Commodore.news

GCart Jr | Thomas Lövskog is developing cartridges for the Commodore VIC-20. The GCart Junior is a RAM expansion for the VIC-20. The features are: RAM expansion for Block 1, 2, 3 & 5 and RAM 1, 2 & 3. Memory enable, disable and write protect. RAM at IO#2 and IO#3. 16 MB Flash with super fast loading and a 3D printed casing.

WiFi - C64 | Schema is developing a WiFi cartridge for the Commodore C64. At this moment he has a working prototype that is communicating on 2400 Baud. You can use a standard terminal program for the communication and all the RS-232 signals are supported.

C64 Reloaded | Ilkka Sjöstedt wrote a blog about the C64 Reloaded. The C64 Reloaded is a new C64 motherboard. This motherboard is designed to use the original C64 chipset, but it is manufactured with today’s standards. Extras are: S-video and audio connectors, ROM switcher for Kernal and character set, standard 5 VDC power supply and you can order ZIF sockets for the chips.

Amiga Diagnostic Kit | For the Amiga A500/A2000 Commodore made an Diagnostic Kit. This system is a very rare and was only used by official Commodore service companies. Patrick from dottyflowers.com has acquired one of this diagnostic kits and has managed to rescue the software for this system using Kryoflux and the ADF workshop.

Lighthammer | This snapshot of an smack-a-mole arcade cabinet shows the new input device, the lighthammer. This new game and input device will be demonstrated (or you can play it yourself) on the Commodore meeting in Maarssen (the Netherlands) on june 20, 2015.

3D printed parts for Commodore / Amiga | Tommes is printing new parts for Commodore / Amiga computers. A few Examples are: Expansion Slot Cover for the Amiga 1000, Interlock Knobs for the SX-64, Commodore Monitor 1901 cover, F-Keys for C64C, etc.

List of Commodore Products | This is a very comprehensive list of Commodore equipment. The list was started by Jim Brain and is now being maintained by Bo Zimmerman. If you can add information to this list you can send Bo a message.

A1200 Audio Filter | RetroGameModz has made a video about the audio filter in the A1200. This video is a little troubleshooting guide on how to track down the problem in a case where the audio filter switching doesn't work as it should.

Diagnostic carts C64 / 128 | Jani collected information about diagnostic cartridges. You can find manuals, software and schematics for the C-64 Dead Test Kit, C-64 Diagnostic Assembly Kit, C-64 Diagnostic Rev 4.1.0, C-64 Diagnostic, C-128 Diagnostic, C-128 Diagnostic Assembly Kit, C-128 Diagnostic Rev 1.1 & 1.4 and C-128 DCR Integral Diag 1.0.

GLINK-LT | GLINK-LT is a modern clone of the Commodore VIC-1011A RS232 Userport adapter for Commodore 8-bit computers. The adapter supports 2400 Baud for BASIC and 9600 Baud for Novaterm and Striketerm. A reset button is also provided.

C64 - 12V DC (battery) | Adrian Kurek has modified his Commodore C64 to work on 12 VDC. This makes it possible to use a battery to power the C64. But this is not the only modification he made, he also added: SD2IEC, Mini LCD screen, Stereo SID with amplifier and speakers and JiffyDOS OS.

C64 PLA viewer / tester | Geo Anas developed a monitor for the PLA inside a Commodore 64. This system shows which part of the C64 is selected by the PLA: VIC-II (Red), 6510 I/O (Blue), CharROM (Yellow), Kernal (Green), Basic (Yellow), CasRAM, Game and ExROM (White).

Last Ninja 2 - LEGO | Ozgurbarka created the opening scene from Last Ninja 2 in LEGO. Last Ninja 2 was released by System 3 for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and the Amstrad CPC in 1988. This was one of the most successful games for the Commodore 64 with beautiful game play, stunning detailed graphics and amazing music.

SD-BOX / SD-BOX mini Cartridge v1.15 | The SD-BOX is a cartridge for the Commodore C64 with an SD card interface. The cartridge has many functions for the disk drive and the Datassette. Recent updates: Manual in English. Improvements for the HEX preview. Error message when copying files and change device or directory. Improvement for the keyboard and joystick.

SD-BOX MINI v1.14 | The SD-BOX MINI cartridge is designed for user that already own a SD2IEC. The features are: View the content of diskettes or the SD card. Copy files from diskette to cassette. Turbo Exos v3, menus and support for the joystick.

IECATA - C64 | Edu Arana made an IECATA interface for the Commodore C64. This interface is based on the IECATA interface developed by Asbjørn Djupdal in 2002. Specifications: ATA hard drives up to 128GB. Supports standard kernel command, PRG, SEQ and sub directories.

MEGA65 8-bit computer | The MEGA65 is an open-source version of the C65 computer. The FPGA is programmed by Paul Gardner-Stephen and the system is a complete 8-bit computer running around 50x faster than a C64. The features are: HD output, SD card support, Ethernet and more memory.

Commodore monitor information | Gona updated his web page with technical information about Commodore monitors. This web page has information about: manufacturers, connectors, resolutions, introduction year and application. Recent updates: Commodore 1803, 1432V, 1432D, 1428 and 1428X.

C65 - FPGA | Paul Gardner-Stephen is working on a FPGA version of the Commodore C65. His goal is to make an 8-bit computer for the 21st century. In the last month he has been working on the problems with accessing the SD card and diskette emulation.

New keyboard keys for the C64 | Michael started a project to make new keyboard keys for the C64. The new key-caps will be available in a variety of colours. The key-caps can be used on the C64, C64c, VIC20, C16 and some PET / CBM models. If you are interested you can support the project.

WIFI joystick | Solo761 is working on a WIFI connected joystick. The system has two parts with each an ATMega 8 microcontroller and NR24L01 send and receive module. The receiver uses the power of the computer and the transmitter uses a USB connection for power.

Commodore Smartphone | A new company is creating a smartphone with the name Commodore. The smartphone will have the following specifications: Andriod OS, Dual SIM, 5 screen (1080 x 1920), 1.7 GHz Quadcore Cortex A15, 13 MPixel camera. Visit the Commodoresmart web page for more information.

DAN64 | Juan J. Martínez is developing a 8 bit computer with the help of an ATmega328 microcontroller from Atmel. The virtual CPU is an MOS 6502 that was used in the Commodore VIC20, Atari 400, BBC Acorn, Apple II, NES and many more computers. The features are: Composite video 256 x 192 pixels, 32 x 24 characters, PS/2 keyboard support, 64KB memory, integrated 6502 assembler / disassembler and Basic shell.

Amiga 500 - LEGO | Fbsarts made a LEGO version of the Commodore Amiga 500 computer. This mini Amiga 500 is in scale, with all the stuff in the right place: keys, disk drive and ports. The 3.5 diskettes are available and you can open the top to check the motherboard.

Commodore Power Monitor | The Commodore Power Monitor is a device that checks the power supply of your VIC-20, C64, C128 or Plus4. The device gives a warning if the voltages from the external power supply are significantly out of range or contains a problematic ripple voltage.

C128 Cartridge | Jani made an tutorial about building a cartridge for the Commodore C128. The C128 cartridge functionality is different than in the C64. The maximum size is 32K and it is possible to use an internal socket in addition to the cartridge port. A schematic for the cartridge is available.

C65 - FPGA | Paul Gardner-Stephen is working on a FPGA version of the Commodore C65. His goal is to make an 8-bit computer for the 21st century. In the last month he has been working on the problems with the use of DDR memory.

Dolphin DOS & JiffyDOS | LogicDeLuxe combined Dolphin DOS and JiffyDOS to make a more user friendly combination of the two disk drive systems. You will now get all features of the Dolphin DOS kernal in combination with the JiffyDOS IEC bus speed routines.

RS232 interface - C64 | Tomasz Nowak is developing a RS232 interface for the Commodore C64. The device will be connected to the user-port and the theoretical maximum speed will be 230400 bit/s. The device already supports the XModem protocol and Tomasz is working on support for RS485.

Cassiopei - firmware update | Jan Derogee has released a new version of the Cassiopei firmware. The changes are: A file filter so that a VIC-20 only sees files for the VIC-20. It is now possible to adapt the Cassiopei to a computer model without using the Cassiopei manager. And the manual has been updated.

Ryś MKII adapter - Amiga | This USB adapter makes it possible to use USB HID devices on your Amiga. The Ryś MK II has been equipped with 3 modes of emulation: one for a mouse, one for a joystick and the last one for a pad. The mouse emulation has now 3 speed options. And the Ryś comes also with Bootloader function for future firmware upgrades. On the web page is a list of tested devices available.

PIC voice synthesizer C64 / C128 / Plus/4 | Jorge Castillo developed the HR2 voice synthesizer for Commodore computers in the year 2011. Last year he developed the HR4 with better audio quality and a 1-channel noise and music generator. He is now developing the HR5 synthesizer, using a PIC 16F886.

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