Official Software Updates

C64 OS is under active and on-going development.
Get the latest software updates here.


C64 Archiver and Installer.



System updates have never been easier.

Find below the appropriate update for your current version and download the CAR (C64 Archiver) file. Copy the file to a device accessible to C64 OS and double-click it in File Manager. The Installer Utility opens automatically. Click the install button to begin. When it's done, reboot C64 OS.

Installing Software Updates is easy as 1, 2, 3.


Install Updates in the Correct Order

Software updates must be installed in the correct order! There is no check to make sure that what you're installing is appropriate for updating your current version.

  1. Check your current version number. (Utilities Menu → Settings → About)
  2. Install the appropriate update for that version first.
  3. Reboot. (Options Menu → Quit to BASIC → Load and run C64 OS again.)
  4. Repeat from step 1, if there are additional updates to be installed.

RECOMMENDED: Make a backup of your system directory in case something goes wrong, like an unexpected power outage in the middle of updating an important file.



No better way to transport C64 files than in a CAR.

C64 Archiver Icon.

C64 Archiver is an Application for C64 OS that creates archive files that contain C64 files, including all CBM FS metadata and also retains their structure in nested subdirectories. The archive files produced are called CAR files.

CAR files are the standard way of distributing C64 OS software, but can also be used to distribute regular C64 software and other resource files too. Read the C64 Archiver and Installer guide to learn more about how to use these tools and a more detailed description of how to install system updates.




Software Licensing

C64 OS System Updates, regardless of how they are acquired, whether directly from OpCoders Inc. on a physical SD Card, downloaded from c64os.com, or from any other source, are licensed under the same end-user license agreement that governs a commercial copy of C64 OS.

https://www.c64os.com/legal/software-license-agreement/

By downloading C64 OS system updates, you are agreeing to be bound by the software license agreement. C64 OS system updates may not be distributed in any way without the prior written consent of OpCoders Inc.



C64 OS System Updates

System updates will be added here as they become available.

Version 1.04: Multimedia Release

This release introduces a new universal Commodore 64 graphics file format called, Commodore Grafix, or CGFX. It is a RIFF/CGFX container with support for different native and non-native video modes, metadata, format and frame size information. Additionally it supports multiple frames for panoramas, matrices for 3D models and look-around scenes, and short animations up to 256 frames.

Image Viewer receives a major update with support for CGFX. All image datatype loaders have been refactored. New image datatype savers allow you to save any HiRes or MultiColor frame as a custom boot screen. Screen captures now save with their custom character set, and can be viewed with Image Viewer.

The sidplay library gains new support for metadata, and a new Utility, SID Preview, can be used to listen to PSID music files. The sid search webservice at services.c64os.com has been rebuilt offering a searchable database of over 34,000 SIDs from HVSC that have been relocated for compatibility with C64 OS.

Many bugs have been fixed. New drivers for TurboChameleon64 and MMC64. New customizable boot options, and numerous new system-level features and improvements are found throughout.

WARNING: Mind the required version #

Pay attention to the required version # !!

Check your current version number to know which update to install first.

Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
1.04.upd1.0p.car 2023-06-08 1.0p or 1.02 1.04 291 KB, 1148 blocks 7913abc8
1.04.upd1.03.car 2023-06-08 1.03 1.04 205 KB, 806 blocks 5c1fe535

Only one of the update files listed above is required. Choose the one that corresponds with the version of C64 OS which you are updating from.

New Features

  • Commodore Grafix file format. A RIFF/CGFX container format for C64 graphics in multiple modes and formats.
  • Image datatype loader for Commodore Grafix files, with .cgx extension.
  • Image datatype loader for PETSCII Bots, with .pbot extension.
  • Image datatype loader for matrix images in 3D Koala format, with .3dk extension.
  • Image datatype savers for Koala (MultiColor) and Art Studio (HiRes) formats.
  • RTC driver for TurboChameleon64 and MMC64.
  • Boot components, boot.koala.o and boot.art.o for displaying custom bitmap bootscreens.
  • Screen grabs are now saved in PETSCII graphics format v2, which includes the custom character set.
  • Limited support for VICE FS as a legacy device (single directory only.)

Booter and Install Tools

The booter and install tools (c64os, c64os setup, and c64restore) typically reside outside the system directory, in the root directory of the system partition. Updated versions of these have been installed in //os/c64tools/. Although not strictly necessary, after updating to v1.04, it is recommended to copy "//os/c64tools/:c64os" and "//os/c64tools/:c64os setup" to the root directory, overwriting the older versions there.

The new copy of the booter is a clean copy that's not setup. The first time you boot with the new version it'll ask you to confirm you've read the EULA, and will ask you how you want to setup:

  • s) System Card first run (default)

  • f) Fresh installation
  • c) Change installed location

Choose either System Card first run, or Change installed location. After confirming the installed location of C64 OS, the new setup gives the option of running the Configure Tool. It's not a bad idea to run through this at least once to update your core settings, pick available drivers, configure mouse settings, etc. After going through the setup, you do not need to retain a copy of "c64os setup" or "c64restore" in the root directory, as fresh copies of those are found in //os/c64tools/.


Version 1.03: Mounting and Mouse Wheel Release

This release includes some new core features. Mainly, the ability to mount Disk Images in File Manager, and mouse wheel support with new MicroMys mouse driver.

Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
1.03.update.car 2023-01-16 1.02 1.03 90 KB, 356 blocks 3349e5ca

This release includes some new core features. Mainly, the ability to mount Disk Images in File Manager, and mouse wheel support with new MicroMys mouse driver.

New Features

  • New Checksum Utility (CRC8, CRC16, CRC32 on selected file.)
  • New crc32 tool (//os/c64tools/:crc32 computes true CRC32.)
  • New MicroMys mouse driver (port 1.)
  • Mouse wheel support in all Toolkit scroll views.
  • New Mount Utility (mounts disk images to SD2IEC non-boot partitions.)
  • 13 new sample desktop backdrops.

cksum number: 2630579159 See: C64 Archiver and Installer → Versions and Upgrades.

Version 1.02: Installer Bug Fixes Release

This release is very small, it only updates the Installer Utility. It fixes a critical bug that prevented Installer from reliably extracting files with filenames longer than 14 characters.

Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
1.02.update.car 2023-01-16 1.01 1.02 4 KB, 14 blocks 42022f62

This release is very small, it only updates the Installer Utility. It fixes a critical bug that prevented Installer from reliably extracting files with filenames longer than 14 characters.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixes an issue that prevented Installer Utility from updating files with names longer than 14 characters.
  • Fixes an issue copying the note from a CAR file from the Installer Utililty to the clipboard.

cksum number: 1791257261 See: C64 Archiver and Installer → Versions and Upgrades.

Version 1.01: Initial Bug Fixes Release

This release mainly fixes bugs, but also includes a couple new things such as the 1351 port 2 driver and an improved version of the PRG Alias Creator tool.

IDE64 compatibility WARNING

If your current version is 1.0p (the 1.0 patched for IDE64 compatibility) DO NOT install this update, or it will break the 1.0 patch.

Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
1.01.update.car 2022-11-20 1.0 (not 1.0p) 1.01 53 KB, 209 blocks 70a2acfc

New Features

  • bootsect.128 in //os/c64tools/ allows C128 mode to autoboot C64 OS.
  • Added 4 new desktop backdrops: home, door, joystick inv, and settings.
  • Added the default desktop 5 backdrop to the backdrops directory.
  • Added 1351 mouse driver for port 2.

cksum number: 1531689060 See: C64 Archiver and Installer → Versions and Upgrades.

Version 1.0p: Special IDE64 1.0 Patch

This is a special patch that is only required for some IDE64 users, with certain combinations of IDE64 hardware and IDEDOS versions.

Who needs this patch?

This patch is only necessary if you have installed v1.0 on an IDE64, but File Manager crashes upon loading. To solve this problem, follow the instructions below.

Filename Release Date Required Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
ide64patch 2023-06-04 1.0 1.0p 1.6 KB, 7 blocks a06da2fb
init.o 2023-06-04 1.0 1.0p 2 KB, 9 blocks bffe373a
Installer 2023-06-04 1.0 1.0p 3.2 KB, 14 blocks 9980c8ca

Do I need this patch?

You only need this patch if:

  1. You have version 1.0 installed on an IDE64, and
  2. Your installation crashes trying to launch File Manager.

If you are using an IDE64 and the File Manager opens without any issue, you do not require this patch. You can proceed as normal to download and install the software updates as usual.


cksum numbers:

ide64patch: 4048791698
init.o: 4190311738
Installer: 3169850499

See: C64 Archiver and Installer → Versions and Upgrades.

Other C64 OS Software Releases

Other C64 OS software releases are added here as they become available.

Resource and Software bundles come in CARs too.

CARs (C64 Archive files) can also be used for transporting other software and resource bundles, such as collections of media files, like SID music, Commodore Grafix sample packs, and backgrounds for your App Launcher desktops. Double-click a general CAR from the File Manager. It opens the Installer Utility, but shows the type as "General." Click the extract button and a subdirectory full of new stuff is created, right where the CAR file is found.

Extracting Software transported in a CAR is easy as 1, 2, 3.
Filename Release Date C64 OS Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
cgfxsamples1.car 2023-05-06 1.04+ 1.0 1525 KB, 6149 blocks 893e1057

CGFX Samples, Set #1, Includes

  • 6 x Commodore Grafix sample files for use in Image Viewer
  • 1 x 3D Koala, Matrix Image
Filename Release Date C64 OS Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
petsciibots.car 2023-05-06 1.04+ 1.0 231 KB, 931 blocks f8897bbc

PETSCII Bots, Includes

  • Over 2400 Small PETSCII Bots, 5x7 characters
  • 14 x Big PETSCII Bots, 12x16 characters
  • 1 x Original CSDB release README file
Filename Release Date C64 OS Version # Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
backdrops1.car 2023-01-09 1.0+ 1.0 59 KB, 231 blocks acad6174

Backdrops Set #1, Includes

  • 56 x Backdrop samples for use in App Launcher
  • screenedit and savescreen tools

Commodore 64 Software Releases

Other Commodore 64 software releases, that do not require C64 OS, are added here as they become available.

Executable files have no file extension, and should be transferred to the C64 as PRG-type files.

Filename Release Date Platform Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
filecopy 2023-05-29 Commodore 64 1.0 551 bytes, 3 blocks 85e1c6ec
Filecopy: Universal, 2-Drive, 1-File, File Copier.

Filecopy

Universal, 2-Drive, 1-File, File Copier

Copies one file between the current directory and partition of any two devices. Virtually all devices supported. Filecopy is designed to be as barebones and agnostic as possible. It asks for a source device number, a destination device number, a filename, and a target file type: PRG or SEQ. It then copies the file with that name between the two devices. Nothing more, nothing less.

Filename Release Date Platform Version # File Size CRC32 checksum
monitorc 2023-07-20 Commodore 64 1.0 4098 bytes, 17 blocks 434d2334
MonitorC: Versatile Machine Language Monitor.

MonitorC

Versatile Machine Language Monitor

A versatile machine language monitor, one of the most featureful available for the C64. The original author of this tool is unknown. This monitor is from a collection of native development tools for the Commodore 64 available on the public FTP server c64.rulez.org. MonitorC can disassemble code, examine memory contents, load and save blocks of binary data to and from disk, search memory, transfer memory and much more.



Last modified: Sep 21, 2023