Re: "Commodore 64 Prototype Project"

Hi,

On 2012-05-07 15:42, Per Olofsson wrote:
>
> You can find more images of a previously sold unit here:
>
>    http://jpegbay.com/gallery/001326274-5.html
>
> Looks like a devkit to me, with RS-232 ports for uploading ROM images.
>

I agree.

The theory that is it a RAM-based cartridge devkit/system suited for 
game development is backed up by the fact that they did a lot of work 
exposing the *both* joystick ports and keyboard on the front plate.

It seems a little unlogical to expose especially the joystick ports if 
it was a "just" RS-232 communications server...


It appears to me that the system never has had any proper back-plate.
This means that all ports of the C64 and the prototype board was exposed 
on the back.

The Textool ZIF-socket on the prototype board seems to have had an 
important function as it is directly accessible on the back of the system.
Something that indicates that it is to be used frequently.

http://jpegbay.com/gallery/001326274-15.html#15

 From the location of the Textool ZIF-socket another theory could be 
that the system is a EPROM burner ? then but why have joyports exposed 
on the front ?

Another thing that puzzles me is - if it is a devkit - why two serial 
ports - why not only one ? If the second serial port was "for free" I 
could understand - but it seems that the constructor deliberately have 
designed it with two ports.


Can anyone come up with a theory about the second switch on the front 
plate ? it is soldered to the board here:

http://jpegbay.com/gallery/001326274-7.html#7

The first switch is the power switch.
As for the second front switch the soldering location near to U20 
(NE556) could indicate that it has something to do with NMI - maybe a 
substitution for a Restore button ? That would indicate that another 
type of external keyboard was used - only that it would have to have the 
same kind of keyboard matrix... hmm ???

/Uffe




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