Posted By
YERZMYEY
on 2013-03-05
16:59:03
 |  Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
Hi.
As You know, I'm not a hardware-man and never will be, heh.
So the question could be stupid but I'd like to know -
I assume there is some external (kind of cartridge?) RAM expansion for C=116 to make it 64K?
And if so - I do hope it doesn't use the same connector that SidCard uses?
Finally - is it even possible to get a working 64K expansion for my beloved C=116?
Sorry for that.  HW is really black magic to me.
Byez,
Y
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Posted By
MIK
on 2013-03-06
05:09:48
 | Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
I would of thought a C116 would of used the standard C16 memory carts so yes the same as the SidCard connection of which I do not see a problem.
The only other way is internal meaning opening it up and tampering with it. I think it's fine to upgrade a C16 in this way but a C116 is not so common and worth a lot more unspoiled.
I'm sure a Plus/4 can use the memory carts also but I'm not about to try a 32k cartridge on a 64k machine.
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Posted By
Patrick
on 2013-03-06
07:07:30
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
i have a 64k upgraded c116! i don't use a cartridge, the person opened the computer and added some k's!!!
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Posted By
YERZMYEY
on 2013-03-06
07:31:22
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
Thanks guys.
Are there any reliable schemes of 64K RAM for C=116 on the Internet?
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Posted By
MIK
on 2013-03-06
08:14:04
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
Chris over at http://www.commodore16.com/ also has a C116 and may know more of what can be done. His main machines are C16's but his baby is the C116. 
Might be worth an ask.
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Posted By
crock
on 2013-03-06
09:13:08
 | Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
Try this: http://mcbx.netne.net/hacks/c16_64k/index.htm
This is the instructions for a C16. The chip labels (U5,U6 etc) are the same on a C116 but the location on the board, and thus the points to solder to, will likely be different. I've never followed it but it sounds reasonable *if* you have some experience with soldering. I can check this tonight if you need me to.
I would also say the for the sake of a few dollars - use a solder sucker and/or desoldering braid instead of needles to remove the original chips and clean the pcb holes.
Rob
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Posted By
MMS
on 2013-03-06
11:59:22
 | Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
i opened my speccy, and though it was just a keyboard foil change without any soldering, i am sure will never open it again.
if i am right, i saw some time ago for c64 an expansion port extender. You plugged it, and it offered 3 ports you you may use (paralelly?), though the weak external psu could be an issue, too.
Ok found it, called X-Pander 3. To bad, that the two expansion ports are different (i mean c64 and c116)
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Posted By
siz
on 2013-03-07
00:51:44
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
Solder/Synergy had an expansion port splitter for the plus/4 but due to lack of expansion port connectors used in these computers he used the ones found in the C64. And all the expansions he used in it had the same connector so they cannot be used anywhere else.
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Posted By
YERZMYEY
on 2013-04-11
08:43:26
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
Thank You a lot guys.
Well, sooner or later I will try to find a skillful man who might do it, with the instruction.
Or also I could additionally ask on the C16 forum (there were some problems with registration 'though).
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Posted By
MMS
on 2013-04-12
10:45:36
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
As I see, going into the set, cutting PCB lines in not for most of the people.
From component point of view not a big deal (maybe 10€), but my hands would shake too much...
Maybe an external RAM expander is the right way, the partner side planned to have such a project, but never realized since 2006. (unfortunately the SID card did not make the 256KB expansion at the same time, thus could be used by C16 and C116 owners to step up to a next level at the same time).
I mean like REU1764
http://commodore128.mirkosoft.sk/reu.html
Maybe an available 64K external card to be reverse engineered, and use bigger RAMs, as the available schematics all seems to build RAM expansions inside the machine, not on an external board.
http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/documents/projects/memory/plus4/index.html
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Posted By
YERZMYEY
on 2013-04-12
11:04:30
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
MMS: That's most interesting.
Thx a lot for the link.
It appears that I know Jerzy Sobola in person for years.
I will ask him.
Thanks again, mate!
_______EDIT___________
Btw - do You think the 256K expansion is 100% compatible with standard 64K?
.
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Posted By
MMS
on 2013-04-12
13:24:47
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
yeah, it would be great if it helps you : -) his schematics look great: simple and straightforward
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Posted By
YERZMYEY
on 2013-04-18
07:56:28
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
Haaa, and what would You say - he agreed!!!! YESSSSSSSS.
I send him my C=116 with a power-supply yesterday.
Also I have this magical USB blackbox to connect PC to the 5,25" diskdrive. And pretty numerous diskettes.
Hmmm. So affter using Plus/4 for several years now, I could be finally able to fully use also the 116. Niiiiiiiice.
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Posted By
MMS
on 2013-04-18
15:11:32
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
yeah, great news! Finally you could use it at it's full potential! Btw: extra heatsink, low power Eproms, JiffyDos, 256k? Just curious, that would be THE BEAST!
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Posted By
YERZMYEY
on 2013-04-18
16:13:30
| Re: Ports of C=116 (RAM/SidCard?)
You know what, I was really wondering about the 256K but he said he can't 100% guarantee that it will handle all 64K program then. Some minor incompatibilities - and some demos might not work. Which I'm very afraid of.
So I finally asked him to make a standard 64K. I really intend to use the machine, not to collect dust. So wanna have it as close to Plus/4 as possible.
Talkin'bout it - and returning to the subject a bit more - the SidCard has a joystick port (in standard of Atari/C64 joys). Should the games be 'hacked' in some way to use the joystick's port? Or is it enough I will press fire through SidCard's joy - and the game will work fine?
How is it with 264 joysticks? I have never use them.
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