Date : Thu, 07 Aug 1986 16:48:43 GMT
From : Jim Gilbert <jim%fritz.uucp@BRL.ARPA>
Subject: PCPI Applicard Tech Info
I would like to obtain the following reference information for the PCPI
Applicard Z-80 processor and the accompanying CP/M implementation.
I think that Personal Computer Products Inc. was purchased by Micropro or
went out of business.
I know some people know this (employees of Empathy Software, former
PCPI employees), and there must be somewhere to write to obtain
at least some hardware reference information.
Now it gets boring:
Apple View of Applicard:
- use of standard slot-dependent addresses for scratch
RAM, ROM, and interprocessor communication
- interrupt daisy chain handling
- dma daisy chain handling
- location, size, and entry points of 6502 monitor
- boot sequence
Applicard view of itself and the Apple
- RAM and ROM addressing/bank switching
- i/o space resources
- ports used to interface to 6502
- boot sequence
- writing and installing device drivers
Hardware
- schematics
- meaning of the 2x4 and the 2x25 jumpers or expansion
connectors
I have done various CP/M OEM ports, written drivers, spoolers, etc. and
am very familiar with all the insides of the Microsoft Softcard implementation.
I know I can figure all this out again by disassembling lotsa code.
And I can figure out the hardware by tracing the etch of
both sides of the board and reverse-engineering the schematics. This is
just an extremely tedious process.
I would be willing to pay a modest amount, e.g. under $20 for significant
portions of the information mentioned. I have no commercial interest in
any of this. I am merely exploring this implementation.
Thank you kindly for your interest if you have read this far. Any assistance
will be appreciated.
Jim Gilbert
FileNet Corporation
3530 Hyland Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
ihnp4!trwrb!felix!jim