Running DOS2 on my new physical msx

By Brandon

Supporter (2)

Аватар пользователя Brandon

18-11-2018, 03:04

I am in Japan for the next week and half and decided to start adding Japanese computers to my modest collection.

I'd like to be able to code anx use any computer in it as much as I can but I can't seem to find any up to date info on running dos2.

I have a sony hb-f1xd and I'm willing to buy an ide interface but where can I get that?

What about dos cart?

There seems to be conflicting information on how much memory you need as well. Do I get a cartridge mapper or open it up?

Thanks in advance!

Для того, чтобы оставить комментарий, необходимо регистрация или !login

By rderooy

Paladin (686)

Аватар пользователя rderooy

18-11-2018, 10:22

DOS2 requires 128KB RAM. The DOS2 cartridge has an updated Disk-BASIC, and depending on the cartridge MAY have other features, such as memory or some kind of HDD interface.

The official ASCII DOS2 cartridge came in 3 different versions, one without memory (just the Disk-ROM), one with 128KB and one with 256KB RAM. But these ASCII versions are pretty rare.

Note that the TurboR computers have the newer Disk-BASIC built-in, so you don't need the cartridge to run DOS2.

Various clones of the DOS2 ROM cartridge were sold in Europe at the time, mainly in the Netherlands.

A bit later, various cartridges were released using the "Nextor kernel", which is basically a newer version Disk-BASIC. This is what you will find in modern mass-storage interfaces which you can still buy new online from companies like 8bits4ever, Repro Factory, Fractal2000 or MSX Cartridge Shop.

By Wild_Penguin

Hero (644)

Аватар пользователя Wild_Penguin

18-11-2018, 11:24

Hi Brandom,

MSX-DOS2 wiki here is not too informative, and could be improved. But the msx faq has more information, perhaps it answers you questions?

In short: floppy drive controllers include rom part of msx-dos1. It makes little sense to use msx-dos2 on just floppies. Which mass storage are you planning on using? Most (all?) mass storage interfaces also have the msx-dos2 rom part. They do not always (but often do, take a look at megaflashromscc+sd for example) contain a memory mapper. You will need at least 128kb of RAM for msx-dos2, and I think there were a lot of msx2 computers with less RAM in Japan (these were gaming-oriented, and few games would benefit from more, and manufacturers decided to cheap out...)

Hope this answers your questions!

Also, someone correct me if there are any errors in the explanation above :-)

By rderooy

Paladin (686)

Аватар пользователя rderooy

18-11-2018, 10:57

These are the official ASCII versions of MSX-DOS2:
https://www.msx.org/wiki/ASCII_Nihongo_MSX-DOS_2

Some of the more popular modern options, which you can still buy new:
https://www.msx.org/wiki/MSX_Cartridge_Shop_MegaFlashROM_SCC...
https://www.msx.org/wiki/8bits4ever_Carnivore_2

By Brandon

Supporter (2)

Аватар пользователя Brandon

18-11-2018, 11:03

Awesome thanks all!

I picked it up at first for snatcher and metal gear 2, but I have to at least write some software of my own!

I'll grab one of those carts

By Grauw

Ascended (10699)

Аватар пользователя Grauw

18-11-2018, 16:19

Easiest is to get a SD or CF interface cartridge with Nextor (updated version of DOS2 with FAT16 support) and extra RAM, such as the MegaFlashROM SCC+ SD with 512K RAM option, or the 8bits4ever SD-512, or the Carnivore 2, or the GR8NET. These usually offer various other nice functions as well like ROM mapper emulation and sound chips.