Mode4 not working correctly for Micromite Companion

dvanaria · 2018-05-20 04:15

I only had the mode4.mde file, so I made a copy of that and renamed it mode4.bin, so that I could switch to mode 4 using the CTRL+F4 keyboard shortcut.

The MMC then switches modes but all I see is a blank screen. Also, I can only switch back to Mode 1 using CTRL+F1 (I can't switch back to either mode2 or mode3.

Is this the way mode4 is supposed to work? I was assuming I would be presented with a command line interface just as the other modes present.

Is it possible I have an outdated version of mode4.mde?

Publison · 2018-05-20 11:59

I wish I could help but Karl has not gotten back to me about the availability of the kits.

dvanaria · 2018-05-22 04:15

I'm beginning to get a better handle on how Mode4 works.

Mode4 was inteded to be entered through an MMBasic program call, such as this:

I2C write PC,0,3,1,2,4 'Switch to mode4.mde

So a mode4 program would be written in MMBasic, be run from another mode (such as Mode1), and swtich into Mode4 while running.

Interesting concept - makes it hard to see what happens if something goes wrong in your code though. In Jeff Ledger's Instructable (http://www.instructables.com/id/Sprites-Graphics-On-the-Micromite-Companion/) he shows a way to hook up a second terminal emulator on another computer to do some debegging on Mode4 programs, while running.

tritonium · 2018-05-22 16:51

That instructable has links to a drop box for software and tools- but it no longer exists sadly :frown:
When this first came out I was intrigued and put it on my list to get around to one day- sadly it looks like that day has gone.

Dave

Roadster · 2018-05-22 18:59

I wrote the graphics editor, you can find the onine version here
http://electronicshobby.space/tools/GraphicEdit.html
You can find the micromite version here
http://electronicshobby.space/files/#elf_l1_UHVibGljL21pY3JvbWl0ZSBjb21wYW5pb24vREVWRUxPUE1FTlQgVkVSU0lPTlM

tritonium · 2018-05-22 21:15

Hi

Roadster said-

I wrote the graphics editor, you can find the onine version here
http://electronicshobby.space/tools/GraphicEdit.html
You can find the micromite version here
http://electronicshobby.space/files/#elf_l1_UHVibGljL21pY3JvbWl0ZSBjb21wYW5pb24vREVWRUxPUE1FTlQgVkVSU0lPTlM

I had those files already saved from a while ago- didn't realise the instructable was pointing to them!
That's good news- I see MX170 28 and 44pin versions of the pic ready programmed, are available from micromite.org in the UK- I have props waiting for a project- do I have all the info I need to make one? ie are there any VITAL files missing? and could I benefit from the extra I/O the 44 pin version has using existing prop software- I would imagine so since the actual 'basic code' runs from the pic?

Dave

Mode4 not working correctly for Micromite Companion

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