ZX-DOS

2020-09-20T11:19:24Z

Eggysplat: Extra instructions / core link for the ZXDos+ LX25 board

== Introduction ==
The [https://www.antoniovillena.es/store/product/zxdos/ ZX-DOS] is a FPGA-based hardware recreation of the ZX Spectrum, created by [https://www.antoniovillena.es/Antonio Villena]. It builds upon the earlier work done by the [https://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml ZX-UNO] team.

The Next and ZX-DOS both use the [https://www.xilinx.com/products/silicon-devices/fpga/spartan-6.html Xilinx Spartan 6 XC6SLX16] FPGA, and both have multi-core capabilities. This makes the ZX-DOS an ideal candidate to run the Next core.

== Hardware ==
The base model of ZX-DOS has 512MB SRAM, whereas the base Next specification requires a minimum of 1MB RAM. Therefore you should choose a 1MB ZX-DOS. The webshop is [https://www.antoniovillena.es/store/product-category/otherfpga/ here], but currecnty only lists the 512MB model. We recommend emailing Antonio directly (info AT antoniovillena DOT es) to get pricing and availablity for the 1MB model.

If you already own a 512KB ZX-DOS, Antonio can supply a replacement 1MB hat which will enable you to use the Next core. Alternatively, Antonio can supply a full set of hats that can be used with certain models of Xilinx development boards.

You will also require a ps/2 keyboard, a VGA cable, a VGA monitor, and a micro SD card of at least 1MB capacity.

The ZX-DOS also supports a ps/2 mouse, and optional twin Atari-wired joysticks.

The ZX-DOS hardware does not include HDMI, RTC, ESP Wifi module or the Raspberry Pi Zero accelerator, so those features will be unavailable from the Next core.

The instructions below were originally written for the ZXDos (based on the LX16 FPGA). ZXDos+ is currently using an LX25 FPGA, using a different file-format (ZXD as opposed to ZX2). There is an alternative download link for the Next core in this format.

== Loading the Next Core Into Your ZX-DOS ==
# Format a blank SD card.
# Copy [https://www.specnext.com/latestdistro/ the latest Next distro] onto the SD card.
# Copy [http://www.esxdos.org/standard esxDOS 0.8.6] onto the SD card.
# Edit machines/next/config.ini and change ps2=0 (or add ps2=0 if it doesn't exist)
# Download https://github.com/zxdos/binaries/raw/master/zxnext_zxdos_issue2.ZX2 and rename to core31.zx2. Place it in root of SD. You may use a different slot number instead of 31, as long as you substitute your slot in the remaining steps of these instructions. For the ZXDos+ hardware (based on LX25), download the ZXD format of the next core, from https://github.com/zxdos/zxdos-plus/raw/master/lx25/COREn_NEXT.ZXD and rename to core31.zxd.
# Boot into BIOS, which is power on (or CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE), and press F2 on the first screen.
# Use right cursor to go to Update menu.
# Go down to core slot 31, and press ENTER. If there is no slot 31, then choose Add new core.
# Pick SD file. Answer "Yes" to the "Are you Sure?" question.
# Wait. Type name "Next".
# Exit/Save changes & Exit.
# Boots straight into TBBLUE.FW and then NextZXOS, hopefully.

== Notes ==

# When in Next-land, CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE doesn't get you back to DOS-land, so have to power off and on again to get back to the ZX-DOS boot menus.
# Whilst not sure about a drive button, F1 should reset the core and take you back to the initial Next menu.
# No idea what the push button on the top of the DOS does.

ZX-DOS

2020-09-20T11:02:10Z

Eggysplat: Fix the location of the config file for the Next core

== Introduction ==
The [https://www.antoniovillena.es/store/product/zxdos/ ZX-DOS] is a FPGA-based hardware recreation of the ZX Spectrum, created by [https://www.antoniovillena.es/Antonio Villena]. It builds upon the earlier work done by the [https://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml ZX-UNO] team.

The Next and ZX-DOS both use the [https://www.xilinx.com/products/silicon-devices/fpga/spartan-6.html Xilinx Spartan 6 XC6SLX16] FPGA, and both have multi-core capabilities. This makes the ZX-DOS an ideal candidate to run the Next core.

== Hardware ==
The base model of ZX-DOS has 512MB SRAM, whereas the base Next specification requires a minimum of 1MB RAM. Therefore you should choose a 1MB ZX-DOS. The webshop is [https://www.antoniovillena.es/store/product-category/otherfpga/ here], but currecnty only lists the 512MB model. We recommend emailing Antonio directly (info AT antoniovillena DOT es) to get pricing and availablity for the 1MB model.

If you already own a 512KB ZX-DOS, Antonio can supply a replacement 1MB hat which will enable you to use the Next core. Alternatively, Antonio can supply a full set of hats that can be used with certain models of Xilinx development boards.

You will also require a ps/2 keyboard, a VGA cable, a VGA monitor, and a micro SD card of at least 1MB capacity.

The ZX-DOS also supports a ps/2 mouse, and optional twin Atari-wired joysticks.

The ZX-DOS hardware does not include HDMI, RTC, ESP Wifi module or the Raspberry Pi Zero accelerator, so those features will be unavailable from the Next core.

== Loading the Next Core Into Your ZX-DOS ==
# Format a blank SD card.
# Copy [https://www.specnext.com/latestdistro/ the latest Next distro] onto the SD card.
# Copy [http://www.esxdos.org/standard esxDOS 0.8.6] onto the SD card.
# Edit machines/next/config.ini and change ps2=0 (or add ps2=0 if it doesn't exist)
# Download https://github.com/zxdos/binaries/raw/master/zxnext_zxdos_issue2.ZX2 and rename to core31.zx2. Place it in root of SD. You may use a different slot number instead of 31, as long as you substitute your slot in the remaining steps of these instructions.
# Boot into BIOS, which is power on (or CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE), and press F2 on the first screen.
# Use right cursor to go to Update menu.
# Go down to core slot 31, and press ENTER.
# Pick SD file. Answer "Yes" to the "Are you Sure?" question.
# Wait. Type name "Next".
# Exit/Save changes & Exit.
# Boots straight into TBBLUE.FW and then NextZXOS, hopefully.

== Notes ==

# When in Next-land, CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE doesn't get you back to DOS-land, so have to power off and on again to get back to the ZX-DOS boot menus.
# There is no Reset or Drive button. All F keys work as expected.
# No idea what the push button on the top of the DOS does.

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ZX-DOS

ZX-DOS