A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released. This version runs only on the 1541 Ultimate II cartridge (new fpga).
Version 2.6h includes some new features and fixes:
- Timing fixed for C64C
- Newer version of built-in MOD player.
- Bug fixes regarding USB stick removal.
- Enhancements under the hood for networking support. Network support will be enabled later, is not part of this version!
Release notes:
- Version 2.6h contains some small fixes on top of 2.6d. This build is a DUAL DRIVE version with NO SID emulation.
Download: 1541 Ultimate II Firmware v2.6h (1358)
source: 1541ultimate.net
This is a firmware hack of the version 2.6d build for the 1541 Ultimate Plus (MK1) by Bradon (forum link).
The latest official version for the 1541 Ultimate Plus (MK1) is the version v2.4a.
Note from the author:
After much frustration, I finally managed to get a working build environment for the 1541U firmware.
My 1541U is a MK1 Plus unit (no network). The last revision of the firmware I could compile is 2.6d, SVN revision 131. Starting with 132 it seems that the content is too much for the older FPGA. I started to look into removing cart ROMs I don’t use and gave up realizing this would be too much to do in my spare time, since their offset locations are hardcoded.
I removed the “too old” warning check so it will boot up without having to dismiss a warning.
So far it seems to work correctly. I don’t know if the FPGA revision check really matters for this revision or not. It would appear Gideon has no desire to continue supporting MK1 units since building for them is not possible with the latest revisions. This is of course fine with me (I don’t expect he will forever and ever try to make it work on older units), I just wanted the most recent build possible.
Changes:
- Added F3 help screen to show 1541U commands.
- Modified the file viewer so that scrolling will not advance past the last line.
- Added F1 and F7 page up/down to the file viewer.
- Modified behavior of the file browser so that when you cursor-right on an item with no children, the context menu is brought up as if you pressed return.
Download: 1541 Ultimate (MK1) v2.6d.o918r4 (1215)
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released. This version runs only on the 1541 Ultimate II cartridge (new fpga).
Version 2.6d includes some new features and fixes:
- FIXED: Ultimax mode forced now correctly implemented (solves issue with freeze and DMA load)
- FIXED: Updater now works on C128… (not all C128 issues are fixed)
- ADDED: Programmable cartrige emulation timing.
- IMPROVED: Some drive emulation enhancements.
Release notes:
- This version does *not* include SID, but it does include the Ultimate Audio module. Different builds may become available upon request.
- The internal copier is still in beta. It has been tested with some of my drives, but there might be drives out there that won’t work. Make sure you have an IEC link from the Ultimate to a real drive to use this function. (No need to have a link to the computer.) There is still no retry mechanism; sectors that failed to read correctly will not be re-read.
- The Kernal replacement function is critical when it comes to timing. Tested on two machines only. Might not work on all C128.
Download: 1541 Ultimate II Firmware v2.6d (1233)
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released. This version runs only on the 1541 Ultimate II cartridge (new fpga).
Version 2.6c includes some new features and fixes:
- NEW: Disk Copier from real drives to .D64 images.
- NEW: Command Interface.
- NEW: Ultimate-II DOS V1.0 (command target)
- NEW: Kernal replacement function.
- FIXED: TAP file recorder failed miserably on high latency write devices. Rewritten; should work better now.
- FIXED: Drive data timing has improved. Timing is now dependent on the data track itself, not on the speed setting of the VIA. This fixes some protected titles in G64 format.
- FIXED: USB stick present on boot time caused the Ultimate-II to crash when loading a file from SD at initialisation time (kernal rom / drive rom)
- FIXED: Starting a program with RUN sometimes caused the ultimate to become unresponsive when freezing afterwards.
- FIXED: Now reads USB sticks with FAT16 format, but without partition table.
Release notes:
- This version does *not* include SID, but it does include the Ultimate Audio module. Different builds may become available upon request.
- The internal copier is still in beta. It has been tested with some of my drives, but there might be drives out there that won’t work. Make sure you have an IEC link from the Ultimate to a real drive to use this function. (No need to have a link to the computer.) There is still no retry mechanism; sectors that failed to read correctly will not be re-read.
- The Kernal replacement function is critical when it comes to timing. Tested on two machines only. Might not work on C128.
Download: 1541 Ultimate II Firmware v2.6c (1168)
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released. This version runs only on the 1541 Ultimate II cartridge (new fpga).
Version 2.5 includes some new features:
- File viewer.
- Selectable colors in user interface.
This version also includes some fixes for nasty memory allocation bugs that existed when using USB sticks. Removal of a USB device is now at least a lot safer. Also, some file system bugs were fixed.
Version 2.5+ includes some new features:
The ‘plus’ version of 2.5 including a special 7-voice audio engine. This version is based on the same 2.5 with the bugfixes and a special FPGA build can it only supports ONE floppy drive, in favor of extra audio functionality.
Download:
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released. This version runs only on the 1541 Ultimate II cartridge (new fpga).
New features:
The ‘Ultimate Audio’ feature is a new feature for the 1541 Ultimate-II module. It implements multi- channel audio sample playback support from REU memory, and is an exciting addition to the possibilities this cartridge offers.
Download:
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate is released. This version runs only on the 1541 Ultimate II cartridge.
NOTE: Version 2.4a and 2.4c are the same, except for the update program itself.
Version 2.4c includes the fixes that TLR made to the firmware, and adds the following features:
- Extra checks added in the update program: Verify after flashing the pages and checking checksum of loaded files.
Download: 1541 Ultimate II Firmware v2.4c (1408)
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate is released. This version runs on both version of the Ultimate 1541 cartridge.
Version 2.4a includes the fixes that TLR made to the firmware, and adds the following features:
- Bitfiles don’t need (and can’t) be flashed on a 250E… (fix for MK1)
- Version updated to AC for MK1 as well (otherwise the software will annoy you until you die!)
- Cartridge list shortened. This avoids crash on cart change in config.
Download:
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate is released. This version runs on both version of the Ultimate 1541 cartridge.
Version 2.4 includes the fixes that TLR made to the firmware, and adds the following features:
- CRT load (just by selecting the file, not on boot time)
- EasyFlash support (reading only, writing is not needed IMHO)
- Flashing and running custom FPGAs (Ultimate-II only), especially for those who want to do FPGA development without JTAG cable. FPGA bitfile will be flashed into the spare area of the Flash memory device, and the FPGA is booted from there. So there is no risk of bricking your device. (Flashing needs to be done for every boot still, optimizations will follow.)
For the rest, a lot of work has been done ‘under the hood’; especially in preparation of a native command interface to control the Ultimate from I/O space. But since this is not yet ready, it’s not included (=not enabled) in the 2.4 firmware.
Download:
source: 1541ultimate.net
This is a custom firmware build for the 1541 Ultimate II by Daniel Kahlin (tlr).
This version of the firmware addresses a few things that needed improvements.
Full History:
- Rebased to the 2.3 release. (svn r88)
- Rebased to the 2.2 release. (svn r71)
- Added GPL 3.0 license as stated by Gideon in the 1541 Ultimate-II (Fixes Bug 110 “License file (GPL) missing in source repository.”)
- Fixed filename length in print out during DMA loading.
- Added “Real Run” for files inside .d64 files which mounts, loads and runs using the BASIC prompt.
- Added “Run Tape” for .tap files which mounts tap and does LOAD/RUN using the BASIC prompt.
- Added “Run Disk” for .d64 and .g64 files which mounts, loads and runs “*” using the BASIC prompt.
- Added detection of cyclic links in .d64 directories and files. (Fixes Bug 94 “Hang when entering diskimage.”)
- Added sanity check of sector links in .d64 directories and files.
- Search until end of directory, even when hitting files with t=0. (Fixes Bug 98 “No dir listing with DEL file linked to T0, S0.”)
- Based on the 2.1 release. (svn r65)
- RUN/LOAD/mount has been reworked to hopefully be more clean. (Fixes Bug 109 “CLR/HOME ctrl code sometimes visible on running file from browser.”)
- Made DMA loading simulate the look of normal loading.
- Corrected mixup of disk id. (Fixes Bug 79 “id1 & id2 mixed in disk_image.cc (Skate or Die disk/sector id bug)”)
- Cherry-picked fix for SDCard rename from trunk. (svn r66) (Fixes Bug 105 “Renaming SDCard via U-Menu corrupts root directory.”)
- Submenues can now be exited using CRSR-left in addition to R/S. (Implements Wish 77 “Exit submenu using CRSR-left in file browser.”)
Download: 1541 Ultimate II Unofficial firmware v2.3 (tlr) (1275)
source: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate is released. This version runs on both version of the Ultimate 1541 cartridge.
Major improvement in latest release:
- REU fixed.
- Timing module for cartridge slot simplified to make things work on an SX-64.
- D64 listing corrected for some non-conformant files.
- Most audio options disabled for Ultimate-I.
- A lot of small things modified under the hood (not yet visible as feature for the user.)
- Some testing done on both Ultimate-I as well as Ultimate-II.
Download: 1541 Ultimate II Firmware (1091)
Download: 1541 Ultimate I (Plus) Firmware (1048)
source: 1541ultimate.net
Autopsy:
The 1541 Ultimate-II is a peripheral developed for the Commodore 64 (C64) by Gideon Zweijtzer.
It’s a C64 compatible cartridge that carries an Action Replay, The Final Cartridge III, Super Snapshot, Retro Replay or TurboAss with Codenet support (whatever the user prefers) and a fully compatible FPGA-emulated Commodore 1541 floppy drive that is fed from a built-in Mini SD card slot with C64-compatible files (e.g. .D64 diskimages or .PRG single program files).
The difference between 1541 Ultimate-II and other SD-based & .D64 mounting cartridges (like the MMC64, Super Snapshot 2007, or MMC Replay, SD2IEC) is that the 6502 microprocessor that powers the 1541 floppy and the 1541′s mechanical behavior (even sound) is fully emulated, making it theoretically compatible with almost anything.
File selection and management is done via a third button on the cartridge that brings up a new menu on screen.
For the full features list click here.
source: 1541ultimate.net ar.c64.org
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released. This version only runs on the Ultimate-II! Release for Ultimate-I (MK1) will come very soon.
Major improvement in latest release:
- MAJOR bug fix: Updater caused to unit to fail when “Force update” was selected on the first batch Black boards (with Atmel Flash)…
- Updater updated: Now possible to clear all configuration pages in flash.
- Issue fixed with configuration of objects that did not have a config page yet (write/effectuate decoupled).
- Issue fixed with re-freezing into an empty D64 (or file with headers but no items); caused a blank screen.
- Version number of FPGA increased [to $A6], because REU was fixed. (See previous commit).
- Simulation environment set up for REU.
- REU verify bug fixed. More testcases to be added.
- …/target/simulation/sim/$ make reu_tc_1.gui will start ModelSim with the REU testcase.
- Missing simulation package added.
- SdCard cannot be renamed, of course… fixed…
- Build of MK1 firmware fixed, using the 250E FPGA.
- Makefile changed to output a warning when ISE locations from the project is used, instead of your own.
- Tested on ‘clean’ system with Xilinx ISE 13.1 installed.
- Missing file added: sid_mapper.vhd. Why did nobody notice this? :D
download: 1541ultimate.net
A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II is released. This version only runs on the Ultimate-II!
Major improvement in latest release:
- Config menu is now ‘hot’, meaning that all settings that can be applied when exiting the menu will be applied immediately without reboot.
- Audio options added.
- Stereo SID emulation added.
- Initial support for domark cartridges added; not yet tested (and no support from the menu in this release).
- Improvements made in file system handling.. (It’s not ‘clean’ yet, but delete and rename now work)
- Issue solved that caused errors when more than one cluster was used for a directory.
- Bug fixed that caused a crash when partition list was skipped.
- Some additional testing with SID support.
- Created module for selecting audio options in the Ultimate configuration menu. Address for second SID now configurable.
- Some experiments done with EM1010 USB to Ethernet module. The module doesn’t comply with the USB philosophy of interrupts.. it *always* gives an interrupt every poll.. (wrong!) But nevertheless, managed to send a DHCP discover and receive a reply from the router. :) (not yet functional in this release)
- Command Interface created and handler set up for testing VHDL. (not yet functional in this release)
- Cartridge Logic restructured to make it a little more plug and go.
- Reading of ISO9660 added (both as .iso file, as well as from external USB CD-ROM..)
- Partition list skipped when there is just one.
download: 1541ultimate.net
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…)
This is a MAJOR update from RCA! Please note that former versions had issues with writing back data to .D64 images.
Your copies that you made with former 2.0RCx versions might be corrupt!!
Major improvement in latest release:
- Added: Small step made to supporting block sizes other than 512 bytes (for CDROM, which I want to support soon!)
- Added: Update changed to flash all roms too…
- Added: Boot FPGA definitions added for booting with Winbond Flash.
- Added: USB hub support (high speed devices only!)
- Added: C64 reset included in 1541 reset (optional)
- Added: Option to save current disk as D64 or G64.
- Added: Option to create formatted G64.
- Added: Progress bars in user interface.
- Added: Stop option added to tape playback.
- Added: Initial attempt to implement creating of G64 files.
Read more…
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