Recent posts

#91

G

Applications (CPC and CPC-related) / Re: Pixsaur - Online tool

Last post by gurneyh - 21:02, 23 August 25

Hey

A small step forward for Pixsaur: you can now select, lock/unlock a colour at any time.

#92

Demos / Re: SNDh2AYc - iNViTRO for Be...

Last post by HAL6128 - 20:44, 23 August 25

Oh yes, thanks all. That provide me a good overview of the possibilities. Very amazing and effective, that DMA. 
So, the Gate-Array in the PLUS is the DMA trigger/controller?

I've read that the Floppy-Disc-Controller (765) also owns DMA capabilities but not used in the CPC range? What a pitty.

#93

Technical support - Hardware related / What's the story with FPGA bas...

Last post by salvogendut - 20:15, 23 August 25

I was reading some old forum posts about the scarcity of GA chips when I actually searched for them on Ebay and found something like this:

GA replacement

What are these things? Who makes them ? Why are they so expensive?

#94

Technical support - Hardware related / Re: One heck of a hack

Last post by salvogendut - 20:11, 23 August 25

Thanks @BSC you did the right thing to remind folks that there is no joking when handling CRT tubes. I did my own research before actually touching anything and I took all the precautions and discharged the CRT anode properly (although I think this monitor has not been powered on in ages and it seemed pretty empty of any residual voltage)

[ZX Spectrum Next Port]

#95

Applications (CPC and CPC-related) / Re: SymbOS 4.0 released

Last post by Prodatron - 19:34, 23 August 25

ZX Spectrum Next Port

- 90% classic ZX Spectrum port: SymbOS ZNX is mostly a port for the classic Sinclair ZX Spectrum, except for using the advanced memory banking and display capabilities of the Spectrum Next.

Hi, does this mean there might be a classic spectrum (239/+2a,/+3) version in the works?

Good question, that's something which is pending since many years. There is a finished screendriver for the ZX Spectrum (256x192, 2 colours), so the only missing thing would be the memory mapping. For this some special hardware is needed, which hasn't been done for the classic Spectrum before. I always hear different stories: Some say, that such memory mapping is not possible (swap the whole visible 64K with any part of a memory expansion), some say, it is. If it is, and we will see such a hardware, a port would be possible very quickly.

#96

General Discussion - Introductions / Re: cpc-power.com

Last post by robcfg - 17:52, 23 August 25

@Kukulcan is your man 

#97

B

Technical support - Hardware related / Re: Weird CPC664 Fault

Last post by Brocky - 17:09, 23 August 25

nice one Audronic

so i was on the right track with one of the mux's gone bad...
it seemed it had to be a mux, the rom was working fine, else you wouldnt see the text, but the memory was being scrambled due to the missing bit...which corresponds to the bad bit shown in geralds tester....

[dangerous to open]

#98

Technical support - Hardware related / Re: One heck of a hack

Last post by BSC - 17:06, 23 August 25

I have no experience, just happened to come across that thread, so just one word of warning (you might already know it): Tubes are pretty dangerous to work on. I'll just cite ChatCPT because it's 2025 (my concerns were mainly related to point 1):

CRTs (cathode-ray tube displays, like old TVs and monitors) can be dangerous to open for a few reasons, mainly related to stored electrical energy, fragile glass, and toxic materials:

• High Voltage Stored Charge
  
  • CRTs operate at very high voltages, often 20,000–30,000 volts (sometimes more).
  • Even when unplugged, the large capacitors and especially the anode of the picture tube can hold a dangerous charge for days or weeks.
  • Accidentally discharging this voltage into yourself can cause severe electric shock, burns, or even be fatal.
• Implosion Hazard
  
  • The tube is a big glass vacuum chamber.
  • If cracked or damaged, it can implode, sending glass shards flying at high speed.
  • Manufacturers often reinforced CRTs, but the risk is still real, especially if handled carelessly.
• Toxic Materials
  
  • CRT glass contains lead and sometimes other heavy metals.
  • The fluorescent coating inside the screen can contain phosphors and toxic dust.
  • Breaking the tube can expose you to hazardous materials.
• Sharp Internal Components
  
  • The inside often has sharp metal edges and fragile wiring that can cut or puncture skin.

#99

Demos / Re: SNDh2AYc - iNViTRO for Be...

Last post by BSC - 16:57, 23 August 25

@HAL6128 There's btw a pretty good article covering DMA based sound/music here: https://www.chibiakumas.com/z80/platform4.php#LessonP36

#100

General Discussion - Introductions / cpc-power.com

Last post by BSC - 16:55, 23 August 25

Just wondering .. Are people maintaining cpc-power.com around?