9815 Test ROM 98140-66501 ?

[artag]

In fact, the service manual does indicate what the test rom does - it has self-contained tests for ram, keyboard, display, tape drive etc. rather than the more general debug features I had in mind. Further tests such as printer were provided through a test tape so I guess the rom was used to get core functionality to work then the taope-loaded tests for anything else.

Many years ago I used some commissioning software built for PCs in both a rom and disk-loaded version that allowed simple repetitive operations to exercise memory and peripherals. A macro language was used to assemble more complex tests and the technicians were even able to build a hacky overlay system that copied blocks of memory to and from disc to store the saved macros.

It all seems a bit overcomplicated for a handful of machines maintained by enthusiasts : there seems to be a much larger amount of interest in the 9825. But the amount of effort involved may be quite small. I'm looking at building a simple rom board (essentially a 98134A, which is the rom board used in all the other adapters, supported by other boards for their unique i/o needs). Could then be programmed with a monitor, or a 6800 Forth, to allow me to dump other roms.