Hi James!
Just a quick note!  I just downloaded the IDE and it is MUCH better!  The
com port situation works great!  I have to create the c:\N8VEM directory,
but once I realized why the IDE kept having errors on startup, I created the
directory manually.  Now I can experiment more with your IDE!  I love your
IDE a lot better now.  Thanks for encouraging me more.  I appreciate it!
I'll see what I can do to think up more features.  Take care my friend.


Kip Koon
[email protected]
http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Kip_Koon
http://computerpcdoc.com/


-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
Kip Koon
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 12:39 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [N8VEM: 18661] Re: Vintage + modern = fun

Hi James!
Wow!  That was fast and I like the features you've added so far.  Hummm...
Let's see what else I can dream up!  :)  I will check this new version of
the IDE out and get back with you.  I have an early appointment at the VA
tomorrow so I'll have to shut down everything very soon.  :(  Oh well, part
of life I guess.  Take care my friend.

Kip Koon
[email protected]
http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Kip_Koon
http://computerpcdoc.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
James Moxham
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 8:52 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [N8VEM: 18660] Re: Vintage + modern = fun

Hi Kip,

Ok, I'll do all those things :)

New version in the N8VEM file repository in the folder fpga emulation/fpga
ide

1) The paste (^V) only works for C. It won't work in the terminal or
download screen.

2) But... if you want to transfer files, go to the transfer tab, click "add
files", then click download and it will send that file (or group of files).
The downside of doing it this way is that there is no ^V paste.  
The upside is you can send a whole directory of files just by highlighting
them all, then go make a coffee.

3) I fixed the com port saving the last setting. I've been meaning to do
this for some time - thanks for getting me to fix this - now it is easier
for me too. Ok, when you first run the program, it looks for  file
Grant_Searle_Settings.ini in the C:\N8VEM directory (it will assume that
directory exists). If it does not exist, it will create that file and then
save the com port as COM1 and the baud as 115200. It will then probably give
an error message saying that com port does not exist unless you happen to be
using COM1. Then go to Settings/Comport and change to your com port. It will
save on exit. Try restarting and it should all work automatically from that
point - it opens the com port when the program starts, and closes it when it
ends.

4) Z88dk needs to be in a folder in the C:\N8VEM directory, eg  
C:\N8VEM\Z88DK   Try File/New then compile with Z88dk and it will run a  
batch file. The vb.net code is
     Sub CompleAndDownloadZ88DK()
         Dim Location As New Process
         Call SaveBDSC()
         FileOpen(1, "C:\N8VEM\z88dk\examples\temp\myfile.bat",
OpenMode.Output)

and so you can browse to that directory and check it created that batch
file, and see if it will run manually. If you have any problems with that
batch file, please post the batch file text.

5) There are quite a few steps to formatting a CP/M disk. So I took your
advice and now it is a one touch process. Tools/Format CPM.  The default
file path for the files is Myfilepath = "c:\altera\grant
searle\cpm\hexfiles\"  and if the hex files are there it will prompt with
the filename each time and so you just click "open" The instructions to
format a CP/M disk have been copied from Grant's website. They take quite a
while to do manually - much faster to let the computer do the following:

             SendString(" ") ' send a space to talk via serial port
             System.Windows.Forms.Application.DoEvents()
             Sleep(1000)
             OpenHexFile("FORM128.HEX") ' read into richtextbox1
             SendString(RichTextBox1.Text) ' send out the hex file
             SendString("G5000" + vbCr) ' send a command to run form128
             OpenHexFile("CPM22.HEX") ' read into richtextbox1
             SendString(RichTextBox1.Text) ' send out the hex file
             OpenHexFile("CBIOS128.HEX") ' read into richtextbox1
             SendString(RichTextBox1.Text) ' send out the hex file
             OpenHexFile("PUTSYS.HEX") ' read into richtextbox1
             SendString(RichTextBox1.Text) ' send out the hex file
             SendString("G5000" + vbCr) ' send a command to run putsys
             SendString("XY") ' boot to CPM to show it works
             Sleep(1000)
             MsgBox("Press the reset button on the board")
             SendString(" ") ' send a space
             OpenHexFile("DOWNLOAD2.HEX") ' read into richtextbox1 -
relocated version of download
             SendString(RichTextBox1.Text) ' send out the hex file
             SendString("GFFE8" + vbCr) 'this will relocate RAM 4100-->0100
and restart CP/M)
             SendString("SAVE 2 DOWNLOAD.COM" + vbCr) ' save download.com

6) We could probably automate the MP/M installation process too, once Max
has squished all the bugs.

7) Other assemblers and compilers? Why not. I've added one for Assembly -
click New, then compile it and it will print A. This uses L80.COM and
M80.COM and a little batch file written in CP/M
M80 =$1 /Z/C/L/M
L80 $1,$1/N/E
$1
  The template can be copied for other languages. Generally it is a tab
screen, a text box, New Open Save and Compile buttons. The compile button
just runs a batch file in CPM eg TypeLine("SUPERSUB ZASM " +
FilenameNoExtension + vbCr)

So if you want to add your favourite compiler, get it working on the board
first, then we can add it to the IDE.



Great to see someone else using this - it will keep me motivated to keep
adding things.

Let me know if you find any bugs.

Cheers, James



On Thu, 11 Sep 2014 08:14:37 +0930, Kip Koon <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi James!
> I tried your Grant Searle FPGA Retro Computer IDE you created.  I love 
> it!
> I do have a couple of small questions about it though.  I'm having 
> some trouble using your FPGA IDE - to get it to function correctly.
> It won't let me paste anything into the terminal or download windows 
> and it keeps locking up when I try to exit the program.  When I 
> restart the program, it can't or won't open the com port so I have to 
> restart my laptop.
> Also it does not remember my com port setting.  I have to re-enter my 
> com port number every time I run the program.  I'm running a 4 port 
> USB hub and
> my com port number is COM10 when I use my serial -> USB cable with it.   
> If I
> plug up my Serial -> USB cable from my Multicomp straight into my 
> laptop which requires me to unplug my mouse, the com port number is
> COM8 not COM3.
> Any ideas as to how to make it store the last used com port setting 
> and directory location?
> I also downloaded and installed the z88dk program you spoke about.  
> The test performed correctly as shown in the documentation.  How do I 
> connect it to the Grant Searle FPGA Retro Computer IDE or configure 
> the IDE to see z88dk?
> Have I missed something somewhere?
> What about connecting assemblers and compilers for other 
> microprocessors to the IDE?  I for one would like an excellent 6809 
> software setup and since Grant Searle has the 6800 functional now, how 
> about an excellent  6800 assembler and compiler setup as well.  Also 
> the 6502 users out here in Multicomp land would probably like an 
> excellent 6502 assembler and compiler setup as well.  Sorry to ask a 
> lot of you.  I know it has probably taken a long time to develop this 
> IDE as far as you have and I salute you for putting all that effort 
> into this IDE!
> Otherwise, I would like to congratulate you on a great idea for a 
> Development System for the Multicomp.  Thanks a bunch for an excellent 
> effort on a wonderful program!  I look forward to any ideas for 
> updates you may have in store for this IDE.  By the way, how about a 
> function or window to format an SD Card and install the boot files for 
> CP/M 2.2?  The Download window of course uses the download command and 
> I could not paste the formatter HEX code directly into the terminal 
> nor the download windows to format my new 128MB SD Card I'm trying 
> out.
> Also could it automatically close the com port on exit?  I think that 
> might be why it's locking up.  I have to use the Task Manager to close 
> the IDE every time this happens.  Thoughts, poseurs (sp?), issues, 
> ideas?  What do you think?  Take care my friend!
>
> Kip Koon
> [email protected]
> http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Kip_Koon
> http://computerpcdoc.com/
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf 
> Of James Moxham
> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2014 8:46 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [N8VEM: 18655] Re: Vintage + modern = fun
>
> Hi Kip,
>
> I put the files in the N8VEM repository. Have a read through each 
> folder
> -
> there is a readme.txt in there and the vhdl source code for the MMU.
>
> http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/w/page/4200908/FrontPage  , right side of 
> the page, scroll down to "fpga emulation"
>
> Cheers, James
>
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