SuperCPU
Compatibility Information

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• Disk routines that bypass the Kernal ROM and attempt to perform custom high-speed drive access routines
• Other timing related issues such as unique advanced graphics routines that are tuned to the 1 MHz timing normally used by the C-64
• Previously unimplemented opcodes are being used (the new high-speed processor used in the SuperCPU has an extended instruction set and will produce unexpected results when unimplemented 6502 opcodes are used)
• A certain hardware characteristic of the Commodore 64 that is not fully emulated by the SuperCPU (we're not aware of any yet, but we won't discount the possibility)

WHAT WORKS?

GAME PROGRAMS

Games are probably the least compatible category of programs to use on an accelerated system. Despite this, we've found that a lot of games are indeed compatible with the SuperCPU's Turbo mode. Many games use 'raster interrupt' programming to time events, and since the VIC chip runs at the same speed it always has, this method works well.

We've also found a few games that aren't compatible with Turbo mode. Generally, games that use custom fastloader routines that bypass the Kernal will fail to load correctly. With respect to these particular types of games, you may be able to switch down to 1 MHz while loading, then switch back to Turbo mode once the game has started running. If the game goes back to disk for additional modules, though, there's a good chance of failure. Flight Simulator II is a prime example of this. You can load it at 1 MHz, then switch to Turbo mode and start flying. But once you crossover into a new area where the program requires data to be loaded in from the disk-crash! (The program, not the plane!)

Many games may run too fast to be playable in Turbo mode, too (Frogger illustrates this). Speed kills. On the other hand, we tried quite a few old BASIC game programs that used to be boringly slow, and suddenly they were kind of fun to play.

You might also find an occasional game that won't work at all with the SuperCPU enabled. These games may use previously undefined opcodes, jump directly into ROM routines that have been altered, or are using timing tricks that are beyond the ability of the SuperCPU to emulate (the latter should be extremely rare). While we haven't found any games that fall into these categories yet, almost certainly they do exist.

PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMS

Nearly all productivity software should work with the SuperCPU. You may find some that have initial fastloaders that bypass the Kernal routines, but this is pretty uncommon in this type of program. Even so, these programs usually allow you to disable the fastload feature, or you can switch the SuperCPU to 1 MHz for loading and switch back once it's done loading.

BASIC PROGRAMS

BASIC programs generally work quite well with the SuperCPU, but you should expect to run into routines where input is too fast, or screens don't display long enough. If you write you own BASIC programs, you can easily make sure that these problems are avoided by writing routines that work well at any speed, or by checking for the presence and speed of a SuperCPU and adjusting the timed routines accordingly (see 'Programming Information').

DISK UTILITIES & COPY PROGRAMS

This category covers a wide range of programs, but those which are of most concern from a compatibility standpoint are disk copiers and archivers, such as Maverick or Fast Hack'em. Programs of this type will generally at least require setting the SPEED switch to NORMAL (1 MHz) mode, and some may require disabling the SuperCPU altogether. Generic file copiers (like CMD's FCOPY or Jim Butterfield's COPYALL) should operate in TURBO mode. However, the more efficient the copier, the less likely you are to see any real performance increases (since disk access is all at 1 MHz).

TERMINAL/BBS PROGRAMS

Relatively few programs in this category have been tested directly by CMD. One area of concern would be custom RS-232 routines, which might be created in a manner that would cause them to be dependent upon the timing of a 1 MHz processor. If so, these could fail at high speed. On the other hand, programs that use SwiftLink need not perform any RS-232 timing, and are more likely to operate. Tests were performed on Novaterm 9.6 using a SwiftLink, and this software appeared to work flawlessly in Turbo mode.

HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY

I/O CARTRIDGES

Most cartridges that do not contain ROM should work correctly. Some common examples of this would be the SID Symphony Stereo cartridge and the SwiftLink RS-232 cartridge.

ROM CARTRIDGES

Some ROM cartridges will work with the SuperCPU, including many game and some utility cartridges. When these are detected, the SuperCPU automatically slows down to read from the cartridge's memory (the chips used in these cartridges are much too slow to keep up with the SuperCPU).

Cartridges that use the 'Ultimax' memory map will not work with the SuperCPU. This mode is selected when a cartridge pulls the GAME line low with the EXROM line set high on the cartridge port. Cartridges that use this mode include Action/Replay, Super Snapshot, Partner 64, most IEEE interface cartridges, the Lt. Kernal hard drive host adapter, and some game cartridges. Due to the way these cartridges replace the Kernal, they would render the SuperCPU inoperable. To use these cartridges, you'll most likely need to disable the SuperCPU.

RAM EXPANDERS

The SuperCPU is fully compatible with several different RAM expansion devices. RAM devices can provide you with the ability for the fastest possible operation when used with the SuperCPU and compatible software. The following breakdown indicates which devices work with the SuperCPU:

RAMLink - You'll find that the SuperCPU enhances the performance of RAMLink itself, including hard drive access provided through the RAMLink's parallel port. In addition, all of the RAMLink switches still operate just as they normally would without a SuperCPU. RAMLink and a CMD HD combined with a SuperCPU give you the most powerful Commodore system possible.

Commodore REU's & the 1750 Clone - These DMA devices are fully compatible with the SuperCPU. Programs do not need to slow the SuperCPU down to 1 MHz for REU access, as the SuperCPU itself automatically detects DMA transfers and controls the speed as needed.

GeoRAM & BBGRAM - These devices are compatible with the SuperCPU, and will operate just as they normally do.

RAMDrive - This device is not compatible with the SuperCPU, as it would require rewriting the RD-DOS and incorporating that directly into the SuperCPU.

Quick Brown Boxes - We had reported doubts earlier about using the QBB RAM devices with the SuperCPU. However, we tracked ours down and found that it did indeed operate. JiffyDOS generally needs to be disabled, though we understand that there is a version of the QBB OS that is compatible with JiffyDOS, and that version should work with JiffyDOS enabled.

USER PORT & SERIAL BUS DEVICES

Typically, all devices that attach to the User Port or Serial Bus should continue to be compatible when using the SuperCPU, provided they are used with compatible software. This includes such devices as Commodore-compatible modems, RS-232 interfaces and geoCable for the User Port, and disk drives, printers and parallel printer interfaces for the serial port.

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