MFX mass-storage add-on - Original Thread

[stephen_usher]

All sounds good.

Hopefully I'll get one before Cyber Legends (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cyber-le ... 1267680627) in Hythe, Southampton on the 24th September so I can take it along. If not they'll just have to make do with the CFX.

[Dave]

Hi Steve,

that shouldn't be a problem, I'll be in touch soon

- lucky "winner" number 2 has been contacted now too

regards
Dave

[gunrock]

I have received "the call".

Now I just have to decide which of my three machines receives the upgrade! First world problems, eh?

[gunrock]

Quick question, what's the best way to detect the NFX programatically?

Read than the serial number or look for some output on some of the new ports? What's a safe way of detecting it (safe as in, "don't cause memory corruption or instability on a non-NFX equipped system").

[stephen_usher]

The MFX has arrived safely.

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SOOOO much tape and bubble wrap.

[stephen_usher]

Installed and it works. The only issue that the NMOS CPU doesn't reset reliably.

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P.S. I was just misunderstanding how reset works on the MFX. It's all fine!

Now a picture in CP/M 80 column mode. Very nice:

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[Martin A]

Quick question, what's the best way to detect the NFX programatically?

Read than the serial number or look for some output on some of the new ports? What's a safe way of detecting it (safe as in, "don't cause memory corruption or instability on a non-NFX equipped system").

The network interface in on port 144 upwards (#90+) so INP(144) not being 120 identifies the network part is fitted.

The FPGA video controller is on port 58 (#3A) so again INP(58) not being 120 identifies the FPGA.

NB You can "tweak" the video settings from basic, OUT 58,217 will select retro mode without a reset, OUT 58,241 set the defaut 40 column view.

[stephen_usher]

It's all very impressive so far:

Bug report: USER RUN doesn't seem to want to work, returning to BASIC with "undefined". Actually, 'USER DIR "*.RUN"' gives "No file" for some reason but any other extension works fine.

With respect to the prototype end plate, it works well, though I had to drill the screw holes out to 3.5mm, matching the original, so as to give enough "wriggle room" for all three screws to line up. It's a bit fiddly getting it on but it's good once it's there.

[Dave]

I assume that you are using SDX BASIC mode with the default drive? i.e., you have not previously done a USER DRIVE change?

In that case, you’ll be looking at drive B. (The file names are case sensitive)

What does a CP/M DIR on drive B show? Any .RUN files?

[stephen_usher]

CP/M says booting from B: and A: mapped to B:

There are lots of .RUN files, including NEMO.RUN, which is what I tried to run.