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#1
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Basic
Anyone know how to load Basic? I got a hex file with 4K basic on it from the altair 32 emulator. I tried several different loaders, with several different changes that I thought would select the correct ports (020/021). I'm using hyperterminal and selecting "send text file".
Well, no matter what I try, no go. Any ideas how to do this? Paul |
#2
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I never got around to doing it myself. I will this weekend at the latest. I'll get a file and some instructions for you.
I'm not sure what is in that file you had, but you probably shouldn't use "text" file. That might be stripping off the 8th bit of binary data... |
#3
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Thanks Grant. I look forward to that.
I found this quote for "text" file: You can send text files as an alternative to keyboard input using Send Text File. This is useful, for example, when you need to send a string of keyboard input to a remote computer for troubleshooting purposes, or need to send a lengthy keyboard input string as part of a connection sequence to a remote computer or router.I still suspect the loader was not right. I seem to have two major gaps of knowledge for the Altair: the protocol around using the IO ports, and the use of the sense switches. Can you recommend any manuals for these two knowledge gaps? Paul |
#4
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Hi Paul;
Hex files would not be the way to go, they may carry extra information, for the hex loader. I would get a Binary file, which is what I got from the same site, the file should end in .bin.. that may not cure all your ills but it should help !! I have had the same problem, with hyperterminal, even loading .bin files. I think Grant is correct, they strip off the 8th bit. You could go to Wildharecomputers.com and ask Bruce Ray if he would be willing to let you use his loader.. Which doesn't strip off any information... I used it to help him copy paper tapes for our Novas, but it should work with any binary file.. it will transfer either direction, to or from any Ibm -- windows based machine.. Have a great day Marty |
#5
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Thanks, Marty. I never liked hyperterminal. Now I like it even less. I seem to have a need for it once every three years or so, and every time it only doest about 80% of what I need!
I'm not sure what I could offer Bruce Ray in return and I would feel uncomfortable asking him. I'd feel like I was interrupting his main business for my hobby If I can't find a suitable program that transfers the files, I'll probably try to write one in C++ or something. But that will surely take quite a while. We'll see if Grant pulls another rabbit out of the hat. He usually does. Paul |
#6
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I like hyperterminal for some things.
I use teraterm pro for sending/receiving binary files. |
#7
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Paul,
I just finished loading basic into my 4k Altair with a 2SIO board using an XP machine as the terminal. I'll post a longer explanation of what works and what doesn't and why later today or tomorrow, but in the mean time, here's what should work.
Geoff. Last edited by Geoff Harrison; 10-16-2007 at 08:54 PM. |
#8
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Thanks a lot for helping me with this!
Did you try 9600 or 19200? Paul, make sure to change the jumpers on the 2SIO for 4800. Grant |
#9
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I tried a maximum of 9600 and was losing characters due to the lack of handshaking. I'm going to order another Molex connector and pins and make a proper cable, but that's probably about a week away. I think you have mentioned before that Tera Term allows inter-character delays, so that should be another way to slow down the transmission to allow the Altair to keep up at 9600. However, the only configuration I have tested with my 2SIO card is 4800,8,n,1, no handshaking.
Quote:
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#10
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Geoff, this is awesome information. Thanks a lot!
I've tried it several ways tonight without diving too deep to try to figure out what I am doing wrong. I can confirm it will not work at 9600 for me either, but it could be for an entirely different reason. Rather than resetting my card to 4800, I've tried the intercharacter delay. I even tried 100ms, which makes the transmit rate very slow. I cannot tell if Basic is loaded into memory or not, all I can confirm is that I cannot get anything to display and that the low memory locations do indeed get changed. A quick glance at the loader helps me see how it is set for 020/021. I'll use this to try to debug what is going on. Unfortunately I have to head out of town tomorrow for two weeks. What lousy timing! Tell me about switches A11 and A10? I was surprised to see you put both on. Paul |
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