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/* ROM Downloads */
[[Image:MegaFlash_Final.jpg|thumb|420px380px|right|The MegaFlash]]
The MegaFlash is a ROMBoard similar to the [[MegaROM]]. It provides up to 32 virtual [[ROM|ROMs ]] (Numbered 0 to 31) in a single 512K Flash ROM, but unlike the MegaROM, the MegaFlash can be populated directly from the CPC using [[User:TFM|TFMs]] [[MegaFlashROManager]] (available for Basic and [[FutureOS]]) or with [[Roman]] by [[Brueggi]] without the need for an EPROM Burner or any additional hardware. Other ROManagement software will currently not work with the MegaFlash.
Being based on Flash technology it also doesn't require a battery like other solutions did in the past. Unfortunately, due to complexity, the PCB design needs to be double-sided, making this project a little more difficult for hobbiests to build than the MegaROM was.
The complete hardware of the MegaFlash was developed by [[User:Bryce|Bryce]]and released in August 2011.
If you have any further questions regarding this project contact Bryce through the Wiki Forum.
On the PCB there are two jumpers, which need to be set. Jumper 1 enables or disables ROM 0 on the MegaFlash to allow users to replace the internal ROM on the CPC. Jumper 2 enables or disables ROM 7 on the MegaFlash to choose between the CPCs internal OS ROM or an alternative OS on the MegaFlash. The jumpers need to be set to the correct position otherwise the CPC may not boot. Using the ROManager software it is also possible to enable or disable any of the other 30 virtual ROMs as required.
[[Image:MF_Jumpers.png|600px|centre]]
The MegaFlash is compatible with all 464CPC464, 664CPC664, 6128CPC6128, 464+ and , 6128+ and KCcompact and can be used to host standard ROM images such as [[AMSDOS]], [[BCPL]], [[FutureOS]], [[MAXAM]], [[Protext]], [[Utopia]], [[VDOS]], [[XD-DOS]].
CPC Specific Limitations:
[[File:MegaFlash_Layout.zip]] - PCB Track Layout (Cadsoft Eagle brd format) [[File:MegaFLASH_DIP.zip]] - Alternative PCB Track Layout by wilco2009 (Cadsoft Eagle brd format)
A full list of available ROMs can be found [[ROM|here]].
== Troubleshooting ==
CPC crashes at startup?
Solution 1:
In the unlikely event that you program a ROM (in positions 0-15) with a bad image / experimental program / a picture of your cat, then there's a chance that the CPC will crash when trying to initialise the ROMs. And you can't erase the rubbish without a running CPC. For ROMs 0/7 this isn't a problem, because you can manually disable them with the jumpers, but not with the other positions.
Here's the solution to get out of this catch 22:
First disconnect the MegaFlash from the CPC and carefully remove the Flash from its socket. The socket has two slits on opposite corners of the IC, using a very small screw-driver you can slowly ease the IC out of the socket.
Now plug the Flash-less MegaFlash into the CPC and start as normal (make sure both ROMs 0 and 7 are disabled on the MegaFlash). The CPC will start as normal and you can now replace the Flash in its socket (do this at the Basic prompt, don't start any programs beforehand). It only fits in one direction, due to one corner of the IC being tapered.
You can now start the ROManager software and erase the offending image.
Solution 2:
First you need to add a push button: One side of the button goes to GND. The negative pin of the 100µf capacitor is probably the safest location to solder the wire to GND. The negative pin is the one nearest the Flash socket.
The other side of the button should go to the centre pin of the ROM7 jumper.
If you want to start the CPC with no MegaFlash ROMs enabled, just remove the ROM 7 jumper completely and hold the button pressed while you are switching the CPC on, then replace the ROM 7 jumper as soon as you get the Ready Prompt. DON'T press this button while the Jumper is still in place! In fact to make it safer, you could use a two pin jumper-header instead of a button. Then you just move the Jumper from the normal ROM 7 jumper-pins to your new pins and move it back when ready has appeared.
It's not a really great solution, but it's safe for your CPC, your MegaFlash and the PLCC socket will get to live a lot longer.
Solution 3:
Activate the Autostart option of RSX |RMA of the [[MegaFlashROManager]] ROM version (located at ROM position 15) using [[SOFTBRENNER]]. Reset your CPC, the FlashROManager will start immediately. This way can be a bit tricky.
== ROM Downloads ==
* [[John_Morrison|Extended Basic v1.1]] (1986)([[John_Morrison|John Morrison]])(EXBASIC.ROM).zip
* [[FutureOS]] (1989-2018) (FutureSoft)
* [[Hackit|Hack It-Le Hackeur]] (19xx)([[Siren_Software|Siren Software]])(En-Fre)(HACKEUR.ROM).zip
* [[X-ROM|XROM Eprommer v1.16]] (1986)([[Timatic_Systems|Timatic Systems]])(XROM.ROM).zip
* [[XROM]]s (expansion ROMs for FutureOS) == Software tools == * [[ROManager]] - the comprehensive tool to manage your MegaFlash* [[Megaflash binary file builder]] (2014) pachuquin [[Media:Megaflash Builder.zip|Megaflash binary file builder]]Software to build a file ready to be burned with a Eprom programmer into a Megaflash or a MegaROM chip. [[Category:DIY]] [[Category:Expansion ROM]] [[Category:FutureOS]] [[Category:Memory expansions]] [[Category:Peripherals]]
