Subject: Frequently Asked Questions List
Date: 18 Jul 1994 22:53:12 GMT
======================================================================
This is the comp.os.cpm Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list, July 18,
1994 edition. It is the intent of the editor to post this FAQ to
comp.os.cpm on a regular basis. Changes from the previous FAQ are
marked with a "|" in the first column, additions marked with a "+".
I wish to thank those below who have contributed information. Please
send any corrections or additions to <Donald.C.Kirkpatrick@tek.com>.
John D. Baker <jdb8042@tamuts.tamu.edu>
Ralph Becker-Szendy <RALPH@SLAC.STANFORD.EDU>
Mike Gordillo <GQ23V55D@umiami.ir.miami.edu>
Stephen R. Griswold <stephen.griswold@CIRCELLAR.COM>
Roger Hanscom <hanscom@atlantis.ees.anl.gov>
Ulrich Hebecker <Ulrich.Hebecker@studbox.uni-stuttgart.de>
William P. Maloney <aq743@cleveland.Freenet.Edu>
Paul Martin <pm@nowster.demon.co.uk>
Don Maslin <donm@crash.cts.com>
Udo Munk <udo@umunk.GUN.de>
Alan Ogden <arog@BIX.com>
Jay Sage <sage@LL.MIT.EDU>
Curt Schroeder <cschroed@hercii.lasc.lockheed.com>
Peter A. Schuman <schu0204@gold.tc.umn.edu>
Kevin Spears <kspear@ss0.eng.wayne.edu>
Tilmann Reh <tilmann.reh@hrz.uni-siegen.d400.de>
Geir Tjoerhom <geirt@nvg.unit.no>
Jack Velte <velte@cdrom.com>
Juergen Weber <weberj@dia.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de>
Jeffrey J. Wieland <wieland@ea.ecn.purdue.edu>
Frank Zsitvay <frank.zsitvay@bytewarrior.altcit.eskimo.com>
While this FAQ is not intended to be an advertisement for any product,
please note that some of the contributor have a financial interest in
some of the items mentioned. Your FAQ editor has NO financial interest
in anything mentioned in this FAQ.
=====================================================================
Table Of Contents
Q1: Does CP/M stand for anything?
Q2: Is CP/M in the Public Domain?
Q3: Where are the CP/M archives?
Q4: What languages/compilers/databases/editors are still available?
Q5: What new CP/M computers are available?
Q6: What is this I hear about a CP/M CD ROM?
Q7: How can I transfer my CP/M files to DOS?
Q8: How can I convert an (insert name) disk to (insert name) format?
Q9: Can I run CP/M on my MSDOS machine?
Q10: Where can I get a boot disk for (insert system name)?
Q11: What terminal emulation programs are available?
Q12: How do you unpack a .ARK or .ARC file?
Q13: How do you unpack a .lbr file?
Q14: What are all these .xQx, .xYx, and .xZx file types?
Q15: Are any of these .ARK, .LBR, or CRUNCH utilities on MSDOS?
Q16: Why does my Kaypro drop characters above (insert baud rate)?
Q17: What is an Advent TurboROM?
Q18: How can I add a hard drive to my Kaypro?
Q19: What belongs in the unpopulated board area on a Kaypro?
Q20: What is The Computer Journal?
Q21: What is ZCPR and the Z System?
Q22: What ever happened to the Z800?
Q23: What is the status of the Z380?
Q24: What is the KC80?
Q25: Anyone know a good source for cross assemblers?
=====================================================================
Q1: Does CP/M stand for anything?
A: (Don Kirkpatrick)
There are at least three popular answers - Control Program for
Microcomputers, Control Program for Microprocessors, and Control
Program/Monitor. The issue is clouded by authors of popular CP/M
books giving different answers. According to Gary Kildall (the
author of CP/M), in response to a direct question on the PBS show
"The Computer Chronicles" following Computer Bowl I, the answer is:
Control Program for Microcomputers. This is also consistent with
DRI documentation. See, for example, p. 4 of the DRI TEX manual.
Q2: Is CP/M in the Public Domain?
A: (Jay Sage, Don Maslin, Tilmann Reh)
CP/M is not in the public domain, and there is at least one source
for the purchase of new, legal copies:
David McGlone
149 W. Hilliard Lane
Eugene, OR 97404-3057,
(503)688-3563.
On the other hand, there have been lots of greatly improved clones,
including ZCPR3 for the command process and several replacements for
the BDOS. Those components can be obtained from oak.oakland.edu and
from many BBSs.
+ There is also a CP/M-Plus replacement named ZPM3, written by Simeon
+ Cran. It offers much more performance and some additional features
+ compared to CP/M-Plus. An extended CCP, the ZCCP, is also available.
+ Unfortunately, it still seems to have some bugs. ZPM3 and ZCCP are
+ free! However no sources as Simeon won't give them away.
+ And CP/M-68K is available from:
+ James Knox
+ TriSoft
+ 1825 East 38 1/2
+ Austin, TX 78722
+ (512)472-0744
+ (800)531-5170
+ (512)473-2122 (FAX)
Q3: Where are the CP/M archives?
A: (Don Maslin, Ralph Becker-Szendy, Paul Martin, Ulrich Hebecker)
Simtel20 is no more. Six sites that stock CP/M files are:
oak.oakland.edu
wuarchive.wustl.edu
update.uu.se
ftp.demon.co.uk
reze-2.rz.rwth-aachen.de
+ soltrans.cr.usgs.gov
| The main archive is oak.oakland.edu. Assuming the availability of
| anonymous ftp, look into the subdirectories of /pub/cpm. There is a
*lot* there! One of the first directories to check is starter-kit.
It contains everything you need to get up and running.
+ If you wish to submit material to oak.oakland.edu, contact:
+ Jeff Marraccini
+ Senior Computing Resource Admininistrator
+ Oakland University
+ Rochester, MI USA 48309-4401
+ (810)370-4542
+ jeff@vela.acs.oakland.edu <- Work
+ jdm@msen.com
+ He will send you instructions and passwords necessary to perform
+ ftp uploads.
Q4: What languages/compilers/databases/editors are still available?
A: (Ralph Becker-Szendy, Ulrich Hebecker)
Wordstar V4 was still for sale as of a year ago. The SLR assembler
and linkers are available from Jay Sage. MIX C and other MIX
products are available from:
Ed Grey
P.O. Box #2186
Inglewood, CA 90305
(213)759-7406
<ac959@cleveland.Freenet.Edu>.
Hi-Tech C V3.09 for CP/M is now in the public domain. The original
is on their bbs in Australia, at (61)(7)300-5235. Copies can be
obtained from:
design.fen.qut.edu.au: /pub/hitech
update.uu.se: /pub/rainbow/cpm/c
Public domain CP/M programs are available via:
Elliam Associates
Box 2664
Atascadero, CA 93423
(805)466-8440
In the past, Elliam has sold Turbo Pascal, Uniform, Nevada COBOL,
SuperCalc, and much more. Call for availability and price.
WordStar is available from:
Trio Company of Cheektowaga Limited
3290 Genesee Street
+ P. O. Box 594
| Cheektowaga, NY 14225-0594
716-892-9630
Dynacomp stills sell CP/M software (or to be accurate, they still
had several dozen CP/M programs in the 1992 catalog.) It is the
kind of programs which ought to be written in BASIC: Typing tutors,
little engineering programs like calculation of the stiffness of
beams, education math programs. Their address is:
Dynacomp
178 Phillips Road
Webster, NY 14580
(800)828-6772 orders
(716)265-4040 support
There is no known U.S. source to purchase the following programs:
muMath/muSimp
Any Microsoft product (M80, L80, F80, Pascal, BASIC)
VEdit
Most have been "abandoned" by their makers, but not placed in the
public domain.
For our European readers, much is available in Germany. dBASE,
dBASSI, Wordstar 3.0, Multiplan, Supercalc PCW, and Microsoft Basic
(Interpreter and Compiler), M80, L80, CREF80 , and LIB80 can be
ordered from:
Fa. Wiedmann
Unternehmensberatung
Korbinianplatz 2
D 85737 Ismaning
Tel.: 089/969374 (from 9:00 to 18:00 )
Z3PLUS (for CP/M, DM 70.--), NZCOM (for CP/M 2.2, DM 70.--), BDSC-Z,
TURBO Tools Turbolader, SLR Super Asm./Lnk. and Juggler (DM 50.--)
from:
Helmut Jungkunz Zacherlstr.14 D 85737 Ismaning
Tel.: 089/969374 (18:30 to 21:30)
100024.1545@compuserve.com
C 128 CP/M Plus (DM 80.-) from:
Schaltungsdienst Lange Berlin Tel.: 030/7036060
Q5: What new CP/M computers are available?
A: (Ralph Becker-Szendy, John D. Baker, Tilmann Reh)
| The YASBEC (uses a 64180, has SCSI interface), written up in TCJ,
| issues #51 and #52. It is important that the YASBEC uses a
| proprietary bus system.
| The CPU280 (uses a Z280, an IDE interface is available), also
| written up in TCJ, issues #52 and #53. Circuit boards are available
| from Jay Sage and Ralph Becker-Szendy. CPU280 to uses the ECB-bus
| which allows many other I/O cards to be connected.
Ampro Little Board products were available from Dean Davidge of
Davidge Corporation, Buellton, CA, but he may have moved and the
address and phone number are unknown.
The Micromint SB180/SB180FX is also still available.
Q6: What is this I hear about a CP/M CD ROM?
A: (Jack Velte)
| The disk will be ready mid-August, 1994. It's going to be about
full, probably over 600 Meg. It may contain some commodore 64 and
128 files and some embedded system controller files, but mostly it
will be CP/M. So far it contains these files:
fog/ First osborne user group newsletters and promo's
fog_000/ First osborne user group intro to cpm
t_hoot/ Tom Hoot personal collection
tcj/ The Computer Journal collection
znode/ The Newton Centre Z-Node, Z-Node #3, in Newton
Centre, Massachusetts.
znode_12/ This software was collected over a period of
many years by Lee Bradley, Z- Node 12 Sysop.
There is about 20 megabytes here. Many files are
.LBR's which contain compressed members, so the
actual size of this collection is probably close
to 30-35 megabytes. No index is provided but the
three files -MYZ-001.DIR, -MYZ-002.DIR and
-MYZ-003.DIR give the file names and the
.LBR member names.
zsus/ Z-System Software-Update-Service
cpm/ From SIMTEL
cpmug From SIMTEL -- cpm user's group collection
sigm From SIMTEL -- sig m user's group collection
The cost will be $39.95 plus $5 shipping and handling (per order,
not per disk) for US/Canada, and $10 for airmail overseas. If you
live in California, please add sales tax. For further information:
info@cdrom.com
Walnut Creek CDROM
1547 Palos Verdes, Suite 260
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA
(510)674-0783 voice
(510)674-0821 fax
(800)786-9907
Q7: How can I transfer my CP/M files to DOS?
A: (Don Maslin, Will Rose, Alan Ogden, Tilmann Reh)
One solution is Sydex' excellent shareware program 22DISK which
permits reading (and writing) many CP/M format disks on a PC. It is
available on:
oak.oakland.edu: /pub/msdos/diskutil/22dsk140.zip
There is also UniForm by Micro Solutions that should still be
available from them. There are versions for both the IBM-pc's and a
lot of different cp/m machines. Micro Solutions can be reached at:
Micro Solutions
123 W Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815)756-3411 Voice
(815)756-2928 Fax
(800)890-7227
If it's for an IBM type system, talk to them about what kind of
hardware/software you have. Some flavors of PC have a problem with
both UniForm and 22disk and UniForm will not operate properly under
DRDOS v6.0. UniForm also fails if the machine clock exceeds
~20MHz. This has been confirmed with Micro Solutions, and no fix is
available.
+ You need not use the DOS machine - there are also transfer programs
+ running with CP/M. There are at least three: TRANSFER (for
+ CP/M-2.2), of which a quick-hack CP/M-3 adaptation also exists;
+ DOSDISK for Z-System, and MSDOS for CP/M-Plus written by Tilmann
+ Reh, latest version 2.1 of Oct 93. TRANSFER and MSDOS are freely
+ available, DOSDISK is commercial. MSDOS has two related utilities:
+ MSFORM will create the DOS Boot Record, FAT and directory structure
+ on a freshly formatted disk, and MSDIR will give you a quick look at
+ the main directory of a DOS disk.
Remember these conversion programs only enables you to read on your
PC what was stored on the disk when under CP/M. They make no
conversion of file content.
Q8: How can I convert an (insert name) disk to (insert name) format?
A: (Jay Sage, Curt Schroeder, Mike Gordillo, Helmut Jungkunz, Tilmann Reh)
David McGlone and Elliam Associates (see above) offer disk
conversion services at modest prices that can convert from just
about any format to just about any other format.
If you have a Kaypro equipped with an Advent TurboROM, Plu*Perfect
Systems offers a program called MULTICPY that can read/write about
one hundred different 5 1/4 formats.
It is not possible to directly read/write Apple II CP/M disks on any
other host machine because an Apple disk is recorded in GCR which is
incompatible with FM/MFM disk controllers. The only way to get CP/M
files in or out of Apple II CP/M disks is via a serial link with a
non-Apple II host.
There exists a program called "Juggler" for the C128's CP/M that
will read/write 140 different CP/M formats both 3.5 and 5.25 MFM
(and some GCR) formats. Juggler is available from Herne Data
| Systems in Canada. A demo version with 22 formats, and other C128
specific CP/M software, can be found at:
ccosun.caltech.edu: /pub/rknop/INCOMING/CPM/juggdemo.lbr
+ and the complete program may be purchased from:
+ Herne Data Systems Ltd.
+ PO Box 714, Station C
+ Toronto, Ontario
+ CANADA M6J 3S1
+ The CPU280 CP/M-3 implementation offers the AutoFormat feature which
+ allows to format, read and write almost every disk format.
+ Another way of converting formats is to use a PC with 22DISK - just
+ copy the files from one CP/M disk to DOS, and then back to the other
+ CP/M disk.
Q9: Can I run CP/M on my MSDOS machine?
A: (Juergen Weber, Udo Munk, Paul Martin, John D. Baker)
Available by anonymous ftp from the primary mirror site
OAK.Oakland.Edu and its mirrors:
pub/msdos/emulators/zsim23.zip
ZSIM is an (extremely accurate) Z80 emulator (80386/40 -8 MHz Z80)
in conjunction with a CP/M 80 BIOS, i.e. it simulates a Z80 machine,
that can run CP/M. Together with the original CP/M operating system
you have a full Z80-CP/M machine.
If you don't have a CP/M system disk at hand, you can use the
included public domain CP/M compatible operating system P2DOS.
ZSIM uses CP/M format disks, a ram disk and a hard disk. Supported
disk formats are CP/M 86 single sided and double sided, but you can
install any singled sided CP/M format PC drives can physically
read. So you can use ZSIM to transfer data to MS-Dos. The ram disk
can be saved to the PC hard disk. The hard disk is in an MS-Dos
file. A sample hard disk containing the SMALL-C compiler is
included.
As ZSIM uses an original operating system and CP/M disks it should
run every CP/M program that does not use special hardware. ZSIM is
free for personal use. Sources of the CP/M BIOS are included.
On raven.alaska.edu you'll find:
/pub/coherent/sources32/z80pack.tar.Z.
This is a Z80 CPU emulation completely written in C, an I/O
emulation for a typical CP/M system also is included. The package
also comes with the BIOS source for the I/O emulation and a Z80
cross-assembler. It was developed it under COHERENT but it's known
that it does work under Linux and SunOS too. You still need a CP/M
license to get CP/M running or you might try to get one of the free
available CP/M clones running on it. On a 486/66 DX2 running
COHERENT it's like a 11Mhz Z80 CPU, so the emulation speed is
acceptable.
On oak.oakland.edu you'll find:
/pub/msdos/emulator/myz80111.zip
MYZ80 is a Z80/64180 emulator package. The new 80486, 80386 & 80286
machines with the fast hard drives and the snazzy OS/2 operating
systems are such a delight... but for many, the Z80 machines still
have to be fired up from to time in order to develop code for CP/M
and the Z80 chip. Well, not any more, thanks to MYZ80.
Other emulators on the market are less than satisfactory solutions.
Of the small number which can actually run without causing system
errors under the later versions of DOS, apparently none is capable
of running real CP/M. Instead they use an emulated version of CP/M
which is only as accurate as the developers have bothered to make
it.
MYZ80 can run CP/M 3.0 and ZCPR (which is such a useful Z80
developer's environment). So if you suffer from less than perfect
Z80 emulation and slow overall performance, give MYZ80 a try, and
save the 'real' Z80 machines for those cold winter mornings when
you really need the heat. The author of MYZ80, Simon Cran, can be
reached at:
Simeon Cran P/L
PO Box 5706
West End, Queensland, AUstalia 4101
Simeon.Cran@f236.n640.z3.fidonet.org
It may also be helpful to note that Micro Solutions had a device
called the MatchPoint PC, which was effectively an Apple //e on a
card, for the IBM clones. When used in conjunction with a
MicroSolutions CompatiCard, you can read files from an Apple CP/M
disk and transfer to another disk format with a special
configuration of UniForm. That although this setup is effective, it
is quite expensive and the cost is not justified for small amounts
of copying.
Q10: Where can I get a boot disk for (insert system name)?
A: (Don Maslin)
Getting a system disk is pretty easy - if Dina-SIG CP/M System Disk
Archives has it. However, some dialogue with the requester has
usually been necessary to assure that we are talking about the same
Jurassic inhabitant! There are just too many variants in the CP/M
world. A request with specifics on the computer, an address to mail
to, and some recompense is all it takes. Since this is an unfunded
effort on the part of the SIG, the costs of media, mailer, and
postage must be recouped. In general, and there are variations,
this runs $3 for the first disk and $2 or less for each additional.
Eight inch disks are a bit more! However, a swap can be arranged if
the other party has disks that are not duplicative of ones already
in the archive. If you can help augment the archive, yours is
free.
The keeper of the archives can be reached at:
Don Maslin
7742 Via Capri
La Jolla CA 92037
619-454-7392
or use the email address given above.
Q11: What terminal emulation programs are available?
A: (Peter A. Schuman)
The leading CP/M public domain or freeware (author kept copyright
but distributed it for free) modem programs are:
MODEM740 - The last of the "MODEMxxx" programs.
IMP245 - This is nice, and works smoothly within what it does.
What it does, it does very well. IF you have slow floppy
drives, there is a patch to cut down the receive buffer size.
MEX114 - different from the above two, but minimally functional
with just an IMP overlay. To use it all, you need MEX overlay
for your machine.
ZMP15 - This program includes ZMODEM file transfers.
KERMIT - This program may have the widest implementation base
because it uses only printable characters for its file
transfers. This is a plus because the MODEM7 family of
protocols send binary characters that sometimes conflict with
the underlying system use. It is a minus because many more
characters must be sent and thus is slower. KERMIT may be
found on watsun.cc.columbia.edu.
QTERM43E - This is somewhat like using QMODEM on an MSDOS
machine. Qterm has VT100 emulation mode as well as XMODEM and
KERMIT protocol. If you can get (or write) a good overlay,
this is a nice program.
For high speed transfers, you will probably need interrupt-driven
routines, which are available for some these. The exact baud rate
where it becomes necessary varies by system and program.
Q12: How do you unpack a .ARK or .ARC file?
A: (Gier Tjoerhom, Don Kirkpatrick)
Archive files are a collection of related files packed together so
they stay together. They have somewhat been replaced by librarys,
but are still encountered often. The C or K at the end only
differentiate the original packing program, they are otherwise
identical. Some archives are self extracting, just rename them
with a .com ending and execute them. Others must be unpacked with
a program, unarc16.ark containing one of the most popular (in a
self extracting archive). This archive can be found at:
oak.oakland.edu: /pub2/cpm/arc-lbr/unarc16.ark
Q13: How do you unpack a .lbr file?
A: (William P. Maloney, Peter A. Schuman)
A .lbr is a single file that contains a number of compressed files
inside. The files must be extracted from the .lbr before the can be
used.
One very good library extract program is called lbrext.com. It's
simple to use and uncrunches the files at the same time. EXAMPLE:
A>lbrext b:myfile.lbr c:*.* uo
This takes the lbrext.com file on 'A' to extract all the files in
myfile.lbr on 'B' and put them on 'C' uncrunched. A simple 'lbrext'
first will show you how to use the .com file.
Other popular library maintenance programs are LUE, DELBR, and NULU,
the latter being one of the best CP/M programs for handling LBRs.
However, don't use NULU to extract and unsqueeze simultaneously. It
occasionally screws up doing this, and it can trash an entire disk
when it does so.
+ LT31 is also able to unpack libraries and also supports all
+ current compression standards (including LZH 2.0!). It is a very
+ useful utility and can replace several single programs.
Q14: What are all these .xQx, .xYx, and .xZx file types?
A: (Don Kirkpatrick)
These are compressed files, a.k.a. squeezed or crunched files. They
must be uncompressed before they can be used. They differ in the
compression algorithm; .?Q? was the first generation and .?Y? the
newest. There are many fine programs that uncompress files, but
most handle only one or two compression types (e.g. SQ111.ARC and
CRUNCH24.LBR). One program that will uncompress all three types can
be found in CRLZH20.LBR.
Q15: Are any of these .ARK, .LBR, or CRUNCH utilities on MSDOS?
A: (Geir Tjoerhom)
Yes, MSDOS versions do exist and can be located as follows:
oak.oakland.edu: /pub/msdos/arcutil/lue220.zip (.LBR)
nic.switch.ch: /mirror/msdos/archiver/arce41a.zip (.ARK)
nic.funet.fi: /pub/msdos/packing/compress/alusq.com (.xQx)
nic.funet.fi: /pub/msdos/packing/compress/uncr233.zip (.xZx)
Q16: Why does my Kaypro drop characters above (insert baud rate)?
A: (Jeff Wieland, Stephen Griswold, Don Kirkpatrick)
The basic problem is that updating the screen takes too long and some
incoming characters are missed. The exact baud rate where
characters begin to disappear depends on the configuration of the
Kaypro and the terminal program. Generally, the older non-graphic
Kaypros will run at a much higher baud rate before characters start
to disappear. Stock Kaypros are not interrupt driven and the BIOS
ROM has several built-in delays, which demanded too much of a
2x/4x/10's time.
Several things can be done to help the situation. If your Kaypro
came with the MITE software package, you can use it for high speed
terminal emulation. A Kaypro 2X using MITE can go as fast as 19200
bps. MITE uses interrupts to achieve this.
Sometimes the problem can be ignored. A 2X will drop characters at
300 baud using Kermit-80. File transfers work fine at 19200 bps.
It is always a good ides to run file transfers in the quiet mode if
terminal mode is dropping characters as then the display update time
is minimized.
The graphic-equipped Kaypros can be significantly improved in
terminal mode just by turning off the status line at the bottom of
the screen. As most terminal programs have an initialize sequence
available, just send the no status line command to the Kaypro -
<ESC>, C, 7 [1BH, 43H, 37H in hex].
There are several hardware changes that can lessen or eliminate the
problem. There is a speed modification for the 1983 Kaypro-II's &
IV's requiring changing some chips to faster versions and outfitting
the back with a toggle switch. Upgrading to a MicroCornucopia MAX-8
or Advent TurboROM also helps.
If your machine is equipped with the Advent TurboROM and you choose
to run QTERM, Don Kirkpatrick can send you an interrupt driver that
allows the graphic-enhanced Kaypros to work just fine to at least
2400 baud.
Q17: What is an Advent TurboROM?
A: (Don Maslin)
The Advent TurboROM is a firmware upgrade to the Kaypro. It
replaces the original Kaypro system ROM and provides flexible
configurations, additional disk formats, greater speed, and bug
fixes. Contact point for this is:
Chuck Stafford
4000 Norris Avenue
Sacramento CA 95812
916/483-0312
Q18: How can I add a hard drive to my Kaypro?
A: (Don Kirkpatrick)
Chuck Stafford (see above) sells hard drive conversion kits.
Emerald Microware used to offer hard drive kits for the Kaypro, but
has run out of hard disk controllers. If you already have your own
WD-1002-05 or WD-1002-HDO or can find one, then Emerald can provide
you with controller software. They can be contacted at:
EMERALD MICROWARE
P.O. Box 1726
Beaverton OR 97075
503/641-8088 Brian/Patricia
Q19: What belongs in the unpopulated board area on a Kaypro?
A: (Don Maslin, Don Kirkpatrick, Peter A. Schuman)
A clock and modem go there. The modem is rather useless as it is
only 300 baud. The clock/calendar is useful. The Computer Journal,
issue 64, Nov./Dec. 1993, describes the installation procedure.
There is also an area on a 2X for a hard drive interface.
Q20: What is The Computer Journal?
A: (Kevin Spears, Don Kirkpatrick)
The Computer Journal is a magazine specializing in CP/M, small
systems, and related topics. Chuck Stafford writes a regular column
on Kaypros and Jay Sage writes one on Z Systems. In their own
words:
"The Computer Journal has been supporting CP/M and Z80s for TEN
years. TCJ has recently increased our support by providing
more beginner CP/M articles, as well as our regular advanced
ZCPR column. The ZCPR column is written by one of the ZCPR
authors and guides people in replacing CP/M with this
do-it-yourself operating system.
Tired of PC/MSDOS files getting bigger and bigger? Like to do
things in a simple way? How about learning about new devices
without having the latest "C" compiler? Have you been
wondering about using the new IDE drives on your CP/M system?
We do all that and more at The Computer Journal."
There are six issues per year, and the subscription rate is $24 for
1 year, or $44 for 2. Subscriptions may be sent to:
The Computer Journal
P.O. Box 535
Lincoln, CA 95648
Q21: What is ZCPR and the Z System?
A: (Jay Sage, Don Kirkpatrick)
The original ZCPR was written in Z80 code and was called the "Z80
Command Processor Replacement". It was a drop-in replacement for
the Digital Research CCP (Console Command Processor) and adhered to
the 800H space restriction. ZCPR2 (February 14, 1983) was the first
experiment in greatly extending the power of the command processor.
It added additional memory modules for supporting such things as
multiple commands on a line, a dynamically reconfigurable command
search path, and directory names associated with drive/user areas.
The ideas and implementation in ZCPR2 were only half-baked, and they
came to logical fruition in ZCPR3 (Richard Conn's 3.0 and Jay Sage's
3.3 and 3.4).
ZCPR3 gives you UNIX-like flexibility. Features implemented include
shells, aliases, I/O redirection, flow control, named directories,
search paths, custom menus, passwords, online help, and greater
command flexibility. ZCPR3 can be found on many BBS and SIMTEL
mirrors. The Z System commercial version is available for a nominal
fee from Jay Sage. Further details can be found in the text "ZCPR3,
The Manual", by Richard Conn, ISBN 0-918432-59-6.
You can find a detailed history of the development of ZCPR and the Z
System in Jay Sage's column in issue #54 of The Computer Journal.
This article celebrated the 10th anniversary of ZCPR, which was
first released on February 2, 1982. His "ZCPR33 User's Guide" also
has a section on the history (it can be ordered from Jay for $10,
domestic shipping included).
Q22: What ever happened to the Z800?
A: (Ralph Becker-Szendy, Frank Zsitvay)
The Z800 was planned to be NMOS, and was finally implemented as the
Z280 in CMOS, five years late. And it does have a 4kB/8kB paged
MMU, and separate I/D space, and cache. There are small differences
between the Z800 preliminary spec and the final Z280 specification.
The Z180 was not an outgrowth of the Z800. It was a joint effort
between Zilog and Hitachi. The first two versions of the HD64180
were slightly different from the current Z180. The current HD64180
and Z180 are identical, and both have flags in one of the control
registers to emulate the earlier versions. The changes are mostly
bus timing, as the HD64180 was designed to interface with Motorola
6800 style peripherals as well as Intel and Zilog, which wasn't too
strange since Hitachi second sources some Motorola 6800 series
products.
Q23: What is the status of the Z380?
A: (Ralph Becker-Szendy)
The Z380 is a 32-bit version binary-compatible upgrade of the
HD180. The 18MHz part in the 100-pin QFP package is shipping. The
plan for a PGA-package for the Z380 has been scrapped. Zilog is
working on a 25MHz part, but it isn't quite ready yet. The
"Preliminary Product Specfication", Zilog part number DC6003-02,
documents the part. According to the manual, the plans include a
40MHz part, but the time frame is uncertain.
Q24: What is the KC80?
A: (Ralph Becker-Szendy)
There was an announcement in the trade press about a deal between
Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Zilog. Kawasaki has developed
something called the KC80, which is a Z80 (no MMU, extended address
space, or 32-bit enhancements), but speeded up to execute most
instructions in one or two cycles, and running at 20MHz. Zilog has
the rights to the design. The catch is that Zilog is currently not
planning to sell it as a chip.
Q25: Anyone know a good source for cross assemblers?
A: (Roger Hanscom)
There are a variety of sources for cross platform development tools.
The C Users' Group (1601 W. 23rd St., Suite 200, Lawrence, KS
66046-2700) has a library of software that includes all kinds of
development tools. Source code is distributed with many of them.
They charge $4/disk and $3.50 s&h per order, and can supply 3.5" or
5.25" DOS formats. Those of you seeking assemblers or disassemblers
will be particularly interested in volumes number 398, 363 (2
disks), 348, 346 (2 disks), 338 (2 disks), 335 (4 disks), 316, 303,
and 292(4 disks). They also market a CD-ROM of volumes 100 through
364 for $49.95 list (it can usually be found at computer shows for
$25 to $35). They can be reached at 913/841-1631 FAX: 913/841-2624.
The Circuit Cellar BBS is on-line 24 hours per day with some cross
development tools, particularly for CPU's that are commonly used as
controllers. They have a Courier HST running 2400/9600 bps at
203/871-0549, and another line that will do up to 14.4k bps (8N1) at
203/871-1988. Both of these numbers are in Connecticut.
The Motorola BBS is in Austin, Texas, on 512/440-3733. They have
downloadable cross development products mostly for the 68xx and
68xxx architectures. Like the Circuit Cellar BBS, this BBS seems to
specialize in micro-controller development. Many of these files can
also be accessed over the network on bode.ee.ualberta.ca
(129.128.16.96).
Don't forget to look in the old familiar places, such as
oak.oakland.edu and wuarchive.wustl.edu.
It is an unverified rumor that Walnut Creek CDROM (cdrom.com) has
some tools from some of the sources listed above on line on their
server.
=====================================================================
End of FAQ
--
-Don Kirkpatrick (Donald.C.Kirkpatrick@tek.com)
UUCP: ...!uunet!tektronix!Donald.C.Kirkpatrick