Short:    Toolkit to load ROM images onto Q40 computer
Author:   Mark J Swift
Version:  1.56
Uploader: msw@blackpool.ac.uk
Type:     hw/q40

This toolkit adds a single keyword - SOFTROM - to superBASIC.

This keyword allows ROM images to be loaded into the ROM
area (usually 0-96k) on the Q40 computer.

This is useful in implementing system ROM upgrades, where
burning a new EPROM is inconvenient - or for loading
alternative operating systems.

There are two versions of the command:

The first variant of the keyword:

  SOFTROM

  ...will load a new ROM over serial port 1 at 9600 baud.
     Once complete, the machine will reboot.

     The serial data should be a <long word> for the length of
     the ROM followed by the actual <bytes> of ROM data.
     The following BASIC program, run on a remote QL,
     would achieve this.

     150 REMark -- SEND LENGTH --
     160 OPEN#4;"SER1H"
     170 PRINT#4;CHR$(0);CHR$(1);CHR$(128);CHR$(0);
     180 CLOSE#4
     190 :
     200 REMark -- UPLOAD ROM TO Q40 --
     210 COPY "flp1_CLASSICn_ROM" TO "SER1H"


The second variant of the keyword:

  SOFTROM <filename>

  ...will load the specified ROM file from disk into the
     ROM area. The machine will then reboot.

     for example the command:

     SOFTROM "win1_CLASSICn_ROM"

     will load a QDOS Classic ROM (version beta n) into
     the ROM area and then reboot the machine.


ARCHIVE CONTENTS

 SOFTROM_rext     - Toolkit to load ROM images onto Q40 computer
 SOFTROM_asm      - the assembly source
 QDOS_inc         - QDOS assembly includes
 Q40_inc          - Q40 assembly includes
 SOFTROM_readme   - this file


FEATURES

* FREEWARE


CONTACT

  post: MARK J SWIFT          e-mail: msw@blackpool.ac.uk
        175 CHURCH STREET
        BLACKPOOL
        LANCS
        FY1 3NX