Distribution: Public Domain, Emailware.
============================================================================
Requirements Are:-
------------------
Any Classic Amiga, SEE TEXT BELOW.
Standard Kickstart 2.0x and Workbench 2.0x or better.
RexxMast running, and RX in the path.
PAR: Device installed.
A home built, VERY simple piece of HW to toggle the -ACK line.
(There are two versions of the HW, PAR_READ_Simple and
PAR_READ_Complex. Both versions are simple... :)
(Project6 from TestGear2.lha in the hard/hack drawer of
AMINET is optional.)
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History:-
---------
02-06-2008.
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Version 0.94.80, correct some text errors.
10-05-2006.
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Version 0.94.70, minor text error.
08-05-2006.
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Version 0.94.60, rearranged the drawers and files more logically.
06-05-2006.
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Version 0.94.50, added another piece of simple HW to do the same task.
27-11-2005.
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Version 0.94.00, first upload to AMINET.
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This is a project to use PAR: as a VOLUME in READ mode only, NOT as a DEVICE.
I have NOT included PAR: in WRITE mode as this is easily done.
For example connect a standard parallel port printer to the parallel port
and from a CLI or Shell type:-
Echo > PAR: "This is a test line."<RETURN>
This is a test line.
Is printed to by the printer, so WRITE mode is possible without any special
knowledge.
PAR: in READ mode however is not so easy and was intended to accept binary
data IN through the parallel port to the computer WITHOUT ANY knowledge of
the HW registers or DEVICE offsets at all.
Very SIMPLE home built HW is needed for this to work and this is covered in
detail in the archive. ONLY pins 2 to 10 inclusive of the parallel port are
needed for FULL operation and if 5V is required then two other pins are used.
See the FULL archive for ALL details.
I decided on using ARexx and the extremely simple script is shown below:-
/* =================================================================== */
/* ----------------------------------------------- */
/* PAR: used as a ~volume~ for binary data access. */
/* (C)2005, B.Walker, G0LCU. */
/* ----------------------------------------------- */
/* Use ECHO for printing to the screen and SAY for */
/* printing any variables to the screen. */
/* ----------------------------------------------- */
/* IMPORTANT!!!, run ONLY from a SHELL or CLI. */
/* From the SHELL/CLI, type:- RX PAR.rexx<RETURN> */
/* ----------------------------------------------- */
/* Show my version number and (C) for one line only. */
/* (Note these two lines can be omitted.) */
ECHO 'c'x
ECHO '$VER: PAR.rexx_Version_0.94.00_(C)01-09-2005_B.Walker_G0LCU.'
/* Set up any variables. */
ParaByte = ''
MyByte = ''
/* Set the signal for breaking the script, ~Ctrl C~. */
SIGNAL ON BREAK_C
/* ------------------------------------------------------------------- */
/* This is the main working loop for accessing the parallel port. */
DO FOREVER
/* Open up a channel for reading from the parallel port. */
OPEN(ParaByte, 'PAR:', 'R')
/* Read a single binary character from the port. */
MyByte = READCH(ParaByte, 1)
/* If MyByte is a NULL then this corresponds to the EOF, 0, so correct */
/* it by making sure ALL NULLs are given the value of 0. */
IF MyByte = '' THEN MyByte = 0
/* All major data access done, NOW IMMEDIATELY close the channel. */
CLOSE(ParaByte)
/* Print the character onto the screen. */
/* This binary character ~MyByte~ can now be manipulated by all */
/* of the normal methods available under ARexx. */
SAY 'Byte at parallel port is decimal value '||C2D(MyByte)'. '
END
/* ------------------------------------------------------------------- */
/* Cleanup and exit from the script. */
Break_C:
EXIT
/* =================================================================== */
It works on ANY Classic Amiga, but could possibly work on an A1 using OS4
OR MOS so long as RexxMast and RX is available AND PAR: is an installed
DEVICE on the system. Device offsets are not needed for this to work as
can be seen above, hence my term VOLUME. :)
As the offsets are not required for correct operation then PAR: acts for
all intents and purposes like a disk in a disk drive and can be written
to, or, as in this case, READ from, and binary data aquired from the port
displayed onto the screen.
If you are interested further AND own an A1 and OS4 or MOS and would like
to experiment with this then please Email me at the address at the end of
this README.
There is an ARexx Voltmeter program using the A-D Converter inside the
archive and is a little more sophisticated than the very basic script
above.
(See ~Testing Evaluation~ below for more information.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
How the Voltmeter works is, a window is generated by IconX of the size
specified in the Project icon and the program is run inside that window.
You can vary this window size to take into account any strange font setup
that you may have.
(I hope you enjoy messing with it like I do... :)
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The archive is Public Domain/Emailware and you may modify them as you
please for your OWN experiments. See below.
(Original idea and (C)2005 goes to B.Walker, G0LCU.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT:-
-----------
The Legal Stuff:-
-----------------
These programs are Public Domain and no profit will be made from them,
also all of the files must remain unaltered and intact including this
one. The author is not responsible for any damage to, or loss of, or
failure of equipment or data caused in any way by the use of these
programs. There is NO warranty with the use of these software releases
and YOU USE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Testing Evaluation:-
--------------------
An A1200 in 2MB, 6MB and 10MB modes using trapdoor memory AND/OR
PCMCIA memory expansions. All memory expansions were ~DISABLED~ using
the NoFastMem program from the System drawer. Also tested on two A600s
with various memory configurations, a 1MB A500+ and an old style A500
with a 0.5MB memory expansion at $C00000 using the A500+ emulator and
Workbench 2.04, and LBNL an A600 emulating KS3.0x and running
Workbench 3.0x. Also tested on an A4000 with various upgrades and
OS3.9x.
All test conditions were/are running STANDARD KS2.0x to 3.9x, and using
standard ~topaz 8~ fonts throughout.
I have no idea what a strange configuration setup will create so refer
to the ~The Legal Stuff~ above.
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WARNING.
--------
1) DISCONNECT any faulty equipment under test from the MAINS supply.
2) If a DC supply is used do NOT reverse polarity the connections.
3) Do NOT power up any electronic item until it is safe to do so.
4) CHECK and RECHECK all of your construction and repair work thoroughly.
5) Handle ALL tools used with care.
6) Beware of ALL types of solvents, glues and etching fluids.
7) NEVER leave a soldering iron switched on unattended.
8) KEEP everything OUT of the reach of small children.
9) Switch OFF the AMIGA before disconnecting or connecting any hardware.
10) And finally read 1) to 9) again.
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Contact:-
---------
Mr Barry Walker, G0LCU,
70 King George Road,
Loughborough,
Leicestershire,
LE11 2PA,
England.
Email:- wisecracker@tesco.net
URL:- http://homepages.tesco.net/wisecracker/G0LCU.HTM
Author of the ~TestGear?~ projects in the ~hard/hack~ drawer of AMINET.
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A very useful HardWare related site, (C) Anthony Hoffman, for
modifications, schematics, repairs and the like is:-
http://amiga.serveftp.net/
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aminet net>