Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles; site ea.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!ea!mwm From: mwm@ea.UUCP Newsgroups: net.micro.cpm Subject: Re: 8086 co-processors for CPM80 - (nf) Message-ID: <7800005@ea.UUCP> Date: Tue, 24-Apr-84 18:10:00 EST Article-I.D.: ea.7800005 Posted: Tue Apr 24 18:10:00 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 27-Apr-84 03:58:04 EST References: <12313@sri-arpa.UUCP> Lines: 39 Nf-ID: #R:sri-arpa:-1231300:ea:7800005:000:2007 Nf-From: ea!mwm Apr 24 17:10:00 1984 #R:sri-arpa:-1231300:ea:7800005:000:2007 ea!mwm Apr 24 17:10:00 1984 Not being able to reply to the ARPA-Net (and it's my fault - I have to fix the sendmail tables....), here we go: First, I have nothing but praise for the HSC hardware. It works exactly as advertized. It took less than 15 minutes to install. The z80 runs sits on a short (~2 in) cable from the old socket. I've had no problems with that. Doing the I/O through the z80 does make it slower. I can tell the difference in typing a file on the z80 versus the 68000 (yes, I got the 68000 version). However, this is part of the cost of getting a 16-bit system for cheap. Given the Intersystems caching BIOS (I'm running an II MPU-II with 160K), the result is acceptable. This system does output lots of RFI. The fix for that is in the works. It's nothing more than a shielded cable, so I don't think there's anything to worry about. This may not be a problem for you, though. I've have the 68000 version, so I can't vouch for their MS-DOS implementation. The software isn't quite as good as the hardware. Most noticeably, the BIOS looses disk directories if you have a high performance BIOS (like the II BIOS. sigh). The fix is supposedly out, but I haven't seen it. Their are several other problems in the software. All the ones I know of are supposed to be fixed in the version I haven't seen (I'm going to call them tomorrow. I'll post the results). I've been impressed by their response to customer my problems. The first set of software they sent me had a bum disk. Ditto for the next *two* replacement disks. They sent me - quickly - replacements each time. I complained about the RFI problem, and they sent me the parts I requested for a fix. All in all, I'm impressed by the system. It's a very cost-effective way to get into 16-bit systems. One of the nicest features is that you can still use all your 8-bit software without having to support two systems (space, power, disks, etc). CP/M-68K has problems, but my old DDSS disks work like a charm. Highly unlikely if I'd bought a new system.