(re-sending from a different account, I sent this earlier but it never
showed up, also it's long, sorry)
> What's you're saying is that with the serial link still in place
> (for the initial serial transfer), i can simply switch software in
> my modern pc (on the other end of the serial) instead of going into
> the extra trouble to actually make a real TPDD floppy do the job"
Yes. In fact a real tpdd doesn't even work for this.
It's supposed to in theory even though it's so inconvenient to rig up
that no one would ever actually do it that way, but I had reason to
actually try it and the rex setup util doesn't work with either a real
TPDD1 or TPDD2.
Anyway yes you just get the right kind of serial cable, download the
rex# setup files and a bootstrapper program and a tpdd server program
into a temp dir, use the bootstrapper to transfer and run the rex# setup
utiil, start the tpdd server while the setup util is waiting at it's
first prompt, and the setup util then fetches a file or two from the
tpdd server while it's running.
After that, in day to day usage you'll use that same serial cable and
tpdd server all the time for ordinary file transfer both ways, and in
rexmgr to install option rom images.
Step by step:
Gather some things:
Serial cable
http://tandy.wiki/Model_T_Serial_Cable
rex# setup files
https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=REXsharp
(There is some confusing incorrect terminology there. He says "TPDD
Client" where he means TPDD Server or TPDD Emulator. I will not use the
exactly backwards words for things so it may get confusing.)
You want the zip file with the latest version & build#
Currently RX#V21_b19.zip
Just download and unzip into a directory.
bootstrapper and tpdd server:
If you're on Windows I suggest "tsend.ps1" for the bootstrapper and
LaddieAlpha for the tpdd server.
https://github.com/bkw777/tsend
download the .ps1 file into the same dir and issue the commands in the
readme to give it permission to run.
http://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=LaddieCon#LaddieAlpha
Similarly, download laddiealpha.exe into the same dir and likewise you
may have to right click "run as administrator" on it once, or do all of
this within an administrator cmd window in the first place.
If you're on linux or mac I suggest dlplus for both:
https://github.com/bkw777/dlplus
Now to use the stuff you just gathered
On the REX# doc page
https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=REXsharp
Skip down about 2/3 to "REX# Upgrade Utility" to follow along that short
list of directions to do the next steps.
1.
Press CTRL+BREAK+RESET to cold-reset the 100. (this will erase all ram
and files)
2. and 3.
Use the bootstrapper to transfer and run the *.do file.
The zip file contains files for several different machines. For a Model
100 or 102 you want the one with "1" in it's name.
The directions say RX#Ux.DO, so you want RX#U1.DO, except the file in
the zip is actually lower case so it's "rx#u1.do"
So in the end you run
.\tsend.ps1 -file rx#u1.do
||
rx#u1.do will transfer to the 100 and then start running. It will prompt
to proceed. Before answering, start LaddieAlpha on the pc.
.\laddiealpha.exe com1 6
(if your serial port is COM5 or something, use that instead of com1. 6
is the length of filenames and is always 6 for a 100)
4. - 7.
Now proceed responding to the prompts on the 100 and the setup program
will fetch a couple more files from the tpdd server behind the scenes
along the way.
After that in ordinary day to day use you will use the same cable and
tpdd server frequently to move files back & forth, for example to
install option rom images into the rex# and to copy ordinary programs &
docs.
--
bkw
On Wed, Apr 13, 2022, 11:00 AM Cedric Amand <ced...@cedric.net> wrote:
Okay,
What's you're saying is that with the serial link still in place
(for the initial serial transfer), i can simply switch software in
my modern pc (on the other end of the serial) instead of going into
the extra trouble to actually make a real TPDD floppy do the job :)
Well actually i'll try both,
I guess it's a good idea to understand the thing fully (i plan to)
and running the floppy tpdd is part of the hobby :)
Le 2022-04-13 16:26, Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> a écrit :
Hi Cedric,
To transfer XXXXXX.DO programs into the M100 without a DOS on
the laptop, you can use a serial transfer method by connecting
the M100 via serial to a PC and using a terminal program to send
the text.
When you are actually running the upgrade utility, you need to
replace the PC-terminal end with a PC-TPDD device end (or any
form of TPDD device).
I tend to use Laddie Alpha on the PC to emulate a TPDD drive.
happy to help ;)
So, get the Rel 2.1 build 19 bundle RX#V21_b19.ZIP
<https://bitchin100.com/wiki/images/e/ea/RXSV21_b19.ZIP>
by any means, transfer RX#U1.DO into the laptop and run it.
follow the instructions at the REX# wiki.
https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=REXsharp#REX.23_Upgrade_Utility
good luck.
Steve
On Wed, Apr 13, 2022 at 10:16 AM Cedric Amand
<ced...@cedric.net> wrote:
Thanks a lot Stephen;
This is all probably easier for the original owner, having
to "onboard" not knowing the history of the device is difficult.
What was troubling to me is the releases notes that made me
believe a version I did not have (4.x) solved the Y2K
problem, or a rom patch.
Given the fact I know for sure my ROM is stock US, I was
wondering how the hell the Y2K worked as expected
I understand now that's because REX#v2.0 is more recent than
those v4.x release notes, thanks for the clarification !
the "blank" thing was also a source of concern (bug ? old
ram from the old owner ?) when you don't know, well you
don't know :)
One thing that is yet a bit unclear to me is the loading of
an updated REX software : the manual says to load the basic
probram with a serial link, but if I get this right, the
loading of the rex software image itself can ONLY be done
with a TPDD device right (not a serial link), am I correct ?
I have access to a TPDD floppy, but just want to be sure I
got this part right.
thanks again for taking care of your users and customers
Stephen, that is much appreciated,
Le 2022-04-13 14:32, Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> a
écrit :
Cedric,
see comments below. cheers Steve
On Wed, Apr 13, 2022 at 8:12 AM Cedric Amand
<ced...@cedric.net> wrote:
Hi everyone,
As Stephen already knows, I bought a M100 from
someone would did put a REX# in it, and i'm trying
to get a complete understanding of it.
I have many questions but let's start with a few
I see versions of the rex from 4.5 to 4.9, and other
versions saying V2.0 or v2.1
Do some numbers refer to hardware ?
REX# hardware is different from REX hardware. The
software is not interchangeable.
REX# software is on the REX# page at bitchin100,
currently 2.1.
REX software is the old 4.x stream.
If I use the REXMGR program; the thing says REX#2.0
Where do I get that" woftare" info ( 4.5 ? 4.9 ?) i
think I sasw it once but can't reproduce
press I.
you don't want the old software, it won't work on REX#.
I have a RAM image called "blank". I can't load it,
it says "error ram sze mismatch"
that is because the image is blank, and you have not
actually saved a ram image to it.
Again not sure what's the history of my M100. Is
that a RAM image I shoudl get rid of ?
it is the default, unsaved, ram image.
It's likely my REX needs an upgrade. I have
difficulties finding info about how to do that
precisely.
you have a REX#.
The instructions are on the REX# page at bitchin100.
I try my best to document what you need to do.
https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=REXsharp
Final question ; my M100 display Y2K correctly, and
I'm pretty sure ot's NOT running a rex# version with
the software fix. How could I know what the previous
owner did to an Y2K working like it should ?
All REX# software fixes Y2K without needing to patch
your main ROM.
thanks !
