Viewing Issue Advanced Details
ID Category [?] Severity [?] Reproducibility Date Submitted Last Update
06231 Interface Minor Always Jun 2, 2016, 14:19 Sep 8, 2019, 12:54
Tester demotester View Status Public Platform
Assigned To Robbbert Resolution Fixed OS
Status [?] Resolved Driver
Version 0.174 Fixed in Version 0.212 Build
Fixed in Git Commit Github Pull Request #
Summary MESS-specific 06231: poly88: Cassette is not working
Description It seems that the cassette emulation is not working !

This will be shown with an example by saving from the BASIC !

Quick infos:

About Poly-88 computer - http://www.polymorphic-computers.com/poly88.html [DEAD LINK]

Other emu for DOS - http://www.polymorphic-computers.com/emulator.html [DEAD LINK]
Note: on the bottom of this page is "POLYTAPE.ZIP" - find the file called "BASIC.IMG" !

About the BASIC in "Basic.pdf" (@p.76, Saving and Loading a BASIC Program) - http://www.hartetechnologies.com/manuals/PolyMorphic/
Steps To Reproduce Attach the file called "BASIC.IMG" to MESS/MAME emu Snapshot ! (wait until the BASIC appears)

In BASIC type an program example:

>10 PRINT "POLY-88 COMPUTER"


Now try to save it on tape, but 1st create a new tape called f.ex. "TEST.WAV":

In BASIC type following commands:

>SAVE,TEST,B (to save in "Byte" format) or
>SAVE,TEST,P (to save in "Polyphase" format)

Note: before pressing the RETURN-key be sure that the tape is in the Recording mode and starts to record !

According to the "Basic.pdf" on p.81, points 6. and 7. (and point 2.):

@point 6. - basic will respond with message "Working...", and give the record numbers of the current tape records ! (this seems to work)
@point 7. - after the tape has been recorded, BASIC will respond with a prompt ">" ! (this seems NOT working - the saving never finish)

@point 2. - remember to set the "Poly / Byte" switch on the back of PolyMorphic System ! (but there is not a such switch/option in MESS !)

Some example photos - http://old-computers.com/museum/photos.asp?t=1&c=563&st=1
Click on "Back panel" picture - the red switch is used to modify the tape record speed ! (this option seems missing in MESS !)

So, it is currently impossible to save / load a BASIC program (and any other) to / from tape in MESS !


EDIT: cassette tape interface with the red switch (from inside) - http://www.polymorphic-computers.com/images/cassette1.jpg [DEAD LINK]
(boards: http://www.polymorphic-computers.com/boards.html ) [DEAD LINK]
Additional Information
Github Commit
Flags
Regression Version
Affected Sets / Systems poly88
Attached Files
 
Relationships
related to 07353ResolvedRobbbert  alphatro, fc100: hangs when save to cassette 
Notes
6
User avatar
No.16535
Robbbert
Senior Tester
Jun 13, 2019, 13:26
The hang seems to be caused by the same UART fault reported in MT 07353.
User avatar
No.16545
Robbbert
Senior Tester
Jun 14, 2019, 15:12
Fixed hang on save, but the result sounds odd and cannot be loaded back in.
User avatar
No.16549
AJR
Developer
Jun 14, 2019, 19:54
Polyphase format is unlikely to work in MAME, given that it uses the 8251 USART's synchronous mode which is not really emulated at this point.
User avatar
No.16642
Robbbert
Senior Tester
Jul 11, 2019, 17:41
edited on: Jul 11, 2019, 17:42
300 baud is fixed and working. Polyphase is coded in, but multiple bugs in the 8251 uart code are preventing it from working. The 8251 is planned to be revisited at another time.

Also note, BASIC.IMG has a bug which prevents the uart from working at all. I had to modify this image.
User avatar
No.16676
Robbbert
Senior Tester
Jul 19, 2019, 15:58
Re-opened, as the conversion to S100 broke the cassette again.
User avatar
No.16870
Robbbert
Senior Tester
Sep 8, 2019, 12:54
Polyphase is now working.