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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: banana on 11:45, 08 February 21

Title: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 11:45, 08 February 21
I'd like to know if the plus version is fully compatible with the 6128What are the differences?Thank you!
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 12:48, 08 February 21
This may be of interest ;)
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Plus
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 12:55, 08 February 21
So... If I've lost the cartridge, I can't use the 6128 plus  :o
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 13:20, 08 February 21
You mean for BASIC? You have to get a replacement.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 13:24, 08 February 21
Quote from: Gryzor on 13:20, 08 February 21
You mean for BASIC? You have to get a replacement.
Where from?Thanks.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: ComSoft6128 on 13:26, 08 February 21
I bought one of these 3/4 years ago and it works fine but only cost £30 when I ordered it:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233744766539?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=233744766539&targetid=1141640585251&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046929&poi=&campaignid=12126090210&mkgroupid=116526821493&rlsatarget=aud-629407027385:pla-1141640585251&abcId=9300481&merchantid=115232188&gclid=Cj0KCQiA34OBBhCcARIsAG32uvOS2sIrykHxxQVgmRWXNGbYG0M5nOGthvoWl0JRUkfvEFSPCIG55-MaAuvWEALw_wcB (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233744766539?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=233744766539&targetid=1141640585251&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046929&poi=&campaignid=12126090210&mkgroupid=116526821493&rlsatarget=aud-629407027385:pla-1141640585251&abcId=9300481&merchantid=115232188&gclid=Cj0KCQiA34OBBhCcARIsAG32uvOS2sIrykHxxQVgmRWXNGbYG0M5nOGthvoWl0JRUkfvEFSPCIG55-MaAuvWEALw_wcB)


http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/ParaDOS (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/ParaDOS)
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 13:35, 08 February 21
Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. But it doesn't seem to have BASIC in it.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: ComSoft6128 on 13:40, 08 February 21
Parados is a replacement ROM for Amsdos - you will still be able to use BASIC :)
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 13:43, 08 February 21
Thanks!
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Shaun M. Neary on 13:45, 08 February 21
Some games suffer a keyboard scanning bug on Plus machines (Split Personalities, Ghosts N Goblins, Afterburner, Super Cycle to name a few).
A lot of those have been patched since though, so it's something to be aware of.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: ComSoft6128 on 13:47, 08 February 21
For anyone that notices - that IS a CampurSoft manual that comes with the cart - I have nothing to do with this and I found it more than a little ironic when I bought this a few years ago ???
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Shining on 14:11, 08 February 21
If someone is in need for a cartridge you can contact me for one of my homebrew plus cartridges (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/classifieds-38/homebrew-plus-cartridge/msg164765/#msg164765).


But keep in mind, that I do them only for personal use and not for mass production.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: ComSoft6128 on 14:20, 08 February 21
Hi @Shining (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=922) ,


How many individual Roms can you fit on these carts?
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Shining on 14:38, 08 February 21
To keep it simple I designed my pcb to only fit 512kB EEPROMs. So I can burn every BIN-File up to 512kB.


Since this is the same max. size for the PLUS and the same max. size for a .cpr on the C4CPC one can build a cart for C4CPC and then convert this to .bin using cprtools from cpcmania.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 20:11, 08 February 21
Quote from: ComSoft6128 on 13:40, 08 February 21
Parados is a replacement ROM for Amsdos - you will still be able to use BASIC :)
But Locomotive Basic is on the original cartridge. Is is the same case with the Parados?
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: VincentGR on 21:05, 08 February 21
Parados is a love/hate situation for me.
It is amazing but some games I like and Discology have different opinions.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 21:09, 08 February 21
Quote from: banana on 20:11, 08 February 21
But Locomotive Basic is on the original cartridge. Is is the same case with the Parados?


yes.


But why should you lose a cartridge? Just keep the original one in a safe place and it's highly unlikely you will ever lose it. I use my Plus with the C4CPC cartridge which I rarely remove from the Plus as it simply gives access to everything I ever need. I keep the original cartridge in my disk box and in the rare cases I need it, I will always be sure that I find it.

If you ever get a Plus, then make sure to get the C4CPC too. With this you will have easy access to ROMs, e.g. you can select the standard ROM with Amsdos and Basic. Or to a patched version without Burning Rubber. Or to Parados... whatever you wish. So there is rarely the need to insert the standard cartridge again.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 21:13, 08 February 21
Quote from: eto on 21:09, 08 February 21

yes.


But why should you lose a cartridge? Just keep the original one in a safe place and it's highly unlikely you will ever lose it. I use my Plus with the C4CPC cartridge which I rarely remove from the Plus as it simply gives access to everything I ever need. I keep the original cartridge in my disk box and in the rare cases I need it, I will always be sure that I find it.

If you ever get a Plus, then make sure to get the C4CPC too. With this you will have easy access to ROMs, e.g. you can select the standard ROM with Amsdos and Basic. Or to a patched version without Burning Rubber. Or to Parados... whatever you wish. So there is rarely the need to insert the standard cartridge again.
I already own a 6128+. I just can't remember after all this time where I put the darn cartridge... :-[
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 09:07, 09 February 21
It's easy to lose it unfortunately... has happened to me - cartridge removed to play some other cartridge, then the machine was stored away without checking which cartridge was in. Result: an empty game box and a loose BASIC cartridge in a drawer.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 09:30, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 21:13, 08 February 21I already own a 6128+. I just can't remember after all this time where I put the darn cartridge...

Ah, I understand. OK, then get a C4CPC and you have access to all ROMs you ever need and want.
The only disadvantage I encountered so far is, that CPM plus will not boot from disk with the C4CPC installed (but CPM 2.2 will).
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 09:40, 09 February 21
Quote from: eto on 09:30, 09 February 21Ah, I understand. OK, then get a C4CPC and you have access to all ROMs you ever need and want.
The only disadvantage I encountered so far is, that CPM plus will not boot from disk with the C4CPC installed (but CPM 2.2 will)
What is the C4CPC? DO you have a link for it? Does it include the OS/Basic?
Thanks.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 09:59, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 09:40, 09 February 21What is the C4CPC? DO you have a link for it? Does it include the OS/Basic?
Thanks.

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/C4CPC

It comes with everything!
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 10:00, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 09:40, 09 February 21
What is the C4CPC? DO you have a link for it? Does it include the OS/Basic?
Thanks.

There's a great place with lots of info on that stuff you know :D
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/C4CPC (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/C4CPC)


[EDIT] Darn, eto beat me to it
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 10:13, 09 February 21
Thanks, I see it has room for 16 cartridges, but where can I find the original OS/Basic to place it in there?
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 10:24, 09 February 21
Once more, until you get the hint :D

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Plus_System_Cartridge
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 10:27, 09 February 21
I must be blind  :-\ I can't find a download link.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 10:28, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 10:13, 09 February 21
Thanks, I see it has room for 16 cartridges, but where can I find the original OS/Basic to place it in there?


On the SD Card that comes with it. Everything is already on it. But on the WIki page you will also find links to files and archives with everything you need.

And it's not only 16 slots. One of the slots is a cartridge selector ROM which gives you access to ALL Cartridge ROMs on the SD Card, so you can navigate through everything that was ever released as CPR. If there is a new CPR, just drop it into the right folder on the SD Card and boom, there you go.

It's like a GOTEK for Roms. You either can assign a single ROM to one of the slots or use the cartridge selector to navigate through myriads of ROMs. I personally only use 2 of the 16 ROM slots. Slot 0 is the standard AMSDOS/Basic (patched so it's without Burning Rubber) and Slot 1 is then the Cartridge Selector Rom, so I can easily switch between the main two use cases I have, either boot to a plain Amsdos/Basic or play the games.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 10:28, 09 February 21
Got it, thanks!
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 10:33, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 10:27, 09 February 21I must be blind   I can't find a download link.

Under System cartridges there are links.

Quote from: banana on 10:28, 09 February 21
Got it, thanks!

http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Converted_GX4000_Software

All of these games will also run off the C4CPC. Instant access and all of them patched so they don't need a keyboard anymore.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 10:41, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 10:27, 09 February 21
I must be blind  :-\ I can't find a download link.


Did you scroll? :D
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Plus_System_Cartridge#Downloads
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 10:45, 09 February 21
Yes, finally found it!
ευχαριστώ!
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 10:53, 09 February 21
Νά'σαι καλά :)
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 11:06, 09 February 21
Anyone know where I can buy the C4CPC?Can't find it on ebay and google search isn't showing it for sale.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: dragon on 11:19, 09 February 21
Quote from: eto on 09:30, 09 February 21
Ah, I understand. OK, then get a C4CPC and you have access to all ROMs you ever need and want.
The only disadvantage I encountered so far is, that CPM plus will not boot from disk with the C4CPC installed (but CPM 2.2 will).


I think my cartridges have cpm plus.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 11:34, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 11:06, 09 February 21Anyone know where I can buy the C4CPC?Can't find it on ebay and google search isn't showing it for sale.

The user "Gerald" here on the forum is selling them. Send him a PM. It took a week or so until I got mine from him.

They come without a case but it works. If you want a case, they can be printed or can be found on Ebay.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 11:37, 09 February 21
Thanks, I will PM him. This forum is great and very welcoming, I appreciate it!
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Shaun M. Neary on 11:51, 09 February 21
I'd also wholeheartedly recommend the C4CPC. I got mine about 3 years ago and it's still awesome to use. Games load in seconds on it and you can select so many different versions of BASIC from a menu.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: andycadley on 14:34, 09 February 21
Quote from: banana on 10:13, 09 February 21
Thanks, I see it has room for 16 cartridges, but where can I find the original OS/Basic to place it in there?


Although it technically has 16 slots, one of those slots can be used for the cartridge selector. That gives you a browsable list of CPR files on the SD card so you can have as many variations as you like.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: norecess464 on 14:58, 09 February 21
QuoteI'd like to know if the plus version is fully compatible with the 6128What are the differences?Thank you!
I will be probably off-topic here, but if you can / your budget allows it, I would recommend buying the 2 machines! :)
I personally consider them like 2 different machines, with a certain degree of compatibility between the two.
Both machines have their pros/cons ; and from the 1985's regular 6128 machine to a C4CPC's powered-Amstrad Plus, there are so much things to discover that it would be sad to skip one of them.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 16:32, 09 February 21
Quote from: norecess on 14:58, 09 February 21
I will be probably off-topic here, but if you can / your budget allows it, I would recommend buying the 2 machines! :)
I personally consider them like 2 different machines, with a certain degree of compatibility between the two.
Both machines have their pros/cons ; and from the 1985's regular 6128 machine to a C4CPC's powered-Amstrad Plus, there are so much things to discover that it would be sad to skip one of them.


I do have both but I don't see a reason to go back to the CPC for everyday gaming/programming. I keep the CPC for nostalgic reasons as it was my first computer. But what else is the benefit of it?

Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: norecess464 on 16:38, 09 February 21
QuoteI do have both but I don't see a reason to go back to the CPC for everyday gaming/programming. I keep the CPC for nostalgic reasons as it was my first computer. But what else is the benefit of it?
Well, it's a sliding topic -- but I would say we all have different ways to enjoy our hobbies.  ;)
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: banana on 17:42, 09 February 21
I have a 464 and a 6128 plus
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Bryce on 18:20, 09 February 21
Quote from: eto on 16:32, 09 February 21

I do have both but I don't see a reason to go back to the CPC for everyday gaming/programming. I keep the CPC for nostalgic reasons as it was my first computer. But what else is the benefit of it?

Being able to play Ghosts & Goblins?

Bryce.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: GUNHED on 18:32, 09 February 21
Quote from: norecess on 14:58, 09 February 21
I will be probably off-topic here, but if you can / your budget allows it, I would recommend buying the 2 machines! :)
I personally consider them like 2 different machines, with a certain degree of compatibility between the two.
Both machines have their pros/cons ; and from the 1985's regular 6128 machine to a C4CPC's powered-Amstrad Plus, there are so much things to discover that it would be sad to skip one of them.
Very true, now you know the setup of my desk.  ;) :)
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 09:20, 10 February 21
Quote from: eto on 16:32, 09 February 21

I do have both but I don't see a reason to go back to the CPC for everyday gaming/programming. I keep the CPC for nostalgic reasons as it was my first computer. But what else is the benefit of it?



You just won't believe the amount of chicks I'm getting when I hit the bars with a CPC under my arm. It's a huge (metaphorically and literally) conversation starter.

And now with the pandemic and the lockdowns, I use it to model the viral expansion and predict where bars will open first,so...
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 09:26, 10 February 21
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:20, 10 February 21
You just won't believe the amount of chicks I'm getting when I hit the bars with a CPC under my arm. It's a huge (metaphorically and literally) conversation starter.

And now with the pandemic and the lockdowns, I use it to model the viral expansion and predict where bars will open first,so...




OK, that makes sense... The CPC to pick up chicks in a bar. And the Plus then to have fun when you return back home - alone.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Bryce on 09:44, 10 February 21
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:20, 10 February 21
You just won't believe the amount of chicks I'm getting when I hit the bars with a CPC under my arm. It's a huge (metaphorically and literally) conversation starter.

And now with the pandemic and the lockdowns, I use it to model the viral expansion and predict where bars will open first,so...

Why didn't I think of that. Next time I hit the bars, the Oric Atmos is definitely being left at home.

Bryce.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 09:50, 10 February 21
Quote from: Bryce on 09:44, 10 February 21he Oric Atmos is definitely being left at home.

What an absolute n00b.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Bryce on 10:02, 10 February 21
Quote from: Gryzor on 09:50, 10 February 21
What an absolute n00b.

Now you're sounding like the girl at the bar!  >:(

Bryce.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Gryzor on 10:03, 10 February 21
No, she said "knob".
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Shaun M. Neary on 10:58, 11 February 21
Quote from: eto on 16:32, 09 February 21

I do have both but I don't see a reason to go back to the CPC for everyday gaming/programming. I keep the CPC for nostalgic reasons as it was my first computer. But what else is the benefit of it?


From a programming aspect, I understand wanting a Plus
From a gaming aspect, the Plus never made sense to me save for a handful of exclusives. You actually lose a lot of the back catalogue due to the keyboard scanning bug amongst other bugs. Granted a good chunk of those have been patched but a lot of them haven't been. Only the ones that were deeemed popular by the community.

That said, I've both a 464plus and a 6128plus that do get used. But not as often as the regular CPC's, but again, this is strictly from a gaming perspective. :)
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: eto on 11:02, 11 February 21
Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 10:58, 11 February 21keyboard scanning bug amongst other bugs

Are these bugs documented somewhere? So that I get an idea if it's relevant for me.
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: Shaun M. Neary on 11:33, 11 February 21
The keyboard scanning bug I think was just an issue related to lazy programming for earlier releases that ignored something blatant but was unaffected by the CPC range.
When the plus range came out, the bug got fixed and as a result, no keyboard or joystick could move the game once it loaded!  :laugh:

It's touched on here under the PPI section
http://cpctech.cpc-live.com/docs/cpcplus.html (http://cpctech.cpc-live.com/docs/cpcplus.html)

@Craigsbar: Was the bug that caused Pinball Dreams to crash out on the Plus machines ever documented?
Title: Re: 6128 vs 6128 plus
Post by: GUNHED on 16:55, 11 February 21
Well, more an 'undocumented' feature of the 8255, not really a bug.  :)
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