GadgetUK Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 LOL.... These already exist:- eBay Auction -- Item Number: 111043788878 I've ordered one of these, and 2 ComLynx cables, and 2 USB male to male cables. I will let you know how I get on. Just need to find some examples of how this BLL transfer thing works now, presumably using terminal or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+karri Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 (edited) I have a tool called Mttty.exe that works with these USB-dongles even at the special Lynx speeds 62500 and 31250 bauds. I wrote it for Windows 3.1 but as I did not use any toolkits it appears to work even on Win 7 and on Linux over wine. Lol! The FT-232 chips should show up as COM5 to COM8 To use this for downloading you just choose Transfer->Send file (Lynx). Then you choose your homebrew mygame.o or mygame.com -- Karri Mttty.zip Edited June 8, 2013 by karri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxman Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 (edited) How is the connection from the PC to the Lynx established for the original CM2? I mean, it doesn't have a piece of "listening" code like the BLL based carts, or does it? So, how can you overwrite RAM memory in the Lynx from the cable? You only send the level to the Lynx. CM II detect it automatical. But you need a PC with Win95 or Win98. The level editor runs with other Win Systems, but sending levels is only possible with Win95/98. For details please read the manual from the level editor. Edited June 8, 2013 by Lynxman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LX.NET Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 But you need a PC with Win95 or Win98. The level editor runs with other Win Systems, but sending levels is only possible with Win95/98. For details please read the manual from the level editor. The problem will not be the win95 or win98 as there are plenty of virtualization options. We're back at the cable issue: anyone willing to sell or make and sell one to me? Is the Level editor available for unlucky people that do not have CM2BT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LX.NET Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Here's the USB version that Wookie created:- http://atariage.com/forums/topic/166164-new-usb-serial-to-comlynx-adapter/ http://atariage.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=171773 FT232RL - checked with Farnell, these are around £4. I still need to find somewhere that makes PCBs, if I can get that sorted I could get a batch of these made up. I guess I missed this one at the page wrap. Sign me up for a couple, Gadget! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 I will see how I get on with the first, if that works I can do a batch if anyone wants one. Not sure on exact cost yet, the PCB is around £6.00 ish, then we need a comlynx cable and a USB cable at the other end, I guess people could source their own USB male to male cable, they are like £1 with free postage so the 2nd most expensive part is the comlynx cable. I've ordered 2 (I wanted a spare anyway) at £3.99 each, but from what I remember its just a 3.5mm (or is it 2.5mm) stereo jack to a socket and another jack isn't it, so in theory you could just have it coming out to a 3.5mm stereo jack which would be cheaper (< £1.00 probably). I wanted mine to have both maile and female ends so its represents a normal comlynx connection but I bet i will never use it. Thanks for that app Karri, and thanks Lynxman for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twoface2 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 What about this one? http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.de%2Fitm%2FDeLock-Converter-USB-2-0-Serial-TTL-3-5-mm-stereo-jac-83115%2F200895918627%3F_trksid%3Dp5197.m1997%26_trkparms%3Daid%253D222002%2526algo%253DSIC.FIT%2526ao%253D1%2526asc%253D16%2526meid%253D8275147392070295217%2526pid%253D100016%2526prg%253D1006%2526rk%253D4%2526sd%253D111043788878%2526 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 What about this one? http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.de%2Fitm%2FDeLock-Converter-USB-2-0-Serial-TTL-3-5-mm-stereo-jac-83115%2F200895918627%3F_trksid%3Dp5197.m1997%26_trkparms%3Daid%253D222002%2526algo%253DSIC.FIT%2526ao%253D1%2526asc%253D16%2526meid%253D8275147392070295217%2526pid%253D100016%2526prg%253D1006%2526rk%253D4%2526sd%253D111043788878%2526 That might work but the issue is none std bayd rates that the Lynx can use, which the other chip ive ordered supports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Is there anything specific you have to do on the Lynx to put the BLL loader in the correct mode or anything - like a key press on boot etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 (edited) That mttty.exe app give an error - Error 2 CreateFile. Is there anything I need to press on a BLL loader game in order to get it to 'listen' on comlynx? EDIT: Also concerned that RX and TX are joined on the Lynx, I've fed this line into both RX and TX on the PCB but this means its echoing what it outputs, but I guess the Lynx is OK with that? Edited June 11, 2013 by GadgetUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 (edited) No. But depending on teh cartridge you are using its only active in a specific screen. BLL: Always, speed selectable T-TRIS: Main menu only, speed fixed to 9600 Lynx Reloaded: Main menu only, speed selectable Alpine Games: Read manual Championship Rally: Read manual PATW: Loader menu, speed selectable most homebrews where the developer forgot to disable the loader: always, speed fixed to 9600 Edited June 11, 2013 by sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 That mttty.exe app give an error - Error 2 CreateFile. Windows problem, mnot lynx specific Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Thanks. Struggling with this... Do you know the default baud, data bits, stop bits, partity etc? I've assume its 8, 1, NONE. Tried many different baud rates and not getting anywhere. The nearest I got was with an EPROM debugger Karri uploaded a while back - I managed to corrupt the screen uploading a .o file so clearly its uploading but not sure about the baud etc. Championship Rally mentions nothing in the manual about BLL. I've tried T-Tris and there is no 'options' screen as such, it automatically goes into the game even before you start a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Hello! Thanks. Struggling with this... Do you know the default baud, data bits, stop bits, partity etc? I've assume its 8, 1, NONE. Tried many different baud rates and not getting anywhere. The nearest I got was with an EPROM debugger Karri uploaded a while back - I managed to corrupt the screen uploading a .o file so clearly its uploading but not sure about the baud etc. ... Parity of the Lynx is always EVEN. You can try out my old Windows-based uploading too, perhaps it still works on modern Windows-versions. It comes with sources that might be of some use as well: http://www.mdgames.de/pc2lynx.zip Kind regards Matthias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Thanks, still not working in XP =/ I edited the win.ini as described but it gives an error. Not sure if it's to do with the cable being on COM16 which is quite a high number. It gives 'Error -1'. Karris complains about a missing file on CreateFile - not sure if its a missing DLL on his or something. I've seen the C source for pc2lynx thanks so I might write a .NET app or something. I think I have comms because I can see bytes coming from Lynx games that use comlynx - just not having any joy trying to send a binary. I've tried using hterm and other terminal apps to send a file but that doesn't work, I am guessing there are commands required in order to dictate where the binary is loaded and launched etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 T-TRIS: Main menu only, speed fixed to 9600 my fault, I meant SIMIS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 I am guessing there are commands required in order to dictate where the binary is loaded and launched etc? yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 yes. Thanks, I will bring PC2LYNX up to date and see how I get on with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_J64bit Posted June 12, 2013 Author Share Posted June 12, 2013 WOW this topic just keeps going ans going say someone should pin this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Agreed it will be useful. For anyone looking back at this in future, this is what's needed from a protocol perspective:- ------------------- - The ComLynx-Loader wants : start-sequence : $81,"P" ; command : load program init-sequence : LO(Start),HI(Start) ; start address = dest. LO((Len-10) XOR $FFFF),HI((Len-10) XOR $FFFF) ; and len of data Xmit-sequence : .... ; data checksum : none at all !! ---------------- Taken from BLL loader.doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I've got it working I've modified the .NET app I use to flash my other flash card, so it now does my flash card and the comlynx BLL protocol. The USB to comlynx cable is a success =) The default 9600 i've tested with is slow as hell... I need to get it working out the start address from the .o file tomorrow, that will only take a few mins though - atm it's hard coded to 0x0200 in order to test Lode Runner and that worked fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 (edited) USB ComLynx:- Zeus (Comms client I threw together to use with my flash card and comlynx BLL) - Note: The protocol of my flash card will be different than other flashcards out there, so i've no idea if that part would work on other peoples flash cards - recommendation is NOT to try it when I release it. Just use the comlynx bit. And for the record, in Championship Rally the loader is available on the screen after you've chosen 'TOURNAMENT', then 'New Game' - The screen should show 'TOURNAMENT' with Year, Season and Points listed. You can upload at 9600 on that screen only as far as I can tell. Edited June 14, 2013 by GadgetUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 (edited) ^ That board has a micro USB connector btw, which are pretty common. If you have Lynxmans flash card you will already have that USB to micro USB cable. I am looking to see if I can find a suitable housing for the PCB. Worst case I might have to put a cable tie around the end of the PCB to crimp the cable and leave it 'open top'. £6.40 for the PCB, approx £1.00 for a 2.5mm plug, and maybe £2 for wire, solder and assembly. Looking at around £9.40, or 11.03 euros, or $14.70. Easy enough to make this yourself. The only annoying bit is that PCB comes with 3 jumper pads underneath to determine the output voltage levels - 3.3v or 5v. And the pads are like 0.25mm squared so you can hardly see them never mind try and bridge 2 with solder. It took me a good 15 minutes to get a solder bridge across the correct 2 pads. Obviously postage as well so its not mega cheap. Its probably possible to get a cheaper PCB off EBAY. £3.65 seems to be lowest cost for the chip PCB. Edited June 14, 2013 by GadgetUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+karri Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Hi, I have been sailing for a week so did not see this. You have to do a File->Open on some COM: port. If the device does not exist or does not support the desired baud rate you get this FileCreate error. Start by choosing the COM port. Modern laptops have none. The USB dongles usually start at COM5. Another thing is that you can buy cables where the electronics is inside the USB connector from FTDI for £16.95. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Did you go anywhere nice? Sounds fun, hope the weather was good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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