retro486 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Just picked this up and it powers on, but black screen (I'll investigate that separately) but I'm having trouble figuring out what this chip/wire is for... From what I've seen it's a kernal mod but it's dated mid-80's and I don't have anything that fits the plug coming out of it which I'm guessing is for a switch? I've attached some pictures. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsson Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Could that be a 1541 Flash! fastloader, early competitor to better known products like JiffyDOS? Skyles Electric Works were quite well known in the Commodore world with various products. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 https://computerarchive.org/files/comp/hardware/commodore/1541_Flash_Mega_Command_Kernal_Instruction_Manual.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro486 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 Looks like that is indeed it, but all the documentation I can find (including at the computerarchive.org link above, thanks for that!) is about the drive mod itself (sadly I'm lacking the CableCard cartridge so I can't use this mod and have an SD2IEC module on the way). Not much info on the computer mod or the wiring. Does this patch the code on the original chip or fully replace it? At this point I'm guessing best course of action would be to simply remove the mod and pick up something like JiffyDOS instead. Or go stock though the 901227 chip in there looks a little chewed up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro486 Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) Alright well I removed them and restored the original chips and after a lot of tweaking finally got video in BW then more tweaking and I got color back! Fixed the floppy drive too (multiple issues). If anyone wants these bits (the fast loader parts, not the floppy drive) or would trade for a NTSC games floppy or two I'd be up for it... Again, I don't have the special cartridge these connect to... Edited June 23, 2017 by retro486 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 While you're at it I'd highly recommend replacing the kernal ROMs in both the C64 and 1541 with JiffyDOS. It doesn't require a special cartridge and it vastly improves disk load times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro486 Posted June 27, 2017 Author Share Posted June 27, 2017 I've got an Epyx Fast Load cart coming. Two actually, and an action replay I think (unlabeled red cart with two buttons). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motrucker Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 In all honesty, Jiffy DOS is light years ahead of other routines. Fast, compatible, and leaves the cartridge port open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Some cartridge even supports JiffyDOS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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