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C64 Big Game Pack: 4K Game Collection 64K / Ninja Massacre +4D …

October 20th, 2016 No comments

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

  • Collapse +20D
  • Carrier-Bourne Fighter Simulation &D
  • ALI V4 [german]
  • The Pirates of the Dark Waters V2
  • Dare Devil Denis +2DG
  • Slavia 2 Deluxe
  • Tasiemiec
  • Rise and Shine Professor Miggles
  • Dog
  • Lumberjack
  • Zombie Massacre
  • Princess Saver 2000
  • Valentine’s Day Shopping Simulator
  • Bonkey Kong
  • Goblin
  • Granny’s Teeth
  • Stareggs +4DGH
  • Goblin +
  • Bonkey Kong +
  • Zombie Massacre +2H
  • Freebooter Preview
  • Exodus Preview
  • Lumberjack +
  • Lumberjack +1H
  • Dog +
  • Rise and Shine Professor Miggles +
  • Granny’s Teeth +5D
  • Antarctica
  • Winky Blinky +
  • Watschinator
  • Super Ski
  • I Ate the Purple Berries
  • M4573R84G3L5
  • :10
  • $#!7
  • Dropout
  • Attack of the Mutant Cabbages +
  • Picross +
  • I Am the Flashing C64 Cursor +D
  • Picross
  • Firefighter Jenny
  • I Am the Flashing C64 Cursor
  • Super Ski +3
  • Winky Blinky
  • Attack of the Mutant Cabbages
  • Granny’s Teeth [post compo version]
  • Pour Le Merite +2D [seuck]
  • Sylphwyrm +2D [seuck]
  • Hack Attack Preview +D
  • Firefighter Jenny +3
  • Dropout 64 +D
  • Granny’s Teeth +4
  • Red Baron 3000 Preview
  • Snafu’64
  • Baker Street Detective +DGW
  • 4K Game Collection 64K CRT
  • Granny’s Teeth +5HD
  • Charlie Chaplin Preview
  • Colon +1TD
  • Ninja Massacre +4DGPF
  • Hack Attack +D
  • Atlantian Preview
  • Maelstrom +D

Download: All Games in One Archive (3640)

source: csdb.dk

Assembly and Replacement of the old DualSID with the MixSID

October 9th, 2016 No comments
Assembly and Replacement of the old DualSID with the MixSID

Assembly and Replacement of the old DualSID with the MixSID.

Unlike the DualSID i had to replace the two electrolytic capacitors (see picture) because the PCB of the MixSID is much more big and the two capacitors hinders the right installation of the PCB in the SID socket.

For the technical specifications of MixSID go here

Gallery:

source: henning-bekel.de

Categories: Hardware, 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+

September 30th, 2016 No comments
Ultimate II Plus

The ‘Ultimate II+’ is a storage solution for your Commodore C64/C128(D) home computer or in stand-alone mode for C16/Plus4/VIC-20 and so on.

This cartridge implements a ‘real’ 1541 Diskdrive for Commodore computers and with a simple press on one of the buttons, a menu will pop-up on the Commodore screen, allowing the user to view the USB storage content, and ‘mount’ .d64 or .g64 images into the Floppy Drive.

These are the most important differences from the previous version of the cartridge (1541 Ultimate-II)

  • No more MicroSD! (… that needs to be pushed in with something sharp, could fall into the case, … etc)
  • More USB ports (… one to compensate for the lost SD, and just one bonus: 3 in total)
  • IEC connector moved (… further back to facilitate use on some C128 models)
  • Integrated Ethernet (… no more need for an external USB2LAN adapter, and a smaller step to CS8900A compatibility)
  • Dual Flash (… no more worry that a software bug or upgrade failure leads to a bricked device)
  • Integrated Speaker (… who connects a speaker set to the audio jack for hearing drive sounds??)
  • External power supply connector with auto-switch over circuit (… for stand alone mode, and to lower the demand on the power supply of the C64)
  • Improved Audio (… audio codec, 24 bit/96 kHz*, for sampled sounds and SID emulation)
  • Improved Tape connector (… no more custom board and able that snaps in on the bottom, but standard USB 3.0 cable)
  • Improved power supply circuits (… for some reason they seemed to break down relatively often)
  • Slightly bigger and faster FPGA, as to control the new features.

Gallery:

source: 1541ultimate.net facebook.com

Categories: Hardware, 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 (1079)

source: facebook.com 1541ultimate.net

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

C64 Big Game Pack: Akalabeth – World of Doom +4 / Phase Out V1.4 …

September 26th, 2016 No comments

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

  • Let’s Invade Preview
  • Holy Camels
  • Akalabeth – World of Doom +4
  • Phase Out V1.4 +4D
  • QUOD INIT EXIT V1.6
  • Lawless Legends Preview
  • Psycastria +4D
  • Multi-Player Soccer Manager +MD
  • The Cursed Key +2D
  • Molar Madness Preview 2 – ISE
  • Pentagram V1.20
  • Bodily Fluids
  • Fantasy +D
  • War 70 +MD
  • The Sea Voyagers &D
  • International Karaoke + Contribution Beta 1
  • Ancient Legends Preview +D
  • Firequest +6DGF
  • Waffles +3TD [english+german]
  • Rubicon
  • Rhythm Master +DG
  • Infernum +1DT
  • Awakening +1FDW
  • Carrier-Bourne Fighter Simulation &D
  • Jungle Drums +6HD
  • Sally’s Garden Preview +5
  • Sally’s Garden Preview +2
  • Demons of Dex
  • 10 RUN 10:AN ENDLESS RUNNER
  • Hit and Run Baseball +D
  • The Lost Vikings Mockup

Download: All Games in One Archive (3920)

source: csdb.dk

HDMI Male To VGA Female Converter

September 25th, 2016 No comments
HDMI Male To VGA Female Converter

Spending only 4.70 Euro including postage this interface works good, the conversion from Digital to Analog works perfectly without delays or video artifacts.

source: ebay.com

ProDOS 2.4.1 by J.B. Brooks

September 23rd, 2016 No comments

A software developer John Brooks released what is clearly a work of pure love: the first update to an operating system for the Apple II computer family since 1993.

ProDOS 2.4, released on the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the Apple II GS, brings the enhanced operating system to even older Apple II systems, including the original Apple ][ and ][+.

Note: ProDOS 2.4 is now updated to ProDOS 2.4.1.

ProDOS 2.4 adds new features for all Apple II computers, including the 1977 Integer ROM Apple II. The last release, version 2.0.3, was released in 1993 by Apple computer, 23 years previously.

Download: ProDOS 2.4.1 by J.B. Brooks (DSK) (883)

source: archive.org

Categories: Apple, News & Rumors, Today

Photo Gallery of my Retro Collection

September 7th, 2016 7 comments
Photo Gallery update of my Retro Collection / Retro Trash

Photo Gallery update of my Retro Collection / Retro Trash.

Many things in the photos are not visible because are in hidden places or deliberately hidden.

I seem to have accumulated a lot of things in these long years and this is a good time to meditate what to do and what not to do, absolutely do not sell anything or donating, but also not continue to accumulate, in fact from a few months i’m moving just on repairs and modding and i must say that i feel much better.

Photo Gallery:

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

SNDH Atari ST YM2149 Archive v4.6 released.

August 17th, 2016 No comments

SNDH archive v4.6 released - 345 new/updated SNDH files (437 subtunes) – (total 9893 tunes)

Ever since the birth of the Atari ST, different chip music formats have had different ways to use them. If you are coding a chip music player for the Atari ST you would have to use dozens and dozens of special ways to replay music.

But in the mid 90′s, BDC of Aura crew became tired of this inelegant system and decided to fix the issue once and for all. He then created the ‘SNDH’ file format. SNDH is actually the original songfile and replaycode with a header bolted on top of the music and replayer. The header has a unified calling interface no matter what type of chip music is hidden beneath it, and it has extended datas about the music.

Download: SNDH Atari ST YM2149 Archive v4.6 (1206)

source: sndh.atari.org

Categories: Atari, News & Rumors, Today

MixSID – flexible stereo SID board with integrated channel mixer

August 4th, 2016 No comments

The MixSID is a stereo SID board for the C64 that can be used with any combination of SID models on a wide range of C64 mainboards.

Features include an integrated stereo channel mixer, pragmatic stereo addressing scheme, flexible handling of io areas, onboard audio input, output and digiboost circuits, dedicated stereo output, full paddle compatibility and versatile digital control.

source: henning-bekel.de

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

X-2016: Demo Party (28-30 October 2016)

August 1st, 2016 No comments

The 13th X party will be held from October 28th until October 30rd 2016. The party will be at the location: De Hoof 18, Someren – the Netherlands. Competitions: C64 Demo, C64 Music and C64 Graphics.

source: x-2016 homepage

Categories: Event(s), News & Rumors, Today

C64 Big Game Pack: Gradius +2DMFGH / Ghost Chaser +5D / Neme …

July 31st, 2016 No comments

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

  • Kill the Alien
  • Super Breakout Preview +
  • Breakaway V1.1
  • Hover Raider RX +2H [seuck]
  • Paintress +2
  • Yatzy
  • Planet Golf Preview +1D
  • Space Invadaz Extra Preview
  • C64ColQuiz +1H
  • F-Clash 64 [seuck]
  • C64ColQuiz
  • Blaster Twins Preview
  • Die! Alien Slime +8D
  • Kill the Alien +2
  • Uni Games Preview V0.24
  • Zetio +1DT
  • Fort Django +
  • Fort Django
  • Iron Lord [1581,FD,HD]
  • Spaceman Splorf: Planet of Doom V1.1 +2MD
  • Retro Bombers Preview 1
  • Color Overload
  • Super JumpKick Turbo 64 (Beta)
  • The Uni Games V0.3
  • The Uni Games Preview V3 (CommVEx release)
  • Agent-Test +2T
  • Gradius +2DMFGH
  • Nemesis – The Final Challenge +2DMFGH
  • Croll Ship +4D
  • Ghost Chaser +5D
  • World Conquest

Download: All Games in One Archive (3463)

source: csdb.dk

Apple 1 (Mimeo / Mike Willegal Clone) Assembled for a friend

July 31st, 2016 2 comments

Apple Computer 1, also known later as the Apple I, or Apple-1, was released by the Apple Computer Company (now Apple Inc.) in 1976. It was designed and hand-built by Steve Wozniak. Wozniak’s friend Steve Jobs had the idea of selling the computer.

The Apple I was Apple’s first product, and to finance its creation, Jobs sold his only means of transportation, a VW Microbus, and Wozniak sold his HP-65 calculator for $500. It was demonstrated in July 1976 at the Homebrew Computer Club in Palo Alto, California.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

Apple 1 (Mimeo / Mike Willegal Clone) Assembled for a friend of mine; Paolo Cognetti.

Many thanks for the Technical & Moral support to: Piero Todorovich and Alessandro Polito.
I also thank for some electronic components: Gabriele Molesto Zaverio of Museo Dell’informatica Funzionante, Piero Todorovich.

I had several problems with this Apple 1 clone, i very briefly describe the problems below and i attach some photos of the assembling stages.

  • 1 – No video image, all voltages are ok.
  • 1 + MPS3704 Transistor failure replaced with a 2N3704 pinout not compatible.
  • 2 – Garbage screen during boot.
  • 2 + Replaced 2 of 7 Shift Register 2504V
  • 3 – Keyboard inputs not working, the WOZ monitor is freezed and shows an “@ \” but the “\” does not wrap.
  • 3 + Replaced a 27k resistor half broken, probably during transport the capacitor has crushed the resistor.
  • 4 – The keyboard does not respond correctly, typing A they print @, typing 1 they print 0 … and so on …
  • 4 + Keyboard adapter from Apple II/+ to Apple 1 in short circuit. A wire is skewered in a pin of a Socket.
  • 5 – The computer does not respond correctly, but it seems to work. The WOZ monitor responds to commands but does not write to memory and print random locations.
  • 5 + Replaced a 7410 which had a pin always at high level.
  • 6 – The keyboard has several problems, some switches are completly dead.
  • 6 + Replaced switches.

Photos of the assembling stages:

Video: