ROMX
The ROMX is a project designed and produced by TheROMExchange.com, a collaboration of Dean Claxton and Jeff Mazur. Currently the project is for the Apple II and II Plus. Other versions are in the works.
On November 17th, 2020 the ROMX was released for resale by ReActiveMicro.
Product Status: Actively resold by ReActiveMicro.
Support: Post on the Discussion page (link above) or email ReActiveMicro Support.
Sales: Visit the ReActiveMicro Store.
What Is The ROMX
ROMX is an in-system programmable device that replaces the system ROM’s in your Apple II or II+ computer. It will store up to 15 ROM images, and present them for selection via an on-screen menu system. In addition, the menu system itself (the ROMX firmware) is updateable in-system.
What do we mean by In-System Programmable? This simply means that you can re-program ROMX with your own ROM images without removing the device from your computer, and without need for an external IC programmer or hardware. Uploading of new ROM images is done through either the ROMX boot menu, or by running the ROMX.DISK utility from the ROMX floppy disk image. The firmware image is also upgradeable using the same process.
ROMX firmware v0.963 onwards supports linking of a ROM image with a DOS image loaded into a ROM slot. When a ROM image is linked to a DOS image, DOS will be loaded the instant the ROM is selected! This can be a real time saver.
If you purchase the optional ROMX text ROM bundle (bundle sold standard from ReActiveMicro), one of 16 text ROMs (fonts) can be selected from the ROMX menu also, or associated with a specific system ROM.
ROMX is preloaded with a number of ROM images including basic diagnostics.
ROMX and the 93-Series/27-Series Motherboards
The ROMX project is an add-on device that replaces the system ROM’s (D0-F8) and your Video ROM in your Apple II or II Plus computer. It stores up to 15 ROM images, and presents them for selection via an on-screen menu system on boot. In addition, the menu system itself (the ROMX firmware) and ROM images are updateable in-system.
The ROMX works as-is with the 93-series motherboards since they are a direct clone of Apple's design. So it installs and works the same exact way as the original Apple II or II Plus. The 27-series RM motherboard however utilitzes 27-series ROMs in place of the old 93-series System ROMs. This has the advantage to allowing 'standard' EPROMs to be used on the motherboard, but at the disadvantage of the ROMX not working as simply as on the 93-series boards.
The fix however is quite simple. The user of a 27-series board simply removes the 74LS04 at location H11 and installs a jumper between pins 8 and 9. The ROMX "27-series" version is sold with an easy to install DIP-14 Plug meant to replace the 74LS04 at location H11. This way users have the best of both worlds, the newer standard EPROMs and the ability to install and use the ROMX.
Here is a pic of the ROMX 27-Series DIP Plug adapter installed in H11. Notice the black on black arrow to denote Pin1 or the 'notch'. Install with arrow facing the keyboard end of the motherboard.
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ROMX 27-Series DIP Plug Adapter
The TheROMExchange did a write up on this mod as well here: https://theromexchange.com/blog/2nd-march-2021
Reviews
On October 21st, 2020 Joe's Computer Museum posted an update review video of the ROMX adapter.
On October 12th, 2020 Joe's Computer Museum posted a review video of the ROMX adapter.
Install Guide And Manual
Here is everything you need to know about installing and using the ROMX.
- ROMX Documents
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Revision 0.963 – October 2020 - ROM X User Guide v0.963
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Revision 1 – October 2020 - ROM X Installation Guide
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ROMX System and Utilities Disk v2020-10-26
