== Introduction ==

This Firmware was designed to get a better support of RAM and ROM expansions. Looking the future, not the past.

It don't work with BASIC 1.0 and no more support Tape by default (need a ROM to manage it, that allow to improve it as new storages too).

So, the actual target is all CPC with BASIC 1.1 and floppy or HxC drives.

For further information, see the [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/firmware-3-1-megaflash/ CPCWiki forum discussion regarding Firmware 3.1].

== Features ==

* Display RAM (up to 576K)
* Display CRTC version
* Initialize up to 32 ROM (see note)
* Boot with [ESC] initialize only ROM 0 & 7
* Mouse support under BASIC (see the previous FW test)
* Fix the FR chars table, so all keys are properly displayed.
* CTRL+keys give useful chars

Note: The 32 ROM init actually only work on a real hardware with the Megaflash board. Please, use the default 16 ROM version if you are using an emulator.

If you test it first on WinAPE, you have to know that CRTC 1 always show 2, and no 3rd mouse button support, as CPC+ don't.

== CTRL Keys ==

* ctrl+2 = ½ (half)
* ctrl+3 = ¾ (three quarters)
* ctrl+4 = ¼ (quarter)

* ctrl+a = α (alpha)
* ctrl+b = β (beta)
* ctrl+c = © (copyright)
* ctrl+e = € (euro)
* ctrl+m = µ (micro)
* ctrl+n = ~ (tilde)
* ctrl+o = Ω (omega/Ohm)
* ctrl+p = π (pi)
* ctrl+s = Σ (sigma/Sum)
* ctrl+v = √ (tick)
* ctrl+x = ✗ (cross)

* ctrl+? = ¿ (inverted question mark)
* ctrl+! = ¡ (inverted exclamation mark)

== Download ==

* [[Media:Firmware312.zip|Firmware312.zip]]

2013-08-13T15:00:26Z

Redbox: Created page with "{{subst:box portal skeleton}}"

Plus System Cartridge

2013-07-22T12:22:05Z

Redbox: /* Downloads */

== Introduction ==

The Plus system cartridge is essential to the 464 Plus and 6128 Plus systems because it contains the Operating System, [[Locomotive BASIC]] and [[AMSDOS]]. Without this cartridge, you cannot use the Plus as none of the system ROMs are contained within the machine (unlike the classic CPCs). This method was used as it meant that it would be very difficult to copy other cartridges (such as games) because the operating system is not present when another cartridge is inserted.

The cartridge also included the game [[Burnin' Rubber]] to showcase the Plus range's extra hardware capabilities and to ensure that every user had something to play when they purchased the computer.

== English System Cartridge ==

Contains the Plus Operating System (v4), [[Locomotive BASIC]] v1.1, [[AMSDOS]] and [[Burnin' Rubber]] game. This cartridge is for use with the English keyboard version of the 464 Plus or 6128 Plus. The colour of the label of the cartridge is Yellow.

<gallery>
Image:Burning Rubber - ( Ingles ) - cara A.jpg|Front
Image:Burning Rubber - ( Ingles ) - cara B.jpg|Back
</gallery>

== French System Cartridge ==

Contains the Plus Operating System (v4), [[Locomotive BASIC]] v1.1, [[AMSDOS]] and [[Burnin' Rubber]] game. This cartridge is for use with the French keyboard version of the 464 Plus or 6128 Plus. The colour of the label of the cartridge is Green. On the back of the cartridge on the right-hand lower corner you can see the letter "F" for French.

<gallery>
Image:Burning Rubber - ( Frances ) - cara A.jpg|Front
Image:Burning Rubber - ( Frances ) - cara B.jpg|Back
</gallery>

== Spanish System Cartridge ==

Contains the Plus Operating System (v4), [[Locomotive BASIC]] v1.1, [[AMSDOS]] and [[Burnin' Rubber]] game. This cartridge is for use with the Spanish keyboard version of the 464 Plus or 6128 Plus. The colour of the label of the cartridge is Blue. On the back of the cartridge on the right-hand lower corner you can see the letter "S" for Spanish.

== 'Downgrade' System Cartridge ==

A French cartridge was made which contained the classic CPC Operating System (v3), [[Locomotive BASIC]] v1.1 and [[AMSDOS]]. This cartridge was made to address the Plus range incompatibilities with some software designed for the classic CPC range.

<gallery>
Image:Basic_Cartouche_Top.jpg|Front
Image:Basic_Cartouche_Bottom.jpg|Back
Image:2700-023P-1_27C512_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB Front
Image:2700-023P-1_27C512_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB Back
</gallery>

== Patched Cartridges ==

Due to the annoying 'f1/f2' menu presented on the Plus range, programmers have patched the Plus system cartridges in several ways to remove the menu.

One method was to replace [[AMSDOS]] with [[ParaDOS]]. This had the benefit of having the [[ParaDOS]] disk ROM available without a ROMboard, but it also disabled access to the [[Burnin' Rubber]] game.

Another method was to patch the Operating System ROM to skip the menu meaning the Plus went directly to BASIC, much the same as with the classic CPCs. Users can still access the [[Burnin' Rubber]] game by using a RSX command (either |GAME, |JEUX, |SPIEL or |JUEGO) as this feature was included in the original Plus system cartridge.

<gallery>
Image:plus_en_screenshot.png|Original Plus System Cartridge
Image:plus_en_patched_screenshot.png|Patched System Cartridge with menu removed
Image:plus_en_parados_screenshot.png|Patched System Cartridge with ParaDOS
</gallery>

==Amstrad CSD==

The Amstrad CSD was a system containing a 464PLUS motherboad and an additionnal Mainboard enabling to switch beteween 12 different game (or whatever) cartridges.

The System was supplied with some sort of JukeBox OS cartridge.

[[Amstrad CSD| Check the Amstrad CSD page for more details.]]

== Downloads ==

Downloads of the system cartridges are available here. Where applicable, the CPR file is for use in emulators (such as [[WinApe]]) and the BIN file is the actual ROM image which can be used with EPROM programmers to make your own cartridges.

* [[Media:plus_en.zip|Amstrad Plus (EN) Original Dumped Cartridge]]

* [[Media:English System + Parados.rar|Amstrad Plus (EN) with ParaDOS]]
* [[Media:French System + Parados.rar|Amstrad Plus (FR) with ParaDOS]]
* [[Media:Spanish System + Parados.rar|Amstrad Plus (ES) with ParaDOS]]

* [[Media:Basic_(F)_(White_Label).zip|Amstrad Plus (FR) 'Downgrade' with classic CPC v3 OS]]

* [[Media:Plus_en_patched_v1.3.zip|Amstrad Plus (EN) System Cartridge Patch v1.3]] by [[User:Redbox|redbox]]
* [[Media:plus_fr_patched.zip|Amstrad Plus (FR) System Cartridge Patch v1.0]] by [[User:Redbox|redbox]]

[[Category:CPC Plus]][[Category:Cartridges|*]][[Category:Operating System]]
[[Category:CPC Plus Games]][[Category:BASIC|*]]