Today, I thought it would be nice to install BIOS 2.20 for my Mr Backup Z64. BIOS 2.20 works with IDE-CF adaptors and I installed one next to my harddrive. I did this mod in an hour, it's not final. Overall it's very simple and there is enough space for both devices. The only problem is to fix the devices. I also have a black Iomega ZIP drive. I'd love to install this too, but I'm limited to 2 devices.
Those adapters are very common and cheap. Next, I want to modify it, that it doesn't stick out of the case. btw, is it possible to rename the disks in the Z64 menu screen?
Actually, yes it is, although it can only be done in the bios. So it would require a(nother) new bios (and I thought 2.20 would be the last...) I was thinking of naming them alphabet letters for the games in each partition/drive (e.g. A-F,G-M,N-S,T-Z or something). Problem is, would be different for everyone....
Ah right, is that where the bios checks for a batch file on the zip drive and executes it if it exists? I remember that being added to the bios at some previous stage.... You would still need to mod the current 2.20 bios, to remove the current disk-naming entries. However yes you could move the naming side of things to a batch file that exists on the main partition. Only catch is if you swapped/moved the main partition (e.g. by swapping the connection order on the IDE bus you would then lose access too all partitions apart from the main (1st) partition. EDIT: there may be another (easier) possibility, need to check on how dos deals with renaming of 'mounted' volumes.
I have a document about the z64start.bat: Code: Are you familiar with the PC startup sequence ? The Z64 starts like a PC, but since it is an embedded PC system, the boot-drive A: is coded in the BIOS chip and not as removable diskette. The Z always boots from the internal drive A. The ZIP drive and others attached have then the drive letters C:, D: ... With HD&ZIP attached, the HD is drive C. To let you take over the boot-process, the ZIP/HD BIOS has a command in the boot, to check for a DOS-BATCHfile (z64start.bat) on drive C:. This jump is just before running the Z64.EXE program: From the internal Z/HD BIOS autoexec.bat: if exist c:\z64start.bat call c:\z64start.bat a:z64 c In your "Z64START.BAT" you can use - all internal DOS commands - The programs and files in the BIOS drive A: (read only) - all additional programs you supply with the ZIP or HD (e.g. a new Z64.EXE, a SysInfo tool) The only problem is, that you don't have a standard screen and keyboard. Sample 1: This sample shows how to call a batch-file on the ZIP disk when you have HD and ZIP attached. On my harddisk with 3 partitions the ZIP drive (when attached) is mounted as DISK-4. The path depends on how many partitions your HD has. The ZIP will be the last drive. Copy the following lines as z64start.bat file to the main directory on your HD. Z64START.BAT: if exist C:\disk-4\ZIPstart.bat call C:\disk-4\ZIPstart.bat Sample 2: This sample copies all files from folder NEW on the ZIP to folder NEW on HD -Autoupdate-Prepare your HD as in SAMPLE1 and place the following ZIPstart.bat file on the ZIP-Disk ZIPSTART.BAT: copy /B C:\disk-4\new\*.* C:\new\*.* Sample 3: BACKUP your SAVE files from HD to ZIP disk Prepare your HD as in SAMPLE1 and use an empty ZIP with the following ZIPstart.bat file You will also need the DOS LHA archiver LHA255E.EXE For viewing the archives, I use the free Windows PowerArchiver ZIPSTART.BAT: C:CD \disk-4LHA a -r1x1s1z1n2 C:\disk-4\SAVE C:\*.RAM C:\*.MPK C:\*.EEP A:
Hi, Yes I'm pretty familiar with how the Z64 starts up - I made the 2.20 bios which allows compact flash devices to be used. Any additional disks/partitions detected are "mounted" onto folders on the first partition using names Disk-1 Disk-2 etc. This happens during Z64 startup before the z64start.bat is called. I can alter the Disk names in the bios, but then the results would vary depending on how many partitions you had. What I was going to test is whether the 'mounted' folders that point to partitions can be renamed from z64start.bat. I'll need to test this, as this is all being done by very old dos programs. If the mounted folders can be renamed in Dos, then we don't need a new bios, if they can not - we will. If you want to test, simply put this z64start.bat: rename c:\Disk-1 c:\Test1 Save it (z64start.bat) on your primary partition and see what happens. (Check it is Disk-1 and not Disk1, I can't remember).
Hey Silver, I would like to thank you for sharing your excellent work! One thing I have been wondering. I understand hotswap doesn't work for CF (?). From what I understand from the ATA standard, both the ATA Task File command "ATAPI Identify Device" and the ATAPI Packet Command "Inquiry" can report if a device consider itself removable. Do you know whether the CF-device reports that it is removable?
It's quite amusing you asked about the CF response the ATA "Identify Device" command, as that was the cause of CF not working in any previous bios. The limitation (I suspect) to preventing hotswap is the driver that provides ATA (hard disk and CF-IDE) support in the z64. It was added by someone to the 2.17 and 2.18 bios' to allow Hard drives to work. zip disks use a Iomega dos driver that handles "hot swap" for the zip drive. The IDE dos driver is a rather old "Orb Disk" driver - the orb was a removable drive, but I imagine the drive sent a particular signal to indicate it is being removed. I imagine the Z64 menu program can handle it as it handle removable zips ok.
