Tools for working with Cidco Mailstations
README: update for teensy loader
authored by
joshua stein
and committed by
GitHub
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README.md
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README.md
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See [loader.txt](docs/loader.txt) for a more thorough explanation.
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tl;dr:
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- Obtain a DB25 parallel Laplink cable. Be sure to verify the pin-out as it is
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not a straight-through DB25 modem or printer cable.
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- Connect a Teensy loader or Laplink parallel port cable to the DB25 port on
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the Mailstation.
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- With the Mailstation off, hold down the `Function`+`Shift`+`T` keys and press
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the `Power` button to turn it on. Instead of booting up to the Cidco logo,
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### Parallel port access
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Host tools (`sendload`, `recvdump`, and `tribble_getty`) need direct access
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to the parallel port to communicate with the Mailstation over the Laplink
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cable using `inb` and `outb` system calls.
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A DB25 LapLink parallel port cable is required for this method of connection.
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A USB IEEE 1284 printer cable will *NOT* work, though a PCI parallel port card
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will (including via a Thunderbolt enclosure if on a laptop).
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If you are using a parallel port other than the standard port of `0x378`,
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supply the `-p <port>` option to the host programs with the port in
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hexadecimal.
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When connecting to the Mailstation via parallel port, host tools
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(`sendload`, `recvdump`, and `tribble_getty`) need direct access
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to the port to communicate with the Mailstation over the Laplink
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cable using `inb` and `outb` system calls.
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On OpenBSD, direct port access will require the `machdep.allowaperture` sysctl
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set to `1` or higher. On OpenBSD and Linux, these host tools will also have
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to be executed as root.
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### Included tools
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### USB Loader with Teensy
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If you don't have a computer with a parallel port, you can use a
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[Teensy 3.2](https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy32.html)
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which will connect to your computer via USB, and to the Mailstation via its
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many digital I/O pins:
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|Teensy Pin|Mailstation Pin|
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|----------|---------------|
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|1|2|
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|2|3|
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|3|4|
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|4|5|
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|5|6|
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|7|10|
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|8|11|
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|9|12|
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|10|13|
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|11|15|
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|GND|25|
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- Install [Arduino-Makefile](https://github.com/sudar/Arduino-Makefile) and
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[Teensyduino](https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/teensyduino.html)
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- `cd teensy-loader && make` (`gmake` on OpenBSD)
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- Upload `build-*/teensy-loader_.hex` firmware with `teensyloader` and Teensy
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will reattach as a USB serial device:
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````
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umodem0 at uhub0 port 4 configuration 1 interface 0 "jcs Mailstation Loader" rev 1.10/2.75 addr 9
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ucom0 at umodem0
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````
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### Included host-side tools in `util/`
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#### `sendload`
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Writes a binary program file through the parallel port or USB serial port in
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the Mailstation's "tribble" format, sending each byte 3 bits at a time.
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#### `recvdump`
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Receives a dump from `codedump`, `datadump`, and `memdump` programs executed
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on the Mailstation and writes the bytes received to `codedump.bin`,
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`datadump.bin`, or `memdump.bin`.
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### Included Mailstation Z80 tools
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#### `loader.asm`
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Loader is used to load binary code over the Laplink cable into RAM and then
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Loader is used to load binary code over the parallel port into RAM and then
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execute it.
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You need to type the hex values of `z80/loader.bin` (tip: use `hexdump -C
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the new Loader app on the Mailstation.
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Then run `obj/sendload <your binary file>` to send your binary code over the
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Laplink cable and it will be executed as soon as the transfer is done.
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parallel port and it will be executed on the Mailstation as soon as the
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transfer is done.
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#### `codedump.asm`
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Code Dump is used to read the contents of the 1Mb flash chip containing the
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Mailstation's code and send it over the Laplink cable.
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Mailstation's code and send it over the parallel port.
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You need to type the hex values of `z80/codedump.bin` into one of the
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application slots as detailed above.
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Data Dump is used to read the contents of the 512Kb flash chip containing the
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Mailstation's data area (containing downloaded programs, e-mails, etc.) and
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send it over the Laplink cable.
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send it over the parallel port.
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You need to type the hex values of `z80/datadump.bin` into one of the
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application slots as detailed above.