Re: "Partner 128" by Timeworks Inc.

Hi.

MAME seems to have that one emulated and does list a ROM with a 
different CRC.

$ ls -l partner128.bin
-rw-r--r-- 1 jgrip jgrip 16384 Dec 24  1996 partner128.bin
$ crc32 partner128.bin
686a6881

I do have that file in my emulation archives, looking at it in a hex 
editor looks OK at a glance.

I'll mail it to you.

---
Johan


On 26/09/2022 17:17, groepaz_at_gmx.net wrote:
> Hello fellow hackers!
> 
> In the past days i have started to fix and enhance the cartridge emulation in
> the C128 emulator of VICE. Related to that, i am looking for more info on one
> of the cartridges:
> 
> "Partner 128" by Timeworks Inc.
> 
> This one is rather obscure, as there is a cable going from the cartridge to
> joystick port 2. There is also a button at the cartridge. It appears to have a
> simple "freezer" functionality, and that cable appears to play a role in that.
> 
> Now if you google for this cartridge a bit, you can actually find pictures,
> some related d64, a pdf of the manual, and even a ROM dump. So far so good.
> 
> Unfortunately the dump "out there" appears to be broken - so the first request
> is for a dump that has NOT the following checksum:
> 
> $ crc32 partner128.bin
> e165bdb6
> 
> Another big question is: What is this mysterious cable really doing?
> Interesting things would be:
> 
> - Pictures of the inside of the cartridge (that hopefully show where the cable
> is connected to.)
> - If the cable is not connected, how does this actually affect it's operation?
> 
> Obviously having a schematic of the cartridge would be ideal - that is a
> request for someone who not only owns the cartridge, but is also able to open
> it and desolder some components eventually. Besides having too much time :)
> 
> Additionally, since the manual is kindof vague at times, there are more
> questions:
> 
> - how exactly do you bring up the "partner menu"?
> - what exactly is the button for?
> - the manual mentions ESCAPE but not exactly when to press/hold it, whats that
> about?
> - the manual mentions holding CTRL when the cable is in port 1 (?). what does
> that do?
> 
> If you own the cartridge please speak up, we can help with dumping and further
> inspection. Let's preserve this obscure thing :)
> 
> --
> 
> http://hitmen.eu                 http://ar.pokefinder.org
> http://vice-emu.sourceforge.net  http://magicdisk.untergrund.net
> 
> Wir leben alle unter dem gleichen Himmel, aber wir haben nicht alle den
> gleichen Horizont.
> <Konrad Adenauer, CDU>
> 
> 
> 
> 
>