A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate I / II is released.

This version also runs on the Ultimate-I!  (Of course, only the features that MK1-hardware supports will show.. no RTC, no USB, no C2N (tape), etc…)

Some major fix:

• Freezer bug fixed.
• Cartridge Freezer reactivated after DMA load.
• MK1 support completed.
• Tiny fix added for USB (connecting a powered hub caused the C64 to be powered by the hub!!)
• Updater fixed for older FPGAs that don’t support the capability register.
• Memory controller for MK1: removed DACK for write cycles.
• Added dummy I/O clients, for missing modules in MK1 FPGA.
• Rewritten first bootloader (…)
• Added second drive support in software.
• Added audio switch. If second drive is available, it will be available on the right channel.
• ‘Chars’ linked instead of loaded from Flash. MK1 doesn’t have charset in flash…

download: 1541ultimate.net

Here you can see some photo of the first version of the 1541 Ultimate II tape extender. With the latest firmware it’s now possible capture tape data to a .TAP file!

source: 1541ultimate.net

A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released.

Some major fix:

• Some debug stuff that appeared in menu removed!
• Tape Record implemented.
• Capabilities register added (for V1 compatibility later)
• Initial version of memory controller for V1 hardware added.
• Global menu items replaced by menu objects that can generate menu items based on the object’s state.
• Some bug-fixes.
• Christmas lights eliminated in many places.
• 64K AR/RR Ram support added; as well as made to pass CountZero’s test program with 71 points.
• Freezer bug is NOT yet tackled.
• Preliminary USB hub support added (not finished)
• Tape recorder software file created, but is still a copy of playback. Needs to be implemented.
• IEC processor implemented.
• Some clean up done in USB code.
• C2N Recorder added to Fpga makefiles. (not for 250e yet)
• TAP Encoder added.
• ZPU altered for guaranteed IRQ handling (not used yet)

download: 1541ultimate.net

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…

A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released.

Some major fix:

• C1541 rom load now supports loading 8K roms (E000-FFFF only).
• File name now defaults to directory “/SdCard/Part0″. Use ‘/’ at the beginning to override.
• Comment added in the application
• Various bugfixes in path code. [IMPORTANT!]
• Version updated to 2.0RC8.

download: 1541ultimate.net

A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released.

Some major fix:

• Update fixed => C64 should be taken out of reset otherwise keyboard won’t work.
• RTC speed correction implemented.
• Screen flicker removed by not clearing the screen upon “draw()”
• Double file name fixed at create D64.
• C64 kept in reset to avoid basic screen before cart screen.
• C1541 rom load fixed.
• Delete file implemented.
• Sorting of dir entries (DIR first) still needs to be tested.
• REU Filetype added.
• Double filenames fixed.
• Rename fixed (I think!)
• Error handling improved, error strings added.

download: 1541ultimate.net

This document contains instructions to set up your build-environment, to build your own 1541 Ultimate-II software and FPGA.

source: 1541ultimate.net

A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released.

Some major fix:

• Added: Built-in flash protection to avoid more units to ‘die’.
• Fixed: Joystick Right on PRG file still crashes UltimateII.
• Fixed: Mount & Run starts disk mounted Write Protected.

download: 1541ultimate.net

from 1541 Ultimate homepage:

• Last firmware version: 2.0RC5 is now downloadable from the download page.

• Ultimate-II sources released!

You can access them through  http://svn2.xp-dev.com/svn/1541UltimateII/.

For those who know how to use SVN, you can do a checkout to create a local working copy by typing:

svn co http://svn2.xp-dev.com/svn/1541UltimateII/trunk

in an empty directory. I am working on a short manual, and on access to the tools needed to build the project. This time, the FPGA sources have been released as well. ;-)

source: 1541ultimate.net

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

from 1541 Ultimate homepage:

• 184 Ultimate-II units shipped.
• The last few (5) will be shipped out tomorrow….
• If you paid after June 1, you will need to wait until the new production batch is finished.  (Refund possible..)
• New production startup in progress!
• Unprocessed payments will be processed before the end of the week (week 27). Please hold your payments until further notice!
• Question of redistributing the Free Xilinx tools within a virtual machine is under review by the legal department of Xilinx. If they approve, I can provide the planned virtual machine; if not, I will need to write instructions on how you can instal the tools separately.
• Last firmware version: 2.0RC4. Downloadable update available by end of week 28.

source: 1541ultimate.net

from 1541 Ultimate homepage:

Finally, the software for the 1541 Ultimate II is finished. In the last two weeks, an enormous amount of work has been done:

• USB is now working stable, including insertion and removal.  (My external 500 GB harddisk was detected flawlessly!)
• Support for USB devices with multiple LUNs (like card readers)
• GCR (G64) supported added, including write (the Ultimate-I couldn’t do this)
• T64 file support re-integrated.
• Tape support, using TAP files (I needed to test the hardware anyway!)
• Comprehensible menus.
• Real time clock functional  (still need a clock widget…)
• I made a wooden mould, to simplify closing the plastic cases without damaging them.

The plan is, to ship the first 40~50 units this coming Wednesday! The remaining units will follow as soon as possible!  Thank you for your patience!

source: 1541ultimate.net

from 1541 Ultimate homepage:

About 100 plastic cases have arrived, and they look really great! I am glad that black has become the color eventually, and that the material looks the way it does. And I am sure that everyone who is waiting for their unit will be satisfied with the case as well! The remaining cases of the batch that are ordered will arrive a bit later. I’ll update you as soon as I know more.

There is also a downside on the cases; due to the shrinkage of the material along the long side (not very visible, but when you measure you can see it), the board is a very tight fit inside the case. It is therefore very difficult to close it, and once it is closed, well… good luck with opening it! Unfortunately it will cost me a lot of time to build the units together. Hopefully I will get good at it after the first 10 or so.. ;)

Due to the demand, another 100 units (the hardware boards) have been ordered for production and will be ready in about a month, in the end-of-april time frame.

Read more…

from 1541 Ultimate homepage:

February is already drawing to the end, so some news about the 1541U-II is needed here. The good news is: the boards have been produced, and the first few have been tested and are working! They are currently back at the assembly house for a missing connector, but I am expecting them back early this week.

The not-so-good news is, that the plastic cases have more delay. The Chinese company sometimes makes some promises that they are breaking afterwards. Yesterday I received a message that the new samples will be shipped on the 10th of March, while they had previously promised to send 100 cases upfront on Feb 25. I pressed them to send at least 100 pieces on, or before that date.

The good news about the cases is, that they will be black and not cream! I noticed that a lot of you have a strong preference for black. They will be produced using the PA material, enforced with glass fiber. :-)

source: 1541ultimate.net

from 1541 Ultimate homepage:

Finally, you might think! An update on the 1541U-II… As time is going fast, the moment that all the hardware parts for the 1541U-II will be ready is drawing near. It all was not too easy, but things are going now the way they should.

The major difficulty showed to be the plastic case. Finally I have found a contractor who is willing to make the plastic case exactly as I wanted it, for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, the mould for plastic injection is quite expensive; in fact about double of what I expected initially, based on an unrealistic quote that I got a few months ago. Because of the large interest in the 1541U-II, I decided to just continue with it, and leave the selling price of the total product intact.

Earlier this week, I received the first pictures of the first try-outs of the injection mould tool. The result shows a little problem in the design, with the planned material (ABS). Due to the thick and sturdy plastic constuction on the inside, sink marks are visible on the outside.

The manufacturer has tried to run the case with a different material (PA), which looks a lot better. However, due to different shrinkage characteristics, the mould tool needs to be adapted to adjust for the difference in material. (You can see this, that the matte version does not close perfectly…) They will do this, but it will take one week extra before the cases are ready. The final color won’t be black (unless I am getting a lot of angry E-mails now.. ;-), but light cream color, to match the C64C better.

Read more…

from 1541ultimate Forum:

Videoreview about the comparison of “MMC Replay” (Individual Computers) and “1541 Ultimate” with an detailed tutorial about connecting and using.

Also it shows some very interesting additional features like using a real 1541 drive together with 1541U.

-> Video 1 – Introduction
-> Video 2 – Test: MMC Replay
-> Video 3 – Test: 1541 Ultimate 1/2
-> Video 4 – Test: 1541 Ultimate 2/2 + Fazit

source: 1541ultimate Forum