<p>A complete list of the currently supported platforms is found in <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Hardware.pdf">RomWBW
Hardware</a>
.</p>
<p>A complete list of the currently supported platforms is found in <ahref="../Hardware/">RomWBW
Hardware</a> .</p>
<h1id="description">Description</h1>
<h1id="description">Description</h1>
<h2id="primary-features">Primary Features</h2>
<h2id="primary-features">Primary Features</h2>
<p>By design, RomWBW isolates all of the hardware specific functions in the
<p>By design, RomWBW isolates all of the hardware specific functions in the
@ -331,9 +330,8 @@ distribution. Subsequently, you can write disk images on your disk
drives (IDE disk, CF Card, SD Card, etc.) which then provides even more
drives (IDE disk, CF Card, SD Card, etc.) which then provides even more
functionality.</p>
functionality.</p>
<p>Complete instructions for installation and operation of RomWBW are found
<p>Complete instructions for installation and operation of RomWBW are found
in the <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20User%20Guide.pdf">RomWBW User
Guide</a>.
It is also a good idea to review the <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/blob/master/RELEASE_NOTES.md">Release
in the <ahref="../UserGuide/">RomWBW User Guide</a>. It is also a good idea to
review the <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/blob/master/RELEASE_NOTES.md">Release
Notes</a>
Notes</a>
for helpful release-specific information.</p>
for helpful release-specific information.</p>
<h2id="documentation">Documentation</h2>
<h2id="documentation">Documentation</h2>
@ -341,35 +339,29 @@ for helpful release-specific information.</p>
documentation:</p>
documentation:</p>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>
<li>
<p><ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20User%20Guide.pdf">RomWBW User
Guide</a>
is the main user guide for RomWBW, it covers the major topics of how
to install, manage and use RomWBW, and includes additional guidance to
the use of some of the operating systems supported by RomWBW</p>
<p><ahref="../UserGuide/">RomWBW User Guide</a> is the main user guide for RomWBW,
it covers the major topics of how to install, manage and use RomWBW,
and includes additional guidance to the use of some of the operating
Wayne Warthen (<ahref="mailto:wwarthen@gmail.com">wwarthen@gmail.com</a>) \
Wayne Warthen (<ahref="mailto:wwarthen@gmail.com">wwarthen@gmail.com</a>) \
31 May 2025</p>
01 Jun 2025</p>
<h4id="preface">Preface</h4>
<h4id="preface">Preface</h4>
<p>This document is a general usage guide for the RomWBW software and is
<p>This document is a general usage guide for the RomWBW software and is
generally the best place to start with RomWBW.</p>
generally the best place to start with RomWBW.</p>
@ -608,12 +608,11 @@ directory on your modern computer (Windows/Linux/Mac) use any zip tool
to extract the contents of the archive.</p>
to extract the contents of the archive.</p>
<p>The Binary directory of the distribution contains the pre-built ROM
<p>The Binary directory of the distribution contains the pre-built ROM
images.<br/>
images.<br/>
Refer to <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Hardware.pdf">RomWBW
Hardware</a>
to identify the correct ROM image for your system.</p>
<p>A complete list of the currently supported platforms is found in <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Hardware.pdf">RomWBW
Hardware</a>.
You must burn the correct ROM image that matches your hardware</p>
Refer to <ahref="../Hardware/">RomWBW Hardware</a> to identify the correct ROM
image for your system.</p>
<p>A complete list of the currently supported platforms is found in <ahref="../Hardware/">RomWBW
Hardware</a>. You must burn the correct ROM image that matches
your hardware</p>
<p>Once you have a running RomWBW system, you can generally update your ROM
<p>Once you have a running RomWBW system, you can generally update your ROM
to a newer version in-situ with the included ROM Flashing tool (Will
to a newer version in-situ with the included ROM Flashing tool (Will
Sowerbutts’ FLASH application) as described in the
Sowerbutts’ FLASH application) as described in the
@ -625,18 +624,16 @@ able to boot and check out your system with just the ROM.</p>
<p>Connect a serial terminal or computer with terminal emulation software
<p>Connect a serial terminal or computer with terminal emulation software
to the primary serial port of your CPU board. You may need to refer to
to the primary serial port of your CPU board. You may need to refer to
your hardware provider’s documentation for details. A null-modem
your hardware provider’s documentation for details. A null-modem
connection may be required. Set the baud rate as indicated in <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Hardware.pdf">RomWBW
Hardware</a>.
Set the line characteristics to 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, and
no flow control. If possible, select ANSI or VT-100 terminal emulation.
Hardware flow control is not required for terminal operation, but may be
necessary for <ahref="#serial-port-transfers">Serial Port Transfers</a>.</p>
connection may be required. Set the baud rate as indicated in <ahref="../Hardware/">RomWBW
Hardware</a>. Set the line characteristics to 8 data bits, 1
stop bit, no parity, and no flow control. If possible, select ANSI or
VT-100 terminal emulation. Hardware flow control is not required for
terminal operation, but may be necessary for <ahref="#serial-port-transfers">Serial Port
Transfers</a>.</p>
<p>RomWBW will automatically attempt to detect and support typical add-on
<p>RomWBW will automatically attempt to detect and support typical add-on
components for each of the systems supported. More information on the
components for each of the systems supported. More information on the
required system configuration and optional supported components for each
required system configuration and optional supported components for each
ROM is found in <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Hardware.pdf">RomWBW
Hardware</a>
.</p>
ROM is found in <ahref="../Hardware/">RomWBW Hardware</a> .</p>
<p>Upon power-up, your terminal should display a sign-on banner within 2
<p>Upon power-up, your terminal should display a sign-on banner within 2
seconds followed by hardware inventory and discovery information. When
seconds followed by hardware inventory and discovery information. When
hardware initialization is completed, a boot loader prompt allows you to
hardware initialization is completed, a boot loader prompt allows you to
@ -705,10 +702,9 @@ hardware devices at specific port addresses. If you add hardware to your
system that is not automatically identified, you may need to build a
system that is not automatically identified, you may need to build a
custom ROM to add support for it. Building a custom ROM is covered
custom ROM to add support for it. Building a custom ROM is covered
for a complete list of the different device types supported.</p>
<p>See <ahref="../Hardware/">RomWBW Hardware</a> for a complete list of the different
device types supported.</p>
<p>If you do not see drive letters assigned as expected, refer to the prior
<p>If you do not see drive letters assigned as expected, refer to the prior
system boot messages to ensure media has been detected in the interface.</p>
system boot messages to ensure media has been detected in the interface.</p>
<p>Each drive letter refers back to a specific disk hardware interface like
<p>Each drive letter refers back to a specific disk hardware interface like
@ -1673,9 +1665,8 @@ has no SD Card inserted.</p>
<p>The <code>ASSIGN</code> command is used to view or change the current drive letter
<p>The <code>ASSIGN</code> command is used to view or change the current drive letter
mappings. Any changes made to drive letter mappings take immediate
mappings. Any changes made to drive letter mappings take immediate
effect</p>
effect</p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>
for more information on use of the <code>ASSIGN</code> command.</p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW Applications</a> for more information on
use of the <code>ASSIGN</code> command.</p>
<p>Since drive letter assignments are easily changed at any time using the
<p>Since drive letter assignments are easily changed at any time using the
<code>ASSIGN</code> command, you can customize your assignments as desired after
<code>ASSIGN</code> command, you can customize your assignments as desired after
starting the operating system. Even better, you can use an auto-submit
starting the operating system. Even better, you can use an auto-submit
@ -1700,9 +1691,8 @@ manually setup a hard disk for first use.</p>
<p>With RomWBW you use the <code>CLRDIR</code> command to do this. This command is
<p>With RomWBW you use the <code>CLRDIR</code> command to do this. This command is
merely “clearing out” the directory space of the drive referred to by a
merely “clearing out” the directory space of the drive referred to by a
drive letter and setting up the new empty directory.</p>
drive letter and setting up the new empty directory.</p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>
for more information on use of the <code>CLRDIR</code> command.</p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW Applications</a> for more information on
use of the <code>CLRDIR</code> command.</p>
<p>Since <code>CLRDIR</code> works on drive letters, make absolutely sure you know
<p>Since <code>CLRDIR</code> works on drive letters, make absolutely sure you know
what media and slice are assigned to that drive letter before using
what media and slice are assigned to that drive letter before using
<code>CLRDIR</code> because <code>CLRDIR</code> will wipe out any pre-existing contents of the
<code>CLRDIR</code> because <code>CLRDIR</code> will wipe out any pre-existing contents of the
@ -2012,9 +2002,8 @@ application. This application interacts directly with your hardware and
therefore you must specify your floppy interface hardware at application
therefore you must specify your floppy interface hardware at application
startup. Additionally, you need to specify the floppy disk drive and
startup. Additionally, you need to specify the floppy disk drive and
media format to use for formatting.</p>
media format to use for formatting.</p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>
for more information on use of the <code>FDU</code> command.</p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW Applications</a> for more information on
use of the <code>FDU</code> command.</p>
<p>Since the physical format of floppy media is the same as that used in a
<p>Since the physical format of floppy media is the same as that used in a
standard MS-DOS/Windows computer, you can also format floppy disk media
standard MS-DOS/Windows computer, you can also format floppy disk media
in a standard computer. However there are caveats:</p>
in a standard computer. However there are caveats:</p>
@ -2128,9 +2117,8 @@ normal and does not mean the disks/slices are ready to use.</p>
starts, enter the disk unit number of the new media. The disk unit
starts, enter the disk unit number of the new media. The disk unit
number was assigned at boot See <ahref="#device-unit-assignments">Device Unit
number was assigned at boot See <ahref="#device-unit-assignments">Device Unit
Assignments</a></p>
Assignments</a></p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>
for more information on use of the <code>FDISK80</code> utility.</p>
<p>Refer to <ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW Applications</a> for more information on
use of the <code>FDISK80</code> utility.</p>
<p>If you want to use the legacy hd512 layout skip down to the <ahref="#legacy-hd512">Legacy
<p>If you want to use the legacy hd512 layout skip down to the <ahref="#legacy-hd512">Legacy
(hd512)</a> section</p>
(hd512)</a> section</p>
<h4id="modern-hd1k">Modern (hd1k)</h4>
<h4id="modern-hd1k">Modern (hd1k)</h4>
@ -2487,12 +2475,11 @@ can change the size and location of the RomWBW and/or FAT partitions to
increase/decrease the number of slices or FAT filesystem size. Doing so
increase/decrease the number of slices or FAT filesystem size. Doing so
would require using <code>FDISK80</code> to define your own custom disk layout and
would require using <code>FDISK80</code> to define your own custom disk layout and
initializing your filesystems manually.</p>
initializing your filesystems manually.</p>
<p>The <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20System%20Guide.pdf">RomWBW System
Guide</a>
has more information on the standard disk layouts as implemented in the
Combo Disk Images. Additionally, there is a document called “Hard Disk
Anatomy.pdf” in the Doc directory of the RomWBW distribution with
detailed information on the standard disk layouts.</p>
<p>The <ahref="../SystemGuide/">RomWBW System Guide</a> has more information on the
standard disk layouts as implemented in the Combo Disk Images.
Additionally, there is a document called “Hard Disk Anatomy.pdf” in the
Doc directory of the RomWBW distribution with detailed information on
the standard disk layouts.</p>
<h3id="combo-hard-disk-image">Combo Hard Disk Image</h3>
<h3id="combo-hard-disk-image">Combo Hard Disk Image</h3>
<p>The Combo Disk Image is essentially just a single disk image that has
<p>The Combo Disk Image is essentially just a single disk image that has
several of the individual filesystem images (slices) already
several of the individual filesystem images (slices) already
@ -3882,9 +3869,8 @@ operating system. One exception is <code>FDU</code> – the Floppy Disk Utility.
application requires that you pick the floppy disk interface you want to
application requires that you pick the floppy disk interface you want to
interact with.</p>
interact with.</p>
<p>There is more complete documentation of all of these applications in the
<p>There is more complete documentation of all of these applications in the
related RomWBW manual “<ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>”
found in the Doc directory of the distribution.</p>
related RomWBW manual “<ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW Applications</a>” found in
the Doc directory of the distribution.</p>
<p>The following custom applications are found on the ROM disk and are,
<p>The following custom applications are found on the ROM disk and are,
therefore, globally available.</p>
therefore, globally available.</p>
<table>
<table>
@ -3999,11 +3985,9 @@ described below.</p>
<h3id="wdate-utility">WDATE Utility</h3>
<h3id="wdate-utility">WDATE Utility</h3>
<p>The <code>WDATE</code> utility (contributed by Kevin Boone) is an application that
<p>The <code>WDATE</code> utility (contributed by Kevin Boone) is an application that
will display and/or update the current date/time. Its operation is
will display and/or update the current date/time. Its operation is
described in <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>.
This utility works with any of the supported RomWBW RTC hardware. Here
is an example of displaying and updating the date/time with this
utility:</p>
described in <ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW Applications</a>. This utility works
with any of the supported RomWBW RTC hardware. Here is an example of
displaying and updating the date/time with this utility:</p>
<pre><code>A>wdate
<pre><code>A>wdate
Thursday 19 October 14:14:43 2023
Thursday 19 October 14:14:43 2023
@ -4018,10 +4002,9 @@ of files. It merely displays and sets the real time clock value.</p>
<p>Like <code>WDATE</code>, the <code>RTC</code> utility (contributed by Andrew Lynch) will let
<p>Like <code>WDATE</code>, the <code>RTC</code> utility (contributed by Andrew Lynch) will let
you display and set the current date/time. However, this utility only
you display and set the current date/time. However, this utility only
works with the DSRTC hardware (DS1302 chip). It is a “direct to hardware
works with the DSRTC hardware (DS1302 chip). It is a “direct to hardware
application”. Its operation is described in <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>.
Here is an example of displaying and updatting the date/time with this
utility:</p>
application”. Its operation is described in <ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW
Applications</a>. Here is an example of displaying and
updatting the date/time with this utility:</p>
<pre><code>A>rtc
<pre><code>A>rtc
Start RTC Program
Start RTC Program
RomWBW HBIOS, Mark 4 RTC Latch Port 0x8A
RomWBW HBIOS, Mark 4 RTC Latch Port 0x8A
@ -4811,11 +4794,10 @@ computer.</p>
<p>Finally, use the <code>FAT</code> tool to copy the files onto a CP/M drive. This
<p>Finally, use the <code>FAT</code> tool to copy the files onto a CP/M drive. This
process works just fine in reverse if you want to copy files from a CP/M
process works just fine in reverse if you want to copy files from a CP/M
filesystem to your modern computer.</p>
filesystem to your modern computer.</p>
<p>Complete instructions for the <code>FAT</code> application are found in <ahref="https://github.com/wwarthen/RomWBW/raw/master/Doc/RomWBW%20Applications.pdf">RomWBW
Applications</a>.
Here, we will just provide a couple of simple examples. Note that the
FAT application is not on the ROM disk because it is too large to
include there.</p>
<p>Complete instructions for the <code>FAT</code> application are found in <ahref="../Applications/">RomWBW
Applications</a>. Here, we will just provide a couple of
simple examples. Note that the FAT application is not on the ROM disk
because it is too large to include there.</p>
<p>The most important thing to understand about the <code>FAT</code> application is
<p>The most important thing to understand about the <code>FAT</code> application is
how it refers to FAT filesystems vs. CP/M filesystems. It infers this
how it refers to FAT filesystems vs. CP/M filesystems. It infers this
based on the file specification provided. If you use a specification
based on the file specification provided. If you use a specification
wwarthen
8 months ago