Spectrum mode

   ZX Spectrum mode created for using software written for computer popular in 80-th and 90-th years. Full compatible with Spectrum clones: Pentagon 128, Pentagon 512, Scorpion 256.
   You will not found many differences between using Spectrum mode and using real Spectrum.
But Spectrum mode of Sprinter has new features: 

1. fast change model of Spectrum clones
2. using several RAM-disks
3. using MS-DOS FAT16 compatible floppy and hard disks
4. change frequency of CPU (3,5MHz/21MHz)

Sprinter has two variants for entry in Spectrum mode:

1. You can start TRD image file from Sprinter DOS. RAM-disk will autocreated. TRD file will copy to RAM-Disk. And your TR-DOS disk will ready for work.

2. You can start spectrum.exe file for activating Spectrum mode and for entry in Main Menu.

Main Menu.

1. TR-DOS - Entry in command prompt TR-DOS.
2. Hardware - Choice of Spectrum clone.
3. BASIC 128 - Entry in editor of Basic with RAM 128Kb.
4. Calculator - Comfortable calculator
5. BASIC 48 - Entry in editor of Basic with RAM 48Kb.
6. Options - More actions.

Hardware Menu.

1. Sprinter - Special mode of Sprinter work
- enable Scorpion-256
- enable Spectrum screen
- COVOX ( port 4Fh ) is accessible
- extended graphic screen is accessible
- ports of extended memory is accessible
- ACCELERATOR is nonaccessible
2. Pentagon 128 - Russian Spectrum clone with 128Kb RAM.
- port 1FFDh is nonaccessible
- Pentagon screen synchronization
3. Scorpion 256 - Russian Spectrum clone with 256Kb RAM.
- port 1FFDh is accessible
- Scorpion screen synchronization
4. Pentagon 512 - Russian Spectrum clone with 512Kb RAM.
- port 1FFDh is nonaccessible
- Pentagon screen synchronization
5. Restart - Restart of computer Sprinter. You will not lost your RAM-disks
6. RETURN - Go to the Main Menu.

Options Menu.

1. RUN disk.trd - Load and start file "disk.trd" from default device.
2. 128 TR-DOS - Start BOOT.B file from current device with RAM 128Kb
3. 48 TR-DOS - Start BOOT.B file from current device with RAM 48Kb
4. TURBO ON - Turn CPU frequency to 21MHz and fix it
5. TURBO OFF - Turn CPU frequency to 3,5MHz and fix it
6. Clear RAM - Clear RAM and kill all RAM-disks.
7. RETURN - Go to Main Menu.

New TR-DOS commands.

   You can download TR-DOS documentation, if you don't know this DOS for ZX Spectrum.
Sprinter has some new TR-DOS commands for new features

All new TR-DOS commands begin from "/".
X - simbol of RAM-disk. You can create 16 RAM-disks from "E" to "T"

/FDD - Connect FDD to current device.
/HDD - Connect HDD to current device.
/RMD X - Connect RAM-disk to current device. 
/CLEAR X - Kill RAM-disk X.
/A: (or /B: or /C: or /D:) - Choice of TR-DOS device
/HDT - HDD diagnostic.
/RD - Information about memory allocation.
/LOAD X <file.trd> - Load RAM-disk X from <file.trd> file.
/SAVE X <file.trd> - Save RAM-disk X to exist <file.trd> file. 
     Note: <file.trd> file must be created already.
/DIR - List of files from Sprinter DOS disk.
/TBOFF - Turn CPU frequency to 3,5MHz and fix it.
/TBON - Turn CPU frequency to 21MHz and fix it.
/INIT - Clear RAM and kill all RAM-disks.

For example: 

A:>/init - Clear RAM
A:>/b: - Change current disk to "B:"
B:>/fdd - Connect FDD to disk "B:".
B:>/load e mydisk.trd - Load file "mydisk.trd" to RAM-disk "E"
B:>/rmd e - Connect RAM-disk "E" to disk "B".
B:>RUN - Start BOOT.B file from disk "B:"


You can use new commands in command prompt and in BASIC programs. You should use standard command if you want use new TR-DOS commands in your BASIC program:
RANDOMIZE USR 15619: REM: <new TR-DOS command>
Example of creating RAM-disk:

10 RANDOMIZE USR 15619: REM:/C:
20 RANDOMIZE USR 15619: REM:/rmd G
30 RANDOMIZE USR 15619: REM: FORMAT "G" 5

 

Exit from Spectrum mode.

For leave Spectrum mode use "Restart" item in Hardware Menu or use Reset button of your computer.