AMSTRAD GX4000 CPC 464 6128 PLUS Reflashable FLASH+ Cartridge

overange · 18:35, 25 March 23

Here is my design for a reflashable cartridge for the GX4000.

Based on original designs by Chinnery and f1ac0, this Flash+ cartridge is designed so you can quickly reflash it with out the need to open carts, remove proms or have unsightly Switches, Jumpers, Usb or SD Adapters.

It it fully compatible with Cwiiis' GX4000 3d printed cartridge.

It has 3 options for Amstrad Cartridge Identification - ACID, XC9536 or 74HC112N.

There is also an option to use Multi Rom selection.

Using its adapter you can place it into your eprom programmer and flash the Cartridge.

This is V1.0 of the Board, and yeah I forgot to add the VCC and GND to the 74HC112N device, hence the links on the rear.
The Flash ROM used on this board is an ST M29F040B-70K1, I do need to try other variants.
I still need to test the ACID and XC9536 part of the circuit, but it should be ok

GUNHED · 19:18, 25 March 23

Nice! Well, I would like to test your card with a spare ACID I have here at my place. If you're interested please PM / email me.

Cwiiis · 20:38, 25 March 23

Ooh, this is really nice, I especially like the 3 options for ID - I've been wanting to test if the CPLD method would help with the stability issues you get with the Plus when using 3rd party carts and expansion cards (all my 3rd party carts use NoACID).

Will you be sharing this design? Would also be nice for cart production to have an open design that uses a more modern and cheaply available memory chip!

Richard_Lloyd · 20:58, 25 March 23

Good stuff.

That memory chip is 512KB which could hold 4 x 128KB ROMs. Is that what you mean by multi-ROM selection?

Cheers, Richard.

overange · 21:34, 25 March 23

Yes, it will be an open design as technically its Chinnery's and f1ac0's already open designs but redesigned to be flashed via a programmer using the adapter.

I thought why not put all 3 ACID options on one board, and to save space overlap the ACID and 74HC112 positions.

The switching is using the method from f1ac0's design, however the switch used is the Nidec Copal CS-4-13NB for its size.

However, as this board could be cheap to produce, you may have no need to use switching

GUNHED · 15:05, 06 April 23

Howdy!

Tests were performed with this great piece of hardware using the ACID chip.
And what I can say: It all works like a charm!!!

Imho this expansion has two advantages:
1. It's available
2. It's power consumption is low, so the GX4000 should be able to use it with the regular PSU

Now, back to playing Navy Seals (with trainer of course)...

overange · 01:24, 07 April 23

Thats great to hear

Thanks so much for wanting to test it.

Just got to see what results the CPLD gives...

GUNHED · 15:14, 07 April 23

Good luck! I'm sure it will work perfectly!

BTW: Can the adaptor be used to read out a conventional cartridge?

Philippe Lardenois · 08:11, 08 April 23

Love the concept of easy reflashable thing....Count me for one.

overange · 11:34, 08 April 23

Quote from: GUNHED on 15:14, 07 April 23Good luck! I'm sure it will work perfectly!

BTW: Can the adaptor be used to read out a conventional cartridge?

Technically yes, but I would have to try it first.