Phi timing issues between the Reloaded MK2 and the Ultimate-II+ has been a thorn in my side for years now, but it's just something I learned to deal with long ago. One of the nicest features of the Reloaded MK2 that I haven't seen on any other reproduction board is the ability to seamlessly switch between each real SID simply by holding the RESTORE key for approximately 1 second and releasing it... even while music is playing. Having a 6581 and 8580 installed in different sockets makes it a wonderful solution for browsing the HVSC.
I also had similar issues with the UII+ cart with this board when bringing up the on-screen menu. It seemed like it would lock up about half the time I would touch the cart. I ended up placing some thick rubber feet with adhesive under the rear of the cart to brace it so it wouldn't move or wiggle in the cart slot. That seemed to help a lot with the random lock-ups whenever I would touch the buttons on the back of the cart.
Nice. I like the reloaded boards. I still have a MK1 from back when they were released. I do like the features of the MK2 but I also like that the MK1 uses actual chips for timing and PLA so that I can use original ICs. I also recently purchased a case from iComp, the SX64 style. I put an ICS64S board in it which has become my favorite C64 recreation board. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet. It is made by CBM Stuff and they also have new keycaps for sale too. Which gets me to the feet bumpers. They are meant to go in the front spots and will fit perfectly there. Commodore made the rear feet raised on the 64C so that they only needed to put bumpers in the front. Probably saved them a couple cents. All of my original C64Cs have bumpers only in the front.
@@GRayDefender Yes for sure and it is time consuming. I have built one and have another with all components for when I get really, really bored or insomnia. ;-)
Also, if you have any issues with those ZIF sockets recognizing any of the chips, or you encounter strange unexplained behavior, here is something I've had to do a couple of times in the past. With the levers down on the ZIF sockets, carefully move the chips side to side to exercise the contact points and get a better connection to all the legs.
Hi Gray, nice video. There may be a timing setting you have to change on your older UII, I seem to remember having to adjust the timing on mine depending on what firmware you are using. There is a note about this on the bottom of the Wiki. I had some problems with mine running NTSC, there is a big forum discussion around this. My take is too much power is getting sent to the VIC and overtime the screen will start to jitter. I can completely negate this by setting a fan on top of the computer. As a result, I primarily use the MK2 for PAL programs however I love the board and case. Lastly, take some time to get the Serial connection working, it will help with debugging chips or configuring your SID setup. Have fun with your new toy, I love below the root.
My MK2 is almost a clone of yours! I have the same case (black). I have light keys, though (I gave my Ultimate64 the dark set). I also have the same badge on the front. My MK2 has the blue sockets (I purchased it long ago). My main issue is that it seems to struggle with a SuperCPU attached -- perhaps the SuperCPU draws too much power. The machine still works, but the screen is affected a little. I could have sworn that I read somewhere that there was a plan to make a MK3 board, which would have included a built-in TC-64, but I don't know if there was any truth to that and I haven't seen any word since then.
That's too bad, sounds like you will have to let your Super CPU go to a new home where it can be fully utilized on an another adoring C64... Just kidding :) I am just jealous ... I didn't know you had a MK2. Thanks for sharing!
Phi timing issues between the Reloaded MK2 and the Ultimate-II+ has been a thorn in my side for years now, but it's just something I learned to deal with long ago.
One of the nicest features of the Reloaded MK2 that I haven't seen on any other reproduction board is the ability to seamlessly switch between each real SID simply by holding the RESTORE key for approximately 1 second and releasing it... even while music is playing. Having a 6581 and 8580 installed in different sockets makes it a wonderful solution for browsing the HVSC.
Nice video, Gray. Thank you.
I also had similar issues with the UII+ cart with this board when bringing up the on-screen menu. It seemed like it would lock up about half the time I would touch the cart. I ended up placing some thick rubber feet with adhesive under the rear of the cart to brace it so it wouldn't move or wiggle in the cart slot. That seemed to help a lot with the random lock-ups whenever I would touch the buttons on the back of the cart.
Nice. I like the reloaded boards. I still have a MK1 from back when they were released. I do like the features of the MK2 but I also like that the MK1 uses actual chips for timing and PLA so that I can use original ICs. I also recently purchased a case from iComp, the SX64 style. I put an ICS64S board in it which has become my favorite C64 recreation board. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet. It is made by CBM Stuff and they also have new keycaps for sale too. Which gets me to the feet bumpers. They are meant to go in the front spots and will fit perfectly there. Commodore made the rear feet raised on the 64C so that they only needed to put bumpers in the front. Probably saved them a couple cents. All of my original C64Cs have bumpers only in the front.
Yeah was just checking it out on the website. Looks like quite the project! You need all the components and the soldering skills to make that work.
@@GRayDefender Yes for sure and it is time consuming. I have built one and have another with all components for when I get really, really bored or insomnia. ;-)
Also, if you have any issues with those ZIF sockets recognizing any of the chips, or you encounter strange unexplained behavior, here is something I've had to do a couple of times in the past.
With the levers down on the ZIF sockets, carefully move the chips side to side to exercise the contact points and get a better connection to all the legs.
Thanks for all your tips. I hadn't thought of this but makes sense...
Hi Gray, nice video. There may be a timing setting you have to change on your older UII, I seem to remember having to adjust the timing on mine depending on what firmware you are using. There is a note about this on the bottom of the Wiki. I had some problems with mine running NTSC, there is a big forum discussion around this. My take is too much power is getting sent to the VIC and overtime the screen will start to jitter. I can completely negate this by setting a fan on top of the computer. As a result, I primarily use the MK2 for PAL programs however I love the board and case. Lastly, take some time to get the Serial connection working, it will help with debugging chips or configuring your SID setup. Have fun with your new toy, I love below the root.
Yeah adjusting the timing could be an option for the UII+. Thanks for your comment..
Cheers Grey. I think I need to buy one
It's certainly not cheap to do so. You not only need the motherboard but you need the case, chips and keyboard, so keep that in mind... :)
My MK2 is almost a clone of yours! I have the same case (black). I have light keys, though (I gave my Ultimate64 the dark set). I also have the same badge on the front. My MK2 has the blue sockets (I purchased it long ago). My main issue is that it seems to struggle with a SuperCPU attached -- perhaps the SuperCPU draws too much power. The machine still works, but the screen is affected a little. I could have sworn that I read somewhere that there was a plan to make a MK3 board, which would have included a built-in TC-64, but I don't know if there was any truth to that and I haven't seen any word since then.
That's too bad, sounds like you will have to let your Super CPU go to a new home where it can be fully utilized on an another adoring C64... Just kidding :) I am just jealous ... I didn't know you had a MK2. Thanks for sharing!
Cóol Edition.