Recent posts

#1

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Programming / Re: Identifying firmware versi...

Last post by Nich - Today at 18:09

Since lower ROM doesn't have a header, does anyone know a way to identify the installed firmware (464 spanish, 664 , 6128 danish, etc) ?

The code below is how I do it using a firmware CALL (KL PROBE ROM). It reads the first few bytes of one of the upper ROMs (in this case, BASIC) and returns the version number in H. The code copies it into the A register so that values can be compared.

Code Select Expand

ld c,0            ;C = ROM number to select
call &b915        ;Get the class and version number of the ROM
ld a,h            ;A = version number (0 = CPC464, 1 = CPC664,
                  ;2 = CPC6128, 4 = Plus)


#2

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General Discussion - Introductions / Interview with Martin Pedersen

Last post by Dubliner - Today at 17:36

I had again the great honor of being able to talk to a CPC legend.

https://www.retromaniacmagazine.com/2024/05/eran-tiempos-completamente-diferentes.html

Another great developer who wasn´t asked "in many decades" about a great game: The Vikings.

#3

Demos / Re: 40 YEARS AMSTRAD MINI DEMO

Last post by krusty_benediction - Today at 15:19

And I have been finally able to find time to write the kit to allow participants to create and test their part without building the demosystem themselves

Everything is here : https://github.com/rgiot/demo.revision2025.40yo

• part1 and part2 are two examples of fake parts and their launcher to try them
• kit contains the binaries of the demosystem
• source code of the demosystem is in demosystem folder. Feel free to suggest any improvement to reduce its size (after compression)

It's time for participants to signal themselves (there are 2 slots available at maximum) and start to exchange here to finalize the rules.

Regarding the dates, I would say:

- september 2024: participants have a first draft of their part
- december 2024: participants have finalized their part, fixed potential bugs, generate the various binaries for CRTC compatibility, done the homogeneity modifications to have a consistent show
- march 2025: project is cancelled because we have been unable to have a small and nice music and a smaller demosystem everything works fine, 4k is ready to be submited to revision

#4

Emulators / Re: ZEXALL z80 tests...

Last post by Fran123 - Today at 12:54

hello

how can I try to test my z80 emulator?
is there any program to put in the memory and execute it?

thanks

#5

Emulators / Re: CPCEC a new emulator from ...

Last post by MiguelSky - Today at 12:19

On CPC-Power, it is reported that the tape version only works on 464 :
manic miner © software projects (1984) (cpc-power.com)
"On CPC 664 & 6128, the character will keep on jumping."

I had CPC6128 and bought the tape version of Manic Miner and had the same problem.  IIRC it is because the game uses memory that the disk drive uses.  AA did print a program that fixes this.

Not the disk drive, but the ROM BASIC 1.1. I had a Spanish 472 (the very first versions included BASIC 1.1) and suffered same problem not only in this game, several games didn't work properly because of this: Prince of Persia (hanging when finish level1), Cobra's Arc (text ilegible), Rocky Horror Show and Dinamite Dan (bad behaviour).
Years later, I replaced BASIC 1.1 to BASIC 1.0 what fixed the issue.

#6

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Emulators / Re: CPCEC a new emulator from ...

Last post by Darren - Today at 10:06

On CPC-Power, it is reported that the tape version only works on 464 :
manic miner © software projects (1984) (cpc-power.com)
"On CPC 664 & 6128, the character will keep on jumping."

I had CPC6128 and bought the tape version of Manic Miner and had the same problem.  IIRC it is because the game uses memory that the disk drive uses.  AA did print a program that fixes this.

#7

S

Technical support - Hardware related / M4 board - Drive A disc missin...

Last post by Strike4711 - Today at 07:48

Hi guys,
this week I received the M4 board from Duke.
Great device... WIFI with a 40 year old computer...crazy 

I tested loading a few games and again encountered the issue of games not loading with the error message "Drive A disc missing".
Had the same problem with the GOTEK drive in the beginning. Before I found out about the ABBA change.

Can someone tell me what I need to do to be able to load such games (e.g. Meltdown) via the M4 board.

Thank you

#8

News & Events / Re: Release of Amstrad Cpc Crt...

Last post by McArti0 - Today at 07:37

Not compatible.

OMG WinAPE,CPCEC dont know about it 

[LA COCCINELLE]

#9

Games / Re: Converted GX4000 .cpr - Th...

Last post by iXien - Today at 06:27

Here is a very tiny game to had to the now huge GX4000 game list :

LA COCCINELLE from Am-Mag

Controls:
J1B1 = Accelerate
J1B2 = Brake
J1UP = Turbo (when at fullspeed)

Modifications for the GX4000 version:
    - Modified text for instructions in French
    - Patched keys

It was very personal request, so many thanks to @Urusergi for taking the time to patch this one. I was able to modify the Basic launcher but after that, he patched the difficulty selection and even modified controls to make them more pad friendly.

As "La Coccinelle" is a little little game, I converted two other little games from Am-Mag to add here:

CLASSIC NIBBLE from Am-Mag

Controls:
d-pad = Move

Modifications for the GX4000 version:
    - Translated text in English

SORTILEGE 3D from Am-Mag

Controls:
J1 UP = Move on
J1 LEFT/RIGHT = Turn to the left or right
J1B1 = Take/use a spell

Modifications for the GX4000 version:
    - Modified text for instructions in French

Classic Nibbler was originally called "Chenille" before I modified the text to English language in game and on main screen, I hope the original author won't blame me for that but I think it was more representative like this. "Sortilege 3D" is a kind of "Sorcery" game but in 3D, using cute characters from "Get Dexter". Instructions are translated in English in the usual text file attached to the game.

Hope you'll like these additions

#10

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Firmware and Languages

Last post by ZorrO - Yesterday at 22:19

@andycadley - Were only one producer.