Antonia 4 MB Configuration software›-----------------------------------››This program allows you to configure the Antonia 4 MB extension, i.e. choose one of the 8 available ROMs to serve as the OS and BASIC, and one of the 16 available RAM setups.››General characteristics›-----------------------››Apart from the usual RAM extensions handled by the PORTB register, that is:››1) none›2) 130XE - separate access for CPU and ANTIC›3) Karen 192k - separate access for CPU and ANTIC›4) Rambo 256k›5) Rambo 320k›6) Compy Shop 576k - separate access for CPU and ANTIC›7) Rambo 1088k››the Antonia also offers two less usual options:››8) Axlon 2 MB or Axlon 4 MB››9) 2 or 3 MB linear RAM for the on-board 65C816 CPU››The Axlon implementation on XL/XE slightly differs from what is known on 400/800. On the original Axlon for the 400/800, due to partial address decoding, the controlling register occupies the areas $0FC0-$0FFF and $CFC0-$CFFF. On XL/XE the register is located only at $CFFF; moreover, it is available only when PORTB bit 0 is set to 1 - or in other words, when the system ROM is on.››The Axlon extension can be used in SpartaDOS X just the same way as the regular PORTB extension is usually used there, i.e. for system code, ramdisks and such.››The size of the Axlon and linear areas are dependent on each other: there is 4 MB RAM to share, so if you want both enabled, each one will occupy 2 MB. When you disable the linear, the entire memory will get assigned as the Axlon RAM.››The linear RAM is accessible using the new (to 6502) addressing modes provided by the CPU. The flasher uses this memory to buffer the ROM contents before flashing. When the Axlon 4 MB was selected, the flasher cannot enable the linear RAM without remapping the banked extension, and this may be destructive for any data possibly already residing there (as ramdisks, resident drivers and so on). This is why in this case you will be asked to switch the memory configuration manually before proceeding.››Again, the linear RAM may be used as ramdisk under SpartaDOS X.››NOTE: the presence of the linear RAM past the first 64k proved to cause some compatibility problems with some software. The most known program which has a problem with that is MyDOS. If you experience that, please either use a patched version of the program or switch the linear memory off.››Using the ANT.EXE setup program›-------------------------------››The program allows you to select RAM and ROM configurations as shown above. It also contains the flasher, which enables you to change the ROM contents.››The ROM is split in 7 slots; each slot contains two separate areas: one for the OS and another one for the BASIC. Initially all slots are preprogrammed with XL/XE OS (rev. 1.03) and Atari BASIC rev. C.››The ROM is generally divided into two halves. Each half contains these 7 slots, which makes 14 slots. But only one half is programmable. The other half is provided for easy recovery in a case of a bad flash. You swap the halves using the jumper provided on the Antonia board.››The preprogrammed contents will be displayed as "XLOS" (in the configuration menu) and "ABvC" (= Atari BASIC version C), and as "default" in the flasher menu for both the OS and the BASIC.››If a slot contains something different, both menus will display its checksum code in hex. For the OS-es it will be the contents of the bytes $C000-$C001 (49152/3 - and note that the old 400/800 OS contains nothing there). For BASIC ROMs, as these contain no checksums, the checksum is arbitrarily homemade by the ANT.EXE program.››This is not perfect, but it will at least allow you to check quickly if a slot contains the preprorgamed contents, or it was programmed with something else.››Using the flasher›-----------------››The following information is (strongly) based on the AtariAge post made by Larry (many thanks!).››1) Make an ATR (or disk, or folder on the disk) using either SDX or MyDOS or any other favourite DOS, to hold ANT.EXE.››2) put there the OS ROM files and BASIC ROM files that you want to use.››3) Load the ANT.EXE without BASIC. Under SDX you should use the X.COM command to execute the program.››4) When loaded, the program will show you the current settings. The dashes show in the ROM pairs currently active. (Note: you are always using the OS/BASIC pair - you do not pick and choose separately). On this same screen, the type of Atari expanded memory is shown in highlighted inverse: this is the cursor.››5) Initially all slots are filled with the same "default" ROMs: XL/XE OS + Atari BASIC rev. C.››6) If you want to change a slot, press "F": this takes you to the next screen showing all the slot pairs #0 - #7. Note that the slot that is currently active will have the "#" highlighted.››7) Use the up/down cursor keys to highlight the slot you want to change. For example, let us say that you want to change the OS in slot number #3.››8) Press "L" - and the program asks, if you want to load an "O" 10k OS ROM (400/800), "X" 16k OS ROM (XL/XE) or "B" BASIC. Let us say that you want to change the OS ROM to Omnimon XL.››9) Press "O" and the program will show you the contents of the current drive/folder (under SDX) or D1: (under other DOS-es). The OS and BASIC images you want to use should already be there. You must have previously put "OMNIMON.ROM" to that place.››10) Note that the file selector allows you to change drives (press 1-9 or A-O) and navigate through subdirectories, so if it does not show the ROMs at first, do not panic.››11) Use the cursor keys to highlight the desired file and press Return. The program will immediately load that file into the proper buffer position in memory. (Note: nothing has been flashed thus far, this is just replacing the #3 position contents in the buffer).››12) Press Return to go back to the previous screen that shows the slot pairs.››13) Repeat steps 9-12 if you want to change something else. Maybe you also want to insert Altirra BASIC into the same slot #3?››14) When you have everything you want loaded into the buffer, then press "F" (Flash All).››15) The program flashes *ALL* the buffer contents. It will reboot the computer afterwards.››16) At any time, use Escape to take you back, aborting whatever you were doing. Of course, do not try to abort while the program is actually flashing.››17) When you change a slot pair, write down what you have changed. Currently the program does not have any way to keep the title contents of the flash ROM (except showing the checksums in hex, as said in the previous sections).››Have fun,›KMK/DLT›Warszawa 6 VIII 2017›