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….
Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.1.0a:
More direct raw formats support :
- Akai formats (*.IMG)
- Casio FZ1 (*.FZ1)
- Emax machines formats (*.IMG)
- Ensoniq EPS & Mirage series formats (*.IMG)
- General Music formats (*.IMG)
- Korg formats (*.IMG)
- X68000 (*.HDM,*.XDF)
This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here.
Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.1.1.0a (835)
source: hxc2001.com
Very nice adapter designed by Rolo that allows you to use the Rolo Multi-Cartridge also on the Acetronic MPU-1000 or any 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System compatible consoles.
Gallery:
source: atariage.com
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….
Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.0.4a:
Major update!
- New direct file formats support (Read & Write !) :
- Acorn machines : *.ADL,*.ADM,*.SSD,*.DSD and *.ADF file support
- Camputer Lynx : *.LDF
- Commodore C64 : *.D81
- Thomson machines : *.FD
- Sam Coupé : *.SAD, *.MGT
- MSX Machines : *.IMG, *.DSK
- Spectrum : *.TRD, *.SDD
- New menu entry : Target system family selection.
- This reduce a lot the risk of erroneous raw file identification.
- Lots of RAW file support improvements :
- All sector sizes supported, advanced track skew and interleaving support.
- FM & MFM support.
- Amstrad CPC DSK support : Fix for the One Disk/double sided Batman demo.
- Fix attempt of the “diymore.cc” OLED screens : OLED init screen delay menu option added.
- (Note : Please avoid these “diymore.cc” screens until i got an idea what is the root cause of the issue.)
- Internal improvement : Track cache layer improved, RAW files support/identification improved.
Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.33.12a:
- Extra LCD size option added :
- 2×40 characters (for 2×40 I2C-HD44780 screens)
- Clear internal settings function : Press “up” button at power up to Clear the settings with the default values.
- SP1200 write support fix.
This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here.
Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.1.0.4a (1191)
source: hxc2001.com
The Atari 820 printer provided Atari 400/800 users with a quick and simple printer. No drivers or special interfaces were needed.
The Atari 820 printer plugged directly onto the Atari SIO bus and allowed users the ability to make 40 column printouts which were good for tracking finances, printing out program listings and other files. The printer made an interesting sound which could only be described as a washing machine.
Gallery:
source: atarimuseum.com
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….
Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.33.4a:
- CPC DSK / RAW DSK : If not a CPC DSK file, open it as a RAW image.
- RAW Image : *.DSK and *.OUT files support added.
- System tick optimization.
- OLED screen support : Characters generator code speed optimization.
- Config-Less Mode :
- More CPC DSK format variant support.(again !)
- More CPC DSK format variant support.
- Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK : Fix some DSK identification issues.
- Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK : Fix file type detection with CPC File selector v2.5
- Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK : Write Support working !
- Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK support : Fix issues with non-standard sector size images (Midline Process…).
- Amstrad CPC DSK direct support added (Old and new format) : Read only for the moment. Write support and simple copy protection support incoming ;).
- New setting menu item : auto selection setting. You can now set the desired timeout for the auto selection function or disable it.
- Normal mode : Fix random “Bad file” and IMG read issue at power up/USB stick change.
- Some optimizations.
- Write pipeline issue fixed.
- Fix : IMG/IMA/DSK and ST files are now visible in normal/direct browsing mode.
- Rotary support added. Connections points : Clock -> J7 pin 2,Direction -> J7 pin 1.
This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here.
Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.0.33.4a (938)
source: hxc2001.com
Soft Carry Cover for Atari 1050 Disk Drive.
Gallery:
The Atari 2600 (or Atari Video Computer System before November 1982) is a home video game console by Atari, Inc. Released on September 11, 1977, it is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and ROM cartridges containing game code, a format first used with the Fairchild Channel F video game console in 1976. This format contrasts with the older model of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware, which could only play the games that were physically built into the unit.
For five years, 1977 until late 1982, the system was officially sold as the Atari VCS, an abbreviation for Video Computer System. Following the release of the Atari 5200 in November 1982, the VCS was renamed to the “Atari 2600″, after the unit’s Atari part number, CX2600. The 2600 was typically bundled with two joystick controllers, a conjoined pair of paddle controllers, and a game cartridge: initially Combat, and later Pac-Man.
Gallery:
source: wikipedia
A paddle is a game controller with a round wheel and one or more fire buttons, where the wheel is typically used to control movement of the player object along one axis of the video screen.
A paddle controller rotates through a fixed arc (usually about 330 degrees); it has a stop at each end.
The Atari CX40 joystick was the first widely used cross-platform game controller. The original CX10 appeared on the Atari 2600 in 1977, and was considered such a great advance over other controllers that it became the primary input device for most games on the platform. The CX10 was replaced after a year by the much simpler and less expensive CX40. The addition of the Atari joystick port to other platforms cemented its popularity, and millions were produced and used on almost every game console and home computer of the era.
The CX40 was so popular during its run that it became as iconic for Atari as its “Fuji” it remains a common staple in video game iconography to this day, and is commonly referred to as the symbol of 1980s video game system design. The CX40 has been called “the pinnacle of home entertainment controllers in its day”, and remains a staple of industrial design discussions.
source: wikipedia
Of all of the Joysticks Atari ever made over the years they were in business, our two least favorite Atari controllers were the 7800 CX24 Slim line Deluxe Joystick (sometimes called the Atari Proline Joystick) and the ill fated Atari Space Age Joystick, which had an internal flex circuit problem from the start and caused it to be dropped by Atari very fast. Now Atari Space Age Joysticks are a very rare Atari collector item.
The main reason why the Atari CX24 dual fire button Joystick was not one of our favorite Atari controllers made, was the left, right fire button PCB’s and Main X / Y PCB would fail very fast. 1st the left and right fire buttons PCBs would fail and second the main X / Y PCB would fail next with any kind of normal use.
You can read more about this joystick here
The Atari Trak-Ball is a pointing/movement device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axis-like an upside-down mouse with an exposed protruding ball. The user rolls the ball with the palm of the hand while using the fingertips to press the two large buttons.
The Atari Track-Ball is mainly used with games like Centipede, Missile Command, Crystal Castle, etc.
Gallery:
The Atari Tape Recorder Model XC11 can save or load programs/data from magnetic media (audio cassette).
The transfer rate is 600bits per second, so you can record about 100,000 bytes of data on a regular 60 minute cassette.
Unlike the new XC12 model in the XC11 we find the SIO pass through connector so this device can be connected anywhere in the SIO chain.
The power is supplied from the I/O Serial cable (SIO).
Gallery:
I did not find much information about this specific Atari Tape Recorder Model 410, probably is one of the first models that have been produced for the Atari 400/800 series and does not have the SIO passtrough to connect other external peripherals.
General informations:
The Program Recorder was well built and study with built in power supply and SIO cable, the 410 didn’t need a bukly external power pak like most other Atari 400/800 components, how the SIO cable being built in and the Program Recorder having no daisy chain port on the unit meant that it had to be placed at the end of the SIO chain.
The original idea of the SIO (Serial I/O) port on the Atari computers was that it was to be used only for the Data cassette drive, however its functionality was extended so that it could use all Atari peripherals including disk drives, printers and modem.
The Atari 410/410a had a unique feature exclusively used by Atari. They could play two seperate tracks on a tape, this proved very useful for interactive programs where a user would run a program and would hear audio music/speech while the other track would load the next part of the program.
Gallery:
source: atarimuseum.com
Atari 600XL Repair & Memory Upgrade
Defect:
- Keyboard unresponsive – Dead.
- Keyboard “A” Key Dead.
Repair:
- Replacing 2 x CD4051 (U22/U23)
- Sprayed R-11 Contact Cleaner inside the push button of the “A” key.
Enhancements:
- Upgraded the RAM memory from 16k to 64k (memory upgrade requires 3 short lengths of wire and two memory chips: HM50464P or equivalent 4464 to provide a full 64K).
Gallery:
Some interesting things to close my personal Atari collection.
Description:
- Atari Program Recorder Model 410 (early model)
- Atari Program Recorder Model XC11.
- Atari 2600 Dark Vader Defender Pack.
- Atari Joystick CX-40-04 Retail Box.
- Atari Paddle Controllers CX 30-04 Retail Box.
- Atari Multi System Deluxe Joystick Controller CX24.
- Atari Centipede (Atari)
- Atari Trak-Ball CX-80.
- Music Construction Set (Electronic Arts)
- Atari 1050 Disk Drive Soft Cover.
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