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How did C64 fast loaders work?
These are switched either between the serial bus interface (Serial Port) or at the disk drive itself or they are installed with a cartridge at the C64 by the expansion port or user port. A hardware fast loader reads the data from the disk up to about 35 times faster than the normal speed.
What happened to Epyx?
Bankruptcy and asset sales By the end of 1989, Epyx discontinued developing computer games, began making only console games, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In 1993, with eight employees left, they decided just to sell off the rest of the company.
Did Commodore 64 have cartridges?
The cartridge slot on the C64 was also mainly a feature used in the computer’s first two years on the market and became rapidly obsolete once the price and reliability of 1541 drives improved. A handful of PAL region games used bank switched cartridges to get around the 16 KB memory limit.
How does Epyx Fastload work?
Epyx Fast Load allows programs to load from the Commodore 1541 disk drive at 2,500 bytes per second, approximately five times faster than the normal speed. This dramatically reduces the number of keystrokes needed to load or save files or perform disk operations, and makes the cartridge even more convenient.
How do I start my Commodore 64 game?
Most C64 games can be launched in just a few seconds with a simple drag and drop of the game file, or the first file, into the VICE main window, where you can see the Commodore 64 prompt screen. Alternatively, you may select File > Smart attach Disk/Tape, then select the program name to run in the image contents.
How do you start a Commodore 64?
To load one of the games you find, type LOAD “filename”,8 and hit return. After you get the READY prompt, type RUN and hit return. If the game doesn’t run, try LOAD “filename”,8,1. Some games autorun when you load them that way.
Is there a Epyx Fast Load cartridge for Commodore 64?
Actually, this PCB is a combination of two independent projects, one of them is Pi1541 (Commodore disk drive emulator) and the other is “Epyx Fast Load” Cartridge. They can be used individually or together. https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/RASPBERRY_Pi1541_ZERO_HAT_COMMODORE_64_DISC_DRIVE_EMULATOR_1.html
How does the Epyx Fast Load cartridge work?
In addition to disk acceleration, the cartridge also provides a built-in version of the Commodore DOS Wedge. This dramatically reduces the number of keystrokes needed to load or save files or perform disk operations, and makes the cartridge even more convenient. Epyx Fast Load incorporates a machine language monitor.
Why was the Commodore 1541 fast load cartridge included?
The Fast Load Cartridge contained a DOS Wedge, which implemented the most important commands from Commodore’s DOS Wedge, included on a disk that shipped with the 1541. Putting it on the cartridge was convenient because then you didn’t have to remember to load it. The commands were cryptic, but easy to type, so they caught on.
How do you write a sector in Epyx?
Use the cursor keys to move around within a sector. To read a sector, hit R. To write a modified sector, hit W. To exit, hit Q. This is a simple but functional collection of file utilities, with several options. This can be easier than remembering the Commodore DOS commands for everything.