Long Filename Browser for ZX-UNO / esxDOS

[bob_fossil]

v0.06

• ...
• Shift + N will now restart the NMI with the file SYS/NMI.ORG. So if you copied the esxdos NMI.SYS to this path, Shift + N would restart the NMI using the default esxdos NMI. To restore the browse NMI, either run the supplied .dot command NMIINIT or hard reset / power cycle your machine.
  ...

What do you think on this idea: Shift+N should start a menu which can launch one of multiple "Other/old NMI.SYS"?
E.g. named SYS/NMI.001, SYS/NMI.002, SYS/NMI.003, SYS/NMI.004. Or launch these direct via Shift+1, Shift+2, Shift+3, Shift+4

Thank you for thinking over it and for the work you already done!

Shift + N was added as a workaround for the missing functionality from my NMI in v0.06. I think v0.07 is pretty much feature comparable with the default esxdos NMI (aside from .scr file and screen view from a snapshot file). Why do you need to be able to launch multiple NMIs? I can understand you might want to temporarily switch to Dr Slump's NMI as it has more features - but you can do that within the existing system. As for how useful this would be - let's just say I'm not convinced at the moment.

[Luzie]

Why do you need to be able to launch multiple NMIs? I can understand you might want to temporarily switch to Dr Slump's NMI as it has more features - but you can do that within the existing system. As for how useful this would be - let's just say I'm not convinced at the moment.

It should be a way to make launching/selecting different "old/alternate NMI.SYS" easier to handle for people. And I think this would "finish" peoples (my ) needs for all the future here as your NMI.SYS offers a "Startramp" for some other NMI.SYS. So your NMI.SYS could be the default/master choice. And if someone wants other NMI.SYS those can be added as NMI.001, NMI.002 and NMI.003 to the /sys/directory. Let me think a little bit so I can convince you a little bit more

[Turrican]

Hi [mention]bob_fossil[/mention] .
I´m using your browser on my ZX-UNO and it is fantastic!
The feature of switch between machines and turbo modes are awesome!
Congrats.

[bob_fossil]

Hi @bob_fossil .
I´m using your browser on my ZX-UNO and it is fantastic!
The feature of switch between machines and turbo modes are awesome!
Congrats.

Thanks for the feedback and kind words. I like watching demos so being able to easily switch between Pentagon and 128k timings was something I had to add - once I found out how to do it.

[andydansby]

Not sure if this has been reported or if it’s known about or an expected result. If I am not using a /TMP directory CTRL-ALT-F5 pulls up the NMI browser almost instantly. If I have a /TMP directory there is a significant delay (16 seconds). Using.browse v0.07.

Andy Dansby

[azesmbog]

If I have a /TMP directory there is a significant delay (16 seconds).

I reported a long delay during boot, but I didn’t know what TMP opens instantly without a directory.
Thank!!!
* deleted the TMP catalog *

[bob_fossil]

Not sure if this has been reported or if it’s known about or an expected result. If I am not using a /TMP directory CTRL-ALT-F5 pulls up the NMI browser almost instantly. If I have a /TMP directory there is a significant delay (16 seconds). Using.browse v0.07.

When you enter the NMI, the browser saves the RAM to a file in the /TMP folder. This gets loaded back in when you exit the browser. This restores the RAM as the browser is loaded into normal RAM as it no longer fits inside the 8k esxdos page and needs additional memory for storing the long filename entries.

On my ZX-UNO I have seen a delay of around 5-6 seconds when entering the NMI with F5 but only on a specific SD card I use for testing (256 mb FAT-32 no brand). With my main SD card (512mb FAT-16 Sandisk) the delay is about a second or so. The first time you enter the NMI it takes a little longer as it's creating the file for the first time. On subsequent entries, the file already exists so it just gets written over.

Your solution of removing the tmp folder will probably end in tears as if you press the NMI in a game and then exit out without the RAM being restored, the screen and address 32768 onwards will have been overwritten - so you might be okay with 16k games. I've also changed the code to forcibly create the /TMP folder if it's not there in the next version.

[azesmbog]

Your solution of removing the tmp folder will probably end in tears

Maybe with tears, but I need to download test files often, and wait 17 every time! seconds before the directory appears - it is annoying.
I do not record snapshots, I only run files.
Yes, I see, memory is lost and destroyed, but for me this is a lesser evil
A full reboot and return to the same directory will take much less than 17 seconds)

and yet - saving all the memory in the TMP directory does not help me very much, I am debugging a program that replaces the ROM page with random access memory. I still have to completely overload the machine

[andydansby]

The SD card I am using for this now is a PNY Elite 16 GB card formatted with FAT32. Is that too large?

[andydansby]

The SD card I am using for this now is a PNY Elite 16 GB card formatted with FAT32. Is that too large?

Curious, I just tested with a Sandisk 16Gb card with the same formatting and files. The .browse and NMI launcher is almost instantaneously loaded. Interesting.

[Seven.FFF]

Try to defrag the temp file on the slow card, see if that speeds it up.

Do you have a lot of files in the root of the slow card?

[andydansby]

Try to defrag the temp file on the slow card, see if that speeds it up.

Do you have a lot of files in the root of the slow card?

There are hardly any files, less that 10 in the root directory. Trying with a 3rd card now.

Just did and the same slower speed. Interesting. This was with the windows formatter. I'm going to try the SD Association formatter instead.

[PeterJ]

I use a SanDisk Ultra 16 GB which was £5.50 from Amazon. No problems to date. I use a lot of Raspberry Pis and the speed difference between cards is amazing. I now have a mix of SanDisk Ultras and Samsung Evo Plus. It's getting harder to find the smaller capacity ones though. Transcend seem the only reputable company to do 4GB and 8GB Cards. The Retroleum card needs a 4GB card formatted as FAT16.

I always buy direct from Amazon and make sure it's both sold and dispatched by them. I know there is never any guarantees it won't be a fake, but at least it's reducing the risk.

[andydansby]

[mention]PeterJ[/mention] the Sandisk works great. I’ll find out in a few minutes if it was my choice in formatters. Trying the SD association now (full format).

[PeterJ]

Yes @[mention]andydansby[/mention]. Good move. The SD Card Association formatting tool is very good.

This is a good site (They only review 32GB and higher cards though).

https://www.cameramemoryspeed.com/revie ... -sd-cards/

[keithshaw3]

If it helps.

My card is a Sandisk 16gb formatted ( 1 partition) with the SD card utility recommended by TFW8B and it loads up very quickly..

[andydansby]

[mention]keithshaw3[/mention] It’s the PNY Elite that’s troublesome. Very odd indeed. I’m assuming that the “Elite” marking is only in the manufacturers opinion. It works as fast as molasses in winter.
Same result with the SD association formatter. I’m assuming volume name has nothing to do with the speed. Might try for fun later as doing a full format for 20 minutes is so incredibly thrilling.

[keithshaw3]

As far as media is concerned I only buy well-known brands and again I buy from amazon direct, its an extra cost but well worth it as I've lost some valuable photos in the past due to a corrupt SD card

K

[andydansby]

If it helps.

My card is a Sandisk 16gb formatted ( 1 partition) with the SD card utility recommended by TFW8B and it loads up very quickly..

Do you have a link for that formatter and I’ll give it a try later on.

[azesmbog]

The SD card, which slowly works for me in conjunction with the TMP catalog - manufactured by Mirex, is a fairly well-known manufacturer.
2 Gb, only the card format is FAT.
Perhaps this is the reason.
Reformat in FAT32 not to offer, this card is used in other projects that understand only FAT (FAT16).
Another option is the various circuitry of the DivMMC controllers.

[Seven.FFF]

Velesoft did some research and found that most SD cards have a similar read speed, but can have a write speed that varies wildly from card to card. He quotes an example of a fast card doing a 128K "S" snapshot from esxDOS NMI menu in 7 seconds, and a slow card taking 50 seconds.

Talk to him if you want further info.

[keithshaw3]

Do you have a link for that formatter and I’ll give it a try later on.

it's the same one recommended earlier I think

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/

[andydansby]

Do you have a link for that formatter and I’ll give it a try later on.

it's the same one recommended earlier I think

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/

That’s the same formatter that I’m using. First time built in Windows formatter. Second time with SD Association formatter. Same reaction time with NMI browser

[PeterJ]

Because of this discussion I was looking through my purchase history on Amazon. In 2005 I purchased a 512MB SD card, and it cost £25.99! I can now get close on 5 32GB cards for that! Amazing.

[andydansby]

Because of this discussion I was looking through my purchase history on Amazon. In 2005 I purchased a 512MB SD card, and it cost £25.99! I can now get close on 5 32GB cards for that! Amazing.

I still have a 5 meg jump drive that I paid a mint for years ago(guessing around 2002-2002). Still have it around somewhere, can’t toss it, it was way too expensive .
Pretty soon it’ll be a “new retro” drive.