The ISEPIC from Starpoint Software in USA is an extension
cartridge
Cartridge may refer to:
Objects
* Cartridge (firearms), a type of modern ammunition
* ROM cartridge, a removable component in an electronic device
* Cartridge (respirator), a type of filter used in respirators
Other uses
* Cartridge (surname) Ca ...
which was introduced in June 1985 for the
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, is an 8-bit home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International (first shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, January 7–10, 1982, in Las Vegas). It has been listed in the Guinness ...
. It offers the capability to
memory dump software regardless of the implementation scheme or storage medium. The resulting snapshot can be tested before saving.
Snapshots require ISEPIC to run. The cartridge vanished at the end of 1985 but still sold 20,000 units around the world, mostly by word of mouth at local computer clubs and niche magazines.
A major factor is the 2 kB RAM that could be reprogrammed And thus allowed the user to change its functionality. The 2 kB RAM is memory banked into a 256-byte page at 0xDF00 – 0xDFFF.
Reception
''
Ahoy!'' in October 1985 stated that "the ramifications of
SEPIC
The single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) is a type of DC/DC converter that allows the electrical potential (voltage) at its output to be greater than, less than, or equal to that at its input. The output of the SEPIC is controlled by t ...
are startling, to say the least". While warning readers against violating copyright, the magazine discussed the cartridge's ability to both produce snapshots that required the cartridge to boot, and help users modify snapshots to produce standalone versions of programs ("In the tradition of the true hacker, these routines also
display the ''Isepic'' logo while booting the program").
In a review of two other memory dumpers in March 1986, the magazine stated that they were superior: "While ISEPIC did not do bad as a forerunner, it does not measure up to the products reviewed here" which, among other improvements, produced standalone snapshots.
See also
*
Trilogic Expert Cartridge - A later cartridge with 8 kB RAM
References
External links
c64.org - ISEPIC
Home computer peripherals
Commodore 64
{{microcompu-stub