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TS-2200 User's Manual
NOTE: The Manufacturing Mode driver currently does not work correctly with Windows 9X (95/98).
Please use the Zmodem method if you are using Windows 9X.
13.3 Integrated BIOS Debugger
To provide simple, direct access to the TS-2100 hardware, the system BIOS has an integrated
debugger that can perform standard low-level debugger functions. The debugger allows you to
perform operations such as disassemble code, display and alter the contents of memory, write to and
read from I/O ports, and single-step through or breakpoint code. The debugger is not intended for use
as the only debugging tool for applications, but it can be a real lifesaver when you need interactive,
direct access to hardware.
The BIOS debugger can be entered by any of several methods:
•
The debugger hooks the CPU exception vectors in case a divide by zero occurs, an invalid opcode
is executed, or an INT 3 instruction is executed, for example. By placing an INT 3 instruction in
your application code the debugger will automatically be invoked. To resume, type the 'G'
command to "GO", or continue on with the rest of initialization.
•
From DOS-ROM by typing 'INT3' at the command prompt. If the full command.com interpreter is
running, this is an internal command. If only mini-command.com is running, this will execute a
small utility that simply contains an 'INT 3' instruction.
•
From the BIOS Setup main menu (started by typing 'ctrl-C' during the BIOS POST), the ENTER
SYSTEM BIOS DEBUGGER selection will enter the debugger. After use, typing the 'G' (go)
command will return to the SETUP screens.
•
As a boot action, as a last-ditch effort if the operating system cannot be booted from the
appropriate drives or out of ROM.
A complete discussion of debugger commands is available in the Integrated BIOS Debugger
Reference Manual, included on the TS-2100 Utility Disk and also available from the Technologic
Systems web site. Entering '?' will list all available commands, and a 'g' (go) will return execution to
the point where the debugger was called.
14 Video, Keyboard, and Console Redirection
The TS-2200 has no video controller or keyboard interface. This was done to keep the board size
small and the cost low. For applications that require it, a PC/104 video board can be added to the
system easily. This could be a VGA controller, graphic LCD interface, or a custom board of your own
design.
Without a video board in the system, the TS-2200 redirects all console activity to the COM2 serial
port. Simply connect an ANSI terminal (or emulator) to COM2 with a null modem cable, using serial
parameters of 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and make sure jumper JP2 is installed. All
text information that would normally be displayed on a video screen is now displayed in your terminal
window, and any serial data sent to the TS-2200 is seen as standard keyboard input by programs.
Please note that the console redirection support is limited by the fact that there is no actual video or
keyboard hardware on the TS-2200. Programs must use the standard BIOS routines for display and
keyboard input, which are rerouted to the serial port. Any program that accesses the video or key-
board hardware directly will not work. Keyboard redirection is limited simply because most of the
extended keys on the keyboard (function keys and Alt key in particular) are not sent by the terminal
emulator. For these reasons, the console redirection feature is meant more for system development,
testing, and field repair, rather than as the primary user interface for a finished product.
If your application uses COM2, removing the jumper JP2 easily disables console redirection.
15
Technologic Systems
11/06/2000
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