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Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 11:42 am
by dilwyn
78squirel78 wrote:To Derek and Tofro,
Thank you for your help.
Concerning Toolkit or Toolkit2, Ok I can download them, but there is no way
to copy them on a real microdrive cartridge as I have a real QL. They are dedicated
to emulators (as it is written).
Guy
This is a bit difficultof course. But it can be done if you set up a serial cable link from a PC to a QL. If you have not set up serial link file transfer before, it can be a hard thing to get right at first. There is an article about this on my website at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/gen/serial/serial.html

Although Toolkit 2 is available from the Pointer Environment and Toolkit 2 page on my website, I realise it is only in zipped form. QL Unzip (I think) doesn't work on a 128K RAM unexpanded QL, so I will look into making a Toolkit 2 which could perhaps be provided in an uncompressed form which could be downloaded on a PC and transferred direct to a 128K QL over a serial link without needing Zip/Unzip. Toolkit 2 is not a QL executable file, so the usual problem of PCs losing QL file headers need not apply.

As my QL is in the attic at the moment it will take me a while to dig it out and try this out.

There is also something called a "Reconfigurable Toolkit 2" which was supplied on a Microdrive cartridge specifically for use with a QL from RAM. Maybe this is what you saw.

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 11:55 am
by Derek_Stewart
Hi Guy,

I could supply you with Toolkit 2 on microdrive if require.

I will have to get one of my QLs out and see if copy Tookit 2 on a microdive cartridge.

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 4:50 pm
by dilwyn
I've put a RAM image of Toolkit 2 v2.20 patched with Jeremy Davis's Magnetic EPROM to run from RAM onto my website to try to help people with unexpanded QLs.

It hasn't been tested, since my unexpanded QL is in the attic, so I'm hoping someone will test it (I've done this before with Magnetic EPROM and it's worked fine).

It's a file called TK2_bin on http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/pe/index.html (Toolkit 2 section) and it's unzipped and there is a short 3 line SuperBASIC program to type in to run it on a QL.

You have to have a means of downloading and transferring TK2_bin to a QL, e.g. download on a PC and set up a serial link to the QL to copy the file to a Microdrive cartridge, perhaps using the article mentioned in my previous posting.

The sharp eyed may notice that TK2_bin is 16384 bytes long whereas the SuperBASIC program reserves 17396 bytes. I think this is because Magnetic Eprom sets it up so that the toolkit uses a small extra amount of ram for workspace when it starts up on the QL.

Be aware that running a ROM image from RAM will cause a slight timing difference so the network may not work properly, for example.

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 6:41 pm
by Ralf R.
Ah yea...."attic" Please remind of the SPK :D

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 7:11 pm
by Derek_Stewart
dilwyn wrote:
78squirel78 wrote:To Derek and Tofro,
Thank you for your help.
Concerning Toolkit or Toolkit2, Ok I can download them, but there is no way
to copy them on a real microdrive cartridge as I have a real QL. They are dedicated
to emulators (as it is written).
Guy
This is a bit difficultof course. But it can be done if you set up a serial cable link from a PC to a QL. If you have not set up serial link file transfer before, it can be a hard thing to get right at first. There is an article about this on my website at http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/gen/serial/serial.html

Although Toolkit 2 is available from the Pointer Environment and Toolkit 2 page on my website, I realise it is only in zipped form. QL Unzip (I think) doesn't work on a 128K RAM unexpanded QL, so I will look into making a Toolkit 2 which could perhaps be provided in an uncompressed form which could be downloaded on a PC and transferred direct to a 128K QL over a serial link without needing Zip/Unzip. Toolkit 2 is not a QL executable file, so the usual problem of PCs losing QL file headers need not apply.

As my QL is in the attic at the moment it will take me a while to dig it out and try this out.

There is also something called a "Reconfigurable Toolkit 2" which was supplied on a Microdrive cartridge specifically for use with a QL from RAM. Maybe this is what you saw.
HI Dilwyn,

I forgot that I wrote that SerNET article, which I used a standard Null Modem lead from Maplin Electronics. But I tried to buy another Null Modem lead from Maplin's. But they have changed all the cabling to gold contacts and increased the price to £18 !!!!

I have bought another Null Modem lead with 9 Pin and 25 Pin connections on Ebay for £3.03

This should connect the Q60 and QPC2 at 115200 Baud or Q60 to BBQL at 9600 Baud through SER2 using SIMSER and Sernet.

I did make a special lead to connect 4 machines up, with the view to have a SerNET Hub box.

The lead worked OK, but never got to the Hub box.

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 5:34 pm
by 78squirel78
Hi Dilwyn and Derek,

Ouch ! Help comes very fast ! Thank you !

I see what to do with your explanations.
The thing is the serial cable.
Does it have to be connected on the PC side through a "serial_over_USB connector" ?
I can also transfer the file on an old PC with a real serial port. Just have to setup and find
utilitys.

More news to come.

Guy

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 10:32 pm
by RWAP
You may need to ensure the serial over USB connector supports hardware handshaking - that has been the findings when trying to connect a Z88 to a PC - most of them don't seem to support it!

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 11:25 pm
by 1024MAK
FTDI-based USB/RS232 serial converters (the real FTDI ones) support proper handshaking. This has been proved by some Acorn users ;)

Mark

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 3:35 pm
by 78squirel78
I found this on eBay, hoping that it works fine.

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Digitus-FTDI-Chi ... 4aea6a6bff

Re: I got the real thing ! try to run Superforth

Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 11:45 pm
by 1024MAK
I have used the following two suppliers in the past, they both have FTDI chipset based RS232/USB converter/adaptors for sale. It's a few years ago when I bought mine, so I'm not linking to the actual products that I bought.

Tronisoft Ltd
USBnow

Mark