Archive

Archive for the ‘VIC20/VC20’ Category

VIC-20 Low Cost Multi-Cart / Development Cart

December 15th, 2009 No comments

VIC20-Low Cost MultiCartridgesfrom Homepage:

I designed this project after I recently dug my Commodore VIC-20 out of storage.  Some of my game cartridges needed much cleaning, and even after that, some didn’t work anymore.

The Multicart was developed so that multiple games could be played on a single cartridge.  The VIC-20 had many excellent arcade games like Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Frogger, Dig Dug, …ect.

This cartridge combines 32 of the best VIC-20 arcade games on one cartridge.

source: www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/vic20

DLH’s Commodore Archive *Updated*

December 11th, 2009 No comments

DLH's Commodore ArchiveDLH’s Commodore Archive latest news:

  • 1084-P Service Manual 314890-01 (1988 July) (39 pages)
  • 1084-D PAL Service Manual (45 pages)
  • Super Snapshot V5.2 (Dutch)
  • Tech Topics Issue 29 1990 Apr-Jun (25 pages)
  • Tech Topics Issue 30 1990 Jul-Sep (12 pages)
  • Tech Topics Issue 31 1990 Oct-Dec (18 pages)

source: DLH Commodore Archive

Working in progress for the new 1541U-II

November 7th, 2009 No comments

1541 Ultimatefrom 1541 Ultimate homepage:

It is about time to release some news about the 1541U-II. I think some of you must be really curious about the extra features and possibilities that the 1541U-II give, and about the progress on production and firmware. To start off with the 1541U-II features, I can tell you that it differs from the ‘standard’ 1541U Plus/Ethernet that:

  • the board itself is about 30% smaller than the 1541U;
  • it has a MicroSD connector, instead of a full-size SD;
  • it has a real-time-clock function, for correct file time and date;
  • it has a larger FPGA, which enables the implementation of more features;
  • it has a USB Host port, which can be used to connect USB-sticks;
  • it is targeted to have a suitable case for the device.

Some of you have written in the forums, that the MicroSD connector is not much of an improvement. But the rationale behind going to MicroSD is mainly the available space on the board is less, and that with the addition of a USB-A port, the average user will use the usb-stick rather than the SD-card.

So the MicroSD-card does not need to be removed from the cartridge very often. However, because at the moment that I announced the 1541U-II, the USB port was not yet tested, I could not reveal this feature as I did not want to make promises that I can’t keep.

1541U-IIThe USB turns out to be quite a bit of work to get it to work, but I can now announce that I managed to implement enough of a host-controller function to be able to talk to USB devices and send the most basic commands to access a mass-storage device. I am quite close to have implemented the ‘read-block’ and ‘write-block’ functions, which is the interface level that the file system module uses. In other words, I expect to be able to access the (FAT) file-system on the USB stick quite soon!

How will it work for the user? My objective is to have one ‘directory’ level above the current root of the SD-card, where you can select which partition you want to browse. There the USB flash drive becomes visible, as well as the MicroSD card, if present.

source: 1541ultimate.net

The shop of the website for8Bits is Open

October 31st, 2009 No comments

for8bits HomepageThis shop offers selected open-source projects in kit form for the classical computers
Commodore C64 and VIC-20.

Like:

  • C-64 EasyFlash.
  • VIC-20 Final Expansion.

source: for8bits.com

New Video review for the Ultimate 1541 Cartridge by Gideon

October 19th, 2009 No comments

It’s in German Language but with English subs.

source: circuit-board.de

C-64 EasyFlash and VC-20 Final Expansion Poster

October 1st, 2009 2 comments

for8bits_posterThe Shop of the website for8bits will open in early October and will be the exclusive seller of the EasyFlash and Final Expansion cartridges.

source: for8bits.com

The Mystery of Silver Mountain (require 24k memory expansion)

September 6th, 2009 No comments

The Mystery of Silver Mountain

Conversion from Commodore 64 of a classic type-in text adventure from the book published by Usborne in 1984. Play it in the glory of 40 columns!

source: Denial (The Commodore VIC-20 forum)

Loriano’s 1541U Case – Youtube Video Released

August 18th, 2009 No comments

Loriano has made a video about his 1541U case.

source: logan-5.co.uk 1541ultimate.net

Some new Games for Commodore VIC-20

August 17th, 2009 No comments

Some new Games for VIC-20

  • Green on Black compilation. Conversion of 20 games from PET to FAT40-powered VIC-20 by Orion70. Single-file, crunch and games loader by nbla000.
    It contains 20 titles, ranging from text adventures to strategy, from flight simulation to card games; all rigorously in green-on-black versions.
  • Sokoban. Conversion to VIC-20 by Michael Kircher
  • Tribbles 2009.
  • You Count. We learn how to count before we know if we count. Prove you count in 60 seconds.

source: Denial (The Commodore VIC-20 forum)

LCP 2009 Demo & Photo are online

July 28th, 2009 No comments

lcp2009Most of the compo stuff is now up in the archive. You can also find some photos there.

source: lcp.c64.org

JiffyDOS Kernal Roms & Manual

July 27th, 2009 14 comments

JiffyDOS is a Disk Operating System (DOS) enhancement which gives your VIC-20, C-16, PLUS/4, C-64, or C-128 the disk access speed it has always needed.

A chip-for-chip replacement for the Kernal ROM in your computer and the DOS ROM in your disk drive(s), JiffyDOS achieves levels of performance and compatibility unmatched by other disk speed-enhancement products.

Download:

TRY and BUY the original copy.

source: cmdrkey.com

MCC: Multiple Classic Computer Platform

July 26th, 2009 2 comments

Multiple Classic Computer Platformfrom Homepage:

This Multiple Classic Computer Platform lets dreams come true.

The Classic Computer and Classic Arcade fans are just waiting for a device which allows them to go back to the good and easy operation and gaming experience from the past.

Many people still have unique software and programs which are still unbeatable when it comes to user friendliness. The reconfigurable and generic design will allow an easy switch between multiple different realizations and representations of classic computers.

When we look to the 80ies and 90ies, names like Atari ST, Sinclair’s ZX-Spectrum, Commodores VC20, VC-64 and the whole Amiga Series 500, 1000, 2000 come to mind.

main Features:

  • Old Joystick interfaces allow the usage of classic input devices.
  • A stereo/audio output allows the connection to each TV set, amplifier or computer monitor to explore enhanced sound.
  • Different versions for PAL and NTSC regions allow seamless usage and compatibility.
  • All this paired with the newest available hardware and new interface, like SD-Card, S-Video and RGB Output, improve the picture quality and the openness of the systems.
  • An internal memory enables the permanent storage of favorite games and applications, the menu overlay allows for easy selection of the application or game and the desired Classic Computer.

source: arcaderetrogaming.com

Lemonade for VIC-20 (require 16k memory expansion)

July 26th, 2009 No comments

LemonadeThis is a Conversion from Commodore 64 of a classic Lemonade Stand managing game. Your goal in this fun little game will be to make as much money as you can within the 12 summer weeks.

Play it in 40 columns!

source: Denial (The Commodore VIC-20 forum)

Gideon working on a successor of the “1541 Ultimate” cartridge

July 23rd, 2009 No comments

1541 Ultimatefrom 1541 Ultimate homepage:

Some of you might have noticed that the order form has been temporarily closed, and many questions and rumours have been going around about the future of the 1541 Ultimate. The reason behind all this, is that behind the screens I have been working on a successor of the “1541 Ultimate”. How this unit will be called has not yet been determined, but it could be something as simple as “1541 Ultimate II” or “Ultimate Cartridge”.

What is it, and why was it designed? Basically, it is a scaled down version of the 1541U. It will provide similar functionality, although some things have been changed. It will no longer support full-size SD-cards, but only MircoSD, or “Transflash”. Also, Ethernet will not be supported until further notice. It will support tape emulation out of the box (without the need for special FPGA images) and it will provide a real-time clock function with battery back up. Audio output has been significantly improved, which might seem useless for just the drive sounds, but this enables the creation of FPGA images that provide additional sound channels of useful quality. The power consumption has been reduced as well. There is one extra cool feature that will not yet be disclosed ;-)

And last but not least… This unit will come with a case! At least, that is the plan; there are some negociations going on with manufacturers for plastic insertion moulding. It seems feasible to have this done, although it’s pricy for low quantities. A prototype is 3D-printed this week; the prototype board is already there and functional.

source: 1541ultimate.net

Carling the Spider from Psytronik Software for VIC-20

July 11th, 2009 No comments

Carling the SpiderCarling the Spider is a multi-screen platform game featuring a little spider called Carling.

Your mission is to collect all the shiny diamonds on each screen while avoiding deadly spikes and marauding BALLS OF STEEL! Once you have collected all the diamonds you must head to the exit in order to reach the next level.

source: psytronik.com