2 x Atari Lynx II Repair and Recap

March 21st, 2021 No comments
2 x Atari Lynx II Repair and Recap

2 x Atari Lynx II Repair and Recap.

The first Atari Lynx II did not turn on but when powering the console at 5v bypassing the power stage it worked properly.

I had to replace all the electrolytic capacitors and the critical components of the power stage.

  • 1 x MOSFET MTDJ055E with a equivalent one.
  • 2 x Transistor 2N3906.
  • 1 x Zener Diode 1N5991B.
  • 1 x 120 Ohm resistor.

The second Atari Lynx II working correctly so consequently i have only replaced the electrolytic capacitors.

Gallery of the repair:

U64/Ultimate-64 (7/3/2021) – U2+ (7/3/2021) Unofficial Firmware

March 11th, 2021 No comments

Released a new “unofficial” version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 / U2+ by Gideon.

Changelog:

Changes since official release (3.9 / 1.37)

  • Fixed RGB mode (U64 only)
  • Fixed block read command
  • Fixed access of files with special chars in CBM disk images, accessed from IEC
  • Fixed UCI issues with SidPlay and others
  • Fixed colon issue in Ultimate Kernal ROM
  • Fixed crash on invalid file chain CBM filesystems
  • Fixed check order DIR / VOLUME; fixes some issues with exFAT directories
  • Added M and V commands in modem emulation layer, V now supporting numeric responses. Thanks Scott Hutter
  • Fixed the root cause of the VOLUME bit set in exFAT directories
  • Fixed missing ‘probe’ for filesystems on multi-partition disks
  • Fixed loading from wrong device ID when issuing the ‘run disk’ command
  • Fixed many little bugs in the generation of CVT files (copying GEOS files from a disk image)
  • Implemented writing CVT files back to a disk image (enables copying CVT files across disks.)
  • Adopted changes to U64 Kernal to set default loading ID, as submitted by Leif Bloomquist
  • Adopted USB modifier key handling, as submitted by Peter de Schrijver
  • Corrected bug in extended partition table reading

Download:

source: ultimate64.com github.com

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

BCC #15: C64 – Official demo party results

March 1st, 2021 No comments

This is the official demo party results from BCC #15. See also the CSDB BCC #15 section for more informations and download.

C64 Demo:

  • 1 – None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive by Atlantis, Delysid, Excess, Mayday!, Padua, Rabenauge, The New Ninja Skateboarders of Death
  • 2 – Thirty by Focus

C64 Music:

  • 1 – Mayday! in Monsterland by Toggle
  • 2 – Astronomia Remix by Uctumi
  • 3 – XV21 Prototype by Vincenzo
  • 4 – Filterlicious by Mythus
  • 5 – On a Floor Somewhere in Tegucigalpa by Røly
  • 6 – Wanna Tell, Can’t Say! by Manganoid
  • 7 – Rising Sun by Onosendai
  • 8 – Bad Apple by Slaxx
  • 9 – From Fake to SID by Nordischsound
  • 10 – My Soul by G-Fellow
    • Il pranzo è servito by Nordischsound
  • 12 – SYS 4000 Part III by Sonki
  • 13 – Fugue by Stabile Altbauten

C64 Graphics:

  • 1 – Habanero by The Sarge
  • 2 – Noodles & Sake by Lobo
  • 3 – Thought by Almighty God
  • 4 – Solar-Sonar by Leon
    • Shroom Shroom! by Aomeba
  • 6 – Open Up by Exocet
  • 7 – Roots by Luisa/Oni
  • 8 – The Stars Are Right by Mythus
  • 9 – Hangman Tree by Fabs
  • 10 – Taikatiili by Brittle
  • 11 – Speccy Siblings by Mikael
  • 12 – The Mad Downvoter by Fabs
  • 13 – The Blossom by Nordischsound
  • 14 – Firebirds by Firelord
  • 15 – RX-79 Close-Up by Titus75
  • 16 – Etrurian Sunset by Titus75
  • 17 – Roboformx 2 by Fabs
  • 18 – BCC Tower by Parr
  • 19 – FOS by LZwerch

WiLD Demo:

  • 1 – Embukyaku [fm-yam] by Atlantis, MultiStyle Labs, Pretzel Logic
  • 2 – Corontäne Companion Bot by !BASICGOTT

C64 64k Demo:

  • 1 – Catwalk by Pretzel Logic
  • 2 – Little Intro by Hokuto Force
  • 3 – BCC= Cat by Logiker
  • 4 – Thanks by 4gentE
    • Bled’n Rue by Excess
  • 6 – Turkey Served by Hokuto Force
  • 7 – Blau & Schlau by Franzi, Hansi

Mixed Graphics:

  • 1 – A-Team by Hokuto Force
  • 2 – Bison Man by Logiker
  • 3 – Yang-Myung [KR] by Logiker
  • 4 – A Nibble by Chagizzz
  • 5 – Mr.T – Pop Art by Hokuto Force
  • 6 – Stalin by Hokuto Force
  • 7 – Mayday! by Mayday!

Download: BCC #15 Full Party Stuff (750)

source: csdb.dk

Commodore 64 Communications Modem (Compunet)

February 27th, 2021 No comments
Commodore 64 Communications Modem (Compunet)

This is a Modem for Commodore 64 to allow the connection to the Compunet services.

Compunet was a United Kingdom based interactive service provider, catering primarily for the Commodore 64 but later for the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST. It was also known by its users as CNet.

Compunet hosted a wide range of content, and users were permitted to create their own sections within which they could upload their own graphics, articles and software. A custom editor existed in which the “frames” that made up the pages could be created either offline or when connected to the service.

The editor’s cache allowed users to quickly download a set of pages, then disconnect from the service in order to read them, thus saving on telephone costs.

Gallery:

Commodore Modem 1670 (Boxed & Wrapped)

February 27th, 2021 No comments
Commodore Modem 1670 (Boxed & Wrapped)

I don’t feel like unwrapping the Modem box so i will only take a pictures of the outside.

The 1670 was Commodores first “Hayes Compatible” modem. Hayes compatibility meant that the modem understood a series of control commands that had become the standard modem “language” (a language still used today).

Commodore marketed the 1670 at Commodore 128 users, even going so far as to claim that the Commodore 64 was too slow to use the 1670 at 1200 baud.

This was false, however; the Commodore 64 could use the 1670 without problems. The original 1670 also had an annoying feature of answering your phone on the first ring automatically whenever it was plugged in.

Later, a newer version of the modem was released with a dip switch allowing you to turn this “feature” off. This later version was called the “New 1670″ or the “1670CR”, and except for the extra dip switch in back, was identical to the old 1670 modem.

Gallery:

Commodore VICModem 1600 (Boxed)

February 27th, 2021 No comments
Commodore VICModem 1600 (Boxed)

The VICMODEM it’s been the first modem to cost under 100$ and the first to sold over a million units, contributing to the diffusion of online services and BBSes outside laboratories, universities, big Companies and military agencies.

Much of the credit for the project goes to Michael Tomczyk, who also created the Commodore Information Network to decrease the workload of the customer service department of the company. In 1982 the section with the most traffic on Compuserve was the Commodore network.

The modem connects to the user port of the Commodore VIC 20/64/128; on one side there’s a switch to choose if the computer answers the call (A) or originates it (O).

On the back there’s the plug for the cable that usually is connected to the phone handset – the modem couldn’t directly dial the number, so you had to dial it on the phone and then connect the modem in place of the handset.

You can read the full article by Giacomo Vernoni here

Gallery:

TheC64/TheVIC20 Firmware Update v1.5.2

February 19th, 2021 No comments

Firmware upgrades for THEC64 Mini/Max & TheVIC20 provide new features and/or correct any technical issues.

We always recommend that you use the latest version of the firmware.

Version 1.5.2 – Changes and additions:

  • [THEC64 Full size European] Fixes missing Bluestar carousel cover image which was broken in release v1.5.1 under some circumstances
  • [All models] Adds C64 joystick port selection; see notes below
  • Adds C64 only Classic mode added to THEC64 Mini
  • Adds disk swapping added to THEC64 Mini
  • [All models] Adds Commodore REU support with 512K, 2MB or 16MB as filename flags or CJM parameters; see notes below
  • New games for THEC64 Mini: Hessian (C64) and PET Snake (C64)
  • New games for THEC64 full size: Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher(VIC20) and Mine Sweep (VIC20)
  • New games for THEVIC20: Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher(VIC20) and Mine Sweep (VIC20)

Notes:

To enable REU support you can use either a filename flag or a CJM file parameter. Note that REU support does not work with VIC20 software.

To select using a filename flag, use one of the following:

  • R5 = 512K REU enabled
  • R2 = 2MB REU enabled
  • RM = 16MB REU enabled

For example:

myreudisk_R5.d64

See the user manual for further details on the use of filename flags.

To select with a CJM file, use one of the following parameters:

  • reu512 = 512K REU enabled
  • reu2048 = 2MB REU enabled
  • reu16384 = 16MB REU enabled

For example:

X:64,reu16384

See the user manual for further details on creating CJM files.

To switch the joystick in use between joystick port 1 or port 2 when running a C64 program, press and hold the joystick ☰ button, and then pressing joystick Ⓐ for port 1 or joystick Ⓑ for port 2. This will override the J1 filename flag or CJM primary port setting, if either are supplied.

Changes from previous versions:

  • v1.4.2 – Fixes an issue with THEC64 Full size: Under some circumstances C64 games may not recognise joystick port 2 when VIC 20 is the default machine
  • v1.4.2 – Adds Datasette controls for tape files in THEC64 Classic mode Media Access menu
  • v1.4.2 – Adds soft and hard reset hot-keys to THEC64 and THEVIC20 Classic mode
  • v1.4.2 – Adds freeze button support to THEC64 and THEVIC20 Classic mode
  • v1.4.2 – Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger, Soulless, Galencia and Planet of Death, plus VIC20 games Blue Star, The Keep, and Gridrunner to THEC64 North American model
  • v1.4.2 – Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger and Soulless, plus VIC20 games Blue Star and The Keep to the European THEC64 and THEVIC20 “Special Edition THEC64” models
  • v1.4.2 – Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger and Soulless to all THEC64 Mini models
  • v1.4.2 – Fixes Tank Battle on THEVIC20 to support two joysticks

Download:

source: retrogames.biz

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

U64/Ultimate-64 (9/2/2021) – U2+ (11/2/2021) Unofficial Firmware

February 13th, 2021 No comments

Released a new “unofficial” version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 / U2+ by Gideon.

Changelog:

Changes since official release (3.9 / 1.37)

  • Fixed RGB mode (U64 only)
  • Fixed block read command.
  • Fixed access of files with special chars in CBM disk images, accessed from IEC.
  • Fixed UCI issues with SidPlay and others.
  • Fixed colon issue in Ultimate Kernal ROM.
  • Fixed crash on invalid file chain CBM filesystems.
  • Fixed check order DIR / VOLUME; fixes some issues with exFAT directories.
  • Added M and V commands in modem emulation layer, V now supporting numeric responses. Thanks tlar54!

Download:

source: ultimate64.com github.com

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

Modem and Software for C64 by Total Telecommunications

February 6th, 2021 No comments
Modem and Software for C64 by Total Telecommunications

Modem and Software for Commodore 64 by Total Telecommunications.

Full-duplex 300 Baud CCITT V21 Modem with Auto Dial, Auto Answer complete with software and manual for Commodore 64.

Gallery:

Siel Midi Interface for Commodore 64 & Sinclair ZX Spectrum

February 6th, 2021 7 comments
Siel Midi Interface for Commodore 64 & Sinclair ZX Spectrum

The Siel Midi interface allows the connection of one or more electronic synthesizers to a C64 or a Spectrum.

The interface communicates with the instruments through a standard communication protocol developed expressly for the interconnection of electronic instruments and called MIDI (Musical Instruments Digital Interface).

Produced by the Italian SIEL, manufacturer of popular electronic keyboards in the 80s, this MIDI interface is equipped with appropriate software application that also allows you to compose music, archive the compositions and listen to them again, save and program instrument timbres and other things.

The device is supplied with a special connector enabling immediate connection to the Commodore 64 and Sinclair ZX Spectrum.

Gallery:

Download: Siel Midi-CMK49 C64 Software (883)

source: MCmicrocomputer #39 (March 1985)

Commodore Color Printer Plotter 1520 (Mint Boxed)

February 6th, 2021 2 comments
Commodore Color Printer Plotter 1520 (Mint Boxed)

The Commodore 1520 is a printer/plotter made by Commodore and the printer mechanism made by Alps. The printer has a IEC interface and is a device that draws computer graphics on paper using fiber pens.

The advantage of this device compared to a printer is the good resolution and especially the precision. The second advantage was that these were the first color printers.The main disadvantage is the very low printing speed and that you could not print areas so well with plotters.

Plotters were primarily intended for technical drawings, as the typeface usually looked very scrawly.

Gallery:

Commodore 1581 Disk Drive (Boxed)

February 6th, 2021 No comments
Commodore 1581 Disk Drive (Boxed)

The Commodore 1581 is a 3½-inch double-sided double-density floppy disk drive that was released by Commodore Business Machines (CBM) in 1987, primarily for its C64 and C128 home/personal computers.

The drive stores 800 kilobytes using an MFM encoding but formats different from the MS-DOS (720 kB), Amiga (880 kB), and Mac Plus (800 kB) formats.

With special software it’s possible to read C1581 disks on an x86 PC system, and likewise, read MS-DOS and other formats of disks in the C1581 (using Big Blue Reader), provided that the PC or other floppy handles the “720 kB” size format.

This capability was most frequently used to read MS-DOS disks. The drive was released in the summer of 1987 and quickly became popular with bulletin board system (BBS) operators and other users.

Specifications:

  • Onboard CPU: MOS Technology 6502 @ 2 MHz
  • RAM: 8 kB
  • ROM: 32 kB
  • Disk controller: WD1770 or WD1772
  • Communications controller: MOS Technology 8520A
  • Transfer protocols: Standard and fast serial; burst mode; and commands for parallel interface (the latter not used)
  • Disk type: 3.5″ inch
  • Storage format: MFM, double density, double-sided
  • Interface: CBM’s proprietary serial IEEE-488
  • Power: 5 V @ 1 A (5 VA) – 12 V @ 0.5 A (6 VA)

Gallery:

Floppy Drive Oceanic OC-118 (aka Excelerator+) Boxed

February 6th, 2021 1 comment
Floppy Drive Oceanic OC-118 (aka Excelerator+) Boxed

The Oceanic OC-118N Floppy Drive is a perfect clone of a Commodore 1541/1541-II Floppy Drive.

The strong point of this Floppy Drive is the compatibility, i would say almost total with all the software available for Commodore 64 including obviously fastLoader/original software.

There are two models of OC-118N.

The model with three dip switches and the model with two dip switches.

The difference between one and the other model is essentially the ROM; JIFFYDOS Licensed (three dip switches) / R-DOS -ROX-DOS? (two dip switches).

Between the two models there are also some differences on the mechanical part (see photo) and also seems that on the three dip switches model the front sticker is missing (not confirmed).

Gallery:

Hybrid SID Player + SID 8580R5 running on Olimex PIC32-T795

February 6th, 2021 No comments
Hybrid SID Player with a real SID 8580R5 running on Olimex PIC32-T795

Hybrid SID Player with a real SID 8580R5 running on Olimex PIC32-T795.

After trying the sid player of Bakisha and have added some features (es: Big LCD ILI9341 / Real Sid) of course with the help of Bakisha, thanks Branko

I also wanted to try the Hybrid SID Player by Markus Gritsch. The schematic (omitting some components) and the firmware are untouched and released some years ago (2011-2012) by Markus Gritsch on the forum of Dangerous Prototype.

Since the CUI32 DEV Board where is born the Hybrid SID Player is no longer available from many years, i have used the DEV Board PIC32-T795 from Olimex based on the same MCU the PIC32MX795F512H.

I have made a hack on the PIC32-T795 development board because the two pins used for the rotary encoder are not available because they are used for the RTC, i just had to remove the MHz Crystal and two capacitors from the PIC32-T795 board, so i have solder two wires directly on the dev board pcb.

The purpose of all these experiments is make some hardware changes and new implementations to the final project that i will choose and then make an all-in-one pcb and make it public to anyone who wants to build it.

Gallery:

Video:

C64 Big Game Pack: On the Grid +3H / Thomas the Tank / Genius 3 …

February 6th, 2021 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:

  • Polar Present Panic +1D
  • Toxic Frenzy +D
  • Zzapped in the Butt – Deluxe
  • Killer Saucers
  • Polar Present Panic V1.1 +D
  • Ditch and Bridge +
  • Killer Saucers +3D
  • Zzapped in the Butt – Deluxe +3CD
  • PAX Pac-Man V1.1
  • Bug Battle +1DH
  • Killer Saucers +2D
  • Uberswap
  • Boulder Dash Junior V +2H
  • Sancik Preview
  • Fold’em 2 +2D
  • Zzapped in the Butt DX +2D
  • Cross Snake 2.0 +4D
  • Hades Nebula +3DMFGH
  • Santa La Vista +1H
  • The Reactor +1TD
  • Flying Cobra – Special Edition [seuck]
  • Future Shock +1D
  • On the Grid
  • On the Grid +3H
  • Sprite Invaders
  • Sprite Invaders +2H
  • Spellbound +3G
  • Sprite Invaders +
  • Sancik Preview 2 +2
  • Halley’s Comet +3HDGT
  • Pong 2020
  • Castle +4DG
  • Thomas the Tank Engine’s Fun with Words +D
  • Greek-themed Tetris +JD
  • One on One 2k Preview 3
  • TetrisC64 &DJ
  • Moon Train +1DTH
  • Endless Forms Most Beautiful 64 V1.3 +3D
  • The Goonies +6D (IDE64)
  • Faery Tale Adventure +2D (EASYFLASH)
  • Genius 3 +7D
  • Rainbow Edge Run DX
  • Nightfighter +1D
  • Silkdust Preview +D
  • S.P.R.E.R.O.
  • S.P.R.E.R.O. +1D
  • Not Even Human – Inhumane Edition
  • S.P.R.E.R.O. +4D
  • Tomb Chaser 2020 +3
  • Tiny Invaders Preview +
  • S.P.R.E.R.O. V1.1
  • 1-Bit Dungeon V1.1 +2 [seuck]
  • Sub-X 64 +2 [seuck]
  • Tiny Invaders Preview +
  • Adventures of Tronic V2.0 +2 [seuck]
  • Magical Girl Mary vs Evil V2.0 +2 [seuck]
  • The Return V2.0 +2 [seuck]
  • Dragon Soul V1.2 +2 [seuck]
  • Dungeon of Rott V2.0 +2 [seuck]
  • Alien Bleed V2.0 +2 [seuck]
  • Space Swarm 64 V3.0 +2 [seuck]
  • Birdie Bird V3.0 +2 [seuck]
  • Spike +2
  • Fire Ant +1MDGHS
  • Soul Force +8DP
  • 8Bit-Slicks (Update 2021-01-23)
  • 8bit-Slicks (2021-01-23)
  • Hardhat Construction Co. +2
  • Top-Hole Golf Preview 3 +D
  • Phoenix Recovered Preview +
  • Hoverjet +3D
  • Ice Mountain +3DG
  • 8bit-Slicks (2021-01-26)
  • Bastion +1DH
  • S.P.R.E.R.O. V1.2
  • S.P.R.E.R.O. V1.2 +5D
  • Broken Calendar +3
  • Caveman +3DG
  • Castalia +7DG
  • Risky Holding +TGD
  • Iso-Ana and the Black Boxes +4DGT
  • Royal Rescue +2DG
  • RADs +2DG
  • Tiny Invaders
  • Peyha – The King
  • Quickchange +2DG
  • Peyha – The King +S
  • Balloon Crazy +1DG
  • Realms of Darkness +5FD
  • Dragon Hort Preview +2
  • Litter Bug +3D
  • PETSCII Love +3
  • Bricklayer +1DG
  • Miner +2DG
  • Weirdvision 64 Preview &D
  • Trap +2DGH
  • Radonium &DG
  • 8Bit-Slicks
  • Arcade Volleyball +1DG
  • Rogue Sunbathers +1DG

Download: All Games in One Archive (3871)

source: csdb.dk