The return of the Hybrid Sid Player Firmware update v1.16

November 29th, 2021 No comments

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.16 – 29/11/2021

Updated:

  • Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
    • LAE (LAS/LAR) Combinations of STA/TXS and LDA/TSX.
    • ANE (XAA) Combination of an immediate and an implied command.
    • All 6502/6510 instructions have been implemented.
  • Increased the maximum number of files per directory from 512 max to 800 max.
  • Improved delay routine for read/write eeprom via I2c bitbang, it should now be compatible with all levels of the XC32 compiler code optimization.
  • Replaced and splitted the Splash Screen Logo during the boot. Thanks to Federico di dato for the Retrobit LAB logo.

Fixed:

  • The BRK opcode, opcode that will probably will never used in our case.
  • Missing +2 Machine Cycle Times for the opcodes: BPL,BMI,BVC,BVS,BCC,BCS,BNE,BEQ due to some previous performance improvment of the 6502/6510  emulator code, i was probably drunk, indeed, i’m sure. %-)
  • The clock “|CIA|” was displayed mistakenly when you choose to play a file in DMP format but this is wrong because the DMP file format doesn’t support the information of clock used (VBI/CIA) in the file header.
  • The previous and next button did not work if there are only two files (SID or DMP) available to play in the folder.
  • Incorrect Machine Cycle Times for the NOP opcode, four times instead of two. %-)
  • Sometimes the version number displayed during boot would pop outside from the right side of the oled screen.
  • Wrong Machine Cycle Times for the SLO, SRE(LSE), DCP, RLA, ISC(ISB) Illegal/undocumented opcodes with Indexed-indirect addressing of X,Y-Registers.

C64 Big G.Pack: Ultima I +3DI / T.Soldier +9DGHF / Star Hawx +7D …

November 21st, 2021 No comments

NEW TAG: C64 BIG GAME PACK

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

  • Star Hawx +7D
  • Star Hawx
  • Star Hawx +1D
  • Bugs Inc. Preview +
  • Ewe Woz ‘Ere DX Preview +
  • Soulless +6D
  • Galaga V1.05 +
  • Totoro64 Preview 2 +
  • Zodiac +2G
  • Ghoul Gobbler +1DJ
  • Retronet V1.2 &DG
  • Container +2
  • Pic-Man +2DGJ
  • Man From N10 +2DG
  • Fas-t-ron &D
  • Square Pit 64 +
  • Straight Up +
  • Space Panic +3
  • Space Panic V1.1
  • Straight Up
  • Straight Up +2D
  • Ewe Woz ‘Ere DX Single Level Demo
  • Granny’s Cleaning Day +4D
  • Space Panic V1.1 +3D
  • Space Panic V1.1 +4D
  • The Cleaner Preview +D
  • Ewe Woz ‘Ere DX 3-Level-Preview +3D
  • Zybex +1F [drean]
  • Köszönöm +
  • Forest Saver Preview +1D
  • Pattern Finder
  • Granny’s Cleaning Day V1.1 +4D
  • Pattern Finder +1D
  • Twopac +1D
  • Soulless +6D
  • Crazy Jumpman +1T [english]
  • Ewe Woz ‘Ere DX 3-Level-Preview +5HD
  • Zeta Wing V1.2.2 +6D
  • Black Holes +5DGH
  • Santron V1.1 +7D
  • The Space Limits II +
  • The Space Limits +
  • Rocket Away 2 +2D
  • Popeye V1 +3D
  • Rocket Away 2 +4D
  • Rocket Away 2
  • Galaxian DX +1D
  • Katabatia V1.1 +1D
  • Ultima I +3DI
  • Totoro64 Preview 3 +1D
  • PETSCII Lemmings
  • Save Satellits +2T
  • PETSCII Lemmings +
  • Boulder Dash Junior VI +2H
  • Head or Tail Oneliner V1.1
  • Dot Gobbler V3 +1DG
  • XXX X-Treme Zorbing Simulator +
  • Sitting Target Reloaded +
  • Crapoid +
  • Atari Collection
  • Newquarts +2
  • Chase +1DJ
  • Duell-Tris &DT
  • Boom +2D
  • Park Adventure V1.1 +DS
  • P1X3L-Pushr +1D
  • Cross Shoot (Rebuild) +2D
  • Cross Bomber (Rebuild) +1D
  • Flapper +1D
  • Cross Chase (Rebuild) +2D
  • Mediterranean Air War +2 [seuck]
  • Witch Rescue Service Preview 3 +1D
  • Forest Saver Preview 2 +1D
  • Diamond Jones +4DT
  • Supremacy aka Overlord +8DF [Easyflash]
  • Time Soldier +9DGHF [Easyflash]
  • Tobbe’s Quest II [swedish]
  • Quicksand +
  • Laserblaster +
  • Spider Web +
  • Star Tracker +
  • Stuntman +
  • Nick Nack +
  • Captain Cloudberry +C
  • Moonshoot +
  • Fire Bug +1DT
  • Flying in on the Big Bird +
  • A Space Game Preview +1D
  • Petaxian Preview +2D
  • 2^11 V1.0 +D
  • Color Blocks V2.0
  • miniTETRIS (Beta)
  • Pac-Wor +2D
  • PAC-WOR
  • Mechanicus +2DF
  • Mechanicus +2DF [Easyflash]
  • MiniTETRIS V1.0 +D
  • 3D Reversi +TD
  • Bootskell +2
  • Mazy +3
  • Venus Express +2D
  • Bubbles – Bubble Blaster 1K +2
  • Bounced 64 +1D
  • Impetus +2
  • Cavit +3
  • Ruptus +2
  • Neuras +3
  • Battlot +2
  • Aerial +2
  • Panic +
  • Knights 1K +1D
  • Space Battle!
  • Ice Box +1D
  • Snow Run +1D
  • Bombs Away! +1D
  • Block Fill +D
  • Neuras +3 101%

Download: All Games in One Archive (3983)

source: csdb.dk

mouSTer – universal USB HID class device to db9 adapter

November 20th, 2021 No comments
mouSTer - universal USB HID class device to db9 adapter.

The mouSTer device allows connecting any USB (not ps/2 protocol type only) mouse/joystick/gamepad to as many old computers and consoles as possible.

At the moment the following retro platforms are fully supported:

  • Commodore 64/128/U64 NTSC/PAL
  • MEGA65
  • Atari ST/STe series
  • Atari Falcon
  • Atari 65XE/130XE/800XE
  • Atari 600XL/800XL
  • Atari 5200
  • Atari 2600
  • Amiga 500/600/1200
  • Amiga 1000/2000/3000/4000

…more:

  • It works with every mouse (also wireless mouse with dongle) and with every USB Gamepads.
  • Config via USB flash drive – INI file + default config.
  • Config transfer via USB flash drive.
  • Firmware upgrade via USB flash drive (takes 3 seconds, of which 2 seconds is the time the bootloader needs to recognize the flash drive)
  • USB Flash drives from 32MB to 32GB.
  • Mouse emulation mode defaults – Amiga, Atari ST, joystick/gamepad.
  • Emulating Amiga CD32 joypad. (default setting are for Sony DS4).
  • Sony DS3 (wired) Pad Support.
  • Sony DS4 (wired) Pad Support.
  • Sony DS5 (wired) Pad Support.
  • Xbox360 (wired) Pad Support.

Future support with minor hardware changes for SEGA consoles and possibly XT PC.

Wireless support for gamepads is also work-in-progress but it might take a while.

Also wireless support for dongle pads like Xbox360 and many more. We are also open to suggestions.

Gallery:

source: retrohax.net retrohax.net firmware

Amiga is Dead – Unnecessary Updates

November 12th, 2021 No comments
Amiga is Dead - Unnecessary Updates

The Amiga scene has been dead for me from several years, long life to the Commodore 64.

Taken from a deadly boredom i have decided to do this useless hardware update of one of my Amiga 1200.

  • A1208 V3 8MB Expansion.
  • OS3.2 CF Card.
  • OS3.2 Kickstart.
  • New membrane for the keyboard.
  • Lightbrightning Case and Keyboard.
  • CF Trapdoor.
  • 4xIDE Buffered IDE interface.

I personally updated the A1208 memory expansion with the Clock section because i had the order wrong, old age strikes again.

This is just a small update to my post.

I added another useless thing to this update … unfortunately in this case it is useful because without the 4xIDE Buffered IDE interface
the CF<>IDE adapter inserted in the trapdoor on the right side of the amiga which uses an IDE cable longer than 10-15cm, DOESN’T WORK generating a mix of reading/writing errors from the CF.

Aware of the problem, i still wanted to try, in fact in an old Amiga 1200 i had the IDE-Fix Express with IDE-Express Adapter bought 12 years ago, then sold.

So i confirm it doesn’t work, even if they write exactly the opposite (see ebay announcements)

Gallery of the useless update:

source: amigaisdead.com amigastore.eu amigakit.amiga.store

SD2Snes Firmware v1.11.0 Beta 1 released

October 23rd, 2021 No comments

Ikari has released a new firmware for the SD2Snes Flash Cartridge (Super Nintendo/Famicom). The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Sorry for the delay, but it just escaped me to post it here.

Features added:

  • [All] USB (usb2snes) support by RedGuy
  • [All] save state support (via USB/savestate2snes) by RedGuy
  • [All] stand-alone save state features by FURiOUS
  • [All] some compatibility improvements and optimizations for stand-alone save states by ikari_01
    • Add support for YAML list items for multiple savestate_fixes entries per game
    • Add support for simple bitwise operations on savestate_fixes patches
    • Add support for verbatim code execution on savestate_fixes patches – notably fixes Star Ocean (decompressed) save states (however the save state hook still needs CPU time optimization to prevent music glitches in Star Ocean.)
    • Add IRQ support on top of NMI for the save state hook – this enables save states on Out Of This World and possibly other games that only use IRQ. Also fixes controller input capture on a number of games so the game-specific input hacks could be eliminated.
    • Moved save state code outside of the USB hook area to make room for USB hook execution.
  • [All] SGB support by Redacted173.
  • [All] favorite games list by freelancer42

Fixes:

  • [All] Fixed data caching bug in MSU1 data extension which could cause wrong data to be streamed
  • [All] Savestates: do not try to capture data that is already in cartridge space anyway (e.g. SRAM). Fixes text distortion in Near’s Bahamut Lagoon translation when loading a state.
  • [All] Fixed YAML config parser to support comment signs after list start items
  • [All] Fixed SNES open-bus contamination (fixes sprite flickering in Near’s Bahamut Lagoon translation, certain speed runs that rely on open bus behaviour)
  • [All] (hopefully) fixed rapid data line toggling sometimes resulting in address line glitches, causing random crashes in extreme cases, and occasional garbled graphics on SMRPG among others
  • [All] Fixed data integrity problems when loading BSX games

Download:

source: sd2snes.de

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player Firmware update v1.15

September 28th, 2021 No comments

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.15 – 26/9/2021

Updated:

  • Slightly improved the CIA timing, now the SID tune “https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/P/Page_Jason/25_Hurts.sid” and probably some others they sounds fairly well without “clicking/noise/beeping” in some parts of the song. *
  • Slightly improved the VBI timing, now the SID tune “https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/S/Stinsen/Freeloader.sid” and probably some others they sounds fairly well without  “clicking/noise/beeping” in some parts of the song. *
  • When the (Auto/Random/Intro) MODE is used the brightness of the oled is restored on each change of music until the default timeout is reached.

* I’ll never stop saying we are far away from my personal feeling of absolute perfection but sound ok for 90% of peoples, luckily there aren’t many SID sound purists :-D
Many people still think that a SID played with a SID emulator on a Mobile Phone or PC sounds absolutely identical to the one played with the SID in the original hardware version :-|

Fixed:

C64 Big Game Pack: Droid Rumble +2D / Space Eggs +2D / Galaga …

September 27th, 2021 No comments

NEW TAG: C64 BIG GAME PACK

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

  • Wargle! +1
  • 2k-Fighter +1
  • Detonation +1D
  • Torreoscura V1.1 [english/spanish]
  • Turbo Ski +1D
  • Spray Cam +D
  • Frutty Man 64 +
  • Paper Route +1D
  • Volley Bound +D
  • Pie Emporium +1D
  • Lernaia
  • Archaeologist +DJ
  • Table Soccer +D
  • Totoro64 +1D
  • Totoro64 +2DFJ
  • Shock Raid
  • C64 Engine Preview +1D
  • Unspool
  • Shock Raid +3CD
  • Panther +1DHMP
  • Roundabout Solitaire +2D
  • Shock Raid +4D
  • Syncro +2DG
  • Gates of the Ancient +2D
  • Rainfighter +2DFG
  • Sterntaler +2DGH
  • Unspool +D
  • Life +D
  • Springer &DGT
  • Your Game Preview
  • Abrakadabra +2DGJ
  • Flag Hunt &D
  • Exploding Atoms &DG
  • PushPuzzle +D
  • Lachmann +2DGT
  • Logomix +2D
  • Preacher vs. Zombie +2
  • Xplore +1D
  • Hot Dog Puzzle +1TD
  • Musery +1DG
  • Cyber-Race
  • Xplore Expanded +1D
  • Hexed Preview 2 +2
  • Uforce +1DG
  • The Duell +1DG
  • Graviton +1D
  • PushPuzzle V1.2
  • Graviton +
  • Sydney Hunter and the Sacred Tribe Multicolor +7DW
  • Keyhole
  • Galaga C64 Preview 3.1+
  • Galaga C64 Preview 3 +
  • Astroblast +3D
  • Lady Pac V1.0.5 +2
  • Roboform-X 2 +2D [seuck]
  • Space Eggs +2D [seuck]
  • Droid Rumble +2D [seuck]
  • Dawn Patrol +S
  • Iunnuh 2 – The Curse from the Past +S
  • Crappy Walls +D
  • Rolling Coin +
  • Pac-Man +1DGHM
  • Space Invaders V1.1 +
  • Space Invaders V1.1
  • Night Knight +2
  • Espace Preview +
  • Night Knight +5PD
  • Dungeon &D
  • Night Knight +5HPD
  • Spaceball +1D
  • Scarabaeus II Preview
  • 2K Ishido +D
  • The Authentic Tetris +1DF
  • Colorix +TD
  • Hard’n'Heavy +9
  • Night Knight +5HPD
  • Gianna Sisters +9H
  • Head or Tail Oneliner
  • Galaga +1D
  • Egg Catcher 4K +2
  • Tarkus +3D
  • Galaga V1.03 +
  • Zak McKracken & Maniac Mansion +1D [german] fix (Easyflash)

Download: All Games in One Archive (4323)

source: csdb.dk

World Wide ZOO 2021: C64 – Official demo party results

September 26th, 2021 No comments

This is the official demo party results from World Wide ZOO 2021. See also the CSDB World Wide ZOO 2021 section for more informations.

C64 Demo:

  • 1 – Mörkroom by Da Jormas
  • 2 – My Name Is Soft, Mihail Gorbat Soft by Gorbat Soft
  • 3 – VIY by Atlantis, Pretzel Logic
  • 4 – Pigs in Space by Mahna Mahna
  • 5 – Arena XIII by Atlantis
  • 6 – DUGA3 by Karjala!
  • 7 – Love Hate Ordnungsamt by Mayday!
  • 8 – C1X1 by The Solution
  • 9 – World Wide Load by Wide Load
  • 10 – Ski or Death 2022 Invitation by Hiihtoliitto
  • 11 – CNCD at Zoo by CNCD
  • 12 – You Suffer
  • 13 – I’m a Banana by STARZ

C64 Music:

  • 1 – Banaanin Alle by Mutetus
  • 2 – Nelly Goes West by Shogoon
  • 3 – Helix by Flex
  • 4 – Electrostatic by Jangler
  • 5 – Backward Ride by Deetsay
  • 6 – Gone Already by Juzdie
  • 6 – Prtzl+Kola by Flotsam
  • 8 – Jungle Polka by The Syndrom
  • 9 – Future Lover by Rock
  • 10 – Second Bite by Proton
  • 11 – Bassonavajo by Agemixer
  • 12 – Morphine Revisited by chuinho
  • 13 – Oktopose by Barracuda
  • 14 – A Warm Place by Mankeli
  • 15 – Wattson by Barik
  • 16 – Majoneesi by Anacron
  • 17 – Big Gelatine Scam by Stabile Altbauten

C64 Graphics:

  • 1 – Departed Together by Duce
  • 2 – Dream Membrane by Joe
  • 3 – Skullflower by Electric
  • 4 – Best Friends by Facet
  • 5 – Fleshy by Electric
  • 6 – Lada 3000 by L3nin666
  • 7 – The Darkness Hour by Almighty God
  • 8 – Sofasceners by Vent
  • 9 – Parallel Dream by jetan/Isildur/uka
  • 10 – Her Highness Compofilleria by ptoing
  • 11 – Electricified by Aomeba
  • 12 – Purification (Preview) by Leon
  • 13 – Blooden Guts by Dr. TerrorZ
  • 14 – Hooded Goblin by Ilbu
  • 15 – Kisse
  • 16 – Green Glasses by Hairdog
  • 17 – U Are the Animal by Backspin
  • 18 – Iltapala by Anacron
  • 19 – Metsäretkellä by Supermonni

C64 Basic Demo:

  • 1 – Machine by New Basic Group
  • 2 – Let’s Twisting by Jupp3
  • 3 – Head or Tail Oneliner by Logiker

Mixed Graphics:

  • 1 – Siam by Electric, Extend
  • 2 – True Faith by Atlantis
  • 3 – Party Scener by Pretzel Logic
  • 4 – Dedhors by Artline Designs
  • 5 – Poirobot by Artline Designs
  • 6 – Upsetting by Electric, Extend
  • 7 – Catching Kermit by Atlantis
  • 8 – Rules of PETSCII by Dr. TerrorZ
  • 9 – Self Portrait by Artline Designs
  • 10 – Grendel by Byterapers, Fit    
  • 11 – Tinder Match by Vent
  • 12 – WTF Is Happening??! by Vent
  • 13 – Rhaalanis by Mayday!
  • 14 – 90′s Daydreams
  • 15 – Zoo Run! by Samar Productions
  • 15 – Chopped and Stacked
  • 17 – Tukkajumala etenee by Dekadence, Fit
  • 18 – Samurai by Atlantis
  • 19 – Pondering by christwoballs
  • 20 – Self Portrait
  • 21 – The Great Inventor by Logiker
  • 22 – Kalmo by Vilke
  • 23 – YLE Is by Yleisradio

Download: Zoo 2021 Full Party Stuff (728)

source: 2021.zooparty.org

Arduino ARMSID configurator with ARDUINO UNO by Nobomi

September 23rd, 2021 No comments
Arduino ARMSID configurator with ARDUINO UNO by Nobomi

Nobomi already developer of the famous ARMSID and ARM2SID, an excellent alternative developed with STM32 of the famous Commodore 64 Sound Chip, has made a nice interface via Terminal (putty) to update and modify the ARMSID configurations without using the native program that runs on the Commodore 64.

The project is based on Arduino UNO REV3, therefore very cheap, the sources are available on GITHUB and can be purchased HERE in the KIT version.

Nobomi has also ventured a SIDPLAYER that runs under Windows and via serial sends DATA and ADDRESSES which are captured by the ARDUINO and then send to the ARMSID and consequently plays the music but don’t expect a perfect SIDPLAYER,  it works but not perfectly.

However, i did not self-build it for this reason but to modify the ARMSID configurations without using the Commodore 64, this will come in handy to check for any problems when i implement the real time switch in the SID Player “The Return of the Hybrid SID Player” between 8580 and 6581 with ARMSID or ARM2SID sound chip.

Gallery:

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Texas Instruments Compact Computer CC-40 Plus Repair

September 22nd, 2021 No comments
Texas Instruments Compact Computer CC-40 Plus Repair

The Texas Instruments Compact Computer 40 or CC-40 is a battery-operated portable computer developed by Texas Instruments and released in March 1983.

An improved model, the CC-40 Plus, was in the final stages of development and included a cassette port. The project was canceled when Texas Instruments discontinued the 99/4A and left the home computer field.

Repair:

The computer was compressed inside the shipping package, obviously it was very badly packed.

The PCB that is installed on top of one of the two motherboards of the computer (see photo) is broke, interrupting some pcb tracks, it was enough to reconstruct the pcb track and the computer started working again.

Gallery of the repair:

Texas Instruments TI-99/4a Repairs

September 22nd, 2021 No comments
Texas Instruments TI-99/4a Repairs (Sept 2021)

5 x TI-99/4A (PAL) motherboards with various defects repaired

Defect:

  • TI-99/4a #1: The metal shield that protects the pcb is loose and some parts create short circuits on the pcb.
  • TI-99/4a #2: TMS 9918 (U100) VDP inserted in the wrong way (:/), incredibly it did not burn.
  • TI-99/4a #3: TMS 9900 (U600) Dead CPU.
  • TI-99/4a #4: TMS 9900 (U600) Dead CPU.
  • TI-99/4a #5: Apparently working. (Notes: left ON for over 4 hours did not present any problems)

Gallery of the repair:

USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) Firmware v3.8.1.2a

September 19th, 2021 1 comment

Jean-François DEL NERO (who’s behind the HxC SD Floppy Emulator) recently has released a version of the HxC emulator firmware that is compatible with the STM32 chip used in the Gotek floppy emulators.

This means that the great functionality of the HxC SD emulator is now available on cheaper and more widely available hardware.

The bootloader to convert the Gotek floppy drive in HxC compatible must be purchased on the website HXC 2001 by sending an email to Jean-François DEL NERO. The price of the bootloader is one-off 10 Euro per Gotek that you want to update. Future updates of the software are free and can be made from a USB stick

The HXC Usb (Gotek) firmware supports: + many more….

USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Floppy Emulator Firmware v3.4.16.4a -> v3.8.1.2a cumulative changelog:

  • Build-in USB stick init / format function :
  • The USB stick can now be formatted/initialized for the “Image-less mode” by the firmware.
  • Remove the USB stick, press both buttons to enter the embedded menu and select the sub menu to activate the format mode :
    •  - 7 digits display “d” menu entry -> Should display “For”
    •  - OLED display “Format USB Key” menu entry.
    • Then insert the USB stick you want to format.
    • WARNING : Formatting will erase all data on the USB stick !
    • The default built-in image is an HD 1.44MB Floppy disk, but you
    • can select another built-in image on the firmware customization
  • SFRKC30 / SFR1M44-U100LQD Gotek support enhanced :
  • The new rotary port is now supported.
  • New explicit U100LQD OLED configuration.
  • (Specific binaries for this new Gotek are now provided in the “New_U100LQD_Gotek” folder)
  • The detected hardware model can now be read in the embedded menu
  • (Sub menu ‘F’ for the 7 digits Gotek and in the “FW/HW version” sub menu for the OLED Goteks).
  • Hardware ID definitions :
    • 000 : Original STM32F105 Gotek (64KB of RAM)
    • 001 : 64 pins ARTERY AT32F415RCT7 on an old STM32 Gotek board (32KB of RAM)
    • 002 : 48 pins ARTERY AT32F415CBT7 (New board) (32KB of RAM)
    • 003 : 64 pins ARTERY AT32F415RCT7 (New SFRKC30 / SFR1M44-U100LQD Gotek : Native OLED and Rotary support) (32KB of RAM)
  • Test firmware updated to support all STM32 and Artery Goteks.
  • Some important fixes in the emulation from folder mode
  • (Informations about this mode are available on this page : https://hxc2001.com/docs/gotek-floppy-emulator-hxc-firmware/pages/emulation-from-folder.html)
  • The emulation from folder mode was broken on ARTERY MCU based Goteks.
    •  Update recommended for all “emulation from folder mode” users !
  • New SFRKC30 Gotek boards support added :
    •  This new Gotek revision has a new rotary port and will be shipped
    •  with a rotary switch and an OLED screen directly from the factory
    •  (No “mod” required anymore)
  • Bootloader updated.
  • Firmware updated.
  • Firmware customization page updated.
  • Normal/direct selection mode :  File sorting optimized for low memory “Artery” Goteks.
  • 1680KB Distribution Media Format (DMF) .IMG support adjusted / fixed.
  • Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.7.1.4a for all Artery AND STM Goteks ! ( -> In the “Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware” folder !)
  • Update recommended for Artery Goteks users:
  • “Normal mode” / Direct stick browsing mode :
  • Fix regression with Artery Goteks  ! (Crash due to a memory alignment issue)
  • Custom firmware page updated
  • Build tools updated.
  • RAM Memory management enhanced : Detect the RAM size and change/adapt  the cache buffers size according to the available memory.
  • Compatible with all Goteks (Artery and STM MCU compatible).
  • Now support all Artery versions (AT32F415RCT7, AT32F415CBT7…)
  • Fixes : EPROM emulation support, Index signal.
  • Rotary connections moved to PA13/PA14 (2 pins in the prog header) for the 48 pins MCU version.
  • Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.6.1.2a for Artery AT32F415RCT7 Goteks ( -> In the “Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware” folder !)
  • Since March/April 2021 we can see some new Gotek variants on the market.
  • Due to the electronic components shortage, these new Gotek revisions use different MCUs.
  • The STMicroelectronics STM32F105 MCU was replaced by Artery MCUs : AT32F415RCT7, AT32F415CBT7,…
  • These MCUs are “mostly” compatible with the previously used STM part but there is an important difference : The RAM size. While the STM32F105 offers 64KB of RAM, these Artery parts have only 32KB of RAM. These changes imply modifications in the firmware.
  • A first HxC Firmware compatible with the AT32F415RCT7 MCU can be found in the Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware folder.
  • The bootloader was updated this week to support all the 3 Gotek variants:  STM32F105RB6, AT32F415RCT7,AT32F415CBT7.
  • The bootloader now supports GPT/GUID formatted USB sticks.
  • The server was updated this week to support all the 3 Gotek variants :
  • The bootloader can installed on all these Gotek using the normal online procedure :  https://hxc2001.com/docs/gotek-floppy-emulator-hxc-firmware/pages/bootloader-installation.html
  • Preparing the firmware for the next releases / features : Important code size optimizations. (First round !)
  • OSD : The HSYNC polarity can be set on the custom firmware
    • (VSYNC already supports both polarity)
  • Finally introducting the Raspberry Pi Zero W Gotek companion :
    • https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/RPiZeroW_HxC2001_StickEmulator.zip
    • (To be installed on the SD Card with rufus, dd, …)
    • Use the USB device port to connect the Raspberry Pi Zero W to the Gotek.
    • You can access the virtual stick through Wifi.
    • The Raspberry is by default setup as an access point. (HxC2001_RPIZeroW SSID)
    • The following services are currently enabled in the image :
    • IP :  192.168.100.1
    • Samba/Windows Share -> login : data, password : data
    • ftp -> login : data, password : data
    • ssh -> login : data, password : data / login : root, password : root
    • http -> just a test page for the moment.
  • IMG file images : Fix Technics SX-F100 organ format and file deletion support.
  • HFE files : Blind write mode now used on all non-MFM/FM HFE files.
  • Quickdisk .QD files write support : Some fixes and improvements.
  • Code improvements.
  • Roland machines out,img,ima files support : sector interleave and track skew adjusted to the S-550 values. (Fix S-550 issues).
  • Internal parameters : Power-up clear/reset right button timeout set to 3 seconds.
  • Electone EL-900 disk change issue fixed :
  • Clear internal ready timer at image selection.
  • Internal default ready timing changed from 200ms to 400ms.
  • v3.5.1.1 regression fix : Broken USB stick folder Auto mount feature fixed.
  • Major release : Image-less mode support! Mount USB stick’s FAT12 partitions !
  • USB Stick : GUID Partition Table (GPT) support. The firmware now support medias with GPT, MBR or without any partition table. GPT is becoming the default partition table used by most operating systems.
  • New custom firmware page option:
    • GUID Partition Table (GPT) support option (enabled by default).
  • Regression fix : Fix Amiga 1.76MB HD .ADF images support.
  • Upside down orientation OLED screen option.
  • “Normal mode” / Direct disk browsing mode : Fix possible erroneous “No file image found !” message issue. Update recommended.
  • Amstrad CPC / ZX Spectrum EDSK & DSK:
    • Fake Track ID protection support.
    • Fake Side ID protection support.
    • Bad CRC protection support.
    • 6144 bytes sectors support fixed.
  • (Fix the following copy protected ZX Spectrum games :
    • Robocop 2,Turrican 2,Barbarian 2,New Zealand Story,
    • Dan Dare 3,Operation Thurderbolt,Simpsons and probably others titles).
  • Amstrad CPC / ZX Spectrum EDSK & DSK  : Fix deleted data mark support.
  • v3.4.16.2a regression fix : Fix file selector issue on fast Amiga machines (>= A1200).

This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here. (instruction manual here)

The HxC Floppy Emulator Firmware Customization page: https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.8.1.2a (880)

source: hxc2001.com

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

AVGCART (Atari SD multicart) v0021 Firmware Update

September 18th, 2021 No comments

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

Changelog (v0021):

  • XEX loader now doesn’t occupy $0800 page
  • ATR/ATX emulation fixes (Bruce Lee, Ultima, Flight Sim II)
  • Allow IDE emulation together with ATR emulation (SIO)
  • Show COM/EXE files in browser
  • Increased limit of virtual drives to 8 (SIO)
  • Autorun key changed from ‘A’ to ‘N’ due to issues with PS/2 adapters
  • Added saving facility (used by FloB)
  • Stacking SpartaDOSX with another CAR (CTRL-SHIFT-RETURN)

Download:

source: atariage.com

Lightbrighting VIC-20 / A1200 Keyboard / A1200 TOP Case

September 18th, 2021 2 comments
Lightbrighting Commodore VIC-20

I have not discovered absolutely anything new, it is all explained in these video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P1OVj0IcqY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBynrpdLdk

I’m absolutely against retrobright but i wanted to try with a yellowed Commodore VIC-20 / Amiga 1200 Keyboard and Amiga 1200 TOP Case.

Many people told me to try, but disagreeing with this technique, i never did, but later my friend Federico di Dato of Retrobitlab has tried it and actually seemed to work, i state that i did not believe it right away, the first thing i thought; it seemed like a cosmic bullshit.

Ok, i have to change my mind, it works!, below are the various phases and times of exposure to the sun (a beautiful sunny day!)

VIC-20 (front):

  • Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 6 hours, +7 hours, 7 hours, so a total of 3 days = 20 hours.

VIC-20 (back):

  • Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 2 and a half hours, 7 and a half hours so a total of 2 days = 10 hours.

Amiga 1200 Keyboard:

  • Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 7 and a half hours x 3 days = 22 and a half hours.

Amiga 1200 TOP Case:

  • Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 7 and a half hours x 3 days = 22 and a half hours.

I have not used any chemical product, there is nothing more to say.

Lightbrighting technique:

U64 (Elite)/U2/U2+ v3.10a (Core: v1.41) Firmware Update

September 11th, 2021 No comments

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 (U64/U64E) / U2 / U2+ by Gideon is released.

This release has again some significant changes and improvements over 1.37 / 3.9. The following bullet list gives an overview of the features and fixes. Below the items, a short explanation is added.

This release has again some significant changes and improvements over 1.37 / 3.9. Please read the manual before installing 3.10a.

Fixes:

  • [Issue-246] Fixed: Virtual Printer crashes when file cannot be created.
  • [Issue-234] Deleting last item in directory makes selection invisible
  • [Issue-236] Confirmation modal asking a question only gives ‘OK’ instead of ‘Yes/No’.
  • [Issue-R17] Added mapping of ESC key to RUN/STOP.
  • [Facebook Request] Added: Leave menu on mount (can be selected per drive)
  • [Facebook Bug Report]: Allow Maverick (and others?) to write wrong sector headers on MFM tracks.
  • [Facebook Bug Report]: Unable to select GeoRAM. Is now a mode of the RAM Expansion Unit.
  • [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed color palette not loaded at boot (U64 only).
  • [Facebook Bug Report]: Fixed USB sticks not recognized
  • [Messenger Report]: Improvements to palette file read. Rejects faulty files. Fixes hang-up
  • [Messenger Report]: Fixes ‘Create DNP’ when run from Telnet. Turned out to be a stack overflow.
  • [Email Discussion]: Adds EEPROM segment to GMOD2 when it is missing in the CRT file

U2:

  • Fixes that U2 updater killed the flash before asking to update, leaving a semi-bricked device.
  • Fixes drive sounds.

Modem:

  • ACIA NMI pulse extension to extend over bad line. This allows the 6502 to see it always.
  • Performance optimization ACIA / Modem
  • Allow spaces after ATDT command.

Cartridge Support:

  • Additional C128 cartridge variant that allows banking and offers some RAM (U2/U2+ only).

Download:

source: ultimate64.com github.com

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today