EasyFlash 3 CPLD Firmware v1.0.0

June 11th, 2012 No comments

It was released a new firmware for the EasyFlash Cartridge 3 by Skoe. The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Changelog:

Version 1.0.0 – 06.06.2012

  • USB and I/O2 RAM are also active in KERNAL mode
  • Allows USB-related features in a special KERNAL currently being developed.
  • KERNAL implementation uses a cleaner timing now.
  • CPLD Version register added ($de08). It will be displayed in the next menu version, not release yet.
  • Improved C128 support.
  • 2 MHz mode works in EasyFlash mode (needed for PoP)
  • Added a way to leave to C64 mode or to C128 mode.
  • Will need a menu update, not release yet.
  • Still NO external KERNAL on C128! Many optimizations to get all this crap into the CPLD.

Some of the features will need a software update which is not release yet. Do not try to start an external KERNAL on the C128, it will crash.

Download: EasyFlash 3 CPLD Firmware v1.0.0 (1421)

source: forum64.de

C64 Utility: EasyCLI v0.05

June 8th, 2012 No comments

EasyCLI is a command shell for the Commodore 64 computer. EasyCLI is packaged as an EasyFlash cartridge. This gives EasyCLI the ability to boot the computer and bring the user straight to the shell without having to load and run a program from disk.

EasyCLI comes packaged with several built in commandlets, each of which is it’s own 8K program that is stored in the EasyFlash cartridge and loaded on demand.

The following features are planned for version 1.0 through implementation as commandlets:

  • HELP – in program help system.
  • CD – change directory.
  • DIR – display directory.
  • MKDIR – make directory.
  • RMDIR – remove directory.
  • DEL – delete file.
  • REN – rename file or directory.
  • COPY – copy files.
  • MOVE – move files.
  • SHOW – display text file.
  • MKIMG – make disk image.
  • WRIMG – write disk image.
  • COPYDISK – copy entire disk.
  • CONFIG planned – modify default configuration.

Download: EasyCLI v0.05 (970)

source: easycli.codeplex.com

Matra 3600 (Atari 2600 Jr Clone)

June 8th, 2012 1 comment
Matra 3600 (Atari 2600 Clone)

Autopsy:

Matra 3600 Console is a Atari 2600 Jr Clone distributed in Italy by GRA.DI. S.r.l. Milan.

from Wikipedia:

The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in.

The first game console to use this format was the Fairchild Channel F; however, the Atari 2600 receives credit for making the plug-in concept popular among the game-playing public.

source: wikipedia

Ym2149 Tracker 12.023 Beta

June 8th, 2012 2 comments

Peter Jørgensen has released a new Beta version of his YM-2149 Tracker for M$ Windows. The sound chip YM-2149 is used in Atari ST/E/Falcon series.

New Function in Beta 12.021:

  • Auto portamento.
  • Buzzer Vibrato.
  • Buzzer portamento.
  • Unified frequent list.
  • Turn Tone/Wave on-off in vibrato, bend and arpeggio.
  • Vibrato Depth.
  • Invert Vibrato for synth wave.

Beta 120.23 – note from the author:

i found 3 bugs in the tone-bend routine. and i have also change 2 of the functions in the program.

Before note-lock was affecting both S1 and S2 now you can set it to s1,s2 or both. I have also change bend-mode ramp-off to only turn off the source that is being bent. So if you bend only S1 then it is only S1 that is turn off after the bend is finish

Download: Ym2149 Tracker 12.023 Beta (1048)

source: bitmania.de

Bidding ended to US $75.600,00 for a Original Apple 1 Motherboard

June 7th, 2012 No comments

source: ebay.com

Categories: Event(s), News & Rumors, Today

Thomson TO7/70 Boxed

June 5th, 2012 No comments
Thomson TO7/70 Boxed

Autopsy:

from Wikipedia:

The Thomson TO7 is a home computer introduced by Thomson SA in November 1982.

The TO7 is built around a 1 MHz Motorola 6809 processor. ROM cartridges, designed as MEMO7, can be introduced through a memory bay. The user interface uses Microsoft BASIC, included in the kit cartridge. The keyboard features a plastic membrane, and further user input is obtained through an optical pen. Cooling is provided by a rear radiator. Standard TV screens can be used as output through a Peritel connector.

An upgraded version, the Thomson TO7-70, was later released. Among improvements was an increased RAM of 64KB instead of 8KB.

source: wikipedia

C64 Game: Soulless +3D / EasyFlash Compilation #4 / Robin …

June 5th, 2012 2 comments

Some new games (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups: OnslaughtLifeless Incorporated and Nostalgia.

Download:

source: csdb.dk

AspeQt v0.8.3 (Atari serial peripheral emulator for Qt)

June 3rd, 2012 No comments

AspeQt is a cross-platform, free and open source Atari 8-bit serial peripheral emulator. The name is an acronym for Atari serial peripheral emulator for Qt, Qt being the cross-platform application development framework used by AspeQt.

AspeQt emulates various Atari 8-bit peripherals like disk drives and printers via an SIO-2-PC cable. If you are familiar with software like Sio2Pc, APE, Atari810, AtariSIO etc., you probably won’t have any problems getting used to AspeQt.

Even though AspeQt is not fully mature yet, it is easy to use and, despite its shortcomings, has many features that you may find useful, the highlights being:

  • Cross-platform GUI with drag and drop support.
  • 8 emulated disk drives with support for 512 bytes per sector disk images.
  • High speed operation up to 6 times faster than the normal speed.
  • Ability to use PC folders as emulated disks.
  • Disk image explorer for viewing and modifying disk image contents.
  • Ability to run Atari executables without messing with disk images and DOSes.
  • Printer emulation.
  • Cassette image playback.

Download:

source: aspeqt.sourceforge.net

Javatari v1.08 (Atari 2600 emulator)

June 2nd, 2012 1 comment

Javatari is a multiplayer Atari 2600 emulator written in pure Java with no external libs.

Features:

  • Unique Client-Server multiplayer mode. Runs great in low-latency networks such as LANs.
  • Cheat and turn off Collisions. Finally discover the ending of River Raid!
  • Complete Save State/Load State functions.
  • Scanlines and TV screen emulation modes.
  • Real Atari console user interface.

Download: Javatari JAR (Needs Java 6) (908)

source: javatari.org

C64 Game: Rocket Man +2 +Pic / Robot +3D / Pegman +2 …

May 31st, 2012 No comments

HxC Floppy Emulator: Software updated

May 31st, 2012 No comments

The HxC Floppy Drive Emulator is a software and hardware system created by jfdn aka Jeff.

The aim of this project is to replace the floppy disk drive by an electronic device emulating the floppy disk drive (list of supported Computer/Hardware).

There are two differents emulators:

  • A USB version which allows to connect the floppy disk drive interface of the computer to a PC via a USB cable.
  • A SDCARD version which allows to emulate floppy disks which images are stored in a SDCARD.

Release notes for the HxCFloppyEmulator software v1.6.11.16:

  • Akai S950 DD & Akai S950 HD interface mode support added (need firmware v1.6.4.4 or more)
  • … full release notes here

Download: HxCFloppyEmulator software v1.6.11.16 (997)

source: hxc2001.free.fr

CBM FileBrowser v1.3 by NBLA000

May 31st, 2012 No comments

This program works as a program launcher for Commodore machines. Even if it was originally intended for a device with sd2iec firmware, it works also with any CBM drive (without sd2iec functions of course).

It is a multi-system version derived from the discontinued sd2brwse v.0.6 by Hannu Nuotio (fork() of sdbrowse v.0.7)

The Vic-20 Mega-Cart Installer is based on sys.asm sources of mega-tools by Daniel Kahlin, sort routine by Michael Kircher.

Current supported machines:

  • C64.
  • C64DTV.
  • Vic-20 unexpanded.
  • Vic-20 +3K RAM.
  • Vic-20 +8K RAM or plus (for FE3 use this version)
  • Vic-20 with Mega-Cart.
  • C16 / C116 / Plus4.
  • C128 in 64 mode.

Changelog:

  • v.0.1 – 01-Sep-2009 (Start of project, C64/C64DTV only)
  • v.0.2 – 21-Oct-2009 (First working version for Vic-20 +8K RAM)
  • v.0.3 – 06-Jan-2010 (Added memory config auto-detection for Vic-20 selected program)
  • v.0.4 – 19-Jan-2010 (Added support for Vic-20 with Mega-Cart and manual start mode)
  • v.0.5 – 10-Feb-2010 (Added support for Vic-20 unexpanded and Vic-20 +3K RAM)
  • v.1.0 – 05-Mar-2010 (First public version, minor issues fixed, C64 and Vic-20 supported)
  • v.1.1 – 22-Jun-2010 (Added support for D41 and DNP file images, sd2iec firmware v.0.9.0 or higher required)
  • v.1.2 – 09-Oct-2010 (Added SJLOAD speed-up option to the manual mode of the Mega-cart version)
  • v.1.3 – 31-May-2012 (Added support for C16/C116/Plus4, Sort directories, cosmetic changes)

Download: CBM FileBrowser v1.3 by NBLA000 (1302)

source: vic20.it/cbmfilebrowser

Unboxing Altera USB Blaster (JTAG)

May 29th, 2012 No comments
Altera USB Blaster (JTAG)

Autopsy:

The Altera USB-Blaster adapter interfaces a USB port on a host computer to an Altera FPGA mounted on a printed circuit board. The cable sends configuration data from the PC to a standard 10-pin header connected to the FPGA.

You can use the USB-Blaster adapter to iteratively download configuration data to a system during prototyping or to program data into the system during production.

Download:

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Sidreloc v1.0 by Kryo/LFT

May 29th, 2012 No comments

Sidreloc is a tool for relocating SID tunes any number of whole pages, using a novel but remarkably simple algorithm. It can also relocate all zero-page variables used by the tune.

Sidreloc is capable of relocating 91% of HVSC #56 out of the box. Many of the remaining tunes can be relocated by tweaking the settings to fit them.

While the tool is SID specific, the fundamental algorithm could easily be adapted to relocate all sorts of 6510/6502 machine code that meets a couple of requirements (see “Observations” below).

Sidreloc is primarily a linux program, but it’s open source (MIT license) and you are encouraged to port it to different operating systems. Good patches will be merged into the official version.

Download:

source: linusakesson.net

CCS64 v3.9

May 29th, 2012 No comments

CCS64 is a Commodore 64 Emulator for PC developed by Per Håkan Sundell.

CCS64 is shareware. This means that the program is free to use and to copy, but if you like it and use it regularly I would appreciate that you would register the program.

Download: CCS64 v3.9 (957)

source: www.ccs64.com