Autopsy:

The SIO2SD is a device that allows you to load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD cards.

This version is like the original SIO2SD (based to latest schematic “version 2″) but in a smaller form with some improvements by Panos.

Panos improvements:

• As for the cpu the latest “low consumption” ATMega32A microcontroller in smd form.
• The 74LVC245 who guarantees good data transfer between the microcontroller and SDcard, in proper voltage levels also.
• New 47nf capacitors for better button response.
• Extra resistor and capacitor added in output of low dropout voltage regulator, for better voltage stability particularly at “no load” condition. As result of that is much higher reliability and compatibility with more SD cards.
• New tactile switches with smooth feeling for more comfortable use.
• Push on-Push off type SD connector.

source: atariage.com/forums

Musicmax gives an demonstration about installing and the use of the Commodore c64 Kernal Multiload.

This device comes in two parts:

• One EPROM that replaces the original Kernal of the Commodore 64.
• A control-box that makes it possible to select and start an alternative Kernal.

In the video you can see that the SX-64, EXOS V3, JiffyDOS and the Cockroach Turbo ROM are being used.

Thanks to commodore-gg.hobby.nl which have shared this News.

Today a friend has donated to me some nice things. Thanks Damiano (Manosoft).

Things that have been donated:

• Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 Boxed.
• Commodore CD32 Joypad Brand new.
• VIC-20 Expansion Cartridge.
• Commodore C2N old model.
• Joystick Microswitch – The Bug from Cheetah.

Some new Games and Utility for Commodore VIC-20.

• Theater of War II: The Pacific (Requirements: Unexpanded VIC-20 + Disk Drive)
• Fire (Requirements: VIC-20 or VIC-20 + 24K RAM)
• FE3 Task Switcher (Requirements: VIC-20 & Final Expansion 3)
• Theater of War III: Western Front 1918 (Requirements: Unexpanded VIC-20 + Disk Drive)
• Fickle (Requirements: Unexpanded PAL Vic-20)

Download:

• Theater of War II: The Pacific (951)
• Fire (943)
• FE3 Task Switcher (976)
• Theater of War III: Western Front 1918 (946)
• Fickle (947)

source: sleepingelephant.com

VirtualC64 emulates a Commodore 64 personal computer on your Intel Macintosh OSx > 10.6.

I wrote the software with two major goals in mind. First, I wanted to create an emulator that can be used as a demonstrator program in a first year or second year course on computer engineering.

To achieve this goal, I have integrated various debugging capabilities that let you peek inside the CPU, RAM, ROM, or one of the custom chips. Second, I tried to make the emulator as user friendly as it can get.

In short: VirtualC64 tries to combine the ongoing fascination of the ancient Commodore computers with the great user experience of today’s Macs.

Bug fixes and enhancements:

• Fixed a bug that caused the emulator to crash on startup on some machines.
• VirtualC64 supports OS X Lion.
• Preference panels are now tight to their individual virtual machines.
• CIA debug panel has been redesigned.
• Deprecated CoreAudio API calls have been removed.
• Fixed a bug in the BCD to binary conversion routine.
• Fixed a bug that caused the TOD to wake up too early after reading the tenth of a second register.
• Thumbnail images are now rendered properly when switching from PAL to NTSC and vice versa (issue #107)
• Fixed a bug that caused keyboard events to be rejected when the main window got focus (issue #110)
• Fixed a bug that caused a discolored line to appear at the right border of the screen texture.
• Yet another startup animation.

Download: VirtualC64 v0.9.5.1 (1276)

source: dirkwhoffmann.de

Commodore Free Magazine Issue #51

Free to download Commodore magazine dedicated to Commodore Computers.

Download:

• Commodore Free Magazine Issue #51 (PDF) (2055)
• Commodore Free Magazine Issue #51 (TXT) (4451)
• Commodore Free Magazine Issue #51 (D64) (871)

source: commodorefree.com

Autopsy:

IDE Plus 2.0 is a new IDE host adapter by Simius for Atari (XE/XL) computer.

Some features:

• Is not much greater than a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
• Does not require an external power-supply.
• Contains an XE (CART+ECI) connector, an XL (PBI) connector, a cartridge port, and a connector for a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
• Contains 96 KB ISP Flash ROM and 32 KB RAM available to the internal PBI BIOS and flashable from the Atari.
• Contains 512 KB or 1024 KB ISP Flash ROM for SpartaDOS X (or any other cartridge of such type), flashable from the Atari. This ROM can be physically disabled using a dedicated switch. The switch is not installed in the device shown on photos below.
• Contains a real time clock circuitry to be used with SpartaDOS X. If someone doesn’t want to use it, the module is anyway fully compatible with an external R-Time 8 or internally mounted ARC.
• A LED flashing during the I/O.

source: atariage.com

The SIO2SD is a device that allows you to load games/applications into any 8-bit Atari XL/XE computers via SIO interface from SD/MMC cards.

Changelog:

Supported cards:

• MMC/SDSC/SDHC (and very likely with SDXC, but only FAT32 formated)

Supported partitioning schemas:

• no partition, MBR (Master Boot Record), GPT (GUID Partition Table – EFI)

TURBO:

• additional turbo mode. I’ve called it 7-bit mode (7th bit of command switches turbo). This is new turbo mode very similar to XF551 turbo mode.

Number of simulated drives:

• 15 + 100

Configuration program:

• has to be present on SD card, but any program can be used.
• New ATR files and new folders can be created using SIO commands.
• “Empty disk” mode (ATR file created automatically during format command).
• Deleting files from card using SIO commands.
• Renaming files and folders using SIO commands.
• Reading and writting all files using SIO commands (inside ATARI folder and subfolders).
• 100 extra “virtual drives” V0..V99, which can be mapped to any drive from D1 to D15.
• Fast mapping – Drives V0 to V3 have additional, special meaning. When one of keys from K1 to K4 is pressed during start then device overrides mapping of D1 and maps one of those drives to D1 (K1 = V0, K2 = V1 etc.).
• Builtin very simple TURBO loader (for 7th bit mode – turbo mode similar to one used in XF551).

source: sio2sd-dev.gucio.pl

I’m waiting several years for a new IDE interface for my Atari (XE/XL) computer, and finally is arrived, compacts, economical and very promising.

some features:

• Is not much greater than a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
• Does not require an external power-supply.
• Contains an XE (CART+ECI) connector, an XL (PBI) connector, a cartridge port, and a connector for a 2,5-inch IDE disk.
• Contains 96 KB ISP Flash ROM and 32 KB RAM available to the internal PBI BIOS and flashable from the Atari.
• Contains 512 KB or 1024 KB ISP Flash ROM for SpartaDOS X (or any other cartridge of such type), flashable from the Atari. This ROM can be physically disabled using a dedicated switch. The switch is not installed in the device shown on photos below.
• Contains a real time clock circuitry to be used with SpartaDOS X. If someone doesn’t want to use it, the module is anyway fully compatible with an external R-Time 8 or internally mounted ARC.
• A LED flashing during the I/O.

source: atariage.com

ACID 64 Player Pro is the sequal of Acid 64 Player and is a cycle based Commodore 64 music player designed for playing SID tunes on sound cards/devices that have a real SID chip (6581/6582/8580) on board like the HardSID cards and HardSID 4U USB device.

ACID 64 emulates the MOS 6510 micro processor, the 6526 CIA chip and partially the 6569 VIC chip to run the code of a SID tune and it controls the SID chip on the device for playing the Commodore 64 music.

What’s new in version v3.0.4:

Read more…

Autopsy:

from old-computers.com Homepage:

This pong from Philips (1977) is a bit special. It uses the unusual AY-3-8550 from General Instruments. This chips offers 4 classic pong games (Tennis, Squash, Squash practice, Football) and 2 shooting games. The paddles can be moved verticaly AND horizontaly, hence the analog joysticks (instead of the classic sliders). The display is in color.

There is a female DIN plug at the bottom-right part of the case. It is used to connect an optional light-gun to play the two shooting games.

There are switches to control the different options like ball speed, paddle size, angle 20°/40°, manual/auto service. There are two buttons: reset and serve. There is even a TV channel selection knob to adjust the picture on the TV.

The Las Vegas ES-2208 is in fact one of the Las Vegas pong systems from Philips. Here is the list:

• Las Vegas Tele-Spiel ES-2203 (6 games, black & white display, vertical movements)
• Las Vegas Tele-Spiel ES-2204 (6 games, color display, vertical movements)
• Las Vegas Tele-Spiel ES-2208 (6 games, color display, vertical & horizontal movements)
• Las Vegas Tele-Spiel ES-2218 (8 games, color display, vertical & horizontal movements)
• Travemünde Tele-Spiel ES-2207 (4 games, black & white display, vertical movements)

source: old-computers.com pong-story.com

Autopsy:

For a new review see the italian version of this article.

from C64Scene Homepage: This project is interesting not only because it’s another mass-storage solution but because it combines already existing solutions to a new and fresh product. Damiano has always followed all the Commdore related websites and forums especially concerning the MMC and SD2IEC projects.

That’s when he got the idea to build a solution for which one doesn’t need soldering, wire cutting or the IEC cable. C64SD utilizes the Datasette connector to power the SD2IEC circuit. An IEC connector connects right into the IEC port.

The whole module stand vertical along the back of the C64 (or VIC20). The module is fitted with two rather large buttons, one reset and one diskswap/multi-function button.

SD-CARD Tested:

SANDISK SD-CARD 2GB = 100% WORKING.
CORSAIR SD-CARD 512MB = 100% WORKING.

source: c64sd.roxer.com c64wiki sd2iec c64wiki sd2iec firmware

Autopsy:

A third party switchable cartridge with up to 16k of extra RAM memory. Switchable to 3k, 8k or 16k.

It looks like the problem was actually with a specific VLAN behind one of our core routers and wasn’t actually the switch itself.

One of our senior Network Administrators trying to  fix the problem and all services should be restored very soon.

source: dreamhoststatus.com

Autopsy:

On the last Photo you see two Divide Interfaces. On the left, the PCB Green color, is the Original from DivIde Homepage , On the right, the PCB Red color, is a “clone” from Ebay.

Both working good, but the Divide “clone” has stopped to work after two weeks, chip ram 62256 is broken. Some components of Divide “clone” are differents from the Original Divide interface. like: some values of resistors.

Here it’s the correct picture of solder side on DivIDE 57c. (thanks to Valesoft)

from Divide homepage:

divIDE is an ATA (IDE) interface which takes your ZX Spectrum computing to a whole new level. As the time takes its toll on ageing media such as audio tapes or diskettes, many ZX Spectrum enthusiasts simply stick to emulation for better reliability and comfort.

With divIDE you can put your software collection to a hard disk, CD-ROM or even CompactFlash card and experience your favourite games, demos and utilities the way the were meant to be run – and even better. Using existing firmwares, many users find their Speccy box again a live platform – time for you to make the switch?

Features:

source: divide homepage divide forum papayalabs.co.uk