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Zeal Bootloader v1.3.0 (April 2024)
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@Zeal8bit Zeal8bit released this 28 Apr 10:21
· 1 commit to main since this release
v1.3.0
58a898c

Release v1.3.0 for Zeal 8-bit Bootloader.

First release that brings support for both the PS/2 keyboard and the Zeal 8-bit Video Card. Former versions of the bootloader only used UART for communication.

New features

Here is the the list of the new features:

  • Add a command to flash the Zeal 8-bit Video Board firmware directly from the menu
  • Zeal 8-bit Video Board is now the default standard output
  • The PS/2 keyboard is now the default standard input
  • Possibility to enter bootloader menu after pressing ESC key on the PS/2 keyboard, else autobooting is performed if ESC key is not detected
  • The logo and version can be shown on the video output
  • Add a possibility to wait for a key press after every operation that finishes
  • A configuration file, named include/config.asm, has been created to modify the configuration of the system, which includes:
    • Choosing between UART or video/keyboard for the output and input (default video/keyboard)
    • Show Zeal logo (default true). Not showing the logo will save some RAM and a bit of speed.
    • Enable the hardware tester (default true)
    • Wait for a key input after finishing any operation from the menu (default true)
    • Autoboot delay, which is now 3 seconds (instead of the former 5)

Remarks

A few things to note now that the video board is supported.

  • After updating the bootloader to this release, the UART will only be used in the situations below:
    • Transferring file to flash the NOR Flash or update the video board firmware
    • In case the video board is in Recovery Mode, the bootloader will use UART to ask the user for a new binary to flash to the video board.
  • There is no way to switch to UART for the standard output apart from (recompiling and) reflashing the bootlaoder with the proper configuration.
  • Some VGA screen may take some time to render the first frames when the board is powered up, but it is still possible to press the ESC key to enter the menu, even nothing is visible on screen yet. Pressing the ESC key multiple times is possible (safe) and will not result in a corruption or any undefined behavior.

Upgrading the bootloader from the bootloader itself is always risky

As such, if your Zeal 8-bit Computer is still using UART and doesn't have the video board, there is no reason to update to this release since the features added are solely related to that new board.

This new bootloader release can be flashed via the former versions or using an external programmer such as the TL866 for example.

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