Hoxs64 written by David Horrocks is a Commodore 64 emulator for Microsoft Windows (DirectX 11+)

The emulator substantially reproduces this legacy machine in minute detail.

Changelog (v1.1.0.1 -> v1.1.0.3):

• Fix broken command line relative path handling.
• Improved performance of quickspeed from the 100Hz mode.
• Remove possibly uncommon VIC bug such that a sprite with x-position 0×163 gets drawn at 0×164. Some but not all real C64s have this bug.
• Use the new DirectX flip model if using Windows 10.
• Fix null pointer access start up crash on Windows 7.
• Automatically position the ImgUI popup when out of bounds.
• Automatic mini-dump file creation with the application folder for application crashes.

Download:

• Hoxs64 32/64 bit (1485)

source: hoxs64.net

Atari U1MB/Side2/AVG Cart Firmware Update to the latest version.

Gallery:

Download:

• Ultimate 1MB Firmware
• Side 2 Cartridge
• AVG Cartridge

Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Repair.

Defect:

• Garbage boot screen.

Replaced parts:

• 2 x TMS4116-15 RAM (U102 / U105)

Gallery of the repair:

First of all i have to thank Ralf Schmitz for this gift. (Grazie Ralf).

The Commodore 1084S-D2, which was originally developed for the Commodore CDTV is a very good colour monitor also for the Commodore 64.

With its many ports it can be used for connecting anything you want (S-Video / RGB / Composite)

The Commodore 1084S-D2 has a good, sharp picture with luscious colours and a also a nice Stereo Sound. All the important settings can be changed over regulators at the front or the back.

For testing i have used the U64 by Gideon with the RGB output.

Gallery:

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A new version of the firmware for the AVGCART (SD multicart for 8bit Atari) by tmp is released.

Changelog (v0019):

• Various speed-ups (SD card and FS handling rewritten.

Download:

• AVGCART [0019] (618)

source: atariage.com

Leedex Video 100 is  a 12 inch Monitor in Black & White, produced in the early 80′s was sold at a competitive price.

The monitor is 40 years old and not show any problem as you can seen from the photos.

Gallery:

I took advantage of the cleaning of one of my Drean Commodore 64C to try the Cute 32 (CBM Universal Tape Emulator) also with this version of the C64, i have nothing else to say except that it works perfectly.

The output video is in black and white because the DREAN is made in Argentina and uses the PAL-N standard.

Gallery:

Hoxs64 written by David Horrocks is a Commodore 64 emulator for Microsoft Windows (DirectX 11+)

The emulator substantially reproduces this legacy machine in minute detail.

Changelog (v1.0.23.1 -> v1.1.0.1):

• Fix missing XInput1_4.dll error on Windows 7.
• New DirectX 11.1 graphics implementation to replace the old DirectX 9 implementation. Requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 runtime installation.
• Fix CPU DMA timing bug with SHA SHX SHY.
• CIA shift register timing fixes to accommodate Vice testprogs:
  • cia-sdr-icr-new.prg
  • cia-sdr-icr-old.prg
  • cia-sdr-load.prg
• New ImgGui based file selector for full screen mode with option to opt out of windowed mode use.
• Added 100Hz full screen frame rate doubler option to help prevent IPS LCD pixel burn in when using G-Sync.
• Improved G-Sync performance with the host CPU aggressive mode.
• Fix joystick settings dialog configuration fault.
• Added aspect ratio resizing option to windowed mode.
• Added 6th key to the joystick assignment key map.
• Fix configuration save / load of joystick fire 2.

Download:

• Hoxs64 32/64 bit (1019)

source: hoxs64.net

Exhausted and Old but always better than ever the Commodore 64 looks down the newcomer with immense scorn; the Sinclair ZX Spectrum NEXT (Accelerated Version).

Three years have passed since the campaign on Kickstarter was opened and although i’m a Commodore man i have decided to take this bad misstep.

Many things have changed in three years and in that period i did not have money problems to spend for these fucking lame things, now and probably in the future is no longer possible.

I don’t just like collecting but also owning, whether it is a beautiful or ugly, new or old, if attracts me for some obscure reason, it must be mine.

Tests and updates that have been made:

• RAM upgrade from 1Mb to 2Mb
• Added a Piezo Buzzer.
• RGB/VGA Port Lock posts fitted.
• Update to the latest firmware version from GITHUB (downloadable here).
• VGA Video Output Test.
• RGB Video Output (SCART) Test.
• Loading Games/Demos from SD-CARD.
• Loading Games from Cassette Recorder.
• Testing new CORE.
• CP/M OS.
• 8BitDo Wireless Gamepad (Black Edition) Test.

I leave you with some photos of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum NEXT.

If you are interested in more information and photos go to the official support page.

Last minute:

After upgrading the Firmware and OS of the Spectrum Next from GIT (NextZXOS v2.06I / Firmware 1.29C / System/Next 1.3.2) the things are much better now.
Also an update of the piSend, the SID/XM/MOD… Audio Format Player has been released.
Player absolutely necessary and that could not miss going to make up for the bad audio of the AY/YM.

Gallery:

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source: specnext.com

What can I do with this?

With the new Ultimate 64 firmware (>=1.1c) there is an option to receive video frames & audio over a network connection at 50fps.

You can use this tool to capture those frames into an image, audio or video file.

Changelog v1.23 (07/05/2020):

• ~ Fixed: D64 & PRG should not be loadable if remote start is disabled
• ~ Fixed: D64 & PRG with capitals not working
• + Added: Import function to import Vice Palette File (VPL)
• + Added: Audio output device (DirectSound, Wasapi, waveOut) setting
• - On some systems changing output device can lower latency

Download: U64 Streamer v1.23 (628)

source: u64streamer

Cute 32 – CBM Universal Tape Emulator by Manosoft

Has been passed a while since Manosoft (known for the C64SD, Princess and Princess Ultra) announced the arrival of the CUTE 32,
but now this jewel Made in Italy is finally available.

The group Manosoft consists of two people; Hawui1 (Andrea) takes care of the software part and Manosoft (Damiano) takes care of the hardware part.

The CUTE 32 is a CBM Universal Tape Emulator which means that it works with most Commodore machines.

• Commodore 64
• Commodore VIC-20
• Commodore Plus4
• Commodore C16/C116
• Commodore PET

The heart of CUTE 32 is enclosed in a FABULOUS small-scale reproduction of a Commodore Datassette 1530 (C2N).

The finishing and the quality of the material used for the external box is something of spectacular both to the touch and aesthetically.

The ease of use is Manosoft style, which is all very intuitive; WIFI connection, File Management and options on the CUTE 32 Display and finally with the Windows application.

The main features are many and i try to summarize them very briefly, at the bottom of the page i leave you the official Link of the WEB page
where you can find the complete list of technical characteristics.

Main Technical Features:

• Remote Control Console program that allows you to use all the functions of the CUTE32 from a PC via Wi-Fi.
• CUTE32 has a display and a keyboard and can be used in all its functions even without a PC.
• Ability to control multiple cards simultaneously from a remote device via the console.
• Firmware update directly from CUTE 32 if connected via WIFI or via a file downloadable from the website www.manosoft.it.
• Real Time clock with automatic update.
• Fully digital, logarithmic volume adjustment of the buzzer.
• Player compatible with TAP V0, V1 and V2 – DMP V0 and V1 – HTAP V0. All positioning functions are active on any file format.
• Progress bar that allows you to understand where you are in the virtual tape.
• PCB designed to reduce noise and RF interference, optimized impedance to minimize signal deformations.
• Very high quality case printed with the latest 3D technologies (even better quality than a printed container) and designed with CAD / CAM
• Visual Azimuth check functionality directly on the display with two levels of precision that allows accurate adjustment of the Azimuth of the recorder before grabbing.
• .. and much more.

What is supplied with the CUTE 32:

• 1 8-pole miniDin cable for connection to the Commodore 16/116/ Plus4.
• 1 Tape adapter for connection to the Commodore 64 / VIC20 / PET.
• 1 Micro USB cable for external power supply.
• 1 A care leaflet for the precautions for use in Italian / English.
• 1 User manual in Italian / English.
• 1 Metal pin for Factory Reset.
• 1 Sticker to replace the graphics of the CUTE 32 with one similar to the original of the Commodore Datassette 1530 (C2N).

I thanks Manosoft, it was really a pleasure and an honor to try the CUTE 32.

I tried the CUTE 32 with a U64 (Ultimate 64) and a Commodore PET and everything works perfectly.

Gallery:

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Video:

source: manosoft.it

Commodore Magic Voice Speech Module:

“Magic Voice” is an expansion cartridge for the Commodore 64 that can speak 235 predefined words.

Magic Voice does not combine words from phonemes, but contains 235 prerecorded words in a 16 KB ROM. It was meant to be used with tape, disk or cartridge based software that made use of the extension, but few titles were released.

Without any extra software, the speech features are accessible through added BASIC commands.

Commodore Expander FM Sound Module:

The Commodore Sound Expander or SFX Sound Expander is a sound synthesizer cartridge with 9 voices for the Commodore 64.

It was developed by Richard Watts. The synthesizer chip is a Yamaha YM3526 OPL, which can upgraded by a YM3812 OPL2 chip, which is also used by AdLib- and Soundblaster sound cards in PCs.

This cartridge was produced by Music Sales Limited in the UK and marketed as “Commodore SFX series” by Commodore world-wide.

Gallery:

source: pagetable.com – c64-wiki.com

The SIEL Sound Buggy system is a music module expansion (synthesizer) released around 1985 in Italy for Commodore 64.

VOICE Buggy interface transforms the Commodore 64 into an entry-level arranger for family: just plug the interface to the CMB64 then turn on your old retro beast and load the included software by tape or drive.

SYNTHESIS unit based on a M112B1 (SGS Thompson) organ tone generator already found on other synth like SIEL DK-70 able to generate only digital square waves.

DRUM up to 28 preset drum patterns styles are available like Rock, Samba, March, Swing, Tango, Beguine, Disco, Funky and more. Drum section is an indipendent circuits and generates 4 percussions instruments: kick, snare, hihat and rimshot.

SEQUENCER simples 2 tracks sequencer with arpeggiator that can be hooked to Midi interface system with special interface and master keyboard including SIEL CM K49.

MEMORY:

• 14 patch presets
• 14 free slots for edit
• 500 events
• 100 chords

Songs can be saved to disk or magnetic tapes.

Gallery:

Download:

• SIEL Sound Buggy Brochure (Italian) (695)
• SIEL Sound Buggy D64 Software (545)

source: polynominal.com

This Amiga 4000 is completely devastated on both sides of the PCB by the leaked acid of the battery and kept in a humid room for at least 20 years.

There are still a couple of things to keep, but i will do it later if necessary.

First of all, a premise: All the repairs i do are for hobby purpose ONLY. It is NOT a job, and i fix stuff for a selected people group that i consider needs my help. All other people please ask somewhere else to get your items repaired back.

A guy contacted me asking help for a repair and after an exchange of messages i agreed to repair his Amiga 4000 which at boot only displayed a Black screen.

I immediately noticed a fairly important damage caused by battery and caps acid leakage.

After cleaned everything and replaced capacitors on motherboard / 3640 and PSU (the fault persisted, of course).

Next, i used the Chucky DIAGROM: the DIAGROM is useful to understand what might be that doesn’t work, and the output via RS232 is also very useful if nothing is displayed on the screen.

Unfortunately the DIAGROM worked partially because the mouse was completely dead and therefore i have used the output via Serial but this is also worked partially because evidently also the serial is dead but in some precarious moments i  have tried to run the Sound test and no sound was reproduced.

Moral: Partially working Serial port + Mouse not working + Audio not working = Paula.

Replaced the PAULA (U400) everything started to work correctly apart the FASTRAM with 4 x 4MB SIMM modules each the system sees only 2 in the U852/U853 positions for a total of 8MB.

The problem was a short circuit probably caused by the acid leaking from the battery, i had to clean the PCB for the tenth time and the problem was fixed.

No more other to say, except that i am happy i succeeded to repaired this Amiga 4000 for a person that needed my help.

Gallery of the repair:

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Video: