SVI-738 to MSX2 weird issue (?)

Rookie (20)

08-11-2020, 20:18

Hi. Is there anyone here that has converted the Spectravideo SVI-738 to MSX2? I did everything according to the instructions from https://hansotten.file-hunter.com/special-msx-hardware/svi-7... (without mounting the clock circuitry).
The computer works normally, but at startup I have something like in the picture ("KL00: 128 kbytes") instead of normal messages about free memory. Is it normal? I also downloaded ROMs from the above site (ofcourse roms for modification without clock).

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Par sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4299)

08-11-2020, 20:26

It is just a modification in the original ROM, you can search for KL00 and replace it with VRAM...

Par Drakon

Rookie (20)

08-11-2020, 21:24

OK, i understood. But shouldn't there be a message about the of User-RAM yet?

Par msxtrd

Champion (277)

08-11-2020, 21:50

Nope, usually only VRAM. Though philips machines show both. A 2+ will show only RAM.

Par Drakon

Rookie (20)

08-11-2020, 22:03

Thanks for help, folks! Now i'm waiting for my Carnivore 2 to arrive .

Par msxtrd

Champion (277)

08-11-2020, 22:14

The reason for showing VRAM on MSX2 is probably that the standard did define minimum 64K of VRAM. So a handful of "crippled" machines will show 64KB VRAM. It is possible to update VRAM to 192KB, but there is not much use of the extra 64K.
2+ standard defines as standard 128K VRAM, and the system counts available RAM at boot up.

Carnivore 2, is a great expansion, and especially together with SVI-738 which has only one free cartridge slot .

Par NYYRIKKI

Enlighted (6093)

09-11-2020, 20:42

Hmm... from the looks of it, I would say this ROM version was made by ACADEMY in year 2000.

Par djh1697

Paragon (1736)

10-11-2020, 00:04

The C2 would be a really useful cartridge to add to your SVI. Not all CF cards are compatible, i do not know if there is a list of compatible ones?
You should start by formatting the CF card on your MSX, using the _fdisk command, then there should be no issues copying files from your PC to the card. There are plenty of sites you can download software from, you do need Nextor files copying on to the CF cards, and the latest version of Sofarun.

Par djh1697

Paragon (1736)

10-11-2020, 00:14

https://www.konamiman.com/msx/msx-e.html#nextor

Par sdsnatcher73

Enlighted (4299)

10-11-2020, 08:13

djh1697 wrote:

Not all CF cards are compatible, i do not know if there is a list of compatible ones?

A list with compatible CF cards does exist!