MSXDISK 0.9 BETA: Virtual Floppy Disk Driver over JOYSTICK2 of MSX

Expert (72)

25-02-2021, 04:10

Instruction:

1. Make a connection cable between MSX JOYSTICK2 and PC RS232 as follows:

Alternatively you can use a USB to TTL RS232 Converter
Connect:
JOYSTICK2 PIN1 to TTL TX
JOYSTICK2 PIN6 to TTL RX
JOYSTICK2 PIN9 to TTL GND

2. Download MSXDISK.ZIP and extract.

3. Power up MSX and type BLOAD"CAS:",R then send ROMLDR2.WAV. When complete "Waiting for ROM..." should appear.

4. Open MSXDISK.EXE and choose RS232 port.

5. Click the Eject button on drive A: or B: to mount a DSK files eg. MSXDOS.DSK.

6. Click Send DiskROM. (you may also click Send ROM to send other ROM images up to 32KB)

7. MSX should reset and boot to the DSK image in drive A: (if it is bootable) or into Disk BASIC.

Por NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6067)

25-02-2021, 07:22

Very cool!
Few questions:
- Where is the download link?
- What are the minimal MSX requirements?
- Where the disk ROM is stored on MSX memory space???

Por RvS

Expert (94)

25-02-2021, 09:28

Nice indeed!
What transferspeed is used?
I created a 57600 bps serial ‘bitbang’ routine a while ago.
That might be useful.

Por caro

Hero (513)

25-02-2021, 09:39

https://www.reddit.com/r/MSX/comments/lrvahg/msxdisk_09_beta_virtual_floppy_disk_driver_over/

Por ocitygate

Expert (72)

25-02-2021, 10:04

NYYRIKKI wrote:

Where is the download link?

https://msxdisk.ocitygate.com/msxdisk.zip

NYYRIKKI wrote:

What are the minimal MSX requirements?

64KB MSX1

NYYRIKKI wrote:

Where the disk ROM is stored on MSX memory space???

Slot 2 (RAM) at 0x4000-0x7FFF (page 1)

Por ocitygate

Expert (72)

25-02-2021, 10:02

RvS wrote:

Nice indeed!
What transferspeed is used?
I created a 57600 bps serial ‘bitbang’ routine a while ago.
That might be useful.

Transfer speed is 57600bps.
I used your routines.

Por RvS

Expert (94)

25-02-2021, 10:35

Ok, could you add me to the readme file?
I can have a good laugh at the people that were convinced nobody would ever use this
I am still working on a 115200 bps version, but this is tricky (literally no time to make mistakes)...
If you publish your source code, I could have another go at it and see if I could boost it to 115200 bps.

Por larsthe18th

Master (189)

25-02-2021, 14:05

Great Job.
Shoot, i think my cable can not handle the 67600bps speed,i ordered a USB_TTL-Serial adapter that may work better on higher speed.

Por RvS

Expert (94)

25-02-2021, 14:31

Pin 6 is an open collector type of output with a weak pull-up resistor (at least on my nms8245).
The schematic here above may need a stronger pull up to work properly and fast.

Por NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6067)

25-02-2021, 15:12

ocitygate wrote:

NYYRIKKI wrote:

What are the minimal MSX requirements?

64KB MSX1

Ok... but I do know that DOS + disk stuff = 80KB, so I guess in case you have only 64KB the usage is limited to BASIC only(?)

Quote:

NYYRIKKI wrote:

Where the disk ROM is stored on MSX memory space???

Slot 2 (RAM) at 0x4000-0x7FFF (page 1)

Ok, so at least to use full potential you need to add extra RAM in to 2nd cartridge slot... I think it would be nice to include this information also to README.TXT

I do have all the needed HW at home, so I'm definitely going to test this.

BTW it would be nice, if you could compile also version that uses Sunrise RS-232 instead of joystick port. I do have old, unused Sunrise IDE+RS-232 and I think it would become much more useful device if I could flash your disk ROM in to it.

Por ocitygate

Expert (72)

25-02-2021, 16:37

RvS wrote:

Ok, could you add me to the readme file?

Done!

RvS wrote:

If you publish your source code, I could have another go at it and see if I could boost it to 115200 bps.

Now includes source code MSXDISK.ZIP
I tweaked and further documented your RS232 routines.