RE: "Partner 128" by Timeworks Inc.

Hey Jim,

I have the Partner 128 cartridge (and the Partner 64) as well.  Mine has a sticker on the top with, "V5-1.1".  I have the documentation and original box as well.

Let me know if you need any comparisons.

Thanks,
/Raj

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Brain <brain_at_jbrain.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 11:57 AM
> To: cbm-hackers_at_musoftware.de
> Subject: Re: "Partner 128" by Timeworks Inc.
> 
> On 9/26/2022 10:17 AM, 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
> I have the actual cart here, so I think I can help with pics and dumps.
> Let me see if I can pull the cart apart.
> >
> > 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?
> I cna take pics.  The 128 is buried at present, so will take a bit to test.
> >
> > 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 :)
> Indeed.
> >
> > Additionally, since the manual is kindof vague at times, there are more
> > questions:
> >
> > - how exactly do you bring up the "partner menu"?
> I read the manual.  You hit the button
> > - what exactly is the button for?
> Above
> > - the manual mentions ESCAPE but not exactly when to press/hold it, whats
> that
> > about?
> Not sure, where does it say that?
> > - the manual mentions holding CTRL when the cable is in port 1 (?). what
> does
> > that do?
> My manual says it has to be in port 2, so no idea.
> >
> > If you own the cartridge please speak up, we can help with dumping and
> further
> > inspection. Let's preserve this obscure thing :)
> Jim
> >
> > --
> >
> > 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>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> 
> --
> Jim Brain
> brain_at_jbrain.com
> www.jbrain.com