C64 newbie here... what are these mods?

[retro486]

Just picked this up and it powers on, but black screen (I'll investigate that separately) but I'm having trouble figuring out what this chip/wire is for...

 

From what I've seen it's a kernal mod but it's dated mid-80's and I don't have anything that fits the plug coming out of it which I'm guessing is for a switch?

 

I've attached some pictures.

 

Thanks!

[carlsson]

Could that be a 1541 Flash! fastloader, early competitor to better known products like JiffyDOS? Skyles Electric Works were quite well known in the Commodore world with various products.

[Mayhem]

https://computerarchive.org/files/comp/hardware/commodore/1541_Flash_Mega_Command_Kernal_Instruction_Manual.pdf

[retro486]

Looks like that is indeed it, but all the documentation I can find (including at the computerarchive.org link above, thanks for that!) is about the drive mod itself (sadly I'm lacking the CableCard cartridge so I can't use this mod and have an SD2IEC module on the way). Not much info on the computer mod or the wiring.

 

Does this patch the code on the original chip or fully replace it? At this point I'm guessing best course of action would be to simply remove the mod and pick up something like JiffyDOS instead. Or go stock though the 901227 chip in there looks a little chewed up...

[retro486]

Alright well I removed them and restored the original chips and after a lot of tweaking finally got video in BW then more tweaking and I got color back! Fixed the floppy drive too (multiple issues). If anyone wants these bits (the fast loader parts, not the floppy drive) or would trade for a NTSC games floppy or two I'd be up for it... Again, I don't have the special cartridge these connect to...

Edited June 23, 2017 by retro486

[ApolloBoy]

While you're at it I'd highly recommend replacing the kernal ROMs in both the C64 and 1541 with JiffyDOS. It doesn't require a special cartridge and it vastly improves disk load times.

[retro486]

I've got an Epyx Fast Load cart coming. Two actually, and an action replay I think (unlabeled red cart with two buttons).

[motrucker]

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

 

 

[7800fan]

Some cartridge even supports JiffyDOS