Emulator/Guide

Z PMD 85 Infoserver

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We often meet with problem that peoples don't know use PMD 85 and they haven't basic knowledge about loading programs and games from tape. We notice a basic description that directly related to way of work with our emulator.

The PMD 85 exists in several models and unfortunately usage was from model to model slightly different. But general usage is same and not too complex. Important fact is, that every new model of PMD 85 or its compatibles brings some differences in work with them and also HW/SW changes makes some kind of incompatibility between every single model. This is reason that every program don't run on every model of PMD 85.

PMD 85 computer basically uses files of two types:

• "?" - programs in machine code - these can be loaded only from MONITOR (console) by using MGLD command
• ">" - programs in BASIC language - these can be loaded only from BASIC interpreter by using LOAD command

Other types are usually source files for various system programs.

loading of programs in machine code

Step-by-step guide:

• in "Settings dialog" choose in "Model" tab model of PMD 85.
• ROM file should be related to selected model (e.g. PMD 85-2 has "monit2.rom").
• checkbox "Insert ROM Module" must remain unchecked.
• click OK to leave "Settings dialog" and then press Alt-F5 (Reset).
• system message ++ Os ready ++ will be shown on console line.
• press Alt-T to show the "Tape Browser".
• click "Insert tape" and choose *.ptp package with "?" files.
• select (double-click on) game/program, on the left of name appears small triangle what is loading cursor. You can remember file identification number (noted first before type and name -- xx/? NAME).
• for faster loading switch on "Flash load" button on right side below the "Tape Browser" window.
• switch to main window of emulator and enter to console line command MGLD xx, where xx stands for file identification number.
• confirm command with EOL (Enter).
• on left side below the "Tape Browser" window click on "Play" button and program will be loaded.

After the game or program is loaded, often some instructions appear on screen, but most commonly in Czech/Slovak language. There are some most important words that you should have to know.

some PMD 85-1 rules:

• MONITOR (console) will starts after reset (without ROM Module inserted), or from BASIC with MONIT command.
• file identification number xx can be in range from 00 to 63 (with leading zeroes) and it must match to header of loaded program
• between MGLD command and file identification number must be exactly one space.
• when program hasn't AutoRun, it can be started with JUMP xxxx command, where xxxx stands often for hexadecimal start address of block header (in "Tape browser" windows its value in "Begin" column). If start address is 0000h it can be started with SHIFT + DEL (in emulator Shift + Delete) hotkey.
• between JUMP command and address must be exactly one space.

some PMD 85-2 and PMD 85-2A rules:

• MONITOR (console) will starts after reset (without ROM Module inserted), or from BASIC with SHIFT + RCL (in emulator Shift + PageUp) hotkey.
• file identification number xx can be in range from 00 to 99 (with leading zeroes). When number is 00 will be loaded next program on loading cursor.
• between MGLD  command and file identification number not have to be exactly one space.
• for program starting holds same as for model PMD 85-1, except fact that between JUMP command and address not have to be exactly one space.

some PMD 85-3 rules:

• MONITOR (console) will starts after reset (without ROM Module inserted), or from BASIC with SHIFT + RCL (in emulator Shift + PageUp) hotkey.
• because PMD 85-3 model has another memory setout (basic MONITOR is located from 0E000h address), but programs expecting MONITOR located from 8000h address. For that reason is required switch to compatibility mode by JUMP FFF0 command.
• otherwise is all same as PMD 85-2(2A).

loading of BASIC programs

Step-by-step guide:

• in "Settings dialog" choose in "Model" tab model of PMD 85
• check "Insert ROM Module" checkbox and in "ROM package" combobox select "BASIC-G Vx.x", where Vx.x is version of BASIC interpreter and should be related to selected model (e.g. PMD 85-2 has "BASIC-G V2.A").
• click OK to leave "Settings dialog" and then press Alt-F5 (Reset). In case of PMD 85-1 model choosed is necessary to enter and confirm BASIC G command. Other models bootstrap ROM module contents immediately after reset.
• BASIC interpreter starts with shown of BASIC-G /Vx.x message on top of screen.
• press Alt-T to show the "Tape Browser".
• click "Insert tape" and choose *.ptp package with ">" files.
• select (double-click on) game/program, on the left of name appears small triangle what is loading cursor. You can remember file identification number (noted first before type and name -- xx/> NAME).
• for faster loading switch on "Flash load" button on right side below the "Tape Browser" window.
• switch to main window of emulator and enter to console line command LOAD x, where x is expression that stands for file identification number.
• in BASIC V1.0 interpreter, file identification number x can be in range from 00 to 63 (with leading zeroes) and it must match to header of loaded program. In other versions of BASIC interpreter number 0 will load next program on loading cursor.
• confirm command with EOL (Enter).
• on left side below the "Tape Browser" window click on "Play" button and program will be loaded.
• when program name begins with *, program will be started automatically, but don't on PMD 85-1 model.
• otherwise enter RUN command and program will be started.
• most of BASIC programs use K0-K11 keys to control, see keyboard layout.

loading of PASCAL programs

Author of the PASCAL module for PMD 85 is RNDr. Peter Tomcsanyi. Pascal programs are saved in block of 512 bytes, first in type "P" and next in type ":" with same name. These blocks are expected while loading.

Step-by-step guide:

• Pascal ROM module is intended for PMD 85-2, 2A and 3 models. In "Settings dialog" choose in "Model" tab one of these models of PMD 85.
• check "Insert ROM Module" checkbox and in "ROM package" combobox select "PASCAL V1.02".
• click OK to leave "Settings dialog" and then press Alt-F5 (Reset).
• In case of PMD 85-3 model choosed is necessary to enter in compatibility mode with JUMP FFF0 command. Other models bootstrap ROM module contents immediately after reset.
• PASCAL interpreter starts with shown of PASCAL-PMD /V1.0xx message on top of screen.
• press Alt-T to show the "Tape Browser".
• click "Insert tape" and choose *.ptp package with PASCAL files.
• below in "Tape Browser" select "Stop tape at the block with cursor" mode in "Auto-stop" combobox.
• select (double-click on) program, on the left of name appears small triangle what is loading cursor.
• list cursor (blue selection rectangle) set (by single click on) after last ":" block (in fact, next program).
• press key C for Citaj command (stands for "Load") and enter program name.
• on left side below the "Tape Browser" window click on "Play" button, program will be loaded and displays "Koniec čítania" (stands for "End of loading").
• run program with pressing key C for Rob command (stands for "Make").
• before loading of another program is necessary to erase previous program by pressing key N  for Novy, otherwise will be merged.