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Messages - carlsson
1
« on: February 12, 2012, 04:03 AM »
Some day I'll carry my 8296-D from the basement to troubleshoot it. Quite likely at least one of the PLA chips is broken, but I don't know if I should go for a fast 27C512 EPROM, build Nicolas Welte's adapter board using a 20V8 GAL (that I need to source and find a suitable programmer for) or if there is a third solution. I see the SuperPLA doesn't support 8296, at least not officially. While I've read a bit of negative comments about using EPROMs to replace PLA chips, perhaps that reflected to relatively slow EPROMs?
2
« on: September 21, 2011, 09:10 PM »
I always assumed those PET games were published by Commodore themselves, since at least Cosmic Jailbreak was remade as a cartridge game with custom graphics for the VIC-20 a couple of years later. Of course they could've bought the publishing rights just then. Moby Games agrees with me that it might've been a CBM UK release, but it could just as well be a false conclusion based on the VIC-20 release.
3
« on: September 21, 2011, 08:56 PM »
C64: PAL 0.985 MHz, NTSC 1.023 MHz
VIC-20: PAL 1.108 MHz, NTSC 1.02 MHz
I think the PET nominally is exactly 1 MHz, so in theory the NTSC setting for either C64 or VIC-20 should work with your PET. However I've never tried it myself so there might be something else that causes problems.
It appears WAV-PRG v3.6 was modified/released on September 7, 2011 so there should still be hope for improvements. As far as I remember looking at the source, it should just be a matter of adding timing constants and a bit of GUI/CLI parsing code to get PET tapes to work, assuming they really are encoded in the same way as VIC and C64 tapes.
4
« on: May 22, 2011, 03:08 AM »
What is most amazing to me, is that in the past 3-5 years a total of 200+ PETs have been unearthed around the world, machines that virtually nobody knew still existed. Actually there probably is more than 300 "unknown" PETs, I just counted these 140 plus the ~60 ones I helped rescue in past years.
That is for a type of machine considered semi-uncommon, a little valuable despite its size. The introduction of several hundred machines of which at least half still are working should have pushed down the general market value quite a bit, if you're one of those who are into the hobby for monetary value.
5
« on: April 12, 2011, 06:09 PM »
Which part of "PM or email" is hard to understand?  Nevertheless, I have exactly one surplus PET-GPIB cable to offer. It should be said the card edge connector is slightly damaged so it might need some fixing up, but electrically it is fully working. I had a potential buyer, but as far as I can tell he never went ahead with the purchase so the cable is still up for grabs. I'm asking $25 including postage, which is half of what other parties charge for the same kind of cable, but slightly more than what Hong Kong based sellers are able to sell their GPIB-GPIB cables for. Once this cable is sold, I'll be out of stock and the rest of you will have to find your cables elsewhere.
6
« on: March 21, 2011, 10:23 PM »
Let's see, you are using a NTSC C64/128? In that way, the clock timing frequencies compared to what the PET expects should be pretty much equal. If you used a PAL machine, you might find the two differ more (C64 0.98 MHz vs PET 1.00 MHz vs VIC-20 1.01 MHz).
Tezza at the Vintage Computer Forum recently prepared a set of TAP files with PET software, which I believe were intended to be written through some PC software directly to the microphone input of a regular tape recorder. I don't know if X1531 software etc handles PET frequencies but usually they should if they anyhow handle more than one Commodore computer.
As for your program that relocates memory pointers, I think it is superfluous if you use a proper copying program, one that can load files into whichever memory position and save those back to the same position. I'm not sure which programs are that capable, but they surely should exist even for files that load into what normally is screen matrix on the C64.
A third way to transfer files might be if you make a PRLINK or PC64 cable to connect a PC directly to the userport of the PET. Assuming that connection is made working, you should be able to use cbmlink to transfer files directly into the PET memory and from there save to tape if you need them later on. Have you considered this setup?
7
« on: March 20, 2011, 02:23 AM »
Ok, I can barely compete with Hong Kong, but I can definitely compete with Silicon Valley. 
8
« on: February 14, 2011, 08:12 AM »
I haven't yet had the opportunity to try the latest firmware, but I'm on my way. At least I have set up my 610 as a standalone workstation: http://www.geting.se/viewimage/image/287778-cbm610-corvus-setup.jpgThe Philips monochrome monitor has the option to toggle between green-on-black or black-on-green. The camera with its flash doesn't do the monitor justice, but I prefer black-on-green. I suppose I might reconfigure my uIEC/SD to device #10 as the Corvus currently is #8 and the 2031 is #9. But more on that later...
9
« on: December 17, 2010, 06:13 AM »
I agree with Steve. I would have tested the most recent version a week ago if it wasn't for lack of time.
By the way, as you have seen from earlier pictures I hacked my uIEC/SD right away to fit a female IEC connector. Actually that connector came loose on the side with my C2N232I that I once bought from Marko/Nicolas. I brought the whole uIEC/SD/IEC adapter to Germany in August 2009 and the first thing Nicolas said was that he recognized the female IEC connector that he once sourced for the C2N232I. Apparently they were a bit difficult to find for a good price.
Hopefully I'll get around to test this one in the weekend or over the Christmas holidays.. well, one can always hope.
10
« on: December 14, 2010, 11:07 PM »
Now that Michau is working on releasing a handy, cartridge version of Uz' old IEC routines, perhaps someone should take on another hobby project and develop the CBM2-Command port after all...
11
« on: December 14, 2010, 11:00 PM »
Hm. I wonder if the good old software suite WAV-PRG and AudioTAP supports PET? Since the timing is inbetween VIC-20 and C64, they probably would work. In that case you could take a PRG file and convert to WAV, connect a regular tape recorder to the speaker output of your sound card and record it onto a fresh tape.
Otherwise there are a couple of different solutions involving various cables etc, depending on how much you want to work to get the desired result.
12
« on: December 14, 2010, 10:51 PM »
For what it's worth, SVT in this case appears to be an abbreviation of Svenska Tecken, i.e. Swedish characters. I've seen in on many of the PETs, an EPROM with that hand-written label.
13
« on: December 13, 2010, 07:42 AM »
Did you get it from Germany? I am not familiar to what extent the Commodore machines were localized in Germany, but the mention of DIN makes me think of Germany. In that case it suggests the Kernal ROM would have been adjusted to fit German keyboard mapping and the faulty Character EPROM would be one that gives you ÜÄÖ. All the B500, 610, 710 and 720 machines I have come across and sold have been localized to Swedish conditions with EPROMs, usually with adaptors to fit a 2764 into a 2364 slot. Then again, I am aware that Sweden held a special position in the world when it came to localized Commodore computers, much higher degree than any other non-English speaking country in the world. Virtually all machines from PET 2001N to Amiga 4000 were available in localized versions.
14
« on: December 08, 2010, 07:03 PM »
Great work! I should burn myself a cartridge and test it a little.
15
« on: December 08, 2010, 06:59 PM »
Oh yes, that is ibay_1000. I believe he or a friend of him inherited a basement full of Commodore stuff a few years ago. He has been selling a lot of boxed SFD-1001's, CBM-II parts, VIC-20 memory expansions and pretty much anything you could imagine, apart from the ultra-rare prototype items of course. It seems his supply was even better than mine was.
16
« on: October 27, 2010, 07:23 PM »
Hm. I gotta check what the 8296 keyboard looks like. I don't have any separate keyboards complete in casing, but I might have a 8000 series keyboard mechanism which you can replace (solder) the internal connector with a DB25. It won't look pretty but it would function.
Not sure about the power supply. I used to have one, and with a bit of luck one of my friends has a broken 8296 which he gladly lets go. I will look around and reply by PM.
17
« on: October 26, 2010, 10:06 PM »
I'm bumping this old topic to mention my inventory has been updated. What remains are the following:
3x PET to IEEE cables (+/- one cable, need to check my personal needs)
5x IEEE to IEEE cables (ditto)
Pricing depends on current exchange rate, expect somewhere around US$ 25-30 including worldwide postage for a cable.
I also have a few other spare parts I will give away for postage costs:
* Two empty cases from 3040 and 8050 floppy drives. Neither even has a power supply. Those probably are far too big and bulky to ship around, given they don't contain anything collectable. Might be nice to retrofit a modern PC inside?
* A handful of big folders with PET schematics etc. Several folders contain the same docs, and as far as I've found, most or all of the schematics already are scanned on Zimmers. However for anyone repairman who likes to work with papers, one of those folders might be nice. They are pretty heavy though so expect a big shipping quote.
I will try to update this list as I find more items, or anything is sold or donated. All responses by PM or email please.
Update 2010-12-12: The following items have been donated for the cost of shipping.
* Tested broken 3032 motherboard, displays only garbage even with known good ROMs + set of 65xx chips. Currently the board completely lacks ROMs and 65xx chips.
* Probably broken 4000/8000 motherboard, some 65xx chips soldered and the other missing
* Probably broken motherboard from a 3040 floppy drive, DOS 1. Lacks 6502 and 6522 but has other chips intact
* Two floppy drive mechs from 8250LP, untested as I prefer not to risk killing my working 8250LP drive (yes, I swapped around drives and controller boards before and killed a few drives due to a bad controller)
* A few PET 3000 and 8000 keyboards, may have keys missing and in worn condition
18
« on: October 04, 2010, 11:48 PM »
Make sure you select a PET with the piezo element. Otherwise you won't get any sound at all without hacking it. I believe the cut-off is between old style 2001N/3000/4000 boards and new style universal 4000/8000 boards, of which the latter also may exist in different editions. For example my last, remaining 4032 doesn't chirp on power on but works otherwise. I understand with the help of internal or external modifications, even those slightly older models can be made to produce sound.
19
« on: September 30, 2010, 08:37 PM »
Cool, I had almost given up on autostarting CBM-II cartridges...
20
« on: September 30, 2010, 08:34 PM »
I agree, it looks like the most number of CBM-II items are found in Germany. Personally I'm out of items. Another option would be trying to use something like Jim Brain's keyboard adapter C=Key but it requires to be reprogrammed to match the CBM-II keyboard layout. If someone can open up a keyboard and follow the wiring, it might be possible to at least recreate the matrix for manual simulation of the signals. The sad part is that I began to rescue Commodore stuff in December 2005. A few months earlier, the former reseller had begun to clear out garbage. He started with old matrix printers and external keyboards, both 8032-SK and CBM-II style. I managed to find a few, but according to him a number of those keyboards ended up at the dump in the fall of 2005. 
21
« on: September 30, 2010, 08:28 PM »
Actually the B500 has been traded to a dear collector, so it is no longer my problem. As for tape routines, I'm not sure if it is worth the trouble. While accessing a relatively cheap IEC style floppy drive, even if it is slow and inflexible is a good addition, I wonder how many CBM-II users today would benefit from being able to use a Datasette. Perhaps for "emergency" transfer options.
22
« on: September 20, 2010, 05:15 PM »
Great improvement, looking forward for the results!
23
« on: September 20, 2010, 05:12 PM »
I believe I own a copy of that, ROM and manual. I didn't yet investigate it so I can't say for sure it is the exact same software but I recognize the layout of the manual. Actually I have a couple of expansions that I will upload to Zimmers any day now...
24
« on: September 10, 2010, 05:18 PM »
Payton, would you or someone else consider looking into making a CBM2-Command as well? Those machines run in 80 columns and have at least 128K RAM, although due to memory mapping issues you might find it a squeeze to switch banks back and forth if you need Kernel calls.
25
« on: September 10, 2010, 05:06 PM »
Does anyone have access to CMAR from Cimarron Corporation? A friend of mine came across this package for the PET/CBM 8000 series. It consists of manual, a protection ROM and a floppy disk. According to the manual there should exist floppy versions for 4040, 8050 and 8060/8061 (i.e. 8" floppy drives). Since he doesn't own a PET or enough equipment, he lend me the floppy disk while another friend dumped the protection ROM. Sorry to say, I am so far unable to read the contents of the floppy disk. First I tried it in my 8250LP, but it wouldn't detect anything at all. Then I tried a 4040 with DOS v1, which is flaky on its own. Still I got no coherent readings of the directory. Finally I tried a 2031 with DOS v2, and much to my surprise I was able to read the directory. However the output from the directory listing was not very pleasant: 0 "CMAR.D64 " 2A 664 BLOCKS FREE. I know as much as an old 2031 drive would not come up with the D64 extention on its own, which suggests to me this floppy disk has been rewritten recently, probably a failed attempt of putting a D64 image onto it. I read the same floppy disk in my 1541-II and once managed to bring up the directory listing as above. All other attempts lead to read error on track 18, sector 1. Now I have two questions: 1. Does anyone know about this piece of software? Since there is a D64 mentioned, it suggests to me it should float around somewhere. I have some 46 GB of assorted Commodore stuff on my PC. While it is possible this file lurks somewhere within, it is a bit difficult to navigate. I have briefly checked Zimmers FTP, but no other respositories. 2. Would it make sense to dump the floppy disk block by block, hopefully without too many errors? I don't own any custom cables for nibbling purposes (G64 etc) but perhaps it is time to get one. Frankly I don't know if this software is good for anything, but as my friend got almost the full package it would be nice if he/we got the last missing bit. He is looking to upload it to somewhere on the 'net anyway, unless of course it is already present at some place I didn't look and Google doesn't know to search in.
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