Integrated VT100 driver

REX#/REXCPM Integrated VT100 Driver

Add 80x24 external video to your M100!!!

Version 2 firmware is now available! See the Software section below for details. Version 2 offers the following improvements:

• First, and most importantly, a serious bug that impacted stability is addressed in Version 2
• Version 2 also includes some new features:
  • integrated VT100 video driver support (for M100/T102 only) see --> REX# / REXCPM Integrated VT100 driver
  • multi-bank support (for T200 and NEC only)
  • CNTL-A to start REX Manager quickly from Menu

Overview

What is REX#?

REX# is an add-on memory card that plugs into the Option ROM socket in a supported laptop, augmenting significantly the amount of memory in the laptop as well as what that memory can be used for.

• REX# provides 1MB of flash memory for the laptop.
• REX# puts bank switched flash memory into the OPTION ROM memory bank (1x32k bank)
• The 1MB flash (32 blocks of 32kB) may then be accessed, one 32k block at a time.
• REXMGR (aka REX Manager) software, loaded into the first 32k block, makes all this memory useful!

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