TOOLS.TXT rev 96-09-25 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THIS DOCUMENT IS COPYRIGHT (C) 1988, 1996 BY HERNE DATA SYSTEMS LTD. THE MATERIAL CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE FREELY USED FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION ONLY. IF YOU REPRODUCE IT, THIS COPYRIGHT NOTICE MUST NOT BE REMOVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE EXPLOITED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Herne Data Systems Ltd., PO Box 250, Tiverton, ON N0G 2T0 CANADA. Voice/fax 519-366-2732, e-mail hernedata@mail.bmts.com, internet: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/herne_data * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * C-128 CP/M Hacker's Toolkit version 2 User's Guide (c) Copyright 1988, 1996 Herne Data Systems Ltd. Hacker's Toolkit is a collection of 7 utilities for the C-128 in CP/M mode. They provide system extensions for video, serial bus, and disk drives, as well as memory exploration tools. The tools work with all standard versions of C-128 CP/M. Instructions for each of the utilities is described below. The Fine Print ============== C-128 Hacker's Toolkit is a copyrighted program written by Miklos Garamszeghy for Herne Data Systems Ltd. You may reach us at: Herne Data Systems Ltd. PO Box 250 Tiverton, ON N0G 2T0 CANADA voice/FAX (519) 366-2732 e-mail: hernedata@mail.bmts.com or 72060.1153@compuserve.com http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/herne_data ============================================================ Note: C-128 Hacker's Toolkit is no longer fully supported by Herne Data Systems Ltd. We regret that we are unable to provide any future updates to the program. However, it is being released as "freeware" for the benefit of those who may still have a use for it. (Visit our website, or contact us by e-mail if you find any of the programs useful.) ============================================================ DRIVE.COM ========= Some older CP/M software does not recognize drive M: (the C-128 CP/M RAM disk). This program allows you to change the disk drive assignments used by C-128 CP/M mode. By changing the RAM disk to a lower drive letter, say C: or D:, the older software will usually work with the RAM disk. SYNTAX: DRIVE displays summary help screen DRIVE RESET Restore default drive assignments DRIVE ? Get current drive assignments DRIVE x/z Swap logical drive letters x and z Example: DRIVE M/D Device 11 is now drive M: and the RAM disk is drive D: Note: You should avoid re-assigning drive E: (the virtual drive) because it may cause problems with the operating system. EXP.COM ======= EXP is the C-128 CP/M Memory Explorer. It will allow you to view and/or edit any part of C-128 CP/M memory space, including RAM disk memory and 80 column video memory. EXP is designed to work with an 80 column display, in ADM emulation mode. When the memory display is shown on the screen, the following keys can be pressed: Key Function ====+=============================================== S set new memory parameters [mode:address:bank] mode: I = Z80 I/O ports, M = main memory R = RAM disk, V = VDC memory C = 8502 memory address: 0 to FFFF for all modes bank: 0 to 3 for M or C; 0 to 7 for R E go to edit mode ^H for help screen P toggle printer on/off Q quit, return to CP/M + read next 256 bytes - read previous 256 bytes ====+=============================================== The heart of the EXP display is the S key. By specifying the memory parameters, you can jump to any location in the CP/M memory space. An example of a memory specification would be: M:800:0 which would display address hex 800 on bank 0 of the main memory. (This is normally part of the CP/M system area.) You can download a C-128 Memory Map from our website at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/herne_data/cpm.htm that will give you a list of many interesting areas to look at. Use the + and - keys to move forward and backward in memory, one page at a time. The P key will toggle the "echo to printer" mode on and off. The EDIT mode allows you to edit the displayed memory range as ASCII text. Move the cursor around ASCII display on right hand portion of screen using cursor control keys , , and at the top right of the main keyboard. Type in new ASCII text where required. Press to return to memory display mode without keeping changes; or to keep changes. Press - at bottom right of main keyboard to go to PATCH mode for editing HEX codes. The PATCH mode allows you to edit the displayed memory range as HEX data. Move the cursor around HEX display on left hand portion of screen using cursor control keys , , and at the top right of the main keyboard. Type in new hex digits where required. Press to return to memory display mode without keeping changes; or to keep changes. Press at bottom right of main keyboard to go to EDIT mode for editing ASCII text. Control-H will display context sensitive help screens. MOVEROM.COM =========== Move-ROM creates an image of the Z-80 ROM from BANK 0 (address 000 to FFF) in BANK 1 (address 4000 to 4FFF) where it can be examined using SID.COM or a similar program. Once the ROM image has been created, you will also have the option to save it as a disk file. XFORM81.COM =========== The early versions of C-128 CP/M did not support the 1581 3-1/2 inch drive. XFORM81 provides formatting support. It should be used in conjunction with PATCH81.COM, which adds 1581 support to the CP/M operating system file CPM+.SYS. The program operates through a series of menu screens. The first screen prompts you to enter a drive letter for the 1581 drive, such as B:. The next screen prompts you to insert a blank disk into the drive. A status screen is then displayed until the disk formatting has been completed, at which point you will be asked if you wish to format another disk. Note that the MG-1581 format is not compatible with the "official" Commodore 1581 CP/M format used in the later releases of C-128 CP/M. However, you can still maintain support for it using the Jugg'ler program. (Available from our web site). PATCH81.COM =========== This program should be used to patch the C-128 CPM+.SYS file to allow full support of the 1581 disk capacity. The new disk format, called , is similar to EPSON QX-10, but has twice the disk capacity. New disks can be formatted using the XFORM81.COM program. PATCH81.COM uses a series of prompt screens. The first prompt will ask you to select a drive which has the CPM+.SYS file on it. NOTE: Use work disks only! Do not use PATCH81 on your original system disks unless you are sure that you do not want to keep the original version of the CPM+.SYS file. Always make a backup of your original CPM+.SYS file before running PATCH81. The second prompt asks you to insert the CPM+.SYS disk into the selected drive. A status screen is displayed as the file is read and the patch is made. You must re-boot the CP/M system before you can use the new disk format. The modified file will indicate 1581 compatability in the boot up message. SCREEN.COM ========== Screen Switcher will switch between the 40 and 80 column screens, or turn them both on at the same time. Type in To ---------------------------------------- SCREEN See what is on SCREEN 80 Turn on 80 column screen SCREEN 40 Turn on 40 column screen SCREEN BOTH Turn on both screens ---------------------------------------- SPORT.COM ========= This program allows you to send commands to or read messages from serial bus devices in C-128 CP/M mode. Syntax: SPORT /D /S {/C} Examples: SPORT /D8 /S0F /C'I0' sends the string 'I0' to the command channel on disk drive device #8. SPORT /D9 /S0F will read the error channel on device #9. SPORT /D4 /S1B will open device #4 (printer) with a secondary address of 27. SPORT /D8/SF/C'U0' A will send the command string 'U0' followed by the byte hex 0A (decimal 10) Note: all values for /D, /S, and byte portions of /C should be in hexadecimal format.$ SPORT will display the result code, if any of the command that was passed to the device.