Commodore VIC-1210 (VIC-1000 Series) 3K Ram Pack

I must thank to my friend Andrea Pierdomenico (Andry) for this fantastic gift.

Gallery:

Forth, the Language.

Forth is a different language. It’s aged and a little weird.
What’s cool about it? It’s a very low-level and minimal language without any automatic memory management. At the same time, it easily scales to become a very high-level and domain-specific language, much like Lisp. Compared to C64 Basic, Forth is more attractive in almost every way.

It is a lot more fast, memory effective and powerful. Compared to C, specifically cc65, the story is a little different. It’s hard to make a fair comparison. Theoretically Forth code can be very memory efficient, and it’s possible to make Forth code that is leaner than C code. But it is also true that cc65 code is generally much faster than Forth code.

Download: durexForth v1.6.2 (D64/CRT) + Manual (717)

source: csdb.dk

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

Donation: TI-99/4A Cartridges

Thanks to my friend Ciro Barile of the TI-99 Italian User Club for the donation of these TI-99/4A Cartridges.

Titles:

• The Attack.
• Blasto.
• BurgerTime.
• BigFoot.
• Chisholm Trail.
• Hunt the Wumpus.

ZX Spectrum/ZX-81 & Amstrad Homemade Interfaces

Thanks to my friend Andrea Pierdomenico for these unknown/homemade interfaces for ZX-Spectrum(ZX-81) / Amstrad CPC.

Interfaces:

• Unknown ZX-Spectrum JOY Interface.
• Unknown Amstrad CPC ROM (PARADOS / UTOPIA) Interface (Floppy ?)
• ZX PIO Trainer Interface by Federleiste.

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

Philips Videopac+ G7400 RGB/Composite Hack – Repair – Recap

I have received a gift from my dear friend Andrea Pierdomenico a Videopac+ G7400 console with the BASIC Microsoft module and some cartridges that go into my collection of videopac cartridges.

This console running smoothly but with some problems.

• Power button not working (as usual)
• A capacitor of the power supply section has a broken leg.

The works that have been made:

• Replacing the power switch with a compatible one.
• Full recap of the power supply section.
• RGB/Composite HACK for unparalleled video output.
• RF Module Removal.
• Shifted the 220V Power Cable into the hole of the RF antenna.
• Two video cables (Composite-Audio / RGB-Audio)

Videopac+ G7400 RGB/Composite Hack (components that need to be added):

All the works that have been made are documented in the photos below:

123►

source: g7400 guide rgb mod

Texas Instruments Magic Wand Speak & Learn Fixed

Defect:

• Doesn’t always turn on.The power button doesnt work properly.
• Battery acid leak.

Fix:

• Cleaning the Battery acid leak in the battery compartment.
• Cleaning the strange power-on button with a spray Contact Cleaner R-11.
• Inserted a thicker on the power-on button because the plastic pin that pressing the contact has deteriorated.

Note:

• External power supply 6v (TIP POSITIVE)

Gallery:

Cartridge shell for FinalGROM 99 – TI-99/4A

I have fit in a best way the pcb of the FinalGROM 99 inside a standard cartridge shell of a TI-99/4a game.

As you can see from the photos the final result is good, there are still some minor imperfections but i’m very satisfied.

I have made three cartridges shells, one for me and two for my friends Ciro Barile of  TI-99 Italian User Club, Andrea Pierdomenico.

Some things about the FinalGROM 99:

The FinalGROM 99 supports ROM images, GROM images, and mixed images of up to 1 MB in size that use the write-to-ROM bank switching scheme. The cartridge does not require the Peripheral Expansion Box and runs on both PAL and NTSC consoles, including modified consoles with an F18A. It will also run on v2.2 consoles and enables those to run ROM-only programs.

The cartridge offers some advanced modes that provide RAM and GRAM to programs. It also allows a running program to reload another program from SD card or to dump its state to SD card. All firmware of the FinalGROM 99 can be updated by SD card.

FinalGROM 99 is released as Open Source Hardware under the CERN OHL license and the GNU GPL license. Both hardware design files and firmware sources are available on GitHub.

For more information about this project please visit the project homepage hosted at GitHub.

Gallery of the works that have been made:

12►

Download:

• FinalGROM99 SD CARD Utility/Games Compilation (825)

..from the author homepage:

I have updated the DAILY version now and it now supports the A1000 using a limited version of the DiagROM. I had to remove module-tests and test-screen.  but I guess that is not that important.

 Just use the A1kEVEN.bin and A1kODD.bin files and program to 27C256 proms and replace proms on the A1000 and you are ready to go.

source: diagrom.com

This is the official demo party results from Nordlicht 2017. See also the CSDB Nordlicht 2017 section for more informations/updates and download.

WiLD Demo:

• 2 – Zatacka by Rabenauge
• 4 – Modern Love Classics by MultiStyle Labs

Mixed:

• 4 – Fragment of a TempesT Millenium by TempesT (One-File Demo)    
• ? – Grillieren! Preview by Genesis Project (Game Preview)    

Mixed Graphics:

• 1 – Blubb by Arsenic, Oxyron
• 3 – Behind the Leaves by Arsenic, Oxyron
• 4 – F.U.B.A.R. by Hokuto Force
• 5 – The Conquest of Wolf-Biederman by Onslaught

Mixed Music:

• 2 – Oakyard Memories by Padua
• 3 – Dancing on a Bigpack by Røly
• ? – Dudelking Returns by Mayday!

Mixed Demo:

• 1 – Saufzucht! by Oxyron
• 2 – Girls Love Lasers by Abyss Connection
• 4 – Dotlicht by Harekiet    

Productions released outside compos:

• Kleinkunst (Intro)

Download: Nordlicht 2017 Full Party Stuff (797)

source: csdb.dk nordlicht.demoparty.info

Jean-François DEL NERO (who’s behind the HxC SD Floppy Emulator) today has released via Facebook a new Amiga Files Selector for HXC STM32 (Gotek) & SD HxC Floppy Emulator.

The main improvement of this version v1.48a is the bootup of the file management program that is loaded much faster.

Download:

• SDCard HxC Floppy Emulator Manager v1.48a (941)
• HXC Gotek Alpha Trial Firmware V3.0.16.3a (790)

source: hxc2001.com

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

Titles:

• Silverrock Tribute [easyflash]
• ASCII Chase Preview
• Paranoid +1F
• Spyders +
• Spyders C64 – Chapter 1
• ZE-III Preview
• Front Page &DGM
• SEJD Preview +
• Spyders: Chapter 1 +2H
• Spyders: Chapter 1 +3
• Zap’n'Load +2
• Zwob +TD
• Rogue +6DGM
• La Carretera +T [english]
• The Castle of Doom – Redux +4
• The Castle of Doom – Redux
• The Wall
• ASCII Chase Preview V1.1 +
• Step by Step +1MDS
• Bubble +3DT
• Pengon +1HD
• Techno Sport Steeple Chase &D
• Star Wars Preview +2
• Compu Sport Auto Racing &D
• Stranded
• Itchtris Preview +2
• Itchtris Preview
• Vault Man 2 +2
• Vault Man 2
• Citadel 2 Preview +2
• The Life of a Stickleback +1MT
• Stranded
• Stranded +F
• Vault Man 2 +3HD
• Vault Man 2 +4D
• Bacillus Preview +
• Velcro +
• Protocol Preview +
• Sheep Is a Key Preview
• Jetpac Wars Preview V3 +
• Bacillus Preview +2
• Neptune’s Caverns – Enhanced
• Shotgun V1.1
• Twin Kingdom Valley +1DGM
• 6502 Snake +1
• Competition Karate +2MD
• Shotgun V1.1 +1KD
• Rollin +2DGH
• Velcro +3
• Feud +6DGF

Download: All Games in One Archive (4119)

source: csdb.dk

Commodore 128D Repair #1

Defect:

• Black Screen.
• Garbage Screen.

Replaced parts/Fix:

• 9v AC line Fuse of the PowerSupply.
• Made a bridge of a pcb trace interrupted.

Gallery of the repair:

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Commodore 128D Repair #2

Defect:

• Garbage Screen.
• Memory Problems.

Replaced parts:

• Replaced 74LS08 (U61)
• Replaced OKI M3764A [RAM] (U43)

Gallery of the repair:

Commodore Floppy Drive 1541 (ASSY 250442) Repair

Defect:

• Drive access problems (IEC): drive resets but the computer freez with a “searching for”

Replaced parts:

• Replaced EL74S14 with a 74LS14 (UA1)

Gallery of the repair: