From: Marko Mäkelä (marko.makela_at_hut.fi)
Date: 2003-01-21 19:55:24
Hello all,
Good news for those who remember my almost two years old vaporware project,
constructing an "all-in-one" cartridge for the VIC-20: the hardware of the
prototype seems to work fully, and the only thing missing is some 6502 and
C software for programming the Flash ROM while the cartridge is connected
to the VIC-20.
The prototype has only 512 kilobytes of Flash ROM (Am29F040B), which is not
enough for storing all VIC-20 software, not even for just the cartridge games.
I've found out that there are 4-megabyte 5-volt Flash ROMs. The one from AMD
looks very nice, since it is available in an easy-to-solder SO44 package, and
the address and data buses are nicely organised on the package. I've already
designed a board layout for this chip (Am29F032), and I've found out a source
for n*17 chips, n>1. However, I would like to build a prototype first, and
I need one chip for that. Can anyone help me?
If not, I guess I'll take the risk and order 34 or 51 chips. I'm a little
worried, since the C2N232 hasn't been a great success (only some 90 devices
sold so far), even though it works on all Commodores equipped with a cassette
port. This device would be specific to the VIC-20, and it would cost at least
twice as much as the C2N232. How many people would be interested in a VIC-20
cartridge that can store all VIC-20 software in an easy-to-access menu, if
it costed some 40-50 EUR or USD? It would be available by the end of this
year if there is enough interest.
Marko
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