3.4. 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 that 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 Section 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 used equipment. Turbo Master Accelerator for C64. The Turbo Master Accelerator is for a C64 (or C64 mode of C128) only, uses 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 routines that can also be disabled. A JiffyDOS compatibility option was available. 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 50kHz 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 16 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 enable the increased speed. Also, it can be optional expanded to 4 or 8 MB RAM onboad. This product is the successor to the Rossmoeller TurboAccess 4MHz accelerator card. The unit has the capability to provide 10x speed disk access via a parallel cable and has a CP/M option. GEOS compatible requires the special patches that are available from the manufacturer, and games or demos which do very intensive timing or raster effects might not fucntion correctly. At present, the accelerator only works on PAL 64s of certain revisions and will not function on a C128 in 64 mode. Currenlty, the REU is not supported. From the advertisement: "FLASH 8 is a GEOS-compatible module for the expansion port with a 65816 CPU that speeds the C64 to 8Mhz by highest compatibility with existing software. Additionally to the original Commodore Kernal a JiffyDos kernal is available. You can choose between two different kernals via DIP-switch. Flash 8 comes either with 256 Kbyte or 1 Mbyte RAM onboard. 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, uses 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 routines that can also be disabled. A JiffyDOS compatibility option was available. | CMD SuperCPU 64 | The CMD Super 64 CPU accelerator cartridge, currently shipping from Creative Micro Designs, will allow a Commodore 64 or Commodore 128 (in 64 | mode) to reach CPU speeds of 20 MHz. | A Western Design Center 65C816S 16bit CPU core (with 6502 emulation) | forms the heart of the unit. The accelerator is 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 is compatible with GEORam and the various peripherals offered by | CMD, such as the HD and FD series disk drives and the RAMLink. | Internally, the unit contains a WDC 65C816S CPU and 64kB of fast static | RAM for no-wait program processing. Both a stock and JiffyDOS enhanced | kernel are available, and the user can completely disable the unit if | desired without unplugging. Also, the speed of the unit (1MHz or maximum | speed) can be selected via switch or software. A pass through port | allows the user to use existing cartridges, and an expansion port | dubbbed the "Rocket Socket" allows RAM or functionality enhancements to be added to the accelerator. Production units began on July 25, 1996, and a developer's package will be made available to software authors shortly. The price is as 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 due to miscellaneous problems. + The SuperCPU 128 + In addition to the SuperCPU 64 (see Section 13.4.1), Creative Micro + Designs is planning to introduce a 128 version of this 20 MHz accelerator. + Production dates are sceduled for around Christmas, 1996. The price for + the 128 version has not yet been finalized., Contact CMD for more + information. 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 increase the resolution of the Commodore 64 is to turn off the on-board video and replace its output with one from another IC. The simplist approach involves attaching an 80 column video chip (6545, 6845, etc.) to the C64 via the expansion port. This will provide 80 columns of monochrome text. However, this is only useful for text applications, as most of these video devices are not capable of doing high resolution graphics. Also, none of the following are currently produced, but many are sold as used equipment by users. Batteries Included BI-80 This unit combined an 80 column monochrome text video display (using the 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 changed 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 controller 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*200 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 cartridge port and supplies you with a standard 9-pin serial port. You then connect 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. However, the HART unit conatins an 8255 UART IC and can handle speeds up to 57.6Kbps. 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 like 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 purchase the SID Symphony cartridge from CMD to provide 3 extra channels. Most newer 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 few of them. Note that some of these items may no longer be in production, and 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 output lines plus an expansion socket that could support a standard ROM or clock/ 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, and four 16-bit timer/counters. It has IRQ interrupt capability and is expandable to four boards. It works on the C64 and all modes of the C128 (including 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 the 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 desktop and slide into the cartridge port at exactly the right height. -- Jim Brain, Embedded System Designer, Brain Innovations, Inc. (BII)(offline sig) j.brain@ieee.org "Above views DO reflect my employer, since I'm my employer" Dabbling in WWW, Embedded Systems, VR, Old CBM computers, and Good Times! -Me- Jim Brain: BII, VR, and CBM info #! rnews 14801 Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!conch.aa.msen.com!not-for-mail From: brain@mail.msen.com (Jim Brain) Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: COMP.SYS.CBM: General FAQ, v3.1 Part 9/9 Supersedes: Followup-To: comp.sys.cbm Date: 13 Aug 1996 01:16:51 -0400 Organization: Brain Innovations, Inc. Lines: 342 Sender: brain@msen.com Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Expires: 05 Sep 1996 Message-ID: Reply-To: brain@mail.msen.com NNTP-Posting-Host: conch.aa.msen.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 file should be read by new users of comp.sys.cbm before posting to the 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-URL: http://www.msen.com/~brain/ X-Posted-By: YPost, version 0.08 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: 1996/08/12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 are 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 way to a "target" 64. Whatever the case, here are some packages that can be 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 byte, 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 make those opcodes do anything special. Since the opcodes are arranged in a 16X16 matrix, with a row or column cotaining opcodes that perform similar 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 opcodes and what each does, the get the 64doc file at ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/documents/64doc or visit a cbm emulator forum. 15. User Groups User's Groups fulfill a major function for Commodore owners. They provide a place to meet other users, discuss problems and solutions for computing, teach and learn information about their machines. Software can be shared and friendships are made. The Commodore community is made up largely by 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 MAILSERV server.) Commodore owners are encouraged to join a CBM user group to help keep these 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 currently 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, however. 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 suppliers | 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 trusty Commodore computer up to speed again. Please look in the list below for one that might be able to help you. If that doesn't turn up anything, check with your local User's Group. A complete list of Commodore software and hardware repair facilities can be found at http://www.msen.com/~brain/pub/cbm-repair.txt or at Jim Brain's MAILSERV server as file cbm-repair.txt. (See Section 6.5.2 for directions 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 information 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 either 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 function of the video timing frequency, which is slightly different for differing countries. If you have a stock PAL-B C64 (Common in Europe), the computer 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 jumper). 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 to 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 scale down the crystal frequency for the CPU. For PAL-B units, the divisor is 18, and for NTSC-M units the divisor is 14. The Commodore 64 will operate regardless of the crystal frequency and state of this jumper. Therefore, to speed up a 64, one can install a PAL-B crystal (17734472Hz) and change 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 in this "non-stock" scenario. 17.3. What does this IC number mean? Here are a few Commodore IC numbers and their functions. Note that this | is an incomplete list. A more comprehensive list is called csg.chips.info and is at ftp.funet.fi. For the VIC-20: Mnemonic PN# Alt. PN# CPU 6502 VIC-I (NTSC-M) 6560 VIC-I (PAL-B) 6561 CPU 6502 For the C-64 and C-64C: Mnemonic PN# Alt. PN# CPU 6510 VIC-II (NTSC-M) 6567 8562? VIC-II (PAL-B) 6569 8565 VIC-II (PAL-N) 6572 VIC-II (PAL-M) 6573 SID 6581 6582 8580 For the C-128(D): Mnemonic PN# Alt. PN# Notes: CPU 8502 VIC-IIe (NTSC-M) 8564 VIC-IIe (PAL-B) 8566 VIC-IIe (PAL-N) 8569 | DVDC 8563 8568 (get r9a or r9b if possible) SID 6581 6582 8580 Differences between 64 boards: The older boards had discrete LSI logic and a PLA chip. The newer boards put all the PLA and LSI logic into one ASIC chip. On the older boards, the KERNAL and BASIC ROMs were separate, while they are combined in the newer design. There are two different models of the narrow board. One has Color RAM, while the other does not. The ASIC chip includes the PLA and 7 TTL chips, and the Color RAM on some machines machines. The new models use 9 volt versions 8580 SID, while older models use the 6581 12 volt SID. The VIC chip (6567 NTSC-M, 6569 PAL-B) has been replaced with the 8562 (NTSC-M) and 8565 (PAL-B) on newer models. Both BASIC 2.0 and the KERNAL ROM have been combined into one ROM for the C64C/G/GS. This ROM is the same as is used on the C128 in C64 mode. The ROM is indentical except for nationality differences. + 17.4. What are the differences between C64 ROM Revisions? + Well, they have a number of them, and each difference is documented and + explained in "The Commodore 64 Whole Memory Guide" by Tim Arnot. + (ftp://x2ftp.oulu.fi/pub/cbm/docs/c64-kernel.diffs) 18. Credits I want to extend my thanks to the following people for their help in providing correct, up-to-date information in this FAQ: Fred Mueller, who maintained this FAQ before I. Everyone who helped add to the 1.4 FAQ material to make the 2.0-2.2 FAQ. Everyone who helped add to the 2.2 FAQ to make the 3.0 FAQ. + Adam Vardy, with corrections to Section 3.3. + Roger Long, for information on Random Magazine. + Jouko Valta, for information on C65 archives and kernal diffs. + Tom Cwikla, for info on ANADISK. + Alan Jones, for info on a new newsgroup mail gateway. + Antony Gibbs, for info on Commodore Zone. + Gaelyne Moranec, for info on GIF viewers. + John Keyerleber, for info on plans for CBM printer to PC interface. + David Gahris, for numerous WWW addresses. + Marc Frank, for error in cbm-supply-list.txt filename. + Jack Vander White, for address updates. + Jeff Daniels, for info on his company. + Paul MacArthur, for info on X1541 cable source. + Craig Bruce, for info on his FTP Mail Server. + Dirk Moell, for info on blinks on 8050. + Bob Masse, for info on C128 VDC IC revisions. + Alan Jones, for corrections to Daniel Dallmann's RS-232 interface. + Donald Ayers, for information on his GRASSROOTS #1 Disk. + Daniel Kahlin, for info on Over5. + Dallas Legan, for info on Transactor Index. + Andre Fachat, for info on VICE. + Allen Smith, for info on COMPUTERSMITH Internet updates. + Jack vanderwhite, for updates on COMMODORE CEE BBS phone. + Jeff Jones, for updates on LOADSTAR prices. + Frank Ellert, for info on more UNIX-like OSes. + Paul McAleer, for informaiton on Micro-Bytes. + J. E. Sears, for info on PPI. + Jeff Jones, for information on LOADSTAR Letter going commercial. + Chris MCEE, for corrections on Demo terms. + R.T. Cunningham, for updates on SuperCPU dates and info. + Beth Gladen, for uncovering a bug in user group list filename. + Nhat-Viet Phi, for info on his RAMLink User's List. + Holger Heimes, for info on extra BBS numbers to get FAQ at. + Scott Eggleston, with new email info and merger of Underground info. + Jarno Lamberg, for corrections to 17.4 URL. + Eric Hoetzel, for info on 6502CC mailing list. + Jeff Daniels, for updates on the VIC newsletter. + Nick Rossi, for information on Novaterm 9.6. + Walt Roth, for corrections on posting frequency. -- Jim Brain, Embedded System Designer, Brain Innovations, Inc. (BII)(offline sig) j.brain@ieee.org "Above views DO reflect my employer, since I'm my employer" Dabbling in WWW, Embedded Systems, VR, Old CBM computers, and Good Times! -Me- Jim Brain: BII, VR, and CBM info #! rnews 10398 Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!nntp.coast.net!oleane!in2p3.fr!univ-lyon1.fr!howland. erols.net!swrinde!news.sgi.com!mr.net!news.netins.net!phdss From: phdss@worf.netins.net (Phd Software Systems) Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: RE: SuperCPU Date: 13 Aug 1996 05:56:54 GMT Organization: INS Info Services, Des Moines, Iowa, USA Lines: 232 Message-ID: <4up5f6$7uo@insosf1.netins.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: worf.netins.net --> in a message Alan Jones wrote <-- AJ> First the CMD SuperCPU is a very significant development for the AJ> C64/128 community. This is not for the hardware itself but because it AJ> will generate a lot of ink and buzz (interest and excitement). Partially true, but the ink and buzz is a direct result of the hardware: the most advanced significant piece of 64/128 hardware ever made. AJ> Who AJ> knows, it might even get a few lines in mainstream computing AJ> magazines. That would indeed be fortunate. I'd encourage people to write some of the other platform magazines. I sent a couple to a few of the computer TV shows (c|net, and computer chronicles) - I'd hope other do to. Part of the problem is that the main stream press doesn't even know we are still out here. AJ> CMD calls it an "accelerator", but it is more than that. It is a AJ> whole new computer that is "hosted" by a C64/128 computer. This is good AJ> news, bad news. It limits the new computer in display, sound, I/O, and AJ> peripherals to that of the C64/128. AJ> The SuperCPU is based on a 20 Mhz AJ> 65C816 CPU. This is an enhanced 16/8 bit version of the 6502. Its AJ> not much in a world of 200 Mhz 64/32 bit CPUs in modern PCs. Comparatively it is roughly equal in clock cycle advances from a turbo 286 to a 166 pentium. Certainly we are not gaining the cycles per instruction reduction that the 486-586 enjoy over their forerunners, but it is still an awesome jump. AJ> So right out of the box all we get is a fast C64. So what is a AJ> C64/128 best for? The 6502 is very responsive to sevicing interupts AJ> and the C64/128 is very good for hobbyist type harware and software AJ> hacking. (Actually it is good for many more things.) The 65C816 CPU AJ> has some more and wider internal registers so it may take it a few more AJ> cyles to save the current processor state over the 8 bit buss before AJ> servicing the interupt. Most of these interupts may be generated by AJ> the slow C64 host itself, so that is no limitation. A stock 128 with a AJ> 6551 can run RS232 at 115K bps anyway. So interupt handling with the AJ> SuperCPU is no big advantage. Major league disagreement - that is wrong. So what if you can set a 16550 at 115k - Dialog suffers away a 1100-1200 and Dest around 1600 regardless of the uart setting. A 14.4 modem on a good clone will keep up a 33.6 on a 128 throughput anyday. Why, interrupt handling is too slow - the 128 gets nothing done but holding off the modem until it does something with the bytes received -whether that is to disk or to screen - irrelevant. I don't know what the throughput on Novaterm 9.6 is going to screen or ram disk, but it is probably pretty close to that of any clone running a similar modem or null modem. AJ> I have read only discouraging things about user hacking on the AJ> SuperCPU. I asked if it was easy to patch the RAM shadow of the ROM AJ> image and what type of ROM the SuperCPU used. I was told that this AJ> was not possible and that I should keep a hands off policy toward AJ> hacking the SuperCPU. I said it was defiantly possible - but why, why, why. Haven't we learned enough from 12 years of incompatibilities - why would you want to introduce more? I think we could both list a couple hundred programs that have caused, created or otherwise introduced incompatibilities just because the programmers wanted to trick out the system. There is not actually anything specifically wrong with changing the kernal - it is just that after almost 2 decades of programming, there is one lesson learned from experience: Use only those parts of the system, you absolutely need and leave the rest alone. Case in point: Desterm 1. It comes out 87-88 and is undoubtiedly a major break through program - no one had pushed reliable rs232 software routines to 9600 on the 128. It was distributed shareware to every BBS in the country - at that time, most BBS's were running LtK's, SFD'x, 8250's and other IEEE equipment with Quicksilver Flash (easily 75% of the boards in the country had IEEE equipment on it). The only problem was that Desterm was incompatible with the Quicksilver 128 ROM (the only 128 program Ive ever seen that was). So because Matt thought he could "trick" around the serial routines and call all the xxx kernal routines he wanted, all he did was eliminate 90% of his advertising by making Desterm incompatible with ever system that was carrying his software. Log onto a board, and every sysop said Desterm was worth the download time because it didn't work - most thought it was bug ladden, but really it was the incompatibility with their rom. When you spoke of changing the kernal, I assume you where talking about playing with the shadowed copy of it in the SCPU ram, and leaving the ram under the 64 side kernal along. If you want to play with the kernal, do it the same way we've done it for years. AJ> This same person told me that the ROM used is AJ> "virgin jdos". I've checked all my reference manuals and catalogs and AJ> I can't find an IC chip manufacturer or trade name of Virgin, nor jdos. AJ> I'm sure the responder was confused, and I discount his answer to the AJ> first part of my question as well. Oh sorry, I assumed you understood the 64 and the 64 scene - my mistake for the reference everyone else knew. Virgin: pure, white, unblemished, original. JDOS : aka: Jiffy DOS. A major portion of the Super CPU operating System ROM. It is a licensed enhanced version of Commodores 64 ROM Kernal produced by CMD. JDOS provides disk speed enhancement with a ROM equipped 1541/71/81/FD?000/and other CMD devices. So to put it altogether: "near Virgin JDOS ROM" A near identical copy of the stock Commodore 64 Jiffy DOS ROM. It was only modified as required to make the SCPU (Super CPU) work. AJ> I certainly hope that the SuperCPU AJ> ROM(s) is(are) socketed DIP packages and of a type that is commercialy AJ> available and programmable by the Promenade C1. YES they are. Knock yourself out, have a ball and end up with a machine that will only run the software you write for it. AJ> The SuperCPU C64 emulator It is not an emulator. AJ> uses only stock 8 bit 6502 instructions. AJ> However, the C64 kernel is designed with jump tables. This makes it AJ> easy to update individual kernal routines such as the arithmetic AJ> routines. The 64 OS Kernal Jump table has no entries for math routines; however the basic ROM does have some know routines that are call able by users. AJ> Using the 65C816 16 bit instructions it should be possible AJ> to nearly double the speed of individual kernel routines that the user AJ> wishes to patch. Depends entirely on the routines you wish to patch, and how you are going to patch them. Ultimately you will cause incompatibilities. AJ> Users could publish many patches and eventually we AJ> would have a significantly faster SuperCPU C64 emulation. And it wouldn't run 10% of the 64 software in existence. AJ> Again, AJ> computing faster is not the overriding issue, the ease of user hacking, AJ> which is the heart and soul of C64/128 programmer/users is. In the finest tradition of, those who can do - those who can't, teach. Those who can program - those who can't, Hack. AJ> An unresolved question is how fast the SuperCPU will run cartridge AJ> based software such as the COMAL 2.0 programming language. This AJ> cartridge is 64-128K of EPROM bank switched in 16K banks. I have heard it won't work at all. What is the memory setup it uses? AJ> It is also apearant that the CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) AJ> is the magic "black box" that makes the SuperCPU work. I have not AJ> seen any info on this published yet. Understanding the CPLD is AJ> certainly of interest to user/programmers. Why? The less that is publicly known about it - the better. What happens when Western Design (home 65816) comes out with a 40 or 100 mhz version of the 65816, or they produce the all fabled 65832? CMD goes back an reworks the PLD to work with the new processor, switching a few of the undocumented registers and peculiarities around to work - and poof all your hacked code is incompatible. ie: Didn't learn anything from all those undoc ops eh? If we (I'm as guilty of it as anyone) wouldn't have used all those undoc ops, our compatibility factor with the SCPU would have increased exponentially. AJ> I have two great hopes for the SuperCPU. First is the Rocket Socket. AJ> If CMD produces a series of powerful expansions for this port and AJ> software to use them, it could become much more usefull. For example AJ> a good FPU (floating point unit) and an enhanced graphics card. There none that I'm aware that would work!? As far as I know, that is a ram expansion only. I hope I'm wrong - but that is the beauty of the design, who knows what they will come up with. (ie:thats why I'm on the generic code kick :) AJ> So who should buy a SuperCPU? Anyone who runs Geos. Even I (the self-proposed moderator of comp.sys.geos.die.die.die) am impressed with it running on the SCPU. AJ> Anyone who blew money on that AJ> Turbomaster thing and wants to run faster still. HA! LOL. Or even worse - the Falsh 8 cartridge. AJ> What would really sell the SuperCPU? A killer application that AJ> requires the SuperCPU. Bingo, we have a winner. AJ> I doubt that this will happen. Psst: Geos. For the first time in its life - this program actually works (somewhat). ie: output is still pathetic, but hey... AJ> However, it AJ> may happen that the WAVE (a C128 graphical web browser in development) AJ> may work well but very slow on a stock 128 but be quite fast on a AJ> SuperCPU 128. Good call - it is the one thing the clones can do, that can't. Brett ... phdss@worf.netins.net #! rnews 3119 Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!news.sgi.com!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu! howland.erols.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsfeed.internetmci.com!news.ycc.yale.edu! yal e!news-mail-gateway!daemon From: Irv Cobb Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Re: ?: CMD HD and Geos Date: 12 Aug 1996 18:19:32 -0400 Organization: Yale CS Mail/News Gateway Lines: 71 Sender: daemon@cs.yale.edu Message-ID: <19960812181926.aaaa002_O@babyblue.cs.yale.edu> References: <19960812181926.baaa002_O@babyblue.cs.yale.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: babyblue.cs.yale.edu BOWES1 wrote: > > Beyond anything, I want the thing to be able to access the HD, the RamLink, and > the FD2000, with the option to swap in my REU and/or my 1571 if needed. FWIW > the REU is used here as temporary storage, I don't care if it's contents gets > destroyed by other programs--it wasn't meant to be battery backed. The ramLink > memory right now, has nothing in it, not even a copy of EZloader. > > Can someone give me any ideas, or point me to a decent alternate desktop that > will allow better drive access? > > I am willing to change device numbers around if needed, as long as my HD can > remain as device 8 (I use it for everything). GeoSHELL can do what you want, at least to some degree -- you'll have to experiment with your own setup. Specifically, GeoSHELL will let you remove a device from Geos and replace it with another. You can do this without actually turning off the drive being replaced as long as it's being replaced with a RAM drive and not another physical device (two identical physical device numbers operating at the same jam up the serial bus) or if you can change the device number of the drive on the fly with device number switches and a reset button. What I've done is hard-wire the 1571 in my 128D to be device 11. Then GeoSHELL can remove d and installXXXX.128 d (sorry - I can't remember the default name for GeoSHELL device drivers -- I've renamed mine.) and the 1571 is gone and the new device (in my case one 1571 bank of my BBGRAM, in yours your REU) is in place and usable. Note that it is also possible to do this with physical drives if you install reset switches in them. For instance a system that has 8 HD-500 9 REU 10 1541 11 1571 could have a 1581 running at device 9 and unavailable to Geos because the REU is in use. But a simple remove c (user changes 1581 to device 10 and 1541 to device 9 and resets them) installXXXX.128 c switches the system to 8 HD-500 9 REU (1541 present and running but not in use) 10 1581 11 1571 I do this all the time and find it extraordinarily helpful. =============================================================================== | irv_cobb@radiks.net http://www.radiks.net/irv_cobb | | "Listen, for I will speak Files for Commodore Geos | | of excellent things..." Links to GARBC organizations | =============================================================================== #! rnews 3753 Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!spool.mu.edu!usenet.eel.ufl.edu!news.mathworks.com! newsfeed.internetmci.com!in3.uu.net!gti.gti.net!apollo.gti.net!c128user From: "Glenn P.," Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Re: terminal program to send a whole disk Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 04:10:41 -0400 Organization: GlobalNet Telecom Inc. Info: 1-(201)-285-9099 or Lines: 50 Distribution: world Message-ID: References: <4ul5pl$aqh@crl5.crl.com> <4unkjn$60u@News.IDT.NET> Reply-To: "Glenn P.," NNTP-Posting-Host: apollo.gti.net Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII In-Reply-To: <4unkjn$60u@News.IDT.NET> Return-Path: "Glenn P.," X-Receipt-To: "Glenn P.," Receipt-To: "Glenn P.," X-Gibberish: The Elephant says "Tusk, tusk!". Contents: Reply to Usenet Post. Expiration: 31-Aug-1996 Precedence: Normal Priority: Normal At some earlier time, koyn@crl.com (T. Koyn) posted to "comp.sys.cbm": > I would like to send the entire contents of a 1541 disk (raw sector dump) > as a single file to be received on another computer for use with an > emulator. I have a working commodre system, but am wondering what > terminal program would allow me to do this. I do not want to have to > specifiy individual files on the disk to transer, as I want the whole > disk. Any guidance on what software to use on the commodre would be > greatly appreciated. Thanks. You have three options. First, if your recipient has a Commodore computer, see if you can both manage to lay hold of a program that supports the Punter Whole Disk Transfer protocol. Many Commodore-specific term. prgs. do, including the new commercial version of Novaterm, NT 9.6. On the PD front, I believe several versions of CCGMS support this protocol (but don't bank on this, because I haven't used CCGMS in years). If you can find a way to use Punter Whole-Disk, then go for it -- it's by far the easiest and most direct way of accomplishing your purpose. Second, you and your recipient can use a C-64 program called ZipCode.C64, which reads whole disks, sector-by-sector, and converts it into four separate files that can be easily uploaded/downloaded. The recipient then uses his own copy of ZipCode to unpack the disk files and re-create the original disk. I can send you a UUencode or MIME of ZipCode; if memory serves correctly, I believe it's freely redistributable. Your third option is for both of you to buy the much-maligned Compression Kit '94 by MadMan Software (C-Kit '94) -- you know, the one with the (*Gasp!*) dongle. The C-Kit generates 1541 (and 1571, and 1581, and CMD Native) Disk Boas that do essentially the same thing as ZipCode, but can use a single file. C-Kit is very reliable, but you DO need some sort of RAM expansion (even a RAMDrive will do, however) in order to use it. Hope this helps... Good Luck! --_____ {~._.~} "There are a hundred ways in which a boy can injure -- if not _( Y )_ not indeed kill -- himself. The more advennturous he is and the (:_~*~_:) greater his initiative, the more ways he will find. If you protect (_)-(_) him from each of the hundred, he is sure to find the hundred-and- ========= first. Though most men can look back on their boyhood and tremble ========= at the narrowness of some of their escapes, most boys do in fact W.T.P. survive, more or less intact, and the wise father is the trusting ========= father." ===================================== :: --= Glenn P. =-- :: --"The Enchanted Places", Chapter 21, :: c128user@GTI.Net :: By: Christopher Robin Milne. #! rnews 2055 Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!nntp.coast.net!news-res.gsl.net!news.gsl.net!news. mathworks.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!gti.gti.net!apollo.gti.net! c128us er From: "Glenn P.," Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Re: Where to find text adventures ? Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 04:15:21 -0400 Organization: GlobalNet Telecom Inc. Info: 1-(201)-285-9099 or Lines: 22 Distribution: world Message-ID: References: <4uk09l$kj8@optional.cts.com> Reply-To: "Glenn P.," NNTP-Posting-Host: apollo.gti.net Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII In-Reply-To: <4uk09l$kj8@optional.cts.com> Return-Path: "Glenn P.," X-Receipt-To: "Glenn P.," Receipt-To: "Glenn P.," X-Gibberish: The Elephant says "Tusk, tusk!". Contents: Reply To Usenet Post. Expiration: 31-Aug-1996 Precedence: Normal Priority: Normal On 11-Aug-1996, Greg Cox wrote: > Anyone know of any good sites that have any text adventures or grphic > ones for the c64 ? Yes, FTP the "Interactive Fiction Archives" at ftp.gmd.de, in directory "if-archives". Their C64/C128 titles are unfortunately very limited, but some do exist. :) --_____ {~._.~} "There are a hundred ways in which a boy can injure -- if not _( Y )_ not indeed kill -- himself. The more advennturous he is and the (:_~*~_:) greater his initiative, the more ways he will find. If you protect (_)-(_) him from each of the hundred, he is sure to find the hundred-and- ========= first. Though most men can look back on their boyhood and tremble ========= at the narrowness of some of their escapes, most boys do in fact W.T.P. survive, more or less intact, and the wise father is the trusting ========= father." ===================================== :: --= Glenn P. =-- :: --"The Enchanted Places", Chapter 21, :: c128user@GTI.Net :: By: Christopher Robin Milne. #! rnews 665 Path: pravda.aa.msen.com!news1.best.com!nntp04.primenet.com!news.shkoo.com!nntp. primenet.com!news.mathworks.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in3.uu.net!delphi.com !usenet From: joy daidola Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Re: FS:::super sketch Date: Mon, 12 Aug 96 20:06:14 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Lines: 2 Message-ID: <5hHwg5+.joydaidola@delphi.com> References: <320DA777.19A2@earthlink.net> NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1e.delphi.com X-To: Ron King super sketch is similar to a clip board with a stylus attached..you draw on it..it's interesting