[comp.sys.zenith.z100] The software interrupts provided by MTR-100 Ver 3.0

koziarz@halibut.nosc.mil (Walter A. Koziarz) (12/28/90)

As I previously mentioned, Version 3.0 of MTR-100 is now available.  But *not*
from ZDS (or whatever they are now called); rather, it is available from Paul
F. Herman (he publishes the 'Z-100 LifeLine' newsletter) for about $60.  I,
honestly, admit that *seems* a bit pricey.  I had opportunity to speak at
length with the author of the new MTR-100 code and found out the following
items of interest.  The ibm-ish (i-i, from now on) interrupts were *NOT* added
in a attempt to 'gain pc-compatibilty' nor 'to be a replacement for ZPC'.  They
were provided so that the Z-100 could respond reasonably to these requests,
rather than give our favorite 'WILD INTERRUPT' message.  The coherent handling
of these interrupts (oops, I haven't listed them yet -- 10h, 11h, 12h, 15h) can
be viewed (from a software developer's point of view) as providing some degree
of uniformity in the desktop computer market and may encourage them to renew
support for the Z-100.

Anyway, here's the scoop on the interrupt functions it provides:

	int 10h
		func 00h
		func 01h
		func 02h
		func 03h
		func 06h
		func 07h
		func 08h
		func 09h
		func 0Ah
		func 0Ch
		func 0Dh
		func 0Eh
		func 0Fh
Note:
	these are not necessarily going to provide screen functions IDENTICAL
	to those of an ibm-pc; but will provide the closest Z-100 equivalent

	int 11h

Note:
	returns a default equipment attached word, the content of which
	is 0100 0010 1010 11?1 -- the '?' is determined by presence/absence
	of 8087; the rest of the status seems to be hardcoded and indicates:
	(1) printer
	(0) game adaptors
	(2) serial ports
	(4) floppy drives
	video mode (80 X 25, color)
etc.


	int 12h

Note:
	does return RAM size in 1K increments


	int 15h

Note:
	only there to tell programs there isn't any RAM above 1Meg

So that's about it, it does work and it does exist and it's not from ZDS.

Walt K.