Algorithm for Apple IIe and Apple IIgs boot/start beep

Question

What is algorithms use for boot/start sound (when turn on computer) in Apple IIe and Apple IIgs? I can't find information about Apple boot sound algorithms or where in computer ROM store either algorithm.

Answer 1

What is algorithms use for boot/start sound (when turn on computer)

Algorithm? Well, yes, technically everything is an algorithm. In this case it's simply executing the beep subroutine during reset, which in turn toggles the speaker line 192 times over 0.1s resulting in a sound of roughly 1 kHz, which should be is close to b′′.

Lets have a look into the manual:

(All excerpts taken from the 1979 Apple I Reference Manual A2L0001A (030-0004-01) -*1)

(The Reset Cycle, p.36)

In the end the function BELL1 is called.

(Some Useful Monitor Subroutines, p.62)

So if you're looking or the algorithm produceing the 0.1 second beep, here it is.

I can't find information about Apple boot sound algorithms or where in computer ROM store either algorithm.

It's all in the reference manual, described in great detail, ready to be followed.

For an example how to read see below.

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An Exercise in Code Reading

So as usual everything starts at Reset. With a 6502 that's a vector at $FFFC/FD:

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.171)

On The Apple II Autostart ROM this points to a routine called ... well .. RESET at $FF59:

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.169)

As shown, RESET calls the BELL function, described in the manual as:

(Some Useful Monitor Subroutines, p.62)

BELL is a rather 'short' piece of code, as it simply loads the ASCI BEL character ($07, $87 in Apple keyboard encoding) and calls the standard output routine COUT.

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.163)

COUT is described as:

(Some Useful Monitor Subroutines, p.61)

COUT itself doesn't do anything but handling the redirection to whatever standard output is set by issuing an indirect jump via CSW.

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.167)

The vector was previous (via SETVID, see above) set to COUT1, handling the build in screen:

(Some Useful Monitor Subroutines, p.61)

Note that it mentions handling the control character of 'bell'.

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.167)

COUT1 essentially it only changes the display of control characters and saves A and Y, while forwarding all work to VIDOUT at $FBFD.

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.163)

VIDOUT is, as one expects, a rather lengty routine, but luckly all decisions essential to see what happens with the BEL char ($87) are in the first few lines. All non control characters get outputted right away, followed by a check for CR, LF and BS. If neither of these are detected, it must be BEL (*2), so the handling is forwarded to BELL1

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.163)

BELL1 simply waits for ~10 milliseconds, producing that amount of silence, followed by flipping the speaker driver every ~0.5 milliseconds for roughly 100 milliseconds (192 turns), which, easy to see, makes a 0.1 second beep of ~1 kHz.

That's it. Everything is described in great detail. No big or small secrets or 'algorithm' beside counting the right number of cycles before fliping the speaker.

So for completeness, here's how the manual describes WAIT:

(Some Useful Monitor Subroutines, p.63)

While the formula sounds complicated at first, it simply adds up the cycles wasted ... err ... waited within the function as seen clear when looking at the code (*2):

(Monitor ROM Listing, p.165)

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*1 - The manual describes the Apple II+. Used because the original version most easy reveals all working - also it's a nice course in how to read. Low level speaker handling is the same for all models, while over all operations are the same for the IIe and similar for the IIc and IIgs.

*2 - Well, when looking really close, one might find some discrepancies, as fadden did with his inspection.

Answer 2

The Apple IIgs uses a different routine and has a completely different sound. The monitor entry point is the same as in the Apple //e, though the monitor is a bit tricky to trace because it jumps around a lot (it's trying to preserve the old entry points).

To see the code from the Apple IIgs monitor, you need to be in bank $FF.

As in the earlier Apple IIs, at $FBD9 you can see it check for $87, and if it matches it loads Y-reg with $9E and jumps to $F89C, which switches to native mode and sets the speed register, then calls $9F88. The Y-reg contents are negative so it branches to $9FC5.

At $9FC5 it doubles the Y-reg value (x2=$3C, regs are still 8-bit) and uses it as an index into a jump table at $A011/A012. $A04D/A04E holds $A05C, which gets pushed, so RTS takes us to $A05D.

That calls through a vector at $E1/006C, which jumps to $FF/B5DE. Which just sets the carry and returns, causing the following BCS $A064 to be taken.

$A064 is where the actual sound code happens; it's a little difficult to trace in the monitor because the register width changes. It calls $F882 to set the data bank register (B) to $E1 so it can have some storage for counters. You can see it hitting the $C030 speaker location at $A0AF.

Here's a quick dump of the core part of the routine:

CYAREG          .eq   $c036           ;RW Configure Your Apple
SPKR_GS         .eq   $e1c030         ;RW toggle speaker
CYAREG_GS       .eq   $e1c036         ;RW Configure Your Apple
SOUNDCTL_GS     .eq   $e1c03c         ;RW sound settings (0-3=volume)

                .org  $ffa064
                .rwid shortm,shortx
                .dbank $00
                php
                sei
                lda   #$b0
                jsr   $fca8
                lda   CYAREG
                pha
                and   #$7f
                sta   CYAREG
                phx
                phb
                jsr   $f882
                .dbank $e1
                lda   $02df
                eor   #$0f
                sta   $016d
                stz   $016e
                rep   #$20
                .rwid longm
                lda   #$8888
                sta   $0169
                lda   #$2000
                sta   $016b
                sep   #$30
                .rwid shortm
                lda:  $00ca
                sta   $016f
                pha
                clc
                rep   #$30
                .rwid longm,longx
                ldy   $016d
                ldx   #$0250
LFFA0A4         dey
                bne   LFFA0B2
                ldy   $016d
                rol   $0169
                bcc   LFFA0B2
                lda   SPKR_GS
LFFA0B2         dex
                bne   LFFA0CD
                ldx   #$0250
                sep   #$20
                .rwid shortm
                lda   $016f
                beq   LFFA0D8
                dec   A
                sta   $016f
                sta:  $00ca
                sta   SOUNDCTL_GS
                rep   #$20
                .rwid longm
                bra   LFFA0D3

LFFA0CD         lda   #$0005
LFFA0D0         dec   A
                bne   LFFA0D0
LFFA0D3         dec   $016b
                bne   LFFA0A4
                .rwid shortm
LFFA0D8         sep   #$30
                .rwid shortx
                pla
                sta:  $00ca
                sta   SOUNDCTL_GS
                plb
                plx
                ldy   #$00
                pla
                sta   CYAREG_GS
                plp
                rts

Answer 3

Look here for ROM Disassembly: https://mirrors.apple2.org.za/Apple%20II%20Documentation%20Project/Computers/Apple%20II/Apple%20IIe/Manuals/Apple%20IIe%20Reference%20Manual%20Addendum%20Monitor%20ROM%20Listings.pdf

Look on Page 11, Adresses FBD9 to FBEF,