Flash Cart Prototype Finished

[Paul Slocum]

I'm assuming the most popular method is F2? $1FF2->$1FF9 for the banks?  If it is it should be no problem to add it into my current circuit.

 

-F4: The 'standard' method for implementing 32K. Only one cart is known to use it- Fatal Run. Like the F6 method, however there are 8 4K

banks instead of 4. You use 1FF4 to 1FFB to select the desired bank.

 

...from...

 

http://www.tripoint.org/kevtris/files/sizes.txt

 

Then we can maybe get paul to release his Marble Craze ROM :-)

 

Actually, you know what: I will release it if you produce a run of your flash carts so people will have extra incentive to buy one. Just gotta have a disclaimer that it's unplayable on emulators (way too hard to play w/ a mouse.)

 

If you're going to go the power supply route, you might look and see what they have on bgmicro.com. Often they have a lot of really cheap wall-warts. And it might be cool if you could put a rectifier in there too because then the polarity doesn't matter.

 

-Paul

[Cupcakus]

Thanks chad :-)

[+RangerG]

I agree with Sleep. I have understood about 10% of this conversation. I would like to think I am an intelligent fellow (I am working on my Ph.D. in literature and linguistics), but I am a complete electronics newbie/dummy. If this plays roms on the Atari and I can figure out how to make it do that, please produce it and tell me where to send my name for the sign-up list :wink:

 

Thanks,

RG

[Cupcakus]

*****FOR THE NOT SO TECHNICALLY MINDED******

 

:-) I hope I didn't offend anyone :-)

 

 

If this becomes available to the public, here is how you will use it.

 

Plug cable into your computer, you may have to unplug your printer for this, so swaping may be necissary.

 

Plug the other end of the cable into the cart.

 

Plug an AC adapter into the wall

 

Plug the AC adapter connector into the cart

 

Run software in your computer. Choose ROM file to write, Click write

 

Remove all plugs and insert into Atari.

 

Easier than a VCR :-) You will have to configure your port to bi-directional if it is not already, but most newer computers set this as default.

[Cupcakus]

*****FOR EVERYONE******

 

My last guess on this was ~$50, it's looking like more now. I'm going to have to design a custom casing for this, as I don't think it's going to fit in a standard Atari case. I'll keep you posted, and I'll rework the circuit to see if I can get in some more space.

 

And let the history books show that I was the one that made Marble Craze available to the masses :-)

[Sleep]

well then hey! sign me up brother!

[Cupcakus]

Trying to find a super cheap place to buy the chips.

 

Anyone know where I can find EEPROM's online? 28C256 specifically?

[jeff_a]

This is what I have been waiting for... I must have one of these. It would rock if you could put a ton of ROM's on there and have a menu on the cart to pick one. But I definately want one of these. Thank you for putting the effort into this project. You rule.

[Cupcakus]

This is what I have been waiting for... I must have one of these.  It would rock if you could put a ton of ROM's on there and have a menu on the cart to pick one.  But I definately want one of these.  Thank you for putting the effort into this project.  You rule.

 

One thing at a time :-)

 

If there is still a demand for this mid next year when all of my other Atari projects are complete, I will create a flash multi cart.

[Sleep]

If there is still a demand for this mid next year when all of my other Atari projects are complete, I will create a flash multi cart.

I WANT ONE NOW!!!!!!!!!

[church]

If there is still a demand for this mid next year when all of my other Atari projects are complete, I will create a flash multi cart.

I WANT ONE NOW!!!!!!!!!

 

Good things come to those who wait.

[Paul Slocum]

bgmicro's got em for 3.95. That seems kinda high but I usually buy used EPROMS so I'm not sure. You might call them and ask them if they'll do a volume discount. They usually do that kind of stuff for me.

 

-Paul

[jeff_a]

ooo, multi cart. I am very excited now.

[Sleep]

Good things come to those who wait.

i think you mean BAD things come to those who wait cause there losers.

[Smada Bez]

What happened to the 4 controller adapter that you were working on?

[Cupcakus]

bgmicro's got em for 3.95.  That seems kinda high but I usually buy used EPROMS so I'm not sure.  You might call them and ask them if they'll do a volume discount.  They usually do that kind of stuff for me.

 

-Paul

 

Are you kidding :-) The best price I could find til you posted this was about $8.50. That's much better.

 

@Smada

Thanks for remembering! The 4 player multitap, which I have affectionetley named "The XTreme 2600 Four Player Tap" (I will probably not keep that, just had to call it something) is completed and in production. To keep these things dirt cheap I will be constructing them by hand, so production is going to take a while. They will not be available for sale until my game comes out in May. If you are a 2600 programmer (or I suppose anything with the same port layout as a 2600 port will work) and want to work on a four player game that utilizes the multitap, PM me and I'll sell one to you now, but it won't do you much good until then as no games support it yet obviously.

[Cupcakus]

Oh and incase anyone is wondering, the vibrating joysticks are in production as well, however again, no games support this yet but mine so the same developer statement goes out again. If you want to create a game with vibration support I can sell these units now.

[CPUWIZ]

So it turns out the EEPROM I bought for this is actually a 28C256.  I couldn't figure out why there were so many address lines, and I finally got it :-) I can't believe it worked without me even knowing it.

 

So given it's a 256K(32Kb) chip I will be adding support for 32k bankswitching.  Except, I don't know how it works.

 

I'm assuming the most popular method is F2? $1FF2->$1FF9 for the banks?  If it is it should be no problem to add it into my current circuit.  Then we can maybe get paul to release his Marble Craze ROM :-)

 

This might help you ...

 

http://tripoint.org/kevtris/files/sizes.txt

[jeff_a]

lol

[CPUWIZ]

Yeah yeah, I missed a couple of posts ...

[Cupcakus]

This might help you ...

 

http://tripoint.org/kevtris/files/sizes.txt  

 

Yeah I never considered using this cart for 32k, but scince the EEPROM is big enough... might as well figure it out. So F4 support it is... working on that as we type...

[CosmicJoke]

Cupcakus: I would definately be interested in purchasing a Flash Cart if you start producing them.

[Cap5750]

Ah.....when used, the cart should have a custom sound chip which will play "Have you played Atari today???" once the unit is turned on.

 

Cap

[MegaManFan]

*****FOR EVERYONE******

 

My last guess on this was ~$50, it's looking like more now.  I'm going to have to design a custom casing for this, as I don't think it's going to fit in a standard Atari case.  I'll keep you posted, and I'll rework the circuit to see if I can get in some more space.

 

Still cheaper than buying a Cuttle Cart on eBay though. Keep up the good work - I can't wait to get one when they're done!

[Rob Mitchell]

Even though I already own the Cuttle, I want one of these too!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA