Kung Fu Flash Cartridge Firmware Update v1.40

May 29th, 2022 No comments

A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

  • Improve search text editor and allow joystick input. Thanks mwedmark.
  • Improve disk emulation with support for block read/write and custom vectors. Thanks CommFor.
  • It is now possible to enter a search string using the joystick. Press fire and up to start the editor and edit the text with the following joystick controls:
    • Up/down: Select a character
    • Left/right: Change cursor position
    • Fire and left: Delete
    • Fire and down: Clear search
    • Fire and right: Space
    • Fire and Up: Insert

Download:

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player Firmware update v1.19

May 23rd, 2022 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:

v1.19 – 22/5/2022

Added:

  • Added the horizontal scroll of the sid filenames list.
    • The maximum allowed length of the sid file including extension is 48 characters, the small oled can display a maximum of 20 characters, so this feature is useful with very long file names. The function is activated with the MODE key when you are in browsing files mode, once the 48 characters are reached, the scroll resets and repositions the display of the file from the beginning until the next pressing of the MODE key.

Updated:

  • Added a new parameter to the configuration file (config.ini).
    • Choose the default SID Socket on bootup. This configuration is not mandatory.

Below is an excerpt from the “config.ini” file.

# Choose the default SID Socket on bootup (1:Socket #1 – 2:Socket #2) – default: 1
DEFAULT_SID_SOCKET=1

Fixed:

  • Wrong emulation for the NOP opcode. %-)
    • I noticed this problem with a SID made by Hermit of Samar Productions, SIDRIP Alliance, Singular that uses a SID Player written by him. SID Tune: MSK Cover-XF End (https://csdb.dk/release/?id=214247)  This SID Player uses several illegal opcodes and i immediately thought of an emulation problem of these illegal opcodes, instead it was the NOP opcode that had problems. I point out that i listen at random 7XX favorite songs at least 1 hour a day and i never noticed any problems. :-D  Anyway, Fixed.
  • Max entries per directory.

Kung Fu Flash Cartridge Firmware Update v1.39

A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

  • Fix timing problems on some C64s (since v1.38). Thanks chris

Note:

Disk emulation is now active by default when launching PRGs. If this is not desired or if the PRG requires EF3 USB support then the old load option is still available in the file options menu (shift+return or long press fire).

A lot of changes has been made to optimize the C64/KFF communication. Please let me know if you detect any broken functionality in this release

Download:

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

Kung Fu Flash Cartridge Firmware Update v1.38

A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

  • Improve disk write support.
  • Optimize SD card access.
  • Small performance optimizations.

Note:

Disk emulation is now active by default when launching PRGs. If this is not desired or if the PRG requires EF3 USB support then the old load option is still available in the file options menu (shift+return or long press fire).

A lot of changes has been made to optimize the C64/KFF communication. Please let me know if you detect any broken functionality in this release

Download:

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

The Return of the HybridSID Player rev v2.0 (Bloody Version)

April 23rd, 2022 No comments
The Return of the HybridSID Player JLCPCB rev v2.0

The PCB of our SID Player rev v2.0 is finally here.

Missing only the assembly and testing.

Gallery:

Note:

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.

Revision 2022 Online – C64 Party results

April 18th, 2022 No comments

This is the official demo party results from Revision 2022 Online. See also the CSDB Revision 2022 Online section for more informations.

C64 4K Intro:

  • 6 – BITSY-BIGLY by Onslaught
  • 9 – 4k Love Not War by Excess

C64 Game:

  • 1 – The Great Giana PETSCII Sisters by Vintage Computing Carinthia.

Mixed:

  • 8 – Easter Bunny by Katon (Graphics).
  • 9 – Hotheat by Sulevi (Graphics).
  • 10 – Spacerace by Clownboss (Graphics).
  • 11 – House by Slaxx (Graphics).
  • 12 – The Dance by Copyfault/Electric (Graphics).
  • 14 – Kiev 2033 by Almighty God/q0w (Graphics).
  • 15 – Launch Fever by DanDee (Graphics).

Mixed Graphics:

  • 1 – 40 Years of Love by Atlantis.
  • 4 – Gridrunner by Extend.
  • 7 – PETrowave by Pretzel Logic.
  • 9 – Kill That Spider by Atlantis.
  • 11 – Pull My Strings by Onslaught.
  • 12 – Orca Tribe by Soundcat.
  • 15 – Happy Birthday! by Aki.
  • 20 – Osterhase by Logiker.
  • 21 – Haus (1919-1933) by MXM.

Mixed Music:

  • 1 – Latest Revision by MultiStyle Labs.
  • 3 – Sucisap by Artline Designs.
  • 4 – Lockdown Pop II by Fairlight.
  • 5 – Burn Now Like the Sun [fm-yam] by Atlantis, MultiStyle Labs.
  • 8 – Recycled Bin by Lethargy, Singular.
  • 9 – Mechaboy by PVM.
  • 13 – Quarantine by Finnish Gold.
  • 15 – Prayer for Chiptunes by Defilus.

Mixed Demo:

  • 3 – Salvaged by Proxima.
  • 5 – Anniversary by Finnish Gold.
  • 8 – Anthology 1988-2022 by Babygang.
  • 10 – Joetro by Bonzai, Wrath Designs.
  • 14 – SNG Invitetro by Maze, Tweak.

Productions released outside compos:

  • Canned Goat Cheese by Hokuto Force (Music)
  • Elaine by Pretzel Logic (Music)
  • Step Acide by Artline Designs (Music)
  • Vandalism News #72 by Vandalism News Staff/Offence/Onslaught (Diskmag)

Releases containing information on this event:

  • ReACtion – Revision Satellite Party 2022  Invitation for Revision 2022 Satellite Party by AC

Download: Revision 2022 Online Party stuff (707)

source: 2022.revision-party.net

Nightfall Logo (C64 HiRes) made by Fabs/Hokuto Force, Onslaught

April 7th, 2022 No comments

Click on the image for the actual size.

Many thanks to Fabs/Hokuto Force, Onslaught for the Logo. The photo was made using a U64 with RGB video output and a Sony monitor.

Download the Nightfall Logo in PRG format from here

Kung Fu Flash Cartridge Firmware Update v1.37

April 3rd, 2022 No comments

A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.

Changelog:

  • Optimize VIC-II read access for ultimax cartridges (issue #94)
  • Disk emulation support large PRGs
  • Improve disk emulation loading speed
  • Load and mount is now default for PRGs

Note:

Disk emulation is now active by default when launching PRGs. If this is not desired or if the PRG requires EF3 USB support then the old load option is still available in the file options menu (shift+return or long press fire).

A lot of changes has been made to optimize the C64/KFF communication. Please let me know if you detect any broken functionality in this release

Download:

source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

C64 Big Game Pack: Bagman C.Back / Tutankham R. / Puzzle Bobble …

April 3rd, 2022 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:

  • Commando Arcade SE [tapecart]
  • Forest Saver Preview 3 +1D
  • The Final Programme +2MJ
  • The Machinations Preview +D
  • Missile Evade +1DF
  • Ghosts’n Goblins Arcade [tapecart]
  • Ghosts’n Goblins Arcade & Commando Arcade SE [tapecart]
  • Lazy Jones +1DGHM
  • Sidelines V1.2 +2H
  • Puzzle Bobble V1.1
  • Puzzle Bobble V1.1 [EasyFlash]
  • Nepuli V1.0 (Party Version)
  • Wordle 64
  • T-Rex 64 Preview 5 +3H
  • Berzerk +1D
  • Nepuli V1.1
  • Mathdle 256b
  • Nurikabe256 [256 bytes]
  • Classic Pinball Oneliner
  • Endless +3DG
  • Sidelines V1.21
  • Fold’em V1.01 +4D
  • 21 Second Backup [Tools]
  • Turdle +D
  • Orbital Rescue Preview
  • U-Type 64 V1.1 [seuck]
  • Puzzle Bobble V1.1 +4D
  • U-Type 64 V1.4 Final [seuck]
  • Death Number Four +S
  • Pub Adventure +S
  • Turdle +HD
  • Arthur’s Day Out +S
  • Captain Cutter’s Treasure +GS
  • Djinn on the Rocks +GS
  • Bundesliga Manager 2021/2022 +2D
  • Sidelines V1.21 +2H
  • Planet Patrol +
  • Turdle V1.1 +HD
  • Fritzout Preview 2 +1D
  • T-Rex 64 +4D
  • Snakeout +2D
  • Aztec Challenge Basic
  • Cohetines +2T
  • Tutankham +5D
  • Tutankham +6D
  • The Machinations
  • Flight Simulator II XL 1.0
  • Escape from Callisto Preview
  • Kung Fu Pico
  • The Crazy Drill Man!
  • Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition Demo
  • Scurvy Dogs +D
  • Traffix +3D [uk version]
  • Traffix +3D [us version]
  • Riviera Story Preview +1D
  • Bagman Strikes Back +3
  • T-Rex 64 V1.0.1 +4D
  • Babylon’s Ark (Community Edition)
  • Space Planters (Community Edition)
  • Puzzle Bobble V1.2 [EasyFlash]
  • Phobia +14DFH [tapecart]
  • Farawaydius Preview +
  • Farawaydius Preview +2
  • Spider Climber
  • Spider Climber +2
  • Spider Climber +
  • Rescue 17 +1D
  • Krazy Klimb +3
  • Castle Climber +2
  • Puzzle Bobble V1.21
  • Puzzle Bobble V1.21 [EasyFlash]
  • Berzerk V1.1 +1D
  • Mean Streets +6DRW [EasyFlash]
  • Acid Rain
  • Cosmic Meals +4DT
  • Moon Patrol +1DGHM
  • Bagman Strikes Back V1.0.2 +3
  • Danny Dipstick
  • Super File Back-Up and Utilities
  • Lady Pac V1.0.7 +2
  • Top-Hole Golf V1.6 +D (Final Preview)
  • 21 Second Backup V2 Modified
  • Super File Back-Up and Utilities
  • Bagman Comes Back V1.0.2 +3
  • Petscii Invaders +
  • Casino Royale
  • Sub-Battle 64 +2 [seuck]
  • U-Type V1.5-1 +2 [seuck]
  • Give Him the Hook 10
  • Petefall 10
  • Tutankham Returns +6D
  • T-Rex 64 V1.0.2 +4D
  • Super Wonderboy in Monsterland +17DF [tapecart]
  • Ray Fish DX +2H [seuck]
  • Cosmic Combat DX V1.1 +2H [seuck]
  • 2604
  • Morris
  • Booster Blaster +2
  • 8bit-Slicks (2022-03-26)
  • Snake Charm +D
  • Journalist Preview &D
  • Tiny-Pong Deluxe +J
  • Lykia Prologue – Nathan’s Journey
  • Tomb Raider – Lara Croft on The Lost Island
  • Amaurote Isometric 1.0
  • Calypso
  • H.E.R.O. +1DGHM
  • Sever the Wicked Preview +
  • Amaurote Isometric 1.0 +3
  • Fuddo and Slam 2 – The Fishing Trip
  • Krakout [neos mouse]
  • Swash +4DG
  • Krakout V1.1 [neos mouse]
  • Sever the Wicked +1H
  • Sever the Wicked!

Download: All Games in One Archive (3990)

source: csdb.dk

BCC Party #16: C64 – Official demo party results

February 28th, 2022 No comments

This is the official demo party results from BCC #16. See also the CSDB BCC #16 section for more informations and download.

C64 Demo:

  • 1 – The Funeral by Dream

C64 Music:

  • 1 – Psychic Carpet Bombing by Mibri
  • 2 – Destination: Groovetown by Danko/Vincenzo    
    • Renaissance Intermezzo Fugaliuz by Xiny6581    
  • 4 – Six Trees on the Run by Røly    
  • 5 – Fractalyzed by Proton
    • Cosmos by Onosendai
  • 7 – Random Access Memory by Warp 8
  • 8 – Az Én Leguánom Nem Viselhet Cipőt by dalezy
  • 9 – BCC Party Digi Entry by DeMOSic
  • 10 – Bhagwan im Backwahn by Stabile Altbauten
  • 11 – SYS4000@16 by Sonki    

C64 Graphics:

  • 1 – Obscena Vaselina by The Sarge
  • 2 – Spy Eye by Mikael
  • 3 – Dawn of Aliens by Spiham
  • 4 – Blitz Feline by Lobo
  • 5 – Crazy Teddies by Fabs
  • 6 – Salvation Totem by Fabs
  • 7 – Flor del Norte by Almighty God
  • 8 – Crises Revisited by Fabs
  • 9 – Rise of the Metal Vests by Neuronik
  • 10 – Back 2 1990 by Slaxx
  • 11 – Together We Stand by Slaxx
  • 12 – Lizard by Nordischsound

WiLD Demo:

  • ?? – DT 111 Intro Patch by Der TrixXxer

C64 Fast Intro:

  • 1 – Fairyland by Fairlight
  • 2 – Deep in the Forest by Atlantis
  • 3 – Tank à chat by Dentifrice
  • 4 – PETSCII Aquarium by Vintage Computing Carinthia
  • 5 – Locked Up by Xenon
  • 6 – Stacy Overlords At A Wavy Seaside by Mayday!
  • 7 – Maniac Maniac by Lethargy
  • 8 – Sehr bunt! by Saufbox

Mixed Graphics:

  • 1 – Street Sports Skeletons by Lobo    
  • 2 – Bobba Pet by Hokuto Force    
  • 3 – Woman Dragon Car by Slipstream    
  • 4 – Sturmtruppen by Hokuto Force    
  • 5 – WRC by Hokuto Force
  • 6 – Karl Marx by Hokuto Force
  • 7 – Spies Galore by 4gentE
  • 8 – Et1999cc Logo by Hokuto Force
  • 9 – Watching by 4gentE

Mixed Music:

  • 1 – Pulstar by Finnish Gold
  • 2 – In The Morning by Pretzel Logic
  • 3 – All The Wrong Places by Hokuto Force
  • 4 – Zombies SB 2022 by Mayday!
    • Peraustrinia MMXXII by Hokuto Force
  • 6 – Overlord Up-Tempo Rock Remix by Mayday!
  • 7 – Castlevania – Vampire Killer V2 by Hokuto Force
  • 8 – Base of Love by Hokuto Force

Mixed Game:

  • 1 – Escape from Callisto Preview by Hokuto Force    
  • 2 – The Crazy Drill Man! by Hokuto Force

Productions released outside compos:

  • Early Bird by C64 Club Berlin (One-File Demo)

Download: BCC #16 Full Party Stuff (772)

source: csdb.dk

Amiga 1200 Full Recap and Restyling

February 23rd, 2022 1 comment
Amiga 1200 Full Recap and Restyling

This Amiga 1200 was sent to me by a friend to made the usual replacement of the capacitors and also overhaul everything and migrate the pcb to a new case with a new colored keyboard.

Works that have been done:

  • Replacement of all electrolytic capacitors.
  • Cleaning the expansion connector which was oxidized in some parts.
  • General cleaning of the PCB.
  • Kickstart OS3.2 installation
  • Replacement electrolytic capacitor in the Panasonic JU-253-043P Floppy Drive
  • Floppy Drive Cleaning.
  • Greasing of Floppy Drive mechanical parts with silicone grease.
  • Painting of the Floppy Disk eject button with matt Black color (Only the black button for Chinon Floppy Drive is supplied with the new case)
  • CF Card adapter fixing.
  • Installazione PCB and colored keyboard in the new case.
  • Functioning test with Floppy Disk and CF Card.

Gallery:

Atari 1050 Disk Drive Repair

February 23rd, 2022 1 comment
Atari 1050 Disk Drive Repair

This drive has two different problems.

  • The Floppy Drive just did not turn on.
  • The motor spinning always, regardless of whether a Floppy Disk was inserted or not.

Repair:

The Floppy Drive could not work because the FUSE inside the external power supply (transformer) was missing. :-D

The second problem was caused by the RAM-I/O-Timer (RIOT) 6532 which had decided to stop working.

Replaced the RIOT and made a good cleaning and greased some mechanical parts with silicone grease, everything has started again to work better than before. :-D

Gallery of the repair:

Commodore 64 with some strange problems

February 23rd, 2022 No comments
Commodore 64 with some strange problems

This poor Commodore 64 already been previously repaired by me but soffer of these new problems.

  • Out of Memory
  • Black Screen
  • No Cursor.
  • Garbage screen.

The problem of the black screen at irregular intervals with the out of memory was solved by replacing the CPU 6510, as soon as the CPU warms up a little more than normal the computer displayed only a black screen, cooling the CPU still did not work but at least something was displayed.

The problem of the out of memory are 4 dead ram + 1 previously replaced and i have decided to put in a socket the remain 3.

Last problem, there was no cursor and sometimes a garbage screen was displayed, as we all know the CIA 6526 in position U1 should be faulty due to the missing cursor.

Instead of CIA 6526 it was the socket of the 6569R3, replaced the socket the cursor is back and other annoying glitches disappeared.

2 x Commodore 1541 (1540050 / 251830) Repair

February 23rd, 2022 No comments
2 x Commodore 1541 (1540050 - 251830) Repair

Commodore Floppy Drive 1541 (1540050) Repair #1

Defects:

  • Drive access problems (IEC): drive resets but the computer freez with a “searching for”
  • The RED led flashes twice times then stops and start again and motor runs continuously.
  • The RED led flashes repeatedly every second without stopping and motor runs continuously.

Replaced parts:

  • Replaced 6522 (UC3)
  • Replaced 6522 (UC2)
  • Replaced 901229-03 ROM (UB4)

Commodore Floppy Drive 1541 (251830) Repair #2

Defects:

  • The RED led flashes repeatedly every second without stopping and motor runs continuously.

Replaced parts:

  • Replaced MOS 8713 [74LS04] (UC6)

The Return of the HybridSID Player PCB rev v2.0

February 18th, 2022 No comments

The Return of the HybridSID Player PCB rev v2.0 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.

After the first revision of the PCB we are realized that there were some design problems and consequently of a correct functioning.

Below is a brief description of the fixes and improvements that have been made for the new one version of the SID Player PCB.

PCB rev v2.0 St.Valentine’s day version:

  • OLED did not turn off when the power switch was off.
  • Wrong pinout of the ALPS switch and consequently the PCB could not be powered via the USB power supply/power bank.
  • Removed Zener diode.
  • Added two new jumpers to select (AB – BA) for the rotary encoder.
  • Rotary Encoder 20 steps, the previous one was wrong.
  • Removed circuit for the switch of the two LEDs to visualize what SID is used for playing the song.
  • Remapped the two SID LED switches on two MCU pins (RB15 – LED SOCKET # 1, RB12 – LED SOCKET # 2)
  • Removed the possibility of using OLED 0.96″
  • Aligned OLED 1.3 “on the line of the ZIF Socket.
  • Moved reset signal that was used by OLED 0.96 on free pins connector.
  • Fixed the holes for the OLED 1.3 “
  • Remapped the following pins (RD5 – SID_RW, RD6 – SID2_CS, RB9 – KEY_FFWD, RB10 – KEY_PAUSE) to free 5v tolerant pins.
  • Added two new pull-up resistors for PAUSE and FFWD key.
  • Redesigned the entire amplifier stage for the headphone output using TPA6111A2 and NE5532.
  • PCB tracks optimization.
  • Facilitated the CPU DEBUG by creating a “frame” where each PAD corresponds to a pin of the MCU.