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Posts Tagged ‘firmware’

Released the latest version of DiagROM v1.0

October 27th, 2017 No comments

What is DiagROM?

DiagROM is a diagnostic tool for the amiga computers.

And it is to be used on defective machines, trying to help no-boot situations etc.

You simply replace the Kickstart roms in the Amiga with the DiagROM. and when poweron. your Amiga will start a diagnostic software. It will try to dump info on the serialport (and actual menus etc aswell) while also trying on the screen.

Changelog:

  • RTC Test improved with OKI Chipset support (but RTC test still is kind of buggy)
  • Remade the autoconfig handling for much better ZorroIII support etc.
  • Possability to turn on/off cache in manual memortedit (this WILL crach your machine on 68000/68010)
  • Added an experimental “no chipmem” screen to try to figure out biterrors with rasterbars. (dark bar=dead bit, light bar=working bit)
  • Added support for Amiga 1000 with a limited version of DiagROM.
  • Parallel and serialporttests using SysTest compatible loopback adapters.
  • Diskdrivetests.
  • And.. some internal changes and stuff I actually forgotten.

Updatehistory:

  • 2017-10-01:
    • Long time since last time:
    • Added tests for Parallel and serialporttesting using SysTest compatible loopbackadapters
  • 2017-07-30:
    • Added possability to run on A1000 as bootstraprom. I have removed moduletesting and gfx test-screemn to save space.
    • Some additional bugfixes.
  • 2017-07-06:
    • Fixed a bug, when setting DTR high I accidentally put Dikdrive motor on!
    • when no chipmem is foundand no fastmem, instead of just flashing a green screen, it now checks memaddr $400 and shows in stripes biterrors. bright color=bit working, dark=bit error. evbery 15 frame it flashes and steps +4 bytes of memaddr to check
  • 2017-06-17:
    • Oh! yes long time. Now DiagROM is opensource avaible at https://github.com/ChuckyGang/DiagROM
    • Totally rewritten Autoconfig, now handles Z2 and Z3 and should be working. if you get stuck in a loop (autoconfig not working) it
    • will halt after 32 “boards”. Also in ManualEdit mode, I have inlcuded a function to turn on/off cache. to debug cacheissues on CPU Cards.
    • BE CAREFUL! this WILL crash if you run it on a 68000/010
    • Also fixed bug of garbage in menus.

Download: DiagoROM v1.0 Stable (971)

source: diagrom.com

Categories: Hardware, 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

DiagROM Now supports Commodore A1000

July 30th, 2017 No comments

..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

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

HXC STM32 (Gotek) & SD HxC new Amiga files selector v1.48a

July 21st, 2017 No comments

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:

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

DiagROM is now OpenSource

April 24th, 2017 No comments

DiagROM is now OpenSource and is avaible at: https://github.com/ChuckyGang/DiagROM

source: diagrom.com

Categories: Hardware, News & Rumors, Today

Released the latest version of DiagROM v0.9

April 16th, 2017 No comments

What is DiagROM?

DiagROM is a diagnostic tool for the amiga computers.

And it is to be used on defective machines, trying to help no-boot situations etc.

You simply replace the Kickstart roms in the Amiga with the DiagROM. and when poweron. your Amiga will start a diagnostic software. It will try to dump info on the serialport (and actual menus etc aswell) while also trying on the screen.

Changelog:

  • A lot of internal changes.
  • But changed keyboardhandling in “Manual Edit” mode, hopefully keyboard works better now.
  • Chipmemdetect at startup does more tests to capture more biterrors.
  • Also added tests if CPU can do odd/eveb reads and writes. Request by Terriblefire.
  • Added a testpicture as GFX Test
  • Added test for RTC Chip, reads both types you have to know what chip is in your machine.
  • Added a experimental Autoconfig support for Zorro II boards and memory, Remember that you can only run this ONCE.
  • Autoconfigcode is based on Terriblefires code with addons by me.
  • Audiotest now includes several notes and waveforms and also a module.

Updatehistory:

  • 2017-04-15: Added Support for OKI Chipset in RTC Test
    • Added (somewhat experimental) support for Autoconfig for Z2 boards.
    • Must say thanx to Terriblefire for autoconfig code. (with some changes by my)
    • Added test at startup to see if CPU can do odd/even byte read and writes
    • Bumped version to V0.9 – Next Stable release
    • Released while being at the Revision demoparty.
  •  2017-02-25: Moved mainmenu alternatives to make space for more maintest-menus. also added some for future use.
    • Started on Others tests/RTC Test for the moment only showing ricoh RTC chip (A4k etc)
    • Removed temprary debugfunction added the 18:th.
  • 2017-02-18: Minor changes. sometimes when exiting a testscreen you got to the mainmanu instead of the submenu. cleaned up now.
    • also added a fakefastmem allocation at the boot so you can run stuff in fakefast by pressing LBM at poweron if needed.
    • TEMPORARY DEBUGFUNCTION: while dumping serialport at beginnning, screen also flickers while doing a serial timeout.
    • this is to figure out if machine still runs to veryfy I can do serialstuff (and detect failures) if paula is missing.
    • will be removed soon as it screws up onscreen colorcodes.
  • 2017-02-15: Added a testpicture, testscreen is moved in menu and will still bug. this will be reworked soon.
  • 2017-02-04: Simple audiotest is now improved, it now plays different waveforms, I have checked the frequencys with my Rigol scope.
    • But 20.6Hz in my headphones sounds weird, maybe should remove it in the test. the only thing not working there now is setting volume.
  • 2017-01-30: In Manual edit: added when using “goto memoryaddress” when pressing x it clears the string totally. Also hopefully fixed keyboardbug making
    • it more or less impossible to use keyboard on some machines.
    • Fixed bug showing strange flickering spritebugs random
    • Changed that in initial chipmemdetecting it checks more combinations of bits, this will make detect slower (due to serial output) but will detect more
    • biterrors.
    • TEMPORARY function: pressing fire/mousebutton in joystickport while poweron will totally disable serialoutput. this is to be able to run with broken
    • Paula. Will look into a better solution. so function will maybe be removed.
    • Added a testmodule, A groupmember will make a chipmodule for me later to have here. Now using the classic “Echoing”
  • 2017-01-06: Long time since last update.  Hollidays etc.  Anyway some minor internal fixes and a basic low-res testscreen added.

Download: DiagoROM v0.9 Stable (1107)

source: diagrom.com

Categories: Hardware, 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

Vampire GOLD2 Core Released for V600 v2 & V500 v2

January 24th, 2017 1 comment

Vampire GOLD2 Core Released for V600 v2 & V500 v2.

Changelog:

  • AMMX greatly improved.
  • Added CPU counters.
  • Added TURTLE mode.
  • Modified PCR register. 68080 now acts as a 060.
  • Modified MOVEC Rc,Rn (reads in User mode and Writes in Supervisor mode)
  • Improved some loops patterns.
  • Improved self-modifying code support.
  • Improved memory controller to be full 32-bit.
  • Improved HDMI core.

Also, SAGA Driver package has been updated to v0.11 to accomodate new things.

Download: Vampire Core & Saga Driver (1333)

source: apollo-accelerators.com

Categories: Hardware, 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

Released the latest version of DiagROM v0.8

October 23rd, 2016 No comments

What is DiagROM?

DiagROM is a diagnostic tool for the amiga computers.

And it is to be used on defective machines, trying to help no-boot situations etc.

You simply replace the Kickstart roms in the Amiga with the DiagROM. and when poweron. your Amiga will start a diagnostic software. It will try to dump info on the serialport (and actual menus etc aswell) while also trying on the screen.

Updatehistory:

  • 2016-10-22: Fixed bugs in new Chipmemdetection that made it not detect any chipmem if there was missing/Broken chipmem in the beginning. Added errorhandling in the startprocess, so it can show on serialport if there was a exceptionerror. also will show colorcodes on screen.  done some smaller bigfixes. Will bump versionnumber and this will be the stable version.  It will take a while until next stable version is bumped. Need to do floppy, serial, paralell tests etc before that will happen. but you always have the daily version.
  • 2016-10-12: New Chipmem detection now handles shadowram so it should stop detecting memory instead of giving false 2MB Chip. IF no Chipmem avaible and machine can detect fastmem (NON autoconfig. more or less only A3000/4000 motherboardmem) it will now start using fastmem only. (screen flickers in different colors instead of printing text, nullmodem only) Fixed addresserrorbugs at CIA and joystickport tests on machines with 68000CPU. also should have correct CIA timing on slow machines. IF fastmemshadowram is detected during memorytests, test will exit.  MANUAL test have a option to disable that test.
  • 2016-10-07: LONG time no updates.  Familystuff.  Anyway. decided to do a total redo of initcode especially chipmemdetection. Detection is slower, but progress is printed on serialport so you can see address checked and if failure (in the beginning of the detection)  you will see what it wrote and what is read to help debugging of chipmemproblems. Screen should flicker in green while detecting.        drawback is that some tests (cia and joyport tests) now generates an addresserror. Will have a look of that.

Download: DiagoROM v0.8 Stable (1021)

source: diagrom.com

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