I was curious and checked if PCBway had any CPC stuff that I can build myself... alas there were just 4 projects available: a memory expansion, a sound chip replacement adapter, a multi crtc selector and a joystick splitter. If you search for 'Commodore 64' instead you are flooded with projects. Why is that there are no 'open' available projects out there? I see in the wiki there are dozens of projects that could benefit being published. I realize PCBway is a for profit company but still...
Exactly.
For example, I would ask the X-MEM project. ::)
It is a 512KB ROM and 512KB RAM Expansion made by TotO from ACME.
It has not been on sale for years, non-operational web, payment does not work, contact does not work...
It would be great to be able to play Alcon2020 in real hardware, specifically designed for this ROM expansion.
We make a collection of signatures at Change.org? :D
Try these
https://github.com/revaldinho/cpc_ram_expansion
https://github.com/revaldinho/cpc-cplink
https://github.com/rabs664/Amstrad-CPC-CTC-DART
https://github.com/rabs664/Amstrad-CPC-8255-PIO
https://github.com/rabs664/amstrad-cpc-expansion-breakout
I have also built Bryce's PS2 mouse adapter and can share the gerbers.
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/PS2Mouse
Quote from: Rabs on 21:24, 18 July 25I have also built Bryce's PS2 mouse adapter and can share the gerbers.
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/PS2Mouse
Thank you so much!
Not in PCBway but still open hardware:
https://github.com/salafek/cyboard-for-cpc (https://github.com/salafek/cyboard-for-cpc)
https://github.com/salafek/Net4CPC (https://github.com/salafek/Net4CPC)
d_kef
Quote from: salvogendut on 22:10, 18 July 25Quote from: Rabs on 21:24, 18 July 25I have also built Bryce's PS2 mouse adapter and can share the gerbers.
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/PS2Mouse
Thank you so much!
I have attached my Gerbers and KiCad project files for you.
thank you again!!! ;)
Quote from: salvogendut on 10:45, 19 July 25thank you again!!! ;)
And a couple of pics of it working on my setup. Bit hard to see, sorry. I use a splitter power cable and 9 pin d-type extension lead.
Quote from: Rabs on 10:52, 19 July 25Quote from: salvogendut on 10:45, 19 July 25thank you again!!! ;)
And a couple of pics of it working on my setup. Bit hard to see, sorry. I use a splitter power cable and 9 pin d-type extension lead.
That looks sexy. Where did you get the pcb produced at, if you don't mind?
Quote from: salvogendut on 10:54, 19 July 25Quote from: Rabs on 10:52, 19 July 25Quote from: salvogendut on 10:45, 19 July 25thank you again!!! ;)
And a couple of pics of it working on my setup. Bit hard to see, sorry. I use a splitter power cable and 9 pin d-type extension lead.
That looks sexy. Where did you get the pcb produced at, if you don't mind?
I used Seeed Studio but any PCB house should be able to produce it.
If you have a 3D Printer, I made a simple case for it also.
Quote from: Rabs on 11:12, 19 July 25If you have a 3D Printer, I made a simple case for it also.
Thank you so much! I don't have one yet but I guess if you'd like to share the stl files I can probably get it printed at a friend's
Quote from: salvogendut on 21:06, 19 July 25Quote from: Rabs on 11:12, 19 July 25If you have a 3D Printer, I made a simple case for it also.
Thank you so much! I don't have one yet but I guess if you'd like to share the stl files I can probably get it printed at a friend's
It's a very basic case but it does the job. Unfortunately, STL files cannot be uploaded. Message me and we can sort something out.
The D-Type and PS2 connectors can be difficult to source. I think I got mine from eBay in the end. The rest of the components I got from DigiKey including the PIC.
Read through Bryce's page it is very good. Be careful about plugging anything into the joystick port. Maybe it is me but I am always worried about the AY which is connected directly to the port. I always ensure everything is off before plugging in anything.
20250719_221150.jpg20250719_221206.jpg
Oh hang on why did I not just ZIP the STL files up. :picard:
Quote from: Rabs on 22:27, 19 July 25Oh hang on why did I not just ZIP the STL files up. :picard:
Thanks again! With these it's gonna be complete! :)
Quote from: Rabs on 22:24, 19 July 25The D-Type and PS2 connectors can be difficult to source. I think I got mine from eBay in the end. The rest of the components I got from DigiKey including the PIC.
I think I got some of these left from a different project
(https://i.ibb.co/39cJ10VQ/20250720-082409.jpg)
What did you program the PIC with?
@Rabs
Quote from: salvogendut on 07:42, 20 July 25What did you program the PIC with? @Rabs
I used my TL866II-Plus programmer.
Awesome! I got one of these too! Now I just have to wait for the missing components. I will update when I build one!
Lots of stuff can be found on Github, for example LambdaSpeak 3 / FS (Speach, Samples, RTC, serial interface, MP3 player and much more) or the Vortex-Controller clone (add four(!) more drives to your CPC - support for native OS and FutureOS).
Wish more authors would create pcbway projects and provide BOM links for easy discovery and ordering for us lazy ass amstraders. But this would of course be totally an act of pure goodwill and generosity.
Quote from: dodogildo on 22:54, 20 July 25Wish more authors would create pcbway projects and provide BOM links for easy discovery and ordering for us lazy ass amstraders. But this would of course be totally an act of pure goodwill and generosity.
I think ultimately it would be in their best interest. There are platforms where you get 10% of all sold pcbs. Also realistically I don't think it is a viable solution to 'live' just with the earnings of such a niche market. If people made their designs open source at least they would get a name and a lot of traction for their profession
Ok so I have built my first try at this and.... it does not work properly. The LED does not turn on and when I move the mouse, it moves briefly (directions work and also clicking works) and then it gets stuck for a few seconds, then moves again and so on, as if some timing was bad. To a trained eye maybe it will be easy to spot the wrong component in the wrong place. I am going to go to do some debugging any suggestions are welcome. Here is a few pics of my baby please don't solder shame me, I am still a noob :)
(https://i.ibb.co/GQCZN97P/20250809-192418.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/ynfhxPLP/20250809-192433.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/hFFYqXnx/20250809-193401.jpg)
PS: I tried in SymbOS only so far, if you have any suggestions on other testing programs you are welcome
Made a second board today and... same problem. It works very slow and in bursts and still no light on the led. The thing is I used the TL866 II programmer selecting PIC16F84 instead of PIC16F84A in the zif socket (if I select correctly PIC16F84A, which is what is marked on my chip the programming will fail
@Rabs I am curious to know how you programmed it. Now waiting for a new programmer PICkit3 and we'll see)
Quote from: salvogendut on 10:44, 10 August 25Made a second board today and... same problem. It works very slow and in bursts and still no light on the led. The thing is I used the TL866 II programmer selecting PIC16F84 instead of PIC16F84A in the zif socket (if I select correctly PIC16F84A, which is what is marked on my chip the programming will fail @Rabs I am curious to know how you programmed it. Now waiting for a new programmer PICkit3 and we'll see)
Hi, cannot remember now. But don't think I had any problems. Will program another and let you know.
Quote from: salvogendut on 18:36, 09 August 25Ok so I have built my first try at this and.... it does not work properly. The LED does not turn on and when I move the mouse, it moves briefly (directions work and also clicking works) and then it gets stuck for a few seconds, then moves again and so on, as if some timing was bad. To a trained eye maybe it will be easy to spot the wrong component in the wrong place. I am going to go to do some debugging any suggestions are welcome. Here is a few pics of my baby please don't solder shame me, I am still a noob :)
(https://i.ibb.co/GQCZN97P/20250809-192418.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/ynfhxPLP/20250809-192433.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/hFFYqXnx/20250809-193401.jpg)
Good try. OK I will have a closer look at the component side tomorrow but you may have a few dry joints. If the solder is dull or round in shape then it is probably a dry joint and you will get intermittent results. You have some nice looking joints on the ICs but the D-Type connector could do with re-flowing. Also have a look at one of the transistor legs (these are tricky to solder where the pins are so close together). Have a look at mine. Oh an try setting Auto-Detect to the off position (it
should in most cases be left in the OFF position. This is the Auto-detect position). It should also work in BASIC where you will see the arrow symbols when you move the mouse.
It takes practice to get good solder joints, and I get caught out sometimes and always learning.
PS2 Mouse Board.jpg
Quote from: salvogendut on 18:37, 09 August 25PS: I tried in SymbOS only so far, if you have any suggestions on other testing programs you are welcome
Just try from the BASIC prompt to start with, you should see the arrow characters when you move the mouse.
Quote from: Rabs on 19:56, 10 August 25Quote from: salvogendut on 18:36, 09 August 25Ok so I have built my first try at this and.... it does not work properly. The LED does not turn on and when I move the mouse, it moves briefly (directions work and also clicking works) and then it gets stuck for a few seconds, then moves again and so on, as if some timing was bad. To a trained eye maybe it will be easy to spot the wrong component in the wrong place. I am going to go to do some debugging any suggestions are welcome. Here is a few pics of my baby please don't solder shame me, I am still a noob :)
(https://i.ibb.co/GQCZN97P/20250809-192418.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/ynfhxPLP/20250809-192433.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/hFFYqXnx/20250809-193401.jpg)
Good try. OK I will have a closer look at the component side tomorrow but you may have a few dry joints. If the solder is dull or round in shape then it is probably a dry joint and you will get intermittent results. You have some nice looking joints on the ICs but the D-Type connector could do with re-flowing. Also have a look at one of the transistor legs (these are tricky to solder where the pins are so close together). Have a look at mine. Oh an try setting Auto-Detect to the off position (it should in most cases be left in the OFF position. This is the Auto-detect position). It should also work in BASIC where you will see the arrow symbols when you move the mouse.
It takes practice to get good solder joints, and I get caught out sometimes and always learning.
PS2 Mouse Board.jpg
Sorry the image of my board did not load.
PS2 Mouse back.jpg
Quote from: salvogendut on 10:44, 10 August 25Made a second board today and... same problem. It works very slow and in bursts and still no light on the led. The thing is I used the TL866 II programmer selecting PIC16F84 instead of PIC16F84A in the zif socket (if I select correctly PIC16F84A, which is what is marked on my chip the programming will fail @Rabs I am curious to know how you programmed it. Now waiting for a new programmer PICkit3 and we'll see)
I used PIC16F84A and I have Check ID on.
PIC Programming.JPG
This is the version of my TL866 II
Version.JPG
Maybe check the version of PIC you have.
PIC16F84A.jpg
Thank you
@Rabs I will double check the PIC version tomorrow. Kudos for the clean looking soldering, those transistor pins are difficult to solder as there is not enough room. The second board I made looks a bit better than the first and I am getting the arrows at the basic prompt when I move the mouse but there is still something wrong with the speed as if the data came in bursts then stopped then started again. My feel is that either I have incompatible PICs or fake ones as I have used the same options as you in the TL866II plus (though I have a more updated version of the software ). Also I believe you used the 1.0 version of the firmware, didn't you?
Quote from: salvogendut on 20:27, 10 August 25Thank you @Rabs I will double check the PIC version tomorrow. Kudos for the clean looking soldering, those transistor pins are difficult to solder as there is not enough room. The second board I made looks a bit better than the first and I am getting the arrows at the basic prompt when I move the mouse but there is still something wrong with the speed as if the data came in bursts then stopped then started again. My feel is that either I have incompatible PICs or fake ones as I have used the same options as you in the TL866II plus (though I have a more updated version of the software ). Also I believe you used the 1.0 version of the firmware, didn't you?
Well done, sounds like it is almost working. Yes I would have used the firmware from the wiki page, the 1.0 version. If you have another mouse you could try that, or try the auto detec on and off.
Where did you source your PICs , if I may?
Quote from: salvogendut on 20:46, 10 August 25Where did you source your PICs , if I may?
Digikey
https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/products/detail/microchip-technology/PIC16F84A-04-P/303534
Quote from: salvogendut on 15:31, 18 July 25I was curious and checked if PCBway had any CPC stuff that I can build myself... alas there were just 4 projects available: a memory expansion, a sound chip replacement adapter, a multi crtc selector and a joystick splitter. If you search for 'Commodore 64' instead you are flooded with projects. Why is that there are no 'open' available projects out there? I see in the wiki there are dozens of projects that could benefit being published. I realize PCBway is a for profit company but still...
Recently, thanks to this forum (https://www.forum.system-cfg.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=16388), I discovered a couple of open-source projects for the Amstrad CPC here (https://www.va-de-retro.com/foros/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=9999). Anyone can download the Gerber files and order the circuit boards from any manufacturer that offers PCB production. This opens up some exciting possibilities for those looking to experiment or enhance their Amstrad CPC experience. If anyone here has tried these projects or has tips on getting started, I would love to hear your thoughts!