April 2002 - TechToolsList - listserv.classicarcade.com

Re: 8086 pod for fluke?
by Chris_Hardy＠vie.co.uk 13 Sep '05

13 Sep '05

Hey, that would be my cue :) All of the M72, M82, M84 games from Irem use a NEC V20 which is a 8086 with some extra instructions. It's also pin compatible so the 8086 pod is usable with it. Of course, there aren't exactly many of these around :) Chris (M72 = RType, Dragon Breed, XMultiply, + others, M82 = RType II, Pound for Pound, M84 = Major Title) ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: 8086 pod for fluke? Author: Noel Johnson <nej(a)airmail.net> at Internet Date: 1/17/00 12:09 AM Hello All, I am about to obtain an 8086 pod for a fluke 9010. Did any arcade games use the 8086 or am I going to have to trade this puppy away?? Thanks! Noel

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Re[2]: Fluke T-shooters
by Chris_Hardy＠vie.co.uk 10 Aug '05

10 Aug '05

Does anyone know if the scripts for the 9010 work on a 9100a?? It may also be of interest to know that someone (presumably Al Kossow) has scanned and pdf'ed a lot of the fluke manuals and uploaded them to www.spies.com/arcade. There's a fluke directory which has some 9010 scripts and the .exe to compile them, and in the TE directory there are manuals for the 9010,9100 and most of the POD's. (I presume Al wrote the scripts) Unfortunately, the user manual for the 9100 isn't there. Sigh... Chris (I would like a copy of the scipt also :) ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: RE: Fluke T-shooters Author: John Robertson <jrr(a)flippers.com> at Internet Date: 1/11/00 8:40 AM I found the Asteroids script, had downloaded it a while ago and it was lurking in the wrong area. Would anyone like a copy? John :-#)#

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RE: Replace the 9010A base with an IBM Parallel port?
by John Robertson 10 Mar '04

10 Mar '04

Does anyone here want to assist by disassembling the Z80 (or 6502 or 680X) code in one of the pods to figure out the command codes? Now that we have an idea of the results, a list of the command codes might make it very easy to continue to the next stage-actually talking to a pod on the parallel port. I think it is actually not going to be that difficult.... The code is on the archive site ftp://ftp.flippers.com/Fluke John :-#)# --------------------------------------------<results if you missed them>------------------------------------------------- More results: Great, when you do a First READ on the pod, you get a RESET to the pod, and a bunch of chatter: READ FE55 = 31: 30 35 REAL LONG PAUSE ... RESET AB 36 38 30 32 20 20 PAUSE FOR (about) TWO CYCLES(2P) 24 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF FF (P) (P) (P) 00 00 00 00 (P) FF FF FF FE (P) 00 00 08 00 30 (P) 4D 52 20 20 20 20 P P P P 48 41 4C 54 20 20 P P P 0E 00 06 30 00 LONG PAUSE HERE.....PERHAPS 10 TIME UNITS THEN 30 35 55 31 00 Now I'll try to do some more reads...This is exactly the order as entered... Read @ Location Data Softla results (Start byte, command byte, high address, low address, data read, Stop) N MP MP MP MP MP ( N means no handshaking, M is MAINSTAT & P is PODSTAT) 4567 FF = 5A 35 45 67 FF 00 89AB FF = 53 35 89 AB FF 00 0001 00 = AB 35 00 01 00 00 Write @ Loc. Data N MP MP MP MP 0101 AA = 01 23 01 AA 00 MP 2055 56 = AA 33 20 55 56 00 0101 43 = 56 33 01 01 43 00 Read... N MP MP MP MP MP 2055 FF = 43 35 20 55 FF 00 F808 FF = 55 35 F8 08 FF 00 F9AB FF = 08 35 F9 AB FF 00 FDEA FC = AB 35 FD EA FC 00 I think I now see the pattern for reads/writes. The first byte is the LAST DATA, note that the timing for that is such that MAINSTAT and PODSTAT have done nothing until the second byte. I suspect the 1st data byte is there for the REPEAT function...so lets try that... Repeat... N MP MP MP FDEA FC = EA 05 FC 00 Repeat... FDEA FC = 05 05 FC 00 Repeat... FDEA FC = 05 05 FC 00 OK, for REPEAT the first Byte (again before M or Podstat) is 1st the last data,then the last instruction. Now lets try a write again... Write... N MP MP MP MP MP 0123 45 = 05 33 01 23 45 00 0123 66 = 45 03 66 00 (much shorter for a second write to the same address!) Thus 03 is "Same Address Write" Read... N MP MP MP MP 0124 00 = 66 15 24 00 00 (hmmm looks like "15" is read increment(?) to next byte. let's test... 0125 00 = 24 15 25 00 00 (now lets skip a few...) 012F 00 = 25 15 2F 00 00 (and a few more...) 0138 00 = 2F 15 38 00 00 (lets shift up a little ways...) 0238 FF = 38 25 02 FF 00 (interesting...seems to latch the 38, ok, lets change both a bit) 0339 EF = 02 35 03 39 EF 00 (OK, it caught that, "35" might mean "new address read") I think the pattern that is coming out is something close to this X3 = write, X5 = read, if X = 0 then same address, if X = 1, then same address high byte, if X = 2 then latch low address byte, if X = 3 new address bytes. Yes, this looks right so far... TIMING The very first byte is BEFORE you get any handshaking...then you get MAINSTAT, then shortly after you get PODSTAT which ends just after MAINSTAT ends, then the remaining handshaking has POD end with MAIN. Boy I wish this had time marks... John :-#)# ...:56 AM 05/03/2002 -0800, John Robertson wrote: >>Read @ Location Data Softla results (Start byte, command byte, >>high address, low address, data read, Stop) > > 0208 FF = 00 35 02 08 FF 00 > 0505 EF = 99 35 05 05 EF 00 > 1050 FF = 13 35 10 50 FF 00 > FE55 31 = 00 35 FE 55 31 00 > >Got it! the first data byte seems to grab the pods attention, often a 00, >but perhaps (?) not that important, but it certainly looks like a Clean >(no other read action in front) Read is "35" then the address and the >resulting data. It appears that multiple reads change the communication >with the pod in the sense that if you take two reads (different locations) >in a row the command string is different. Stay tuned this evening when I >dig into more reads and test the writes. > >John :-#)# > > >> 0000 AA = 00 23 00 AA 00 (result) >> 0101 FE = 00 21 00 FE 00 >> 0200 EF = 01 35 02 00 EF >> 00(result - a little longer this time...) >> 0300 EF = 00 26 03 EF 00 >> 8000 EF = 02 26 80 EF 00 >> C000 FF = 80 26 C0 FF 00 >> F800 FF = C0 26 F8 FF 00 >> FC00 8E = F8 26 FC 8E 00 >> FC05 8D = FC 16 05 8D 00 >> FCEE EE = 05 16 CC EE 00 >> 0200 EF = CC 35 02 EF 00 (same >> length as others now...) >> 0000 AA = 00 23 00 AA 00 >> >>Now I'll try some writes: >>Write @ Location Data (results) >> 0000 55 = 00 03 55 00 >> 0100 AA = 55 25 01 AA 00 >> 0200 AA = CC 23 02 AA 00 >> 8000 44 = CC 23 80 44 00 >> EF08 11 = 0C 33 EF 08 11 00 >> (longer) >> >>Well, that's all for tonight, I'm getting tired... >> >>John :-#()#

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Cracking the 9010A ROM signature generator
by John Robertson 15 Jun '02

15 Jun '02

I give up, I am way too frustrated by this stupid signature crap so I am going to dive into my 9010 and see if I can figure out how it is doing it. I first have to figure out if it is in the pod or the base unit, when the signature is being generated I see lots of activity on the pod data buss, so I am assuming the process is handled inside the stupid base. I am going to also see if I can figure out mathematically the difference between the fluke signature and the regular checksum by reading a small bit of data and then doing a checksum on the same bit of data, then extrapolating it from there. I suspect that the unit is taking each data line and adding it up, then the next data line...and summing them all together or in series. Gah. digging into it tonight, perhaps I can report out later this evening what I fine. Any suggestions? I am NOT an assembly language person...I can read it a bit, I understand the process, but I have not programmed with the stuff more than a few lines. If someone wants to disassemble the ROM in the base unit, the images are on ftp://www.flippers.com/public and I found a nice Z80 disassemble called DZ80 http://www.inkland.demon.co.uk/dz80/index.htm heh, heh... John :-#)# To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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Re: 9010A w/ 4 pods on e-bay
by Kev 02 May '02

02 May '02

Nevermind, ended w/ BIN.... > >http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1726594492&ssPageName=AD M >E:B:SS:US:1#BID1 > >6802 >6809 >Z80 >68000 > >BIN of $750 (which probably isn't that unreasonable given the 6809 pod). > >Kev > > >

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9010A w/ 4 pods on e-bay
by Kev 28 Apr '02

28 Apr '02

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1726594492&ssPageName=ADM E:B:SS:US:1#BID1 6802 6809 Z80 68000 BIN of $750 (which probably isn't that unreasonable given the 6809 pod). Kev

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Re: VECTOR: Atari Cat Box questions
by John Robertson 27 Apr '02

27 Apr '02

If there is sufficient interest I could build a few of these adapters. The 6809, 6808/2, 6800, Z80, and 6502 are fairly simple to reproduce...the Z8002 is the pain...but I am still working on getting the PROM code for it so someone can make the adapter. This adapter would probably also work for the Fluke, by the way! If someone else wants to take on the task I have the pods for these and can show the individual how to do the job, you just need a small PCB with a bunch of cross-over circuits to re-layout the CPU end to match the CPU desired to plug into. This unit does NOT emulate, nor does it run the game under test (unlike the Fluke 9XXX or Arium test fixtures) still the Checksum feature and RAM test are fairly handy, if Atari had used shielded cables it might have been more useful, as it is I suspect that if one made up better cables - similar to the high end Fluke cables on those pods, then the RAM tests would be more useful...certainly FASTER than the Fluke! I would be happy to continue the discussion in the Techtools List...I have a bit of experience with the CAT boxes... John :-#)# At 09:06 AM 26/04/2002 -0400, Kev wrote: >It can be used on any 8 or 16 bit processor you have an adapter for. > >I've owned a Z80 adapter & used it on Pac-Man. > >Supposedly there are 6809, Z8002 adapters available too but good luck >finding them. > >Be sure to have (or install) the checksum feature. > >Kev How to subscribe/unsubscribe from the Tech Tools List: To do either you send email to "MajorDomo(a)flippers.com" and in the body you state either "Subscribe techtoolslist" or "Unsubscribe techtoolslist", note that the Subject is "" (Blank)... --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com) Version: 6.0.351 / Virus Database: 197 - Release Date: 19/04/2002

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Wanted : Manual for Rhode & Schwarz LAC64
by Mike Coates 27 Apr '02

27 Apr '02

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Possibly important
by Rodger Boots 25 Apr '02

25 Apr '02

I can't verify it right now, but I think the Des Moines game auction is the same day as a hamfest, BOTH at the fairgrounds. If the hamfest is the same day and you have any interest in finding low-cost test equipment for fixing games you might want to check it out. Typically hamfests wind down by noon, so this is something to check out before the auction.

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Shipping delicate test equipment....
by John Robertson 23 Apr '02

23 Apr '02

I don't know what you folks experience is in shipping stuff, but I just bought one of the Ariums on eBay and when it arrived it was a bit broken up inside - see small picture - so I sent the following note to the seller of the next Arium I won: ------------------------------------------------------------------- "Might I ask you to pack this securely? I just received another Arium that I had won in a previous auction and the two circuit boards inside the unit had broken their pc card edge connectors due to shock in transit. Plus the handle snapped one of it's lock buttons and the rear of the unit was bent a bit. This WAS packed in a big box with lots of chunks of foam... If possible I would ask you if you could please remove the two (or three?) small PC style circuit boards that are in the center of the unit and pack them with the pods. Then could you pack the Arium in it's own box, filled with peanuts, then place that box in a larger one, then the pods (and possibly the two/three boards) would be packed in a second smaller box and placed with the boxed Arium in the single bigger box that is also then filled with "peanuts"? I hope that is not inconvenient for you. But I really would like this to arrive in working condition. And it is somewhat fragile as I have found out to my dismay. I won't hold you responsible at all for shipping damage, we all take our chances, as long as it is well packed - that is reasonable, isn't it? We have shipped many items using this method including Pachinkos ( lots of plastic bits to break off) and old pinball backglasses and none have broken in transit." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Comments? Any one else have nasty surprises when they opened a box? I've had the points snapped off of probes, pins mangled on pods etc, so I am careful to describe recommended method of packing to sellers of equipment. for example - the Fluke Pods, it is IMPERITIVE that the plugs are taped after locked into the self test socket on the pod. Shipping tape works very well. John :-#)# "Arium-Damage.JPG" (missing attachment)

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