B Software

[Blacklord]

Original post by Steve Gray

Hi,

The only commercial software I have for the B128 is Superscript II on 8050-format disk. Unfortunately the software is copy protected, although there is a "fix" one one of the CBUG disks...

Anyone else have software?

I have written/converted a few things myself;

- I converted some C64 songs (basic) to play on the B - had to adjust the frequency values because the B's SID chip is clocked at 2MHz and the C64 values are for 1MHz.
- I also converted the C64's "Master Composer" player but never got it working 100%.
- I wrote some ML routines to "plot" graphics by using the PETSCII characters. Each character became 4 "pixels" making a "160x50" graphics screen. Had some cool routines to copy screens and also to plot giant characters. I called this "GSR" (graphics support routines).
- I patched the 8032 emulator to do 40 columns and converted text from German to english.
- I wrote a complete Accounts Receivable and Invoicing program for our family business.
- I modified a speech circuit for the C64 from RUN magazine to work on the B and wrote an interrupt-driven interface to it.
- I heavily re-wrote and improved "Disk Doctor" to work with the B. Added an ML disassembler.
- Wrote an "Unassembler". Used the extra ram bank to load code anywhere in the 64K memory range and produce an assembly file with labels.
- More... I'll have to check my files.

If anyone is interested in anything please let me know and I can make it available on my web page.

Steve

[Blacklord]

Original post by Robert Bernardo


Quote from: Steve

    The only commercial software I have for the B128 is Superscript II on 8050-format disk. Unfortunately the software is copy protected, although there is a "fix" one one of the CBUG disks...

    Anyone else have software?

    I have written/converted a few things myself;

    - I converted some C64 songs (basic) to play on the B - had to adjust the frequency values because the B's SID chip is clocked at 2MHz and the C64 values are for 1MHz.
    - I also converted the C64's "Master Composer" player but never got it working 100%.
    - I wrote some ML routines to "plot" graphics by using the PETSCII characters. Each character became 4 "pixels" making a "160x50" graphics screen. Had some cool routines to copy screens and also to plot giant characters. I called this "GSR" (graphics support routines).
    - I patched the 8032 emulator to do 40 columns and converted text from German to english.
    - I wrote a complete Accounts Receivable and Invoicing program for our family business.
    - I modified a speech circuit for the C64 from RUN magazine to work on the B and wrote an interrupt-driven interface to it.
    - I heavily re-wrote and improved "Disk Doctor" to work with the B. Added an ML disassembler.
    - Wrote an "Unassembler". Used the extra ram bank to load code anywhere in the 64K memory range and produce an assembly file with labels.
    - More... I'll have to check my files.

Steve, you should contact Bill Degnan of the MARCH group.  He is thinking of doing B128 presentations (including a SID presentation) at this years Vintage Computer Festival East.  If you need more info on how to contact him, just ask.

                  Truly,
                  Robert Bernardo
                  Fresno Commodore User Group
                  http://videocam.net.au/fcug
                  The Other Group of Amigoids
                  http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[Blacklord]

Original post by Steve Gray

I am currently getting my B-series software organized and transfered to the PC. I hope to post everything soon.

Steve

[Blacklord]

Original post by Anders Carlsson

I could probably find originals of Calc Result and Word Result for the 700 series. Other than that, I dunno.

[Blacklord]

Original post by Steve Gray

Quote from: carlsson

    I could probably find originals of Calc Result and Word Result for the 700 series. Other than that, I dunno.

It would be nice to collect all the commercial software and archive them before they disappear. Problem is; they all had copy protection AFAIK. Superscript was patched to remove the protection, so it's feasable the same could happen with CalcResult or WordResult. Wait, wasn't CalcResult on a cartridge??

I'd be interesting in seeing the software anyway if you can dig it up...

Steve

[Blacklord]

Original post by Anders Carlsson

Correct me if I'm wrong, but on the B-series cartridges seem to only have a supplementary function: extra code, copy protection dongle etc.

I have a few copies of the Word Result cartridge, and it does absolutely nothing when inserted into a CBM 700. Upon opening the case, I found a C64 (?) character ROM on its own. Since the 700 doesn't have custom characters anyway, it would be pointless to make a cartridge with a character ROM. I gather in this case it works as a copy protection dongle.

I have some other cartridges labeled DEMO. They neither boot automatically, and I'm unsure if any B-series cartridge has the ability to? In any case I found where in the memory map the cartridge is located and dumped its contents. I posted it on the cbm-hackers mailing list a while ago, but didn't get much response. I believe I have the files on my web page, buried somewhere.

In any case, I'm quite sure both Calc Result and Word Result are mainly disk based. Even the C64 version of Calc Result Advanced is a disk program; only the Easy version is cartridge only

[Blacklord]

Original post by Anders Carlsson

Oh yes, I do have a copy of the Word Result floppy for the 700 series too. Whenever I have the time, I'll try the combo to see if it loads, with or without the cartridge inserted. I suppose the floppy is in 8050 or 8250 format.

[Blacklord]

Original post by Steve Gray

Quote from: carlsson

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but on the B-series cartridges seem to only have a supplementary function: extra code, copy protection dongle etc.

    I have a few copies of the Word Result cartridge, and it does absolutely nothing when inserted into a CBM 700. Upon opening the case, I found a C64 (?) character ROM on its own. Since the 700 doesn't have custom characters anyway, it would be pointless to make a cartridge with a character ROM. I gather in this case it works as a copy protection dongle.

    I have some other cartridges labeled DEMO. They neither boot automatically, and I'm unsure if any B-series cartridge has the ability to? In any case I found where in the memory map the cartridge is located and dumped its contents. I posted it on the cbm-hackers mailing list a while ago, but didn't get much response. I believe I have the files on my web page, buried somewhere.

    In any case, I'm quite sure both Calc Result and Word Result are mainly disk based. Even the C64 version of Calc Result Advanced is a disk program; only the Easy version is cartridge only.

It's definately possible that the cartridge is used as a dongle. It's more secure on the B since there is no underlying RAM where the cartridge maps to. I've never examined a real B-series cartridge so I don't know for sure. I have disassembled the B kernal and can confirm that it checks for the correct autostart code (CBMx) at the beginning of each $x000 in bank 15. The routine is at $F9AA.

Would you willing to part with any of your cartridges? I'd love to see them and document them for my CBM-II web page.

Steve

[Blacklord]

Original post by Anders Carlsson

Sure, I have access to a whole box of assorted B-series cartridges! Some are fitted with EPROMs in sockets, which would be good candidates if anyone wants to develop new cartridges. At the moment I have three or four cartridges at home, mainly Word Result and this DEMO cartridge.

In the mean time, here is one of the cartridge dumps:
http://www.cbm.sfks.se/files/demo39-cbm700.zip

[Blacklord]

Original post by Steve Gray


Quote from: carlsson

    Sure, I have access to a whole box of assorted B-series cartridges! Some are fitted with EPROMs in sockets, which would be good candidates if anyone wants to develop new cartridges. At the moment I have three or four cartridges at home, mainly Word Result and this DEMO cartridge.

    In the mean time, here is one of the cartridge dumps:
    http://www.cbm.sfks.se/files/demo39-cbm700.zip

I have the idea to build the cassette-to-serial hack and it would be nice to be able to burn the support code to a cartridge to share on all my b-systems without needing to burn a new kernal for each one. The other idea is to make a ram cartridge.

Let me know how much you want for your spare cartridges!

Steve

[Blacklord]

Original post by Anders Carlsson

Do you mean the C2N232, or are there other cassette-to-serial hacks? It is a great idea to put tape support on a cartridge as the computer firmware lacks these routines.

I'll weigh the cartridges and return to you by PM/e-mail (unless there are others also interested in such cartridges) with a fair quote. Frankly I have no idea if they're uncommon or not, but I expect somewhere between $5-10 each plus shipping. For modding purposes, those boards that already take some form of EPROMs may be worth more than those who have a 4K character ROM directly soldered onto it. For collecting purposes, I suppose it doesn't matter.

[Blacklord]

Original post by drshock


Quote from: sjgray

    Quote from: carlsson

        I could probably find originals of Calc Result and Word Result for the 700 series. Other than that, I dunno.

    It would be nice to collect all the commercial software and archive them before they disappear. Problem is; they all had copy protection AFAIK. Superscript was patched to remove the protection, so it's feasable the same could happen with CalcResult or WordResult. Wait, wasn't CalcResult on a cartridge??

    I'd be interesting in seeing the software anyway if you can dig it up...

    Steve

Steve,
What are you looking for exactly?  I believe I D80'd all the commercial titles I collected years ago using CBMLink after having run the software copy cracks from the CBUG diskettes.  I tested them in VICE at the time and they were OK.  I have all the Commodore branded titles, Superscript II, Superbase, Term 2.0, CP/M-86 1.0, CP/M-86 1.1, MS-DOS 1.25 (these three all need the ultra-rare 8088 expansion board so won't work in VICE), the entire Commodore/InfoDesigns Advanced Business Series (General Ledger, Payroll, Order Entry, Inventory, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable).  Also some non-Commodore titles like PetSpeed for the B128, and the like.

Alas, I never posted any of these at my B Series website because I could never secure copyright releases/permissions.   I do redist MS-DOS 1.25 there since I did get permission from Microsoft (finally after over a year), and I gave the two CP/M-86 images to Gaby Chaudry to put up at the Unofficial CP/M site since the site got Digital Research/Lineo permission to host CP/M images there.

Ed
http://www.insectria.org/b128.html

[Blacklord]

Original post by Steve Gray

Quote from: carlsson

    Do you mean the C2N232, or are there other cassette-to-serial hacks? It is a great idea to put tape support on a cartridge as the computer firmware lacks these routines.

I'm refering to the hack to allow IEC drives like the 1541 or 1581 to connect to the B-series. There is a schematic, source code and replacement kernal here:

http://www.von-bassewitz.de/uz/oldcomputers/

I'm thinking I might be able to adapt the source to work as a cartridge rather than as a kernal replacement...

Steve

[Blacklord]

Original post by Steve Gray

Quote from: drshock

    Quote from: sjgray

        Quote from: carlsson

            I could probably find originals of Calc Result and Word Result for the 700 series. Other than that, I dunno.

        It would be nice to collect all the commercial software and archive them before they disappear. Problem is; they all had copy protection AFAIK. Superscript was patched to remove the protection, so it's feasable the same could happen with CalcResult or WordResult. Wait, wasn't CalcResult on a cartridge??

        I'd be interesting in seeing the software anyway if you can dig it up...

        Steve

    Steve,
    What are you looking for exactly?  I believe I D80'd all the commercial titles I collected years ago using CBMLink after having run the software copy cracks from the CBUG diskettes.  I tested them in VICE at the time and they were OK.  I have all the Commodore branded titles, Superscript II, Superbase, Term 2.0, CP/M-86 1.0, CP/M-86 1.1, MS-DOS 1.25 (these three all need the ultra-rare 8088 expansion board so won't work in VICE), the entire Commodore/InfoDesigns Advanced Business Series (General Ledger, Payroll, Order Entry, Inventory, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable).  Also some non-Commodore titles like PetSpeed for the B128, and the like.

    Alas, I never posted any of these at my B Series website because I could never secure copyright releases/permissions.   I do redist MS-DOS 1.25 there since I did get permission from Microsoft (finally after over a year), and I gave the two CP/M-86 images to Gaby Chaudry to put up at the Unofficial CP/M site since the site got Digital Research/Lineo permission to host CP/M images there.

    Ed
    http://www.insectria.org/b128.html

Ultimately it would be nice if some of this stuff is archived. I know you have a lot of info/disks/hardware etc that might not be available anywhere else, but if it's not scanned/archived it will be lost. I'd particularly be interested in any technical information that came from Commodore (schematics of cartridges, memory expansion, 8088 board, High-speed graphic adapter (Commodore Germany... did you get anything from them?)). If you need help scanning stuff I can assist you.

In terms of software I'd volunteer to be your offsite backup ;-) That way at least there will be multiple archives.

As you know, I have an 8088 board and I hope to put up some info on my site, and I would like to add more pictures. I have two B-series cartridges coming that I will add as well.

Steve

[Blacklord]

Original post by drshock

Quote from: sjgray

    Quote from: drshock

        Quote from: sjgray

            It would be nice to collect all the commercial software and archive them before they disappear. Problem is; they all had copy protection AFAIK. Superscript was patched to remove the protection, so it's feasable the same could happen with CalcResult or WordResult. Wait, wasn't CalcResult on a cartridge??

            I'd be interesting in seeing the software anyway if you can dig it up...

            Steve

        Steve,
        What are you looking for exactly?  I believe I D80'd all the commercial titles I collected years ago using CBMLink after having run the software copy cracks from the CBUG diskettes.  I tested them in VICE at the time and they were OK.  I have all the Commodore branded titles, Superscript II, Superbase, Term 2.0, CP/M-86 1.0, CP/M-86 1.1, MS-DOS 1.25 (these three all need the ultra-rare 8088 expansion board so won't work in VICE), the entire Commodore/InfoDesigns Advanced Business Series (General Ledger, Payroll, Order Entry, Inventory, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable).  Also some non-Commodore titles like PetSpeed for the B128, and the like.

        Alas, I never posted any of these at my B Series website because I could never secure copyright releases/permissions.   I do redist MS-DOS 1.25 there since I did get permission from Microsoft (finally after over a year), and I gave the two CP/M-86 images to Gaby Chaudry to put up at the Unofficial CP/M site since the site got Digital Research/Lineo permission to host CP/M images there.

        Ed
        http://www.insectria.org/b128.html

    Ultimately it would be nice if some of this stuff is archived. I know you have a lot of info/disks/hardware etc that might not be available anywhere else, but if it's not scanned/archived it will be lost. I'd particularly be interested in any technical information that came from Commodore (schematics of cartridges, memory expansion, 8088 board, High-speed graphic adapter (Commodore Germany... did you get anything from them?)). If you need help scanning stuff I can assist you.

    In terms of software I'd volunteer to be your offsite backup ;-) That way at least there will be multiple archives.

    As you know, I have an 8088 board and I hope to put up some info on my site, and I would like to add more pictures. I have two B-series cartridges coming that I will add as well.

    Steve

Totally agree.   That's certainly why I made all the .D80s back in 2000 or so - I started to have diskettes bit rot out so dedicated one long weekend to the CBMLink project.   It was only copyright/legal concerns that held me back uploading all of them plus the 80 or so CBUG .D80s.   I tell you I would be typing awhile here though if I listed all the hardcopy material I have that represented the "box" CBM US sent CBUG back 1985.   Microfiches with schematics, source code listings, copies of inter-company memos and FAXes from engineering staff, etc.     But nothing from the UK or Germany was included.   That material is sadly lost forever.

I tried seven years or so back to get the microfiches made into PDFs but they were in an uncommon industrial photography format and came up dry there for an economical solution here in Florida.  I don't have anything on the B hi-res graphics option because that was a one off project exclusively done by West Germany (the US hi-res graphics project ended up being done for the 8032 only).  But Winfried Falkenhahn has an actual one of these production level West German built hi-res graphics boards in working order as sold in Europe on his site.  It's a pretty cool design that works with the internal hi-profiles monitor or an external one.

Drop me an email if you've got more time now and chat offline about mirrors.