Updated 8/13/23: I switched the U34 and used the J4 Bodge wire to A15 and have updated instructions and pictures below to match.

I have been wanting to put JiffyDOS on my Commodore 128. My 1541ii came with JiffyDOS, but none of my Commodore Computers have the JiffyDOS ROM to match. I recently purchased JiffyDOS from RETRO Innovations, I purchased the ROMs for my Commodore 128, as well as for one of my Commodore 64s and a 1541 ROM to use on my pi1541.

The Commodore 128 Flat model shipped setup with 16k ROMs, but it can be switched to use 32k ROMs by setting some jumpers. If you switch it to 32k ROMs, then there are only 2 ROMs required instead of 4. The ROMs that shipped in the Commodore 128 Flat model are also older versions than what is available. I wanted to update to the latest version of the Basic ROM, and the Kernal as well, so it is nice to only need two eproms instead of four.

I used this guide as a basis for the 32 ROMs: https://www.rift.dk/upgrading-and-consolidating-commodore-128-roms/

Note: I originally used the 390393-01 ROM for U34 and put a jumper on J4. I had issues loading programs from Disk, while some programs would load properly numerous ones would not work. I don’t know if there were other issues or not. Mark from TheRetroChannel on Youtube did the 32k ROM mod on his 128 and reported having issues with closing J4, it turns out to be the same type of issue I thought I was having too. He reported that when using the regular DCR ROM and the J4 bodge wire as shown at the rift.dk post, that he didn’t have any problems. I went back and have switched to doing that as well. I haven’t come across any disk reading issues after following the rift.dk J4 bodge wire method. I would like to know why that seems to have been an issue, the 390393-01 ROM having a part number like that means it is made up or a legitimate release from Commodore for the 128. I am expecting it throws off some timing off somewhere. The result I ended up with the dupont cable looks neat enough, but it still is a “bodge”.

In this case I am going to switch to the 32k ROMs, and also install a Switchless ROM Switcher with JiffyDOS. So this is a combination of a few mods.

To change the Commodore 128 Flat from 16kB ROMs to 32kB ROMs we just have to install jumpers or bridge J3, a bodge wire to one of the J4 pads and a via nearby, and J6. I am going to put in Jumpers and pins to make it easy to switch back if needed.

To setup the 32K ROM Set. We pull U33 (16k) and U34 (16k) and install the 32k U34 to replace them. That new ROM is the basic.318022-02.bin (32kB).

The second ROM we pull the 16K U32 and U35. Since I am doing the JiffyDOS Switchable ROM, I am making a 64K ROM to replace the original U32.

For the Switched C128/C128DCR KERNAL ROM (64kB) we combine the files below in this order:
basic.901226-01.bin (C64 Basic)
kernal.901227-03.bin (C64 Kernal)
kernal.318020-05.bin (C128 Kernal)
basic.901226-01.bin (C64 Basic)
JiffyDOS_C64_6.01.bin (C64 JiffyDOS Kernal)
JiffyDOS_C128DCR_6.01.bin (C128 JiffyDOS Kernal)

There are different ways to combine the files. I just use the copy /b Binary combine from Command Prompt: (Note as one single line)

copy /b basic.901226-01.bin+kernal.901227-03.bin+kernal.318020-05.bin+basic.901226-01.bin+JiffyDOS_C64_6.01.bin+JiffyDOS_C128DCR_6.01.bin C128U32kJDOS.bin

Then burn the combined ROM to a 64k Eprom such as the 27512. The Commodore 128 uses the 27256 Pinout in 32k ROM Mode (and 27128 in 16k ROM Mode), so they are drop in replacements.

To do the Switched ROM we keep Pin1 (A15) bent out, and not inserted in the Socket. If I was going to do a Kernal “Switch”, then I would wire a 4.7k (recommended value I found) Resistor from Pin1 (A15) to Pin28 (VCC). Then put a switch between Pin1 and Ground. I am going to use an Arduino Pro Mini, it will not need the Pullup Resistor. I expect you could do Kernal Switcher that does more than two modes by making a 128K ROM, but for the Commodore 128 I don’t know of other Kernals that I care to use. That would also be a 32PIN Eprom, so an adapter would also be required. If you did stick with the 16k ROMs, you could then alternately use 64k Eproms to setup a 4 way ROM Switcher.

I am basing the Arduino Pro Mini code on a modified version of Adrian Black’s C64 Kernal Switcher that was done by Mark Ormond. I am starting with Mark Ormond’s modified version of the code as the basis. He had it setup for swapping 4 ROM Sets for 16k ROMS, but I only need to trigger a single pin (A15 Pin 1) on my JiffyDOS 64k U32. It was setup to control 2 Eproms and rotate through more ROMs triggering several Address lines as he was using 16k ROMs.

The Arduino board will be triggering A15 on the 64k ROM triggering it to use either the upper or lower 32k portion. It will also be wired to the ResetLine, EXROMLine and RestoreKey, as well as Ground and 5V.

The PowerLED will also be moved to the Arduino board with a proper current limiting resistor (220 Ohm typically) this will Blink the LED to show the status changes. When the C128 turns on it will blink the LED in my case 1 or 2 times based on which ROM it is set to use.

Above is the starting point. We have the four 16k ROMs installed. The first part of this modification is to remove them and install the jumpers to switch the system over to 32k ROM mode. That is just adding the 3 jumpers to the board.

There was a bit of an issue with that, the pins are not the typical 2.54mm pin spacing (probably 2.0mm?), I slightly bent the bottom part of the jumper to get it inserted. I do know there is a smaller size jumper I have seen on other equipment, but I don’t have the pins or jumpers to put on them. After bending the pins a bit they did fit well. I then got out some spare jumpers and installed them. By using the jumpers I can easily switch to 16k ROMs again if I want.

That is the end of enabling the use of the 32K ROMs. That is beyond putting in the new U32 and U34 which is a little different as I am doing the JiffyDOS switchless mod.

The next thing I had to do was put in the connections for the Switchless Kernal Switcher. It also handles doing a Hard Reset, well it is supposed to. I don’t know how it works with the Commodore 128 as I have only seen such mods on Commodore 64s. I wanted to make it removable, so I put in pins where I could, even to the point of putting pins on the side of two of the 74 logic ICs. That made it so I can detach the Pro Mini board and go back to normal ROMs, be it 32k or 16k ROMs. Also if the Pro Mini fails I can more easily switch it out. Be sure to get a 5V Pro Mini, not a 3.3V model.. The only wire directly soldered to the Pro Mini without a connector on the other end is for the Eprom, but it is socketed itself, so not a huge deal.

The last pin is Pin 1 of the new U32. It needs to kept out of the socket and wired to the Pro Mini pin5.

Above you can see the new 64k Switched U32, and the 32k U34 in place. It may not be visible but Pin 1 on U32 is Not in the Socket, it is sticking out on the side and not making contact to the socket. The wire there goes over to Pin5 on the Pro Mini. Since I am using the Pro Mini, as I mentioned there is no Pullup Resistor from Pin 1 to Pin 28 on U32 like would be done with a typical “switch” based JiffyDOS setup. The Pro Mini handles the pullup internally.

I have modified Adrian/Mark’s code so that by default it will do a 4 way Kernal Switch for the Commodore 128. That can only be easily done with 16k ROM sets. Mark’s version had it setup using 16k ROMs with a 4 way switch for 1 of the ROMs (Kernal ROM I believe) and only doing 2 way for the second (Basic ROM). It now does a 4 way switch for both Commodore 128 16k ROMs by default as that seems more natural, although for the 128 16k mode only needs C14 and C128 basic.. so it makes sense that Mark had it set that way. I added a “Max ROMs” entry to easily change behavior in the code below it is set to 4, but for use on my C128 here I set that to “2” as I am using 32k ROMs and only have 2 sets of ROMs. Well I set it for 2 the second time around, I thought I messed up the code when it was trying to do a 4 way switch initially… I miswired the U32 Pin 1 to the wrong output of the Pro Micro, so I had to fix that too. Other than those two little issues it worked as expected mostly.

There is the oddity that when it resets, the Commodore 128 goes directly into 64 Mode. Maybe it doesn’t like the Exrom Reset? It does properly remember the selected Kernal, and it does go into 128 mode when powered on based on the saved Kernal setting, the Reset button on the 128 also takes you to 128 Mode as normal. You may catch that the RF Modulator was changed out on the pictures, you can also find the post other recent post about the RF Mod. The RF Modulator change was certainty worth it for the video quality improvement for 40 Column output. I did all of the changes at the same time.

I’m going to work on getting the code uploaded to Github as a branch to Mark’s release. I plan to add some instructions and pictures. Mark does have his pictures and a guide posted at another site, but he has the code at Github.

To switch between ROMs, You Hold the Restore Key down, and wait for it to flash the Power LED the number of flashes for the ROM you want to select. It will first Flash the “current” ROM number, if you release the Restore Key at that point, it will just cause a Reset of the Commodore. If you keep holding it down, it will then flash the Power LED the number of times for the next ROM bank, when releasing it after that it will swap to that ROM and Reset. The Switcher will Remember the Last selected ROM (and I believe at power up it flashes the Power LED to tell you which setting it is on).

I am not certain the code below is correct for 16k 4 way switching for the C128 or not. I was getting U35 and U32 etc all mixed up when working on it. It is the code I compiled and used on my “2” ROM Modes, below it is set for 4 way switching with that set by “NumROMs” value.

#include <EEPROM.h>

// C64/C128 Kernel Switcher and Restore Key Reset/Selector
// Version 1.3 - 03-26-2023 Updates - By Travis Durf

// Based on C64 Kernel Switcher - 26-March-2019 - By Adrian Black
// Restore Key Mod: https://www.breadbox64.com/blog/c64-restore-mod/
// Initial C128 Changes - 06-22-2020 - By Mark Ormond aka dabone

/*
             "The Simple" Pro-Mini

           DTR  TX   RX   VCC  GND  GND
        +--------------------------------+
        |  [ ]  [ ]  [ ]  [ ]  [ ]  [ ]  |
        |              FTDI              |
    D1  | [ ]1/TX                 RAW[ ] |    
    D0  | [ ]0/RX                 GND[ ] |    
        | [ ]RST        SCL/A5[ ] RST[ ] |   C6
        | [ ]GND        SDA/A4[ ] VCC[ ] |    
    D2  | [ ]2/INT0    ___         A3[ ] |   C3
    D3  |~[X]3/INT1   /   \        A2[ ] |   C2
    D4  | [X]4       /PRO  \       A1[ ] |   C1
    D5  |~[X]5       \ MINI/       A0[ ] |   C0
    D6  |~[X]6        \___/    SCK/13[ ] |   B5
    D7  | [X]7                MISO/12[ ] |   B4
    B0  | [X]8      [RST-BTN] MOSI/11[ ]~|   B3
    B1  |~[X]9  GND[ ]A6[ ]A7[ ]SS/10[X]~|   B2
        +--------------------------------+  
 
Based on: http://busyducks.com/ascii-art-arduinos

D3 to EXROMLine (C128 U11 (PLA) Pin12)
D4 to PowerLED to 220 Ohm resistor to Power LED
D5 to C64 A13, C128 U32 (A14) Pin27 
D6 to C64 A14 27256(32kB), C128 U32 (A15) Pin1 With 27512(64kB) EEPROM 32kB ROMs
D7 to ResetLine (C128 U63 Pin2)
D8 to RestoreKey (C128 U16 Pin9)
D9 to C128 U35 (A14) Pin27
D10 to C128 U35 (A15) Pin1 With 27512(64kB) EEPROM 16kB ROMs

Set "NumROMs" to be the Maximum Number of ROMs.  2-4 Default is "4"

For Commodore 64:
To do 4 ROM Sets you can use a 27256(32kB) EEPROM with A13 and A14
You can use a 27128(16kB) EEPROM and do 2 ROM Sets with A13.

For Commodore 128:
To do 4 ROM Sets on a stock C128 Flat that uses 16k ROMs you can use 27512(64kB) EEPROMs with A14 and A15
You can use 27256(32kB) EEPROMs and do 2 ROM Sets with A14.

For C128 Flat/D set to 32kB ROMs, or DCR (Both use 32kB ROMs), you can use 27512(64kB) EEPROMs to do 2 ROM sets with A15. 
When doing 32kB C128 ROMs you only use U32 and only use A15 as A14 is kept in the Socket and controlled by the C128.
U35 is removed in the 32kB ROM configuration and is now included in the 32kB based U32 now.  The drawback here is you can only
do two ROM Sets with the 27512 EEPROMs.
The C128 Basic ROMs must be replaced with a new 32kB Basic ROM (basic.390393-01.bin) in U34, also removing U33.

*/

const int EXROMLine = 3;    // Output the /EXROM line
const int PowerLED = 4;     // Output Power LED
const int PowerLEDAlt = 13; // Output Power LED (onboard LED)
const int RomAOne = 5;      // Output EPROM C64 A13 (C128 16kB Mode U32 Pin27 A14, 32kB Mode U32 Pin1 A15)
const int RomATwo = 6;      // Output EPROM C64 A14 (C128 16kB Mode U32 Pin1 A15 27512 EEPROM)
const int ResetLine = 7;    // Output to /RESET line
const int RestoreKey = 8;   // Input Restore key
const int RomBOne = 9;      // Output EEPROM C128 16kB U35 Pin27 A14
const int RomBTwo = 10;     // Output EEPROM C128 16kB U35 Pin1 A15 27512 EEPROM


int RestoreDelay = 2000;    // 2000ms delay for restore key
const int FlashSpeed = 75;  // LED Flash delay

const unsigned long repeatdelay = 500; // used for debouncing
 
const int NumROMs = 4;		// Maximum Number of ROMs
int CurrentROM;				// which rom is select (0-3)
int debouncecounter = 0;	// how many times we have seen new value (for debounce)
int debouncereading;
int debounce_count;
int RestoreHeld;
unsigned long TimeHeld;     // amount of time Restore is held down

int buttonDuration = 0;     // for keeping track of how long restore is held down
boolean buttonHeld = 0;     // for keeping track when you are holding down 
boolean Released = 0;       // Keeping track when the restore key is released
boolean holdingRestore = 0; // Keeping track if you are holding restore
boolean resetSystem = 0;    // keep track whether to reset

int buttonInput;            // used to return if restore is held
unsigned long time;         //used to keep track of millis output
unsigned long htime;        //used to keep track of millis output
unsigned long btime;        //used to keep track of bounce millis output

void setup() {
  pinMode(PowerLED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(PowerLEDAlt, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RomAOne, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RomATwo, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RomBOne, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RomBTwo, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ResetLine, INPUT);
  pinMode(EXROMLine, INPUT);
  pinMode(RestoreKey, INPUT);

  digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH); // turn on the power LED

  digitalWrite(ResetLine, LOW); // keep the system reset
  pinMode(ResetLine, OUTPUT);   // switch reset line to OUTPUT so it can hold it low
  digitalWrite(ResetLine, LOW); // keep the system reset

  CurrentROM = EEPROM.read(1);
  SetSlot(CurrentROM);
  delay(200);
  pinMode(ResetLine, INPUT);    // set the reset pin back to high impedance which releases the INPUT line
  delay(1000);                  // wait 1000ms 
  FlashLED(CurrentROM);         // flash the power LED to show the current state
  
  // all set!
}

void loop() {
  buttonInput = readButton(); delay(500);
  time = millis(); // load the number of milliseconds the arduino has been running into variable time
  if (buttonInput == 1) {
    if (!buttonHeld) {
      htime = time; TimeHeld = 0; buttonHeld = 1; } //restore button is pushed
    else { 
      TimeHeld = time - htime; } // button is being held down, keep track of total time held.
  }
  if (buttonInput == 0) {
    if (buttonHeld) {
      Released = 1; buttonHeld = 0; htime = millis(); TimeHeld = 0; //restore button not being held anymore
    } 
  }
  
  if (TimeHeld > RestoreDelay && !Released) { // do this when the time the button is held is longer than the delay and the button is released
    htime = millis();
    if (holdingRestore == 0) { FlashLED(CurrentROM); holdingRestore = 1; resetSystem = 1; } // first time this is run, so flash the LED with current slot and reset time held. Set the holding restore variable.
    else {
      if (CurrentROM < NumROMs - 1) { CurrentROM++; SaveSlot(CurrentROM); } // or you've already been holding restore, so increment the current ROM slot otherwise reset it to 0
      else { CurrentROM = 0; SaveSlot(CurrentROM); }
      if (TimeHeld > RestoreDelay) { TimeHeld = 0;}  // reset the time held
      FlashLED(CurrentROM); //flash the LED
    }
  }
  
  if (Released) {
    //if time held greater than restore delay, reset the system, set the current rom slot, reselt the time held and holding restore
    if (resetSystem) { // on do this if the reset system has been set above
      htime = millis();
      resetSystem = 0;
      holdingRestore = 0;
      Released = 0;
      digitalWrite(ResetLine, LOW); // keep the system reset
      digitalWrite(EXROMLine, LOW); // keep the EXROM line low
      pinMode(ResetLine, OUTPUT);
      pinMode(EXROMLine, OUTPUT);
      digitalWrite(ResetLine, LOW); // keep the system reset
      digitalWrite(EXROMLine, LOW); // keep the EXROM line low
      delay(50); // wait 50ms
      SetSlot(CurrentROM); // select the appropriate kernal ROM
      delay(200); // wait 200ms before releasing RESET line
      pinMode(ResetLine, INPUT); // set the reset pin back to high impedance so computer boots
      delay(300); // wait 300ms before releasing EXROM line
      pinMode(EXROMLine, INPUT); // set the reset pin back to high impedance so computer boots
    } else { //otherwise do nothing
      htime = millis(); Released = 0; resetSystem = 0; holdingRestore = 0;
    }
  }
// finished with loop  
}

int readButton() {
 if (!digitalRead(RestoreKey) && (millis() - btime >= repeatdelay)) {
  for(int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
    {
      debouncereading = !digitalRead(RestoreKey);

      if(!debouncereading && debouncecounter > 0)
      {
        debouncecounter--;
      }
      if(debouncereading)
      {
        debouncecounter++; 
      }
      // If the Input has shown the same value for long enough let's switch it
      if(debouncecounter >= debounce_count)
      {
        btime = millis();
        debouncecounter = 0;
        RestoreHeld = 1;
      }
    delay (10); // wait 10ms
    }
   } else {
    RestoreHeld = 0;
   }
return RestoreHeld;
}


void SaveSlot(int CurrentRomSlot) {
  // Save Current ROM selection (0-3) into EPROM
  EEPROM.write(1,CurrentRomSlot);
}

void FlashLED(int flashcount) {
    // Flash the LED to represent which ROM slot is selected
    switch (flashcount) {
    case 0:
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      break;
    case 1:
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      break;
    case 2:
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      break;
    case 3:
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      break;
    default:
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, LOW);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, LOW);
      delay(FlashSpeed);
      digitalWrite(PowerLED, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(PowerLEDAlt, HIGH);
      break;
  }
}

void SetSlot(int DesiredRomSlot) {
    // Select the actual ROM slot being used
    switch (DesiredRomSlot) {
    //Stock-Kernal0
    case 0:
      digitalWrite(RomAOne, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomATwo, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomBOne, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomBTwo, LOW);
      break;
    //Kernal1
    case 1:
      digitalWrite(RomAOne, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(RomATwo, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomBOne, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(RomBTwo, LOW);
      break;
    //Kernal2
    case 2:
      digitalWrite(RomAOne, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomATwo, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(RomBOne, LOW);	  
      digitalWrite(RomBTwo, HIGH);
      break;
    //Kernal3  
    case 3:
      digitalWrite(RomAOne, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(RomATwo, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(RomBOne, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(RomBTwo, HIGH);
      break;
    default:
      digitalWrite(RomAOne, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomATwo, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomBOne, LOW);
      digitalWrite(RomBTwo, LOW);
      break;
  }
}

While I was working on the Commodore 128, I had been having issues with the Cartridge Port reading correctly. So while I had the board out I reflowed all the pins on the cartridge port. Upon getting the Kernal Switcher (and RF Modulator change) done I put in two different cartridges and both worked properly the first time. I’m hoping this means my Commodore 128 is in good working order now. It is annoying not being able to use cartridges reliably. On further testing of the Cartridge Port, I found it was still not working reliably. I have just cleaned it out again, using 99% IPA and some folded cardstock. On the two cartridge tests I did have that, they both worked, we will see I guess.. I tried the RAD REU on it but it wasn’t working properly. My Kung Fu Flash kind of works on it. I am not sure if those issues are related to the cartridge port being flakey yet. I do have to do more testing with JiffyDOS. I need to try it out with my 1541ii that has a Vintage JiffyDOS rom in it. I also purchased JiffyDOS to put on my pi1541, I did a little testing with that.

I realized I forgot to show a JiffyDOS 128 80 Column RGB Video screen shot. You see it adds the JiffyDOS line to the startup screen there.