ZX-Uno General discussion

[Pegaz]

There are a lot of nice things happening on the ZX-Uno scene this year that are worth mentioning.
I already talked about the improved ZX81/80 core thanks to @avlixa , ported from Mister fpga, as well as the excellent PC-XT implementation by spark2k06.
In the last couple of months we got a lot of new stuff, a shiny new Amstrad CPC core, thanks to our dear friend @zxmicrojack, fully featured, with 2 drives support and highly compatible with thousands of titles from the Amstrad CPC library.
We also got two more improved cores by ramp - Oric Atmos and Colecovison ported from Mist.
Last but not least, an excellent CP/M 2.2 implementation with 80 columns by Nihirash and a lot of other goodies, such as expanded TS2068 Spectrum core compatibility (adding Timex ports to control the AY chip, Timex joystick, SounDrive).
But of course, as some smart people here told me a year or so ago - the ZX-Uno is dead.

https://github.com/ZXMicroJack/amstrad-cpc (Amstrad CPC)
http://retrowiki.es/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=200037634 (ZX81/80)
http://retrowiki.es/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=200037759 (PCXT for CGA/Tandy)
http://retrowiki.es/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=200038555 (Colecovision/SG-1000)
http://retrowiki.es/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=200038562 (Oric Atmos)
http://retrowiki.es/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=200038529 (CM/M 2.2 80 columns)

[PeterJ]

Has the Commodore 64 core been worked on in the last year or so @Pegaz? It's good there is a new CPC core?

Which post are you referring to @Pegaz? Having owned both in the past, I certainly prefer the ZX-DOS+ (I think it's worth the extra)

[Pegaz]

Has the Commodore 64 core been worked on in the last year or so @Pegaz? It's good there is a new CPC core?

As far as I know, there was nothing new since the last beta 7 version, from three or four years ago.
I think it was quite an achievement even then, with c64+1541+SID implemented at quite a high level.
I'm not sure there's much room for improvement there, as the core space is used almost to the last bit.

Which post are you referring to @Pegaz? Having owned both in the past, I certainly prefer the ZX-DOS+ (I think it's worth the extra)

If I'm not mistaken, some expert told me that the ZX-Uno is dead in the Baremulator thread, but he's not the only one.
It has now become a common joke in the ZX-Uno community, after each new core is released.

[PeterJ]

@Pegaz,

This was the problem I had with the C64 Core last time I used it:

viewtopic.php?p=67294#p67294

After that I switched to:

https://accentual.com/bmc64/

Could you let me know if you hear about it getting worked on? Cheers

[Pegaz]

@Pegaz,

This was the problem I had with the C64 Core last time I used it:

viewtopic.php?p=67294#p67294

Could you let me know if you hear about it getting worked on? Cheers

As you have seen, there is really a lot of activity and more projects ongoing for the ZX-Uno.
Honestly, I doubt that improving c64 core is a high priority right now.
Of course, if there is any news, I will definitely let you know.

[Pegaz]

@Pegaz,

This was the problem I had with the C64 Core last time I used it:
viewtopic.php?p=67294#p67294

Well Peter, I just tested the Adams Family, on my ZX-Uno+ and it works flawlessly, as I expected.
You obviously used either an older core revision or more likely a corrupted d64 version of the game.
I tried this one, works like a charm.
https://csdb.dk/release/download.php?id=62354
Anyway, it looks like the good old ZX-Uno is still holding up well.
I regret that I didn't try the game back then, someone could have gotten the wrong impression about this core and the ZX-Uno itself.


Also, today this statement of yours is wrong in many ways:

Not sure if you can see this, but the graphics are the skeletons are corrupted. The thing with the ZX-UNO and related systems is the Spectrum core is excellent, but the other cores are officially thought of as an extra and therefore often not maintained.

[PeterJ]

Thanks @Pegaz,

Must have been the core (or some other issue) as I remember trying the same game file in VICE. I also raised the issue at the time on the Telegram group

This was on a ZXDOS+, not ZXUno. Not sure if that makes a difference.

I sold it some time back (as I had moved onto other solutions) so can't test again, I'm glad it works for you.

I would hold that my other comment is correct to a good degree. The basis of that text came direct from Antonio who always told me it's primarily a Spectrum device, and that core will always be updated. The other cores are not assured to be updated (and should be thought of as nice extras). I'm obviously pleased the cores you like are being updated.

[Pegaz]

I listed several new or heavily upgraded ZX-UNO cores in just the last 6 months.
Additionally, some cores were already great: BBC, MSX, Atari 8bit, NES, Sega, C64, Vic 20, Atari 2600, Acorn Atom...
I haven't even mentioned how advanced Spectrum core is right now, with its huge collection of custom ROMs.
It has nothing to do with my preferences, but with the fact that the ZX-Uno community has become extremely active and achieved great results in a very short time.

[desUBIKado]

I have my doubts that the ZX-Uno is of interest in this forum. It is a forum that is obviously more focused on the use of real or classic machines, and not so much on emulators or FPGA.

Currently the queen of FPGAs and the one that attracts more media attention is the MiSTer and, at a much greater distance, the ZX Spectrum Next.

The ZX-Uno has little or no visibility in the English-speaking community. There are reasons why this is so, and they are not going to change, so there is no point in complaining.

But the ZX-Uno is not just an FPGA, it is an international community of people who get along very well. Each one of us contributes in some aspect to give more value to the ZX-Uno. There are those who create or port cores, there are those who collaborate testing them, others make hardware, others make utilities or manuals, and there are those who are creating software projects using the ZX-Uno as a platform. It is a very enjoyable FPGA if you like "cacharrear" (tinkering).

I leave you with some images of the ZX-Uno 1010, a ZX-Uno with 2MB of internal memory with VGA, 2 DB9, 2 PS/2 connectors, WIFI, MIDI and bluetooth, as well as a video of the +UNO playing .MID files from Bob Fossil's browser.

[PeterJ]

Hi @desUBIKado,

We recently held a user survey to which we had 100 respondents. 55% didn't own an FPGA device, but of those that did the ZX-Uno was there with 10 users owning one. So you are right in your assumption that there is not a huge amount of interest in such devices, but it's still worth posting to catch the 10%.

I'm in the UK and backed the original ZX-Uno fundraiser, and have owned a couple of ZX-Uno devices and an ZX-DOS+ in the past. Certainly the recent PDF manuals have helped.

I just sold mine when I moved onto other solutions.

Even if people don't own a device they often want to hear updates.

[desUBIKado]

Loading cores using Bob Fossil's browser

It is now possible to launch the cores stored on the SD card from Bob Fossil's browser. No more 9 or 45 cores restriction on your ZX-Uno. To know more you can read this article (in spanish):

http://retrowiki.es/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=200038681

[Pegaz]

Its my great pleasure to present the first public release of the new core on Zx-Uno, for the famous ex-Yugoslavia first home computer "Galaksija" from 1983.
It is a highly accurate implementation of the original hardware, with 100% compatibility with all existing software!
This core is not an upgrade of the existing core for ZX-Uno/Mist/Mister/Sidi etc, but is based on the original fpga project of Serbian authors from 2011, drastically changed and improved in almost all aspects.
I owe a special thanks to my friend @zxmicrojack , for his exceptional work.
Without his involvement, this project would not exist.
From my point of view, my dream has come true, to save this wonderful computer with an exciting history from oblivion.
Enjoy.
https://github.com/ZXMicroJack/galaksija

Main features:

The original cpu frequency of 3.072MHz.
The raster chasing composite scan at 50Hz - the Petnica version uses whole frame buffering. This core delivers the composite scan as the old hardware.
A scan doubler for VGA at 50Hz.
Composite/VGA selectable output
Tape in/out for loading and saving
A genlocked menu running as sidecar to the main core - not interrupting its execution offering: = selection of memory options (6k, 38k, 54k (minus 16 bytes!)) = realtime selection of char rom = hypertape allowing the reading and writing of GTP tape images to from a Fat16 or Fat32 formatted SDcard = load and save to/from SD card.

Core usage:

F12 - Menu
CTRL+ALT+Del - Reset
CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE (Global Core reset)
FAT16/FAT32 sd card supported.
ScrLock - VGA/Composite switch
Left arrow - Delete
Special Keys:
Delete - DEL
End - BREAK
PgUp - STOP/LIST
Home - REPT

[LMN128]

Hi,
I would like to add ZX UNO UART option to eLeMeNt ZX and I am looking for some deep info, how is implemented by sw side. HW connection is clear. UART use Uno register #c6 and #c7, but i can't find how status register are implemented and how they behave after reading e.g. Thanks to anybody to help me.
Jan

[8BitSC]

Just my humble opinion, having bought a device I've seen so much positive feedback on. Don't hate me for it.

Also, seeing the most recent entry on this thread makes it feel like I'm necroing it.

So, I've just received a new ZXUno+ with the VGA/Joystick/Wi-Fi and MIDI expansion and I must say, I'm really disappointed with the device on the whole. I'd really expect better compatibility and ease of use from such a mature platform.

Having just arrived, I would've expected it to be pre-installed with ESXDOS 0.8.9, not 0.8.8.

Just finding clear instructions on how to bring ESXDOS up-to-date seems impossible to find, so I'm stuck with 0.8.8 for the time being. I don't want to upgrade EVERYTHING, just bring ESXDOS up to 0.8.9.

The instructions I HAVE found, (like a lot of other guides I'm finding) seem outdated. The file the official FAQ says I need to rename doesn't exist and trying by renaming the closest-named file in the 0.8.9 zip file results in a file not found error in the Uno's BIOS.

While it would be ignorant of me to expect support in English, Google Translate from the primarily Spanish support forums often fails me and while I can find a forum with a "Summer of '22" pack and post-release "DLC" (in a seperate thread), it seems there's some post-install patching required, which differs depending on the device's RAM configuration.

Within days of unboxing it, I've already discovered recently-purchased games and even an old 48K BASIC program which don't work properly, regardless of which Spectrum core I use.

Claims that the ZXUNO is "highly compatible" appear false IMHO.

The games I found to be incompatible, work on all of my other hardware and emulators. ZX Spectrum 48K, Toastrack 128K+, Grey 128K+2 (all using a DIVMMC Future), N-Go and Spectaculator have no issues whatsoever, so I've no idea why the Uno+ fails to run these properly given the hardware, firmware and cores have gone through so many iterations.

Also, the Uno+ has two USB ports. Why did I have to go out of my way to buy a PS/2 keyboard before I could use my brand new device? Surely the firmware could've been re-writen in the years since release to support USB keyboard protocols?

Back in the box it goes. I'm not a fan.

[Pegaz]

Just my humble opinion, having bought a device I've seen so much positive feedback on. Don't hate me for it.
Back in the box it goes. I'm not a fan.

No one hates you, but you obviously already made a verdict, even before you tried to ask for help here or on other Uno related places.

The games I found to be incompatible, work on all of my other hardware and emulators. ZX Spectrum 48K, Toastrack 128K+, Grey 128K+2 (all using a DIVMMC Future), N-Go and Spectaculator have no issues whatsoever, so I've no idea why the Uno+ fails to run these properly given the hardware, firmware and cores have gone through so many iterations.

Details please, which games don't work, because my experiences with the latest Summer 22 + DLC are quite the opposite, so you'll forgive me if I don't take your word for it.
Maybe you expected everything on a silver plate, but it still takes some effort to prepare everything for your needs.
ZX-Uno has a strong community on two Telegram groups, the official forum is therefore somewhat outdated, but there is an excellent Spanish forum with all recent developments, if you make an effort to turn on the English translate mode in browser.
http://retrowiki.es/viewforum.php?f=110 ... 45c8bb41d3

Also, the Uno+ has two USB ports. Why did I have to go out of my way to buy a PS/2 keyboard before I could use my brand new device? Surely the firmware could've been re-writen in the years since release to support USB keyboard protocols?

The original ZX-Uno has a ps/2 port, the ZX-Uno+ as a more advanced model has two USB ports, upper for keyboard, lower for joystick/mouse.
If you want a ps/2 port so badly, you can get one with a $2 adapter everywhere, so please don't list that as a flaw of the machine.
People here were buying $30 adapters, just to get proper multicolor support on the ZX Next.

[Pegaz]

Also, here you have a detailed manual for the ZX-Uno+ in English.
https://github.com/zxdos/zxuno/raw/mast ... Manual.pdf
If you still want to try, PM me and I'll send you my FLASH.ZX1 file, prepared for VGA monitor and stock ZX-Uno+, of course FLASH.ZX1 from Summer 22 package is also fine, but you need some manual adjustments, which is explained in detail in retrowiki page above.
Installation is simple, its on page 50 in the user manual or with picture on pages 170-171.
But BEWARE, this flashes the complete ZX-Uno, with latest ESXDOS, Cores, ROMs, settings and cannot be undone.
So, if you want to stay with your core set or use RGB output, then you need to make a Backup of everything, before this procedure, with .back16m command (page 38 in manual) inside Spectrum core in root mode (press "/ " on numeric keyboard during boot, until you see red border as indicator tha you enter root mode).
And finally, I am not responsible for any potential damages, you do this at your own risk.

[Juan F. Ramirez]

Sad to read this, @8BitSC . But it's your right to tell it.

On my own experience, the ZXUNO + is a very cool FPGA machine, and 99% of all my previous games worked on it (I presume more a problem of DivMMC compatibility than of the ZXUNO), all the classics do. After so many years (more than 20) playing Spectrum games on emulators, I found that, for example, the controls of Green Beret were slightly better on the ZXUNO+.

It's true you must grab a PS2 keyboard, but there are many out there at a good price. I even got special ZX stickers to convert my keyboard in a cool speccy one (some pics soon! )

As to ESXDOS, I've never try to update it (my ZXUNO+ is from 2020). Its version is enough for me to play games. Anyway I perfectly understand you want to update it, and I'm sure you'll get it. Besides @Pegaz 's link, try here (a forum included):

https://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml

Also, open threads here to make questions, there are a lot of kind people that will help you. I'm sure as time passes you'll make the most of it

[8BitSC]

Details please, which games don't work, because my experiences with the latest Summer 22 + DLC are quite the opposite, so you'll forgive me if I don't take your word for it.

Castle Escape (2022). A commercial release. The player character doesn't appear onscreen, so the game is unplayable.

Also a BASIC game, published in the December 1986 issue of Your Sinclair called Planet Proton. On ALL other devices I've tried this on, it works perfectly.

ZXUno+ throws a subscript out of range error when starting the game. This is BASIC only. Why would the Uno fail to run a program which uses no special trickery or timing. It runs on EVERYTHING else I've loaded it on. TAP and TZX files from a Maxduino, from DIVMMC on 3 real Speccies and on N-Go. Also, every emulator loads it without issue so why not on the Uno?..

Neither of the above can be blamed on the programmers (bad code/using special tricks, etc.) as they BOTH run on real hardware without third-party add-ons, so the Uno should just RUN them regardless of which core I use, right?

These fail to run on whichever ZX Spectrum core I try.

Uno prides itself to run all of the tricky demos correctly but it can't handle a simple BASIC program?

If I've had the Uno for a little over 7 days and found two games it won't run, this doesn't bode well for it being as "highly compatible" as it was promised to be.

How many more games will I find it will fail to run?

[PeterJ]

Hi @8BitSC,

It really helps other users if you link to the game in the database, as sometimes new users think we are just a forum.

Planet Proton
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/3 ... net_Proton

Castle Escape
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/3 ... tle_Escape

Pegaz is extraordinary passionate about the Uno so I'm sure he will find an answer for you. Those specialist groups he mentioned are also worth joining. Most people here don't use FPGA devices (based on a survey we did last year).

[8BitSC]

If you still want to try, PM me and I'll send you my FLASH.ZX1 file, prepared for VGA monitor and stock ZX-Uno+

Thank you for your offer. I would gratefully receive your ZX1 file.

I only run my standard 512K Uno+ over VGA, so your file should drop right in.

Ideally, I'd like to pick and choose which cores I use. I'm primarily interested in just English ZX Spectrum cores. Standard 48K, 128K, 128K+2. Also, the 128K Derby ROMs.

I have a Maxduino, so 100% compatible cores without DIVMMC support are fine, too.

It would be really useful if there was a core tracker on the web somewhere, which had links to the latest release of each core. Maybe with a changelog.

Locating the latest of any given core is a lot of work and Telegram (yet ANOTHER Social Media app) is of no interest.

Thank you for your kind offer.

Kind Regards

[PeterJ]

@8BitSC,

I believe the latest cores are listed here:

https://github.com/zxdos/zxuno

I do agree with you (and it's partly why I sold mine) things are not all in one place. That PDF the Pegaz linked to was a big step forward though.

I was sceptical about Telegram, but it's actually very good. Give it a go.

[desUBIKado]

Hi @8BitSC ,

Planet Proton: It must be run in 48K mode. Select "48 BASIC" in the menu and once in that mode load the program.

Castle Escape: I have found that disabling contention works fine. You can boot using the Pentagon 128 personality (which has no contention) or disabling it from Bob Fossil's browser (CAPS SHIFT + C) or with the command .zxunocfg -cn, and then to load the program.

[Pegaz]

@8BitSC

PM sent.
Also, thanks to @desUBIKado for already solving the "mystery".
Generally speaking, the default Spectrum core is very high quality and feature rich, but due to the different peripherals it supports, sometimes some games do not work properly.
If this happens, its best to disable New Graphics modes in BIOS and use the original Sinclair ROMs for compatibility reasons.
Also as an alternative, I can recommend the excellent Kyp Spectrum core, which is designed to be very accurate and in certain cases, some rare stubborn games work.
There are also games that are very specific, such as Rasputin, which crashes if they don't recognize the issue 2 keyboard, so you must turn this option in LFN browser settings with CAPS SHIFT+C.

[Pegaz]

Also, I just tried Castle Escape with Kyp core and it works like a charm, out of the box.

[kpuchatek]

ZX-Uno is a bit complicated, but this is just a hobby project and one of the chipest FPGA devices. I think one issue is, that it is rather multi-core device than single-core with mods. Especially, it is important to understand the used Core and match it with BIOS and apps on SD card. Otherwise it will not work correctly. ESXDOS can be upgraded directly from BIOS menu.
When using USB keyboard, it is worth to check if it supports PS/2 mode - most of modern keyboards do not.