Date   : Sat, 21 Jan 2006 23:28:32 +0000
From   : Jules Richardson <julesrichardsonuk@...>
Subject: Re: Unknown 'Kenda' module?

Ian Wolstenholme wrote:
> I have retrieved it.  I needed something to fill in the time whilst downloading
> the Xebec manual. 

Wow - brilliant (I was just about to hit send on a reply to your last email 
about it :)

 > It was in the box of Atoms, I had forgotten I had four Atoms but I don't think
 > they all work.

Ditto - I think two of mine run, one's so ropey that it's only ever going to 
be good for bits, and the other one doesn't currently have any RAM...

> Several of the pins are bent on my module and one of them is broken off
> altogether.  

Uh huh - don't you just hate IC plugs soldered directly to things? Is the 
broken pin just the tip, or has it actually broken off within the module 
itself? If the former, then some sort of repair should be possible, probably 
with a trailing 40-way lead and a bit of bodging...

 > I think I did this trying to straighten them so I have never used
> it.

I've done that on a 65C102 copro before :-( I fixed it, it was just annoying 
needing to do so!

> I also have the manual.  It sounds quite good from reading it.  The introduction
> says it is the "Kenda Software Services Disc Management Filing System" and has
> several "unique features" such as:
> 
> - double density storage
> - standard CP/M filenames and disc drive conventions
> - files which have been erased can be unerased
> - no user RAM required by DMFS.

Hmmm, interesting. Presumably produces disks that are totally incompatible 
with anything else on the planet though (in which case I'll make a point of 
labelling and putting to one side the floppies that came in the same pile of 
stuff)

> To fit it you need to insert the ICs as follows:
> 
> - 74LS00 in IC77 (should already by present in Model B)
> - 7438 in IC79
> - 7438 in IC80
> - 74LS123 in IC87
> - wire link in IC86 between pins 1 & 4
> 
> Then fit the DMFS (sounds similar to a certain SJ Research file server,
doesn't it?)
> to IC78 in place of the 8271.
> 
> Ensure link S8 is made and link S9 is not made.  Iss 3 boards need a slight
mod as
> well.
> 
> The lead with the plug connects to a sideways ROM socket with the spare
holes in the
> socket towards the front of the BBC.

thanks! :-) I didn't see a manual in the pile that this gadget was in, so I 
don't think we have it...

cheers

Jules