 No.22586
hap Developer
15 days ago
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Driver notes: System ROM ---------- The GPL interpreter is located in the EPROM as ROM0 (see above). The SGCPU does not contain any GROM, which contain the actual TI operating system and the BASIC interpreter. The GROMs are replaced by the HSGPL card. ==== CAUTION ====: This means that the HSGPL must be properly set up before starting up the SGCPU. Otherwise, the emulation locks up immediately with a BLACK SCREEN. In the real environment, the HSGPL has usually been set up on delivery. In MAME we have to create a suitable HSGPL memory content. Best practice is to start the TI-99/4A console with EVPC support (driver ti99_4ev) with a plugged-in HSGPL and to go through the setup process there. Finally, the nvram files of the HSGPL must be copied into this driver's nvram subdirectory. The contents will be directly usable for the SGCPU. -- I tried that, but ti99_4ev with that card inserted gives a black screen too. Is that one supposed to boot without issue, or is it also a user error? |
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 No.22589
Robbbert Moderator
15 days ago
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So there might yet be an issue, but not the one I was thinking of. Hopefully mizapf might be able to add something, otherwise I'll just close it. |
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No.22636
Robbbert Moderator
10 days ago
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Can't see this going anywhere, so it's being closed. Another thing to add to my notes. |
 No.22717
mizapf Developer
1 hour ago
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To set up the HSGPL (either for the stock console or for the TI-99/4A with EVPC), you must set the HSGPL in the DIP switch menu to mode "Flash". This allows you to safely upload an operating system into the HSGPL; when you are done, you have to switch back to "Normal". I documented the setup process on Ninerpedia, but right now I cannot show you the link because after a reinstallation of my server, the IP address has changed, and the owner of the domain has not yet reacted to my notice. The issue with the HSGPL and the SGCPU is that the creators have not released their ROMs into public domain (I talked to them). However, all of them are more or less "out of business" as of today, but I respect their wish not to distribute the ROMs (except in a small group like us testers). To make it easier for the purposes of testing, please download the ready-to-use NVRAM from https://ftp.whtech.com/emulators/MAME/div/hsgpl80.zip. Unzip it into nvram/ti99_4p/ and rename the files by removing the "ioport_" prefix. (This prefix is only required for the TI-99/4A with HSGPL in the Peripheral Expansion Box.) |