WTT: HP 85 Assembler ROM 00085-15007

[Paul Berger (Canada)]

(02-05-2016 10:10 AM)Michael Fehlhammer Wrote:  

(02-05-2016 01:36 AM)rprosperi Wrote:  And they are very nice indeed. In case you have not looked, there is an HP-87 version of the SuperROM, which includes:

Adv Programming ROM 1 & 2
Assembler ROM
Matrix ROM 1 & 2
I/O ROM
Extended Mass Storage ROM
Plotter ROM

(in truth, you can only use 7 of the above 8, but still, it's much cheaper than physical ROMs.)

Yes, thanks for the hint, I know about PRM-85.
In fact a year ago I initiated the modification of PRM-85 to match the needs of HP-86/87 users better, i.e. the preprogrammed ROM codes were adjusted.
My custom "PRM-87" hosts 10 ROM images ( 8 plus 2 in a second EPROM with individually configured ROM codes via the DIP switches).
I wonder why only 7 of 8 ROM images can be used in the PRM-87 that officially is for sale now?

I only collect HP 86/87 items, no one here who needs the HP 85 module?

I just realize that I can offer also a HP 98151a Rev. B Program Development ROM!

It would seem that the cards are being distributed with the preprogrammed select codes in the PLD aimed at 85 users, and the "SuperROM" provided does not match up with three of these codes, in fact only one of them is much use to 86/87 users and that is the service ROM, which is not in the received "SuperROM" image. The select code for the Mass Storage ROM is of little use as the mass storage ROM is built into 86/87 systems, and there is no 86/87 equivalent to the Program Development ROM. So the only option is to use the switches to enable 2 of the 3 images, which degrades the usefulness of the card. I am guessing that you "Custom PRM-87" has a custom programmed CPLD with a different set of preprogrammed select codes, if that is the case it would make me wonder why the seller does not make that available as an option to current buyers. I also don't understand why the service ROM would be part of the default set, it would seem to me that it would be an infrequently used ROM and could be burned into a single image ROM and installed in the second socket when needed.

I am not a PRM-85 owner all of the above is based on what I read in the manual for it, when I needed ROMs for my 85A and later 86A I designed and built my own card.

Paul.