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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 7, 2021 15:55:54 GMT
I heard about this on Youtube. So much potential was promised, but after reading the recent posts in this forum, I'm inclined to keep my Maxi on the stock 1.5.2 F/W. Whilst so much work has gone into this project, it's all for naught when there's no stable version available. Most folks don't want to go screwing around with their firmware when the outcome appears to be a lucky dip. I've been lurking for a while, and the installation instructions and feature set have chopped and changed so many times, that I can't get my head around it. It's like a tangled pile of spaghetti. The first post is out-of-synch with recent developments. It states the latest version is 1.3.9, but the recent posts say it's 1.4.3. Nick, I feel you've tried to please so many (perhaps "too" many) people by releasing a raft of new features in quick succession with no time to bed them down, or achieve system stability. Your tireless efforts are admirable. But all those attempted new features (some working, some not) have come at the expense of the all-important stability of the product. A jack of all trades is impressive, but ultimately it's a master of none. Of course, it's all free. We take it, or we leave it. The way things currently stand, sadly, I'll have to leave it. Not to worry. Congrats Nick and the other hard-working dev's, for all your toil and efforts along the way. So much potential was promised and all of it and more has been delivered. Stable versions have always been available. The firmware is not screwed around with, if you understood how PCU worked you would understand that. There was an old software that manipulated the nand, PCU / PCUAE does not. The installation instructions have changed a little from unzipping to the root of a USB to an installer that does this for you. All of this can be bypassed by opening the exe file and extracting manually if desired. I did so today. The features all seem to work for me and I accept that they develop and may occasionally break. I test them and help them develop. Game selector works so I can have infinite capacity, Vice works so I can run Pet and Plus 4, The other bits and pieces are invisible unless I look for them. PCU Game Manager is now able to import the full GameBase and automatically configure them to run in Vice on PC which is great. I can then export them to build my Vic20 A to Z and Shooters & Adventures Carousels as desired. I have had one problem, of my own making I might add and that was relatively easily fixed. I have downloaded the latest standalone version today and it worked straightaway. If you are unwilling to make a bit of effort and try it then you are probably not the target audience right now so should probably leave it until such time as it is reported as stable and tested and all features are working. |
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 7, 2021 16:01:14 GMT
Thanks Nick. Much appreciate your efforts. It's comforting to know that you're still maintaining a presence on the forum whilst taking your well-earned break, and that the first post is now in-synch with v1.4.3. What's the consensus of others as to which is the most stable version? My focus isn't concerned with the number of included features, but rather upon the system stability. And further, ensuring that there are no changes made to the Maxi's stock 1.5.2 F/W ... so that if I unplug the USB stick containing PCUAE, it'll revert back to the unaltered stock product. vic2020ian - you mention you're happy with v1.3. Why do you believe this is the best version? oocozyoo - your favourite is v1.2. Why do you prefer this one? I am using the latest version 1.4.3 and v1.6 Game Manager. Any version with the Game Selector screen is the best version for me. 1.19 etc. with CTRL+1-5 selection was too capacity constrained for me. The only change made is a flag for autoboot. If you unplug the USB you would not even know it had been made. If you disable it then you are effectively running stock firmware. If you are unwilling to accept that very small change then stick with what you have and load your own images via the USB support from Retrogames and not the Carousel. The rest of us are delighted with the power and flexibility that Nick has unlocked. |
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Post by sundance on Apr 8, 2021 3:45:02 GMT
First of all, I want to thank you for all your work Nick. But since the new versions I can't get it to work anymore. I personally find it so difficult to try a new version. ... What strikes me I had downloaded the latest version yesterday and saw that it was adjusted again yesterday. Just download the last one again, what's different I have no idea  I am really disappointed to upgrade like this, am I really the only one who is messing around with it like this I think the pcu aio is really a downgrade for me, I have now put some separate games on a stick that I play, but I am fed up with all that beauty now that it no longer works for me. What I see from the latest version that it is also not stable, black screen, joystick did not work once. Bha too bad ... - your experience differs from moby |
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Post by sundance on Apr 8, 2021 3:48:39 GMT
I use 1.19 i find that the best and easy to use with no problems easy to add your own games. Interesting. Thanks gingerIf v1.19 works well for you, indeed, stick with what you're happy with :-) |
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Post by spannernick on Apr 8, 2021 9:25:33 GMT
First of all, I want to thank you for all your work Nick. But since the new versions I can't get it to work anymore. I personally find it so difficult to try a new version.
Download is going well. Installation is going well. Pointing and installing USB goes well.
But as soon as I put the stick in the computer I only have games in the faforite folder. Then I get lost.
What strikes me I had downloaded the latest version yesterday and saw that it was adjusted again yesterday. Just download the last one again, what's different I have no idea I am really disappointed to upgrade like this, am I really the only one who is messing around with it like this I think the pcu aio is really a downgrade for me, I have now put some separate games on a stick that I play, but I am fed up with all that beauty now that it no longer works for me. What I see from the latest version that it is also not stable, black screen, joystick did not work once. Bha too bad ... What do you mean by "I get lost"...? So does PCUAE load up then...? What version are you installing, if you install PCUAE AIO then it only has the Carousel Gamelist Screen Favorites in it and you have to add your own games using PCU Game Manager, if you want all games in PCUAE then install the standalone version. To change Carousel Gamelist Screens press and Hold Down CTRL and then press 5 and hold them together for 2 Seconds and the screen will change and bring up the Carousel Gamelist Selector Screen. |
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 8, 2021 10:11:10 GMT
First of all, I want to thank you for all your work Nick. But since the new versions I can't get it to work anymore. I personally find it so difficult to try a new version. ... What strikes me I had downloaded the latest version yesterday and saw that it was adjusted again yesterday. Just download the last one again, what's different I have no idea I am really disappointed to upgrade like this, am I really the only one who is messing around with it like this I think the pcu aio is really a downgrade for me, I have now put some separate games on a stick that I play, but I am fed up with all that beauty now that it no longer works for me. What I see from the latest version that it is also not stable, black screen, joystick did not work once. Bha too bad ... - your experience differs from moby Yes it probably does, experience may vary ;-) Moby may be misunderstanding something here: 1. Installing PCU AIO - "All in one" installs a bare bones PCU with only favourites folder and a Game Manager with all the games in a database for you to export to PCU in your own carousels. Each time you reinstall you will lose any carousels you have built yourself and need to re add them by exporting from game manager. 2. PCU Standalone version is the version with all the carousels already in place: Favourites + 3 C64 and 3 Vic20. You can still add carousels to this from Game manager. Nobody forces you to choose to install the all in one version and nobody forces you to try the new versions. If you cannot cope with spending a little effort and having an occasional bug then self select yourself out of having a problem and don't install a new version until it is reported as stable. If you are a version chaser then expect some bumps along the way. Why moan if a version comes out yesterday and another today? If yesterday was a bit broken then a fix today is great. If yesterday works for you then install the next version when you are ready. I am happy to invest my 15-30 minutes to download, install and try the new versions to help push it along. If it goes wrong I try and understand where and why and inform Nick and he fixes it. Probably the best way forward is for Nick to slow down actual releases on the forum until stable and use a few Beta testers behind the scenes. |
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 8, 2021 10:15:55 GMT
I did make a video on how to add A folder with games to the CG Selector Screen... look here, its in the PCU Download folder... There are other videos in the download folder too.onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ABk%2DxxKnx%2DBeuIo&cid=DE6843E1C82A96C8&id=DE6843E1C82A96C8%2172186&parId=DE6843E1C82A96C8%2148803&o=OneUp
I think you can press return instead of fire on the CG Selector Screen, I never made the Selector, I only worked out how to add it to PCU, because the C64/VIC20 don't have proper Arrow Cursor keys. the keys don't work properly cause 2 keys are missing, it can only use down and left on the CRSR keys, I have to see if I can use the keymap for YAFT cause thats able to use SHIFT and CRSR so you can use Up and Right arrow keys. I have to ask jj0 about it cause he made Yaft, the shell for THEC64. Moby, you should watch this video or switch to using the standalone version instead of PCU AIO. Ian |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2021 11:36:57 GMT
I just used the stand alone version now. Now it works. I wonder what avast does with the pcu versions. When I go to avast directories I see pcu versions everywhere. I have now uninstalled avast, and am going to use norton. Currently I am using windows defender. Now it works, could it have been due to avast? Now i'm testing 143 stand alone, no issues encountered so far  |
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Post by spannernick on Apr 8, 2021 13:54:04 GMT
Don't worry about it, its free of viruses, its just your Antivirus seen a "false Positive" in them cause they are .exe files, I would not give you anything with a virus in it... Glad its working now, if you ever have a problem post here and I or someone else will help you. It might be because I include the gamepad-tool.exe in with PCUAE but it just a "false Positive". I use AVG and it don't flag the PCUAE exe files and they are part of Avast, weird. Yes Antivirus could of stopped it installing properly, best thing to do is turn it off while your installing PCUAE. |
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Post by spannernick on Apr 8, 2021 15:28:30 GMT
In PCUAE version 1.4.4, you be able to start 4 of the VICE emulators(the most popular ones) with a Shortcut keys(HOLD CTRL key and keys 1 to 4) CTRL-1 for C64, CTRL-2 for VIC-20, CTRL-3 for C128 and CTRL-4 for Plus4. I just finished added that yesterday.. having a break now. |
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 8, 2021 18:53:33 GMT
when it is finished and tested.... "having a break now." |
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Post by spannernick on Apr 9, 2021 13:11:43 GMT
I just did a quick check of PCU_Mini Edition and its stable to use. so I am going to include it with the standalone version so you can choose which one you want to use, it in the download folder at the moment in a zip file but I will be removing it soon and added it to the PCUAE Standalone Version, one thing I want to do with it is add the new TheCarousel v 1.5.2 for THEC64 Mini to it but we will see, I am taking things slowly at the moment, cause of my arthritis, I have to be careful with my left arm, I have problems, my body things its 80 when I am only 50...  the car accident done a number on my body... there was nothing wrong with my left arm before the accident in 2013, anyway, just me rambling on... it makes me feel down sometimes... I am probably thinking about it cause it happed on 29th April 2013, 8 years ago, so its coming up to that date. Anyway, I let you know when I have done it. I probably add some of the feature from PCUAE, like switching carousels with shortcut keys(CTRL-F1/F5), save, profile folders and XWM to PCUME but thats probably it adding to many with turn it into PCUAE so in point. |
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Post by c64stuff on Apr 10, 2021 12:03:49 GMT
Ok maybe it's because It's early and I'm still waking up, but can somebody just post the basics on installing project carousel? This thread is massive and reading the first page has my head spinning. Also, is the link on the first page updated to the most recent version? And, has anybody compiled a new download with something like the total gamebase library on it with box art or something?
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 10, 2021 16:06:24 GMT
Ok maybe it's because It's early and I'm still waking up, but can somebody just post the basics on installing project carousel? This thread is massive and reading the first page has my head spinning. Also, is the link on the first page updated to the most recent version? And, has anybody compiled a new download with something like the total gamebase library on it with box art or something? Download the standalone version - it has the games pre configured Unzip to desktop Copy to root of USB Eject from pc Insert usb to TheC64 / Vic20 / Mini Power up The C64 / Vic20 / Mini Select settings and run the fake firmware Press CTRL+F7 or Joystick menu + left fire for games and menu and right fire for menu for more complex features. Now RTM / first post / watch the videos to learn more. |
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Post by spannernick on Apr 10, 2021 16:07:33 GMT
Just made a quick video on How to Install PCUAE, that uploading to YouTube for you.... with PCUAE - 1.4.3. |
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Post by spannernick on Apr 10, 2021 16:29:34 GMT
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Post by c64stuff on Apr 10, 2021 16:49:19 GMT
Cool thanks for the help guys. Got another question too. I have the mini and just got the maxi in the mail. Do I need to update the firmware on both before installing Project Carousel, or does it contain the latest firmware that's modified to be Project Carousel? And if I do need to install the latest firmware first, can I leave it on the usb and then throw Project C on the usb afterwards? Few more questions: I heard there's also a mod that allows the commodore plus 4, C16, and 128 to be emulated. Does this work with Project Carousel? Also, I heard you can throw more games in the extra games folder. Is there a limit on how many to where I need to break them up into separate folders? I also have the Freeze64 disk compilations he originally put out for the mini. Can I throw these in the extras folder and will they work on both the mini and maxi? Finally,do I need to use a separate USB for the mini and maxi or will one work on both units once set up with Project C?
Thanks by the way for all the hard work! This Carousel Project is exactly what most of us are looking for to relive the glory days of the 64 without having to lug out old hardware as a daily driver.
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Post by spannernick on Apr 10, 2021 17:16:24 GMT
No you don't, it has the carousel v1.5.2 already, just press and hold down CTRL and F5 down for 2 seconds to load it up, it loads the carousel v1.3.2 by default.
Yes you can run VICE from PCUAE it in the PCU Options Menu(CTRL+5 or menu(button 4)and Right Fire Button hold down for 2 seconds to load up the PCU Options menu.
You will be able to load up 5 of the most popular emulators from VICE using shortcut keys CTRL +1 to 5 and PCU Options Menu shortcut has being move to CTRL-6, coming in PCUAE - 1.4.4.
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 10, 2021 17:16:28 GMT
Cool thanks for the help guys. Got another question too. I have the mini and just got the maxi in the mail. Do I need to update the firmware on both before installing Project Carousel, or does it contain the latest firmware that's modified to be Project Carousel? And if I do need to install the latest firmware first, can I leave it on the usb and then throw Project C on the usb afterwards? Few more questions: I heard there's also a mod that allows the commodore plus 4, C16, and 128 to be emulated. Does this work with Project Carousel? Also, I heard you can throw more games in the extra games folder. Is there a limit on how many to where I need to break them up into separate folders? I also have the Freeze64 disk compilations he originally put out for the mini. Can I throw these in the extras folder and will they work on both the mini and maxi? Finally,do I need to use a separate USB for the mini and maxi or will one work on both units once set up with Project C? Thanks by the way for all the hard work! This Carousel Project is exactly what most of us are looking for to relive the glory days of the 64 without having to lug out old hardware as a daily driver. You really should put some effort in and read at least the first post instead of asking already answered questions. All the Vice emulators mentioned and more are in PCUAE menu already. If you want to configure your own carousels up to 255 games each then read the PCU Game Manager thread. All the menu options are explorable and mostly obvious. If they aren't then you probably don't need it. If you want to mess with another project on the same USB that is your own risk. As for firmware I would put it on a clean stick, install it and delete it. You don't need it on the stick after it is in firmware. |
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Post by c64stuff on Apr 10, 2021 17:32:47 GMT
I actually printed out the first few pages of the thread and and did read it so I could take my time reading it at leisure. I work in a technical field so comprehension of such matters isn't a weak point for me. Still, there's a ton of information covered so it gets a little hard and lost in the trees to pin down the basic essentials and bullet points as to installing steps and basic use. Perhaps there's a thread with a sort of cliff notes guide to it with the essential crash course information? It might be a good idea to have such a condensed FAQ if one doesn't exist because keep in mind many owners of the mini or maxi are of the casual type who might not want to dive very deep on such things.
Regardless, I'm going to watch that video and follow the suggestions recommended in replies
Thx again for the info as well as the effort put it this project.
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Post by spannernick on Apr 10, 2021 17:38:37 GMT
The extragames folder is for games that do not work on the carousel and so you can load them in the file loader or classic Mode and if you run VICE or run FIBR in Carousel v1.0.5.
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Post by ricky006 on Apr 10, 2021 17:55:09 GMT
Thanks for the latest video .
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Post by frankybyte on Apr 11, 2021 10:26:31 GMT
Hi !
The Tool is great !
Congratulations !
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Post by oocozyoo on Apr 11, 2021 20:55:34 GMT
Has anyone got the folder with Firmware_Games in it, as mine is empty cheers |
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 11, 2021 21:34:22 GMT
Has anyone got the folder with Firmware_Games in it, as mine is empty cheers Look on the menu in PCUAE There is an option to backup firmware games and fill this folder. |
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Post by sundance on Apr 14, 2021 5:16:08 GMT
In PCUAE version 1.4.4, you be able to start 4 of the VICE emulators(the most popular ones) with a Shortcut keys(HOLD CTRL key and keys 1 to 4) CTRL-1 for C64, CTRL-2 for VIC-20, CTRL-3 for C128 and CTRL-4 for Plus4. I just finished added that yesterday.. having a break now. Sounds awesome Nick ! Do you know when v1.4.4 standalone shall be stable and available for download? When that time arrives, I'm gonna finally take the plunge and install PCAUAE for the first time :-) |
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Post by sundance on Apr 14, 2021 5:35:25 GMT
With PCUAE running on the Maxi, is there a way to emulate a C64 with a SuperCPU running at 20 MHz, with a SuperRAM card of 4 MB or higher?
In order to play Metal Dust.
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Post by vic2020ian on Apr 14, 2021 7:46:02 GMT
Vice C64 Super CPU runs but very slowly, maybe half speed judging by cursor flash
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Post by sundance on Apr 14, 2021 12:28:30 GMT
Vice C64 Super CPU runs but very slowly, maybe half speed judging by cursor flash Ian, Thanks for the info. Not to worry, it's only one game. I guess that one's best played on a high-end PC running VICE. Thankfully, all the games from "back in the day" only required the trusty old breadbox and a 1541. |
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Post by c64stuff on Apr 16, 2021 1:07:19 GMT
Ok so I just installed the project carousel stand alone anniversary addition on my mini and maxi and man gotta say this thing is awesome! Great job! I'm going to throw up a post in the games forum (or wherever it should go) in a day or two, short and sweet, as to the few simple steps to take for idiots like me who had to muddle through it. It really is simple. As a final tip to clear up any confusion (again for idiots like me) it appears you have to "update the firmware" at each boot up one time to load it, wait for the screen to go black and reboot, and then the carousel will have it on there. Then when at the carousel just hit menu and then left fire button at the same time to sift through the various compilations to load into the carousel. Wow this thing is awesome. Thx again for doing this. Now I've got more reading to do to discover more features but for most people that's all you need to know unless you want to dive into deeper features.
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the car accident done a number on my body... 
