Integrated VT100 driver

REX#/REXCPM Integrated VT100 Driver

Add 80x24 external video to your M100!!!

References:

For information on the VT100 driver and MVT100 video adapter: MVT100 information For the original TRS-80 DVI User guide (Disk BASIC commands): Disk Video Interface / Disk BASIC Overview

Overview

Starting with "Version 2" REX# and REXCPM Manager software, 80x24 displays can be directly driven by the M100 over either RS-232 interface, over the "BCR HACK" TTL serial interface.

The VT100 driver makes use of video related commands specified in the DVI User guide. When enabled, the user can redirect BASIC, TEXT, ADDRS, SCHED and TELCOM functions to either

• the LCD (aka SCREEN 0)
• the RS-232 port (SCREEN 1, 19200 baud, 8N1)
• the BCR port (SCREEN 2, 57600 baud, 8N1, TTL)

It is strongly suggested that the user read the DVI User Guide!

  Note:
  In general, VT100 displays do NOT perfectly support the M100.
  The VT100 command set excludes many functions that the M100 needs.
  So, the VT100 driver is really customized to work with 
  the MVT100 external video adapter board.

  ***sounds like a new project***
  ... a Windows/Linux VT100 display that emulates the M100 command set and characters!

Enabling / Disabling the VT100 Driver

The integrated VT100 driver is enabled or disabled via a Quick Menu function, CNTL-V. In MENU, when REX Manager is installed, pressing CNTL-V pulls up a menu that allows the user to select from 3 possible configurations for VT100 driver.

  1.  DeInst:  this option removes all traces of the VT100 driver, and enables full OPTION ROM use.
  2.  SAFE:    Safe mode allows the user to use VT100 (Disk BASIC) and DISABLES OPTION ROMS.
  3.  EXPERT:  Expert mode enables VT100 and also enables OPTION ROMS.

  Note about Expert Mode:
  Disk BASIC and VT100 are not really compatible with most OPTION ROMs.  So, in general you have to swap between
  using SAFE mode and DeInstalling VT100 to use OPTION ROM software.
  Rom2 Cleuseau is an exception; it appears to tolerate VT100 operation well.
  So, it is possible to switch to EXPERT mode, and enable R2C100 or R2C1D, and make use of that ROM
  on either SCREEN 1 or SCREEN 2.

The user can freely switch between modes at any time, by returning to MENU and keying CNTL-V.

Supported DISK BASIC Commands

Here is a list of DISK BASIC commands enabled by VT100 driver.

  SCREEN

The VT100 driver

Main Features and Functions of REX#

REX# (via REXMGR software) enables several key capabilities for the Model T user.

• Option ROMs: Applications for Model T laptops were originally distributed as Option ROMs. These ROM images may be loaded into flash blocks, and then quickly switched/activated for use by REX Manager.
• RAM Images: Users can quickly backup or restore the current working RAM of the laptop into one of the 32k flash blocks. This provides a great way to store data, programs, or quickly recover from a cold boot situation.
• Quick Menu: the laptop main menu now has some custom keystrokes that speed up REX# usage.
• Active Optrom display: the main menu also shows the name of the installed option ROM.
• Additional nice things: REX Manager fixes the Y2K date display problem

Model T variants supported by REX#

• TRS-80 Model 100
• Tandy 102
• Tandy 200
• NEC PC-8201, 8201A, 8300
• Olivetti M10
• KC-85 (well I don't have one but I'm sure it would work!)

  Notes
  =====
  Model 100:
  * In Europe and UK, and probably elsewhere, there are newer versions of M100 that have different boards.
  * Model numbers are 26-3801B and 26-3802B.
  * REX# does not function correctly in these models, due to the significantly different main ROM.
  Olivetti M10 note:
  * In order to use REX#, the Olivetti M10 must have it's main ROM updated to be "like the M100".
  * The M10 is compatible with standard 27C256 eproms
  * Obtain the replacement main ROM image, burn the image and mounting the chip in the main ROM socket.
  * the link to the M10 ROM page --> Olivetti M10 ROM patch

Links

REX Products home page

REX Products ordering information