Autostart Cart

[Jeff-20]

I dream of an cart that when powered up would simple execute a LOAD "*", 8 (or ten in my case) and then RUN. Is this a simple or complicated task?

If it's not too hard, would anyone here have the knowledge or desire to take on a commission project? I would need it in a few weeks, but I am open to whatever price you quote.

[buzbard]

I can't physically create a cart for you but here is a cart image that you can try out.

If you have a 8k or 16k RAM cart that can be configured to block 5 ($A000), load this with the usual:

Code: Select all

LOAD"JEFF-CART",10,1

then insert a disk in drive 10 and reset with:

Code: Select all

SYS64802

Or you could try it out in VICE, just attach a d64 image then attach the cart image at $a000 and reset.

http://www.adrive.com/public/VSMAYb.html

[Vic20-Ian]

Maybe modified Megacart firmware could do this?

[rhurst]

My understanding of the newer firmware in Mega-Cart is that there is an AUTOBOOT disk feature, with an optional JiffyDOS loader, no? The details of it should be listed here, if not a direct link to an instruction page.

[Mike]

The details of [the Mega-Cart autoboot disk feature] should be listed here, [...]

Indeed they are. See here: 'Can a serial device control the Vic-20?' (further down the topic, my two posts from May, 11th in 2011).

Jeff got one of the very early MCs (#20, IIRC) without the autoboot feature, though ...

[Jeff-20]

Jeff got one of the very early MCs (#20, IIRC) without the autoboot feature, though ...

That sounds exactly like what I need. I'm going to see if I can get an upgrade. Thanks, guys!

[nbla000]

You may use my CBM-Filebrowser for Mega-Cart even with your old revision.

It resides in 3k memory area, after launching a program, It may auto-restart (without re-load) even if you switch off your Vic-20, just hold CBM key on boot/reset (or select VIC +3K) and type SYS1150.

You may load any program for any memory configuration, unexpanded, 3k / 8k+ and cart images too.

From revision 20 (November 2010) it is integrated on Mega-Cart and you may autostart it by holding F8 on boot.

[Jeff-20]

I'm confused. Would I type the SYS every time I power on the system? That would defeat the purpose. I could just type LOAD.

[Schema]

The SYS64802 simulates a reset, just so you can test the cartridge image. You wouldn't need to in the real case.

There are several "blank" cartridge kits for the C64, it would be awesome to have one for the VIC-20. Sort of like http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dl ... 0711799902 but with the sockets already in place.


For now though, you could do it like this:

1. Get a blank C64 cartridge i.e. http://c64zone.alphaworks.com.au/ or simialr (there are a few, I can't find the links right now)

2. Use a Masc=eurade board http://www.go4retro.com/projects/converter/ to use it on the VIC.

3. Burn an EPROM with buzbard's code it, and install in the cart.


Another option would be to modify the Kernal ROM to autoboot - there are some C64 Kernals that do this.

[Schema]

Ah, found the blank C64 carts.

http://sharewareplus.blogspot.ca/2011/0 ... range.html

http://sharewareplus.blogspot.ca/2011/1 ... o-use.html

http://digitalaudioconcepts.com/ (Prototyping Cartridge).

[6502dude]

This was my favorite project for auostart cart (with ability to erase & rewrite)

http://sleepingelephant.com/ipw-web/bul ... c&start=46

I built 4 and put them into cases.
Someday I'll get around to building one for myself.

[Jeff-20]

These sound like great options!

So, I could autostart BASIC programs with any of these options? It sounds like the latest Mega Cart revisions do what I want. Could I start both unexpanded and 3k programs this way with MC Boot? I'd be happy either way. My older MC doesn't have this feature. Does anyone with a current one want to loan me theirs for a month? I need it for a hard-scheduled project.

[Jeff-20]

I can't physically create a cart for you but here is a cart image that you can try out.

If you have a 8k or 16k RAM cart that can be configured to block 5 ($A000), load this with the usual:

Code: Select all

LOAD"JEFF-CART",10,1

then insert a disk in drive 10 and reset with:

Code: Select all

SYS64802

Or you could try it out in VICE, just attach a d64 image then attach the cart image at $a000 and reset.

http://www.adrive.com/public/VSMAYb.html

Buzbard, Could you post that download again?

[buzbard]

Sure, here ya go:
http://www.adrive.com/public/JkrrSh.html

Damn, ADrive.com only allows sharing of files for 14 days, anyone know a better place to host files?

Here is the DASM source code, in case you'd like to change it.

Code: Select all

        processor 6502
        
        org $a000

RESET   dc.w start
NMI     dc.w $fec7
CARTSIG byte "A0", "C"+$80, "B"+$80, "M"+$80

start
        ;KERNAL start routines
        jsr $fd8d ; RAMTAS - Initialise System Constants
        jsr $fd52 ; Init Vectors
        jsr $fdf9 ; Init I/O, CLI
        jsr $e518 ; Init Screen
        
        ;BASIC start routines
        jsr $e45b ; Init Vectors
        jsr $e3a4 ; BASIC RAM
        jsr $e404 ; INIT Message (needed so keycheck routine below works)

        ldx #$00
next    lda txt_string,x
        beq done
        sta $277,x
        inx
        jmp next
done    stx $c6
        jmp $e467 ;Exit to BASIC

txt_string
        byte "Lo", $22, $2a, $22, ",10", $0d
        byte "Ru", $0d, $00

        org $afff  ;Filler for 4k cart, change to $bfff for 8k cart
        hex ff

[nbla000]

Perfect solution, if you want with a small change you may use it with Mega-Cart (any revision) by selecting before the memory configuration too.

Example on Basic Prompt:

1: Unexpanded
2: 3K
3: 8K+

hit 1, 2 or 3 and than it loads the first program in drive 10.

If you want I may add a drive selection menu too.

Example after the Memory configuration Menu:
8: Drive 8
9: Drive 9
0: Drive 10
1: Drive 11

Tell me if you like this solution and you want I release it.