Search found 367 matches

by TomD
Wed Feb 28, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Emulators
Topic: Snapshots in Fuse MacOS
Replies: 8
Views: 205

Re: Snapshots in Fuse MacOS

Sadly, these weren’t the solutions. Turns out that .szx files are default. As are the joystick settings for snapshots. I’ll keep fiddling with it, but in case anyone else has some suggestions, I’m all ears. I believe this was fixed in the new v1.6.0 version as it has this in the release note Fix ac...
by TomD
Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:40 am
Forum: Programming
Topic: Bank 7 corruption while loading in Plus2A mode
Replies: 9
Views: 280

Re: Bank 7 corruption while loading in Plus2A mode

Yes the best way is to force 48k ROM with paging enabled, I've also found that writing a custom loader helps. You can still use the ROM routines so it works with the SD Card devices but it does help prevent these issues. For more info take a look at a utility I created which does this (https://tomda...
by TomD
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:01 pm
Forum: Showcase your work!
Topic: Replacement Case for Interface 1
Replies: 5
Views: 277

Re: Replacement Case for Interface 1

Now with the Sinclair Logo

Image

TomD
by TomD
Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:44 pm
Forum: Showcase your work!
Topic: Replacement Case for Interface 1
Replies: 5
Views: 277

Re: Replacement Case for Interface 1

That's a really nice piece of work, Tom, great job. I was thinking about making something similar to house my recreated ZX Spectrum Expansion System project, but there was a problem I couldn't see an easy answer to: the PCB for a project which is housed in such a case obviously needs an edge connec...
by TomD
Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:53 pm
Forum: Showcase your work!
Topic: Replacement Case for Interface 1
Replies: 5
Views: 277

Replacement Case for Interface 1

I've made a replacement case for the Interface 1 for a project. Fits the PCB fine with all holes etc... in the same place.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/197062 ... eId-217607

TomD

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by TomD
Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:50 pm
Forum: Sales/Commercial
Topic: For Sale: ZX PicoMD Microdrive Hardware Emulator
Replies: 1
Views: 138

For Sale: ZX PicoMD Microdrive Hardware Emulator

For Sale ZXPicoMD Microdrive hardware emulator. Fully made up & tested including Pico flashed with latest v1.6 firmware and 3D printed case (see photo) which includes OLED screen & rubber feet which raise the case to the correct level if you want to attach a real h/w Microdrive. £50 inc. p&a...
by TomD
Tue Feb 06, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Programming
Topic: A library of tap2sna.py recipes
Replies: 87
Views: 3207

Re: A library of tap2sna.py recipes

I'll double check it today, but as far as I remember both snapshots were working just fine on grey +2 with DivMMC Future. Not sure if it's relevant, but those 128k snapshots definitely work fine on Next and Sifiz-512. Neither one has "real" DivMMC, though. Looks like we need someone with ...
by TomD
Tue Feb 06, 2024 9:21 am
Forum: Programming
Topic: A library of tap2sna.py recipes
Replies: 87
Views: 3207

Re: A library of tap2sna.py recipes

Fairlight 1 and 2 (128k versions) load and run on emulators but not on real hardware. Fairlight 1 just corrupts the screen and restarts the AY tune. Fairlight 2 doesn’t respond to a keypress after loading, so the game cannot begin. The 48k versions seem to load okay. I've just tested both (created ...
by TomD
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:13 pm
Forum: Design/Ideas
Topic: New Case & KeyCaps for Mechanical Keyboard
Replies: 4
Views: 620

Re: New Case & KeyCaps for Mechanical Keyboard

I've updated my replacement case model introducing a curved edge as I found the edges a little sharp for prolonged use. I've also added some extra supports for the keyboard to stop it flexing and tweaked the colours (prefer the red logo). https://scontent.flba3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/41457030...
by TomD
Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:28 pm
Forum: Music
Topic: Blasphemy! Your favourite C64 SID chiptunes...
Replies: 14
Views: 789

Re: Blasphemy! Your favourite C64 SID chiptunes...

Ok I'll admit to being a big SID chip fan :-) In my opinion Cybernoid 2 is probably one of the greatest 8bit tunes ever, Jeroen Tel again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv5_LsRaPrY and no C64 music list can be complete without the amazing Rambo First Blood Part 2 Ocean Loader: https://www.youtube....
by TomD
Mon Jan 01, 2024 10:41 am
Forum: Games/Software
Topic: Midnight Brew editions
Replies: 12
Views: 558

Re: Midnight Brew editions

The original version is, and always will be, free to download (see link below). The Midnight Brew special edition is currently physical tape only with its release lined up with the Crash event so people could pick them up, but I do believe Alan is looking to do some type of download option now that ...
by TomD
Mon Jan 01, 2024 10:36 am
Forum: Design/Ideas
Topic: New Case & KeyCaps for Mechanical Keyboard
Replies: 4
Views: 620

Re: New Case & KeyCaps for Mechanical Keyboard

If I hadn't already bought one of Lee Smith's excellent Mechtrum cases, I might be interested. Though a downside to the Mectrum case is, it won't allow an Interface 1 to be plugged-in... Yeah they are very nice and a lot more professional, especially the keycaps, and I looked at it myself but was o...
by TomD
Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:46 am
Forum: Design/Ideas
Topic: New Case & KeyCaps for Mechanical Keyboard
Replies: 4
Views: 620

New Case & KeyCaps for Mechanical Keyboard

I've created a new case and key caps for the mechanical keyboard PCB https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/ZX_Spectrum_Keyboard.html) . Just a bit of fun to test out my new 3D Printers multi-colour capability. Details can be found on Printables https://www.printables.com/model/700687-replaceme...
by TomD
Fri Dec 22, 2023 2:58 pm
Forum: Showcase your work!
Topic: WiP Raspberry Pico Microdrive Hardware Emulator
Replies: 85
Views: 3748

Re: WiP Raspberry Pico Microdrive Hardware Emulator

Excellent work as always, Tom. Thank you for your continued support. I often wonder how many people bought a ZXPicoMD from you on eBay, but miss out on the additional functionality because they don’t visit the forums and so, don’t know about your optimisation work? Thanks Regarding eBay I usually i...
by TomD
Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:22 pm
Forum: Showcase your work!
Topic: WiP Raspberry Pico Microdrive Hardware Emulator
Replies: 85
Views: 3748

Re: WiP Raspberry Pico Microdrive Hardware Emulator

New firmware v1.6 is now available, just in time for Christmas: - added option to run cartridge defragmentation (optimisation). This can significantly speed up loading times of unoptimised cartridges. Using the Sinclair Demo cartridge as an example, running a defrag improved the loading time from 23...
by TomD
Thu Dec 07, 2023 8:51 pm
Forum: Programming
Topic: Game of Life sizecoding contest
Replies: 31
Views: 1640

Re: Game of Life sizecoding contest

My current attempt running...

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by TomD
Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:16 pm
Forum: Programming
Topic: Game of Life sizecoding contest
Replies: 31
Views: 1640

Re: Game of Life sizecoding contest

Just sent my first entry, hopefully figured out the rules ok :-)
by TomD
Tue Dec 05, 2023 10:50 pm
Forum: Programming
Topic: Game of Life sizecoding contest
Replies: 31
Views: 1640

Re: Game of Life sizecoding contest

I was asked to code a GAME OF LIFE in 1K on the ZX81. This made we do a search for GAME OF LIFE on the ZX Spectrum. I didn't find a version on the ZX Spectrum so I was thinking of a sizecoding contest for GAME OF LIFE on the ZX Spectrum The rules for the sizecoding contest 1) The rules of GAME OF L...
by TomD
Wed Nov 15, 2023 1:33 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: 3 Button Joysticks
Replies: 12
Views: 317

Re: 3 Button Joysticks

Thanks for all the replies, I've got the interface itself working fine it is just finding joysticks to work with it. I added 3 button support and then couldn't find a joystick that had 3 buttons that mapped correctly so did wonder why Kempston added support for this if there never was any joysticks....
by TomD
Wed Nov 15, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?
Replies: 14
Views: 352

Re: Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?

I'm not sure, because I never had any interest in the C64/Amiga scene, but I think the wiring was for 3 button quadrature mice, and while the sticks always had the potential to coexist for the same wiring, nobody apart from much more recent hobbyists ever made any. So nobody made any games either. ...
by TomD
Tue Nov 14, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?
Replies: 14
Views: 352

Re: Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?

Thanks for all the replies. I did manage to find an autofire joystick that needed the 5V connection so answered my own question. It was a Quickshot II Turbo. Interestingly it works fine with a much lower voltage (3v3) so will assume its a similar transistor based circuit.

TomD
by TomD
Tue Nov 14, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: 3 Button Joysticks
Replies: 12
Views: 317

Re: 3 Button Joysticks

There's plenty of 3 button DE9 joysticks out there. You just have to pick the wiring you want! https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kpckah86d5q8j7rjv299c/DB9-wiring.png?rlkey=iwiew2w35pi776lv8gvvc60xd I know the wiring exists, I'm just asking if any actual joysticks exist as I can't find any. Yes I could ...
by TomD
Tue Nov 14, 2023 11:09 am
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?
Replies: 14
Views: 352

Re: Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?

Isn't it essentially anything with autofire? Or anything that used additional logic to multiplex buttons on a single wire (hence the MegaDrive pads needing it). My Zipstick with autofire works fine without it. I took it apart and it seems the autofire circuit is just a simple transistor circuit pow...
by TomD
Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:10 am
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?
Replies: 14
Views: 352

Do any joysticks actually need 5V power?

Me again and another joystick question :-) This time around the question is 5V is actually needed for most joysticks (on pin 7 for Kempston/Atari)? I know the Megadrive pad needs it (on pin 5), but only if you want all the buttons to work as it works fine passively but only two fire buttons register...