C64 Regenerator 1.7

Disk images can be loaded into memory using a tool for the Commodore 64 called Regenerator. This review is on version 1.7. It can be downloaded with a simple Google search. It was created by Tomas Kaz. Essentially, it is primarily used to load PRG and VICE Snapshot files into an editor within Windows or Linux, which allows the assembly language listings to be viewed. This article is an extraction of several reviews found on the Internet and some of my own experience with it.

The screens are divided into two sections. On the left hand side you will see the editor window. When you first load up the tool, you will be presented with a black, blank screen. However you can use the Load Button on the right panel to retrieve a program from your hard drive or device. For this example review, I will be discussing a file loaded from WinVICE, known as a snapshot image.

For this example, I have loaded the Commodore 64 game Ghostbusters into the editor. You will soon see the assembly language listing appear in the left window. It is divided into several areas of importance. Starting at the far left corner you will see a line number. Then next is the memory address location for each specific instruction, data or table reference. Proceeding this is an area reserved for the bytes at that specific address and tabbed to the right is the specific instruction or data contained in memory.

According to the author as written in a lemon64.com review. Each system contains into own configuration file. Within this are text files for the labels, excludes, and comments section. A new directory can be created within Config/Systems path.

It can manage files with the 64tass, .PRG, .ROM. and even .BIN files. The editor allows live commenting that can be saved to disk, illegal opcode codes, .WORD lookup tables, go to reference label, remove parameter label, has the ability to manage hi/lo labels, etc.

The editor also allows for several types of navigation. There is a scroll bar for the left panel window that can be utilized with a mouse. The mouse can also scroll through listings with the middle button. It also allows for quick screen views by using the Page Up and Page Down keys. This is the best way to quickly scroll through large segments of the file in memory by just holding down the keys in the direction you want to move to.

On the right is an area where you can turn segments on and off. These are listed as Use illegal Opcodes, Comment illegals, change JAM to .BYTE, use Labels, use Excludes files, use Predefined file, use JMP/JSR comments, use other comment, use for Long Bytes, BRK single byte, patch BRK, display BIN immediates, include discarded data, and use tabs. So checking and unchecking these will include or exclude those options for the Regenerator editor.

Searching the editor can be performed easily. First in the right hand panel there is a Search button. When clicked it brings a Search String dialogue window that accepts a string that can scan your document. One of the more popular search features is with the JumpTo button. After clicking this, you are presented with a dialogue button that allows you to jump to an address in the editor by entering the hex address. An example to quickly jump to the starting address for the Ghostbusters game is 3300. You could also enter $3300 to get the same result.

As I learn more information, I will include it in this article. So stay tuned to this website for future information. However, I highly recommend this tool to accomplish a goal of learning about assembly language listings.