[DM41X] State file encoder - strange behavior

[pinkman]

I post here the same message I posted yesterday on the SwissMicros forum, in cas someone here has an answer.

Hello everyone,
something is puzzling me with the state encoder/decoder (https://dm41.swissmicros.com/).

Starting from a fresh hard reset (pin on the back) on the DM41X ("MEMORY LOST"), I create a simple program:

Code:

LBL "HELLO"
"HELLO WORLD"
AVIEW
(implicit .END.)

I run it twice, everything is fine, it appears in CAT 1, etc.
Then I save the state as a new file "hw.d41", transfer this file on my computer, and decode it. The result is, as you guess:

Code:

; STACK = 0 0 0 0 0
; ALPHA = "HELLO WORLD"
LBL "HELLO"
"HELLO WORLD"
AVIEW
END

If I encode this exact listing and create a new "hw2.d41", then load this new state file on the DM41X, the HELLO program doesn't appear in CAT 1.
Pressing [PRG] opens the source that I can see, and the following happens:
- try to suppress the first line (LBL "HELLO") -> DM41X locked, need to hard reset
- try to add an instruction somewhere in the code and exit PRG mode -> HELLO prog still not recognized
- GTO .. (packing) -> HELLO prog appears in CAT 1

Weird, is'nt it?

[Peet]

The DM41 programming tool doesn't seem to be 100% compatible with the DM41X.

[rprosperi]

Peet is right, the tool is intended for the DM41/DM41L, but not the DM41X, though I honestly can't recall the specifics of how/why not.

That said, pinkman, try PACKing as the very first thing you do after you load the new state file on the 41X; the act of packing might correct things. It's just a Hail Mary, but easy to try.

[pinkman]

Thank you Robert.
Today’s tests weren’t good, I’ll have to check what’s happening.

Not a big case anyway, once you know how to handle it (add a ligne, pack, but it doesn’t work at 100%). Never touch the first label, or it’ll lock the device.

My advice: save your progs as raw files, save state files, have a pin to reset!
My next step will be to use hp41uc.

[pinkman]

(01-19-2022 10:16 PM)Peet Wrote:  The DM41 programming tool doesn't seem to be 100% compatible with the DM41X.

Yes for sure, but it is documented in the DM41X section of SwissMicros’website, so I wanted to try.

[rprosperi]

(01-20-2022 07:21 PM)pinkman Wrote:  

(01-19-2022 10:16 PM)Peet Wrote:  The DM41 programming tool doesn't seem to be 100% compatible with the DM41X.

Yes for sure, but it is documented in the DM41X section of SwissMicros’website, so I wanted to try.

Please let me know where you saw that, I just checked both technical areas under DM41X and don't see it mentioned, but it may still be there somewhere...

[pinkman]

I doubted myself but here it is:
SwissMicros.com -> Technical -> model DM41X -> User Manual -> §5 Program Decoder/Encoder

Don’t correct the site, correct the tools!

[rprosperi]

(01-23-2022 12:22 AM)pinkman Wrote:  I doubted myself but here it is:
SwissMicros.com -> Technical -> model DM41X -> User Manual -> §5 Program Decoder/Encoder

Don’t correct the site, correct the tools!

OK, yes, I'm aware the manual mentions it, but also note it was updated to say:
"(To be implemented…​) Note that this utility is originally designed for DM41 and needs update to fully support all features of DM41X. "

I agree, it would be strongly preferred to have the Encoder support the 41X, but until that can be updated, references to the 41X were removed or the incompatibility clarified. I thought one had been missed...

[pinkman]

Ok I understand. It is not a big problem since hp41uc works really well, and… in fact the FAT storage is of a great help to avoid using the PC link.

[Craig Bladow]

I've been using the DM42 encoder/decoder website to encode programs before downloading to the DM41X. I haven't run into any problems.

https://technical.swissmicros.com/decoders/dm42/

[pinkman]

Yes I tried also, but I could not use it with HP41CX specific instructions.
Or maybe I missed something?

Anyway, the port and compiling of hp41uc for MacOS was very simple (minor changes in .h file), and I’m now using RAW transfers with command line tools. State files are used only for backups.