CPCWiki forum

Hello everyone!
I open this thread because I am exhaustively trying out many titles for the M4 and I am finding that some of them are unfortunately not compatible. I do this to entice the production of dedicated versions (for mass storage) that can work with this card and thus decrease the incompatibility list. These are some of the incompatible titles, but the list will certainly grow over time! Maybe let's update it together if you want!  ;)

GAMES:

   
• 20000 Lieues Sous Les Mers
• Arachnophobia
• Attentat
• Au Nom de l'Hermine
• Baby Jo - Going Home
• Battle Command
• Big Band
• Black Land
• Bloodstone
• Blue Angel 69
• Blueberry
• Bob Winner
• Booly
• Color Lines
• Compilation-Time and Motion
• Double Dragon "good version" (run, but small graphic bugs at the top and bottom of the screen)
• Eagle's Rider
• Enlightenment - Druid II (a single dump running between all those available and the screen flickers dramatically - probable fix crtc?)
• Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O' Fun
• Fres Fighter II Turbo
• Elf - La Aventura
• Exterminator
• Galaxy Force
• Imperial Majong
• La Crypte des Maudits
• Le Synopsis de Biat
• Little Computer People Discovery Kit
• Ludic: Break the Loop
• Mega Twins (Demo)
• Megablasters
• Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Cloud
• Mystical
• No Exit
• Orion Prime
• Sdaw
• Silva - Le Temple Du Diable
• Targhan
• The Bard's Tale
• The Battle of Midway
• The Pawn
• The Shadows of Sergoth
• Wonder Boy (Tried all the dumps. They work, but there is a random bug that corrupts the soundtrack. It happens only on the M4.)
• Xyphoes Fantasy

DEMO:

   
• 30 Years Amstrad Megademo
• Batman Forever
• Pheelone
• Phortem
• Phreaks

=====================
UPDATE - END OF WORK?
At the moment I stop here, having tried hundreds and hundreds of titles for Amstrad CPC! Attached to this post I insert a downloadable .zip file where I have collected more than 1300 titles tested and working on the M4.

Inside the file you will also find the list of titles and other useful files such as various configurations, the SymbOS and the "famous front-end" of rafa 32.  ;D

Thank you all for your cooperation!  :-*

Download file: https://mega.nz/#!VUlU1Y6I!Gsbmj-PHukY0vp-fss8BDSQgOTN1BE1GzE8xUzPNcjE (https://mega.nz/#!VUlU1Y6I!Gsbmj-PHukY0vp-fss8BDSQgOTN1BE1GzE8xUzPNcjE)

It's a good idea.
Some of the games I may find fun to fix/crack (maybe others will too), but probably there is also versions already working fine of some those.

Ie. Double Dragon works fine, if you get the CACH version from here:
http://cpccrackers.free.fr/Downloads/
(it's a really good resource to find other cracks than those on CPC POWER).

Fairly sure DD 2 also works fine.

Quote from: Duke on 21:17, 27 October 19
It's a good idea.
Some of the games I may find fun to fix/crack (maybe others will too), but probably there is also versions already working fine of some those.

Ie. Double Dragon works fine, if you get the CACH version from here:
http://cpccrackers.free.fr/Downloads/ (http://cpccrackers.free.fr/Downloads/)
(it's a really good resource to find other cracks than those on CPC POWER).

Fairly sure DD 2 also works fine.

Perfect! Slowly I am updating the list with new titles that are not working. I tried the CACH version of Double Dragon from the CPCCRACKERS site, but it seems to be down. The awful versions of Animagic work well (unfortunately), while those of Binary Design-Mastertronic don't want to know how to work!  :(

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 22:37, 27 October 19
I tried the CACH version of Double Dragon from the CPCCRACKERS site, but it seems to be down. The awful versions of Animagic work well (unfortunately), while those of Binary Design-Mastertronic don't want to know how to work!  :(

Please check this post, http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/msg179137/#msg179137
Of course if you do not use the modified lowerrom or set M4 rom to 7, then many games wont work. Also they need 128KB, IIRC.

Thanks for the previous link.I found a version of X-Out that works on the M4  :D cpccrackers.free.fr/Downloads/XOR/X-Out_XOR%284%29.rar
Is there a version of the R-Type Remake (128Kb) operational for the M4 card?

Quote from: Shamice on 17:17, 28 October 19
Thanks for the previous link.I found a version of X-Out that works on the M4  :D cpccrackers.free.fr/Downloads/XOR/X-Out_XOR%284%29.rar
Is there a version of the R-Type Remake (128Kb) operational for the M4 card?

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 17:26, 27 October 19
GAMES:

   
• Cabal
• Double Dragon (Binary Design-Virgin-Melbourne House)
• Double Dragon 2 - The Revenge (Virgin-Mastertronic)
• Double Dragon 3
• Dragon Spirit
• Final Fight
• Flimbo's Quest (Kino&Hufo version run with bug)
• Hudson Hawk

All of the above work in the (mainly) XOR versions from the Amstrad Games CD ->
http://www.amstrad.es/cpcgamescd/

Probably most of the games on the list are there and working (I stopped testing after those).
It's a must have collection for M4 board as almost all the games in it are proper cracked versions that work fine (may need modified lowerrom or set M4 rom as 7).

Quote from: Duke on 07:15, 28 October 19
Please check this post, http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/msg179137/#msg179137 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/amstrad-cpc-wifi/msg179137/#msg179137)
Of course if you do not use the modified lowerrom or set M4 rom to 7, then many games wont work. Also they need 128KB, IIRC.

Ok, I realized I had some problems and maybe I'm not able to solve them due to lack of technical ability. I will try to make you understand my situation. I use the M4 without the online support. I prepared the M4 to work with the Targhan frontend, which allows you to access the list of games and upload them directly from there. The focal point is that I don't think I understand what it means to set the M4 with "modified lowerrom or set M4 rom to 7". Sorry for my obvious incapacity ... :(

Quote from: Duke on 19:23, 28 October 19
All of the above work in the (mainly) XOR versions from the Amstrad Games CD ->
http://www.amstrad.es/cpcgamescd/

Slightly off-topic, but does anybody know if there will ever be an updated version of the CPCGamesCD? @MiguelSky (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=14)

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 19:40, 28 October 19
Ok, I realized I had some problems and maybe I'm not able to solve them due to lack of technical ability. I will try to make you understand my situation. I use the M4 without the online support.

Ok, here is a modified lowerrom installer I just made. It is for CPC 6128 and it is the English lowerrom it installs.

Just copy the file to your microSD card and from Basic:
RUN"M4LOW-EN.BIN"

It will ask you to press M4 reset (or power cycle) when it's installed.

If anything goes wrong, put the microSD card into a PC and delete from folder M4 the files ROMCONFIG.BIN and ROMSLOTS.BIN to set it back to default settings.

If everything goes as planned it should have installed the modified lowerrom into romslot 31 and you can run all the games (almost) \o/

And while I am at it....

Here is an installer for CPC464 users, that will:
Install Basic 1.1 and corresponding lower rom (English version!).
And for best compatiblity it will set M4 rom to 7.

Just copy the attached file ROMUP464.BIN to your microSD card and from Basic type:
RUN"ROMUP464.BIN


It will ask you to press M4 reset (or power cycle) when it's installed.

If anything goes wrong, put the microSD card into a PC and delete from folder M4 the files ROMCONFIG.BIN and ROMSLOTS.BIN to set it back to default settings.

If everything goes as planned your CPC464 will now display Basic 1.1.

Quote from: Duke on 20:44, 28 October 19
Ok, here is a modified lowerrom installer I just made. It is for CPC 6128 and it is the English lowerrom it installs.

Just copy the file to your microSD card and from Basic:
RUN"M4LOW-EN.BIN"

It will ask you to press M4 reset (or power cycle) when it's installed.

If anything goes wrong, put the microSD card into a PC and delete from folder M4 the files ROMCONFIG.BIN and ROMSLOTS.BIN to set it back to default settings.

If everything goes as planned it should have installed the modified lowerrom into romslot 31 and you can run all the games (almost) \o/

Ooookei! The file works really well and I'm really very happy for that, thank you very much. :D

I would say to leave the thread open and update the list with the versions that work in such a way as to increasingly skim the list of incompatibilities!

Do you have the French keyboard layout file? Installing this changed all the keystrokes! :doh:
__________________

P.S. - I updated the list! Now those that are left out are really a handful of titles and some of them are multi-disc games that are not supported by M4 (correct?). Obviously I invite everyone to report games, programs and demos not working with M4, maybe in the future we will be able to have 100% compatibility with this fantastic card! Thank you all! :-*

Quote from: villain on 19:48, 28 October 19
Slightly off-topic, but does anybody know if there will ever be an updated version of the CPCGamesCD? @MiguelSky (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=14)

I'd like to launch another one at the end of the year, when CPCRetroDev games have been released. Thank you for the interest :)

Chany released a lot of games as "files versions" into the past, probably the R-TYPE (128K) one will works with mass-storage if you can found it.

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 21:39, 28 October 19
Do you have the French keyboard layout file? Installing this changed all the keystrokes! :doh:

Just assembled with French and Spanish modifed lowerrom's aswell. Attached to this post.

Quote
P.S. - I updated the list! Now those that are left out are really a handful of titles and some of them are multi-disc games that are not supported by M4 (correct?). Obviously I invite everyone to report games, programs and demos not working with M4, maybe in the future we will be able to have 100% compatibility with this fantastic card! Thank you all! :-*

Cool.
Multi-disc games are supported, currently you will need to either:
1) use Web Interface to change the DISC (may add this feature to HACK menu sometime).
OR
2) Extract all the files from both discs into the same directory and run the game from there (use |DSKX ...)

Quote from: Duke on 07:55, 29 October 19
Just assembled with French and Spanish modifed lowerrom's aswell. Attached to this post.

Cool.
Multi-disc games are supported, currently you will need to either:
1) use Web Interface to change the DISC (may add this feature to HACK menu sometime).
OR
2) Extract all the files from both discs into the same directory and run the game from there (use |DSKX ...)

Thanks again Duke, now everything works great! :D

I found the version of R-Type Reload (by Chany) that works on the M4, placed here the file in download. To make it work, insert it in the root of the sd, then enter the folder and type RUN"RTYPE. Have fun! ;)

For Shadow of Sergoth instead I can't extract the files because inside the dsk many of them have the same name! ::)

I have tried to run that version of R-Type from the M4 board and it does not finish loading, I get this message " Inserez Le disc 2 Face 1 ", and and then try to read from the floppy drive  :o

Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 10:51, 29 October 19
I have tried to run that version of R-Type from the M4 board and it does not finish loading, I get this message " Inserez Le disc 2 Face 1 ", and and then try to read from the floppy drive  :o

I honestly don't know, I use Thargan's frontend to upload files directly into folders and it works! ::)

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 11:04, 29 October 19
I honestly don't know, I use Thargan's frontend to upload files directly into folders and it works! ::)

Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 10:51, 29 October 19and then try to read from the floppy drive  :o

Because R-TYPE "RELOAD"  :laugh:
I don't know who found this strange name... It is not related to the game.  :-\

Quote from: TotO on 11:28, 29 October 19
Because R-TYPE "RELOAD"  :laugh:
I don't know who found this strange name... It is not related to the game.  :-\

Sorry, Reloaded! font by CPCRULEZ! ;D

Reloaded, Enhanced, Bullshitted, ...  :laugh:  But no link with the good name + year.

Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 11:18, 29 October 19

Where can I get that "Thargan's frontend"? , Thank you  :)

The site to download the frontend is the address:

http://rafa32gr.westeurope.cloudapp.azure.com/wordpress/m4-explorer/

and the necessary files to insert in the root of the SD

rafa32gr.westeurope.cloudapp.azure.com/ftp/m4v1/m4.bas
rafa32gr.westeurope.cloudapp.azure.com/ftp/m4v1/rutinas.bin
rafa32gr.westeurope.cloudapp.azure.com/ftp/m4v1/tracker.bin

After inserting these three files into the root, create another folder and rename it "Games" (or whatever the hell you want) by inserting the files in your favorite games into it. Disconnect the SD card from the PC, insert it into the M4 and switch back to the CPC. Now type RUN"M4 and the frontend will load, showing you this screen:

(see attached screen)

The arrow keys enjoyed to navigate, ENTER to enter the folder (and inside the dsk files), with the U key you will return to the previous directory and with the R key you will load your games, nothing simpler ... have fun! ;)

aaaaah .. that's the M4 explorer frontrend from Rafa32   :laugh:

Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 12:17, 29 October 19
aaaaah .. that's the M4 explorer frontrend from Rafa32   :laugh:

Yesss...  :D

Quote from: TotO on 11:59, 29 October 19
Reloaded, Enhanced, Bullshitted, ...  :laugh:  But no link with the good name + year.

R-TYPE (2012)?  :)

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 17:26, 27 October 19
Hello everyone!
I open this thread because I am exhaustively trying out many titles for the M4 and I am finding that some of them are unfortunately not compatible. I do this to entice the production of dedicated versions (for mass storage) that can work with this card and thus decrease the incompatibility list. These are some of the incompatible titles, but the list will certainly grow over time! Maybe let's update it together if you want!  ;)

GAMES:

   
• Baby Jo - Going Home
• Bob Winner
• Double Dragon "good version" (run, but small graphic bugs at the top and bottom of the screen)
• Eagle's Rider
• Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O' Fun
• Fres Fighter II Turbo
• Exterminator
• Galaxy Force
• Imperial Majong
• Little Computer People Discovery Kit
• Mega Twins (Demo)
• Megablasters
• Megablasters: Escape from Castle in the Cloud
• Mystical
• Orion Prime
• Targhan
• The Bard's Tale
• The Shadows of Sergoth
• Wonder Boy (Tried all the dumps. They work, but there is a random bug that corrupts the soundtrack. It happens only on the M4.)
• Xyphoes Fantasy

DEMO:

   
• 30 Years Amstrad Megademo
• Batman Forever
• Pheelone
• Phortem
• Phreaks

In the first post you will find the updated list of non-functioning games on the M4.

At the moment I stop here, having tried hundreds and hundreds of titles for Amstrad CPC! Attached to this post I insert a downloadable .zip file where I have collected more than 1300 titles tested and working on the M4.

Inside the file you will also find the list of titles and other useful files such as various configurations, the SymbOS and the "famous front-end" of rafa 32.  ;D

Thank you all for your cooperation!  :-*

Download file:
http://www.filedropper.com/m4backup (http://www.filedropper.com/m4backup)

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 14:32, 03 November 19
At the moment I stop here, having tried hundreds and hundreds of titles for Amstrad CPC! Attached to this post I insert a downloadable .zip file where I have collected more than 1300 titles tested and working on the M4.

Thanks for your dedication, that is an impressive amount you have tested.

I will probably go through some of the games in your first post when I find time.

Quote
Download file:
http://www.filedropper.com/m4backup (http://www.filedropper.com/m4backup)

And thanks for sharing, I will put the link in the M4 documentation!

Quote from: Duke on 19:26, 04 November 19
Thanks for your dedication, that is an impressive amount you have tested.

I will probably go through some of the games in your first post when I find time.

And thanks for sharing, I will put the link in the M4 documentation!

Thank you for creating the M4 board! ;)

Hi !


Can some people tell me if it is possible to send files into mail from m4 ?


Thanks.

You'll need a mail client on the CPC for that.


Time for iMPMail?  :D

Quote from: Ast on 21:24, 09 November 19
Hi !


Can some people tell me if it is possible to send files into mail from m4 ?


Thanks.

There is a mail tool WIP for Symbos, I don't know if this is what you are looking for?

https://youtu.be/xw_32K2qF5g

Quote from: Mr. DVG on 14:32, 03 November 19
Download file:
http://www.filedropper.com/m4backup (http://www.filedropper.com/m4backup)

backup since link is not working anymore.
https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip (https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip)

Quote from: Duke on 22:28, 05 December 19
backup since link is not working anymore.
https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip (https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip)

Thanks for reporting Duke, I will continue to report non-functioning games with the M4 in the first post of the topic (my work continues and in a month I will post a new update).  :)
Also in the first post I changed the link to download, this time on MEGA, which seems much more reliable!  ;)

Quote from: Duke on 20:44, 28 October 19
Ok, here is a modified lowerrom installer I just made. It is for CPC 6128 and it is the English lowerrom it installs.

Just copy the file to your microSD card and from Basic:
RUN"M4LOW-EN.BIN"

It will ask you to press M4 reset (or power cycle) when it's installed.

If anything goes wrong, put the microSD card into a PC and delete from folder M4 the files ROMCONFIG.BIN and ROMSLOTS.BIN to set it back to default settings.

If everything goes as planned it should have installed the modified lowerrom into romslot 31 and you can run all the games (almost) \o/

I did as you explain,installed with no errors and still cannot get after the initial screen.Tested Roland in time,Roland in space,Rick dangerous,Rick Dangerous 128+ Remake,Rick dangerous 2.

Quote from: dimdim80 on 13:33, 27 September 20

I did as you explain,installed with no errors and still cannot get after the initial screen.Tested Roland in time,Roland in space,Rick dangerous,Rick Dangerous 128+ Remake,Rick dangerous 2.

Try the versions from here, they are almost guaranteed to work:
http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm

But tbh. it sounds like you may have some other issue, have you tried connecting ONLY the M4 board and not other peripherals?

Quote from: Duke on 18:05, 27 September 20
Try the versions from here, they are almost guaranteed to work:
http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm (http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm)

But tbh. it sounds like you may have some other issue, have you tried connecting ONLY the M4 board and not other peripherals?

yes i have installed only M4board.And again refuse to play.But from the site link you gave me  works ok.So i guess it is the dsk file problem?

Quote from: dimdim80 on 18:53, 27 September 20
And again refuse to play.But from the site link you gave me  works ok.So i guess it is the dsk file problem?

This DSK is copy-protected (no BC77 use), so it cant be run from M4-Card (/MassStorage's)
Please use another DSK

@dimdim80 (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1947) hi !!

ftp://amstrad.serveftp.com/incoming/Epidemiom%20M4-HFE%20v900.rar (ftp://amstrad.serveftp.com/incoming/Epidemiom%20M4-HFE%20v900.rar)     [ user: amstrad , pass: amstrad ]

Here is a lot of games compatible with M4 too  8)

Hi there,

The M4 card used this ports:
DATAPORT is 0xFE00
ACKPORT  is 0xFC00

Are they fully decoded?

Does it use other ports too?

Quote from: GUNHED on 20:47, 18 January 21
Hi there,

The M4 card used this ports:
DATAPORT is 0xFE00
ACKPORT  is 0xFC00

Are they fully decoded?

Does it use other ports too?

They are fully decoded, no other ports are used at this time.

Quote from: Duke on 12:26, 19 January 21
They are fully decoded, no other ports are used at this time.

Thanks Duke.

However, sad news are there.

When using the M4 with the 6128plus, there is a bug. It does crash FutureOS.

What's the problem?
On the 6128plus the ASIC needs to be fed with 17 bytes to activate its features. After that the command:
ld bc,&7f8b:out (c),c
will activate the memory mapped I/O between &4000-&7FFF.

On the M4 card this OUT does in addition switch off the upper ROM! Which causes a crash in some cases (FutureOS f.e.). But this OUT is NOT supposed to alter the ROM/RAM status.

How to fix the problem?
I'm not a hardware person, but with other ROM expansions there are not problems.
An idea would be that the M4 card shall ignore commands like: OUT &7Fxx,&B8 and OUT &7Fxx,&A0 (they are used on 6128plus for switching memory mapped I/O on and off).

@Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624) : Hope you can help with this issue. It would be greatly appreciated.  :) :) :)

Quote from: GUNHED on 14:30, 19 January 21

On the 6128plus the ASIC needs to be fed with 17 bytes to activate its features. After that the command:
ld bc,&7f8b:out (c),c
will activate the memory mapped I/O between &4000-&7FFF.

On the M4 card this OUT does in addition switch off the upper ROM! Which causes a crash in some cases (FutureOS f.e.). But this OUT is NOT supposed to alter the ROM/RAM status.

How to fix the problem?
I'm not a hardware person, but with other ROM expansions there are not problems.
An idea would be that the M4 card shall ignore commands like: OUT &7Fxx,&B8 and OUT &7Fxx,&A0 (they are used on 6128plus for switching memory mapped I/O on and off).

The problem is on a non plus they are mapped as ghost register of RMR (1).
So not treating them as RMR may break compatiblity with some demo or game that use the ghost register.

M4 board has two core handlers one for CPC and one for CPC+, it does change the handler when using |CTR, so if you put Future OS into a .cpr image it should work already.
Best solution would of course be that I listen to the unlock/lock sequence and switch the handler accordingly... I was implementating that sometime ago, but didnt really find a reason for it, before now I guess ;)

Yes, it would be great if you can implement it now. And it may be beneficial to all other ROMs too - in case they use features of the 6128plus. Thinking about iMPdraw for example.


Using a .CPR is not really a perfect solution, because it would disable the native OS environment.

This looks great, is there an English language front end available?

Quote from: tjohnson on 16:26, 19 January 21
This looks great, is there an English language front end available?

There is quite a few:
https://cpcrulez.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6426 (https://cpcrulez.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6426)
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/front-end-for-m4-board-in-rom/ (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/front-end-for-m4-board-in-rom/)
http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/filelauncher-(acmedosm4dos (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/filelauncher-(acmedosm4dos))
http://amstrad.esy.es/  (http://amstrad.esy.es/)   Not sure where @rafa32gr (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1994) front-end has moved to?

Hi Duke, please, when I use the romup464.bin I get basic 1.1 and lowrom in english, how can i get the spanish layout?, if I use the m4low-sp.bin I get spanish but romnumber changes to 6 and I lose compatibility with games, If I change rom number to 7 the m4 board don't work.


¿?¿?


Thnaks

Back to topic...

@Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624) : I investigates lot's of demos/games/etc. Looks like, that only programs for the Plus are using the special out commands.

Therefore it would be great (and most easy) that the wonderful M4 card just ignores the two out commands (OUT &7Fxx,&A0 or &B8) regarding RAM/ROM banking.

This would render the M4 card fully 6128plus compatible.  :) :) :)

Quote from: jaimebueno on 09:18, 24 January 21
Hi Duke, please, when I use the romup464.bin I get basic 1.1 and lowrom in english, how can i get the spanish layout?, if I use the m4low-sp.bin I get spanish but romnumber changes to 6 and I lose compatibility with games, If I change rom number to 7 the m4 board don't work.

I only made an english build for CPC basic 1.1, the other installers are meant for CPC6128 and using the modified lowerrom which needs M4 rom in slot 6.
You can manually upload the Basic 1.1 and Lowerrom from a Spanish CPC 6128 instead.
If I find some time later, I will compile a spanish version aswell.

Quote from: GUNHED on 21:36, 24 January 21Back to topic... @Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624) : I investigates lot's of demos/games/etc. Looks like, that only programs for the Plus are using the special out commands. Therefore it would be great (and most easy) that the wonderful M4 card just ignores the two out commands (OUT &7Fxx,&A0 or &B8) regarding RAM/ROM banking. This would render the M4 card fully 6128plus compatible.  :) :) :)

That sounds good, then this build of M4 firmware should be just fine to use:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/impdraw-v2-0/msg180479/#msg180479

Quote from: GUNHED on 21:36, 24 January 21
Therefore it would be great (and most easy) that the wonderful M4 card just ignores the two out commands (OUT &7Fxx,&A0 or &B8) regarding RAM/ROM banking.
This would render the M4 card fully 6128plus compatible.  :) :) :)

there is more ways to connect/disconnect Asic => #7F00+%101xxxxx

Quote from: Duke on 08:16, 25 January 21
That sounds good, then this build of M4 firmware should be just fine to use:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/impdraw-v2-0/msg180479/#msg180479 (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/applications/impdraw-v2-0/msg180479/#msg180479)

Well, not the newest firmware, but I go back to it and let you know how it works.  :)  Thanks for pointing me there.  :)

@Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624) : This firmware works flawless with M4 and FutureOS on the 6128plus. Can I please put it into the FutureOS distribution?

Quote from: GUNHED on 18:16, 25 January 21
Well, not the newest firmware, but I go back to it and let you know how it works.  :)  Thanks for pointing me there.  :)

@Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624) : This firmware works flawless with M4 and FutureOS on the 6128plus. Can I please put it into the FutureOS distribution?

Yes, of course.

I forget what was changed between beta 2 and 3, probably nothing too significant anyway.

Thanks a lot.  :)

Another game for the incompatibility list is "Ninja Carnage", as it uses specialized FDC code.

There is R-Type 128 in the archive! :-) Thank you so much Mr. DVG  :)

Quote from: jaimebueno on 09:18, 24 January 21
Hi Duke, please, when I use the romup464.bin I get basic 1.1 and lowrom in english, how can i get the spanish layout?, if I use the m4low-sp.bin I get spanish but romnumber changes to 6 and I lose compatibility with games, If I change rom number to 7 the m4 board don't work.

Quote from: Duke on 08:16, 25 January 21
I only made an english build for CPC basic 1.1, the other installers are meant for CPC6128 and using the modified lowerrom which needs M4 rom in slot 6.
You can manually upload the Basic 1.1 and Lowerrom from a Spanish CPC 6128 instead.
If I find some time later, I will compile a spanish version aswell.

Same situation here. @Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624), I would also be grateful for the modified spanish ROM.

Quote from: m0rtadelo on 01:28, 15 November 21
Same situation here. @Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624), I would also be grateful for the modified spanish ROM.

Here you go (attached, unzip to microSD and run"romup464.bin").  - I did not test it, so please let me know if it works or not :)

Quote from: Duke on 19:49, 16 November 21
Here you go (attached, unzip to microSD and run"romup464.bin").  - I did not test it, so please let me know if it works or not :)

I have just tested it.
I had my 464 with English modified ROM and M4 already on slot 7 (as done by original ROMUP464.bin). I copied newer file (using same name ROMUP464.bin) and run it. It worked like a charm. Modified spanish ROM (working with multiload games).

Then I reset m4 by removing romslots.bin and romconfig.big in M4 folder. Verified that I was back to BASIC 1.0 and M4 ROM at slot 6 (default). First try I do not know what I did wrong but executing RUN"ROMUP464 did nothing. I repeated the process starting with English ROMUP464 and then again with Spanish ROMUP464 both from clean situation. Both times it worked well.

So it works great. Now I can play any game. A good game to test is Terminator II from http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm (http://cngsoft.no-ip.org/cpc_lzx.htm). I say it is good as it uses multiload. It even makes you reload first phase if you die there too  :o . I remember it being a pain in the neck to play on tape due to this. With unmodified lower rom and/or M4 rom on slot 6 it starts tape (you can hear the click of the relay) and nothing is loaded beyond start screen. With modified OS ROM and M4 rom on slot 7 it works perfect. You can see messages regarding TAPE access (turn it over, loading) for a few seconds and then you can start playing.

As a side note it would be great to make Spanish ROMUP464 version also available from your site and document it on your manual for others to come (you know that Spanish CPC legion is not a small one).

Thank you very much for everything @Duke (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1624)  ;)

With regards to the original thread topic - A while back, I compiled a small list of games for the usifac2 which I believe will also work on the M4
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/games/usifac-ii-direct-load-games/msg207736/#msg207736


You're welcome to add them to your bundle if you so desire :)

By the way I do not know if it is due to the ROM upgrade or what but many subdirectories and paths have been messed up. Has someone else experienced this?

In the next couple of days I hope to have a nice gift for you M4 fans. :D

A few years back, I went and compiled a massive .dsk set of original disks of games reviewed by Amstrad Action from 84 (AA came out in 85 but they did a good chunk of back reviews of games in their first couple of issues) right up until 1994, including their PD stuff for my trusty Gotek.

I've replicated about 90% of these to working games on my M4 config (CPC6128, M4 in ROM 6, AMSDOS in ROM 7 and Modified lower rom in ROM 31). Most of these should work on 64k, either natively although some cracks may require a RAM expansion so your mileage may vary. I've used @Mr. DVG's set as a base, but I'm in the process of adding adding a whole lot more! Obviously there'll be a few omissions due to incompatibility but that's to be expected.

I've already done 0-9 to S so far, which means I've only got T to Z to do and when it's done, I'll throw it up on a file share site. @Duke if you wanna pull this down when it goes up and add it to the set you have hosted, feel free. :)

I've already put a couple of weeks into this project. Mostly as I was recovering from a nasty bout of Covid-19 so it kept my mind occupied. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of this week.

Next post on this thread is when it will be finished.

Edit - Forgot to mention, these will be extracted into respective folders. So USIfAC II users may or may not be able to benefit from these too. :)

Nice one, Shaun  :D

Quote from: Animalgril987 on 16:40, 30 March 22Nice one, Shaun  :D

Cheers! :) 

T got done yesterday, meaning I've about another 100 games left between U-Z. All goes according to plan, I'll have it done tonight / early tomorrow morning. :) 

Wow, that's quick! But then maybe not so many titles beginning with X or Z? :D

Or V for that matter!

:D

It's here!!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gly2nApsCjjt51DpL2-k7dYXeEAEzZSy/view?usp=sharing

@Duke, if you feel like updating this to your archive, feel free. Just let me know when you have it down and added to your set as I can't keep this on my drive forever. :)

As mentioned before, these were tested on a CPC6128 with the M4 in Rom 6, AMSDOS in Rom 7 (some CNG cracks may need AMSDOS removed to work) and the modified lower ROM in rom 31.

If you get a File type error in some of the management games, it's most likely because it doesn't like BASIC 1.1, try it on a CPC464.

Enjoy guys! :D

Great job Shaun !

Nice work, Shaun! :)

Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 22:53, 30 March 22It's here!!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gly2nApsCjjt51DpL2-k7dYXeEAEzZSy/view?usp=sharing

@Duke, if you feel like updating this to your archive, feel free. Just let me know when you have it down and added to your set as I can't keep this on my drive forever. :)

As mentioned before, these were tested on a CPC6128 with the M4 in Rom 6, AMSDOS in Rom 7 (some CNG cracks may need AMSDOS removed to work) and the modified lower ROM in rom 31.

If you get a File type error in some of the management games, it's most likely because it doesn't like BASIC 1.1, try it on a CPC464.

Enjoy guys! :D

Great job, thanks !
I uploaded it here, as is:
https://www.spinpoint.org/CPC_games_reviewedAA.zip

Or you mean I should merge it with the archive from DVG?
https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip

This looks amazing, and I imagine most of them will also work on USIFAC II. I will cross-post in the appropriate thread.

Wow! That's amazing!
Thanks Shaun!

d_kef

Quote from: Duke on 04:46, 31 March 22

Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 22:53, 30 March 22It's here!!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gly2nApsCjjt51DpL2-k7dYXeEAEzZSy/view?usp=sharing

@Duke, if you feel like updating this to your archive, feel free. Just let me know when you have it down and added to your set as I can't keep this on my drive forever. :)

As mentioned before, these were tested on a CPC6128 with the M4 in Rom 6, AMSDOS in Rom 7 (some CNG cracks may need AMSDOS removed to work) and the modified lower ROM in rom 31.

If you get a File type error in some of the management games, it's most likely because it doesn't like BASIC 1.1, try it on a CPC464.

Enjoy guys! :D

Great job, thanks !
I uploaded it here, as is:
https://www.spinpoint.org/CPC_games_reviewedAA.zip

Or you mean I should merge it with the archive from DVG?
https://www.spinpoint.org/M4backup.zip

Either or, Duke. You're hosting it so if people want to search through both (as there's a bunch of stuff on DVG's archive I omitted) so I can't see it being any harm. :) 
S. 

Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 20:50, 29 March 22In the next couple of days I hope to have a nice gift for you M4 fans. :D

A few years back, I went and compiled a massive .dsk set of original disks of games reviewed by Amstrad Action from 84 (AA came out in 85 but they did a good chunk of back reviews of games in their first couple of issues) right up until 1994, including their PD stuff for my trusty Gotek.

I've replicated about 90% of these to working games on my M4 config (CPC6128, M4 in ROM 6, AMSDOS in ROM 7 and Modified lower rom in ROM 31). Most of these should work on 64k, either natively although some cracks may require a RAM expansion so your mileage may vary. I've used @Mr. DVG's set as a base, but I'm in the process of adding adding a whole lot more! Obviously there'll be a few omissions due to incompatibility but that's to be expected.

I've already done 0-9 to S so far, which means I've only got T to Z to do and when it's done, I'll throw it up on a file share site. @Duke if you wanna pull this down when it goes up and add it to the set you have hosted, feel free. :)

I've already put a couple of weeks into this project. Mostly as I was recovering from a nasty bout of Covid-19 so it kept my mind occupied. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of this week.

Next post on this thread is when it will be finished.

Edit - Forgot to mention, these will be extracted into respective folders. So USIfAC II users may or may not be able to benefit from these too. :)

Incredible work many thanks for it! Btw, USIfAC II most probable can run all of the games, as it supports direct file loading, along with dsk image access (through low level 765 FDC emulation  ;D  )

Thank you Shaun

I'm using 6128+ and m4. Is there a version of Rick Dangerous 128+ that will work with this setup? It crashes to the loading screen. Physical disk works nicely, though.

Can you try this please?

Quote from: VincentGR on 11:42, 14 February 23Can you try this please?

Thanks but still crashes to the loading screen.

Quote from: sunn on 11:24, 16 February 23

Quote from: VincentGR on 11:42, 14 February 23Can you try this please?

Thanks but still crashes to the loading screen.

Rick Dangerous 128+ not works from M4.
to play on a real machine, you have 2 options or you use a Gotek or as I have done, I record the DSK on a 3" floppy disk using the M4FE frontend and play from disk !!!

QuoteRick Dangerous 128+ not works from M4.
to play on a real machine, you have 2 options or you use a Gotek or as I have done, I record the DSK on a 3" floppy disk using the M4FE frontend and play from disk !!!

Yes, luckily physical disk works like I said. This would be fun to get working in the future.

Can anyone successfully launch "They Sold A Million" disk 2? I'm having trouble. Depending on my ROM config, it either reboots, can't find AAAA.bin, or comes up but freezes.

Hello,

I have the same issue, with "AAAA.bin" file not found (certainly the lack of FDC emulation).
No problem with the same DSK on Gotek or USIfAC II.

AAAA.BIN is famously known as part of the SPEEDLOCK protection. May be the ROM table in RAM has moved the drive user entry (&A70x) to an upper address and the game loader do not read the good bit value to properly got the AMSDOS drive configuration. For example, it try to search the file in drive B instead of drive A. Can you select the DSK file for both drives A/B to see the result?

"They Sold A Million disk 2" DSK on Gotek as drive A: ok

"They Sold A Million disk 2" DSK on Gotek as drive B:
1st attempt with a random floppy disc in drive A: "AAAA.BIN not found"
2nd attempt with no disc in drive A: "Drive A: disc missing. Retry, Ignore or Cancel?"

Quote from: poulette73 on 10:02, 19 March 23"They Sold A Million disk 2" DSK on Gotek as drive A: ok

"They Sold A Million disk 2" DSK on Gotek as drive B:
1st attempt with a random floppy disc in drive A: "AAAA.BIN not found"
2nd attempt with no disc in drive A: "Drive A: disc missing. Retry, Ignore or Cancel?"

The DSK Into both drives, at the same time.

Sorry I misunderstood, I forgot to use the M4 Board.

"They Sold A Million disk 2" DSK on Gotek as drive A.
Launching the game from the M4 Board

3rd attempt: ok, but the loading continues on Gotek (as drive A)