• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

Programming the Kaypro 2/84 SIO

smp

smp

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
1,726
Location
Bedford, NH, USA
Hello all,

I've been playing around with my Kaypro 2/84, and now I am wondering how to get source code into it so I can assemble it. In particular, I am interested in getting the Fig-FORTH source code into the machine. This is a significant sized source file, so simply typing it in is not really at the top of my list of options.

My other vintage CP/M machine is an IMSAI with a Northstar floppy disk controller, so I do not have the option of moving a CP/M disk from that machine to the Kaypro.

So, I've been thinking about writing a simple Hex Loader. That's something that I could type in and get running, and then I would be in a position to read Hex files in via the serial I/O port.

The Kaypro has a Z80 SIO in it, as far as I can find out. I've also found out that the data I/O port is port 04H and the control/status port is port 06H. There is a program on my CP/M system disk called BAUDM to set the baud rate for the SIO so I do not have to worry about initializing the device, I only have to read from it and write to it. What I do not know is how to work with the control/status port. Does anyone know what status bit I need to mask for to see that input data is available, and also what status bit I need to mask for to see if the transmitter is ready?

If anyone has any code snippets, I would be grateful to see them. Also, since I have only the CP/M assembler, 8080 code would be most appropriate, but I can translate if necessary.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

smp
 
Last edited:
TJ_Mossman said:
Do you have a PC with a 5.25" drive? The shareware version of 22DISK can format a Kaypro disk and write the files to it.
Click to expand...

Yes, I do... and I have done that kind of thing before, too. I guess that would be the best way to go. I'll just have to figure out how to do it again.

I was kind of hoping to do this project to end up with a tool that I could use and share with others. If anyone has any thoughts about how to get it done, please speak up.

smp
 
Probably the simplest approach is just to get yourself a null-modem cable and a disk with a decent comms utility on it so you can send files from a PC with an XMODEM/ZMODEM utility. I should be able to set you up with a Kaypro disk with the requisite software, though you'll have to provide the null-modem cable.
 
commodorejohn said:
Probably the simplest approach is just to get yourself a null-modem cable and a disk with a decent comms utility on it so you can send files from a PC with an XMODEM/ZMODEM utility. I should be able to set you up with a Kaypro disk with the requisite software, though you'll have to provide the null-modem cable.
Click to expand...

PM sent!

smp
 
TJ_Mossman said:
Do you have a PC with a 5.25" drive? The shareware version of 22DISK can format a Kaypro disk and write the files to it.
Click to expand...

OK, I've done the 22DISK thing, so I can get files into my Kaypro. Thanks very much for the reminder.

I am still interested in playing around with the Z80 SIO. If anyone has any code snippets to share, I would appreciate seeing them.

smp
 
The simplest way would be to find the BYE (or MBYE) insert for the model of Kaypro you've got.

g.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top