motrucker

How can any best games list for the C-64 be without Wizball,?

I've been using C-64s since 1983, and C-128s since 1986, and I have found the C-128 much more dependable. Oddly enough the C-128Dcr had power supply problems every now and then. I have C-64s, C-64Cs, and C-128s. The C-128 is the only machine I currently use.

If you do buy one of these, this is the guy to buy it from. Great person to deal with!

Great article, that gets many, if not most, of the facts wrong. Rather short sighted too, since there are so many other devices to take pot shots at. Popular Mechanics may have a great magazine in the 1930's and 1940's, but its day has long gone. The day that Hearst bought the publication back in the mid-fifties was it's total downfall.

It's amazing what can still be found at swap meets, flea markets, yard sales, etc.. when it comes to eight bit hardware and/or software. My last find was a working 1571 drive for a whopping $5.00 at a local flea market, just this past week end. It included the 1571 test demo disk, and cables.

If you use the Viewsonic, NextVision N6 and have lost your remote, they are available from time to time on ebay; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Viewsonic-NextVision-N6-HD-VideoProcessor-Remote-/152506999418?hash=item238220227a:g:ungAAOSwrddY7RiF I still have not seen any video device that can compare to this unit's output to any LCD/LED display we have tested it on. It may not be cheap, but it really works quite well with a C-64.

Both of these power supplies are dangerous to use however! Should not be used without a computer saver, or Sav64 unit.

You will have a hard time testing much with no way to load software. About the best you can do is what you have done, but, without a cartridge so you can boot to the 128 mode. Will your monitor support the 80 column mode? You should test that too. You can't use them, but did you get the disk set that came with the C-128? That included the CP/M software. You will discover how much you need a floppy drive, even with the SD device. The 1571 is an excellent drive - maybe the best Commodore ever made. Goes well with this machine.

If you are going to rely completely on an SDIEC device, are you planning on using the 128 mode? I also use a 1571 drive so I can handle real floppies when I run across them. There are a couple of older cartridges that can be used with both C-64 and C-128 modes of this machine. Warp Speed and Mach 128 will work in both modes. For speeding up serial access, Jiffy DOS is, hands down, the best way to go. You can get this from Retro Innovations (Jim Brain) or from this outlet for a switchless version: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-128DCR-switchless-JIFFYDOS-KERNAL-with-clips-NO-DRILLING-/161870675453?hash=item25b03e7dfd:g:xgYAAOSw5ZBWLo9I This ebay seller is great to work with, and will ship world wide. Good luck with your C-128.

It boils down to, how much do you want to spend? The 1541 Ultimate 2+ is great, but is more expensive than the SD devices, but totally emulates the 1541 commands. If you go with a "real" disk drive, there are loads of cartridges to speed up commands, and add all sorts or features. Even with these new additions, having a real disk drive can be extremely handy. Most likely the very first thing, is to get either a computer saver : http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63219 Or get a new power supply. You question also boils down to what you are going to use the computer for. Just playing games doesn't require a lot, other fields may. You should check out Amibay's for sale forums for ideas for what is currently available new and used.

Despite eightbit's being so against the C-128, it is a good machine with fewer real, and potential problems than the C-64. But, I wasn't cutting down the C-64 - it's great as far as it goes. He almost makes me wonder why so many people use the C-128.

One of those carts is in a thread right here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/264415-another-run-of-vic-20-final-expansion-possible/ You should check out Lemon 64 too: http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62339&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60 A chap named Mongooseman has some very interesting ideas for a VIC 20 and C-64 cartridge. Look towards the end of that thread.

Anything you get from this lady will be first class!

The best advice I could give is - don't buy one! Get a C-128/C-128Dcr instead. It's a much better machine, and it works as a real C-64 too. The C-128's power supply will not kill the computer if it goes up, the 128 mode is amazing in 80 columns (this requires a Commodore 1080/1084 or 2002 monitor) and also has CP/M. You can use, and take full advantage of the 1571 disk drive (none of the 1541's problems), to just mention a couple of things. I have both, and rarely use my C-64 these days. A word of warning about the TI 99/4A. They are, indeed, nice computers - IF you get the expansion chassis with the keyboard, so you can have the RAM expansion, disk drives, etc... The basic keyboard unit, can use only cartridges, and is a very limited "system".

I use a box that isn't VGA, but works really well getting an excellent display to a flat screen LCD/LED screen. It's the ViewSonic NextVision N6. This is rather old technology now, but the bottom line is that it works! It used to be quite expensive, and still brings about $100 for a NOS unit. This is one of those things you have to see to believe. I can't invite you all over, but here's some info: http://www.hk.viewsonic.com/en/products/advancedtv/nextvision_n6.php I just did a search of ebay, but they don't have a single new unit right now. You have to do some hunting - but It's worth the effort. A word of warning though - do not loose the remote. Some options can extreme hard to access without it.

You can use Ray's basic PSU for your setup, as long as you stick to basic stuff, you're fine.

C-128 power supplies are bringing about $50.00 on ebay these days: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Commodore-DSP-128-Power-Supply-128-310416-1-9V-1A-Tested-Working-/322476538859?hash=item4b15197beb:g:sSAAAOSwhQhY3VCW I would suggest buying one of Ray Carlsen's units instead. http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/custom%20ps.html The C-128 is a great 8 bit computer - Enjoy it.

I still use Super Shapshot 4, Final Cartridge III+, and I just bought a new Isepic cartridge, with all of the software and manual. They are available through Lemon 64 and ebay - nice find, very well made!: http://www.jameco.com/shop/StoreCatalogDrillDownView?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&freeText=grommets&search_type=jamecoall

Feel like you're on merry go round yet? In all of the years I have been using the C-64 and C-128, I have never seen a source code for Speedscript. You might have to contact the original author on this one.....

Sounds like you really like the +4! I had one years ago, even had the 1551 drive - but the thing went up after three weeks. I fixed it, and improved the cooling, but it only last another couple of months. Call me a quitter, but I gave up. As far as I am concerned, the main problem with this computer is that it dies to easily.

Jim Brain's unit may not be as pretty, but it work well, and you can count on real support if you need it (you most likely will not). Retro Inovations has an excellent track record.

I would go one step farther, and say rather than being hesitant to swap chips, don't do it! Specially if you're just shooting in the dark. Although the PLA might be a logical pick, there are plenty of other chips that may have gone up. You can buy a PLAnkton from a guy on Melon64 and Amibay. It's the most likely the best PLA replacement these days. There are diagnostic cartridges you can buy, but to start- why not check this out first. http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/Tips/c64_tips.htm Hope this helps.....

I would go one step farther, and say rather than being hesitant to swap chips, don't do it! Specially if you're just shooting in the dark. Although the PLA might be a logical pick, there are plenty of other chips that have gone up. You can buy a PLAnkton from a guy on Melon64 and Amibay. It's the most likely the best PLA replacement these days. There are diagnostic cartridges you can buy, but to start- why not check this out first. http://www.commodore.ca/manuals/Tips/c64_tips.htm Hope this helps.....

Q-Link even had a deal that let Commodore User Groups get online either really cheap or free (can't remember which), but since I was the Newsletter Editor back then for our group, I logged on throught that account to get the latest "news". I remember how fast my new 2400 baud modem was back then. All in all, I think we were more productive through our local BBS, and Fido Net. It wasn't as much fun as Q-Link though.