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SimSystem IIe - Version 1.0 Shareware
Copyright (c) 1994 by American Research Inc.
Developed by Jim Sproul
All Rights Reserved
I N T R O D U C T I O N
SimSystem IIe is amazing! It will make your PC compatible computer
system look, sound, and act just like an Apple IIe computer!
With SimSystem IIe you will be able to run your favorite Apple II
software. SimSystem IIe supports all standard Apple graphics modes,
so your favorite Apple games will work perfectly. Even the sound is
reproduced exactly!
SimSystem IIe supports all of the standard keys on an Apple IIe
keyboard, including the Open Apple and Solid Apple keys. And,
SimSystem IIe will let you use your PC joystick with Apple programs
that require a joystick.
SimSystem IIe simulates an Apple IIe compatible computer with FOUR
DISK DRIVES! Two are simulated 5 1/4 inch diskette drives, and two
are ProDOS compatible hard disk drives. You can swap disks anytime by
pressing a function key and selecting another 'disk'. You can even
swap disks on the two simulated hard drives! And, SimSystem IIe
emulates the Apple Disk II floppy drive so well that you can even use
some copy protected programs with SimSystem IIe!
SimSystem IIe does MORE than a real Apple IIe! Programmers will love
the enhanced 65C02 monitor! And, the built-in debugger is as powerful
as an expensive in-circuit emulator!
SimSystem IIe can simulate an Apple IIe with a color or monochrome
monitor. The VGA display mode is breathtaking - you'll swear you're
looking at an Apple IIe display! And, SimSystem IIe works with CGA
and EGA display adaptors, too!
Don't forget - SimSystem IIe is SHAREWARE! Registered users get the
latest updated version of SimSystem IIe, a nicely printed and bound
manual (with pictures...), and the SimDisk utility (for creating
'disks' for use with SimSystem IIe).
This manual provides a brief overview of SimSystem IIe. Registered
users receive complete in-depth documentation.
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Introduction..................................Page 1
Legal Statement...............................Page 3
Chapter 1 - Features..........................Page 5
Chapter 2 - System Requirements And
Compatibility...............................Page 6
Chapter 3 - Performance.......................Page 7
Chapter 4 - Installation Guide................Page 8
Chapter 5 - Getting Starting: SimSystem IIe
Configuration...............................Page 9
Chapter 6 - Volume Files: The SimSystem IIe
Disk Drives.................................Page 13
Chapter 7 - Booting The Emulator: The
Volume Selector.............................Page 14
Chapter 8 - The Emulator Keyboard.............Page 16
Chapter 9 - SimSystem IIe Function Keys.......Page 17
Chapter 10 - The SimSystem IIe Debugger.......Page 19
Chapter 11 - Volume File Formats..............Page 21
Appendix - Registration.......................Page 23
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Legal Statement
_______________
SimSystem IIe was developed by Jim Sproul for American Research Inc.
SimSystem IIe is copyright (c) 1994 by American Research Inc.
SimSystem IIe and SimSystem are trademarks of American Research Inc.
All rights reserved.
COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT
Apple, Apple IIe, Apple DOS, and Apple ProDOS are trademarks of Apple
Computer Corporation. AppleWorks is a trademark of Claris
Corporation. MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. IBM is
a trademark of International Business Machines Inc.
SIMSYSTEM IIE IS SHAREWARE.
License is hereby granted to the end user to use SimSystem IIe for a
period of ten days for the purpose of evaluating the usefulness of the
software. After that time the software must be purchased by sending
the registration fee, currently $50 US, to American Research Inc. If
the registration fee is not paid after ten days the end user must stop
using the software, and must destroy any copies of the program in
his/her possession. Instructions for registering SimSystem IIe are
provided at the end of this document.
Bulletin Board System (BBS) operators may receive a free registration
for SimSystem IIe by making SimSystem IIe available on their BBS
system, and sending in the SimSystem IIe registration form along with
instructions for accessing the BBS. After verifying that SimSystem
IIe is available, and that the conditions of distribution are being
met, we will send the registered version of SimSystem IIe, a printed
and bound manual, and the SimDisk utility. The ten day evaluation
period is waived for BBS operators who make SimSystem IIe available on
their BBS system, and who comply with the terms of distribution given
below.
DISTRIBUTION
SimSystem IIe may be distributed, either on magnetic media or via
modem, for the purpose of exposing the product to other potential
users, providing that all original files are included, intact and
unmodified, and that no additional files are provided in association
with the product. SimSystem IIe may NOT be distributed on a bulletin
board system (BBS) that illegally distributes copyrighted commercial
software.
COMMERCIAL SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION
SimSystem IIe may be distributed by commercial shareware distribution
firms provided that the terms of distribution outlined above are
complied with, and that the shareware nature of the product is CLEARLY
stated on the product packaging and on the media (diskette, CD, etc.).
SIMSYSTEM IIE IS AN ORIGINAL PRODUCT
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SimSystem IIe was written by Jim Sproul for American Research Inc.
The program was written in 80286 assembly language, except for the
interpreted pseudo-ROM program, which was written in 65C02 assembly
language. SimSystem IIe does NOT contain any program code in any form
(interpreted or executable) which is the copyrighted property of Apple
Computer. (This becomes apparent if the user examines the 65C02
monitor program.)
USE OF COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE WITH SIMSYSTEM IIE
The end user MUST have a license from the software publisher to use
any commercial software with SimSystem IIe. This license is usually
granted, with some limitations, when the user purchases the software.
Some software licenses may stipulate that the software may only be
used on a computer system which is manufactured by, or under license
from, Apple Computer. Software products bearing such a license
stipulation may NOT be used legally with SimSystem IIe.
WARNING: The use of commercial software products with SimSystem IIe
which are not obtained through legal means (i.e., purchased) is
ILLEGAL!
DISCLAIMER
SimSystem IIe is provided solely for the amusement of the user.
American Research Inc. makes no guarantee regarding the usefulness of
the product, and does not guarantee that the product will operate
uninterrupted, or will be free of errors. American Research Inc. will
not be responsible for any damages resulting from the failure of the
product to perform as expected. The user is urged to read this
document in its entirety (especially the Compatibility Guide) before
using SimSystem IIe.
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Chapter 1 - Features
____________________
SimSystem IIe is configured to emulate an Apple IIe with the following
features:
* 128K RAM (64K main / 64K auxiliary)
* 65C02 microprocessor
* Parallel printer adaptor in 'slot 1'
* 80-column display adaptor in 'slot 3'
* Dual floppy drive adaptor in 'slot 6'
* Dual hard drive adaptor (removeable media) in 'slot 7'
In addition, SimSystem IIe has the following features:
* Supports CGA, EGA, and VGA display adaptors.
* Emulates all standard Apple display modes, including 40 column
text, 80 column text, low resolution graphics, high resolution
graphics, and double high resolution graphics.
* Emulates full Apple keyboard, including Open Apple and Solid
Apple keys.
* Emulates Apple joystick using standard PC game port.
* Emulates Apple internal speaker sound.
* Built-in enhanced 65C02 monitor.
* Built-in 65C02 debugger supports breakpoints, single step,
register display, and more.
* Use files on your hard disk as 'disks' for four simulated disk
drives. Swap disks anytime by pressing a function key (even on
the simulated hard drives).
* Special set-up screen lets you choose your PC video mode,
select printer and game port, turn on/off sound, enable/disable
debugger, etc. Save your configuration and SimSystem IIe will
always start up the way you want it to.
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Chapter 2 - System Requirements And Compatibility
_________________________________________________
SimSystem IIe requires a 100% IBM compatible computer system with an
80286 (or downward compatible) microprocessor. A graphics display
adaptor (CGA, EGA, or VGA) is required. A parallel printer adaptor
and game port are also optional. Although not required, a hard disk
is highly recommended for maximum performance.
SimSystem IIe will NOT work on systems with an 8086, 8088, or V20
microprocessor.
SimSystem IIe is NOT compatible with Microsoft Windows, and may not be
run as a DOS task under Windows. SimSystem IIe changes the keyboard
interrupt vector, and deals directly with system hardware for maximum
performance.
SimSystem IIe is known to be incompatible with many IBM portable
computers, and Viglen computer systems (manufactured in the U.K.). If
you find SimSystem IIe does not function on your computer system
please write to American Research Inc., at the address provided, and
describe your computer system and the symptoms of the problem. If we
find the problem is due to a bug in SimSystem IIe we will send you a
registered copy of SimSystem IIe at no charge!
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Chapter 3 - Performance
_______________________
The performance of SimSystem IIe, as compared to a real Apple IIe,
will vary considerably. This depends on the type and speed of your
microprocessor, the number of wait states imposed by your system
memory, the speed of your display adaptor, etc.
SimSystem IIe running on an 80286 system operating at 12 MHz will be
painfully slow, and probably not useful for anything except the most
mundane tasks. If you have a system like this then you may not be
bothered by the lackluster performance, as you are probably already
used to a lot of waiting. You might consider donating your system to
your local Salvation Army Thrift Store or elementary school.
SimSystem IIe running on an 80386 system operating at 20 MHz will show
adequate performance for most text based tasks, such as AppleWorks.
However, video games will probably not offer enough of a challenge for
anyone over the age of six.
SimSystem IIe running on an 80486SX system operating at 25 MHz will
perform well beyond the speed of an Apple IIe for computational uses,
but will perform at about the same speed for graphics operations.
You can improve the performance of SimSystem IIe by operating the
program in CGA mode (even if you have an EGA or VGA display adaptor),
and by using the program with the debugger option turned off.
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Chapter 4 - Installation Guide
______________________________
Since you are reading this document you have already discovered that
the first step in installing SimSystem IIe is to extract the
individual files from the archive (SIMIIE.ZIP).
SimSystem IIe comes with the following files:
SIMIIE.EXE - the SimSystem IIe program
MON.ROM - the SimSystem IIe 65C02 monitor program
SLOT.ROM - the SimSystem IIe 65C02 expansion slot programs
DIAG.ROM - the SimSystem IIe 65C02 resident programs
EXP.ROM - the SimSystem IIe expansion programs
DEMO.IIE - a simple game developed with SimSystem IIe
FLOBYN.IIE - a public domain game for the Apple IIe
SIMIIE.DOC - this file
We strongly recommend that you copy all of these files into a single
subdirectory on your PC hard drive. We usually name this subdirectory
SIMIIE. All of the files with the 'ROM' extension are 65C02 programs
that SimSystem IIe uses for its simulated ROM memory. SimSystem IIe
looks for these files in the current directory on startup.
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Chapter 5 - Getting Started: SimSystem IIe Configuration
________________________________________________________
You can run SimSystem IIe by typing the following command at the
MS-DOS prompt:
SIMIIE<Enter>
Of course, the phrase <Enter> means to press the Enter key.
If SimSystem IIe does not find a valid SIMIIE.CFG file in the startup
directory then you will be presented with the SimSystem IIe
configuration screen. This screen allows you to select options for
SimSystem IIe, which you can save for future use. Even after saving
your preferred configuration in the SIMIIE.CFG file you can still
change the configuration later by entering:
SIMIIE /S<Enter>
This command will cause SimSystem IIe to load the SIMIIE.CFG
configuration and display the configuration screen so that you may
make changes. Should you ever wish to restore the factory default
configuration you can simply erase the SIMIIE.CFG file from your
startup directory, and SimSystem IIe will start just like the first
time you used it.
Each of the configuration options is described below.
1...Video Mode
Pressing the '1' key will cycle through each of the available
video mode options. These options refer to the PC video mode
which SimSystem IIe will use when simulating the Apple IIe
display. All Apple IIe display modes are supported by SimSystem
IIe regardless of which PC display mode you choose.
CGA display mode uses a graphics screen which is 640 dots wide,
and 200 dots high, and is black-and-white. When this option is
selected SimSystem IIe will simulate an Apple IIe with a
monochrome monitor. This is the only option that will work for
PC computer systems with a CGA display adaptor. However, since
screen graphics operate much faster in this mode, owners of EGA
or VGA equipped computers might choose to use this mode for some
graphics intensive programs.
EGA display mode uses a graphics screen which is 640 dots wide,
and 200 dots high, and uses 16 colors. In this mode SimSystem
IIe will simulate an Apple IIe with a color display. This mode
can be used with EGA and VGA equipped systems. This mode is also
compatible with computers having an EGA display adaptor and a
non-enhanced (CGA) monitor.
VGA equipped machines pose a special problem for SimSystem IIe.
The quality of the display produced by the VGA display adaptor is
much higher than that of a real Apple IIe, making it difficult to
produce a realistic looking display. The Apple IIe display only
uses half of the available scan lines, leaving a thin black
stripe between rows of dots. In low resolution display modes the
VGA display adaptor will actually display each row of dots twice
in order to fill in the black space. While this process, called
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double scanning, might produce a better looking PC display
screen, it makes a simulated Apple IIe display look bright and
chunky. SimSystem IIe compensates for this by operating the VGA
display adaptor in the 640 by 480 dot display mode, and
intentionally skipping alternating rows of dots. This adds the
original black space between rows of dots, producing a strikingly
realistic display.
2...Printer Port
SimSystem IIe simulates an Apple IIe with a parallel printer
adaptor card installed in 'slot 1'. This option allows you to
choose which printer port on your PC to use when an Apple II
program is sending data to your printer. Pressing the '2' key
will cycle through the available options. If you don't have a
printer attached to your PC, or if you choose not to use a
printer with SimSystem IIe, then you can select the 'NONE'
option.
3...Modem Port
This option is provided in the event a future version of
SimSystem IIe is written that supports a modem card in 'slot 2'.
The current version of SimSystem IIe does not support this.
4...Game
Press the '4' key to toggle this option between 'ON' and 'OFF'.
When this option is set 'ON' SimSystem IIe will support the use
of a PC joystick with Apple II programs that require a joystick
or paddles. If your PC system is not equipped with a game port
or joystick, or you don't wish to use a joystick with any Apple
programs, then set this option to 'OFF'.
5...Mouse
This option is provided in the event a future version of
SimSystem IIe is written that supports a mouse card in 'slot 4'.
The current version of SimSystem IIe does not support this.
6...Sound
Press the '6' key to toggle this option between 'ON' and 'OFF'.
When this option is set 'ON' SimSystem IIe will simulate Apple
IIe sound through the internal speaker on your PC. If your PC is
an older (and slower) machine than you might find the simulated
audio annoying, and you may wish to set this option to 'OFF'.
A through G...Emulator System
These options are provided to remind you which simulated
expansion cards are installed in each SimSystem IIe 'slot'. A
future version of SimSystem IIe might allow you to select
different simulated cards for each slot.
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H...Debugger
Press the 'H' key to alternate between ON and OFF. The SimSystem
IIe debugger will allow programmers direct access to the
simulated 65C02 microprocessor. Using the debugger you can stop
the processor, display the contents of the 65C02 registers, step
through the program one instruction at a time, and set hardware
breakpoints, all without any adverse affect on the program being
run. SimSystem IIe will operate more slowly while the debugger
is enabled, so you should switch it off unless you need to use
it. Use of the SimSystem IIe debugger is described in detail in
chapter 10.
I...Page Flip
The Apple IIe provides two video display buffers for most display
modes, and SimSystem IIe supports this. Some programs will
display the image from one of the two display buffers while
creating another image in the alternate buffer. When the image
is completed the program will switch the display to the alternate
display buffer using a technique called 'page flipping'.
SimSystem IIe tries to be intelligent about page flipping, and
only redraws the portion of the display screen which has actually
changed. While this works fine for most graphics programs, some
programs will page flip between two completely different display
screens, causing SimSystem IIe to do a lot of screen drawing. If
you find a graphics program is operating more slowly with
SimSystem IIe, and you suspect that page flipping is the problem,
you might try running the program with the page flipping option
turned OFF. This will force SimSystem IIe to display only one
display buffer. You can select which of the two buffers is
displayed while the program is running by pressing the F6 key.
(Use of the F6 key is described in chapter 9.)
J...Flash Text
Both the Apple IIe and the PC support a form of flashing text
when the display is operating in text mode. On the Apple IIe the
text will alternate between normal (white on black) and inverse
(black on white) at regular intervals. On the PC the text will
alternate between on and off. SimSystem IIe supports the Apple
IIe style flashing text by periodically redrawing the flashing
characters in reverse. While this produces a very realistic
simulated Apple display, it can cause a noticeable decrease in
performance on slower machines. Turn this option OFF if you
suspect that flashing text is a problem.
R...Run SimSystem IIe
Select this option to start the SimSystem IIe emulator.
S...Save Configuration
Select this option to save the current configuration in the
SIMIIE.CFG file. If the file already exists it will be replaced.
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Once this file has been created SimSystem IIe will not
automatically enter the configuration mode on startup unless the
/S switch is provided on the command line.
Esc...Return to DOS
If, after making changes to the configuration screen, you do not
wish to start the SimSystem IIe emulator, you may return to the
MS-DOS prompt by pressing the Esc key.
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Chapter 6 - Volume Files: The SimSystem IIe Disk Drives
_______________________________________________________
SimSystem IIe emulates an Apple IIe with four disk drives, two floppy
drives and two hard drives. These simulated disk drives exist only in
software, which is to say that the disk drives don't physically exist.
An Apple II program will find all of the appropriate hardware
registers for these disk drives only because SimSystem IIe simulates
these registers. In fact, SimSystem IIe simulates these disk drives
so well that many copy protected programs will work.
These simulated disk drives need simulated disks in order to work.
These disks are provided in the form of files on your PC hard drive.
In most cases, these files contain a complete copy of the contents of
a real Apple disk. We call these 'volume files'.
Volume files for use with the simulated floppy drives will have the
MS-DOS extension *.IIE, while files for use with the simulated hard
drives will have the MS-DOS extension *.HDV. SimSystem IIe provides a
special file selector that allows you to swap disks in any of the
simulated disk drives (including the simulated hard drives) by simply
selecting another volume file.
A floppy volume file (*.IIE) will always contain 143360 bytes of data,
while a hard drive volume file (*.HDV) may vary between 800K and 16M.
The Apple ProDOS 3 1/2 inch diskettes can be simulated by using 800K
hard drive volumes. The simulated hard drive conforms to Apple ProDOS
standards, and can only be used with ProDOS.
Floppy volume files (*.IIE) can contain data in two different formats;
binary and GCR. Binary format files are always 143390 bytes in
length, while GCR format files will vary in length (usually greater
than 200K). Binary format files are used for most applications where
program code or data is stored in standard Apple format, and no copy
protection is used. GCR format files contain a copy of the disk data
in its purest GCR encoded format, the same way it is stored on a real
Apple II diskette. SimSystem IIe does not interpret or translate GCR
data in any way, whichs makes this format suitable for many copy
protection methods used on Apple II products.
You will need the SimDisk program in order to create volume files for
SimSystem IIe. This program allows you to download Apple compatible
programs via modem, or directly from an Apple II computer system. You
can also use a Deluxe Option Board, from Central Point Software, to
directly read Apple diskettes in your PC floppy drive. SimDisk is
provided to registered users of SimSystem IIe.
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Chapter 7 - Booting The Emulator: The Volume Selector
_____________________________________________________
You can start the SimSystem IIe emulator by selecting the 'R' option
from the configuration screen. If you have saved your configuration
in the SIMIIE.CFG file, then the emulator will start automatically
when you run the SIMIIE program.
Just like a real Apple IIe, the first thing SimSystem IIe will try to
do is load an operating system from one of the simulated disk drives.
This process is called 'bootstrap', or booting.
SimSystem IIe provides the Volume Selector to allow you to choose a
volume file for any of the simulated disk drives. The Volume Selector
is displayed at startup so that you can select a volume file to boot.
You can also call up the Volume Selector at any time while using
SimSystem IIe by pressing the F7 function key.
If your keyboard fails to work at this point it is probably because
your PC keyboard system is not 100% IBM compatible, as required for
SimSystem IIe. If this is the case then SimSystem IIe will NOT work
with your computer. Please write to American Research at the address
provided at the end of this manual, and let us know what kind of
computer system you are using.
The Volume Selector is displayed using the simulated Apple 80-column
display characters. The Volume Selector box is outlined in inverse
box characters, and contains the title 'VOLUME' at the top. Inside
the box are listed up to eight files or subdirectories on your PC hard
drive. If the file listed is a subdirectory then the letter 'D' will
appear in the border to the left of the filename.
The selected disk drive is listed in the bottom border of the box
after the word 'TAB' in the format 'SnDn'. The number following the
'S' indicates the 'slot', where slot 6 is the two simulated floppy
drives, and slot 7 is the two simulated hard disk drives. The number
following the 'D' indicates which of the two simulated disk drives in
each slot is selected, either 1 or 2. By pressing the TAB key you can
alternate between S6D1, S6D2, S7D1, and S7D2. Note that when either
of the two simulated floppy drives (slot 6) are selected then only
files with the extension *.IIE will be displayed. Similarly, when
either of the two simulated hard drives (slot 7) are selected then
only files with the extension *.HDV will be displayed. All
subdirectories will be displayed regardless of which simulated disk
drive is selected.
The selected file or subdirectory is displayed by highlighting its
name in inverse characters (black on white). You can change the
selected file or subdirectory by using the UP and DOWN arrow keys
(also called cursor keys) on your PC keyboard. The list will scroll
when the highlight bar reaches the bottom or top of the window, if
more selections exist. You can choose a file or subdirectory by
moving the highlight bar over the name and pressing the Enter key. If
the selection is a subdirectory then the contents of that directory
will be displayed in the window. You can move to the previous
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subdirectory by selecting the '..' option from the list. If the
selection is a volume file then that file will be 'installed' in the
selected simulated disk drive, and the Volume Selector will disappear.
The current MS-DOS path is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
You can exit from the Volume Selector without choosing a file by
pressing the Esc key. None of the selected volume files will be
changed. Leaving the Volume Selector displayed at boot time by
pressing the Esc key is equivalent to starting an Apple IIe without
any disks in the disk drives. Like an Apple IIe, SimSystem IIe will
run continuously trying to read a non-existent disk. However, just
like an Apple IIe, you can press RESET (function key F5) to proceed
directly to the built-in BASIC interpreter. Of course, no operating
system is loaded so you won't be able to load or save any programs.
However, you can still play with BASIC, or the built-in monitor
program.
Once you have selected a volume file SimSystem IIe will begin loading
the operating system from the volume. After that, things works pretty
much like a real Apple IIe!
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Chapter 8 - The Emulator Keyboard
_________________________________
Most of the keys on your PC keyboard work with the emulator. All of
the alphanumeric keys are the same, including Esc, Shift, Ctrl, Tab,
Caps Lock, Backspace, and the arrow (cursor) keys.
Functions keys F1 through F10 are used for special SimSystem IIe
commands, and are not used by any Apple II programs. The numeric
keypad keys are equivalent to the numeric keys on the main keyboard.
The Alt key to the left of the space bar is used for the Open Apple
key. The Alt key to the right of the space bar is used for the Solid
Apple Key. Note that the screen characters that represent these keys
are replaced with Open Diamond and Solid Diamond (to avoid copyright
problems with Apple Computer).
None of the following keys perform any function with SimSystem IIe.
Print Screen Scroll Lock Pause
Insert Home Page Up
Delete End Page Down
Num Lock
Some Apple operating systems, like Apple DOS, do not support all of
the keys on an enhanced Apple IIe. For example, Apple DOS does not
recognize lower case characters. However, like an Apple IIe,
SimSystem IIe starts up in Caps Lock mode. In addition, Apple DOS and
AppleSoft BASIC do not recognize the Backspace key, and use instead
the left arrow key. In other words, use the keyboard just as you
would on a real Apple IIe.
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Chapter 9 - SimSystem IIe Function Keys
_______________________________________
Some of the things you would do with a real Apple IIe are not directly
possible with an emulator program. SimSystem IIe uses function keys
F1 through F10 to perform these special tasks. The bar at the bottom
of the screen is used to remind you of the purpose of these function
keys. Please note that this reminder bar is temporarily replaced by
the MS-DOS path when using the Volume Selector, and by the debugger
display (when enabled). Each of the function keys is described below.
F1 SHOW (Debugger)
This key is used only when the SimSystem IIe debugger is enabled.
This key allows you to alternate between the debugger display and
the reminder bar. The debugger display is described in the
chapter 10 of this manual.
F2 SNGL (Debugger)
This key is used only when the SimSystem IIe debugger is enabled.
This key allows you to alternate between RUN and STEP mode. In
RUN mode the simulated 65C02 processor will run continuously. In
STEP mode the simulated 65C02 processor can be stepped one
instruction at a time using function key F4.
F3 BRK (Debugger)
This key is used only when the SimSystem IIe debugger is enabled.
This key allows you to set a breakpoint address. When the 65C02
processor reaches the breakpoint address it will automatically
switch into the STEP mode (see function key F2 and F4
descriptions).
F4 STEP (Debugger)
This key is used only when the SimSystem IIe debugger is enabled.
This key allows you to step the 65C02 processor one instruction
at a time. This key is only effective when the 65C02 processor
is in STEP mode (see function key F2 description).
F5 RST
This key is equivalent to the RESET key on a real Apple IIe.
Pressing this key will cause the simulated 65C02 processor to be
reset. Some Apple II programs will alter the 65C02 reset
address, which prevents the program from being stopped. These
programs will behave similarly with SimSystem IIe. See function
key F9 description below.
F6 FLIP
This key is used when the Page Flip option (on the configuration
screen) is turned OFF. Use this key with graphics mode programs
to select which of the two display buffers will be shown on the
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screen. Pressing this key will cause SimSystem IIe to switch
between the two display buffers. This feature is useful to
programmers who want to watch screen data being created in a
display buffer that would normally be hidden from view.
F7 DISK
Use this key to access the Volume Selector. Use of the Volume
Selector is described in chapter 7 of this manual. The Volume
Selector is sometimes useful as a PAUSE function in some games,
since the emulator stops while the Volume Selector is displayed.
F8 JOY
This key is only useful if the Game Port option is enabled (on
the configuration screen). As you probably already know, not all
PC joysticks are the same. In addition, not all PC game port
adaptors are the same. Most PC games that use a joystick provide
an option for 'calibrating' the stick to work properly with the
game. SimSystem IIe provides function key F8 for this purpose.
Position your joystick in the center position and press F8. A
reminder box will pop up to inform you when the calibration is
complete. THIS PROCESS MUST BE PERFORMED EVERY TIME YOU RUN
SIMSYSTEM IIE, AND BEFORE USING THE JOYSTICK! If your joystick
features calibration adjustments you should set them in the
center position before pressing F8. The SimSystem IIe joystick
emulation should work with virtually all Apple II games that use
a joystick.
F9 PWR
Pressing this key is essentially the same as switching off an
Apple IIe for a moment, then switching it back on. Use the
Volume Selector to select a new disk to boot before pressing F9.
F10 BYE
Use this key to return to the MS-DOS prompt. No warnings are
given, so press this key only if you want to leave SimSystem IIe.
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Chapter 10 - The SimSystem IIe Debugger
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The SimSystem IIe debugger is an advanced feature intended for
programmers, and other technically inclined users. Most users will
choose to operate SimSystem IIe with the debugger option (on the
configuration screen) turned OFF, since it significantly reduces the
speed at which SimSystem IIe operates.
A traditional debugger is a program that resides in memory with the
program being tested. The program under test must be reasonably well
behaved in that it may not trash memory required by the debugger, or
interact with system hardware in a manner the debugger doesn't expect,
or both programs will crash. A debugger is also a useful tool for
examining how another program works. Many copy protected programs, or
programs which use proprietary software techniques or algorithms, are
specifically designed so that a traditional debugger will not work
with them.
The SimSystem IIe debugger is different. It works more like a piece
of hardware attached to the microprocessor, or an in-circuit emulator
device. The SimSystem IIe debugger is not a program that coexists in
65C02 memory, but is an enhancement to the 65C02 microprocessor
emulator program. In fact, the SimSystem IIe debugger was used
extensively in testing SimSystem IIe. Using the SimSystem IIe
debugger, you can view each instruction the 65C02 executes BEFORE it
actually executes them. You can stop the processor at any time, view
its register contents, single step through the instructions, and set
hardware breakpoints at any address.
Before you can use the SimSystem IIe debugger it must be enabled on
the configuration screen.
When you execute SimSystem IIe with the debugger enabled you will be
presented with a box asking you to enter a breakpoint address in
hexadecimal. When the 6502 program executes an instruction at the
specified breakpoint address SimSystem IIe will automatically switch
into STEP mode (stopping the processor), and the debugger display will
automatically be turned on. SimSystem IIe will ONLY stop at
breakpoint addresses where an instruction begins (i.e., where the
65C02 processor performs an opcode fetch). The debugger will NOT stop
the 65C02 processor if the breakpoint address falls in the middle of
an instruction. The breakpoint address you specify will remain in
effect until you change it. If you don't want SimSystem IIe to stop
at any address you may enter FFFF, since this address is part of the
IRQ interrupt vector, and the 65C02 processor should NEVER execute an
opcode fetch at this address.
After entering the breakpoint address SimSystem IIe will behave as it
otherwise would, although somewhat more slowly. Function keys F1
through F4 perform special debugger tasks, as described in chapter 9.
Function key F1 will toggle the debugger display on and off.
SimSystem IIe slows down even more with the debugger display on, since
each instruction is displayed as it is executed.
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Function key F2 will toggle between STEP and RUN mode. You can
restart the 65C02 processor after a debugger breakpoint by pressing
the F2 key.
Function key F3 will display the Set Breakpoint box (just as it was
displayed at the start of the program) so that you may enter a
different breakpoint. You can step past a subroutine call by setting
the breakpoint to the address of the first instruction after the JSR
and pressing F2 to restart the 65C02. SimSystem IIe will return to
STEP mode after the subroutine returns.
Function key F4 is used to step the 65C02 processor a single
instruction.
The debugger display looks like this:
PC=1234 SP=0180 A=00 X=FF Y=10 PS=NVBDIZC LDA ($30),Y $8010
The field 'PC=1234' tells us that the current instruction (program
counter) is at address $1234. The field 'SP=0180' indicates the
current address of the stack pointer. The fields 'A=00', 'X=FF', and
'Y=10' show the current contents of the three processor data
registers. The field 'PS=NVBDIZC' show the processor status bits
Negative, oVerflow, Break, Decimal, Interrupt disable, Zero, and
Carry. The letter representing each bit is only displayed when the
corresponding bit is ON, otherwise they are displayed as a period.
The instruction at the current address is displayed (in this case, LDA
($30),Y). Since indirect addressing is used, the effective address is
also displayed ($8010). Since the Y register contains $10, we can
deduce that the indirect address at zero page location $30 and $31 is
$8000.
All of the other SimSystem IIe function keys will work normally even
when the 65C02 processor is halted by the debugger.
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Chapter 11 - Volume File Formats
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It is our hope that everyone who tries SimSystem IIe will find it
useful, and will choose to pay the reasonable $50 registration fee.
As an incentive, we offer the SimDisk program to registered users.
With SimDisk you can create volume files for SimSystem IIe, copy files
from MS-DOS to SimSystem IIe volumes (or vice versa), and generate
volumes from real Apple diskettes using the Deluxe Option Board, from
Central Point software. We also offer an in-depth users manual,
complete with figures and technical references, printed and
professionally bound.
In the real world, however, we realize that many people will not pay
the registration fee regardless of any incentives we provide. While
we don't want to remove the incentive to register, we also don't want
to make it impossible to use SimSystem IIe with anything but the few
demo programs we provide with it. In fact, some people may choose NOT
to register until they can verify whether SimSystem IIe is compatible
with specific Apple II software. For this reason we are providing a
description of the volume files used by SimSystem IIe. Any moderately
skilled programmer will be able to create a program that can generate
the volume files. Who knows - maybe we'll offer to include such a
program with future shareware versions of SimSystem IIe, and share the
registration fee with the programs author... (It would have to be
REALLY good, though...)
Floppy (*.IIE) Volumes
Floppy volume files come in two basic flavors; binary and GCR.
Both types have the DOS extension *.IIE, and both types begin
with a header, as follows:
13 bytes - ASCII text "SIMSYSTEM_IIE"
1 byte - volume type, as follows:
00 - binary ProDOS volume
01 - binary Apple DOS volume
02 - binary unknown operating system
03 - GCR unknown operating system
All of the binary formats, 0 through 2, are treated the same by
SimSystem IIe. The reference to which operating system format
they use is for informational purposes only. Utility programs
should NOT count on this value to determine the directory format
for the volume data.
All of the binary format volume files continue, as follows:
16 bytes - sector interleave table
This table indicates the physical order of the sectors
in each track image. SimSystem IIe uses this
information to create sector address fields when
generating GCR data from the volume file data.
4096 bytes - track 0 data
4096 bytes - track 1 data
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...
4096 bytes - track 34 data
All of the GCR format volume files continue, as follows:
37 words - track size table
GCR volumes contain data for 37 tracks (as opposed to
the normal 35 tracks on an Apple disk). This is in
support of the those Apple copy protection schemes that
use extra tracks at the inside diameter of the disk.
Each word in this table (in Intel low byte/high byte
order) indicates the size of each GCR track image in
bytes.
???? bytes - track 0 GCR data
???? bytes - track 1 GCR data
...
???? bytes - track 36 GCR data
Hard Disk (*.HDV) Volumes
SimSystem IIe hard disk volumes always contain binary data. In
addition, they are only compatible with Apple ProDOS operating
systems. For this reason, the data are stored in ProDOS blocks
(512 bytes each).
The format of a SimSystem IIe hard disk volume file is as
follows:
13 bytes - ASCII text "SIMSYSTEM_HDV"
1 word - size of the volume (low byte/high byte) in ProDOS
blocks
512 bytes - block 0 data
512 bytes - block 1 data
...
512 bytes - last block data
Given the appropriate boot sector data, these volume files can be
used to boot SimSystem IIe. Curiously enough, the Apple boot
sector for a ProDOS volume is identical for a hard drive and a
floppy disk. SimSystem IIe hard drive ROM code (slot 7) conforms
to the Apple standard for a hard disk, and will boot ProDOS from
a standard Apple volume.
Good Luck!!!
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Appendix - Registration
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Hopefully, all of this has given you sufficient enticement to break
out your check book and send in your registration. The registration
fee is $50 U.S., plus $6 to cover shipping costs. Make out your check
to:
American Research Inc.
2120 Deercreek Rd.
Simi Valley, CA 93065
California residents should add the appropriate sales tax. Your
registered copy of SimSystem IIe will be sent out as soon as your
check has cleared. You can save some time by sending a money order or
cashiers check, which will get you same day service.