Enterprise Forever
:UK => Other topics => Topic started by: Womble on 2008.November.06. 01:06:26
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Hi All
I am thinking about buying an Enterprise 64 machine I have found locally, but I have a couple of questions.
1) It doesn't come with the BASIC cartridge, can I do anything with this machine without that cartridge, is it possible to load games from tape without it?
2) I can easily program an eprom with the contents of the BASIC cartridge, and can probably make my own cartridge PCB. Is the ROM file available anywhere for download, and is it possible to find out the circuit diagram of the cartridge itself?
3) Am very very keen on getting this to run ZX Spectrum games, how easy is that to do? I have seen pictures of external PCBs, but also talk of ROMs, do these go inside the EP64 or do they need an external PCB.
Thanks for any help.
All the best
Womble.
PS - Hiya from sunny Australia!
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Hello and welcome!
1) Yes, you can load the games without any cartridge. Actually there are games which only work if you don't have any cartridge plugged in.
2) Yes, you can find ROM files here too. Check the EP128emu (http://ep128emu.enterpriseforever.com)! The emulator installs a lots of ROMs to your pc. As far as I know these .rom files can be burn into EPROMs.
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Superb - that was my main concern, I had a Sega SC1000 a few years back and that had no cartridges, to tell it to load you needed the BASIC cartridge to issue the load command, so it was basically a door stop.
Can you shed some light on the spectrum emulator board, is that an external PCB or an internal ROM swap. Am not averse to etching an external PCB if need be.
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The Enterprise has a builtin ROM which contains the EXOS and the WP. If you don't have any external cartridge, you still have the WP (the Word Processor. It is a text editor). The trick is to press F1 in it, then Enter and you can load anything you want from the tape (except BASIC programs, of course)
Sorry, I can not help you with the emulator, but I'm sure Zozo can help you tomorrow.
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The most easy way to solve the missing Basic problem: upgrade the machine ROM to EXOS 2.31 (http://enterpriseforever.com/enterprise_forum/unofficial_exos_versions-t257.0.html), this version have a BASIC inside. Only problem: needed to dismantle the machine, and solder one wire for the higher capacity EPROM.
But also recommended the ROM upgarde, because the most of programs are compatible with the EXOS 2.1 or higher ROM. The EP64 originaly come with the 2.0 version.
Another way: you can purchase a original cartridge from me :-)
But if you can easy to produce PCB lets do it! There is the schematics. (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Hardware/PCB/Picture/Cart_1x64K.gif)
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3) Am very very keen on getting this to run ZX Spectrum games, how easy is that to do? I have seen pictures of external PCBs, but also talk of ROMs, do these go inside the EP64 or do they need an external PCB.
Yes it is a external card, which is also have a own ROM extension.
At this topic I writed lot of about the emulator. (http://enterpriseforever.com/hardware/zx_spectrum_emulator_card-t123.0.html;msg3556#msg3556)
I you want to make own: there is the schematics of the latest version. (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Hardware/PCB/Picture/Emulatorjav.jpg)
But if you want to use the emulator, then needed to have 64K RAM extension, what the EP128 have internaly. If you can make own emulator card then I think you can extend it with some RAM :-)
The memory extension is also good idea, because the most of Enterprise programs run only 128K machine. There is the list of the EP64 compatible games. (http://ep128.hu/Ep_Games/Games_Ep64.htm)
An the EXOS ROM upgrade is also needed for the emulator.
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There is the list of the EP64 compatible games. (http://ep128.hu/Ep_Games/Games_Ep64.htm)
By the way some of them (about five) run only with the basic cartridge (e.g. Beatcha, Steve Davis Snooker) as they are fully or partly written in IS-Basic.
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Another way: you can purchase a original cartridge from me :-)
How much would you want for a basic cartridge? Am after one with the cover sticker in good condition.
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Hello!
I'm Gryzor, active in the CPC scene (and maintainer of cpcwiki.com), and I just bought an E64 mint and boxed off ebay! Yay!
Only downside: it's missing the top of the joystick. It only has the internal stick... So the question is, is there someplace I could find a replacement? I know chances are slim, but still...
Cheers
Themis
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Welcome here!
I'm Gryzor, active in the CPC scene (and maintainer of cpcwiki.com), and I just bought an E64 mint and boxed off ebay! Yay!
We see it :-) nice good looking machine!
Only downside: it's missing the top of the joystick. It only has the internal stick... So the question is, is there someplace I could find a replacement? I know chances are slim, but still...
The main problem: the EP64 have a green joystick cap, and the EP128 have a grey. It is possible to found grey cap sometimes on Hungarian auction sites (few weeks ago I bought one for Mika73).
But found a green, I think near to impossible :-(
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Welcome here!We see it :-) nice good looking machine!
Heheh, yes, I guess when such a rare machine shows up the whole community sits up and watches... thanks for the welcome! Btw, I paid £220 for it, what do you think of the price?
It's such a lovely, lovely machine...
The main problem: the EP64 have a green joystick cap, and the EP128 have a grey. It is possible to found grey cap sometimes on Hungarian auction sites (few weeks ago I bought one for Mika73).
But found a green, I think near to impossible :-(
Thanks for the tip! I guess a grey one is better than no cap at all, right? But, Hungarian sites, eh? Hmmm... why couldn't they export it to some country whose language I understand? :D Just kidding of course. Would it be possible for you to give me some pointers to those sites, and maybe tell me what search terms to use?
Thanks again - you'll be seeing more of me here!
Cheers
Themis
PS Anyone's got any games they wanna sell? :)
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Btw, I paid £220 for it, what do you think of the price?
I observed the auctions in the past years and see about five boxed EP64 machines, the average price is about 200 GBP.[/quote]
My boxed machine (http://enterpriseforever.com/hardver/ep64-t148.0.html;msg6185#msg6185) came from Spanish eBay shop, for a 200 euros.
It's such a lovely, lovely machine...
Yes!!! :ds_icon_cheesygrin:
Thanks for the tip! I guess a grey one is better than no cap at all, right? But, Hungarian sites, eh? Hmmm... why couldn't they export it to some country whose language I understand? :D Just kidding of course. Would it be possible for you to give me some pointers to those sites, and maybe tell me what search terms to use?
The easier solution: when I see one, I can bid for you.
PS Anyone's got any games they wanna sell? :)
I have lot of original tapes :-)
Many times needed to bought a full collections for I get one which are missing my collection :-) , and now I have lot of duplicates.
If you interesting, I will send a list with prices.
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I observed the auctions in the past years and see about five boxed EP64 machines, the average price is about 200 GBP.
Ah, so I was close to the mark. I'm a bit surprised it's cheaper than the Sam Coupe though (of which I also have one!)!
My boxed machine (http://enterpriseforever.com/hardver/ep64-t148.0.html;msg6185#msg6185) came from Spanish eBay shop, for a 200 euros.Yes!!! :ds_icon_cheesygrin:
Do you have any photos? :)
The easier solution: when I see one, I can bid for you.
That would be superb, really, but I'd hesitate to put you into trouble... I will send you my email address just in case, and I'd be eternally grateful, but I'd have no problem looking for one myself, too, if I knew these sites!
I have lot of original tapes :-)
Many times needed to bought a full collections for I get one which are missing my collection :-) , and now I have lot of duplicates.
If you interesting, I will send a list with prices.
Ahhhh yes please do, that'd be nice indeed... Something to play with except for the demo tape!
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Sam Coupe though (of which I also have one!)!
Wow!
Do you have any photos? :)
I linked it (http://enterpriseforever.com/hardver/ep64-t148.0.html;msg6185#msg6185) in my previous post :-)
I'd have no problem looking for one myself, too, if I knew these sites!
Enterprise items on the Vatera (http://www.vatera.hu/szamitastechnika_retro_szamitogep_kiegeszito_c1747.html?q=enterprise&td=1)
Currently no joy cap :-(
Ahhhh yes please do, that'd be nice indeed... Something to play with except for the demo tape!
Ok, I will send the list of available tapes.
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Ahhhh yes please do, that'd be nice indeed... Something to play with except for the demo tape!
I sent the list to you!
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I sent the list to you!
Yes! I saw it, I just have to read some articles ont he games to decide... is there any site with the E games?
Thanks, much appreciated :)
Themis
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I just have to read some articles ont he games to decide... is there any site with the E games?
Only in Hungarian :oops: but try to read with the Google Translate (http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=hu&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ep128.hu%2FEp_Games%2FGames_AB.htm&sl=hu&tl=en&swap=1)!
The most of the original EP games also released to other machines (ZX Spectrum, CPC), you can read more in english about these games in World of Spectrum and other pages.
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Thanks for the tip! I guess a grey one is better than no cap at all, right? But, Hungarian sites, eh? Hmmm... why couldn't they export it to some country whose language I understand? :D Just kidding of course. Would it be possible for you to give me some pointers to those sites, and maybe tell me what search terms to use?
Wow, I just found the cap I thought was lost forever on my way from Bytefest (http://www.bytefest.org). (In case you are interested let me know or wait until I send the webmaster the English translation I promised. :)) The cap was on the bottom of the box, under the foam! Yay I'm happy! :) IMHO the box is kinda stupid, the tiny flap on the flat top doesn't hold it well and it's easy to lose a little something like the cap which the styrofoam doesn't hold well either.
If anyone cares to produce the exact measures of the cap I think it can be perhaps easily reproduced. I know some guys who would be willing to try....
Speaking about buying something from Hungary, I've had numerous problems trying. For example on teszvesz.hu nobody either cares about foreign customers at all or the sellers don't speak English well enough even to say "Sorry, I don't speak English" when I send them a question. Looks like ignorance to me. I'd even take my time to decipher an answer if it was in German... :)
Vatera.hu seemingly makes it purposefully impossible for foreigners to register.
And when it comes to plain old stone shops that happen to have a webpage, too, some don't answer an English e-mail, either, not even in Hungarian, saying whatever, at least something! I'd sort of understand if I wrote them in Slovak, but what's wrong with English? :ds_icon_cheesygrin:
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I'm Gryzor, active in the CPC scene (and maintainer of cpcwiki.com), and I just bought an E64 mint and boxed off ebay! Yay!
Hi Gryzor!
Nice to see a familiar nick here. :) Congratulations for your purchase!
BTW do you have any idea what happened to cpczone.net?
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Wow, I just found the cap I thought was lost forever on my way from Bytefest (http://www.bytefest.org). (In case you are interested let me know or wait until I send the webmaster the English translation I promised. :))
Well, if by "you are interested" you mean if I'm willing to buy it from you, then I suppose yes :D
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Hi Gryzor!
Nice to see a familiar nick here. :) Congratulations for your purchase!
BTW do you have any idea what happened to cpczone.net?
Heya mate! Where do you know me from? :)
Malc told me that the Zone is down because of excessive spamming. Now, given that Malc had not been involved with the Zone since June, I'm not sure what he meant; maybe he meant that we had problems with spam (which we had) so he took the site down himself to fix things, or he may have meant that there was a spam attack that brought it down... He said it may be back up soon, though. I'd hate it to go for good - it is THE site about CPC, and Malc is a great web coder...
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Welcome new members!
I have to ask you please do not discuss off-topic subjects here like the status of an another site. Even if it were an Enterprise site it is off-topic in this topic.
If you really want to discuss that here, there is a nice topic for that called off-topic.
Keeping the posts on topic is everyone's interest.
Thank you.
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Well, if by "you are interested" you mean if I'm willing to buy it from you, then I suppose yes :D
Nope. :) I meant interested about the Bytefest, not my lost&found cap. :) However, as I said, if someone gives me the exact measures (I wouldn't want to rely on myself. :)) I can ask some guys if they can produce them, maybe even in different colors, hehe.
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Keeping the posts on topic is everyone's interest.
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
Being a new owner of a few 8-bit computers that are quite popular in Hungary (the other is a Plus/4, what else ;-)), may I please ask you for hints on doing successful "business" with Hungarian sellers/shops? I'm really helpless, see above.
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I'm sorry.
Being a new owner of a few 8-bit computers that are quite popular in Hungary (the other is a Plus/4, what else ;-)), may I please ask you for hints on doing successful "business" with Hungarian sellers/shops? I'm really helpless, see above.
Write in Hungarian :D , but it would not help in some case I think. I would help you to translate the stuff, if it is ok for you.
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Ack... I received the machine. It's in real mint condition - actually, it's probably the best-preserved machine I've ever laid eyes on! - but there's a problem: I can't get it to recognize the cartridge!
I tried booting with the cartridge, I tried pressing Reset twice and I tried pressing F8 from the word processor, but nothing - the word processor gives me something about a file not defined (not sure). How could I check?
Is there anyone willing to trust me and lend me a known working cartridge to see if it will work? Of course, I would be paying for postage and I'd even be willing to post some escrow money until I return the cartridge.
Please do let me know, as it's quite sad for the machine to just stand there... :(
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I tried booting with the cartridge, I tried pressing Reset twice and I tried pressing F8 from the word processor, but nothing - the word processor gives me something about a file not defined (not sure). How could I check?
If the cartridge is working, then you go to the IS-BASIC after the ENTERPRISE screen. If you got the WP after this screen, then the cartridge not recognized :-(
The Cartridge pressed enought in the socket? In the new machines the cartridge is little heavy go to the socket.
And it is possible during the long standstill the contact points have a oxidation, try to clean the cartridge pins and the connector on the machine.
Try to push-pull the cartridge about 10-20 times.
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Yes - I forgot to say that I did clean the contacts, even though they seem to be in perfect condition :(
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The seller what say? He is tested the whole machine?
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Supposedly, yes. I'm exchanging emails and will see how it goes... but if it's only a faulty cartridge it's much smaller than a faulty mainboard!
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I writed a small program for you, it is copy the start of the cartridge memory to the screen, and we can see what your machine see in the cartridge.
I also attach the .WAV converted version of the file, you can record to tape, and load to your machine. (Or directly connect the PC sound output to the EP tape input)
In the WP press the F1 and Enter for load program.
There is the example screen shot for what you see with working cartridge:
[attachimg=1]
Make a photo what you see on your machine!
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Well... What can I say, I'm more than indebted for your trouble... You are really ace!
Unfortunately, I thought I couldn't do it because I have no tape recorder (don't laugh; I always owned Amstrads, so I had everything I needed built-in :D ), but then I realized what you said, that I can connect it directly. Cool! Will try!
I am also going to open it up and take a peek inside (really, are there any photos of the insides of the machine?) and try to figure if there's anything wrong by looking at it.
Thanks again, mate!
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I am also going to open it up and take a peek inside
The only problem: your machine is in a very good new condition! But for open it need to broke the warranty label (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Galery/Alapgep/Picture/EP64-8.jpg) :(
With sharp blade you can lift the paper corner from the screwhole! Do it very-very carefully, and it is will be near to unnoticeable :-)
More hard work with the cartridge (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Galery/Alapgep/alapgep.htm#3) because the EP64 cartridge have sticker. The EP128 cartridges are pure (cost reduction?), these are not too rare, but the EP64 cartridge with undamaged sticker is a extremly rare!
really, are there any photos of the insides of the machine?
There is a lot of photos. (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Galery/Alapgep/EP64-128.htm#2)
Firstly see what detect my program in your machine and after we can thinking about the problem.
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Boy you're right... I didn't think about breaking the seals!!! I always open up my machines and take high-res photos of the insides, but I don't think I've ever had a machine in so good a condition and you're right, it'd be a shame... so I just looked at your photos :D Is the 64 cartridge really so rare?
However, I was toying around with the thing last night, cleaning and scrubbing and cleaning again, checking the connections, trying to decide whether any line needed retracing, and all of a sudden, it worked!! Go figure... :D
Happy weekend then :)
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Is the 64 cartridge really so rare?
Yes, specially got a standalone without machine and have a unbroken sticker.
In the last four years I only got one "not working and hole at the screw" from the eBay.
it worked!!
Great!!! :smt038
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Only one? Wow...
Ok people, I'm accepting offers for my MINT 64 cardridge :D :D :D
I'm very happy that I got it working, but it got me thinking - probably the server didn't test it!!
By the way, speaking of rarity, how many 64s and 128s were manufactured anyway?? I've seen different numbers...
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By the way, speaking of rarity, how many 64s and 128s were manufactured anyway?? I've seen different numbers...
Currently the largest know serial number for EP64 is a 73433. For a EP128 is about 26000, most of them sold in Hungary :)
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Ah so it's much more than I thought... Were all of these sold? 100k is not a small number, I wonder how many still exist and how, after this production run, it's become so rare...
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Were all of these sold?
It is good questions! We heard about some unsold stores are pulped in the 90's years in UK, but don't know it is true or not? And if true then which type and how many hw pulped?
We know about 20000 Ep128 sold in Hungary, 4000 EP64 in Egypt, 3000 in Sovietunion. But don't know how many sold in UK, Germany, Spain, Netherland, France.
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I think that there was a very minimal amount sold in the west, as the company went under very fast and there was fierce competition. I frequent western european fora and, really, noone ever speaks about these machines... Maybe we should put this question on RetroGamer's forum, since it gathers people from all over.
But, really, if what you ay is true, we have 73000 machines unaccounted for, and that's much more than several machines that are being discussed around...
However, just a thought: we discussed about the highest known serial number for 64's and 128's, but what are the LOWEST known numbers? It could be that numbering did NOT begin from 0000001...
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However, just a thought: we discussed about the highest known serial number for 64's and 128's, but what are the LOWEST known numbers? It could be that numbering did NOT begin from 0000001...
I have a EP128: 00996 :ds_icon_cheesygrin:
In the last few years I see least two EP64 machines in the UK eBay which are lower than 01000!
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Oh cr@p! This means there are tens of thousands of machines not accounted for... I think it does make sense, numbers-wise, that they were binned :(
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Hi,
It gets even trickier than that - my first EP128 has the serial number as : -
L582 (it could be LS82) - so they didnt all use standard serial numbers !!
My EP64 has a normal serial number (035921)
Cheers
Tricky
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Ooops, rats that's getting bad...
Has anyone contacted the people who made them? Are there any interviews, do we know their names, as with other machines?
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How would I convert a downloaded PRG and COM file game to a WAV file to load into my real Ent64? I have tried googling but sadly the words Enterprise and 64 bring up a whole load of modern computer stuff. I am assuming there is an app to do this but I cant find it anywhere.
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How would I convert a downloaded PRG and COM file game to a WAV file to load into my real Ent64?
Can be used MrPrise's TAPir (http://enterpriseforever.com/dlattach.html;topic=140.0;attach=4447) program for creating WAV files. For running it needed the GTK+ enviroment. (http://sourceforge.net/projects/gtk-win/)
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You can also use ep128emu to copy the files to the real machine: just save them to the TAPE: device while the audio output of the PC is connected to the tape input of the Enterprise, for example with the :COPY EXDOS command. If the output level is too low, use :VAR 35,4 or other values up to :VAR 35,6.
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The most easy way to solve the missing Basic problem: upgrade the machine ROM to EXOS 2.31 (http://enterpriseforever.com/enterprise_forum/unofficial_exos_versions-t257.0.html), this version have a BASIC inside. Only problem: needed to dismantle the machine, and solder one wire for the higher capacity EPROM.
But also recommended the ROM upgarde, because the most of programs are compatible with the EXOS 2.1 or higher ROM. The EP64 originaly come with the 2.0 version.
Another way: you can purchase a original cartridge from me :-)
But if you can easy to produce PCB lets do it! There is the schematics. (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Hardware/PCB/Picture/Cart_1x64K.gif)
Can I buy a cartridge from you Zozo? With a german Basic extension. How much would it be?