Reading Character Bitmap ROMs (was Re: Stuff)

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <763387209.AA00717@quill.dps.com>,
SLIXTER <SLIXTER@f312.n213.z1.quill.dps.com> wrote:
> 
>     There must be some way to read the ROM to get a font file of the
> standard characters, 'cause that's what SuperConvert 3 does when you
> convert a text file to a graphics file...  reads the ROMs, even says
> so in the docs...

On the IIe, you have the option of removing the character ROM and reading
it using an EPROM programmer.  You can't do that on the IIgs, because the
character ROM is built into the Mega II chip.

There is definitely no way of reading the character ROM from software
on the IIe.  I didn't think you could do it on the IIgs either...

We learn something new every day.  I just spotted this interesting
tidbit in the IIgs Firmware Reference:

"C02C: CHARROM   Address for test mode read of character ROM".

No information about how to use it, of course.  I expect that you have
to enable test mode, then do the right sequence of operations to start
reading the ROM.  The best way to find out how this location works would
be to disassemble the self-test code in the IIgs ROM.

Anyone game?
-- 
David Empson
dempson@swell.actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand