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Archive for the ‘C128/128D/128DCR’ Category

Working in progress for the new 1541U-II

November 7th, 2009 No comments

1541 Ultimatefrom 1541 Ultimate homepage:

It is about time to release some news about the 1541U-II. I think some of you must be really curious about the extra features and possibilities that the 1541U-II give, and about the progress on production and firmware. To start off with the 1541U-II features, I can tell you that it differs from the ‘standard’ 1541U Plus/Ethernet that:

  • the board itself is about 30% smaller than the 1541U;
  • it has a MicroSD connector, instead of a full-size SD;
  • it has a real-time-clock function, for correct file time and date;
  • it has a larger FPGA, which enables the implementation of more features;
  • it has a USB Host port, which can be used to connect USB-sticks;
  • it is targeted to have a suitable case for the device.

Some of you have written in the forums, that the MicroSD connector is not much of an improvement. But the rationale behind going to MicroSD is mainly the available space on the board is less, and that with the addition of a USB-A port, the average user will use the usb-stick rather than the SD-card.

So the MicroSD-card does not need to be removed from the cartridge very often. However, because at the moment that I announced the 1541U-II, the USB port was not yet tested, I could not reveal this feature as I did not want to make promises that I can’t keep.

1541U-IIThe USB turns out to be quite a bit of work to get it to work, but I can now announce that I managed to implement enough of a host-controller function to be able to talk to USB devices and send the most basic commands to access a mass-storage device. I am quite close to have implemented the ‘read-block’ and ‘write-block’ functions, which is the interface level that the file system module uses. In other words, I expect to be able to access the (FAT) file-system on the USB stick quite soon!

How will it work for the user? My objective is to have one ‘directory’ level above the current root of the SD-card, where you can select which partition you want to browse. There the USB flash drive becomes visible, as well as the MicroSD card, if present.

source: 1541ultimate.net

EasyFlash Cartridge Tools Collection by P1X3L.net

November 6th, 2009 No comments

Easyflash ToolsThat’s an CRT image with some C00L C64 Utility for the EasyFlash cartridge.

source: noname.c64 org

The shop of the website for8Bits is Open

October 31st, 2009 No comments

for8bits HomepageThis shop offers selected open-source projects in kit form for the classical computers
Commodore C64 and VIC-20.

Like:

  • C-64 EasyFlash.
  • VIC-20 Final Expansion.

source: for8bits.com

Commodore 64 DiskMagazine – Vandalism News #52

October 31st, 2009 No comments

Onslaught / Wrath Designs / Vandalism new stuff, bring you the 52th Vandalism News, released at the Syntax DemoParty 2009.

source: syntaxparty.com noname.c64.org

EasyFlash Cartridge SID Collection by Mactron

October 22nd, 2009 No comments

EasyFlash Sid Tunez CollectionsThat’s an CRT image with some C00L Sid Tunez for the EasyFlash cartridge.

source: noname.c64 org

Released EasyProg v1.3.5 for EasyFlash Cartridge

October 22nd, 2009 No comments

EasyProgEasyProg is a program for the C64. It is used to write (“burn”) cartridge image files (*.crt) onto an EasyFlash.

Changes:

  • Workarounds for 1541U SD-IF bugs.
  • Fix hex viewer, it got broken in 1.3

source: easyflash homepage

New Video review for the Ultimate 1541 Cartridge by Gideon

October 19th, 2009 No comments

It’s in German Language but with English subs.

source: circuit-board.de

C128 System Information v7.1 rev3 by MirkoSoft

October 13th, 2009 No comments

C128 System Information v6 rev2Program that detects type of your hardware in Commodore 128.

Also added recognizing 64HDD drives and better detection of MMU and RAM size. Works not correctly in VICE. Optimized for 80 columns mode. Thanks to Christian Johansson.

source: mirkosoft homepage

Released EasyProg v1.3 for EasyFlash Cartridge

October 10th, 2009 No comments

EasyProgEasyProg is a program for the C64. It is used to write (“burn”) cartridge image files (*.crt) onto an EasyFlash.

Changes:

  • Add flash driver infrastructure EasyAP (Makes it easy to support different flash memory types)
  • Add “reset and start crt” and “reset and kill”
  • Add BING! sound.
  • Show all file types in directory list.
  • Show directories first, followed by files.
  • Internal directory parser tolerates some malformed directories.
  • Still problems with 1541U.
  • Show message when directory is too long.
  • Torture test is more verbose now.

source: easyflash homepage

C-64 EasyFlash and VC-20 Final Expansion Poster

October 1st, 2009 2 comments

for8bits_posterThe Shop of the website for8bits will open in early October and will be the exclusive seller of the EasyFlash and Final Expansion cartridges.

source: for8bits.com

C128 System Information v7.1 rev1 by MirkoSoft

September 24th, 2009 No comments

C128 System Information v6 rev2Program that detects type of your hardware in Commodore 128.

Also added recognizing 64HDD drives and better detection of MMU and RAM size. Works not correctly in VICE. Optimized for 80 columns mode. Thanks to Christian Johansson.

source: mirkosoft homepage

EasyProg v1.2 for EasyFlash Cartridge

September 6th, 2009 No comments

EasyProgEasyProg is a program for the C64. It is used to write (“burn”) cartridge image files (*.crt) onto an EasyFlash.

Changes:

  • Add flashing BIN files (for x1541′s PLCC => EPROM KERNAL adaptors)
  • Add sprite logo to main screen.
  • Improved menu structure.
  • Add text “write complete”.
  • Tiny splash screen for non-native CRTs.

source: easyflash homepage

EasyFlash Cartridge for Commodore 64

September 6th, 2009 No comments

EasyFlash Cartridge for Commodore 64from Homepage:

EasyFlash is a cartridge for the C64 expansion port. In contrast to traditional cartridges, this one can be programmed directly from the C64.

You can easily create various classic computer game cartridges, program collections or even a diagnostic cartridge to track down issues with your hardware with it.

All what you need to do this is a C64, an EasyFlash, the software available here and an image of the cartridge (*.crt). As these CRT files may be quite large, a large disk drive like the FD-2000 or an sd2iec may be useful.

EasyFlash is not a freezer cartridge like the Final Cartridge III or the Retro Replay. And it’s no replacement for a 1541 disk drive like the sd2iec.

source: easyflash homepage

ROM-el testing complete

August 23rd, 2009 No comments

ROM-elfrom Homepage:

Aries was backordered on the required 24 and 28 pin headers needed to finish testing, and the order just came in this past week.  Thus, I finally had a chance to solder and test the units.  Testing went well, and I can program the units with my Willem programmer.

Originally designed to hold a 29EE512 64kB EEPROM, I found a good price on Atmel AT49F001 128kB 5V Flash, so I made the necessary adjustments and tested with the new memory.  Testing went well, so I am releasing the design to production.

I have noticed one issue that I need to address.  Some CBM units have an RFI shield that doubles as a heat shield.  To perform the latter function, metal “fingers are stamped out of the shield that press on the top of the ICs.  I need to ensure the metal shield/heat sink does not contact any of the pins on this unit.

source: jbrain.com

Loriano’s 1541U Case – Youtube Video Released

August 18th, 2009 No comments

Loriano has made a video about his 1541U case.

source: logan-5.co.uk 1541ultimate.net