Commodore 64...what do get?

[in99flames]

So...last week I was out of the country visiting a friend in Europe. His family gave me their Commodore 64 (PAL version)with the disk drive(1541 model). I never had one of these...nor do I know what to start with. I am missing the cable to connect the disk drive to the Commodore itself. I appears to be a standard DIN port similar to the Genesis 1's video port.

  I know it was very popular in the early 80s but I never had one. I do not have any programs or games. Can i hook this up to my TV? It appears I can but I figured I would try to ask someone that would know more about them before I attempt things. Also..What should I get for it? Thanks :-)

[in99flames]

Aah! Ok. Ill look into those. I appreciate the input. Its been a computer/game system I've wanted it for a bit but never knew much about it.

[MrBroadway]

What other systems from that era do you have? I'd recommend getting Colecovision versions for most ports (some are best on 2600, some on C64, some on 5200, but most on CV).

As for C64 itself, get Bard's Tale, Creatures, Creatures 2, Giana Sisters, Jumpman Jr., Maniac Mansion, Sword of Fargoal, Turrican/Turrican II (no music, so listen to the Amiga version in the background while you play), Maniac Mansion, and the Ultima series.

Also get this: http://www.1541ultimate.net/content/index.php

[bob]

well, paradroid is a must have classic

[Arkhan]

Check out the chameleon addon cart.


Gateway to apshai, space taxi, last ninja, project firestarter!

[ClodBuster]

Can i hook this up to my TV?

This should help:
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/A/V_Jack

Available video signals:
Composite video (CVBS)
S-Video (YC)

Regardless if you use a TV, suitable Commodore monitor, or some other professional monitor (PVM, BVM), they need to be able to be compatible with PAL signals for your machine. Since your machine outputs a video signal at 50 Hz refresh rate and PAL color standard.

[in99flames]

This is great information. Thank you guys! I had no clue maniac mansion and ultima are on C64....this is good news to me haha. Ive read a bit seeing that there are a ton of good games for it....im going to explore a bit now with these suggestions.

From that era...not many unfortunately. I have a lot of consoles but this early era is what I am lacking. I have an Odyssey 2, intellivision, an atari pong, and a dayya marume 2000 game system(obscure pong clone from the 70s). I dont have any original Ataris yet.

I was just happy this was given to me.  I also didnt realize how much of a following there is for this thing too.  The only drawback is that I am using a step-up converter to power it since it is PAL...but i heard a normal US power adapter will power it no problem. I dont know though.

[Arkhan]

Just get a usa c64.   Theyre like ten bucks lol.   

[ccovell]

For the time being, try to find a cheap SD2IEC unit for sale online.  This can let you download any program or .D64 disk image from the 'net and load it from a virtual disk.  For games that don't load from SD2IEC (because of fastloaders or copy protection), well, use the real disk drive you have.

You're lucky to have a PAL model.  Most action games & scene demos target PAL machines.

Oh, and try to find an EPYX fastloader cart ASAP (if your C64 doesn't have a fast load cart/JiffyDOS ROM already); it'll preserve your sanity as the C64 disk data rate is glacial...

[Dicer]

For the time being, try to find a cheap SD2IEC unit for sale online.  This can let you download any program or .D64 disk image from the 'net and load it from a virtual disk.  For games that don't load from SD2IEC (because of fastloaders or copy protection), well, use the real disk drive you have.

You're lucky to have a PAL model.  Most action games & scene demos target PAL machines.

Oh, and try to find an EPYX fastloader cart ASAP (if your C64 doesn't have a fast load cart/JiffyDOS ROM already); it'll preserve your sanity as the C64 disk data rate is glacial...

This and a jiffydos and you'll be pretty well set...

[in99flames]

Hmmm alright. Well i just popped it on for the first time. I tested the power supply with a multimeter...its outputting 5.21v DC. I hear thats borderline bad. Ill look into fixing.
 I have it connected with an NES RF adapter(for now) and despite a fuzzy image...it came online!!! It also came online with an apparent infamous error..."?out of memory Error in 0" then the next line says "ready.".....hmmm needs RAM repair apparently.


Edit: its outputting 5.21v DC at the plug...that should be ok actually as it will drop a little going through the unit if im not mistaken...

[ClodBuster]

Regarding the power supply, the C64 wiki provides information for you, too:

https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Power_Supply_Connector
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Power_Supply

The Commodore 64 is supplied by an external power supply unit via the power supply connector. It needs 5V DC voltage and 9V AC voltage. The 5V DC voltage should fluctuacte in a range of 4.95 to 5.10 Volt, else the C64 will not work properly. The power supply normally produces a voltage slightly higher than 5V, because of a small resistor between the voltage regulator and ground in the power supply.

also:

Owners of a C64 using an original power supply should regularly (for example, once a year) check the 5V DC function of their power supplies, as they tend to produce higher voltages as they wear out. Because the C64 almost directly uses the 5V to power its chips, higher voltages can become dangerous for the Commodore 64. If you measure the voltage of your power supply, you should interpret this as follows:
4.95 - 5.1V   Power supply functions normally
5.1 - 5.2V   Minor concern, measure the power supply more often
5.2 - 5.5   The power supply is failing. You Commodore 64 will not die right away, but it is an unhealthy situation. Replacement or repair of the power supply is recommended.
5.5 - 6V   Your Commodore 64 is in danger.
>6V    In most situations where a Commodore 64 got killed by its power supply, the voltage had risen above 6V. Usually the RAM memory gets damaged first.

[in99flames]

Yea....maybe ill repair the power supply. Cant hurt. It needs memory chips anyways at this point. Maybe ill get lucky and. By fixing the power supply itll correct the error too.

[in99flames]

Ok not working on that power supply....after prying off the bottom all i got is a huge solid block of 30 year old epoxy. Not happening.

[Galder]

ULTIMA IV