Expert Cartridge: Difference between revisions
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''Expert Cartridge'' by ''Trilogic'' came relatively late to the european market in the middle of 1986 but got into quite a success story. ''Expert Cartridge'' is a RAM only cartridge carrying 8 kbyte of RAM which can be pre-programmed just like on ISEPIC. The difference apart from the available RAM is that it was relatively easy to change the software and add own functionality. '''LOADing''' the software of course takes it's time but developers added speed loaders whereever possible and suitable. The name '''Expert''' fits pretty well since all of the software if really targetted to be used by the experienced user. | ''Expert Cartridge'' by ''Trilogic'' came relatively late to the european market in the middle of 1986 but got into quite a success story. ''Expert Cartridge'' is a RAM only cartridge carrying 8 kbyte of RAM which can be pre-programmed just like on ISEPIC. The difference apart from the available RAM is that it was relatively easy to change the software and add own functionality. '''LOADing''' the software of course takes it's time but developers added speed loaders whereever possible and suitable. The name '''Expert''' fits pretty well since all of the software if really targetted to be used by the experienced user. | ||
[[File:Expert_Cartridge_top_cut.jpg|180px|left|border|Expert Cartridge opened]] | [[File:Expert_Cartridge_top_cut.jpg|180px|left|border|Expert Cartridge opened]] On initial release of the hardware just a C64 only version was available quickly being followed by a C128 compatible version. Just a few months later ''Trilogic'' started offering an add-on cartridge going by the name of '''E.S.M.''' and included this functionality into the most recent cartridge edition. So after about six to nine months all ''Expert Cardridge'' sales went with ESM. | ||
No explanation for the meaning of ''ESM / E.S.M.'' could be found as of yet but the importance of a '''freeze button''' nobody will deny and ESM delivers just that with a shiny LED added. | |||
{{Infobox | {{Infobox | ||
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** '''v3.1''' | ** '''v3.1''' | ||
** '''v3.2''' | ** '''v3.2''' | ||
** '''v3.2r''' | ** '''v3.2r''' got the ''Rocket Turboloader'' added - said to be the ''Expert'' answer to ''Warp25''. See the [[Media:Your_Commodore_Issue_47_1988_Aug_EC_vs_AR.pdf|outcome on Your Commodore Isseu 47]] | ||
** '''v3.5''' | ** '''v3.5''' | ||
** '''v4.1''' | ** '''v4.1''' is trying to integrate the software on a more modular base | ||
* Trilogic Utility Disk 3.2 MOS | * Trilogic Utility Disk 3.2 MOS | ||
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** [http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=64637 Expert 2.10c software by Mad Mekon Cracking (MMC)] | ** [http://noname.c64.org/csdb/release/?id=64637 Expert 2.10c software by Mad Mekon Cracking (MMC)] | ||
** Expert 2.11 software by CAS [http://noname.c64.org/csdb/scener/?id=6489 CAS??] | ** Expert 2.11 software by CAS [http://noname.c64.org/csdb/scener/?id=6489 CAS??] | ||
** Expert 4.0 / Star Expert 5.2 modified by [http://noname.c64.org/csdb/scener/?id=5956 Micron/SCS+TRC] | |||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
* The | * The 2.10 software for ''Expert Cartridge'' was written by [http://www.lemon64.com/games/list.php?type=coder&name=John%20Twiddy John Twiddy] | ||
Revision as of 22:08, 10 April 2010
 Power Cartridge Screenshots | |
| Technical Info | |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8 kbyte |
| Hardware features | 1 tristate Switch PGM/ON/OFF 1 button RESET and |
| Manual | PDF: XX pages |
| CRT ID | 6 |
| Programming | |
Expert Cartridge by Trilogic came relatively late to the european market in the middle of 1986 but got into quite a success story. Expert Cartridge is a RAM only cartridge carrying 8 kbyte of RAM which can be pre-programmed just like on ISEPIC. The difference apart from the available RAM is that it was relatively easy to change the software and add own functionality. LOADing the software of course takes it's time but developers added speed loaders whereever possible and suitable. The name Expert fits pretty well since all of the software if really targetted to be used by the experienced user.
On initial release of the hardware just a C64 only version was available quickly being followed by a C128 compatible version. Just a few months later Trilogic started offering an add-on cartridge going by the name of E.S.M. and included this functionality into the most recent cartridge edition. So after about six to nine months all Expert Cardridge sales went with ESM.
No explanation for the meaning of ESM / E.S.M. could be found as of yet but the importance of a freeze button nobody will deny and ESM delivers just that with a shiny LED added.
 Your Commodore Issue 20, 05/1986 |
 Your Commodore Issue 27, 12/1986 |
 Notes "Australia made"? |
Missing
- Control register information
- English PDF Manual Scan (especially of a 2.x manual)
Binaries
Expert_Cartridge_binaries_rr.c64.org_2010-04.rar contains just the C64 binaries:
- Trilogic (Cat & Korsh) originally supplied software:
- v2.7 stock, "d" and "m" (whatever that means, someone compare them) - disk includes v2.8 stock
- v2.9 stock - coming with 2.7m again
- v2.10 disk has added quite a few new things: Immortaliser, Sprite Editor, Sprite Extractor and Screen Grabber being some of them
- v3.1
- v3.2
- v3.2r got the Rocket Turboloader added - said to be the Expert answer to Warp25. See the outcome on Your Commodore Isseu 47
- v3.5
- v4.1 is trying to integrate the software on a more modular base
- Trilogic Utility Disk 3.2 MOS
- Custom hacks:
- Expert 2.10+ software by Tim (of Stoat&Tim)
- Expert 2.10c software by Mad Mekon Cracking (MMC)
- Expert 2.11 software by CAS CAS??
- Expert 4.0 / Star Expert 5.2 modified by Micron/SCS+TRC
Expert_Cartridge_all_rr.c64.org_2010-04.rar contains:
- all of the above
- A mirror of Martin Sikström's Expert Cartridge reverse engineering site - check the real site for most recent version!
- Expert Cartridge V3.1 Manual Project64.txt
- Expert Cartridge V4.1 Manual Project64.txt
Trivia
- The 2.10 software for Expert Cartridge was written by John Twiddy
