Posts by Storm

I finally got around to installing my MK3. I got the VGA/HDM! board and buzzed off the extra PCB on each side of the VGA socket using a bench grinder. With the PCB trimmed back on both sides to the VGA socket, it fits nicely where the modulator was (No copper traces were hurt in the process). I just used some hot glue to hold it in place and made sure there was enough shielding for the screws in the VGA socket to grab onto. It is very solid and everything works well. I should have taken pictures, but forgot about this thread until now. A bit of filing is needed for port clearance on the case as it does sit a few mm higher than the other ports.

A quick video to show it working https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqBKoTkP_HE

I totally get what everyone is saying about the technical side of this, I wasn't going to debate this as I'm certainly no expert in this department. It's more of a curiosity rather than a problem. Fact remains - that it does work on ALL my original hardware, regardless of the technical reasons, and I was just interested in why this was so. I did enjoy the investigation, but now we are done.

Now I will have to rummage through some more retro gear and see what next I can pester Jens and Tobias about

Very interesting! You're right Tobias, what can we do and test now? lol

I'm not packing any equipment away just incase we think of something else.

https://ist.uwaterloo.ca/~schepers/MJK/serialbus.html

Okay, back with some interesting results.

I used a 1541, 1541-II, 1541-II with JiffyDOS kernal, 1541 Ultimate 2.

All IEC leads were the same standard length.

C64 Reloaded voltage was 4.91

Original C64 voltage was 4.98

C64MK2 -> 1541-II (ON) -> 1541 (OFF) -> Ultimate = working

C64MK2 -> 1541-II/JDOS (ON) -> 1541 (OFF) -> Ultimate = not working

C64MK2 -> 1541-II (OFF) -> 1541 (ON) -> Ultimate = working

C64MK2 -> 1541-II (OFF) -> 1541 (OFF) -> Ultimate = not working

I tried the C64MK2 with JiffyDOS enabled and disabled, same result. IEC Burst is default, being off.

You can tell when it's not going to work as the red LED on the Ultimate stays on.

Original C64 - all tests worked.

Quote from Tobias

Just out of coincidence stumbled over this

Interesting. Apparently my one has a MOSFET in it (Don't ask me, all I know is what it stands for lol).

Mine drops the voltage by approx. 0.04V. Probably a few different designs out there.

I didn't use it in these tests.

Hi guys, I just got in from work so I will set the experiment up shortly, after a coffee of course

Tobias I noticed you have the Plus version. Mine is the version before, the non-plus with firmware 3.7 installed (latest).

The way I was trying to load is first to mount a .d64 image and back to the C64 for the usual LOAD"*",8,1

This is where is fails but if you do a mount+run it works, although I didn't try a multiload program for this.

So my other tests were done using C64MK2 -> 1541-II -> Ultimate 1541-II. Both IEC cables being the same standard length.

Jens I will connect my laptop to C64MK2 and see what setting are in place, like IEC Burst. Back soon with more results.

Actually I can help you there. I have another two working 1541 disk drives in my storage if that will help with tests. I just hope I have enough cables.

How would you like me to set them up to test to get the results your after? Put them all in the chain while being off to see what happens?

My place will look like a copy party from the 80's lol

Lmao, really? I think you'll find that more than half the products on the market at the moment aren't covered by any sort of liability insurance as the work is done by retro enthusiasts for other retro enthusiasts. If the circuit is so simple, given that you previously never heard of such a device, then humour me and tell me how 'your' version would work.

I don't own a Commodore MPS 1200 printer anymore so I can't conducts any tests on that for you unfortunately. I smashed it back in 1992 when the blasted thing wouldn't print my essay that was due the next day for school lol.

Look Jens, I feel that because I have pointed out an operational difference between the Reloaded MKII and a real C64 you have taken it personally. This was never meant to be the case. If I thought the whole Reloaded project was shit then I would have never bought one in the first place. It is a fantastic product and I use it as my main C64 machine. I was just pointing out an observation that I noticed, and did say it's no big deal. But the point does still remain - 4 different C64's, two different power supplies, and the issue is NOT there. Maybe you could buy/borrow/steal a 1541 Ultimate 2 (I have the non plus version) and do further testing yourself.

I honestly feel if anyone is under attack, it's me. I have tried to help out and have been a good customer of iComp products (because they are good products and we, the enthusiasts, value them). You no doubt can see what I have bought and the list is almost as long again with iComp items purchased through AmigaKit. Good way to alienate customers with such an attitude. Anyway, if there is anyway I still can further assist, I will!

I think most people back in the day had one disk drive and maybe a printer, which would have been off but still connected. Anyway I have some more measurements to ponder. This time I also included a different power supply as well.

White brick type Power Supply full or resin (same one as before)

Output from Power Supply unloaded - 5.2V

CIA - 4.74V

CIA with C64 Saver - 4.71V

Black type Power Supply old transformer style, no resin

Output from Power Supply unloaded - 5.2V

CIA - 4.92V

CIA with C64 Saver - 4.85V

In all scenarios the C64 worked without issue with the drive turn off connected on the IEC chain.

Also voltage readings taken didn't change at all whether the disk drive was on or not.

Hmmm strange that I have had four C64's of different design work the same way with or without the device inline. I will get a reading tomorrow, but I suspect they will be the same result.

Errr righto, firstly you didn't know what it was and now you are an expert on it without having one to test in the lab to see if it does actually work. Also it's about protecting from overvoltage not under voltage, like a circuit breaker to protect the C64. Did you actually read the description? I just put that link you help give you an idea of what it was, not the exact one I have but similar in operation. Don't get cranky at me when I'm trying to help just because your clone C64 doesn't operate the same as a real one. Did you have a real C64 on the test bench to reverse engineer or just take a guess and throw a few good old Z-diodes in the Reloaded to make it work?

The inline power saver, I should have said C64 saver, as apparently when the old brick start to die they can cause an overvoltage on the 5V line damaging the C64. This device connects between the plug of the power supply and the c64, protecting from this overvoltage.

Something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Commo…050a28:g:C7oAAOSwGhBe28e8

Okay, some results:

Reloaded MKII CIA - 4.89V (Indivision Power Supply)

Commodore 64 CIA - 4.71V (Original Power Brick with inline Power Saver)

I did the CIA chip swap, same issue was present as before.

As I have stated before, the chips in the Reloaded are from a C64 that worked with the configuration in question.

Hmmm, I'll have to have a play around when mine arrives as I have a SCSI port in the slot under the FDD.

Wow, I finally found this and it was very interesting. I never knew so much went into making a quality power supply for the Amiga! Just after I 'fixed' my 'light' A600 power supply that was starting to stink like fish with a 4A on the 5V rail MeanWell RT-50B chassis power supply. I do have this running on an Amiga 1200 with a Blizzard 1260 with SCSI and mechanical hard drive. I had it running for days on end doing full formatting on old SyQuest SyJet 1.5 GB disks with no problems. I just ordered an Indivision AGA MK3 and since it's based on newer technology it will be interesting to see if the high ripple of the MeanBad will cause problems. If not, well, new power supply it is.

Definitely interested in investigating this further. I know that one of my C64's has every chip socketed so pulling chips will be easy. It might be worth mentioning that the chips that now live in my Reloaded are from another C64c that used to work until the SuperPLA (shortboard) decided to clock out for good. This machine also worked with the drive in the chain while off. I'll get some readings and report back, probably over the weekend as I have two days of work.. If you could give me a comprehensive list of tests and methods I can carry out so I can be as accurate as possible with the results would be great. My email address is linked to order 83691 if that makes it easier to correspond. I am better with the practical than the theory, but I'm always keen to learn. and add knowledge to our community.

Okay, I just had to do a test as I have plenty of time to do so these days. I pulled three C64's out of storage, one breadbin and two C64c's. They all worked perfectly with the drive turned off in the middle of the IEC chain. No big deal as I love the Reloaded MK2, and use it a lot, but interesting nevertheless.

I thought there would have to be a logical explanation. Always a good day when something new is learnt. Thanks for the replies.

Hi all, just a little problem I have that I'll try to explain as best I can. I have also posted this on Gideon's group on Facebook,

I have a C64 Reloaded MK2, 1541 Ultimate 2 and a 1541-II drive. When I have them all hooked up on the IEC chain (1541-II off) the Ultimate can't load anything from a mounted image. It can do a mount+run okay though. This works fine on a real C64. If I have the 1541-II on and mount a image on device 9 using the Ultimate, it will load fine. It seems there is a problem when the 1541 real drives are turned off but present in the IEC chain. Anyone else experienced this?

Hello, probably a really dumb question but here goes anyway lol. Will the hard drive caddy still be able to fit with the MK3 installed?

A new version of the Indivision for the A1200, very interesting. I will definitely get one as I have just acquired an A1200.