Hello friends!

Got really fortunate and found a working C64. Went and picked it up today. What should I be doing before turning it on?

Some stuff I have in mind:

- New power brick
- Replacing the capacitors
- Ultimate-II+

Also, if there is any software you recommend, I definitely want to hear about it too :)

Be safe out there,
Andre

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Hi Andre!

27 Feb 2021 21:05, from Andre Medeiros -> All:

Got really fortunate and found a working C64.

There are many offered on Ebay here.
Prices wen up slightly, but you can still make bargains.

What should I be doing before turning it on?

I never did anything before turning them on.
Naturally if something looks damaged, you should check before turning on, but otherwise I had no issues with turning it on.

Commodore power bricks are said to be bad quality.
But all of mine work fine. (I have just one wedge PSU, the others are the newer brick shape)

Having a 1541 Ultimate is definitely a good idea!

But it might be even better to go the UItimate 64 route.
It is a replacement mainboard, that has a 1541 ultimate built in.
You take out the C64 mainboard and replace it with the Ultimate 64 board.
It has all ports that the C64 has (for the user port you need a special cable). As the user port is used to have HDMI, USB and Ethernet jacks.

It is powered by a modern 9V PSU that is included.

The Ultimate 64 is absolutely genius!!
No worries about PSUs and you can also attach HDMI if you want.
(regular Monitor output also available, our you can also use component video). No RF modulator, but who needs that if you have HDMI available.

Also, if there is any software you recommend, I definitely want to
hear about it too :)

Well there is a lot of good old and new SW.

I assembled an EasyFlash cart once:
https://menedetter.net/ez-ricsi.crt

You need an EasyFlash cart or a Ultimate64 or 1541 Ultimate to check it.
But you can unpack the EZ and take the single programs, if you look around.

CU, Ricsi

... Character is what you are. Reputation is what people think you are.
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Hey Richard,

Commodore power bricks are said to be bad quality.

This is what I've heard too, so I'll stay clear of the one that comes with it and wait for a new one that is much better built.

Having a 1541 Ultimate is definitely a good idea!

That's what I thought. It's a great piece of kit.

But it might be even better to go the UItimate 64 route.

I thought about that, but 1) desoldering all those chips is going to be a paaaaaain (I'm already at my skill limit with the caps), and 2) I wanted to try and keep it as stock as possible. I'm sure you can relate :)

I assembled an EasyFlash cart once:
https://menedetter.net/ez-ricsi.crt

Oh dope! Didn't know you could do this. I definitely want to try and keep it as stock as possible but once I get "bored" I might try this out. Of course, another $80 I shouldn't be spending ;-)

Thanks for the advice and insight.

- Andre

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Hi Andre!

28 Feb 2021 01:17, from Andre Medeiros -> Richard Menedetter:

But it might be even better to go the UItimate 64 route.

I thought about that, but 1) desoldering all those chips is going to
be a paaaaaain (I'm already at my skill limit with the caps), and 2) I wanted to try and keep it as stock as possible. I'm sure you can
relate :)

No de/soldering needed.
I assume that you are talking about SID.
Most SID chips are socketed.
But the Ultimate 64 SID emulation is great, and I did not populate the SID sockets on the U64. (SID chip is still in the mainboard that I removed from the case)

In regard to keeping it original, well for me personally the U64 is the better choice.
HDMI out, normal 9V DC power brick.
Everything operational as on a normal C64 + built in 1541U.

CU, Ricsi

... Pioneers are the guys out in front with arrows in their chests.
--- GoldED+/LNX
* Origin: Surprise your boss. Get to work on time. (2:310/31)

Am 27.02.21 schrieb Andre Medeiros@1:105/420 in CLASSIC_COMPUTER:

Hallo Andre,

What should I be doing before turning it on?

I would recommend to get a new PSU, because especially the "doorstep"
models are known to be unreliable, especially after all the years.
It could happen that due to the old parts, the output voltage rises and
thus fries your C64 board.

And as these PSUs are filled with epoxy, it is also impossible to replace
eg. capacitors inside... :-(

Besides that, the board should work, I guess. You can look on YouTube, as
far as I know Jan Beta did some nice videos on "future-proofing" 64s.

On the software and accessories side, the U2+ is a great module with lots
of features - I would highly recommend it.
Using the U2+, you can also can also call BBSes, you just need a terminal program (and I don't know the name at the moment).
So you don't need a userport WiFi modem.

Regards,
Anna

--- OpenXP 5.0.48
* Origin: Imzadi Box Point (2:240/5824.1)

Hello Andre.

28 Feb 21 01:17, you wrote to Richard Menedetter:

I assembled an EasyFlash cart once:
https://menedetter.net/ez-ricsi.crt

Oh dope! Didn't know you could do this. I definitely want to try and
keep it as stock as possible but once I get "bored" I might try this
out. Of course, another $80 I shouldn't be spending ;-)

If you want to go cheap, you can get an SD2IEC and then you can use
and SD card to transfer the D64 files. Altough it has some limitations,
not all the games and demos will run.

Later if you decide, i strongly recommend the EZFlash too :)

regards,
Daniel

--- GoldED+/EMX 1.1.4.7
* Origin: Roon's BBS - Budapest, HU - telnet://bbs.studio64.hu:1212 (2:371/52)

Hello Andre.

Replying to a msg dated 27 Feb 21 21:05, from you to All.

Ah and forgot to mention that there is a CBM echo also ;)

regards,
Daniel

--- GoldED+/EMX 1.1.4.7
* Origin: Roon's BBS - Budapest, HU - telnet://bbs.studio64.hu:1212 (2:371/52)

Andre Medeiros wrote to All <=-

- New power brick

I did this for my C-64 and have never regretted it.

- Replacing the capacitors

I would suggest not replacing them for the sake of replacing them.

If they are leaking or show any other signs of going bad, then certainly, replace them. Otherwise, leave them alone.

You will get much better value of putting heat sinks on the chips.

Also, if there is any software you recommend, I definitely want to hear about it too :)

The Internet Archive has loads. It's truely amazing how much software (some of it new!) is still available for the C-64.


... Maybe they'll send you a free upgrade...NOT!
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Richard Menedetter wrote to Andre Medeiros <=-

Commodore power bricks are said to be bad quality.
But all of mine work fine. (I have just one wedge PSU, the others are
the newer brick shape)

I picked up 2 C-64s at an estate sale recently. Before using them, I tested the power supplies.
One worked fine. The other was certainly bad.

It's definitely hit and miss on the power supplies. But "real" C-64s are only getting more and more rare and I'd hate
to see one die because of a poor power supply.


... If you can't make it good, make it expensive.
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Hi all,

Lots of good suggestions. I've decided to switch and go with the U64 board instead. That way I can keep the C64 board as-is, and still get the full experience :)

Now if only I could make time go by faster ;)

Be safe!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/01/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (1:105/420)

Andre Medeiros wrote to All <=-

Lots of good suggestions. I've decided to switch and go with the U64
board instead. That way I can keep the C64 board as-is, and still get
the full experience :)

Now if only I could make time go by faster ;)

Stick around. When you get to be a genuine old fart you'll find that it
goes faster than you'd like. Bv)=

Be safe!

So .... you've been eating hot dogs, McRibs and McChickens all your
life, but don't want the vaccine because "you don't know what's in it"?


... MS-DOS=Christianity; Mac=Bhuddism; Amiga=Pagan sex magick

--- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
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Stick around. When you get to be a genuine old fart you'll find that it goes faster than you'd like. Bv)=

Wise words!

So .... you've been eating hot dogs, McRibs and McChickens all your
life, but don't want the vaccine because "you don't know what's in it"?

I... uh, that's totally not what I meant!

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