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V2.0
C64SD V3.0 Princess
USER MANUAL – FIRMWARE 0.10.4.0
HAWUI1
C64SD Princess Instructions
IMPORTANT: read these instructions carefully BEFORE operating the card. Damages to the C64SD card
and/or to your commodore computer and equipment could result if the following instructions are not
followed.
1. Never connect a 1531 datassette recorder to the side mini-din connector of your C64SD
module. This would cause a short circuit. The mini-din on the side of C64SD card module is not
designed to connect a recorder to it. Read this manual to discover what is the intended usage
of that connector;
2. When connecting a 1530 C2N datassette to the back of the C64SD module be careful that the
mating key is oriented as in the picture below. Powering on C64SD with the datassette plug
upside down will instantly damage C64SD module (along with possibly something else);
3. Never leave Princess tape adapter PCB plugged in the back of the C64SD card when datassette
plug is not inserted. The exposed conductive stripes could cause a short circuit if they come in
contact with conductive materials (for example with the grounding stripe tied to the side of the
plug of the datassette recorder) causing damages to your equipment;
4. Always connect/disconnect C64SD card and cables with Commodore computer powered off
since at least 10 seconds. After powering off the computer always wait at least 10 seconds
before plugging in/out modules from the Computer itself, this to allow the residual charge of
the capacitors of the power supply to be exhausted;
5. Do not operate any of the equipment in the vicinity of conductive materials or liquids. Make
sure the workspace is clean and none of the above items could come in contact with either
C64SD or with any other electric equipment;
6. Avoid electrostatic discharges. Despite all the electronic has been carefully designed to
withstand electrostatic discharges it's quite important not to put the device under stress, so
avoid electrostatic-prone dressing and do not put any part of the equipment (including the
connection cables) in the vicinity of the cathode ray tube of your monitor (if you're using an
old-style CRT monitor or TV set);
7. To avoid unnecessary wear to the belt and to the electric motor of the recorder it's a good
habit to avoid keeping the C2N recorder connected to the back edge-card connector of the
C64SD card when C2N is not in use;
8. Grabbing requires some prerequisites to be met, please consult the specific chapter to know
what they are.
Note: If this one you're reading is a one-page note printed on paper make sure you download the
complete C64SD card manual in electronic format (PDF) from manosoft website.
Support files and accessories available on Manosoft website at the following URL:
http://www.manosoft.it
Contents
C64SD Princess Instructions ...................................................................................................................... 0
Overview of C64SD Princess Card ......................................................................................................... 3
Features ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Components of C64SD Card .................................................................................................................. 5
C64SD accessories ................................................................................................................................. 8
Connecting the C64SD to your Commodore computer ...................................................................... 11
Commodore VIC-20, VC20 or C64 (all bread-bin, C64G, Aldi and C64C) ............................................ 11
Commodore C116, Plus/4, C16............................................................................................................ 13
Commodore 128, 128D, 128DCR ........................................................................................................ 15
Connecting a Datassette C2N to the C64SD card. ............................................................................... 18
For 1530 C2N (white body, flat plug) .............................................................................................. 19
For 1531 C2N (black body, mini-din plug) ....................................................................................... 20
Some notes about Tape-Mastering of .TAP files on real Cassette Tapes ............................................. 23
Some Notes about Grabbing cassette content to .TAP files ................................................................ 24
TAP file versions .................................................................................................................................. 26
How to use C64SD Card....................................................................................................................... 27
Use of C64SD Menu......................................................................................................................... 29
Play Back of a .TAP file to load it to the Commodore computer ..................................................... 33
How to use set-points ..................................................................................................................... 36
Card “Hide” function ....................................................................................................................... 37
How to grab cassette content to a .TAP file on the SD Card ........................................................... 38
Play Back of a .TAP file to save it to the C2N Datassette ................................................................. 40
Play back of a .TAP file to load it on your Commodore computer when the .TAP file contains
multiple programs recorded in sequence. ...................................................................................... 43
How to deal with programs asking you to reset the counter and then to rewind to counter 000. 46
Play back of a .TAP file to load it on your Commodore computer using CBM File Browser ........... 29
JiffyDOS Kernel on Commodore Computer and C64SD ...................................................................... 47
Error Information ................................................................................................................................ 47
LED Flashing codes .............................................................................................................................. 49
Some information about how to deal with multi-program TAP files .................................................. 50
How to Initialize the SD Card............................................................................................................... 50
How to get Firmware Information ...................................................................................................... 50
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................. 52
Overview of C64SD Princess Card
C64SD V3.0 Princess (in the rest of the document indicated by C64SD) is a card born in 2010 and
named V2 by manosoft. With an improved layout compared to native Shadowolf 1.2 SD2IEC design
(http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/SD2IEC) and with SD2IEC firmware
(http://www.c64wiki.com/index.php/sd2iec_firmware) arrived today to version V3.0 with innovative
features that are well distinguishing it from all of the other classic SD2IEC. Thanks to the collaboration
with Hawui1, that realized Hardware and Firmware modifications, we introduced a consistent overall
improvement so that the new card is able to:
-
Play .TAP files version 1 and version 2 to a commodore machine;
-
Grab the content of a cassette to a file on the SD Card using TAP specs version 1 and version 2
-
Save the content of a .TAP file to a real cassette
SD2IEC original firmware has been modified in order to add the commands and the routines allowing
the above functionalities without removing any of the original SD2IEC functionalities.
Features
C64SD Card can:
1 – Play back any V1 or V2 standard .TAP files in order to load them into a commodore machine
belonging to the “classic” or “264” series including: VIC-20, VC20, C64, C16, C116, C128 (all versions)
and Plus/4. Note: some models of C128D doesn't have the tape edge-card connector, of course C64SD
tape oriented functionalities are not compatible with these machines. Same happens with C64-SX
executive Commodore model.
2 - Rebuild the original tape grabbed into all the .TAP version 1 and for most of the version 2
3 – work permanently connected between the tape port of the commodore computers and the
corresponding datassette (either 1530 white model flat plug or 1531 black model mini-din plug) acting
as a pass-through transparent gateway or activated in order to play back/grab .TAP files: no need to
connect and disconnect the module to use your datassette
4 – Play back .TAP content with optimal accuracy and completely in digital format without the hassle
of file conversions or volume level adjustment
5 – Simulate tape motor activation logic fully so that the play back of the tape is managed as it would
be in a real C2N tape. An override button has been provided able to stop the play back of the “virtual
tape” at any time when necessary
6 – Work with either 1530 (White model, flat plug) datassette recorder as well as with 1531 (Black,
mini-din plug) datassette
7 - Load .TAP with multiple programs recorded one after the other (like the classic tape compilations
sold in the 80's) using a convenient set-point system
8 – Grab the content of a cassette and save it to the SD Card as a standard .TAP file (all types of
cassette supported from VIC-20 onward, for C16, C116 and Plus-4 it’s also possible to dump to TAP file
Version 2)
9 – Save the current position of playback in a .TAP file and come back to that position at a press of a
button
C64SD card can't:
1 – Fix the content of a TAP file in case it's broken. Broken .TAP won't load on your Commodore box.
Since there are literally thousands of utilities to create and manipulate .TAP files there is always the
possibility to come across non-standard or incorrect .TAP files.
2 – Play back the content of .TAP of version V0. You can anyway use a utility to convert V0 .TAP files to
V1 such as TapClean then you will be able to use the converted .TAP file with C64SD card with no
further modifications.
3- Manage programs saved on cassettes that are based on the time of wind-rewind of the tape. It’s
possible anyway to load the programs independently from the timed-fast forward menu.
Components of C64SD Card
1. Volume potentiometer: sets play back volume of the data patterns on the Piezoelectric speaker
2. When using TAP files this button allows to save a setpoint representing current position in the
“virtual tap” being played back. This setpoint can then be used to restart playback of the .TAP
from the specific point. When using Disk Emulation this button allows to change to previous
disk in a disk set
3. Dip switches allowing to change device number. By default the emulated disk drive is set to
device number 8 (infact you can load files using LOAD “*”,8). Changing this dipswitch it’s
possible to change the device number so C64SD card can be used in parallel with other drives
4. Side mini-din connector, used to connect the card to the datassette port of C128 or
Commodore 264 series computer (never connect a 1531 C2N black datassette mini-din plug
here!!)
5. External power connector (positive in the internal pin, ground on the external) can be used to
power the card externally with a 9V battery. Remember to move the jumper next to the
external power connector to the correct position to power the card externally
6. Edge-card connector allowing to connect an external Datassette to Commodore computer
while C64SD is attached to the computer. When not in use C64SD is a fully pass-through card
allowing to use datassette without the need to remove the card from the computer
7. Female IEC connector. It is allowed to connect other C64SD card or real disk drives in Daisychain with this connector provided each drive has a different device number (see point 3)
8. Yellow led lights up when Commodore computer motor line is active
9. Motor line override switch. With this switch it’s possible to stop the tape in any moment even
if Commodore computer motor line is active. In case a game asks to stop the recorder to start
the game, opening this switch will make it happen
10. Blue led is used for several different functions, please consult the chapter LED signals to read
more about it
11. Piezoelectric speaker used to playback digital sound when loading or grabbing from tape
12. Red led is used for several different functions, please consult the chapter LED signals to read
more about it
13. Green led indicates that power is applied to the card
14. Pressing this button resets C64SD card. If Commodore computer connected to the card
supports it, pressing this button on C64SD will reboot also Commodore computer. To Avoid
Commodore computer to reset when C64SD is reset you can remove the jumper in the bottom
of the card
15. When C64SD is used as disk emulator this button allows to mount the next disk in a disk-set
(autoswap.lst), when C64SD is used as .TAP playback device pressing this button allows to
move the virtual tape being played to the position contained in the set-point saved for the .TAP
file currently played back. If no previous set-point was saved for the .TAP file being played back
pressing this button has no effect
16. Male IEC connector allowing C64SD card to be connected to the Commodore computer disk
drive socket.
C64SD accessories
These accessories are either supplied with the C64SD card alone or available buying the optional
“UNIVERSAL KIT”. Components in the universal kit can be also replaced by original adapters sold in the
80’s as visible below. These adapters, with the exception of the C64SD tape adapter that is supplied
with C64SD card, are necessary only if using Commodore computers that are different from: C64 all
types, VIC-20 and VC-20.
ACCESSORY 1
C64SD tape Adapter (supplied)
ACCESSORY 2
Male edge-card to mini-din adapter
(part of “UNIVERSAL KIT”)
ACCESSORY 3
Old style mini-din to edge-card adapter coming
straight from the 80’s (this can be found on
eBay/Internet) it was used to connect a 1530
datassette (White one) to a Commodore machine
of 264 series such as a Plus/4 or C-16.
ACCESSORY 4
Another old-style edge-card to mini-din adapter
coming from the 80’s. This one was used instead to
connect a 1531 datassette (black one) to a
Commodore of the classic series like C64, VIC-20,
C-128 etc. Can be found on eBay/Internet.
ACCESSORY 5
6 pins 1:1 Commodore Disk Drive cable (original
commodore cable, manosoft cable or eBay clone)
(part of “UNIVERSAL KIT”)
ACCESSORY 6
8 pins 1:1 mini-din male to male cable. (available
as a separate buy on manosoft website or on
eBay/Internet)
(part of “UNIVERSAL KIT”)
ACCESSORY 7
Mini-din 8 pins to female edge-card adapter
(part of “UNIVERSAL KIT”)
Connecting the C64SD to your Commodore computer
Note: Remember to connect the card to the computer only when the computer is switched off since
at least 10 seconds. Failure to follow this rule could cause damages to the card and/or to the
computer.
Commodore VIC-20, VC20 or C64 (all bread-bin, C64G, Aldi and C64C)
Align the serial male connector on the back of the
C64SD with the serial female socket of the
Commodore computer on the back side of the
computer body, at the same time make sure the
edge-card blue connector mates with the male
pcb tape connector of the Commodore computer
Press gently but firmly till the male serial
connector is all the way inside the serial socket on
the back of the Commodore box, at the same
time the blue edge-card connector of the C64SD
should have mated with the edge-card male
connector of the Computer
To remove the card grab it from the side of the
IEC Connector and from the side of the edge-card
connector as indicated in the picture. Then pull it
gently toward the direction indicated by the
arrows. This way it will be easier and safer to
remove it.
Commodore C116, Plus/4, C16
You need the following accessories to connect C64SD card to your Commodore of 264 series:
- a standard serial IEC male to male 1:1 six pins cable (for example as the one used to connect
Commodore 1541 disk-drive to C64 ) = Accessory 5
- a mini-din 8 pins 1:1 male to male cable = Accessory 6
Note: as an alternative to the mini-din cable an adapter like the ones sold in the 80's to connect a
white 1530 C2N datassette to a Commodore of the 264 series can be used = Accessory 3
The above accessories are sold on manosoft site under the name of “UNIVERSAL KIT”
Connect one end of the serial 6-pins cable into
the socket marked as “SERIAL” on the back of
your commodore
Connect the other end of the serial 6-pins cable
to the female serial connector of the C64SD card
Connect one end of the 8 pins mini-din cable to
the cassette port on the back of your commodore
computer.
Connect the other end of the 8 pins mini-din
cable to the female connector on the side of the
C64SD card
If the 8 pins mini-din cable is not available but
you have one of the old mini-din to edge-card
adapters sold in the 80’s connect the 1530
adapter mini-din plug to the cassette port on the
back of your commodore computer, then connect
the flat 6-stripes plug into the edge-card
connector as visible in the photo. Make sure that
the mating key of the flat plug is oriented
toward the IEC male plug as visible
This connection replaces only the 8 pins 1:1
mini-din cable but you anyway have to connect
the serial 6 pins cable as explained above.
Commodore 128, 128D, 128DCR
Important Note (see the picture below): If you own a Commodore 128D or 128DCR first verify if on
the back side of the computer body there is the edge-card connector for the tape. If the edge-card
connector is not present it won't be possible to connect and use C64SD card with your Commodore
directly. You will be able anyway to connect C64SD card to your C128D-DCR by using accessory 5 (IEC 6
pins cable) but you will need to provide power to it through Connector number 5 (External Power).
This is a C128D with the tape port. Some
models of C128D and C128DCR doesn’t have
the tape port so they can’t use C64SD card TAP
functionalities. C64SD can be used anyway on
these computers as disk emulator.
If you verified the cassette port is available you can continue to follow the instructions below.
You need the following accessories to connect C64SD card to your Commodore C128, C128D or
C128DCR:
- a standard IEC serial male to male 1:1 six pins cable (for example as the one used to connect
Commodore 1541 disk-drive to C64 ) = Accessory 5
- a mini-din 8 pins 1:1 male to male cable = Accessory 6
- an edge-card to mini-din adapter = Accessory 2
Note: as an alternative to the mini-din cable and to the mini-din adapter an adapter like the ones sold
in the 80's to connect a white 1530 C2N datassette to a Commodore of the 264 series can be used =
Accessory 3
Note: all above accessories are available on manosoft website with the name of “UNIVERSAL KIT”
Connect one end of the serial 6-pins cable into
the serial plug on the back of your commodore
Connect the other end of the serial 6-pins cable
to the female serial connector of the C64SD card
Plug the edge-card to mini-din adapter in the
edge-card tape connector on the back of your
Commodore C128, C128D or C128DCR).
Components side of the adapter must be facing
upward
Connect one end of the 8 pins mini-din cable to
the mini-din female connector of the edge-card to
mini-din adapter
Connect the other end of the 8 pins mini-din
cable to the female connector on the side of the
C64SD card
In case you don’t have the 8 pins mini-din male to
male cable but you have one mini-din to edgecard adapter you can connect it as shown in the
picture. Make sure the mating key is oriented as
indicated (toward the male IEC plug of the C64SD
card). Remember that this connection replaces
only the 8 pins mini-din cable, so you have
anyway to connect the 6 pins serial cable as
indicated in the previous steps to make the card
work.
Connecting a Datassette C2N to the C64SD card.
C64SD card is compatible with both 1530 (white body, flat plug) and 1531 (black body, mini-din plug)
datassette recorders by Commodore. Any other Commodore-compatible recorder can be used with
the C64SD card but the quality of their operation and their reliability will be, almost for sure, worse
than the one of the datassette recorders carrying the Commodore logo. 1531 datassette is usually the
best, more reliable, more durable one, it’s also very well suited to grab the content of the tapes so its
usage is recommended.
A recorder has to be connected to the backside edge-card connector of the C64SD card if: 1) we want
to dump the content of .TAP to a real tape 2) if we need to use the datassette with the commodore
computer 3) if we want to grab the content of a cassette to a .TAP file on the SD Card. In all of the
other cases it's better to leave the backside edge-card connector of C64SD card empty. Take into
account that the motor line of the Commodore computer will be anyway connected to the datassette
so, each time a .TAP is sent to the Commodore the Datassette motor will be activated, in the long run
this could cause wear of both the electric motor of the datassette and its belt.
You need the following accessories to connect a C2N Tape recorder to your C64SD card:
- A tape adapter PCB (supplied with C64SD card) = Accessory 1
In case your C2N datassette is a 1531 model (the black one supplied with 264 Commodore computers)
you need also:
- an edge-card to mini-din adapter = Accessory 2
Note: as an alternative to the edge-card to mini-din adapter you might use one adapter like the one
used to connect 1531 C2N black datassette to the computer of the classic Commodore series like C64
and VIC-20 = Accessory 4
For 1530 C2N (white body, flat plug)
Push all the way in the tape adapter PCB inside
the back side edge-card connector of the C64SD
card. Make sure the mating key of the “exposed”
part of the connector is oriented as visible in the
picture (toward IEC connector)
Connect the flat plug of the 1530 Datassette to
the tape adapter PCB.
Double check that the flat plug is not upsidedown before powering on the equipment. If
there's a commodore logo on the plug it should
be facing upward, if there’s a screw its top should
be facing upward
For 1531 C2N (black body, mini-din plug)
Push all-the-way-in the tape adapter PCB inside
the back side edge-card connector of C64SD card.
Mating key should be oriented as visible in the
picture (toward IEC connector).
If you bought the “UNIVERSAL KIT”, Connect the
edge-card to mini-din adapter as visible in the
picture to the tape adapter PCB
Connect the mini-din plug of your 1531 C2N to
the mini-din female connector of the edge-card to
mini-din adapter. This is all.
As an alternative to the mini-din tape adapter a
tape adapter such as the ones sold in the 80’s to
connect a 1531 C2N datassette to a C64/VIC-20
computer (as the one visible in the picture on the
right) can be used. Just follow the instructions
below.
Push all-the-way-in the tape adapter PCB inside
the back side edge-card connector of C64SD card.
Mating key should be oriented as visible in the
picture.
Connect the tape adapter as visible in the picture.
If there's a commodore logo on the plug it should
be facing upward, if there’s a screw its top should
be facing upward.
Connect the mini-din plug of your 1531 C2N to
the mini-din female connector of the tape
adapter. This is all.
In alternative, if the Male edge-card to mini-din
adapter (=Adapter 2 Sold with the UNIVERSAL
KIT) has already been used because you have a
C128 and therefore you needed this adapter to
connect it to the datassette port, you can use
Mini-din to Female edge-card adapter (=Adapter
7 Sold with the UNIVERSAL KIT) as indicated in the
following steps. First connect the Mini-din to
Female edge-card adapter on the back of the
C64SD card as visible in the picture.
Then you will be able to connect a 1531 C2N
Datassette mini-din plug as visible
Some notes about Tape-Mastering of .TAP files on real Cassette Tapes
C2N tape recorders were designed by Commodore to work with IEC-I type of tapes (Ferric) so the best
results are often achieved by using this kind of tapes, especially the ones marked as “Low-Noise”,
however, for certain turbo-tape recordings IEC-II tapes (Chromium) could yield slightly better results.
It's instead not recommended the usage of IEC-IV tapes (Metal) since their inherent characteristics are
often causing more damages than benefits for this particular usage.
Usage of Tapes that are more than 60 minutes in length (30 minutes x side) is also not recommended
since these types require significantly more energy to scroll and therefore could cause more speed
fluctuations and increase wear and tear of the belt (let's remember datassette recorders could be 2530 years old)
Since the production of Tapes stopped almost completely in the recent years, almost any tape
available on the market is NOS (new old stock), in this case, it's highly advisable that the tape used, for
best results, is as much recent as possible (<10 years old).
Keep the two heads of your recorder clean by using a soft swab soaked with isopropyl alcohol. Make
sure the alcohol evaporated completely from the recording heads before placing a new cassette into
the recorder or the new tape will be damaged by the residuals of alcohol. The pinch-roller can be
clean as well but in the long run the alcohol will deteriorate the rubber it's made of. The tape cleaning
cassettes sold those times, if available, can be successfully used also with Commodore recorders.
In the era of solid-state Hard Disks we're used to expect our file load operation never fails. Always
remember the tapes and their technology are 30 years old, those days it was normal to get ?LOAD
ERROR from time to time while loading from tape. Moreover some .TAP files could have been
generated by grabbing devices that didn't do a good job or they could have been optimized with
parameters that are not the correct ones, in most cases these .TAP will load anyway using the C64SD
card that is very precise in the play back but they could fail once dumped to tape since the tape
mechanism does have speed fluctuations and other caveats that are introducing timing errors in the
play back of the pulses.
Especially if the tape is new (never used before) but also if it was not used since a long time, before
dumping a .TAP to it, it would be a good idea to fully rewind and wind it back to the beginning to
optimize the scroll mechanism of the tape cassette.
Some Notes about Grabbing cassette content to .TAP files
The grabber is used to convert the content of a tape to a .TAP file on the SD Card. The .TAP file can be
used for loading as the real tape in both, Commodore computer and PC emulator. The advantage of
this process is that the .TAP file will not deteriorate with its usage and will not be prone to produce
load errors once the grabbing operation was completed successfully
The process of reading the content of a digital tape is very critical, we all remember those annoying
?LOAD ERROR messages displayed by our beloved Commodore computers in the ‘80s, of course the
“Grabbing” process follows the same rules. To maximize the possibility to recover the content of a
tape, with an average aging of more than 20 years, it is important to follow some simple rules:
1 – If the tape was not in use for a long time (as it happens the vast majority of the times) it’s highly
advisable to rewind and wind it back fully before starting the grabbing operation. This will reduce
internal friction of the cassette and lower the probability that speed fluctuations could affect the
result of the reading;
2- The Azimuth (height of the datassette read head respect to the tape) should be set to match the
one of the tape being read. Utilities are available to set the Azimuth but most of them are used to set
the Azimuth to an “industry-standard” value. Of course it could be that the cassette we want to read
has a slightly misaligned Azimuth due to the offset of the tape recording machine used when the tape
was originally recorded. Correctness of the Azimuth is “crucial” to get a good image of the tape. You
could easily get an idea of “how good” was the Azimuth during grabbing operation by looking at the
pulse timing bars into a utility such as TAPClean;
3 – Avoid any kind of external interferences. Remember that in the 80s’ there were no Microwave
Ovens, Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi networks, Cellular phones etc.. All of these devices are very strong
source of interferences so it’s better to keep our “grabbing station” and in particular the datassette
recorder and its cable well away from these devices. Also CRT Monitors are a good source of
interferences so it’s better to keep datassette and its cable away from these kind of devices too;
4- Make sure datassette head and pinch roller are clean and in good conditions;
5- Make sure the SD Card used is a “low latency” model. The grabber has been extensively tested to
work with Class 4 SanDisk SDCards even with the fastest loaders (Biturbo), however not all the SD
Cards are built the same and have the same latency even at the same class level. The best is to use fast
SD Cards like Class 10 ones (30Mb/s or better). Even UHS-1 cards are easily available at the stores and
they have a very reasonable price especially in the typical size of 8 GB that is the most suitable for this
purpose. You can also use micro-SD Cards with the adapter to convert them into the typical SD form
factor. Using high latency SD Cards would cause random errors due to data losses during grabbing
operation;
6 – If possible use a 1531 C2N Datassette, one of the black ones provided with Commodore computers
of series 264 (Commodore 16, Plus-4) they have, in general, an electronic that is better suited to read
data from the tape. If you decide to use one of these datassette you will need an adapter from minidin to edge-card. This adapter is available in the C64SD Princess universal kit or, in alternative, one of
the adapters sold in the 80’s to connect 1531 datassette to Commodore 64/VIC-20 can be used
successfully DO NOT EVER Connect the 1531 datassette to the side mini-din connector of the C64SD
card ! This could cause damages to the C64SD card and/or to the 1531 datassette !
7 – Always keep into account that the real grabbing operation starts when the red led goes on after
pressing the “PLAY” button on the datassette. Normally red led should light up after 1 second from the
instant you press “PLAY” button on datassette. If the delay is in the order of several tens of seconds
instead, it means the SDCard needs to be initialized. To initialize SDCard use the appropriate function
provided in the menu of C64SD card;
8- In case you decide to master a new cassette with the .TAP file obtained by grabbing an existing tape
it is important that the .TAP file is “normalized” using a utility such as TAPClean. Even if recording a
grabbed .TAP file directly to a datassette may work this is not recommended since the initial error due
to the speed oscillations of the datassette used for grabbing will then sum to the errors caused by
speed oscillations of the datassette used for saving the file, this could cause the tape pulses timing to
be stretched or reduced to its readability limit;
9- Every read operation is unique. Unlike reading from an Hard-disk, reading from tape is a very critical
process. The result could change from one read operation to the next so that what can be read in one
pass could become unreadable in the next pass and then readable again. If a grab operation fails
there’s always the possibility to read again the tape. Long cassettes containing multiple programs that
are giving errors can be read in multiple passes and then the content can be split with tap utilities like
stap and then the programs read successfully can be reassembled using the corresponding .TAP join
utility (jtap).
10- Grabbing operation can be conducted on any commodore computer model independently from
the type of cassette being grabbed. For example it is possible to grab the content of a C64 cassette
driving C64SD card from a Commodore Plus 4. Of course the .TAP file created with the grabbing
operation will work only on its native machine (in the above example it will work only if loaded on a
C64).
11- If possible, every 20 hours of datassette usage, a cassette head demagnetizer treatment would be
very beneficial. To demagnetize heads, electronic demagnetizer cassettes can be used as well as handheld demagnetizers. Follow your demagnetizer instructions to be sure to use it the correct way. Avoid
using abrasive cleaning/demagnetizer tapes that could damage the read/write head in the long run.
A typical electronic demagnetizer cassette sold in the ‘80s:
12 – It’s important that, during grabbing, there is NO disk drive connected in daisy chain to the IEC
sockets (indicated with numbers 16 and 7 in the component’s picture) of the C64SD card
TAP file versions
As you see in the manual, C64SD card can grab the content of a cassette to a file with extension .TAP
that is saved to the SD card. There are however several options when grabbing the tapes depending
on the kind of tape we would like to grab, in particular:
XF1:
XF2:
XF3:
XF4:
XF5:
That allows to grab tapes created for C64 (all types), C128 (all types)
To grab tapes created for VIC-20 (NTSC version)
In order to grab tapes for either C16 or Plus-4 to a .TAP file V1
In order to grab tapes for either C16 or Plus-4 to a .TAP file V2
To grab tapes created for VIC-20 (PAL version)
The difference between XF3 and XF4 is the kind of TAP file that is created. In the first case, suing XF3
option, the card will create a TAP file compliant with version 1 TAP specifications while using XF4 the
resulting file will be compliant with TAP files specs two. One might wonder when to use one option or
the other and why it is not available the possibility to create TAP files compliant with Version 2 specs
for C64 and VIC-20. The explanation is due to a difference in the way Commodore computer belonging
to 264 series (C16 , C116, Plus-4 etc..) are able to gather the data from tape. Data on tape is recorded
in pulses, variations of voltage from 0 to 5 Volts (to simplify) while C64 and VIC-20 are able to sense
only variations from 5 Volts to 0 Volts of the signal coming from datassette, computers belonging to
264 series can sense both, variations of the signal from 5V to 0V and vice-versa from 0V to 5V. This
additional characteristic of Commodore 264 series computers is not always used in the tapes recorded
for them but it has been used in some fast loaders to compress even further the duration of the data
loading. In case this feature is used in the cassette we need to grab, it is mandatory to grab the
cassette with option XF4. This will produce a .TAP file that is typically two times bigger than the one
that would be produced using option XF3 but using option XF3 it will be impossible to make tape
image work in both the emulator and real 264 series Commodore computer. Since VIC-20, C64 and
C128 don’t have the possibility to sense variations of the signal from 0V to 5V, grabbing their cassettes
to a TAP V2 would be only a waste of disk space.
When grabbing cassettes created for VIC-20 or C64/C128 use the respective options.
Unfortunately, when dealing with cassettes created for Commodore 264 series computer is not always
easy or even possible to say in advance if the “additional characteristic” of above has been used so,
when in doubt, always use option XF4 for this kind of tapes, or use option XF3 and, if the resulting TAP
file doesn’t work then retry with option XF4.
As a general rule, when it comes to cassettes created for Commodore 264 series computers:
- Tapes containing programs saved with fast loaders (like Novaload, Anirog etc.) scrolling
colored lines on the border of screen and/or playing music while loading require option
-
XF4
Tapes created with standard LOAD/SAVE method can be grabbed with XF3
How to use C64SD Card
Prerequisites:
- ensure that the firmware of the card has been upgraded with the latest firmware
- check that the motor override button is in “closed” position (i.e. fully pushed toward the inside of the
card)
- Make sure you’ve the latest version of the support software (the menu for example could have been
changed if a new version of the firmware has been released and the old menu could be incompatible
with the new version of the firmware). In case you’ve not yet prepared your SD card to be used with
C64SD read next chapter.
How to prepare an SD Card to be used with C64SD
SD Card to be used with C64SD must have been previously formatted using FAT32 filesystem using a
PC.
If you wish to use the SD card also to host the result of grabbing cassette content it’s advisable to:
- Use an SD Card that is at least of speed Class 10 with writing speed of >= 30Mb/s
- Use separate SD Cards, one for grabbing tapes content and one to hold your programs
collection
Insert your SD card you previously formatted
with FAT32 in the suitable SD Card adapter of
your PC. The name assigned to the SD Card
when formatting is not relevant.
Download the file “Root SD-Card” from the
Downloads page of www.manosoft.it site,
then unpack it using a suitable compression
tool (7zip does the job)
Unpack and copy the content of the directory
named “COPY ALL FILES ON ROOT SD”
directly in the root directory of your SD card.
The result should be similar to the one
displayed here on the right. In the picture
you can see the root directory of the SD card
after uncompressing/copying the files as
explained)
The SD Card is now containing all the basic support files needed to use it with C64SD, the menu
programs and the browsers. If you wish to copy some files you own to the SD Card is highly advisable
to create a dedicated directory under the root directory of the SD Card and to copy your files there. In
case you wish to use the pre-built packages available on www.manosoft.com site just proceed with
the next steps below.
The example is related to the files pertaining to C128 but the concept remains the same for the other
packs.
Insert the SD Card you previously prepared
in the suitable SD card adapter of your PC.
The root directory of the card will look
similar to the one displayed in the picture
on the right
Download and unpack the file related to the
Commodore computer you’re interested in
(in our case we downloaded and unpacked
C128 pack)
Now Copy the directory named as the
Commodore computer (in our case C128
directory) directly to the root directory of
your SD Card
Now the SD card is ready to be sued with C64SD. If you wish to start quickly to use the card it’s
advisable to read the chapter “Play back of a .TAP file to load it on your Commodore computer using
CBM File Browser” of this manual.
Play back of a .TAP file to load it on your Commodore computer using
CBM File Browser
Before starting to load a file make sure the motor logic override button is opened (i.e. its lever is
extended toward the outside of the C64SD card)
Boot you Commodore computer with the C64SD
card connected.
Type the command
LOAD”FB”,8
And press RETURN key
Note: FB program should be in the root directory
of your SD Card if you copied there the content
of the compressed package available as
download on manosoft site.
Your Commodore computer will load the “FB”
program and will display the “READY.” Prompt
again
Type the command:
RUN
And hit “RETURN” key
The CBMfileBrowser launcher will start, it will
identify the model of Commodore Computer
you’re using and will then start the correct
version of the Browser compatible with your
Commodore computer.
The initial screen of the CBMFileBrowser will be
launched. The version displayed on the right is
the C64 one, versions for other Commodore
Computer will have a different look but similar
functionalities.
You can move the listing of items up and down
using the “CRSR↑↓” button respectively with or
without the “SHIFT” button
The selected item is the one that appears
between the red signs “>” and “<”
You can navigate into a directory by making the
directory appear between the “>” and “<” signs
and hitting the “RETURN” button. You can exit a
directory and get to the upper level by making
the “←” symbol appear between the “>” and “<”
signs and pressing enter.
If any .TAP file is between the selection signs “>”
and “<” hitting the “RETURN” button will load it.
Please note that the motor logic override button
must be closed for the loading operation to start,
so when you see the familiar boot screen of
Commodore and the message LOAD PRESS PLAY
ON TAPE close the motor logic override button.
The screen will be blanked at the start of the
LOAD operation if tape loading procedure of the
computer in use has this feature.
For any further information about
CBMFileBrowser features please consult:
http://www.vic20.it/cbmfilebrowser/
Note: it’s possible to leave the motor override button permanently closed when using
CBMFileBrowser to load the .TAP files, this will work in the vast majority of tapes. In some very rare
cases however you might experience issues with the load operation. In case you’ve problems loading a
.TAP file open the motor logic override button and close it only when Commodore computer display
LOAD PRESS PLAY ON TAPE:
Use of C64SD Menu
If you successfully unpacked the content of one of the “Packs” downloadable from manosoft website
and you successfully created the SD Card, C64SD menu should be available in the root directory of
your SD card. Menu are available for all Commodore computers supported by C64SD.
MENU
MENUVIC
MENU264
For C64 and C128 in C64 mode
For VIC-20 and VC20
For C16, C116 and Plus-4
To start C64SD menu issue the following command on C64 computer:
LOAD"MENU",8
Or use MENUVIC or MENU264 in place of MENU depending on the Commodore computer you’re
using.
When loading is completed and READY. Prompt is displayed just issue the command
RUN
To start C64SD menu. All the instructions will be provided directly on screen by your Commodore
computer.
C64SD menu allows to carry out the following tasks:
-
Grab the content of a Cassette to a .TAP file on the SD Card
Initialize SD Card. This function should always be executed when the SD Card is firstly
inserted into the C64SD SD card slot
Inspect C64SD card firmware revision
Launch FB (CBMFileBrowser) with and without Turbo feature. Use this browser if you wish
to load TAP files easily
Launch FIBR Browser (this browser is not compatible with .TAP files execution)
Launch NAV Browser (this browser is not compatible with .TAP files execution)
Write TAP file content to a cassette
Note: The functions to Write TAP file to a real cassette and the one to grab a file to Grab the content
of a cassette to a .TAP file are working only with the root directory of the SD Card. TAP file will be
read/created only in the root directory.
Play Back of a .TAP file to load it to the Commodore computer
This method is used to send the content of a .TAP file contained in the SD card plugged to the C64SD
card to the Commodore computer as it can be loaded the same way as it would have been loaded
from a regular C2N datassette. The usage of the “OPEN” command as described below will work on
any Commodore computer among the models compatible with C64SD card and is the most
“compatible” way to load a .TAP file. Usage of the CBM File Browser program is much easier and
straightforward but in very rare occurrences could fail. If you have issues loading a .TAP file with the
CBM File Browser use the method described below to load your .TAP file.
Switch on the commodore computer. In the
picture on the side a C64 initial screen is
displayed but the procedure is the same for any
commodore computer
At the beginning C64SD card will search into the
root directory of the SD card for the .TAP file to be
loaded, if you wish to navigate to another
directory use the following command:
OPEN15,8,15,”CD:DIRNAME”:CLOSE15
The press “Return” button of the keyboard
Commodore computer will respond with the
READY
prompt
Note: the above command works similarly to the
“CD” command of DOS
Should you need to display the content of the
current directory you can use the following
command
LOAD”$”,8
And then press “RETURN” key.
To display then the content of the directory key in
the “LIST” command, followed again by a hit on
the “RETURN” key
When finished navigating to the directory
containing your .TAP key in the following
command:
OPEN15,8,15,”XT:TAPFILENAME.TAP”:CLOSE15
The press “Return” button of the keyboard
Commodore computer will respond with the
READY
prompt
Note: If the red LED flashes at this point please
refer to the chapter “Error Information” of this
document
Blue LED on the C64SD will flash for 5 seconds.
During these 5 seconds either:
For C64, VIC-20, VC20, C64C, C64G,C64 Aldi
Just press SHIFT+RUN STOP buttons on the
keyboard as you would have done to load a
regular cassette tape.
For C128,C128DCR,C128D, Plus/4,C16,C116
Key in the LOAD command and press “RETURN”
button on the keyboard
The screen might be blanked when the loading
procedure starts exactly as it would have
happened when loading from a regular C2N tape
When the “FOUND XXX” information is displayed
you can proceed by pressing the Commodore key
on the keyboard of your commodore computer
(on C64, VC20, VIC-20, C64G and C64 Aldi it's
possible to press the space bar as well)
Loading of the program will continue normally, if
the end of the data in the .TAP file is reached the
blue LED will go off.
During the load operations You will hear the
digital data pattern being sent to the computer
from the piezoelectric transducer.
Note: during the loading operations it is possible
to press Record & Play buttons on a C2N recorder
attached to the C64SD card to save the data to
the recorder.
WARNING: While saving to the tape the original
content of the tape cassette will be completely
and irreversibly deleted!! Make sure the cassette
you're using is the correct one before proceeding
any further
How to use set-points
Setpoints are “positions” recorded during the playback of a .TAP file by pressing Button number 2.
When a setpoint has been recorded for a .TAP file it is possible to position the read pointer of the
playback in that point simply pressing Button 15. This feature is particularly useful for multi load .TAP
files or for games asking to reset the counter of the tape and then to rewind the tape that specific
point.
When using setpoints it is possible (separately for each .TAP file):
- to set the setpoint (by pressing the red button) after the last loaded game in a multi load .TAP and
then, when loading that .TAP from scratch again, load directly the game after the
Setpoint by pressing Next button when blue led flashes at the beginning of TAP load. This allows to
load, in sequence, all the programs on the multi load TAP
- to set the setpoint when a game asks to reset the tape counter, then when the game asks to rewind
back the tape to the point where counter is zero, press just "Next" button to get there immediately.
Very useful also with .TAP single files containing both sides of the same cassette.
Notes:
- Only one setpoint can be set for each .TAP file. If the back button (button number 2) is pressed more
than once during the playback of the same .TAP file setpoint position will be updated with the last
position on tape of the last button press
- Different .TAP files will have different setpoints
- If a TAP has a setpoint and user wants to reload it from the beginning it's enough not to press "Next"
button and use the FileBrowser (FB) or direct OPEN commands as normally done to load a .TAP file
- Setpoints CANNOT be set if pulses are being emitted by the card (i.e. you can hear sounds from the
buzzer). If pressing the setpoint button (button number 2) nothing happens (no RED led flashing, no
sound) it means setpoint cannot be set. If the setpoint is created successfully one beep will come from
the card followed by other two bips. During bips red LED will flash.
- When using certain SD cards, when the first setpoint is saved from the moment the card has been
plugged into C64SD, red LED can stay on for several seconds (even 20 seconds or more) after the first
beep. This depends on the implementation of the wear levelling algorithm of the controller inside the
SD card. This won't make setpoint save procedure fail. If three bips are heard setpoint has been saved
correctly. Subsequent setpoint saving operations will be almost instantaneous. To avoid this delay SD
Card must be initialized by using the appropriate function in the C64SD menu.
- Setting setpoints will not make your loading operation fail you can press the red button in any
moment without worrying about possibly breaking your load operations.
- Setpoints will NOT be lost by resetting or switching off the C64SD card
- "Next" button = button number 15 (the button to position back the read pointer to the previously
saved setpoint) will work only when motor is not active and/or no pulses are being emitted by the
card. Additionally "next" button can be pressed during the Blue LED flashing that precedes .TAP
loading. If no Bips are heard and no red LED flashes are observed this means the positioning of the
read pointer failed.
Card “Hide” function
When using the datassette taking advantage of the tape pass-through of C64SD, in some cases, you
will encounter tapes that will refuse to load since their copy protection is detecting a disk drive (in our
case the disk emulated by C64SD) is connected to the Serial Port of Commodore Computer. To avoid
this issue it is possible to “hide” the C64SD card by sending the following command before loading the
protected program from the datassette:
OPEN 15,8,15,"H":CLOSE 15
This command will set C64SD card into "Hide" mode and will allow to load the protected program
from datassette without any interference since C64SD presence will no longer be detected by the
program. "Hide" mode will be indicated on the C64SD card by the red and blue LEDs flashing one after
the other.
When it will be necessary to restart using the card we switched into Hide mode, C64SD card will have
to be reset either by pressing its reset button or by switching it off and back on.
How to grab cassette content to a .TAP file on the SD Card
Note: Before starting to grab tapes content it’s of vital importance that you read the chapter “Some
Notes about Grabbing cassette content to .TAP files” of this manual.
C64SD card is able to read the pulses recorded on a Commodore Tape by using a Commodore or
compatible C2N datassette and then to create a file with extension .TAP. This TAP file can then be
loaded on the Commodore computer or in a PC Commodore computer emulator (like VICE) as the
original cassette. Of course the TAP file can be reused in any moment to create back the original tape
by saving it to a cassette. This functionality is useful to avoid that cassettes would deteriorate and
eventually break because of regular usage. TAP file of course is not subjected to any wear when loaded
so it can be loaded an infinite number of times without any worry. With this functionality you will be
able to create an archive of your favorite tapes on the SD card.
To grab a tape proceed with the following steps:
-
-
Switch on your Commodore computer with C64SD connected
Place the cassette to be grabbed into the Datassette connected to C64SD card
Use Fast Forward or Rewind buttons on the tape to position the tape slightly before the
point you want to grab the content from. When finished leave all the buttons of the
datassette released.
Issue the following command on your Commodore computer
OPEN15,8,15,”XF1:MIOFILE.TAP”:CLOSE15
-
Commodore computer will immediately answer with “READY.”. Blue led on the C64SD card
will start to flash very quickly
Press PLAY button on datassette. Red led should light up in a second. When the red led is lit
it means that the card is ready to grab cassette content
During grabbing operation piezo speaker will reproduce the digital pulses read from tape so
you will be able to hear when there is a pause
If you wish to stop grabbing tape content just press STOP button on the datassette. Red led
will go off while blue led will emit one flash every some seconds
At this point if you wish you can extract the SD card from C64SD and read .TAP file on your
PC. If you wish to continue to use the C64SD card it is necessary to reset the card by
pressing its reset button.
Note that the highlighted XF1 option can be substituted with the following ones:
XF1:
XF2:
XF3:
XF4:
to grab tapes created for C64 (all types), C128 (all types)
To grab tapes created for VIC-20
In order to grab tapes for either C16,C116 or Plus-4 to a .TAP file V1
In order to grab tapes for either C16,C116 or Plus-4 to a .TAP file V2
For example:
To grab the content of a cassette created for Plus-4 to a .TAP file named AARDVARK.TAP compliant with
Version2 specifications issue the command:
OPEN15,8,15,”XF4: AARDVARK.TAP”:CLOSE15
Note: For more information about .TAP files Version 1 and Version 2 please consult the chapter “TAP
File versions” of this manual.
Play Back of a .TAP file to save it to the C2N Datassette
This procedure is particularly useful if you wish to dump the whole content of a .TAP file to a tape in a
unique step, even if the .TAP contains multiple programs. Make sure your C2N datassette is correctly
connected to the C64SD card.
Switch on the commodore computer. In the
picture on the side a C64 initial screen is
displayed but the procedure is the same for any
commodore computer
Insert the cassette tape into your Datassette the
using REW and FFWD buttons of the datassette
position the tape at the point where you wish to
save your .TAP content. Set the tape counter to
“000”
WARNING: the existing content of the tape
cassette will be completely and irreversibly
deleted with this operation!! Make sure the
cassette you're using is the correct one before
proceeding further
At the beginning C64SD card will search into the
root directory of the SD card for the .TAP file to be
loaded, if you wish to navigate to another
directory use the following command:
OPEN15,8,15,”CD:DIRNAME”:CLOSE15
The press “Return” button of the keyboard
Commodore computer will respond with the
READY
prompt
Note: the above command works similarly to the
“CD” command of DOS
When finished navigating to the directory
containing your .TAP file key in the following
command:
OPEN15,8,15,”XT:TAPFILENAME.TAP”:CLOSE15
The press “Return” button of the keyboard.
Commodore computer will respond with the
READY
prompt
Note: If the red LED flashes at this point please
refer to the chapter “Error Information” of this
document
Blue LED on the C64SD will flash for 5 seconds.
During these 5 seconds press RECORD & PLAY
buttons on your datassette. Note: pressing Record
& Play the playback of the TAP file content will
start immediately.
You will hear the digital pattern of the data being
sent to the tape from the piezoelectric
transducer.
When the .TAP content will be completely played
back the blue LED will go off and start to blink
once in a while. At this point you can press the
STOP button on your datassette and the cassette
tape will contain an integral copy of the .TAP file.
At the end of the mastering operation you can
rewind the tape at the beginning of the saved
program (counter = 000) and load it by:
For C64, VIC-20, VC20, C64C, C64G,C64 Aldi
pressing SHIFT+RUN STOP buttons on the
keyboard
For C128,C128DCR,C128D, Plus/4,C16,C116
Key in the LOAD command and press “RETURN”
button on the keyboard
Play back of a .TAP file to load it on your Commodore computer when the
.TAP file contains multiple programs recorded in sequence.
Switch on the commodore computer. In the
picture on the side a C64 initial screen is
displayed but the procedure is the same for any
commodore computer
At the beginning C64SD card will search into the
root directory of the SD card for the .TAP file to be
loaded, if you wish to navigate to another
directory use the following command:
OPEN15,8,15,”CD:DIRNAME”:CLOSE15
The press “Return” button of the keyboard
Commodore computer will respond with the
READY
prompt
Note: the above command works similarly to the
“CD” command of DOS
Should you need to display the content of the
current directory you can insert the following
command
LOAD”$”,8
And then press “RETURN” key.
To display then the content of the directory key in
the “LIST” command, followed again by a hit on
the “RETURN” key
When finished navigating to the directory
containing your .TAP key in the following
command:
OPEN15,8,15,”XT:TAPFILENAME.TAP”:CLOSE15
The press “Return” button of the keyboard
Commodore computer will respond with the
READY
prompt
Note: If the red LED flashes at this point please
refer to the chapter “Error Information” of this
document
Blue LED on the C64SD will flash for 5 seconds.
During these 5 seconds either:
For C64, VIC-20, VC20, C64C, C64G,C64 Aldi
Just press SHIFT+RUN STOP buttons on the
keyboard as you would have done to load a
regular cassette tape.
For C128,C128DCR,C128D, Plus/4,C16,C116
Key in the LOAD command and press “RETURN”
button on the keyboard
The screen might be blanked when the loading
procedure starts exactly as it would have
happened when loading from a regular C2N tape
When the “FOUND XXX” information is displayed
you can proceed by pressing the Commodore key
on the keyboard of your commodore computer
(on C64, VC20, VIC-20, C64G and C64 Aldi it's
possible to press the space bar as well)
Loading of the program will continue normally.
When the first program loading is completed
press and open the “Motor Logic Override”
button on the C64SD card (i.e. let its arm extends
toward the outside of the C64SD card)
Note: If the program you just loaded is not
automatically stopping the tape motor after it
starts, it's particularly important that you open
the “Motor Logic Override” button (button
number 9) before C64SD card starts to play back
the next program on .TAP file.
Press the button on the back of the C64SD card
(Button number 2). Card will emit three beeps in
sequence. Red led will flash three times. This
means C64SD card has saved a setpoint for the
current .TAP file.
When you finish playing with the program and
you wish to start loading the next one
power cycle your commodore computer
Close the “Motor logic override” button (button
number 9) on the C64SD card (i.e. push its arm
toward the inside of the C64SD card).
When the computer main screen is displayed
again just:
Move again in the directory where the .TAP file is
stored and load it as you did at the beginning of
this procedure using the command
OPEN15,8,15,”XT:TAPFILENAME.TAP”:CLOSE15
When the Blue led is flashing just press the
“Next” button (button number 15) and keep it
pressed till you hear two bips. Then proceed to
load as usual. You will notice that the loading will
restart from the next program on the .TAP file
instead that from the beginning
You can repeat the procedure described in these
last six steps multiple times to load one after the
other every program recorded in your .TAP file.
How to deal with programs asking you to reset the counter and then to
rewind to counter 000.
This is very simple: when the program asks you to reset your datassette counter just press the button
on the back of C64SD card (Button number 2), you will hear three beeps and the red led will flash
three times. When instead the program asks you to rewind till the counter reads 000 simply press
“Next” button on C64SD card (Button Number 15) this time you will hear just two beeps confirming
you the position of the virtual tape has been set back to the setpoint previously saved. This is very
useful for games that in the real datassette are requesting you to rewind each time you have a GAME
OVER condition. In this way you will save yourself the time to rewind the real tape.
For more information read also the chapter “How to use set-points” of this document.
JiffyDOS Kernel on Commodore Computer and C64SD
JiffyDOS works very well and is supported by the SD2IEC emulation built into C64SD card. Take
however into account that JiffyDOS Kernel has no routines at all for tape communication
management, this means that trying to load any TAP while JiffyDOS ROM is in use will result in the
error:
?DEVICE NOT PRESENT
This happens also trying to access a C2N recorder directly connected to the Tape port of the
Commodore computer and is independent from C64SD since the reason is that there are no tape
routines available and so the Kernel does not even know the existence of the tape device. Switch back
to the genuine Kernel ROM of the Commodore computer to load TAP files.
Note: even if it’s not possible to load TAP files with C64SD if on the Commodore Computer JiffyDOS
Kernel ROM is in use it’s anyway possible to grab the content of a cassette or master a cassette
writing the content of a .TAP file to a real cassette because these two functions are not relying on
Kernel functions of the Commodore Computer.
Error Information
Should an error occur during the play back of the .TAP file, the red LED will flash. You can get extended
error information by using a simple program like the following. Key it in and “RUN” it just after you see
the red LED flashing. If you own a Commodore 64 you can also load “menu” program and look at the
line at the bottom of the screen always showing C64SD card status.
10 OPEN 15,8,15
20 INPUT #15,A$,B$,C$,D$
30 PRINT A$,B$,C$,D$
A$
B$
C$
D$
Error Code
Description
Track Number
Block Number
The cause of the error depending on the extended error information retrieved could be:
FILE NOT FOUND
The requested file was not found in the current
directory:
- are you sure you were in the correct directory
when you issued the OPEN command to load the
.TAP file ?
- did you include the .TAP extension when you
specified the name of the TAP file to load (if the
file does have it of course)?
- is your .TAP file name exceeding 12 characters
and/or does it include special characters other
than lowercase letters and numbers ?
FILE MISMATCH
The file you requested to load is not of the
requested type
- are you sure you're loading a real .TAP file ?
- is your .TAP file a V1 or V2 version? If it's a V0
you will get this error. Use an utility like TapClean
to convert your V0 .TAP file to a .V1 .TAP file
LED Flashing codes
BLUE Led
o While waiting for you to press Play button on
datassette to grab the content of the tape
Flashes rapidly
o While updating the firmware with a new one
On
When playing back a tape or when accessing
SDCard
One flash followed by a long pause
If the playback or grabbing of the .TAP file is
arrived at the end
One Flash then a Flash of red led and then a
pause
C64SD card is in “hide” mode
RED Led
Flashes on and off at 1 second interval
An error is occurred while processing last
command. See “Error Information” chapter to
discover what error was detected
Flashes three times in correspondence with three
beeps
A set-point has been successfully recorder for the
.TAP file currently playing back
Flashes two times in correspondence with two
beeps
The position of the set-point previously recorded
for the .TAP file currently playing back has been
successfully restored
One Flash then a Flash of blue led and then a
pause
C64SD card is in “hide” mode
Some information about how to deal with multi-program TAP files
Sometime it could happened to have to deal with a .TAP file that contains multiple independent
programs or, another typical case, is when we have the same program split into multiple .TAP files, for
example we could have received two files representing side A and side B of the same tape cassette.
In case we have a .TAP file containing multiple independent programs, to simplify its management it
could be a good idea to use a utility like STAP (Split TAP) that can break the single .TAP in several .TAP
files one per each independent program present in the unique original .TAP.
For what concerns instead the case where we receive multiple .TAP files that are all components of the
same tape (as in the case of the two sides of the same cassette) we could use the JTAP utility (Join
TAP) to merge all the .TAP files into a single one.
The above utilities are available for download at the Author’s website
http://iancoog.altervista.org/
How to Initialize the SD Card
If the SD Card has been edited using the PC and it’s the first time it is inserted in the slot of C64SD card
it is necessary to initialize it. To initialize the card:
If you own a Commodore 64 or a Commodore 128 you can use the dedicated entry of the “menu”
program. You will find “menu” program in the root of your SD card once you’ll have uncompressed on
it the content of the package downloadable from manosoft site.
If you have any other Commodore Computer:
-
Check that the SD Card inserted in the slot of C64SD is the one where you unpacked the
package downloadable from manosoft site
-
Issue the command LOAD”INI”,8
-
When the loading is completed issue the command RUN and then press RETURN on the
Keyboard
Initialization procedure might need several seconds to execute depending on the type of SD card being
used.
How to get Firmware Information
Should you need to check that the Firmware upgrade operation was carried out successfully use the
following procedure:
If you own a Commodore 64-C128
Boot you commodore with the C64SD card connected. C64SD must contain the SD Card where
you previously downloaded the content of the directory “all files here copy to root” obtained
by unpacking the file downloaded from manosoft website.
Key in the command:
LOAD”C64SD”,8
And press RETURN key
The “C64SD” program will be loaded from the SD Card root
When “READY.” Prompt is displayed again type “RUN” and press “RETURN” key.
The version of the firmware on the C64SD will be displayed.
Note: “SD2IEC” string followed by three numbers and a letter denotes this firmware can work
with C64SD card. The original SD2IEC firmware that cannot be used with C64SD card does have
only three numbers in its version string.
If you own another Commodore Computer
Boot you commodore with the C64SD card connected, then Key in this little program
10 OPEN15,8,15:INPUT#15,A$,B$,C$,D$
20 CLOSE 15
30 PRINT A$,B$,C$,D$
Enter the command
RUN
Then press RETURN button on the keyborad
Note: a function to display firmware revision is also available in the “menu” program that can be run
only on C64-C128.
Troubleshooting
If I enter the command
OPEN15,8,15,”XT:FILE.TAP”:CLOSE15 and then I
press SHIFT+RUN STOP keys LOAD PRESS PLAY ON
TAPE is displayed on screen, Blue LED flashes but
then nothing happens
When I select a file in the CBMFileBrowser and I
press RETURN, Commodore 64 is being reset and
LOAD PLAY ON TAPE is displayed on screen, Blue
LED flashes but then nothing happens
When I select a .TAP file in CBMFileBrowser and I
press RETURN, Commodore 64 is loading the
game in an unexpected way:
- Loading screen is not displayed
- Loading music is garbled or not played
- Loading never finished
- Loading stops with an error
- Commodore 64 resets by itself
The motor line override button is open. Press and
close the motor line override button to start .TAP
file content replay process (see chapter
“Components of C64SD card” of this manual to
identify the button)
The motor line override button is open. Press and
close the motor line override button to start .TAP
file content replay process (see chapter
“Components of C64SD card” of this manual to
identify the button)
As first attempt to resolve this issue try to load
your .TAP file using the OPEN command as
explained in the chapter “Play Back of a .TAP file
to load it to the Commodore computer” of this
manual.
You can also try to keep the motor logic override
button open and to close it only when, after
selecting the .TAP file to be loaded with
CBMFileBrowser, the computer is reset and
display the boot screen and the message LOAD
PRESS PLAY ON TAPE.
If .TAP file continues to be loaded incorrectly it’s
highly advisable to try to “Clean” it by using the
“TAP Clean” Utility. During the “Clean” operation
TAP Clean could notify that the .TAP file is
corrupt. In this case it’s necessary to get another
one.
The Game being loaded asks me to press Fast
Forward (FFWD) on tape
Game is asking me to press “STOP” button on the
tape recorder to start
Game is asking me to reset the counter and then
after some loading (or playing) it’s asking me to
rewind the tape till the counter is zero
When I switch on Commodore computer the card
takes quite a bit to initialize (the two beeps are
Games whose operation is based on fast forwardrewind timed operations are not supported
It’s enough to open the Motor Line Override
button (see chapter “Components of C64SD
card” of this manual to identify the button)
Read the chapters “How to deal with programs
asking you to reset the counter and then to
rewind to counter 000” and “Use of the setpoint” to know how to deal with this kind of
situations
This issue depends on a partial incompatibility
issue due to the specific SD Card in use. If you
heard after several ten of seconds)
When I press the switch on the back of C64SD
card to save a setpoint I hear only one beep and
then the red led remains switched on. Card
appears to be frozen.
When I start grabbing, after I press PLAY button
on datassette, red led is lit only after several tens
of seconds and the Grab operation starts
therefore after a very long delay
I’m not able to grab any tape. All the tapes I grab
are generating .TAP files I cannot read on the
Commodore computer nor in the Emulator
For any further issue or advice..
wish to accelerate the initialization just reset the
C64SD card pressing the reset button or use a
more compatible SD Card.
In these situations waiting several tens of
seconds the two other beeps can be heard and
the setpoint is saved correctly. This issue is due to
the fact the card was not initialized after editing it
on the PC. Use the appropriate function of the
menu utility of C64SD card in order to initialize
the SD Card.
This issue could be due to several different
causes. Please refer to the Grabber information
chapter of this document. As first requirement
check anyway that you’re using at least a low
latency Class 10 SD Card (30Mb/s or better
speed)
You can send an e-mail to the address:
[email protected]