13.3.5. What is a RAMDrive? The RAMDrive is similar in function to the RAMLink sold by CMD (see Section 13.3.4). The main differences are the smaller amount of memory (1-4 MB) and the smaller size. At one time, the RAMDrive was sold by CMD, but is no longer available through them. However, Performance Peripherals, Inc. still sells the RAMDrive unit. 13.3.6. How do I expand my C128 Video RAM? The original, "flat" C128's came with an 80 column display that had it'= s own display RAM that was separate from the system memory of the computer. = This "VDC RAM" was 16K in size. After Commodore introduced the C128D, they changed the design and marketed some versions of the Commodore 128D wit= h 64K of VDC RAM. Since them, some programs (e.g. I-Paint, Dialogue128) have come out that either need or support 64K of VDC RAM. Owners of fl= at 128's can upgrade their video RAM to 64K either by ordering an upgrade plug-in board(e.g. from Software Support International), or by replacin= g the RAM chips themselves. All that needs to be done is, the two 4416 RAM c= hips next to the VDC chip need to be replaced with 4464 RAM chips. Note, however, that since this involves soldering in tight quarters on your 1= 28's motherboard, it is very easy to damage the motherboard or the nearby VD= C chip. Whenever you wish to use the extra RAM, be sure to set bit 4 in = the VDC register 28 (0 =3D 16kB, 1 =3D 64kB). 13.3.7. How do I expand my C64 internally? THE TRANSACTOR magazine published two articles written by Paul Bosacki = on expanding the Commodore 64. The first article (in Transactor 9.2) desc= ribed how to expand the 64 to 256kB by swapping RAM chips and contained switc= hes to perform some special options. The second (in Transactor 9.6) descri= bes how to expand the Commodore 64 to 1MB, using a 512kB REU and 512kB on t= he | motherboard. In addition, this expansion needs no switches to enable options, which is an enhancement to the first article. The Nordic/Finnish MicroBITTI magazine published a two part article by = Pekka Pessi on expanding the Commodore 64. Pessi's design (in MicroBITTI Iss= ues 1 and 2 for 1987) split the C64 memory map into 4 16kB pages, which cou= ld be each mapped to any 16kB page in 256kB of memory. It uses the same appr= oach of swapping the 64kB DRAMs for 256kB ones, but does the addressing some= what differently. In 1993, Marko Makela, with help from Pekka Pessi, translated Pessi's article into English and made it available via the Internet. It is now available at ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/documents/ or ftp://x2ftp.oulo.fi:/pub/cbm/docs/ 13.3.8. How do I expand my C128 internally? Marko Makela has written an article on how to expand the C128 and C128D= 's memory up to 1024kB. It is compatible with his earlier article on expa= nding the C64 to 256kB, so programs written for the expanded 64 should run on= the expanded 128 in 64 mode. The plan and schematic is available via ftp from nic.funet.fi in directory /pub/cbm/documents/1028. The C-256 and C-512 Twin Cities 128 issues #30 and #31 have a hardware scheme for expandin= g your 128 to 256K or 512K. To people who understand banking on the 128,= the 256K modification adds RAM blocks 2 and 3 to your system. The 512K modification adds four more RAM blocks that can be accessed as alternat= e RAM blocks 2 and 3, or as a completely separate set of RAM blocks 0-3. As with Commodore REUs, software must specifically support the expanded= RAM. Since these modifications are relatively new, there is not much softwar= e out yet that supports the additional RAM. However, ACE 128 does support th= is expansion without any special drivers. The hardware modification, while simple from software's point of view, = is rather difficult to perform in hardware. Richard Curcio, the designer = of the memory modifications, can modify your 128 for you. See Twin Cities= 128 issue #31 for more information. 13.4. How do I increase my computer's speed? There are a number of products that can increase the operating speed of the Commodore 64. These products work by turning off the on-board 6510 and turning on a compatible microprocessor, usually a 65C02 or a 65C816 in 6502 emulation mode. These products will work with any software tha= t does not mind running up to 4 times faster and does not use any of the undocumented opcodes of the 6502 IC. Also, for a quick way to gain a small speed increase, please see Sectio= n 17.2. 13.4.1. How do I increase my Commodore 64's speed? Please note that some of these products are no longer offered for sale by the original companies, but can be purchased from individuals as use= d equipment. Turbo Master Accelerator for C64. The Turbo Master Accelerator is for a C64 (or C64 mode of C128) only, u= ses a Rockwell R65C02P4 microprocessor clocked at 4.09 MHz, has its own 64K= of fast static RAM and a 32K EPROM, has hardware/software switchable speed between 4.09 and normal, and has an enhanced ROM with faster disk routi= nes that can also be disabled. A JiffyDOS compatibility option was availab= le. Turbo Process Accelerator for the C64. This accelerator, made by Rossm"oller, uses a 65C816P-4 microprocessor to operate the 64 at three speeds: 1MHz, 4 MHz, or anything between 50k= Hz and 4 MHz. The 65C816 is a 16 bit version of the 6502/6510, so it is possible to write software for the new IC that takes advantage of the 1= 6 bit opcodes. Flash 8 This accelerator, the only one being currently produced, is also the fastest such accelerator for the Commodore 64 to date. The module, which plugs into the expansion port of the Commodore 64, increases the CPU processing speed from 1MHz to 8MHz. It uses a 65816 CPU (The 65816 is a descendant of the 65XX series) running at 8MHz to enabl= e the increased speed. Also, it can be optional expanded to 4 or 8 MB RA= M onboad. This product is the successor to the Rossmoeller TurboAccess 4= MHz accelerator card. The unit has the capability to provide 10x speed dis= k access via a parallel cable and has a CP/M option. GEOS compatible requires the special patches that are available from th= e manufacturer, and games or demos which do very intensive timing or rast= er effects might not fucntion correctly. At present, the accelerator only works on PAL 64s of certain revisions and will not function on a C128 i= n 64 mode. Currenlty, the REU is not supported. From the advertisement: "FLASH 8 is a GEOS-compatible module for the expansion port with a 65= 816 CPU that speeds the C64 to 8Mhz by highest compatibility with existi= ng software. Additionally to the original Commodore Kernal a JiffyDos kernal is available. You can choose between two different kernals vi= a DIP-switch. Flash 8 comes either with 256 Kbyte or 1 Mbyte RAM onbo= ard. A CP/M-emulator for running Z80-CP/M-Software, a macro-library and assembler for the 65816 in native-mode are included." The prices are: 349 DM (~$245.00 US) for the unit with 256kB RAM. 449 DM (~$315.00 US) for the unit with 1MB RAM. It is being manufactured and sold by Discount 2000 and Performance Peripherals, Inc. The Turbo Master Accelerator is for a C64 (or C64 mode of C128) only, u= ses a Rockwell R65C02P4 microprocessor clocked at 4.09 MHz, has its own 64K= of fast static RAM and a 32K EPROM, has hardware/software switchable speed between 4.09 and normal, and has an enhanced ROM with faster disk routi= nes that can also be disabled. A JiffyDOS compatibility option was availab= le. CMD Super 64 CPU The CMD Super 64 CPU accelerator cartridge, currently under development= by Creative Micro Designs, will allow a Commodore 64 or Commodore 128 (in = 64 mode) to reach CPU speeds of 10 or 20 MHz. Two versions of the externa= l cartridge will be produced, a 10MHz version and a 20MHz version. Although the unit's specifications are not yet finalized, the most curr= ent information states that a Western Design Center 65C816S 16bit CPU core (with 6502 emulation) will form the heart of the unit. The accelerator= will be compatible will all standard peripherals for the Commodore 64, including the 1500 series disk drives and the 1700 series Ram Expansion Units. In addition, the unit will be compatible with GEORam and the va= rious peripherals offered by CMD, such as the HD and FD series disk drives an= d the RAMLink. Internally, the unit will contain a WDC 65C816S CPU and 64kB of fast st= atic RAM for no-wait program processing. Both a stock and JiffyDOS enhanced kernel will be available, and the user can completely disable the unit = if desired without unplugging. Also, the speed of the unit (1MHz or maxim= um speed) can be selected via switch or software. A pass through port wil= l allow the user to use existing cartridges, and a planned expansion port dubbbed the "Rocket Socket" will allow RAM or functionality enhancement= s to be added to the accelerator. Production units are scheduled in June, 1996, and a developer's package will be made available to software authors. The projected prices are a= s follows: Super 64/20 US$199.00 Creative Micro Designs, Incorporated. (CMD) 15 Benton Drive P.O. Box 646 East Longmeadow, MA 01028-0646 (800) 638-3263 (Orders only) (413) 525-0023 (Information) (413) 525-0147 (Fascimile) cmd.sales@the-spa.com (Information and Pricing) cmd.support@the-spa.com (Technical Support) cmd.cac@the-spa.com (Charles Chistianson - Marketing) doug.cotton@the-spa.com (Doug Cotton - Technical Writer) 13.4.2. How do I increase my Commodore 128's speed? The ZIP card for your C128. This accelerator was not produced. Its development has been stopped du= e to miscellaneous problems. There are no accelerators for the 128 or 12= 8D at this time. 13.4.3. Can I speed up other Commodore computers? Although it is possoble to accelerate just about any Commodore machine,= no commercial products exist to speed up other Commodore computers. 13.5. How do I increase my computer screen's resolution? Although the Commodore computers once reigned in terms or screen rsolution and number of colors available, newer machines have surpassed it in both areas. Depending on whether you want more characters on the screen or more colors at one time, these products might help. 13.5.1. How do I increase my Commodore 64's screen resolution? Since the Commodore 64's VIC-II cannot be expanded, the only way to inc= rease the resolution of the Commodore 64 is to turn off the on-board video an= d replace its output with one from another IC. The simplist approach involves attaching an 80 column video chip (6545, 6845, etc.) to the C6= 4 via the expansion port. This will provide 80 columns of monochrome tex= t. However, this is only useful for text applications, as most of these vi= deo devices are not capable of doing high resolution graphics. Also, none = of the following are currently produced, but many are sold as used equipme= nt by users. Batteries Included BI-80 This unit combined an 80 column monochrome text video display (using th= e 6545 IC) and BASIC 4.0. Either options could be turned on or off via software control. DATA 20 80 column unit This unit preceded the BI80 unit, and was produced from 1982-1984. Protecto Enterprizes Protecto-80 This was basically a repackaged DATA-20 unit. Some circuitry was chang= ed to permit price reduction, but the same functionality is there. 13.5.2. How do I increase my Commodore 128's screen resolution? The Commodore 128 comes equipped with an second video display controlle= r in addition to the 40 column VIC chip. This chip can be used while in 64 mode through clever programming, and the controller's standard 640*2= 00 pixel size can be expanded to 640*400. However, there is no way to completely overcome the color limitation of 16 colors 13.6. How do I increase my computer's serial transfer speed? If you wish to operate serial devices at speeds faster than what the internal software emulated UART can handle, you will need to purchase a UART interface. There are a couple of different kinds, and each has its advantages. To use these hardware UARTs, the application must be written to take advantage of the device. SwiftLink the SwiftLink cartridge is manufactured by CMD and allows speeds up to 38.4 Kbps. This device contains a 6551 UART and plugs into your cartri= dge port and supplies you with a standard 9-pin serial port. You then conn= ect the desired modem. Dialogue128, Novaterm64, and Kermit(v2.2s) support the SwiftLink. Creative Micro Designs, Incorporated. (CMD) 15 Benton Drive P.O. Box 646 East Longmeadow, MA 01028-0646 (800) 638-3263 (Orders only) (413) 525-0023 (Information) (413) 525-0147 (Fascimile) cmd.sales@the-spa.com (Information and Pricing) cmd.support@the-spa.com (Technical Support) cmd.cac@the-spa.com (Charles Chistianson - Marketing) doug.cotton@the-spa.com (Doug Cotton - Technical Writer) HART Cartridge The HART cartridge is a device similar to the Swiftlink in size. Howev= er, the HART unit conatins an 8255 UART IC and can handle speeds up to 57.6= Kbps. The unit is manufactured by Hatronics. Hatronics 195 Lincoln Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 (201) 783-7264 Mark Hatten (Contact) DataPump DataPump is a set of plans used to build a device that functions just l= ike a Swiftlink. The plans are available at many FTP sites. ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/CBM/documents/datapump.sfx (GEOS format) ftp://hamsterix.funet.fi/pub/CBM/documents/datapump.sfx (GEOS format) ftp://ccnga.uwaterloo.ca/pub/cbm/INCOMING/hardware/ 13.7. How do I increase my computer's sound quality? SID Symphony The C64 and C128 come equipped with 1 Sound Interface Device (SID) IC. This provides 3 channels of output. For more channels, one can purchas= e the SID Symphony cartridge from CMD to provide 3 extra channels. Most newe= r sound playing and editing software is able to use the extra channels. There are also a number of units one can purchase or build that will provide MIDI capabilities for Commodore 64 and 128 users. 13.8. What other ways can I expand my Commodore computer? There are many hardware items that you can use. Below is a list of a f= ew of them. Note that some of these items may no longer be in production, an= d thus are only available as used equipment. 80-Line Simplified Digital I/O Board This unit has 40 TTL input lines and 40 separate buffered digital outpu= t lines plus an expansion socket that could support a standard ROM or clo= ck/ calendar cartridge. It works on the C64 and all modes of the C128 (including CP/M mode). Its model number is the SS100 Plus. "Original Ultimate Interface" This is a universally applicable dual 6522 Versatile Interface Adapter = board with four 8-bit fully bidirectional I/O ports, eight handshake lines, a= nd four 16-bit timer/counters. It has IRQ interrupt capability and is expandab= le to four boards. It works on the C64 and all modes of the C128 (includi= ng CP/M mode). Its model number is the 641F22. A/D Conversion Module This unit is 16 channel, 8-bit, 100 microsecond conversion time. Piggy-backs on the 641F22 and thus requires it to operate. Works on th= e C64 and all modes of the C128 (including CP/M mode). Its model number = is 641F/ADC0816. The Spartan Apple ][+ emulator for the C64, by Mimic Systems, Inc. In addition to allowing the use of Apple ][+ hardware/software, this device boasted four software selectable C64 cartridge slots, a non- dedicated 8-bit parallel port, and standard audio cassette deck capabilities for the C64. ROM upgrades are available for the C-128 and the 1571. C64 Games Port Expander (Model #8401) 40/80 column converter. Switchable, it has 4 independent cartridge sockets plus a 5th switch position accessing an 80 col. character set ROM - (limited usability because it *apparently* accesses a C64 Ram location which interferes with a lot of stuff, I forget where or how) - and a 6th switch position independent of the cartridge port for general use stuff. It was built into a neat steel housing designed to sit flat on the desk= top and slide into the cartridge port at exactly the right height. #! rnews 14139 Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.texas.net!newsfeed.concentri= c.net!news-master!mariner.cris.com!Gaelyne From: Gaelyne@cris.com (Gaelyne Moranec) Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: COMP.SYS.CBM: General FAQ, v3.1 Part 9/9 Supersedes: Followup-To: comp.sys.cbm Date: 5 Jul 1996 06:28:00 GMT Organization: Brain Innovations, Inc. Lines: 327 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Message-ID: Reply-To: brain@mail.msen.com NNTP-Posting-Host: mariner.cris.com Summary: This posting contains answers to questions that commonly surface= in comp.sys.cbm. This posting will tell you enough to get your computer connected to a network, fixed, and/or enhanced. This f= ile should be read by new users of comp.sys.cbm before posting to th= e group. It should also be proofread by users who are currently active in comp.sys.cbm. Keywords: CBM FAQ Help List C64 C128 VIC Modem X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.3.1.p9 Comp-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part9 News-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part9 Comp-sys-cbm-archive-name: main-faq/part9 Version: 3.1 Last-modified: 1996/06/05 -----------------------------------------------------------------------= ---- Table of Contents (for this file) --------------------------------- 14. Programming 14.1. What Programming Languages are available? 14.2. What is a Cross Assembler? How do I use one? + 14.3 What is an "undocumented opcode"? 15. User Groups 16. Sales and Service 16.1. Where do I purchase Commodore Equipment and Software? 16.2. Where do I get equipment serviced? 16.3. How do I know who to buy from or request service from? 17. Miscellaneous 17.1. How fast does a Commodore 64 run? 17.2. How can a turn my NTSC-M 64 into a PAL-B 64 or vice versa? 17.3. What does this IC number mean? + 17.4. What are the differences between C64 ROM Revisions? 18. Credits -----------------------------------------------------------------------= ---- 14. Programming 14.1. What Programming Languages are available? The following programming languages are known to exist for the CBM computers: Ada APL Assembly Language BASIC (interpreted and compiled) BASIC extenders C COBOL COMAL FORTH FORTRAN LISP LOGO MUMPS Pascal PILOT You name it, and it is probably available for the Commodore computer system. The list of supported languages availeble for the Commodore 8 bit computer systems is much too large to fir in the FAQ, but they ar= e available at http://www.wimsey.com/~danf/cbm/languages.html. 14.2. What is a Cross Assembler? How do I use one? A cross assembler is a program that runs on one computer and generates code for another computer. Usually, a non 8-bit CBM machine generates the code using this program, but it can be another 64 hooked in some wa= y to a "target" 64. Whatever the case, here are some packages that can b= e used: as6502 linking 6502 cross assembler masm6502 6502 macro cross-assembler ps65a12 Unix format 6502 cross assembler svasm02 6502 cross assembler xasm220 many-targeted cross assemblers smal6502 linking macro assembler written in portable PASCAL A more detailed list can be found at: http://www.wimsey.com/~danf/cbm/cross-development.html For all cross assemblers, the user will most likely benefit from a way = to transfer the program from the source platform to the target platform. See Section 7 for information on products that will help transfer the files. 14.3 What is an "undocumented opcode"? In the 65XX CPU line, each machine language instruction is a single byt= e, which allows for 256 instruction types, or opcodes. However, there are fewer than 256 defined. When designing the 65XX line, the designers, needing to keep complexity down, decided to treat the extra opcode positions as "don't care" opcodes, where no effort would be made to mak= e those opcodes do anything special. Since the opcodes are arranged in a 16X16 matrix, with a row or column cotaining opcodes that perform simil= ar operations, an undefined opcode in the matrix can have the behavior of other opcodes in its row or column or both. These opcodes are called "illegal" or "undocumented" opcodes, and are occasionally used by demo coders to accomplish special timing effects, or by software programmers for copy protection code. To learn more about these opcode= s and what each does, the get the 64doc file at ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/documents/64doc or visit a cbm emulator foru= m. 15. User Groups User's Groups fulfill a major function for Commodore owners. They prov= ide a place to meet other users, discuss problems and solutions for computi= ng, teach and learn information about their machines. Software can be shar= ed and friendships are made. The Commodore community is made up largely b= y real or virtual user's groups. A complete list of Commodore user groups can be found at | http://www.msen.com/~brain/pub/cbm-ug-list.1.0.txt This file is also available from Jim Brain's MAILSERV server as file cbm-ug-list.txt. (See Section 6.5.2 for directions on using the MAILSE= RV server.) Commodore owners are encouraged to join a CBM user group to help keep t= hese vital organizations around. In addition, most user groups publish newsletters 16. Sales and Service Sooner or later, every Commodore owner will need to get his or her computer serviced, add another peripheral, or simply purchase some enhancement hardware or software. Contrary to popular belief, there is a large base of hardware and software suppliers and service centers. 16.1. Where do I purchase Commodore Equipment and Software? ESCOM (holder of the Commodore patents and copyrights), does not curren= tly manufacture Commodore 8-bit computer systems. Many online services, including GEnie, the Internet, and user group newsletters contain classified ads from individuals wanting to sell used CBM equipment, how= ever. In Germany, there are a number of shops which still sell factory new Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 computers. ESCOM also does not manufacture software for the Commodore 8-bit line. However, many companies still sell software for the Commodore line. A complete list of Commodore hardware, peripheral, and software supplie= rs | is available at http://www.msen.com/~brain/pub/cbm-supply-list.txt, as = on Jim Brain's MAILSERV server as file cbm-supply.txt (See Section 6.5.2 for directions on using MAILSERV). 16.2. Where do I get equipment serviced? There are a number of repair facilities around that will bring your tru= sty Commodore computer up to speed again. Please look in the list below fo= r one that might be able to help you. If that doesn't turn up anything, chec= k with your local User's Group. A complete list of Commodore software and hardware repair facilities ca= n be found at http://www.msen.com/~brain/pub/cbm-repair.txt or at Jim Bra= in's MAILSERV server as file cbm-repair.txt. (See Section 6.5.2 for directi= ons on using MAILSERV) 16.3. How do I know who to buy from or request service from? The information provided in this file does not imply that a company is reputable or even still in business. It is best to use the above infor= mation as a starting point, and contact others who can discuss the various manufacturers and repair facilities listed above. 17. Miscellaneous Well, this is where the chaff falls. The following questions are eithe= r too new to categorize or do not fit into a category. 17.1. How fast does a Commodore 64 run? If you are using a stock Commodore 64, the CPU clock frequency is a fun= ction of the video timing frequency, which is slightly different for differin= g countries. If you have a stock PAL-B C64 (Common in Europe), the compu= ter is running at 985248.444Hz. If you are using an NTSC-M C64 (Common in = the USA), the computer is running slightly faster, at 1022727.143Hz. 17.2. How can a turn my NTSC-M 64 into a PAL-B 64 or vice versa? Changing a C64 from stock PAL-B to stock NTSC-M or vice versa requires swapping in the approproate VIC-II chip and the appropriate crystal, as well as changing a jumper on the motherboard (The jumper has printing near it that indicates whether to cut or connect the jumpe= r). Also, if you have a version 1 KERNAL ROM and want to use the built-in RS-232 routines, you need to either swap KERNAL ROMs with the other computer (not recommended), or obtain a revision 3 KERNAL (recommended)= . Now, if maintaining stock operation is not a complete must, or if you just want to tinker, the crystal and jumper modifications can be made optional. The VIC-II chip has a relaxed tolerance for timing, so it is possible t= o run an NTSC-M VIC-II with a PAL-B crystal and jumper settings. The converse is possible as well. Since the crystal frequency is used = to generate the frequencies for the TV and monitor output, your TV or monitor may not like the resuling hybrid signal very well, but it won't= break anything. In addtion, the jumper indicated above determines the divisor used to s= cale down the crystal frequency for the CPU. For PAL-B units, the divisor i= s 18, and for NTSC-M units the divisor is 14. The Commodore 64 will oper= ate regardless of the crystal frequency and state of this jumper. Therefor= e, to speed up a 64, one can install a PAL-B crystal (17734472Hz) and chan= ge the jumper to use the NTSC divisor (14) to increase the operating speed of the machine to 1266748Hz. However, note that any operations (= disk, rs-232, special VIC tricks) that require synchronized timing may fail i= n this "non-stock" scenario.