Logo

Retro computing with a touch of modern and the home for all things, retroCombs (aka Steven Combs).

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 include, but are not limited to Amazon, the eBay Partner Network, and/or others.

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
20 March 2021

Use the Retrohax.net mouSTer on the MEGA65

by Steven B. Combs, Ph.D.

In this FAST LOAD, I try to get the new mouSTer from Retrohax.net working with my MEGA65 Developer Kit. Watch the video below and then come back to this blog post to see if I was successful. Spoiler alert; at first the device did not work; however, I get this wonderful USB HID to DB9 connection device working, and it’s not as hard as I imagined.

MEMBERSHIP: I now offer retroCombs memberships from $1 (PET level membership) to $20 (MEGA65 level membership) that include levels in between for all budgets (VIC-20, C64, Plus/4, and C128). If you’d like to support my content and get access to my Discord server along with other cool freebies, check out each level at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/retroCombs.

YouTube Video: FAST LOAD: Use the Retrohax.net mouSTer on the MEGA65

In the video below, I connect a mouSTer to a MEGA65 and see if it works.

Video Markers

I embed the video markers below in the video so you can jump around to specific content. Of course, I hope you watch the entire video!

Video Errata (as of 2021-03-20)

None as of 2021-03-20

Below are the links to the entire Retro Games Commodore series. All Amazon links are affiliate links (#ad). Thanks for supporting the blog and the YouTube channel!

  1. MEGA65
  2. Retrohax.net
  3. mouSTer
  4. mouSTer Firmware
  5. MEGA65 Build
  6. Victsing USB/BT Mouse Review and Video
  7. Victsing at Amazon

Final Thoughts

Below are additional mouSTer thoughts and information I did not include or elaborate on in the video.

  1. Unfortunately, as of 2021-03-20, the mouSTer is out of stock. They were limited when I snagged one; however, I hoped they would be back in stock by the time I shared my video. Keep checking. I’m sure they’ll return.
  2. The mouSTer is encased in what appears to be a silicone sleeve. I like it; however, if you want to print your own case, check out The mouSTer project – another UPDATE - retrohax.net. On this page are links to a case you can print. It looks bulky to me; however, it does give me an idea for my own case. Hmm…
  3. I originally conceived this video as a longer demonstration of the MEGA65. I decided against this longer video in lieu of a FAST LOAD. I have some other content to create for the MEGA65, so stay tuned.
  4. The VictSing mouse I use in the video is my daily driver on my new M1 Mac mini. It’s a great mouse, at a great cost (around $35). What I love about it is that not only does it include additional buttons, it can be used in either Bluetooth or USB dongle mode - very versatile!
  5. I did not take any time to discuss the options available in the .ini file that the mouSTer creates on the USB drive. I include the file contents at the bottom of this post. The comment statements serve as a manual for the device. That’s pretty slick when you think about it. When you upgrade the firmware, you get the updated instruction manual!

That’s all for now but I do often add thoughts later. If I do, they will be date stamped.

Join the Fun

You won’t want to miss that fun, so make sure you SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.

Help make this content better! Leave your comments and thoughts below or in the comments under the YouTube video.

Thanks for reading and watching and if you are so inclined, please let others know about the blog using the hashtag #retroCombs.

🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!


Bonus MOUSTER.INI contents (Firmware v3.11.1962)

Below is the .ini included with the firmware. I provide so those without a mouSTer can review the contents prior to purchase, or while waiting. It might help readers make a purchase decision. I also plan to use this page instead of constantly looking for my USB drive.

; mouSTer - universal USB HID class device to db9 adapter.
; Firmware version: 3.11.1962
;
;
;                                           _/_/_/  _/_/_/_/_/
;    _/_/_/  _/_/      _/_/    _/    _/  _/            _/      _/_/    _/  _/_/
;   _/    _/    _/  _/    _/  _/    _/    _/_/        _/    _/_/_/_/  _/_/
;  _/    _/    _/  _/    _/  _/    _/        _/      _/    _/        _/
; _/    _/    _/    _/_/      _/_/_/  _/_/_/        _/      _/_/_/  _/
;
;
; ###############################################################################
; #                                                                             #
; # Features:                                                                   #
; # Emulates Atari, Amiga and Commodore 1351 mouse.                             #
; # Can handle up to 16 buttons that can be translated to any action*           #
; # Can handle up to 6 axes, that can be translated to any action*              #
; #                                                                             #
; # More to come...                                                             #
; #         *any action - means any joystick direction or fire/mouse button     #
; #                                                                             #
; ###############################################################################
;
; ###############################################################################
; # User Manual                                                                 #
; ###############################################################################
;
; ###############################-Blink-Codes-###################################
;
; mouSTer is communicating with you using MORSE CODE or simply blinking the LED.
; List of possible messages:
;
; Very fast blinking: Bootloader is Active and is waiting for USB drive with new firmware.
; If USB drive is not detected within 2s, main program will be launched.
;
; Normal blinking: mouSTer is ready, and is awaiting USB HID device (mouse, game pad etc).
;
; HeartBeat: 2 fast blinks and long pause. mouSTer is alive and operational.
;
; SOS: <... --- ...> Critical problem has occurred. Not possible to recover from this state. Please cycle power.
;
; E: <.> An error has occurred. Remove USB device | Check INI file syntax.
;
; R: <.-.> Operation successfully finished. Remove the USB device.
;
; ##############################-Using-an-USB-Drive-##############################
;
; When USB drive is inserted, mouSTer is looking for a 'mouSTer' folder.
; If the folder does not exists, it will be created and opened.
; Then mouSTer is looking for configuration file: 'mouSTer.ini'
; If exists, configuration will be read and parsed then written to memory.
; If no ini file is present, mouSTer is looking for new firmware file: 'mouSTer.fw'.
; If firmware file is present mouSTer will activate the bootloader, and install new firmware.
; In case if no ini nor firmware present - mouSTer will write (this) ini file
; with manual and current firmware version on the top - into 'mouSTer.ini' file.
;
; mouSTer is case insensitive.
;
; mouSTer config   file: '/mouSTer/mouSTer.ini'
; mouSTer firmware file: '/mouSTer/mouSTer.fw'
;
; most up to date information and the latest firmware is always available at: http://Jil.guru/mouSTer
;
; ##################################-Configuration-###############################
;

[mouster]
; general settings.
;
; mode=
; Operating mode, what device mouSTer will emulate.
; default: auto
; Possible values:
; [00|auto|] - mouSTer will self determine what device to emulate.
; [01|mouse|mice] - lock to mouse mode only
; [02|gpad|gamepad] - lock to gamepad mode only
; [255|reset_to_default|jmp_$e477] - Load default values for mouSTer configuration and end processing ini file.
mode=mouse

;
; afRate=
; Auto Fire Rate. Can be used with ANY defined button.
; Define time between consecutive 'auto' presses in 10's of miliseconds.
; fx: afrate=15 => button will be auto pressed every 150ms ca 6 times per second.
; to activate Auto Fire function on button, prepend its definition with * (asterisk)
; when function is defined twice, as a normal and as an autofire, and both are activated, the autofire will take the priority.
; default: 15
; Possible values:
; [0-250] - numeric value * 10
afRate=15

;
; heartBeat=
; Define the heartbeat LED behavior.
; default: heartbeat
; Possible values:
; [00|off|false] - Heartbeat is turned OFF
; [01|on|true] - Heartbeat is turned constant ON
; [02|heartbeat|normal] - Heartbeat is normal, 2 short pulses and long pause.
heartBeat=02

;
; potPullUp=
; Defines if pull-up resistors on POT lines should be active. In some rare cases setting this to OFF may fix compatibility issues with POT lines.
; default: on
; Possible values:
; [00|false|off] - direction states will be validated
; [01|true|on] - direction states will not be validated
potPullUp=01

[mouse]
; mouse emulation settings.
;
; type=
; Mouse type to emulate.
; default: atari
; Possible values:
; [00|atari|ata] - mouSTer will emulate atari mouse.
; [01|amiga|ami] - mouSTer will emulate amiga mouse.
; [02|c1351|c64] - mouSTer will emulate commodore C1351 mouse. Requires mode=mouse !! will not work in auto. Require real SID.
; [03|LAME8|A8] - Special mode dedicated to A8 - #### Function not implemented yet #####
type=02

;
; microstep=
; In another words, DPI divider. Allow you to slow down your mouse to adapt speed to capabilities of old devices.
; Define how many real mouse steps should be translated to one virtual step
; Because division by 0 causes critical error, setting it to 0 causes critical error. Try if you don't believe me.

; default: 10
; Possible values:
; [0-250] - numeric value
microstep=10

;
; mbutton=
; Mapping physical mouse buttons for digital (atari or amiga) mouse emulation mode.
; default: mbutton01->lb, mbutton02->rb, mbutton03->mb, other->none.
; Possible values:
; [00|none|off] - button is ignored
; [01|lb|left] - left button/fire
; [02|rb|right] - right button/paddle A
; [03|mb|middle] - middle button/paddle B
; * Can be defined as an Auto Fire button by prepending * to definition .e.g mbutton01=*01
mbutton01=01
mbutton02=02
mbutton03=03
mbutton04=*01
mbutton05=*02
mbutton06=*03
mbutton07=00
mbutton08=00
mbutton09=00
mbutton10=00
mbutton11=00
mbutton12=00
mbutton13=00
mbutton14=00
mbutton15=00
mbutton16=00

;
; cbutton=
; Mapping physical mouse buttons for c1351 mouse emulation mode.
; This mode require a REAL SID. Will not work with e.g. SwinSID.
; default: cbutton01->fire, cbutton02->up, other->none.
; Possible values:
; [00|none|off] - button is ignored
; [01|fire|trigger] - joystick fire
; [02|north|up] - Joystick up/north
; [03|east|right] - joystick right/east
; [04|south|down] - joystick down/south
; [05|west|left] - joystick left/west
; * Can be defined as an Auto Fire button by prepending * to definition .e.g cbutton01=*01
cbutton01=01
cbutton02=02
cbutton03=00
cbutton04=*01
cbutton05=*02
cbutton06=00
cbutton07=00
cbutton08=00
cbutton09=00
cbutton10=00
cbutton11=00
cbutton12=00
cbutton13=00
cbutton14=00
cbutton15=00
cbutton16=00


[gamepad]
; gamepad emulation settings.
;
; gbutton=
; Mapping physical gamepad buttons for joystick emulation mode.
; GamePad always has a HAT SWITCH that is always mapped to directions.
; default: gbutton01-04 are mapped to fire, other->none
; Possible values:
; [00|none|off] - button is ignored
; [01|fire|lb] - joystick fire/trigger, mouse left button
; [02|pa|rb] - paddle A, mouse right button
; [03|pb|mb] - paddle B, mouse middle button
; [04|n|u] - Joystick up/north
; [05|ne|ur] - Joystick up-right/north-east
; [06|e|u] - joystick right/east
; [07|se|dr] - joystick down/south
; [08|s|d] - joystick down/south
; [09|sw|dl] - joystick down/south
; [10|w|l] - joystick left/west
; [11|nw|ul] - joystick up-left/north-west
; * Can be defined as an Auto Fire button by prepending * to definition .e.g gbutton01=*01
gbutton01=01
gbutton02=01
gbutton03=*01
gbutton04=*01
gbutton05=00
gbutton06=00
gbutton07=00
gbutton08=00
gbutton09=00
gbutton10=00
gbutton11=00
gbutton12=00
gbutton13=00
gbutton14=00
gbutton15=00
gbutton16=00

;
; axis=
; ##### Function partially implemented - only default settings are available and working. Tested only with PS4 controller #####
; Mapping physical gamepad axes for joystick emulation mode.
; in this mode, axis can be also mapped to PADLE to become true analog axis.
; axes mapped to one direction are triggered  at ca. 75% deflection
; axes mapped to double direction are triggered at ca. <25 and >75 deflection
; default: axis01->ew, axis02->ns, others->none
; Possible values:
; [00|none|off] - axis is ignored
; [01|n|u] - axis is one direction north/up axis
; [02|s|d] - Axis is one direction south/down axis
; [03|ns|ud] - axis is true north-south/up-down/Y axis. Default for Y axis
; [04|e|r] - axis is one direction east/right axis
; [05|w|l] - axis is one direction west/left axis
; [06|ew|lr] - axis id true east-west/left-right/X axis. Default for X axis
; [07|lb|fire] - axis is one direction fire button
; [08|rb|pad] - axis is one direction button mapped to paddle A
; [09|mb|pbd] - axis is one direction button mapped to paddle B
axis01=06
axis02=03
axis03=00
axis04=00
axis05=00
axis06=00

;
; validate=
; Validate if pressed direction button are giving valid joystick direction
; valid states are: n, ne, e, se, s, sw, w, nw or neutral
; invalid states are fx: ns, ew, new ,nesw etc.. When invalid state is detected, the neutral state is applied
; buttons nor paddle never are validated
; default: false
; Possible values:
; [00|false|off] - direction states will be validated
; [01|true|on] - direction states will not be validated
validate=00