From freeze to slow down by a factor of 16

[eslapion]

Hey I just had a crackpot idea here.

Why don't I connect a 74LS161 to my VIC to slow it down to one 16th its normal speed?

Only 4 connections needed... Vcc, GND, Phi2 of the VIC to CLK of the LS161 and RCO of the LS161 to RDY of the 6502.

Think it'll work? I think so!

[nbla000]

but you need to hack the vic or you may use external ports connections ?

[eslapion]

but you need to hack the vic or you may use external ports connections ?

You could do it with a small cart because the Phi2 clock is available on the cart port but you would still need to tap into the RDY line on the 6502 socket.

Then again, you can still do that using a small probe, no solder needed.

And guess what? IT WORKS!! YESS!!

This is possibly a great tool for debugging.

Presently the 6502 in my VIC runs at 1.02MHz/16= 63.75KHz

While everyone dreams of a SuperCPU for the VIC, I just created the SluggishCPU!!

[carlsson]

Interesting hack, but for debugging breakpoints and a ML monitor running on another screen page (or emulated) probably makes a bigger difference than sitting idle, watching your buggy program run at 1/16th of its speed.

[eslapion]

Well, I can tell you that much; its great for slowing down games at critical moments.

Allright, here's the solution.

Connect a 74LS161 or 74LS163 in the following manner;

-Connect pins 1,7,9,10 and 16 to +5V
-Connect pin 2 to the Phi2 clock signal available on pin V (that's V as in Victor, NOT pin 5) of the cartridge port. Also referred to as S02.
-Connect pin 15, via a switch, to pin 2 of the 6502 socket.
-Cut pins 3,4,5,6,11,12,13 and 14.

Enjoy your new snail mode VIC-20.

[Jeff-20]

Does this mod reduce the fun factor by 16 too? Because my BASIC programs are running way too fast!

[eslapion]

Does this mod reduce the fun factor by 16 too? Because my BASIC programs are running way too fast!

I don't think this reduces the fun factor at all. As a matter of fact, slowing down Cloudburst and Crossfire has allowed me to have incredibly long lasting games with unimaginably high scores.

It does wonders with Omega Race too...

Gotta try some more!

[ruud]

Interesting hack, but for debugging breakpoints and a ML monitor running on another screen page (or emulated) probably makes a bigger difference than sitting idle, watching your buggy program run at 1/16th of its speed.

Using it already from 1986 on:
http://www.baltissen.org/newhtm/debugger.htm :)