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 v3.1.60.5a -> v3.3.1.2a cumulative changelog:

• Fix multi-screens support (OSD + 7 segments screens)
• New Major feature !!! : On screen display support (OSD overlay)
• The HxC firmware for Gotek now support the On Screen Display !
• You can now select images and see the drive status on the machine’s screen without any additional software or LCD/OLED !
• No need to make holes in the machine case anymore ;).
• Picture: https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCGotek_OSDAmiga1.jpg
• You only need 2 wires and a resistor to connect the Gotek to the machine’s video signals :
• One wire is used for the CSYNC video signal (Composite Sync), the other wire for the red, green (prefered) or blue signal.
• One resistor must be put in serie on the color signal between the Gotek and the machine.
• You can use a value between 220 and 470 ohms for this resistor. A potentiometer can be also used to tune the OSD brightness/contrast.
• This was currently tested on Amiga 500, Atari STE and Amstrad CPC 6128 machines, but should work with any machines having a composite sync signal.
• HxC Firmware for Gotek OSD wiring:
• Gotek wiring:
  • OSD Video out : Gotek U8 Pin 5 (PB15)
  • OSD Video CSYNC in : Gotek “JTCK-SWCLK” pin (PA14)
  • Picture: https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCGotek_OSD_Mod.jpg
• Amiga 500:
  • OSD Video out : Gotek U8 Pin 5 (PB15) -> 220 / 470 ohms resistor (or a 1k ohms potentiometer) -> Amiga 500 Ferrite bead E432 (see picture).
  • OSD Video CSYNC in :  Amiga 500 U41 Pin 8 -> Gotek “JTCK-SWCLK” pin (PA14) (near the serial tx programming pin, please see HxCGotek_OSD_Mod.jpg picture).
  • Picture: https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCGotek_Amiga500_OSD_Mod.jpg
• Amstrad CPC6128:
  • OSD Video out : Gotek U8 Pin 5 (PB15) -> 220 / 470 ohms resistor (or a 1k ohms potentiometer) -> CPC6128 R128 (see picture).
  • OSD Video CSYNC in :  CPC6128 IC116 Pin 5 -> Gotek “JTCK-SWCLK” pin (PA14) (near the serial tx programming pin, please see HxCGotek_OSD_Mod.jpg picture).
  • Picture: https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCGotek_AmstradCPC6128_OSD_Mod.jpg
• Atari STE:
  • OSD Video out : Gotek U8 Pin 5 (PB15) -> 220 / 470 ohms resistor (or a 1k ohms potentiometer) -> Atari STE R420 (see picture).
  • OSD Video CSYNC in :  Atari STE R475 -> Gotek “JTCK-SWCLK” pin (PA14) (near the serial tx programming pin, please see HxCGotek_OSD_Mod.jpg picture).
  • Picture: https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCGotek_AtariSTE_OSD_Mod.jpg
• Power supply voltage measurement:
  • You can now see/read the power supply voltage incoming to the floppy emulator.
  • This feature is quite useful to check the machine power supply state/working condition.
  • If you want to use this feature you must add this voltage divider to measure
  • the power supply on the JC jumper input :
  • VSS/GND|—| 1Ko Resistor |–(JC pin)–| 4.7Ko Resistor |—< 5V Power Supply input.
  • ( See https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/HxCGotek_voltage_system_monitor.jpg )
  • Notes:
  • Use +/-1% Resistors if possible.
  • This voltage divider support up to 18V.
  • Use the embedded menu to access the system monitor :
  • Press both buttons to enter the menu. Choose “System Monitor” or “E  ” if you have the original 7 segments display.
  • “Temperature” menu renamed “System Monitor”.
• On-die STM32 temperature sensor support : You can get the current CPU core temperature from the embedded menu :
• press both buttons to enter the menu. Choose “temperature” or “E  ” if you have the original 7 segments display.
• Blackberry trackball : Sensitivity reduced/better usability.
• External/Additional select button support :  Behavioral fix -> remove glitch-like effect when selecting images.
• Fix the short and long read emulation pipeline buffer size options (custom fw web page).
• HFEv3 : Weakbits support added.
• Fix the files extensions display option : you can now also hide the file name extensions in selector/indexed mode.
• New major feature ! : Auto mount USB stick folder to a FAT/DOS compatible virtual floppy !
• This feature allows you to directly put your files in a stick’s folder and mount this folder as a FAT/DOS floppy disk !
• You can use it with any machine compatible with the FAT file system (PC, Atari ST, lots of keyboards/samplers and CNC machines…).
• To use this feature, copy an empty/preformatted DOS IMG image to the stick path “/mount/emptyfat.img”
• This image can be a 720KB or 1.44MB blank DOS image or any other FAT compatible blank image.
• You can use the HxC Floppy Emulator software Disk Browser to create it or take the ones present in the firmware archive.
• Once you select a “mount source” folder on the emulator, the emptyfat.img file is duplicated to a “MOUNTED.IMG” file.
• Then all files/subfolders present into the selected folder are added into this duplicated image.
• (Note : the emptyfat.img remains untouched).
• Your “mount sources” / root folders should have the extension “.mnt” to be mounted by the emulator :
• example : “myvirtualdisk.mnt”
• This new feature can be used with the “normal”/direct browsing (oled/lcd screen usage) and indexed modes.
• For the indexed mode just put the DSKAXXXX prefix in the mount point folder name.
• example : “DSKA0000_MyMidiFiles.mnt”
• Please note that the image duplication and files copy operations can take some seconds.
• I will try to optimize/speedup the mount operations in the next releases.
• Let me know if you have any problems or any suggestions/questions/comments on the HxC forum or by email.
• FAT 12/16/32 layer write support enhanced to create entries (files & folders) and allocate clusters.

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 v3.3.1.2a (883)

source: hxc2001.com

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 by Gideon is released.

Differences with previous release V1.20:

• Based on the Ultimate-II+ firmware Version 3.5a.

Bug fixes:

• Fixed UltiSid reset; should zero all registers to silence it.
• Fixed debug register for regression testing.
• Fixed directories that match file type extensions.

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 v1.21 (549)

source: ultimate64.com

ARM2SID SIDs (until 3) & SFX Sound Expander (OPL FM synthesis) emulator.

Nobomi still amazes us with the ARM2SID a new TWO or THREE SIDs and SFX Sound Expander (OPL FM synthesis) “emulator”.

The socket size of the ARMSID is DIP28 and is absolutely the same of the original chip and therefore fits perfectly in all situations.

The audio quality is really good for both; SFX Sound Expander (OPL FM) and the SID emulation.

It also possible add a second socket as the second SID if you have Stereo/U64/Reloaded adapter or connect wires directly to your Commodore computer.

• A next logical step after succesful ARMSID. ARM2SID is based on the same blocks as ARMSID but one step more advanced blocks.
• Thanks to them, it added the possibility of emulating up to two additional chips and / or FM synthesis with OPL2.
• Like ARMSID, ARM2SID is a replacement for the MOS6581 and MOS8580 circuits used in Commodore C64/C128. It comes again in a minimalist form, but it can do a lot more.
• It can replace up to 3 chips at the same time, it can also emulate SFX sound expander as well as the newer FM-YAM clone.
• SIDs emulation itself is the same as with ARMSID, so emulation features can be read on its page.
• Up to 12 channels music (two or three SIDs or FM or one SID and FM)!
• Works with all C64 and C128 boards (please read manual)
• Stereo in any combination of SID 6581 or 8580 models.
• Automatic fall-back to dual mono if second SID is not used.
• Configuration and upgrades by software utility in C64/C128.

More information can be found on the Nobomi website or RETROCOMP.cz

Gallery:

Video:

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 by Gideon is released.

Differences with previous official release V1.18:

• Based on the Ultimate-II+ firmware Version 3.5

Added features:

• Real time streaming VIC video data over Ethernet
• Real time streaming audio data over Ethernet
• Read more about the streams here: Data Streams documentation
• Added commands on TCP port to enable/disable these streams
• Added commands to enable/disable emulated drives, over UCI
• Added possibility to write to D64 images from the menu (e.g. copy PRG files into it).
• Added DE00 and DF00 ranges as possible options for SID socket decodes
• Printer emulation now supports color!

Improvements to VIC:

• Sprite collision timing solved
• Sprite to background collision problem solved
• Sprite expansion timing corrected, also in combination with multicolor
• Sprite retriggering fixed
• Border color change timing one adjusted by one pixel
• Various improvements to pass emufuxx0r tests. (incl. 50-pixel wide sprites)
• Fixed loading sprite data when VIC is read AEC=1
• Sprite timing fixed for NTSC

Improvements to CPU:

• ANE (B) made to work.
• Implemented SHA, SHS, SHX, SHY and LAX #imm
• CPU PIO register floating inputs fixed.

SID improvements:

• Improvements to ADSR envelope generator (fixes missing notes in e.g. Hawkeye 2018)
• More realistic values for SID filter resonance
• Added volume control for the SID digis
• LowPass boost in sid mixer.
• Improved anti-aliasing on resample filter in PAL mode
• Improvements on SID player
• Built-in SID player now supports MUS files as well (including stereo tunes)
• Music files can be found here: http://www.c64music.co.uk/
• Added support for toggling screen on/off in Sidplayer with S key.
• Added support for song length in SID header.
• Fixed correct SID model selection for SIDFX boards
• Various other bug fixes

Other machine fixes:

• U64 speaker volume fix.

Other bug fixes:

• Another bug in the network stack that caused stack corruption and random crash
• Copying a file from a container now restores extension
• Fixed issue of copying file from .t64 files
• Added ‘Enter’ option for .t64 files
• User Interface improvements / fixes
• Fixed telnet connection – removing header upon connect (fixes random copy actions)
• Changed default hostname to match target

Thanks to:

• David Horrocks for very useful input about VIC sprite handling and custom test programs
• Rene Garcia for this addition of color to the printer emulation
• Wilfred Bos for his improvements to the SID (and now MUS) player
• Scott Hutter for added UCI commands
• Martijn Wieland for his U64_Streamer PC application
• Chris Verheijen for his critical ear on UltiSID.

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 v1.20 (579)

source: ultimate64.com

Bitt-Boy/LDK Game/8BCrat RestroStone my Open Source Retro Gaming Handhelds.

I’m always been fascinated by these small retro gaming handhelds consoles especially for the low cost except for the RetroStone which has a higher price.

These small consoles emulate quite well most games of consoles and computers and are supported by an active community of enthusiasts.

I don’t think it’s necessary to do the hundredth review of these portable consoles, i leave you with the technical specifications of each consoles and some useful links.

LDK Game Retro Gaming Handheld Technical Details:

Processor: JZ4760 Dual-Core 64Bit 528Mhz
Software Functions: Retro Gaming Emulation, Audio/Video Playback, Audio Recorder, E-Book
Pre-Installed Emulators: CPS1, CPS2, Neo-Geo, Megadrive / Genesis, Sega Master System, GameGear and so on.
Display: 2.6″ Inch Color Display (IPS) Adjustable screen brightness
Video Playback: Supports the following formats: RM, RMVB, AVI, MKV, WMV, VOB, MOV, FLV, ASF, DAT, MP4, 3GP, MPG, MPEG
RAM: 128MB DDR2
Storage: 16GB Fast-Accessing Storage
Storage Expansion: Micro SD Card Slot (For up-to 32GB)
Speakers: High Quality – Built IN
Audio Playback: Supports the following formats: APE, MP3, WMA, DRM WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AAC (Including: AAC-LC/AAC HE/AAC+V1/V2)
Audio Recording: Supports Audio Recording in .WAV (High Quality)
I/O: RCA Component for TV Output, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Micro USB Port, Micro SD Card/TF Card Slot
Languages: English
Battery: Li-Ion BL-5B 1020mAh Built-in
Product Dimensions: 7.60 x 8.80 x 1.70 cm / 2.99 x 3.46 x 0.67 inches
Product Weight: 120gr / 0.26lb
Package Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 5.5 cm / 4.70 x 4.70 x 2.16 inches
Package Weight: 220gr / 0.48lb

Link:

• CPU Datasheet
• Custom Firmware

Bitt-Boy (v3/v3.5) OpenDingux Retro Gaming Handheld Technical Details:

Processor: ALLWINNER F1C500S 408Mhz~900MHz
Software Functions: Retro Gaming Emulation, Audio/Video Playback, Audio Recorder, E-Book
Pre-Installed Emulators: CPS1, CPS2, Neo-Geo, Megadrive / Genesis, Sega Master System, GameGear and so on.
Display: 2.5″ Inch Color Display (IPS) Adjustable screen brightness with a tempered glass protector for the screen will effectively reduce the problem of screen scratching.
Video Playback: Supports the following formats: RM, RMVB, AVI, MKV, WMV, VOB, MOV, FLV, ASF, DAT, MP4, 3GP, MPG, MPEG
RAM: 32MB DDR2
Material: ABS
Memory card type: Micro SD
Storage: 8GB
Speakers: High Quality – Built IN
Audio Playback: Supports the following formats: APE, MP3, WMA, DRM WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AAC (Including: AAC-LC/AAC HE/AAC+V1/V2)
Audio Recording: Supports Audio Recording in .WAV (High Quality)
I/O: RCA Component for TV Output, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Micro USB Port, Micro SD Card/TF Card Slot
Extra: Support vibration on games.
Fix: ghostkey problem fixed.
Battery: 700mAh lithium battery
Languages: English
Battery lasts 3–4 hours
Dimensions: 2.6 x 3.8 x 0.5 in (6.8 x 9.9 x 1.3 cm)

Link:

• CPU Datasheet 
• Custom Firmware
• Custom Firmware Installation
• Official Homepage

8BCrat RestroStone:

Processor: ALLWINNER H3 Quad-Core 64Bit @ 1.2Ghz
RAM: 1GB DDR3
Power: DC 5V @ 3A, 3000mAh 3.7V Li-Ion battery, energysquare
LCD: WidthxHeight (3.5″ X:Y)
Video Output: HDMI (Type A/B/C – full/mini/micro), VGA
Audio Output: 3.5mm headphone plug, HDMI, SPDIF, internal stereo speakers, internal speaker
Network    100Mbps Ethernet (Manufacturer device)
Memory card type: Micro SD
USB: 4x USB2.0 Host
Dimensions: 130 x 90 x 25mm

Link:

• CPU Datasheet
• Official Homepage
• Software

Gallery:

This is the official demo party results from Flashback 2019. See also the CSDB Flashback 2019 section for more informations and download.

C64 Graphics:

• 1 – Medusa by Buzz_clik
• 2 – Djmeqanique by Ray Manta    
• 3 – Flasheep by Logiker
• 3 – Antiriad PETSCII Loading Screen by Worrior1    
• 3 – Mountains of Madness by Polyducks    
• 6 – LLP Street by Cheapshot
• 7 – Merman by Iconic    
• 8 – Matilda Anthem by Corel    
• 9 – The Last Metroid is in Captivity by Mibri

WiLD Demo:

• 6 – Vandalism News #69 by Offence, Onslaught, Vandalism News Staff
• 7 – Modular Sounds 12 by Artstate
• 8 – Vandalism News #69 Disk Covers by Onslaught

Mixed Graphics:

• 1 – Cyberwolf by Delysid
• 2 – Give Hate a Chance by Genesis Project
• 3 – Invasion by Atlantis, Onslaught, Protovision
• 5 – Octopussy by Level 64
• 7 – Tiels 4 Realz by Caoimhe
• 9 – Dinner Time by Hokuto Force
• 10 – Reel Time by Disaster Area

Mixed Music:

• 2 – Tekarp by Adam
• 3 – Toxic by Delysid
• 4 – The Hero by Onslaught
• 5 – Half-half by Artline Designs
• 5 – Flashback by Magnar Harestad
• 7 – Tetraider III by Ald
• 8 – Zeus Theme by SIDWAVE
• 9 – Stress Overload by The New Dimension    
• 10 – Simple Tune by Mayday!
• 10 – Acid Flashback by Arise
• 12 – Nun with Nunchaku by SIDRIP Alliance, Singular
• 13 – Red and Blue by Protovision
• 14 – Rising Tides by Nah-Kolor

Mixed Demo:

• 2 – Threshold by Jason Page
• 3 – Robovalken by DataDoor
• 5 – VDC101 by Strobe, Onslaught
• 6 – Ghost in the Sydney by Samar Productions
• 7 – H.E.R.O. Animated PETSCII Loading Screen by Hokuto Force
• 8 – Craptro (a work in progress) by Darkzone
• 9 – Topryk Thunder by Mayday!

Download: Flashback 2019 Party stuff (727)

source: csdb.dk

A new firmware update for the ARM2SiD has been released by Nobomi.

News features and fixes in FW 3.6:

• Compared to version 3.5, a quick response in stereo mode was added (when using a second socket), the dual-mono mode is activated without timeout when both socket is addressed in the same time.
• Also upper addresses mapping is fixed in the update (sometimes misaligned address detection in the update application).
• The “blind” FW 3.6 update updated without reading the registers during the update (especially useful if you have a problem with ARMSID detection)

Download:

• ARM2SiD v3.6 (625)

If you have wired A5/A8 address lines, you can try 3SID files modified for D400h, D420h, and D500h addresses.

• 3SID files modified for D400h, D420h, and D500h (614)

source: dzi.n.cz/8bit/arm2sid

Robotron 2084 (TI-99/4a) – Cartridge by Fabrizio Corpetti [FACELE.EU]

I thank Fabrizio Corpetti [FACELE.EU] for giving me the assembled version of the PCB of Robotron 2084 cartridge for TI-99/4a through Ciro Barile [TI99IUC.IT].

As Ciro writes, this cartridge has never been released by AtariSoft, the only thing can you found on the net is the ROM DUMP.

Gallery:

Atari 800XL Hardware Enhancements.

I have decided to upgrade my Atari 800XL with some hardware interfaces available on the Lotharek website.

Current situation of my Atari 800XL:

• Ultimate 1MB from Sebastian Bartkowicz (Candle) with the latest FJC Bios.
• VBXE + DIN Connector for RGB/Audio Output (RF Modulator Removed)
• Simple Stereo + U-Switch + Jack 3.5 Stereo for auxiliary Audio Output.
• SIDE 2 / AVG Cartridge

New interfaces installed:

• P-Covox + 3.5 Stereo Jack for Audio Output.
• SRAM 64Kb.

After installing the SRAM 64Kb module i have removed also this series of IC which are no longer used from the Atari 800XL.

• 8 X RAM NEC 4164C
• 2 x SN74LS158N
• 1 x DM74LS51N
• 1 x SN74LS375N
• 1 x Delay Line EP8212 (C060472-D)

Gallery:

Atari 800XL with a missing delay line EP8212 (CO60472) Repair.

Thanks to the SRAM 64Kb Module by Lotharek, i have been able to resurrect a Atari 800XL which lacked the EP8212 delay line (CO60472) which is no longer available as spare parts.

More information of the SRAM 64Kb Module visit the lotharek site.

Gallery:

Hoxs64 written by David Horrocks is a Commodore 64 emulator for Microsoft Windows 2K/XP/Vista/Seven (DirectX 9+)

The emulator substantially reproduces this legacy machine in minute detail.

Changelog (v1.0.21.1):

• The debugger now displays and parses all numbers using the current selected radix (hex or dec) while permitting the use of “$” and “.” as radix overrides.
• Fixed broken loading of a cartridge with in a save state file.
• Bug fix for randomly distributing keyboard and joystick input into the video frame.
• Changed ANE to use 0xEF as the magic constant as recommended by Groepaz.

Download:

• Hoxs64 32/64 bit v1.0.21.1 (665)

source: hoxs64.net

The TONEL PC is basically a ZX-81 clone. Made in Hong-Kong (by Lambda Electronics LTD? DEF?), it was designed as a cheap computer for initiation and was licenced to many companies throughout the world. This explains why the same computer can be found under many different brands and names (DEF 3000, Power 3000, Basic 2000, Basic 3000, PC 2000, PC 8300, Marathon 32K, IQ 8300, Futura 8300, Your Computer, etc.). But on all mainboards is written a generic “PC 8300″, which explains why 8300 or 3000 are often used in licenced names.

The system is thus a cloned ZX-81 with a modified ROM (to avoid legal problems), a better keyboard, more RAM (2 KB), sound features, a composite video output and even a joystick connector (Atari compatible). These represent in fact all the upgrades ZX-81 users usually wanted to add first to their system, but all bundled for a cheaper price.

With its modified ROM, the Tonel PC was only ZX-81 compatible with Basic programs. But soon, a ZX-81 ROM was available to turn your system into a real Sinclair ZX-81 machine, being able to run all software including machine code.

Different addons were available : 16 KB and 32 KB RAM upgrades, color (and high resolution graphics ?) expansion, joysticks, printers… The expansion bus is supposed to be compatible with the ZX-81 one (to be confirmed).

Gallery:

Tonel PC (Lambda 8300) Loading Game (GIF)

Download:

• Some Tools/Emu/Games for Tonel PC (Lambda 8300) (665)
• Different ROMs for Lambda 8300 (Tonel PC) (723)

source: old-computers.com

Retro Things that was given to me before thrown away.

I thank Robert for the donation.

List of the Retro Things:

• Commodore Amiga 500 (PSU/Manual/Floppy Disk/Mouse/Joystick Slik Stik)
• Commodore A501 REV 6C (Espansion Memory)
• Sinclair ZX Spectrum 16k (PSU/Cables/Manuals/Tape/Joystick)
• ZX Spectrum Joystick Interface.
• Sony Playstation DualShock (Boxed)
• Sony Playstation 2.
• Keyboard IBM 8525.
• Esternal Floppy Drive 5″1/4 IBM.

Gallery:

Commodore A501 (REV 6C) Expansion Memory Unit Kissed by luck.

Why “lucky”? because the battery used in this Expansion Ram Unit (A501) was not VARTA but GP, these batteries resist slightly to aging and release less acid.

Gallery:

Atari 2600 (4-switch units) Repair.

Defect:

• Black Screen.

Replaced parts:

• 1 x CPU 6507 (A200)

Gallery of the repair: