2 Jul
2005
2 Jul
'05
3:10 p.m.
I don't have any kind of docs for a tape-only
system though; only ones
Nor do I. I've never actually seen a system without disk drives either,
although I am pretty sure they existed.
for disk systems - which happen to describe tape
procedures too. Maybe
you have some different ones. It was more that I'm surprised they didn't
say in the docs that it was an RML part, or avaialble from RML or
whatever.
The Disk Information File does mention a "Firmware reference manual" as
having more info on the COS tape routines and a description of the
interface - maybe that one has more details in it about the dual tape
controller. It's not a document I've seen.
I think I do have a COS firmware manual somewhere, but it will take some
finding...
Incidentally, do you have the COS (monitor ROM)
source listings? They
were available from RML, but I didn't get them with my machine, alas.
If you can stand a PDF I think this is the one :-)
http://vt100.net/rm/docs/RML_380Z_cassette_operating_system.pdf
489KB, so not too huge either :)
I've brought a bunch of RML floppies home for the week from the museum,
so I'll see what's on those and at least make a few backup copies. Might
well be something interesting (I don't believe we've got any RML stuff
on tape though)
Pity. I'd hoped at least one original RML cassette esisted somewhere.
From reading the manual, it appers that the phase of
the replay signal is
critical (it was with some other tape interfaces too) and I
was hoping I
could get an original tape to set up against. Oh well....
-tony