Tasword návody online

18/04/2026
8bitSord m5
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Rozhodl jsem se převést staré Tasword návody do textů s trošku standartnějším kódováním diaktritiky a s nemalou pomocí AI, ano musím se přiznat bez mučení, je to pohodlnější, vznikl konvertor Tasword2 -> Html v Pythonu. Moc jsem toho doteď o Tasword formátu nevěděl a ani nevím, zda to takto bývalo i na Spectrech, odkud Tasword2 pochází, ale soubory pro Sorda obsahují v sobě na konci krátký dekompresor, který dokument zmenšuje jakousi proprietarní RLE kompresí. Jelikož se dokumenty ukládaly ve formátu CM, Tasword je před zobrazením dekoprimoval pomocí přiloženého dekompresoru do původní podoby.

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Flexi Card 2 – návod na použití

26/03/2026
8bitFlexiCardSord m5
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Flexi Card story

26/12/2023
8bitFlexiCardSord m5
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The journey to Flexi Card was far from straightforward. Initially, I had no idea, and certainly no plans, to create a Flexi Card. I couldn't have anticipated everything I would need to learn, and that I would be capable of such a project.

It all started rather innocently...

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Flexi Card

25/12/2023
8bitSord m5
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A multipurpose card that emulates ROM and RAM. The ROM content is loaded from the SD card, as well as single-part programs in machine code stored in the CAS format. Below I provide a complete guide on how to make own Flexi Card.

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Update on the Sord m5 clones article

23/08/2023
8bit
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Added few more images of Samsung(Goldstar) FC-150 and specified mutual cartridge compatibility.

More info here: https://dlabi.cz/klony-sord-m5/#Goldstar-FC

-150

Software controlled MONITOR ROM deactivation for Sord m5

02/08/2023
schematicsSord m5
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The Sord M5 computer has a basic configuration with only 4kB of RAM, which can be expanded to 32kB using an additional cartridge EM-5. By making a small modification to the computer, the memory can be expanded up to 64kB by deactivating of the MONITOR ROM, which occupies the address space 0000-1FFFH. This modification opens up new possibilities for the computer, such as running MSX or ZX Spectrum emulators or CP/M, and so on. This modification is not something new, it was already realised in the 1980s. The modification itself involves interrupting the connection between pin 15 of the GA15 chip and pin 20 of the IC21 ROM memory , and inserting a resistor with a value between 330-390ohm, as shown in the picture. This weakens the signal from GA15 and allows for external control. The computer's functions remain unchanged by this modification, but various DIY modules, including FlexiCard, can deactivate the MONITOR ROM by setting log. 1 on ROM0 bus signal.

Modification requires you to cut the traces on 2 places and adding one jumper wire depicted on the images below

PCB bottom
PCB top

Disclaimer: Although the modification described here has been tested and is functional, I assume no responsibility for any damage to your device. The GA015 is a custom IC that is nearly impossible to replace, and any damage to it will result in permanent damage to the entire Sord M5.

a memory of the old days

29/08/2022
Others
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From game promo

It’s like opening a dusty old desk drawer and finding an undiscovered LucasArts adventure game you’ve never played before.
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Power supply repair

20/08/2022
Sord m5
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After about 30 years, the original Sord m5 power supply started delivering unstable power levels. It stabilized at the nominal voltages a few minutes after switching on. So everything pointed to dried up electrolytic capacitors. The function of the computer was mainly manifested in the instability of VDP and video memory, where character sprites were greatly altered, image synchronization was unstable and iridescent colors ran across the image. You can see the said behavior in the video below…

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OS migration from SSD to new NVMe SSD

19/08/2022
Others
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It's not that complicated a process, but if you have an old motherboard without NVMe support and you want to use a disk for booting the OS, then it's more complicated. If your bios supports UEFI boot and you have an AMI bios, then the following lines will tell you how to do it.

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New schematics

16/01/2022
schematics
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I've added few more schematics recently, for which I thank Roman Štec, who gave them to me, and also the author Jindřich Stuchlík.

  • FD-SIO-EM64
  • SIO

I've also added new redrawn FD-5 schematic and 2 block designs of Sord

You can find them here https://dlabi.cz/schematka-k-sord-m5/