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Quick start guide

Publicado: 24 Oct 2016, 19:50
por antoniovillena
This is a summary extracted from the ZX-Uno FAQ created by Uto.

How can I reboot my ZX-Uno?

Soft reset : Ctr+Alt+Del
Hard reset : Ctr+Alt+Backspace

How can I enter BIOS?

Just press F2 when the Zx-Uno log is shown.

How can I choose which ROM to boot when starting ZX-Uno?

Press Esc when the ZX-Uno logo is shown. If you want to change the default ROM you can do it in the BIOS (see 'configuration' section).

How can I choose the default ROM?

Enter the BIOS, go to ROMS menu, press enter on the one you prefer, choose set active. Make sure you save changes before leaving the BIOS.

How can I choose core at boot time?

Your ZX-Uno will run Spectrum core by default, but if you press caps lock when the ZX-Uno logo is displayed you will get the core list. Please notice some cores are VGA only, so if you are using composite video you'll se nothing if you choose thesm.

But I choose a 128K model and it runs in 48K mode!

That is a common behaviour when a DivMMC device is active, even in standard Spectrums, it will run with 128K, but on "USR 0 mode", using 48K ROM.

But... what is ESXDOS?

ESXDOS is an operative system for DivIDE and DivMMC, that is, for disk interfaces for ZX-Spectrum. ESXDOS includes commands to handle the filesystem such as some UNIX OS, although to use them from basic you'll have to precede them with a dot, for instace ".ls", ".cd",".mv", etc.

Also, ESXDOS includes and NMI handler, an application that loads when we press the NMI keys in our keyboard (see next section).

ZX-Uno implements DivMMC exactly as is, so it supports and behaves exactly the same than a real DivMMC interface.

How to load games from SD card?

Once the games are in the SD card and ESXDOS is working (check you see ESXDOS logo at bootc time and you see your SD card detected in that same screen) tuu will just need to generate an NMO (Ctrl+Alt+F5) to access a menu where you can use cursor keys to move aroung and load Z80, SNA and TAP files.

How can I switch to VGA mode?

Connect the adapter cable, and press scroll lock key. If you can see the screen, reboot, press F2 continuosly to enter the BIOS, and press scroll lock again. Go to advanced options and choose VGA and 60Hz frequency.

Nevertheless, maybe your display unit supports VGA at lower rates so you can use .zxunocfg or ZXUC to try to reduce frequency until you find one your display unit supports, then go back to BIOS and set it up permanently.

The smaller frequency you use, the better, as increasing frequency also increases ZX-Spectrum speed.

I have changed video mode and I can't see anything on screen.

Reboot ZX-Uno and press F2 all the time to make sure you enter the BIOS even when you cannot see it. Then press Scroll Lock key until you can see the BIOS. Change settings again to set a mode you can use.

What are updates and which ones I can perform?

Your ZX-Uno will allow you to upgrade:

BIOS firmware
Cores
Spectrum core ROM list. Only this ROMs can be altered, other cores have their own ROMs within the core itself.
ESXDOS, the SD card operative system.
All ZX-Uno flash, including ESXDOS, ROMS, CORES and el firmware
Which is my firmware/BIOS version and how can I update it?

In the ZX-Uno boot screen you would be able to see "ZX Uno BIOS v0.xx". Up to today (23/09/2016) latest version is 0.55.

To upgrade it ask in the forum for location for he latest FIRMWARE.ZX1 file./p>

Note: updating the firmware (BIOS) is dangerous, don't do it if it's not necessery, and if you do it try to have your ZX-Uno plugged in to some UPS or battery sustained power source (as a laptop USB connection).

Once you have the file, save it in your SD card root folder, turn on your ZX-Uno and enter the BIOS pressing F2, go to Upgrade menu and choose "Upgrade BIOS for ZX", then "SD file". Once the BIOS reports upgrade is done, power off/on your ZX-Uno, you're done.

You must not get surprised if the progress bar doesn't fill completely. Progress bar is for the whole flash memory and firmware/BIOS uses just a small part.

How can I upgrade and install cores?

Your ZX-Uno has nine slots for cores, being the first one (#1) reserved for the ZX-Uno Spectrum core. All cores are updated the same, but the Spectrum one. You will need a file named COREn.ZX1, and rename it to CORE2.ZX1, CORE3.ZX1, etc. depending where you want to place that core at (which slot). To find latest COREn.ZX1 version of each core, you better ask in the forums.

Just put the file in the SD card, enter the BIOS, got to Upgrade meno, choose the slot for the chosen core, and prese enter, then "SD file". You'll get a message saying core has been installed and asking you for a name to show in the core list.

You must not get surprised if the progress bar doesn't fill completely. Progress bar is for the whole flash memory and firmware/BIOS uses just a small part.

How can I upgrade Spectrum core?

Exactly like the other core, but you'll need SPECTRUM.ZX1 file instead of CORE1.ZX1 file. Ask for latest version in forums.

Note: updating the Spectrum core is dangerous, don't do it if it's not necessery, and if you do it try to have your ZX-Uno plugged in to some UPS or battery sustained power source (as a laptop USB connection)

How can I delete a core?

You can't. Just rewrite another one over the same slot or rewirte it and enter an empty string when asked for name.