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Groups > comp.sys.apple2.programmer > #4858 > unrolled thread

Saturn 64/128k

Started byAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
First post2018-10-28 19:54 -0700
Last post2018-11-03 21:54 +0000
Articles 20 on this page of 23 — 6 participants

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Contents

  Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-10-28 19:54 -0700
    Re: Saturn 64/128k Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2018-10-28 23:42 -0500
      Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-10-29 01:59 -0700
        Re: Saturn 64/128k Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2018-10-29 13:35 -0500
          Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-10-29 14:42 -0700
            Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-10-29 15:14 -0700
            Re: Saturn 64/128k Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2018-10-29 20:25 -0500
              Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-10-30 01:17 -0700
                Re: Saturn 64/128k Michael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com> - 2018-10-30 18:31 -0700
                  Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-11-01 14:42 -0700
                    Re: Saturn 64/128k Steve Nickolas <usotsuki@buric.co> - 2018-11-02 03:17 -0400
                      Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-11-02 03:20 -0700
                        Re: Saturn 64/128k James Davis <JPD.Enterprises@outlook.com> - 2018-11-02 14:40 -0700
                Re: Saturn 64/128k Hugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net> - 2018-10-30 20:52 -0500
                  Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-10-30 20:17 -0700
                    Re: Saturn 64/128k Anthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com> - 2018-10-30 20:33 -0700
                  Re: Saturn 64/128k Michael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com> - 2018-10-30 21:07 -0700
      Re: Saturn 64/128k Michael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com> - 2018-10-29 22:26 -0700
        Re: Saturn 64/128k James Davis <JPD.Enterprises@outlook.com> - 2018-10-30 09:50 -0700
          Re: Saturn 64/128k Michael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com> - 2018-10-30 18:35 -0700
            Re: Saturn 64/128k Steve Nickolas <usotsuki@buric.co> - 2018-10-30 22:09 -0400
    Re: Saturn 64/128k D Finnigan <dog_cow@macgui.com> - 2018-10-29 16:29 +0000
      Re: Saturn 64/128k D Finnigan <dog_cow@macgui.com> - 2018-11-03 21:54 +0000

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#4858 — Saturn 64/128k

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-28 19:54 -0700
SubjectSaturn 64/128k
Message-ID<ef3a7aff-4850-471c-b76b-39660c1cc320@googlegroups.com>
Has anyone tried building a prodos driver for this thing to make it a ramdrive?  This lies wildly out of my skillset... so if there's anything someones started... it'd certainly better than my efforts.. :)

A

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#4860

FromHugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net>
Date2018-10-28 23:42 -0500
Message-ID<jJadnbiT9soiEkvGnZ2dnUU7-a_NnZ2d@earthlink.com>
In reply to#4858
On 10/28/2018 9:54 PM, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> Has anyone tried building a prodos driver for this thing to make it a ramdrive?  This lies wildly out of my skillset... so if there's anything someones started... it'd certainly better than my efforts.. :)
> 
> A
> 

Anthony,

Although I haven't tried it with my 1980's vintage Saturn/Titan 128K 
boards, here's a ProDOS ramdisk for the card:

<https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive>


BTW, can someone pass on to me the contact info for the guy who's 
cloned/improved the Saturn boards? I might need one or two in case my 
originals ever fail.

My RoboCAD Apple 2.x software requires the Saturn card, and although I 
haven't drawn with it in a while, I'd hate to lose access to the 
hundreds of drawings I made with it over the years.

Thanks.




Hugh Hood

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#4865

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-29 01:59 -0700
Message-ID<b9a6c006-2971-4460-874f-b24ca6804d0f@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4860
On Monday, October 29, 2018 at 3:42:45 PM UTC+11, Hugh Hood wrote:
> On 10/28/2018 9:54 PM, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> > Has anyone tried building a prodos driver for this thing to make it a ramdrive?  This lies wildly out of my skillset... so if there's anything someones started... it'd certainly better than my efforts.. :)
> > 
> > A
> > 
> 
> Anthony,
> 
> Although I haven't tried it with my 1980's vintage Saturn/Titan 128K 
> boards, here's a ProDOS ramdisk for the card:
> 
> <https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive>
> 
> 
> BTW, can someone pass on to me the contact info for the guy who's 
> cloned/improved the Saturn boards? I might need one or two in case my 
> originals ever fail.
> 
> My RoboCAD Apple 2.x software requires the Saturn card, and although I 
> haven't drawn with it in a while, I'd hate to lose access to the 
> hundreds of drawings I made with it over the years.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hugh Hood

Mr David Mutimer, you'll find him on facebook, I see his name around other forums too from time to time.  I bought one of his recently, good jigger.  I see the github site but it doesn't seem to loading any information properly, do you have any idea which version is applicable to ProDos?  Still looks like just 3.3 to me..

A

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#4867

FromHugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net>
Date2018-10-29 13:35 -0500
Message-ID<D7FCBD3D.4010C%hughhood@earthlink.net>
In reply to#4865
in article b9a6c006-2971-4460-874f-b24ca6804d0f@googlegroups.com, Anthony
Adverse at the.ertceps@gmail.com wrote on 10/29/18 3:59 AM:

>
> I see the github site but it doesn't seem to loading any information
> properly, do you have any idea which version is applicable to ProDos?  Still
> looks like just 3.3 to me..
> 


Anthony,

The header in the source code for the Saturn ProDOS ramdisk shows:

> ; Converted by Michaelangel007
> ; Merlin32 version
> ;   https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive
> ; Originally from:
> ;   
> http://mirrors.apple2.org.za/apple.cabi.net/FAQs.and.INFO/LanguagesAndProgramm
> ing/saturn.ram.src.txt
> 
> ;
> ;ProDOS.disk.driver
> ;for
> ;64k/128k.Saturn.ramcard
> ;
> ;written.by.Matthew.Lee.Stier
> ;Copyright.(c).1986
> ; 


Also, does Mr. Mutimer have any contact info *other* than Facebook, like
perhaps an email address? Thanks.





Hugh Hood

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#4868

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-29 14:42 -0700
Message-ID<47e3a71b-cce7-4cd9-af86-b8e5b57026c9@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4867
 
> >
> > I see the github site but it doesn't seem to loading any information
> > properly, do you have any idea which version is applicable to ProDos?  Still
> > looks like just 3.3 to me..
> > 
> 
> 
> Anthony,
> 
> The header in the source code for the Saturn ProDOS ramdisk shows:
> 
> > ; Converted by Michaelangel007
> > ; Merlin32 version
> > ;   https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive
> > ; Originally from:
> > ;   
> > http://mirrors.apple2.org.za/apple.cabi.net/FAQs.and.INFO/LanguagesAndProgramm
> > ing/saturn.ram.src.txt
> > 
> > ;
> > ;ProDOS.disk.driver
> > ;for
> > ;64k/128k.Saturn.ramcard
> > ;
> > ;written.by.Matthew.Lee.Stier
> > ;Copyright.(c).1986
> > ; 
> 
> 
> Also, does Mr. Mutimer have any contact info *other* than Facebook, like
> perhaps an email address? Thanks.

I haven't had an email address for the man myself. My dealings thus far have been via facebook, I see him on AtariAge and vcfed forums from time to time too. If you give me your email I can forward it to him on facebook. You can email me at sysop.at.tlp.zapto.org if required.

I think my sight must be getting dim, I'm not seeing any src at Github either. 

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#4869

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-29 15:14 -0700
Message-ID<e6ca05e9-7078-4d90-922b-0653c9de9a73@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4868
On Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 8:42:19 AM UTC+11, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> > >
> > > I see the github site but it doesn't seem to loading any information
> > > properly, do you have any idea which version is applicable to ProDos?  Still
> > > looks like just 3.3 to me..
> > > 
> > 
> > 
> > Anthony,
> > 
> > The header in the source code for the Saturn ProDOS ramdisk shows:
> > 
> > > ; Converted by Michaelangel007
> > > ; Merlin32 version
> > > ;   https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive
> > > ; Originally from:
> > > ;   
> > > http://mirrors.apple2.org.za/apple.cabi.net/FAQs.and.INFO/LanguagesAndProgramm
> > > ing/saturn.ram.src.txt
> > > 
> > > ;
> > > ;ProDOS.disk.driver
> > > ;for
> > > ;64k/128k.Saturn.ramcard
> > > ;
> > > ;written.by.Matthew.Lee.Stier
> > > ;Copyright.(c).1986
> > > ; 
> > 
> > 
> > Also, does Mr. Mutimer have any contact info *other* than Facebook, like
> > perhaps an email address? Thanks.
> 
> I haven't had an email address for the man myself. My dealings thus far have been via facebook, I see him on AtariAge and vcfed forums from time to time too. If you give me your email I can forward it to him on facebook. You can email me at sysop.at.tlp.zapto.org if required.
> 
> I think my sight must be getting dim, I'm not seeing any src at Github either.


I got the ok to post this instead :)  mutimer.david.at.gmail.com  That'll get you the direct line

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#4870

FromHugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net>
Date2018-10-29 20:25 -0500
Message-ID<096dnXseJd2NLkrGnZ2dnUU7-cXNnZ2d@earthlink.com>
In reply to#4868
On 10/29/2018 4:42 PM, Anthony Adverse wrote:

>
> I think my sight must be getting dim, I'm not seeing any src at Github either.
> 

No problem. Here's the page for the Saturn ProDOS ramdrive source:

<https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/saturn_merlin32.s>

Also, thanks so much for passing on Mr. Mutimer's contact info. I 
appreciate it.




Hugh Hood

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#4873

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-30 01:17 -0700
Message-ID<be2bbef4-aee4-4def-8cfb-9e39c3092e03@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4870
> No problem. Here's the page for the Saturn ProDOS ramdrive source:
> 
> <https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/saturn_merlin32.s>

Erm forgive for asking the stupid questions, I take it this means I need a copy of Merlin32 to assemble it?  I've never had anything to do with an assembler.

A 

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#4875

FromMichael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-30 18:31 -0700
Message-ID<f27f49ca-3c89-48f3-8961-ab182146a70a@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4873
Hi Anthony

> I take it this means I need a copy of Merlin32 to assemble it?  I've never had anything to do with an assembler. 

Yes (*), you will need either Merlin32 or ca65 (part of cc65) to build it.  I try to keep my assembly code "assembler agnostic" so I usually provide TWO (assembly) source files since some people prefer Merlin while others prefer ca65. I usually start with a Merlin32 version (since it just works out of the box) and then port it over to ca65 (fixing all the missing crap it doesn't have built in.) Merlin32 is cross platform so you can "cross-compile" (cross-assemble) on Windows, macOS, or Linux. cc65 is also cross platform but its installation process is not simple like Merlin32.

If you are a programmer then I would *highly* recommend learning 6502 assembly as it will make you a better programmer. Plus 6502 assembly language is a very easy language to pick up.  If you want help learning 6502 asm just start a new thread and people here will help you get started.


(*) If all you care about is *using* the driver, and you don't want to fart around with an assembler, then copy/paste the hex dump into your favorite emulator that supports the Saturn LC, BSAVE it on a ProDOS disk, and run it.  

NOTE: I'm not sure which version of ProDOS 1.x it will work with -- It would be good to get verification if it works with:

[ ] 1.0
[ ] 1.0.1
[ ] 1.1
[ ] 1.1
[ ] 1.2
[ ] 1.3
[ ] 1.4
[ ] 1.5
[ ] 1.6
[ ] 1.7
[ ] 1.8
[ ] 1.9

I started that repo to "archive" the assembly source so it wouldn't get lost and for an eventual test bed for AppleWin. (i.e. Support for the Saturn Language Card on the Apple ][ and Apple ][ will be in the next version of AppleWin.)

Sadly the Saturn manual omits ProDOS (probably because it pre-dates it):

 http://www.apple2online.com/web_documents/saturn_systems_64k_and_128k_ram_board_-_operations_manual.pdf


Cheers

M.

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#4882

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-11-01 14:42 -0700
Message-ID<8854ce60-9bc5-4f05-858b-c804c2c9300d@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4875
> If you are a programmer then I would *highly* recommend learning 6502 assembly as it will make you a better programmer. Plus 6502 assembly language is a very easy language to pick up.  If you want help learning 6502 asm just start a new thread and people here will help you get started.
> 
> 
> (*) If all you care about is *using* the driver, and you don't want to fart around with an assembler, then copy/paste the hex dump into your favorite emulator that supports the Saturn LC, BSAVE it on a ProDOS disk, and run it.  



It couldn't possibly make me a better programmer, the only things I have a modicum of proficiency in are basic and pascal.  Applesoft seems to have more application than pascal :) 

I'll start with a straight copy of the driver and see what happens. Theoretically it should still look like a 16k card out there on a IIe.  

A

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#4883

FromSteve Nickolas <usotsuki@buric.co>
Date2018-11-02 03:17 -0400
Message-ID<alpine.BSF.2.02.1811020316540.85672@frieza.hoshinet.org>
In reply to#4882
On Thu, 1 Nov 2018, Anthony Adverse wrote:

> It couldn't possibly make me a better programmer, the only things I have 
> a modicum of proficiency in are basic and pascal.  Applesoft seems to 
> have more application than pascal :)

Well, knowing Pascal helps with C...

-uso.

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#4884

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-11-02 03:20 -0700
Message-ID<ddb74169-97e9-4595-9434-d4f7bb571a51@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4883
On Friday, November 2, 2018 at 6:17:41 PM UTC+11, Steve Nickolas wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Nov 2018, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> 
> > It couldn't possibly make me a better programmer, the only things I have 
> > a modicum of proficiency in are basic and pascal.  Applesoft seems to 
> > have more application than pascal :)
> 
> Well, knowing Pascal helps with C...
> 
> -uso.

I've never C'n it... C always looked fiendishly difficult to me.

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#4885

FromJames Davis <JPD.Enterprises@outlook.com>
Date2018-11-02 14:40 -0700
Message-ID<f6d9683a-e0a2-4a32-8e86-e922f28a2953@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4884
On Friday, November 2, 2018 at 3:20:54 AM UTC-7, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> On Friday, November 2, 2018 at 6:17:41 PM UTC+11, Steve Nickolas wrote:
> > On Thu, 1 Nov 2018, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> > 
> > > It couldn't possibly make me a better programmer, the only things I have 
> > > a modicum of proficiency in are basic and pascal.  Applesoft seems to 
> > > have more application than pascal :)
> > 
> > Well, knowing Pascal helps with C...
> > 
> > -uso.
> 
> I've never C'n it... C always looked fiendishly difficult to me.

A couple of good programming books:

About programming BASIC (& in general): "BASIC with Style - Programming Proverbs" Hayden Books. (IIRC, there was a whole series of these books for different programming languages.)

About programming C: The Waite Group's "New C Primer Plus" 2nd. Ed.  (This was my textbook in 1994 at the Computer Learning Center, San Francisco.)  

IIRC, C was the preferred high level programming language for programming the Mac OS at Apple Computer and for programming the Windows OS at Microsoft.

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#4877

FromHugh Hood <hughhood@earthlink.net>
Date2018-10-30 20:52 -0500
Message-ID<1Zudnayg_rJrl0TGnZ2dnUU7-W_NnZ2d@earthlink.com>
In reply to#4873
Anthony,

I just referenced the Merlin32 source so you could look at the internals.

It appears that Michael has one pre-built binary on that page. It is either:

<https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/saturn.bin>

OR,

<https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/ramdrive.bin>

I'm sorry I can't discern which one it is. Regardless, it appears to 
install the Saturn ProDOS Ramdrive. You just 'brun' the binary file.

A couple caveats:

Michael's previous post indicates that this will only work in a ][+ with 
the Saturn board in Slot 0. Since a IIe has no Slot 0, the driver would 
need to be modified to correspond to the Slot in which the board is 
actually installed.

Also, (assuming you do get this ProDOS ramdrive to work in a IIe), if 
you are using an accelerator, only the Titan Accelerator IIe and AE 
Transwarp are compatible with the Saturn board.

The Saturn board does not work properly with the Zip Chip, and AFAIK, 
Plamen's FastChip //e doesn't support it either.

Although I had asked Plamen to consider supporting the Saturn Card when 
he was designing the FastChip, it apparently didn't make the cut -- not 
that I blame him, given the limited # of people who would likely need 
that feature. It does sound like designing accelerators is one of the 
pursuits that will drive a man to abusing hard liquor!





Hugh Hood





On 10/30/2018 3:17 AM, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> 
>> No problem. Here's the page for the Saturn ProDOS ramdrive source:
>>
>> <https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/saturn_merlin32.s>
> 
> Erm forgive for asking the stupid questions, I take it this means I need a copy of Merlin32 to assemble it?  I've never had anything to do with an assembler.
> 
> A
> 

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#4879

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-30 20:17 -0700
Message-ID<36de0f7d-aa37-4f29-861a-7dee4b4b0bdd@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4877
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 12:52:59 PM UTC+11, Hugh Hood wrote:
> Anthony,
> 
> I just referenced the Merlin32 source so you could look at the internals.
> 
> It appears that Michael has one pre-built binary on that page. It is either:
> 
> <https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/saturn.bin>
> 
> OR,
> 
> <https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/ramdrive.bin>
> 
> I'm sorry I can't discern which one it is. Regardless, it appears to 
> install the Saturn ProDOS Ramdrive. You just 'brun' the binary file.
> 
> A couple caveats:
> 
> Michael's previous post indicates that this will only work in a ][+ with 
> the Saturn board in Slot 0. Since a IIe has no Slot 0, the driver would 
> need to be modified to correspond to the Slot in which the board is 
> actually installed.
> 
> Also, (assuming you do get this ProDOS ramdrive to work in a IIe), if 
> you are using an accelerator, only the Titan Accelerator IIe and AE 
> Transwarp are compatible with the Saturn board.
> 
> The Saturn board does not work properly with the Zip Chip, and AFAIK, 
> Plamen's FastChip //e doesn't support it either.
> 
> Although I had asked Plamen to consider supporting the Saturn Card when 
> he was designing the FastChip, it apparently didn't make the cut -- not 
> that I blame him, given the limited # of people who would likely need 
> that feature. It does sound like designing accelerators is one of the 
> pursuits that will drive a man to abusing hard liquor!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hugh Hood
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 10/30/2018 3:17 AM, Anthony Adverse wrote:
> > 
> >> No problem. Here's the page for the Saturn ProDOS ramdrive source:
> >>
> >> <https://github.com/Michaelangel007/apple2_saturn_ramdrive/blob/master/saturn_merlin32.s>
> > 
> > Erm forgive for asking the stupid questions, I take it this means I need a copy of Merlin32 to assemble it?  I've never had anything to do with an assembler.
> > 
> > A
> >

I did notice the caveat on the slot, was hoping it might just be a matter of pointing it to another slot, my saturn currently lives in 2. Thank-you for checking the binaries out for me also. Fingers crossed I'm just looking for the slot0 address and cranking the number up to slot 2.  I'll let you know how it goes.

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#4880

FromAnthony Adverse <the.ertceps@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-30 20:33 -0700
Message-ID<5422118b-ce5e-46f1-a21e-589345810cbd@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4879
has anyone seen this before?  Looks slightly off topic, but related...
http://www.cvxmelody.netBuild%20your%20own%2016K%20RAM%20Card%20for%20Apple%20II%20with%20battery%20backup%20(Electronics%20Australia%20Nov%201984).pdf

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#4881

FromMichael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-30 21:07 -0700
Message-ID<192da515-444e-4442-bdf7-1190563ebf83@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4877
Thanks Hugh for the links to the .bin files -- I completely forgot I had pre-built binaries.  =P

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#4872

FromMichael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-29 22:26 -0700
Message-ID<696e0a30-15c1-4c02-b41e-61f40f050a09@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4860
Thanks Hugh for posting the link to my Git(Hub) repo.

I guess I should add these implemention notes to the repo and fix the README.

Michael aka Michaelangel007

i.e.

http://mirrors.apple2.org.za/apple.cabi.net/FAQs.and.INFO/LanguagesAndProgramming/saturn.ram.src.txt

     [Note from author: I am posting this software to the next due to the
      the request of such a driver. The following code is posted as 
      freeware. I expect no compensation other than due credit for the 
      creation of this source code. If you adapt and improve on this driver,
      I'd like to here from you.  Enjoy -- mstier@sun ]
 
     Okay, this is what I created several years ago when I purchased a 
 Saturn 128k for my ][plus. Its major limitation is that it supports on a
 single card in a single slot, slot 0. There are several more and they are:
 
 
 1) Currently its a BRUN-able program that tests for the presense of 64K or
    128K of Saturn compatible ram in slot 0.
 
 2) Upon finding sufficent ram, it will take over the complete card except 
    the 16k, ProDOS uses in block 0.
 
 3) It also consumes the 16 byte of the ProDOS global page used for Apple's
    Copyright notice. A few other programs also use this little know ram area.
    An overwrite of these bytes after the ramcard is initialized, will have
    unpredictable result.
 
 4) The core of the ram disk driver resides from $D000 thru $D0FF in bank 2
    of block 0. This is the section of unused memory right below the ProDOS
    quit code. As in note 3, overwriting of this code will have unpredictable
    result.
 
 5) The operation of the driver is quite simple. 
 
    A) The users application makes a call to the ProDOS MLI to access the
       ramdisk.
 
    B) The ProDOS MLI does bank switching an passes the request to the ProDOS
       kernel.
 
    C) The ProDOS kernel decides it needs a certain block from the ramdisk,
       so it sets up some bytes in zero page, and calls the driver thru the
       driver vectors in the ProDOS global page.
 
    D) The ProDOS global page driver vectors pass control to a short routine
       installed in place of the Apple Copyright notice in the ProDOS global
       page.
 
    E) The short routine installed in place of the Apple Copyright notice,
       does bank switching to make the main core of the driver availiable
       for execution, and then jumps to it.
 
    F) The main core of the routine analyzes the parameters placed in zero 
       page by the ProDOS kernel, and sets up a few parameters of its own.
 
    G) With everything in order, the ramdisk driver swaps a read/write routine
       with a section of zero page memory.
 
    H) The swapped read/write routine does the requested action and returns 
       to the ramdisk driver.
 
    I) The ramdisk driver then re-swaps the read/write routine with the
       section of stored zero page memory.
 
    J) The ramdisk driver cleans up shop and returns to the short routine
       installed in place of the Apple Copyright notice, which bank switchs
       the ProDOS kernel back in returns to the ProDOS kernel, which does 
       its cleanup, which in turn, returns to the ProDOS MLI, which does 
       its cleanup, and then it finally gets back to the calling Application.
 
 6) Notice 5 may seem like a lot of steps, but it is small and quite fast.
 
     Here is the code you requested. Have fun with it. If you improve on it,
 let me have a copy back. There are others who would gain from continued work
 on this program. I've helped you, now you have a chance to help others.
 

 

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#4874

FromJames Davis <JPD.Enterprises@outlook.com>
Date2018-10-30 09:50 -0700
Message-ID<2eb7d62b-c7e2-415d-97aa-7ca8300344f1@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4872
On Monday, October 29, 2018 at 10:26:17 PM UTC-7, Michael Pohoreski wrote:
> Thanks Hugh for posting the link to my Git(Hub) repo.
> 
> I guess I should add these implemention notes to the repo and fix the README.
> 
> Michael aka Michaelangel007
> 
> i.e.
> 
> http://mirrors.apple2.org.za/apple.cabi.net/FAQs.and.INFO/LanguagesAndProgramming/saturn.ram.src.txt
> 
>      [Note from author: I am posting this software to the next due to the
>       the request of such a driver. The following code is posted as 
>       freeware. I expect no compensation other than due credit for the 
>       creation of this source code. If you adapt and improve on this driver,
>       I'd like to here from you.  Enjoy -- mstier@sun ]
>  
>      Okay, this is what I created several years ago when I purchased a 
>  Saturn 128k for my ][plus. Its major limitation is that it supports on a
>  single card in a single slot, slot 0. There are several more and they are:
>  
>  
>  1) Currently its a BRUN-able program that tests for the presense of 64K or
>     128K of Saturn compatible ram in slot 0.
>  
>  2) Upon finding sufficent ram, it will take over the complete card except 
>     the 16k, ProDOS uses in block 0.
>  
>  3) It also consumes the 16 byte of the ProDOS global page used for Apple's
>     Copyright notice. A few other programs also use this little know ram area.
>     An overwrite of these bytes after the ramcard is initialized, will have
>     unpredictable result.
>  
>  4) The core of the ram disk driver resides from $D000 thru $D0FF in bank 2
>     of block 0. This is the section of unused memory right below the ProDOS
>     quit code. As in note 3, overwriting of this code will have unpredictable
>     result.
>  
>  5) The operation of the driver is quite simple. 
>  
>     A) The users application makes a call to the ProDOS MLI to access the
>        ramdisk.
>  
>     B) The ProDOS MLI does bank switching an passes the request to the ProDOS
>        kernel.
>  
>     C) The ProDOS kernel decides it needs a certain block from the ramdisk,
>        so it sets up some bytes in zero page, and calls the driver thru the
>        driver vectors in the ProDOS global page.
>  
>     D) The ProDOS global page driver vectors pass control to a short routine
>        installed in place of the Apple Copyright notice in the ProDOS global
>        page.
>  
>     E) The short routine installed in place of the Apple Copyright notice,
>        does bank switching to make the main core of the driver availiable
>        for execution, and then jumps to it.
>  
>     F) The main core of the routine analyzes the parameters placed in zero 
>        page by the ProDOS kernel, and sets up a few parameters of its own.
>  
>     G) With everything in order, the ramdisk driver swaps a read/write routine
>        with a section of zero page memory.
>  
>     H) The swapped read/write routine does the requested action and returns 
>        to the ramdisk driver.
>  
>     I) The ramdisk driver then re-swaps the read/write routine with the
>        section of stored zero page memory.
>  
>     J) The ramdisk driver cleans up shop and returns to the short routine
>        installed in place of the Apple Copyright notice, which bank switchs
>        the ProDOS kernel back in returns to the ProDOS kernel, which does 
>        its cleanup, which in turn, returns to the ProDOS MLI, which does 
>        its cleanup, and then it finally gets back to the calling Application.
>  
>  6) Notice 5 may seem like a lot of steps, but it is small and quite fast.
>  
>      Here is the code you requested. Have fun with it. If you improve on it,
>  let me have a copy back. There are others who would gain from continued work
>  on this program. I've helped you, now you have a chance to help others.

Is this something that should be used with AppleWin?

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#4876

FromMichael Pohoreski <michael.pohoreski@gmail.com>
Date2018-10-30 18:35 -0700
Message-ID<0be7503d-1d7d-475e-b63b-67b5803c654c@googlegroups.com>
In reply to#4874
James,

Once the next version of AppleWin is out you should be able to use the Saturn RAM drive in Apple ][ or Apple ][+ modes.

M.

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