New Utility Z80onMDR - Transfer Z80 snapshot to Microdrive Cartridges

[Hedge1970]

Updated OPUS support so it now can create 720kB DSDD disks. Download from the usual link.

TomD

I wonder if anyone uses the Opus. I tried but it was too far removed from all my other software and requires a quite large foot print on the desk so ended up going back to a standard-ish set up.

[TomD]

Updated OPUS support so it now can create 720kB DSDD disks. Download from the usual link.

TomD

I wonder if anyone uses the Opus. I tried but it was too far removed from all my other software and requires a quite large foot print on the desk so ended up going back to a standard-ish set up.

I believe there are still a few dedicated users, in fact I only created the OPUS version on request from somebody. I actually don't own one myself.

[TomD]

New version out which helps with some of the name clashes being seen when creating compilation cartridges.

v1.7 added option to specify output filename, better file naming & improved menu

Grab from the normal link https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

TomD

[TomD]

Big thanks to Chris Dymond who has helped me iron out some bugs in the code which prevented some games working. Compatibility even higher now.

Grab v1.8a from the normal link https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

In addition I've updated all the other utilities from the same suite

• Z80onOPD for the Discovery OPUS

• Z80onMGT for the MGT Disciple/+D

• Z80onTAP for Tape (slightly pointless and just for completeness)

z80onDSK uses a completely different compression routine so is unaffected.

Finally there is a new utility that simply creates menus for the disks. Useful if you create compilations disks outside of these utilities but like the menu system I use.

TomD

[TomD]

New version of Z80onMDR uploaded fixing the issue of it not liking a capital Z in z80 issue. I also corrected a typo in the help which had -s for screen instead of -l

Grab from the usual place https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

TomD

[TomD]

Actually thinking about it a little more (and reading the comments on WoS), a better solution might be to just use a Raspberry Pi Zero (wi-fi), coupled with the Nano. I've got a spare one lying around so will have a play once the rest of the hardware arrives.

TomD

[TomD]

I've released a new version on Z80onMGT which fixes an issue when you get more than 20 files on a disk, thanks to Howard for pointing out the bug. As usual grab the new version on my website https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

[TomD]

I've release the source code on GitHub to a "lite" version of Z80onMDR which only coverts one single Z80 snapshot to a Microdrive cartridge. Even though it lacks the ability to build compilations I've added a lot of the recent improvements to the file structure which have dramatically improved loading times.

As an example loading Chase HQ 128k version used to take 2mins 40secs and now only takes 20secs a whopping 8x faster!

If you are interested you can check it out here https://github.com/TomDDG/Z80onMDR_lite

TomD

[TomD]

New version (v2) of Z80onMDR uploaded adding the file interleaving from the lite version.

Grab from the usual place https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

TomD

[TomD]

v2.1 of Z80onMDR has now been released. This version introduces a new 3 stage loader which removes the screen corruption on loading, but still retains very high compatibility (older launcher remains for those tricky outliers)

The new launcher restores the entire memory apart from a tiny piece of code below the stack which, due to its size, is ok in the vast majority of cases. Thanks to Henk de Groot for all his suggestions and help in testing.

Grab it at the usual place https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

[TomD]

v2.2 of Z80onMDR has now been released adding optimisations to the file interleaving for vDrive which now loads the snapshots much quicker.

I've also updated Z80onTAP to bring in the new changes.

Grab it at the usual place https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

[TomD]

v2.2 of Z80onMDR has now been released adding optimisations to the file interleaving for vDrive which now loads the snapshots much quicker.

I've also updated Z80onTAP to bring in the new changes.

Grab it at the usual place https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

v2.2a released to fix a bug in v2.2 which overwrote a single byte which in some cases could cause crashes. If you've converted anything with v2.2 please re-do with v2.2a

[TomD]

v2.3a released which adds loading screen compression so you can fit more on a cartridge. Also better handling of the stack which is used for the launcher.

Grab it at the usual place https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

[TomD]

v2.4 released with further improvements to the 3 stage launcher to increase compatibility. Thanks to Steve for sending me some very tricky z80 snapshots. These had stack in screen and program counter in stack among other interesting challenges on where to put the loader.

In the end I had to revamp to loader so it could adjust its size and also split itself into parts to fit. End result is, in the vast majority of cases, the only memory difference is a very small 32byte piece of code below the stack. Compatibility as a result is very high and the older screen based loader is still available for those that are a bit more tricky. Grab at the usual place http://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

I've also update Z80onTAP to do the same and also added the ability to extract the loading screens from Z80 snapshots and put these in a TAP file either as a compressed loader or normal screen.

TomD

[TomD]

v2.5 released which adds ability to convert SNA snapshots as well (48k & 128k).

Grab it at the usual place https://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

[TomD]

v3.0 of Z80onMDR and v1.0 of Z80onTAP released. http://tomdalby.com/other/z80onmdr.html

With the help of a couple of users (Steve & Massimo) I've adapted the snapshot launcher in order to have a high level of compatibility and remove screen corruption. Full details of how this new 4 stage loader works can be found on my website if you fancy a read.

Other major improvements include:
- Can load 48k & 128k SNA snapshots as well as Z80 including Pentagon
- Can force 48k to help with some wrongly snapped 128k snapshots
- Added a trainer so you can POKE memory locations to add infinite lives or similar
- Added a pause on load so you can admire the loading screen

Some other small additions so you can tweak how the snapshots load to you hearts content.

TomD