• Judland's Commodore Blog

  • by judland

These are the ramblings of a happy Commodore computer user since 1983. I cover topics on both the C64 and C128, reviewing my favorite games and applications, as well as share some of my favorite memories from the 8-bit era. If you'd like to read more, you can visit my blog at: https://www.my64.in.nf -or- https://www.my128.in.nf

Oct
3

Turn your C128 into a C64 fast loader

I happened across WS DOS, for the C128, that takes advantage of the 1571's "burst mode" to quickly load C64 games and programs, effectively turning it into a fast loader for the 64 mode.

You can read the details about my review on my Commodore blog, here.  But in a nutshell, WS DOS is a small utility that provides a few useful DOS extensions, as well as a method for those with 1571 disk drives to take advantage of "burst mode" to quickly load C64 programs.

WS DOS loads the program into the proper memory location, which the C128 uses when in 64 Mode.  If you don't have a 1571 disk drive, it still works with a 1541, you just don't have the "burst mode" advantage.  Once the program is loaded, the C128 automatically goes to 64 Mode and executes it. 

Once you're done with the program, you can simply press the C128's reset button and you are taken back to 128 mode and then WS DOS automatically relauches itself, ready for your next C64 load.  Pretty slick, if you ask me.

More details about this interesting app can be found on my blog, as well as WS DOS's user documentation.

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