RAM expansions card from [[Vortex Computersysteme|Vortex]].== Description ==
Not RAM expansions card from [[Vortex Computersysteme|Vortex]], mounted between CPC464 mainboard and CPU/Gate Array. It won't fit on CPC664, CPC6128, or CPC+ boards. The card is not compatible to with the standard [[dk'tronics]] memory expansion.
Sold in different sizes of RAM as '''SP 64''', '''SP 128''', '''SP 256''', '''SP 320''' and '''SP 512'''. Resulting in a maximum RAM size of 576K (64K internal, plus 512K external). The smaller SP64-SP320 versions can be upgraded to SP512 by mounting additional RAM chips in the spare sockets.
Resulting in a maximum RAM size of 576K (64K internal, plus 512K external).Usable under [[BASIC]] and [[CP/M]]:
Usable === BASIC === BOS (Banked Operating System) RSX drivers are included on EPROM (mapped to ROM bank 6). Providing following features under [[BASIC]] :* Banked BASIC programs (using |GOTO, |GOSUB, |RETURN commands, for example: |GOTO,bank,line)* Pseudo Floppy (unlike a RAMDISK, this "floppy" can be accessed only via special RSX commands)* Debugger (aka |MONitor)* Printer Spooler* Plus some extras like |FAST and [[|SLOWNote: Some of the RSX commands are always available, some only after typing |BOS. === CP/M]] and offering a === PATCH.COM is included on cassette. After copying the file from cassette to disk, it can be used to upgrade normal CP/M to support the expansion RAM disc. Providing following CP/M features:* 62K TPA* RAMDISK (unlike the BASIC Pseudo Floppy, this acts like a regular disk drive)* Printer SpoolerNote: There is a bug/problem with COPY.COM no longer working after installing PATCH.COM. A bugfix is listed in the appendix of the manual.
== Pictures ==
== Manual ==
* [[Media:Vortex SP 512 kb RAM Expasion Manual.pdf|Vortex SP 512 kb RAM Expasion Manual]] (pdf) (german)Note: Above is the original manual for BOS 1.0, not containing info on newer version(s) like BOS 2.1.
== Software ==
* BOS (Vortex Banked Operating System) (RSX commands on built-in EPROM, mapped to ROM bank 6) (under BASIC, the RAM is used as program/data region, BASIC programs can |GOTO and |GOSUB to expansion banks)
* Driver Cassette (includes PATCH.COM for upgrading CP/M to support the expansion RAM) (62K TPA, plus RAMDISK and printer SPOOLer)
* Further patches - the manual contains additional patches for some BASIC and CP/M programs
* [[Discology]]
* [[RCPM]] (RAM CP/M)
== Weblinks ==
* [http://www.vortex.de Vortex/ICP-Homepage] * [http://www.kjthacker.f2s.com/docs/sp512.html Vortex SP512 RAM Card]
[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:Memory expansions]]
