Recent posts

#1

Applications (CPC and CPC-related) / Re: HDCPM - boot and run CP/M ...

Last post by d_kef - Today at 15:56

@d_kef I have just swapped out the 1.10 ROM with the 1.11 ROM on my 464 (same config as before) but it just causes the machine to reset over and over again on power up before loading the new ROM. Any ideas?

EDIT: To clarify, I used CP/M Image File Explorer (image type cpcdata) to open Hdcpm111.dsk, then copied the hdcpm.rom file to my hard drive, and replaced the existing HDCPM ROM in the M4 slot with the new one. Maybe the file didn't copy correctly (although I did try again)? Is there a checksum I can compare it against?

Maybe it would be a good idea to put the ROM file itself on the download page, as I think this would be easier for many people.

Just tested the ROM and BIN with my 464, M4 and revaldinho's Universal 512K RAM.
It works without any restarts or any other strange behaviour.
The ROM itself does a checksum test during boot (since v1.10), so it will display an error message in case of data corruption.

Anyway I'm attaching the ROM here just in case.

d_kef

#2

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

Last post by lmimmfn - Today at 14:08

A dump of the CPC ROM should be directly executable via calls to same, i.e. can take hex from ROM and directky decompile without issue, unless I'm misunderstanding what you say?

It is not a original Amstrad ROM, but an extension ROM from Vortex and they put it in a hardware box, that does the job.

See here for a complete reverse engineering of the hardware part here, as well as the beginning of the software dissassembly.

https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/analysis-and-reverse-engineering-of-the-x-modul-vortex/

Also more discussion on how to descramble in software in here:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/disassembly-with-descrambling/

ahh that makes sense, thanks, @McArti0 didnt realise Vortex had its ROM and that its encrypted.

#3

Applications (CPC and CPC-related) / Re: HDCPM - boot and run CP/M ...

Last post by pollito - Today at 12:45

@d_kef I have just swapped out the 1.10 ROM with the 1.11 ROM on my 464 (same config as before) but it just causes the machine to reset over and over again on power up before loading the new ROM. Any ideas?

EDIT: To clarify, I used CP/M Image File Explorer (image type cpcdata) to open Hdcpm111.dsk, then copied the hdcpm.rom file to my hard drive, and replaced the existing HDCPM ROM in the M4 slot with the new one. Maybe the file didn't copy correctly (although I did try again)? Is there a checksum I can compare it against?

Maybe it would be a good idea to put the ROM file itself on the download page, as I think this would be easier for many people.

#4

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Interview with Martin Pede...

Last post by eto - Today at 11:12

I never heard of "The Vikings" and I can't even find a gameplay video... seems to be a hidden gem. 

#5

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General Discussion - Introductions / Re: What computer did you have...

Last post by St-BeidE(DE/GB) - Today at 10:19

Maybe only 50 have a keyboard? 

#6

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Interview with Martin Pede...

Last post by Skunkfish - Today at 08:06

Great interview. I've not played The Vikings, I really should check it out!

#7

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Interview with Martin Pede...

Last post by Herman - Today at 07:39

I didn't know that Martin "Hybris-on-Amiga" Pedersen had previously worked on our lovely CPC and made games there.

Thanks, Dubliner, for all the background information revealed by this interview. Man lernt nie aus.

#8

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Why did you choose the CPC...

Last post by McArti0 - Today at 07:20

cheapest model: CPC464 with a GT65*.

800xl and c64 were more expensive??? 

#9

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Technical support - Hardware related / DIY key plunger for cpc664

Last post by kolleykibber - Today at 00:09

Hi all,

Has anybody located or fashioned a new key plunger for a 664? As it's unseen, I guess it doesn't need to be an exact replica, just needs to hang on to the key and bridge the membrane contacts (gently).

I have one last key to fix to get this one done...

#10

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: Zilog announced ...

Last post by SerErris - Yesterday at 23:57

I think the fact that Zilog stopped producing the CMOS variants is a clear indicator, that there is no demand left.

The NMOS variant (which we would need for CPCs to have 100% compatibility) has been out of production from Zilog for a loong loong time. No one would create a new design with NMOS technology nowadays.

Goldstar, ST and some others have continued to produce NOS variants in mass production until the end of the 90s. So it should not be short stock in quite a while. Even if Ebay scalpers try to make a margin now. A single Zilog Z840004PSC up to 50€ ...   They are going nuts.

You can find trustworthy sources of clones around 5-6 € at this point in time and gamble ones in China for 1-2€.

Also there is an interesting approach to put it on FOSS Z80. https://github.com/rejunity/z80-open-silicon via the Tiny Tapeout project. We could also consider to put the GA40007 and GA40010 on it. That would fit easily inside one of the fields, however the pinout is problematic as Tiny Tape out only supports 24 pins (8 in, 8 out, 8 bidirectional). For Z80 CPU they needed to multiplex the lines.