/sinclair/zxspectrum/originaldocs.php">ZX Spectrum Original Documents ROMantic Robot Multiface 1 Manual

INTRODUCTION

MUTLIFACE 1 is a true MULTIpurpose interFACE with:

1. Fully universal and 100% automatic BACK-UP to tape, cartridge, wafer or disc.
2. 8k RAM extension - suitable for our GENIE, LIFEGUARD, or as a buffer, etc.
3. MULTI TOOLKIT extension to study/modify/develop programs, POKE infinite lives, etc.
4. Kempston compatible JOYSTICK INTERFACE

CONNECTING THE MULTIFACE

The Spectrum MUST be switched OFF before attaching or removing the Multiface 1. M1 is best plugged directly to the SPECTRUM edge connector - it has a through port enabling you to connect Interface 1, <a href="/glossary.php?lookup=Wafadrive" onMouseover="ddrivetip('<? // Connect to the database $mysql = mysql_connect("localhost","retroisl_admin", "network", "retroisl_retroisle"); mysql_select_db("retroisl_retroisle",$mysql); $query ="SELECT description from glossary where id = 31"; $result = mysqli_query($mysql, $query); if ($row=@mysqli_fetch_array($result,MYSQLI_ASSOC)) { echo $row['description']; } mysqli_close(); ?> ')"; onMouseout="hideddrivetip()"> Wafadrive</a>, Opus Discovery or Beta to its back. You could also have the Multiface at the back of Interface 1, <a href="/glossary.php?lookup=Wafadrive" onMouseover="ddrivetip('<? // Connect to the database $mysql = mysql_connect("localhost","retroisl_admin", "network", "retroisl_retroisle"); mysql_select_db("retroisl_retroisle",$mysql); $query ="SELECT description from glossary where id = 31"; $result = mysqli_query($mysql, $query); if ($row=@mysqli_fetch_array($result,MYSQLI_ASSOC)) { echo $row['description']; } mysqli_close(); ?> ')"; onMouseout="hideddrivetip()"> Wafadrive</a> or Beta, but the closer the Multiface is to the Spectrum, the better - do NOT use extension cables at all! Check all connections carefully before switching the Spectrum ON, or else serious damage may occour and your guarantee will be VOID. A proper attachment is vital for the functioning of the Multiface - and a bad contact is the cause of 99% of all problems. If attaching/using the M1 brings random coloured squares or other garbage on the screen, clean the edge connector with an ink eraser and then re-connect the Multiface. If your system and the Multiface should still not work, switch the Spectrum OFF, remove any add-ons except the Multiface, re-read these instructions and try again. Should you really not succeed, please telephone us on 01-200 8870 or write to us. Please do NOT return the Multiface until we ask you to do so. In such case, please use the original packaging, state your name, address, phone and describe the problem and the whole equipment used. Please read the guarantee conditions carefully as well.

NOTES ON SPECTRUM CRASHES:

Very rarely, a Spectrum may have a substandard Z80 and be unfit for the Multiface. The typical effects are: a) the first pressing of the Multiface's red button causes the Spectrum to reset (as NEW or reset button) b) further pressing of the red button has no effect whatsoever. Your Spectrum may otherwise seem to be working perfectly, since only a few hardware devices, such as the Multiface, use one particular "line" (NMI), which you may have never needed before. The use of NMI is essential for the Mutliface and if your Spectrum (or rather its Z80) is faulty, you must either have it replaced or repaired. We can carry out the repair ourselves at the cost of #14.95 - we will need your Spectrum (without the power supply), Multiface and a payment by cheque, PO, cash or card. If you prefer to have your Spectrum checked and/or repaired locally, please do ensure that the repair shop gets the Multiface as well, so that your whole set-up will be made to work properly. It is also a good idea to try the Multiface on another Spectrum to help establish that it really is YOUR Spectrum that is faulty.

USING THE MULTIFACE

Multiface 1 works on the Spectrum 48/128/+2. It can be used any time in 48k mode: It is immaterial what is inside the Spectrum at that moment or how or from what source (tape, disk, cartridge) it has been loaded (or typed in, etc.). Multiface doesd not save programs, but computer contents (compressed RAM image) instead. To use it:

1. Ensure that the switch on the side of the Multiface 1 is ON (DOWN). Whenever you like,push the red button to activate the Multiface 1 and obtain the MAIN MENU
2. Select the required option from the menu by pressing its relevant key - it is always in inverse and it is usually the first letter, such as e for exit. The options are:
   
   • exit - to abandon the Multiface and exit to BASIC (provided BASIC is present) By using exit, you can come out of the Multiface entirely. All efforts are made to preserve the current program in the Spectrum intact. The main condition is the existence of standard system variables - without these the Spectrum crashes. A successful exit gives you full access to the program (you may miss the MULTI TOOLKIT, though). To restart it, if needed, you must know the starting line or address. All in all, you can only exit to BASIC if it exits - just imagine jumping into a pool with no water...
   • return - to continue the program
   • save - to proceed to the SAVE routines:
     1. input the name of the program up to 9 characters (or just press ENTER to input RUN automatically as a default)
     2. save to: tape cartridge wafer disc (use disc for both Discovery and Beta)
        You can save the entire program (including the screen) or the screen only. Programs are compressed to take minimal room possible and to load faster. Screens saved on their own are left intact as standard Spectrum hi-res screens
   • tool - to access the MULTI TOOLKIT routines
   • quit - to return to the main menu
   • ENTER - to PEEK and scroll through addresses or to POKE
   • SPACE - to allow you to type in a new address
   • hex - to toggle between hexadecimal and decimal display format
   • reg - to point to the Z80 registers as they were when the program was frozen. They start from the program counter (PC-low, hi) and can also be changed
   • window - to open a window with full on-screen editting using the cursor keys. The flashing window address corresponds to the address in the bottom edit line. The window display is by default in hex, but you can change it to
   • text - to see the 128 bytes in the window as ASCII text
   • copy - to copy screen to printer For printer interfaces using COPY command - Multiprint, ZX Lprint II, Kempston
   • jump - not to return, but jump to another address. Strictly for machine code users only! Enter the address to jump at 8192/3 (low/hi). You can jump to Spectrum ROM/RAM and to M1 8k RAM. As the Multiface 1 RAM overshadows the ZX ROM (8192-16383), address 8194 determines the paging status: if it is 0, the M1 RAM remains paged, 1 pages out the RAM and any other value disables the jump command entirely.

GENERAL HINTS and TIPS.

USING THE ON/OFF SWITCH.

M1 has a switch to make in (in)visible, mainly to prevent possible clashes with other hardware/software. You cannot activate the M1 if the switch is in the OFF (up) position. You can, however, switch it ON/OFF whenever you like. Even if the M1 is OFF, or not attached at all, you can still load the programs it saved, although the screen will be partially distorted (but programs usually refresh/redraw screens all the time, anyway). There is NO distortion if the Multiface is ON, and programs continue as if never frozen...

USING THE EXTRA 8K RAM

Multiface has an 8K ROM (containing its own code) and an 8K RAM used as a buffer. You can use the 8K RAM for your own m/code routines or for data, but NOT for BASIC. The RAM must be paged in machine code to be accessed: use IN A, (159) to page IN and IN A, (31) to page OUT. The IN and OUT BASIC commands can not be used here. The M1 8K RAM overshadows the Spectrum ROM and thus anything contained in the M1 RAM cannot make any calls to the Spectrum ROM. Any routine in Multiface 1 RAM should therefore be totally self contained and independent of the ZX Spectrum ROM. You can, in fact, make ROM calls if you jump out of the M1 RAM in to the Spectrum RAM, page out M1 RAM, call a Spectrum ROM routine, page the M1 ROM/RAM again and jump back to your M1 routine. There are other ways and possibilities, but all in all the use of the M1 RAM requires a good knowledge of m/code - or else forget it...

POKING INFINITE LIVES.

To start with, please ensure that you are not infringing copyright. To POKE, say, 31000, 0: First load a program as usual. When it is loaded, push the Multiface button and select the tool by pressing t. When the toolkit menu appears, press SPACE and type 31000. Once you type 5 digits (address is always 5 digits long), the cursor automatically moves to the value field (no need to press ENTER), so type 0 (value is 1-3 digits long) and this time press ENTER. Finally press q to quit the toolkit and r to return to the program.

ADVANCED USE OF THE JUMP FACILITY

You can jump from the main menu by pressing j, but you can also pre-program M1 to jump directly upon pressing the red button and by-pass M1 operating system entirely. To program the "direct-jump", POKE 8192-3 with the jump address as usual, and then also 8195-7 with a special identification code RUN (82, 85, 87 decimal). Whenever you push the button now, you will jump to the given address and not even see the M1 menu. To return from your program to the program you stopped, use RST 0. To revert back to the Multiface normal operation, press the red button and BREAK key simultaneously. To disable the direct jump completely, get rid of the code word RUN. Multiface 1 uses 8210-10753 as a buffer (8210-12722 once you do proceed to SAVE) and overwrites anyhting in there. Using direct jump, you have 8257-16354 available - plus all of the Spectrum RAM to which you can also jump to.

NOTES ON COMPATIBILITY

BETA

Multiface is compatible with BETA Version 4.0 and higher, although a small modification is necessary. You can either return the Multiface to us so that we can carry it out, or contact us for details. Also BETA Version 5.0 and higher requires different software in the Multiface 1 and in this case we must have the Multiface returned to us.

<a href="/glossary.php?lookup=Wafadrive" onMouseover="ddrivetip('<? // Connect to the database $mysql = mysql_connect("localhost","retroisl_admin", "network", "retroisl_retroisle"); mysql_select_db("retroisl_retroisle",$mysql); $query ="SELECT description from glossary where id = 31"; $result = mysqli_query($mysql, $query); if ($row=@mysqli_fetch_array($result,MYSQLI_ASSOC)) { echo $row['description']; } mysqli_close(); ?> ')"; onMouseout="hideddrivetip()"> Wafadrive</a>

<a href="/glossary.php?lookup=Wafadrive" onMouseover="ddrivetip('<? // Connect to the database $mysql = mysql_connect("localhost","retroisl_admin", "network", "retroisl_retroisle"); mysql_select_db("retroisl_retroisle",$mysql); $query ="SELECT description from glossary where id = 31"; $result = mysqli_query($mysql, $query); if ($row=@mysqli_fetch_array($result,MYSQLI_ASSOC)) { echo $row['description']; } mysqli_close(); ?> ')"; onMouseout="hideddrivetip()"> Wafadrive</a> is automatically initiated by the M1 when required. Early <a href="/glossary.php?lookup=Wafadrive" onMouseover="ddrivetip('<? // Connect to the database $mysql = mysql_connect("localhost","retroisl_admin", "network", "retroisl_retroisle"); mysql_select_db("retroisl_retroisle",$mysql); $query ="SELECT description from glossary where id = 31"; $result = mysqli_query($mysql, $query); if ($row=@mysqli_fetch_array($result,MYSQLI_ASSOC)) { echo $row['description']; } mysqli_close(); ?> ')"; onMouseout="hideddrivetip()"> Wafadrive</a>s are not fully compatible with other Spectrum peripherals. If you find any problems with the M1, please look at the RS 232 bus located at the bottom right of the back of your <a href="/glossary.php?lookup=Wafadrive" onMouseover="ddrivetip('<? // Connect to the database $mysql = mysql_connect("localhost","retroisl_admin", "network", "retroisl_retroisle"); mysql_select_db("retroisl_retroisle",$mysql); $query ="SELECT description from glossary where id = 31"; $result = mysqli_query($mysql, $query); if ($row=@mysqli_fetch_array($result,MYSQLI_ASSOC)) { echo $row['description']; } mysqli_close(); ?> ')"; onMouseout="hideddrivetip()"> Wafadrive</a>. Looking in you should see purple, red & white wires attached to the top of RS 232 bus. If not, you need to have your <a href="/glossary.php?lookup=Wafadrive" onMouseover="ddrivetip('<? // Connect to the database $mysql = mysql_connect("localhost","retroisl_admin", "network", "retroisl_retroisle"); mysql_select_db("retroisl_retroisle",$mysql); $query ="SELECT description from glossary where id = 31"; $result = mysqli_query($mysql, $query); if ($row=@mysqli_fetch_array($result,MYSQLI_ASSOC)) { echo $row['description']; } mysqli_close(); ?> ')"; onMouseout="hideddrivetip()"> Wafadrive</a> exchanged or upgraded.

OPUS DISCOVERY

The through connector at the side of the Discovery is not complete, and thus unusable. Otherwise there are no compatibility problems.

PIRACY IS ILLEGAL!
MULTIFACE 1 is NOT designed to encourage PIRACY!


Please note that you must not use it to copy, reproduce or
Infringe in any way any copyright material without the clear
permission of the copyright owner. ROMANTIC ROBOT
neither condones nor authorises the use of Multiface for
the reproduction of copyrighted material - to do so is illegal!

GUARANTEE.

This guarantee is in addition to and does not affect any statutory or other rights of consumers or purchasers. ROMANTIC ROBOT guarantee that if within 6 months of the date of purchase the Multiface proves to be defective by reason of faulty design, workmanship or materials, it will be replaced free of charge, provided that:

1. It has not been in any way misused, used with unsuitable equipment or subjected to deliberate, accidental or consequential damage.
2. No unauthorised modifications, repairs or adjustments were made to the Multiface.
3. A dated proof of purchase will be provided to confirm that the multiface is still under guarantee; for units purchased directly ffrom us, please supply the details of the original order instead

The purchaser's sole and exclusive remedy under this guarantee is for the Mutliface repair or replacement. No other remedy, including but not limited to, incidental or consequential damage or loss of whatsoever nature shall be available to the purchaser.

Designed and manufactured by ROMANTIC ROBOT UK Ltd.
54 Deanscroft Avenue, London NW9 8EN. Tel. 01-200-8870.