19 Dec
1999
19 Dec
'99
4:28 p.m.
I have an Olympia Olytext 20 computer but I don't have the OS for it. It's a
single board, Z-80 system, with a 3.5 inch FD. The manual said it used
CP/M-80 but I haven't been able to find any other information on the system,
or the OS.
No one that I've talked to knows anything about this PC, so I won't even
hope that anyone here would have the OS but... I'm wondering if there is a
way to make a new copy of the OS for this system? If I can find out the
hardware addressing, etc., can CP/M 80 be made to run on it, and without a
horrific amount of work? (I know, depends on what I consider a lot of
work.)I don't mind tedious, if it's do-able.
I've never done it before, and some of you may be chuckling about it but I'm
just curious? Otherwise, this computer will just continue to sit, unused, on
my bookshelf.
Ernest
20 Dec
20 Dec
8:11 a.m.
I have an Olympia Olytext 20 computer but I don't
have the OS for it. It's a
single board, Z-80 system, with a 3.5 inch FD. The manual said it used
CP/M-80 but I haven't been able to find any other information on the system,
or the OS.
No one that I've talked to knows anything about
this PC, so I won't even
hope that anyone here would have the OS but... I'm wondering if there is a
way to make a new copy of the OS for this system? If I can find out the
hardware addressing, etc., can CP/M 80 be made to run on it, and without a
horrific amount of work? (I know, depends on what I consider a lot of
work.)I don't mind tedious, if it's do-able.
The Olys did run eiter CP/M-80 2.x or one of two different
propriatary OSes. I just have no Oly, so I can't supply
any disks.
Sorry
H.
--
Der Kopf ist auch nur ein Auswuchs wie der kleine Zeh.
H.Achternbusch
8:47 a.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: CLASSICCMP-owner(a)u.washington.edu
[mailto:CLASSICCMP-owner@u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Hans Franke
Sent: Monday, December 20, 1999 5:12 AM
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
Subject: Re: Olympia Olytext 20 OS question.
I have an Olympia Olytext 20 computer but I don't
have the OS for it. It's
a
single board, Z-80 system, with a 3.5 inch FD. The
manual said it used
CP/M-80 but I haven't been able to find any other information on the
system,
or the OS.
<The Olys did run eiter CP/M-80 2.x or one of two different
<propriatary OSes. I just have no Oly, so I can't supply
<any disks.
Do you know of anyplace in Germany that might have the OS for sale. I've
tried CPC in England but they just have extra hardware for it, no OS.
Thanks.
Ernest
12:43 p.m.
On Mon, 20 Dec 1999, Hans Franke wrote:
If anyone turns up a copy/copies of the operating system and can provide
it to me, perhaps I can be of help the next time!
- don
donm(a)cts.com
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Don Maslin - Keeper of the Dina-SIG CP/M System Disk Archives
Chairman, Dina-SIG of the San Diego Computer Society
Clinging tenaciously to the trailing edge of technology.
Sysop - Elephant's Graveyard (CP/M) Z-Node 9 - 858-454-8412
*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*
see old system support at http://www.psyber.com/~tcj/
visit the "Unofficial" CP/M Web site Mirrors at:
http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/~cfs/cpm/
http://deltasoft.fife.wa.us/cpm
http://cpm.interfun.net
I have an Olympia Olytext 20 computer but I
don't have the OS for it. It's a
single board, Z-80 system, with a 3.5 inch FD. The manual said it used
CP/M-80 but I haven't been able to find any other information on the system,
or the OS.
No one that I've talked to knows anything
about this PC, so I won't even
hope that anyone here would have the OS but... I'm wondering if there is a
way to make a new copy of the OS for this system? If I can find out the
hardware addressing, etc., can CP/M 80 be made to run on it, and without a
horrific amount of work? (I know, depends on what I consider a lot of
work.)I don't mind tedious, if it's do-able.
The Olys did run eiter CP/M-80 2.x or one of two different
propriatary OSes. I just have no Oly, so I can't supply
any disks.
Sorry
H.
--
Der Kopf ist auch nur ein Auswuchs wie der kleine Zeh.
H.Achternbusch
21 Dec
21 Dec
10:06 a.m.
Hi Don. I may be able to get a copy of CP/M-80 but it won't be for my
specific system. That's the problem. I don't have the OS for it. That's why
I was curious about how difficult it would be to set up a generic copy of
CP/M to run on it. I've never assembled (?) CP/M for a computer, but I've
been reading a how to on doing it, and interested in giving it a shot. I'm
not even sure of how to load/run the system monitor to ID the various
address' but the thing is, as with anything, there's always a first time,
and you have to start somewhere.
-----Original Message-----
From: CLASSICCMP-owner(a)u.washington.edu
[mailto:CLASSICCMP-owner@u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Don Maslin
Sent: Monday, December 20, 1999 10:43 AM
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
Subject: Re: Olympia Olytext 20 OS question.
On Mon, 20 Dec 1999, Hans Franke wrote:
a
If anyone turns up a copy/copies of the operating system and can provide
it to me, perhaps I can be of help the next time!
- don
donm(a)cts.com
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Don Maslin - Keeper of the Dina-SIG CP/M System Disk Archives
Chairman, Dina-SIG of the San Diego Computer Society
Clinging tenaciously to the trailing edge of technology.
Sysop - Elephant's Graveyard (CP/M) Z-Node 9 - 858-454-8412
*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*--*
see old system support at http://www.psyber.com/~tcj/
visit the "Unofficial" CP/M Web site Mirrors at:
http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/~cfs/cpm/
http://deltasoft.fife.wa.us/cpm
http://cpm.interfun.net
> I have an Olympia Olytext 20 computer but I don't have the OS for it.
It's a
> single board, Z-80 system, with a 3.5 inch FD.
The manual said it used
> CP/M-80 but I haven't been able to find any other information on the
system,
or the OS.
> No one that I've talked to knows anything about this PC, so I won't even
> hope that anyone here would have the OS but... I'm wondering if there is
> way to make a new copy of the OS for this system?
If I can find out the
> hardware addressing, etc., can CP/M 80 be made to run on it, and without
a
horrific
amount of work? (I know, depends on what I consider a lot of
work.)I don't mind tedious, if it's do-able.
The Olys did run eiter CP/M-80 2.x or one of two different
propriatary OSes. I just have no Oly, so I can't supply
any disks.
Sorry
H.
--
Der Kopf ist auch nur ein Auswuchs wie der kleine Zeh.
H.Achternbusch
12:17 p.m.
"Ernest" <ernestls(a)home.com> wrote:
Hi Don. I may be able to get a copy of CP/M-80 but it
won't be for my
specific system. That's the problem. I don't have the OS for it. That's why
I was curious about how difficult it would be to set up a generic copy of
CP/M to run on it. I've never assembled (?) CP/M for a computer, but I've
been reading a how to on doing it, and interested in giving it a shot. I'm
not even sure of how to load/run the system monitor to ID the various
address' but the thing is, as with anything, there's always a first time,
and you have to start somewhere.
Hi Ernest
Most of CP/M is generic but the part called BDOS has to
be specifically written to work on your computer. This
part contains both the disk, printer, punch and serial I/O.
The most important are the disk and serial. Usually the
serial is easy because there were only a limited number
of serial chips used. You don't have to make the serial
interrupt driven. It is easier to make it a simple polled
system at first. I've left mine as a polled system because
I see no need to setup serial when I'm the only user.
The disk I/O is a little more difficult. You'll need
to know how the disk interface works. Most of the newer
disk interfaces use one of the Western Digital series
of chips. The reading and writing of sectors is relatively
easy. You'll still need to have some understanding of
disk formats and how the sectors are addressed.
If you can find examples of code for the interfaces you
have, 95% of the battle is won. You'll need a way of getting
the code into the memory and then to the disk of your machine
or someone else with a running machine can create the
disk. The IMSAIs have the advantage that they have front
panel switches. The machine may have a ROM based monitor
that can be handy. If not, you'll need another machine
to help boot strap your machine. The other machine doesn't
need to be the same type, it only needs to be able to
write the same disk format.
I brought an old IMSAI back to life by doing a BDOS for
it. It had an AY-3-1015 serial chip that was typical
of the older machines. These are generally easy to work
with since there is no software initialization ( other
than clearing power up trash ) that needs to be done.
The 8251 and 8250 type parts require initialization
but they are also more versatile. The disk interface, on
my machine, was an early TTL interface that had DMA to the
machines memory. This took me quite a while to figure out
and it wasn't until I found a schematic that I was able to
figure it out ( it also was broken ). Luckily for you, most
of the newer interfaces use standard chips and are easier to
deal with. In many cases, you can make progress without
schematics and only the chip manufactures spec sheet.
It is also possible that many of the functions you need
are already in ROMs on your machine.
Dwight
11:21 p.m.
On Tue, 21 Dec 1999, Dwight Elvey wrote:
"Ernest" <ernestls(a)home.com> wrote:
> Hi Don. I may be able to get a copy of CP/M-80 but it won't be for my
> specific system. That's the problem. I don't have the OS for it. That's
why
> I was curious about how difficult it would be to set up a generic copy of
> CP/M to run on it. I've never assembled (?) CP/M for a computer, but I've
> been reading a how to on doing it, and interested in giving it a shot. I'm
> not even sure of how to load/run the system monitor to ID the various
> address' but the thing is, as with anything, there's always a first time,
> and you have to start somewhere.
>
To dispell any possible confusion, it is the CCP and BDOS that are the
generic parts of CP/M, abd the BIOS which is machine specific.
- don
Hi Ernest
Most of CP/M is generic but the part called BDOS has to
be specifically written to work on your computer. This
part contains both the disk, printer, punch and serial I/O.
The most important are the disk and serial. Usually the
serial is easy because there were only a limited number
of serial chips used. You don't have to make the serial
interrupt driven. It is easier to make it a simple polled
system at first. I've left mine as a polled system because
I see no need to setup serial when I'm the only user.
The disk I/O is a little more difficult. You'll need
to know how the disk interface works. Most of the newer
disk interfaces use one of the Western Digital series
of chips. The reading and writing of sectors is relatively
easy. You'll still need to have some understanding of
disk formats and how the sectors are addressed.
If you can find examples of code for the interfaces you
have, 95% of the battle is won. You'll need a way of getting
the code into the memory and then to the disk of your machine
or someone else with a running machine can create the
disk. The IMSAIs have the advantage that they have front
panel switches. The machine may have a ROM based monitor
that can be handy. If not, you'll need another machine
to help boot strap your machine. The other machine doesn't
need to be the same type, it only needs to be able to
write the same disk format.
I brought an old IMSAI back to life by doing a BDOS for
it. It had an AY-3-1015 serial chip that was typical
of the older machines. These are generally easy to work
with since there is no software initialization ( other
than clearing power up trash ) that needs to be done.
The 8251 and 8250 type parts require initialization
but they are also more versatile. The disk interface, on
my machine, was an early TTL interface that had DMA to the
machines memory. This took me quite a while to figure out
and it wasn't until I found a schematic that I was able to
figure it out ( it also was broken ). Luckily for you, most
of the newer interfaces use standard chips and are easier to
deal with. In many cases, you can make progress without
schematics and only the chip manufactures spec sheet.
It is also possible that many of the functions you need
are already in ROMs on your machine.
Dwight
22 Dec
22 Dec
11:42 a.m.
Don Maslin <donm(a)cts.com> wrote:
To dispell any possible confusion, it is the CCP and BDOS that are the
generic parts of CP/M, abd the BIOS which is machine specific.
- don
Sorry for the confusion. You are correct. One
still need the needed information on the disk
interface, disk format and serial I/O to write
this part.
Dwight
21 Dec
21 Dec
10:38 p.m.
On Tue, 21 Dec 1999, Ernest wrote:
Hi Don. I may be able to get a copy of CP/M-80 but it
won't be for my
specific system. That's the problem. I don't have the OS for it. That's why
I was curious about how difficult it would be to set up a generic copy of
CP/M to run on it. I've never assembled (?) CP/M for a computer, but I've
been reading a how to on doing it, and interested in giving it a shot. I'm
not even sure of how to load/run the system monitor to ID the various
address' but the thing is, as with anything, there's always a first time,
and you have to start somewhere.
Ernest, I am probably the wrong guy to pose that question to, as i have
never done it. However, there are countless who have. The ease or
difficulty, I suspect, rests on how readily information is available on
the internal addresses and I/O components.
- don
-----Original Message-----
From: CLASSICCMP-owner(a)u.washington.edu
[mailto:CLASSICCMP-owner@u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Don Maslin
Sent: Monday, December 20, 1999 10:43 AM
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
Subject: Re: Olympia Olytext 20 OS question.
On Mon, 20 Dec 1999, Hans Franke wrote:
a
If anyone turns up a copy/copies of the operating system and can provide
it to me, perhaps I can be of help the next time!
- don
> I have an Olympia Olytext 20 computer but I don't have the OS for it.
It's a
> single board, Z-80 system, with a 3.5 inch
FD. The manual said it used
> CP/M-80 but I haven't been able to find any other information on the
system,
or the
OS.
> No one that I've talked to knows anything about this PC, so I won't even
> hope that anyone here would have the OS but... I'm wondering if there is > way to make a new copy of the OS for this
system? If I can find out the
> hardware addressing, etc., can CP/M 80 be made to run on it, and without
a
horrific
amount of work? (I know, depends on what I consider a lot of
work.)I don't mind tedious, if it's do-able.
The Olys did run eiter CP/M-80 2.x or one of two different
propriatary OSes. I just have no Oly, so I can't supply
any disks.
Sorry
H.
--
Der Kopf ist auch nur ein Auswuchs wie der kleine Zeh.
H.Achternbusch
28 Dec
28 Dec
8:18 a.m.
I have an Olympia Olytext 20 computer but I don't
have the OS for it. It's a
single board, Z-80 system, with a 3.5 inch FD. The manual said it used
CP/M-80 but I haven't been able to find any other information on the system,
or the OS.
No one that I've talked to knows anything about
this PC, so I won't even
hope that anyone here would have the OS but... I'm wondering if there is a
way to make a new copy of the OS for this system? If I can find out the
hardware addressing, etc., can CP/M 80 be made to run on it, and without a
horrific amount of work? (I know, depends on what I consider a lot of
work.)I don't mind tedious, if it's do-able.
So, I don't know how your self implementations are doing, I just
managed to speak to a representive of Olympia, and he at least
could remember the System. Always a good sign if a company is
responding ;) He didn't have any information or systems at access,
but I now have a contact to their Repairs and Spare Part Centre.
As for now they are bussy with the usual years end stuff, but I
get more about that next Monday. They belive that they still have
this sort of OS disks in stock, so you may have to pay their price
(which I don't know of right now).
Gruss
H.
--
Der Kopf ist auch nur ein Auswuchs wie der kleine Zeh.
H.Achternbusch
29 Dec
29 Dec
12:54 a.m.
So, I don't know how your self implementations are doing, I just
managed to speak to a representive of Olympia, and he at least
could remember the System. Always a good sign if a company is
responding ;) He didn't have any information or systems at access,
but I now have a contact to their Repairs and Spare Part Centre.
As for now they are bussy with the usual years end stuff, but I
get more about that next Monday. They belive that they still have
this sort of OS disks in stock, so you may have to pay their price
(which I don't know of right now).
Gruss
H.
--
Der Kopf ist auch nur ein Auswuchs wie der kleine Zeh.
H.Achternbusch
Thanks! I would love to have the original software for this system. I
haven't even started trying to make a CP/M boot disk for this system. I've
been doing the Holiday thing lately but I'm going to have some time off in
January that I'll use to work on this, unless I can get the originals from
Olympia. Can you tell me how to contact them directly? I don't speak German
very well, so if you can find out if they have the software, I would be very
appreciative. Thanks for the follow up.
Ernest
leucoplast(a)seanet.com
1:02 a.m.
New subject: Where to buy Amstrad CPC464 in London area?
I'm going to be in the London area in January, and I was wondering if anyone
knows where to I might be able to buy an Amstrad CPC464 computer. A friend
of mine was just there last week, and he looked for a vintage computer
[type] place but he didn't have any luck. I thought that I would check to
see if anyone knows of any shops that I could go to when I'm there? TIA
Ernest
leucoplast(a)seanet.com
12:33 p.m.
New subject: Where to buy Amstrad CPC464 in London area?
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30 Dec
30 Dec
1:36 a.m.
New subject: Transcopy 3 Central Point Software card?
I have a small ISA card produced by Central Point Software (1987) with a
chip on it that reads "Transcopy 3." I'm assuming that this is one of those
cards that you could use to copy protected software disks. Is that right?
My question is; how do you use it? It has a floppy type cable coming off of
one end, and an empty connector next to it for, I assume, a second floppy
cable. Has anyone used one of these before? Do I need special software for
it?
Thanks for your help.
Ernest
leucoplast(a)seanet.com
11:52 a.m.
New subject: Central Point "Option" card Was: Transcopy 3
On Wed, 29 Dec 1999, Ernest wrote:
I have a small ISA card produced by Central Point
Software (1987) with a
chip on it that reads "Transcopy 3." I'm assuming that this is one of
those
cards that you could use to copy protected software disks. Is that right?
My question is; how do you use it? It has a floppy type cable coming off of
one end, and an empty connector next to it for, I assume, a second floppy
cable. Has anyone used one of these before? Do I need special software for
it?
The card "intercepts" the cable between the floppy controller and the
drives.
It comes with TC.EXE for copying "uncopyable" disks, and TE.EXE for
examining/editing disks at barely aboce a flux-transition level.
--
Fred Cisin cisin(a)xenosoft.com
XenoSoft http://www.xenosoft.com
2210 Sixth St. (510) 644-9366
Berkeley, CA 94710-2219
7:54 p.m.
New subject: Transcopy 3 Central Point Software card?
Yes, I purchased one new years ago and you need the software that came with
the card. Mine's still in my Compaq 286 back in Texas and so is the
diskette that goes with it. This summer when I go down there I will see if
I can find the manual and software for it. John
----- Original Message -----
From: Ernest <ernestls(a)home.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 1999 1:36 AM
Subject: Transcopy 3 Central Point Software card?
I have a small ISA card produced by Central Point
Software (1987) with a
chip on it that reads "Transcopy 3." I'm assuming that this is one of
those
cards that you could use to copy protected software
disks. Is that right?
My question is; how do you use it? It has a floppy type cable coming off
of
one end, and an empty connector next to it for, I
assume, a second floppy
cable. Has anyone used one of these before? Do I need special software for
it?
Thanks for your help.
Ernest
leucoplast(a)seanet.com
8908
days inactive
8919
days old
15 comments
7 participants
participants (7)
-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
cisin＠xenosoft.com -
donm＠cts.com -
elvey＠hal.com -
ernestls＠home.com -
Hans.Franke＠mch20.sbs.de -
jrkeys＠concentric.net