|  New Release Of Diag264: V0.94beta | | Posted by crock on 2019-02-24 |
After a lot of prevaricating, I'm finally pushing a new semi-official release of Diag264 - v0.94 beta: http://www.inchocks.co.uk/commodore/Diag264
If you haven't come across it before, it's the C16/Plus/4 equivalent of the various Commodore produced diagnostic cartridges for the C64. There is both a kernal based version that you can directly replace your kernal ROM with, which give the lowest level of diagnosis a bit like the 64 dead test cartridges ,or you can use the low-ROM version which you can put on a cartridge or use in place of the Function-Low ROM in a Plus/4.
Since I released the first version in 2012, I've been regularly tweaking it and it's finally got enough extra functionality to be worth announcing. Since then it's got much better address bus testing, better RAM testing using a decent pseudo random number generator, TED latch testings, fixed numerous small bugs, and added the ability to better diagnose I/O port issues.
To get the most value, you would also need the loop-back plugs. I don't make these for sale, but various ebay sellers have sold them and there's full instructions on building your own in the documentation.
There is a download link at the top of the page where you can find the binaries for kernal/low-ROM and PAL/NTSC combinations. It doesn't matter so much whether you use the PAL or NTSC version as it will try and auto-detect from the installed kernal if you use the low-ROM version, and if you use the kernal version, you can force the video mode by holding down 'P' or 'N' as you power on. Otherwise full instructions are in the link.
0.94 is considered beta, so if there's any bugs or other feedback, please PM me or email the address in the document and I will try to help, time allowing. |
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| | Two Days to the Race, A Story Of High (Steam) Pressure | | Posted by Luca on 2019-02-15 |
 After his early glimpe into the Plus/4 scene with Innuh's Pyramid, a classic theme for an adventure game, Davide Bucci returns with a brand new interactive fiction, this time set during the roaring times of steam engines, when the automotive technology at its very first stages still was surrounded by the aura of heroism and bravery. And if you were a young lady in a world of engineers, the bravery was double!
Two Days to the Race has been developed with Adventure Writing System (AWS) coded by Aristide Torrelli; after the game has been completed, Davide has converted into a C source, in order to be exported to several different 8bit platforms, including C64, ZX Spectrum and (soon!) C128. This process opens a brand new way to modern adventure games' development.
Just like the author did for the previous game, Two Days to the Race V1.6 Final has been released in both English and Italian languages (translated by Alessio Colopardi, this latter one being on V1.5 state yet, will be completed in the very next days). Luca/FIRE added some code and music in the intro, and packed up the final release.
 Beware! This interactive fiction game features some password given at the most significant moments of the story, so write'em down somewhere. And if you will obtain the final password once the game has been completed, you can write to the author, to be included in the Winners' List printed on the official site.
No time to waste anymore, ready to go Emilia Vittorini, you're the daughter of Augusto Vittorini, who founded the Industria Torinese Automobili (ITA) with his brother Tullio. Your father is abroad trying to raise funds, but something went wrong and you heard your uncle coming back slamming the door. Your mission is to find what happened and how you can help your family. Good luck! |
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| | Searching For "The Solution", Finding PETSCII Shows | | Posted by Luca on 2019-02-01 |
 PETSCII stuff is the real Round Table of the Commodore Legacy, where several machines swap their experiences, and there are some C64 examples quite worthy to be ported on Plus/4 too.
So here we are with'em: Luca/FIRE takes not one but two PETSCII pictures shows from C64 — a high ranked and famous one, and a brand new one released few days ago — to the Plus/4! The pictures come in the closer color conversion possible, and presented under in the original interface labeled by The Solution, just as coded by Seven, with two different tunes composed by Xiny6581 playing optionally via SIDcard or by Mconv V1.6 on-the-fly frequency conversion.
Originally released on C64 in the early days of the past September, Tales Of Edoras Plus/4 is a non plus ultra collection showing the inspirated skills of Shine: 16 astonishing PETSCII gems, plus a hidden one to be dug out.
 Blockheads Plus/4 is the latter days newcomer, featuring a big bunch of 20 PETSCII portraits handdrawn by a Commodore rookie like Snake Petsken, in the very first approach of him.
Thirsty of new incredible PETSCII art? Don't worry, we found The Solution. |
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