====================================== //////// /// //// //// ////// // //// //// // // /// // * ///////// ////// /// /// // // /// // // // /// // //////// // / // // // /////// ======================================= Issue #183 December 18, 1989 = 1989 by Rovac Industries, Inc. ZMagazine - (ZNet Online) Publisher/Editor: Ron Kovacs The Z*Net BBS CompuServe:71777,2140 (201) 968-8148 GEnie: ZMAGAZINE EDITORS DESK by Ron Kovacs This is a very special issue since it is our LAST regular edition. ZMagazine will still continue through a new publication called ZNET ONLINE starting January 5, 1990. With the lack of 8-bit news and reviews available we are sad to stop publishing an exclusive 8-bit online, but with nothing to review or cover, we are forced to use material from our sister publication ST*ZMagazine. We have 4 years and over 183 issues of material which is available. There will be some special 8-bit only editions released in addition to the regular Friday release of ZNet Online, although not on a regular basis. The latest news in the 8-bit areas will be contained in ZNet whenever possible. Please note that we are NOT leaving the 8-bit, just using another system to provide the news. In January, we will release a special index of ALL ZMagazine issues, so staty tuned to your local BBS or the pay services for the file. You can also stay up to date on all releases on the ZNet BBS at (201) 968-8148. See you in January! For the latest Atari News First, read ST*ZMagazine between now and the end of the year in the ST areas on both pay services, your local BBS and the ZNet BBS. Thank you for your support over the last four years. I am very sorry the state of the 8-bit community has caused us to make drastic changes. We want to survive and continue our weekly updates, but can not see any light through the tunnel! ======================================================================= STACY CONDITIONALLY APPROVED BY FCC -- by John Nagy Atari announced two weeks ago that the FCC had finally passed the STACY Laptop Computer for U.S. distribution. However, the type acceptance is as a CLASS A device, which is a designation for business and industrial use only. This means that Atari cannot sell the Stacy as a consumer device at this time, but will be able to market it to the largest and loudest group currently clamoring for it - professional musicians. The Stacy, with its built in ST MIDI ports, is a Godsend to musicians who need portable equipment for performances. As a result, the Stacy will be shipping -within 30 days- to anxiously waiting music stores across the USA, according to Atari sources. It seems that the power supply has been one of the most problematic of the electrical noise output that has prevented Stacy from FCC acceptance to date. The -Type A- rating is much more forgiving than the -Type B - Computing Device- acceptance that will be needed before regular consumer /computer stores will be able to market the computer. Atari plans to continue the efforts to obtain the more favorable type acceptance, even if some re-design of the Stacy becomes necessary. Musician demand appears to already be large enough to eat all of the first production runs of the laptop ST. While later internal revisions may be drastic, even to the point of an entire new motherboard, the features that musicians need will likely be unchanged. Potential changes include incorporation of the STE design, which is cheaper to manufacture and uses fewer parts, while offering added palette colors and digital stereo internal sound. If this route is taken, expect a revised Stacy to finally make it into the consumer channels as late as mid 1990. Mac users will be livid... even Atari officials concede that a huge market for the Stacy lies in the Macintosh emulation of the GCR from Gadgets By Small. At a third the cost of the MAC portable, the Stacy/ GCR looks better and runs faster. On the brighter side, the FCC has no -home patrol-... so just because Atari can't market through home computer store channels does not mean you and I can't go buy a Stacy at the local music store and take it home. This is all part of the wide and wonderful world of Federal regulation. Makes you feel safe, doesn't it? ======================================================================= ZNET NEWSWIRE MIKE MORAND QUITS AS ATARI PRESIDENT: SUCCESSOR NAMED ALREADY In a move reported to us this week from several sources both in and outside of Atari, recently appointed President of Atari Computer Mike Morand has resigned. Reasons for his decision are not public at this time, but many observers noted that Mike has not participated in recent public events, a signal that all was not well. Mike was not visible at COMDEX, despite other Atari officials (from Jack Tramiel on down) being on hand. It has been suggested that promises of what it would mean to be President of the family-run Atari Corp may not have panned out as Morand expected. Mike's replacement is DAVID HARRIS, a former Atari VP who left two years ago to start his own calculator company. David arranged to license the ATARI name for his calculators, and his company was recently merged into Atari's consumer products division. David is a knowledgeable and personable businessman who knows what to expect from the Tramiels. We welcome him and hope that his return to Atari will bring success. NEW YORK DEALERS LOOKING FOR LYNX MACHINES New York retailers, who are trying to keep the new Atari Lynx portable color video game system on their shelves for holiday shoppers, have been asking Atari to ship reorders by air. Two New York City retailers stated that as soon as they receive a new Lynx shipment, they call customers that are on the waiting list. Any units that aren't spoken for are rushed to the shelves. Managers at both FAO Schwarz and Kiddie City said that Manhattan consumers are snatching up the system because it's the only portable unit available that features full-color graphics and four-channel sound. People from as far away as Los Angeles are phoning and asking to have the Lynx shipped to them. In 1990, Atari plans to produce more than one million Lynx game systems and additional game cartridges. In addition to California Games, which comes with the Lynx, other games, including Blue Lightning, Gates of Zendocon, Electrocop and Chip's Challenge will be arriving soon. BURGER KING GOES ONLINE Burger King restaurants will soon begin using an electronic ordering system and electronic mail as an ordering system to replace manual methods. Ordering supplies for it's restuarants will become more accurately and consistent. The e-mail system provides instant communication between restaurants through hand-held computers, PCs and point-of-sale work stations. FORDHAM SPONSORED BY ATARI Atari UK sponsored a 17 date UK tour of female vocalist Julia Fordham. Fordham appeared at the PC Show earlier at Atari's Music stand, and Atari was present at each location showing off their business and entertainment hardware and software. ====================================================================== DATAQUE UPDATE From: DataQue Software Post Office Box 134 Ontario, OH 44862 GEnie: DataQue.1 Compuserve: 71777,3223 DELPHI: DataQue BBS: (419)529-5197 Subj: Product Information Release #7 November 15, 1989 TURBO-816: For those not familiar with the Turbo-816: The Turbo-816x is a 16-bit CPU upgrade for the Atari XL/XE computer. This upgrade will add 16-bit working registers, a 24-bit address bus, and numerous new addressing modes and instructions. All this new power is available to new programs written to take advantage of the new CPU, while maximum compatibility with current hardware, and software is maintained. Included with the Turbo-816x is a new operating system PROM, which can be installed to replace your current Atari OS, or using a switch circuit, used in addition to the Atari OS. The Turbo-816x is clocked at the same speed as the original Atari CPU, so that current games and such will run at approximately the same speed as with the stock CPU. Since the OS, Interrupts, and Floating Point package are more efficient than the stock OS, existing applications will realize a speed increase proportional to their OS usage. The Turbo-816x comes packaged with the following: - Turbo-816 adapter board for the XL/XE computer systems. - Turbo-OS Operating System 28-pin PROM (2 for 1200XL). - CPU 12 inch ribbon cable with connectors. - Installation, and Operating Directions. Included also are the following files on two SSSD disks: T816XRF.DOC Turbo-OS to Atari 400/800 & XL/XE OS cross-ref guide. T816CAL.DOC Turbo-OS function call information. T816INC.DOC Turbo-OS MAC/65 compatible include file. T816MAC.DOC Turbo-816 MAC/65 compatible macros for 65816 instructions. T816MAP.DOC Turbo-OS memory map guide. T816BUS.DOC Turbo-816 expansion bus pinout. T816SYS.DOC Turbo-OS system call examples. T816PAL.DOC Turbo-OS menu features, and issues. Several Example files are also included. TURBO-SRAM/PROM: The Turbo-SRAM/PROM boards are also available now. These boards will hold two memory devices. Supported types are 62256 (32k SRAM), 66204 (128k SRAM), 27128 (16k EPROM), 27256 (32k EPROM), 27512 (64k EPROM), and 27010 (128k EPROM). Information to configure the card for other devices is supplied. Both devices should be the same size, although you may have one SRAM device, and one PROM device. Normally if the two devices are not the same size, the board is configured to support the size of the larger, unless the smaller device is a SRAM, in which case it is suggested that the card be programmed for that device (due to foldback). This is programmable within certian limitations. The Turbo-SRAM/PROM board may be located from $010000 to $08FFFF as explicit memory, or $090000 to $0FFFFF as expanded memory. The memory card will only work with the DataQue Turbo-816 proprietary bus structure. It will not function with a normal 6502 (at least not without changes). If used as expanded RAM, 4k of the total available expanded RAM will be dedicated for memory management. Included with the board is a user guide and 12- ribbon cable with with connectors. The cable will support one memory card. A larger active cable will support multiple (eight maximum) cards when released. TURBO-CALC: Turbo-Calc is a cartridged based spreadsheet program for the Atari 800/XL/XE/XEGS/T816 systems. It will work with, or without a Turbo-816 installed. With most DOSes, there is about 20k of space available for spreadsheet data using Standard RAM. If expanded RAM is available, the spreadsheet could potentially support up to 8Mb of cell information. Obviously the Turbo-816 is required to allow access to expanded RAM. Turbo-Calc functions may be called one of two ways. You may either use Hot-Keys to activate all commands and functions, or by a special user environment. Turbo-View, is a graphical operating system (GOS), which is resident with application programs. This allows the GOS to be customized for each application, while maintaining a common functionality between applications. Turbo-Calc and Turbo-View source code are available seperately to registered owners of Turbo-Calc. See the price list for more information. The source code of Turbo-Calc, allows the beginning 65816 programmer a clear reference as to applying the Turbo-816, while still maintaining compatibility with the current 8-bit line. The actual source code remains the property of DataQue Software, and is provided for reference purposes only. Turbo-View source has routines for handling drop down menus, buffered windows, joystick control, and routine selection. The source code is available to developers to include into their applications. There is a one-time licensing fee for Turbo-View, for programs which are to be distributed, in addition to the normal cost of the source code alone. The only other requirement is that the used of the Turbo-View routines be acknowledge within the application, as outlined in the provided documentation. PRICING: Current pricing as of 11/15/89. Prices subject to change without notice. All prices are in US Dollars. List ---- Quantity Pricing ---- Item Code Description Price 1-2 3-5 6-9 10-20 --------- ---------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- T816X-K Turbo-816 Kit $169.00 $120.00 $108.00 $96.00 $84.00 Turbo-816 for the XL/XE computers. Includes adapter board, connection cable, Turbo-OS PROM, installation and usage guide, programming information diskettes. Please indicate which system (600xl, 800xl, 130xe, or 65xe). Note: 1200XL function keys and lights are not supported by the Turbo-OS. Also, to make room for added features the international character set, and cassette device handler have been removed from all versions of the Turbo-OS. Installing the Dual-Prom option will allow use of the Atari OS in applications where those features are desired. T816X12-K T816 for 1200XL $199.00 $130.00 $118.00 $106.00 $94.00 Same as XL/XE kit, except includes two PROMs for the 1200xl. T816INS T816 Installation into computer $30.00 Includes installation of a Turbo-816 into an Atari 600XL, 800XL, 65XE, 130XE, or 1200XL. Units will be tested before installation, and will not be modified if the unit does not pass the test. Price includes any needed sockets for the CPU and PROM and wire. Dual-Prom installation includes sockets, wire, and toggle switch. Installations usually have a two day turn-around. Please provide name, address, and phone number with unit. T816IND T816 Installation w/Dual Prom Option $45.00 Includes installation of a Turbo-816 into an Atari 600XL, 800XL, 65XE, or 130XE. Units will be tested before the installation, and will not be modified if the unit does not pass the test. Price includes any needed sockets, wire and toggle switch. Installations usually have a three day turn-around. Please provide name, address, and phone number with unit. Not available on 1200XL. T816-OSW Turbo-OS source listing $200.00 Turbo-OS listing includes a list file of the current version of the Turbo-OS. It is available only as a listing file. A signed non- disclosure form, must be included with the order. Write for more information. This is not for resale, and must be purchased directly by the developer. Purchase does not grant any usage rights to the information contained within, other than for writing compatible applications. Available on either Atari DOS 2.x, or MS-DOS formats. T816-S16 Turbo-Calc $60.00 $40.00 $36.00 $32.00 $28.00 Turbo-Calc is a cartridge based spreadsheet program. It supports 104 columns and 99 rows of information. It can use either standard or expanded memory (if t816 installed). Turbo-Calc will work with stock XL/XE/800 systems using the standard memory. Includes user guide. T816-S16W above w/src list $80.00 $59.00 $50.00 $45.00 $40.00 The T816-S16W includes the Turbo-Calc cartridge, user guide, and program listing for the spreadsheet. This is provided for informational purposes only. Please specify Atari or MS-DOS disk format. Note: Turbo-View environment not included (see below). T816-V16W Turbo-View source code $80.00 (private use only) T816-V16D Turbo-View source code $120.00 (developer use) Turbo-View is a graphical operating environment, which uses the graphics 0 (antic 2) mode. The source code supplied contains the windowing routines, and execution control algorithms. Supplied also is the Turbo- View module of the Turbo-Calc program, to show an actual example of its use. Purchase of source allows usage in non-distributed programs. For the developer version of the source code, a signed non-disclosure form must be included with the order. Write for more information. The source itself is not for resale, and must be purchased directly by the developer. Specify Atari or MS-DOS disk format. POLICY: We accept personal checks, Money Orders, or cashier's checks made out to DataQue Software. Personal checks must clear before shipment is made. If you would prefer a COD delivery, include $5.00 for special handling. Shipments are shipped via parcel post unless special handling is indicated. Foreign orders must be a money order drawn on a US bank, and require an additional $5.00 added to the total amount. Any taxes or duties are the responsibility of the purchaser. Dealer purchases require the indicated quantity to receive a discount. Your initial purchase should include a photocopy of your venders licence for validation. Diskettes may be mixed to qualify for maximum discount. Any dealers selling Turbo-816 products must offer installation at a reasonable cost. DataQue warrents its products for 1 year on parts (hardware and media), and 90 days on labor. Shipping to DataQue Software is the responsibility of the customer, and return postage is payed by DataQue. Please include a complete description of the problem, and a phone number in case we need to contact you. Order Form for DataQue Products: From: (name)_________________________________________________________ (addr)_________________________________________________________ (city)_________________________________________________________ (state/prov)___________________________________________________ (country/zip code)_____________________________________________ (for computer)_________________________________________________ (order date)______/______/________(PO #)_______________________ Send to: DataQue Software Post Office Box 134 Ontario, OH 44862 USA ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Item # Quantity Part Code Description Each Total ------ -------- --------- ----------------------- ------- -------- __01__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __02__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __03__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __04__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __05__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __06__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __07__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __08__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __09__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ __10__ ________ _________ _______________________ $___.__ $_____.__ total merchandise ........................................... $_____.__ shipping and handling ....................................... $_____.__ additional costs (foreign and COD) .......................... $_____.__ total amount of order ....................................... $_____.__ * Foreign orders must be prepaid by money order drawn on a US bank, and must include an extra $5.00 processing fee. COD orders are shipped by USPS COD which are $5.00 additional, and must be payed in cash. * Diskette orders please include $3.00 for the first diskette, and $0.50 for each additional diskette for shipping and handling. * Hardware orders please include $5.00 for the first item, and $1.00 for each additional item for shipping and handling. ======================================================================= PORTFOLIO -> 8-BIT CONNECTION In order to connect your 8-bit to the new PORTFOLIO computer, you have to know three things; 1. You have to have an RS232 interface connected to your 8-bit; the 850, P:R: CONNECTION, or MIO devices all work well for the purpose. 2. You will need a null modem cable. This is a cable which connects two computers without the need for modems (cutting out the middle man, so to speak). 3. You will need to make the null modem cable (or have a friend do it if you subscribe to the ancient Code of the Programmer); -Hey, I don't do that, it's a hardware problem!- ////////// PART ONE: THE PROBLEM The PORTFOLIO has file transfer capability... through the parallel interface. I don't know of any 8-bit aplication to redirect communication software into the parallel port, so ignore the File Transfer section in the SETUP application. The RS232 ports on 8-bit computer interfaces are not compatable with -standard- RS232 DB-9 cables, (having been developed a few years before IBM stuck their foot in the PC door); pinouts are as shown below. 8-bit STANDARD 1 DTR 1 CD 2 CD 2 RD 3 TD 3 TD 4 RD 4 DTR 5 GND 5 GND 6 DSR 6 DSR 7 RTS 7 RTS 8 CTS 8 CTS 9 (none) 9 RI Fortunately, PORTFOLIO's Serial Interface does conform to this standard, so that modems and IBM AT cables can be used with it. One other problem; the diagrams in the Serial Interface manual are wired wrong. If you intend to make your own standard cables, refer to this service for the file detailing proper connections. (NOTE: this file may be found in the ST sections of this service; for CIS, GO ATARIPRO; for GEnie, type ST.) ////////// PART TWO: THE SOLUTION Well, Part One ought to have scared the willies out of all but the most determined Solder-Jockies, so we can now proceed with our interface. 1. Get two (2) DB-9 -D- style connectors; one Male, one Female. (NOTE: if you don't want to go through the hassles of soldering, pick up the Radio Shack crimp-style connectors [CAT #276-1427 & 276-1428, respectively]; with these connectors, all you do is insert the wires and crimp the pins closed.) You will also need hoods for your connections; I used the metalized hoods [276-1513] for my cable, as they offer the shielding ability of metal with the light weight of plastic. For the cable, I recommend [278-775] double-shielded cable, especially for the MIO user; the PBI bus is flat-out full of RFI, and the chance of data corruption from that monster makes the extra cost worthwile. Connections are as follows; 8-bit (MALE) PORTFOLIO (FEMALE) +--1 DTR 4 DTR--+ +--2 CD 6 DSR--+ +--6 DSR 1 CD (N/C) 5 GND-------------5 GND 3 TD--------------2 RD 4 RD--------------3 TD +--7 RTS 7 RTS--+ +--8 CTS 8 CTS--+ 9 (N/C) 9 RI (N/C) Cable shield attached to PF hood ONLY. Double check your connections before connecting to either computer. To test your interface, connect the cables to their respective interfaces and fire up your favorite 8-bit term software (I've used 850 EXPRESS! and BOBTERM with equal results), and set the terminal for 300 baud, half duplex, ATARI. The ATARI mode will be important once you start binary file transfer. For PORTFOLIO, go to the RS232 option in the SETUP menu, and set 300 baud, no parity, 1 stop bit, 8 data bits, and initialize. Force the TERM mode on your 8-bit. At the c> prompt, enter: COPY CON AUX Type something in to your Portfolio, press ENTER: your message from PORTFOLIO should echo on your 8-bit monitor. If not, check the term program settings, connections, and cable pinouts. Congratulations! You now have a handheld computer that -talks- with it's older brother. The advantages? You can use your full-screen 8-bit for communications and D/L to your palmtop. You can fill your Portfolio with programs without having to borrow somebody's IBM. And, best of all, you can compute respectfully during the day, and _still_ blast the bloody bejeezus out of DEFENDER at night. ======================================================================= WRITE 'TIL IT HURTS by Cy Kurtz Beautiful downtown Augusta, GA. You've got four Atari BBS's and tens of others. Competition among SysOps is rough, to say the least, for the attention of a limited number of users. With a general population of 200something thousand, the CSRA(Central Savannah River Area) is definitely wallowing gleefully in a glut of Bulletin Board Services. Most BBS's in the area boast at least 20Megs of on-line storage and some as much as 200Megs. Into this huge garden party, introduce a pigheaded, diehard Atari8 user, a dying BBS, and bingo! You've got four aces. THE FOUR ACES BBS, that is. Running on an Atari 130xe, 3 U.S. Doubled 1050's, one ATari 810 (can you believe it?), and an Atari SX212 modem, and severely under- powered, this little BBS continues to amuse, amaze, and attract more than its fair share of users. Who, you ask, is this SysOp? Donald Trump? Lee Iacocca? Bill the Cat? No, Cy Kurtz is the one at the controls of this amazing vessel. Seeing the BBS in severe trouble due to the ignorance and apathy of a mostly ST user, Cy asked for (I'll repeat that, asked for) and received steward- ship of his users' group's BBS. He has been running the Aiken Augusta Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts (AAAACE) BBS for four months now. Cy had a rough go of it for a little while, as problems ranging from telephone company ineptness through modem failures to lack of documentation plagued the BBS. Having committed time and, more importantly, money, Cy was not going to let all of this go to waste. After making the rounds of the self- appointed geniuses in the area and receiving the same condescending drivel from most of them, he bought a modem. That brought the system online once again and Cy was about $80.00 the wiser for it. Having the system online, while an accomplishment, was hardly enough. Cy set to work. He downloaded the documentation, now shareware, from GEnie. With documentation firmly in hand, he set about changing everything in sight. From the welcome screens, to the logoff screen, nothing was safe. He changed the upload/download file descriptions to allow diversification to non-Atari users. Cy, having realized that the hardware was not able to compete with other BBS's offering 20Megs and up, began to labor to make the users' online options more appealing. Zmag began to appear with astonishing regularity. Online games sprang out of the woodwork. The results were beginning to show as users returning from long abscenses were pleased to see that the BBS was not at all what they remembered. This story of a modern day Prince Charming, whose kiss of hard work, intelligence, and creativity awakened a sleeping beauty BBS is a much- needed shot in the arm for the Atari8 telecomputing community. It is not, by any means, the only good thing happening today for Atari 8- bitters. Just the only one about which someone has taken the time to write. Cy's philosophy, of which he'll inform you with alarming candor, is that the Atari8 home computer is a machine. Nothing more, nothing less. The purchasers of which were and still are extremely thrifty and common- sensical people. Manufacturers and software developers, armed with this knowledge and unable to offer anything with a similar 'bang for the buck', have chosen to invest elsewhere. The burden for the support of the Atari8 line rests squarely on the users themselves. The sooner we quit protesting simple economic principles and get up off of our collective duff, the sooner we'll be able to reap the full value from our machines. You can call THE FOUR ACES BBS at 404-790-5593. It's online at 3/1200bd 24hrs/day unless Cy's working on it. ======================================================================= PRESS RELEASE Innovative Concepts (I.C.) 31172 Shawn Drive Warren, MI 48093 USA Phone: (313) 293-0730 BBS: Coming Soon! CompuServe: 76004,1764 GEnie: I.C. Update! ------- As of December 1st, 1989, we are now shipping version 2.0 of our XF35 Kit ROM. Owners who purchased the kit before that date (has -Rev. 1.0- labeled on the ROM), can now upgrade to this enhanced version, for only $10, along with their original XF35 Kit ROM. Or, for those who prefer to keep the original XF35 ROM, you can send in $15, along with a copy of your receipt, and have the upgraded ROM as well. Note: These prices INCLUDE S&H for USA/APO/FPO orders. Add $3.50 for Canada/Mexico, or $6.50 for all other countries. Features: The Upgraded XF35 ROM fixes that -No DOS- error message, that you normally see on first boot-up. Next, the density change problems (from single to do double, or vice versa) has been fixed. Also, the read/write time has been further optimized. A real time-saver, when copying several files! Special THANKS to Bob Woolley, for his continuing efforts on this XF35 Kit project, and helping us make them available to the Atari community! Hey Bob, I want to see that Super-Deluxe Drive Controller! This text file originated on CompuServe and GEnie, and may be freely distributed, as long as it remains intact, unchanged. ======================================================================= POKEY STEREO UPGRADE by C. Steinman (GEnie User: DataQue.1) Presented 12/16/1989 Information file for adding stereo to an Atari 8-bit computer using two pokey chips. Note: Installation of this modification will void any warranty you may have on your computer. Chuck Steinman, DataQue Software, or GEnie telecommunication service cannot be held responsible for the installation of this upgrade or any incidental or consequential damage to any equipment or persons using this upgrade or any variation of it. In other words.... you are on your own. This is upgrade version #1. It will only provide stereo output for software written specifically for this upgrade. It will not produce stereo output for existing software. Also, the keyclick will NOT be fed into the stereo outputs, as it does not originate from POKEY. A) Parts Needed: 1) Second Atari POKEY Audio Chip a) BEST CO12294 $5.00 b) B&C ComputerVisions C2294 $3.50 2) 74LS14/74HCT14 Inverter a) BEST (74LS14) CO16541 $0.30 b) Jameco (74HCT14) 74HCT14 $0.29 3) 1000 Ohm, 1/4 Watt Metal Film 2-5% Tolerance a) Jameco (10 lot) R1.0K $0.50 for 10 b) Radio Shack (2 lot) Dont know P# or $ 4) Two RCA style phono jacks a) Radio Shack, Jameco or other electronics outlet b) 5) Two 0.01 (or close) 16V (or more) bypass capacitors. Jameco DC.01 $0.10 each 6) Two short (6-12- each) sections of shielded audio cable. 7) A standard dual RCA to RCA patch cable. 8) Optionally two 50k single turn trimmer pots. Jameco 63P50K $0.89 each B) Hardware 1) Inverter Information a) Bend up all pins of the inverter except for pins 7 and 14. b) Cut off the narrow part of the pins which were bent up. c) Install the inverter over top of the existing 74LS14 (or another 74LS part if more convenient) on the motherboard. Make sure that the new chip has its locator notch/dot on the same end as the chip below it. d) Solder pins 7 and 14 of the inverter to the same pins of the lower IC. e) Run a small wire (wire wrap type works best) from pin-1 of the inverter to pin-13 of the CPU. The CPU is part number CO14806 on the XL/XE series. f) On the old POKEY there is a 3k pullup resistor connected between pin-31 and Vcc. You will need to unsolder this resistor and remove it. g) Run a small wire from pin-2 of the inverter to pin-3 of the inverter, and then on to POKEY pin-31. Note, you can use the pad where the resistor was just removed. Be sure to get the correct one. 2) POKEY Information a) Bend up all pins on the new POKEY which are marked with a minus on the diagram. This includes POKEY pins: 8,9,10,11,12,13,14, 15,16,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28, and 29. b) Cut off the narrow part of each pin bent up. c) Tin each lead which was NOT bent up. This includes pins 1,2,3,4, 5,6,7,17,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39 and 40. These pins are marked in the diagram as *,>>, or <<. d) Now, bend up the pins indicated by the >> and << symbols. Do not cut these pins short. e) Place the new POKEY on top of the old POKEY in a piggy-back style. f) Solder the unbent pins of the new POKEY to the old POKEY. If your original POKEY was in a socket, then it is easier to connect the two if it is removed. Make sure no excess solder flows down the pins to the narrow part of the OLD POKEY. Reinsert both POKEYs into the original socket. g) Solder the 1k resistor from pin 37 to Vcc. The most convenient location to pick up Vcc is where the 3k resistor was removed earlier. h) Solder a wire from pin-31 of the new POKEY to pin-4 of the inverter. i) Mount the two RCA jacks on the rear of the case, preferably in an area close to the POKEYs. j) Solder a bypass capacitor to each of the center conductors of the RCA jacks. * k) With the trim-pot knob facing you, pin 1 should be to the left side. Solder a wire from this pin on each trimmer, to a ground trace on the motherboard. * l) Connect the free end of the bypass capacitor to the center pin of the trimmer (one capacitor to each trimmer). * m) Connect the shields of the audio cables to the provided solder lugs on each RCA connector, and the center conductor of the free terminal of each trimmer. n) Connect the center conductor of the free end of the audio cable which is connected to the left RCA jack/trimmer/cap to pin-37 of the OLD POKEY. p) Connect the center conductor of the free end of the audio cable which is connected to the right RCA jack/trimmer/cap to pin-37 of the NEW POKEY. q) The shield of the audio cable on the POKEY end, should be cut and taped (or heat shrinked) so that it does not touch anything. r) Run a 18-20 AWG wire from the ground lug of the RCA jacks to the wide ground area on the motherboard. This normally makes contact with the shield box that covers the motherboard. s) You will now be able to connect the two RCA cables to an AUX (or Tape) level input of a stereo or boom box. * t) I would suggest centering the trimmers in their travel, and adjusting them as needed to get the best clarity. You may want to glue the trimmers to the back of the cabinet to keep them from moving around. * NOTE: On my system the POKEY outputs worked fine without the trimmers. So I just connected the bypass capacitor on each RCA jack to the apropriate audio cable center conductor. This was driving an AUX 350mV input of a Pioneer SPEC-1 preamplifier. POKEY Pinout ____ ____ | \/ | Vss *| 01 40 |* D2 D3 *| 02 39 |* D1 D4 *| 03 38 |* D0 D5 *| 04 37 |>> Audio Out D6 *| 05 36 |* A0 D7 *| 06 35 |* A1 02 *| 07 34 |* A2 Pot-6 -| 08 33 |* A3 Pot-7 -| 09 32 |* R/W Pot-4 <<| 10 31 |<< CS1 Pot-5 -| 11 30 |* /CS0 Pot-2 -| 12 29 |- /IRQ Pot-3 -| 13 28 |- Serial Data Out Pot-0 -| 14 27 |- A Clock Pot-1 -| 15 26 |- B Clock Key Strobe 2 -| 16 25 |- Key Strobe 1 Vcc *| 17 24 |- Serial Data In Keyboard-5 -| 18 23 |- Keyboard-0 Keyboard-4 -| 19 22 |- Keyboard-1 Keyboard-3 -| 20 21 |- Keyboard-2 |__________| C) POKEY Registers: I will only elaborate on registers used to produce sound in the stereo upgrade. All registers which were in the original POKEY will appear in the second POKEY 16 bytes higher in memory. The extra UART, key scanner, and pot scanner could be used for all kinds of neat projects. Location Name R/W Function -------- ------ --- --------------------------------------------- $D200 AUDF1 W Audio Channel #1 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D201 AUDC1 W Audio Channel #1 Control (Vol/Distort) $D202 AUDF2 W Audio Channel #2 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D203 AUDC2 W Audio Channel #2 Control (Vol/Distort) $D204 AUDF3 W Audio Channel #3 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D205 AUDC3 W Audio Channel #3 Control (Vol/Distort) $D206 AUDF4 W Audio Channel #4 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D207 AUDC4 W Audio Channel #4 Control (Vol/Distort) $D208 AUDCT1 W Audio control for channels 1-4 $D20F SKCTL1 W Serial Port Control $D210 AUDF5 W Audio Channel #5 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D211 AUDC5 W Audio Channel #5 Control (Vol/Distort) $D212 AUDF6 W Audio Channel #6 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D213 AUDC6 W Audio Channel #6 Control (Vol/Distort) $D214 AUDF7 W Audio Channel #7 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D215 AUDC7 W Audio Channel #7 Control (Vol/Distort) $D216 AUDF8 W Audio Channel #8 Frequency (Divide F/n) $D217 AUDC8 W Audio Channel #8 Control (Vol/Distort) $D218 AUDCT2 W Audio control for channels 5-8 $D21F SKCTL2 W Serial Port Control Each Audio Channel Frequency Register is an 8-bit value which is a divisor of the primary frequency. Each Audio Channel Control Register Controls the Volume and Distortion of each channel. The bits are assigned as follows: 76543210 ----vvvv Volume control bits. Range controls vol. as follows: 0000 lowest volume level \/ 1111 highest volume level ---s---- Volume only bit. Directly controls audio output: 0 Speaker output is off 1 Speaker output is on ddd----- Distortion code. Code is assigned as follows: 000 5-bit/17-bit poly noise 001 5-bit poly noise 010 5-bit/4-bit poly noise 011 5-bit poly noise 100 17-bit poly noise 101 pure tone 110 4-bit poly noise 111 pure tone The AUDCTn register controls all channels. There are several functions assigned to this register as follows: bit-7 Makes 17-bit poly into 9-bit poly counter bit-6 Clock Channel-1 with 1.79 MHz (CPU rate) bit-5 Clock Channel-3 with 1.79 MHz (CPU rate) Bit-4 Join channel 1 and 2 to form 16-bit range Bit-3 Join channel 3 and 4 to form 16-bit range Bit-2 Insert filter in channel-1, clocked by channel-2 Bit-1 Insert filter in channel-2, clocked by channel-4 Bit-0 Switch clock base from 64kHz to 15kHz The SKCTLn register controls various functions of the POKEY device, and only has to be initialized to a value of three to assure all four channels of POKEY are active. Note: To detect if the upgrade is installed, look at the 8 extra pots, they will be all zero. Also the key code register will be also zero. If you compare the keycode at $D209 with that of $D219, and $D219 is zero, the upgrade is installed. You may want to mask IRQ's during the test for safety. Let me know what wild things you all come up with for this upgrade... and in a few days I will try to have the version 2 upgrade, if it is possible. thanks, Chuck ======================================================================= ZMagazine (Last Issue) Issue #183. December 18, 1989 Syndicate ZMagazine/Rovac ZMagazine May 1, 1986 - December 31, 1989 All Issues Copyright (c)1986,1987,1988,1989,1990 Rovac Industries, Inc. ZNet Online is part of the Rovac Publishing Group, New Jersey Rovac Post Office Box 59 Middlesex, NJ 08846 (201) 968-2024 Voice (Business Hours) (201) 968-8148 BBS (24 Hours) ZNet Online debuts January 5, 1990 in the same place you found this issue! =======================================================================