Apple II Core

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Newsdee
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

ExCyber wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:16 pm The absence of color artifacts (...) was probably a deliberate enhancement by the original author.
Yea, it is. He explains why and how he did it in the pdf.

I grew up with an Apple IIe, and I really appreciate the enhancement. It makes some games much easier to read.

It's good to have the option to switch it off, but I also wonder if it could be extended to use six pixels instead of four for even crisper text (as the author mentions in his pdf)
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by ExCyber »

Newsdee wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:56 am
ExCyber wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:16 pm The absence of color artifacts (...) was probably a deliberate enhancement by the original author.
Yea, it is. He explains why and how he did it in the pdf.
The thing I'm addressing at the moment is specific to the "mixed" modes, and I didn't see anything in the PDF describing it. Prof. Edwards might have decided that it wasn't important or clever enough to explain, or even simply forgotten about it when writing the article. It's a neat optimization under the circumstances, but not exactly Earth-shattering. The difference is essentially that the core's condition for inhibiting color processing is "the current graphics byte is a text byte" rather than the original hardware's "the system is currently in text mode" (perhaps contemporary TVs only made that decision once per frame?).

(Tangent: I just saw the "profile pic" on his Columbia website and realized that I'd seen it before. He's one of Terasic's featured reviewers of the DE10-Standard board. The one with the parka and the (McChicken? Filet-O-Fish?) sandwich. :lol:)
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by thorr »

ExCyber wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:16 pm The absence of color artifacts in the text part of mixed modes seems pretty straightforward and was probably a deliberate enhancement by the original author. I can't speak to the accuracy of the output, though (questionable eyes + using the scaler on a relatively old, budget TN monitor).
This is excellent! This should definitely be part of the main core as it is the way the original hardware works. Can you implement this into the core and add a menu option to switch back and forth between the two ways of viewing text? It's awesome to have perfect text when you want it, but annoying when it is your only option.
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by thorr »

Update: I found two settings in my service menu that pretty much fixed the color problem (SCOL and SHUE) (Color and Hue). All my other settings were fine. I spent many hours fixing a greatly broken picture to get to where it was before with color cutoffs and many other settings, and I thought I had it all dialed in, but I guess the basic video adjustments were off. I never thought I would use an Apple II core with my own program combined with Newsdee's very helpful color references to adjust my color on my TV, but alas, I got pretty awesome colors now and it's like having a new TV! Everything is beautiful. Thanks Newsdee for the chart and others for the help. It's getting late, so I won't work on a new picture showing the comparison tonight. Maybe tomorrow...
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

Hi All,

Managed to get the SDRAM code stable.

Added a 16MB Ramworks card emulation too.
(Most software will only see 8MB though).

Software to exercise the Ramworks is in the resources folder.

https://github.com/RedskullDC/Apple-II_MiSTer
(rbf file there for anyone who wants to dive in.)

---------------------
ExCyber wrote: Sun Nov 14, 2021 6:09 pm I haven't tried this out yet, but I think the framework handles the E0 byte and sets ps2_key[8] to indicate its presence.
Thanks Excyber, you're quite right, so it does!
Apple 2 keyboard code doesn't appear to use it in any way though.

Might take a look at enabling the open/close Apple keys A.K.A PB0 and PB1 before starting on disk writes.
Well past Midnight here ZZZzzz....

Regards,
Red
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by akeley »

RedskullDC wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:07 pm Managed to get the SDRAM code stable.
Does it mean floppy saving is possible now?
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

ExCyber wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 3:42 am (Tangent: I just saw the "profile pic" on his Columbia website and realized that I'd seen it before. He's one of Terasic's featured reviewers of the DE10-Standard board. The one with the parka and the (McChicken? Filet-O-Fish?) sandwich. :lol:)
I wonder if he knows about MiSTer :lol:
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

RedskullDC wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:07 pm Managed to get the SDRAM code stable.
Added a 16MB Ramworks card emulation too.
(Most software will only see 8MB though).
Wow! Well done!

Does anybody have a good tutorial of using a RAMDisk for games?
I imagine it can speedup running some of them if they access the disk frequently?
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

Hi Breiztiger,
breiztiger wrote: Thu Nov 11, 2021 9:43 am perhaps a bug

https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=75630

this doesn't restart correctly after one run, have scramble caracters at buttom

run well in core 21.10.18
Tested with the latest build, working now that SDRAM is stable.

Regards,
Red
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

Hi All,

I've added the Open/Closed Apple Key functionality to the Left/Right ALT keys respectively.

Also changed the Shift-3 key from '£' to '#' .
(That's a temporary fix, as there should be a switch to select either)

Pic showing the RamWorks card in action:

RW-16MB.jpg
RW-16MB.jpg (3.39 MiB) Viewed 13554 times
Another pic showing the Self-test routine running:

self-test.jpg
self-test.jpg (3.61 MiB) Viewed 13554 times

(Hold down Left and right ALT keys, then press the reset button)

I don't have a real //e at the moment to check, but I don't remember seeing text at the bottom of the self-test screen?

Perhaps a soft-switch is not being correctly set by the reset.

Enjoy.
Red

https://github.com/RedskullDC/Apple-II_MiSTer
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

Hi Akeley,
akeley wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:56 pm
RedskullDC wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:07 pm Managed to get the SDRAM code stable.
Does it mean floppy saving is possible now?
Not quite yet.
Next on the list.

Regards,
Red
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by thorr »

RedskullDC wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 3:37 pm Hi All,

I've added the Open/Closed Apple Key functionality to the Left/Right ALT keys respectively.

Also changed the Shift-3 key from '£' to '#' .
(That's a temporary fix, as there should be a switch to select either)

Pic showing the RamWorks card in action:

Another pic showing the Self-test routine running:

(Hold down Left and right ALT keys, then press the reset button)

I don't have a real //e at the moment to check, but I don't remember seeing text at the bottom of the self-test screen?

Perhaps a soft-switch is not being correctly set by the reset.

Enjoy.
Red

https://github.com/RedskullDC/Apple-II_MiSTer
Awesome! I don't have a chance to try it quite yet, but is there a keyboard key for Reset? If not, can you please add one? F1 would be my pick since it is near the location of Reset on an Apple II.
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by breiztiger »

hi

sorry but with your last core a get that at boot on hdmi output
20211116_181933-screen.png
20211116_181933-screen.png (242 Bytes) Viewed 14877 times
is it normal ?

ps : i only have 32mo is it ok ?
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

breiztiger wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 5:20 pm hi

sorry but with your last core a get that at boot on hdmi output
20211116_181933-screen.png
is it normal ?

ps : i only have 32mo is it ok ?
I set the code to only use 32MB, so that it would be compatible with all the SDRAM expansions.
I have a 128MB card, but it (theoretically) should work fine with the 32MB card.

Can I trouble you to run the memtest core in the utility directory?
Let me know what the maximum clock speed you are able to achieve is?

I may have to dial back the clock speed going to the SDRAMs a little .

Cheers,
Red
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

Hi Breiztiger, et al.
breiztiger wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 5:20 pm ps : i only have 32mo is it ok ?
I've reduced the SDRAM clock.

Can you try the latest RBF?

Regards,
Red
https://github.com/RedskullDC/Apple-II_ ... r/releases
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by breiztiger »

with memory test for 5 min result 160 without error

same with last build
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

breiztiger wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:58 am with memory test for 5 min result 160 without error
same with last build
OK, so no problem with the memory.

Does the core work for you apart from the graphics issue?

What params are you using for HDMI output in your .INI file?
(I have mine set at 1920x1080 so it translates well to a 4K monitor).

Cheers,
Red
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by cathrynmataga »

Oh, this is odd for me. with 211117, If I boot this prodos 2.5 version 8 with the core as the first floppy, then I select basic system, then I press catalog a few times, it eventually does something weird at some point. Either it fails to load, or the catalog fails. I can go back to the old core with no reset and it works fine.

I was able to boot some hard disk games with your core without problems. I think floppy related?

https://prodos8.com/releases/prodos-25/

For me, HDMI is fine. I set min/max resolution to 1080p and refresh to 60hz. (Since this matches my actual screen.)
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

RedskullDC wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 1:55 am Does the core work for you apart from the graphics issue?
I'm having issues with the new core as well - they were particularly noticeable in Hard Hat Mack level 2

I managed to take a screenshot of some of it (the dots), but there was more than that happening randomly:
  • Dots and lines appear in random places
  • Randomly died instantly once
  • Some sprites started to glitch (e.g. the "stamp press" on the right had its pole drawn vertically all across the screen)
This is with 128MB of RAM, using an output resolution of 1720x1440


20211118_114707-screen_bugs.png
20211118_114707-screen_bugs.png (2.7 KiB) Viewed 14634 times
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

Newsdee wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 3:56 am This is with 128MB of RAM, using an output resolution of 1720x1440
I've ran memtest, and I can only go up to 138Mhz :cry:

I'm also using the latest core bulld (Nov 17th)
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by AmintaMister »

RedskullDC wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 4:02 pm Hi Akeley,
akeley wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:56 pm
RedskullDC wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 1:07 pm Managed to get the SDRAM code stable.
Does it mean floppy saving is possible now?
Not quite yet.
Next on the list.

Regards,
Red
It would be FANTASTIC for the adventure games!
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

This thread went quiet ... I hope it's just lack of time rather than a major blocker... :)
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by RedskullDC »

Hi Newsdee, et al.
Newsdee wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 1:51 pm This thread went quiet ... I hope it's just lack of time rather than a major blocker... :)
Just lack of time at the moment.
I work in transport, December/XMAS is our busiest time of the year.

Been home for exactly 4 hours in the last 3 weeks :(

Will get back to it soon...

Cheers,
Red
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

RedskullDC wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2021 10:12 am Just lack of time at the moment.
No worries, glad it's still on track :)
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by aenoxi »

Hi Red,
RedskullDC wrote: Wed Dec 22, 2021 10:12 am Just lack of time at the moment.
I work in transport, December/XMAS is our busiest time of the year.

Been home for exactly 4 hours in the last 3 weeks :(

Will get back to it soon...
I hope you managed to get some rest after Christmas! Thank you for all of your hard work on the core. I am reliving some long-forgotten memories via the Mister :)

I had one question: is it possible to auto-mount an HDV hard disk image when the core starts? I'd really love to have the Mister boot up into the Total Replay image. Right now you have to go to the menu, select mount hdv and choose the file and then go back into the menu and cold reset - which is a bit of a challange for my kids.

I know you can auto-mount a floppy and boot into that automatically by renaming the floppy file boot.rom, but this doesn't seem to work for HDVhard disk images...

Wishing you a restful, happy and prosperous 2022!
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by nemopapa »

For someone who wants to use US keyboard based on 20220219 build.
Attachments
Apple-IIe_20220219.zip
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akeley
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by akeley »

It's great to hear about Apple IIGS core in the works, but I really hope somebody can tackle floppy write in this one at some point too. Without it, a large chunk of the important titles from its library is useless, and in general a computer without a save ability is a sad puppy.

And it's been a few months since we heard from @RedskullDC...hope they're ok.
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by AmintaMister »

akeley wrote: Sat Apr 16, 2022 8:28 am It's great to hear about Apple IIGS core in the works, but I really hope somebody can tackle floppy write in this one at some point too. Without it, a large chunk of the important titles from its library is useless, and in general a computer without a save ability is a sad puppy.

And it's been a few months since we heard from @RedskullDC...hope they're ok.
I agree. The historical preservation of Apple II is enormously diminished without the floppy writing function.
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

Here is a test build by alanswx that I've been testing recently,
adding a second floppy drive and the ability to save disks in .nib format to the SD card!

I was able to play Adventure Construction Set and Ultima II with it so far.

It needs disks to be in .nib to write back to them. This is an acceptable trade-off since this is not a copy-protected format anyway; and it also helps keep your files tidy on your SD card e.g. all saves in a separate folder. I would also recommend preparing save disks in AppleWin first since it formats and copies data much faster than MiSTer (which operates at original speed).

To help using the Apple II core with this I started making an archive of .nib save disks ready for use.
For example, I added four "save slots" for Ultima II by making a player disk and duplicating it before creating a character.
What are your favorite games and which save files would you like to see added to this archive?


Files:
Apple-II_disk_write_20220415.rbf
(3.43 MiB) Downloaded 297 times
Saves (Player Disks).zip
(359.24 KiB) Downloaded 313 times
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Re: Apple II Core

Unread post by Newsdee »

I've created a github page to house the .nib disks, this will make it easier to add your own (by pull request):
https://github.com/Newsdee/apple2saves
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