Update ZXmaster through external update utility
There are two different ways to update the ZXmaster firmware, through an external program
executed in a ZX81 instance or through the internal loader software of ZXmaster in future.
Updating from the very first version 0.9 requires the external program. Additionally the
external program allows to recover an accidently broken or missprogrammed instance 0.
See additional instructions in chapter „emergency update“.
An instance of choice with ZX81 compatible ROM has to be started like instance 1 in this
example. The led colour indicates the choosen instance (blue for instance 1). The update utility
can be loaded via the USB loader from the USB flash stick like ZXMORE17.P while the last two
digits indicate the version of the software (1.7). The BASIC program is started with RUN. More
hints about loading programs are listed in the corresponding chapter.
It is necessary to add an additional
capacitor of 47pF to the ZXmore main
board between pin 27 and 29 of CPU
for models from 2015 or alternatively a
changed CPLD (12/2015).
Additionally the I/O base address has
been changed so the jumper at J12 has
to be moved from A7 to A3
after (!)
the update completed.
The further update process is supported
with a text dialogue and asks for
several details about the system
configuration which are necessary for
updating. The update is started by
entering the word UPDATE in the input
line.
Next the number of the current (running) instance is required – in this example instance 1 with
blue led colour. After the number of instance to program has to be entered, usually would this
be instance 0 for ZXmaster.
It would be possible to enter instance 7
for example to check the update
utility/process first on an uncritical
instance. If update process on instance
fails to any reason it would be possible
to execute an „emergency update“ on
request as well (see next section).
The third value required is the I/O base
address (J12). In release 0.9 the
address was fixed to A7, in current
release 1.7 this was changed to A3 due
to better compatibility and less hardware
conflicts and in future release this
maybe choosen by user individually as
well.
Finally the update mode (normal or
emergency) may be choosen – normally
„N“ has to be entered here.
V1.9 - 06/2016
ZXmore & ZXmaster – user manual
page 12 from 29
