Observing these two displays at first glance there are no big differences are noticed.

Wrong! the Display where you reads V2.0 (updated version of the previous one), also works perfectly if inserted very close to the PCB of a Switching Power Supply, the other one instead at Random resets and displaying 888 just move it 10 CM away from the Switching Power Supply PCB and it works perfectly.

I wanted to share this news because i’m not the only one with this bizarre problem.

Gallery:

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 1.6.1 – Changes and additions:

• [All models] Adds Commodore 1351 mouse support to the C64
• [All models] Adds support for up to four joysticks
• [All models] Adds support for THEMOUSE
• [All models] Adds support for THEGAMEPAD
• [All models] Adds a new game Space Lords, a multi-player game that utilises the new mouse and multi-joystick support

Changes from previous versions:

• v1.5.2 – [THEC64 European] Fixes inconsistently displayed Blue Star carousel cover image
• v1.5.2 – [All models] Allows the primary C64 joystick port to be switched in-game
• v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds C64 only Classic mode
• v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds disk swapping for multiple disk games
• v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds soft and hard reset hot-keys to Classic mode
• v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Adds freeze button support to Classic mode
• v1.5.2 – [All models] Adds Commodore REU support with 512K, 2MB or 16MB as filename flags or CJM parameters
• v1.5.2 – [THEC64 Mini] Hessian (C64) and PET Snake (C64)
• v1.5.2 – [THEC64] Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher (VIC20) and Mine Sweep (VIC20)
• v1.5.2 – [THEVIC20] Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher (VIC20) and Mine Sweep (VIC20)

Download:

• TheC64/TheVIC20 Firmware v1.6.1 (8772)

source: retrogames.biz

Jean-François DEL NERO (who’s behind the HxC SD Floppy Emulator) recently has released a version of the HxC emulator firmware that is compatible with the STM32 chip used in the Gotek floppy emulators.

This means that the great functionality of the HxC SD emulator is now available on cheaper and more widely available hardware.

The bootloader to convert the Gotek floppy drive in HxC compatible must be purchased on the website HXC 2001 by sending an email to Jean-François DEL NERO. The price of the bootloader is one-off 10 Euro per Gotek that you want to update. Future updates of the software are free and can be made from a USB stick

The HXC Usb (Gotek) firmware supports: + many more….

USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Floppy Emulator Firmware v3.4.16.4a -> v3.8.1.2a cumulative changelog:

• Build-in USB stick init / format function :
• The USB stick can now be formatted/initialized for the “Image-less mode” by the firmware.
• Remove the USB stick, press both buttons to enter the embedded menu and select the sub menu to activate the format mode :
  •  - 7 digits display “d” menu entry -> Should display “For”
  •  - OLED display “Format USB Key” menu entry.
  • Then insert the USB stick you want to format.
  • WARNING : Formatting will erase all data on the USB stick !
  • The default built-in image is an HD 1.44MB Floppy disk, but you
  • can select another built-in image on the firmware customization
• SFRKC30 / SFR1M44-U100LQD Gotek support enhanced :
• The new rotary port is now supported.
• New explicit U100LQD OLED configuration.
• (Specific binaries for this new Gotek are now provided in the “New_U100LQD_Gotek” folder)
• The detected hardware model can now be read in the embedded menu
• (Sub menu ‘F’ for the 7 digits Gotek and in the “FW/HW version” sub menu for the OLED Goteks).
• Hardware ID definitions :
  • 000 : Original STM32F105 Gotek (64KB of RAM)
  • 001 : 64 pins ARTERY AT32F415RCT7 on an old STM32 Gotek board (32KB of RAM)
  • 002 : 48 pins ARTERY AT32F415CBT7 (New board) (32KB of RAM)
  • 003 : 64 pins ARTERY AT32F415RCT7 (New SFRKC30 / SFR1M44-U100LQD Gotek : Native OLED and Rotary support) (32KB of RAM)
• Test firmware updated to support all STM32 and Artery Goteks.
• Some important fixes in the emulation from folder mode
• (Informations about this mode are available on this page : https://hxc2001.com/docs/gotek-floppy-emulator-hxc-firmware/pages/emulation-from-folder.html)
• The emulation from folder mode was broken on ARTERY MCU based Goteks.
  •  Update recommended for all “emulation from folder mode” users !
• New SFRKC30 Gotek boards support added :
  •  This new Gotek revision has a new rotary port and will be shipped
  •  with a rotary switch and an OLED screen directly from the factory
  •  (No “mod” required anymore)
• Bootloader updated.
• Firmware updated.
• Firmware customization page updated.
• Normal/direct selection mode :  File sorting optimized for low memory “Artery” Goteks.
• 1680KB Distribution Media Format (DMF) .IMG support adjusted / fixed.
• Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.7.1.4a for all Artery AND STM Goteks ! ( -> In the “Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware” folder !)
• Update recommended for Artery Goteks users:
• “Normal mode” / Direct stick browsing mode :
• Fix regression with Artery Goteks  ! (Crash due to a memory alignment issue)
• Custom firmware page updated
• Build tools updated.
• RAM Memory management enhanced : Detect the RAM size and change/adapt  the cache buffers size according to the available memory.
• Compatible with all Goteks (Artery and STM MCU compatible).
• Now support all Artery versions (AT32F415RCT7, AT32F415CBT7…)
• Fixes : EPROM emulation support, Index signal.
• Rotary connections moved to PA13/PA14 (2 pins in the prog header) for the 48 pins MCU version.
• Firmware STM32 USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.6.1.2a for Artery AT32F415RCT7 Goteks ( -> In the “Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware” folder !)
• Since March/April 2021 we can see some new Gotek variants on the market.
• Due to the electronic components shortage, these new Gotek revisions use different MCUs.
• The STMicroelectronics STM32F105 MCU was replaced by Artery MCUs : AT32F415RCT7, AT32F415CBT7,…
• These MCUs are “mostly” compatible with the previously used STM part but there is an important difference : The RAM size. While the STM32F105 offers 64KB of RAM, these Artery parts have only 32KB of RAM. These changes imply modifications in the firmware.
• A first HxC Firmware compatible with the AT32F415RCT7 MCU can be found in the Artery_AT32_Gotek_HxC_Firmware folder.
• The bootloader was updated this week to support all the 3 Gotek variants:  STM32F105RB6, AT32F415RCT7,AT32F415CBT7.
• The bootloader now supports GPT/GUID formatted USB sticks.
• The server was updated this week to support all the 3 Gotek variants :
• The bootloader can installed on all these Gotek using the normal online procedure :  https://hxc2001.com/docs/gotek-floppy-emulator-hxc-firmware/pages/bootloader-installation.html
• Preparing the firmware for the next releases / features : Important code size optimizations. (First round !)
• OSD : The HSYNC polarity can be set on the custom firmware
  • (VSYNC already supports both polarity)
• Finally introducting the Raspberry Pi Zero W Gotek companion :
  • https://hxc2001.com/download/floppy_drive_emulator/RPiZeroW_HxC2001_StickEmulator.zip
  • (To be installed on the SD Card with rufus, dd, …)
  • Use the USB device port to connect the Raspberry Pi Zero W to the Gotek.
  • You can access the virtual stick through Wifi.
  • The Raspberry is by default setup as an access point. (HxC2001_RPIZeroW SSID)
  • The following services are currently enabled in the image :
  • IP :  192.168.100.1
  • Samba/Windows Share -> login : data, password : data
  • ftp -> login : data, password : data
  • ssh -> login : data, password : data / login : root, password : root
  • http -> just a test page for the moment.
• IMG file images : Fix Technics SX-F100 organ format and file deletion support.
• HFE files : Blind write mode now used on all non-MFM/FM HFE files.
• Quickdisk .QD files write support : Some fixes and improvements.
• Code improvements.
• Roland machines out,img,ima files support : sector interleave and track skew adjusted to the S-550 values. (Fix S-550 issues).
• Internal parameters : Power-up clear/reset right button timeout set to 3 seconds.
• Electone EL-900 disk change issue fixed :
• Clear internal ready timer at image selection.
• Internal default ready timing changed from 200ms to 400ms.
• v3.5.1.1 regression fix : Broken USB stick folder Auto mount feature fixed.
• Major release : Image-less mode support! Mount USB stick’s FAT12 partitions !
• USB Stick : GUID Partition Table (GPT) support. The firmware now support medias with GPT, MBR or without any partition table. GPT is becoming the default partition table used by most operating systems.
• New custom firmware page option:
  • GUID Partition Table (GPT) support option (enabled by default).
• Regression fix : Fix Amiga 1.76MB HD .ADF images support.
• Upside down orientation OLED screen option.
• “Normal mode” / Direct disk browsing mode : Fix possible erroneous “No file image found !” message issue. Update recommended.
• Amstrad CPC / ZX Spectrum EDSK & DSK:
  • Fake Track ID protection support.
  • Fake Side ID protection support.
  • Bad CRC protection support.
  • 6144 bytes sectors support fixed.
• (Fix the following copy protected ZX Spectrum games :
  • Robocop 2,Turrican 2,Barbarian 2,New Zealand Story,
  • Dan Dare 3,Operation Thurderbolt,Simpsons and probably others titles).
• Amstrad CPC / ZX Spectrum EDSK & DSK  : Fix deleted data mark support.
• v3.4.16.2a regression fix : Fix file selector issue on fast Amiga machines (>= A1200).

This is only a little part of the changelog. The original one is very long and you can read it here. (instruction manual here)

The HxC Floppy Emulator Firmware Customization page: https://hxc2001.com/custom_fw/

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.8.1.2a (744)

source: hxc2001.com

The Mega Blaster 2 by Aidan Lawrence is a hardware Sega Genesis/Mega Drive video game music (VGM) player that utilizes the real sound chips.

Play any Genesis track on-demand with brilliant sound quality on the actual YM2612/YM3438 and SN76489 PSG synthesizer chips that were found in the real Genesis consoles.

The Mega Blaster 2 is compatible with both .vgm and .vgz files and can support both the YM2612 and YM3438 simply by changing the DIP switch values.

This unit does not use any emulated sound – these are the real chips playing back logged data from the vgm files.

Features:

• Your choice of the original YM2612 (OPN2) or YM3438 (OPN2c) sound chip with the ability to swap on-the-fly using the DIP switches on the side of the board. Or, if you already have the sound chips, you can just order the board without any chips for a discount.
• A custom analog stage based on the Kunoichi Labs design on a four-layer PCB for flawless sound quality and stellar amplification.
• No additional power supply required, only a single USB connection.
• Support for file folders to organize your sound tracks.
• On-device file browser.
• Native VGM and VGZ support on-device, no decompression required.
• Brand-new VGM engine written from the ground up allows for accurate playback speeds for even the most computationally intensive sound tracks.
• Huge 64Mbit SPI RAM IC allows for giant PCM samples, allowing sample-heavy homebrew soundtracks to play with ease.
• Automatic YM chip authenticator. If your YM2612/YM3438 is damaged or not authentic, the Mega Blaster 2 will detect this at startup and alert you to it.
• All sound chips included with the Mega Blaster 2 bought from this site are verified to work correctly.
• DAC Stream support for homebrew soundtracks.
• 4 play modes: Loop, In-order, Shuffle ALL tracks, and Shuffle just a single directory.
• Custom looping options.
• An OLED display that’s grounded directly to the power input for zero analog interference.
• An adjustment potentiometer for the SN76489’s volume.
• A custom boost->linear power supply design for optimal audio performance.
• On-board class-AB headphone amplifier IC (TPA6111A2)
• Extremely easy firmware updates that require no external tools other than a computer. Just drag-and-drop an update file to the device as if it were a flash drive. That’s it.

Gallery:

Video:

source: aidanlawrence.com github.com

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:

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:

• TheC64/TheVIC20 Firmware v1.5.2 (797)

source: retrogames.biz

The VIC-Switch allows up to 8 Commodore computers to connect to a single disk drive, printers, plotters etc.

The VIC-Switch keeps track of who is currently using the device and prevents access to all other computers who might be requesting it at the same time.
Once the first computer is done using it, the VIC-Switch will then give access to the next computer.

The peripheral was made in Sweden by Handic and some models carry the Commodore logo but it doesn’t look very Commodore style
and for that reason i think they were branded by Commodore but not manufactured Commodore .

Gallery:

Download: Commodore VIC-Switch by Handic Manual (617)

The Commodore 128, also known as the C128, C-128, C= 128 is the last 8-bit home computer that was commercially released by Commodore Business Machines (CBM). Introduced in January 1985 at the CES in Las Vegas, it appeared three years after its predecessor, the bestselling Commodore 64.

The Commodore 128DCR model features a stamped-steel chassis in place of the plastic version of the C128D (with no carrying handle), a modular switched-mode power supply similar to that of the C128D, retaining that model’s detachable keyboard and internal 1571 floppy drive. A number of components on the mainboard were consolidated to reduce production costs and, as an additional cost-reduction measure, the 40 millimeter cooling fan that was fitted to the D model’s power supply was removed. However, the mounting provisions on the power supply subchassis were retained, as well as the two 12-volt DC connection points on the power supply’s printed circuit board for powering the fan. The C128DCR mounting provision is for a 60mm fan.

A significant improvement introduced with the DCR model was the replacement of the 8563 video display controller (VDC) with the more technically advanced 8568 VDC and equipping it with 64 kilobytes of video RAM—the maximum amount addressable by the device. The four-fold increase in video RAM over that installed in the “flat” C128 made it possible, among other things, to maintain multiple text screens in support of a true windowing system, or generate higher-resolution graphics with a more flexible color palette. Little commercial software took advantage of these possibilities.

The C128DCR is equipped with new ROMs dubbed the “1986 ROMs,” so-named from the copyright date displayed on the power-on banner screen. The new ROMs address a number of bugs that are present in the original ROMs, including an infamous off-by-one error in the keyboard decoding table, in which the ‘Q’ character would remain lower case when CAPS LOCK was active. Some software will only run on the DCR, due to dependencies on the computer’s enhanced hardware features and revised ROMs.

Despite the DCR’s improved RGB video capabilities, Commodore did not enhance BASIC 7.0 with the ability to manipulate RGB graphics. Driving the VDC in graphics mode continues to require the use of calls to screen-editor ROM primitives or their assembly language equivalents or by using third-party BASIC language extensions, such as Free Spirit Software’s “BASIC 8″, which adds high-resolution VDC graphics commands to BASIC 7.0.

Gallery:

source: wikipedia

This is the Battery Pack for the Newbrain, very comfortable and very light :-D useful for taking the computer to the beach during the summer holidays.

Obviously the Battery Expansion Unit after many years of inactivity has presented some problems of the 20 x 1.2V 600mA NiCd batteries.

The batteries besides being completely exhausted i had leaked acid. (see photo)

Fortunately, there are no major damages with the leakage of acid and it was enough to clean well, unsolder the 20 batteries and replace them with new ones of 1000mA.

Last update: I noticed a malfunction of the Battery Expansion Unit, when i set the switch to OFF the “discharge” LED remained on.

Looking at the schematic, the switch suspend the charge and the use of batteries, the problem was caused by a pcb pad (see photo) that at first sight seemed to be connected together with another, immediately close, but in truth it was not so, it was enough isolate the connection and now everything works correctly.

Gallery:

12►

This is the official demo party results from Gubbdata 2019. See also the CSDB GUBBDATA 2019 section for more informations.

C64 Demo:

• 1 – The Elder Scrollers by Booze Design
• 2 – The Dive by Genesis Project
• 3 – Skåneland 2 by Fairlight
• 4 – Thera by Atlantis
• 5 – Innervasion by Genesis Project, Offence, Panoramic Designs
• 6 – 5 of 5 Slider by Offence, Panoramic Designs, Prosonix
• 7 – Gumbo by Camelot
• 8 – Dark Times by Software of Sweden
• 9 – Tech-Tech Magic by Censor Design
• 10 – Fat Albert by Triad
• 11 – Bender by Offence
• 12 – Pretzeled by The Solution
• 13 – Cash Heart GP by Triad
• 14 – Esløw Nästa by Esl0w

C64 Music:

• 1 – Aslång på Skansen by Fegolhuzz
• 2 – Dimelo by Zardax
• 3 – So Fucking Bitter and Oldschool by Mr.Death/AnaNg
• 4 – Azzid Jazz by RaveGuru
• 5 – Floppy in Action by TDM
• 6 – Entry Denied by Magnar Harestad
• 7 – Eurogubbe 2019 by Flex
• 8 – Accelerated by psych858o
• 9 – Roady by Apollyon
• 10 – GubbWubb by Spider Jerusalem
• 11 – Ikebukuro by Mibri
• 12 – Jack Door by DAM
• 13 – Whisteling Wolk by Wolk
• 14 – Vinegar by Barik
• 15 – Sun of Japan vby Ioviani
• 16 – Spacestation by Mythus
• 17 – Wild West Rider by Pal
• 18 – Gubbdataintrång by Zzap69
• 19 – Kaosmanicken by Båtsman
• 20 – Datatanten Theme by AnaNg
• 21 – Laholms baksida by E-Grass

C64 Graphics:

• 1 – Hola! by The Sarge
• 2 – The Mighty Octopussy Hunter by Facet
• 3 – Purgatory by Razorback
• 4 – Hard2B by Raphis
• 5 – Mind The Power by Apollyon
• 6 – Vortex by Fabs
• 7 – Paradroid by Arcadestation
• 8 – King Dogg by Alta
• 9 – Fall of the Desert by Leon
• 10 – Gubba Gubba Hey by Lobo
• 11 – Vakttorn – Med plutonium tvingar vi dansken på knä by Danskjävel
• 12 – Psychotropical Eden by RailSlave
• 13 – Spacestation gfx by Mythus
• 14 – Fager by luNix
• 15 – Girl in Darkness by Splash

Wild Demo:

• 1 – Gubb Wish VI, Return of the Senior Citizen by Fairlight
• 2 – The Weapon by Fairlight
• 3 – Rasters of the Universe by Fossil
• 4 – Blade Runner by Pretzel Logic
• 5 – Miami Advice by Artline Designs
• 6 – HazlHof by Alta
• 8 – Maniac Mansion by Fantastic 4 Cracking Group

Mixed:

• 1 – Camel Ohio [2sid] by Encore (Music)

Mixed Graphics:

• 1 – Punished by Being Toppled from the Top by Mayday!
• 2 – Armakuni Returns by Genesis Project
• 3 – On a Bed of Silicon by Lft
• 4 – Lethal Eve by 8R0TK4$T3N
• 5 – Grumpy by Latex
• 6 – Uriel by Aeleus
• 7 – Gubbub by Hardcore Mofokkahz
• 8 – Øresundståg by Jucke
• 9 – Creatures by Hardcore Mofokkahz
• 10 – 1984-2019 by Logiker
• 11 – Hello I Love You by Triad
• 12 – Pigselated by Beardswitcher
• 13 – Rosa Ögat by Pravda
• 14 – How mås it? by Beardswitcher
• 15 – Kyckling by Lola
• 16 – Kool by Beardswitcher

Mixed Music:

• 1 – 80′s Ad by Fairlight
• 2 – Gubbrock is Law! by Latex
• 3 – Free Fallin’ by Censor Design
• 4 – Sweet Dreams by Båtsman
• 5 – Stockholmsserenad [2sid] by Zeta
• 6 – Rytmen av ett regn by Zapac

Mixed Demo:

• 1 – Samantha Fox Strip Poker Pro by Triad

Productions released outside compos:

• Datastorm 2019 Invite by Genesis Project (Invitation)
• Irmen’s Teh Triz by Genesis Project (Crack)
• Miami Advice by Artline Designs (Graphics)
• NGC 1277 100% by Samar Productions (Demo)
• Ninja Invasion Simulator Preview 2 + by Genesis Project (Crack)
• Phreeeeeeedh by Hardcore Mofokkahz (Intro)
• Relentless 64 promo by Bitplane Technomantes (Intro)
• Space Orbs Preview &D by Genesis Project (Crack)
• Terminal Fighter Preview + by Triad (Crack)

Download: Gubbdata 2019 Full Party stuff (782)

source: gubbdata.se

Some things for Atari 8bit:

• P-COVOX is a very simple device, 4channel, discrete component digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that fits under PIA chip. It isn’t as Hi-Fi as modern sound cards, but it`s perceptiom may be a lot better than a POKEY  – especially playing MODs or NEO files
• Simple Stereo V2 – New version of the Simple Stereo now all in one. I replace my old version of Simple Stereo + U-Switch, the features are the same.
• 64k RAM Module (Replaces base ram of 64KB in all 8bit ATARI, upgrades ram in 600XL to 64KB, PCB thickness is 0,8mm)

The 64k RAM module also replaces Multiplexers, DRAM, Delay Line C060472 and so on in XL series, the Delay Line is no longer available as spare parts.

source: lotharek.pl

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 / U2+ / U2 by Gideon is released.

U64 – Differences with previous official release V1.0B:

• Based on Ultimate-II+ firmware Version 3.4
• NTSC mode has been added. The switch can be found in the U64 Specific Settings menu
• Added rudimentary support for USB Floppy disks (not completely done yet; as removal of floppy is not yet detected)
• USB problems with low/full speed devices fixed; no more bus hang-ups in these cases. (No full HID support just yet..)
• VIC collision problem fixed.
• Improved 1541 compatibility; weak bit areas and floppy speed zones are now properly supported.
• LED Strip support.
• Various improvements ‘under the hood’

U2+ – Differences with previous official release V3.3a:

• Added rudimentary support for USB Floppy disks (not completely done yet; as removal of floppy is not yet detected)
• USB problems with low/full speed devices fixed; no more bus hang-ups in these cases. (No full HID support just yet..)
• Improved 1541 compatibility; weak bit areas and floppy speed zones are now properly supported.
• Various improvements ‘under the hood’

U2 – Differences with previous official release V3.2:

• The USB2LAN problem is now fixed. This bug took me over 50 hours to find and fix.
• Improved 1541 compatibility; weak bit areas and floppy speed zones are now properly supported.
• All other under the hood fixes that were done for U2+ and U64 that apply for U2 are backported to the U2 as well.

Download:

• U64/Ultimate-64 v1.10 - U2+/U2 v3.4 Firmware (700)

source: ultimate64.com

I could not resist the temptation to try also this “we hope it will be the last one!” FPGA implementation of the SID (Sound Interface Device) MOS 6581 / 8580, i’m talking about the fpgaSID by andi6510.

Probably this is the best implementation using an FPGA of the sound chip of the Commodore 64. If we make a quick comparison with the implementation made by Gideon for the Ultimate-64, both are the best ever.

It remains however understood that the audiophiles and purist of the sound generated of a original SID will never accept any implementation of the SID via FPGA.

andi6510 also wrote a software for the Commodore 64 (ConfiGuru) to configure the various fpgaSID options and for upgrade the firmware.

Below some information taken from the fpgaSID site.

Accurate replication of the original SID MOS6581 and MOS8580:

• Exact reproduction of the digital sound generation part
• Spice simulation of the analog filters
• Advanced models for all 6581 non-linearities

Many extra features on top of the original SID:

• FPGASID includes two fully functional SIDs for 6-voice stereo sound
• Perfect audio quality – much better than the original SID!
• Pseudo stereo mode mixes traditional tunes or game sounds to stereo
• Digitize the analog input to 8-bit samples (in your own software)
• Sample playback of 8-bit samples (in your own software)
• Nice light organ effect visible when mounted in transparent case
• Paddles readout even more accurate than the original SID

High compatibility:

• Works in any C64/SX64 or C128
• Works with any software written for standard single SID computers
• Works with large existing software base for dual SID stereo tunes
• Paddle and 1351 Mouse support
• Analog input EXTIN fully supported

Easy configuration with the software tool ConfiGuru:

• Individual configuration of every SID
• Easy- and Expert configuration modes
• Save up to two configuration sets permanently in flash memory
• Easy update to new firmware directly on your C64
• Flexible address allocation of the second SID
• Diagnostic function to troubleshoot hardware problems

Easy installation:

• Installation done in 20 minutes
• No soldering required for all main features (except external configuration switch, when needed)
• Much smaller than traditional stereo boards thus avoiding installation trouble

Gallery:

Video:

source: fpgasid.de

The SuperPET is a Commodore PET 8032 with one or two added boards that were designed at the University of Waterloo.

The computer has a built-in RS-232C interface and many programming languages on Floppy Disk. In Europe, this machine was called the MicroMainFrame 9000, or MMF 9000.

Let’s start to assembling the BMB Compuscience Ltd Board and Compu-Think 64K Memory Expansion board in the Commodore MMF 9000 (SuperPET)

I had to shorten the original standoffs installed in the computer because the length was wrong for the two boards BMB Compuscience/Compu-Think 64K. The long standoffs are used for the superPET Combo Board (the last one released).

It was not a simple job, obviously i have looked around for the identical standoffs with thickness, size, pitch and some with a long screw other with a short screw.

Between one phase and another i have also giving a nice clean inside and outside of the computer and of the motherboard.

Unfortunately there are a couple of problems after assembling the two boards of the MMF 9000 (SuperPET).

Defects:

• The keyboard space bar dead.
• Don’t runs any Waterloo program in the 6809 environment, runs only the Bootstrap menu which allows to load the programs from Floppy Disk, the Machine Language monitor and the Setup program both are in the Eprom.
• The protection Dongle (6702) not correctly viewed from the system.

Repair/Fix:

• The keyboard after a good cleaning has started to work well.
• The Dongle after cleaning the contacts now works.

About the programs that don’t runs in the 6809 environment the repair was a bit longer. I have used the only program that worked under the 6809 environment, the Machine Language Monitor.

With this program i have filled the memory with the command Fill (f 9000-9fff aa) and i have changed from time to time the bytes that i was going to write in memory and  i have used the command (d 9000-) to see the results and not all memory locations are written correctly.

With the Bank Switching command (b 0, b 1 …) i have switch the memory bank, there are 16 banks of 4k each for a total of 64k.

I have found 7 x 4116 RAM failed (this card is new, never used), replaced these bad RAMs everything has started to work properly.

So my advice is to try to load the Waterloo software in the 6809 environment to make sure that the 64k memory expansion (only seen in the 6809 environment) is working properly.

Below the photos of all the tests that i have done:

• Test with the CPU 6502 (Standard Commodore 8032/32k) with disk access, some software running in emulation 40 columns with the program: 80240.prg
• Test with the CPU 6809 of the entire Waterloo software package with disk access.

Gallery:

123►

This is a archive with documents, disk images and rom files usefully to test the computer.

Download: MMF9000/SuperPET Documents,Disk images,ROM Files (1208)

This is a program that can playback .SID files found in the HVSC collection on a real Commodore 64/128.

Make sure you have the most recent HVSC version for your sid files. It was designed for both PAL and NTSC computers, and will play all sid songs at correct system speed.

Versions of the program:

• sidplay64-normal.prg – Standard version for 1541, 1571, 1581 and clones.
• sidplay64-sd2iec.prg – SD2IEC version.
• sidplay64-reu-1541u2cmd.prg – 1541 Ultimate II version with REU.
• sidplay64-reu-sd2iec.prg – SD2IEC version with REU.
• sidplay64-reu-1541u-netdrive.prg – 1541 Ultimate & Netdrive with REU.
• sidplay64-reu-iec-cmd-ide64.prg  – CMD drives, IDE64 devices & other IEC devices, with REU.
• sidplay64-sidfx-reu-normal.prg – Sidfx and REU version for 1541, 1571, 1581 and clones of these.

(Again : The 1541U2 software iec mode has been disabled for this build.)

SIDPLAY 64 v1.21 (15/01/2018):

• Updated SIDFX card detection.

SIDPLAY 64 v1.20 (29/09/2017):

• Added SIDFX card support. Software control for switching beween 6581 or 8580.
• Sidplay64 detects the sidfx card. The sid chips. And will then ask you to center Switch 1 to allow for software control of the sid chips.
• Added Chameleon support for two emulated sid chips.
• Software control for switching between 6581 or 8580.
• Sidplay64 will switch to correct sid type when you load sids.

Download: SIDPlay 64 v1.21 (1172)

source: sourceforge.net