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.