THEC64

The Games Carousel has 64 pre-installed games including classics such as

California Games, Paradroid and Boulder Dash, with new additions like
Attack of the Mutant Camels, Hover Bovver, Iridis Alpha, and Gridrunner.

Topped off with the recently released shoot ’em up Galencia and text
adventure Planet of Death to let you relive the glory days of true keyboard
gaming!
Plus, THEC64® allows you to load and save your own files and games via
USB stick (including multi-disk titles) and program in C64 or VIC 20 BASIC.

Upgrade THEC64 and THEVIC20

Firmware upgrades for THEC64 provide new features and/or correct any technical issues.
We always recommend that you upgrade to the latest version of the firmware.

Ensure that your USB memory stick is formatted using FAT32 (with MBR), else your
upgrade file will not be detected. When updating, ensure that THEC64 or THEVIC20 only
has one joystick plugged in to it. We recommend that you use the rear USB port for your
memory stick to upgrade. We do not recommend that you upgrade with a USB hub or
from any of the side USB ports. See the FAQ for further details.

Visit here for the firmware upgrade details page for THEC64 Mini.

theC64-1_5_2.bin 15,234.00 KB

Download

SHA256
Checksum: f3fc9353e65e0dee6390febeb582217a48288c682d6ee7de48b82eaf26
081f5e

Version 1.5.2 – Changes and additions

 [THEC64 Full size European] Fixes missing Bluestar carousel cover image which was broken in
release v1.5.1 under some circumstances
 [All models] Adds C64 joystick port selection; see notes below
 Adds C64 only Classic mode added to THEC64 Mini
 Adds disk swapping added to THEC64 Mini
 [All models] Adds Commodore REU support with 512K, 2MB or 16MB as filename flags or CJM
parameters; see notes below
 New games for THEC64 Mini: Hessian (C64) and PET Snake (C64)
 New games for THEC64 full size: Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher(VIC20) and Mine
Sweep (VIC20)
 New games for THEVIC20: Hessian (C64), PET Snake (C64), City Crusher(VIC20) and Mine Sweep
(VIC20)

Notes:

To enable REU support you can use either a filename flag or a CJM file parameter. Note
that REU support does not work with VIC20 software.

To select using a filename flag, use one of the following:

R5 = 512K REU enabled

R2 = 2MB REU enabled
RM = 16MB REU enabled
For example:

myreudisk_R5.d64

See the user manual for further details on the use of filename flags.

To select with a CJM file, use one of the following parameters:

reu512 = 512K REU enabled
reu2048 = 2MB REU enabled
reu16384 = 16MB REU enabled
For example:

X:64,reu16384

See the user manual for further details on creating CJM files.

To switch the joystick in use between joystick port 1 or port 2 when running a C64
program, press and hold the joystick ☰ button, and then pressing joystick Ⓐ for port 1 or
joystick Ⓑ for port 2. This will override the J1 filename flag or CJM primary port setting, if
either are supplied.

Changes from previous versions

 v1.4.2 – Fixes an issue with THEC64 Full size: Under some circumstances C64 games may not
recognise joystick port 2 when VIC 20 is the default machine
 v1.4.2 – Adds Datasette controls for tape files in THEC64 Classic mode Media Access menu
 v1.4.2 – Adds soft and hard reset hot-keys to THEC64 and THEVIC20 Classic mode
 v1.4.2 – Adds freeze button support to THEC64 and THEVIC20 Classic mode
 v1.4.2 – Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger, Soulless, Galencia and Planet of Death, plus VIC20
games Blue Star, The Keep, and Gridrunner to THEC64 North American model
 v1.4.2 – Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger and Soulless, plus VIC20 games Blue Star and The Keep
to the European THEC64 and THEVIC20 “Special Edition THEC64” models
 v1.4.2 – Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger and Soulless to all THEC64 Mini models
 v1.4.2 – Fixes Tank Battle on THEVIC20 to support two joysticks
 v1.3.2 – Increases the length of displayed USB filenames in Media Access and the File loader
 v1.3.2 – Fixes an issue where filename flags are not detected if the USB filename contains multiple
dots/periods/full stops
 v1.3.2 – Fixes an issue with the saved states location where multiple spaces are found in the USB
filename
 v1.3.2 – Fixes the saved states location used on a USB stick to be unique per filename. Note that
this may change the saved states location from previous firmware versions if the filename contains
multiple dots/periods/full stops.
 v1.3.1 – Fixes an issue when using Left Shift key and top-left arrow key for opening/closing THEC64
Menu from BASIC
 v1.3.1 – Fixes an issue regarding the current computer model setting and different model
requirements specified in a cjm file

How to Upgrade THEC64

1.
1. In Classic mode, press MENU, select Options > Device settings > System information
2. In Carousel mode, select Device settings (spanner icon) > System information
3. Look for the Build version (e.g. theC64-1.3.2-amora)
4. Check that the latest version linked to above is greater than the version installed on your device
5. Download and save the file (e.g. theC64-1_4_2.bin) to your USB memory stick. Don’t place the file
inside a folder on the stick or rename the file. If you do, THEC64 won’t find the upgrade
6. Insert the USB memory stick into an unoccupied USB port on THEC64
7. Press MENU and choose Device settings> System information from the menu
8. The upgrade file is detected and you are asked to Close or Apply
9. If you choose not to upgrade at this time, select Close and press FIRE, or just press the MENU
button on the joystick If you Apply the upgrade, the following screen will appear showing the
upgrade process:

After a successful upgrade, THEC64 will restart automatically.

You can check the firmware version afterwards by following point (1) above.

Note that you cannot install a firmware earlier than the build version currently
installed.
 File Loader
Auto-load programs from a USB memory stick using the File Loader function.

Instructions for THEC64 Mini and THEC64 (Carousel mode)

Please note that these instructions always assume that the latest available firmware is
installed on  THEC64 Mini  or  THEC64. For the purpose of these instructions, THEC64 Mini
and THEC64 are referred to as ‘THEC64 device’.

Using the File Loader function and a FAT32 (with MBR) formatted USB memory stick,
THEC64 device can auto-load programs from various virtual file formats. Supported
formats include:

Disk files: D64, G64, D81, D82

Tape files: T64, TAP
Cartridge files: CRT
Stand-alone program files: PRG, P00

To make file browsing and selection less arduous, the File Loader has a display limit of 256
files and/or folders per-folder, including the root of the memory stick.

Default settings

In the absence of customised file loading by using flags in filenames or CJM text
configuration files, THEC64 device applies default settings to any supported files found on
a USB memory stick:

 The ‘Fast loader’ option speeds up loading times for programs that use the C64’s standard
loading routines (tape or disk). Disable the option by pressing button C on the joystick
before loading
 The ‘Faster disk access’ option specifically loads .d64 virtual disk files faster, but some
programs or file types won’t load unless this functionality is disabled by using the slower
but more authentic accurate drive mode. See Filename flags and CJM files for further
information
 The primary joystick is set to port 2. The secondary joystick is set to port 1 only if a second
joystick is connected before loading the program from USB. For VIC 20 programs (THEC64
only), port 1 is the default and port 2 is not available
 The type of computer chosen to load the program is based on whether THEC64 Mini
firmware is North American (an NTSC C64 is chosen) and running at 60hz or European (a
PAL C64 is chosen), running at 50Hz. On the full-size THEC64, it is based upon the Video
output setting (60Hz or 50Hz) and what type of computer is current set as the default.
Note that this does not affect the HDMI output
 No program-specific functions map to the joystick buttons other than the standard
directions and the FIRE and MENU buttons

Many programs auto-load fine using the above default settings. If your program does not,
or you wish to change the configuration, please see Filename flags and CJM files.

The full-size THEC64 users can alternatively use Media access in Classic mode to load
these files, but the types of file and the default settings are the same, whether using
File loader or Media access. See THEC64 User Manual for full details.

Using the File Loader

Whilst viewing the GAMES CAROUSEL, insert a USB memory stick that contains supported
C64 files into an available USB port. After a few seconds, an icon appears beneath the
GAMES CAROUSEL to confirm the USB memory stick is connected.

Highlight the USB icon and press FIRE. The FILE LOADER screen lists any supported files
and folders stored in the root of the USB memory stick. Note that file extensions (for
example, D64, TAP, CRT), flags added to filenames (for example _TP) and CJM files (for
example, c64-disk.cjm) are NOT shown in the list on the File Loader screen.

Highlight a file and press FIRE. The selected file auto-loads and runs. How long it takes to
load will vary based upon the type of file and the settings used to load it.

To browse folders, move the highlight over a folder and press FIRE. The contents of the
sub-folder appear. A folder that is empty or does not contain any other folders or
supported C64 files will display ‘No files found’.
When inside a folder on the USB memory stick, press button A on the joystick to move out
of the current folder. Alternatively, push LEFT to come out of a folder when on the far left
side of the File Loader list.

The C64 Fast Loader is on by default, speeding up loading times for any programs that use
the computer’s internal loading routine. For those programs that do not load if the fast
loader is on, press button C on the joystick (a red X appears over the Fast Loader
icon) before you press FIRE to load. This turns the Fast loader off.

Note that the faster disk access function remains on unless you specifically turn it off via
filename flags or a CJM file. See Filename flags and CJM files for full details.

Save/Load from USB

When loading a program file from a USB memory stick, the Save/Load state function saves
and loads on the USB memory stick rather than on THEC64 device. You have four slots to
save to per program.

Save files are stored inside a folder on the USB memory stick called .THEC64SAVE. Inside
that folder are sub-folders that contain your saves. For example, .THEC64SAVES\c64-disk\
contains saved files for a virtual disk file called ‘c64-disk’.

BASIC and accessing a USB memory stick

Please note that the only file stored on a USB stick that can be loaded directly when
running BASIC on THEC64 Mini is a disk image with the filename THEC64-drive8.d64.
Please visit programming-in-c64-basic and faq for further details on BASIC and THEC64-
drive8.d64 file.

Loading Programs in C64 BASIC on THEC64 Mini

Aside from the File Loader function, you can also load and run your own legally obtained
C64 programs (including games, demos, utilities and so on) from BASIC on THEC64
Mini by following these simple instructions.

Please note that only C64 programs supplied by Retro Games Ltd for use on THEC64
Mini are covered by the Warranty. This does not affect your statutory rights. Please
read the Warranty for further details.
 First step: Preparation

1. You need a USB memory stick (maximum size of 64Gb) which must be formatted using
FAT32
2. Copy the d64 disk file that contains the program you want to load onto the root of the
USB memory stick
3. Rename your disk file on the memory stick to THEC64-drive8.d64
4. You are now ready to load your program from BASIC on THEC64 Mini.

Second step: Loading your Program

1. Make sure you’re at the Carousel screen then insert your USB stick into THEC64 Mini
2. If you have firmware v1.1.0 or above installed, a USB icon will appear on the HOME
screen after a few seconds
3. Launch BASIC from the Carousel
4. Type the following two commands exactly as shown here:
LOAD “$”,8
LIST

4. Identify the name of the program you want to run from the list displayed
5. Type the following command, replacing NAME with the name of the program from step
4:
LOAD “NAME”,8,1

6. Some programs will load and start automatically. For others, you may need to type the
following command afterwards:
RUN

Notes

Don’t forget to press RETURN after typing each command.

There are some limitations to the existing method of loading programs from a USB
memory stick when in BASIC:

 For C64 programs that need a joystick, only joystick port 2 is available from BASIC.
 Joystick buttons other than the MENU button and the two main FIRE buttons have no functionality
in programs loaded from a USB memory stick in BASIC.

If these limitations are too restrictive for you, please see the File Loader for an alternative
method for loading other programs on THEC64 Mini.

Due to licensing requirements, we cannot offer advice as to which programs currently work
using this method and which ones do not.
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