Some Commie questions

From: Gil Parrish <107765.1161_at_compuserve.com>
Date: Tue Jul 15 08:58:34 1997

Message text written by INTERNET:classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu
>The C=128 does not need any kind of bootfloppy, it will start up in C=128
mode. if you type GO64, it reverts to a C=64 kernal.<

You can also hold down the Commodore key (looks like "C=" in the lower
lefthand corner) while you turn it on, and it will come up in 64 mode.

> the 128 has RF output accessable from the RCA jack, a 5
pin DIN video connector that provides composite, or seperated video plus
sound.<

The 128 has an 8-pin DIN connector, as do the later 64s. A 5-pin cable
will work, but for the best possible separated composite picture, an 8-pin
cable will do better.
 
>also there is a RGB 9 pin DSUB connector so you can use ANY CGA
monitor for 80 col. for the 1702, you need a video cable(looks like you
have
this), and use the separated mode for sharper graphics.<

The 1702 is composite only. Later Commodore monitors, like the 1902, were
composite/RGB switchable. However, pin 7 of the 9-pin 128 video connector
puts out a monochrome composite signal, which (with your own hacked cable)
allows you to view the 128's 80-column signal (normally viewable only with
an RGB monitor) on a composite monitor like the 1702.

>Nope. unless you want to run CPM<

Or GEOS, which is kinda like Windows. Some of the more advanced Commodore
software (like the fax program) runs under GEOS.

>>The next question would be, is it worth trying to repair a C64's power
supply? I got two of them yesterday, both powersupplies are dead. It
looks like the 5V line is shorted to ground. <<

>if it is potted, NOPE. some are unpotted and can be fixed.<

The 64 power supply isn't going to do him much good on a 128; the power
supplies have different connectors, and the 64 supplies aren't as strong as
the 128 supplies. As to potted supplies, I have fixed one or two; some
have fuses up close to the top of the gunk, and it is possible to scrape
away enough of the gunk on each end to bypass the fuse if that is the
problem. But as to whether it is worth the effort, I'd agree-- usually it
isn't. I'm not sure what they pot it with, but starships could use it for
deflector shields!

Gil Parrish
107765.1161_at_compuserve.com
Received on Tue Jul 15 1997 - 08:58:34 BST