32 KB
2473
2474  * ROM: 32 KB
2475
2476  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 80 x 24
2477
2478  * Graphics Modes: 240 x 240 dots in four out of eight possible colours
2479
2480  * Colors: Monochrome or colour monitor
2481
2482  * Sound: 1 channel
2483
2484  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS232, expansion bus slot
2485
2486  * Keyboard: Full-stroke with function keys and numeric keypad
2487
2488
2489
2490
2491
2492===== Usage =====
2493
2494
2495
2496Currently, MESS supports the following computers
2497
2498
2499
2500  * abc800c [Luxor ABC 800 C]
2501
2502  * abc800m [Luxor ABC 800 M]
2503
2504  * abc802 [Luxor ABC 802]
2505
2506  * abc806 [Luxor ABC 806]
2507
2508
2509
2510All these drivers support cassette tapes and up to two floppy drives for disk images. The former ones have to be in .wav format and use the "cassette" (cass) device; the later ones have to be in .dsk format and use "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
2511
2512
2513
2514Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
2515
2516
2517
2518== Keyboard ==
2519
2520
2521
2522This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
2523
2524
2525
2526Original Keyboard: QWERTY, full-stroke with function keys and numeric keypad
2527
2528 
2529
2530        1!   2@   3#   4¤   5%   6&   7/   8(   9)   0=   +?   É    <>              PF1    PF2        7   8   9   CE
2531
2532 
2533
2534  UPPER
2535
2536   CASE   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    Å    Ü    RETURN        PF3    PF4        4   5   6   -
2537
2538 
2539
2540 
2541
2542   CTRL     A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    Ö    Ä    '*   <-          PF5    PF6        1   2   3   
2543
2544                                                                                                                 RET
2545
2546                                                                                                                 URN
2547
2548   SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,;   .:   -_   SHIFT   ->          PF7    PF8          0     .
2549
2550 
2551
2552 
2553
2554                                 SPACEBAR
2555
2556
2557
2558== BIOS options ==
2559
2560
2561
2562Different versions of the DOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
2563
2564
2565
2566  * [abc802]
2567
2568 
2569
2570  "-bios 0" or "-bios v19" = UDF-DOS v6.19
2571
2572 
2573
2574  "-bios 1" or "-bios v20" = UDF-DOS v6.20
2575
2576 
2577
2578  "-bios 2" or "-bios mica" = MICA DOS v6.20
2579
2580
2581
2582  * [abc806]
2583
2584 
2585
2586  "-bios 0" or "-bios v19" = UDF-DOS v.19
2587
2588 
2589
2590  "-bios 1" or "-bios v20" = UDF-DOS v.20
2591
2592 
2593
2594  "-bios 2" or "-bios mica" = MICA DOS v6.20
2595
2596 
2597
2598  "-bios 3" or "-bios catnet" = CAT-NET
2599
2600
2601
2602== RAM options ==
2603
2604
2605
2606Different RAM configurations are possible for the both abc800c and abc800m in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
2607
2608
2609
2610  16k (default)
2611
2612  32k
2613
2614
2615
2616Different RAM configurations are also possible for the abc806. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
2617
2618
2619
2620  160k (default)
2621
2622  544k
2623
2624
2625
2626
2627
2628===== Known Issues =====
2629
2630
2631
2632The driver is incomplete, with many remaining issues.
2633
2634
2635
2636== To Do ==
2637
2638
2639
2640  * ABC 77 keyboard
2641
2642  * bit accurate Z80 SIO/2 (cassette)
2643
2644  * floppy controller board
2645
2646  * hard disks (ABC-850 10MB, ABC-852 20MB, ABC-856 60MB)
2647
2648
2649
2650
2651
2652===== History and Trivia =====
2653
2654
2655
2656Swedish computer system, successor of the Luxor ABC 80. Two versions are available: ABC 800M/HR (monochrome) and ABC 800C/HR (color)
2657
2658
2659
2660There were several successors to the ABC800, most notably the ABC802 with built-in small 9" monitor and the ABC806 with more memory and more advanced 512x240x16 graphics.
2661
2662
2663
2664The ABC 800 series was also sold by Facit under the DTC (DeskTop Computer) name, in a darker enclosure.
2665
2666
2667
2668//(info from old-computers.com)//
2669
2670
2671
2672
2673
2674===== Links =====
2675
2676
2677
2678  * ABC Mastodont Manual (Swedish) -- http://hem.passagen.se/mani/abc/
2679
2680  * Goran Lundberg's web site -- http://www.hultsfred.org/luxor.htm
2681
2682  * Lars Christoffersson page -- http://user.tninet.se/~lmx072e/abc800/
2683
2684  * Luxor ABC 800 homepage -- http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Luxor/index.en.html
2685
2686  * Luxor ABC 800 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=357
2687
2688
2689
2690
2691
2692===== Other Emulators =====
2693
2694
2695
2696  * WinABC80 (ABC-80 emulator by Erik Isaksson) -- http://www.lysator.liu.se/~exon/archive.html
2697
2698
2699
2700
2701
2702$end
2703
2704
2705
2706#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2707
2708
2709$info=ace100
2710$bio
2711====== Franklin Ace 100 (1981) ======
2712
2713
2714
2715
2716
2717===== Features =====
2718
2719
2720
2721  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
2722
2723  * RAM: 48 KB - Allowed for a 16 KB Language card
2724
2725  * ROM: 12 KB
2726
2727  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 24 lines
2728
2729  * Graphic Modes: 40 x 48 / 208 x 160 / 280 x 192 dots
2730
2731  * Colors: Monochrome
2732
2733  * Sound: 1 voice - Built-in speaker
2734
2735  * I/O Ports: Joystick, 8 Apple II compatible slots (No tape recorder jacks)
2736
2737  * Keyboard: Typewriter style, 73 keys with numeric keypad
2738
2739  * Built In Media: None
2740
2741  * OS: Apple DOS
2742
2743  * Built In Language: AppleSoft BASIC
2744
2745  * Peripherals: All Apple II cards and peripherals
2746
2747
2748
2749
2750
2751===== Usage =====
2752
2753
2754
2755MESS supports the emulation of ace100 with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
2756
2757
2758
2759== RAM options ==
2760
2761
2762
2763Different RAM configurations are possible for the ace100 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
2764
2765
2766
2767  4k
2768
2769  8k
2770
2771  12k
2772
2773  16k
2774
2775  20k
2776
2777  24k
2778
2779  32k
2780
2781  36k
2782
2783  48k
2784
2785  64k (default)
2786
2787
2788
2789
2790
2791===== History and Trivia =====
2792
2793
2794
2795Four years after Apple introduced its computer, Franklin Computer Corporation thought to duplicate Apple’s achievement and released its first computer, the Franklin Ace 100.
2796
2797
2798
2799The ACE 100 was a pure copy of the Apple II. The main board had quite the same design and the ROM content was also exactly identical, aside from the Apple copyright which was removed!
2800
2801
2802
2803Nevertheless, it supported some features that were missing in the Apple II, lower-case letters, and a numeric keypad. The ACE 100 had a short life, hardly one year, and was soon replaced by the ACE 1000
2804
2805
2806
2807It found however one's place in computing history when Apple took legal action against Franklin for counterfeiting and the US Court of Appeals eventually decided in August 1983 that computer programs in ROMs could legally be copyrighted.
2808
2809
2810
2811//(info from old-computers.com)//
2812
2813
2814
2815
2816
2817===== Links =====
2818
2819
2820
2821  * ACE 100 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1070
2822
2823
2824
2825
2826
2827$end
2828
2829
2830
2831#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2832
2833
2834$info=acrnsys1
2835$bio
2836====== Acorn System 1 (1979) ======
2837
2838
2839
2840
2841
2842===== Features =====
2843
2844
2845
2846  * CPU: 6502 1 Mhz
2847
2848  * RAM: 1 kb
2849
2850  * ROM: 512 bytes
2851
2852  * Text Modes: 8 x 1 (8 digits seven-segment LED display)
2853
2854  * Graphic Modes: None
2855
2856  * Colors: None
2857
2858  * Sound: None
2859
2860  * I/O Ports: Eurocard bus (100 x 160 mm cards), Tape interface (300 bauds), RAM I/O (16 lines I/O)
2861
2862  * Keyboard: Calculator-style hexadecimal keyboard, 25 keys
2863
2864  * Built In Language: Machine code
2865
2866  * Peripherals: Memory expansion boards (4k / 8k), Video card, 4k Basic card, Assembler/Disassembler card
2867
2868
2869
2870
2871
2872===== Usage =====
2873
2874
2875
2876== Keyboard ==
2877
2878
2879
2880This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
2881
2882
2883
2884Original Keyboard: Hexadecimal keyboard, 25 keys
2885
2886 
2887
2888                         rst
2889
2890 
2891
2892  c   d   e   f       m   l
2893
2894 
2895
2896  8   9   a   b       g   r
2897
2898 
2899
2900  4   5   6   7       p   up
2901
2902 
2903
2904  0   1   2   3       s  down
2905
2906
2907
2908
2909
2910===== Known Issues =====
2911
2912
2913
2914The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
2915
2916
2917
2918
2919
2920===== History and Trivia =====
2921
2922
2923
2924This 6502 modular system was the first computer produced by Acorn in 1979. It was basically the same type of computer as competitors offered at that time (KIM-1, MK14, Nascom, etc...) : a 6502 or Z80 CPU (in this case, a 6502) mounted on a simple "naked" board, with a one-line display and a hexadecimal keyboard.
2925
2926
2927
2928The System 1 is no exception : it featured an eight-digit seven-segment LED display, a hexadecimal keyboard (25 keys) and as there was no built-in BASIC in the computer, it had only machine-code.
2929
2930Fortunately there was a tape-recorder interface communicating at 300 bauds.
2931
2932
2933
2934Like all these types of "hobbyist" computers, the main advantage was the expandability of the system. They were quite cheap machines because they were shipped basically "naked". Then you had to buy whatever cards you wanted (video, BASIC, sound, etc...). Here the system was Eurocard compatible, which was a well-known expansion board standard at that time.
2935
2936If then you had "too many" expansion cards, a Eurocard rack was available to organise the whole system.
2937
2938
2939
2940The System 1 itself was composed of two Eurocard boards (one for the CPU and the other for the keypad and display) mounted one above the other (sandwiched, you could say), the two being connected by a ribbon cable.
2941
2942
2943
2944//(info from old-computers.com)//
2945
2946
2947
2948===== Links =====
2949
2950
2951
2952  * Mike Cowlishaw's Acorn Microcomputer Page -- http://www.cary.demon.co.uk/acorn/index.html
2953
2954  * Acorn System 1 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=483
2955
2956
2957
2958
2959
2960===== Other Emulators =====
2961
2962
2963
2964  * Mike Cowlishaw's Acorn Microcomputer Emulator -- http://www.cary.demon.co.uk/acorn/acornEmulator.html
2965
2966
2967
2968
2969
2970
2971
2972$end
2973
2974
2975
2976#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
2977
2978
2979$info=adam
2980$bio
2981====== Coleco Adam (1983) ======
2982
2983
2984
2985
2986
2987===== Features =====
2988
2989
2990
2991  * CPU: Zilog Z80-A 3.58MHz
2992
2993  * Co-Processor: 6801 Master-microcomputer
2994
2995  * RAM: 64 kb (25 kb available with Smart Basic), upgradeable  to 144 kb
2996
2997  * VRAM: 16 kb
2998
2999  * ROM: 32 kb
3000
3001  * Display: TV (RF) & composite video, 36 x 24 text, 16 colors, 256 x 192 graphics   
3002
3003  * Ports: cartridge, video, AdamNet
3004
3005  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with 75 keys, separated arrow keys, ten command keys and six programmable function keys.
3006
3007  * Expansion: 3 internal expansion slots
3008
3009  * Peripherals: Daisy-wheel printer (required)
3010
3011  * Storage: 1 or 2 internal cassette drives (Custom Digital Data Packs that look surprisingly like audio cassettes, but aren't the same), external 5.25" floppy drive available
3012
3013  * OS: EOS (Elementary OS) similar to CP/M, OS-7, SmartBASIC (loaded from cassette)
3014
3015
3016
3017
3018
3019===== Usage =====
3020
3021
3022
3023Currently, MESS supports for the adam both cart dumps (in .rom, .col and .bin format) and disk images (.dsk format). The former ones are supported through the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter ones uses up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
3024
3025
3026
3027== Keyboard ==
3028
3029
3030
3031This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
3032
3033
3034
3035Original Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard, 75 keys
3036
3037 
3038
3039  ESCAPE                                                          BACK                MOVE     STORE
3040
3041    WP    HOME       I      II     III     IV      V      VI      SPACE   UNDO        COPY      SET     CLEAR
3042
3043 
3044
3045 
3046
3047    \|     1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6_   7&   8*   9(   0)   -`   +=   ^~             INSERT   PRINT    DELETE
3048
3049 
3050
3051 
3052
3053    TAB      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}
3054
3055 
3056
3057 
3058
3059    CONTROL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;:   '"    RETURN                   UP
3060
3061 
3062
3063 
3064
3065    SHIFT        Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?      SHIFT           LEFT              RIGHT
3066
3067 
3068
3069 
3070
3071      LOCK                         SPACEBAR                                                    DOWN
3072
3073
3074
3075
3076
3077===== Known Issues =====
3078
3079
3080
3081Emulation is incomplete due to missing MC6801 AdamNet MCU dumps (Tape, Disc, Keyboard). It should nevertheless work ok.
3082
3083
3084
3085
3086
3087===== History and Trivia =====
3088
3089
3090
3091The ADAM was available in two models, the complete system and Expansion Module #3. When the memory console of Expansion Module #3 is connected to the ColecoVision, the two models are essentially identical in function. The expansion module #3 uses part of the ColecoVision hardware, thus the memory unit doesn't have any cartridge slot, and isn't delivered with any controllers nor TV switch box.
3092
3093
3094
3095The whole system is made of the daisywheel printer, the memory unit and the keyboard. The power supply is built-in the printer!
3096
3097
3098
3099The Smart Basic isn't in ROM and has to be loaded from a tape, however there's a little word processor in ROM, this word processor prints the text to the printer at the same time the user types on the keyboard, but can also be used as a classic wordprocessor.
3100
3101
3102
3103The Adam had a pretty short life, only two years! Despite this there is still a community of Adam fans who still use their system. Nowadays, most Adam users use a 320k 5 1/4 inch disk drive, an external 2400 baud modem, and a 20, 30 or 40 megabyte IDE harddisk. Adams often have memory expanders up to 2 MB in size (which is usually used as a RAM disk), and also a parallel printer (like a bubble jet)!
3104
3105
3106
3107//(info from old-computers.com)//
3108
3109
3110
3111
3112
3113===== Links =====
3114
3115
3116
3117  * eColeco -- http://coleco.freeservers.com/
3118
3119  * Coleco Adam Technical Manual -- http://drushel.cwru.edu/atm/atm.html
3120
3121  * Adam Family Computer System -- http://www.sacnews.net/adamcomputer/
3122
3123  * Coleco Adam at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/adam.shtml
3124
3125  * Coleco Adam at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=57
3126
3127
3128
3129
3130
3131===== Other Emulators =====
3132
3133
3134
3135  * ADAMEm -- http://www.komkon.org/~dekogel/adamem.html
3136
3137
3138
3139
3140
3141$end
3142
3143
3144
3145#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3146
3147
3148$info=advision
3149$bio
3150====== Entex Adventure Vision (1982) ======
3151
3152
3153
3154
3155
3156===== Features =====
3157
3158
3159
3160  * CPU: Intel 8048 733kHz
3161
3162  * RAM: 1K + 64 bytes internal to processor
3163
3164  * ROM: 1K Cartridge ROM, 1K BIOS
3165
3166  * Sound: COP411L 52.6 kHz micro controller with custom sound generation software. 16 Pure Tone, 13 Sound Effects
3167
3168  * Graphics: 40 x 1 LED array and spinning mirror, 15 FPS
3169
3170  * Colors: 2
3171
3172  * Resolution: 150 x 40
3173
3174  * I/O: 4 direction joystick, 4 buttons
3175
3176  * Ports: Cartridge port, expansion port, headphone jack
3177
3178
3179
3180
3181
3182===== Usage =====
3183
3184
3185
3186MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run advision emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
3187
3188
3189
3190  mess advision -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
3191
3192
3193
3194== Controls ==
3195
3196
3197
3198The Adventure Vision has a central Joystick and four control buttons (numbered from 1 to 4) at each side of the joystick, so that both a right or left handed player can play in comfort.
3199
3200
3201
3202
3203
3204===== Known Issues =====
3205
3206
3207
3208All four games are playable.
3209
3210
3211
3212
3213
3214===== History and Trivia =====
3215
3216
3217
3218The Adventure Vision was a cartridge based, electronic handheld video game that was manufactured by Entex Industries in 1982. It measured about 13 1/4" x 10" x 9" and used one vertical strip of 40 red LEDs and a spinning mirror to produce a screen with a 150 x 40 resolution drawn at 15 frames/sec. There were only four cartridges produced for it: Defender, Turtles, Super Cobra, and an Asteroids clone, Space Force.
3219
3220
3221
3222Visit adventurevision.com -- http://www.adventurevision.com for more informations.
3223
3224
3225
3226
3227
3228===== Links =====
3229
3230
3231
3232  * AdventureVision.com -- http://www.adventurevision.com
3233
3234  * Dan B's Adventure Vision Tech Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/adventurevision.shtml
3235
3236  * Adventure Vision at handheldmuseum.com -- http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Entex/AV.html
3237
3238
3239
3240
3241
3242$end
3243
3244
3245
3246#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3247
3248
3249$info=aes
3250$bio
3251====== SNK Neo Geo AES (1990) ======
3252
3253
3254
3255Neo Geo AES was the home version of the famous arcade system Neo Geo MVS.
3256
3257
3258
3259
3260
3261===== Features ====
3262
3263
3264
3265  * CPU: Motorola 68000 at 12  MHz
3266
3267  * Co-Processor: Zilog Z80 at 4  MHz
3268
3269  * RAM: 64 KB main, 2 KB sound
3270
3271  * SRAM: 2 KB
3272
3273  * VRAM: 512 KB
3274
3275  * Colors: 4,096 (on screen), 65,536 (palette)
3276
3277  * Graphic Modes: 304 x 224
3278
3279  * Sound: Yamaha YM2610, 15 channels (7 digital, 4 FM, 3 PSG, 1 noise)
3280
3281  * I/O Ports: composite RCA A/V and S-Video output port
3282
3283
3284
3285
3286
3287===== History and Trivia =====
3288
3289
3290
3291Released in 1990 by the SNK, the Neo Geo AES was the home version of the popular MVS arcade board. The hardware was the same in the two systems, with cartridges containing both the arcade and home version of a game and only a slightly different cart slot preventing MVS cartridges from working in the AES and viceversa.
3292
3293
3294
3295This design choice made by SNK, resulted in a very high price for the units. Originally it was only released for rental in the United States, but later the console was made available for sale when it became apparent that people were willing to spend money on a home arcade machine. Despite its high price tag, the machine sold over a million units.
3296
3297
3298
3299//(info based on Wikipedia and old-computers.com)//
3300
3301
3302
3303
3304
3305===== Links =====
3306
3307
3308
3309  * Neo-Geo.com -- http://www.neo-geo.com/
3310
3311  * NeoGeoForLife.com -- http://www.neogeoforlife.com/
3312
3313  * SpoonMan's Neo-Geo Page -- http://www.videogameobsession.com/neogeo/
3314
3315  * Neo Geo at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1225
3316
3317  * [[wp>Neo_Geo_(console)]]
3318
3319
3320
3321
3322
3323===== Other Emulators =====
3324
3325
3326
3327  * MAME -- http://www.mamedev.org (only emulates arcade MVS)
3328
3329  * Nebula -- http://nebula.emulatronia.com/
3330
3331  * Final Burn Alpha -- http://www.barryharris.me.uk/index.php
3332
3333
3334
3335
3336
3337$end
3338
3339
3340
3341#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3342
3343
3344$info=aim65
3345$bio
3346====== Rockwell AIM-65 (1977) ======
3347
3348
3349
3350
3351
3352===== Features =====
3353
3354
3355
3356  * CPU: Rockwell 6502 1MHz
3357
3358  * RAM: 1 to 4 KB (up to 32 KB of static RAM)
3359
3360  * ROM: 8 to 20 KB
3361
3362  * Integrated 20 digit (16 segment) display
3363
3364  * Full size keyboard
3365
3366  * Integrated printer
3367
3368  * Connector for tty input/output
3369
3370  * Tape interface
3371
3372
3373
3374
3375
3376===== Usage =====
3377
3378
3379
3380MESS supports up to three cartridge devices to load custom ROMs:
3381
3382
3383
3384  * "cartrige1" (cart1) for ROMs with the extension .z26
3385
3386  * "cartrige2" (cart2) for ROMs with the extension .z25
3387
3388  * "cartrige3" (cart3) for ROMs with the extension .z24
3389
3390
3391
3392For example, to use BASIC, load ''aim65_basic.z26'' into slot 1 and ''aim65_basic.z25'' into slot 2, i.e. enter at command line
3393
3394
3395
3396  mess aim65 -cart1 aim65_basic.z26 -cart2 aim65_basic.z25
3397
3398
3399
3400Once in the emulated machine, type "5" to start it.
3401
3402
3403
3404== Keyboard ==
3405
3406
3407
3408This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
3409
3410
3411
3412Original Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 54 keys.
3413
3414 
3415
3416        1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0    :*   F3   PRINT
3417
3418 
3419
3420  ESC     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    -=     F2     RETURN
3421
3422 
3423
3424    CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   LF @    F1   DEL
3425
3426 
3427
3428    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?     SHIFT
3429
3430 
3431
3432                                 SPACEBAR
3433
3434
3435
3436== BIOS options ==
3437
3438
3439
3440Different versions of the monitor ROMs are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
3441
3442
3443
3444  "-bios 0" or "-bios aim65" = Rockwell AIM-65
3445
3446 
3447
3448  "-bios 1" or "-bios dynatem" = Dynatem AIM-65
3449
3450
3451
3452== RAM options ==
3453
3454
3455
3456Different RAM configurations are possible for the aim65 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
3457
3458
3459
3460  1k
3461
3462  2k
3463
3464  3k
3465
3466  4k (default)
3467
3468
3469
3470
3471
3472===== Known Issues =====
3473
3474
3475
3476  * No printer support
3477
3478  * No tape support
3479
3480  * Would suffer from support for intelligent terminals as tty equipment.
3481
3482  * Due to a MESS core problem, only .z24 carts are accepted at the moment
3483
3484
3485
3486
3487
3488===== History and Trivia =====
3489
3490
3491
3492
3493
3494
3495
3496This strange computer was designed to be a development system for 6502 based computers. It had no display except for a small 20 character LED screen and a very small thermal printer located directly on the motherboard which could print everything that was typed on the keyboard.
3497
3498
3499
3500The board featured five 4 KB-ROM sockets. Two of them were dedicated to the AIM monitor program, including an instant input assembler (no labels) and a disassembler. Various programming languages (BASIC, FORTH...) or custom applications could be added in the three remaining sockets.
3501
3502
3503
3504Several cards were developped for this machine, especially language cards and ROMs: a BASIC card (BASIC language with floating point mathematics capabilities), PL/65 (a mixture of the PL/1 and Algol languages), Instant Pascal (an interpreted version of Pascal), Assembler and the FORTH programming language.
3505
3506
3507
3508In 1981 Rockwell introduced an improved model with a 40 character display as the AIM-65/40.
3509
3510
3511
3512//(info from old-computers.com)//
3513
3514
3515
3516Thanks to Richard A. Cini: provided help and pictures.
3517
3518
3519
3520
3521
3522===== Links =====
3523
3524
3525
3526  * AIM-65 Documentation -- http://highgate.comm.sfu.ca/~rcini/classiccmp/systems.htm
3527
3528  * AIM-65 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/aim65.shtml
3529
3530  * AIM-65 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=58
3531
3532
3533
3534
3535
3536$end
3537
3538
3539
3540#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3541
3542
3543$info=al520ex
3544$bio
3545====== Patisonic Aleste 520EX (1993) ======
3546
3547
3548
3549
3550
3551===== Features =====
3552
3553
3554
3555  * CPU: Zilog Z80A @ 3.5/4/7/8MHz
3556
3557  * RAM: 512kB, expandable to 2MB
3558
3559  * Audio: AY-3-8912
3560
3561  * Video: 6845 CRTC
3562
3563  * Video modes: 160x200x16, 320x200x4, 640x200x2, 320x200x16, 640x200x4, 256x212x16, 512x212x4
3564
3565  * Palette: 64 colours (6-bit RGB)
3566
3567  * RTC: MC146818
3568
3569
3570
3571
3572
3573===== Usage =====
3574
3575
3576
3577MESS currently supports al520ex emulation with one "cassette" (cass) device and up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). The former one supports tapes in .wav and .cdt format; the latter ones support disk images in .dsk format (the MSX .dsk format).
3578
3579
3580
3581Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sna files and that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
3582
3583
3584
3585== Misc ==
3586
3587
3588
3589To start in CPC mode, hold SHIFT while booting.
3590
3591
3592
3593To enter system setup, hold CLR (mapped to Backspace, by default) while booting.
3594
3595
3596
3597Insert a bootable Aleste MSX disk image to boot to MSX-DOS.  Run an executable (*.com) program by typing the filename (without the .com extension) at the A> prompt and pressing ENTER.
3598
3599
3600
3601== Keyboard ==
3602
3603
3604
3605This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
3606
3607
3608
3609
3610
3611===== Known Issues =====
3612
3613
3614
3615  * Supports only MSX format disk images currently.
3616
3617  * RTC emulation is not complete, time is not always constantly updated on screen in system setup.
3618
3619  * The Magic Sound expansion is not emulated.
3620
3621
3622
3623
3624
3625===== History and Trivia =====
3626
3627
3628
3629The Aleste 520EX is a Russian clone of the CPC6128, that expands existing video mode and can run MSX-DOS.
3630
3631
3632
3633It also adds an MC146818 RTC/NVRAM, an Intel 8253 timer and the "Magic Sound" board, which is a 4-channel DMA-based sample player. 
3634
3635
3636
3637Finally, it includes a software emulation of the MSX2 VDP, used in the ports of MSX games.
3638
3639
3640
3641//(info from MESS driver)//
3642
3643
3644
3645
3646
3647===== Links =====
3648
3649
3650
3651  * [[http://aleste520.narod.ru/index.html]]  (Some pages are in Russian)
3652
3653  * CPC Wiki link -- http://www.cpcwiki.com/index.php/Aleste_520EX
3654
3655
3656
3657
3658
3659$end
3660
3661
3662
3663#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3664
3665
3666$info=alice
3667$bio
3668====== Matra & Hachette Alice (1983) ======
3669
3670
3671
3672
3673
3674===== Features =====
3675
3676
3677
3678  * CPU: Motorola 6803 0.89 MHz (it's a cross between 6800 and 6809)
3679
3680  * Co-Processor: MC-6847 Video Generator
3681
3682  * RAM: 4 kb, 3 kb left for user [Alice 4k]; 16 kb, 8 kb left for user [Alice 32]
3683
3684  * ROM: 8 kb [Alice 4k]; 16 kb [Alice 32]
3685
3686  * Text Modes: 32 x 16 [Alice 4k]; 32 x 16, 40 x 25, 80 x 25 [Alice 32]
3687
3688  * Graphics Modes: 64 x 32 [Alice 4k]; 64 x 32, 160 x 125, 320 x 250 [Alice 32]
3689
3690  * Colors: 9 [Alice 4k]; 9 with Basic, 32 with machine code [Alice 32]
3691
3692  * Sound: 1 channel
3693
3694  * I/O Ports: Expansion port (18 pins), Tape-recorder (1500 bauds), TV (7 pins DIN plug), I/O serial port (4 pins DIN plug)
3695
3696  * Peripherals: Printer, 16k RAM expansion
3697
3698  * Built In Language: Basic Microsoft 1.0 (1982)
3699
3700  * Keyboard: AZERTY, chicklet keyboard, 47 keys (1 SHIFT, 1 CONTROL, BREAK, ENTER), Basic statements written above each key
3701
3702
3703
3704
3705
3706===== Usage =====
3707
3708
3709
3710Currently, MESS supports cassette tapes for the alice, either in .wav or in .cas format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
3711
3712
3713
3714== Keyboard ==
3715
3716
3717
3718This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
3719
3720
3721
3722Original Keyboard: AZERTY keyboard, 48 keys
3723
3724 
3725
3726    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)    0   :*   -=
3727
3728 
3729
3730 
3731
3732       A    Z    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @   BREAK
3733
3734 
3735
3736 
3737
3738          Q    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    M   ENTER
3739
3740 
3741
3742 
3743
3744  CONTROL   W    X    C    V    B    N   /?    ,<   .>   ;+   SHIFT
3745
3746 
3747
3748 
3749
3750                               SPACEBAR
3751
3752
3753
3754== RAM options ==
3755
3756
3757
3758Different RAM configurations are possible for the alice in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
3759
3760
3761
3762  4k
3763
3764  20k (default)
3765
3766
3767
3768
3769
3770===== History and Trivia =====
3771
3772
3773
3774In 1981, Matra signed a deal with Tandy/RadioShack to develop a MC-10 clone for 1983: the Alice. Matra then worked with Hachette (both were owned by the Lagardère group) to produce the documentation and to organize the distribution. Last but not least, the well known and excellent french illustrator Moebius drew a beautiful illustration for the docs and the box of the Alice.
3775
3776
3777
3778Alice is quite limited in its possibilities but is also quite pleasant to use. Its case is whole red and the computer really looks like a toy.
3779
3780
3781
3782Several educational programs were developed for this computer.
3783
3784
3785
3786Then in 1984, Matra presents a new version : The Alice 32 with 16 kb RAM and improved graphical possibilities.
3787
3788
3789
3790But this computer was, like the MC 10, a flop in the marketplace. It was replaced one year later by the Alice 90.
3791
3792
3793
3794//(info from old-computers.com)//
3795
3796
3797
3798
3799
3800===== Links =====
3801
3802
3803
3804  * Romuald Line's Alice Page -- http://membres.lycos.fr/romualdl/alice/alice.html
3805
3806  * Alice at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=60
3807
3808
3809
3810
3811
3812===== Other Emulators =====
3813
3814
3815
3816  * DCAlice -- http://alice32.free.fr/index.html
3817
3818  * Alice 32 Emulator -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
3819
3820
3821
3822
3823
3824$end
3825
3826
3827
3828#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3829
3830
3831$info=amsterd
3832$bio
3833====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Amsterdam (1985) ======
3834
3835
3836
3837===== Features =====
3838
3839
3840
3841  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz
3842
3843  * ROM: 64 KB
3844
3845  * RAM: 16 KB
3846
3847
3848
3849
3850
3851===== History and Trivia =====
3852
3853
3854
3855Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers.
3856
3857
3858
3859They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules.
3860
3861
3862
3863The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
3864
3865
3866
3867Mephisto Amsterdam was introduced in 1985. It was programmed by Richard Lang.
3868
3869
3870
3871For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
3872
3873
3874
3875
3876
3877===== Links =====
3878
3879
3880
3881  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
3882
3883  * Mephisto Amsterdam at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
3884
3885  * Mephisto Amsterdam at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Amsterdam
3886
3887  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
3888
3889
3890
3891
3892
3893$end
3894
3895
3896
3897#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
3898
3899
3900$info=apexc
3901$bio
3902====== APE(X)C (All Purpose Electronic X-Ray Computer) (1951?) ======
3903
3904
3905
3906
3907
3908===== Features =====
3909
3910
3911
3912//(from the source code)//
3913
3914
3915
3916  * 32-bit data word size (10-bit addresses): uses fixed-point, 2's complement arithmetic
3917
3918  * CPU has one accumulator (A) and one register (R), plus a Control Register (this is what we would call an "instruction register" nowadays). No Program Counter, each instruction contains the address of the next instruction (!).
3919
3920  * memory is composed of 256 (maximal value only found on the UCC - APE(X)C only has 32 tracks) circular magnetic tracks of 32 words: only 32 tracks can be accessed at a time (the 16 first ones, plus 16 others chosen by the programmer), and the rotation rate is 3750rpm (62.5 rotations per second).
3921
3922  * two I/O units: tape reader and tape puncher.  A teletyper was designed to read specially-encoded punched tapes and print decoded text.
3923
3924  * machine code has 15 instructions (!), including add, substract, shift, multiply (!), test and branch, input and punch.  A so-called vector mode allow to repeat the same operation 32 times with 32 successive memory locations. Note the lack of bitwise and/or/xor (!) .
3925
3926  * 1 kIPS, although memory access times make this figure fairly theorical (drum rotation time: 16ms, which would allow about 60IPS when no optimization is made)
3927
3928  * there is no indirect addressing whatever, although dynamic modification of opcodes (!) allows to simulate it...
3929
3930  * a control panel allows operation and debugging of the machine.
3931
3932
3933
3934
3935
3936===== Usage =====
3937
3938
3939
3940You should specify a cylinder image with code to run in it. Arguably, APEXC does not require such an image, since you may enter code in the control panel, but this would be a pain in the ass.
3941
3942
3943
3944If the program you run use punched tape I/O, you may specify tape image files. The first unit is read-only, the second unit is write-only.
3945
3946
3947
3948In MESS, you can use "cylinder" (cyln) device to load a cylinder image and the "punchtape1" (ptap1) and "punchtape2" (ptap2) devices to choose which punchtape you want for input and output. The resulting MESS command line may look like this
3949
3950 
3951
3952  mess apexc -cyln ram_image.apc -ptap1 input.tap -ptap2 output.tap
3953
3954
3955
3956**Important:** Note that, when you quit MESS or the APEXC driver, the contents of the cylinder are saved to the image you specified. This simulates the behavior of the APEXC, where the cylinder image IS the working memory. If you don't like this behavior, you may either write-protect the cylinder image file, or keep a backup copy elsewhere on your hard disk (highly recommended).
3957
3958
3959
3960Note that the APEXC CPU is stopped on start-up, so that you may check the machine state and enter the start-up program address.
3961
3962
3963
3964On start-up, the instruction at address 0 is loaded into the Control Register, then the machine is stopped. To run the program starting at address 0, just press the Run/stop switch (the Run/stop switch is mapped to the "Return" key on the main keyboard).
3965
3966
3967
3968To start a program at another address, you need to load the first instruction into the Control register with the control panel. To do so, use keys "1" through "0" on the main keyboard to enter the 10-bit address into the 10 most significant bits of the Control Panel display, and set other bits to 0 with the three rows of keys under "1" through "0" (each key toggles a bit in the control panel display; don't be intimidated if it sounds complicated, it should eventually appear straight-forward when you try, provided you know what binary scale is). You have thus generated a Stop instruction pointing to the first instruction of the program. Write this instruction into the Control Register, by holding "Left Shift" pressed and pressing "1" on the numeric keypad. You should now press the Run/stop switch twice (mapped to the "Return" key on the main keyboard). First press executes the stop order, but fetches the first instruction of the program into the control register. Second press starts running the program, starting with the first instruction.
3969
3970
3971
3972== Control panel usage  ==
3973
3974
3975
3976This is relatively simple. The Control Panel may hold and display a 32-bit value. Display is made of 32 lamps, which show the current value in binary scale (each lamp represents one bit). Hence, the normal usage is loading the value you want to edit into the control panel, editing it, then saving it to the proper location.
3977
3978
3979
3980== Default key map ==
3981
3982
3983
3984  * Run/stop switch: "Return" key on main keypad
3985
3986
3987
3988The next 6 keys may be used alone to read the register into the control panel display, or in combination with the Left Shift key to write the value in the control panel display into the register.
3989
3990
3991
3992  * Read/Write Control Register: "1" key on numeric keypad
3993
3994  * Read/Write Accumulator: "2" key on numeric keypad
3995
3996  * Read/Write Register: "3" key on numeric keypad
3997
3998  * Read/Write Current Head Block (never used on APEXC - used for bank switching): "4" key on numeric keypad
3999
4000  * Read/Write Memory Location: "5" key on numeric keypad
4001
4002  * Read/Write Memory Location pointed to by ML register: "6" key on numeric keypad
4003
4004
4005
4006To write instead of reading: "Left Shift" key (when you press one of the 6 keys above, the designated register is read into the control panel display, unless this key is being pressed, in which case the value in the control panel display is written into the register)
4007
4008
4009
4010  * Toggle bits 1 through 10 in display: keys "1" through "0" on the main keyboard
4011
4012  * Toggle bits 11 through 20 in display: key row directly below the former on the main keyboard ("Q" through "P" if your keyboard is QWERTY)
4013
4014  * Toggle bits 21 through 30 in display: key row directly below the former on the main keyboard ("A" through ";" if your keyboard is QWERTY)
4015
4016  * Toggle bits 31 and 32 in display: key row directly below the former on the main keyboard ("W" and "X" keys if your keyboard is QWERTY)
4017
4018
4019
4020
4021
4022===== Known Issues =====
4023
4024
4025
4026Since I have no description of the control panel of an actual APEXC, I implemented a common-place control panel, so this part of the emulation is not accurate. I don't even know how an actual APEXC was operated, and the procedures I describe above are not accurate, either.
4027
4028
4029
4030The driver should work correctly as of MESS .37b15. Still, it needs development tools, sample code and usage instructions desperately. I have tons of sample code (which was the reason for starting to write this driver), but still need to retype it. I have started work on an assembler, too.
4031
4032
4033
4034
4035
4036===== History and Trivia =====
4037
4038
4039
4040The APEXC was designed by Andrew D. Booth at Birkbeck College, London, in the early 50's. From 1943 on, he started working on the determination of crystal structures using X-ray diffraction data.  The computations involved were extremely tedious and there was ample incentive for automating the process. In 1947, along with his collaborator and future spouse Kathleen Britten, he spent a few months with von Neumann's team, which was the leading edge in computer research at the time. Booth designed an electromechanical computer, the ARC, in the late 40's. Later on, they built an experimental electronic computer named 'SEC' (Simple Electronic Computer), and finally the APEC (All-Purpose Electronic Computer) series.
4041
4042
4043
4044== APEC series machines ==
4045
4046
4047
4048According to a 1956 document, the APEC series included the following machines:
4049
4050
4051
4052  * APE(X)C: Birkbeck College, London (before 1955)
4053
4054  * APE(N)C: Board of Mathematical Machines, Oslo ('N' must stand for 'Norway')
4055
4056  * APE(H)C: British Tabulating Machine Company (No idea what 'H' can stand for)
4057
4058  * APE(R)C: British Rayon Research Association ('R' must stand for 'Rayon')
4059
4060  * UCC: University College, London (circa January 1956)
4061
4062  * MAC (Magnetic Automatic Calculator): "built by Wharf Engineering Laboratories" (February 1955)
4063
4064  * The HEC (Hollerith Electronic Computer - silly name invented by BTM directors), built by the British Tabulating Machine Company [later to become International Computers and Tabulators (ICT), then International Computers Limited (ICL)], a commercial machine sold in several models (I have heard of HEC 1, HEC 2, HEC 2M [no idea what the difference with HEC 2 is] and HEC 4) (before 1955)
4065
4066
4067
4068Only one of each of these machines was built, with the exception of HEC (and possibly MAC) which were commercial machines produced in small series. They were similar in design, with various small differences, mostly in I/O equipment (either punched-card machines - APEXC, APEHC - or teletypers (keyboard and printer, and paper tape reader and puncher) - APERC, APENC). Also, the UCC had 8k words of storage, instead of 1k word for other machines, and the MAC used germanium diodes in replacement of many tubes.  The HEC used standard
4069
4070Hollerith punch cards; the HEC 4 had a printer, too, and it featured several instructions (divide) and registers not found on the APEXC.
4071
4072
4073
4074I am sorry I know little more about Booth, his team, and the history of these machines.
4075
4076
4077
4078== Technical Description ==
4079
4080
4081
4082The APEXC is an incredibly simple machine.
4083
4084
4085
4086Instruction and Data words are always 32-bit-long. The processor uses integer arithmetic with 2's complement representation. Addresses are 10-bit-long. The APEXC has no RAM, except a 32-bit accumulator and a 32-bit data register (used along with the 32-bit accumulator to implement 64-bit shift instructions and hold the 64-bit result of a multiplication). Instructions and data are stored in two magnetic drums, for a total of 32 circular magnetic tracks of 32 words. Since the rotation rate is 3750rpm (62.5 rotations per second), the program execution speed can go from as high as the theoretical maximum of 1 kIPS to lower than 100IPS if program instructions and data are not contiguous. Nowadays, many a pocket calculator is faster.
4087
4088
4089
4090One oddity is that there is no program counter: each machine instruction includes the address of the next instruction. This design may sound weird, but it is the only way to achieve optimal performance with this cylinder-based memory.
4091
4092
4093
4094The machine code is made of 15 instructions only, namely addition, subtraction, multiplication, load (3 variants), store (2 variants), conditional branch, right arithmetic bit shift, right bit rotation, punched-card input, punched-card output, machine stop, and bank-switching (which is never used on the APEXC, since it only has 1024 words of storage, and addresses are 10-bit-long). A so-called vector mode enables to repeat the same operation 32 times with 32 successive memory locations. Note the lack of bitwise and/or/xor and division. Also, note the lack of indirect addressing modes: dynamic modification of opcodes is the only way one may simulate it.
4095
4096
4097
4098Another oddity is that the memory bus and the ALU are 1-bit-wide. There is a 64kHz bit-clock and a 2kHz word-clock, and each word memory and arithmetic operation is decomposed into 32 1-bit memory and arithmetic operations: this takes 32 bit cycles, for a total of 1 word cycle.
4099
4100
4101
4102The processor is fairly efficient: most instructions take only 2 word cycles (1 for fetch, 1 for read operand and execute), with the exception of stores, shifts and multiplications. Yes, the APEXC CPU is a RISC: there is no other adequate word.
4103
4104
4105
4106Note there is no ROM, and therefore no 'bootstrap loader' or default start-up program whatever. As far as I know, no executive or operating system was ever written for the APEXC, although there were subroutine libraries of sorts for common arithmetic, I/O and debug tasks.
4107
4108
4109
4110Operation of the machine is normally done through a control panel which allows the user to start, stop and resume the CPU, and to alter registers and memory when the CPU is stopped. When starting the machine, the address of the first instruction of the program to be executed must be entered in the control panel, then the run switch must be pressed. Most programs end with a stop instruction, which enables to check the state of the machine, possibly run some post-mortem debugging procedures (a core dump routine is described in an APEXC programming book), then enter the address of another program and run it.
4111
4112
4113
4114Two I/O devices were supported: a paper tape reader, and a paper tape puncher. The puncher output could be fed to a printer ('teletyper') unit when desirable. Printer output is emulated and is displayed on screen. Tape input was either computer-generated by the APEXC, or hand-typed with a special 32-key keyboard (each tape row had 5 data holes (<-> bits), which makes 32 different values).
4115
4116
4117
4118
4119
4120
4121
4122$end
4123
4124
4125
4126#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4127
4128
4129$info=apfimag
4130$bio
4131====== APF Imagination Machine (1978) ======
4132
4133
4134
4135
4136
4137===== Features =====
4138
4139
4140
4141  * CPU: Motorola 6800 3.579 MHz
4142
4143  * Co-Processor: Motorola MC-6847P video display generator
4144
4145  * RAM: 9 KB expandable to 17 KB
4146
4147  * ROM: 14 KB
4148
4149  * Text Modes: 16 lines x 32 char. (8 colours)
4150
4151  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 192 (8 colours) - 256 x 192 (4 colours)
4152
4153  * Colors: 8
4154
4155  * Sound: Built-in music synthetiser & speaker, one channel, 5 octaves
4156
4157  * I/O Ports: TV aerial output, Microphone jack, expansion port
4158
4159  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard - 53 keys
4160
4161  * Built in Media: 1500 baud, stereo cassette deck
4162
4163  * Peripherals: 5.25" disk drive unit, expansion box, RS-232 & 8 KB RAM cartridges
4164
4165  * Built in Language: APF Basic on cartridge
4166
4167
4168
4169
4170
4171===== Usage =====
4172
4173
4174
4175== Keyboard ==
4176
4177
4178
4179This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
4180
4181
4182
4183Original Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke keyboard, 53 keys
4184
4185
4186
4187                                                                    HERE
4188
4189     1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*    -=     IS
4190
4191 
4192
4193                                                            LINE
4194
4195  ESC   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O_   P@    FEED   RETURN
4196
4197 
4198
4199                                                               RUB
4200
4201   CTRL   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K[   L\    ;+   OUT  REPT  BREAK
4202
4203 
4204
4205 
4206
4207   SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N^   M]   ,<   .>    /?     SHIFT
4208
4209 
4210
4211 
4212
4213                                  SPACEBAR
4214
4215
4216
4217== BASIC commands ==
4218
4219
4220
4221In BASIC, pressing "CTRL" and a letter/number will display a basic keyword making it easier to enter programs.
4222
4223
4224
4225  CTRL + Q     = IF
4226
4227  CTRL + W     = STEP
4228
4229  CTRL + E     = STOP
4230
4231  CTRL + R     = READ
4232
4233  CTRL + T     = NEXT
4234
4235  CTRL + Y     = PRINT
4236
4237  CTRL + U     = END
4238
4239  CTRL + I     = LIST
4240
4241  CTRL + O     = REM
4242
4243  CTRL + P     = USING
4244
4245  CTRL + 1     = GOSUB
4246
4247  CTRL + 2     = LET
4248
4249  CTRL + 3     = DATA
4250
4251  CTRL + 4     = INPUT
4252
4253  CTRL + 5     = DIM
4254
4255  CTRL + 6     = FOR
4256
4257  CTRL + 7     = RETURN
4258
4259  CTRL + 8     = THEN
4260
4261  CTRL + 9     = ON
4262
4263  CTRL + 0     = GOTO
4264
4265  CTRL + -     = RESTORE
4266
4267  CTRL + ENTER = CLOAD
4268
4269
4270
4271== Cassettes ==
4272
4273
4274
4275MESS supports a "cassette" (cass) device for apfimag. It's possible to load either .wav or .apt cassette files, e.g. running at command line
4276
4277
4278
4279  mess apfimag -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.apt"
4280
4281
4282
4283Once the emulation has started and you have written a program, you can use
4284
4285
4286
4287  CSAVE"<filename>"
4288
4289
4290
4291to save the program to a file and
4292
4293
4294
4295  CLOAD""
4296
4297
4298
4299to load the file back (or to load the cassette content at start).
4300
4301
4302
4303== Floppy Disks ==
4304
4305
4306
4307MESS supports two floppy drives for apfimag, corresponding to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). Basic disk images with the .apd extension are supported and can be loaded running
4308
4309
4310
4311  mess apfimag -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.apd"
4312
4313
4314
4315Once the emulation has started and you have written a program, you can use
4316
4317
4318
4319  SAVE"<filename>"
4320
4321
4322
4323to save the program to a file, and
4324
4325
4326
4327  LOAD"<filename>"
4328
4329
4330
4331to load the file back (or to load the floppy content at start). You can also use
4332
4333
4334
4335  DIR <drive number>
4336
4337
4338
4339(i.e. "DIR 0" or "DIR 1") to list the content of the disk.
4340
4341
4342
4343
4344
4345===== Known Issues =====
4346
4347
4348
4349  * Cassette loading and saving is working
4350
4351  * Interrupts are not exact. I don't know enough about them, any info would be appreciated.
4352
4353  * Disc interface is working, but there may be some bugs.
4354
4355  * Keyboard emulation is almost ok
4356
4357  * The M6847 emulation is very advanced *BUT* I don't think I have set it up correctly for the APF Imagination, therefore the graphics are wrong.
4358
4359  * Memory emulation is not complete
4360
4361
4362
4363
4364
4365===== History and Trivia =====
4366
4367
4368
4369This strange hybrid computer came in two parts: a videogame console and a computer. The game system, called the APF MP-1000, was released in 1978. It had two controlers, each with a joystick and a numeric keypad. It came with a built-in game called "Rocket Patrol".
4370
4371
4372
4373The computer console, the "Imagination Machine" was sold as an add-on for the MP-1000. You could also buy both at the same time (most people did). The computer has a 53-key standard typewriter keyboard, a built-in stereo cassette deck (1500 baud), a built-in sound-speaker and an internal operating system and BASIC language interpreter. The APF BASIC, delivered on cartridge, was quite poor. You had to use a lot of POKEs and CALLs to play with graphics. For example, to clear the screen, the command was CALL 17046.
4374
4375
4376
4377The video game system nestled on top of the keyboard module. This computer add-on concept would later be used by several game system manufacturers like Coleco with their ColecoVision game system connected to the Adam Computer, or Intellivision and their ECS module (and keyboard component).
4378
4379
4380
4381An additional disc interface was available.
4382
4383
4384
4385//(info from old-computers.com)//
4386
4387
4388
4389
4390
4391===== Links =====
4392
4393
4394
4395  * Imagination Machine page -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
4396
4397  * APF-M1000, APF-MP1000 & Imagination Machine F.A.Q. (by Sylvain De Chantal) -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/apf.txt
4398
4399  * Imagination Machine at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=584
4400
4401
4402
4403
4404
4405===== Other Emulators =====
4406
4407
4408
4409  * APF Imagination Machine Emulator (Enrique Collado's APF emu for DOS) -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
4410
4411  * Virtual APF (by emucompboy) -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
4412
4413
4414
4415
4416
4417
4418
4419$end
4420
4421
4422
4423#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4424
4425
4426$info=apfm1000
4427$bio
4428====== APF M-1000 (1978) ======
4429
4430
4431
4432
4433
4434===== Features =====
4435
4436
4437
4438  * CPU: Motorola 6800 (8 bit) 3.579 MHz
4439
4440  * Co-Processor: Motorola MC-6847P video display generator
4441
4442  * RAM: 1K
4443
4444  * ROM: None (Game Rocket Patrol built-in)
4445
4446  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 192 (8 colours) - 256 x 192 (4 colours)
4447
4448  * Colors: 8
4449
4450  * I/O Ports: 2x Joystick, Cartridge, TV output
4451
4452
4453
4454
4455
4456===== Usage =====
4457
4458
4459
4460MESS currently supports cartridge dumps for apfm1000. The "cartridge" (cart) device supports .bin images, and you can run them using e.g.
4461
4462
4463
4464  mess apfm1000 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
4465
4466
4467
4468If you don't specify any cart, the built-in game "Rocket Patrol" will start.
4469
4470
4471
4472== Controls ==
4473
4474
4475
4476Games are controlled through the non-detachables joysticks and keypads. The 12-keys keypads are placed under the joystick and have the following layout
4477
4478 
4479
4480  7   8   9   0
4481
4482 
4483
4484  4   5   6   Cl
4485
4486 
4487
4488  1   2   3   En
4489
4490 
4491
4492  Cl,En=Clear and Enter
4493
4494
4495
4496On the back of the controller a trigger is present (labeled as "Fire").
4497
4498
4499
4500
4501
4502===== Known issues =====
4503
4504
4505
4506  * The driver is still missing exact cpu/video timing (backgammon relies on exact video timing).
4507
4508  * It lacks support for special cartridges (basic, space destroyer)
4509
4510
4511
4512
4513
4514===== History and Trivia =====
4515
4516
4517
4518The APF M1000 was released in 1978. It's a Video game system cart based, comes with 2 non-detachables joysticks with a numeric keypad on each ones (look likes a mini-calculator with a joystick), has "Reset" & "Power" buttons on the unit. It could be played on a Color TV only. This system seems to have been the pack-in unit with Imagination Machine.
4519
4520
4521
4522A second model, the APF MP1000, was released in 1978. This system is basically the same as the M1000 model and both systems does come with built-in game called "Rocket Patrol".
4523
4524
4525
4526Both of these systems had the ability to be expanded to the Imagination Machine & both can play each other cartridges.
4527
4528
4529
4530
4531
4532===== Links =====
4533
4534
4535
4536  * Imagination Machine page -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
4537
4538  * APF-M1000, APF-MP1000 & Imagination Machine F.A.Q. (by Sylvain De Chantal) -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/apf.txt
4539
4540
4541
4542
4543
4544===== Other Emulators =====
4545
4546
4547
4548  * APF Imagination Machine Emulator (Enrique Collado's APF emu for DOS) -- http://www.nausicaa.net/~lgreenf/apfpage.htm
4549
4550  * Virtual APF (by emucompboy) -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
4551
4552
4553
4554
4555
4556$end
4557
4558
4559
4560#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4561
4562
4563$info=apple1
4564$bio
4565====== Apple 1 (1976) ======
4566
4567
4568
4569
4570
4571===== Features =====
4572
4573
4574
4575  * CPU: MOS Technology 6502 1 MHz
4576
4577  * Memory: 4 kB DRAM, expandable to 8 kB on board, or up to 52 kB with third-party expansion hardware
4578
4579  * Screen: 40x24 characters
4580
4581  * Storage: Optional cassette interface
4582
4583  * Keyboard: No keyboard (sold separately)
4584
4585
4586
4587
4588
4589===== Usage =====
4590
4591
4592
4593MESS supports the emulation of apple1 with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav format (see below).
4594
4595
4596
4597Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .snp files.
4598
4599
4600
4601== Misc ==
4602
4603
4604
4605Upon boot or reset, the system displays a "\" and a blinking "@" cursor on the next line.  The blinking "@" is the Apple 1's video cursor. The "\" is the prompt for the Monitor program.  From the Monitor, you can examine or change memory or execute another
4606
4607program.
4608
4609
4610
4611You can always interrupt a program and return to the Monitor by pressing the Apple 1's RESET switch ("F12").  This will not clear the screen or disturb memory contents.
4612
4613
4614
4615To cold-boot the system, clearing the screen and memory, press the MESS Reset key ("F3", in partial emulation mode only).
4616
4617
4618
4619The Apple 1's CLEAR SCREEN switch ("F2") will clear the screen and place the cursor at the upper left corner.  This only clears the video hardware, not the computer's memory, so you can use it whenever you like.
4620
4621
4622
4623== Cassettes ==
4624
4625
4626
4627To start the cassette interface's mini-monitor from the Monitor, type the Monitor command
4628
4629 
4630
4631  C100R
4632
4633
4634
4635This mini-monitor will let you write memory regions to a cassette image or read a cassette image into memory.  It will only execute a single line of commands, and will then return you to the main Monitor, but this line can contain several write or read commands.
4636
4637
4638
4639  * Cassette write command, writing data from memory at $xxxx-$yyyy
4640
4641 
4642
4643  xxxx.yyyyW
4644
4645
4646
4647  * Cassette read command, reading data into memory at $xxxx-$yyyy
4648
4649 
4650
4651  xxxx.yyyyR
4652
4653
4654
4655The starting and ending addresses xxxx and yyyy should be 4-digit hexadecimal addresses. The starting address can actually be shorter than 4 digits, but to be safe, the ending address should be exactly 4 digits.  (A bug in the cassette mini-monitor will cause digits missing from the ending address to be replaced by the trailing digits of the starting address, and if the starting address does not end with zeroes, much more data will be written or read than expected.)
4656
4657
4658
4659If a command line contains multiple write or read commands, the corresponding memory regions will be written or read in sequence. These commands may be separated by spaces, which are ignored.
4660
4661
4662
4663When a region is written, its data is preceded by a 10-second leader.  When a region is read, the leader can vary in length but should be at least 4-5 seconds.
4664
4665
4666
4667If the cassette image doesn't contain enough data to fill a region, the mini-monitor will hang waiting for the remaining data, and the system must be reset.
4668
4669
4670
4671When all the cassette commands have been executed, the mini-monitor will return to the Monitor, which will display a "\" prompt.
4672
4673
4674
4675Some cassette command examples:
4676
4677
4678
4679  * To read Apple 1 BASIC from cassette
4680
4681
4682
4683 
4684
4685  E000.EFFFR
4686
4687
4688
4689  * To write a BASIC program to cassette, with BASIC's default LOMEM= setting of 2048
4690
4691
4692
4693 
4694
4695  4A.00FFW800.FFFW
4696
4697
4698
4699  * To read a BASIC program from cassette, with LOMEM=768
4700
4701
4702
4703 
4704
4705  4A.00FFR300.FFFR
4706
4707
4708
4709
4710
4711== BASIC ==
4712
4713
4714
4715Once Apple 1 BASIC is loaded into memory, it can be started with the Monitor command
4716
4717
4718
4719 
4720
4721  E000R
4722
4723
4724
4725This will start BASIC from scratch, removing any existing BASIC program and data. To return to BASIC from the monitor while preserving the current program and data, use the command
4726
4727
4728
4729 
4730
4731  E2B3R
4732
4733
4734
4735The BASIC prompt is a ">".  Apple 1 BASIC is generally similar to Apple II Integer BASIC, but without the latter's graphics commands.
4736
4737
4738
4739== Keyboard ==
4740
4741
4742
4743This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
4744
4745
4746
4747== RAM options ==
4748
4749
4750
4751Different RAM configurations are possible for the apple1 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
4752
4753
4754
4755  4k
4756
4757  8k
4758
4759  12k
4760
4761  16k
4762
4763  20k
4764
4765  24k
4766
4767  28k
4768
4769  32k
4770
4771  36k
4772
4773  40k
4774
4775  44k
4776
4777  48k (default)
4778
4779
4780
4781
4782
4783===== Known Issues =====
4784
4785
4786
4787  * The cassette interface and $E000-$EFFF DRAM are always included; they cannot be switched off.
4788
4789  * The DRAM at $E000-$EFFF is not included in the RAM configured by MESS's -ram option, due to limitations in how MESS presently manages configurable RAM.
4790
4791  * Optional cassette interface is included and emulated.
4792
4793  * 4 KB of DRAM is mapped to $E000-$EFFF.  This is required for Apple 1 BASIC.
4794
4795
4796
4797
4798
4799===== History and Trivia =====
4800
4801
4802
4803The Apple 1 was a kit computer that was introduced and sold in small quantities in 1976.
4804
4805
4806
4807Steve Wozniak ("Woz"), who worked for Hewlett-Packard at the time, wanted to build his own computer. He could afford neither the Intel 8080 (the most popular microprocessor at the time) nor the Motorola 6800 (his own preference).  Therefore, he decided to build his computer around MOS Technology's new 6502 chip, which was quite compatible with the Motorola 6800 but far less expensive.  He proceeded to write a BASIC interpreter for the chip, and then turned to designing the computer that would run it, using an earlier paper design for the Motorola 6800.
4808
4809
4810
4811The resulting computer was easier to use and more affordable than many other kit computers of the time, sporting a keyboard interface and TV-compatible video terminal circuitry, all on a single circuit board.  To keep costs down, the video memory was implemented using shift registers rather than RAM, with the downside being a slow display rate (60 characters per second). However, this was still much faster than the 10-character-per-second electromechanical Teletypes used with many early home computers. Wozniak's computer also used new, more compact 4-kilobit dynamic RAM chips instead of the 1-kilobit static RAMs used by most other designs. Wozniak promoted his computer and enhancements for it at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California.
4812
4813
4814
4815Steve Jobs, who had worked with Woz on the game "Breakout" for Atari, convinced Woz to try to market and sell the computer. Together they formed the Apple Computer Company. Paul Terrell, the owner of The Byte Shop, a new local computer store, was interested in this
4816
4817computer, but only if it was fully assembled and came with a cassette interface, so Wozniak designed one.
4818
4819
4820
4821Normally, the Apple 1 was sold "naked", simply as a circuit board, without a monitor, power supply, keyboard, tape drive, etc. These would be added by the owner. Wozniak and Jobs assembled about 200 systems and sold about 170 of them. Most of these were later traded in to Apple for Apple IIs and were destroyed. About 30 to 50 are still in existence.
4822
4823
4824
4825This machine was so popular that Jack Tramiel of Commodore (!) offered to buy Apple. Apple was, at the time, a major purchaser of MOS 6502 processors and Commodore owned MOS Technologies. Wozniak wanted $15,000 more than Tramiel offered. Needless to say, the deal fell through.
4826
4827
4828
4829//(info from old-computers.com)//
4830
4831
4832
4833
4834
4835===== Links =====
4836
4837
4838
4839  * Apple 1 Owners Club -- http://www.applefritter.com/apple1
4840
4841  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
4842
4843  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah02.html
4844
4845  * Apple 1 Manual -- http://emulation.net/apple1/manual/apple1manx.html
4846
4847  * Apple 1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=67
4848
4849
4850
4851
4852
4853$end
4854
4855
4856
4857#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
4858
4859
4860$info=apple2
4861$bio
4862====== Apple ][ (1977) ======
4863
4864
4865
4866
4867
4868===== Features =====
4869
4870
4871
4872  * CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz
4873
4874  * Memory: RAM 4kB expandable to 48kB, 12kB ROM
4875
4876  * Screen: 6 colors at 280x192, 4-bit color at 40x48
4877
4878  * Data path: 8-bit
4879
4880  * I/O Ports: Video out (composite), 8 expansion slots, Tape recorder, Paddles
4881
4882  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard - only supports uppercase letters
4883
4884  * Built In Language: Integer Basic
4885
4886
4887
4888
4889
4890===== Usage =====
4891
4892
4893
4894MESS supports the emulation of apple2 with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
4895
4896
4897
4898== Misc ==
4899
4900
4901
4902Upon booting, you'll get the ROM monitor prompt ('*'), from which you can examine / modify / run at different memory locations. 
4903
4904(Note: you would normally need to press RESET to get to the prompt, but this doesn't seem to be necessary in MESS.)
4905
4906
4907
4908From the Monitor, press control-B then ENTER to get to Integer BASIC, which uses the greater than prompt ('>').
4909
4910
4911
4912You can invoke the mini-assembler by entering 'F666G' at the Monitor.
4913
4914
4915
4916To backspace, use the left arrow key.  The "Backspace" key is mapped to the Apple ][ "DEL".
4917
4918
4919
4920== Keyboard ==
4921
4922
4923
4924This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
4925
4926
4927
4928Original Keyboard: QWERTY Full-stroke keyboard
4929
4930 
4931
4932     1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*    -=    RESET
4933
4934 
4935
4936 
4937
4938  ESC   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P@    REPT   RETURN
4939
4940 
4941
4942                                BELL
4943
4944    CTRL    A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L    ;+   <-   ->
4945
4946 
4947
4948 
4949
4950     SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B     N^   M    ,<   .>   /?  SHIFT
4951
4952 
4953
4954 
4955
4956     POWER                         SPACEBAR
4957
4958
4959
4960== RAM options ==
4961
4962
4963
4964Different RAM configurations are possible for the apple2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
4965
4966
4967
4968  4k
4969
4970  8k
4971
4972  12k
4973
4974  16k
4975
4976  20k
4977
4978  24k
4979
4980  32k
4981
4982  36k
4983
4984  48k
4985
4986  64k (default)
4987
4988
4989
4990
4991
4992===== History and Trivia =====
4993
4994
4995
4996The Apple ][ is an improved version of the Apple 1 kit computer first released in 1977. Along with the TRS-80 and the PET, it constituted one of the "second-generation" of computers, aimed at the general user rather than the specialized hobbyist.
4997
4998
4999
5000The Apple ][ featured a beige plastic case, color graphics, and seven (eight?) expansion slots. It included a version of BASIC called "Integer BASIC" on the ROM which came with the machine.
5001
5002
5003
5004It was an excellent home gaming platform.  It shipped with two game paddles (various models were used) and supports up to four. It also included a built-in speaker.
5005
5006
5007
5008The cassette interface required a cassette recording deck and was quite finicky. The treble and bass on the cassette deck had to be fiddled with in just the right way.
5009
5010
5011
5012Apple ][ was the very first commercial success of the Apple Computer Company.
5013
5014
5015
5016Because Steve Wozniak wanted to demonstrate his Breakout game with the new Apple ][, he decided to add colour, sound and minimum paddle support to the Apple 1's heir.
5017
5018
5019
5020The Apple ][ came with 4 KB RAM, but it was possible to add 4 KB or 16 KB RAM chips. Thus, the system could have memory in the following sizes: 4K, 8K, 12K,16K, 20K, 24K, 32K, 36K, or a full 48K. This was one of the strong points of the Apple ][: from the beginning, it was
5021
5022designed with expansion in mind. The 8 expansion slots were further proof of that - users could expand their system easily, just by plugging cards into the slots.
5023
5024
5025
5026The ROM included the monitor, a 6502 disassembler, 'Sweet 16' a 16-bit CPU emulator and the Integer Basic written by Wozniak in machine language, assembled by hand on paper! Not having to load a language from tape or disk to start programing was also a significant advantage over competitors. Even the innovative plastic case proved to be an important feature to attract customers.
5027
5028
5029
5030Just a few months after the Apple ][ presentation at the First West Coast Computer Fair in April 1977, Apple received about three hundred orders for the Apple ][, over a hundred more than the total number of Apple-1's sold.
5031
5032
5033
5034The Apple ][ was followed in 1979 by the Apple II+, which brought some enhancements.
5035
5036
5037
5038== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
5039
5040
5041
5042"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
5043
5044
5045
5046"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
5047
5048
5049
5050The generally preferred machine designations are:
5051
5052
5053
5054  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
5055
5056  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
5057
5058  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
5059
5060  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
5061
5062  * Apple //c
5063
5064  * Apple IIc+
5065
5066  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
5067
5068
5069
5070
5071
5072===== Links =====
5073
5074
5075
5076  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
5077
5078  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
5079
5080  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
5081
5082  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
5083
5084  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
5085
5086  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
5087
5088  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
5089
5090  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
5091
5092  * Iowa universiry Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
5093
5094  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
5095
5096  * Apple ][ at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple_ii.shtml
5097
5098  * Apple ][ at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=68
5099
5100
5101
5102
5103
5104===== Other Emulators =====
5105
5106
5107
5108  * Dapple - Apple II (II+, IIe) emulator for DOS and Unix with C source code -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/dapple/
5109
5110  * AppleWin - A great apple 2+ and apple 2e emulator for windows -- http://applewin.berlios.de/
5111
5112  * Apple Oasis - Emulates Apple IIe system including hard disk, clock, CP/M card, etc. -- http://www.geocities.com/APL24WIN/index.html
5113
5114  * Catakig - MacOS -- http://www.radix.net/~cklipsch/ctkgdoc/
5115
5116  * Bernie ][ the rescue - Mac & BeOS -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
5117
5118  * YAE, Yet another Apple ][ Emulator - Unix -- http://quark.netfront.net:6502/
5119
5120
5121
5122
5123
5124$end
5125
5126
5127
5128#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5129
5130
5131$info=apple2c
5132$bio
5133====== Apple //c (1984) ======
5134
5135
5136
5137
5138
5139===== Features =====
5140
5141
5142
5143  * CPU: MOS 65C02 1.4MHz
5144
5145  * Memory: 128kB RAM expandable to 1mB, 32kB ROM
5146
5147  * Screen: 16 colors at 560 x 192 (double-hi-res); 4-bit color text mode at 40 x 48
5148
5149  * Data path: 8-bit
5150
5151  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Joystick/Mouse, RGB, Floppy Disk, RS232c (2)
5152
5153  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 62 keys with arrows keys
5154
5155  * Built In Media: one 5.25" diks-drive
5156
5157  * OS: DOS 3.3, ProDOS, UCSD Pascal
5158
5159  * Built In Language: AppleSoft BASIC
5160
5161
5162
5163
5164
5165===== Usage =====
5166
5167
5168
5169MESS emulates the following computers
5170
5171
5172
5173  * apple2c [Apple //c]
5174
5175  * apple2c0 [Apple //c (UniDisk 3.5)]
5176
5177  * apple2c3 [Apple //c (Original Memory Expansion)]
5178
5179  * apple2c4 [Apple //c (rev. 4)]
5180
5181
5182
5183For each driver, MESS supports the emulation with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
5184
5185
5186
5187== Keyboard ==
5188
5189
5190
5191These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
5192
5193
5194
5195== RAM options ==
5196
5197
5198
5199Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
5200
5201
5202
5203  64k
5204
5205  128k (default)
5206
5207
5208
5209
5210
5211===== Known Issues =====
5212
5213
5214
5215The emulation of the rev. 4 is still Preliminary.
5216
5217
5218
5219
5220
5221===== History and Trivia =====
5222
5223
5224
5225The Apple //c was the compact (the "c" stands for compact) version of the Apple IIe. It had the same basic characteristics as the Apple IIe but included a lot of features which were optional on the IIe: floppy disk drive, 80-column display, color display, 128 KB RAM. But unlike the Apple IIe, it had no expansion slots, so it was hard to add features to this computer. It ran either with DOS 3.3 or with ProDOS.
5226
5227
5228
5229The Apple //%%c was originally designed to be a portable version of the Apple ][, but it wasn't a stand alone system, it had no batteries and no LCD screen (Apple would soon release these items), it could also be used with a small 9" monochrome green screen which plugged into the unit. The Apple %%//c was mainly used as a desktop computer.
5230
5231
5232
5233The Apple //c was replaced with the Apple IIc+ in 1988.
5234
5235
5236
5237//(info from old-computers.com)//
5238
5239
5240
5241== Revisions ==
5242
5243
5244
5245Apple //c went under several revisions: you can discover which machine you are using issuing the command
5246
5247
5248
5249 
5250
5251  PRINT PEEK(64447).
5252
5253
5254
5255  * If 255 is displayed, you have the first, original model. This model is known to have problems producing accurate baud rates for serial communications.
5256
5257  * If 0 is displayed, you can use 3.5" drives, but you don't have the memory expansion connector.
5258
5259  * If 3 is displayed, you have the memory expansion connector and you can plug in extra memory.
5260
5261  * If 4 is displayed, you have the latest model with memory expansion connector and extra upgrades.
5262
5263  * If 5 is displayed, you have an Apple IIc+.
5264
5265
5266
5267== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
5268
5269
5270
5271"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
5272
5273
5274
5275"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
5276
5277
5278
5279The generally preferred machine designations are:
5280
5281
5282
5283  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
5284
5285  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
5286
5287  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
5288
5289  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
5290
5291  * Apple //c
5292
5293  * Apple IIc+
5294
5295  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
5296
5297
5298
5299== Easter Egg ==
5300
5301
5302
5303Enter
5304
5305
5306
5307  100 IN#5 : INPUT A$ : PRINT A$
5308
5309
5310
5311at the ']' prompt (Applesoft Basic) and 'RUN' it. The names of the developers will display!
5312
5313
5314
5315
5316
5317===== Links =====
5318
5319
5320
5321  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
5322
5323  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
5324
5325  * Apple //c .dsk Archive -- http://www.multimania.com/apple2c/
5326
5327  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
5328
5329  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
5330
5331  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
5332
5333  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
5334
5335  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
5336
5337  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
5338
5339  * Iowa universiry Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
5340
5341  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
5342
5343  * Apple //c at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple2c.shtml
5344
5345  * Apple //c at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=69
5346
5347
5348
5349
5350
5351$end
5352
5353
5354
5355#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5356
5357
5358$info=apple2cp
5359$bio
5360====== Apple IIc Plus (1988) ======
5361
5362
5363
5364
5365
5366===== Features =====
5367
5368
5369
5370  * CPU: MOS 65C02 4MHz
5371
5372  * Memory: 128kB RAM, 128kB ROM
5373
5374  * Screen: 16 colors at 560 x 192 (256 colors with a upgrade that was availble in 1989); 4-bit color text mode at 40 x 48
5375
5376  * Data path: 8-bit
5377
5378  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Joystick/Mouse, RGB, Floppy Disk, RS232c (2), Video Expansion, Internal Modem Connector
5379
5380  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard
5381
5382  * Built In Media: one 3.5" diks-drive
5383
5384  * OS: DOS 3.3, ProDOS, UCSD Pascal
5385
5386
5387
5388
5389
5390===== Usage =====
5391
5392
5393
5394MESS supports the emulation of apple2cp with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
5395
5396
5397
5398== Keyboard ==
5399
5400
5401
5402This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
5403
5404
5405
5406== RAM options ==
5407
5408
5409
5410Different RAM configurations are possible for apple2cp in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
5411
5412
5413
5414  64k
5415
5416  128k (default)
5417
5418
5419
5420
5421
5422===== History and Trivia =====
5423
5424
5425
5426The Apple IIc Plus unit was a direct response to the Laser 128EX/2.
5427
5428
5429
5430Apple retrofitted the IIc design to try to compete with Video Technology's high-speed Apple II clone. The retrofitting is evident in the design of the motherboard. The motherboard runs at 1MHz, unlike the Laser 128EX/2. In order to run its programs faster, Apple used a 4MHz 65C02 with 8k of high speed SRAM cache and licensed the accelerator design from Zip Technologies (makers of the ZipChip accelerator for the IIe and IIc). They built an accelerator into a 1MHz motherboard rather than designing a faster motherboard from scratch.
5431
5432
5433
5434The designers of the Apple IIc Plus originally wanted to make a portable IIGS. Apple's management, bent on promoting the Mac, balked at the idea. At the same time, the Laser 128EX/2 made a quick design cycle mandatory. The result was an updated IIc.
5435
5436
5437
5438The Apple IIc Plus was the finest Apple 8-bit computer ever built, but due to a lack of marketing, the apparent backward step in technology compared to the 16-bit Apple IIGS, and the aggressive sales of the Laser 128EX/2, the IIc Plus also was to be the most short-lived of the Apple II models.
5439
5440
5441
5442//(info from old-computers.com)//
5443
5444
5445
5446== Revisions ==
5447
5448
5449
5450Apple //c went under several revisions: you can discover which machine you are using issuing the command
5451
5452
5453
5454 
5455
5456  PRINT PEEK(64447).
5457
5458
5459
5460  * If 255 is displayed, you have the first, original model. This model is known to have problems producing accurate baud rates for serial communications.
5461
5462  * If 0 is displayed, you can use 3.5" drives, but you don't have the memory expansion connector.
5463
5464  * If 3 is displayed, you have the memory expansion connector and you can plug in extra memory.
5465
5466  * If 4 is displayed, you have the latest model with memory expansion connector and extra upgrades.
5467
5468  * If 5 is displayed, you have an Apple IIc+.
5469
5470
5471
5472== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
5473
5474
5475
5476"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
5477
5478
5479
5480"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
5481
5482
5483
5484The generally preferred machine designations are:
5485
5486
5487
5488  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
5489
5490  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
5491
5492  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
5493
5494  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
5495
5496  * Apple //c
5497
5498  * Apple IIc+
5499
5500  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
5501
5502
5503
5504
5505
5506===== Links =====
5507
5508
5509
5510
5511
5512  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
5513
5514  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
5515
5516  * Apple //c .dsk Archive -- http://www.multimania.com/apple2c/
5517
5518  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
5519
5520  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
5521
5522  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
5523
5524  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
5525
5526  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
5527
5528  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
5529
5530  * Iowa University Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
5531
5532  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
5533
5534  * Apple //c at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=69
5535
5536
5537
5538
5539
5540$end
5541
5542
5543
5544#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5545
5546
5547$info=apple2e
5548$bio
5549====== Apple IIe series (IIe 1983 - //e 1985 - //e Platinum 1987) ======
5550
5551
5552
5553
5554
5555===== Features =====
5556
5557
5558
5559  * CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz [Apple IIe]; MOS 65C02 1MHz [Apple //e]
5560
5561  * Memory: 64kB RAM standard, 128kB RAM with extended 80-column card, 16kB ROM
5562
5563  * Screen: 16 colors at 560 x 192 (double-hi-res); 4-bit color text mode at 40 x 48
5564
5565  * Data path: 8-bit
5566
5567  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Internal Slots (6), Memory slot, Tape, Joystick
5568
5569  * Keyboard: Full stroke 52 key with cursor keys
5570
5571  * Built In Media: None
5572
5573  * OS: DOS 3.3 or ProDOS
5574
5575  * Built In Language: Basic
5576
5577
5578
5579
5580
5581===== Usage =====
5582
5583
5584
5585MESS emulates the following systems
5586
5587
5588
5589  * apple2e [Apple //e]
5590
5591  * apple2ee [Apple //e (enhanced)]
5592
5593  * apple2ep [Apple //e (Platinum)]
5594
5595
5596
5597In each driver, MESS supports the emulation with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
5598
5599
5600
5601== Keyboard ==
5602
5603
5604
5605These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
5606
5607
5608
5609== RAM options ==
5610
5611
5612
5613Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
5614
5615
5616
5617  64k
5618
5619  128k (default)
5620
5621
5622
5623
5624
5625===== History and Trivia =====
5626
5627
5628
5629The Apple IIe is the successor of the Apple ][+.  It was developed after the Apple /// failed to catch on with the public, and released in 1983. It was a very great success and was widely used in schools.  The Apple IIe features an optional 80-column text display, new keys on the keyboard, upper- and lower-case text, and bank-switching to increase the amount of addressable RAM. The Apple IIe also supported the new ProDOS operating system released in 1984.
5630
5631
5632
5633Note the Apple IIe emulation includes the 80-column card and motherboard revision B, meaning that double-hi-resolution modes are available.
5634
5635
5636
5637The Enhanced Apple IIe, a.k.a. the Apple //e (MESS system name, "apple2ee") was released in 1985.  It included ROM bugfixes, replace the 6502 processor with the 65C02, and added a character genrator ROM with new graphic characters called "MouseText".  The 65C02 and MouseText hurt compatibility with the older models slightly but gave it slightly better performance.
5638
5639
5640
5641The Platinum Apple //e adopted the ||GS keyboard layout and minor motherboard modifications.
5642
5643
5644
5645== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
5646
5647
5648
5649"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
5650
5651
5652
5653"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
5654
5655
5656
5657The generally preferred machine designations are:
5658
5659
5660
5661  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
5662
5663  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
5664
5665  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
5666
5667  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
5668
5669  * Apple //c
5670
5671  * Apple IIc+
5672
5673  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
5674
5675
5676
5677
5678
5679===== Links =====
5680
5681
5682
5683  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
5684
5685  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
5686
5687  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
5688
5689  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
5690
5691  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
5692
5693  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
5694
5695  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
5696
5697  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
5698
5699  * Iowa University Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
5700
5701  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
5702
5703  * Apple IIe at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple2e.shtml
5704
5705  * Apple IIe at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=83
5706
5707
5708
5709
5710
5711===== Other Emulators =====
5712
5713
5714
5715  * Dapple - Apple II (II+, IIe) emulator for DOS and Unix with C source code -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/dapple/
5716
5717  * AppleWin - A great apple 2+ and apple 2e emulator for windows -- http://applewin.berlios.de/
5718
5719  * Apple Oasis - Emulates Apple IIe system including hard disk, clock, CP/M card, etc. -- http://www.geocities.com/APL24WIN/index.html
5720
5721  * Catakig - MacOS -- http://www.radix.net/~cklipsch/ctkgdoc/
5722
5723  * Bernie ][ the rescue - Mac & BeOS -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
5724
5725  * YAE, Yet another Apple ][ Emulator - Unix -- http://quark.netfront.net:6502/
5726
5727
5728
5729
5730
5731$end
5732
5733
5734
5735#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5736
5737
5738$info=apple2gs
5739$bio
5740====== Apple ||GS (1986) ======
5741
5742
5743
5744
5745
5746===== Features =====
5747
5748
5749
5750  * CPU: Western Design Center 65C816 (16 bit) 2.8 MHz, switchable to 1 MHz
5751
5752  * RAM: 128 KB (ROM 00, ROM 01) or 1 MB (ROM 03), expandable to 8 MB
5753
5754  * ROM: 128 KB (ROM 00, ROM 01) or 256 KB (ROM 03), expandable to 1 MB
5755
5756  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars x 25 lines
5757
5758  * Graphics Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 + Apple II graphic modes (see below)
5759
5760  * Colors: 4096
5761
5762  * Sound: Ensoniq ES5503 32-voice wavetable synthesizer.  The ES5503 was designed by Bob Yannes after leaving Commodore and it's the true sequel to the C64's SID chip. The 5503 has 64k of dedicated wavetable RAM in the ||GS.  The ||GS also retains the speaker toggle of previous Apple IIs.
5763
5764  * I/O Ports: 7 slots, memory expansion, RS422c (2), analogue RGB, Apple Desktop Bus (mouse & keyboard), Composite video, joystick, audio, disk port, AppleTalk
5765
5766  * Keyboard: Detached 80-key full stroke with 10-key numeric pad and ADB pass-through port for the mouse.
5767
5768  * Built In Media: None.
5769
5770  * OS: All 8-bit Apple II OSes plus ProDOS 16 (a 16-bit translation layer over ProDOS, similar to how Windows 9x rode on top of DOS) and later GS/OS, a full 16-bit native OS with much better performance and advanced features like hot-swappable device drivers and plug-in filesystem modules to read CD-ROMs, MS-DOS FAT disks, and Macintosh HFS disks. The ||GS also included a full port of the Macintosh's "Toolbox" - GUI applications written in a high-level language such as C or Pascal were relatively easy to port aside from the endian and screen resolution differences.  In fact, the ||GS was the first Apple released with a color version of the Mac UI (although the Mac II followed it very closely).
5771
5772
5773
5774
5775
5776===== Usage =====
5777
5778
5779
5780MESS emulates three different ROM revisions of the Apple ||GS
5781
5782
5783
5784  * apple2gs [Apple IIgs (ROM03)] - 1989 version of the ||GS
5785
5786  * apple2g1 [Apple IIgs (ROM01)] - 1987 version of the ||GS
5787
5788  * apple2g0 [Apple IIgs (ROM00)] - original, 1986 version of the ||GS
5789
5790
5791
5792For each driver, MESS supports up to four devices
5793
5794
5795
5796  * two floppy drives "slot5disk1" (s5d1) and "slot5disk2" (s5d2), for 3.5" disks in one of the following supported formats: .dsk, .img, .image, .dc, .2img, .2mg
5797
5798  * two floppy drives "slot6disk1" (s6d1) and "slot6disk2" (s6d2), for 5.25" disks in one of the following supported formats: : .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
5799
5800
5801
5802== Keyboard ==
5803
5804
5805
5806These systems requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
5807
5808
5809
5810
5811
5812===== History and Trivia =====
5813
5814
5815
5816The Apple ||GS was originally the "IIX" project, which was intended to use the 65816 along with a special slot that could be used to add either an 8088 (for PC compatibility) or a 68000 (to run Mac software).  But the 65816 was running late (William D. Mensch famously laid it out by hand on his kitchen table, using no computer assistance) and Apple management killed the project.
5817
5818It was later resurrected under the codename "Phoenix" (and later "Gumby" and "Rambo") when the 65816 was ready, and it did make it to market despite a lukewarm response from Apple management. The ||GS was made possible by the development of the "Mega II" ASIC, which contained the entire circuitry of an enhanced Apple IIe except for the CPU, ROMs, and RAM on a small single chip, but it was Steve Wozniak himself who gave a crucial boost to the engineers, coming up with a scheme that would maintain very high Apple II compatibility while still letting the ||GS be its own machine.
5819
5820In tribute, the first production run of the ||GS had Woz's signature stamped onto the case.
5821
5822
5823
5824Sales were strong initially and the ||GS even outsold the black and white Macintosh units that were its contemporary. The ||GS was the first Apple released that could show the Mac GUI in color and the first released machine with the new ADB peripheral connection (the Mac II and SE were introduced several months later).  Apple management was terrified of hurting Mac sales so they had forced the engineers to run the 65816 much slower than the 7 MHz 68000 of the Mac Plus (Wozniak and the engineering team had wanted to run the 65816 at 8 MHz). Even so, the ||GS's all-assembly language Toolbox was eventually tuned to the point where even at 2.8 MHz the GUI felt as snappy as its more powerful cousin. The slow CPU did hurt it for games though - games on the ||GS typically looked good and sounded great but animated poorly. The Apple ||GS disappeared from the market in 1992.
5825
5826
5827
5828In one final gasp, the Apple II supporters at Apple designed the Apple ||GS Plus, code named "Mark Twain".  It was rumored to have an 8 MHz 65C816, a built in SuperDrive, 2MB on the motherboard, and a hard drive.  Apple management originally green lighted the new machine and reserved time during a satellite broadcast in September of 1991 to introduce it to the world, but it was killed at the last minute due to the usual objections that it could hurt the Macintosh.
5829
5830A prototype leaked out of Apple years later and was much less ambitious than was originally thought: it contained the same ROM 3, but with 2 MB of RAM, an on-board SCSI controller, and an internal SCSI HDD.  So even if it had been introduced it would have been too little too late.
5831
5832
5833
5834The Ensoniq chip in the Apple ||GS was a brilliant move by Apple, but like a lot of things related to the ||GS it was something of an accident. Although the 5503 powered several successful Ensoniq synthesizers (the ESQ-1, SQ-80, and the Mirage sampler), Bob Yannes remembered the impact of his SID on the Commodore 64 and wanted to get the chip into a computer. He first called Commodore, but
5835
5836they weren't interested in chips they didn't make (they also passed on the 65816 CPU - imagine a C64 sequel with the 65816 and 5503!)  He called Apple and got bounced around to various people until it hit an engineer on the ||GS team who was heavily into electronic music.  As usual getting management to accept the chip was an uphill fight - originally the sockets for the 5503 and its RAM were to be
5837
5838placed on the board and the chips sold separately, but finally they realized the cost difference was minor at that point and included the chips in every machine sold.  It was so close that the system software shipped with an error code defined for "Ensoniq not present".
5839
5840
5841
5842The chip also caused legal trouble with Apple Records, which resulted in Apple never again putting a hardware synthesizer chip into a computer.  The Macs relied on a 4-voice DMA setup similar to the Commodore Amiga for years and now just use software synthesis.
5843
5844
5845
5846The "SmartPort" external drive port supports both Apple IIe/IIc UniDisks (3.5" and 5.25" models) and the newer Apple 3.5 Drive which was shared with the Macintosh. You could have a total of 2 UniDisks and 4 Apple 3.5 Drives daisy-chained, although such a configuration would have put quite a strain on the stock power supply. Some companies also made SmartPort compatible harddisks, but these were relatively slow and most ||GS users used an add-on SCSI card and drive instead.
5847
5848
5849
5850The difference between a UniDisk and a ||GS 3.5" drive is that the IIGS drive is controlled directly by the computer while the UniDisk has a separate processor. The UniDisk is thus much slower (up to 4x slower) than a ||GS 3.5" drive.
5851
5852
5853
5854Apple and third parties both sold SCSI cards for the ||GS, and Applied Engineering sold a "high density" floppy drive that got double the density by spinning the disk at half speed.  There was never any official Apple support for the more conventional 1.44 MB SuperDrives that were used with the Mac - those required the newer "SWIM" controller chip, while the IIgs still had only the original "IWM" (shared with Macs up through the Mac Plus).
5855
5856
5857
5858The ||GS was available initially as an upgrade motherboard for the Apple IIe - you got a board which would fit in the IIe case and had connectors for the IIe's power supply and internal keyboard and replacement stickers which changed the old "Apple" and "IIe" in Apple's original font into "Apple IIgs" in the newer Apple font.  All the other connectors were still present, and you could buy an ADB keyboard and mouse to use with it as well.  A IIe upgrade version of the ROM 3 motherboard was never made however.
5859
5860
5861
5862The initial ROM 0 ||GS shipped with defects in the "Video Graphics Controller" custom ASIC that caused fringing in the old Apple II video modes under some circumstances.  A new VGC and a new ROM chip were a free upgrade to bring those systems up to ROM 1 specs.
5863
5864
5865
5866
5867
5868== Graphic Modes ==
5869
5870
5871
5872The Apple ||GS had a lot of graphic modes. All modes used a 12-bit palette for 4096 colors.
5873
5874
5875
5876  * 320x200 with 16 colors per scanline. There were a total of 16 hardware palettes that could each  be assigned to one or more scanlines, making 256 colors on screen possible at once. Later software discovered that there was (barely) enough CPU time to rewrite the palette as the beam marched down the screen, giving 16 unique colors on each scanline and up to 3200 colors on screen at once (similar to the Amiga's HAM mode, but more limited).
5877
5878  * 640x200 with 4 colors. The pixels were small enough in this mode that adjacent pairs of pixels blended to create the illusion of 16 colors, although this of course effectively reduced the effective resolution for things which weren't in black and white. Most apps using the GUI Toolbox ran in this mode, although the aspect ratio was pretty terrible.
5879
5880  * Fill mode can be enabled on scanlines which are in the 320x200 mode. This makes color 0 repeat the last non-0 color present on the scanline, making it possible to draw filled polygons at a much higher speed than would otherwise be possible. It was used mostly in a few Eurodemos and a port of the Amiga game "Out Of This World".
5881
5882  * Each scanline could independantly be in 320 or 640 mode, although such mixes weren't commonly seen. A per-scanline interrupt was also available for raster effects (such as the "3200 color" mode).
5883
5884  * SVGA modes with 24-bit color could be added with a 3rd party VGA card, but it came late in the life of the ||GS and had little software support.
5885
5886
5887
5888The ||GS also had all the graphics modes found on the //c.
5889
5890
5891
5892  * Text mode: 40x24 and 80x24. Characters are formed by a 7x8 pixel matrix. Text mode is monochrome but can be set to a specific color. The background and border can each be set to different colors. Text mode is rarely used in GS programs since the OS, GS/OS, had a graphic desktop.
5893
5894  * Low Resolution: 40x48 pixels in 16 colors. Double Low Resolution: 80x48 pixels in 16 colors.
5895
5896  * High Resolution: 280x192 pixels in 6 colors Double High Resolution: 560x192 pixels in 16 colors.
5897
5898  * Combinations/Variations: 4 lines of text mode could be mixed with a truncated Low Resolution or High Resolution mode graphic. The text in mixed mode could be either 40 column or 80 column. Double Low Res and Double High Res modes couldn't be mixed with text.
5899
5900
5901
5902//(info from old-computers.com and other sources)//
5903
5904
5905
5906== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
5907
5908
5909
5910"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
5911
5912
5913
5914"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
5915
5916
5917
5918The generally preferred machine designations are:
5919
5920
5921
5922  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
5923
5924  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
5925
5926  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
5927
5928  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
5929
5930  * Apple //c
5931
5932  * Apple IIc+
5933
5934  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
5935
5936
5937
5938== Easter Egg ==
5939
5940
5941
5942The ||GS with ROM version 3 has an audio recording built-in. Upon booting, when you see the "Open Apple" move back and forth on the screen, press <Control> <Open Apple> <Option> <N>. You will hear the ||GS design team shouting "Apple II!", and see the designers' credits.
5943
5944
5945
5946ROM 1 has the same Easter Egg without the audio clip due to its smaller ROM.
5947
5948
5949
5950
5951
5952===== Links =====
5953
5954
5955
5956  * A2central.com -- http://www.a2central.com/
5957
5958  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
5959
5960  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
5961
5962  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
5963
5964  * CSA2 Usenet Apple II FAQs and Links -- http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html
5965
5966  * Ninjaforce (Makers of demos for the Apple IIGS, including the Ninjaforce Mega Demo) -- http://www.ninjaforce.com/
5967
5968  * Free Tools Association (The premiere IIgs demo group, based in France.  They offer downloads of their productions plus a version of KEGS that runs as an Active X control inside Internet Explorer) -- http://www.freetoolsassociation.com/
5969
5970  * What is the Apple IIgs? -- http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/
5971
5972  * Apple IIgs at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=71
5973
5974
5975
5976
5977
5978===== Other Emulators =====
5979
5980
5981
5982  * XGS (Windows, DOS, Mac, NeXT - now discontinued) -- http://www.inwards.com/xgs/
5983
5984  * KEGS (For Mac OS X, Win32, Linux, and Unix/X11 - extremely accurate) -- http://kegs.sourceforge.net/
5985
5986  * KEGS32 (Win emulator based on the Kent Dickey's KEGS for UNIX) -- http://www.geocities.com/akilgard/kegs32/
5987
5988  * Bernie II the rescue (The most fully featured IIGS emulator, only on the MacOS for PowerPCs) -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
5989
5990
5991
5992
5993
5994$end
5995
5996
5997
5998#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
5999
6000
6001$info=apple2p
6002$bio
6003====== Apple ][+ (1979) ======
6004
6005
6006
6007
6008
6009===== Features =====
6010
6011
6012
6013  * CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz
6014
6015  * Memory: RAM 48kB, 12kB ROM
6016
6017  * Screen: 8 colors at 280 x 192, 4-bit color at 40 x 48
6018
6019  * Data path: 8-bit
6020
6021  * I/O Ports: Composite monitor, Internal Slots (8), Tape recorder In/Out jacks
6022
6023  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
6024
6025  * Built In Media: None
6026
6027  * OS: DOS 3.2.1 and DOS 3.3
6028
6029  * Built In Language: AppleSoft Basic (Microsoft F.P. version)
6030
6031
6032
6033
6034
6035===== Usage =====
6036
6037
6038
6039MESS emulates the following computers
6040
6041
6042
6043  * apple2p [Apple ][+]
6044
6045  * apple2jp [Apple ][j+]
6046
6047
6048
6049For both drivers, MESS supports the emulation with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
6050
6051
6052
6053== Misc ==
6054
6055
6056
6057Invoking the emulator with a floppy disk will boot from that disk.  If booting without a floppy, use the RESET key ("F3" in partial keyboard emulation) to get to APPLESOFT.
6058
6059
6060
6061You can identify the APPLESOFT prompt as "]".  Lines can be edited from APPLESOFT using the arrow keys or using Escape, then "I" for up, "J" for left, "K" for right, and "M" for down.
6062
6063
6064
6065== Keyboard ==
6066
6067
6068
6069These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
6070
6071
6072
6073== RAM options ==
6074
6075
6076
6077Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
6078
6079
6080
6081  16k
6082
6083  32k
6084
6085  48k
6086
6087  64k (default)
6088
6089
6090
6091
6092
6093===== History and Trivia =====
6094
6095
6096
6097The Apple ][+ is an incrementally improved Apple ][ that was released in 1979.
6098
6099
6100
6101Most improvements centered around the ROM chip. It featured a floating point BASIC in ROM called APPLESOFT instead of Integer BASIC.  It also had an "autostart" capability which caused the machine to boot automatically from attached Disk ][ devices or other peripherals.  Bug fixes increased the number of hi-res color to 8 and eliminated the violet and green fringe around characters in text mode.
6102
6103
6104
6105The emulator for the Apple ][+ includes a disk drive controller in slot two with two Disk ][ drives.  This revolutionary controller was probably the first commercial soft-sector 5.25" floppy drive, and was the cheapest ever at the when it shipped at $595.
6106
6107
6108
6109Minor as these improvements may seem, it greatly increased the desirability of the Apple ][ line and gave a huge boost in sales to the Apple line.
6110
6111
6112
6113The Apple II+ was sold in Europe as the Apple IIeuroplus which could display video in European PAL format, and had ESC sequences for European letters. It was followed by the Apple 2e.
6114
6115
6116
6117//(info from old-computers.com)//
6118
6119
6120
6121== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==
6122
6123
6124
6125"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
6126
6127
6128
6129"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.
6130
6131
6132
6133The generally preferred machine designations are:
6134
6135
6136
6137  * Apple ][   or  Apple II for pre-][+ models
6138
6139  * Apple ][+  or  Apple II+
6140
6141  * Apple IIe  for non-enhanced IIe computers
6142
6143  * Apple //e  for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
6144
6145  * Apple //c
6146
6147  * Apple IIc+
6148
6149  * Apple IIgs or  GS  or best (if you have the fonts)  ||GS
6150
6151
6152
6153
6154
6155===== Links =====
6156
6157
6158
6159  * Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
6160
6161  * DOS/ProDOS FAQ -- http://www.apple2.org/faq/FAQ.dos.prodos.html
6162
6163  * APPLESOFT FAQ -- http://www.apple2.org/faq/FAQ.applesoft02.html
6164
6165  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
6166
6167  * Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
6168
6169  * Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
6170
6171  * Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
6172
6173  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
6174
6175  * Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
6176
6177  * Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
6178
6179  * Iowa universiry Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
6180
6181  * www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
6182
6183  * Apple ][+ at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple_ii_plus.shtml
6184
6185  * Apple ][+ at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=571
6186
6187
6188
6189
6190
6191===== Other Emulators =====
6192
6193
6194
6195  * Dapple - Apple II (II+, IIe) emulator for DOS and Unix with C source code -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/dapple/
6196
6197  * AppleWin - A great apple 2+ and apple 2e emulator for windows -- http://applewin.berlios.de/
6198
6199  * Apple Oasis - Emulates Apple IIe system including hard disk, clock, CP/M card, etc. -- http://www.geocities.com/APL24WIN/index.html
6200
6201  * Catakig - MacOS -- http://www.radix.net/~cklipsch/ctkgdoc/
6202
6203  * Bernie ][ the rescue - Mac & BeOS -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
6204
6205  * YAE, Yet another Apple ][ Emulator - Unix -- http://quark.netfront.net:6502/
6206
6207
6208
6209
6210
6211$end
6212
6213
6214
6215#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6216
6217
6218$info=apple3
6219$bio
6220====== Apple /// (1980) ======
6221
6222
6223
6224
6225
6226===== Features =====
6227
6228
6229
6230  * CPU: MOS 6502A 2 MHz
6231
6232  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 512 KB)
6233
6234  * ROM: 16 KB
6235
6236  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars x 24 lines
6237
6238  * Graphic Modes: 40 x 40-48 (16 col), 280 x 160-192 (6 col), 560 x 160-192 (2 col)
6239
6240  * Colors: 16 maximum
6241
6242  * I/O Ports: Monitor, Internal Slots (4), RS-232, Floppy disk port
6243
6244  * Keyboard: Full stroke 74-key with numeric keypad
6245
6246  * Built In Media:  140KB 5.25" disk-drive
6247
6248  * OS: SOS
6249
6250  * Built In Language: Business BASIC
6251
6252
6253
6254
6255
6256===== Usage =====
6257
6258
6259
6260MESS emulation supports apple3 with four disk drives: two Slot 6 Disks, which become in MESS "slot6disk1" (s6d1) and "slot6disk2" (s6d2), and two floppy disk drives, which become "floppydisk3" (flop3) and "floppydisk4" (flop4).
6261
6262
6263
6264In each drive you can load a disk image in one of the supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib.
6265
6266
6267
6268== Keyboard ==
6269
6270
6271
6272This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
6273
6274
6275
6276Original Keyboard: QWERTY full stroke 74-key with numeric keypad
6277
6278
6279
6280  ESCAPE   1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)    -_     =+      \|         7    8    9
6281
6282 
6283
6284 
6285
6286      TAB     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P     [{     ]}    `~        4    5    6
6287
6288 
6289
6290 
6291
6292    CONTROL      A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L     ;:   '"     RETURN       1    2    3
6293
6294 
6295
6296 
6297
6298     SHIFT          Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>    /?  SHIFT    UP          0      .
6299
6300 
6301
6302  ALPHA   OPEN   CLOSED
6303
6304  LOCK    APPLE  APPLE                 SPACEBAR                  LEFT  RIGHT  DOWN      -    ENTER
6305
6306
6307
6308
6309
6310===== Known Issues =====
6311
6312
6313
6314The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
6315
6316
6317
6318
6319
6320===== History and Trivia =====
6321
6322
6323
6324The Apple /// was designed to be a business machine. It was partly compatible with the Apple II (thanks to a few options in the operating system). It used a powerful memory management system and worked under SOS (Sophisticated Operating System) which was a great, device-independent, operating system. This OS was the "ancestor" of ProDOS (the "professional" Apple operating system) and some parts of this system were used later in the Lisa and Macintosh OSs.
6325
6326
6327
6328Despite its unique features, the Apple /// had a lot of technical problems, namely, the horrible case design. It caused the internal temperature to get so hot that the motherboard would warp and some of the socketed chips would become unseated. To remedy this, Apple told people to literally pick up the computer several centimeters off the desk and drop it! It was a miserable flop in the marketplace.
6329
6330
6331
6332The Apple ///%% was followed in december 1983 by the Apple %%/// plus which had an Apple IIe style keyboard and a new video interface. Four months later, it was discontinued.
6333
6334
6335
6336//(info from old-computers.com)//
6337
6338
6339
6340
6341
6342===== Links =====
6343
6344
6345
6346  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
6347
6348  * Apple /// at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple_iii.shtml
6349
6350  * Apple /// at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?&c=72
6351
6352
6353
6354
6355
6356$end
6357
6358
6359
6360#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6361
6362
6363$info=aquarius
6364$bio
6365====== Mattel Aquarius (1983) ======
6366
6367
6368
6369
6370
6371===== Features =====
6372
6373
6374
6375  * CPU: Zilog Z80A   3.5 MHz
6376
6377  * RAM: 4 KB (up to 32 KB), 1,7 KB free for user
6378
6379  * ROM: 8 KB
6380
6381  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 25 lines
6382
6383  * Graphic Modes: 80 x 72 / 320 x 192 dots
6384
6385  * Colors: 16
6386
6387  * Sound: 1 voice (3 voices with the Mini-Expander)
6388
6389  * I/O Ports: Tape, Printer, Bus
6390
6391  * Keyboard: Rubber type. 49 keys
6392
6393  * Built In Language: Specific Microsoft Basic interpreter
6394
6395  * Peripherls: Thermic printer and plotter (1200 bauds), Tape-recorder (600 bauds), Mini-expander addon, RAM expansions (4 KB, 16 KB and 32 KB), Master expansion module & disk-drives (vaporware), Home Computer System
6396
6397
6398
6399
6400
6401===== Usage =====
6402
6403
6404
6405MESS supports aquarius emulation with a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dump in .bin format, a "cassette" (cass) device, for tape images in .wav format, and a "floppydisk" (flop) device, for disk images in .dsk format.
6406
6407
6408
6409Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
6410
6411
6412
6413== BASIC ==
6414
6415
6416
6417From within the emulation, there are several BASIC command keyboard shortcuts available by pressing control and another key.
6418
6419 
6420
6421  CHR$      Ctrl[SPACE]
6422
6423  CLOAD     Ctrl[Z]
6424
6425  COPY      Ctrl[9]
6426
6427  CSAVE     Ctrl[A]
6428
6429  DATA      Ctrl[F]
6430
6431  DIM       Ctrl[E]
6432
6433  FOR       Ctrl[-]
6434
6435  GOSUB     Ctrl[7]
6436
6437  GOTO      Ctrl[5]
6438
6439  IF        Ctrl[3]
6440
6441  INPUT     Ctrl[T]
6442
6443  LEFT$     Ctrl[V]
6444
6445  LIST      Ctrl[2]
6446
6447  MID$      Ctrl[B]
6448
6449  NEXT      Ctrl[=]
6450
6451  ON        Ctrl[6]
6452
6453  PEEK      Ctrl[;]
6454
6455  POINT     Ctrl[L]
6456
6457  POKE      Ctrl[']
6458
6459  PRESET    Ctrl[K]
6460
6461  PSET      Ctrl[J]
6462
6463  READ      Ctrl[D]
6464
6465  REM       Ctrl[W]
6466
6467  RIGHT$    Ctrl[N]
6468
6469  RETURN    Ctrl[8]
6470
6471  RUN       Ctrl[1]
6472
6473  STR$      Ctrl[,]
6474
6475  THEN      Ctrl[4]
6476
6477  VAL       Ctrl[.]
6478
6479 
6480
6481  To break/stop a program, press Ctrl[C]
6482
6483  To interrupt the LISTing of a program, press Ctrl[S]
6484
6485  To repeat the entire last line you typed, press Ctrl[R]
6486
6487  To get the machine to beep, press Ctrl[G]
6488
6489
6490
6491== Keyboard ==
6492
6493
6494
6495This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
6496
6497
6498
6499Original Keyboard: QWERTY rubber keyboard, 49 keys
6500
6501 
6502
6503  RST    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0?   -_   =+
6504
6505 
6506
6507    CTL    Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    /^   <-`
6508
6509 
6510
6511    SHIFT    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;@   :*
6512
6513 
6514
6515      SPACE    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>    RTN
6516
6517
6518
6519Note that the BASIC shortcuts listed above were also written above each key, to easier remember the correspondent commands.
6520
6521
6522
6523Also, notice that by default SPACE is mapped to "Left Shift" key and RTN is mapped to "/" key, to accurately reproduce the locations on the original keyboard. If you feel uncomfortable with this mapping, you can remap them (//TAB->Input (This System)//) or use the -natural emulation of the keyboard.
6524
6525
6526
6527== RAM options ==
6528
6529
6530
6531Different RAM configurations are possible for the aquarius in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
6532
6533
6534
6535  4k (default)
6536
6537  8k
6538
6539  20k
6540
6541  36k
6542
6543
6544
6545
6546
6547===== Known Issues =====
6548
6549
6550
6551Floppy disc support is only preliminary and it doesn't work at the moment.
6552
6553
6554
6555
6556
6557===== History and Trivia =====
6558
6559
6560
6561The Aquarius was Mattel Electronics' (a division of a huge US toy manufacturer) attempt at entering the home computer market. It was a commercial failure, and was frequently found in bargain bins in toy stores for many years following.
6562
6563
6564
6565When the Intellivision Keyboard Component project was canceled, Mattel searched in a hurry to produce a small and cheap computer. They contacted Radofin Electronics Far East, based in Honk-Kong, who was manufacturing most of the Intellivision products. Radofin had just
6566
6567developped a line of three Z80 based computers. Mattel decided to sell the two first under their brand. The Aquarius 1 and 2 were born.
6568
6569
6570
6571The Mattel Aquarius used a special version of the Microsoft Basic. When used with Basic, only 1.7 KB remained available.
6572
6573
6574
6575There were no redefinable characters, but 256 predefined chars were available: 128 ASCII (numerals, upper and lower case alphabet, punctuation, symbols) and 128 graphic patterns. That was the only "graphical" features of the Aquarius !
6576
6577
6578
6579Unfortunately the specifications were so poor for a 1983 computer, that the Aquarius 1 litteraly bombed. Three months after its release, Mattel decided to cancel the project and to sell back the rights and stocks to Radofin.
6580
6581
6582
6583Radofin continued to sell Aquarius 1 & 2 under its own name, but without success...
6584
6585
6586
6587Cool add-ons were developed for the Aquarius, but never made it to the shelves (apparently). There were a Master Expansion Module equipped with disk-drives and expansion slots for future add-ons. It even offered the CP/M compatibility!
6588
6589
6590
6591Another sympathetic extension was the Home Computer System Command Console which allowed the Aquarius to directly control up to 255 electric devices. But when the computer was connected to this extension, it couldn't be used for anything else!
6592
6593
6594
6595There were also a Modem planned and Mattel even announced network services for games and programs downloads...
6596
6597
6598
6599//(info from old-computers.com)//
6600
6601
6602
6603
6604
6605===== Links =====
6606
6607
6608
6609  * Blue Sky Rangers' site -- http://www.intellivisionlives.com/
6610
6611  * Mattel Aquarius homecomputer -- http://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/
6612
6613  * Mattel Aquarius at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=73
6614
6615
6616
6617
6618
6619===== Other Emulators =====
6620
6621
6622
6623  * AqEmu -- http://www.classicgaming.com/aqemu/aqemu.htm
6624
6625  * Virtual Aquarius -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
6626
6627
6628
6629
6630
6631$end
6632
6633
6634
6635#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6636
6637
6638$info=arcadia
6639$bio
6640====== Emerson Arcadia 2001 (1982) ======
6641
6642
6643
6644
6645
6646===== Features =====
6647
6648
6649
6650  * CPU: Signetics 2650A 3.58 MHz
6651
6652  * Co-Processor: Signetics 2637UVI (audio & video processing unit)
6653
6654  * RAM: 1024 bytes
6655
6656  * 128x208 in 8 colors
6657
6658  * 4 8x8 single color sprites
6659
6660  * single channel sound
6661
6662  * 2 controller with analog joystick and keypad
6663
6664
6665
6666
6667
6668===== Usage =====
6669
6670
6671
6672MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run arcadia emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
6673
6674
6675
6676  mess arcadia -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
6677
6678
6679
6680== Controls ==
6681
6682
6683
6684Controller Layout:
6685
6686 
6687
6688    1    2    3
6689
6690 
6691
6692    4    5    6
6693
6694 
6695
6696    7    8    9
6697
6698 
6699
6700  CLEAR  0  ENTER
6701
6702
6703
6704
6705
6706===== Known Issues =====
6707
6708
6709
6710  * Look in hash/arcadia.hsi for some game-specific issues
6711
6712  * Sound emulation is imperfect
6713
6714  * Analog joystick emulation is imperfect
6715
6716
6717
6718
6719
6720===== History and Trivia =====
6721
6722
6723
6724Though what people generally think, the Emerson Arcadia 2001, is only a licensed system like many other ones software-compatible with it. Since the Arcadia 2001 is certainly the most known one of these systems, this console group has often been called "Emerson Arcadia 2001 clones". But the Emerson Arcadia 2001 was not necessarily at the origin of it.
6725
6726
6727
6728Philips / Signetics developed a hardware platform to demonstrate the possibilities of their Signetics 2650 & 2636 chipsets. Somehow, this hardware was licenced (by Philips) to many third-companies around the world resulting in systems like the Interton VC-4000, Voltmace DataBase, Acetronic MPU-1000, ITMC MPT-05, etc.
6729
6730
6731
6732Some times later, the hardware was improved, with the use of a Signetics 2637 instead of the 2636 (handling the audio & video). This resulted in a new wave of licenced systems, all based on the same hardware and playing the same games. The Emerson Arcadia 2001 was one of these systems.
6733
6734
6735
6736These new systems, based on the 2650 & 2637 chipsets, are "software-compatible" with each others (but NOT compatible with systems of the Interton VC-4000 family). This means that the same code can work on all of them, and therefore that they all could play each other games if their cartridge slots were identical (which is not the case, resulting in the sub-groups listed below)
6737
6738
6739
6740The Software library is not very impressive, but there are good reasons for that. First, some titles ar almost just direct ports from "Interton VC-4000 & compatible systems" group. Philips (remember, at the origin of this ystem) also had great plans for his new hardware platform. It released adaptations of famous Arcade classics (Pac-Man, Berzerk, Phoenix, etc.) but Atari sue them. Philips was then forced to deeply modify those games, resulting in poor adaptations... at least for the Arcadia 2001. In fact, outside US, other compatible systems sometimes had un-modified versions in their library (e.g. Robot Killer for the MPT-03).
6741
6742
6743
6744The Arcadia is equiped with two detachable controllers made of a screwable joystick, a 12-buttons keypad (flat membrane buttons) and 2 fire buttons (they in fact have both the same function). Small plastic layers were delivered with each game, explaining the different key functions when placed over the keypads (like with the Mattel Intellisivision).
6745
6746
6747
6748The Control panel is made of 4 buttons (Start, Clear, Select A and Select B) and the power on/off button.
6749
6750
6751
6752== Different Models ==
6753
6754
6755
6756As previously mentioned, this hardware was sold from several firms with different names and slightly different cartridge connectors. Among the systems, belonging to the so-called "Arcadia 2001 console group", we can recognize 5 different families of consoles:
6757
6758
6759
6760  * Emerson consoles
6761
6762    * Advision: Advision Home Arcade (Fr)
6763
6764    * Bandai: Arcadia (Jp)
6765
6766    * Emerson: Arcadia 2001 (US), Arcadia (Au)
6767
6768    * GiG Electronics: Leonardo (It)
6769
6770    * Hanimex: HMG-2650 (De), HMG-2650 (Ca), Home Arcade Centre (UK)
6771
6772    * Intercord: Intercord XL 2000 System (De)
6773
6774    * Leisure-Dynamics: Leisure-Vision (Ca)
6775
6776    * Monaco Leisure: Tunix Home Arcade (NZ)
6777
6778    * Schmid: Schmid TVG-2000
6779
6780    * Tchibo: Tele-Fever (De? Sw?)
6781
6782    * Tele-Computer: Cosmos (Es)
6783
6784    * Tempest: Tempest Video Computer Game (Au)
6785
6786  * MPT-03 consoles
6787
6788    * Hanimex: Hanimex MPT-03
6789
6790    * ITMC: ITMC MPT-03
6791
6792    * Morning-Sun Commerce: Dynavision (Jp)
6793
6794    * P.I.C.: Ekusera (Jp)
6795
6796    * Poppy: Poppy MPT-03 Tele Computer Spiel (De)
6797
6798    * Prestige: Prestige Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Fr)
6799
6800    * Rowtron: Rowtron 2000 (Eu), Rowtron Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Eu)
6801
6802    * Soundic: Soundic MPT-03 (Eu)
6803
6804    * Tempest: MPT-03 (Au)
6805
6806    * Tobby: Tobby MPT-03 (?)
6807
6808    * Tryom: Tryom Video Game Center (US?)
6809
6810    * //Unknown//: Intelligent Game MPT-03 (US?)
6811
6812  * Orbit consoles
6813
6814    * Grandstand: Video Master (NZ)
6815
6816    * Orbit Electronics: UVI Compu-Game (NZ)
6817
6818  * Ormatu consoles
6819
6820    * Intervision: Intervision 2001 (Eu)
6821
6822    * Ormatu Electronics BV: Ormatu 2001 (Nl)
6823
6824    * Sheen: Sheen Home Video Centre 2001 (Au)
6825
6826  * Palladium consoles
6827
6828    * Mr. Altus: Tele Brain (De)
6829
6830    * Palladium: Palladium Telespiel (De), Palladium Video Computer Game (De)
6831
6832    * Polybrain: Polybrain Video Computer Game (De)
6833
6834    * Trakton: Trakton Computer Video Game (Au)
6835
6836
6837
6838//(info on models from Digital Archaelogy -- http://www.digitpress.com/the_digs/arcadia/)//
6839
6840
6841
6842
6843
6844===== Links =====
6845
6846
6847
6848  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 FAQ -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/arc2001.txt
6849
6850  * Amigan Software / Arcadia 2001 Central (Huge Arcadia 2001 archive for download) -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
6851
6852  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 Gaming Guide -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/gg/
6853
6854  * Obscure Pixels (Many interesting weird & obscure stuff, including Arcadia 2001 / Interton VC 4000 compatible systems) -- http://www.retrogames.co.nz/
6855
6856  * Digital Archaelogy: Emerson Arcadia 2001 -- http://www.digitpress.com/the_digs/arcadia/
6857
6858
6859
6860
6861
6862===== Other Emulators =====
6863
6864
6865
6866  * 2001 (for DOS) -- http://users.aol.com/mk14emu/arcadia.htm
6867
6868  * Emulator2001 (for Windows) -- http://www.gstsoftware.co.nz/
6869
6870  * WinArcadia -- http://amigan.byethost33.com/
6871
6872
6873
6874
6875
6876$end
6877
6878
6879
6880#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
6881
6882
6883$info=astrocde
6884$bio
6885====== Bally Professional Arcade / Astrocade (1977) ======
6886
6887
6888
6889Was a video game console system made by Bally intended to take a bit of success of the new era of consoles, started by Atari VCS, in half of the 1970's. Has a BASIC cart to be utilized as a computer and 4 programs bilt in his bios.
6890
6891
6892
6893===== Features =====
6894
6895
6896
6897  * CPU: Z80 3.579 MHz
6898
6899  * RAM: 4 KB
6900
6901  * ROM: 8 KB
6902
6903  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 102 (Basic cartridge : 160 x 88)
6904
6905  * Colors: 8 (Basic cartridge : 2)
6906
6907  * Sound: 3 voices + noise & vibrato
6908
6909  * I/O Ports: Cartridge slot, 4 controller connectors, Expansion port, Light pen connector
6910
6911  * Media: Cartridges
6912
6913  * Number of Games: About 40 cartridges released
6914
6915  * Built In Software: 4 built in programs (Gunfight, Checkmate, Calculator, Scribbling)
6916
6917  * Peripherals: 2 additional controllers, audio cassette interface, RAM expansions, Computer expansion, light-pen
6918
6919  * Controllers: 2 pistol shaped controllers with 1 trigger and a short 8 directions joystick / analogic knob
6920
6921
6922
6923
6924
6925===== Usage =====
6926
6927
6928
6929Currently, MESS emulates both Bally systems
6930
6931
6932
6933  * astrocde [Bally Professional Arcade]
6934
6935  * astrocdw [Bally Computer System]
6936
6937
6938
6939Both drivers support cart dumps in .bin format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
6940
6941
6942
6943Loading the Astrocade driver without a cartridge image will allow you to use the four built-in programs.
6944
6945
6946
6947== Controls ==
6948
6949
6950
6951Games are controlled through the controller that has a 1 trigger and a short 8 directions joystick / analogic knob on its top
6952
6953
6954
6955On the console there are an EJECT button, a RESET button and a 24-keys keypad (with a calculator layout, for use with the built in calculator program). Various Astrocade programs (BASIC, Music Maker, Machine Language Manager etc.) came with a special overlay
6956
6957for the keypad, in order to easier remember the function of each key. The keypad layout is the following
6958
6959 
6960
6961  C     UP   DOWN  %
6962
6963 
6964
6965  MR    MS    CH   /
6966
6967 
6968
6969  7     8     9    x
6970
6971 
6972
6973  4     5     6    -
6974
6975 
6976
6977  1     2     3    +
6978
6979 
6980
6981  CE    0     .    =
6982
6983
6984
6985
6986
6987===== Known Issues =====
6988
6989
6990
6991To the best of our knowledge, full compatibility, aside from Bally Basic tape support.
6992
6993
6994
6995
6996
6997===== History and Trivia =====
6998
6999
7000
7001The game console commonly known as the "Bally Astrocade" was never officially sold by that name, having originally been released by Bally Manufacturing in 1978 as the Bally Professional Arcade.
7002
7003
7004
7005It was withdrawn rather quickly though, due to the success of the competing Atari VCS.
7006
7007
7008
7009A group of Pro Arcade enthusiasts under the name Astrovision Inc., bought the rights to the Pro Arcade and reintroduced it as the Bally Computer System, including the Basic cartridge as a pack-in.
7010
7011
7012
7013In 1982, the system and company was renamed Astrocade, once again trying to market it as a video game system. The system didn't last much longer, though; it was a product with a limited interest base even before the video game slump of the next few years.
7014
7015
7016
7017
7018
7019
7020
7021===== Links =====
7022
7023
7024
7025  * Bally Alley -- http://www.ballyalley.com/
7026
7027
7028
7029
7030
7031$end
7032
7033
7034
7035#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7036
7037
7038$info=at
7039$bio
7040====== PC/AT (CGA, MF2 Keyboard) (1987) ======
7041
7042
7043
7044
7045
7046===== Known Issues =====
7047
7048
7049
7050The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
7051
7052
7053
7054
7055
7056===== History and Trivia =====
7057
7058
7059
7060This is basically a PC/AT with American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) BIOS and diagnostics.
7061
7062
7063
7064
7065
7066$end
7067
7068
7069
7070#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7071
7072
7073$info=atarist
7074$bio
7075====== Atari ST (1985) ======
7076
7077
7078
7079
7080
7081===== Features =====
7082
7083
7084
7085  * CPU: Motorola MC68000 8 MHz
7086
7087  * Co-Processor: 'Shifter' and 'Glue' custom chips
7088
7089  * RAM: 512 KB
7090
7091  * ROM: 192 KB
7092
7093  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 columns x 25 lines
7094
7095  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 640 x 400 dots
7096
7097  * Colors: 16 among 512 (320 x 200) / 4 among 512 (640 x 200) / monochrome (640 x 400) this last mode needs a special monitor.
7098
7099  * Sound: 3 voices, 8 octaves
7100
7101  * I/O Ports: RGB, Cartridge, Midi (in/out), Centronics, RS232c, Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, Joystick, Mouse, TV modulator [STM & STfM only]
7102
7103  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric and editing keypads
7104
7105  * Built In Media: 3.5" disk-drive [on STf models], optional external 3.5" 360 KB disk-drive [on ST models]
7106
7107  * OS: TOS / GEM
7108
7109
7110
7111
7112
7113===== Usage =====
7114
7115
7116
7117MESS currently supports for the Atari ST both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
7118
7119
7120
7121Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
7122
7123
7124
7125== Keyboard ==
7126
7127
7128
7129This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7130
7131
7132
7133== BIOS options ==
7134
7135
7136
7137Different versions of the TOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
7138
7139
7140
7141  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = TOS 1.04 (Rainbow TOS)
7142
7143 
7144
7145  "-bios 1" or "-bios tos102" = TOS 1.02 (MEGA TOS)
7146
7147 
7148
7149  "-bios 2" or "-bios tos100" = TOS 1.0 (ROM TOS)
7150
7151 
7152
7153  "-bios 3" or "-bios tos099" = TOS 0.99 (Disk TOS)
7154
7155
7156
7157== RAM options ==
7158
7159
7160
7161Different RAM configurations are possible for the atarist in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
7162
7163
7164
7165  256k - to emulate a 260ST
7166
7167  512k - to emulate a 520ST
7168
7169  1m (default) - to emulate a 1040ST
7170
7171
7172
7173
7174
7175===== Known Issues =====
7176
7177
7178
7179The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
7180
7181
7182
7183
7184
7185===== History and Trivia =====
7186
7187
7188
7189At the beginning, it started with the Atari 130 ST (ST means sixteen/thirty-two :16 bit data bus & 32 bit address bus), shown at the Winter Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in 1985. It was the great surprise of the show and was presented only six months after Jack Tramiel bought Atari, Inc. (He later named it Atari Corp).
7190
7191
7192
7193The Atari 130 ST was only a prototype for the press demonstration and was never released because of its small memory size : the complete operating system couldn't fit in it. It was replaced by the Atari 260 ST and the Atari 520 ST. Despite its name, the Atari 260 ST was shipped with 512 KB of RAM, because the 192 KB operating system left less than 64 KB of free RAM.
7194
7195
7196
7197The ST series was rushed onto the market as Atari had originally contracted Amiga Corp. to manufacture a 16-Bit home computer, but legal issues caused the dissolution of that contract resulting in Commodore Computer releasing the Amiga and Atari creating the ST using 'Off The Shelf' electronics to release a computer to coincide with Commodore's release of the Amiga. It was also designed to be a "Macintosh Killer", and was jokingly called the "Jackintosh".
7198
7199
7200
7201It offered lots of features never found on home computers before: 16 bit microprocessor, lots of interfaces, standard MIDI interface, high graphic resolution, lot of colors, enhanced GUI (Graphic User Interface). It was much more powerful and expandable than the Macintosh (MIDI, graphics, colors, and the like) and competitors weren't very numerous (Commodore 128, PC AT, & compatibles, and the old CP/M machines). That explains why more than 6 million of Atari ST's were sold around the world.
7202
7203
7204
7205The Operating System was TOS (Tramiel Operating System, later renamed just "The Operating System") which was in fact no more than the old CP/M 68K. Notice that to make easy the transition from the PC to ST, all the high level calls of the TOS (called GEMDOS) were compatible with the DOS calls of the PC (int 21h).
7206
7207
7208
7209All of the ST family systems used the GEM, which stands for Graphic Environment Manager, GUI (from Digital Research) which has a striking resemblance to the Macintosh GUI (windows, dialog boxes, desktop, desktop accessories, & bitmap fonts) even if it is a bit less friendly than the Apple one.
7210
7211
7212
7213The 260ST Operating System (TOS & GEM) was supplied on floppies with earlier models, then into 6 x 32 KB ROM chips when the development of the O.S. was fully finished.
7214
7215
7216
7217ST systems had several dedicated co-processors for interrupt handling (MFP 68901), sound (the old Yamaha YM 2149, same as General Instruments AY-3-8910 found in MSX computers, Amstrad or Oric), video (a custom chip called "Shifter"), and memory (a custom chip called "GLUE" and the MMU).
7218
7219
7220
7221The 520 ST featured same hardware basis and same amount of memory as the 260 ST. The main difference between them was the built-in ROM TOS operating system and GEM Graphics Interface. In fact, the Atari 520ST originaly came with the OS on floppy as the OS was not completely finished. Very shortly afterward they came with the OS on 6 ROM chips (TOS 1.0).
7222
7223
7224
7225It was first sold in Germany where it met a great success then released in the United States about six months later. Colour and monochrome version were available. Sadly, users of the colour version couldn't expect programs written for the monochrome version to work until someone wrote an emulator allowing the software written for the monochrome version to run on a colour monitor.
7226
7227
7228
7229Atari was the first company to offer built-in MIDI ports. This made the computer very popular with musicians. One game even used the MIDI connectors (Midi Maze) to connect up to 16 computers together in a MIDI network.
7230
7231
7232
7233The original Atari 520 ST came with an external 360K single sided 3.5 floppy drive, the SF354. Most dealers either bundled it with separate power supply, or a much neater Cumana or Triangle branded drive at lower cost.
7234
7235
7236
7237The 520 ST+ offered 1 MB of RAM instead of 512 KB. As the main board was designed to provide space for only 512 KB of RAM (16 x 41256 type chips), the second 512 KB bank chips were soldered on top of the original chips. Apparently, 1 Mb versions were sold as Atari 1040 ST in Australia
7238
7239
7240
7241The model 520 STM came with a built-in TV modulator allowing a direct connection with the TV-set.
7242
7243
7244
7245The Atari 520 STf and 1040 STf, finally, were the direct successors of the Atari 260 ST and Atari 520 ST. In fact, they had the same technical characteristics except from built-in floppy drive (hence the f of STf).
7246
7247
7248
7249The 3.5" floppy disk drive has been integrated with the power supply into the computer. The early first versions of the Atari 520 STf had a RAM based Operating System (they have a 32 KB ROM), this ROM will be quickly replaced by a 192 KB ROM which holds all the operating system (called TOS 1.0).
7250
7251
7252
7253An enhanced version of the Atari 520 STf was launched a few months later : the Atari 1040 STf to replace the Atari 520+ : It also had the same characteristics as the 520 STf except its memory (1 MB instead of the 512 KB) and the floppy disk drive : it used 3.5" double side disks (720 KB). Not long after the launch of the 1040 STf, the 520 STf would be "unofficially" equipped with 720 KB floppy disk drives.
7254
7255There was also a STfM model with a built-in floppy (the f) and an RF Modulator (the M).
7256
7257
7258
7259//(info from old-computers.com)//
7260
7261
7262
7263
7264
7265===== Links =====
7266
7267
7268
7269  * AEX / Atari Explorer -- http://www.atari-explorer.com/index.html
7270
7271  * Atari ST Demo History -- http://wwwbrauer.in.tum.de/~brandtf/ataridemos.html
7272
7273  * Little Green Desktop -- http://www.atari.st/
7274
7275  * Musique.Atari.Org -- http://atari.apinc.org/
7276
7277  * The Atari Historical Society -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/
7278
7279  * Atari 260 ST at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=922
7280
7281  * Atari 520 ST at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=20
7282
7283  * Atari STf models at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=25
7284
7285
7286
7287
7288
7289===== Other Emulators =====
7290
7291
7292
7293  * SainT -- http://leonard.oxg.free.fr/
7294
7295  * Steem -- http://steem.atari.st/
7296
7297  * Pacifist ! -- http://www.atari.st/pacifist/
7298
7299  * Hatari -- http://hatari.sourceforge.net/
7300
7301  * STonX (*nix OS) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/stonx/
7302
7303  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
7304
7305
7306
7307
7308
7309$end
7310
7311
7312
7313#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7314
7315
7316$info=atariste
7317$bio
7318====== Atari STe (1989) ======
7319
7320
7321
7322
7323
7324===== Features =====
7325
7326
7327
7328  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 mHz
7329
7330  * RAM: 4 x SIMM sockets - From 512 KB up to 4 Mb
7331
7332  * ROM: 192 KB (256 KB in later versions)
7333
7334  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines (bitmapped graphics)
7335
7336  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 (16 colors) / 640 x 200 (4 colors) / 640 x 400 (monochrome)
7337
7338  * Colors: 4096
7339
7340  * Sound: 3 voices + 1 noise channel, 8 octaves + two 8 bit PCM channels
7341
7342  * I/O Ports: Cardridge, Midi (in, out), Centronics, RS232c, Hard Disk, Floppy disk, RGB, Joystick, mouse, 2 x analogue controllers, Stereo RCA jacks
7343
7344  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with editing and numeric keypads
7345
7346  * Built In Media: 3.5" disk-drive
7347
7348  * OS: TOS + GEM
7349
7350
7351
7352
7353
7354===== Usage =====
7355
7356
7357
7358MESS currently supports for the Atari STe both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
7359
7360
7361
7362Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
7363
7364
7365
7366== Keyboard ==
7367
7368
7369
7370This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7371
7372
7373
7374== BIOS options ==
7375
7376
7377
7378Different versions of the TOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
7379
7380
7381
7382  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = TOS 1.62 (STE TOS, Revision 2)
7383
7384 
7385
7386  "-bios 1" or "-bios tos106" = TOS 1.06 (STE TOS, Revision 1)
7387
7388
7389
7390== RAM options ==
7391
7392
7393
7394Different RAM configurations are possible for the atariste in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
7395
7396
7397
7398  512k - to emulate a 520STe
7399
7400  1m (default) - to emulate a 1040STe
7401
7402
7403
7404
7405
7406===== Known Issues =====
7407
7408
7409
7410The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
7411
7412
7413
7414
7415
7416===== History and Trivia =====
7417
7418
7419
7420The Atari STe is the successor of the Atari STf (The 'e' stands for 'enhanced') and is almost fully compatible with the STf.
7421
7422
7423
7424In september 1986, Atari decided to make a successor to the STf. They planned to equip it with enhanced video features : Atari said then that the STe will have a 640 x 400 with 16 colors among 4096 and a 320 x 200 with 256 colors among 4096 graphic modes. Unfortunately, eventually, the STe will have none of these graphic modes.
7425
7426
7427
7428The new features are :
7429
7430  * a new version of the OS ("Rainbow" TOS 1.6 and later, 1.62),
7431
7432  * a Blitter chip to quick perform memory moves (it is the the Mega STf one),
7433
7434  * the video chip (Shifter) has been enhanced: the STe can perform, as the Amiga, hardware scrolling in all directions and it is possible to write into the video counters. It also handle 4096 colors instead of 512, unfortunately, it can only display a maximum of 16 of them (without trick).
7435
7436  * 'phase lock' of the video output to an external video source permitting direct linking to genlocking device.
7437
7438  * It has enhanced sound features too: two 8 bit PCM (Pulse Coded Modulation) channels which can replay stereo sound at 6.25, 12.5, 25, or 50 KHz and which can be mixed with the 3 FM channels.
7439
7440
7441
7442Despite its new and interesting features, the Atari STe was a flop in the marketplace. The STf market was too important and the software editors (especially game editors) didn't sell STe versions of their products.
7443
7444
7445
7446Not long after this, Atari launched the Mega STe to replace the Mega STf.
7447
7448
7449
7450//(info from old-computers.com)//
7451
7452
7453
7454
7455
7456===== Links =====
7457
7458
7459
7460  * Atari STe 520 / 1040 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=24
7461
7462
7463
7464
7465
7466===== Other Emulators =====
7467
7468
7469
7470  * SainT -- http://leonard.oxg.free.fr/
7471
7472  * Steem -- http://steem.atari.st/
7473
7474  * Pacifist ! -- http://www.atari.st/pacifist/
7475
7476  * Hatari -- http://hatari.sourceforge.net/
7477
7478  * STonX (*nix OS) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/stonx/
7479
7480  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
7481
7482
7483
7484
7485
7486$end
7487
7488
7489
7490#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7491
7492
7493$info=atom
7494$bio
7495====== Acorn Atom (1979) ======
7496
7497
7498
7499
7500
7501===== Features =====
7502
7503
7504
7505  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
7506
7507  * Co-Processor: 6847 Video Display Generator, PIA 8255 (keyboard & tape)
7508
7509  * RAM: 2 KB (up to 12 KB, or 32 KB using external RAM expansion kit.)
7510
7511  * VRAM: 6 KB
7512
7513  * ROM: 8 KB (Atom BASIC and COS), up to 16 KB
7514
7515  * Text Modes: 32 x 24 / 16 x 12
7516
7517  * Graphics Modes: 64 x 64 (4 colors), 64 x 96 (4 colors), 128 x 96 (monochrome), 64 x 192 (4 colors), 128 x 192 (2 colors), 256 x 192 (monochrome)
7518
7519  * Colors: 8
7520
7521  * Sound: Built-in beeper
7522
7523  * I/O Ports: Tape interface, UHF Modulated TV output, Acorn Bus Extension
7524
7525  * Keyboard: QWERTY, full-stroke keyboard, 60 keys, ESC, BREAK, COPY, DELETE, CTRL, RETURN, LOCK, SHIFT (x2), REPT, arrow keys (x2)
7526
7527  * Built In Language: Basic, machine-code
7528
7529
7530
7531
7532
7533===== Usage =====
7534
7535
7536
7537MESS currently supports two different Atom configurations:
7538
7539
7540
7541  * atom [Acorn Atom]: the base version of the computer
7542
7543  * atomeb [Acorn Atom with Eprom Box]: the expanded version with the additional ROMs
7544
7545
7546
7547Both drivers allows to load cassette tapes in .wav format, through the "cassette" (cass) device, and disks images in .ssd format through two floppy drives, corresponding to "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
7548
7549
7550
7551Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .atm files and that the "printer" (prin) is supported as well.
7552
7553
7554
7555== Keyboard ==
7556
7557
7558
7559This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7560
7561
7562
7563Original Keyboard: QWERTY, full-stroke keyboard, 60 keys
7564
7565 
7566
7567      ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0    -=    :*     UP    BREAK
7568
7569 
7570
7571  LEFT
7572
7573  RIGHT COPY    Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @     \    DELETE
7574
7575 
7576
7577 
7578
7579    DOWN   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   [     ]   RETURN
7580
7581   
7582
7583   
7584
7585       LOCK   SHIFT   Z    X    C    V    B    N    M   ,<   .>   /?  SHIFT  REPT
7586
7587 
7588
7589 
7590
7591                                         SPACEBAR
7592
7593
7594
7595
7596
7597===== Known Issues =====
7598
7599
7600
7601The original location of the 8271 memory mapped registers is 0xa00-0x0a04. (This is the memory range assigned by Acorn in their design.) This is in the middle of the area for expansion RAM. Many Atom owners thought this was a bad design and have modified their Atom's and dos rom to use a different memory area. The atom driver in MESS uses the original memory area. //(from the source)//
7602
7603
7604
7605
7606
7607===== History and Trivia =====
7608
7609
7610
7611The Acorn Atom was the ancestor of the BBC computers series. It was sold in kit or ready-assembled versions.
7612
7613
7614
7615The great advantage of the Atom compared to its competitors (TRS-80 & PET), was its high resolution capabilities (256 x 192) which were quite unusual in 1979 for the price.
7616
7617
7618
7619The built-in BASIC was in some ways quite limited (it could only use integers for example) but an optional 4K ROM added the ability to use floating point numbers, trigonometric functions, to convert degrees/radians and to draw graphics in color. More add-ons were also available enabling autonumbering, a faster cassette interface (1200 bauds), and functions such as INKEY$, MID$, READ, DATA, FILL, etc...
7620
7621There was even a BBC BASIC board available.
7622
7623
7624
7625A lot of applications were available on sideways ROMs that plugged into the "utility ROM socket" as Acorn called it, such as the "Atom Word Pack ROM" (word processing) or Atom-Calc (a 4K ROM spreadsheet).
7626
7627
7628
7629A colour card was available, connected to the BUS connector, it provided 8 colors, 4 simultaneously at the 64 x 192 resolution or 2 at 128 x 192 for example. But it was known to overheat!
7630
7631
7632
7633A lot of other peripherals were developed :
7634
7635  * a 5.25" floppy disk drive (100K) which held the DOS in a 3K ROM but cost about twice as much as a new Atom!,
7636
7637  * a digital-tape recorder,
7638
7639  * a printer interface,
7640
7641  * a network card called EcoNet which enabled linking of up to 250 Atoms (210 K/Bauds transfer rate),
7642
7643  * RAM expansions.
7644
7645
7646
7647//(info from old-computers.com)//
7648
7649
7650
7651
7652
7653===== Links =====
7654
7655
7656
7657  * Acorn Atom Projects -- http://www.howell1964.freeserve.co.uk/Acorn/Atom/Atom.htm
7658
7659  * Atom Review -- http://home.wanadoo.nl/hhaydn/index-e.html
7660
7661  * Atom user guide -- http://members.aon.at/~musher/bbc/essentials.htm
7662
7663  * Oh no, not another computer museum! -- http://www.xs4all.nl/~fjkraan/comp/
7664
7665  * Un-official ACORN ATOM Home Page -- http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~thoth/atom/atom.htm
7666
7667  * Acorn Atom at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=80
7668
7669
7670
7671
7672
7673===== Other Emulators =====
7674
7675
7676
7677  * Acorn Atom Emulator (win) -- http://www.homepages.hetnet.nl/~wouterras/atom.htm
7678
7679  * Acorn Atom Emulator (*nix) -- http://www.iwriteiam.nl/Ha_Atom.html
7680
7681  * ATOMAC (mac) -- http://www.p-skids.freeserve.co.uk/#Atomac
7682
7683
7684
7685
7686
7687$end
7688
7689
7690
7691#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7692
7693
7694$info=atvga
7695$bio
7696====== PC/AT (VGA, MF2 Keyboard) ======
7697
7698
7699
7700
7701
7702===== Known Issues =====
7703
7704
7705
7706The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
7707
7708
7709
7710
7711
7712===== History and Trivia =====
7713
7714
7715
7716This is basically a PC/AT with American Megatrends Inc. (AMI) BIOS and diagnostics, and VGA card.
7717
7718
7719
7720
7721
7722$end
7723
7724
7725
7726#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7727
7728
7729$info=avigo
7730$bio
7731====== Texas Instruments Avigo 10 PDA (1997) ======
7732
7733
7734
7735
7736
7737===== Features =====
7738
7739
7740
7741  * CPU: Custom Z-80 8MHz
7742
7743  * Memory: 1MB Flash memory (approx. 680KB user available)
7744
7745  * Expansion: 1MB module
7746
7747  * Display: 160 x 240 pixels, with Backlight (EL)
7748
7749  * OS: Avigo OS
7750
7751
7752
7753
7754
7755===== Usage =====
7756
7757
7758
7759== Controls ==
7760
7761
7762
7763The Avigo PDA has a touchscreen you can use through the lightpen and 7 additional buttons below the touchscreen: (from left to right) POWER, LIGHT, ADDRESS, SCHEDULE, TO DO, MEMO, UP/DOWN.
7764
7765
7766
7767== Keyboard ==
7768
7769
7770
7771This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7772
7773
7774
7775
7776
7777===== Known Issues =====
7778
7779
7780
7781The emulation of this system is still Preliminary. There is no documentation on the hardware available and more would be required to make it work properly.
7782
7783
7784
7785
7786
7787===== History and Trivia =====
7788
7789
7790
7791The Avigo 10 (the only model of Avigo ever produced) is a PDA marketed by Texas Instruments from 1997 to 2000, aimed to be a cheaper competitor to the Palm Pilot.
7792
7793
7794
7795Like the Palm Pilot, the Avigo has a touch-sensitive monochrome LCD screen, and can be synchronized with a host PC, by using either a docking cradle or an infrared wireless connection. Unlike the Pilot, it has no built-in handwriting recognition capabilities; instead relying on the "T9" brand predictive text entry software, in addition to an on-screen keyboard.
7796
7797
7798
7799Physically, the Avigo is larger than the Palm Pilot series, but smaller than the earlier Apple Newton. It also has a hard flip-cover to protect the screen when not in use.
7800
7801
7802
7803Some of the features of the Avigo that distinguish it from competing devices produced at the same time are:
7804
7805  * T9 predictive text input
7806
7807  * Support for running programs both in landscape and portrait orientation
7808
7809  * Large screen
7810
7811  * Built-in database application
7812
7813
7814
7815//(info based on Wikipedia)//
7816
7817
7818
7819
7820
7821===== Links =====
7822
7823
7824
7825  * Texas Instruments' Avigo Page -- http://www.ti.com/avigo/
7826
7827  * AVIGOnet -- http://www.gho.de/avigo/
7828
7829  * Hitchhiker's Guide to the Avigo OS -- http://home.earthlink.net/~rdgill/avigo/
7830
7831  * Avigo at Datamath Calculator Museum -- http://www.datamath.org/Personal/Avigo10.htm
7832
7833  * [[wp>Texas_Instruments'_Avigo_10]]
7834
7835
7836
7837
7838
7839===== Other Emulators =====
7840
7841
7842
7843  * Avigo Simulator (dead link) -- http://users.bart.nl/~gv/avigosdk/simulator.htm
7844
7845
7846
7847
7848
7849$end
7850
7851
7852
7853#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7854
7855
7856$info=b2m
7857$bio
7858====== BNPO Bashkiria-2M (1989) ======
7859
7860
7861
7862
7863
7864===== Features =====
7865
7866
7867
7868  * CPU: KR580VM80A (i82xx clone) 2MHz
7869
7870  * RAM: 64k + 64k (video RAM)
7871
7872  * Video: 384 x 256, 4 colors
7873
7874  * Palette: 4 shades of red, green, blue, and 4 grayscale for black and white monitor
7875
7876  * Sound: Built in speaker, 32 Hz - 48 kHz
7877
7878
7879
7880
7881
7882===== Usage =====
7883
7884
7885
7886MESS supports two different hardware configurations for the Bashkiria-2M:
7887
7888
7889
7890  * b2m [BNPO Bashkiria-2M]
7891
7892  * b2mrom [BNPO Bashkiria-2M with ROM-disk module]
7893
7894
7895
7896Both drivers currently support two floppy drives for .cpm disk images, corresponding to devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop1).
7897
7898
7899
7900== Keyboard ==
7901
7902
7903
7904These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
7905
7906
7907
7908
7909
7910===== Known Issues =====
7911
7912
7913
7914The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
7915
7916
7917
7918
7919
7920===== History and Trivia =====
7921
7922
7923
7924Bashkiria-2M was one of the many computers created between the end of the 80s and the beginning of the 90s to fulfill the needs of Russian schools and hospitals which were looking for cheap computer systems.
7925
7926
7927
7928It was the second product of BPNO, a small manufacturer located in Bashkiria (now Republic of Bashkortostan), after the not-so-successful ARM-SHK Bashkiria.
7929
7930
7931
7932//(info based on bashkiria-2m.narod.ru, roughly translated from Russian)//
7933
7934
7935
7936
7937
7938===== Links =====
7939
7940
7941
7942  * Bashkiria-2M page -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru
7943
7944  * Bashkiria-2M at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#bashkirya
7945
7946
7947
7948
7949
7950===== Other Emu =====
7951
7952
7953
7954  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
7955
7956  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
7957
7958
7959
7960
7961
7962$end
7963
7964
7965
7966#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
7967
7968
7969$info=bbca
7970$bio
7971====== Acorn BBC Micro Model A (1981), B (1982), B+ (1985) ======
7972
7973
7974
7975
7976
7977===== Features =====
7978
7979
7980
7981  * CPU: MOS 6502 1.8 MHz
7982
7983  * RAM: 16 kb [Model A], 32 kb [Model B], 64 kb [Model B+]
7984
7985  * ROM: 32 kb
7986
7987  * Text Modes: 80 x 32/25 (2 colors) / 40 x 32/25 (2 or 4 colors) / 20 x 32 (16 colors) / 40 x 25 (Teletext display)
7988
7989  * Graphics Modes: 640 x 256 (2 colors) / 320 x 256 (4 colors) / 160 x 256 (16 colors)
7990
7991  * Colors: 16 (8 colors + flashing option)
7992
7993  * Sound: 3 channels + 1 noise channel, 7 octaves
7994
7995  * I/O Ports: UHF TV out, BNC video out, RGB video out, RS423, Cassette, Analogue In (DB15), Econet port, TUBE interface, 1MHz BUS, User port, Printer port, Disk-drive connector
7996
7997  * Keyboard: Full-stroke QWERTY keyboard, 64 keys, 10 function keys, arrow keys
7998
7999  * Built In Language: BBC Basic
8000
8001  * Peripherals: Controller card for 1 to 4 5" 1/4 F.D. drives, Floppy disk unit 5" 1/4 250K, Numerical cassette recorder 100K, Second 6502 microprocessor with card
8002
8003
8004
8005
8006
8007===== Usage =====
8008
8009
8010
8011MESS currently supports the following computers:
8012
8013  * bbca [BBC Micro Model A]
8014
8015  * bbcb [BBC Micro Model B]
8016
8017  * bbcbp [BBC Micro Model B+ 64K]
8018
8019  * bbcbp128 [BBC Micro Model B+ 128K]
8020
8021
8022
8023For each driver, MESS allows to use various devices:
8024
8025  * a "cassette" (cass) device which supports tapes in .wav, .csw and .uef format
8026
8027  * two floppy devices, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), which support disks in .ssd, .bbc and .img format
8028
8029  * four cartridge devices, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge4" (cart4), which support cart dumps in .rom format
8030
8031
8032
8033Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is supported as well.
8034
8035
8036
8037== Floppy Disks ==
8038
8039
8040
8041You can type
8042
8043 
8044
8045  *CAT
8046
8047
8048
8049to list the content of a disk, and then
8050
8051
8052
8053  CHAIN"filename"
8054
8055
8056
8057to run the ''filename'' program.
8058
8059
8060
8061== Keyboard ==
8062
8063
8064
8065These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
8066
8067
8068
8069Original Keyboard: Full-stroke QWERTY keyboard, 64 keys, 10 function keys, arrow keys
8070
8071 
8072
8073                   f0   f1   f2   f3   f4   f5   f6   f7   f8   f9  BREAK
8074
8075 
8076
8077 
8078
8079    ESCAPE   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0   -=   ^~   \|   Right   Left
8080
8081 
8082
8083 
8084
8085      TAB      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @    [{   £_    Up    Down
8086
8087 
8088
8089   CAPS
8090
8091   LOCK   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   :*   ]}   RETURN
8092
8093 
8094
8095   SHIFT
8096
8097   LOCK    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?  SHIFT  DELETE  COPY
8098
8099 
8100
8101                                        SPACEBAR
8102
8103
8104
8105Notice that at the bottom left corner (to the left of the Spacebar) there are three LEDs: “ Cassette Motor”, “Caps Lock” and “Shift Lock”.
8106
8107
8108
8109== Misc ==
8110
8111
8112
8113The keys ''^~%%'', ''%%\|%%'', ''%%[{%%'', ''%%]}%%'' and ''%%£_'' can be somewhat confusing because they seem to generate the wrong characters on screen. The problem is that there are two international standards for displayed characters (Teletext and ASCII) and the BBC Microcomputer can
8114
8115display either. MODE 7 generates the Teletext display characters and MODES 0 to 6 show the ASCII characters. In both cases, the computer recognises the key correctly regardless of what is displayed on the screen.
8116
8117
8118
8119In MESS, emulations starts in MODE 7. To correctly see the characters, type at the BASIC prompt ''MODE n'' (//n// between 0 and 6) and
8120
8121press enter.
8122
8123
8124
8125
8126
8127===== History and Trivia =====
8128
8129
8130
8131The Acorn BBC model A was the successor of the Acorn Atom and its first name was Acorn Proton. It was a very popular computer in the UK and was widely used in schools, but it didn't have great success elsewhere (even though it did have great features, it was too expensive).
8132
8133
8134
8135The Model A lacked some of the connectors of the Model B/B+ (User port, Tube, ...) on the underside.
8136
8137
8138
8139This computer got its name because in 1980, the BBC decided to start a computer literacy television series. The network realized that, with more powerful and increasingly inexpensive microcomputers, it would soon be possible to create them with enough computing power to offer their owners personal hands-on experience with microcomputers at an affordable price.
8140
8141The BBC considered the NewBrain computer and rejected it. Acorn and Sinclair Research, along with other companies, then submitted designs, and Acorn won. The BBC model B was then used almost universally in British schools from its birth into the 90's.
8142
8143
8144
8145It was followed in 1982 by the Acorn BBC model B. The Model B had the same features but had 32 KB RAM (expandable to 64K).
8146
8147
8148
8149The "Tube" was an expansion port which was designed to connect other processors to the BBC (6502, Z80, 68000 or ARM 1 RISC). An interface card was specially designed for the tube. It used another 6502 and a Z80.
8150
8151
8152
8153One of its most popular peripherals was the "Torch" floppy disk unit, a 5.25" floppy disk drive with a Z80 which allowed the BBC to use CP/M software.
8154
8155
8156
8157Acorn also made a "cheap" version of the BBC (fewer connectors & video modes) called Acorn Electron.
8158
8159
8160
8161In 1985, the Acorn BBC Model B+ was released. The Model B+ had new features : 64K of RAM instead of 32 KB and internal circuitry for the Econet and Disk Drive as standard (both available as an upgrade in the models A and B). The later models included disk support as standard, using either an 8271 or a 1770 disk controller.
8162
8163
8164
8165It was then followed by the BBC Master.
8166
8167
8168
8169//(info from old-computers.com)//
8170
8171
8172
8173
8174
8175===== Links =====
8176
8177
8178
8179  * BBC Documentation Project -- http://www.bbcdocs.com/
8180
8181  * The BBC Lives! -- http://bbc.nvg.org/
8182
8183  * BBC Micro at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=29
8184
8185
8186
8187
8188
8189===== Other Emulators =====
8190
8191
8192
8193  * B-EM (Windows, MS-DOS, Mac OS X) -- http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/
8194
8195  * BeebEm -- http://www.mikebuk.dsl.pipex.com/beebem
8196
8197  * model-b -- http://modelb.bbcmicro.com/
8198
8199
8200
8201
8202
8203$end
8204
8205
8206
8207#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8208
8209
8210$info=bbcbc
8211$bio
8212====== BBC Bridge Companion (1985) ======
8213
8214
8215
8216A bridge computer, with interchangeable carts.
8217
8218
8219
8220===== Features =====
8221
8222
8223
8224  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4MHz (according to MESS source)
8225
8226
8227
8228
8229
8230===== Known Issues =====
8231
8232
8233
8234The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
8235
8236
8237
8238
8239
8240===== History and Trivia =====
8241
8242
8243
8244Bridge Companion is a bridge computer produced by BBC in 1985 and programmed by Andrew Kambites, math teacher and director of the English Bridge Union.
8245
8246
8247
8248It allows to learn and play bridge on your TV, through different carts.
8249
8250
8251
8252
8253
8254$end
8255
8256
8257
8258#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8259
8260
8261$info=bbcm
8262$bio
8263====== Acorn BBC Master (1986) ======
8264
8265
8266
8267
8268
8269===== Features =====
8270
8271
8272
8273  * CPU: 65C102 2 MHz.
8274
8275  * RAM: 128 KB
8276
8277  * ROM: 128 KB (Expandable)
8278
8279  * Text Modes: 40/80 x 25 lines, 20/40/80 x 32, Teletex mode (40 x 25 x 8 colours)
8280
8281  * Graphic Modes: 160/320/640 x 256 dots in 2 to 8 colours
8282
8283  * Colors: 8 among 16
8284
8285  * Sound: 4 channels, 8 octaves - SN76489 sound generator
8286
8287  * I/O Ports: Tube expansion, BBC High Speed Bus, FDD interface, User interface, RS423 serial, Analog, Econet network, Parallel, tape recorder, TV/RF, RGB & Composite outputs
8288
8289  * Keyboard: Full stroke 93 key with numeric keypad and 10 function keys
8290
8291  * Built In Media: Cassette & FDD interfaces
8292
8293  * OS: MOS
8294
8295  * Built In Language: BBC BASIC IV interpreter
8296
8297  * Peripherals: External FDD unit, processor card, etc.
8298
8299
8300
8301
8302
8303===== Usage =====
8304
8305
8306
8307MESS allows to use various devices for the bbcm:
8308
8309  * a "cassette" (cass) device which supports tapes in .wav, .csw and .uef format
8310
8311  * two floppy devices, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), which support disks in .ssd, .bbc and .img format
8312
8313  * four cartidge devices, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge4" (cart4), which support cart dumps in .rom format
8314
8315
8316
8317Also notice that the “printer” (prin) is supported as well.
8318
8319
8320
8321
8322
8323== Cassettes ==
8324
8325
8326
8327MESS supports BBC Master 128 emulation with a "cassette" (cass) device to read tapes in .wav, .csw and .uef format. You can run a tape image by launching MESS at the command line with the image specified:
8328
8329
8330
8331  mess bbcm -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.uef"
8332
8333
8334
8335Change the keyboard emulation status to Partial, and then hold down 'r' to reset the CMOS as the driver starts.  When the driver has finished booting, hit F3 to perform a soft-reset of the system which should drop you out at the BASIC prompt.
8336
8337
8338
8339Once you are at the BASIC prompt, you can use this to run the next BASIC program on the cassette:
8340
8341
8342
8343<code>
8344
8345*TAPE
8346
8347PAGE=&E00
8348
8349CHAIN ""
8350
8351</code>
8352
8353
8354
8355or this to run the next assembled machine code program on the cassette:
8356
8357
8358
8359<code>
8360
8361*TAPE
8362
8363PAGE=&E00
8364
8365*RUN
8366
8367</code>
8368
8369
8370
8371A small number of titles may require loading in different ways so read the loading instructions in the software's documentation, where appropriate.
8372
8373
8374
8375== Discs ==
8376
8377
8378
8379To use a disc image, run the BBC Master 128 driver with the disc image specified on the command line:
8380
8381
8382
8383  mess bbcm -floppydisk1 "C:\pathtodiscimage\imagename.ssd"
8384
8385
8386
8387Change the keyboard emulation status to Partial, and then hold down 'r' to reset the CMOS as the driver starts.  When the driver has finished booting, hit F3 to perform a soft-reset of the system which should drop you out at the BASIC prompt.
8388
8389
8390
8391Type:
8392
8393
8394
8395<code>
8396
8397*DISC
8398
8399</code>
8400
8401
8402
8403to initialise the DFS (Disc Filing System) though this step can usually be omitted, as DFS is often the default filing system.
8404
8405
8406
8407Type:
8408
8409
8410
8411<code>
8412
8413*CAT
8414
8415</code>
8416
8417
8418
8419to catalogue the disc.
8420
8421
8422
8423Then programs can either be run individually - for BASIC:
8424
8425
8426
8427  CHAIN "basprog"
8428
8429
8430
8431, for assembled machine code:
8432
8433
8434
8435<code>
8436
8437*RUN mcprog
8438
8439</code>
8440
8441
8442
8443or the disc itself can be booted - if it has a *SPOOLed boot file that can be EXECuted:
8444
8445
8446
8447<code>
8448
8449*EXEC !BOOT
8450
8451</code>
8452
8453
8454
8455or an assembled machine code boot file:
8456
8457
8458
8459<code>
8460
8461*RUN !BOOT
8462
8463</code>
8464
8465
8466
8467The !BOOT file would ordinarily allow the disc to be auto-booted, using a combination of the Shift-Break keys.  Unfortunately, at the time of writing MESS does not appear to emulate the Break key, so the file must be run manually.
8468
8469
8470
8471== Keyboard ==
8472
8473
8474
8475This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
8476
8477
8478
8479Original Keyboard: Full stroke 93 key with numeric keypad and 10 function keys.
8480
8481 
8482
8483                f0   f1   f2   f3   f4   f5   f6   f7   f8   f9      BREAK        Up           +   -   /    *
8484
8485 
8486
8487 
8488
8489    ESCAPE   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0   -=   ^~   \|   Right   Left      7   8   9    #
8490
8491 
8492
8493 
8494
8495       TAB     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @    [{   £_    Down          4   5   6  DELETE
8496
8497 
8498
8499
8500
8501
8502
8503
8504
8505   CAPS
8506
8507   LOCK   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   :*   ]}      RETURN        1   2   3    ,
8508
8509 
8510
8511   SHIFT
8512
8513   LOCK    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?  SHIFT  DELETE  COPY      0   .   RETURN
8514
8515 
8516
8517                                      SPACEBAR
8518
8519
8520
8521Notice that at the top left corner of the keyboard (above the ESCAPE key) there are three LEDs: "Power On", "Caps Lock" and "Shift Lock".
8522
8523
8524
8525
8526
8527===== History and Trivia =====
8528
8529
8530
8531The BBC Master was an enhanced version of the BBC Model B providing improved features, but sadly also introducing compatibility problems with earlier BBC systems.
8532
8533
8534
8535These features were: loads more memory such as shadow, sideways and private RAM, 4 sound channels, twin cartridge sockets, as well as several built-in ROM software packages like View (word processor), ViewSheet (spreadsheet), ADFS (Advanced Filing System), a text editor and terminal utilities.
8536
8537
8538
8539Like the Model B, the system had so many I/O ports that most of them had to be placed under the case. Luckily, they only used flat-cable connectors.
8540
8541
8542
8543When it was released, the BBC Master met with great success. From 1986 to 1989, about 200,000 systems were sold, mainly to U.K. schools and universities. Several enhanced versions of the Master were launched in the following months
8544
8545
8546
8547  * The Master 512 was a Master 128 with 512 KB of RAM and an internal 80186 processor. It could be upgraded up to 1024 KB and ran MS-DOS.
8548
8549  * The Master Turbo was a Master 128 with a 65C02 as a second processor.
8550
8551
8552
8553The BBC Master and Master Compact could be considered the most accomplished 8-bit "home" computers and among the last mass-produced 8-bit machines. Production ended in 1993. While developing and marketing the BBC Master, Acorn realized the PC world was moving on from 8-bit to 16-bit processors and started developing their own 32-bit chip, the Acorn RISC Machine, or ARM.
8554
8555
8556
8557//(info from old-computers.com)//
8558
8559
8560
8561
8562
8563===== Links =====
8564
8565
8566
8567  * BBC Documentation Project -- http://www.bbcdocs.com/
8568
8569  * The BBC Lives! -- http://bbc.nvg.org/
8570
8571  * BBC Master at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=850
8572
8573
8574
8575
8576
8577===== Other Emulators =====
8578
8579
8580
8581  * B-EM (Windows, MS-DOS, Mac OS X) -- http://b-em.bbcmicro.com/
8582
8583  * BeebEm -- http://www.mikebuk.dsl.pipex.com/beebem
8584
8585  * model-b -- http://modelb.bbcmicro.com/
8586
8587
8588
8589
8590
8591$end
8592
8593
8594
8595#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8596
8597
8598$info=bebox
8599$bio
8600
8601
8602====== Be Inc. BeBox Dual603-66 (1995) and Dual603-133 (1996) ======
8603
8604
8605
8606
8607
8608===== Features =====
8609
8610
8611
8612  * CPU: Two RISC-based PowerPC 603 or 603e @ either 66 or 133 MHz
8613
8614  * RAM: Up to 256 MB (up to 8 72-pin SIMM modules)
8615
8616  * ROM: Unknown
8617
8618  * Text Modes: 80 columns x 25 lines
8619
8620  * Graphic Modes: 640x480 to 1600x1200
8621
8622  * Colors: 256 to 16.7 million
8623
8624  * Sound: 16-bit stereo sound system - Dual MIDI channels
8625
8626  * I/O Ports: 4xserial, Parallel, 3 x Infrared, SCSI II, 2 x Joystick, 2 x Midi, GeekPort
8627
8628  * Keyboard: Standard PC-AT
8629
8630  * Built In Media: 3.5" 1.44 MB FDD, SCSI & IDE HDD
8631
8632  * OS: BeOs
8633
8634  * Peripherals: 3 x PCI and 5 x ISA card slots
8635
8636
8637
8638
8639
8640===== Usage =====
8641
8642
8643
8644MESS supports both BeBox main models
8645
8646
8647
8648  * bebox [BeBox Dual603-66]: the 66MHz model
8649
8650  * bebox2 [BeBox Dual603-133]: the 133MHz model
8651
8652
8653
8654== Keyboard ==
8655
8656
8657
8658These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
8659
8660
8661
8662== RAM options ==
8663
8664
8665
8666Different RAM configurations are possible for the bebox and bebox2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
8667
8668
8669
8670  8m
8671
8672  16m
8673
8674  32m (default)
8675
8676
8677
8678
8679
8680===== Known Issues =====
8681
8682
8683
8684The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
8685
8686
8687
8688
8689
8690===== History and Trivia =====
8691
8692
8693
8694The BeBox was a dual processor PC, created in 1995 by Be Incorporated to run their own operating system, BeOS.
8695
8696
8697
8698BeBox hadware was based on a dual PowerPC 603 CPU running at 66 MHz (later 133 MHz). The motherboard was not really innovative but featured a large range of Input/Output ports, including IDE and SCSI HDD interfaces, standard PC card slots, MIDI, audio, infrared ports plus a special GeekPort for hardware experiments.
8699
8700
8701
8702The Be Operating System was also developed from the ground up. It aimed to be an alternative to the "Heavy weight" Windows and Mac OS's.
8703
8704BeOs was a clear and clean multi-processor (up to 8), multi-threading, multi-tasking, GUI-based operating system, optimized for digital media management.
8705
8706
8707
8708The first BeBox machines were mainly intended for use by software developers, and BeOs was delivered
8709
8710with Metrowerks CodeWarrior and C++ languages. But, in spite of its numerous advanced features, the BeBox never met the success expected by its designers, mainly because it was not compatible with other OS and application widely used in the computing industry.
8711
8712
8713
8714In 1996, BeOs was ported to Apple PowerPC machines but Apple eventually preferred the NeXT basis for its future Mac OS X. Two years later, BeOs ran on Intel machines.
8715
8716
8717
8718In January 1997, the production ceased.
8719
8720
8721
8722Nowadays, although marginal, BeOs is still alive, and new releases and updates are regularly announced by the BeOs community.
8723
8724
8725
8726== GeekPort ==
8727
8728
8729
8730It's a digital and analog I/O and DC power connector, 37-pin connector on the ISA bus. It consists of:
8731
8732  * Two independent, bidirectional 8-bit ports
8733
8734  * Four A/D pins routing to a 12-bit A/D converter
8735
8736  * Four D/A pins connected to an independent 8-bit D/A converter
8737
8738  * Two signal ground reference pins
8739
8740  * Eleven power and ground pins: Two at +5 V, one at +12 V, one at -12 V, seven ground pins.
8741
8742
8743
8744//(info based on various Wikipedia pages)//
8745
8746
8747
8748
8749
8750===== Links =====
8751
8752
8753
8754  * [[wp>BeBox]]
8755
8756  * The BeBox Zone -- http://www.bebox.nu/
8757
8758  * Beatjapan.org (Mirror of be.com, the official Be web site, now closed) -- http://www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/products/bebox/dual603spec.html
8759
8760  * BeBox Photo Gallery (by Joseph Palmer: Be HW Engineer) -- http://www.josephpalmer.com/BeBox/BeBox.shtml
8761
8762
8763
8764
8765
8766$end
8767
8768
8769
8770#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8771
8772
8773$info=bk0010
8774$bio
8775====== Elektronika BK-0010 (1985) and BK-0010.01 (1986) =======
8776
8777
8778
8779
8780
8781===== Features =====
8782
8783
8784
8785  * CPU: K1801BM1-3
8786
8787  * RAM: 16kB
8788
8789  * ROM: 32kB
8790
8791  * Colors: b/w or 4
8792
8793  * Resolution: 512 x 256 or 256 x 256
8794
8795
8796
8797
8798
8799===== Usage =====
8800
8801
8802
8803Currently, MESS supports the following BK computers
8804
8805
8806
8807  * bk0010 [Elektronika BK-0010]
8808
8809  * bk0010fd [Elektronika BK-0010 with FDD]
8810
8811  * bk001001 [Elektronika BK-0010.01]
8812
8813
8814
8815All the drivers support cassette tapes in .wav format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
8816
8817
8818
8819== Keyboard ==
8820
8821
8822
8823This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
8824
8825
8826
8827
8828
8829===== Known Issues =====
8830
8831
8832
8833Emulation of bk0010fd is still preliminary (no disk support present, at the moment).
8834
8835
8836
8837
8838
8839===== History and Trivia =====
8840
8841
8842
8843The BK-0010 was the first Soviet home computer built in 1985. It comes with a quite powerful 16Bit DEC PDP-11 compatible processor called 1801BM1. Common programming languages were: FOCAL, BASIC, assembler - mostly on ROMs. The BK-0010 comes with a film keyboard. The BK-0010 is also known as BK-0010SH ("SH" means school model).
8844
8845
8846
8847The BK-0010.01 was very much the same machine as the BK-0010 but it has a "real" keyboard. The BK-0010 / BK-0010.01 also have a ROM-Slot.
8848
8849
8850
8851Additional info from Paul Romanchenko: the BK-0010.01 has a total of 32kB RAM that is divided into two regions: 16kB user space and 16kB screen area.
8852
8853
8854
8855The 32kB ROM contains built-in BASIC interpreter (dialect Vilnus Basic). It has 4 colors in "low-res" mode (32 col x 24 rows), 2 colors in "hi-res" mode (62 col x 24 rows). BK-0010.01 is built after BK-0010, which has the same characteristic, but has only 8Kb ROM and hasn't built-in Basic.
8856
8857
8858
8859The FOCAL language was distributed in separate ROM block which connected via special socket.
8860
8861
8862
8863//(info from homecomputer.de)//
8864
8865
8866
8867
8868
8869===== Links =====
8870
8871
8872
8873  * BK-0010 & BK-0010.01 at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#10
8874
8875
8876
8877
8878
8879===== Other Emu =====
8880
8881
8882
8883  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
8884
8885  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
8886
8887
8888
8889
8890
8891$end
8892
8893
8894
8895#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8896
8897
8898$info=bondwell
8899$bio
8900====== Bondwell PRO28 Series - BW230 (1985) ======
8901
8902
8903
8904
8905
8906===== Features =====
8907
8908
8909
8910  * CPU on pc-type adapter: 8088 with 3.75/8 MHz (turboswitch)
8911
8912  * socket for 8087
8913
8914  * 512 kb RAM built in
8915
8916  * sockets for additional 128kb RAM on board
8917
8918  * integrated floppy disk controller
8919
8920  * setup RAM/realtime clock?
8921
8922  * MF2 Keyboard (US layout)
8923
8924  * socket for additional bios?
8925
8926  * game port on motherboard or slot?, serial port on motherboard or slot? parallel port on motherboard or slot?, cga adapter in slot or motherboard?, harddisk controller in slot or motherboard?
8927
8928  * 5" 1/4 360 kb disk drive
8929
8930  * 32mb harddisk
8931
8932
8933
8934
8935
8936===== Known Issues =====
8937
8938
8939
8940The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
8941
8942
8943
8944  * basically the same as mess ibmpc emulation
8945
8946  * rtc/setup RAM not emulated
8947
8948  * Character ROM dump missing
8949
8950  * needs i8086 "dirval reset fix" to work
8951
8952  * bios stops without emulation of disketts controller (->you have to start with disk image!)
8953
8954
8955
8956
8957
8958===== History and Trivia =====
8959
8960
8961
8962IBM PC compatible computer.
8963
8964
8965
8966
8967
8968$end
8969
8970
8971
8972#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
8973
8974
8975$info=bw2
8976$bio
8977====== Bondwell Model 2 (1985) ======
8978
8979
8980
8981
8982
8983===== Features =====
8984
8985
8986
8987  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
8988
8989  * RAM: 64K
8990
8991  * ROM: 4K
8992
8993  * Text Modes: 80 x 25
8994
8995  * Video: 640x200 LCD (built-in)
8996
8997  * Storage: 3.5" floppy diskette (built-in)
8998
8999  * I/O: Parallel, Serial
9000
9001  * OS: CP/M
9002
9003  * Expansion: Limited internal expansion
9004
9005
9006
9007
9008
9009===== Usage ======
9010
9011
9012
9013MESS currently supports the bw2 emulation with two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format.
9014
9015
9016
9017Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
9018
9019
9020
9021== Keyboard ==
9022
9023
9024
9025This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
9026
9027
9028
9029== BIOS options ==
9030
9031
9032
9033Different versions of the Bondwell Model 2 roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
9034
9035
9036
9037  "-bios 0" or "-bios 20" = BW 2 v2.0
9038
9039 
9040
9041  "-bios 1" or "-bios 12" = BW 2 v1.2
9042
9043
9044
9045== RAM options ==
9046
9047
9048
9049Different RAM configurations are possible for the bw2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
9050
9051
9052
9053  64k (default)
9054
9055  96k
9056
9057  128k
9058
9059  160k
9060
9061  192k
9062
9063  224k
9064
9065
9066
9067
9068
9069===== History and Trivia =====
9070
9071
9072
9073The Bondwell 2 was a late CP/M machine, designed and shipped towards the end of the lifecycle of the OS.
9074
9075
9076
9077It is, however, a true portable computer running CP/M, which is quite rare.
9078
9079
9080
9081//(info from vintage-computer.com)//
9082
9083
9084
9085
9086
9087===== Links =====
9088
9089
9090
9091  * Model 2 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/bondwell2.shtml
9092
9093
9094
9095
9096
9097$end
9098
9099
9100
9101#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9102
9103
9104$info=c128
9105$bio
9106====== CBM Commodore 128 (1985), 128-CR, 128D and 128D-CR ======
9107
9108
9109
9110
9111
9112===== Features =====
9113
9114
9115
9116  * CPU: 8502 1/2 MHz, 1.022 MHz (for C64 mode)+ Zilog Z80 ~2.5 MHz
9117
9118  * Co-Processor: SID (sound), VDC & VIC-II (video)
9119
9120  * RAM: 128 KB
9121
9122  * VRAM: 16 KB
9123
9124  * ROM: 48 KB
9125
9126  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines
9127
9128  * Graphics Modes: several, most used : 160x200 / 320 x 200 / 640 x 200
9129
9130  * Colors: 16
9131
9132  * Sound: 3 voices / 6 octaves
9133
9134  * I/O Ports: RGB, Video Composite, Joystick (2), cartridge, Tape, User Port (RS232 compatible), TV, serial
9135
9136  * Keyboard: Complete full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
9137
9138  * Built In Media: 1571 disk-drive [C128D and C128D-CR only]
9139
9140  * OS: C128 mode, C64 mode or CP/M
9141
9142  * Built In Language: Basic
9143
9144  * hardware emulation mode for c64
9145
9146
9147
9148
9149
9150===== Usage =====
9151
9152
9153
9154MESS emulates the following computers
9155
9156
9157
9158  * c128 [Commodore 128 (NTSC)]
9159
9160  * c128ger [Commodore 128 (PAL, German)]
9161
9162  * c128fra [Commodore 128 (PAL, French)]
9163
9164  * c128ita [Commodore 128 (PAL, Italian)]
9165
9166  * c128swe [Commodore 128 (PAL, Swedish)]
9167
9168  * c128nor [Commodore 128 (PAL, Norwegian)]
9169
9170  * c128d [Commodore 128D (NTSC)]
9171
9172  * c128dita [Commodore 128D (PAL, Italian)]
9173
9174
9175
9176For each c128 system, MESS supports
9177
9178  - a datasette, using "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .tap and .wav format
9179
9180  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt and .80 format
9181
9182  - two floppy drives (1541), "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
9183
9184
9185
9186For c128d systems, MESS supports a floppy drive (1571), "floppydisk" (flop), for disk images in .d64 format.
9187
9188
9189
9190Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
9191
9192
9193
9194== Cassettes ==
9195
9196
9197
9198Cassette images can have the .wav or .tap extensions. To run a .tap or a .wav image you have to launch
9199
9200
9201
9202  mess c128 -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tap"
9203
9204
9205
9206Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
9207
9208
9209
9210  * to load a BASIC program from the cassette
9211
9212
9213
9214  LOAD"filename"
9215
9216
9217
9218  * to load the first program from the cassette
9219
9220
9221
9222  LOAD
9223
9224
9225
9226The message "Press play on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Play"). Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
9227
9228
9229
9230  RUN
9231
9232
9233
9234or the appropriate SYS call.
9235
9236
9237
9238Also, MESS supports saving to tape. Therefore, you can write your own BASIC programs and save them using the command
9239
9240
9241
9242  SAVE"prog_name"
9243
9244
9245
9246The message "Press play <html>&amp;</html> record on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start recording the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Record").
9247
9248
9249
9250== Floppy Disks ==
9251
9252
9253
9254MESS currently //simulates// only loading from drive 8 and 9 in the C128 emulation. These drives correspond to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) emulated by MESS. To run a .d64 image you have to launch
9255
9256
9257
9258  mess c128 -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.d64"
9259
9260
9261
9262Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
9263
9264
9265
9266  * to list the content of the floppy
9267
9268
9269
9270  LOAD"$",8
9271
9272  LIST
9273
9274
9275
9276  * to load a BASIC program from the disk
9277
9278
9279
9280  LOAD"filename",8
9281
9282
9283
9284  * to load a machine language program at its address
9285
9286
9287
9288  LOAD"filename",8,1
9289
9290
9291
9292  * to load the first program from the disk (useful if you're not sure of which is the correct one to load)
9293
9294
9295
9296  LOAD"*",8
9297
9298
9299
9300Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
9301
9302
9303
9304  RUN
9305
9306
9307
9308or the appropriate SYS call. If you launched the game on -flop2, you will need to use drive 9 in place of drive 8 in the commands above.
9309
9310
9311
9312Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
9313
9314
9315
9316== Cartridges ==
9317
9318
9319
9320Cartridges may have extension .crt and .80. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges may require more than one image: if you have any of these, please contact us because we would like to fix support for them.
9321
9322
9323
9324  * .80 files are loaded to 0x8000.
9325
9326  * .crt ROMs are loaded to the addresses specified in crt file.
9327
9328
9329
9330To use "cartridge1" (cart1) or "cartridge2" (cart2) slots in MESS, simply launch
9331
9332
9333
9334  mess c128 -cart1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.crt"
9335
9336
9337
9338and the game will start (we support two cartridge slot for images which require multiple files to be loaded at different locations, but the support is only partial because we don't have access to any of these images).
9339
9340Also, currently only few of the available types of .crt files are supported.
9341
9342
9343
9344Note that .prg files are often cartridge images as well, but in MESS they are assigned to the quickloader (see below).
9345
9346
9347
9348== Quickloader ==
9349
9350
9351
9352A quickloader is available via command line and it supports program image files with extensions .prg and .p00. The quickloader loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It shall work with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
9353
9354
9355
9356  mess c128 -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
9357
9358
9359
9360and simply type the command
9361
9362
9363
9364  RUN
9365
9366
9367
9368to start the program.
9369
9370
9371
9372== Miscellaneous ==
9373
9374
9375
9376Gameport A supports paddles 1 & 2,  joystick 1, mouse (both the 1350 and 1351), lightpen (implementation not finished). Gameport B supports paddles 3 & 4, joystick 2, mouse (both the 1350 and 1351).
9377
9378
9379
9380Many games require the user to plug the Joystick controller in the second Joystick port. In MESS this can be done, either remapping the P2 Joystick inputs, or simply pressing <key>F1</key> (in partial emulation mode) to swap the Joystick ports and use your P1 Joystick as if it was connected to the second port.
9381
9382
9383
9384== Keyboard ==
9385
9386
9387
9388These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
9389
9390
9391
9392Remember also the following functions:
9393
9394  * <key>S-C=</key> switches between upper-only and normal character set (when wrong characters on screen this can help),
9395
9396  * <key>Run</key> (<key>S-Stop</key>) loads program from tape and starts it,
9397
9398  * <key>Esc-x</key> switches between two display systems.
9399
9400
9401
9402Additional keys (to C64) are not useable in C64mode.
9403
9404
9405
9406Original Keyboard: QWERTY Complete full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
9407
9408
9409
9410                    CAPS                 LINE   40/80    NO
9411
9412     ESC  TAB  ALT  LOCK           HELP  FEED  DISPLAY SCROLL      UP  DOWN  LEFT  RIGHT          F1  F3  F5  F7
9413
9414 
9415
9416                                                                             CLR    INST
9417
9418      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     +    -    £    HOME   DEL           7   8   9   +
9419
9420 
9421
9422   
9423
9424   CONTROL   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @    *     UP    RESTORE          4   5   6   -
9425
9426 
9427
9428  RUN   SHIFT                                                                                                 E
9429
9430  STOP  LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    =      RETURN             1   2   3   n
9431
9432                                                                                                              t
9433
9434                                                                             CRSR  CRSR                       e
9435
9436  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   U/D    L/R             0     .   r
9437
9438 
9439
9440 
9441
9442                                   SPACEBAR
9443
9444
9445
9446Notes: <key>C=</key> is a key with the Commodore logo, "UP" is an arrow pointing up, the "CRSR" keys at the bottom-right corner are used to move the cursor on screen (Up/Down and Left/Right resp.). 
9447
9448
9449
9450== Color Codes ==
9451
9452
9453
9454Combining <key>C=</key> and <key>CTRL</key> with number keys, you can change the font color. Below you find the complete list of available colors
9455
9456
9457
9458  * In 40-Column Format:
9459
9460
9461
9462^  ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ 3 ^ 4 ^ 5 ^ 6 ^ 7 ^ 8 ^
9463
9464^ C= | orange | brown | light red | dark gray | middle gray | light green | light blue | light gray |
9465
9466^ CTRL | black | white | red | cyan | purple | green | blue | yellow |
9467
9468
9469
9470  * In 80-Column Format:
9471
9472
9473
9474^  ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ 3 ^ 4 ^ 5 ^ 6 ^ 7 ^ 8 ^
9475
9476^ C= | dark purple | brown | light red | dark cyan | middle gray | light green | light blue | light gray |
9477
9478^ CTRL | black | white | dark red | light cyan | light purple | dark green | dark blue | light yellow |
9479
9480
9481
9482== Lightpen ==
9483
9484
9485
9486It's emulated through Paddle 5 x-axis, Paddle 6 y-axis
9487
9488
9489
9490== C64 Mode ==
9491
9492
9493
9494To enter in C64 Mode, hold down <key>C=</key> key while resetting or turning on. Then type
9495
9496
9497
9498  go64
9499
9500
9501
9502at the C128 command mode
9503
9504
9505
9506== CPM Mode ==
9507
9508
9509
9510To run in CPM Mode, cpm disk must be inserted in device 8. Then turn on computer or type
9511
9512
9513
9514  boot
9515
9516
9517
9518at the C128 command mode
9519
9520
9521
9522If you run into difficulty, be sure to start the emulation with the -log switch, and look into the error.log file that is created in your MESS directory.
9523
9524
9525
9526== ROM Dumping ==
9527
9528
9529
9530  * Dumping of the ROMs from the running machine: in the monitor program
9531
9532 
9533
9534  s "drive:name",device,start,end
9535
9536  s "0:basic",8,f4000,fc000
9537
9538  s "0:editor",8,fc000,fd000
9539
9540  s "0:kernel",8,ee000,f0000
9541
9542  s "0:char128",8,ed000,ee000
9543
9544
9545
9546  * Z80 BIOS [missing, funet says there exists only 1 version!?]: I don't know, maybe there is a cpm utility allowing saving the memory area 0-0xfff of bank 0. (I don't want to develop (and can't test) this short complicated program)
9547
9548
9549
9550  * BASIC [only 1 version!?]: In C64 Mode, enter
9551
9552 
9553
9554  poke43,0:poke44,160:poke45,0:poke46,192:save"0:basic64",8
9555
9556
9557
9558  * Kernel [only 1 version!?]: In C64 Mode, enter
9559
9560 
9561
9562  for i=0 to 8191:poke 32*256+i, peek(224*256+i): next
9563
9564  poke43,0:poke44,32:poke45,0:poke46,64:save"0:kernel64",8
9565
9566
9567
9568  * C64 Charset [Swedish version or original C64 version]: in C128 Mode, enter
9569
9570 
9571
9572  monitor
9573
9574  a 2000 sei
9575
9576  lda #33
9577
9578  sta 1
9579
9580  ldy #0
9581
9582  sty fa
9583
9584  sty fc
9585
9586  lda #c0
9587
9588  sta fd
9589
9590  lda #d0
9591
9592  sta fb
9593
9594  ldx #10
9595
9596  lda (fa),y
9597
9598  sta (fc),y
9599
9600  iny
9601
9602  bne 2015
9603
9604  inc fb
9605
9606  inc fd
9607
9608  dex
9609
9610  bne 2015
9611
9612  lda #37
9613
9614  sta 1
9615
9616  cli
9617
9618  rts
9619
9620  (additional enter to end assembler input)
9621
9622  x (to leave monitor)
9623
9624  go64 (answer with y)
9625
9626  sys 32*256
9627
9628  poke 43,0:poke44,192:poke45,0:poke46,208:save"0:char64",8
9629
9630
9631
9632  * C64 Charset [Swedish version or original C64 version]: in C64 Mode, load the program in the attachment and type
9633
9634
9635
9636  load"savechar64",8,1
9637
9638  sys 32*256
9639
9640  poke 43,0:poke44,192:poke45,0:poke46,208:save"0:char64",8
9641
9642
9643
9644  * C128D floppy disk bios: I think you have to download a program copying the bios to buffers. Then you could read this buffer into the computer, or write these buffers to disk. Transportation to your pc: 1571 writes to mfm encoded diskettes (in cpm mode only, or use
9645
9646program). Maybe the IBM CPM-86 formats are like the standard DOS formats, but using dd may create images known by some other emulators. 1581 writes mfm encoded: can one of these drives to a format know by linux? Some years ago I build a simple adapter pc/parport to 1541 floppy disk drive.
9647
9648
9649
9650== ROM Dumping with EEPROMer ==
9651
9652
9653
9654  * C128:
9655
9656
9657
9658| U18 |       | (read compatible 2764?)  |  8kB C64 character ROM, C128 character ROM |
9659
9660| U32 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C64 Basic, C64 Kernel                 |
9661
9662| U33 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C128 Basic at 0x4000                  |
9663
9664| U34 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C128 Basic at 0x8000                  |
9665
9666| U35 | 23128 | (read compatible 27128?) | 16kB C128 Editor, Z80Bios, C128 Kernel     |
9667
9668
9669
9670  * C128 CR (cost reduced):
9671
9672
9673
9674| U18 |       | (read compatible 2764?)  | 8kB C64 character ROM, C128 character ROM                    |
9675
9676| U32 | 23256 | (read compatible 27256?) | 32kB C64 Basic, C64 Kernel, C128 Editor, Z80Bios, C128 Kernel |
9677
9678| U34 | 23256 | (read compatible 27256?) | 32kB C128 Basic                                               |
9679
9680
9681
9682  * C128 DCR: As C128 CR plus
9683
9684
9685
9686| U102| 23256 | (read compatible 27256?) | 32kB 1571 system ROM |
9687
9688
9689
9690
9691
9692
9693
9694===== Known Issues =====
9695
9696
9697
9698C128 issues:
9699
9700
9701
9702  * uses c64 emulation for c64 mode, so only notes for the additional subsystems here
9703
9704  * rasterline based video system: no CPU holding, imperfect scrolling support (when 40 columns or 25 lines), lightpen support not finished, rasterline not finished
9705
9706  * vdc emulation: dirtybuffered video system, text mode (only standard 8x8 characters supported), graphic mode not tested, lightpen not supported, scrolling not supported
9707
9708  * z80 emulation: floppy simulation not enough for booting CPM, so simplified z80 memory management not tested
9709
9710  * no CPU clock doubling
9711
9712  * no internal function ROM
9713
9714  * c64 mode: differences to real c64???
9715
9716  * cia6526's look in machine/cia6526.c
9717
9718  * serial bus: simple disk drives, no printer or other devices
9719
9720  * expansion modules: no c128 modules
9721
9722  * expansion modules c64: ROM cartridges (exrom), ultimax ROM cartridges (game), c64 cartridges (only standard ROM cartridges), no other ROM cartridges (bankswitching logic in it, switching exrom, game), no ieee488 support, no cpm cartridge, no speech cartridge (no circuit diagram found), no fm sound cartridge, no other expansion modules
9723
9724  * no userport: no rs232/v.24 interface
9725
9726
9727
9728
9729
9730===== History and Trivia =====
9731
9732
9733
9734The Commodore 128 was launched at the Las-Vegas Consumer Electronic Show 1985. It was presented then as a competitor for the Apple Macintosh and IBM PC (The famous advertisement said "Bad news for Apple and IBM"). In fact, the only star of this show was the Atari 130 ST!
9735
9736
9737
9738It was the successor of the Commodore 64 and could use all the software and a lot of the hardware of the C64 (the 8502 could be slowed down 1 MHz for compatibility).
9739
9740
9741
9742One of the main specialties of this machine was the additional Z80 CPU and Video chip, which means that you could attach two monitors. Thanks to the Z80, the Commodore 128 could run under CP/M + : lots of software were adapted for this computer and Osborne or Kaypro programs could run directly.
9743
9744
9745
9746The 128D model: The 128D was the direct successor of the Commodore 128. It had exactly the same characteristics as the 128 except its external case which contained the Commodore 1571 floppy disk unit.
9747
9748
9749
9750Actually there were two distinct Commodore 128Ds : The 128D and the 128D-CR (for Cost Reduced).
9751
9752
9753
9754== 128D vs. 128DCR  ==
9755
9756
9757
9758Differences between the 128D and the 128DCR were:
9759
9760
9761
9762  * The 128D was never sold in the U.S. because of all the radio frequency interference it gave off.
9763
9764  * The 128D-CR had a metal case rather than plastic for solving radio frequency problems. This version was sold in the U.S.
9765
9766  * The 128D-CR did not have a cooling fan, although there was a place to mount one.
9767
9768  * The 128D-CR case did not have storage clips for the keyboard.
9769
9770  * The 128D-CR came with 64k of video RAM (for the RGB video chip) rather than 16k for the C128.
9771
9772  * The 128D-CR's printed circuit board was different, and included the drive electronics. So there were 3 CPUs on the board.
9773
9774  * The 128D-CR came with bugfixed (1986) ROMs in two 32k x 8 chips instead of four 16k x 8 ones.
9775
9776  * The internal drive's ROM was different from the original 1571 ROM in two ways: it was bugfixed, and had changes for the new support chips. The bugfixes were bigger than the changes for the new hardware.
9777
9778  * 128D-CR CPU RAM was in four 64k x 4 chips rather than sixteen 64k x 1 ones.
9779
9780  * The 128D-CR did not have a carrying handle.
9781
9782
9783
9784//(info from old-computers.com)//
9785
9786
9787
9788== Easter egg ==
9789
9790
9791
9792Entering the command
9793
9794 
9795
9796  SYS 32800,123,45,6
9797
9798 
9799
9800in native mode would reveal a 40-column screen with a listing of the machine's main developers (and a message they left).
9801
9802
9803
9804
9805
9806===== Links =====
9807
9808
9809
9810  * Commodore 128 Alive! -- http://www.commodore128.org/
9811
9812  * The Commodore 128 Page -- http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/
9813
9814  * Commodore Computers -- http://www.commodore.ca/
9815
9816  * Commodore 128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=96
9817
9818
9819
9820
9821
9822===== Other Emulators =====
9823
9824
9825
9826  * PC128 (DOS) - no more developed after v3.1 - no webpage
9827
9828  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
9829
9830
9831
9832
9833
9834$end
9835
9836
9837
9838#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
9839
9840
9841$info=c16
9842$bio
9843====== CBM Commodore 16, 116, Plus/4, 264 and 364 (1984) ======
9844
9845
9846
9847
9848
9849===== Features =====
9850
9851
9852
9853  * CPU: 7501 0.89 MHz or 1.76 MHz
9854
9855  * Co-Processor: None [Plus/4]; TED (video & sound) [C16]; VIC-II (video & sound) [C116]
9856
9857  * RAM: 16 KB (12 KB free for user) [C16-C116]; 64 KB (60 KB free for user, and 48 KB free when used in high resolution) [Plus/4]
9858
9859  * ROM: 32 KB [C16-C116]; 64 KB [Plus/4]
9860
9861  * Text Modes: 40 chars. x 25 lines
9862
9863  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 320 x 160 (with 5 lines of text) / 160 x 200 / 160 x 160 (with 5 lines of text)
9864
9865  * Colors: 121 (15 colours x 8 luminances + black)
9866
9867  * Sound: two channels; 4 octaves + white noise
9868
9869  * I/O Ports: Tape, Cartridge, Joystick (2), serial, Composite Video, TV [all]; Floppy Disk, Printer, User port, RGB, expansion bus port [Plus/4 only]
9870
9871  * Keyboard: 65 [C116] / 66 [C16] / 67 [Plus/4] keys with 4 function keys and 4 cursor keys
9872
9873  * Built In Media: Cassette unit. Provision for 5.25
9874
9875  * OS: ROM Based
9876
9877  * Built In Language: Commodore BASIC 3.5 - Built-in machine code monitor (12 commands)
9878
9879
9880
9881
9882
9883===== Usage =====
9884
9885
9886
9887MESS emulates the following computers
9888
9889
9890
9891  * c16 [Commodore 16 (PAL)]
9892
9893  * c16c [Commodore 16 (PAL, 1551)] - with 1551 floppy drive
9894
9895  * c16v [Commodore 16 (PAL, 1541)] - with 1541 floppy drive
9896
9897  * c116 [Commodore 116 (PAL)]
9898
9899  * c16hun [Commodore 16 Novotrade (PAL, Hungary)]
9900
9901  * c116c [Commodore 116 (PAL, 1551)] - with 1551 floppy drive
9902
9903  * c116v [Commodore 116 (PAL, 1541)] - with 1541 floppy drive
9904
9905  * plus4 [Commodore +4 (NTSC)]
9906
9907  * plus4c [Commodore +4 (NTSC, 1551)] - with 1551 floppy drive
9908
9909  * plus4v [Commodore +4 (NTSC, 1541)] - with 1541 floppy drive
9910
9911  * c232 [Commodore 232 (Prototype)]
9912
9913  * c232 [Commodore 264 (Prototype)]
9914
9915  * c364 [Commodore 364 (Prototype)]
9916
9917
9918
9919For each system, MESS supports
9920
9921  - a datasette, using "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav and .tap formats
9922
9923  - a cart slot, "cartridge" (cart), for cart dumps in .bin and .rom formats
9924
9925  - one / two floppy drives (different kinds, depending on the system), "floppydisk" (flop) or "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
9926
9927
9928
9929Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
9930
9931
9932
9933== Cassettes ==
9934
9935
9936
9937Cassette images can have the .wav or .tap extensions (formally .t64 images are tapes as well, but we currently load them through -quickload). To run a .tap image you have to launch
9938
9939
9940
9941  mess c16 -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tap"
9942
9943
9944
9945Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
9946
9947
9948
9949  * to load a BASIC program from the cassette
9950
9951
9952
9953  LOAD"filename"
9954
9955
9956
9957  * to load the first program from the cassette
9958
9959
9960
9961  LOAD
9962
9963
9964
9965The message "Press play on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Play"). Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
9966
9967
9968
9969  RUN
9970
9971
9972
9973or the appropriate SYS call.
9974
9975
9976
9977== Floppy Disks ==
9978
9979
9980
9981MESS currently //simulates// only loading from drive 8, and possibly drive 9 depending on the model you chose, in C16 emulation. These drives correspond to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) emulated by MESS ("floppydisk" if you are emulating c16c, c16v, plus4c, plus4v etc). To run a .d64 image you have to launch
9982
9983
9984
9985  mess c16 -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.d64"
9986
9987
9988
9989Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
9990
9991
9992
9993  * to list the content of the floppy
9994
9995
9996
9997  LOAD"$",8
9998
9999  LIST
10000
10001
10002
10003  * to load a BASIC program from the disk
10004
10005
10006
10007  LOAD"filename",8
10008
10009
10010
10011  * to load a machine language program at its address
10012
10013
10014
10015  LOAD"filename",8,1
10016
10017
10018
10019  * to load the first program from the disk (useful if you're not sure of which is the correct one to load)
10020
10021
10022
10023  LOAD"*",8
10024
10025
10026
10027Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
10028
10029
10030
10031  RUN
10032
10033
10034
10035or the appropriate SYS call. If you launched the game on -flop2, you will need to use drive 9 in place of drive 8 in the commands above.
10036
10037
10038
10039Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
10040
10041
10042
10043== Cartridges ==
10044
10045
10046
10047Cartridges may have any of the following extensions: .bin, .rom, .lo, .hi,. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges require more than one image to load (e.g., tutor.lo tutor.hi): if you have any of these, please contact us because we would like to fix support for them.
10048
10049
10050
10051  * .bin, .rom, .lo , .hi ROMs are loaded to cs1 low, cs1 high, cs2 low, cs2 high addresses accordingly to their order in the command line.
10052
10053
10054
10055== Quickloader ==
10056
10057
10058
10059A quickloader is available via command line and it supports program image files with the .prg and .p00 extensions. This loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It works with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
10060
10061
10062
10063  mess c16 -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
10064
10065
10066
10067and simply type the command
10068
10069
10070
10071  RUN
10072
10073
10074
10075to start the program.
10076
10077
10078
10079== Miscellaneous ==
10080
10081
10082
10083Some games require the user to plug the Joystick controller in the second Joystick port. In MESS this can be done, either remapping the P2 Joystick inputs, or simply pressing <key>F1</key> (in partial emulation mode) to swap the Joystick ports and use your P1 Joystick as if it was connected to the second port.
10084
10085
10086
10087== Keyboard ==
10088
10089
10090
10091These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
10092
10093
10094
10095Remember also the following functions:
10096
10097  * <key>Shift-C=</key> switches between upper-only and normal character set (if wrong characters are on screen this may help).
10098
10099  * <key>Run</key> (which is <key>S-Stop</key>) loads the first program from device 8 (dload"*) and starts it.
10100
10101
10102
10103Original Keyboard: C16
10104
10105                                                                                   INST
10106
10107     ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0^  LEFT RIGHT  UP  DOWN    DEL           f 1
10108
10109 
10110
10111                                                                                  CLEAR
10112
10113      CTRL   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @    +     -      HOME            f 3
10114
10115 
10116
10117  RUN   SHIFT
10118
10119  STOP  LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    *      RETURN             f 5
10120
10121 
10122
10123 
10124
10125  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT     £     =           HELP
10126
10127 
10128
10129 
10130
10131                                 SPACEBAR
10132
10133
10134
10135
10136
10137Notes: <key>C=</key> is a key with the Commodore logo, <key>S-0</key> produces an arrow pointing up ("^" above).
10138
10139
10140
10141Originale Keyboard: C116
10142
10143
10144
10145           F1/F4      F2/F5     F3/F6    HELP/F7     HOME/CLEAR   DEL/INST
10146
10147 
10148
10149 
10150
10151     ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0^   +    -     *
10152
10153 
10154
10155       
10156
10157   CONTROL   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @   RETURN
10158
10159 
10160
10161  RUN   
10162
10163  STOP    £    A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    =
10164
10165 
10166
10167 
10168
10169  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
10170
10171                                                                                    UP 
10172
10173                                                                             LEFT       RIGHT
10174
10175                                 SPACEBAR                                          DOWN
10176
10177
10178
10179
10180
10181Original Keyboard: Plus/4 and prototypes (232, 264, 364)
10182
10183
10184
10185           F1/F4      F2/F5     F3/F6    HELP/F7
10186
10187 
10188
10189                                                                            CLEAR   INST        |
10190
10191     ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0^   +    -     =    HOME    DEL        |      @  +  -  =
10192
10193                                                                                                |
10194
10195                                                                                                |
10196
10197   CONTROL   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @    £     *    CONTROL         |      7  8  9  *
10198
10199                                                                                                |
10200
10201  RUN   SHIFT                                                                                   |
10202
10203  STOP  LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    RETURN                  |      4  5  6  /
10204
10205                                                                                                |
10206
10207                                                                                                |               E
10208
10209  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT                      |      1  2  3  n
10210
10211                                                                                UP              |               t
10212
10213                                                                          LEFT       RIGHT      |               e
10214
10215                                 SPACEBAR                                      DOWN             |      0  .  :  r
10216
10217
10218
10219The 19-keys keypad was present only in the 364 prototype (but probably those keys were simply wired to the lines
10220
10221of regular number keys of the keyboard).
10222
10223
10224
10225== Color Codes ==
10226
10227
10228
10229Combining <key>C=</key> and <key>CTRL</key> with number keys, you can change the font color. Below you find the complete list of available colors
10230
10231
10232
10233^  ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ 3 ^ 4 ^ 5 ^ 6 ^ 7 ^ 8 ^
10234
10235^ <key>C=</key> | orange | brown | light green | pink | green 2 | light blue | dark blue | green 3 |
10236
10237^ <key>CTRL</key> | black | white | red | cyan | purple | green | blue | yellow |
10238
10239
10240
10241== RAM options ==
10242
10243
10244
10245Different RAM configurations are possible for c16 systems (not plus4 ones) in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
10246
10247
10248
10249  16k
10250
10251  32k
10252
10253  64k (default)
10254
10255
10256
10257
10258
10259===== Known Issues =====
10260
10261
10262
10263Notice that emulation of C16, C116 and Plus/4 with a 1541 floppy drive is still preliminary.
10264
10265
10266
10267Moreover:
10268
10269
10270
10271  * Memory check by C16 kernel will not recognize more memory without restarting MESS.
10272
10273  * CPU clock switching/changing.
10274
10275  * Imperfect colors; should be enough for 95% of the games and programs.
10276
10277  * Imperfect scrolling support (when 40 columns or 25 lines)
10278
10279  * Lightpen support missing.
10280
10281  * Expansion modules other than the 1551 floppy drive are not supported.
10282
10283  * The rs232/v.24 interface is not supported, nor are printers and other parallel devices.
10284
10285  * The Plus 4's userport is not supported.
10286
10287  * The following features are emulated: rasterline based video system, keyboard, joystick 1 and 2, simple tape support, serial bus, simple disk drives, expansion modules, rom cartridges, simple ieee488 floppy support (c1551 floppy disk drive), quickloader
10288
10289
10290
10291
10292
10293===== History and Trivia =====
10294
10295
10296
10297When the first Commodore 264 prototype unofficially debuted at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January (?) 1984, the developers had obviously not yet agreed about the keyboard layout; some keys are unlabeled, the right shift key was missing, instead having a key which seems to be meant as a line feed key.
10298
10299
10300
10301It was planned that when buying a C264, you could have chosen between these programs:
10302
10303  * 3 plus 1 (word processor, data base, spread sheet, windowing)
10304
10305  * Superscript (professional word processor)
10306
10307  * Magic Desk (word processor, data base, spread sheet, calculator)
10308
10309  * Logo
10310
10311  * Pilot
10312
10313  * Easycalc 264 (spread sheet)
10314
10315  * COM 264
10316
10317  * Financial Advisor
10318
10319
10320
10321The C264 should then be delivered with the selected program built in. The remaining programs could only be used with cartridges for the expansion port.
10322
10323
10324
10325The official presentation of the C264 series took place on the Hannover fair in 1984. Luckily, the developers didn't eliminate the right shift key in the final keyboard layout. The formerly unlabeled keys bear a label now: the key that used to be the left arrow key on the C64 and the VC20 says 'Esc', the key between '@' and '*' bears the English pound sign, and the key that was labeled 'SHIFT LOCK' on all 8-bit computers Commodore ever produced now says - guess what - 'SHIFT LOCK' :-) (must have been a hard decision between SHIFT and CAPS lock).
10326
10327
10328
10329A word about the C364 : This prototype was a C264 with a bigger keyboard (86 keys incl. a numeric keypad) and with a builtin speech synthesizer with a vocabulary of 250 words (which could be expanded by either diskettes or modules). Commodore dropped this model and decided to sell a separate speech module (Magic Voice) for the C64.
10330
10331
10332
10333Among the Commodore news from the Summer CES 1984 was the renaming of the C=264 to Plus/4. This renaming came along with a slight change in the builtin software: you could not choose between many different programs anymore, but each Plus/4 was delivered with the 3-plus-1
10334
10335software.
10336
10337
10338
10339The built-in software was really limited: a word processing (only with 40 columns and can manage documents with only 99 lines of 77 columns), a very small spreadsheet (only 17 columns and 50 lines), a poor graph generator program (which can display graphically data
10340
10341from the sheets but only in text mode) and a small database (999 record with 17 fields each and only 38 characters by field). Most of these programs can only be used with a floppy disk unit.
10342
10343
10344
10345The Plus 4 can use peripherals of the C64 or the Vic 20, like the famous MPS-801 dot-matrix printer and the Disk Unit 1541 run well with it but it can't use C64 software (nor the same joysticks & Datasette as the C=64/VIC-20).
10346
10347
10348
10349This machine wasn't built to be a competitor of the C64 nor to replace it. It has an improved BASIC in relation to the C64, with graphic and sound instructions and a built-in assembler, but has lost lots of interesting C64 features like great soundchip or hardware sprites.
10350
10351
10352
10353The Commodore Plus/4 was an error in the Commodore marketing policy and had no success.
10354
10355
10356
10357The Commodore 16/116 belongs to the Commodore 264 series (with the Commodore Plus/4). It was designed to replace the Commodore VIC-20, but was not compatible with it, nor with the C64.
10358
10359
10360
10361It had the same characteristics as the Commodore Plus/4 : same graphic resolution, same sound system, same CPU and speed, just less memory. It featured a version of the original 6502 CPU named 7501, and a new video chip named TED. With 16 colours, and 16 shades of colour, it had an amazing 128 colours available. But it had no hardware sprites like the ones on the VIC II
10362
10363chip, so animated games and collision detection were very hard to do.
10364
10365
10366
10367It has a powerful basic language (contrary to the VIC-20 or the C64) which makes graphics and sounds easy to program.  The C16, like the Commodore Plus/4 was a commercial failure.
10368
10369
10370
10371It seems that the first C16s had the two control ports labeled  JOY 0 and JOY 1 instead of JOY 1 and JOY 2, just as a hint for collectors :-)
10372
10373
10374
10375The C116, revealed at the 1984 Summer CES, was a cut down version of the C16 using a cheap case - same but smaller as the +4, and a rubber keyboard. It was the cheapest Commodore computer ever made. It was sold only in Germany, in Austria and a few East European countries.
10376
10377
10378
10379It came comes with 32 KB of ROM, only 16 KB of RAM and without any built-in software.
10380
10381
10382
10383Commodore's hatred for shift keys finds expression in the very early C116's keyboard layout. This time, they made it even worse and removed the LEFT shift key and placed an Esc key there! Not to mention the Inst/Del key which resided at the SHIFT LOCK key's place. The versions sold later had the Inst/Del key next to the Home/Clear key in the top row next to the function keys, the Esc key where you would want it, and thank God, a left shift key again.
10384
10385
10386
10387Note that both the C116 and the C16 lack a user port.
10388
10389
10390
10391Final assembly was done in Mexico by a company named Sigma.
10392
10393
10394
10395//(info from old-computers.com)//
10396
10397
10398
10399
10400
10401===== Links =====
10402
10403
10404
10405  * Commodore16.com -- http://www.commodore16.com/
10406
10407  * The C16 - Plus 4 Retro Page -- http://yape.plus4.net/
10408
10409  * Commodore Plus/4 World -- http://plus4.emucamp.com/
10410
10411  * Plus/4 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/commodoreplus4.shtml
10412
10413  * C16 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=97
10414
10415
10416
10417
10418
10419===== Other Emulators =====
10420
10421
10422
10423  * Minus4 -- http://minus4.plus4.net/
10424
10425  * YAPE -- http://yape.plus4.net/
10426
10427  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
10428
10429  * WinEMU -- http://winemu.emuunlim.com/
10430
10431
10432
10433
10434
10435$end
10436
10437
10438
10439#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
10440
10441
10442$info=c64
10443$bio
10444====== CBM Commodore 64 (1982) ======
10445
10446
10447
10448===== Features =====
10449
10450
10451
10452  * CPU: 6510 0.985 MHz (PAL) / 1.023 MHz (NTSC)
10453
10454  * Co-Processor: VIC II (Video), SID (Sound)
10455
10456  * RAM: 64 KB
10457
10458  * ROM: 20 KB
10459
10460  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 25 lines
10461
10462  * Graphic Modes: Several, most used : 320 x 200
10463
10464  * Colors: 16 + 16 border colours
10465
10466  * Sound: 3 voices / 9 octaves, 4 waveforms (sound output through TV)
10467
10468  * I/O Ports: RGB (composite, chroma/luma and sound in/out), 2 x Joystick plugs, Cartridge slot, Tape interfarce (300 bps), Serial,
10469
10470  * User Port, TV RF output
10471
10472  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 66 keys with 4 function keys
10473
10474  * Built In Media: Cassette unit. Provision for 170 KB 5.25" floppy disc unit (1541)
10475
10476  * Built In Language: Basic
10477
10478
10479
10480
10481
10482===== Usage =====
10483
10484
10485
10486MESS emulates the following computers
10487
10488
10489
10490  * c64 [Commodore 64 (NTSC)]
10491
10492  * c64pal [Commodore 64 / VC64 / VIC64 (PAL)]
10493
10494  * cbm4064 [CBM4064 / PET64 / Educator64 (NTSC)]
10495
10496  * vic64s [Commodore 64 / VC64 / VIC64 (PAL, Swedish)]
10497
10498
10499
10500For each system, MESS supports
10501
10502  - a datasette, using "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .tap and .wav format
10503
10504  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt and .80 format
10505
10506  - one floppy drives (1541), using "floppydisk" (flop) device, for disk images in .d64 and .g64 format.
10507
10508
10509
10510Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .t64, .p00 and .prg files.
10511
10512
10513
10514== Cassettes ==
10515
10516
10517
10518Cassette images can have the .wav or .tap extensions (formally .t64 images are tapes as well, but we currently load them through -quickload). To run a .tap or a .wav image you have to launch
10519
10520
10521
10522  mess c64 -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tap"
10523
10524
10525
10526Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
10527
10528
10529
10530  * to load a BASIC program from the cassette
10531
10532
10533
10534  LOAD"filename"
10535
10536
10537
10538  * to load the first program from the cassette
10539
10540
10541
10542  LOAD
10543
10544
10545
10546The message "Press play on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Play"). Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
10547
10548
10549
10550  RUN
10551
10552
10553
10554or the appropriate SYS call.
10555
10556
10557
10558Also, MESS supports saving to tape. Therefore, you can write your own BASIC programs and save them using the command
10559
10560
10561
10562  SAVE"prog_name"
10563
10564
10565
10566The message "Press play <html>&amp;</html> record on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start recording the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Record").
10567
10568
10569
10570== Floppy Disks ==
10571
10572
10573
10574MESS currently emulate a single 1541 floppy drive (which correspond to drive 8) in the C64 emulation. This drive corresponds to the device "floppydisk" (flop) emulated by MESS. To run a .d64 or a .g64 image you have to launch
10575
10576
10577
10578  mess c64 -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.d64"
10579
10580
10581
10582Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
10583
10584
10585
10586  * to list the content of the floppy
10587
10588
10589
10590  LOAD"$",8
10591
10592  LIST
10593
10594
10595
10596  * to load a BASIC program from the disk
10597
10598
10599
10600  LOAD"filename",8
10601
10602
10603
10604  * to load a machine language program at its address
10605
10606
10607
10608  LOAD"filename",8,1
10609
10610
10611
10612  * to load the first program from the disk (useful if you're not sure of which is the correct one to load)
10613
10614
10615
10616  LOAD"*",8
10617
10618
10619
10620Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
10621
10622
10623
10624  RUN
10625
10626
10627
10628or the appropriate SYS call.
10629
10630
10631
10632Note that as of MESS 0.137, floppy emulation fully emulates the floppy drive CPU, allowing for a great compatibility with software relying on combined use of the processors (c64 and c1541), or using copy protection schemes, or containing tracks with DOS errors. Support for writing to a floppy image is not currently present.
10633
10634
10635
10636== Cartridges ==
10637
10638
10639
10640Cartridges may have extension .crt and .80. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges may require more than one image: if you have any of these, please contact us because we would like to fix support for them.
10641
10642
10643
10644  * .80 files are loaded to 0x8000.
10645
10646  * .crt ROMs are loaded to the addresses specified in crt file.
10647
10648
10649
10650To use "cartridge1" (cart1) or "cartridge2" (cart2) slots in MESS, simply launch
10651
10652
10653
10654  mess c64 -cart1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.crt"
10655
10656
10657
10658and the game will start (we support two cartridge slot for images which require multiple files to be loaded at different locations, but the support is only partial because we don't have access to any of these images).
10659
10660Currently, most common types of .crt files are supported (e.g. Ocean carts).
10661
10662
10663
10664Note that .prg files are often cartridge images as well, but in MESS they are assigned to the quickloader (see below).
10665
10666
10667
10668== Quickloader ==
10669
10670
10671
10672A quickloader is available via command line and it supports program image files with extensions .prg, .p00 and .t64 (the latter are tape images, but most of them are loaded to a fixed address). The quickloader loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It shall work with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
10673
10674
10675
10676  mess c64 -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
10677
10678
10679
10680and simply type the command
10681
10682
10683
10684  RUN
10685
10686
10687
10688to start the program.
10689
10690
10691
10692== Miscellaneous ==
10693
10694
10695
10696Gameport A supports paddles 1 & 2,  joystick 1, mouse (both the 1350 and 1351), lightpen (implementation not finished). Gameport B supports paddles 3 & 4, joystick 2, mouse (both the 1350 and 1351).
10697
10698
10699
10700Many games require the user to plug the Joystick controller in the second Joystick port. In MESS this can be done, either remapping the P2 Joystick inputs, or simply pressing <key>F1</key> (in partial emulation mode) to swap the Joystick ports and use your P1 Joystick as if it was connected to the second port.
10701
10702
10703
10704== Keyboard ==
10705
10706
10707
10708These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
10709
10710
10711
10712Original Keyboard: QWERTY Full-stroke 66 keys with 4 function keys
10713
10714
10715
10716                                                                             CLR    INST
10717
10718      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     +    -    £    HOME   DEL           f 1
10719
10720 
10721
10722   
10723
10724      CTRL   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @    *     UP    RESTORE          f 3
10725
10726 
10727
10728  RUN   SHIFT
10729
10730  STOP  LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    =      RETURN             f 5
10731
10732 
10733
10734                                                                             CRSR  CRSR
10735
10736  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   U/D    L/R           f 7
10737
10738 
10739
10740 
10741
10742                                   SPACEBAR
10743
10744
10745
10746Notes: <key>C=</key> is a key with the Commodore logo, "UP" is an arrow pointing up, the "CRSR" keys at the bottom-right corner are used to move the cursor on screen (Up/Down and Left/Right resp.). 
10747
10748
10749
10750== Color Codes ==
10751
10752
10753
10754Combining <key>C=</key> and <key>CTRL</key> with number keys, you can change the font color. Below you find the complete list of available colors
10755
10756
10757
10758^  ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ 3 ^ 4 ^ 5 ^ 6 ^ 7 ^ 8 ^
10759
10760^ <key>C=</key> | orange | brown | light red | gray 1 | gray 2 | light green | light blue | gray 3 |
10761
10762^ <key>CTRL</key> | black | white | red | cyan | purple | green | blue | yellow |
10763
10764
10765
10766
10767
10768===== Known Issues =====
10769
10770
10771
10772  * Some .crt files still does not work
10773
10774  * The video emulation has still some problems
10775
10776  * Lightpen support is not finished.
10777
10778  * The restore key is not currently working.
10779
10780  * No printer or other devices support in the serial bus (apart from simple disk drives).
10781
10782  * No userport support and no rs232/v.24 interface.
10783
10784
10785
10786
10787
10788===== History and Trivia =====
10789
10790
10791
10792Designed similar to the Vic-20, the Commodore 64 featured a better video chip supporting sprites, as well as the famous sid6581 sound chip, two "Atari-compatible" joystick ports, and 64 kilobytes of RAM.
10793
10794
10795
10796The Commodore 64 is, along with the Apple II and the Atari 8-Bit computers, one of the most famous home computers of its era. During its production from 1982 to 1993 (!) 17 to 22 million (!) of these computer would sell, to put in perspective, that's more than all the Macintoshes in the world. It was one of the first to offer a high quality sound chip and graphic resolution with many colors and sprites. A great range of peripherals was developed for this computer and can use several of the Vic 20 peripherals.
10797
10798
10799
10800Several versions of the Commodore 64 were launched : The first one (C64-1) uses the VIC 20 case, it will be quickly replaced with the C64-2 which uses the famous brown case and by the C64-3 with small cosmetic changes in the keyboard. A special version called Educator 64 or PET64 or CBM 4064 was proposed for schools and uses the PET case.
10801
10802
10803
10804Commodore produced the first generation of C64s until May 1986, then it was discontinued and they introduced the C64C. According to the 64'er magazine, this version has been planned since the Hannover Fair in 1985, but as the old version sold so well during Christmas '85, its release date was pushed back.
10805
10806
10807
10808The new model does not differ much from its predecessor, the only innovation is the flatter case, which makes the keyboard (which has off-white keys now) more ergonomic (it looks like the C128 case), as it is less higher than the old one. But the new case did not only have advantages: due to its low profile and additional metal screening, some of the numerous hardware expansions did not fit anymore. This was changed with the C64G. The 64'er staff noticed that VIC-II as well as the two CIAs have new version numbers; they didn't write which, though (these are probably just bugfixed chips).
10809
10810
10811
10812The official name for this model was "C=64 C", but nevertheless the German 64'er magazine decided to call it "C64-II" (because the first units didn't have the new name on the label at the bottom), the badges on all the 64 C's just says "Commodore 64". They pointed out
10813
10814that this name was only valid for the 64'er magazine, but since the 64'er was the magazine for the C64 for a long time, the name was widely accepted and so this model is mostly known as "C64-II" in Germany.
10815
10816
10817
10818Then appeared the C64 "Aldi" (1987, only in Germany) and the C64G (1989). They were virtually same machines, this time with the new, short motherboard. So, although the case might look the same and the label says "Commodore 64", the boards may be completely different.
10819
10820
10821
10822Commodore also released a "laptop version" (though hardly portable) of the C64, called SX64. This computer has a built-in 5" color screen, one detachable keyboard, one 5.25" floppy disk drive (the famous 1541) and a second one can be installed as well. A version called DX-64 was launched (in very limited quantities) at the same time, it has same characteristics as the SX64 except its two 5.25" floppy disk drives. The SX64 and DX64 computers never had success, but it is known as the world's first color portable.
10823
10824
10825
10826Finally, the C64GS was released in 1990. Basically it was a re-boxed C64, without a keyboard or any other interfaces, except for the cartridge slot on top. It didn't have much success as you could buy a C64 for not much extra, and the C64GS games would still work on the C64.It came with one game cartridge containing International Soccer, Klax, Flimbo's Quest and Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun. The carts had a memory of 4 megabits (512k).
10827
10828
10829
10830//(info from old-computers.com)//
10831
10832
10833
10834
10835
10836===== Links =====
10837
10838
10839
10840  * C64.com -- http://www.c64.com/
10841
10842  * C64files.com -- http://www.c64files.com/
10843
10844  * Commodore 64 Nostalgia -- http://www.staggs.pair.com/c64/
10845
10846  * LEMON 64 -- http://www.lemon64.com/
10847
10848  * C64 at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/commodore64.shtml
10849
10850  * C64 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=98
10851
10852
10853
10854
10855
10856===== Other Emulators =====
10857
10858
10859
10860  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
10861
10862  * CCS64 -- http://www.ccs64.com/
10863
10864  * Free64 -- http://www.umr.edu/~bmartin/
10865
10866  * Frodo -- http://frodo.cebix.net/
10867
10868  * Win64 -- http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/park/6558/win64.htm
10869
10870
10871
10872
10873
10874$end
10875
10876
10877
10878#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
10879
10880
10881$info=c64gs
10882$bio
10883====== CBM Commodore 64 Games System (1990) ======
10884
10885
10886
10887
10888
10889===== Features =====
10890
10891
10892
10893  * CPU: MOS Technology 8500 (the 6510/8500 being a modified 6502 with an integrated 8-bit I/O port) 0.985 MHz (PAL)
10894
10895  * RAM: 64 KiB (65,535 bytes)
10896
10897  * Color RAM: 0.5 KiB
10898
10899  * ROM: 20 KiB (7 KiB KERNAL, 4 KiB character generator providing two 2 KiB character sets)
10900
10901  * Video hardware: MOS Technology VIC-II MOS 8569 (PAL), 16 colors
10902
10903  * Text mode: 40x25; user-defined characters; smooth scrolling
10904
10905  * Bitmap modes: 320x200, 160x200 (multicolor)
10906
10907  * Sprites: 8 hardware sprites, 24x21 pixels
10908
10909  * Sound hardware: MOS Technology 8580 "SID", 3 voices, ADSR programmable.
10910
10911  * I/O ports: High-quality Y/C (S-Video) (8-pin DIN plug) used with some Commodore video monitors (DIN-to-phono plug converter delivered with monitor), Composite video (one-signal video output to monitor included in aforementioned 8-pin DIN plug, and separate integrated RF modulator antenna output, which also carries sound, to TV on an RCA socket), 2 x screwless DE9M game controller ports (Atari 2600 de facto standard, supporting one digital joystick each, Cartridge slot (slot for edge connector with 6510 CPU address/data bus lines and control signals, as well as GND and voltage pins; used for program modules)
10912
10913
10914
10915
10916
10917===== Usage =====
10918
10919
10920
10921MESS supports the emulation of c64gs with two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt and .80 format. Some cartridges may require more than one image: if you have any of these, please contact us because we would like to fix support for them.
10922
10923
10924
10925  * .80 files are loaded to 0x8000.
10926
10927  * .crt ROMs are loaded to the addresses specified in crt file.
10928
10929
10930
10931To use "cartridge1" (cart1) or "cartridge2" (cart2) slots in MESS, simply launch
10932
10933
10934
10935  mess c64gs -cart1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.crt"
10936
10937
10938
10939and the game will start (we support two cartridge slot for images which require multiple files to be loaded at different locations, but the support is only partial because we don't have access to any of these images).
10940
10941Also, currently only few of the available types of .crt files are supported.
10942
10943
10944
10945Note that .prg files are often cartridge images as well, but in MESS they are assigned to the quickloader.
10946
10947
10948
10949
10950
10951===== History and Trivia =====
10952
10953
10954
10955The Commodore 64 Games System (often abbreviated C64GS) was the cartridge-based game console version of the popular Commodore 64 home computer. It was released by Commodore, in 1990, as a competitor in the console market. It was released in Europe only and it became a considerable commercial failure.
10956
10957
10958
10959Support from games companies was very limited, as many were unconvinced that the C64GS would have been a success. Commodore itself never produced or published a single title for the C64GS beyond the bundled four-game cartridge. Among the software houses which supported the Commodore console, Ocean Software was probably the most supportive.
10960
10961
10962
10963The software bundled with the C64GS, a four-game cartridge containing "Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun", "International Soccer", "Flimbo's Quest" and "Klax", was likely the most well-known on the system. These games, with the exception of "International Soccer", were previously ordinary tape-based games, but their structure and control systems (no keyboard needed) made them well-suited to the new console.
10964
10965
10966
10967The reasons of the commercial failure of the C64GS were multiple. First of all, the lack of good games for the system and the general lack of support by software houses never made the system valuable to console users. Additionally, its hardware (the same as the C64) was already obsolete in 1990, when the competitors were 16-bit machines like the Nintendo SNES and the Sega MegaDrive. Finally, it was sold at the same price as the Commodore 64, making the whole computer a better choice for any interested user.
10968
10969
10970
10971The C64GS was also plagued with hardware problems. Indeed, the C64GS was not compatible with most of the cartridges already available for the ordinary C64: the lack of a keyboard for the C64GS made many of them impossible to be started. This meant that people often bought secondhand C64 software on cartridge only to find that the games were not compatible. Even worse: the C64 version of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" was designed for the console, but it required the user to press a key to access the game, rendering it unplayable!!
10972
10973
10974
10975//(info based on Wikipedia)//
10976
10977
10978
10979
10980
10981===== Links =====
10982
10983
10984
10985  * C64GS at Zimmers.net -- http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/c64gs.html
10986
10987  * [[wp>Commodore_64_Games_System]]
10988
10989
10990
10991
10992
10993
10994
10995$end
10996
10997
10998
10999#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11000
11001
11002$info=c65
11003$bio
11004====== CBM Commodore 65 (1991) ======
11005
11006
11007
11008
11009
11010===== Features =====
11011
11012
11013
11014  * CPU: CSG4510 1.02 or 3.5 MHz depending models
11015
11016  * Co-Processor: Commodore CSG 4567 enhanced VIC chip (Video), Commodore CSG8580 SID chips (Sound)
11017
11018  * RAM: 128 KB (DRAM), externally expandable from additional 512K bytes to 4MB
11019
11020  * ROM: 128 KB (including C64 Kernel and BASIC 2.2, C65 Kernel, Editor, BASIC 10.0, ML Monitor (like C128), DOS v10)
11021
11022  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 (C64 Mode), 80 x 25 (with blink, bold and underline attributes)
11023
11024  * Graphic Modes: All C64 modes (320 x 200 bitmap mode) + 320 / 640 / 1280 x 200 / 400 in 2, 4 or 8 planes, interlaces and non-interlaced
11025
11026  * Colors: Programmable 256-color RAM palette, with 16 intensity levels per primary color (yielding 4096 colors)
11027
11028  * Sound: Dual 8580r5 SID Sound chips. 6 voices, 3 per channel
11029
11030  * I/O Ports: RF video output jack, Analog video RGB port (DB-9), Composite video/audio port, Joystick (2), Cartridge slot, Serial bus port, User Port (RS232 compatible), RAM Expansion port, External floppy drive port, 2 x controller ports, Stereo audio output
11031
11032  * Keyboard: 77 keys, including standard C64 keyboard + 8 function keys, TAB, Escape, ALT, CAPS Lock, no scroll, help
11033
11034  * Built In Media: Built-in 3.5" double sided, 1MB MFM capacity drive
11035
11036  * Built In Language: Basic 10.0
11037
11038
11039
11040
11041
11042===== Usage =====
11043
11044
11045
11046MESS emulates the following computers
11047
11048
11049
11050  * c65 [Commodore 65 Development System (Prototype, NTSC)]
11051
11052  * c64dx [Commodore 64DX Development System (Prototype, PAL, German)]
11053
11054
11055
11056For both system, MESS supports emulation with two floppy drives (1541), "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
11057
11058
11059
11060Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
11061
11062
11063
11064== Keyboard ==
11065
11066
11067
11068These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
11069
11070
11071
11072Remember also the following functions:
11073
11074  * <key>S-C=</key> switches between upper-only and normal character set (when wrong characters on screen this can help),
11075
11076  * <key>Run</key> (<key>S-Stop</key>) loads program and starts it.
11077
11078
11079
11080Original Keyboard: QWERTY 77 keys, including standard C64 keyboard + 8 function keys, TAB, Escape, ALT, CAPS Lock, no scroll, help
11081
11082
11083
11084    RUN                  CAPS    NO
11085
11086    STOP       ESC  ALT  LOCK  SCROLL    F1   F3   F5   F7        F9    F11   F13   HELP
11087
11088 
11089
11090                                                                             CLR    INST
11091
11092      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     +    -    £    HOME   DEL
11093
11094 
11095
11096   
11097
11098   TAB       Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @    *     UP    RESTORE
11099
11100 
11101
11102        SHIFT
11103
11104  CTRL  LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    =      RETURN
11105
11106 
11107
11108 
11109
11110  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   UP
11111
11112 
11113
11114 
11115
11116                                   SPACEBAR                           LEFT  DOWN  RIGHT
11117
11118
11119
11120Notes: <key>C=</key> is a key with the Commodore logo, "UP" is an arrow pointing up.
11121
11122
11123
11124== Color Codes ==
11125
11126
11127
11128Combining <key>C=</key> and <key>CTRL</key> with number keys, you can change the font color. Below you find the complete list of available colors
11129
11130
11131
11132^  ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ 3 ^ 4 ^ 5 ^ 6 ^ 7 ^ 8 ^
11133
11134^ <key>C=</key> | orange | brown | light red | gray 1 | gray 2 | light green | light blue | gray 3 |
11135
11136^ <key>CTRL</key> | black | white | red | cyan | purple | green | blue | yellow |
11137
11138
11139
11140== Lightpen ==
11141
11142
11143
11144Emulated trhough Paddle 5 x-axis, Paddle 6 y-axis.
11145
11146
11147
11148== Floppy Disks ==
11149
11150
11151
11152MESS currently //simulates// only loading from drive 10 and 11 in the C65 emulation. These drives correspond to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) emulated by MESS. To run a .d64 image you have to launch
11153
11154
11155
11156  mess c65 -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.d64"
11157
11158
11159
11160Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
11161
11162
11163
11164  * to list the content of the floppy
11165
11166
11167
11168  LOAD"$",10
11169
11170  LIST
11171
11172
11173
11174  * to load a BASIC program from the disk
11175
11176
11177
11178  LOAD"filename",10
11179
11180
11181
11182  * to load a machine language program at its address
11183
11184
11185
11186  LOAD"filename",10,1
11187
11188
11189
11190  * to load the first program from the disk (useful if you're not sure of which is the correct one to load)
11191
11192
11193
11194  LOAD"*",10
11195
11196
11197
11198Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
11199
11200
11201
11202  RUN
11203
11204
11205
11206or the appropriate SYS call. If you launched the game on -flop2, you will need to use drive 11 in place of drive 10 in the commands above.
11207
11208
11209
11210Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
11211
11212
11213
11214== Quickloader ==
11215
11216
11217
11218A quickloader is available via command line and it supports program image files with extensions .prg and .p00. The quickloader loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It shall work with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
11219
11220
11221
11222  mess c65 -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
11223
11224
11225
11226and simply type the command
11227
11228
11229
11230  RUN
11231
11232
11233
11234to start the program.
11235
11236
11237
11238== Miscellaneous ==
11239
11240
11241
11242Gameport A supports paddles 1 & 2,  joystick 1, mouse (both the 1350 and 1351), lightpen (implementation not finished). Gameport B supports paddles 3 & 4, joystick 2, mouse (both the 1350 and 1351).
11243
11244
11245
11246Some games requires the user to plug the Joystick controller in the second Joystick port. In MESS this can be done, either remapping the P2 Joystick inputs, or simply pressing <key>F1</key> (in partial emulation mode) to swap the Joystick ports and use your P1 Joystick as if it was connected to the second port.
11247
11248
11249
11250== BIOS options ==
11251
11252
11253
11254Different versions of the C65 ROMs are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, for c65 only,
11255
11256
11257
11258  "-bios 0" or "-bios 910111" = V0.9.910111
11259
11260 
11261
11262  "-bios 1" or "-bios 910523" = V0.9.910523
11263
11264 
11265
11266  "-bios 2" or "-bios 910626" = V0.9.910626
11267
11268 
11269
11270  "-bios 3" or "-bios 910828" = V0.9.910828
11271
11272 
11273
11274  "-bios 4" or "-bios 911001" = V0.9.911001
11275
11276
11277
11278== RAM options ==
11279
11280
11281
11282Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
11283
11284
11285
11286  128k (default)
11287
11288  640k - 128k + 512k
11289
11290  4224k - 128k + 4m
11291
11292
11293
11294
11295
11296===== Known Issues =====
11297
11298
11299
11300  * rasterline based video system: quick modified vic6567/c64 video chip, no support for enhanced features, only 80 column mode, no CPU holding, imperfect scrolling support (when 40 columns or 25 lines), lightpen support not finished, rasterline not finished
11301
11302  * serial bus: simple disk drives (device 10 and 11, hang in c64 mode!), no printer or other devices
11303
11304  * expansion modules: none (did there any exist?)
11305
11306  * expansion modules c64 (adapter needed): ultimax ROM cartridges not working; ROM cartridges (exrom) not working; no other ROM cartridges (bankswitching logic in it, switching exrom, game); no ieee488 support; no cpm cartridge; no speech cartridge (no circuit diagram found); no fm sound cartridge; no other expansion modules
11307
11308  * no userport: no rs232/v.24 interface
11309
11310
11311
11312
11313
11314===== History and Trivia =====
11315
11316
11317
11318Another case of vaporware! In the end of 1990, Commodore decided to create a successor for the famous C64. They worked on a prototype called C64 DX then C65.
11319
11320
11321
11322The C65 had new great features: a very special version of the 7510 with lot of new opcodes, great graphic modes (better than the Atari ST or the Amiga!) and a great new processor: the DMA / Blitter. This chip can be programmed with a list of instructions to copy or set
11323
11324blocks of memory.
11325
11326
11327
11328The machine was meant to be fully compatible with the C64, but it wasn't. A special key was added on the keyboard to switch between the two modes (C64 / C65).
11329
11330
11331
11332The development of this machine was stopped (apparently because of problems with the VIC III controller and because of the cost of this computer), and because of the success of the Amiga (Notice that the C65 case looks like the Amiga one!).
11333
11334
11335
11336Commodore produced about 50 C65's, the first ones display C64DX at boot, the latest display C65.
11337
11338
11339
11340//(info from old-computers.com)//
11341
11342
11343
11344
11345
11346===== Links =====
11347
11348
11349
11350  * Commodore C65 prototype page -- http://www.heimcomputer.de/english/comp/c65.html
11351
11352  * [[http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/65.html|C65 at Secret Weapons of Commodore
11353
11354  * Toxic Waste's Commodore C65 Information Page -- http://www.toxic-waste.de/c65/
11355
11356  * www.c65.org -- http://www.onlinekunst.de/c65/
11357
11358  * C65 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=273
11359
11360
11361
11362
11363
11364$end
11365
11366
11367
11368#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11369
11370
11371$info=cbm40
11372$bio
11373====== CBM PET 40xx / CBM 40xx series (1980) ======
11374
11375
11376
11377
11378
11379===== Features =====
11380
11381
11382
11383  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
11384
11385  * RAM: 16 or 32 KB
11386
11387  * ROM: 20 KB
11388
11389  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 25 lines, upgradeable  to 80 columns
11390
11391  * Graphic Modes: None
11392
11393  * Colors: Monochrome
11394
11395  * Sound: Programmable piezo buzzer
11396
11397  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, I/O ports (8), Tape (2)
11398
11399  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard
11400
11401  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic 4.0
11402
11403
11404
11405
11406
11407===== Usage =====
11408
11409
11410
11411MESS emulates the following computers
11412
11413
11414
11415  * cbm40 [Commodore 40xx FAT (CRTC, 60Hz)]
11416
11417  * cbm40pal [Commodore 40xx FAT (CRTC, 50Hz)]
11418
11419  * cbm40b [Commodore 40xx THIN (Business Keyboard)]
11420
11421
11422
11423For each systems, MESS supports
11424
11425
11426
11427  - two datasettes, using "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2) devices, for tapes in .tap and .wav format (currently not working)
11428
11429  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt, .a0 and .b0 format
11430
11431  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
11432
11433
11434
11435Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
11436
11437
11438
11439== Keyboard ==
11440
11441
11442
11443These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
11444
11445
11446
11447Original Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard
11448
11449 
11450
11451                                                                             CRSR  STOP
11452
11453      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*   -=   UP    L/R   RUN           7   8   9
11454
11455 
11456
11457                                                                          CRSR    DEL
11458
11459      TAB    Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    \    U/D    INST             4   5   6
11460
11461 
11462
11463      SHIFT
11464
11465  ESC   LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;+    @     ]      RETURN            1   2   3
11466
11467 
11468
11469  RVS                                                                                HOME
11470
11471  OFF   SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   REPEAT   CLR           0     .
11472
11473 
11474
11475 
11476
11477                                     SPACEBAR
11478
11479
11480
11481== RAM options ==
11482
11483
11484
11485Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
11486
11487
11488
11489  8k
11490
11491  16k
11492
11493  32k (default)
11494
11495
11496
11497
11498
11499===== Known Issues =====
11500
11501
11502
11503The emulation of these systems is Preliminary.
11504
11505
11506
11507
11508
11509===== History and Trivia =====
11510
11511
11512
11513These computers are new versions of the PET series. The main improvement was the new ROM version (v4.0) which offered new possibilities such as direct disk operation commands (DLOAD, DSAVE, COPY, HEADER, etc.) or the ability to repeat cursor control characters by
11514
11515holding down keys. Late models also had a larger screen (12'') than the 2001 computers.
11516
11517
11518
11519The disk drives were "Intelligent", which means that they were CPU driven (MOS 6502) and had internal RAM (4 KB) & ROM (16KB, which contained the DOS).
11520
11521
11522
11523The 4032 and the 4016 were sold with an 80-column dot matrix printer (5x8 character matrix). This printer (4022) was an Epson printer with a Commodore name on it.
11524
11525
11526
11527//(info from old-computers.com)//
11528
11529
11530
11531
11532
11533===== Links =====
11534
11535
11536
11537  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
11538
11539  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
11540
11541  * CBM 40xx at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=103
11542
11543
11544
11545
11546
11547===== Other Emulators =====
11548
11549
11550
11551  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
11552
11553
11554
11555
11556
11557$end
11558
11559
11560
11561#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11562
11563
11564$info=cbm500
11565$bio
11566====== CBM Commodore B128-40 / Pet-II / P500 (1983) ======
11567
11568
11569
11570
11571
11572===== Features =====
11573
11574
11575
11576  * CPU: MOS 6509 (Zilog Z80 & Intel 8088 optional) 1 MHz
11577
11578  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 896 KB, varying according to the model)
11579
11580  * ROM: 28 KB
11581
11582  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
11583
11584  * Graphic Modes: 300 x 200
11585
11586  * Colors: 16
11587
11588  * I/O Ports: IEEE-488, Serial RS-232
11589
11590  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys
11591
11592  * Built In Media: Change according to the model
11593
11594  * OS: ROM Based (CP/M or MS DOS optional)
11595
11596  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
11597
11598  * Peripherals: 2 x 170 KB or 500 KB or 1 MB 5" floppy disc unit, 8088 or Z80 card
11599
11600
11601
11602
11603
11604===== Usage =====
11605
11606
11607
11608MESS supports cbm500 emulation with two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt, .10, .20, .40 and .60 format.
11609
11610
11611
11612Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
11613
11614
11615
11616== Keyboard ==
11617
11618
11619
11620This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
11621
11622
11623
11624Original Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys
11625
11626
11627
11628     F1    F2   F3   F4   F5   F6   F7   F8   F9  F10      DOWN  UP  LEFT  RIGHT     HOME/CLEAR   DEL/INST
11629
11630 
11631
11632                                                                            INS 
11633
11634     ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -   =+   <-£   DEL          ?   CE    .    /
11635
11636 
11637
11638                                                                         ________   
11639
11640     TAB     Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    ]  | RETURN |       7    8    9    -
11641
11642                                                                        |__      |
11643
11644      SHIFT                                                                |     |
11645
11646      LOCK     A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;:   '"   Pi  |     |       4    5    6    +
11647
11648                                                                           |_____|
11649
11650                                                                                                        E
11651
11652        SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   C=          1    2    3    n
11653
11654                                                                                                        t
11655
11656                                                                                                        e
11657
11658              CTRL               SPACEBAR                                              0      .    00   r
11659
11660
11661
11662
11663
11664===== Known Issues =====
11665
11666
11667
11668The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
11669
11670
11671
11672
11673
11674===== History and Trivia =====
11675
11676
11677
11678The CBM 500 had a 40-column, 300 x 200 pixels display. Contrary to the 600 and 700 it also had two ports for joystick, light pen and paddles.
11679
11680
11681
11682MicroSoft Basic was in ROM. Both models had an option for a second processor (8088 or Z80) to function alongside the standard 6509, the 6509 was then used for I/O, display and keyboard management. They worked under Commodore DOS or CP/M and MSDOS when the computers used the other processors.
11683
11684
11685
11686The 500 / 600 series was mainly sold in Europe, but a few models are known to have been sold in the United States.
11687
11688
11689
11690//(info from old-computers.com)//
11691
11692
11693
11694
11695
11696===== Links =====
11697
11698
11699
11700  * Commodore 500, 600 and 700 computers page -- http://www.davidviner.com/cbm.php
11701
11702  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
11703
11704  * CBM 500 / 600 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=104
11705
11706
11707
11708
11709
11710===== Other Emulators =====
11711
11712
11713
11714  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
11715
11716
11717
11718
11719
11720$end
11721
11722
11723
11724#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11725
11726
11727$info=cbm610
11728$bio
11729====== CBM Commodore 600 series (1983) ======
11730
11731
11732
11733
11734
11735===== Features =====
11736
11737
11738
11739  * CPU: MOS 6509 (Zilog Z80 & Intel 8088 optional) 2 MHz
11740
11741  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 896 KB, varying according to the model)
11742
11743  * ROM: 28 KB
11744
11745  * Text Modes: 80 x 25
11746
11747  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 512
11748
11749  * Colors: Monochrome
11750
11751  * I/O Ports: IEEE-488, Serial RS-232
11752
11753  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys
11754
11755  * Built In Media: Change according to the model
11756
11757  * OS: ROM Based (CP/M or MS DOS optional)
11758
11759  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
11760
11761  * Peripherals: 2 x 170 KB or 500 KB or 1 MB 5" floppy disc unit, 8088 or Z80 card
11762
11763
11764
11765
11766
11767===== Usage =====
11768
11769
11770
11771MESS emulates the following computers
11772
11773
11774
11775  * cbm610 [Commodore B128-80LP/610 (60Hz)]
11776
11777  * cbm620 [Commodore B256-80LP/620 (50Hz)]
11778
11779  * cbm620hu [Commodore B256-80LP/620 (50Hz, Hungarian)]
11780
11781
11782
11783For each system, MESS supports emulation with two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt, .10, .20, .40 and .60 format.
11784
11785
11786
11787Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
11788
11789
11790
11791== Keyboard ==
11792
11793
11794
11795These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
11796
11797
11798
11799Original Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys
11800
11801
11802
11803     F1    F2   F3   F4   F5   F6   F7   F8   F9  F10      DOWN  UP  LEFT  RIGHT     HOME/CLEAR   DEL/INST
11804
11805 
11806
11807                                                                            INS 
11808
11809     ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -   =+   <-£   DEL          ?   CE    .    /
11810
11811 
11812
11813                                                                         ________   
11814
11815     TAB     Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    ]  | RETURN |       7    8    9    -
11816
11817                                                                        |__      |
11818
11819      SHIFT                                                                |     |
11820
11821      LOCK     A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;:   '"   Pi  |     |       4    5    6    +
11822
11823                                                                           |_____|
11824
11825                                                                                                        E
11826
11827        SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   C=          1    2    3    n
11828
11829                                                                                                        t
11830
11831                                                                                                        e
11832
11833              CTRL               SPACEBAR                                              0      .    00   r
11834
11835
11836
11837
11838
11839===== Known Issues =====
11840
11841
11842
11843The emulation of these systems is Preliminary.
11844
11845
11846
11847
11848
11849===== History and Trivia =====
11850
11851
11852
11853The CBM 600 was the same as the 500 but had a 80-column display and 256 Kb RAM.
11854
11855
11856
11857MicroSoft Basic was in ROM. Both models had an option for a second processor (8088 or Z80) to function alongside the standard 6509, the 6509 was then used for I/O, display and keyboard management. They worked under Commodore DOS or CP/M and MSDOS when the computers used the other processors.
11858
11859
11860
11861The 500 / 600 series was mainly sold in Europe, but a few models are known to have been sold in the United States.
11862
11863
11864
11865//(info from old-computers.com)//
11866
11867
11868
11869
11870
11871===== Links =====
11872
11873
11874
11875  * Commodore 500, 600 and 700 computers page -- http://www.davidviner.com/cbm.php
11876
11877  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
11878
11879  * CBM 500 / 600 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=104
11880
11881
11882
11883
11884
11885===== Other Emulators =====
11886
11887
11888
11889  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
11890
11891
11892
11893
11894
11895$end
11896
11897
11898
11899#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
11900
11901
11902$info=cbm710
11903$bio
11904====== CBM Commodore 700 series (1983) ======
11905
11906
11907
11908
11909
11910===== Features =====
11911
11912
11913
11914  * CPU: MOS 6509 (Zilog Z80 & Intel 8088 optional) 2 MHz
11915
11916  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 896 KB)
11917
11918  * ROM: 28 KB
11919
11920  * Text Modes: 80 chars. x 25 lines
11921
11922  * Graphic Modes: None
11923
11924  * Colors: Monochrome
11925
11926  * Sound: 3 voices, 9 octaves (same SID 6581 as C-64)
11927
11928  * I/O Ports: IEEE-488, Serial RS-232, Cartridge, audio, cassette
11929
11930  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function/programmable keys
11931
11932  * Built In Media: optional built-in dual floppy disc drives
11933
11934  * OS: ROM Based (CP/M or MS DOS optional)
11935
11936  * Built In Language: Extended version of Microsoft BASIC 4.0
11937
11938  * Peripherals: 2 x 170 KB or 500 KB or 1 MB 5" floppy disc unit, 8088 or Z80 card
11939
11940
11941
11942
11943
11944===== Usage =====
11945
11946
11947
11948MESS emulates the following computers
11949
11950
11951
11952  * cbm710 [Commodore B128-80HP/710]
11953
11954  * cbm720 [Commodore B256-80HP/720]
11955
11956  * cbm720se [Commodore B256-80HP/720 (Swedish / Finnish)]
11957
11958
11959
11960For each system, MESS supports emulation with two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt, .10, .20, .40 and .60 format.
11961
11962
11963
11964Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
11965
11966
11967
11968== Keyboard ==
11969
11970
11971
11972These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
11973
11974
11975
11976Original Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys
11977
11978
11979
11980     F1    F2   F3   F4   F5   F6   F7   F8   F9  F10      DOWN  UP  LEFT  RIGHT     HOME/CLEAR   DEL/INST
11981
11982 
11983
11984                                                                            INS 
11985
11986     ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -   =+   <-£   DEL          ?   CE    .    /
11987
11988 
11989
11990                                                                         ________   
11991
11992     TAB     Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    ]  | RETURN |       7    8    9    -
11993
11994                                                                        |__      |
11995
11996      SHIFT                                                                |     |
11997
11998      LOCK     A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;:   '"   Pi  |     |       4    5    6    +
11999
12000                                                                           |_____|
12001
12002                                                                                                        E
12003
12004        SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   C=          1    2    3    n
12005
12006                                                                                                        t
12007
12008                                                                                                        e
12009
12010              CTRL               SPACEBAR                                              0      .    00   r
12011
12012
12013
12014
12015
12016===== Known Issues =====
12017
12018
12019
12020The emulation of these systems is Preliminary.
12021
12022
12023
12024
12025
12026===== History and Trivia =====
12027
12028
12029
12030The Commodore 700 series featured the same hardware basis as the 600 series but had a built-in tilt-and-swivel monochrome 12" monitor, a detachable keyboard and housing for two 5.25" floppy drives.
12031
12032
12033
12034It was said that the 5/6/700 cases were designed by Porsche, not the more familiar Porsche auto factory, but the separate Porsche Design firm.
12035
12036
12037
12038Three versions were available:
12039
12040  * 710 (CBM 128/80 in USA): 128 KB RAM
12041
12042  * 720 (CBM 256/80): 256 KB RAM
12043
12044  * 730 (CBMX 256/80): 256 KB RAM and coprocessor
12045
12046
12047
12048Both versions could be purchased with a built-in dual floppy disk drive which was compatible with the external 8250 dual drive unit.
12049
12050
12051
12052//(info from old-computers.com)//
12053
12054
12055
12056
12057
12058===== Links =====
12059
12060
12061
12062  * Commodore 500, 600 and 700 computers page -- http://www.davidviner.com/cbm.php
12063
12064  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
12065
12066  * CBM 700 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=952
12067
12068
12069
12070
12071
12072===== Other Emulators =====
12073
12074
12075
12076  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
12077
12078
12079
12080
12081
12082$end
12083
12084
12085
12086#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12087
12088
12089$info=cbm80
12090$bio
12091====== CBM 80xx series (1981) ======
12092
12093
12094
12095
12096
12097===== Features =====
12098
12099
12100
12101  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
12102
12103  * RAM: 32, 64 or 96 KB
12104
12105  * ROM: 16 KB
12106
12107  * Text Modes: 80 columns x 25 lines
12108
12109  * Graphic Modes: none
12110
12111  * Colors: Monochrome
12112
12113  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, Cassette
12114
12115  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard ("business keyboard")
12116
12117  * Built In Media: None
12118
12119  * OS: ROM Based (ROM v4.0)
12120
12121  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic (v4.0)
12122
12123
12124
12125
12126
12127===== Usage =====
12128
12129
12130
12131MESS emulates the following computers
12132
12133
12134
12135  * cbm80 [Commodore 80xx (60Hz)]
12136
12137  * cbm80pal [Commodore 80xx (50Hz)]
12138
12139  * cbm80ger [Commodore 80xx (50Hz, German)]
12140
12141  * cbm80swe [Commodore 80xx (50Hz, Swedish)]
12142
12143
12144
12145For each systems, MESS supports
12146
12147
12148
12149  - two datasettes, using "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2) devices, for tapes in .tap and .wav format (currently not working)
12150
12151  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt and .a0 format
12152
12153  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
12154
12155
12156
12157Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
12158
12159
12160
12161== Keyboard ==
12162
12163
12164
12165These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
12166
12167
12168
12169Original Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard
12170
12171 
12172
12173                                                                             CRSR  STOP
12174
12175      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*   -=   UP    L/R   RUN           7   8   9
12176
12177 
12178
12179                                                                          CRSR    DEL
12180
12181      TAB    Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    \    U/D    INST             4   5   6
12182
12183 
12184
12185      SHIFT
12186
12187  ESC   LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;+    @     ]      RETURN            1   2   3
12188
12189 
12190
12191  RVS                                                                                HOME
12192
12193  OFF   SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   REPEAT   CLR           0     .
12194
12195 
12196
12197 
12198
12199                                     SPACEBAR
12200
12201
12202
12203
12204
12205===== Known Issues =====
12206
12207
12208
12209The emulation of these systems is Preliminary.
12210
12211
12212
12213
12214
12215===== History and Trivia =====
12216
12217
12218
12219The main improvement over the other PET / CBM computers is the 80-column display. The screen is 12" large and the ROM version is 4.0.
12220
12221
12222
12223The CBM-80xx was often sold as a "bundle". It was made up of the computer (most often the CBM 8032, though other models were made), the 5.25" double disk drive CBM 8050 (500 KB, 77 tracks) and the bi-directional 132-columns, 160 CPS printer. The 8050 has a 6502 CPU, 4 KB
12224
12225of RAM and 12 KB of ROM (which contains the DOS). It was sold with Ozz, a Database, and a version of the spreadsheet "Visicalc".
12226
12227
12228
12229//(info from old-computers.com)//
12230
12231
12232
12233
12234
12235===== Links =====
12236
12237
12238
12239  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
12240
12241  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
12242
12243  * CBM 80xx at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=105
12244
12245
12246
12247
12248
12249===== Other Emulators =====
12250
12251
12252
12253  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
12254
12255
12256
12257
12258
12259$end
12260
12261
12262
12263#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12264
12265
12266$info=cd32
12267$bio
12268====== CBM Amiga CD32 (1993) ======
12269
12270
12271
12272
12273
12274===== Features =====
12275
12276
12277
12278  * CPU: Motorola 68EC020 at 14.3 MHz
12279
12280  * Co-Processor: AGA Chipset consisting of Alice (memory controller and blitter), Lisa (video control chip), Paula (sound & I/O) and Akiko (I/O controller)
12281
12282  * RAM: 2MB Amiga Chip RAM, 1KB FlashRAM
12283
12284  * ROM: 1MB Kickstart ROM with CD32 firmware
12285
12286  * Graphic Modes: 320x200 to 1280x512 max
12287
12288  * Colors: 24-Bit color palette with up to 256 on-screen colors in indexed mode.
12289
12290  * Sound: 4 channel 8 bit PCM, stereo output
12291
12292  * I/O Ports: S-Video out, Composite video out, RF audio/video out, 2x RCA audio, keyboard port, 2x mouse/joypad ports, RS-232 serial AUX port, Expansion Slot (182-pin expansion socket for official MPEG cartridge or third party devices), double-speed CD-ROM drive (proprietary MKE controller)
12293
12294  * OS: AmigaOS 3.1 and CD32 firmware
12295
12296  * Controllers: 8-way directional pad and 4 buttons
12297
12298  * Peripherals: MPEG decoder cartridge, keyboard
12299
12300
12301
12302
12303
12304===== Known Issues =====
12305
12306
12307
12308The emulation of this system is preliminary.
12309
12310
12311
12312
12313
12314===== History and Trivia =====
12315
12316
12317
12318After their previous effort with the C64 GS failed and the strange decision to advertise the Amiga 600 as a games machine that could be used as a computer, Commodore decided to make a last attempt to enter the video game console market with the CD32.
12319
12320
12321
12322The CD32 is notable for being the first 32 bit CD-ROM based console ever released (the PlayStation wasn't released until the next year). It was based on the Amiga 1200 hardware which now had a new chip named Akiko that acted as a CD-ROM controller and I/O chip.
12323
12324
12325
12326The system was interesting also because of the wide range of CDs which could be played: CD32 ones (of course), many CDTV ones, music CDs, Karaoke CDs, CD+Gs (like music CD but with pictures or lyrics displayed in time with the music), Photo CDs (by loading a photo CD reader first), and Video CDs (by plugging in the FMV cartridge).
12327
12328
12329
12330Initially, the system was quite successful. Software for the CD32 was a bit of a disappointment though, mainly consisting of ports of old Amiga software with the odd video thrown in along with the obligatory CD music tracks.
12331
12332
12333
12334Unfortunately for Commodore their financial problems had begun to take hold by this point. With the financial situation rapidly getting worse and unable to sell the CD32 in the American market, Commodore filed for bankruptcy at the end of April 1994. The unsold CD32s were seized by the government of the Philippines as payment owed by Commodore for the use of a factory.
12335
12336
12337
12338//(info from old-computers.com and from CD32 FAQ)//
12339
12340
12341
12342
12343
12344====== Links =====
12345
12346
12347
12348  * Ninjaw's Amiga CD32 Page -- http://ninjaw.ifrance.com/cd32/
12349
12350  * Amiga CD32 FAQ -- http://www.amigahistory.co.uk/cd32faq2000.html
12351
12352  * Amiga CD32 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1262
12353
12354
12355
12356
12357
12358====== Other Emulators ======
12359
12360
12361
12362  * WinUAE -- http://www.winuae.net/
12363
12364
12365
12366
12367
12368
12369
12370$end
12371
12372
12373
12374#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12375
12376
12377$info=cdi
12378$bio
12379====== Philips CD-i (1991) ======
12380
12381
12382
12383
12384
12385===== Features =====
12386
12387
12388
12389  * CPU: 16-bit 68070 CISC Chip at 15.5 MHz
12390
12391  * RAM: 1.5MB (main)
12392
12393  * Graphic Modes: 384 x 280 up to 768 x 560
12394
12395  * Colors: 16.7 million (palette), 32,768 (on screen)
12396
12397  * Sound: ADPCM eight channel sound, 16-bit stereo sound
12398
12399  * Peripherals: MPEG 1 Cartridge Plug-In for VideoCD and Digital Video, I/O port splitter, S-video cable
12400
12401  * Controllers: CD-i mouse, Roller controller, CD-i trackball, Touchpad controller, Gamepad controller (Gravis PC GamePad), IR wireless controller
12402
12403  * OS: CD-RTOS (based on Microware's OS-9)
12404
12405
12406
12407(Specifications above refer to Philips players. The general CD-i specs only required a player to have a 68000-based CPU running at least at 15 MHz, at least 1 MB of RAM, a single speed CD-drive, dedicated audio and video decoding chips, at least 8 KB of non-volatile storage memory and the dedicated operating system called CD-RTOS.)
12408
12409
12410
12411
12412
12413===== Usage =====
12414
12415
12416
12417MESS supports CD-ROM images in .chd format for cdi emulation, using the "cdrom" (cdrm) device (read this tutorial by Guru -- http://www.mameworld.net/gurudumps/tutorials/dumping_cds_&_hdds/index.html to learn how to create an accurate CHD from your CD-i CD-ROM).
12418
12419
12420
12421
12422
12423===== History and Trivia =====
12424
12425
12426
12427CD-i, or Compact Disc Interactive, is the name of an interactive multimedia CD player developed and marketed by Philips. The system was using a custom standard for multimedia CDs, called CD-i or Green Book, which was co-developed by Philips and Sony in 1986. The first Philips CD-i player, released in 1991, is capable of playing interactive CD-i discs, Audio CDs, CD+G (CD+Graphics), and all kinds of Video-CDs (both Karaoke-CDs 1.0 and Video-CDs 1.1 and 2.0), though the latter requires an optional "Digital Video Card" to provide MPEG-1 decoding.
12428
12429
12430
12431In addition to video games, CD-i received a large amount of learning games aimed at children from infancy to adolescence and of non-games interactive software like encyclopedias or travel guides.
12432
12433
12434
12435Although extensively marketed by Philips, consumer interest in CD-i titles remained low. By 1994, sales of CD-i systems had begun to slow, and in 1998 the product line was dropped.
12436
12437
12438
12439During all the 90s though, the biggest success for CD-i was in professional applications. CD-i was used in a wide variety of corporate and institutional environments, in such areas as: point-of-information, site-based advertising, training, educational and background music, thanks to the simplicity in both setup and use (the main advantage of CD-i over interactive discs for PCs was the full compatibility among all the CD-i players, with nothing like "minimum requirements" for newer software).
12440
12441
12442
12443== Player Models ==
12444
12445
12446
12447Philips marketed several CD-i player models:
12448
12449
12450
12451  * The CD-i player 200 series, which includes the 205, 210, and 220 models and the U.S. model 910, was designed for general consumption being the most basic model in the series.
12452
12453  * The CD-i player 300 series, which includes the 310, 350, 360, and 370 models, consisted of portable players designed for the professional market and not available to home consumers.
12454
12455  * The CD-i player 400 series, which includes the 450, 470, 490 models, consisted of slimmed-down units aimed at console and educational markets.
12456
12457  * The CD-i player 600 series, which includes the 601, 602, 604, 605, 615, 660, and 670 models, was designed for professional applications and software development including support for floppy disk drives, keyboards and other computer peripherals.
12458
12459
12460
12461There also exist a number of hard-to-categorize models, such as the 740 model, the most advanced consumer CD-i player; the FW380i, an integrated mini-stereo and CD-i player; the 21TCDi30, a television with a built-in CD-i device; and the CD-i 180/181/182 modular system, the first models ever produced.
12462
12463
12464
12465== Other manufacturers ==
12466
12467
12468
12469Besides Philips, several other manufacturers produced CD-i players, including Magnavox, GoldStar / LG Electronics ("GDI 700", "GDI 750", "GDI 1000", "GPI 1100" and "GPI 1200"), Digital Video Systems ("Video Engine 2000"), Memorex ("CDI 2200"), Grundig ("CDI 100V" and "CDI 110E"), Sony ("Intelligent Discman IVO-V10" and "IVO-V11", portable CD-i players), Kyocera ("Pro 1000S"), NBS (a portable CD-i player called the "Lookman ID"), Highscreen, and Bang & Olufsen (a television with a built-in CD-i device).
12470
12471
12472
12473Also, prototypes were made by Pioneer and Matsushita (Panasonic), but their players were never actually taken in production.
12474
12475
12476
12477Finally, I2M produced the "PC/CD-i card", a CD-i interface board which allowed for full CD-i functionality on a computer system.
12478
12479
12480
12481== Disc Formats ==
12482
12483
12484
12485CD-i players were compatible with a huge amount of disc formats. Below, we try to list and briefly describe them:
12486
12487
12488
12489  * CD-i disc: this is a type of CD with audio, video and program content that can be played on a CD-i player and that fulfills the official CD-i specs, as laid down in the Green Book.
12490
12491 
12492
12493  * CD-i Ready disc: this is a kind of disc, usually containing Audio data, where the program data are stored in a different track than the one defined in the CD-i specs, in order to avoid problems in CD-Audio players where playing the program track as if it was an audio track might result in equipment damages; strictly speaking this is not a CD-i disk, since it does not follow the rules of the Green Book for placing CD-Audio data, but they can be read correctly by all CD-i players ever produced.
12494
12495 
12496
12497  * CD-Digital Audio or CD-DA disc: Compact Disc Digital Audio is the official name of the original music CD; as per specs, any CD-i player should be able to play back CD-Digital Audio discs, offering a player shell which is activated whenever a CD-Audio disc is loaded.
12498
12499 
12500
12501  * CD+Graphics disc: CD+Graphics or CD+G is an extension to CD-Audio discs, defined by Philips and JVC, to allow for the storage of simple graphics in the subcode channels of each sector on a CD-Audio disc; this kind of disk was mainly used in Japan for karaoke-like applications and are compatible with most Philips CD-i players.
12502
12503 
12504
12505  * CD-BGM disc: CD-BGM or CD-BackGround Music is a type of CD defined by Philips, Sanyo and Shinano-Kenshi in the mid 80s and it was used to store up to 10 hours of audio to use a background music in stores, shopping malls, etc.; although dedicated professional CD-BGM players were made available to play the discs (of which the Philips BMS 3000 was the most well-known), every CD-BGM disc also needed to include a CD-i application to allow for playback on a CD-i player.
12506
12507 
12508
12509  * CD-i Bridge disc: A CD-i Bridge disc is a CD-ROM/XA disc which includes a CD-i application for playback on a CD-i player and which is based on the ISO-9660 file system to allow for the usage on other platforms like PC or Macintosh; well-known examples of CD-i Bridge discs are Photo-CD, Karaoke-CD and Video-CD, but it is also allowed to use the CD-i Bridge disc "specification" to make a dedicated disc type, as long as the disc is based on the ISO-9660 filesystem and it includes an application for playback on a CD-i player.
12510
12511 
12512
12513  * Karaoke-CD disc: Karaoke-CD is the old name of the Video-CD standard, it dates back to 1993 when the standard was set up by Philips and JVC, and it was mainly intended for karaoke applications in Japan; the system uses MPEG-1 audio and video, and is based on the CD-i Bridge specification.
12514
12515 
12516
12517  * Video-CD disc: evolution of the Karaoke-CD, this kind of discs contains up to 75 minutes of VHS quality video with accompanying sound in CD quality; audio and video are coded according to the MPEG-1 standard and the disc layout is based on the CD-i Bridge specification to allow for the playback on a variety of devices like CD-i players and dedicated Video-CD players. Both versions of the Video-CD format (v1.1 and 2.0) work on a CD-i player
12518
12519 
12520
12521  * Photo-CD disc: The Photo-CD system was defined jointly by Philips and Kodak in 1991 and allows for the storage of very high quality photographic images on a compact disc; the system is based on the CD-i Bridge specification to allow for the playback of Photo-CD discs on CD-i players, Photo-CD players and other systems. Several version of Photo-CD were available and CD-i players can play all of them: Photo-CD Master (the regular format), Pro Photo-CD Master (but very high resolutions allowed by these discs were not available on CD-i), Photo-CD Portfolio (zoom features work on CD-i as long as the appropriate CD-i application is stored on the disc), Catalog Photo-CD and Medical Photo-CD.
12522
12523
12524
12525CD-i players, like all CD-Audio players, are also able to read the audio parts of the following kind of discs:
12526
12527  * HDCD (High Density CD),
12528
12529  * CD-Video (audio + laserdisc video),
12530
12531  * CD-MIDI (audio with MIDI info in subcode channels),
12532
12533  * CD-Text (audio with songs/artists info in subcode channels).
12534
12535
12536
12537On the other hand, they are not compatible with the following kind of discs:
12538
12539  * CD-Extra/CD-Plus/Enhanced CDs (CD-Audio with data tracks),
12540
12541  * Kodak's Picture-CD
12542
12543  * Corel's and Adaptec's Picture-CD
12544
12545  * Sony Electronic Books (Data Discman discs),
12546
12547  * Super Video-CD (Video-CDs based on MPEG-2),
12548
12549  * Super Audio-CD (except if they use the CD-compatible layer).
12550
12551
12552
12553//(info based on Wikipedia and ICDiA FAQs)//
12554
12555
12556
12557
12558
12559===== Links =====
12560
12561
12562
12563  * Philips CD-i reference site -- http://www.philipscdi.com/
12564
12565  * The New International CD-i Association -- http://www.icdia.co.uk/
12566
12567  * [[wp>CD-i]]
12568
12569
12570
12571===== Other Emulators =====
12572
12573
12574
12575  * CD-i Emu -- http://www.cdiemu.org/
12576
12577
12578
12579
12580
12581
12582
12583$end
12584
12585
12586
12587#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12588
12589
12590$info=cdtv
12591$bio
12592====== CBM Commodore CDTV (1990) ======
12593
12594
12595
12596
12597
12598===== Features =====
12599
12600
12601
12602  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.14 MHz
12603
12604  * Co-Processor: Denise (8373 SuperDenise), Paula, Agnus, Gary
12605
12606  * RAM: 512 KB (later expanded to 1Mb Chip RAM)
12607
12608  * ROM: 192 KB
12609
12610  * Text Modes: 60 x 32 / 80 x 32
12611
12612  * Graphic Modes: several graphic modes, most used : 320 x 240 (32 colors) / 640 x 240 (16 colors)
12613
12614  * Colors: 4096
12615
12616  * Sound: four 8 bit PCM voices
12617
12618  * I/O Ports: One credit card type slot (to save games scores) , 1 video slot, 1 DMA extension, Mouse & infrared joystick, Parallel, Serial, 15kHz RGB video, External floppy, Stereo RCA Audio jacks (16 bit), Colour composite Video output, MIDI In/Out, Headphone Jack
12619
12620  * Keyboard: optional full-stroke professional keyboard
12621
12622  * Built in Media: Internal single speed CDROM (with caddy)
12623
12624  * OS: AMIGA DOS, Kickstart: 1.3 (+ additional CD support)
12625
12626
12627
12628
12629
12630===== Usage =====
12631
12632
12633
12634MESS supports the emulation of cdtv with a “cdrom” (cdrm) device, for CD-ROM images in .chd format (read this tutorial by Guru -- http://www.mameworld.net/gurudumps/tutorials/dumping_cds_&_hdds/index.html to learn how to create an accurate CHD from your CDTV CD-ROM).
12635
12636
12637
12638== Keyboard ==
12639
12640
12641
12642This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
12643
12644
12645
12646
12647
12648===== Known Issues =====
12649
12650
12651
12652The graphic emulation of this system is known to be imperfect.
12653
12654
12655
12656
12657
12658===== History and Trivia =====
12659
12660
12661
12662The Commodore Amiga CDTV is, in a way, the ancestor of the Amiga CD32 game console.
12663
12664
12665
12666Basically, it is an Amiga 500 with a CDROM drive. It was sold without keyboard or mouse, but it was possible to connect them to the CDTV. A 3.5" floppy disk drive (800 KB), was developed for this computer.
12667
12668
12669
12670It was designed to be a home entertainment device, but it was too expensive and only very little software was developed for this machine (Psygnosis made almost all the software for the CDTV). In fact, a few years later Philips succeeded with its CD-I where Commodore failed.
12671
12672
12673
12674There were two CDTV models : the CDTV-1 used the Amiga 500 hardware and the CDTV-2 used the Amiga 500+ hardware.
12675
12676
12677
12678There even has been a prototype developed in 1992 called "CDTV-CR" (for Cost Reduced). Unlike other Amiga CR revisions, the CDTV CR was completely redesigned, utilizing the updated Amiga 600 technology (for more information, visit the Amiga Interactive Guide).
12679
12680
12681
12682The manager of the team promoting the CDTV was Nolan Bushnell, the man who founded Atari. By strange twist of fate, the man in charge of Atari at the time, was Jack Tramiel, the man who founded Commodore.
12683
12684
12685
12686//(info from old-computers.com)//
12687
12688
12689
12690
12691
12692===== Links =====
12693
12694
12695
12696  * Commodore CDTV Information Pages -- http://www.cdtv.org.uk/
12697
12698  * Amiga Technologies Homepage -- http://www.amiga.de/
12699
12700  * Amiga Interactive Guide -- http://amiga.emugaming.com/
12701
12702  * AMIGART.COM -- http://www.amigart.com/
12703
12704  * The Database of Amiga games -- http://hol.abime.net/|Hall of Light
12705
12706  * CDTV at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=106
12707
12708
12709
12710
12711
12712===== Other Emulators =====
12713
12714
12715
12716  * UAE (Ubiquitous Amiga Emulator) -- http://www.freiburg.linux.de/~uae/
12717
12718  * WinUAE -- http://www.winuae.net/
12719
12720  * Experimental UAE -- http://www.rcdrummond.net/uae/
12721
12722
12723
12724
12725
12726$end
12727
12728
12729
12730#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
12731
12732
12733$info=cgenie
12734$bio
12735====== EACA Colour Genie / EG-2000 (1982) ======
12736
12737
12738
12739
12740
12741===== Features =====
12742
12743
12744
12745  * CPU: Zilog Z80 2.2 MHz
12746
12747  * RAM: 16 KB, 32 KB with memory expansion
12748
12749  * ROM: 16 KB
12750
12751  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 25 lines (40 x 24 lines in 1982 model)
12752
12753  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 102 dots (160 x 100 dots in 1982 model)
12754
12755  * Colors: 16 (text mode), 4 (graphic mode)
12756
12757  * Sound: 3 channels (AY-8910)
12758
12759  * I/O Ports: RS232, Joystick (2), Light Pen, RGB, Audio
12760
12761  * Keyboard: Typewriter style, 63 keys with 4 function keys
12762
12763  * Peripherals: Light-pen, parallel printer, floppy disc drives with disk operating system ROM
12764
12765  * Built in speaker and level display
12766
12767  * Built in Language: Microsoft BASIC
12768
12769
12770
12771
12772
12773===== Usage =====
12774
12775
12776
12777Currently, MESS supports cart dumps, cassette tapes and floppy disks for the cgenie. Cart dumps have to be in .rom format and can be emulated using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Below you can find informations on tapes and disks.
12778
12779
12780
12781== Cassettes ==
12782
12783
12784
12785MESS supports cassette tapes in .cas format. You can use the "cassette" (cass) device to run them, e.g. using at command line
12786
12787
12788
12789  mess cgenie -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.cas"
12790
12791
12792
12793From within the emulation you can use either
12794
12795  CLOAD
12796
12797or
12798
12799  SYSTEM
12800
12801commands to read images:
12802
12803
12804
12805CLOAD loads a file named BASIC(N).CAS, where (N) is the character you supplied
12806
12807(e.g., CLOAD"M" loads BASICM.CAS)
12808
12809
12810
12811CLOAD is for BASIC type tapes only.  It should work if you have a BASIC *.cas file.
12812
12813File "names" in that case are _one_ character in length (inside the emulation).  In your
12814
12815roms/cgenie folder the names will be basicA.cas, basicB.cas and so on.  If you CSAVE"A you'll
12816
12817see a file basicA.cas later and you can CLOAD"A it again.
12818
12819
12820
12821To load a binary image there was a different command: SYSTEM, which supports 6 character filenames.
12822
12823When you enter the SYSTEM command, you will see a prompt looking like this:
12824
12825 
12826
12827  *?
12828
12829and there you can enter a name of up to six (wow!) characters. E.g.
12830
12831 
12832
12833  *?chop16 [ENTER]
12834
12835
12836
12837This will start loading a file named chop16.cas if it is in your rompath. If you don't have
12838
12839it... well, wait and see (nothing ;) )
12840
12841
12842
12843If you have it, you'll see two stars
12844
12845  (**)
12846
12847in the upper right corner.  The right one will twinkle after every couple of bytes loaded, every 254 I think.
12848
12849
12850
12851After several minutes you'll see the prompt again
12852
12853 
12854
12855  *?
12856
12857
12858
12859Now type
12860
12861  /
12862
12863(slash) and press ENTER and the program will be started at its defined run address. If
12864
12865a program does not have a run address, you could also specify
12866
12867  /[decimal value]
12868
12869to run from a specific value...
12870
12871
12872
12873== Floppy Disks ==
12874
12875
12876
12877MESS supports up to four floppy drives for disks in .dsk format. Each drive corresponds to a device, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4). To run a .dsk image you can launch at command line
12878
12879
12880
12881  mess cgenie -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.dsk"
12882
12883
12884
12885When the emulation starts, tap [ENTER] and also confirm the following
12886
12887  MEM SIZE?
12888
12889with [ENTER].
12890
12891
12892
12893After that you're in BASIC (DISK BASIC, to be exact, unless you disable cgdos.rom via the dip switches).
12894
12895
12896
12897Now you can use the DISK BASIC extensions to issue commands.  Most important
12898
12899  CMD"I[disk#]
12900
12901display inventory, disk# is optional and can be from 0 to 3.
12902
12903You can use CMD"I0" to "CMDI3" to get an inventory of drive 0 to 3.
12904
12905
12906
12907Use
12908
12909  CMD"S FILENAME/CMD"
12910
12911to start a binary executable (e.g. to start paint/cmd, type cmd"s paint/cmd) or use
12912
12913  LOAD"FILENAME/BAS"
12914
12915to load a basic program.
12916
12917
12918
12919Other examples:
12920
12921  CMD"Sname/cmd will start a binary file name/cmd from any disk
12922
12923  CMD"Limage/bin:3 will load image/bin from disk 3
12924
12925
12926
12927As you see, you can omit the blank between cmd"s and the filename.
12928
12929
12930
12931To ease things you could also enable my DOS lookalike frontend ;) It's contained in newe000.rom (2,772 bytes; CRC 953491a7) but not enabled by default. If you enable it you can type HELP (hehe ;) and DIR and simply give a name to execute a binary file.
12932
12933
12934
12935The optional newe000.rom is loaded if the corresponding "dip switch" is set from within the driver itself. There is no need to specify this ROM on the command line.
12936
12937
12938
12939== Controls ==
12940
12941
12942
12943The Colour Genie had two Joystick, each one features a 12-keys keypad below the stick. The keypad layout is the following
12944
12945
12946
12947 
12948
12949  *    0    #
12950
12951 
12952
12953  7    8    9
12954
12955 
12956
12957  4    5    6
12958
12959 
12960
12961  1    2    3
12962
12963
12964
12965== Keyboard ==
12966
12967
12968
12969This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
12970
12971
12972
12973  RST  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0  :*  CLEAR  BREAK   RST      F1
12974
12975
12976
12977  RPT  up  Q  W  E  R  T  Y  U  I  O  P  @  left  right                   F2
12978
12979
12980
12981    CTRL  down  A  S  D  F  G  H  J  K  L  ;+  -=  RETURN                 F3
12982
12983
12984
12985  LOCK  SHIFT  Z  X  C  V  B  N  M  ,<  .>  /?   SHIFT                    F4
12986
12987
12988
12989         MODSEL         SPACE
12990
12991
12992
12993== Miscellaneous ==
12994
12995 
12996
12997Under the "Options" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, there are three settings:
12998
12999 
13000
13001  "Floppy Disc Drives"  - enable or disable floppy disc controller.
13002
13003  "DOS ROM C000-DFFF"   - enable 8K DOS ROM or make it RAM.
13004
13005  "EXT ROM E000-EFFF"   - enable 4K Extension ROM or make it RAM.
13006
13007
13008
13009== RAM options ==
13010
13011
13012
13013Different RAM configurations are possible for the cgenie in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
13014
13015
13016
13017  16k (default)
13018
13019  32k
13020
13021
13022
13023
13024
13025===== Known issues =====
13026
13027
13028
13029  * Startup with CAS or CMD images does not always work. Use the BASIC SYSTEM or CLOAD commands to read cassette image files, or use the Colour Genie DOS ROM with floppy disc images to run programs. The driver does not yet emulate the printer port mode for AY-3-8910. Right now it always uses the AY-3-8910 ports for joystick emulation.
13030
13031
13032
13033  * The Colour Genie driver should run most of the known programs out there. It supports the Motorola 6845 CRT controller with text and graphics modes (LGR and FGR), the AY-3-8910 sound chip with three audio channels and noise and the WD 179x floppy disc controller with up to four virtual floppy disc drives contained in image files.
13034
13035
13036
13037  * Emulation of dual Colour Genie joysticks with keypads is also supported.
13038
13039
13040
13041  * Cassette emulation currently broken
13042
13043
13044
13045
13046
13047===== History and Trivia =====
13048
13049
13050
13051The Colour Genie was the successor of the Genie 1, Genie 2 and Genie 3. It was intended to compete with the Tandy Color Computer although it was not at all compatible with its model (Z80 microprocessor instead of a Motorola 6809 in the CoCo)
13052
13053
13054
13055The graphic resolution wasn't as good as the CoCo, furthermore it was not possible to mix characters and graphics.
13056
13057
13058
13059However, the machine was reliable and solidly built. It featured a good mechanical keyboard and even a little level display located above the keyboard, which allowed to set the recording level of the tape recorder to improve reliability when writing onto a tape.
13060
13061
13062
13063//(info from old-computers.com)//
13064
13065
13066
13067
13068
13069===== Links =====
13070
13071
13072
13073  * Colour Genie at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=128
13074
13075  * German Information Page -- http://www.colourgenie.de.vu
13076
13077
13078
13079
13080
13081===== Other Emulators =====
13082
13083
13084
13085  * Colour Emu -- http://www.colourgenie.de.vu by Burkhard Lehner and Stephan Scholz (original web page not available)
13086
13087  * cgenie -- http://www.colourgenie.de.vu by Jürgen Buchmüller (original web page not available)
13088
13089
13090
13091
13092
13093
13094
13095$end
13096
13097
13098
13099#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13100
13101
13102$info=channelf
13103$bio
13104====== Fairchild Channel F (1976) ======
13105
13106
13107
13108It was one of the first videogame consoles with a changeable media.
13109
13110
13111
13112===== Features =====
13113
13114
13115
13116  * CPU: Fairchild F8 1.79 MHz [NTSC], 2.00 MHz or 1.77 MHz [PAL]
13117
13118  * RAM: 64 bytes
13119
13120  * Colors: 8, only four different colors per line, unless black/white palette were chosen, then only these two colors on the whole line.
13121
13122  * Sound: played through the console with the built-in speaker [first models], played through TV [System II]
13123
13124  * I/O Ports: TV out
13125
13126  * Controllers: Two 'grip-stick' controllers attached to main unit with dedicated wires. 8 way digital movement, forward/backwards, left/right, push knob down/pull up and twist counter-/clockwise
13127
13128  * Media: Cartridges
13129
13130  * Built In Software / Game: Hockey, Tennis
13131
13132  * Number of Games: 26 programmable cartridges with between 1 and 4 games on each.
13133
13134
13135
13136
13137
13138===== Usage =====
13139
13140
13141
13142MESS supports cart dumps in .bin format for channelf, using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Starting channelf without any cart would give access to the built in hockey and tennis games (at the G? prompt, 1=Hockey and 2=Tennis).
13143
13144
13145
13146== Controls ==
13147
13148
13149
13150Fairchild Channel F included two controllers: they are unique in their design. They kind of resemble a dynamite detonator, with a control knob at top that had 8 basic movements: up / down /left / right / twist left / twist right / pull up / pull down.
13151
13152
13153
13154On the console, five buttons are present: a RESET button, plus four button (numbered from 1 to 4). These were used to select games (e.g. without cart, at the G? prompt: 1=Hockey, 2=Tennis) and different time durations of a game (1=2 mins, 2=5 mins, 3=10 mins, 4=20 mins). Moreover
13155
13156 
13157
13158  button 1 was the TIME  button
13159
13160  button 2 was the MODE  button
13161
13162  button 3 was the HOLD  button
13163
13164  button 4 was the START button
13165
13166
13167
13168MESS controls are mapped in the following way (P1 buttons as indicated in the //Input (this system)// menu): button 1 is mapped to "P1 Start", button 2 is mapped to "P1 button 5", button 3 is mapped to "P1 button 6", button 4 is mapped to "P1 button 7".
13169
13170P1 buttons 1 to 4 are reserved to PUSH DOWN, PULL UP, MOVE CLOCKWISE, MOVE COUNTERCLOCKWISE (movements you could do with the joystick, on the original hardware) respectively.
13171
13172
13173
13174== BIOS options ==
13175
13176
13177
13178MESS emulates both the bios found in a "Luxor Video Entertainment System" (Swedish version of Channel F) and "Fairchild Channel F". However, most PAL machines use the normal bios that is used by the Channel F.
13179
13180Clock frequency is now corrected and MESS runs in the proper speed.
13181
13182
13183
13184You can switch between the two, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
13185
13186 
13187
13188  "-bios 0" or "-bios sl90025" = Luxor Video Entertainment System
13189
13190 
13191
13192  "-bios 1" or "-bios sl31253" = Fairchild Channel F
13193
13194
13195
13196
13197
13198===== History and Trivia =====
13199
13200
13201
13202The Channel F was the first programmable video game system, having plug-in cartridges containing ROM and microprocessor code rather than dedicated circuits. Not a very popular or entertaining system, it was nonetheless important at the time for having a number of original features which were copied by later more successful systems.
13203
13204
13205
13206Unique to the console is a 'hold' button that allowed the player freeze the game and also change either the time, the speed or both during the course of the game, without altering the score. Another feature which was used for the Hockey game was 'overtime' which allowed one minute of extra play should there be a tie-break in the score.
13207
13208
13209
13210Detached controllers were just starting to appear on 'pong' units as opposed to having them directly on the unit itself. The Channel F controllers which were attached to the unit with dedicated wires, were gripped by the whole hand and enabled movement in all directions, including the twisting left and right for 'paddle' movement. There was no fire button, the joystick had 8 way digital movement, forward/backwards, left/right, pull knob down/pull up and twist counter-/clockwise.
13211
13212
13213
13214Fairchild released twenty-six different cartridges for the system, with up to four games being on each cartridge. The games included sports, such as Hockey, Tennis and Baseball, educational, such as Maths Quiz, board games, such as Checkers, and shooting games, such as Space War. The cartridges had labels that contained the game instructions on them and each were given a sequential number. In this respect Fairchild started a trend in trying to boost game sales by numbering them and so appealing to consumers who wanted to complete their collection.
13215
13216
13217
13218The Channel F console's popularity lowered when the Atari released their VCS in 1977 as the VCS had much better graphics, games and sound. Fairchild responded to the Atari VCS by changing the name of their console to the 'Fairchild Channel F' from its original name of the 'Fairchild Video Entertainment System', but this did not raise flagging sales.
13219
13220
13221
13222In 1978, Zircon International Inc. bought the rights for the Channel F and released it as the Channel F System 2. This new system had some minor modifications : slightly different cosmetic design, sound output through TV speakers and the controller holders at the back of the unit. But this new model did not succeed either, as this time, Atari VCS, Intellivision and Odyssey2 were already on the market...
13223
13224
13225
13226At the end, Fairchild switched their efforts to developing the Spark-16 minicomputer.
13227
13228
13229
13230Various version of the Channel F were marketed: in Sweden the game-station was made by Luxor in two different models similar to Channel F and Channel F System II. In Germany, the system was called SABA Videoplay or Nordmende Teleplay and in the UK it's called Grandstand.
13231
13232
13233
13234//(info from old-computers.com)//
13235
13236
13237
13238
13239
13240===== Links =====
13241
13242
13243
13244  * Fairchild Channel F Information -- http://www.videogames.org/html/ChannelFStuff/ChannelFIndex.html
13245
13246  * Fairchild Channel F FAQ -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/channelf.htm
13247
13248  * Tech Info on the F8 chip -- http://www.nyx.net/~lturner/public_html/Fairchild_F8.html
13249
13250  * Channel F Datasheets -- http://members.cox.net/seanandalicia/chanfinfo.html
13251
13252  * Sean Riddle's Home Page -- http://members.cox.net/seanriddle/chanf.html
13253
13254  * Fredric Blaholtz's Home Page -- http://w5.nuinternet.com/s660100106/channelf.html
13255
13256  * Fredric Blaholtz's Channel F gallery -- http://w5.nuinternet.com/s660100106/gallery/
13257
13258  * Chris's Channel F Page -- http://www.chris-hind.co.uk/mem01.html
13259
13260  * JC Penney television commercial for the Fairchild Channel F -- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7639213472647728205
13261
13262  * Channel F at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=890
13263
13264
13265
13266
13267
13268$end
13269
13270
13271
13272#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13273
13274
13275$info=channlf2
13276$bio
13277====== Fairchild Channel F II (1978) ======
13278
13279
13280
13281It was one of the first videogame consoles with a changeable media. This is the second version.
13282
13283
13284
13285===== Features =====
13286
13287
13288
13289  * CPU: Fairchild F8 1.79 MHz [NTSC], 2.22 MHz [PAL]
13290
13291  * RAM: 64 bytes
13292
13293  * Colors: 8, only four different colors per line, unless black/white palette were chosen, then only these two colors on the whole line.
13294
13295  * Sound: played through the console with the built-in speaker [first models], played through TV [System II]
13296
13297  * I/O Ports: TV out
13298
13299  * Controllers: Two 'grip-stick' controllers attached to main unit with dedicated wires. 8 way digital movement, forward/backwards, left/right, push knob down/pull up and twist counter-/clockwise
13300
13301  * Media: Cartridges
13302
13303  * Built In Software / Game: Hockey, Tennis
13304
13305  * Number of Games: 26 programmable cartridges with between 1 and 4 games on each.
13306
13307
13308
13309
13310
13311===== Usage =====
13312
13313
13314
13315MESS supports cart dumps in .bin format for channelf, using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Starting channelf without any cart would give access to the built in hockey and tennis games (at the G? prompt, 1=Hockey and 2=Tennis).
13316
13317
13318
13319== Controls ==
13320
13321
13322
13323Fairchild Channel F included two controllers: they are unique in their design. They kind of resemble a dynamite detonator, with a control knob at top that had 8 basic movements: up / down /left / right / twist left / twist right / pull up / pull down.
13324
13325
13326
13327On the console, five buttons are present: a RESET button, plus four button (numbered from 1 to 4). These were used to select games (e.g. without cart, at the G? prompt: 1=Hockey, 2=Tennis) and different time durations of a game (1=2 mins, 2=5 mins, 3=10 mins, 4=20 mins). Moreover
13328
13329 
13330
13331  button 1 was the TIME  button
13332
13333  button 2 was the MODE  button
13334
13335  button 3 was the HOLD  button
13336
13337  button 4 was the START button
13338
13339
13340
13341MESS controls are mapped in the following way (P1 buttons as indicated in the //Input (this system)// menu): button 1 is mapped to "P1 Start", button 2 is mapped to "P1 button 5", button 3 is mapped to "P1 button 6", button 4 is mapped to "P1 button 7".
13342
13343P1 buttons 1 to 4 are reserved to PUSH DOWN, PULL UP, MOVE CLOCKWISE, MOVE COUNTERCLOCKWISE (movements you could do with the joystick, on the original hardware) respectively.
13344
13345
13346
13347== BIOS options ==
13348
13349
13350
13351MESS emulates both the bios found in a "Luxor Video Entertainment System" (Swedish version of Channel F) and "Fairchild Channel F", currently the Luxor version at the wrong speed though. Since it's a PAL system it's clocked at 2.22 MHz instead of 1.79 MHz. However, most PAL machines use the normal bios that is used by the Channel F.
13352
13353You can switch between the two, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
13354
13355 
13356
13357  "-bios 0" or "-bios sl90025" = Luxor Video Entertainment System
13358
13359 
13360
13361  "-bios 1" or "-bios sl31253" = Fairchild Channel F
13362
13363
13364
13365
13366
13367===== History and Trivia =====
13368
13369
13370
13371The Channel F was the first programmable video game system, having plug-in cartridges containing ROM and microprocessor code rather than dedicated circuits. Not a very popular or entertaining system, it was nonetheless important at the time for having a number of original features which were copied by later more successful systems.
13372
13373
13374
13375Unique to the console is a 'hold' button that allowed the player freeze the game and also change either the time, the speed or both during the course of the game, without altering the score. Another feature which was used for the Hockey game was 'overtime' which allowed one minute of extra play should there be a tie-break in the score.
13376
13377
13378
13379Detached controllers were just starting to appear on 'pong' units as opposed to having them directly on the unit itself. The Channel F controllers which were attached to the unit with dedicated wires, were gripped by the whole hand and enabled movement in all directions, including the twisting left and right for 'paddle' movement. There was no fire button, the joystick had 8 way digital movement, forward/backwards, left/right, pull knob down/pull up and twist counter-/clockwise.
13380
13381
13382
13383Fairchild released twenty-six different cartridges for the system, with up to four games being on each cartridge. The games included sports, such as Hockey, Tennis and Baseball, educational, such as Maths Quiz, board games, such as Checkers, and shooting games, such as Space War. The cartridges had labels that contained the game instructions on them and each were given a sequential number. In this respect Fairchild started a trend in trying to boost game sales by numbering them and so appealing to consumers who wanted to complete their collection.
13384
13385
13386
13387The Channel F console's popularity lowered when the Atari released their VCS in 1977 as the VCS had much better graphics, games and sound. Fairchild responded to the Atari VCS by changing the name of their console to the 'Fairchild Channel F' from its original name of the 'Fairchild Video Entertainment System', but this did not raise flagging sales.
13388
13389
13390
13391In 1978, Zircon International Inc. bought the rights for the Channel F and released it as the Channel F System 2. This new system had some minor modifications : slightly different cosmetic design, sound output through TV speakers and the controller holders at the back of the unit. But this new model did not succeed either, as this time, Atari VCS, Intellivision and Odyssey2 were already on the market...
13392
13393
13394
13395At the end, Fairchild switched their efforts to developing the Spark-16 minicomputer.
13396
13397
13398
13399Various version of the Channel F were marketed: in Sweden the game-station was made by Luxor in two different models similar to Channel F and Channel F System II. In Germany, the system was called SABA Videoplay or Nordmende Teleplay and in the UK it's called Grandstand.
13400
13401
13402
13403//(info from old-computers.com)//
13404
13405
13406
13407
13408
13409===== Links =====
13410
13411
13412
13413  * Fairchild Channel F Information -- http://www.videogames.org/html/ChannelFStuff/ChannelFIndex.html
13414
13415  * Fairchild Channel F FAQ -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/channelf.htm
13416
13417  * Tech Info on the F8 chip -- http://www.nyx.net/~lturner/public_html/Fairchild_F8.html
13418
13419  * Channel F Datasheets -- http://members.cox.net/seanandalicia/chanfinfo.html
13420
13421  * Sean Riddle's Home Page -- http://members.cox.net/seanriddle/chanf.html
13422
13423  * Fredric Blaholtz's Home Page -- http://w5.nuinternet.com/s660100106/channelf.html
13424
13425  * Chris's Channel F Page -- http://www.chris-hind.co.uk/mem01.html
13426
13427  * JC Penney television commercial for the Fairchild Channel F -- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7639213472647728205
13428
13429  * Channel F at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=890
13430
13431
13432
13433
13434
13435$end
13436
13437
13438
13439#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13440
13441
13442$info=coco
13443$bio
13444====== Tandy Color Computer (1980) ======
13445
13446
13447
13448//Note:// Maybe you were looking for one of the following entries: cp400 -- http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:coco2|coco2]], [[http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:coco3|coco3]], [[http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:dragon32|dragon32]], [[http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:dragon64|dragon64]], [[http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:cp400
13449
13450
13451
13452
13453
13454===== Features =====
13455
13456
13457
13458  * CPU: Motorola 6809E 0.895 MHz (or 1.79 MHz)
13459
13460  * RAM: 4 KB up to 64 KB
13461
13462  * ROM: 8 KB
13463
13464  * Text Modes: max : 16 x 32, min : 16 x 8
13465
13466  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, max : 256 x 192 (with 2 colors)
13467
13468  * Colors: 9
13469
13470  * Sound: 1 voice (6-bit DAC)
13471
13472  * I/O Ports: Tape, RGB, Joystick (2), Monitor, Cartridge, Serial RS232
13473
13474  * Keyboard: QWERTY calculator type keyboard
13475
13476  * OS: OS-9 Level 1
13477
13478  * Built In Language: Tandy (Microsoft) BASIC interpreter
13479
13480
13481
13482
13483
13484===== Usage =====
13485
13486
13487
13488MESS emulates two variants of the Color Computer 2
13489
13490
13491
13492  * coco [Tandy Color Computer]
13493
13494  * cocoe [Tandy Color Computer (Extended BASIC 1.0)]
13495
13496
13497
13498For both drivers, MESS supports the following devices
13499
13500
13501
13502  - a "cartridge" (cart), for .ccc and .rom files
13503
13504  - a "cassette" (cass), for tapes in .wav and .cas format
13505
13506  - up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .os9, .vdk and .dmk
13507
13508
13509
13510Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .pak files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .bin files.
13511
13512
13513
13514Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
13515
13516
13517
13518== Cassettes ==
13519
13520
13521
13522MESS supports .cas files. Not all of these work; don't panic.
13523
13524
13525
13526You can pick the cassette image you wish to run from the FILE MANAGER in the Tab/Options menu. Once you've selected the image, go back into the CoCo emulation, and use "scroll lock" to set it back in keyboard emulation mode.
13527
13528
13529
13530If it's a BASIC program, type
13531
13532  CLOAD
13533
13534  RUN
13535
13536
13537
13538If it's an assembler programs, type
13539
13540  CLOADM
13541
13542  EXEC
13543
13544
13545
13546If you include the name of the file (eg. CLOAD "PROG") it will skip any files preceding the one you specified.
13547
13548
13549
13550== Snapshots ==
13551
13552
13553
13554MESS supports .pak files. Go to file menu pick the .pak. It should automatically start running the game. If it does not run, it isn't supported yet.
13555
13556
13557
13558== Cartridges ==
13559
13560
13561
13562MESS supports .rom files. Go to file menu and pick the .rom. Reset to CoCo and it will start running the game. If it does not run it isn't supported yet.
13563
13564
13565
13566== Floppy Disks ==
13567
13568
13569
13570MESS supports .dsk files. Basically the same as cassette images, except you insert the image in Floppy Disk#1 from the file manager. Once you return to the coco emulation, switch back to keyboard emulation mode by pressing SCROLL LOCK and type
13571
13572  DIR
13573
13574
13575
13576To load a binary file (/BIN), type
13577
13578  LOADM "GAME/BIN:1"
13579
13580  EXEC
13581
13582(replacing the ":1" in LOADM with the appropriate drive designation ":0" through ":3" )
13583
13584
13585
13586To load a basic file (/BAS), type
13587
13588  LOAD "GAME/BAS:0"
13589
13590  RUN
13591
13592
13593
13594//(Thanks to "Axe" for the command summary)//
13595
13596
13597
13598== Keyboard ==
13599
13600
13601
13602These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
13603
13604
13605
13606Original Keyboard: QWERTY keyboard, 53 keys
13607
13608 
13609
13610    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)    0   :*   -=   BREAK
13611
13612 
13613
13614 
13615
13616  Up   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @    <-    ->
13617
13618 
13619
13620 
13621
13622   Down   A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+    ENTER  CLEAR
13623
13624 
13625
13626 
13627
13628    SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
13629
13630 
13631
13632 
13633
13634                                  SPACEBAR
13635
13636
13637
13638
13639
13640== RAM options ==
13641
13642
13643
13644Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
13645
13646
13647
13648  4k
13649
13650  16k (default for coco)
13651
13652  32k
13653
13654  64k (default for cocoe)
13655
13656
13657
13658
13659
13660===== History and Trivia =====
13661
13662
13663
13664The Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer was known to be called "CoCo" (Color Computer) by its users. It uses its own version of BASIC, "Tandy Color BASIC", instead of the Microsoft BASIC (this was the main difference with Dragon 32, and the main reason for the partial compatibility between the two machines: the two BASICs use different tokens so they are not binary compatible).
13665
13666It was followed by the TRS-80 Color Computer 2 in 1982.
13667
13668
13669
13670== Tandy Color BASIC versions ==
13671
13672
13673
13674(info from Lee Veal): In reality, the 'dialects' of BASIC on all versions of the TRS-80 Color Computer 1s & 2s were written by Microsoft for Tandy. That includes Color BASIC (CB), Extended Color BASIC (ECB) and Disk Extended Color BASIC (DECB). In fact, with very few modifcations, BASIC programs from an IBM-PC or compatible using Microsoft BASIC could run on a CoCo and viceversa. (The way I know that is that I did it. Some were quite complex graphics oriented programs.) Within one-half K of the beginning the Color BASIC ROM address, there's a character string that reads "COLOR BASIC 1.0(C) 1980 TANDYMICROSOFT". When you fire up a CoCo 1 that has only the Color BASIC ROM, you'll see on the screen
13675
13676  COLOR BASIC 1.0
13677
13678  (C) 1980 TANDY
13679
13680
13681
13682The authors of Tandy's Color BASIC (Microsoft) left their name in the code, but they left it off the opening display. Subsequent levels of CoCo BASIC (Extended CB and Disk Extended CB) had Microsoft prominently displayed in the opening display. Thus, Color BASIC was quite compatible for obvious reasons with the BASIC that Microsoft develped for the PC. Extended and Disk Extended versions of CoCo BASIC were
13683
13684even more compatible with Microsoft's BASIC for the PC.
13685
13686
13687
13688On the other hand, the BASIC dialects contained in computers like the Commodore-64, TI-994A, etc were quite incompatible with any version of Microsoft BASIC.
13689
13690
13691
13692The BASIC developed by Microware (the developers of the OS-9 operating system and originally Tandy's first choice of a BASIC developer), called BASIC09, was NOT compatible with Microsoft BASIC. BASIC09 is and was a powerful language that compiled to intermediate code but it is more akin to Pascal then BASIC.
13693
13694
13695
13696== CoCo & CoCo 2 Double Speed ==
13697
13698
13699
13700(info from Gary Clouse): The double speed mode was not really accomplished by changing the clock speed. The Synchronous address multiplexor (SAM) chip by default generated memory refresh cycles for the entire address space. The "double speed poke" disabled the refresh cycle for the upper 32k memory address, where the ROM was mapped. Since the ROM was static, it didn't need this and since BASIC spent most of its time in the rom routines, it would appear to nearly double the speed. The flip side of this was that many I/O functions that relied on timing loops would be unusable, such as saving data to a tape. Also if you were using the upper 32k of ram, the double speed poke would wipe the memory.
13701
13702
13703
13704//(info from old-computers.com)//
13705
13706
13707
13708
13709
13710===== Links =====
13711
13712
13713
13714  * CoCo Quest Color Computer Games and More! -- http://www.prowler-pro.com/coco/
13715
13716  * Sock Master's Web Page -- http://www.axess.com/twilight/sock/
13717
13718  * www.coco3.com -- http://www.coco3.com/
13719
13720  * Dragon & Tandy CoCo Resources -- http://www.burgins.com/dragon.html
13721
13722  * CoCo at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=91
13723
13724
13725
13726
13727
13728$end
13729
13730
13731
13732#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
13733
13734
13735$info=coco2
13736$bio
13737====== Tandy Color Computer 2 (1983) ======
13738
13739
13740
13741
13742
13743===== Features =====
13744
13745
13746
13747  * CPU: Motorola 6809E 0.895 MHz (or 1.79 MHz)
13748
13749  * RAM: 16k, 32k and 64k, depending on models
13750
13751  * ROM: 8k (Color Basic) but later models had 16k (Extended Color Basic)
13752
13753  * Text Modes: max : 16 x 32, min : 16 x 8
13754
13755  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, max : 256 x 192 (with 2 colors)
13756
13757  * Colors: 9
13758
13759  * Sound: 1 voice (6-bit DAC)
13760
13761  * I/O Ports: Tape, RGB, Joystick (2), Monitor, Cartridge, Serial RS232
13762
13763  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 53-keys keyboard + Arrow keys, BREAK, CLEAR, SHIFT (x2)
13764
13765  * OS: OS-9 Level 1
13766
13767  * Built In Language: Tandy (Microsoft) BASIC interpreter
13768
13769
13770
13771
13772
13773===== Usage =====
13774
13775
13776
13777MESS emulates two variants of the Color Computer 2
13778
13779
13780
13781  * coco2 [Tandy Color Computer 2]
13782
13783  * coco2b [Tandy Color Computer 2B]
13784
13785
13786
13787For both drivers, MESS supports the following devices
13788
13789
13790
13791  - a "cartridge" (cart), for .ccc and .rom files
13792
13793  - a "cassette" (cass), for tapes in .wav and .cas format
13794
13795  - up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .os9, .vdk and .dmk
13796
13797
13798
13799Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .pak files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .bin files.
13800
13801
13802
13803Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
13804
13805
13806
13807== Cassettes ==
13808
13809
13810
13811MESS supports .cas files. Not all of these work; don't panic.
13812
13813
13814
13815You can pick the cassette image you wish to run from the FILE MANAGER in the Tab/Options menu. Once you've selected the image, go back into the CoCo2 emulation, and use "scroll lock" to set it back in keyboard emulation mode.
13816
13817
13818
13819If it's a BASIC program, type
13820
13821  CLOAD
13822
13823  RUN
13824
13825
13826
13827If it's an assembler programs, type
13828
13829  CLOADM
13830
13831  EXEC
13832
13833
13834
13835If you include the name of the file (eg. CLOAD "PROG") it will skip any files preceding the one you specified.
13836
13837
13838
13839== Snapshots ==
13840
13841
13842
13843MESS supports .pak files. Go to file menu pick the .pak. It should automatically start running the game. If it does not run, it isn't supported yet.
13844
13845
13846
13847== Cartridges ==
13848
13849
13850
13851MESS supports .rom files. Go to file menu and pick the .rom. Reset to CoCo2 and it will start running the game. If it does not run it isn't supported yet.
13852
13853
13854
13855== Floppy Disks ==
13856
13857
13858
13859MESS supports .dsk files. Basically the same as cassette images, except you insert the image in Floppy Disk#1 from the file manager. Once you return to the coco2 emulation, switch back to keyboard emulation mode by pressing SCROLL LOCK and type
13860
13861  DIR
13862
13863
13864
13865To load a binary file (/BIN), type
13866
13867  LOADM "GAME/BIN:1"
13868
13869  EXEC
13870
13871(replacing the ":1" in LOADM with the appropriate drive designation ":0" through ":3" )
13872
13873
13874
13875To load a basic file (/BAS), type
13876
13877  LOAD "GAME/BAS:0"
13878
13879  RUN
13880
13881
13882
13883//(Thanks to "Axe" for the command summary)//
13884
13885
13886
13887== Keyboard ==
13888
13889
13890
13891These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
13892
13893
13894
13895Original Keyboard: QWERTY Full-stroke keyboard, 53-keys
13896
13897 
13898
13899    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)    0   :*   -=   BREAK
13900
13901 
13902
13903 
13904
13905  Up   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @    <-    ->
13906
13907 
13908
13909 
13910
13911   Down   A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+    ENTER  CLEAR
13912
13913 
13914
13915 
13916
13917    SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
13918
13919 
13920
13921 
13922
13923                                SPACEBAR
13924
13925
13926
13927== RAM options ==
13928
13929
13930
13931Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
13932
13933
13934
13935  16k
13936
13937  64k (default)
13938
13939
13940
13941
13942
13943===== History and Trivia =====
13944
13945
13946
13947The TRS 80 Color Computer 2 (coco2) replaced the Color Computer "Model 1" in 1983. It has the same characteristics than the Model 1 but has a better keyboard and a more integrated circuitry.
13948
13949
13950
13951There were several models of the Coco2, some with only 8k ROM (Color Basic) called Standard Color Computer 2, and others with 16k ROM (Extended Color Basic) called the Extended Color Computer 2. Some later models differ also in RAM capacity (16k, 32k or 64k).
13952
13953It was replaced with the TRS-80 Color Computer 3 in 1986.
13954
13955
13956
13957== Tandy Color BASIC versions ==
13958
13959
13960
13961(info from Lee Veal): In reality, the 'dialects' of BASIC on all versions of the TRS-80 Color Computer 1s & 2s were written by Microsoft for Tandy. That includes Color BASIC (CB), Extended Color BASIC (ECB) and Disk Extended Color BASIC (DECB). In fact, with very few modifcations, BASIC programs from an IBM-PC or compatible using Microsoft BASIC could run on a CoCo and viceversa. (The way I know that is that I did it. Some were quite complex graphics oriented programs.) Within one-half K of the beginning the Color BASIC ROM address, there's a character string that reads "COLOR BASIC 1.0(C) 1980 TANDYMICROSOFT". When you fire up a CoCo 1 that has only the Color BASIC ROM, you'll see on the screen
13962
13963  COLOR BASIC 1.0
13964
13965  (C) 1980 TANDY
13966
13967
13968
13969The authors of Tandy's Color BASIC (Microsoft) left their name in the code, but they left it off the opening display. Subsequent levels of CoCo BASIC (Extended CB and Disk Extended CB) had Microsoft prominently displayed in the opening display. Thus, Color BASIC was quite compatible for obvious reasons with the BASIC that Microsoft develped for the PC. Extended and Disk Extended versions of CoCo BASIC were
13970
13971even more compatible with Microsoft's BASIC for the PC.
13972
13973
13974
13975On the other hand, the BASIC dialects contained in computers like the Commodore-64, TI-994A, etc were quite incompatible with any version of Microsoft BASIC.
13976
13977
13978
13979The BASIC developed by Microware (the developers of the OS-9 operating system and originally Tandy's first choice of a BASIC developer), called BASIC09, was NOT compatible with Microsoft BASIC. BASIC09 is and was a powerful language that compiled to intermediate code but it is more akin to Pascal then BASIC.
13980
13981
13982
13983== CoCo & CoCo 2 Double Speed ==
13984
13985
13986
13987(info from Gary Clouse): The double speed mode was not really accomplished by changing the clock speed. The Synchronous address multiplexor (SAM) chip by default generated memory refresh cycles for the entire address space. The "double speed poke" disabled the refresh cycle for the upper 32k memory address, where the ROM was mapped. Since the ROM was static, it didn't need this and since BASIC spent most of its time in the rom routines, it would appear to nearly double the speed. The flip side of this was that many I/O functions that relied on timing loops would be unusable, such as saving data to a tape. Also if you were using the upper 32k of ram, the double speed poke would wipe the memory.
13988
13989
13990
13991//(info from old-computers.com)//
13992
13993
13994
13995
13996
13997===== Links =====
13998
13999
14000
14001  * CoCo Quest Color Computer Games and More! -- http://www.prowler-pro.com/coco/
14002
14003  * Sock Master's Web Page -- http://www.axess.com/twilight/sock/
14004
14005  * www.coco3.com -- http://www.coco3.com/
14006
14007  * Dragon & Tandy CoCo Resources -- http://www.burgins.com/dragon.html
14008
14009  * CoCo 2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=508
14010
14011
14012
14013
14014
14015===== Other Emulators =====
14016
14017
14018
14019  * Color Computer II Emu by Jeff Vavasour -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#coco2
14020
14021
14022
14023
14024
14025$end
14026
14027
14028
14029#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14030
14031
14032$info=coco3
14033$bio
14034====== Tandy Color Computer 3 (1986) ======
14035
14036
14037
14038
14039
14040===== Features =====
14041
14042
14043
14044  * CPU: Motorola 68b09e (uses an external clock generator) 2 MHz (0.89MHz under RS-DOS for compatibility with FD expansion unit)
14045
14046  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 512 KB. There were 1MB and 2MB upgrade boards as well)
14047
14048  * ROM: 32 KB
14049
14050  * Text Modes: 32 x 16, 40 x 25, 80 x 25
14051
14052  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, the most interesting were: 320 x 200 (16 col.), 640 x 200 (4 col.), 640 x 400 (4 col. if 512 KB RAM)
14053
14054  * Colors: 64
14055
14056  * I/O Ports: Tape, Composite Video, analog RGB connector for use with Tandy CM-8 monitor, 2 joystick ports, cartridge slot, RS232
14057
14058  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
14059
14060  * OS: with optional disk drive : RS-DOS, OS-9 Level 2 was also popular
14061
14062  * Built In Language: Tandy Extended Color Basic
14063
14064
14065
14066
14067
14068===== Usage =====
14069
14070
14071
14072MESS supports three different systems
14073
14074
14075
14076  * coco3 [Tandy Radio Shack Color Computer 3 (NTSC)]
14077
14078  * coco3p [Tandy Radio Shack Color Computer 3 (PAL)]
14079
14080  * coco3h [Tandy Radio Shack Color Computer 3 (NTSC; HD6309)] - the MPU has been replaced by a Hitachi 6309, notice that this chip has extra features not documented by Hitachi
14081
14082
14083
14084For each driver, MESS supports the following devices
14085
14086
14087
14088  - a "cartridge" (cart), for .ccc and .rom files
14089
14090  - a "cassette" (cass), for tapes in .wav and .cas format
14091
14092  - a "harddisk" (hd), for .vhd files
14093
14094  - up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .os9, .vdk and .dmk
14095
14096
14097
14098Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .pak files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .bin files.
14099
14100
14101
14102Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
14103
14104
14105
14106== Real Time Clock ==
14107
14108
14109
14110MESS contains two different real time clocks: Disto and Cloud-9. Currently they can be set under the "DIP Switches".
14111
14112
14113
14114  * Disto Real Time Clock
14115
14116    * Chip: OKI m6242B
14117
14118    * Addressed: $FF50 and $FF51
14119
14120  * Cloud-9 Real Time Clock
14121
14122    * Chip: Dallas Semiconductor's Phantom Time Chip DS1315
14123
14124    * Addressed: $FF79, $FF78, $FF7C
14125
14126
14127
14128== Misc ==
14129
14130
14131
14132Read the entry for the Color Computer and Color Computer 2 drivers. Much of the information there also applies to this driver.
14133
14134
14135
14136MESS emulation also contains an implementation of Jeff Vavasours' Virtual Hard Disk. See his Color Computer 3 emulator for information regarding it.
14137
14138
14139
14140== Keyboard ==
14141
14142
14143
14144These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
14145
14146
14147
14148Original Keyboard: QWERTY Full-stroke keyboard,
14149
14150
14151
14152                                                                          ESC
14153
14154     1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)    0   :*   -=           BREAK
14155
14156 
14157
14158 
14159
14160  ALT   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @    CLEAR    Up
14161
14162 
14163
14164 
14165
14166   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   ENTER  Left  Right
14167
14168 
14169
14170 
14171
14172     SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT  Down
14173
14174 
14175
14176 
14177
14178                                 SPACEBAR                             F1  F2
14179
14180
14181
14182== RAM options ==
14183
14184
14185
14186Different RAM configurations are possible for these drivers in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
14187
14188
14189
14190  128k
14191
14192  512k (default)
14193
14194  2m
14195
14196  8m
14197
14198
14199
14200
14201
14202===== History and Trivia =====
14203
14204
14205
14206The Tandy Color Computer 3 is the successor of the Tandy/TRS-80 Color Computer 2.
14207
14208
14209
14210The CoCo3 came with 128K RAM, an analog RGB video port, enhanced 640x192 graphics capability, a 64-color palette and much more. (All ports contained on the CoCo 1 and 2 models were also available on the CoCo3, e.g. RS-232 serial, cassette, right and left joystick and a 40-pin expansion slot.)
14211
14212
14213
14214The CoCo3 was upgradeable to 512 KB RAM. (After-market RAM upgrades have gone as high as 8MB, with rumors that 16MB and 32MB RAM upgrades may also be possible). A Multi-Pak (a 4-port bus expander) plugged into the Expansion Slot allowed use of controllers for floppy disk drives, hard drives (MFM, RLL, SCSI and now even IDE), multi-port true RS-232 devices, MIDI units and much much more.
14215
14216
14217
14218It can work with OS-9 Level II (an operating system designed for 6809 processors).
14219
14220
14221
14222As its microprocessor was still an 8 bit (strange choice when Atari and Commodore were using a 68000), it couldn't access simultaneously to the 128k (or 512k), and thus used several RAM banks which could be switched (as the Thomson TO8, or MSX 2 computers). Unlike the CoCo and CoCo II the 3 had an interrupt controller. This did away with a lot of the timing loops used in its predecessors, and actually took some of the fun out of programming in Machine Language.
14223
14224
14225
14226Tandy made several prototypes of a Color Computer model IV but it was never released.
14227
14228
14229
14230//(info from old-computers.com)//
14231
14232
14233
14234
14235
14236===== Links =====
14237
14238
14239
14240  * CoCo Quest Color Computer Games and More! -- http://www.prowler-pro.com/coco/
14241
14242  * Sock Master's Web Page -- http://www.axess.com/twilight/sock/
14243
14244  * www.coco3.com -- http://www.coco3.com/
14245
14246  * CoCo 3 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=109
14247
14248
14249
14250
14251
14252===== Other Emulators =====
14253
14254
14255
14256  * CoCo III Emu by Jeff Vavasour -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#coco3
14257
14258
14259
14260
14261
14262$end
14263
14264
14265
14266#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14267
14268
14269$info=coleco
14270$bio
14271====== Coleco ColecoVision (1982) ======
14272
14273
14274
14275
14276
14277===== Features =====
14278
14279
14280
14281  * CPU: Z80A 3.58 MHz
14282
14283  * Co-Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9928A (Video display unit), Texas Instruments SN76489AN (Sound generator)
14284
14285  * RAM: 8 KB
14286
14287  * VRAM: 16 KB (8 x 4116 memory chips)
14288
14289  * Graphics Modes: 259 x 192
14290
14291  * Colors: 16
14292
14293  * Sound: 3 tone channels, 1 noise (Texas Instruments SN76489AN)
14294
14295  * I/O Ports: Power in, Cartridge slot, Video output, Expansion connector, 2 x controller connectors
14296
14297  * Controllers: 2 controllers with joystick, 12-button keypad and two fire buttons
14298
14299  * Media: Cartridges (8K/16K/24K/32K)
14300
14301  * Number of Games: More than 170 (174?)
14302
14303  * Peripherals: Atari VCS 2600 adapter, Driving module, ADAM computer, Trackball, Super joysticks
14304
14305
14306
14307
14308
14309===== Usage =====
14310
14311
14312
14313Currently, MESS supports three variants of the Coleco hardware:
14314
14315
14316
14317  * coleco [Coleco ColecoVision]
14318
14319  * colecoa [Coleco ColecoVision (Thick Characters)]
14320
14321  * colecob [Spectravideo SVI-603 Coleco Game Adapter]
14322
14323
14324
14325All of them support cart dumps in .rom, .col and .bin format, in the "cartridge" (cart) device.
14326
14327
14328
14329== Controls ==
14330
14331
14332
14333ColecoVision standard controller features a Joystick, two fire button at sides, and a 12-keys keypad with
14334
14335the following layout
14336
14337 
14338
14339  1    2    3
14340
14341 
14342
14343  4    5    6
14344
14345 
14346
14347  7    8    9
14348
14349 
14350
14351  *    0    #
14352
14353
14354
14355
14356
14357===== Known Issues =====
14358
14359
14360
14361None. MESS emulation runs most cartridges accurately.
14362
14363
14364
14365== Extra Controllers Info and Status ==
14366
14367
14368
14369  * Driving Controller (Expansion Module #2): It consist of a steering wheel and a gas pedal. Only one can be used on a real ColecoVision. The gas pedal is not analog, internally it is just a switch. On a real ColecoVision, when the Driving Controller is enabled, the controller 1 do not work because have been replaced by the Driving Controller, and controller 2 have to be used to start game, gear shift, etc. Driving Controller is just a spinner on controller 1 socket similar to the one on Roller Controller and Super Action Controllers so you can use Roller Controller or Super Action Controllers to play games requiring Driving Controller.
14370
14371
14372
14373  * Roller Controller: Basically a trackball with four buttons (the two fire buttons from player 1 and the two fire buttons from player 2). Only one Roller Controller can be used on a real ColecoVision.  Roller Controller is connected to both controller sockets and both controllers are conected to the Roller Controller, it uses the spinner pins of both sockets to generate the X and Y signals (X from controller 1 and the Y from controller 2)
14374
14375
14376
14377  * Super Action Controllers: It is a hand controller with a keypad, four buttons (the two from the player pad and two more), and a spinner. This was made primarily for two player sport games, but will work for every other ColecoVision game.
14378
14379
14380
14381
14382
14383===== History and Trivia =====
14384
14385
14386
14387After the success of their Telstar pong systems in the late 70's, Coleco decided to re-enter the videogame market, inspired by the success of cartridge based systems like the Atari VCS and Mattel Intellivision.
14388
14389
14390
14391As the ColecoVision was released later than these competitors, it was possible for the Coleco engineers to put more hardware in the box while keeping the cost acceptable. The ColecoVision is thus powered by a Z80A cpu running at 3.58 MHz. It has 8 KB RAM, 16 KB VRAM, three-channel sound and a powerful video display unit (Texas Instruments TMS9928A) offering 16 colors, 32 sprites and a 256x192 resolution. The result is that when the system was finaly released in summer 1982, it was immediately considered the most technologicaly advanced home console. The games simply had arcade-quality graphics!
14392
14393
14394
14395But even with this technological superiority, Coleco had to face the competition of Atari big arcade hits licenses and Intellivision realistic sports simulations. Coleco did not have enough money to compete with Atari for big licenses, so they secured licenses for small games with strong followings like Mr DO, Lady Bug, Cosmic Avenger and Venture. And Coleco's good relations with Sega resulted in a Zaxxon cartridge that sported excellent 3D effects.
14396
14397
14398
14399But the best was to come: one february 1, 1982 Coleco and Nintendo signed an agreement which gave six-months exclusive license for Donkey-Kong! Their excellent version was thus exlusively sold as a pack-in with ColecoVision as an incentive to purchase the system, and it worked! The ColecoVision was an instant success.
14400
14401
14402
14403Coleco marketed different add-ons for their console. The Expansion Module #1 is an Atari VCS adapter wich enables the ColecoVision to play Atari cartridges! Coleco sold 150,000 Atari adapters in just two months... Atari sued Coleco for $850 million, but lost the case.
14404
14405
14406
14407The Expansion Module #2 is a complete driving controller with steering wheel, acceleration pedal and gear shift. It was shipped with Sega's classic racing game Turbo. The Expansion Module #3 is the ADAM computer.
14408
14409
14410
14411A rollet controller was also sold to play games like Slither. The Super Action joysticks, a massive and complete controller, was used to play sports games like Super Action Baseball and Rocky Super Action Boxing.
14412
14413
14414
14415ColecoVision was a great success, selling over six millions units in just three years. Unfortunately, the ColecoVision suffered the same fate as the rest in the great video game shake-out of 1984. Coleco's unsuccessful bug-ridden ADAM computer only complicated the problem, and Coleco stopped production of the ColecoVision in 1984.
14416
14417
14418
14419Telegames purchased the rights to the system, and many of the manufactured games, and released a clone, The Personal Arcade, in 1988. It was later re-released by them, as the DINA.
14420
14421
14422
14423//(info from old-computers.com)//
14424
14425
14426
14427
14428
14429===== Links =====
14430
14431
14432
14433  * coleco.free.fr -- http://coleco.free.fr/
14434
14435  * ColecoVision FAQ -- http://www.classicgaming.com/colecofaq/
14436
14437  * Norman G. Sippel's ColecoVision Page -- http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~ngsippel/cv.html
14438
14439  * ColecoVision at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=755
14440
14441
14442
14443
14444
14445===== Other Emulators =====
14446
14447
14448
14449  * ColEm -- http://fms.komkon.org/ColEm/
14450
14451  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
14452
14453
14454
14455
14456
14457$end
14458
14459
14460
14461#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14462
14463
14464$info=compis
14465$bio
14466====== Telenova Compis (1985) ======
14467
14468
14469
14470
14471
14472===== Features =====
14473
14474
14475
14476  * CPU: Intel 80186 8 MHz
14477
14478  * Co-Processor: 82720 (Graphic), 8087(arithmetic coprocessor),
14479
14480  * RAM: 128 kb or 256 kb, expandable to 768 kb
14481
14482  * ROM: Unknown
14483
14484  * Text Modes: 50 x 25, 80 x 25
14485
14486  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 400 (color), 1280 x 800 (monochrome)
14487
14488  * Colors: Monochrome
14489
14490  * Sound: No sound...
14491
14492  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS232C, Monitor, Tape-recorder, Keyboard, 2 x iSBX-bus, Centronics, Analogue In/Out, Network socket, Graphic expansion slot, floppy disk, lightpen
14493
14494  * Keyboard: Full-stroke separate keyboard with editing and numeric keypads. Built-in speaker and setup data.
14495
14496  * Built In Media: Two 5.25" disk-drives, optional 10 Mb / 60 Mb external hard-disk
14497
14498  * OS: CP/M86, UCSD-p, MS-DOS
14499
14500
14501
14502
14503
14504===== Usage =====
14505
14506
14507
14508MESS currently supports up to two floppy drives for the compis, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), which accept disk images in .dsk format.
14509
14510
14511
14512Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
14513
14514
14515
14516== Keyboard ==
14517
14518
14519
14520This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
14521
14522
14523
14524
14525
14526===== Known Issues =====
14527
14528
14529
14530Currently, compis emulation is broken. Please temporarily stick to MESS 0.118 if you want to use this system.
14531
14532
14533
14534
14535
14536===== History and Trivia =====
14537
14538
14539
14540The Telenova Compis computer was designed to be used in Swedish schools. It featured a 80186 cpu and used CP/M 86.
14541
14542
14543
14544The name "compis" would be a synthesis of the word Computer and the swedish word "kompis", meaning Buddy or mate. It was also a shorting for 'computer i skolan' (computer in school). The Compis was called Scandis in Norway.
14545
14546
14547
14548There was a small speaker in the keyboard. On the later models (Compis II) the network identity and other setup-data of the computer were also stored in the keyboard. Compis II was also capable of running MD-DOS. Some models only had one floppy drive. It had amber
14549
14550monochrome display while the first model had green on black.
14551
14552
14553
14554Svenska Datorer AB (Swedish Computers AB) went bankrupt shortly after beginning the production of the compis. Further production was taken over by the state-owned Televerket's company TeleNova that invested large amounts of money in the project.
14555
14556
14557
14558The following languages were available on disk: Comal, Pascal, Fortran, Cobol.
14559
14560
14561
14562//(info from old-computers.com)//
14563
14564
14565
14566
14567
14568===== Links =====
14569
14570
14571
14572  * Hogia's PC Museum (swedish) -- http://www.hogia.se/pcmuseum/datorer75-84/datorer75-84-sida.htm
14573
14574  * Telenova Compis page (swedish) -- http://www.df.lth.se/~pi/compis/
14575
14576  * Telenova Compis page (swedish) -- http://www.abc80.net/old/ver1/compis/
14577
14578  * Telenova Compis at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=358
14579
14580
14581
14582
14583
14584$end
14585
14586
14587
14588#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14589
14590
14591$info=comquest
14592$bio
14593====== Team Concept Comquest Plus German (19xx) ======
14594
14595
14596
14597
14598
14599===== Features =====
14600
14601
14602
14603  * Mono LCD display with about 144x100 pixels
14604
14605  * Integrated speaker
14606
14607  * Integrated keyboard and joypad
14608
14609  * Integrated battery box
14610
14611  * Serial port connector (for special printer)
14612
14613  * Connector for external power supply
14614
14615  * Cartridge slot
14616
14617
14618
14619
14620
14621===== Known Issues =====
14622
14623
14624
14625Not working (not even CPU is exactly known). Driver stopped until CPU type is recognized or info found.
14626
14627
14628
14629
14630
14631===== History and Trivia =====
14632
14633
14634
14635Laptop computer for children. Produced in Hong Kong. It's been marketed in Europe and US too.
14636
14637
14638
14639
14640
14641$end
14642
14643
14644
14645#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14646
14647
14648$info=comx35p
14649$bio
14650====== Comx World Operations Ltd. COMX 35 (1983) ======
14651
14652
14653
14654===== Features =====
14655
14656
14657
14658  * CPU: CDP 1802 2 MHz
14659
14660  * RAM: 35 kb (up to 67 kb). 32 KB available for Basic programs
14661
14662  * ROM: 16 kb
14663
14664  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 24 lines. 64 upper case ASCII characters
14665
14666  * Graphic Modes: None, but 64 user programmable graphical characters
14667
14668  * Colors: 8
14669
14670  * Sound: 1 channel synthesiser - 8 octaves, 16 volume steps and special effects
14671
14672  * I/O Ports: Tape, Monitor, 44-pin Bus expansion
14673
14674  * Keyboard: Calculator type keyboard, 55 keys QWERTY, Carriage Return (CR), RT, ESC, SHIFT (x2), DEL
14675
14676  * Built In Media: None
14677
14678  * Built In Language: Basic
14679
14680  * Peripherals: Printer, disk-drive
14681
14682
14683
14684
14685
14686===== Usage =====
14687
14688
14689
14690Currently, MESS supports two regional variations of the COMX 35
14691
14692
14693
14694  * comx35p [Comx World Operations Ltd. COMX 35 (PAL)]
14695
14696  * comx35n [Comx World Operations Ltd. COMX 35 (NTSC)]
14697
14698
14699
14700Both drivers support the emulation of a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav format, and up to two floppy drive, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .img format.
14701
14702
14703
14704Also notice that a “quickload” (quik) feature is available for .comx files and that the “printer” (prin) is emulated as well.
14705
14706
14707
14708== Keyboard ==
14709
14710
14711
14712This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
14713
14714
14715
14716== 80-columns ==
14717
14718
14719
14720To enter 80-columns emulation, you have to mount the 80-column card in one of the slots and then to start the card. In order to do it, you can simply press <key>TAB</key> while in partial keyboard emulation mode and enter the "Driver Configuration" submenu. Once you have selected the 80-column card in one of the slots (e.g. slot 3), you can go back to emulation by pressing <key>TAB</key> and start the card by typing
14721
14722
14723
14724  CARD S3
14725
14726
14727
14728Of course, if you have chosen a different slot "X", you will have to type "SX" in place of "S3".
14729
14730
14731
14732== BIOS options ==
14733
14734
14735
14736Different versions of the BASIC roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, for both comx35p and comx35n,
14737
14738
14739
14740  "-bios 0" or "-bios basic100" = COMX BASIC V1.00
14741
14742 
14743
14744  "-bios 1" or "-bios default" = COMX BASIC V1.01
14745
14746
14747
14748== RAM options ==
14749
14750
14751
14752Different RAM configurations are possible for the comx35p and comx35n in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
14753
14754
14755
14756  32k (default)
14757
14758  64k
14759
14760
14761
14762
14763
14764===== Known Issues =====
14765
14766
14767
14768The sound emulation of these systems is known to be Imperfect.
14769
14770
14771
14772
14773
14774===== History and Trivia =====
14775
14776
14777
14778Very little is known about this obscure and rare computer.
14779
14780
14781
14782It was desgined by a Netherlands based company called NOXON AB, and was manufactured in Hong Kong by COMX WORLD OPERATIONS LIMITED.
14783
14784
14785
14786There is no graphic mode, but user definable characters can be used to simulate graphics. The sound features are poor as there is only one single channel beeper. You can hear it when pressing a key. The Basic is very simple, with not a lot of specific statements, since there is not much to play with...
14787
14788
14789
14790The keyboard is said to be waterproof (can someone test that for us?) and used goldplated contacts under the keys (if you've got one, you are rich :-)). There is a built-in joystick to the right of the keyboard (very easy to break), a bit like on the Spectravideo SV-318. And just above it, is the power Led.
14791
14792A small thermal printer was available for the COMX 35.
14793
14794
14795
14796The chosen CPU, the RCA CPD-1802, was also used in the RCA Studio 2 videogame system and a development/hobby systems using Chip-8, like the Cosmac RCA VIP. This 8-bit processor is still being manufactured in many forms, as it is radiation-resistant. It was also used as the heart of the Voyager, Viking and Galileo probes !
14797
14798
14799
14800The COMX-35 did have a successor: the COMX-PC1. This was just a COMX-35 in a different housing.
14801
14802
14803
14804//(info from old-computers.com)//
14805
14806
14807
14808
14809
14810===== Links =====
14811
14812
14813
14814  * COMX Club Netherlands -- http://www.comxclub.hobby-site.com/COMX-Club.htm
14815
14816  * COMX 35 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=110
14817
14818
14819
14820
14821
14822===== Other Emu =====
14823
14824
14825
14826  * COMX Emulator -- http://www.comxclub.hobby-site.com/COMX-Club_Emulator.htm
14827
14828
14829
14830
14831
14832$end
14833
14834
14835
14836#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14837
14838
14839$info=concept
14840$bio
14841====== Corvus Systems Concept (1982) ======
14842
14843
14844
14845
14846
14847===== Features =====
14848
14849
14850
14851  * CPU: Motorola 68000 8 MHz.
14852
14853  * RAM: 256 KB expandable to 512 KB
14854
14855  * ROM: 4 KB
14856
14857  * Text Modes: 90 chars x 63 lines (Portrait mode), 117 chars x 47 lines (Landscape mode)
14858
14859  * Graphic Modes: 707 x 479 dots
14860
14861  * Colors: Monochrome
14862
14863  * Sound: Sound generator
14864
14865  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS-232 - 4 x Apple II compatible slots - 1 x RS 422
14866
14867  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 91 keys with 10 function keys and numeric keypad
14868
14869  * OS: CCOS, P-System, Unix, CP/M emulation
14870
14871  * Peripherals: Shared 6 to 40 MB hard-disks, VHS tapes backup
14872
14873
14874
14875
14876
14877===== Usage =====
14878
14879
14880
14881Currently, MESS supports up to four floppy drives and one hard drive for concept. They correspond to devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4) and "harddisk" (hard), respectively.
14882
14883
14884
14885The driver can boot from a 8" SSSD floppy image (.img format is supported).  Start the computer and press "F" when the computer asks for a boot device.
14886
14887
14888
14889You may invoke the MACSbug debugger as well by pressing the key "D".  However, this version of MACSbug requires a terminal to be connected to the serial port to do anything useful, so you are out of luck.
14890
14891
14892
14893== Keyboard ==
14894
14895
14896
14897This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
14898
14899
14900
14901
14902
14903===== Known Issues =====
14904
14905
14906
14907  * The keyboard is not emulated fully.
14908
14909  * Hard disks, serial ports, and Omninet are not emulated.
14910
14911  * Only the original floppy controller (8" SSSD disks) is emulated.
14912
14913
14914
14915
14916
14917===== History and Trivia =====
14918
14919
14920
14921The Concept was announced in the spring of 1982.
14922
14923
14924
14925This computer uses a state-of-art (at the time) MC68000 CPU.  Its CCOS operating system is a variant of the Merlin operating system by Silicon Valley Software: it is a mono-tasking OS, with source-level compatibility with the UCSD p-system, and vague reminiscences of UNIX.
14926
14927
14928
14929The Concept has a bitmapped screen, which enables to mix text in any style and size with graphics, and some programs were reportedly WYSIWYG (which was uncommon at the time). The system includes a primitive window manager, but don't delude yourself: it is no GUI. The most original feature is probably the rotatable screen that can be used either in horizontal or vertical position. However you need to reboot the computer after flipping the screen. Another feature of interest is the integrated network support: the Concept can be used
14930
14931either as a disk-less network computer or as a full-featured personal computer, and you could connect Concepts, Apple IIs and IBM PCs in an heterogeneous Omninet LAN.
14932
14933
14934
14935Available programs were mostly business applications: word processor, spreadsheet, grapher, database, accounting... Thanks to its large screen, its WYSIWYG capability and to the use of various hierarchical menus, the Concept is relatively user-friendly for a 1982 business computer. There were also Pascal and FORTRAN compilers, a BASIC, a UCSD runtime, an 8080 simulator, a port of the CP/M OS, a version of SPICE to simulate discrete ICs, and even a paint program that could take advantage of a mouse.
14936
14937
14938
14939The price was about $4000 for a bare 256-kbyte system in 1984 ($1000 for extra 256kbytes, $750 for floppy, from $2000 to $4000 for hard disk according to size).
14940
14941
14942
14943//(info from old-computers.com)//
14944
14945
14946
14947
14948
14949===== Links =====
14950
14951
14952
14953  * Corvus Concept at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=653
14954
14955
14956
14957
14958
14959$end
14960
14961
14962
14963#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
14964
14965
14966$info=cp400
14967$bio
14968====== Prologica CP-400 (1984) ======
14969
14970
14971
14972
14973
14974===== Features =====
14975
14976
14977
14978  * CPU: Motorola MC6809EP 0,9 MHz + Motorola MC6847 Video Display Generator
14979
14980  * RAM: 16k and 64k, depending on models
14981
14982  * ROM: 16k
14983
14984  * Text Modes: max : 16 x 32, min : 16 x 8
14985
14986  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, max : 256 x 192 (with 2 colors)
14987
14988  * Colors: 9
14989
14990  * Sound: 4 virtual channels
14991
14992  * I/O Ports: Tape, RGB, Joystick (2), Monitor, Cartridge, Serial RS232
14993
14994  * Keyboard: Calculator type keyboard (fullstroke keyboard for model 2)
14995
14996  * OS: OS-9 Level 1
14997
14998  * Built In Language: Color Basic v1.0
14999
15000
15001
15002
15003
15004===== Usage =====
15005
15006
15007
15008MESS supports the following devices
15009
15010
15011
15012  - a "cartridge" (cart), for .ccc and .rom files
15013
15014  - a "cassette" (cass), for tapes in .wav and .cas format
15015
15016  - up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .os9, .vdk and .dmk
15017
15018
15019
15020Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .pak files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .bin files.
15021
15022
15023
15024Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
15025
15026
15027
15028== Cassettes ==
15029
15030
15031
15032MESS supports .cas files. Not all of these work; don't panic.
15033
15034
15035
15036You can pick the cassette image you wish to run from the FILE MANAGER in the Tab/Options menu. Once you've selected the image, go back into the CP-400 emulation, and use "scroll lock" to set it back in keyboard emulation mode.
15037
15038
15039
15040If it's a BASIC program, type
15041
15042  CLOAD
15043
15044  RUN
15045
15046
15047
15048If it's an assembler programs, type
15049
15050  CLOADM
15051
15052  EXEC
15053
15054
15055
15056If you include the name of the file (eg. CLOAD "PROG") it will skip any files preceding the one you specified.
15057
15058
15059
15060== Snapshots ==
15061
15062
15063
15064MESS supports .pak files. Go to file menu pick the .pak. It should automatically start running the game. If it does not run, it isn't supported yet.
15065
15066
15067
15068== Cartridges ==
15069
15070
15071
15072MESS supports .rom files. Go to file menu and pick the .rom. Reset to CP-400 and it will start running the game. If it does not run it isn't supported yet.
15073
15074
15075
15076== Floppy Disks ==
15077
15078
15079
15080MESS supports .dsk files. Basically the same as cassette images, except you insert the image in Floppy Disk#1 from the file manager. Once you return to the cp400 emulation, switch back to keyboard emulation mode by pressing SCROLL LOCK and type
15081
15082  DIR
15083
15084
15085
15086To load a binary file (/BIN), type
15087
15088  LOADM "GAME/BIN:1"
15089
15090  EXEC
15091
15092(replacing the ":1" in LOADM with the appropriate drive designation ":0" through ":3" )
15093
15094
15095
15096To load a basic file (/BAS), type
15097
15098  LOAD "GAME/BAS:0"
15099
15100  RUN
15101
15102
15103
15104//(Thanks to "Axe" for the command summary)//
15105
15106
15107
15108== Keyboard ==
15109
15110
15111
15112This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
15113
15114
15115
15116== RAM options ==
15117
15118
15119
15120Different RAM configurations are possible for cp400 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
15121
15122
15123
15124  4k
15125
15126  16k (default)
15127
15128  32k
15129
15130  64k
15131
15132
15133
15134
15135
15136===== History and Trivia =====
15137
15138
15139
15140Finally, CP-400 from brazilian company Prologica is another Tandy Color Computer clone. It was completely compatible with Color Computer 2. Prologica was indeed specialised in (illegal) cloning of popular micro-computers.
15141
15142
15143
15144CP stands for Computer Personal. Released in 1984, the CP-400 shows an original plastic case, very similar to the Timex-Sinclair 2068! The calculator type keyboard uses a membrane for contacts. There is a cartridge slot on the right part of the case, accessed via a moving trapdoor.
15145
15146
15147
15148The CP-400 was released as 16 KB or 64 KB models. But heating/voltage problems on first models led to frequent RAM corruption.
15149
15150
15151
15152The CP-400 model II was later released, correcting those heating/voltage problems and offering a better keyboard (pseudo mechanical) and 64 KB RAM.
15153
15154
15155
15156When the MSX systems came in 1985/1986 (in Brazil), sales of the CP-400 started to fall down disastrously. Prologica (and other companies that had launched the TRS Color in Brazil) did not provide necessary support in software and documentation. Even though the Color Computer was successfull in U.S.A., it was difficult to find material for it in Brazil.
15157
15158
15159
15160//(info from old-computers.com)//
15161
15162
15163
15164
15165
15166===== Links =====
15167
15168
15169
15170  * CP400 -- http://www.cp400.cjb.net/
15171
15172  * CP-400 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1200
15173
15174
15175
15176// (check also links in the CoCo entry)//
15177
15178
15179
15180
15181
15182$end
15183
15184
15185
15186#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15187
15188
15189$info=cpc464
15190$bio
15191====== Amstrad CPC 464 (1984), Schneider CPC 464 (1985) ======
15192
15193
15194
15195
15196
15197===== Features =====
15198
15199
15200
15201  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
15202
15203  * RAM: 64 kb (42kb left for user)
15204
15205  * VRAM: 16 kb
15206
15207  * ROM: 32 kb
15208
15209  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
15210
15211  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
15212
15213  * Colors: 27
15214
15215  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves +1 noise channel
15216
15217  * I/O Ports: Printer port, Bus port, 1 Joystick plug (Atari standard), Floppy Disc Port, DIN plug for Amstrad monitor, Headphone / Sound stereo jack output
15218
15219  * Keyboard: QWERTY mechanical keyboard. Numeric keypad and edit block with arrow keys
15220
15221  * Built In Media: Tape Recorder (1000 or 2000 bauds)
15222
15223  * OS: AMSDOS or CP/M
15224
15225  * Built In Language: Locomotive Basic
15226
15227
15228
15229
15230
15231===== Usage =====
15232
15233
15234
15235MESS currently supports cpc464 emulation with one "cassette" (cass) device and up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). The former one supports tapes in .wav and .cdt format; the latter ones support disk images in .dsk format.
15236
15237
15238
15239Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sna files and that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
15240
15241
15242
15243== Keyboard ==
15244
15245
15246
15247This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
15248
15249
15250
15251== Floppy Disks ==
15252
15253
15254
15255With a disk image loaded, the emulation starts from the BASIC "Ready" prompt.
15256
15257From here you can enter commands to access the disk image
15258
15259
15260
15261  * A directory listing can be obtained with:
15262
15263 
15264
15265  CAT
15266
15267
15268
15269  * A program can be run with:
15270
15271 
15272
15273  RUN"filename"
15274
15275
15276
15277The common programs to run are those with a .BIN or .BAS extension and usually the smaller of the files on the disk image.
15278
15279
15280
15281On a few games you can type:
15282
15283  RUN"disc
15284
15285or
15286
15287  RUN"disk
15288
15289to start the game.
15290
15291
15292
15293If a directory listing cannot be obtained, then the disc might be copy-protected. In this case, try:
15294
15295  |CPM
15296
15297
15298
15299"|" is obtained by pressing "shift" and the "@" key together. Since the keyboard is mapped so the keys are in the roughly same place as on a real Amstrad keyboard, then @ can be found around the "[","@","]","#" keys of your PC keyboard.
15300
15301
15302
15303The |CPM command works by loading and executing the first sector on the first track of the disc.
15304
15305
15306
15307== Snapshots ==
15308
15309
15310
15311Snapshots, which contain a memory dump, CPU state and hardware state, can be run from a command line interface with the following command:
15312
15313  mess cpc464 -snap "snapshot name"
15314
15315
15316
15317The snapshot will start automatically.
15318
15319
15320
15321== Miscellaneous ==
15322
15323
15324
15325There are a few excellent utilities for creating and maintaining disk images for the Amstrad CPC emulators. Here are just a couple
15326
15327
15328
15329  * CPDRead -- http://www.classicgaming.com/caprice/
15330
15331  * [[ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/amstrad/emu-util/cpcfs085.zip|CPCfs]]
15332
15333
15334
15335Others can be found in the FAQ at http://genesis8.free.fr
15336
15337
15338
15339
15340
15341===== Known Issues =====
15342
15343
15344
15345Runs many disk images and snapshots well.
15346
15347
15348
15349
15350
15351===== History and Trivia =====
15352
15353
15354
15355The CPC464 was an 8-bit Amstrad computer, produced in 1984, with 64k of RAM and a tape recorder built in.
15356
15357
15358
15359The Amstrad CPC 464 was one of the most successful computers in Europe. More than two million computers were sold. Despite its ordinary characteristics (like those of the Sinclair Spectrum and often less interesting than those of the others like the Commodore 64 or Atari XL/Xe series) or odd features (like video memory or strange floppy disk format), it was very popular because of its really low price and its interesting commercial concept : all peripherals were sold together (like the Commodore PET that was sold years earlier):
15360
15361CPU/keyboard, tape recorder, monitor (monochrome green or colour).
15362
15363
15364
15365A huge number of programs and peripherals were developed for this machine. It ran AmsDos (Amstrad's Operating System). AmsDos was completely embedded in the Basic using so-called RSX commands starting with |, but it could not format disks, you needed a special application for that. The 464 also could use CP/M 2.2 or 3.0 when used with an external Floppy disk unit (3" Hitachi,
15366
15367180 KB / face). A lot of great CP/M software was adapted for the Amstrad CPC.
15368
15369
15370
15371About 42 KB RAM was available for the user, the video memory and the ROM were mapped on the same addresses with a dedicated chip to switch the memory banks automatically.
15372
15373
15374
15375Notice that the first Amstrad CPC prototype, called "Arnold", which gave the name ROLAND (Arnold acronym) to several CPC games, was built around a 6502 processor and only later the CPU was changed to a Z80.
15376
15377
15378
15379A few months later, the CPC series would be completed with a computer which offered a built-in floppy disk unit: the CPC 664.
15380
15381
15382
15383The Schneider CPC-464 was produced in Germany by Schneider Rundfunkwerke. It was first marketed successfully in Germany, then in France and Spain and maybe other European countries.
15384
15385
15386
15387It was basically the same machine as the Amstrad CPC-64 with a less colorful case and keyboard and some slight hardware differences, like better quality back connectors.
15388
15389
15390
15391== OSes and Add-Ons ==
15392
15393
15394
15395(info from Ekkehard Morgenstern): AMSDOS could be run only with Amstrad's 3" floppy disk drive. CP/M could be run either with 3" floppy disk drives or other drives available on the market. (I had a 5 1/4" Vortex disk drive with 704K capacity)
15396
15397
15398
15399Actually CP/M was pretty good compared to MS-DOS, but of course it was only 8 bit. Interesting was that the Z80 processor was downwards compatible to the 8080 processor and hence allowed the 8-bit CP/M to be run without changes. But when programming in assembly language, you had to use the 8080 instruction set which had different mnemonics than the Z80's.
15400
15401
15402
15403There was a lot of cool add-on hardware for the CPC. I had a MAXAM module which had a built-in editor, assembler and disassembler in ROM. This made it fairly easy to write BASIC and assembly mixed programs. (It would've been better though if the Locomotive BASIC would've had the ability to mix BASIC and assembly, like the BBC computer did)
15404
15405
15406
15407Locomotive BASIC was surprisingly fast at the time and had even software interrupts, with which it was possible to react to hardware interrupts that were passed to the BASIC interpreter. Hence you could write programs that behaved like multitasking apps. The language also had an advanced sound architecture containing commands to define different wave-forms.
15408
15409
15410
15411The tape drive routines in ROM had variable baud rate parameters, and so it was possible to store programs at 19200 baud or higher. However, this could lead to read errors of course, which was used as a copy protection by many programs sold on tape.
15412
15413
15414
15415== Amstrad CPC vs. Schneider CPC ==
15416
15417
15418
15419(info from Lyall Moffitt): This document lists the differences between the English CPC's and the German CPC's. The original
15420
15421distributor in Germany was Schneider GmbH. The machines distributed by Schneider had the Schneider logo on them. (The monitors and some peripherals were also re-branded as "Schneider" e.g. Schneider DDI-1). Later CPCs were distributed by Amstrad and had the Amstrad logo on them.
15422
15423
15424
15425The three models distributed by Schneider were:
15426
15427  * Schneider CPC464: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have green and red keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
15428
15429  * Schneider CPC664: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have blue keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
15430
15431  * Schneider CPC6128: This had the Schneider logo followed by "CPC6128: schneiderCPC" printed on the keyboard.
15432
15433
15434
15435Early German CPC's show "Schneider 64K Microcomputer ..." or "Schneider 128K microcomputer ..." on start-up. Later CPC's showed "Amstrad 64k Microcomputer ..." or "Amstrad 128K microcomputer ...". The start-up name is defined by option links on the P.C.B. German CPC464's and CPC664's have P.C.B. edge connectors like the English CPC's. German CPC6128's have real connectors, instead of the P.C.B. edge of the English CPC's. This was done to reduce RF emissions. The printer is a 36-way female centronics type, the Expansion is a 50-way female centronics type and the second disc drive is a 34-way female centronics type. All the other connectors are the same. (joystick, stereo sound, monitor and power). All German CPC's have internal metal shield covering the circuit board. This is used to reduce RF
15436
15437emissions. Therefore the German CPC's are much heavier than the English CPC's. Internally, all German CPC's were identical to the English CPC's. The P.C.B. was identical. The quick reference "sheet" on the top of the CPC6128 and CPC664 disc drive is also in German. The computer information, printed on the base of the computer is also in German.
15438
15439
15440
15441//(info from old-computers.com)//
15442
15443
15444
15445
15446
15447===== Links =====
15448
15449
15450
15451  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
15452
15453  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
15454
15455  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
15456
15457  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
15458
15459  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
15460
15461  * CPC 464 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=84
15462
15463
15464
15465
15466
15467===== Other Emulators =====
15468
15469
15470
15471
15472
15473  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
15474
15475  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
15476
15477  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
15478
15479  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
15480
15481  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
15482
15483  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
15484
15485  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
15486
15487  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
15488
15489
15490
15491
15492
15493$end
15494
15495
15496
15497#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15498
15499
15500$info=cpc464p
15501$bio
15502====== Amstrad CPC 464 Plus (1990) ======
15503
15504
15505
15506
15507
15508===== Features =====
15509
15510
15511
15512  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
15513
15514  * RAM: 64 kb
15515
15516  * ROM: 32 kb
15517
15518  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
15519
15520  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
15521
15522  * Colors: 32 maximum (in low resolution) among 4096
15523
15524  * Sound: 3 stereo voices, 8 octaves +1 noise channel
15525
15526  * I/O Ports: Light pen / gun port, Stereo sound output, Centronics port, Extension port, 2 Joystick ports (Atari) + 1 analogic, Cartridge slot, RGB monitor DIN plug
15527
15528  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY mechanical keyboard
15529
15530  * Built In Media: Tape-recorder (without tape counter)
15531
15532  * OS: AMSDOS, CP/M 2.2 and CP/M +
15533
15534  * Built In Language: None [AMSDOS + Locomotive BASIC 1.1 + Burning Rubber (a game) on included cart, needed to boot]
15535
15536
15537
15538
15539
15540===== Usage =====
15541
15542
15543
15544MESS currently supports cpc464p emulation with
15545
15546
15547
15548  * one "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav and .cdt format
15549
15550  * one "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .bin and .cpr format
15551
15552  * up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format.
15553
15554
15555
15556Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sna files and that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
15557
15558
15559
15560== Keyboard ==
15561
15562
15563
15564This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
15565
15566
15567
15568
15569
15570===== History and Trivia =====
15571
15572
15573
15574Amstrad CPC 464+ and CPC 6128+ were the successors of the Amstrad CPC 6128. Amstrad tried to prolong the life of the old 8-bit Amstrads, which suffered from competition with the new 16-bit home computers (like the Amiga and Atari ST).
15575
15576
15577
15578Amstrad made some important modifications to maintain the level of its machines, the CPC 6128 Plus became 95% compatible with the CPC 6128 (using the same operating systems AMSDOS and CP/M 3.1). However, some software did not run on the plus range and Amstrad official statement was that the programmers where lazy and used bad programming in some software resulting in crashes on this machine.
15579
15580
15581
15582Several new features were added: 16 sprites (16 colors each), fine hardware scrolling, increased color palette, an enhanced sound chip, a cartridge port ,and a redesigned keyboard. Some of these features were not even present (yet) on certain 16-bit computers (Atari STf didn't have hardware scrolling or sprites and the Amstrad sound chip was better than the Atari one!). regardless, this new version of the CPC didn't last long.
15583
15584
15585
15586As Atari did with the 65-XE when it reached the end of its life, so Amstrad made a game console from the Amstrad CPC Plus hardware called the GX 4000. This console used the same programs as the computer but were supplied on cartridges.
15587
15588
15589
15590//(info from old-computers.com)//
15591
15592
15593
15594
15595
15596===== Links =====
15597
15598
15599
15600  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
15601
15602  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
15603
15604  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
15605
15606  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
15607
15608  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
15609
15610  * CPC 464 Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=26
15611
15612
15613
15614
15615
15616===== Other Emulators =====
15617
15618
15619
15620  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
15621
15622  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
15623
15624  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
15625
15626  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
15627
15628  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
15629
15630  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
15631
15632  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
15633
15634  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
15635
15636
15637
15638
15639
15640$end
15641
15642
15643
15644#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15645
15646
15647$info=cpc6128
15648$bio
15649====== Amstrad / Schneider CPC 6128 (1985) ======
15650
15651
15652
15653
15654
15655===== Features =====
15656
15657
15658
15659  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
15660
15661  * RAM: 128 kb (2 banks of 64ko)
15662
15663  * VRAM: 16 kb
15664
15665  * ROM: 48 KB
15666
15667  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
15668
15669  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
15670
15671  * Colors: 27
15672
15673  * Sound: 3 channels, 7 octaves +1 noise channel
15674
15675  * I/O Ports: Printer port, Expansion port, 1 Joystick plug (Atari standard), Floppy Disc Port, DIN plug for Amstrad monitor, Headphone / Sound stereo jack output, DIN plug for external tape recorder
15676
15677  * Keyboard: All grey QWERTY / AZERTY mechanical keyboard. Numeric keypad with arrow keys
15678
15679  * Built In Media: 3" disk-drive built-in
15680
15681  * OS: AMSDOS or CP/M
15682
15683
15684
15685
15686
15687===== Usage =====
15688
15689
15690
15691MESS currently emulates two versions of this computer
15692
15693
15694
15695  * cpc6128 [Amstrad CPC6128]
15696
15697  * cpc6128f [Amstrad CPC6128 (France, AZERTY Keyboard)] - same as the above, but different keyboard (as sold in France)
15698
15699
15700
15701Both drivers support emulation of the CPC 6128 with one "cassette" (cass) device and up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). The former one supports tapes in .wav and .cdt format; the latter ones support disk images in .dsk format.
15702
15703
15704
15705Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sna files and that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
15706
15707
15708
15709== Keyboard ==
15710
15711
15712
15713This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
15714
15715
15716
15717== Floppy Disks ==
15718
15719
15720
15721With a disk image loaded, the emulation starts from the BASIC "Ready" prompt.
15722
15723From here you can enter commands to access the disk image
15724
15725
15726
15727  * A directory listing can be obtained with:
15728
15729 
15730
15731  CAT
15732
15733
15734
15735  * A program can be run with:
15736
15737 
15738
15739  RUN"filename"
15740
15741
15742
15743The common programs to run are those with a .BIN or .BAS extension and usually the smaller of the files on the disk image.
15744
15745
15746
15747On a few games you can type:
15748
15749  RUN"disc
15750
15751or
15752
15753  RUN"disk
15754
15755to start the game.
15756
15757
15758
15759If a directory listing cannot be obtained, then the disc might be copy-protected. In this case, try:
15760
15761  |CPM
15762
15763
15764
15765"|" is obtained by pressing "shift" and the "@" key together. Since the keyboard is mapped so the keys are in the roughly same place as on a real Amstrad keyboard, then @ can be found around the "[","@","]","#" keys of your PC keyboard.
15766
15767
15768
15769The |CPM command works by loading and executing the first sector on the first track of the disc.
15770
15771
15772
15773== Snapshots ==
15774
15775
15776
15777Snapshots, which contain a memory dump, CPU state and hardware state, can be run from a command line interface with the following command:
15778
15779  mess cpc6128 -snap "snapshot name"
15780
15781
15782
15783The snapshot will start automatically.
15784
15785
15786
15787== Miscellaneous ==
15788
15789
15790
15791There are a few excellent utilities for creating and maintaining disk images for the Amstrad CPC emulators. Here are just a couple
15792
15793
15794
15795  * CPDRead -- http://www.classicgaming.com/caprice/
15796
15797  * [[ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/amstrad/emu-util/cpcfs085.zip|CPCfs]]
15798
15799
15800
15801Others can be found in the FAQ at http://genesis8.free.fr
15802
15803
15804
15805
15806
15807===== Known Issues =====
15808
15809
15810
15811Runs many disk images and snapshots well.
15812
15813
15814
15815
15816
15817===== History and Trivia =====
15818
15819
15820
15821The CPC 6128 was a 8-bit Amstrad computer, produced in 1985. The CPC6128 was the third in the CPC series. It had basically the same hardware as the CPC464 and the CPC664.
15822
15823
15824
15825The Amstrad CPC 6128 was the successor to the Amstrad CPC 664 which had a very short life. It had almost all the same features as the 664, except the memory. Like the 664, only 42 Kb could be accessed, the upper 64 Kb were used as a RAM disk or to store data. It was old with quite a good quality monitor (monochrome green or color) and a built-in 3" floppy disk drive (2 x 180 KB).
15826
15827
15828
15829It ran under Amsdos (the Amstrad Operating System) or under CP/M 2.2 or CP/M 3.0 (CP/M +). The CP/M 2.2 OS was bundled with DR Logo and CP/M+ with GSX (the graphic extension of CP/M). Like the CPC 664, the Amstrad CPC 6128 was almost fully compatible with the CPC 464.
15830
15831
15832
15833The German version of the Amstrad (Schneider CPC 6128) had different "real" connectors instead of mainboard edge connectors. Norbert Unterberg reports that the main reason for this was that the original Amstrad did not pass the German "FCC" test because it was polluting its surroundings with electromagnetic waves, and the rules for that were much stricter in Germany. That's why the Schneider got real connectors and a metal housing inside. However, after "Schneider Rundfunkwerke" stopped selling the Amstrad CPC series of home computers and the PCW series of word-processors, Amstrad continued to sell the CPC under the Amstrad brand name in Germany.
15834
15835
15836
15837Lots of Amstrad or third-party peripherals could be added, among them: 2nd 3"/3.5"/5.25" FD max 800k, 20MB Hard disk (4x5MB), Max 252x16k EPROMS, Max RAM Installed 640k (576k in use), RS-232 Interface, Modem, 3 key Mouse, Light Pen, Centronics Dot Matrix Printer, "PC-Hormon" MSDOS emulator
15838
15839
15840
15841== Amstrad CPC vs. Schneider CPC ==
15842
15843
15844
15845(info from Lyall Moffitt): This document lists the differences between the English CPC's and the German CPC's. The original
15846
15847distributor in Germany was Schneider GmbH. The machines distributed by Schneider had the Schneider logo on them. (The monitors and some peripherals were also re-branded as "Schneider" e.g. Schneider DDI-1). Later CPCs were distributed by Amstrad and had the Amstrad logo on them.
15848
15849
15850
15851The three models distributed by Schneider were:
15852
15853  * Schneider CPC464: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have green and red keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
15854
15855  * Schneider CPC664: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have blue keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
15856
15857  * Schneider CPC6128: This had the Schneider logo followed by "CPC6128: schneiderCPC" printed on the keyboard.
15858
15859
15860
15861Early German CPC's show "Schneider 64K Microcomputer ..." or "Schneider 128K microcomputer ..." on start-up. Later CPC's showed "Amstrad 64k Microcomputer ..." or "Amstrad 128K microcomputer ...". The start-up name is defined by option links on the P.C.B. German CPC464's and CPC664's have P.C.B. edge connectors like the English CPC's. German CPC6128's have real connectors, instead of the P.C.B. edge of the English CPC's. This was done to reduce RF emissions. The printer is a 36-way female centronics type, the Expansion is a 50-way female centronics type and the second disc drive is a 34-way female centronics type. All the other connectors are the same. (joystick, stereo sound, monitor and power). All German CPC's have internal metal shield covering the circuit board. This is used to reduce RF
15862
15863emissions. Therefore the German CPC's are much heavier than the English CPC's. Internally, all German CPC's were identical to the English CPC's. The P.C.B. was identical. The quick reference "sheet" on the top of the CPC6128 and CPC664 disc drive is also in German. The computer information, printed on the base of the computer is also in German.
15864
15865
15866
15867//(info from old-computers.com)//
15868
15869
15870
15871
15872
15873===== Links =====
15874
15875
15876
15877  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
15878
15879  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
15880
15881  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
15882
15883  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
15884
15885  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
15886
15887  * CPC 6128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=111
15888
15889
15890
15891
15892
15893===== Other Emulators =====
15894
15895
15896
15897  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
15898
15899  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
15900
15901  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
15902
15903  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
15904
15905  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
15906
15907  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
15908
15909  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
15910
15911  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
15912
15913
15914
15915
15916
15917$end
15918
15919
15920
15921#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
15922
15923
15924$info=cpc6128p
15925$bio
15926====== Amstrad CPC 6128 Plus (1990) ======
15927
15928
15929
15930
15931
15932===== Features =====
15933
15934
15935
15936  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
15937
15938  * RAM: 128 kb
15939
15940  * ROM: 32 kb
15941
15942  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
15943
15944  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
15945
15946  * Colors: 32 maximum (in low resolution) among 4096
15947
15948  * Sound: 3 stereo voices, 8 octaves +1 noise channel
15949
15950  * I/O Ports: Light pen / gun port, Stereo sound output, Centronics port, Extension port, 2 Joystick ports (Atari) + 1 analogic, Cartridge slot, RGB monitor DIN plug, External drive port
15951
15952  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY mechanical keyboard
15953
15954  * Built In Media: 3" disk-drive, but no tape plug
15955
15956  * OS: AMSDOS, CP/M 2.2 and CP/M +
15957
15958  * Built In Language: None [AMSDOS + Locomotive BASIC 1.1 + Burning Rubber (a game) on included cart, needed to boot]
15959
15960
15961
15962
15963
15964===== Usage =====
15965
15966
15967
15968MESS currently supports cpc6128p emulation with
15969
15970
15971
15972  * one "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav and .cdt format
15973
15974  * one "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .bin and .cpr format
15975
15976  * up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format.
15977
15978
15979
15980Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sna files and that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
15981
15982
15983
15984== Keyboard ==
15985
15986
15987
15988This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
15989
15990
15991
15992
15993
15994===== History and Trivia =====
15995
15996
15997
15998Amstrad CPC 464+ and CPC 6128+ were the successors of the Amstrad CPC 6128. Amstrad tried to prolong the life of the old 8-bit Amstrads, which suffered from competition with the new 16-bit home computers (like the Amiga and Atari ST).
15999
16000
16001
16002Amstrad made some important modifications to maintain the level of its machines, the CPC 6128 Plus became 95% compatible with the CPC 6128 (using the same operating systems AMSDOS and CP/M 3.1). However, some software did not run on the plus range and amstrad official statement was that the programmers where lazy and used bad programming in some software resulting in crashes on this machine.
16003
16004
16005
16006Several new features were added: 16 sprites (16 colors each), fine hardware scrolling, increased color palette, an enhanced sound chip, a cartridge port ,and a redesigned keyboard. Some of these features were not even present (yet) on certain 16-bit computers (Atari STf didn't have hardware scrolling or sprites and the Amstrad sound chip was better than the Atari one!). regardless, this new version of the CPC didn't last long.
16007
16008
16009
16010As Atari did with the 65-XE when it reached the end of its life, so Amstrad made a game console from the Amstrad CPC Plus hardware called the GX 4000. This console used the same programs as the computer but were supplied on cartridges.
16011
16012
16013
16014//(info from old-computers.com)//
16015
16016
16017
16018
16019
16020===== Links =====
16021
16022
16023
16024  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
16025
16026  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
16027
16028  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
16029
16030  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
16031
16032  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
16033
16034  * CPC 6128 Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=26
16035
16036
16037
16038
16039
16040===== Other Emulators =====
16041
16042
16043
16044  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
16045
16046  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
16047
16048  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
16049
16050  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
16051
16052  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
16053
16054  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
16055
16056  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
16057
16058  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
16059
16060
16061
16062
16063
16064$end
16065
16066
16067
16068#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16069
16070
16071$info=cpc664
16072$bio
16073====== Amstrad / Schneider CPC 664 (1985) ======
16074
16075
16076
16077
16078
16079===== Features =====
16080
16081
16082
16083  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
16084
16085  * RAM: 64 kb - 42 kb left for the user
16086
16087  * VRAM: 16 kb
16088
16089  * ROM: 48 kb (32 kb for the CPC 664 ROM + 16 kb for the AMSDOS ROM)
16090
16091  * Text Modes: 20 x 25 with 16 colors, 40 x 25 with 4 colors, 80 x 25 with 2 colors
16092
16093  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
16094
16095  * Colors: 27
16096
16097  * Sound: 3 channels, 7 octaves +1 noise channel
16098
16099  * I/O Ports: Printer port, Bus port, 1 Joystick plug (Atari standard), Floppy Disc Port, DIN plug for Amstrad monitor, Headphone / Sound stereo jack output, DIN plug for external tape recorder
16100
16101  * Keyboard: QWERTY mechanical keyboard. Numeric keypad and edit block with arrow keys
16102
16103  * Built In Media: 3" disk drive
16104
16105  * OS: AMSDOS or CP/M
16106
16107  * Built In Language: Locomotive Basic v1.1
16108
16109
16110
16111
16112
16113===== Usage =====
16114
16115
16116
16117MESS currently supports cpc664 emulation with one "cassette" (cass) device and up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). The former one supports tapes in .wav and .cdt format; the latter ones support disk images in .dsk format.
16118
16119
16120
16121Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sna files and that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
16122
16123
16124
16125== Keyboard ==
16126
16127
16128
16129This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
16130
16131
16132
16133== Floppy Disks ==
16134
16135
16136
16137With a disk image loaded, the emulation starts from the BASIC "Ready" prompt.
16138
16139From here you can enter commands to access the disk image
16140
16141
16142
16143  * A directory listing can be obtained with:
16144
16145 
16146
16147  CAT
16148
16149
16150
16151  * A program can be run with:
16152
16153 
16154
16155  RUN"filename"
16156
16157
16158
16159The common programs to run are those with a .BIN or .BAS extension and usually the smaller of the files on the disk image.
16160
16161
16162
16163On a few games you can type:
16164
16165  RUN"disc
16166
16167or
16168
16169  RUN"disk
16170
16171to start the game.
16172
16173
16174
16175If a directory listing cannot be obtained, then the disc might be copy-protected. In this case, try:
16176
16177  |CPM
16178
16179
16180
16181"|" is obtained by pressing "shift" and the "@" key together. Since the keyboard is mapped so the keys are in the roughly same place as on a real Amstrad keyboard, then @ can be found around the "[","@","]","#" keys of your PC keyboard.
16182
16183
16184
16185The |CPM command works by loading and executing the first sector on the first track of the disc.
16186
16187
16188
16189== Snapshots ==
16190
16191
16192
16193Snapshots, which contain a memory dump, CPU state and hardware state, can be run from a command line interface with the following command:
16194
16195  mess cpc664 -snap "snapshot name"
16196
16197
16198
16199The snapshot will start automatically.
16200
16201
16202
16203== Miscellaneous ==
16204
16205
16206
16207There are a few excellent utilities for creating and maintaining disk images for the Amstrad CPC emulators. Here are just a couple
16208
16209
16210
16211  * CPDRead -- http://www.classicgaming.com/caprice/
16212
16213  * [[ftp://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/amstrad/emu-util/cpcfs085.zip|CPCfs]]
16214
16215
16216
16217Others can be found in the FAQ at http://genesis8.free.fr
16218
16219
16220
16221
16222
16223===== Known Issues =====
16224
16225
16226
16227Runs many disk images and snapshots well.
16228
16229
16230
16231
16232
16233===== History and Trivia =====
16234
16235
16236
16237The CPC664 was an 8-bit Amstrad computer, produced in 1985, with 64k of RAM and a 3" disk drive built in.
16238
16239
16240
16241The Amstrad CPC 664 was sold for only one year. Successor to the Amstrad CPC 464, it was quickly replaced by the Amstrad CPC 6128. It was sold with a monochrome green or colour monitor and a built-in floppy disk drive. The floppy disk format was the Hitachi 3 inch, an uncommon format already used on the Tatung Einstein and the Oric Atmos.
16242
16243
16244
16245Like the CPC 464, its price was very low, which explains why about 10,000 units were sold in less than a year.
16246
16247
16248
16249The Locomotive Basic interpreter was the same as the CPC-464, but had some extra commands like FILL to fill a graphics area, FRAME to produce smoother graphics, and MASK to draw a series of dots. The editor was also slightly improved.
16250
16251
16252
16253The 664 was delivered with the AMSDOS and CP/M 2.2 operating systems. The LOGO language was supplied with the CP/M disc.
16254
16255
16256
16257== Amstrad CPC vs. Schneider CPC ==
16258
16259
16260
16261(info from Lyall Moffitt): This document lists the differences between the English CPC's and the German CPC's. The original
16262
16263distributor in Germany was Schneider GmbH. The machines distributed by Schneider had the Schneider logo on them. (The monitors and some peripherals were also re-branded as "Schneider" e.g. Schneider DDI-1). Later CPCs were distributed by Amstrad and had the Amstrad logo on them.
16264
16265
16266
16267The three models distributed by Schneider were:
16268
16269  * Schneider CPC464: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have green and red keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
16270
16271  * Schneider CPC664: This had the Schneider logo followed by "64k Colour Personal Computer <>" printed on the keyboard. The keyboard did not have blue keys, instead these were coloured light brown/grey.
16272
16273  * Schneider CPC6128: This had the Schneider logo followed by "CPC6128: schneiderCPC" printed on the keyboard.
16274
16275
16276
16277Early German CPC's show "Schneider 64K Microcomputer ..." or "Schneider 128K microcomputer ..." on start-up. Later CPC's showed "Amstrad 64k Microcomputer ..." or "Amstrad 128K microcomputer ...". The start-up name is defined by option links on the P.C.B. German CPC464's and CPC664's have P.C.B. edge connectors like the English CPC's. German CPC6128's have real connectors, instead of the P.C.B. edge of the English CPC's. This was done to reduce RF emissions. The printer is a 36-way female centronics type, the Expansion is a 50-way female centronics type and the second disc drive is a 34-way female centronics type. All the other connectors are the same. (joystick, stereo sound, monitor and power). All German CPC's have internal metal shield covering the circuit board. This is used to reduce RF
16278
16279emissions. Therefore the German CPC's are much heavier than the English CPC's. Internally, all German CPC's were identical to the English CPC's. The P.C.B. was identical. The quick reference "sheet" on the top of the CPC6128 and CPC664 disc drive is also in German. The computer information, printed on the base of the computer is also in German.
16280
16281
16282
16283//(info from old-computers.com)//
16284
16285
16286
16287
16288
16289===== Links =====
16290
16291
16292
16293  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
16294
16295  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
16296
16297  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
16298
16299  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
16300
16301  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
16302
16303  * CPC 664 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=112
16304
16305
16306
16307
16308
16309===== Other Emulators =====
16310
16311
16312
16313  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
16314
16315  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
16316
16317  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
16318
16319  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
16320
16321  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
16322
16323  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
16324
16325  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
16326
16327  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
16328
16329
16330
16331
16332
16333$end
16334
16335
16336
16337#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16338
16339
16340$info=crvision
16341$bio
16342====== Video Technology creatiVision / FunVision (1981) ======
16343
16344
16345
16346
16347
16348===== Features =====
16349
16350
16351
16352  * CPU: 6502A 2 MHz 
16353
16354  * ROM: 2 KByte 
16355
16356  * RAM: 16K dynamic (+1K static) expandable to 64K
16357
16358  * Text Modes: 24 x 28 
16359
16360  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
16361
16362  * Colors: 16 colours 
16363
16364  * Sound: 3 channels 
16365
16366
16367
16368
16369
16370===== Usage =====
16371
16372
16373
16374MESS supports both systems
16375
16376
16377
16378  * crvision [Video Technology creatiVision (NTSC)]
16379
16380  * fnvision [Video Technology FunVision Computer Video Games System (PAL)]
16381
16382
16383
16384Both drivers require a cart dump (in .rom format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run. You can launch emulation using, at command line
16385
16386
16387
16388  mess crvision -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.rom"
16389
16390
16391
16392Also, crvision supports a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .was format.
16393
16394
16395
16396== Keyboard ==
16397
16398
16399
16400The crvision emulation requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
16401
16402
16403
16404
16405
16406===== Known Issues =====
16407
16408
16409
16410Incomplete emulation of the keyboard.
16411
16412
16413
16414
16415
16416===== History and Trivia =====
16417
16418
16419
16420The Video Technology CreatiVision was a hybrid computer and video game console introduced by VTech in 1981. It was distributed in many European countries and South Africa, as well as in Australia (as "Dick Smith Wizzard") name and in Japan. Other names for the system included the "FunVision Computer Video Games System" and "Hanimex Rameses".
16421
16422
16423
16424The console had 2 integrated joystick/membrane keypad controllers (much like the ColecoVision) which, when set in a special compartment on top of the console, could be used as a computer keyboard. The CreatiVision had interfaces for a cassette player, an extra rubber keyboard, floppy disk drive, parallel I/O interface, modem (likely unreleased), Centronics printer and one memory expansion module for use with the Basic language cartridge.
16425
16426
16427
16428//(info based on Wikipedia)//
16429
16430
16431
16432
16433
16434===== Links =====
16435
16436
16437
16438  * CreatiVEmu -- http://www.madrigaldesign.it/creativemu/
16439
16440  * CreatiVision at Dark Watcher's Console History -- http://darkwatcher.psxfanatics.com/console/vtech.htm
16441
16442  * [[wp>Creativision]]
16443
16444
16445
16446
16447
16448===== Other Emulators =====
16449
16450
16451
16452  * Funnymu -- http://www.geocities.com/potato.geo/funnymu.html
16453
16454  * CreatiVEmu -- http://www.madrigaldesign.it/creativemu/
16455
16456
16457
16458
16459
16460$end
16461
16462
16463
16464#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16465
16466
16467$info=cybikov1
16468$bio
16469====== Cybiko Classic (2000) and Xtreme (2001) ======
16470
16471
16472
16473
16474
16475===== Features =====
16476
16477
16478
16479  * CPU: Hitachi H8S/2241 at 11.0592 MHz [Classic]; H8S/2323 at 18 MHz [Xtreme]
16480
16481  * Co-Processor: Atmel AT90S2313 at 4 MHz (to provide some support for RF communications)
16482
16483  * ROM: 512 Kb
16484
16485  * RAM: 256 Kb [Classic]; 1.5 Mb [Xtreme]
16486
16487
16488
16489
16490
16491===== Usage =====
16492
16493
16494
16495MESS supports three Cybiko versions
16496
16497
16498
16499  * cybikov1
16500
16501  * cybikov2
16502
16503  * cybikoxt
16504
16505
16506
16507== RAM options ==
16508
16509
16510
16511Different RAM configurations are possible for the cybikov1 and cybikov2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
16512
16513
16514
16515  * [cibikov1]
16516
16517
16518
16519  512k (default)
16520
16521  1m
16522
16523
16524
16525  * [cibikov2]
16526
16527
16528
16529  256k (default)
16530
16531  512k
16532
16533  1m
16534
16535
16536
16537
16538
16539===== Known Issues =====
16540
16541
16542
16543The emulation of the Cybiko Classic (both cybikov1 and cybikov2) and of the Cybiko Xtreme (cybikoxt) is still Preliminary. This is due to the CPU being only partially emulated.
16544
16545
16546
16547
16548
16549===== History and Trivia =====
16550
16551
16552
16553Cybiko was a handheld computer designed for teenagers featuring two-way radio text messaging system. The machine features a QWERTY Keyboard that can be used with a stylus.
16554
16555
16556
16557An MP3 player add-on was made for the unit as well as a SmartMedia card reader.
16558
16559
16560
16561The company stopped manufacturing the units after two product versions and only a few years on the market, but because of the unique radio messaging hardware there is still a hobbyist community using Cybiko.
16562
16563
16564
16565== Models ==
16566
16567
16568
16569  * Cybiko Classic: There are two models of the Cybiko Classic. Version 1 has a switch on the side; while version 2 uses the 'ESC' key for power management. There also internal differences in the internal memory and firmware.
16570
16571
16572
16573  * Cybiko Xtreme: The Cybiko Xtreme is the 2nd-generation Cybiko handheld. It features many improvements over the "classic" Cybiko, such as a faster processor, more RAM, more ROM, a new OS, a new keyboard layout and case design, greater wireless range, a microphone, improved audio output, and smaller size.
16574
16575
16576
16577== Add-ons ==
16578
16579
16580
16581  *  Classic MP3 Player: The MP3 player for the Classic plugs into the bottom of the Cybiko, it uses Smart Media cards, with a maximum size of 64mb. The player had built in controls.
16582
16583
16584
16585  * Xtreme MP3 Player: The MP3 player plugs into the back of the Cybiko. It has a slot for one MMC memory card. The maximum size limit has been found to be 256Mb. The MP3 player can only be controlled from the Cybiko. Memory from the MP3 player can be addressed from the Cybiko and used for data and program storage.
16586
16587
16588
16589  * 1MB Expansion Memory: The memory expansion card plugs in the back of the Cybiko. It provides 1 megabyte of static RAM memory and 1 megabyte of data flash memory. The RAM allows programs with larger memory requirements to run.
16590
16591
16592
16593//(info based on Wikipedia)//
16594
16595
16596
16597
16598
16599===== Links =====
16600
16601
16602
16603  * Cybiko Developers -- http://thinkable.us/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=7&Itemid=30
16604
16605  * Planet Cybiko -- http://planetcybiko.net/forums/index.php?act=home
16606
16607  * [[wp>Cybiko]]
16608
16609
16610
16611
16612
16613$end
16614
16615
16616
16617#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16618
16619
16620$info=czz50
16621$bio
16622====== Bit Corporation Chuang Zao Zhe 50 / Telegames Dina / Telegames Personal Arcade (1986) ======
16623
16624
16625
16626
16627
16628===== Features =====
16629
16630
16631
16632  * CPU: Z80A 3.58 MHz
16633
16634  * Co-Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9928A (Video display unit), Texas Instruments SN76489AN (Sound generator)
16635
16636  * RAM: 8 KB
16637
16638  * VRAM: 16 KB (8 x 4116 memory chips)
16639
16640  * Graphics Modes: 259 x 192
16641
16642  * Colors: 16
16643
16644  * Sound: 3 tone channels, 1 noise (Texas Instruments SN76489AN)
16645
16646  * I/O Ports: Power in, 2x Cartridge slot, Video output, Expansion connector, 2 x controller connectors
16647
16648  * Controllers: 2 controllers with pad and two fire buttons; 12 numeric buttons and a Pause button are present on the unit (the former mimic the Coleco keypad buttons, the latter can be used with SG-1000 games)
16649
16650  * Media: Cartridges (8K/16K/24K/32K)
16651
16652  * Peripherals: Atari VCS 2600 adapter
16653
16654
16655
16656===== Usage =====
16657
16658
16659
16660These systems support cart dumps in .rom, .col and .bin format, in the "cartridge" (cart) device.
16661
16662
16663
16664== Controls ==
16665
16666
16667
16668These systems feature controller with a 4-way pad and two fire button (NES shaped). Additional 12-keys are present on the system with the following layout
16669
16670 
16671
16672  1    2    3    4    5    *
16673
16674 
16675
16676  6    7    8    9    0    #
16677
16678 
16679
16680
16681
16682===== Known Issues =====
16683
16684
16685
16686These systems only support Coleco carts in MESS. SG-1000 carts support has still to be added
16687
16688
16689
16690
16691
16692===== History and Trivia =====
16693
16694
16695
16696Following the success of the ColecoVision, Bit Corporation produced a clone system featuring a second cartridge slot which made the system compatible with Sega SG-1000 carts, the Chuang Zao Zhe 50.
16697
16698
16699
16700Later, Telegames imported the system in the USA selling it as the Personal Arcade system (actually, until 1988 units had the name Dina 2-in-1 on the system, which probably was simply a Bit Corporation redesign of the original Chuang Zao Zhe 50).
16701
16702
16703
16704While the compatibility with both ColecoVision and SG-1000 cartridge was for sure appealing, the system design had some flaw: while two controllers were available, only one set of numeric key was present (on the console itself), making some Coleco 2-players game impossible to be used.
16705
16706
16707
16708Also, the compatibility with SG-1000 was not advertised at all by Telegames, which only sold the system as a Coleco compatible machine. Of course, the presence of a Pause button which was not working with Coleco games and of a second cart slot might have puzzled many of the owner.
16709
16710
16711
16712
16713
16714===== Links =====
16715
16716
16717
16718  * Dina at Video Game Console Library -- http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg80-dina.htm
16719
16720  * Dina at Dark Watcher -- http://darkwatcher.home.att.net/console/dina.htm
16721
16722  * coleco.free.fr -- http://coleco.free.fr/
16723
16724  * ColecoVision FAQ -- http://www.classicgaming.com/colecofaq/
16725
16726  * Norman G. Sippel's ColecoVision Page -- http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~ngsippel/cv.html
16727
16728  * ColecoVision at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=755
16729
16730
16731
16732
16733
16734===== Other Emulators =====
16735
16736
16737
16738  * ColEm (for Unix/X, Macintosh, OS/2, MS-DOS, PalmOS5, Acorn, PocketPC, Dreamcast, PC98, Xfree86-OS/2) -- http://fms.komkon.org/ColEm/
16739
16740  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
16741
16742
16743
16744
16745
16746$end
16747
16748
16749
16750#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16751
16752
16753$info=dai
16754$bio
16755====== DAI Personal Computer (1978) ======
16756
16757
16758
16759
16760
16761===== Features =====
16762
16763
16764
16765  * CPU: Intel 8080A 2 MHz
16766
16767  * Co-Processor: AMD 9511 (optional numeric processor)
16768
16769  * RAM: 48 kb
16770
16771  * ROM: 24 kb
16772
16773  * Text Modes: 60 x 24
16774
16775  * Graphic Modes: 72 x 65 / 160 x 130 / 336 x 256 / 512 x 244 (later models) with 4 or 16 colors
16776
16777  * Colors: 16
16778
16779  * Sound: 3 stereo voices + 1 noise generator
16780
16781  * I/O Ports: Parallel port, RGB, RS232c, Bus DCE, Stereo, 6 analogic inputs, Tape (600 bauds), Audio Stereo output
16782
16783  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard with arrow keys (57 keys)
16784
16785  * OS: CP/M with disk-drive extension
16786
16787  * Built In Language: Basic
16788
16789  * Peripherals: 5" 1/4 disk-drives, Memocom (digital tapes), joysticks, printers, robot arm, arithmetic coprocessor, plotter
16790
16791
16792
16793
16794
16795===== Usage =====
16796
16797
16798
16799Currently, MESS supports cassette tapes in .wav format for the DAI, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
16800
16801
16802
16803== Keyboard ==
16804
16805
16806
16807This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
16808
16809
16810
16811Original Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 57 keys
16812
16813 
16814
16815    UP   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)    0   :*   -=   TAB   BREAK
16816
16817 
16818
16819 
16820
16821  <-    ->   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    ^~    RETURN
16822
16823 
16824
16825                                                                       DEL
16826
16827   DOWN  CTRL   A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   []   CHAR  REPEAT
16828
16829 
16830
16831 
16832
16833      SHIFT        Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
16834
16835 
16836
16837 
16838
16839                                      SPACEBAR
16840
16841
16842
16843
16844
16845===== History and Trivia =====
16846
16847
16848
16849Rumour says that Texas-Instrument approached Data Applications International (DAI), a Belgium company, to design a personal computer with sound, graphics and colors for the European market, using Texas-Instruments components. But later Texas-Instruments decided to market their own personal computer, the TI-99/4, in Europe, so the "DAI" project was canceled.
16850
16851
16852
16853Then, the Belgium company decided to market the project under their own brand. The DAI computer was born. At that time, 1980, the DAI specifications were impressive ! The main competitors were the Apple II, the Tandy TRS-80 and the Commodore PETs and CBM series, not computers known for their fantastic sound, colors and graphics...
16854
16855
16856
16857Sometimes in 1982, the DAI wasn't produced by Data Applications International anymore, but INDATA, another Belgium company, succeeded to them, and sold the DAI under their own brand. The keyboard was then changed, it got colored, and one year later the DAI was equiped with a new enhanced graphic resolution (512x244)!
16858
16859
16860
16861A lot of peripherals were developed for this computer : a hard disk (8 MB), several floppy disk drives and even a robot !! The DAI can run under CP/M.
16862
16863
16864
16865//(info from old-computers.com)//
16866
16867
16868
16869
16870
16871===== Links =====
16872
16873
16874
16875  * F.J. Kraan's DAI pages -- http://www.xs4all.nl/~fjkraan/comp/dai/index.html
16876
16877  * Le ParaDAI (French) -- http://perso.orange.fr/bruno.vivien/DAI/index.htm
16878
16879  * DAI at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=470
16880
16881
16882
16883
16884
16885$end
16886
16887
16888
16889#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16890
16891
16892$info=dallas
16893$bio
16894====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Dallas 16-bit / 32-bit (1986) ======
16895
16896
16897
16898
16899
16900===== Features =====
16901
16902
16903
16904  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz / 68020 14 MHz
16905
16906  * ROM: 64 KB
16907
16908  * RAM: 16 KB / 64 KB
16909
16910
16911
16912
16913
16914===== Usage =====
16915
16916
16917
16918Currently, MESS supports all the Mephisto Dallas variants:
16919
16920
16921
16922  * dallas [Mephisto Dallas]: 16-bit version
16923
16924  * dallas16 [Mephisto Dallas 16-bit]: 16-bit version as upgrade of a Mephisto Amsterdam
16925
16926  * dallas32 [Mephisto Dallas 32-bit]: 32-bit version
16927
16928
16929
16930
16931
16932===== History and Trivia =====
16933
16934
16935
16936Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers.
16937
16938
16939
16940They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules.
16941
16942
16943
16944The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
16945
16946
16947
16948Mephisto Dallas was introduced in 1986. It was programmed by Richard Lang and was available in two version: one based on a 16bit CPU (68000) and one based on a 32bit CPU (68020). It was also possible to buy it as an upgrade for the Mephisto Amsterdam.
16949
16950
16951
16952For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
16953
16954
16955
16956
16957
16958===== Links =====
16959
16960
16961
16962  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
16963
16964  * Mephisto Dallas at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
16965
16966  * Mephisto Dallas 16bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Dallas_68000
16967
16968  * Mephisto Dallas 32bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Dallas_68020
16969
16970  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
16971
16972
16973
16974
16975
16976$end
16977
16978
16979
16980#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
16981
16982
16983$info=dc
16984$bio
16985====== Sega Dreamcast (1998) ======
16986
16987
16988
16989
16990
16991===== Features =====
16992
16993
16994
16995  * CPU: SH-4 RISC at 200 MHz
16996
16997  * Video: Power VR2 64 Bit 100 MHz
16998
16999  * RAM: 16 MB
17000
17001  * Video RAM: 8 MB
17002
17003  * Sound RAM: 2 MB
17004
17005  * Sound: Yamaha AICA Sound Processor with 32-Bit RISC ARM7 CPU at 23MHz (64 channel PCM/ADPCM)
17006
17007  * Storage Media: GD-ROM (up to 1.2 GB), Visual Memory Unit ("VMU") 1 Mbit (128 KiB) removable storage device and 4x memory cards that hold four times as much data.
17008
17009  * Inputs: USB-like "Maple Bus". Four ports support devices such as digital and analog controllers, steering wheels, joysticks,
17010
17011  * Modem: Removable; speed varied among regions: Original Asia/Japan model had a 33.6 kbit/s; consoles sold after September 9, 1999 had a 56 kbit/s modem; All American models had a 56 kbit/s; All PAL models had a 33.6 kbit/s
17012
17013  * Broadband: adapters are available separately and replace the removable modem (HIT-400: "Broadband Adapter", the more common model, this used a Realtek 8139 chip and supported 10 and 100 Mbit speeds; HIT-300: "Lan Adapter", this version used a Fujitsu MB86967 chip and supported only 10 Mbit speed)
17014
17015
17016
17017
17018
17019===== Usage =====
17020
17021
17022
17023Currently, MESS supports the following Sega Dreamcast versions:
17024
17025
17026
17027  * dc [Dreamcast (US NTSC)]
17028
17029  * dcjp [Dreamcast (Japan NTSC)]
17030
17031  * dceu [Dreamcast (European PAL)]
17032
17033  * dcdev [HKT-0120 Sega Dreamcast Development Box]
17034
17035
17036
17037
17038
17039===== Known Issues =====
17040
17041
17042
17043The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
17044
17045
17046
17047
17048
17049===== History and Trivia =====
17050
17051
17052
17053The Dreamcast (code-named "White Belt", "Black Belt", "Dural", "Dricas", "Vortex", "Katana", "Shark" and "Guppy" during development) is Sega's final videogame console and the successor to the Sega Saturn.
17054
17055
17056
17057Sega's efforts were focused on attempting to recapture the console market with a next-generation system: hence, the design of the system was assigned to two different teams, in competition which each other. Both teams choose the Hitachi SH4 processor architecture, but one design paired it with a 3dfx Voodoo 2 and the other with a VideoLogic PowerVR2 graphics processor. In the end, the latter design was chosen for the Dreamcast, the brand new console created to supersede the PlayStation and Nintendo 64.
17058
17059
17060
17061Originally released in 1998, sixteen months before the PlayStation 2 (PS2), and three years before the Nintendo GameCube and the Xbox, this system was widely hailed as ahead of its time, and is still held in high regard for pioneering online console gaming. Indeed, Dreamcast was the first console to include a built-in modem and Internet support for online gaming.
17062
17063
17064
17065The console enjoyed brisk sales in its first season, and was one of Sega's most successful hardware units. Nevertheless, Dreamcast failed to gather enough momentum before the release of the PlayStation 2 in March 2000, and Sega decided to discontinue it in March 2001, withdrawing entirely from the console hardware business.
17066
17067
17068
17069In fact, support continued in Japan where consoles were still sold and (few) new games were produced and shipped until 2007. Indeed, in 2004 Sega released their final Dreamcast game, "Puyo Pop Fever", but a small number of third-party games were still being released: "Chaos Field" (December 2004), "Trizeal" (April 2005), "Radilgy" (February 2006), "Under Defeat" (March 2006), "Radium", "Last Hope" (January 2007), "Trigger Heart Exelica" (February 2007), and "Karous" (March 2007).
17070
17071Also, a large number of Visual Novel games were still released until late 2004 (the last Visual Novel game released on Dreamcast was "Angel Wish", in early 2005).
17072
17073
17074
17075Despite its short lifespan, as of 2007, Dreamcast is still a popular and highly-regarded console among many fans due to its impressive library of both mainstream and more offbeat titles. It is even starting to gain a cult following, as the system is becoming harder to find.
17076
17077
17078
17079== Accessories ==
17080
17081
17082
17083  * Visual Memory Unit, or "VMU": It was the Dreamcast memory card. It featured a monochrome LCD screen, a D-Pad, and two gaming buttons. The VMU could play mini-games loaded onto it from certain Dreamcast games, such as a Chao game transferable from "Sonic Adventure". It could also display a list of the saved game data stored on it, and two VMUs could be connected together end-to-end to exchange data. Standard memory cards could also be purchased without the additional features of the VMU. Most of these were manufactured by third-party companies, (such as the Nexus Memory Card), although Sega eventually released a 4X memory card. The 4X cards did not have the VMU screen or stand-alone abilities, but they had four times the space thanks to the ability to switch between four 200-block sectors. The VMU design cannot be considered a full success, as it was fairly power-intensive, draining the two watch batteries at an alarmingly fast rate, and the architecture could not be expanded.
17084
17085
17086
17087  * Controller and Rumble Pack: Most Dreamcast games supported a rumble pack, or "Jump Pack", which was sold separately and could be plugged into the controller. In Japan, the Jump Pack was named the "Puru Puru Pack". The Dreamcast controller featured a similar design to the Sega Saturn's analog controller, offering an analog stick, a D-pad, a Start button, four action buttons (labeled A, B, X, and Y, two buttons less than the Saturn), and two analog triggers on the underside. It also contained two slots which could hold memory cards or the rumble pack, with a window on the front of the controller through which the VMU's display could be seen. The Dreamcast controller was somewhat larger than many other controllers, and some players found it difficult to hold.
17088
17089
17090
17091  * VGA Adapter: Unique to Dreamcast was a VGA adapter for output to a computer display or HDTV compatible sets, providing much better quality than a standard television set. Not all games were compatible with the VGA adapter, but work-arounds existed to trick all but a handful of games into working with it.
17092
17093
17094
17095  * Dreamcast mouse and keyboard: Dreamcast supported a mouse as well as a keyboard, which were useful when using the included web browser, and also supported by certain games such as The Typing of the Dead, Quake 3, Phantasy Star Online and Railroad Tycoon 2. Other games such as REZ offered undocumented mouse support.
17096
17097
17098
17099  * Fishing Rod: A motion sensitive fishing rod was released for the few fishing games on the system.
17100
17101
17102
17103  * Microphone: There was a microphone peripheral used for version 2.6 of the Planetweb web browser (providing long distance calling support), the European Planet Ring collection, "Alien Front Online", and "Seaman", the first console game to use speech recognition in the U.S.
17104
17105
17106
17107  * Lightgun: Sega also produced a light gun for the system, although this was not sold in the United States, possibly because Sega did not want its name on a gun in light of recent school shootings (the Columbine High School massacre). American versions of light gun games even blocked out using the official gun. Several third parties made compatible guns for the few light gun games released, including "The House of the Dead 2" and "Confidential Mission". The only other light gun compatible games were "Death Crimson OX" and its Japanese prequel "Death Crimson 2", "Virtua Cop 2" on the "Sega Smash Pack", and a light gun minigame in "Demolition Racer No Exit".
17108
17109
17110
17111  * Arcade Stick: A heavy-duty Arcade Stick was put out by Sega, featuring a digital joystick with six buttons using the same microswitch assemblies as commercial arcade machines. Although it could not be used for many Dreamcast games due to the lack of an analog joystick, it was well-received and helped cement Dreamcast's reputation for playing 2D shooters and fighting games. Adaptors are now available to use the Arcade Stick on other hardware platforms. Third-party sticks were also made, like the ASCII Dreamcast fighting pad, which some regard as having a more comfortable 6-button configuration and a more precise digital direction pad.
17112
17113
17114
17115  * Twin Sticks: A twin stick peripheral was released specifically for use with the game "Virtual-On". This add-on mimicked the original dual arcade stick setup and made gameplay much more precise. They are extremely rare and often quite expensive.
17116
17117
17118
17119  * Dreameye: Sega developed the Dreameye, a digital camera for Dreamcast, but it was only released in Japan.
17120
17121
17122
17123  * "Samba de Amigo" controller: Sega developed a special maraca controller for the music game "Samba de Amigo".
17124
17125
17126
17127  * Canceled Accessories: Toward the end of Dreamcast's lifespan, Sega created and displayed prototypes of a high-capacity VMU/MP3 player, DVD player, and Zip drive peripherals. None of these items became available to the public.
17128
17129
17130
17131//(info based on Wikipedia)//
17132
17133
17134
17135
17136
17137===== Links =====
17138
17139
17140
17141  * Dreamcast Scene -- http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/
17142
17143  * Dreamcast Games at Sega of Japan -- http://www.sega.co.jp/dc/
17144
17145  * [[wp>Dreamcast]]
17146
17147
17148
17149
17150
17151===== Other Emulators =====
17152
17153
17154
17155  * DEmul -- http://demul.emulation64.com/
17156
17157  * Makaron -- http://dknute.livejournal.com/
17158
17159  * Chankast -- http://chanka.emulatronia.com/
17160
17161  * NullDC -- http://www.emudev.com/forums/index.php
17162
17163
17164
17165
17166
17167
17168
17169$end
17170
17171
17172
17173#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17174
17175
17176$info=dgone
17177$bio
17178====== Data General One / DG-1 (1984) ======
17179
17180
17181
17182
17183
17184===== Features =====
17185
17186
17187
17188  * CPU: 80C88 4Mhz
17189
17190  * RAM: 128K expandable to 512K
17191
17192  * ROM: 32K
17193
17194  * Video: CGA and MDA LCD (640x256) or EL
17195
17196  * I/O Ports: Serial (1 RS232C/RS-422, 1 RS-232C, both driven by 82C51), External Bus Adapter
17197
17198  * Keyboard: 79-key QWERTY
17199
17200  * Built-in Media: 1 or 2 internal 3.5" floppy drives
17201
17202  * OS: MS-DOS 2.1, CP/M-86
17203
17204  * Peripherals: external 5.25" floppy drive
17205
17206
17207
17208
17209
17210===== Usage =====
17211
17212
17213
17214== Keyboard ==
17215
17216
17217
17218This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
17219
17220
17221
17222
17223
17224===== Known Issues =====
17225
17226
17227
17228The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
17229
17230
17231
17232
17233
17234===== History and Trivia =====
17235
17236
17237
17238Data General was one of the first minicomputer firms from the late 1960s. In 1984, it introduced the DG One: a portable battery-powered MS-DOS machine equipped with dual 3 1/2" diskettes, a 79-key full-stroke keyboard, 128K to 512K of RAM, and a monochrome LCD screen capable of either the standard 80x25 characters or full CGA graphics (640 x 200).
17239
17240
17241
17242Despite the memorable advertisements ("The first computer able to fit inside the IBM PC"), the DG-1 was, however, only a modest success. One problem was the use of 3 1/2" diskettes, which were slightly ahead of their time; popular software titles were not available in 3 1/2" format and this was a serious issue because then-common diskette copy-protection schemes made it difficult for users to copy the software into that format.
17243
17244Another problem was given by the liquid-crystal display itself, which was not backlit, had low contrast, and was very unsuitable for outdoor use. Finally, the incompatible serial port chip, an Intel 82C51 which was used to conserve power instead of the 8250 used in the IBM PC, made impossible for users to run on the DG-1 any PC program that used the serial port.
17245
17246
17247
17248An updated version of the DG-1 (Model 2) appeared later, with a much improved electroluminescent screen. However, being a light-producing display, the screen could be washed out by bright sunlight and it consumed so much power that the battery option was removed, causing the DG-1 to lose its status as a true portable.
17249
17250
17251
17252//(info based on Wikipedia)//
17253
17254
17255
17256
17257
17258===== Links =====
17259
17260
17261
17262  * DG-1 at Uncle Roger's Computers -- http://www.sinasohn.com/cgi-bin/clascomp/bldhtm.pl?computer=dg1
17263
17264  * DG-1 at DigiBarn Systems -- http://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/dg-1/index.html
17265
17266  * [[wp>Data_General]]
17267
17268
17269
17270
17271
17272
17273
17274$end
17275
17276
17277
17278#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17279
17280
17281$info=dragon32
17282$bio
17283====== Dragon Data Ltd. Dragon 32 (1982) ======
17284
17285
17286
17287
17288
17289===== Features =====
17290
17291
17292
17293  * CPU: Motorola MC6809EP 0,9 MHz + Motorola MC-6847 Video Display Generator
17294
17295  * RAM: 32k
17296
17297  * ROM: 2 x 8K or 16K EPROM comprising Microsoft Extended BASIC
17298
17299  * Text Modes: max : 16 x 32, min : 16 x 8
17300
17301  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, max : 256 x 192 (with 2 colors)
17302
17303  * Colors: 8
17304
17305  * Sound: 1 voice, 5 octaves with the Basic, 4 voices, 7 octaves with machine code
17306
17307  * I/O Ports: Tape, RGB, Joystick (2), Monitor, Cartridge, Serial RS232
17308
17309  * Keyboard: QWERTY Mechanical keyboard
17310
17311  * OS: OS-9 Level 1
17312
17313  * Built In Language: Microsoft Extended Basic & Basic Interpreter 1.0
17314
17315
17316
17317
17318
17319===== Usage =====
17320
17321
17322
17323MESS supports the following devices for dragon32
17324
17325
17326
17327  - a "cartridge" (cart), for .ccc and .rom files
17328
17329  - a "cassette" (cass), for tapes in .wav and .cas format
17330
17331  - up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .os9, .vdk and .dmk
17332
17333
17334
17335Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .pak files and the "printer" (prin) is emulated.
17336
17337
17338
17339== Cassettes ==
17340
17341
17342
17343MESS supports .cas files. Not all of these work; don't panic.
17344
17345
17346
17347You can pick the cassette image you wish to run from the FILE MANAGER in the Tab/Options menu. Once you've selected the image, go back into the dragon32 emulation, and use "scroll lock" to set it back in keyboard emulation mode.
17348
17349
17350
17351If it's a BASIC program, type
17352
17353  CLOAD
17354
17355  RUN
17356
17357
17358
17359If it's an assembler programs, type
17360
17361  CLOADM
17362
17363  EXEC
17364
17365
17366
17367If you include the name of the file (eg. CLOAD "PROG") it will skip any files preceding the one you specified.
17368
17369
17370
17371== Snapshots ==
17372
17373
17374
17375MESS supports .pak files. Go to file menu pick the .pak. It should automatically start running the game. If it does not run, it isn't supported yet.
17376
17377
17378
17379== Cartridges ==
17380
17381
17382
17383MESS supports .rom files. Go to file menu and pick the .rom. Reset to dragon32 and it will start running the game. If it does not run it isn't supported yet.
17384
17385
17386
17387== Floppy Disks ==
17388
17389
17390
17391MESS supports .dsk files. Basically the same as cassette images, except you insert the image in Floppy Disk#1 from the file manager. Once you return to the dragon32 emulation, switch back to keyboard emulation mode by pressing SCROLL LOCK and type
17392
17393  DIR
17394
17395
17396
17397To load a binary file (/BIN), type
17398
17399  LOADM "GAME/BIN:1"
17400
17401  EXEC
17402
17403(replacing the ":1" in LOADM with the appropriate drive designation ":0" through ":3" )
17404
17405
17406
17407To load a basic file (/BAS), type
17408
17409  LOAD "GAME/BAS:0"
17410
17411  RUN
17412
17413
17414
17415//(Thanks to "Axe" for the command summary)//
17416
17417
17418
17419== Keyboard ==
17420
17421
17422
17423This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
17424
17425
17426
17427Original Keyboard: QWERTY Mechanical keyboard
17428
17429
17430
17431    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)    0   :*   -=   BREAK
17432
17433 
17434
17435 
17436
17437  Up   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @    <-    ->
17438
17439 
17440
17441 
17442
17443   Down   A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+    ENTER  CLEAR
17444
17445 
17446
17447 
17448
17449    SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
17450
17451 
17452
17453 
17454
17455                                SPACEBAR
17456
17457
17458
17459== RAM options ==
17460
17461
17462
17463Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
17464
17465
17466
17467  32k (default)
17468
17469  64k
17470
17471
17472
17473
17474
17475===== History and Trivia =====
17476
17477
17478
17479The Welsh Dragon 32 was one of the CoCo many clones and it enjoyed a pretty good success in Europe. Its ROM holds the Operating System and a version of the Microsoft Extended BASIC.
17480
17481
17482
17483One of its characteristics is partial compatibility with the Tandy TRS 80 Color Series. They can use same peripherals and some cartridges, but most ROM calls will fail on the other computer. However, the Dragon did have at least two advantages over the first TRS-80 Color computer:
17484
17485  * a typewriter-style keyboard that was somewhat better than the Tandy's calculator-like keys
17486
17487  * a Centronics parallel-printer port.
17488
17489
17490
17491Two years later, Welsh launched the DRAGON 64 which has the same characteristics except the added memory (64k RAM instead of 32k), a RS232c port and minor ROM changes.
17492
17493
17494
17495//(info from old-computers.com)//
17496
17497
17498
17499
17500
17501===== Links =====
17502
17503
17504
17505  * Dragon & Tandy CoCo Resources -- http://www.burgins.com/dragon.html
17506
17507  * Dragon, The Archive -- http://www.dragondata.co.uk/
17508
17509  * Graham's Dragon Page -- http://www.grempc.demon.co.uk/dragon/
17510
17511  * The DRAGON Archive -- http://www.dragon-archive.co.uk/
17512
17513  * Dragon 32 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=117
17514
17515
17516
17517
17518
17519$end
17520
17521
17522
17523#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17524
17525
17526$info=dragon64
17527$bio
17528====== Dragon Data Ltd. Dragon 64 (1983) ======
17529
17530
17531
17532
17533
17534===== Features =====
17535
17536
17537
17538  * CPU: Motorola MC6809EP 0,9 MHz + Motorola MC-6847 Video Display Generator
17539
17540  * RAM: 64k
17541
17542  * ROM: 32kb
17543
17544  * Text Modes: max : 16 x 32, min : 16 x 8
17545
17546  * Graphic Modes: Several graphic modes, max : 256 x 192 (with 2 colors)
17547
17548  * Colors: 8
17549
17550  * Sound: 1 voice, 5 octaves with the Basic, 4 voices, 7 octaves with machine code
17551
17552  * I/O Ports: Tape, RGB, Joystick (2), Monitor, Cartridge, Serial RS232
17553
17554  * Keyboard: QWERTY Mechanical keyboard
17555
17556  * OS: OS-9 Level 1
17557
17558  * Built In Language: Microsoft Extended Basic & Basic Interpreter 1.0
17559
17560
17561
17562
17563
17564===== Usage =====
17565
17566
17567
17568MESS emulates the following systems
17569
17570
17571
17572  * dragon64 [Dragon Data Ltd Dragon 64]
17573
17574  * d64plus [Dragon Data Ltd Dragon 64 Plus]
17575
17576  * tano64 [Tano Dragon 64 (NTSC)]
17577
17578  * dgnalpha [Dragon Data Ltd Dragon Alpha (prototype)]
17579
17580
17581
17582For each driver, MESS supports the following devices
17583
17584
17585
17586  - a "cartridge" (cart), for .ccc and .rom files
17587
17588  - a "cassette" (cass), for tapes in .wav and .cas format
17589
17590  - up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .os9, .vdk and .dmk
17591
17592
17593
17594Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .pak files and the "printer" (prin) is emulated.
17595
17596
17597
17598== Cassettes ==
17599
17600
17601
17602MESS supports .cas files. Not all of these work; don't panic.
17603
17604
17605
17606You can pick the cassette image you wish to run from the FILE MANAGER in the Tab/Options menu. Once you've selected the image, go back into the dragon64 emulation, and use "scroll lock" to set it back in keyboard emulation mode.
17607
17608
17609
17610If it's a BASIC program, type
17611
17612  CLOAD
17613
17614  RUN
17615
17616
17617
17618If it's an assembler programs, type
17619
17620  CLOADM
17621
17622  EXEC
17623
17624
17625
17626If you include the name of the file (eg. CLOAD "PROG") it will skip any files preceding the one you specified.
17627
17628
17629
17630== Snapshots ==
17631
17632
17633
17634MESS supports .pak files. Go to file menu pick the .pak. It should automatically start running the game. If it does not run, it isn't supported yet.
17635
17636
17637
17638== Cartridges ==
17639
17640
17641
17642MESS supports .rom files. Go to file menu and pick the .rom. Reset to dragon64 and it will start running the game. If it does not run it isn't supported yet.
17643
17644
17645
17646== Floppy Disks ==
17647
17648
17649
17650MESS supports .dsk files. Basically the same as cassette images, except you insert the image in Floppy Disk#1 from the file manager. Once you return to the dragon64 emulation, switch back to keyboard emulation mode by pressing SCROLL LOCK and type
17651
17652  DIR
17653
17654
17655
17656To load a binary file (/BIN), type
17657
17658  LOADM "GAME/BIN:1"
17659
17660  EXEC
17661
17662(replacing the ":1" in LOADM with the appropriate drive designation ":0" through ":3" )
17663
17664
17665
17666To load a basic file (/BAS), type
17667
17668  LOAD "GAME/BAS:0"
17669
17670  RUN
17671
17672
17673
17674//(Thanks to "Axe" for the command summary)//
17675
17676
17677
17678== Keyboard ==
17679
17680
17681
17682These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
17683
17684
17685
17686
17687
17688===== History and Trivia =====
17689
17690
17691
17692The Dragon 64, launched in 1983, was exactly the same computer as the Dragon 32, except that it had 64k RAM instead of 32k, an OS9 operating system and a RS232C connector.
17693
17694
17695
17696The Extended Basic has been modified to provide RS232 I/O calls, to remove the USR bug present in the Dragon 32 ROM and to add calls allowing the additional interpreter to be invoked. This second interpreter was the same Extended Basic re-compiled to run from a higher memory address and stored in a EPROM. When invoked, the machine was switched into 64k RAM mode and the interpreter copied from EPROM to RAM giving an extra 16K BASIC workspace. (Source : Jon's Dragon Home Page)
17697
17698
17699
17700The Dragon 64 was sold in various European countries. A slightly modified version was also manufactured and sold in the US by TANO (Technical Associates of New Orleans) from August 1983. They sold the machine under the TANO name for a few months but couldn't compete with the agressive price policy from Commodore, Atari and T.I. All the unsold machine were eventually sold off to a discount store called California Digital.
17701
17702
17703
17704In 85 Eurohard, a spanish manufacturer, acquired Dragons Data. Then the Dragon 200 replaced the 64 with some minor changes: power-on lights, auto-repeat keyboard... They also also had plans for a 128k Dragon and a MSX Dragon.
17705
17706
17707
17708//(info from old-computers.com)//
17709
17710
17711
17712
17713
17714===== Links =====
17715
17716
17717
17718  * Dragon & Tandy CoCo Resources -- http://www.burgins.com/dragon.html
17719
17720  * Dragon, The Archive -- http://www.dragondata.co.uk/
17721
17722  * Graham's Dragon Page -- http://www.grempc.demon.co.uk/dragon/
17723
17724  * The DRAGON Archive -- http://www.dragon-archive.co.uk/
17725
17726  * Dragon 64 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=503
17727
17728
17729
17730
17731
17732$end
17733
17734
17735
17736#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17737
17738
17739$info=einstein
17740$bio
17741====== Tatung Einstein TC-01 (1984) ======
17742
17743
17744
17745
17746
17747===== Features =====
17748
17749
17750
17751  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 4 MHz
17752
17753  * RAM: 64 KB (44 KB free for user)
17754
17755  * VRAM: 16 KB
17756
17757  * ROM: 8 KB (up to 32 KB)
17758
17759  * Text Modes: 40 / 32 columns x 24 rows
17760
17761  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 dots
17762
17763  * Colors: 16
17764
17765  * Sound: 3 voices, 7 octaves
17766
17767  * I/O Ports: RS232c, Centronics, User port, Joystick (2), Bus Z80, Floppy Disk
17768
17769  * Keyboard: Full-stroke QWERTY keyboard. 51 keys + 8 function keys
17770
17771  * Built In Media: one or two Hitachi 3" floppy disk unit (380 KB)
17772
17773  * OS: Xtal/DOS
17774
17775
17776
17777
17778
17779===== Usage =====
17780
17781
17782
17783MESS supports up to four floppy drives connected to the einstein, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4). Disk images must be in .dsk format.
17784
17785
17786
17787Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
17788
17789
17790
17791== Keyboard ==
17792
17793
17794
17795This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
17796
17797
17798
17799== Misc ==
17800
17801
17802
17803When this driver starts, and a disk is not in the drive, an internal monitor program will start.
17804
17805
17806
17807To use this driver you will need the Xtal operating system disks which will start CP/M and from here you can run many CP/M based
17808
17809programs.
17810
17811
17812
17813You can put a disk image into the drive and boot CP/M by pressing "CTRL"+"ALT" together.
17814
17815
17816
17817
17818
17819===== Known Issues =====
17820
17821
17822
17823The floppy disc emulation may not be fully working. Interrupts are not working properly.
17824
17825
17826
17827MESS also supports the emulation of the Einstein connected with the 80-colum expansion card, but its emulation is preliminary due to the undumped bios of this expansion.
17828
17829
17830
17831
17832
17833===== History and Trivia =====
17834
17835
17836
17837Driver written thank to Chris Coxall (for the schematics, a dump of the bios ROM, and the Xtal operating system; he has been a great help with the development of this driver) and to Andrew Dunipace (for help with the 80-column expansion card).
17838
17839
17840
17841The Tatung Einstein is a 8-bit computer with hardware similar to the MSX-1. The computer was produced with two 3" disk drives and ran the CP/M operating system.
17842
17843
17844
17845More precisely, the Einstein runs under Xtal/DOS which is an operating system compatible with CP/M. It was possible to connect an other floppy disk drive and a 80 column card was available.
17846
17847
17848
17849The Einstein was a very attractive computer but it was too expensive to have great market success.
17850
17851
17852
17853The TC-01 is the first version of the hardware, with the 256 being the second version aimed more towards games.
17854
17855
17856
17857//(info from old-computers.com)//
17858
17859
17860
17861
17862
17863===== Links =====
17864
17865
17866
17867  * Chris Coxall's Tatung Einstein Page -- http://www.einstein.talktalk.net/
17868
17869  * Tatung Einstein Reborn -- http://www.tatungeinstein.co.uk/
17870
17871  * Tatung Einstein at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=86
17872
17873
17874
17875
17876
17877
17878
17879$end
17880
17881
17882
17883#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
17884
17885
17886$info=electron
17887$bio
17888====== Acorn Electron (1983) ======
17889
17890
17891
17892
17893
17894===== Features =====
17895
17896
17897
17898  * CPU: MOS 6502A 1 MHz
17899
17900  * Co-Processor: custom ULA
17901
17902  * RAM: 32 kb
17903
17904  * ROM: 32 kb
17905
17906  * Text Modes: 20 x 32, 40 x 25, 40 x 32, 80 x 25, 80 x 32
17907
17908  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 256 (4 or 16 colors), 320 x 256 (2 or 4 colors), 640 x 256 (2 colors)
17909
17910  * Colors: 8 colors + 8 flashing versions of the same colors
17911
17912  * Sound: 1 channel of sound + 1 channel of white sound, 7 octaves. In fact 3 virtual sound channels mapped to the single available physical channel. Built-in speaker
17913
17914  * I/O Ports: Expansion port, Tape-recorder connector (1200 baud), aerial TV connector (RF modulator), RGB video output
17915
17916  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 56 keys, basic statements accessible through keys, 10 function keys (0...9 keys + FUNC), ESCAPE, CAPS LK/FUNC, CTRL, BREAK, COPY, RETURN, DELETE, SHIFT (x2)
17917
17918  * Built In Language: Acorn Electron Basic + 6502 assembler
17919
17920
17921
17922
17923
17924===== Usage =====
17925
17926
17927
17928Electron emulation in MESS supports tapes in .wav and .uef format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
17929
17930
17931
17932== Keyboard ==
17933
17934
17935
17936This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
17937
17938
17939
17940Original Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 56 keys
17941
17942 
17943
17944                                                                   ~^      ¦\
17945
17946  ESCAPE   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0@   -=   LEFT   RIGHT   BREAK
17947
17948 
17949
17950  CAPS LK                                                      £{     _}      []
17951
17952   FUNC      Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    UP    DOWN    COPY
17953
17954 
17955
17956 
17957
17958     CTRL       A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   :*     RETURN
17959
17960 
17961
17962 
17963
17964     SHIFT        Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?    SHIFT    DELETE
17965
17966 
17967
17968 
17969
17970                                     SPACEBAR
17971
17972
17973
17974
17975
17976===== Known Issues =====
17977
17978
17979
17980This system still has imperfect graphics and sound in MESS.
17981
17982
17983
17984
17985
17986===== History and Trivia =====
17987
17988
17989
17990The Acorn Electron is basically a cut-down version of the Acorn BBC-B with which it is partly compatible. After the success of the BBC, Acorn and founder Chris Cury wanted a product to compete with "under £200" computers and especially with the Sinclair Spectrum, its main threat. But sadly, Acorn failed to meet the demand for the new system, mainly because of production problems related to the large custom ULA at the heart of the Electron.
17991
17992
17993
17994The next year (1984), Acorn decided to anticipate all these problems and focused on producing the Electron in vast numbers. But unfortunately, public demand and enthusiasm were on the wane, and despite an extensive £4-million advertising campaign, a third of the Electrons that were built never made it to the shelves, leaving behind large stockpiles of components that had been paid for but were never used.
17995
17996
17997
17998Compared to the BBC and its flexible connectivity, the Electron was quite basic with only one expansion port to play around with. Fortunately, Acorn quickly released the Plus 1 expansion offering two ROM cartridge slots, a parallel / centronics interface and a joystick connector.
17999
18000
18001
18002The built-in Acorn Electron BASIC, largely derived from the famous BBC BASIC, was impressive with innovative features such as the ability to define real procedures with DEF PROC and ENDPROC, or the handling of error events (in 1983!). There was even an OLD statement which would recover a program erased by NEW. A complete assembler language was also stored in the 32K ROM.
18003
18004
18005
18006The graphics capabilities were also quite impressive for a computer of this category. Text mode of up to 80 columns and a high resolution of up to 640 x 256 pixels with 2 colors. The custom ULA developed especially for the Electron handled the video display, sound and I/O communications! This was the real heart of the Electron.
18007
18008
18009
18010The mechanical keyboard was very good. BASIC statements were printed on most of the keys, allowing users to type them in one go. A small amber LED placed on the left part of the keyboard indicated if you were in lowercase or uppercase mode.
18011
18012
18013
18014Despite being more powerful than the ZX Spectrum, the Electron didn't sell well and suffered from a lack of certain software.
18015
18016
18017
18018//(info from old-computers.com)//
18019
18020
18021
18022
18023
18024===== Links =====
18025
18026
18027
18028  * BBC Documentation Project -- http://www.bbcdocs.com/
18029
18030  * The BBC Lives! -- http://bbc.nvg.org/
18031
18032  * Acorn Electron World -- http://www.acornelectron.co.uk/
18033
18034  * Acorn Electron at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=121
18035
18036
18037
18038
18039
18040===== Other Emulators =====
18041
18042
18043
18044  * ElectrEm -- http://electrem.emuunlim.com/
18045
18046  * Elkulator -- http://elkulator.acornelectron.co.uk/
18047
18048
18049
18050
18051
18052$end
18053
18054
18055
18056#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18057
18058
18059$info=ep128
18060$bio
18061====== Enterprise 128 (1985) ======
18062
18063
18064
18065
18066
18067===== Features =====
18068
18069
18070
18071  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
18072
18073  * Co-Processor: NICK (video), DAVE (sound)
18074
18075  * RAM: 128 KB (64 KB -of which 50 KB available- in Enterprise 64)
18076
18077  * VRAM: 64 KB
18078
18079  * ROM: 32 KB
18080
18081  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 80 x 32-28 / 84 x 64
18082
18083  * Graphic Modes: Eight graphic modes, max : 672 x 512 (2 col), most used : 256 x 160 (16 col)
18084
18085  * Colors: 256 (simultaneously in the mode 180 x 80)
18086
18087  * Sound: 3 channels + 1 noise channel, 8 octaves
18088
18089  * I/O Ports: RGB Video / Audio output, Expansion port, Tape Interface, Joystick (2),
18090
18091  * Cartridge slot, RS432 (Serial/Net), TV output, Power input, Printer
18092
18093  * Keyboard: Complete keyboard with function keys and built-in joystick
18094
18095  * OS: IS-DOS, EXDOS
18096
18097  * Built In Language: IS-Basic (ROM cartridge)
18098
18099
18100
18101
18102
18103===== Usage =====
18104
18105
18106
18107MESS supports up to four floppy drives for ep128. You can run disks in .dsk format using the correspondent devices, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
18108
18109
18110
18111== BASIC programs ==
18112
18113
18114
18115This computer has a built in word processor, from BASIC enter
18116
18117  TYPE
18118
18119to enter it.
18120
18121
18122
18123To run a program, enter from BASIC
18124
18125  RUN"filename"
18126
18127or
18128
18129  LOAD"filename"
18130
18131
18132
18133Alternatively, you can type
18134
18135  :EXDOS
18136
18137to enter a CLI interface where you can type directly EXDOS commands.
18138
18139
18140
18141If typing from BASIC you must enter ":" in front of EXDOS commands.
18142
18143
18144
18145== EXDOS commands ==
18146
18147
18148
18149The following EXDOS commands are allowed:
18150
18151
18152
18153  CHDIR [dir name] - Change Dir.[dir name] does not need to be enclosed in quotes.
18154
18155  DIR - show directory listing
18156
18157
18158
18159== Keyboard ==
18160
18161
18162
18163This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
18164
18165
18166
18167== BIOS options ==
18168
18169
18170
18171MESS supports two different versions of EXDOS. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
18172
18173
18174
18175  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = EXOS 2.1
18176
18177 
18178
18179  "-bios 1" or "-bios exos20" = EXOS 2.0
18180
18181
18182
18183
18184
18185===== Known Issues =====
18186
18187
18188
18189  * Some programs do not work well.
18190
18191  * Not all graphic modes are emulated.
18192
18193  * Interrupts are not emulated correctly.
18194
18195  * Samples and simple tone is supported, complex effects using ring modulation and filtering are not supported.
18196
18197  * Tapes are not supported.
18198
18199
18200
18201
18202
18203===== History and Trivia =====
18204
18205
18206
18207The Enterprise 64 was a very long-awaited computer, two years between its announcement and its marketing! It changed its name a lot of times: its first name was Elan 64, then Flan, lastly Enterprise.
18208
18209
18210
18211It has great features, which wasn't found on all other home computers, like its interfaces, great graphics and sounds capacities provided by two special custom chips called "Nick" and "Dave".
18212
18213
18214
18215The BASIC Interpreter is supplied on a ROM cartridge and can be easily replaced with any other language. This BASIC is a very powerful structured basic with great graphic commands and can store several programs simultaneously in RAM.
18216
18217
18218
18219It has a small word processing in ROM and up to 32 computers can be linked together.
18220
18221
18222
18223But despite its great characteristics and all its interfaces, the Enterprise 64 was a flop in the marketplace.
18224
18225
18226
18227Several months later, a new model was launched: the Enterprise 128, which was nothing more than an Enterprise 64 with 128 KB RAM.
18228
18229
18230
18231Unsold stocks of these systems (nearly all :-)), were sold to East-Europeans countries, and especially Hungary where it met great success. Thus, most nowadays Enterprise activity comes from here.
18232
18233
18234
18235//(info from old-computers.com)//
18236
18237
18238
18239
18240
18241===== Links =====
18242
18243
18244
18245  * Enterprise 128 Page (Hungarian) -- http://enterprise.8bit.hu/
18246
18247  * Enterprise 128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=153
18248
18249
18250
18251
18252
18253===== Other Emulators =====
18254
18255
18256
18257  * EP128 Emu -- http://ep128emu.sourceforge.net/
18258
18259  * ep32 -- http://web.axelero.hu/egzo/ep/
18260
18261
18262
18263
18264
18265$end
18266
18267
18268
18269#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18270
18271
18272$info=europc
18273$bio
18274====== Schneider EUROPC ======
18275
18276
18277
18278
18279
18280===== Features =====
18281
18282
18283
18284  * Integrated cga/mda/hercules graphics adapter, connector for CGA and MDA/Hercules monitors
18285
18286  * Multi-language and keyboard support in bios
18287
18288  * Integrated harddisk controller, connector for 2 external harddisks
18289
18290  * 3 1/2 inch 720 kb disk drive, connector for 1 external disk drive
18291
18292  * Integrated realtime clock
18293
18294  * Setup memory
18295
18296  * Connectors for: joystick/mouse, external xt busplane, external power supply, parallel port
18297
18298  * AT type connector for rs232 serial port
18299
18300
18301
18302
18303
18304===== Known Issues =====
18305
18306
18307
18308The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. Temporary regressions are possible.
18309
18310
18311
18312
18313
18314===== History and Trivia =====
18315
18316
18317
18318IBM PC compatible computer "under the keyboard"
18319
18320
18321
18322
18323
18324$end
18325
18326
18327
18328#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18329
18330
18331$info=exidy
18332$bio
18333====== Exidy Sorcerer (1978) ======
18334
18335
18336
18337
18338
18339===== Features =====
18340
18341
18342
18343  * CPU: Zilog Z80 A 2.106 MHz.
18344
18345  * RAM: 8 KB, later 16KB (up to 48 KB)
18346
18347  * VRAM: 2 KB
18348
18349  * ROM: 8 KB
18350
18351  * Text Modes: 64 chars. x 30 lines
18352
18353  * Graphic Modes: 128 programmable graphics characters
18354
18355  * Colors: Monochrome
18356
18357  * Sound: By connecting a speaker to pins 1 and 4 of the parallel port.
18358
18359  * I/O Ports: Expansion Bus (S100), Parallel Interface, Video out, Serial Interface, Tape recorder EAR & MIC (300 / 1200 bauds)
18360
18361  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 79 keys with numeric keypad
18362
18363  * OS: CP/M (needs the extender chassis with disk drive)
18364
18365  * Built In Language: BASIC interpreter ROM cartridge
18366
18367  * Peripherals: Floppy drive unit, S-100 bus expansion box, Intelligent tape recorder, Micromation's Doubler disk drive controller
18368
18369
18370
18371
18372
18373===== Usage =====
18374
18375
18376
18377Currently, MESS supports two different hardware configuration for the Exidy Sorcerer
18378
18379
18380
18381  * exidy [Exidy Sorcerer]: 32k RAM with 4 floppy drives
18382
18383  * exidyd [Exidy Sorcerer - diskless]: probably the most common configuration, 48k RAM with only the tape recorder connected
18384
18385
18386
18387Both drivers support cart dumps in .rom format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device, and up to two cassette devices for tapes in .wav format, "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2).
18388
18389Additionally, exidy supports up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format.
18390
18391
18392
18393Also notice that, in both drivers, a “quickload” (quik) feature is present for .bin files and that the “printer” (prin) is supported as well.
18394
18395
18396
18397== Keyboard ==
18398
18399
18400
18401This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
18402
18403
18404
18405== Cassettes ==
18406
18407
18408
18409  * The 300 baud system adheres to the Kansas City Standard -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Standard. There is a header consisting of 100 nulls, a <SOH>, followed by the load address, length, execute address, filename and type, and some spares. This is followed by another 100 nulls, a <SOH>, then a number of data blocks. The checksum is an extra byte appended to each block, and is computed by a subtraction and inversion with each byte.
18410
18411  * 1200 baud is the same, except that a low bit is a half cycle of 600 Hz, while a high bit is one cycle of 1200 Hz.
18412
18413
18414
18415To load a 300 baud tape from the Exidy Monitor type the following commands:
18416
18417<code>
18418
18419EXIDY STANDARD MONITOR
18420
18421
18422
18423VERSION 1.0
18424
18425COPYRIGHT (C) 1978 BY EXIDY INC.
18426
18427
18428
18429THE TOP OF RAM IS 7FFF HEX.
18430
18431STACK BEGINS FROM 7F90 HEX.
18432
18433
18434
18435>SE T=1
18436
18437
18438
18439>LO
18440
18441
18442
18443</code>
18444
18445
18446
18447To load a 1200 baud tape from the Exidy Monitor type the following commands:
18448
18449<code>
18450
18451EXIDY STANDARD MONITOR
18452
18453
18454
18455VERSION 1.0
18456
18457COPYRIGHT (C) 1978 BY EXIDY INC.
18458
18459
18460
18461THE TOP OF RAM IS 7FFF HEX.
18462
18463STACK BEGINS FROM 7F90 HEX.
18464
18465
18466
18467>SE T=0
18468
18469
18470
18471>LO
18472
18473
18474
18475</code>
18476
18477
18478
18479===== Known Issues =====
18480
18481
18482
18483  * The cassette saving and loading is not reliable
18484
18485  * Operation with disks is not verified
18486
18487
18488
18489
18490
18491===== History and Trivia =====
18492
18493
18494
18495The Sorcerer was first launched in 1978 (although some sources claim 1977, which appears unlikely). The expansion systems and drives were released at the same time.
18496
18497
18498
18499The system was particularly successful in Europe, where it was distributed by CompuData Systems. The machine became particularly famous in 1979 when the Dutch broadcasting company, TELEAC, decided to introduce their own home computer following the example of the BBC with the BBC Micro. At first, the Belgian company DAI was contracted to design their machines, but when they couldn't deliver, CompuData came up with its Sorcerers.
18500
18501
18502
18503By 1980 Exidy had already decided to give up on the machine, but in Europe CompuData decided to license the design for local construction in the Netherlands, given the continuous sales. They built the machine for several years before developing their own 16-bit Intel 8088-based machine called the Tulip, which replaced the Sorcerer in 1983.
18504
18505
18506
18507The Sorcerer also had a strong following in Australia. This is most likely due to Dick Smith Electronics, being a leading electronics and hobbyist retailer at the time, pushing the Sorcerer quite heavily. The Sorcerer Computer Users group of Australia (or SCUA) actively supported the Sorcerer long after Exidy discontinued it, with RAM upgrades, speed boosts, the "80 column card", and even a replacement monitor program, SCUAMON.
18508
18509
18510
18511//(info based on Wikipedia)//
18512
18513
18514
18515
18516
18517===== Links =====
18518
18519
18520
18521  * Mike's Exidy Sorcerer Z80 Page -- http://www.lisp.com.au/~michael/exidy/
18522
18523  * Exidy Sorcerer at DigiBarn -- http://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/exidy-sorcerer/index.html
18524
18525  * [[wp>Exidy_Sorcerer]]
18526
18527
18528
18529
18530
18531===== Other Emulators =====
18532
18533
18534
18535  * WSorcerer -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
18536
18537
18538
18539
18540
18541$end
18542
18543
18544
18545#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18546
18547
18548$info=famicom
18549$bio
18550====== Nintendo Famicom / Famicom Disk System (1983) ======
18551
18552
18553
18554
18555
18556===== Features =====
18557
18558
18559
18560  * CPU: Custom 6502 1.79 MHz
18561
18562  * Co-Processor: 8-bit PPU (Picture Processing Unit)
18563
18564  * RAM: Disk System + Keyboard + Basic: 1982 bytes free (Basic V2.0A), 4086 bytes free (Basic V3.0)
18565
18566  * VRAM: 4 kb
18567
18568  * ROM: 8 kb
18569
18570  * Text Modes: 28 x 24
18571
18572  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 240, 64 sprites on screen, but only 8 per scanline / sprite size : 8 x 8 or 8 x 16 pixels
18573
18574  * Colors: 52 Available / 16 On-screen / 4 colours per Sprite
18575
18576  * Sound: 5 channel sound (2 channels for square wave, 1 triangle wave, 1 noise channel and 1 PCM)
18577
18578  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with functions keys and arrow keys
18579
18580  * Built In Language: NS-HUBASIC V1.0, V2.0A, V2.1 or V3.0
18581
18582  * Peripherals: Expansion memory unit, tape-recorder (used also for few games), Basic cartidges, Lightgun, Robot, dancing carpet, additional controllers...
18583
18584
18585
18586
18587
18588===== Usage =====
18589
18590
18591
18592MESS currently supports for the Famicom Disk System both Famicom cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .nes format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .dsk and .fds format and use the "floppydisk" (flop) device.
18593
18594
18595
18596If you start famicom without any device inserted, the Disk System will try to find a disk in the drive and will simply return a "Err. 22" message.
18597
18598
18599
18600== Controls ==
18601
18602
18603
18604Famicom controller consists of an 8-way directional pad, two action buttons (labeled A and B), a Start button and a Select button. On the main unit, a Power and a Reset buttons are present.
18605
18606Additionally, Famicom Disk System switching is mapped to Player 1 Button 3 (default key [space]).
18607
18608
18609
18610== FDS error messages ==
18611
18612
18613
18614| Err. 01 | Disk Set Err. | No disk card.|
18615
18616| Err. 02 | Battery Err. | No disk power supply -- batteries and/or AC adaptor.|
18617
18618| Err. 03 | Write Protect Err. | Disk card is write protected.|
18619
18620| Err. 04 | Game Maker Err. | Disk card not authenticated (game maker ID).|
18621
18622| Err. 05 | Game Name Err. | Disk card not authenticated (game name ID).|
18623
18624| Err. 06 | Game Version Err. | Disk card not compatible (version ID).|
18625
18626| Err. 07 | A,B Side Err. | Wrong side of disk card set in drive.|
18627
18628| Err. 08 | Disk No Err. | Disk card #1 wrong.|
18629
18630| Err. 09 |  | Disk card #2 wrong.|
18631
18632| Err. 10 |  | Disk card #3 wrong.|
18633
18634| Err. 11~19 |  | There is something wrong with the Disk System memory.|
18635
18636| Err. 20 | Disk Trouble Err. | Screen data wrong.|
18637
18638| Err. 21 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block (Nintendo-HVC) wrong.|
18639
18640| Err. 22 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$01 unrecognized.|
18641
18642| Err. 23 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$02 unrecognized.|
18643
18644| Err. 24 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$03 unrecognized.|
18645
18646| Err. 25 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$04 unrecognized.|
18647
18648| Err. 26 | Disk Trouble Err. | Unable to write to disk card.|
18649
18650| Err. 27 | Disk Trouble Err. | Block end mark seen but ends prematurely.|
18651
18652| Err. 28 | Disk Trouble Err. | File ends prematurely during read.|
18653
18654| Err. 29 | Disk Trouble Err. | File ends prematurely during write.|
18655
18656| Err. 30 | Disk Full Err. | No space left on disk card (full).|
18657
18658| Err. 31 |  | File count in header and number of files on disk card do not match.|
18659
18660| Err. 40 |  | Disk card is mess'd.|
18661
18662
18663
18664
18665
18666===== Known Issues =====
18667
18668
18669
18670Family BASIC, its keyboard and its cassette recorder are not supported (yet).
18671
18672
18673
18674
18675
18676===== History and Trivia =====
18677
18678
18679
18680Following a series of arcade game successes in the early 1980s, Nintendo decided to produce a cartridge-based console: it was called Family Computer (Famicom) and  it was released in Japan in 1983 together with the conversions of some Nintendo's successful arcade games: "Donkey Kong", "Donkey Kong Jr.", and "Popeye".
18681
18682
18683
18684The system was designed by Masayuki Uemura and it intentionally resembled a toy, with its bright red and white color scheme. It featured two hardwired controllers which were unusual, though not unprecedented, for consoles of this era. Additionally, the system had a 15-pin expansion port in the front side to accommodate add-on peripheral devices, such as the Light Gun, the Power Pad, the keyboard for BASIC programming, a Cassette Drive, and other specialized controllers. Among the devices produced for the console: a karaoke machine, true 3D glasses, and the Famicom Disk System (which incorporated the floppy drive dropped from the original specifications).
18685
18686
18687
18688At first, the Nintendo Famicom did not meet success: during its first year, many criticized the system as unreliable, prone to programming errors and rampant freezing. Nintendo decided to recall most of the units and to reissue the system with a new motherboard, which basically solved all the reported problems. After the fixes, the system became very popular and it was the best-selling game console in Japan by the end of 1984.
18689
18690
18691
18692Encouraged by its successes, Nintendo soon turned its attentions to the North American market. At first, Nintendo contacted Atari to release the Famicom under Atari's name as the name "Nintendo Enhanced Video System". This deal eventually fell through, and Nintendo planned to market a Famicom console in North America featuring additionl keyboard, cassette data recorder, wireless joystick controller, and a special BASIC cartridge under the name "Nintendo Advanced Video System". But also these plans never became real.
18693
18694
18695
18696Finally, in June 1985 Nintendo unveiled its American version of the Famicom at the Consumer Electronics Show; and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was officially released it in North America at the beginning of 1986.
18697
18698
18699
18700In Europe and Australia, the system was released to two separate marketing regions (A and B). Distribution in region B, consisting of most of mainland Europe (excluding Italy), was handled by a number of different companies, with Nintendo responsible for most cartridge releases. On the other hand, Mattel handled distribution for region A, consisting of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, starting the following year. Only in 1990 Nintendo created its own European branch which took over distribution throughout Europe.
18701
18702
18703
18704Nintendo continued to support the system through the first half of the next decade. In 1992, Nintendo released the AV Famicom in Japan, a redesigned version of the Famicom. Two removeable controllers were included with the system, whose ports were now placed in the front of the system (while the expansion port was moved to the side). The controllers were identical to the ones released in the US.
18705
18706
18707
18708In North America, the support continued as well: a new version of the console, the NES 2, was released in early 90s to address many of the design flaws in the original NES hardware.
18709
18710
18711
18712By 1995, though, Nintendo of America officially discontinued the NES. In Japan, the production remained active until October 2003, when also Nintendo of Japan officially discontinued the line.
18713
18714
18715
18716Many videogame franchise, later migrated on new systems, had their origin on the Nintendo Famicom/NES: "MegaMan", "Castlevania", "Final Fantasy" and "Dragon Warrior", not to mention Nintendo series like "Super Mario Bros.", "The Legend of Zelda", "Kirby" and "Metroid".
18717
18718
18719
18720== Famicom Disk System ==
18721
18722
18723
18724The Family Computer Disk System (FDS) was released in 1986 by Nintendo as a peripheral for their popular Famicom console, in Japan. It was a unit that sat underneath the Famicom and used proprietary floppy disks for data storage. Sharp also released the Twin Famicom, a composite console of both Famicom and disk system under license. The unit was also announced, but never released, for the US Nintendo Entertainment System.
18725
18726
18727
18728The device was connected to the Famicom deck by plugging a modified cartridge (known as the RAM Adapter) into the system's cartridge port, which attached via a supplied cable to the disk drive. The RAM adapter contained 32KB of RAM for temporary program storage, 8 kilobytes of RAM for tile and sprite data storage, and an ASIC known as the 2C33. The ASIC acted as a disk controller for the floppy drive, and also included additional sound hardware featuring primitive FM synthesis capabilities. The floppy disks used were double-sided, with a capability of 64 kilobytes per side. Many games spanned both sides of a disk, requiring the user to switch sides at some point during gameplay.
18729
18730
18731
18732The primary appeal of the FDS was the cost: a disk could be produced for a fraction of the price of a cartridge. Disk-based games retailed for around half the price of cartridge-based ones. Encouraged by cheap media and additional FDS features, many developers produced titles for the system that were sold cheaply at kiosks in retail stores.
18733
18734
18735
18736In 1986, the disks' 128K of storage space was quite appealing. The rewritable aspect of the disks also opened up interesting possibilities; games such as "The Legend of Zelda" (the first FDS game), "Metroid", and "Kid Icarus" were released to the FDS with a save feature. Many of these titles were subsequently ported to cartridge format and released for the NES a year or two later, with saving implemented with password resume or battery-backed memory.
18737
18738
18739
18740Nintendo pushed the Disk System extensively in Japan, releasing all of its software exclusively on disk for nearly two years. However, the machine was not as successful as it was hoped. Nintendo turned off developers at the outset by demanding partial copyright ownership over any games developed for the FDS, causing many licensees to simply ignore the system outright. Four months after the release of the FDS, the first 128K cartridge-based game, "Makaimura", was released. Memory prices went down and battery backup technology improved a lot faster than Nintendo had anticipated, and all of a sudden, the FDS's storage capacity and saving abilities were no longer as appealing to developers. Publishers and retailers complained that the Disk Writer machines, while great for game buyers, were severely cutting into their profits. The final nail in the Disk System's coffin was an unlicensed device that connected two FDS systems in order to copy games. After a brief surge of FDS sales following the device's release, in 1993, Nintendo ordered all the vending machines to be dismantled.
18741
18742
18743
18744While the Disk System was years ahead of its time in terms of a disc-format game console, the system and games both have reliability issues. The drive belt in the drive is a proprietary size, and standard floppy drive belts are too big. Until 2004, Japanese residents were able to send their systems to Nintendo directly for repairs/belt replacements.
18745
18746
18747
18748== Regional differences ==
18749
18750
18751
18752NES and Famicom were not exactly the same console, even if they shared most of the hardware.
18753
18754
18755
18756  * Case design: The Famicom features a top-loading cartridge slot, a 15-pin expansion port located on the unit's front panel for accessories (as the controllers were hard-wired to the back of the console) and a red and white color scheme; the NES features a front-loading cartridge slot, an expansion port was found on the bottom of the unit and a more subdued gray, black and red color scheme.
18757
18758
18759
18760  * Cart design: Differences between NES carts and Famicom carts are not only aesthetic! The original Famicom and the re-released AV Family Computer both use a 60-pin cartridge design, which resulted in smaller cartridges than the NES (and the NES 2), which utilized a 72-pin design. Four pins were used for the NES lockout chip, 10NES. Ten pins were added that connected a cartridge directly to the expansion port on the bottom of the unit. Finally, two pins that allowed cartridges to provide their own sound expansion chips were removed. Many early games (such as Stack-Up) released in North America were simply Famicom cartridges attached to an adapter (such as the T89 Cartridge Converter) to allow them to fit inside the NES hardware. Nintendo did this to reduce costs and inventory by using the same cartridge boards in America and Japan.
18761
18762
18763
18764
18765
18766== Peripherals ==
18767
18768
18769
18770A number of peripheral devices and software packages were released for the Famicom. Few of these devices were ever released outside of Japan.
18771
18772
18773
18774  * Famicom Disk System (FDS): popular floppy disk drive peripheral released for the Famicom in Japan only. Nintendo never released the Famicom Disk System outside of Japan (see above for more info on FDS).
18775
18776
18777
18778  * Family Basic: It was an implementation of BASIC for the Famicom. In fact, the BASIC cartidge was sold together with the keyboard. The keyboard is connected to the expansion port situated at the front of the Famicom, while then BASIC cartridge must be inserted into the Famicom catridge slot. As the keyboard is almost "empty", most of the Famicom's hardware is used, along with the Basic cartridge RAM chips. The Basic delivered with the keyboard is the NS-HUBASIC, where "N" stands for Nintendo, "S" for Sharp and "HU" for Hudson, as they all contributed to this project. Once inserted there is only 1982 bytes free to play with! But it was possible to back-up the program into the cartridge itself by powering it with 3 battery cells. This saving method wasn't reliable as quite often the programs were lost because of bad contacts... Hopefully, a tape-recorder was available, but again, the adjustment of the input level was quite difficult to get. Some games using the built-in save/load feature of the Basic cartridge were released such as "Lode Runner" (edit mode) and "Challenge Race".
18779
18780
18781
18782  * Famicom Data Recorder: Device for saving and loading programs onto standard audio cassettes for programs made in Family BASIC. Also used by few games either to provide additional data to the game, or to save edited data.
18783
18784
18785
18786  * Famicom TV-NET: Connected the Famicom to an online service.
18787
18788
18789
18790  * Famicom MODEM: It was a modem that allowed connection to a Nintendo server which provided content such as jokes, news (mainly about Nintendo), game tips, weather reports for Japan and allowed a small number of programs to be downloaded.
18791
18792
18793
18794  * Famicom Light Gun: produced by Nintendo, it was used by few games. Among these: "Duck Hunt", "Hogan's Alley", "Wild Gunman", "Gumshoe" and "Bayou Billy".
18795
18796
18797
18798  * Famicom Robot: Nintendo produced this Robot to provide an interactive medium between the TV screen and player. In the two games which supported it (i.e. "Gyromite" and "Stack Up"), Robot's actions affect gameplay on the screen and the player have to react to what happens in the game: in "Gyromite" Robot pushes and hold buttons on the second controller; in "Stack Up", the player has to press a button when Robot finishes a task.
18799
18800
18801
18802  * Famicom Four-way Adapter: accessory which allows 4 player to play the same game.
18803
18804
18805
18806  * Famicom 3D System: A liquid crystal shutter headset which gave compatible games the illusion of 3D depth.
18807
18808
18809
18810  * Datach Joint ROM System: Produced by Bandai, it consists of a barcode reader unit which can be inserted as a normal cart in the Famicom; it has a port to insert its own carts, but only few games were produced (among them "Dragon Ball Z", bundled with the unit, and "SD Gundam World"). The barcodes are are used in the game to increase characteristics and to give items.
18811
18812
18813
18814  * Karaoke Studio: Produced by Bandai, it consists of a microphone and a unit that operates on its own cartridges.
18815
18816
18817
18818  * Family Trainer: Released by Bandai, this is a floor mat controller consisting of eight/twelve (depending on the side) pressure-sensors embedded between two layers of flexible plastic. It was used by "Athletic World", "Aerobic Studio", "Running Stadium", "Manhattan Police" and others.
18819
18820
18821
18822  * Party Room 21 Controller: A quiz show buzzer controller for use of up to six people. Released in 1991 to use with "Gimmi a Break -Shijou Saikyou no Quiz Ou Ketteisen".
18823
18824
18825
18826  * Power Glove: Imported in Japan by PAX, the Power Glove was intended to work in place of a regular controller. The Power Glove can track motion of the glove in three-space, finger position, and has a set of buttons/switches on the top of the wrist. It has two modes “hires” and “lores”: in “hires” mode, it tracks 3d position, the rolling and the position of fingers along with the state of SELECT, START, A, B, D-PAD switches (which are a part of the Famicom standard controller); in “lores” mode, the glove reports only the position of the hand on the x and y axis and the buttons (thus emulating a Famicom controller completely and allowing one to use the glove with non-glove-specific games). In “lores” mode, it is also possible to map up to 14 combinations of the buttons to movements of the glove.
18827
18828
18829
18830  * Gun Sight: Produced by Konami, it is a head-mounted lightgun with a microphone and a crosshair that covered one eye. It was manufactured specifically for one Konami game, "Laser Invasion". Wearing the device on the head, the players had to shout "fire!" into the microphone to fire a shot at the on-screen object via the headset's crosshair. However, microphone technology was poor: saying almost anything else would cause the controller to react.
18831
18832
18833
18834  * Arkanoid Controller: specific controller with a knob in place of the D-Pad to control the paddle in the game "Arkanoid".
18835
18836
18837
18838  * ASCII Stick L5: Controller produced by ASCII, designed for one hand use, with RPG players in mind: you can hold it in your left hand, while taking notes or drawing maps with the other hand!
18839
18840
18841
18842  * Joycard Sanusui SSS: Controller released by Hudson Soft with adapter for headphones
18843
18844
18845
18846  * Toyo Stick: Arcade style joystick released by Toyo.
18847
18848
18849
18850
18851
18852//(info based on Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
18853
18854
18855
18856
18857
18858===== Links =====
18859
18860
18861
18862  * NESDev -- http://nesdev.parodius.com/
18863
18864  * NES World -- http://nesworld.parodius.com/
18865
18866  * FDS at Famicom World -- http://www.famicomworld.com/Disk_System/Info.htm
18867
18868  * [[wp>Nintendo_Entertainment_System]]
18869
18870  * [[wp>Famicom_Disk_System]]
18871
18872
18873
18874
18875
18876===== Other Emulators =====
18877
18878
18879
18880  * Nestopia -- http://nestopia.sourceforge.net/
18881
18882  * Nintendulator -- http://qmt.ath.cx/~nes/nintendulator/
18883
18884  * olafnes -- http://olafnes.1emulation.com/
18885
18886  * FakeNES -- http://fakenes.sourceforge.net/
18887
18888  * RockNES -- http://rocknes.kinox.org/
18889
18890  * SegaLi -- http://home.planet.nl/~haps/
18891
18892  * FCE Ultra -- http://fceultra.sourceforge.net/
18893
18894
18895
18896
18897
18898$end
18899
18900
18901
18902#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
18903
18904
18905$info=famitwin
18906$bio
18907====== Sharp Twin Famicom (1986) ======
18908
18909
18910
18911
18912
18913===== Usage =====
18914
18915
18916
18917MESS currently supports for the Sharp Twin Famicom both Famicom cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .nes format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .dsk and .fds format and use the "floppydisk" (flop) device.
18918
18919
18920
18921If you start famitwin without any device inserted, the Twin Famicom will try to find a disk in the drive and will simply return a "Err. 22" message.
18922
18923
18924
18925== Controls ==
18926
18927
18928
18929Famicom controller consists of an 8-way directional pad, two action buttons (labeled A and B), a Start button and a Select button. On the main unit, a Power and a Reset buttons are present.
18930
18931Additionally, Disk switching is mapped to Player 1 Button 3 (default key [space]).
18932
18933
18934
18935== FDS error messages ==
18936
18937
18938
18939| Err. 01 | Disk Set Err. | No disk card.|
18940
18941| Err. 02 | Battery Err. | No disk power supply -- batteries and/or AC adaptor.|
18942
18943| Err. 03 | Write Protect Err. | Disk card is write protected.|
18944
18945| Err. 04 | Game Maker Err. | Disk card not authenticated (game maker ID).|
18946
18947| Err. 05 | Game Name Err. | Disk card not authenticated (game name ID).|
18948
18949| Err. 06 | Game Version Err. | Disk card not compatible (version ID).|
18950
18951| Err. 07 | A,B Side Err. | Wrong side of disk card set in drive.|
18952
18953| Err. 08 | Disk No Err. | Disk card #1 wrong.|
18954
18955| Err. 09 |  | Disk card #2 wrong.|
18956
18957| Err. 10 |  | Disk card #3 wrong.|
18958
18959| Err. 11~19 |  | There is something wrong with the Disk System memory.|
18960
18961| Err. 20 | Disk Trouble Err. | Screen data wrong.|
18962
18963| Err. 21 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block (Nintendo-HVC) wrong.|
18964
18965| Err. 22 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$01 unrecognized.|
18966
18967| Err. 23 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$02 unrecognized.|
18968
18969| Err. 24 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$03 unrecognized.|
18970
18971| Err. 25 | Disk Trouble Err. | Disk card header block #$04 unrecognized.|
18972
18973| Err. 26 | Disk Trouble Err. | Unable to write to disk card.|
18974
18975| Err. 27 | Disk Trouble Err. | Block end mark seen but ends prematurely.|
18976
18977| Err. 28 | Disk Trouble Err. | File ends prematurely during read.|
18978
18979| Err. 29 | Disk Trouble Err. | File ends prematurely during write.|
18980
18981| Err. 30 | Disk Full Err. | No space left on disk card (full).|
18982
18983| Err. 31 |  | File count in header and number of files on disk card do not match.|
18984
18985| Err. 40 |  | Disk card is mess'd.|
18986
18987
18988
18989
18990
18991===== Known Issues =====
18992
18993
18994
18995Family BASIC, its keyboard and its cassette recorder are not supported (yet).
18996
18997
18998
18999
19000
19001===== History and Trivia =====
19002
19003
19004
19005Sharp released the Twin Famicom in 1986.
19006
19007
19008
19009It is a composite console of both Famicom and disk system, under license from Nintendo.
19010
19011
19012
19013
19014
19015===== Links =====
19016
19017
19018
19019  * Twin Famicom at tsr's NES Archive -- http://www.atarihq.com/tsr/odd/scans/twinfamicom.html
19020
19021  * [[wp>Twin_Famicom]]
19022
19023  * Twin Famicom at UCD -- http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/sharp.htm
19024
19025
19026
19027
19028
19029$end
19030
19031
19032
19033#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19034
19035
19036$info=fellow
19037$bio
19038====== Salora Fellow (1983) ======
19039
19040
19041
19042
19043
19044===== Features =====
19045
19046
19047
19048  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
19049
19050  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 (video processor)
19051
19052  * RAM: 6 KB Up to 64 KB with memory addons
19053
19054  * VRAM: 2 KB
19055
19056  * ROM: 16 KB
19057
19058  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
19059
19060  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
19061
19062  * Colors: 8
19063
19064  * Sound: 1 voice & 3 octaves
19065
19066  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out (DIN), Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
19067
19068  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
19069
19070  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
19071
19072
19073
19074
19075
19076===== Usage =====
19077
19078
19079
19080For fellow, MESS supports
19081
19082
19083
19084  - a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .cas format
19085
19086  - a "cartridge" (cart) device for cart dumps in .rom format
19087
19088  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
19089
19090
19091
19092Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .vz files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
19093
19094
19095
19096Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
19097
19098
19099
19100== Keyboard ==
19101
19102
19103
19104This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
19105
19106
19107
19108== RAM options ==
19109
19110
19111
19112Different RAM configurations are possible for fellow in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
19113
19114
19115
19116  2k - standard model
19117
19118  18k - with 16K memory expansion
19119
19120  66k (default) - with 64K memory expansion
19121
19122  4098k - with 4MB memory expansion
19123
19124
19125
19126
19127
19128===== History and Trivia =====
19129
19130
19131
19132Salora Fellow was basically the same machine as the Video Technology Laser 200/210 just with a different case in colors that matches Salora's other electronics.
19133
19134
19135
19136Salora is a Finnish televison manufacturer and they mainly sold this machine in Scandinavia, mostly in Finland. Technically they are the same as the Vtech machines and the machine still says Vtech Laser 200 when booted.
19137
19138
19139
19140The machine sold reasonably well because of Salora's good reputation, but was soon crushed by bigger companies like Commodore and Spectravideo with their better machines. Lack of software was an important factor of course. The machine was also a bit out of date on arrival.
19141
19142
19143
19144The machine wasn't really localized as the Scandinavian Ä,Ö and Å letters were missing from the keyboard. Adding them to the rubber keys must have been too difficult or expensive.
19145
19146
19147
19148Salora also distributed the Laser 2001 as the Manager. It was meant to be the high-end computer of Salora's
19149
19150computer range.
19151
19152
19153
19154== Revisions ==
19155
19156
19157
19158There were two known mainboard revisions:
19159
19160
19161
19162  * One is identical with the original Laser 200 and very badly made with lots of wires, hot glue and a small sister board.
19163
19164  * The second one is of much better quality, as good as big company machines like Commodore, no sister board and only one long wire running through the whole board. There is also a switch on the underside of the machine to choose between color/black&white output. Maybe Salora got tired of fixing broken Fellow's and demanded better quality from Vtech?
19165
19166
19167
19168//(info from old-computers.com)//
19169
19170
19171
19172
19173
19174===== Links =====
19175
19176
19177
19178  * Salora Fellow at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1117
19179
19180
19181
19182
19183
19184===== Other Emulators =====
19185
19186
19187
19188  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
19189
19190  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
19191
19192
19193
19194
19195
19196$end
19197
19198
19199
19200#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19201
19202
19203$info=fm7
19204$bio
19205====== Fujitsu FM-7 (1982) ======
19206
19207
19208
19209
19210
19211===== Features =====
19212
19213
19214
19215    * CPUs:
19216
19217      * M68B09 @ 2MHz (main CPU for general use)
19218
19219      * M68B09 @ 2MHz (sub CPU for graphics work)
19220
19221    * RAM: 64kB, and 48kB video RAM (visible only to sub CPU)
19222
19223    * ROM:
19224
19225      * 32kB Fujitsu F-BASIC
19226
19227      * 10kB sub-system (sub CPU code)
19228
19229      * 2x 512 byte boot ROM (one for F-BASIC, one for DOS), selectable via DIP switch
19230
19231    * Video: 640x200x8, 8 colour palette.
19232
19233    * Sound: AY-3-8910 PSG, plus a simple beeper
19234
19235    * I/O ports: Cassette, Floppy disk, Z80 card (for running CP/M), Printer
19236
19237    * OS: Fujitsu F-BASIC, Fujitsu Disk F-BASIC (must boot from a floppy disk to be able to use disk functions)
19238
19239
19240
19241
19242
19243===== Known Issues =====
19244
19245
19246
19247    * Keyboard emulation is incomplete
19248
19249    * FM-8 compatibility mode is not implemented
19250
19251
19252
19253
19254
19255===== Usage =====
19256
19257
19258
19259== Cassette ==
19260
19261
19262
19263MESS supports both .T77 and .WAV cassette images.
19264
19265
19266
19267To use a cassette, boot without any disks inserted to get to the F-BASIC ready prompt.  Mount a cassette image either beforehand, via the ''-cass'' switch on the commandline, or via the MESS file manager (TAB menu).  Then, from the MESS tape control menu (TAB menu, again), select Play.  Exit the menu, and at the F-BASIC Ready prompt, type ''run""''.  The tape now starts playing, and will load the software on the tape.
19268
19269
19270
19271Please note, that only .WAV files support recording, .T77 files are read-only.
19272
19273
19274
19275== Disk ==
19276
19277
19278
19279MESS supports .D77 disk images.
19280
19281
19282
19283To use a disk, simply mount it via the ''-flop1'' switch on the commandline.  The disk should automatically boot the software on it.  You can also use the MESS file manager to mount the disk, then restart the system with <key>F3</key>.
19284
19285
19286
19287Please note, that for now at least, .D77 files are read-only.
19288
19289
19290
19291
19292
19293===== History and Trivia =====
19294
19295
19296
19297Fujitsu was (and still is) japan's leading electronics company. This computer was the successor of the FM-8 itself first member of the Fujitsu FM (for "Fujitsu Micro") range of computers, extending from hobbyist home computers up to 16-bit machines for the business market.
19298
19299
19300
19301The FM-7 was conceived as a cut-down version of the FM-8, eliminating the bubble cassette feature, and thereby achieving greater compactness and significantly lower price. But it also offered features not found on the FM-8, like a real sound synthesizer LSI providing 3 voices and 8 octaves. This made it the ideal hobby japanese computer at the time.
19302
19303
19304
19305As the NEC PC series and the Sharp X1 and X68000, these computers were very very popular in Japan. They all had impressive characteristics in relation to the European and American computers counterparts.
19306
19307
19308
19309The Most outstanding feature of the FM-7 was the quality and speed of the graphic display.
19310
19311
19312
19313//(info from old-computers.com)//
19314
19315
19316
19317
19318
19319===== Other Emulators =====
19320
19321
19322
19323XM7 -- http://yohkai.no-ip.info/fm7/XM7.htm (v1.1,v2.x,v3.x - Win32, v1.0 - Win32, Win16, PC (MS-DOS), FM-Towns (MS-DOS), Linux, PC-98x1, X680x0)
19324
19325
19326
19327$end
19328
19329
19330
19331#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19332
19333
19334$info=fm77av
19335$bio
19336====== Fujitsu FM-77AV (1985) ======
19337
19338
19339
19340
19341
19342===== Features =====
19343
19344
19345
19346    * CPUs:
19347
19348      * M68B09E @ 2MHz (main CPU for general use)
19349
19350      * M68B09E @ 2MHz (sub CPU for graphics work)
19351
19352    * RAM:
19353
19354      * 128kB system RAM
19355
19356      * 96kB video RAM
19357
19358      * 8kB boot RAM
19359
19360    * ROM:
19361
19362      * 32kB Fujitsu F-BASIC 3.0
19363
19364      * 8kB initialisation ROM
19365
19366      * 3x 8kB sub-system (3 sets of sub CPU code)
19367
19368      * 4x 2kB sub-system CG fonts (katakana, hiragana, and 2 others)
19369
19370    * Video:
19371
19372      * 640x200x8, 8 colour palette
19373
19374      * 320x200x4096, 4096 colour palette
19375
19376    * Sound: YM2203, plus a simple beeper
19377
19378    * I/O ports: Cassette, Floppy disk, 2x Joystick, Printer
19379
19380    * OS: Fujitsu F-BASIC, Fujitsu Disk F-BASIC (must boot from a floppy disk to be able to use disk functions)
19381
19382
19383
19384
19385
19386===== Known Issues =====
19387
19388
19389
19390    * Keyboard emulation is incomplete
19391
19392    * Video functionality is incomplete
19393
19394    * Beeper is not yet implemented
19395
19396    * RTC is not yet implemented
19397
19398
19399
19400
19401
19402===== Usage =====
19403
19404
19405
19406== Cassette ==
19407
19408
19409
19410MESS supports both .T77 and .WAV cassette images.
19411
19412
19413
19414To use a cassette, boot without any disks inserted to get to the F-BASIC ready prompt.  Mount a cassette image either beforehand, via the ''-cass'' switch on the commandline, or via the MESS file manager (TAB menu).  Then, from the MESS tape control menu (TAB menu, again), select Play.  Exit the menu, and at the F-BASIC Ready prompt, type ''run""''.  The tape now starts playing, and will load the software on the tape.
19415
19416
19417
19418Please note, that only .WAV files support recording, .T77 files are read-only.
19419
19420
19421
19422== Disk ==
19423
19424
19425
19426MESS supports .D77 disk images.
19427
19428
19429
19430To use a disk, simply mount it via the ''-flop1'' switch on the commandline.  The disk should automatically boot the software on it.  You can also use the MESS file manager to mount the disk, then restart the system with <key>F3</key>.
19431
19432
19433
19434Please note, that for now at least, .D77 files are read-only.
19435
19436
19437
19438== FM-7 compatibility ==
19439
19440
19441
19442All FM-7 software should be backwards compatible with the FM-77AV
19443
19444
19445
19446
19447
19448===== History and Trivia =====
19449
19450
19451
19452The FM 77 AV was an impressive system in 1985. It's a good example of what was developped in Japan and we never heard of in the rest of the world.
19453
19454
19455
19456The system has great audio and video features, hence the AV for "Audio and Video". It can display 640 x 200 pixels in two colors, or 320 x 200 in 4096 colors ! There is even a multipage mode where you can define two 460 x 200 screens with 8 colors each, or six 640 x 200 monochrome screens !
19457
19458
19459
19460There are a lot of graphical symbols already stored in memory (each symbol / letter is composed by 8 x 8 pixels) : 69 alphanumeric symbols, 63 kakatana signs, 63 hiragana signs and 62 graphic symbols. Moreover, the system is capable of displaying 3418 chinese and asiatic characters with a 16 x 16 character matrix (text resolution is thus of 40 x 12).
19461
19462
19463
19464Last but not least, the FM 77 AV offers superimposition features...
19465
19466On the sound side, it offers three FM voices and three more PSG voices. Other cool features include infra-red keyboard and built-in real time clock.
19467
19468
19469
19470There were two models : the AV-1 which has one 3.5" disk-drive (double density) built-in and the AV-2 which is equipped with two of these drives.
19471
19472
19473
19474//(info from old-computers.com)//
19475
19476
19477
19478
19479
19480===== Other Emulators =====
19481
19482
19483
19484XM7 -- http://yohkai.no-ip.info/fm7/XM7.htm (v2.x, v3.x - Win32)
19485
19486
19487
19488$end
19489
19490
19491
19492#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19493
19494
19495$info=fmtmarty
19496$bio
19497====== Fujitsu FM Towns Marty (1993) ======
19498
19499
19500
19501
19502
19503===== Features =====
19504
19505
19506
19507  * CPU: AMD 386SX at 16 MHz
19508
19509  * RAM: 2 MB
19510
19511  * Graphic Modes: 352x232 up to 640x480
19512
19513  * Colors: 32768 color palette, up to 256 onscreen
19514
19515  * Sound: 6 channel FM, 8 channel PCM
19516
19517  * I/O Ports: composite and S-video output, PCMCIA type 1 slot, 2x standard controller ports, keyboard port
19518
19519  * Media Storage: 1x CD-ROM, internal 3.5" HD floppy drive
19520
19521  * Controllers: 4-way D-pad, 2 fire buttons, select, and run
19522
19523
19524
19525
19526
19527===== History and Trivia =====
19528
19529
19530
19531The FM Towns Marty was released in 1993 by Fujitsu, exclusively for the Japanese market. It was the first 32-bit home video game system and it featured both a CD-ROM and disk drive built in. It was based on the FM Towns computer system Fujitsu had released in 1989 and, as such, it was backward-compatible with older FM Towns games.
19532
19533
19534
19535In 1994 the FM Towns Marty 2 was released. It featured a darker grey coloured shell and a new lower price but was otherwise identical to the first Marty.
19536
19537
19538
19539There is also the FM Towns Car Marty for car installation. It came in two versions: the MVP-1 released on in April 1994 and the MVP-10 released in November 1994. The only difference between the MVP-1 and MVP-10 is the drive mechanisms.
19540
19541
19542
19543Despite having excellent hardware from a gaming perspective, the FM Towns and the Marty were very poor sellers in Japan. They were expensive and the custom hardware meant expandability wasn't as easy as with DOS/V systems (IBM PC Clones with Japanese DOS or Windows).
19544
19545Moreover, most of the market was dominated by NEC's PC98 series computers and, later, by DOS/V machine, and FM Town never managed to have the same success.
19546
19547Finally, despite backwards compatibility with most older FM-Towns PC games, compatibility issues plagued the Marty as newer titles were released for the FM Towns and further limited its potential as a true "console version" of the Fujitsu FM Towns PC. The Marty did have its own library of "Marty" specific games, but they were not enough to strengthen its strange uber-niche position between console systems and PCs.
19548
19549
19550
19551When Fujitsu lowered the price and released the Marty 2, sales started to slowly increase, but the system was dropped.
19552
19553
19554
19555//(info based on Wikipedia)//
19556
19557
19558
19559===== Links =====
19560
19561
19562
19563  * [[wp>FM_Towns_Marty]]
19564
19565
19566
19567===== Other Emulators =====
19568
19569
19570
19571  * UNZ -- http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/townsemu/
19572
19573  * Xe -- http://www.xe-emulator.com/
19574
19575
19576
19577
19578
19579$end
19580
19581
19582
19583#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19584
19585
19586$info=g7400
19587$bio
19588====== Philips Videopac Plus G7400 (1983) ======
19589
19590
19591
19592
19593
19594===== Features =====
19595
19596
19597
19598  * CPU: 8084 Intel 1.79 Mhz
19599
19600  * RAM: 16Kb
19601
19602  * ROM: 16Kb
19603
19604  * Video: 256 x 192
19605
19606  * Colors: 16
19607
19608  * Sound: 1 Audio Channel
19609
19610  * Additional Feature: It is backward compatible with Videopac G7000
19611
19612
19613
19614
19615
19616===== Usage =====
19617
19618
19619
19620MESS emulation of g7400 requires a "cartridge" (cart) to work, either in .bin or .rom format.
19621
19622
19623
19624== Keyboard ==
19625
19626
19627
19628This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
19629
19630
19631
19632
19633
19634===== Known Issues =====
19635
19636
19637
19638The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
19639
19640
19641
19642
19643
19644===== History and Trivia =====
19645
19646
19647
19648Released in Europe during 1983, the G7400 was the next generation console for Philips. It featured the basic components of a Philips Videopac, plus a new graphic chipset, the "Plus". Philips intended to sell the new hardware for at least a couple of years, with plans for more than fifty Videopac cartridges. Due to the collapse of computer/console market in 1984, however, this promising console never took a great hold on the market, and the fifty cartridges quickly became four.
19649
19650
19651
19652It seems there was also a plan to release this system in the United States with the name "Odyssey 3", under the Magnavox label, but it seems that no unit ever reached the market.
19653
19654
19655
19656The first Videopac game to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the G7400 was "Terrahawks" (Videopac 51). Also some older Videopac cartridges such as "Race", "Stonesling", "Satellite Attack", "Freedom Fighters" and "Pickaxe Pete", were re-released for the upgraded console. In the majority of cases, these games were made backwards compatible with the old G7000 and, due to the limited space available on the carts, the enhancements reduced to addition of colourful backgrounds.
19657
19658
19659
19660Four carts only were produced with exclusive support for the G7400: "Helicopter Rescue", "Norseman" and "Trans American Rally" and the "Microsoft Basic Expansion Module".
19661
19662
19663
19664There exist various variations of the G7400: the Jopac JO7400, the Schneider G74+ and the Radiola Jet 741.
19665
19666
19667
19668//(info from Odyssey FAQs and videopac.org)//
19669
19670
19671
19672
19673
19674===== Links =====
19675
19676
19677
19678  * videopac.org -- http://www.videopac.org/
19679
19680  * Dan Boris' Odyssey2 Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/o2.shtml
19681
19682
19683
19684
19685
19686===== Other Emulators =====
19687
19688
19689
19690  * o2em for DOS -- http://o2em.sourceforge.net/
19691
19692
19693
19694
19695
19696$end
19697
19698
19699
19700#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19701
19702
19703$info=galaxy
19704$bio
19705====== Elektronika Inzenjering Galaksija (1983) ======
19706
19707
19708
19709
19710
19711===== Features =====
19712
19713
19714
19715  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.072MHz
19716
19717  * RAM: from 2 KB to 6 KB
19718
19719  * ROM: 4 KB (up to 8 KB), Several ROM sockets available
19720
19721  * Text Modes: 32 x 16
19722
19723  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48 (semi-graphic mode)
19724
19725  * Colors: Monochrome
19726
19727  * Sound: None
19728
19729  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, Tape, Monitor Video Output, RF TV Output
19730
19731  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard
19732
19733
19734
19735
19736
19737===== Usage =====
19738
19739
19740
19741MESS supports the emulation of the Galaksija with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tape images in .wav and .gtp format.
19742
19743
19744
19745Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .gal files.
19746
19747
19748
19749== Keyboard ==
19750
19751
19752
19753This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
19754
19755
19756
19757== RAM options ==
19758
19759
19760
19761Different RAM configurations are possible for the galaxy in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
19762
19763
19764
19765  2k
19766
19767  6k (default)
19768
19769  22k - 6k + 16k RAM expansion
19770
19771  38k - 6k + 32k RAM expansion
19772
19773  54k - 6k + 48k RAM expansion
19774
19775
19776
19777
19778
19779===== History and Trivia =====
19780
19781
19782
19783ZX81 class kit built computer from Yugoslavia (Serbia) designed by Voja Antonic. Also available in complete form.
19784
19785
19786
19787There were 7000 kit complets sold and approximately 10.000 made computers (including kit built ones).
19788
19789
19790
19791The meaning of the name "Galaksija" is "Galaxy" and is pronounced "Galaxiya".
19792
19793
19794
19795"Galaksija" was a very important computer - not for its features but for the effect it had on the "geek" society at the time. It was named after the same-name monthly magazine dealing with various scientific issues (i.e. Yugoslav equivalent of "Scientific American").
19796
19797
19798
19799Sometime in 1983, the editor, Dejan Ristanovic, decided to release a special (but separate) issue dedicated to computers: "Racunari u vasoj kuci" - "Computers in your house". This was the first truly computer magazine in the country. Due to amazing popularity it first became a regular bi-monthly and later a monthly issue.
19800
19801
19802
19803Voja Antonic heard about the plans to release the (first) special issue, contacted Dejan Ristanovic and the plans were made. It was originally thought that it will just be interesting to read but not really to make. Wrong: more than 8000 were made by enthusiasts (amazing number for such a small country).
19804
19805
19806
19807The Galaksija was not envisioned as a *kit* but as a build-it-yourself computer (i.e. one did not have to purchase the kit at all, although kits were available) - so people made it themselves. Later on, some companies (such as "Elektronika Inzenjering" - Electronics Engineering) started making pre-built versions, mainly distributed to schools through "Zavod za udzbenike i nastavna sredstva" (Institute for textbooks and teaching aids).
19808
19809
19810
19811An EPROM has to be sent to the authors to be programmed. The designs were found in the first issue of Racunari u vasoj kuci (which translates to "Computers in your home") magazine. There were 7000 kit complets sold and aproximately 10.000 made computers (including kit built ones).
19812
19813
19814
19815It was a ZX81 class computer & was invented by Voja Antonic. The Galaksija had an improved, optimised BASIC. Originally the Microsoft Basic was meant to be used, but in order to fit in 4KB of ROM, the improvements were done. Galaksija used only capital characters (like the TI-99/4A).
19816
19817
19818
19819The computer was designed in second half of 1983. The diagrams were published in very late December 1983 in the January 1984 issue of magazine "Racunari u vasoj kuci" (special issue of magazine Galaksija). Technically speaking first Galaskijas were made in 1983 but only by the creators. All others were made in 1984 and later.
19820
19821
19822
19823RAM was a static RAM based on 6116 (2 KB) chips. The motherboard had three slots on-board to provide from 2 to 6 KB. Since first 8 KB were reserved for ROMs, RAM was expandable to max. 54 KB. Static RAM was chosen to simplify development although it was more expensive.
19824
19825
19826
19827There is no VRAM. A part of RAM was used, read by the Z80A CPU which, in turn controlled the primitive video circuitry. Almost 75% of CPU time was used to generate the video signal but this made the computer a whole lot cheaper and easier to build.
19828
19829
19830
19831About the ROM, two sockets ("A" and "B") were available for 2732 EPROMs (4KB each). ROM "A" contained the basics (initialization, video generation, BASIC interpreter and alike). ROM "B" was optional and contained additional BASIC commands, assembler, monitor, etc.
19832
19833
19834
19835Galaksija only had a text mode (32x16). However, 64 semi-graphic characters composed of 2x3 blocks combinations allowed PSEUDOgraphics to be drawn in 64x48 resolution.
19836
19837
19838
19839The build-it-yoursef price varied significantly based on when and where parts were purchased. Pre-built model (significantly more expensive, from "Zavod za udzbenike i nastavna sredstva") used to be priced as follows (in 1984 currencies)
19840
19841
19842
19843  * ROM A only, 4 KB of RAM: 45,500 din (approx. 447 USD)
19844
19845  * ROM A only, 6 KB of RAM: 49,500 din (approx. 487 USD)
19846
19847  * Both ROMs, 4 KB of RAM: 55,500 din (approx. 546 USD)
19848
19849  * Both ROMs, 6 KB of RAM: 59,500 din (approx. 585 USD)
19850
19851
19852
19853The author of this computer, Voja Antonic, reports us that the "Glalksija" was initialy offered as a "do-it-yourself" project in the 1st issue of the first computer magazine in (former) Yugoslavia, and there is a lot of interesting stuff about it. It was the time when hardly anybody knew what is the computer, so at the first moment he had the estimation of about 100 built samples, but he received over 7000 replies that readers built it and that they work!
19854
19855
19856
19857The story has many more details, including broadcasting Galaksija programs over the radio (people would save the programs to the tape and then load them later, while other unsuspecting listeners would hear unimaginable noise).
19858
19859
19860
19861//(info from old-computers.com)//
19862
19863
19864
19865
19866
19867===== Links =====
19868
19869
19870
19871  * Voja Antonic's page (in Yougoslavian) -- http://www.paralax.co.yu/pr83.htm
19872
19873  * Ivan Siric's page -- http://www.inet.hr/~isiric/
19874
19875  * Dejan Ristanovic's page -- http://user.sezampro.yu/~dejanr/rac1/index.htm
19876
19877  * Josip's page -- http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/
19878
19879  * Galaksija.org -- http://www.galaksija.org/
19880
19881  * Galaksija at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=330
19882
19883
19884
19885
19886
19887===== Other Emulators =====
19888
19889
19890
19891  * Galaksija emulator by Miodrag Jevremovic -- http://solair.eunet.yu/~amidar
19892
19893  * Galaxy -- http://www.sezampro.yu/~dejanr/
19894
19895
19896
19897
19898
19899$end
19900
19901
19902
19903#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
19904
19905
19906$info=galaxyp
19907$bio
19908====== Elektronika Inzenjering Galaksija Plus (1985) ======
19909
19910
19911
19912
19913
19914===== Features =====
19915
19916
19917
19918  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.072MHz
19919
19920  * RAM: 48 KB
19921
19922  * ROM: 4 KB (up to 8 KB), Several ROM sockets available
19923
19924  * Text Modes: 32 x 16
19925
19926  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 208
19927
19928  * Colors: Monochrome
19929
19930  * Sound: 3 Channel sound generator (AY-3-8912 or compatible)
19931
19932  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, Tape, Monitor Video Output, RF TV Output
19933
19934  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard
19935
19936
19937
19938
19939
19940===== Usage =====
19941
19942
19943
19944MESS supports the emulation of the Galaksija Plus with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tape images in .wav and .gtp format.
19945
19946
19947
19948Also a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .gal files.
19949
19950
19951
19952== Keyboard ==
19953
19954
19955
19956This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
19957
19958
19959
19960
19961
19962===== History and Trivia =====
19963
19964
19965
19966Galaksija Plus was an improvement of regular Galaksija, created by different authors (hardware by Nenad Dunjic and software by software Milan Tadic). They added more RAM (48 K), more ROM (12K total) separate graphics mode (256x208). To reduce time it takes to save or load longer data (for large memory) the tape data recording speed was increased from 280 bps to 1200 bps. It was announced in the sixth issue (june/jully 1985) of the same magazine, now simply called "Racunari" (Computers). Estimated price at that time was much higher, mainly due to very high inflation in the country - 140,000 din.
19967
19968
19969
19970//(info from old-computers.com)//
19971
19972
19973
19974
19975
19976===== Links =====
19977
19978
19979
19980  * Voja Antonic's page (in Yougoslavian) -- http://www.paralax.co.yu/pr83.htm
19981
19982  * Ivan Siric's page -- http://www.inet.hr/~isiric/
19983
19984  * Dejan Ristanovic's page -- http://user.sezampro.yu/~dejanr/rac1/index.htm
19985
19986  * Josip's page -- http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/
19987
19988  * Galaksija.org -- http://www.galaksija.org/
19989
19990  * Galaksija at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=330
19991
19992
19993
19994
19995
19996===== Other Emulators =====
19997
19998
19999
20000  * Galaksija emulator by Miodrag Jevremovic -- http://solair.eunet.yu/~amidar
20001
20002  * Galaxy -- http://www.sezampro.yu/~dejanr/
20003
20004
20005
20006
20007
20008$end
20009
20010
20011
20012#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20013
20014
20015$info=galeb
20016$bio
20017====== PEL Varaždin Galeb (1981) ======
20018
20019
20020
20021
20022
20023===== Features =====
20024
20025
20026
20027  * CPU: MOS 6502
20028
20029  * RAM: 9 KB up to 64 KB
20030
20031  * ROM: 16 KB (Monitor & BASIC interpreter)
20032
20033  * Text Modes: 48 columns x 16 lines
20034
20035  * Graphic Modes: 96 x 48 pixels
20036
20037  * Colors: Monochrome
20038
20039  * Sound: Built-in speaker - 1 channel, 5 octaves
20040
20041  * I/O Ports: Composite video output, TV RF video output, Serial RS-232 port, Tape interface, Expansion connector
20042
20043  * Built In Language: Basic interpreter
20044
20045  * Keyboard: 59 key full-stroke keyboard (QWERTZ)
20046
20047  * Built In Media: None
20048
20049
20050
20051
20052
20053===== Usage =====
20054
20055
20056
20057== Keyboard ==
20058
20059
20060
20061This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
20062
20063
20064
20065
20066
20067===== History and Trivia =====
20068
20069
20070
20071Galeb was an 8-bit computer designed by Miroslav Kocjan and developed by PEL Varaždin. It was largely inspired by the Compukit UK 101, Ohio Scientific Superboard and Superboard II computers that appeared in the U.K. and U.S.A. in 1979.
20072
20073
20074
20075The production ended at the end of 1984 and there were only 250 units produced (so it is extremely rare). It was replaced by the Orao, a better and cheaper model.
20076
20077
20078
20079//(info from old-computers.com)//
20080
20081
20082
20083
20084
20085===== Links =====
20086
20087
20088
20089  * Galeb at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1048
20090
20091
20092
20093
20094
20095===== Other Emu =====
20096
20097
20098
20099  * Galeb Emu -- http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/
20100
20101
20102
20103
20104
20105$end
20106
20107
20108
20109#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20110
20111
20112$info=gameboy
20113$bio
20114====== Nintendo Game Boy (1989) ======
20115
20116
20117
20118
20119
20120===== Features =====
20121
20122
20123
20124  * CPU: 8-bit processor similar to Z80 at 4.194304MHz
20125
20126  * RAM:  8kB internal
20127
20128  * ROM:  256kBit up to 8MBit cartridges are known (resp. 32kB up to 1024kB). Probably, there are 16kB cartridges as well.
20129
20130  * VRAM: 8kB internal
20131
20132  * Display: Reflective LCD 160 x 144 dots
20133
20134  * Colors: 4 shades of gray
20135
20136  * Screen Size: 2.6"
20137
20138  * Sprites: 40 sprites of either 8x8 or 8x16 [switchable]
20139
20140  * Sound: 4 channels each of which can be mapped either to the left or to the right or to both speakers
20141
20142  * Communications: Serial port. It can be used to connect 2, 4 or 16 units using the Game Link Cable (and the Four Player Link adapter). It is also used to connect the Game Boy Printer.
20143
20144
20145
20146
20147
20148===== Usage =====
20149
20150
20151
20152MESS supports both Game Boy original systems
20153
20154
20155
20156  * gameboy [Nintendo Game Boy]
20157
20158  * gbpocket [Nintendo Game Boy Pocket]
20159
20160
20161
20162These drivers require a cart dump (in one of the following formats: .gb, .gmb, .cgb, .gbc, .sgb, .bin) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run. You can launch emulation using, at command line
20163
20164
20165
20166  mess gbpocket -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.gb"
20167
20168
20169
20170Using gameboy, you could actually start the system without a cart, but you would simply see a black rectangle scrolling down in place of the usual Nintendo logo (whose graphics is stored in the carts).
20171
20172
20173
20174== Controls ==
20175
20176
20177
20178Game Boy games are controlled through a 8-way Directional Pad (D-Pad), first introduced by Nintendo in its Game & Watch series of portable games and then used also in the NES controller, and 2 buttons named A and B. Additional buttons Start and Select are present on the console itself.
20179
20180
20181
20182
20183
20184===== History and Trivia =====
20185
20186
20187
20188Nintendo's Game Boy handheld was first released in 1989 in Japan and US, and in 1990 in Europe and Australia. The gaming device was designed by the long-time Nintendo employee Gunpei Yokoi. He was also the responsible of the Ultra Hand, an expanding arm toy created and produced by Nintendo in 1970, and the creator of the Game & Watch handhelds, which first introduced the revolutionary use of a directional pad to control games.
20189
20190
20191
20192Yokoi designed the original Game Boy with clear ideas in mind: the system needed to be small, light, inexpensive and durable. And the final result succeeded in all these aspects. In particular, the Game Boy was small enough to be (almost) put in pockets. Also, the reflective b&w LCD screen, which could have been a weak point in comparison to backlit color screen of the Atari Lynx and the Sega Game Gear, turned out to be its advantage: its "poor" screen, indeed, allowed the Game Boy to work for ~30 hours (almost 5 times more than competitors) with only 4AA batteries.
20193
20194
20195
20196Thanks to a very large library of games, Game Boy continued its success until 2000, when it was replaced by its successor: the Game Boy Color. The new console was actually released in 1998 in Japan, but for a couple of years many new games were still programmed to be compatible with the original hardware as well.
20197
20198
20199
20200== Versions ==
20201
20202
20203
20204The Game Boy console went through several design iterations, without significant changes to its computing power, since its release in 1989.
20205
20206
20207
20208  * Game Boy: The original Game Boy was released on April 21, 1989 in Japan and in August 1989 in the United States. Later in 1990 it was also released in Europe and Australia. It plays games from ROM-based media contained in small plastic detachable units called cartridges (sometimes abbreviated as carts or GamePaks). The killer game that pushed the Game Boy into the upper reaches of success was "Tetris". "Tetris" was widely popular, and on the handheld format could be played anywhere. It came packaged with the Game Boy, and broadened its audience: adults and kids alike were buying Game Boys in order to play "Tetris", which could be played also by two players at once (via the Game Link Cable connecting two units through the link port). It was the first cartridge-based system that supported more than four players at one time (via the link port). Using more Four Player Link adapter it is possible to link together up to 16 Game Boy units, even if such a feature was used by "Faceball 2000" only.
20209
20210
20211
20212  * Game Boy - Play It Loud!: In 1995, Nintendo released several Game Boy models with colored cases, advertising them in the Play it Loud! campaign. Specifications for this unit remain the same as the original Game Boy, including the monochromatic screen, and only a more powerful internal speaker was added. This new line of colored Game Boy models would set a precedent for later Nintendo handhelds, which all feature different colored units. "Play It Loud!" units were manufactured in red, yellow, green, black, blue, white and clear cases. There was also a red cased limited edition released in the United Kingdom dedicated to Manchester United, with the logos of the team on it.
20213
20214
20215
20216  * Game Boy Pocket: In July 1996 (Japanese release date, September 1996 for the US release), Nintendo released this new version which is smaller, lighter and requires only 2 AAA batteries to work (about 10 hours of game play). The Pocket has a smaller link port, which requires an adapter to link with the older Game Boy. The port design will remain the same in subsequent Game Boy models, until the Game Boy Micro. The screen was changed to a true black-and-white display, rather than the original greenish monochromatic display, and a small LED was added to show the batteries level. It was produced in many color variations (the older ones did not have the battery LED): gray, red, yellow, green, black, silver, gold, pink and light purple... Additionally, various limited editions were produced, dedicated to Hello Kitty, Tamagotchi etc.
20217
20218
20219
20220  * Game Boy Light: The Game Boy Light was only released in Japan in April 14, 1998. This Light version is about the same size as the Pocket and has a backlit screen for improved visibility. It uses 2 AA batteries, which give it approximately 20 hours with the light off and 12 with it on.
20221
20222
20223
20224== Accessories ==
20225
20226
20227
20228Various accessories were produce for the Game Boy.
20229
20230
20231
20232  * Pocket Camera / Game Boy Camera: This add-on was released by Nintendo in 1998 and it consists of a cart with a built in camera, which allow to save pictures and to edit them in some basic way. The camera can take greyscale 128 x 112 pixel pictures with a few simple effects, to store them in albums (and later reviewed singularly or as a slideshow) and to link them together. Also, a few built-in games are present: "Space Fever II" (a shoot'em up) and, through this, "Ball" (a juggling game similar to a Game & Watch), "DJ" (in which you can mix and create music) and "Run! Run! Run!" (a race against a mole and a bird). The camera can also be interfaced with the Pocket Printer / Game Boy Printer to produce hardcopies of the pictures.
20233
20234
20235
20236  * Pocket Printer / Game Boy Printer: This is a thermal printer released by Nintendo in 1998, to be used with Game Boy and Game Boy Color handhelds. It was thought to be used mainly in conjunction with Pocket Camera / Game Boy Camera, to print hardcopies of the pictures. A few games supported it as well: "Link's Awakening DX", "Super Mario Bros. Deluxe", "Pokémon Yellow", "Pokémon Gold", "Pokémon Silver", "Pokémon Crystal", "Perfect Dark", "Donkey Kong Country" and "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2" among the others.
20237
20238
20239
20240  * Game Genie, Action Replay, GameShark : cheat devices produced respectively by Galoob, Datel and Interact (GameShark is the US version of Datel's Action Replay).
20241
20242
20243
20244//(info based on Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
20245
20246
20247
20248
20249
20250===== Links =====
20251
20252
20253
20254  * Marat Fayzullin's Game Boy Pages -- http://fms.komkon.org/GameBoy/
20255
20256  * Steve's Game Boy Page -- http://www.semis.demon.co.uk/Gameboy/Gbmain.htm
20257
20258  * Game Boy Hardware in Japan -- http://maru-chang.com/hard/gb/english.htm
20259
20260  * [[wp>Game_Boy]]
20261
20262
20263
20264
20265
20266===== Other Emulators =====
20267
20268
20269
20270  * no$gmb (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gmb.htm
20271
20272  * Gambatte (GB, GBC) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/gambatte
20273
20274  * BGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://bgb.bircd.org/
20275
20276  * VisualBoyAdvance (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://vba.ngemu.com/
20277
20278  * KiGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://kigb.emuunlim.com/
20279
20280  * Mednafen (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
20281
20282  * Hello GameBoy (GB,GBC) [no link]
20283
20284  * GEST (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://koti.mbnet.fi/gest_emu/
20285
20286  * D-BOY -- http://www.emucamp.com/boukichi
20287
20288
20289
20290
20291
20292$end
20293
20294
20295
20296#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20297
20298
20299$info=gamecom
20300$bio
20301====== Tiger game.com (1997) ======
20302
20303
20304
20305
20306
20307===== Features =====
20308
20309
20310
20311  * CPU: Sharp SM8521 8-Bit CPU
20312
20313  * Screen: 192 x 160 resolution, 12 x 10 grid based touch screen
20314
20315  * Colors: Black and White, with 4 gray levels
20316
20317  * Sound: Mono, FM-synthesis, 8-bit, PCM, single speaker, located in the upper left corner
20318
20319  * I/O Ports: Serial port for the Compete.com cable, internet cable and weblink cable; audio-in jack for headphones; 2 Cartridge Slots (1 on the Pocket and Pocket Pro)
20320
20321
20322
20323
20324
20325===== Usage =====
20326
20327
20328
20329MESS supports emulation of the gamecom with a "cartridge" (cart) device. The cart dump must be in .bin or .tgc format. If you start gamecom without any cart, you enter the console internal menu and you are able to play "Solitaire", to use a "Calculator", to sort your "High Scores", to check a "Calendar" and your "Phone Book".
20330
20331
20332
20333== Controls ==
20334
20335
20336
20337Buttons on the console:   Power (On/Off); 8-way D-Pad; Action (A, B, C, D); 3 Function (Menu, Sound, Pause); Volume; Contrast; Reset (On system's underside)
20338
20339
20340
20341
20342
20343===== Known Issues =====
20344
20345
20346
20347The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
20348
20349
20350
20351
20352
20353===== History and Trivia =====
20354
20355
20356
20357The game.com was released by Tiger Electronics in 1997. Although aimed at an older audience, thanks to the PDA-style features and functions such as a touch screen and stylus, Tiger hoped it would challenge Nintendo's Game Boy. Unlike other handheld game consoles, the first game.com consoles included two slots for game cartridges and could be connected to a modem. Later models reverted to a single cartridge slot.
20358
20359
20360
20361Tiger also produced equivalents to many Game Boy peripherals, such as the compete.com serial cable allowing players to connect their consoles.
20362
20363
20364
20365Unfortunately, many of the game.com's exclusive features had only limited functionality. The touch screen had a fairly low sensor resolution, so it was hard to use for precise input in games and few players made use of the PDA functions to keep phone numbers, addresses or the like. Furthermore, the failure of the built-in backup battery would erase any high scores or information stored on the console. The possibility to connect to a modem was hardly exploited as well: it was difficult to setup, the service was expensive and a separate cart was needed to browse the web.
20366
20367Finally, only a few games were available for the system and, despite the use of famous brands, most games were seldom close to the spirit of the original games, being developed internally by Tiger.
20368
20369
20370
20371In an effort to revitalize their system, Tiger later released the game.com Pocket Pro. This was a smaller version of the game.com which had the same specifications as the original except that it had a single cartridge slot. The initial version of the Pocket Pro featured a frontlit screen. A subsequent re-release omitted the frontlight and came in four translucent colors (green, blue, pink, and purple). This re-release enjoyed very limited success, and the console was canceled in 2000.
20372
20373
20374
20375//(info based on Wikipedia)//
20376
20377
20378
20379
20380
20381===== Links =====
20382
20383
20384
20385  * Slight's Compendium -- http://www.coxhomestead.com/slight/compendium/index.html
20386
20387
20388
20389
20390
20391$end
20392
20393
20394
20395#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20396
20397
20398$info=gamegear
20399$bio
20400====== Sega Game Gear (1990) ======
20401
20402
20403
20404
20405
20406===== Features =====
20407
20408
20409
20410  * CPU: Zilog Z80 at 4 MHz
20411
20412  * RAM: 8K
20413
20414  * Video RAM: 16K
20415
20416  * Colors Palette: 512; 32 max on screen
20417
20418  * Resolution: 160 x 140 viewable from 256 x 224
20419
20420  * Sprite size: 8 x 8 , 8 x 16 (16 x 16 in doubled mode)
20421
20422  * Max # of sprites: 64 on screen; 128 in memory
20423
20424  * Sound: 6 channel FM, 2 channel noise - Stereo
20425
20426
20427
20428
20429
20430===== Usage =====
20431
20432
20433
20434MESS supports two regional variants of the Game Gear
20435
20436
20437
20438  * gamegear [Game Gear (Europe / America)]
20439
20440  * gamegeaj [Game Gear (Japan)]
20441
20442
20443
20444Both drivers require a cart dump (in .gg or .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run. You can launch emulation using, at command line
20445
20446
20447
20448  mess gamegear -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.gg"
20449
20450
20451
20452== BIOS options ==
20453
20454
20455
20456MESS emulates two different Game Gear versions: the BIOS-less model by Sega and the Majesco model.
20457
20458You can switch between the two, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, for both gamegear
20459
20460and gamegeaj,
20461
20462 
20463
20464  "-bios 0" or "-bios none" = No BIOS
20465
20466 
20467
20468  "-bios 1" or "-bios majesco" = Majesco BIOS
20469
20470
20471
20472== Software ==
20473
20474
20475
20476A list of Game Gear software can be found [[:sysinfo:gamegear:softlist|here]].
20477
20478
20479
20480
20481
20482===== Known Issues =====
20483
20484
20485
20486== To do (see source): ==
20487
20488
20489
20490  * LCD persistence emulation for GG is currently hacky
20491
20492  * SIO interface for Game Gear (needs netplay, I guess)
20493
20494
20495
20496
20497
20498===== History and Trivia =====
20499
20500
20501
20502The Game Gear was basically a portable Master System with a lower resolution screen, but allowed for a larger color palette, and therefore potentially better-looking graphics. In addition, it could also produce stereo sound (through headphones) as opposed to the  Master System's monaural output, although very few games made use of the stereo capabilities.
20503
20504
20505
20506One of the more famous and unusual peripherals for the Game Gear was the "TV Tuner Adapter", a device that plugged into the system's cartridge slot, and allowed one to watch TV on the Game Gear's screen. Other add-ons included a magnifying glass to compensate for the relatively small size of the Game Gear's screen, and a rechargeable battery pack.
20507
20508
20509
20510Because of the similarities between the Master System and the Game Gear, it was possible for Master System games to be written directly onto Game Gear cartridges. Similarly, an adapter called the "Master Gear" allowed Master System cartridges to be plugged in and played on the Game Gear. The reverse (playing a Game Gear game on a Master System console) was impossible due to the Game Gear's aforementioned larger color palette.
20511
20512
20513
20514Despite the color screen, which could have been an advantage over the monochromatic Nintendo Game Boy, and the release of several interesting games, like "Sonic the Hedgehog", the Game Gear did not become very popular, due to elevated price and batteries short life. However, this system did definitely better than other portable systems which tried to compete with the Game Boy.
20515
20516
20517
20518A couple of special versions of the console were released: a blue Game Gear sports edition, identical to the standard Game Gear except in the body color, was released in 1993, in bundle with the game "World Series Baseball"; a red Coca-Cola-themed Game Gear unit was released to the Japanese market, in bundle with the game "Coca-Cola Kid".
20519
20520
20521
20522Sega's support for Game Gear ended in 1997, but Majesco released a new version of the Game Gear in 2000 for a reduced price. The Majesco Game Gear differed slightly from the original Game Gear in the case design and in the lack of support for the television tuner accessory. It also had a somewhat better speaker that didn't distort as much when played loudly.
20523
20524
20525
20526The Game Gear was also re-released in a smaller handheld form factor in late 2006, under several brands including Coleco and PlayPal.
20527
20528
20529
20530//(info based on Wikipedia)//
20531
20532
20533
20534
20535
20536===== Links =====
20537
20538
20539
20540  * Sega Master System and Game Gear Hardware Reference Manual -- http://www.smspower.org/dev/sdsc/SMSGGHardwareReferenceManual.html
20541
20542  * Charles MacDonald's GG & SMS Infos -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms.php
20543
20544  * [[wp>Sega_Game_Gear]]
20545
20546
20547
20548
20549
20550===== Other Emulators =====
20551
20552
20553
20554  * Kega Fusion -- http://www.eidolons-inn.net/tiki-index.php?page=Kega
20555
20556  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
20557
20558
20559
20560
20561
20562$end
20563
20564
20565
20566#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20567
20568
20569$info=gamepock
20570$bio
20571====== Epoch Game Pocket Computer (1984) ======
20572
20573
20574
20575One of the first handheld consoles ever released to offer interchangeable cartridges. Only five games were released.
20576
20577
20578
20579
20580
20581===== Features =====
20582
20583
20584
20585  * CPU: NEC UPD78C06 6MHz
20586
20587  * Screen: 75 x 64 LCD screen
20588
20589
20590
20591
20592
20593===== Usage =====
20594
20595
20596
20597MESS supports cart dumps in .bin format for gamepock, using the ''cartridge'' (''cart'') device. Starting gamepock without any cart would give access to the built-in puzzle game and "graphic" program (you can switch between them using the Select button, mapped by default to <key>5</key>)
20598
20599
20600
20601== Software ==
20602
20603
20604
20605A list of Game Pocket Computer software can be found [[:sysinfo:gamepock:softlist|here]].
20606
20607
20608
20609
20610
20611===== History and Trivia =====
20612
20613
20614
20615Game Pocket Computer was released by Epoch in Japan in 1984. It was one of the first handheld console with interchangeable cartridges.
20616
20617
20618
20619Only five games were produced: "Astro Bomber", "Block Maze", "Mahjong", "Reversi" and "Soukoban".
20620
20621
20622
20623
20624
20625===== Links =====
20626
20627
20628
20629  * Chris Covell's Game Pocket page -- http://www.disgruntleddesigner.com/chrisc/GamePokekon/
20630
20631  * Game Pocket Computer at handheldmuseum.com -- http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Epoch/GamePock.htm
20632
20633  * Game Pocket at miniarcade.com -- http://www.miniarcade.com/epoch/pgc.htm
20634
20635  * [[wp>Epoch Game Pocket Computer]]
20636
20637
20638
20639
20640
20641
20642
20643$end
20644
20645
20646
20647#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20648
20649
20650$info=gba
20651$bio
20652====== Nintendo Game Boy Advance (2001) ======
20653
20654
20655
20656
20657
20658===== Features =====
20659
20660
20661
20662  * CPU: 32-bit ARM7TDMI at 16.8 MHz
20663
20664  * RAM: 32 KB
20665
20666  * VRAM: 96 KB
20667
20668  * Screen: 2.9" [GBA, GBA SP] or 2" [GBA Micro] reflective thin-film transistor (TFT) color LCD
20669
20670  * Light source: None [GBA]; frontlight integrated LCD [GBA SP]; backlight with adjustable brightness [GB Micro].
20671
20672  * Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels.
20673
20674  * Color: 15-bit RGB (16-bit color space using 5 bits depth per channel), capable of displaying 512 simultaneous colors in "character mode" and 32,768 simultaneous colors in "bitmap mode".
20675
20676  * Controls: 8 directional D-Pad, A, B, L, R, Select and Start buttons. The Game Boy Micro has lines on the D-pad, possibly to match with that of the DS Lite and Wii.
20677
20678  * Backward compatibility for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games is provided by an 8.4 MHz Z80 co-processor [GBA, GBA SP]. A link port at the top of the unit allows it to be connected to other devices via use of a Nintendo Game Link cable or GameCube cable.
20679
20680  * Headphones: Game Boy Micro supports standard headphones without additional accessories.
20681
20682
20683
20684
20685
20686===== History and Trivia =====
20687
20688
20689
20690The Game Boy Advance (often shortened to GBA) was released worldwide by Nintendo in 2001, representing a great improvement compared to previous Game Boy systems: great sound capabilities, graphics as good as the SNES one (sprite rotation and scaling effects included) and, for the first in the Game Boy system line, a widescreen display.
20691
20692
20693
20694In early 2003, Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance SP: an upgraded Game Boy Advance with an internal front-light that can be turned on or off, and a folding case approximately half the original size. It was designed to address some common complaints with the original Game Boy Advance which was criticized for being very uncomfortable. The Game Boy Advance SP also came with a new and much brighter LCD screen for improved playability.
20695
20696
20697
20698Finally, in September 2005, Nintendo released a second redesign of the Game Boy Advance. This model, called Game Boy Micro, is similar in style to the original Game Boy Advance's horizontal orientation, but is much smaller and sleeker. Unlike the previous Game Boy Advance models, though, Game Boy Micro is unable to support Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.
20699
20700
20701
20702The Game Boy Micro also allows the user an ability to switch between several colored faceplates to allow customization, a feature which Nintendo advertised heavily around the Game Boy Micro's launch.
20703
20704
20705
20706All the Game Boy Advance systems feature no regional lockouts on software, so North American games can be played on Japanese or European hardware and viceversa.
20707
20708
20709
20710== Official Accessories ==
20711
20712
20713
20714  * Wireless Adapter: Released in 2004, this adapter hooks up to the back of the Game Boy Advance and allows many people to link up to each other; having been released so late in the Game Boy Advance's life, only around 20 games support this hardware
20715
20716
20717
20718  * Game Boy Advance Infra-Red Adapter: This adapter was included with the game Cyberdrive Zoids, as it is only compatible with this game and the latest GBA Pokémon games.
20719
20720
20721
20722  * Play-Yan: The Play-Yan is a MP3/MPEG4 player for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. The cartridge is slightly bigger than a normal Game Boy Advance cartridge and includes a built-in headphone port as well as an SD Card slot. Music or videos that users have downloaded from the Internet can be transferred onto an SD Card and slotted into the Play-Yan device. Nintendo has released several mini games for the Play-Yan that can be downloaded from their website, although Nintendo later removed all mini-game functionality through a firmware update. The Play-Yan was initially available in Japan only, but was released in Europe as the Nintendo MP3 Player on 8 December 2006, with the MPEG4 functionality removed.
20723
20724
20725
20726  * e-Reader: The e-Reader is a rather bulky scanning device that plugs into the game cartridge slot of the Game Boy Advance. Specialized cards with codes along the side and bottom are slid through the slit, scanning the card into the Game Boy Advance. Many ideas for the e-Reader include cards that scan classic games like Donkey Kong and Excitebike onto the handheld ready to play, as well as a collaboration with Super Mario Advance 4 and Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to have cards that unlock content. Nintendo GameCube games like Animal Crossing have cards with unlockable content as well, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game playing cards also adopt the e-Reader codes. The e-Reader works with the Game Boy Player and Game Boy Advance SP, but cannot fit into the Nintendo DS's Game Boy slot (however it can fit into the Nintendo DS Lite's Game Boy slot). It was not released in Europe.
20727
20728
20729
20730  * Game Boy Advance Video: These cartridges contain two episodes of thirty minute cartoon programs. First released in North America in May 2004, they included cartoons such as Pokémon, SpongeBob SquarePants, Sonic X, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The movies Shrek, Shrek 2, and Shark Tale are also available for Game Boy Advance Video (due to the Game Boy Advance screen ratio, the three movies are in their widescreen format). These cartridges display an error when inserted into a GameCube via a Game Boy Player.
20731
20732
20733
20734  * Cleaning cartridge - A white cartridge that has a soft cloth inside so that it cleans the connectors of the Game Boy Advance when inserted; it can also be used to clean Slot 2 of the Nintendo DS.
20735
20736
20737
20738== Unofficial Accessories ==
20739
20740
20741
20742  * Afterburner: The Afterburner was an internal front-lighting system which required some disassembling and soldering on the system.
20743
20744
20745
20746  * Halo Light: The Halo light was an external front-lighting system that replaced the screen protector / lens of the GBA.
20747
20748
20749
20750  * GBA Movie Player: The GBA Movie Player is a versatile gaming cartridge that allows users to play NES/Famicom games, watch movies, read .txt files, listen to sound clips, etc. The GBA Movie Player does not actually play MPEGS or MP3s directly (a freeware conversion software is needed, to convert various formats into GBM and GBS formats that are compatible with the GBA Movie Player).
20751
20752
20753
20754  * GBA TV Tuner: It makes the portable system into a portable television and there exist several versions (made by different companies) available.
20755
20756
20757
20758  * Game Shark: The Game Boy Advance version of the Game Shark was programmed only to work with Game Boy Advance games as making the device accept Game Boy Color cartridges too would have made it expensive. Codes could be entered by hand or uploaded to the device itself with the provided USB cable and software.
20759
20760
20761
20762  * Action Replay: A cheating device like the Game Shark, sold mainly in Europe. Had a few extra features as well as an updated interface.
20763
20764
20765
20766  * Action Replay MAX Duo: This was an update to the Action Replay for Game Boy Advance; not only it did function as an Action Replay, but for DS users, it could hold premade game saves or "powersaves" that could be downloaded from the Action Replay site as well as user made saves.
20767
20768
20769
20770  * Worm Cam: this device by Nyko attached to the top of the Game Boy Advance and connected into the link port of the GBA. This device functioned as a digital camera which allowed digital pictures to be taken; the snapshots could then be uploaded to a PC with the USB cable and software provided.
20771
20772
20773
20774  * DigiCam SP: This camera attachment was also made by Nyko and was essentially the Worm Cam for the Game Boy Advance SP (which could not be connected to the original Worm Cam, due to its shape).
20775
20776
20777
20778  * DataBoy: This cartridge plugs into the GBA game slot, it converts the Game Boy into an RS-232 data scope (also known as serial line monitor or protocol analyzer) and Users can play GB games, GBC games and GBA games on it.
20779
20780
20781
20782//(info based on Wikipedia)//
20783
20784
20785
20786
20787
20788===== Links =====
20789
20790
20791
20792  * TONC (Resources for GBA Programming) -- http://www.coranac.com/tonc/text/toc.htm
20793
20794  * GBA Dev'rs -- http://www.devrs.com/gba/
20795
20796  * GBA Tech at nocash -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gbatek.htm
20797
20798  * GBA Dev -- http://www.gbadev.org/index.php
20799
20800  * [[wp>Game_Boy_Advance]]
20801
20802
20803
20804
20805
20806===== Other Emulators =====
20807
20808
20809
20810  * VisualBoyAdvance (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://vba.ngemu.com/
20811
20812  * VBA-M (GB, GBC, GBA) -- http://vba-m.ngemu.com/
20813
20814  * No$GBA (GBA, DS) -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gba.htm
20815
20816  * Mednafen (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
20817
20818  * BoycottAdvance -- http://boycottadvance.emuunlim.com/
20819
20820  * Rascalboy Advance -- http://spazioinwind.libero.it/linoma/rascalboy.html
20821
20822  * BatGBA -- http://batgba.zophar.net/
20823
20824  * DreamGBA [nolink]
20825
20826
20827
20828
20829
20830
20831
20832$end
20833
20834
20835
20836#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
20837
20838
20839$info=gbcolor
20840$bio
20841====== Nintendo Game Boy Color (1998) ======
20842
20843
20844
20845
20846
20847===== Features =====
20848
20849
20850
20851  * CPU: 8-bit processor similar to Z80 at 8 MHz with two processor modes - Single (4MHz) and Double (8MHz)
20852
20853  * RAM: 32Kb; for carts: 128Kb
20854
20855  * ROM: up to 64MBit for CGB carts; from 256KBit to 16MBit for Game Boy carts
20856
20857  * VRAM: 16Kb
20858
20859  * Display: reflective LCD by Sharp, 160x144 pixels
20860
20861  * Colors: 32768 colors; it supports 10,32, or 56 colors on-screen at once
20862
20863  * Sprites: 40 sprites of either 8x8 or 8x16 [switchable]
20864
20865  * Tiles: 512 on screen making use of the 16K of VRAM
20866
20867  * Sound: 4 Channel FM stereo, single mono speaker but stereo headphones jack
20868
20869  * Controls:  8 directional D-Pad, A, B, Select and Start buttons.
20870
20871  * Communication: Serial port at 512 Kbps (to connect more units or the Game Boy Printer), infrared port (for wireless connection of 2 units)
20872
20873
20874
20875
20876
20877===== Usage =====
20878
20879
20880
20881MESS requires a cart dump (in one of the following formats: .gb, .gmb, .cgb, .gbc, .sgb, .bin) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run gbcolor emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
20882
20883
20884
20885  mess gbcolor -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.gbc"
20886
20887
20888
20889== Controls ==
20890
20891
20892
20893Game Boy Color games are controlled through a 8-way Directional Pad (D-Pad), first introduced by Nintendo in its Game & Watch series of portable games and then used also in the NES controller, and 2 buttons named A and B. Additional buttons Start and Select are present on the console itself.
20894
20895===== History and Trivia =====
20896
20897
20898
20899Released in October 1998 in Japan (in November 1998 abroad), Nintendo Game Boy Color (also referred to as GBC, or more correctly as CGB) is the evolution of the Game Boy consoles. It adds a color screen to a device only slightly larger than the Game Boy Pocket, without affecting too much battery consumption (2AA batteries guarantee around 30 hours of play). It also has double the processor speed, twice as much memory, and an infrared communications port.
20900
20901
20902
20903The console was released in many different color cases: Grape, Atomic Purple (see through), Dandelion, Berry, Kiwi, Teal. Additionally, there were many special limited editions dedicated to e.g. Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Card Captor Sakura and Sakura Wars.
20904
20905
20906
20907A major draw of the Game Boy Color is its backward compatibility: that is, a Game Boy Color is able to read older Game Boy cartridges and even play them in a selectable color palette. This backwards compatibility became a major feature, since it allowed the new console to start with a significantly larger library than any of its competitors.
20908
20909
20910
20911This console is capable of showing up to 56 different colors simultaneously on screen from its palette of 32768, and could add basic four-color shading to games that had been developed for the original Game Boy. It could also give the sprites and backgrounds separate colors, for a total of more than four colors. This is achieved by pressing certain button combinations while the Game Boy logo is displayed on the screen. It is also possible to use a monochromatic color scheme that preserves the original look of the game. The palettes available for use when an original Game Boy game is played on a later Game Boy system are as follows
20912
20913
20914
20915
20916
20917^ Combo     ^ Background      ^^^^ Sprite 1   ^^^^ Sprite 2 ^^^^
20918
20919| <key>Up</key>        | Brown            |||| Brown      |||| Brown ||||
20920
20921| <key>Up</key><key>a</key>    | Red              |||| Green      |||| Blue ||||
20922
20923| <key>Up</key><key>b</key>    | Dark Brown       |||| Brown      |||| Brown ||||
20924
20925| <key>Down</key>      | Red / Blue / Yellow |||| R / B / Y  |||| R / B / Y ||||
20926
20927| <key>Down</key><key>a</key>  | Red / Yellow     |||| R / Y      |||| R / Y ||||
20928
20929| <key>Down</key><key>b</key>  | Yellow           |||| Blue       |||| Green ||||
20930
20931| <key>Left</key>      | Blue             |||| Red        |||| Green ||||
20932
20933| <key>Left</key><key>a</key>  | Dark Blue        |||| Red        |||| Brown ||||
20934
20935| <key>Left</key><key>b</key>  | Monochrome *     |||| Monochrome |||| Monochrome ||||
20936
20937| <key>Right</key>     | Red / Green      |||| R / G      |||| R / G ||||
20938
20939| <key>Right</key><key>a</key> | Dark Green #    |||| Red        |||| Red ||||
20940
20941| <key>Right</key><key>b</key> | Inverted Monochrome |||| Inverted   |||| Inverted ||||
20942
20943
20944
20945
20946
20947  (*)  Original Colors
20948
20949  (#) Default Palette
20950
20951
20952
20953In addition, most Game Boy games published by Nintendo have a special palette that is enabled when no buttons are pressed. Any game that does not have a special palette will default to the Dark Green (Right + A) palette instead.
20954
20955The palette change feature, however, resulted in graphic artifacts in certain games: a sprite that was supposed to meld into the background was now colored separately, exposing the trick.
20956
20957
20958
20959The following Nintendo games have a special palette:
20960
20961
20962
20963^ checksum ^ title ^
20964
20965| 00 | ?? |
20966
20967| 01 | Defender-Joust (SGB) |
20968
20969| 88 | Galaga & Galaxian (E) (SGB) |
20970
20971| 0C | Nigel Mansell's World Championship '92 |
20972
20973| 0D | Tetris 2 |
20974
20975|    | Tetris 2 (SGB) |
20976
20977|    | Pocket Bomberman (SGB) |
20978
20979| 10 | Super R.C. Pro-Am |
20980
20981| 14 | Pokemon - Red Version (SGB) |
20982
20983|    | Gameboy Camera Gold - Zelda Edition (SGB) |
20984
20985| 15 | Pokemon - Yellow Version (SGB) |
20986
20987| 16 | Yakyuuman |
20988
20989| 17 | Othello |
20990
20991| 18 | Donkey Kong Land (SGB) |
20992
20993|    | Wario Blast Featuring Bomberman! (SGB) |
20994
20995| 19 | Donkey Kong (SGB) |
20996
20997| 1D | Kirby's Pinball Land |
20998
20999| 27 | Kirby's Block Ball (SGB) |
21000
21001|    | Magnetic Soccer |
21002
21003| 28 | Galaga & Galaxian (U) (SGB) |
21004
21005|    | Golf |
21006
21007| 29 | Megaman III |
21008
21009| 34 | Gameboy Gallery (SGB) |
21010
21011| 35 | Mario's Picross (SGB) |
21012
21013| 36 | Baseball |
21014
21015|    | Game & Watch Galley 2 (SGB) |
21016
21017| 39 | Dynablaster |
21018
21019| 3C | Dr. Mario |
21020
21021| 3D | Yoshi |
21022
21023| 3E | Yoshi no Cookie |
21024
21025| 3F | Tetris Plus (SGB) |
21026
21027| 43 | ?? |
21028
21029| 46 | Super Mario Land |
21030
21031|    | Metroid II - Return of Samus |
21032
21033| 49 | Kirby's Dream Land |
21034
21035| 4B | Play Action Football |
21036
21037| 4E | Wave Race |
21038
21039| 52 | Street Fighter II (SGB) |
21040
21041| 58 | X - ekkusu |
21042
21043| 59 | Wario Land - Super Mario Land 3 |
21044
21045| 5C | Kirby's Hoshinoka-Bi |
21046
21047| 5D | Battle Arena Toshiden (SGB) |
21048
21049| 61 | Pokemon - Blue Version (SGB) |
21050
21051|    | Vegas Stakes (SGB) |
21052
21053| 66 | Game & Watch Gallery 2 (SGB) |
21054
21055|    | Gameboy Gallery 2 (SGB) |
21056
21057|    | Millepede - Centipede (SGB) |
21058
21059| 67 | Kirby's Star Stacker (SGB) |
21060
21061| 68 | Adventures of Lolo (SGB) |
21062
21063|    | Megaman II |
21064
21065| 69 | Tetris Flash (SGB) |
21066
21067| 6A | Mario & Yoshi |
21068
21069|    | Donkey Kong Land 2 (SGB) |
21070
21071| 6B | Donkey Kong Land III (SGB) |
21072
21073| 6D | The King of Fighters '95 (SGB) |
21074
21075| 6F | Pocket Camera (SGB) |
21076
21077| 70 | Legend of Zelda, Link's Awakening |
21078
21079| 71 | Tetris Blast (SGB) |
21080
21081| 75 | Mario's Picross 2 (SGB) |
21082
21083| 86 | Donkey Kong Land (SGB) |
21084
21085| 8B | Mystic Quest |
21086
21087| 8C | Radar Mission |
21088
21089| 90 | Nintendo World Cup |
21090
21091| 92 | F-1 Race |
21092
21093| 95 | Yoshi no Panepon (SGB) |
21094
21095| 97 | King of the Zoo |
21096
21097| 99 | Kira Kira Kids (SGB) |
21098
21099| 9A | Asteroids & Missile Command (SGB) |
21100
21101| 9C | Pinocchio |
21102
21103| 9D | Killer Instinct (SGB) |
21104
21105| A2 | Star Wars |
21106
21107| A5 | Battletoads in Ragnarok's World |
21108
21109|    | SolarStriker |
21110
21111| A8 | Super Donkey Kong GB (SGB) |
21112
21113| AA | James Bond 007 (SGB) |
21114
21115|    | Pocket Monsters Midori (SGB) |
21116
21117| B3 | Kirby's Dream Land 2 (SGB) |
21118
21119|    | Moguranya (SGB) |
21120
21121|    | Mole Mania (SGB) |
21122
21123|    | Tetris Attack (SGB) |
21124
21125| B7 | Gameboy Gallery (SGB) |
21126
21127| BD | Toy Story |
21128
21129| BF | Kid Icarus - Of Myths and Monters |
21130
21131|    | Soccer (SGB) |
21132
21133| C6 | Gameboy Wars |
21134
21135|    | Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball (SGB) |
21136
21137| C9 | Super Mario Land 2 - 6 Golden Coins |
21138
21139| CE | Top Ranking Tennis |
21140
21141| D1 | Tennis |
21142
21143| D3 | Wario Land II (SGB) |
21144
21145| DB | Tetris |
21146
21147| E0 | Yoshi's Cookie |
21148
21149| E8 | Space Invaders (SGB) |
21150
21151| F0 | Top Rank Tennis |
21152
21153| F2 | Qix |
21154
21155| F4 | Game & Watch Gallery (SGB) |
21156
21157| F6 | Megaman - Dr. Wily's Revenge |
21158
21159| F7 | A Boy and His Blob - The Rescue of Princess Blobette |
21160
21161| FF | Balloon Kid |
21162
21163
21164
21165The infrared communications was introduced to allow trading of items and sharing of custom character between two units in games which allow this kind of feature. Anyway, it was exploited only in few games (e.g. Pokémon titles) and it was dropped in the Game Boy Advance. Game Link Cable is still necessary to play head to head matches.
21166
21167
21168
21169//(info based on Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
21170
21171
21172
21173
21174
21175===== Links =====
21176
21177
21178
21179  * Marat Fayzullin's Game Boy Page -- http://fms.komkon.org/GameBoy/Tech/Hardware.html
21180
21181  * Steve's Game Boy Page -- http://www.semis.demon.co.uk/Gameboy/Gbmain.htm
21182
21183  * [[wp>Game_Boy_Color]]
21184
21185
21186
21187
21188
21189===== Other Emulators =====
21190
21191
21192
21193  * no$gmb (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gmb.htm
21194
21195  * Gambatte (GB, GBC) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/gambatte
21196
21197  * BGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://bgb.bircd.org/
21198
21199  * VisualBoyAdvance (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://vba.ngemu.com/
21200
21201  * KiGB (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://kigb.emuunlim.com/
21202
21203  * Mednafen (GB,GBC,GBA) -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
21204
21205  * Hello GameBoy (GB,GBC) [no link]
21206
21207  * GEST (GB,GBC,SGB) -- http://koti.mbnet.fi/gest_emu/
21208
21209
21210
21211
21212
21213$end
21214
21215
21216
21217#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21218
21219
21220$info=genesis
21221$bio
21222====== Sega MegaDrive / Genesis (1988) ======
21223
21224
21225
21226
21227
21228===== Features =====
21229
21230
21231
21232  * Main Processor: Motorola M68000 (16-bit) 7.67 MHz
21233
21234  * Co-processor: Z80a at 3.58MHz
21235
21236  * RAM: 64k (Plus 64k Ram for sound)
21237
21238  * Video RAM: 64k
21239
21240  * Max Cart Size: ???
21241
21242  * Max resolution: 320 x 224
21243
21244  * Color palette: 512 total; 64 max on screen
21245
21246  * Max # of sprites: 80; 20 max per scanline
21247
21248  * Sound Chips: YM2612 and a 4 channel TI SN76489A-like "SEGA PSG" (integrated into VDP/ASIC)
21249
21250  * Sound: Stereo FM-based sound with 8-bit audio samples
21251
21252
21253
21254
21255
21256===== Usage =====
21257
21258
21259
21260MESS supports various MegaDrive / Genesis versions
21261
21262
21263
21264  * genesis [Sega Genesis (USA, NTSC)]
21265
21266  * megadriv [Sega MegaDrive (Europe, PAL)]
21267
21268  * megadrij [Sega MegaDrive (Japan, NTSC)]
21269
21270  * gensvp [Sega Genesis (USA, NTSC) with SVP] - this driver emulates a Genesis and the SVP add-on chip present in "Virtua Racing" carts.
21271
21272
21273
21274Currently, the SVP emulation is only included in the dedicated driver gensvp. Therefore, only the USA version of "Virtua Racing" would start. To play the Japanese or the European version of the game, simply start gensvp emulation and then change region using the "Dip Switches", as described below.
21275
21276
21277
21278Each driver require a cart dump (in one of the following formats: .bin, .gen, .md, .smd) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run. You can launch emulation using, at command line
21279
21280
21281
21282  mess megadriv -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.smd"
21283
21284
21285
21286Many cartridges compare their country codes with that of the console itself and may behave differently, or lock up, if the two types do not match. Therefore, it is suggested to use the "genesis" driver for US games, the "megadriv" driver for European games and the "megadrij" driver for Japanese games.
21287
21288
21289
21290== Region Settings ==
21291
21292
21293
21294When emulating Genesis with SVP add-on, you can change the Console Region on the fly entering the "Dip Switches" menu, accessible by hitting TAB. You can choose between USA, Japan or Europe (or you can come back to the default region, i.e. USA).
21295
21296
21297
21298
21299
21300===== Known Issues =====
21301
21302
21303
21304The code is now based on HazeMD. Accuracy of the emulation is great. More in detail
21305
21306
21307
21308  * Cartridges up to 40MBit (5MByte) are supported, including the special mapper for Super Street Fighter II.
21309
21310
21311
21312  * The standard 3 and 6-button pads are fully supported. Other peripherals are not yet.
21313
21314
21315
21316  * Split screen effects and interlacing are fully supported.
21317
21318
21319
21320  * Sprite/layer priority should be perfect.
21321
21322
21323
21324Few issues are known:
21325
21326
21327
21328  * Bass Masters Classic Pro Edition (U) [!] - Sega Logo is corrupt
21329
21330
21331
21332  * Bram Stoker's Dracula (U) [!] - Doesn't Work (HV Timing)
21333
21334
21335
21336  * Double Dragon 2 - The Revenge (J) [!] - Too Slow?
21337
21338
21339
21340  * International Superstar Soccer Deluxe (E) [!] - Single line Raster Glitch
21341
21342
21343
21344  * Lemmings (JU) (REV01) [!] - Rasters off by ~7-8 lines (strange case)
21345
21346
21347
21348  * Mercs - Sometimes sound doesn't work
21349
21350
21351
21352  * Some beta games without proper sound programs seem to crash because the z80 crashes
21353
21354
21355
21356== Non-bugs, confirmed on real Genesis ==
21357
21358
21359
21360  * Castlevania - Bloodlines (U) [!] - Pause text is missing on upside down level
21361
21362
21363
21364  * Blood Shot (E) (M4) [!] - corrupt texture in level 1 is correct...
21365
21366
21367
21368
21369
21370
21371
21372===== History and Trivia =====
21373
21374
21375
21376Although the Sega Master System had proved a success in Brazil and Europe, it failed to meet the same popularity in the North American or Japanese markets, which by the mid-to-late 1980s were both dominated by Nintendo. Hoping to increase their share, Sega set about creating a new machine that would be at least as powerful as the then most impressive hardware on the market - the 16-bit Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, and the Macintosh II home computers.
21377
21378
21379
21380Since the Sega System 16 was very popular, Hayao Nakayama, Sega's CEO at the time, decided to make their new home system utilize a 16-bit architecture. The final design was ported to the arcade, and eventually used in the Mega-Tech, Mega-Play and System-C arcade machines.
21381
21382
21383
21384The first name Sega considered for their console was the MK-1601, but they ultimately decided to call it the "Sega MegaDrive". The North American version went by the name "Genesis" due to a trademark dispute, while the South Korean versions were called "Super Gam*Boy" and "Super Aladdin Boy" (this was the Korean version of MegaDrive 2). The Korean-market consoles were licensed and distributed by Samsung Electronics.
21385
21386
21387
21388Sega released the MegaDrive in Japan during Fall 1988. Despite being the first 16-bit console, capable of much better graphics than its concurrent PC-Engine and Famicom, the MegaDrive did not met the expected success, and the situation became even worse after Nintendo Super Famicom and NEC PC-Engine CD releases.
21389
21390
21391
21392In North America, Sega released the Genesis in late 1989, followed the next year by the European release of the MegaDrive. In these markets the competition with other consoles was definitely more successful, in particular in Europe where the console could also exploit the success of the Sega Master System. Thanks to the release of games like "Sonic the Hedgehog", in 1991, Sega was definitely able to threaten Nintendo's up-to-then stranglehold on the number one console position.
21393
21394
21395
21396In 1993, Sega released a redesigned version of the console at a newly reduced price, the "MegaDrive 2". By consolidating the internal chipset onto a smaller, unified motherboard, Sega was able to both physically reduce the size of the console and reduce the production costs.
21397
21398
21399
21400Aside from the release of the Mega-CD (Sega CD in North America) and 32X add-ons for the MegaDrive, Sega's last big announcement came in the form of a partnership with Time Warner in the U.S. to offer a subscription-based service called Sega Channel, which would allow subscribers to "download" games on a month-by-month basis.
21401
21402
21403
21404However, the Mega-CD and 32X add-ons failed to attract new users to the 16bit system: by mid 1994, Sega's console was not so popular anymore and with the announcement and release of newer, more powerful consoles, interest in the MegaDrive suffered greatly.
21405
21406
21407
21408In 1996, less than a year after the debut of the Saturn, Sega discontinued the production of the MegaDrive and its associated accessories. This obviously angered consumers around the world who had bought the Sega CD and 32X attachments only to see Sega abandon all support.
21409
21410
21411
21412== Variations of the Sega MegaDrive ==
21413
21414
21415
21416During its lifespan, the Sega MegaDrive and Genesis quite possibly received more officially licensed variations than any other console.
21417
21418
21419
21420  * Sega MegaDrive (Japan)
21421
21422    * Japanese-language settings
21423
21424    * Headphone jack
21425
21426    * AUX port marked A/V OUT
21427
21428    * 9-pin EXT. port
21429
21430    * Has a cartridge lock
21431
21432    * On the circular molding, in purple is the text "AV Intelligent Terminal High Grade Multipurpose Use". At the bottom of the circle is a purple square section with a red power indicator LED.
21433
21434    * "MegaDrive" is printed in white on the lower right of the console to the left of the Sega logo.
21435
21436    * The reset button and start button on the joypad are blue.
21437
21438    * Model number HAA-2510
21439
21440
21441
21442  * Sega MegaDrive (Europe, Australia, and New Zealand)
21443
21444    * Converted to display PAL 50 Hz signal
21445
21446    * English-language settings
21447
21448    * Unable to play Japanese MegaDrive games due to shape of cartridge and console. However, adapters were sold to play Japanese games in the European model.
21449
21450    * Cartridge lock removed
21451
21452    * The text "High Definition Graphics - Stereo Sound" located behind cartridge port (only found on earlier models).
21453
21454    * The reset button and the start button are white.
21455
21456    * Model number 1600-05 (original model), 1601-05 (second variation without "High Definition Graphics - Stereo Sound" text or EXT port)
21457
21458
21459
21460  * Sega MegaDrive (Brazil)
21461
21462    * Converted to display PAL-M (60 Hz) signal
21463
21464    * English-language settings
21465
21466    * Unable to play Japanese and European MegaDrive games due to region limitation. However, adapters were sold to play Japanese and European games in the Brazilian model.
21467
21468    * Cartridge lock removed
21469
21470    * Toymaker Tec Toy manufactured and distributed the console.
21471
21472    * The text "High Definition Graphics - Stereo Sound" located behind cartridge port (only found on earlier models).
21473
21474    * The reset button and the start button are white.
21475
21476
21477
21478  * Sega MegaDrive (Asia): This console is a variant of the European MegaDrive and often mistaken for a Japanese MegaDrive.
21479
21480    * No text printed around circle
21481
21482    * Larger "16-Bit" logo used
21483
21484    * Power panel magenta instead of white.
21485
21486    * "Start" and "Reset" button are blue
21487
21488    * Identical to European MegaDrive with PAL or NTSC output
21489
21490    * Used Japanese MegaDrive logo and packaging similar to the Japanese version
21491
21492    * Games packaged the same as European with the same labeling. However, the cartridges are shaped like Japanese MegaDrive games.
21493
21494    * Model number: 1601-15 (revision without the EXT port)
21495
21496
21497
21498  * Sega Genesis (North America)
21499
21500    * Headphone jack
21501
21502    * AUX port marked A/V OUT
21503
21504    * 9-pin EXT. port on early models
21505
21506    * Reset and start buttons are gray
21507
21508    * "Sega Genesis" in white on top of machine below cartridge slot
21509
21510    * Model number MK-1601 is made in Japan, newer revisions were made in Taiwan to cut production costs
21511
21512
21513
21514  * Samsung Super Gam*Boy (South Korea): The official Korean release was licensed and marketed by Samsung Electronics, as were the games.
21515
21516
21517
21518  * Sega MegaDrive 2 (Japan) [NOTE: This model was also released in Europe / Australia in certain packages.]
21519
21520    * New square shape
21521
21522    * No headphone jack
21523
21524    * One custom multi-output for picture and sound
21525
21526    * Red colored flaps on cartridge port
21527
21528    * The text "High Grade Multi Purpose Intelligent Terminal" located behind cartridge port.
21529
21530    * Packaged with six-button controller.
21531
21532    * No power LED
21533
21534 
21535
21536  * Sega MegaDrive 2 (Europe, Australia, and New Zealand)
21537
21538    * New square shape
21539
21540    * No headphone jack
21541
21542    * A/V port switched to one custom multi-output for picture and sound (previously, only mono sound was used, as the stereo sound came through the headphone jack)
21543
21544    * Push-button power switch
21545
21546    * Power port smaller, and different AC adapter used
21547
21548    * RF modulator removed
21549
21550    * Has a red power LED between the power and reset buttons
21551
21552    * Auto-switching RF lead included
21553
21554    * Model number MK-1631-50
21555
21556
21557
21558  * Sega Genesis (North America, second model) [NOTE: This model was not officially named "Genesis 2".]
21559
21560    * New square shape
21561
21562    * No headphone jack
21563
21564    * One custom multi-output for picture and sound
21565
21566    * Has a red power LED between the power and reset buttons
21567
21568    * "Genesis" in square above cartridge slot
21569
21570    * Model number MK-1631
21571
21572
21573
21574  * Samsung Super Aladdin Boy (South Korea)
21575
21576    * Officially licensed Korean version of Sega MegaDrive 2
21577
21578    * Licensed and distributed by Samsung Electronics
21579
21580
21581
21582  * Sega Genesis 3 (North America): Announced in 1997 as a "budget" version, the Genesis 3 was manufactured by Majesco. In order to cut costs, the expansion port and circuitry were omitted, which made the Genesis 3 incompatible with the Sega CD, Sega 32X, Power Base Converter and Virtua Racing. It was released in 1998 as the "Genesis 3" in North America only. It originally retailed for $50 and was later lowered as far down as $19.99.
21583
21584    * Smaller square shape
21585
21586    * No expansion port
21587
21588    * No headphone jack
21589
21590    * No power LED
21591
21592    * One multi-output for picture and sound
21593
21594    * Does not support 32X or Power Base Converter
21595
21596    * "Sega Genesis 3" below cartridge slot
21597
21598    * Model number MK-1641
21599
21600
21601
21602  * Sega MegaDrive 3 (Brazil) [NOTE: This model looks like the North American Sega Genesis 2.]
21603
21604    * Lots of different versions with different built-in games.
21605
21606
21607
21608== Sega MegaDrive derived hardware ==
21609
21610
21611
21612  * The Victor/JVC Wondermega/X'eye: The Wondermega (named X'eye in North America) is a combined MegaDrive and Mega-CD sold by Victor (known as JVC outside Japan). It was never released in Europe.
21613
21614    * Improved sound capabilities
21615
21616    * MIDI port
21617
21618    * 2 microphone inputs
21619
21620    * S-video out (only in Wondermega, not in later X'eyes unless modded by user)
21621
21622    * Packaged with a CD called Game Garden that had Flicky and Pyramid. The CD player is compatible with CD-Gs.
21623
21624    * Another release came with Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, Prize Fighter, and a Karaoke CD+G demo CD.
21625
21626    * Later Japanese pack had a platform game called 'Wonderdog' by Core.
21627
21628    * Supported the "Wonder CD" peripheral that allowed one to create music and connect to MIDI-enabled devices.
21629
21630    * Supported a music keyboard called the "Piano Player" that allowed users to create music and learn to use the keyboard.
21631
21632    * Later given a redesign with a softer, more curved look. Some of the extra features were removed, and the joypads were remodeled infrared joypads.
21633
21634
21635
21636  * Sega Multi-Mega/CDX: The Sega Multi-Mega (named CDX in North America) is an integrated MegaDrive/Genesis and Mega-CD/Sega CD console with the capability of also functioning as a portable CD player, aimed at the more affluent market. The British release sold at £350.
21637
21638    * No built-in screen.
21639
21640    * Could function as a portable CD player. CD control buttons are on the front of the console. A back-lit LCD displayed the track number. An extra line out port was provided for stereo equipment.
21641
21642    * Powered by 2 AA batteries when operated as a portable CD player. The unit must be powered by an AC adapter to play video games.
21643
21644
21645
21646  * The Mega Jet and Sega Nomad: The original technology behind the Genesis Nomad traces back to the Mega Jet, which was a semi-portable version of the MegaDrive that was used for in-flight entertainment by Japan Airlines. The device lacked its own screen, but could play MegaDrive cartridges when hooked up to a small monitor used on Japan Airlines flights. The unit featured a directional pad on the left side and six buttons on the right, similar to the layout of a game controller. A consumer version of Mega Jet was released by Sega of Japan on March 10, 1994. It was essentially the same as the unit that was used on JAL flights, meaning that it still lacked a screen and could not be powered on without an AC adapter. A mono DIN plug cord was added and the necessary AC adapter was included with the unit. No other additions or improvements were made. Sega followed it up in October 1995 with the Genesis Nomad for the American market, essentially a Mega Jet featuring a 3.25 inch color LCD screen, and a battery pack attached to the rear of the system, holding six AA batteries, making it completely portable, as opposed to simply being a small Genesis system. In addition to its other improvements over the Mega Jet, an A/V output plug was added to the top of the unit, allowing owners to play games on a television screen with a separate A/V cable. One particularly interesting feature was the ability for one player to play using a connected TV while another watched on the Nomad. The directional pad on the unit controlled all one-player games, and a port on the bottom allowed a second controller to be plugged in for two-player games. This meant that the Nomad could be a fully functional home system as well as a completely portable handheld solution with a pre-existing library of games available for it. While the Nomad won praise for its screen resolution and features, there were some problems. The 32X and Sega CD were not compatible with the unit, and Sega's Power Base Converter, used to play Sega Master System games on the Genesis/MegaDrive, was also incompatible. On paper, the Nomad was the perfect color portable. It had a full color, backlit display, and supported an estimated 600 titles already on the shelves in addition to being a functional home system. But despite the reduction of price, the handheld did not garner enough support to continue.
21647
21648
21649
21650  * Pioneer LaserActive with MegaDrive module: LaserActive was the name given to Pioneer's CLD-A100 LaserDisc player. The player was both a Laserdisc and CD player right out of the box, while the addition of add-on modules manufactured by Sega and NEC could make the unit function as a gaming system as well. Sega's PAC-S1 module, released at a price of ¥39,000, allowed users to play MegaDrive, Sega-CD and specially created Mega LD games through the player. The Mega LD games were briefly thought to be the next evolution in gaming, mainly because the massive storage capacity of the Laserdiscs they were printed on meant that games could be multiple times larger than before and include broadcast quality full-motion video and digital audio as well as surround sound, all features that have become commonplace on modern DVD-ROM based systems. An NEC module, PAC-N1, gave the unit the capability to play Turbografx 16 games. The addition of either module also made the unit compatible with either Sega or NEC brand control pads. A later module was released for the unit by Pioneer, allowing it to function as a full-feature Karaoke machine. Pioneer later engineered 3D glasses for the system (Kit GOL-1), the glasses required an adapter to be attached before they could function with the player, but each adapter could support a pair of the goggles, allowing 2 users to play in 3D simultaneously. The LaserActive unit unfortunately did not survive for long. Its high cost and the general market disinterest in Laserdisc made the system a hard sell.
21651
21652
21653
21654  * TeraDrive: The TeraDrive was an 80286 PC manufactured by IBM with an integrated MegaDrive. The system was released in Japan only. Three models were available and only the top-of-the-line model was supplied with a hard disk. A special monitor (sold separately) was available, which could display both 15 kHz RGB video signals from the MegaDrive hardware and the 31 kHz VGA output of the PC hardware, both from the VGA connector. The system also contained composite NTSC video and stereo RCA jacks for connection to a TV. Additionally, MegaDrive games could be played at the same time as the PC section is being used, and it was possible for the MegaDrive and PC hardware to interact with each other, as shown with the Puzzle Construction program. It was also possible for MegaDrive software to be run from the PC's RAM. Etymologically, TeraDrive is a pun on the terms "MegaDrive" and "tera", which equals 1*mega*mega.
21655
21656
21657
21658  * Amstrad Mega PC: The Mega PC was a system produced by Amstrad under license from Sega with MegaDrive and IBM-compatible PC functionality in one. The Mega PC was similar in concept to the Teradrive, but was an unrelated project.
21659
21660    * The PC section used an Intel i386SX running at 25 MHz. It had 1 MB of RAM and a 40 MB hard disk drive.
21661
21662    * Released in Europe and Australia around 1992-1993
21663
21664    * Cream-colored, with a sliding cover on the front to change between MegaDrive and PC modes.
21665
21666    * The output from the MegaDrive section was only available through the VGA connector, to the supplied dual-sync (15 kHz/31 kHz) monitor.
21667
21668    * Though the PC section is always running when the system is switched on, MegaDrive software cannot be used at the same time as PC software, due to the system having only one video output.
21669
21670    * Could also be used with a Mega CD with the use of a special connector only available from Amstrad.
21671
21672    * Most of the MegaDrive hardware is contained on an 8-bit ISA card, with AdLib-compatible sound on the same board.
21673
21674    * The Mega Plus was an updated version of the Mega PC. It used an Intel i486 at 33 MHz and 4 MB of RAM.
21675
21676
21677
21678  * Firebox Mini MegaDrive 6-in-1: Developed by Firebox, the Mini MegaDrive is around the same size as an average joystick, includes 6 built-in games and can plug directly into a television set without the need for an external power supply (the unit can run off an AA battery source). A single MegaDrive pad has a direct connection to the Mini MegaDrive, allowing the player to select 1 of the 6 in-built games to play, which include: Sonic the Hedgehog 1, Golden Axe, Kid Chameleon, Flicky, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine and Altered Beast. One of its major drawbacks is the lack of a secondary controller, and the lack of ability to connect one, hence any 2-player games are only playable single player.
21679
21680
21681
21682  * Aiwa Mega CD: Probably the most unusual of any incarnation of the MegaDrive was a variant that was built around an Aiwa CD player. The unit was made up of two components - an Aiwa bookshelf-size CD radio and a dock which added the MegaDrive connections (excepting sound, which the main radio unit handled.) Oddly, Sega and Aiwa chose not to place the interface between the two on the sides that would connect, but instead opted to use a connection cable on the back. This variant of the MegaDrive is one of the rarest made, and only saw limited release into the Japanese market.
21683
21684
21685
21686  * Radica Games' Legends Sega Genesis: The Sega Genesis/MegaDrive was brought back to life by the USA company Radica Games Limited under its Play TV collection. It consists of a classic Genesis joypad with a video cable ready for plugging into a television to play a variety of games. Some models actually condense the Genesis/MegaDrive system onto a single chip, allowing a cartridge slot to be added. As of March 2006, there are at least seven versions of the gadget:
21687
21688    * Play TV Legends Sega Genesis, with the games Sonic 1, Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Kid Chameleon, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, and Flicky.
21689
21690    * Play TV Legends Sega Genesis Volume 2, with the games Sonic 2, Ecco the Dolphin, Gain Ground, The Ooze, Columns, and Alex Kidd & the Enchanted Castle.
21691
21692    * Play TV Legends Street Fighter 2, a pack of two 6-button pads with Street Fighter II and Ghouls 'n Ghosts.
21693
21694    * Play TV Legends Menacer, a collection of light gun games from the Menacer 6-in-1 cartridge, including Pest Control, Space Station Defender, Whack Ball, Front Line, Rockman's Zone, and Ready, Aim Tomatoes.
21695
21696    * Play TV Legends Outrun 2019, a racing wheel with the game included.
21697
21698    * Play TV Legends Super Sonic Gold, a collection of Sonic games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Spinball and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine.
21699
21700    * Arcade Legends Sensible Soccer Plus, a pack of two 3-button pads containing games from UK developer Sensible Software, including Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder and Mega Lo Mania.
21701
21702
21703
21704== Miscellaneous ==
21705
21706
21707
21708  * Some MSX machines released only in Arab countries by a company named Universal, which along with MSX software could also (allegedly) play MegaDrive games.
21709
21710    * The A330 MSX had a cartridge port on the top of the machine. It has "Painting", "Calendar", "Arabic Writing", and "English Writing" as its programs.
21711
21712    * The AX990 had 50 programs. They are likely to be an unofficial multicart or other MSX programs.
21713
21714
21715
21716//(info based on Wikipedia)//
21717
21718
21719
21720== Table of MegaDrive / Genesis hardware ==
21721
21722
21723
21724A list of hardware differences among the various MegaDrive revisions can be found [[:sysinfo:genesis:revisions|here]].
21725
21726
21727
21728
21729
21730===== Links =====
21731
21732
21733
21734  * Genesis / MegaDrive Hardware infos -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/gen.php
21735
21736  * [[wp>Sega_Genesis]]
21737
21738
21739
21740
21741
21742===== Other Emulators =====
21743
21744
21745
21746  * Kega Fusion -- http://www.eidolons-inn.net/tiki-index.php?page=Kega
21747
21748  * Gens -- http://www.gens.ws/ (various forks exist)
21749
21750  * HazeMD -- http://haze.mameworld.info/ (same emulation core as MESS)
21751
21752  * Xega -- http://xega.emucamp.com/
21753
21754
21755
21756
21757
21758$end
21759
21760
21761
21762#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21763
21764
21765$info=geneve
21766$bio
21767====== Myarc Geneve 9640 (1987) ======
21768
21769
21770
21771
21772
21773===== Features =====
21774
21775
21776
21777  * CPU: Texas Instruments TMS9995 12 MHz
21778
21779  * Co-Processor: Texas InstrumentsTMS9938 (Yamaha V9938) 128K display + TMS9901 Interrupt Controller + MM58274 real-time clock
21780
21781  * RAM: 512 KB 1-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to 2mb) + 32 KB 0-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to 64K)
21782
21783  * VRAM: 128 KB VDP RAM
21784
21785  * Text Modes: 80 columns
21786
21787  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 424 (256 colors), 512 x 424 (16 colors)
21788
21789  * Colors: 512
21790
21791  * Sound: SN76496 sound processor
21792
21793  * I/O Ports: RGB & composit video ouput (8-pin DIN), mouse, joystick port, keyboard connector (IBM compatible)
21794
21795  * OS: MDOS (very close to MS-DOS)
21796
21797
21798
21799
21800
21801===== Usage =====
21802
21803
21804
21805MESS emulates two Geneve versions
21806
21807
21808
21809  * geneve [Myarc Geneve 9640]
21810
21811  * genmod [Myarc Geneve 9640 (with Genmod modification)]
21812
21813
21814
21815Both drivers support
21816
21817
21818
21819  - up to four floppy drives for disk images in .dsk format, using "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4)
21820
21821  - up to three hard drives in .hd format, using "harddisk1" (hard1) to "harddisk3" (hard3)
21822
21823  - one IDE hard drive in .hd or .chd format, using "ideharddrive" (idehd)
21824
21825
21826
21827Also notice that emulation is present for the smartcard, the serial port and the parallel port, respectively using "memcard" (memc), "serial" (serl) and "parallel" (parl) devices
21828
21829
21830
21831== Boot ==
21832
21833
21834
21835You need an MDOS disk image to boot the Geneve.  Insert the image and run the computer.
21836
21837
21838
21839== Keyboard ==
21840
21841
21842
21843This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
21844
21845
21846
21847
21848
21849===== Known Issues =====
21850
21851
21852
21853  * Wait states are not emulated (except for the speech synthesizer), so the Geneve will always run at full speed.
21854
21855  * The keyboard does not seem to work properly in BHDMV.
21856
21857
21858
21859
21860
21861===== History and Trivia =====
21862
21863
21864
21865Myarc is known as the builder of several fine extension cards for the TI99. They managed to remain in business for several years after TI abandonned its TI99 series of computers in 1983, and, in 1987, they even introduced their Geneve 9640 computer.  The computer is a single card to be inserted in the TI PEB as a replacement of the TI99 console.  The card has standard connectors to attach a PC-XT keyboard and a monitor, but no other I/O ports, as the Geneve relies on expansion cards in the PEB to provide disk and RS232 interfaces.  The Geneve features a TMS9995 at 12MHz, a V9938 VDP, an SN76496 sound generator (compatible with TMS9919), a MM58274 RTC, 512 kbytes of 1-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to almost 2 Mbytes), 32 kbytes of 0-wait-state CPU RAM (expandable to 64 kbytes), and 128 kbytes of VRAM (expandable to 192 kbytes).  Thanks to the GenMod modification, the 512 kbytes of on-board RAM can be disabled so that 0-wait-state RAM may be used instead, but this breaks the TI99 emulation mode.
21866
21867
21868
21869Although the Geneve is compatible with the TI99, it is a different machine. It has a disk-based Operating System that looks like MS-DOS.  It has two operating modes: a native mode, and a TI99-compatible mode.  The TI99 mode is normally entered by running the GPL program: the Geneve can run most TI99 programs in this mode, which uses some special areas of CPU RAM to emulate GROMs and cartridge ROMs.
21870
21871
21872
21873
21874
21875===== Links =====
21876
21877
21878
21879  * www.ti99.com -- http://perso.orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/geneve.htm
21880
21881
21882
21883
21884
21885$end
21886
21887
21888
21889#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21890
21891
21892$info=glasgow
21893$bio
21894====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto III S Glasgow (1984) ======
21895
21896
21897
21898===== Features =====
21899
21900
21901
21902  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz
21903
21904  * ROM: 64 KB
21905
21906  * RAM: 16 KB
21907
21908
21909
21910
21911
21912===== History and Trivia =====
21913
21914
21915
21916Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers.
21917
21918
21919
21920They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules.
21921
21922
21923
21924The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
21925
21926
21927
21928Mephisto III S Glasgow was introduced in 1984. It was programmed by Thomas Nietsche & Elmar Henne and it was the first Chess Computer by Hegener & Glaser based on a 16bit CPU.
21929
21930
21931
21932For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
21933
21934
21935
21936
21937
21938===== Links =====
21939
21940
21941
21942  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
21943
21944  * Mephisto Glasgow at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
21945
21946  * Mephisto Glasgow at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_III-S_Glasgow
21947
21948  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
21949
21950
21951
21952
21953
21954$end
21955
21956
21957
21958#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
21959
21960
21961$info=gmaster
21962$bio
21963====== Hartung Game Master (1990) ======
21964
21965
21966
21967
21968
21969===== Features =====
21970
21971
21972
21973  * CPU: NEC upd7810
21974
21975  * Screen: 64 x 64 Low Resolution LCD
21976
21977  * Color: monochrome black/white tones
21978
21979  * I/O ports: Headphone jack (unit includes small stereo headphones)
21980
21981
21982
21983
21984
21985===== Usage =====
21986
21987
21988
21989MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run gmaster emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
21990
21991
21992
21993  mess gmaster -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
21994
21995
21996
21997
21998
21999===== Known Issues =====
22000
22001
22002
22003Sound emulation is known to be imperfect.
22004
22005
22006
22007
22008
22009===== History and Trivia =====
22010
22011
22012
22013The Hartung Game Master was sold in 1990? in Germany. Trying to compete with the Game Boy (another one like the Supervision and the Mega Duck), didn't had any succes, very less than the Supervision. With a black & white monocrome LCD display, it ressembles graphically to a Atari 2600 with it's blocky pixels. The casing looks alike as the Sega Game Gear. The cartridges looks very much to the Supervision, and even has 40-pins like the Supervision but ain't compatible with each others.
22014
22015
22016
22017The Hartung Game Master has a black and grey color casing with a border and name in red (or brown). Like the Game Boy or any other portable systems, it has an On / Off Switch, a contrast control, a volume control, a AC adaptor input jack and a headphone jack, directional-cross pad, "A" and "B" buttons plus a Start and Select buttons.
22018
22019
22020
22021== Variants ==
22022
22023
22024
22025  * Hartung/Impel/Watara Game Master - 1990? - Europe: Black and grey casing. See above.
22026
22027  * Delplay Game Plus - 199? - France: White color casing which has a Game Boy style. Cartridges (white casing) are compatible with the other clones but the cartridges of the others cannot fit-in the cartridge slot of the Game Plus. This clone is the most unique and the much rarer of them all.
22028
22029  * Game Tronic - 199? - France: Purple and black casing with yellow buttons. Border line and name are yellow. Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
22030
22031  * Videojet Game Master - 199? - France: White/Light Cream color casing with light blue buttons. No border around the screen. The name is written in black and the name "Videojet" is written above the LCD screen. Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
22032
22033  * Virella Electronics Game Master 2001 - 199? - Italy: Same as the Hartung/Impel/Watara Game Master(?). Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
22034
22035  * Super Game - 199? - France: Exact duplicate of the Game Tronic with the exception of the name. Cartridges are compatible with all other clones except with the Delplay Game Plus.
22036
22037
22038
22039//(info from Game Master FAQs)//
22040
22041
22042
22043
22044
22045===== Links =====
22046
22047
22048
22049  * Game Master FAQs -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/hartung.txt
22050
22051  * [[wp>Hartung_Game_Master]]
22052
22053
22054
22055
22056
22057$end
22058
22059
22060
22061#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22062
22063
22064$info=gx4000
22065$bio
22066====== Amstrad GX4000 (1990) ======
22067
22068
22069
22070The GX4000 is a game system based on the hardware of the Amstrad 464+ and 6128+ computers. One of the causes for his market fail was competition with 4th generation consoles systems.
22071
22072
22073
22074
22075
22076===== Features =====
22077
22078
22079
22080  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
22081
22082  * RAM: 64 KB
22083
22084  * ROM: 32 KB
22085
22086  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
22087
22088  * Colors: 32 maximum (in low resolution) among 4096
22089
22090  * Sound: General Instruments AY-3-8912 chipset, 3 stereo voices, 8 octaves, +1 noise channel
22091
22092  * I/O Ports: Audio output, 2 x digital controller connectors, Analog controller port (IBM standard), Light gun connector (RJ11 socket), Audio & RGB video output (8 pin DIN), Scart connector (audio & video), power supply socket from external PSU, power supply socket from monitor
22093
22094  * Controllers: Two controllers with one direction pad and two fire buttons each.
22095
22096  * Built In Software: None, but the console was delivered with the cartridge "Burnin' Rubber"
22097
22098  * Media: Cartridges (512 KB max.)
22099
22100  * Number of Games: Less than 40 cartridges were released
22101
22102
22103
22104
22105
22106===== Usage =====
22107
22108
22109
22110MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin or .cpr format) in the “cartridge” (cart) device to run gx4000 emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
22111
22112
22113
22114  mess gx4000 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
22115
22116
22117
22118Also notice that a “snapshot” (dump) feature is available for .sna files.
22119
22120
22121
22122
22123
22124===== History and Trivia =====
22125
22126
22127
22128The GX4000 is a game system based on the hardware of the Amstrad 464+ and 6128+ computers.
22129
22130
22131
22132Like Commodore did at the same time with the C64 and the C64 GS, Amstrad tried to enter the gaming market with a console based on its aging but popular 8-bit technology (CPC computers). Sadly, at a time when 16-bit gaming systems like the Sega MegaDrive and Super Nintendo appeared on the shelves, the GX4000 did not stand the comparison and soon disappeared from the market. This also marked the end of Amstrad participation into home-computing world (apart from PC compatible systems).
22133
22134
22135
22136Like CPC+ computers, the GX 4000 have enhanced graphics and sound (DMA), colour palette of 4096, hardware sprites, hardware scrolling, and used 128 Ko to 512 KB carts. These carts could also be used by 464+ and 6128+ computers.
22137
22138
22139
22140Only a few cartridge games were released, adding to the frustration of unlucky buyers of this system...
22141
22142
22143
22144//(info from old-computers.com)//
22145
22146
22147
22148
22149
22150===== Links =====
22151
22152
22153
22154  * CPC Zone -- http://cpczone.emuunlim.com/
22155
22156  * Amstrad Computer Manuals -- http://www.instruction-manuals.co.uk/category/computer/amstrad.htm
22157
22158  * Amstrad CPC Basic programming tutorial and games -- http://www.sean.co.uk/books/amstrad/index.shtm
22159
22160  * Amstrad Home Page -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/index.htm
22161
22162  * The Unofficial Amstrad WWW Resource -- http://andercheran.aiind.upv.es/~amstrad/
22163
22164  * CPC 464 Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=26
22165
22166
22167
22168
22169
22170===== Other Emulators =====
22171
22172
22173
22174  * Arnold -- http://arnold.emuunlim.com/
22175
22176  * CaPriCe32 -- http://www.caprice32.cybercube.com/
22177
22178  * CoPaCabana (Win,PalmOS) -- http://copacabana.emuunlim.com/
22179
22180  * CpcAlive -- http://www.cpcalive.com/
22181
22182  * CPCEMU (En,De,Fr,Es) -- http://www.cpcemu.de, http://www.cpc-emu.org
22183
22184  * CPCE -- http://cpce.emuunlim.com/
22185
22186  * WinAPE32 -- http://winape.emuunlim.com/
22187
22188  * WinCPC -- http://www.wincpc.ch
22189
22190
22191
22192
22193
22194$end
22195
22196
22197
22198#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22199
22200
22201$info=hp48g
22202$bio
22203====== Hewlett Packard HP 48GX (1993), HP 48G (1993), HP 48G+ (1998) ======
22204
22205
22206
22207
22208
22209===== Features =====
22210
22211
22212
22213  * CPU: 4-bit Saturn at 4 MHz (chip version: 1LT8)
22214
22215  * RAM: 32 KB ([HP48G]) or 128 KB ([HP48GX] and [HP48G+]), extensible to 256 KB (merged) or 4352 KB (including ports) ([HP48GX])
22216
22217  * ROM: 512 KB
22218
22219  * Video: 131x64 pixels LCD at 64 Hz, 2 colors
22220
22221  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer
22222
22223  * Keyboard: 49 keys
22224
22225  * I/O: 4-wire serial I/O (RS-232 adaptor available) and infra-red I/O
22226
22227  * Extension: 2 card slots ([HP48GX]); port 1 accepts up to 128 KB of mergable memory, port 2 accepts up to 4 MB of unmergeable bank-switched port memory
22228
22229  * Power: 3 AAA cells
22230
22231
22232
22233
22234
22235===== Usage =====
22236
22237
22238
22239MESS currently emulates three calculators in the HP 48G series:
22240
22241
22242
22243  * hp48gx [HP48GX]
22244
22245  * hp48g [HP48G] - low-cost version: less memory and not expandable
22246
22247  * hp48gp [HP48G+] - hybrid version: 128 KB (as the [HP48GX]), but not expandable (as the [HP48G])
22248
22249
22250
22251As the HP 48 G series improves on the HP 48 S series, we only document here changes with respect to the S series.
22252
22253Please read the [[sysinfo:hp48s|S series documentation]] first.
22254
22255
22256
22257== Keyboard ==
22258
22259
22260
22261The keyboard has the same overall layout as that of the HP 48S/SX. Differences include:
22262
22263
22264
22265    * the orange left arrow key is now purple
22266
22267    * the blue right arrow key is now cyan
22268
22269    * most functions that can be accessed through the left and right arrow modifiers have changed
22270
22271
22272
22273
22274
22275
22276
22277== Screen ==
22278
22279
22280
22281The screen is the same as for the HP 48S/SX: 131x64 pixels at 64 Hz with 2 colors (gray-scale emulated through rapid screen switching), topped with the six annunciators. It has slightly better contrast though.
22282
22283Program Transfer
22284
22285
22286
22287The HP 48G/GX/G+ now has both Kermit and XModem built-in protocols. XModem is faster but has less features (in particular, file names are not sent as part of the protocol). Note also that the I/O menu is now accessible by pressing the right shift key and then 1. MESS directly emulates the serial port with a minimal built-in client for both Kermit and XModem.
22288
22289
22290
22291    * to transfer a file from the host to the HP 48 using Kermit, use the ''-kermit file'' command-line MESS option to specify the file to download, then use the RECV command on the HP 48 side (open the I/O menu by pressing right shift and [1], then choose option [F])
22292
22293    * to transfer a file from the HP 48 to the host using Kermit, use the ''-kermit file'' command-line MESS option to specify the name of the new file on the host, put a variable name on the stack in the HP 48, and use the SEND command (open the I/O menu by pressing right shift and [1], then choose option [E])
22294
22295    * to transfer a file from the host to the HP 48 using XModem, use the ''-xmodem file'' command-line MESS option to specify the file to download, then, on the HP 48 side, enter a name not already used on the stack (for instance, enter 'ABC' by pressing keys [M], [alpha] twice, [A], [B], [C], and [ENTER]) and use the XRECV command on the HP 48 side (open the I/O menu by pressing right shift and [1], then [L] and [F])
22296
22297    * to transfer a file from the HP 48 to the host using XModem, use the ''-xmodem file'' command-line MESS option to specify the name of the new file on the host, put a variable name on the stack in the HP 48, and use the XSEND command (open the I/O menu by pressing right shift and [1], then [L] and [E])
22298
22299
22300
22301Recall that downloaded files appear in the VAR menu (mapped to the [J] key) and that libraries must be attached to some port before usage. This is done as follows: push the library data on the stack, enter a port number (generally 0 which denotes the internal RAM, 1 and 2 denoting RAM extension cards in slot 1 and 2), press STO ([N] key), turn off the calculator (press right shift and the [ON] key), and back on ([ON] key). The program should be available under LIBRARY menu (right shift and [2] key).
22302
22303ROM Revisions
22304
22305
22306
22307The HP 48G/GX/G+ ROM has been through a set of revisions, from K (oldest) to R (most recent). The HP 48G/GX/G+ driver supports ROM revisions K, L, M, P, and R. Revisions N, O, and Q are either missing or were never released. By default, revision R (most recent) is used. This can be changed using the ''-bios'' command-line option, followed by a revision letter: k, l, m, p, or r.
22308
22309
22310
22311== Memory Cards ==
22312
22313
22314
22315As the HP 48SX, the HP 48GX has two extension slots that can accept one RAM or ROM card each. However, these slots have slightly different functionality:
22316
22317
22318
22319    * slot 1 accepts cards with 32 KB, 64 KB, or 128 KB; cards in slot 1 can be merged
22320
22321    * slot 2 accepts cards with 32 KB, 64 KB, 128 KB, 256 KB, 512 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB, or 4 MB; cards in slot 2 cannot be merged (even if 128 KB or smaller)
22322
22323
22324
22325To run the emulator with an extension card, use either the ''-port1 file'' (for slot 1) or ''-port2 file'' (for slot 2) command-line option, or both. Any modification to the memory card is automatically saved to the given file when the emulator quits. When passing the name of an non-existing file, a new memory card with 128 KB capacity is created if in slot 1, and 4 MB if in slot 2.
22326
22327
22328
22329Because the internal RAM is 128 KB and only cards in slot 1 can be merged (using the MERGE1 command available in the secondary LIBRARY menu, which can be accessed with left shift and [2]) the user memory can be extended up to 256 KB. The same care must be taken with merged memory on the HP 48GX as on the HP 48SX: do not remove or change a merged memory card, even when the calculator is turned off. Un-merge it before with the FREE1 command.
22330
22331
22332
22333Memory cards in slot 1 appear in library port 1. Memory cards in slot 2 with 128 KB or less appear in library port 2. Memory cards in slot 2 with more than 128 KB appear as a collection of 128 KB library ports (2 up to 33 for 4 MB cards). Note, however, that due to an operating system bug, library port 33 seems to be unusable.
22334
22335
22336
22337Neither the HP 48G nor the HP 48G+ has expansion ports. Hence, the ''-port1'' and ''-port2'' options are not supported for these models.
22338
22339
22340
22341
22342
22343===== Links =====
22344
22345
22346
22347  * MESS HP 48 driver page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess/hp48/ (ROMs, artwork, documentation)
22348
22349  * Official and Public Domain HP ROM images -- http://www.hpcalc.org/hp.php
22350
22351  * HP48S at HP Museum -- http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp48s.htm
22352
22353  * HP48 at HPCC -- http://www.hpcc.org/calculators/hp48.html
22354
22355
22356
22357
22358
22359===== Other Emulators =====
22360
22361
22362
22363  * Emu48 -- http://hp.giesselink.com/emu48.htm, a HP 38/39/40/48/49 emulator for Windows
22364
22365  * x48 -- http://x48.berlios.de/, a HP 48 emulator for Unix and MacOS
22366
22367
22368
22369
22370
22371
22372
22373$end
22374
22375
22376
22377#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22378
22379
22380$info=hp48s
22381$bio
22382====== Hewlett Packard HP 48SX (1990), HP 48S (1991) ======
22383
22384
22385
22386
22387
22388===== Features =====
22389
22390
22391
22392  * CPU: 4-bit Saturn at 2 MHz (chip version: 1LT8)
22393
22394  * RAM: 32 KB, extensible to 288 KB ([HP48SX] only)
22395
22396  * ROM: 256 KB
22397
22398  * Video: 131x64 pixels LCD at 64 Hz, 2 colors
22399
22400  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer
22401
22402  * Keyboard: 49 keys
22403
22404  * I/O: 4-wire serial I/O (RS-232 adaptor available) and infra-red I/O
22405
22406  * Extension: 2 card slots that accept up to 128 KB of RAM or ROM each ([HP48SX] only)
22407
22408  * Power: 3 AAA cells
22409
22410
22411
22412===== Usage =====
22413
22414
22415
22416MESS currently emulates two calculators in the HP 48S series:
22417
22418
22419
22420  * hp48sx [HP48SX]
22421
22422  * hp48s [HP48S] - low-cost version, not expandable
22423
22424
22425
22426
22427
22428== Starting and Stopping ==
22429
22430
22431
22432When starting the calculator for the first time (or after removing the nvram file), the message Try To Recover Memory should appear. This is expected as the RAM is empty and uninitialized. As there is no previous contents to recover, choose NO by hitting the [F] key (top right). After a few seconds, it should say Memory Clear and the calculator is ready.
22433
22434
22435
22436When exiting the emulator, the contents of the RAM (except for memory cards) is saved in a nvram (non-volatile RAM) file. Starting up the emulator again is then equivalent to a reset ([ON]+[C] key combination or reset hidden button): it clears the stack but should keep the contents of the memory intact. In rare cases, if the HP 48 was busy reconfiguring the memory when exiting the emulator, you may encounter a Try To Recover Memory screen, in which case, choose YES by hitting the [A] key, and you may still be able to recover the RAM contents.
22437
22438
22439
22440The calculator can be turned off by hitting the [OFF] key (i.e., [right shift] and then [ON]). This clears the screen and puts the CPU in low-power mode but does not exit the emulator. The calculator can be turned on again by hitting the [ON] key. The memory contents and the stack are preserved. The calculator can also turn on automatically as a result of a user-defined time alarm. Note the difference between starting/stopping the emulator and starting/stopping the calculator. A sure way to prevent Try To Recover Memory is to turn off the calculator before exiting the emulator.
22441
22442
22443
22444== Keyboard ==
22445
22446
22447
22448   A         B        C        D        E        F   
22449
22450                                                 
22451
22452  MTH      PRG      CST      VAR       up      NXT   
22453
22454      G        H        I        J        K        L
22455
22456                                                     
22457
22458   '       STO      EVAL     left    down     right 
22459
22460      M        N        O        P        Q        R
22461
22462                                                     
22463
22464  SIN      COS      TAN      sqrt     y^x      1/x   
22465
22466      S        T        U        V        W        X
22467
22468                                                     
22469
22470     ENTER           -/-      EEX      DEL      <=   
22471
22472                         Y        Z                   
22473
22474                                                   
22475
22476    alpha       7          8         9         /     
22477
22478                                                   
22479
22480                                                 
22481
22482    <--.        4          5         6         *     
22483
22484       |                                           
22485
22486                                                 
22487
22488     .-->       1          2         3         -     
22489
22490     |                                               
22491
22492                                                 
22493
22494     ON         0         .       SPC        +     
22495
22496                                               
22497
22498                                                 
22499
22500
22501
22502
22503
22504
22505
22506The keyboard contains 49 keys, each of which having up to four functionality accessible by hitting one of three combiners (left, right, and alpha) before the key. When using a proper artwork file -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess/hp48/artwork.html in full mode, an image of the HP 48S/SX case and keyboard are shown around the screen, which presents all key functionality at a glance. Most keys are mapped to alphanumeric keys. If the keyboard image is shown, it is also possible to press keys by mouse clicks.
22507
22508
22509
22510Some keys worth of notice:
22511
22512
22513
22514    * use the blue right arrow, mapped to right shift, to access the blue function above a key on the right (press and release the arrow key first, and then the other key)
22515
22516    * use the orange left arrow, mapped to left shift, to access the orange function above a key on the left
22517
22518    * use the alpha key, mapped to alt, to type the alphabetic character on the bottom right of the key; alphabetic mode can be locked on by hitting the alpha key twice in a row
22519
22520    * keys [A] to [F] map to the five menu options at the bottom of the screen; use NXT ([L] key) to see the following options
22521
22522    * the [ON] key, mapped to escape, can act as a cancel key (when the calculator is on), an on key (when the calculator is off), or an off key (with blue arrow key)
22523
22524
22525
22526The [ON] key can be combined with some keys (by holding [ON] while one or several keys are pressed) to obtain interesting results:
22527
22528
22529
22530    * [ON]+[A]+[F]: cold restart, results in a Try To Recover Memory
22531
22532    * [ON]+[C]: warm restart (equivalent to exiting the emulator and starting it again)
22533
22534    * [ON]+[D]: starts the interactive test mode; press various keys to start unit tests and exit with [ON]+[C]
22535
22536    * [ON]+[E]: starts the self-test mode a in loop (exit with [ON]+[C])
22537
22538    * [ON]+[+], [ON]+[-]: adjusts display contrast
22539
22540
22541
22542== Screen ==
22543
22544
22545
22546The screen is a LCD with 131x64 pixels (including the lower menu part that can be disabled by some applications) refreshed at 64 Hz. The screen is 2-color, black and white. However, some applications (especially games) simulate 3, 4, 8, or even 16 gray-scale levels by exploiting the high latency of the LCD screen and switching screens at high frequency. To emulate this, the HP 48 drivers average the screen on the last few frames. This works in some cases, but causes flickering in other cases.
22547
22548
22549
22550The screen contrast can be improved or reduced by hitting [ON]+[+] and [ON]+[-].
22551
22552
22553
22554Above the LCD matrix are displayed up to 6 annunciators corresponding to key modes (left shift, right shift, alpha), alarms (such as low battery), busy, or I/O operation. In order for the annunciators to be displayed correctly, an artwork file -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess/hp48/artwork.html is required.
22555
22556
22557
22558
22559
22560
22561
22562== Program Transfer ==
22563
22564
22565
22566The HP 48S/SX can be connected to a PC through a RS-232 port. The preferred method to exchange data and programs is to use the Kermit protocol as the HP 48S/SX ROM has built-in support for it. MESS directly emulates the serial port and a minimal built-in Kermit client that allows transferring files between the host and the emulated calculator:
22567
22568
22569
22570    * to transfer a file from the host to the HP 48, use the ''-kermit file'' command-line MESS option to specify the file to download, then use the RECV command on the HP 48 side (open the I/O menu by pressing left shift and [H], then choose option [B])
22571
22572    * to transfer a file from the HP 48 to the host, use the ''-kermit file'' command-line MESS option to specify the name of the new file on the host, put a variable name on the stack in the HP 48, and use the SEND command (open the I/O menu by pressing left shift and [H], then choose option [A])
22573
22574
22575
22576Data transfer may be slow. You may want to disable throttling and increase frame-skipping in the MESS built-in menu to speed-up the emulator during the transfer.
22577
22578
22579
22580Downloaded files appear in the VAR menu (mapped to the [J] key). Some files are libraries that must be attached to some port before being run. You must select the library variable (this puts the library on the stack), then enter the port number (generally 0 which denotes the internal RAM; 1 and 2 denoting RAM extension cards in slot 1 and 2), press STO ([N] key), turn off the calculator (press right shift and the [ON] key), and back on ([ON] key). The program should be available under the LIBRARY menu (left shift and [K] key). You may want to delete the library copy in VAR to free some memory (put the name of the variable on the stack and choose PURGE by hitting left shift and del).
22581
22582
22583
22584The RS-232 support is currently limited to only SEND and RECV Kermit commands. Other Kermit commands (in particular, Kermit servers) are not supported. No other serial protocols are supported. Also, infra-red I/O (calculator-to-calculator or calculator-to-printer connection) is not supported.
22585
22586ROM Revisions
22587
22588
22589
22590The HP 48S/SX ROM has been through a set of revisions, from A (oldest) to J (most recent). The HP 48SX driver supports ROM revisions A, B, C, D, E and J. Revisions F, G, H, and I are either missing or were never released. By default, revision J (most recent) is used. This can be changed using the ''-bios'' command-line option, followed by a revision letter: a, b, c, d, e, or j.
22591
22592
22593
22594
22595
22596== Memory Cards ==
22597
22598
22599
22600The HP 48SX has two extension slots that can accept one RAM or ROM card each. Each card has a capacity of 32 KB, 64KB, or 128 KB and is stored in an image file on the host. To run the emulator with an extension card, use either the ''-port1 file'' (for slot 1) or ''-port2 file'' (for slot 2) command-line option, or both. Any modification to the memory card is automatically saved to the given file when the emulator quits. When passing the name of an non-existing file, a new memory card with 128 KB capacity is created. There is no difference between RAM and ROM cards, except that the first ones correspond to read-write images files, and the second to read-only image files.
22601
22602
22603
22604It is possible to add/remove/change memory cards without exiting the emulator, through the built-in MESS image menu. However, the calculator should be turned off when the memory card is changed.
22605
22606
22607
22608By default, memory cards in slot 1 and 2 are visible as library ports 1 and 2 in the LIBRARY menu (port 0 corresponding to the internal RAM). In this mode, cards can only store library data. It is also possible to merge memory from either or both ports. To merge a port, enter its number (1 or 2) and use the MERGE command in the MEMORY menu (left shift, [J], [L], [L], then [A]). Merged memory extends the user memory (as visible with the MEM command) which can be used to store variables as well as library data. Up to 288 KB of user memory can be achieving by merging two 128 KB cards. Note, however, that merged memory becomes part of the user memory, so, the corresponding memory card should never be removed before being un-merged (using the FREE command in the MEMORY menu). Removing or changing an attached memory card (even when the calculator is off, or by stopping the emulation and starting it again without the corresponding ''-port1'' or ''-port2 option'') will surely result in a Try To Recover Memory.
22609
22610
22611
22612The HP 48S has no extension slot. Hence, the ''-port1'' and ''-port2'' options are not supported.
22613
22614
22615
22616===== Known Issues =====
22617
22618
22619
22620    *  infra-red I/O is not implemented
22621
22622    * only Kermit and XModem serial I/O is implemented, direct HP-to-HP communication is not implemented
22623
22624    * some gray-scale programs exhibit flickering
22625
22626    * cannot set memory card size on image creation
22627
22628    * timing and interrupts in Saturn CPU are not accurate
22629
22630    * test mode reports some failures
22631
22632
22633
22634===== History and Trivia =====
22635
22636
22637
22638Scientific Calculators.
22639
22640
22641
22642The HP 48 series was the top of the HP range from 1990 until the introduction of the HP 49 in 1999. The range consists of the HP 48S, HP 48SX, HP 48G, HP 48G+, HP 48GX and HP48GII. The GII model is still available.
22643
22644
22645
22646The basic design and layout of the 48 series was also used for the HP 38G, and then augumented to produce the HP 49G, HP 39G and HP 40G. In addition to software changes between the models, the main difference between the 48/38 series and the 49/39/40 machines is the keyboard: the 48/38 machines having a "traditional" HP quality keyboard; the newer models having rubber keys. The displays have also been improved: the G series are better than the S series. Recent G series models use the even better display from the 49/39/40 machines.
22647
22648
22649
22650The same CPU and much of the operating system is shared between the 28, 38, 39, 40, 48 and 49 machines. Consequently it is possible to port software from the earlier machines provided machine specific capabilities are avoided.
22651
22652
22653
22654The HP48GII is different to the rest of the HP 48 series because it uses an ARM CPU, like the HP 49G+, to emulate the Saturn CPU of the earlier models. It also has a significantly different case and keyboard design.
22655
22656
22657
22658//(info from hpcc.org)//
22659
22660
22661
22662
22663
22664===== Links =====
22665
22666
22667
22668  * MESS HP 48 driver page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess/hp48/ (ROMs, artwork, documentation)
22669
22670  * Official and Public Domain HP ROM images -- http://www.hpcalc.org/hp.php
22671
22672  * HP48S at HP Museum -- http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp48s.htm
22673
22674  * HP48 at HPCC -- http://www.hpcc.org/calculators/hp48.html
22675
22676
22677
22678
22679
22680===== Other Emulators =====
22681
22682
22683
22684  * Emu48 -- http://hp.giesselink.com/emu48.htm, a HP 38/39/40/48/49 emulator for Windows
22685
22686  * x48 -- http://x48.berlios.de/, a HP 48 emulator for Unix and MacOS
22687
22688
22689
22690
22691
22692$end
22693
22694
22695
22696#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22697
22698
22699$info=i8530286
22700$bio
22701====== IBM 8530 286 (Personal System 2 Model 30 286) (1989) ======
22702
22703
22704
22705
22706
22707===== Features =====
22708
22709
22710
22711  * CPU: 80286 with 10 MHz
22712
22713  * Co-Processor: socket for 80287
22714
22715  * RAM: 512kb (expandable to 1mb, 2mb or 4mb) (4? 30pin 8?bit simms)
22716
22717  * 3 isa slots
22718
22719  * integrated vga adapter
22720
22721  * ps2 keyboard and mouse connectors
22722
22723  * 3 1/2 inch high density (1.44mb) floppy disk drive
22724
22725  * 1 parallel port
22726
22727  * 1 serial port (pc style dsub)
22728
22729  * mf2 keyboard with 102 keys
22730
22731  * ps2 mouse with 2 buttons
22732
22733  * greyscale or color vga monitor
22734
22735  * optional: ethernet adapter with bnc (coax) and rj45 (twisted pair) connectors
22736
22737
22738
22739
22740
22741===== Known Issues =====
22742
22743
22744
22745  * Basically the same as ibmat emulation
22746
22747  * ps2 mouse not emulated now
22748
22749  * VGA emulation incomplete
22750
22751  * Needs i286 core v1.5
22752
22753
22754
22755The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
22756
22757
22758
22759
22760
22761===== History and Trivia =====
22762
22763
22764
22765Concrete IBM AT model.
22766
22767
22768
22769Announced 1989-09-26 as a new entry level model. This is one of the few PS/2 computers with the classic ISA BUS (instead of MCA) and 30 pin SIMMs (100-150ns - ugh). It had a 10MHz 286 processor and came with either 512kB or 1MB of RAM, which could be upgraded to 4MB on the motherboard, 16MB with an adapter card. The case is the same elegant, one-drive-only as the 55. It cost between $2,965 and $3,865.
22770
22771
22772
22773The IBM Personal System/2 Model 30 286 (IBM 8530-E21) is a new entry level 80286 version of the Model 30. It combines existing Model 30 function along with improved processor performance, 1.44MB diskette drive capacity and VGA graphics. The Model 30 286 utilizes the Intel 80286 processor and operates at 10MHz with one wait state to system memory. The IBM Personal System/2 Model 30 286 (IBM 8530-E01) is a single diskette drive, without a fixed disk drive, version of the Model 30 286. An optional 3.5-inch 20MB fixed disk drive feature (P/N 27F4969) is available.
22774
22775
22776
22777One of the weirder aspects of this model is that it does not have a regular PC speaker, but a "beeper". Where this is physically located, I could not find out. It must be very small. Synthesized music sounds really horrible over this beeper, and synthesized speech is barely comprehensible.
22778
22779
22780
22781The reason for this lies in the ISA BUS. Full length ISA cards are longer than their MCA counterparts, they fill the whole length of the case leaving no space for a speaker.
22782
22783
22784
22785And it does not have a regular battery either, but a Dallas self-contained CMOS RAM module with integral real-time clock and battery. This feature, however, it shares with all the other models in the same case, as the 55. You can look at this thing on Tavi's page. It's not as bad as it sounds, it costs less than some batteries to replace, and, as with all PS/2 models, no soldering is needed.
22786
22787
22788
22789//(info from Theodor Lauppert's Homepage, link below)//
22790
22791
22792
22793
22794
22795===== Links =====
22796
22797
22798
22799  * Theodor Lauppert's Homepage -- http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/computer/ps2/8530-286.htm
22800
22801
22802
22803
22804
22805$end
22806
22807
22808
22809#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22810
22811
22812$info=ibm5150
22813$bio
22814====== IBM PC - Model 5150 (1981) ======
22815
22816
22817
22818
22819
22820===== Features =====
22821
22822
22823
22824  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz
22825
22826  * Co-Processor: Optional 8087 math coprocessor
22827
22828  * RAM: 64 KB (The very first ones had only 16 KB)
22829
22830  * ROM: 64 KB
22831
22832  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 char x 25 lines
22833
22834  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 (Optional CGA graphic modes)
22835
22836  * Colors: Monochrome / 4 among 8 in 320 x 200 CGA mode
22837
22838  * Sound: Tone Generator - built-in speaker
22839
22840  * I/O Ports: Five internal 8 bit ISA slots, monitor, Centronics, cassette (!),
22841
22842  * Keyboard: Full stroke 'clicky' 83 keys with 10 function keys and numeric keypad
22843
22844  * Built In Media: One or two 160 KB 5.25" disk-drives
22845
22846  * OS: MS-DOS, CP/M-86, USCD Pascal
22847
22848  * Built In Language: IBM BASIC (Special Microsoft BASIC-80 version in ROM)
22849
22850  * Peripherals: 5 expansion slots, 5, 10, 20 MB hard discs
22851
22852
22853
22854
22855
22856===== Known Issues =====
22857
22858
22859
22860The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. MDA, CGA, Herc graphic adapter are in good shape, and both floppy and tape support is supposed to work. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation)
22861
22862
22863
22864
22865
22866===== History and Trivia =====
22867
22868
22869
22870The grandfather of the now common personal computer
22871
22872
22873
22874The computer which caused the death of CP/M computers.
22875
22876
22877
22878In the early part of 1980, IBM decided to create a microcomputer (up to this date, IBM produced only mini and mainframes). They didn't really know that they wanted and they didn't think for one second that producing microcomputer was a profitable business (who would have thought!)!
22879
22880
22881
22882After hesitation between the Intel 8086 (16 bit) and the Motorola MC68000, they decided to use the Intel 8088 (8 - 16 bit) processor, as the two other ones were considered too powerful! Then they asked to Digital Research (the creators of CP/M) to create an operating system for their new computer, as DR was not very interested, they then asked a small company (famous for its BASIC Programming Language) to write the operating system: Microsoft.
22883
22884
22885
22886Microsoft wasn't capable of doing it, Bill Gates bought the rights to a small, hacked OS written by a small company called Seattle Computer Products: QDOS (which reportedly stood for "Quick and Dirty Operating System", which itself bears a striking resemblance to CP/M) which became PC-DOS and then later MS-DOS! In fact, when it was launched, three operating systems could run on the IBM-PC: PC-DOS, CPM-86, but also the UCSD D-PASCAL system.
22887
22888
22889
22890The original IBM PC wasn't very powerful (and was certainly less powerful than lot of 8 bit computers at the time). The very first PCs had only 16 KB RAM and no floppy disk units, they used cassettes to load & store programs (notice that the commands to handle the cassette drives were present in the operating system all the way up to MS-DOS 5!).
22891
22892
22893
22894But because of the name and the fame of IBM, it became a standard and IBM ran the business computer market up to the end of the 80's. Now, we can consider that about 90% of the microcomputers are PC compatibles and run under MS-DOS or Windows (At the beginning, Windows
22895
22896was just a graphic interface for MS-DOS, but that's another story).
22897
22898
22899
22900Although the IBM PC XT was launched in 1983, IBM continued production of both units, in various configurations, for several years. The model types were followed by a xx version number, i.e. 5150-xx, where the xx represented the included options (amount of RAM, single or dual floppy disk drive, etc.).
22901
22902
22903
22904The PC was available with either CGA or MDA (on an MPA card). The CGA adapter actually has an RCA composite output to hook it up to your TV if you did not want the CGA monitor. The output quality was PERFECT!
22905
22906
22907
22908Another notable great feature of the PC line was the expansion base: it added additional (I think it was eight) 8-bit slots in an external enclosure.
22909
22910
22911
22912//(info from old-computers.com)//
22913
22914
22915
22916
22917
22918== Supported Systems ==
22919
22920
22921
22922The following PC's and compatibles are supported by, or currently under development in MESS:
22923
22924
22925
22926  * IBM PC: Intel 8088 process with 4.77 MHz clock.
22927
22928
22929
22930  * IBM PC Junior: based on IBM PC, Special keyboard, CGA with 160x200x16, 320x200x16 and 640x200x4? colors, 3 channel sound chip
22931
22932
22933
22934  * IBM PC/XT: based on IBM PC, Intel 8086 instead of 8088, but only RAM memory data bus, Enhanced to 16 bit.
22935
22936
22937
22938  * Tandy1000 Series: IBM PC Junior compatible graphic system. Later the 640x200x16 graphic mode was also available. Later models were delivered with EGA/VGA compatible graphic system/card. IBM PC Junior compatible sound system. In later models there was also a DAC channel available. First series with own keyboard (own layout, different keys)
22939
22940
22941
22942  * Tandy1000HX: First Tandy 1000 with EEPROM memory for configuration. Delivered with 3,5 inch double density disk drive (720kb).
22943
22944
22945
22946  * Amstrad PC1512/PC1640/PC6400/PPC664?/PC2086?: Packed IBM PC/XT functionality in few custom chips. Power supply in the monitor was also used for the computer. Serial Port, Parallel Port, Real Time clock with battery buffered cmos RAM, Graphics adapter, mouse port for included mouse integrated in the motherboard. Joystick port for cpc-joystick in the keyboard.
22947
22948    * Amstrad PC1512 (Schneider in Germany/Austria): CGA compatible graphics system with special 640x200x16 graphics mode. 512 KB RAM on board, sockets for additional 128 kb on board. It was delivered as: PC1512SD (1 5,25 inch double density disk drive (360kb)); PC1512DD (2 5,25 inch double density disk drives); PC1512HD10 (1 5,25 inch double density disk driver, harddisk controller and 10MB harddisk); PC1512HD20 (....20 MB harddisk) (monochrome (about 16 levels grays) or color monitor)
22949
22950    * Amstrad PC1640 (PC6400 in the US - Schneider in Germany/Austria): EGA compatible graphics card and monitor
22951
22952    * Amstrad PC2086 (Schneider in Germany/Austria): VGA compatible graphics card and monitors?
22953
22954
22955
22956
22957
22958===== Links =====
22959
22960
22961
22962  * PC at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=274
22963
22964
22965
22966
22967
22968$end
22969
22970
22971
22972#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
22973
22974
22975$info=ibm5160
22976$bio
22977====== IBM PC/XT 5160 (and clones) (1983) ======
22978
22979
22980
22981
22982
22983===== Features =====
22984
22985
22986
22987  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz
22988
22989  * Co-Processor: Socket for a 8087 math co-processor
22990
22991  * RAM: From 64k to 640k, depending on models
22992
22993  * ROM: 64 kb
22994
22995  * Text Modes: 80 x 24 / 40 x 24
22996
22997  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 [CGA modes]
22998
22999  * Colors: 16
23000
23001  * Sound: Tone Generator
23002
23003  * I/O Ports: eight internal slots (five 8 bit ISA), RS232c, Centronics
23004
23005  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad and function keys, 84 or 101 keys
23006
23007  * Built In Media: One 5.25" FDD, 360k (3.5" on later models), 10Mb or 20Mb hard-disk
23008
23009  * OS: MS DOS
23010
23011  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
23012
23013  * Peripherals: Numerous IBM and third-parties expansion cards, i.e. the QuadRam 512 KB RAM card
23014
23015
23016
23017
23018
23019===== Known Issues =====
23020
23021
23022
23023The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. MDA, CGA, Herc graphic adapter are in good shape, and both floppy and tape support is supposed to work. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation)
23024
23025
23026
23027
23028
23029===== History and Trivia =====
23030
23031
23032
23033The IBM PC XT is the successor of the IBM PC. The XT stands for EXtended Technology and was introduced in early 1983. It has enhanced features: CGA graphic card, hard disk, more memory, and no more tape port (!). But it wasn't very innovative.
23034
23035
23036
23037There are in fact two versions of the XT motherboard. The first one can accept from 64k to 256k RAM, whereas the later one has support for 640K RAM max, the 101-key keyboard, a 3.5" FDD and a few other details...
23038
23039
23040
23041In addiditon to the removal of the cassette port, the XT also had eight 8-bit ISA expansion slots VS the PC's five. The XT's slots were also positioned closer together, the same spacing all PCs still use today. This made old PC's totally worthless because you couldn't buy an XT clone board and drop it into a PC case. Eight slots was a huge boon to the "power user" who had previously found himself having to pick and choose what upgrades to install in the paltry five slots of the PC.
23042
23043
23044
23045The 5160 was replaced with the PC XT S (20 MB Hard disk, slim size floppy disk unit, 640 KB RAM), then with the PC XT 286.
23046
23047
23048
23049Clones of the XT, such as the Tandy 1000 became commonplace by the end of the decade.
23050
23051
23052
23053//(info from old-computers.com)//
23054
23055
23056
23057
23058
23059===== Links =====
23060
23061
23062
23063  * PC / XT at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=286
23064
23065
23066
23067
23068
23069$end
23070
23071
23072
23073#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23074
23075
23076$info=ibm5170
23077$bio
23078====== IBM PC/AT 5170 (1984) ======
23079
23080
23081
23082
23083
23084===== Features =====
23085
23086
23087
23088  * CPU: Intel 80286 6 MHz
23089
23090  * RAM: 512 KB (up to 3 MB)
23091
23092  * ROM: 64 kb
23093
23094  * Text Modes: 80 x 24 / 40 x 24
23095
23096  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 350 [EGA mode]
23097
23098  * Colors: 64
23099
23100  * Sound: Beeper
23101
23102  * I/O Ports: 8 internal slots (six 16 bit ISA and two 8 bit ISA), RS232c, Centronics
23103
23104  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard with numeric keypad and function keys
23105
23106  * Built In Media: one 5.25" disk-drive, various Hard disk drives, from 20 MB
23107
23108  * OS: MS DOS
23109
23110  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC interpreter
23111
23112
23113
23114
23115
23116===== Known Issues =====
23117
23118
23119
23120The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. A preliminary implementation of EGA shows some result.
23121
23122
23123
23124
23125
23126===== History and Trivia =====
23127
23128
23129
23130The IBM PC AT was the successor of the PC and the XT. IBM added a lot of new features: they abandoned the old Intel 8086 to the Intel 80286, so the PC AT used new 16 bit expansion slots.
23131
23132
23133
23134The PC AT had a new version of the Microsoft OS: MS-DOS 3.0 which could manage the new 5.25" floppy disk format (1.2 MB), the new hard disk capacities (20 MB and more) and allowed file sharing. It had a new keyboard too (the same we use now, more or less) with cursor keys and a key that could lock it.
23135
23136
23137
23138Two models were launched: the PC-AT model 1 (256 KB RAM, two floppy disk units and a color screen) and the PC-AT Model 2 (512 KB RAM, one floppy disk unit, one hard disk and a color screen).
23139
23140
23141
23142This computer was revolutionary, but it was the last time IBM imposed a standard to the PC clone industry. The next year, the first PC based on a 80386 was made by Compaq and IBM failed to impose the PS/2 standard in 1986.
23143
23144
23145
23146//(info from old-computers.com)//
23147
23148
23149
23150
23151
23152===== Links =====
23153
23154
23155
23156  * PC / AT at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=185
23157
23158
23159
23160
23161
23162===== Other Emulators =====
23163
23164
23165
23166  * Bochs -- http://bochs.sourceforge.net/
23167
23168  * Virtual PC for Linux, Mac, NT (commercial) -- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
23169
23170
23171
23172
23173
23174$end
23175
23176
23177
23178#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23179
23180
23181$info=ibmpcjr
23182$bio
23183====== IBM PC Junior (1983) ======
23184
23185
23186
23187
23188
23189===== Features =====
23190
23191
23192
23193  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz
23194
23195  * Co-Processor: Texas Instrument sn76496 n (Sound)
23196
23197  * RAM: 64k (up to 640 KB); Extended model : 128k
23198
23199  * VRAM: from 2k to 128k (use the conventional RAM)
23200
23201  * ROM: 24 KB
23202
23203  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
23204
23205  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 (16 colors), 320 x 200, 640 x 200
23206
23207  * Colors: 16
23208
23209  * Sound: three channels
23210
23211  * I/O Ports: 2 cartridge ports (64 KB each), Centronics (optional), RS232, Joystick, Light Pen, video out (RCA plug)
23212
23213  * Keyboard: Chiclet keyboard (full-stroke keyboard was available later)
23214
23215  * Built In Media: one 5.25" disk drive
23216
23217  * OS: MS DOS
23218
23219
23220
23221
23222
23223===== Known Issues =====
23224
23225
23226
23227The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. Graphic emulation is good and both cart and tape support have been added. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation).
23228
23229
23230
23231
23232
23233===== History and Trivia =====
23234
23235
23236
23237Enhanced IBM PC for home use.
23238
23239
23240
23241After launching the IBM PC (and its great success), IBM tried to stand out a standard for home computers, it created then the PC junior, which itself is a "light" version of the PC especially designed for home activities.
23242
23243
23244
23245Despite its qualities, the PC jr had few success and never managed to replace the established home computers like Commodore 64, Apple II or Atari 800.
23246
23247
23248
23249Two IBM PC junior models were available: a basic one and a enhanced one (supplied with 128k, 30 programs, a 5.25" floppy disk drive [360 KB] and its controller).
23250
23251
23252
23253Contrary to the IBM PC, the power supply is not integrated to the case, but is external. The keyboard is linked by infra-red to the CPU, though there was a RJ11 (standard phone jack) plug that could be used instead to save batteries. It is impossible to connect a 8087 math co-processor.
23254
23255
23256
23257The RS232 connector is not a standard one. To use a standard RS232 device, the user has to buy a special adapter ("Berg" style connector breakout -> D25 connector).
23258
23259
23260
23261The PC Jr runs under MSDOS 2.1 (the same version as the PC) and handles a hard disk when it is not possible to connect hard disk on the PC Jr (go figure)! There was an internal modem available that ran at 300 bps sold by IBM. Third party modems were also available at 1200bps.
23262
23263
23264
23265A cartridge containing enhanced basic (with special graphics instructions) was also available. To get a 80 column text display, the extra 64k RAM expansion is needed.
23266
23267
23268
23269Many IBM PC programs would not originally run on the PCjr because it did not include a DMA controller. This was available through a memory side-car add-on from Tecmar Systems. Many people were able to then run the PCjr as a competent business type of system as
23270
23271well.
23272
23273
23274
23275//(info from old-computers.com)//
23276
23277
23278
23279
23280
23281===== Links =====
23282
23283
23284
23285  * Forever70...80...90... -- http://perso.orange.fr/fabrice.montupet/ibm.htm
23286
23287  * Mike's PCjr Page -- http://mail.magnaspeed.net/~mbbrutman/PCjr/pcjr.html
23288
23289  * PC Jr. Reborn -- http://www.micro-zone.com/index.html
23290
23291  * PC Junior at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=186
23292
23293
23294
23295
23296
23297$end
23298
23299
23300
23301#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23302
23303
23304$info=intv
23305$bio
23306====== Mattel Intellivision (1979) ======
23307
23308
23309
23310
23311
23312===== Features =====
23313
23314
23315
23316  * CPU: General Instruments 16 bit Microprocessor 1 MHz
23317
23318  * Memory: 4K internal ROM operating system, 2K RAM
23319
23320  * Controls: 12 button numeric key pad, four action keys, 16 direction disk, overlay support
23321
23322  * Sound: Sound generator capable of 3 part harmony with programmable ASDR envelopes
23323
23324  * Color: 16 colors
23325
23326  * Resolution: 192v x 160h pixels
23327
23328
23329
23330
23331
23332===== Usage =====
23333
23334
23335
23336MESS requires a cart dump (in .rom or .bin/.int/.int format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run intv emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
23337
23338
23339
23340  mess intv -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.int"
23341
23342
23343
23344Notice that .rom images are **strongly** suggested, as the support for .bin, .int and .itv images (which are basically the same format) is only partial. You can convert your .bin images to .rom, using the program ''bin2rom'' contained in SDK-1600 -- http://sdk-1600.spatula-city.org/.
23345
23346
23347
23348If you want to help to improve the support, testing your .bin images and reporting bugs, please follow these simple rules:
23349
23350
23351
23352  - If a cart has an issue, please re-run it with the -log option turned on. At exit, check in the file error.log if the issues are due to known missing features (RAM, bankswitch, ECS or Intellivoice). The relevant error would be mentioned in the first lines, before the "opcodes executed on mapped I/O" messages.
23353
23354  - If nothing is mentioned in error.log, you have probably found a bug. Therefore, please report it on Bugzilla or on the MESS message board.
23355
23356  - It would be of help if you also try to convert the file to .rom and try to run it in MESS again. If a game works in .rom format but not in .bin/.int it means we missed something in the code, so we would really appreciate the report
23357
23358
23359
23360
23361
23362===== Known Issues =====
23363
23364
23365
23366This driver is almost complete. To Do:
23367
23368
23369
23370  * collision detection
23371
23372  * 16-way controller mapping
23373
23374  * default mapping of the right player controller
23375
23376
23377
23378Support for .bin/.int/.itv images is only partial.
23379
23380
23381
23382
23383
23384===== History and Trivia =====
23385
23386
23387
23388At the end of 1979, Mattel Electronics released a video game system known as Intellivision along with 12 video game cartridges.  Poised as a competitor to the then king of the hill Atari 2600, Mattel Electronics called their new product "Intelligent Television", stemming largely from their marketing plans to release a compatible computer keyboard for their video games console.
23389
23390
23391
23392Mattel fiercely battled with Atari but the Intellivision suffered greatly from the video game market crash of 1984.  After Mattel sold the rights to the system soon afterwards, the Intellivision was kept alive through their new owners, INTV Corp.  Another 35 games were released from 1985 to 1990, mostly through mail order service.  The system was generally very successful in the end, with over 3 million units sold and 125 games released before the system was finally discontinued in 1990.
23393
23394
23395
23396During its lifetime, several models of the base system were released, as well as some interesting peripherals including a full computer adaptor, music keyboard, Intellivoice speech synthesis module, system changer to play Atari VCS games and PlayCable (an accessory to download games from your cable provider).
23397
23398
23399
23400
23401
23402===== Links =====
23403
23404
23405
23406  * Bluesky Rangers -- http://www.intellivisionlives.com
23407
23408  * FAQ -- http://www.intellivision.ca/intellivisionfaq.pdf
23409
23410
23411
23412
23413
23414===== Other Emulators =====
23415
23416
23417
23418  * Bliss -- http://bliss.kylesblog.com/
23419
23420  * Nostalgia -- http://www.shinytechnologies.com/nostalgia.php
23421
23422
23423
23424
23425
23426$end
23427
23428
23429
23430#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23431
23432
23433$info=intvkbd
23434$bio
23435====== Mattel Intellivision with Keyboard Component (1981) ======
23436
23437
23438
23439
23440
23441===== Usage =====
23442
23443
23444
23445The keyboard component has two cartridge slots - one to replace the slot occupied by an intv cart, and one for new keyboard carts (BASIC). MESS supports intv cart dumps in either .rom or .int format and keyboard cart dumps in .bin format. In particular, there are two correspondent devices "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2).
23446
23447
23448
23449Notice that if you want to use the BASIC cart at startup, you must specify it as the "cart2", even if the first cart slot is unused.
23450
23451
23452
23453  mess intvkbd -cart1 "C:\pathtogame\dummy.rom" -cart2 "C:\pathtogame\basic.bin"
23454
23455
23456
23457Some tapes require the BASIC cartridge.
23458
23459
23460
23461== Keyboard ==
23462
23463
23464
23465This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
23466
23467
23468
23469
23470
23471===== Known Issues =====
23472
23473
23474
23475This driver is almost complete, even if the driver is marked as ''NOT WORKING''.  The tape drive is not yet supported. Also, there is currently no mapping to the normal Intellivision hand controllers yet, when using the keyboard component.
23476
23477
23478
23479
23480
23481===== History and Trivia =====
23482
23483
23484
23485The original keyboard component only saw a limited test marketing run of less than one thousand units in late 1981. It was color-keyed to match the original Intellivision, and the entire game console fit into the top of the unit. It sported a full-stroke 60-key keyboard, built in cassette recorder, and brought the total memory capacity of the Intellivision to 64K.
23486
23487
23488
23489Spurred on by the increasingly popular home computer market, Mattel introduced the Entertainment Computer System (which replaced the original expansion keyboard) along with the INTV II in 1983. This unit plugs into the cartridge port of the INTV II, and has its own
23490
23491cartridge slot, two additional controller ports, a cassette interface, music keyboard, and a balance dial for controlling the output level of the ECS's three additional voices.
23492
23493
23494
23495The ECS came packaged with a 49-key chiclet-style keyboard, power supply, and a well-written manual describing INTV BASIC. Upon returning the registration card, users would receive "The Step-By-Step Guide To Home Computing", which included a very detailed BASIC Tutorial, and some more in-depth study of the ECS's abilities. The unit sported an additional voice chip, 10K of ROM and 2K of RAM for programming purposes.
23496
23497
23498
23499
23500
23501$end
23502
23503
23504
23505#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23506
23507
23508$info=intvsrs
23509$bio
23510====== Mattel Intellivision - Sears version (1981) ======
23511
23512
23513
23514
23515
23516===== Usage =====
23517
23518
23519
23520MESS requires a cart dump (in .int or .rom format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run intvsrs emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
23521
23522
23523
23524  mess intvsrs -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.int"
23525
23526
23527
23528
23529
23530===== Known Issues =====
23531
23532
23533
23534Please see the base (intv) system info for current status of this driver.
23535
23536
23537
23538
23539
23540===== History and Trivia =====
23541
23542
23543
23544This is the Sears version of the Mattel Intellivision.
23545
23546
23547
23548Functionally identical to the original Mattel Intellivision, the Sears Tele-Games Super Video Arcade Console has a cream-colored case with a wood-grain front, and removable controllers that rest in the center of the console. The power and reset switches are circular in shape and about an inch in diameter.
23549
23550
23551
23552
23553
23554$end
23555
23556
23557
23558#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23559
23560
23561$info=ip204415
23562$bio
23563====== SGI IRIS Indigo (1990) ======
23564
23565
23566
23567
23568
23569===== Usage =====
23570
23571
23572
23573Currently, MESS supports the IP20 board with a MIPS R4400 at 150 MHz.
23574
23575
23576
23577
23578
23579===== Known Issues =====
23580
23581
23582
23583The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
23584
23585
23586
23587
23588
23589===== History and Trivia =====
23590
23591
23592
23593The IRIS Indigo was the name of Silicon Graphics' line of workstations produced between 1990 and 1994.
23594
23595
23596
23597The first model (codenamed "Hollywood") was based on the IP12 processor board, which contained a 32-bit MIPS R3000A RISC processor and 12 proprietary memory slots. These slots were designed to be filled with proprietary memory modules, hard to find and rather expensive. They were designed directly by Silicon Graphics (they were used in the old Personal IRIS computers as well) and were available in capacities of 2, 4 and 8 MBytes (notice that they had to be installed in groups of four).
23598
23599
23600
23601The later version (codenamed "Blackjack") was based on the IP20 processor board, which had a a 64-bit MIPS R4000 or R4400 processor in a removable processor module. This second generation of the board used, as memory modules, more common PS/2 SIMMs (up to 32MB per module). As the IP12, the IP20 had 12 memory slots and they had to be filled in groups of 4.
23602
23603
23604
23605The Indigo was designed to run IRIX, the SGI's version of UNIX: the IP12 board was supported until IRIX 5.3; the IP20 board was supported until IRIX 6.5. Moreover, NetBSD supports both kind of boards, through its ''sgimips'' port.
23606
23607
23608
23609SGI's IRIS Indigo was considered one of the most capable graphics workstations of its era, especially for hardware-accelerated 3D graphics rendering.
23610
23611
23612
23613
23614
23615===== Links =====
23616
23617
23618
23619  * SGI's MIPS systems -- http://www.sgi.com/products/legacy/mips.html
23620
23621  * Indigo's page at Obsolete -- http://hardware.majix.org/computers/sgi.indigo/
23622
23623  * Indigo's page at Technolust -- http://www.megarat.com/indigo/
23624
23625  * Indigo's port of NetBSD -- http://www.netbsd.org/ports/sgimips/
23626
23627  * [[wp>SGI_Indigo]]
23628
23629
23630
23631
23632
23633$end
23634
23635
23636
23637#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23638
23639
23640$info=ip225015
23641$bio
23642====== SGI Indy (1993) ======
23643
23644
23645
23646
23647
23648===== Usage =====
23649
23650
23651
23652Currently, MESS supports two different Indy models
23653
23654
23655
23656  * ip225015 [Indy (R5000, 150MHz)] - IP22 board with a MIPS R5000 at 150 MHz.
23657
23658  * ip224613 [Indy (R4600, 133MHz)] - IP22 board with a MIPS R4600 at 133 MHz.
23659
23660
23661
23662
23663
23664===== Known Issues =====
23665
23666
23667
23668The emulation of these systems is still Preliminary.
23669
23670
23671
23672
23673
23674===== History and Trivia =====
23675
23676
23677
23678The Indy was SGI's attempt to offer a low-cost machine with graphical capacities close to the ones offered by its workstations. It was also the first computer to include a digital video camera which, added to an on-board ISDN adapter, the inclusion of analog and digital I/O, SCSI, and standard composite and S-Video inputs, made the SGI Indy a real multimedia machine.
23679
23680
23681
23682SGI also released a variant of the Indy for low-end server usage, called Challenge S. This system has an identical case as the Indy (except for the name badge), and featured a nearly identical motherboard as the Indy, but without any graphics or sound hardware.
23683
23684
23685
23686The Indy was available with many different MIPS CPU:
23687
23688
23689
23690| CPU     | clock   |  L2 cache |
23691
23692| R4000PC | 100 Mhz | - |
23693
23694| R4000SC | 100 Mhz | 1 MB |
23695
23696| R4400SC | 100 Mhz / 150 Mhz / 175 Mhz / 200 Mhz | 1 MB |
23697
23698| R4600PC | 100 Mhz / 133 Mhz  | - |
23699
23700| R4600SC | 133 Mhz | 512 kB |
23701
23702| R5000PC | 150 Mhz | - |
23703
23704| R5000SC | 150 Mhz / 180 Mhz | 512 kB |
23705
23706
23707
23708Every board used, as memory modules, PS/2 FPM memory with parity or, alternatively, PS/2 SIMMs (up to 32MB per module). As on Indigo boards, on the board are present 12 memory slots and they had to be filled in groups of 4.
23709
23710
23711
23712The Indy was designed to run IRIX, the SGI's version of UNIX, which supported it until IRIX 6.5.22. Additionally, also NetBSD is available for the Indy, through its ''sgimips'' port.
23713
23714
23715
23716
23717
23718===== Links =====
23719
23720
23721
23722  * SGI's MIPS systems -- http://www.sgi.com/products/legacy/mips.html
23723
23724  * Indigo's page at Obsolete -- http://hardware.majix.org/computers/sgi.indy/
23725
23726  * Indy's port of NetBSD -- http://www.netbsd.org/ports/sgimips/
23727
23728  * [[wp>SGI_Indy]]
23729
23730
23731
23732
23733
23734$end
23735
23736
23737
23738#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23739
23740
23741$info=ip244415
23742$bio
23743====== SGI Indigo2 (1994) ======
23744
23745
23746
23747
23748
23749===== Usage =====
23750
23751
23752
23753Currently, MESS supports the Indigo<sup>2</sup> with a MIPS R4400 at 150 MHz.
23754
23755
23756
23757
23758
23759===== Known Issues =====
23760
23761
23762
23763The emulation of these systems is still Preliminary.
23764
23765
23766
23767
23768
23769===== History and Trivia =====
23770
23771
23772
23773The Indigo<sup>2</sup> was the successor of the Indigo workstations, offering even more computation power to hardware-accelerated 3D graphics rendering.
23774
23775
23776
23777SGI also released a variant of the Indigo<sup>2</sup> for server usage, called Challenge M. This system has an identical case as the Indigo<sup>2</sup> (except for the name badge), and featured a nearly identical motherboard, but without any graphics or sound hardware.
23778
23779
23780
23781The Indigo<sup>2</sup> saw various updates to its architecture:
23782
23783
23784
23785| board | CPU | clock | L1 cache | L2 cache |
23786
23787| IP22 | R4000SC | 100 Mhz | 8kB + 8kB | 1MB |
23788
23789| IP22 | R4400SC | 150 Mhz / 200 Mhz | 16kB + 16kB | 1MB |
23790
23791| IP22 | R4400PC | 175 Mhz / 200 Mhz / 250 Mhz | 16kB + 16kB | 2MB |
23792
23793| IP22 | R4600SC | 133 Mhz | 16kB + 16kB | 512kB |
23794
23795| IP26 (Power) | R8000SC | 175 Mhz | - | 2MB |
23796
23797| IP28 (Impact) | R10000SC | 175 Mhz / 195 Mhz | 32kB + 32kB | 1MB |
23798
23799
23800
23801Every board used, as memory modules, PS/2 FPM memory with parity or, alternatively, PS/2 SIMMs (up to 32MB per module until IP26, up to 64MB for IP28 boards). As on Indigo boards, on the board are present 12 memory slots and they had to be filled in groups of 4.
23802
23803
23804
23805The Indigo<sup>2</sup> was designed to run IRIX, the SGI's version of UNIX, which supported it until IRIX 6.5.22. Additionally, also NetBSD is available for the Indigo<sup>2</sup>, through its ''sgimips'' port.
23806
23807
23808
23809
23810
23811===== Links =====
23812
23813
23814
23815  * SGI's MIPS systems -- http://www.sgi.com/products/legacy/mips.html
23816
23817  * Indigo2's page at Obsolete -- http://hardware.majix.org/computers/sgi.indigo2/
23818
23819  * Indigo2's port of NetBSD -- http://www.netbsd.org/ports/sgimips/
23820
23821  * [[wp>SGI_Indigo2]]
23822
23823
23824
23825
23826
23827$end
23828
23829
23830
23831#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23832
23833
23834$info=jaguar
23835$bio
23836====== Atari Jaguar (1993) ======
23837
23838
23839
23840Marketed as a 64 bits system (with a slogan "do the math" suggesting more processor power than his competitors), this console system marks the final line for Atari as console hardware developer.
23841
23842
23843
23844
23845
23846===== Features =====
23847
23848
23849
23850  * CPU: Motorola 68000 13.295 MHz
23851
23852  * Co-Processors: TOM: 32 bit RISC CPU, 64 bit RISC POP (Programmable Object Processor), 64 bit RISC Blitter; JERRY: 32 bit RISC DSP
23853
23854  * RAM: 2 MB DRAM
23855
23856  * VRAM: Shared with system RAM (All processors have direct access to RAM)
23857
23858  * ROM: 128 KB
23859
23860  * Graphic Modes: 720 x 576 max.
23861
23862  * Colors: 16.7 Millions
23863
23864  * Sound: 2 DAC's, 16 bit stereo (Varying number of channels depending on software)
23865
23866  * I/O Ports: 2 controller ports, RF out, Video edge connector (A/V output), Cartridge/Expansion port, DSP port
23867
23868  * Controllers: 8-way d-pad, 15 buttons + Option + Pause
23869
23870  * Media: Cartridge (6 MB max.)
23871
23872
23873
23874
23875
23876===== Usage =====
23877
23878
23879
23880MESS requires a "cartridge" (cart) device for jaguar run. The cart dump can be in one of the following supported formats: .jag, .abs, .bin, .rom, .j64.
23881
23882
23883
23884Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is present, for .bin files.
23885
23886
23887
23888
23889
23890===== Known Issues =====
23891
23892
23893
23894The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
23895
23896
23897
23898
23899
23900===== History and Trivia =====
23901
23902
23903
23904The Jaguar was the last game system to be marketed by Atari Corporation. In fact, the hardware was originally designed by Flare Technology, a company formed by Martin Brennan and John Mathieson. They claimed that they could not only make a console far superior to the Sega MegaDrive or the SNES, but also be cost-effective. Impressed by their previous work on the Konix Multisystem, Atari persuaded them to close Flare and, with funding provided by Atari, to create a new company to develop their ideas. The new company started to design two brand new consoles for Atari: one was a 32-bit architecture (codenamed "Panther"), and the other was a 64-bit system (codenamed "Jaguar"). However, work on the Jaguar design progressed faster than expected, and Atari canceled the Panther project to focus on the more promising 64-bit technology.
23905
23906
23907
23908The Jaguar was released in the US in 1993, using the marketing slogan "Do the Math", claiming superiority over competing 16-bit systems. Initially, the system sold well, substantially outselling the highly hyped and publicized 3DO, which was also released during the holiday season of 1993. However, due to the presence of several dismal launch title, Jaguar was accompanied by the perception of having poor games. Things improved with the release of Jeff Minter's "Tempest 2000", and other successful games like "Doom", "Wolfenstein 3D" and "Alien vs. Predator".
23909
23910
23911
23912By the end of 1995, after the entrance of the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn, the Jaguar's destiny seemed decided and nothing changed with the aggressive marketing campaign claiming Jaguar to be the only 64-bit console on the market (despite the only 64-bit CPUs being graphical co-processors).
23913
23914
23915
23916Over the short life of the console, several add-on peripherals were announced. Yet only the Atari Jaguar CD drive and the JagLink (a simple two-console networking device) reached retail shelves. The voice modem and VR headset (with infrared head-tracking), existed in prototype form, but were never commercialized.
23917
23918
23919
23920Production of the Jaguar stopped after Atari merged with JT Storage.
23921
23922
23923
23924After the Atari Corporation properties were bought out by Hasbro Interactive in the late 1990s, Hasbro released the encryption coding to the Jaguar, finally opening the doors for homebrew development. Several game companies, including Telegames, ScatoLOGIC, and Songbird Productions, have not only released previously unfinished materials from the Jaguar's past, but also several brand new titles to satisfy the system's cult following.
23925
23926
23927
23928//(info based on Wikipedia)//
23929
23930
23931
23932
23933
23934===== Links =====
23935
23936
23937
23938  * Atari Jaguar FAQ -- http://www.electric-escape.net/atari/Jaguar/FAQ
23939
23940  * JustClaws -- http://justclaws.atari.org/
23941
23942  * [[wp>Atari_Jaguar]]
23943
23944
23945
23946
23947
23948===== Other Emulators =====
23949
23950
23951
23952  * Project Tempest -- http://pt.emuunlim.com/
23953
23954  * Virtual Jaguar -- http://icculus.org/virtualjaguar/
23955
23956  * Jagulator [no link]
23957
23958
23959
23960
23961
23962$end
23963
23964
23965
23966#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
23967
23968
23969$info=jupiter
23970$bio
23971====== Jupiter Cantab Jupiter Ace (1981) ======
23972
23973
23974
23975
23976
23977===== Features =====
23978
23979
23980
23981  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.25 MHz
23982
23983  * RAM: 3 kb (up to 51 kb)
23984
23985  * ROM: 8 kb
23986
23987  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 24 lines
23988
23989  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48
23990
23991  * Colors: Monochrome
23992
23993  * Sound: Internal beeper
23994
23995  * I/O Ports: UHF TV out (channel 36), User Port, Tape interface (1500 baud), Z80 Bus
23996
23997  * Keyboard: QWERTY, chicklet keyboard, 40 keys, auto-repeat
23998
23999  * Peripherals: RAM expansion
24000
24001  * Built-In Language: Forth
24002
24003
24004
24005
24006
24007===== Usage =====
24008
24009
24010
24011Currently, MESS support both cart dumps and cassette tapes for this driver. The former ones (in .ace format) use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter ones (in .tap format) use the "cassette" (cass) device.
24012
24013
24014
24015== Keyboard ==
24016
24017
24018
24019This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
24020
24021
24022
24023
24024
24025===== History and Trivia =====
24026
24027
24028
24029The Jupiter ACE looks very similar to the Sinclair ZX 81. Actually, the designers of this computer, Richard Altwasser and Steven Vickers, played a major role in creating the Sinclair Spectrum.
24030
24031
24032
24033The ACE is very similar to the ZX 81, but has some extra features: it has a user port, and it can generate sound (the ZX 81 can't). It can also use RAM expansion modules for the ZX 81 smaller than 64KB via a small adapter.
24034
24035
24036
24037Its most significant feature is its language: instead of using BASIC like other computers, it uses the FORTH language (as did the Hector HRX).
24038
24039
24040
24041FORTH's advantages are that it's comprehensible, small, interactive, fast and extensible. It centers around writing procedures which operate on objects on a FIFO stack, and is not as intuitive as BASIC. FORTH was three to ten times faster than BASIC but was not as easy to learn.
24042
24043
24044
24045This computer did not achieve significant success, probably due to its relatively obscure language - as far as the general public was concerned.
24046
24047
24048
24049Steve Vickers wrote the ZX Spectrum manual - he has been an academic researcher working most recently (2003) at Imperial College London, and the Open University.
24050
24051
24052
24053//(info from old-computers.com)//
24054
24055
24056
24057
24058
24059===== Links =====
24060
24061
24062
24063  * Jupiter ACE FAQ -- http://users.aol.com/autismuk/ace/faq.htm
24064
24065  * Ace Resource Site -- http://www.jupiter-ace.co.uk/
24066
24067  * User Manuals -- http://www.jupiter-ace.co.uk/usermanual.html
24068
24069  * Jupiter Ace at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=147
24070
24071
24072
24073
24074
24075===== Other Emulators =====
24076
24077
24078
24079  * VACE / XACE -- http://hem.passagen.se/tiletech/ace.html
24080
24081  * EightyOne -- http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/
24082
24083
24084
24085
24086
24087$end
24088
24089
24090
24091#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24092
24093
24094$info=kaypro
24095$bio
24096====== Kaypro IIx (1982) ======
24097
24098
24099
24100
24101
24102===== Usage =====
24103
24104
24105
24106MESS supports up to four floppy drives for disk images in .dsk format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
24107
24108
24109
24110Currently, only disk images in the .dsk format are supported. To convert images from the .imd format, get the ImageDisk package from http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/img/ and use the imdu command like so:
24111
24112  imdu filename.imd filename.dsk /b
24113
24114For images in .td0 format, first run
24115
24116  td02imd filename.td0
24117
24118which will produce an .imd file you can then convert using imdu.
24119
24120
24121
24122== Keyboard ==
24123
24124
24125
24126This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
24127
24128
24129
24130
24131
24132===== History and Trivia =====
24133
24134
24135
24136Despite its name, the Kaypro II was the first Kaypro model. The name was KAYPRO II, because the Apple II was the most popular system (besides the IBM PC) around back then, and Kaypro decided to follow in the image.
24137
24138
24139
24140It was conceived by Non Linear Systems inc., a company with over 30 years' experience of producing small portable aerospace electronic equipment, which would later become Kaypro. Non Linear Systems was indeed founded by Andy Kay in 1952 to make digital multimeters (Andy
24141
24142Kay is the inventor of the digital multimeter).
24143
24144
24145
24146Kaypro's computers were an extension of their test instrument design philosophy: rugged, reliable, reasonably priced, looking more like instruments than the creative, communications (and business) tools that they really are. All the hardware is packed into a solid aluminum case. These computers can resist to a lot of trouble as they proved when ten of them (Kaypro IV & 10) were used by doctors for the Paris-Dakar 84's edition. None of them failed despite extreme conditions.
24147
24148
24149
24150The Kaypro II is a real "luggable" system. Even if it weights more than 10kg, it can be easily moved with the handle found at the back. Nonetheless, the Kaypro II is not the first portable full-size computer, that would be the Osborne 1, with its all-plastic case.
24151
24152
24153
24154One asset of the Kaypro, over the Osborne 1 which was available at about the same time, is the 9" built-in monitor, easily twice the size of the tiny Osborne's 5" screen.
24155
24156
24157
24158Though the Kaypro 2 has no graphic features, it can display 80 x 24 characters. There are two single-sided / double-density full-heigth 5.25" disk-drives (190k each). One can be used to boot CP/M and the other to run the software.
24159
24160
24161
24162At the rear of the system, one can find a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard connector, a brightness control knob and reset button.
24163
24164
24165
24166Perfect Writer, Perfect Calc, Perfect Filer, Perfect Speller, S-Basic, CP/M and Profitplan were bundled with the system. Later WordStar was also available.
24167
24168
24169
24170In 1983, they split-off the computer division, naming it Kaypro Computers. They were soon shipping 10,000 Kaypro II computers a month.
24171
24172
24173
24174Over the next four years, they released the Kaypro 10, IV, 4, 2, 2X, Robie, 4X, 12X, 16, 2000, and Kaypro 1, in pretty much that order.
24175
24176
24177
24178Most of their computers were based on the Z-80 microprocessor and ran the CP/M operating system up until 1986 or so. By that time, MS-DOS was taking over the world. Kaypro Computers made a few more systems, but couldn't compete. They filed for bankruptcy in 1990.
24179
24180
24181
24182== Different models ==
24183
24184
24185
24186As usual with Kaypro, the model names logic is quite dramatic to resolve. Several Kaypro "2" were marketed:
24187
24188
24189
24190  * In 1984 a new Kaypro 2 (refered as Kaypro 2'84) is introduced. It has two SS/DD half-height floppy drives, a Z-80A running at 4.0 MHz, 2 serial ports and rudimentary graphics (through graphic characters).
24191
24192
24193
24194  * The same year, the Kaypro 2X is released. Very similar to a Kaypro 2'84 but with DS/DD half-height drives.
24195
24196
24197
24198  * Still in 1984, in order to be compatible with IBM software, a special version was marketed with an Intel 8088 CPU instead of the Z80A. It was called the Kaypro II Plus 88!
24199
24200
24201
24202  * In 1985 another Kaypro 2 refered as "New 2" is sold. It is basically an old 2X motherboard, with one or two DS/DD floppy drives, but no 300 baud modem previously found on the 2X. It comes with just CP/M and Wordstar for software.
24203
24204
24205
24206  * And to spice up a bit things, Kaypro decides to rename its Kaypro 4'84 as Kaypro 2X (sometimes also known as 2X MTC), thus dropping the previous 2X model!
24207
24208
24209
24210== Trivia ==
24211
24212
24213
24214In 1985, Arthur C. Clarke published a sequel to 2001 : 2010 Odyssey Two. He worked with Peter Hyams in the movie version of 2010. Their work was done using a Kaypro computer and a modem, for Arthur was in Sri Lanka and Peter Hyams in Los Angeles. Their communications turned into the book The Odyssey File - The Making of 2010.
24215
24216
24217
24218//(info based on old-computers.com)//
24219
24220
24221
24222
24223
24224===== Links =====
24225
24226
24227
24228  * Kaypro II Project -- http://www.yoy.org/kaypro/Default.htm
24229
24230  * Kaypro II at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=550
24231
24232
24233
24234
24235
24236===== Other Emulators =====
24237
24238
24239
24240  * Kaypro II JAVA Emu -- http://www.yoy.org/kaypro/html/kayproii1.html
24241
24242
24243
24244
24245
24246$end
24247
24248
24249
24250#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24251
24252
24253$info=kc85_3
24254$bio
24255====== VEB Mikroelektronik KC 85/3 (1987) ======
24256
24257
24258
24259
24260
24261===== Features =====
24262
24263
24264
24265  * CPU: U880 D (Z80 clone) 1.75 MHz
24266
24267  * RAM: 32 KB (30 kb left for user), expandable up to 4 MB
24268
24269  * ROM: 16 KB
24270
24271  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 32 lines
24272
24273  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 256 dots
24274
24275  * Colors: 16 foreground, 8 background colours
24276
24277  * Sound: 2 tone generators, 2 x 5 Octaves; Stereo when connected to a stereo hi-fi system (constant volume), mono over TV if connected through FBAS/RGB (32 volume levels)
24278
24279  * I/O Ports: Color TV output through PAL HF-modulator, TV output via FBAS/RGB, cassette interface DIN connector (including TTL motor switch voltage) or sound output to a stereo, 2 expansion slots, expansion interface for set-top expansion
24280
24281  * Keyboard: Chicklet keyboard, QWERTZ-Layout, 64 keys. 6 function keys (F1-F6), cursor keys. Keyboard connected to the UC through a mono audio-jack.
24282
24283  * Peripherals: V24 interface, memory cards (16 / 64 kb), EPROM-module, several user ports, 5 1/4" diskdrive set-top (included own U880 system with 64K RAM !!)
24284
24285  * OS: CAOS 3.1 (for cassette operation), MicroDOS (if working with diskdrive expansion, CP/M compatible)
24286
24287  * Built In Language: Basic & CAOS 3.1 (Cassette Aided Operating System)
24288
24289
24290
24291
24292
24293===== Usage =====
24294
24295
24296
24297MESS supports the emulation of the kc85_3 with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav format.
24298
24299
24300
24301Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .kcc files.
24302
24303
24304
24305== Keyboard ==
24306
24307
24308
24309This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
24310
24311
24312
24313
24314
24315===== Known Issues =====
24316
24317
24318
24319The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
24320
24321
24322
24323
24324
24325===== History and Trivia =====
24326
24327
24328
24329"KC" stands for "KleinComputer", which could be translated to "Small Computer".
24330
24331
24332
24333The KC 85/3 was the successor of the KC 85/2. Improvements over the old system were more free RAM for programs (30 Kb instead of 18 Kb), a larger ROM (16 Kb over 4 Kb), which included the Basic interpreter (with the KC85/2, you had to load it from tape).
24334
24335
24336
24337Both CAOS and Basic interpreter also had some new commands, especially for graphics management but the Basic remains fully compatible with the 85/2 version.
24338
24339
24340
24341//(info from old-computers.com)//
24342
24343
24344
24345
24346
24347===== Links =====
24348
24349
24350
24351  * KC Club -- http://www.kc-club.de/
24352
24353  * KC 85/3 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=546
24354
24355
24356
24357
24358
24359$end
24360
24361
24362
24363#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24364
24365
24366$info=kc85_4
24367$bio
24368====== VEB Mikroelektronik KC 85/4 (1989) ======
24369
24370
24371
24372
24373
24374===== Features =====
24375
24376
24377
24378  * CPU: U880 D (Z80 clone) 1.77 MHz
24379
24380  * Co-Processor: none. CPU even managed video processing.
24381
24382  * RAM: 64 KB, expandable to max. 4 MB
24383
24384  * ROM: 20 KB
24385
24386  * Text Modes: 40 x 32 characters
24387
24388  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 256
24389
24390  * Colors: 16 colors/foreground, 8 colors/background
24391
24392  * Sound: 2 tone generators, 2x5 Octaves; Stereo when connected to a stereo hi-fi system (constant volume), mono over TV if connected through FBAS/RGB (32 volume levels)
24393
24394  * I/O Ports: Color TV output through PAL HF-modulator, TV output via FBAS/RGB, DIN connector for cassette drive (including TTL motor switch voltage) or to connect to a stereo, 2 expansion slots, expansion interface for set-top expansion
24395
24396  * Keyboard: QWERTZ-Layout, Function keys (F1-F6), Cursor keys pretty small keys, not easy to type with; 64 keys; connected through mono DIN-jack
24397
24398  * Peripherals: V24 interface, memory cards (16/64 KB), EPROM-module, several user ports, 5 1/4" diskdrive set-top (included own U880 system with 64K RAM!!)
24399
24400  * Built In Media: none. external cassette player required (connected via DIN connector)
24401
24402  * OS: CAOS 4.2 (for cassette operation), MicroDOS (if working with Diskdrive expansion, CP/M compatible)
24403
24404  * Built In Language: CAOS 4.2 (Cassette Aided Operating System), integrated Basic interpreter
24405
24406
24407
24408
24409
24410===== Usage =====
24411
24412
24413
24414MESS supports two different hardware configurations
24415
24416
24417
24418  * kc85_4 [KC 85/4]
24419
24420  * kc85_4d [KC 85/4 + Disk Interface Module (D004)]
24421
24422
24423
24424Both drivers support a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav format. Additionally, the ki85_4d will support floppy disks, once the controller is dumped.
24425
24426
24427
24428Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .kcc files.
24429
24430
24431
24432== Keyboard ==
24433
24434
24435
24436This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
24437
24438
24439
24440
24441
24442===== Known Issues =====
24443
24444
24445
24446The emulation of the kc85_4 and kc85_4d is still Preliminary.
24447
24448
24449
24450
24451
24452===== History and Trivia =====
24453
24454
24455
24456"KC" stands for "KleinComputer", which could be translated to "Small Computer".
24457
24458
24459
24460The KC85/4 was the last one of the KC series. Although it doesn't look quite different, some internals changed. The whole design changed a bit, and software which used to access hardware directly, sometimes didn't work any longer, as some addresses changed.
24461
24462
24463
24464Also, memory was expanded to 64 KB, and the whole memory could be used by software. The ROM increased to 20 KB. The CAOS system offered printer support for most of the available GDR printer models.
24465
24466
24467
24468There are two expansion slots, which could be extended to four through an expansion set-top.
24469
24470
24471
24472//(info from old-computers.com)//
24473
24474
24475
24476
24477
24478===== Links =====
24479
24480
24481
24482  * KC Club -- http://www.kc-club.de/
24483
24484  * KC 85/4 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=598
24485
24486
24487
24488
24489
24490$end
24491
24492
24493
24494#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24495
24496
24497$info=kccomp
24498$bio
24499====== VEB Mikroelektronik KC Compact (1989) ======
24500
24501
24502
24503
24504
24505===== Features =====
24506
24507
24508
24509  * CPU: UA880D 4MHz
24510
24511  * RAM: 64 KByte
24512
24513  * ROM: 32 KByte
24514
24515  * Text Modes: 20 x 25, 40 x 25, 80 x 25
24516
24517  * Graphic Modes: 160 x 200 (16 colors among 27), 320 x 200 (4 colors among 27), 640 x 200 (monochrome)
24518
24519  * Sound: U8912 3 channels
24520
24521  * Keyboard: QWERTY 69 keys
24522
24523  * OS: KC compact 1.3 and BASIC 1.1
24524
24525
24526
24527
24528
24529===== Usage =====
24530
24531
24532
24533MESS currently supports kccomp emulation with one "cassette" (cass) device and up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). The former one supports tapes in .wav and .cdt format; the latter ones support disk images in .dsk format.
24534
24535
24536
24537Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sna files and that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
24538
24539
24540
24541== Keyboard ==
24542
24543
24544
24545This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
24546
24547
24548
24549
24550
24551===== Known Issues =====
24552
24553
24554
24555Z8536 CIO is not emulated
24556
24557
24558
24559
24560
24561===== History and Trivia =====
24562
24563
24564
24565"KC" stands for "KleinComputer", which could be translated to "Small Computer".
24566
24567
24568
24569The KC Compact is a clone of the Amstrad CPC series, made in East Germany by VEB Mikroelektronik. It was made in 1989 to celebrate 30 years of the DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik, i.e. East Germany). Soon after the Berlin wall came down, east and west merged, and production stopped.
24570
24571
24572
24573The system contains a hacked Amstrad CPC 6128 Operating System and the Amstrad CPC 6128 BASIC. Unlike the CPC, this system didn't come with a built in disc drive or cassette unit, and did not require a special monitor.
24574
24575
24576
24577The base unit can connect to a TV through a aerial or scart lead.
24578
24579
24580
24581Not many of these systems were produced and they are rare.
24582
24583
24584
24585The Amstrad CPC had a gate array chip which contained the logic for the palette, mode display, ROM paging, RAM paging and interrupt
24586
24587system. This is emulated in the KC Compact using a lot of TTL logic chips and a Zilog 8536 chip.
24588
24589
24590
24591Hardware that was designed for the CPC systems should work on the KC Compact, however, since the KC Compact has a different expansion port layout, an adaptor must be made.
24592
24593
24594
24595===== Links =====
24596
24597
24598
24599El Museo de los 8 bits KC Compact page -- http://www.geocities.com/museo8bits/kc_compact.htm - System and cartridge manuals
24600
24601
24602
24603
24604
24605$end
24606
24607
24608
24609#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24610
24611
24612$info=kim1
24613$bio
24614====== CBM / MOS Kim-1 (1975) ======
24615
24616
24617
24618
24619
24620===== Features =====
24621
24622
24623
24624  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
24625
24626  * RAM: 1152 bytes
24627
24628  * ROM: 2 KB (assembler)
24629
24630  * Text Modes: 6 digits LED screen
24631
24632  * Graphic Modes: None
24633
24634  * Colors: No
24635
24636  * Sound: Various square wave frequencies could be produced by software
24637
24638  * I/O Ports: tape interface, bus expansion, serial (to connect to a terminal)
24639
24640  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal keyboard, calculator type
24641
24642
24643
24644
24645
24646===== Usage =====
24647
24648
24649
24650MESS supports emulation of kim1 with a "cassette" (cass) device. The cassette images can be regular .wav files or binary files in .kim format. In MESS 0.128 support was added for clickable artwork.
24651
24652
24653
24654
24655
24656== Keyboard ==
24657
24658
24659
24660This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
24661
24662
24663
24664Kim-1 has 23 keys to enter programs. 16 keys represent the hex digits, 7 keys are functions keys. MESS maps these keys in the following way (key=MESS key, name=original key)
24665
24666
24667
24668^ key  ^ name ^ description                              ^
24669
24670| F1   |  AD  | address mode                             |
24671
24672| F2   |  DA  | data mode                                |
24673
24674| F3   |  RS  | reset                                    |
24675
24676| F5   |  GO  | execute from address                     |
24677
24678| F6   |  PC  | program counter (hmm.. whatever)         |
24679
24680| F7   |  ST  | step (note: NMI handling for K7 missing) |
24681
24682| ENTER|  +   | increase address                         |
24683
24684| 0-F  |  hex  | hex digits                               |
24685
24686
24687
24688
24689
24690== A sample program ==
24691
24692
24693
24694The following example program will add 2 bytes and display the low byte of the result in the address led displays.
24695
24696
24697
24698<code>
24699
24700POINTL = $FA
24701
24702POINTH = $FB
24703
24704START = $1C4F
24705
247060000                  VAL1
24707
247080001                  VAL2
24709
247100002  18        PROG  CLC
24711
247120003  A5 00           LDA VAL1
24713
247140005  65 01           ADC VAL2
24715
247160007  85 FA           STA POINTL
24717
247180009  A9 00           LDA #00
24719
24720000B  85 FB           STA POINTH
24721
24722000D  4C 4F 1C        JMP START
24723
24724</code>
24725
24726
24727
24728This program can be entered by pressing the following sequence of keys:
24729
24730
24731
24732   * AD
24733
24734   * 0 0 0 2
24735
24736   * DA
24737
24738   * 1 8
24739
24740   * +
24741
24742   * A 5
24743
24744   * +
24745
24746   * 0 0
24747
24748   * +
24749
24750   * 6 5
24751
24752   * +
24753
24754   * 0 1
24755
24756   * +
24757
24758   * 8 5
24759
24760   * +
24761
24762   * F A
24763
24764   * +
24765
24766   * A 9
24767
24768   * +
24769
24770   * 0 0
24771
24772   * +
24773
24774   * 8 5
24775
24776   * +
24777
24778   * F B
24779
24780   * +
24781
24782   * 4 C
24783
24784   * +
24785
24786   * 4 F
24787
24788   * +
24789
24790   * 1 C
24791
24792
24793
24794To use this program to add 2 and 3 press the following keys:
24795
24796
24797
24798   * AD
24799
24800   * 0 0 0 0
24801
24802   * DA
24803
24804   * 0 2
24805
24806   * +
24807
24808   * 0 3
24809
24810   * +
24811
24812   * GO
24813
24814
24815
24816Now the address led displays will display 0005.
24817
24818
24819
24820 
24821
24822== Cassette ==
24823
24824
24825
24826When writing to tape the system must be provided a file ID, a starting address and a length. The file ID must be written to address 0x17F9; the starting address is written to 0x17F5 (low byte) and 0x17F6 (high byte); the length is written to 0x17F7 (low byte) and 0x17F8 (high byte). The tape writing routine is located at 0x1800.
24827
24828
24829
24830
24831
24832To write 16 bytes of data starting from address 0x0000 as file ID 0x01 the following sequence of keys must be pressed:
24833
24834
24835
24836   * AD
24837
24838   * 0 0 F 1
24839
24840   * DA
24841
24842   * 0 0
24843
24844   * AD
24845
24846   * 1 7 F 5
24847
24848   * DA
24849
24850   * 0 0
24851
24852   * +
24853
24854   * 0 0
24855
24856   * +
24857
24858   * 1 0
24859
24860   * +
24861
24862   * 0 0
24863
24864   * +
24865
24866   * 0 1
24867
24868   * AD
24869
24870   * 1 8 0 0
24871
24872   * GO
24873
24874
24875
24876
24877
24878When reading from tape first a file ID must be specified. The file ID must be written to address 0x17F9 and then the tape reading routine at 0x1873 must be started. If you do not know the file ID but just want to load the next file from a cassette then supply a file ID of 0x00.
24879
24880
24881
24882To load data from file ID the following sequence of keys must be pressed:
24883
24884
24885
24886   * RS
24887
24888   * AD
24889
24890   * 0 0 F 1
24891
24892   * DA
24893
24894   * 0 0
24895
24896   * AD
24897
24898   * 1 7 F 9
24899
24900   * DA
24901
24902   * 0 1
24903
24904   * AD
24905
24906   * 1 8 7 3
24907
24908   * GO
24909
24910
24911
24912
24913
24914===== Known Issues =====
24915
24916
24917
24918This driver supports the backdrop image of the KIM-1, and code images in .kim format.
24919
24920
24921
24922The reading of cassette images has been broken when the core cassette code was upgraded to a mame device.
24923
24924
24925
24926
24927
24928===== History and Trivia =====
24929
24930
24931
24932This prehistoric computer has no "real" keyboard and no video output, program are entered by the small hexadecimal keyboard (located in the lower right part of the picture) and results are displayed on the small LED "screen" (it can display only 6 digits). It has a simple monitor that allows one to examine & modify memory, load and save paper tape, load and save cassette tape, run and debug programs through a 'single step' mode. The monitor works with the built in keypad and LEDs, or a terminal like the Teletype ASR33.
24933
24934
24935
24936It is possible to connect the KIM to a terminal via a dedicated serial port.
24937
24938
24939
24940Soon after release, Commodore Business Machines would buy out MOS Technologies and distribute the KIM-1 with a Commodore name on it.
24941
24942
24943
24944== Additional Info ==
24945
24946
24947
24948(Info from Bob Leedom): The KIM-1 had "no video output", you say? And the "small LED screen...can only display 6 digits"? Not quite. The software could address each segment of the 7-segment displays in the "LED screen". As a result, tremendous ingenuity was unleashed by the KIM-1 User's Group, and the display was used for many clever things. The editors published my version of the artificial intelligence board game (in which the computer learns which moves lose, and never makes those moves again, until it's eventually unbeatable), my baseball game (two-player or you vs computer, six kinds of pitches possible, scoreboard, men-on-base display, lots more), and my semi-successful commercial entry called KIM-venture (a tiny version of Adventure, with XYZZY-type secret word, monsters, treasures, 26 rooms, and more). It was an amazing little computer. Mine still works!
24949
24950
24951
24952//(info from old-computers.com)//
24953
24954
24955
24956
24957
24958===== Links =====
24959
24960
24961
24962  * The KIM-1 Enthusiasts Page -- http://www.kim-1.com/
24963
24964  * Kim-1 at Ruud's Commodore Page -- http://www.baltissen.org/newhtm/kim.htm
24965
24966  * Tech Infos -- http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/kim-1/index.html
24967
24968  * KIM-1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=149
24969
24970
24971
24972
24973
24974$end
24975
24976
24977
24978#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
24979
24980
24981$info=lambda
24982$bio
24983====== Lambda 8300 / PC-8300 / Power 3000 (1982?) ======
24984
24985
24986
24987===== Features =====
24988
24989
24990
24991  * CPU: NEC D780C-1 (Z80A clone) 3.25 MHz
24992
24993  * RAM: 2 KB
24994
24995  * ROM: 8 KB
24996
24997  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
24998
24999  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48 (through semi-graphic symbols)
25000
25001  * Colors: Black & white
25002
25003  * Sound: 1 voice sound generator
25004
25005  * I/O Ports: DC Power in, Tape interface (EAR & MIC), Composite video output, RF TV video output, expansion bus, joystick connector
25006
25007  * Keyboard: Flat membrane rubber keyboard, 42 keys, QWERTY
25008
25009  * Built In Language: Basic
25010
25011  * Peripherals: 16 KB & 32 KB RAM memory upgrades, Color Kit expansion, joystick, printer
25012
25013
25014
25015
25016
25017===== Usage =====
25018
25019
25020
25021MESS emulates the following computers
25022
25023
25024
25025  * lambda [Lambda Electronics Ltd Lambda 8300]
25026
25027  * pc8300 [Your Computer PC8300]
25028
25029  * pow3000 [Creon Enterprises Power 3000]
25030
25031
25032
25033For each system, MESS supports the emulation with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .p and .81 format.
25034
25035
25036
25037== Keyboard ==
25038
25039
25040
25041These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
25042
25043
25044
25045== RAM options ==
25046
25047
25048
25049Different RAM configurations are possible for the lambda in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
25050
25051
25052
25053  1k (default)
25054
25055  16k
25056
25057
25058
25059
25060
25061===== Known Issues =====
25062
25063
25064
25065The emulation of these systems is currently Not Working.
25066
25067
25068
25069
25070
25071===== History and Trivia =====
25072
25073
25074
25075The Lambda 8300 is basically a ZX-81 clone. Made in Hong-Kong (by Lambda Electronics LTD? DEF?), it was designed as a cheap computer for initiation and was licenced to many companies throughout the world. This explains why the same computer can be found under many different brands and names (DEF 3000, Power 3000, Basic 2000, Basic 3000, PC 2000, PC 8300, Marathon 32K, IQ 8300, Futura 8300, Your Computer, etc.). But on all mainboards is written a generic "PC 8300", which explains why 8300 or 3000 are often used in licenced names.
25076
25077
25078
25079The system is thus a cloned ZX-81 with a modified ROM (to avoid legal problems), a better keyboard, more RAM (2 KB), sound features, a composite video output and even a joystick connector (Atari compatible). These represent in fact all the upgrades ZX-81 users usually wanted to add first to their system, but all bundled for a cheaper price.
25080
25081
25082
25083With its modified ROM, the PC-8300 was only ZX-81 compatible with Basic programs. But soon, a ZX-81 ROM was available to turn your system into a real Sinclair ZX-81 machine, being able to run all software including machine code.
25084
25085
25086
25087Different addons were available : 16 KB and 32 KB RAM upgrades, color (and high resolution graphics ?) expansion, joysticks, printers... The expansion bus is supposed to be compatible with the ZX-81 one (to be confirmed).
25088
25089
25090
25091//(info from old-computers.com)//
25092
25093
25094
25095
25096
25097===== Links =====
25098
25099
25100
25101  * Lambda 8300 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1168
25102
25103
25104
25105
25106
25107
25108
25109$end
25110
25111
25112
25113#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25114
25115
25116$info=las3000
25117$bio
25118====== Video Technology Laser 3000 (1983) ======
25119
25120
25121
25122
25123
25124===== Features =====
25125
25126
25127
25128  * CPU: 6502A 2 MHz
25129
25130  * Co-Processor: optional Z80A
25131
25132  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 192 KB)
25133
25134  * ROM: 32 KB
25135
25136  * Text Modes: 40 / 80 x 24
25137
25138  * Graphic Modes: 560 x 192 / 280 x 192
25139
25140  * Colors: 8
25141
25142  * Sound: 4 voices, 6 octaves
25143
25144  * I/O Ports: RS232 (optional), Centronics, Tape, Composite & RGB video outputs
25145
25146  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 81 keys, 8 function keys, numeric keypad, cursor keys, caps lock, esc, ctrl, shift (x2), tab, break, rubout
25147
25148  * OS: DOS 3.3 + optional CP/M 80 (with Z80A card)
25149
25150  * Peripherals: Z80A card, Intel 8088 card, RS232c interface
25151
25152
25153
25154
25155
25156===== Usage =====
25157
25158
25159
25160MESS supports the emulation of las3000 with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
25161
25162
25163
25164== Keyboard ==
25165
25166
25167
25168This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
25169
25170
25171
25172== RAM options ==
25173
25174
25175
25176Different RAM configurations are possible for las3000 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
25177
25178
25179
25180  16k
25181
25182  32k
25183
25184  48k
25185
25186  64k (default)
25187
25188
25189
25190
25191
25192===== Known Issues =====
25193
25194
25195
25196The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
25197
25198
25199
25200
25201
25202===== History and Trivia =====
25203
25204
25205
25206A very interesting and obscure system.
25207
25208
25209
25210The Laser 3000 is compatible (software-wise only) with the Apple II+ through emulation software.
25211
25212
25213
25214A Z80 card with CP/M 80 was available, as well as an Intel 8088 card.
25215
25216
25217
25218//(info from old-computers.com)//
25219
25220
25221
25222
25223
25224===== Links =====
25225
25226
25227
25228  * Laser 3000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=156
25229
25230
25231
25232
25233
25234$end
25235
25236
25237
25238#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25239
25240
25241$info=laser110
25242$bio
25243====== Video Technology Laser 110 (1983) ======
25244
25245
25246
25247
25248
25249===== Features =====
25250
25251
25252
25253  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
25254
25255  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 video processor
25256
25257  * RAM: 4 KB or 8 KB ? upgradeable  to 64 KB
25258
25259  * ROM: 16 KB
25260
25261  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines (Mode 0)
25262
25263  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots (Mode 1)
25264
25265  * Colors: Monochrome
25266
25267  * Sound: Beeper, 1 voice & 3 octaves
25268
25269  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out, Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
25270
25271  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
25272
25273  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
25274
25275
25276
25277
25278
25279===== Usage =====
25280
25281
25282
25283MESS supports the following variants
25284
25285
25286
25287  * laser110 [Video Technology Laser 110]
25288
25289  * las110de [Sanyo Laser 110 (Germany)]
25290
25291
25292
25293For both drivers, MESS supports
25294
25295
25296
25297  - a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .cas format
25298
25299  - a "cartridge" (cart) device for cart dumps in .rom format
25300
25301  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
25302
25303
25304
25305Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .vz files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
25306
25307
25308
25309Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
25310
25311
25312
25313== Keyboard ==
25314
25315
25316
25317These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
25318
25319
25320
25321== RAM options ==
25322
25323
25324
25325Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
25326
25327
25328
25329  2k - standard model
25330
25331  18k - with 16K memory expansion
25332
25333  66k (default) - with 64K memory expansion
25334
25335  4098k - with 4MB memory expansion
25336
25337
25338
25339
25340
25341===== History and Trivia =====
25342
25343
25344
25345The Laser 100/110 was the first model of the Laser 100/200/300 family.
25346
25347
25348
25349The ROM was nearly identical to the one of the Tandy Radio-Shack TRS-80 Color Computer, with only minor changes. It's so close that when people write Laser emulators, they use TRS-80 CoCo ROM documentations (Laser detailed documentations are hard to find, especially about the ROM itslef).
25350
25351
25352
25353The Basic was a Microsoft Basic just slightly modified to avoid lawsuits, some statements being stored in the ROM but not available on the machine!
25354
25355
25356
25357Like the most of the Vtech products, the Laser 100/110 was "cheaply" conceived: chicklet keyboard, plastic case, light-weight... It was produced to compete against the first wave of micro-computers like the famous Sinclair ZX-81.
25358
25359
25360
25361The difference between the Laser 100 and the Laser 110 must be the RAM size (like the Laser 200 and 210), though very little information on the Laser 100 is available.
25362
25363
25364
25365The biggest difference with its big brother the Laser 200 was that it only had a black & white display.
25366
25367
25368
25369An obscure VZ-100 version was also released but this wasn't the same machine as the VZ series sold in Australia and New-Zealand by Dick Smith Electronics.
25370
25371
25372
25373//(info from old-computers.com)//
25374
25375
25376
25377
25378
25379===== Links =====
25380
25381
25382
25383  * Laser 100/110 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=448
25384
25385
25386
25387
25388
25389$end
25390
25391
25392
25393#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25394
25395
25396$info=laser128
25397$bio
25398====== Video Technology Laser 128 / Laser 128EX (1987) ======
25399
25400
25401
25402
25403
25404===== Features =====
25405
25406
25407
25408  * CPU: 65C02 3.6 MHz
25409
25410  * Co-Processor: 3 x V.T. custom chips
25411
25412  * RAM: 128 KB (up to 1MB)
25413
25414  * VRAM: 64 KB
25415
25416  * ROM: 192 KB
25417
25418  * Text Modes: 40 / 80 x 24 (monochrom)
25419
25420  * Graphic Modes: All the Apple IIc modes, with an extra set for RGB: 40 x 48 / 80 x 48 / 280 x 192 / 560 x 192. 4 lines of text mode can be mixed with a truncated the 40 x 48 and 280 x 192 modes.
25421
25422  * Colors: 16 (40 - 80 x 48) / 6 (280 x 192) / 16 (560 x 192)
25423
25424  * Sound: Built-in speaker
25425
25426  * I/O Ports: RS232 (2), MIDI, Centronics, Tape, Composite, LCD output (for flat panel display), RGB, External Drive
25427
25428  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 91 keys with numeric keypad and arrow keys
25429
25430  * Built In Media: Built-in 5.25" floppy disc drive
25431
25432  * OS: DOS 3.3
25433
25434  * Built In Language: V.T. version of AppleSoft BASIC
25435
25436
25437
25438
25439
25440===== Usage =====
25441
25442
25443
25444MESS emulates the following systems
25445
25446
25447
25448  * laser128 [Video Technology Laser 128 (rev 4)]
25449
25450  * las128ex [Video Technology Laser 128EX (rev 4a)]
25451
25452
25453
25454In both drivers, MESS supports the emulation with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib
25455
25456
25457
25458== Keyboard ==
25459
25460
25461
25462These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
25463
25464
25465
25466== RAM options ==
25467
25468
25469
25470Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
25471
25472
25473
25474  64k
25475
25476  128k (default)
25477
25478
25479
25480
25481
25482===== Known Issues =====
25483
25484
25485
25486The emulation of these systems is still Preliminary.
25487
25488
25489
25490
25491
25492===== History and Trivia =====
25493
25494
25495
25496The Laser 128 EX is the successor of the Laser 3000. Like the 3000, it is fully compatible with the Apple II computer, but has enhanced features.
25497
25498
25499
25500Video Technology designed its own Apple II compatible ROM (Apple lost a lawsuit challenging it), this ROM holds an Applesoft compatible version of the BASIC.
25501
25502The "Open Apple" and "Closed Apple" keys have been replaced with "Open Triangle" and "Closed Triangle" keys.
25503
25504
25505
25506The 128EX/2's Video Display Generator chip also provided both analog RGB video (for connecting an Apple IIGS, Amiga, or Atari ST monitor) and digital RGB video (for connecting a CGA monitor). In RGB mode, the Video Display Generator (VDG) chip generates a text character set identical to an IBM PC (with the addition of the Open and Closed Triangle characters)
25507
25508
25509
25510The drive and the external daisy-chainable SmartPort floppy drive is driven by Video Technologies custom "Universal Disk Controller" (UDC) disk array chip. The SmartPort supports Apple IIe/IIc UniDisks (3.5" and 5.25" models), Macintosh 3.5" drives (the ones without the buttons), Apple IIGS daisy-chainable 3.5" drives and Apple 5.25" disks. It is also designed to support the Chinook CT-series 20 MB to 100 MB SmartPort hard drives. The SmartPort can support two 800K 3.5" drives, two 140K 5.25" drives, and one 100 MB CT100 hard drive simultaneously daisy-chained to each other.
25511
25512
25513
25514The Apple bus compatible expansion slot can hold an Apple High Speed (DMA) SCSI controller for running additional SCSI based storage devices.
25515
25516
25517
25518This unit was so successful that Apple Computers was prompted to upgrade the IIc to counter it. The result was the Apple IIc Plus, also released in 1988. The IIc Plus had a 4 Mhz Western Design Center 65C02 processor, an 800K 3.5" drive built-in, and an External Drive "SmartPort" capable of the same tricks as the Laser's.
25519
25520Although the two units were similarly matched, Video Technology actively advertised the Laser 128EX/2 while Apple had moved on to promoting the Macintosh.
25521
25522
25523
25524The Laser became the most successful Apple II clone ever and this model was 99.8% IIc Plus compatible. The only two pieces of software the Apple magazines reported as incompatible were The New Print Shop (Borderbund) and HomeWord (Sierra).
25525
25526
25527
25528In North America, the Laser was aggressively marketed in Sears department stores, where it eroded its niche rival's sales, the Commodore 128.
25529
25530
25531
25532This Laser unit's case was also used to make a Turbo XT PC clone. The PC clone and the Laser 128EX/2 shared the same case. They looked identical except for the label. Instead of "Laser 128EX/2," the XT had "Laser XT10"
25533
25534
25535
25536Later, Video Technology also had a line of PC machines ranging from an XT 10 MHz, three 80286 versions, a failed 386 and a very robust but expensive 486 before they stopped making them and went back to electronic toys.
25537
25538
25539
25540//(info from old-computers.com)//
25541
25542
25543
25544
25545
25546===== Links =====
25547
25548
25549
25550  * Laser 128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=13
25551
25552
25553
25554
25555
25556
25557
25558$end
25559
25560
25561
25562#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25563
25564
25565$info=laser200
25566$bio
25567====== Video Technology Laser 200 (1983) ======
25568
25569
25570
25571
25572
25573===== Features =====
25574
25575
25576
25577  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
25578
25579  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 (video processor)
25580
25581  * RAM: 2 KB Up to 64 KB with memory addons
25582
25583  * VRAM: 2 KB
25584
25585  * ROM: 16 KB
25586
25587  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
25588
25589  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
25590
25591  * Colors: 8
25592
25593  * Sound: 1 voice & 3 octaves
25594
25595  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out (DIN), Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
25596
25597  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
25598
25599  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
25600
25601
25602
25603
25604
25605===== Usage =====
25606
25607
25608
25609MESS supports the following variants
25610
25611
25612
25613  * laser200 [Video Technology Laser 200]
25614
25615  * vz200de [Video Technology VZ-200 (Germany & Netherlands)]
25616
25617
25618
25619For both drivers, MESS supports
25620
25621
25622
25623  - a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .cas format
25624
25625  - a "cartridge" (cart) device for cart dumps in .rom format
25626
25627  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
25628
25629
25630
25631Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .vz files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
25632
25633
25634
25635Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
25636
25637
25638
25639== Keyboard ==
25640
25641
25642
25643This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
25644
25645
25646
25647== RAM options ==
25648
25649
25650
25651Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
25652
25653
25654
25655  2k - standard model
25656
25657  18k - with 16K memory expansion
25658
25659  66k (default) - with 64K memory expansion
25660
25661  4098k - with 4MB memory expansion
25662
25663
25664
25665
25666
25667===== Known Issues =====
25668
25669
25670
25671The emulation of the vz200de is still Preliminary.
25672
25673
25674
25675
25676
25677===== History and Trivia =====
25678
25679
25680
25681The Laser 200 / 210 was the successor of the Laser 100 / 110 (which had only monochrome graphic modes).
25682
25683
25684
25685Adman Harbison says: "The Video Technology Laser 200 (and the Laser 300) were marketed in Australia by Dick Smith Electronics and badged as the VZ200 and the VZ300 computers. For memory the computers were exactly the same, although he can not be too sure. Some of the peripherals that I got while I had such a machine were things like a 16Kb expansion cartridge, a printer/plotter which wasn't much bigger than those little calculators that print out accounts etc. and some joysticks. The trouble with these computers was that they tended to die after a couple of years use. But they were cheap and came with a few software titles."
25686
25687
25688
25689
25690
25691===== Links =====
25692
25693
25694
25695  * Planet VZ -- http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/laser/184/
25696
25697  * The VZ200 -- http://vz200.tripod.com/
25698
25699  * VZ Alive -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/
25700
25701  * VZ Online -- http://www.vz200-online.de.vu/
25702
25703  * VZ 200 / 300 Infos -- http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/6771/vz/
25704
25705  * Laser 200/210 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=155
25706
25707
25708
25709
25710
25711===== Other Emulators =====
25712
25713
25714
25715  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
25716
25717  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
25718
25719
25720
25721
25722
25723$end
25724
25725
25726
25727#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25728
25729
25730$info=laser210
25731$bio
25732====== Video Technology Laser 210 / Dick Smith VZ-200 (1984) ======
25733
25734
25735
25736
25737
25738===== Features =====
25739
25740
25741
25742  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
25743
25744  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 (video processor)
25745
25746  * RAM: 6 KB Up to 64 KB with memory addons
25747
25748  * VRAM: 2 KB
25749
25750  * ROM: 16 KB
25751
25752  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
25753
25754  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
25755
25756  * Colors: 8
25757
25758  * Sound: 1 voice & 3 octaves
25759
25760  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out (DIN), Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
25761
25762  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
25763
25764  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
25765
25766
25767
25768
25769
25770===== Usage =====
25771
25772
25773
25774MESS supports the following variants
25775
25776
25777
25778  * laser210 [Video Technology Laser 210]
25779
25780  * las210de [Sanyo Laser 210 (Germany)]
25781
25782  * vz200 [Dick Smith Electronics VZ-200 (Oceania)]
25783
25784
25785
25786For all these drivers, MESS supports
25787
25788
25789
25790  - a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .cas format
25791
25792  - a "cartridge" (cart) device for cart dumps in .rom format
25793
25794  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
25795
25796
25797
25798Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .vz files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
25799
25800
25801
25802Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
25803
25804
25805
25806== Misc ==
25807
25808
25809
25810Basic programs start with
25811
25812 
25813
25814  RUN
25815
25816
25817
25818Other programs usually start with
25819
25820 
25821
25822  X=USR(0)
25823
25824
25825
25826X=USR(0) can be typed out with the following PC keystrokes: "X", "SHIFT -", "U", "S", "R", "SHIFT 8", "0", "SHIFT 9", "ENTER".
25827
25828
25829
25830== Keyboard ==
25831
25832
25833
25834This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
25835
25836
25837
25838== RAM options ==
25839
25840
25841
25842Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
25843
25844
25845
25846  6k - standard model
25847
25848  22k - with 16K memory expansion
25849
25850  66k (default) - with 64K memory expansion
25851
25852  4098k - with 4MB memory expansion
25853
25854
25855
25856
25857
25858===== History and Trivia =====
25859
25860
25861
25862The Laser 200 / 210 was the successor of the Laser 100 / 110 (which had only monochrome graphic modes).
25863
25864
25865
25866Adman Harbison says: "The Video Technology Laser 200 (and the Laser 300) were marketed in Australia by Dick Smith Electronics and badged as the VZ200 and the VZ300 computers. For memory the computers were exactly the same, although he can not be too sure. Some of the peripherals that I got while I had such a machine were things like a 16Kb expansion cartridge, a printer/plotter which wasn't much bigger than those little calculators that print out accounts etc. and some joysticks. The trouble with these computers was that they tended to die after a couple of years use. But they were cheap and came with a few software titles."
25867
25868
25869
25870
25871
25872===== Links =====
25873
25874
25875
25876  * Planet VZ -- http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/laser/184/
25877
25878  * The VZ200 -- http://vz200.tripod.com/
25879
25880  * VZ Alive -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/
25881
25882  * VZ Online -- http://www.vz200-online.de.vu/
25883
25884  * VZ 200 / 300 Infos -- http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/6771/vz/
25885
25886  * Laser 200/210 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=155
25887
25888
25889
25890
25891
25892===== Other Emulators =====
25893
25894
25895
25896  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
25897
25898  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
25899
25900
25901
25902
25903
25904$end
25905
25906
25907
25908#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
25909
25910
25911$info=laser310
25912$bio
25913====== Video Technology Laser 310 (1984) ======
25914
25915
25916
25917
25918
25919===== Features =====
25920
25921
25922
25923  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.54 MHz
25924
25925  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6807
25926
25927  * RAM: 16 KB (Up to 64 KB)
25928
25929  * VRAM: 2 KB
25930
25931  * ROM: 16 KB
25932
25933  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
25934
25935  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
25936
25937  * Colors: 8
25938
25939  * Sound: Beeper, 1 voice & 3 octaves
25940
25941  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out, Memory expansion port, Expansion port
25942
25943  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 46 mechanical keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
25944
25945  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
25946
25947
25948
25949
25950
25951===== Usage =====
25952
25953
25954
25955MESS supports the following variants
25956
25957
25958
25959  * laser310 [Video Technology Laser 310]
25960
25961  * vz300 [Dick Smith Electronics VZ-300 (Oceania)]
25962
25963
25964
25965For both drivers, MESS supports
25966
25967
25968
25969  - a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .cas format
25970
25971  - a "cartridge" (cart) device for cart dumps in .rom format
25972
25973  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
25974
25975
25976
25977Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .vz files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
25978
25979
25980
25981Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
25982
25983
25984
25985== Keyboard ==
25986
25987
25988
25989This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
25990
25991
25992
25993== BIOS options ==
25994
25995
25996
25997MESS emulates two different BASIC ROM versions for Laser 310 / VZ-300: BASIC v2.0 and BASIC v2.1 (hack). You can switch between the two, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, both for laser310 and for vz300
25998
25999 
26000
26001  "-bios 0" or "-bios basic20" = BASIC V2.0
26002
26003 
26004
26005  "-bios 1" or "-bios basic21" = BASIC V2.1 (hack)
26006
26007
26008
26009== RAM options ==
26010
26011
26012
26013Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
26014
26015
26016
26017  16k - standard model
26018
26019  32k - with 16K memory expansion
26020
26021  66k (default) - with 64K memory expansion
26022
26023  4098k - with 4MB memory expansion
26024
26025
26026
26027
26028
26029===== History and Trivia =====
26030
26031
26032
26033The Laser 310 is only an improved version of the Laser 200/210. But both computers stay compatibles with each other, for software and hardware.
26034
26035
26036
26037Basically, it has an enhanced keyboard and more memory.
26038
26039
26040
26041This model was also sold worldwide, the most popular version being the VZ-300 from Dick Smith Electronics.
26042
26043
26044
26045//(info from old-computers.com)//
26046
26047
26048
26049
26050
26051===== Links =====
26052
26053
26054
26055  * Planet VZ -- http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/laser/184/
26056
26057  * VZ Alive -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/
26058
26059  * VZ 200 / 300 Infos -- http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/6771/vz/
26060
26061  * Steve75 Laser 310 Page -- http://utenti.lycos.it/STEVE75/laser.html
26062
26063  * Laser 310 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=157
26064
26065
26066
26067
26068
26069===== Other Emulators =====
26070
26071
26072
26073  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
26074
26075  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
26076
26077
26078
26079
26080
26081$end
26082
26083
26084
26085#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26086
26087
26088$info=laser350
26089$bio
26090====== Video Technology Laser 350 / 500 / 700 (1984?) ======
26091
26092
26093
26094
26095
26096===== Features =====
26097
26098
26099
26100  * CPU: NEC D780c (Z80A compatible) 3,58 MHz
26101
26102  * RAM: 16 kb, up to 128 kb [Laser 350]; 64 kb (30 kb free), up to 128 kb [Laser 500 / 700]
26103
26104  * ROM: 32 kb
26105
26106  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 in 16 colors, 80 x 24 in 2 colors among 16
26107
26108  * Graphic Modes: GR0 = 160 x 96 in 16 colors, GR1 = 160 x 192 in 2 colors among 16, GR2 = 320 x 192 in 2 colors, GR3 = 160 x 192 in 16 colors, GR4 = 320 x 192 in 2 colors among 16, GR5 = 640 x 192 in 2 colors
26109
26110  * Colors: 16
26111
26112  * Sound: 1 voice, 6 octaves (Beeper)
26113
26114  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RGB DIN plug, Composite monitor out, Expansion port [All]; Memory expansion port [Laser 350 / 500 only]; 2 floppy disk drive ports, Centronic port [Laser 700 only]
26115
26116  * Keyboard: AZERTY / QWERTY / QWERTZ, 77 mechanical keys, 10 function keys, INS / DEL / DEL LINE / CLS HOME keys, 4 cursor keys, CAPS LOCK key with led, 2 SHIFT keys
26117
26118  * Peripherals: Disk drive, 64 kb & 128 kb memory expansion, Centronic Interface, RS232 Interface, Joysticks, Lightpen, Analogic/Digital converter, Digital/Analogic converter
26119
26120  * Built In Language: Basic v3.0 (Microsoft Basic)
26121
26122
26123
26124
26125
26126===== Usage =====
26127
26128
26129
26130MESS emulates the whole range of computer of this family
26131
26132
26133
26134  * laser350 [Video Technology Laser 350]
26135
26136  * laser500 [Video Technology Laser 500]
26137
26138  * laser700 [Video Technology Laser 700]
26139
26140
26141
26142For all these drivers, MESS supports
26143
26144
26145
26146  - a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .cas format
26147
26148  - a "cartridge" (cart) device for cart dumps in .rom format
26149
26150  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
26151
26152
26153
26154== Keyboard ==
26155
26156
26157
26158This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
26159
26160
26161
26162
26163
26164===== History and Trivia =====
26165
26166
26167
26168Technically the Laser 350 / 500 / 700 / 750 are completely different from the Laser 100 / 200 / 300 family and thus non compatible with them.
26169
26170
26171
26172All 4 computers are nearly identical but the Laser 350 use a Laser 300 case while the Laser 500 / 700 / 750 use a "new" case.
26173
26174
26175
26176Though the CPU is still a Z80A compatible one (the D780c from NEC), its possibilities are better.
26177
26178
26179
26180There are now 6 graphical modes, ranging from 160 x 96 in 16 colors to 640 x 192 in 2 colors. The memory size is also better compared to the old serie and goes from 16k RAM for the Laser 350, to 128k RAM for the Laser 750. The Laser 500 and 700 have 64k.
26181
26182
26183
26184//(info from old-computers.com)//
26185
26186
26187
26188
26189
26190===== Links =====
26191
26192
26193
26194  * Laser 350/500/700 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=449
26195
26196
26197
26198
26199
26200$end
26201
26202
26203
26204#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26205
26206
26207$info=laseract
26208$bio
26209====== Pioneer LaserActive (1993) ======
26210
26211
26212
26213
26214
26215===== Known Issues =====
26216
26217
26218
26219The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
26220
26221
26222
26223
26224
26225===== History and Trivia =====
26226
26227
26228
26229The Pioneer LaserActive was a Laserdisc-based game console released by Pioneer in 1993. In addition to LaserActive games, several additional modules were available to extend the system compatibility with the Sega Mega Drive and the NEC PC-Engine games.
26230
26231
26232
26233NEC also released its version of the system (PDE-LD1), compatible with all the PAC modules created for the Pioneer LaserActive CLD-A100.
26234
26235
26236
26237== Modules ==
26238
26239
26240
26241  * Sega PAC (PAC-S1/PAC-S10): this module allowed users to play  8-inch and 12-inch LaserActive "Mega LD discs", in addition to the existing SEGA-CD and Genesis titles, as well as standard CD+G discs; it came with a Mega Drive controller pad signed with a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo on it.
26242
26243 
26244
26245  * NEC PAC (PAC-N1/PAC-N10): this module allowed users to play 8-inch and 12-inch LaserActive "LD-ROM^2" discs, as well as PC_Engine CD-ROM discs, game HuCards and CD+G discs; it came with a PC-Engine controller pad signed with a gold Pioneer LaserActive logo on it.
26246
26247 
26248
26249  * Karaoke PAC (PAC-K1/PAC-K10): this module allowed users to use all NTSC LaserKaraoke titles; the front panel has two microphone inputs with separated volume controls, as well as tone control.
26250
26251 
26252
26253  * Computer Interface PAC (PAC-PC1): this module had a serial port allowing the CLD-A100 to be controlled by custom programs authored on PC or Macintosh computers; it also included, on DOS and Mac floppy disks, the LaserActive Program Editor.
26254
26255 
26256
26257  * LaserActive 3-D Goggles (GOL-1): these glasses were to be used in conjunction with the various 3-D games that were released for the CLD-A100.
26258
26259 
26260
26261
26262
26263//(info based on Wikipedia)//
26264
26265
26266
26267
26268
26269===== Links =====
26270
26271
26272
26273  * Virtual LaserActive Museum -- http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/default.htm
26274
26275  * [[wp>Laseractive]]
26276
26277
26278
26279
26280
26281$end
26282
26283
26284
26285#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26286
26287
26288$info=lisa2
26289$bio
26290====== Apple Lisa 2 / Mac XL (1983) ======
26291
26292
26293
26294
26295
26296===== Features =====
26297
26298
26299
26300  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 5 MHz
26301
26302  * RAM: 1 MB (2MB max. via 3rd party upgrade)
26303
26304  * ROM: 16 KB
26305
26306  * Text Modes: 40 x 32 bit-mapped
26307
26308  * Graphic Modes: 720 x 364 dots
26309
26310  * Colors: Monochrome (12" built-in monitor)
26311
26312  * Sound: Continuously Variable Slope Demodulator (CVSD)
26313
26314  * I/O Ports: 2 x RS232, 3 proprietary slots
26315
26316  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 77-key with numeric keypad
26317
26318  * Built In Media: one Sony 3.5" floppy drive (400 KB)
26319
26320  * OS: Lisa Office System or Mac OS [Lisa 2/Mac XL only]
26321
26322  * Built In Language: Lisa OS
26323
26324  * Peripherals: 5 MB or 10 MB external hard disk
26325
26326
26327
26328
26329
26330===== Usage =====
26331
26332
26333
26334MESS emulates the following systems
26335
26336
26337
26338  * lisa2 [Apple Lisa 2]
26339
26340  * lisa210 [Apple Lisa 2/10]
26341
26342  * macxl [Apple Macintosh XL]
26343
26344
26345
26346For each driver, MESS supports two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .dsk, .img, .image.dc
26347
26348
26349
26350== Misc ==
26351
26352
26353
26354When you boot up the Lisa, you can see a self-test progress indicator. At least one test will fail you must discard the error message by selecting the 'Ignore' or 'Start-up from...' button. Then, you get a boot device menu. Select the floppy drive unit, since it is the only available device.
26355
26356
26357
26358If the mouse temporarily refuses to work, you may use the keyboard shortcuts Apple+2 and Apple+3 (the Apple key should be mapped to "Control"; you must use the numeric keys on the main keyboard, not on the numeric keypad). If the computer does boot, you will see an icon representing a weird floppy disk with a cross (maybe it actually represents a twiggy disk).
26359
26360
26361
26362== Keyboard ==
26363
26364
26365
26366These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
26367
26368
26369
26370
26371
26372===== Known Issues =====
26373
26374
26375
26376The emulation of both lisa2 and lisa210 is Preliminary and it is still buggy. macxl might work better. However, neither the hard drive nor the serial port are supported. There are many other bugs remaining with MMU emulation. Only Macworks will boot.
26377
26378
26379
26380
26381
26382===== History and Trivia =====
26383
26384
26385
26386The Lisa project started in the summer of 1979. At the time, the idea was merely designing a powerful business computer, with scheduled release in march 1981. After his legendary visit to the Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) research center, Steve Jobs realized the GUI was the future of computing. So, in March 1980, a GUI was added to the Lisa specs.
26387
26388
26389
26390Despite huge support from Apple, the project got behind schedule, and Lisa was introduced on January, 19th, 1983.
26391
26392
26393
26394Lisa was the original code-name. Supposedly, the Lisa was named after Steve Jobs' eldest daughter, Lisa Nicole. The Lisa project cost over $50 million and was the result of more than 200 person-years of research and development. It was supposed to be the Next Big Thing. It was not however the first personal computer to use a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Several Xerox systems developped in Palo Alto, utilized the STAR operating system. STAR contained a very innovative icon-based interface as well as a built-in word processor and calculator.
26395
26396
26397
26398Contrary to the "legend", Lisa was not the ancestor of the Macintosh. Lisa and Macintosh were two distinct projects. The original Lisa couldn't use Macintosh programs and Macintosh couldn't run Lisa software. The LISA OS (Office System) was a true preemptive multitasking operating system.
26399
26400
26401
26402The Lisa was an impressive computer for its time. It had TONS of memory (1Mb on Lisa 1), a high-resolution graphic display, and it was fairly expandable. Its OS (weirdly called "Lisa 7/7 Office System") featured a complete GUI, and full preemptive multitasking with memory protection (something neither Windows 98 nor MacOS offer!). Its 68000 CPU was one of the fastest microprocessor in its time.
26403
26404
26405
26406Unfortunately, Lisa was never too successful. It was quite expensive, and relatively few units were sold (possibly about 10,000 Lisa 1 and 80,000 Lisa 2). Little software was developed for it. Also, it was extremely resource hungry: it was reportedly slow, and its memory requirements were the major cause for its high price.
26407
26408
26409
26410On 24th January 1984, Lisa 1 was replaced by Lisa 2, with 3.5" 800 KB floppies instead of the old 5.25" "twiggy" ones, and several small hardware changes.
26411
26412
26413
26414In January 1985, Lisa 2 was replaced by Macintosh XL (the Lisa 2 could become a Mac XL through the replacement of a ROM chip on the inside of the machine), which had a modified video hardware, and used a variant of the Macintosh system instead of the 7/7 Lisa OS. Mac XL was presented as a development system for the Macintosh (Don't forget - in 1985 there was no hard disk available for the Macintosh). The Macintosh XL was discontinued in May 1985 (even if it has been sold until 1986) and became obsolete when the new "True" Macintoshes were launched (Macintosh II and Mac SE in 1987).
26415
26416
26417
26418The remaining stocks were sold to another company (Sun Remarketing) which did manage to sell them.
26419
26420
26421
26422Though ill-fated, the Macintosh XL was an interesting machine. It was slow, slower than even the original Macintosh, but it supported up to 2 Megabytes of RAM (while the original Macintosh came with 128kb or 512kb only), had a larger screen, supported hard drives units (which the original Macintosh could not do until the Hard Disk 20 was introduced), and it had three expansion ports (it was thus the first expandable Macintosh, more than 2 years before Macintosh II and Macintosh SE were introduced). A number of these was bought by developers who needed the hard drive and appreciated the larger screen (anyway, Macintosh development was originally done
26423
26424on Lisa, so the transition from Lisa Workshop on Lisa to Macintosh Programmer Workshop on Macintosh XL was a natural one).
26425
26426
26427
26428After the Mac Plus came out, all owners of Lisa's and previous Macintoshes were offered the option to exchange their old computers for the new Plus (for a fee of course).
26429
26430
26431
26432Rumor has it that an enhanced, 68020-based Lisa was in development when Apple discontinued the Lisa.
26433
26434
26435
26436== Versions ==
26437
26438
26439
26440Three versions of the Lisa 2 were successively released:
26441
26442
26443
26444  * Lisa 2 basic version which had rather less memory (512 KB instead of 1 MB) and storage capability than the first Lisa,
26445
26446
26447
26448  * Lisa 2/5, the nearest to the Lisa 1 at approx. half the original price, was sold with a 5 MB 'Profile' hard disk unit,
26449
26450
26451
26452  * Lisa 2/10, which offered up to 10 MB of storage on an internal hard-disk. All Lisa's were expandable systems thanks to three slots in the back, mainly used for RAM expansion cards. Up to 7 drives hooked up at once on the same interface.
26453
26454
26455
26456== The significance of Lisa ==
26457
26458
26459
26460Lisa is a milestone in the history of computing. Arguably, the Xerox PARC research center invented most GUI concepts (along with Object-Oriented programming and Ethernet) 10 years before Lisa was introduced. However, although Xerox research was public, and some Xerox Altos were actually sold, or given to universities, these experiments remained little known, and raised little interest. I guess this was because computing was mostly the field of highly-trained professionals who did not care about ease of use (you know, the same kind of guys who laughed at Macintosh and worshipped the early IBM-PCs). So, Lisa made the world aware that GUI could exist, all the more since Apple was a major computer maker. Also, Lisa (along with Macintosh, Atari ST and Commodore Amiga) introduced GUI to hobbyists and home computer users, which enabled GUI to live.
26461
26462
26463
26464//(info from old-computers.com)//
26465
26466
26467
26468
26469
26470===== Links =====
26471
26472
26473
26474  * Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
26475
26476  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
26477
26478  * Lisa Spotlight -- http://www.aci.com.pl/mwichary/guidebook/extras/spotlights/lisa
26479
26480  * Lisa's World!! -- http://www.goodwill.co.jp/oldmac/lisa.html
26481
26482  * Lisa at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=265
26483
26484
26485
26486
26487
26488===== Other Emulators =====
26489
26490
26491
26492  * IDLE (Icomplete Draft of a Lisa Emulator) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/idle-lisa-emu
26493
26494  * Lisa Emulator (for Unix) -- http://lisa.sunder.net/
26495
26496
26497
26498
26499
26500$end
26501
26502
26503
26504#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26505
26506
26507$info=lviv
26508$bio
26509====== V. I. Lenin PK-01 L'vov / Lviv (1989) ======
26510
26511
26512
26513
26514
26515===== Features =====
26516
26517
26518
26519  * CPU: KR580VM80A (i8080 clone) 2.5MHz (2MHz in first machines)
26520
26521  * RAM: 64Kb
26522
26523  * ROM: 8Kb
26524
26525  * Colors: 4
26526
26527  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 256, 4 Colors
26528
26529  * External Memory: Tape recorder
26530
26531
26532
26533
26534
26535===== Usage =====
26536
26537
26538
26539MESS supports the emulation of the lviv with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes with .wav or .lvt format.
26540
26541
26542
26543Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .sav files.
26544
26545
26546
26547== Keyboard ==
26548
26549
26550
26551This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
26552
26553
26554
26555== BIOS options ==
26556
26557
26558
26559MESS supports three different L'viv versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
26560
26561 
26562
26563  "-bios 0" or "-bios lviv" = Lviv / L'vov
26564
26565 
26566
26567  "-bios 1" or "-bios lviva" = Lviv / L'vov (alternate)
26568
26569 
26570
26571  "-bios 2" or "-bios lvivp" = Lviv / L'vov (prototype)
26572
26573
26574
26575
26576
26577===== Known Issues =====
26578
26579
26580
26581Printer is not emulated. Timings are not implemented, due to it emulated machine runs twice fast as orginal. .RSS files are not supported.
26582
26583
26584
26585
26586
26587===== History and Trivia =====
26588
26589
26590
26591Lviv (also known as L'vov) was a 8-bit microcomputer manufactured by the Ukrainian company "V. I. Lenin". Its production started in 1986.
26592
26593
26594
26595
26596
26597===== Links =====
26598
26599
26600
26601  * L'vov PC-01 page -- http://lvovpc.xost.ru/
26602
26603  * L'vov at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#lvov
26604
26605
26606
26607
26608
26609===== Other Emulators =====
26610
26611
26612
26613  * L'viv Java Emulator -- http://lvovpk.org.ua/ftp/lvov20j1/emul.htm
26614
26615  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
26616
26617  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
26618
26619
26620
26621
26622
26623$end
26624
26625
26626
26627#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26628
26629
26630$info=lynx
26631$bio
26632====== Atari Lynx (1989) and Atari Lynx II (1990) ======
26633
26634
26635
26636A color handheld console system developed by Atari. Despite his huge specifications for a console handheld that time, was a market failure.
26637
26638 
26639
26640===== Features =====
26641
26642
26643
26644  * CPU: Two 16-Bit custom CMOS chips running at 16MHz (named Mikey and Suzy)
26645
26646  * Sound: 8 bit DAC for each channel; 4 channels integrated stereo speaker (wired for mono in original)
26647
26648  * Screen: 160 x 102 (horz) 60.00 Hz
26649
26650  * Color: 4096 colors, 16 max per scanline
26651
26652  * RAM: 64KB RAM of 120ns DRAM
26653
26654  * I/O Ports: Headphone port (mini-DIN 3.5mm stereo; wired for mono on the original Lynx), ComLynx (multiple unit communications, serial)
26655
26656  * Screen: 3.5" diagonal (3.25" x 1.88" approx.)
26657
26658
26659
26660
26661
26662===== Usage =====
26663
26664
26665
26666MESS emulates the following systems
26667
26668
26669
26670  * lynx [Atari Lynx]
26671
26672  * linx2 [Atari Lynx II]
26673
26674
26675
26676but due to missing dump of the Lynx II, only the Atari Lynx is usable (to a certain degree). For lynx, MESS supports cart dumps in .lnx and .lyx format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
26677
26678
26679
26680Also, a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .o files, but it's currently broken.
26681
26682
26683
26684== Misc ==
26685
26686
26687
26688Lynx is flip-able for optimal support of left and right hand players (hold down pause and press option 2 in many games). Some games want to be rotated by 90 degree.
26689
26690
26691
26692== BIOS options ==
26693
26694
26695
26696MESS supports two different Lynx dumps, both saved from a running machine (therefore the rom byte at 0xff09 is not readable: the 2 dumps differ only in this byte). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
26697
26698 
26699
26700  "-bios 0" = Lynx
26701
26702 
26703
26704  "-bios 1" or "-bios a" = Lynx (alternate rom save)
26705
26706
26707
26708
26709
26710===== Known Issues =====
26711
26712
26713
26714The emulation of these systems is still Preliminary. More in detail:
26715
26716
26717
26718  * Several cartridges playable
26719
26720  * Blitter imperfect
26721
26722  * Timer system incomplete
26723
26724  * Audio imperfect
26725
26726  * No serial port emulation
26727
26728  * Lynx II bios is needed!
26729
26730
26731
26732
26733
26734===== History and Trivia =====
26735
26736
26737
26738The Atari Lynx was the first handheld color videogame system produced. 
26739
26740
26741
26742The system was originally developed by Epyx as the "Handy." Planning and design of the console was begun in 1986 and completed in 1987. The first appearance of the system was at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 1989. Due to financial problems, Epyx had to look for financial support and partners, finding an interested Atari. The two companies eventually agreed that Atari would handle production and marketing, while Epyx would be responsible of software development. Atari changed the internal speaker, removed the thumb-stick on the control pad and showed the console to the press at the Summer 1989 CES as the "Portable Color Entertainment System". The name was later changed to Lynx when actual consoles were distributed.
26743
26744
26745
26746Since its appearance, in September 1989, Lynx suffered greatly the success of its rival Game Boy. Indeed, Nintendo's handheld was released almost contemporarily as Atari Lynx in US, at a half of its price. Despite the lack of colors on screen, the longer average battery life and the presence of a blockbuster title as Tetris, ensured to Game Boy a huge success.
26747
26748
26749
26750In 1991, Atari relaunched the Lynx with a new look (rubber hand grips), slightly improved hardware (a clearer backlit color screen with a power save option, to turn off the backlight and reduce the battery consumption), new packaging and new marketing campaign.
26751
26752The new system, called inside Atari "Lynx II", helped the sales, but Nintendo still dominated the handheld market.
26753
26754
26755
26756In May 1991, Sega launched its Game Gear portable gaming handheld: while more expensive than Lynx and with a lower battery life, the Game Gear was backed up by significantly more popular titles, making it a preferable second choice for a buyer.
26757
26758
26759
26760In 1994, Atari shifted its focus away from the Lynx, towards its new Jaguar console. Only a handful of games were released during this period. Finally, in 1996, Atari shut down its internal game development.
26761
26762
26763
26764In the second half of the 1990s, Telegames released a number of games, including a port of "Raiden", a platform game called "Fat Bobby", and an action sports game called "Hyperdrome". At the end of the decade, Hasbro, the current owners of Atari at the time, released the rights to develop for the system to the public domain. This allowed a number of independent developers to release games for the Lynx. In fact, some of these games had been already under development by other companies at one point, but rights to the game programs and all of the existing code was bought and finished by other developers.
26765
26766
26767
26768The Atari Lynx had several innovative features:
26769
26770  * it was the first color handheld, with a backlit display and a switchable right-handed/left-handed (upside down) configuration;
26771
26772  * it had the ability to network with up to 17 other units via its "ComLynx" system (though most games would network eight or fewer players): originally developed to run over infrared links (RedEye was its codename), was changed later to a cable-based networking system ;
26773
26774  * it was the first gaming console with hardware support for zooming/distortion of sprites, allowing fast pseudo-3D games with unrivaled quality at the time and a capacity for drawing filled polygons with limited CPU intervention (Blue Lightning, an After Burner clone, was especially notable and featured in TV advertising for the console)
26775
26776
26777
26778The games were originally meant to be loaded from tape, but were later changed to load from ROM. The game data still needed to be copied from ROM to RAM before it could be used, so less memory was available and the games loaded slower than necessary.
26779
26780
26781
26782//(info based on Wikipedia, Lynx FAQs and Atari Age)//
26783
26784
26785
26786
26787
26788===== Links =====
26789
26790
26791
26792  * Atari Age -- http://www.atariage.com
26793
26794  * FAQ on Lynx -- http://www.electric-escape.net/atari/Lynx/FAQ
26795
26796  * [[wp>Atari_Lynx]]
26797
26798
26799
26800
26801
26802===== Other Emulators =====
26803
26804
26805
26806  * Handy -- http://handy.sourceforge.net/
26807
26808  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
26809
26810
26811
26812
26813
26814$end
26815
26816
26817
26818#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26819
26820
26821$info=mac128k
26822$bio
26823====== Apple Macintosh 128k / 512k (1984) ======
26824
26825
26826
26827
26828
26829===== Features =====
26830
26831
26832
26833  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.83 MHz
26834
26835  * RAM: 128 kb (resp. 512 kb)
26836
26837  * ROM: 64 kb
26838
26839  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 32 lines bit-mapped pseudo-character mode
26840
26841  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342 dots
26842
26843  * Colors: black & white 9" monitor
26844
26845  * Sound: 4 voices, 12 octave sound @ 22 kHz
26846
26847  * I/O Ports: Two serial (RS 232/422) for printer and modem, mouse, external floppy drive, sound out
26848
26849  * Keyboard: Full stroke 59-key
26850
26851  * Built In Media: One 400k 3.5" internal floppy drive, 400K external drive optional
26852
26853  * OS: Macintosh System 1.0
26854
26855
26856
26857
26858
26859===== Usage =====
26860
26861
26862
26863MESS emulates the following computers
26864
26865
26866
26867  * mac128k [Macintosh 128k]
26868
26869  * mac512k [Macintosh 512k]
26870
26871
26872
26873For both drivers, MESS supports the emulation with two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk, .img and .image.dc format.
26874
26875
26876
26877== Keyboard ==
26878
26879
26880
26881These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
26882
26883
26884
26885
26886
26887===== Known Issues =====
26888
26889
26890
26891The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
26892
26893
26894
26895
26896
26897===== History and Trivia =====
26898
26899
26900
26901With their II and III series getting rather long in the tooth, and the Lisa being rather pricey, Apple had to do something to get back into the small-business market. They did.
26902
26903
26904
26905The Macintosh can be considered the very first commercially successful computer to use a GUI (Graphical User Interface). It was, however, not the first GUI based computer, the first GUI based computer ever sold was the Xerox Star 8010 in 1981.
26906
26907
26908
26909It was launched a while after the Lisa and was a very attractive alternative to PC compatibles and their old MS-DOS, and text-based applications. After uncertain beginnings, it met with great success despite having no hard disk, single-sided floppy disks, no expansion slot and very little memory!
26910
26911
26912
26913It was replaced later by the Macintosh 512 (the same but with 512 KB RAM) then later, by the Macintosh Plus.
26914
26915
26916
26917The Macintosh 128 and Macintosh 512 were non-upgradeable, non-expandable in almost all departments, but especially with regard to memory. The 128 and 512 had memory chips soldered directly to the main logic board.
26918
26919
26920
26921The original System file was designated 'Macintosh System 1.0'. Apple went as far as System 7 before changing the name to 'Mac OS'. The System/Finder suite was designated 'Macintosh System Software 0.0.'. It wasn't until System 6 that the System file version and System Software designation coincided.
26922
26923
26924
26925There were also two variants of Macintosh 512K. The 512K was shipped with a 400K floppy drive and 64 KB ROM, which did not support hierarchical file systems. The 512K Enhanced was shipped with 128 KB of ROM, an 800K floppy drive, and supported HFS right out of the box.
26926
26927
26928
26929//(info from old-computers.com)//
26930
26931
26932
26933
26934
26935===== Links =====
26936
26937
26938
26939  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
26940
26941  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
26942
26943  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
26944
26945  * Mac512 -- http://www.mac512.com/Welcome/Welcome.html
26946
26947  * Mac 128 / 512 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=271
26948
26949
26950
26951
26952
26953===== Other Emulators =====
26954
26955
26956
26957  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
26958
26959  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
26960
26961
26962
26963
26964
26965$end
26966
26967
26968
26969#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
26970
26971
26972$info=mac512ke
26973$bio
26974====== Apple Macintosh 512k Enhanced (1986) ======
26975
26976
26977
26978
26979
26980===== Features =====
26981
26982
26983
26984  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.83 MHz
26985
26986  * RAM: 512 kb
26987
26988  * ROM: 128 kb
26989
26990  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 32 lines bit-mapped pseudo-character mode
26991
26992  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342 dots
26993
26994  * Colors: black & white 9" monitor
26995
26996  * Sound: 4 voices, 12 octave sound @ 22 kHz
26997
26998  * I/O Ports: Two serial (RS 232/422) for printer and modem, mouse, external floppy drive, sound out
26999
27000  * Keyboard: Full stroke 59-key
27001
27002  * Built In Media: One 800k 3.5" internal floppy drive
27003
27004  * OS: Macintosh System 1.0
27005
27006
27007
27008
27009
27010===== Usage =====
27011
27012
27013
27014MESS supports the emulation of mac512ke with two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk, .img and .image.dc format.
27015
27016
27017
27018== Keyboard ==
27019
27020
27021
27022This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
27023
27024
27025
27026
27027
27028===== History and Trivia =====
27029
27030
27031
27032Introduced on 14th April 1986, the Macintosh 512ke was essentially a Macintosh 512k with the same 128k ROMs and double-sided 800 KB internal floppy drive as the Mac Plus.
27033
27034
27035
27036It was sold as a poor man's Macintosh. Also, any existing Macintosh 512k could be upgraded to 512ke. (They could be upgraded to a Mac Plus, too, but this involved changing the motherboard.)
27037
27038
27039
27040Since this model was discontinued a few months later (in August 1986), it may have just been a way for Apple to get rid of its excess Macintosh 512 motherboard. Or maybe they realized that 512 kb of RAM were not enough to run real-world Macintosh programs.
27041
27042
27043
27044
27045
27046===== Links =====
27047
27048
27049
27050  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
27051
27052  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
27053
27054  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
27055
27056  * Mac512 -- http://www.mac512.com/Welcome/Welcome.html
27057
27058
27059
27060
27061
27062===== Other Emulators =====
27063
27064
27065
27066  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
27067
27068  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
27069
27070
27071
27072
27073
27074$end
27075
27076
27077
27078#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27079
27080
27081$info=macclasc
27082$bio
27083====== Apple Macintosh Classic (1990) ======
27084
27085
27086
27087
27088
27089===== Features =====
27090
27091
27092
27093  * CPU: 8 MHz Motorola 68000
27094
27095  * ROM: 512 KiB
27096
27097  * RAM: 1 MiB, expandable to 2 or 4 MiB using 120 ns 30-pin SIMMs
27098
27099  * Display: 9" b&w screen, 512 x 342 pixels
27100
27101  * Audio: 8-bit mono 22kHz
27102
27103  * Hard drive: 40 MB
27104
27105  * Floppy: 1.4 MB double sided
27106
27107  * Interfaces: ADB port for keyboard and mouse, Two mini-DIN-8 RS-422 Serial ports, DB-25 SCSI connector, Headphone 3.5 mm jack socket
27108
27109
27110
27111
27112
27113===== Usage =====
27114
27115
27116
27117MESS supports the emulation of macclasc with two hard disks and two floppy drives connected. The former ones use "harddisk1" (hard1) and "harddisk2" (hard2) for .chd and .hd files; the latter ones use "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) for disk images in .dsk, .img and .image.dc format.
27118
27119
27120
27121== Keyboard ==
27122
27123
27124
27125This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
27126
27127
27128
27129== RAM options ==
27130
27131
27132
27133Different RAM configurations are possible for the macclasc in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
27134
27135
27136
27137  1m (default)
27138
27139  2m
27140
27141  2560k
27142
27143  4m
27144
27145
27146
27147
27148
27149===== Known Issues =====
27150
27151
27152
27153The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
27154
27155
27156
27157
27158
27159===== History and Trivia =====
27160
27161
27162
27163The Macintosh Classic (code-named XO and Civic) was introduced to answer the requests of another "all-in-one" computer like the Macintosh Plus and the SE, and to be a cheaper machine then the Macintosh II.
27164
27165
27166
27167Unlike other Macs, memory expansion was only possible in the Classic with a special memory expansion card only available on the more expensive model, or as an option installed later.
27168
27169
27170
27171Compared to the Macintosh Plus, the Macintosh Classic had more Ram (from 4MB up to 8MB) and the internal ability to connect to a hard drive. Architecturally, the Macintosh Classic was very similar to an SE. To reduce the cost, the brightness knob was replaced by the PWM circuit that formerly controlled the floppy disk rotation speed. Brightness settings were controlled using a control panel, which is operable only on this model and the newer Macintosh Classic II. Unlike the Macintosh SE there was no way to add an extra card for video, Ethernet, or another option.
27172
27173
27174
27175Although the Classic shipped with System 6.0.7, it could run earlier versions as well. A case in point is the hidden ROM disk which included a copy of System 6.0.3. System 7.5.5 is the latest supported version on this model.
27176
27177
27178
27179One unique feature of the Classic was the ability to start from a ROM disk by holding down the Command+Option+X+O keys during the boot process. This would boot the Mac Classic into a special combination of the System and Finder that only the Mac Classic can run.
27180
27181
27182
27183//(info based on various Wikipedia pages)//
27184
27185
27186
27187
27188
27189===== Links =====
27190
27191
27192
27193  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
27194
27195  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
27196
27197  * Macintosh Classic specs at Apple Support -- http://support.apple.com/kb/SP198
27198
27199  * [[wp>Macintosh_Classic]]
27200
27201
27202
27203
27204
27205$end
27206
27207
27208
27209#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27210
27211
27212$info=macplus
27213$bio
27214====== Apple Macintosh Plus (1986) ======
27215
27216
27217
27218
27219
27220===== Features =====
27221
27222
27223
27224  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.8336 MHz
27225
27226  * RAM: 1 MB (up to 4 MB) IBM RAM SIMM's as well as any other 1MB SIMM could be added
27227
27228  * ROM: 128 KB
27229
27230  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342 dots
27231
27232  * Colors: Monochrome
27233
27234  * Sound: Tone Generator & Digital-Analog converter (22kHz sampling rate)
27235
27236  * I/O Ports: RS 232/422 x 2 for printer and modem, SCSI, external F.D. unit, ext. loudspeaker
27237
27238  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 78 keys with numeric keypad
27239
27240  * Built In Media: One 3.5" 800 KB disk-drive
27241
27242  * OS: Macintosh System (from 3.2 to 7.5)
27243
27244  * Built In Language: None
27245
27246
27247
27248
27249
27250===== Usage =====
27251
27252
27253
27254MESS supports the emulation of macplus with two hard disks and two floppy drives connected. The former ones use "harddisk1" (hard1) and "harddisk2" (hard2) for .chd and .hd files; the latter ones use "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) for disk images in .dsk, .img and .image.dc format.
27255
27256
27257
27258== Keyboard ==
27259
27260
27261
27262This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
27263
27264
27265
27266== RAM options ==
27267
27268
27269
27270Different RAM configurations are possible for the macplus in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
27271
27272
27273
27274  512k
27275
27276  1m (default)
27277
27278  2m
27279
27280  2560k
27281
27282  4m
27283
27284
27285
27286
27287
27288===== History and Trivia =====
27289
27290
27291
27292Introduced on 16th January 1986, the Macintosh Plus was the first real improvement of the original Macintosh 128k (The Macintosh 512k was just a Mac 128k with 512 kb of RAM). It had several new features.
27293
27294
27295
27296The extended ROM held the new version of operating system: it supported hard disk units, the SCSI bus, and the new file system: HFS (Hierarchical File System), along with many other new features (Time Manager etc.). Additionally, various routines and managers previously located in RAM (Appletalk manager, RAM Serial Driver, Standard File Package etc.) had been moved to ROM.
27297
27298
27299
27300The new floppy disk unit could use double-sided 800 kb disks (compared to single-sided 400 kb for the Macintosh 128k). It came with 1 Mb of RAM, and could easily be expanded to 4 Mb, using standard 1Mb SIMMs. It had an enhanced keyboard with a numeric pad and last but not least, it had a SCSI 1 interface which allowed to connect several high speed peripherals (maximal transfer rate of 312 kbyte/s on Mac Plus - which is incredibly inefficient) such as hard disks and scanners.
27301
27302
27303
27304Although the Mac Plus was made obsolete in march 1987 by the new Macintosh series (Macintosh SE and the Macintosh II), it remained in production as a cheaper alternative until the introduction of Macintosh Classic on 15th october 1990. This makes Macintosh Plus the longest lived Macintosh ever produced.
27305
27306
27307
27308//(info from old-computers.com)//
27309
27310
27311
27312
27313
27314===== Links =====
27315
27316
27317
27318  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
27319
27320  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
27321
27322  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
27323
27324  * Mac Plus at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=282
27325
27326
27327
27328
27329
27330===== Other Emulators =====
27331
27332
27333
27334  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
27335
27336  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
27337
27338
27339
27340
27341
27342$end
27343
27344
27345
27346#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27347
27348
27349$info=macse
27350$bio
27351====== Apple Macintosh SE (1987) ======
27352
27353
27354
27355
27356
27357===== Features =====
27358
27359
27360
27361  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 7.83 MHz
27362
27363  * RAM: 1 MB (up to 4 MB)
27364
27365  * ROM: 256 KB
27366
27367  * Graphic Modes: 512 x 342
27368
27369  * Colors: Monochrome
27370
27371  * Sound: 8-bit mono sound chip
27372
27373  * I/O Ports: Centronics, ADB (2: Keyboard, mouse), RS232/422, Internal expansion slot (96-pin Eurodin)
27374
27375  * Keyboard: Typewriter style, 84 keys with numeric keypad
27376
27377  * Built In Media: One or Two 3.5" disk-drives, 20 to 80 MB HDD
27378
27379  * OS: MAC OS 4.0
27380
27381  * Built In Language: None
27382
27383
27384
27385
27386
27387===== Usage =====
27388
27389
27390
27391MESS supports the emulation of macse with two hard disks and two floppy drives connected. The former ones use "harddisk1" (hard1) and "harddisk2" (hard2) for .chd and .hd files; the latter ones use "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) for disk images in .dsk, .img and .image.dc format.
27392
27393
27394
27395== Keyboard ==
27396
27397
27398
27399This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
27400
27401
27402
27403== RAM options ==
27404
27405
27406
27407Different RAM configurations are possible for the macse in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
27408
27409
27410
27411  1m (default)
27412
27413  2m
27414
27415  2560k
27416
27417  4m
27418
27419
27420
27421
27422
27423===== Known Issues =====
27424
27425
27426
27427The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
27428
27429
27430
27431
27432
27433===== History and Trivia =====
27434
27435
27436
27437The Apple Macintosh SE was launched in 1987 at same time as the Macintosh II. It was an enhanced version of the Macintosh 128 and the Macintosh Plus. It had almost the same specifications as the latter, and unlike the Mac plus, it had an extension slot (which was not compatible with the NUBUS slots of the Macintosh II).
27438
27439
27440
27441== Trivia ==
27442
27443
27444
27445the ROM used only 89 KB of the available 256 KB. So to fill the chip, Apple put the photos of the development team into the ROM. To see these photos, press the debug button then type: G 41D89A.
27446
27447
27448
27449The Mac 128, the 512k, the 512KE (same but with an 800K floppy drive), and the SE have the signatures of their developers molded as engravings on the inside of the case at the rear.
27450
27451
27452
27453== Additional info ==
27454
27455
27456
27457(Info from Luca Rescigno): The Mac SE had a few different configurations that aren't listed. Originally, there was a dual 800kb floppy configuration or you could replace one of the floppies with a hard disk for extra money.
27458
27459
27460
27461A couple years later it was replaced with the SE FDHD (Floppy Disk High Density) which had a 1.4 MB "superdrive" and a 40 MB hard disk standard. Also, some people have managed to mount an internal hard drive in a dual-floppy SE. There's just barely enough room inside the case. One person even managed to replace both 800k floppies with salvaged 1.4 MB floppies, and they had to replace the ROM chips as well so it would recognize them. Finally, all SEs I've looked inside (including an FDHD) have two floppy controllers on the motherboard and one SCSI connector, so you can theoretically put dual floppies in a newer model.
27462
27463
27464
27465//(info from old-computers.com)//
27466
27467
27468
27469
27470
27471===== Links =====
27472
27473
27474
27475  * Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
27476
27477  * Everything for the Mac -- http://www.everythingmac.com/
27478
27479  * Homepage of Gamba -- http://home.earthlink.net/~gamba2/index.html
27480
27481  * Mac SE at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=161
27482
27483
27484
27485
27486
27487===== Other Emulators =====
27488
27489
27490
27491  * Basilisk II -- http://basilisk.cebix.net/
27492
27493  * vMac -- http://www.leb.net/vmac/
27494
27495
27496
27497
27498
27499$end
27500
27501
27502
27503#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27504
27505
27506$info=max
27507$bio
27508====== CBM Commodore Max Machine (1982) ======
27509
27510
27511
27512
27513
27514===== Features =====
27515
27516
27517
27518  * CPU: MOS 6510 (6502 compatible) 1 MHz
27519
27520  * Co-Processor: SID (Sound chip), 6566 VIC-II (Video chip)
27521
27522  * RAM: 2.5 kb
27523
27524  * ROM: 2kb
27525
27526  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
27527
27528  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200
27529
27530  * Colors: 16
27531
27532  * Sound: SID (Sound Interface Device) : 3 voices, 9 octaves
27533
27534  * I/O Ports: Power in (DIN7), Audio output (minijack), Cartridge port, RF TV out, Cassette interface (bus), 2 x joystick connectors
27535
27536  * Keyboard: Flat membrane keyboard, 4 function keys, 2 arrow keys, <-, CONTROL, RUN/STOP, SHIFT LOCK, C=, SHIFT (x2), CLR HOME, INST/DEL, RESTORE, RETURN
27537
27538  * Built In Language: none; MAX BASIC was available on cartridge
27539
27540
27541
27542
27543
27544===== Usage =====
27545
27546
27547
27548MESS supports the emulation of max with the following devices
27549
27550
27551
27552  - a datasette, using "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .tap and .wav format
27553
27554  - a cart slot, "cartridge" (cart), for cart dumps in .crt, .e0 and .f0 format
27555
27556
27557
27558Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .t64, .p00 and .prg files.
27559
27560
27561
27562== Cassettes ==
27563
27564
27565
27566Cassette images can have the .wav or .tap extensions (formally .t64 images are tapes as well, but we currently load them through -quickload). To run a .tap or a .wav image you have to launch
27567
27568
27569
27570  mess max -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tap"
27571
27572
27573
27574Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
27575
27576
27577
27578  * to load a BASIC program from the cassette
27579
27580
27581
27582  LOAD"filename"
27583
27584
27585
27586  * to load the first program from the cassette
27587
27588
27589
27590  LOAD
27591
27592
27593
27594The message "Press play on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Play"). Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
27595
27596
27597
27598  RUN
27599
27600
27601
27602or the appropriate SYS call.
27603
27604
27605
27606Also, MESS supports saving to tape. Therefore, you can write your own BASIC programs and save them using the command
27607
27608
27609
27610  SAVE"prog_name"
27611
27612
27613
27614The message "Press play <html>&amp;</html> record on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start recording the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Record").
27615
27616
27617
27618== Cartridges ==
27619
27620
27621
27622Cartridges may have extension .crt, .e0 and .f0. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges may require more than one image: if you have any of these, please contact us because we would like to fix support for them.
27623
27624
27625
27626  * .e0 and .f0 files are loaded to 0xe000 and 0xf000 respectively.
27627
27628  * .crt ROMs are loaded to the addresses specified in crt file.
27629
27630
27631
27632To use "cartridge" (cart) slot in MESS, simply launch
27633
27634
27635
27636  mess max -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.crt"
27637
27638
27639
27640and the game will start (we currently don't support images which require multiple files to be loaded at different locations, because we don't have access to any of these images). Most of the Max Machine carts should work. Also a few C64 carts could work, due to the similarity of the hardware, but be warned that most will fail.
27641
27642Note that .prg files are often cartridge images as well, but in MESS they are assigned to the quickloader (see below).
27643
27644
27645
27646== Quickloader ==
27647
27648
27649
27650A quickloader is available via command line and it supports program image files with extensions .prg, .p00 and .t64 (the latter are tape images, but most of them are loaded to a fixed address). The quickloader loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It shall work with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
27651
27652
27653
27654  mess max -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
27655
27656
27657
27658and simply type the command
27659
27660
27661
27662  RUN
27663
27664
27665
27666to start the program.
27667
27668
27669
27670== Keyboard ==
27671
27672
27673
27674This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
27675
27676
27677
27678
27679
27680===== History and Trivia =====
27681
27682
27683
27684The Commodore Max Machine was released after the VIC 20 and at the same time as the C64. It was intended to be Commodore's low-end offering ($150-$180), whereas the C64 was envisioned as a high-end product ($595).
27685
27686
27687
27688The system was very inexpensive and lacked even basic features such a user expansion port. In reality, the Max Machine was a severely limited C64. Several Max software titles could actually be run on the C64.
27689
27690
27691
27692Some production models used the same video chip as the C64, while others used a 6566 (the NTSC C64 uses the 6567; the PAL C64 uses a 6569). Regardless of video chip, both variants offered only a single graphics resolution of 320x200 and could not utilize the "multi-color" functions available on the C64. The SID sound chip is identical to the one found in its C64 cousin. BASIC was stored on cartridge rather than in ROM.
27693
27694
27695
27696Though initially planned for world-wide release, the Commodore Max Machine was sold primarily in Japan. It was advertised in North America under the name ULTIMAX, as well as in Germany under the name VC-10.
27697
27698
27699
27700//(info from old-computers.com)//
27701
27702
27703
27704
27705
27706===== Links =====
27707
27708
27709
27710  * Ultimax at Secret Weapons of Commodore -- http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/ultimax.html
27711
27712  * Max at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=40
27713
27714
27715
27716
27717
27718$end
27719
27720
27721
27722#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27723
27724
27725$info=mbee
27726$bio
27727====== Applied Technologies Microbee 16 / 32 (1982) ======
27728
27729
27730
27731
27732
27733===== Features =====
27734
27735
27736
27737  * CPU: Z80A 2MHz / 3.375 MHz
27738
27739  * Co-Processor: 6545 CRT controller
27740
27741  * RAM: 16 KB or 32 KB depending models (battery-backed CMOS)
27742
27743  * ROM: 16 KB (Microworld Basic) + 12 KB (for optional ROMs like word processor and telecommunications software)
27744
27745  * Text Modes: 64 x 16
27746
27747  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 48, 512 x 256
27748
27749  * Colors: Yes, with later models
27750
27751  * Sound: Internal loudspeaker, one channel, 2 octaves
27752
27753  * I/O Ports: Serial RS 232, tape interface (300 and 1200 baud), composite and RGB (optional) video output, parallel port (optional on early units), expansion bus
27754
27755  * Keyboard: Full sized, 60 keys, QWERTY standard layout
27756
27757  * Peripherals: Printers, tape recorder, joystick, modem, optional colour board
27758
27759  * Built In Language: Microworld Level II extended Basic
27760
27761
27762
27763
27764
27765===== Usage =====
27766
27767
27768
27769Currently, MESS supports the following Microbee systems:
27770
27771
27772
27773  * mbee [Applied Technology Microbee 16 Standard]
27774
27775  * mbeeic [Applied Technology Microbee 32 IC]
27776
27777  * mbeepc [Applied Technology Microbee 32 PC]
27778
27779  * mbeepc85 [Applied Technology Microbee 32 PC85]
27780
27781  * mbee56 [Applied Technology Microbee 56]
27782
27783
27784
27785The mbee driver supports tapes in .wav format, using the "cassette" (cass) device, and cart dumps in .rom format, using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
27786
27787The other systems also support four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format.
27788
27789
27790
27791Also notice that two different quickload features are present: "quickload1" (quik1) for .mwb and .com files, "quickload2" (quik2) for .bin files.
27792
27793
27794
27795== Keyboard ==
27796
27797
27798
27799These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
27800
27801
27802
27803Original Keyboard: QWERTY keyboard, 60 keys
27804
27805
27806
27807                                                                         BACK
27808
27809   ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0   :*   -=   ^~   SPACE
27810
27811 
27812
27813                                                                      LINE
27814
27815     TAB   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}  FEED   RETURN
27816
27817 
27818
27819                                 BEL
27820
27821  CTRL  LOCK  A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   @`   \|  DEL   BREAK
27822
27823 
27824
27825 
27826
27827       SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT    RESET
27828
27829 
27830
27831 
27832
27833                                      SPACEBAR
27834
27835
27836
27837== Cassettes ==
27838
27839
27840
27841  * The system is practically identical to that of the exidy. The spare header bytes of the exidy are now used, and the second string of nulls has been removed.
27842
27843  * The header is always at 300 baud. A byte in the header flags the baud rate of the data (300 or 1200 baud).
27844
27845  * The 300 baud system adheres to the Kansas City Standard -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Standard. There is a header consisting of nulls, a <SOH>, followed by the load address, length, execute address, filename and type, speed and auto-execute bytes. This is followed by a number of data blocks. The checksum is an extra byte appended to each block, and is computed by a subtraction and inversion with each byte.
27846
27847  * 1200 baud is the same, except that a low bit is a cycle of 1200 Hz, while a high bit is two cycles of 2400 Hz.
27848
27849
27850
27851
27852
27853===== History and Trivia =====
27854
27855
27856
27857Around 1978, Owen Hill teamed up with an electronic components company, Applied Technology of Hornsby (Sydney), to build a small computer he had designed. Applied Technology had been previously producing kits in Australia for S-100 boards. The Microbee was released as a kit in 1982 on the cover of Your Computer magazine, the manual was included free with the magazine. They were an immediate hit, being quite a powerful little system given the cost.
27858
27859
27860
27861Applied Technology eventually changed their name to Microbee Systems, and sold ready-made versions. Their main market (especially for the 32) were Australian schools, which had the Microbee recommended as the preferred system.
27862
27863
27864
27865Over the years there has been several versions of the Microbee. The early ones (16 and PLUS series) had monochrome display and clock rate at 2 MHz. Later ones (Colour/IC series), from june 1983, included colour and 3.375 MHz clock rate.
27866
27867
27868
27869The Microbee 32 was followed by Microbee 56, 64 and 128 models. There were all disk based systems using CP/M. The Microbee 128 was intended as a high-end business system. There were also two really keen prototype systems, the Gamma and the Delta, which were intended to compete with the Amigas, but problems within the company led to their cancellation not long before the company's collapse.
27870
27871
27872
27873== Different models ==
27874
27875
27876
27877  * 16 / 32k Home built - 2MHz clock, Z80
27878
27879
27880
27881  * 32k IC (with EDASM) - 3.375 MHz clock. All later Z80 Microbees would run at this speed though many were over clocked up to 6 MHz.
27882
27883
27884
27885  * 32k Personal Communicator (with Basic, Telcom terminal program and Wordbee - a word processor in ROM)
27886
27887
27888
27889  * 32k PC85 (Word processor, Basic, Spreadsheet, Database in ROM) - the last of the line for ROM based machines - very neat and with built in networking.
27890
27891
27892
27893//(info from old-computers.com)//
27894
27895
27896
27897
27898
27899===== Links =====
27900
27901
27902
27903  * Microbee archive -- http://web.archive.org/web/20070417055552/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~mikeleys/microbee.html
27904
27905  * The Flying Computer -- http://microbee.no-ip.com/shell/
27906
27907  * Microbee 32 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=287
27908
27909  * The Microbee Emulation / Software Archive page -- http://erichson.se/microbee/
27910
27911  * Australian Computer Museum Society Inc -- http://www.acms.org.au/history/Microbee/index.shtml
27912
27913  * Wikipedia -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroBee
27914
27915  * The Bee Board -- http://microbee.no-ip.com/beeboard/  (specialised forum dedicated to preserving Microbee documentation)
27916
27917
27918
27919===== Other Emulators =====
27920
27921
27922
27923  * Picomozzy -- http://web.archive.org/web/20060824042259/http://www2.ee.unimelb.edu.au/pgrad/apsh/microbee/ (archived site)
27924
27925  * NanoWasp -- http://http://nanowasp.sourceforge.net/
27926
27927  * uBee512 -- http://freshmeat.net/projects/ubee512/
27928
27929
27930
27931
27932
27933$end
27934
27935
27936
27937#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
27938
27939
27940$info=mc10
27941$bio
27942====== Tandy Radio Shack MC-10 (1983) ======
27943
27944
27945
27946
27947
27948===== Features =====
27949
27950
27951
27952  * CPU: Motorola 6803 (6800 compatible) 0.89 MHz
27953
27954  * Co-Processor: MC-6847 Video Generator
27955
27956  * RAM: 4 kb (up to 20 kb), 3142 bytes left for user
27957
27958  * ROM: 8 kb (Microcolor Basic)
27959
27960  * Text Modes: 32 x 16
27961
27962  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 32, 8 colors (with Basic); up to 128 x 192, 2 colors (with machine-code); 256 x 192, 2 colors (with machine-code and 16k expansion RAM)
27963
27964  * Colors: 9
27965
27966  * Sound: Beeper with variable pitch and duration
27967
27968  * I/O Ports: RGB DIN8 or RF jack (USA) video out, Expansion port, Tape (DIN6), Serial (DIN5), power IN
27969
27970  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY, Calculator style keyboard, 48 keys, Basic statements written above keys, SHIFT, CONTROL, ENTER, BREAK
27971
27972  * Peripherals: 16k RAM expansion, Printer
27973
27974  * Built In Language: Microcolor Basic 1.0 (Microsoft)
27975
27976
27977
27978
27979
27980===== Usage =====
27981
27982
27983
27984Currently, MESS supports cassette tapes for the mc10, either in .wav or in .cas format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
27985
27986
27987
27988== Keyboard ==
27989
27990
27991
27992This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
27993
27994
27995
27996Original Keyboard: QWERTY keyboard, 48 keys
27997
27998 
27999
28000    1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)    0   :*   -=
28001
28002 
28003
28004 
28005
28006       Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @   BREAK
28007
28008 
28009
28010 
28011
28012          A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+  ENTER
28013
28014 
28015
28016 
28017
28018  CONTROL   Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
28019
28020 
28021
28022 
28023
28024                               SPACEBAR
28025
28026
28027
28028
28029
28030== RAM options ==
28031
28032
28033
28034Different RAM configurations are possible for the mc10 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
28035
28036
28037
28038  4k
28039
28040  20k (default)
28041
28042
28043
28044
28045
28046===== History and Trivia =====
28047
28048
28049
28050The Tandy MC 10 (MC means Micro Color) was designed as an "initiation" computer to compete with the Timex Sinclair 1000, the American version of the Sinclair ZX-81. It was more expensive than the Sinclair machine, but outpassed it in every category. It had sound, color, more memory and even a better keyboard.
28051
28052
28053
28054In fact, the MC-10 is basically a cut down version of the Tandy "Coco" computers, but didn't have as much success as its big brothers.
28055
28056
28057
28058It is fully compatible with the first version of the Matra Alice (a French computer). Actually both are the same computer (except for the case color, the Alice is red and the Tandy is white).
28059
28060
28061
28062== Additional Info ==
28063
28064
28065
28066(Info from Richard Vermeulen): The Tandy MC-10 micro color computer was not a commercial success. Tandy did not support this machine. In Basic you could only use 8 color and a graphic resolution of 64 x 32 dots. However, the MC-10 had much more capabilities: 2 color 256x192 graphics, 4 color 128 x 192 graphics and the sound-chip had synthesizer possibilities. If all these extra functions were mentioned in the manual, I bet that these machine would have sold much more.
28067
28068
28069
28070//(info from old-computers.com)//
28071
28072
28073
28074
28075
28076===== Links =====
28077
28078
28079
28080  * Inside MC-10 -- http://www.slowcomputing.org/ssouth/mc10/
28081
28082  * Mr. Wizard's MC-10 Page -- http://mymc10.tripod.com/
28083
28084  * The MC10 Archive -- http://users.bigpond.net.au/jagf/mc10.html
28085
28086  * MC-10 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=163
28087
28088
28089
28090
28091
28092===== Other Emulators =====
28093
28094
28095
28096  * Virtual MC-10 -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
28097
28098
28099
28100
28101
28102$end
28103
28104
28105
28106#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28107
28108
28109$info=megaduck
28110$bio
28111====== MegaDuck / Cougar Boy (1993) ======
28112
28113
28114
28115
28116
28117===== Features =====
28118
28119
28120
28121  * CPU : 8-bit VLSI
28122
28123  * RAM: 64 kbit RAM
28124
28125  * Screen: 49 mm x 46 mm (160 x 144 pixels)
28126
28127  * Color: 4 monochrome green tones
28128
28129  * Contrast Adjustment, Power Switch, Volume controller, Built-in speaker, Headphone Jack
28130
28131  * Controls: Direction, A & B, Select, Start buttons (similar to the Game Boy)
28132
28133  * Two Player Link (6-pin communications port), 36-pin Cartridge Slot
28134
28135  * Size: 15.5 cm x 9.7 cm x 3.2 cm
28136
28137
28138
28139
28140
28141===== Usage =====
28142
28143
28144
28145MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run megaduck emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
28146
28147
28148
28149  mess megaduck -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
28150
28151
28152
28153== Controls ==
28154
28155
28156
28157Exactly as the Game Boy games, MegaDuck games are controlled through a 8-way Directional Pad (D-Pad) and 2 buttons named A and B. Additional buttons Start and Select are present on the console itself.
28158
28159
28160
28161
28162
28163===== History and Trivia =====
28164
28165
28166
28167The Mega Duck was released by Creatronic, Videojet and Timlex in 1993 mainly in Germany and France. The Cougar Boy was released by Cougar, an electronic manufacturer of device and accessories, had mainly distributed it in Brazil in 1993. Cougar brought the rights from Creatronics to manufacture it under its own name.
28168
28169
28170
28171Looks much like a Game Boy with its monochrome green screen, "start", "Select", "A" & "B" buttons and directional pad but that's were the similarities end.
28172
28173
28174
28175The carts are about 2" 1/8 by 2" 1/2 inchs with 36 pins to connect with the cartridge slot of the Mega Duck (unlike the 32-pins of the Game Boy or the 40-pins of the Supervision).
28176
28177
28178
28179With an external joystick (not included) two players could play against each other simultaneously.
28180
28181
28182
28183There were around 30 games made for the system.
28184
28185
28186
28187//(info from the MegaDuck FAQs)//
28188
28189
28190
28191
28192
28193===== Links =====
28194
28195
28196
28197  * MegaDuck FAQs -- http://www.pelikonepeijoonit.net/duckfaq1.txt
28198
28199
28200
28201
28202
28203$end
28204
28205
28206
28207#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28208
28209
28210$info=megast
28211$bio
28212====== Atari Mega ST (1987) ======
28213
28214
28215
28216
28217
28218===== Features =====
28219
28220
28221
28222  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 mHz
28223
28224  * RAM: 1 / 2 / 4 MB
28225
28226  * ROM: 192 KB
28227
28228  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines (bitmapped graphics)
28229
28230  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 640 x 400
28231
28232  * Colors: 16 (320 x 200), 4 (640 x 200), monochrome (640 x 400) among 512
28233
28234  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves programmable sound generator
28235
28236  * I/O Ports: Cardridge, Midi (in, out), Centronics, RS232c, Hard Disk, Floppy disk, RGB, Joystick, mouse
28237
28238  * Built In Media: 3.5" 360 KB disk-drive
28239
28240  * OS: TOS + GEM
28241
28242
28243
28244
28245
28246===== Usage =====
28247
28248
28249
28250MESS currently supports for the Mega ST both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
28251
28252
28253
28254Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
28255
28256
28257
28258== Keyboard ==
28259
28260
28261
28262This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
28263
28264
28265
28266== BIOS options ==
28267
28268
28269
28270Different versions of the TOS roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
28271
28272
28273
28274  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = TOS 1.04 (Rainbow TOS)
28275
28276 
28277
28278  "-bios 1" or "-bios tos102" = TOS 1.02 (MEGA TOS)
28279
28280
28281
28282== RAM options ==
28283
28284
28285
28286Different RAM configurations are possible for the megast in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
28287
28288
28289
28290  1m - to emulate a Mega ST 1
28291
28292  2m - to emulate a Mega ST 2
28293
28294  4m (default) - to emulate a Mega ST 4
28295
28296
28297
28298
28299
28300===== Known Issues =====
28301
28302
28303
28304The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
28305
28306
28307
28308
28309
28310===== History and Trivia =====
28311
28312
28313
28314The Atari Mega ST was the "professional" version of the Atari STf (i.e. later version of Atari ST with built-in floppy drive).
28315
28316
28317
28318Atari added the "Blitter", a custom chip designed to perform quick memory moves and increase display speed. The Mega ST had a small battery to hold time and date and a small fan (except for the Mega ST1).
28319
28320
28321
28322This computer was especially designed to be the cheapest publishing solution (and it was!).
28323
28324
28325
28326The Mega ST had a pretty good success and was replaced by the Mega STe and by the TT.
28327
28328
28329
28330//(info from old-computers.com)//
28331
28332
28333
28334
28335
28336===== Links =====
28337
28338
28339
28340  * AEX / Atari Explorer -- http://www.atari-explorer.com/index.html
28341
28342  * The Atari Historical Society -- http://www.atarimuseum.com/
28343
28344  * Atari Mega ST at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=165
28345
28346
28347
28348
28349
28350===== Other Emulators =====
28351
28352
28353
28354  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
28355
28356
28357
28358
28359
28360$end
28361
28362
28363
28364#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28365
28366
28367$info=megaste
28368$bio
28369====== Atari Mega STe (1991) ======
28370
28371
28372
28373
28374
28375===== Features =====
28376
28377
28378
28379  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 / 16 mHz
28380
28381  * Co-Processor: Optional Motorola MC68881 math co-processor
28382
28383  * RAM: 1 / 2 / 4 MB - Up to 8 MB thanks to a 4 MB card connected to the VME bus
28384
28385  * ROM: 256 KB
28386
28387  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines (bitmapped graphics)
28388
28389  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 / 640 x 400
28390
28391  * Colors: 16 among 4096 (320 x 200) / 4 among 4096 (640 x 200) / monochrome (640 x 400)
28392
28393  * Sound: 3 FM channels, 8 octaves + two 8 bit PCM channels
28394
28395  * I/O Ports: Cardridge, Midi (in, out), Centronics, RS232c (2), Hard Disk, Floppy disk, RGB, Joystick, mouse, Stereo, VME Bus
28396
28397  * Keyboard: Full stroke 94 keys with numeric keypad, editing keys and 10 function keys
28398
28399  * Built In Media: 3.5" disk drive, Seagate 48 MB hard drive. The 'open' version had 2 MB of RAM but no hard disk.
28400
28401  * OS: TOS + GEM
28402
28403  * Built In Language: None
28404
28405
28406
28407
28408
28409===== Usage =====
28410
28411
28412
28413MESS currently supports for the Mega STe both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
28414
28415
28416
28417Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the two serial ports, "serial1" (serl1) and "serial2" (serl2), are emulated as well.
28418
28419
28420
28421== Keyboard ==
28422
28423
28424
28425This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
28426
28427
28428
28429== RAM options ==
28430
28431
28432
28433Different RAM configurations are possible for the megaste in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
28434
28435
28436
28437  1m - to emulate a Mega STe 1
28438
28439  2m - to emulate a Mega STe 2
28440
28441  4m (default) - to emulate a Mega STe 4
28442
28443
28444
28445
28446
28447===== Known Issues =====
28448
28449
28450
28451The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
28452
28453
28454
28455
28456
28457===== History and Trivia =====
28458
28459
28460
28461The Atari Mega STe is the successor of the Atari Mega ST. It is an Atari STe with some features of the TT (the case, the VME bus) and has a new version of TOS (2.05 and 2.06).
28462
28463
28464
28465It has (like the Mega STf) a battery-backed up clock. The user can choose in the configuration panel the speed of the CPU (8 or 16 MHz) and can switch on or off a small memory cache. Thanks to these two features, the Mega STe was really faster than the STf.
28466
28467
28468
28469Some companies developed VME graphic cards for the Mega STe. This computer had less success than the Mega STf and was used as a publishing station or in music studios.
28470
28471
28472
28473A minor note: the Mega and TT gave a nod to the earlier integrated-keyboard ST series by adding a tongue-and-groove design element for loosely connecting the keyboard to the base of the CPU.
28474
28475
28476
28477The Mega STe ended production in 1993. This was also the only Atari product every to have an Appletalk networking port built-in. Some models included hard drives, and some did not. The drives were usually shipped separately to the the dealers, and installed in the store. The hard drive, a regular IDE drive (instead of the earlier ST models which used a SCSI-to-DMA interface board in the drive casing).
28478
28479
28480
28481//(info from old-computers.com)//
28482
28483
28484
28485
28486
28487===== Links =====
28488
28489
28490
28491  * Atari Mega STe at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=164
28492
28493
28494
28495
28496
28497===== Other Emulators =====
28498
28499
28500
28501  * SainT -- http://leonard.oxg.free.fr/
28502
28503  * Steem -- http://steem.atari.st/
28504
28505  * Pacifist ! -- http://www.atari.st/pacifist/
28506
28507  * Hatari -- http://hatari.sourceforge.net/
28508
28509  * STonX (*nix OS) -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/stonx/
28510
28511  * Gemulator -- http://www.emulators.com/download.htm
28512
28513
28514
28515
28516
28517$end
28518
28519
28520
28521#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28522
28523
28524$info=mekd2
28525$bio
28526====== Motorola MEK6800D2 (1976) ======
28527
28528
28529
28530
28531
28532===== Known Issues =====
28533
28534
28535
28536The emulation of this system is preliminary.
28537
28538
28539
28540
28541
28542===== History and Trivia =====
28543
28544
28545
28546The MEK6800D2 was a development board for the Motorola 6800 microprocessor, produced by Motorola in 1976. It featured a keyboard with hexadecimal keys and a LED display, plus an RS-232 asynchronous serial interface for a Teletype or other terminal.
28547
28548
28549
28550There was an on-board debug program called JBUG fitted in a 1k ROM, and the maximum RAM capacity on board was 512 bytes, but this could be expanded via the Motorola EXORciser computer bus interface.
28551
28552
28553
28554There was also a parallel bus interface for general purpose I/O.
28555
28556
28557
28558//(info based on Wikipedia)//
28559
28560
28561
28562
28563
28564===== Links =====
28565
28566
28567
28568  * [[wp>MEK6800D2]]
28569
28570
28571
28572
28573
28574$end
28575
28576
28577
28578#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28579
28580
28581$info=microtan
28582$bio
28583====== Tangerine Microtan 65 (1979) ======
28584
28585
28586
28587
28588
28589===== Features =====
28590
28591
28592
28593  * CPU: 6502 0.75 MHz
28594
28595  * RAM: 1 kb (up to 48k)
28596
28597  * ROM: 1 kb (TANBUG v1), upgradeable  to 14kb
28598
28599  * Text Modes: 32 x 16
28600
28601  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 64 with graphic characters
28602
28603  * Colors: Monochrome
28604
28605  * I/O Ports: Bus, Tape, Monitor
28606
28607  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal keyboard in basic version
28608
28609  * Built In Language: Machine-code (through TANBUG)
28610
28611
28612
28613
28614
28615===== Usage =====
28616
28617
28618
28619MESS supports the emulation of a microtan with a "cassette" (cass) device. Cassette tapes must be in .wav format.
28620
28621
28622
28623Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .m65 files and that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .hex files.
28624
28625
28626
28627== Keyboard ==
28628
28629
28630
28631This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
28632
28633
28634
28635Original Keyboard:
28636
28637
28638
28639                                                                         BACK
28640
28641   ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0   -=   ;+   ^~   SPACE  BREAK     7  8  9
28642
28643 
28644
28645                                                                       LINE
28646
28647    TAB    Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   \|   FEED  DELETE       4  5  6
28648
28649 
28650
28651        CAPS                   
28652
28653  CTRL  LOCK  A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    :*    @`    ]}     RETURN      1  2  3
28654
28655 
28656
28657  SHIFT
28658
28659  LOCK  SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?  SHIFT  REPEAT  RESET      0   .
28660
28661 
28662
28663 
28664
28665                                   SPACEBAR
28666
28667
28668
28669
28670
28671===== History and Trivia =====
28672
28673
28674
28675Tangerine developed this computer before they became Oric and produced the Oric-1. It was mainly sold in kit with a little hexadecimal keyboard.
28676
28677
28678
28679The unextended Microtan 65 couldn't use Basic (Basic65) due to its RAM limitation (1kb), so only machine-code was usable.
28680
28681
28682
28683The 1kb ROM contained TANBUG, a monitor which allowed to enter machine code programs. But with the unextended Microtan65, there was no way to save your work (not tape facility), so you had to re-type your program each time you switched-on the computer!
28684
28685
28686
28687//(info from old-computers.com)//
28688
28689
28690
28691
28692
28693===== Links =====
28694
28695
28696
28697  * Microtan Page at Oric World -- http://oric.ifrance.com/microtan.html
28698
28699  * Geoff's Page -- http://www.geoff.org.uk/microtan/
28700
28701  * Microtan 65 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=166
28702
28703
28704
28705
28706
28707===== Other Emulators =====
28708
28709
28710
28711  * David A. Brown Microtan 65 Emu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dbzillion/tann/tan65.html
28712
28713  * Geoff's Microtan 65 Emu -- http://www.geoff.org.uk/microtan/download.htm
28714
28715  * Microtan Java Emu -- http://oric.ifrance.com/microtan/microtan_java.html
28716
28717
28718
28719
28720
28721$end
28722
28723
28724
28725#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28726
28727
28728$info=mikro80
28729$bio
28730====== Mikro-80 (1983) ======
28731
28732
28733
28734
28735
28736===== Usage =====
28737
28738
28739
28740MESS supports cassette tapes in .wav and .rk8 format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
28741
28742
28743
28744== Keyboard ==
28745
28746
28747
28748This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
28749
28750
28751
28752
28753
28754===== History and Trivia =====
28755
28756
28757
28758In the beginning of the 80es, the radio amateur magazin "Radio" published the schematics of a computer called "Mikro-80". There are no industrial models of the Mikro-80, only the models assembled by the hobbyists. This was also the first "homebrew" computer in the USSR but it was very difficult to built because it consisted of more than 200 microcircuits.
28759
28760
28761
28762Another problem was that it only supported text-mode. Quickly, after the initial publication, a quite good basic interpreter was developed - it only uses 6.5kB RAM.
28763
28764
28765
28766It used a common tape recorder as "mass-storage".
28767
28768
28769
28770//(info from homecomputer.de)//
28771
28772
28773
28774
28775
28776===== Links =====
28777
28778
28779
28780  * Mikro-80 at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#micro
28781
28782
28783
28784
28785
28786===== Other Emu =====
28787
28788
28789
28790  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
28791
28792  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
28793
28794  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
28795
28796
28797
28798
28799
28800$end
28801
28802
28803
28804#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28805
28806
28807$info=mikrosha
28808$bio
28809====== Lianozovo Electromechanical Factory Mikrosha (1987) ======
28810
28811
28812
28813===== Features =====
28814
28815
28816
28817  * CPU: KR580VM80A (1.77 MHz)
28818
28819  * RAM: 32kB
28820
28821  * ROM: 2kB
28822
28823  * Colors: monochrome
28824
28825  * Keyboard: russian keyboard with 68 keys
28826
28827
28828
28829
28830
28831===== Usage =====
28832
28833
28834
28835MESS supports mikrosha emulation with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tape images in .wav or .rkm format.
28836
28837
28838
28839== Keyboard ==
28840
28841
28842
28843This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
28844
28845
28846
28847
28848
28849===== History and Trivia =====
28850
28851
28852
28853Mikrosha is a 8 bit microcomputer produced around 1987 by Lianozovo Electromechanical Factory. It is one of the first computer sold in stores in USSR.
28854
28855
28856
28857Basically, Mikrosha is a clone of Radio-86RK, with some bugfix and a different character generator. It was partially compatible with the software for the original Radio-86RK.
28858
28859
28860
28861
28862
28863===== Links =====
28864
28865
28866
28867  * Mikrosha at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html#mikrosha
28868
28869
28870
28871
28872
28873===== Other Emu =====
28874
28875
28876
28877  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
28878
28879  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
28880
28881
28882
28883
28884
28885$end
28886
28887
28888
28889#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
28890
28891
28892$info=mk1
28893$bio
28894====== Novag Industries / Videomaster Chess Champion MKI (1978) ======
28895
28896
28897
28898
28899
28900===== Features =====
28901
28902
28903
28904  * 4 11 segment led digits (3 segments are not used)
28905
28906  * Plug for external power supply
28907
28908
28909
28910
28911
28912===== Usage =====
28913
28914
28915
28916== Instructions ==
28917
28918
28919
28920When emulation starts an 'L' shows up in the display. You can now enter the level (1-6) of play for the MK1. The machine now displays 'bp' and you can enter the mode you want to play; A for normal play, B to enter a specific board set up.
28921
28922
28923
28924When choosing mode A four dots show up and you can enter your first move. You enter a move using the A-H and 1-8 keys and confirm the move with the 'Play' key ('D').
28925
28926
28927
28928== Levels of play ==
28929
28930
28931
28932  - Beginner. The MK1 replies almost instantly.
28933
28934  - Experienced beginner. The MK1 replies within 3 to 14 seconds.
28935
28936  - Average player. The MK1 replies between 5 to 30 seconds, depending on the complexity of the position.
28937
28938  - Above average. The MK1 replies between 7 to 60 seconds, depending on the complexity of the position.
28939
28940  - Very good player. The reply of the MK1 can take between 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the complexity of the position.
28941
28942  - Most difficult level. The reply of the MK1 can take from 2 up to 40 hours, depending on the complexity of the position.
28943
28944
28945
28946See also:
28947
28948  *
28949
28950
28951
28952== Test program ==
28953
28954
28955
28956The following level 1, mode A test program will put the MK1 into a checkmate position in just a few moves:
28957
28958
28959
28960  - Enter E2E4
28961
28962  - MK1 replies with E7E5
28963
28964  - Enter F1C4
28965
28966  - MK1 replies with G8F6
28967
28968  - Enter B1A3
28969
28970  - MK1 replies with F6E4 (knight takes pawn)
28971
28972  - Enter D1H5
28973
28974  - MK1 replies with F8A3 (bishop takes knight)
28975
28976  - Enter H5F7 (checkmate)
28977
28978  - MK1 replies with LOSE
28979
28980
28981
28982
28983
28984===== Known Issues =====
28985
28986
28987
28988  * Changing the L-S switch does not cause the CPU to reset.
28989
28990
28991
28992
28993
28994===== History and Trivia =====
28995
28996
28997
28998Early Chess Computer. First of a series of single chip Chess Computer programmed by David Levy and produced by Novag Industries Ltd.
28999
29000
29001
29002It was sold from several firms in Germany as MKI.
29003
29004
29005
29006For a list of Chess Computers produced by Novag Industries, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
29007
29008
29009
29010
29011
29012===== Links =====
29013
29014
29015
29016  * Boris is King's MK1 page -- http://www.boris-is-king.com/mk1english.htm
29017
29018  * MKI at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
29019
29020  * MKI at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_Chess_Champion_MK_I
29021
29022  * a short history of Novag Industries -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En
29023
29024
29025
29026
29027
29028$end
29029
29030
29031
29032#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29033
29034
29035$info=mk2
29036$bio
29037====== Novag Industries Chess Champion MKII / Super System II (1979) ======
29038
29039
29040
29041
29042
29043===== Features =====
29044
29045
29046
29047  * 4 7segment led digit
29048
29049  * Integrated speaker
29050
29051  * Plug for external power supply
29052
29053
29054
29055
29056
29057===== Usage =====
29058
29059
29060
29061For the computer to start as white:
29062
29063  - switch to black (h enter)
29064
29065  - swap players (g enter)
29066
29067
29068
29069Pinout and instructions for reading ROMs are in messroms.txt
29070
29071
29072
29073
29074
29075===== Known Issues =====
29076
29077
29078
29079  * Random number generation is not accurate (rriot6530 emulation)
29080
29081
29082
29083  * Led emulation not accurate (noticeable while computer is thinking)
29084
29085
29086
29087
29088
29089===== History and Trivia =====
29090
29091
29092
29093Early Chess Computer programmed by David Levy (or Peter Jennings?) and produced by Novag Industries Ltd.
29094
29095
29096
29097It was sold from several firms in Germany as MK2. 2 designs are known, but they seems to be functional the same.
29098
29099
29100
29101For a list of Chess Computers produced by Novag Industries, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
29102
29103
29104
29105
29106
29107===== Links =====
29108
29109
29110
29111  * MKII at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
29112
29113  * MKII at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_Chess_Champion_MK_II
29114
29115  * a short history of Novag Industries -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En
29116
29117
29118
29119
29120
29121$end
29122
29123
29124
29125#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29126
29127
29128$info=mm4
29129$bio
29130====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto - Modul MM IV (1987) ======
29131
29132
29133
29134===== Features =====
29135
29136
29137
29138  * CPU: 65C02 4,9152 MHz
29139
29140  * ROM: 32 KB
29141
29142  * RAM: 8 KB
29143
29144
29145
29146
29147
29148===== Usage =====
29149
29150
29151
29152== BIOS options ==
29153
29154
29155
29156MESS supports both the standard MM IV and the MM IV with additional opening library HG440. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
29157
29158 
29159
29160  "-bios 0" or "-bios none" = No Opening Library
29161
29162 
29163
29164  "-bios 1" or "-bios hg440" = HG440 Opening Library
29165
29166
29167
29168
29169
29170===== History and Trivia =====
29171
29172
29173
29174Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers.
29175
29176
29177
29178They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules.
29179
29180
29181
29182The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz).
29183
29184
29185
29186MM IV was introduced in 1987. It was programmed by Ed Schröder and featured an additional opening library (HG440, available separately).
29187
29188
29189
29190For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
29191
29192
29193
29194
29195
29196===== Links =====
29197
29198
29199
29200  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
29201
29202  * MM IV at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephis2.htm
29203
29204  * MM IV at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_MM_IV
29205
29206  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
29207
29208
29209
29210
29211
29212$end
29213
29214
29215
29216#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29217
29218
29219$info=mm5
29220$bio
29221====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto - Modul MM V (1990) ======
29222
29223
29224
29225===== Features =====
29226
29227
29228
29229  * CPU: 65C02 4,9152 MHz
29230
29231  * ROM: 32 KB
29232
29233  * RAM: 8 KB
29234
29235
29236
29237
29238
29239===== Usage =====
29240
29241
29242
29243Currently, MESS supports both the version of the MMV
29244
29245
29246
29247  * mm5 [Mephisto 5.1 Schach Computer]
29248
29249  * mm50 [Mephisto 5.0 Schach Computer]
29250
29251
29252
29253== BIOS options ==
29254
29255
29256
29257For both drivers, MESS supports both the standard MM V and the MM V with additional opening library HG550. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
29258
29259 
29260
29261  "-bios 0" or "-bios none" = No Opening Library
29262
29263 
29264
29265  "-bios 1" or "-bios hg550" = HG550 Opening Library
29266
29267
29268
29269
29270
29271===== History and Trivia =====
29272
29273
29274
29275Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers.
29276
29277
29278
29279They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules.
29280
29281
29282
29283The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
29284
29285
29286
29287MM V was introduced in 1990. It was programmed by Ed Schröder and featured an additional opening library (HG550, available separately). An upgraded version was also released, the MM V5.1.
29288
29289
29290
29291For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
29292
29293
29294
29295
29296
29297===== Links =====
29298
29299
29300
29301  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
29302
29303  * MM V at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephis2.htm
29304
29305  * MM V at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_MM_V
29306
29307  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
29308
29309
29310
29311
29312
29313$end
29314
29315
29316
29317#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29318
29319
29320$info=mo5
29321$bio
29322====== Thomson MO5 (Jun 1984) ======
29323
29324
29325
29326
29327
29328===== Features =====
29329
29330
29331
29332  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
29333
29334  * RAM: 32 KB base
29335
29336  * ROM: 16 KB including BIOS and BASIC
29337
29338  * Video: 320x200, 16 fixed colors (with proximity constraints)
29339
29340  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
29341
29342  * Keyboard: AZERTY 58-keys French keyboard, with accents
29343
29344  * Game-pad: two 8-way 1-button paddles
29345
29346  * Lightpen: pixel horizontal and vertical resolution
29347
29348  * Cartridge: optional, 4 KB to 64 KB
29349
29350  * Cassette: 1200 bauds, TO7 incompatible
29351
29352  * Floppies: up to 4 external drives, 3 different controllers for 2"8 (50 KB), 3"1/2 (320 KB), and 5"1/4 (80 KB or 160 KB) floppies, fully TO7 compatible
29353
29354  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
29355
29356
29357
29358
29359
29360===== Usage =====
29361
29362
29363
29364MESS currently supports emulation of mo5 with
29365
29366
29367
29368  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav, .k5 and .k7 format
29369
29370  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m5 and .rom files
29371
29372  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
29373
29374
29375
29376Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
29377
29378
29379
29380See below for specific usage notes about each device.
29381
29382
29383
29384== Cartridge ==
29385
29386
29387
29388An optional .m5 or .rom cartridge can be used (-cart option).
29389
29390
29391
29392Note that, unlike the TO7 and TO7/70, the MO5 is usable without a cartridge as the BASIC 1.0 is already included in ROM.
29393
29394
29395
29396Due to major system incompatibilities, TO7 and TO7/70 cartridges cannot be run on a MO5.
29397
29398
29399
29400== Cassettes ==
29401
29402
29403
29404Most games were distributed on cassettes. They are used in the same way as for the TO7. You must insert them at command line, using
29405
29406
29407
29408  mess mo5 -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.k7"
29409
29410
29411
29412option, and then either type
29413
29414
29415
29416  RUN"" (for BASIC programs or loaders)
29417
29418
29419
29420or
29421
29422
29423
29424  LOADM"",,R (for binary code programs)
29425
29426
29427
29428at the BASIC prompt. Using the wrong option will get you an error, so you should try both.
29429
29430
29431
29432Cassette images can be raw sound files (.wav) or demodulates byte streams (.k5 or .k7).
29433
29434
29435
29436Cassettes are slow, be patient (or put off throttling). See the to7 driver for more informations.
29437
29438
29439
29440__IMPORTANT NOTES:__
29441
29442 
29443
29444  * Cassette encoding is different and incompatible with that of the TO7, TO7/70. You cannot read TO7 .wav or .k7 files on a MO5.
29445
29446  * For the MO5 format, the .wav format is more robust than .k5 and .k7 and will work better.
29447
29448  * Cassettes are always saved in .wav format.
29449
29450
29451
29452== Floppy Disks ==
29453
29454
29455
29456Floppies are used in the same way as for the TO7. Here is a quick checklist (see the to7 driver for more informations).
29457
29458
29459
29460  - make sure the relevant floppy controller is emulated (see MESS's in-game configuration menu, reset if required),
29461
29462  - insert the MO5 BASIC DOS boot disk (not the TO7 one) in drive -flop0 before starting the emulator,
29463
29464  - alternatively, insert the disk after starting the emulator and type DOS at the BASIC prompt,
29465
29466  - use the LOAD, DIR, SAVE, DSKINI commands.
29467
29468
29469
29470MO5 floppy format and floppy images (.sap, .qd, .fd) are fully compatible with the TO7 ones. You can easily read TO7 floppies and load TO7 files on a MO5.
29471
29472
29473
29474However, due to major system incompatibilities, TO7 programs will not be runnable (except pure BASIC programs).
29475
29476
29477
29478== Keyboard ==
29479
29480
29481
29482This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
29483
29484
29485
29486In particular, MO5 keyboard layout is similar to the TO7/70 one.
29487
29488 
29489
29490  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0  -=  +;  ACC      UP  DOWN
29491
29492 
29493
29494  CTRL    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:        LEFT RIGHT
29495
29496 
29497
29498  RAZ       Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L    M   ENTER        TOP
29499
29500 
29501
29502  SHIFT       W   X   C   V   B   N   ,<  .>  @^     BASIC      INS DEL
29503
29504 
29505
29506                         SPACE
29507
29508
29509
29510As in the TO7/70, accented keys are typeset using the ACC key, and CAPS-LOCK is toggled with the SHIFT+SPACE combination.
29511
29512
29513
29514The only differences are:
29515
29516
29517
29518  * the right SHIFT key has been replaced with a BASIC key to typeset BASIC commands quickly,
29519
29520  * there is no keyboard LED to tell you whether the CAPS-LOCK is on.
29521
29522
29523
29524
29525
29526===== Known Issues =====
29527
29528
29529
29530  * many .k5 and .k7 files use emulator-specific hacks and will not work in MESS, prefer .wav files (yes, I know, the opposite was true for the TO7!)
29531
29532
29533
29534  * Features not implemented: RS232 and network.
29535
29536
29537
29538
29539
29540===== History and Trivia =====
29541
29542
29543
29544The MO5 is Thomson's attempt to provide a low-cost version of the TO7/70.
29545
29546
29547
29548It is based on the same gate-array technology, but has less memory and is less expandable.
29549
29550
29551
29552Please note that it is software incompatible with the TO7 and TO7/70.
29553
29554
29555
29556The MO5 is the first Thomson computer with an integrated BASIC. Unlike the TO7 and TO7/70, it does not require an external BASIC cartridge to operate.
29557
29558
29559
29560Also, the MO5 (and its MO5E variant) is the only Thomson computer without a startup menu: it starts directly at the BASIC prompt (or whatever cartridge was plugged-in).
29561
29562
29563
29564This is also the first Thomson computer of the so-called MO family (that also spawned the MO6 and MO5NR computers) which is incompatible with the TO family (TO7, TO7/70, and later TO8, TO9, TO9+) despite being based on similar hardware.
29565
29566
29567
29568Causes of incompatibility are numerous:
29569
29570  * The address map is different.
29571
29572  * The calling conventions to BIOS functions are different.
29573
29574  * The Motorola 6846 programmable timer is missing (replaced with a fixed clock).
29575
29576  * The encoding of colors is incompatible (albeit more reasonable than the TO7/70 one that strives for TO7 compatibility).
29577
29578  * The cassette encoding is completely different (albeit more effective, robust, and simpler to implement).
29579
29580
29581
29582The reason for all this is not very clear (maybe necessary design choices to make the computer cheaper, or an attempt to break with former design choices, or a marketing issue).
29583
29584
29585
29586As a consequence, you cannot run TO7/70 programs on a MO5 (except pure BASIC programs, supposing that you do not load them from a cassette but, e.g., from a floppy).
29587
29588
29589
29590Interestingly enough the floppy controller is the same as the TO7 one (its ROM has been designed to work for both families).
29591
29592
29593
29594It was a main component of the government plan "Informatique pour tous" (i.e., "Computer Science for Everyone"). Many MO5 (and a few TO7/70) were bought by the government and put in schools to teach computer science to children.
29595
29596
29597
29598Such computers were connected into networks (unfortunately, network is currently not emulated in MESS, but I hope to get it working at some point).
29599
29600
29601
29602Thus, it featured a lot of educational software.
29603
29604
29605
29606It was also a great game computer until the TO8 was built.
29607
29608
29609
29610Unlike the TO7 cassette format, the MO5 cassette format is a quite simple MFM encoding (Modified Frequency Modulation) and is decoded
29611
29612fully in software. This gave rise to variants: many games were encoded specially and used a special loader in order to prevent people from disassembling the raw files. Some emulators use a byte-based format that cannot represent these protections, and so, rely on emulator-specific hooks. These hooks are not emulated in MESS.
29613
29614
29615
29616Thus, you should prefer raw .wav files that faithfully emulate protection schemes in MESS.
29617
29618
29619
29620Note that byte-based images often use the suffix .k5 to differentiate them from TO7 files, but many also have a .k7 suffix which is confusing because they cannot be run on a TO7.
29621
29622
29623
29624
29625
29626===== Links =====
29627
29628
29629
29630  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
29631
29632
29633
29634See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
29635
29636
29637
29638
29639
29640===== Other Emulators =====
29641
29642
29643
29644  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
29645
29646  * Emul5: is a MO5-only emulator -- http://emul5.thomsonistes.org
29647
29648
29649
29650
29651
29652$end
29653
29654
29655
29656#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29657
29658
29659$info=mo5e
29660$bio
29661====== Thomson MO5E (1984?) ======
29662
29663
29664
29665
29666
29667===== Usage =====
29668
29669
29670
29671MESS currently supports emulation of mo5e with
29672
29673
29674
29675  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav, .k5 and .k7 format
29676
29677  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m5 and .rom files
29678
29679  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
29680
29681
29682
29683Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
29684
29685
29686
29687Please see the mo5 -- http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:mo5 entry for for specific usage notes about each device.
29688
29689
29690
29691== Keyboard ==
29692
29693
29694
29695This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
29696
29697
29698
29699MESS emulates the QWERTY version of the MO5E.
29700
29701
29702
29703  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0£ -=  +;  ACC      UP  DOWN
29704
29705 
29706
29707  CTRL    Q   W   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:        LEFT RIGHT
29708
29709 
29710
29711  RAZ       A   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L  @^   ENTER         TOP
29712
29713 
29714
29715  SHIFT       Z   X   C   V   B   N   M   ,<  .>    BASIC      INS DEL
29716
29717 
29718
29719                         SPACE
29720
29721
29722
29723The ACC combinations to get accented letters are a bit different.
29724
29725
29726
29727
29728
29729===== History and Trivia =====
29730
29731
29732
29733Export version of the Thomson MO5 computer.
29734
29735
29736
29737The MO5E features a much nicer case and keyboard than the original one for the French market.
29738
29739
29740
29741Also, two game ports and 6-bit sound are included (they are optional extensions on the MO5, TO7, and TO7/70).
29742
29743
29744
29745It exists in both AZERTY and QWERTY versions.
29746
29747
29748
29749Apart form the slightly different BIOS and BASIC ROM, it is internally identical to the MO5, and fully compatible.
29750
29751
29752
29753It seems that the MO5E was mainly exported to Germany.
29754
29755
29756
29757
29758
29759===== Links =====
29760
29761
29762
29763  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
29764
29765
29766
29767
29768
29769===== Other Emulators =====
29770
29771
29772
29773  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
29774
29775  * Emul5: is a MO5-only emulator -- http://emul5.thomsonistes.org
29776
29777
29778
29779
29780
29781$end
29782
29783
29784
29785#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29786
29787
29788$info=mo5nr
29789$bio
29790====== Thomson MO5 NR (1986?) ======
29791
29792
29793
29794
29795
29796===== Features =====
29797
29798
29799
29800We only show the difference with the MO6.
29801
29802
29803
29804  * Keyboard: 58-keys, AZERTY, no CAPS-LOCK, no LED
29805
29806  * Integrated network controller (not emulated)
29807
29808
29809
29810
29811
29812===== Usage =====
29813
29814
29815
29816MESS currently supports emulation of mo5nr with
29817
29818
29819
29820  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav, .k5 and .k7 format
29821
29822  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m5 and .rom files
29823
29824  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
29825
29826
29827
29828Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
29829
29830
29831
29832Please read the mo6 -- http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:mo6 entry for specific usage notes about each device.
29833
29834
29835
29836== Keyboard ==
29837
29838
29839
29840This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
29841
29842
29843
29844MO5 NR keyboard actually has a MO5 layout (without CAPS-LOCK, LED, or function keys), not a MO6 one.
29845
29846
29847
29848  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0  -=  +;  ACC      INS
29849
29850 
29851
29852  CTRL    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:         DEL
29853
29854 
29855
29856  RAZ       Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L    M   ENTER      UP
29857
29858 
29859
29860  SHIFT       W   X   C   V   B   N   ,<  .>  @^     BASIC   LEFT RIGHT 
29861
29862 
29863
29864                   SPACE                                        DOWN
29865
29866
29867
29868
29869
29870===== History and Trivia =====
29871
29872
29873
29874Network-enhanced MO6.
29875
29876
29877
29878Although the MO5NR is MO5-compatible, it is heavily based on MO6 design. It uses the same gate-array from the TO8, features the same video capabilities and memory.
29879
29880
29881
29882Also, it incorporates the network extension (alas not emulated) that can be disabled, or masked by an external floppy controller.
29883
29884
29885
29886
29887
29888===== Links =====
29889
29890
29891
29892  * Main page for all Thomson drivers -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
29893
29894
29895
29896
29897
29898===== Other Emulators =====
29899
29900
29901
29902  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
29903
29904
29905
29906
29907
29908$end
29909
29910
29911
29912#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
29913
29914
29915$info=mo6
29916$bio
29917====== Thomson MO6 (Sep 1986?) ======
29918
29919
29920
29921
29922
29923===== Features =====
29924
29925
29926
29927  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
29928
29929  * RAM: 128 KB
29930
29931  * ROM: 64 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 128
29932
29933  * Video: 8 video modes (similar to TO8):
29934
29935    * legacy 320x200, 16 colors with proximity constraints
29936
29937    * 320x200, 4 colors, unconstrained
29938
29939    * 160x200, 16 colors
29940
29941    * 640x200, 2 colors
29942
29943    * 320x200, two 2-color pages
29944
29945    * 320x200, two overlaid pages, 3 colors
29946
29947    * 160x200, four 2-color pages
29948
29949    * 160x200, four overlaid pages, 5 colors
29950
29951  * Palette: 16 colors to be chosen among 4096.
29952
29953  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
29954
29955  * Keyboard: AZERTY 69-keys, French with accents
29956
29957  * Game-pad: two 8-way 2-button paddles
29958
29959  * Mouse (exclusive with game-pad)
29960
29961  * Lightpen
29962
29963  * Cartridge: optional, MO5 compatible
29964
29965  * Cassette: 1200 bauds (MO5 compatible) and 2400 bauds
29966
29967  * Floppy: requires an external controller (TO7, TO7/70 and MO5 compatible), up to four external 2"8, 3"1/2 or 5"1/4 drives, TO7-compatible floppies
29968
29969  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
29970
29971
29972
29973
29974
29975===== Usage =====
29976
29977
29978
29979MESS currently supports emulation of mo6 with
29980
29981
29982
29983  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav, .k5 and .k7 format
29984
29985  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m5 and .rom files
29986
29987  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
29988
29989
29990
29991Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
29992
29993
29994
29995See below for specific usage notes about each device.
29996
29997
29998
29999== Menu ==
30000
30001
30002
30003From the startup menu, press 1 for the BASIC 128, 2 for the legacy BASIC 1.0, and 3 to set preferences (color palette, switch between lightpen and mouse, and change cassette speed).
30004
30005
30006
30007== Cartridges ==
30008
30009
30010
30011An optional cartridge can be inserted with the
30012
30013 
30014
30015  -cart
30016
30017option. It can be started from the startup menu by pressing 0.
30018
30019
30020
30021The MO6 can run MO5 cartridges, not TO7, TO7/70 ones.
30022
30023
30024
30025== Cassettes ==
30026
30027
30028
30029Most MO6 software are provided on cassettes.
30030
30031
30032
30033Two cassette formats are available: 1200 bauds and 2400 bauds (double-speed). 1200 bauds cassettes are compatible with the MO5.
30034
30035
30036
30037MESS recognizes two kinds of cassette images: raw sound (.wav) and preprocessed byte-level cassettes (.k5,.k7).
30038
30039
30040
30041We recall that cassettes are loaded with one of the two following commands:
30042
30043  RUN"" (for BASIC files)
30044
30045or
30046
30047  LOADM"",,R (for binary files)
30048
30049when using the legacy BASIC 1.0.
30050
30051
30052
30053If you use the newer BASIC 128, you must type
30054
30055  RUN"CASS:"
30056
30057and
30058
30059  LOADM"CASS:",,R
30060
30061instead.
30062
30063
30064
30065The MO6 should load and run most MO5 software, provided you use the legacy BASIC 1.0. New, MO6 software generally also work with the BASIC 1.0. To improve the compatibility, use preferably .wav image formats and disable the external floppy controller in MESS's in-game menu.
30066
30067
30068
30069The MO6 cannot load cassettes in the "TO" format (TO7, TO7/70, etc.).
30070
30071
30072
30073== Floppy Disks ==
30074
30075
30076
30077As the MO5, TO7, TO7/70, and unlike the TO8, TO9, the MO6 does not have an internal floppy controller. You must first ensure that the relevant external floppy controller is activated in MESS's in-game configuration menu. Prefer the CD 90-351 controller which is the most versatile: it accepts 5"1/4, 3"1/2 floppies (.sap or .fd suffix, 80 KB to 320 KB), as well as 2"8 floppies (.qd suffix, 50 KB).
30078
30079
30080
30081Four drives are emulated: -flop0 to -flop3. They are available directly from the BASIC 128 using the commands DIR, LOAD, RUN, SAVE, DSKINI0 (or DIR"1:" ... DSKINI1 for drive number 1, and so on).
30082
30083
30084
30085The floppy format and floppy images are fully compatible with all other Thomson computers (TO and MO families). However, only MO5, MO6 and pure BASIC software will run correctly.
30086
30087
30088
30089== Keyboard ==
30090
30091
30092
30093This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
30094
30095
30096
30097MO6 keyboard is a mix between the MO5 and TO9 ones. There are function keys, a CAPS-LOCK (with LED) and modern AZERTY-like layout,
30098
30099but also a BASIC key and no keypad.
30100
30101
30102
30103        F1/F6     F2/F7     F3/F8     F4/F9     F5/F10
30104
30105 
30106
30107   #@   1*  2e  3"  4'  5(  6_  7e  8!  9c  0a  )�  -\  =+  ACC       UP
30108
30109 
30110
30111  STOP    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ^"  $&     ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT
30112
30113 
30114
30115  CTRL  [{ Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   u%  ]}            DOWN
30116
30117 
30118
30119  CAPS SHIFT W   X   C   V   B   N   ,?  ;.  :/  ><  BASIC   HOME   INS  DEL
30120
30121 
30122
30123                           SPACE
30124
30125
30126
30127Also, as in the MO5 but unlike the TO9, digits are obtained with the SHIFT key is unpressed.
30128
30129
30130
30131== Mouse ==
30132
30133
30134
30135The mouse behaves as the TO8 one, i.e., you must choose whether a mouse or a game-pad is connected to the port using MESS's in-game menu (both cannot exist at the same time, but you can switch between them dynamically, without a reset).
30136
30137
30138
30139The startup menu will then automatically detect the presence of the mouse and disable the lightpen. Use the startup preference menu (2) to revert back to the lightpen.
30140
30141
30142
30143== Video ==
30144
30145
30146
30147As for the TO9, you should switch to high-resolution video emulation in MESS's in-game menu if you intend to use software in 640x200 resolution. Otherwise, the low-resolution video emulation is sufficient and faster.
30148
30149
30150
30151== Fun ==
30152
30153
30154
30155In the startup menu, try holding M, O and 6 at the same time.
30156
30157
30158
30159
30160
30161===== Known Issues =====
30162
30163
30164
30165  * Mouse, video, sound: see the to8 driver
30166
30167
30168
30169  * Cassette: .k5,.k7 compatibility issues, prefer .wav files
30170
30171
30172
30173
30174
30175===== History and Trivia =====
30176
30177
30178
30179The MO6 is the long-awaited successor of the MO5.
30180
30181
30182
30183That is, a MO5-compatible computer and a cheap alternative to the TO8/TO9. It uses the same technology as the TO8.
30184
30185
30186
30187In particular, the very same gate-array is used for the video and memory management. It is versatile enough to adapt to a MO5-like address map and emulate the legacy 320x200 MO5 video mode instead of the legacy TO7/70 one.
30188
30189
30190
30191It also provides many enhancements from the TO8 (4096 color palette, various video modes, hardware video page flip, flexible memory management, etc.).
30192
30193
30194
30195
30196
30197The MO6 was made cheaper than the TO8 by limiting its memory to 128 KB (not expandable, in theory) and making it cassette-based (there is no floppy drive, an not even an internal floppy controller: it must be added as in the TO7 and MO5). Even the keyboard shrank and reverted to an archaic management based on CPU pooling (no dedicated keyboard CPU anymore).
30198
30199
30200
30201
30202
30203===== Links =====
30204
30205
30206
30207  * Main page for all Thomson drivers -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
30208
30209
30210
30211See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
30212
30213
30214
30215
30216
30217===== Other Emulators =====
30218
30219
30220
30221  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
30222
30223
30224
30225
30226
30227$end
30228
30229
30230
30231#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
30232
30233
30234$info=mpf1
30235$bio
30236====== Multitech Micro Professor 1 / 1B (1979) ======
30237
30238
30239
30240
30241
30242===== Features =====
30243
30244
30245
30246  * CPU: Zilog Z80 1,79 MHz
30247
30248  * Co-Processor: 8255 Programmable Peripheral Interface (used for keyboard scanning and control of seven-segment LED display)
30249
30250  * RAM: 2 KB (up to 4 KB)
30251
30252  * ROM: 2 KB (up to 8 KB)
30253
30254  * Text Modes: 6 digits (Six digit half-inch seven-segment red LED display)
30255
30256  * Graphic Modes: None
30257
30258  * Colors: No (red ;-) )
30259
30260  * Sound: Beeper
30261
30262  * I/O Ports: Z80 bus, PIO CPC I/O bus, cassette interface, EPROM slot
30263
30264  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal calculator-type keyboard, 36 keys including, 16 hexadecimal keys, 19 function keys, and one user-definable key
30265
30266  * Built In Language: Machine code
30267
30268
30269
30270
30271
30272===== Usage =====
30273
30274
30275
30276MESS supports both versions of the Micro Professor
30277
30278
30279
30280  * mpf1 [Multitech Micro Professor 1]
30281
30282  * mpf1b [Multitech Micro Professor 1B]
30283
30284
30285
30286== Keyboard ==
30287
30288
30289
30290These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
30291
30292
30293
30294
30295
30296===== History and Trivia =====
30297
30298
30299
30300The MPF-1 (MicroProFessor 1) was a computer system specifically designed by Multitech (now known as Acer!) as a learning tool for use in the teaching of microprocessor, microelectronics, and control technology. In the 80's it was sold as an Z80 CPU learning and initiation system.
30301
30302
30303
30304The capacities of the system were quite poor. The standard model could be programmed only in machine code through the small hexadecimal keyboard. When sold in its original package it had the particularity to look like a book when closed.
30305
30306
30307
30308There was an EPROM socket which can be compared to a cartridge slot. A mini-Basic EPROM and some other utilities and languages were available as options.
30309
30310
30311
30312There are in fact two models : MPF-1 (later called MPF-1A) and MPF-1B. The MPF-1(A) is machine code programmed only whereas the MPF-1B offers a really crude version of BASIC (one button = 1 command, as per the early TRS-80) in addition to the machine code capabilities.
30313
30314
30315
30316//(info from old-computers.com)//
30317
30318
30319
30320
30321
30322===== Links =====
30323
30324
30325
30326  * Lee Davidson's Page -- http://members.lycos.co.uk/leeedavison/z80/index.html
30327
30328  * MPF-1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=479
30329
30330
30331
30332
30333
30334$end
30335
30336
30337
30338#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
30339
30340
30341$info=msx
30342$bio
30343====== MSX 1 (1983) ======
30344
30345
30346
30347
30348
30349===== Features =====
30350
30351
30352
30353  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
30354
30355  * Co-Processor: Video chip must be compatible with the Texas Instruments TMS 9918/A or TMS 9928/A (Japan : 60 Hz) or TMS 9929/A (Europe : 50 Hz)
30356
30357  * RAM: At least 8 KB (most machines had 64kB built in)
30358
30359  * VRAM: 16 KB
30360
30361  * ROM: 32 KB BASIC/BIOS ( MSX BASIC V1.0)
30362
30363  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (Mode 0); 32 x 24 (Mode 1)
30364
30365  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 with 16 colors (Mode 2 - Hires mode); 64 x 48 with 16 colors (Mode 3 - Multi colour mode); 32 sprites
30366
30367  * Colors: 16
30368
30369  * Sound: General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator, 3 channels, 8 octaves
30370
30371  * I/O Ports: Joystick socket (1 or 2), Cartridge slot (1 or 2), Tape-recorder plug (1200/2400 bauds), RGB video output, Centronics interface
30372
30373  * Keyboard: At least 70 keys (including 5 F-keys with 10 functions and 4 arrow keys)
30374
30375  * OS: MSX DOS
30376
30377  * Built In Language: Microsoft Extended Basic (MSX Basic V1.0)
30378
30379
30380
30381
30382
30383===== Usage =====
30384
30385
30386
30387MESS emulates several MSX1 systems. For each of these MESS supports emulation of the following devices
30388
30389
30390
30391  * two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
30392
30393  * two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for carts in .mx1 and .rom format
30394
30395  * a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav and .tap format
30396
30397
30398
30399Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
30400
30401
30402
30403== Cartridges ==
30404
30405
30406
30407The ROM mapper (which is specified with -rom x in fMSX) is autodetected but isn't perfect. With the hsi files in the hash directory, cartridges with SRAM or a DAC (like Synthesizer or Majutsushi from Konami) are detected properly.
30408
30409
30410
30411== Cassettes ==
30412
30413
30414
30415Tape emulation is done via .wav files; the actual sound the MSX produces is recorded / played back, making tape emulation more authentic. Because of this, you can record your existing tapes to .wav and play them in MESS. Make sure your record them at high quality (44100Hz, 16 bit and mono).
30416
30417
30418
30419.cas files are also supported but they're converted to sound by the driver on startup. There is no support for writing .cas files.
30420
30421
30422
30423While recording or playback you can hear the sound through the sound card of your computer. You can control the volume by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" and "~".
30424
30425
30426
30427.tap files from Virtual MSX can be converted to .cas using imgtool (see imgtool.txt for more information).
30428
30429
30430
30431== Memory emulation ==
30432
30433
30434
30435The memory map is from a standard MSX1; there are no subslots, nor MSX2 memory mappers for RAM. RAM is 64Kb in slot 3, and slot 1 and 2 are where the cartridges end up.
30436
30437
30438
30439== Sound emulation ==
30440
30441
30442
30443The PSG, PPI (key click), SCC are emulated. The SCC isn't perfect yet, you can hear slight imperfections in King's Valley 2 (when you through the knife), F1 Spirit (when you start a race), Solid Snake (when you get to building 3). The SCC is called 'k051649' in the volume menu.
30444
30445
30446
30447The FM-PAC is also emulated for which you need the ROM dump of an original Panasonic FM-PAC. However the sound emulation isn't very good at all. :/
30448
30449
30450
30451The following DACs are emulated: SIMPL, Konami's Synthesizer, Konami's Majutsushi. The keyclick is also done through the DAC. To enable SIMPL (which disables the printer port), press "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and go to Dip Switches. Here set SIMPL to "On".
30452
30453
30454
30455You can control the volumes by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" (so you go to UI mode) and then "~". Press "UP" and "DOWN" to see different sound chips, and "LEFT" and "RIGHT" to change the volume.
30456
30457
30458
30459== Video emulation ==
30460
30461
30462
30463The tms9928a (MSX1) emulation is very good, but doesn't emulate changes while the screen is being drawn to the screen.
30464
30465
30466
30467The v9938 emulation is preliminary and has problems with sprite mode 2 (MSX2 games), interlaced mode, graphic engine emulation, timing (Zanac Ex doesn't run correctly and Aleste only runs in the Japanese version of the driver).
30468
30469
30470
30471Also the PAL/NTSC (50/60Hz) switch is an evil hack, the actual refresh rate of the screen isn't changed.
30472
30473
30474
30475Also it's not very well optimized, I'll start optimizing as soon as it works alright.
30476
30477
30478
30479The v9958 isn't emulated at all.
30480
30481
30482
30483The MSX1 and MSX2 video chips only only display a limited number of sprites on one line; this causes sprite flickering, you can turn this off (which isn't like a real MSX of course) by pressing: "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and going to the Dip Switches menu. Set "Enforce 4/8 sprites/line" to "Off". Note that sometimes this feature is used for other purposes, like making sure a sprite is only partly displayed (when you enter a world in The Maze of Galious for example).
30484
30485
30486
30487== Printer port ==
30488
30489
30490
30491The printer port is emulated; output to the port is saved to disk. However no emulation/translation is done, so the data is raw.
30492
30493
30494
30495== Keyboard/joystick/mouse ==
30496
30497
30498
30499These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
30500
30501
30502
30503The keyboard layout should be properly emulated. Joysticks seem to default to having key-bindings as well, so pressing "CTRL" or "ALT" will also work for the joysticks, but might give some unexpected results.
30504
30505
30506
30507The mouse emulation doesn't work properly yet. :(
30508
30509
30510
30511== Floppy Disks ==
30512
30513
30514
30515Disks are emulated through proper wd2793 emulation. Currently only the Philips and Sony diskroms are supported; the Panasonic machines use the tc8566af diskcontroller (unemulated) and the Brazillian machines are port-based (not memory-mapped).
30516
30517
30518
30519You need a proper diskrom dump, and the msx.hsi file in place. The diskrom should be recognized as type 15 otherwise the driver doesn't know it's a diskrom.
30520
30521
30522
30523Next specify the diskrom as one of the cartridges. That should do the trick. :) Note that only .dsk files are supported; other formats can be converted to .dsk using imgtool (it can convert .msx, .img, .ddi, .xsa, multidisks -- see imgtool.txt for more information).
30524
30525
30526
30527Errors aren't properly handled yet. "not ready" is reported as "record not found", which results in "Disk I/O error" in MSX-BASIC.
30528
30529
30530
30531Also not that memory emulation isn't complete so MSX2 memory mappers don't work yet.
30532
30533
30534
30535
30536
30537===== Known Issues =====
30538
30539
30540
30541The MSX driver currently emulates the MSX1, international, UK, korean and Japanese models.
30542
30543
30544
30545  * Not emulated: Printer port, diskdrives, megaRAM, Sound Cartridge (SCC+), MSX2, etc..
30546
30547
30548
30549  * Cartridge emulation: The MSX has 64kB RAM, like most (by far) MSX1 computers. It is located in slot 3. Two cartridges are allowed: the first in slot 1 and the second in slot 2. So subslots aren't emulated (yet). The msx.hsi file is important. The <extrainfo> tag specifies the type of ROM mapper. See msx.hsi for more information.
30550
30551
30552
30553  * Sound emulation: The standard sound chip, the PSG (AY8910) is emulated, so is the extension that was included in some Konami cartridges: the SCC. The keyclick (PPI) is also emulated, as is the FM-PAC (you'll need the fmpac.rom of the original Panasonic FM-PAC for this). Unfortunately the YM2413 emulation in MAME does not emulate the volumes correctly. Last but not least, the DAC in Konami's Synthesizer is emulated, and the SIMPL (DAC on the printer port). The DAC in Konami's Matjusushi is also emulated, but the driver lacks MSX2 support. 
30554
30555
30556
30557  * SRAM in cartridges: A number of cartridges (Hydlide 2, Xanadu, The Game Master 2 and more) had on-board sram. This sram is automagically saved as a MEMCARD. 
30558
30559
30560
30561  * Tape emulation: Unlike other MSX emulators, the tape emulation is not done by trapping BIOS calls. In our opinion this is an evil kludge; apart from that, our setup does have an advantage. Tapes with a custom loader (using direct access to the hardware) will work fine. It is done by saving the tape as a .wav file. In principle, you could record a tape to .wav, and load them into MESS.
30562
30563
30564
30565
30566
30567===== History and Trivia =====
30568
30569
30570
30571In the early 80's, there were a lot of home computers, Microsoft and a Japanese company called ASCII corporation (directed by Kay Nishi) decided then to create an industry standard for the home computers: MSX (for MicroSoft eXtended). The new standard was based on an existing computer: The Spectravideo SV 318. Microsoft designed the MSX 1 computers and the first version of the OS: MSX DOS 1 (which looks like earlier versions of MS DOS).
30572
30573
30574
30575Almost all Japanese and Korean computer companies made their own MSX computers (except perhaps NEC). Bill Gates was then very confident about the future of the MSX standard. Spectravideo (one of the MSX companies) made a 80 columns card and adapted CP/M on the MSX. A lot of software (especially a lot of games from Sega, Konami, Taito, Ascii,...) and hardware was developed for this standard. Despite all its qualities, the MSX family didn't have great success in USA, however was pretty known in Europe (Netherlands and France), in South America (Brazil) and USSR. This standard was replaced in 1985 by MSX 2.
30576
30577
30578
30579//(info from old-computers.com)//
30580
30581
30582
30583== MSX compliant machines ==
30584
30585
30586
30587  * Canon (Japan)
30588
30589    * V-8: 16kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM)
30590
30591    * V-10: 16kB RAM
30592
30593    * V-20: 64kB RAM
30594
30595
30596
30597  * Casio (Japan)
30598
30599    * MX-10: 16kB RAM (other source says 64k), docking station available
30600
30601    * MX-101: 16kB RAM (other source says 64k)
30602
30603    * PV-7: 32kB RAM
30604
30605    * PV-16: 16kB RAM
30606
30607
30608
30609  * Daewoo/Yeno (Korea)
30610
30611    * Ce-Tec MPC-80: 64kB RAM (other source says 32KB)
30612
30613    * DPC-100: 16kB RAM, built in loudspeaker, available in green, blue or silver
30614
30615    * DPC-200: 64kB RAM
30616
30617    * DPH-64: 64kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM)
30618
30619    * DPH-?: 64kB RAM, built in software, Arabic version
30620
30621    * IQ-1000: 32kB RAM, produced for Korea
30622
30623    * MX64: 64kB RAM
30624
30625
30626
30627  * Dragon (Spain)
30628
30629    * MSX-64: 64kB RAM
30630
30631
30632
30633  * Dynadata (MSX from Daewoo in Spain)
30634
30635    * DPC-200: 64kB RAM
30636
30637
30638
30639  * Fenner (Italy?)
30640
30641    * FPC-500: 64kB RAM
30642
30643
30644
30645  * Fujitsu (Japan)
30646
30647    * MB-H1: ??kB RAM
30648
30649    * FM-X: 16kB RAM
30650
30651
30652
30653  * General (Japan)
30654
30655    * PAXON-PC K50: ??kB RAM, separate keyboard, computer and monitor in one box
30656
30657    * PAXON-PC T50: 16kB RAM, RGB connector
30658
30659    * PAXON-PC T55: 32kB RAM, RGB connector
30660
30661
30662
30663  * Goldstar (Korea)
30664
30665    * FC-80: ??kB RAM
30666
30667    * FC-100: 16kB RAM
30668
30669    * FC-200: 64kB RAM (with hole for light-pen)
30670
30671
30672
30673  * Gradiente (Brazil)
30674
30675    * XP-800 Expert 1.0: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard
30676
30677    * XP-800 Expert 1.1: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard (with fixed ASCII tables, grey colour)
30678
30679    * Expert plus: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard (black colour)
30680
30681    * Expert DD plus: 64kB RAM, separate keyboard, 3,5" floppy disk drive (black colour)
30682
30683
30684
30685  * Hitachi (Japan)
30686
30687    * Hint: 16kB RAM
30688
30689    * MB-H1 (Humanicatio): 32kB RAM, built in software (Sketch and Music)
30690
30691    * MB-H1E: 16kB RAM
30692
30693    * MB-H2: 64kB RAM, built in tape recorder
30694
30695    * MB-H21: ??kB RAM
30696
30697    * MB-H25: ??kB RAM
30698
30699    * MB-H50: 64kB RAM
30700
30701    * MB-H80: 64kB RAM, also built in software (Sketch and Music)
30702
30703
30704
30705  * JVC/Victor (Japan)
30706
30707    * HC-5: 32kB RAM (other source says 16kB RAM)
30708
30709    * HC-6: 16kB RAM
30710
30711    * HC-6AV: 32kB RAM, RGB connector
30712
30713    * HC-7: 64kB RAM (Japanese version)
30714
30715    * HC-7E: 64kB RAM (English version, other source says 32KB RAM)
30716
30717    * HC-7GB: 64kB RAM
30718
30719    * HC-30: 32kB RAM
30720
30721    * HC-60: 32kB RAM
30722
30723
30724
30725  * Kyocera (Japan)
30726
30727    * YC-64: 64kB RAM
30728
30729
30730
30731  * Mitsubishi (Japan)
30732
30733    * Letus: 16kB RAM
30734
30735    * ML-8000: 32kB RAM
30736
30737    * ML-F48: 32kB RAM
30738
30739    * ML-F80: 64kB RAM
30740
30741    * ML-F110: 16kB RAM
30742
30743    * ML-F120(D): 32kB RAM
30744
30745    * ML-F8000: 32kB RAM
30746
30747    * ML-FX1: 64kB RAM
30748
30749    * ML-FX2: 64kB RAM, built in software
30750
30751
30752
30753  * National/Matsushita (Japan)
30754
30755    * CF-2000: 16kB RAM (MSX1)
30756
30757    * CF-1200: 16kB RAM (MSX1)
30758
30759    * CF-2700: 32kB RAM (MSX1)
30760
30761    * CF-3000: 64kB RAM (MSX1)
30762
30763    * CF-3300: 64kB RAM (MSX1 / 1 or 2 FDD)
30764
30765    * FS-4000: 64kB RAM (MSX1)
30766
30767    * FS-1300: 64kB RAM (MSX1)
30768
30769
30770
30771  * Olympia (France)
30772
30773    * PHC-2: ??kB RAM, same as some Sanyo?
30774
30775    * PHC-28: 32kB RAM, same as Sanyo's PHC-28S
30776
30777
30778
30779  * Panasonic (Europe)
30780
30781    * CF-2000: 16kB RAM
30782
30783    * CF-2700: 64kB RAM, same as Sanyo MPC-64
30784
30785    * CF-3000: 64kB RAM
30786
30787    * CF-3300: 64kB RAM
30788
30789
30790
30791  * Perfect (Daewoo in Kuwait)
30792
30793    * Perfect1: 64kb RAM, 1 slot, no reset, built in software
30794
30795
30796
30797  * Philips (The Netherlands)
30798
30799    * VG-8000: 16kB RAM
30800
30801    * VG-8010: 32kB RAM
30802
30803    * VG-8020: 64kB RAM, (VG8020 comes in 2 different versions (/00 and /20), new versions use sub-slot for RAM)
30804
30805
30806
30807  * Pioneer (Japan)
30808
30809    * PX-7 PALCOM: 32kB RAM, built in laser disk interface, superimpose (image & sound (stereo)), separate keyboard (UK version in black, JP version in black/silver (lila/blue keys) colour)
30810
30811    * PX-V60: 64kB RAM
30812
30813
30814
30815  * Radofin (Hong-Kong)
30816
30817    * Triton: 64kB RAM
30818
30819
30820
30821  * Radiola (France)
30822
30823    * MX-180: 32kB RAM, Same as Philips VG-8010 with a different color case
30824
30825
30826
30827  * Sakhr/Universal/Al Alamiah (Kuwait/Yemen) These computers are Yamaha and Sanyo MSX modified for arabian countries.
30828
30829    * AX-100: 64kB RAM
30830
30831    * AX-150: 64kB RAM
30832
30833    * AX-170: 64kB RAM, built in special ROMs with Arabic characters set and software
30834
30835    * AX-230: 64kB RAM, same software as AX-170 + 1MB of other software
30836
30837    * AX-330: 64kB RAM, same as AX-230 but with built in SEGA-MEGADRIVE board
30838
30839    * AX-990: 64kB RAM, 50 programs built in, SEGA-MEGADRIVE board built in
30840
30841    * SX-100: 32kB RAM, 3 slots, RGB connector
30842
30843    * SX-101: ??kB RAM, 3 slots
30844
30845
30846
30847  * Samsung (Korea)
30848
30849    * SPC-800: 64kB RAM
30850
30851
30852
30853  * Sanyo (Japan)
30854
30855    * MPC-2: 16kB RAM
30856
30857    * MPC-3: 16kB RAM
30858
30859    * MPC-4: 16kB RAM
30860
30861    * MPC-5: 16kB RAM
30862
30863    * MPC-6: 64kB RAM
30864
30865    * MPC-10(mk2): 64kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM), lightpen-interface
30866
30867    * MPC-11: 64kB RAM (other source says 32kB RAM), lightpen-interface
30868
30869    * MPC-64: 64kB RAM
30870
30871    * MPC-100: 64kB RAM, hole for lightpen
30872
30873    * MPC-200: 64kB RAM
30874
30875    * MPC-X: 64kB RAM, built in lightpen, high-res adaptor and speech-synthesizer
30876
30877    * PHC-27: 64kB RAM
30878
30879    * PHC-28L: 64kB RAM, Same as PHC-28S but with 64kB RAM
30880
30881    * PHC-28S: 16KB (or 32KB) RAM
30882
30883    * PHC-30: 16kB RAM (other source says 32KB), built in tape recorder
30884
30885    * PHC-30N: 64kB RAM
30886
30887    * PHC-33: 32kB RAM
30888
30889    * WAVY-MPC-10: 32KB (other source says 16KB) RAM, built in light pen unit
30890
30891
30892
30893  * Schneider (Germany)
30894
30895    * MC-810: 32kB RAM, (Same as Philips VG-8010 with a different color case)
30896
30897
30898
30899  * Sharp/Epcom (Brazil)
30900
30901    * HB-8000 HotBit: 64kB RAM (white colour)
30902
30903    * HB-8000 HotBit 1.2: 64kB RAM (in black color)
30904
30905
30906
30907  * Sony (Japan) Note: Some of the Sony's computer names are followed by a letter like HB-101P, or HB-101F or HB-700D. The last letter is only depending of the keyboard layout of the country. D=German (QWERTZ) F=French (AZERTY) S=Spanish P=UK (QWERTY)
30908
30909    * HB-10: 64kB RAM
30910
30911    * HB-11: 64kB RAM
30912
30913    * HB-11U: ??kB RAM, built in dictionary Japanese-English
30914
30915    * HB-20: 32kB RAM
30916
30917    * HB-55: 16kB RAM
30918
30919    * HB-75: 64kB RAM, built in program: Personal Databank (schedule/memo/address)
30920
30921    * HB-101: 32kB RAM, (Same as HB-201 but with 32kB RAM, but other source says 16kB RAM)
30922
30923    * HB-201: 64kB RAM, built in joystick (Same as HB-501 but without tape recorder)
30924
30925    * HB-501: 64kB RAM, built in tape recorder ('BitCorder'), pause button, joystick
30926
30927    * HB-701, 64kB RAM
30928
30929    * HB-701FD: 64kB RAM, floppy disk drive
30930
30931
30932
30933  * Spectravideo (Hong-Kong/USA)
30934
30935    * SVI-728: 64kB RAM, numeric keypad
30936
30937    * SVI-738: 64kB RAM, built in 80 columns card (V9938), RS232C interface, 360KB 3,5" floppy disk drive. Also called X'PRESS and also SVI-318 and SVI-328 MSX compatible with an emulator
30938
30939
30940
30941  * Talent/Telematica (Argentina)
30942
30943    * DPC-200: 64kB RAM, Daewoo's MSX model sold under the Talent name
30944
30945
30946
30947  * Toshiba (Japan)
30948
30949    * HX-10: 64kB RAM
30950
30951    * HX-10D: 16kB RAM
30952
30953    * HX-10DP: 64kB RAM
30954
30955    * HX-10DPN: 64kB RAM, built in program (??)
30956
30957    * HX-10E: 64kB RAM
30958
30959    * HX-10S: 16kB RAM
30960
30961    * HX-20: 64kB RAM, built in word processor (in total 64kB ROM), RAMdisk feature (32kB of main RAM in page 0 and 1 are used, under BASIC), T6950 VDP (software compatible with 9929A which is normally used)
30962
30963    * HX-20e: 64kB RAM, built in word processor, RS232C interface
30964
30965    * HX-21: 64kB RAM, built in software
30966
30967    * HX-22: 64kB RAM, RS-232C interface, RGB connector (SCART 21), built in word processor (in total 64kB ROM)
30968
30969    * HX-30: ??kB RAM, built in software
30970
30971    * HX-31: ??kB RAM, built in software
30972
30973    * HX-32: ??kB RAM, built in software
30974
30975    * HX-51: ??kB RAM
30976
30977
30978
30979  * Triton (Hong-Kong)
30980
30981    * PC64: 64kB RAM
30982
30983
30984
30985  * Yamaha (Japan)
30986
30987    * CX5: 32kB RAM
30988
30989    * CX5F: 32kB RAM
30990
30991    * CX5M: 32kB RAM, built in FM synthesizer (SFG-01) and MIDI-Interface
30992
30993    * CX5MII: 64kB RAM, built in FM synthesizer (SFG-01), MIDI-interface
30994
30995    * CX5MII/128: 128kB RAM, built in FM synthesizer (SFG-05), (V9938 built in), built in FM VOICING program II
30996
30997    * CX-11: 32kB RAM
30998
30999    * CX-100: 32kB RAM
31000
31001    * YIS-303: 16kB RAM
31002
31003    * YIS-503: 32kB RAM
31004
31005    * YIS-503II/64: 64kB RAM, FDD
31006
31007
31008
31009  * Yashica (Japan)
31010
31011    * YC-64: 64kB RAM, Kyocera's MSX sold by Yashica
31012
31013
31014
31015//(MSX system list compiled from the list by TRD, Manuel Bilderbeek & Alex Wulms. Thanks to Stefano Priore, for abridging it to MSX1 specific info.)//
31016
31017
31018
31019
31020
31021===== Links =====
31022
31023
31024
31025  * MSX FAQs -- http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
31026
31027  * Passion MSX -- http://www.passionmsx.org/
31028
31029  * MSX Resource Center -- http://www.msx.org/
31030
31031  * MSX at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=90
31032
31033
31034
31035
31036
31037===== Other Emulators =====
31038
31039
31040
31041  * blueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
31042
31043  * fMSX -- http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/
31044
31045  * NLMSX -- http://nlmsx.generation-msx.nl/
31046
31047  * openMSX -- http://openmsx.sourceforge.net/
31048
31049  * RuMSX -- http://www.lexlechz.at
31050
31051
31052
31053
31054
31055$end
31056
31057
31058
31059#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31060
31061
31062$info=msx2
31063$bio
31064====== MSX 2 (1985) ======
31065
31066
31067
31068
31069
31070===== Features =====
31071
31072
31073
31074  * CPU: Zilog Z80A or equivalent 3.58 MHz
31075
31076  * Co-Processor: V9938 Video Display Processor (MSX-VIDEO)
31077
31078  * RAM: at least 64 KB
31079
31080  * VRAM: at least 64 KB
31081
31082  * ROM: 48 KB
31083
31084  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 32 x 24
31085
31086  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48 / 256 x 192 / 256 x 212 / 512 x 212
31087
31088  * Colors: 512
31089
31090  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves
31091
31092  * I/O Ports: Joystick (1 or 2), Cartridge (2), Tape (1200/2400 baud), RGB, Composite Video, Centronics, External Audio
31093
31094  * OS: MSX DOS 2.0
31095
31096
31097
31098
31099
31100===== Usage =====
31101
31102
31103
31104MESS emulates several MSX2 systems. For each of these MESS supports emulation of the following devices
31105
31106
31107
31108  * two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
31109
31110  * two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for carts in .mx1 and .rom format
31111
31112  * a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav and .tap format
31113
31114
31115
31116Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
31117
31118
31119
31120== Cartridges ==
31121
31122
31123
31124The ROM mapper (which is specified with -rom x in fMSX) is autodetected but isn't perfect. With the hsi files in the hash directory, cartridges with SRAM or a DAC (like Synthesizer or Majutsushi from Konami) are detected properly.
31125
31126
31127
31128== Cassettes ==
31129
31130
31131
31132Tape emulation is done via .wav files; the actual sound the MSX produces is recorded / played back, making tape emulation more authentic. Because of this, you can record your existing tapes to .wav and play them in MESS. Make sure your record them at high quality (44100Hz, 16 bit and mono).
31133
31134
31135
31136.cas files are also supported but they're converted to sound by the driver on startup. There is no support for writing .cas files.
31137
31138
31139
31140While recording or playback you can hear the sound through the sound card of your computer. You can control the volume by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" and "~".
31141
31142
31143
31144.tap files from Virtual MSX can be converted to .cas using imgtool (see imgtool.txt for more information).
31145
31146
31147
31148== Memory emulation ==
31149
31150
31151
31152The memory map is from a standard MSX1; there are no subslots, nor MSX2 memory mappers for RAM. RAM is 64Kb in slot 3, and slot 1 and 2 are where the cartridges end up.
31153
31154
31155
31156== Sound emulation ==
31157
31158
31159
31160The PSG, PPI (key click), SCC are emulated. The SCC isn't perfect yet, you can hear slight imperfections in King's Valley 2 (when you through the knife), F1 Spirit (when you start a race), Solid Snake (when you get to building 3). The SCC is called 'k051649' in the volume menu.
31161
31162
31163
31164The FM-PAC is also emulated for which you need the ROM dump of an original Panasonic FM-PAC. However the sound emulation isn't very good at all. :/
31165
31166
31167
31168The following DACs are emulated: SIMPL, Konami's Synthesizer, Konami's Majutsushi. The keyclick is also done through the DAC. To enable SIMPL (which disables the printer port), press "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and go to Dip Switches. Here set SIMPL to "On".
31169
31170
31171
31172You can control the volumes by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" (so you go to UI mode) and then "~". Press "UP" and "DOWN" to see different sound chips, and "LEFT" and "RIGHT" to change the volume.
31173
31174
31175
31176== Video emulation ==
31177
31178
31179
31180The tms9928a (MSX1) emulation is very good, but doesn't emulate changes while the screen is being drawn to the screen.
31181
31182
31183
31184The v9938 emulation is preliminary and has problems with sprite mode 2 (MSX2 games), interlaced mode, graphic engine emulation, timing (Zanac Ex doesn't run correctly and Aleste only runs in the Japanese version of the driver).
31185
31186
31187
31188Also the PAL/NTSC (50/60Hz) switch is an evil hack, the actual refresh rate of the screen isn't changed.
31189
31190
31191
31192Also it's not very well optimized, I'll start optimizing as soon as it works alright.
31193
31194
31195
31196The v9958 isn't emulated at all.
31197
31198
31199
31200The MSX1 and MSX2 video chips only only display a limited number of sprites on one line; this causes sprite flickering, you can turn this off (which isn't like a real MSX of course) by pressing: "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and going to the Dip Switches menu. Set "Enforce 4/8 sprites/line" to "Off". Note that sometimes this feature is used for other purposes, like making sure a sprite is only partly displayed (when you enter a world in The Maze of Galious for example).
31201
31202
31203
31204== Printer port ==
31205
31206
31207
31208The printer port is emulated; output to the port is saved to disk. However no emulation/translation is done, so the data is raw.
31209
31210
31211
31212== MSX2 RTC ==
31213
31214
31215
31216The real-time clock, which keeps information like the time and date, should be emulated correctly. However in PAL mode the timing isn't correct as the refresh rate isn't properly adjusted. All settings are saved to disk.
31217
31218
31219
31220== Keyboard/joystick/mouse ==
31221
31222
31223
31224These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
31225
31226
31227
31228The keyboard layout should be properly emulated. Joysticks seem to default to having key-bindings as well, so pressing "CTRL" or "ALT" will also work for the joysticks, but might give some unexpected results.
31229
31230
31231
31232The mouse emulation doesn't work properly yet. :(
31233
31234
31235
31236== Floppy Disks ==
31237
31238
31239
31240Disks are emulated through proper wd2793 emulation. Currently only the Philips and Sony diskroms are supported; the Panasonic machines use the tc8566af diskcontroller (unemulated) and the Brazillian machines are port-based (not memory-mapped).
31241
31242
31243
31244You need a proper diskrom dump, and the msx.hsi file in place. The diskrom should be recognized as type 15 otherwise the driver doesn't know it's a diskrom.
31245
31246
31247
31248Next specify the diskrom as one of the cartridges. That should do the trick. :) Note that only .dsk files are supported; other formats can be converted to .dsk using imgtool (it can convert .msx, .img, .ddi, .xsa, multidisks -- see imgtool.txt for more information).
31249
31250
31251
31252Errors aren't properly handled yet. "not ready" is reported as "record not found", which results in "Disk I/O error" in MSX-BASIC.
31253
31254
31255
31256Also not that memory emulation isn't complete so MSX2 memory mappers don't work yet.
31257
31258
31259
31260
31261
31262===== Known Issues =====
31263
31264
31265
31266The MSX driver currently emulates the MSX1, international, UK, korean and Japanese models.
31267
31268
31269
31270  * Not emulated: Printer port, diskdrives, megaRAM, Sound Cartridge (SCC+), MSX2, etc..
31271
31272
31273
31274  * Cartridge emulation: The MSX has 64kB RAM, like most (by far) MSX1 computers. It is located in slot 3. Two cartridges are allowed: the first in slot 1 and the second in slot 2. So subslots aren't emulated (yet). The msx.hsi file is important. The <extrainfo> tag specifies the type of ROM mapper. See msx.hsi for more information.
31275
31276
31277
31278  * Sound emulation: The standard sound chip, the PSG (AY8910) is emulated, so is the extension that was included in some Konami cartridges: the SCC. The keyclick (PPI) is also emulated, as is the FM-PAC (you'll need the fmpac.rom of the original Panasonic FM-PAC for this). Unfortunately the YM2413 emulation in MAME does not emulate the volumes correctly. Last but not least, the DAC in Konami's Synthesizer is emulated, and the SIMPL (DAC on the printer port). The DAC in Konami's Matjusushi is also emulated, but the driver lacks MSX2 support. 
31279
31280
31281
31282  * SRAM in cartridges: A number of cartridges (Hydlide 2, Xanadu, The Game Master 2 and more) had on-board sram. This sram is automagically saved as a MEMCARD. 
31283
31284
31285
31286  * Tape emulation: Unlike other MSX emulators, the tape emulation is not done by trapping BIOS calls. In our opinion this is an evil kludge; apart from that, our setup does have an advantage. Tapes with a custom loader (using direct access to the hardware) will work fine. It is done by saving the tape as a .wav file. In principle, you could record a tape to .wav, and load them into MESS.
31287
31288
31289
31290
31291
31292===== History and Trivia =====
31293
31294
31295
31296After the (relative) success of the MSX 1 computer (in Japan, Europe and South America), Microsoft and ASCII presented its successor. The main new feature was the very enhanced graphic modes, no other computers were able to display such graphics! The 128 KB VRAM was very impressive! It had a battery-backed clock and a new MMU (to handle more than the Z80 64KB limit). The MSX 2 standard, like the MSX 1, was designed by ASCII, the new operating system MSX DOS 2.0 was designed by Microsoft (it's almost a copy of MS-DOS 3.3). A while after launching the MSX 2 standard, Microsoft abandoned the project, but several manufacturers took it over.
31297
31298
31299
31300//(info from old-computers.com)//
31301
31302
31303
31304== MSX2 compliant machines ==
31305
31306
31307
31308  * Canon (Japan)
31309
31310    * v-25: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31311
31312
31313
31314  * JVC/Victor (Japan)
31315
31316    * HC-95: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
31317
31318
31319
31320  * Kawai (Japan)
31321
31322    * KMC-5000: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31323
31324
31325
31326  * National/Matsushita (Japan)
31327
31328    * FS-5500F1/F2: 64kB RAM (MSX2 / 1 or 2 FDD)
31329
31330    * FS-4500: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31331
31332    * FS-4700F: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31333
31334    * FS-5000F2: 128kB Mapper RAM (MSX2 / 2 FDD)
31335
31336    * FS-4600F: 128kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
31337
31338
31339
31340  * Panasonic/Matsushita (Japan)
31341
31342    * FS-A1: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31343
31344    * FS-A1MK2: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
31345
31346    * FS-A1F: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
31347
31348    * FS-A1FM: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
31349
31350
31351
31352  * Sony (Japan)
31353
31354    * HB-F1XD: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31355
31356    * HB-F500: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31357
31358    * HB-F700: 256kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
31359
31360    * HB-F9: 128kB Mapper RAM (MSX2)
31361
31362    * HB-G9000F: 64kB RAM (MSX2)
31363
31364
31365
31366//(MSX2 system list compiled from the list by TRD, Manuel Bilderbeek & Alex Wulms. Thanks to Stefano Priore, for abridging it to MSX2 specific info.)//
31367
31368
31369
31370
31371
31372===== Links =====
31373
31374
31375
31376  * MSX FAQs -- http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
31377
31378  * Passion MSX -- http://www.passionmsx.org/
31379
31380  * MSX Resource Center -- http://www.msx.org/
31381
31382  * MSX2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=288
31383
31384
31385
31386
31387
31388===== Other Emulators =====
31389
31390
31391
31392  * blueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
31393
31394  * fMSX -- http://www.freeflight.com/fms/, http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/
31395
31396  * NLMSX -- http://nlmsx.generation-msx.nl/
31397
31398  * openMSX -- http://openmsx.sourceforge.net/
31399
31400  * RuMSX -- http://www.lexlechz.at
31401
31402
31403
31404
31405
31406$end
31407
31408
31409
31410#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31411
31412
31413$info=msx2p
31414$bio
31415====== MSX 2+ (1988) ======
31416
31417
31418
31419
31420
31421===== Features =====
31422
31423
31424
31425  * CPU: Zilog Z80 3.58 MHz
31426
31427  * Co-Processor: Yamaha V9958 Video Display Processor
31428
31429  * RAM: at least 64 KB
31430
31431  * VRAM: 64 KB or 128 KB (up to 192 KB)
31432
31433  * ROM: 32 KB (Basic & BIOS) + 16 KB (SUB ROM > MSX-BASIC V3.0) + 16 KB (KANJI BASIC ROM + KANJI ROM) + 16 KB (DISK ROM)
31434
31435  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 / 32 x 24
31436
31437  * Graphic Modes: Same as MSX2 specs, plus 256 x 212/424; Additional KANJI screen modes (Japanese text screen modes): 40 x 24, 32 x 24, 256 x 192, 64 x 48
31438
31439  * Colors: 19268
31440
31441  * Sound: FM-PAC (OPLL YM-2413) - 9 channel FM synthesizer
31442
31443  * I/O Ports: Joystick(1 or 2), Cartridge(2), Tape(1200/2400 bauds), RGB video output, CVBS/RF video output, Centronics, Sound output
31444
31445  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
31446
31447  * Built In Media: 720 KB 3,5" floppy drive built in
31448
31449  * OS: MSX DOS
31450
31451  * Built In Language: MSX-BASIC V3.0
31452
31453
31454
31455
31456
31457===== Usage =====
31458
31459
31460
31461MESS emulates several MSX2+ systems. For each of these MESS supports emulation of the following devices
31462
31463
31464
31465  * two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
31466
31467  * two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for carts in .mx1 and .rom format
31468
31469  * a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav and .tap format
31470
31471
31472
31473Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
31474
31475
31476
31477== Cartridges ==
31478
31479
31480
31481The ROM mapper (which is specified with -rom x in fMSX) is autodetected but isn't perfect. With the hsi files in the hash directory, cartridges with SRAM or a DAC (like Synthesizer or Majutsushi from Konami) are detected properly.
31482
31483
31484
31485== Cassettes ==
31486
31487
31488
31489Tape emulation is done via .wav files; the actual sound the MSX produces is recorded / played back, making tape emulation more authentic. Because of this, you can record your existing tapes to .wav and play them in MESS. Make sure your record them at high quality (44100Hz, 16 bit and mono).
31490
31491
31492
31493.cas files are also supported but they're converted to sound by the driver on startup. There is no support for writing .cas files.
31494
31495
31496
31497While recording or playback you can hear the sound through the sound card of your computer. You can control the volume by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" and "~".
31498
31499
31500
31501.tap files from Virtual MSX can be converted to .cas using imgtool (see imgtool.txt for more information).
31502
31503
31504
31505== Memory emulation ==
31506
31507
31508
31509The memory map is from a standard MSX1; there are no subslots, nor MSX2 memory mappers for RAM. RAM is 64Kb in slot 3, and slot 1 and 2 are where the cartridges end up.
31510
31511
31512
31513== Sound emulation ==
31514
31515
31516
31517The PSG, PPI (key click), SCC are emulated. The SCC isn't perfect yet, you can hear slight imperfections in King's Valley 2 (when you through the knife), F1 Spirit (when you start a race), Solid Snake (when you get to building 3). The SCC is called 'k051649' in the volume menu.
31518
31519
31520
31521The FM-PAC is also emulated for which you need the ROM dump of an original Panasonic FM-PAC. However the sound emulation isn't very good at all. :/
31522
31523
31524
31525The following DACs are emulated: SIMPL, Konami's Synthesizer, Konami's Majutsushi. The keyclick is also done through the DAC. To enable SIMPL (which disables the printer port), press "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and go to Dip Switches. Here set SIMPL to "On".
31526
31527
31528
31529You can control the volumes by pressing "SCROLL LOCK" (so you go to UI mode) and then "~". Press "UP" and "DOWN" to see different sound chips, and "LEFT" and "RIGHT" to change the volume.
31530
31531
31532
31533== Video emulation ==
31534
31535
31536
31537The tms9928a (MSX1) emulation is very good, but doesn't emulate changes while the screen is being drawn to the screen.
31538
31539
31540
31541The v9938 emulation is preliminary and has problems with sprite mode 2 (MSX2 games), interlaced mode, graphic engine emulation, timing (Zanac Ex doesn't run correctly and Aleste only runs in the Japanese version of the driver).
31542
31543
31544
31545Also the PAL/NTSC (50/60Hz) switch is an evil hack, the actual refresh rate of the screen isn't changed.
31546
31547
31548
31549Also it's not very well optimized, I'll start optimizing as soon as it works alright.
31550
31551
31552
31553The v9958 isn't emulated at all.
31554
31555
31556
31557The MSX1 and MSX2 video chips only only display a limited number of sprites on one line; this causes sprite flickering, you can turn this off (which isn't like a real MSX of course) by pressing: "SCROLL LOCK", "TAB" and going to the Dip Switches menu. Set "Enforce 4/8 sprites/line" to "Off". Note that sometimes this feature is used for other purposes, like making sure a sprite is only partly displayed (when you enter a world in The Maze of Galious for example).
31558
31559
31560
31561== Printer port ==
31562
31563
31564
31565The printer port is emulated; output to the port is saved to disk. However no emulation/translation is done, so the data is raw.
31566
31567
31568
31569== MSX2 RTC ==
31570
31571
31572
31573The real-time clock, which keeps information like the time and date, should be emulated correctly. However in PAL mode the timing isn't correct as the refresh rate isn't properly adjusted. All settings are saved to disk.
31574
31575
31576
31577== Keyboard/joystick/mouse ==
31578
31579
31580
31581These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
31582
31583
31584
31585The keyboard layout should be properly emulated. Joysticks seem to default to having key-bindings as well, so pressing "CTRL" or "ALT" will also work for the joysticks, but might give some unexpected results.
31586
31587
31588
31589The mouse emulation doesn't work properly yet. :(
31590
31591
31592
31593== Floppy Disks ==
31594
31595
31596
31597Disks are emulated through proper wd2793 emulation. Currently only the Philips and Sony diskroms are supported; the Panasonic machines use the tc8566af diskcontroller (unemulated) and the Brazillian machines are port-based (not memory-mapped).
31598
31599
31600
31601You need a proper diskrom dump, and the msx.hsi file in place. The diskrom should be recognized as type 15 otherwise the driver doesn't know it's a diskrom.
31602
31603
31604
31605Next specify the diskrom as one of the cartridges. That should do the trick. :) Note that only .dsk files are supported; other formats can be converted to .dsk using imgtool (it can convert .msx, .img, .ddi, .xsa, multidisks -- see imgtool.txt for more information).
31606
31607
31608
31609Errors aren't properly handled yet. "not ready" is reported as "record not found", which results in "Disk I/O error" in MSX-BASIC.
31610
31611
31612
31613Also not that memory emulation isn't complete so MSX2 memory mappers don't work yet.
31614
31615
31616
31617
31618
31619===== Known Issues =====
31620
31621
31622
31623The MSX driver currently emulates the MSX1, international, UK, korean and Japanese models.
31624
31625
31626
31627  * Not emulated: Printer port, diskdrives, megaRAM, Sound Cartridge (SCC+), MSX2, etc..
31628
31629
31630
31631  * Cartridge emulation: The MSX has 64kB RAM, like most (by far) MSX1 computers. It is located in slot 3. Two cartridges are allowed: the first in slot 1 and the second in slot 2. So subslots aren't emulated (yet). The msx.hsi file is important. The <extrainfo> tag specifies the type of ROM mapper. See msx.hsi for more information.
31632
31633
31634
31635  * Sound emulation: The standard sound chip, the PSG (AY8910) is emulated, so is the extension that was included in some Konami cartridges: the SCC. The keyclick (PPI) is also emulated, as is the FM-PAC (you'll need the fmpac.rom of the original Panasonic FM-PAC for this). Unfortunately the YM2413 emulation in MAME does not emulate the volumes correctly. Last but not least, the DAC in Konami's Synthesizer is emulated, and the SIMPL (DAC on the printer port). The DAC in Konami's Matjusushi is also emulated, but the driver lacks MSX2 support. 
31636
31637
31638
31639  * SRAM in cartridges: A number of cartridges (Hydlide 2, Xanadu, The Game Master 2 and more) had on-board sram. This sram is automagically saved as a MEMCARD. 
31640
31641
31642
31643  * Tape emulation: Unlike other MSX emulators, the tape emulation is not done by trapping BIOS calls. In our opinion this is an evil kludge; apart from that, our setup does have an advantage. Tapes with a custom loader (using direct access to the hardware) will work fine. It is done by saving the tape as a .wav file. In principle, you could record a tape to .wav, and load them into MESS.
31644
31645
31646
31647
31648
31649===== History and Trivia =====
31650
31651
31652
31653After Microsoft left the MSX project in 1986, ASCII continued alone. They presented a new improvement of the MSX 2 standard in 1988.
31654
31655
31656
31657No great enhancements, the MSX 2+ has 19268 colors instead of 512, some more graphic / KANJI resolutions and the FM-PAC cartridge is included, providing 9 channels of FM sound without drums or 6 channels FM sound with 5 FM drums.
31658
31659
31660
31661MSX2+ computers were only produced by Panasonic, Sony and Sanyo (the one pictured here is the Panasonic FS A1 WSX). There were only available in Japan...
31662
31663
31664
31665//(info from old-computers.com)//
31666
31667
31668
31669== MSX2+ compliant machines ==
31670
31671
31672
31673  * Panasonic/Matsushita (Japan)
31674
31675    * FS-A1FX: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
31676
31677    * FS-A1WX: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
31678
31679    * FS-A1WSX: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
31680
31681
31682
31683  * Sanyo (Japan)
31684
31685    * Wavy 35: 64kB Mapper RAM (MSX2+)
31686
31687    * Wavy 70FD: 64kB Mapper RAM, built-in 3.5" disk-drive (MSX2+)
31688
31689
31690
31691//(MSX2+ system list compiled from the list by TRD, Manuel Bilderbeek & Alex Wulms. Thanks to Stefano Priore, for abridging it to MSX2p specific info.)//
31692
31693
31694
31695
31696
31697===== Links =====
31698
31699
31700
31701  * MSX FAQs -- http://www.faq.msxnet.org/
31702
31703  * Passion MSX -- http://www.passionmsx.org/
31704
31705  * MSX Resource Center -- http://www.msx.org/
31706
31707  * MSX2+ at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=291
31708
31709
31710
31711
31712
31713===== Other Emulators =====
31714
31715
31716
31717  * blueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
31718
31719  * openMSX -- http://openmsx.sourceforge.net/
31720
31721
31722
31723
31724
31725$end
31726
31727
31728
31729#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31730
31731
31732$info=mtx512
31733$bio
31734====== Memotech MTX 512 / MTX 500 (1983), Memotech RS 128 (1984) ======
31735
31736
31737
31738
31739
31740===== Features =====
31741
31742
31743
31744  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
31745
31746  * Co-Processor: TM 9918 or 9928 (video) and TI 76489 (sound)
31747
31748  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 512 KB)
31749
31750  * VRAM: 16 KB
31751
31752  * ROM: 24 KB (MTX Basic)
31753
31754  * Text Modes: 32 or 40 chars x 24 lines. 80 x 24 with FDX or HDX disc based expansions
31755
31756  * Graphic Modes: four modes, maximum : 256 x 192. 32 sprites
31757
31758  * Colors: 16 maximum
31759
31760  * Sound: 3 voices + pink noise / 6 octaves
31761
31762  * I/O Ports: Cassette port, Parallel I/O port, 2 x joystick ports, Audio ouput, Composite video output, Cartridge slot, Parallel/Centronics port
31763
31764  * Keyboard: Full stroke 79 key with numeric keypad and 8 function keys
31765
31766  * OS: CP/M
31767
31768  * Built In Language: BASIC, LOGO, NODDY (interactive sequential controller, Z80 Assembler/Disassembler
31769
31770  * Peripherals: 5.25" Floppy disc unit, Communication board with two RS232 interfaces and disk drive bus
31771
31772
31773
31774
31775
31776===== Usage =====
31777
31778
31779
31780Currently, MESS supports all the MTX variants
31781
31782
31783
31784  * mtx512 [Memotech MTX 512]
31785
31786  * mtx500 [Memotech MTX 500]
31787
31788  * rs128 [Memotech RS 128]
31789
31790
31791
31792== Cassettes ==
31793
31794
31795
31796To load and run a tape image, just type
31797
31798  LOAD "<image_name>"
31799
31800at the Ready Prompt. To save a (BASIC) program, just type
31801
31802  SAVE "<image_name>"
31803
31804at the Ready Prompt.
31805
31806
31807
31808The MTX cassette image is a flat binary with the first 18 bytes being the original MTX tape header and the rest being the file data. The image name can be found at offset 1 to 15 (starting at 0).
31809
31810
31811
31812MTX BASIC is pretty much a standard dialect, so you should have no problems using it, but its graphics and sound handling might be a bit esoteric.
31813
31814
31815
31816== Keyboard ==
31817
31818
31819
31820These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
31821
31822
31823
31824== RAM options ==
31825
31826
31827
31828Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
31829
31830
31831
31832  * [mtx500]
31833
31834
31835
31836  32k (default)
31837
31838  64k
31839
31840  96k
31841
31842  128k
31843
31844
31845
31846  * [mtx512]
31847
31848
31849
31850  64k (default)
31851
31852  96k
31853
31854  128k
31855
31856
31857
31858  * [mtx500]
31859
31860
31861
31862  128k (default)
31863
31864
31865
31866Additionally, all the drivers supports the following //ram_value// options
31867
31868
31869
31870  160k
31871
31872  192k
31873
31874  224k
31875
31876  256k
31877
31878  288k
31879
31880  320k
31881
31882  352k
31883
31884  384k
31885
31886  416k
31887
31888  448k
31889
31890  480k
31891
31892  512k
31893
31894
31895
31896
31897
31898===== Known Issues =====
31899
31900
31901
31902  * Limited Z80 CTC support (input channel connections are not emulated).
31903
31904  * No cassette device support; old hack-ish implementation has been temporarily removed (it was not working since a long time anyway).
31905
31906  * No support for: joysticks, additional ROMs, communications board (e.g. RS-232 connections), FDX/HDX system, Node/Ring system.
31907
31908
31909
31910
31911
31912===== History and Trivia =====
31913
31914
31915
31916The Memotech company started manufacturing expansion cards and high quality memory modules for the Sinclair ZX 81 home computer.
31917
31918
31919
31920The British Memotech MTX 512 has a hardware which looks like the Sord M5. It also has characteristics, which are close to the MSX standard, but is not MSX compatible.
31921
31922
31923
31924It uses a dedicated chip for video (Texas Instrument TM 9918 or 9928) and sound (TI 76489) and has a very nice mechanical keyboard and a nice black aluminum case!
31925
31926
31927
31928There exists also a second model, the MTX 500 which has the same characteristics, but only 32 KB RAM vs. 64 KB of the 512. It had no success and was replaced a short time later by the RS-128.
31929
31930
31931
31932//(info from old-computers.com)//
31933
31934
31935
31936
31937
31938===== Links =====
31939
31940
31941
31942  * MTX World -- http://www.mtxworld.dk/main.php
31943
31944  * MTX at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=168
31945
31946
31947
31948
31949
31950===== Other Emulators =====
31951
31952
31953
31954  * Mt. Xemu -- http://www.classicgaming.com/mtxemu/index.html
31955
31956
31957
31958
31959
31960$end
31961
31962
31963
31964#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
31965
31966
31967$info=mz700
31968$bio
31969====== Sharp MZ-700 (1982) ======
31970
31971
31972
31973
31974
31975===== Features =====
31976
31977
31978
31979  * CPU: Sharp LH-0080 (Zilog Z80A compatible) 4 MHz
31980
31981  * RAM: 64 KB
31982
31983  * VRAM: 2 KB
31984
31985  * ROM: 2 KB
31986
31987  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
31988
31989  * Graphic Modes: 50 x 80
31990
31991  * Colors: 8
31992
31993  * Sound: one channel, 3 octaves
31994
31995  * I/O Ports: Parallel, Joystick (2), Z80 Bus, Tape, RGB
31996
31997  * Keyboard: Full stroke 69 key with 5 function keys and 4 cursor keys
31998
31999  * Built In Media: Tape recorder
32000
32001  * OS: optional CP/M with FDD
32002
32003  * Built In Language: None - Monitor in ROM
32004
32005
32006
32007
32008
32009===== Usage =====
32010
32011
32012
32013MESS supports two different version of MZ-700
32014
32015
32016
32017  * mz700 [Sharp MZ-700]
32018
32019  * mz700j [Sharp MZ-700 (Japan)]
32020
32021
32022
32023Both drivers support the emulation of a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav or .m12 format.
32024
32025
32026
32027== Keyboard ==
32028
32029
32030
32031This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
32032
32033
32034
32035
32036
32037===== History and Trivia =====
32038
32039
32040
32041The Sharp MZ 700 series replaced the aging MZ 80 (MZ 80K, MZ 80A and MZ 80B) series. Moreover, the MZ 700 was compatible with the MZ 80K and MZ 80A.
32042
32043
32044
32045There was no language in ROM (the ROM size is only 2 KB, it is just used for boot and OS calls), it has to be loaded from tape. So there was a lot of languages adapted for this machine (more than five versions of BASIC, assemblers, Pascal, Lisp, C, Fortran, Comal, Forth, & others).
32046
32047
32048
32049The games were a bit poor because of the low resolution (which was actually graphical characters), but there were 512 graphic characters in ROM, which can be used to offset it (sort of).
32050
32051
32052
32053It will be replaced with the MZ 800.
32054
32055
32056
32057== Versions ==
32058
32059
32060
32061The MZ 700 series is composed of four machines: the first three models were launched in 1983 (November 1982 in Japan) and the last one was launched in late 1985 (in fact, this one is the "ancestor" of the MZ 800)
32062
32063
32064
32065  * the MZ 711 was the "naked" model (without any peripheral),
32066
32067
32068
32069  * the MZ 721, has an integrated tape recorder
32070
32071
32072
32073  * the MZ 731, has built-in plotter and tape recorder).
32074
32075
32076
32077  * the fourth model was the MZ 780 which was actually a MZ 731 with a 80 columns card, a floppy disk drive and a Centronics port. It worked under CP/M.
32078
32079
32080
32081//(info from old-computers.com)//
32082
32083
32084
32085
32086
32087===== Links =====
32088
32089
32090
32091  * Info about Sharp MZ -- http://www.sharpmz.org/index.html
32092
32093  * Sharp Users Club -- http://sharpusersclub.org/
32094
32095  * MZ-700 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=87
32096
32097
32098
32099
32100
32101===== Other Emulators =====
32102
32103
32104
32105  * MZ700Win by Maruyama -- http://homepage1.nifty.com/marukun/mz700/
32106
32107
32108
32109
32110
32111$end
32112
32113
32114
32115#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32116
32117
32118$info=mz800
32119$bio
32120====== Sharp MZ-800 (1984) ======
32121
32122
32123
32124
32125
32126===== Features =====
32127
32128
32129
32130  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5 MHz
32131
32132  * RAM: 64 KB
32133
32134  * VRAM: 16 KB (up to 32 KB)
32135
32136  * ROM: 16 KB
32137
32138  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
32139
32140  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 - Hardware vertical scrolling accelerator
32141
32142  * Colors: 4 (320 x 200 and 16 if extended VRAM), 2 (640 x 200 and 4 if extended VRAM)
32143
32144  * Sound: 3 channels, 6 octaves + white noise generator
32145
32146  * I/O Ports: Centronics, Joystick (2), Z80 Bus, Tape, RGB
32147
32148  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 70 keys with 5 function keys, editing & arrow keys
32149
32150  * Built In Media: Tape recorder
32151
32152  * Built In Language: None
32153
32154  * Peripherals: Quick-Disc unit, external single or dual FDD unit
32155
32156
32157
32158
32159
32160===== Usage =====
32161
32162
32163
32164MESS supports the emulation of mz800 with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav or .m12 format.
32165
32166
32167
32168== Keyboard ==
32169
32170
32171
32172This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
32173
32174
32175
32176
32177
32178===== Known Issues =====
32179
32180
32181
32182The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
32183
32184
32185
32186
32187
32188===== History and Trivia =====
32189
32190
32191
32192The Sharp MZ 800 was the successor of the MZ 780. It was partially compatible with the 700 series and the old MZ 80K series as well.
32193
32194
32195
32196The Tape drive could be substituted for a Quick-disk drive unit. The Quick-Disc was a small 2.8-inch disk with sequential access.
32197
32198
32199
32200Like the MZ 700, there was no language in ROM, it had to be loaded from tape, quick disk or floppy disk. The ROM only contained boot code, OS calls and special code to allow the user to use the 64 KB RAM as a virtual disk.
32201
32202
32203
32204A single or double 5.25" disk drive could be connected to the MZ 800. It then worked under a special version of CP/M called P-CP/M. Some great products like Wordstar, dBase II and Multiplan were adapted to it. Under CP/M, it was possible to read multiple disk formats from the 360 KB (Sharp format) to the 720 KB (CP/M IBM PC format).
32205
32206
32207
32208The MZ 800 was sold in Japan under the name SHARP MZ 1500. The MZ 1500 had the same characteristics except its black case, a built-in Quick-Disc drive and a slighty different graphic video management.
32209
32210
32211
32212== Versions ==
32213
32214
32215
32216It was sold under three reference numbers:
32217
32218
32219
32220  * MZ-811 without tape drive,
32221
32222
32223
32224  * MZ-821 with built-in 1200-baud tape drive,
32225
32226
32227
32228  * MZ-831 with tape drive and built-in 4-colour printer-plotter.
32229
32230
32231
32232//(info from old-computers.com)//
32233
32234
32235
32236
32237
32238===== Links =====
32239
32240
32241
32242  * Info about Sharp MZ -- http://www.sharpmz.org/index.html
32243
32244  * Sharp Users Club -- http://sharpusersclub.org/
32245
32246  * MZ-800 Retro Museum -- http://www.wagemann.li/subpages/mz800/
32247
32248  * Czech MZ-800 Community -- http://mz-800.xf.cz/
32249
32250  * MZ-800 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=208
32251
32252
32253
32254
32255
32256===== Other Emulators =====
32257
32258
32259
32260  * Mz800em -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/mz800em/
32261
32262  * MZ-800 Emu -- http://mz-800.xf.cz/
32263
32264
32265
32266
32267
32268$end
32269
32270
32271
32272#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32273
32274
32275$info=n64
32276$bio
32277====== Nintendo 64 (1996) ======
32278
32279
32280
32281
32282
32283===== Features =====
32284
32285
32286
32287  * CPU: 64 bit R4300I at 93.75 MHz; 64-bit MIPS Risc Graphics Co-processor, GSP & DP at 62.5 MHz (RCP); Built-in Audio/Video Vector Processor (RSP); Built-in Pixel Drawing Processor (RDP)
32288
32289  * Memory: 4.5 MB Rambus DRAM (36 megabits); Rambus DRAM subsystem; Custom 9-bit Rambus Bus (to the DRAM)
32290
32291  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 224 up to 640 x 480. PAL also 768 x 576
32292
32293  * Video Output: RF, Stereo A/V, S-Video
32294
32295  * Colors: 21-bit colour video output, 32-bit RGPA, pixel colour frame, buffer support
32296
32297  * Sound: Digital Sound, Wavetable Synthesis
32298
32299  * Expansion Options: Cartridge Slot; Controller Ports; Pak Holder (bottom of the controller); Extension port (bottom of the console); Memory Expansion Slot (top front of the console)
32300
32301
32302
32303
32304
32305===== Usage =====
32306
32307
32308
32309MESS requires a cart dump (in one of the following formats: .v64, .z64, .rom, .n64, .bin) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run n64 emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
32310
32311
32312
32313  mess n64 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.z64"
32314
32315
32316
32317== Controls ==
32318
32319
32320
32321The Nintendo 64 controller consists of an analog stick, an 8-way directional pad, 6 action buttons (A, B and 4 yellow buttons used either as option buttons, or to control the camera), two shoulder buttons (L and R), a red 'Start' button, and one digital trigger at the bottom (Z).
32322
32323
32324
32325
32326
32327===== History and Trivia =====
32328
32329
32330
32331The Nintendo 64 was released by Nintendo in 1996 in Japan and North America and in 1997 in Europe and Australia.
32332
32333
32334
32335Nintendo 64 is the culmination of work by Nintendo, Silicon Graphics, and MIPS Technologies. The SGI-based system design that ended up in the Nintendo 64 was originally offered to Sega of America by Silicon Graphics. SGI had recently bought out MIPS Technologies and the two companies had worked together to create a low-cost CPU/3D GPU combo that they thought ideal for the console market. A Sega of Japan hardware team was sent to evaluate the chip's capabilities and they found some faults which MIPS subsequently solved. However, Sega of Japan ultimately decided against SGI's design.
32336
32337
32338
32339In the early stages of development the Nintendo 64 was referred to by the code name "Project Reality". This moniker came from the speculation within Nintendo that the console could produce CGI on par with then-current supercomputers. In 1994, the console was given the name Nintendo Ultra 64 and its design was shown for the first time in late Spring 1995. The final console was identical to this, but with a different logo and a different name, since Nintendo dropped "Ultra" from the name just a few months before its Japanese debut.
32340
32341
32342
32343Before the console release, two companies, Rareware (UK) and Midway (USA), created arcade games which claimed to use the Ultra 64 hardware ("Killer Instinct" and "Cruis'n USA", respectively). In fact, the hardware was not really close to the final N64, by using hard drives and TMS processors.
32344
32345
32346
32347== Accessories ==
32348
32349
32350
32351  * Controller Pak: this is a memory card which is plugged into the controller and allows the player to save game progresses and configurations. Nintendo's original models offer 256 KB battery backed SRAM, but third party models allows up to 8 MB of SRAM. Initially very useful, the Controller Pak was not that used in later games where the ability to save to SRAM (or EEPROM) was added in the carts themselves. Anyway, some games continued to require the Controller Pak for saves, e.g. most of Konami games.
32352
32353  * Rumble Pak: released in 1997 as an add-on for "Lylat Wars" / "Star Fox 64", this is an accessory which add a vibration feature in games which support it. It fits the same slot the Controller Pak uses, under the joypad.
32354
32355  * Expansion Pak: a memory expansion that plugged into the console's memory expansion port. It contained 4 MB of additional RAM. Only a few games required this to work: "Donkey Kong 64", "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask", "Perfect Dark" (the single player mode), "Starcraft 64" (the multiplayer mode) and "Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2". Many other games, anyway, could use it to improve the graphics using the additional memory. Among these "Resident Evil 2", "Pokémon Stadium 2", "Shadow Man" and "Quake 2" (which features higher color depth if the Expansion Pak is present). It was available both separately and in bundle with "Donkey Kong 64" or "Majora's Mask".
32356
32357  * Transfer Pak: this accessory plugs into the controller and allows the Nintendo 64 to transfer data between Game Boy and N64 games. Among the games which uses it: Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2, that rely heavily on the Transfer Pak to transfer the monsters from one game to the other, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Perfect Dark and Mario Artist.
32358
32359  * Wide-Boy 64 CGB / AGB: a series of adapters similar to the Super Game Boy that was able to play Game Boy games; however, it was only released to the developers and the press. Analogous third party devices where also released, as the GB Hunter.
32360
32361  * 64DD: This Disk Drive add-on to Nintendo 64 was released in 1999 in Japan. It adds to Nintendo 64 the possibility to read magnetic disks with higher storage capacity than normal cartridges. It also offered some network features through the RandNet service, which allowed players to compete which each other online, to share items for the games which supported this feature (e.g. "Mario Artist" games), to play demos of unreleased games, to browse internet and to listen to music online. It was never released outside of Japan.
32362
32363  * VRU (Voice Recognition Unit): This device is required to play "Hey You, Pikachu!" (and it came bundled with the game). It consists of a ballast that connects into controller port 4 of the system, a microphone, a yellow cover for the microphone and a clip for clipping the microphone to the controller. Players would hold the L or Z button on the controller and talk to Pikachu. One major drawback is the fact that the VRU is only calibrated to high pitched voices like that of a child, so older children and adults will have problems issuing commands.
32364
32365  * SmartMedia Cards: released by Tokyo Electron to be used in connection with the game "Mario no Photopi", these cards were common SmartMedia cards containing graphical elements from "Sylvanian Family", "Bomberman" or Nintendo characters as Yoshi. Players could plug a card with their pictures and one of these cards into the "Mario no Photopi" cartridge to modify the images, adding overlays or special effects from the SmartMedia card, and to save them on the memory card.
32366
32367  * Dance Pad: A dance pad packaged separately, that is needed to play "Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Dancing Museum". It was released in Japan only.
32368
32369  * Bio Sensor: An ear-clip that plugs into the Controller Pak slot of the N64 controller to measure the user's heart rate. Released only in Japan and compatible only with "Tetris 64", it was used to slow down or speed up the game depending on how fast the player's heart is beating.
32370
32371  * Action Replay / GameShark: A cheat device made by Datel (resp. Interact, which licensed it for the US market).
32372
32373  * N64 Passport: Adapter and cheat device allowing players to play games from different regions on their Nintendo 64.
32374
32375  * Dex Drive: Released by Interact, it allowed the player to upload data from their memory cards to the computer and viceversa.
32376
32377
32378
32379//(info based on Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
32380
32381
32382
32383
32384
32385===== Links =====
32386
32387
32388
32389  * [[wp>Nintendo_64]]
32390
32391
32392
32393
32394
32395===== Other Emulators =====
32396
32397
32398
32399  * Project64 -- http://pj64.emulation64.com/
32400
32401  * UltraHLE -- http://www.ultrahle.com/
32402
32403  * 1964 -- http://1964emu.emulation64.com/
32404
32405  * Mupen64 -- http://mupen64.emulation64.com/
32406
32407
32408
32409
32410
32411$end
32412
32413
32414
32415#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32416
32417
32418$info=nascom1
32419$bio
32420====== Nascom 1 (1978) ======
32421
32422
32423
32424
32425
32426===== Features =====
32427
32428
32429
32430  * CPU: Z80 1 or 2 MHz.
32431
32432  * Co-Processor: None
32433
32434  * RAM: 1 KB
32435
32436  * VRAM: 1 KB
32437
32438  * ROM: 1 or 2 KB
32439
32440  * Text Modes: 48 chars. x 16 lines
32441
32442  * Graphic Modes: None
32443
32444  * Colors: Monochrome
32445
32446  * Sound: Unknown
32447
32448  * I/O Ports: TV-UHF video interface, selectable serial port (Tape recorder or RS232 or Teletype current loop)
32449
32450  * Keyboard: Full stroke 47 keys
32451
32452  * Built In Media: Cassette tape
32453
32454  * OS: Monitor in ROM
32455
32456  * Built In Language: Monitor
32457
32458  * Peripherals: Memory boards and various I/O interfaces
32459
32460
32461
32462
32463
32464===== Usage =====
32465
32466
32467
32468MESS supports images in .cas format using the "cassette" (cass) device.
32469
32470
32471
32472Also, a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .nas files.
32473
32474
32475
32476== Files Loading ==
32477
32478
32479
32480Nascom 1 supports .nas and .bin files.
32481
32482
32483
32484The .nas files are loaded by the monitor. Type
32485
32486  L
32487
32488wait for the loading to finish, then type
32489
32490  E<start addr>
32491
32492
32493
32494The start address is the address first displayed by the load, usually 1000.
32495
32496
32497
32498To load the .bin files, use
32499
32500  R
32501
32502in the monitor.
32503
32504
32505
32506== Keyboard ==
32507
32508
32509
32510This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
32511
32512
32513
32514== BIOS options ==
32515
32516
32517
32518MESS supports three monitor roms for the Nascom 1: NASBUG1.T1, NASBUG1.T2 and NASBUG1.T4. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
32519
32520 
32521
32522  "-bios 0" or "-bios T4" = NASBUG1.T4 (1979)
32523
32524 
32525
32526  "-bios 1" or "-bios T1" = NASBUG1.T1 (original version)
32527
32528 
32529
32530  "-bios 2" or "-bios T2" = NASBUG1.T2 (1978)
32531
32532
32533
32534== RAM options ==
32535
32536
32537
32538Different RAM configurations are possible for the nascom1 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
32539
32540
32541
32542  1k
32543
32544  16k
32545
32546  32k
32547
32548  40k (default)
32549
32550
32551
32552
32553
32554===== History and Trivia =====
32555
32556
32557
32558The Nascom 1 was the most popular British made computer kit in the U.K. It was an affordable single board Z80 based computer with a keyboard attached by cable. It came as a kit or ready-built.
32559
32560
32561
32562== Why Nascom? ==
32563
32564
32565
32566Because the idea of a low cost computer intended for U.K. hobbysts was originated by an American company called Nasco. However, the board was designed in the U.K. by Shelton Instruments Ltd that, later, also designed and sold the Sig-Net.
32567
32568
32569
32570The minimum configuration featured 2 KB RAM and 1 KB ROM monitor, but the Nascom could be gradually extended into a system that was powerful enough to compete with many home computers of the time, Pet, Apple or Tandy.
32571
32572
32573
32574Actually, the RAM area was divided into two parts: 1 KB for user program and data and 1 KB for storing characters displayed to the television. The ROM monitor provided basic functions: enter program and data, display memory content and processor registers, save and load programs from a tape recorder.
32575
32576
32577
32578A whole range of peripherals and expansions were available from independant suppliers, as well as a vast range of software and many user groups. Several magazines dedicated to the Nascom and its relatives, the Gemini computers, were published. Many languages were available
32579
32580including BASIC, PASCAL, C, FORTH, etc.
32581
32582
32583
32584//(info from old-computers.com)//
32585
32586
32587
32588
32589
32590===== Links =====
32591
32592
32593
32594  * Nascom at 80 Bus -- http://www.80bus.co.uk/pages/nascom.htm
32595
32596  * MIXTEL -- http://www.mixtel.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nascgem/index.html
32597
32598  * Nascom Nostalgia -- http://www.myplace.nu/nascom/index2.htm
32599
32600  * The Nascom Home Page -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/
32601
32602  * Nascom 1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=814
32603
32604
32605
32606
32607
32608===== Other Emulators =====
32609
32610
32611
32612  * Nascom 1 Emu (DOS) -- http://members.aol.com/mk14emu/nascom.htm
32613
32614  * Virtual Nascom -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/#Virtual%20Nascom
32615
32616
32617
32618
32619
32620$end
32621
32622
32623
32624#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32625
32626
32627$info=nascom2
32628$bio
32629====== Nascom 2 (1979) ======
32630
32631
32632
32633
32634
32635===== Features =====
32636
32637
32638
32639  * CPU: Z80-A 4 MHz.
32640
32641  * Co-Processor: None
32642
32643  * RAM: 9 KB expandable to 32 KB
32644
32645  * VRAM: 1 KB
32646
32647  * ROM: 10 KB - Monitor ( 2 KB) + Microsoft BASIC
32648
32649  * Text Modes: 48 chars. x 16 lines
32650
32651  * Colors: Graphic characters in ROM
32652
32653  * Sound: Unknown
32654
32655  * I/O Ports: Serial RS232, TV-UHF and composite video, I/O lines, TTY
32656
32657  * Keyboard: Full stroke 53 keys with arrow and graphic keys
32658
32659  * Built In Media: Cassette tape
32660
32661  * OS: Monitor in ROM
32662
32663  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
32664
32665  * Peripherals: Memory board, graphic board, 5.25" floppy disc controller
32666
32667
32668
32669
32670
32671===== Usage =====
32672
32673
32674
32675MESS supports images in .cas format, using the "cassette" (cass) device, and up to our floppy drives for disk images in .dsk format, using "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
32676
32677
32678
32679Also, a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .nas files.
32680
32681
32682
32683== Files Loading ==
32684
32685
32686
32687Nascom 2 supports .nas, .bin and .cas files.
32688
32689
32690
32691The .nas files are loaded by the monitor. Type
32692
32693  L
32694
32695wait for the loading to finish, then
32696
32697  E<start addr>
32698
32699
32700
32701The start address is the address first displayed by the load, usually 1000.
32702
32703
32704
32705To load the .bin files, use
32706
32707  R
32708
32709in the monitor.
32710
32711
32712
32713The .cas files are used by BASIC. To get there from the monitor, type
32714
32715  EE000
32716
32717enter
32718
32719  49152
32720
32721as the memory size then
32722
32723  CLOAD "<letter>"
32724
32725
32726
32727You can then use RUN/LIST etc. The <letter> for the existing cassettes are
32728
32729
32730
32731| adventr.cas  | A |
32732
32733| snailr.cas   | S |
32734
32735| startrek.cas | T |
32736
32737| swinghs.cas  | M |
32738
32739| swords.cas   | S |
32740
32741
32742
32743== Keyboard ==
32744
32745
32746
32747This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
32748
32749
32750
32751== BIOS options ==
32752
32753
32754
32755MESS supports two monitor roms for the Nascom 2: NAS-SYS 1 and 3. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
32756
32757 
32758
32759  "-bios 0" or "-bios NasSys 3" = NAS-SYS 3 (final update)
32760
32761 
32762
32763  "-bios 1" or "-bios NasSys 1" = NAS-SYS 1 (1980)
32764
32765
32766
32767== RAM options ==
32768
32769
32770
32771Different RAM configurations are possible for the nascom2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
32772
32773
32774
32775  1k
32776
32777  16k
32778
32779  32k
32780
32781  40k (default)
32782
32783
32784
32785
32786
32787===== History and Trivia =====
32788
32789
32790
32791The Nascom 2 was a deep evolution of the Nascom 1 that required 18 months of design and development but offered lots of enhancements: a faster processor (4 MHZ.), greater RAM and ROM capacity (10 KB + 10 KB), built-in Microsoft BASIC, extended keyboard, improved tape interface, etc.
32792
32793
32794
32795User RAM could be expanded to 32 KB on board and the system didn't need the use of expansion board or system bus to run large applications. Even now, the Nascom 2 is regarded as the most versatile single board computer in 1980's.
32796
32797
32798
32799Sadly, in 1980, Nascom Limited company met difficulties in components sourcing, specially RAM chips, and the company ceased Nascom 2 deliveries. Some Nascom dealers will then set up the Gemini company and produce a copy of the Nascom 2. Finally, Nascom Limited is sold to Lucas Logic (later Lucas Nascom) in 1982 and the Nascom 2 will come back in a cased version called Nascom 3.
32800
32801
32802
32803//(info from old-computers.com)//
32804
32805
32806
32807
32808
32809===== Links =====
32810
32811
32812
32813  * Nascom at 80 Bus -- http://www.80bus.co.uk/pages/nascom.htm
32814
32815  * MIXTEL -- http://www.mixtel.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nascgem/index.html
32816
32817  * Nascom Nostalgia -- http://www.myplace.nu/nascom/index2.htm
32818
32819  * The Nascom Home Page -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/
32820
32821  * Nascom 2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=815
32822
32823
32824
32825
32826
32827===== Other Emulators =====
32828
32829
32830
32831  * Nascom-2 Emulator -- http://www.myplace.nu/nascom/nasemu.htm
32832
32833  * Virtual Nascom -- http://www.nascomhomepage.com/#Virtual%20Nascom
32834
32835
32836
32837
32838
32839$end
32840
32841
32842
32843#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
32844
32845
32846$info=nc100
32847$bio
32848====== Amstrad NC100 Notepad Computer (1992) ======
32849
32850
32851
32852
32853
32854===== Features =====
32855
32856
32857
32858  * CPU: Z80
32859
32860  * Co-Processor: NEC custom chip (various I/O and memory management)
32861
32862  * RAM: 64 KB
32863
32864  * ROM: Unknown
32865
32866  * Text Modes: 80 char x 8 lines
32867
32868  * Graphics Mode: 480 x 64 pixels
32869
32870  * Colors: bluish grey LCD
32871
32872  * Sound: Beeper
32873
32874  * I/O Ports: Parallel Centronics, Serial RS-232
32875
32876  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 64 keys
32877
32878  * Built In Media: 1 MB PCMCIA slot
32879
32880  * OS: BBC BASIC, word processor, diary, calculator, address book, serial terminal in ROM
32881
32882  * Built In Language: BBC Basic
32883
32884
32885
32886
32887
32888===== Usage =====
32889
32890
32891
32892MESS supports the emulation of the nc100 with a "cartridge" (cart) device, for carts in .crd and .card format.
32893
32894
32895
32896Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
32897
32898
32899
32900== Printer ==
32901
32902
32903
32904Printer emulation is working. All data is saved out to a file on the host filesystem. The data is not processed in any way, so the file will contain the raw bytes output to the printer port.
32905
32906
32907
32908== PCMCIA RAM Card ==
32909
32910
32911
32912The NC100 supports a PCMCIA Ram card up to 1mb in size.
32913
32914
32915
32916The emulator supports all RAM card operations: reading, writing, formatting and write enable/write protect.
32917
32918
32919
32920It also supports RAM cards of all sizes (128k, 256k, 512k and 1mb).
32921
32922
32923
32924The file format of a RAM card is a simple memory dump; there are no headers or other information stored in the file.
32925
32926
32927
32928If files have been saved onto the RAM card by the emulation, then the file on the host filesystem will be updated (the update will happen when MESS is exited, or a new card is inserted).
32929
32930
32931
32932== Imgtool commands ==
32933
32934
32935
32936Use imgtool to create blank cards, and to put/get files to the card image. At this time, only 1mb cards can be created and there is no support to create unformatted or executable cards.
32937
32938
32939
32940Do not forget to insert memory card (as "Cartridge"), and if you want to write files to it make sure it is write enabled (see Dipswitches in UI).
32941
32942
32943
32944  imgtool create nccard <card name>
32945
32946
32947
32948Create a blank formatted memory card. The NC100 can write files to this.
32949
32950
32951
32952You can view the files by
32953
32954  - Pressing FUNCTION + B to enter BASIC, then typing "*." at the ">" prompt.
32955
32956  - Enter wordprocessor menu and select list files.
32957
32958
32959
32960  imgtool put nccard <card name> <host filesystem name> <nc100 name>
32961
32962
32963
32964Put a file from the host filesystem (e.g. PC harddrive) to the nc memory card. The file will be cut if it is larger than 64k (64k is the maximum file size supported by the nc100 filesystem).
32965
32966
32967
32968At this time, all files are assumed to be ASCII. There is no support to put binary or BASIC files.
32969
32970
32971
32972  imgtool get nccard <card name> <nc100 name> <host filesystem name>
32973
32974
32975
32976Get a file from the nc memory card to the host filesystem. Files are always saved as binary regardless of file type on memory card.
32977
32978
32979
32980  imgtool dir nccard <card name>
32981
32982
32983
32984Show a directory listing of the memory card.
32985
32986
32987
32988  imgtool del nccard <card name> <nc100 name>
32989
32990
32991
32992Delete a file from the memory card
32993
32994
32995
32996== Serial ==
32997
32998
32999
33000Serial is mostly working.
33001
33002
33003
33004MESS does not have a UI to change the serial device transmit/receive properties, so at this time it is fixed to: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity for the NC100 driver.
33005
33006
33007
33008At this time, the serial device only supports a simple protocol. (Each byte is transmitted in a basic serial form, with start bits, data bits, parity and stop bits).
33009
33010
33011
33012In the future the serial device will support xmodem and xmodem send/receive will then work in the emulation.
33013
33014
33015
33016== XMODEM ==
33017
33018
33019
33020XMODEM transfer instructions:
33021
33022  - Enter wordprocessor.
33023
33024  - Start a new document
33025
33026  - Quit wordprocessor
33027
33028  - Go to list documents.
33029
33030  - Press MENU key
33031
33032  - Here you can navigate the menu to find "XMODEM receive document".
33033
33034  - Start XMODEM send on PC.
33035
33036
33037
33038== Keyboard ==
33039
33040
33041
33042This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
33043
33044
33045
33046== BIOS options ==
33047
33048
33049
33050MESS supports two ROM revisions of the NC100: v1.00 and v1.06. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
33051
33052 
33053
33054  "-bios 0" or "-bios 106" = ROM v1.06
33055
33056 
33057
33058  "-bios 1" or "-bios 100" = ROM v1.00
33059
33060
33061
33062
33063
33064===== Known Issues =====
33065
33066
33067
33068The emulation is reasonably accurate. I have used NCIOSPEC.TXT published by Cliff Lawson at Amstrad to write the driver. Unfortunately this document does not describe undocumented hardware features, so at this time, any programs relying on undocumented behaviour will not work well. I am currently looking for NC owners (especially NC150 owners) to run some tests for me.
33069
33070
33071
33072
33073
33074===== History and Trivia =====
33075
33076
33077
33078The Amstrad NC100 Notepad computer is a portable computer.
33079
33080
33081
33082This system has a LCD screen and nice keyboard. The memory is protected by a lithium battery which is charged when the computer is connected to a mains supply.
33083
33084
33085
33086PCMCIA RAM cards can be used to store programs and documents.
33087
33088
33089
33090The computer has a built in wordprocessor, BBC Basic, Serial Terminal, Calculator, Diary and more. The whole system is a personal organiser with lots of extras.
33091
33092
33093
33094The NC 100, NC 150 and NC 200 were three products that its founder Alan Sugar was hoping would help revive the company's fortunes.
33095
33096Cutting edge, they were not. Both were based on old eight-bit Zilog Z80 microprocessors. Curiously, both machines came with a BBC Basic interpreter on which users could develop their own applications.
33097
33098
33099
33100The NC 100 was a £199 notebook computer the size of a piece of A4 paper, with a full size keyboard and a "letterbox" screen at the top, offering 80 columns by 8 lines.
33101
33102
33103
33104It had an RS232 serial port and a Centronics parallel port for printer and communications. Built-in were 64 kilobytes of memory, expandable to 1 megabyte with the addition of an add-on memory card.
33105
33106
33107
33108"If you can't use this new computer in five minutes, you'll get your money back," boasted the company in its launch advertising. For ease of use, it had four colour-coded keys giving instant access to a number of built-in applications, including a word processor, calculator, diary and address book.
33109
33110
33111
33112At a time when an entry-level lap-top computer cost more than £2,000 and the sub-notebook had not been invented, the NC100 and NC200 offered a good value alternative for those with basic computing needs, such as word processing on the move.
33113
33114
33115
33116By 1992, once fast-growing Amstrad was struggling. Its reputation as a PC maker had been undermined by a batch of dodgy Seagate disk drives at the same time that bigger-name vendors were engaged in a price war, squeezing Amstrad out of the market.
33117
33118
33119
33120All the NC computers were made in Japan by Nakajima. The company also sold its own version of the NC-100, called ES-210.
33121
33122
33123
33124//(info from old-computers.com)//
33125
33126
33127
33128
33129
33130===== Links =====
33131
33132
33133
33134  * NC page at Amstrad Computer Site -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/notepad.htm
33135
33136  * Genesis8 Amstrad Page -- http://genesis8.free.fr/
33137
33138  * Tim's NC User Site -- http://www.ncus.org.uk/
33139
33140  * NC 100 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=753
33141
33142
33143
33144
33145
33146===== Other Emulators =====
33147
33148
33149
33150  * nc100em -- http://rus.members.beeb.net/nc100em.html
33151
33152
33153
33154
33155
33156$end
33157
33158
33159
33160#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33161
33162
33163$info=nc200
33164$bio
33165====== Amstrad NC200 Notebook Computer (1993) ======
33166
33167
33168
33169
33170
33171===== Features =====
33172
33173
33174
33175  * CPU: Z80
33176
33177  * Co-Processor: Custom all-in-one chip including the CPU, various I/O and memory management
33178
33179  * RAM: 128 KB
33180
33181  * ROM: Unknown
33182
33183  * Text Modes: 80 char x 16 lines
33184
33185  * Graphic Modes: 480 x 128 pixels
33186
33187  * Colors: bluish grey LCD
33188
33189  * Sound: Beeper
33190
33191  * I/O Ports: Parallel Centronics, Serial RS-232
33192
33193  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 64 keys
33194
33195  * Built In Media: 1 MB PCMCIA slot, 3.5" 720 KB floppy disk drive
33196
33197  * OS: BBC BASIC, word processor, diary, calculator, address book, spreadsheet, serial terminal, games in ROM
33198
33199  * Built In Language: BBC Basic
33200
33201
33202
33203
33204
33205===== Usage =====
33206
33207
33208
33209MESS supports the emulation of the nc200 with a "cartridge" (cart) device, for carts in .crd and .card format, as it was for the nc100.
33210
33211Additionally, also a "floppydisk" (flop) device is emulated, for disk images in .dsk, .ima, .img and .ufi format.
33212
33213
33214
33215Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the "serial" (serl) port are emulated as well.
33216
33217
33218
33219== Printer ==
33220
33221
33222
33223Printer emulation is working. All data is saved out to a file on the host filesystem. The data is not processed in any way, so the file will contain the raw bytes output to the printer port.
33224
33225
33226
33227== PCMCIA RAM Card ==
33228
33229
33230
33231Same as NC100.
33232
33233
33234
33235== Disk Drive ==
33236
33237
33238
33239Not working. I am trying to find out the details of the disc interface by looking at lots of disassemblies!
33240
33241
33242
33243== Keyboard ==
33244
33245
33246
33247This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
33248
33249
33250
33251
33252
33253===== Known Issues =====
33254
33255
33256
33257The emulation is reasonably accurate. There are no documents about the hardware of the NC200. Originally Cliff Lawson published details but these have been lost when his WWW site went down. Since then he has been unable to write up the details of the hardware (Cliff is a very busy man).
33258
33259
33260
33261So I have worked out much of the NC200 hardware by disassembling the ROM and I have also had much help from Russel Marks.
33262
33263
33264
33265
33266
33267===== History and Trivia =====
33268
33269
33270
33271The Amstrad NC200 Notebook computer is a portable computer.
33272
33273
33274
33275This system has a fold-down LCD screen, nice keyboard and disc drive. (The disc format is 720k PC Double Density DOS compatible).
33276
33277
33278
33279The memory is  protected by a lithium battery which is charged when the computer is connected to a mains supply.
33280
33281
33282
33283PCMCIA RAM cards can be used to store programs and documents.
33284
33285
33286
33287The computer has a built in wordprocessor, BBC Basic, Serial Terminal, Calculator, Diary and more. The whole system is a personal organiser with lots of extras.
33288
33289
33290
33291The NC200, was the last model of the NC series which was comprised of the NC 100 and NC 150.
33292
33293
33294
33295It was a very much smarter, more professional design, with a larger fold-out screen, offering 80 columns by 16 lines, a built-in 3" inch, 720 kilobyte floppy disk drive for storage, but at a heftier price tag of £329.
33296
33297
33298
33299It also had a spreadsheet, which the NC100 did not, as well as twice as much built-in memory at 128 kilobytes.
33300
33301
33302
33303//(info from old-computers.com)//
33304
33305
33306
33307
33308
33309===== Links =====
33310
33311
33312
33313  * NC page at Amstrad Computer Site -- http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/notepad.htm
33314
33315  * Genesis8 Amstrad Page -- http://genesis8.free.fr/
33316
33317  * Tim's NC User Site -- http://www.ncus.org.uk/
33318
33319  * NC 200 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1141
33320
33321
33322
33323
33324
33325===== Other Emulators =====
33326
33327
33328
33329  * nc100em (preliminary NC200 support) -- http://rus.members.beeb.net/nc100em.html
33330
33331
33332
33333
33334
33335$end
33336
33337
33338
33339#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33340
33341
33342$info=neat
33343$bio
33344====== Chips and Technologies New Enhanced AT (1988) ======
33345
33346
33347
33348
33349
33350===== Features =====
33351
33352
33353
33354  * Support of LIM EMS4.0 (or only 3.2?)
33355
33356
33357
33358
33359
33360===== Usage =====
33361
33362
33363
33364MSDOS utilities for quickset and ems available
33365
33366
33367
33368
33369
33370===== Known Issues =====
33371
33372
33373
33374The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
33375
33376
33377
33378  * Basically the same as mess ibmat emulation
33379
33380
33381
33382  * Special chipset features not emulated yet
33383
33384
33385
33386  * Not working
33387
33388
33389
33390
33391
33392===== History and Trivia =====
33393
33394
33395
33396Popular AT compatible chipset for 80286.
33397
33398
33399
33400NEAT (New Enhanced AT) was chipset used to build AT-class machines from Chips and Technologies, Inc., a company acquired by Intel in 1998 and integrated into its Desktop Platforms Group.
33401
33402
33403
33404
33405
33406$end
33407
33408
33409
33410#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33411
33412
33413$info=neocd
33414$bio
33415====== SNK Neo Geo CD (1994) and Neo Geo CDZ (1996)======
33416
33417
33418
33419
33420
33421===== Features =====
33422
33423
33424
33425  * CPU: Motorola 68000 at 12  MHz
33426
33427  * Co-Processor: Zilog Z80 at 4  MHz
33428
33429  * RAM: 64 KB main, 2 KB sound
33430
33431  * SRAM: 2 KB
33432
33433  * VRAM: 512 KB
33434
33435  * Colors: 4,096 (on screen), 65,536 (palette)
33436
33437  * Graphic Modes: 304 x 224
33438
33439  * Sound: Yamaha YM2610, 15 channels (7 digital, 4 FM, 3 PSG, 1 noise)
33440
33441  * I/O Ports: composite RCA A/V and S-Video output port
33442
33443
33444
33445
33446
33447===== History and Trivia =====
33448
33449
33450
33451Neo Geo CD was released by SNK in 1994, in an effort to reduce manufacturing costs which determined the high price of Neo Geo console and carts. However, the CD drive was very slow and huge loading times between levels, seriously harmed the success of the system.
33452
33453
33454
33455Many titles were converted from AES carts to CD featuring some different animations and music loaded from CD. A few titles were exclusively released in CD form, e.g. "Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushido Retsuden" a RPG based on "Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits" characters.
33456
33457
33458
33459The system was also capable of playing Audio CDs and featured no region-lock (all models).
33460
33461
33462
33463== Models ==
33464
33465
33466
33467Three versions of the Neo Geo CD were released:
33468
33469  * A "front-loading" version (in Japan only)
33470
33471  * A "top-loading" version
33472
33473  * Neo Geo CDZ (in Japan only)
33474
33475
33476
33477//(info based on Wikipedia)//
33478
33479
33480
33481
33482
33483===== Links =====
33484
33485
33486
33487  * NeoGeoCD.net -- http://www.neogeocd.net
33488
33489  * [[wp>Neo-Geo_CD]]
33490
33491
33492
33493
33494
33495===== Other Emulators =====
33496
33497
33498
33499  * Neoraine -- http://rainemu.swishparty.co.uk/
33500
33501  * Nebula -- http://nebula.emulatronia.com/
33502
33503
33504
33505
33506
33507$end
33508
33509
33510
33511#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33512
33513
33514$info=nes
33515$bio
33516====== Nintendo Entertainment System (1985) ======
33517
33518
33519
33520
33521
33522===== Features =====
33523
33524
33525
33526  * CPU: 8bit NMOS 6502 CPU with a secondary PPU (Picture Processing Unit)
33527
33528  * Clock Speed: 1.7897725MHz for NTSC and 1.773447MHz for the PAL version
33529
33530  * Data Path width: 8-bits
33531
33532  * SPR-RAM: 256 Bytes
33533
33534  * ROM: 8k
33535
33536  * Video Ram: 16 Kbits
33537
33538  * Color Palette: 256; 16 max on screen
33539
33540  * Sprites: 64 (8 x 8 or 8 x 16)
33541
33542  * Sound: FM with 5 sound channels (4 analog, 1 digital)
33543
33544  * Cart Size: 64k - 4 Megabit
33545
33546
33547
33548
33549
33550===== Usage =====
33551
33552
33553
33554MESS supports two regional variations of the NES
33555
33556
33557
33558  * nes [Nintendo Entertainment System (NTSC)]
33559
33560  * nespal [Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL)]
33561
33562
33563
33564Both drivers require a cart dump (in .nes format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run n64 emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
33565
33566
33567
33568  mess nes -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.nes"
33569
33570
33571
33572== Controls ==
33573
33574
33575
33576NES controller consists of an 8-way directional pad, two action buttons (labeled A and B), a Start button and a Select button. On the main unit, a Power and a Reset buttons are present.
33577
33578
33579
33580
33581
33582===== Known Issues =====
33583
33584
33585
33586The NES driver should run most of the images currently out there with very little problem, with the exception of MMC5 mapper used by Castlevania III, Just Breed, Nobunaga's Ambitions II and others. It also doesn't yet support all the obscure one-game mappers used by many "pirate carts".
33587
33588
33589
33590
33591
33592===== History and Trivia =====
33593
33594
33595
33596Following a series of arcade game successes in the early 1980s, Nintendo decided to produce a cartridge-based console: it was called Family Computer (Famicom) and  it was released in Japan in 1983 together with the conversions of some Nintendo's successful arcade games: "Donkey Kong", "Donkey Kong Jr.", and "Popeye".
33597
33598
33599
33600The system was designed by Masayuki Uemura and it intentionally resembled a toy, with its bright red and white color scheme. It featured two hardwired controllers which were unusual, though not unprecedented, for consoles of this era. Additionally, the system had a 15-pin expansion port in the front side to accommodate add-on peripheral devices, such as the Light Gun, the Power Pad, the keyboard for BASIC programming, a Cassette Drive, and other specialized controllers. Among the devices produced for the console: a karaoke machine, true 3D glasses, and the Famicom Disk System (which incorporated the floppy drive dropped from the original specifications).
33601
33602
33603
33604At first, the Nintendo Famicom did not meet success: during its first year, many criticized the system as unreliable, prone to programming errors and rampant freezing. Nintendo decided to recall most of the units and to reissue the system with a new motherboard, which basically solved all the reported problems. After the fixes, the system became very popular and it was the best-selling game console in Japan by the end of 1984.
33605
33606
33607
33608Encouraged by its successes, Nintendo soon turned its attentions to the North American market. At first, Nintendo contacted Atari to release the Famicom under Atari's name as the name "Nintendo Enhanced Video System". This deal eventually fell through, and Nintendo planned to market a Famicom console in North America featuring additionl keyboard, cassette data recorder, wireless joystick controller, and a special BASIC cartridge under the name "Nintendo Advanced Video System". But also these plans never became real.
33609
33610
33611
33612Finally, in June 1985 Nintendo unveiled its American version of the Famicom at the Consumer Electronics Show; and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was officially released it in North America at the beginning of 1986.
33613
33614
33615
33616In Europe and Australia, the system was released to two separate marketing regions (A and B). Distribution in region B, consisting of most of mainland Europe (excluding Italy), was handled by a number of different companies, with Nintendo responsible for most cartridge releases. On the other hand, Mattel handled distribution for region A, consisting of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, starting the following year. Only in 1990 Nintendo created its own European branch which took over distribution throughout Europe.
33617
33618
33619
33620Nintendo continued to support the system through the first half of the next decade. In 1992, Nintendo released the AV Famicom in Japan, a redesigned version of the Famicom. Two removeable controllers were included with the system, whose ports were now placed in the front of the system (while the expansion port was moved to the side). The controllers were identical to the ones released in the US.
33621
33622
33623
33624In North America, the support continued as well: a new version of the console, the NES 2, was released in early 90s to address many of the design flaws in the original NES hardware.
33625
33626
33627
33628By 1995, though, Nintendo of America officially discontinued the NES. In Japan, the production remained active until October 2003, when also Nintendo of Japan officially discontinued the line.
33629
33630
33631
33632Many videogame franchise, later migrated on new systems, had their origin on the Nintendo Famicom/NES: "MegaMan", "Castlevania", "Final Fantasy" and "Dragon Warrior", not to mention Nintendo series like "Super Mario Bros.", "The Legend of Zelda", "Kirby" and "Metroid".
33633
33634
33635
33636== Regional differences ==
33637
33638
33639
33640NES and Famicom were not exactly the same console, even if they shared most of the hardware.
33641
33642
33643
33644  * Case design: The Famicom features a top-loading cartridge slot, a 15-pin expansion port located on the unit's front panel for accessories (as the controllers were hard-wired to the back of the console) and a red and white color scheme; the NES features a front-loading cartridge slot, an expansion port was found on the bottom of the unit and a more subdued gray, black and red color scheme.
33645
33646
33647
33648  * Cart design: Differences between NES carts and Famicom carts are not only aesthetic! The original Famicom and the re-released AV Family Computer both use a 60-pin cartridge design, which resulted in smaller cartridges than the NES (and the NES 2), which utilized a 72-pin design. Four pins were used for the NES lockout chip, 10NES. Ten pins were added that connected a cartridge directly to the expansion port on the bottom of the unit. Finally, two pins that allowed cartridges to provide their own sound expansion chips were removed. Many early games (such as Stack-Up) released in North America were simply Famicom cartridges attached to an adapter (such as the T89 Cartridge Converter) to allow them to fit inside the NES hardware. Nintendo did this to reduce costs and inventory by using the same cartridge boards in America and Japan.
33649
33650
33651
33652  * Lockout Chip: The patented 10NES was a chip Nintendo added to NES in order to avoid unlicensed software to boot the system: at start, the NES unit checks for the presence of the chip in the cart and simply stops if the chip cannot be found. At least three versions were created, one put in US carts, one in UK carts and the last one in other European carts. These chips also prevented North American carts from playing on PAL consoles and viceversa.
33653
33654
33655
33656== Accessories ==
33657
33658
33659
33660  * Zapper: this is a Lightgun device produced by Nintendo. Few games used it: among these "Duck Hunt", "Hogan's Alley", "Wild Gunman", "Gumshoe" and "Bayou Billy".
33661
33662
33663
33664  * R.O.B.: R.O.B. stands for Robotic Operating Buddy. Nintendo produced this Robot shaped device to provide an interactive medium between the TV screen and player. In the two games which supported it (i.e. "Gyromite" and "Stack Up"), R.O.B.'s actions affect gameplay on the screen and the player have to react to what happens in the game: in "Gyromite" R.O.B. pushes and hold buttons on the second controller; in "Stack Up", the player has to press a button when R.O.B. finishes a task.
33665
33666
33667
33668  * NES Advantage: This arcade style controller produced by Nintendo features a joystick in place of the D-Pad, a variable-speed turbo for A and B buttons, a slow-down effect (consisting in repeated pressures of the Start button) and the possibility to plug it in both joypad ports (so that it can be used in games with alternating 2 players mode).
33669
33670
33671
33672  * NES Max: This controller produced by Nintendo replaces the D-Pad with a button-shaped cycloid. It also featured two turbo buttons for A and B. Its shape anticipates the "winged" shape of Sony Playstation controllers.
33673
33674
33675
33676  * NES Four Score / Satellite: Accessories which will allow 4 player to play the same game. The Satellite is wireless, allowing even more distance between the players and the unit.
33677
33678
33679
33680  * Power Glove: In 1989 Mattel introduced the PowerGlove, a handtracking device based on a glove. The PowerGlove was intended to work in place of a regular controller. The PowerGlove can track motion of the glove in three-space, finger position, and has a set of buttons/switches on the top of the wrist. It has two modes "hires" and "lores": in "hires" mode, it tracks 3d position, the rolling and the position of fingers along with the state of SELECT, START, A, B, D-PAD switches (which are a part of the NES standard controller); in "lores" mode, the glove reports only the position of the hand on the x and y axis and the buttons (thus emulating a NES controller completely and allowing one to use the glove with non-glove-specific games). In "lores" mode, it is also possible to map up to 14 combinations of the buttons to movements of the glove. The only games which explicitly supported the Power Glove were "Super Glove Ball" and "Bad Street Brawler", other being announced but never released
33681
33682
33683
33684  * Arkanoid Controller: specific controller with a knob in place of the D-Pad to control the paddle in the game "Arkanoid".
33685
33686
33687
33688  * LaserScope: Produced by Konami, it is a head-mounted lightgun with a microphone and a crosshair that covered one eye. It was manufactured specifically for one Konami game, "Laser Invasion". Wearing the device on the head, the players had to shout "fire!" into the microphone to fire a shot at the on-screen object via the headset's crosshair. However, microphone technology was poor: saying almost anything else would cause the controller to react.
33689
33690
33691
33692  * Power Pad / Family Fun Fitness: Released by Bandai, this is a floor mat controller consisting of eight/twelve (depending on the side) pressure-sensors embedded between two layers of flexible plastic. It was used by "Athletic World" and "World Class Track Meet".
33693
33694
33695
33696  * U-Force: This device, produced by Broderbund, uses infrared sensors and switches to recognize movements across the sensor and use them as input for the NES.
33697
33698
33699
33700  * Miracle Piano: Created by The Software Toolworks, it is MIDI keyboard/teaching tool. It consisted of a keyboard, connecting cables and a cartridge. When connected to the console, the user followed the on-screen notes.
33701
33702
33703
33704  * Aladdin Deck Enhancer: Produced by Camerica, the Aladdin system is kinda like a cartridge split up in two in two parts: the common chips have been put into the Deck Enhancer, while the game specific chip is contained in its own cart. This way, you can buy a single Deck Enhancer and several Compact Cartridge (cheaper than original cartridges because part of the circuitry was not needed). Only few games saw the release for the Aladdin Deck Enhancer, and most of them (except the bundled game "Dizzy the Adventurer") were also released on common carts.
33705
33706
33707
33708  * Game Genie: Video game enhancer from Galoob (Codemasters), it was first introduced in 1991. It allows to change and customize gameplay and to create special effects on many popular video games. For example, you can have more lives or weapons, start on any level of the game, jump higher, be invincible, and more. The changes you make with Game Genie are not permanent, and disappear when the power to the game deck is turned off.
33709
33710
33711
33712//(info based on Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
33713
33714
33715
33716
33717
33718===== Links =====
33719
33720
33721
33722  * NESDev -- http://nesdev.parodius.com/
33723
33724  * NESdevWiki -- http://nesdevwiki.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
33725
33726  * NES World -- http://nesworld.parodius.com/
33727
33728  * [[wp>Nintendo_Entertainment_System]]
33729
33730
33731
33732===== Other Emulators =====
33733
33734
33735
33736  * Nestopia -- http://nestopia.sourceforge.net/
33737
33738  * Nintendulator -- http://qmt.ath.cx/~nes/nintendulator/
33739
33740  * SegaLi -- http://home.planet.nl/~haps/
33741
33742  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
33743
33744  * olafnes -- http://olafnes.1emulation.com/
33745
33746  * FCE Ultra -- http://fceultra.sourceforge.net/
33747
33748  * FakeNES -- http://fakenes.sourceforge.net/
33749
33750  * RockNES -- http://rocknes.kinox.org/
33751
33752
33753
33754
33755
33756$end
33757
33758
33759
33760#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33761
33762
33763$info=newbrain
33764$bio
33765====== Grundy NewBrain A / AD / MD / VD (1981) ======
33766
33767
33768
33769
33770
33771===== Features =====
33772
33773
33774
33775  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
33776
33777  * Co-Processor: COP 240 (I/O)
33778
33779  * RAM: 32 KB
33780
33781  * ROM: 29 KB (8 KB for Basic, 4 KB for graphics, 4 KB for OS/characters set/editor)
33782
33783  * Text Modes: 80 columns x 25-30 lines / 40 columns x 25-30 lines
33784
33785  * Graphic Modes: From 256 x 10 to 640 x 220 pixels
33786
33787  * Colors: Monochrome
33788
33789  * Sound: unknown
33790
33791  * I/O Ports: Tape (two - 1200 bauds), RGB, UHF, RS232c (two - 9600 bauds, one was used as a printer one was cut down in lacking an "in" line), Z80 Bus
33792
33793  * Keyboard: QWERTY, calculator style, 62 keys
33794
33795  * Peripherals: Expansion interface featuring 2 serial ports, 2 parallels, 1 DAC, 1 joystick port, and a light pen port.
33796
33797  * Built In Language: Basic interpreter
33798
33799
33800
33801
33802
33803===== Usage =====
33804
33805
33806
33807MESS emulates the following computers
33808
33809
33810
33811  * newbrain [NewBrain MD with Expansion Interface]
33812
33813  * newbraim [NewBrain MD]
33814
33815  * newbraia [NewBrain AD]
33816
33817  * newbraiv [NewBrain VD]
33818
33819
33820
33821For each system, MESS supports emulation with two cassette drives, "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2), for tape images in .wav format. MESS also supports newbrain emulation with two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .img format.
33822
33823
33824
33825Finally, notice that two serial ports, "serial1" (serl1) and "serial2" (serl2), are emulated as well.
33826
33827
33828
33829== Keyboard ==
33830
33831
33832
33833These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
33834
33835
33836
33837== BIOS options ==
33838
33839
33840
33841Different versions of newbraia and newbraiv are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
33842
33843
33844
33845  "-bios 0" or "-bios rom20" = ROM 2.0
33846
33847 
33848
33849  "-bios 1" or "-bios rom191" = ROM 1.91
33850
33851 
33852
33853  "-bios 2" or "-bios rom19" = ROM 1.9
33854
33855 
33856
33857  "-bios 3" or "-bios rom14" = ROM 1.4
33858
33859
33860
33861
33862
33863===== Known Issues =====
33864
33865
33866
33867The emulation of these systems is still Preliminary.
33868
33869
33870
33871
33872
33873===== History and Trivia =====
33874
33875
33876
33877"When the NewBrain was announced to the world, in 1980, the design concept was significantly in advance of anything that had been seen in the field of handheld computing." (Dick Pountain - Personal Computer World)
33878
33879
33880
33881In fact, the company that created it, Newburry Labs, sold the desing to its current owner, Grundy Business Systems Ltd. It also seems that a small part of the original design came from Sinclair Radionics which designed later the ZX-80.
33882
33883
33884
33885At one time, the NewBrain was in line to be the BBC computer, but design problems and the change in ownership caused the BBC to look elsewhere.
33886
33887
33888
33889In 1982, the machine was advertised as a compact but powerful microcomputer with advanced hardware and software features.
33890
33891
33892
33893The NewBrain AD, which contains a 1-line, 16-character fluorescent display, was complemented by a no-display cheaper version sold £30 less, the NewBrain A. There was no reset button and no ON/OFF switch either. A third model, called Newbrain M included a battery-backup option (and the LCD screen) so it can be used as a handheld computer.
33894
33895
33896
33897An expansion interface was available, providing 2 serial ports, 2 parallels, 1 DAC, 1 joystick port, and a light pen port.
33898
33899A network was also available and allowed to connect 24 computers together through RS-232/V24 bidirectional serial ports.
33900
33901The New Brain used a special management memory system which allows to expand memory up to 2 Mb (IMPRESSIVE!).
33902
33903The character set contained 512 letters, numbers and graphics as well as VideoText symbols. The Character set was divided into two 256-character banks, only one of which could be selected at a time.
33904
33905An optional VideoText module enabled NewBrains owners to access British TeleText and Prestel services It could run under CP/M.
33906
33907
33908
33909//(info from old-computers.com)//
33910
33911
33912
33913
33914
33915===== Links =====
33916
33917
33918
33919  * NewBrain at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=176
33920
33921
33922
33923
33924
33925$end
33926
33927
33928
33929#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
33930
33931
33932$info=ngp
33933$bio
33934====== SNK Neo Geo Pocket (1998) ======
33935
33936
33937
33938
33939
33940Neo Geo Pocket has been the first portable console created by SNK. Its limited success, in a market dominated by Nintendo Game Boy, forced SNK to release very soon its successor, the Neo Geo Pocket Color.
33941
33942
33943
33944
33945
33946===== Features =====
33947
33948
33949
33950  * CPU: Toshiba TLCS-900H at 6.144 MHz
33951
33952  * Co-Processor: Z80 at 3.072 MHz for sound.
33953
33954  * RAM: 12 KB main, 4 KB sound.
33955
33956  * ROM: 64KB.
33957
33958  * Video Modes: 160 x 152.
33959
33960  * Colors: 8 shades of grey.
33961
33962  * Sound: 6 channel PSG, stereo output.
33963
33964  * I/O Ports: SIO 1 channel, Cartridge slot.
33965
33966
33967
33968===== Usage =====
33969
33970
33971
33972After you have started emulation, you have to press the <key>Q</key> key, to power up the system.
33973
33974
33975
33976== Software ==
33977
33978
33979
33980A list of Neo Geo Pocket software can be found [[:sysinfo:ngp:softlist|here]].
33981
33982
33983
33984
33985
33986===== History and Trivia =====
33987
33988
33989
33990The Neo Geo Pocket was released in 1998 in Japan. Launched in a market dominated by Game Boy and damaged by Nintendo's announcement of the Game Boy Color, the console did not manage to obtain the expected success.
33991
33992Hence, SNK decided to discontinue it pretty soon, already in 1999, to release its successor: the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Due to it's short lifespan the original Neo Geo Pocket was only released in Japan and Hong Kong, but not outside Asia.
33993
33994
33995
33996Despite the short life of the system, there were some significant games released on the system such as "Samurai Shodown" and "King of Fighters R-1". Also, the Neo Geo Pocket Color game library is mostly backward compatible with the Neo Geo Pocket, with few notable exceptions such as "Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure" and "SNK vs. Capcom: Match Of The Millennium".
33997
33998
33999
34000//(info based on Wikipedia and old-computers.com)//
34001
34002
34003
34004
34005
34006===== Links =====
34007
34008
34009
34010  * Neo Geo Pocket House -- http://ngphouse.com/
34011
34012  * Neo Geo Pocket Power -- http://www.neogeo.org.uk/
34013
34014  * Neo Geo Pocket Central -- http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/ngpcentral/index.html
34015
34016  * Neo Geo Pocket at UCD -- http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/portables/neo_geo_pocket.htm
34017
34018  * Neo Geo Pocket at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1264
34019
34020  * [[wp>Neo_Geo_Pocket]]
34021
34022
34023
34024
34025
34026===== Other Emulators =====
34027
34028
34029
34030  * NeoPocott -- http://neopocott.emuunlim.com/
34031
34032  * Neo Pop (no link)
34033
34034  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
34035
34036  * Xe -- http://www.xe-emulator.com/
34037
34038
34039
34040
34041
34042$end
34043
34044
34045
34046#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34047
34048
34049$info=ngpc
34050$bio
34051====== SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color (1998) ======
34052
34053
34054
34055Second (and last) SNK's attempt to challenge Nintendo Game Boy in the handheld consoles market.
34056
34057
34058
34059===== Features =====
34060
34061
34062
34063  * CPU: Toshiba TLCS-900H at 6.144 MHz
34064
34065  * Co-Processor: Z80 at 3.072 MHz for sound.
34066
34067  * RAM: 12 KB main, 4 KB sound.
34068
34069  * ROM: 64KB.
34070
34071  * Video Modes: 160 x 152.
34072
34073  * Colors: 4096 (Palette), 146 (on screen).
34074
34075  * Sound: 6 channel PSG, stereo output.
34076
34077  * I/O Ports: SIO 1 channel, Cartridge slot, 5 pin serial port.
34078
34079  * Peripherals: Link cable, Dreamcast link cable
34080
34081
34082
34083===== Usage =====
34084
34085
34086
34087After you have started emulation, you have to press the <key>Q</key> key, to power up the system.
34088
34089
34090
34091== Software ==
34092
34093
34094
34095A list of Neo Geo Pocket Color software can be found [[:sysinfo:ngp:softlist|here]].
34096
34097
34098
34099
34100
34101===== History and Trivia =====
34102
34103
34104
34105Following the surprise withdrawal of the Neo Geo Pocket, in 1999 SNK immediately launched the Neo Geo Pocket Color. The console was available in six different colours: internally the hardware was almost identical to the earlier Neo Geo Pocket, but it now featured a colour display.
34106
34107
34108
34109Launched in U.S. and Europe as well, the system featured not only SNK conversions from arcade titles, but also support from third party developers like Sega, which  created an exclusive Sonic The Hedgehog game.
34110
34111
34112
34113Sales of the system were steady, if unspectacular, and this was the most successful Game Boy competitor since the Game Gear. But anticipation of Nintendo's new Game Boy Advance hampered sales and after SNK was bought by Pachinko manufacturer Aruze in 2000 the NGPC was withdrawn from the U.S. and European markets. The unsold units were recalled by SNK and repackaged for sale in Asia where the NGPC continued to be sold.
34114
34115
34116
34117In 2003 the NGPC began to appear in the U.S. again, sold together with 6 game carts with no boxes or manuals.
34118
34119
34120
34121== Linking Capabilities ==
34122
34123
34124
34125It was possible to link multiple systems through a link cable, and also to connect the Neo Geo Pocket Color and the Sega Dreamcast. Games that featured the latter option include "King of Fighters R-2" (links with "King of Fighters '99 Dream Match" and "King of Fighters Evolution"), "SNK vs Capcom - Match of the Millennium" (links with "Capcom vs SNK 2"), "SNK vs Capcom - Card Fighters' Clash" (links with "King of Fighters Evolution"), "SNK vs Capcom - Card Fighters' Clash Expand Edition" (links with "Capcom vs SNK 2") and "Cool Cool Jam" (links with "Cool Cool Toon").
34126
34127
34128
34129//(info based on Wikipedia and old-computers.com)//
34130
34131
34132
34133
34134
34135===== Links =====
34136
34137
34138
34139  * Neo Geo Pocket House -- http://ngphouse.com/
34140
34141  * Neo Geo Pocket Power -- http://www.neogeo.org.uk/
34142
34143  * Neo Geo Pocket Central -- http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/ngpcentral/index.html
34144
34145  * Neo Geo Pocket at UCD -- http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/portables/neo_geo_pocket.htm
34146
34147  * Neo Geo Pocket Color at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1265
34148
34149  * [[wp>Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color]]
34150
34151
34152
34153
34154
34155===== Other Emulators =====
34156
34157
34158
34159  * NeoPocott -- http://neopocott.emuunlim.com/
34160
34161  * Neo Pop (no link)
34162
34163  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
34164
34165  * Xe -- http://www.xe-emulator.com/
34166
34167
34168
34169
34170
34171$end
34172
34173
34174
34175#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34176
34177
34178$info=odyssey2
34179$bio
34180====== Magnavox Odyssey2 (1978), Philips Videopac G7000 / C52 (1979) ======
34181
34182
34183
34184
34185
34186===== Features =====
34187
34188
34189
34190  * CPU: Intel 8048 8-bit microcontroller running at 1.79 MHz
34191
34192  * RAM: 64 bytes
34193
34194  * Audio/video RAM: 128 bytes
34195
34196  * ROM: 1024 bytes
34197
34198  * Video: Intel 8244 custom IC, 160x200 resolution (NTSC), 16-color palette but sprites may only use 8 of these colors
34199
34200  * Audio: Intel 8244 custom IC, mono, 24-bit shift register, clockable at 2 frequencies, noise generator [NOTE: There is only one 8244 chip in the system, which performs both audio and video functions]
34201
34202  * Input: Two 8-way, one-button, digital joysticks. In the first production runs of the Magnavox Odyssey<sup>2</sup> and the Philips G7000, these were permanently attached to the console; in later models, they were removable and replaceable. Plus QWERTY-layout membrane keyboard
34203
34204  * Output: RF Audio/Video connector, Peritel/SCART connector (France only)
34205
34206  * Media: ROM cartridges, typically 2 KiB, 4 KiB, or 8 KiB in size.
34207
34208  * Expansion modules: The Voice - provides speech synthesis & enhanced sound effects, Chess Module - The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> didn't have enough memory and computing power for a decent implementation of chess on its own, so the C7010 chess module contained a secondary CPU with its own extra memory to run the chess program.
34209
34210
34211
34212
34213
34214===== Usage =====
34215
34216
34217
34218Currently, MESS supports the following systems:
34219
34220
34221
34222  * odyssey2 [Magnavox Odyssey<sup>2</sup>]
34223
34224  * videopac [Philips Videopac G7000 / C52]
34225
34226
34227
34228Both of them require a "cartridge" (cart) to work, either in .bin or .rom format. To launch the emulation simply type
34229
34230 
34231
34232  mess.exe videopac -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.rom"
34233
34234
34235
34236== Keyboard ==
34237
34238
34239
34240This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
34241
34242
34243
34244
34245
34246===== Known Issues =====
34247
34248
34249
34250The sound emulation of this system is Imperfect.
34251
34252
34253
34254
34255
34256===== History and Trivia =====
34257
34258
34259
34260Driver based on info by Dan Boris.
34261
34262
34263
34264Magnavox (which merged with Philips in 1974) released the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> in 1978 to compete with brand new cartridge based video game systems like the Atari VCS, RCA Studio II or Fairchild Electronics Channel-F.
34265
34266
34267
34268Initially, Magnavox had developped a prototype system called "Odyssey 2", to replace the Odyssey, the first home videogame system to market, which had already been followed by a number of later models (each with a few technological improvements). It did not have the ability to use cartridges but had 24 games built-in and could be played by up to 4 players simultaneously. But this console never made it to the shelves, and the Odyssey<sup>2</sup>, a complete different system in fact, was marketed instead.
34269
34270
34271
34272The system is powered by an Intel 8048 microcontroller and a Video Display Controller (VDC) generating all audio and video. This VDC, which is a custom Intel IC, can generate 4 different types of graphic objects: a background grid, single characters, quad characters (made of 4 single characters) and sprites. A maximum of 4 independent sprites can be displayed. There are monochrome and of 8 x 8 pixels in size. Of course the VDC can detect sprite collisions.
34273
34274
34275
34276The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> has 64 pre-defined characters (letters and graphic symbols) in memory. Up to 12 foreground characters can be displayed from this internal character set. Many games (especially eraly ones) used a lot those pre-defined characters: man walking, right arrow, slopes, tree, ships, plane and a ball.
34277
34278
34279
34280Moreover, unlike any other system at that time, the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> included a full alphanumeric membrane keyboard, which was to be used for educational games, selecting options, or programming (Magnavox also released a game cartridge called "Computer Intro!" with the intent of teaching simple computer programming).
34281
34282
34283
34284For joysticks, Odyssey<sup>2</sup> used the standard design of the 1970s and 80s: the original console had a moderately-sized silver controller, held in one hand, with a square housing for its eight-direction stick that was manipulated with the other hand. Later releases had a similar black controller, with an 8-pointed star-shaped housing for its eight-direction joystick. In the upper corner of the joystick was a single 'Action' button, silver on the original controllers and red on the black controllers.
34285
34286
34287
34288Another strong point of the system was its excellent speech synthesis unit, which was released as an add-on for speech, music, and sound effects enhancement. Finally, the area that the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> may be best remembered for was its pioneering fusion of board and video games: The Master Strategy Series. The first game released was the instant classic "Quest for the Rings!", with gameplay somewhat similar to Dungeons & Dragons, and a storyline reminiscent of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
34289
34290
34291
34292Though not as popular as the Atari VCS, or later Intellivision, the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> did well in the US and even better in Europe where it was marketed by Philips as the Videopac G7000 and Philips C52 in France. A further evolution of the hardware was released in Europe as Philips G7400, Videopac+ and Jopac. The US version, codenamed Odyssey<sup>3</sup>, reached only the prototype stage.
34293
34294
34295
34296== Market life ==
34297
34298
34299
34300  * United States: The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> sold moderately well in the US, with over a million of units sold by 1983. Not many new games were released, due to the lack of support by third-party developers, but the success of the Philips Videopac G7000 overseas convinced other companies to produce games for it: Parker Brothers and Imagic.
34301
34302
34303
34304  * Europe: In Europe, the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> sold very well. In Europe, the console was most widely known as the Philips Videopac G7000 (Videopac C52 in France), or just the Videopac, although branded variants were released under the names "Radiola Jet 25", "Schneider 7000", and "Siera G7000". A rare model, the "Philips Videopac G7200", was only released in Europe: it had a built-in black-and-white monitor. Videopac game cartridges are mostly compatible with American Odyssey<sup>2</sup> units, although some games have color differences and a few are completely incompatible. A number of additional games were released in Europe that never came out in the US.
34305
34306
34307
34308  * Brazil: In Brazil, the console was released as the "Philips Odyssey". The original Magnavox Odyssey was released in Brazil by a company named "Planil Comercio", not affiliated to Philips or Magnavox, but hadn't success. Therefore, the Brazilian branch of Philips released Odyssey<sup>2</sup> without its number. Odyssey became much more popular in Brazil than it ever was in the US; tournaments were even held for popular games like K.C.'s Krazy Chase! (Come-Come in Brazil).
34309
34310
34311
34312  * Japan: The Odyssey<sup>2</sup> was released in Japan in December 1982 by Koton Trading Toitarii Enterprise (a division of DINGU company). "Japanese" versions of the Odyssey<sup>2</sup> and its games consisted of the American boxes with katakana stickers on them and cheaply printed black-and-white Japanese manuals. It was apparently not very successful: Japanese Odyssey<sup>2</sup> items are now very difficult to find.
34313
34314
34315
34316//(info from old-computers.com and Wikipedia)//
34317
34318
34319
34320
34321
34322===== Links =====
34323
34324
34325
34326  * videopac.org -- http://www.videopac.org/
34327
34328  * Odyssey2 Home Page -- http://www.classicgaming.com/o2home/index.asp
34329
34330  * Dan Boris' Odyssey2 Page -- http://www.atarihq.com/danb/o2.shtml
34331
34332  * Odyssey2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=695
34333
34334  * G7000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1080
34335
34336  * C52 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1060
34337
34338  * [[wp>Odyssey_2]]
34339
34340
34341
34342
34343
34344===== Other Emulators =====
34345
34346
34347
34348  * o2em for DOS -- http://o2em.sourceforge.net/
34349
34350
34351
34352
34353
34354$end
34355
34356
34357
34358#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34359
34360
34361$info=orao
34362$bio
34363====== PEL Varaždin Orao 102 (1984) and 103 (1985) ======
34364
34365
34366
34367
34368
34369===== Features =====
34370
34371
34372
34373  * CPU: 6502
34374
34375  * RAM: 16 KB and 32 KB models (expandable to 64 KB)
34376
34377  * ROM: 16 KB (monitor + BASIC)
34378
34379  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 32 lines
34380
34381  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 256 pixels
34382
34383  * I/O Ports: Tape interface, TV output, Composite video output, User port, RS 232 connector
34384
34385  * Built In Language: Basic (Pascal language supplied on tape)
34386
34387  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard (61 keys), 4 function keys, 4 arrow keys
34388
34389  * OS: DOS 0.1
34390
34391
34392
34393
34394
34395===== Usage =====
34396
34397
34398
34399MESS supports both version of the Orao
34400
34401
34402
34403  * orao [PEL Varaždin Orao 102]
34404
34405  * orao103 [PEL Varaždin Orao 103]
34406
34407
34408
34409Both drivers support cassette tapes in .wav and .tap format, using the "cassette" (cass) device.
34410
34411
34412
34413== Keyboard ==
34414
34415
34416
34417These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
34418
34419
34420
34421
34422
34423===== History and Trivia =====
34424
34425
34426
34427Orao was an 8-bit computer designed by Miroslav Kocijan to supersede Galeb (code named YU101), and developed by PEL Varaždin in 1984.  Orao became the computer of choice for educational use in the Croatian elementary schools, from 1985 to 1991.
34428
34429
34430
34431When turned on, it would start the monitor and you have to type a command to start the BASIC. There is no text mode. Characters are drawn in graphic mode in an 8x8 grid, allowing the system to display 32 characters x 32 lines.
34432
34433
34434
34435//(info from old-computers.com)//
34436
34437
34438
34439
34440
34441===== Links =====
34442
34443
34444
34445  * Orao at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=981
34446
34447
34448
34449
34450
34451===== Other Emu =====
34452
34453
34454
34455  * Orao Emu -- http://www.foing.hr/~fng_josip/
34456
34457
34458
34459
34460
34461$end
34462
34463
34464
34465#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34466
34467
34468$info=oric1
34469$bio
34470====== Oric 1 (1983) ======
34471
34472
34473
34474
34475
34476===== Features =====
34477
34478
34479
34480  * CPU: 6502A 1 MHz
34481
34482  * Co-Processor: Custom gate array chip
34483
34484  * RAM: 16 KB or 48 KB
34485
34486  * ROM: 16 KB
34487
34488  * Text Modes: 40 x 28
34489
34490  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200 (high resolution)
34491
34492  * Colors: 8
34493
34494  * Sound: Programmable Sound Generator AY-3-8912 (from General Instruments), 3 voices, 8 octaves + white noise
34495
34496  * I/O Ports: Bus, Printer, Tape, RGB
34497
34498  * Keyboard: Chicklet keyboard, 57 keys. ESC, DEL ,CTRL, 2 x SHIFT, RETURN, 4 x arrow keys and one large spacebar
34499
34500  * Peripherals: 4-pen plotter printer, 3" floppy disk drive unit
34501
34502  * Built In Language: Oric Extended Basic v1.0
34503
34504
34505
34506
34507
34508===== Usage =====
34509
34510
34511
34512MESS supports cassette tapes (see below) and up to four floppy drive for disks in .dsk format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
34513
34514
34515
34516Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
34517
34518
34519
34520== Cassettes ==
34521
34522
34523
34524MESS supports oric1 emulation with a "cassette" (cass) device to read tapes in .wav and .tap format. You can run a tape image launching at command line
34525
34526
34527
34528  mess oric1 -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tap"
34529
34530
34531
34532Once you are in the emulation, you can use
34533
34534
34535
34536  CLOAD""
34537
34538
34539
34540to load the cassette.
34541
34542
34543
34544== VSYNC Cable ==
34545
34546
34547
34548Although the machine generates a VSYNC pulse, this is signal is not available to the user. In order to overcome this problem, a simple hardware hack has been devised: a cable that connects pin #4 (VSYNC) of the RGB output to pin #3 (INPUT) of the tape interface - in this way the programmer can easily access to this hardware timer and implement interrupt-based programming techniques.
34549
34550
34551
34552Of course, the presence of the cable prevents the usage of cassettes - if problems loading tapes are experienced, make sure that this option is disabled.
34553
34554
34555
34556== Disks ==
34557
34558
34559
34560To use a disk image, run the Oric 1 driver and change the keyboard emulation status to Partial, then press Tab to access the MESS menu. Go to Driver Configuration and change the Floppy disk interface to Microdisc.  Exit MESS and load a disk image from the command line:
34561
34562
34563
34564  mess oric1 -floppydisk1 "C:\pathtodiskimage\imagename.dsk"
34565
34566
34567
34568Once the Oric 1 driver has booted, change the keyboard emulation status to Partial again and press F3 to reset the system.  The disk image should be loaded automatically.
34569
34570
34571
34572== Keyboard ==
34573
34574
34575
34576This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
34577
34578
34579
34580Original Keyboard:
34581
34582
34583
34584      1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -£   =+   \| 
34585
34586 
34587
34588 
34589
34590  ESC   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}   DEL
34591
34592 
34593
34594 
34595
34596    CTRL   A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;:   '"    RETURN
34597
34598 
34599
34600 
34601
34602     SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
34603
34604 
34605
34606 
34607
34608                 Left  Down         SPACEBAR          Up  Right
34609
34610
34611
34612
34613
34614
34615
34616===== History and Trivia =====
34617
34618
34619
34620This British computer was one of the most popular computers in Europe in the beginning of the 80's. It was a small computer, which was a competitor of the Sinclair Spectrum.
34621
34622
34623
34624The two models (16 and 48) had the same technical characteristics. A small plotter was available for this computer.
34625
34626
34627
34628Notice that the sound chip was the same one used in the Amstrad CPC, MSX computers and Atari ST!
34629
34630
34631
34632Its ROM was very buggy and the system was later replaced by the Oric Atmos.
34633
34634
34635
34636//(info from old-computers.com)//
34637
34638
34639
34640
34641
34642===== Links =====
34643
34644
34645
34646  * Defence Force Oric -- http://www.defence-force.org/computing/oric/index.htm
34647
34648  * Oric International -- http://www.oric.org/
34649
34650  * Oric World -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/index_english.html
34651
34652  * Pascal's Oric Page -- http://pleclerc.free.fr/Oric/OricPage.html
34653
34654  * RhetOric -- http://www.rhetoric.8k.com/
34655
34656  * Swedish Oric Page -- http://oric.skarstad.net/
34657
34658  * The Reclutant Dragon -- http://freespace.virgin.net/james.groom/index.htm
34659
34660  * The Spider's Oric Web -- http://oricspider.home.insightbb.com/
34661
34662  * Twilighte -- http://twilighte.oric.org/
34663
34664  * Oric 1 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=180
34665
34666
34667
34668
34669
34670===== Other Emulators =====
34671
34672
34673
34674  * Euphoric -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/emulator.html
34675
34676
34677
34678
34679
34680$end
34681
34682
34683
34684#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34685
34686
34687$info=orica
34688$bio
34689====== Oric Atmos (1984) ======
34690
34691
34692
34693
34694
34695===== Features =====
34696
34697
34698
34699  * CPU: 6502A 1 MHz
34700
34701  * RAM: 16 KB or 48 KB
34702
34703  * ROM: 16 KB
34704
34705  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 28 lines
34706
34707  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200 (+ 3 text lines)
34708
34709  * Colors: 8
34710
34711  * Sound: Programmable Sound Generator AY-3-8912 (from General Instruments), 3 voices, 8 octaves + white noise
34712
34713  * I/O Ports: Power supply, Expansion port, Printer/Centronics port, Tape-recorder DIN plug, RGB video out, RF TV out
34714
34715  * Keyboard: QWERTY, mechanical keyboard, 58 keys. 4 arrow keys. ESC, CTRL, DEL, RETURN, SHIFT (x 2), FUNCT.
34716
34717  * Peripherals: 3" floppy disc unit, 4 colour printer-plotter
34718
34719  * Built In Language: Tangerine Basic (made by Microsoft)
34720
34721
34722
34723
34724
34725===== Usage =====
34726
34727
34728
34729MESS supports cassette tapes in .wav and .tap format, using the "cassette" (cass) device, and up to four floppy drive for disks in .dsk format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
34730
34731
34732
34733It also supports "Microdisc" and "Jasmin" floppy disc controller emulation: this can be chosen using a Dip Switch.
34734
34735
34736
34737Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
34738
34739
34740
34741== Keyboard ==
34742
34743
34744
34745This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
34746
34747
34748
34749Original Keyboard:
34750
34751
34752
34753      1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -£   =+   \| 
34754
34755 
34756
34757 
34758
34759  ESC   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}   DEL
34760
34761 
34762
34763 
34764
34765    CTRL   A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;:   '"  RETURN
34766
34767 
34768
34769 
34770
34771     SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT
34772
34773 
34774
34775 
34776
34777       Left  Down                SPACEBAR                  Up  Right FUNCT
34778
34779
34780
34781
34782
34783
34784
34785
34786
34787===== Known issues =====
34788
34789
34790
34791  * The disc controller emulation is not exact and some programs may fail to load.
34792
34793  * The cassette emulation is not exact and some programs may fail to load
34794
34795  * Screen display should be accurate, but there might be some small bugs.
34796
34797  * Tape programs are found but not loaded.
34798
34799  * There are bugs in the Microdisc and Jasmin floppy disc controller emulation so some programs will not boot.
34800
34801
34802
34803
34804
34805===== History and Trivia =====
34806
34807
34808
34809The Oric Atmos was the successor of the Oric 1 and had almost the same features. Its main difference with the Oric 1 was the keyboard and the debugged ROM (the ORIC 1 had several bugs). Although improved, the loading process from tape was still very uncertain. The real mechanical keyboard was really better.
34810
34811
34812
34813Two versions were available, with 16 or 48 KB of RAM. 16 KB version couldn't be upgraded, very few of them were sold.
34814
34815
34816
34817There were also new Basic instructions and above all the Scart power supply was integrated on French models from 85! Fantastic, when you know that the Oric had the world record of cables and power supplies you had to use (1 for the computer, 1 for the tape recorder, 1 for the peritel supply and 1 more plug for the TV!).
34818
34819
34820
34821The Atmos had really large success in France like its little brother the Oric-1. A lot of videogame companies got off the ground thanks to this machine, and quite a lot of people have a tender thought when then remember their Atmos.
34822
34823
34824
34825In 1985, Eureka Informatique, a french company, bought back Oric. The Atmos then lived a bit longer thanks to some improvements (peritel power supply and better tape reliability) and cheap prices policy.
34826
34827
34828
34829The Atmos was somehow legally licensed  in Yugoslavia as the Nova 64. The Pravetz 8D was a bulgarian clone of the Atmos.
34830
34831
34832
34833//(info from old-computers.com)//
34834
34835
34836
34837
34838
34839===== Links =====
34840
34841
34842
34843  * Defence Force Oric -- http://www.defence-force.org/computing/oric/index.htm
34844
34845  * Oric International -- http://www.oric.org/
34846
34847  * Oric World -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/index_english.html
34848
34849  * Pascal's Oric Page -- http://pleclerc.free.fr/Oric/OricPage.html
34850
34851  * RhetOric -- http://www.rhetoric.8k.com/
34852
34853  * Swedish Oric Page -- http://oric.skarstad.net/
34854
34855  * The Reclutant Dragon -- http://freespace.virgin.net/james.groom/index.htm
34856
34857  * The Spider's Oric Web -- http://oricspider.home.insightbb.com/
34858
34859  * Twilighte -- http://twilighte.oric.org/
34860
34861  * Oric Atmos at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=79
34862
34863
34864
34865
34866
34867===== Other Emulators =====
34868
34869
34870
34871  * Euphoric -- http://oric.ifrance.com/oric/emulator.html
34872
34873
34874
34875
34876
34877$end
34878
34879
34880
34881#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
34882
34883
34884$info=orion128
34885$bio
34886====== Orion 128 (1990) ======
34887
34888
34889
34890
34891
34892===== Features =====
34893
34894
34895
34896  * CPU: KR580VM80A (i8080A clone)
34897
34898  * RAM: 128kB (expandable to 256kB)
34899
34900  * ROM: 2kB   
34901
34902  * Colors: up to 16
34903
34904  * Video: 384 x 256
34905
34906  * Keyboard: 67 keys russian keyboard
34907
34908
34909
34910
34911
34912===== Usage =====
34913
34914
34915
34916MESS supports the following hardware configurations of the Orion 128
34917
34918
34919
34920  * orion128 [Orion 128]
34921
34922  * orionms [Orion 128 (MS7007)]
34923
34924  * orionz80 [Orion 128 with Z80 Card II]
34925
34926  * orionzms [Orion 128 (MS7007) with Z80 Card II]
34927
34928
34929
34930All the drivers support: carts in .bin format (e.g. for ROMDISKs), using the "cartridge" (cart) device; cassette tapes in .wav and .rko format, using the "cassette" (cass) device; and up to four floppy drive for disks in .odi and .img format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
34931
34932
34933
34934== Keyboard ==
34935
34936
34937
34938These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
34939
34940
34941
34942== BIOS options ==
34943
34944
34945
34946Various versions of each driver are emulated in MESS, corresponding to different version of the ROMs published on the magazine. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
34947
34948
34949
34950  * [orion128]
34951
34952 
34953
34954  "-bios 0" or "-bios m2rk" = Version 3.2 rk
34955
34956 
34957
34958  "-bios 1" or "-bios m2_2rk" = Version 3.2.2 rk
34959
34960
34961
34962  * [orionz80]
34963
34964 
34965
34966  "-bios 0" or "-bios m31" = Version 3.1
34967
34968 
34969
34970  "-bios 1" or "-bios m32zrk" = Version 3.2 zrk
34971
34972 
34973
34974  "-bios 2" or "-bios m33zrkd" = Version 3.3 zrkd
34975
34976 
34977
34978  "-bios 3" or "-bios m34zrk" = Version 3.4 zrk
34979
34980 
34981
34982  "-bios 4" or "-bios m35zrkd" = Version 3.5 zrkd
34983
34984
34985
34986  * [orionzms]
34987
34988 
34989
34990  "-bios 0" or "-bios m32zms" = Version 3.2 zms
34991
34992 
34993
34994  "-bios 1" or "-bios m34zms" = Version 3.4 zms
34995
34996 
34997
34998  "-bios 2" or "-bios m35zmsd" = Version 3.5 zmsd
34999
35000
35001
35002
35003
35004===== History and Trivia =====
35005
35006
35007
35008Orion schematics were published in 1990 in a magazine for HAM radio enthusiasts called "Radio". It is not clear if the machine was ever sold in assembled form as a mass-market product, or even only as a kit.
35009
35010
35011
35012From the technical point of view the Orion-128 was superior to machines like the Radio-RK86 and its many compatible versions but it was never as popular as these.
35013
35014
35015
35016The Orion has a TV-output and uses a tape recorder as mass-storage device. In 1992 a disk-drive extension was released and a CP/M 80 version was developed, allowing a wider range of software to be used.
35017
35018
35019
35020//(info from homecomputer.de)//
35021
35022
35023
35024
35025
35026===== Links =====
35027
35028
35029
35030  * Orion-128 page -- http://orion128.nikom.biz/ (russian)
35031
35032  * Orion-128 at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html
35033
35034
35035
35036
35037
35038===== Other Emu =====
35039
35040
35041
35042  * OrionEmu -- http://www.nedopc.org/nedopc/orion/emul.shtml
35043
35044  * Orion-128 Emu -- http://gri.irk.ru/orion/
35045
35046  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
35047
35048  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
35049
35050  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
35051
35052
35053
35054
35055
35056$end
35057
35058
35059
35060#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35061
35062
35063$info=orionpro
35064$bio
35065====== Orion Pro (1994) ======
35066
35067
35068
35069
35070
35071===== Features =====
35072
35073
35074
35075  * CPU: Z80 5MHz
35076
35077  * RAM: 512kB
35078
35079  * ROM: 64kB
35080
35081  * Colors: up to 16
35082
35083  * Video Modes: 11 different screen modes (text and graphics), from 384 x 256 to 512 x 256
35084
35085  * Keyboard: 67 keys Russian keyboard
35086
35087
35088
35089
35090
35091====== Usage =====
35092
35093
35094
35095MESS supports, for the orionpro: carts in .bin format (e.g. for ROMDISKs), using the "cartridge" (cart) device; cassette tapes in .wav and .rko format, using the "cassette" (cass) device; and up to four floppy drive for disks in .odi and .img format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
35096
35097
35098
35099== Keyboard ==
35100
35101
35102
35103This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
35104
35105
35106
35107== BIOS options ==
35108
35109
35110
35111Different versions of the Orion Pro are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
35112
35113
35114
35115  "-bios 0" or "-bios ver21" = Version 2.1
35116
35117 
35118
35119  "-bios 1" or "-bios ver20" = Version 2.0
35120
35121 
35122
35123  "-bios 2" or "-bios ver10" = Version 1.0
35124
35125
35126
35127
35128
35129===== History and Trivia ======
35130
35131
35132
35133The Orion-Pro was the successor of the Orion-128. It was based on Z80 CPU running at 5,8 or 10Mhz (controlled by a DIP on board). It also had a 800k FDD controller, Centronics and RS-232 port.
35134
35135
35136
35137Orion-PRO uses CP/M as default disk operating system and there also were external boards (can be installed into three slots on main board) with 1.44Mb FDD controller, additional 1.5Mb of RAM, ROM-disk, EEPROM programmer, Sound board.
35138
35139
35140
35141Only ~2000 computer were released because it came in beginning of 1994 when cheap game consoles flooded shops.
35142
35143
35144
35145//(info from homecomputer.de)//
35146
35147
35148
35149
35150
35151===== Links =====
35152
35153
35154
35155  * Orion Pro at Home Computer Museum -- http://www.homecomputer.de/pages/easteurope_ussr.html
35156
35157
35158
35159
35160
35161===== Other Emu =====
35162
35163
35164
35165  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
35166
35167  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
35168
35169
35170
35171
35172
35173$end
35174
35175
35176
35177#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35178
35179
35180$info=osborne1
35181$bio
35182====== Osborne Computer Corp. Osborne 1 (1981) ======
35183
35184
35185
35186===== Features =====
35187
35188
35189
35190  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 4 MHz
35191
35192  * RAM: 64 KB
35193
35194  * ROM: 4 KB
35195
35196  * Text Modes: 52 / 80 / 104 char. x 24 lines
35197
35198  * Graphic Modes: Only graphic characters
35199
35200  * Colors: Monochrome
35201
35202  * Sound: Beeper
35203
35204  * I/O Ports: RS232, IEEE 488, Modem port, Composite Video
35205
35206  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
35207
35208  * Built In Media: 2 x 5.25" FDD
35209
35210  * OS: CP/M
35211
35212  * Built In Language: None, but it was supplied with : CBasic, WordStar, SuperCalc, MailMerge, DBase II.
35213
35214
35215
35216
35217
35218===== Usage =====
35219
35220
35221
35222MESS currently supports Osborne-1 with up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .img format.
35223
35224
35225
35226== Keyboard ==
35227
35228
35229
35230This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
35231
35232
35233
35234
35235
35236===== History and Trivia =====
35237
35238
35239
35240The Osborne 1 is one of the first portable computers but needs external power source. Its name comes from Adam Osborne, the man who made this computer a reality (not quite true, see end of the text).
35241
35242
35243
35244It has a very small built-in screen (8.75 x 6.6 cm, which can display 128 columns!!) and weighs more than 10 Kg.
35245
35246The first models couldn't display more than 52 columns by line, so to access to the 76 other columns, the user had to scroll among the screen thanks to the cursor keys.
35247
35248
35249
35250It works under CP/M and was sold with Digital Research CBASIC (compiled BASIC), SuperCalc (spreadsheet), WordStar (word processor), MailMerge (mailing) and Microsoft's MBasic (MBasic source code was 100% upwards compatible with IBM PC's BASICA, source code only).
35251
35252
35253
35254This machine would be succeeded in 1983 by the Osborne Executive, which featured a larger screen and lower-profile disk drives.
35255
35256
35257
35258Despite its interesting characteristics, Osborne Computer Corporation suffered the competition of the first IBM PC compatibles and went bankrupt in 1983. One casualty was a planned portable computer called the Osborne PC (which, interestingly, was an MS-DOS clone). It was never released (even though prototypes exist).
35259
35260
35261
35262//(info from old-computer.com)//
35263
35264
35265
35266
35267
35268===== Links =====
35269
35270
35271
35272  * Dave Mathews's Osborne O1 page -- http://www.davemathews.com/osborne.html
35273
35274  * Osborne 1 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=181
35275
35276
35277
35278
35279
35280$end
35281
35282
35283
35284#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35285
35286
35287$info=oscnano
35288$bio
35289====== Oscom Oy OSCOM Nano (1980) ======
35290
35291
35292
35293
35294
35295===== Features =====
35296
35297
35298
35299  * CPU: CDP1802
35300
35301  * RAM: 4k
35302
35303  * ROM: 512 byte
35304
35305  * Keyboard: hex keypad
35306
35307  * I/O ports: cassette recorder, TV interface (CDP1864, PAL version of 'Pixie' chip 1861), a 64-pin extension connector.
35308
35309
35310
35311
35312
35313===== Usage =====
35314
35315
35316
35317MESS currently supports the oscnano with a "cassette" (cass) device, supporting tapes in .wav format.
35318
35319
35320
35321Also, a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
35322
35323
35324
35325
35326
35327== Keyboard ==
35328
35329
35330
35331This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
35332
35333
35334
35335Original Keyboard: 18-keys hexadecimal keypad
35336
35337 
35338
35339                7   8   9   C
35340
35341 
35342
35343 
35344
35345                4   5   6   D
35346
35347 
35348
35349 
35350
35351                1   2   3   E
35352
35353 
35354
35355        MONI
35356
35357  RUN    TOR    A   0   B   F
35358
35359
35360
35361
35362
35363
35364
35365===== History and Trivia =====
35366
35367
35368
35369Designed in 1980, by Osmo Kainulainen, the designer of Telmac, OSCOM Nano fixed a number of problems with Telmac 1800. It was sold already built (not as a kit) and was targeted not only to hobby users but also to industrial use.
35370
35371
35372
35373According to Nano brochure, over Telmac1800 it featured: PAL video (1864 video chip); more reliable tape recorder interface; touch-type keyboard replaced with "professional" hex-keypad.
35374
35375
35376
35377//(info from hobbylabs.org)//
35378
35379
35380
35381
35382
35383===== Links =====
35384
35385
35386
35387  * OSCOM Nano at hobbylabs.org -- http://www.hobbylabs.org/oscom_nano.htm
35388
35389
35390
35391
35392
35393$end
35394
35395
35396
35397#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35398
35399
35400$info=p2000t
35401$bio
35402====== Philips P2000T and P2000M (1980) ======
35403
35404
35405
35406
35407
35408===== Features =====
35409
35410
35411
35412  * CPU: Z80 2.5 MHz
35413
35414  * Co-Processor: None
35415
35416  * RAM: 16 KB to 48 KB
35417
35418  * VRAM: 1 [T] or 2 [M] KB
35419
35420  * ROM: 4 KB + 16 KB in ROM cartridges
35421
35422  * Text Modes: 40 [T] or 80 [M] columns x 24 lines
35423
35424  * Graphic Modes: None
35425
35426  * Colors: 7
35427
35428  * Sound: Built-in beeper - 1 channel
35429
35430  * I/O Ports: TV aerial, RGB, Serial [T], Monochrome composite video, Serial, FDD interface [M]
35431
35432  * Keyboard: Typewriter type - 74 keys with numeric keypad
35433
35434  * Built In Media: Mini cassette drive (42 KB)
35435
35436  * OS: Philips JWSDOS, CP/M with extra card
35437
35438  * Peripherals: Various interfaces through the Bus slot
35439
35440
35441
35442
35443
35444===== Usage =====
35445
35446
35447
35448MESS supports both computers
35449
35450
35451
35452  * p2000t [Philips P2000T]
35453
35454  * p2000m [Philips P2000M]
35455
35456
35457
35458== Keyboard ==
35459
35460
35461
35462These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
35463
35464
35465
35466
35467
35468===== History and Trivia =====
35469
35470
35471
35472The P2000 desktop series was the first Philips attempt to penetrate the home computer market. It was released in March 1980 in two version, the P2000M and the P2000T.
35473
35474
35475
35476The main difference lied in the video interface. The T version, aimed at home and educational use, could be connected to either a standard TV set or a special RGB monitor. The M version, more professional, had an additional 80-column card allowing to connect a monochrome composite monitor. This version shipped with a monitor cabinet also housing a dual 5.25" floppy drive.
35477
35478
35479
35480The P2000 was a robust and well conceived machine. There was no built-in language but only a 4 KB ROM holding system basic and I/O routines. Two cartridges slots allowed to add ROM programs (slot 1) or interface cards (slot 2) like a modem or a parallel printer interface.
35481
35482
35483
35484Programs and data could be stored through the built-in mini cassette drive which was seen by the user as a floppy drive with automatic search for a program (CLOAD command) or free space (CSAVE). A command also allowed to display the directory of a cassette tape.
35485
35486
35487
35488The P2000 didn't meet a great success in Europe, except in the Netherlands, its country of origin (although the machine was made in Austria) where the very active Philips user group provided lots of original software and hardware extensions like CP/M or disk drive controller cards. The P2000 was also widely used in Dutch and German schools.
35489
35490
35491
35492//(info from old-computers.com)//
35493
35494
35495
35496
35497
35498===== Links =====
35499
35500
35501
35502  * P2000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1042
35503
35504
35505
35506
35507
35508$end
35509
35510
35511
35512#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35513
35514
35515$info=pasogo
35516$bio
35517====== Koei PasoGo (1996) ======
35518
35519
35520
35521
35522
35523===== Usage =====
35524
35525
35526
35527MESS supports cart dumps in .bin format for pasogo, using the “cartridge” (cart) device.
35528
35529
35530
35531
35532
35533===== Known Issues =====
35534
35535
35536
35537The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
35538
35539
35540
35541
35542
35543===== History & Trivia =====
35544
35545
35546
35547PasoGo is a contraction of Pasocon (personal computer) and Go. This is a portable device to play Go wherever you are.
35548
35549
35550
35551It is built around a single chip (a PC-on-a-chip Vadem VG-230), has a large 2-colour low-contrast LCD screen, a directional pad and two buttons. The system was released in 1996, quite surprising since at the same time Nintendo was working on the Atlantis, which would have been released later as the Game Boy Advance.
35552
35553
35554
35555Around 10 games were released, all variations on the classic Go game.
35556
35557
35558
35559
35560
35561===== Links =====
35562
35563
35564
35565  * PasoGo at NFG games -- http://nfggames.com/games/pasogo/
35566
35567  * PasoGo at UCD -- http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/portables/pasago_go.htm
35568
35569
35570
35571
35572
35573$end
35574
35575
35576
35577#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35578
35579
35580$info=pc1251
35581$bio
35582====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1251 (1982) ======
35583
35584
35585
35586
35587
35588===== Features =====
35589
35590
35591
35592  * CPU: CMOS SC61860 (8 bits) 576 kHz
35593
35594  * RAM: 4 KB
35595
35596  * ROM: 24 KB
35597
35598  * Text Modes: 1 line x 24 char. 5 x 7 dot matrix
35599
35600  * Graphic Modes: None
35601
35602  * Colors: Monochrome LCD
35603
35604  * Sound: CPU controlled piezo buzzer, fixed frequency and duration via BASIC statement
35605
35606  * I/O Ports: Proprietary 11-pin expansion bus
35607
35608  * Keyboard: 52 keys, QWERTY calculator type with numeric key-pad
35609
35610  * Built In Language: BASIC interpreter
35611
35612  * Peripherals: CE-126P thermal printer, CE-124 Tape recorder interface, CE-125 Thermal printer and micro cassette recorder
35613
35614
35615
35616
35617
35618===== Usage =====
35619
35620
35621
35622MESS emulates both versions of this pocket computer
35623
35624
35625
35626  * pc1251 [Sharp Pocket Computer 1251]
35627
35628  * trs80pc3 [Tandy TRS80 PC-3]
35629
35630
35631
35632== Keyboard ==
35633
35634
35635
35636This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
35637
35638
35639
35640
35641
35642===== Known Issues =====
35643
35644
35645
35646No support for the tape or the printer (yet).
35647
35648
35649
35650
35651
35652===== History and Trivia =====
35653
35654
35655
35656Small pocket computer. Also marketed as Tandy TRS80 PC-3.
35657
35658
35659
35660With the PC-1251, Sharp started off their product range of really tiny pocket computers. It was the third original design after the PC-121x and PC-1500 series.
35661
35662
35663
35664Contrary to its predecessors, it was really pocket sized, measuring only 135 x 70 x 9.5 mm. Nevertheless, it featured a 24 character display, and with 4 KB RAM it even outclassed the PC-1500 basic version. The major drawback of the new design was that the tiny keys are only compatible with pointed fingers.
35665
35666
35667
35668The PC-1251 was based on a new 8-bit CMOS micro processor, the SC61860, which was mounted on the main PCB together with the display driver chip SC43536. On an additional small PCB, 24 KB ROM (LH532917) and 4 KB RAM (two HM6116 2k x 8 chips) were located. A new feature was the so-called "reserve memory" which allowed to assign often used BASIC commands or functions to 18 of the alphanumeric keys.
35669
35670
35671
35672Together with the PC-1251, the CE-125 thermal printer and micro cassette recorder unit was introduced. With integrated NiCd accumulators, it was fully mains independent and made the 1251 into a very compact mobile computing system. The CE-125 also featured an additional tape interface for external tape recorders.
35673
35674
35675
35676The PC-1250 was the same machine as the PC-1251 but with only 2 KB of RAM.
35677
35678
35679
35680//(info from old-computers.com)//
35681
35682
35683
35684
35685
35686===== Links =====
35687
35688
35689
35690  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
35691
35692  * Pocket Computer 1251 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1091
35693
35694
35695
35696
35697
35698===== Other Emulators =====
35699
35700
35701
35702  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
35703
35704  * POEMS -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/poems/
35705
35706
35707
35708
35709
35710$end
35711
35712
35713
35714#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35715
35716
35717$info=pc1350
35718$bio
35719====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1350 (1984) ======
35720
35721
35722
35723
35724
35725===== Features =====
35726
35727
35728
35729  * 150 x 32 pixel LCD display
35730
35731  * integrated speaker
35732
35733  * connector for printer and tape drive
35734
35735
35736
35737Features of this model included a BASIC interpreter, an 8-bit sharp CPU, 8+32K ROM, 4K RAM which was expandable with a RAM cartridge to 12 or 20K.
35738
35739
35740
35741
35742
35743===== Usage =====
35744
35745
35746
35747== Keyboard ==
35748
35749
35750
35751This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
35752
35753
35754
35755== RAM options ==
35756
35757
35758
35759Different RAM configurations are possible for the pc1350 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
35760
35761
35762
35763  4k (default)
35764
35765  12k
35766
35767  20k
35768
35769
35770
35771
35772
35773===== Known Issues =====
35774
35775
35776
35777No support for the tape or the printer (yet).
35778
35779
35780
35781
35782
35783===== History and Trivia =====
35784
35785
35786
35787Small Pocket Computer
35788
35789
35790
35791
35792
35793===== Links =====
35794
35795
35796
35797  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
35798
35799
35800
35801
35802
35803===== Other Emulators =====
35804
35805
35806
35807  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
35808
35809  * POEMS -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/poems/
35810
35811
35812
35813
35814
35815$end
35816
35817
35818
35819#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
35820
35821
35822$info=pc1401
35823$bio
35824====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1401 / 1402 (1983) ======
35825
35826
35827
35828
35829
35830===== Features =====
35831
35832
35833
35834  * CPU: SC 61860 (8 bits) 576 kHz
35835
35836  * RAM: 4.2 KB [PC-1401]; 10.2 KB [PC-1402]
35837
35838  * ROM: 40 KB
35839
35840  * Text Modes: 1 line x 16 chars. (LCD screen), 5 x 7 dot matrix
35841
35842  * Graphic Modes: None
35843
35844  * Colors: Monochrome LCD
35845
35846  * Sound: CPU controlled piezo buzzer, fixed frequency and duration via BASIC statement
35847
35848  * I/O Ports: Proprietary 11-pin expansion bus
35849
35850  * Keyboard: 76 keys, QWERTY calculator type with numeric key-pad and math function keys
35851
35852  * Built In Language: Sharp BASIC interpreter
35853
35854  * Peripherals: CE-126P thermal printer and tape interface
35855
35856
35857
35858
35859
35860===== Usage =====
35861
35862
35863
35864MESS emulates both versions of this pocket computer
35865
35866
35867
35868  * pc1401 [Sharp Pocket Computer 1401]
35869
35870  * pc1402 [Sharp Pocket Computer 1402]
35871
35872
35873
35874== Misc ==
35875
35876
35877
35878Holding C-CE while resetting, preserves basic programs. (Simulated when starting mess)
35879
35880
35881
35882Holding CE while hitting reset prevents the basic area from being overwritten
35883
35884
35885
35886(which of these is correct?)
35887
35888
35889
35890Error Codes (found at the inner side of the top): (should be the same for several models)
35891
35892 
35893
35894  1 Syntax error
35895
35896 
35897
35898  2 Calculation error
35899
35900 
35901
35902  3 Illegal function argument
35903
35904 
35905
35906  4 Too large a line number
35907
35908 
35909
35910  5 Next without for return without gosub
35911
35912 
35913
35914  6 Memory overflow
35915
35916 
35917
35918  7 Print using error
35919
35920 
35921
35922  8 I/O device error
35923
35924 
35925
35926  9 Other errors
35927
35928
35929
35930== Keyboard ==
35931
35932
35933
35934This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
35935
35936
35937
35938
35939
35940===== Known Issues =====
35941
35942
35943
35944No support for the tape or the printer (yet).
35945
35946
35947
35948
35949
35950===== History and Trivia =====
35951
35952
35953
35954Small scientific calculator and pocket computer.
35955
35956
35957
35958The PC-1401 was the first of a series of pocket computers with a new concept.
35959
35960
35961
35962It combined the advantages of a BASIC programmable pocket computer and a scientific calculator. Nevertheless, it was much thinner than, for instance, the PC-1500, and well worth its price. Therefore, the PC-14xx series was very successful, especially among students.
35963
35964
35965
35966The PC-1401 was developed based on the PC-125x series, thus it possessed the same BASIC core capabilities. In addition, it had a separate calculator mode, in which it could be used like any of Sharp's scientific calculators, such as the EL506H. For this purpose, the right section of the keyboard had 18 additional math keys, and it could be used as any standard AOS entry calculator. Moreover, a set of statistics functions was implemented.
35967
35968
35969
35970In BASIC mode, the additional math buttons could be used as shortcut keys to enter the BASIC keywords of these math functions. A downside was the small display with only 16 characters, which made it somewhat hard to keep track of your BASIC program while programming.
35971
35972
35973
35974As the PC-125x series, the PC-1401 was based on the SC61860 8-bit CMOS microprocessor, clocked with a 576 kHz ceramic resonator circuit, and the same display driver chip (SC43536). It had 4.2 KB RAM (two HM6116 2k x 8 chips plus some bytes in the display driver chip) and 40 KB ROM (SC613256). All chips and other components were soldered onto a single PCB. The RAM of the PC-1401 could not be extended by modules.
35975
35976
35977
35978Together with the PC-1401, the CE-126P thermal printer and micro cassette interface unit was introduced. It was alcaline battery powered and could print 24 characters per line on special thermal paper.
35979
35980
35981
35982== Versions ==
35983
35984
35985
35986The PC-14xx series consisted of various models; here, only those directly derived from the PC-125x hardware are described. At least three different models were widely available in the West:
35987
35988
35989
35990  * PC-1401: This was the first machine of the series, released in 1983.
35991
35992
35993
35994  * PC-1402: Released about one year later. Basically the same machine, but with more RAM. One of the HM6116 chips had been replaced by a D4364G 8k x 8 chip, resulting in 10.2 KB RAM (9678 bytes for BASIC).
35995
35996
35997
35998  * PC-1421: This machine was also released in 1984. As the PC-1401, it had 4.2 KB RAM (3454 for BASIC). However, it was powered by a later release of the CPU and clocked with a higher clock rate (768 kHz), which made it one third faster. From the software's point of view, it was equipped with special math functions for business/financial matters.
35999
36000
36001
36002//(info from old-computers.com)//
36003
36004
36005
36006== Other related models (only few currently supported by MESS) ==
36007
36008
36009
36010  * PC-1210: basic computer, 24 character display
36011
36012
36013
36014  * PC-1211: same as PC-1210, 2 additional RAM chips
36015
36016
36017
36018  * PC-1212: same as PC-1212, minor changes had been made to the ROMs
36019
36020
36021
36022  * PC-1245: low cost version of PC-1251
36023
36024
36025
36026  * PC-1251: basic computer, 24 5x7 character display
36027
36028
36029
36030  * PC-1253: calculator, derived from the PC-1251, reduced keyboard
36031
36032
36033
36034  * PC-1260: basic computer, 16x2 5x7 character display, 8 bit sharp CPU, 6+32kb ROM, 4kb RAM
36035
36036
36037
36038  * PC-1261: pc1260 with 10kb RAM
36039
36040
36041
36042  * PC-1262: re-release of PC-1261, slightly different PCB
36043
36044
36045
36046  * PC-1350 with  ?? RAM
36047
36048
36049
36050  * PC-1360
36051
36052
36053
36054  * PC-1403: derived from the PC-1401, 8+32+32kb ROM, 8 kb RAM, 24 5x7 character display
36055
36056
36057
36058  * PC-1403h: PC-1403 with 32 kb RAM
36059
36060
36061
36062  * PC-1421: derived from the PC-1401
36063
36064
36065
36066  * PC-1430: prequel to PC-1401
36067
36068
36069
36070  * PC-1450: PC-1401 with some additional keys
36071
36072
36073
36074  * PC-1475: derived from the PC-1450 with some PC-1403 features 24x2 5x7 character display
36075
36076
36077
36078  * PC-1500:  basic computer, 26 character display
36079
36080
36081
36082  * PC-1500a: expanded PC-1500
36083
36084
36085
36086  * PC-2500: similar to PC-1350. it has better keyboard and a small built in color printer-plotter
36087
36088
36089
36090
36091
36092===== Links =====
36093
36094
36095
36096  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
36097
36098  * Pocket Computer 1401 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1170
36099
36100
36101
36102
36103
36104===== Other Emulators =====
36105
36106
36107
36108  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
36109
36110
36111
36112
36113
36114$end
36115
36116
36117
36118#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36119
36120
36121$info=pc1403
36122$bio
36123====== Sharp Pocket Computer 1403 and 1403H (1986) ======
36124
36125
36126
36127
36128
36129===== Features =====
36130
36131
36132
36133  * CPU: Sharp CMOS SC61860 (8 bits) 768 kHz
36134
36135  * RAM: 8 KB [PC-1403], 32 KB [PC-1403H]
36136
36137  * ROM: 72 KB
36138
36139  * Text Modes: 1 line x 24 chars. (LCD screen), 5 x 7 dot matrix
36140
36141  * Graphic Modes: None
36142
36143  * Colors: Monochrome LCD
36144
36145  * Sound: CPU controlled piezo buzzer, fixed frequency and duration via BASIC statement
36146
36147  * I/O Ports: Proprietary 11-pin expansion bus
36148
36149  * Keyboard: 77 keys, QWERTY calculator type with numeric key-pad and math function keys
36150
36151  * Built In Language: Sharp BASIC interpreter
36152
36153  * Peripherals: CE-126P thermal printer and tape interface
36154
36155  * No contrast adjustment
36156
36157
36158
36159
36160
36161===== Usage =====
36162
36163
36164
36165MESS emulates both versions of this pocket computer
36166
36167
36168
36169  * pc1403 [Sharp Pocket Computer 1403]
36170
36171  * pc1403h [Sharp Pocket Computer 1403H]
36172
36173
36174
36175== Keyboard ==
36176
36177
36178
36179This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
36180
36181
36182
36183
36184
36185===== Known Issues =====
36186
36187
36188
36189The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
36190
36191
36192
36193
36194
36195===== History and Trivia =====
36196
36197
36198
36199Small scientific calculator and pocket computer
36200
36201
36202
36203As the PC-1401 family was rather successful, Sharp released an update three years later.
36204
36205
36206
36207The two new models were named PC-1403 and PC-1403H.
36208
36209
36210
36211The differences were not large, but very helpful. They had a better display, with 24 instead of 16 characters on the same display area, and lowercase letters could now be used. Thus, there was an additional SML key to switch between uppercase and lowercase entry mode. Moreover, matrix calculation functions had been added, such as addition, multiplication, inversion and determinant. They could be used in calculator mode only.
36212
36213
36214
36215The hardware was based on a later incarnation of the SC61860 CPU, paced at 768 kHz. The RAM had also been expanded, with 8 KB in the PC-1403 (D4364G 8k x 8 static RAM), and generous 32 KB in the PC-1403H (D43256AG 32k x 8 static RAM). The new functions also required a larger ROM (72 KB, LZ92K32 plus SC6976T).
36216
36217
36218
36219//(info from old-computers.com)//
36220
36221
36222
36223
36224
36225===== Links =====
36226
36227
36228
36229  * Pocket Computer Museum -- http://pocket.free.fr/index.html
36230
36231  * Pocket Computer 1403 / 1403H at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1173
36232
36233
36234
36235
36236
36237===== Other Emulators =====
36238
36239
36240
36241  * PockEmul -- http://pockemul.free.fr/
36242
36243
36244
36245
36246
36247$end
36248
36249
36250
36251#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36252
36253
36254$info=pc1512
36255$bio
36256====== Amstrad PC 1512 (1986) ======
36257
36258
36259
36260
36261
36262===== Features =====
36263
36264
36265
36266  * CPU: Intel 8086 8 MHz
36267
36268  * RAM: 512 KB (up to 640 KB)
36269
36270  * ROM: 16 KB
36271
36272  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
36273
36274  * Graphic Modes: 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 (CGA graphic modes) + 640 x 200 / 16 colors (Amstrad specific mode)
36275
36276  * Colors: 4 (CGA colors) / 16 (in Amstrad Mode)
36277
36278  * Sound: Beeper
36279
36280  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RGB, RS232, Mouse (proprietary), Joystick, 8 bit ISA slots (3)
36281
36282  * Keyboard: Full-stroke professional keyabord, with function keys, numeric keypad and editing keys
36283
36284  * Built In Media: One or two 5.25" disk-drives
36285
36286  * OS: MS-DOS or DR-DOS
36287
36288
36289
36290
36291
36292===== Known Issues =====
36293
36294
36295
36296Basically the same as MESS ibmpc emulation
36297
36298
36299
36300  * Emulated: special keyboard, special mouse, special joystick, unique dipswitches, unique color graphics adapter mode
36301
36302
36303
36304  * CHARACTER ROM dump is missing, and so multinational character support
36305
36306
36307
36308Work stopped until more information available or character ROM available
36309
36310
36311
36312
36313
36314===== History and Trivia =====
36315
36316
36317
36318IBM XT compatible desktop with modified CGA Monitor. Sold as Schneider PC1512 in Germany
36319
36320
36321
36322The Amstrad PC 1512 was launched in 1986. After the Amstrad CPC 464, the CPC 664 and the CPC 6128 (three home computers based on the Z80) and the PCW 8256 and the PCW 9512 (both dedicated word processing computers based on the Z80 as well), Amstrad decided to make
36323
36324its first low-cost PC clone. It was a great European success, capturing more than 25% of the European computer market (impressive now and phenomenal then).
36325
36326
36327
36328This cheap computer was, however, complete and offered more than some others did. The small power supply (57 W) was integrated into the monitor.
36329
36330
36331
36332Eight models were offered: The PC 1512 SD/DD (with one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives) and two models with hard disk (HD10 with 10 MB hard disk and HD20 with 20 MB hard disk). FD and HD versions could be acquired with a monochrome or colour monitor.
36333
36334
36335
36336The Amstrad used an "enhanced" CGA graphic mode, which could display 640x200 pixels with 16 colors (or grayscale). It was sold with MS-DOS 3.2, DR-DOS plus 1.2 (an operating system from Digital Research), GEM (a graphic interface, also used in the Atari ST,
36337
36338TT & Falcon), GEMPAINT and GEM BASIC.
36339
36340
36341
36342The mouse port, although using 9 pins like a COM port, is proprietary to Amstrad. The port is female and is only for use with an Amstrad mouse.
36343
36344
36345
36346//(info from old-computers.com)//
36347
36348
36349
36350
36351
36352===== Links =====
36353
36354
36355
36356  * Amstrad 1512 Page -- http://www.amstrad1512.co.uk/
36357
36358  * PC 1512 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=183
36359
36360
36361
36362
36363
36364$end
36365
36366
36367
36368#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36369
36370
36371$info=pc1640
36372$bio
36373====== Amstrad PC 1640 (1986) ======
36374
36375
36376
36377
36378
36379===== Features =====
36380
36381
36382
36383  * CPU: Intel 8086 8 MHz
36384
36385  * RAM: 640 KB
36386
36387  * VRAM: 64 KB
36388
36389  * ROM: Unknown
36390
36391  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
36392
36393  * Graphic Modes: All EGA graphic modes (maximum : 640 x 350), Hercules mode for monochrome versions (maximum 720 by 350)
36394
36395  * Colors: 16 among 64
36396
36397  * Sound: Beeper
36398
36399  * I/O Ports: Four 8-bit ISA slots (one being reserved of the internal HD controller), Centronics, RS232c, Mouse port (proprietary)
36400
36401  * Built In Media: one or two 5.25" disk-drives, 20 or 30 MB HDD
36402
36403  * OS: MS DOS 3.2
36404
36405  * Peripherals: Most of the standard IBM/PC cards
36406
36407
36408
36409
36410
36411===== Known Issues =====
36412
36413
36414
36415Basically the same as PC 1512. Paradise EGA emulation incomplete, will profit from generic EGA/VGA improvements.
36416
36417
36418
36419
36420
36421===== History and Trivia =====
36422
36423
36424
36425IBM XT compatible with modified EGA monitor. Sold as Schneider PC 1640 in Germany. Sold as Amstrad PC 6400 in USA
36426
36427
36428
36429The Amstrad PC 1640 was the successor to the Amstrad PC 1512. It had the same characteristics as its predecessor except for added memory (640 KB instead of 512 KB) and the EGA graphics standard. It also had great success, but to a lesser extent than the PC 1512. The PC-1640 was marketed under the name PC-6400 in the USA. It was also sold in Germany and maybe some other European countries under the name Schneider.
36430
36431
36432
36433//(info from old-computers.com)//
36434
36435
36436
36437
36438
36439===== Links =====
36440
36441
36442
36443  * PC 1640 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=19
36444
36445
36446
36447
36448
36449$end
36450
36451
36452
36453#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36454
36455
36456$info=pc200
36457$bio
36458====== Sinclair PC200 Professional Series ======
36459
36460
36461
36462
36463
36464===== Features =====
36465
36466
36467
36468  * CPU: 8086 with 8 MHz
36469
36470  * Co-Processor: socket for 8087 math coprocessor
36471
36472  * RAM: 512 kb on board, sockets for additional 128kb
36473
36474  * integrated cga/mda graphics adapter, connector for CGA and MDA/Hercules monitors and TV (hf modulated; PAL)
36475
36476  * multi language bios
36477
36478  * I/O Ports: rs232 serial port, centronics printer port, standard analog joystick port (delivered with sinclair joystick), proprietary pc1512 style mouse connector, delivered with sinclair 2 button mouse
36479
36480  * Keyboard: integrated 102 key keyboard
36481
36482  * Built In Media: 3" 1/2 720 kb disk drive, connector for external floppy disk drive, 2 ibm pc compatible expansion slots (half length)
36483
36484  * delivered with msdos, dr gem, organizer software
36485
36486
36487
36488
36489
36490===== Usage =====
36491
36492
36493
36494Download the mouse driver at http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/johnhayward/pc200/software.htm
36495
36496
36497
36498
36499
36500===== Known Issues =====
36501
36502
36503
36504The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. Temporary regressions are possible.
36505
36506
36507
36508
36509
36510===== History and Trivia =====
36511
36512
36513
36514IBM XT compatible computer "under the keyboard". Marketed also as Amstrad PC20
36515
36516
36517
36518The Sinclair PC 200 was one of the last computers built under the Sinclair brand (along with the PC-500). In fact it was not a Sinclair at all, but a desktop version of the Amstrad PPC-512.
36519
36520
36521
36522The case bore a striking resemblance to the Atari 520 ST case. It had a built-in 3.5" floppy drive on the right and mouse and joystick ports under the keyboard. And indeed the PC-200 was officially marketed as an Atari 520-ST competitor : same price, same disk drive, same memory (512k) and same design.
36523
36524
36525
36526But compared to the Amiga and 520-ST, the PC-200 looked like a naked pea, even for an IBM compatible. Its two ISA slots were not enough to reasonably expand the system. Standard IBM expansion cards were nearly twice the height of the computer, thus the computer needed to be opened permanently! In 1988, the MDA and CGA graphic modes were quite obsolete as most PC systems had adopted the more convenient EGA mode.
36527
36528
36529
36530An interesting feature of the PC-200 was a TV output socket at the rear of the system, quite rare for a PC compatible system. It shows that Amstrad wanted to market the PC-200 as a low-range PC compatible system for the whole family.
36531
36532
36533
36534At the same time, Amstrad presented the PC 20, which was in fact the same computer as the Sinclair PC 200 except for the color of the case (black for the Sinclair, white for the Amstrad) and the TV output (not implemented on the PC-20).
36535
36536
36537
36538//(info from old-computers.com)//
36539
36540
36541
36542
36543
36544===== Links =====
36545
36546
36547
36548  * PC 200 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=85
36549
36550
36551
36552
36553
36554$end
36555
36556
36557
36558#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36559
36560
36561$info=pc88srl
36562$bio
36563====== NEC PC-8801 series (1985) ======
36564
36565
36566
36567
36568
36569===== Features =====
36570
36571
36572
36573  * CPU: uPD780C-1(Z80A compatible) 4 MHz
36574
36575  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 576 KB)
36576
36577  * VRAM: 48 KB
36578
36579  * ROM: 72 KB
36580
36581  * Text Modes: 36/40/72/80 characters x 20/25 lines
36582
36583  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 200 (8 colours), 640 x 400 (Monochrome)
36584
36585  * Colors: 8
36586
36587  * Sound: Beeper
36588
36589  * I/O Ports: 4 expansion slots, Tape recorder (600/1200 baud), RS232C, CRT (MONO/DIGITAL), Centronics
36590
36591  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard 67 key + 20 key numeric pad + 5 function keys
36592
36593  * Peripherals: Dual 5" (2x320 KB) or 8" (2x1 MB) floppy drive unit
36594
36595  * Built In Language: N88-BASIC, N-BASIC (PC8001 MODE)
36596
36597
36598
36599
36600
36601===== Usage =====
36602
36603
36604
36605MESS emulates two different hardware configurations of the PC-8801
36606
36607
36608
36609  * pc88srl [NEC PC-8801 MKIISR (Lores display, VSYNC 15KHz)]
36610
36611  * pc88srh [NEC PC-8801 MKIISR (Hires display, VSYNC 24KHz)]
36612
36613
36614
36615the only difference being the resolution of the display.
36616
36617
36618
36619Both systems support up to two floppy drives for disk images in .d88 format, using "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
36620
36621
36622
36623== Keyboard ==
36624
36625
36626
36627These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
36628
36629
36630
36631
36632
36633===== Known Issues =====
36634
36635
36636
36637== Status ==
36638
36639
36640
36641CPU, text or graphics, YM-2203 sound(YM-2608 not yet), Extended RAM, 5'2D disk drives and Kanji ROM emulated.
36642
36643
36644
36645NOTE: Currently, each model is separated which use "High-resolution" display and "Low-resolution" display. Because I don't know how to change display resolution and HSYNC frequency dynamically (when machine is running).
36646
36647
36648
36649== ROM ==
36650
36651
36652
36653BIOS images has same format as one of images for M88 emulator, but "disk.rom" is only used first 2K bytes, that is, you must truncate
36654
36655last 6KB of "disk.rom".
36656
36657
36658
36659== Disk Emulation ==
36660
36661
36662
36663The D88 format disk image is supported now, but multiple disks image files are not supported, That is, disk in image file must be only
36664
36665one. The D88 disk image format is supported by more PC-8801 emulators.
36666
36667
36668
36669== To Do ==
36670
36671
36672
36673Integrate "high-resolution" and "low-resolution" mode, optimization of CPU switching, more accurate speed(memory wait and DMAC overhead), YM-2608 sound, Joystick and mouse, 5'2HD or 8'2D floppy disk drives, Font substitution, Kana-Kanji dictionary ROM, test
36674
36675ROMs of other models, multiple disks image support, source clean-up, printer, RS-232C, CD-ROM, more good English documentation
36676
36677
36678
36679
36680
36681===== History and Trivia =====
36682
36683
36684
36685Early Z80 based computer commonly used in Japan
36686
36687
36688
36689The NEC PC 8801 was the successor of PC 8001. It offered fine colour graphics. It had an optional MS-Dos board. It was one of the fist, if not the first color CPM computer.
36690
36691
36692
36693It ran in three bootable modes: CPM, MS-Dos, and N88-Basic. The N-Basic would natively boot on the system without disk, just like the PC 8001. It also had a software / hardware switch to turn it into PC 8001 mode.
36694
36695
36696
36697//(info from old-computers.com)//
36698
36699
36700
36701
36702
36703===== Links =====
36704
36705
36706
36707  * Aoto's PC-88 Page -- http://www1.plala.or.jp/aoto/index.html
36708
36709  * Cisc's PC-88 Page -- http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/
36710
36711  * Factorian!'s PC-88 Page -- http://www.kiwi-us.com/~ohta/pc88/index.htm
36712
36713  * PC-8801 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=398
36714
36715
36716
36717
36718
36719===== Other Emulators =====
36720
36721
36722
36723  * M88 -- http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/
36724
36725  * QUASI88 -- http://www.117.ne.jp/~show/pc8801/pc88emu.html
36726
36727  * Project X88000 -- http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dungeon/6809/x88000.html
36728
36729  * PC88Win -- http://home.highway.ne.jp/soltin/pc88win.html
36730
36731
36732
36733
36734
36735$end
36736
36737
36738
36739#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36740
36741
36742$info=pce
36743$bio
36744====== NEC PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 (1987) ======
36745
36746
36747
36748
36749
36750===== Features =====
36751
36752
36753
36754  * CPU: HuC6280 (7.16MHz)  (1.5 Million Instructions Per Second [MIPS])
36755
36756  * Video: HuC6270 - 16 bit
36757
36758  * Color Processor: HuC6260
36759
36760  * Resolution: 256 x 216
36761
36762  * Sound: 8 bit PCM stereo / 6-channel stereo
36763
36764  * Ram: 8 Kbyte (64Kbit)
36765
36766  * Video Ram: 64Kbyte (512 Kbit)
36767
36768  * Cart Size: 256Kbit - 20 Megabit Max. (S.F. 2) Normally 8 Mbits
36769
36770  * Colors Palette: 512 - (256 for sprites, 256 for the background.)
36771
36772  * Max # of sprites: 64
36773
36774  * Sprite Size: 16 x 16 , 32x64
36775
36776
36777
36778
36779
36780===== Usage =====
36781
36782
36783
36784Currently, MESS supports both the Japanese and the US version of the NEC console
36785
36786
36787
36788  * pce [NEC PC Engine]
36789
36790  * tg16 [NEC TurboGrafx-16]
36791
36792
36793
36794Both driver require a cart dump (in .pce or .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run. You can launch emulation using, at command line
36795
36796
36797
36798  mess pce -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.pce"
36799
36800
36801
36802MESS also supports CD-ROM images in .chd format, using the "cdrom" (cdrm) device (read this tutorial by Guru -- http://www.mameworld.net/gurudumps/tutorials/dumping_cds_&_hdds/index.html to learn how to create an accurate CHD from your PCE CD-ROM).
36803
36804
36805
36806
36807
36808===== Known Issues =====
36809
36810
36811
36812Emulation of the CD-ROM add-on is in progress. The internal audio CD player works perfectly and some games work as well (e.g. "Dracula X: Rondo of Blood").
36813
36814
36815
36816
36817
36818===== History and Trivia =====
36819
36820
36821
36822The TurboGrafx-16, known as PC-Engine in Japan, was released by NEC in 1987. The system reached North America in 1989 and was never officially imported in Europe (even if an importer provided a very limited release in the UK and continental Europe in 1990 as Turbografx, not including the "16" in the title, and with lowercase "g" in "grafx").
36823
36824
36825
36826The PC-Engine was a collaborative effort between Japanese software maker Hudson Soft (which maintains a chip-making division) and NEC.
36827
36828
36829
36830This console uniquely used, as support for the games, a new media in place of the carts used by most of the other consoles: the "HuCard" (Hudson Card; also referred to as "TurboChip" in North America), cards of the size of a credit card (but slightly thicker).
36831
36832
36833
36834It was also one of the first consoles to have an optional CD module (the first in the US, although in Japan there had been the FM Towns Marty with built-in CD-ROM), allowing the standard benefits of the CD medium: more storage, cheaper media costs, and redbook audio. The efficient design, the support of many important Japanese software producers, and the additional CD-ROM capabilities gave the PC Engine a very wide variety of software.
36835
36836
36837
36838The PC-Engine was extremely popular in Japan. It was also graphically much more powerful of Nintendo's Famicom: it was capable of up to 482 colors at once in several resolutions, and it featured very robust sprite handling abilities, allowing games to be converted very faithfully from the arcade to the console. New games were released for the PC-Engine up until 1999.
36839
36840
36841
36842Despite its success, PC-Engine started to lose ground to the Nintendo Super Famicom. NEC made one final effort to resuscitate the system with the release of the Arcade Card expansion, bringing the total amount of RAM up to 2048K and allowing conversions of popular Neo Geo titles. The additional memory even allowed the system to display 3D polygon graphics well beyond what the competing Super Famicom and Megadrive/Mega-CD could offer. By this time, however, it was too late: only a relative handful of Arcade Card games were ever produced, and the expansion was never released in the US.
36843
36844
36845
36846In North America, the TurboGrafx-16 was first marketed by NEC Home Electronics. Later, the platform was handed over to a new company called Turbo Technologies Incorporated (TTI). This company was comprised mainly of former NEC Home Electronics and Hudson Soft employees, and it essentially took over all marketing and first-party software development for the struggling system.
36847
36848
36849
36850A problem for the TG-16 was the lack of a second controller port: TG-16 users were required, to enjoy simultaneous multiplayer modes in their games, to buy the Turbo Tap (a multitap accessory which permitted up to five controllers to be plugged into the system).
36851
36852
36853
36854The CD add-on for the TG-16 wasn't able to help the system as much as it did in Japan. It was indeed difficult to find outside of large cities, and it was widely considered to be overpriced. TTI tried to address this issue by releasing a combination system called the TurboDuo, as well as dropping the price of the CD add-on. Unfortunately, the cost of the TurboDuo was still too steep for most American consumers, even when NEC took the bold step of including seven pack-in titles and a coupon book with the system. Despite all these efforts, the company failed to attract much of a mainstream audience.
36855
36856
36857
36858An interesting feature of the CD add-on was that there was no region protection on TG-CD / PC Engine CD-ROM software, so that North American units were capable to run Japanese software. Many mail order (and some brick-and-mortar) import stores advertised Japanese PCE CD and HuCard titles in the videogame publications of the era.
36859
36860
36861
36862Another version of the system was also marketed, the handheld version called TurboExpress. Unfortunately, it suffered from short battery life, a hefty price tag, and a large number of units with missing pixels in their displays.
36863
36864
36865
36866== Variations ==
36867
36868
36869
36870  * Stand-alone systems
36871
36872    * PC Engine (1987) - White, only RF output
36873
36874    * PC Engine Shuttle (1989) - UFO-shaped system, unique expansion port (no CD option), AV output
36875
36876    * PC Engine SuperGrafx (1989) - This system is very nearly the same as the original PCE, except it has a duplicate set of video chips (and an extra chip to coordinate the two) and four times as much RAM. Since the CPU was not upgraded most developers were unable to utilize the extra graphics capability, as the CPU just could not keep up. Only five games were released for it (two regular PC Engine releases, Darius Plus and Darius Alpha, were enhanced to utilize the extra sprite capability of the SuperGrafx).
36877
36878    * PC Engine CoreGrafx (1989) - Dark grey, blue label, AV output
36879
36880    * PC Engine CoreGrafx II (1991) - Light grey, orange label, AV output, Identical in function to the CoreGrafx
36881
36882
36883
36884  * CD-ROM accessories
36885
36886    * PC Engine CD-ROM2 (1988) - Designed for the original PC Engine
36887
36888    * PC Engine Super CD-ROM2 (1991) - Designed for the CoreGrafx II
36889
36890
36891
36892  * Portable systems
36893
36894    * PC Engine GT (1990) - Portable system, identical in shape and function to the US-released TG Express
36895
36896    * PC Engine LT (1991) - Semi-portable system (no battery option) similar in size to a normal PC Engine or CoreGrafx. Uses a very large attached screen, and folds up like a laptop (hence the LT moniker)
36897
36898
36899
36900  * Duo systems
36901
36902    * PC Engine Duo (1991) - Combination PC Engine + CD ROM system, dark grey, has a CD door lock and headphone port
36903
36904    * PC Engine Duo R (1993) - Same as the Duo, but white/beige, shaped differently, and lacks the lock and headphone port.
36905
36906    * PC Engine Duo RX (1994) - Same as the Duo R, slightly blue in colour. The only PCE packaged with a six-button pad.
36907
36908
36909
36910  * Others
36911
36912    * X1 Twin - Combination of Sharp X1 computer and PC Engine. Only played HuCards.
36913
36914    * Pioneer LaserActive - Pioneer + NEC released a Laserdisc player with video game modules. One module allowed the use of PC Engine games.
36915
36916
36917
36918  * Other region variations
36919
36920    * TurboGrafx-16 - North American version of the PC-Engine
36921
36922    * TurboGrafx-CD - North American version of CD-ROM2
36923
36924    * TurboExpress - North American version of PC-Engine GT. Released in 1990, it was the most advanced handheld of its time and could play all the TG-16's HuCard games. It had a 2.6" screen, the same as the original Game Boy. It shared the capabilities of the TurboGrafx, giving it 512 available colors (9-bit RGB), stereo sound, and the same custom CPU at 7.16 MHz. The optional "TurboVision" TV tuner included RCA audio/video input, allowing the user to use TurboExpress as a video monitor, while the "TurboLink" allowed two-player play simultaneously (even if only a couple of games were developed to use this feature).
36925
36926    * TurboDuo - North American version of PC-Engine Duo. The system combined the TurboGrafx-16 and an enhanced version of the CD-ROM drive (the "Super CD-ROM2") into a single unit. The system could play audio CDs, CD+Gs, CD-ROM2 and Super CD games as well as standard HuCards. The Super System Card required for some games when using the original CD add-on as well as some of the Japanese variants of the TurboGrafx was built into the Duo (rather than requiring the card to be inserted when playing CD games).
36927
36928    * Turbografx - (Unofficial) European version
36929
36930    * Vistar 16 - Korean version
36931
36932
36933
36934//(info based on Wikipedia)//
36935
36936
36937
36938
36939
36940===== Links =====
36941
36942
36943
36944  * NECstasy -- http://www.necstasy.net/
36945
36946  * Universo PCENGINE -- http://upce.netfirms.com/index.html
36947
36948  * Turbo Station 16 -- http://pcenginefx.com/TS/
36949
36950  * [[wp>TurboGrafx-16]]
36951
36952
36953
36954
36955
36956===== Other Emulators =====
36957
36958
36959
36960  * MagicEngine (commercial) -- http://www.magicengine.com/
36961
36962  * Hu-Go! (for DOS, Windows, Linux, BeOS, Solaris) -- http://www.zeograd.com/
36963
36964  * Hu6280 -- http://www.hu6280.com/
36965
36966  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
36967
36968  * Ootake -- http://www.ouma.jp/ootake/
36969
36970  * GPengine (for GP32) -- http://www.gp32x.com/gpengine/
36971
36972
36973
36974
36975
36976$end
36977
36978
36979
36980#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
36981
36982
36983$info=pcfx
36984$bio
36985====== NEC PC-FX (1994) ======
36986
36987
36988
36989
36990
36991===== Features =====
36992
36993
36994
36995  * CPU: NEC V810 RISC (32 bit) at 21.5 MHz
36996
36997  * Co-Processor: Graphics CPU (9 parallax scrolls, cellophane, fade, rotation, and priority effects)
36998
36999  * RAM: 2 MB + 32 KB (backup RAM)
37000
37001  * VRAM: 1.25 MB
37002
37003  * ROM: 1 MB
37004
37005  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 480
37006
37007  * Colors: 16,777,000
37008
37009  * Sound: 16-Bit Stereo with 2 ADPCM channels and 6 sample channels at 44.1kHz.
37010
37011  * I/O Ports: 3 expansion slots, Audio output (left & right), Composite video output, SVHS video output, 2 controller ports
37012
37013  * Peripherals: FX-BMP (memory expansion module), FX-SCSI (allows the FX to be used as a SCSI CD-ROM drive)
37014
37015  * Media: Standard CD-ROM media, 2x speed drive, 256KB CD Buffer
37016
37017  * Controllers: FX-PAD (6 Button Controller), FX-MOU (PC-FX Mouse)
37018
37019
37020
37021
37022
37023===== Known Issues =====
37024
37025
37026
37027This driver is still preliminary.
37028
37029
37030
37031
37032
37033===== History and Trivia =====
37034
37035
37036
37037The PC-FX was designed based on a new 32-bit development kit designed in 1992 by NEC and called "Iron Man". Due to lack of interest from 3rd party developers, which preferred to focus on the still growing PC-Engine, the work on the new system was halted. Only in 1994, when 32-bit consoles started to be announced and released, NEC revamped its earlier project and turned it in the PC-FX.
37038
37039
37040
37041Unfortunately, in the two years passed since the first announcements, the hardware was not anymore the state-of-the-art, especially lacking 3d capabilities which would have determined Sony Playstation success.
37042
37043
37044
37045The PC-FX featured a lot of interesting aspects, though. First of all, had the ability to decompress 30 JPEG pictures per second while playing digitally recorded audio, resulting in very high quality FMV.
37046
37047
37048
37049Moreover, the design was inspired by the contemporary PCs, resulting in the presence of 3 expansion slots. The front expansion slot was primarly used for the FX-BMP, a memory expansion module that allowed you to save games to it, rather than the FX internal memory. The rear and bottom expansion ports were available for connections to the PC-9800 series of computers made by NEC. One of those connections were used for a FX-SCSI adapter which allowed the FX to be used as a SCSI CD-ROM drive.
37050
37051
37052
37053Finally, in addition to regular PC-FX CD-ROMs, the system could also play audio CDs, CD+Gs, and Kodak CDs for viewing your home photos. This latter option also allowed you to zoom in/out and rotate the photo at will.
37054
37055
37056
37057With time, NEC became far more liberal than most other companies with regard to the titles that it allowed to be released. As a result, you can find many hentai and dating simulation titles for this console.
37058
37059
37060
37061//(info based on Wikipedia and pcenginefx.com)//
37062
37063
37064
37065
37066
37067===== Links =====
37068
37069
37070
37071  * PCenginefx -- http://pcenginefx.com/
37072
37073  * PC-FX at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=796
37074
37075  * [[wp>PC-FX]]
37076
37077
37078
37079
37080
37081===== Other Emulators =====
37082
37083
37084
37085  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
37086
37087  * Magic Engine FX -- http://www.magicengine.com/
37088
37089  * Xe -- http://www.xe-emulator.com/
37090
37091
37092
37093
37094
37095$end
37096
37097
37098
37099#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37100
37101
37102$info=pcw16
37103$bio
37104====== Amstrad PCW16 (1994) ======
37105
37106
37107
37108
37109
37110===== Features =====
37111
37112
37113
37114  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 16 MHz
37115
37116  * Co-Processor: Winbond 83787 I/O chipset
37117
37118  * RAM: 1 MB DRAM + 1 MB Flash RAM (holds Operating System and built-in software)
37119
37120  * ROM: Unknown
37121
37122  * Text Modes: Bitmapped characters
37123
37124  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 480 dots
37125
37126  * Colors: Monochrome built-in display
37127
37128  * Sound: 1 channel
37129
37130  * I/O Ports: Serial & Parallel Ports, Serial mouse, AT keyboard
37131
37132  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, PC-AT type
37133
37134  * Built In Media: One 1.44 MB 3.5" disk-drive
37135
37136  * OS: Roseanne + CP/M 2.2
37137
37138
37139
37140
37141
37142===== Usage =====
37143
37144
37145
37146MESS supports the emulation of the PCW16 with two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). These devices expect disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .ima, .img, .ufi.
37147
37148
37149
37150== Misc ==
37151
37152
37153
37154To use the PCW16 you will need the OS rescue disc, when this has been inserted, and the on/off switch has been toggled (see UI for the dipswitch to do this), then the OS will be installed. When the OS is installed the computer is now useable and you can write documents and perform tasks.
37155
37156
37157
37158The emulation will run the CP/M implementation by John Elliot. It should run almost all software provided it is in a disc image.
37159
37160
37161
37162Development has been halted because this computer is in a working state. I plan to go back to it to fix the remaining problems at a later date when I have more time and more information.
37163
37164
37165
37166If you want to see more added to this driver, please contact me and I will try and fix it.
37167
37168
37169
37170== Keyboard ==
37171
37172
37173
37174This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
37175
37176
37177
37178
37179
37180===== Known Issues =====
37181
37182
37183
37184All major functions are working and the computer is useable. However there are some accuracy problems, hence the preliminary overall status. More precisely:
37185
37186
37187
37188== Screen Display ==
37189
37190
37191
37192The screen emulation does not support mid-frame or mid-line changes. I don't think any programs do this yet?
37193
37194
37195
37196== Printer ==
37197
37198
37199
37200Not working. The printer emulation assumes a ECP/EPP compatible parallel port which is not yet emulated. Therefore you cannot print out documents :(
37201
37202
37203
37204== Hard Drive ==
37205
37206
37207
37208Not emulated. Has anyone used a hard-drive on their PCW16? Please let me know and I will add support for it.
37209
37210
37211
37212== Analogue Joysticks ==
37213
37214
37215
37216Not emulated. Are there programs that use the joysticks?
37217
37218
37219
37220
37221
37222===== History and Trivia =====
37223
37224
37225
37226The PCW 16 replaced the PCW 9512. Contrary to the previous models, which used a text-based interface, the PCW 16 used a graphical user interface called The Desktop. The computer didn't run CP/M like the old PCW computers, but had its own operating system called Roseanne. Even though CP/M wasn't supplied, it was adapted to this machine by independent developers.
37227
37228
37229
37230Unlike the previous PCW models which came with only the Locoscript word-processor, the PCW16 came with a complete range of built-in software - word-processor, spreadsheet, address book, diary/alarm, calculator and file manager.
37231
37232
37233
37234Luckily, Amstrad abandoned the Hitachi 3" floppy format and switched to the standard MSDOS 3.5" 1.44 MB double-density floppy disk. The Roseanne system could use long filenames (up to 31 characters). The display was also standard: 640 x 480 VGA mode.
37235
37236
37237
37238Amstrad provided Several internal expansions for the PCW-16, 1 MB RAM, 2 MB Flash RAM, Application ROMs, second FDD drive; but it seems that none of them saw the light.
37239
37240
37241
37242//(info from old-computers.com)//
37243
37244
37245
37246This is a successor to the PCW 8xxx and PCW9xxx series. It is a re-designed machine, with a 16MHz Z80 CPU, improved graphics and improved hardware, and a nice GUI system.
37247
37248
37249
37250This system takes advantage of a Super I/O chip, as used in many PCs, which provides PC Floppy Disc Controller, Serial and Parallel port hardware. As a result, the system uses a PC-AT keyboard and PC Serial Mouse.
37251
37252
37253
37254The PCW16 has a high-density floppy disc drive which uses the MSDOS filesystem.
37255
37256
37257
37258The OS comes on a rescue disc and is installed into 2MB flash-file memory. This is also used for storing documents, files and user details. The main purpose of this machine, like the original is wordprocessing, spreadsheet and other business tasks.
37259
37260
37261
37262Other programs have been written for it, including a CP/M "shell" by John Elliot (www.seasip.demon.co.uk), a route-planner and more. You can run these by selecting "Run External Program" from the "Tasks" menu.
37263
37264
37265
37266This system contains the "Anne" ASIC custom chip designed by Amstrad. Technical information is still available and the rescue disc can be downloaded from Cliff Lawsons Amstrad computer support site at: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cliff.lawson/ (the disc is listed in the files section). Cliff works at Amstrad plc, and has worked on the many projects from the Amstrad CPC to the latest e-mail phone.
37267
37268
37269
37270
37271
37272===== Links =====
37273
37274
37275
37276  * 16 Storm -- http://www.aster.fsnet.co.uk/pcw16.htm
37277
37278  * PCW16 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=52
37279
37280
37281
37282
37283
37284$end
37285
37286
37287
37288#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37289
37290
37291$info=pcw8256
37292$bio
37293====== Amstrad PCW series (1985 / 1993) ======
37294
37295
37296
37297
37298
37299===== Features =====
37300
37301
37302
37303  * CPU: Zilog Z80A (The CPU is running at 4 MHz, but is slowed down by the internal clock to 3,4 MHz) [PCW8xxx]; Zilog Z80A 4 MHz [PCW9xxx]
37304
37305  * Co-Processors: Amstrad ASIC custom chip (Video), NEC 765 (DD controller) [PCW8xxx only]
37306
37307  * RAM: 256 KB (16 banks of 16 kb each) [PCW8xxx]; 512 KB [PCW9xxx]
37308
37309  * ROM: 48 kb [PCW8xxx]; No ROM chip: Bootstrap loader is masked onto a custom chip [PCW9xxx]
37310
37311  * Text Modes: 90 x 32 [PCW8xxx]; 90 xchars. x 35 lines [PCW9xxx]
37312
37313  * Graphic Modes: 720 x 256 (PAL), 720 x 200 (NTSC) [PCW8xxx]; 720 x 256 dots [PCW9xxx]
37314
37315  * Colors: Monochrome (black & green) [PCW8xxx]; monochrome (black & white) [PCW9xxx]
37316
37317  * Sound: Beeper, 1 channel
37318
37319  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, Parallel
37320
37321  * Keyboard: Mechanical keyboard with numeric keypad end special edit keys (COPY,CUT,PASTE,PRINT,etc.), 8 function keys [PCW8xxx];  Full-stroke 82 key with function keys, numeric keypad and special editing keys (COPY, CUT, PASTE, PRINT,etc.) [PCW9xxx]
37322
37323  * Built In Media: 1 Hitachi 3" disk-drive (160 kb/side) [PCW8xxx]; 1 Hitachi 3" disk-drive (720k) [PCW9xxx]
37324
37325  * OS: CP/M, CP/M+
37326
37327  * Built In Language: Mallard Basic [PCW8xxx only]
37328
37329  * Peripherals: Printer, parallel/Centronics interface [PCW8xxx]; Printer, RAM an serial expansion units [PCW9xxx]
37330
37331
37332
37333
37334
37335===== Usage =====
37336
37337
37338
37339MESS emulates the following systems
37340
37341
37342
37343  * pcw8256 [Amstrad PCW8256]
37344
37345  * pcw8512 [Amstrad PCW8512]
37346
37347  * pcw9256 [Amstrad PCW9256]
37348
37349  * pcw9512 [Amstrad PCW9512]
37350
37351  * pcw10 [Amstrad PCW10]
37352
37353
37354
37355For all these drivers, MESS supports two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2). These devices expect disk images in one of the following formats: .dsk, .ima, .img, .ufi.
37356
37357
37358
37359== Misc ==
37360
37361
37362
37363These Systems Require a Boot Disk to Run!
37364
37365
37366
37367== Keyboard ==
37368
37369
37370
37371This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
37372
37373
37374
37375
37376
37377===== Known Issues =====
37378
37379
37380
37381The emulation of these systems is still Preliminary.
37382
37383
37384
37385
37386
37387===== History and Trivia =====
37388
37389
37390
37391The Amstrad PCW 8256 was a dedicated word processing computer (PCW stands for Personal Computer Wordprocessor). It was supplied with everything necessary, the word processor, printer and dedicated keyboard (with Cut, Copy, Paste and Print keys). This model had great success because it was the first word-processing system available for such a low price. Once again Amstrad used the same principles with this professional computer as it did with the CPC-464 on the home-computer market. Two years later, 700 000 PCW systems had been sold!
37392
37393
37394
37395All the hardware was located in the monitor case, as well as the 3" floppy disk drive. An optional secondary disk drive could be added (360 kb/side). There was only one power cord used for the printer, monitor and keyboard - it couldn't be simpler.
37396
37397
37398
37399The printer was an Amstrad matrix printer (90 cps in draft mode and 20 cps in letter-quality mode), but it was not possible to connect another printer to the PCW. To use another printer, optional RS232 or Centronics interfaces were available.
37400
37401
37402
37403The system was supplied with a word processor (on disk) developed by Locomotive Software (the company who made the BASIC language for the Amstrad CPC series) called LocoScript. Dr. Logo and a Basic called Mallard Basic were also delivered on disks (fun fact: Mallard is the name of an old train engine). This Basic was powerful and offered a lot of file-management capabilities. The Amstrad PCW-8256 was also delivered with CP/M+.
37404
37405
37406
37407Locoscript was powerful but somewhat austere. You had to read 700 pages of documentation in order to master it. It used 154 Kb RAM, and the remaining 102 Kb could be used as a virtual disk. Each floppy disk, called a volume, could be divided in up to 8 sub-volumes. A particular page layout could be assigned to each of these sub-volumes. The system displayed text in an odd but useful 90 x 32 resolution. Of course as it was text-based software, you could not see exactly what would be printed (no WYSIWYG here). Another drawback was that it was not possible to link a document with an address book or a database, to generate multiple documents (this was to be corrected with LocoMail, LocoFile and LocoScript 2 a few years later). The 320k disks stored up to 90 pages of 2000 characters.
37408
37409
37410
37411In Germany, the PCW series was called Joyce.
37412
37413
37414
37415Another PCW model was launched a few months later: the Amstrad PCW 8512. It has the same characteristics apart from having 512 Kb RAM to handle bigger documents, and two 3" floppy disk drives. The top one is a single-sided, 40-track (180 Kbyte) drive, the bottom is a
37416
37417double-sided, 80-track (720 Kbyte) drive. 40-track disks could be read in the 80-track drive, but it's not advisable to write to them there because the 80-track drive has a narrower head. It had slightly darker plastic mouldings than the PCW-8256, grey instead of white.
37418
37419
37420
37421It was followed by the Amstrad PCW 9512, which had the same basic characteristics. However, it corrected two of the main criticisms of the 8512: the low quality of the printer and the machine's non-business-like styling.
37422
37423
37424
37425It had a paper-white monochrome screen (black on white) unlike the 8512, which had a green monochrome screen (green on black). It was equiped with a 3" 720k floppy disk drive (a second one could be added) and used a daisywheel printer instead of the dot matrix printer of the PCW 8256/8512.
37426
37427
37428
37429Like the previous models, it could run CP/M+ and was supplied with the Locoscript V2 word processor including LocoSpell and LocoMail, and Mallard Basic, both made by Locomotive software. DR Logo was also supplied as standard.
37430
37431
37432
37433In 1991, two new models were produced:
37434
37435  * a cut-down model called the PcW 9256 (same characteristics, but only 256 KB RAM and a 3.5" disk-drive) which was a replacement in the PCW range for the PCW-8256;
37436
37437  * the PcW-9512+ which replaced the PCW-9512. It was almost the same machine but with a 3.5" 720K drive.
37438
37439
37440
37441Finally in 1993, these models were replaced with the PcW-10.
37442
37443
37444
37445//(info from old-computers.com)//
37446
37447
37448
37449These machines were designed primarily for word processing (hence the name "Personal Computer Word processor"), but are capable of a lot more.
37450
37451
37452
37453The original PCW8256 system had a green screen monitor, with 2 3" disc drives mounted vertically in it, a keyboard and a special printer. (The CPU and other hardware was also contained in the base of the monitor)
37454
37455
37456
37457Later models changed the case design, but also allowed the use of any printer that was available. (The original 8256 had a proprietary printer and interface).
37458
37459
37460
37461The hardware is simple, a Z80 running at 4MHz, slowed to 3.3 with wait states, an Amstrad ASIC custom chip for driving the display (2 colours, 720x256 in PAL, 720x200 in NTSC), a beep for sound, and a NEC765 floppy disc controller.
37462
37463
37464
37465The boot-program is contained on the printer chip, and is enabled at power-on or reset. The data is passed through a Amstrad custom ASIC chip, and is executed by the Z80. The program is simple, and just loads track 0, side 0,sector &01 to &f000 where it is then
37466
37467executed at &f010. (The first 16 bytes appear to contain some format parameters which are used to initialize CPM). I don't own a PCW machine so I don't know the exact display that the PCW shows on boot-up.
37468
37469
37470
37471AFAIK, no dumps are available for this program. The MESS driver uses a program coded by myself. This program waits for a key to be pressed and then starts the boot procedure. If an error occurs, the screen will flash 6 times, and then it will repeat the procedure. If
37472
37473all is well, you will see some lines appear on the screen, and the boot will continue.
37474
37475
37476
37477The original computer came with CP/M and Locoscript (a special word processor).
37478
37479
37480
37481Since it was able to use CP/M there was a lot of public domain and CP/M programs available that would run on it.
37482
37483
37484
37485A few games were written for it, two of these are "Head Over Heels" and "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy".
37486
37487
37488
37489//(info from Kevin Thacker, author of MESS driver)//
37490
37491
37492
37493
37494
37495===== Links =====
37496
37497
37498
37499  * Ian Macdonald's PCW pages -- http://www.caliban.org/PCW.html
37500
37501  * Jacob Nevins' PCW and CP/M pages -- http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~jacobn/cpm/
37502
37503  * PCW at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=189
37504
37505
37506
37507
37508
37509===== Other Emulators =====
37510
37511
37512
37513  * Joyce -- http://www.seasip.demon.co.uk/Unix/Joyce/index.html
37514
37515
37516
37517
37518
37519$end
37520
37521
37522
37523#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37524
37525
37526$info=pdp1
37527$bio
37528====== DEC PDP-1 (1960) ======
37529
37530
37531
37532
37533
37534===== Usage =====
37535
37536
37537
37538Currently, MESS emulation of PDP-1 supports
37539
37540
37541
37542  * a perforated tape reader - "punchtape1" (ptap1) device, supporting .tap and .rim tapes, for input
37543
37544  * a perforated tape punch - "punchtape2" (ptap2) device, supporting .tap and .rim tapes, for output
37545
37546  * a typewriter - "printer" (prin) device
37547
37548
37549
37550The simplest way to load and run software is to insert a read-in mode tape (.rim file) in the perforated tape reader and press the read-in switch once, i.e. press simultaneously the "Control Panel" key (mapped by default to Left Control) and the "Read In" key (mapped by default to main keypad Return).
37551
37552
37553
37554MESS also supports, to some extent, .drm files using "cylinder" (cyln) device.
37555
37556
37557
37558== Misc ==
37559
37560
37561
37562Three Dip Switches ("RAM size", "Hardware multiply" and "Hardware divide") enable or disable computer extensions. These switches are only read at reset. Therefore, if you edit them, you must reset the emulator (press F3 in partial keyboard emulation mode) for the changes to be taken into account.
37563
37564
37565
37566The "RAM size" switch installs and removes type 15 memory expansion control: it is disabled when set on 4kw, enabled with 15-bit addresses when set on 32kw, and enabled with 16-bit addresses when set on 64kw. All known programs work well whether memory expansion control is installed or not. Only LISP can take advantage of the extra RAM.
37567
37568
37569
37570The "Hardware multiply" and "Hardware divide" switches enable or disable the automatic multiply/divide extension. When they are enabled, two PDP-1 machine instructions (namely MUS and DIS) are replaced with two other, incompatible, instructions (MUL and DIV, respectively).
37571
37572Therefore, programs which use the former variant of these instructions require automatic multiply/divide to be disabled, whereas programs which use the latter require it to be enabled. In practice, Spacewar! requires automatic multiply and divide to be DISABLED (i.e. both switches OFF), whereas LISP requires automatic multiply and divide to be ENABLED (i.e. both switches ON).
37573
37574
37575
37576For information on PDP-1 operation, you may have a look at: http://www.dbit.com/~greeng3/pdp1/pdp1.html -- http://www.dbit.com/~greeng3/pdp1/pdp1.html.
37577
37578
37579
37580== Keyboard ==
37581
37582
37583
37584This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
37585
37586
37587
37588
37589
37590===== Known Issues =====
37591
37592
37593
37594MESS currently supports three images: Spacewar! (first computer-based video game), Munching Squares (minimalistic yet beautiful graphic demo) and LISP (programming language). I have OCR'ed and assembled the source code of DDT (debugger), but I am still looking for bugs in this program.
37595
37596
37597
37598No other images are known at the time of writing: I know there were a text editor (Expensive Typewriter), an assembler/linker (MACRO), and even a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system (MIT PDP-1 Timesharing System), but I have no idea where a copy of these programs could be found (except for macro1, which is should be OCR'ed soon).
37599
37600
37601
37602This driver emulates a complete PDP-1 system, including
37603
37604
37605
37606  * operator control panel
37607
37608  * perforated tape reader and punch
37609
37610  * typewriter for keyboard input and printer output
37611
37612  * optional type 30 precision CRT display
37613
37614  * optional type 15 memory expansion control, with 64kwords of RAM (16 type 12 memory modules)
37615
37616  * optional type 10 automatic multiply and divide
37617
37618
37619
37620The internals of the sequence break (i.e. interrupt) system are implemented, but no device has been set up to trigger an interrupt.
37621
37622
37623
37624
37625
37626===== History and Trivia =====
37627
37628
37629
37630In 1957, Kenneth Olsen and Harlan Anderson founded a society called Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).
37631
37632
37633
37634In 1960, they started selling the PDP-1. This was a very interesting computer for its time.
37635
37636
37637
37638First of all it was cheap and fast for its time: about 100,000 dollars, and a theoretical maximum of 0.1 MIPS. It included 4 kWords of RAM, expandable to 64 kWord (as word size is 18 bits, this makes from 9 to 144 kBytes, which is HUGE for this time): this is an important detail, since, at this time, cheap computers (e.g. IBM 650) often had no RAM, and used a magnetic drum instead, which implied extremely long memory access times.
37639
37640
37641
37642What made it even more interesting was that it was designed to be operated interactively. It featured an on-line typewriter (i.e. keyboard and printer), and a CRT (which was seldom used as a computer device at this time). You could even buy an optional light-pen (this device was the closest equivalent to today's mouse). Along with its simplicity, this made the PDP-1 quite user-friendly for its time.
37643
37644
37645
37646The PDP-1 may be regarded as one of the first personal computers, since one person was quite enough to run and operate it (although, needless to say, its price was not the kind of price you would expect from a personal computer today).
37647
37648
37649
37650The PDP-1 attracted the attention of various hackers in MIT. This resulted into the creation of Spacewar!, which was the first computer-based videogame, but this is another story.
37651
37652
37653
37654The PDP-1 was a reasonably successful machine: 49 units were sold, which was not as bad as it sounds for this time. DEC intended to sell variants of PDP-1 with a bigger word size (PDP-3 with 36-bit words, and possibly other variants (PDP-2???) with 24-bit or 30-bit words), but it eventually did not. However, it later replaced PDP-1 with other models, including the first minicomputer (the PDP-8 in 1965), and, by the early 1970's, it had become a major computer manufacturer, second only to IBM.
37655
37656
37657
37658
37659
37660===== Links =====
37661
37662
37663
37664  * PDP-1 Handbook -- http://www.dbit.com/~greeng3/pdp1/pdp1.html
37665
37666  * PDP-1 information on bitsavers.org -- http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp1/
37667
37668  * PDP-1 paper tape images -- http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/DEC/pdp1/papertapeImages/ including SpaceWar.
37669
37670
37671
37672
37673
37674===== Other Emulators =====
37675
37676
37677
37678  * SIMH -- http://simh.trailing-edge.com/ can emulate a PDP1 as well as others PDP's and has software kits (DDT and lisp) for the PDP-1.
37679
37680  * DEC XY Display Simulator -- http://www.ultimate.com/phil/xy/ for SIMH (in case you want to play SpaceWar :)
37681
37682
37683
37684
37685
37686$end
37687
37688
37689
37690#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37691
37692
37693$info=pecom_64
37694$bio
37695====== Pecom 64 (1985) ======
37696
37697
37698
37699
37700
37701===== Features =====
37702
37703
37704
37705  * CPU: CPD 1802B 5V7 at 5 MHZ
37706
37707  * RAM: 64 KB
37708
37709  * ROM: 16 KB
37710
37711  * Text Modes: 24 x 40
37712
37713  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 216
37714
37715  * Colors: 8
37716
37717  * Sound: 8 octaves, 16 power levels, special effects
37718
37719  * I/O Ports: System Bus, Tape, Video, TV Modulator, RS232c
37720
37721  * Built-In Media: Mini FDD
37722
37723  * Keyboard: Full stroke 55 keys
37724
37725  * Built-In Language: Basic
37726
37727
37728
37729
37730
37731===== History and Trivia =====
37732
37733
37734
37735The PECOM 64 is basically the same as the PECOM 32 but with more RAM.
37736
37737
37738
37739The manufacturer was EI, which stands for Electronic Industry. These computers were mainly built for schools, so that students might learn Basic.
37740
37741
37742
37743
37744
37745===== Links =====
37746
37747
37748
37749  * PECOM 64 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=970
37750
37751
37752
37753
37754
37755
37756
37757$end
37758
37759
37760
37761#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37762
37763
37764$info=pentagon
37765$bio
37766====== Pentagon (198x) ======
37767
37768
37769
37770
37771
37772===== Usage =====
37773
37774
37775
37776MESS supports the emulation of pentagon with the following devices
37777
37778
37779
37780  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
37781
37782  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .dck format
37783
37784  - four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .trd format
37785
37786
37787
37788Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
37789
37790
37791
37792== Keyboard ==
37793
37794
37795
37796This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
37797
37798
37799
37800
37801
37802===== History and Trivia =====
37803
37804
37805
37806The Pentagon is a Russian clone of the ZX Spectrum 128. It's been sold in various models (Pentagon 128, 512) and with various hardware.
37807
37808
37809
37810It feature floppy drives.
37811
37812
37813
37814
37815
37816===== Links =====
37817
37818
37819
37820  * Pentagon at Sinclair Nostalgia -- http://www.interface1.net/zx/clones/pentagon128.html
37821
37822
37823
37824
37825
37826$end
37827
37828
37829
37830#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
37831
37832
37833$info=pet2001
37834$bio
37835====== CBM PET 2001 (1977), CBM 30xx series (1979) ======
37836
37837
37838
37839
37840
37841===== Features =====
37842
37843
37844
37845  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz
37846
37847  * RAM: 4 KB (early version) then 8 KB
37848
37849  * VRAM: 1 KB
37850
37851  * ROM: 14 KB
37852
37853  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
37854
37855  * Graphic Modes: None
37856
37857  * Colors: Monochrome
37858
37859  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, Parallel port, second, "user port" for 8-bit I/O, cassette port inside the case, rarely used
37860
37861  * Keyboard: 73 key 'chicklet' keyboard with numeric keypad
37862
37863  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic 1.0
37864
37865  * Built In Media: tape recorder
37866
37867
37868
37869
37870
37871===== Usage =====
37872
37873
37874
37875MESS emulates the following computers
37876
37877
37878
37879  * pet2001 [PET 2001]
37880
37881  * pet2001b [PET 2001-B]
37882
37883  * pet2001n [PET 2001-N]
37884
37885  * cbm30 [Commodore 30xx]
37886
37887  * cbm30b [Commodore 30xx (Business Keyboard)]
37888
37889  * cbm30nor [Commodore 30xx (Norway, Business Keyboard)]
37890
37891
37892
37893For each systems, MESS supports
37894
37895
37896
37897  - two datasettes, using "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2) devices, for tapes in .tap and .wav format (currently not working)
37898
37899  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt, .a0 and .b0 format
37900
37901  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
37902
37903
37904
37905Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
37906
37907
37908
37909== Miscellaneous ==
37910
37911
37912
37913To load a directory of available files you can use
37914
37915 
37916
37917  LOAD"$"[,<devicenumber>]
37918
37919
37920
37921i.e. to see what is on a disk (device number=8) type
37922
37923 
37924
37925  LOAD"$",8
37926
37927
37928
37929to see what is on a tape type (default)
37930
37931 
37932
37933  LOAD"$"
37934
37935
37936
37937To load a file into memory from an external device
37938
37939 
37940
37941  LOAD"<filename>"[,<devicenumber>]
37942
37943
37944
37945To run the file currently in memory type
37946
37947 
37948
37949  RUN
37950
37951
37952
37953== Floppy Disks ==
37954
37955
37956
37957Since the diskdrive is device number 8, you have to use
37958
37959 
37960
37961  LOAD"<filename>",8
37962
37963
37964
37965e.g.
37966
37967  LOAD"PACMAN",8
37968
37969
37970
37971== Cassettes ==
37972
37973
37974
37975Since the tape drive is the default device, you can simply use
37976
37977 
37978
37979  LOAD"<filename>"
37980
37981
37982
37983e.g. ''LOAD"PACMAN"''
37984
37985
37986
37987== Keyboard ==
37988
37989
37990
37991These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
37992
37993
37994
37995Original Keyboard (pet2001): 73 key 'chicklet' keyboard with numeric keypad
37996
37997 
37998
37999                                                                                 CLR CRSR CRSR INST
38000
38001   @    !    "    #    $    %    '    &    \    (    )    <-    [    ]          HOME  U/D  L/R  DEL
38002
38003   
38004
38005  RVS
38006
38007  OFF     Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    UP   <    >          7    8    9    /
38008
38009 
38010
38011   SHIFT                                                      STOP
38012
38013   LOCK     A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :   RUN  RETURN         4    5    6    *
38014
38015   
38016
38017                                                               
38018
38019    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M     ,    ;   ?    SHIFT            1    2    3    +
38020
38021   
38022
38023   
38024
38025                                  SPACEBAR                                        0    .    -    =
38026
38027
38028
38029
38030
38031Original Keyboard (pet2001n, pet2001b, cbm30xx): QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, and sometimes calculator type
38032
38033 
38034
38035                                                                             CRSR  STOP
38036
38037      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*   -=   UP    L/R   RUN           7   8   9
38038
38039 
38040
38041                                                                          CRSR    DEL
38042
38043      TAB    Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    \    U/D    INST             4   5   6
38044
38045 
38046
38047      SHIFT
38048
38049  ESC   LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;+    @     ]      RETURN            1   2   3
38050
38051 
38052
38053  RVS                                                                                HOME
38054
38055  OFF   SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   REPEAT   CLR           0     .
38056
38057 
38058
38059 
38060
38061                                     SPACEBAR
38062
38063
38064
38065== RAM options ==
38066
38067
38068
38069Different RAM configurations are possible for most of these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
38070
38071
38072
38073  * [pet2001]
38074
38075
38076
38077  4k
38078
38079  8k
38080
38081
38082
38083  * [pet2001n/pet2001b/cbm30/cbm30b/cbm30nor]
38084
38085
38086
38087  8k
38088
38089  16k
38090
38091  32k (default)
38092
38093
38094
38095
38096
38097===== Known Issues =====
38098
38099
38100
38101  * Cassette emulation is not working
38102
38103  * I can't get programs to load from disk
38104
38105  * Writing and executing programs in memory seems to work
38106
38107
38108
38109
38110
38111===== History and Trivia =====
38112
38113
38114
38115The name PET, besides being a marketing ploy to imply a user-friendly machine, is an acronym for "Personal Electronic Translator".
38116
38117
38118
38119The Commodore PET 2001 was a great success. Three models were made : the PET 2001-8N with 8 KB RAM, PET 2001-16N with 16 KB RAM and the PET 2001-32N. They were conceived by Chuck Peddle who later founded Tandon, a drive manufacturer.
38120
38121
38122
38123The CBM 3xxx and 4xxx series were revisions of the original PET 2001. The range was rebranded CBM (Commodore Business Machine), as PET was dropped.
38124
38125
38126
38127The 3xxx series introduced the 3000 series ROM sets, BASIC v3, and a completely redesigned keyboard layout, which used a full typewriter keyboard instead of the "mickey mouse" keyboard of the PET, and dropped the on-board cassette unit.
38128
38129
38130
38131//(info from old-computers.com)//
38132
38133
38134
38135
38136
38137===== Links =====
38138
38139
38140
38141  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
38142
38143  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
38144
38145  * PDF's of manuals -- http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/default.htm
38146
38147  * PET at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/pet2001.shtml
38148
38149  * PET at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=191
38150
38151  * CBM 30xx at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=102
38152
38153
38154
38155
38156
38157===== Other Emulators =====
38158
38159
38160
38161  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
38162
38163
38164
38165
38166
38167$end
38168
38169
38170
38171#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38172
38173
38174$info=pico
38175$bio
38176====== Sega Pico (1993) ======
38177
38178
38179
38180
38181
38182===== Features =====
38183
38184
38185
38186
38187
38188  * CPU: Motorola 68000, same as in Mega Drive
38189
38190  * RAM: 64 KB
38191
38192  * Video RAM: 64 KB
38193
38194  * Video: 315-5313 VDP, same as in Mega Drive
38195
38196  * Sound: Texas Instruments SN76489 PSG and custom PCM chip
38197
38198  * Input: pen and buttons
38199
38200  * Media: "Storyware" cartridges (Book + Game) of various sizes
38201
38202
38203
38204
38205
38206===== History and Trivia =====
38207
38208
38209
38210The Sega Pico, also known as Kids Computer Pico in Japan, was an electronic toy released by Sega in 1993. Its aim was to introduce young kids to videogames, through educational software. The Sega Pico was designed for ages 2–8 and its slogan was "the computer that thinks it's a toy."
38211
38212
38213
38214A particular feature of the system are its cartridges, called "Storyware", which were book shaped. When the player turned a page of the cartridge, the screen changed accordingly. The back page of each book featured a drawing mode, where the player could insert stamps of characters from within the book. Games were also controlled by a "magic" pen and buttons.
38215
38216
38217
38218//(info based on Wikipedia)//
38219
38220
38221
38222
38223
38224===== Links =====
38225
38226
38227
38228  * [[wp>Sega_Pico]]
38229
38230
38231
38232
38233
38234===== Other Emulators =====
38235
38236
38237
38238  * PicoDrive -- http://notaz.gp2x.de/
38239
38240
38241
38242
38243
38244
38245
38246
38247
38248
38249
38250$end
38251
38252
38253
38254#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38255
38256
38257$info=pilot1k
38258$bio
38259====== Palm Pilot 1000 (1996) ======
38260
38261
38262
38263Pilot 1000 was a famous Personal Digital Assistants with a monochrome LCD screen and a touchscreen.
38264
38265
38266
38267
38268
38269===== Features =====
38270
38271
38272
38273  * CPU: DragonBall 68328 (Motorola 68k derivative) at 16 MHz.
38274
38275  * ROM: 512KB.
38276
38277  * RAM: 128 KB (upgradable).
38278
38279  * OS: Palm OS 1.0
38280
38281
38282
38283===== History and Trivia =====
38284
38285
38286
38287The Palm Pilot 1000 was the first Palm PDA and it was introduced in March of 1996.
38288
38289
38290
38291The Pilot has a 160 x 160 pixel monochrome LCD tactile panel, with a "Graffiti input" zone in the bottom third of the screen. Underneath the screen sits a green power button, four applications buttons (Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, and Memo Pad) and two scroll buttons. At left, contrast control. At right top, stylus slot. On the back of the device there is a Memory Slot door, a Reset button and a Serial Port (for use with the PalmPilot Cradle and connection with a PC).
38292
38293
38294
38295//(info based on Wikipedia)//
38296
38297
38298
38299
38300
38301$end
38302
38303
38304
38305#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38306
38307
38308$info=pippin
38309$bio
38310====== Apple / Bandai Pippin (1996) ======
38311
38312
38313
38314The Pippin Atmark, known outside Japan as Pippin @world, was a multimedia platform designed by Apple Inc. and produced by Bandai in 1995.
38315
38316
38317
38318
38319
38320===== Features =====
38321
38322
38323
38324  * CPU: PowerPC 603 running at 66 MHz
38325
38326  * Sound: Stereo 16-bit 44 kHz sampled I/O
38327
38328  * Screen: 8-bit and 16-bit video support, support for NTSC and PAL composite, S-Video and VGA (640x480) monitors
38329
38330  * RAM: 128KB NVRAM
38331
38332  * I/O Ports: 4x CD-ROM drive, two high-speed serial ports, one of which is GeoPort ready, PCI-compatible expansion slot, headphone output jack (with individual volume control), optional floppy drive
38333
38334  * Controllers: 2x "Applejack" controllers featuring a 4-way pad, a trackball and 4 buttons
38335
38336  * OS: Stripped down version of System 7 Mac OS
38337
38338
38339
38340
38341
38342===== Known Issues =====
38343
38344
38345
38346The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
38347
38348
38349
38350
38351
38352===== History and Trivia =====
38353
38354
38355
38356In mid 90s, Apple designed the Pippin as a low cost playback tool for multimedia CD-ROMs initially created for the Macintosh and/or IBM compatible PC. The technology was derived from Apple's second generation Power Macintosh hardware.
38357
38358
38359
38360The idea behind the project was to offer multimedia technology at a very low entry price and through distribution by several companies. Hence, Apple had chosen to make the Pippin platform available under license to manufacturers interested in building and selling their own version. The only company which decided to produce the Pippin was Bandai, which was looking at entering the console video game market. A Norwegian company, Katz Media Productions, announced that it was planning to import the platform in Europe and to use it as a low cost PC with web ability, but the system was never marketed.
38361
38362
38363
38364The main difference between the Pippin and the Macintosh computers it was based off, was that Pippin operated from a run-time version of the Mac OS on less memory with more dedicated functions. In particular, Pippin shipped with only a readable CD-ROM mechanism as a mass storage device and no hard disk. Mass storage devices could still be optionally added by the users, though.
38365
38366
38367
38368On the other hand, the Pippin used ADB inputs, and therefore Apple mouses and keyboard could be used in place of the standard AppleJack controller.
38369
38370
38371
38372Other accessories available at launch included an external floppy, keyboard, mouse, external ink jet printer (Apple Ink Jet printers were compatible with no need of adapters) and a GeoPort telecom adapter for analog phone lines. More add-on devices were announced including hard disks, PCMCIA slots, MPEG2 codecs, etc. but not all of them were actually released.
38373
38374
38375
38376Unfortunately, the system had no success, probably due to its high price (low for a multimedia computer, but quite high for a video game console) and the limited number of available titles, mostly produced by Bandai itself.
38377
38378
38379
38380The Pippin was abandoned in 1996.
38381
38382
38383
38384== Accessories ==
38385
38386  * AppleJack controller
38387
38388  * AppleJack Wireless (IR) controller
38389
38390  * Pippin keyboard with drawing tablet
38391
38392  * Pippin Modems (14.4, 28.8, 33.6kbit/s)
38393
38394  * Pippin memory (2, 4, 8, 16MB)
38395
38396  * Pippin Floppy Dock
38397
38398  * Pippin MO 256MB optical disk
38399
38400  * Pippin ADB adapter (For connecting Macintosh devices to Pippin)
38401
38402
38403
38404//(info from Pippin FAQ and Wikipedia)//
38405
38406
38407
38408
38409
38410===== Links =====
38411
38412
38413
38414  * Bandai Pippin Museum & Archive -- http://www.macgeek.org/museum/pippin/
38415
38416  * Pippin Article at lowendmac.com -- http://lowendmac.com/coventry/06/apple-pippin.html
38417
38418  * Pippin Pictures -- http://web.me.com/markjjohnson/Mac-Collection/Pippin.html
38419
38420
38421
38422
38423
38424$end
38425
38426
38427
38428#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38429
38430
38431$info=pmd851
38432$bio
38433====== Tesla PMD-85 series (1985) ======
38434
38435
38436
38437
38438
38439===== Features =====
38440
38441
38442
38443  * CPU: MHB 8080A 2,048 MHz (Xtal 18,432 MHz divided by 9)
38444
38445  * RAM: 48 KB [Mod. 1], 56 KB [Mod. 2A], 64 KB [Mod. 3]
38446
38447  * ROM: 4 KB [Mod. 1, 2A], 8 KB [Mod. 3]
38448
38449  * Text Modes: 25 lines x 48 characters
38450
38451  * Graphic Modes: 288 x 256 dots
38452
38453  * Colors: 4 (Black, White, Grey, Blink) - 8 [PMD-85.3 only]
38454
38455  * Sound: 1 channel
38456
38457  * I/O Ports: Serial, Parallel
38458
38459  * Built In Media: None
38460
38461  * Keyboard: Full stroke 77 keys
38462
38463  * Peripherals: Tape recorder
38464
38465  * Built In Language: BASIC G cartridge
38466
38467
38468
38469
38470
38471===== Usage =====
38472
38473
38474
38475MESS supports the following computers
38476
38477
38478
38479  * pmd851 [Tesla PMD-85.1]
38480
38481  * pmd852 [Tesla PMD-85.2]
38482
38483  * pmd852a [Tesla PMD-85.2A]
38484
38485  * pmd852b [Tesla PMD-85.2B]
38486
38487  * pmd853 [Tesla PMD-85.3]
38488
38489  * alfa [Didaktik Alfa]
38490
38491  * mato [Statny Mato]
38492
38493
38494
38495All these systems allows the emulation of a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav and .pmd format.
38496
38497
38498
38499== Keyboard ==
38500
38501
38502
38503These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
38504
38505
38506
38507== BIOS options ==
38508
38509
38510
38511MESS supports two different versions of Mato: one containing BASIC in its rom, and one containing some games. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
38512
38513 
38514
38515  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = BASIC
38516
38517 
38518
38519  "-bios 1" or "-bios games" = Games
38520
38521
38522
38523
38524
38525===== History and Trivia =====
38526
38527
38528
38529Home computer for TV connection in Czechoslovakia.
38530
38531
38532
38533The PMD-85 was a Czechoslovakian personal computer based on the MHB 8080A processor and manufactured by slovakian company Tesla Bratislava.
38534
38535
38536
38537This machine was well known among kids and fans for its presence in schools in 80's.
38538
38539
38540
38541== Versions ==
38542
38543
38544
38545Several versions were available:
38546
38547
38548
38549  * PMD-85-1 (most common)
38550
38551
38552
38553  * PMD-85-2 (better keyboard and software)
38554
38555
38556
38557  * PMD-85-2A (new motherboard)
38558
38559
38560
38561  * PMD-85-3 (new motherboard again, pictured)
38562
38563
38564
38565  * Mato (kit of a clone in a smaller case)
38566
38567
38568
38569== The PMD series ==
38570
38571
38572
38573(info by Andrej): Actually PMD series started much earlier. First one was PMD-81 (from 1981) followed by PMD-83 (of course manufactured in 1983-84) and the last one from series was PMD-85. While PMD-81 (as far as I know) had just cartridge for Basic G, PMD-85 had as standard Basic G, but also Pascal cartridge was available. Computer didn't have a monitor, it was plugged in regular (at that time B/W) TV. While PMD-85-3 had prominent keyboard, previous models had flat keys
38574
38575
38576
38577== Some acid remarks ==
38578
38579
38580
38581(from David Cady): In fact, this computer did not have a built-in language. That Basic G was a kind of a cartridge or a module. Above the keyboard, where the upper part of the rear panel begins, you can notice that module! It was huge (in comparison to Atari or Commodore cartridges), quite heavy (almost one fifth of the total weight of the computer) and, surprisingly, fragile. Probably therefore was this Basic G module shipped automatically with the computer (plugged in already - that might be the reason, why it's so often described as built-in). Basic G was really bad, it was a very-low-performance clone of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum Basic programming language. Just imagine, that holding down the function key and pressing a letter key meanwhile wrote the whole command on the screen although there was no indication for the upcoming command on the keyboard itself (unlike ZX). It was very uncomfortable to get used to this and majority of those, who worked with PMD's didn't use this "fast commands writing feature". The PMD 85/1 had a pretty miserable keyboard made of telephone keys (!). Writing a couple of A4's could become a blood-sweating experience.
38582
38583
38584
38585PMD's were not really much cheaper in comparison to Atari, Commodore or ZX Spectrum computers (some of the peripherals were even more expensive than their 'western' equivalents), but they were the "official" computers for youth educating in computer science. Probably every other computer or programming club had several of those, so they became fairly widespread despite the quality.
38586
38587
38588
38589PMD 85/2A, PMD 85/3 and Mato, Slovak successor to (and clone of) PMD 85/2, were basically the same shit. Sorry to say that, but I had to work with them, so I know, what I'm talking about. I didn't like ZX's, but I'd prefer them anytime to PMD's.
38590
38591
38592
38593The peripherals - similar to ZX, any casette player/recorder could be plugged in. There was a special peripheral from Tesla that combined the tape recorder with a printer (the D-100 model or the BT-100 model). This printer had a single-pin head and you had to put a carbon paper (!) in between the head and the clean paper for the printer to work correctly - to print at all!
38594
38595
38596
38597That's what I call innovative approach :-)
38598
38599
38600
38601//(info from old-computers.com)//
38602
38603
38604
38605
38606
38607===== Links =====
38608
38609
38610
38611  * Peter Chrenko's Page -- http://www.kmit.sk/~peto/
38612
38613  * Martin Schotek's Page -- http://www.schotek.cz/pmd/indexe.htm
38614
38615  * PMD-85 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=730
38616
38617
38618
38619
38620
38621===== Other Emulators =====
38622
38623
38624
38625  * PMD85 Emu -- http://www.schotek.cz/pmd/index.htm#EMULATOR
38626
38627
38628
38629
38630
38631$end
38632
38633
38634
38635#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38636
38637
38638$info=pockstat
38639$bio
38640====== Sony PocketStation (1999) ======
38641
38642
38643
38644
38645
38646===== Features ====
38647
38648
38649
38650  * CPU: ARM7TDMI (32-bit RISC Processor)
38651
38652  * SRAM: 2 KB
38653
38654  * FlashRAM: 128 KB
38655
38656  * Screen: 32 x 32 dot monochrome LCD
38657
38658  * Sound: 10-bit PCM
38659
38660  * I/O: infrared communication
38661
38662  * Controls: 5 input buttons, 1 reset button
38663
38664
38665
38666===== History and Trivia =====
38667
38668
38669
38670The PocketStation is a peripheral for the Sony PlayStation console, released in 1999 in Japan. It can be connected to the main console through the memory card slot and used either as a memory card or to download in the PocketStation mini-games and utilities from PS1 games which supported it (e.g. "Final Fantasy VIII", "Street Fighter Alpha 3" and "Dokodemo Issho").
38671
38672
38673
38674Separated from the Playstation, the unit works as a mini-console, allowing to play with downloaded games, and as a mini-PDA with the few utilities available.
38675
38676
38677
38678Also, it features infrared communication capability which allows direct transfer of data such as game saves between PocketStation units, as well as multiplayer gaming.
38679
38680
38681
38682//(info based on Wikipedia)//
38683
38684
38685
38686
38687
38688===== Links =====
38689
38690
38691
38692  * PlayStation.jp entry -- http://www.jp.playstation.com/peripheral/psone/pocket.html
38693
38694  * [[wp>PocketStation]]
38695
38696
38697
38698
38699
38700===== Other Emulators =====
38701
38702
38703
38704  * PK201 -- http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/DrHell/pocket/index.html
38705
38706
38707
38708
38709
38710
38711
38712$end
38713
38714
38715
38716#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38717
38718
38719$info=pokemini
38720$bio
38721====== Nintendo Pokémon mini (2002) ======
38722
38723
38724
38725
38726
38727===== Usage =====
38728
38729
38730
38731MESS requires a cart dump (in .min or .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run pokemini emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
38732
38733
38734
38735  mess pokemini -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.min"
38736
38737
38738
38739
38740
38741===== Known Issues =====
38742
38743
38744
38745The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
38746
38747
38748
38749
38750
38751===== History and Trivia =====
38752
38753
38754
38755The Pokémon mini is a handheld game console designed and manufactured by Nintendo, based on Satoshi Tajiri's Pokémon franchise.
38756
38757
38758
38759The system, probably the smallest cartridge-based system ever, includes a black-and-white LCD and an integrated gamepad. It also features an infrared port for multiplayer gaming, an internal timer, an accelerometer (shock detector), and a sort of force feedback mechanism.
38760
38761
38762
38763The Gamecube game "Pokémon Channel" contained demo versions of some Pokémon mini games, emulated via software, and also featured an exclusive game: "Snorlax's Lunch Time".
38764
38765
38766
38767//(info based on Wikipedia)//
38768
38769
38770
38771
38772
38773===== Links =====
38774
38775
38776
38777  * Team Pokéme -- http://pokeme.shizzle.it/
38778
38779  * Pokémon Mini HW Reference -- http://www.sublab.net/pokemini/
38780
38781  * [[wp>Pokemon_mini]]
38782
38783
38784
38785
38786
38787
38788
38789$end
38790
38791
38792
38793#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38794
38795
38796$info=poly88
38797$bio
38798====== PolyMorphic Systems Poly-88 (1976) ======
38799
38800
38801
38802===== Usage =====
38803
38804
38805
38806When started, the Poly88 presents a blank screen. Press <key>Control</key>+<key>C</key> to start Basic, or <key>Control</key>+<key>Z</key> to enter the Monitor debugger.
38807
38808
38809
38810The Basic is quite minimal, it has no functions for strings or fractions, and the range of integers is limited to 32767.
38811
38812$end
38813
38814
38815
38816#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38817
38818
38819$info=ppc512
38820$bio
38821====== Amstrad PPC 512 / PPC 640 (1988) ======
38822
38823
38824
38825
38826
38827===== Features =====
38828
38829
38830
38831  * CPU: Nec V30 8 MHz
38832
38833  * RAM: 512 KB [PPC-512]; 640 KB [PPC-640]
38834
38835  * ROM: 16 KB
38836
38837  * Text Modes: 40 or 80 chars x 25 lines
38838
38839  * Graphic Modes: 320 or 640 x 200 dots
38840
38841  * Colors: Monochrome green - 4 or 16 colours with external monitor
38842
38843  * Sound: Beeper
38844
38845  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232, CGA Monitor, Expansion ports A (25 pin port just bigger than a parallel port) and B (37 pin RS494)
38846
38847  * Keyboard: Complete 102 key QWERTY mechanical keyboard, with numeric keypad, editing block and function keys
38848
38849  * Built In Media: One or Two 3.5" floppy-drives (720 KB)
38850
38851  * OS: MS DOS 3.2 or 3.3, GEM, Q-DOS II (menu driven interface)
38852
38853  * Built In Language: None
38854
38855  * Peripherals: Mouse Systems driver
38856
38857
38858
38859
38860
38861===== Known Issues =====
38862
38863
38864
38865The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
38866
38867
38868
38869
38870
38871===== History and Trivia =====
38872
38873
38874
38875With the Amstrad PPC-512 and 640, Amstrad wanted to make the cheapest portable PC compatible computer, in the same way as the Amstrad PC1512 was for desktop computers.
38876
38877
38878
38879But, despite its pleasant form, this computer suffered due to its poor 9" LCD screen. It had one or two 3.5" 720 KB floppy drives and some versions could also be found with a 10 or 20 MB internal hard disk.
38880
38881
38882
38883If you were tired of the poor LCD screen, you could connect a monochrome or CGA monitor to the PPC at home. The Amstrad CPC series monitors could be used too.
38884
38885
38886
38887The differences between the PPC-512 and PPC-640 were a different colour case, a built-in modem (v21, v22, v22 bis and v23 protocols) and 640 KB RAM for the PPC-640. Both versions could run with 10 C size batteries (1 hour battery life), or with an external AC adaptor.
38888
38889
38890
38891//(info from old-computers.com)//
38892
38893
38894
38895
38896
38897===== Links =====
38898
38899
38900
38901  * PPC 512 / 640 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=195
38902
38903
38904
38905
38906
38907$end
38908
38909
38910
38911#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
38912
38913
38914$info=prav8d
38915$bio
38916====== Pravetz 8D (1985) ======
38917
38918
38919
38920
38921
38922===== Features =====
38923
38924
38925
38926  * CPU: CM630 - Bulgarian copy of the 6502 1 MHz
38927
38928  * RAM: 48 KB
38929
38930  * ROM: 16 KB
38931
38932  * Text Modes: 40 columns x 28 lines
38933
38934  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200 (+ 3 text lines)
38935
38936  * Colors: 8
38937
38938  * Sound: Programmable Sound Generator AY-3-8912 (from General Instruments), 3 voices, 8 octaves + white noise
38939
38940  * I/O Ports: Power supply, Expansion port, Printer/Centronics port, Tape-recorder DIN plug, RGB video out, RF TV out
38941
38942  * Keyboard: Full stroke 57 keys Qwerty + cyrillic
38943
38944  * Peripherals: floppy disk unit, modem, dot matrix printer
38945
38946  * Built In Language: Basic
38947
38948
38949
38950
38951
38952===== Usage =====
38953
38954
38955
38956Currently, MESS supports two different versions of the Pravetz 8D
38957
38958
38959
38960  * prav8d [Pravetz 8D]
38961
38962  * prav8dd [Pravetz 8D (Disk ROM)]
38963
38964
38965
38966Both systems support cassette tapes in .wav and .tap format, using the "cassette" (cass) device, and floppy disk images (see below).
38967
38968
38969
38970Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
38971
38972
38973
38974== Floppy Disks ==
38975
38976
38977
38978Pravetz 8D floppy emulation in MESS supports images in .do, .dsk, .bin, .po and .nib format, using the "floppydisk" (flop) device.
38979
38980
38981
38982The disk drive interface has a boot-ROM which loads the DOS from the disc in the drive. The driver supports 2 versions of the disc interface:
38983
38984
38985
38986  * "low dos 8d" has a 256 byte boot ROM and supports DOS v1.0 to v1.30 ("Apple 2" on dipswitch)
38987
38988  * "high dos 8d" has a 512 byte boot ROM and supports DOS v2.10 and higher. ("Apple 2 v2" on dipswitch)
38989
38990
38991
38992If you are using the standard prav8d driver you will need to type
38993
38994 
38995
38996  CALL #320
38997
38998
38999
39000to start the boot procedure. If you are using prav8dd (with the "BOBY" ROM), then the disc is booted automatically.
39001
39002
39003
39004The Pravetz 8D uses Apple 2 compatible disk drives only, and these are supported by the driver.
39005
39006
39007
39008== DOS commands ==
39009
39010
39011
39012Here is a brief listing of DOS commands provided by George
39013
39014 
39015
39016  * Options
39017
39018 
39019
39020  f  FileName (1-30 signs)
39021
39022  d  drive (one or two)
39023
39024  v  volume
39025
39026  a  beginning address
39027
39028  e  end address
39029
39030  l  record length
39031
39032  r  record number
39033
39034  b  number of byte in the record
39035
39036
39037
39038  * Filetypes
39039
39040
39041
39042  B  Basic program
39043
39044  C  Bynary file
39045
39046  T  Text file
39047
39048  M  Text file, created with Make command ( batch file:) )
39049
39050
39051
39052  * Commands
39053
39054 
39055
39056  DIR [1] [2]                     : listing content of the directory
39057
39058 
39059
39060  INIT [,Vv] [,Dd]                : formatting Disk (in first or second Disk Drive)
39061
39062 
39063
39064  DOS [f] [,Dd], [,Vv]            : writing Dos on the disk without formatting It. File f automatically starts after booting
39065
39066 
39067
39068  MAP [1] [2]                     : show chart of the disk.
39069
39070 
39071
39072  SAVE f [,A,a] [,Ee] [,Vv] [,Dd] : Saves file on the disk. If missing parameter of the addresses A,E :  saving Basic file in Memory
39073
39074 
39075
39076  LOAD f [,Aa] [,Dd] [,Vv]        : loads file in memory
39077
39078 
39079
39080  MERGE                           : adding program in Basic to already exists in Memory - only for files B or C types. Loads file in Memory and start It.
39081
39082                                    (RUN and BRUN together in Apple ][)
39083
39084 
39085
39086  DELETE f [,Dd] [,Vv]            : deleting file f
39087
39088 
39089
39090  RENAME f1, f2 [,Vv] [,Dd]       : renaming last name of the file f1 with f2
39091
39092 
39093
39094  * f [,Dd] [,Vv]                 : lock/unlock file
39095
39096 
39097
39098  MAXFILES m                      : allowing up to m open files
39099
39100 
39101
39102  VERIFY f [,Dd] [,Vv]            : checks surface integrity of file
39103
39104 
39105
39106  EXIT                            : leaving Dos
39107
39108 
39109
39110  OPEN f [,Vv] [,Dd]              : open file for read/write
39111
39112 
39113
39114  CLOSE [f]                       : closing f; if no file f is present, it closes all open files
39115
39116 
39117
39118  READ f [,Bb]                    : points that will be reading of the file with command INPUT
39119
39120 
39121
39122  WRITE f [,Bb]                   : writes in Text file
39123
39124 
39125
39126  APPEND f [,Vv] [,Dd]            : adding information in Text file. Always there's WRITE after It
39127
39128 
39129
39130  POSITION f [,Rr]                : allow writing or reading in Text file from r position in Program mode
39131
39132
39133
39134An example of the use of the commands is:
39135
39136  10LPRINT CHR$(2); "MAXFILES 5"
39137
39138
39139
39140Another example is: to load a program called "MONITOR" type
39141
39142  LOAD MONITOR
39143
39144often you will see a load address (it is the first number with # prefix). Now type
39145
39146  CALL #<number>
39147
39148to execute the program.
39149
39150
39151
39152== Keyboard ==
39153
39154
39155
39156These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
39157
39158
39159
39160== BIOS options ==
39161
39162
39163
39164Different versions of the Disk Roms are supported for the prav8dd. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
39165
39166 
39167
39168  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = Disk ROM, 1989
39169
39170 
39171
39172  "-bios 1" or "-bios radosoft" = RadoSoft Disk ROM, 1992
39173
39174
39175
39176
39177
39178===== Known Issues =====
39179
39180
39181
39182The emulation is the same as the Oric Atmos. (I don't know if there are any hardware differences compared to an original Oric Atmos, if there are please tell me and I will implement them).
39183
39184
39185
39186
39187
39188===== History and Trivia =====
39189
39190
39191
39192The Pravetz 8D is a Bulgarian clone of the Oric Atmos. It was produced between 1985 and 1989: Pravetz is both the name of the firm and the name of the city where the firm is located. The "D" in the name stands for "Domashen" ('home' in Bulgarian) while the "8"
39193
39194stands for (you've never guess!) '8 bits'.
39195
39196
39197
39198The main differences from the Oric Atmos were obviously the keyboard and the floppy interface.
39199
39200
39201
39202The Pravetz 8D can display both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets - the one currently in use is selected by the key labeled  "C/L" which takes place of the "FUNCT" key present on the Atmos. Other features of the keyboard are the "ESC" and "CTRL" keys, labeled respectively
39203
39204"OSV" and "MK".
39205
39206
39207
39208During Pravetz' glory days none of Oric's disk interfaces were imported in Bulgaria, thus the magazine "Computer for you" organized a competition to develop a disk interface which was compatible with the most widespread disk drive currently used, namely the Apple II's
39209
39210disk drive. The competition was won in 1989 by Borislav "Boby" Zahariev, student at MEI University of Sofia. The first version of the disk interface used top 16Kb of RAM to store the DOS, which prevented users from loading larger programs. Later Boris developed an
39211
39212upgrade of his interface which used in conjunction with a new version of the DOS allowed programs to use the whole memory. He provided also a new version of BIOS which detected the presence of the interface and automatically booted the DOS from the disk.
39213
39214
39215
39216== Versions ==
39217
39218
39219
39220There was a whole family of Pravetz computer which included the following models
39221
39222
39223
39224  * Pravetz 82, 8M, 8A, 8E, 8C, 8D (8 bits)
39225
39226
39227
39228  * Pravetz 16, 16A, 286 (16 bits, PC clones)
39229
39230
39231
39232Most of 8 bits machines were Apple II compatibles, "8D" being the exception. The "8D" model was issued in 1985 and cost 420 lev - if you think that the average salary by that time was about 180-200 lev, you can see that it was pretty expensive.
39233
39234
39235
39236The "82" model was the trade name of a machine called "IMKO-2" and was released in 1981. The "IMKO-2" was the upgraded version of the "IMKO", designed in 1979 and used for robot control.
39237
39238
39239
39240Thanks to: Joro Dramchev, Ventzislav Alexandrov and Todor Arnaudov for Pravetz information, Fabrice Frances for Oric information.
39241
39242
39243
39244
39245
39246$end
39247
39248
39249
39250#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39251
39252
39253$info=primoa32
39254$bio
39255====== Microkey Primo Series (1984) ======
39256
39257
39258
39259
39260
39261===== Features =====
39262
39263
39264
39265  * CPU: U880A (GDR Z80A) 2.5 MHz (up to 3.5 MHz with some hacking)
39266
39267  * RAM: 16 KB (up to to 48 KB depending on the model)
39268
39269  * ROM: 16 KB
39270
39271  * Text Modes: 16 lines x 42 characters
39272
39273  * Graphic Modes: 192 x 256 dots
39274
39275  * Colors: Monochrome
39276
39277  * Sound: Beeper
39278
39279  * Keyboard: Membrane keyboard
39280
39281  * Built In Language: BASIC interpreter
39282
39283
39284
39285
39286
39287===== Usage =====
39288
39289
39290
39291Currently, MESS supports the following systems which belong to the Primo series
39292
39293
39294
39295  * primoa32 [Microkey Primo A-32]
39296
39297  * primoa48 [Microkey Primo A-48]
39298
39299  * primoa64 [Microkey Primo A-64]
39300
39301  * primob32 [Microkey Primo B-32]
39302
39303  * primob48 [Microkey Primo B-48]
39304
39305  * primob64 [Microkey Primo B-64]
39306
39307
39308
39309All these drivers supports cart dumps in .rom format and cassette tapes in .wav and .ptp format. The former ones use up to two cartslots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2); the latter ones use the "cassette" (cass) device.
39310
39311
39312
39313Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is available for .pss files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .pp files.
39314
39315
39316
39317== Keyboard ==
39318
39319
39320
39321These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
39322
39323
39324
39325
39326
39327===== History and Trivia =====
39328
39329
39330
39331The Primo computer series was manufactured by Microkey Kftt. (Kutatási Fejlesztési Termelési Társulás), and was originaly developed to be a school computer in Hungary.
39332
39333
39334
39335There was a colour prototype as well, called pro PRIMO.
39336
39337
39338
39339== Versions ==
39340
39341
39342
39343A type did not have built-in joystick and serial ports.
39344
39345
39346
39347B type could works together with the Commodore VC1541 floppy drive unit (external software had to be load for this from tape). B type also featured a full stroke keyboard (capacitive was not a perfect way for quick typing).
39348
39349
39350
39351//(info from old-computers.com)//
39352
39353
39354
39355
39356
39357===== Links =====
39358
39359
39360
39361  * Primo Hungarian Home Page -- http://www.primo.homeserver.hu/
39362
39363  * Primo 32 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=38
39364
39365
39366
39367
39368
39369===== Other Emulators =====
39370
39371
39372
39373  * Primoemu -- http://www.primo.homeserver.hu/
39374
39375  * Ultimo -- http://www.primo.homeserver.hu/
39376
39377
39378
39379
39380
39381$end
39382
39383
39384
39385#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39386
39387
39388$info=pro128
39389$bio
39390====== Olivetti Prodest PC 128 (1986?) ======
39391
39392
39393
39394
39395
39396===== Features =====
39397
39398
39399
39400We only show the difference with the MO6.
39401
39402
39403
39404  * Keyboard: QWERTY 69-keys, Italian
39405
39406
39407
39408
39409
39410===== Usage =====
39411
39412
39413
39414MESS currently supports emulation of pro128 with
39415
39416
39417
39418  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav, .k5 and .k7 format
39419
39420  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m5 and .rom files
39421
39422  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
39423
39424
39425
39426Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
39427
39428
39429
39430Please read the mo6 -- http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:mo6 entry for specific usage notes about each device.
39431
39432
39433
39434== Keyboard ==
39435
39436
39437
39438This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
39439
39440
39441
39442The keyboard is a QWERTY version of the MO6 one.
39443
39444 
39445
39446        F1/F6    F2/F7    F3/F8    F4/F9    F5/F10
39447
39448 
39449
39450    [{   1!  2"  3S  4$  5%  6&  7/  8(  9)  0=  ç?  '£  ]}  ACC       UP
39451
39452 
39453
39454  STOP    Q   W   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ?@  +*    ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT
39455
39456 
39457
39458  CTRL ><  A   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   N   !"  #^            DOWN
39459
39460 
39461
39462  CAPS SHIFT Z   X   C   V   B   N   M   ,;  .:  (_  BASIC   HOME   INS  DEL
39463
39464 
39465
39466                               SPACE
39467
39468
39469
39470
39471
39472===== History and Trivia =====
39473
39474
39475
39476This Italian flavor of the MO6 was built by Thomson and sold by Olivetti.
39477
39478
39479
39480
39481
39482===== Links =====
39483
39484
39485
39486  * Main page for all Thomson drivers -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
39487
39488
39489
39490
39491
39492$end
39493
39494
39495
39496#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39497
39498
39499$info=psj
39500$bio
39501====== Sony PlayStation (1994) ======
39502
39503
39504
39505Playstation was the first console released by Sony and was the most succesfull console released in 5th generation. Was the first console to have a controller with two mechanics vibrators (dual shock) and 2 analog sticks.
39506
39507
39508
39509
39510
39511
39512
39513===== Features =====
39514
39515
39516
39517  * CPU: MIPS R3000A-compatible (R3051) 32bit RISC 33.8688 MHz
39518
39519  * RAM: 2 MiB
39520
39521  * Video RAM: 1 MiB
39522
39523  * CD-ROM Buffer: 32 KiB
39524
39525  * Operating System ROM: 512 KiB
39526
39527  * Support: CD-ROM
39528
39529
39530
39531
39532
39533===== Usage =====
39534
39535
39536
39537MESS supports the following regional variations of the PlayStation
39538
39539
39540
39541  * psj [Sony PlayStation (Japan)]
39542
39543  * pse [Sony PlayStation (Europe)]
39544
39545  * psu [Sony PlayStation (USA)]
39546
39547  * psa [Sony PlayStation (Asia - Pacific)]
39548
39549
39550
39551For each driver, a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .exe and .psx files.
39552
39553
39554
39555== BIOS options ==
39556
39557
39558
39559MESS supports several Playstation BIOS revisions (and few are known to be still undumped). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
39560
39561
39562
39563  * [psj]
39564
39565 
39566
39567  "-bios 0" or "-bios 1.0J" = SCPH-1000/DTL-H1000 (09/22/94)
39568
39569 
39570
39571  "-bios 1" or "-bios 1.1J" = SCPH-3000/DTL-H1000H (Version 1.1 01/22/95)
39572
39573 
39574
39575  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2.1J" = SCPH-3500 (Version 2.1 07/17/95 J)
39576
39577 
39578
39579  "-bios 3" or "-bios 2.2J" = SCPH-5000/DTL-H1200 (Version 2.2 12/04/95 J)
39580
39581 
39582
39583  "-bios 4" or "-bios 2.2D" = DTL-H1100 (Version 2.2 03/06/96 D)
39584
39585 
39586
39587  "-bios 5" or "-bios 3.0J" = SCPH-5500 (Version 3.0 09/09/96 J)
39588
39589 
39590
39591  "-bios 6" or "-bios 4.0J" = SCPH-7000/SCPH-9000 (Version 4.0 08/18/97 J)
39592
39593 
39594
39595  "-bios 7" or "-bios 4.3J" = SCPH-100 (Version 4.3 03/11/00 J)
39596
39597
39598
39599  * [pse]
39600
39601 
39602
39603  "-bios 0" or "-bios 2.0E" = DTL-H1002/SCPH-1002 (Version 2.0 05/10/95 E)
39604
39605 
39606
39607  "-bios 1" or "-bios 2.1E" = SCPH-1002/DTL-H1102 (Version 2.1 07/17/95 E)
39608
39609 
39610
39611  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2.2E" = SCPH-1002/DTL-H1202/DTL-H3002 (Version 2.2 12/04/95 E)
39612
39613 
39614
39615  "-bios 3" or "-bios 3.0E" = SCPH-5502/SCPH-5552 (Version 3.0 01/06/97 E)
39616
39617 
39618
39619  "-bios 4" or "-bios 4.1E" = SCPH-7002/SCPH-7502/SCPH-9002 (Version 4.1 12/16/97 E)
39620
39621 
39622
39623  "-bios 5" or "-bios 4.4E" = SCPH-102 (Version 4.4 03/24/00 E)
39624
39625 
39626
39627  "-bios 6" or "-bios 4.5E" = SCPH-102 (Version 4.5 05/25/00 E)
39628
39629
39630
39631  * [psu]
39632
39633 
39634
39635  "-bios 0" or "-bios 2.0A" = DTL-H1001 (Version 2.0 05/07/95 A)
39636
39637 
39638
39639  "-bios 1" or "-bios 2.1A" = DTL-H1101 (Version 2.1 07/17/95 A)
39640
39641 
39642
39643  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2.2A" = SCPH-1001/DTL-H1201/DTL-H3001 (Version 2.2 12/04/95 A)
39644
39645 
39646
39647  "-bios 3" or "-bios 3.0A" = SCPH-5501/SCPH-7003 (Version 3.0 11/18/96 A)
39648
39649 
39650
39651  "-bios 4" or "-bios 4.1A" = SCPH-7001/SCPH-7501/SCPH-7503/SCPH-9001 (Version 4.1 12/16/97 A)
39652
39653 
39654
39655  "-bios 5" or "-bios 4.5A" = SCPH-101 (Version 4.5 05/25/00 A)
39656
39657
39658
39659  * [psa]
39660
39661 
39662
39663  "-bios 0" or "-bios 3.0A" = SCPH-5501/SCPH-7003 (Version 3.0 11/18/96 A)
39664
39665 
39666
39667  "-bios 1" or "-bios 4.1A" = SCPH-7001/SCPH-7501/SCPH-7503/SCPH-9001 (Version 4.1 12/16/97 A)
39668
39669
39670
39671
39672
39673===== Known Issues =====
39674
39675
39676
39677CD Emulation is still missing. The driver can anyway run demos and games in executable form.
39678
39679
39680
39681Graphics and sound emulation are known to be imperfect.
39682
39683
39684
39685
39686
39687===== History and Trivia =====
39688
39689
39690
39691Probably, the first conceptions of the PlayStation date back to late 80s-early 90s. Nintendo had been attempting to work with disk technology since the 80s with the Famicom Disk System, but the medium had problems: its rewritable magnetic nature could be easily erased (thus leading to a lack of durability), and the disks were a piracy danger. Consequently, when details of CDROM/XA (an extension of the CD-ROM format developed by Sony and Philips, that combines compressed audio, visual and computer data, allowing all to be accessed simultaneously) came out, Nintendo was interested and approached Sony to develop a CD-ROM add-on, tentatively titled the "SNES-CD". This was not the first contact between Nintendo and Sony: Ken Kutaragi, later considered "The Father of PlayStation", was the individual who had convinced Nintendo on using the Sony SPC-700 processor for use in the Super Famicom/SNES console, through an impressive demonstration of the processor's capabilities.
39692
39693
39694
39695Sony also planned to develop another, Nintendo compatible, Sony-branded console, but one which would be more of a home entertainment system playing both Super Nintendo cartridges and a new CD format which Sony would design to be used in SNES-CD discs.
39696
39697
39698
39699In 1989, the SNES-CD was to be announced at the June Consumer Electronics Show (CES). However, the earlier agreement handed Sony control over the titles written for the new format and Nintendo decided to cancel the plans for the joint Nintendo-Sony SNES CD attachment. Instead of announcing their partnership, at 9 am the day of the CES, Nintendo revealed that they were now allied with Philips, and were planning on abandoning all the previous work Nintendo and Sony had accomplished, thanks to a completely different agreement which would have left to Nintendo total control over its licenses on Philips machines.
39700
39701
39702
39703The CES announcement was a complete shock. Not only was it a complete surprise to the show goers (Sony had only just the previous night been optimistically showing off the joint project under the "Play Station" brand), but it was a surprise in the Japanese business community as well because it had never happened that a Japanese company had snubbed another Japan-based company in favor of a European.
39704
39705
39706
39707After the collapse of the joint project, Sony considered halting their research, but ultimately the company decided to use what they had developed so far and make it into a complete, stand alone console. This led to Nintendo filing a lawsuit claiming breach of contract, but the injunction against the release of the PlayStation was denied. Thus, in October 1991, the first incarnation of the new Sony PlayStation was revealed.
39708
39709
39710
39711By the end of 1992, Sony and Nintendo reached a deal whereby the "Sony Play Station" would still have a port for SNES games, but Nintendo would own the rights and receive the bulk of the profits from the games, and the SNES would continue to use the Sony-designed audio chip. However, at this point, Sony realized that, with the next generation of console gaming around the corner, it would have been better to rework the "Play Station" concept to target a new generation of hardware and software. As part of this process, the SNES cartridge port was dropped, the space between the names was removed, and the PlayStation was born.
39712
39713
39714
39715The PlayStation was launched in Japan at the end of 1994, with releases in the rest of the world to follow in late 1995. Experiencing a success never met before by other videogame consoles, and opening the videogames to mass market, the Sony PlayStation was manufactured until 2006, when Sony announced the end of production.
39716
39717
39718
39719The PlayStation logo was designed by Manabu Sakamoto, who also designed the logo for Sony's VAIO computer products.
39720
39721
39722
39723== Models ==
39724
39725
39726
39727The PlayStation went through a number of variants during its production run, each accompanied by a change in the part number. From an external perspective, the most notable change was the gradual reduction in the number of external connectors on the unit.
39728
39729
39730
39731This started very early on - the original Japanese launch units (SCPH-1000) had an S-Video port, which was removed on the next release.
39732
39733
39734
39735US and European launch units (SCPH-100x) were the same as the Japanese SCPH-3000, with no S-Video port. This series of machines had a reputation for CD drive problems, which were later fixed.
39736
39737
39738
39739With the release of the next series (SCPH-500x), a number of changes were made to the unit internally (CD drive relocated, shielding simplified, PSU wiring simplified) and the RCA jacks and RFU power connectors were removed from the rear panel. This series also contained the SCPH-550x and SCPH-555x units, but these appear to have been bundle changes rather than actual hardware revisions.
39740
39741
39742
39743These were followed by the SCPH-700x and SCHP-750x series - they are externally identical to the SCPH-500x machines, but have internal changes made to reduce manufacturing costs (for example, the system RAM went from 4 chips to 1, and the CD controller went from 3 chips to 1).
39744
39745
39746
39747The final revision to the original PlayStation was the SCPH-900x series - these had the same hardware as the SCPH-750x machines with the exception of the removal of the parallel port and a slight reduction in the size of the PCB. The removal of the paralllel port was probably partly because no official add-on had ever been released for it, and partly because it was being used to connect cheat cartridges that could be used to defeat the copy protection.
39748
39749
39750
39751The PSone was based on substantially the same hardware as the SCPH-750x and 900x, but had the serial port deleted, the controller / memory card ports moved to the main PCB.
39752
39753
39754
39755Many other variants were merely external or bundle redesigns: e.g. Sony released a version dubbed "Dual Shock", which included a controller with 2 analog thumbsticks and a built in force-feedback feature, but the console was the same as before.
39756
39757
39758
39759Another version that was colored blue (as opposed to regular console units that were grey in color) was available to game developers and select press. Later versions of this were colored green - on a technical level, these units were almost identical to the retail units, but had a different CD controller in them that did not require the region code found on all pressed disks, since they were intended to be used with CD-R media for debugging - this also allowed the use of discs from different regions, but this was not officially supported, and different debug stations existed for each region. The two different color cases were not cosmetic - the original blue debug station (DTL-H100x, DTL-H110x) contained the same hardware as the early retail units, the green units (DTL-H120x) had later hardware.
39760
39761
39762
39763A white version was also produced that had the ability to play VCDs - this was only sold in Asia, since that format never really caught on anywere else. From a developer perspective, the white PSX could be treated exactly like any other NTSC-J PlayStation.
39764
39765
39766
39767== Net Yaroze ==
39768
39769
39770
39771The PlayStation version called Net Yaroze is worth of a separate section: It was more expensive than the original PlayStation, colored black instead of the usual gray, and most importantly, came with tools and instructions that allowed a user to be able to program PlayStation games and applications without the need for a full developer suite, which cost many times the amount of a PlayStation and was only available to approved video game developers.
39772
39773
39774
39775Naturally, the Net Yaroze lacked many of the features the full developer suite provided. Programmers were also limited by the 2 MB of total game space that Net Yaroze allowed. That means the entire game had to be crammed into the 2 MB of system RAM. The user couldn't officially make actual game discs. The amount of space may seem small, but games like Ridge Racer ran entirely from the system RAM (except for the streamed music tracks). It was unique in that it was the only officially retailed Sony PlayStation with no regional lockout; it would play games from any territory.
39776
39777
39778
39779== PSone ==
39780
39781
39782
39783The PSone (also PSOne, PS one, or PS1), launched in 2000, is Sony's smaller (and redesigned) version of its PlayStation video game console. The PSone is about one-third smaller than the original PlayStation. Sony also released a small LCD screen and an adaptor to power the unit for use in cars. The PSone is fully compatible with all PlayStation software.
39784
39785
39786
39787There were three differences between the "PSone" and the original, the first one being cosmetic change to the console, the second one was the home menu's Graphical User Interface, and the third being added protection against the mod-chip by changing the internal layout and making previous-generation mod-chip devices unusable. The PSone also lacks the original PlayStation's serial port, which allowed multiple consoles to be hooked up for multi-TV multiplayer. The serial port could also be used for an external mod-chip, which may have been why it was removed, although size-constraints may also be to blame.
39788
39789
39790
39791//(info based on Wikipedia)//
39792
39793
39794
39795
39796
39797===== Links =====
39798
39799
39800
39801  * Official Playstation Sites -- http://www.playstation.com
39802
39803
39804
39805
39806
39807===== Other Emulators =====
39808
39809
39810
39811  * pSX -- http://psxemulator.gazaxian.com/
39812
39813  * ePSXe -- http://www.epsxe.com/
39814
39815  * PSXeven -- http://batard.psxfanatics.com/
39816
39817  * PCSX -- http://www.pcsx.net/
39818
39819  * SSSPSX -- http://www.ssspsx.com/
39820
39821  * Xebra / Arbex -- http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/DrHell/ps1/index.html
39822
39823
39824
39825
39826
39827$end
39828
39829
39830
39831#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
39832
39833
39834$info=ql
39835$bio
39836====== Sinclair QL (1984) ======
39837
39838
39839
39840
39841
39842===== Features =====
39843
39844
39845
39846  * CPU: Motorola MC 68008 7.5 MHz
39847
39848  * Co-Processor: Intel 8049 IPC (RS232, speaker, joysticks, keyboard), Sinclair ZX8301 (Peripheral Control), Sinclair ZX8302 (Peripheral Chip)
39849
39850  * RAM: 128 kb (up to 728 kb without additional CPU), 85 kb free under Super Basic
39851
39852  * VRAM: 32 kb
39853
39854  * ROM: 48 kb (up to 64 kb)
39855
39856  * Text Modes: 40 x 25, 64 x 25, 85 x 25
39857
39858  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 256 (8 colors), 512 x 256 (4 colors)
39859
39860  * Colors: 256 color effects
39861
39862  * Sound: Beeper
39863
39864  * I/O Ports: 2 x Serial sockets (RS232), 2 x Sinclair Network sockets, 2 x Controllers sockets, ROM connector, Expansion bus, External microdrives bus, RGB video output, RF video output,
39865
39866  * Keyboard: QWERTY / AZERTY pseudo full-stroke keyboard, 5 function keys
39867
39868  * Built In Media: 2 x microdrives (100 kb each)
39869
39870  * OS: QDOS
39871
39872  * Built In Language: Sinclair Super Basic
39873
39874
39875
39876
39877
39878===== Usage =====
39879
39880
39881
39882MESS emulates the following computers
39883
39884
39885
39886  * ql [Sinclair QL (UK)]
39887
39888  * ql_us [Sinclair QL (USA)]
39889
39890  * ql_es [Sinclair QL (Spain)]
39891
39892  * ql_fr [Sinclair QL (France)]
39893
39894  * ql_de [Sinclair QL (Germany)]
39895
39896  * ql_it [Sinclair QL (Italy)]
39897
39898  * ql_se [Sinclair QL (Sweden)]
39899
39900  * ql_dk [Sinclair QL (Denmark)]
39901
39902  * ql_gr [Sinclair QL (Greece)]
39903
39904
39905
39906For each system, MESS supports the emulation with
39907
39908
39909
39910  * two cassette devices, "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2), for .mdv files
39911
39912  * a cart slot, "cartridge" (cart), for .bin files
39913
39914
39915
39916Also notice that the two serial ports, "serial1" (serl1) and "serial2" (serl2), are emulated as well.
39917
39918
39919
39920== Keyboard ==
39921
39922
39923
39924These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
39925
39926
39927
39928Original Keyboard:
39929
39930 
39931
39932  F1   ESC ©   1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -_   =+   £~   \|
39933
39934 
39935
39936                                                                            ---
39937
39938  F2   TABULATE  Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]} |   |
39939
39940                                                                           |   |
39941
39942                                                                         --    |
39943
39944  F3   CAPS LOCK   A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;:   '" |Enter |
39945
39946                                                                         ------
39947
39948 
39949
39950  F4       SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?     SHIFT
39951
39952 
39953
39954 
39955
39956  F5    CTRL      Left  Right            SPACEBAR                Up  Down   ALT
39957
39958
39959
39960== BIOS options ==
39961
39962
39963
39964MESS supports several different QL (UK) revisions: v1.10 (JS), v1.0? (TB), v1.03 (JM), v1.02 (AH), v2.05 (Tyche), Minerva v1.89. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
39965
39966
39967
39968  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = v1.10 (JS)
39969
39970 
39971
39972  "-bios 1" or "-bios tb" = v1.0? (TB)
39973
39974 
39975
39976  "-bios 2" or "-bios jm" = v1.03 (JM)
39977
39978 
39979
39980  "-bios 3" or "-bios ah" = v1.02 (AH)
39981
39982 
39983
39984  "-bios 6" or "-bios tyche" = v2.05 (Tyche)
39985
39986 
39987
39988  "-bios 7" or "-bios min189" = Minerva v1.89
39989
39990 
39991
39992MESS also supports three different QL (Germany) revisions: v1.10 (MG), v1.14 (MF), Ultrasoft. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
39993
39994
39995
39996  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = v1.10 (MG)
39997
39998 
39999
40000  "-bios 1" or "-bios mf" = v1.14 (MF)
40001
40002 
40003
40004  "-bios 2" or "-bios ultramg" = Ultrasoft
40005
40006
40007
40008== RAM options ==
40009
40010
40011
40012Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
40013
40014
40015
40016  128k (default)
40017
40018  640k
40019
40020
40021
40022
40023
40024===== Known Issues =====
40025
40026
40027
40028ql_dk emulation is still Preliminary due to an undumped BIOS rom.
40029
40030
40031
40032
40033
40034===== History and Trivia =====
40035
40036
40037
40038The Sinclair QL (which stands for Quantum Leap) was the first attempt for Clive Sinclair to produce a computer for business. But after the success of the ZX-81 and ZX Spectrum, the QL can also be regarded as the first failure of Sinclair. In January 1984, Clive Sinclair presents the QL to the press, unveiling a very promising and inventive machine, based on the 68008 processor from Motorola. Indeed it was the first home computer based on a 32 bits CPU, just a few days before the Apple Macintosh. It was important for Clive Sinclair to unveil the QL before the Macintosh, but that was also one of the main reasons for the QL's failure...
40039
40040
40041
40042The British ICL company conceived a desktop information system based on the QL mainboard. It was sold in the U.K. under the names One Per Desk and Merlin Tonto. The same model was also sold in Australia, with the name Telecom Computerphone.
40043
40044
40045
40046//(info from old-computers.com)//
40047
40048
40049
40050
40051
40052===== Links =====
40053
40054
40055
40056  * Club QL International -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Vista/4807/
40057
40058  * Thierry Godefroy's Page -- http://qdos.dyns.net/
40059
40060  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/ql/ql.htm
40061
40062  * QL at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=199
40063
40064
40065
40066
40067
40068===== Other Emulators =====
40069
40070
40071
40072  * QLAY -- http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/A.Jaw.Venema/
40073
40074  * QPC2 -- http://www.kilgus.net/qpc/
40075
40076
40077
40078
40079
40080$end
40081
40082
40083
40084#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
40085
40086
40087$info=raaspec
40088$bio
40089====== RA+A Spectrum I+ (1984) ======
40090
40091
40092
40093
40094
40095===== Usage =====
40096
40097
40098
40099This driver supported (at a certain point) the LED backdrop images: spec_bt.png and led.png
40100
40101
40102
40103== Controls ==
40104
40105
40106
40107The Spectrum I+ has 8 buttons, one for each color, which are mapped to "P1 button 1" to "P1 button 8" (they can be re-mapped from the //Input (This System)// menu).
40108
40109
40110
40111
40112
40113===== History and Trivia =====
40114
40115
40116
40117The Spectrum I+ was a "Stress Tester Unit" manufactured by Roy Abel & Associates, running on a modified black and white Vectrex hardware. The stress test consisted of a Luscher color test in which you have to choose between 8 colors, in order of your most to least favorite.
40118
40119
40120
40121The unit output then the result of the test, judging how stressed you are.
40122
40123
40124
40125Technically speaking, it had a 32K ROM cart and 2K additional battery backed RAM (0x8000 - 0x87ff). PB6 was used to signal inserted coins to the VIA. The unit was controlled by 8 buttons. Each button had a LED which were mapped to 0xa000. 
40126
40127
40128
40129The service mode can be accessed by pressing button 8 during startup. As soon as all LEDs light up, press 2 and 3 without releasing 8. Then release 8 and after that 2 and 3. You can leave the screen where you enter ads by pressing 8 several times.
40130
40131
40132
40133
40134
40135===== Links =====
40136
40137
40138
40139Spectrum I+ at Vectrex Game Database -- http://vgdb.vectrex.com/vgdb/stresstester.html
40140
40141
40142
40143
40144
40145$end
40146
40147
40148
40149#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
40150
40151
40152$info=rebel5
40153$bio
40154====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto - Modul Rebell 5.0 (1986) ======
40155
40156
40157
40158===== Features =====
40159
40160
40161
40162  * CPU: 65C02 4,9152 MHz
40163
40164  * ROM: 32 KB
40165
40166  * RAM: 8 KB
40167
40168
40169
40170
40171
40172===== History and Trivia =====
40173
40174
40175
40176Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers.
40177
40178
40179
40180They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules.
40181
40182
40183
40184The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
40185
40186
40187
40188Modul Rebell 5.0 was introduced in 1986. It was the first Hegener & Glaser Chess Computer programmed by Ed Schröder.
40189
40190
40191
40192For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
40193
40194
40195
40196
40197
40198===== Links =====
40199
40200
40201
40202  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
40203
40204  * Rebell 5.0 at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
40205
40206  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
40207
40208
40209
40210
40211
40212$end
40213
40214
40215
40216#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
40217
40218
40219$info=roma
40220$bio
40221====== Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Roma 16-bit / 32-bit (1987) ======
40222
40223
40224
40225
40226
40227===== Features =====
40228
40229
40230
40231  * CPU: 68000 12 MHz / 68020 14 MHz
40232
40233  * ROM: 64 KB
40234
40235  * RAM: 16 KB / 64 KB
40236
40237
40238
40239
40240
40241===== Usage =====
40242
40243
40244
40245Currently, MESS supports both Mephisto Roma variants
40246
40247
40248
40249  * roma [Mephisto Roma 16-bit]
40250
40251  * roma32 [Mephisto Roma 32-bit]
40252
40253
40254
40255
40256
40257===== Known Issues =====
40258
40259
40260
40261The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
40262
40263
40264
40265
40266
40267===== History and Trivia =====
40268
40269
40270
40271Founded in 1969 by Manfred Hegener and Florian Glaser, Hegener & Glaser became at the beginning of the 80s synonyms of Chess Computer in Germany, with its series of Mephisto Chess Computers.
40272
40273
40274
40275They produced a lot of different models, both as standalone Chess Computers and as Modules for the Mephisto Modular Series. The latter consisted of a chessboard with some expansion slots, able to contain different Modules.
40276
40277
40278
40279The first Modules were produced around 1983 (MM I Series, based on a 1806 CPU at 8 MHz), and the production kept going until 1998 (Senator and Magellan Modules, based on SH7000 CPU at 16-20 MHz)
40280
40281
40282
40283Mephisto Roma was introduced in 1987. It was programmed by Richard Lang and was available in two version: one based on a 16bit CPU (68000) and one based on a 32bit CPU (68020). No great changes were made compared to Mephisto Dallas.
40284
40285
40286
40287For a list of Chess Computers produced by Hegener & Glaser, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm.
40288
40289
40290
40291
40292
40293===== Links =====
40294
40295
40296
40297  * Mephisto products still sold by Saitek -- http://www.saitek.com/chess/de/chess.htm
40298
40299  * Mephisto Roma at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/emephist.htm
40300
40301  * Mephisto Roma 16bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Roma_68000
40302
40303  * Mephisto Roma 32bit at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_Roma_68020
40304
40305  * A short history of Hegener & Glaser Mephisto -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Mephisto_En
40306
40307
40308
40309
40310
40311$end
40312
40313
40314
40315#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
40316
40317
40318$info=samcoupe
40319$bio
40320====== MGT Sam Coupé (1989) ======
40321
40322
40323
40324
40325
40326===== Features =====
40327
40328
40329
40330  * CPU: Zilog Z80B (fully compatible with i8080 and Z80) 6MHz with screen off, 4.5 MHz with screen on can be slowed down to emulate ZX Spectrum
40331
40332  * Co-Processor: Motorola MC 1377P Video Chip, Philips SAA1099 soundchip, ASIC handling graphics
40333
40334  * RAM: 256 kb or 512 kb onboard (depending models), and up to 4Mb with external addons (4.5 Mb total)
40335
40336  * ROM: 32 kb (BASIC, BIOS & disk bootstrap)
40337
40338  * Text Modes: 32 x 24, 85 x 24
40339
40340  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192, 512 x 192
40341
40342  * Colors: 128 colors
40343
40344  * Sound: Philips SAA1099 soundchip, 6 channels stereo FM synthesis, 8 octaves, 2 noise generators, 2 envelope generators, DAC digital output , sample rate 15.6 kHz. Built-in MIDI interface (in, out, through)
40345
40346  * I/O Ports: RF video output (UHF, channel 36), RGB scart video output, serial / network socket, joystick connector (Atari standard), parallel interface, audio input, audio output
40347
40348  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 72 keys, Reset button
40349
40350  * Built In Media: one or two 3.5" ultraslim Citizen Double Density Drives (800 kb), first models had no disk-drives
40351
40352  * OS: SamDOS, CP/M available
40353
40354  * Built In Language: SamBasic
40355
40356
40357
40358
40359
40360===== Usage =====
40361
40362
40363
40364Currently, MESS supports up to two floppy drives. Disks have to be in .dsk, .mgt, .sad or .sdf format and use either "floppydisk0" (flop0) or "floppydisk1" (flop1).
40365
40366
40367
40368== Keyboard ==
40369
40370
40371
40372This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
40373
40374
40375
40376Original Keyboard:
40377
40378 
40379
40380  ESC    1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0~   -/   +*  DELETE    F7   F8   F9
40381
40382 
40383
40384 
40385
40386    TAB    Q<   W>   E    R[   T]   Y    U    I    O    P    =-   "©          F4   F5   F6
40387
40388 
40389
40390 
40391
40392    CAPS     A    S    D    F{   G}   HUP  J    K    L£   ;    :     RETURN   F1   F2   F3
40393
40394 
40395
40396 
40397
40398      SHIFT    Z    X?   C    V    B    N    M    ,    .   INV\   SHIFT       F0   Up    .
40399
40400 
40401
40402 
40403
40404     SYMBOL  CNTRL                SPACEBAR                 EDIT    SYMBOL     <-  Down  ->
40405
40406
40407
40408== BIOS options ==
40409
40410
40411
40412MESS emulates many different BIOS revisions of the Sam Coupé. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
40413
40414 
40415
40416  "-bios 0" or "-bios 31" = v3.1
40417
40418 
40419
40420  "-bios 1" or "-bios 30" = v3.0
40421
40422 
40423
40424  "-bios 2" or "-bios 25" = v2.5
40425
40426 
40427
40428  "-bios 3" or "-bios 24" = v2.4
40429
40430 
40431
40432  "-bios 4" or "-bios 21" = v2.1
40433
40434 
40435
40436  "-bios 5" or "-bios 20" = v2.0
40437
40438 
40439
40440  "-bios 6" or "-bios 181" = v1.81
40441
40442 
40443
40444  "-bios 7" or "-bios 18" = v1.8
40445
40446 
40447
40448  "-bios 8" or "-bios 14" = v1.4
40449
40450 
40451
40452  "-bios 9" or "-bios 13" = v1.3
40453
40454 
40455
40456  "-bios 10" or "-bios 12" = v1.2
40457
40458 
40459
40460  "-bios 11" or "-bios 10" = v1.0
40461
40462 
40463
40464  "-bios 12" or "-bios 04" = v0.4
40465
40466 
40467
40468  "-bios 13" or "-bios 01" = v0.1
40469
40470
40471
40472== RAM options ==
40473
40474
40475
40476Different RAM configurations are possible for the coupe in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
40477
40478
40479
40480  256k
40481
40482  512k (default)
40483
40484  1280k - 256k + 1m
40485
40486  1536k - 512k + 1m
40487
40488  2304k - 256k + 2m
40489
40490  2560k - 512k + 2m
40491
40492  3328k - 256k + 3m
40493
40494  3584k - 512k + 3m
40495
40496  4352k - 256k + 4m
40497
40498  4608k - 512k + 4m
40499
40500
40501
40502
40503
40504===== Known Issues =====
40505
40506
40507
40508To Do list:
40509
40510
40511
40512  * Mouse interface
40513
40514  * Borders
40515
40516  * Joystick
40517
40518  * Serial and parallel interface
40519
40520  * EDSK support
40521
40522  * Cassette support
40523
40524  * Harddrive support (Atom, etc.)
40525
40526  * Dallas clock support
40527
40528
40529
40530Nevertheless, a large number of disks run well. Also, copy protected disks like "Lemmings" now boots in MESS.
40531
40532
40533
40534
40535
40536===== History and Trivia =====
40537
40538
40539
40540In the last quarter of 1989 M.G.T. (Miles Gordon Technology) launched the Sam Coupé. M.G.T. was already known in the ZX Spectrum world for a range of hardware that they sold. The Sam was their pride and joy, and unfortunately to be their downfall.
40541
40542
40543
40544This was a time when the 16-bit machines, the Atari ST and the Amiga, were really being to take off. Sales in computers such as the Spectrum was in rapid decline. The Sam was aimed to fill this gap, a powerful 8-bit machine with specs that in cases out performed those of the 16-bit machines, at an 8-bit price. It was hoped that current 8-bit owners, particularly Spectrum owners, would jump on the nicely priced Sam rather than a more expensive 16-bit machine.
40545
40546
40547
40548//(info from old-computers.com)//
40549
40550
40551
40552
40553
40554===== Links =====
40555
40556
40557
40558  * Land of Pod - SamCoupé pages -- http://www.podboy.demon.co.uk/coupe/index.htm
40559
40560  * Sam Coupé Pro-Dos Resource Site -- http://www.samcoupe-pro-dos.co.uk/
40561
40562  * Sam Coupé Scrapbook -- http://www.samcoupescrapbook.co.uk/
40563
40564  * Blinky's SAM Page -- http://home.wanadoo.nl/edwin.blink/samcoupe/
40565
40566  * Sam Coupé at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=545
40567
40568
40569
40570
40571
40572===== Other Emulators =====
40573
40574
40575
40576  * SimCoupé -- http://www.simcoupe.org/
40577
40578  * ASCD (DOS) -- http://aley.borec.cz/progs/#sam
40579
40580  * SamCoupé (DOS) -- http://www.inf.upol.cz/~keprta/sam/samemu/welcome.html
40581
40582
40583
40584
40585
40586$end
40587
40588
40589
40590#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
40591
40592
40593$info=saturn
40594$bio
40595====== Sega Saturn (1994) ======
40596
40597
40598
40599
40600
40601===== Features =====
40602
40603
40604
40605  * CPU: Two Hitachi SH2 7604 32 Bit RISC chips at ~27 MHz (36 MIPS)
40606
40607  * Sound CPU: Motorola 68EC000 at 11.3 MHz
40608
40609  * Sound: 32 Channels, with 16 bit sampling at a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz max.
40610
40611  * Resolution: 704 x 512 (horz) 60.00 Hz
40612
40613  * Colors: 32768 (static)
40614
40615  * Main Memory: 1 Megabyte of SDRAM and 1 Megabyte of DRAM
40616
40617  * Internal Memory Card
40618
40619  * Video Hardware: Two VDP (video display processors) chip sets (VRAM: 512Kb each)
40620
40621    * VDP1 Draw Sprites, lines, warped sprites (quads)
40622
40623    * VDP2 controls background graphics.
40624
40625  * CDROM: Max 2x speed - custom interface controlled by Hitachi SH1 processor. (512 Kb Buffer RAM)
40626
40627
40628
40629
40630
40631===== Usage =====
40632
40633
40634
40635MESS supports various Saturn versions
40636
40637
40638
40639  * saturn [Sega Saturn (USA)]
40640
40641  * saturneu [Sega Saturn (PAL)]
40642
40643  * saturnjp [Sega Saturn (Japan)]
40644
40645  * vsaturn [JVC V-Saturn (Japan)]
40646
40647  * hisaturn [Hitachi HiSaturn (Japan)]
40648
40649
40650
40651Each driver supports the emulation of a Saturn with a "cdrom" (cdrm) device, for CD-ROM images in .chd format (read this tutorial by Guru -- http://www.mameworld.net/gurudumps/tutorials/dumping_cds_&_hdds/index.html to learn how to create an accurate CHD from your Saturn CD-ROM).
40652
40653
40654
40655
40656
40657== BIOS options ==
40658
40659
40660
40661MESS supports different Saturn BIOS revisions for some of the models. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
40662
40663
40664
40665  * [saturnjp]
40666
40667 
40668
40669  "-bios 0" or "-bios 101" = Japan v1.01 (941228)
40670
40671 
40672
40673  "-bios 1" or "-bios 100" = Japan v1.00 (940921)
40674
40675
40676
40677  * [saturn / saturneu]
40678
40679 
40680
40681  "-bios 0" or "-bios 101a" = Overseas v1.01a (941115)
40682
40683 
40684
40685  "-bios 1" or "-bios 100a" = Overseas v1.00a (941115)
40686
40687
40688
40689
40690
40691===== Known Issues =====
40692
40693
40694
40695The emulation of this system is Preliminary. See source code for more information.
40696
40697
40698
40699It still needs work on inputs.
40700
40701
40702
40703Partially added CD-ROM Emulation.
40704
40705
40706
40707
40708
40709===== History and Trivia =====
40710
40711
40712
40713Sega released Saturn, its 32-bit console, in 1994 in Japan and the next year in North America and Europe. The Japanese released was rushed to the market in November 1994, in order to be available ahead of its rival, Sony's PlayStation.
40714
40715
40716
40717The system was the result of two years of intense research work by a large team of Sega employees from every aspect of hardware engineering, product development and marketing. The Saturn was a powerful machine for the time, but its design, with two CPUs and 6 other processors, made very difficult to properly exploit its power. Rumors suggest that the original design called for a single central processor (making for an excellent 2D gaming experience but with very limited 3D capability), but a second processor was added late in development to increase 3D performance.
40718
40719
40720
40721Third-party development was further hindered by the initial lack of useful software libraries and development tools, requiring developers to write in assembly language to achieve decent performances.
40722
40723
40724
40725From a market viewpoint, the architectural design problems of the Saturn meant that it quickly lost third party support to the PlayStation. However, the Saturn had an advantage for 2D game engines and attracted many developers of RPGs, arcade games and traditional 2D fighting games.
40726
40727
40728
40729The system was supported in North America and Europe until late 1998, and in Japan until the end of 2000. The last official game for the system, "Yukyu Gensokyoku Perpetual Collection", was released by Mediaworks on December 4, 2000.
40730
40731
40732
40733== Variations ==
40734
40735
40736
40737Asian models: In Japan, Sega licensed the rights to produce Saturn to their hardware partners - Hitachi, who provided the CPUs and several other chips, and JVC who produced the CD drives for most models, although functionally identical Sanyo drives were sometimes used. SunSeibu released a model with a 7-CD changer for use in hotels. The concept of a multi-game player for hotel use is very common in Japan.
40738
40739
40740
40741  * Sega HST-3200 Saturn (Gray case and Blue buttons): The original Japanese Saturn. Production was ended in favour of the White Saturn. This model had a black cartridge flap and came in a box labeled HST-0001. The power cord is un-notched and this machine has a drive access light.
40742
40743
40744
40745  * Sega Saturn (White case and Purple/Gray buttons): Sega switched from purple to gray buttons during the production run. This controller was a matching white with multi-colored buttons similar to a Super Famicom controller with the bottom row buttons colored green, yellow and blue. The 'white' plastic is a very light gray and shares its color with the later Dreamcast. The cartridge flag is visibly gray. Limited models of the Saturn had oval buttons. Some people report faster CD access time with this model.
40746
40747
40748
40749  * Sega Skeleton Saturn (Translucent smoky-gray case): Came with a matching smoky-gray controller. Both controller and system had "This is cool" printed on them. Only around 50,000 were produced. Has some compatibility problems, notably with Metal Slug and Space Harrier.
40750
40751
40752
40753  * Sega Derby Saturn (Translucent blue case): Released on March 25, 1999, this model was only available as part of a promotion with ASCII's popular horse racing sim, Derby Stallion. It came with the same smoky-gray controller as the Skeleton Saturn but did not have "This is cool" printed on the system. After limited supplies of the Skeleton Saturn, the Derby Saturn was quickly bought in bulk by exporters and for a time was easier to find outside Japan than inside. Shares the compatibility problems of the Skeleton Saturn. It uses BIOS 1.01.
40754
40755
40756
40757  * Hitachi Hi-Saturn (Charcoal case and Khaki buttons): This machine appears similar in color to the European and North American Saturn without close inspection. Hi-Saturn is printed on the CD drive lid. Controllers have the same color layout as the unit with pinkish-beige and dark bluish/gray buttons. The Hitachi logo appears on them. The machine was packaged in an almost all-black box with a light-gray/white border. Excepting some limited promotional bundles, the Hi-Saturn came packaged with an MPEG plug-in card allowing Video CD playback. The start-up screen differs slightly from other models - instead of a shower of pieces forming the Saturn logo, the word "Hi-Saturn" shoots out from the middle of the screen and then flips around till it is readable.
40758
40759
40760
40761  * Hitachi Hi-Saturn Navi (MMP-1000NV) (Charcoal case and Khaki buttons): This is the only consumer Saturn to differ in functionality or shape. It is much thinner, and is flat instead of curved on top, in order to accommodate a folding LCD monitor that clips to the rear. It includes GPS capability, and has a standard port on the rear for use with an included antenna. Navi-ken CDs are used for map data. Since Navi-ken was only available in Japan, only Japanese maps are available.
40762
40763
40764
40765  * JVC/Victor V-Saturn RG-JX1 (Light Gray case): Two-tone appearance, gray on top with a black base section. "V-Saturn" is printed on top of the machine. Features a V-Saturn logo in place of the SegaSaturn logo at boot-up.
40766
40767
40768
40769  * JVC/Victor V-Saturn RG-JX2 (Light Gray case): Two-tone appearance, gray on top, dark-gray base section. "V-Saturn" is printed on top of the machine. Besides color and markings, this is completely identical to the Sega model. It features a 1.01 BIOS, and shares the boot-up sequence of the RG-JX1.
40770
40771
40772
40773  * Samsung Saturn (Black case): Intended only for South Korea, this machine combines the older style oval-button shell with the smaller and newer mainboard which normally comes with a round-button shell. The Japanese language option is removed from the setup screen and the system lacks all LEDs.
40774
40775
40776
40777North American models: All North American models are black in color and were produced by Sega.
40778
40779
40780
40781  * MK-80000: Identical to the Grey Japanese Saturn but for color: the US model is black.
40782
40783
40784
40785  * MK-80000A: Features a notched power cord, no drive access light and a 1.00a BIOS. Internal jumper locations are changed.
40786
40787
40788
40789  * MK-80001: Similar in appearance to the MK-80000A, this machine has some changed internal jumper locations.
40790
40791
40792
40793European/Australian models: European and Australian Saturns are identical as both regions share the same AC voltage and TV standard.
40794
40795There is no internal variation between PAL and SECAM machines as all were shipped with SCART leads. All models are black and externally quite similar to the North American variations. PAL and SECAM machines will have "PAL" next to the BIOS revision number on the system settings screen instead of "NTSC".
40796
40797
40798
40799  * MK-80200-50: Version 1.01a BIOS.
40800
40801
40802
40803  * MK-80200A-50: Lacks a drive access LED. Buttons are grey.
40804
40805
40806
40807//(info based on Wikipedia)//
40808
40809
40810
40811
40812
40813===== Links =====
40814
40815
40816
40817  * Satakore -- http://www.satakore.com/
40818
40819  * [[wp>Sega_Saturn]]
40820
40821
40822
40823
40824
40825===== Other Emulators =====
40826
40827
40828
40829  * SSF -- http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~phantasy/ssf/index.html
40830
40831  * Satourne -- http://satourne.consollection.com/
40832
40833  * Saturnin -- http://www.saturnin.consollection.com/
40834
40835  * Yabause -- http://yabause.sourceforge.net/
40836
40837
40838
40839
40840
40841$end
40842
40843
40844
40845#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
40846
40847
40848$info=sb2m600b
40849$bio
40850====== Ohio Scientific Superboard II Model 600 (1978) ======
40851
40852
40853
40854
40855
40856===== Features =====
40857
40858
40859
40860  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz (could be overclocked to 2 MHz)
40861
40862  * Co-Processor: None
40863
40864  * RAM: 4 KB expandable to 8 KB on board
40865
40866  * VRAM: 1 KB
40867
40868  * ROM: 8 KB (OSI BASIC + Monitor)
40869
40870  * Text Modes: 16 to 48 chars. x 16 lines
40871
40872  * Graphic Modes: None, but 128 graphic characters
40873
40874  * Colors: Monochrome
40875
40876  * I/O Ports: Tape recorder and printer ports
40877
40878  * Keyboard: Full stroke 50 keys
40879
40880  * Built In Media: None
40881
40882  * Built In Language: OSI BASIC interpreter
40883
40884
40885
40886
40887
40888===== Usage =====
40889
40890
40891
40892MESS supports sb2m600b with a "cassette" (cass) device, to load .bas files.
40893
40894
40895
40896To reach the command prompt, press <key>Shift</key>+<key>C</key> and then <key>Enter</key> twice.
40897
40898
40899
40900== Keyboard ==
40901
40902
40903
40904This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
40905
40906
40907
40908== RAM options ==
40909
40910
40911
40912Different RAM configurations are possible for the sb2m600b in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
40913
40914
40915
40916  4k (default)
40917
40918  8k
40919
40920
40921
40922
40923
40924===== History and Trivia =====
40925
40926
40927
40928The Superboard II, also called Model 600, was quite the same board as the british clone Compukit UK-101.
40929
40930
40931
40932It came in only ready built version and did not featured neither power regulation on board - User had to build or buy a 5V external power supply - nor RF modulator to display on a standard TV, but only a composite video output.
40933
40934
40935
40936A 40 pin IC socket allowed an expansion board and OSI bus to be connected, giving access to memory expansion (up to 64 KB) and floppy drive controller.
40937
40938
40939
40940//(info from old-computers.com)//
40941
40942
40943
40944
40945
40946===== Links =====
40947
40948
40949
40950  * Superboard II at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=860
40951
40952
40953
40954
40955
40956$end
40957
40958
40959
40960#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
40961
40962
40963$info=sc3000
40964$bio
40965====== Sega SC-3000 / SC-3000H (1983) ======
40966
40967
40968
40969This is the computer counterpart of Sega first console, the SG-1000. While it is basically a SG-1000 Mark II, the SC-3000 features an integrated keyboard.
40970
40971
40972
40973===== Features =====
40974
40975
40976
40977  * CPU: NEC D780C-1 (Z80A clone) 3.58 MHz
40978
40979  * Co-Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9929A (VDP)
40980
40981  * RAM: Depending on Basic cartridge used.
40982
40983  * VRAM: 16 kb
40984
40985  * ROM: 32 kb
40986
40987  * Text Modes: 40 x 25
40988
40989  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192, 256 x 220
40990
40991  * Colors: 16-color palette with 16 intensities each (64 colors from a 256-color palette)
40992
40993  * Sound: Texas Instruments SN-76596 PCM audio processor (6 channel sound)
40994
40995  * I/O Ports: TV RF output, Composite video out, Cartridge slot, Expansion slot, Tape interface, Joystick (2), External Audio, Serial
40996
40997  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard (SC-3000h) or rubber keys (SC-3000)
40998
40999  * Built In Media: None
41000
41001  * Built In Language: Sega BASIC
41002
41003  * Peripherals: Printer-plotter, Floppy disk drive (SF-7000)
41004
41005
41006
41007
41008
41009===== Usage =====
41010
41011
41012
41013MESS emulates the following computers
41014
41015
41016
41017  * sc3000 [Sega SC-3000]
41018
41019  * sc3000h [Sega SC-3000H]
41020
41021
41022
41023For both, MESS requires a cart dump (in .sg, .sc or .bin format) in the ''cartridge'' (''cart'') device. You can launch emulation using, at command line
41024
41025
41026
41027  mess sc3000 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.sc"
41028
41029
41030
41031Also, MESS supports the emulation of the sc3000 and sc3000h with a ''cassette'' (''cass'') device, for tapes in .wav format.
41032
41033
41034
41035Finally, the ''printer'' (''prin'') is emulated.
41036
41037
41038
41039Notice that MESS also supports the floppy disk drive, see the sf7000 system (i.e. the Super Control Station, which consists of a SC-3000 with the SF-7000 floppy drive).
41040
41041
41042
41043== Starting the Machine ==
41044
41045
41046
41047As mentioned above, you have to start sc3000 emulation with a cartridge image inserted. This system has no built-in OS or Programming Language, hence you need at least the BASIC cart to load tapes or write your own programs.
41048
41049
41050
41051== Keyboard ==
41052
41053
41054
41055These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>ESC</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>ScrLock</key> key (by default). The keyboard has the following layout:
41056
41057
41058
41059
41060
41061      1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0    -=   ^~   ¥|      BREAK    Power  RESET
41062
41063 
41064
41065                                                                      ____
41066
41067  FUNC   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @`   [{   |    |              UP
41068
41069                                                                     |    |
41070
41071                                                                     | CR |
41072
41073   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   :*   ]} |    |         LEFT    RIGHT
41074
41075                                                                     |____|
41076
41077 
41078
41079    SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   Pi   SHIFT               DOWN
41080
41081 
41082
41083                      ENG                             HOME   INS
41084
41085             GRAPH   DIER'S        Spacebar           CLR    DEL
41086
41087
41088
41089
41090
41091== Controls ==
41092
41093
41094
41095The computer features a "Reset" button on the keyboard.
41096
41097
41098
41099In addition to keyboard, you can connect a couple of 8-way joysticks, with two action buttons each, to control SC-3000 games. The game "TV Oekaki" allows to use a tablet to draw pictures which are displayed on the screen.
41100
41101
41102
41103== Software ==
41104
41105
41106
41107A list of SC-3000 software can be found [[:sysinfo:sg1000:softlist|here]].
41108
41109
41110
41111
41112
41113===== History and Trivia =====
41114
41115
41116
41117The SC-3000 is a computer based on the hardware of the first video game systems released by Sega in Japan: the SG-1000 series. It can use the same game cartridges marketed for these consoles.
41118
41119
41120
41121The SC-3000 can't be used without a ROM cartridge, which can be either a game or language. There were three different BASIC cartridges. One came with only 1Kb of RAM (and you had only 512 bytes free!), the second with 16Kb and the last with 32Kb. In official adverts, they show a total RAM of 48Kb. This was counting the VRAM and the 32Kb BASIC cartridge...
41122
41123
41124
41125Several great games were adapted by Sega for this computer. Several graphic characteristics of the SC-3000 are fairly close to MSX ones. For example, it was one of the first computers to offer 32 sprites.
41126
41127
41128
41129Some months later, Sega released the SC-3000H which was the same system but with a mechanical keyboard.
41130
41131
41132
41133This computer was also marketed by Yeno under the same name (Yeno SC-3000 & SC-3000H). It was exactly the same computer except for the Yeno brand...
41134
41135
41136
41137//(info from old-computers.com)//
41138
41139
41140
41141
41142
41143===== Links =====
41144
41145
41146
41147  * SC-3000 Survivors -- http://www.sc-3000.com/
41148
41149  * SC-3000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=206
41150
41151
41152
41153
41154
41155===== Other Emulators =====
41156
41157
41158
41159  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
41160
41161
41162
41163
41164
41165$end
41166
41167
41168
41169#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
41170
41171
41172$info=scorpion
41173$bio
41174====== Scorpion (1994) ======
41175
41176
41177
41178
41179
41180===== Usage =====
41181
41182
41183
41184MESS supports the emulation of scorpion with the following devices
41185
41186
41187
41188  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
41189
41190  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .dck format
41191
41192  - four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .trd format
41193
41194
41195
41196Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
41197
41198
41199
41200== Keyboard ==
41201
41202
41203
41204This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
41205
41206
41207
41208
41209
41210===== History and Trivia =====
41211
41212
41213
41214The Scorpion is a Russian clone of the ZX Spectrum 128, created by Sergey Zonov (who created also the Leningrad 48k, a ZX Spectrum clone).
41215
41216
41217
41218It has received various upgrades during the years (e.g. the GMX mainboard, capable of emulation of various Spectrum clones, Pentagon 128 included) and it's still sold in Russia.
41219
41220
41221
41222It features floppy drives.
41223
41224
41225
41226
41227
41228===== Links =====
41229
41230
41231
41232  * Russian Scorpion Home Page -- http://scorpion.ru/
41233
41234  * Scorpion at Sinclair Nostalgia -- http://zx.interface1.net/clones/scorpion.html
41235
41236
41237
41238
41239
41240$end
41241
41242
41243
41244#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
41245
41246
41247$info=sf7000
41248$bio
41249====== Sega Super Control Station SF-7000 (1983) ======
41250
41251
41252
41253The Super Control Station is simply a Sega SC-3000 with the additional floppy unit (the Super Control Station, as you may guess), which also offers additional RAM and I/O ports to the main computer.
41254
41255
41256
41257
41258
41259===== Usage =====
41260
41261
41262
41263In MESS, sf7000 emulates a Sega SC-3000 with Super Control Station connected. This means that both a ''cassette'' (''cass'') and a ''floppydisk'' (''flop'') devices are supported. The former can be used for tapes in .wav format, the latter for disk images in .sf7 format.
41264
41265
41266
41267Also notice that the ''serial'' (''serl'') port and up to two printers, ''printer1'' (''prin1'') and ''printer2'' (''prin2''), are emulated.
41268
41269
41270
41271== Starting the Machine ==
41272
41273
41274
41275The system has no built-in OS or Programming Language. You need to start emulation with a floppy disk inserted, or you will only get a
41276
41277  disk not ready
41278
41279    set disk and hit space key
41280
41281message.
41282
41283
41284
41285== Driver Configurations ==
41286
41287
41288
41289MESS offer the possibility to set the baud rate, choosing between the following settings: 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800 and 9600. You can simply choose between the different rates in the ''Driver Configurations'' menu in the Internal UI.
41290
41291
41292
41293== Keyboard ==
41294
41295
41296
41297This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>ESC</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>ScrLock</key> key (by default). Being a SC-3000, the keyboard layout for sf7000 is the same as the one for sc3000:
41298
41299
41300
41301
41302
41303      1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0    -=   ^~   ¥|      BREAK    Power  RESET
41304
41305 
41306
41307                                                                      ____
41308
41309  FUNC   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @`   [{   |    |              UP
41310
41311                                                                     |    |
41312
41313                                                                     | CR |
41314
41315   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   :*   ]} |    |         LEFT    RIGHT
41316
41317                                                                     |____|
41318
41319 
41320
41321    SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   Pi   SHIFT               DOWN
41322
41323 
41324
41325                      ENG                             HOME   INS
41326
41327             GRAPH   DIER'S        Spacebar           CLR    DEL
41328
41329
41330
41331
41332
41333== Software ==
41334
41335
41336
41337A list of SF-7000 software can be found [[:sysinfo:sg1000:softlist|here]].
41338
41339
41340
41341
41342
41343
41344
41345===== History and Trivia =====
41346
41347
41348
41349The SF-7000 is an add-on for the SC-3000 including:
41350
41351
41352
41353  * 64 kb RAM and 8 kb ROM for boot
41354
41355  * Floppy disk drive 3"
41356
41357  * Centronics parallel port
41358
41359  * RS232 Serial port
41360
41361
41362
41363Notice that, according to the manual incipit,
41364
41365
41366
41367> Supercontrol Station SF-7000, containing a 3 1/2-inch compact floppy disk drive, 64K byte RAM, RS-232C terminal, and parallel printer terminal (applicable to Centronics), can be used as a high-performance peripheral device of SC-3000.
41368
41369
41370
41371but the floppy is 3" and not 3" 1/2.
41372
41373
41374
41375
41376
41377===== Links =====
41378
41379
41380
41381  * SC-3000 & SF-7000 Tech Page -- http://membres.lycos.fr/mavati/sf7000/
41382
41383  * SF-7000 at SMS Power -- http://www.smspower.org/museum/sf7000/
41384
41385
41386
41387
41388
41389===== Other Emulators =====
41390
41391
41392
41393  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
41394
41395
41396
41397
41398
41399$end
41400
41401
41402
41403#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
41404
41405
41406$info=sfzch
41407$bio
41408====== Capcom CPS Changer (1994) ======
41409
41410
41411
41412
41413
41414===== Features =====
41415
41416
41417
41418This system contains only a few components: a custom Capcom microprocessor (to convert the JAMMA controller inputs to SuperNES compatible signals) and a chroma encoder (to convert PCB's RGB video to S-Video or composite signal). All the hardware was contained in the carts.
41419
41420
41421
41422
41423
41424===== Usage =====
41425
41426
41427
41428Currently, MESS emulates separately the various carts. So far the following games have been dumped (and are emulated):
41429
41430
41431
41432  * sfzch [Street Fighter Zero (Japan 951020)]
41433
41434  * sfach [Street Fighter Alpha - Warriors' Dreams (Publicity US 950727)]
41435
41436  * sfzbch [Street Fighter Zero (Brazil 950727)]
41437
41438  * wofch [Tenchi Wo Kurau II (Japan 921031)]
41439
41440
41441
41442
41443
41444===== History and Trivia =====
41445
41446
41447
41448Perhaps inspired by SNK's Neo-Geo, Capcom released the Capcom Power System Changer in 1994, as an attempt to offer home versions of their arcade games.  The console basically serves as an adapter from a JAMMA PCB and a TV, but it requires special cartridges and it would not work with CPS-1 arcade carts.
41449
41450
41451
41452The games were virtually identical to their CPS-1 arcade counterparts, though they sometimes contained extra debugging features. 
41453
41454
41455
41456Only a few games were released for this system:
41457
41458
41459
41460  * Adventure Quiz Capcom World 2 (1994)
41461
41462  * Captain Commando (1995)
41463
41464  * Final Fight  (1994)
41465
41466  * Knights of the Round (1995)
41467
41468  * Muscle Bomber:The Body Explosion (1994)
41469
41470  * Muscle Bomber Duo: Burn Up Warriors (1995)
41471
41472  * Street Fighter II' Champion Edition (1994)
41473
41474  * Street Fighter II Turbo (1994, Pack-in)
41475
41476  * Street Fighter Zero (1995)
41477
41478  * The King of Dragons (1995)
41479
41480  * Tenchi O Kurau II (1995)
41481
41482
41483
41484
41485
41486===== Links =====
41487
41488
41489
41490  * [[wp>CP_System]]
41491
41492  * CPS Changed at NFG -- http://nfggames.com/games/cpschanger/
41493
41494
41495
41496
41497
41498$end
41499
41500
41501
41502#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
41503
41504
41505$info=sg1000
41506$bio
41507====== Sega SG-1000 (1983) ======
41508
41509
41510
41511The first console manufactured by Sega. The Sega SG-1000 is the direct predecessor of the SG-1000 Mark II and, especially, of the SG-1000 Mark III, also known in Western countries as Sega Master System.
41512
41513
41514
41515
41516
41517===== Features =====
41518
41519
41520
41521  * CPU: NEC 780C (Zilog Z80 clone) 3.546893 MHz [PAL] or 3.579545 MHz [NTSC]
41522
41523  * Co-Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9918 VDP
41524
41525  * RAM: 2 KB
41526
41527  * VRAM: 16 KB
41528
41529  * ROM: None?
41530
41531  * Graphic Modes: 256x192
41532
41533  * Colors: 16 on screen
41534
41535  * Sound: Texas Instruments SN76489 DCSG, 4 channel mono (3 tone channels, 1 white noise channel)
41536
41537  * I/O Ports: Cartridge, Composite Video out, Parallel port, 2 Controller ports
41538
41539  * Controllers: 8-way joystick, 2 buttons
41540
41541  * Peripherals: Unknown
41542
41543  * Media: Cartridge
41544
41545
41546
41547
41548
41549===== Usage =====
41550
41551
41552
41553MESS requires a cart dump (in .sg or .bin format) in the ''cartridge'' (''cart'') device to run sg1000 emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
41554
41555
41556
41557  mess sg1000 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.sg"
41558
41559
41560
41561== Controls ==
41562
41563
41564
41565The console features a "Pause" button on the unit itself.
41566
41567
41568
41569SG-1000 games are controlled through a 8-way joystick and two buttons. The game "TV Oekaki" allows to use a tablet to draw pictures which are displayed on the screen.
41570
41571
41572
41573== Software ==
41574
41575
41576
41577A list of SG-1000 software can be found [[:sysinfo:sg1000:softlist|here]].
41578
41579
41580
41581
41582
41583===== History and Trivia =====
41584
41585
41586
41587The SG-1000, which stands for Sega Game 1000, is a cartridge-based video game console manufactured by Sega. This system marked Sega's entry into the home video game hardware business, which they would continue to be in until the end of the Dreamcast in 2001. While the system was not very popular, it was the basis for the more successful Sega Master System.
41588
41589
41590
41591It was test marketed in Japan in 1981 and first released to the Japanese market in July 1983, in direct competition with Nintendo Famicom. Sega's arcade background meant that a number of arcade games were converted to the system, most of which were very well done. The graphics and sound may seem primitive today, but it was cutting edge technology back then and the games are still quite playable even now.
41592
41593
41594
41595While Sega marketed the console in Asia, Grandstand Leisure took care of overseas sales. The console was available in a number of countries such as New Zealand and Taiwan, where it was quite popular, Italy, Spain, and South Africa, but for some reason it was never released in North America.
41596
41597
41598
41599Some clones were also available: Tsukada Original manufactured Othello Multivision, and also produced a few original games for this system, while Bit Corp produced Dina 2-in-1, a clone brought to North America by a company called Telegames. Telegames called its clone the Telegames Personal Arcade and mainly advertised it as a ColecoVision clone, but it was able to play SG-1000 games as well.
41600
41601
41602
41603It is remarkable SG-1000's wide availability on Taiwan's secondary market: this console is highly significant in Taiwan as one of its first and best-remembered consoles, where it was manufactured and sold (very briskly) under license. This was striking in that in the same time period from 1981 to 1986, Famicom games were widely pirated as standalone and multi-carts (replete with rudimentary switch banks to select the active ROM), as well as no less than three different pirated versions of the Atari 2600 with boastful monikers characteristic of the times ('Adventurer', 'Delight', 'Steadfast Creator').
41604
41605Taiwan, among a few countries, also received a Mark IV version of the console - very likely a modified Sega Master System II - and the 'Mark' naming convention was further extended to the Mega Drive/Genesis (which became 'Mark V').
41606
41607
41608
41609The SG-1000 was followed by the SG-1000 Mark II, which was released in 1984.
41610
41611
41612
41613//(info from old-computers.com & Wikipedia)//
41614
41615
41616
41617
41618
41619===== Links =====
41620
41621
41622
41623  * [[wp>Sega SG-1000]]
41624
41625  * SG-1000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1257
41626
41627
41628
41629===== Other Emulators =====
41630
41631
41632
41633  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
41634
41635
41636
41637
41638
41639$end
41640
41641
41642
41643#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
41644
41645
41646$info=sg1000m2
41647$bio
41648====== Sega SG-1000 Mark II (1984) ======
41649
41650
41651
41652Just a minor redesign of the original Sega SG-1000, with joypads as controllers in place of joysticks. It also featured the possibility to connect a keyboard, called SK-1100, to make it an home computer.
41653
41654
41655
41656
41657
41658===== Features =====
41659
41660
41661
41662  * CPU: NEC 780C (Zilog Z80 clone) 3.546893 MHz [PAL] or 3.579545 MHz [NTSC]
41663
41664  * Co-Processor: Texas Instruments TMS9918 VDP
41665
41666  * RAM: 2 KB
41667
41668  * VRAM: 16 KB
41669
41670  * ROM: None?
41671
41672  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
41673
41674  * Colors: 16 on screen
41675
41676  * Sound: Texas Instruments SN76489 DCSG, 4 channel mono (3 tone channels, 1 white noise channel)
41677
41678  * I/O Ports: Cartridge, Composite Video out, Parallel port, Keyboard port, 2 Controller ports
41679
41680  * Controllers: 8-way d-pad, 2 buttons
41681
41682  * Peripherals: Card Catcher (card slot add-on), keyboard
41683
41684  * Media: Cartridge and card (through the card catcher)
41685
41686
41687
41688
41689
41690===== Usage =====
41691
41692
41693
41694MESS requires a cart dump (in .sg or .bin format) in the ''cartridge'' (''cart'') device to run sg1000m2 emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
41695
41696
41697
41698  mess sg1000m2 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.sg"
41699
41700
41701
41702MESS also emulates tapes in .wav format, by using the ''cassette'' (''cass'') device.
41703
41704
41705
41706Finally, the ''printer'' (''prin'') and the keyboard are emulated as well, even if you may have to remap some keys to avoid overlapping with the standard MESS UI keys.
41707
41708
41709
41710== Starting the Machine ==
41711
41712
41713
41714As mentioned above, you have to start sg1000m2 emulation with a cartridge image inserted. This holds true even if you want to use the sg1000m2 as a computer: this system has no built-in OS or Programming Language, hence you need at least the BASIC cart to load tapes or write your own programs.
41715
41716
41717
41718== Controls ==
41719
41720
41721
41722The console features a "Reset" button on the unit itself.
41723
41724
41725
41726SG-1000 Mark II games are controlled through a 8-way directional pad and two buttons. The game "TV Oekaki" allows to use a tablet to draw pictures which are displayed on the screen.
41727
41728
41729
41730It is possible to turn SG-1000 Mark II into a computer, by connecting the keyboard unit SK-1100 in the keyboard port. The keyboard is used by "BASIC" and by many educational programs. The keyboard has the following layout:
41731
41732
41733
41734
41735
41736      1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0    -=   ^~   ¥|      BREAK
41737
41738 
41739
41740                                                                      ____
41741
41742  FUNC   Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    @`   [{   |    |              UP
41743
41744                                                                     |    |
41745
41746                                                                     | CR |
41747
41748   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;+   :*   ]} |    |         LEFT    RIGHT
41749
41750                                                                     |____|
41751
41752 
41753
41754    SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   Pi   SHIFT               DOWN
41755
41756 
41757
41758                      ENG                             HOME   INS
41759
41760             GRAPH   DIER'S        Spacebar           CLR    DEL
41761
41762
41763
41764
41765
41766== Software ==
41767
41768
41769
41770A list of SG-1000 Mark II software can be found [[:sysinfo:sg1000:softlist|here]].
41771
41772
41773
41774
41775
41776===== History and Trivia =====
41777
41778
41779
41780In July 1984, Sega released an updated version of the SG-1000 console called the SG-1000 Mark II. Very similar to the SG-1000, it was just a minor update consisting mainly of cosmetic changes: the case was redesigned and the joysticks of the Mark I were replaced by joypads which could be stored in built-in holders, located on either side of the console.
41781
41782
41783
41784There was also a connector where a SK-1100 keyboard could be attached, effectively turning the console into a computer. However, the Mark II was still outsold by its computer counterpart, the SC-3000 (which had a built-in keyboard).
41785
41786
41787
41788The SG-1000 runs all SC-3000 games and applications, with the exception of "Music" and Basic Cartridges. The machine could be used just like the SC-3000, provided one had the keyboard attachment ready. The console also had an optional game card reader add-on called the Card Catcher that allowed for the use of Sega game card software. The Card Catcher would become built into both the SG-1000 Mark III, and the first version of the Sega Master System.
41789
41790
41791
41792In 1985 the Mark II was replaced by the Mark III.
41793
41794
41795
41796//(info from old-computers.com & Wikipedia)//
41797
41798
41799
41800
41801
41802===== Links =====
41803
41804
41805
41806  * [[wp>Sega SG-1000]]
41807
41808  * SG-1000 Mark II at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1266
41809
41810
41811
41812
41813
41814===== Other Emulators =====
41815
41816
41817
41818  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
41819
41820
41821
41822
41823
41824$end
41825
41826
41827
41828#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
41829
41830
41831$info=sgx
41832$bio
41833====== NEC SuperGrafx (1989) ======
41834
41835
41836
41837===== Features =====
41838
41839
41840
41841  * CPU: HuC6280 (7.16 or 7.19 MHz, switchable by software)
41842
41843  * Video: One 16-bit HuC6260 Video Color Encoder (VCE), two 16-bit HuC6270A Video Display Controllers (VDCs), and one HuC6202 Video Priority Controller.
41844
41845  * Resolution: max 512 x 242 (usually games use 256 x 240)
41846
41847  * Sound: 8 bit PCM stereo / 6-channel stereo
41848
41849  * Ram: 32 Kbyte
41850
41851  * Video Ram: 128Kbyte
41852
41853  * Cart Size: 256Kbit - 20 Megabit Max. (S.F. 2) Normally 8 Mbits
41854
41855  * Colors Palette: 512 - (256 for sprites, 256 for the background.)
41856
41857  * Max # of sprites: 128
41858
41859  * Sprite Size: 16×16, 16×32, 16×64, 32×16, 32×32, 32×64
41860
41861
41862
41863
41864
41865===== Usage =====
41866
41867
41868
41869MESS requires a cart dump (in .pce or .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run sgx emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
41870
41871
41872
41873  mess sgx -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.pce"
41874
41875
41876
41877MESS also supports CD-ROM images in .chd format, using the "cdrom" (cdrm) device.
41878
41879
41880
41881
41882
41883===== Known Issues =====
41884
41885
41886
41887The emulation of this system is known to have imperfect sound.
41888
41889
41890
41891
41892
41893===== History and Trivia =====
41894
41895
41896
41897The SuperGrafx is an upgraded version of the PC-Engine. At first it was announced as the PC-Engine 2, a true 16-Bit system with improved graphics and audio capabilities, not expected to see release until 1990. However the final machine was released earlier, in late 1989, with the SuperGrafx name and only provided modestly enhanced graphics over the original PC-Engine.
41898
41899
41900
41901Compare to  the PC-Engine, the SuperGrafx featured:
41902
41903  * four times the amount of work RAM for the main CPU;
41904
41905  * a second video chip with its own video RAM;
41906
41907  * a priority controller chip that allowed the output of both video chips to be combined in various ways.
41908
41909
41910
41911The SuperGrafx ended up being a commercial failure, partly due to a lack of software capable of exploiting its enhanced abilities. Indeed, only 7 titles were ever released: five of these were exclusive titles, the other two were regular PC-Engine releases capable of enhanced graphics. There were no CD, SCD, or ACD games written that took advantage of the SuperGrafx platform.
41912
41913
41914
41915However, the SuperGrafx can play PCE HuCards, PCE CDs, PCE Super CDs, PCE Arcade CDs, and the native SuperGrafx HuCards.
41916
41917
41918
41919One notable accessory was the Power Console, designed to add a full flight yoke, throttle and keypad to the SuperGrafx, sliding over the entire console. Besides a prototype, no Power Consoles were ever produced.
41920
41921
41922
41923//(info based on Wikipedia)//
41924
41925
41926
41927
41928
41929===== Links =====
41930
41931
41932
41933  * NECstasy -- http://www.necstasy.net/
41934
41935  * Universo PCENGINE -- http://upce.netfirms.com/index.html
41936
41937  * Turbo Station 16 -- http://pcenginefx.com/TS/
41938
41939  * [[wp>SuperGrafx]]
41940
41941
41942
41943
41944
41945===== Other Emulators =====
41946
41947
41948
41949  * MagicEngine (commercial) -- http://www.magicengine.com/
41950
41951  * Hu-Go! (for DOS, Windows, Linux, BeOS, Solaris) -- http://www.zeograd.com/
41952
41953  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
41954
41955
41956
41957
41958
41959$end
41960
41961
41962
41963#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
41964
41965
41966$info=sms
41967$bio
41968====== Sega Master System / SG-1000 Mark III (1986) ======
41969
41970
41971
41972===== Features =====
41973
41974
41975
41976  * CPU: Z80 at 3.6 MHz
41977
41978  * RAM: 8K
41979
41980  * Video RAM: 16K
41981
41982  * Video: Custom video controller (VDP) derived from the TI chip TMS9918/9928
41983
41984  * Resolution: 256 x 192 tile-based screen in 16 colors
41985
41986  * Sprites: 64 at 8 x 8, 8 x 16 or 16 x 16
41987
41988  * Color Palette: 64; 32 max on screen (16 for sprites, 16 for background)
41989
41990  * Scrolling: Hardware up/down/left/right - all or part of screen.
41991
41992  * Sound chip: Generic SN76489 sound chip (PSG) made by Texas Instruments
41993
41994  * Sound output: 3 square-wave sound and white noise/periodic noise channel
41995
41996  * Music: Yamaha YM2413 FM sound chip
41997
41998
41999
42000
42001
42002===== Usage =====
42003
42004
42005
42006MESS supports several regional revisions of the Sega Master System
42007
42008
42009
42010  * sms [Sega Master System II]
42011
42012  * smspal [Sega Master System II (PAL)]
42013
42014  * smsj [Sega Master System (Japan)]
42015
42016  * sms1 [Sega Master System I]
42017
42018  * sms1pal [Sega Master System I (PAL)]
42019
42020  * sg1000m3 [SG-1000 Mark III]
42021
42022  * sms2kr [Gam*Boy II (Korea)]
42023
42024  * smssdisp [Sega Master System - Store Display Unit] - with support for up to 5 carts
42025
42026
42027
42028All these drivers, but smssdisp, support a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .sms and .bin format. smssdisp supports up to five carts, using "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge5" (cart5).
42029
42030
42031
42032== BIOS options ==
42033
42034
42035
42036MESS supports several Sega Master System revisions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
42037
42038
42039
42040  * [sms / smssdisp]
42041
42042 
42043
42044  "-bios 0" or "-bios alexkidd" = US/European BIOS with Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1990)
42045
42046
42047
42048  * [smspal]
42049
42050 
42051
42052  "-bios 0" or "-bios alexkidd" = US/European BIOS with Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1990)
42053
42054 
42055
42056  "-bios 1" or "-bios sonic" = European/Brazilian BIOS with Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
42057
42058
42059
42060  * [sms2kr]
42061
42062 
42063
42064  "-bios 0" or "-bios akbioskr" = Samsung Gam*Boy II with Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1990)
42065
42066
42067
42068  * [sms1]
42069
42070 
42071
42072  "-bios 0" or "-bios bios13" = US/European BIOS v1.3 (1986)
42073
42074 
42075
42076  "-bios 1" or "-bios hangonsh" = US/European BIOS v2.4 with Hang On and Safari Hunt (1988)
42077
42078 
42079
42080  "-bios 2" or "-bios hangon" = US/European BIOS v3.4 with Hang On (1988)
42081
42082 
42083
42084  "-bios 3" or "-bios missiled" = US/European BIOS v4.4 with Missile Defense 3D (1988)
42085
42086 
42087
42088  "-bios 4" or "-bios proto" = US Master System Prototype BIOS
42089
42090
42091
42092  * [sms1pal]
42093
42094 
42095
42096  "-bios 0" or "-bios bios13" = US/European BIOS v1.3 (1986)
42097
42098 
42099
42100  "-bios 1" or "-bios hangonsh" = US/European BIOS v2.4 with Hang On and Safari Hunt (1988)
42101
42102 
42103
42104  "-bios 2" or "-bios hangon" = US/European BIOS v3.4 with Hang On (1988)
42105
42106 
42107
42108  "-bios 3" or "-bios missiled" = US/European BIOS v4.4 with Missile Defense 3D (1988)
42109
42110
42111
42112  * [smsj]
42113
42114 
42115
42116  "-bios 0" or "-bios jbios21" = Japanese BIOS v2.1 (1987)
42117
42118
42119
42120
42121
42122===== Known Issues =====
42123
42124
42125
42126These drivers runs just about everything! Only the emulation of the Store Display Unit is still Preliminary.
42127
42128
42129
42130
42131
42132===== History and Trivia =====
42133
42134
42135
42136The Sega Master System or SMS for short, is an 8-bit cartridge-based video game console that was manufactured by Sega.
42137
42138
42139
42140Its original Japanese incarnation was the SG-1000 Mark III, which was released in Japan in 1985, as a successor of the SG-1000 Mark I and Mark II. The system had a second release in Japan, in 1987, under the new Master System name: this Japanese Master System included a built-in 3D glasses adapter, rapid fire, and a Yamaha YM2413 FM sound chip, all of which were separate accessories for the Mark III.
42141
42142
42143
42144In the United States, the system was released under the name Sega Master System in June 1986, with a redesigned case compared to the SG-1000 Mark III. Having been released less than a year after the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Master System became its natural competitor in the 8-bit consoles market. However, despite being a more technically advanced piece of hardware than the NES, the Master System did not attain the same level of popularity among U.S. consumers.
42145
42146
42147
42148In early '90s, Sega designed the Master System II, a newer console which was smaller and sleeker but which, to keep production costs low, lacked the reset button and the card slot of the original system. In an effort to counter Nintendo's "Super Mario Bros.", the new system included "Alex Kidd in Miracle World", or later "Sonic the Hedgehog", playable without any cartridges. Sega marketed the Master System II heavily; nevertheless, the unit sold poorly in North America.
42149
42150
42151
42152In Europe, the Master System was very successful with Sega marketing the console in many countries, including several in which Nintendo was not selling its consoles. As a result, while SMS support was dropped around 1992 in North America and Japan, it was supported until 1996 in Europe.
42153
42154
42155
42156The system ultimately failed to topple its Nintendo competitor, but has enjoyed over a decade of life in secondary markets, especially in Brazil where it was manufactured by TecToy which also released many exclusive conversions.
42157
42158
42159
42160== Media input ==
42161
42162
42163
42164One of the most unique features of the Sega Master System was its dual media inputs: one cartridge slot and one card slot. The card slot accepted small cards about the size of a credit card. Most cards were games, but one card served an entirely different purpose; indeed, the 3-D glasses plugged into the console via the card slot, and allowed 3-D visual effects for specially designed cartridge games.
42165
42166
42167
42168== Peripherals ==
42169
42170
42171
42172  * Standard controllers: The Master System controller was considered extremely durable. However, there were only 2 buttons, one of which additionally performed the function of the traditional "Start" button; the pause button was on the game console itself. The original controllers, like Sega's previous systems, had the cord emerging from the side; during 1987 they changed the design to the now-typical top emerging cord. These early controllers also included a screw-in thumbstick; these were later omitted and the D-pad on the controller was redesigned without a screwhole for the thumbstick. When the game Street Fighter II was released (in Brazil only), a new six-button controller similar to the Sega Mega Drive controller was also released. The current Brazilian Master System consoles comes with two of those six-button controllers. The controller used a standard Atari-style 9-pin connector and could be connected without modification to all other machines compatible with that standard, including the Atari 2600, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum with Kempston interface or similar.
42173
42174
42175
42176  * Light Phaser: The Light Phaser is a light gun which can be used with a limited number of games.
42177
42178
42179
42180  * 3-D Glasses: The 3-D Glasses used a shutter system to close the left and right lens rapidly to create a 3D effect. Such a system allows 3-D graphics in full color. A disadvantage is that it halves the effective frame-rate, which some users can perceive as flicker. The Master System glasses can only be used in the original Master System since they hook up directly to the card port not found in the Master System II. Only six Master System games were 3-D compatible.
42181
42182
42183
42184//(info based on Wikipedia)//
42185
42186
42187
42188
42189
42190===== Links =====
42191
42192
42193
42194  * SMS Power -- http://www.smspower.org/
42195
42196  * SMS Museum -- http://www.alexkidd.com/
42197
42198  * Sega 8bit -- http://www.sega8bit.com/
42199
42200  * UK SMS Page -- http://www.severedbbs.u-net.com/fletcher/SMS.html
42201
42202  * Charles MacDonald's GG & SMS Infos -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/sms.php
42203
42204  * [[wp>Sega_Master_System]]
42205
42206
42207
42208
42209
42210===== Other Emulators =====
42211
42212
42213
42214  * MEKA -- http://www.smspower.org/meka/
42215
42216  * KEGA Fusion -- http://www.eidolons-inn.net/tiki-index.php?page=Kega
42217
42218  * SMS Plus -- http://cgfm2.emuviews.com/smsplus.php
42219
42220  * FreezeSMS -- http://freezesms.emuunlim.com/
42221
42222
42223
42224
42225
42226
42227
42228$end
42229
42230
42231
42232#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
42233
42234
42235$info=snes
42236$bio
42237====== Nintendo SNES / Super Famicom (1990) ======
42238
42239
42240
42241===== Features =====
42242
42243
42244
42245  * CPU: Custom 16-bit - 65C816 at 3.58 MHz (Variable memory access speeds of 3.58, 2.68, and 1.79 MHz)
42246
42247  * Co-processor: None (DSP and SuperFX were inside the cartridge of selected games)
42248
42249  * RAM: 128 KB
42250
42251  * Video RAM: 64KB
42252
42253  * Color Palette: 32,768; 256 entry palette, writable during h-blank. up to 11-bit direct color mode.
42254
42255  * Maximum Screen Resolution: 512 x 448 pixels (has unused 512 x 478 mode)
42256
42257  * Max # of sprites: 128, 32 per scanline, limited to 34 tiles per line
42258
42259  * Max and Min Sprite Size: 64 x 64 pixels; 8 x 8 pixels
42260
42261  * Scrolling: Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal
42262
42263  * Sound channels: 8 ADPCM with 64 Kb Ram
42264
42265  * Sound Processor: Sony SPC700 ("wavetable-like" music, near 16-bit sound quality playback(CD) & Q-Sound surround sound.)
42266
42267  * Cart Size: 2Mbit - 128 Megabit Max. Tales of Phantasia and Star Ocean, at 48 Mbit, are the largest. Tengai Makyo Zero and Dai Kaiju Monogatari are each 40 Mbit.
42268
42269
42270
42271
42272
42273===== Usage =====
42274
42275
42276
42277MESS two regional variations of the SNES
42278
42279
42280
42281  * snes [Super Nintendo Entertainment System (NTSC)]
42282
42283  * snespal [Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL)]
42284
42285
42286
42287Both drivers require a cart dump (in one of the following formats: .smc, .sfc, .fig, .swc) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run snes emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
42288
42289
42290
42291  mess snes -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.smc"
42292
42293
42294
42295== Controls ==
42296
42297
42298
42299SNES controller features a 8-way directional pad, 4 front action buttons (A, B, X and Y), 2 shoulder button (L and R), a Start button and a Select button. The default mapping in MESS is the following (slightly different, compared to standard layout in other drivers):
42300
42301
42302
42303         (L)->A                          (R)->Z
42304
42305   
42306
42307        Up                                  (X)->S
42308
42309 
42310
42311    Left  Right                        (Y)->X     (A)->D
42312
42313                   (Select)  (Start) 
42314
42315       Down           5         1           (B)->C
42316
42317 
42318
42319 
42320
42321
42322
42323
42324
42325===== Known Issues =====
42326
42327
42328
42329Most games that don't use special chips work quite fine. Preliminary emulation of many special chips is present as well: DSP-1, DSP-2, DSP-3, DSP-4, OBC-1, ST-010, SuperFX and Cx4 works (notice that SuperFX games require the separate driver snesfx, and that DSP-3 emulation is still incomplete as in other emulators); other special chips are only partially supported.
42330
42331
42332
42333Many popular games such as "Super Metroid", "A Link to the Past" and "Super Mario World" are fully playable with sound and music.
42334
42335
42336
42337== To do ==
42338
42339
42340
42341From the source:
42342
42343
42344
42345  * Fix additional sound bugs
42346
42347  * Add horizontal mosaic, hi-res, interlaced etc to video emulation.
42348
42349  * Add correct wait-state support (will require core changes).
42350
42351
42352
42353
42354
42355===== History and Trivia =====
42356
42357
42358
42359The Super Famicom / Super Nintendo Entertainment System, also known as Super Nintendo, Super NES or SNES, was Nintendo's 16-bit follow-up system to their 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released by Nintendo in 1990 in Japan and featured great improvements over the original NES. In particular, the SNES featured higher quality graphics, brighter colors, bigger characters with more detail, revolutionary capabilities in scaling and rotating graphics (famous Mode 7) and high quality stereo sound.
42360
42361
42362
42363Masayuki Uemura, already responsible of the Famicom design, was put in charge of the design of the new console and it was an instant phenomenal blockbuster, with Nintendo's initial shipment of 300,000 units quickly sold out within hours. The system was so phenomenally popular that it was said to have attracted the attention of the Yakuza, leading to the decision to ship the devices at night in order to avoid robbery.
42364
42365
42366
42367It was released in North America during 1991, with a redesigned case, and in Europe during 1992. SNES proved to be a global success for Nintendo, despite increased competition from Sega MegaDrive console (released in North America as the Genesis) and NEC PC-Engine (known in North America as the TurboGrafx-16). Part of its success was probably due to the massive support from most third party developers like Capcom, Konami, Tecmo, Square Co. Ltd., Koei, and Enix, already partner of Nintendo in the production of many Famicom/NES titles.
42368
42369
42370
42371By 1996, the 16-bit era of gaming had ended, and a new generation of consoles, including Nintendo's own Nintendo 64, caused the popularity of the SNES to wane. In October 1997, Nintendo released a redesigned SNES 2 in North America (which included the pack-in game "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island"). Like the earlier NES 2, the new model was designed to be slimmer and lighter than its predecessor but lacked S-Video and RGB output. A similar redesigned Super Famicom Jr. was released in Japan around the same time.
42372
42373
42374
42375Nintendo of America ceased production of the SNES in 1999, over a year after releasing its last first party game, "Kirby's Dream Land 3", in November 1997. The last SNES title to see release in the US was a version of "Frogger", released in the summer of 1998. In Japan, the Super Famicom continued to be produced until September 2003 and new games were produced until the year 2000.
42376
42377
42378
42379== Accessories ==
42380
42381
42382
42383A number of peripherals were released to add functionalities to the SNES.
42384
42385
42386
42387  * Super Scope: this was a light gun similar to the NES Zapper (though the Super Scope featured wireless capabilities) and the
42388
42389  * Super Advantage: this was an arcade-style joystick with adjustable turbo settings akin to the NES Advantage.
42390
42391  * SNES Mouse: released by Nintendo in conjunction with its "Mario Paint" title.
42392
42393  * Super Multitap: multiplayer adapter released by Hudson Soft (licensed by Nintendo) for use with its popular series of Bomberman games. It allowed support for up to eight players, although probably the only game to support 8 players is "Dino Dini's Soccer".
42394
42395  * BatterUP: baseball bat controller, it provided another innovative means of game-playing for SNES gamers.
42396
42397  * Super Game Boy: this was an adapter cartridge allowing games designed for Nintendo's portable Game Boy system to be played on the SNES. The Super Game Boy touted a number of feature enhancements over the Game Boy: color support (in reality, merely the ability to substitute a different color palette: the games themselves were still limited to four colors) and custom screen borders.
42398
42399  * Game Genie / Pro Action Replay: third party cheat devices produced by Galoob and Datel repectively.
42400
42401  * Satellaview: this was a modem which attached to the Super Famicom's expansion port and connected to the St. GIGA satellite radio station. Users of the Satellaview could download gaming news and specially designed games, which were frequently either remakes of or sequels to older Famicom titles, released in installments. Satellaview signals were broadcast from April 23, 1995 through June 30, 2000.   
42402
42403  * XBAND: relatively short-lived service in the United States, similar to Satellaview, it allowed users to connect to a network via a dial-up modem to compete against other players around the country.
42404
42405
42406
42407During the SNES's life, Nintendo contracted with two different companies to develop a CD-ROM-based peripheral for the console to compete with Sega's CD-ROM based add-on, Sega CD. Ultimately, negotiations with both Sony and Philips fell through, and the two companies went on to develop their own consoles based on their initial dealings with Nintendo (the PlayStation and the CD-i respectively), Philips also gaining the right to release a series of CD-i titles based on popular Nintendo franchises.
42408
42409
42410
42411== Enhancement chips ==
42412
42413
42414
42415As part of the overall plan for the SNES/SFC, rather than include an expensive CPU that would still become obsolete in a few years, the
42416
42417hardware designers made it easy to interface special coprocessor chips to the console. Rather than require a complicated upgrade procedure found in the IBM PC Compatible world of computers, these enhancement chips were included inside the plug-in game cartridges themselves if needed for a specific game. This is most often characterized by an extra set of small leads under the cartridge.
42418
42419
42420
42421  * Super FX: Developed by Argonaut Software, the Super FX chip is a supplemental RISC CPU that was included in certain game cartridges to perform functions that the main CPU could not feasibly do. The chip was primarily used to create 3D game worlds made with polygons, texture mapping and light source shading. Some 3D game carts that this chip can be found in are "Star Fox", "Doom", "Dirt Trax FX", "Stunt Race FX", "Vortex", and "Winter Gold". The chip however could also be used to enhance 2D games such as "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island". This chip went through three revisions, first starting out as a Chip-on-Board epoxy glob-top in the earliest "Star Fox" cartridges, labeled as Mario Chip-1. Within a year, the chip was given a more conventional surface-mount package and labeled as the Super FX GSU-1, which was used in various games. Finally, the design was tweaked to become the Super FX GSU-2 chip, which had a larger address bus and was manufactured with an improved semiconductor process to allow it to reach its target clock speed of 21 MHz. Although the pinouts and maximum clock speed differ, the instruction set for the Mario Chip-1, FX 1, and FX 2 chips are identical. "Star Fox 2", "Comanche", and "FX Fighter", all games designed to take advantage of the increased power of the Super FX GSU-2, were developed but never released for the SNES/SFC, disappointing many followers of the technology at the time.
42422
42423
42424
42425  * DSP-1: This fixed-point Digital Signal Processor chip was created to allow programmers to generate more enhanced Mode 7 rotation and scaling effects in their games, and to perform very fast vector-based calculations. The chip can be found most notably in "Pilotwings" and "Super Mario Kart", as well as a few other games. Later revisions of the chip, the 1A and 1B, were functionally the same but included bugfixes in their internal math calculations.
42426
42427
42428
42429  * DSP-2: A bitmap scaling and bitplane conversion chip used only in one game cartridge, Atari's port of "Dungeon Master" to the SNES console.
42430
42431
42432
42433  * DSP-3: An assistant chip used only in one Japanese game for the Super Famicom titled "SD Gundam GX". This turn-based strategy game was advertised at the time as being so vast it needed a coprocessor to calculate the computer opponent's next move.
42434
42435
42436
42437  * DSP-4: A DSP used in only one game cartridge, "Top Gear 3000". It primarily helped out with drawing the race track, especially during the times that the track branched into multiple paths, which was a unique feature for a game of this type on the SNES.
42438
42439
42440
42441  * S-DD1 chip : Other than its normal processing and copy protection duties, this chip was primarily a graphics decompression chip. This allowed games to be bigger than normal by compressing the graphics data. Games that used this chip were "Street Fighter Alpha 2" and "Star Ocean". The game developers found it to be cheaper to add a specialized decompression chip rather than to add extra ROM space.
42442
42443
42444
42445  * Cx4 chip: A chip created by Capcom. This chip was used to handle the wireframe effects, perform more general trigonometric calculations, and to help out with sprite positioning and rotation. The chip was used in "Mega Man X2" and "Mega Man X3".
42446
42447
42448
42449  * SA-1 chip: This is an ASIC chipset with a 65c816 8/16-bit processor core, clocked at 10 MHz, containing some extra circuitry specified by Nintendo, including some fast RAM, a memory mapper, DMA, several programmable timers, and the region lockout chip. The SA-1 was a multipurpose chip that allowed games such as "Kirby Super Star", "Kirby's Dream Land 3", and "Super Mario RPG" to stay competitive in the changing marketplace during the aging SNES/SFC's final years.
42450
42451
42452
42453  * SPC7110 chip: A data decompression chip used solely by Hudson in a few games.
42454
42455
42456
42457  * OBC1: An object/sprite manipulation chip used exclusively in the title "Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge", AKA "Battleclash 2".
42458
42459
42460
42461  * ST010: A chip created by Seta for general functions and handling computer cars' AI in their "F1 ROC II: Race of Champions" title. Generally thought to have been a single microcontroller unit with different mask ROMs on it for several Seta chips, two of which were used on SNES carts and at least one used on arcade systems.
42462
42463
42464
42465  * ST011: A chip created by Seta for mostly AI functions in their "Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shougi" title. Likely uses the same microcontroller core as the ST010.
42466
42467
42468
42469  * ST018: A chip created by Seta for as-of-yet unknown (but probably AI related) functions in their "Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shougi 2" title. Likely does NOT use the same core as the other two Seta chips due to a changed pin count.
42470
42471
42472
42473  * S-RTC: A real-time clock chip used in one title, "Dai Kaiju Monogatari 2".
42474
42475
42476
42477  * X-RTC?: A slightly different real-time clock chip used only in Hudson's "Far East of Eden Zero" cart, which also used an SPC7110 chip.
42478
42479
42480
42481  * SGB CPU chip: This chip was used only inside the Super Game Boy peripheral and possessed a core identical to the CPU in a regular handheld Game Boy. Because the Super Nintendo was not powerful enough to use software emulation to simulate the Game Boy, circuitry equivalent to an entire Game Boy had to sit inside of the cartridge. The SGB CPU ran the main program from the inserted Game Boy cartridge, but relied upon the host Super Nintendo system to write to memory mapped registers the state of the gamepad buttons and to copy out the video frame buffer. Audio from the SGB CPU was passed along two pins on the SNES cartridge connector to be mixed with the SNES audio output.
42482
42483
42484
42485  * MegaChips MX15001TFC: A chip made exclusively for Nintendo Power cartridges. The cartridges were equipped with flash ROMs instead of mask ROMs. They were designed to be able to be inserted into specialised kiosks where the user was able to copy games to their cartridge for a fee. The chip managed communication from the kiosks which included downloading the game data from the kiosk, and writing to the flash chips in the appropriate area. The chip also allowed the cartridge to contain several games which could be selected from an initial menu and function as if it were running from its normal cartridge.
42486
42487
42488
42489//(info based on Wikipedia, FAQs, etc.)//
42490
42491
42492
42493
42494
42495===== Links =====
42496
42497
42498
42499  * SNES Central -- http://snescentral.edgeemu.com/
42500
42501  * [[wp>Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System]]
42502
42503
42504
42505
42506
42507===== Other Emulators =====
42508
42509
42510
42511(in roughly decreasing order of accuracy)
42512
42513
42514
42515  * BSNES -- http://byuu.org/
42516
42517  * SNEeSe -- http://www.emuunlim.com/sneese/
42518
42519  * ZSNES -- http://www.zsnes.com/
42520
42521  * Snes9x -- http://www.snes9x.com
42522
42523  * SNESGT -- http://gigo.retrogames.com/
42524
42525
42526
42527
42528
42529$end
42530
42531
42532
42533#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
42534
42535
42536$info=sordm5
42537$bio
42538====== Sord M5 (1982) ======
42539
42540
42541
42542
42543
42544===== Features =====
42545
42546
42547
42548  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
42549
42550  * Co-Processor:  Z80A-CTC (timer), TMS 9929 (video processor), SN76489AN (Sound Generator)
42551
42552  * RAM: 4 KB (up to 36 KB)
42553
42554  * VRAM: 16 KB
42555
42556  * ROM: 8 KB (up to 28 KB)
42557
42558  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (characters matrix: 6 x 8 pixels)
42559
42560  * Graphic Modes: 32 x 24 (character matrix 8x8), 64 x 48 (character matrix 4x4), 256 x 192 (full graphic)
42561
42562  * Colors: 16
42563
42564  * Sound: SN76489AN with 3 voices (6 octaves), 1 noise channel, 7 special sounds
42565
42566  * I/O Ports: RF TV output, video & audio outputs, Joystick (2), Cartridge slot, Tape interface (2000 baud), Centronics (printer)
42567
42568  * Keyboard: Calculator type, 55 keys. Upper/lower case letters, 64 graphic symbols, 28 Basic statements, FUNC, CTRL, SHIFT (x 2), RETURN, SPACE, RESET
42569
42570  * Peripherals: Cartridge multiplexer (EC-5), 32 KB RAM expansion (EM-5), joysticks (JS-5), joypads (JP-5), expansion box (EB-5), thermal printer (PT-5), Parallel I/O cartridge (PI-5), Serial interface cartridge (SI-5), Floppy disk drive (FD-5)
42571
42572  * Built In Language: Basic-G, Basic-I and Basic-F delivered on cartridges
42573
42574
42575
42576
42577
42578===== Usage =====
42579
42580
42581
42582This computer used cartridges. You can insert game cartridges, or if you want to use basic, you can insert one of 3 basic cartridges:
42583
42584  * "BASIC-I" a integer based basic,
42585
42586  * "BASIC-G" a basic for graphics,
42587
42588  * "BASIC-F" a basic for floating point operations.
42589
42590
42591
42592Notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
42593
42594
42595
42596== Cartridges ==
42597
42598
42599
42600The Sord must have a cart in the "cartridge" (cart) device to start up. Some cartridges may not work. Carts in .rom format are supported.
42601
42602
42603
42604== Cassettes ==
42605
42606
42607
42608MESS supports cassette emulation for sordm5 using a "cassette" (cass) device. Tapes must be in .cas or .wav format.
42609
42610
42611
42612  * Saving commands: ''save"cmt:<filename>"'' where <filename> is the name of the file.
42613
42614
42615
42616  * Loading commands: ''old"cmt:"'' will load the next file on the cassette. ''chan"cmt:"'' and ''run"cmt:"'' can also be used to load and run the next file on the cassette.
42617
42618
42619
42620
42621
42622===== Known Issues =====
42623
42624
42625
42626  * no memory expansion supported
42627
42628  * loading from cassette does not work
42629
42630
42631
42632
42633
42634===== History and Trivia =====
42635
42636
42637
42638The SORD M5 had no really great success outside Japan (and later Czechoslovakia) but had lot of interesting characteristics, very close to MSX computers released soon after. Anyway, It was not compatible with it. (It has the same CPU (Z80), a Z80 CTC timer chip and the same video chip, but a different sound chip and the I/O port assignments are not the same). In fact some MSX games have been converted to the Sord by enthusiasts.
42639
42640
42641
42642Sord M5 design was quite original. The machine was quite small. The two-tone grey plastic casing opened to reveal a bright yellow back, which housed the ROM cartridge slot. The keyboard was similar to the rubber matting of the Spectrum, but felt markedly better. Most keys had a Basic keyword on them in small light-grey letters (available by holding down the function key as an other key is pressed). There was no full-size space-bar.
42643
42644
42645
42646There was only 4K of internal RAM, but memory expansions were available. The joysticks simply plugged into tiny DIN sockets, and there was a port for a Centronics printer. The power supply was external and rather cumbersome.
42647
42648
42649
42650It used a dedicated video chip (Texas Instrument 9918, 9928 or 9929, depending on the model) and had the same video characteristics as the MSX computers (same graphic resolution, same number of colors, same number of sprites, etc.) but didn't belong to this family. The M-5 had 32 graphics symbols in ROM and could handle up to 32 sprites. Its sound chip was the Texas Instruments TI 76489, which wasn't MSX compliant. It had three independent sound channels which could produce a variety of music and synthesized sounds. The sound was sent
42651
42652through the TV speaker.
42653
42654
42655
42656Several cartridge based languages were available: the Basic-I (very simple version for beginners, delivered with the system), the Basic-G (with lot of graphic commands) and the Basic-F (for mathematic and scientific applications). The M-5 supported Inp and Out in Basic to
42657
42658control Z-80A ports, but had no obvious connector to the external world other than the ROM cartridge slot into which the Basic cartridge had to be be inserted.
42659
42660
42661
42662One year later the M5 Pro and M5 Jr were released with a built-in power supply unit (and more RAM?).
42663
42664
42665
42666//(info from old-computers.com)//
42667
42668
42669
42670
42671
42672===== Links =====
42673
42674
42675
42676  * Czech M5 page -- http://falabella.lf2.cuni.cz/~naidr/sord/
42677
42678  * M5 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=217
42679
42680
42681
42682
42683
42684===== Other Emulators =====
42685
42686
42687
42688  * Emu5 -- http://www1.interq.or.jp/~t-takeda/m5/index.html
42689
42690
42691
42692
42693
42694$end
42695
42696
42697
42698#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
42699
42700
42701$info=spec128
42702$bio
42703====== Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128 (1985) ======
42704
42705
42706
42707
42708
42709===== Features =====
42710
42711
42712
42713  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5469MHz
42714
42715  * RAM: 128kb
42716
42717  * ROM: 32kb (16k 48k Basic + 16k 128k Basic)
42718
42719  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
42720
42721  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
42722
42723  * Colors: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
42724
42725  * Sound: 3 channels, 7 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912)
42726
42727  * I/O Ports: Expansion bus, Numeric Keypad, RS232 / Midi Out, Video RGB, Tape (1200 baud)
42728
42729  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, QWERTY, 58 keys, arrow keys, TRUE VIDEO, INV VIDEO, DELETE, GRAPH, EXTEND MODE, EDIT, CAPS SHIFT (x2), CAPS LOCK, SYMB SHIFT (x2), BREAK
42730
42731  * Built In Media: None
42732
42733  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic 48k and Sinclair Basic 128k
42734
42735
42736
42737
42738
42739===== Usage =====
42740
42741
42742
42743MESS supports the emulation of spec128 with
42744
42745
42746
42747  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
42748
42749  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
42750
42751
42752
42753Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
42754
42755
42756
42757== Keyboard ==
42758
42759
42760
42761This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
42762
42763
42764
42765== Cassettes ==
42766
42767
42768
42769Cassette images can have the .wav, .tzx or .tap extensions. To run a cassette image you have to launch
42770
42771
42772
42773  mess spec128 -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tzx"
42774
42775
42776
42777Then, you must select the "Tape Loader" and press <key>Enter</key>. At this point, you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Play").
42778
42779
42780
42781== BIOS options ==
42782
42783
42784
42785Two variants of spec128 are supported (English and Spanish). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
42786
42787
42788
42789  "-bios 0" or "-bios en" = English
42790
42791 
42792
42793  "-bios 1" or "-bios sp" = Spanish
42794
42795
42796
42797== Misc ==
42798
42799
42800
42801A HTML version of the Spectrum 128 manual (converted by Damien Burke, with the approval of the copyright holder Amstrad) is available at: http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html -- http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html
42802
42803
42804
42805
42806
42807===== History and Trivia =====
42808
42809
42810
42811The Spectrum 128 (code named Derby) is the successor of the Spectrum +. It was made just before Amstrad bought the right to use the Sinclair name in computer products. So it can be regarded as the last "real Sinclair Spectrum".
42812
42813
42814
42815The 128 is the first real evolution of the old Spectrum. It has a lot of new features: 128kb RAM (two 64kb banks), a new sound chip (Yamaha AY-3-8912), RS232/Midi and video RGB outputs.
42816
42817
42818
42819The Spectrum displays a menu when it is switched on:
42820
42821  * "Tape Loader" to run programs on tape,
42822
42823  * "Calculator" to enter operations without typing PRINT before,
42824
42825  * "Tape Tester" to test the input level of the tape recorder,
42826
42827  * "BASIC 48" and "BASIC 128".
42828
42829
42830
42831The Spectrum 128 can use two versions of BASIC: BASIC 48 is just for the compatibility with the previous models and can't use the new features.
42832
42833
42834
42835The Basic 128 mode has a full screen editor and the user can enter the Basic statements letter by letter instead of pressing key combinations. It has new keywords to use the extended memory as a RAM disk (unless bank-switching routines are utilized) and to handle the new sound chip and the MIDI out socket.
42836
42837
42838
42839Because there were still large unsold stocks of Spectrum+ in the UK, the Spectrum 128 was first launched in Spain where the Speccy was already very popular. It was sold there with an external numeric keypad to connect the main unit. This "Spanish model" doesn't boot on a "start menu" as the UK version does (thus Spanish 128k models are slightly different than later UK models). But even after being introduced in UK it had a short market life and was replaced with the Spectrum +2.
42840
42841
42842
42843//(info from old-computers.com)//
42844
42845
42846
42847
42848
42849===== Links =====
42850
42851
42852
42853  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/
42854
42855  * World of Spectrum -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/
42856
42857  * Your Sinclair -- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/
42858
42859  * ZX Specticle -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/
42860
42861  * Speccy.cz -- http://www.speccy.cz/
42862
42863  * Sinclair.hu -- http://www.sinclair.hu/
42864
42865  * Zoom's Speccy Corner -- http://tcg.speccy.cz/zoom/
42866
42867  * Spectrum 128 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=35
42868
42869
42870
42871
42872
42873===== Other Emulators =====
42874
42875
42876
42877  * SpecEmu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.dunn4/
42878
42879  * Speccy -- http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/
42880
42881  * EmuZWin -- http://kolmck.net/apps/EmuZWin_Eng.htm
42882
42883  * DSP -- http://leniad.cjb.net/dsp/index.htm
42884
42885  * Unreal Speccy -- http://alonecoder.narod.ru/zx/
42886
42887  * YASE -- http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~hackbart/download.htm
42888
42889  * ZX Spectrum Emu -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
42890
42891  * RealSpectrum -- http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
42892
42893  * Spectaculator -- http://www.spectaculator.com/
42894
42895  * GLECK -- http://gleck.emuunlim.com/
42896
42897
42898
42899
42900
42901$end
42902
42903
42904
42905#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
42906
42907
42908$info=special
42909$bio
42910====== Specialist / Lik (1985), Specialist MX (1991) and Erik (1994) ======
42911
42912
42913
42914===== Features =====
42915
42916
42917
42918  * CPU: KR580IK80A or KR580VM80A (i8080 clones) 2 MHz
42919
42920  * RAM: 32 KB or 48 KB
42921
42922  * ROM: 2 KB (up to 12 KB)
42923
42924  * Display: black and white graphics, 384 × 256 (25 lines of text on the 64-digit displays ROM); up to 16 colors [MX and Erik only]
42925
42926  * Keyboard: 80 keys (in the original model it was a film keyboard)
42927
42928  * External memory: Cassette tape recorder, floppy drive [MX and Erik only]
42929
42930
42931
42932
42933
42934===== Usage =====
42935
42936
42937
42938MESS currently supports both the original Specialist and its clones
42939
42940
42941
42942  * special [Specialist]
42943
42944  * specialp [Specialist + hires graphics]
42945
42946  * lik [Lik]
42947
42948  * specimx [Specialist MX]
42949
42950  * erik [Erik]
42951
42952
42953
42954All these drivers support the emulation of a "cassette" (cass) device with cassette tapes in .wav and .rks format.
42955
42956Moreover, specimx and erik also support up to two floppy drive, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .odi and .img format.
42957
42958
42959
42960== Keyboard ==
42961
42962
42963
42964These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
42965
42966
42967
42968== BIOS options ==
42969
42970
42971
42972Different BIOS revisions of these systems are currently supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
42973
42974
42975
42976  * [special]
42977
42978 
42979
42980  "-bios 0" or "-bios 2nd" = 2nd rev.
42981
42982 
42983
42984  "-bios 1" or "-bios 1st" = 1st rev.
42985
42986 
42987
42988  "-bios 2" or "-bios 3rd" = 3rd rev.
42989
42990 
42991
42992  "-bios 3" or "-bios 7th" = 7th rev.
42993
42994
42995
42996  * [lik]
42997
42998 
42999
43000  "-bios 0" or "-bios 1st" = 1st rev.
43001
43002 
43003
43004  "-bios 1" or "-bios 2nd" = 2nd rev.
43005
43006
43007
43008  * [specimx]
43009
43010 
43011
43012  "-bios 0" or "-bios FOS" = ROM FOS
43013
43014 
43015
43016  "-bios 1" or "-bios NC" = NC
43017
43018
43019
43020
43021
43022===== History and Trivia =====
43023
43024
43025
43026The "Specialist" was an 8-bit microcomputer for hobbyist. Built in 1985 by AF Volkov, the schemes and a description of the computer were published in the journal "Modelist-Constructor" in 1987.
43027
43028
43029
43030== Clones ==
43031
43032
43033
43034  * Lik: different circuitry, different keyboard and different Monitor (to make easier debugging)
43035
43036  * Specialist MX: later version which added the floppy drive and the support for 16 colors graphics
43037
43038  * Erik: software compatible with the Specialist, this computer had a Z80A CPU at 4MHz
43039
43040
43041
43042
43043
43044===== Other Emu =====
43045
43046
43047
43048  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
43049
43050  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
43051
43052  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
43053
43054
43055
43056
43057
43058$end
43059
43060
43061
43062#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
43063
43064
43065$info=specpls2
43066$bio
43067====== Amstrad ZX Spectrum +2, +2A, +2B (1986) ======
43068
43069
43070
43071
43072
43073===== Features =====
43074
43075
43076
43077  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5469MHz
43078
43079  * RAM: 128kb
43080
43081  * ROM: 32kb (16k 48k Basic + 16k 128k Basic) [ZX +2], 64 kb (4 x 16k pages) [ZX +2A/B]
43082
43083  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
43084
43085  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
43086
43087  * Colors: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
43088
43089  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912)
43090
43091  * I/O Ports: UHF PAL TV port, Serial interface (RS232) port, Parallel Printer port (8 bit), Auxiliary interface port, RGB Monitor (and PERITEL TV) port, MIDI output port, Two Joystick ports, Audio Out/Cassette port, Expansion I/O port (full Z80 bus)
43092
43093  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, QWERTY, 58 keys, arrow keys, TRUE VIDEO, INV VIDEO, DELETE, GRAPH, EXTEND MODE, EDIT, CAPS SHIFT (x2), CAPS LOCK, SYMB SHIFT (x2), BREAK
43094
43095  * Built In Media: Tape Recorder
43096
43097  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic 48k (compatibility mode) and Sinclair Basic 128k
43098
43099
43100
43101
43102
43103===== Usage =====
43104
43105
43106
43107MESS emulates the following computers
43108
43109
43110
43111  * specpls2 [Amstrad ZX Spectrum +2]
43112
43113  * specpl2a [Amstrad ZX Spectrum +2a] - revision of the above on Spectrum +3 hardware
43114
43115
43116
43117For both systems, MESS supports the emulation of
43118
43119
43120
43121  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
43122
43123  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .rom format
43124
43125
43126
43127Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
43128
43129
43130
43131== Keyboard ==
43132
43133
43134
43135These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
43136
43137
43138
43139== BIOS options ==
43140
43141
43142
43143Three variants of specpls2 are supported (English, French and Spanish). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
43144
43145
43146
43147  "-bios 0" or "-bios en" = English
43148
43149 
43150
43151  "-bios 1" or "-bios fr" = French
43152
43153 
43154
43155  "-bios 2" or "-bios sp" = Spanish
43156
43157
43158
43159== Misc ==
43160
43161
43162
43163A HTML version of the Spectrum 128 manual (converted by Damien Burke, with the approval of the copyright holder Amstrad) is available at: http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html -- http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html
43164
43165
43166
43167
43168
43169===== History and Trivia =====
43170
43171
43172
43173The Sinclair Spectrum +2 was the first Sinclair computer made by Amstrad after they bought the rights of the Sinclair computers products. Thus, it is not surprising that the Spectrum +2 is very similar in shape and functionality to the Amstrad CPC-464. It was a kind of mix between the Spectrum 128 and the CPC-464 !
43174
43175
43176
43177Even though it used several features of the CPC-464, such as the built-in tape recorder and a good full-stroke keyboard (at last!), it is above all an improved Spectrum 128. Thus, the sound chip used is still the well-known Yamaha AY-3-8912 which is the sound chip of the MSX computers, Oric computers,Atari ST series) and many other computers of the 80s. It was the most popular sound chip at the time.
43178
43179
43180
43181As on the Spectrum 128, two BASIC versions were implemented : the 48k BASIC to remain compatible with the original Sinclair Spectrum, and the 128k BASIC which was already introduced with the Spectrum 128. There was still a calculator mode in the start-menu but the "Tape tester" option of the 128 had been removed since the tape-recorder was built-in.
43182
43183
43184
43185As with the other 128k models, and due to the limitations of the Z80 CPU which can only address 65536 bytes, the 128kb RAM was not directly usable (unless with bank-switching routines), but could be used as a RAM disk.
43186
43187
43188
43189There were several models of the Spectrum +2 : the Spectrum +2 (gray case) which had a motherboard nearly identical to that of the 128, and the Spectrum +2A and +2B (black case) which were simply Spectrum +3 computers with a tape-recorder instead of the disk drive. It means that their motherboards were quite similar to that of the +3. The difference between the +2A and +2B was mainly due to a move in production from Hong Kong to Taiwan.
43190
43191
43192
43193Note that the first ROMs developed by Amstrad for the +2 model caused compatibility problems with the old Spectrum software, so they changed a few things in later ROMs.
43194
43195
43196
43197When Amstrad conceived the +2A/B and the +3 they redesigned the motherboard and made some internal changes on the bus. They also removed the keypad scanning routines of the spectrum 128 and +2 (remember the keypad sold with the Spanish Spectrum 128k ?).
43198
43199
43200
43201//(info from old-computers.com)//
43202
43203
43204
43205
43206
43207===== Links =====
43208
43209
43210
43211  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/
43212
43213  * World of Spectrum -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/
43214
43215  * Your Sinclair -- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/
43216
43217  * ZX Specticle -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/
43218
43219  * Speccy.cz -- http://www.speccy.cz/
43220
43221  * Sinclair.hu -- http://www.sinclair.hu/
43222
43223  * Zoom's Speccy Corner -- http://tcg.speccy.cz/zoom/
43224
43225  * ZX Spectrum +2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=221
43226
43227
43228
43229
43230
43231===== Other Emulators =====
43232
43233
43234
43235  * SpecEmu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.dunn4/
43236
43237  * Speccy -- http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/
43238
43239  * EmuZWin -- http://kolmck.net/apps/EmuZWin_Eng.htm
43240
43241  * DSP -- http://leniad.cjb.net/dsp/index.htm
43242
43243  * Unreal Speccy -- http://alonecoder.narod.ru/zx/
43244
43245  * YASE -- http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~hackbart/download.htm
43246
43247  * ZX Spectrum Emu -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
43248
43249  * RealSpectrum -- http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
43250
43251  * Spectaculator -- http://www.spectaculator.com/
43252
43253  * GLECK -- http://gleck.emuunlim.com/
43254
43255
43256
43257
43258
43259$end
43260
43261
43262
43263#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
43264
43265
43266$info=specpls3
43267$bio
43268====== Amstrad ZX Spectrum +3 (1987) ======
43269
43270
43271
43272
43273
43274===== Features =====
43275
43276
43277
43278  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5469MHz
43279
43280  * RAM: 128kb
43281
43282  * ROM: 64 kb (4 x 16k pages)
43283
43284  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
43285
43286  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
43287
43288  * Colors: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
43289
43290  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves (Yamaha AY-3-8912)
43291
43292  * I/O Ports: UHF PAL TV port, Serial interface (RS232) port, Parallel Printer port (8 bit), Auxiliary interface port, RGB Monitor (and PERITEL TV) port, MIDI output port, Two Joystick ports, Audio Out/Cassette port, Expansion I/O port (full Z80 bus), Second Disk Drive port
43293
43294  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, QWERTY, 58 keys, arrow keys, TRUE VIDEO, INV VIDEO, DELETE, GRAPH, EXTEND MODE, EDIT, CAPS SHIFT (x2), CAPS LOCK, SYMB SHIFT (x2), BREAK
43295
43296  * Built In Media: 3" Hitachi Floppy Disk Drive, single sided (40 track, 9 sector, 512 bytes/sector), CP/M compatible structure
43297
43298  * OS: +3DOS
43299
43300  * Built In Language: Spectrum BASIC 48K (compatibility mode) and 128K Spectrum ZX+3 BASIC, integrated with +3 DOS
43301
43302
43303
43304
43305
43306===== Usage =====
43307
43308
43309
43310MESS emulates the following computers
43311
43312
43313
43314  * specpls3 [Amstrad ZX Spectrum +3]
43315
43316  * specpl3e [Amstrad ZX Spectrum +3e] - enhanced version with HD support, v1.11
43317
43318
43319
43320For each system, MESS supports the emulation of
43321
43322
43323
43324  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
43325
43326  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
43327
43328
43329
43330Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
43331
43332
43333
43334== Keyboard ==
43335
43336
43337
43338These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
43339
43340
43341
43342== BIOS options ==
43343
43344
43345
43346Two variants of both specpls3 and specpl3e are supported (English and Spanish). You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
43347
43348
43349
43350  "-bios 0" or "-bios en" = English
43351
43352 
43353
43354  "-bios 1" or "-bios sp" = Spanish
43355
43356
43357
43358=== Misc ==
43359
43360
43361
43362A HTML version of the Spectrum 128 manual (converted by Damien Burke, with the approval of the copyright holder Amstrad) is available at: http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html -- http://www.jetman.dircon.co.uk/speccy/128manua/index.html
43363
43364
43365
43366
43367
43368===== History and Trivia =====
43369
43370
43371
43372The Sinclair Spectrum +3 is the successor of the Spectrum +2, marketed one year earlier.
43373
43374
43375
43376Just like the Spectrum+2 is a mix between the Spectrum 128 and the Amstrad CPC-464, the Spectrum +3 is a mix between the Spectrum 128 and the Amstrad CPC-6128. Indeed it has 3" disk-drive built-in the right-hand side of the case and a "real" full-stroke keyboard,
43377
43378just like the CPC-6128.
43379
43380
43381
43382After the launch of the first Amstrad "Sinclair computer", the Spectrum +2, they redesigned the motherboard and the content of the ROMs to produce the Spectrum +2A/B and +3. They also made some internal changes on the bus and removed the keypad scanning routines of
43383
43384the Spectrum 128 and +2 (remember the keypad sold with the Spanish Spectrum 128k).
43385
43386
43387
43388As on the Spectrum +2, two BASIC versions are implemented: the 48k BASIC to remain compatible with the original Sinclair Spectrum, and the 128k BASIC which was already introduced with the Spectrum 128.
43389
43390
43391
43392As with the others 128k models, and due to the limitations of the Z80 CPU which can only address 65536 bytes, the 128kb RAM is not directly usable (unless with bank-switching routines), but can be used as a RAM disk (drive M :).
43393
43394
43395
43396So, the big change is the built-in 3" disk drive, exactly the same as the CPC-6128's drive. The operating system is called +3DOS and was developed by Locomotive Software Ltd who also conceived the CPC Basics and OS. So, of course, the +3DOS is very close to the
43397
43398CPCs disk operating system. The Amstrad FD-1 external drive can even be used with the Spectrum +3 as a second disk drive by connecting it directly to "DISK B PORT" at the back of the system.
43399
43400
43401
43402The Spectrum +3 is considered the ultimate Spectrum model, gathering all the good points of the previous spectrum machines : 128k, convenient full-stroke keyboard, 3" built-in disk drive, 128k Basic, RAM disk, many interfaces... But sadly it was launched too late,
43403
43404at a time where the ST and the Amiga were already fighting on the shelves. It was the last official Sinclair Spectrum model ever made.
43405
43406The +2A and +2B models vere launched a little later, but were just a revision of the +2 model already marketed.
43407
43408
43409
43410//(info from old-computers.com)//
43411
43412
43413
43414== About the +3 Enhanced ==
43415
43416
43417
43418The ZX Spectrum +3e is an enhanced version of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3 home computer that was produced by Amstrad in the late '80s. The enhancement consists of an updated operating system (in ROM) that fixes many of the bugs in the original ROM, and adds lots of extra commands to +3 BASIC. One of the most important features of the new ROM, however, is that it supports the use of a hard disk with your Speccy, allowing you to store vast amounts of quickly-accessible software.
43419
43420
43421
43422For those unwilling or unable to add a hard disk interface to their +3, the +3e ROMs still represent a useful update, providing such features as the ability to load Z80 snapshot files and access +3 disk files through the standard streams and channels interface.
43423
43424
43425
43426To make your +3 (or black +2A) into a +3e, you need to install the new +3e ROM chips in your computer, and optionally add the hard-disk interface.
43427
43428
43429
43430===== Links =====
43431
43432
43433
43434  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/
43435
43436  * World of Spectrum -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/
43437
43438  * Your Sinclair -- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/
43439
43440  * ZX Specticle -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/
43441
43442  * Speccy.cz -- http://www.speccy.cz/
43443
43444  * Sinclair.hu -- http://www.sinclair.hu/
43445
43446  * Zoom's Speccy Corner -- http://tcg.speccy.cz/zoom/
43447
43448  * ZX Spectrum +3e Home Page -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxplus3e/
43449
43450  * ZX Spectrum +3 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=222
43451
43452
43453
43454
43455
43456===== Other Emulators =====
43457
43458
43459
43460  * SpecEmu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.dunn4/
43461
43462  * Speccy -- http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/
43463
43464  * EmuZWin -- http://kolmck.net/apps/EmuZWin_Eng.htm
43465
43466  * DSP -- http://leniad.cjb.net/dsp/index.htm
43467
43468  * Unreal Speccy -- http://alonecoder.narod.ru/zx/
43469
43470  * YASE -- http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~hackbart/download.htm
43471
43472  * ZX Spectrum Emu -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
43473
43474  * RealSpectrum -- http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
43475
43476  * Spectaculator -- http://www.spectaculator.com/
43477
43478  * GLECK -- http://gleck.emuunlim.com/
43479
43480
43481
43482
43483
43484$end
43485
43486
43487
43488#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
43489
43490
43491$info=specpls4
43492$bio
43493====== Amstrad Spectrum +4 (2000) ======
43494
43495
43496
43497<file>
43498
43499The plus4.rom is copyright (c)1982-2000 Amstrad plc
43500
43501and is distributed with their kind permission.
43502
43503
43504
43505I would like to thank Cliff Lawson and Amstrad for making this
43506
43507project possible, Phillip Kendall for the Spectrum ROM page, Ian
43508
43509Collier for documenting the changes he made to the ROM and giving me
43510
43511additional advice, Dr Ian Logan and Dr Frank O'Hara for the invaluable
43512
43513Complete Spectrum ROM Disassembly, and whoever it was that sold the
43514
43515book to me and contributors to comp.sys.sinclair for keeping me
43516
43517constantly amused and informed.
43518
43519
43520
43521-Andrew Owen, 24-2-2000
43522
43523
43524
43525
43526
43527Introducing the Spectrum +4.
43528
43529
43530
43531Remember when Apple promised its customers a whole new computer for
43532
43533$99. What they meant was they hoped their new operating system would
43534
43535change the experience of their users so profoundly it would make them
43536
43537feel as if they had a new machine. Well now you can have a whole new
43538
43539Spectrum for FREE!
43540
43541
43542
43543
43544
43545What is the idea behind this?
43546
43547
43548
43549I've taken the original 48K machine as my starting point and tweaked
43550
43551it until the point where I don't think there is any further room for
43552
43553improvement without adding extra hardware. Now if someone wants to
43554
43555build a new machine at least they have a place to start.
43556
43557
43558
43559
43560
43561How compatible is it?
43562
43563
43564
43565The Spectrum +4 ROM is very similar to the one in the 48 and so it
43566
43567should be 90% compatible or better with machine code. BASIC programs
43568
43569may require minor modifications but should then run without problems.
43570
43571
43572
43573
43574
43575What are the changes?
43576
43577
43578
43579There are so many changes that it is impossible to summarize them all.
43580
43581Only the important changes have been detailed with the exception of
43582
43583the new NMI routine which is self explanatory.
43584
43585
43586
43587
43588
43589THE KEYBOARD
43590
43591
43592
43593The keyboard layout has been completely redesigned, based on the
43594
43595standard international English keyboard, to make it quicker to use and
43596
43597easier to remember which keys are where. This is made possible by
43598
43599replacing the keyword entry system.
43600
43601
43602
43603
43604
43605All the SHIFT functions on the number keys are retained, as are the
43606
43607EXTEND and SHIFT-EXTEND attribute functions. But that is where the
43608
43609similarity to the old keyboard ends.
43610
43611
43612
43613
43614
43615All but a few symbols are accessed by holding down SYMBOL shift and
43616
43617the relevant key, while the remainder are accessed using EXTEND mode.
43618
43619Pressing either SHIFT or SYMBOL shift in EXTEND mode will give the
43620
43621same result as if SYMBOL shift alone had been pressed. In addition to
43622
43623the characters shown below, the 16 pre-defined graphics characters are
43624
43625accessible using SYMBOL shift or EXTEND mode and keys Q-R and A-F.
43626
43627
43628
43629 ---------------------------------------
43630
43631
43632
43633| ! | @ | £ | $ | % | ^ | & | * | ( | ) |
43634
43635
43636
43637| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
43638
43639
43640
43641 ----------------------------------------
43642
43643
43644
43645 |   |   |   |   |   |   | { | } | : | " |
43646
43647
43648
43649 |   |   |   |   |   |   | [ | ] | ; | ' |
43650
43651
43652
43653 | Q | W | E | R | T | Y | U | I | O | P |
43654
43655
43656
43657  ---------------------------------------
43658
43659
43660
43661   |   |   |   |   |   |   | | | _ | + |
43662
43663
43664
43665   |   |   |   |   |(c)|   | \ | - | = |
43666
43667
43668
43669   | A | S | D | F | G | H | J | K | L |
43670
43671
43672
43673    -----------------------------------
43674
43675
43676
43677     | ~ |   |   |   | ? | < | > |
43678
43679
43680
43681     | # |   |   |   | / | , | . |
43682
43683
43684
43685     | Z | X | C | V | B | N | M |
43686
43687
43688
43689      ---------------------------
43690
43691
43692
43693SYMBOL = Lower symbols
43694
43695
43696
43697EXTEND = Upper symbols and attributes on number keys
43698
43699
43700
43701SHIFT  = Upper case letters and functions on number keys
43702
43703
43704
43705
43706
43707BASIC EDITOR
43708
43709
43710
43711The most noticeable change is that all commands must be typed in full.
43712
43713Instructions are converted into tokens automatically when you press
43714
43715ENTER. It is also possible to use the cursors to move up and down
43716
43717while editing a line. Instructions can be entered in both capital and
43718
43719lower letters. No space is required between commands such as DEF FN or
43720
43721after a command unless the argument begins with a letter.
43722
43723
43724
43725
43726
43727BASIC COMMANDS
43728
43729
43730
43731CAT, when entered without parameters, calls up the built-in monitor.
43732
43733
43734
43735The PLOT, DRAW and CIRCLE commands have been modified to use the whole
43736
43737screen.
43738
43739
43740
43741ERASE "i" erases extra Interface 1 variables, extended channels and
43742
43743such without affecting the BASIC program in memory.
43744
43745
43746
43747The GO SUB, GO TO and CONTINUE commands have been replaced by GOSUB,
43748
43749GOTO, and CONT, to replicate other BASIC interpreters.
43750
43751
43752
43753MOVE can be used to shift data around in memory. For example, the
43754
43755command MOVE "r0,6144","r16384" would copy the first 6144 bytes of ROM
43756
43757to the screen area of memory.
43758
43759
43760
43761The COPY command has been replaced by the FREE command which reports
43762
43763the amount of free memory below RAMTOP.
43764
43765
43766
43767
43768
43769THE MONITOR PROGRAM
43770
43771
43772
43773The Spectrum +4 features a built-in monitor which can be accessed with
43774
43775the CAT command or holding down SYMBOL shift, SPACE and B while
43776
43777interrupts are enabled. The following commands are then available:
43778
43779
43780
43781B             Return to BASIC (if possible)
43782
43783
43784
43785D<hex_num>    Displays entered hex number in decimal notation
43786
43787
43788
43789G<hex_addr>   Execute a subroutine at address G
43790
43791              (RET will return to the monitor).
43792
43793
43794
43795H<dec_num>    Displays entered decimal number in hex notation
43796
43797
43798
43799M<hex_addr>   Hex and ASCII dump from given address
43800
43801              (SPACE to exit).
43802
43803
43804
43805R             View and/or change registers
43806
43807              AF, BC, DE, HL, IX and SP.
43808
43809
43810
43811S<hex_addr>   Patch memory from given address using hex editor
43812
43813              (SPACE to exit editor).
43814
43815
43816
43817
43818
43819BUG FIXES
43820
43821
43822
43823Every effort has been made to fix all the bugs mentioned in The
43824
43825Complete Spectrum Rom Disassembly and a few others besides as follows:
43826
43827
43828
43829Fixed a bug the CLOSE # bug. eg CLOSE #4
43830
43831
43832
43833Fixed the forwardspace (CHR$ 9) bug. e.g. PRINT "A";CHR$ 9;"B"
43834
43835
43836
43837Fixed the backspace (CHR$ 8) bug. e.g. PRINT AT 0,0;CHR$ 8;"A"
43838
43839
43840
43841Fixed the STR$ bug. e.g. PRINT "BUG"+STR$ 0.5
43842
43843
43844
43845Fixed the division bug. e.g. IF 1/2<>0. 5 THEN PRINT "BUG"
43846
43847
43848
43849Fixed the -65536 bug. e.g. PRINT INT -65536
43850
43851
43852
43853Fixed the SCREEN$ bug. e.g. IF "X"=SCREEN$ (0,0) THEN PRINT "BUG"
43854
43855
43856
43857Fixed the "scroll?" bug. Try pressing True Video at the request.
43858
43859
43860
43861Fixed the syntax check error.
43862
43863
43864
43865Fixed the double store bug at 257Dh.
43866
43867
43868
43869Resolved the K-MODE bug. There is no 'K' mode.
43870
43871
43872
43873Resolved printer buffer error. There is no COPY command.
43874
43875
43876
43877Resolved the NMI bug. There is a different routine.
43878
43879
43880
43881Fixed the 'lock up if interrupts are disabled on error report' bug
43882
43883
43884
43885
43886
43887LEGAL NOTICE FOR THE CURIOUS
43888
43889
43890
43891Just to make sure it was 100% okay to do this I wrote to Amstrad's
43892
43893Cliff Lawson on 23/02/00. Here's what followed.
43894
43895
43896
43897ME: I know it's okay in principle to distribute modified Spectrum
43898
43899    ROMs as long as the copyright message is unchanged. However,
43900
43901    I've just finished a very major overhaul of the ROM and would
43902
43903    like to use an alternative message.
43904
43905
43906
43907CL: Well you can't really associate a name such as "+4" with
43908
43909    "Amstrad Consumer Electronics" because it makes it look as if
43910
43911    it's an "official" development.
43912
43913
43914
43915ME: Would this be acceptable?
43916
43917
43918
43919      AMSTRAD CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PLC
43920
43921       (C)1982-2000 unofficial +4 48K
43922
43923
43924
43925CL: Yup, sounds OK but you do realize that the company was only
43926
43927    called "Amstrad Consumer Electronics" for a few years in the
43928
43929    early..mid 80's then the company name was shortened to
43930
43931    "Amstrad plc" so it's a bit "out of date" to use it but I
43932
43933    guess that probably describes the "Spectrum" too! :-)
43934
43935
43936
43937ME: Mind if I quote you in the "readme" just so no one accuses me
43938
43939    of violating copyrights?
43940
43941
43942
43943CL: No problem.
43944
43945
43946
43947 Visit the Amstrad website at http://www.amstrad.com
43948
43949
43950
43951                   Amstrad plc. Registered in England No. 955321
43952
43953Registered Office: Brentwood House, 169 Kings Road, Brentwood,
43954
43955                   Essex CM14 4EF, England
43956
43957
43958
43959</file>
43960
43961
43962
43963
43964
43965$end
43966
43967
43968
43969#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
43970
43971
43972$info=spectrum
43973$bio
43974====== Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1982) ======
43975
43976
43977
43978
43979
43980===== Features =====
43981
43982
43983
43984  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5 MHz
43985
43986  * RAM: 16k or 48k (42k left for programming)
43987
43988  * ROM: 16k (Basic & OS)
43989
43990  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
43991
43992  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192
43993
43994  * Colors: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
43995
43996  * Sound: 1 voice / 10 octaves (Beeper)
43997
43998  * I/O Ports: Expansion port, tape-recorder (1200 bauds), RF video out
43999
44000  * Keyboard: QWERTY rubber keyboard (40 keys) with up to 6 functions by keys !
44001
44002  * Peripherals: ZX printer, ZX microdrives
44003
44004  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic
44005
44006
44007
44008
44009
44010===== Usage =====
44011
44012
44013
44014MESS emulates the following computers
44015
44016
44017
44018  * spectrum [Sinclair ZX Spectrum]
44019
44020  * inves [Investronica Inves Spectrum 48K+]
44021
44022
44023
44024For both systems, MESS supports the emulation of
44025
44026
44027
44028  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
44029
44030  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .rom format
44031
44032
44033
44034Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
44035
44036
44037
44038== Keyboard ==
44039
44040
44041
44042These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
44043
44044
44045
44046== Cassettes ==
44047
44048
44049
44050Cassette images can have the .wav, .tzx or .tap extensions. To run a cassette image you have to launch
44051
44052
44053
44054  mess spectrum -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tzx"
44055
44056
44057
44058Once you're at the BASIC prompt you can load the first program from the cassette by simply typing
44059
44060
44061
44062  LOAD""
44063
44064
44065
44066Assuming you are not using the natural keyboard emulation, this can be done by pressing <key>J</key> (which corresponds to 'LOAD' BASIC command), followed by <key>RShift</key>+<key>P</key> (twice), and press <key>Enter</key>.
44067
44068
44069
44070At this point, you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Play").
44071
44072
44073
44074== BIOS options ==
44075
44076
44077
44078Different versions of spectrum (not inves) are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line, for spectrum,
44079
44080
44081
44082  "-bios 0" or "-bios spectrum" = ZX Spectrum
44083
44084 
44085
44086  "-bios 1" or "-bios specbusy" = BusySoft Upgrade v1.18
44087
44088 
44089
44090  "-bios 2" or "-bios specpsch" = Maly's Psycho Upgrade
44091
44092 
44093
44094  "-bios 3" or "-bios specgrot" = De Groot's Upgrade
44095
44096 
44097
44098  "-bios 4" or "-bios specimc" = Collier's Upgrade
44099
44100 
44101
44102  "-bios 5" or "-bios speclec" = LEC Upgrade
44103
44104 
44105
44106  "-bios 6" or "-bios specpls4" = ZX Spectrum +4
44107
44108
44109
44110
44111
44112===== History and Trivia =====
44113
44114
44115
44116The Sinclair ZX Spectrum was one of the most popular European computers of the 80's. Two models were launched: one with 16 kb RAM and one with 48 kb RAM.
44117
44118
44119
44120One of its most "interesting" characteristics is its keyboard! Some keys have more than five (!) functions! It is impossible to type BASIC keywords letter by letter, instead you have to use function keys. A lot of peripherals and programs were developed for this computer. It seems that several models of this computers were launched (at least 3), but I've no technical details about them. It was replaced in 1984 by the Spectrum + and in 1985 by the Spectrum 128.
44121
44122
44123
44124Alan Wilson reports to us: The 16K version of the computer had only the 16K ram chips loaded, while the 48K version had both banks full. To keep the prices down Sinclair used faulty 64K chips (internally 2 X 32K). All the chips in the 32K bank of RAM had to have the same half of the 64K chips working. A link was fitted on the pcb in order to choose the first half or the second half. It was possible with a few logic chips for the experimenter to have access to the faulty 32K bank.
44125
44126
44127
44128//(info from old-computers.com)//
44129
44130
44131
44132== About ZX Spectrum +4 ==
44133
44134
44135
44136<file>
44137
44138The plus4.rom is copyright (c)1982-2000 Amstrad plc
44139
44140and is distributed with their kind permission.
44141
44142
44143
44144I would like to thank Cliff Lawson and Amstrad for making this
44145
44146project possible, Phillip Kendall for the Spectrum ROM page, Ian
44147
44148Collier for documenting the changes he made to the ROM and giving me
44149
44150additional advice, Dr Ian Logan and Dr Frank O'Hara for the invaluable
44151
44152Complete Spectrum ROM Disassembly, and whoever it was that sold the
44153
44154book to me and contributors to comp.sys.sinclair for keeping me
44155
44156constantly amused and informed.
44157
44158
44159
44160-Andrew Owen, 24-2-2000
44161
44162
44163
44164
44165
44166Introducing the Spectrum +4.
44167
44168
44169
44170Remember when Apple promised its customers a whole new computer for
44171
44172$99. What they meant was they hoped their new operating system would
44173
44174change the experience of their users so profoundly it would make them
44175
44176feel as if they had a new machine. Well now you can have a whole new
44177
44178Spectrum for FREE!
44179
44180
44181
44182
44183
44184What is the idea behind this?
44185
44186
44187
44188I've taken the original 48K machine as my starting point and tweaked
44189
44190it until the point where I don't think there is any further room for
44191
44192improvement without adding extra hardware. Now if someone wants to
44193
44194build a new machine at least they have a place to start.
44195
44196
44197
44198
44199
44200How compatible is it?
44201
44202
44203
44204The Spectrum +4 ROM is very similar to the one in the 48 and so it
44205
44206should be 90% compatible or better with machine code. BASIC programs
44207
44208may require minor modifications but should then run without problems.
44209
44210
44211
44212
44213
44214What are the changes?
44215
44216
44217
44218There are so many changes that it is impossible to summarize them all.
44219
44220Only the important changes have been detailed with the exception of
44221
44222the new NMI routine which is self explanatory.
44223
44224
44225
44226
44227
44228THE KEYBOARD
44229
44230
44231
44232The keyboard layout has been completely redesigned, based on the
44233
44234standard international English keyboard, to make it quicker to use and
44235
44236easier to remember which keys are where. This is made possible by
44237
44238replacing the keyword entry system.
44239
44240
44241
44242
44243
44244All the SHIFT functions on the number keys are retained, as are the
44245
44246EXTEND and SHIFT-EXTEND attribute functions. But that is where the
44247
44248similarity to the old keyboard ends.
44249
44250
44251
44252
44253
44254All but a few symbols are accessed by holding down SYMBOL shift and
44255
44256the relevant key, while the remainder are accessed using EXTEND mode.
44257
44258Pressing either SHIFT or SYMBOL shift in EXTEND mode will give the
44259
44260same result as if SYMBOL shift alone had been pressed. In addition to
44261
44262the characters shown below, the 16 pre-defined graphics characters are
44263
44264accessible using SYMBOL shift or EXTEND mode and keys Q-R and A-F.
44265
44266
44267
44268 ---------------------------------------
44269
44270
44271
44272| ! | @ | £ | $ | % | ^ | & | * | ( | ) |
44273
44274
44275
44276| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
44277
44278
44279
44280 ----------------------------------------
44281
44282
44283
44284 |   |   |   |   |   |   | { | } | : | " |
44285
44286
44287
44288 |   |   |   |   |   |   | [ | ] | ; | ' |
44289
44290
44291
44292 | Q | W | E | R | T | Y | U | I | O | P |
44293
44294
44295
44296  ---------------------------------------
44297
44298
44299
44300   |   |   |   |   |   |   | | | _ | + |
44301
44302
44303
44304   |   |   |   |   |(c)|   | \ | - | = |
44305
44306
44307
44308   | A | S | D | F | G | H | J | K | L |
44309
44310
44311
44312    -----------------------------------
44313
44314
44315
44316     | ~ |   |   |   | ? | < | > |
44317
44318
44319
44320     | # |   |   |   | / | , | . |
44321
44322
44323
44324     | Z | X | C | V | B | N | M |
44325
44326
44327
44328      ---------------------------
44329
44330
44331
44332SYMBOL = Lower symbols
44333
44334
44335
44336EXTEND = Upper symbols and attributes on number keys
44337
44338
44339
44340SHIFT  = Upper case letters and functions on number keys
44341
44342
44343
44344
44345
44346BASIC EDITOR
44347
44348
44349
44350The most noticeable change is that all commands must be typed in full.
44351
44352Instructions are converted into tokens automatically when you press
44353
44354ENTER. It is also possible to use the cursors to move up and down
44355
44356while editing a line. Instructions can be entered in both capital and
44357
44358lower letters. No space is required between commands such as DEF FN or
44359
44360after a command unless the argument begins with a letter.
44361
44362
44363
44364
44365
44366BASIC COMMANDS
44367
44368
44369
44370CAT, when entered without parameters, calls up the built-in monitor.
44371
44372
44373
44374The PLOT, DRAW and CIRCLE commands have been modified to use the whole
44375
44376screen.
44377
44378
44379
44380ERASE "i" erases extra Interface 1 variables, extended channels and
44381
44382such without affecting the BASIC program in memory.
44383
44384
44385
44386The GO SUB, GO TO and CONTINUE commands have been replaced by GOSUB,
44387
44388GOTO, and CONT, to replicate other BASIC interpreters.
44389
44390
44391
44392MOVE can be used to shift data around in memory. For example, the
44393
44394command MOVE "r0,6144","r16384" would copy the first 6144 bytes of ROM
44395
44396to the screen area of memory.
44397
44398
44399
44400The COPY command has been replaced by the FREE command which reports
44401
44402the amount of free memory below RAMTOP.
44403
44404
44405
44406
44407
44408THE MONITOR PROGRAM
44409
44410
44411
44412The Spectrum +4 features a built-in monitor which can be accessed with
44413
44414the CAT command or holding down SYMBOL shift, SPACE and B while
44415
44416interrupts are enabled. The following commands are then available:
44417
44418
44419
44420B             Return to BASIC (if possible)
44421
44422
44423
44424D<hex_num>    Displays entered hex number in decimal notation
44425
44426
44427
44428G<hex_addr>   Execute a subroutine at address G
44429
44430              (RET will return to the monitor).
44431
44432
44433
44434H<dec_num>    Displays entered decimal number in hex notation
44435
44436
44437
44438M<hex_addr>   Hex and ASCII dump from given address
44439
44440              (SPACE to exit).
44441
44442
44443
44444R             View and/or change registers
44445
44446              AF, BC, DE, HL, IX and SP.
44447
44448
44449
44450S<hex_addr>   Patch memory from given address using hex editor
44451
44452              (SPACE to exit editor).
44453
44454
44455
44456
44457
44458BUG FIXES
44459
44460
44461
44462Every effort has been made to fix all the bugs mentioned in The
44463
44464Complete Spectrum Rom Disassembly and a few others besides as follows:
44465
44466
44467
44468Fixed a bug the CLOSE # bug. eg CLOSE #4
44469
44470
44471
44472Fixed the forwardspace (CHR$ 9) bug. e.g. PRINT "A";CHR$ 9;"B"
44473
44474
44475
44476Fixed the backspace (CHR$ 8) bug. e.g. PRINT AT 0,0;CHR$ 8;"A"
44477
44478
44479
44480Fixed the STR$ bug. e.g. PRINT "BUG"+STR$ 0.5
44481
44482
44483
44484Fixed the division bug. e.g. IF 1/2<>0. 5 THEN PRINT "BUG"
44485
44486
44487
44488Fixed the -65536 bug. e.g. PRINT INT -65536
44489
44490
44491
44492Fixed the SCREEN$ bug. e.g. IF "X"=SCREEN$ (0,0) THEN PRINT "BUG"
44493
44494
44495
44496Fixed the "scroll?" bug. Try pressing True Video at the request.
44497
44498
44499
44500Fixed the syntax check error.
44501
44502
44503
44504Fixed the double store bug at 257Dh.
44505
44506
44507
44508Resolved the K-MODE bug. There is no 'K' mode.
44509
44510
44511
44512Resolved printer buffer error. There is no COPY command.
44513
44514
44515
44516Resolved the NMI bug. There is a different routine.
44517
44518
44519
44520Fixed the 'lock up if interrupts are disabled on error report' bug
44521
44522
44523
44524
44525
44526LEGAL NOTICE FOR THE CURIOUS
44527
44528
44529
44530Just to make sure it was 100% okay to do this I wrote to Amstrad's
44531
44532Cliff Lawson on 23/02/00. Here's what followed.
44533
44534
44535
44536ME: I know it's okay in principle to distribute modified Spectrum
44537
44538    ROMs as long as the copyright message is unchanged. However,
44539
44540    I've just finished a very major overhaul of the ROM and would
44541
44542    like to use an alternative message.
44543
44544
44545
44546CL: Well you can't really associate a name such as "+4" with
44547
44548    "Amstrad Consumer Electronics" because it makes it look as if
44549
44550    it's an "official" development.
44551
44552
44553
44554ME: Would this be acceptable?
44555
44556
44557
44558      AMSTRAD CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PLC
44559
44560       (C)1982-2000 unofficial +4 48K
44561
44562
44563
44564CL: Yup, sounds OK but you do realize that the company was only
44565
44566    called "Amstrad Consumer Electronics" for a few years in the
44567
44568    early..mid 80's then the company name was shortened to
44569
44570    "Amstrad plc" so it's a bit "out of date" to use it but I
44571
44572    guess that probably describes the "Spectrum" too! :-)
44573
44574
44575
44576ME: Mind if I quote you in the "readme" just so no one accuses me
44577
44578    of violating copyrights?
44579
44580
44581
44582CL: No problem.
44583
44584
44585
44586 Visit the Amstrad website at http://www.amstrad.com
44587
44588
44589
44590                   Amstrad plc. Registered in England No. 955321
44591
44592Registered Office: Brentwood House, 169 Kings Road, Brentwood,
44593
44594                   Essex CM14 4EF, England
44595
44596
44597
44598</file>
44599
44600
44601
44602
44603
44604===== Links =====
44605
44606
44607
44608  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/
44609
44610  * World of Spectrum -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/
44611
44612  * Your Sinclair -- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/
44613
44614  * ZX Specticle -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/zxspecticle/
44615
44616  * Speccy.cz -- http://www.speccy.cz/
44617
44618  * Sinclair.hu -- http://www.sinclair.hu/
44619
44620  * Zoom's Speccy Corner -- http://tcg.speccy.cz/zoom/
44621
44622  * ZX Spectrum at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=223
44623
44624
44625
44626
44627
44628===== Other Emulators =====
44629
44630
44631
44632  * SpecEmu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.dunn4/
44633
44634  * Speccy -- http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/
44635
44636  * EmuZWin -- http://kolmck.net/apps/EmuZWin_Eng.htm
44637
44638  * DSP -- http://leniad.cjb.net/dsp/index.htm
44639
44640  * Unreal Speccy -- http://alonecoder.narod.ru/zx/
44641
44642  * YASE -- http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~hackbart/download.htm
44643
44644  * ZX Spectrum Emu -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
44645
44646  * RealSpectrum -- http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
44647
44648  * Spectaculator -- http://www.spectaculator.com/
44649
44650  * GLECK -- http://gleck.emuunlim.com/
44651
44652
44653
44654
44655
44656$end
44657
44658
44659
44660#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
44661
44662
44663$info=srdm5fd5
44664$bio
44665====== Sord M5 with PI-5 parallel interface and FD-5 disc interface ======
44666
44667
44668
44669
44670
44671===== Features =====
44672
44673
44674
44675  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
44676
44677  * Co-Processor:  Z80A-CTC (timer), TMS 9929 (video processor), SN76489AN (Sound Generator)
44678
44679  * RAM: 4 KB (up to 36 KB)
44680
44681  * VRAM: 16 KB
44682
44683  * ROM: 8 KB (up to 28 KB)
44684
44685  * Text Modes: 40 x 24 (characters matrix: 6 x 8 pixels)
44686
44687  * Graphic Modes: 32 x 24 (character matrix 8x8), 64 x 48 (character matrix 4x4), 256 x 192 (full graphic)
44688
44689  * Colors: 16
44690
44691  * Sound: SN76489AN with 3 voices (6 octaves), 1 noise channel, 7 special sounds
44692
44693  * I/O Ports: RF TV output, video & audio outputs, Joystick (2), Cartridge slot, Tape interface (2000 baud), Centronics (printer)
44694
44695  * Keyboard: Calculator type, 55 keys. Upper/lower case letters, 64 graphic symbols, 28 Basic statements, FUNC, CTRL, SHIFT (x 2), RETURN, SPACE, RESET
44696
44697  * Peripherals: Cartridge multiplexer (EC-5), 32 KB RAM expansion (EM-5), joysticks (JS-5), joypads (JP-5), expansion box (EB-5), thermal printer (PT-5), Parallel I/O cartridge (PI-5), Serial interface cartridge (SI-5), Floppy disk drive (FD-5)
44698
44699  * Built In Language: Basic-G, Basic-I and Basic-F delivered on cartridges
44700
44701
44702
44703
44704
44705===== Usage =====
44706
44707
44708
44709This driver consists of: a Sord M5 computer, a Sord FD-5 disc interface and a Sord PI-5 parallel interface
44710
44711
44712
44713The Sord M5 used cartridges. You can insert game cartridges, or if you want to use basic, you can insert one of 3 basic cartridges:
44714
44715  * "BASIC-I" a integer based basic,
44716
44717  * "BASIC-G" a basic for graphics,
44718
44719  * "BASIC-F" a basic for floating point operations.
44720
44721
44722
44723To use the disc interface, use the floating point basic "BASIC-F". This has support for the disc interface built-in.
44724
44725
44726
44727Notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
44728
44729
44730
44731== Cartridges ==
44732
44733
44734
44735The Sord must have a cart in the "cartridge" (cart) device to start up. Some cartridges may not work. Carts in .rom format are supported.
44736
44737
44738
44739== Cassettes ==
44740
44741
44742
44743MESS supports cassette emulation for sordm5 using a "cassette" (cass) device. Tapes must be in .cas or .wav format.
44744
44745
44746
44747  * Saving commands: ''save"cmt:<filename>"'' where <filename> is the name of the file.
44748
44749
44750
44751  * Loading commands: ''old"cmt:"'' will load the next file on the cassette. ''chan"cmt:"'' and ''run"cmt:"'' can also be used to load and run the next file on the cassette.
44752
44753
44754
44755== Floppy Disks ==
44756
44757
44758
44759MESS supports up to four floppy drives for the srdm5fd5, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4). Disk images must be in .dsk format.
44760
44761
44762
44763The Sord M5 computer communicates with the FD-5 through the parallel interface. The parallel interface has a Intel 8255 parallel peripheral interface chip: communication with the FD-5 is done using mode-2 operation (i.e. port A is a bi-directional 8-bit port, port C upper is a control port).
44764
44765
44766
44767The floppy disc interface consists of
44768
44769  * Z80
44770
44771  * 16k ROM
44772
44773  * RAM
44774
44775  * NEC765 compatible disc controller
44776
44777  * iternally, the disc interface uses interrupts to transfer data into its own RAM.
44778
44779
44780
44781The floppy disc drives are 3" and are believed to use 40 track, double density, double sided discs, giving 360K per disc.
44782
44783
44784
44785The M5 sends 3 character commands, with parameters to the disc interface using the following command
44786
44787 
44788
44789  fx 0,<command>
44790
44791
44792
44793<command> can be
44794
44795 
44796
44797  TDA
44798
44799  TRA
44800
44801  WBI
44802
44803  RBI
44804
44805  WTX
44806
44807  RTX
44808
44809  WBL
44810
44811  RBL
44812
44813  WMM
44814
44815  RMM
44816
44817  EXC
44818
44819  SDR
44820
44821  WDR
44822
44823  RDR
44824
44825  RDC
44826
44827  OPN
44828
44829  CLS
44830
44831  CHN
44832
44833  MAP
44834
44835  SAP
44836
44837  CAP
44838
44839  ATR
44840
44841  NAM
44842
44843  DEL
44844
44845  FMT: Format disc
44846
44847  CPY
44848
44849  GEN
44850
44851  VPR
44852
44853  RVI
44854
44855  IDV
44856
44857  FNM
44858
44859  RDB
44860
44861  WDB
44862
44863  WHO
44864
44865  DOM
44866
44867
44868
44869
44870
44871===== Known Issues =====
44872
44873
44874
44875  * no memory expansion supported
44876
44877  * loading from cassette does not work
44878
44879
44880
44881
44882
44883===== History and Trivia =====
44884
44885
44886
44887The SORD M5 had no really great success outside Japan (and later Czechoslovakia) but had lot of interesting characteristics, very close to MSX computers released soon after. Anyway, It was not compatible with it. (It has the same CPU (Z80), a Z80 CTC timer chip and the same video chip, but a different sound chip and the I/O port assignments are not the same). In fact some MSX games have been converted to the Sord by enthusiasts.
44888
44889
44890
44891Sord M5 design was quite original. The machine was quite small. The two-tone grey plastic casing opened to reveal a bright yellow back, which housed the ROM cartridge slot. The keyboard was similar to the rubber matting of the Spectrum, but felt markedly better. Most keys had a Basic keyword on them in small light-grey letters (available by holding down the function key as an other key is pressed). There was no full-size space-bar.
44892
44893
44894
44895There was only 4K of internal RAM, but memory expansions were available. The joysticks simply plugged into tiny DIN sockets, and there was a port for a Centronics printer. The power supply was external and rather cumbersome.
44896
44897
44898
44899It used a dedicated video chip (Texas Instrument 9918, 9928 or 9929, depending on the model) and had the same video characteristics as the MSX computers (same graphic resolution, same number of colors, same number of sprites, etc.) but didn't belong to this family. The M-5 had 32 graphics symbols in ROM and could handle up to 32 sprites. Its sound chip was the Texas Instruments TI 76489, which wasn't MSX compliant. It had three independent sound channels which could produce a variety of music and synthesized sounds. The sound was sent
44900
44901through the TV speaker.
44902
44903
44904
44905Several cartridge based languages were available: the Basic-I (very simple version for beginners, delivered with the system), the Basic-G (with lot of graphic commands) and the Basic-F (for mathematic and scientific applications). The M-5 supported Inp and Out in Basic to
44906
44907control Z-80A ports, but had no obvious connector to the external world other than the ROM cartridge slot into which the Basic cartridge had to be be inserted.
44908
44909
44910
44911One year later the M5 Pro and M5 Jr were released with a built-in power supply unit (and more RAM?).
44912
44913
44914
44915//(info from old-computers.com)//
44916
44917
44918
44919
44920
44921===== Links =====
44922
44923
44924
44925  * Czech M5 page -- http://falabella.lf2.cuni.cz/~naidr/sord/
44926
44927  * M5 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=217
44928
44929
44930
44931
44932
44933===== Other Emulators =====
44934
44935
44936
44937  * Emu5 -- http://www1.interq.or.jp/~t-takeda/m5/index.html
44938
44939
44940
44941
44942
44943$end
44944
44945
44946
44947#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
44948
44949
44950$info=ssystem3
44951$bio
44952====== Novag Industries Chess Champion Super System III / MK III (1979) ======
44953
44954
44955
44956
44957
44958===== Features =====
44959
44960
44961
44962  * LCD display with 4 digits and several symbols
44963
44964  * Integrated speaker
44965
44966  * Connection for external power supply
44967
44968  * Connection for printer
44969
44970  * Connection for board display
44971
44972
44973
44974
44975
44976===== Known Issues =====
44977
44978
44979
44980The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
44981
44982
44983
44984
44985
44986===== History and Trivia =====
44987
44988
44989
44990Early Chess Computer programmed by David Levy and produced by Novag Industries Ltd.
44991
44992
44993
44994It was also sold in Germany with the name MK III.
44995
44996
44997
44998For a list of Chess Computers produced by Novag Industries, look at this page (schachcomputer.at) -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En|this page (schach-computer.info)]] or [[http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
44999
45000
45001
45002
45003
45004===== Links =====
45005
45006
45007
45008  * Super System III at schachcomputer.at -- http://www.schachcomputer.at/novag1.htm
45009
45010  * Super System III at schach-computer.info -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_Chess_Champion_Super_System_MK_III
45011
45012  * a short history of Novag Industries -- http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Novag_En
45013
45014
45015
45016
45017
45018$end
45019
45020
45021
45022#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
45023
45024
45025$info=stbook
45026$bio
45027====== Atari STBook (1990) ======
45028
45029
45030
45031
45032
45033===== Features =====
45034
45035
45036
45037  * CPU: Motorola MC 68000 8 MHz
45038
45039  * RAM: 1 or 4 MB (no extension)
45040
45041  * ROM: 256 KB
45042
45043  * Text Modes: 40 x 25 / 80 x 25
45044
45045  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 400
45046
45047  * Colors: monochrome LCD display
45048
45049  * Sound: three channels, 8 octaves
45050
45051  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232c, Floppy Disk, internal IDE Hard disk, Midi In/Out, Dock Station connector
45052
45053  * Keyboard: full stroke keyboard
45054
45055  * Built In Media: One 2.5" disk drive
45056
45057  * OS: TOS + GEM
45058
45059
45060
45061
45062
45063===== Usage =====
45064
45065
45066
45067MESS currently supports for the STBook both cart dumps and disk images. The former are accepted in .stc format and use the "cartridge" (cart) device; the latter are accepted in .st format and use one of the two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2).
45068
45069
45070
45071Also notice that the "printer" (prin) and the two serial ports, "serial1" (serl1) and "serial2" (serl2), are emulated as well.
45072
45073
45074
45075== Keyboard ==
45076
45077
45078
45079This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
45080
45081
45082
45083== RAM options ==
45084
45085
45086
45087Different RAM configurations are possible for the stbook in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
45088
45089
45090
45091  1m
45092
45093  4m (default)
45094
45095
45096
45097
45098
45099===== Known Issues =====
45100
45101
45102
45103The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
45104
45105
45106
45107
45108
45109===== History and Trivia =====
45110
45111
45112
45113After the success of the Stacy, Atari presented a new portable computer: the ST Book.
45114
45115
45116
45117It was a rather nice toy: very light, impressive battery life, MIDI ports, battery-saved RAM, etc.
45118
45119
45120
45121The Hard Disk contains a small Null-Modem program to transfer files (very handy!). It has no internal floppy drive, the external floppy was a weird (and expensive!) unit that used the same interface as Atari's hard disks (ACSI).
45122
45123
45124
45125Despite its interesting characteristics, and because of the deplorable commercial policy of Atari, it had no success and only about one thousand units were sold in Europe.
45126
45127
45128
45129A word of warning: The cases & screen on this computer are VERY FRAGILE! Whatever you do, do not drop this computer, as it probably will shatter!
45130
45131
45132
45133//(info from old-computers.com)//
45134
45135
45136
45137
45138
45139===== Links =====
45140
45141
45142
45143  * Atari STBook at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=283
45144
45145
45146
45147
45148
45149$end
45150
45151
45152
45153#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
45154
45155
45156$info=studio2
45157$bio
45158====== RCA Studio II (1977) ======
45159
45160
45161
45162
45163
45164===== Features =====
45165
45166
45167
45168  * CPU: RCA 1802 1.78 MHz
45169
45170  * Co-Processor: CDP1861 video display chipset
45171
45172  * RAM: 512 bytes (normally 256 bytes display RAM, 256 bytes program RAM)
45173
45174  * ROM: 2 KB
45175
45176  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 32 (theoretical maximum of 64 x 128 is possible)
45177
45178  * Colors: Black & white
45179
45180  * Sound: Single channel buzzer
45181
45182  * I/O Ports: Cartridge slot, video output & power in
45183
45184  * Media: Catridges
45185
45186  * Controllers: Two built-in keypads (10 keys: numbers from O to 9)
45187
45188
45189
45190
45191
45192===== Usage =====
45193
45194
45195
45196MESS supports the emulation of the studio2 with a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .st2 format. If you run the system without a cart, it would give you access to one of the five built in games / programs (see below).
45197
45198
45199
45200== Controls ==
45201
45202
45203
452042 Keypads: Player 1 left, Player 2 right
45205
45206
45207
45208Keypads have following Layout
45209
45210 
45211
45212  1  2  3
45213
45214 
45215
45216  4  5  6
45217
45218 
45219
45220  7  8  9
45221
45222 
45223
45224     0
45225
45226
45227
45228== Misc ==
45229
45230
45231
45232The console has 5 Built in programs in ROM. Without a cartridge inserted, the screen stays black after turning on. Player 1 selects game using a key between 1 and 5.
45233
45234 
45235
45236  1(A) Doodle
45237
45238  2(W) Patterns
45239
45240  3(E) Bowling
45241
45242  4(A) Freeway
45243
45244  5(S) Math
45245
45246
45247
45248  - __Doodle__: Use the numberpad keys to move the pointer, use Num-5 to turn the pen on or off.
45249
45250  - __Patterns__: Use the numberpad keys to draw a line or symbol, then press Num-0 to generate a pattern.
45251
45252  - __Bowling__: To bowl: Player 1 press X; Player 2 press Num-2.
45253
45254  - __Freeway__: Press Num-0 to start. Press Num-4 and Num-6 to steer.
45255
45256  - __Math__: Add together the 3 digits on the lower line, press the letter corresponding to the correct answer.
45257
45258
45259
45260===== History and Trivia =====
45261
45262
45263
45264Early console for TV connection, sold from several firms under different names
45265
45266
45267
45268The RCA Studio II was the second programmable video game system in the world, following the Fairchild Video Entertainment System released a few months earlier. (The Magnavox Odyssey had cartridges, but was not programmable - the cartridges simply acted as jumpers to select games already built in to the analog electronics of the system). When looking at the Studio II, it's clear that best-selling systems of that time, Pongs, inspired RCA. Cosmetically, it looks like a Pong...
45269
45270
45271
45272But the Studio II is more than a pong, it also is programmable. A total of 10 cartridges were released before RCA dropped the system in 1979. The Studio II also came with 5 built in games: Bowling, Freeway (car racing), Patterns, Doodles, and Math. Unlike Fairchild's system, RCA's was only in black and white and the sound was through a single channel "Pong" style beeper housed in the system itself.
45273
45274
45275
45276The controllers are quite basic: only two numeric keypads built-in the system, labeled "A" for left player and "B" for right player. The numeric keypads are composed of ten keys numbered from 0 to 9. Arrows are also drawn next to the keys to indicate that "4" is for left, "6" for right, "2" for up, "3" for up-right, etc. "0" is thus often used as the fire button (depending on games of course).
45277
45278
45279
45280Sadly, the RCA was quickly outdated (the day it was released some would say) due to the fast pace techat technology was evolving at. 9 months later the Atari VCS was released, with color high resolution graphics, custom sound that actualy came through your television,
45281
45282and what was to become one of the largest game libraries of any console to date...
45283
45284
45285
45286Some years later, color clone systems appeared in Europe. They were clearly marketed as cheap systems for people who couldn't afford more "modern" systems like the ColecoVision or Vectrex. They include the Soundic MPT-02 Victory, Hanimex MPT-02, Mustang 9016 Telespiel
45287
45288Computer, Conic M-1200 and the Sheen 1200 Micro Computer. Some have modifications from the original RCA Studio II such as detachable controllers or even color graphics. There were also some new cartridges produced for these systems, such as Concentration Match for the
45289
45290MPT-02.
45291
45292
45293
45294It is interesting to notice that MPT-02 systems are Studio RCA 2 software-compatible, MPT-03 are Emerson Arcadia 2001 software-compatible and MPT-04/05 systems are Interton VC-4000 software-compatible systems...
45295
45296
45297
45298//(info from old-computers.com)//
45299
45300
45301
45302
45303
45304===== Links =====
45305
45306
45307
45308  * Paul Robson's Page -- http://www.classicgaming.com/studio2/
45309
45310  * Studio II at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=728
45311
45312
45313
45314
45315
45316===== Other Emulators =====
45317
45318
45319
45320  * Paul Robson's Stem -- http://www.classicgaming.com/studio2/
45321
45322
45323
45324
45325
45326$end
45327
45328
45329
45330#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
45331
45332
45333$info=super80
45334$bio
45335====== Dick Smith Super-80 (1981) ======
45336
45337
45338
45339
45340
45341===== Features =====
45342
45343
45344
45345  * Main Processor: Zilog Z80 2MHz
45346
45347  * RAM: 16k, 32k or 48k (plus 3.5k with the "64k ram" modification and 0.5k for Chipspeed color board) [super80]; 16k, 32k or 48k (plus 2k Video RAM banked with Color RAM for modified Chipspeed board and 2k PCG RAM banked with Character Generator ROM) [super80v]
45348
45349  * ROM: 12k
45350
45351  * Text Modes: 32 x 16 characters [super80], 80 x 25 characters [super80v]
45352
45353  * Colors: Monochrome (originally, this changed with upgrades, see below)
45354
45355  * I/O: Cassette interface at 300, 600, or 1200 baud (software selectable); Parallel and Serial ports available as upgrades
45356
45357  * Keyboard: Proper moving-key keyboard (identical to early microbee)
45358
45359  * Built In: Monitor program; moreover, optional 10k Basic on tape or eproms (an early version of Microbee's Microworld Basic)
45360
45361
45362
45363
45364
45365===== Usage =====
45366
45367
45368
45369MESS emulates the following machines:
45370
45371
45372
45373  * super80 [Super-80 (V1.2)]: This driver uses all the original Dick Smith roms and hardware, with the optional BASIC in ROM.
45374
45375  * super80d [Super-80 (V2.2)]: This driver emulates an original upgrade by Dick Smith consisting of an upgraded ROM (to allow lower-case entries), and the replacement of the original character generator chip with a plugin board containing a new character generator and a few TTL chips; this substantial hardware modification added lower-case characters, some graphic symbols, and inverse mode. A couple of v2.2 modified versions, created by Andrew Morton from Sydney, and featuring the MDS 3000 baud cassette tape system are supported as alternative BIOS (these alt versions are sometimes referred to as super80f and super80g).
45376
45377  * super80e [Super-80 (El Graphix 4)]: This driver emulates a Super-80 v1.2 upgraded with a "El Graphix 4" homebrew ROM (created by Andrew Harding from Melbourne, see below) which included a new character generator, containing upper/lower case characters and a variety of graphical symbols.
45378
45379  * super80m [Super-80 (8R0)]: This driver emulates an homebrew upgrade which adds most of the features other upgrades offered, i.e. many new commands, a debugged and enhanced BASIC, both character generators, both color schemes (or monochrome), both cassette systems, and an extra 4k of RAM.
45380
45381  * super80r [Super-80 (with VDUEB)]: original VDUEB release by Robin Ward, with a modified and rather buggy ROM to support the new hardware; it is monochrome.
45382
45383  * super80v [Super-80 (with enhanced VDUEB)]: This driver emulates a Super-80 with modified VDUEB upgrade (mc6845 video controller on an extra card) which adds color and allows the software to read the character generator rom; compared to an original VDUEB upgrade, these modified ROMs feature better control of the hardware, an enhanced monitor and BASIC, and supports both cassette systems.
45384
45385
45386
45387For each driver, MESS supports both cassette tapes (in .wav format), using the "cassette" (cass) device, and cart dumps (in .rom format), using the "cartridge" (cart) device.
45388
45389
45390
45391Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .bin files.
45392
45393
45394
45395Other hardware-only upgrades that are **not supported** include:
45396
45397
45398
45399  * super80h: a hardware-only modification, created by Mark Hurry (Chipspeed) from Sydney, which used extra memory to map each tile to a color (4-bit foreground and 4-bit background); the colors were generated by a TEA2018, driving a PAL generator; the composite output is suitable for the yellow input on a modern color TV.
45400
45401  * super80j: similar to super80h, but instead of converting the signal to composite, the rgb and intensity signals were passed directly to a suitable color monitor (no longer available).
45402
45403
45404
45405== Keyboard ==
45406
45407
45408
45409These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
45410
45411
45412
45413== Monitor commands ==
45414
45415
45416
45417When switched on, you will be at the monitor prompt. From here, you can jump to Basic, or perform various "debug" commands. Remember that only a subset of commands exists on each version and that some commands do different things depending on the super80 version you are emulating.
45418
45419
45420
45421  A        : Do an ASCII dump from the last address
45422
45423  A n      : Do an ASCII dump from a specified address
45424
45425  A x y    : Do an ASCII dump of a range of addresses
45426
45427 
45428
45429  AR       : Display the previous block.
45430
45431 
45432
45433  B        : This does a jump to D003, which is a warm start of Basic. You must have already initialised Basic previously. Any program in Basic will still be there.
45434
45435 
45436
45437  C        : Clear the screen
45438
45439  C n      : Clear the screen to a colour
45440
45441  C n n    : Clear the screen, and set the background and text colours
45442
45443 
45444
45445  D        : Dump 512 bytes from tape, ignoring checksum errors, and dump them to the screen. This is to assist with setting up the tape interface.
45446
45447 
45448
45449  D        : Do a jump to 0100 and execute the program there.
45450
45451 
45452
45453  E        : Enter bytes into memory, starting at the last address modified.
45454
45455  E n      : Enter bytes into memory, starting at a specified address.
45456
45457  E n,a b  : Enter bytes into memory, without the intermediate editing stage
45458
45459  E n,"x"  : Enter text into memory, without the intermediate editing stage
45460
45461 
45462
45463  F x y z  : Fill a block of memory with a byte
45464
45465 
45466
45467  G n      : Go (jump) to an address and execute the program there
45468
45469 
45470
45471  H        : Do a hex dump, the options are exactly the same as the A command.
45472
45473 
45474
45475  I n      : Perform an IN of port n, and display the result
45476
45477 
45478
45479  Knn      : Set the keyboard repeat speed, and repeat delay.
45480
45481 
45482
45483  L        : Load a tape to the address in its header
45484
45485  L n      : Load a tape to the specified address
45486
45487 
45488
45489  M x y z  : Move memory block x-y, to z
45490
45491 
45492
45493  N a+b    : Add to hex numbers and display the result
45494
45495  N a-b    : Subtract b from a and display the result
45496
45497 
45498
45499  O x y    : Perform an OUT of y to port x
45500
45501 
45502
45503  P n      : Display page n of memory. Press Enter to return.
45504
45505  P n.     : Display page n of memory. Use the F and R keys to scan through memory pages. Press Enter to return. The number of the last page will be displayed.
45506
45507 
45508
45509  Q        : This is a custom command that you must set up. You can program it so that parameters can be entered.
45510
45511 
45512
45513  R        : Same as HR, do a hex dump of the previous block.
45514
45515 
45516
45517  S x y    : Save a block of memory to tape.
45518
45519 
45520
45521  T        : Turn on the cassette relay, thus turning on the motor.
45522
45523 
45524
45525  UB n     : Convert n (hex) to binary
45526
45527  UD n     : Convert n (hex) to decimal
45528
45529  UH n     : Convert n (decimal) to hex
45530
45531 
45532
45533  V n      : Slow down the printing by a factor of n. V0 is default and fastest.
45534
45535 
45536
45537  W        : Same as B.
45538
45539 
45540
45541  Z        : Turn off tape motor.
45542
45543 
45544
45545  <enter>  : Warm start, turn off motor, warm start of monitor
45546
45547 
45548
45549  ! or T1  : Set tape speed to 1200 baud
45550
45551  3 or T3  : Set tape speed to 300 baud
45552
45553  6 or T6  : Set tape speed to 600 baud
45554
45555  8        : Set tape speed to 3000 baud on a 3mhz computer
45556
45557  9 or TF  : Set tape speed to 3000 baud on a 2mhz computer
45558
45559 
45560
45561  *        : Jump to D000, a cold start (full initialisation) of Basic.
45562
45563
45564
45565The earliest Monitor versions didn't have some commands, here are the alternate ways to do the same things:
45566
45567
45568
45569  G D000  : Cold start Basic
45570
45571 
45572
45573  G D003  : Warm start Basic
45574
45575 
45576
45577  G 100   : Jump to 0100
45578
45579 
45580
45581  O F1 n  : Display memory page
45582
45583
45584
45585To change tape speed, you need to use the ''E'' command and modify addresses ''BDF8'' and ''BDF9''. For example, to set 300 baud, enter ''E BDF8 <enter>''. Then, type in: ''F8 04. <enter>'' (don't miss the full stop after 04!!). The corresponding values for 600 baud are ''7C 02'', and for 1200 baud, ''3E 01''.
45586
45587
45588
45589More usage notes about the ''E'' command: If you enter (for example), ''E 100 <enter>'', you will see the address displayed, followed by the existing contents, followed by a prompt. To change the contents, enter a new 2-digit hex number and press Enter (some monitor versions will allow you to enter text enclosed in double-quotes here).
45590
45591To skip an address you don't want to change, just press Enter. Some monitor versions allow you to step back, to do this enter ''R''. And finally, to exit this //Enter// mode, type a full stop. If you enter something invalid, you will be thrown back to the monitor prompt, but any bytes you modified will stay changed.
45592
45593
45594
45595== Cassettes ==
45596
45597
45598
45599  * The original 300 baud system adheres to the Kansas City Standard -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Standard. There is a header consisting of 16 nulls, a <SOH>, followed by the load address and length. This is followed by a number of 256-byte data blocks. The checksum is an extra byte appended to each block, and is a simple XOR of all the bytes.
45600
45601  * 600 baud uses the same specifications, except that the number of pulses in each bit is halved.
45602
45603  * 1200 baud uses half the number of pulses again. This speed was rather unreliable on real hardware, although it works perfectly in MESS.
45604
45605  * 3000 baud was a homebrew upgrade, using different pulse widths to determine bits. Amazingly, it was a very reliable system.
45606
45607  * Input is done by reading port $F2. Bit 0 is for the 300, 600 and 1200 baud system; and bit 1 for the 3000 baud system. Bit 2 was a homebrew addition, to allow reading of cassettes from other computers. Special software is needed.
45608
45609
45610
45611== BIOS options ==
45612
45613
45614
45615For some of the Super-80 upgrades, different ROM versions are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
45616
45617
45618
45619  * [super80d]
45620
45621 
45622
45623  "-bios 0" or "-bios super80d" = v2.2
45624
45625 
45626
45627  "-bios 1" or "-bios super80f" = MDS (original)
45628
45629 
45630
45631  "-bios 2" or "-bios super80g" = MDS (upgraded)
45632
45633
45634
45635  * [super80r]
45636
45637 
45638
45639  "-bios 0" or "-bios super80r" = MCE (original)
45640
45641 
45642
45643  "-bios 1" or "-bios super80s" = MCE (upgraded)
45644
45645
45646
45647== Common problems & solutions  ==
45648
45649
45650
45651  * If at start, the screen is black and there is only a screen full of corrupt graphics which slowly flashes on and off, it means you have messed up the configuration settings. To fix this, access the Configurations menu through TAB, and set to On the first and the fourth options, and to Off the second and the third one. Then, restart emulation.
45652
45653
45654
45655  * If selecting composite or RGB, you only get a black screen, it means that the memory area FE00 to FFFF is initialised to zero (which corresponds to black colour). You need to change these bytes.
45656
45657
45658
45659
45660
45661===== Known Issues =====
45662
45663
45664
45665  * super80r/super80v: mc6845 “Interlace and Video” options is not implemented
45666
45667  * MDS Fast Cassette (3000 baud) system: Load produces a checksum error (but writing seems ok)
45668
45669  * all: Natural keyboard / paste function is problematic
45670
45671
45672
45673Currently, there are no plans to add support for the following features:
45674
45675  * different amounts of RAM (only 48k of main ram is supported)
45676
45677  * disk drives
45678
45679  * CP/M
45680
45681  * S-100 interface and board
45682
45683  * Parallel and Serial ports
45684
45685
45686
45687
45688
45689===== History and Trivia =====
45690
45691
45692
45693The original Super-80 computer was sold by Dick Smith Electronics in 1981 as a kit. Dick Smith later released a S-100 interface, a Parallel/Serial card for it and the Dick Smith lower-case generator kit (the original had upper-case only and no graphics).
45694
45695
45696
45697Several homebrew upgrades were made available, such as graphics cards, faster cassette systems, speech/sound/color cards and more.
45698
45699
45700
45701The most popular graphics addition was the El Graphics 4 ROM which provided lower-case letters, the 64 TRS-80 Lores symbols and 64 other graphic symbols.
45702
45703
45704
45705Another one was an add-on board containing a 6845 crtc chip and programmable character generator. This opened the way for the use of a disk controller and CP/M.
45706
45707
45708
45709Dick Smith quickly lost interest as newer computers became available, and by 1985 the Super-80 was practically forgotten. They claimed that “several thousand” kits were sold, but only few are known to work these days.
45710
45711
45712
45713//(info from Raphael Nabet and Robbbert)//
45714
45715
45716
45717== List of Upgrades ==
45718
45719
45720
45721  * Dick Smith S-100 interface
45722
45723  * Dick Smith Basic
45724
45725  * Dick Smith Printer (parallel / serial) card
45726
45727  * Dick Smith Compu-voice (Votrax speech synthesis project)
45728
45729  * Andrew Harding's El Graphics character generators
45730
45731  * MCE's VDUEB card, the one with the 6845 chip
45732
45733  * Matrix Software's Sound Card
45734
45735  * Chipspeed's color board (16 foreground and 16 background colors)
45736
45737  * Computer Clinic's programmable character generator
45738
45739  * Micro data Storage made a fast (3000 baud) cassette system, and a graphics board
45740
45741
45742
45743
45744
45745===== Links =====
45746
45747
45748
45749  * [[wp>Dick Smith Super-80 Computer]]
45750
45751
45752
45753
45754
45755
45756
45757$end
45758
45759
45760
45761#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
45762
45763
45764$info=supergb
45765$bio
45766====== Nintendo Super Game Boy (1994) ======
45767
45768
45769
45770
45771
45772===== Usage =====
45773
45774
45775
45776MESS requires a cart dump (in one of the following formats: .gb, .gmb, .cgb, .gbc, .sgb, .bin) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run supergb emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
45777
45778
45779
45780  mess supergb -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.gb"
45781
45782
45783
45784
45785
45786===== Known Issues =====
45787
45788
45789
45790Like most Super GB emulators around, MESS does not use SNES emulation combined with GB emulation. It is on the TO DO List, though, and it will be properly emulated eventually.
45791
45792
45793
45794
45795
45796===== History and Trivia =====
45797
45798
45799
45800The Super Game Boy is an adapter for the SNES that let you play Game Boy games on your television screen, using the SNES
45801
45802controllers and deck as an interface. It also had some extended features like backgrounds around the game and primitive color, although not all games take advantage of this. It possible for Super Game Boy games to make use of the SNES sound hardware for extra effects. Try compairing Asteroids/Missile Commmand, Space Invaders or Donkey Kong to see some excellent use of the of enhancements.
45803
45804
45805
45806There also was a Super Game Boy 2 released in 199?. It has the same features of the original Super Game Boy but adds a green game link LED, a red power LED and a Game link port.
45807
45808
45809
45810
45811
45812===== Links =====
45813
45814
45815
45816  * FAQs -- http://www.gamersgraveyard.com/repository/snes/peripherals/sgbfaq.txt
45817
45818
45819
45820
45821
45822===== Other Emulators =====
45823
45824
45825
45826  * bsnes -- http://byuu.org/ (the only emulator combining SNES + GB emulation for the SGB; it relies on Gambatte for the Game Boy side of the emulation)
45827
45828  * no$gmb -- http://nocash.emubase.de/gmb.htm
45829
45830  * BGB -- http://bgb.bircd.org/
45831
45832  * KiGB -- http://kigb.emuunlim.com/
45833
45834  * GEST -- http://koti.mbnet.fi/gest_emu/
45835
45836
45837
45838
45839
45840$end
45841
45842
45843
45844#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
45845
45846
45847$info=superpet
45848$bio
45849====== CBM SuperPET 9000 / MMF9000 (1981) ======
45850
45851
45852
45853
45854
45855===== Features =====
45856
45857
45858
45859  * CPU: MOS 6502 and Motorola 6809 1 MHz
45860
45861  * RAM: 96 KB
45862
45863  * ROM: 48 KB (Kernal + CBM BASIC)
45864
45865  * Text Modes: 80 columns x 25 rows - 3 character sets (255 each)
45866
45867  * Graphic Modes: none
45868
45869  * Colors: Monochrome. Green display
45870
45871  * Sound: 1 voice - Three octaves
45872
45873  * I/O Ports: IEEE 488, 2 x 'Datasette', Parallel User port, RS-232, Expansion port
45874
45875  * Keyboard: Full-stroke 73 keys with numeric keypad
45876
45877  * Built In Media: None
45878
45879  * OS: Commodore Kernal and BASIC language
45880
45881  * Built In Language: Commodore Basic (v4.0)
45882
45883
45884
45885
45886
45887===== Usage =====
45888
45889
45890
45891MESS emulates the following computers
45892
45893
45894
45895  * superpet [Commodore SP9000 / MMF9000 (50Hz)]
45896
45897  * mmf9000 [MMF9000 (50Hz, Swedish)]
45898
45899
45900
45901For both systems, MESS supports
45902
45903
45904
45905  - two datasettes, using "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2) devices, for tapes in .tap and .wav format (currently not working)
45906
45907  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt and .a0 format
45908
45909  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
45910
45911
45912
45913Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
45914
45915
45916
45917== Keyboard ==
45918
45919
45920
45921These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
45922
45923
45924
45925Original Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard
45926
45927 
45928
45929                                                                             CRSR  STOP
45930
45931      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*   -=   UP    L/R   RUN           7   8   9
45932
45933 
45934
45935                                                                          CRSR    DEL
45936
45937      TAB    Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    \    U/D    INST             4   5   6
45938
45939 
45940
45941      SHIFT
45942
45943  ESC   LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;+    @     ]      RETURN            1   2   3
45944
45945 
45946
45947  RVS                                                                                HOME
45948
45949  OFF   SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   REPEAT   CLR           0     .
45950
45951 
45952
45953 
45954
45955                                     SPACEBAR
45956
45957
45958
45959
45960
45961===== Known Issues =====
45962
45963
45964
45965The emulation of these systems is Preliminary.
45966
45967
45968
45969
45970
45971===== History and Trivia =====
45972
45973
45974
45975The SuperPET SP9000, also known as Micro-Mainframe or MMF9000, was developed in conjunction with the Department of Computer Science of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It was primarily designed with universities and scientists in mind.
45976
45977
45978
45979Based on the CBM 8000 series design, The SuperPet has two processors, a standard MOS 6502 like all Pet systems, and a Motorola 6809. It could run all the original C-8000 software as well as modern 6809 based compilers and development tools: C, PASCAL, BASIC, APL, FORTRAN, COBOL, Assembler, etc.
45980
45981
45982
45983The SuperPet was actually built as a programmer's machine allowing developers to work at home and transfer/exchange their files with a mainframe through a true built-in RS-232 interface. A power-on menu gave access to various language packages and several utilities: RS-232 setup, machine language monitor, text editor and terminal program.
45984
45985
45986
45987Technically speaking, the 6502 and 6809 processors shared the same address and control lines so both CPUs worked on the same memory area except the Kernel ROM that remains independent of each processor.
45988
45989
45990
45991Commodore 8000 series owners could upgrade their system and make them SuperPets thanks to an optional upgrade package.
45992
45993
45994
45995//(info from old-computers.com)//
45996
45997
45998
45999
46000
46001===== Links =====
46002
46003
46004
46005  * Larry's PET/CBM Pages -- http://www.portcommodore.com/petindex.php?path=main-cbmidx
46006
46007  * PET Index -- http://www.6502.org/users/andre/petindex/index.html
46008
46009  * SuperPET at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=675
46010
46011
46012
46013
46014
46015===== Other Emulators =====
46016
46017
46018
46019  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
46020
46021
46022
46023
46024
46025$end
46026
46027
46028
46029#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
46030
46031
46032$info=svi318
46033$bio
46034====== Spectravideo SVI-318 (1983) ======
46035
46036
46037
46038
46039
46040===== Features =====
46041
46042
46043
46044  * CPU: Zilog Z80 3.6 MHz
46045
46046  * RAM: 32 kb (12 kb free with Basic)
46047
46048  * VRAM: 16 kb
46049
46050  * ROM: 32 kb
46051
46052  * Text Modes: 40 x 24
46053
46054  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 / 64 x 48
46055
46056  * Colors: 16
46057
46058  * Sound: 3 channels, 8 octaves
46059
46060  * I/O Ports: CVBS & RF output, cartridge slot, expansion port, tape
46061
46062  * Keyboard: 71 keys, calculator type keyboard
46063
46064  * OS: CP/M optional with disk-drives
46065
46066  * Built In Language: SV Microsoft Basic
46067
46068  * Peripherals: Expansion box, disk-drives, printer, Coleco adaptor
46069
46070
46071
46072
46073
46074===== Usage =====
46075
46076
46077
46078MESS supports two regional variants of the SVI-318
46079
46080
46081
46082  * svi318 [Spectravideo SVI-318 (PAL)]
46083
46084  * svi318n [Spectravideo SVI-318 (NTSC)]
46085
46086
46087
46088Both drivers support
46089
46090  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for cassette tapes in .wav and .cas format
46091
46092  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .rom format
46093
46094  - up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
46095
46096
46097
46098Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
46099
46100
46101
46102== Keyboard ==
46103
46104
46105
46106These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
46107
46108
46109
46110Original Keyboard:
46111
46112 
46113
46114     F6         F7       F8      F9      F10                 CLS/HM  INS   DEL
46115
46116     F1         F2       F3      F4      F5            STOP   COPY  PASTE  CUT
46117
46118 
46119
46120 
46121
46122    ESC    1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -_   =+     <----   SELECT
46123
46124 
46125
46126 
46127
46128    ---->     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}     `~           
46129
46130 
46131
46132  CAPS                                                                                 
46133
46134  LOCK   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    :;   '"   ENTER        JOYSTICK
46135
46136 
46137
46138 
46139
46140           SHIFT    Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   
46141
46142 
46143
46144                  LEFT  RIGHT
46145
46146                  GRPH  GRPH           SPACEBAR
46147
46148
46149
46150== BIOS options ==
46151
46152
46153
46154MESS supports three different version of SV BASIC for svi318 and svi318n: v1.0, v1.1 and v1.11. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
46155
46156 
46157
46158  "-bios 0" or "-bios 111" = SV BASIC v1.11
46159
46160 
46161
46162  "-bios 1" or "-bios 110" = SV BASIC v1.1
46163
46164 
46165
46166  "-bios 2" or "-bios 100" = SV BASIC v1.0
46167
46168
46169
46170== RAM options ==
46171
46172
46173
46174Different RAM configurations are possible for the svi318 and svi318n in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
46175
46176
46177
46178  16k (default)
46179
46180  32k
46181
46182  96k
46183
46184  160k
46185
46186
46187
46188
46189
46190===== History and Trivia =====
46191
46192
46193
46194The Spectravideo SV-318 has characteristics very close to the MSX machines (same video, sprites, sound, I/O, etc.). It was even sold as an MSX computer in some places, but it is not fully MSX compliant and can't use MSX programs.
46195
46196
46197
46198Notice that instead of using cursor keys, the Spectravideo uses a small joystick, which emulates cursor keys.
46199
46200
46201
46202The photo above shows the SV318 with its expansion base. This provides 64 KB RAM, a 80 column video and a floppy disk controller and its floppy drive (5.25"), with all these peripherals, the SV318 can run under CP/M.
46203
46204
46205
46206A more professional version of the SV318 was launched a while later: the SV-328 (which has 80 KB RAM and a numeric keyboard and the SV-728 case).
46207
46208
46209
46210//(info from old-computers.com)//
46211
46212
46213
46214
46215
46216===== Links =====
46217
46218
46219
46220  * Roger's Spectravideo Page -- http://www.samdal.com/spectravideo.htm
46221
46222  * SVI-318 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=227
46223
46224
46225
46226
46227
46228===== Other Emulators =====
46229
46230
46231
46232  * SVI Emu -- http://www.acc.umu.se/~yarin/sviemu/
46233
46234  * BlueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
46235
46236
46237
46238
46239
46240$end
46241
46242
46243
46244#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
46245
46246
46247$info=svi328
46248$bio
46249====== Spectravideo SVI-328 (1983) ======
46250
46251
46252
46253
46254
46255===== Features =====
46256
46257
46258
46259  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.6 MHz
46260
46261  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 256 KB)
46262
46263  * VRAM: 16 KB
46264
46265  * ROM: 32 KB
46266
46267  * Text Modes: 40 chars x 24 lines (optional 80 x 24)
46268
46269  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 dots
46270
46271  * Colors: 16
46272
46273  * Sound: Three channels, 8 octaves
46274
46275  * I/O Ports: Centronics, RS232c, RGB, Tape (1800 bauds); Joystick (2), Cartridge
46276
46277  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad
46278
46279  * Built In Media: None
46280
46281  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC interpreter
46282
46283  * Peripherals: SVI-904 Data Cassette, SV-605B expansion box, Graphics Tablet, 80 columns card, modem and RS232 interfaces
46284
46285
46286
46287
46288
46289===== Usage =====
46290
46291
46292
46293MESS supports the following computers
46294
46295
46296
46297  * svi328 [Spectravideo SVI-328 (PAL)]
46298
46299  * svi328n [Spectravideo SVI-328 (NTSC)]
46300
46301  * sv328p80 [Spectravideo SVI-328 (PAL) + SVI-806 80 column card]
46302
46303  * sv328n80 [Spectravideo SVI-328 (NTSC) + SVI-806 80 column card]
46304
46305
46306
46307All these drivers support
46308
46309  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for cassette tapes in .wav and .cas format
46310
46311  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .rom format
46312
46313  - up to two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
46314
46315
46316
46317Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
46318
46319
46320
46321== Keyboard ==
46322
46323
46324
46325These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
46326
46327
46328
46329Original Keyboard:
46330
46331 
46332
46333     F6         F7       F8      F9      F10               CLS/HM  INS   DEL
46334
46335     F1         F2       F3      F4      F5        STOP     COPY  PASTE  CUT   SELECT  UP   PRINT   /
46336
46337 
46338
46339 
46340
46341    ESC    1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -_     =+  <----   LEFT  DOWN  RIGHT   *
46342
46343 
46344
46345 
46346
46347    ---->     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}   `~      7     8     9     +
46348
46349 
46350
46351  CAPS                                                                                 
46352
46353  LOCK   CTRL    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    :;   '"   ENTER     4     5     6     -
46354
46355 
46356
46357                                                                                                    E
46358
46359         SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B    N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT       1     2     3     N
46360
46361                                                                                                    T
46362
46363                  LEFT  RIGHT                                                                       E
46364
46365    POWER ON      GRPH  GRPH           SPACEBAR                                   0     ,     .     R
46366
46367
46368
46369== BIOS options ==
46370
46371
46372
46373MESS supports three different version of SV BASIC for svi328 and svi328n: v1.0, v1.1 and v1.11. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line (but only for svi328 and svi328n),
46374
46375 
46376
46377  "-bios 0" or "-bios 111" = SV BASIC v1.11
46378
46379 
46380
46381  "-bios 1" or "-bios 110" = SV BASIC v1.1
46382
46383 
46384
46385  "-bios 2" or "-bios 100" = SV BASIC v1.0
46386
46387
46388
46389Moreover, MESS supports different charsets for the sv328p80 and sv328n80. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line (but only for sv328p80 and sv328n80),
46390
46391 
46392
46393  "-bios 0" or "-bios english" = English Character Set
46394
46395 
46396
46397  "-bios 1" or "-bios swedish" = Swedish Character Set
46398
46399
46400
46401== RAM options ==
46402
46403
46404
46405Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
46406
46407
46408
46409  64k (default)
46410
46411  96k
46412
46413  160k
46414
46415
46416
46417
46418
46419===== History and Trivia =====
46420
46421
46422
46423The Spectravideo SV 328 was the ancestor of the Spectravideo MSX SV-728 (it had the same case and almost all its features) and the successor of the SV-318.
46424
46425
46426
46427This computer wasn't a MSX machine, even though its hardware design was almost the same as MSX computers. Its Microsoft Extended Basic was also close to the MSX Basic but not fully compatible. The cartridge slot couldn't use MSX cartridges. However, Coleco cartridges could run thanks to an optional card.
46428
46429
46430
46431The SV-328 ran CP/M 2.2 or 3.0 when connected to the 5.25" 360 KB floppy drive unit. Several well known CP/M software were adapted to the SV328; i.e. dBase II and WordStar.
46432
46433
46434
46435Several expansion devices were developed for this computer. Among them, the SV-605B expansion box which offered a 10 MB hard disk, two 5.25" DSDD floppy drives, one Centronics port and six expansion slots. Some other peripherals were released: Graphic Tablet, 80-column card, 1200/75 modem card, RS232 interface.
46436
46437
46438
46439== More informations ==
46440
46441
46442
46443(info from Taneli Lukka - Finland): There were two different versions of this computer. They could be identified by a very small red MK II-logo beside the SVI-328 logo on top of the machine. The older MK I version had no built in RF-modulator, it was a separate box that you had to connect to a DIN-socket on the back of the machine. The MK II model had the modulator built in and it also had RCA-jacks for composite video and sound output. A much simplified motherboard consisting of three small PCB's joined together by many cables was introduced to cut costs and the PCB quality was generally worse than on MK I machines.The older SVI-318 also got a similar treatment, but I don't know anything about the details. All I know is that its MK II version was quite rare in most countries because it was introduced when the machine was already pretty dead.
46444
46445
46446
46447== Spectravideo in Australia ==
46448
46449
46450
46451(info by Mark Dodd): The Spectravideo User Group Of Australia ran for many years and the SV318 and SV328 were very popular with hobbyists and professionals alike. Unfortunately some resellers advertised and sold the machine as MSX compatible or upgradeable. I appeared as an expert witness in several consumer complaint cases where the machine had to be replaced, free of charge, for the later
46452
46453MSX compliant models. When MSX took of the User Group supported bith the older SV models and all MSX machines form different manufacturers.
46454
46455
46456
46457//(info from old-computers.com)//
46458
46459
46460
46461
46462
46463===== Links =====
46464
46465
46466
46467  * Roger's Spectravideo Page -- http://www.samdal.com/spectravideo.htm
46468
46469  * SVI-328 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=228
46470
46471
46472
46473
46474
46475===== Other Emulators =====
46476
46477
46478
46479  * SVI Emu -- http://www.acc.umu.se/~yarin/sviemu/
46480
46481  * BlueMSX -- http://www.bluemsx.com/
46482
46483
46484
46485
46486
46487$end
46488
46489
46490
46491#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
46492
46493
46494$info=svision
46495$bio
46496====== Watara Supervision (1992) ======
46497
46498
46499
46500
46501
46502===== Features =====
46503
46504
46505
46506  * CPU : M65C02 8-bit VLSI at 4 MHz
46507
46508  * Screen:  LCD 160 x 160 pixels
46509
46510  * Colors: 4 grey levels
46511
46512  * Sound: 4(?) stereo voices (integrated mono speaker, port for stereo speaker), Headphone jack (small stereo headphones included), Built-in mono speaker
46513
46514  * Controls: Directional buttons, A & B, Select & Start.
46515
46516  * 40 pin Cartridge port
46517
46518  * Contrast Adjustment, Volume controller, Power Switch
46519
46520  * Two Player Link (communications port) - DB-9 connector, similar to the old Atari joysticks.
46521
46522  * Optional features: TV-link
46523
46524
46525
46526
46527
46528===== Usage =====
46529
46530
46531
46532Currently, MESS supports different configurations of the Supervision (either as standalone or connected with another Supervision)
46533
46534
46535
46536  * svision [Watara Supervision]
46537
46538  * svisions [Watara Supervision (PeT Communication Simulation)]
46539
46540  * svisionp [Watara Supervision (PAL TV Link Colored)]
46541
46542  * svisionn [Watara Supervision (NTSC TV Link Colored)]
46543
46544  * tvlinkp [Watara TV Link (PAL)]
46545
46546
46547
46548Each driver requires a cart dump (in .bin, .ws or .sv format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run svision emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
46549
46550
46551
46552  mess svision -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
46553
46554
46555
46556Pinout of cartridges is in mess/messroms/svision.txt
46557
46558
46559
46560
46561
46562===== Known Issues =====
46563
46564
46565
46566There is still a lot to do:
46567
46568
46569
46570  * Support for the 4 in 1 power selected cartridges (power off/on cycle selects nexts 64k image in cartridge, done via hardware)
46571
46572  * Tvlink emulation (microcontroller not dumped yet, basically 2 supervision, 1st for inputs transmitted tvlink cartridge, 2nd for game, microcontroller for copying game video data to crtc ram)
46573
46574  * Probably tvlink (4 colors out of a palette of 4096) simulation, but only my Tron supports tvlink color selection
46575
46576  * Multiple Supervisions linked together via serial port, but only my Tron supports 2 player via serial link (svisions is transmitting buttons of 2nd supervision to serial port in the needed protocol)
46577
46578  * Switching audio to mono (like handheld internal speaker, tvlink)
46579
46580
46581
46582
46583
46584===== History and Trivia =====
46585
46586
46587
46588The Watara Supervision is a monochrome handheld console, released in 1992 as a cheaper challenger for Nintendo's Game Boy. The console has a slightly larger screen and larger buttons than the Game Boy ones, but the games were much simpler and it never obtained the same success as its competitor.
46589
46590
46591
46592One unique feature of the Supervision was that it could be linked up to a television via a link cable, resulting in games displayed in four colors. A full color TV link was also in the works, but it never got released.
46593
46594
46595
46596The original design and name for the console changed significantly through several iterations, and the last Supervisions were sold in 1996.
46597
46598
46599
46600The Supervision was marketed by several different companies around the world and under several different names, including Quickshot Supervision, Travell Mate, Electrolab Supervision and Hipervision, and Hartung SV-100.
46601
46602
46603
46604//(info based on Wikipedia)//
46605
46606
46607
46608== Variations ==
46609
46610
46611
46612  * Model 9205 (bendable screen): Watara Supervision, Tai-Kerr Boy (HK), Vini-Spil Supervision (Dk), Quickshot Supervision QS-800 (UK), Hartung SuperVision SV-100 (De,Nl), Audiosonic Supervision GB-1000 (It,Fr)
46613
46614
46615
46616  * Model GB-2000 (non bendable screen): Watara (US,Ca,etc.), Audiosonic (Fr,It), Vini-Spil (Dk)
46617
46618
46619
46620  * Model 9600 (non bendable screen, no comm-port, three colour variations): Magnum International (US), Videojet (Fr)
46621
46622
46623
46624
46625
46626===== Links =====
46627
46628
46629
46630  * Syd Bolton's Page -- http://www.pixelpower.on.ca/supervision/
46631
46632  * Supervision Museum -- http://slydc.20m.com/supervsn.htm
46633
46634
46635
46636
46637
46638$end
46639
46640
46641
46642#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
46643
46644
46645$info=sx64
46646$bio
46647====== CBM Commodore DX 64 / SX 64 (1983) ======
46648
46649
46650
46651
46652
46653===== Features =====
46654
46655
46656
46657  * CPU: 6510 at 1 MHz
46658
46659  * Co-Processor: VIC II (Video), SID (Sound)
46660
46661  * RAM: 64k (38911 bytes free)
46662
46663  * ROM: 20k
46664
46665  * Text Modes: 40 chars. x 25 lines with 16 colors
46666
46667  * Graphic Modes: several, most used : 320 x 200
46668
46669  * Colors: 16
46670
46671  * Sound: 3 voices, 9 octaves, 4 waveforms
46672
46673  * I/O Ports: 2 joystick sockets (Atari standard), cartridge slot, expansion port, serial, RGB video output, keyboard
46674
46675  * Keyboard: Full-stroke detachable keyboard, 66 keys, 4 function keys
46676
46677  * Built In Media: 1 x 5.25" FDD [SX-64]; 2 x 5.25" FDD [DX-64]
46678
46679  * Built In Language: SX-64 Basic v2.0
46680
46681  * Peripherals: Z80 card
46682
46683
46684
46685
46686
46687===== Usage =====
46688
46689
46690
46691MESS emulates the following computers
46692
46693
46694
46695  * sx64 [Commodore SX64 (PAL)]
46696
46697  * vip64 [VIP64 (SX64 PAL, Swedish) ]
46698
46699  * dx64 [Commodore DX64 (Prototype, PAL)]
46700
46701
46702
46703For each system, MESS supports
46704
46705  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt and .80 format
46706
46707  - one floppy drive (1541), "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
46708
46709
46710
46711Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .t64, .p00 and .prg files.
46712
46713
46714
46715== Keyboard ==
46716
46717
46718
46719These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
46720
46721
46722
46723
46724
46725===== Known Issues =====
46726
46727
46728
46729Notice that the emulation of these systems is only Preliminary (because the floppy drive is not emulated and you only can use BASIC).
46730
46731
46732
46733
46734
46735===== History and Trivia =====
46736
46737
46738
46739The SX/DX 64 is the "laptop version" (though hardly portable) of the C64. This computer has a built-in 5" color screen (just about enough for the eyes), a detachable keyboard with new functions, and one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives (the famous 1541), depending on the model.
46740
46741
46742
46743The DX-64 and the SX-100 (SX-64 with black & white monitor) were first announced in January 1983 but the SX-100 never made it to the shelves and was replaced by the SX-64 later that year.
46744
46745
46746
46747One important feature is that the SX/DX-64 lacks a cassette interface! People who upgraded from the classic C64 couldn't play their games stored on tapes ! Some programs that used the tape buffer for storage (of sprites say) had problems too. The cartridge slot is found on top of the case, and there is a sound speaker inside the unit (unlike the C64).
46748
46749
46750
46751The DX-64 has the same characteristics as the SX64 except its two 5.25" floppy disk drives instead of one. A very small quantity was produced. It was probably never sold but only used by Commodore insiders.
46752
46753
46754
46755The SX64 and DX64 computers never had success, probably because of higher selling prices, but were known as the world's first color portables.
46756
46757
46758
46759The SX64 was not the only machine that Commodore made in this chassis, there was also the SX500, which was an Amiga in the SX case.
46760
46761
46762
46763//(info from old-computers.com)//
46764
46765
46766
46767
46768
46769===== Links =====
46770
46771
46772
46773  * DX / SX 64 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=524
46774
46775
46776
46777
46778
46779$end
46780
46781
46782
46783#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
46784
46785
46786$info=sym1
46787$bio
46788====== Synertek SYM-1 / SY-VIM1 (1978) ======
46789
46790
46791
46792===== Features =====
46793
46794
46795
46796  * CPU: Synertek 6502 1 MHz
46797
46798  * RAM: 1 KB expandable to 4 KB on board
46799
46800  * ROM: 4 KB
46801
46802  * Text Modes: 6 digit LED display
46803
46804  * Sound: Built-in loudspeaker
46805
46806  * I/O Ports: Tape recorder, Serial RS232, 51 I/O lines connector
46807
46808  * Keyboard: 29 "sensitive" keys
46809
46810  * OS: Supermon monitor
46811
46812  * Built In Language: Hexadecimal monitor - Assembler
46813
46814  * Peripherals: ASCII Keyboard, expansion slots card
46815
46816
46817
46818
46819
46820===== Usage =====
46821
46822
46823
46824MESS supports sym1 emulation with up to two cart devices, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2). The carts must be in .60, .0080 or .c0 format.
46825
46826
46827
46828== Keyboard ==
46829
46830
46831
46832This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
46833
46834
46835
46836== RAM options ==
46837
46838
46839
46840Different RAM configurations are possible for the sym1 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
46841
46842
46843
46844  1k
46845
46846  2k
46847
46848  3k
46849
46850  4k (default)
46851
46852
46853
46854
46855
46856===== History and Trivia =====
46857
46858
46859
46860Very early computer.
46861
46862
46863
46864Synertek was one of the suppliers of the 6502 processor, and the SYM-1 was intended as a chip evaluation board for hardware developers that were interested in programming and interfacing a 6502.
46865
46866
46867
46868The SYM-1 was a single board computer. It had a hexadecimal display and a hex keypad for programs and data entry. It was originally called the VIM-1 until MOS Technology objected to the name.
46869
46870
46871
46872It was actually quite a copy of the MOS KIM 1 offering same fonctionalities plus some enhanced features and connection capabilities, including a true serial RS232 interface instead of a 20mA current loop in the KIM. It also shared same I/O connectors with another 6502 development system, the Rockwell AIM-65
46873
46874
46875
46876A ROM chip contained the hexadecimal monitor (written by Manny Lemas, the co-founder of Microcomputer Associates) as well as standard I/O routines. Several programming language and utility software were later released. Among them: RAE-1 (Resident Assembler and Editor), FORTH and various flavors of BASIC, of which a powerful single precision version that needed the use of a video terminal.
46877
46878
46879
46880Like other evaluation boards of the times, the SYM-1 was delivered with a full set of documentations which covered all of the 6502 hardware and software capabilities.
46881
46882
46883
46884It was reported to us that the Sym card also came in a 6809 version that supported Motorola compatibility.
46885
46886
46887
46888//(info from old-computers.com)//
46889
46890
46891
46892
46893
46894===== Links =====
46895
46896
46897
46898  * SYM-1 Resources -- http://www.6502.org/oldmicro/synertek/sym-1.htm
46899
46900  * SYM-1 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=856
46901
46902
46903
46904
46905
46906$end
46907
46908
46909
46910#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
46911
46912
46913$info=t1000hx
46914$bio
46915====== Tandy 1000HX (1987) ======
46916
46917
46918
46919
46920
46921===== Features =====
46922
46923
46924
46925  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz / 7.16 MHz
46926
46927  * RAM: 256 KB (up to 640 KB)
46928
46929  * ROM: 16 KB
46930
46931  * Text Modes: Unknown
46932
46933  * Graphic Modes: CGA/TGA, 160 x 200, 320 x 200, 640 x 200
46934
46935  * Colors: 16 colours
46936
46937  * Sound:  3 voices + 1 sound channel
46938
46939  * I/O Ports: 2 x joysticks, monitor video output, composite video output, mono audio output, lightpen, parallel port, serial port (optional), external floppy drive, 3 internal expansion slots
46940
46941  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard, 92 keys, 12 function keys
46942
46943  * Built In Media: one 3.5" floppy disk drives (720 KB)
46944
46945  * OS: MS-DOS 2.11 built-in ROM, DeskMate 2.0 and GW Microsoft Basic included with the system
46946
46947
46948
46949
46950
46951===== Usage =====
46952
46953
46954
46955Get the setup utility for msdos at Tandy's web side to change setup
46956
46957
46958
46959== Keyboard ==
46960
46961
46962
46963The Tandy 1000 series computers have 12 function keys (analogous to modern PC keyboards) whose functions depend on the program you are running. Some function keys have special functions during boot up, if you press them right after the startup "beep", while MS-DOS loads
46964
46965
46966
46967  * F1 = Switches the computer into monochrome video mode.
46968
46969
46970
46971  * F2 = Switches the computer into composite/TV video mode (40 Column/200 scanline mode). This can also be achieved by issuing a MODE command from DOS.
46972
46973
46974
46975  * F3 = Reverses the drive references so B: becomes the primary drive, and A: becomes the secondary drive, this lets you start the computer from the B Drive.
46976
46977
46978
46979  * F4 = Starts the computer in slow (4 MHz) mode. This is useful if a program runs too fast or not at all in normal (8 MHz) mode.
46980
46981
46982
46983
46984
46985===== Known Issues =====
46986
46987
46988
46989The driver is currently under heavy rewrite. TGA is finally emulated. On the other hand, there are still known bugs (e.g. in the hard disk emulation)
46990
46991
46992
46993
46994
46995===== History and Trivia =====
46996
46997
46998
46999IBM PC Junior compatible
47000
47001
47002
47003The Tandy 1000 was a line of IBM PC compatible computers made during the 1980s by the American Tandy Corporation for sale in their chain of Radio Shack electronics stores in Canada and the USA. The Tandy 1000 would be the successor to their influential TRS-80 line of computers, the Tandy 1000 would eventually replace the COCO line of 8 bit computers as well when Tandy decided to prematurely end that project in favor of the Tandy PC line of computers.
47004
47005
47006
47007Targeted toward the home user with a modest budget, it copyied the IBM PCjr's 16-color graphics (PCjr's graphics were an extension of CGA video) and enhanced 3-voice sound, but didn't use the PCjr cartridge ports, instead the Tandy version had built-in game ports compatible with those on the TRS-80 Color Computer (COCO), as well as a port for a "light wand/pen". Most Tandy 1000 models also featured "line-level" sound and composite video RCA outputs built onto the motherboard so that a standard television could be used as a monitor, albeit with much poorer video quality. Unlike most PC clones, early Tandy 1000 computers had MS-DOS built into ROM allowing the OS to boot in a few seconds. Tandy also bundled onto floppy diskette "DeskMate", a suite of consumer-oriented applications, with several models. Besides a composite output to TV, as mentioned earlier, Tandy 1000's also housed a built in CGA video adaptor equal to PC standards built onto the motherboard and since the Tandy 1000 outlasted the PCjr by many years these graphics and sound standards became known as "Tandy-compatible" or "TGA", and many software packages of the era listed their adherence to Tandy standards on the package. One odd feature of the Tandy-1000, however, was a non standard edge card printer connector built onto the motherboard and protruding through the rear; an adaptor would be needed to work a standard IBM style printer.
47008
47009
47010
47011The original line was equipped with the Intel-8088 CPU at 4.77MHz, which was later extended to faster clock speeds up to 7.16MHz, as well as the upgrade to 8086 and 80286 processors at 10MHz (in the TL & TX configurations). Common models of the machine included the Tandy 1000, EX, HX, SX, TX, SL, SL/2, RL, and TL, TL/2, TL/3.
47012
47013
47014
47015The "T-1000" was a workhorse in the IBM PC world, large numbers of units are still in active service today as it's construction was quite robust. The T-1000 was Tandy's last attempt in the home computer market. In the early 1990's Tandy Corporation sold its computer manufacturing business to "AST Computers". When that occurred, instead of selling Tandy computers, Radio Shack stores began selling computers made by other manufacturers, such as "Compaq".
47016
47017
47018
47019The Tandy 1000 HX, released in 1987, was designed as another entry level IBM compatible personal computer and the successor to the EX. Like the EX, the HX was a compact computer with the keyboard built into the computer casing. The computer came with an Intel 8088 CPU, 256 KB of memory, and had one 720 KB 3.5" disk drive on the right side of the machine behind the keyboard. HX computers came with MS-DOS 2.11 built into the ROM and "Deskmate 2" on diskette.
47020
47021
47022
47023The computer's memory could be expanded to 640 KB by the use of a memory expansion card; by default these cards, sold by Tandy, came with 128 KB, but one could add another 384 KB in memory chips to this board. These cards were named "Plus Cards" and used a pin configuration instead of the slot system used by IBM or the T-1000. The cards themselves followed all the IBM standards and eventually
47024
47025Radio Shack started selling the adaptors in their stores to allow the cards to be inserted into a standard IBM 8-bit ISA slot. There were three such spots available in the computer case.
47026
47027
47028
47029There was also a spare 3.5" drive bay in the computer case. On the back of the machine there was a port which allowed a user to connect an external 5.25" (360 KB) or 3.5" (720 KB) disk drive. There was also a connector for a printer.
47030
47031
47032
47033The 1000 HX did not come with a hard drive, and Tandy Corporation did not manufacture fixed disks for this type of computer. A HDD could be purchased from third party vendors, however.
47034
47035
47036
47037It was also here that the DOS in ROM was getting a little old and for the first time the settings on the computer could be changed so that instead of looking in ROM for DOS at bootup, it would go direct to the floppy drive instead. Most versions of MS-DOS worked with the 1000 HX, including 3.x, DOS 5.x & 6.x. DOS 4.0 did not work due to a bug in its environment that prevented it from working.
47038
47039
47040
47041//(info from old-computers.com)//
47042
47043
47044
47045
47046
47047===== Links =====
47048
47049
47050
47051  * Tandy 1000HX at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1211
47052
47053
47054
47055
47056
47057===== Other Emulators =====
47058
47059
47060
47061  * Tand-Em -- http://www.oldskool.org/pc/tand-em/
47062
47063
47064
47065
47066
47067$end
47068
47069
47070
47071#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47072
47073
47074$info=t1000sx
47075$bio
47076====== Tandy 1000SX (1986) ======
47077
47078
47079
47080
47081
47082===== Features =====
47083
47084
47085
47086  * CPU: Intel 8088 4.77 MHz / 7.16 MHz
47087
47088  * Co-Processor: Intel 8087 math. coprocessor available as an option
47089
47090  * RAM: 384 KB (up to 640 KB)
47091
47092  * Text Modes: 80 x 25 / 40 x 25
47093
47094  * Graphic Modes: CGA/TGA, 160 x 200, 320 x 200, 640 x 200
47095
47096  * Colors: 16 foreground colours + 8 background colours
47097
47098  * Sound: 3 voices + 1 sound channel
47099
47100  * I/O Ports: keyboard, 2 x joysticks, RGBI color monitor video output, composite video output, lightpen port, parallel port, serial port, 5 internal expansion slots, audio output (mono)
47101
47102  * Keyboard: Full stroke keyboard, 90 keys, 12 function keys, numeric keypad
47103
47104  * Built In Media: one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives (360 KB)
47105
47106  * OS: MS-DOS 3.22, DeskMate II and GW Microsoft Basic included with the system
47107
47108  * Peripherals: memory expansions, internal modems, 20 MB hard disk, etc.
47109
47110
47111
47112
47113
47114===== Known Issues =====
47115
47116
47117
47118The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
47119
47120
47121
47122
47123
47124===== History and Trivia =====
47125
47126
47127
47128The Tandy 1000 SX was similar to the Tandy 1000.
47129
47130
47131
47132The difference with the original model 1000, is that the CPU (Intel 8088) can be set to two different speeds: 4.77 MHz and 7.16 MHz thus offering more speed than the original IBM PC on the same software. The SX also comes with more memory (384 KB) than the Tandy 1000 (128 KB).
47133
47134
47135
47136//(info from old-computers.com)//
47137
47138
47139
47140
47141
47142===== Links =====
47143
47144
47145
47146  * Tandy 1000SX at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1215
47147
47148
47149
47150
47151
47152===== Other Emulators =====
47153
47154
47155
47156  * Tand-Em -- http://www.oldskool.org/pc/tand-em/
47157
47158
47159
47160
47161
47162$end
47163
47164
47165
47166#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47167
47168
47169$info=tc2048
47170$bio
47171====== Timex Computer 2048 and Unipolbrit UK-2086 (1984) ======
47172
47173
47174
47175
47176
47177===== Features =====
47178
47179
47180
47181  * CPU: Z80A 3.5 MHz.
47182
47183  * Co-Processor: Custon ULA chip
47184
47185  * RAM: 48 KB
47186
47187  * ROM: 16 KB
47188
47189  * Text Modes: 32 chars. x 24 rows, 80 columns extended mode
47190
47191  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 dots in colour mode, 512 x 192 dots in monochrome mode
47192
47193  * Colors: 8
47194
47195  * Sound: 1 voice, 10 octaves, built-in speaker
47196
47197  * I/O Ports: Tape recorder IN & OUT, RF TV video output, Composite video output, Joystick connector (DB9), expansion bus connector
47198
47199  * Keyboard: 42 plastic keys
47200
47201  * OS: BASIC based
47202
47203  * Built In Language: Sinclair BASIC
47204
47205  * Peripherals: All the Sinclair Spectrum and third party expansions
47206
47207
47208
47209
47210
47211===== Usage =====
47212
47213
47214
47215MESS emulates the following computers
47216
47217
47218
47219  * tc2048 [Timex Computer 2048]
47220
47221  * uk2086 [Unipolbrit UK-2086] - Polish version of the above
47222
47223
47224
47225For both systems, MESS supports the emulation of
47226
47227
47228
47229  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
47230
47231  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .rom format
47232
47233
47234
47235Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
47236
47237
47238
47239== Keyboard ==
47240
47241
47242
47243These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
47244
47245
47246
47247
47248
47249===== History and Trivia =====
47250
47251
47252
47253TC-2048 (for Timex Computers) was designed and made in Portugal by the Timex Portuguese subsidiary. It kept some features of the US prototype - joystick interface and extra video modes - and was 99% compatible with the ZX Spectrum. Slight differences in BASIC ROM and edge connector prevented some rare game software or peripherals to run correctly.
47254
47255
47256
47257However, it was a better quality machine than the genuine Sinclair. Plastic-key keyboard was more reliable and had a full-sized space bar, a power switch and power Led were added and the custom ULA chip offered better IRQ and memory management.
47258
47259
47260
47261Thanks to its extra video modes, the TC-2048 was able to display 80 columns text. Coupled with an external floppy disc unit - generally, the FDD-3000 - it could run CP/M O.S. and software.
47262
47263
47264
47265As Timex Computers was only allowed to distribute the TC-2048 in countries where the Sinclair Spectrum wasn't established, it was only sold in Portugal and Poland. it met a great success in both countries where several ten-thousands machines were sold.
47266
47267
47268
47269//(info from old-computers.com)//
47270
47271
47272
47273
47274
47275===== Links =====
47276
47277
47278
47279  * TC-2048 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=935
47280
47281
47282
47283
47284
47285$end
47286
47287
47288
47289#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47290
47291
47292$info=telstrat
47293$bio
47294====== Oric Telestrat (1986) ======
47295
47296
47297
47298
47299
47300===== Features =====
47301
47302
47303
47304  * CPU: MOS 6502 1 MHz
47305
47306  * RAM: 64 kb
47307
47308  * ROM: 48 kb
47309
47310  * Text Modes: 40 x 28
47311
47312  * Graphic Modes: 240 x 200
47313
47314  * Colors: 8
47315
47316  * Sound: AY-3-8912 chipset; 3 channels, 8 octaves
47317
47318  * I/O Ports: RGB video output (Scart), Parallel / Centronics port, Serial RS232s port, 2 Joystick sockets (Atari standard), Tape-recorder, Disk-drive port, Midi sockets, Expansion port (same as Atmos), Minitel plug (serial 1200/75 bauds)
47319
47320  * Keyboard: AZERTY mechanical keyboard, 57 keys
47321
47322  * Built In Media: Disk-drive controller built-in, for Microdisc 3" disk drive
47323
47324  * OS: Stratsed (Sedoric compatible)
47325
47326  * Built In Language: None (Basic on cartridge)
47327
47328  * Peripherals: Diskdrive, printers, cartridges, ...
47329
47330
47331
47332
47333
47334===== Usage =====
47335
47336
47337
47338MESS supports cassette tapes in .wav and .tap format, using the "cassette" (cass) device, and up to four floppy drive for disks in .dsk format, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
47339
47340
47341
47342Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
47343
47344
47345
47346== Keyboard ==
47347
47348
47349
47350This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
47351
47352
47353
47354
47355
47356===== Known Issues =====
47357
47358
47359
47360The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
47361
47362
47363
47364In particular, disc emulation is not correct so it fails to boot!
47365
47366
47367
47368
47369
47370===== History and Trivia =====
47371
47372
47373
47374This system is an update to the Atmos.
47375
47376
47377
47378The Oric Telestrat is the successor of the Oric 1 and Oric Atmos with which it is compatible. It was launched some months after Oric was bought by Euréka, a French company in 1985.
47379
47380
47381
47382It was designed especially for telecommunications, like the Goupil 2, the Thomson TO-9+ or the Exeltel. It was designed to be used with the Minitel (French videotext terminal): it has a special ROM (8 KB) enabling the Telestrat to act as a videotext server.
47383
47384
47385
47386A 3" floppy disk drive was available (400 KB) which run under StradSED (the Oric operating system, compatible with the old Oric DOS).
47387
47388
47389
47390Several ROM cartridges were developed for this machine: Midi software (unreleased), Hyper Basic (compiled basic), Telematic Basic (designed for telecommunications), etc...
47391
47392
47393
47394//(info from old-computers.com)//
47395
47396
47397
47398
47399
47400===== Links =====
47401
47402
47403
47404  * Telestrat at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=235
47405
47406
47407
47408
47409
47410$end
47411
47412
47413
47414#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47415
47416
47417$info=ti81
47418$bio
47419====== Texas Instruments TI-81 (1990) ======
47420
47421
47422
47423
47424
47425===== Features =====
47426
47427
47428
47429  * CPU: Z80 2 MHz
47430
47431  * Memory: RAM 32kB(?), ROM 128kB
47432
47433  * Screen: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
47434
47435  * Known ROM versions: 1.1, 1.8, 2.0
47436
47437
47438
47439
47440
47441===== Usage =====
47442
47443
47444
47445== Misc ==
47446
47447
47448
47449  * After start TI-81 waits for ON key interrupt, so press ON key to start calculator.
47450
47451  * Video engine (with grayscale support) based on the idea found in VTI source emulator written by Rusty Wagner.
47452
47453
47454
47455== Keyboard ==
47456
47457
47458
47459This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
47460
47461
47462
47463
47464
47465===== Known Issues =====
47466
47467
47468
47469  * Grayscale effects emulated
47470
47471
47472
47473  * 200Hz(?) timer and ON key interrupts emulated
47474
47475
47476
47477  * There are bugs in port 3 emulation (ON/OFF)
47478
47479
47480
47481  * To do: port 3 and 4, NVRAM, Better artworks, Drivers for other ROM versions
47482
47483
47484
47485  * Needed
47486
47487    * Any hardware info.
47488
47489    * High quality artwork.
47490
47491    * Dumps of other ROM versions (1.1 and 2.0).
47492
47493
47494
47495
47496
47497===== History and Trivia =====
47498
47499
47500
47501The TI-81, TI's first graphing calculator, was designed for algebra and precalculus. It has since been replaced by newer models which have faster processors, more memory, and popular features such as linking capability and flash upgradability. The TI-81 drew little in the way of third-party games and other programs, since the code must be typed into the calculator by hand.
47502
47503
47504
47505//(info from ticalc.org)//
47506
47507
47508
47509
47510
47511===== Links =====
47512
47513
47514
47515  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
47516
47517  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
47518
47519  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
47520
47521
47522
47523
47524
47525===== Other Emulators =====
47526
47527
47528
47529  * Texas Instruments TI-81 simulator -- http://www.ti.com
47530
47531  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
47532
47533
47534
47535
47536
47537$end
47538
47539
47540
47541#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47542
47543
47544$info=ti82
47545$bio
47546====== Texas Instruments TI-82 (1993) ======
47547
47548
47549
47550
47551
47552===== Features =====
47553
47554
47555
47556  * CPU: ZiLOG Z80 6MHz
47557
47558  * Memory: 28K RAM
47559
47560  * Screen Size: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
47561
47562  * Known ROM versions: 3*, 4*, 7*, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0, 15.0, 16.0, 17.0, 18.0, 19.0, 19.006
47563
47564
47565
47566
47567
47568===== Usage =====
47569
47570
47571
47572== Keyboard ==
47573
47574
47575
47576This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
47577
47578
47579
47580== BIOS options ==
47581
47582
47583
47584MESS supports several TI-82 ROM versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
47585
47586 
47587
47588  "-bios 0" or "-bios v16" = V 16.0
47589
47590 
47591
47592  "-bios 1" or "-bios v17" = V 17.0
47593
47594 
47595
47596  "-bios 2" or "-bios v18" = V 18.0
47597
47598 
47599
47600  "-bios 3" or "-bios v19" = V 19.0
47601
47602
47603
47604
47605
47606===== Known Issues =====
47607
47608
47609
47610The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
47611
47612
47613
47614No dumps of any version but 16.0, 17.0, 18.0, 19.0
47615
47616
47617
47618
47619
47620===== History and Trivia =====
47621
47622
47623
47624The TI-82 was released as a more user-friendly version of the TI-85, at the sacrifice of many of its advanced features, but with a lower price tag. It was long believed that the TI-82 could not be programmed in assembly, but, as with the TI-85, a loophole was eventually found, making the TI-82 a much more attractive programming platform. The TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus have taken the place of the TI-82 as the standard in math and science classrooms and the TI-82 is expected to be discontinued shortly.
47625
47626
47627
47628//(info from ticalc.org)//
47629
47630
47631
47632
47633
47634===== Links =====
47635
47636
47637
47638  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
47639
47640  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
47641
47642  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
47643
47644
47645
47646
47647
47648===== Other Emulators =====
47649
47650
47651
47652  * CalcEm -- http://calcem.sourceforge.net/
47653
47654  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
47655
47656
47657
47658
47659
47660$end
47661
47662
47663
47664#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47665
47666
47667$info=ti83
47668$bio
47669====== Texas Instruments TI-83 (1996) ======
47670
47671
47672
47673
47674
47675===== Features =====
47676
47677
47678
47679  * CPU: ZiLOG Z80 6MHz
47680
47681  * Memory: 27K RAM
47682
47683  * Screen Size: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
47684
47685  * Known ROM versions: 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.10
47686
47687
47688
47689
47690
47691===== Usage =====
47692
47693
47694
47695== Keyboard ==
47696
47697
47698
47699This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
47700
47701
47702
47703== BIOS options ==
47704
47705
47706
47707MESS supports several TI-83 ROM versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
47708
47709 
47710
47711  "-bios 0" or "-bios v102" = V 1.02
47712
47713 
47714
47715  "-bios 1" or "-bios v103" = V 1.03
47716
47717 
47718
47719  "-bios 2" or "-bios v104" = V 1.04
47720
47721 
47722
47723  "-bios 3" or "-bios v106" = V 1.06
47724
47725 
47726
47727  "-bios 4" or "-bios v107" = V 1.07
47728
47729 
47730
47731  "-bios 5" or "-bios v108" = V 1.08
47732
47733 
47734
47735  "-bios 6" or "-bios v110" = V 1.10
47736
47737
47738
47739
47740
47741===== Known Issues =====
47742
47743
47744
47745The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
47746
47747
47748
47749
47750
47751===== History and Trivia =====
47752
47753
47754
47755The TI-83 was released as the successor to the TI-82 and featured a newer, more contoured case design that has since been used on all of TI's newer calculators. The TI-83 features backwards compatibility with TI-82 programs and some newer financial functions, but by far the most notable aspect of this calculator is built-in assembly programming capability supported by TI itself. This advance saved curious programmers the trouble of "hacking" the calculator themselves to achieve this functionality, and marked the beginning of TI's embracement of assembly programming. The TI-83 was a popular programming platform, but has now been largely replaced by the TI-83 Plus,
47756
47757an updated model.
47758
47759
47760
47761//(info from ticalc.org)//
47762
47763
47764
47765
47766
47767===== Links =====
47768
47769
47770
47771  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
47772
47773  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
47774
47775  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
47776
47777
47778
47779
47780
47781===== Other Emulators =====
47782
47783
47784
47785  * CalcEm -- http://calcem.sourceforge.net/
47786
47787  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
47788
47789
47790
47791
47792
47793$end
47794
47795
47796
47797#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47798
47799
47800$info=ti83p
47801$bio
47802====== Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus (1999) ======
47803
47804
47805
47806
47807
47808===== Features =====
47809
47810
47811
47812  * CPU: ZiLOG Z80 8 MHz (running at 6 MHz)
47813
47814  * Memory: 24K RAM, 160K Flash ROM
47815
47816  * Screen Size: 96 x 64 pixels, 16 x 8 characters
47817
47818  * Known ROM versions: 1.03 (March 17th, 1999), 1.06, 1.08, 1.10, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 (August 25th, 2004)
47819
47820
47821
47822
47823
47824===== Usage =====
47825
47826
47827
47828== Keyboard ==
47829
47830
47831
47832This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
47833
47834
47835
47836== BIOS options ==
47837
47838
47839
47840MESS supports several TI-83 Plus ROM versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
47841
47842 
47843
47844  "-bios 0" or "-bios v103" = V 1.03
47845
47846 
47847
47848  "-bios 1" or "-bios v110" = V 1.10
47849
47850 
47851
47852  "-bios 2" or "-bios v112" = V 1.12
47853
47854
47855
47856
47857
47858===== Known Issues =====
47859
47860
47861
47862The emulation of this system is still Preliminary.
47863
47864
47865
47866No dumps of any version but 1.03, 1.10, 1.12
47867
47868
47869
47870
47871
47872===== History and Trivia =====
47873
47874
47875
47876The TI-83 Plus is nearly identical to the TI-83, maintaining backwards compatibility but greatly increasing available memory and allowing for flash-upgradeable  ROM and commercial calculator-based applications.
47877
47878
47879
47880//(info from ticalc.org)//
47881
47882
47883
47884
47885
47886===== Links =====
47887
47888
47889
47890  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
47891
47892  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
47893
47894  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
47895
47896
47897
47898
47899
47900===== Other Emulators =====
47901
47902
47903
47904  * Virtual TI -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualti/
47905
47906
47907
47908
47909
47910$end
47911
47912
47913
47914#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
47915
47916
47917$info=ti85
47918$bio
47919====== Texas Instruments TI-85 (1992) ======
47920
47921
47922
47923
47924
47925===== Features =====
47926
47927
47928
47929  * CPU: Z80 6 MHz
47930
47931  * Memory: RAM 32kB, ROM 128kB
47932
47933  * Screen: 128 x 64 pixels, 21 x 8 characters
47934
47935  * Known ROM versions: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0A, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0
47936
47937  * Link port
47938
47939===== Usage =====
47940
47941
47942
47943MESS emulation of ti85 includes a "snapshot" (dump) feature for .sav files.
47944
47945
47946
47947Also notice that the "serial" (serl) port is emulated as well.
47948
47949
47950
47951== Misc ==
47952
47953
47954
47955  * After start TI-85 waits for ON key interrupt, so press ON (Q) key to start calculator.
47956
47957  * Video engine (with grayscale support) based on the idea found in VTI source emulator written by Rusty Wagner.
47958
47959  * NVRAM is saved properly only when calculator is turned off during MESS exiting.
47960
47961  * To receive data from TI press "R" immediately after TI starts to send data.
47962
47963  * To send data to calculator start receiving on TI and choose file from Built-in File Manager.
47964
47965  * Receiving on the TI can be started by pressing 2nd (Left Alt), LINK/x-VAR (Left Control), F2.
47966
47967  * To request screen dump from calculator press "S".
47968
47969
47970
47971== Keyboard ==
47972
47973
47974
47975This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
47976
47977
47978
47979== BIOS options ==
47980
47981
47982
47983MESS supports several TI-85 ROM versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
47984
47985 
47986
47987  "-bios 0" or "-bios v30a" = V 3.0A
47988
47989 
47990
47991  "-bios 1" or "-bios v40" = V 4.0
47992
47993 
47994
47995  "-bios 2" or "-bios v50" = V 5.0
47996
47997 
47998
47999  "-bios 3" or "-bios v60" = V 6.0
48000
48001 
48002
48003  "-bios 4" or "-bios v80" = V 8.0
48004
48005 
48006
48007  "-bios 5" or "-bios v90" = V 9.0
48008
48009 
48010
48011  "-bios 6" or "-bios v100" = V 10.0
48012
48013
48014
48015
48016
48017===== Known Issues =====
48018
48019
48020
48021  * Sound emulated (speaker connected to link port)
48022
48023
48024
48025  * Link port emulated
48026
48027
48028
48029  * Grayscale effects emulated
48030
48031
48032
48033  * NVRAM emulated
48034
48035
48036
48037  * 200Hz timer and ON key interrupts emulated
48038
48039
48040
48041  * Snapshot loading (Virtual TI 2.0 save state files)
48042
48043
48044
48045  * To do: port 3 and 4, Better artworks, Drivers for ROM versions: 1.0, 2.0, 7.0
48046
48047
48048
48049  * Needed
48050
48051    * Info about ports 3 (bit 2 seems to be always 0) and 4.
48052
48053    * High quality artwork.
48054
48055    * Dumps of ROM versions: 1.0, 2.0, 7.0
48056
48057
48058
48059
48060
48061===== History and Trivia =====
48062
48063
48064
48065The TI-85 was designed as a powerful engineering and calculus calculator. It was the first TI calculator to have a link port and assembly programming capability (through an unintentional loophole). It has since been eclipsed by the TI-86, which features TI-85 compatibility along with more advanced features.
48066
48067
48068
48069//(info from ticalc.org)//
48070
48071
48072
48073
48074
48075===== Links =====
48076
48077
48078
48079  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
48080
48081  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
48082
48083  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
48084
48085
48086
48087
48088
48089===== Other Emulators =====
48090
48091
48092
48093  * [[ftp://users.aol.com/davidells/TI-Calc/|TI-85 Emulator by David Ellsworth and others]]
48094
48095  * TI86EMU by Steve Gordon -- http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86
48096
48097  * TI-8X emulator by Randy Gluvna -- http://ti8xemu.home.ml.org
48098
48099  * TIGraph by Rene Doss & Joerg Sander [no link]
48100
48101  * Virtual TI by Rusty Wagner -- http://vti.acz.org
48102
48103
48104
48105
48106
48107$end
48108
48109
48110
48111#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
48112
48113
48114$info=ti86
48115$bio
48116====== Texas Instruments TI-86 (1997) ======
48117
48118
48119
48120
48121
48122===== Features =====
48123
48124
48125
48126  * CPU: Z80 6 MHz
48127
48128  * Memory: RAM 128kB, ROM 256kB
48129
48130  * Screen: 128 x 64 pixels, 21 x 8 characters
48131
48132  * Known ROM versions: 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
48133
48134  * Link port
48135
48136
48137
48138
48139
48140===== Usage =====
48141
48142
48143
48144MESS emulation of ti86 includes a "snapshot" (dump) feature for .sav files.
48145
48146
48147
48148Also notice that the "serial" (serl) port is emulated as well.
48149
48150
48151
48152== Misc ==
48153
48154
48155
48156  * After start TI-86 waits for ON key interrupt, so press ON key to start calculator.
48157
48158  * Video engine (with grayscale support) based on the idea found in VTI source emulator written by Rusty Wagner.
48159
48160  * NVRAM is saved properly only when calculator is turned off during MESS exiting.
48161
48162  * To receive data from TI press "R" immediately after TI starts to send data.
48163
48164  * To send data to calculator start receiving on TI and choose file from Built-in File Manager.
48165
48166  * Homebrew ROM by Daniel Foesch does nothing but showing charset.
48167
48168
48169
48170== Keyboard ==
48171
48172
48173
48174This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
48175
48176
48177
48178== BIOS options ==
48179
48180
48181
48182MESS supports several TI-86 ROM versions. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
48183
48184 
48185
48186  "-bios 0" or "-bios v12" = V 1.2
48187
48188 
48189
48190  "-bios 1" or "-bios v13" = V 1.3
48191
48192 
48193
48194  "-bios 2" or "-bios v14" = V 1.4
48195
48196 
48197
48198  "-bios 3" or "-bios v15" = V 1.5
48199
48200 
48201
48202  "-bios 4" or "-bios v16" = V 1.6
48203
48204
48205
48206
48207
48208===== Known Issues =====
48209
48210
48211
48212  * Driver for ti86grom (homebrew ROM by Daniel Foesch)
48213
48214
48215
48216  * Sound emulated (speaker connected to link port)
48217
48218
48219
48220  * Link port preliminary emulation
48221
48222
48223
48224  * Grayscale effects emulated
48225
48226
48227
48228  * NVRAM emulated
48229
48230
48231
48232  * 200Hz timer and ON key interrupts emulated
48233
48234
48235
48236  * Snapshot loading (Virtual TI 2.0 save state files)
48237
48238
48239
48240  * To do: Many corrections of existing code, port 3 and 4, Better artworks, Driver for ROM version 1.2
48241
48242
48243
48244  * Needed
48245
48246    * Info about ports 3 (bit 2 seems to be always 0) and 4.
48247
48248    * High quality artwork.
48249
48250    * Redump of ROM version 1.5 (the one used by MESS is a bad dump)
48251
48252
48253
48254
48255
48256===== History and Trivia =====
48257
48258
48259
48260Just as the TI-83 succeeded the TI-82, the TI-86 followed up on the TI-85's advanced functionality while adding a stylish new case, assembly support similar to that of the TI-83, and greater memory capacity, while still maintaining compatibility with TI-85 programs.
48261
48262
48263
48264//(info from ticalc.org)//
48265
48266
48267
48268
48269
48270===== Links =====
48271
48272
48273
48274  * Texas Instruments Homepage -- http://www.ti.com
48275
48276  * ticalc.org -- http://www.ticalc.org
48277
48278  * TI-Files -- http://www.ti-files.org
48279
48280
48281
48282
48283
48284===== Other Emulators =====
48285
48286
48287
48288  * Emulator86 by Kirk Meyer [no link]
48289
48290  * TI86EMU by Steve Gordon -- http://www.dogtech.com/cybop/ti86
48291
48292  * TI-8X emulator by Randy Gluvna -- http://ti8xemu.home.ml.org
48293
48294  * Virtual 86 by Daniel Foesch -- http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/7142/?startpage=v86.html
48295
48296  * Virtual TI by Rusty Wagner -- http://vti.acz.org
48297
48298
48299
48300
48301
48302$end
48303
48304
48305
48306#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
48307
48308
48309$info=ti990_10
48310$bio
48311====== Texas Instruments Model 990/10 Minicomputer System (1975) ======
48312
48313
48314
48315
48316
48317===== Usage =====
48318
48319
48320
48321MESS emulates a ti990_10 with
48322
48323
48324
48325  * up to four hard drives, "harddisk1" (hard1) to "harddisk4" (hard4), for .hd files
48326
48327  * up to four cassette devices, "cassette1" (cass1) to "cassette4" (cass4), for .tap files
48328
48329
48330
48331== Misc ==
48332
48333
48334
48335This driver emulates a TI990/10 CPU with mapping option, 1Mbyte of RAM, a generic disk controller at TILINE base >1ff800, a generic tape controller at TILINE base >1ff880, and a 911 VDT at CRU base >0100.
48336
48337
48338
48339This is enough to build DX10 or DNOS. I have been able to build a working DX10 3.7 or 3.6 system from the relevant build and backup tapes, loading tape as tape unit #1 (''-cass1'') and a blank disk image as disk unit #1 (''-hard1''), with the SCOSTA flag at offset >A4 set to >0002, so that the build tape does not try to format the disk.
48340
48341
48342
48343I have even managed to install the fun and games tape, and play pacman.
48344
48345
48346
48347== Keyboard ==
48348
48349
48350
48351This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
48352
48353
48354
48355
48356
48357===== Known Issues =====
48358
48359
48360
48361The computer seems to lock when running various installation scripts, and rebuilding the system. The controller panel is not emulated yet.
48362
48363
48364
48365
48366
48367===== History and Trivia =====
48368
48369
48370
48371Texas Instruments was a minicomputer manufacturer since the late 1960s through the 1980s.
48372
48373
48374
48375Around the summer of 1973, they started to design the TI990 as a successor to the 960 and 980 computers they were building at the time. In 1974, TI started to build the prototype of the TI990 series, the TI990/9.
48376
48377
48378
48379In 1975, they released the first commercial system, the TI990/10. It was a minicomputer built with TTL logic. Although it was a 16-bit CPU, it supported an optional mapper to expand address space from 64kbytes to 2Mbytes.
48380
48381
48382
48383The TI990 series development continued. In 1975 or 1976, TI started shipping the TMS9900 microprocessor, which implemented a subset of the TI990/10 feature set. Two CPU boards were built around the TMS9900: the TI990/4 (1976) and the improved TI990/5 (date unknown). These boards were much cheaper than the TI990/10, but they could only address 64kbytes, did not implement the memory bus fully (no DMA support), and could not run the DX10 OS.
48384
48385
48386
48387Around 1978, TI released the TI990/12, a higher-end TTL implementation, which was faster, and supported many additional instructions and features when compared to TI990/10. It was replaced with a revised but similar TI990/12LR computer in 1982 or 1983.
48388
48389
48390
48391In 1981, TI released the new TMS99000 microprocessor. In 1982, they replaced the TI990/10 CPU with a cheaper, smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient TI990/10A board built around the TMS99000 CPU. Additionally, they released an all-in-one Business System 300 (1982), later replaced with the Business System 300A (1984). Both computers included the CPU, RAM, video terminal, and hard disk/tape interface in a terminal case.
48392
48393
48394
48395The TI990 series must have been abandoned around 1985, when TI introduced the S1500 series built around a 68020.
48396
48397
48398
48399The TI990 computers were primarily used for business applications.
48400
48401
48402
48403Two disk-based OS were available.
48404
48405
48406
48407  * DX10 was a multi-tasking, multi-user OS.
48408
48409
48410
48411  * DNOS (released around 1981) was similar to DX10 and mostly compatible with it. It supported extra features but it was bigger and slower. Neither OS could run on the lower-end 990/4 and /5 systems, but a kernel and various OS utilities were available as static-link libraries for embedded applications.
48412
48413
48414
48415
48416
48417$end
48418
48419
48420
48421#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
48422
48423
48424$info=ti990_4
48425$bio
48426====== Texas Instruments Model 990/4 Minicomputer System (1976) ======
48427
48428
48429
48430
48431
48432===== Usage =====
48433
48434
48435
48436MESS emulates a ti990_4 with up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format.
48437
48438
48439
48440== Misc ==
48441
48442
48443
48444This driver emulates a TI990/4 CPU with 32kbytes of RAM, a FD800 disk controller at CRU base >0040 (>0080), and a 733 ASR at CRU base >0000.
48445
48446
48447
48448This in enough to run various floppy-based programs that have been dumped by Dave Pitts.  Please refer to http://www.cozx.com/~dpitts/ti990.html -- http://www.cozx.com/~dpitts/ti990.html if you are interested in getting a copy of these programs or seeing another ti990 emulator.
48449
48450
48451
48452== Keyboard ==
48453
48454
48455
48456This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
48457
48458
48459
48460
48461
48462===== Known Issues =====
48463
48464
48465
48466The emulation of this system is still Preliminary. The controller panel is not emulated yet.
48467
48468
48469
48470
48471
48472===== History and Trivia =====
48473
48474
48475
48476The TI990/4 board was released in 1976.  It is built around a tms9900.  While not as powerful as the high-end 990/10 and 990/12 boards, it was a lot cheaper. It was used as a terminal concentrator in large TI990 systems, and also as the base of various development systems.
48477
48478
48479
48480See the entry for TI990/10 for a short rundown of the TI990 series.
48481
48482
48483
48484
48485
48486===== Links =====
48487
48488
48489
48490  * David Pitts' Page -- http://www.cozx.com/~dpitts/ti990.html
48491
48492
48493
48494
48495
48496$end
48497
48498
48499
48500#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
48501
48502
48503$info=ti99_224
48504$bio
48505====== Texas Instruments TI-99/2 BASIC Computer (1983) ======
48506
48507
48508
48509
48510
48511===== Features =====
48512
48513
48514
48515  * CPU: Texas Instruments TMS9995 10.7 MHz
48516
48517  * Co-Processor: Unknown
48518
48519  * RAM: 4 up (up to 36 kb)
48520
48521  * ROM: 32 KB
48522
48523  * Text Modes: 32 x 24
48524
48525  * Graphic Modes: Unknown
48526
48527  * Colors: Monochrome
48528
48529  * Sound: No!
48530
48531  * I/O Ports: Expansion port, Hex-Bus port, NTSC video out, tape-recorder
48532
48533  * Keyboard: QWERTY calculator type, 48 keys
48534
48535  * Built In Language: Lighted TI Basic
48536
48537
48538
48539
48540
48541===== Usage =====
48542
48543
48544
48545MESS emulates two different hardware configurations of TI-99/2
48546
48547
48548
48549  * ti99_224 [TI-99/2 BASIC Computer (24kb ROMs)]
48550
48551  * ti99_232 [TI-99/2 BASIC Computer (32kb ROMs)]
48552
48553
48554
48555== Keyboard ==
48556
48557
48558
48559These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
48560
48561
48562
48563
48564
48565===== Known Issues =====
48566
48567
48568
48569The emulation of these systems is preliminary and could not be tested. (It may work, it may not work)
48570
48571
48572
48573
48574
48575===== History and Trivia =====
48576
48577
48578
48579The TI99/2 BASIC Computer was an attempt at producing a cheap ($100) computer. TI started designing it in the summer of 1982, it was first introduced in January 1983, and it was abandoned, before entering production, by April 1983.
48580
48581
48582
48583It featured a TMS9995 microprocessor (with on-line timer and 256-byte RAM), 4kb of RAM, 24kb (or 32kb) of ROM, a B&W character-based display.  There was no sound generator. It was mostly incompatible with TI99/4(a), but it used the same Basic syntax and file format.
48584
48585
48586
48587The computer was obviously unattractive. On the other hand, it would have been cheap, fairly fast for its time, and easy to program in both BASIC and assembly.
48588
48589
48590
48591Moreover, the expansion port of TI99/2 carried every bus signal, and even allowed to disable the system ROMs and use one's own ROMs instead, so this computer could have been a hobbyist's dream.
48592
48593
48594
48595Wanted (dead or alive): If you have an actual TI99/2 or TI99/2 ROM image at hand, please contact us.
48596
48597
48598
48599
48600
48601===== Links =====
48602
48603
48604
48605  * Sometimes -- http://sometimes.99er.net/
48606
48607  * 99ers -- http://www.99er.net/
48608
48609  * TI-99 Forever -- http://www.ti99.com/
48610
48611  * TI-99/2 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=267
48612
48613
48614
48615
48616
48617===== Other Emulators =====
48618
48619
48620
48621  * PC99 -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
48622
48623  * Classic99 -- http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
48624
48625  * Win994A -- http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
48626
48627
48628
48629
48630
48631$end
48632
48633
48634
48635#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
48636
48637
48638$info=ti99_4
48639$bio
48640====== Texas Instruments TI-99/4 Home Computer (1979) ======
48641
48642
48643
48644
48645
48646===== Usage =====
48647
48648
48649
48650MESS supports two regional variants of the TI-99/4
48651
48652
48653
48654  * ti99_4 [TI-99/4 Home Computer (US)]
48655
48656  * ti99_4e [TI-99/4 Home Computer (Europe)]
48657
48658
48659
48660For both drivers, MESS emulates the following devices
48661
48662
48663
48664  - two cassette drives, "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2), for tapes in .wav format
48665
48666  - three cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge3" (cass3), for cart in one of the supported formats: .bin, .c, .d, .g, .m, .crom, .drom, .grom, .mro
48667
48668  - four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format
48669
48670  - three hard drives, "harddisk1" (hard1) to "harddisk4" (hard4), for .hd files
48671
48672
48673
48674Also notice that emulation is present for the smartcard, the serial port and the parallel port, respectively using "memcard" (memc), "serial" (serl) and "parallel" (parl) devices.
48675
48676
48677
48678== Misc ==
48679
48680
48681
48682See also the sysinfo entry for the TI-99/4a driver.
48683
48684
48685
48686The only extra feature is the IR remote handsets.  This feature was abandoned by TI at the last minute, but the support was seemingly not deleted from the TI-99/4 ROMs until the release of the TI-99/4a.  This feature is disabled by default because some programs are incompatible with it, but it can be enabled by setting the IR remote handsets dipswitch on and resetting the emulator (press F3 in so-called partial keyboard emulation mode to reset the emulator).
48687
48688
48689
48690A few programs can use the improved joysticks (TI-Invaders seems to be one of them).
48691
48692
48693
48694== Keyboard ==
48695
48696
48697
48698These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
48699
48700
48701
48702
48703
48704===== Known Issues =====
48705
48706
48707
48708A TI-99/4 is not a TI-99/4a.  Most programs are compatible with both /4 and /4a, but some programs require a /4a.
48709
48710
48711
48712The BwG disk controller has display bug which causes it to change the character definitions for no appearent reason, but, out of this, it seems to work fine. If this is an issue, you may revert to the TI disk controller.
48713
48714
48715
48716
48717
48718===== History and Trivia =====
48719
48720
48721
48722The TI-99/4 Home Computer was designed and built by Texas Instruments.  About 200 prototypes were built in 1978, it was first shown in June 1979, and TI started shipping it in October 1979.  It was replaced with TI-99/4a in the summer of 1981.  It was first sold in US, then was available in Europe in early 1981.
48723
48724
48725
48726This computer was easy to use.  It displayed nice color graphics, and played sound.  It was highly expandable, too.  One expansion enabled the computer to speak.  Programs were generally on cartridges.  TI, which always tried to keep the control of program production, put an emphasis on games, education, and home utilities (home finance, etc.).  Incidentally, it was
48727
48728the first 16-bit home computer.
48729
48730
48731
48732The general architecture was odd.  The computer had only 256 bytes of CPU RAM, the remaining 16kb of RAM were attached to the video processor.  It had been designed to use some slow "GROM" cartridges, written in an interpreted language, "GPL".
48733
48734
48735
48736Due to these poor designing and programming choices, the computer was slow. The keyboard was uneasy to use, and there was serious bugs in ROMs.  Also, it wasn't until November 1980 that TI could build a TV modulator to attach the computer to a TV instead of a monitor.  Worse, the computer was awfully expensive for a home computer (more than $1000 with the monitor, more than $500 with the modulator).  Unsurprisingly, it is estimated that only a few dozen thousand units were sold.
48737
48738
48739
48740The design of TI-99/4 caused many headaches to TI engineers.  It was first designed as a console, then an inexpensive home computer (which explains its slowness and kludgy design), then a hybrid (with remote I/R joysticks and keypads - which were abandoned at the last minute - and a cartridge port).  It was intended to use a TI-designed microcontroller, tms9985, but the processor was never actually produced, so engineers had to use a software-compatible, high-end (in 1979) tms9900 with tons of glue logic. Note that the processor software design was remarkably weird (no stack, no on-chip data register).
48741
48742
48743
48744
48745
48746===== Links =====
48747
48748
48749
48750  * Sometimes -- http://sometimes.99er.net/
48751
48752  * 99ers -- http://www.99er.net/
48753
48754  * TI-99 Forever -- http://www.ti99.com/
48755
48756
48757
48758
48759
48760===== Other Emulators =====
48761
48762
48763
48764  * PC99 -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
48765
48766  * Classic99 -- http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
48767
48768  * Win994A -- http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
48769
48770
48771
48772
48773
48774$end
48775
48776
48777
48778#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
48779
48780
48781$info=ti99_4a
48782$bio
48783====== Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Home Computer (1981) ======
48784
48785
48786
48787
48788
48789===== Features =====
48790
48791
48792
48793  * CPU: TI TMS9900 (with 256 bytes 'cache', actually it accesses to 256 bytes of RAM) 3,3 MHz
48794
48795  * Co-Processor: TMS9918 (TMS9929 in Europe) - Video / Sprite
48796
48797  * RAM: 16 KB - Memory expansion card can be added : 4 KB or 32 KB (up to 52 KB)
48798
48799  * VRAM: 16 KB
48800
48801  * ROM: 26 KB divided in 8 KB ROM connected to the CPU + 18 KB ROM in byte-serial bit-mapped circuits (usually known as GROM, Graphic Only Memory)
48802
48803  * Text Modes: 32 x 24 (16 colors), 40 x 24 (2 colors)
48804
48805  * Graphic Modes: Multicolor mode : 48 x 64 with 16 colors, 256 x 192 with 16 colors (only accessed via machine code) Sprites (only with TI-Extended Basic)
48806
48807  * Colors: 16
48808
48809  * Sound: 3 channels, 5 octaves (110Hz to 55kHz) and 1 noise channel (periodic and white)
48810
48811  * I/O Ports: Tape interface, RGB video, Joystick (2), cartridge slot (Solid State Cartridge)
48812
48813  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 48 keys, 2 x SHIFT, CTRL, ALPHA LOCK, FCTN
48814
48815  * OS: TI's own system, but a p-code card could be added, which gave access to the UCSD p-system and a Pascal compiler.
48816
48817  * Built In Language: TI Basic
48818
48819
48820
48821
48822
48823===== Usage =====
48824
48825
48826
48827MESS supports the following systems
48828
48829
48830
48831  * ti99_4a [TI-99/4A Home Computer (US)]
48832
48833  * ti99_4ae [TI-99/4A Home Computer (Europe)]
48834
48835  * ti99_4ev [TI-99/4A Home Computer with EVPC] - this emulates the TI-99/4A with a SNUG's EVPC video card
48836
48837
48838
48839For each driver, MESS emulates the following devices
48840
48841
48842
48843  - two cassette drives, "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2), for tapes in .wav format
48844
48845  - three cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge3" (cart3), for cart in one of the supported formats: .bin, .c, .d, .g, .m, .crom, .drom, .grom, .mro (MESS 0.130 and earlier)
48846
48847  - four cartridge slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge4" (cart4) which expects a (complete) cartridge in the .rpk format, or (as legacy support) cartridge parts in the .bin format
48848
48849  - four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format
48850
48851  - three hard drives, "harddisk1" (hard1) to "harddisk4" (hard4), for .hd files
48852
48853
48854
48855Also notice that emulation is present for the smartcard, the serial port and the parallel port, respectively using "memcard" (memc), "serial" (serl) and "parallel" (parl) devices.
48856
48857
48858
48859== Misc ==
48860
48861
48862
48863This TI-99/4a driver offers a high level of compatibility, and implements several optional extensions
48864
48865
48866
48867  * Image cartridges are in V9t9 format (see below for instructions).
48868
48869
48870
48871  * Speech synthesis is emulated completely. The speech synthesizer occasionally generates some weird noise instead of the expected phonemes. I think the actual reason for this issue is the original ti-99/4(a) speech synthesizer uses a tms0285 instead of the tms5220 chip that is emulated: I think I have read somewhere that TI 99/8, which did use a tms5220, was affected by similar bugs. Incidentally, I have tried to hack the tms5220 emulator to sound more like a tms0285, but it is just a hack, I have not reverse-engineered the tms0285.
48872
48873
48874
48875  * Three types of memory expansion cards are emulated: the original TI 32kbyte card, the Super AMS card, and the Foundation card.
48876
48877
48878
48879  * Any of three different floppy disk controllers can be emulated: TI's original SD disk controller, SNUG's BwG disk controller, and Myarc's HFDC disk controller. These disk controllers have different abilities: TI's controller only supports single density disks with 9 sectors per track and 40 tracks per sides; the BwG controller supports double density, and it uses no VDP RAM at all; the HFDC controller supports 80-track floppy disks (high density support is incomplete and non-functional on the TI-99 because of issues with the DSR, though it works fine on the Geneve). Four floppy disk drives are emulated, though the TI controller only supports three of them (the fourth disk drive will be ignored by the TI-99 if the TI controller is selected, but it will work fine with other controllers). Floppy disk images are in V9T9 format. The older MESS-specific format that was used in MESS .69 and earlier has been abandonned; note that this format was compatible with single-sided V9T9 disk images (but not double-sided ones).
48880
48881
48882
48883  * In addition to the floppy drives, the HFDC can support up to 3 MFM hard disks. If you want to use these hard disks, you must use HFDC as the floppy disk controller. Disk images use the MAME harddisk format (the sector size for HFDC harddisks is 256). (BTW, early HFDC cards also included a tape interface which is not emulated.)
48884
48885
48886
48887  * Thierry Nouspickel's IDE card prototype is emulated. A description can be found on Thierry's site along with the required disk-based DSR. Note that the disk image does not work very well with the BwG disk controller, though I cannot figure out why (it works fine with both the TI controller and the HFDC controller). The hard disk image is in the standard MESS/MAME hardddisk format (with 512-byte sectors); since MESS does not support image diff file currently, only un-compressed images can be written to (compressed images ARE supported, but only as read-only disks). Note that current versions of MESS emulate the latest (2004) prototype, contrary to MESS .84 and earlier that emulated an earlier (2001) prototype. The 2004 prototype is incompatible with the 2001 prototype (IDE bus has been byte-swapped), so you need to download the latest DSRs and use a new, blank IDE hard disk image if you switch from MESS .84 or earlier. You must use the DSR version for the 2004 prototype with a rtc65271 clock chip. The state of the rtc65271 clock chip is now saved to disk, so that you can use the rtc RAM bootstrap loader to load IDEAL from the IDE harddisk, as explained in Nouspickel's IDEAL page.
48888
48889
48890
48891  * Serial port and PIO emulation is incomplete. On the one hand, nothing useful can be done with the RS232 interface, but, on the other hand, the PIO interface enables you to redirect PIO output to a file and save listings to this file by "printing" them to PIO.
48892
48893
48894
48895  * SNUG's HSGPL support is incomplete, but you can already play with it if you want to. You will need the HSGPL DSR (and probably the software manual, too) from the SNUG web site to do anything useful. The FEEPROM is saved to a file called "hsgpl.mem", in the memcard folder. The DSR and system GROM0 needs to be loaded into the FEEPROM: to do so, you can use a hex editor to create a hsgpl.mem file in correct format (see below). Afterwards, you may write extra GROM using the HSGPL DSR. Note that Supercart and MBX paging are not emulated correctly, and there must be other issues. The format of the hsgpl.mem file is relatively simple:
48896
48897    * byte 0 is always 0, and the rest of the file is made of four similar sections for each Flash EEPROM (DSR, GROM0, GROM1, and ROM6);
48898
48899    * the first byte of each section is 0, the second should be 1, and the next 512kbytes is the raw FEEPROM data.
48900
48901
48902
48903  * SNUG's EVPC support (in the dedicated driver) is not complete. The palette chip is not emulated. The computer may crash on soft reset, though I have no idea why.
48904
48905
48906
48907  * The SmartMedia part of the USB-SmartMedia card is supposed to be emulated, but it has not been tested yet.
48908
48909
48910
48911  * The tape interface is emulated. The CS1 unit is read/write, whereas CS2 is write-only. Tapes are stored as sampled wave files. You may find that the emulated tape interface is a relatively simple way to exchange files with real-world TI-99s.
48912
48913
48914
48915== Cartridges ==
48916
48917
48918
48919Loading a cartridge: You do not need a cartridge image to run the computer, since TI-99/4a has a small built-in basic interpreter.
48920
48921
48922
48923**MESS 0.131 and later**
48924
48925
48926
48927Cartridge images are organized as zip archives (suffix ".rpk") with a layout file and GROM and ROM dumps as plain binary files. The layout file declares the type of the cartridge and the allocation of dumps to memory regions. The details of the creation of cartridge image files is elaborated on ninerpedia -- http://www.ninerpedia.org/.
48928
48929
48930
48931The earlier cartridge handling is still available, but only the suffix scheme "*c.bin" / "*d.bin" / "*g.bin" / "*m.bin" / "*b.bin" is retained; other suffixes have been dropped.
48932
48933
48934
48935**MESS 0.130 and earlier**
48936
48937
48938
48939V9t9-format cart images are typically split into up to 3 files. You MUST load all individual files. Loading a single zip archive containing all the cartridge files will NOT work, you must uncompress the archive and select every file instead. These files can be loaded in any order, as long as all necessary files are loaded.
48940
48941
48942
48943The following file name extensions are recognized for cartridges dumps:
48944
48945  * "g.bin", ".grom" or ".g": GROM dump
48946
48947  * "c.bin", ".crom" or ".c": CPU ROM dump
48948
48949  * "d.bin", ".drom" or ".d": CPU ROM dump for second page (pages cartridges only), to be loaded alongside a CPU ROM dump
48950
48951
48952
48953The following two types are supported as alternatives to the CPU ROM type (these extensions are only found in MESS, not V9T9)
48954
48955  * "m.bin", ".mrom" or ".m": minimemory CPU ROM dump; similar to CPU ROM dump, but the address range >7000->7fff is set up as RAM (paging is not supporting); unfortunately, there is no way you can save the contents of minimemory to disk
48956
48957  * "b.bin", ".brom" or ".b": MBX CPU ROM dump; similar to CPU ROM dump, but the address range >6c00->6ffd is set up as RAM, and the paging scheme is different; unfortunately, I do not have any correct dump of a MBX cart to test emulation with.
48958
48959
48960
48961== Configurations ==
48962
48963
48964
48965Setting up the system configuration: A few dip switches enable or disable computer extensions. These switches are only read at reset. Therefore, if you edit them, you must reset the emulator (press F3 in partial keyboard emulation mode) for the changes to be taken into account.
48966
48967
48968
48969== Keyboard ==
48970
48971
48972
48973These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
48974
48975
48976
48977
48978
48979===== Known Issues =====
48980
48981
48982
48983As stated above EVPC emulation in ti99_4ev is not complete.
48984
48985
48986
48987
48988
48989===== History and Trivia =====
48990
48991
48992
48993The TI-99/4a Home Computer was a TI-99/4 with improved keyboard, revised ROMs, and an additional graphics mode. It was officially introduced in June 1981, and was retired in late 1983.
48994
48995
48996
48997TI-99/4a was quite successful in Europe and US (possibly hundreds of thousand units built). In 1983, though, competition on the home computer market was so harsh that TI had to cut down the price of TI-99/4a to less than $100, while suffering heavy losses. So, by the end of 1983, TI had abandoned TI-99/4a, its prototype successors, and withdrawn from the home computer market.
48998
48999
49000
49001== EVPC video card ==
49002
49003
49004
49005A common hack on the TI-99/4a is replacing the old tms9918 / 9928 / 9929a with an improved, upward-compatible v9938.  This enhanced VDP supports true 16- and 256-color graphic modes, high-res 512*192 graphic and 80-column text modes, accelerated 2D graphics, etc.  The only drawback is that some programs (including TI's own TI BASIC) will not run with the v9938.  Also, only specially designed programs can take advantage of the improved graphic modes.
49006
49007
49008
49009The EVPC card, created by the "System 99 User Group" (SNUG) in Germany, does just that: it includes a v9938 with 128kb of VRAM, 64kb of extended RAM, an additional palette chip to program the palette in 256-color mode, and a DSR ROM with various useful subroutines.
49010
49011
49012
49013Also ti99_4ev, the driver which emulates the EVPC, uses a hacked TI BASIC GROM so that TI BASIC will work normally with the v9938.  Only two bytes were modified to derive file "994agr38.bin" from file "994agrom.bin": the bytes >F0 >0C >F8 at offset >216C of the file were changed to >00 >0C >00.  (This fix was contributed by Tony Knerr, but I have no idea who invented it first.)
49014
49015
49016
49017
49018
49019===== Links =====
49020
49021
49022
49023  * ninerpedia -- http://www.ninerpedia.org/ including details on the MESS emulation of the TI-99/Geneve family
49024
49025  * Sometimes -- http://sometimes.99er.net/
49026
49027  * 99ers -- http://www.99er.net/
49028
49029  * TI-99 Forever -- http://www.ti99.com/
49030
49031  * TI-99/4A Shrine -- http://chung.yikes.com/~leonard/mirrors/ti99/
49032
49033  * TI-99/4A at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=236
49034
49035
49036
49037
49038
49039===== Other Emulators =====
49040
49041
49042
49043  * PC99 -- http://pw2.netcom.com/~mjmw/index.html
49044
49045  * Classic99 -- http://www.harmlesslion.com/software/Classic99
49046
49047  * Win994A -- http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml
49048
49049
49050
49051
49052
49053$end
49054
49055
49056
49057#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
49058
49059
49060$info=ti99_4p
49061$bio
49062====== Texas Instruments TI-99/4P a.k.a. SGCPU (1996) ======
49063
49064
49065
49066
49067
49068===== Usage =====
49069
49070
49071
49072MESS emulates the ti99_4p with the following devices
49073
49074
49075
49076  - two cassette drives, "cassette1" (cass1) and "cassette2" (cass2), for tapes in .wav format
49077
49078  - four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format
49079
49080  - three hard drives, "harddisk1" (hard1) to "harddisk4" (hard4), for .hd files
49081
49082
49083
49084Also notice that emulation is present for the smartcard, the serial port and the parallel port, respectively using "memcard" (memc), "serial" (serl) and "parallel" (parl) devices.
49085
49086
49087
49088== Keyboard ==
49089
49090
49091
49092This system require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
49093
49094
49095
49096
49097
49098===== Known Issues =====
49099
49100
49101
49102The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
49103
49104
49105
49106
49107
49108===== History and Trivia =====
49109
49110
49111
49112SGCPU, which means "Second Generation CPU", was an upgrade card released by the "System 99 User Group" (SNUG) for the TI-99/4A.
49113
49114
49115
49116It included standard TMS9900 CPU, up to 1 MiB of 16-bit RAM.
49117
49118
49119
49120To work it required a HSGPL card, which provided the GROM emulation needed to run the system, and the EVPC video card, which included the v9938 video processor for display.
49121
49122
49123
49124
49125
49126$end
49127
49128
49129
49130#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
49131
49132
49133$info=ti99_8
49134$bio
49135====== Texas Instruments TI-99/8 Computer (1983) ======
49136
49137
49138
49139
49140
49141===== Features =====
49142
49143
49144
49145  * CPU: TI TMS9995 10.7 MHz
49146
49147  * Co-Processor: TMS9918A (Video Generator)
49148
49149  * RAM: 64 kb (up to 15Mb !), 61 kb free with Basic
49150
49151  * VRAM: 16 kb
49152
49153  * ROM: 220 Kb
49154
49155  * Text Modes: 32 x 24 (16 colors) / 40 x 24 (2 colors)
49156
49157  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48 (with 4x4 graphic symbols), 256 x 128 (16 colors), 256 x 192 (16 colors)
49158
49159  * Colors: 16
49160
49161  * Sound: 3 channels & 5 octaves, speech synthesizer built-in
49162
49163  * I/O Ports: Tape, RGB video out (DIN), Joystick, HexBus connector, Expansion port (16 bits), Cartridge slot (GROM port)
49164
49165  * Keyboard: QWERTY full-stroke keyboard, 54 keys
49166
49167  * OS: P-System
49168
49169  * Built In Language: TI Extended Basic II
49170
49171
49172
49173
49174
49175===== Usage =====
49176
49177
49178
49179MESS supports two regional variants of the TI-99/8
49180
49181
49182
49183  * ti99_8 [TI-99/8 Computer (US)]
49184
49185  * ti99_8e [TI-99/8 Computer (Europe)]
49186
49187
49188
49189For both drivers, MESS emulates the following devices
49190
49191
49192
49193  - one "cassette" (cass) drive, for tapes in .wav format
49194
49195  - three cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) to "cartridge3" (cass3), for cart in one of the supported formats: .bin, .c, .d, .g, .m, .crom, .drom, .grom, .mro
49196
49197  - four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in .dsk format
49198
49199  - three hard drives, "harddisk1" (hard1) to "harddisk4" (hard4), for .hd files
49200
49201
49202
49203Also notice that emulation is present for the smartcard, the serial port and the parallel port, respectively using "memcard" (memc), "serial" (serl) and "parallel" (parl) devices.
49204
49205
49206
49207== Misc ==
49208
49209
49210
49211The TI-99/8 looks a lot like the /4(a). Press any key to begin, then press A for the built-in BASIC interpreter, B to set speed, C, D, etc, for any inserted cartridge. Set speed does not apply to the built-in BASIC interpreter, which will always run at full speed. The default speed is "B TI-99/4A speed": you must run set speed to select any other speed.
49212
49213
49214
49215Though the level of compatibility with the /4a is high, you may not access extensions provided by an inserted cartridge from /8 BASIC, whether they are packaged as a CALL or as a DSR.
49216
49217
49218
49219== Keyboard ==
49220
49221
49222
49223These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
49224
49225
49226
49227
49228
49229===== Known Issues =====
49230
49231
49232
49233There is no known dump of TI-99/8 ROMs. I have reassembled the source code of the TI-99/8 ROMs, which has enabled me to reconstruct the core of the operating system. Unfortunately, several optional but important parts of the system (HexBus, P-System, Speech ROMs, and named subroutines in BASIC) are missing.
49234
49235
49236
49237Speech that sounds fine on a /4(a) with the optional speech synthesizer may sound garbled on a /8 with its integrated speech synthesizer.This is because the /4a and the /8 do not use the same speech chip (TMS0285 vs. TMS5200C).On an actual /8, this only affects programs that use custom speech; under emulation, this currently affects programs that use pre-defined speech as well, because the /8 speech ROMs have not been dumped and we resort to using the incompatible /4(a) speech ROMs instead.
49238
49239
49240
49241Mapper-level Read protect, Write protect and Execute protect are not emulated. Hard reset and P-code GROMs are not emulated either.
49242
49243
49244
49245
49246
49247===== History and Trivia =====
49248
49249
49250
49251When TI released the TI-99/4 in 1979, they announced that a bigger, more professional version of this machine would follow: the TI-99/7.  After several delays, the TI-99/7 project was abandoned, and in 1981 TI started a similar project with upgraded specs: the TI-99/8 (code-named Armadillo).
49252
49253
49254
49255The project was nearing completion, with a prototype series in production, when TI terminated the TI-99 series in October 1983. As a consequence, the TI-99/8 was never released, although several prototypes ended in private hands.
49256
49257
49258
49259The TI-99/8 is similar to, yet different from, the TI-99/4(a). Mostly, it looks like a super TI-99/4(a): it has a faster CPU, a better keyboard, and several features that were optional on the /4(a) (speech synthesizer, HexBus controller and UCSD P-system). However, it includes several features that have no equivalent on the /4a: its memory mapper enables it to address 64kBytes of RAM simultaneously, to support more than 15MBytes of RAM, and to implement partial memory protection; also, its ROMs are a lot improved compared to the /4(a) ROMs: they support machine language programs much better, they implement several extra system calls for graphics, and they support I/O buffer in CPU RAM.
49260
49261
49262
49263
49264
49265===== Links =====
49266
49267
49268
49269  * TI-99/8 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=268
49270
49271
49272
49273
49274
49275$end
49276
49277
49278
49279#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
49280
49281
49282$info=tk90x
49283$bio
49284====== Microdigital TK-90x Color Computer (1985) and TK-95 Color Computer (1986) =======
49285
49286
49287
49288===== Features =====
49289
49290
49291
49292  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
49293
49294  * RAM: 48 KB
49295
49296  * ROM: 16 KB (Basic & OS)
49297
49298  * Text Modes: 32 chars. x 24 lines
49299
49300  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 dots
49301
49302  * Colors: 8 with two tones each (normal and bright)
49303
49304  * Sound: 1 voice / 10 octaves (via TV set)
49305
49306  * I/O Ports: Expansion port, tape-recorder (1200 bauds), RF video out, Joystick, Bus expansion
49307
49308  * Keyboard: Full stroke 57 keys
49309
49310  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic
49311
49312  * Peripherals: all of the Sinclair and third party peripherals
49313
49314
49315
49316
49317
49318===== Usage =====
49319
49320
49321
49322MESS emulates both computers
49323
49324
49325
49326  * tk90x [Microdigital TK-90x Color Computer]
49327
49328  * tk95 [Microdigital TK-95 Color Computer]
49329
49330
49331
49332For both systems, MESS supports the emulation of
49333
49334
49335
49336  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
49337
49338  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .rom format
49339
49340
49341
49342Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
49343
49344
49345
49346== Keyboard ==
49347
49348
49349
49350These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
49351
49352
49353
49354== BASIC commands ==
49355
49356
49357
49358TK90X/TK95 add two commands to the Sinclair BASIC:
49359
49360 
49361
49362  TRACE 1/0 (E cursor, Symbol Shift+P)     : turns on/off the display of the line currently executed
49363
49364  UDG 0/1/2 (K/L/C cursor, Symbol Shift+X) : controls the behavior of the UDGs
49365
49366
49367
49368About ''UDG'': when the parameter is ''0'' or ''1'', they restore their shape to accented letters used in the Portuguese language (still unclear the difference between 0 and 1) while the ''UDG 2'' command activates the built-in character editor.
49369
49370
49371
49372You can use the keys 5,6,7,8 +CAPS or Symbol Shift to plot/move the cursor, the A-U keys to select the UDG to edit or copy (with the shift keys), INVERSE VIDEO key to reverse the character.
49373
49374
49375
49376Maybe there are yet more command-keys, but I haven't discovered them yet. Curiously, the BEEP command has been renamed to SOUND: who knows why...
49377
49378
49379
49380//(info from Stefano "JoJo" Priore)//
49381
49382
49383
49384
49385
49386===== History and Trivia =====
49387
49388
49389
49390Microdigital's goal with the TK95 was to offer a true Spectrum compatible system with a case and keyboard as strong and convenient as a Commodore 64.
49391
49392
49393
49394The inside of the machine was neverthless quite similar to its predecessor, the TK-90, with some ROM improvements that increased the degree of compatibility and corrected some bugs (ROM No Maskable Interrupt) of the original Sinclair and Timex models.
49395
49396
49397
49398Two BASIC command were added, TRACE and UDG (User Defined Graphics) that allowed the specific Brazilian characters to be printed. As the machine was only dedicated to Brazilian market, all the error messages were in Portuguese language.
49399
49400
49401
49402The TK-95 was one of the last machine made by Electronica. It didn't sell well because of the massive appearence and great success of MSX computers in South America.
49403
49404
49405
49406//(info from old-computers.com)//
49407
49408
49409
49410
49411
49412===== Links =====
49413
49414
49415
49416  * TK-95 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=916
49417
49418
49419
49420
49421
49422===== Other Emulators =====
49423
49424
49425
49426  * SpecEmu -- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.dunn4/
49427
49428  * Speccy -- http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/
49429
49430  * EmuZWin -- http://kolmck.net/apps/EmuZWin_Eng.htm
49431
49432  * DSP -- http://leniad.cjb.net/dsp/index.htm
49433
49434  * Unreal Speccy -- http://alonecoder.narod.ru/zx/
49435
49436  * YASE -- http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~hackbart/download.htm
49437
49438  * ZX Spectrum Emu -- http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9932/
49439
49440  * RealSpectrum -- http://www.ramsoft.bbk.org/realspec.html
49441
49442  * Spectaculator -- http://www.spectaculator.com/
49443
49444  * GLECK -- http://gleck.emuunlim.com/
49445
49446
49447
49448
49449
49450$end
49451
49452
49453
49454#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
49455
49456
49457$info=tmc2000
49458$bio
49459====== Telercas Oy Telmac 1800 (1977) and 2000 (1980) ======
49460
49461
49462
49463
49464
49465===== Usage =====
49466
49467
49468
49469MESS currently supports the tmc2000 with a "cassette" (cass) device, supporting tapes in .wav format.
49470
49471
49472
49473Also, a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
49474
49475
49476
49477== Keyboard ==
49478
49479
49480
49481This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
49482
49483
49484
49485== RAM options ==
49486
49487
49488
49489Different RAM configurations are possible for the tmc2000 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
49490
49491
49492
49493  16k (default)
49494
49495  32k
49496
49497
49498
49499
49500
49501===== History and Trivia =====
49502
49503
49504
49505Telmac 1800 was a simple CDP1802 system introduced here in Finland around 1977.  It was designed by Osmo Kainulainen, who built his own computer using a RCA CDP1801, that he already knew from his job. The design was published in a magazine and more or less started the hobby computing age in Finland by soon turning into Telmac 1800 kit, which used CDP1802. It was quite similar to COSMAC VIP, but not exactly the same.
49506
49507
49508
49509Telmac 1800 was manufactured by Telercas Oy, which also was a distributor of RCA components in Finland. It was delivered as a kit and gained quite a big success.
49510
49511
49512
49513The Telmac 1800 was followed by Oscom Nano and Telmac 2000, which had PAL version video chip (1864) with color also supported and more RAM, board could hold 16k bytes.
49514
49515
49516
49517Finally, the more professional TMC-600 followed.
49518
49519
49520
49521//(info from hobbylabs.org)//
49522
49523
49524
49525
49526
49527===== Links =====
49528
49529
49530
49531  * Telmac at hobbylabs.org -- http://www.hobbylabs.org/telmac.htm
49532
49533
49534
49535
49536
49537$end
49538
49539
49540
49541#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
49542
49543
49544$info=tmc600s2
49545$bio
49546====== Telercas Oy Telmac 600 (1982) ======
49547
49548
49549
49550
49551
49552===== Features =====
49553
49554
49555
49556  * CPU: 8-bit CDP1802 3.58 MHz
49557
49558  * Memory: 20-28 KB internal ROM operating system, 8 KB RAM
49559
49560  * Sound: 8 octaves, white noise generator, internal speaker
49561
49562  * Color: 8 colors, blink attribute
49563
49564  * Resolution: 240 x 216 pixels (40 x 24 or 20 x 24 characters)
49565
49566  * Connectors: Tape recorder (DIN), EURO expansion bus, composite video, Centronics printer, PAL TV
49567
49568
49569
49570
49571
49572===== Usage =====
49573
49574
49575
49576MESS supports for the tmc600s2 a tape drive and up to four floppy drives. The former one supports .wav tapes and uses the "cassette" (cass) device; the latter ones support disk images in .dsk format and use "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
49577
49578
49579
49580Also notice that the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well and a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .sbp files.
49581
49582
49583
49584== Misc ==
49585
49586
49587
49588  * press C at boot prompt to start the computer
49589
49590  * type HELP for a list of commands
49591
49592  * type SCREEN @4700 to see a picture
49593
49594
49595
49596== Keyboard ==
49597
49598
49599
49600This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
49601
49602
49603
49604== RAM options ==
49605
49606
49607
49608Different RAM configurations are possible for the tmc600s2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
49609
49610
49611
49612  8k (default)
49613
49614  16k
49615
49616  24k
49617
49618
49619
49620
49621
49622===== Known Issues =====
49623
49624
49625
49626  * keyboard repeat delay varies, natural keyboard may help
49627
49628  * white noise is not emulated
49629
49630  * real-time clock is not emulated
49631
49632
49633
49634
49635
49636===== History and Trivia =====
49637
49638
49639
49640Telmac TMC-600 is the only microcomputer ever designed and manufactured in Finland. Only 600 units were produced, hence the model name. The computer casing was available in black and brown. The computer was designed by Timo Virtaneva and Hannu Peiponen. Two versions were released, the later allowing the connection of multiple peripherals simultaneously.
49641
49642
49643
49644The TMC-700 expansion added Centronics interface with a custom connector, an RF modulator, and a real-time clock. 360KB 5.25" and 8" floppy disk drives could be connected using an external controller card. Other add-ons included RAM expansions, an I/O controller, an A/D converter, an RS-232C controller, a B/W 132-character display controller, and a parallel/serial slave computer. The TMC-600 was designed also for use in industrial process control applications, so BASIC ROMs with user-customized keywords were available on order.
49645
49646
49647
49648The manufacturer, Telercas Oy, was an early Finnish distributor for RCA semiconductors. Telercas Oy was merged with the Finnish electronics retailer Yleiselektroniikka Oy in 1988.
49649
49650
49651
49652
49653
49654===== Links =====
49655
49656
49657
49658  * Pelikonepeijoonit -- http://www.pelikonepeijoonit.net/cgi-bin/page.cgi?pkpcode=telmac
49659
49660
49661
49662
49663
49664$end
49665
49666
49667
49668#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
49669
49670
49671$info=to7
49672$bio
49673====== Thomson T9000 (Oct 1980, proto) and TO7 (Nov 1982) ======
49674
49675
49676
49677
49678
49679===== Features =====
49680
49681
49682
49683  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
49684
49685  * RAM: 8 KB base + 16 KB extension = 24 KB
49686
49687  * ROM: 6 KB BIOS
49688
49689  * Video: 320x200, 8 fixed colors (with proximity constraints)
49690
49691  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
49692
49693  * Keyboard: AZERTY 58-keys French keyboard, with accents
49694
49695  * Game-pad: two 8-way 1-button paddles
49696
49697  * Lightpen: 8-pixel horizontal, 1-pixel vertical resolution
49698
49699  * Cartridge: 4 KB to 64 KB
49700
49701  * Cassette: 900 bauds
49702
49703  * Floppies: up to 4 external drives, 3 different controllers for 2"8 (50 KB), 3"1/2 (320 KB), and 5"1/4 (80 KB or 160 KB) floppies
49704
49705  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
49706
49707
49708
49709
49710
49711===== Usage =====
49712
49713
49714
49715MESS currently emulates the following computers
49716
49717
49718
49719  * to7 [Thomson TO7]
49720
49721  * t9000 [Thomson T9000] - prototype of the TO7
49722
49723
49724
49725For both drivers, MESS supports the emulation with
49726
49727
49728
49729  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .k7 format
49730
49731  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m7 and .rom files
49732
49733  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
49734
49735
49736
49737Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
49738
49739
49740
49741See below for specific usage notes about each device.
49742
49743
49744
49745== Cartridges ==
49746
49747
49748
49749You really need a cartridge, as the TO7 is almost unusable without it. They have a .m7 or .rom suffix and are loaded with the -cart option.
49750
49751
49752
49753A few software were distributed on cartridge. The most important one is the BASIC language that also serves as an OS and loader for many
49754
49755BASIC and binary software.
49756
49757
49758
49759== Menu ==
49760
49761
49762
49763From one to three options are available on the startup menu. If you have only one, it means there is no cartridge present. The last option always allows tuning the lightpen. It is quite useless (even on the real computer).
49764
49765
49766
49767The first option shows the cartridge name and allows starting it. If the cartridge software is able to read cassettes or floppies, there is an extra middle option that will automatically load the first cassette file or some specific floppy file (e.g., with the BASIC 1.0 software, it is equivalent to RUN"" on a cassette and RUN"AUTO.BAT" on a floppy).
49768
49769
49770
49771Click with the lightpen or use keys 1 to 3 to select an option.
49772
49773
49774
49775== Cassettes ==
49776
49777
49778
49779Most games were distributed on cassettes which are loaded from the BASIC 1.0 cartridge. Thus, to get foo.k7 working, you need to use the both options
49780
49781 
49782
49783  -cart basic.m7 -cass foo.k7
49784
49785
49786
49787Type
49788
49789  1
49790
49791
49792
49793in the menu to get the BASIC prompt.
49794
49795
49796
49797Two cases may now arise.
49798
49799
49800
49801If the game has a BASIC loader (.BAS, .BAT, .CMP files), type
49802
49803  RUN"". 
49804
49805
49806
49807If it has a binary loader (.BIN, .ASM files), type
49808
49809  LOADM"",,R.
49810
49811
49812
49813Using the wrong command will result in a BASIC error, so you should really try both (do not forget to rewind between two retries).
49814
49815
49816
49817Also, if you have the BASIC DOS loaded (see below), you must now type respectively
49818
49819  RUN"CASS:"
49820
49821and
49822
49823  LOADM"CASS:",,R
49824
49825
49826
49827because the default device will be the floppy drive 0 instead of the cassette reader.
49828
49829
49830
49831Then, be patient. TO7 tapes are slow: 900 bauds (you can put throttling off).
49832
49833
49834
49835Two cassette image formats are recognized: .k7 and .wav. The .wav format is simply the raw sound signal. .k7 have been preprocessed and decoded into the sequence of bytes the BIOS routines will output.
49836
49837
49838
49839For now, you should prefer preprocessed .k7 files rather than .wav files, as the demodulation (done in hardware in the TO7) is not well emulated (except when the signal is very clean, such as the one output by the emulator when saving).
49840
49841
49842
49843Cassettes are always saved in the .wav format. Do not forget to put the cassette reader into record mode using MESS's in-game menu.
49844
49845
49846
49847== Floppy Disks ==
49848
49849
49850
49851First, you must make sure the correct floppy controller is emulated. Using MESS's in-game configuration menu, you can select between three alternate controllers.
49852
49853
49854
49855  * The CD 90-351 controller is the most versatile: it accepts 5"1/4, 3"1/2 floppies (.sap or .fd suffix, 80 to 320 KB), as well as the 2"8 so-called QuickDisk (.qd suffix, 50 KB).
49856
49857
49858
49859  * The CD 90-640 controller only accepts 5"1/4 floppies, while the CQ 90-028 only accepts 2"8 floppies.
49860
49861
49862
49863After changing the current controller, you must reset the TO7.
49864
49865
49866
49867Up to four floppy drives are emulated. They are named -flop0 to -flop3. The BASIC 1.0 cartridge is not able to exploit floppies by itself; you need a BASIC DOS extension in the form of a boot disk. Put the boot disk in the first drive (-flop0) as well as the BASIC 1.0 cartridge, and press 1. You should now be able to DIR, LOAD, SAVE. Use DIR"1:", DIR"2:" and DIR"3:" to access to
49868
49869floppies in drives -flop1, -flop2 and -flop3. New floppies must be formatted using the DSKINI0 (for -flop0) to DSKINI3 (for -flop3) commands before being usable.
49870
49871
49872
49873Two-sided drives are actually seen as two different drives. A two-sided disk must thus be split into two image files put into different slots (-flop0 and -flop1 for the first two-sided drive, -flop2 and -flop3 for the second two-sided drive).
49874
49875
49876
49877Other, non-BASIC cartridges either include their own DOS (e.g., Colorpaint) or require a specific DOS boot disk (e.g., Logo, Forth).
49878
49879
49880
49881== Keyboard ==
49882
49883
49884
49885These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
49886
49887
49888
49889Here is the visual layout of the TO7 keyboard.
49890
49891
49892
49893  STOP  1!  2"  3#  4$  5%  6&  7'  8(  9)  0  -=  +;  ACC      UP  DOWN
49894
49895 
49896
49897  CTRL    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  /?  *:        LEFT RIGHT
49898
49899 
49900
49901  RAZ       Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L    M   ENTER        TOP
49902
49903 
49904
49905  SHIFT       W   X   C   V   B   N   ,<  .>  @^     SHIFT      INS DEL
49906
49907 
49908
49909                         SPACE
49910
49911
49912
49913Unshifted keys appear on the left, and shifted appear on the right.
49914
49915
49916
49917Caps-lock is "SHIFT+SPACE".
49918
49919
49920
49921Accents are typeset with the "ACC" key, followed by A (grave), B (acute), C (hat), H (trema), or c (cedilla), then the key to accent.
49922
49923
49924
49925== Lightpen ==
49926
49927
49928
49929The main pointing device is the lightpen. A white cross indicates its position (added by MESS because the TO7 does not generally provide any visual feedback).
49930
49931
49932
49933Move the white cross and click with the mouse button. The lightpen horizontal resolution is only 8-pixels.
49934
49935
49936
49937== Printer ==
49938
49939
49940
49941A printer port is emulated. Use the -prin option to tell MESS where to put its output.
49942
49943
49944
49945== RAM options ==
49946
49947
49948
49949Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
49950
49951
49952
49953  24k - base config
49954
49955  40k (default) - with standard 16KB extension
49956
49957  48k - with standard 16KB extension and homebrew 8KB extension
49958
49959
49960
49961
49962
49963===== Known Issues =====
49964
49965
49966
49967  * Cassette: .wav files may not be readable unless generated by the  emulator, prefer the .k7 format
49968
49969
49970
49971  * RS232 and MODEM extensions are not emulated
49972
49973
49974
49975  * TV overlay extension is not emulated
49976
49977
49978
49979  * Network extension is not emulated
49980
49981
49982
49983===== History and Trivia =====
49984
49985
49986
49987First computer commercialized by the French company Thomson.
49988
49989
49990
49991The TO7 was quite expensive. Especially given that no BASIC cartridge was included and most peripherals (paddles, printers, floppy drives) required costly extensions.
49992
49993
49994
49995The video system offers a 320x200 active windows with 8 fixed colors, but with peculiar constraints to save RAM space.
49996
49997
49998
49999Each line is split into 40 spans of 8-pixels and each span can only have two different colors (among 8).
50000
50001
50002
50003This allows representing 8 pixels with 14 bits (two 3-bit palette entries, and 8 1-bit pixel entries) instead of 24 bits.
50004
50005
50006
50007The TO7 was quickly replaced (in 1984) by its successor, the TO7/70 (more RAM, more colors). See the to770 driver.
50008
50009
50010
50011Not many TO7 software are available. Most were designed for the TO7/70 and do not work on the TO7.
50012
50013
50014
50015T9000 is the prototype for TO7. Apart form the different startup menu and the more buggy BIOS, it is internally similar to the TO7, and fully compatible.
50016
50017
50018
50019Many TO7 were actually distributed with the T9000 ROM and have a T9000 startup menu!
50020
50021
50022
50023
50024
50025===== Links =====
50026
50027
50028
50029  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
50030
50031  * Christophe's Lair: software and documentations -- http://lair.thomsonistes.org
50032
50033  * Collection Thomson: technical documentations and a few original software -- http://gfournier.free.fr
50034
50035  * Logiciels MOTO: software and links -- http://www.logicielsmoto.com
50036
50037  * Serveur 87: software and technical documentation -- http://serveur87thomson.free.fr
50038
50039  * MO5.COM: links, buy and sell Thomson computers -- http://www.mo5.com
50040
50041  * Contacthoms: fan site -- http://a.contacthoms.free.fr
50042
50043  * ToNews: site dedicated to Thomson computers -- http://membres.lycos.fr/tonews
50044
50045  * Paris-Thoms: another fan site -- http://paris-thoms.perso.cegetel.net
50046
50047
50048
50049
50050
50051===== Other Emulators =====
50052
50053
50054
50055  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
50056
50057  * FunzyTo7: first T9000, TO7, TO7/70 emulator ever -- http://www.sylvain-huet.com/hacks
50058
50059
50060
50061
50062
50063$end
50064
50065
50066
50067#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
50068
50069
50070$info=to770
50071$bio
50072====== Thomson TO7/70 (1984) ======
50073
50074
50075
50076
50077
50078===== Features =====
50079
50080
50081
50082We only show the differences with respect to the TO7.
50083
50084
50085
50086  * RAM: 48 KB base + 64 KB extension = 96 KB
50087
50088  * Video: 16 fixed colors instead of 8, but identical proximity constraints
50089
50090  * Lightpen: the horizontal precision has improved to the pixel
50091
50092
50093
50094
50095
50096===== Usage =====
50097
50098
50099
50100MESS currently supports emulation of to770 with
50101
50102
50103
50104  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .k7 format
50105
50106  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m7 and .rom files
50107
50108  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
50109
50110
50111
50112Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
50113
50114
50115
50116Please read below and the to7 -- http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:to7 entry for specific usage notes about each device.
50117
50118
50119
50120== Cartridges, cassettes & floppy disks ==
50121
50122
50123
50124They have the exact same format and image formats as the TO7 ones: .k7 for byte-processed cassettes, .wav for raw cassettes, .sap or .fd for 80 KB or 160 KB 5"1/4 and 320 KB 3"1/2 floppies, .qd for 50 KB 2"8 floppies, and .m7 and .rom for cartridge. Moreover, they are used in the exact same way.
50125
50126
50127
50128You need a BASIC 1.0 cartridge to load most cassettes, and an extra BASIC DOS boot floppy to use floppies. The TO7/70 is backward compatible with the TO7.
50129
50130
50131
50132However, many TO7/70 software are designed to exploit the enhanced graphics capabilities and RAM space, and will not work on a TO7.
50133
50134
50135
50136== BASIC 128 ==
50137
50138
50139
50140Of particular interest is the BASIC 128 cartridge. Designed quite late, it allows exploiting the full memory of the TO7/70 and all 16 colors from the BASIC. It also provides its own DOS (no need for a DOS boot disk).
50141
50142
50143
50144However, many games were developed before the BASIC 128 appeared and are incompatible with it.
50145
50146
50147
50148Thus, you should  stick to the BASIC 1.0 to play games (most are coded in machine code, and so, can access all colors and RAM this way).     
50149
50150
50151
50152== Keyboard ==
50153
50154
50155
50156This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
50157
50158
50159
50160TO7/70 keyboard is identical to the TO7 one. In addition, the ACC key can be followed by 6, 7, 8, 9, or 0 to typeset eacute, egrave, ugrave, ccedilla, and agrave directly.
50161
50162
50163
50164== RAM options ==
50165
50166
50167
50168Different RAM configurations are possible for to770 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
50169
50170
50171
50172  64k - base config
50173
50174  128k (default) - with 64KB extension
50175
50176
50177
50178
50179
50180===== History and Trivia =====
50181
50182
50183
50184Enhanced TO7.
50185
50186
50187
50188It has improved graphics features (16 colors instead of 8) and more RAM. The TO7/70 supports virtually all TO7 software, devices, and extensions (in particular, floppy and game controllers).
50189
50190
50191
50192With the MO5, the TO7/70 was a very popular computer in France, despite its price. This may be due to the government plan "Informatique pour tous" (meaning: "Computer Science for Everyone") to buy schools a large amount of those.
50193
50194
50195
50196Although it is backward compatible with the TO7, the TO7/70 has some notable hardware changes. In particular, a lot of generic chips have been replaced with a custom gate-array from Thomson.
50197
50198
50199
50200The TO7/70 has a large library of games and educational software.
50201
50202
50203
50204
50205
50206===== Links =====
50207
50208
50209
50210  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
50211
50212
50213
50214See the information for the to7 system for more links.
50215
50216
50217
50218
50219
50220===== Other Emulators =====
50221
50222
50223
50224  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
50225
50226  * FunzyTo7: first T9000, TO7, TO7/70 emulator ever -- http://www.sylvain-huet.com/hacks
50227
50228  * Thom: TO7/70-only emulator based on Funzy -- http://nostalgies.thomsonistes.org/thom_home.html
50229
50230
50231
50232
50233
50234$end
50235
50236
50237
50238#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
50239
50240
50241$info=to770a
50242$bio
50243====== Thomson TO7/70 (Arabic, 198?) ======
50244
50245
50246
50247
50248
50249===== Usage =====
50250
50251
50252
50253MESS currently supports emulation of to770a with
50254
50255
50256
50257  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .k7 format
50258
50259  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m7 and .rom files
50260
50261  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
50262
50263
50264
50265Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
50266
50267
50268
50269Please read the to7 -- http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:to770|to770]] and the [[http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:to7 entries for specific usage notes about each device.
50270
50271
50272
50273== Misc ==
50274
50275
50276
50277This TO7/70 seems identical to the original one, except for the altered keyboard and different ROM.
50278
50279
50280
50281It requires a special, 64 KB version of the BASIC 128 cartridge in order to typeset Arabic (-cart basic128a.m7).
50282
50283
50284
50285Use CTRL+W to switch to Arabic and CTRL+F to switch back to Latin.
50286
50287
50288
50289  * In Latin mode, CTRL+U and CTRL+X allow typesetting in-line Arabic
50290
50291  * In Arabic mode, CTRL+E and CTRL+X typeset in-line Latin
50292
50293
50294
50295== Keyboard ==
50296
50297
50298
50299This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
50300
50301
50302
50303== RAM options ==
50304
50305
50306
50307Different RAM configurations are possible for to770a in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
50308
50309
50310
50311  64k - base config
50312
50313  128k (default) - with 64KB extension
50314
50315
50316
50317
50318
50319===== History and Trivia =====
50320
50321
50322
50323Arabic version of the TO7/70.
50324
50325
50326
50327
50328
50329===== Links =====
50330
50331
50332
50333  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
50334
50335
50336
50337
50338
50339$end
50340
50341
50342
50343#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
50344
50345
50346$info=to8
50347$bio
50348====== Thomson TO8 (Sep 1986?) and TO8D (Dec 1987) ======
50349
50350
50351
50352
50353
50354===== Features =====
50355
50356
50357
50358  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
50359
50360  * RAM: 256 KB base + 256 KB extended = 512 KB
50361
50362  * ROM: 96 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 512, graphical DOS
50363
50364  * Video: 8 video modes (same as TO9)
50365
50366    * legacy 320x200, 16 colors with proximity constraints
50367
50368    * 320x200, 4 colors, unconstrained
50369
50370    * 160x200, 16 colors
50371
50372    * 640x200, 2 colors
50373
50374    * 320x200, two 2-color pages
50375
50376    * 320x200, two overlaid pages, 3 colors
50377
50378    * 160x200, four 2-color pages
50379
50380    * 160x200, four overlaid pages, 5 colors
50381
50382  * Palette: 16 colors to be chosen among 4096.
50383
50384  * Sound: 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
50385
50386  * Keyboard: AZERTY 81-keys, French with accents, identical to TO9
50387
50388  * Game-pad: two 8-way 2-button paddles
50389
50390  * Mouse (exclusive with game-pad)
50391
50392  * Lightpen
50393
50394  * Cartridge: optional, TO7 compatible
50395
50396  * Cassette: 900 bauds, TO7 compatible
50397
50398  * Floppy: integrated versatile controller, up to four external 2"8, 3"1/2 or 5"1/4 drives, TO7-compatible floppies
50399
50400  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
50401
50402
50403
50404
50405
50406===== Usage =====
50407
50408
50409
50410MESS currently emulates both versions of TO8
50411
50412
50413
50414  * to8 [Thomson TO8]
50415
50416  * to8d [Thomson TO8D] - a TO8 with an integrated 3"1/2 floppy drive
50417
50418
50419
50420For both drivers, MESS supports the emulation with
50421
50422
50423
50424  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .k7 format
50425
50426  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m7 and .rom files
50427
50428  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
50429
50430
50431
50432Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
50433
50434
50435
50436See below for specific usage notes about each device.
50437
50438
50439
50440== Menu ==
50441
50442
50443
50444From the startup menu, press SHIFT+1 for the BASIC 512, SHIFT+2 for the legacy BASIC 1.0, SHIFT+3 to set preferences (color palette and switch between lightpen and mouse), SHIFT+5 to get the graphical DOS. SHIFT+4 is a loader for special kinds of floppy software (CHG applications).
50445
50446
50447
50448== Cartridges ==
50449
50450
50451
50452An optional cartridge can be inserted with the -cart option. It can be started from the startup menu by pressing SHIFT+0.
50453
50454
50455
50456The TO8 can run TO7 and TO7/70 cartridges, but not MO5 ones.
50457
50458
50459
50460== Cassettes ==
50461
50462
50463
50464They have the same format as the TO7 and TO7/70 ones, and MESS recognizes the same image types (.wav and .k7).
50465
50466
50467
50468We recall that cassettes are loaded with one of the two following BASIC commands:
50469
50470  RUN"" (for BASIC files), 
50471
50472  LOADM"",,R (for binary files).
50473
50474
50475
50476Please see the to7 driver for more informations.
50477
50478
50479
50480Thanks to the backward compatibility, you should be able to run most TO7 and TO7/70 software, provided that you load them from the old BASIC 1.0 and not the BASIC 512.
50481
50482
50483
50484Note that to use cassettes with the BASIC 512, you must use the commands
50485
50486  RUN"CASS:"
50487
50488and
50489
50490  LOADM"CASS:",,R
50491
50492respectively because the cassette device is no longer the default one.
50493
50494
50495
50496== Floppy Disks ==
50497
50498
50499
50500The TO8 has a versatile internal floppy controller that allows plugging up to four 2"8, 3"1/2 or 5"1/4 drives. MESS emulates all of this in devices -flop0 to -flop3. They accept .sap and .fd images (both can correspond to 160 KB 5"1/4 or 320 KB 3"1/2 floppies) as well as
50501
50502.qd images (50 KB 2"8 floppies).
50503
50504
50505
50506They are fully compatible with the TO7, TO7/70, MO5 and TO9 floppy images. The software they contain may, however, be incompatible. The TO8 can generally run all TO7, TO7/70 and TO9 software, but not software from the MO family (e.g., MO5).
50507
50508
50509
50510You can exploit floppies from the BASIC 512 using the commands DIR, LOAD, RUN, SAVE and DSKINI0 (DIR"1:", LOAD"1:", ..., DSKINI1 for -flop1, and so on). Most game floppies are bootable; they are run using the B option in the startup menu.
50511
50512
50513
50514Some games are not bootable. You must start the regular BASIC 512 (SHIFT+3), then use DIR to see which programs are likely to be loaders, and launch them manually with a RUN"XYZ.BAS" or LOADM"XYZ.BIN",,R command.
50515
50516
50517
50518A few rare games are actually BASIC 1.0 boot disks, incompatible with the BASIC 512; they are run using the C command in the startup menu.
50519
50520
50521
50522Finally, the SHIFT+4 option in the startup menu provides a special launcher for applications with the .CHG suffix (e.g., Multiplan, Paragraphe).
50523
50524
50525
50526As for all Thomson, double-sided drives are considered as two one-sided drives (either -flop0 and -flop1, or -flop2 and -flop3). So, two-sided floppies must be split into two images and put into two MESS floppy devices.
50527
50528
50529
50530Drive number 4 corresponds to a virtual RAM disk that must first be setup using the SHIFT+3 option in the startup menu.
50531
50532
50533
50534The graphical DOS (SHIFT+5, then select a drive) allows you to DIR, format or copy disks, but not to launch programs.
50535
50536
50537
50538== Keyboard ==
50539
50540
50541
50542These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
50543
50544
50545
50546TO8 keyboard layout is exactly the same as the TO9 one.
50547
50548 
50549
50550        F1/F6    F2/F7    F3/F8    F4/F9    F5/F10
50551
50552 
50553
50554    #@   *1  e2  "3  '4  (5  _6  e7  !8  c9  a0  )°  -\  =+  ACC       UP         7   8   9
50555
50556 
50557
50558   STOP    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ^"  $&    ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT    4   5   6
50559
50560 
50561
50562   CTRL  [{ Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   u%  ]}            DOWN        1   2   3
50563
50564 
50565
50566  CAPS SHIFT W   X   C   V   B   N   ,?  ;.  :/  ><  SHIFT   HOME   INS  DEL      0   .   ENT
50567
50568 
50569
50570                         SPACE
50571
50572
50573
50574== Mouse ==
50575
50576
50577
50578A mouse is emulated. However, you cannot use both a mouse and a game-pad as they are connected to the same port. Use MESS's in-game configuration to select between the two. The startup menu automatically detects the presence of a mouse. It then disables the lightpen and uses the mouse as the pointer device instead.
50579
50580
50581
50582You can revert to the lightpen using SHIFT+3 in the startup menu, and then SHIFT+2 (useful when you revert to game-pad in MESS's in-game configuration, or if a mouse was incorrectly detected when you actually moved a game-pad).
50583
50584
50585
50586The white cross disappears when a mouse is emulated. Also, you can switch between a game-pad and a mouse dynamically, without
50587
50588resetting.
50589
50590
50591
50592== Video ==
50593
50594
50595
50596As for the TO9, you should switch to high-resolution video emulation in MESS's in-game menu if you intend to use software in 640x200.
50597
50598
50599
50600Otherwise, the low-resolution video emulation is sufficient and faster.
50601
50602
50603
50604== RAM options ==
50605
50606
50607
50608Different RAM configurations are possible for to9 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
50609
50610
50611
50612  256k - base config
50613
50614  512k (default) - with 256KB extension
50615
50616
50617
50618
50619
50620===== Known Issues =====
50621
50622
50623
50624  * Keyboard: the keyboard emulation is not accurate; in order to prevent the keyboard from hanging the whole computer, undocumented hacks have been introduced; it seems usable for now
50625
50626
50627
50628  * Video: graphical glitches have been reported on games that use hardware video page switching
50629
50630
50631
50632  * Mouse and paddles: they cannot be used at the same time (not an emulation bug, the same problem exists on the real computer)
50633
50634
50635
50636
50637
50638===== History and Trivia =====
50639
50640
50641
50642Successor of the TO7/70 as a home-computer.
50643
50644
50645
50646Note that it is more recent than the TO9.
50647
50648
50649
50650While the TO9 was a high-end semi-professional computer, the TO8 was meant to replace the TO7/70 as a home computer.
50651
50652
50653
50654It has a more compact Amiga-like look, no separate keyboard, and less extension slots. Also, it has no integrated floppy drive, and less application software in ROM.
50655
50656
50657
50658Despite this, it is considered much superior to the TO9.
50659
50660
50661
50662It improves on the gate-array technology developed for the TO9 (the TO8 version is so mature that it will be reused unchanged on the TO9+ and MO6).
50663
50664
50665
50666It allows a better and more flexible use of the address space (in particular, video page switching is now available in all video modes).
50667
50668
50669
50670The TO8 has more RAM: 256 KB expandable up to 512 KB.
50671
50672
50673
50674The integrated controller is very versatile (again, a custom Thomson gate-array that will be reused) and allows connecting any Thomson floppy drive (5"1/4, 3"1/2 and 2"8).
50675
50676
50677
50678The BASIC 128 has been replaced with a BASIC 512 that allows accessing the whole memory (but a part can still be devoted to a virtual RAM disk).
50679
50680
50681
50682The two missing TO9 application software could still be bought on floppies; they have been substantially debugged.
50683
50684
50685
50686The music extension and second generation game ports (allowing 2-button paddles and a mouse) are included.
50687
50688
50689
50690The TO8 was very popular and became the de-facto gaming computer in the Thomson family.
50691
50692
50693
50694The TO8D is simply a TO8 with an integrated 3"1/2 floppy drive.
50695
50696
50697
50698As MESS emulates up to four 3"1/2, 5"1/4 and 2"8 floppy drives on the TO8 anyway, you won't see much difference between the TO8 and TO8D (except for the slightly different startup menu).
50699
50700
50701
50702
50703
50704===== Links =====
50705
50706
50707
50708  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
50709
50710  * AMITO8: TO8 and Amiga emulation site -- http://membres.lycos.fr/amito8
50711
50712
50713
50714See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
50715
50716
50717
50718
50719
50720===== Other Emulators =====
50721
50722
50723
50724  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
50725
50726  * TEO: TO8 emulator -- http://nostalgies.thomsonistes.org/teo_home.html
50727
50728  * EmuTO8: another TO8-only emulator -- http://membres.lycos.fr/jth/emuto8.html
50729
50730
50731
50732
50733
50734$end
50735
50736
50737
50738#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
50739
50740
50741$info=to9
50742$bio
50743====== Thomson TO9 (Sep 1985) ======
50744
50745
50746
50747
50748
50749===== Features =====
50750
50751
50752
50753  * CPU: 1 MHz Motorola 6809E
50754
50755  * RAM: 112 KB base + 64 KB virtual disk extension
50756
50757  * ROM: 136 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 128, graphical DOS, text processor & database software
50758
50759  * Video: 8 video modes
50760
50761    * legacy 320x200, 16 colors with proximity constraints
50762
50763    * 320x200, 4 colors, unconstrained
50764
50765    * 160x200, 16 colors
50766
50767    * 640x200, 2 colors
50768
50769    * 320x200, two 2-color pages
50770
50771    * 320x200, two overlaid pages, 3 colors
50772
50773    * 160x200, four 2-color pages
50774
50775    * 160x200, four overlaid pages, 5 colors
50776
50777  * Palette: 16 colors to be chosen among 4096.
50778
50779  * Sound: 1-bit buzzer + 6-bit DAC extension + speech synthesis extension
50780
50781  * Keyboard: AZERTY 81-keys, French with accents, keypad & function keys
50782
50783  * Game-pad: two 8-way 1-button paddles
50784
50785  * Mouse (not emulated)
50786
50787  * Lightpen
50788
50789  * Cartridge: optional, TO7 compatible
50790
50791  * Cassette: 900 bauds, TO7 compatible
50792
50793  * Floppy: integrated controller and 3"1/2 drive + 2 external 3"1/2 drives, TO7-compatible 320 KB floppies
50794
50795  * Printer port (CENTRONICS)
50796
50797
50798
50799
50800
50801===== Usage =====
50802
50803
50804
50805MESS currently supports emulation of to9 with
50806
50807
50808
50809  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .k7 format
50810
50811  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m7 and .rom files
50812
50813  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
50814
50815
50816
50817Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
50818
50819
50820
50821See below for specific usage notes about each device.
50822
50823
50824
50825== Menu ==
50826
50827
50828
50829From the startup menu, press <key>S-1</key> and <key>S-2</key> to access the internal software (text-processor and database), <key>S-3</key> to get the BASIC 128, <key>S-4</key> for the old BASIC 1.0, <key>S-5</key> to change the color palette, and <key>S-6</key> to access the graphical DOS.
50830
50831
50832
50833== Cartridges ==
50834
50835
50836
50837An optional cartridge can be inserted with the -cart option. It can be started from the startup menu by pressing <key>S-0</key>.
50838
50839
50840
50841The TO9 can run TO7 and TO7/70 cartridges, but not MO5 ones.
50842
50843
50844
50845== Cassettes ==
50846
50847
50848
50849They have the same format as the TO7 and TO7/70 ones, and MESS recognizes the same image types (.wav and .k7).
50850
50851
50852
50853We recall that cassettes are loaded with one of the two following BASIC commands:
50854
50855  RUN"" (for BASIC files)
50856
50857  LOADM"",,R (for binary files)
50858
50859
50860
50861Please see the to7 driver for more informations.
50862
50863
50864
50865Thanks to the backward compatibility, you should be able to run most TO7 and TO7/70 software, provided that you load them from the old BASIC 1.0 and not the BASIC 128.
50866
50867
50868
50869Note that to use cassettes with the BASIC 128, you must use the commands
50870
50871  RUN"CASS:"
50872
50873and
50874
50875  LOADM"CASS:",,R
50876
50877respectively because the cassette device is no longer the default one.
50878
50879
50880
50881== Floppy Disks ==
50882
50883
50884
50885The TO9 has an internal 3"1/2 drive, and allows two more external 3"1/2 drives to be connected. They are named -flop0, -flop2, -flop3.
50886
50887
50888
50889In theory, drive number 1 (-flop1) does not exist: it corresponds to the hypothetical second side of the one-sided internal drive.
50890
50891
50892
50893But MESS emulates -flop1 anyway...
50894
50895
50896
50897Due to the fixed internal controller, only 3"1/2 floppies can be used. 2"8 floppies will no work while 5"1/4 floppies might work partially.
50898
50899
50900
50901Floppies are TO7, TO7/70 and MO5 compatible. The same .fd and .sap image formats are recognized.
50902
50903
50904
50905Floppies can be used directly form the BASIC 128 (<key>S-3</key>).
50906
50907
50908
50909Then use the commands DIR, LOAD, SAVE, RUN, DSKINI as usual (see the to7 driver).
50910
50911
50912
50913Most games are bootable. Simply insert the floppy in drive 0 (-flop0) and press D in the startup menu.
50914
50915
50916
50917Using floppies with the old BASIC 1.0 is also possible, but more complex. You must first insert a BASIC DOS boot disk in drive 0, and then start the BASIC (<key>S-4</key>) in the startup menu.
50918
50919
50920
50921The graphical DOS (<key>S-6</key>, then select a drive number) allows formatting and copying floppies, but not running them.
50922
50923
50924
50925Note that the 5-th drive, numbered 4, does not correspond to a real floppy, but to a 64 KB RAM disk.
50926
50927
50928
50929== Keyboard ==
50930
50931
50932
50933This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>ScrollLock</key> key (by default).
50934
50935
50936
50937TO9 keyboard is AZERTY, with a keypad, a <key>CapsLock</key> key and function keys.
50938
50939 
50940
50941         F1/F6    F2/F7    F3/F8    F4/F9    F5/F10
50942
50943 
50944
50945     #@   *1  e2  "3  '4  (5  _6  e7  !8  c9  a0  )°  -\  =+  ACC       UP           7   8   9
50946
50947 
50948
50949    STOP    A   Z   E   R   T   Y   U   I   O   P  ^"  $&    ENTER  LEFT  RIGHT      4   5   6
50950
50951 
50952
50953    CTRL  [{ Q   S   D   F   G   H   J   K   L   M   u%  ]}            DOWN          1   2   3
50954
50955 
50956
50957   CAPS SHIFT W   X   C   V   B   N   ,?  ;.  :/  ><  SHIFT   HOME   INS  DEL        0   .  ENT
50958
50959 
50960
50961                  SPACE
50962
50963
50964
50965As for modern AZERTY keyboards, <key>S</key> must be hold to enter digits.
50966
50967
50968
50969== Mouse ==
50970
50971
50972
50973A mouse connected to the game port extension is emulated (as for in Thomson drivers). However there does not seem to be any BIOS and software support for this kind of mouse until the (later) TO8 model.
50974
50975
50976
50977The TO9 also features a mouse port built in the keyboard. This port is not emulated.
50978
50979
50980
50981== Video ==
50982
50983
50984
50985MESS has two emulation modes: low-resolution and high-resolution.
50986
50987
50988
50989The default is low-resolution, which is fast and sufficient to emulate most graphical modes (160x200 and 320x200 resolution). To represent faithfully the 640x200 TO9 mode, you should switch to the slower, high-resolution emulation mode in MESS's in-game menu.
50990
50991
50992
50993== RAM options ==
50994
50995
50996
50997Different RAM configurations are possible for to9 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
50998
50999
51000
51001  128k - base config
51002
51003  192k (default) - with 64KB extension
51004
51005
51006
51007
51008
51009===== Known Issues =====
51010
51011
51012
51013  * Mouse port built-in the keyboard not emulated
51014
51015
51016
51017  * MODEM and RS232 ports not emulated
51018
51019
51020
51021===== History and Trivia =====
51022
51023
51024
51025Much improved successor of the TO7/70, destined for semi-professional usage. Note that it is older than the TO8.
51026
51027
51028
51029The TO9 was a high-end product destined to a semi-professional usage.
51030
51031
51032
51033It included lots of RAM, software in ROM, a 3"1/2 floppy drive. It had a desktop look with a separate keyboard and an optional mouse.
51034
51035
51036
51037It was a TO family computer, backward compatible with the TO7 and TO7/70 (but not the MO5).
51038
51039
51040
51041It was the first Thomson computer based on the new video gate-array that increased greatly the video capabilities.
51042
51043
51044
51045Also, it was the first Thomson to have a dedicated keyboard chip (former ones relied on CPU pooling).
51046
51047
51048
51049Alas it had many problems.
51050
51051
51052
51053The text-processor and database management software included in ROM were quite buggy. Even the BASIC 128 was not able to access the full power of the TO9 (in particular, the 64 KB RAM extension could only be used as a virtual RAM disk, not as a main memory). The integrated floppy drive was one-sided.
51054
51055
51056
51057It was considered somewhat immature and quickly replaced with the improved TO9+.
51058
51059
51060
51061
51062
51063===== Links =====
51064
51065
51066
51067  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
51068
51069
51070
51071See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
51072
51073
51074
51075
51076
51077===== Other Emulators =====
51078
51079
51080
51081  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
51082
51083
51084
51085
51086
51087$end
51088
51089
51090
51091#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
51092
51093
51094$info=to9p
51095$bio
51096====== Thomson TO9+ (Sep 1986?) ======
51097
51098
51099
51100
51101
51102===== Features =====
51103
51104
51105
51106We only show the difference with the TO8 and the TO9.
51107
51108
51109
51110  * RAM: 512 KB
51111
51112  * ROM: 96 KB BIOS, BASIC 1.0, BASIC 512, graphical DOS
51113
51114  * Video: similar to the TO8
51115
51116  * Mouse: similar to the TO8
51117
51118  * Floppy: integrated versatile controller, integrated two-sided 3"1/2 floppy drive (extendable to up to four 3"1/2, 5"1/4 or 2"8 drives)
51119
51120
51121
51122
51123
51124===== Usage =====
51125
51126
51127
51128MESS currently supports emulation of to9p with
51129
51130
51131
51132  * a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .k7 format
51133
51134  * a "cartridge" (cart) device for .m7 and .rom files
51135
51136  * four floppy drives, "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3), for disk images in .fd, .qd and .sap format
51137
51138
51139
51140Also notice that the "printer" (prin), the "modem" (modm) and the ports "cc90232" (c232) and "rf57932" (r232) are emulated as well.
51141
51142
51143
51144Please read the to8 -- http://mess.toseciso.org/sysinfo:to8 entry for specific usage notes about each device.
51145
51146
51147
51148__IMPORTANT NOTE:__
51149
51150
51151
51152TO9+ and TO9 differ in the way the mouse and the floppy drives are managed. In these respects, the TO9+ behaves as
51153
51154the TO8, not the TO9.
51155
51156
51157
51158== Keyboard ==
51159
51160
51161
51162This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
51163
51164
51165
51166
51167
51168===== Known Issues =====
51169
51170
51171
51172  * Video: see the to8 driver
51173
51174
51175
51176  * Unemulated features: MODEM, RS232.
51177
51178
51179
51180
51181
51182===== History and Trivia =====
51183
51184
51185
51186Successor of the TO9.
51187
51188
51189
51190Despite its name, the TO9+ is much more based on TO8 technology than TO9 (same video and memory systems, same floppy controller, same mouse, similar startup menu).
51191
51192
51193
51194However, as the TO9, it is intended as a semi-professional product.
51195
51196
51197
51198It keeps the desktop look of the TO9, with the separate keyboard.
51199
51200
51201
51202It now has 512 KB of RAM (inextensible), the BASIC 512, and an integrated 3"1/2 floppy drive (double-sided, unlike the TO9 one).
51203
51204
51205
51206Also, software formerly provided in the TO9 ROM are now supplied on floppies.
51207
51208
51209
51210Finally, it has enhanced communication capabilities by integrating either a MODEM or a RS232 extension (not emulated, alas).
51211
51212
51213
51214
51215
51216===== Links =====
51217
51218
51219
51220  * Thomson driver main page -- http://www.di.ens.fr/~mine/mess
51221
51222
51223
51224See the information for the to7 system for generic Thomson links
51225
51226
51227
51228
51229
51230===== Other Emulators =====
51231
51232
51233
51234  * DCMOTO: universal Thomson emulator, with many software and documentations -- http://dcmoto.free.fr
51235
51236
51237
51238
51239
51240$end
51241
51242
51243
51244#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
51245
51246
51247$info=trs80
51248$bio
51249====== Tandy / Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I (1977) ======
51250
51251
51252
51253
51254
51255===== Features =====
51256
51257
51258
51259  * CPU: Zilog Z80 1.77 MHz
51260
51261  * RAM: 4 kb / 16 kb depending on models (up to 48 kb)
51262
51263  * VRAM: 1 kb
51264
51265  * ROM: 4 kb (Basic Level 1) or 12kb (Basic Level 2)
51266
51267  * Text Modes: 32 x 16, 64 x 16
51268
51269  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 48
51270
51271  * Colors: monochrome
51272
51273  * Sound: None
51274
51275  * I/O Ports: Monitor, cassette interface, expansion port
51276
51277  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 53 Keys, optional numeric keypad
51278
51279  * OS: TRS DOS - NEW DOS
51280
51281  * Built In Language: Basic Level 1 (4k ROM models), Basic Level II (12k ROM models)
51282
51283
51284
51285
51286
51287===== Usage =====
51288
51289
51290
51291MESS supports the following systems
51292
51293
51294
51295  * trs80 [Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I (Level I Basic)]
51296
51297  * trs80l2 [Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I (Level II Basic)]
51298
51299  * sys80 [EACA System-80]
51300
51301  * lnw80 [LNW Research LNW-80]
51302
51303
51304
51305For all these drivers, MESS supports a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .cas format. Additionally, for all the drivers, except trs80, up to four floppy drives are supported for disk images in .dsk format. These correspond to devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
51306
51307
51308
51309Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .cmd files.
51310
51311
51312
51313== Keyboard ==
51314
51315
51316
51317This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
51318
51319
51320
51321The emulated keyboard is relatively close to the original layout. Take a look into the "Options" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, and choose "Keys (This Machine)" to  find out more about the key mapping.
51322
51323
51324
51325== Cassettes ==
51326
51327
51328
51329Emulation of virtual tapes supported. Use
51330
51331  SYSTEM
51332
51333or
51334
51335  CLOAD
51336
51337commands to read images.
51338
51339
51340
51341SYSTEM supports 6 character filenames and loads the corresponding FILENM.CAS image.
51342
51343
51344
51345CLOAD loads a file named BASIC(N).CAS, where (N) is the character you supplied (e.g. CLOAD"M" loads BASICM.CAS)
51346
51347
51348
51349== Floppy Disks ==
51350
51351
51352
51353Emulation of virtual floppy discs supported. Use a NEWDOS/80 boot disk for drive 0 and set up correct PDRIVE parameters for the other drives. If only drives 0 to 2 are used they can be double sided by interpreting drive select 3 as head select bit.
51354
51355
51356
51357Under the "Options" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, there are three settings.
51358
51359  * "Floppy Disc Drives"  - enable or disable floppy disc controller.
51360
51361  * "Video RAM"           - enable upper case only or upper/lower font.
51362
51363  * "Virtual E000-EFFF"   - enable 4K Extension ROM or make it RAM.
51364
51365
51366
51367== BIOS options ==
51368
51369
51370
51371MESS supports two different versions of the Level II Basic for trs80l2. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
51372
51373 
51374
51375  "-bios 0" or "-bios level2" = Radio Shack Level II Basic
51376
51377 
51378
51379  "-bios 1" or "-bios rsl2" = R/S L2 Basic
51380
51381
51382
51383
51384
51385===== Known Issues =====
51386
51387
51388
51389The TRS-80 driver should run most of the known programs out there. It supports a WD 179x floppy disc controller with up to four virtual floppy disc drives contained in image files.
51390
51391
51392
51393
51394
51395===== History and Trivia =====
51396
51397
51398
51399The Tandy TRS-80 model 1, released in August 1977 at a US retail price of $399 for just the keyboard/computer or $599 including display and cassette storage unit, was the first member of one of the most famous computer families.The earliest models used a poor BASIC interpreter called Basic Level 1 (the interpreter and the OS fit in the 4 KB ROM) which had no instruction to save the program! It was replaced later with the Basic Level 2 which needed a 12 KB ROM. To offset its poor characteristics, Tandy developed a device called the Expansion Interface which brought a lot of new features: 16, 32 or 48 KB RAM, two tape unit connectors, a printer port, a floppy disk controller, a serial port and a real time clock.
51400
51401
51402
51403When it was connected to a floppy disk unit, the TRS 80 used the TRS DOS operating system, it was pretty bugged and most of the TRS80 users preferred NEW DOS, it is an operating system done by a third-party company called Apparat. This OS was the real TRS 80 operating system.
51404
51405
51406
51407The Model 1 was followed with the TRS 80 model II and model III (the model III had almost the same characteristics as the model I).
51408
51409
51410
51411
51412
51413===== Links =====
51414
51415
51416
51417  * Ira Goldklang's Page -- http://www.trs-80.com/
51418
51419  * Timm Mann's TRS-80 Page -- http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html
51420
51421  * TRS-80 Model I at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=409
51422
51423
51424
51425
51426
51427===== Other Emulators =====
51428
51429
51430
51431  * David Keil's TRS-80 Model I Emu -- http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model1.htm
51432
51433  * Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 Model I Emu -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model1
51434
51435  * TRS32 -- http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/
51436
51437  * TRSF-80 -- http://members.aol.com/trsf80/
51438
51439
51440
51441
51442
51443$end
51444
51445
51446
51447#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
51448
51449
51450$info=trs80m3
51451$bio
51452====== Tandy / Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III (1981) ======
51453
51454
51455
51456
51457
51458===== Features =====
51459
51460
51461
51462  * CPU: Zilog Z80 then Z80A 2.03 MHz
51463
51464  * RAM: 16 KB (up to 48 KB)
51465
51466  * ROM: 14 KB
51467
51468  * Text Modes: 32 or 64 columns x 16 lines
51469
51470  * Graphic Modes: 128 graphic characters
51471
51472  * Colors: monochrome
51473
51474  * I/O Ports: Tape (500 or 1500 bauds), Centronics, RS232
51475
51476  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
51477
51478  * Built In Media: Zero, one or two 5.25" disk-drives.
51479
51480  * OS: TRS DOS (other OSes were available : New DOS, LDOS, MultiDOS, ...)
51481
51482  * Built In Language: TRS-80 Level II BASIC
51483
51484  * Peripherals: Various Tandy peripherals
51485
51486
51487
51488
51489
51490===== Usage =====
51491
51492
51493
51494MESS currently supports for the trs80m3 both cassette tapes and disk images. The former are accepted in .cas format and use the "cassette" (cass) device; the latter are accepted in .dsk format and use one of the four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
51495
51496
51497
51498Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .cmd files.
51499
51500
51501
51502== Keyboard ==
51503
51504
51505
51506This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
51507
51508
51509
51510
51511
51512===== History and Trivia =====
51513
51514
51515
51516The model 3 is generally regarded as the successor to the Model 1. Its two 5.25" floppy disk drives could convert model 1 disks.
51517
51518
51519
51520Initially Radio Shack wanted to sell both the model 1 and 3 at the same time, but the FCC forced them to stop selling model 1. Is so they were discontinued because of the excessive radio noise that they put out.
51521
51522
51523
51524However, the Model 3 wasn't FULLY compatible with the model 1. There were differences in ROM which meant some programs had to be converted, especially those machine language ones that made ROM calls.
51525
51526
51527
51528== Model III configurations ==
51529
51530
51531
51532(info by Dave Thompson): TRS-80 Model III was sold in multiple configurations. No hardrive configurations included: Model III with Level 1 ROM, 8k RAM sold for US$799. Model III with Level 2 ROM, 16k RAM sold for $999. The first floppy drive cost $849, and could store 168k. The second drive was cheaper, and could store more. The price difference is due to the first one included the drive controller. The increased space on the second drive (189k) was due to the first drive must also contain some TRS-DOS (the operating system).
51533
51534
51535
51536//(info from old-computers.com)//
51537
51538
51539
51540
51541
51542===== Links =====
51543
51544
51545
51546  * Ira Goldklang's Page -- http://www.trs-80.com/
51547
51548  * Timm Mann's TRS-80 Page -- http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html
51549
51550  * TRS-80 Model III at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=18
51551
51552
51553
51554
51555
51556===== Other Emulators =====
51557
51558
51559
51560  * David Keil's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model1.htm
51561
51562  * Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model4
51563
51564  * TRS32 -- http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/
51565
51566
51567
51568
51569
51570$end
51571
51572
51573
51574#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
51575
51576
51577$info=trs80m4
51578$bio
51579====== Tandy / Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4 (1983) ======
51580
51581
51582
51583
51584
51585===== Features =====
51586
51587
51588
51589  * CPU: Zilog Z80 4 MHz
51590
51591  * RAM: 64 KB (up to 128 KB)
51592
51593  * ROM: 14 KB
51594
51595  * Text Modes: 64 x 16 / 32 x 16 / 64 x 40 / 80 x 24
51596
51597  * Graphic Modes: None
51598
51599  * Colors: Monochrome green phosphore
51600
51601  * Sound: Built-in speaker
51602
51603  * I/O Ports: Tape (500 or 1500 bauds), Centronics, I/O ports compatible with Model III, Serial (4D)
51604
51605  * Keyboard: Typewriter style 83 keys with numeric keypad
51606
51607  * Built In Media: One or Two 5.25" disk-drives
51608
51609  * OS: TRSDOS 6.0 or 1.3, LDOS, CP/M
51610
51611  * Built In Language: None
51612
51613
51614
51615
51616
51617===== Usage =====
51618
51619
51620
51621MESS currently supports for the trs80m3 both cassette tapes and disk images. The former are accepted in .cas format and use the "cassette" (cass) device; the latter are accepted in .dsk format and use one of the four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4).
51622
51623
51624
51625Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .cmd files.
51626
51627
51628
51629== Keyboard ==
51630
51631
51632
51633This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
51634
51635
51636
51637
51638
51639===== History and Trivia =====
51640
51641
51642
51643The TRS-80 model 4 (ref 26-1068/69) was one of the last models of the TRS-80 series (and perhaps the less known). It ran at 4 MHz and displayed 80 columns x 24 lines in Model 4 mode, but was fully compatible with the TRS-80 model 3 and in Model 3 mode actually displayed 64x16 and ran at the Model 3's 2 MHz.
51644
51645
51646
51647It had 64 or 128 KB RAM, the 64 upper KB being used as a ram disk. It had one or two 5.25" floppy disk (184 KB each) and ran under TRSDOS 6.0 or 1.3, LDOS or CP/M.
51648
51649
51650
51651A transformation kit "TRS80 model III -> model IV" was available.
51652
51653
51654
51655The Model 4 was followed by the Model 4D (ref. 26-1070). The only difference being double sided drives -384 KB, instead of single sided drives.
51656
51657
51658
51659A portable version of the Model IV called Model 4P (ref. 26-1080) was also marketed few time after.
51660
51661
51662
51663//(info from old-computers.com)//
51664
51665
51666
51667
51668
51669===== Links =====
51670
51671
51672
51673  * Ira Goldklang's Page -- http://www.trs-80.com/
51674
51675  * Timm Mann's TRS-80 Page -- http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80.html
51676
51677  * TRS-80 Model 4 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=244
51678
51679
51680
51681
51682
51683===== Other Emulators =====
51684
51685
51686
51687  * David Keil's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://discover-net.net/~dmkeil/trs80/model1.htm
51688
51689  * Jeff Vavasour's TRS-80 Model III/4 Emu -- http://www.vavasour.ca/jeff/trs80.html#model4
51690
51691  * TRS32 -- http://www.arrowweb.com/mkr/
51692
51693
51694
51695
51696
51697$end
51698
51699
51700
51701#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
51702
51703
51704$info=ts2068
51705$bio
51706====== Timex Sinclair 2068 (1983) ======
51707
51708
51709
51710
51711
51712===== Features =====
51713
51714
51715
51716  * CPU: Z80A 3.58 MHz.
51717
51718  * RAM: 48 KB
51719
51720  * ROM: 24 KB (16 KB + 8 KB Exrom)
51721
51722  * Text Modes: 32 chars. x 24 rows
51723
51724  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 (with 32x24 or 32x192 attributes), 512 x 192
51725
51726  * Colors: 16
51727
51728  * Sound: AY-3-8912 Sound Chip (same as 128K Spectrums)
51729
51730  * I/O Ports: Two joystick connectors, RF out, Composite video output, RGB video output, cartridge slot, tape-recorder
51731
51732  * Keyboard: Chicklet keyboard
51733
51734  * OS: BASIC based
51735
51736  * Built In Language: TS 2068 Basic
51737
51738
51739
51740
51741
51742===== Usage =====
51743
51744
51745
51746MESS supports the emulation of ts2068 with the following devices
51747
51748
51749
51750  - a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .tzx and .tap format
51751
51752  - a "cartridge" (cart) device, for cart dumps in .dck format
51753
51754
51755
51756Also notice that a "snapshot" (snap) feature is available for .sna, .z80 and .sp files, and a "quickload" (quik) is available for .scr files.
51757
51758
51759
51760== Keyboard ==
51761
51762
51763
51764This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
51765
51766
51767
51768
51769
51770===== History and Trivia =====
51771
51772
51773
51774This is the American version of the Spectrum. It has an additional 8K extension ROM, cartridge port, two joystick ports and AY-3-8912 sound chip with extra Sinclair BASIC commands to support these devices (STICK, SOUND). It was packaged in a hard plastic silver case with nonstandard plastic keys.
51775
51776
51777
51778The TS2068 is Timex's re-engineered 48K Spectrum. It was released in Fall 1983 just before Timex Computer Corp folded in Spring 1984. A rogue arm of Timex in Portugal continued to sell TC2068s (same as TS2068) and TC2048s (an improved Spectrum) until 1989. They, of course, were only allowed to sell in non-Sinclair controlled marketplaces.
51779
51780
51781
51782Timex recognized that a 48K Spectrum would not continue being competitive in North America for long without changes being made. They developed two computers that were to be North America's debut of the Spectrum. One was called the TS2048 and the other the TS2068. The TS2048 was basically a 48K Spectrum w/ Kempston joystick and the advanced video modes of the TS2068. The TS2068 was a completely different computer with the Spectrum as its roots. Timex decided to only sell the TS2068. When sales over Christmas 1983 were disappointing, they pulled the plug. Timex of Portugal, no doubt encouraged by the Spectrum's popularity in Europe, continued to sell the TS2068 and offered the TS2048 as the TC2068 and TC2048 in parts of Europe, notably Portugal and Poland. When Timex pulled the plug, they dumped all their surplus TS2068s in Argentina.
51783
51784
51785
51786As for Spectrum compatibilty: The tape I/O is the same so you can load Spectrum tape files. Spectrum BASIC is a subset of the TS2068's BASIC, so you can run Spectrum BASIC programs. The TS2068's ROM is different, though, so you can't run Spectrum m/c that makes use of the ROM. Without the aid of a Spectrum emulator, you can run about 7% of the Spectrum's commercially available software.
51787
51788
51789
51790The Spectrum emulator is really a Spectrum ROM on cartridge (there are other forms) that is bankswitched into the lower 0-16K region. The top 48K region is filled with RAM. To the software this looks exactly the same as a 48K Spectrum. There are a few hardware reasons for incompatibilities but using an emulator, you can reach 97% compatibility.
51791
51792
51793
51794Timex Sinclair was also working on another machine, the TS-2048, but never passed the prototype stage. It was a 16K version of the TS-2068 with the same silver case but reduced features, a Kempston joystick interface and additional video modes. At the time when it was ready to be launched, the market had moved to 48K and 64K systems, and there was no future for a new 16K machine.
51795
51796
51797
51798//(info from old-computers.com, which took the text from "Sinclair Computer Hardware Factsheet")//
51799
51800
51801
51802
51803
51804===== Links =====
51805
51806
51807
51808  * TS-2068 at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=634
51809
51810
51811
51812
51813
51814$end
51815
51816
51817
51818#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
51819
51820
51821$info=tutor
51822$bio
51823====== Tomy Tutor (1983) ======
51824
51825
51826
51827
51828
51829===== Features =====
51830
51831
51832
51833  * CPU: Texas-Instrument TMS 9995NL 2.7 MHz
51834
51835  * Co-Processor: Texas-Instrument TMS 9918ANL (Videochip)
51836
51837  * RAM: 16 kb (up to 64 kb)
51838
51839  * VRAM: 16 kb
51840
51841  * ROM: 32 kb (including TOMY Basic, GBASIC, and graphic software)
51842
51843  * Text Modes 32 x 24 in 16 colors
51844
51845  * Graphic Modes: 256 x 192 in 16 colors, 4 unicolor sprites
51846
51847  * Colors: 16
51848
51849  * Sound: 3 channels (2 music, 1 noise), 8 octaves
51850
51851  * I/O Ports: Joystick port (9-pin DSUB, but not Atari compatible), RF output, Video composite/Audio outputs, I/O port, Cartridge slot, 5-DIN plug for tape-recorder
51852
51853  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 56 rubber keys, with a large pink spacebar
51854
51855  * Built In Language: GBasic + Tomy Basic on later machines. Integrated software : Tomy Paint (paint program)
51856
51857
51858
51859
51860
51861===== Usage =====
51862
51863
51864
51865MESS emulates the tutor with a "cassette" (cass) device. Cassette tapes must be in .wav format.
51866
51867
51868
51869Also noticed that the "parallel" (parl) port is emulated as well.
51870
51871
51872
51873== Misc ==
51874
51875
51876
51877When you turn on Tutor in MESS, you can choose between two built-in programs:
51878
51879
51880
51881  * Graphic: It is a picture drawing program which allows to create 256*192 pictures in 16 colors (it is not clear if the pictures drawn in this program can be saved).
51882
51883
51884
51885  * Basic: It is a Basic interpreter derived from the TI99 Extended Basic; quite unfortunately, Basic lacks I/O routines and a serious graphic library.
51886
51887
51888
51889A third built-in program can be accessed by entering Graphic, pressing 3 times the MOD key (you will be in Graphic Mode 4: both sprites and screen grid present, but not the color palette menu) and pressing MON once. This way you access the MONitor and you can enter GBasic commands. GBasic is another Basic interpreter for Tutor: it is probably faster than Basic and it has better graphic capabilities, but the language itself is unfortunately lacking and the editor
51890
51891
51892
51893== Cartridges ==
51894
51895
51896
51897MESS also supports emulation of the Tutor with a "cartridge" (cart) device. Supported carts have no extension. You can run them using, at command line,
51898
51899
51900
51901  mess.exe tutor -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename"
51902
51903
51904
51905In this case, a third option will appear in the selection screen: Cartridge. Selecting this option, the program in the cart will be started. Notice that, to avoid conflicts with the Down arrow at the Selection Screen, P1 controls (used when playing a cart) are mapped by default to the directions on the numerical pad of your keyboard:
51906
51907
51908
51909| Up    | Keypad 8 |
51910
51911| Left  | Keypad 4 |
51912
51913| Right | Keypad 6 |
51914
51915| Down  | Keypad 2 |
51916
51917
51918
51919Only a few cartridges were released for the Tomy Tutor: almost 40 games and a few educational programs. 9 cartridges are known to have been dumped (8 games and an educational title).
51920
51921
51922
51923== Keyboard ==
51924
51925
51926
51927This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
51928
51929
51930
51931
51932
51933===== Known Issues =====
51934
51935
51936
51937Cassette emulation does not work.
51938
51939
51940
51941
51942
51943===== History and Trivia =====
51944
51945
51946
51947This computer is known as Tomy Tutor in US, and as Grandstand Tutor in UK. It was initially released in Japan in 1982 or 1983 under the name of Pyuuta (Pi-yu-u-ta, with a Kanji for the "ta"). The Japanese versions are different from the English-language versions, as they have different ROMs with Japanese messages and support for the katakana syllabus. 
51948
51949
51950
51951The Tutor was not extremely successful, probably due to the fact that little software was available (and that the software that was available was not varied enough).
51952
51953
51954
51955One question that remains open is the relationship between the Tutor and the TI-99 series.  From a hardware point of view, the Tutor has a lot in common with TI-99/4(a) (though the two computers are NOT compatible). From a software point of view, the Tutor Basic is directly derived from TI Extended Basic (there is even a GPL interpreter in ROM, though the Tutor variant of GPL is quite different from TI GPL).  However, other Tutor software do not seem to be derived from TI-99 software.  It is therefore likely that Matsushita designed the Tutor independently from TI and licensed  the TI Basic from TI as an afterthought; OTOH, the whole design might have originated from TI, as the computer really looks like a "TI-99/3" (the hardware is similar to the TI-99/4 series, whereas the concept is very close to the TI-99/2).
51956
51957
51958
51959== Versions ==
51960
51961
51962
51963There are at least 4 versions:
51964
51965
51966
51967  * Pyuuta (1982 or 1983), the original system with title screens in Japanese but no Basic (only the toy-like Gbasic interpreter is available)
51968
51969
51970
51971  * Pyuuta Jr. (1983?), a console with simplified keyboard
51972
51973
51974
51975  * Tomy/Grandstand Tutor (circa October 1983?), with title screens in English and integrated Basic
51976
51977
51978
51979  * Pyuuta Mk. 2 (1984?), with a better-looking keyboard and integrated Basic
51980
51981
51982
51983//(info from old-computers.com)//
51984
51985
51986
51987
51988
51989===== Links =====
51990
51991
51992
51993  * Tutor at Floodgap Systems -- http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/tomy/
51994
51995  * Tutor at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=337
51996
51997
51998
51999
52000
52001$end
52002
52003
52004
52005#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52006
52007
52008$info=tx0_64kw
52009$bio
52010====== TX-0 original demonstrator (64 kWords of RAM) (1956) ======
52011
52012
52013
52014
52015
52016===== Usage =====
52017
52018
52019
52020MESS supports for the tx0_64kw the following devices
52021
52022
52023
52024  * two punchtapes, "punchtape1" (ptap1) and "punchtape2" (ptap2), for .tap and .rim files
52025
52026  * a "cassette" (cass), supporting .tap files as well
52027
52028  * a "printer" (prin)
52029
52030
52031
52032== Keyboard ==
52033
52034
52035
52036This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
52037
52038
52039
52040
52041
52042===== History and Trivia =====
52043
52044
52045
52046The TX-0 was built in 1955-1956 at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, to demonstrate transistor technology (the TX-0 is regarded as the first transistorized computer ever) and test a 64kw magnetic core memory array for the TX-2 computer that was on the drawing board.  Once assembled, the TX-0 proved to be a reliable and interesting general purpose computer.
52047
52048
52049
52050A CRT was installed in 1957, and a light-pen in 1958, which enabled interactive graphical operation, which was exceptional on computers of the time.  The TX-0 was one of the first computers with a light pen; on the other hand, some computers (e.g. Whirlwind) had had CRTs for years, but such CRTs were seldom used for interactive operation.
52051
52052
52053
52054In July 1958, the computer was taken out of Lincoln Laboratory and transferred to room 26-248 at the MIT Electrical Engineering Department.
52055
52056
52057
52058
52059
52060$end
52061
52062
52063
52064#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52065
52066
52067$info=tx0_8kw
52068$bio
52069====== TX-0 upgraded system (8 kWords of RAM) (1962) ======
52070
52071
52072
52073
52074
52075===== Usage =====
52076
52077
52078
52079MESS supports for the tx0_8kw the following devices
52080
52081
52082
52083  * two punchtapes, "punchtape1" (ptap1) and "punchtape2" (ptap2), for .tap and .rim files
52084
52085  * a "cassette" (cass), supporting .tap files as well
52086
52087  * a "printer" (prin)
52088
52089
52090
52091== Keyboard ==
52092
52093
52094
52095This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
52096
52097
52098
52099
52100
52101===== History and Trivia =====
52102
52103
52104
52105After its transfer from the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in July 1958, the TX-0 was supported by the MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics, the MIT Electronic Systems Laboratory and the MIT Electrical Engineering Department.
52106
52107
52108
52109A so-called Extended Input/Output System was installed soon after the transfer it enabled users to add custom I/O devices relatively easily.
52110
52111
52112
52113The TX-0 originally had a 64kw memory matrix, which had been transferred to the TX-2 and replaced with a 4kw matrix in the spring of 1958; this 4kw matrix was extended to 8 kw in 1959.
52114
52115
52116
52117Since the address size was reduced from 16 to 13 bits, more bits were available for instruction opcodes (5 instead of 2): the instruction set was subsequently extended from 4 instructions to 23.  The first three additional instructions, which required little processor changes, were implemented in 1959; the logical design for the other instructions was completed in 1960, and was implemented
52118
52119from 1960 to 1962.  Also, a magnetic tape system was added in 1961.
52120
52121
52122
52123There were projects for further expansion (e.g. timesharing system), but after the PDP-1 arrived at the MIT, further development on the TX-0 was stopped.
52124
52125
52126
52127The TX-0 remained in operation at the MIT until 1975, at which point it was transfered to the Computer Museum set-up by DEC in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
52128
52129
52130
52131Though the upgrades were designed not to break compatibility, only programs that use 8 kw of RAM and the 4 original instructions may run on both the 8kw model and the 64kw model. (Even so, there are changes in the microprogrammed operate instruction that may prevent programs to run on both models).  At the time of writing, all available programs were designed specifically for the later 8 kw model.
52132
52133
52134
52135===== Links =====
52136
52137
52138
52139
52140
52141  * Tape images of TX-0 -- http://www.bitsavers.org/bits/MIT/tx-0//
52142
52143  * Information of TX-0 on bitsavers.org -- http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/tx-0//
52144
52145
52146
52147
52148
52149$end
52150
52151
52152
52153#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52154
52155
52156$info=tx8000
52157$bio
52158====== Texet TX-8000 (1983) ======
52159
52160
52161
52162
52163
52164===== Features =====
52165
52166
52167
52168  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz
52169
52170  * Co-Processor: Motorola 6847 (video processor)
52171
52172  * RAM: 2 KB
52173
52174  * VRAM: 2 KB
52175
52176  * ROM: 16 KB
52177
52178  * Text Modes: 32 columns x 16 lines, 8 colors (Mode 0)
52179
52180  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 64 dots, 4 colors (Mode 1)
52181
52182  * Colors: 8
52183
52184  * Sound: 1 voice & 3 octaves
52185
52186  * I/O Ports: Tape-recorder (600 bauds), RF tv out, Composite video out (DIN), Memory upgrade port, Expansion port
52187
52188  * Keyboard: QWERTY, 45 rubber keys, Basic instructions and graphic symbols
52189
52190  * Built In Language: Microsoft Basic
52191
52192
52193
52194
52195
52196===== Usage =====
52197
52198
52199
52200For tx8000, MESS supports
52201
52202
52203
52204  - a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav and .cas format
52205
52206  - a "cartridge" (cart) device for cart dumps in .rom format
52207
52208  - two floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .dsk format
52209
52210
52211
52212Also notice that a "snapshot" (dump) feature is present for .vz files and a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .bin files.
52213
52214
52215
52216Finally, the "printer" (prin) is emulated as well.
52217
52218
52219
52220== Keyboard ==
52221
52222
52223
52224This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
52225
52226
52227
52228== RAM options ==
52229
52230
52231
52232Different RAM configurations are possible for fellow in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
52233
52234
52235
52236  2k - standard model
52237
52238  18k - with 16K memory expansion
52239
52240  66k (default) - with 64K memory expansion
52241
52242  4098k - with 4MB memory expansion
52243
52244
52245
52246
52247
52248===== History and Trivia =====
52249
52250
52251
52252This TX-8000 is exactly identical as the Video Technology Laser 200. It was sold only in the UK where it was, for a short time, the less expensive color home computer.
52253
52254
52255
52256//(info from old-computers.com)//
52257
52258
52259
52260
52261
52262===== Links =====
52263
52264
52265
52266  * Texet TX-8000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1113
52267
52268
52269
52270
52271
52272===== Other Emulators =====
52273
52274
52275
52276  * WinVZ -- http://vzalive.bangrocks.com/emulators/
52277
52278  * VZEm (DOS) -- http://www.powerup.com.au/~intertek/VZ200/vz.htm
52279
52280
52281
52282
52283
52284$end
52285
52286
52287
52288#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52289
52290
52291$info=uk101
52292$bio
52293====== Compukit UK101 (1979) ======
52294
52295
52296
52297
52298
52299===== Features =====
52300
52301
52302
52303  * CPU: 6502 1 MHz. (could be "overclocked" at 2 MHz by modifying the clock divide circuit)
52304
52305  * Co-Processor: None
52306
52307  * RAM: 4 KB expandable to 8 KB on board
52308
52309  * VRAM: 1 KB
52310
52311  * ROM: 8 KB (Microsoft BASIC) + 2 KB monitor
52312
52313  * Text Modes: 16 to 48 chars. x 16 lines
52314
52315  * Graphic Modes: None, but 128 graphic characters
52316
52317  * Colors: Monochrome
52318
52319  * I/O Ports: Tape recorder (at 300 baud) and printer ports
52320
52321  * Keyboard: Full stroke 50 keys
52322
52323  * Built In Media: None
52324
52325  * Built In Language: Microsoft BASIC
52326
52327  * Peripherals: Supports all Ohio Scientific expansions
52328
52329
52330
52331
52332
52333===== Usage =====
52334
52335
52336
52337MESS supports uk101 with a "cassette" (cass) device, to load .bas files.
52338
52339
52340
52341== Keyboard ==
52342
52343
52344
52345This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
52346
52347
52348
52349== RAM options ==
52350
52351
52352
52353Different RAM configurations are possible for the uk101 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
52354
52355
52356
52357  4k (default)
52358
52359  8k
52360
52361
52362
52363
52364
52365===== Known Issues =====
52366
52367
52368
52369The emulation of this system is still Preliminary. In particular, the keyboard doesn't work.
52370
52371
52372
52373
52374
52375===== History and Trivia =====
52376
52377
52378
52379Made in the UK by Compukit in New Barnet, North London, the UK-101 was originally a copy of the Ohio Scientific Superboard II. Two years and various legal battles later the UK-101 became, technically, behind its erstwhile rival.
52380
52381
52382
52383You could buy the UK101 as a kit or as ready made for an extra fee. The kit came in a cardboard briefcase, in which there were anti-static tubes containing the 65+ ICs, a box of IC sockets, and bags containing passives (mainly 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitors) and keyboard bits (the keyboard switches were soldered directly to the PCB).
52384
52385
52386
52387The UK101 came with a transformer in a plastic case, which was rectified and regulated down to +5, the regulator's heatsink was far too small and it would run very very hot, causing the RF modulator to drift channel. Many people relocated the regulator off-board onto a bigger heatsink to solve both problems.
52388
52389
52390
52391It came with an A4-size book authored by Dr. A.A. Berk, covering assembly, trouble-shooting, and circuit diagrams with descriptions.
52392
52393
52394
52395The UK101 was based around the 6502 processor. On top of ASCII characters, 128 graphic characters were available in ROM. The RAM memory was expandable from 4 KB to 8 KB on board, or 40 KB with an expansion board.
52396
52397
52398
52399At the time, The UK101 was heavily supported by Watford Electronics in the UK, and by various electronics magazines who published circuits. There were many user groups and plenty of software available. It was thus possible to upgrade this machine beyond all recognision ! Several cases were also made and sold by a number of manufacturers.
52400
52401
52402
52403//(info from old-computers.com)//
52404
52405
52406
52407
52408
52409===== Links =====
52410
52411
52412
52413  * UK101 Hardware Page -- http://home.micros.users.btopenworld.com/uk101/uk101.html
52414
52415  * Martin Ward's Software Page -- http://www.cse.dmu.ac.uk/~mward/martin/software/
52416
52417  * UK101 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=802
52418
52419
52420
52421
52422
52423$end
52424
52425
52426
52427#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52428
52429
52430$info=ut88mini
52431$bio
52432====== UT-88 mini / UT-88 (1989) ======
52433
52434
52435
52436===== Features =====
52437
52438
52439
52440 Minimum configuration:
52441
52442  * CPU: KR580VM80A (i8080 clone)
52443
52444  * RAM: 1 Kb [ut88mini]; 64 Kb (+ 1 Kb Video RAM) [ut88]
52445
52446  * ROM: 1 Kb [ut88mini]; 2 Kb [ut88]
52447
52448  * Video: six 7-segment LED [ut88mini]; 64 x 28 text modes [ut88]
52449
52450  * Keyboard: 17 keys hexadecimal keyboard [ut88mini]; 59 keys alphanumeric keyboard [ut88]
52451
52452  * External Memory: Tape recorder
52453
52454
52455
52456
52457
52458===== Usage =====
52459
52460
52461
52462MESS emulates both computers
52463
52464
52465
52466  * ut88mini [UT-88 mini]
52467
52468  * ut88 [UT-88]
52469
52470
52471
52472For each driver, a "cassette" (cass) device is supported. Cassette tapes must be in .wav or .rku format.
52473
52474
52475
52476== Keyboard ==
52477
52478
52479
52480This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
52481
52482
52483
52484
52485
52486===== History and Trivia =====
52487
52488
52489
52490UT-88 and UT-88 mini are two computers for hobbyists whose schematics were published on a Russian technical magazine.
52491
52492
52493
52494
52495
52496===== Other Emu =====
52497
52498
52499
52500  * EMU80 -- http://emu80.org/dl.html
52501
52502  * EMU -- http://bashkiria-2m.narod.ru/
52503
52504  * Emulator 3000 -- http://www.emulator3000.org/e3.htm
52505
52506
52507
52508
52509
52510$end
52511
52512
52513
52514#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52515
52516
52517$info=vboy
52518$bio
52519====== Nintendo Virtual Boy (1995) ======
52520
52521
52522
52523
52524
52525===== Features =====
52526
52527
52528
52529  * CPU: NEC V810 32-bit RISC Processor at 20 MHz
52530
52531  * DRAM: 1 MB
52532
52533  * SRAM: 512 KB
52534
52535  * Display: RTI Scanning LED Array (SLA) P4; 384 x 224 Resolution
52536
52537  * Sound: 16-bit Stereo
52538
52539  * Controllers: 6 buttons and 2-D pads
52540
52541  * Media: Cartridge
52542
52543
52544
52545
52546
52547===== History and Trivia =====
52548
52549
52550
52551Virtual Boy (also known as "VR-32" and "Virtual Utopia Experience" during the development) was released by Nintendo in 1995.
52552
52553
52554
52555It has been the first handheld console capable of displaying "true 3D graphics", by using one "Scanning LED Array" for each eye which rapidly scans the array across the eye's field of view using flat oscillating mirrors.
52556
52557
52558
52559The system was designed by  Gunpei Yokoi, the man behind both the Game & Watch  and  the Game Boy  handhelds, as well as the "Metroid" franchise. While compact and seemingly portable, Virtual Boy was not intended to replace the Game Boy in Nintendo's product line, as use of the system requires a steady surface, and completely blocks the player's peripheral vision.
52560
52561
52562
52563The system did not have success and it was not helped by the small number of games released. Nintendo discontinued it in 1996.
52564
52565
52566
52567== EXTension Port ==
52568
52569
52570
52571The system's EXT port, located on the underside of the system below the controller port, was never officially supported since no official multiplayer games were ever published, nor was an official link cable released. Only "Waterworld" and "Faceball" were going to use the EXT port for multiplayer play, but they were not released.
52572
52573
52574
52575//(info based on Wikipedia)//
52576
52577
52578
52579
52580
52581===== Links =====
52582
52583
52584
52585  * Virtual Boy.net -- http://www.virtual-boy.org/
52586
52587  * Planet Virtual Boy -- http://www.vr32.de/modules/news/
52588
52589  * Virtual-E -- http://www.emuunlim.com/VirtualE/
52590
52591  * Virtual Boy 2000 -- http://vblab.8k.com/vb2k/main.html
52592
52593  * [[wp>Virtual_Boy]]
52594
52595
52596
52597
52598
52599===== Other Emulators =====
52600
52601
52602
52603  * Reality Boy -- http://www.goliathindustries.com/vb/
52604
52605  * Red Dragon -- http://www.vr32.de/modules/tech/index.php?sec=emus&eid=rdragon
52606
52607  * Virtual-E -- http://www.emuunlim.com/VirtualE/
52608
52609
52610
52611
52612
52613
52614
52615$end
52616
52617
52618
52619#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52620
52621
52622$info=vc4000
52623$bio
52624====== Interton VC4000 (1978) ======
52625
52626
52627
52628
52629
52630===== Features =====
52631
52632
52633
52634  * grid
52635
52636  * 4 8x10 single color sprites
52637
52638  * single channel sound
52639
52640  * special << load/reset button (must be pressed after power up)
52641
52642  * special > select button
52643
52644  * special start button
52645
52646  * 2 controller with analog joystick and 14 key keypad
52647
52648
52649
52650
52651
52652===== Usage =====
52653
52654
52655
52656MESS requires a cart dump (in .rom or .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run vc4000 emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
52657
52658
52659
52660  mess vc4000 -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.rom"
52661
52662
52663
52664Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is present for .vtc files.
52665
52666
52667
52668== Controls ==
52669
52670
52671
52672(keys do not have a label)
52673
52674 
52675
52676     a       b
52677
52678 
52679
52680     c   d   e
52681
52682 
52683
52684     f   g   h
52685
52686 
52687
52688     i   j   k
52689
52690 
52691
52692     l   m   n
52693
52694 
52695
52696  Note that a,b,d have the same function: Fire
52697
52698
52699
52700== Dumping Cartridges ==
52701
52702
52703
527049316 type ROMs are commonly used in these cartridges (a little bit different to 2716). Look into messroms for a pinout of it.
52705
52706
52707
52708
52709
52710===== Known Issues =====
52711
52712
52713
52714The graphic emulation of the VC4000 is known to be imperfect.
52715
52716
52717
52718
52719
52720===== History and Trivia =====
52721
52722
52723
52724Driver based on info by Paul Robson, Christian Windler, sponsored by Andreas W.
52725
52726
52727
52728The Interton VC 4000 was quite popular in Germany. Interton produced a series of pong systems before releasing the VC-4000 in 1978. The console is quite obscure outside Germany, but many "software compatible" systems can be found in many countries (at least in Europe). It's unclear if Interton really made the VC-4000 from scratch or if they bought the rights and the design to produce it, as many other brands produced similar systems the following years. The same thing will happen with very similar systems: Emerson Arcadia 2001 & "clones"...
52729
52730
52731
52732According to the excellent research work from Dale Hansen, the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System from Radofin would be the first member of the line as it was released in 1976! Radofin then licensed  its system wordlwide to different companies.
52733
52734
52735
52736The VC-4000 is powered by a Sgnetics 2650A CPU (same as Arcadia 2001) and a Signetics 2636 Video Controller (Arcadia 2001 uses a 2637). The two controllers are composed of a 12 keys keypad, 2 fire buttons and an analog joystick. On the control panel of the system, one can find an on/off switch and three buttons: RESET, SELECT and START.
52737
52738
52739
52740One particularity about this videogame "family" (VC-4000 & clones), is that they seem to be the only systems which required the game to be loaded into internal RAM from the cartridge, before being able to play (generally through a LOAD PROGRAM or equivalent button found on the control panel. On the VC-4000 it's the RESET button).
52741
52742
52743
52744About 40 cartridges were released (37 so far). The games are not bad for 1978, but not impressive too...
52745
52746
52747
52748//(info from old-computers.com)//
52749
52750
52751
52752== Models ==
52753
52754
52755
52756The Interton VC-4000 is part of a group of consoles that all use a Signetics 2650A CPU inside (the same processor used in the Emerson Arcadia 2001). This group of consoles is believed to have started with the Interton VC-4000 (produced as early as 1974, but sold in 1978), because out of the group this console has the largest amount of games. The games on the 1292 are also similar to the games on the Interton VC-4000 (some have same titles and numbers). There are about six sub-groups within the Interton VC-4000 group. These are:
52757
52758
52759
52760  * Interton VC-4000 consoles
52761
52762     * Grundig: Super Play Computer 4000
52763
52764     * Interton: VC-4000
52765
52766  * 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System consoles
52767
52768     * Acetronic: MPU-1000, MPU-2000
52769
52770     * Audiosonic: PP-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, PP-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System
52771
52772     * Fountain: 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, 1392 Advanced Programmable Video System, Force 2
52773
52774     * Grandstand: Advanced Programmable Video System
52775
52776     * Hanimex: HMG-1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, HMG-1392 Advanced Programmable Video System
52777
52778     * Lansay: Lansay 1392
52779
52780     * Prinztronic: VC-6000, Prinztronic Tournament
52781
52782     * Radofin: 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System, 1392 Advanced Programmable Video System
52783
52784  * Database consoles
52785
52786     * Videomaster: Database
52787
52788     * Waddington/Voltmace: Database
52789
52790  * Television Computer System consoles
52791
52792     * Rowtron: Television Computer System
52793
52794  * Video TV Game consoles
52795
52796     * Karvan: Jeu Video TV
52797
52798     * Societe Occitane Electronique: OC-2000
52799
52800  * MPT-05 consoles
52801
52802     * ITMC MPT-05
52803
52804
52805
52806To the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System sub-group there possibly belong also the Lansay 1292 (needs confirmation as to whether this console exists) and the Acetronic MPU-3000, released 1980 (compatibility with the 1292 series needs to be confirmed).
52807
52808
52809
52810Notice that consoles are directly compatible with the other consoles in its sub-group, i.e. the cartridge sizes are the same. It is quite possible (in some cases, depending on which machine is being used) that games can be played on another sub-group's console, but a converter would be needed. It is known for a fact that games made for the Database group of consoles can be played on the 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System sub-group because Voltmace made a converter that would allow this. The converter was advertised but its release is unconfirmed. Database games can definitely be played on Interton VC-4000 sub-group consoles. Voltmace made a converter to allow this and it was released. It is quite possible that all of the consoles in the Interton VC-4000 are cross-compatible, if only the correct converters were made. This would mean that the only thing restricting us from playing one system's games on another system within a different sub-group would be the cartridge size and only the cartridge size.
52811
52812
52813
52814//(info on the models from 1292 FAQ -- http://www.consoledatabase.com/faq/1292/1292faq.txt)//
52815
52816
52817
52818
52819
52820===== Links =====
52821
52822
52823
52824  * VC4000.de -- http://www.vc4000.de/
52825
52826  * Obscure Pixels (Many interesting weird & obscure stuff, including Arcadia 2001 / Interton VC 4000 compatible systems) -- http://www.retrogames.co.nz/
52827
52828  * VC-4000 & 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System FAQ -- http://www.consoledatabase.com/faq/1292/1292faq.txt
52829
52830  * VC4000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=726
52831
52832
52833
52834
52835
52836$end
52837
52838
52839
52840#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
52841
52842
52843$info=vcg
52844$bio
52845====== Palladium Video - Computer - Game ======
52846
52847
52848
52849
52850
52851===== Features =====
52852
52853
52854
52855  * CPU: Signetics 2650A 3.58 MHz
52856
52857  * Co-Processor: Signetics 2637 (Audio & video processing unit)
52858
52859  * RAM: 1024 bytes
52860
52861  * ROM: None in the conventional sense, though there was some built into the processor chips.
52862
52863  * Graphic Modes: 128 x 208 / 128 x 104
52864
52865  * Colors: 8
52866
52867  * Sound: Single channel beeper
52868
52869  * I/O Ports: RF video output, Power in
52870
52871  * Controllers: Two detachable controllers made of a screwable analog joystick and a 16-button keypad
52872
52873  * Media: Cartridges
52874
52875
52876
52877
52878
52879===== Usage =====
52880
52881
52882
52883MESS requires a cart dump (in .bin format) in the "cartridge" (cart) device to run vcg emulation. You can launch emulation using, at command line
52884
52885
52886
52887  mess vcg -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.bin"
52888
52889
52890
52891== Controls ==
52892
52893
52894
52895Controller Layout:
52896
52897 
52898
52899   (no labels)
52900
52901 
52902
52903      2/fire
52904
52905 
52906
52907  x1    x2    x3
52908
52909 
52910
52911   1    x4     3
52912
52913 
52914
52915   4     5     6
52916
52917 
52918
52919   7     8     9
52920
52921 
52922
52923  Del    0   Enter
52924
52925
52926
52927
52928
52929===== Known Issues =====
52930
52931
52932
52933Same as arcadia, additional keys supported.
52934
52935
52936
52937
52938
52939===== History and Trivia =====
52940
52941
52942
52943Emerson Arcadia clone with different cartridge connector/pinout and 4 additional keys per controller. Driver sponsored by Ward Shrake, Stefan P.
52944
52945
52946
52947The Palladium Video-Computer-Game is one of the many systems "software-compatible" with the Emerson Arcadia 2001.
52948
52949
52950
52951Philips / Signetics developed a hardware platform to demonstrate the possibilities of their Signetics 2650 & 2636 chipsets. Somehow, this hardware was licenced (by Philips) to many third-companies around the world resulting in systems like the Interton VC-4000, Voltmace DataBase, Acetronic MPU-1000, ITMC MPT-05, etc.
52952
52953
52954
52955Some times later, the hardware was improved, with the use of a Signetics 2637 instead of the 2636 (handling the audio & video). This resulted in a new wave of licenced systems, all based on the same hardware and playing the same games. The Emerson Arcadia 2001 was one of these systems.
52956
52957
52958
52959These new systems, based on the 2650 & 2637 chipsets, are “software-compatible” with each others (but NOT compatible with systems of the Interton VC-4000 family). This means that the same code can work on all of them, and therefore that they all could play each other games if their cartridge slots were identical (which is not the case, resulting in the sub-groups listed below)
52960
52961
52962
52963The Software library is not very impressive, but there are good reasons for that. First, some titles ar almost just direct ports from “Interton VC-4000 & compatible systems” group. Philips (remember, at the origin of this ystem) also had great plans for his new hardware platform. It released adaptations of famous Arcade classics (Pac-Man, Berzerk, Phoenix, etc.) but Atari sue them. Philips was then forced to deeply modify those games, resulting in poor adaptations… at least for the Arcadia 2001. In fact, outside US, other compatible systems sometimes had un-modified versions in their library (e.g. Robot Killer for the MPT-03).
52964
52965
52966
52967The Palladium Video-Computer-Game was marketed at least in Germany. It is equiped with two detachable controllers made of a screwable analog joystick and a 16-button keypad (rubber buttons). Small plastic overlays were delivered with each game, explaining the different key functions when placed over the keypads (like with the Mattel Intellivision).
52968
52969
52970
52971The Control panel is made of 4 buttons (Start, Reset, Selector A and B) and a power switch.
52972
52973
52974
52975The Palladium Video-Computer-Game is not be confused with another Palladium cartridge model, the Tele-Cassetten-Game. The Mr Altus and Polybrain systems are however the same system marketed under different brands.
52976
52977
52978
52979== Different Models ==
52980
52981
52982
52983As previously mentioned, this hardware was sold from several firms with different names and slightly different cartridge connectors. Among the systems, belonging to the so-called "Arcadia 2001 console group", we can recognize 5 different families of consoles:
52984
52985
52986
52987  * Emerson consoles
52988
52989    * Advision: Advision Home Arcade (Fr)
52990
52991    * Bandai: Arcadia (Jp)
52992
52993    * Emerson: Arcadia 2001 (US), Arcadia (Au)
52994
52995    * GiG Electronics: Leonardo (It)
52996
52997    * Hanimex: HMG-2650 (De), HMG-2650 (Ca), Home Arcade Centre (UK)
52998
52999    * Intercord: Intercord XL 2000 System (De)
53000
53001    * Leisure-Dynamics: Leisure-Vision (Ca)
53002
53003    * Monaco Leisure: Tunix Home Arcade (NZ)
53004
53005    * Schmid: Schmid TVG-2000
53006
53007    * Tchibo: Tele-Fever (De? Sw?)
53008
53009    * Tele-Computer: Cosmos (Es)
53010
53011    * Tempest: Tempest Video Computer Game (Au)
53012
53013  * MPT-03 consoles
53014
53015    * Hanimex: Hanimex MPT-03
53016
53017    * ITMC: ITMC MPT-03
53018
53019    * Morning-Sun Commerce: Dynavision (Jp)
53020
53021    * P.I.C.: Ekusera (Jp)
53022
53023    * Poppy: Poppy MPT-03 Tele Computer Spiel (De)
53024
53025    * Prestige: Prestige Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Fr)
53026
53027    * Rowtron: Rowtron 2000 (Eu), Rowtron Video Computer Game MPT-03 (Eu)
53028
53029    * Soundic: Soundic MPT-03 (Eu)
53030
53031    * Tempest: MPT-03 (Au)
53032
53033    * Tobby: Tobby MPT-03 (?)
53034
53035    * Tryom: Tryom Video Game Center (US?)
53036
53037    * //Unknown//: Intelligent Game MPT-03 (US?)
53038
53039  * Orbit consoles
53040
53041    * Grandstand: Video Master (NZ)
53042
53043    * Orbit Electronics: UVI Compu-Game (NZ)
53044
53045  * Ormatu consoles
53046
53047    * Intervision: Intervision 2001 (Eu)
53048
53049    * Ormatu Electronics BV: Ormatu 2001 (Nl)
53050
53051    * Sheen: Sheen Home Video Centre 2001 (Au)
53052
53053  * Palladium consoles
53054
53055    * Mr. Altus: Tele Brain (De)
53056
53057    * Palladium: Palladium Telespiel (De), Palladium Video Computer Game (De)
53058
53059    * Polybrain: Polybrain Video Computer Game (De)
53060
53061    * Trakton: Trakton Computer Video Game (Au)
53062
53063
53064
53065//(info on models from Digital Archaelogy -- http://www.digitpress.com/the_digs/arcadia/)//
53066
53067
53068
53069
53070
53071===== Links =====
53072
53073
53074
53075  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 FAQ -- http://www.digitpress.com/faq/arc2001.txt
53076
53077  * Amigan Software / Arcadia 2001 Central (Huge Arcadia 2001 archive for download) -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
53078
53079  * Emerson Arcadia 2001 Gaming Guide -- http://amigan.classicgaming.gamespy.com/gg/
53080
53081  * Obscure Pixels (Many interesting weird & obscure stuff, including Arcadia 2001 / Interton VC 4000 compatible systems) -- http://www.retrogames.co.nz/
53082
53083  * CVG at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1223
53084
53085
53086
53087
53088
53089===== Other Emulators =====
53090
53091
53092
53093  * 2001 (for DOS) -- http://users.aol.com/mk14emu/arcadia.htm
53094
53095  * Emulator2001 (for Windows) -- http://www.gstsoftware.co.nz/
53096
53097  * WinArcadia -- http://amigan.byethost33.com/
53098
53099
53100
53101
53102
53103$end
53104
53105
53106
53107#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
53108
53109
53110$info=vectrex
53111$bio
53112====== GCE Vectrex (1982) ======
53113
53114
53115
53116
53117
53118===== Features =====
53119
53120
53121
53122  * CPU: Motorola 68A09 1.6 MHz
53123
53124  * RAM: 1K x 4-BIT 2114 (two)
53125
53126  * ROM: 8K x 8-BIT 2363
53127
53128  * Graphic Modes: Vector graphics (built-in 9" Samsung B&W vector deflection monitor)
53129
53130  * Colors: Black & white (colors simulated by plastic screen overlays)
53131
53132  * Sound: General Instrument AY-3-8912
53133
53134  * I/O Ports: 2 controller connectors
53135
53136  * Media: Cartridges
53137
53138  * Peripherals: Second controller, lightpen, 3D imager
53139
53140  * Controllers: One built-in controller (joystick + 4 buttons). Second controller optional.
53141
53142  * Built In Software - Games: Mine Storm (built-in the system)
53143
53144
53145
53146
53147
53148===== Usage =====
53149
53150
53151
53152MESS supports cart dumps in .bin, .gam and .vec format for vectrex, using the "cartridge" (cart) device. Starting vectrex without any cart would give access to the built in game "Mine Storm".
53153
53154
53155
53156== Overlays ==
53157
53158
53159
53160Overlays are supported in .png format. To use the overlays, first of all you have to download them from somewhere and put them in the ''artwork/'' directory. The easiest way is to grab them from the artwork page -- http://mess.redump.net/artwork of this wiki.
53161
53162This way you would also obtain the .lay file which provides a list of the available overlays.
53163
53164
53165
53166Finally, either run MESS with the ''-nonewui'' option and use the //TAB// menu under //Video Options// to select an overlay at run-time (//TAB -> Video Options -> Overlay//), or specify the desired overlay on the command line, e.g. with
53167
53168
53169
53170  mess vectrex -cart "C:\pathtogame\Armor Attack (1982).vec" -view armor
53171
53172
53173
53174The text after ''-view'' is the beginning of the name of the game as listed under Video Options; you only need to type enough letters that only one game matches.
53175
53176
53177
53178The default, if no ''-view'' is specified and the artwork are present, is to use the "Mine Storm" overlay. To play without an overlay, use ''-view standard'' (or select //Standard// from the menu).
53179
53180
53181
53182Notice that .lay files are in a .xml-like format, and it's very easy to modify them if you want to build your own (see any .lay file in the MAME / MESS source for an example of the syntax).
53183
53184
53185
53186
53187
53188===== Known Issues =====
53189
53190
53191
53192No light pen support. Almost every cartridge is playable, except those requiring the light pen. See ''vectrex.hsi'' for a current compatibility list.
53193
53194
53195
53196
53197
53198===== History and Trivia =====
53199
53200
53201
53202The Vectrex was released in the US late in 1982 by General Consumer Electric (GCE) at a suggested retail price of $199. The Vectrex differed from other consoles in that it had its own built in nine inch by eleven inch vector monitor, and thus didn't require (or even allow) the use of a television set. The system even contained a built in game, the Asteroids-like "Mine Storm".
53203
53204
53205
53206The monochrome Vectrex used screen overlays to give the illusion of color, and also to reduce the severity of the inherent flickering caused by the vector monitor.
53207
53208
53209
53210In 1983, GCE was merged into Milton Bradley, who expanded the Vectrex's market to include Europe. As the video game market declined and then crashed, the Vectrex exited the market in early 1984. The rights to the system reverted to its developers, Smith Engineering.
53211
53212
53213
53214Smith Engineering briefly considered designing a handheld version of the device in 1988, though the success of the Nintendo Game Boy made such a project too risky. In the mid-1990s, Smith Engineering condoned the duplication of the Vectrex system image and cartridges for non-commercial uses.
53215
53216
53217
53218
53219
53220===== Links =====
53221
53222
53223
53224  * Vectrex Game Database -- http://vgdb.vectrex.com/index.pl
53225
53226  * The Vectrex Preservation Society -- http://www.classicgaming.com/vectrex/
53227
53228
53229
53230
53231
53232===== Other Emulators =====
53233
53234
53235
53236  * DVE -- http://www.arcadeathome.com/dve/
53237
53238  * ParaJVE -- http://vectrex-emu.blogspot.com/
53239
53240
53241
53242
53243
53244$end
53245
53246
53247
53248#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
53249
53250
53251$info=vic20
53252$bio
53253====== CBM VIC 20 and VC-20 (1981) ======
53254
53255
53256
53257
53258
53259===== Features =====
53260
53261
53262
53263  * CPU: Commodore Semiconductor Group 6502A 1.0227 MHz
53264
53265  * Co-Processor: VIC-I (6560) for sound and graphics.
53266
53267  * RAM: 5 KB (3583 bytes free), expandable up to 32 KB
53268
53269  * VRAM: Screen memory shared with regular RAM
53270
53271  * ROM: 16 KB
53272
53273  * Text Modes: 23 rows x 22 columns
53274
53275  * Graphic Modes: 184 x 176
53276
53277  * Colors: 8 character colors, 16 background/border colors
53278
53279  * Sound: 3 voices / 3 octaves
53280
53281  * I/O Ports: 1 joystick port, 1 user port, 1 serial port, 1 cartrige port, Composite video output, tape interface
53282
53283  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 4 function keys, 66 keys
53284
53285  * Built In Language: CBM Basic V2
53286
53287
53288
53289
53290
53291===== Usage =====
53292
53293
53294
53295MESS emulates the following computers
53296
53297
53298
53299  * vic20 [VIC20 (NTSC)]
53300
53301  * vc20 [VIC20 / VC20 (PAL,German)]
53302
53303  * vic20swe [VIC20 (PAL, Swedish Expansion Kit)]
53304
53305  * vic1001 [VIC1001 (NTSC)]
53306
53307  * vic20i [VIC20 (NTSC, IEEE488 Interface SYS45065]
53308
53309  * vic20v [VIC20 (NTSC, 1541)] - with 1541 floppy drive
53310
53311  * vc20v [VC20 (PAL, 1541)] - with 1541 floppy drive
53312
53313
53314
53315For each system, MESS supports
53316
53317  - a datasette, using "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .tap and .wav format
53318
53319  - two cart slots, "cartridge1" (cart1) and "cartridge2" (cart2), for cart dumps in .rom, .bin, .a0, .20, .40 and .60 format
53320
53321  - one / two floppy drives (different kinds, depending on the system), "floppydisk" (flop) or "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2), for disk images in .d64 format.
53322
53323
53324
53325Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.
53326
53327
53328
53329== Cassettes ==
53330
53331
53332
53333Cassette images can have the .wav or .tap extensions (formally .t64 images are tapes as well, but we currently load them through -quickload). To run a .tap or a .wav image you have to launch
53334
53335
53336
53337  mess c64 -cass "C:\pathtogame\gamename.tap"
53338
53339
53340
53341Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
53342
53343
53344
53345  * to load a BASIC program from the cassette
53346
53347
53348
53349  LOAD"filename"
53350
53351
53352
53353  * to load the first program from the cassette
53354
53355
53356
53357  LOAD
53358
53359
53360
53361The message "Press play on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Play"). Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
53362
53363
53364
53365  RUN
53366
53367
53368
53369or the appropriate SYS call.
53370
53371
53372
53373Also, MESS supports saving to tape. Therefore, you can write your own BASIC programs and save them using the command
53374
53375
53376
53377  SAVE"prog_name"
53378
53379
53380
53381The message "Press play <html>&amp;</html> record on tape" will appear, and you will have to enter the MESS internal UI to start recording the tape (press <key>Tab</key> and choose "Tape Control", then press "Record").
53382
53383
53384
53385== Floppy Disks ==
53386
53387
53388
53389MESS currently //simulates// only loading from drive 8 and 9 in the VIC20 emulation. These drives correspond to the devices "floppydisk1" (flop1) and "floppydisk2" (flop2) emulated by MESS. To run a .d64 image you have to launch
53390
53391
53392
53393  mess vic20 -flop1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.d64"
53394
53395
53396
53397Once you're at the BASIC prompt you have various options:
53398
53399
53400
53401  * to list the content of the floppy
53402
53403
53404
53405  LOAD"$",8
53406
53407  LIST
53408
53409
53410
53411  * to load a BASIC program from the disk
53412
53413
53414
53415  LOAD"filename",8
53416
53417
53418
53419  * to load a machine language program at its address
53420
53421
53422
53423  LOAD"filename",8,1
53424
53425
53426
53427  * to load the first program from the disk (useful if you're not sure of which is the correct one to load)
53428
53429
53430
53431  LOAD"*",8
53432
53433
53434
53435Once the program is loaded, a "READY" message will be prompted and you can run your program by simply typing
53436
53437
53438
53439  RUN
53440
53441
53442
53443or the appropriate SYS call. If you launched the game on -flop2, you will need to use drive 9 in place of drive 8 in the commands above.
53444
53445
53446
53447Note that several programs rely on more features not currently emulated (such as loading other file types, writing...) Some games also rely on starting programs in the floppy drive's processor (and therefore CPU level emulation of the 1541 is needed).
53448
53449
53450
53451== Cartridge ==
53452
53453
53454
53455Cartridges may have any of the following extensions: .bin .rom .a0 .20 .40 .60 .prg. Files with boot-sign in it are recognized as ROMs. Some cartridges may require more than one image (for example, defender.60 defender.a0 and that's why we have two cart slots).
53456
53457
53458
53459  * .20 files loaded at 0x2000
53460
53461  * .40 files loaded at 0x4000
53462
53463  * .60 files loaded at 0x6000
53464
53465  * .a0 files loaded at 0xa000
53466
53467  * .bin and .rom files are loaded at 0x4000 when 0x4000 bytes long, otherwise they are loaded at 0xa000
53468
53469
53470
53471To use "cartridge1" (cart1) or "cartridge2" (cart2) slots in MESS, simply launch
53472
53473
53474
53475  mess vic20 -cart1 "C:\pathtogame\gamename.crt"
53476
53477
53478
53479and the game will start.
53480
53481
53482
53483Note that .prg files are often cartridge images as well, but in MESS they are assigned to the quickloader (see below).
53484
53485
53486
53487== Quickloader ==
53488
53489
53490
53491A quickloader is available via command line and it supports program image files with extensions .prg and .p00. The quickloader loads the program into memory and sets the program end pointer. It shall work with most programs. To use the "quickload" (quik) device in MESS: launch
53492
53493
53494
53495  mess vic20 -quik "C:\pathtogame\gamename.prg"
53496
53497
53498
53499and simply type the command
53500
53501
53502
53503  RUN
53504
53505
53506
53507to start the program.
53508
53509
53510
53511== Miscellaneous ==
53512
53513
53514
53515Note that the pixel ratio for the PAL version is about 13/10!
53516
53517
53518
53519== Light Pen ==
53520
53521
53522
53523The emulated light pen uses Paddle 3 x-axis and Paddle 4 y-axis.
53524
53525
53526
53527== Keyboard ==
53528
53529
53530
53531These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>Scrl Lock</key> key (by default).
53532
53533
53534
53535Some key usages of note:
53536
53537  * <key>Stop-Restore</key> in many cases will cause the prompt to reappear.
53538
53539  * <key>S-C=</key> switches between upper-only and normal character set (if wrong characters are on screen this often can help)
53540
53541  * <key>Run</key> (<key>S-Stop</key>) loads and starts program from tape.
53542
53543
53544
53545Original Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard, 4 function keys, 66 keys
53546
53547                                                                             CLR    INST
53548
53549      <-   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     +    -    £    HOME   DEL           f 1
53550
53551 
53552
53553   
53554
53555      CTRL   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    @    *     UP    RESTORE          f 3
53556
53557 
53558
53559  RUN   SHIFT
53560
53561  STOP  LOCK   A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   :[   ;]    =      RETURN             f 5
53562
53563 
53564
53565                                                                             CRSR  CRSR
53566
53567  C=    SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   U/D    L/R           f 7
53568
53569 
53570
53571 
53572
53573                                   SPACEBAR
53574
53575
53576
53577
53578
53579Notes: <key>C=</key> is a key with the Commodore logo, "UP" is an arrow pointing up, the "CRSR" keys at the
53580
53581bottom-right corner are used to move the cursor on screen (Up/Down and Left/Right respectively).
53582
53583
53584
53585== Color Codes ==
53586
53587
53588
53589Combining <key>CTRL</key> with number keys, you can change the font color. Below you find the complete list of available colors
53590
53591
53592
53593^  ^ 1 ^ 2 ^ 3 ^ 4 ^ 5 ^ 6 ^ 7 ^ 8 ^
53594
53595^ <key>CTRL</key> | black | white | red | cyan | purple | green | blue | yellow |
53596
53597
53598
53599== RAM options ==
53600
53601
53602
53603Different RAM configurations are possible for vic20 systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
53604
53605
53606
53607  5k (default)
53608
53609  8k
53610
53611  16k
53612
53613  24k
53614
53615  32k
53616
53617
53618
53619
53620
53621===== Known Issues =====
53622
53623
53624
53625  * The timer system only 98% accurate.
53626
53627  * The serial bus allows simple disk support, but no printer or other devices at present.
53628
53629  * No userport, no rs232/v.24 interface.
53630
53631  * No special expansion modules like ieee488 interface are supported in the expansion port.
53632
53633
53634
53635The emulation of VIC 20 with a 1541 floppy drive is only Preliminary.
53636
53637
53638
53639===== History and Trivia =====
53640
53641
53642
53643The VIC-20 - a "family" version of the PET series (using the same microprocessor and Basic language) - was the first computer to sell more than one million units. Once dubbed the MicroPET during the 1980 Computer Electronics Show, it later became known as the VIC-20.
53644
53645VIC referenced the VIC-I (Video Interface Chip) chip used for graphics and sound. There does not seem to be any obvious rationale behind the usage of the number 20, other than the fact that it was close to the 22 characters per line and to the combined RAM and ROM
53646
53647memory in the machine (5 KB RAM + 16 KB ROM).
53648
53649
53650
53651Regarding the name, Michael Tomczyk, (manager of the VIC project) recalls: "VIC sounded like a truck driver, so I insisted on attaching a number. I picked "20" and when Jack Tramiel asked, "Why 20?" I replied, "because it's a friendly number and this has to be
53652
53653a friendly computer." He agreed. The number 20 has no relation to any technical feature -- just my idea of a friendly sounding number. That sounds a bit bizarre looking back on it, but we did a lot of things by instinct in those days."
53654
53655
53656
53657The European name VC20 stands for VolksComputer.
53658
53659
53660
53661The VIC-20 was designed by Bob Yannes who also created the SID chip for the C64. He later joined Ensoniq to design synthesizers.
53662
53663
53664
53665The Video Interface Chip (or 'VIC' as it is commonly called), is one of the most important silicon chips in the VIC-20 microcomputer, coming second only to the 6502A microprocessor itself. The VIC is a specially constructed input-output (I/O) chip that offers a large
53666
53667variety of functions, but as suggested by its name, is primarily concerned with the production of the video output signal. It was originally intended to be sold to third-party manufacturers for use in video game machines. Demand for the chip was low, and so Commodore decided to make their own system to recoup their losses.
53668
53669
53670
53671The VIC-20 was initially launched in Japan in late 1980 (under the 'VIC-1001' name) with a Japanese 'Katakana' set of characters. It was subsequently released in North America in May of 1981. Though these are the "official" release dates, several prototypes of the Commodore VIC-20 were reportedly available in late 1979. These early machines offered only 4 KB of RAM and used a different set of game cartridges.
53672
53673
53674
53675Thanks to the colorful graphics and low cost, the VIC-20 was an immediate success. At its peak, more than 9000 units rolled off the assembly line each day. Adding to its success was the fact that it was the first color computer to break the $300 (USD) price barrier.
53676
53677
53678
53679A wide range of peripherals and software were developed for the VIC-20. When it became obsolete, Commodore replaced it by the Commodore 16 which had no success.
53680
53681
53682
53683//(info from old-computers.com)//
53684
53685
53686
53687
53688
53689===== Links =====
53690
53691
53692
53693  * VIC-20 Archive -- http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/vic20/index.html
53694
53695  * VIC-20 Tribute Page -- http://www.geocities.com/rmelick/new_page_2.htm
53696
53697  * VIC-20 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=252
53698
53699
53700
53701
53702
53703===== Other Emulators =====
53704
53705
53706
53707  * VICE -- http://www.viceteam.org/
53708
53709  * Pfau Zeh -- http://www.classicgaming.com/pfauzeh/
53710
53711
53712
53713
53714
53715$end
53716
53717
53718
53719#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
53720
53721
53722$info=vip
53723$bio
53724====== RCA Cosmac VIP (1977) ======
53725
53726
53727
53728
53729
53730===== Features =====
53731
53732
53733
53734  * CPU: RCA CDP-1802 1.7609 MHz (4.54 microsecond per machine cycle)
53735
53736  * Co-Processor: RCA CDP-1861 video chip
53737
53738  * RAM: 2 Kb, upgradeable  to 32 kb
53739
53740  * ROM: 4 kb CMOS ROM + 512 byte Monitor ROM
53741
53742  * Text Modes: Texts are displayed using graphical features
53743
53744  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 32
53745
53746  * Colors: Black & white
53747
53748  * Sound: 1.4 kHz tone generator. Ouput may be connected to any small standard 8 ohm speaker
53749
53750  * I/O Ports: Video output, tape cassette interface (100 bytes per second)
53751
53752  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal membrane keyboard, 16 keys
53753
53754  * Built In Language: CHIP-8 interpreter
53755
53756  * Peripherals: Expansion interface, Parallel I/O interface
53757
53758
53759
53760
53761
53762===== Usage =====
53763
53764
53765
53766MESS supports vip emulation with a "cassette" (cass) device, for cassette tapes in .wav format.
53767
53768
53769
53770Also notice that a "quickload" (quik) feature is available for .bin and .c8 files (the latter are files for the CHIP-8 interpreter).
53771
53772
53773
53774== Keyboard ==
53775
53776
53777
53778This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
53779
53780
53781
53782== RAM options ==
53783
53784
53785
53786Different RAM configurations are possible for the vip in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
53787
53788
53789
53790  1k
53791
53792  2k
53793
53794  4k (default)
53795
53796
53797
53798
53799
53800===== Known Issues =====
53801
53802
53803
53804The driver is almost complete, with some remaining issues (e.g. missing emulation for some expansion boards)
53805
53806
53807
53808
53809
53810===== History and Trivia =====
53811
53812
53813
53814Very early home computer for TV connection
53815
53816
53817
53818The Cosmac VIP, originaly named VP-111, is a typical hobbyist "single-board" computer sold as a kit. You had to build it yourself ! The system uses a RCA CDP-1802 microprocessor like the RCA Studio II video game system. In fact the Studio II is very similar to the VIP and
53819
53820can be considered as its video-game version. But the VIP is also somehow an improved version of the original Cosmac Elf board system, described in Popular Electronics magazine, august 76 and the following months. The CDP-1802 CPU was also used as the heart of the Voyager, Viking and Galileo probes ! Until recently the 1802 was quite popular (for alarm systems for example) thanks to its CMOS technology ideal for low power systems.
53821
53822
53823
53824The Cosmac VIP has a most basic hexadecimal keyboard (16 keys). The language stored in ROM is called CHIP-8 and is only 512 bytes long ! It consists of 31 instructions each of which is two bytes (or four hex digits) long. It's a kind of simplified machine language. 16 one-byte variables are provided. Subroutine nesting and machine language inserts are permitted. CHIP-8 was quite popular at that time (Telmac 1800, ETI 660 and DREAM 6800 used it) as it allowed to program video games easily. CHIP-8 was not only used in the late 70's and early 80's. It was used in the early 90's on the HP48 calculator because there was no programming tools to develop fast games on it. Then, a better version of CHIP-8 appeared: SUPER-CHIP. This interpreter has all the CHIP-8 features, as well as and some new ones like a 128*64 resolution (source: David Winter).
53825
53826
53827
53828RCA also sold Tiny Basic, a simple Basic interpreter, as a 4K ROM on an expansion board.
53829
53830
53831
53832With this system, basic functions are : type programs into RAM from the hex keyboard, save and load programs on tapes, display memory bytes in hex on CRT, step through RAM contents and examine microprocessor registers. Wow.
53833
53834
53835
53836The Cosmac VIP is equiped with a sound chip and a real-time crystal clock. The sound produced can be heard through the tape output connector. It was delivered with some documentations (CHIP-8, machine language) and listings of 20 video games !
53837
53838
53839
53840To the left of the hexadecimal keyboard are a reset switch and LED indicators for power-on and cassette operation. Memory add-ons, expansion port and parallel interface are pre-wired on the motherboard but have to be implemented as options. With the I/O interface, you could connect interface relays, sensors, printers or ASCII keyboards.
53841
53842
53843
53844//(info from old-computers.com)//
53845
53846
53847
53848
53849
53850===== Links =====
53851
53852
53853
53854  * VIP at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=543
53855
53856
53857
53858
53859
53860===== Other Emulators =====
53861
53862
53863
53864  * CHIP-8 Emu -- http://myweb.worldnet.net/~winter/chip8/chip8.htm
53865
53866
53867
53868
53869
53870$end
53871
53872
53873
53874#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
53875
53876
53877$info=wscolor
53878$bio
53879====== Bandai WonderSwan Color (2000) ======
53880
53881
53882
53883The WonderSwan Color was the successor of Bandai WonderSwan. Being manufactured by Bandai, it features a lot of titles based on Japanese anime and manga. It was also supported by Square, with ports of classic titles like "Final Fantasy" and "Front Mission".
53884
53885
53886
53887
53888
53889===== Usage =====
53890
53891
53892
53893WonderSwan Color in MESS requires a cart dump in .ws, .wsc or bin format to work. To run it, you can use the "cartridge" (cart) device, e.g. from command line
53894
53895
53896
53897  mess wscolor -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.wsc"
53898
53899
53900
53901== Software ==
53902
53903
53904
53905A list of WonderSwan Color software can be found [[:sysinfo:wswan:softlist|here]].
53906
53907
53908
53909
53910
53911===== Known Issues =====
53912
53913
53914
53915WonderSwan Color emulation in MESS still has imperfect sound.
53916
53917
53918
53919
53920
53921===== History and Trivia =====
53922
53923
53924
53925The WonderSwan Color is a handheld game console designed by Bandai. It was released in 2000 and had a moderate success.
53926
53927
53928
53929The main feature of the WonderSwan Color, compared to the original WonderSwan, is of course the color LCD screen. In fact, the new system was also slightly larger and heavier than his predecessor, and features 64k of RAM. On the other hand, no substantial change has been done to the internal hardware, making the WonderSwan Color fully compatible with the original WonderSwan library of games.
53930
53931
53932
53933Prior to WonderSwan's release, Nintendo had virtually a monopoly in the Japanese videogame handheld market. Thanks to its low price, Bandai's handheld was able to cut its own position in the market.
53934
53935
53936
53937Another reason for the WonderSwan's success in Japan was the fact that Bandai managed to get a deal with Squaresoft to port over the first "Final Fantasy" games, previously released on Famicom in the 1980s, with improved graphics and controls. Together with the large number of Bandai's games based on popular manga and anime brands, this helped to sell a lot of units.
53938
53939
53940
53941However, with the success of the Game Boy Advance and new agreements between Squaresoft and Nintendo, the WonderSwan Color and its successor, the SwanCrystal, quickly lost their advantage.
53942
53943
53944
53945== SwanCrystal ==
53946
53947
53948
53949The SwanCrystal was the third version of Bandai's WonderSwan handheld game console, succeeding the WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color. It was released November 2002.
53950
53951
53952
53953It is essentially the same as the WonderSwan Color, except that it uses a TFT LCD, superior in response time to the LCD technology used previously: this helped the visualization of the game on the screen and reduces the ghosting effect.
53954
53955
53956
53957On the other hand, since the internal hardware is basically unmodified, the Bandai SwanCrystal is compatible with games for both the WonderSwan Color and the original WonderSwan.
53958
53959
53960
53961The SwanCrystal was available in four case colors: Skeleton Blue, Skeleton Black, Blue Violet and Red Wine.
53962
53963
53964
53965//(info based on Wikipedia)//
53966
53967
53968
53969
53970
53971===== Links =====
53972
53973
53974
53975  * [[wp>WonderSwan_Color]]
53976
53977  * [[wp>Swan_Crystal]]
53978
53979
53980
53981
53982
53983===== Other Emulators =====
53984
53985
53986
53987  * Oswan -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/oswan/
53988
53989  * Cygne -- http://cygne.emuunlim.com/
53990
53991  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
53992
53993  * Xe -- http://www.xe-emulator.com/
53994
53995  * WSCamp [no link]
53996
53997
53998
53999
54000
54001$end
54002
54003
54004
54005#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
54006
54007
54008$info=wswan
54009$bio
54010====== Bandai WonderSwan (1999) ======
54011
54012
54013
54014The first handheld console produced by Bandai. It was soon replaced by the WonderSwan Color to compete with the success of Nintendo Game Boy.
54015
54016
54017
54018
54019
54020===== Features =====
54021
54022
54023
54024  * CPU : 16-bit processor at 3.072 MHz
54025
54026  * Screen (dot matrix section): FSTN reflective LCD, 224 x 144 pixels (2.49-inch)
54027
54028  * Display performance : Max. 512 characters, max. 128 sprites (32 on one horizontal line), two screens (overlay possible), screen windows and sprite windows.
54029
54030  * Graphics : 8-shade monochrome in the dot matrix section and six icons at the static section.
54031
54032  * Audio: 4-channel digital stereo sound. Built-in speaker or optional headphones with stereo adapter.
54033
54034  * Connecting Ports : Link Port, Stereo Jack & cartridge port
54035
54036  * Cartridge Capacity: ROM and/or RAM - maximum 128Meg (like Beat Mania)
54037
54038  * Features: Can be played holding the unit vertically or horizontally. Built-in EEPROM and 1Kbit RAM for backing up game data. Several levels of energy-saving control.
54039
54040
54041
54042
54043
54044===== Usage =====
54045
54046
54047
54048WonderSwan in MESS requires a cart dump in .ws, .wsc or bin format to work. To run it, you can use the "cartridge" (cart) device, e.g. from command line
54049
54050
54051
54052  mess wswan -cart "C:\pathtogame\gamename.ws"
54053
54054
54055
54056== Software ==
54057
54058
54059
54060A list of WonderSwan software can be found [[:sysinfo:wswan:softlist|here]].
54061
54062
54063
54064
54065
54066===== Known Issues =====
54067
54068
54069
54070WonderSwan emulation in MESS still has imperfect sound.
54071
54072
54073
54074
54075
54076===== History and Trivia =====
54077
54078
54079
54080WonderSwan is a handheld game console released in Japan by Bandai in March 1999. It was designed by Koto, a company founded by Gunpei Yokoi (the man whose designed the original Nintendo Game Boy), and Bandai. The WonderSwan was made to compete with the SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color and the Nintendo Game Boy Color, the market leader.
54081
54082
54083
54084The WonderSwan was available in ten different case colors. Part of its success was due to a fairly large library of games, including many titles based on popular Japanese manga and anime brands, thanks to Bandai's licenses.
54085
54086
54087
54088As it was a console designed essentially for the Japanese market, most of the games are in Japanese, with only a few featuring English text.
54089
54090
54091
54092The WonderSwan was later replaced by the WonderSwan Color, an evolution of the hardware featuring a color display. Although some WonderSwan Color games are compatible with the original WonderSwan, many are designed exclusively for the WonderSwan Color. The latter ones show a "This cartridge is for WonderSwan Color only" message when run on the original WonderSwan.
54093
54094
54095
54096//(info based on Wikipedia)//
54097
54098
54099
54100
54101
54102===== Links =====
54103
54104
54105
54106  * [[wp>WonderSwan]]
54107
54108
54109
54110
54111
54112===== Other Emulators =====
54113
54114
54115
54116  * Oswan -- http://sourceforge.jp/projects/oswan/
54117
54118  * Cygne -- http://cygne.emuunlim.com/
54119
54120  * Mednafen -- http://mednafen.sourceforge.net/
54121
54122  * Xe -- http://www.xe-emulator.com/
54123
54124  * WSCamp [no link]
54125
54126
54127
54128
54129
54130$end
54131
54132
54133
54134#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
54135
54136
54137$info=x68000
54138$bio
54139====== Sharp X68000 (1987) ======
54140
54141
54142
54143
54144
54145===== Features =====
54146
54147
54148
54149  * CPU: Motorola MC68000 10 MHz
54150
54151  * Co-Processor: Unknown
54152
54153  * RAM: 1 MB (up to 12 MB)
54154
54155  * VRAM: 512 KB graphic + 512 KB text
54156
54157  * ROM: 1 MB
54158
54159  * Text Modes: Unknown
54160
54161  * Graphic Modes: 256x240 / 256x256 / 512x240 / 512x256 / 512x512 / 640x480 / 768x512 / 1024x1024 / 128 sprites (16x16 dots)
54162
54163  * Colors: 65535 (16 colors in 1024x1024 to 65K in 512x512)
54164
54165  * Sound: FM Sound (Yamaha YM2151 : 2 channels / 8 octaves stereo) + ADPCM (OKI MSM6258V : 4 bit mono)
54166
54167  * I/O Ports: Joystick(2), Audio IN / OUT, Stereo scope, TV Control, NTSC Video Image I/O, Expansion (2 slots), External FDD, SASI, RS232
54168
54169  * Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard
54170
54171  * Built In Media: 2 x 5.25" disk-drive
54172
54173  * OS: Human 68K 1.0 + VS
54174
54175
54176
54177
54178
54179===== Usage =====
54180
54181
54182
54183MESS supports the emulation of the x68000 with a SASI hard drive device, "sasihd" (sasi) for bootable .hdf files, and up to four floppy drives, "floppydisk1" (flop1) to "floppydisk4" (flop4), for disk images in one of the following formats: .xdf, .hdm, .2hd, .dim
54184
54185
54186
54187== Misc ==
54188
54189
54190
54191  * Executable files under Human68k or SX-Windows have the .X extension.  They are run by typing the filename at the command prompt, minus the .X extension, or double-clicking the file icon in SX-Windows.
54192
54193
54194
54195  * Many basic DOS functions are also present under Human68k, like dir, tree, copy, even pushing <key>F3</key> (not <key>XF3</key>) to re-display the last command.
54196
54197
54198
54199  * Don't know how to type in Japanese filenames?  Under Human68k, you can push <key>Tab</key> to cycle through file or directory names in the current directory.  It can also complete file or directory names for you, if you have already typed the first few characters.
54200
54201
54202
54203  * Most game disks are bootable, so generally no interaction with Human68k is needed for them.
54204
54205
54206
54207== Keyboard ==
54208
54209
54210
54211This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the <key>Esc</key> key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the <key>ScrollLock</key> key (by default).
54212
54213
54214
54215Some default key mappings:
54216
54217
54218
54219  * <key>Opt.1</key> -> <key>Print</key>
54220
54221  * <key>Opt.2</key> -> <key>Pause</key>
54222
54223  * <key>XF1</key> -> <key>F11</key>
54224
54225  * <key>XF2</key> -> <key>F12</key>
54226
54227  * <key>;</key> and <key>+</key> -> <key>;</key> and <key>:</key>
54228
54229  * <key>:</key> and <key>*</key> -> <key>'</key> and <key>"</key>
54230
54231  * <key>"</key> -> <key>S-2</key>
54232
54233  * <key>RollUp</key> and <key>RollDown</key> -> <key>PageUp</key> and <key>PageDown</key>
54234
54235
54236
54237Notice that some keys are not mapped, as the X68000 has more keys than most PC keyboards do, but under Human68k, you can open a software keyboard using the right mouse button twice (make sure -mouse is enabled), allowing you to click on keys using the mouse pointer.  The software keyboard also includes a built-in calculator.
54238
54239
54240
54241Original Keyboard: QWERTY keyboard, 113 keys.
54242
54243
54244
54245
54246
54247
54248
54249== BIOS options ==
54250
54251
54252
54253Different BIOS versions are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
54254
54255
54256
54257  "-bios 0" or "-bios ipl10" = IPL-ROM v1.0
54258
54259 
54260
54261  "-bios 1" or "-bios ipl11" = IPL-ROM v1.1
54262
54263 
54264
54265  "-bios 2" or "-bios ipl12" = IPL-ROM v1.2
54266
54267 
54268
54269  "-bios 3" or "-bios ipl13" = IPL-ROM v1.3 (92/11/27)
54270
54271
54272
54273== RAM options ==
54274
54275
54276
54277Different RAM configurations are possible for the x68000 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
54278
54279
54280
54281  1m
54282
54283  2m
54284
54285  3m
54286
54287  4m (default)
54288
54289  5m
54290
54291  6m
54292
54293  7m
54294
54295  8m
54296
54297  9m
54298
54299  10m
54300
54301  11m
54302
54303  12m
54304
54305
54306
54307
54308
54309== Controllers ==
54310
54311
54312
54313The X68000 series has two 9-pin MSX-compatible joystick ports, supporting most controllers supported by the MSX and FM-Towns.
54314
54315
54316
54317Also, a few games support connecting a Sega Megadrive gamepad, via an adapter.  An adapter is included with either Video Game Anthology Vol. 2: Atomic Runner Chelnov, or Street Fighter II' Champion Edition.
54318
54319
54320
54321Some games also come with their own controllers also, such as the XPD-1LR, included with Video Game Anthology Vol. 4: Libble Rabble (and is compatible with Vol 5: Crazy Climber 1 and 2).
54322
54323
54324
54325In MESS, you can select controller type for each joystick port via the "Categories" menu in the MESS UI (press <key>TAB</key> to activate).  Currently MSX, 3 and 6 button Megadrive, and XPD-1LR (dual D-pad) controller types are supported.
54326
54327
54328
54329
54330
54331===== Known Issues =====
54332
54333
54334
54335  * Lacks SCSI hard disk emulation.
54336
54337  * Keyboard emulation isn't perfect (not currently working very well, MFP code needs USART support, you can still use the software keyboard via the mouse, however).
54338
54339  * Setting of Supervisor area isn't emulated.
54340
54341  * Some games have horizontal sprite offset issues ranging from minimal (Exciting Hour) to major (Kyukyoku Tiger).
54342
54343  * List of tested games that don't work, or have major problems
54344
54345    * Star Wars: Attack on the Death Star
54346
54347    * Galaga '88
54348
54349    * ...and probably a number of others
54350
54351
54352
54353
54354
54355===== History and Trivia =====
54356
54357
54358
54359Here is the first of a great family. It is the successor of the Sharp X1 family, shipped with a unique square screen monitor, fist in a grey case, then in black.
54360
54361
54362
54363Instead of using the Zilog Z80, it uses a powerful Motorola MC 68000. This computer (and all its family) has great features (look at the emulator), it was more powerful than the other 68000 computers at this time (Atari ST or Amiga 500) : more colors or more hardware sprites, hardware scrolling, genlocking, perspective or playfields (up to 16) .
54364
54365
54366
54367Unfortunately, it was never marketed outside Japan where it was and still is very very popular! Too bad, I'm sure it would have a great success!! A very great range of games were developed for the X680x0 serie and the best arcade conversions were done on this computer.
54368
54369
54370
54371It runs under Human 68K, an operating system which looks like CP/M 68 or MSDOS and uses a graphic user interface called VS.
54372
54373
54374
54375Notice that the development is still active on that computer, several OSes have been ported on the X68000, the most famous are Minix and Unix NetBSD and all the GNU tools and there are some projects under development : XNeptune (a Ethernet card) or Ko-Windows (a 'NextStep-like' graphic environment).
54376
54377
54378
54379It was followed by the X68000 Ace and Ace HD.
54380
54381
54382
54383//(info from old-computers.com)//
54384
54385
54386
54387
54388
54389===== Links =====
54390
54391
54392
54393  * X680x0 Story -- http://www.kh.rim.or.jp/~tron/X68monogatari.html
54394
54395  * X68000 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=298
54396
54397
54398
54399
54400
54401===== Other Emulators =====
54402
54403
54404
54405  * Virtual X68000 -- http://www.vx68k.org/vx68k/
54406
54407  * EX68 -- http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~yamama/emul/
54408
54409  * XM6 -- http://www.ipc-tokai.or.jp/~ytanaka/x680x0/xm6.shtml
54410
54411  * X68000 Java Emu -- http://homepage2.nifty.com/m_kamada/java/x68000/
54412
54413
54414
54415
54416
54417$end
54418
54419
54420
54421#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
54422
54423
54424$info=z80ne
54425$bio
54426====== Nuova Elettronica Z80 (1979-1985) ======
54427
54428
54429
54430
54431
54432===== Features =====
54433
54434
54435
54436  * CPU: Zilog Z80 1.92 MHz
54437
54438  * RAM: 1 kB / 56 kB depending on installed ram cards
54439
54440  * VRAM: 0 kB - 1 kB - 8 kB depending on installed video cards
54441
54442  * ROM: 1 kB or 2 kB (Monitor and other boot roms), or 16kB (ROM Basic)
54443
54444  * Text Modes: 32 x 16, 40 x 24, 80 x 24
54445
54446  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 48, 160 x 144 or 320 x 144 depending on installed video cards
54447
54448  * Colors: monochrome
54449
54450  * Sound: Optional monotonal beeper
54451
54452  * I/O Ports: Monitor, TV, cassette interface, floppy interface, printer interface, SASI hard-disk interface, expansion port
54453
54454  * Keyboard: Hexadecimal keyboard and/or full-stroke keyboard, 59 Keys, optional numeric keypad
54455
54456  * OS: 5.5 kB tape basic, NE-DOS (derived from TRS-80 NEWDOS), SONE (CP/M clone)
54457
54458  * Built In Language: Basic (16k ROM model)
54459
54460  * Add-ons: Eprom programmer
54461
54462
54463
54464
54465
54466===== Usage =====
54467
54468
54469
54470MESS supports the following systems
54471
54472
54473
54474  * z80ne   [Z80 N.E. base system: LX.382 + LX.383 + LX.384 + LX.385 + 56 KByte RAM (hex keyb/displ + tape interface)]
54475
54476  * z80net  [         same as above + LX.388 (text video) + LX.387 (ascii keyboard)]
54477
54478  * z80netb [         same as above + LX.548 (16 kB Basic ROM)]
54479
54480  * z80netf [         same as above + LX.390 (floppy disk interface)]
54481
54482
54483
54484The cards composing the system are:
54485
54486  * LX.380          Power Supply
54487
54488  * LX.381          BUS (proprietary)
54489
54490  * LX.382          CPU Card
54491
54492  * LX.383          Hexadecimal keyboard and display interface
54493
54494  * LX.384          Hexadecimal keyboard and display
54495
54496  * LX.385          Tape interface
54497
54498  * LX.386          8 KBytes memory expansion
54499
54500  * LX.392          32 KBytes memory expansion
54501
54502  * LX.389          Printer interface
54503
54504  * LX.548          16 KBytes Basic on eprom
54505
54506  * LX.388          Text video interface
54507
54508  * LX.529          Graphic video and printer interface
54509
54510  * LX.530          Daughter card with beeper
54511
54512  * LX.387/LX.387-B Alphanumeric keyboard
54513
54514  * LX.549          Numeric keyboard
54515
54516  * LX.390          Floppy disk interface
54517
54518  * LX.391          Floppy disk or hard disk power supply
54519
54520  * LX.394-395      Eprom programmer
54521
54522  * LX.683          Hard-disk interface
54523
54524  * LX.599          12" video monitor
54525
54526  * LX.547          Interrupt card
54527
54528  * LX.710          Autorepeat card
54529
54530  *                 Thermal printer
54531
54532  *                 12" video monitor and metallic case
54533
54534
54535
54536
54537
54538
54539
54540
54541
54542For all these drivers, MESS supports a "cassette" (cass) device for tapes in .wav format.
54543
54544For z80netf up to four floppy drives are supported for disk images in .zmk format.
54545
54546These correspond to devices "floppydisk0" (flop0) to "floppydisk3" (flop3).
54547
54548
54549
54550== Keyboard ==
54551
54552
54553
54554The emulated keyboard is relatively close to the original layout.
54555
54556Use emulated keyboard when hex keyboard and display are active.
54557
54558Take a look into the "Options" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, and choose "Keys (This Machine)" to  find out more about the key mapping.
54559
54560
54561
54562== Cassettes ==
54563
54564
54565
54566Emulation of virtual tapes supported. Use monitor CTRL-6 and A to read binary images from tape A
54567
54568CLOAD loads a file named BASIC(N).CAS, where (N) is the character you supplied (e.g. CLOAD"M" loads BASICM.CAS)
54569
54570
54571
54572== Floppy Disks ==
54573
54574
54575
54576Emulation of virtual floppy discs supported. Use a NEDOS boot disk for drive 0.
54577
54578
54579
54580
54581
54582Under the "Driver Configuration" menu, accessible by hitting TAB, there are three settings.
54583
54584  * "LX.385 Cassette: P1,P3 Data Rate"  - select cassette data rate.
54585
54586  * "LX.385: P4 Parity Check"           - enable/disable tape parity check
54587
54588  * "Boot EPROM"                        - select boot firmware.
54589
54590
54591
54592===== Known Issues =====
54593
54594
54595
54596The z80ne driver should run most of the known programs but the one specifically for LX.529 graphic card.
54597
54598It supports a WD 179x floppy disc controller with up to four virtual floppy disc drives contained in image files.
54599
54600
54601
54602===== History and Trivia =====
54603
54604
54605
54606The Z80 computer was published on italian Nuova Elettronica magazine starting from number 68 of October 1979.
54607
54608
54609
54610It was a project made by Micro Design in Genoa (Italy) that took many magazine numbers, until August 1985, and that started with a very simple configuration with a hexadecimal keyboard and 8 displays, to finish with a full configuration with alphanumeric keyboard, monitor and floppy disks.
54611
54612
54613
54614Everything can be assembled into a beautiful light blue metallic case with integrated monitor, floppy and keyboard, or into a black rack case published lately, with separated monitor, floppy and keyboard.
54615
54616 
54617
54618The computer is made of different cards that plug in a proprietary bus card. Every card has a different function, for example there is a card for CPU, one (or more) for RAM, one for floppy interface, one for video interface, and so on.
54619
54620
54621
54622During time, publishing of different cards lead to the fact that it wasn't possible to use all together, creating different configurations of the same machine depending on cards plugged in the bus.
54623
54624
54625
54626
54627
54628===== Links =====
54629
54630
54631
54632  * The home of Z80 N.E., Roberto Bazzano's Z80 N.E. page -- http://www.z80ne.com/
54633
54634  * Nuova Elettronica magazine -- http://www.nuovaelettronica.it/
54635
54636
54637
54638
54639
54640$end
54641
54642
54643
54644#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
54645
54646
54647$info=z88
54648$bio
54649====== Cambridge Computers Z88 (1988) ======
54650
54651
54652
54653
54654
54655===== Features =====
54656
54657
54658
54659  * CPU: CMOS Z80A 3.2768MHz
54660
54661  * RAM: 32 KB, 128 KB or 512 KB depending on models (the Z88 can address up to 4Mb of memory, subdivided into 256 banks of 16K each)
54662
54663  * ROM: 128 KB (up to 1 MB)
54664
54665  * Text Modes: 104 chars. x 8 lines
54666
54667  * Graphic Modes: 640 x 64 (the screen is typically shared between a text area of up to 104 x 8 characters on the left and a graphics area of up to 256 x 64 pixels (on the right). Additionally there is a 16 x 64 pixel status information window at the far right)
54668
54669  * Colors: 3 shades of gray
54670
54671  * Sound: Miniature loudspeaker, used for alarms or warnings.
54672
54673  * I/O Ports: RS232, 3 Expansion ports (RAM or EPROM), Z80 Bus
54674
54675  * Keyboard: 64 rubber-key QWERTY arrangement, including full-size spacebar.
54676
54677  * OS: OZ
54678
54679  * Built In Language: Diary, PipeDream (combined wordprocessor/spreadsheet), Terminal, Printer Editor, BBC BASIC, Index (application/card manager), Filer (file/EPROM manager), Calendar, Calculator, Clock, Alarm, Import/Export (file transfer) and Panel (control settings).
54680
54681
54682
54683
54684
54685===== Usage =====
54686
54687
54688
54689== Keyboard ==
54690
54691
54692
54693This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
54694
54695
54696
54697Original Keyboard: QWERTY rubber keyboard, 64 keys
54698
54699 
54700
54701  ESC   1!   2@   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -_   =+   \|     DEL
54702
54703 
54704
54705                                                                         -----
54706
54707   TAB     Q    W    E    R    T    Y    U    I    O    P    [{   ]}    |   E |
54708
54709                                                                         -  n |
54710
54711                                                                          | t |
54712
54713   DIAMOND    A    S    D    F    G    H    J    K    L    ;:   '"   £~   | e |
54714
54715                                                                          | r |
54716
54717 
54718
54719      SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B    N    M   ,<   .>   /?    SHIFT    Up
54720
54721 
54722
54723                                                        CAPS
54724
54725  INDEX  MENU HELP SQUARE              SPACEBAR         LOCK    Left Right Down
54726
54727
54728
54729
54730
54731
54732
54733===== Known Issues =====
54734
54735
54736
54737The emulation of this system is Preliminary.
54738
54739
54740
54741
54742
54743===== History and Trivia =====
54744
54745
54746
54747The Z88 is a portable system with a LCD screen display and good sized keyboard.
54748
54749
54750
54751Amstrad bought the rights to use the Sinclair name on computer products. However, while Sir Clive Sinclair (the creator of the ZX 80, ZX 81, ZX Spectrum and QL) retained ownership of Sinclair Research, he couldn't use the Sinclair name. Sir Sinclair therefore created a new
54752
54753company called Cambridge Research, with the intention of realizing an old project, the Pandora Project. The result of this work was the Z88 (it was achieved in 1988). Sir Sinclair at the time thought it was a revolution and said that this computer would be one of the best
54754
54755commercial successes. Actually it was Clive Sinclair's last contribution to the computer world!
54756
54757
54758
54759This small machine was quite powerful; its operating system could exceed the 64 KB limitation of the Z80 with a good memory manager. It could also divide the memory into 16 KB pages, so the RAM could be expanded up to 3 MB thanks to 2 expansion ports. RAM cartridges of 32 KB and 128 KB were available. It had a built-in EPROM programmer available on the 3rd expansion port, so data could be saved directly on 128 KB EPROMs.
54760
54761
54762
54763The ROM contained a lot of software: Pipedream (spreadsheet, word processor and database), the Z80 version of the BBC Basic (the Basic of the BBC or Electron), a diary, a calendar, a clock, a conversion tool, a VT 52 terminal emulator, Filer (the file manager of the Operating System) and a utility to transfer data to a PC compatible via a RS232 link. This transfer utility exported text and spreadsheet files into Wordstar or Lotus 1-2-3 formats.
54764
54765
54766
54767The BBC Basic in the Z88, although very powerful, lacks an essential feature: there is neither an editor nor debugger! This means that mistakes in a line can only be corrected by typing the whole line again! (reported by Jan M.L. Bosmans)
54768
54769
54770
54771//(info from old-computers.com)//
54772
54773
54774
54775
54776
54777===== Links =====
54778
54779
54780
54781  * Dennis Groning's Z88 Page -- http://www.algonet.se/~dennisgr/z88.htm
54782
54783  * John Allen's Pages -- http://www.johnallen.com/z88/
54784
54785  * Z88 Forever! -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/z88forever/
54786
54787  * Z88 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=279
54788
54789
54790
54791
54792
54793===== Other Emulators =====
54794
54795
54796
54797  * Z88 Emu -- http://www.worldofspectrum.org/z88forever/emulator.htm
54798
54799
54800
54801
54802
54803$end
54804
54805
54806
54807#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
54808
54809
54810$info=zx80
54811$bio
54812====== Sinclair ZX 80 (1980) ======
54813
54814
54815
54816
54817
54818===== Features =====
54819
54820
54821
54822  * CPU: NEC 780C-1 (Z80 compatible) 3.25 MHz
54823
54824  * RAM: 1 KB, 901 bytes available (upgradeable  to 64 KB)
54825
54826  * ROM: 4 KB. Can be expended to 8 KB, thereby making it almost a ZX81
54827
54828  * Text Modes: 32 chars. x 22 lines
54829
54830  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 44 dots
54831
54832  * Colors: Monochrome
54833
54834  * Sound: None
54835
54836  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, tape, TV/RF video
54837
54838  * Keyboard: Membrane keyboard, 40 keys, 1 SHIFT key
54839
54840  * Peripherals: 16 KB RAM extension
54841
54842  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic
54843
54844
54845
54846
54847
54848===== Usage =====
54849
54850
54851
54852MESS supports zx80 emulation with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .o and .80 format.
54853
54854
54855
54856== Keyboard ==
54857
54858
54859
54860This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
54861
54862
54863
54864== BIOS options ==
54865
54866
54867
54868Different versions of the zx80 roms are supported. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
54869
54870 
54871
54872  "-bios 0" or "-bios default" = BASIC
54873
54874 
54875
54876  "-bios 1" or "-bios aszmic" = ASZMIC
54877
54878
54879
54880The former is the standard BASIC included in zx80, the latter was a ROM swap available to use a sort of Assembler programming language called ASZMIC.
54881
54882
54883
54884== RAM options ==
54885
54886
54887
54888Different RAM configurations are possible for zx80 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
54889
54890
54891
54892  1k (default)
54893
54894  16k
54895
54896
54897
54898
54899
54900===== Known Issues =====
54901
54902
54903
54904The emulation of this system is currently Not Working.
54905
54906
54907
54908
54909
54910===== History and Trivia =====
54911
54912
54913
54914A home computer built in the United Kingdom.
54915
54916
54917
54918The Sinclair ZX 80 is the ancestor of the Sinclair ZX 81. It had a short life (less than one year)
54919
54920
54921
54922After the modest but encouraging success of the MK-14 (initiation board with hexadecimal keyboard), Sinclair (at the time Sciences of Cambridge) decided to develop a slightly more advanced computer.
54923
54924
54925
54926The ZX-80 is regarded as a pioneer system in micro-computing as at the time the only available computers were kits for hobbyists like the MK-14 or more expensive systems intended for education or research such as the Tandy TRS-80 or the Commodore PET.
54927
54928
54929
54930The ZX-80 inaugurated the transition between the hobbyist world and the consumer electronics by proposing a true computer in its case for less than �100.
54931
54932
54933
54934Technically, the ZX-80 is not a revolutionary system but is rather the result of a search for economy through the choice of the components, starting with the membrane keyboard, or the RAM memory limited to 1kb. The operating system, the editor and the Basic interpreter fit into the 4kb of the ROM !
54935
54936
54937
54938The ZX-80 met some success with nearly 70.000 machines sold in less than one year, announcing the future success of the ZX-81 and at the same time the birth of a new major actor in the micro-computers world : Sinclair Computers Ltd. It was replaced in 1981 with the ZX 81, which was more integrated and cheaper.
54939
54940
54941
54942//(info from old-computers.com)//
54943
54944
54945
54946
54947
54948===== Links =====
54949
54950
54951
54952  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zx80/zx80.htm
54953
54954  * ZX80 World -- http://freespace.virgin.net/christopher.cox/zx80/index.htm
54955
54956  * ZX80 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=262
54957
54958
54959
54960
54961
54962===== Other Emulators =====
54963
54964
54965
54966  * VB81 -- http://freestuff.grok.co.uk/vb81/
54967
54968  * XTender -- http://www.delhez.demon.nl/
54969
54970  * No$ZX81 -- http://www.work.de/nocash/zx8.htm
54971
54972  * EightyOne -- http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/
54973
54974
54975
54976
54977
54978$end
54979
54980
54981
54982#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
54983
54984
54985$info=zx81
54986$bio
54987====== Sinclair ZX 81 / Timex Sinclair 1000 (1981) ======
54988
54989
54990
54991
54992
54993===== Features =====
54994
54995
54996
54997  * CPU: Zilog Z80A 3.5 MHz
54998
54999  * RAM: 1 KB (901 bytes available, up to 64 KB)
55000
55001  * ROM: 8 KB
55002
55003  * Text Modes: 32 x 24 (but 2 lines are reserved for system messages and commands)
55004
55005  * Graphic Modes: 64 x 44
55006
55007  * Colors: Black and white
55008
55009  * Sound: None
55010
55011  * I/O Ports: Z80 Bus, tape, video
55012
55013  * Keyboard: Touch-sensitive keyboard, 40 keys
55014
55015  * Built In Language: Sinclair Basic
55016
55017
55018
55019
55020
55021===== Usage =====
55022
55023
55024
55025MESS emulates the following computers
55026
55027
55028
55029  * zx81 [Sinclair ZX-81]
55030
55031  * ts1000 [Timex Sinclair 1000]
55032
55033
55034
55035For both drivers, MESS supports the emulation with a "cassette" (cass) device, for tapes in .wav, .p and .81 format.
55036
55037
55038
55039== Keyboard ==
55040
55041
55042
55043These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the "Scroll Lock" key (by default).
55044
55045
55046
55047== BIOS options ==
55048
55049
55050
55051MESS supports various revisions of the ZX81 bios. You can switch between them, changing the -bios parameter. At command line,
55052
55053 
55054
55055  "-bios 0" or "-bios 3rd" = 3rd rev.
55056
55057 
55058
55059  "-bios 1" or "-bios 1st" = 1st rev.
55060
55061 
55062
55063  "-bios 2" or "-bios 2nd" = 2nd rev.
55064
55065 
55066
55067  "-bios 3" or "-bios hforth" = Forth by David Husband
55068
55069 
55070
55071  "-bios 4" or "-bios tforth" = Forth by Tree Systems
55072
55073
55074
55075hforth and tforth options emulate a zx81 with swapped ROMs to use Forth instead of BASIC, as programming language.
55076
55077
55078
55079== RAM options ==
55080
55081
55082
55083Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add ''-ramsize ram_value'', where //ram_value// can assume one of the following values
55084
55085
55086
55087  1k (default)
55088
55089  16k
55090
55091
55092
55093
55094
55095===== Known Issues =====
55096
55097
55098
55099The emulation of this system is currently Not Working.
55100
55101
55102
55103
55104
55105===== History and Trivia =====
55106
55107
55108
55109A home computer built in the United Kingdom.
55110
55111
55112
55113The Sinclair ZX 81 was the successor of the ZX 80, and can be regarded as an evolution of it.
55114
55115
55116
55117The ZX80 could not handle floating point numbers or cassette data files, but the ZX-81 could. The ZX-80 had 4k ROM : the ZX-81 had 8K ROM with 30 additional functions and some instructions to drive the printer. Thanks to a higher level of integrations (the total number of chips in the basic system was 4, against the ZX80's 21), the ZX-81 cost £30 less than the ZX-80. The plastic case was also different. Whereas the ZX-80 looked cheap in it lightweight white case, the ZX-81 was beautifully designed in its black ABS plastic case.
55118
55119
55120
55121The keyboard was still formed by an underprinted plastic, but this one was made of non-reflective material. Even with this slight improvement it was quite horrible to use, that's why a lot of additional keyboards appeared quickly on the market. Some of the keys sported up to 5 functions, right in the Sinclair tradition, accessible through the "GRAPHICS", "SHIFT" and "FUNCTION" keys.
55122
55123
55124
55125Here are the functions added over the ZX-80 : ASN, ACS, ATN COS, EXP, INKEY$, PI, SGN, SIN SQR, INT, LEN, LN, TAN, VAL, <=, >=, < >, COPY, DIM A$, FAST, FOR ... TO ... STEP, LLIST, LLIST n, LPRINT, PAUSE, PLOT, PRINT AT, PRINT TAB, SCROLL, SLOW, UNPLOT. Some are quite useful and make you wonder how it was possible to make anything on the ZX-80 !? However, one function disappeared: TL$ which was used to return a string minus its first character.
55126
55127
55128
55129The ZX-81 could be operated in two modes, SLOW and FAST. The FAST mode which was the only mode available on the ZX-80, only refreshed the display when the system had completed computing, resulting in a painful screen flicker! It was a useful mode when you had to do a lot of calculation without the need to see what's going on all the time on the screen. The SLOW mode, which was indeed quite slooooowwww, behaved like all other computers did, refreshing the screen all the time.
55130
55131
55132
55133The ZX81 contained only four main chips : the ROM, Z80A CPU, 1K RAM and the Ferranti custom-made chip! It is as simple as that. The machine was assembled by Timex Corporation in their Scottish plant.
55134
55135
55136
55137This computer was a very great success in Europe in the beginning of the 80's. It was very cheap and a lot of people who now are working on modern PCs or Macs, made their first move on a ZX 81 even though its performance was actually poor!
55138
55139
55140
55141A very great range of peripherals were developed for this computer, among them : 3.5" floppy disk units, keyboards, high resolution graphic cards, RS232 or Centronics interfaces, RAM expansions, etc... In fact, it was possible to make a pretty good computer from the ZX 81!
55142
55143
55144
55145It was followed by the ZX-Spectrum and was also sold as the Timex Sinclair 1000 in the USA. The main difference was that the TS 1000 has 2 KB RAM instead of the 1 KB RAM of the original ZX-81.
55146
55147
55148
55149//(info from old-computers.com)//
55150
55151
55152
55153
55154
55155===== Links =====
55156
55157
55158
55159  * Achromic's ZX81 Page -- http://zx81.achromic.co.uk/
55160
55161  * Jame's Sinclair ZX-81 Page -- http://james.istop.com/zx81/
55162
55163  * Planet Sinclair -- http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zx81/zx81.htm
55164
55165  * TS1000.US -- http://www.ts1000.us/
55166
55167  * ZX81 Stuff -- http://www.zx81stuff.org.uk/
55168
55169  * ZX81 Home Page -- http://www.honneamise.u-net.com/zx81/
55170
55171  * ZX Team -- http://www.zx81.de/
55172
55173  * ZX81 at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=263
55174
55175
55176
55177
55178
55179===== Other Emulators =====
55180
55181
55182
55183  * VB81 -- http://freestuff.grok.co.uk/vb81/
55184
55185  * XTender -- http://www.delhez.demon.nl/
55186
55187  * No$ZX81 -- http://www.work.de/nocash/zx8.htm
55188
55189  * EightyOne -- http://www.chuntey.com/eightyone/
55190
55191
55192
55193
55194
55195$end
55196
55197
55198
55199#---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
55200
docs/messnew.txt
r8047r8048
259259  carry the default savestate name in-between drivers when using the built-in
260260  menu [Oliver Stoeneberg]
261261
262- [SYSINFO] Updated sysinfo.dat to latest MESS Wiki contents [Dirk Best,
263  Fabio Priuli, Robbbert, Shideravan]
262264
263265
266
2642670.137
265268
266269New System Drivers Supported:

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