home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Amiga Format CD 18
/
amigaformatcd18.iso
/
-in_the_mag-
/
emulation
/
emus
/
connectors
/
zxmit.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1997-07-31
|
5KB
|
143 lines
ZXMIT V2.00
-----------
Spectrum/Amiga File Transfer Program
------------------------------------
Copyright (c) D.J.H.Hartley, 1990,1993.
ZXmit can be used and distributed freely, but it is not public domain.
The author retains copyright. It may not be sold for profit, or included
with any commercial product without prior permission from the author.
This document must be supplied with the program and must not be modified.
Format: ZXMIT TO|FROM|INFO <file> [NOHEAD]
ZXmit is a general purpose file transfer program for transferring files
between a ZX Spectrum and the Amiga, using the serial communication ports
of both computers.
It has only been tested on a 48K Spectrum and Interface 1 and these
documents are for the 48K Spectrum and Interface 1 although, without too
much difficulty, it should work for any Spectrum.
SERIAL CABLE
------------
Make up cable as follows:
Spectrum (Interface 1) Amiga
2 (TxD)---------------------------2 (TxD)
3 (RxD)---------------------------3 (RxD)
4 (DTR)---------------------------4 (RTS)
5 (CTS)---------------------------5 (CTS)
7 (GND)---------------------------7 (GND)
ZXMIT HEADERS
-------------
ZXmit headers are optional and are attached to the beginning of a file
saved on the Amiga. This allows ZXmit to retransmit the file back to the
Spectrum as faithfully as possible or to provide information to other
programs that may use the headers. They increase the file size by 12
bytes, and should be used except when transferring files that are to be
included in an Amiga program, raw bitmap graphics for example.
These headers are compatible with the Speculator ZX Spectrum Emulator.
SPECTRUM TO AMIGA TRANSFER
--------------------------
In an Amiga CLI/Shell type:
ZXMIT TO <file> [NOHEAD]
where <file> is the file name you want it saved as. The optional NOHEAD
does not save a ZXmit header to the disc.
Then on the Speccy one of the following:
SAVE *"b" for BASIC programs
SAVE *"b"LINE n for BASIC programs + start line
SAVE *"b"CODE s,l for code/data in memory
SAVE *"b"SCREEN$
etc.
AMIGA TO SPECTRUM TRANSFER
--------------------------
On the Amiga:
ZXMIT FROM <file>
On the Speccy one of:
LOAD *"b" for BASIC programs
LOAD *"b"CODE for code/data in memory (or screens)
LOAD *"b"SCREEN$
etc.
If the file on the Amiga was saved with a ZXmit header then ZXmit will
use this information as a header to send to the Speccy ie. BASIC/CODE,
start, length, etc. If the file doesn't have a header then a default
header of type 3 (code) and start address=25000 is sent to the Spectrum.
GENERAL
-------
The fault `wrong file type' (always on the receiving computer) indicates
a header format error. An alternative type of fault is that one side has
finished while the other is still in the process of transferring. These
errors are typically due to noise during transfer. Assuming that the
header that is to be transmitted is not at fault (corrupted), then abort
both computers and try the transfer again. ZXmit can be aborted at any
time using Ctrl-C.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILE ON THE AMIGA
---------------------------------------
If you have saved the file on the Amiga with a header then information
about the file can be displayed on the Amiga. This also allows you to
see if the file does have a header.
ZXMIT INFO <file>
The information is then displayed on the screen. A type 0 is a BASIC
program and type 3 is code. Types 1 and 2 are numeric and string arrays
respectively. The number after the type indicates Speculator compression,
0=not compressed. Note ZXmit does not compress transmitted files and does
not retransmit compressed files. Length is the number of bytes in the data
block. Start is either the start address of code or the run line for BASIC
programs, values >= 16384 indicate that the program does not auto-run.
BASIC is the number of bytes taken by the program part of a program.
PROTOCOL
--------
The protocol used is the default Speccy one when it boots, that is:
9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, RTS-CTS. But as the protocol is
default on the Speccy (just make sure if you have changed the baud rate
on the Speccy that you change it back to 9600) and in the Amiga is hidden
inside ZXmit, you don't have to worry about it.
Any queries, suggestions, spare cash, beer, etc. to:
Danny Hartley
1 Alexandra Drive
Prestatyn
Clwyd
LL19 8BW
U.K.