motrucker

Right now I am using a C-128 that had 16Kb of video RAM, but has had the Chip Level Design board added, and it now has 64Kb according to all of the software I use with this computer. There is a cap on this board, that doesn't seem to be on the C-128 motherboard, but I am not 100% sure of that. I do know this board works. (The only chips on the board are two 41464 RAM chips.) Best way to answer any question about this, would be to ask Bil Herd, on his site. http://c128.com/

Another site you might find helpful is: http://www.melon64.com/forum/index.php?sid=61ef32d5a71cf5672737f51f3279982a While there are loads of cartridge games availble, you might want to read up on using a real disk drive too. Along with of the new SD card readers, and super cartridges, it can be handy to have a real disk drive too.

It should also be noted that JiffyDOS is still available from Jim Brain at Retro Inovations; http://store.go4retro.com/jiffydos-kernal-rom-overlay-ic/ There are a couple of sellers on ebay who offer switchless versions, so you don't have to drill a hole in your computer, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-VIC-20-NTSC-switchless-JIFFYDOS-KERNAL-with-clips-NO-DRILLING/162712903434?hash=item25e271df0a:g:zwsAAOSwUuFWt4Zq aaascrapdogsunlimited is an excellent firm to deal with. (I have no connection with them).

And you all wonder how these things gain traction........

It's that simple. Just replace the 16K chips with the 64K chips There are only two chips to replace.

The only version (port?) of this game I could ever play for more than 30 seconds without getting bored to tears was Better Dead than Alien for the Amiiga.

I am sorry my posts were so cut & pasted together, but right now my arthritis is so bad I can't hardly type at all. C-64 users are lucky these days, that they can get modern versions of the PLA (Look on "http://www.melon64.com/forum/index.php?sid=61ef32d5a71cf5672737f51f3279982a")and even the 8701 replacement for good prices. The C-64 hasn't had it this good in years. I personally use a 1764 PSU on my C-64, so don't worry about this aspect of the computer. But these are extremely hard to find these days.

There have been more than a few projects putting a C-128D(cr) into a PC tower case. "redrumloa" (from amiga.org and lemon64.com) made at least one of these, that even included a Super CPU: http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35343 Interesting project. There might be another, newer idea in the works as we speak.

I never said "the power supply will cook everything on the board". However, if the regulator goes out, it can sure take out all of the RAM chips, and maybe an IC or two. The following is a quote of Ray Carlen's site; "The worst and most destructive PS failure is caused by a bad regulator that shorts out internally so its input voltage (more than 11 volts) is passed directly to its output! Most semiconductors (transistors and IC's) inside the computer run at 5 volts DC and can withstand a minor voltage overload without damage... but some cannot. The eight RAM chips in a C64 are especially vulnerable to over-voltage damage. Those IC's have an "absolute maximum rating" of 5.5 volts and are quickly destroyed above that maximum level. I've seen several CBM bricks that always worked normally when cold but would output excessive voltage when warm. Those supplies went on to damage several users computers because the owners didn't realize the fault was repeatable. Any PS brick failure means it must be replaced, preferably with something better if available." I have worked with Commodore equipment since about 1982, and have seen more than a few C-64s suffer this fate. I live in the U.S., so all of 64s I have worked on were using North American type power supplies. These epoxy filled beasts are downright dangerous to use today, period.

I couldn't find a photo, but I believe the MSD drives were made with this orientation too.

If anyone has questions concerning the C-64 power supplies, North American or not, check on Ray Carlsens sight: http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/ This is the best source of Commodore 8 bit information you can find.

So, you're saying the Ray Carlsen, along with most people who work on the C-64 are wrong? Then why do they bother with this device? (or something similar) http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cables.html

I would imagine you all have seen this: http://www.pcgamer.com/commodore-64-mini-will-come-with-64-games-and-a-classic-style-joystick/ Looks like part of this thing is working........

There are loads of 80 columns programs for this machine. Just use 128 and CP/M modes. There are ways to get to VGA, but the C-64 side doesn't like these at all. Very poor quality displays in most cases. The easiest display is to use an old Commodore monitor that was made for the C-128 - from the 1902, to the 2002, 1080, or 1084/1084S. These give a excellent 40 colum, C-64 display, and a very good 80 column display for 128 and CP/M. What ever you use, The Gnobes adapters are crap. You're throwing money away with these devices. The C-128 is a very interesting machine, from its BASIC 7, to many possible hardware upgrades.

Do indeed try cleaning the drives before you assume they are broken. Be careful with the 1571 drives - they are a little different to work with, since they have the second head. That top head can be fragile as all h*ll! I personally prefer to clean my 1571s with a cleaning disk, rather than a swab. Hope you find some working drives after cleaning....

IIRC, the Retro Replay does use the same routines as the older Action Replay. It's faster than Jiffy DOS, but not quite as compatible. Of course Jiffy DOS has the advantage of leaving the cartridge port empty. But. Retro Replay is a good performer.

Some of the comments right here can make me cringe!

I don't know why so many people believe that the C-64c all have different motherboards than the breadbin model. They don't. The first C-64c machines had the same board, chip for chip as the latest model Breadbins. The same SID and all. There are cost reducing boards that were introduced, ending with the "short" board which is quite different.

You could use a joystick switcher, to change the active port at the touch of a button - either from SkydivinGirl or COREi64. http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59117&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=165

Can't stress replacing the PSU enough. In North American they are refereed to as the brick of death. The U1541 II is great, but there other options that work well too. It's still quite handy to have a disk drive on hand, something like the 1541 II. There are loads of hardware options for the C-64, so there are many opinions on what to use. A lot depends on what you want to do with the system. Check out www.lemon64.com too. Between these two sites you'll find everything you need.

Don't forget Melon64. It was started back when Lemon64 was down for a while, but has it's own identity. One of the best for tech stuff. http://www.melon64.com/forum/index.php?sid=61ef32d5a71cf5672737f51f3279982a

There are more than a few sites for Commodore news....... Such as; http://www.commodore-news.com/news/index/1/en

Just a quick note - not all Jiffy DOS ROMS need, or use a switch. A switchless version exists, so you don't have to drill a hole in your 8 bit's case. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-C64C-short-board-switchless-JIFFYDOS-with-clips-NO-DRILLING-/161761760176?hash=item25a9c093b0:g:~hkAAOSw5cNYSc7Q

What, no Tee shirts?

In all honesty, Jiffy DOS is light years ahead of other routines. Fast, compatible, and leaves the cartridge port open.