AMSTAIR Tool

[Raft]

Hi all!

Although this is probably not *THE* expansion everyone was waiting, I'd like to share this little project of mine.
Some could be interested by the technical approach or even may want to build one! 



More about the Tool can be found here, including the GERBER files : https://ftp.untergrund.net/users/raft/cpc_prods/Amstair/amstair.htm

Basically this tool can be used for Debugging/Hacking/Diagnostic your CPC, in a retro way  

Hope you enjoy !



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Tool Features
Beyond its Educational interest, AMSTair offers you a way to Hack your games in real time, Debug code / ports, Diagnostic faulty CPC and much more...

* Display CPC control lines via LEDs
* Slow down your Amstrad at chosen speed
* Freeze mode with step by step functionality : Step on each Clock, DMA access, CPU instruction, port read, port write, Memory access
* Select the IO port you want to scan
* Show address lines in binary and data lines in hexadecimal
* Output the selected data to SOUND (Really?!)
* Digiblaster compatible mode
* DMA read or write in each cpu modes : fast, slow, paused
* DMA can r/w Memory and IO ports
* Selection of DMA address and data via switchs
* Selection of Port or Memory address to intercept via switchs
* Force DMA for dead z80
* CPC or external power supply
* Reset Amstrad

This tool is compatible with the Amstrad CPC 464, 646, 6128, 464 Plus and 6128 Plus

[Gryzor]

Needs more lights and readouts.

Also: so cool.

[abalore]

Although this is probably not *THE* expansion everyone was waiting

I've been waiting for this my whole life.

[krusty_benediction]

Really interesting and surprising project
With a modern interface, it would be a day to day tool for debugging purposes.
Congratulations for this project,  anyway

[abalore]

Really interesting and surprising project
With a modern interface, it would be a day to day tool for debugging purposes.
Congratulations for this project,  anyway

It has dip switches instead of lots of levers (as I would like), what more do you want?

[Raft]

With a modern interface, it would be a day to day tool for debugging purposes.
Congratulations for this project,  anyway

Thanks!

Yeah, see it like a retro gear, or a POC. Of course I also thought of making a modern tool with the same concept. Should be quite easy with a microcontroler to do the same... and a lot more !
But when I finish a project, I have loads of others in mind, so I doubt that I will come back on this one very soon

Anyway that was fun. And I find it more usefull than I thought to diagnose faulty PCB 

[HAL6128]

Does it also work with an expansion attached between?

[Egg Master]

Funny project

[abalore]

@Raft does it really need that big box or is it cosmetic? I have the felling it could be in a depth 1/4 of that.

[Raft]

@Raft does it really need that big box or is it cosmetic? I have the felling it could be in a depth 1/4 of that.

Actually I used this box to get an ALTAIR feeling and to fit my Power Suppy and expansion boards. But yeah the PCB is 18x11cm and is designed to work stand alone (all the switchs & displays are soldered on it). You can of course add remote switchs if you want a bigger front pannel

And to answer @HAL6128 , I've used it with an expansion backplane but I can't garanty that it's compatible with every devices...

[GUNHED]

Very nice!!! 

[Targhan]

A nice surprise indeed! Seems interesting, but it is really usable with a one-byte LCD screen? I wouldn't dare hack a game, or debug a demo with that, but I'm probably not a hacker enough .

[XeNoMoRPH]

Hi @Raft !!!

In our association, we're going to try to manufacture a few units! Thank you. Could you record a video with a demonstration at the CPC using its features? Thanks.

[Raft]

Hi @Raft !!!

In our association, we're going to try to manufacture a few units! Thank you. Could you record a video with a demonstration at the CPC using its features? Thanks.

Hey! Great!
Yeah I have planned to make more detailed videos with different use cases
If you want to build some I still have 3 or 4 PCBs if you're interrested...

[XeNoMoRPH]

Hi @Raft !!!

In our association, we're going to try to manufacture a few units! Thank you. Could you record a video with a demonstration at the CPC using its features? Thanks.

Hey! Great!
Yeah I have planned to make more detailed videos with different use cases
If you want to build some I still have 3 or 4 PCBs if you're interrested...

ok, agree, i will send MP , thanks

[zhulien]

I love the design.  Reminds me of the IMSAI from War Games.

Are you going to sell them?