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Gotek HxC Firmware v3.1.0.4a (New direct file formats support)

December 4th, 2017 No comments

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….

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.1.0.4a:

Major update!

  • New direct file formats support (Read & Write !) :
    • Acorn machines : *.ADL,*.ADM,*.SSD,*.DSD and *.ADF file support
    • Camputer Lynx : *.LDF
    • Commodore C64 : *.D81
    • Thomson machines : *.FD
    • Sam Coupé : *.SAD, *.MGT
    • MSX Machines : *.IMG, *.DSK
    • Spectrum : *.TRD, *.SDD
  • New menu entry : Target system family selection.
    • This reduce a lot the risk of erroneous raw file identification.
  • Lots of RAW file support improvements :
    • All sector sizes supported, advanced track skew and interleaving support.
    • FM & MFM support.
  • Amstrad CPC DSK support : Fix for the One Disk/double sided Batman demo.
  • Fix attempt of the “diymore.cc” OLED screens : OLED init screen delay  menu option added.
    • (Note : Please avoid these “diymore.cc” screens until i got an idea what is the root cause of the issue.)
    • Internal improvement : Track cache layer improved, RAW files support/identification improved.

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.33.12a:

  • Extra LCD size option added :
    • 2×40 characters (for 2×40 I2C-HD44780 screens)
  • Clear internal settings function : Press “up” button at power up to Clear the settings with the default values.
  • SP1200 write support fix.

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

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.1.0.4a (1020)

source: hxc2001.com

Gotek HXC Alpha Firmware with OLED Display

November 2nd, 2017 No comments
Gotek HXC Alpha Firmware OLED Display

Gotek HXC Alpha Firmware with OLED Display.

You can download here the Alpha Firmware Update.

Gallery:

source: hxc2001.com

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

Gotek HxC Firmware v3.0.33.4a (CPC DSK images now are supported)

October 27th, 2017 No comments

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….

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.33.4a:

  • CPC DSK / RAW DSK : If not a CPC DSK file, open it as a RAW image.
  • RAW Image : *.DSK and *.OUT files support added.
  • System tick optimization.
  • OLED screen support : Characters generator code speed optimization.
  • Config-Less Mode :
  • More CPC DSK format variant support.(again !)
  • More CPC DSK format variant support.
  • Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK : Fix some DSK identification issues.
  • Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK : Fix file type detection with CPC File selector v2.5
  • Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK : Write Support working !
  • Amstrad CPC EDSK & DSK support : Fix issues with non-standard sector size images (Midline Process…).
  • Amstrad CPC DSK direct support added (Old and new format) : Read only for the moment.  Write support and simple copy protection support incoming ;).
  • New setting menu item : auto selection setting. You can now set the desired timeout for the auto selection function or disable it.
  • Normal mode : Fix random “Bad file” and IMG read issue at power up/USB stick change.
  • Some optimizations.
  • Write pipeline issue fixed.
  • Fix : IMG/IMA/DSK and ST files are now visible in normal/direct browsing mode.
  • Rotary support added. Connections points : Clock -> J7 pin 2,Direction -> J7 pin 1.

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

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.0.33.4a (809)

source: hxc2001.com

USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Floppy Emulator: Firmware v3.0.20.1a

August 8th, 2017 No comments

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….

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.20.1a:

  • Low level I2C & LCD IO redesigned and optimized.
  • Long names are now scrolling on the LCD during floppy emulation.
  • Short name image type identification issue fixed.
  • USB “Hot plug” support fixed in autoboot/”file selector” mode.
  • Fix the config file access error when the file haven’t the archive flag set.

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.0.20.1a (1158)

source: hxc2001.com

USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Floppy Emulator: Firmware v3.0.19.2a

August 5th, 2017 No comments

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….

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.19.2a:

  • New buttons behaviour and better debouncing filter. Navigation user-experience should be better now.
  • Disk Eject function : Press both buttons to eject the disk. Working in indexed, autoboot mode, and normal mode.
  • “Eject at power up” option added.
  • Support up to 999 Images in autoboot mode (with the File selector) (Use the new CFG file and selector to use this feature)
  • LCD : Display refresh improvements.
  • New CFG file format : Some new flags and no more slots/disk drive limitation.
  • Some critical parts rewritten in assembly. Huge code speed improvement -> Better HD density reliability. ED density to be tested ;).
  • Code size reduced.
  • Advanced USB mass storage cache implemented to improve read/write reliability.   (Btw : Now when track size can be stored into the SRAM, the emulator will not read forever the data from the stick but use the cached data instead).
  • IMG/ST file write support done.
  • Huge RAW (*.ADF/*.ST/*.IMG) Write performance enhancement (Write 2 tracks at once !)
  • RAW *.IMG files can be used in indexed mode : Name the files DSKA0000.IMG,DSKA0001.IMG,DSKA0002.IMG,…
  • HFE write performance enhancement.
  • “Autoboot.hfe not found” message added.
  • 7 segments display “dots” glitch fixed.
  • 128 & 256 bytes sectors support added in raw mode.
  • FM support : Write to HFE file fixed.
  • FM support : Raw (*.dsk) read/write support.
  • New File format support (WIP) : HFEv3. Can now support copy protected images converted from IPF and others similar formats !  Variable bitrate supported (CopyLock & SpeedLock). Weak/Flakey bits support to be added !
  • Fix IPF support for these games: Jim Power, Z-Out,Xenon 2,Ghosts’n Goblins,Rainbow Islands,B.A.T II  and probably some others !
  • Slot number printed on the second line during slot search with an LCD.
  • XCopy write issue fixed.
  • Sound buzzer output on the “JB” jumper position. You can connect a piezo or a magnetic buzzer (transistor needed for the magnetic version).  The sound output can be disabled or enabled into the selector settings.  (Note : Please remove these old sound mod using directly the step signal, they are producing reliability problems…)
  • Mixed track format/density write support fixed (To be tested!).

Current direct images support:

  • *.HFE (RW),*.HFE V3 (RW) (early write support), *.ADF (RW), *.ST (RW), *.IMG (RW).
      Note : HFE files is a multiplatorms floppy image format supporting many systems and disk formats.

Selector software:

  • New Bootblock for the Amiga version : The file selector is now “trackloaded” and start faster.
  • Speed up the sub-directory change/browsing.
  • Can start an image from the slot page with the F7 key.
  • The File selector is now available under Windows and Linux ! : You can now edit the list from a PC !. (Compatible with all SD/USB HxC drives !)  To launch it : HXCFEMNG -disk:[SD/USB drive letter:]  See the selector readme file for more details.  This is a new selection solution for all others machines without native file selector available.
  • Linux/Windows version : You can now import from txt file / export to txt file / auto populate / check / fix and clear your slots configuration.  Very useful for fast populating and compilations duplication ;)
  • Windows version : Fix big size (>8GB) usb stick/sd access issue.
  • populateslots option : autoboot.hfe filtered.

Converter / HxC Software:

  • WIP : HFEv3 Import/export support added. This format support copy protections (variable bitrate protections and soon weakbits protections).

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.0.19.2a (1310)

source: hxc2001.com

SD2Snes Firmware v0.1.7e released

May 7th, 2017 1 comment

Ikari has released a new firmware for the SD2Snes Flash Cartridge (Super Nintendo/Famicom). The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Changelog:

  • Fix critical DAC timing quirk causing audio distortion with MSU1.
  • Fix clock glitch on SD card access leading to audio/video distortion with MSU1 in rare cases.
  • Properly map SRAM to banks f0-ff instead of f0-fd in Mode 20 (“LoROM”) memory map.
  • Add support for headered bsxbios.bin
  • Slight SD Card read performance optimization for MSU1 (try and avoid unaligned reads)
  • Change initial SRAM fill value (by devinacker)
    • Fixes Ken Griffey Jr., Ou-chan, possibly other games that handle checksums badly.
  • Always start game on PPU2 field 0
    • Theoretical compatibility improvement.

Download:

source: sd2snes.de

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

Ultimate-II & II+: New firmware update v3.1a rev 495

A new version of the firmware for the interface 1541 Ultimate II+and 1541 Ultimate II is released.

Release notes Ultimate-II+ v3.1a rev 495:

  • USB fixes:
    • No more blocking timeouts, that may hang indefinitely
    • Fix for a bug accessing USB2LAN adapters
  • Other:
    • U2 audio output fixed; as it was harsh and ugly.
    • Small bug fixes.

How to update?

  • For the 1541 Ultimate-II:
    • Navigate to the unzipped file ‘update_audio_495.u2u’ or ‘update_dual_drive_495.u2u’ and select “Run Update”
  • For the 1541 Ultimate-II+:
    • Navigate to the update_495.u2p file, and select “Run Update”.

Download:

source: facebook.com 1541ultimate.net

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

Ultimate-II+: New firmware update v3.1 rev 474

March 26th, 2017 No comments

A new version of the firmware for the interface Ultimate II+ is released. This version runs ONLY on the Ultimate II+ cartridge.

Release notes Ultimate-II+ v3.1 rev 474:

  • USB fixes:
    • support for sticks that do not reliably reply to the ‘inquiry’ command
    • Byte alignment issue fixed when writing. This caused corrupted G64s to be written sometimes
    • Support for composite devices added
    • Added support for USB keyboards, to navigate the Ultimate browser menu
  • Incorporated patches from Markus & Henning, including, but not limited to:
    • Audio squeal fix, speaker volume addition
    • Ultimate DOS V1.1 with added commands
    • Added Home Directory support
    • Added support for GeoRAM
  • IEC fixes:
    • IEC now operates properly on the bus, when it is alone (disabled 1541 drives)
    • IEC filename fixes; saving a file to IEC adds the right extension and also removes the extension when loading directory
    • IEC should now work with JiffyDOS  (not yet supporting the JiffyDOS protocol)
  • UltiCopy is working again!
  • Small fix in TCP support (TCP hangup on retransmission)
  • Other small fixes:
    • Save disk twice bug fixed
    • Fixed load errors on tape adapter cable with some USB 3.0 cables
    • Keyboard “racekeys” fixed
    • Reduced Link Up time for the Ethernet port
    • Ultimax mode ROMs now allow video data in ROM

How to update?

  • Browse to the U2P firmware file on the USB storage and run it from the context menu.

Download: Ultimate-II+ Firmware v3.1 rev 474 (1157)

source: facebook.com 1541ultimate.net

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

EverDrive N8 NES OS Update v14 released

October 29th, 2016 No comments

It was released a new OS Update for the EverDrive N8 NES Flash Cartridge (Nintendo NES) by Krikzz. The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Changelog:

  • Fixed MMC4 (glitches in Fire Emblem)
  • New mappers support. 31, 137, 138, 139, 141, 147, 168
  • Removed “audio mix vol” option. Now it always in “Hi” state.
  • Removed “Mapper info” menu due the lack of memory space.
  • Minor bugfix.

Download: -EverDrive N8 NES OS Update v14 (1292)

source: krikzz.com

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

SD2Snes Firmware v0.1.7d released

October 8th, 2016 No comments

Ikari has released a new firmware for the SD2Snes Flash Cartridge (Super Nintendo/Famicom). The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Changelog:

  • Reworked the in-game hook code again, squeezing out a couple more CPU cycles – compatibility improved further
  • BS-X: new bsx page file by LuigiBlood!
    • contains a proper channel map, notably fixes Fuurai no Shiren: Surara o
    • sukue and most likely more games
    • enables a great number of town features
  • BS-X: better detection for script-type ROMs (e.g. various magazines)
  • Cx4 SKIP instruction timing sped up a bit. Core felt a bit too slow. (this is a makeshift “fix” until I implement the proper Cx4 instruction timing I recently figured out)
  • Fixes:
    • fixed occasional black screen after soft reset (L+R+Select+Start)
    • in-game hook memory area visibility quirks fixed in various situations, notably fixes BS Kirby no Omochabako: Pinball
    • BS-X: fix PSRAM corruption on SNES WRAM writes, fixes a number of games, notably BS Kirby no Omochabako: Pinball (tough one)
    • PPU2 H/V count odd/even read flag is reset on ROM load, this fixes games that depend on it when run after games that leave it in a dirty state – notably audio glitches and freezes in Super Punch-Out when run after Fuurai no Shiren.
    • SPC Player: Fixed a long-standing transfer corruption bug that occurred because the original bulk transfer routine didn’t account for CPU stalls by HDMA (which is abundant in the sd2snes menu). This fixes occasionally missing instruments, corrupted samples etc.
    • fixed an occasional deadlock on bootup where the menu would hang at the “Loading…” screen.
    • fixed hard freeze when selecting a file immediately after disabling the “Hide file extensions” option
    • fixed persistent hard freeze in recent games list handling when running games with long path names (> ~120 characters)
    • revert DAC I2S timing to pre-v0.1.7c behaviour, hopefully reducing audio glitches for sd2snes Rev.G units
    • fixed corrupted file list display after playing an SPC file with a scrolled file name
  • Cosmetic changes:
    • “Loading” window is replaced by status bar notification to be less
    • disruptive with very short load times
    • configuration settings no longer have the wrong color when changed

Download:

source: sd2snes.de

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

Ultimate-II+: New firmware update v3.0c rev 423

September 29th, 2016 No comments

A new version of the firmware for the interface Ultimate II+ is released. This version runs ONLY on the Ultimate II+ cartridge.

Ultimate-II+ fixes: 3.0c rev 423:

  • Fixed speaker disable
  • Fixed G64 loading
  • Fixed IEC for use with JiffyDOS and single byte fetches
  • Increased output volume on codec output
  • Auto audio / REU select for MOD player (yet to do for SID player)

How to update?

  • Browse to the U2P firmware file on the USB storage and run it from the context menu.

Download: Ultimate-II+ Firmware v3.0c rev 423 (1060)

source: facebook.com 1541ultimate.net

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

SD2Snes Firmware v0.1.7c released

August 17th, 2016 No comments

Ikari has released a new firmware for the SD2Snes Flash Cartridge (Super Nintendo/Famicom). The upgrade instructions can be found here.

Changelog:

  • major overhaul of the in-game hook code, with more help from the FPGA, to significantly reduce CPU footprint. This improves hook compatibility with a variety of games.
  • in-game hook: avoid disruption of manual controller reads (fixes controls in Super Star Wars games)
  • new option: “Hide file extensions” (effective after next directory change)
  • do not silently fail to load saved games when the sd2snes/saves folder does not exist (create the folder instead)
  • do not silently fail to load/save cheat files when the sd2snes/cheats folder does not exist (create the folder instead)
  • Cx4 core now runs at exactly 20Mhz
  • fixes:
    • MSU1: avoid missed control register status changes on rapid rewrites (fixes FF3 Dancing Mad, Zelda FMV missing audio)
    • fix auto region patch timing (hopefully)
    • fix DSP1 header detection (fixes Ballz 3D JPN)
    • add reset hook to boot games on start of frame only (fixes Boogerman PAL)
    • clear entire SPC700 RAM (do not spare IPL area) – fixes echo artifacts in many games
  • minor cosmetic changes:
    • resize SPC player loading window
    • prevent flickering letters on System Information screen

Download:

source: sd2snes.de

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

New Firmware v1.4 availible for Atari XL/XE Sys-Check V2 cartridge

July 18th, 2016 No comments

Below the post of the author on Atariage Forum.

A new firmware and flashtool is availible for Sys-Check V2 series.

The new flashtool now supports both Sys-Check PCBs equipped with a SST39SF010A flash chip (V2.1 and V2.2). When you start the flashtool, it will ask you which version you have. To be absolutely sure, the flashtool shows a simplified graphic view of both versions. I think, everybody can handle it :)

Of course the flashtool (and all other documents) are written in german and english.

Also there´s a new firmware V1.4 out. This firmware can be used with ALL Sys-Check versions – also with the old V2.0 (without flash). Owners of the V2.0 must burn the 16 KB firmware image into a 27128 EPROM. All other please use the flashtool to update their Sys-Check.

V1.4 has this minor changes:

  • Sys-Check can be used with the U1MB expansion.
  • The new version first checks the whole memory (to be more exact… the first 48 KByte) and then displays the defective bits (if there are any…)
  • When bad memory within the first 48 KB is found, the upper 16 KB will not be tested.
  • If memory is fine, OS-ROM will be tested as before.
  • If both tests are fine, then pressing START after this will set Sys-Check into endless loop test mode. Memory and OS-ROM are tested infinite – until any error occurs.
  • During memory tests the background will be coloured red if defective bits were detected.

Download: Sys-Check Firmware & Tools v2.2 (985)

source: atariage.com

1541 Ultimate II: New firmware v3.0 beta 7

June 7th, 2016 No comments

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).

Release notes 3.0 beta 7:

r297 | gideonz | 2016-04-15 21:27:25 +0200 (Fri, 15 Apr 2016)

  • Prepared for release 3.0b7
  • Processor flag error fixed.
  • Some 6502 opcode testing done. Fixed ADC in decimal mode.

Some fixes:

  • ISSUE 189: Mount disk is now performed when C64/drive is not frozen
  • ISSUE 191: Loading a file from within T64 (and D64) could fail at times due to special chars. Fixed
  • ISSUE 193: Tape grab to TAP file fixed (at least that the option to run it will work)
  • ISSUE 204: TCP slowdown fixed; bug in USB driver
  • ISSUE 207: Typo fixed that caused “Save to disk” to fail with a 0 byte file
  • OTHER: SID file with faulty header now no longer causes Flash corruption
  • OTHER: Tape play / record functions updated

r276 | soci | 2016-01-17 07:35:38 +0100 (Sun, 17 Jan 2016)

  • Fix wrong DDRA readback (typo)
  • The TASM-RR cartridge is not REU compatible
  • Fix for PB6/7 keyboard freeze bug

Download: 1541 Ultimate II Firmware v3.0 Beta 7 (1204)

source: 1541ultimate.net

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Floppy Emulator: Firmware v3.0.8.2a

June 6th, 2016 No comments

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:

Release notes Firmware USB HxCFloppyEmulator v3.0.8.2a

  • HD floppy disk format issue corrected : write buffer size corrected.

Download: USB Stick STM32 (Gotek) HxC Firmware v3.0.8.2a (1134)

source: hxc2001.com