I have never owned a C64 before, but just acquired one from my neighbor to evaluate and possibly purchase (Serial # S00067211). I have been getting more and more into retro computer tinkering and modding, and I started blogging about my projects at https://blog.codesurfer.dev
I opened the case to test the electrolytic capacitors before powering it up (I also tested the power supply separately), and noticed that all of the ICs are dated 1982 with the possible exception of the PLA, the sticker on it reads "C64 REV 3 8411". Does that mean that the PLA is a 1984 version? Is this a particularly unique/rare version of C64 with collector value, and should I avoid doing any mods on it?
A few interesting things happened when I originally powered this unit up. Firstly, even with the power switch in the "OFF" position, when I connected the power supply to the computer and then plugged the power supply into the outlet, the "POWER" LED came on! Secondly, my monitor registered a signal (the "no signal" prompt went away) but it was the "black screen" that I have read so much about. Needless to say this was bittersweet, I was hoping to see something come up on the screen, but figured, "now I can learn & blog about this C64 while troubleshooting it".
I downloaded a copy of the C64 Service Manual from The Internet Archive, and checking the board schematic saw that the POWER LED should only turn on when the main +5VDC is available. The schematic showed that the power switch interrupts the +5VDC coming from the power brick, and one leg of the 9VAC supplying the other voltages on the board. So I opened it up again, but this time removed the board from the bottom case half and tested the DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) power switch with my multimeter. The switch checked out just fine, so before re-assembling it I connected the POWER LED and then the power brick. This time the LED did not come on until I turned on the power switch! Seeing that I decided to connect the monitor using my DIY Atari 800 A/V cable (The 5 pin DIN pinouts of the C64 and Atari 800 are similar enough to make this possible) and I got a clean yet monochrome screen!!!
Has anyone else experienced something like this? I am thinking about looking for short circuits under the RF shielding before re-assembly. Any advice from the forum is greatly appreciated.