I purchased the Texas Instruments Grillo Parlante Più (Super Speak & Spell) for a few euros and fully aware that the contact plates for the batteries due to an acid leak has been destroyed (see photo).
After testing it if actually still worked, i did a good cleaning of the battery compartment, body and display.
I replaced the contact plates for the batteries with similar ones recovered from an old dead and defunct cassette recorder.
The final result is perfect, it looks like the original, even better because i put the battery negative spring in the correct side, the original has the springs all on one side, both for the positive and negative of the battery.
Gallery of work done:
Video:
A new firmware update for the ARMSiD has been released by Nobomi.
News features and fixes in FW 2.16:
- Fix for 2 MHz mode C128. Since this firmware ARMSID is functional for all modes and types of communication with C128 (even those incompatible with SID documentation).
- Added to the configuration the possibility to use the EXT IN input (pin 26) as an analog input and connect it to the internal mixer, as on the original chip. You should expect a slight increase in noise background from this input, I recommend using it only when you really need this feature.
- Also added to the configuration the possibility to change the emulation detection threshold of the 6581/8580 according to the input voltage (pin 28), so called autodetection. Originally this limit is set to 10.5V, what is below indicates 8580 emulation, what is above so 6581. With the new setting, this limit can be about 2V, so you can use logic levels of 5V or even just 3V for switching the emulation type (pin 28 is not used for power supply in ARMSID, only for voltage measurement, no power supply on this pin is required for function).
Download: ARMSiD v2.16 [PRG/D64/CONFIG] (421)
source: nobomi.cz github.com/nobomi/Arduino-ARMSID-configurator
.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.
SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.
Changelog:
- This release contains the fix for the NTSC-specific bug of firmware version 0.20 (and the fix for the bug I introduced with 0.201 :-)).
Note:
There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.
Review:
My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.
Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.202 (358)
source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de
.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.
SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.
Changelog:
- This release contains the fix for the NTSC-specific bug of firmware version 0.20.
Note:
There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.
Review:
My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.
Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.201 (315)
source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de
A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate U2+L by Gideon is released.
Changes in 3.11a:
- WiFi support – Now that the WiFi modules for the U2+L are available, you will need this firmware to enable it. In this zip there are two files; the firmware update for the cartridge itself (.u2l) file and the firmware file for the ESP WiFi module (.esp). They have to be applied in this order.
- Ethernet fix – Improves compatibility with some switches and routers. The LAN should now work with these.
- Garbled characters fix. – On some machines, especially on NTSC machines, the 3.11 firmware gave some timing issues. This build should fix that.
- Ulticopy fix – In 3.11 Ulticopy was broken; it should work again – supposedly – not tested.
Due to “life” (e.g. house renovation) there has not been any time for testing this firmware for other hardware platforms. Will come soon.
Download: Ultimate U2+L v3.11a Firmware (431)
source: ultimate64.com github.com facebook
.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.
SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.
Changelog:
- FM emulation
- built-in PRG launcher
- Some bugfixes, better stability (e.g. paddle/mouse handling).
Note:
There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.
Review:
My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.
Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.20 (322)
source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de
First of all, i thank my friend who gave me his Sega SC-3000 found in the attic.
After a thorough cleaning of the cartridge connector, keyboard contacts and general cleaning of the internal/external case, the computer started working perfectly again.
Gallery:
After almost 18 years since the last time I had used this USB interface (eMPIA with EM2820 chipset) for acquisition of analog video signals i was curious to try if it still worked, especially due to a driver problem.
Well what can i say, it works perfectly with both video inputs Composite and S-Video, S-Video is the input that i’m using now with a Commodore 64.
Tested with Linux (Driver included in the Kernel) and with Windows 10 (Windows 8 drivers installed).
As a software i used Guvcview for Linux and VLC for Windows.
Gallery:
Commodore 1982 (VIC-20) and the choice of the alias 1985
Nightfall LAB – Commodore Rulez!
A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.
Changelog:
- Fix loading via EF3 USB (since v1.49) #187 #189. Thanks stefagnani, mvancopp1, jperrin72
Download:
source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash
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:
- Snail +2
- Paku Paku C64 +1HD
- The Spirit Preview +2M
- Delve Deeper V1.2 +1FD
- Metal Gear +8DFR
- The Last Ninja +12DGI *Hokuto Force*
- Schreckenstein 64 RC1 +2
- Metal Gear +8DFR V2
- Dig Dug +5D
- Stunt Car Racer +6D [cartridge version]
- Befana vs Balloons Beta +3HD
- Binary Battle V1.01
- Astro Rescue +
- Mugwump +
- Mugwump
- Astro Rescue
- DRAK 101% +3D
- Leberkäse +3R
- Psychedelia II
- Binary Battle V1.01 +4
- Krakatoa! &S&Map
- Alone and Dangerous Preview 2 +1J
- Schreckenstein 64 RC1 +2T
- Caverns of Eriban +4HD V2
- Arctic Fox +8DIRS V2
- Shamus +6HD
- Shamus: Case II +6D
- Fort Apocalypse +4HD V2
- Paku Paku C64 +2HDI
- Huck on the Mississippi +2DF
- Yewdow +6HD
- Edd the Duck +6DFGH *Hokuto Force*
- Orange Squash +15D
- Metal Piramid +4M
- Elevator Action +2DHP
- The Secret of Monkey Island Bundle (D64/D81/CRT) English/German
- Cavern 512
- Kid Niki To The Rescue +6DHI *Hokuto Force*
- Cavern512 +
- Pains ‘n’ Aches +6MD 101% [easyflash]
- Vexed +1D
- Pegged +
- Minesweeper
- Minesweeper +G
- Petsciinoid +1D
- Nesterin Trail +DS
- Corescape +D
- Snake Escape 64 Preview 3 +
- Mega Wizards Preview 2 +D
- Rainbow Chaser +G
- Encounter +4DGHM
- Cruisin’ For A Bruisin’
- Arena 3000 +G
- SnowBalls +D
- King Solomon’s Mines &S&Map
- Grey Preview 7 +4D
- 2112 V3.1 *Digital Monastery, Hokuto Force*
- Rock n’ Bolt Enhanced
- Phantomas III: The Return of Brok Preview +2
- Survivor +3DG
- The Runner +1D
- Tiny Quest
- De Sekte +DSMap [dutch]
- Murder On The Zinderneuf +4DFIR
- Grid Pix – The New Levels +2D
- Fizz V1.0.5 +DI
- Labyrint (DK) [cartridge]
- Santa’s Troubles V1.1 +9D
- Skier-64 +3D
- Tiny Quest 1.1
- Tetris 256
- Blockout255
- Lumberjack 256 [256 bytes]
- Giana Power [cartridge]
- Pitfall +3DGHJM
- Ad Astra 2420 +4D
- Sherlock Holmes Returns &DSol
- SeaWorld +5D
- The Darkest Hour &DS&Map
- Double Tap
- Delve Deeper V1.3 +1FD
- Ballance +F
- Scorpion +6DHF
- Potato World +
- Out Run (U.S. Gold * clean like genuine)
- Castle Quest &S&Map
- Pakacuda +2DH
- Pakacuda +2DH V2
- A Bee’s Trip +1D *Hokuto Force*
- HazePad +D [dutch]
- New Escape MCP +4DH *Hokuto Force*
- Get to the Point &D
- Spritrunner +H
- The Search For The Holy Grail +2 *Hokuto Force*
- Farmer’s Life + *Hokuto Force*
- Spritrunner
- Annihilator +5DH
- Caverns Of Xydrahpur +3D *Hokuto Force*
- Lock’n'Chase +3D
Download: All Games in One Archive (2675)
source: csdb.dk
A new version of the firmware for the Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen is released.
Changelog:
- Hide hidden and system files/folders (#184). Thanks buzbard.
- Bugfix: Wait for a valid C64 clock before selecting NTSC/PAL handler.
Download:
source: github.com/KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash
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