Commodore C64 ITX PC – Part II ‘Keyrah arrives’.

Yay, today’s mail contained my R3play tickets  http://www.r3play.info/ and the the Keyrah circuit board for my C64 ITX PC project.

In the end I had to order the Keyrah from a supplier in Germany rather than Amigakit in the UK as they didn’t have any stock at the time -  http://www.vesalia.de/ Their service was great and I’ve received plenty of order updates via email throughout the order/dispatch process.

The box contained the Keyrah board, USB A-B cable, instruction manual and a small screwdriver.

The Keyrah board is approx 4″ x 3″ and contains keyboard inputs for the C64, C128, C-16 and VIC-20. In addition, there’s also pin headers for the original C64 power LED that can be used in two modes. Either lit like the Numlock LED that you’d find on a regular PC keyboard or alternatively, to indicate which keyboard map has been selected – Original C64 for use with C64 emulators or Windows.

I won’t be using this feature though, as I intend to connect the original power LED to the PC power LED.

C64 Keyrah

The ports on the side of the Keyrah are designed to match those on the original C64 and contain two 9-pin joystick inputs. With these, it’s possible to connect older joysticks from the 8-bit/16-bit era for use with various emulators like Vice64.  The only restriction is that it only supports joysticks with one fire button but, to be honest, is exactly the same as the original C64 and therefore is perfect for this project. Mouse input is not possible with this board.

Two joysticks can be connected simultaneously making 2-up C64 gaming a possibility and are mapped to the cursor keys/spacebar or numerical keys accordingly.

Keyrah external ports

The keymap selection button has been styled to look like the original C64 on/off rocker switch. In the ‘up’ position, the  keyboard layout is the same as the original C64 and is mapped perfectly for Vice64 (or Yape for C16 keyboard layout). In the ‘down’ position, the keyboard layout is adapted for use under Windows i.e. the C64 ‘C=’ key performs as the ‘ALT’ key in Windows. The instruction manual provides a list of the keys and subsequent effect in Windows.

The USB port is used to connect the Keyrah to a USB port on the PC for use as a regular keyboard. Because I’ll be fitting the PC inside the C64 case, I won’t be using this external connection but will use the internal USB breakout pins on the Keyrah board. As a result, keyboard cables will be hidden inside the C64 case again, giving the illusion of using a real C64.

The next step is to fit the Keyrah and test it to see if all is working o.k. but I’ll be doing that this weekend when I’ve got a little more free time.

More Blender renders – 3D Arcade Machines.

I stumbled across these fantastically detailed 3D arcade models the other day and though I’d group then and render them in Blender.

I’ve still very new to Blender however, models such as these are teaching me how basic shapes are combined, textures mapped and various lighting techniques.

I’ve never been much of a fan of Ms Pacman/Pacman, but you can’t tear me away from Defender and Galaga!

Dreaming of owning my own Robotron cab

The Joust model is almost the same cabinet shape as my MAME cab so I’m going to photograph the sideart, bezel and marque, transfer to vector based graphics with Adobe Illustrator and create a 3D version of my own arcade cabinet.

Commodore C64 ITX PC – Part I ‘Clean up’.

Although I’m still waiting for a few bits to arrive before I can start building my C64 PC, I thought I’d make a start by stripping the spare C64 I’d be using for this project and get an idea of how much space there is inside the ol’ bread bin.

Originally, I was going to use a really old battered and yellowed C64 I have but looking at nice condition of this one, I decided to use this one instead.

Just three screws at the front underside of the case is all that’s holding the top case to the bottom and plastic hinges at the rear ensure a good fit. With the top case and keyboard separated, time to have a look-see inside.

I was quite surprise how clean it was in the there. Apart from a  little dust, not bad at all. First, I disconnect the power LED form the mainboard and will use this later as the power light  for the PC ITX motherboard. Next came the keyboard header that which I’ll reconnect to the Keyrah board when it arrives.

Next came the metal shield and finally, after removing a few screws, I was able to lift out the mainboard. The keyboard was also unscrewed from the top part of the case and put to one side.

The MOS 6581 SID chip, responsible for some of the finest and memorable 8-bit tunes around:-)

..and the brains behind the C64, the MOS 6510 microprocessor.

With the case now in two parts and all circuitry removed, time to give the case a good scrubbing. First I dunked it in warm soapy water and gave it a light scrub, then I sprayed on Dettol Mildew remover which I find great for removing stubborn stains and mild yellowing you get on old computers.   Finally I gave them both a good rinse and dried with a soft cloth.

Almost as good as new.

Next  job was the keyboard and I used damp Q-Tips here to reach all the  hard to rget places to wipe away years of accumulated dust.

That’s about all I can do at the moment. I’ve tested the ITX board to see if will fit o.k. and thankfully it does. There should be more than enough room for the DC to DC converter, 2.5″ hard disk and associated cables. If heat buildup proves to be a problem, I think there should just be enough room to install a fan.

For the time being, I’ll put everything back together again, minus the mainboard. It’s a working board and one of the Retro Computer Museum chaps has a use for it.

Hope you can join me for part II of my little project. As always feel free to post your comments.

Commodore C64 XP Bliss.

Whilst I await delivery of a few items for my C64 ITX PC project, I’ve been playing around with various VICE64 emulator frontends & C64 themed boot screens for the PC o/s. I’ll be using Windows XP and although on bootup I plan to auto launch into the C64 emulator frontend, I thought it would be fun to create a wallpaper based on the original XP Bliss wallpaper and give it a C64 graphical look.

The first thing I did was to create a 16 colour palette for Photoshop based on the original C64 colours. I did this by  launching a  C64 game in Vice64 and taking a screenshot. Once I’d  loaded the screenshot in Photoshop I saved the color table for future use.

I then loaded the original XP Bliss Wallpaper in Photoshop.

Next, I rescaled the image to approx 50% height and 25% width (this would help to create a C64 blocky appearance when I rescaled the image to the correct proportions.

I then changed the original colours to that of the C64 by loading my presaved C64 color table.

All that remains was to rescale the image back. For this I rescaled to 200% height and 400% wide.

..and here we go – Commodore 64 XP Bliss!

Ugly isn’t it, but that’s exactly what I was looking for.

I have a few more ideas I’d like to try so I thought I’d jot them down here so that I don’t forget them!

Maybe have the C64 bliss gradually fade into the original XP Bliss picture

Add a ‘Commodore XP’ logo

Add a multicolour border similar to that of a C64 game loading screen.

Use the original XP Bliss wallpaper, but have a glass/transparent ‘C=’ logo in the middle of the screen with the C64 bliss wallpaper visable through the glass type font….or vice versa?

Create a photoshop border based on the original 1701/1702 colour monitor with the C64 bliss wallpaper shown on the screen.

Retro Gaming: Super Skidmarks – Amiga CD32

Taking it’s name from the sheer amount of rubber you can leave on the track (what else did you think it was!), Super Skidmarks on the Amiga CD32 console is a fun little arcade racing game featuring a variety of cars, tracks, hardly any physics, a cow and….caravans! Along side Super Mario Kart & Micro Machines it’s the perfect party racing game.

Originally released as Skidmarks on the Amiga home computers in 1993 it was created by Acid Software using Blitz Basic, a commercially available programing set that really showed off the product to keen bedroom coders like myself.The CD32 edition doesn’t really add that much to the original game, but freqeunt floppy disk swapping is thankfully removed thanks to the CD format.

Super Skidmarks main menu complete metal guitar soundtrack and a game of pong whilst you decide which options to choose.

Players can choose from a selection of cars ranging from Mini’s to Pickup Trucks to..erm hmm,  a cow on wheels? Tracks contain sweeping banks, bumps, jumps and cross sections to liven up race action and to ensure that there’s plenty of jostling between players as they race for the chequerd flag…and subsequent victory dance!

Mini’s lined up for the start of another race. All cars where created with the Amiga raytracing software – Imagine.

The infamous ‘caravan towing’ mode, where skillful drivers can use them for knocking opponents off the track.

Graphically it’s superb and the isometrically view point adopted for the main display is perfect for this type of game. It might look a little dated now but it still oozes playability. A must for every CD32 owner, especially the  Ultimate edition which contains a huge collection of tracks and car models. For the Amiga 500/1200 user, hunt out the HD installer and additional track/car packs.

Trying not to get lost.

New ITX project – Commodore C64 PC

Along with the Commodore Amiga, the Commodore C64  is by far my favorite computer of all time. I’ve been using one since the mid eighties and have spent many happy hours with this multi-talented beige bread bin.

Over the years I’ve owned quite a few of the original design, the C64c and the failed (but much loved) Commodore 64GS console.

My very 1st Commodore C64, which around 1988 I added an after market case to match the modern new style C64c….ugly isn’t it!

A few month back I read an interesting article about the current owners of Commodore releasing a new PC which takes inspiration from the original C64 design…..and it got me thinking!

Being a fan of ITX based PC’s and the weird and wacky world of making every day objects in to PC’s/servers (see blog post http://stiggyblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/commodore-1541-disk-drive-pc-mod-part-1/ ),  I thought it’d be a fun little project to use the casing from an old C64 and turn it into a PC. It’s been done many times before so I’m not doing anything new here but still, it should be a blast to make one.

The more I thought about this project, so formed a mental short list of the things I wanted achieve with this build.  Firstly and most importantly was that I want to keep the illusion of using a real C64 as much as possible. Having a C64 with a modern PC keyboard connected simply wouldn’t do, I want to use the original C64 keyboard.

After researching into this a little further, I came across a few sites where talented folk had managed to scratch build an encoder unit to get the original C64 keyboard working as a PC keyboard. It looks like a difficult process but I was all up for having a go until one of the RCM members pointed me in the direction of Amikit.com and the Keyrah device they have for sale.

With the Keyrah board, it’s possible to connect the interface from the original C64 keyboard and use it as a standard PC keyboard.  Perfect!

Another priority on my list was that I wanted the ability to connect an  original 9 pin joystick much the same as I use with my C64 and other 8-bit computers. I was thinking along the lines of a Cheetah or Quikshot II here. Originally I was going to use the internals from a PC joystick and retro fit it into a 9-pin joystick case, or alternatively use the reissued USB Comp Pro Joystick purchased last month.

Vintage Cheetah Annihilator, one of the many joysticks I picked up last week.

However, as the Keyrah also support 9-pin joysticks and can map directional controls to keyboard input (thinking joystick controls within the C64 emulator here) that’s that box ticked – Although, I’d still like to retro fit a classic joystick with a USB connection one day!

For the C64 emulation (and possible Vic-20, Plus 4) I will be using my favorite emulator – Vice64 (http://www.viceteam.org/.

Depending on which frontend I decide to use, mouse input for Windows is inevitable. I though about retro fitting an original 1351 mouse or Amiga ‘Tank’ mouse to USB but without a scroll wheel I’m not 100% sure I like that.

One fun idea I’ve been toying with is to buy one of those ultra flat usb mice, the one’s that that are only a centimeter tall and fit it inside a C64 rom cartridge. I have a non working ‘Simon’s Basic’ cart I could use for this but fabricating the mouse buttons might prove to be too difficult. At the moment it’s only idea so we’ll have to see.

New C64 mouse?

PC component wise, I have one or two ITX motherboards to choose from. I’ve tested the lower spec model which runs Vice64 very well but the deciding factor will be which one will actually fits comfortably considering that the CPU heatsink are usually quite large. PSU will be in the form of a ITX PSU board fitted inside the C64 case and external laptop ‘brick’ style main adapter.

Harddisk will be a standard SATA 2.5″ or possibly Solid State drive. I don’t plan to install a CD/DVD drive as it would be rarely used and I want to limit the number of holes that I need to drill out of the C64 case for fear and ruining the overall look.

PC power will be wired to the C64 power LED. HDD Activity HDD…hmm, will have to think about that one. Originally i was thinking about attaching an original C64 Action Replay cartridge and wire the LED to the power LED on the cart. Again, another idea I’m not too sure about yet.

If I can get everything ready in time, I’ll be demoing my C64 PC at the next RCM event in October. It should be a laugh to boot it with a ZX Spectrum emulator

I’ll post build pictures and words as I progress but until that time, if you have any comments,  or suggestions, please feel free post them.

*extra note – Amikit also supply a Keyrah device to suit an Amiga…I’m already thinking about building a Nano ITX or laptop motherboard based Amiga PC

Fun afternoon.

Prior to this Octobers Retro Computer Museum event, I said i’d pop down to the RCM storage unit to lend a hand sorting out various computers, bits and bobs and to test some of the TV, monitors and the odd suspect computer.

I’d set off early this morning but unfort, there’d been some sort of incident on the motorway which resulting in closing two full sections for well over 2 hours. With no hope of escaping I sat, with engine off wishing I’d set off even earlier Thankfully, I had a SD card full of SID tunes, various podcast and my laptop to keep myself busy until things got moving again.

By the time I’d got there, the chaps were already getting stuck in and had shifted half of the TV’s out into the hallway. Using various computers and consoles we set about testing each one and marking which inputs were working i.e RF, Composite, Scart.

Making a pile of systems to check. Quite nice to see that the Mattel Aquarius we picked up a few weeks back is in working order.

Taking a break, I was keen to take a closer look at one of Andy’s newest acquisitions, the Commodore SX64. I’ve wanted one myself for many years now and it was so nice to get up close to one and have a really good look.

Commodore SX64 (Commodore Amiga 1500 base unit below)

The SX64 was Commodore’s attempt to create the first full colour portable computer. Housed in briefcase type casing, it’s based on the popular Commodore C64 complete with integrated 5″ colour CRT display, floppy disk drive and detachable keyboard. Designed for the ‘executive on the move’ it didn’t sell very well but is very collectible today.

One day, if i can find one for sale that won’t break the bank, I’d love to own one myself.

Another test we wanted to try was to  see if we could set up a Sega Saturn to run with ten control pads connected (via two multitap units) so that RCM could host an epic  ten player  Super Bomberman tournament in October. After locating enough control pads, we tested Saturn after Saturn.

Not all of the units would work together but with lots of prodding, tinkering and swearing we managed to get two Saturn units working perfectly with all ten pads connected. Bomberman, here we come!

Messy but fun!

I didn’t come home empty handed too, and have a lovely bit of retro tech for a little project I’ll be starting soon. More on this to follow.

Retro Gaming: Commodore Amiga CD32

When the Commodore Amiga CD32 was released in 1993, I only gave it a brief glance and what I saw at the time didn’t  really impressive me. It seemed too little to late for Commodore, considering that the next batch of next gen consoles was just around the corner. In addition, the CD32 software library just wasn’t that inspiring too. Most were almost straight ports of existing Amiga 1200 games transferred to to CD or shovelware ports containing the odd FMV intro sequence.  It’s also around this time that early PC hits such as Doom and X-Wing were turning heads and luring gamers into the world of IBM clones.

The CD32 console is based around the Amiga 1200 Advanced Graphic Architecture (AGA) chipset & Motorolla 68EC020 CPU offering similar specifications to the A1200 home computer albeit new console casing and a CD-Rom drive instead of floppy disk drive.  Further expansion modules, like the expensive SX-1, could be used transform the console into a fully functional Amiga computer including inputs for a keyboard, floppy disk and hard disk drives. These modules are highly sought after now and can often fetch a premium on eBay.

CD32 boot screen.

The CD32 controller isn’t the best I’ve used either, it’s clunky and angular and not the most comfortable to hold for long periods. Games such as Cannon Fodder or Lemmings, original mouse based, are quite difficult to use with this controller (or is it just me ) but thankfully the CD32 input ports  support standard Amiga mice.

It wasn’t until a few years ago, I found one virtually being given away at a boot sale with a stack of  games. Sadly, it’s been boxed and gathering dust ever since, but after picking up a few more titles on Friday, I thought I’d take a look at it again.

Armed with a handful of CD’s and a tube of toothpaste (great for cleaning old CD game titles) I spent the afternoon with the CD32 and one thing became clear…it’s actually rather good! Forgetting for an instance that at the time of it’s release the CD32 offered nothing new, a large proportion of the games are some of the finest Amiga ports ever released and those that had been enhanced to take advantage of the CD medium and AGA palette could be considered as the ultimate Amiga edition?

I’ll be posting more about some of these cracking titles over the next week or so. Until then, Rise of the Robots anyone…no?

Hello!

Another crazy week so again, no regular posts I’m afraid. Still recovering from last weekend’s Eurocon and getting stuck into some decorating back home. For now, the decorating is complete so we decided to give the whole house a good spring (Autumn clean). Cleaning ovens is not the best job in the world but needs must! Just a shame the cleaning product takes your breath away!

It’s taken us both practically all day, but after having things stacked in one room whilst I decorate the other, it’s so nice to have the house back to normal again.

It’s all go though as there’s work to be done outside in the garden especially as dry days and long sunny evenings are few and far between.

Lastly, thanks to the magic of twitter, I was able to pick up a boot full of retro gaming goodies yesterday evening which was being offered for free not far from where we live.

I haven’t had chance to go through everything yet, but there’s a Commodore 64c, x2 boxed Datasettes, about 100 game tapes, an Atari ST 520, lots of big boxed Atari games, a bag full of 9-pin joysticks, a few Commodore game cartridges, stacks of Amiga disks and a few Amiga CD32 games. Quite a few other bits n bobs so maybe tomorrow I’ll have chance to dig a bit deeper.

Eurocon Weekend – Sunday

In contrast to Saturday manic day at Eurocon, Sunday was much a more relaxed affair, chatting with friends and getting down to business on a range of consoles and computers.

But first, relaxed after a good nights sleep and twitchy after sinking the tallest Starbuck’s,  I had a score to settle with Sophie as I attempted to beat her record score. Karl had swapped out the Oric 1 for an Oric Atom and the regular style keys were taking some getting used too rather than the sensitive keys of the Oric -1.

My practise score wasn’t very impressive, but taking one final glug of strong coffee, off i went.

Things started well and i was soon racking up the score and plenty of lives and shields too. However, at the half way point things really ramp up and things get really tough. I was still some way off her score and had lost a whopping 4 lives within the space of about 3 minutes but with just one left I hung on as wrists began to scream. It’s weird really because the next half an hour was a blur and fingers dancing over the keys by themselves without any real thought..Oh yeah, I was in the groove

The final score to beat was Sophie’s 177,000 and my here’s mine

Both the Oric – 1 and Atmos are highly sought after computers and can command quite a high price. I’m hoping to get myself one day but for now, I’m on the hunt for emulation!

By mid morning, the Lass was filling up again as folk had there daily dose of retro gaming goodness.

…and nice to see Richard enjoying a game or two, instead of fixing something that’s broken!

Andy begins coding a demo on the ZX Spectrum. Certainly is a talented coder.

The Sega bench

Eurocon was hosting quite a few gaming competitions. The Atari 2600 comp drew quite a few entries as gamers battled it out on ‘Combat’

By mid afternoon, things were quietening down somewhat so we decided to start packing away some of the RCM machines. It didn’t take that long really and i was soon outside waving my friends off and thanking them for a wonderful weekend. I still had a few hours to kill before my own train left so i heading back indoors to chat with the others and to say my goodbyes to some of the folk from the continent that had fights to catch.

Before leaving, i was sat at one of the cocktail cabs and thought i’d have a go at beating the days score on Galaga. It’s been awhile since I’ve last played it and got thoroughly hooked again.  Ever keeping an eye on the time i managed to get to the top which Duncan managed to capture the moment for me

With backpack even heavier than before thanks to a few items I’d picked up, including a Nintendo Gamecube I’d managed to score, I said my own goodbyes to the last remaining folk who I’d not see again until RCM’s October retro event, headed back to the train stations and a few hour later arrived home.

Eurocon has been such a great event and has been a pleasure to attend the whole weekend. Thanks must go out to Jon Legg who has put on one hellava show and a to Thomas Grauel from Germany, a very special thanks go out to you.

I’ll be uploading all my photos to my Flickr account soon for anyone wishing to take a look.