Preface ======= PortDiag and its documentation is Copyright (c) Short Software, Prague, Czech Republic. This archive can be freely redistributed as long as all of its files are included in their original form without any additions, deletions or modifications (excluding addition of other README-style files and icons) and no more than a nominal fee is charged for its distribution. All copyright notices in the programs and accompanying documentation files must remain intact. It's especially forbidden to add various '.displayme' files and BBS advertisements. This style of distribution is generally known as FREEWARE. Special permission is given to Fred Fish to distribute this program on his "Fish Disks". This software is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The author is not responsible for any damage caused by it. Description =========== PortDiag is generally used for low-level hardware watching and modifying. It has support for all the bits of the four CIA ports, digital and analog parts of the game ports, serial port TXD and RXD signals and selective system allocation of this hardware. PortDiag executable is not PURE and thus _cannot_ be made resident. Requirements ============ PortDiag executable requires Kickstart version 37 (2.04) or higher and the ss.library V5.0 or higher (from package SSLib*.lha). The Special Support Library is Copyright (c) Martin Mares, MJSoft System Software. Usage ===== PortDiag can be run from the CLI or the Workbench. The only one existing argument can be specified as parameter from the command line or as a tooltype from the Workbench. Argument template: "OMIT_ANY_OF_ALL_THOSE_ANNOYING_WARNING_MESSAGES =FORCE/S" You will know what this option does after you run this sw ;-). Graphical user interface description ==================================== The main (and the only) window is divided to nine parts: four CIA ports, two game ports, "Start potgo" gadget, serial bits and allocation. Four CIA ports -------------- The first digit says the bit position in the CIA hardware register. It's followed by the descriptive signal name (suffixed by '/' for the negative signals). The third column (physical port pin description) has a character code saying which connector it is related to and the number of the pin on that connector. Character codes: D = Disk drive GA = Game port 1 GB = Game port 2 P = Parallel port S = Serial Port The first of the two control buttons controls DATA (up{0} - 0, down{1} - 1), the second one controls bit direction (up{I} - input, down{O} - output). Changing of the DATA signal in the input mode is not possible. The "Default" button in the bottom sets the values of all the direction bits of this port to their startup values. It doesn't set their data values, only the directions! Note: If you have some of the output signals connected to ground / +5, the DATA bit displays the state of the external signal not depending on what does the processor want to be there. So to minimize the possible damage, PortDiag checks the port after each write and if it reports still the same value, it's set back to the external one. Two game ports -------------- The first two counters ("X" and "Y") display the mouse position counters (JOYxDAT registers). Right to them are lights labeled as (R)ight, (D)own, (L)eft, and (U)p which have meaning only if a joystick is connected to the game port. These buttons are decoded from the counters and they are only a different representation of the counter values. The third and fourth counter ("A" and "B") displays the pot counters (JOYxPOT registers). They are used for the right ("B") and middle ("A") mouse buttons and for the coordinates on analog joysticks. You can start these counters by the "Start potgo" button (see below). The six buttons in the bottom right corner are grouped horizontally to two triples. In each triple, the first (leftmost) button controls the data bit of output ({0}/{1}), the second one displays the data bit of input ({0}/{1}) and the third (rightmost) is the direction ({I}/{O}) select. Don't forget that the "gameport.device" (at least under usual circumstances) periodically resets the first Game Port so you can't change it manually. "Start potgo" gadget -------------------- This button dumps capacitors and starts the "A" and "B" counters on both game ports (see above). Serial bits ----------- This sub-window displays the state of the input-only RXD signal and allows setting of TXD signal. TXD is controlled by manipulating the serial break (ADKCON->UARTBRK) so you can't see level transitions during normal serial transmission. Allocation ---------- These four buttons ("Serial", "Parallel", "Disk" and "Game Ports") prevent other tasks from using the corresponding ports. It's always better to allocate the part of the hardware which you are going to play with, otherwise some other task using this port may be confused by you. Supplied icons ============== There are several alternative icons from Pavouk named "PortDiagX.info" in this package. You may cHoose one of them and replace the "PortDiag.info". Final words =========== Before sending any questions, please read the hardware manual (at least twice). If it doesn't solve your problem, read it once again. BUGS: Terribly written, sorry. Thanks to MJSoft for support and the ss.library. Thanks to Pavouk for the idea, icons and images (flames about similiarity of '1' - 'I' and '0' - 'O' send to pavouk@k332.feld.cvut.cz). Send all comments and bug reports to short@k332.feld.cvut.cz.