Have Twister board, now what?
8 messages · 2011-09-06 → 2011-09-08 · Yahoo Group era · View archive on archive.org
Participants: Mark Martin, cheveron, Consocius, zxspectrum128, Marvio Santos
Preserved from the Timex/Sinclair 2068 Yahoo Group (2001–2019), which is no longer online. Text reproduced from the archive.org archive; email addresses masked.
Messages
1. Have Twister board, now what?
Mark Martin · Tue, 6 Sep 2011 20:29:
So my twister board arrived in the mail today. This has been an event over
5 years in the making. Now on to getting some sort of reliable media
storage and complete my quest for ultimate world domination!
So I've already noted that to use the DivIDE that I plan to buy, I have to
turn the 2068 into a speccy via emulator. As those emulator cartridges are
rarer than hen's teeth, is there a way to just burn an EPROM and place in
the 2068? I have a burner, some soldering skills, and a boat load of toggle
switches (I purchased the later to do switchable ROMS for the C='s that I
have) -- couldn't I just burn a switchable ROM?
While we're at it, I see Yarek's site with all sorts of interesting mods.
I'm especially interested in the flash ROM and 512K RAM upgrades that have
been done -- has anyone else attempted any of these?
While we're at it, I recently obtained a modem board sans ROMs or any other
IC's, and a couple of PCB's for a keyboard interface. Does anyone have
schematics for either of these? My hope is that I can obtain the IC's and
other components necessary and make them usable, but I can't seem to locate
any details on their construction.
2. Re: Have Twister board, now what?
cheveron · Wed, 07 Sep 2011 07:46
--- In [email], Mark Martin <storycrafter@...> wrote:
> So I've already noted that to use the DivIDE that I plan to buy, I have to
> turn the 2068 into a speccy via emulator.
Actually you don't. If you just want to use it to load TS2068 snapshots in Z80 format there's no need to use an emulator cart. An emulator cart is required for TAP support because the GAL in the divIDE is hard coded to use the cassette routine entry points from the ZX Spectrum ROM. Because divIDE is open source, if you have a GAL programmer you could change it to use the TS2068 entry points and then TAP support would work as well.
> As those emulator cartridges are
> rarer than hen's teeth, is there a way to just burn an EPROM and place in
> the 2068? I have a burner, some soldering skills, and a boat load of toggle
> switches (I purchased the later to do switchable ROMS for the C='s that I
> have) -- couldn't I just burn a switchable ROM?
I believe there's a schematic in the tech manual I scanned recently that would enable you to make your own cart from scratch.
You could replace the HOME ROM with the original ZX Spectrum ROM, but then you'd lose the extra commands from T/S 2000 BASIC.
An alternative would be to use the OpenSE BASIC ROM. It's not 100% compatible with the original ROM but it would give you TAP support with divIDE and it includes SOUND (on the TS2068 AY ports) and ON ERR system that is better than the original T/S 2000 version along with a boatload of new features. The editor is also a vast improvement on the original.
> While we're at it, I see Yarek's site with all sorts of interesting mods.
> I'm especially interested in the flash ROM and 512K RAM upgrades that have
> been done -- has anyone else attempted any of these?
Once you have gigabytes of mass storage, adding more RAM is pointless unless you're desperate to run ResiDOS. The standard divIDE is plenty. Once you have that connected the next logical thing to add is a SpectraNet board to let you connect to the Internet via Ethernet.
> While we're at it, I recently obtained a modem board sans ROMs or any other
> IC's, and a couple of PCB's for a keyboard interface. Does anyone have
> schematics for either of these? My hope is that I can obtain the IC's and
> other components necessary and make them usable, but I can't seem to locate
> any details on their construction.
Personally I'd just go with SpectraNet, but of course it can be fun to make things work again.
-Andrew
3. Re: [ts2068] Re: Have Twister board, now what?
Mark Martin · Wed, 7 Sep 2011 09:47:
On Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 2:46 AM, [email] <[email]>wrote:
> **
>
>
>
>
> --- In [email], Mark Martin <storycrafter@...> wrote:
>
> > So I've already noted that to use the DivIDE that I plan to buy, I have
> to
> > turn the 2068 into a speccy via emulator.
>
> Actually you don't. If you just want to use it to load TS2068 snapshots in
> Z80 format there's no need to use an emulator cart. An emulator cart is
> required for TAP support because the GAL in the divIDE is hard coded to use
> the cassette routine entry points from the ZX Spectrum ROM. Because divIDE
> is open source, if you have a GAL programmer you could change it to use the
> TS2068 entry points and then TAP support would work as well.
>
>
That's great news. I think I'd rather try giving some GAL programming a go
on my programmer than trying to figure out ROM addressing and wiring.
>
> An alternative would be to use the OpenSE BASIC ROM. It's not 100%
> compatible with the original ROM but it would give you TAP support with
> divIDE and it includes SOUND (on the TS2068 AY ports) and ON ERR system that
> is better than the original T/S 2000 version along with a boatload of new
> features. The editor is also a vast improvement on the original.
>
>
Now that's an idea, thanks. I'll take a look at OpenSE. Of course, I'd
still probably want to wire in a switch in case I want to enable the
original ROM in those rare cases that I would want to play original
software.
>
> > While we're at it, I see Yarek's site with all sorts of interesting mods.
> > I'm especially interested in the flash ROM and 512K RAM upgrades that
> have
> > been done -- has anyone else attempted any of these?
>
> Once you have gigabytes of mass storage, adding more RAM is pointless
> unless you're desperate to run ResiDOS. The standard divIDE is plenty. Once
> you have that connected the next logical thing to add is a SpectraNet board
> to let you connect to the Internet via Ethernet.
>
>
I'm very much lacking in knowledge in what can be done with the
2068/Spectrums. Although the 2068 was my first personal computer, I never
did more than write BASIC programs and use tape. I've found the SpectraNet
wiki and will be eagerly awaiting a way to order a board.
>
> > While we're at it, I recently obtained a modem board sans ROMs or any
> other
> > IC's, and a couple of PCB's for a keyboard interface. Does anyone have
> > schematics for either of these? My hope is that I can obtain the IC's and
> > other components necessary and make them usable, but I can't seem to
> locate
> > any details on their construction.
>
> Personally I'd just go with SpectraNet, but of course it can be fun to make
> things work again.
>
>
My original plan was a BBS, but as I'll have to write it all from scratch, I
might as well just write directly to the SpectraNet and skip RS232.
4. Re: Have Twister board, now what?
cheveron · Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:44
--- In [email], Mark Martin <storycrafter@...> wrote:
> > Personally I'd just go with SpectraNet, but of course it can be fun to make
> > things work again.
> >
> My original plan was a BBS, but as I'll have to write it all from scratch, I
> might as well just write directly to the SpectraNet and skip RS232.
>
One thing I neglected to mention is that SpectraNet is also targeted at the Spectrum ROM, but only in the firmware, which can be reprogrammed.
One of the cool things about SpectraNet is that you can point it at a TNFS server and have it autoload a program from that location, e.g. a BBS program.
On the downside no-one has done an 80-column driver for the TS2068 for z88dk yet, but there is code in the Tech Manual that could be adapted.
5. Re: [ts2068] Re: Have Twister board, now what?
Consocius · Wed, 7 Sep 2011 19:55:
On Wednesday, September 07, 2011 10:47:10 AM you wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 2:46 AM, [email]
<[email]>wrote:
> > **
> >
> > --- In [email], Mark Martin <storycrafter@...> wrote:
> > > So I've already noted that to use the DivIDE that I plan to buy, I have
> >
> > to
> >
> > > turn the 2068 into a speccy via emulator.
> >
> > Actually you don't. If you just want to use it to load TS2068 snapshots
> > in Z80 format there's no need to use an emulator cart. An emulator cart
> > is required for TAP support because the GAL in the divIDE is hard coded
> > to use the cassette routine entry points from the ZX Spectrum ROM.
> > Because divIDE is open source, if you have a GAL programmer you could
> > change it to use the TS2068 entry points and then TAP support would work
> > as well.
>
> That's great news. I think I'd rather try giving some GAL programming a go
> on my programmer than trying to figure out ROM addressing and wiring.
>
> > An alternative would be to use the OpenSE BASIC ROM. It's not 100%
> > compatible with the original ROM but it would give you TAP support with
> > divIDE and it includes SOUND (on the TS2068 AY ports) and ON ERR system
> > that is better than the original T/S 2000 version along with a boatload
> > of new features. The editor is also a vast improvement on the original.
>
> Now that's an idea, thanks. I'll take a look at OpenSE. Of course, I'd
> still probably want to wire in a switch in case I want to enable the
> original ROM in those rare cases that I would want to play original
> software.
>
> > > While we're at it, I see Yarek's site with all sorts of interesting
> > > mods. I'm especially interested in the flash ROM and 512K RAM upgrades
> > > that
> >
> > have
> >
> > > been done -- has anyone else attempted any of these?
> >
> > Once you have gigabytes of mass storage, adding more RAM is pointless
> > unless you're desperate to run ResiDOS. The standard divIDE is plenty.
> > Once you have that connected the next logical thing to add is a
> > SpectraNet board to let you connect to the Internet via Ethernet.
>
> I'm very much lacking in knowledge in what can be done with the
> 2068/Spectrums. Although the 2068 was my first personal computer, I never
> did more than write BASIC programs and use tape. I've found the SpectraNet
> wiki and will be eagerly awaiting a way to order a board.
>
> > > While we're at it, I recently obtained a modem board sans ROMs or any
> >
> > other
> >
> > > IC's, and a couple of PCB's for a keyboard interface. Does anyone have
> > > schematics for either of these? My hope is that I can obtain the IC's
> > > and other components necessary and make them usable, but I can't seem
> > > to
> >
> > locate
> >
> > > any details on their construction.
> >
> > Personally I'd just go with SpectraNet, but of course it can be fun to
> > make things work again.
>
> My original plan was a BBS, but as I'll have to write it all from scratch,
> I might as well just write directly to the SpectraNet and skip RS232.
Or you could seach for Spiffy BBS, specifically written for the Timex 2068 by
Richard Kelsch in 1983.
6. Re: Have Twister board, now what?
zxspectrum128 · Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:13
--- In [email], Mark Martin <storycrafter@...> wrote:
>
> So my twister board arrived in the mail today. This has been an event over
> 5 years in the making.
Well, if it was 5 years then I'm only guilty of almost 2 of those. :-P The first batch of twister boards shipped back in April of 2010. If I remember correctly, you were the first one to come forward when I ran out of twisters, and I started creating a list of buyers for the second batch. It took us 1 year, 4 months because we were trying to find the best possible price for the PCBs without sacrificing quality, and we were also trying to gather at least 20 buyers so the cost could be kept low for everyone. After almost 2 years I only got 17 orders. I gave plenty of time, posted once in a while (here and on other Sinclair virtual places and frequent) and 17 orders was all I could get. :)
Yep, I just checked my email. You waited 1 year, 4 months for your twister board. :)
The next project I hope to be able to present is a flash cart that will be a lifesaver for all TS2068 users. If all goes well you will be able to "turn" that cartridge into a Spectrum emulator cartridge, or a game collection cartridge which loads the Spectrum rom automatically if needed and has a game selection menu, of a serious software multi-title cartridge, or utility cartridge or whatever you want to do with it, and the data can be "flashed" to it using a PC or a TS2068. :) If it works you will never have to worry about burning eproms anymore or spending a fortune on "original" Spectrum cartridges that you find on eBay, mod-this, mod-that... You will make your own cartridges! Wish us luck! :)
7. Re: [ts2068] Re: Have Twister board, now what?
Mark Martin · Thu, 8 Sep 2011 07:37:
On Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 12:13 AM, [email] <
[email]> wrote:
> **
>
> --- In [email], Mark Martin <storycrafter@...> wrote:
> >
> > So my twister board arrived in the mail today. This has been an event
> over
> > 5 years in the making.
>
> Well, if it was 5 years then I'm only guilty of almost 2 of those. :-P The
> first batch of twister boards shipped back in April of 2010. If I remember
> correctly, you were the first one to come forward when I ran out of
> twisters, and I started creating a list of buyers for the second batch. It
> took us 1 year, 4 months because we were trying to find the best possible
> price for the PCBs without sacrificing quality, and we were also trying to
> gather at least 20 buyers so the cost could be kept low for everyone. After
> almost 2 years I only got 17 orders. I gave plenty of time, posted once in a
> while (here and on other Sinclair virtual places and frequent) and 17 orders
> was all I could get. :)
>
> Yep, I just checked my email. You waited 1 year, 4 months for your twister
> board. :)
>
My sincerest apologies. I didn't mean to imply that the wait was due to
you. I'm still very happy to get it. Between my own side projects,
propensity to procrastinate, lack of knowledge about "state of the art" for
the 2068, etc, it seems like I've been forever planning on getting mass
storage on one of my 2068's. The truth is I could probably have built this
myself as a challenge if I had wanted to bad enough, but I was happy to wait
until someone else could put a solid piece together.
> The next project I hope to be able to present is a flash cart that will be
> a lifesaver for all TS2068 users. If all goes well you will be able to
> "turn" that cartridge into a Spectrum emulator cartridge, or a game
> collection cartridge which loads the Spectrum rom automatically if needed
> and has a game selection menu, of a serious software multi-title cartridge,
> or utility cartridge or whatever you want to do with it, and the data can be
> "flashed" to it using a PC or a TS2068. :) If it works you will never have
> to worry about burning eproms anymore or spending a fortune on "original"
> Spectrum cartridges that you find on eBay, mod-this, mod-that... You will
> make your own cartridges! Wish us luck! :)
>
>
Now this I'm very happy to hear! Please put me on the waiting list straight
away :) Having flash capability as a cartridge would definitely rock, and
something that at least Atari 8bits have had for many years. Putting a USB
connector on there would be even sweeter as then we could load the flash up
from the PC. Let me know what I can do to help?
I've got a DivIDE on order and am trying to get a hold of the gentleman
making the SpecraNet.
8. RE: [ts2068] Re: Have Twister board, now what?
Marvio Santos · Thu, 8 Sep 2011 09:57:
Now that! i would buy in a heart beat!! :) Keep us posted!!
To: [email]
From: [email]
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 05:13:54 +0000
Subject: [ts2068] Re: Have Twister board, now what?
--- In [email], Mark Martin <storycrafter@...> wrote:
>
> So my twister board arrived in the mail today. This has been an event over
> 5 years in the making.
Well, if it was 5 years then I'm only guilty of almost 2 of those. :-P The first batch of twister boards shipped back in April of 2010. If I remember correctly, you were the first one to come forward when I ran out of twisters, and I started creating a list of buyers for the second batch. It took us 1 year, 4 months because we were trying to find the best possible price for the PCBs without sacrificing quality, and we were also trying to gather at least 20 buyers so the cost could be kept low for everyone. After almost 2 years I only got 17 orders. I gave plenty of time, posted once in a while (here and on other Sinclair virtual places and frequent) and 17 orders was all I could get. :)
Yep, I just checked my email. You waited 1 year, 4 months for your twister board. :)
The next project I hope to be able to present is a flash cart that will be a lifesaver for all TS2068 users. If all goes well you will be able to "turn" that cartridge into a Spectrum emulator cartridge, or a game collection cartridge which loads the Spectrum rom automatically if needed and has a game selection menu, of a serious software multi-title cartridge, or utility cartridge or whatever you want to do with it, and the data can be "flashed" to it using a PC or a TS2068. :) If it works you will never have to worry about burning eproms anymore or spending a fortune on "original" Spectrum cartridges that you find on eBay, mod-this, mod-that... You will make your own cartridges! Wish us luck! :)