🚀 go-pugleaf

I haven't seen any responses to this query, so here's my tuppence worth.

buddy.Berkeley.EDU!c9c-bi@ucbcad.arpa (Jonathan Dubman) writes:

> 1. I have seen Z80 cards for as low as $29 mail-order.  Applied Engineering
>    sells their 6.0 MhZ version for $140.  Is there a difference besides the
>    speed?

Yes, there is a difference in the way the Z80 card integrates with the Apple/s 
native 6502.  Some do this better than others.  Some of the newer cards (e.g.,
StarCard, Gold Card) have their own 64K memory onboard and so don't need to
lock arms with the Apple.  These are the 6 MHZ cards.  Some of them even have
80-column support built in.  The cheaper cards are less likely to be 
compatible with a wide software base, and some of them do not include CP/M!

There is also a difference in the card's compatibility with various versions 
of CP/M.  The BIOS must be tailored to a given card, and programs that are
written to use a specific BIOS won't always work on other cards.  For example,
the StarCard's COPYFRMT won't run on a SoftCard.  You cite the AE Z80-Plus.
This card is fully compatible with SoftCard.  I like AE stuff, but my Z80 card
is a StarCard, because it came for $30 with WordStar Professional. 

> 2. How fast do normal Z80 cards go anyway?  2.5 MhZ or 1.0 MhZ?

The original Microsoft SoftCard used a lockstep clock derived from the Apple's 
clock, and it took over the whole Apple machine.  That design meant that it 
ran at twice the speed of the Apple's clock, or just over 2 MHz.  Newer cards 
do things differently - I *think* the Z80-Plus runs at 4 MHz rather than the 6 
MHz you state, and the StarCard and Gold Card both run at 6 MHz. 

> 3. What are the differences between different versions of CP/M?  I have
>    heard of 1.6, 2.2, and higher versions.

Differences are in commands, BDOS functionality, and other more obscure 
places.  V3.0 and onwards are enhancements by individual licensees rather than 
by Digital Research - the latest DR version that I know of is the 2.23 that 
came with the old SoftCard.  (If this is wrong, my apologies!)  My StarCard 
came with 2.2, and a friend's Gold Card came with CPM+ V3.0.

> 4. Do all versions of CP/M run on all normal Z80 cards?

NO!!!  See above, answer to Q.1.

> 5. Are any cards slot-dependent?

No.  Slot 4 is recommended, but 4, 5, or 7 works fine.  On the other hand, all 
cards expect your printer card to be in slot 1, your comm card to be in slot 
2, and your 80-column card (if requuired) to be in slot 3.  The Apple //e's 
auxiliary slot phantoms slot 3 for 80-column usage.

> 6. How compatible is CP/M with the Videx 80 column cards?  More than 80
>    column? (Like Videx Ultraterm, which I have.)

Works fine.  Videx cards understand the Soroc IQ-120 hardware protocol, and 
that's what most versions of CP/M come set up for.  All versions that I've 
seen give you a utility to tailor the terminal handling.  If you're using 
WordStar and a SoftCard, you'll need to alter the highlighting codes in the 
BIOS, but it works fine.  With the UltraTerm, you can use a SUBMIT file to set 
your video for hi-res characters, or more rows and columns.

> 7. Is CP/M public domain or do you have to buy it from somewhere?
>    Who makes it for the Apple.  Digital Research?

CP/M is not PD.  Digital Research owns it, but licenses it to the card makers.

> 8. Can I transfer files from CP/M to DOS 3.3 and back?  I have in mind
>    text files and binary files.  I need to take the output of the
>    assembler and get into the Apple Monitor to write it on an EPROM.

With some versions, you get a utility that will transfer files back and forth. 
Some versions have a utility that will only go from DOS 3.3 to CP/M (notably 
the old Microsoft version, which I have but don't use any more).

> 9. Anyone know of a good Z80 Assembler and where to get it?  Public
>    Domain?  It must support Z80 opcodes (not 8080) and all Z80 instructions.
>    How do you create files for the assembler?  With WordStar or editor built
>    into the assembler?

There is a good PD Z80 assembler available from the SIMTEL20 archives - I've 
lost its name.  I have the Microsoft M80, which is fine for my needs.  All the 
good assemblers take files you create with your favourite editor - the editor
that comes built into Turbo Pascal has some rather nifty features, like 
automatic indenting, that make it a delight to use.  (Turbo is almost worth 
the price for its editor alone!)  WordStar works fine.  If you're a masochist,
use ED.  :-) 

Cheers,
Dick Binder   (The Stainless Steel Rat)

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