CBM Tape Pi v1.7.0 is a bare metal project, but I am currently working on the Linux port, which will make things much easier. Take a look at the Linux README for more informations
This here is not a release version of the README! Please follow this link to get to the README of CBM Tape Pi's latest stable release version (v1.7.0).
Marcel Timm, RhinoDevel, 2024, rhinodevel.com
Use a Raspberry Pi as fast storage device with your Commodore 8-bit computer (CBM/PET, VIC 20, C64, etc.) via tape port connector!
The main goal was to provide such a solution for the CBM/PET machines with as less hardware effort as possible while using Open Source software, the Raspberry Pi and the Commodore's datassette port, only.
Latest release: CBM Tape Pi v1.7.0
Older/outdated video (slow compatibility mode, v1.6.1): CBM 3032 (please excuse the cuts, there was no fast mode, yet..)
Access Pi's SD card from your Commodore to:
Easy to build hardware interface:
You need:
1) Setup connections (see picture below). 2) Put compiled kernel.img (or kernel7.img for Raspberry Pi 2 and 3) from latest release v1.7.0 on the first FAT32 partition on an SD card with MBR partition table (easiest way is to use an SD card having Raspbian installed). 3) Delete (if existing) config.txt and cmdline.txt from boot partition. 4) Overwrite fixup.dat, start.elf and bootcode.bin with the files having the same names from Raspberry Pi firmware release 1.20171029.
1) (Always) power-on Raspberry Pi first. 2) Power-on Commodore. 3) Enter commands (see below for details). 4) (Always) power-off Commodore first. 5) Power-off Raspberry Pi.
Do not power-off the Raspberry Pi while Commodore machine is still on.
If you need to reset the Raspberry Pi, I recommend to also first power-off the Commodore, although keeping the Commodore running during Raspberry Pi reset should do no harm.
After the first start of CBM Tape Pi it is in (slow) compatibility mode (see below).
You can toggle to another mode from compatibility mode this way:
1) Enter SAVE"MODE <mode name>"
where you replace <mode name>
with one of the following strings:
PET1
: CBM/PET, BASIC v1, fast mode, wedge installed in tape buffers.PET2
: CBM/PET, BASIC v2, fast mode, wedge installed in tape buffers.PET4
: CBM/PET, BASIC v4, fast mode, wedge installed in tape buffers.PET1TOM
: CBM/PET, BASIC v1, fast mode, wedge installed at top of BASIC memory.PET2TOM
: CBM/PET, BASIC v2, fast mode, wedge installed at top of BASIC memory.PET4TOM
: CBM/PET, BASIC v4, fast mode, wedge installed at top of BASIC memory.VIC20
: VIC 20, fast mode, wedge installed at top of BASIC memory.C64
: C64, fast mode, wedge installed at top of free high memory (right before address $D000).C64TOM
: C64, fast mode, wedge installed at top of BASIC memory.2) Power-off Commodore.
3) Reset Raspberry Pi.
4) Power-on Commodore.
5) Enter LOAD
.
6) Follow start instruction shown at Commodore (as file name) to install wedge, e.g. RUN
or SYS 655
.
RUN
is shown, using <shift> + <run/stop>
instead of LOAD
followed by RUN
would also have worked.You have reached fast mode!
Feel free to enter all commands described below for compatibility mode, but now use !
character followed by command (instead of using SAVE
and LOAD
). E.g. to load a PRG: !MYCBMAPP.PRG
Hint: Change the mode when fast mode is active:
!MODE <mode name>
to let the Pi be in another mode from the next start on.!MODE SAVE
.NEW
before SAVE
, to avoid that the PRG will unnecessarily be sent to the Pi.!
character followed by the command (instead of using SAVE
and LOAD
). E.g. to load the directory contents in fast mode enter: !$
LOAD: E.g. a PRG file named mycbmapp.prg
:
SAVE"MYCBMAPP.PRG":LOAD
RUN
For non-relocatable (non-BASIC) PRGs on a VIC 20 or a more recent machine (e.g. a C64):
SAVE"MYCBMAPP.PRG":LOAD,1,1
...
SAVE: E.g. a PRG file named mynewapp
:
SAVE"+MYNEWAPP"
LIST: List content of current directory:
SAVE"$":LOAD
RUN
CD: Change directory, e.g. to subfolder named "petprgs":
SAVE"CD PETPRGS"
To return from a subfolder type:
SAVE"CD .."
RM: Remove a file, e.g. the file named "oldfile.prg":
SAVE"RM OLDFILE.PRG"
MODE: Toggle mode (also see options, above), e.g. to CBM/PET BASIC v4 fast mode:
SAVE"MODE PET4"
Connect Raspberry Pi and Commodore machine this way: