Final Expansion :: 512KB SRAM + 512KB EEPROM + SD Card (2GB)

orion70 · Post by **orion70** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:20 pm

Thanks Diddl - I'll take pictures of our adventure with this new board, and post them here. Hope to receive the kit soon!

Diddl · Post by **Diddl** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:19 pm

It is not really difficult. I'm a programmer and don't like to solder and such things, but I have it done successfully.

All parts are comparatively "big", there are no SMD parts and so no special tools are nessecary, a simple soldering iron for electronics. Should be no big problem ...

Vic20-Ian · Post by **Vic20-Ian** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:40 pm

I recommend a fine tip and temperature control, but yes it is relatively straightforward.

The final result is very satisfying.

Mikam73 · Post by **Mikam73** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:08 am

Has someone got this yet? How demos and everything work?

Diddl · Post by **Diddl** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:32 am

Mikam73 wrote:Has someone got this yet? How demos and everything work?

demos? never tested ...

send me some or links and I will test it.

why should demos don't work fine?

demos which only use unexpanded VIC work, cause you can FE3 switch off by software.

demos which use expanded memory certainly work also, cause FE3 is configurable exactly like any memory expander (3,8,11,16,19,24 ...).

if FE3 io ports are a problem for some demos you can switch it off ...

---

But maybe it is a good idea to make a disk full of best demos available for VIC and create a starter menu for FE3. Send me your inspiration ...

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:48 am

I believe some demos use custom fastloaders, like IRQ loaders and so on. Those probably won't run from sd2iec, and would require rewrite to be stored as a whole in the Flash. Well, that is unless the Flash ROM can be used to emulate a 1541 of course.

Most VIC-20 games are single filed or just use Kernel loader so those should work, it is the custom loaders that always mess things up.

By the way, I am preparing a batch order for me and my friends. We just have to figure out exactly how many units to order. I believe the shipping quote mentioned on the page is good for at least 5 kg so that should not be an issue.

Diddl · Post by **Diddl** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:58 am

It would be nice if someone could remove the custom loader.

It isn't nessecary to use a fastloader cause FE3 automatically works with jiffy speed on SD card and any Jiffy drive connected.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:32 am

It would be nice if someone could remove the custom loader.

As carlsson already noted, these custom load routines often form an integral part of some demos. They are designed to allow other processing to continue, like playing a tune, or show some graphical effects while loading new data in the background.

The normal data transfer routines, and even most standard fast loaders monopolise the CPU, and won't allow for other activities in-between.

Effectively, "removing" the custom loader alone wouldn't do the job - it would be necessary to devise (for example) a JD protocol implementation that can be interrupted while loading data, to give the CPU time to show the desired demo effects alongside the data access.

Greetings,

Michael

Diddl · Post by **Diddl** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:37 am

Mike wrote: As carlsson already noted, these custom load routines often form an integral part of some demos. They are designed to allow other processing to continue, like playing a tune, or show some graphical effects while loading new data in the background.

The normal data transfer routines, and even most standard fast loaders monopolise the CPU, and won't allow for other activities in-between.

So you will need furthermore a 1541 drive for those demos. But FE3 also supports 1541 drives.

FE3 has a 100% compatible µIEC (SD2IEC) built in, so all things running on a µIEC also run in a FE3. If some programs need a 1541, the FE3 can load it from there.

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:44 am

Ayep. Or I suppose someone could attach their standalone 1541 Ultimate which ideally should emulate the drive to the fullest.

Actually some custom loaders are supported by the sd2iec firmware, at least once inside a D64 image as mentioned by Unseen. The goal then would be to make demo and game developers stick to those custom loaders that actually have support in memory card based solutions, instead of coming up with their own, perhaps better routines.

Mikam73 · Post by **Mikam73** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:22 am

http://www.pouet.net/prodlist.php?platform[]=VIC%2020

Here is link. Demos like Imbossiblator and Next Level..

Diddl · Post by **Diddl** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:12 am

Mikam73 wrote:http://www.pouet.net/prodlist.php?platform[]=VIC%2020

Here is link. Demos like Imbossiblator and Next Level..

Thanks for the links. Will test it on FE3 ...

Are these demos free? Could I make a D64 and offer this image on a WebSpace?

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:53 am

Aleksi Eeben compiled a number of the early (1996-2000) demos on disks and uploaded to Zimmers FTP without anyone in particular complaining. As these demos tend to get larger, many occupy more or less a whole disk image already so it is probably a matter of distribution.

Anyway, it is better to concentrate on a good copying program that can copy from a D64 image on the sd2iec to a real floppy drive. Honestly I'm not sure if there exists a single decent copying program on the VIC-20. For floppy drives a C64 would work but not if one uses a FE3 since it has the SD interface built in.

Diddl · Post by **Diddl** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:03 am

It is very easy to copy a D64 image from FE3 SD to a real 1541.

D64 is only a collection of sectors in ascending order. Either 35 tracks or 40 or 42. You can do it with BASIC. Or with BASIC and a little 6502 code.

Speed would be not so good. Here this OpenCBM floppycode could help (warpwrite + S2 transfer code).

But who want to copy a d64 to a real diskette??! For me it is great to have D64 on CD instead of a 1541.

Mikam73 · Post by **Mikam73** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:50 am

I was mostly thinking this cart for Vic20 demos.. Course I have Mega-Cart.. Wonder if demos work..