CPCWiki forum

Hi all,
    due to new Firmware projects such as ToTOs great "Mouse enabled Firmware" FIRMWARE Mouse support !!! (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/firmware-mouse-support-!!!/) there has been several new requests for some LowerROM boards: LowerROM Swapper (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/lowerrom-swapper/) but not enough to justify even a small batch yet. If there are others interested, then now is the time to say it. If I can get a few more orders I would make another mini-batch. If you want to be added to the list, send me a PM.

Bryce.

Please, what's the expected price for this add-on ?

Due to the very small size of the batch, it would be €35 plus postage, as it was with the first batch. This includes the pre-programmed EPROM, with the two Firmware versions of your choice.

Bryce.

OK.

For french peoples, I though it will be interesting to fill it with EN and FR mouse firmware.
So, the jumper act as a AZERTY/QWERTY selector.

Like I said, I'm interested to get other languages Lower ROM files to update them with the mouse support.
Thank you,

  TotO.

Great to see how the LowerROM board does florish and evolve  :) :) :)

Mmmm don't mind if I do, thankyouverymuch!

Are you sure your comment is meant for this thread Gryzor? :D

Bryce.

Quite sure, yes; as in, "I'll have one, yeeeeeah!".

Ok, it's starting to look like this batch is going to happen. If any last takers want one, then it's time to say it now, otherwise you'll have missed this batch too.

Bryce.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way...

I'd be interested in a new EPROM with ToTO's mouse enabled firmware to go in my existing lowerROM board, and a couple of longer leads from the 6128 and 6128+ to save me having to clean my desk  :'(

[attach=2]

Slightly off topic but did anything ever come of the RAM expansion?

Mothers voice: "Clean your desk beaker!"

The RAM Expansion is still in development. The first prototype is almost finished.

Bryce.

Every once in a while I promise my girl I'll put the CPC away. Then Bryce announces another board and I *have* to keep it there. You're ruining my conjugal life.

These kind of things need to be mentioned over dinner in a nice restaurant. Works for me :)

Bryce.

-"So, dear, you remember Bryce, don't you? 'course you do. Well, you see -now please, don't roll your eyes-, so, you see, Bryce is building a new board, you see, and, well, your eyes are so beautiful tonight baby, and I want to hold you so much and stare into you and keep the CPC out on the dinner table just a little wee more so I can test it, and I love you with all my heart..."


-"I'll be at my mom's".

Stop! You've almost got me unbuttoning my shirt :D You're pretty convincing you know... now tell me more about my eyes *Flutter*  :-*

That's why retro is such an expensive hobby. It's not the computers that cost the most, it's all those expensive restaurants to convince the other half.

Bryce.

Aw, you make me blush sweetie... :D

Quote from: beaker on 13:16, 14 September 12
I'd be interested in a new EPROM with ToTO's mouse enabled firmware to go in my existing lowerROM board, and a couple of longer leads from the 6128 and 6128+ to save me having to clean my desk  :'( 

Slightly off topic but did anything ever come of the RAM expansion?

I'm interested in both as well.

When you burn the EPROM's for the next batch of boards any chance you could burn a couple more for us existing board users (that don't have an EPROM burner  ::) ) ?

Cheers,
Shane

You're added to the list. Regarding extra EPROMs, no problem, just tell me how many and what you want on them.
That goes for you too beaker (but only when you've tidied your room!).

Bryce.

A quick update: I've just ordered the PCBs and they take about two weeks to get to me. So the first devices can be delivered in about three weeks. I'll keep you informed.

If you were away or missed the order and still want one, I've ordered about 4 spare PCBs, so there's still a chance to get your name in.

Bryce.

I think that I am on the list with 1 for Deepfb.

Now, what to put on it... what to put on it...

Quote from: Cpcmaniaco on 11:49, 21 September 12
I think that I am on the list with 1 for Deepfb.

Yes, I sent Deepfb a PM lately asking whether he still wanted it, but I haven't got a reply from him yet.

Bryce.

Just received!  ;D 


Look really professionnal work.
Thank you very much, I will test that tomorrow morning.

(sorry for the photo quality ; It's my great blackberry)

Important to everyone: After Burning your EPROM (or even better after erasing it!) please seal the crystal glass window with a label, which does keep light outside. This does increase the timespan of data integrity.

Sure, it's better to add a sticker on it if you don't put the board inside a box, like I will do. :)
But, I have tryed last summer to erase 8 chips during 3 days under the sunshine, and that don't work... Look to be not the same UV. :D

Quote from: TotOJust received!   


Look really professionnal work.
Thank you very much, I will test that tomorrow morning.

(sorry for the photo quality ; It's my great blackberry)

It's.... so empty!

Got mine waiting back home, can't wait to get back and open it :)

@TotO: Glad you like them.

@Gryzor: Has your package already arrived?!?!? That was amazingly fast!

Bryce.

Yeah, that was quite fast indeed, and I couldn't be happier.


[attach=2]


[attach=3]


Ahhh happy indeed =)

Quote from: TotO on 15:21, 02 November 12
Sure, it's better to add a sticker on it if you don't put the board inside a box, like I will do. :)

OMG! You put them into a coffin!?! What a waste. I have to cry now...

Quote from: TotO on 15:21, 02 November 12
But, I have tryed last summer to erase 8 chips during 3 days under the sunshine, and that don't work... Look to be not the same UV. :D

I did the same experiment with only one. It takes seriously longer than three days. But -hey- you've been warned ;-)

Quote from: TFM/FS on 20:48, 03 November 12OMG! You put them into a coffin!?! What a waste.

So, I suppose that you have removed the mainboard of your CPC from the case to put it on the table with all the expansions, to look more geek?
Personally, I prefer to do the invert...

Yesterday I did it even with my keyboard. Took 2 hours to get it together again. Today I will do again :P

As I have been too busy doing the 464+ Mod to update the LowerROM Wiki page, I've been getting a few enquiries of how to use it. Here's all you really need to know:

The 3 way jumper is the enable/disable switch for the LowerROM expansion. If it's on the two pins nearest the CPC then the LowerROM is disabled and the red LED will be lit. If it's on the two pins furtherst from the CPC the LowerROM is enabled and the green LED will be lit. If it's removed completely the CPC will just crash, so don't :)

The 2 pin Jumper right beside the EPROM chooses which of the two external Firmware versions is enabled. When the jumper is in place you have selected the first Firmware in the EPROM. If it's removed you are using the second Firmware in the EPROM.

Important:
- If you connect a ROMBoard/MegaFlash at the same time, the LowerROM MUST be nearest the CPC with the ROMBoard connected to the output cable behind it. The 50 output from the LowerROM Board is NOT the same as the 50 way coming from the CPC, so parallel cables from the CPC shouldn't be used either, the CPC will crash.
- If you are using any other device that can replace ROM 0 (including the MegaFlash), you should disable the ROM 0 on this device, otherwise, once again, the CPC will crash.

I'll add this info (with pictures) to the Wiki page as soon as I have time...

Bryce.

Thanks for the info; I guess it's not that difficult to realize most of it by oneself, but it's always good to have it straight from the horse's mouth (cue jokes about horses).

But why not actually print some of that on the board itself? I'm thinking about a few years down the road... I don't even remember seeing the board's name on this one (though I may be wrong)??

The original batch was only a prototype run, which I don't usually add any text or labelling to. When the second batch was spontaneously planned I just re-ordered another prototype batch using the original files, so they are all text-less.

There's only two jumpers, so I think most people will manage to use it without text.

Bryce.

Ok, I put some more info on the Wiki page and added a link from the DIY / Repair page (under ROM / RAM expansions).

Bryce.

Got mine... thanks to Bryce. Cool and cute stuff ..it is!  :D

Any chance for a LowerROM and any MegaFlash???

@HAL6128: Glad you like it and also good to see that the small link cable is still long enough to fit into your MegaFlash box without any problem :)
I see that you (like me) use a V2V to convert the S-Video to VGA, gives a great picture (not so obvious in your blurred foto :D)

@Kaosoverride: I've sent you a PM.

Bryce.

Yes, the link cable fits very well. I'm thinking about a new box for combining both in one together. So the Lower-Rom-Board doesn't need to be separated from its "soul mate" any longer.  ;D
The V2V produces all in all good signal.
Some few (a handfull) demos or games won't produce the expected picture. Just for Example Edge Grinders screen is disturbed and Ghost 'n Goblins produces a black and white picture and during scrolling it will become colourfull?! Some colours combinations produces a black shadow near the font. But that's nothing!
With your (in-built) Video- and the V2V-Converter plugged on LCD 4:3 Monitor you'll get a serious and great working enviroment (less space needed like the original monitor). Even mode 2 is great to read / as sharp as the original color monitor (although two times more converted).

I have an S-Video output on almost every retro computer I own (around 25 computers at the moment I think  :o ) Really handy to be able to use them all on the same monitor (also a 4:3 LCD).
I haven't tried Ghost and Goblins on the CPC (it was my favourite C64 game, so I still only play it on a C64), but any effect that changes the refresh rates in the middle of the program is going to cause any up-scaler problems, not just the V2V.

Bryce.

Hi,

is it still possible to get a lowerrom for a plain french 6128, and one for a french CPC+ ?

Yeah, I still have a few, I'll send you a PM.

Bryce.