Jekyll2026-10-19T21:18:32+00:00https://retrocombs.com/feed.xmlretroCombsRetro computing with a touch of modern and the home for all things, retroCombs (aka Steven Combs).MEGA65 User’s Guide Chapter 5 - Upgrading the MEGA652024-08-28T00:00:00+00:002024-08-28T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/mega65-ug-5Welcome to another installment of the MEGA65 User Guide series! Today, we’re diving into Chapter 5: Upgrading the MEGA65. Get ready to explore how to upgrade your MEGA65 core, ROM, and system files, as well as how to install alternate cores and ROMs. We’ll also cover how to set core flags and understand the MEGA65 boot process.

As always, don’t forget to check out the companion YouTube videos and blog posts that supplement this guide. They are packed with links, errata, and resources to enhance your MEGA65 journey. Let’s get started!

MEGA65 Chapter 1 Image

MEGA65 User’s Guide Series Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS LINKS

Below are the links you need to help you get the most out of your MEGA65.

MEGA65 Accessories

SUPPORT THE BLOG AND CHANNEL

Check out the supporters page to learn about my amazing supporters and how you can join our community.

COMPANION YOUTUBE VIDEO

Title: MEGA65 User’s Guide Chapter 5: Upgrading the MEGA65

Enjoying the videos? Become a channel member to support retroCombs: https://www.youtube.com/@retrocombs/join.

VIDEO ERRATA

None as of 2024-08-28.

HOW A MEGA65 CAN BE UPGRADED

The MEGA65 platform consists of three major components:

  1. CORE: The core is a description of the chipset to run on the FPGA. You can upgrade the core to new versions or replace it with a different core entirely, such as one that emulates a different computer like a Commodore 64 or a ZX Spectrum. The core is stored in the MEGA65’s core flash memory.
  2. ROM: The ROM contains the Commodore-style operating system (KERNAL) and BASIC. You can switch between multiple ROM versions, including the original Commodore 65 prototype ROM.
  3. SYSTEM SOFTWARE: The system software includes features like the Freezer menu and other utilities.

You can upgrade these components as new releases are published, replace them individually, or maintain multiple versions. For instance, your SD card can contain not only the updated MEGA65 ROM, but if you want to see what it was like to own an original Commodore 65, you can also place the original ROM on the same SD card.

Likewise, you can have the official MEGA65 core installed on the MEGA65 along with the Commodore 64 core and even a ZX Spectrum core so your MEGA65 can emulate any of these systems.

Upgrading the core, ROM, and system software is easy if you know how, and that’s the focus of Chapter 5. So let’s dig in and learn how.

WHAT IS A CORE?

A core (and the core of our discussion!) in the MEGA65 system refers to the configuration that runs on the FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), defining the hardware behavior of the MEGA65. This core is essentially the blueprint for the system’s functionality, allowing it to emulate different vintage computers like the Commodore 65, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, or arcade game cabinet. By updating the core, users can add new features, enhance performance, or fix bugs, ensuring their MEGA65 stays current with the latest developments. The core is stored in the MEGA65’s flash memory and can be managed through the Core Selection Menu, providing flexibility in choosing and switching between different hardware configurations.

This adaptability has an advantage, allowing seamless transitions between different cores for varied uses. The active MEGA65 community continually develops and shares new cores, contributing to a rich and evolving ecosystem. Understanding and managing cores is essential for maximizing the MEGA65’s potential, as it opens up a world of possibilities in retro computing and ensures the system remains a cutting-edge tool for both nostalgic users and developers.

Let’s learn about versions.

DETERMINING THE VERSIONS OF THINGS

All components of the MEGA65 platform have a version identifier and are listed in the Information Utility by following these steps:

  1. Switch on the MEGA65 and boot to BASIC.
  2. Open the Freezer: press and hold the RESTORE key for one second, then release it.
  3. Press the HELP key to open the MEGA65 Information Utility.

The Information Utility includes a lot of information, but germane to Chapter 5 are the following areas:

  • MEGA65 MODEL: The revision of the hardware. Necessary to select the correct core files.
  • Artix Version: The current core in operation identified by a string of eight letters and numbers along with the build date.
  • ROM Version: The current ROM in operation identified by a sequential number. The larger the number, the newer the release.
  • System Files: .M65 files with their own version identifiers. It is important to match the correct core and system files for proper operation. Luckily, the community makes it clear which goes with which.

To exit the Information Utility and return to BASIC, press F3 twice.

Each core has a separate version for each hardware revision (The R3 “DevKit” and R3A or R6 computers, as of this video). The MEGA65 developers ensure parity of core releases for both hardware revisions. Alternate cores may or may not support both, so check with the core developers.

If you do not own a MEGA65, you cannot use the official MEGA65 ROM without a license. I cover this in my Patch a Commodore 65 ROM video and on the companion blog post.

So where do you get these files? That’s next!

OBTAINING THE LATEST FILES

To keep your MEGA65 up-to-date with the latest features and improvements, you’ll need to obtain the latest core, ROM, and system software files from the MEGA65 Filehost website. Follow these steps to ensure you get everything you need:

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide to obtain the latest version of the files you need to keep your MEGA65 happy and healthy.

License Warning: Certain MEGA65 files, such as ROMS, are for personal use only, require the purchase of a MEGA65, and should not be redistributed.

Owner Registration:

  1. Go to files.mega65.org.
  2. If you haven’t already, sign up for an account on the MEGA65 Filehost website.
  3. If you purchased a MEGA65, redeem your owner code to access restricted files. This code, printed on a sheet of paper and probably found in your bound copy of the user’s manual, is provided with your MEGA65 purchase and ensures that only legitimate owners can download licensed files.
  4. Click the user icon in the upper-right corner of the Filehost screen.
  5. Select Redeem Code.
  6. Enter the owner code.

Download the Latest Release Package:

  1. Click the Files tab of the Filehost.
  2. In the left-hand search box, type “release” and the list will update to show only files with the word release in their title.
  3. Locate the entry named, “MEGA65 Core Release Package (mega65r6) incl. ROM” where “mega65r6” matches the hardware revision of your MEGA65 (as we identified earlier using the Information Utility).
  4. Click the entry to view a description of the package and files.
  5. Click Download to download the release package to your computer.

REMEMBER: If you have not redeemed your code, you will not see a version of the release package that includes a ROM. Make sure to register your code and ensure you are logged in to the Filehost.

Extract the Package:

  1. Locate the downloaded archive file on your computer.
  2. Right-click the file and select “Extract All” (or use your preferred extraction tool).
  3. Navigate into the destination folder to access the extracted files.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that you have the latest core, ROM, and system files ready for your MEGA65. Next, we’ll learn how to use these files to upgrade our MEGA65.

THE CORE SELECTION MENU

While the MEGA65 identifies a default core to load, you can use the Core Selection Menu to change the core using the following steps:

  1. Switch off the MEGA65.
  2. Hold the NO SCROLL key and switch on the computer. The core selection menu appears, showing the eight core slots numbered 0 through 7.
  3. Use the cursor keys and RETURN to select a core slot or press the corresponding number on the keyboard.

The core you choose will be used as long as you don’t power cycle the computer. Using the reset button will not reset the core. By default, the MEGA65 will launch core 1 unless there is no core in slot 1, in which case it will launch the core in slot 0.

Slot 0: Slot 0, by design, is harder to upgrade than slots 1 through 7. This is your safe slot. If all other cores fail, you know you can always revert to slot 0. Refrain from modifying this slot unless directed to do so. I will show you how to do this later in this chapter, but you should not do this regularly and only when directed by the MEGA65 developers.

There is an option to “flag” slot 2 as a default core using a DIP switch on the main board. For example, I like to have the latest MEGA65 core in slot 1 and my Commodore 64 core in slot 2. This way, I can flip DIP switch #4 to the “on” position and boot my MEGA65 into the Commodore 64 core when I know it’s time for a long session of Commodore 64 gaming!

UPGRADING THE MEGA65 CORE, ROM, AND SYSTEM FILES

You can upgrade your MEGA65 core using the microSD card and a .cor file using these steps:

REMEMBER: Don’t use the internal SD card to upgrade your core. See chapter 4 for more information.

  1. Remove the microSD card from the back of your MEGA65.
  2. Place the microSD card into your PC (you may need an SD card reader).
  3. Copy the .cor file from the downloaded archive’s sdcard-files folder to the root directory of the microSD card.
  4. Copy the system files to the SD card, replacing the existing files.
  5. Eject the SD card from your PC and insert it into the MEGA65 (ensure the MEGA65 is off).
  6. Access the core selection menu by holding NO SCROLL while switching on the MEGA65.
  7. Hold CTRL and press the number of the slot you want to upgrade. The Slot Editor will display. This editor includes an option to change core flags. We’ll look at those options later.
  8. Press F3 to load a core file, select the .cor file, and press RETURN.
  9. Press F8 to flash the core slot. Wait for the process to complete (up to three minutes).
  10. After the flash process, press any key to return to the core selection menu.

The core is now upgraded and ready to use.

INSTALLING ALTERNATE CORES AND ROMS

An exciting feature of the MEGA65 is its ability to run alternate cores and ROMs, allowing you to transform your MEGA65 into different vintage computers and game cabinets. Let’s talk more about this capability.

TIP: I recommend you use slots 2 through 7 for alternate cores and reserve slot 1 for the official MEGA65 ROM; unless you have a very specific reason to use the default slot 1 to emulate another system.

As well as multiple cores, the MEGA65 can use multiple ROMs, when using a MEGA65 core, to boot to various versions of the MEGA65 all the way from the original C65 prototype to the state-of-the-art version of the MEGA65 system. You can use multiple .ROM files to:

  1. Try beta releases from the MEGA65 developers.
  2. Explore what the original Commodore 64DX, or C65, was like back in its early development days.
  3. Try the new Open Source, and Commodore code free, MEGA65 Open ROM project.

Here’s a step-by-step process:

Install Multiple .ROMs

  1. Visit the Filehost to download a .ROM file, purchase a licensed Commodore 65 .ROM from the Cloanto C64 Forever Express Edition (Windows Only), or download an archival .ROM from the Zimmers File Archive.
  2. The name of the default boot ROM is MEGA65.ROM. To add .ROM files to an SD card, use the format MEGA65x.ROM where x is a number from 0 to 7.
  3. Place the alternate .ROM files on the root directory of the SD card.

Boot an Alternate .ROM

To boot an alternate .ROM file using a MEGA65 core:

  1. Hold down a number key, from 0 to 7, that corresponds to the .ROM file installed on the SD card.
  2. Power on or reset the MEGA65.

The computer will boot with the MEGA65 core using the alternate .ROM file.

TIP: The default SD card that comes with your MEGA65 includes various .ROM files. Try them out!

SETTING CORE FLAGS

Mentioned earlier, the Slot Editor includes options, or flags, to allow you to set a core as the default or associate it with Commodore cartridges. Set a flag on the Slot Editor screen by tapping the associated numbers 1, 2, or 3.

  1. Default Core: Sets the core as the default when the MEGA65 boots. If you do not set a default core flag, the DIP switch we discussed earlier manages the core default.
  2. Cartridge: Set the core to boot when you insert a cartridge into the MEGA65 cartridge port. By default, when you insert a MEGA65 cartridge (none available at the time of this video), the MEGA65 core will load. When you insert a C64 cartridge into the MEGA65, the MEGA65 will boot into GO64 mode.
  3. C64/C128 Cartridge: Set the core to boot when you insert a C64 or C128 cartridge. This would be a good option to use if you want the C64 core to boot when you insert a C64 cartridge since the C64 core is more compatible than GO64 mode.

Once you make your selections, press F8 to “flash” the flag changes to either an existing core or a new core.

ERASING A CORE SLOT

Flashing a core on top of another core will replace the previous core. You can also erase a core using these steps:

  1. Access the core selection menu by holding NO SCROLL while switching on the MEGA65.
  2. Select a core using CTRL followed by 1 through 7, depending on the slot to erase, and the Slot Editor will load.
  3. Press F4 to select the erase slot option.
  4. Press F8 to flash the slot with empty data.

The MEGA65 will erase the core and display “EMPTY SLOT” on the Core Selection Menu.

UPGRADING THE FACTORY CORE IN SLOT 0

As mentioned earlier, we really don’t want to mess with slot 0; however, sometimes an upgrade to slot 0 is beneficial and directed by the MEGA65 developers. You’ll find those announcements on the MEGA65 Discord.

WARNING: It is important that you have at least one functional slot before beginning this process. For instance, if slot 1 is functional with your internal SD card, you are clear to proceed.

When directed and you have the latest, and functional, MEGA65 core in slot 1, use the steps below. These steps differ from flashing slots 1 through 7 to avoid an accidental flash of slot 0.

  1. Launch core slot 1 to confirm it works.
  2. Access the core selection menu by holding NO SCROLL while switching on the MEGA65.
  3. Hold the MEGA key and tap , to open the slot 0 editor.
  4. Type CONFIRM, all uppercase, and press RETURN to confirm your understanding of the message displayed.
  5. Complete the flashing process as directed. Flags are not available for slot 0.

If something goes wrong and slot 0 does not work, after a few minutes the MEGA65 will attempt to boot from slot 1 so you can try again. If, however, your MEGA65 does not boot and appears to be “stuck,” you can likely recover using an inexpensive, but sometimes low in stock, JTAG connector. If you find yourself in this situation, contact the developers on the MEGA65 Discord.

R3A Board Revision Only

If you have an R3A board with an original slot 0 core, the core does not include an option to press the MEGA key and , to launch the slot 0 core editor. Follow these steps instead:

  1. Ensure you have the latest core installed in slot 1.
  2. Access the core selection menu by holding NO SCROLL while switching on the MEGA65.
  3. Press 1 and then immediately press and hold the NO SCROLL key. The core selection menu opens again using slot 1.
  4. Now you can hold the MEGA key and tap , to open the slot 0 editor.
  5. Follow the steps in the previous section to upgrade slot 0.

Congratulations! You’ve now upgraded slot 0 and have the latest core version in slot 1. Monitor the MEGA65 Discord and/or Filehost for new versions of the cores and ROMs that add new features to your MEGA65.

UNDERSTANDING THE CORE BOOTING PROCESS

Understanding the MEGA65 boot process is helpful to manage and troubleshoot your system. To conclude this chapter, let’s review with a step-by-step explanation of the core booting process:

  1. Power On the MEGA65: When you press the power button, the MEGA65 begins its boot sequence.
  2. Initial Hardware Check: The system performs an initial check of the hardware components to ensure everything is functioning correctly. If there is an issue, the “ambulance lights” (the status LEDs) might flash to indicate a hardware fault.
  3. Loading the Hypervisor (HYPPO): The Hypervisor, known as HYPPO, is loaded. HYPPO is responsible for managing the boot process and initializing the system.
  4. Reading Core Slots: HYPPO reads the core slots to determine which core to load. The core slots are numbered from 0 to 7, with slot 0 typically reserved for the default core.
  5. Selecting the Core: HYPPO selects the core based on the following criteria:
    • Default Core: If a core is flagged as the default, it will be selected automatically.
    • Manual Selection: If no core is flagged as default, or if the user intervenes, the core selection menu can be accessed.
  6. Accessing the Core Selection Menu: To manually select a core, power off the MEGA65, hold the NO SCROLL key, and power it back on. The core selection menu will appear, displaying the available core slots.
  7. Loading the Core into the FPGA: The selected core is loaded into the FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). This process configures the FPGA to emulate the chosen hardware configuration, such as the Commodore 65 or an alternate core.
  8. Initializing the Core: Once the core is loaded, the system initializes it. This includes setting up the necessary ROM and system files associated with the core.
  9. Booting the Operating System: After the core is initialized, the operating system (e.g., Commodore 65 KERNAL and BASIC) is booted. If multiple ROMs are available, you can select one by holding the associated 1 through 7 number key, or it will load the default ROM.
  10. System Ready: The MEGA65 is now ready for use, running the selected core and operating system. You can start using your MEGA65 as intended, whether for development, gaming, or other applications.

CONCLUSION

That wraps up Chapter 5 of our MEGA65 User Guide series. Upgrading your MEGA65 opens a world of possibilities and keeps your MEGA65 healthy. As mentioned, if you need help, reach out to the MEGA65 Discord. If this chapter helped, leave a tip.

Until next time, happy upgrading and be sure to check out these other two chapters from the user’s guide series. 🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.MEGA65 User’s Guide Chapter 4 - Configuring Your MEGA652024-06-01T00:00:00+00:002024-06-01T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/mega65-ug-4Welcome back to another installment of the MEGA65 User Guide series! Today, we’re diving into Chapter 4: Configuring Your MEGA65. Buckle up, because we’re going to unlock the customization potential of your MEGA65 by exploring the configuration utility, SD card setup, and downloading files from the MEGA65 FileHost.

But wait, there’s more! Remember, this series is a treasure trove of YouTube videos and companion blog posts to enhance your experience. The blog posts are packed with all the links, errata, and resources you need to supercharge your MEGA65 journey, while the videos provide the visuals to make everything crystal clear.

So, whether you’re following along with the blog, watching the videos, or diving into the MEGA65 User’s Guide, you’ve got a complete, all-in-one resource at your fingertips. Let’s configure your MEGA65. All the links to access these additional videos and blog posts are in the video description below.

MEGA≡65 User’s Guide Series Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS LINKS

Below are the links you need to help you get the most out of your MEGA65.

MEGA65 ACCESSORIES

SUPPORT THE BLOG AND CHANNEL

Check out the supporters page to learn about my amazing supporters and how you can join our community.

COMPANION YOUTUBE VIDEO

Title: MEGA65 User’s Guide Chapter 4: Configuring Your MEGA65

Enjoying the videos? Become a channel member to support retroCombs: https://www.youtube.com/@retrocombs/join.

VIDEO ERRATA

  1. 2024-07-07: Gürçe noted that I referenced the SD card bundle that did not include all the demo disks. I’ve updated the OBTAINING THE BUNDLED SOFTWARE section to reference the ALL INTRO DISKS - Public package.
  2. 2024-07-07: Dan reminded me that, “that Filehost will only show you the “Kernal ROM - Stable” if you are signed in with your Filehost account and you have redeemed your owner code (the code on the piece of paper that came with the computer). If you only see Kernal ROM diff files - Stable, you’re either not signed in or haven’t redeemed your code. Feel free to ask for assistance on the MEGA65 Discord.”
  3. 2024-07-07: Dan dropped another tip regarding the SD card bootstrap process; “The release core has the corresponding ROM bundled along with those other SD card files. If you’re populating the SD card from a release core, it’ll install the ROM and you won’t need to get it separately. (The message is different.) The core slot entries that say “14 files” in your example are these. You were prompted to install the ROM file separately because you selected a non-release core for the files (“12 files”) which did not have the ROM bundled, probably from a late test version. So the tip about signing into Filehost only applies when you get to the Upgrading chapter in your next video. You’ll need to be signed in and have redeemed your owner code to download the release package with the core that bundles the ROM file in this way. The release package download also contains the SD card files separately (including MEGA65.ROM), so you can update an SD card without formatting it by replacing the system files manually.”

THE CONFIGURATION UTILITY

First up is the Configuration Utility. This powerful tool allows you to fine-tune the settings of your MEGA65. Here’s how to access it:

  1. Power off your MEGA65.
  2. Hold the ALT key.
  3. Power on the MEGA65 back.

You’ll see a menu, called the MEGA65 MEGA OS Hypervisor, with several options. Press 1 to enter the Configuration Utility. This utility contains six pages of options: input, chipset, video, audio, network, and done. You can move between pages using the ← and → cursor keys and move up and down on a page using ↑ and ↓ cursor keys. Press RETURN or SPACE to toggle a setting or change a value. Let’s see what options we have by starting with the input page.

INPUT

The Input page allows you to configure mouse settings for the two peripheral ports. Here’s what you need to do:

MOUSE TYPE

Select the type of mouse connected to each port; of which there are two, Joy 1 and Joy 2. Options include:

  • Normal (Commodore 1351): Use this option if you have an original Commodore 1351 mouse.
  • Amiga to 1351 Emulation (Amiga Mouse): Great for those who prefer the Amiga mouse.

NOTE: Don’t have an original Commodore Mouse? Consider a mouSTer adapter. This adapter allows you to use a modern mouse to emulate an original Commodore mouse.

DE-JITTER SETTING

Each Joy option includes a de-jitter setting. This adjusts the sensitivity in Commodore 1351 mouse mode to avoid jitter in the mouse pointer. Leave this set to on when using a 1351 mouse in normal mode.

CHIPSET

The Chipset page configures several features we’ll look at next:

TIME & DATE

We set up the real-time clock in an earlier chapter, but if you need to change it again, follow these steps:

  • Select the time or date field.
  • Type the complete value.
  • Press RETURN.

When you press RETURN, the settings for the RTC will update immediately. This is not true for other settings. You use the DONE screen to activate these changes. We’ll cover this later.

DMAGIC REVISION

You can choose which Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller to use on the MEGA65:

  • F018B: Choose for the enhanced DMA controller functionality.
  • F018: Choose for specific C65 compatibility needs; which is unlikely for most users.

TIP: Want to know more about the differences? Ask the MEGA65 Discord community for examples of why you might choose the F018 DMA controller.

F011 DISK CONTROLLER

Select where the MEGA65 looks for a boot disk when switched on:

  • SDCARD Disk Image: Ideal for faster boot times and easy updates.
  • 3.5” Floppy Drive: Perfect for retro enthusiasts who love using physical media and hearing those floppy drive sounds.

For convenience and speed, I recommend you use the SD Card.

LONG FN SUPPORT

Toggles long filename support on the SD Card. Leave this option enabled unless you find you have issues reading filenames longer than 11 characters.

TIP: At the bottom of each page is a reminder that you can press the HELP key to view help for each page of options.

VIDEO

The VIDEO page configures video settings. These are identical to the onboarding options when you first set up your MEGA65.

VIDEO MODE

Toggle between PAL and NTSC modes. If you have an original CRT monitor using the VGA port, choose the option based on your display’s compatibility. PAL (Phase Alternating Line) and NTSC (National Television System Committee) are analog television standards that determine the resolution and refresh rate of the video signal. PAL is common in Australia, Africa, China, Europe, and Australia, while NTSC is common in North America, South America, the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.

When using a modern digital display, the MEGA65 can emulate either PAL or NTSC mode but there are performance differences:

  • PAL mode runs at 50Hz, while the NTSC mode runs at 60Hz. This difference in refresh rate can affect the speed at which software runs.
  • PAL mode has a resolution of 720x576 pixels, while the NTSC mode has a resolution of 720x480 pixels. This means that the image will be slightly taller in PAL mode.

NOTE: You can conveniently toggle this setting using the Freezer menu.

DIGITAL VIDEO

Enable or disable digital video sound. Enable ENHANCED (WITH AUDIO) if your display has built-in speakers for integrated audio. In rare cases, your DVI display may require you to select the DVI ONLY (NO AUDIO) option.

CRT EMULATION

Enable to make the picture look like a vintage Cathode Ray Tube, or CRT, display for a nostalgic experience. This will add software-produced scan lines to the display.

AUDIO SETTINGS

Time to configure the MEGA65 sound system.

TIP: You’d only need to make changes if you have specific use cases. I recommend the defaults.

AUDIO OUTPUT

Choose between stereo and mono(aural) output. Choose STEREO for an immersive sound and to activate the ability to use the Freezer’s audio mixer to pan the four MEGA65 Sound Interface Device, or SID, chip’s sound left and right.

Choose MONO for single SID channel simplicity or specific retro software use cases.

SID GENERATION

The MEGA65 can emulate either a 6581 or 8580 SID chip. Commodore installed the 6581 in early Commodore 64s. Later, Commodore used the 8580 in newer C64s and the C128. Why would you use one over the other? The 6581 had flaws that some software exploited for better sound. If you run into these games, you can experience them as the programmers intended on the MEGA65.

SWAP STEREO CHANNELS

Switch the stereo mix to use the opposite speakers. Handy for a quick fix in speaker placement.

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

Controls the amplifier connected to the 3.5mm audio jack. Set this to ON when using headphones or OFF for line-level signal connected to powered speakers or capture devices.

NETWORK

Unlike earlier Commodore computers, the MEGA65 includes an Ethernet port, but it does not include a hardware-assigned Media Access Control, or MAC, address. Every device on a network must have this unique 12-character alphanumeric identifier. Here’s how to set a MAC address.

MAC ADDRESS

Networking features will not function with a MAC address set to all zeros, which is the MEGA65’s default. If the MAC address is all zeros, press the R key to generate a random address.

DONE

Once all settings are correct, head to the DONE page for the following options:

EXIT WITHOUT SAVING

Abandon the modifications you’ve made to the settings pages.

RESTORE FACTORY DEFAULTS

Reset all settings to their defaults. Consider using this option when you have issues with the MEGA65.

EXIT AND REBOOT ONBOARDING SCREEN

To go back to the screen that appeared when you first took the MEGA65 out of the box and powered it on.

SAVE AS DEFAULTS AND EXIT

Save all current settings and exit the Configuration Utility. The MEGA65 will prompt you to “power-cycle.” Switch the computer off, wait a second or two, and then switch it back on. Your new settings are now in effect.

INTRODUCING SD CARDS

Your MEGA65 comes with two SD card slots, each serving different purposes and offering flexibility to manage your data and system files. Understanding how to use these slots effectively will enhance your experience.

SD CARD SLOTS

Let’s look at each SD card slot.

INTERNAL FULL-SIZE SD CARD SLOT

Located inside the case, you use this slot for system files and bundled software. The MEGA65 comes with an internal SD card pre-populated with the operating system and essential software, providing a seamless retro experience right out of the box. Leave this card in place to maintain a seamless and authentic retro experience. This SD card is configured to boot the system and run essential software efficiently. Since it holds critical system files, avoid frequent removal or modification unless necessary for system updates or troubleshooting. I recommend you keep a backup copy of this internal SD card’s contents on your computer, or like me, in Google Drive.

EXTERNAL MICRO SD CARD SLOT

This slot is accessible from the rear of the MEGA65 and is ideal for file transfers and regular updates. The convenience of accessing this slot without opening the case makes it perfect for moving files between your MEGA65 and other devices, such as your PC. This card is ideal for users who frequently update or add new content to their MEGA65. It’s also useful for backing up important data or sharing files with other devices. The ease of access makes it convenient to switch cards as needed. Use this slot for non-essential files to keep the internal card focused on core system functions.

Here’s additional, and useful, SD card information.

SINGLE CARD OPERATION

The MEGA65 can only use one SD card slot at a time. When you insert a microSD card in the rear slot, the system will automatically ignore the internal SD card. This feature allows you to switch between different configurations without physically removing the internal card.

SYSTEM UPDATES

For major system updates or changes to the operating system, use the internal SD card. For minor updates, software installations, or file transfers, the external microSD card slot provides the flexibility you need without disrupting the system’s core functions.

LOCAL NETWORK FILE TRANSFERS

You can also transfer files over a local network. This is useful for large file transfers or frequent updates to the SD card. We learned earlier that our MEGA65 needs a unique MAC address and includes an Ethernet connection to connect to a network. That’s the first step; however, the MEGA65 team has also created network sharing tools to move files seamlessly between your MEGA65 and modern computers. We will learn more about this feature in Chapter 7. For now, let’s learn how to prepare a new SD card.

PREPARING A NEW SD CARD

To prepare a new SD card for use with your MEGA65, follow these steps. It’s important to ensure you’re using a compatible SD card format to avoid any issues.

The MEGA65 supports SDHC cards with sizes between 4 and 32 gigabytes (GB). You should not expect older cards less than 4 GB, and newer SDXC cards larger than 32 GB, to function. They may…but don’t count on it.

IMPORTANT: You cannot create a compatible SD card on your personal computer. You must use the MEGA65’s built-in SD Card Utility. Why? Because the MEGA65 creates two partitions: a hidden partition containing MEGA65 configuration files, the Freezer menu options, computer freeze states, and a FAT32 Partition that contains system files and .d81 disk images.

INSERTING THE SD CARD

The internal SD card is inside the case and accessible by opening the case or removing the trapdoor at the bottom of the computer. The external microSD card slot is conveniently on the back of the MEGA65.

NOTE: ALWAYS POWER OFF your MEGA65 before inserting or removing an SD card. This prevents data corruption or hardware issues.

To insert/remove an SD card, follow these steps:

INTERNAL SD CARD

Orient the SD card correctly with the label facing up, and insert the full-size SD card into the slot. Gently push the card in until it seats completely into place. To remove, grip the SD card by its sides and pull it out of the slot.

EXTERNAL MICRO SD CARD

Insert the microSD card into the rear slot with the label facing up. Gently push the card in until it clicks into place. To remove, push the microSD card in the slot until it clicks. This will release the microSD card and force it out of the slot so you can grab it with your fingers.

Use high-quality, reliable SD cards to ensure consistent performance and longevity. I have links to the cards I use in the link section.

You can “bootstrap” a new system using just an SD card and the SD Card Utility. Handy if you have “broken” your SD cards. Let’s learn how to do this next.

THE SD CARD UTILITY

The SD Card Utility will completely erase the contents of an SD card. While the utility will ask you to select an SD card to format, it’s a good practice to protect the internal SD card by removing it before using this utility. Use the following steps to load the SD Card Utility:

  1. Switch off the MEGA65.
  2. Hold the ALT key.
  3. Switch the MEGA65 the on.
  4. Select option 2 (SDCARD FDISK+FORMAT UTILITY). The SD Card Utility will open and scan for inserted SD cards.
  5. Insert an SD card to prepare in either the external or internal slot.
  6. Press R to re-scan for a card.
  7. Choose a card slot; 0 for the internal SD card or 1 for the external microSD card.
  8. Type DELETE EVERYTHING in all caps and Press RETURN to confirm SD card erasure and formatting.

You can abort the process by switching off the MEGA65; however, once the process starts, the SD Card is unusable until you restart the process.

REMEMBER: Formatting will erase all data on the SD card. Ensure you have backed up any important files before proceeding.

The SD Card Utility erases the SD card and creates two partitions. When finished, the utility prompts you to install the system files from a core. The core includes embedded system files, with filenames ending in .M65 and .ROM. Choose a core to use.

If you have an updated MEGA65 core in slot 1, select it. Otherwise, select the factory-installed MEGA65 core in slot 0. If you just received your MEGA65, slot 0 is the only option. The utility will use the chosen core to copy files to the FAT32 partition, making the card usable immediately, or “bootstrapped.” At the prompt, reboot the machine.

OBTAINING THE BUNDLED SOFTWARE

The MEGA65 Filehost contains a variety of files for your MEGA65 including ROMs, cores, and hundreds of games, demos, and applications produced by the MEGA65 community. It also includes the bundled software from the original SD card.

If you no longer have the bundled software files, follow these steps to download and transfer them to an SD card:

  1. Visit the MEGA65 Filehost at files.mega65.org.
  2. Download the bundled software files called ALL INTRO DISKS - Public.
  3. Unzip the software download package (usually a double-click on the file).
  4. Copy the files inside the folder to the root area of your new SD card.

The SD Card is now ready to use.

CONCLUSION

Time to close the user’s manual on Chapter 4. If this chapter helped, leave a tip. Get to configuring your MEGA65 and see you next time. 🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.MEGA65 User’s Guide Chapter 32024-05-20T00:00:00+00:002024-05-20T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/mega65-ug-3Welcome to the retroCombs MEGA65 User’s Guide series. In this blog post and companion video, I continue our journey with Chapter 3 - Getting Started! We finally get hands-on with the MEGA65! We’ll explore the keyboard, learn basic operations, and I have a bonus not found in the manual, a fun BASIC program to showcase the MEGA65’s color and graphics capabilities. If you’ve not checked out chapters 1 and 2, please do that first before proceeding. It will help you better understand your MEGA65.

MEGA≡65 User’s Guide Series Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Below are the links you need to help you get the most out of your MEGA65.

MEGA≡65 Accessories

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Check out the supporters page to learn about my amazing supporters and how you can join our community.

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KEYBOARD

Let’s begin the chapter and get acquainted with the MEGA65 keyboard which has a classic Commodore computer feel but with some cool extras. By the way, if you want an even deeper dive into this keyboard, check out my Master the MEGA65 with these Keyboard Shortcuts? and Addendum: Power Up Your MEGA65 with These Keyboard Shortcuts! videos. In these videos I take an exhaustive look at all keyboard functions and features. You’ll need some time. Together, these videos are about 90 minutes of amazing MEGA65 tips and tricks.

SPECIAL KEYS

The MEGA65 includes keys you’ll find on modern keyboards, those found on our favorite Commodore computers, and even a few special keys found only on the MEGA≡65. Let’s begin with the RETURN key.

RETURN - Enters the information you have typed into the MEGA≡65 memory. The late great Jim Butterfield characterized the pressing of the RETURN key with the words, “DO IT” and after you do it, the MEGA≡65 will either execute the command, store information into memory, or display an error message.

SHIFT - There are two SHIFT keys, one on the left and one on the right. These keystrokes are called Shifted Codes and, while similar to their modern counterparts, they have MEGA65 specific functions. Holding the SHIFT key and tapping a key with two front graphics will produce the right graphic. When the MEGA65 is in lowercase mode, holding SHIFT and an alpha character displays the uppercase version. You can switch between upper and lowercase mode by holding shift and tapping the MEGA key (More on this key later.). Holding SHIFT and a numeric/symbol key will produce the alternate character displayed on the key. As an example, to press F2, hold SHIFT + F1. Here are examples in the default uppercase mode using the keys A-S-Z-X-J-Q-W (♠-♥-♣-♠-●-○). Experiment with other keys and you’ll find you can create some interesting and fun drawings using just PETSCII characters.

What’s PETSCII? According to Wikipedia: PETSCII or, PET Standard Code of Information Interchange, is the character set used in Commodore Business Machines’ 8-bit home computers. This character set was first used by the PET from 1977, and was later used by the CBM-II, VIC-20, Commodore 64, Commodore 16, Commodore 116, Plus/4, and Commodore 128. Modern computers still contain some, but not all, of these characters as part of their American Standard Code for Information Interchange, or ASCII, character set.

SHIFT-LOCK - The MEGA65 includes a SHIFT LOCK key with an embedded LED and locking switch. Press SHIFT LOCK when it is necessary to type many uppercase characters. While active, you no longer have to press the SHIFT key to activate shifted characters. This includes graphic characters.

The CTRL key is a modifier key and these keystrokes are called Control Codes. Holding the CTRL key and tapping a key will produce a specific result. Holding down CTRL and press number 1 to 8 will change the cursor and character colors. CTRL with 9 and 0 switches reverse-text mode on and off. We’ll look at more Control Codes in Appendix C and we’ll see additional examples when we talk about the Screen Editor. Hold CTRL and press the * key will enter the Matrix Mode Debugger. This debugger is not covered in the MEGA≡65 User’s Guide; however, if you want me to cover other guides in the MEGA≡65 library. Drop a comment below and add your vote.

RUN/STOP Tap the RUN/STOP key to exit a running BASIC program. Some programs, especially assembly language programs, disable RUN/STOP. SHIFT + RUN/STOP will load the first program found on a floppy disk or attached disk image. Press and hold RUN/STOP while resetting the MEGA65 will enter the Machine Code Monitor. You can also use the MONITOR command.

RESTORE - Press and hold RUN/STOP and then tap RESTORE to restore the computer to a “clean state” without clearing the contents of memory. Programs can disable this feature and it rarely works with assembly language programs. Press and hold the RESTORE key for about a second and release when the screen border flickers. The Freezer will display. We’ll spend more time in the Freezer later.

CURSOR KEYS ↑ ↓ ← → - On the bottom right-hand side of the keyboard, unlike the Commodore VIC-20 and C64, but like the Plus/4 and C128, there are four cursor keys. The cursor keys move the cursor in the direction they point; either ↑, ↓, ←, or →. No need to keep tapping a cursor key to move it into multiple spaces; hold a key down instead. If your Commodore computer muscle memory is stuck on the two cursor configuration, you can use SHIFT + ↓ to move the cursor up and SHIFT + → to move the cursor left. Holding down these keys (including the SHIFT combinations) will move the cursor until you stop pressing them.

ARROW KEYS ← ↑ - The MEGA65 keyboard includes two arrow keys (don’t confuse these with cursor movements)); ↑ next to RESTORE and ← next to 1. To distinguish them, I will use (↑) and (←). Use (↑) to raise a number to a power. For instance, the immediate command: PRINT 2(↑)3 will display the number 8. Use (←) as a shortcut to SAVE a program to a disk or disk image as shown in the example:(←) "SUB TRACK SYS

Later I will show how to use these keys with Escape Codes.

TIP: A closing quotation is not a required after commands such as LOAD or SAVE. More about those commands in later chapters.

INSert/DELete - Press INST/DEL to delete a character to the left of the cursor and move all remaining characters on the line to the left one position. Press SHIFT + INST/DEL to move all characters to the right one position, leaving a blank space, as needed, or to insert another character. Holding either key combination will continue to insert and delete until you stop pressing them.

CLeaR/HOME - Press CLR/HOME to place the cursor at the top left-hand position on the MEGA65 screen. Press SHIFT + CLR/HOME to clear the entire screen and place the cursor at the top left-hand position on the MEGA65 screen. If you accidentally press CLR/HOME, you can return the cursor to the original position by tapping ESC followed by the CLR/HOME. Super handy and a nice quality of life addition from you friendly neighborhood MEGA65 developers.

  • MEGA - If the MEGA key shape seems familiar, here’s why. See the Commodore chicken lips logo? What if we remove the chicken’s lips and rotate them? Behold! The MEGA key!

Commodore to MEGA65 Logo

The MEGA key is a modifier key. These keystrokes are called MEGA Codes. Holding the MEGA key and tapping a key with two front graphics or a single graphic symbol will produce the left graphic or single symbol. As mentioned earlier, holding SHIFT and tapping the MEGA key toggles between lower and uppercase character modes. Holding the MEGA key and tapping a number switches the color to the second color range, or the number key’s bottom color listing. Holding the MEGA key and tapping the TAB key activates the Matrix Mode Debugger.

TIP: While I don’t cover the functions available in the Matrix Mode Debugger, one handy tip is that this is a quick way to know which core is in use.

For long program listings, MEGA after using the LIST command to slow down the program listing a single line at a time. We’ll look at the LIST command in future chapters. Finally,

Holding the MEGA key while turning on or resetting the MEGA65 will boot to GO64 mode, or Commodore 64 mode. More on this mode later.

NO SCROLL - When you LIST a program, press NO SCROLL to toggle listing. This key does not work in GO64 mode.

FUNCTION KEYS - Software developers can program the MEGA65 function keys; however, many have native functions that we’ll cover later. To use odd number function keys, tap them. For even number function keys, hold SHIFT + a function key. Only function keys F1 → F8 are available in GO64 mode.

HELP - The HELP key can serve as function keys F15 and F16; however, it also has a programmer function. If you run into a syntax error when you run a BASIC program, press the HELP key and BASIC 65 will display the first line of code with an error.

ALT - The ALT key is a modifier key that software developers can use to add functionality to their software. Press and hold ALT while booting the MEGA65 to enter the MEGA65 Utility Menu. With this menu you can configure the MEGA65, format and prepare an SD card, and perform a keyboard test. This key is not available in GO64 mode.

CAPS LOCK - This key is similar to SHIFT LOCK but only works with alpha keys. CAPS LOCK a superpower. Press and hold the CAPS LOCK to force the processor to run at 40 MHz. While this is default speed in MEGA65 mode, GO64 mode defaults to the original 1 Mhz. Hold down CAPS LOCK while in GO64 will speed up loading from the SD card, a program de-pack process (you know, the flashing borders!), and slow program execution such as fractal generation.

THE SCREEN EDITOR

At the end of the last chapter, I teased that the joy of any Commodore computer, the MEGA65 included, is the wonder of what’s next when you power on the MEGA65 computer and are presented with the blue background and information found on the screen editor. It starts with the color bars in the top left-hand corner of the screen. They are not only attractive, but you can use them to calibrate the colors on your display. The screen editor also displays the MEGA65 title, copyright information for MEGA, Commodore, and Microsoft, the BASIC 65 label followed by the installed ROM version (we’ll learn what that means later), and the date and time of the internal RTC which we talked about in the last chapter. And then, where all the magic happens, the READY prompt with a flashing cursor below. Let’s look at basic, NOT BASIC, screen editor functions.

  • Type keys on the keyboard and they will be displayed on the screen. Simple, right?
  • Let’s draw a white bar across the screen. Press CTRL + 9 (or R). This activates reverse text mode. Now press and hold the SPACE bar and a white bar will be drawn across the screen.
  • If you want a different color, press and hold CTRL followed by the number key. To make a black bar, press and hold CTRL followed by the 1 key. When you press SPACE, the MEGA65 will display a black bar. Experiment using other number keys to create a display of colorful bars. When you are done, press and hold CTRL + 0 to disable reverse text mode.

TIP: I used this technique to create my MEGA65 Colors BASIC program.

  • As mentioned earlier, there’s another eight colors available when you press and hold the MEGA key instead of the CTRL key. You will find the color at the bottom front of the number keys. Reverse the text again and press and hold MEGA followed by 4. Press SPACE and a dark gray bar will display. The MEGA65 has an additional 16 colors you can access if you press and hold CTRL followed by A. You can experiment with those colors now, but we’ll spend more time with this colors when we cover Appendix C, Screen Editor Keys.

Those bars you typed early, while pretty, will cause an error code if you hit the DO IT! key, or RETURN. But if you type SHIFT and RETURN, the MEGA65 will not parse the line as code and move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. You can use this technique to draw on the screen.

Now let’s chat about two screen editor functions that confuse new Commodore users; quote and insert modes. These modes are features of BASIC 65 and will be used while programming.

Quote Mode

Let’s look at a line of BASIC programming.

10 PRINT "HELLO WORLD"

I won’t discuss the details of this BASIC code, YET!. However, you can probably determine what this line of code will do when you RUN the program. You enter quote mode when you type the first quotation mark of the line of code. Let’s try an example of quote mode without creating a line of BASIC code.

  1. Hit the return key to move to a new line. You will get an error message. Ignore it.
  2. On the new line, type the " key.
  3. Now tap the CLR/HOME key. You probably expected the cursor to move to the top left-hand corner of the screen. Instead, BASIC 65 displays a character after the " symbol.
  4. Turn off quote mode by ending the line with another " character.

If you include this quoted code behind a line number and the PRINT command, BASIC 65 will see that symbol and “press” the CLR/HOME key, or clear the screen and move the cursor to the top left-hand corner of the screen.

Insert Mode

By default, typing on the MEGA65 “overwrites” characters and spaces as you type. But what if you want to insert characters between others? That’s where Insert mode comes in. Press and hold SHIFT, followed by the INS/DEL, will provide a space, or spaces, for new characters and shift existing characters to the right. Quote mode is also in effect. Like quote mode, you can return to regular editing mode by tapping ESC + O.

Functions

During this chapter I’ve touched on the following keyboard functions:

  • Shifted Codes - Press and hold SHIFT followed by other keys
  • Control Codes - Press and hold CTRL followed by other keys
  • Mega Codes - Press and hold MEGA followed by other keys
  • Escape Sequences - Tap ESC (let up on the key) and tap another key

We take a deeper dive into these functions in Appendix C; however, let’s look at a few quality of life improvements we use with Escape Sequences.

ESC Sequences

As mentioned early, Escape Sequences differ from the other functions because you don’t hold down the ESC key; but you tap the ESC key and then tap the next key. Here’s a handy example:

  • Toggle 40/80 Column Mode: ESC + X
  • Switch to 40 Column Mode: ESC + 4
  • Switch 80 Column Mode: ESC + 8

EDITOR FUNCTIONALITY

The MEGA65 editor has several ways to move the cursor around the screen.

CTRL/HOME - Send the cursor to the home position or the top-left corner of the screen

CTRL + W - Moves the cursor to the next word, or printable character, in a line (known as the Word Advance Function)

CTRL + I - Moves to the next tab location 8 positions to the right (known as the Forward Tab Function)

TAB - Same as CTRL + I

NOTE: Unlike modern computers, SHIFT + TAB or SHIFT + CTRL + I does not execute a Backward Tab Function. But you can use CTRL + Z` instead.

If you need different tab stops, you can set those using CTRL + X. Let’s try an example:

  • Move the cursor to a new line with SHIFT + RETURN
  • Tap the SPACE four times
  • Press CTRL + X
  • Tap the TAB key two times
  • Tap the SPACE four times
  • Press CTRL + X

You have added two new tab stops to the default tab stops. You can remove these new tab or default tab stops by positioning the cursor and using CTRL + X.

Creating a Window

A window on the MEGA65 is similar to what you are thinking of, but doesn’t include a window frame or controls found in modern operating systems. Let me explain with this Escape Sequence example.

  1. Reset the MEGA65
  2. Move the cursor on top of the B of BASIC 65 on the MEGA65 start screen
  3. Tap ESC and then tap T
  4. Use the cursor keys and move down 10 rows and to the right 15 columns
  5. Tap ESC and then tap B

Everything you type, or program you RUN and LIST, is now contained within that window. To clear the window, press CLR/HOME twice. The cursor will move back to the home position and remove the window but the previous contents of the window will remain on the screen.

Additional ASCII Characters

The MEGA65, unlike its older siblings, can create ASCII characters that are not part of the PETSCII character set. You can see these characters on the front of the corresponding MEGA65 keys but here’s a helpful table:

KEY PETSCII ASCII
Pound £ \
Up Arrow ↑ ^
Left Arrow ← _
MEGA + : ┼ {
MEGA + . ⌇ |
MEGA + \; | }
MEGA + \, π ~

To use ASCII characters, you have be in lower case mode and enter the FONT command followed by one of the following flags:

  • A - Sans Serif PETSCII font with several lowercase characters replaced with the ASCII characters shown in the table above (Default is uppercase)
  • B - Serif PETSCII font with several lowercase characters replaced with the ASCII characters shown in the table above (Default is uppercase)
  • C - Default Sans Serif PETSCII font (Default is uppercase)
  • D - Sans Serif PETSCII font with several lowercase characters replaced with the ASCII characters shown in the table above (Default is lowercase)
  • E - Serif PETSCII font with several lowercase characters replaced with the ASCII characters shown in the table above (Default is lowercase)
  • F - Default Sans Serif PETSCII font (Default is lowercase)

Let’s look at an example:

  1. Reset the MEGA65.
  2. Tap ESC + 4 to switch to 40 column (this will make the characters easier to see).
  3. Type FONT A and press RETURN, the READY prompt will return and it will look like nothing has changed.
  4. Use MEGA + SHIFT to switch to lowercase mode.
  5. Hold down the MEGA key and tap the : + ; + , + . keys and ASCII characters will appear instead of PETSCII characters.
  6. Type FONT C and the ASCII characters will be replaced by PETSCII characters.

TIP: FONT options D, E, and F eliminate the need to switch to lowercase because lowercase mode is their default option.

Uppercase and Lowercase

Although we’ve already covered it several times in this chapter, to stay with the flow of the manual, I’ll mention again that you switch between upper and lowercase modes by holding down MEGA and tapping the SHIFT keyboard combination. If nothing else, you should have this one memorized by now!

THE FREEZER MENU

Chapter three is full of features that were a part of the original Commodore 65 design and some new improvements by the MEGA65 team. The Freezer Menu is an example of a tool that is entirely the work of the MEGA65 team and gives the MEGA65 a huge usability boost.

To display the Freezer Menu, press and hold the RESTORE key for about a second. The MEGA65 will freeze its current state (don’t worry, everything is still in memory), the border will flash and the Freezer Menu will appear. This menu has many options. I’ll cover the disk options in Chapter 6 and the MEGA65 Information Utility in Chapter 5, but here are three options to get you started:

  • F3 - Exit the Freezer Menu and resume using the MEGA65
  • F5 - Abandon the program previously running and reset the MEGA65
  • J - Swap the Joystick Ports because how many times have you plugged the joystick into the wrong port?

Now let’s talk about the magic that is the Freezer Menu. Not only does this menu freeze the MEGA65 contents, but it can save the state of computer even if you power off the MEGA65! And it’s super simple:

  1. Press the → cursor key to find an unused freeze slot
  2. Press F7 and the MEGA65 border will blink to show it is saving the state
  3. Press F3 to resume using the MEGA65
  4. Press RESTORE for a second to return to the Freezer Menu
  5. Use the ← and → cursor keys to locate a preferred state
  6. Press F3 to select the state, load, and use it

TIP: The Freezer Menu works in both MEGA65 and GO64 modes. The images even change to their respective computer compatibility to make it easier to determine which mode has been saved and will be loaded.

RUNNING COMMODORE 64 SOFTWARE (GO64 MODE)

A feature of the abandoned Commodore 64DX (or C65) was the ability to play Commodore 64 titles like its 8-bit predecessor, the Commodore 128. It does this using an emulation feature calledGO64 mode. Since the MEGA65 seeks to copy all Commodore 65 functionality, it too includes GO64 mode, but because the brain of the MEGA65 is an FPGA, the community can create a custom core that “rewires and replaces the internal circuitry” to convert the MEGA65 into a Commodore 64 rather than just emulating one. Let’s look at both options.

GO64 Mode

The MEGA65, and the original C65, use a different processor than a Commodore 64. Unlike GO64 mode on the C128, the MEGA65 is not nearly as compatible with all Commodore 64 software. I’ve found the MEGA65 does well with cracked games (elimination of copy protection), but often fails with utilities that exploit the hardware. Maybe someone in the community will one day create a compatibility chart for us? Is that someone you? Let me know in the comments below.

To use Commodore 64 emulation mode on the MEGA65, type GO64 or GO 64. When prompted type Y followed by RETURN. The MEGA65 will switch to the familiar Commodore 64 boot screen color but has a custom start screen title: **** MEGA65 GO64 BASIC V2 ****

There are two other ways you can boot into GO64 Mode:

  1. Hold the MEGA key and power on or reset the computer.
  2. Turn off the MEGA65. Plug in a Commodore 64 cartridge. Turn on the MEGA65. It will boot directly into GO64 mode and load the cartridge, if it is compatible.

As a reminder, in GO64 mode, the Freezer Menu is still available. This means you can use it to mount .D81 disk images. .D81 files are currently the only image files compatible with the Freezer Menu but you can plug in a 1541 drive to access real floppy disks. Alternatively you, you can plug in an SD2IEC or Pi1541 to read .D64 images. Remember, a stock MEGA65 does not include a tape drive port. Many SD2IEC devices require this port.

The C64 For MEGA65 FPGA Core

If you want a highly compatible Commodore 64 experience that reads .d64 disk images by default, you want to install the C64 For MEGA65 Core by MJoergen and sy2002. We’ll learn how to download and install cores in Chapter 5. If you’d like a preview of the latest version, check out the link below:

https://github.com/MJoergen/C64MEGA65

The core is a complete replacement for the MEGA65 hardware and features. It even includes its own menu (the MEGA65 Freezer Menu is no longer available) to make hardware modifications and to access .d64 images. I’ve found this core to be highly compatible and a wonderful addition to the MEGA65. Before you ask, YES! There are cores for other computers. But that’s for another chapter.

CONCLUSION

If this chapter helped, leave a tip.

See you next time, retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.MEGA65 User’s Guide Chapter 22024-03-31T00:00:00+00:002024-03-31T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/mega65-ug-2Remember the anticipation of setting up your first Commodore computer; taking it out of the box, flipping through the manual, connecting those chunky power supplies, your first READY prompt on the screen wondering what you do next? You can relive those moments today with the MEGA65!

MEGA65 Chapter 2 Image

Next in the retroCombs MEGA65 User’s Guide series, we channel that nostalgic feeling. It’s time to cover the Chapter 2 - Setup!

MEGA≡65 User’s Guide Series Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

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CHAPTER 2 WELCOME

In Chapter 2 of the MEGA65 User’s Guide, we’re covering the essentials: unboxing, connecting peripherals, and the exciting first power up. So, grab your manual and let’s get your MEGA65 ready to compute!

UNPACKING AND CONNECTING THE MEGA65

Unboxing your MEGA65 is a fun experience and I shared my unboxing experience during a livestream. You can watch that livestream and my first reaction. Go check it out now. I’ll be here when you get back.

Thanks for returning! What you noticed while watching this video was that the box includes these items:

  1. MEGA65 computer: If your box didn’t include one, we’ve got troubles!
  2. Power Supply: The team even includes various plug adapters for your neck of the woods.
  3. The MEGA65 User’s Guide: The book you are using to follow along with me in this series.
  4. Personal Registration Code (probably inside the User’s Guide): Don’t share this with anyone or make the mistake of sharing it online until you have used it to register on the Filehost.
  5. SD card: The SD card is pre-installed, but leave it alone for now. We’ll learn more about it in chapter four.

There are some additional items you need including:

  1. CRT monitor or TV for those retro scan lines vibe or a modern HD display. Either must include a VGA port or a digital video input, also known as HDMI. The display must be capable of displaying an image at 480p (720x480) at 60Hz for NTSC or 576p (720x576) at 50Hz for PAL.
  2. If you use a VGA display, you will need a 3.5mm cable and a set of powered speakers (stereo preferred). Some powered speakers use RCA plugs so a 3.5mm to stereo RCA cable is good to have on hand.
  3. A SDHC microSD card, between 4GB and 32GB.
  4. An RJ45 Ethernet cable and eventually something to connect the other end into! More later.
  5. CR2032 battery for the real-time clock.
  6. Philips head screwdriver because, yes, it is okay to open the MEGA65 and is required for some tasks.
  7. 9-pin DIN Joystick. I recommend a readily available $16 Hyperkin Trooper if you don’t have one lying around.
  8. A Commodore 1531 mouse, an Amiga mouse, a mouSTer USB mouse adapter, or a Tank Mouse. Eventually, you’ll want to give GEOS for the MEGA≡65 a try!

Here’s the good news. You have time to pick up many of these items. The only things we need for the first few chapters are a display with sound, and a Philips screwdriver. I’m sure you have both in your home right now.

Not sure where to purchase? I have links to everything you need in the video description below and on my MEGA65 Resource page.

REAR CONNECTIONS

Before we connect any peripherals, let’s take an inventory of the connections on the MEGA≡65 beginning with the rear of the computer. We have a:

  1. 3.5mm Audio Jack - connect to a set of powered speakers.
  2. External microSD card slot - we’ll use the internal and included SD card for now.
  3. Network LAN, or Ethernet, port - no Wi-Fi on the MEGA65 out of the box, but stay tuned for the expansion board that will include this feature.
  4. Digital Video Connector - also known as HDMI.
  5. VGA Video Connector - to connect to more retro monitors. You’ll notice no composite out, that too is coming soon with the release of the expansion board.
  6. IEC Serial Bus Connector - Plug in devices such as original Commodore disk drives, printers, and modern devices such as a Pi1541.
  7. Cartridge Expansion Port - Plug in and use C64 cartridges. No MEGA65 cartridges at the time of this video, but let’s keep our fingers crossed.
  8. Power Supply Socket - ??V DC and I recommend you stick to this power adapter to better to protect your MEGA65.

SIDE CONNECTIONS

On the left side of the MEG65 from left to right we find a:

  1. Power Switch - which toggle a hard reset or on/off with a pleasing thunk!
  2. Controller Port 2 (sometimes referred to as Joy 2) for a mouse or joystick
  3. Controller Port 1 (sometimes referred to as Joy 1) for a mouse or joystick
  4. Reset Button - soft reset with a tap of the momentary button.

BOTTOM

On the bottom of the computer is a single trap door that provides access to the internal SD card.

INSTALLING THE REAL-TIME CLOCK (RTC) BATTERY

Before we power on the MEGA65, let’s install a CR2032 battery into real-time clock, or RTC. Why? The RTC allows your MEGA≡65 to keep track of the time and date. This is useful to display date and time on the startup screen, use accurate date and time across programs, and to add timestamps to files written on the SD card. You’ll notice the MEGA≡65 team does not include a battery in the box. This makes international shipping easier for the MEGA≡65 team.

NOTE: My MEGA≡65 had the RTC bug. It simply didn’t work. The MEGA≡65 team came up with a slick solution, an add-on RTC. You’ll see it in my videos and I wanted to explain it before someone asks about it in the comments.

Before you insert the battery, ensure the MEGA≡65 is off, grab a Philips head screwdriver, and remove the screws from the bottom of the MEGA65. Here’s a tip. I never put the screws back into the MEGA65. I find it easier to access the internal SD card than to use the trapdoor on the bottom.

Slowly open up the case. The user’s guide mentions removing the keyboard cable. If you are cautious, you can simply fold the keyboard over the top of the lower case.

Inside you will find a slot for the CR2032. Insert a fresh battery and place the keyboard back on top of the bottom of the case. Again, you can choose to replace the screws; or not.

We’ll learn how to set the time and date after we boot the MEGA≡65 for the first time.

CONNECTING DEVICES TO THE MEGA≡65

Let’s connect the minimum devices needed to get started:

  1. Connect the MEGA≡65 to any size modern television or monitor using an HDMI cable connected to the computer’s digital video connector.
  2. Connect a joystick, with a 9-pin DIN connector, to joystick port 1.
  3. Connect the power adapter barrel jack to the MEGA≡65 and then to a powered outlet.

You’ll notice there are still lots of unused ports. That’s okay. As your knowledge of the MEGA≡65 increases, you’ll learn how and why to use these other ports.

MEGA65 SCREEN and PERIPHERALS

Alright, take a deep breath and flip up that power button! If all went well, you will see the “on-boarding” screen.

Hit a snag? Don’t panic! The User’s Guide has a troubleshooting section. Here are a couple of common hiccups:

  • No Signal: Double-check your monitor connections and make sure you’ve selected the right input.
  • Strange Behavior: Try reseating the cables, and if in doubt, a power cycle can often fix little quirks.
  • Still Nothing: The MEGA65 community is your lifeline. Ask for help on their forums or Discord!

The MEGA≡65 boots up to a configuration screen where you set the time and date on the real-time clock, change the video display mode, test the audio, and choose scan lines. While you won’t see this screen again, we’ll use another tool to choose these changes later.

TIP: If you must, you can return to the onboarding screen at a later time by:

  1. Holding the ALT key down.
  2. Turn on the the MEGA≡65.
  3. Choose option “1. CONFIGURE MEGA65”.
  4. Cursor right to “DONE”.
  5. Select “EXIT AND REBOOT TO ONBOARDING”.

Power-cycle the MEGA≡65 and the onboarding screen will reappear. <–???

Set Time and Date on the RTC

Use F3 through F13 changes the time and date.

  • F3: sets hours
  • F5: sets minutes

  • F7: sets seconds

  • F9: sets the day
  • F11: sets the month
  • F13: sets the year

Hold shift and any of these keys reverses the direction of the changes.

Set Video Mode

Next you can set the video mode:

  • ↹ (TAB): Cycles through video mode options
  • ␣ (SPACE): Sets the selection and confirm you wish to test the video mode
  • K: Keeps the video mode

There are four video modes available:

  1. DVI (no sound) NTSC 60Hz (bring your own powered speakers with the 3.5mm audio jack)
  2. DVI (no sound) PAL 50Hz
  3. Enhanced (with sound), NTSC 60Hz
  4. Enhanced (with sound), PAL 50Hz

Don’t worry if the screen doesn’t display properly. The screen will revert to the previous mode after 15 seconds so you can make another selection.

Test Audio

Pressing the A key will play audio to test sound (close encounters anyone?). Do this to make sure your audio setup works properly.

CRT Emulation

For our example, we connected a modern display to the MEGA≡65; however, back in the day, most folks connected their Commodore computers to cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions. CRTs used horizontal scan lines that were visible to the user. Some Commodore software took advantage of these scan lines to affect game appearance, and many users turn on scan lines to maintain a true 1980s look and feel to their 8-bit games.

You can “Enable or Disable” CRT emulation with a simple tap of the C key. Note that the screen will dim when you use CRT emulation mode.

Save Selection

Once everything is correct on the page, hit ⏎ (RETURN) on the keyboard to save the changes and exit the screen. We’ll learn how to change these and many other settings in chapter 4. For now, time to enjoy some software!

THE INTRO DISK

After you save the changes to the on-boarding screen, version 2 of the MEGA≡65 intro disk will load the demo menu. The introduction disk is a collection of MEGA≡65 software created by the community. Heck, I even have a few titles on there. You’ll find all kinds of software, from games to demos to productivity to utilities.

TIP: You can download the entire Intro Disk contents at: https://files.mega65.org?id=all-intros

On the menu you’ll find the following options:

  • 1) DISK 01 (2022)
  • 2) DISK 03 (2023)
  • 3) DISK 01 (2024)
  • D) DISABLE AUTO-BOOT TO MENU SYSTEM
  • /) EXIT TO BASIC 65

The first three options select a disk with software developed during the listed years. Tap D to disable auto-boot of the intro disk. If you disable auto-boot, powering up the computer will display the BASIC 65 screen. BASIC 65 is the version of BASIC that comes with the MEGA≡65. Finally, tap / to exit the intro disk and display the BASIC 65 screen.

The compansion video includes small taste. Take some time and have some fun playing games and demos to learn about your new MEGA≡65’s capabilities.

THE CURSOR

Before we end this chapter, let’s talk briefly about the MEGA≡65’s BASIC 65 screen. On this screen you’ll see color bars on the top-left and in the top-middle, information about your MEGA≡65 including copyrights, ROM version (more on ROMs later), as well as the date and time from the RTC.

Below you’ll find the READY prompt followed by a flashing cursor. This is where all the magic happens and this brings us back to the beginning of this video; the joy of wondering; what’s next? Here’s a sneak peek.

We can use this area to type characters, issue commands in immediate mode, program in BASIC and with the MONITOR command program in assembly language. Hold tight though! We’ll get to these topics in future chapters.

CONCLUSION

And with that, your MEGA65 is ready to explore! Setup is only the first step in your MEGA≡65 journey. In chapter 3 we’ll learn more about the keyboard, the screen editor, the freezer menu, and how to run Commodore 64 software.

If this chapter helped, leave a tip. See you next time and before you leave, check out chapter 1 video if you missed it and my introduction video to the MEGA≡65.

See ya next time and retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.MEGA65 User’s Guide Chapter 12024-03-12T00:00:00+00:002024-03-12T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/mega65-ug-1Welcome to the first in a new series: The MEGA65 User’s Guide! I’m going to open up version 2 of the user’s guide, and together, we’re going to go through it chapter-by-chapter.

MEGA65 Chapter 1 Image

When the series is complete, you will have a compendium of all the information you need to begin using a MEGA65. Let’s get started with Chapter 1 – Introduction and if you want to see the entire series, use the link below:

MEGA≡65 User’s Guide Series Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Below are the links you need to help you get the most out of your MEGA65.

MEGA≡65 Accessories

SUPPORT THE BLOG AND CHANNEL

Check out the supporters page to learn about my amazing supporters and how you can join our community.

COMPANION YOUTUBE VIDEO

Title: MEGA65 Intro: Your Retro Journey Begins (User’s Guide Ch. 1)

Enjoying the videos? Become a channel member to support retroCombs: https://www.youtube.com/@retrocombs/join.

VIDEO ERRATA

None as of 2024-03-12.

ABOUT THE USER’S GUIDE

The original manual was included with the first batch of MEGA65s delivered in 2022. Since then, the MEGA65 has continued to receive core and hardware updates. In 2024, in anticipation of the next MEGA65 batch release scheduled for the Summer, the MEGA65 team released version two of the guide, which I’ll be using for this video series. Even if you don’t own a MEGA65, there are three ways you can get your own guide:

  1. Download the PDF version.
  2. Visit Lulu and order a printed version.
  3. Order a MEGA65, and you’ll find one in the box when it arrives.

The User’s Guide is one volume in an entire library of free MEGA65 PDF books available, including:

For more information, you can visit the MEGA65 Confluence Wiki. Once again, all the links you need are in the video description and on my own MEGA65 Resource.

Once you have your user’s guide in hand, you can also contribute using the MEGA65 User’s Guide issue tracker

WELCOME TO THE MEGA65

Congratulations on your purchase of the MEGA65! That seems like an appropriate welcome, right? And that’s how Chapter one of the user’s guide begins, but let’s dig a little deeper into the MEGA65’s history.

Remember the Commodore 64? That iconic 80s computer that launched countless gaming and coding adventures? Imagine if its planned successor, the 1990s Commodore 65, had actually been released. That project may have been shelved, but thanks to a dedicated team of retro enthusiasts, that dream is now a reality in a computer called the MEGA65! Together with the MEGA65 development team, I created an An Introduction to the MEGA65 video. Go watch that video now. Don’t worry, I’ll be right here when you come back.

Great video, right? Glad you liked it.

As you learned, the MEGA65 is a living, breathing project. It’s constantly evolving with community-driven updates that expand its capabilities. Whether you pine for a Commodore 64 or 128 successor, you missed the 8-bit era and want to see what the fuss is about, or you’re a tech enthusiast excited about what you can create with an FPGA, the MEGA65 is for you.

And because the MEGA65 is under active development with a thriving community, I have a feeling the newer chapters in the MEGA65 User’s Guide are yet to be written!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

To get the most out of the MEGA65, you really need to join the aforementioned community. I can tell you, first-hand, that the MEGA65 community is a fun, informative, and supportive group and you can find them in two primary locations:

  1. The MEGA65 Discord: https://mega65.org/chat
  2. The MEGA65 Forum: https://mega65.org/forum

Which ever way you choose to interact with the community, you’ll find the latest information, tips, tricks, and supportive community.

CONCLUSION

I hope this post and the companion video piques your interest in the MEGA65 and you’ll choose to follow me along this exciting journey through the MEGA65 User’s Guide. I’ll post the next chapter soon. In the meantime, hit like, subscribe, and alerts so you don’t miss the next chapter.

If this chapter helped, leave a tip.

retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.The DigiMuz for the Commodore Plus/4 and C162024-01-01T00:00:00+00:002024-01-01T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/digimuzToday, we’re diving into a lesser-known chapter of Commodore history: the DigiMuz sound expansion for the Commodore TED series of computers, the Commodore C16 and Plus/4. Get ready for a story of teenage tinkerers, forgotten prototypes, and the power of community to bring lost tech back to life.

DigiMuz

I want to thank supporter of the channel, Chris, for his love of the Commodore Plus/4 and making me aware of and sending me a rare DigiMuz.

TIP: If you enjoy this series, leave a tip.

Table of Contents

Companion Video:

Video Title: 🎼️ The DigiMuz: Uncovering a Lost Chapter of Commodore Plus/4 History

In the video below, I share highlights of the Plus/4 Encyclopedia.

Enjoying the videos? Become a channel member to support retroCombs: https://www.youtube.com/@retrocombs/join.

Video Errata

None as of 2024-01-01.

History

Our journey begins in Poland during the early 1990s. It’s here we meet a young Sylwester Kuna, better known online as BKP. I reached out to Sylwester and he was kind enough to share much his history with the DigiMuz for this video.

As a Commodore enthusiast, BKP stumbled upon something special: a one of only 12 expansion board prototypes created by Tadeusz Zawadowski for the Commodore Plus/4 called the DigiMuz.

DigiMuz Prototype

This expansion board packed a serious audio punch, pushing the sound capabilities of the Commodore Plus/4 to something more akin to the Commodore 64’s SID chip.

But BKP wasn’t just a collector; he was a programmer. Inspired by the DigiMuz’s potential, he created programs that took advantage of the DigiMuz with the most famous being Castle Dance.

BKP began work on a Music Tracker for the DigiMuz, but abandoned the project and the DigiMuz when he purchased his first Amiga.

He also create a few demos and you can this work on his Plus/4 World profile page. BKP @Plus/4 World

DigiMuz Prototype

But, after 30 years and while breaking out his old Commodore Plus/4 cassette tapes, found he was able to recover most of his old DigiMuz programs. He uploaded them to Plus/4 World and then, decided to resurrected the DigiMuz with new components and technology; breathing new life into this forgotten piece of Commodore Plus/4 history. But BKP did remove a feature from the original. According to BKP;

The original cartridge contained an EPROM with an extended BASIC interpreter for functions controlling the card, but I never really used them and they had very limited capabilities, so my version is devoid of this memory.

But this removal didn’t dissuade others from developing for the DigiMuz. Legion of Doom wanted a piece of the action and gave us to games Tetris 2K21 and Nu, Pogodi! (Well, Just You Wait!). Ulysses777 gave us a platformer game called Dizzy Three and a Half.

BKP goes on to explain that because DigiMuz hardware was limited, emulation was the best option to make enhanced Plus/4 audio available to everyone:

When the forum administrators learned my story, they expanded the YAPE emulator to synthesize sounds from the card (I was a beta tester :) ) and wrote some programs using DIGIMUZ

The Yet Another Plus/4 Emulator, or YAPE, added this support in version 1.2. This means anyone, anywhere, can experience and/or develop unique sounds on the DigiMuz through the magic of emulation. Unfortunately, YAPE is only available for Windows but an advantage is YAPE supports the unreleased 364’s text to speech capabilities.

Let’s take a deeper look at the DigiMuz and see what makes this thing tick, or make any other sounds.

Specification

The DigiMuz uses a Yamaha YM2149 AY chip which is a clone of the original General Instruments AY-3-8910 designed by Yamaha. This original chip was used in game machines like the Intellivision and computers like the ZX Spectrum. The AY chip was licensed in the 80s, and used in several MSX1 and MSX2 computers. It has some retro sound cred.

It is a three-channel sound chip and can play three different sounds simultaneously. The AY chip is known for its warm, analog sound, which is perfect for games and music.

Sound from the Yamaha chip is piped, not through the TED, but directly from the DigiMuz through an onboard 3.5 mm audio jack.

The chip also has a built-in envelope generator that allows you to control the attack, decay, sustain, and release of your sounds.

How does this differ from the stock TED chip in the Commodore Plus/4 and C16?

In comparison, Commodore’s Plus/4 TED chip has a simple tone generator that produces two channels of audio. The first channel produces a square wave, and the second can produce either a square wave or white noise. Between the two channels, you could hear either two tones or one tone plus noise.

To further compare, the Commodore 64’s famous SID chip has three channels and can generate three independent voices simultaneously, each with its own waveform, frequency, and volume. Each voice can generate four different waveforms: pulse wave (with variable duty cycle), triangle wave, sawtooth wave, and pseudo-random noise (called white noise in documentation).

Here’s a comparison table that provides this information and as well as a comparison to the VIC-20’s audio generator, the VIC chip.

DigiMuz Prototype

Using the DigiMuz

The DigiMuz fits into the cartridge port of the Plus/4 or C16. My unit is wide and it took some effort to insert. I might take some sandpaper to the sides and I wish the PCB would fit in a cartridge case that I can 3D print. I can’t narrow the PCB to fit inside a case because there are components on the edge. So this will just have to be a naked cartridge while in use.

I mentioned earlier that BKP took out the BASIC calls from ROM to the DigiMuz; however, you can program the device directly using machine language or via POKE commands. I’m not a machine language programmer, but let’s see if we can get some sounds out of the device using BASIC.

BASIC Program Example

Plus/4 World includes information to program the DigiMuz using assembly language; however, to make this more approachable, Chris and I have converted to POKE commands to let you write for the DigiMuz using BASIC.

POKE Function
64803,7 Select Register 7 (Enable Tone A)
64802,253 Write 253 to Register 7
64803,8 Select Register 8 (volume)
64802,10 Write 10 to Register 8
64803,0 Select Register 0 (Tone)
64802,85 Write 85 to Register 0

Chris put together a quick BASIC program for us to try. Let’s give it a try.

10  poke 64803,7
20  poke 64802,254
30  poke 64803,8
40  poke 64802,6
50  poke 64803,0
60  for y=1 to 100
70  poke 64802,Y
80  next Y
90  poke 64803,1
100 poke 64802,1
110 goto 10

Demos and Games

Let’s conclude this video by taking a longer look at some demos and games. Here’s are the titles I found on Plus/4 World.

If you know of any others, please drop your comments below.

Can You Get One?

As of this video, BKP only has one DigiMuz available for $50. If you’d like to purchase this last remaining DigiMuz, reach out to me via email and I’ll connect you to BKP. Count on some stiff shipping fees from Poland to the USA (about $35).

And it looks like interest in the DigiMuz is picking by way of two hardware projects:

First there a variation in development, the DigiMoooz. That’s three o’s folks! And it looks hotter than hot chocolate on a cold winter’s evening!

DigiMuz Prototype

And if you are interested in an integrated solution, the Little Sixteen Board creators want to integrate DigiMuz audio features into their Plus/4 motherboard replacement.

DigiMuz Prototype

If the creators of either of these devices would like me to take a look these creations when they are complete, please reach out to me.

Conclusion

Hope you enjoyed this really unexplored road across the Commodore Plus/4’s history, I have lots of other great Plus/4 content including my Commodore Plus/4 User’s Guide series.

DigiMuz Prototype

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Plus/4 as I go chapter by chapter through the User’s Guide.

🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.Install the MEGA≡65 Emulator on the Clockwork uConsole2023-10-14T00:00:00+00:002023-10-14T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/mega65-emulator-on-uconsoleIn this post and companion video, I share how to install the XEMU MEGA≡65 emulator, xmega65, on the Clockwork uConsole to create an amazing on-the-go handheld MEGA≡65. We can use this hardware and emulator until the release of the official MEGA≡65 handheld, the MEGAphone.

After playing with my handheld MEGA≡65 for awhile, I’m under the opinion that the MEGA≡65 developers should add the uConsole to their list of supported hardware, create a bare metal version of the XEMU emulator, and call it day. This will get a handheld MEGA≡65 in the hands of more fans immediately!

You can follow every step in the process using the uConsole keyboard; however, I prefer to create an SSH connection to the uConsole and use iTerm on Mac OS to connect and administer the uConsole remotely. I should also mention that these steps work with any Raspberry Pi 3 or greater.

Table of Contents

Support the Blog and Channel

Check out the supporters page to learn about my amazing supporters and how you can join our community.

Companion YouTube Video

Title: Create an Amazing Handheld MEGA65 with the Clockwork uConsole and XEMU

Enjoying the videos? Become a channel member to support retroCombs: https://www.youtube.com/@retrocombs/join.

Video Errata

None as of 2023-10-14.

Disclosure Statement: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations may include, but are not limited to Amazon and the eBay Partner Network.

  1. MEGA≡65 Files Host
  2. Clockwork uConsole
  3. Patch the Original Commodore 65 ROM for the MEGA65, Xemu, Dev Kit, or Nexys4
  4. 10 Reasons The Clockwork uConsole CM4 Might Be My Favorite Cyberdeck! - YouTube

uConsole Preparation

Before you install the emulator, you must have first completed these general steps:

  1. Assemble the uConsole.
  2. Insert the included Raspbian OS SD card.
  3. Boot the uConsole.
  4. Use sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to update Raspian OS.

Download XEMU Emulator

The next step is to download the emulator:

  1. Visit the Xemu Download Page. While first instinct is to download the - Ubuntu Linux DEB package, this will unfortunately not work. We have some work to do.
  2. Click the Visit Project button in the upper-right corner or visit the Xemu Project Page directly.
  3. Scroll down to ### [Install software for compilation](https://github.com/lgblgblgb/xemu#install-software-for-compilation). We will use these instructions to compile a version of xmega65, the MEGA≡65 emulator, for Raspbian OS. This download also includes other Commodore emulators you can play with later.
  4. Raspbian needs software to build the emulator. Use the command sudo apt install git build-essential libsdl2-dev libgtk-3-dev libreadline-dev to upgrade and install required tools. You can also copy and past this code.
  5. Make sure you are in your home directory with the command cd ~.
  6. Copy the GitHub repository to your home location with the command git clone https://github.com/lgblgblgb/xemu.git.

Build XEMU on the uConsole

We cannot use a .deb package and must compile the emulator software directly on the uConsole using the steps below:

  1. Use the command ls and you will see a new folder with the name xemu.
  2. Enter the directory using the command, cd xemu.

  3. Build the software using the command make. This process will take several minutes. The process relies on the Raspbian Pi CM4’s speed. You may see some errors; however, ignore those. This will build all the emulators. If you only want to build the MEGA≡65 emulator, use these commands instead:

    cd targets
ls -l
cd mega65
make
cd ../..

Run the MEGA≡65 emulator

It’s now time to start the emulator.

NOTE: If connected to the uConsole via SSH, disconnect and move back to the uConsole.

  1. The emulators are in the directory build/bin. Use the command build/bin/xmega65.native to load the xmega65 emulator.
  2. Follow the prompts to configure the emulator. Don’t worry about the errors. These are normal. Select Yes for every option.

After you’ve moved through a bunch of dialog boxes, you will finally be at the “Your emulated MEGA65 seems to work screen.” with an animated background.

Install the MEGA≡65 ROM

Use the instructions below to install the MEGA≡65 ROM into the emulator.

NOTE: I’m an owner of a Dev Kit and a MEGA≡65 and have legal access to the ROM. You don’t have to purchase a MEGA≡65 to get the ROM. You can purchase the C64Forever package, which includes an original Commodore 65 ROM, and then use tools found on the MEGA≡65 FileHost to patch that ROM to the latest version. You can find instructions here.

  1. Download the latest stable ROM using the uConsole.
  2. Start the MEGA≡65 emulator.
  3. Right-click in the Emulator window and select Disks/SD card/Update files on SD image. A file selector dialog box will appear.
  4. Select the ROM file downloaded earlier. A confirmation dialog box will appear.
  5. clock the OK button to restart the emulator with the new ROM.

Use the emulator with your favorite .d81 disk images or develop your own programs in BASIC 65.

Download my Script

In the video, I mention a script and resources I’ve created to add a XEMU xmega65 emulator item to the Raspbian OS menu. That download isn’t posted here. If the video helped, leave a tip.

Join the Fun

Would you like to see more of the MEGA≡65 emulator running on the uConsole? Post a comment below.

Don’t miss the retro-computing fun. SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel and check out my other MEGA≡65 posts.

Help make this content better! Leave your comments, corrections, additions, and thoughts in the comments below. You can email me at retrocombs@icloud.com. Thanks for reading and if so inclined, please let others know about the blog using the hashtag #retroCombs.

🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.The First Commodore Joystick: VIC-13112023-08-21T00:00:00+00:002023-08-21T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/cbm-1311-joystickWelcome to a tale woven with the threads of rivalry. A competition that unfolds in the early 1980s, vying for the allegiance of 8-bit gaming enthusiasts. But this contest doesn’t involve video consoles or computers. It’s a tale of a joystick that ignited a legal action by one of the manufacturer’s fiercest competitors. Our journey commences with none other than the $10 (in 1982 money) Commodore VIC-20 (1311) Joystick.

1311 Joystick

Table of Contents

Support the Blog and Channel

Check out the supporters page to learn about my amazing supporters and how you can join our community.

Companion YouTube Video

Title: The Controversial History of the Commodore VIC 1311 Joystick!

Enjoying the videos? Become a channel member to support retroCombs: https://www.youtube.com/@retrocombs/join.

Video Errata

None as of 2023-08-21.

Disclosure Statement: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations may include, but are not limited to Amazon and the eBay Partner Network.

  1. Hyperkin RetroN 77
  2. Hyperkin Ranger Controller
  3. Hyperkin Trooper Controller

    Commodore VIC 1311 Joystick

The VIC 1311 joystick, the first joystick to use the 1311 nomenclature, was released in 1981 as a gaming peripheral for the newly released Commodore VIC-20 personal computer.

As you look at the joystick, notice anything, familiar?

It’s evident that the Commodore VIC 1311 joystick was a clone of the Atari Steve Bristow designed CX10 that debuted with the original Atari 2600 in 1977. The CX10 used springs and contact switches and was manufactured for a year before it received a cost reduction redesign, the CX40 created by designer James C. Asher.

So who designed the Commodore VIC 1311? I think we can credit Steve Bristow for the exterior design and James Asher for the internals. But they weren’t Commodore employees. So what happened? Who signed off on this blatant intellectual property rip off? Who knows? I wanted to but even reaching out to Bil Herd and the Commodore International Historical Society led to a dead end. If you have information that can lead us to the individual responsible for the joystick replication, please leave a comment. Some proof would be nice.

The joystick’s form factor is so similar to the Atari 2600 CX40 joystick that it makes on wonder if Commodore didn’t use the same manufacturer or steal some molds (that just conjecture on my part). When you compare the Commodore VIC 1311 with the CX40 for the Atari XE series computer, that was a grey color instead of the standard black, things get even more oddly similar.

Since the Commodore VIC-20 used the same 9-pin DIN connector found on the Atari 2600, joysticks were interchangeable between devices. One of the few hardware “standards” found on many 8-bit computers.

Personally, the Atari CX40 joystick was the first joystick I used on my VIC-20. We owned the Sears Video Arcade (the Sears version of the Atari 2600) and I would move a controller back and forth between devices. Probably like many who owned both devices, I didn’t purchase another joystick.

So before you think that Commodore pulled one over the eyes of Commodore, “Au contraire mon frere”. Atari filed a lawsuit on October 11, 1982 against Commodore. Here’s a lawsuit announcement article from the October 14, 1982 Philadelphia Inquirer:

And here’s a longer article from the November 9, 1982 edition of the New York Times:

Atari Inc. said it had won a temporary injunction against Commodore Business Machines that prevents Commodore from making and selling joystick controllers for video games and home computers that are imitations of the one made by Atari. The ruling affects the joystick made by Commodore for its popular VIC-20 home computer.

Joysticks are the hand-held box used to operate video games.

It’s fun that back in 1982, the New York Times felt they had to explain joysticks.

A preliminary injunction was granted by Judge Richard Owen in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York. A Commodore spokesman, reached at the company’s offices in Pennsylvania, said company officials were returning from the annual meeting in New York and thus were not available for comment. The injunction may not pose much threat to VIC-20 sales, however, because that computer can use the Atari joysticks for game playing.

Atari, the leading maker of home video games, filed suit Oct. 11, contending that the Commodore joystick infringed on its patents. Atari said the Commodore joystick looked like the Atari product except for the color, yet had some flaws that would cause it to break prematurely. Atari said it did not want customers to associate the broken joysticks with Atari.

The joystick is notorious for the flaws mentioned and that’s the crux of the matter. Users in the early 1980s could easily assume that the joystick was created by Atari for Commodore given the similar appearance.

Finally, the trade rag Infoworld, covered the story in their November 1982 edition.

Atari wins joystick battle: Atari, Inc., recently won a preliminary injunction against Commodore Business Machines, Inc., in a case involving Commodore’s manufacture and sale of an “imitation” Atari joy-stick controller for its VIC 20 home computer.

Atari had filed a lawsuit October 11, 1982, in which it claimed that Commodore infringed on Atari’s patents covering the joystick that Atari sells for its video-computer system and home-computer products.

“Commodore had tried to copy the Atari controller exactly, changing only the color to white and adding the Commodore name,” stated Michael Sherrard, patent counsel for Atari.

Commodore allegedly missed a few “important design features” that make the Commodore joystick “likely to break prematurely,” according to Sherrard.

A spokesperson for Commodore declined to comment on the case while it is still in litigation. But the Wall Street Journal quotes Irving Gould, Commodore’s chairman as saying, “We sold a very small quantity of the joystick controller and discounted its sale four months ago because it wasn’t profitable.”

Commodore has appealed the ruling, made by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Owen in the Southern District Court of New York. The ruling prohibits Commodore from further manufacture or distribution of the joystick pending further rulings in the “joystick” case.

We will pursue our legal rights against anyone who attempts to ride the coattails of Atari’s success and creativity,” commented Raymond E. Kasser, chairman and chief executive officer of Atari. Atari is also seeking monetary damages, although an amount has yet to be determined.

I was unable to find any indication that money changed hands in this case but I think I can assume that occurred.

It is rumored that Commodore was ordered to destroy all remaining inventory of this joystick. I’ve not evidence that supports this claim and since you can still find these joysticks on eBay, I have to assume the stock was sold. But boy, are these pricey.

I did find this memo sent out by Richard Blumenthal who was Commodore’s corporate counsel. According to Dave McMurtrie on the Commodore International Historical Society Facebook Group:

Michael Sherrard, one of Atari’s patent lawyers, filed suit against Commodore on October 11, 1982 for patent infringement, claiming that Commodore’s joystick was an exact copy of Atari’s. A judge agreed and Commodore was enjoined from selling the Atari joystick clones…The internal memo is from the personal collection of Michael Tomczyk.

And there’s even a clone of a clone as you can see in this image that looks just like the Commodore clone of the Atari 2600 only sans the Commodore logo and the words, JOY STICK.

The Atari Compendium lists this one as manufacturer unknown. If Commodore did find a manufacturer in Taiwan to recreate the Atari joystick, did that same company decide to sell their recreation? If you have one of these joysticks, please reach out to me.

My Brush with Atari Joystick IP

In a strange twist of fate, I too found myself on the wrong end of Atari’s intellectual property when I tried to use a variation of the Atari 2600 joystick for my original logo. Here’s my original logo:

Instead of researching this after the fact, I should have done my due diligence. If I had, I would have seen that Atari is still protecting their joystick design and IP as shown in this Bloomberg Law article from January 19, 2021.

Interestingly, it seems that my favorite retro recreation, the Hyperkin Trooper, was also a target but a settlement was made. My guess is that Atari gets a cut of each Hyperkin sale since Troopers are still available.

How did I know Atari was protective of their Atari 2600 joystick IP? Check out this email from Spreadshop when I tried to have merch for sale with the original logo:

This continued protection of Atari joystick design led me to modify my logo based on another joystick no longer under protection, the Commodore 1311.

Commodore 1311 Joystick

After the VIC-20 Joystick fiasco, Commodore released their own design, the Commodore 1311. Who designed the 1311 continues to remain a mystery. Again, neither Bil Herd nor the Commodore International Historical Society was able to help me find out who designed this 8-bit controller. I’d love to know because while the functionality wasn’t great, I love the look of this controller.

The new design includes:

  • smaller base
  • button in the middle of the upper base so it can be used by both right and left hand users
  • VIC-20 Computer colors
  • A __ foot cable
  • a triangular profile control stick
  • Commodore branding
  • directional indicators
  • Cost was $10

This joystick was also controversial, but not for the same reasons as its predecessor. This one was notorious for being a horrible joystick. I’ve used it and would have to concur, so surely no one would want to clone this design. Right? Wrong!

According to the Atari Compendium A Taiwan variant of the Commodore 1311 joystick found its way to the market but opted for a cool blue button rather than the red one found on the Commodore 1311 Joystick. It was also suggested that this is the same manufacturer Commodore used, but they released their own version.

And this brings me back to my logo. While the Commodore 1311 joystick may be horrible to use and breaks, I can’t help myself. I love the look and created the new retroCombs logo below:

And my viewers like it, they even helped me refine it! Several of them commented on my Discord that this new logo was a better representation of my content since I have a heavy focus on Commodore computers and the MEGA≡65 rather than Atari. So what about my Spreadshop store? Yep, you can find this logo on shirts, cups, and hats. If you like the look of this logo, get your merch here.

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Help make this content better! Leave your comments, corrections, additions, and thoughts in the comments below. You can email me at retrocombs@icloud.com. Thanks for reading and if so inclined, please let others know about the blog using the hashtag #retroCombs.

🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.Raddy RF75A Review2023-07-19T00:00:00+00:002023-07-19T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/raddy-rf75aThe Raddy RF75A is a high-quality portable handheld multi-band radio that is perfect for home, travel, and outdoors. The on-device controls and iOS or Android phone app make It is easy to use and it has a variety of features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable radio when you want to disconnect from your phone and enjoy all that analog airwaves have to offer.

Raddy RF75A

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Companion YouTube Video

Title: Raddy RF75A Review: A Retro Multiband Radio with Modern Features

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Video Errata

None as of 2023-07-19.

Disclosure Statement: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations may include, but are not limited to Amazon and the eBay Partner Network.

📻️ Raddy RF75A: https://amzn.to/3DghzF9 (US) https://amzn.to/44CJBa4 (UK)
💾️ Max Size SD Cards to use with radio: https://amzn.to/3Oi8i5T (US) https://amzn.to/3pTTCjY (UK)
📻️ Other Raddy radios: https://amzn.to/3K0FITN (US) https://amzn.to/3Y24GYL (UK)

Synopsis

Key features of the Raddy RF75A include:

  • AM/FM/SW/VHF/WB
  • Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity
  • Headphone Jack
  • SD Card to Play and Record Music and Audio
  • LED Flashlight
  • LED Strobe Light and Alert
  • Radio or Sound Alarm
  • Sleep Timer
  • Built-in USB-C Battery Charger
  • Telescoping built-in Antenna
  • 9.6 Foot External Antenna
  • Carrying Case
  • Durable Construction
  • Fun Retro Walkie-Talkie Design
  • Phone App To Extend Control and Features

The Raddy RF75A is available in cool outdoor and military inspired colors and is priced at around $50. It is a great value for a high-quality and seemingly durable two-way radio. But check Amazon regularly for discounts!

Technical specifications of the Raddy RF75A:

  • Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.7 x 5.5 inches
  • Weight: 7 ounces
  • Frequencies: 462-467 MHz

If you are looking for a reliable and affordable portable handheld radio, the Raddy RF75A is a great option. It is easy to use and has a variety of features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for an on-the-go radio or to simply scan the airwaves for great analog content like it was the 1970s!

Join the Fun

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🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.Ten No Hack TheC64 Tips To Upgrade your Retro Computing Experience2023-06-17T00:00:00+00:002023-06-17T00:00:00+00:00https://retrocombs.com/ten-thec64-tipsI scoured the official TheC64 series user’s manual (downloaded and sent to my Kindle Scribe / not the small user’s guide that comes with the unit - another bonus tip!) and found ten “non-hacky” tips you may not know about.

NOTE: I’ll use the name TheC64 to refer to TheC64 Maxi, TheC64 Mini, and TheVIC20 units. TheC64 Mini does not include a keyboard or VIC-20 emulation so some tips do not translate to this smaller device (out of the box).

Table of Contents

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Companion YouTube Video

Title: 10 Ways To Unlock Thec64 For Maximum Retro Computing Fun!

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Video Errata

None as of 2023-06-17.

Disclosure Statement: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations may include, but are not limited to Amazon and the eBay Partner Network.

  • TheC64 Maxi UK US
  • TheC64 Mini UK US
  • The VIC20 UK
  • TheA500 Mini UK (https://amzn.to/3p7PJY7) US
  • TheJoystick UK US
  • TheMouse UK US
  • TheGamePad UK US
  • Logitech F310 (Wired) UK US
  • Logitech G F710 (Wireless) UK UK
  • Kindle Scribe UK US
  • Kindle Paperwhite UK US

Ten Things

Within the headings, I provide the page number in TheC64 User’s Manual so you can explore each tip in more detail.

1: Use Different Controllers (Page 7)

You are not constrained to the joystick that comes with TheC64. While the Maxi joystick is better than the mini thanks to a micro-switch upgrade, the form factor may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

A quick caveat, not all controllers work. Results have been mixed with two modern controllers such as the wired Logitech F310 (doesn’t work) and a wireless Logitech G F710 (works). Gamepad controllers seem to work including one of my favorites, also from RetroGames, TheGamePad. If a Nintendo/Sega style controller makes you happy, it might work! Plug it in and give it a try.

But I bet you didn’t know a controller is not necessary to navigate in carousel mode.

2: Use Keyboard in Menus (Page 16)

I love keyboard shortcuts and was thrilled to learn that we can control TheC64 using the keyboard. Here are a few examples.

O = ← | P = → | N = ↓ | M = ↑

L, Space, or Return selects an option.

⇧ + ← (back arrow, not left cursor) or a quick press of the power button toggles the option menu at the bottom of the screen when a program is running.

There are many more keyboard shortcuts so check out page 16 for more. I do find it odd that the regular cursor keys weren’t use. If you know why, leave a comment below.

3: Boot to Classic (Page 35)

If you have a TheC64 and haven’t booted into C64 or VIC-20 classic mode, you are missing the experience! You can boot into classic mode by following these steps while in carousel mode and using the joystick:

  1. Choose the Device Settings icon (wrench) in the dock.
  2. Select the Computer model > option and choose either the C64 or VIC 20 in NTSC or PAL mode.
  3. Press ≡ on the joystick to return to the previous menu
  4. Select the Boot mode > option.
  5. Select Classic mode.
  6. Press ≡ on the joystick to return to the previous menu.
  7. Hold the power button to reset TheC64.

TheC64 will skip the carousel mode and boot directly to your chosen computer giving you a more authentic 1980s feel.

To switch back to carousel mode from classic mode, press ≡ to pop up a menu of options and then choose ⚙️ Options. From there, you will be able to figure it out.

TIP: Here’s a classic mode only keyboard shortcut. Use ⇧ + ← (back arrow, not left cursor) to toggle the option menu at the bottom of the screen.

My TheVIC20 boots into VIC 20 NTSC mode for a true retro-computing experience where BASIC was front and center. What’s that you ask?

4: Learn BASIC (Page 34)

Here’s what’s so exciting about classic mode; Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code or BASIC. For those of my generation, this is the traditional Commodore computer experience. The computer would boot up to the blue screen (or aqua/white on the VIC-20) with a flashing cursor. BASIC was the feature to unlock the secrets to our Commodore computers.

If you want the authentic experience, head over to Archive.org and download the original Commodore 64 or VIC-20 (recommended) user’s guide and work through them chapter by chapter like I did with the Plus/4 and documented in my Plus/4 User’s Manual series.

TIP: Download and send to a Kindle or other e-book reader and take them with you everywhere you go. With the Kindle Scribe you can mark them up and set bookmarks.

To get you started, load classic mode and type the following two line program that will work in C64 or VIC-20 mode.

10 print "retroCombs rocks! ";
20 goto 10

Now type RUN followed by the RETURN key (⏎). Words will fill the screen. Press the RUN/STOP key to stop the program and use the LIST + ⏎ command to see the program. You can now edit line 10 to make it say anything you want. Welcome to BASIC programming and now you can go crazy. Don’t worry, you can’t harm your computer.

5: Save a Computer States (Page 36)

You can save not one, but four states for each program you load and run. Why would you want to do this? There are a couple of reasons:

  1. Save and restore a game at specific levels.
  2. Save and restore a game before a difficult levels.
  3. Save an application with a data file (such as a word-processor) to speed loading the next time you want edit the data.

The save state menu even provides a time code displaying the length of time the computer was operational before saving the state.

6: Use .tap and .crt Files (Page 51)

Switching to classic mode reveals options to use not only disk images, but cassette (.tap) and cartridge (.crt) images. Loading .tap files is not the slog experience we remember from the 1980s but .crt do load as quickly as they did. The option to use both file types increases the library of titles you can use.

TIP: Cartridge files are not just great for games. Download the Super Snapshot .crt file, load it, and then reset the computer. Super Snapshot is available. But retroCombs, Super Snapshot requires me to press a button to activate it. Hold that thought!

7: Use File Flags and the .cjm Files ( Page 58)

There’s a lot to this one and it could be the topic of a video in itself. But in a nutshell, flags and .cjm files provide an options to “tell” TheC64 how to configure the program to run. File flags are at the end of the file names and configure a single file whereas a .cjm is used within a directory to use the same settings for a group of files. Below is a small list of setting you can apply using file flags or .cjm files:

  1. Set computer to PAL or NTSC
  2. Add memory expansion
  3. Set the primary joystick port
  4. Configure a mouse type
  5. Accurate versus accelerated disk mode

8: Use a Joystick for Games that Don’t support one (Page 68)

Expanding on the use of .cjm file, there are C64 games that don’t support Joystick controls, and while they are few and far between, you can use a .cjm file to add this support. The syntax for this file is not intuitive and I’ve placed an example below for a VIC game, in PAL mode, with 35K expansion, and copies keyboard controls to the joystick.

X:vic,pal,fullheight,35k
J:1*:W,S,A,D,I,K,J,L,CT,1,2,3,,EN,4

Check out page 69 to see a full list of key IDs the .cjm file can use.

9: Share Virtual Disks with original hardware or VICE (Page 73)

Back in tip number four, I demonstrated how to create a BASIC program but I didn’t show you how to save it. You can and you do this using virtual disk images. And once you have the virtual disk image, you can transfer it from TheC64 to real hardware or VICE and back again for a nice roundtrip way to write a program and test it on all platforms.

TIP: To save the program in step four, use the command SAVE "RETROCOMBS",8 and to load it use the command LOAD "RETROCOMBS",8.

As you work in BASIC, you may cause the computer to hang and an understanding of reset modes can help you recover.

10: Understand Reset Modes (Page 102)

Similar to a real hardware Commodore 64, there are both hard and soft resets.

Reset Type Key Combo Description
Hard Left ⇧ + TheC64 + Power Simulates cycling the computers power off and on
Soft Left ⇧ + Power Does not simulate a power cycle and maintains memory contents

TIP: Remember our Super Snapshot scenario? TheC64 has you covered with a tap of Right ⇧ + Power to activate the cartridge.

BONUS 1: Sort Games (Page 28)

Press the Joystick A button or press A on the keyboard to sort the carousel titles by title, author, composer, genre, year, and model of computer. Year is a great option if you want to experience the advancement of games over time.

BONUS 2: TheC64 Mini Virtual Keyboard (Page 48)

This tip isn’t great on the Maxi models but can save your bacon on a mini.

To activate the virtual keyboard press the ☰ button in a game and select the ‘Virtual keyboard’ option. An on-screen keyboard appears on the right-side. Through THEC64 Joystick, the Virtual keyboard gives access to all the keys of an original C64 computer.

Conclusion

I hope you learned a tip or two about your TheC64 that brings more value to your purchase. There are many more tips and I hope you will share them in the comments below.

Join the Fun

Don’t miss the retro-computing fun. SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel and check out my other posts.

Help make this content better! Leave your comments, corrections, additions, and thoughts in the comments below. You can email me at retrocombs@icloud.com. Thanks for reading and if you are inclined, please let others know about the blog using the hashtag #retroCombs.

🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!

]]>Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.