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ZXVGS description

Introduction

ZXVGS is an operating system for ZX Spectrum compatibile computers. It is available for wide range of hardware. If you want to make some tests or use ZXVGS get the recent releases from the download page. The ZXVGS inludes also CP/M compatible system called CPM22QED that is often used as filesystem (until the next generation filesystem is implemented...).

Hardware

ZXVGS always has its own memory, that isn't available from ZX Spectrum level. So the memory avaiable for programs (both in ZX Spectrum 48kB and 128kB) isn't limited.

Software

Software for ZXVGS are stored in files of ".V00" (two zeros) extensions. An extensions with "V" and digits different from zeros are overlays for the programs. There are two programs with special purpose:

START.V00 is loaded always once after system reset,
SHELL.V00 is loaded by Load option from main menu.

ZXVGS can also run software from other file types - it can emulate TR-DOS or Interface 1. It is made with the Resident System Extensions (RSX). The RSX is a short code loaded into system memory that extends ZXVGS possibilities. As a disk file it has the ".RZX" extension.
The mostly used RSXes are the ones to drive special file formats (e.g. "*.Z80" i "*.TAP") - in this case the name of RSX is made from file extension (e.g. "Z80.RZX"). Those RSXes can load data from such files or run software contained in them. See also the list of files defined in ZXVGS.

If you want to write a program for ZXVGS, you should read about functions available from machine code. Many informations, especially concerning particular hardware versions you can read in releases history.

Using the ZXVGS

Please take a look on short ZXVGS guide.

If you want to be a registered ZXVGS user write to zxvgs@yarek.com. You can also have a look to registered users list.

There are two mail lists where you can talk about ZXVGS with other ZX Spectrum users.

zxvgs@yahoogroups.com is a list concernig ZXVGS operating system and hardware extensions. Mostly in English. To subscribe, write anything to zxvgs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zxvgs/join. All the posted messages you can find on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zxvgs/messages.
zxland@yahoogroups.com is a contact list for ZX Spectrum (and closes) users in Polish language. If you want to contact users from Poland, you can subscribe this list - most of us understand English. To subscribe, write anything to zxland-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zxland/join. All the posted messages you can find on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/zxland/messages.

CPM22QED description

Introduction

CPM22QED is an operating system for Z80 computers, compatibile to CP/M 2.2 and partly to CP/M Plus. If you want to make some tests or use CPM22QED get the recent releases from the download page.

System properties

60160 bytes (58.75kB) of memory for the programs (verions 1.xx),
booting from one disk (versions SAM and TMX),
system is stored as oridinary file,
improved disks driving:

XDPB tables as in CP/M Plus,
one or two floppy drives (or 4 in TMX version),
disk structure (XDPB) can be redefined with QMOUNT.COM program,
floppy disks can have sectors size from 256B to 1kB,
automatic logical structure recognition (only TMX),
ramdisk in wersions 1.xx - drive M: (also N: in SAM - up to 4MB),
harddisk driving in versions 1.xx (SAM, UPB),

dedicated design of floppy disk formats:

accidentally writing by other operating system (e.g. MSXDOS) is almost impossible,
disk capacity is better used (210, 420, 410, 820 and 1640kB),
no reserved tracks for system,
a possibility to boot several computers from one disk (e.g. SVI and SAM),

text terminal:

24 rows, 80 columns,
224 defineable characters in 6×8 (3×8 for ZX Spectrum) matrix,
semigraphic frames as in CP/M Plus,
Polish diacritical in AmigaPL, beside this ISO-8859-1,
recognized control codes of VT-52, Heath H89, Zenith z-19 terminals,
preparation to use 8 separate display streams,
preparation to text windows,
keyboard buffer (32 characters) - except the SVI version,
a possibility to define 6*58=348 keys - except the SVI version,

common programs:

QFORMAT.COM - to format floppy disks,
QMOUNT.COM - to change disk format definitions (XDPB),
QSYS.COM - to activate bootsectors,

improved system modules:

ZCPR1 in pleace of CCP - extra and improved commands,
SUPERDOS in pleace of BDOS - better error description,
keeping dynamic modules (CCP and BDOS) in spare RAM buffer,
terminal code common to all versions,
disk driving code common to all versions,
standardised modules for low level disk driving (DSKHNDLR).

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