Updating ROM?

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Door matthew180

Resident (48)

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01-07-2010, 23:47

Greetings,

I'm new to MSX and I just got a Toshiba HX-10. When it powers on it displays MSX V1.0. Is there any chance I have an upgrade path to 1.1 or 1.2? At least for the BASIC interpreter? Then again, I have no idea what I'm talking about... :-)

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matthew

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Van flyguille

Prophet (3031)

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02-07-2010, 00:18

what has 1.1 or 1.2 than 1.0 not?

Van Vampier

Prophet (2409)

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02-07-2010, 01:12

Welcome Matthew: unfortunately you cannot upgrade without replacing the ROM chip. Great computer btw Smile it was the first MSX I played with.

Van RetroTechie

Paragon (1563)

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02-07-2010, 15:16

The only reason newer BASIC versions were released, was to add (BASIC) support for hardware features in later MSX models (MSX2, MSX2+, Turbo R). So BASIC version depends on MSX model, and what's included 'just works', no need for updates (1 or 2 very rare bugs aside that will not ever bite you).

This in contrast to today's annoying "release now, fix bugs later" software practice. Crazy

Van pitpan

Prophet (3155)

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02-07-2010, 15:28

... as we all do with our OCM Wink

Van Manuel

Ascended (19270)

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02-07-2010, 16:59

Also, there is no 1.1 and 1.2... Only for Brazillian basic variants... I suspect you got this from Wikipedia (MSX-BASIC article) where, to my annoyance, this is still not corrected (see discussion page). I guess we should simply change it?

Van dhau

Paragon (1570)

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03-07-2010, 21:03

Manuel, if wikipedia says so, then it's true. Your knowledge of facts is irrelevant Smile

Van Yukio

Paragon (1540)

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03-07-2010, 22:05

If it is a EPROM chip you can update, but some machines possess wired chips. Some machines even provides EPROM sockets (it is easier to take out the chips), it is possible to use newer EPROM with newer languages or even some small games. It is possible to use external EPROM chips with MSX-VIDEO VDP to simulate a later computer, it is easier than the inner modifications.

Some people update from MSX2 to MSX2+. There are mod's on the Internet, but I do not know any for the original Toshiba ones.

In Brazil there was the external 80 columns cartridges and the MSX2/2+ mod's ...

Van pitpan

Prophet (3155)

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04-07-2010, 20:26

But if you update your MSX-BASIC BIOS ROM to version 1.2 you can use up to 12 sprites per scanline, overcoming the worst MSX(1) design flaw. Microsoft engineers were so brilliant that they could fix even a hardware limitation software-wise. Too bad that we cannot post links to copyrighted material in these fora...

Van Yukio

Paragon (1540)

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04-07-2010, 23:21

The 80 columns plus MSX-BASIC mod is almost a MSX2 without Real Time Clock. It is possible to use newer versions of MSX-BASIC and 80 columns text mode for MSX-DOS. There is a scan line limitation of 8 sprites per line ...

Into the original project for MSX microcomputers there is a place for a expansion Video Chip (there is a external cartridge connector for this). It is even possible to use dual display on Microsoft systems, one for console operations and another for graphics.

Van cax

Prophet (3740)

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05-07-2010, 10:59

you can use up to 12 sprites per scanline, overcoming the worst MSX(1) design flaw.

I think it's a bad joke, especially knowing the fact the topic starter is a noob. It's not an April Fools day today, right ?

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