Today, aside from being way too busy at work, I've re-activated my #ExpansionPort #Expander for the #Commodore64.

The slots are equipped with the following #Cartridges (left to right): 2MB NeoRam memory expansion, CynthCart Stereo SID Synthesizer, Kung Fu Flash. Each slot has a switch which will either enable or disable the slot and thus the cartridge plugged into it.

#RetroComputing
#Commodore64
#Modular64
#uAX64MiniLong
#Cartridge
#ExpansionPort
#Expander

@Herr_Irrtum in this case it's an #ArmSID (set to 6581 mode) I use as SID #1 on my #uAX64MiniLong sound module. The second chip (not used by the game) is a #SwinSIDNano (set to 8580 mode)

@xahmol @peter yes, an UII+ is on my wishlist for uncle #Santa this year. That'll refine my #uAX64MiniLong #Modular64 once again ...

So today I eventually found some time to patch my english GEOS 2.0 install to version 2.0r which enables support for the #NeoRAM expansion I purchased recently.

I set up a "RAM 1581" floppy disk drive and as you see in the video, can copy files to it. Nice, wish I had such a cool setup in 1987 ...

You can find the disks containing #NeoRam patched versions for GEOBOOT and CONFIGURE (to replace the ones of your otiginal 2.0 install) here, at the bottom of the page:

https://cbmfiles.com/geos/geos-12.php

P.S.: I used my #uAX64MiniLong equipped with the neoRam expansion and an #SD2IEC drive along with an #EasyCap videograbber on my #Linux box to capture the video.

#Commodorer64
#GEOS
#NeoRam

@mos_8502 personally, I don't feel up to the task but it sounds doable. Problem with me is that, while being a #commodore64 kid since the 1980s, the first #assembler I learned in the early 1990s in school was #z80 and once I started tinkering with my #rc2014 it all really came back bit by bit.I've just started to look over the fence at #mos6502 assembler after I finished my #uAX64MiniLong

So here's another #2SID tune for you to enjoy:

"Respublika Kazantip" (composer unknown)

Live-recorded from my #uAX64MiniLong #commodore64 replica using these two SID replicas in my system:

SID #1 is an #armSID acting as #mos6581

SID #2 is a #SwinSidNano acting as #mos8580

After two and a half years using the #z80 processor on various #rc2014 I'm now back at "home" on the #mos6502 and my #commodore64 and getting familiar with this archtecture.

I'm using Turbo Macro Pro on my #uAX64MiniLong - so let's take it easy, let's fill the screen with something ...

proper weekend setup ...

#retrocomputing
#rc2014
#commodore64
#uAX64MiniLong

I wanted to test my #wifimodem on the #uAX64MiniLong #commodore64 so I decided to combine that with running my custom GEOS 2.5 install (.D81 image via SD2IEC) and using geoTelnet.

#geos

Finally! It's done!!

The missing 50 pin ribbon cable arrived today so I could eventually finish the build of my #uAX64MiniLong.

I still need to finish the "Bluetooth / USB Keyboard" module but I take that one as a "nice-to-have" rather than a "must-have".

And oh, do I dig the "Cyberdeck" charme of this setup! I'm a happy person now!

#commodore64
#dudebuildingac64

Eventually soldered the missing RCA jacks, plugged in my SD2IEC adapter board and used an 40 pin IDE cable for a keyboard extension (so these are still useful indeed).

Now, the only thing that's still missing is a 50 pin ribbon cable to finally attach the peripheral board. This is - after several delays - due to arrive on tuesday!

#commodore64
#dudebuildingac64
#uAX64MiniLong

One neat feature of the #uAX64MiniLong is the additional serial bus connector on the right side of the module, originally intended to "dock" an adapter PCB which would fit on a #pizero and thus add a Pi1541 drive.

Now, of course you can also use this serial connector to dock an SD2IEC mini board. So I eventually built a small "adapter PCB" for the #sd2iecmini module I had lying around for months ...

.oO(oh, did I mention that I *hate* to solder wires?)

#dudebuildingac64
#commodore64

I just performed the very first power-up test of my #uAX64MiniLong - just the minimum set of modules and the module board (backplane) itself - aaaand:

It. Is. Alive!!

Yaaaaaaaaay!! Yay! Yay! Yay!

The even the memory module which I had to hotfix does work as long as you don't touch the jumper wire I use as a workaround for the missing socket spring at pin 57.

#commodore64
#dudebuildingac64

Finished the interface board today. In fact, I'm almost done soldering all the PCBs. Still waiting for the three RCA female connectors (yellow, red and white) and the replacement for the "RAM/PLA module".

#dudebuildingac64
#uAX64MiniLong
#commodore64
#uni64
#soldering

So I eventually finished the SID "soundcard" module for the #uAX64MiniLong as well. Quite a productive sunday today - we're getting closer to first power-on test. Still waiting for a few parts as well as for the replacement RAM module, though ...

#dudebuildingac64
#commodore64
#uni64

Today I continued soldering the modules of my #uAX64MiniLong #commodore64 clone #dudebuildingac64 #uni64

The CPU and interface module are finished, the VIC II module is just missing the Composite and S-Video jacks and a 1x DIP switch, but is otherwise finished. I also started with the SID module adding two IC sockets.

I've also started populating the Interface board, which will be mounted below the 9-slot module board.

Hotfix for the RAM Module of the #uAX64MiniLong that I screwed up (well, actually the socket quality screwed up on me) - if this one works I'll call myself "MaC= Gyver" (with chicken-lips 'C') for the rest of the month ... heh ...

Still not sure if I ever want to use this module, I'll more likely just wait for the repalcement to arrive.

#commodore64 #dudebuildingac64
#solderingwork

Yes kids, look very closely!

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any high-precision sockets for 64-pin ICs.

So this is what happens when you use cheap sockets. And let me tell you that the photograph shows the *second* attempt at getting a 64-pin socket (for the PLA) onto the board. The first one "lost" the third one of its springs on the upper left.

While I noticed the first time this happened when I only had soldered the corner pins (I could easily get the socket off the PCB again), I didn't the second time, well I did but it was too late by then. Not going to bother getting this one off again with 2/3 of the pins already done.

So no more soldering today, but I ordered a replacement board and two new sockets - the latter hopefully being of better quality this time!

#dudebuildingac64 #soldering #sockets #electronics #mos6502 #commodore64 #uax64minilong

Today, I eventually started building the first board (the "module board") of the #uAX64MiniLong #commodore64 kit by #uni64 (https://uni64.com) - it's still missing the 12V barrel jack, power switch and a 12V -> 5V voltage converter.

But soldering the 72-pin connectors is now finished, one of the less motivating tasks needed to be done.

Once the "module board" is finished, I will start building the individual CPU, VIC-II, SID and RAM modules so that they can be tested along woth the module board.

#dudebuildingac64

Harvest successful!!

I eventually got all the MOS custom chips I need off the board.

I also tried to get the 64 pin PLA (251715-01) and indeed I got i out, but now it's missing two legs (damn!) - but since I expected a desaster like this, I aquired a "new old stock" PLA a few days ago (second photograph).

So now that I have the most precious parts for the build, I will have to wait until the uAX64Mini Long PCBs arrive ...

#dudebuildingac64 #commodore64 #uAX64MiniLong #uni64