8 Sep
2007
8 Sep
'07
9:45 p.m.
From: cclist at sydex.com> > On 8 Sep 2007 at
7:36, dwight elvey wrote:> > > You can still use a Z8001 because it boots to
non-segmented mode> > and looks like a Z8002. The trick is to find the memory
management> > chip and add it to the Z8001. One can still use the Z8001 without>
> this and treat it as a Z8002. You can just ignore the segments.> > Still, if
you want to get the CP/M8000 running, you'll need to> > embrace segmented
code.> > I understand--and if Ciarcia had offered a full-blown OS for his > card,
it might be worth exploring Z8001 segmented mode. The M20 and > even the Onyx Z8000
Unix box that I used once upon a time would be > worthwhile examples. But just to run a
compile-in-place BASIC? > > The Z8000 wasn't a bad chip; it just didn't have
anything going for > it that was particularly exciting. But then, neither did the
8086--> but for the massive presence and production capabilities of Intel. > To be
fair, there were Z80-to-Z8000 translation tools, so one could > ostensibly port an
existing application. I've got the manual for one > called TRANZ from AMC.
Hi Chuck
I had a chance to ask Faggin why he did finish the math coprocessor
for the Z8000's. He stated that the handwriting was quite clear.
The 8086 would soon dominate. I wasn't worth the effort to get the
math coprocessor working.
Other than the addressing, the Z8000 had a nice register arangement.
It was much closer to a RISC than the 8086 ever was.
> I recall talking with the design guys from NS
about the (then) 16032 > and was blown away by the ambitious design. Had they been able
to > offer silicon in 1981, we would have signed with them. But it was > always
"Real Soon Now". From what I heard from friends who had > attempted to use
the first silicon, it was an experience that I was > better for having missed. And then
there was National's typical > noncommitment to supporting any given design
(IMP-16, SC/MP, PACE, > 8080, 8086...) given the way the wind was blowing at any time.
> Apparently the NS32xxx series had better success overseas than it did >
domestically, where I'm sure there were plenty of frustrated people > who gave up
waiting on the "Real Soon Now".
I still have a couple of NA2000 series boards. This was another National
start and drop.
These has the 800 processor as dies on a PC board with other components.
One could stack the units as well. Some came with an early version of
Forth in ROM as well.
I had a power unit as well but I'll have to spend some serious time
working on it because of the NiCad leaking.
Dwight
> Cheers,> Chuck>
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