Dear all, I´ve received now WP-2 ROM cards from PCBWay. I´ve modified my WP-2 (wire RA4-pin5 to RA5-pin2) and solder jumper JP1 is now as needed. I´ve also downloaded the S/W from "Model-T Computers" group on FB. Question it now: How to copy S/W (i.e. BIN files) to the ROM card and run it from there. Regards Georg
========== Ihre Nachricht ========================================== von : Brian White <[email protected]> gesendet : Dienstag, 17. Juni 2025, 23:12 an : Georg Käter <[email protected]> Betreff : [M100] TANDY WP-2 IC-Card __________ Originalnachricht _______________________________________ > Be advised, the machine treats rom and ram cards differently and they are > used for different things. > The machine does not treat a ram card as cpu address space, and software > can't access the ram directly. Software can only use the system rom file > acces routines to create/delete/change a filename, or access a 256 byte > record from a file. > The machine does treat a rom card as address space that can be switched in to > the cpus address space like an option rom in a 100. > The software Ben wrote works with ROM cards. > A ram card doesn't need any special software. The system rom just uses a ram > card as a disk and you use it from the Files menu just like the internal ram > disk or a connected tpdd drive. > The 2 versions of ram card, really 3 versions at the moment, all work the > same from the user point of view. They appear as the "Memory Card" disk in > the Files menu. You can copy files to or from it, that's it. > The differences are: > The SRAM version currently on pcbway has 128K and is well tested. > The SRAM version on github is the same but updated to support up to 512k, and > adds some hacking options which you can ignore (solder jumpers that come > pre-connected by pcb traces for normal operation). I didn't update pcbway yet > because the old version is tested and the new version is not. The update is > _probably_ fine because the changes are simple, but I just want to build one > just to be sure. The main thing is actually just a minor physical fit issue > with the battery holder. I have the new pcbs and parts and could build one > any time, just haven't yet. > The issue with the battery holder is just that it's really a 2012 holder. If > you just use a CR2012 cell, then there is no problem. But a 2016 cell is much > preferred because 2016 are more common right in grocery stores etc, and > provide years more more memory retention. And I know from another project > that you can stuff a 2016 into that holder, but it's tight and I'm worried > the constant pressure might break the pads off the pcb after some time. I > have large solder-filled vias in the pads to act as rivets so it's not > relying on just the epoxy but who knows if that's really enough long term. I > just want to figure out some proper answer for that before making it > official. Either figure out some soldering directions that modify or elevate > the holder a little, or just make the directions say to use a 2012 cell > instead of 2016, or go back to the old holder but turned 90 degrees, or cut > the tabs on the old holder to be like the new holder, etc, _something_ > besides leaving it with directions that result in a part that might break > itself after a while or the first time it gets dropped etc. > Anyway, the point is the biggest question with the new version is actually > just this basically trivial thing with the battery holder. > The MRAM version works the same as SRAM in that it's just disk space, but > doesn't need a battery and claims to retain data for something like 100 or > 200 years. No battery corrosion and no data loss even after being left in a > box for 30 years, great! On the other hand it's expensive, more difficult to > solder because of all the level shifters, and can be permanently destroyed by > a magnet. So it's very cool but hard to recommend as the _default_ choice. > It's just an option that's available if you accept the trade offs. > You can also give yourself a 128k ram disk fully internally by just buying > and installing a single sram chip in the socket inside. Something like $6, > single part, and no soldering or anything. > Ben's rom software doesn't apply to any of these. > pcbway (or jlc, or elecrow, etc) can probably assemble the cards mostly but > maybe not the connector. They might not be able to source the part, and might > not be able to get a machine to solder it horizontally like that. Or maybe > neither of those is a problem. I do have both bom and centroid files included > on pcbway so that people could try to use the assembly service. I never have. > They can also 3d print the cover but you have to remember to click on it to > add it, and you have to choose the material, I can't pre-load the settings > for that. SLS nylon or glass filled resin are good. The nylon is tougher so > the thin legs in front won't break off, but the resin is easier to paint or > stick a label on etc. Regular resin without glass usually warps because the > part is thin and flat, MJF is sometimes not dimensionally accurate enough, > FDM is doable yourself at home but you probably want to use the alternate > version of the cover without the little slider for the switch. Or just spend > some time sanding and trimming the parts into shape, but the slider probably > won't work perfect right off the printer. > And remember to pick 1.2mm pcb not the default which is 1.6! > bkw > On Tue, Jun 17, 2025, 9:52 AM Georg Käter > <[email protected]> wrote: >> Thanks to Brian for the details about the "TANDY WP-2 IC-Card". As I >> understand >> there are 2 versions of SRAM type card. >> 2 further questions >> 1) which version to prefer? >> 2) PCBWay offers assembled PCB too, does anybody have tried this already? >> >> Regards >> Georg >> ========== Ihre Nachricht ========================================== >> von : Brian K. White <[email protected]> >> gesendet : Montag, 16. Juni 2025, 22:22 >> an : [email protected] >> Betreff : [M100] TANDY WP-2 IC-Card >> __________ Originalnachricht _______________________________________ >>> As far as I know the only documentation & source for the software so far is >>> Ben Grimmett's posts on the facebook group. >>> group >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/Model.T.Computers >>> ben's posts >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/1186716131388896/user/647555868 >>> files >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/Model.T.Computers/files/files >>> a video he made >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6MzbQfM3no >>> card & cover, mod directions >>> https://github.com/bkw777/WP-2_IC-Card/blob/master/README.md#rom-card >>> All of the relevant files are together at the top of the files section >>> since they are all the most recent uploads so at least you don't have to go >>> looking through them all, just look for his name Ben to the right to get >>> all of his. >>> When you click on a file you get a little more info and directions on each >>> one essentially the same as the matching post it came from. >>> But the posts give a little more info. >>> I plan to ask him if it's ok to collect this all into a better wiki page or >>> git repo but haven't yet. I'm sure it's ok but until I get an explicit OK I >>> don't want to redistribute like that, so that's why for now I'm just >>> linking to the original facebook posts. Actually this email is probably now >>> the most complete summary. >>> If you don't want to have to build the programming adapter board and use an >>> eprom programmer to write to the card, then you will also need to mod your >>> WP-2 slightly, but it does not even require soldering. Directions & pics on >>> my github. >>> Sorry I have no comment on getting one built. Anyone is free to build and >>> and even sell them, so if you can find someone local willing to do it, they >>> already automatically have permission. The parts and labor is a lot for >>> what you get in the end, and I have no interest in trying to explain or >>> justify a high sale price, so instead you can have the plans for free and >>> the $9 connector with $9 shipping just for one part etc got nuth'n to do >>> with me, take it up with digikey or samtec hehe. Not to mention even a >>> single person claiming the card burned out their machine or mangled the >>> pins in their socket etc, which absolutely will happen. I guess that was a >>> pretty big no comment. >>> Ben is actually in Australia and some of his parts & shipping costs were >>> brutal. >>> The pcb and most parts you can get anywhere but that connector is a pain. >>> On 6/16/25 11:47, Georg Käter wrote: >>>> Dear all, >>>>> does anybody know a source for the "TANDY WP-2 IC-Card" from Brian K. >>>>> White? >>>>> I´ve just low soldering skills and would like to buy an assembled one. >>>>> I´ve also read that a guy has ported some S/W to run from the SRAM card. >>>>> > Where can >>>>> I get this from and how to copy to the SRAM card. >>>>> Thanks in advance for your help >>>>> Georg >> __________ Ende Originalnachricht __________________________________ >> Confidentiality Notice: >> This message is confidential. The information contained in this message is >> intended only for the personal >> and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the >> intended recipient, please do not >> read, copy, or use it and do not disclose it to others. Please inform us >> immediately of the delivery error >> and return the original message to us via e-mail. __________ Ende Originalnachricht __________________________________ Confidentiality Notice: This message is confidential. The information contained in this message is intended only for the personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, or use it and do not disclose it to others. Please inform us immediately of the delivery error and return the original message to us via e-mail.
