AST RESEARCH SixPakPlus User manual

User's Monuo
ASl'nesenncn mc.

SixPakPlus
Memory Expansion and IIO Card
for the
IBM Personal Computer,
IBM Pc-XT, and
Other IBM-Compatible Machines
User's Manual
000123—001 A
June, 1983
AST RESEARCH. INC.
Irvine, California
(714) 863—1333

FIRST EDITION (June, 1983)
IBM is aregistered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation
Compaq is atrademark of Compaq Computers. Inc.
SixPakPlus, SuperPak. SuperDrive, and SuperSpool are trademarks of
AST Research, Inc
Copyright ©1983 AST Research. Inc. All rights are reserved, including those to
reproduce this book or parts thereof in any form without permission in writing from
AST Research. Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1GENERAL OVERVIEW ................... 1-1
1.1 Compatibility ....................................... 1-1
1.2 Standard Features ................................... 1-2
1.3 Available Options iiiiiiiiii 1—3
1.4 “Do IReally Need to Read This Manual?” ............. 1-3
1.5 System Requirements: Non-PC-DOS Operation .......... 14
1.6 SixPakPlus Board Layout ............................. 14
SECTION 2SIXPAKPLUS MEMORY
CONFIGURATION ...................... 2-1
2.1 SixPakPlus Memory Switch settings .................... 2-1
2.1.1 SixPakPlus Starting Memory Address ............. 2—2
2.1.2 Amount of Memory Installed on the
SixPakPlus ................................... 2-3
2.1.3 Parity Check Enable ........................... 24
2.2 PC System Board Switch Configuration ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 24
2.2.1 PC~1 System Board Switch Settings ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 2-5
2.2.2 PC-2 System Board Switch Settings ............... 2—6
2.2.3 PC~XT System Board Switch Settings ............. 2-7
2.3 Installing Multiple Memory Cards ..................... 2-7
2.3.1 Installing aCard “Below”
the SixPakPlus ................................ 2-8
2.3.2 Installing aCard “Above" the SixPakPlus ......... 2-9
2.4 Installing Additional Memory on the SixPakPlus ......... 2—9
2.5 Troubleshooting Memory Problems ................... 2-11
SECTION 3SERIAL PORT ............................ 3-1
3.1 Configuration of the SixPakPlus Serial P011 ............. 3~1
3.1.1 Installing Multiple Serial Ports in aPC ............ 3—1
3.1.2 Configuring the RS-232C Interface Lines .......... 3—1
3.1.3 Disabling the Serial Port ........................ 3—4
3.2 Programming the Serial Port .......................... 34
3.3 Serial I/O Port Assignments and Pinouts ................ 3-5
3.4 Diagnostic Testing of the Serial Port ................... 3—6

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
SECTION 4PARALLEL PRINTER PORT ............. 4-1
4.1 Configuration of the SixPakPlus Parallel Port ............ 4-1
4.1.1 Installing Multiple Parallel Ports in aPC .......... 4-2
4.1.2 IBM Monochrome Display /Printer Adapter Card . . 4-2
4.1.3 Disabling the Parallel Port ...................... 4-2
4.2 Installing the Parallel Interface Cable ................... 4-2
4.3 Programming the Parallel Port ........................ 4-3
4.4 Parallel Port [/0 Assignments and Pinouts .............. 4-4
4.5 Diagnostic Testing of the Parallel Port .................. 4-5
SECTION 5CLOCK-CALENDARFEATURE ............ 51
5.1 Configuration of the SixPakPlus Clock-Calendar ......... 5-1
5.1.1 Disabling the Clock-Calendar .................... 5-2
5.2 The ASTCLOCK Utility: Setting the PC
TIME and DATE ................................... 5-2
5.3 The SETCLOCK Utility: Setting the AST
TIME and DATE ................................... 5-2
5.4 Preparing Your Working DOS Diskettes ................ 5-4
5.5 The Clock-Calendar Battery ........................... 55
5.6 Technical Information ................................ 5-6
5.6.1 Clock-Czflendar Interrupt Generation .............. 5-6
SECTION 6GAME ADAPTER PORT ................... 6-1
6.1 Configuration of the SixPakPlus Game Adapter Port ...... 61
6.1.1 Installing the Cable ............................ 6-2
6.1.2 Disabling the Game Adapter Port ................. 6-2
6.2 Software Compatibility ............................... 6-3
6.3 Technical Information ................................ 6-3
6.4 Diagnostic Testing of the Game Port ................... 6-3
SECTION 7INSTALLING YOUR
SIXPAKPLUS CARD ....................... 7-1
7.1 Testing the New Installation .......................... 7-2
SECTION 8USER UPGRADE INFORMATION .......... 8-1
iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Recommended Serial Port Cabling ............. A-l
Appendix B: Switching Between LPTl and LPTZ ............ B—l
Appendix C: Wiring RS—232 Serial Interfaces ,,,,,,,,p....... C-I .
Appendix D: Patches for Specific I/O Problems ............. D-l
FIGURES
Figure 1»]l SixPakPlus Board Layout ...................... 1-5
Figure 2-1. Starting Address Settings rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 2-2
Figure 2-2i SixPakPlus Memory Size Settings ............... 2-3
Figure 2-3i Parity Check Enable Setting .................... 2-4
Figure 24‘ PC-l System Board Switch Settings ............. 2-5
Figure 2-5. PC»2 System Board Switch Settings ............. 2-6
Figure 2v6. PC-XT System Board Switch Settings ............ 2-7
Figure 3—1, Serial Port Factory Configuration ............... 32
Figure 3-2. Creating a“Forced True” State ................ 3-3
Figure 4-1. Parallel Port Factory Configuration .............. 4-1
Figure 5-1. Clock—Calendar Factory Configuration ........... 5-2
Figure 5-2. Clock Interrupt Block Locations iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 5-8
Figure 6-1. Game Adapter Port Factory Configuration ........ 6~1
Figure C-l. Ideal Case: DTE to DCE Interface ............. C-3
Figure C-2. Typical (Non-Ideal) Case:
DTE to DTE Interface ........................ C—5
Figure 03 DTE to NEC 7700 Printer Interface ............ C—6
Figure C-4. Serial Interface Form ......................... C—7
TABLES
Table 5-1. Clock-Calendar Chip I/O Addressing ............. 5-7

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SECTION 1
GENERAL OVERVIEW
The AST Sixl’akPlusTM is aflexible and powerful multifunction
enhancement product for the IBM Personal Computer (PC) family.
The SixPakPlus provides memory expansion upgradeable to the
maximum addressable user memory in the new PC and PC-XT
systems. It is also apowerful data I/O accessory; standard features
include the real-time Clock-Calendar with battery backup, an
RS»232 asynchronous Serial communications port, and aParallel
printer port. An optional Game adapter port is also provided.
Your SixPakPlus is supplied with two valuable utility programs:
SuperDriveTM, a disk emulation program allowing you to use
part of your memory as asuperfast “electronic diskdrive," and
SuperSpoolTM, an intelligent print spooler allowing you to output
files to aprinter without tying up your PC. These utilities are
discussed in the SuperPak User's Manual.
1.1Compatibility
The SixPakPlus is completely compatible with all existing IBM
PC types. It is also compatible with the Compaq and other IBM
look-alikes. The three existing IBM PC models are defined as
follows:
1. The P0] is the original IBM Personal Computer. The
system board contains 64K of memory. The system
maximum memory capacity is 640K. System board
switches, however, recognize amaximum of 544K.
2. The PC-2 is the newerhupdated version of the PG]. The
system board must be fully populated with 256K of
memory-before utilizing any expansion card memory. If
your PC-2 is not fully populated, then the AST Memory
Upgrade Kit can be used for this purpose. Switch settings
are given in Section 2. The maximum memory capacity of
this system is 640K.
1-1

The PC-XT comes standard with 128K of memory. The
system board is expandable to 256K. Unlike the PC-2, the
system board does NOT have to be fully populated before
using expansion card memory; you may, however, use
AST memory upgrade kits on your system board if
desired. The XT computer automatically recognizes
memory up to amaximum of 640K.
The XT comes with astandard serial port configured as
COM1. Your SixPakPlus card comes with astandard
serial port that should be reconfigured as COM2 to avoid
addressing conflicts with COM]. Section 3of this manual
contains the necessary reconfiguration instructions.
1.2 Standard features
The following are standard features of the SixPakPlus:
64K RAM memory.
An RS-232C Serial interface to be used with amodem,
serial printer, remote display terminal, or other serial
device, or as an asynchronous communications port to
another computer or peripheral operating under separate
asynchronous communications software control. (Note: a
current loop teletype interface is not supported.)
AParallel printer port to be used for connecting a parallel
printer to the PC.
Areal—time Clock-Calendar with battery backup so that
you don’t have to reenter the time and date every time
you start your system. The battery power is only used
when your system is turned off.

The Superl’akTM utility diskette containing SuperDriveT“,
SuperSpoolTM, clock software, and the RAMCLEAR
memory initialization utility program.
NOTE
For information on the SuperPak utilities, see
your SuperPak User ’5 Manual.
1.3 Available options
The following options are provided:
Memory Expansion available in 64K increments up to
384KB. The 384K on the SixPakPlus added to 256K on
the PC—2 or PC-XT system board provides 640K, the
maximum addressable user memory for these systems.
Each 64K upgrade consists of one AST P/N MP—009
Memory Upgrade kit.
AGame adapter port which can be used with an IBM-
compatible joystick (AST P/N SPK-OOOG).
These options may be purchased onboard or installed by the user at
alater date. Upgrade kits are available from your dealer.
1.4 “Do I Really Need to Read This Manual?”
AST recommends that you thumb through this manual at your
leisure, and read up on the SuperPak utilities in the SuperPak
User '5 Manual as well.

If you have problems, you should go back and read the appropriate
section for some helpful hints, and to clarify the conditions
necessary for your SixPakPlus card to function properly.
NOTE v'
Be sure to fill out your warranty card and mail
it in.
1.5 System Requirements: Non—PC-DOS Operation
All references to operating system commands in this manual assume
operation under PC—DOS. The SixPakPlus hardware is completely
IBM-compatible and will function properly under other IBM-
approved operating system software. of course, configuring the I/O
ports under another operating system requires the use of commands
specific to that operating system. See your operating system manual
for the appropriate command syntax.
1.6 SixPakPlus Board Layout
Figure 1—1 shows the SixPakPlus board layout with major features
labled.
14

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1-5

1-6
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SECTION 2
SIXPAKPLUS
MEMORY CONFIGURATION
In order to use the memory on your SixPakPlus card. you must
properly configure both the SixPakPlus board and the PC system
board. Subsection 2.1 covers configuration of the switches on the
SixPakPlus. Subsection 2.2 describes configuration of the system
board switches. The system board configuration process varies,
depending on whether you have aPO], PC-2, or PC—XT.
Subsection 2.3 covers the installation of other memory expansion
boards in your PC along with the SixPakPlus.
CAUTION
Always be sure that the power switch on the
PC is turned OFF before installing or removing
ANY board in your System Unit!
2.1 SiXPakPlus Memory Switch Settings
Switch #1, the “Memoiy Configuration Switch" (refer to
Figure 1-1) on the SixPakPlus controls three different functions
related to the memory on the card. The three functions which must
be configured are:
1. The starting address of the SixPakPlus
2. The amount of memory installed on the SixPakPlus
3. Parity checking (enabled or disabled).
These functions are controlled by setting various positions of the
Memory Configuration Switch. The following three topics describe
these switch settings for the SixPakPlus.
2-1

2.1.1 SixPakPlus Starting Memory Address
The SixPakPlus card must be properly configured to indicate the
amount of memory installed below it, or in other words, what its
starting address should be Positions 1through 3of Switch #1, the
Memory Configuration Switch, are used to set the SixPakPlus’
starting address. Figure 2-1 shows the SixPakPlus starting address
settings.
Depending on the type of PC that you have, you will use one of the
following three settings for the SixPakPlus starting address.
PC-l: When installing the SixPakPlus in aPC-l, configure the
SixPakPlus’ starting address to the 64K setting in Figure 2-1.
PC-Z: When installing the SixPakPlus in aPC-2, a Compaq, or
other compatible system with a256K system board, configure the
SixPakPlus’ starting address to the 256K setting in Figure 2-1.
SixPakPlus Starting Memory Address
Maximum RAM
Starting Address 51 52 S3 On SixPak
64K (:10000) OFF OFF OFF 384K
128K (:20000) OFF OFF ON 384K
192K (:30000) OFF ON OFF 884K
256K (:40000) OFF ON ON 384K
320K (:50000) ON OFF OFF 320K
384K (:60000) ON OFF ON 256K
448K (:70000) ON ON OFF 192K
512K (:80000) ,ON ON ON ,128K
On SixPak
-Switch 1
Figure 2-1. Starting Address Settings
2-2

PC-XT: When installing the SixPakPIus in aPC»XT, configure the
SixPakPIus‘ starting address to the setting in Figure 21 which
corresponds to the amount of memory installed on the PC-XT
system board.
Notice that the SixPakPIus automatically begins limiting the amount
of usable memory on the card when its starting address is
configured at 320K or higher. The SixPakPIus can be addressed
only within the first 640K of the PC, and its starting address can be
no higher than 512K. This is to prevent conflicts between memory
on the SixPakPIus and areas reserved for the monochrome and
color display cards.
.2.1.2 Amount of Memory Installed on the SixPakPIus
The SixPakPIus must be told the amount of memory installed on it
by configuring positions 4through 6of the SixPakPIus Switch #1.
Refer to Figure 2~2 for these switch settings,
Number of Banks Installed on the SixPakPIus
Banks Installed S4 35 56 Total SixPak RAM
NONE OFF OFF OFF 0K
1OFF OFF ON 64K
2(1-2) OFF ON OFF 128K
3(1-3) OFF ON ON 192K
4(1-4) ON OFF OFF 256K
5(1-5) ON OFF ON 320K
6(1-6) ON ON OFF 384K
W
On 512 3‘” 8
SixPak
-EDD HIDE] Switch1
Figure 2-2. SixPakPIus Memory Size Settings
2-3

Note that when the starting address (see Topic 2.1.1) is 320K or
higher, the SixPakPlus automatically begins limiting the amount of
usable memory on the card. This is to prevent conflicts with areas
of memory reserved for the monochrome or color display cards.
This occurs even if positions 4through 6of Switch #1 are
configured for more memory than the maximum indicated in \.x
Figure 2-1.
2.1.3 Parity Check Enable
Position 8of Switch #1 on your SixPakPlus can be set to enable
full parity error checking. In order to ensure the highest possible
data integrity. it is recommended that the parity check function of
the board always be enabled by leaving this switch ON. If,
however, you have aparticular application in which you wish to
disable parity checking. then you can do so by turning position 8
OFF. See Figure 2—3 for the location of this position.
Parity Check Enable
45678
°." 5nfifinnnnu 2232:.
8-8 ON =Parity Enabled
8-8 OFF= Parity Disabled
Figure 2-3. Parity Check Enable Setting
2.2 PC System Board Switch Configuration
The PC] and PC<2 must be told the exact amount of total memory
installed in the system. This is done by configuring switches on the
system board. The switch settings for these two PC models are
described below in Topics 2.2.1 and 2.2.2. The PC-XT is slightly v‘
different; its switch settings are described in Topic 2.2.3. You may
also want to refer to the appropriate IBM Guide to Operations
manual for your particular PC model.
2-4

2.2.1 PC-l System Board Switch Settings
Figure 24 should be used if you are installing your SixPakPlus in a
PC»1‘ To determine the correct system board switch setting, add
together the amount of memory on the system board (64K) and the
amount of memow on the SixPakPlus, Set the PC-l system board
Switch #2 to the corresponding total from Figure 2—4,
Notice that the system board switches for the PC-l have a
maximum setting of 544K, even though you may install up to 640K
in the computer. Many “canned“ application programs available for
the PC get “confused" when the switches are set for 544K; we
recommend that if you have more than 512K installed in your
PC-l, that you use a setting of 512K The excess beyond that
setting is still usable by SuperDrive and SuperSpool, as well as
certain other programs. If your PC-l is equipped with the IBM
Expansion Unit and has the new ROM BIOS installed, then you can
address afull 640K, and you should use the switch settings for the
PC-2 (see Figure 2-5).
Total Memory Installed in PC-1
Total Memory S1 82 83 S4
64K ON ON ON ON
128K ON OFF ON ON
192K ON ON OFF ON
258K ON OFF OFF ON
320K ON ON ON OFF
384K ON OFF ON OFF
448K ON ON OFF OFF
512K ON OFF OFF OFF
544K OFF OFF OFF OFF
W
34 5 6 78
‘2" DBUDDDDD
PC-1 System Board
Switch 2
Figure 2-4. PC-l System Board Switch Settings
2-5

2.2.2 PC-2 System Board Switch Settings
Figure 2—5 should be used if you are installing your SixPakPlus in a
PC»2. To determine the correct system board switch setting, add
together the amount of memory on the system board and the
amount of memory on the SixPakPlus. Use the appropriate total
from Figure 2—5. Please note that when you include memory on the
SixPakPlus in this total, that your system board must be fully
populated with 256K. If your [’02 system board does not contain
256K, do not include the SixPakPlus memory in the total system
memory. Please refer to Subsection 1.1 of this manual for further
clarification on this.
Total Memory Installed in PC-2
Total Memory S1 82 83 S4 85
64K ON ON ON ON ON
128K ON OFF ON ON ON
192K ON ON OFF ON ON
256K ON OFF OFF ON ON
320K ON ON ON OFF ON
384K ON OFF ON OFF ON
448K ON ON OFF OFF ON
512K ON OFF OFF OFF ON
576K ON ON ON ON OFF
640K ON OFF ON ON OFF
On 12345678
-DUDDDDDD
PC-2 System Board
Switch 2
Figure 2-5. PC-2 System Board Switch Settings
2-6