The online community for MiSTer FPGA enthusiasts
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It looks like there is a bit of an issue with the MiSTer ZXNext Core not working with the latest ZXNextOS Firmware.
Details here - https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/ZXNext_MISTer/issues/12
Anybody have any information about the issue or potential resolution?
Well, the core is in the core, right? I mean, MiSTer core is a port of TBBlue core. Firmware 1.44 seems to be alright'ish, as well as NextZXOS 2.08.
We haven't really had any upstream updates since 2021, that's kind of expected.
P.S. I personally don't see any issues with 3.02.00, but there is that questionable hotfix released as 3.02.01 and I am afraid it will take a while to stabilise. 
JamesH wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:07 pmWell, the core is in the core, right? I mean, MiSTer core is a port of TBBlue core. Firmware 1.44 seems to be alright'ish, as well as NextZXOS 2.08.
We haven't really had any upstream updates since 2021, that's kind of expected.
P.S. I personally don't see any issues with 3.02.00, but there is that questionable hotfix released as 3.02.01 and I am afraid it will take a while to stabilise.
Ahhh, so you mean that the MiSTer core is an implementation of the ZXNext Firmware/OS, rather than it being a platform for the firmware/OS to run on?
Oh, apologies for not making the "resolution" part clear. What I meant to say was that someone (our wizard sorgelig?) has to port the latest Next core to MiSTer.
And no, if I understand it correctly, the core is the core. Firmware and OS work above the core, on the implemented "hardware". Unfortunately, the MiSTer core is two years behind the Next/TBBlue core. And additional complication: 3.02.xx does not seem to be a stable one, just something they rushed out for the KS2 shipping date.
That's clear. Thanks very much.
I think that the problem might be something to do with the KS2 models use a different FPGA board compared to the KS1 models and the Next firmware now detects what FPGA is being used.
Probably no chance we will see an update for it then? Perhaps the DE10 Nano isn't up to the task?
CartoonDonkey wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:33 pmProbably no chance we will see an update for it then? Perhaps the DE10 Nano isn't up to the task?
The Cyclone V has more than enough LEs, The Spartan 6 used by Next is only 8k LEs, compared with 110k on the Cyclone V.
Its possibly more to do with the person who did the porting finding the system pointless in the first place. So probably not a priority ?
I wouldn’t call it pointless. I quite like a few of the Next games.
Yeah, the Next scene is only going to grow and grow from here on out, considering the two very successful kickstarters for them. Hope it gets updated. The real KS2 next boots / runs quite a bit faster than the MiSTer core by a long shot as well.
@CartoonDonkey Sounds like quite the argument for buying the real thing to me.
I guess Armakuni talks about Sorgelig who pointed out several times that he doesn't see the purpose of a ZX Spectrum Next.
Problem is that this is nearly impossible as they are only produced on demand through kickstarter campaigns. The next best thing is one of the clones, I have the n-go and it is a nice machine.
@rhester72 That's exactly what I've already done. 
I just hate to see MiSTer folks miss out.
Chris23235 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:27 pmI guess Armakuni talke about Sorgelig who pointed out several times that he doesn't see the purpose of a ZX Spectrum Next.
Problem is that this is nearly impossible as they are only produced on demand through kickstarter campaigns. The next best thing is one of the clones, I have the n-go and it is a nice machine.
There is also the Pi sized clone which costs just over £100
There are also plenty of KS2 machines on ebay for silly money...
Sorg stepped in to produce the MiSTer core after the original dev stated it wouldnt be possible without a Sram board. He was quite vocal about how pointless the Next is on the FB group, Same with the Mega65 although that is more seeing as they spent the past year porting the MiSTer C64 core to it....
For me, I just kind of like the cores that have hard drive support. I think I want the whole experience of being on the target device for loading the software. I'm not sure, if any other Spectrum cores support hard drives or not. (Spectrum is a thing I'm only casually interested in.)
I got a KS2 sdcard. Made an image of it and it works perfectly with the MiSTer core. Firmware 1.44, Nextos 2.08. Only Core 3.02 would be cool as games like Atic Atac and certainly future games not working
As far as I know all SD cards contain the necessary cores for both FPGA models.
At least not for MiSTer
cathrynmataga wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:01 amFor me, I just kind of like the cores that have hard drive support. I think I want the whole experience of being on the target device for loading the software. I'm not sure, if any other Spectrum cores support hard drives or not. (Spectrum is a thing I'm only casually interested in.)
I believe the TSConf core (ZX-Evolution based) does support that too.
I have played with the TSConf core a little too. I got it basic working and managed to install the WildCommander and play their music files and play some Spectrum games. There's a decent solitare program for it, but I didn't find a lot of TSConf software. The UI is a litte bit DOS-looknig, but it's interesting and it sent me digging around the Russian forum for files, so that's kind of a small adventure. ZXNext is just more aesthetically attractive, I feel. More pleasing to poke around, generally, for that reason. All of these are kind outside my main 'retro interests', I'd say, things I'm curious about. Mister is nice to explore without spending money.
cathrynmataga wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 6:50 amI have played with the TSConf core a little too. I got it basic working and managed to install the WildCommander and play their music files and play some Spectrum games. There's a decent solitare program for it, but I didn't find a lot of TSConf software. The UI is a litte bit DOS-looknig, but it's interesting and it sent me digging around the Russian forum for files, so that's kind of a small adventure. ZXNext is just more aesthetically attractive, I feel. More pleasing to poke around, generally, for that reason. All of these are kind outside my main 'retro interests', I'd say, things I'm curious about. Mister is nice to explore without spending money.
zxonline.net sells some nice TSConf games. Take a look at The Land of Rustles. it is pretty good.
I was playing a lil' bit with TSConf last weekend, just to get to know it and created a simple demo VHD for it. See attachment and have fun with it.
Used source was https://prods.tslabs.info/index.php?t=1