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E500-unexpanded

README.md

Binary Forth500.bin for unexpanded PC-E500(S) with 32KB

On the PC-E500(S) execute:

> POKE &BFE03,&1A,&FD,&0B,0,&FC-&90,0: CALL &FFFD8

This reserves &B9000-&BFC00 and resets the machine.

Warning: memory cannot be allocated when in use by other programs. To check if memory was allocated:

> HEX PEEK &BFD1B
90

The value 90 shows that memory was allocated from &B9000 up.

When using a cassette interface, such as CE-126P or CE-124

First allocate memory as described in the first part of this README.

Play the Forth500.wav file and load Forth500 on the PC-E500(S) with CLOADM:

> CLOADM

Type CLOADM first then play the wav file on your desktop PC. If I/O errors are persistent, then try loading Forth500 in three parts:

  1. play Forth500-1.wav and CLOADM on the PC-E500
  2. play Forth500-2.wav and CLOADM on the PC-E500
  3. play Forth500-3.wav and CLOADM on the PC-E500

The three parts can be loaded in any order, as long as each is loaded without I/O errors. After loading CALL &B9000.

I get an acceptable success rate to load with MacOS afplay via the CE-126P and CE-124 interfaces. Headphone output volume should be close to max or max. Start with a volume lower than max, because max may cause distortion. Quit all apps on your desktop PC that may produce sound (messaging etc). Make sure that the audio cable does not pick up electrical interference.

PocketTools was used to produce the wav file as follows:

$ bin2wav --pc=E500 --type=bin --addr=0xB9000 -dINV --sync=9 Forth500.bin

Mostly -dINV works best, but -dMAX should be used instead if loading fails.

When using the serial interface

First allocate memory as described in the first part of this README.

See the HP forum thread "FORTH for the SHARP PC-E500(S)" https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-17440-post-153815.html#pid153815

Run Forth500

To run Forth500:

> CALL &B9000

To exit Forth500, type bye. Call Forth500 again to continue where you left off. BASIC and Forth500 programs can co-exist.

To call Forth quickly from BASIC, assign the PF2 key:

> KEY 2,"CALL &B9000"+CHR$ 13

Then press PF2 to switch to Forth.

Saving a Forth500 image

Once Forth500 is loaded, you can save the entire Forth500 image to a RAM disk drive on the PC-E500(S), either the E: or F: drive:

> SAVEM "F:FORTH500.BIN",&B9000,&Bxxxx

where xxxx is the address returned by HERE HEX. minus 1. If you just loaded Forth500 without changing it, then you can save the image with:

> SAVEM "F:FORTH500.BIN",&B9000,&BDD8D

This makes it possible to instantly reload Forth500, e.g. after a fatal error or crash that damaged the Forth500 dictionary:

> LOADM "F:FORTH500.BIN",&B9000

Removing Forth500

To remove Forth500 from memory and release its allocated RAM space:

> POKE &BFE03,&1A,&FD,&0B,0,0,0: CALL &FFFD8