ALTAIR 8800 micro Users Manual
©
Briel Computers
2010
page
35
Chapter 11: Performing a firmware update
The Altair 8800 micro is the result of two projects. The Altair 8800 emulator using an Atmel ATMEGA8515
microcontroller for the CPU and front panel emulation, and the PockeTerminal project incorporated into the
mainboard for a built in terminal for I/O. Both of these systems operate on firmware that may require updates
from time to time. You may choose to update them or leave the system alone if it is operating correctly for you.
Terminal section firmware update:
Download onto your SD card the terminal firmware update file and power up your Altair 8800 micro like
normal. When the system is at a point where you can stop it, lift the STOP switch so nothing is going on with
the CPU while the update is running. Press control and F3 at the same time. You will now be prompted with a
file name. Enter the name of the firmware update file and press enter.
NOTE: There is no backspace for this function. You will have to start over if you type it in wrong
After you type in the name, it will attempt to load that file and begin writing the new terminal software into the
EEPROM on the mainboard. Do not turn off the Altair until after the update is complete. If this firmware update
fails, you will have to send in the EEPROM for a replacement.
After a long 4 minutes, the EEPROM will be finished and you will get a message that the update is complete.
However, you will not know if it worked correctly unless you turn off the Altair 8800 micro and turn it back on.
If you can cycle power and the terminal screen comes up, your update worked.
CPU section firmware update:
As the code for emulating the 8080 improves, firmware updates will be issued that will be needed to improve
the performance of the system as well as remove software bugs as they are discovered.
To update the CPU’s firmware you must follow these steps:
1.
Turn off the Altair 8800 micro
2.
Load the new firmware version onto your SD card.
3.
Place the card into your Altair 8800 micro.
4.
Turn on address switches 14, 12, 10, and 8.
5.
Turn off address switches 15, 13, 11, and 9.
6.
Lift up AUX switch and make sure PROTECT is down.
7.
Turn on the Altair 8800 micro and wait for the message and prompt
8.
Enter the filename of the new firmware and press ENTER.
At this point the system will perform a firmware update. Do not turn off your system until you get the
completed message. After it is finished, you need to turn off your system, put only switch 11 up and AUX to
load BASIC as normal. If performing the CPU flash update fails, you can attempt the steps again.
