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From: ramswell on 6 May 2008 22:39
On Mar 9, 12:42 am, hitfan <hit...(a)nospam.com> wrote:
> I just got an MMC Replay cartridge (with optional +RR Net ethernet
> add-on) a few days ago. It took me a while to figure out how to use it,
> but now I'm able to properly upload C64 games and programs to the SD
> card without much problems.
>
> This product comes from Europe, so some of the features don't seem to
> work on my NTSC C64 (such as loading .prg and .t64 files directly, which
> I could not get to work). What I did to make it work properly was:
>
> -install the dfiplgin.bin in /System64
> -transfer .prg, t64 single load games/programs with StarCommander to
> .d81 files (so that the program headers are placed properly)
> -used cbmconvert.exe to pack .d81 files together with the following .BAT
> file:
>
> cd Data
> ..\cbmconvert -dF ..\output.dfi *.d81
> del *.d81 /q
>
> I usually only allow for a maximum of about 200 files per DFI so that
> it's easier to navigate with the DFI browser.
>
> The DFI file format is similar to D64 except that it has no size limit.
> And it seems to be the file format which works best for me.
>
> I was also able to convert my entire LOADSTAR collection (240 .d81
> images) into individual .dfi files (I did not combine them together
> because I wanted each issue to be seperate). Although I'm able to boot
> each issue to the presenter, I can't do much loading after that. That's
> not too bad a problem, I can load games/programs from the LOADSTAR.DFI
> files by just selecting "B.GAME" from the browser, for example.
>
> The major issue with the MMC Replay (and this is well-known) is that
> there is limited multi-file loading functionality. You can load a
> multi-file game provided that it's just a few simple files and that
> there are no fast-loading segments or real-time loading during the game.
> (GEOS will probably not work, and I won't bother to test this).
>
> Other features of the MMC Replay +RR Net are freezer cartridge
> capability (you get freeze + reset buttons on the cartridge), copy from
> SD to disk and vice versa (though this is very slow--takes about 5
> minutes per disk side), SID music (I haven't tried this yet) and
> internet access through the ethernet port (I have yet to try this, my
> C64 is currently in the basement and my router is located upstairs--I
> may buy a two-way router to connect to the RR Net at a future date).
> You also get 512K of RAM, but this seems to be available only for
> internal MMC functions--it's not clear to me if it can be used as REU
> memory. icomp.de also provides periodic BIOS upgrades along with a
> rescue D64 image in case something goes wrong with the upgrade.
>
> You need to provide for your own cartridge case (though you can get one
> from a reseller who will sell this product)--and because the MMC Replay
> +RR Net has an ethernet port, an SD slot and protruding LEDs, you have
> to alter the case to make it all fit. I did somewhat of a very fast and
> dirty job of it--I used a pair of pliers and a power drill. The results
> are not pretty, but my new hardware is now secure in it's own case.
> This was a big plus for me as to why I chose this product--I see many
> other C64 cartridges that are available, but they will not fit inside of
> a cartridge case.
>
> I also received the Contiki OS on a floppy. I remember downloading it a
> few months ago and seem to recall that it took me at least 5 minutes to
> start it--even with FastLoad. This must be a newer version because I
> swear it only took a few seconds.
>
> Although I was frustrated at first in figuring out how to use it, I'm
> now very happy with this product. Now, I don't have to use the X1541
> transfer cable + dedicated 1541 disk drive connected to my PC whenever I
> want to transfer files--I can do it all through the SD card, and now my
> C64 has a second 1541 drive as well. The MMC Replay also does not need
> an additional power supply--it uses a modest 0.75 W.
>
> Here's the most useful link that I found for the MMC Replay +RR Net:http://www.protovision-online.de/hardw/hardwstart.htm
> (contains links to useful plugins, software, etc).
>
> Overall, I rate this product 9/10.



My ratings "would be" higher if it were not for all the issues that
I've had with it's compatibility functions and the fact that I spent
OVER $85.00 FOR IT including the shipping!
Being that I only use it for unconverting Disk Images (since that was
all I was ever able to figure out how to do), I will give it a 7 (and
that's only because it's supposed to have much, MUCH more "potential"
that that). :)

Charles
From: ramswell on 6 May 2008 22:41
On May 2, 7:46 am, Sixstringmonk <sixstringm...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> I got mine about a week ago. I knew that NTSC support was a little
> sketchy, but so far I've had a lot of problems with the device. The
> sidplayer freezes more than it works. I can deal with that. I knew
> about the multi-load limitation before purchasing it. I figured that
> wasn't a big deal because it would allow me to write d64s to disk.
> However, I can't seem to reliably write d64 images to disk. I have 2
> c64s (a 64 and a 64c) and two disk drives (1541, 1541II) so it can't
> be my hardware. The only d64 writer that will actually engage the disk
> drive is the built in writer. I can only successfully write an image
> in 1 out of 10 tries or so. Usually it just hangs at some point in the
> write. I've also tried all of the writer plugins available here:http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=21729to no avail. None of
> those will even engage the disk drive. Rather the screen just goes
> dark.
>
> I guess I'm a little let down at this point considering the price tag.
>
> On Apr 4, 3:48 pm, heal...(a)aracnet.com wrote:
>
> > hitfan <hit...(a)nospam.com> wrote:
> > > I just got anMMCReplaycartridge (with optional +RR Net ethernet
> > > add-on) a few days ago. It took me a while to figure out how to use it,
> > > but now I'm able to properly upload C64 games and programs to the SD
> > > card without much problems.
>
> > Mine arrived on Monday. So far I've gotten the RR Net option attached and
> > verified basic functionality. As I have apparently taken all of my floppies
> > and put them in storage accidentally, I wasn't able to test reading or
> > writing to a C1541/71 drive.
>
> > I was able to successfully mount and run one D64 image, however, none of the
> > other games I tried would work. I gather this is a problem for those of us
> > running NTSC machines. I'd hoped to do away with floppies with theMMCReplay, but as long as I can get away from my 18 year old laptop and X1541
> > cable I'll be happy.
>
> > I've yet to try any of the other functionality, as this has been a busy week.
> > All told I've probably spent 30 minutes playing with it. :^(
>
> > Zane

No it's NOT YOUR HARDWARE as mine won't write them either (to my
dismay)...
From: ramswell on 6 May 2008 22:43
On May 3, 1:26 pm, Sixstringmonk <sixstringm...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> It turns out the issue was with the 4GB SDHC card I was using. The MMC
> Replay documentation shows you how to format a card via DOS as FAT16.
> Formatting FAT 16 on a 4 GB card ends up creating a cluster size of
> 64K bytes. The Commodore cannot read this cluster size correctly. The
> work around is to format as FAT 32. However, many/most of the MMC
> plugins do not support FAT 32. My solution was to get a 1GB SD card
> and format it as FAT16. Everything is working great now, and I am
> especially enjoying the RRNET Ethernet adapter.
>
> I guess the moral of the store is: don't buy a 4gb card for your MMC
> Replay.
>
> On May 3, 6:40 am, Merman <andrewrfis...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > One thought - are you trying to copy straight to a blank, unformatted
> > disk - or are you formatting the disk first? I know I've had more
> > success with the X-cable when I format the disk first (just use a
> > nonsense name and ID like NEW,NN) and then copy the D64 across.

Will this solution also work on a 2 GB SD card? I had to reformat
mine from FAT 32 to FAT 16 as well before I was able to get it to read
anything. If so, then it should be able to make images as well now.


Charles
From: hollowman on 7 May 2008 01:34
On 9 Mar, 09:42, hitfan <hit...(a)nospam.com> wrote:
> The major issue with the MMC Replay (and this is well-known) is that
> there is limited multi-file loading functionality.  You can load a
> multi-file game provided that it's just a few simple files and that
> there are no fast-loading segments or real-time loading during the game.
>   (GEOS will probably not work, and I won't bother to test this).

If you havent already, it could be worth checking the dfi collections
of multi load games
http://retrohackers.com/viewforum.php?f=3
And theres also a collection that have been tested on an NTSC machine
here
http://retrohackers.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=371
From: Sixstringmonk on 7 May 2008 09:13
On May 6, 9:43 pm, ramswell <shifty_bu...(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
> On May 3, 1:26 pm, Sixstringmonk <sixstringm...(a)gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > It turns out the issue was with the 4GB SDHC card I was using. The MMC
> > Replay documentation shows you how to format a card via DOS as FAT16.
> > Formatting FAT 16 on a 4 GB card ends up creating a cluster size of
> > 64K bytes. The Commodore cannot read this cluster size correctly. The
> > work around is to format as FAT 32. However, many/most of the MMC
> > plugins do not support FAT 32. My solution was to get a 1GB SD card
> > and format it as FAT16. Everything is working great now, and I am
> > especially enjoying the RRNET Ethernet adapter.
>
> > I guess the moral of the store is: don't buy a 4gb card for your MMC
> > Replay.
>
> > On May 3, 6:40 am, Merman <andrewrfis...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > > One thought - are you trying to copy straight to a blank, unformatted
> > > disk - or are you formatting the disk first? I know I've had more
> > > success with the X-cable when I format the disk first (just use a
> > > nonsense name and ID like NEW,NN) and then copy the D64 across.
>
> Will this solution also work on a 2 GB SD card? I had to reformat
> mine from FAT 32 to FAT 16 as well before I was able to get it to read
> anything. If so, then it should be able to make images as well now.
>
> Charles

Charles,

You should be fine If you don't get a warning in the command line from
windows at the beginning of the format regarding a 64K bytes sector
size.

I need to note that I have not retested the SID player since I
reformatted my card, but I suspect it is still problematic because
from what I have read it's a separate issue from the card file system
format.
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