Mega Games Cartridge for the Electron MGC

[martinw]

That's my second MGC arrived

Spot the difference

I'm not sure Snapper normally runs this fast

https://youtu.be/WRX6QIveI6c

Still excellent though, well done

Martin

[davidb]

Ah, I guess you have Turbo mode on there...

[dixiestoat]

Snapper is hilarious in Turbo mode ! Also try Superior's Smash And Grab or Acornsoft's Monsters or Boxer..! So funny...

[martinw]

Ah, I guess you have Turbo mode on there...

You've piqued my interest now, I presumed it was in normal mode because I couldn't get the cartridge to boot with the switch in the other position.

Does anybody know which toggle switch position is Turbo and how to tell if it is in Turbo, the switch is up at the moment from the pictures?

Cheers,

Martin

[martinw]

My mistake, boots in both

Snapper is good fun at warp speed

Martin

[martinw]

Martin

[daveejhitchins]

Well, it looks like there's still a demand for the MGC MK I - So, while I work on MK II I'll do another batch of the MK I.

I'll take the opportunity to rearrange the software in the Main, 1st, 16K block to be able the run DavidB's scrolling intro, just at power-up. I'll also work to remove (unplug) all fitted ROMs that aren't needed. I'd like to do this to to enable the MGC to run with an AP6 fitted that's full of ROMs, some of which could interfere with games - stopping them running or even loading (the answer here is to unplug them with a utility command). The hardware will remain the same, however.

Dave H

[davidb]

If you haven't updated the menu program recently then it should be fairly easy to do this, especially if you are supplying the EEPROM reading/writing tools in a separate ROM bank.

I'll update the GitHub repository to make it easier to see how to build a new menu ROM with my tooling. I'll also try to accommodate your tooling with the title screen code itself, so you can still build new menu and index ROMs without having to run my tools.

The tools branch of the GitHub repository contains a slightly different menu format since it accommodates games that require more than 2 ROMs.

Another feature that would be interesting to add at some point is saving snapshots to empty banks on the cartridge. This would mean including bits of MartinB's tools in various places to handle in-situ flashing of data, and it would also require doing something fancy with events to catch, for example, the key combination that would cause a snapshot to be taken. Anyway, that's something for another time.

[guardian1128]

i'm definitely interested in getting one of these games cartridges for my Electron / Plus 1 , when will they be available again and how much are they?

[daveejhitchins]

i'm definitely interested in getting one of these games cartridges for my Electron / Plus 1 , when will they be available again and how much are they?

pm sent

Dave H

[daveejhitchins]

Well it looks like we're good-to-go for a second (slightly smaller) batch of the original MGCs. I've spent the last month trying to find the AM29F032Bs at a reasonable price . . . You wouldn't believe (or maybe you would?) some of the quotations I've had. My usual supplier wanted $17 - the highest price (per unit) was $150 Finally got them at $10 + TNT from China (no import duty ) The last price $5.34 + TNT + import duty - ending up at $7.29.

I'm going to modify the PCB, to make it easier for assembly (I'm removing the parts not used) and buy from a lower cost source. So I should be able to keep the same price, almost!

And a revamp of the software which should allow 3 x 16K block loading (Thanks to the work of DavidB ) and the addition of David's scrolling start-up screen (only on power-up!). I'm also hoping to add code to 'remove' all installed ROMs that may interfere with the Games. This will a trial for the MK II MGC

If anyone has noticed any Games that are not working, please let me know then we can get them sorted for this release.

Of course, Once we have everything sorted and you'd like a software upgrade - we can do that for you (it's the Royal 'we' here )

Dave H

[makaron]

Hi.
I would be interested in one of those, if it is still available.
I got my Plus 1 today, so this cart would be ideal.

Arek

[daveejhitchins]

I’ll put you down for the second batch. Should be ready in 3 to 4 weeks. I’ll pm you when I get nearer.

Dave H

[DavidLowe]

I’m interested in one; could you let me know how much & when? Do they run OK with the Plus 3 fitted as well as Plus 1?

[BrettRogersUK]

Hi there,

I'm interested in one of these. How much are they please? I take it they work on any electron with a plus one adapter or is a plus 3 needed also?

Many Thanks,

Brett Rogers

[daveejhitchins]

Hi there,

I'm interested in one of these. How much are they please? I take it they work on any electron with a plus one adapter or is a plus 3 needed also?

Many Thanks,

Brett Rogers

On the list and I'll get a pm to you, Brett - and welcome to the Forum . . . Hope you enjoy it here!

Yes, it'll work with an Electron which does need a Plus 1 (Acorn or P.R.E.S.) or a Slogger ROM Box II. It doesn't matter if an Acorn or P.R.E.S. Plus 3 is fitted or not - doesn't use it or need it

Dave H

p.s. look out for your pm

[klintworth]

Hi Dave, I'm also interested in a MGC having just brought my Electron in Canada back to life! Thanks, Paul

Well it looks like we're good-to-go for a second (slightly smaller) batch of the original MGCs. I've spent the last month trying to find the AM29F032Bs at a reasonable price . . .

[daveejhitchins]

Hi Dave, I'm also interested in a MGC having just brought my Electron in Canada back to life! Thanks, Paul

pm sent . . .

Dave H

[daveejhitchins]

After threatening to do this for a long, long time - I've finally programmed a MGC remotely using the UPURS interface on the AP5 - Was it a doddle?

No, and yes! The 'no' bit was due to not finding “Ports (COM &LPT)”, when installing the FTDI drivers, on either of my Windows machines - one Tower, running Window 10 and one laptop with Window 7 and 10 installed - probably missed something out (did I need the USB-to-serial plugged-in?). The 'yes' was me installing the FTDI drivers on my MacBook (sooooo easy) and using CoolTerm (free).

*UPMGC A00 - worked just as Martin had described - flawlessly

*UPMGCER worked a treat.

*UPMGC S - Hmmm! Seemed to work, however, the utility didn't end e.g. It doesn't return to the prompt.

I also have a MGC that isn't even recognised by UPURS! Yet works just fine as a MGC! If Martin is OK with me sending it to him to 'look-at' I'll pop it in the post ??

Dave H

[Elminster]

I feel you programming pain will have to try upurs someday.

But +1 for Mac with cool term, I use I for rc2014 and swtpc as well

[MartinB]

If Martin is OK with me sending it to him to 'look-at' I'll pop it in the post ??

Absolutely Dave, sounds intriguing!

[MartinB]

I also have a MGC that isn't even recognised by UPURS!

Just wondering whilst I'm waiting for the offending device - all my MGC utilities detect the presence of an MGC by using a JEDEC Autoselect device id command sequence looking for a $41 response from the AM29F032B. You haven't subtly changed device versions or worse, gone hooky such that the device id might have changed?

Following on from the above thought, since all of my other base MGC utilities also look for a $41 id response, do any of those tools work with this MGC? (i.e. the long-standing set of four - erase, sector program, rom load and rom view.)

*UPMGC S - Hmmm! Seemed to work, however, the utility didn't end e.g. It doesn't return to the prompt.

I shall investigate this but it isn't something I could have missed so it's certainly an odd one...



.

[MartinB]

Bump - did you see the above post Dave H?

[daveejhitchins]

The sun's been out all day, Martin! Mrs H took me out to an open garden day - somewhere the other side of Barnard Castle I did catch the message this morning and I'm planning a short video to show the problems. Tomorrow . . . . If not, then Tuesday, as Mrs H is away for a few days

Dave H

Edit: I did check with the MGC utils - that's why I want to do the video . . .

[MartinB]

No worries Dave, the sun was shining here in Lancashire too but as a county, we’re basically on fire so it’s far nicer indoors....

I was just checking that you’d tried a few things before you send the naughty MGC to me coz Sod’s law says that once I get the thing, it’ll just work perfectly...

No rush whatsoever though Dave




.

[daveejhitchins]

New MGC's are now ready . . .

Dave H

[MartinB]

Did you do anything with the naughty one yet Dave? Is it still heading my way?

[daveejhitchins]

Did you do anything with the naughty one yet Dave? Is it still heading my way?

Did you receive the dodgy video? I was waiting in case there were any further tests I could do before sending!

Dave H

[MartinB]

No

I've just checked through and I've not had an email from you in a goodly while. I'd just assumed Mrs H was still keeping you prisoner in Barnard Castle....

[daveejhitchins]

Hmmmm! Wonder where that went? . . . Did I use your 'other' eMail address in error? I'll check now - small pause - Darn, can't find hide nor hair of it - plays theme tune from some spooky film - OK I'll send it again (well, I'll try!

Dave H