Wanted: Vic-20 Computer

[Tempest]

Looks like my Vic-20 decided to take a dive on me (the video is all messed up and the colors are really wrong), so I'm in the market for a new one. I don't need the power supply or anything else but the system itself. Shoot me a PM with your price.

[RickR]

Could just be the RF cable that has gone bad. Before you buy a new VIC-20, get yourself a composite cable and see if that fixes it.

[Tempest]

I tried two different ones (including one I know that works), and got the same issue. The video is very distorted and the screen is mostly red and gray. I can see the BASIC screen and even type, but it's seriously messed up looking. I thought I smelled something funny when I turned it on, maybe it was something frying?

[akator]

I tried two different ones (including one I know that works), and got the same issue. The video is very distorted and the screen is mostly red and gray. I can see the BASIC screen and even type, but it's seriously messed up looking. I thought I smelled something funny when I turned it on, maybe it was something frying?

 

I had that happen a few months ago with those exact same symptoms of screen and color distortion. It was the TV.

[Tempest]

But I tried it on two different monitors with two different cables. They can't both be bad (actually I know they work because my MSX looked just fine on them).

[RickR]

Yeah, sounds like you've done a good round of parts swapping. Hopefully, you find a nice new VIC quickly.

[Mirage]

If you knew what specific IC was bad (if that is in fact the issue), I could look to see if I have a spare one (I may or may not, I have a lot more 64 ICs than I do Vic-specific ones). If it comes to that, let me know. Maybe one of the troubleshooting guides online (sorry, I don't have a link handy) would guide you in the direction of what IC is bad. Sounds to me like it could be the VIC chip itself, but I suppose it's possible it could be a different one.

[Tempest]

I got a more stable picture on the Vic-20, but the colors are still all wrong and the keyboard seems to be screwed. This is what happened when I typed QWERTY

 

[RickR]

You sure the shift-lock key isn't down?

[Tempest]

You sure the shift-lock key isn't down?

I'll check, but what about the colors?

[Tempest]

I think I've decided that I'll pop open the Vic-20 tonight and see if there's a burnt chip. If not, I'll reseat the chips I can and see if that fixes the problem. Failing that I'll just sell my Denial Mega Cart and be done with it. I never really used the Vic-20 anyway so why am I getting a new one? Maybe I can trade the Mega Cart for a nice JiffyDos C-64 setup?

[+Gemintronic]

No promises but I'll see what I've got in my collection. I may have a loose Vic-20.

[akator]

I have a VIC-20 that I'm willing to let go of. It's a model with the colored label, using the same power supply as the C-64. Tested and working, but the case is pretty yellowed and is chipped near the power connector. Of course, if the case on yours is better you could simply swap cases for a prettier computer

 

[Tempest]

Let me see if I can fix it tonight, otherwise shoot me an offer. I'm still hesitant to spend a lot of money on a new one since I never really used it in the first place.

[Tempest]

Further tests on my Vic-20 indicate that it's working (games seem to play), but the colors are still messed up. No idea why. Nothing looks amiss on the inside.

[Tempest]

Bump?

[+Gemintronic]

I'm a bit lame. Forgot to check my stash last night. Will look tonight for my Vic 20.

[+Psionic]

If you end up getting rid of this unit, let me know. I have a working machine with a non-working controller port and I could use the parts. Alternatively, if you (or anyone else) want to take this one off my hands, let me know.

[Tempest]

If you end up getting rid of this unit, let me know. I have a working machine with a non-working controller port and I could use the parts. Alternatively, if you (or anyone else) want to take this one off my hands, let me know.

Normally I'd say that I'd snag your broken one to fix mine, but since I'm not sure what's wrong with mine I need to do a 100% board swap and I don't think I have the skills to desolder a controller port.

[+Psionic]

Normally I'd say that I'd snag your broken one to fix mine, but since I'm not sure what's wrong with mine I need to do a 100% board swap and I don't think I have the skills to desolder a controller port.

 

I'm not sure exactly what's wrong with the controller port on this one either. It could be one or more of the pins on the port itself, or it could be an issue with the chip inside. All I know is that if you play a game, the action button on the joystick works normally but you can't move anywhere. (Paddles work fine, as I recall.)

[Mirage]

A bad PLA will cause the joysticks to not work as well. Those are usually socketed. As for Tempest's VIC IC, those are often socketed as well. I have seen both of these soldered though.

[Tempest]

I've been told that I might want to adjust the color pot inside the VIC. I'm going to try that this weekend and see if that helps.