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WonderVIC
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:37 am
by MCes
WonderVIC is ready!
This is a modified VIC20 PAL board,
the modification is a FULL expansion RAM (37K) and an alternative kernal,
all is "on board" leaving the cartridge expansion free for user ,
the RAM/Kernel setting are chosen (during HW reset) through the function keys: no hole on case!
HW reset can be generated by continuos pressing of "RESTORE" key.
Code: Select all
continuous pressing of RESTORE will generate a HW RESET,
during HW RESET the function keys could select:
_____________________________________________________
| | 3k RAM | 16k | 8k | 2K | 8k |
| F5 F3 F1 | 1+2+3 | BLK1+2 | BLK3 | I/O2+3 | BLK5 |
|__________|________|________|______|________|________|
| -- -- -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- -- ** | ** | ** | -- | -- | -- |
| -- ** -- | ** | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- ** ** | ** | ** | ** | -- | -- |
| ** -- -- | ** | ** | ** | -- | ** |
| ** -- ** | ** | ** | ** | -- | R.ONLY |
| ** ** -- | ** | ** | ** | ** | ** |
| ** ** ** | ** | ** | ** | ** | R.ONLY |
|__________|________|________|______|________|________|
(R.ONLY = Read only: ROM emulation)
F7= second kernal (example: JDos + cartridge autostart disabled)
This motherboard is on sale without plastic case and keyboard to reduce the price of object and the shipment,
but if somebody is interested I can sell its keyboard and plastic case
Doom with empty cartridge slot!!!
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:38 pm
by Vic20-Ian
Interesting. Can you describe a bit about what you did here?
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 11:41 am
by MCes
Vic20-Ian wrote:Interesting. Can you describe a bit about what you did here?
This HW solution could be sectioned in three parts:
1) the part that feel the continue pressing of key "RESTORE" and consequently perform an HW RESET
2) the part that on "HW reset" check the keyboard with a "micro scan" and memorize the status of "function keys" on a proper "internal register."
3) the part that dinamically compare the bus configuration with the "internal register" and decide which memory (RAM8K/RAM32K/epROM32K) has to be selected and the proper block-address
The epROM with 3 images (BASIC / originalKERNAL / alternative patched KERNAL) is on BASIC-ROM socket, the 2 RAM chip (8k+32k) are soldered toghether and placed on KERNAL-ROM socket.
It wasn't simple organize & put all system management inside a simple chip!
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 11:38 am
by MCes
Note:
This motherboard is on sale without plastic case and keyboard to reduce the price of object and the shipment,
but if somebody is interested I can sell its keyboard and plastic case
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Mon May 29, 2017 1:49 am
by MCes
New price!
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Wed May 31, 2017 1:19 pm
by R'zo
What is the purpose of the alternate kernel in this mod?
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 12:18 am
by MCes
R'zo wrote:What is the purpose of the alternate kernel in this mod?
in my prototype the "alternative kernal" is a modified jiffydos,
the modify skip the cartridge auto start:
it's useful for copying cartridges or if you had a cartridge image on ram but you want not start it (for a new software session....)
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 3:40 pm
by javierglez
Is the VIC chip socketed so that it can fit the s-video mod without soldering ?
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 8:29 am
by MCes
unfortunately 6561 is soldered
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:06 am
by MCes
price drop!
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:45 pm
by COREi64
Have you ever thought of building/selling a WonderVIC PCB that people could install in their own VIC?
COREi64
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:56 am
by MCes
SOLD!
This HW mod is a lot of job and now I won't make soon another "wondervic".
COREi64 wrote:Have you ever thought of building/selling a WonderVIC PCB that people could install in their own VIC?
COREi64
May be that I will make a PCB for a better ingegnerization, but "wondervic" had a too small success, not sufficient to justify PCB projeting and realization....
I had also developed a SW patch for the kernals that read the function keys during startup ( this for minimize the HW wiring job),
but some wires have to be soldered from PCB to motherboards, and not all are able (or want) to do this into own VIC20...
I could try a "preorder", with people that make reservation for a modifying kit.... if reach 5 pcs I could start the PCB project.....
What do you think about?
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 2:18 pm
by COREi64
What do you think you the kit would cost? I am certainly interested in hearing more! I can speak for my VIC-20 in that it would love to have one installed!
I certainly understand you wanting to make sure you get enough people interest. Having a board that pops in, and perhaps wires that are attached with IC clips could possibly make the installation more attractive to those adverse to soldering...
Thomas
Re: WonderVIC
Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 11:35 pm
by amigo-mexicano
Do you have stock? Even one motherboard unmodified would suit my needs, I am looking for a PAL model...