Matt Desmond has released a major update to his DesTestMax diagnostic cartridge, adding features that enhance its usefulness for repairing and testing Commodore 64 computers. Lee from the More Fun Making It YouTube channel detailed these improvements in a recent video.
The original DesTestMax cartridge could test the first 4KB of RAM in MAX mode, a special diagnostic state that works even if the Commodore 64’s ROM chips or CIA chips are missing or faulty. However, this limitation meant the cartridge couldn’t assess the full range of the system’s memory.
The updated version builds on the original’s functionality. It can now test the entire memory once the initial 4KB RAM test in MAX mode is complete. This makes it a more comprehensive tool for troubleshooting hardware issues.
New features include:
- ROM Checksum Verification: Confirms the integrity of the ROMs.
- CIA Timer Testing: Identifies potential timing issues in the CIA chips.
- Logic Chip Failure Detection: Tests for specific conditions that may indicate logic chip problems.
These additions make the cartridge a versatile tool for diagnosing a wider range of hardware faults in the Commodore 64. For more details, Lee’s video on the More Fun Making It channel provides a thorough overview of the new features.
