Laser 128 Questions

[Steven Hirsch <snhirsch@gmail.com>]

Has anyone ever disassembled the ROM on one of these?  I'm finding that the 
firmware for the external disk port (Slot 7) does not recognize or work with 
intelligent SmartPort devices (e.g. SPVHD or Unidisk 3.5).

This is the same behavior as the newer VTech (Central Point) disk controller 
cards.  There, I have had success with retrofitting an older image to get 
Unidisk support.

I have a feeling I can overlay this into the Laser system ROM, since they use 
the same ASIC chip as drive controller.  I'm not sure how they map the single 
EPROM to cover the standard system ROM and slot ROM / C800 expansion for the 
various slots.  Can probably figure this out by lots of disassembly and a bit 
of luck, but thought I'd ask if anyone had already done so.

I find it rather odd that the Laser cannot handle intelligent drives, while 
the earlier Apple //c can.

Steve