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One of the most cumbersome constraints of OZ 3.0 and earlier was the dependence on a RAM card in Slot 1 for Expanded mode, which Vision requires. However, by using OZ 4.0 on a Z88 with an internal RAM upgrade we can achieve a fully backward compatible Expanded machine without needing any other cards.
OZ ROM Modifications
By copying the card header and the Application Front DOR to the end of the 512KB flash memory, editing the card size, and by amending the last of the linked application DORs in the OZ ROM image - we can add extra applications to the Index. We can also fix several bugs in OZ 4.0 at the same time. Both processes are explained on Dennis Gröning's website.
As was done with OZ 4.3 onwards, we can then add a file area to make use of the remaining unused flash memory. We can pre-populate this with the BBC BASIC versions of Installer, RomCombiner, and RomUpdate. These have the advantage of being usable without needing to be blown to a card and, since we will be running OZ 4.0, their requirement for an Expanded Z88 will always be met (assuming a Slot 0 RAM upgrade).
The simplest way to create the file area data is to use OZvm emulator, add a new flash card, format a file area, add the files, eject the card, and choose to save the 16KB banks.Bundled Tools
With 512KB of flash memory available, we can add software to address many of the shortcomings of early OZ versions:
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Vision2 - a VT100, VT102, VT220, and VT320 terminal emulator. The main reason I embarked on this project.
SpellMaster - a companion to PipeDream which would be very useful to have available at all times.
OZ ROM Modifications
By copying the card header and the Application Front DOR to the end of the 512KB flash memory, editing the card size, and by amending the last of the linked application DORs in the OZ ROM image - we can add extra applications to the Index. We can also fix several bugs in OZ 4.0 at the same time. Both processes are explained on Dennis Gröning's website.
As was done with OZ 4.3 onwards, we can then add a file area to make use of the remaining unused flash memory. We can pre-populate this with the BBC BASIC versions of Installer, RomCombiner, and RomUpdate. These have the advantage of being usable without needing to be blown to a card and, since we will be running OZ 4.0, their requirement for an Expanded Z88 will always be met (assuming a Slot 0 RAM upgrade).
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Installer Constraints
Note that to use RAM apps, Installer will require a dedicated RAM card because OZ 4.0 is not capable of detecting applications installed to the RAM portion of a hybrid RAM/flash card, nor in Slot 0 RAM. Installer cannot in fact use hybrid card RAM but, even were it possible, OZ 4.0 would only evaluate the Front DOR at bank $3f (63) at the top of the card (in flash), and that would contain no reference to any RAM app. The newer OZ versions have been modified to also scan bank $1f (31) of hybrid cards (top of RAM).
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