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#1

I

Programming / Re: Adding Arkos Tracker 2 Mus...

Last post by ivavilagu - Today at 11:59

Do those cpctelera routines use the alternate registers?

Because that's a known issue with AK2 it seems.

From the demo zip you linked above:

// Uncomment if your code use alternate registers
//#include "optional/setInterruptHandler.h"

..

// If your code use alternate registers use this function instead of cpct_setInterruptHandler
// asm_setInterruptHandler(sInterruptHandler);

I tried these alternative files with no effects but..... you are right with alternate registers. Tilemap functions use these registers, so when playSound is called registers are overwritten and game crash. The easy solution is save these registers before sound is played and restore after. PlaySound look lke this

Code Select Expand

    if (_fxChanged)
    {
        PLAYER_ARKOS_PLAYSOUNDEFFECT(_fxNumber, _fxChannel, _fxVolume);
        _fxChanged = 0;
    }
   
    if (_songChanged)
    {
        PLAYER_ARKOS_INIT(_currentMusic, _songNumber);
        _songChanged = 0;
    }
    __asm
        // Save registers before calling PLY_AKM_PLAY   
        exx
        ex af',af
        push af
        push bc
        push de
        push hl

        call _PLAYER_ARKOS_PLAY

        //Revert back registers after calling
        pop hl
        pop de
        pop bc
        pop af
        ex af',af
        exx
    __endasm;

and it works!!!!   


See the solution at this thread

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/using-arkos-tracker-2-together-with-cpctelera/

#2

R

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: The best 8 bit home comput...

Last post by retro space - Today at 11:47

If I look at it from a 2024 perspective, these are my criteria:

• RGB output, in both 40 and 80 column mode with on the fly switching, so it can be hooked up to a regular colour CRT TV.
• A nice colour palette, no need to have gaming sprite capabilities, but I want some colour for terminal use.
• Decent keyboard with proper layout, position of shift, delete and enter is OK, decent arrow keys, numpad and default uppercase/lowercase typing with BASIC recognising both.
• Proper BASIC, with at least EDIT, non-destructive directory of the storage, and insert behaviour (so you can type between characters in a line of code)
• Industry standard serial port either RS-232 or 5V UART so I can hook up a modem or PC/Mac.
• Built-in power supply or generic power input socket for easy to use replacement adapters
• Room for internal expansion/mods
• 9-10 points on the iFixit repair index
• Reasonable priced second hand and available in the EU.
• Reliable hardware, or easy to fix and find components for
• Fast and simple to use storage, preferably easy to use 3,5 inch PC floppy drives.
• Good aesthetics

As you might see, I'm kicking the shins of the C64. That machine hardly ticks any requirement of my list. My top contenders are the Philips P2000T, and the CPC464. I do consider a Spectrum 128K if I can find one.

#3

Amstrad CPC hardware / Re: Amstrad PCW 8256 - Gotek D...

Last post by eto - Today at 11:35

I think the floppy cable on the Gotek is upside down. 

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/DIY:Floppy_Drives#Adaptor_Cable_for_Internal_Floppies_.2F_HxC_emulator

#4

Games / Re: Wonderboy Remake?

Last post by OneVision - Today at 08:34

Hi there,

I took some time to update a bit gfx for level 1.
Mainly, trees looks better (imho) and have closer colors to arcade. Leaves are larger and the ground pattern too.
The HUD is a bit more in the mood of the arcade's.

Left : before  Right : after


Arcade :


You tell me !

Is it an update "just for fun" or does the project come back to life? 

Hello,
when the project restarts, those gfx will be easily included.

Thanks !

#5

Emulators / Re: Retro Virtual Machine v2.1...

Last post by XeNoMoRPH - Today at 06:12

https://www.retrovirtualmachine.org/

#6

R

Programming / Re: IDE 8BP

Last post by Robert_Lee - Today at 02:40

This is a picture

#7

Amstrad CPC hardware / Re: Amstrad Diagnostics ROM

Last post by Amagni - Today at 02:34

I am not sure what upper ram you test. Can you disable the ram expansion of the  Ulifac ?

It might be actually paging in the ULIFAC RAM instead of the original RAM and you are testing the wrong thing.

This is just a suspect of mine, not knowing how the ULIFAC works, but it might be that the external RAM completely overwrites the internal second 64kb and you actually never use it.

I'm using the Ulifac to launch the diagnostic utility and don't have any other ROM board, so I don't know how I could run this same tool without it, but I did try copying some games and demos to a disk and running them without the Ulifac, and it had the same graphical glitches.

I'm actually wondering if I can force it to page in the Ulifac RAM and not use the internal chips!

#8

Amstrad CPC hardware / Re: ULIfAC:Usb Mass storage,Wi...

Last post by Amagni - Today at 01:52

Bit of an odd question, but my 6128 has some kind of problem with the upper memory bank where 64k programs work fine but 128k ones either crash or get graphical glitches.

I know the Ulifac can effectively turn a 464 into a 6128, so is it possible to disable the top 64k on my machine then use the Ulifac's memory to bring it back up to 128k?

#9

News & Events / Re: Amstrad Australia Day - 22...

Last post by Amagni - Today at 01:01

Ticket sales are now open: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-acms-presents-40-years-of-amstrad-tickets-910149189727

If you have any way of getting to Sydney on the 22nd, you should come along, as I can't imagine there being any other Aussie Amstrad events in my lifetime unless I organise those too!

I would love to come along to this, but I'll have to miss out, as travelling from Adelaide and renting accommodation is a bit too hard at the moment. 
I hope it all goes well.

We should get a bus and tour around the country like Timothy Leary, but instead of handing out LSD it'll be 8-bit games!

#10

News & Events / Re: Amstrad Australia Day - 22...

Last post by Amagni - Today at 00:57

I spoke with Rod Lawton last night, he was really nice and had some great stories to tell!

When can we see/hear this?

Book a flight to Sydney, I'll be playing it for the attendees on the 22nd!

Failing that, I'm planning to put the video up on YouTube at a later date but not sure when.