Autopsy:

After ten years of use, i finally decided to replace my old Willem programmer with an updated version of this nice programmer. The Willem PRO 4 ISP.

Willem PRO 4 ISP is the most popular programmer on Europe. Programmer is built on two-sided laminate with metal-plated openings, solder mask complete with description of components.

Willem PRO 4 ISP could be connected into devices directly via ISP (In System Programming) connector.The main advantage of ISP is possibility to program devices directly in place without any need to dismount them. Because of that and high-tech software solutions our programmer is much more useful in various programming tasks. ISP could be powered directly by Willem Programmer or by device’s power supply.

source: programatory.com

The PETdisk is a new storage device, made by bitfixer, for the Commodore CBM / PET with an IEEE-488 port.

The system is in two parts. A datassette module that makes it possible to play “data” from a PC soundcard to the CBM / PET and play “data” from the CBM / PET to the PC. The IEEE-488 module has an SD card and a micro processor.

You can use the commands LOAD, SAVE and LOAD “$” to load or store data on the SD card. The device number can be changed with a help of a jumper. The USB cable is used to provide 5VDC from the datassette module to the IEEE-488 module.

For more informations,schematics,documentations and price of the kit please visit the site of the author.

source: bitfixer.com

Propeddle is an Open Source hardware/software project and it’s a universal platform to (re-)create many types of 6502-based computers, or design a new one.

The name Propeddle is a contraction of “Propeller” and “Peddle”, after Chuck Peddle, the principal engineer behind the 6502 and the PET-2001.

Download: Schematics and board layout (REV 5A) (1071)

source: savagecircuits.com propeddle.com

The cartridge EasyFlash III by Skoe is slowly taking shape. Like the previous one the VHDL code is open source.

This version introduces several new features, like:

• Kernal emulation (no need hardware changes).
• If you choose to use the Kernal emulation the RAM will be available.
• You can choose 8 Kernal’s.
• You can choose 7 EasyFlash’s.
• USB connector for firmware updates.
• Emulation of FinalCartridge III, ActionReplay…

source: forum64.de

petSD is the name of the new AVR-based hardware. It’s a modern mass storage solution for Commodore PET/CBM computers with IEEE 488bus using SD cards as floppy or hard disc replacement.

If you know the SD2IEC or µIEC: the petSD is just the same but for the older parallel IEEE 488 bus instead of the newer serial IEC bus.

Site update:

Nils Eilers has made a new layout with some bugs fixed and has ordered a first batch of PCBs.

source: nils eilers homepage

This project by Frank Buß is a cheap solution to connect a digital joystick to a PC using the USB interface.

The interface uses Freescale microcontroller that will simulate a USB keyboard and translates the joystick signals to keyboard signals.

source: www.frank-buss.de

Autopsy:

The interface 1541 Pocket Plus is a evolution of the Pocket 1541 released a few years ago. The 1541 Pocket Plus emulates the Commodore 1541 floppy drive with an SD (Secure Digital). The firmware like many Floppy Drive Emulation Interfaces for the C64 is based on the Open Source project SD2IEC and its operation is very simple and transparent, the interface is powered directly from the C64.

What can I do with it? It’s easy to say, with a normal SD (Secure Digital) you can store your favorites games and programs and you can load from the C64 everything directly from your memory card (SD), no more disk drives or datassette.

The differences from previous version, there are many, i’m going to list only the most important.

• 5VDC Powered from the Cartridge port of the Commodore 64.
• New CPU ATMega 1284PU (128k) clocked at 8MHz.
• External 48-pin Expansion slot.
• Internal expansion slot for future implementations.
• PocketCard with Bank Switching and 4Mbit flash memory (interchangeable)
• PocketCard PC 64 software can allows you to create Flash files for the 29F040.
• External Kernal with addon PocketCard PC 64 (requires PocketPLA 64).
• PocketPLA 64.

My first impression: I must say that has made a very good impression, the KIT Pocket 1541 Plus consists of several components built in an absolutely accurate and professional. The use of the addon PocketCard 64 at first time may be a bit complex for a beginner, but following the manual (you can find on the seller’s site) the configuration becomes easy and fun.

The Kernal cartridge mode is a very nice features, it overrides the PROM 901227. This feature requires the installation of the PocketPLA 64 and is only compatible with the Commodore 64 first edition (brown) with a PLA 906114.

In the sad case that the PocketPLA 64 can not be installed on your Commodore 64, the PocketCard 64 can be used to speed up the file loading with a TurboDisk Cartridge. The PocketCard 64 supports all types of cartridges (Ultimax or Standard) including games or utility. You can use the software PocketCard-64 to generate the file for the 29F040 flash with your compilations of Programs/Games or Kernal.

I suggest to buying this kit to all Retro Fans of the Commodore including people who want to ‘hack’ and not just play ;-D

source: rgmelsat.com

The Mega SwinSID is a new C64 SID replacement by Swinkels based on 32bit STM32 ARM Cortex M3 MCU and 512KB sample memory.

It runs at 80MHz and it uses integrated 12bit DACs for stereo output.

source: swinkels.tvtom.pl

This is a modern mass storage solution for Commodore PET/CBM computers with IEEE 488 bus using SD cards as floppy disk replacement.

This prototype is made on a breadboard, you can watch the Video Demostration on YouTube.

source: youtube.com

Turbo Chameleon 64 is an extremely user-friendly cartridge that can be used without opening the computer. It is just plugged to the expansion port of the C64.

The Turbo Chameleon 64 cartridge can also be operated as a stand-alone unit (since it’s basically an FPGA computer like the C-One or the Minimig in a C64 cartridge case), replacing the computer, the floppy drive and the heavy power supply.

When used as a stand-alone unit, a USB power adapter or active USB hub can be used as a power source.

Changelog:

Differences from Beta-6c to Beta-6d:

• Cartridge emulations.
• Turbo speed increase: Eliminated one clock cycle from critical path.
• Turbo speed increase: Writes to memory concurrent with next instruction fetch.
• Turbo speed increase: MMU caches last used CPU slot.

Download: Firmware Chameleon Beta 6d (1527)

source: syntiac.com

This is a new HDD interface for Atari (XE/XL) computers.

Unlike of the interface IDE Plus 2.0 this uses the Compact Flash for the hdd emulation. This interface is very compacts and inexpensive.

some features:

• Inexpensive.
• Compact size.
• Built-in flashcart.
• Optimised for CF card usage (marginally faster transfers)
• Support for brand new draft Atari Partition Table (APT)
• On board, SpartaDos v4.44 flashable from atari.
• RTC clock.

source: atariage.com

Turbo Chameleon 64 is an extremely user-friendly cartridge that can be used without opening the computer. It is just plugged to the expansion port of the C64.

The Turbo Chameleon 64 cartridge can also be operated as a stand-alone unit (since it’s basically an FPGA computer like the C-One or the Minimig in a C64 cartridge case), replacing the computer, the floppy drive and the heavy power supply.

When used as a stand-alone unit, a USB power adapter or active USB hub can be used as a power source.

Changelog:

Differences from Beta-5b to Beta-6:

• Fixed RAM mirrors for 1541 drive emulation.
• Fixed reading from emulated SID.
• New cartridge emulations.
• Disk track lengths set to 6256, 6672, 7144 or 7696 bytes.
• Implemented disk-change with button.
• Input latch emulation in VIA emulation.
• Implemented SDR register in CIA.
• Implemented real IEC bus disable bit.
• VIC-II timing fixed for mode bits (MCM, BMM and ECM)

Differences from Beta-6 to Beta-6b:

• 1541 emulation: fixed IEC timing. All known speedloader problems are gone now.
• 1541 emulation: VIA6522 timer fixes.
• 1541 emulation: VIA6522 register r/w fixes.
• New cartridge emulations.

Differences from Beta-6b to Beta-6c:

• Auto speed option for turbo feature. Slows down on IEC bus accesses.
• PS/2 Page up/Page down alias for F1, F7. Easier navigation in the File-Browser.

Download: Turbo Chameleon 64 beta firmware v6c (1520)

source: syntiac.com

Autopsy:

The Sic!Cart (Super Inexpensive Cart) is a low price Flash Cartridge System for the Atari XL/XE series computers.

Sic!Cart available configurations:

• Programmed GAL.
• Sic!Cart with 2Mbit memory.
• Sic!Cart with 4Mbit memory.

source: atariage.com

Autopsy:

IDE Plus 2.0 is a new IDE host adapter by Simius for Atari (XE/XL) computer.

Some features:

• Is not much greater than a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
• Does not require an external power-supply.
• Contains an XE (CART+ECI) connector, an XL (PBI) connector, a cartridge port, and a connector for a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
• Contains 96 KB ISP Flash ROM and 32 KB RAM available to the internal PBI BIOS and flashable from the Atari.
• Contains 512 KB or 1024 KB ISP Flash ROM for SpartaDOS X (or any other cartridge of such type), flashable from the Atari. This ROM can be physically disabled using a dedicated switch. The switch is not installed in the device shown on photos below.
• Contains a real time clock circuitry to be used with SpartaDOS X. If someone doesn’t want to use it, the module is anyway fully compatible with an external R-Time 8 or internally mounted ARC.
• A LED flashing during the I/O.

source: atariage.com

petSD is the name of the new AVR-based hardware. It’s a modern mass storage solution for Commodore PET/CBM computers with IEEE 488 bus using SD cards as floppy or hard disc replacement.

If you know the SD2IEC or µIEC: the petSD is just the same but for the older parallel IEEE 488 bus instead of the newer serial IEC bus.

The petSD is still a work in progress and there still are some issues.

A petSD consists of at least:

• ATmega 1284P.
• Red and a green LED (may be combined in one).
• SD slot.
• IEEE 488 connector.

source: nils eilers homepage