EasyFlash 3 Update

The EasyFlash3’s functionality is implemented in two parts:

  • The CPLD core implements hardware features.
  • The EasyFlash3 has a menu, which also contains some tools, see below. This is the “Firmware” of your EasyFlash3.

How to update the EasyFlash3 menu

This chapter describes how to update the EasyFlash3 software. The EasyFlash3 software consists of the EF3 menu and built it EasyProg. It is saved in EF3 cartridge’s System Area (EasyFlash Slot 0). The software can be updated without erasing any existing EasyFlash, KERNAL or freezer cartridge slots.

EasyProg and the files needed can be found from downloads.

The System Area (Slot 0) of the EasyFlash3 contains following data currently:

  • The menu which appears after you switch on your C64
  • A copy of EasyProg which can be started from the menu with <P>
  • KERNALs and freezer cartridges
  • A directory of all KERNALs and EasyFlash Slots

There are two images you can use to update the menu:

ef3-menu.crt

This image contains:

  • The menu
  • EasyProg

This is the file you should use to update an existing cartridge which has already software on it.

ef3-init.crt

This image contains:

  • The menu
  • EasyProg
  • Example KERNALs
  • A directory which contains the KERNALs but is empty otherwise

This is the file you should use to initialize a new EasyFlash3. If your System Area got erased or overwritten, you can use this image to repair it.

How to write a Menu Image to Flash

Use EasyProg to write ef3-menu.crt or ef3-init.crt. Select Slot 0, confirm the warning message and select the file. See writecrt.

In case the EF3 menu is not accessible (e.g. the System Area has been erased), EasyProg can be loaded from a disk drive.

How to update the EasyFlash3 CPLD Core

A CPLD core update changes the hardware behavior of the EasyFlash 3 cartridge. This is not needed for a software update. The EF3 menu, EasyProg and the slots for EasyFlash, KERNAL and freezer cartridges can be updated without having to rewrite the CPLD core.

These are the steps needed for the CPLD update:

  • Make sure the driver is installed
  • Download the latest release of the programming tool easp
  • Pick the right version of the executable for your system, rename it to easp (Linux) or easp.exe (Windows) and put it into an executable place (e.g. c:\windows\system32 or /usr/local/bin)
  • Download the latest version of ef3-cpld-*.zip
  • Connect the EF3 to the C64 expansion port and the USB port of your PC.
  • Make sure the 4 jumpers are in the JTAG/PROG-position.
  • Switch on the the C64 (!)
  • Then start easp with: easp -p 0x8738 -v <svf_file>
  • It should complete with “<<< ALL TDO outputs matched to be expected values! >>>”

Note: It is normal that the C64 crashes during this procedure. The flashing can take up to few minutes.

Next steps

If there is no software flashed which fits to the CPLD firmware, the C64 does not start now (black screen). In this case you need to flash the firmware: Press the button “Special” on the EF3 to reset to BASIC. Load EasyProg from disk and flash the ef3-init file.