Micro SwinSID (SwinSID88) is a hardware replacement for legendary SID sound chip which was placed in every Commodore C64 computer.

This hardware extension is designed as a module installed directly into the SID socket. It emulates the sound of the SID chip, but it is a lot more powerful and allows you experience the new dimension of C64 music.

The hardware desing of SID and Micro SwinSID (SwinSID88) modules is different in almost every way. Micro SwinSID (SwinSID88) is equipped with general purpose microprocessor (ATMega88PA or PU) with internal RAM and ROM.

A programmable device like this has a big advantage – there is a possibility to upgrade firmware and to add new features or fixes without any hardware modification.

Download: Micro SwinSID PCB and Schematics v1.1

Download firmware: Firmware (30/04/2010) / Firmware (19/10/2010)

source: forum64.de swinkels homepage

Autopsy:

The Mouse 1351 is a mouse made by Commodore from 1986, which can directly be plugged into the 9-pin controlport of a C64/128/D/DCR. The “Mouse 1351″ was provided with a manual and a test/demo disk.

Autopsy:

The Commodore 6499 is a modem made by Celint for Commodore in Italy. It was able to connect the Commodore 64 with Sip Videotel. Sip Videotel (now Telecom Italia) was unique telephone company in Italy that provided a sort of BBS with teletext.

The modem could transmit at 300/300 baud on BBSs, and 1200/75 baud on Videotel/Minitel.

Free Spirit’s “1541/71 Alignment System” reports the alignment condition of the disk drive as you perform adjustments.

On screen help is available while the program is running. Includes features for speed adjustment and stop adjustment. Complete instruction manual on aligning both the 1541 and 1571 drives. Even includes instructions on how to load alignment program when nothing else will load! Works on the C64, C64C, SX64, C128, C128D in either 64 or 128 mode, 1541, 1571 in either 1541 or 1571 mode! Autoboots to all modes. Second drive fully supported.

I continue to upgrade my Amiga 2000 PAL REV 4.5. I have upgraded the Kick Rom and added my Vector A2000i zorro Card with 4MB of fast memory.

This is the unofficial official demo party results from X-2010 (Top 3 Entries only). See also the CSDB X2010 section for more informations. C64 Demo Competition:

• 1. Another Beginning by Offence, Prosonix
• 2. We Are New by Fairlight
• 3. Mekanix by Booze Design & Instinct

C64 Graphics Competition:

• 1. 25 Years of Yie Ar Kung-Fu by Veto
• 2. Must Ache the Moustache / Duce
• 3. DYN by Bimber

C64 Music Competition:

• 1. Bored Teenagers, Expensive Shoes / Randall
• 2. Evolver by Jeff
• 3. X “Jazz” / Booker

Download X-2010 Party stuff: X-2010 (1132) (13 Mb) *updated*

source: noname.c64.org

from Style64 homepage:

Style’s C64 TrueType package is our effort at a complete and proper TrueType (TTF) representation of the C64 glyph set.

The package provides five (5) TrueType formatted fonts as well as Embedded OpenType (.eot) and Web Open Font Format (.woff) versions ready for use in your own website.

source: style64.org

Commodore Free Magazine Issue #44

Free to download Commodore magazine dedicated to Commodore Computers.

In this issue you can find:

• ACE Commander 128 RC.
• Vandalism News #53 Released.
• Shredz64 Updated, PSX64 Available.
• Pocket 1541.
• Contiki Download Page.
• Aladdin 4D & ARES Partnership.
• A Conversation With Chuck Peddle, Bil Herd, Jeri Ellsworth.
• IceFileSystem 1.13 For MorphOS.
• AmiUpdate 2.
• CommodoreServer.com.
• Maziacs on the Plus/4.
• VIC20 New Game: Pillow Fight.
• UWOL Quest For Money.
• SCACOM Issue 18/19 Released.
• BOH Update13 Released.
• …more

source: commodorefree.com

I have decided to upgrade my Amiga 2000 PAL REV 4.5 for get 1MB of chip ram. I also took advantage of this update to install a new battery for the system clock. Amiga 2000 PAL REV 4.5 Fat Agnus 8372A Installation:

• Install a new Fat Agnus 8372A or 8375 (8375 R1)
• Look for jumper J101 beside the power connector to the motherboard. Change it to the opposite position. (photo)
• Look for trace J500 at the back of the machine near the Cia’s (8520′s). It’s a jumper trace that you will have to cut with a razor blade. (photo)
• Look for trace J102 near the Fat Agnus (8372A). It’s a jumper trace that you will have to cut with a razor blade. (photo)

source: amiga-hardware.com amigahardware.mariomisic.de amiga.org

from C64scene homepage:

Tomi Malinen is currently developing a dual SID board, although there are other solutions available for your C64 this one is interesting because of the ability to use either 6581 or 8580 as SID #2 no matter the board revision.

This means that you can play games with 6581 sound from the first channel and 8580 sound from the second.

Other features of the dual SID board are:

• Small board, only about 40mm x 50mm.
• SID #2 address jumper selectable between D400, D420, D500, DE00, DF00.
• MSSIAH-compatibility at DE00.
• Full game compatibility with double mono setting at D400.

Installation requires soldering, two wires attach to the cartridge port and two have to be soldered to the Kernal IC. When the SID #2 is mapped to D400, D420, D500 the wires to the cartridge port are not used.

Photo of both protypes installed:

source: c64scene.com lemon64.com

Autopsy:

12►

My new desoldering station and a magnifying lamp has arrived!

After some frustrating times removing solder on an almost 30 year old PCB i decided to get a desoldering station.

So after using this for a few hours what one word can I use to describe this station? AWESOME! I don’t know how i lived without this in the past. Using desoldering braid or a soldapullt is OK but not consistent.

Package content of Aoyue 474A+:

• 474 Station.
• Desoldering Gun.
• Filter pads 6pcs.
• Silicone Grease.
• Filter pipe.
• Nozzle cleaning pins.
• Power cord.
• Desoldering gun holder.

source: aoyue.com

This is a new version of the Java SidPlayer (Command line & Gui Interface).

This Java applet should work on Mac OSX, Linux and Windoze.

Download here the latest final version v2.0 (Live Installer).

source: jsidplay2.sourceforge.net

It is finally out! With this editor (PAL/NTSC) you can edit NUFLI (static) image directly with your Commodore 64.

source: noname.c64.org

Some new Games & Utility for Commodore VIC-20.

• Ball to the walls. An action game where you break through barriers and try to master all 34 screens. (16K expansion required)
• MaxiGrafik. BASIC extension for true 208×256 hires graphics. (+24K RAM expansion, or more; disc drive)
• VIN (GUI File browser). A GUI file browser and demos. (24K expansion required), Joystick or Mouse.

source: Denial (The Commodore VIC-20 forum)

This is the last notice for the Ultimate 1541 version 2.

from 1541 Ultimate homepage:

• It is now possible to order accessories for the 1541U-II. This is possible through the “Order Status” page. In case your unit has already been shipped, please create another order of 0 (zero) 1541U-II units, and add the accessories to that order.
• Tape connector boards have been ordered. Expect 150 of them in about 2 weeks. One board clicks under the 1541-II case; the other holds the 2×6 pin tape connector and tape feed-through. The two boards connect to each other using a standard 10-pin flat cable. The part that clicks under the 1541-II case can also be used to power the cartridge for stand-alone mode (requires software update). I am planning to ship the tape connector boards as build-it-yourself kits to keep it cheap. Assembly possible for a small extra fee.
• If you paid after June 1, you will need to wait until the new production batch is finished. You will receive an E-mail about this soon! (Refund possible..)

Read more…