ProjectCD.Chronicles returns with a detailed look at BASIC Boot Maker 1.05, an updated tool that lets users create Self-starting C64 programs. Developed by Francesco Gramignani (known as Graham), this latest release continues to impress retro enthusiasts with its clean interface, smart technical design, and ease of use.
What BASIC Boot Maker Does
BASIC Boot Maker (BBM) transforms regular Commodore 64 BASIC programs into auto-running files. With Self-starting C64 behavior, programs launch instantly after loading—no need to type RUN. It works equally well for BASIC listings and small machine code stubs wrapped in a BASIC launcher.
The program exploits a clever trick buried in the KERNAL’s loading routine. Without modifying the ROM, it manipulates key memory pointers—TXTTAB, VARTAB, ARYTAB, and TXTPTR—to make the system think a program is already running. It even writes a boot message directly into screen RAM using the EAL pointer. The result is an elegant auto-execution process that feels completely native to the system.
Version 1.05: Small Details, Big Gains
Version 1.05 improves speed and usability. The buffer size remains at 4 KB, introduced in version 1.04, which reduces disk head seeking and speeds up loading. New refinements include improved cursor navigation, more accurate pointer calculations, and consistent use of the caret (^) prefix for generated filenames.
Francesco’s update reflects his ongoing passion and commitment to the Commodore community. ProjectCD.Chronicles highlights the time and care behind each release—an example of how modern developers still find ways to push classic hardware further.
A Look Inside the Interface
The video review begins inside the VICE emulator, where BBM’s clean, text-driven interface shines. The reviewer demonstrates file selection by scrolling through the disk directory and choosing a BASIC program, such as Giant Letters.
BBM checks the file’s starting address ($0801) and then prompts the user to enter a name and optional boot message. Once processed, the new auto-starting version appears in the directory with a caret prefix, showing that it’s now executable. Loading this file immediately runs the program—no manual RUN command required.
When compared to its unprocessed version, the difference is clear: the standard file requires manual execution, while the BBM version starts instantly, confirming the header and pointer trick at work.
Why It Matters
For retro programmers and demo creators, BASIC Boot Maker simplifies software presentation. You can share a BASIC game or tool that starts immediately upon load, recreating the polished “plug-and-play” experience of commercial releases.
Beyond the nostalgia, Self-starting C64 utilities like BBM demonstrate how the system still has hidden features waiting to be rediscovered. It is practical, educational, and a joy for tinkerers who love seeing how far the C64’s original architecture can be stretched.
Conclusion
Francesco Gramignani’s BASIC Boot Maker 1.05 is available on Itch.io and GitHub. The video from ProjectCD.Chronicles offers a step-by-step demonstration of its use and technical elegance.
With Self-starting C64 programs, developers can create seamless user experiences that feel fresh even forty years later. It’s another example of how the Commodore 64 continues to inspire creativity, one clever header trick at a time.
