Got my Commodore 64 out of storage! Anything I should know before trying to hook it up again?

if the power supply was overvolting the chances are the computer is fried in some way and needs repairing.it wont take very long to kill one at 12 volts.
but,thats not always the case.so dont worry too much.

you would run the power supply under a dummy load on the 5 volts line for a about 20 minutes using a car brake light is the simplest method i can think of at the moment.
and simply monitor the voltage with your meter set to dc volts,if it cuts out or starts to rise you have problems.
i dont normally bother with the 9 volt rail as its tapped direct from the transformer as ac.

dont use the computer as a load when testing, its a bad expensive mistake bud.
 
I got it all tested, and...

It lives!!

I wanted to post these pics yesterday, but playing some of my old favourites took up my entire evening!

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I took this as soon as it was all hooked up. I was relieved to see that there were no issues apparent.

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This is, I have to admit, probably my favourite C64 game. Of all of them, I've gone back to it the most. It was wonderful to be playing it on my own C64 again.

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The terrible game (with nice music and art, excluding this nightmare-inducing title screen image) from which I take my username here. Ninja Rabbits forces you through multiple loads to reach two title screens, only the second of which actually gets you into the game. The one shown above has an awesome tune with it, but pressing fire to start, as it suggests, actually just makes you sit through another long load-time. The game really needed some extra tweaking to make it worthwhile, though. :p

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Bubble Dizzy! I used to spend hours on this as a kid, but I've gotten a little rusty.

I got distracted by actually playing the games, and didn't take any more photos after these, but rest assured, plenty more games were played. Also, I had to use a spare Mega Drive II controller that I had kicking around for this, as I suspect that my old joystick would not have been especially kind to my wrists. :lol:

Anyhow, I just wanted to say many thanks to you all for all your help and advice, from a lass who's missed her C64 a great deal. :) This is my weekend set, now, so I'm off to play some more games! (I think perhaps more Kwik Snax, and some Bubble Bobble, Jack the Nipper II, and maybe some more of Pitfall II might be a good start...)

Now if anyone could tell me whether the C64 version of Lemmings, with its insane number of tapes, is worth the hassle of tracking down and playing, that'd be great, haha... :lol:
 
Nice! And yeah, the C64 version of Lemmings is well worth it. A spot on conversion and the only 8-bit version of the game to feature all 100 Lemmings on the screen at the same time... when you consider the C64's 8 hardware sprite limit, it's damned impressive!
 
I would use a different controller...the Megadrive pad will fry your CIA!
 
Paradroid90 said:
+1 to confirm what Firthy said. Don't use a megadrive controller on a 64. :thumbsup:
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Unless you have an adapter that protects the CIA. I made one myself so I could use an unmodified MD pad on my C128.
 
Firthy2002 said:
I would use a different controller...the Megadrive pad will fry your CIA!
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Paradroid90 said:
+1 to confirm what Firthy said. Don't use a megadrive controller on a 64. :thumbsup:
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Farnsworth said:
Paradroid90 said:
+1 to confirm what Firthy said. Don't use a megadrive controller on a 64. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Unless you have an adapter that protects the CIA. I made one myself so I could use an unmodified MD pad on my C128.
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Yikes! I didn't know that! :o

For some reason I had it in my head that that applied to the Amiga, not the C64... It's the other way around, isn't it? :dry:

Any suggestions on what sort of joypad is ok to use? I mean, I do still have my trusty old joystick, but it's not exactly the most wrist-friendly of things, so I'd really rather not have to go back to it, haha!

EDIT: Actually, I should clarify a bit more... What sort of joypad is ok, and can be modified so that one of the buttons also triggers up on the d-pad, in order to make platformers properly playable? :p
 
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As far as I know you can use the MD pad with the miggies without any bother. But they can damage your C64. Several keys on the keyboard stop working with a MD pad plugged in which is a good enough reason to take it out! I can give you the details on how to make one of those adapters I mentioned before if you want.
 
I'd appreciate it greatly, but unfortunately it wouldn't do me much good - I've never used a soldering iron in my life, and I imagine one would be necessary for such a thnig. :lol:

Honestly, the MD pad was only a temporary thing. I was hoping to pick up a modified Master System controller, as I actually vastly prefer those!
 
NinjaRabbit said:
I'd appreciate it greatly, but unfortunately it wouldn't do me much good - I've never used a soldering iron in my life, and I imagine one would be necessary for such a thnig. :lol:

Honestly, the MD pad was only a temporary thing. I was hoping to pick up a modified Master System controller, as I actually vastly prefer those!
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Well, if you do need one I could make one up. Just give me a shout.

As far as the Master System controller, it works just fine. I tried one myself but don't really like the standard controllers D-pad. I use my MD pads with my MS too!

---------- Post added at 15:33 ---------- Previous post was at 15:32 ----------
Firthy2002 said:
I think you should be OK with a Master System controller.
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Correct.
 
Thanks very much for the offer. :) I'll hold off for the moment, though, as I'm very likely to hunt down a Master System controller, now.

Actually, on that front, does anyone know what the situation is regarding fire buttons when using those with a C64? I assume that one is ignored? Is that button 1 or 2? (I ask as I'm hoping it's 2, since that would make for a sane, console-esque experience if getting the thing modified for better platforming. :lol: )
 
Since most/all platformers made for joysticks will jump using Up and not Fire, you could rewire the non-working button to go up, so it can be used for jumping. Otherwise it will be quite hard to control.
 
I don't want to say people are talking rubbish, but I've never had problems with Megadrive pads on C64 ..... although I don't use mine that much.
 
roy_bates said:
most software on the 64 uses one fire button.
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I know, and for platformers I've always found that to be absolutely horrendous. :lol: I'm planning on doing what demolition mentions - getting some help modifying the controller so that one button also triggers up.

Pressing up to jump is an evil, evil thing!
 
NinjaRabbit said:
roy_bates said:
most software on the 64 uses one fire button.
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I know, and for platformers I've always found that to be absolutely horrendous. :lol: I'm planning on doing what demolition mentions - getting some help modifying the controller so that one button also triggers up.

Pressing up to jump is an evil, evil thing!
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:lol: i dont like joypads myself.(those diagonals are a pain)

if you could make a joystick you could have it any way you want,it isent too difficult wire up.

as for the up remapped to a fire button,it sounds simple enough.
 
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