The SIO2SD is a device that allows you to load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD/MMC cards.

Changelog (3.1rc1 -> 3.1rc2):

• Fixed bug in file handle (mainly XEX files)
• Fixed warmstart issue in xex-loader

Download: SIO2SD v3.1RC2 (9)

source: sio2sd-dev.gucio.pl

Autopsy:

12►

1 Cents Atari 2600 Video Composite Mod: This very simple/cheap and functional mod adds a Video Composite output to the Atari 2600 console. I have shorted the five contacts Luma/Chroma and Sync for get a decent composite Video Signal. I have also cut a  resistor (R55) to get better colors, for the Audio signal see the picture.

The Harmony Cartridge is a simple, affordable, time-saving, space-saving, hassle-free way to play hundreds of games on your Atari 2600 console.

Using a Harmony cartridge is easy. Just insert the Harmony cartridge into your console slot the same way you would with any ordinary Atari game cartridge. Put your favorite game binaries on an SD card, pop it into the Harmony Cartridge and you’re ready to go. Turn on the console, select the game you want to play from the list and start having fun.

source: harmony.atariage.com

Musicmax gives an demonstration about installing and the use of the Commodore c64 Kernal Multiload.

This device comes in two parts:

• One EPROM that replaces the original Kernal of the Commodore 64.
• A control-box that makes it possible to select and start an alternative Kernal.

In the video you can see that the SX-64, EXOS V3, JiffyDOS and the Cockroach Turbo ROM are being used.

Thanks to commodore-gg.hobby.nl which have shared this News.

SIO2Arduino is an Atari 8-bit (800/XL/XE) device emulator that runs on the Arduino platform. It currently emulates a single Atari 1050 disk drive (D1:) but there are plans to extend it to support multiple drives as well as other devices.

In its current state, SIO2Arduino allows you to put single and enhanced density Atari 8-bit disk images (ATR, XFD, XEX and many PRO and ATX) onto a microSD card and boot them on real Atari hardware.

source: whizzosoftware.com/sio2arduino

My Work Bench for small electronic Repair.

This is an AVR MMC/SD boot loader compatible with HolgerBootloader2. Based on a heavily modified version of ChaN’s FatFs library.

SD2IEC is a hardware mass storage device using an SD/MMC card and interfacing with the IEC bus. It is based on the ATmega644 or ATmega1284p microcontroller from the Atmel AVR microcontroller family.

The most prominent use of SD2IEC is emulation/replacement of a Commodore-1541 disk drive for a C64. Hardware and the microcontroller’s firmware is available as open source (GPL).

Changelog:

2012-01-22 – release 0.3

• Further size optimizations.
• Enable FAT12 on uIEC3.

Download:

• SD2Iec bootLoader v0.3 (Binary) (36)
• SD2Iec bootLoader v0.3 (Source) (32)

source: sd2iec.de gitweb forum thread c64-wiki

The SIO2SD is a device that allows you to load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD/MMC cards.

Changelog (3.0rc5 -> 3.1rc1):

• Virtual disks simplification.
• Fixed turbo routines – emulation of Top-Drive (aka TOMS) and XF551.
• More compatible SIO routines (return to timings from version 2.x – slower, but more reliable)
• Ordinary files and empty disks are emulated as SD disks if possible (size < 90k)

Download: SIO2SD v3.1 RC1 (31)

source: sio2sd-dev.gucio.pl

Finally available the C64anabalt Cartridge for Commodore 64.

C64anabalt is an official conversion of Adam Atomic & Danny B.’s award winning single-button 2009 indie game Canabalt for the 8-Bit, 64KB RAM, 1Mhz Commodore 64 home computer developed by Paul Koller (Paulko64). This particular version was designed to run from a 16KB cartridge.

source: rgcd.co.uk

The cartridge EasyFlash III by Skoe is available on Retro-Donald shop. Like the previous version 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: retro-donald.de skoe.de

Autopsy:

After 8 long months of waiting i finally received the Ultimate 1Mb module by Candle’o'Sin.

The Ultimate 1Mb module is a expansion for Atari XE/XL.

This module allows a easy installation regardless of machine type one chooses and is not intrusive to original hardware. The Ultimate 1Mb was designed to fit in any XL/XE computer, including 1200XL and XEGS – there are no versions as such, the only diffrence might be with lenght of ribbon cables it connects to motherboard

Features:

• To be as much solderless as possible (only RW, PHI2, HALT and RESET lines need soldering)
• Fully flashable SpartaDOS-X with up to 320kbytes for its purposes
• RTC module for SDX with battery backup and NVRAM
• Fully flashable 4 OS ROM slots
• Hardware WRITE PROTECT for whole Flash array
• Configurable memory expansion with 4 modes of operation (disabled, 320k RAMBO, 578k COMPY SHOP, 1088k RAMBO)
• Customizable BASIC and MISSLE COMMAND slots (also flashable)
• System select/Memory exp mode select from integrated BIOS

source: spiflash.org atariage.com

This new project based on a ZoomFloppy device makes it possible to read and write cassettes with a Commodore Datassette and a PC via USB.

Specifications:

• 16MHz sampling rate.
• CAP / TAP file format, C64, C16, VIC-20 and experimental Spectrum48K support.

source: zoomtape.de.vu

The HxC Floppy Drive Emulator is a software and hardware system created by jfdn aka Jeff.

The aim of this project is to replace the floppy disk drive by an electronic device emulating the floppy disk drive (list of supported Computer/Hardware).

There are two differents emulators:

• A USB version which allows to connect the floppy disk drive interface of the computer to a PC via a USB cable.
• A SDCARD version which allows to emulate floppy disks which images are stored in a SDCARD.

Release notes for the HxCFloppyEmulator software v1.6.11.15:

• zlib updated : zlib 1.2.5
• New files Support : Winimage *.IMZ file.
• New files Support : *.GHK (Ensoniq EPS) file image support.
• Oric DSK : Deleted address mark support added!
• TI99/4A TI99PC99 loader : sector search function corrected.
• TI99 V9T9 format : New disk geometry supported, double sided disk support corrected.
• … full release notes here

Download: HxCFloppyEmulator software v1.6.11.15 (53)

source: hxc2001.free.fr

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-6f to Beta-6g:

• Implemented bit-fade in SID when no waveform is selected.
• Implemented bit-fade in SID when reading write-only registers.
• Added bits to detect in menu when disk-images need update after write actions by the emulated drives.
• Implemented “door” on emulated drive, when open drive will read dummy bytes.
• Fixed CPU instruction timing bugs discovered when comparing emulated 6510 against real 6510.
• CPU irq/nmi timing fixes.
• Implemented bit-fade on I/O port of emulated 6510.
• Fixed SID stereo mapping for D500 and D700.
• Four timers added at addresses D0AA to D0AD for menu (it can’t use CIA timers when freezing).

Download: Firmware Chameleon Beta 6g (50)

source: syntiac.com

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

Blok Copy cartridge for Commodore 64 is now available for ordering.

from the homepage:

TMR and I debated for some time on whether or not to wait until after our ongoing competition before releasing Blok Copy on cartridge. However, as we both have a lot on over the coming months (what with the Replay Expo 2011 coming up), we decided to just go for it and add the cartridge to the shop page. It’ll probably be a little while before the official disk release from Cosine comes out, but I’m sure that a pirate will get a cracked version out in the next few days ;)

Blok Copy began as a game written in order to learn the Atari 2600 hardware, where it utilised vertical splits to achieve seven independently coloured playfield objects. Although the Atari 2600 version is near enough complete, to date it remains unreleased on T.M.R’s workstation. However, although the game is yet to make it’s debut appearance on Atari hardware, Blok Copy has been released on three Commodore variations; namely the PET, C64DTV and of course the C64 (this cartridge).

source: rgcd.co.uk