JiffyDOS vs. Fastload Cartridge?

[JiffyDOS vs. Fastload Cartridge?]

Jiffy DOS has the most compatible set of routines, But I also use Warp Speed every now and then, it's an excellent fast loader with excellent utilities built in.

 

[Breadbin Repair - Black Screen]

1 hour ago, carlsson said:

So is the SDrive-MAX a 100% solution for the Atari 8-bits? In the lower price range for the Commodore you have the SD2IEC and uIEC/SD type devices but as you know those have certain limitations if you have come across a library of original floppy disk images or scene demos. I suppose the UK1541 might be an middle of the road solution but I don't know if it still is in production.

 

But yes, the Pi1541 is intended for people who already have a suitable spare RPi to connect it to. I agree that if you factor in all costs, it isn't quite as cheap as it first may look.

The Pi1541 is definitely aimed more towards tinkerers with a drawer full of Pi, Tinker Boards, etc. . A very nice 1541 alternative though.

 

[Vic-20 Disk Drive?]

Here in the 'States, there were loads of disk based programs, including many games. Was Europe really that much different?

 

 

[Breadbin Repair - Black Screen]

Did you order the test harness with your dead test cartridge? Without the harness it will not tell you a lot.

ps - The PLAnkton replacement PLA is the best choice out there. It works with everything and gives off no heat!

 

 

[Greatest C64 gaming moment?]

On 3/27/2018 at 12:14 AM, OLD CS1 said:

 

 

 

BROTHERS!

 

So long ago... 1991, I think. A buddy of mine and I played this a lot on the weekends and we finally won the game. Oh, when time was disposable.

 

But my best C64 gaming memories: Gunship after school. I am not sure what drew us to do this, but I had a friend who would come over to my place after school and we would play a mission of Gunship each. Was a total blast. What a fantastic game. I later got hooked on Ballblazer.

I don't hear many people talk about Ballblazer. I played that one on the C-64 and the Atari 5200. I was so hooked on that game - and Joust (only on the 5200)

[Breadbin Repair - Black Screen]

Have you checked all of the RAM chips? It's not uncommon for a bad PSU to take them all out. Also check the PLA

If we knew the motherboard version it might help too.

 

 

[Why is the C64 so hard to use/emulate?]

The "which port" issue is out the window if you have a legit copy of the game. The manuals always told you which port to use.

 

[House game?]

 

Does the dog ever foul the floor?

[C64 cartridge ports: What the heck?]

The PSU issues were why Commodore created the special power supply unit for the 1764 REU. Great unit if you can still find one.

This is a thread from Lemon64 mostly on the topic of Cartridge expanders, but it touches on other ideas too.

 

https://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59536

 

Cartridges were quite popular with the C-64 and C-128 machines. If the cartridge was used too much problems could surface, but unless you are unlucky enough to get a secondary school system, no problems should show up.

There were hundreds of cartridges for the C-64 in many fields, not only games, but from music, to graphics, to various utilities.

 

 

[Shift-Clr/Home: More 8-Bit Thoughts In A GigaBit World (fwd)]

 

So do you live in cave too and travel hours on foot to the local library just post on AtariAge?

I hope you didn't damage your little brain thinking that one up. Amazon is the reason, I don't deal with them. Usually this isn't a problem, and actually saves me money.

BTW - I ride a bike that will easily top 170mph - to just give you an idea how far off your assumptions are. Always dangerous assuming things......

[Shift-Clr/Home: More 8-Bit Thoughts In A GigaBit World (fwd)]

Why are so many people shooting themselves in the foot, choosing Amazon.com to market their latest and greatest? Don't you all realize how many of us C= user refuse to deal with the devil (Amazon.crap). Good luck anyway. I may have enjoyed the read.......

 

 

[New C64C Owner - Bulletproofing/Upgrades?]

If this C-64c still has the original power supply, get rid of it! I agree that Ray Carlsen makes great power supplies.An excellent choice.

I doubt you will need to change any caps. They rarely go bad in a 64. That's a problem with later model Amiga machines.

A good heat sink on the PLA wouldn't hurt (if it's an original).

 

 

 

[Vintage Commodore 128 Personal Computer Handbook]

 

Been boycotting Amazon since Bezo's "1-Click" patent. I saw it as a blatant attempt to abuse the patent system and my grudge did not expire with the patent.

 

If it is a print-on-demand book then supply should not be a problem. I am glad to see Robert spreading the word.

I've had a problem with Amazon long before his 1-click crap. I refuse to buy from them, period.

I wasn't belittling RobertB about posting so many places. I just thought it funny he hit so many sites! I am all for spreading the word about C-128 news. Mine still gets used almost every day.

[Vintage Commodore 128 Personal Computer Handbook]

Available any place other than Amazon?

You don't like Amazon either? Funny though - when I searched this book, apparently RobertB has pasted his post on every Commodore site in the world ! I hope and pray it will be available some where else.

[I'm Getting My First C64, And I Have Questions]

If you haven't already bought RAM chips, this is a pretty good deal on ebay; (not my sale though)

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-KM4164B-15-64Kx1-Dynamic-RAM-DRAM-4164-Commodore-Apple-Oric-ZX-Pravetz/183722288512?hash=item2ac6b3a580:g:~UcAAOSwctJcAyx-

 

Also, a note on that cardboard "heat sink" in your C-64. Many people remove that beast. It traps in heat, and does little else. If you happen to have any chips running really hot, use individual IC heat sinks.

If you need CIA chips in the future, I can spare one or two.

 

.

[C64 system value?]

The point about the early Commodore printers is that they were terrible printers, with no descenders. Their output was just plain awful!. I used to use a Star Printer and an Epson LX 90 that looked quite good. There were even early Ink Jets with Centronics interfaces that could be used with the C-64.

But the Commodore 801 and 803 were awful.

[What is this adapter for the C64?]

But, almost all printer interfaces used the serial port, from the well known (?) Cardco +G to the Xetex Super Graphix..

There was a GEOS printer interface that used the user port, but not many others.

 

 

[replacements for 1541 floppy drive on c64]

Here's one option for the Pi1541. This seller is makes very good quality projects. If you already have a spare Raspberry Pi 3+ this makes it easy.

 

https://corei64.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=199

 

 

[30+ years later ... back on the C64 wagon]

Even if you use an SD option for your C-64, I believe a real floppy is still important. The 1541 II is a much better choice than the regular 1541. Personally, I use 1571 drives.

But, give the 1541 II a serious look. It isn't plagued by the many problems the 1541 is known for.

 

 

[New Commodore 128 for 64 case]

I suppose I could build a circuit to pull the signals necessary for an RGBI port. For that matter a daughter board sitting under the 8563 which could take the RGBI outputs and do some simple conversions. Anyway, just brain-oozing.

I don't see why, after dropping $300.00 we should still have to adapt anything. This might a great idea for some, just not me. I'll stick with the old C-128 with the extra video RAM.

[full size "the 64" coming]

I am rather confused myself at this point, but if this new model with the keyboard only has three USB ports and the HDMI output, I have zero interest. I thought at the least they were going to have a cartridge port and user port, and "maybe" the IEC port.

My wallet will feel better though......

 

 

[full size "the 64" coming]

So it doesn't look like any legacy joystick ports, IEC port, cartridge support, tape support. I don't know if either of those ever were promised, but from my horizon it looks like a THEC64 Mini but with onboard full size keyboard and that's it. While I do realize the desire for the mini version (which never was intended from the start), I can't get excited about a full size version. You probably could gut an original C64, install the mini motherboard and use some interface like a Keyrah or C=key to interface the original keyboard with the mini motherboard.

 

OTOH I don't understand the excitement for the Ultimate 64 or even C64 Reloaded as well, so perhaps I'm simply out of the market scope for all of these...

There's quite a flame thread over on lemon 64 about this product. The lack of all of the originally promised (??) ports is quite an issue.

I was given a 64mini, and I am not impressed. But, I tend to enjoy using some real software, even on the old C-64, and C-128 - so i am out of this marketing idea too.

[C64 cartridge ports: What the heck?]

This sort of problem is a great reason to use a cartridge expander! Save much wear and tear on the computer's cartridge port.

Fortunately there is great expander still being made;

 

https://store.go4retro.com/x-pander-3-slot-cartridge-port-expander/

 

This great device will save you all sorts of headaches!

 

 

[I'm Getting My First C64, And I Have Questions]

I just read this thread, and didn't see a reference to Ray Carlsen's site for help. If I missed it, sorry, but this is an excellent source of Commodore knowledge, for everything from the VIC 20 through the C-128 in the 8 bit world.

 

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/

 

 

 

 

[Commodore 64 questions]

I would second the point about the danger of using those old power supplies. Get a new PSU from Ray Carlsen;

 

http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/

 

He also sells a device called the Computer Saver, that works with your old power supply, not allowing it to kill your computer. His site is full of great information concerning the C-64 (and other C= models).