Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 / Z88 Forums

Z88 Flash EPROM support was substantially improved in 2018 when support for many new device types was added to OZ 5.0 and to OZ 4.7.1.
Unfortunately applications dependent on the standard library were excluded from these improvements, in particular:

• RomUpdate - for writing and updating card applications, and essential for upgrading an unmodified Z88 to a modern OZ version

• RomCombiner - for combining card applications onto a single card

• FlashStore - for file backups/restores to and from RAM

• FlashTest - for diagnosing flash card hardware

• EazyLink Standalone - for reliable serial file transfers to/from a Z88 running an older OZ ROM

This had become problematic since the obsolescence of AMD AM29Fx flash chips. New cards sold by Rakewell are now SST type.

+----------+-------------+-----------+-------------+---------------+
|          | 512KB       | 1MB       | Write       | Compatibility |
+----------+-------------+-----------+-------------+---------------+
| Intel    |             | I28F008SA | Slot 3 only | Intel         |
| Intel    | I28F004S5   |           | All slots   | Intel         |
| Intel    |             | I28F008S5 | All slots   | Intel         |
| AMD      | AM29F040B   | AM29F080B | All slots   | AMD (AM29F)   |
| AMIC     | AMIC29F040B |           | All slots   | AMD (AM29F)   |
| AMIC     | AMIC29L040  |           | All slots   | AMD (AM29F)   |
| Eon      | EN29LV040A  |           | All slots   | AMD (AM29F)   |
| Macronix | MX29F040C   |           | All slots   | AMD (AM29F)   |
| ST       | ST29F040B   | ST29F080D | All slots   | AMD (AM29F)   |
| SST      | SST39SF040  |           | All slots   | SST (SST39SF) |
+----------+-------------+-----------+-------------+---------------+

WARNING - OZ 5.0 includes a file area of its own, which contains shell utilities. DO NOT use FlashStore to erase an OZ 5.0 file area or it will render this OS unable to boot. This is particularly important if you have a modded Z88 with a flash chip in Slot 0 (replacing the ROM).