LSI M-Three Operator's Manual
SVSTem
m=~REE
OPEAATOR~S
mANUAL
The
M-THREE
Operator's
Manual
This manual describes the operation
of
and available features on the
M-THREE
range
of
micro
-computers.
For
additional
information
or
technical assistance contact:
LSI Computers
Limited,
Copse
Road, St Johns, Woking, Surrey. GU21 1SX
Telephone: Woking (04862) 23411 Telex: 859592
CONTENTS
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1
GENERAL ....................................................................
1-1
1.2 THE
MAIN
CONTROL
UNIT
.......................................
1-1
1.2.1 Disk Drive Control.............................................
1-1
1.2.2 Visual Display Control.......................................
1-2
1.2.3 Peripheral Control.............................................
1-2
1.3 THE KEYBOARD .........................................................
1-2
SECTION 2
INITIAL
OPERATION
2.1
GENERAL ....................................................................
2-1
2.2 SWITCHING
ON
THE M-THREE .................................
2-1
2.3 THE CONTRAST CONTROL .......................................
2-1
2.4
VISUAL
DISPLAY PROMPT .......................................
2-2
2.5 THE DISKETTE ...........................................................
2-2
2.6 DISKETTE
HANDLING
...............................................
2-3
2.7 DISKETTE VENDORS .................................................
2-3
2.8 DISK DRiVES................................................................ 2-4
2.9 LOADING THE M-THREE/100 SERIES ...................... 2-4
2.10 LOADING THE M-THREE/200-300 SERIES ............... 2-4
SECTION 3 KEYBOARD OPERATION
3.1
GENERAL ....................................................................
3-1
3.2 THE 'QWERTY' CLUSTER ..........................................
3-1
3.2.1 Control ................ " ............................... ".........
3~
1
3.2.2
Esc
..................................................................
3-1
3.2.3
Caps
Lock ....................................................... '
3-1
3.2.4 Del..................................................................
3-1
3.2.5 Line
Feed
........................................................
3-1
3.2.6 Break ............................................................... 3-2
3.3 THE NUMERIC PAD .................................................. 3-2
3.4 THE SPECIAL FUNCTION KEYS .............................. 3-2
SECTION 4
VISUAL
DISPLAY: SOFTWARE CONTROL
4.1
G
EN E RAL
.............. ........................................ ............
4-1
4.2
ESCAPE
SEQUENCES ................................................
4-1
4.2.1
Erase
Screen
....................................................
4-1
4.2.2
Erase
End-Of-Screen ........................................
4-1
4.2.3
Erase
Line .......................................................
4-1
4.2.4
Erase
End-Of-Line ...........................................
4-1
4.2.5 Cursor Up ........................................................
4-1
4.2.6 Cursor Down ...................................................
4-1
4.2.7 Cursor Right ....................................................
4-1
4.2.8 Cursor
left
......................................................
4-'
4.2.9 Cursor Home ...................................................
4-2
4.2.10 Cursor Address ................................................
4-2
4.2.11 Graphics Mode ................................................
4-2
4.2.12 ASCII Mode ....................................................
4-2
4.2.13 Inverse Video Character ..................................
4-2
SECTION 5 THE OPERATING SYSTEM
5.1
GENERAL ..................................................................
5-1
5.2 PROGRAM MODULES ...............................................
5-1
5.3 TRANSIENT PROGRAM
AREA
(TPA) .....................
5-2
5.4 DISK
DRIVE
SELECTION .........................................
5-2
5.5
DATA
STORAGE FILES ............................................
5-3
ii
SECTION 6
UTILITY
PROGRAMS
6.1
GENERAL ..................................................................
6-1
6.2 FORMAT ....................................................................
6-1
6.3 VERIFy...................................................................... 6-2
6.4 COPYDISC ..................................................................
6-3
6.5 BACKUP ..................................................................... 6-4
6.6
PROG
(Program) ......................................................... 6-6
6.7
INIT
(Initialise) ........................................................... 6-8
SECTION 7 M-THREE/NET
7.1
GENERAL ..................................................................
7-1
SECTION 8 INTERFACES
8.1
GENERAL ..................................................................
8-1
8.2 RS232 INTERFACE ...................................................
8-1
8.2.1
Rear
Panel
Connections ........... ........................
8-1
8.3 RS232 HANDSHAKE PROTOCOLS .......................... 8-2
8.3.1 Request
To
Send
[RTS] ................................. 8-2
8.3.2 Clear To
Send
[CTS] ................. ........ ............. 8-2
8.3.3 Data Set Ready [DSR] ................................... 8-2
8.3.4 Data Terminal Ready
[DTR]
.......................... 8-2
8.4
PARRALLEL
PRINTER PORT INTERFACE ............ 8-3
8.4.1
Rear
Panel
Connections
..
...... .......... ...... ........... 8-3
8.5 THE GENERAL
PURPOSE
INTERFACE BUS .......... 8-4
8.5.1
Rear
Panel
Connections
..
................................. 8-5
iii
SECTION 9 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
9.1
GENERAL ..................................................................
9-1
9.2 DISK
DRIVE
MAINTENANCE ..................................
9-1
9.3
AIR-FILTER
MAINTENANCE ...................................
9-1
9.1.1 Removal..........................................................
9-1
9.1.2 Cleaning ..........................................................
9-1
SECTION 10 FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION
10.1 GENERAL ..................................................................
10-1
10.2
PROCESSOR
..............................................................
10-1
10.3 MEMORY ...................................................................
10-1
10.4
INTEGRAL
DISPLAY MONITOR ...............................
10-1
10.5 KEYBOARD ...............................................................
10-1
10.6 INTERFACES .............................................................
10-1
10.7 DISKETTES ................................................................ 10-2
10.7.1 M-THREE/100
series
...................................... 10-2
10.7.2 M-THREE/200-300
series
............................... 10-3
10.8 MASS STORAGE ........................................................ 10-3
10.8.1 M-THREE/100
series
...................................... 10-3
10.8.2 M-THREE/200
series
...................................... 10-4
10.8.3 M-THREE/300
series
...................................... 10-4
10.9 PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS ................................... 10-5
10.9.1 Environmental Limits ..................................... 10-5
10.9.2 A.C. Requirements ......................................... 10-5
10.9.3 Power Consumption ........................................ 10-5
10.9.4 Mechanical Dimensions ................................... 10-6
10.9.5 Weight ............................................................ 10-6
iv
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
GENERAL
The LSI SYSTEM M-TH REE
is
a compact and versatile desk-top
micro-computer system which
has
the capability
to
undertake
complex tasks in
differing
fields,
e.g.
stock
control,
accounting,
instrumentation
control,
etc.
Several
different
M-THREE models
are
available, enabling the user
to
match the system's intended
function
or
functions
with
an
effecient mass-memory configuration
(see
10.8). These models
all support CP/M, rendering them compatible
with
a wide
range
of
software
packages.
N.B. The complete functional specification
of
all M-THREE systems
can
be
found in Section 10.
Physically all M-TH REE systems separate
into
two
parts:
1)
The Main Control
Unit.
2)
The Keyboard.
1.2
THE
MAIN
CONTROL
UNIT
Apart
from
the internal processing
of
data, the Main Control
Unit
performs some
important
functions which
are
more obvious
to
the
operator:
a)
Disk Drive
control.
b) Visual Display control.
c)
Peripheral control.
1.2.1 Drsk Drive
Control
In order
for
the M-THREE system
to
function
as
a micro-
computer, the Main Control
Unit
must have rapid
access
to
quantities
of
data (which
will
exceed its internal
memory
capacity) and the necessary processing instructions (software) which
will
cause
that
data
to
be
manipulated in a
predetermined manner. The relevant data and software
is
stored on magnetic Disks/Diskettes
(see
2.5) which
can
be
'read'
from,
or
'written'
to,
by
the Main Control
Unit.
This 'reading' and
'writing'
is
achieved
by
controlling
the
1-1
Disk Drives
into
which the Disks/Diskettes
are
placed or
permanently held.
1.2.2 Visual Display control
The Visual Display
is
the most important operator aid in
the system.
It
is
the
means
by
which the Main Control
Unit
communicates
with
the operator; a software control-
led
'window'
into
the computer. The Visual Display,
coupled
with
system familiarity (keyboard and software
protocols etc.), will enable two-way communication
between the operator and the M-THREE system.
The display
area
of
the
screen
can
contain a maximum
of
24 I
ines,
each
one having up
to
80 characters in
it
(1,920
characters in all).
Each
of
these
characters
can
be
any
one
of
the symbols shown in appendices A and
B.
Any
Further explanation
as
to
the behaviour
of
the
Visual Display at this
point
would
be
fruitless
as
it
is
entirely software dependant.
1.2.3 Peripheral Control
The M-THREE
has
the
ability
to
control
devices
external
to
its own immediate system.
These
devices,
whatever
they
may
actually
be,
come under the heading 'Peripherals'.
The most common peripheral
is
a printer, which will
be
needed
if
the system
is
being
used
for anything that
requires a printed
output
(hard-copy).
1.3
THE KEYBOARD
The Keyboard enables the operator
to
load data and instructions
into
the Main Control Unit. The actrual 'language'
used
for
this
is
entirely
dependant on the system control software (Operating System) in
use
at the time,
but
most software interacts
with
the operator by using the
Visual Display
for
'prompt-messages' and thereby
enhances
the
necessary
two-way communication.
1-2
SECTION 2
INITIAL
OPERATION
2.1
GENERAL
I t
is
assu
med
that
the M-T H R E E
has
been
unpacked and
is
ready
to
be
installed and switched on.
2.2 SWITCHING ON THE M-THREE
2.2.1 CHECK
THAT
THE
VOLTAGE
LABEL
ON
THE REAR
OF THE M-THREE INDICATES THE CORRECT MAINS
SUPPLY
(see
Fig. 2/1).
2.2.2 Plug the appropriate
end
of
the mains
lead
provided
into
the Mains Supply connector on the rear
of
the M-THREE.
2.2.3 Plug the M-THREE's mains plug
into
a functional mains
socket.
2.2.4 Ensure that a minimum distance
of
3"
is
left
clear at the
rear
of
the M-T H R E E in order
for
its cooli
ng
system
to
function effectively.
2.2.5
Plug
the
lead
from the keyboard securely
into
the
connector on the
front
of
the M-THREE
(see
Fig. 2/2a,
b,
or c as
applicable) keeping the
excess
lead
in the
recess
provided in the keyboard's
base.
2.2.6 Insert the supplied 'switch-on' key
into
the keyswitch
on
the
front
of
the Main Control
Unit
and turn
it
clockwise.
2.2.7 The following will occur:
a)
A high pitched 'peep' will
be
heard.
b)
The cooling fan will
be
heard.
c)
The Disk Drive motors will
be
heard.
d)
The
red
indicator on the left-hand Disk Drive (Disk
Drive A)
will
illuminate.
2.3 THE CONTRAST CONTROL
To
allow
for
differing ambient lighting conditions, a Contrast control
has
been
provided
at
the
front
of
the Main Control
Unit
(see
Fig.
2/2a,
b,
or c). This control should
be
adjusted by the operator
to
suit his/her requirements.
N.B. The brightness
of
the display
is
present during manufacture
for
optimum operating conditions
and
therefore no provision
has
been
made
for
user
adjustment.
2-1
2.4
VISUAL
DISPLAY PROMPT
At
this point, according
to
which lVI-THREE System
is
being opera-
ted, either a flashing
'block'
(the Cursor),
or
the
message
"Diskette Expected in Selected Drive."
with
a flashing Cursor at
its right-hand end, will appear in the top left-hand corner
of
the
Visual Display.* Either way, any keyboard operation will
have
no
effect on the display.
A 'Diskette'
is
required.
* I f the
screen
is
blank, adjust the Contrast control at the
front
of
the Main Control
Unit
(see
Fig. 2/2a, b, c).
If
the
screen
is
still
blank,
or
extraneous data
is
present, switch the system
off
and wait
at least 15
seconds
before repeating the Switch-On procedure.
If
either
of
these
conditions persist, switch the system
off
and call
the manufactu rer
for
service
assistance.
2.5 THE DISKETTE
As
previously mentioned, rapid
access
to
large
amounts
of
data
and
complex software
is
essential
for
a micro-computer
to
function.
The media which
is
most suited
to
this sort
of
storage and
access
is
a magnetic disk. There
are
three types
of
magnetic disk
or
diskette
used
on the various M-THREE systems; the Mini-Floppy Diskette
(51/4"),
the Floppy Diskette
(8"),
the Winchester Disk.
Both types
of
diskette
have
a 'write-protect'
facility
whereby a
protected diskette
can
be
read
from
but
not
written to.
On
the
5
1/4"
diskette this protection
is
achieved by placing the
appropriate 'sticker' (normally supplied with the diskettes) over
the Write Protect slot
(see
Fig. 2/3b), however, on the
8"
diskette
the sticker must
be
removed from the slot
(see
Fig. 2/3a).
Each
of
the M-TH
REE
systems
needs
a Diskette
of
the appropriate
size
(diskettes
are
not
interchangeable)
to
be
placed
into
its left-
hand Disk Drive in order
to
bring the system
into
operation. This
Diskette must
have
Operating System software on
it,
making
it
a
'System Diskette'.
N.B.
As
the Winchester Disc
is
a rigid disc and permanently
encased
in its drive mechanism,
it
cannot
be
loaded and therefore
is
always
a right-hand Disc Drive.
2-2
...
--------
...
Air
Filter
e
ect==Ja
e~e
e~e
Winchester e
'"----,f----'e
a / / / a
Only
L-
_____
~..c.~
/-+
/----;,t---......L.:.
/-1+---
/-1-'--------
/+---'
Mains
Vo/~
~
~.~
~
Fuse. Label
Input
PORT3
PORT2
PORn
FIG 2/1
MAIN
CONTROL
UN/TIM-THREE
/100
SERIES)
VISUAL DISPLAY
MAINS
ON
DISKETTE
'A'
DISK DRIVE fI'
DISKETTE'B'
\
\SWITCH
\OADING
GATE
I
/LOADING
GATE
\ \
\
/
\
~
7
- -
\~
~
©
\
II
j
I
1
L
D
/
~-I
II~II
/
I
/
I
/
L,,,
L,~
ioo~,
CONTROL
CONNECTOR
FIG
2/2a
MAIN
CONTROL
UNIT 1M-THREE 1200SERIES)
MAINS
ON
\S~Trn
D
LOADING SLOT
COVER
FIG 2/2b
DISK
ORIVE'B'
DISKETTE'B'
EJECT BUTTON
LOADING
SLOT
----COVER
MAIN
CONTROL
UNlTlM-THREE/300
SERIES)
VISUAL DISPLAY
MAINS
ON
DISKETTE
A'
DISC
DRIVE)1'
WINCHESTER
DISK DRIVE
\
\SWITCH
\JECTBUTTON
\
/14-2
OR8·4
M,Byte)
DRIVE 'c:
\ \
\
\ /
,\
\
\~
p \
I~
~
l
D
:::J
~/-·I
I
II~II
J
/
L",
L"
CONTROL
CONNECTOR
FIG 2/2c
INDEX
/HOLE
WRITE
PROTECT
I/D
READ
WRITE
LABELS
SLOT
8
INCH.
FIG 2/3a
WRITE
PROTECT
INDEX
HOLE
READ
WRITE
SLOT
SINGH.
FIG 2/3b
2.6
DISKETTE
HANDLING
The Diskette
is
a delicate object on which
is
stored invaluable
data and therefore must
be
treated
with
the
following
appropriate
respect:
2.6.1
DO
NOT
expose the Diskette
to
abrupt
changes
in temp-
erature or
humidity.
2.6.2
DO
NOT
expose the Diskette
to
excessive heat
or
sunlight.
2.6.3
DO
NOT allow magnets or magnetised objects near the
Diskette.
2.6.4
DO
NOT
place heavy objects on the Diskette.
2.6.5
DO
NOT
bend or
fold
the Diskette.
2.6.6
DO
NOT
spill anything on the Diskette.
2.6.7
DO
NOT
use
a Diskette which
has
been
contaminated
with
spi
lIage.
2.6.8 DO
NOT
attempt
to
clean a Diskette.
2.6.9 DO NOT overlay the identification labels. Always place
them in the correct position on the Diskette.
2.6.10
DO
NOT write on the Diskette's labels
with
a ball-point
or pencil.
Use
only
a fibre-tip.
2.6.11
DO
NOT touch the surface
of
the Diskette.
Keep
your
fingers away
from
the Read/Write Slot.
2.6.12
DO
NOT
leave
Diskettes lying about. Store them properly.
2.7
QUALIFIED
VENDORS OF DISKETTES FOR M-THREE
DISK
DRIVES
Disk
Shugart
Maxell
Verbatim
C8
Wabash
IBM
Drives type no.
type no.
equiv. equiv. equiv.
SA800 SA102
FD1-XD
NO
YES
YES
SA850
SA150
FD2-256D
NO
NO
YES
SA400
SA104
I
MD1
YES
NO
NO
SA450
SA154
MD2-D
NO
NO
NO
2-3
2.S
DISK DRIVES
SA800
=
8"
single-sided Disk Drive (M-TH REE/200-320-340)
SAS50
=
8"
double-sided Disk Drive (M-THREE/250-325-345)
SA400
= 5
1/4"
single-sided Disk Drive (M-THREE/100)
SA410
=
51/4"
single-sided Disk Drive (M-THREE/110)
SA450
= 5
1/4"
double-sided Disk Drive (M-THREE/150)
SA460
==
51/4"
double-sided Disk Drive (M-THREE/160)
2.9 LOADING THE M-THREE/100 SERIES
(51/4"
Disk Drives)
If
the Mini-Floppy Diskette
to
be
loaded
is
the
first
after the system
has
been
switched on, the Visual Display should
be
blank except
for
a flashing Cursor in its top left-hand corner.
The Mini-Floppy Diskette should
be
loaded
as
follows:
2.9.1
If
the Disk Drive's loading slot
is
blocked by the Loading
Gate, pull the gate open from its left-hand side.
(see
Fig.
2/2a)
2.9.2 Hold the Mini-Floppy Diskette
as
shown in Fig. 2/4.
2.9.3 Slide the Mini-Floppy Diskette
into
the loading slot and
push
its
rear
edge
until
it
is
all the way in.
2.9.4
Close
the Loading Gate by pulling
it
across
from right
to
left.
The M-THREE
is
now under the control
of
the software on the
'System Diskette'. This software
is
known
as
the 'Control Program'
or
'Operating System'. The standard Operating System
for
all
M-THREE's
is
CP/M
(see
section 5), however,
if
another Operating
System
is
to
be
used
then the appropriate handbook should now
be
consulted.
2.10
LOADING
THE M-THREE/200-300 SERIES
(S"
Disk Drives)
If
the Floppy Diskette
to
be
loaded
is
the first after the system
has
been
switched on, the Visual Display should
be
blank except
for
the
message
"Diskette Expected
in
Selected Drive."
with
a flashing
Cursor at its right-hand end.
-
The Floppy Diskette should
be
loaded
as
follows:
2.10.1
If
the Disk Drive's loading slot
is
closed,
press
the illuminated indicator's back plate. The loading slot's cover should
now spring open.
(see
Fig. 2/2b
or
c)
2-4