motrucker
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Posts posted by motrucker
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On 3/9/2021 at 11:30 PM, KG7PFS said:I'm just courious, does anyone else here use the C128 in 128 mode? Or am I the only one?
I still use a C-128 only in 128 mode, for programming, GEOS, spreadsheets, even word processing every now and then. I even use CP/M (with the REU) for dBase II.
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I sold an almost complete C-128 keyboard with the top case just a couple of months back (it had one broken F-Key). Maybe I should have asked more for it.
I've been looking for C-128 keyboard parts, and I am surprised how unavailable they are today.
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On 2/13/2021 at 11:37 PM, KG7PFS said:By "F-key" I meant F1/F2, F3/F4, etc. The plunger in this auction is exactly not what I need - but have several of. Anyway, I'll check Lemon64. Thanks.
I really need to get new glasses. Sorry for the bum steer.
The C-128D keyboards are currently selling for around $300.00 plus shipping
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You might try asking on Lemon64. There are a couple of people there who have 3D printers, that may not venture over here. Worth a shot, anyway.
Wish I could help more......
These would get you half way there;
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On 2/4/2021 at 4:31 PM, Finn Mac said:I didn't find a ViewTronic N4, instead I opted for something from 8 bit classics:
That's a long way from VGA. Hope you're happy with it.
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On 1/25/2021 at 4:18 PM, Finn Mac said:Oh man thank you for the kind offer. Ended up getting one from America. About the same price I think. Thank you that was so nice though
Did you find a ViewTronic N4? They are great, but, do NOT loose the remote! It will drive nuts without the remote.
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By the other side, I mean if it's on the right side, try it on the left side of the monitor - obviously with several inches in between. However, if you're only having trouble with a couple of disks, it's most likely the disks causing the trouble, and not the position of the drive.
The only original disk I have of the what's giving you grief is Castle Wolfenstein. It has a "noisy" copy protection scheme (bangs the head a bit), but loads OK on my 1571 (I don't have a working 1541 right now). My guess is that this disk may have some damage on it.
Do you have a friend with a 1541 that you could load your disks on? either their system, or their drive. That's most likely the easiest way to test for bad disks.
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9 hours ago, tjlazer said:Keep the drive away from any monitors too, they can get lots of read errors from the CRT.
You might even have to move your 1541 to the other side of your monitor to stop errors. This used to be common knowledge, I don't know what happened.
Are these game disks original, or copies? Some times even "good" copies can create problems loading.
5 ¼ disks can last quite well, but don't store then in a hot, humid environment. It will kill them. I have a few Elephant brand disks that date from the 1980s, and are still going strong.
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Some where back in this thread it was noted that the C-64 was sold at Toys R Us in the early '90s (with a cost to Commodore of $5.00 per). I wish I could remember what the C-64 sold for from that outlet....
Toys R Us also sold the C-128 Dcr for $189.97 - until at least 1994. (I bought three at that price).
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On 1/11/2021 at 10:01 AM, Flack said:Neither CSDB nor Assembly (I think) include cracked copies of games that are currently commercially available. The only place I've seen them are on BBSes, and getting them that way is a cumbersome process that involves multiple jumps depending on how you connect to the BBS. I downloaded one or two so I could comment on them for Sprite Castle and it wasn't worth the hassle. It's less of a hassle to just buy the cheap ones.
I tend to agree with this opinion. Why steal the currently available software, when you can buy it?
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Do you know which C-64C you have? There are two very different versions, one with what is referred to as the short board, motherboard, the other uses an older, breadbin type motherboard.
You can usually tell by where the Commodore graphics symbols are located on the keys. If they are on the front of the keys, it's the older type motherboard. (this holds true if the computer is in original condition) The newer, short board, will last longer without problems from the chips.
Get a new PSU though. Don't trust those old Commodore units under any circumstances!
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My only objection to the KeeLog PSU for the C-64 is it isn't powerful enough to run an REU. It's a shame they don't make a more powerful model.
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The old ViewSonic N4 video scaler output a great VGA display - if you find one. They haven't been made for a while, but do show up on ebay or other sellers. Most owners will not part with their units however.
https://www.ebay.com/i/303813212366?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=303813212366&targetid=4580153133025503&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=403206328&mkgroupid=1224856168411808&rlsatarget=pla-4580153133025503&abcId=9300372&merchantid=51291&msclkid=b1aa3b2497761d162bb15b28ebc24bb7
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I have one of the re-issued cartridges from Corei64, and I love it. Thomas Christoph is very passionate about his work in the 8 bit hardware field for Commodore 64. You will not find a better person to deal with either.
He is quite often found on lemon 64.
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Ispic was mentioned a few posts back. That cartridge is back on the market from this site;
https://corei64.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=65_70&product_id=52
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18 hours ago, carlsson said:For an overview of Commodore monitors, the original manufacturers and which chassis is used on each:
https://gona.mactar.hu/Commodore/monitor/Commodore_monitors_by_model_number.html
This is very overrated site, specially if you are looking for a user's manual. Lodes of holes. You are better off searching for the PDF manual on sites like DLH Bombjack.
None of these will help finding a used monitor though.
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Any luck finding a replacement? If not, I might be able to help, if I knew your location.
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I did not own one of these, but a very close friend did buy one. I am referring to the Mimic Spartan (a full Apple ][ emulator for the C-64.
They took so long to actually ship, they were considered a scam for quite a while - But when they finally shipped, they amazed the C-64 world!
They worked, and were slightly cheaper than a "real" Apple ][.
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You also need to take into account the fact that Commodore had two crooks who had gained control of the company. In the Ali/Gould era, very little made sense in the workings of Commodore International.
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17 minutes ago, krslam said:Wow,that one rings a bell but a quick google/ebay search turned up nothing. Got any pictures?
I don't. I lost that cartridge in a fire, years ago. It's really hard to find any info on that cartridge too. I also had a S'mores cartridge (Cardco, IIRC) that also added some RAM. I have seen the Radar Basic on ebay once, about ten years ago, but was beat by a "collector". These were all early ways to add some RAM to the C-64.
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Any one else remember The Radar Basic Cartridge? It added about 20Kb to the C-64. It also had a tape fast loader, showing its European heritage.
I bought one at a World of Commodore Show (in Philadelphia Pa., ages back there) from a Software Hut stand.
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Blue Chip also made a 1571 clone. It was crap too. Glad I didn't actually pay for that one......
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I've been using Commodore 8 bit hardware since most of it came out. I have had consistent bad "luck" with the 1084 and it's variants. I have gotten much better service from the Commodore 1080 monitor with both an Amiga, and the C-128. The 1080 does not have stereo sound output, but that shouldn't be a problem.
I even prefer the 2002 to the 1084. I generally have much better performance from the 2002, and rarely have any problems.
The problems I see most on the 1084, are bad flyback, and the on/off switch failing - there are others, but these two seem to happen a lot!
So, I would recommend changing the monitor you use.
If you go with the 1902, they work rather well, but be careful of the 1902a - they usually aren't as sharp, and can have problems.
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If you are only playing games, then the added RAM is a waste. Many C-128 users use GEOS, CP/M, or other serious software - in those cases the extra RAM is great to have.
The U1541+ also is great, but you can get a 2Mb GeoRAM card for a lot less. Just use the 1571 for a disk drive.
If you're only playing games, why are you even using a C-128?
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VIC 20 Multislot Expander
in Commodore 8-bit Computers
Posted
Expanders for the VIC are hard to find these days. This is all I could find;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-vic-20-Game-Slot-Expander/254937728035?hash=item3b5b790423:g:evYAAOSwkZ5gcw69