Paris, 29 September 1997. Updated 16th November 2003. Version 1.5.11 Application Version 1.6.9. 1M FLASH EPROM OVERVIEW Thanks for using the new 1M (1024K) Flash EPROM. Now, you will have a lot of room to save your files. The Z88 erases the Flash EPROM, you no longer need an EPROM Eraser. FAST ERASING - takes less than ten seconds to erase 1024K bytes. FAST SAVING - takes three seconds to save a 20K file. LOW POWER - takes a tenth of the power used by a standard EPROM. FLASHSTORE APPLICATION FlashStore is supplied as an Application and replaces the Filer (on the Z88) when using the Flash EPROM to save and fetch files. This introduces a new concept for the Z88. In the past, applications used to be in a ROM and the files were stored on a separate EPROM. FlashStore splits the Flash EPROM into two areas. The ROM area which the Z88 recognises, is where FlashStore and other applications are stored. The EPROM area (the area that is left over) is where files are stored. This is the area that gets formatted (erased) when you want to clear the Flash EPROM. Fortunately the Flash EPROM can be erased in 64K blocks, allowing applications and files to be on the same device. Where the split is depends how many applications there are and where the 64K split line occurs. This EPROM area is calculated by FlashStore when the Flash EPROM is formatted and is displayed in the right-hand window. Forever As you would lose 64K's worth of space once FlashStore is on the Flash EPROM, we have supplied it with Garry Lancaster's compilation FOREVER and ZIP utilities to use up the spare space. This means that you now no longer need a separate BBC BASIC program stored elsewhere as FlashStore is now on the Flash EPROM. Details of some of the Applications on Forever and ZIP utilities are: XYModem This useful popdown allows you to transfer files (text or binary) between your Z88 and any other computer using the common Xmodem protocol, which is available on virtually all computers. It operates in a similar manner to the built-in Imp-Export utility, with speeds of up to 19200 baud catered for. Press C to toggle CRC/Checksum modes, and K to toggle between 128-byte and 1K block sizes. You cannot abort a transfer using ESCape, but instead you can disconnect the cable and wait for a timeout to occur. EP-Fetch2 - new version The version of EP-Fetch on this ROM has been specially modified to allow it to work with all sizes of EPROMs in any slot (1-3), including the new Flash EPROMs. It can also read files from combined ROM/EPROM cards created with the latest version of the RomCombiner program. New features have been added including printing filenames to a printer. See whatsnew.txt for more details. FreeRam FreeRam is a popdown which instantly displays the amount of memory available in the default RAM device, together with a graphical map showing exactly where the free and used memory areas are located. Press a number key (0-3) to view the RAM device (:RAM.0 to :RAM.3) of your choice. Alarmsafe AlarmSafe is a popdown which allows you to save all your current alarms to a datafile for backup purposes. If you need to reset your Z88 for any reason, you can then simply load the datafile back into AlarmSafe which will automatically set all the alarms back up again. Lockup Lockup is a popdown giving your Z88 an elementary level of security, which can only be circumvented by resetting the machine. After activating the popdown, type a password (twice for confirmation) and then press the ESC key to switch the Z88 off. When the Z88 is turned back on, you must re-enter the password correctly before you can cancel the popdown (again using ESC). When entering passwords,every single key (including special keys like SHIFT and the square and diamond keys) counts as part of the password - only the ESC, DEL and ENTER keys cannot be included. Passwords can be up to 16 keystrokes long. Installer Installer allows you to run true Z88 applications from free RAM in your machine, rather than requiring them to be blown to EPROMs. This makes it ideal for trying out new applications, or if you have no ROM-creating facility. It is also very useful for developers, who can test software in a fraction of the usual time. Bootstrap Bootstrap is a popdown which runs automatically after every reset. It acts in a similar way to the built-in facility where a file called "boot.cli" on an EPROM in slot 3 is automatically executed after a reset. However, Bootstrap is much more flexible and after a reset will execute a CLI file called "bootstrap.cli" which can be located: - in any directory of any device (eg :RAM.1/system/bootstrap.cli) - on any EPROM, Flash EPROM or ROM/EPROM (created by RomCombiner) card in any slot, 1 to 3 This means that you can have different boot routines depending on whether the Z88 does a hard or soft reset: keep the soft reset version in RAM, and the hard reset version on EPROM. Note that EPROM files must not contain any directory names (ie just /bootstrap.cli is accepted). For completeness the old installation instructions for the BBC BASIC program are in BBCFLASH.ZIP with the programs, documentation and a copy of the FlashStore application should you want to use it. ROMCOMBINER.zip allows you to add any applications you may have to the Flash EPROM. All files supplied are either zipped (.ZIP), Plain Text (.TXT) or in PipeDream (.PDD) format. They are as follows:- ROMCOMBINER.ZIP Adds Applications you already have BBCFLASH.ZIP The old BBC BASIC version of FlashStore FLASHSTORE.ZIP The Application of FlashStore INSTALLER.TXT Installer instructions WHATSNEW.TXT Whats new in Forever XYMODEM.TXT XY-Modem instructions UNZIP.TXT Unzip Instructions ZIPUP.TXT Zip up instructions FLASH.TXT This file Please take this opportunity to MAKE A COPY of these files before reformatting the Flash EPROM. Save them to another computer or to an EPROM pack. Rakewell will charge users who lose these files and require another copy! TIPS Fetching Files Although there is a Fetch file command in FlashStore, you can also use EP-Fetch2, which is a 'point and shoot' program. You can also fetch 'deleted'files with this application. Fetching all Files Don't forget the RESTORE function. Sometimes it is easier to fetch all the files and delete a few unwanted files afterwards. Using two Flash EPROMs EXTRA FEATURE - USING TWO FLASH EPROMS AT THE SAME TIME You can NOW have your Applications (including FlashStore) in slot 2 and read any of your "master" files from there, whilst using the another Flash EPROM in slot 3 for current files. To use two Flash EPROMs first prepare the Flash EPROM which you want to use in slot 2, with your master files. This is done by using it in slot 3 to save your files first. You may elect to ZIP these files up beforehand (to save space). When moving the Flash EPROM from Slot 3 to 2, follow the rules on removing and inserting Applications. These are:- Go into the INDEX and check you are not running any of the applications on the ROM. If (for example) the Flash EPROM is in slot 3, a number '3' would be indicated in the CARDS column on the right-hand side of the display. If you are, move the cursor over the SUSPENDED ACTIVITIES and use the <>KILL command to close it. Open the card flap (the Z88 should beeb) and remove the Flash EPROM. Close the flap (the Z88 should beeb again) and check that the INDEX flag has not appeared. This should not be displayed on the top right-hand corner. Open the card flap (the Z88 should beeb yet again) and put the Flash EPROM in slot 2. Close the flap and check that the Applications appear again in the list on the left-hand side. Don't be temped to put the Flash EPROM out of one slot and into another without shutting the flap in-between times. The Z88 just doesn't like and will crash. On the 2nd Flash EPROM, you may want to clear the Application area to give the full 1024K space for files. You only need one copy of FlashStore, which, in this example is in slot 2. Use the Flash EPROM block erase command in RomCombiner to do this. You can only Save Files and Format the Flash EPROM when it is in slot 3. RUNNING THE APPLICATION COMMANDS You have seven commands. All may be executed by pressing a single key: KEYS DESCRIPTION 'C' Catalogues the Flash File EPROM 'S' Save files on Flash File EPROM 'F' Fetch single file from Flash File EPROM 'R' Restore all files from Flash File EPROM 'D' Change Device '!' Erase and format the Flash File EPROM 'Q' Quit this application Before formatting make sure you have saved and have a copy of the files supplied! (See Format) After formatting, you will have the unused space for saving your files. C / Catalogue files This command lists all the files in the Flash File EPROM. You have a choice whether to show deleted files or not. Deleted files are grayed and 'd' letter appears. On the right of the window you can see the size of the file. Notes The current Device and Directory (as selected by the Panel and the Filer) will be displayed on the command line with the Save and Restore commands. If the Z88's battery is low, you will not be able to FORMAT or SAVE files. This is a safety feature. S / Save files Wildcards are allowed, Filename: :RAM.1 (Slot 3 only) You simply have to enter the filename. Always specify the device. You are allowed to use wildcards. For example, if you want to save all the files including sub-directories, in RAM.1, type RAM.1//*. When files are saved, the file size is shown together with the "header," the amount of space needed for the filename to be stored on the Flash File Eprom. The program checks the data being saved is correct. In the unlikely event of an error, a message will be displayed and the file will be saved again. When the 'no room' message is displayed, the last filename that was trying to be saved can be viewed after pressing the ESC key. F / Fetch file from Flash File Eprom Enter exact filename (no wildcard). Filename: You have to enter the exact filename, preceded with the slash (/). Wildcards are not allowed. Fetch as : / [The slash is already there] Overwrite existing file : Yes [Yes overwrites, No doesn't] Fetching... Done. [The file has been fetched] Completed [The Fetch command is finished] Press ESC to Resume [ESC returns to Main Menu] R / Restore files from Flash File Eprom All files (including sub-directories) on the Flash File Eprom are fetched using the sub-menu commands. You might choose to restore all files without checking for existing files. Directories are created automatically in your selected RAM device. Enter Device (or path), Device :RAM.1 [Change RAM device and/or path] Overwrite existing RAM files? No [Will prompt user to overwrite file] Fetching file to :RAM.1/filename Overwrite existing file : Yes [Yes overwrites, No doesn't] Fetching... Done. [The file has been fetched] Completed [The Restore command is finished] Press ESC to Resume [ESC returns to Main Menu] D / Change Device Flash EPROM This allows multiple Flash EPROMs to be read using the same FlashStore application. Highlight the Slot number (1, 2 or 3) with the cursor that you wish to use. You may also press digits '1', '2' or '3' to select the actual slot. The selected device will be displayed at the top of the right-hand window with the file information with current information of file data and space left on the card. ! / Format Flash EPROM (Slot 3 only) This erases the EPROM area of the Flash EPROM and formats it. All data will be lost. CAUTION! All data will be lost. Are you really sure? No [Yes formats, No returns Main Menu] Q / Quit this program NEWS - NEW PRODUCTS Try EazyLink, Z88 to PC transfer and more - written by Interlogic. A ROM with both Eazylink and FlashStore is out NOW. A 'big ROM' (currently called Application 2000) with all the best applications written for the Z88. For information and supply on any of these, contact Rakewell Ltd. DISCLAIMER We will not in any event event be liable for any loss, including consequential loss, caused by any error, defect or inaccuracy in our hardware and software, including but not limited to loss of profit or loss of contracts. FAQ 1) Do I need to format the EPROM before I can start saving files to it? No. You will notice that there are some files that have been included on the Flash EPROM that you may find useful. One of these files is this User Guide. Use the Catalogue files to see what there is. 2) Does the format only wipe out the text files? i.e. does formatting leave the 64K of applications untouched? Only the text or file area is formatted. Applications remain on the Flash EPROM. 3) When I FETCH something from the EPROM, where am I fetching it to? To the default RAM device as set on the Panel []S 4) Is this the same as loading a file into Pipedream? i.e. I can FETCH my documents from the EPROM? You need to use the RAM device as an intermediate device when either fetching or saving files. 5) Can I EXPORT files from the EPROM directly to my PC or do I have to load them into :RAM.0 or :RAM.1 first? No - see above. Design Zlab - Thierry Peycru and Xavier Thomas Software Zlab - Thierry Peycru Interlogic - Gunther Strube Production Rakewell Ltd - Vic and Gill Gerhardi, Tony Firshman Rakewell Ltd Tel +44 (0) 1296 630617 Fax +44 (0) 1296 632491 E-mail: vic@rakewell.com Web: http://www.rakewell.com/