MacFormat 1997 March/macformat-048.iso/Resources/SoftwareFPU 3.04/SoftwareFPU Documentation/About SoftwareFPU

Common Ground | 1996-04-23 | 109.8 KB | 523 lines | [CGDC/CGVM]

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John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
Cupertino, CA 95015  USA
Orders:
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[e-mail]
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Questions and Answers
    John Neil
April 23, 1996
What is a Floating Point Unit?
ZA Floating Point Unit (FPU) is a hardware chip that performs certain types of mathematical
HWoperations quickly.  An FPU is also known as a floating point co-processor or a math co
Hbprocessor.  The performance of many scientific, mathematical, and financial applications increases
!greatly when an FPU is installed.
0Why won
t some applications work without an FPU?
PFor maximum performance, some applications talk directly to the FPU chip.  These
H[applications cannot function on Macintosh computers without an FPU.  Launching one of these
aapplications on a Macintosh without an FPU will result in either a warning message or a
floating
/point co-processor not installed
 system error.
What is SoftwareFPU?
USoftwareFPU is a control panel that allows most applications expecting an FPU to work
H`properly on Macintoshes without one, such as the IIsi, IIvi, Macintosh LC series, Classic II and
TColor Classic series, Performa series, and some models of the Quadra, PowerBook, and
WPowerBook Duo series.  SoftwareFPU will also work on Power Macintoshes.  SoftwareFPU is
3fully System 6 and 7 compatible.  SoftwareFPU will
& work on 68000 Macintoshes such as the
HTMacintosh Plus, SE, Classic, Portable, and PowerBook 100 (see 68000 question below).
VBecause of a 68LC040 CPU chip bug, some applications crash with SoftwareFPU on 68LC040
)Macintoshes (see 68LC040 question below).
Why use SoftwareFPU?
ZSoftwareFPU allows you to use your FPU applications now, instead of waiting for a software
H upgrade or buying an FPU card.
9On Power Macintoshes, SoftwareFPU is the only way you can
HEuse FPU applications until they are available in PowerPC-native form.
  Examples of applications
HSwhich will only work with SoftwareFPU on Macintoshes without an FPU include AutoCAD
XRelease 12, CG Option for Media 100, DynaPerspective 2.33, Elastic Reality, Elite Flight
`Simulators 3.1, Excel 2.2, GeoView 3.1, Igor Pro 2.01, Illustrator 5.0 (some plug-ins require an
SFPU), Infini-D 2.5.1, LabView 3.0, MacFortran II 3.2, MacOberon 3.3, MacRLab 1.05f,
SMacTSP, MATLAB 4.2a, PainterX2 (some effects require an FPU), PhotoShop 2.5.1 (some
]plug-ins require an FPU), PixelPaint Professional 2.0, Proof Positive, RayDream Designer 2.0,
ZScanMatch 2.0, SPSS 6.1, StatView 4.02, StudioPro 1.0, Studio/8 1.1, StudioPro 1.0, Systat
^5.2, TekColor 1.1, TREE, Tristan 1.02, Vellum & Vellum 3D, VidSynth, and others.  In addition,
[if a developer only offers color Macintosh II and black and white Macintosh Plus/SE/Classic
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John Neil & Associates
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Orders:
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H_versions of their software, SoftwareFPU allows users to take advantage of color features in the
\Macintosh II version, rather than settling for the black and white Macintosh Plus/SE/Classic
version.
PA few applications have bugs which prevent them from working properly, even with
HXSoftwareFPU installed.  You will have to upgrade these applications to use them.   Other
[applications may be unacceptably slow when used with SoftwareFPU.  If you have an important
Xapplication of this type, you should consider purchasing an FPU card for your Macintosh.
How do I use SoftwareFPU?
[To activate SoftwareFPU, drop it into your System Folder and restart your computer.  One of
HHseveral possible icons will appear on the screen during system start up:
Startup Icon
Meaning
*/'SoftwareFPU installed (PowerPC version)
*.#SoftwareFPU installed (68K version)
@@@@@@
SoftwareFPU did
+ install, for one of the following reasons:
Problem
Solution
H*Mouse button was held down during start up
&Restart, do not hold down mouse button
System contains a hardware FPU
'Discard SoftwareFPU, you do not need it
H&System software version less than 6.05
/Upgrade your system software to 6.05 or greater
H"System contains a 68000 processor.
.SoftwareFPU will not work on 68000 Macintoshes
H(Not enough memory to install SoftwareFPU
Remove fonts or add memory
(System 6 only)
H0System folder contains older version (PseudoFPU)
&Discard obsolete PseudoFPU and restart
H$Not in proper location on hard drive
1Put in Control Panels folder (System 7) or System
folder (System 6)
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John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
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Orders:
E-Mail:
    Web Site:
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ZSYou can turn SoftwareFPU on or off, or learn more about the program, by opening the
H\SoftwareFPU control panel.  To do this, select Control Panels from the Apple Menu and double
HZclick the SoftwareFPU icon in the Controls Panels window.  (System 6 users must select the
`Control Panel from the Apple menu, which brings up the Control Panel dialog box.  Scroll through
dthe icons on the left side of the box until you find
SoftwareFPU
 and select it by clicking on it.)
%The following dialog box will appear:
ZSA status message appears below the description which indicates the current state of
H_SoftwareFPU.  You can turn SoftwareFPU on or off with the buttons in the top right corner.  You
ccan do this without restarting (System 7 required) as long as SoftwareFPU was installed at startup.
]You can also temporarily disable SoftwareFPU at startup by holding down the mouse button.  Be
/sure to click on the
 and
 buttons!
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John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
Cupertino, CA 95015  USA
Orders:
E-Mail:
    Web Site:
[phone]
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[e-mail]
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ZYSoftwareFPU comes in both shareware and registered versions.  If you obtained SoftwareFPU
H]from an on-line service, a Macintosh user group, or a friend, you have the shareware version.
XWhen you send in your required registration fee ($10 for 68K-only version, $20 for
`68K/PowerPC version), you will receive a registered version of the software in the mail.  In the
`registered version, a
 button replaces the
 button in the shareware version.  You can
>change accuracy and startup balloon options using this button:
ZWThe Accuracy option allows you to select the FPU accuracy (
 68K/PowerPC version on
H[Power Macintoshes only).  To configure SoftwareFPU to operate in fast 64-bit accuracy mode,
]click the
64-bit
 button.  This mode allows SoftwareFPU to take advantage of the PowerPC FPU
`to speed up calculations, at the expense of reduced accuracy.  To select slower 80-bit accuracy,
^click the
80-bit
 button.  This mode achieves maximum accuracy but runs entirely in 68K code,
Uslowing performance.  For most applications, 64-bit accuracy is perfectly acceptable.
\To hide the startup
thank you
 balloon in the registered version, uncheck the
Show Startup
Balloon
 box.
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John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
Cupertino, CA 95015  USA
Orders:
E-Mail:
    Web Site:
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.jna.com
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How do I register SoftwareFPU?
P68K-only SoftwareFPU is a shareware product.  If you use it, you must send a $10
Haregistration fee to John Neil & Associates.  To receive a
 68K/PowerPC version, send $20.  A
cregistration form is located at the end of this manual.  $10 or $20 is probably not much to you but
Uit really gives me the incentive to keep on programming.  Thank you for your support!
P68K/PowerPC SoftwareFPU is a commercial product, subject to the software license
H[agreement that came with the disk.  Unauthorized copying or distribution of the 68K/PowerPC
Aversion is a violation of U.S. law and/or international treaties.
\Your registration fee entitles you to use SoftwareFPU on one computer at a time.  Commercial
Hcdistribution is prohibited without a software license from John Neil & Associates.  For information
9on commercial licensing, contact us at the address above.
XWhile we have made every effort to deliver this software free of bugs, SoftwareFPU comes
as is
 with no warranty whatsoever.  If you do run across something unexpected, let us know and
we will do our best to fix it.
Is SoftwareFPU PowerPC-native?
WThe shareware version of SoftwareFPU is 68K-only.  For a
 68K/PowerPC version with
HAtwice the performance, please send $20 to John Neil & Associates.
5Where can I obtain the latest version of SoftwareFPU?
[The latest shareware version of SoftwareFPU is available on-line on America Online (keyword
HXMUT), CompuServe (GO MACSYS), via anonymous ftp at ftp.netcom.com (/pub/jo/johnneil), or
[from our Web site (http://www.jna.com).  To obtain the latest registered version, send your
]registration fee ($10 for 68K-only version, $20 for
 68K/PowerPC version) to John Neil &
]Associates.  If you are already registered, you can upgrade to the latest version for $10.  A
7registration form is located at the end of this manual.
BWill SoftwareFPU slow down applications that don't require an FPU?
[No!  Non-FPU applications perform at identical speed with or without SoftwareFPU installed.
HYThe only effect of SoftwareFPU is to allow you to use FPU applications on your Macintosh.
7What happens if I insert an FPU card into my Macintosh?
ZSoftwareFPU will automatically be disabled, and the hardware FPU will perform all floating
H_point calculations.  A message in the SoftwareFPU control panel will tell you if SoftwareFPU is
8not installed because your Macintosh has a hardware FPU.
JWill SoftwareFPU eliminate all
co-processor not installed
 system errors?
^The
co-processor not installed
 system error is a very misleading error message.  While it is
H`possible to get this message by launching an application that requires an FPU, most modern, well
H]written 68K FPU applications check for an FPU and display a more explanatory error message if
_an FPU is not present.  Therefore, this system error is usually caused by an unrelated problem.
_The
co-processor not installed
 system error appears because this unrelated problem caused the
Tapplication to execute an illegal instruction that by chance was an FPU instruction.
Times
John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
Cupertino, CA 95015  USA
Orders:
E-Mail:
    Web Site:
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.jna.com
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ZYTo determine for sure whether a
co-processor not installed
 system error was caused by a
HWmissing FPU, check what application was running when the system error occurred.  If the
\application requires an FPU, then the system error probably resulted from a missing FPU, and
_SoftwareFPU should eliminate the error.  If the application does not require an FPU, the system
_error resulted from an unrelated problem, such as corrupted system software, a system extension
aconflict, a virus or a bug in the application or system software.  In these instances SoftwareFPU
bwill not help.  If you are unsure whether an application requires an FPU, contact the publisher of
$the application in question and ask.
OSoftwareFPU installed correctly, but applications still complain that no FPU is
present.  What's wrong?
^Open the SoftwareFPU control panel.  If you see a message that says
Application conflict,
H[application you have launched is incompatible with SoftwareFPU.  This typically occurs when
Wusing a source-level debugger in a development system like MPW or THINK C/Symantec C++.
dIn this case, the source-level debugger replaces the system F-Line exception vector, so it can catch
band report illegal FPU instructions, which disables SoftwareFPU.  To re-enable it again, click the
 button in the SoftwareFPU control panel.
2Why doesn't SoftwareFPU work on 68000 Macintoshes?
XAt first glance, SoftwareFPU might seem like a solution for allowing FPU applications to
HZwork on 68000 Macintoshes such as the Macintosh Plus, SE, Classic, Portable, and PowerBook
Z100.  However, FPU applications depend on a number of other features that are missing from
Ythese Macintosh models, such as 68020 instructions and Color QuickDraw.  Because of this,
YSoftwareFPU would not allow any additional applications to function on 68000 Macintoshes.
TTherefore, SoftwareFPU has been optimized for 68020 and greater processors, forgoing
%compatibility with 68000 Macintoshes.
GWhy do some applications crash with SoftwareFPU on 68LC040 Macintoshes?
VThe 68LC040 CPU chip has a bug in it which prevents many FPU applications from working
H_properly with SoftwareFPU.  The bug is confirmed by Motorola and listed as bug E4 on revision 4
`of the official Motorola 68LC040 errata sheet.  Unfortunately there is no way for SoftwareFPU to
Ywork-around this bug.  If you have SoftwareFPU installed on a 68LC040 Macintosh, you will
`have to test each FPU application you use to see whether it will work on your Macintosh.  If the
`application crashes, it is probably due to the 68LC040 CPU chip bug.  To verify the cause of the
ecrash, test the same application on a regular 68040 Macintosh.  If the application operates correctly
Uon a 68040 Macintosh, the CPU bug is causing the application to crash on your 68LC040
`Macintosh.  If the application crashes on a 68040 Macintosh, the CPU bug is not the cause of the
68LC040 crash.
UIf your FPU application crashes with SoftwareFPU because of the 68LC040 CPU bug, your
options are:
  Replace the application with a version that does not require an FPU, if available.
  Replace the 68LC040 CPU in your Macintosh with a 68040 CPU that contains a hardware
HYFPU.  John Neil & Associates sells 68040 upgrades for desktop Macintoshes and PowerBooks.
WSee the price list at the end of the
About SoftwareFPU
 document for more information.
  Install a PowerPC upgrade card in your computer.  FPU applications work properly with
H#SoftwareFPU on PowerPC Macintoshes.
Times
John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
Cupertino, CA 95015  USA
Orders:
E-Mail:
    Web Site:
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.jna.com
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HGWhy doesn
t Excel say it is using an FPU when SoftwareFPU in installed?
ZMost FPU applications require an FPU to work properly.  Excel and a few other applications
Hchave the optional capability of using an FPU if present for floating-point calculations
 otherwise
ethese applications perform floating-point calculations in software.  Software floating-point routines
]are usually faster than SoftwareFPU since they do not have the added overhead associated with
]FPU emulation.  SoftwareFPU is aware of existing applications with this unique capability and
Qdoes not report the presence of an FPU to them, so they operate at maximum speed.
MIs an FPU application with SoftwareFPU faster than the non-FPU version of the
same application?
[No.  SoftwareFPU is a compatibility solution, not a performance enhancement.  If you have a
H[non-FPU version of an application, you should use it on a Macintosh without an FPU.  If you
t have a non-FPU version, or it doesn
t exist, then you should try SoftwareFPU.
DWhy do I need SoftwareFPU on a Power Macintosh?  Doesn
t the PowerPC
processor already have an FPU?
TThe PowerPC processor has an FPU integrated on-chip.  You do not need SoftwareFPU to
HRuse PowerPC-native FPU applications on your Power Macintosh.  However, you do need
WSoftwareFPU to use non-native 68K FPU applications on your Power Macintosh.  Non-native
]68K applications are emulated on Power Macintoshes.  The emulation software supplied by Apple
does not emulate an FPU.
:Does SoftwareFPU use the PowerPC FPU on Power Macintoshes?
UYes, some calculations are performed in the PowerPC FPU on Power Macintoshes, but the
H\overhead for FPU emulation is such that SoftwareFPU is still much slower than the PowerPC or
68K FPU.
MWhy does the SoftwareFPU control panel say the 68K version is installed, even
Fthough I have the
 68K/PowerPC version of SoftwareFPU on my Power
Macintosh?
^Click the
 button in the SoftwareFPU control panel and switch to 64-bit accuracy.  80-bit
H^accuracy forces SoftwareFPU to load the 68K version of the FPU emulator.  If there is no
Vbutton in the SoftwareFPU control panel, re-install SoftwareFPU from your master disk.
What is the SoftwareFPU icon?
It is a floating point!
HCSoftwareFPU and PseudoFPU are trademarks of John Neil & Associates.
OAll other tradenames & trademarks are properties of their respective companies.
Times
Price List
John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
Cupertino, CA 95015  USA
Orders:
E-Mail:
n    Web Site:
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.jna.com
SoftwareFPU
\Low-cost 68K floating-point unit (FPU) software emulator for 68K Macintosh without an FPU or
\Power Macintosh.  Lets you run 68K FPU applications on a Macintosh without an FPU or a Power
>Macintosh.  Requires 68020/68030/68LC040 or PowerPC Macintosh.
SoftwareFPU (68K-only)
){G.......................................................................
$10.00
SoftwareFPU (68K/PowerPC)
A.................................................................
$20.00
N!SoftwareFPU (68K/PowerPC Upgrade)
6......................................................
$10.00
For r
$egistered 68K-only SoftwareFPU users
PowerFPU
_High-performance 68K floating-point unit (FPU) software emulator for Power Macintosh.  Lets you
Qrun 68K FPU applications on a Power Macintosh.  Ten times faster than 68K/PowerPC
RSoftwareFPU and faster than some hardware FPUs.  Recommended for FPU-intensive 68K
*applications.  Requires PowerPC Macintosh.
PowerFPU
)6X........................................................................................
$75.00
PowerFPU Upgrade
)bM.............................................................................
$50.00
For r
'egistered 68K/PowerPC SoftwareFPU users
PowerFPU Upgrade
)bM.............................................................................
$60.00
For r
$egistered 68K-only SoftwareFPU users
68040 CPU Upgrade Kits
YReplace the 68LC040 CPU in your desktop Macintosh with a 68040 CPU with built-in hardware
`FPU and run 68K FPU applications at full speed.  Comes with simple step-by-step instructions and
=CPU extraction tool.  1-year warranty (voids Apple warranty).
25MHz 68040 Upgrade Kit
C...................................................................
$219.00
Macintosh
)+9Centris 610/650, LC 475, Performa 475/476, Quadra 605/610
33MHz 68040 Upgrade Kit
C...................................................................
$259.00
Macintosh LC & Performa series
68040 CPU PowerBook Upgrades
RReplace the 68LC040 CPU in your Macintosh PowerBook with a 68040 CPU with built-in
[hardware FPU and run 68K FPU applications at full speed.  PowerBook must be shipped to JN&A
Fupgrade facility for service.  1-year warranty (voids Apple warranty).
25MHz 68040 PowerBook Upgrade
9.........................................................
$329.00
Macintosh
PowerBook 520/520c
33MHz 68040 PowerBook Upgrade
9.........................................................
$329.00
Macintosh
)+*PowerBook Duo 280/280c, PowerBook 540/540c
<XAll prices subject to change without notice and do not include any applicable sales tax.
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John Neil & Associates
P.O. Box 2156
Cupertino, CA 95015  USA
Orders:
E-Mail:
    Web Site:
[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.jna.com
Order Form
G{International users must pay by international money order, check drawn on a U.S. bank, or credit card.  Allow 2-4 weeks for
|mail, ground, or airmail delivery.  Overnight delivery requires 1-2 business days for phone, fax, or e-mail orders (3-4 days
tinternational) and 7-10 business days from receipt for mail orders.  Software cannot be sent via e-mail.  Shipping &
zhandling may be higher for multiple-unit orders.  Purchase orders accepted from companies with approved credit, contact us
for a credit application.  All prices subject to change without notice, visit our web site for current pricing information.  All
ysoftware is copyrighted and unauthorized copying or distribution is a violation of US laws and/or international treaties.
  + Sales Tax
California USA
)<    residents
must add local sales tax
    Sub-Total
Total
+ Shipping  & Handling
: Mail
    , Ground
, Overnight
International
: Airmail
, Overnight
E-Mail:
Name:
Address
Phone:
Please include
zip/postal code
, and
country
 if outside the USA
Price
Total
Price
Description
SoftwareFPU (68K/PowerPC)
$20.00
k!SoftwareFPU (68K/PowerPC Upgrade)
)For registered 68K-only SoftwareFPU users
$10.00
PowerFPU (Upgrade)
For r
'egistered 68K/PowerPC SoftwareFPU users
$50.00
PowerFPU (Upgrade)
For r
$egistered 68K-only SoftwareFPU users
$60.00
68040 CPU Upgrade Kit (25MHz)
Macintosh
)+4Centris 610/650, LC/Performa 475/476, Quadra 605/610
$219.00
68040 CPU Upgrade Kit (33MHz)
Macintosh LC & Performa series
$259.00
SoftwareFPU (68K-only)
$10.00
PowerFPU
$75.00
68040 PowerBook Upgrade
:Call to arrange PowerBook shipment to our service facility
$329.00
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John M. Neil
John M. Neil
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