From the early KIM-1 to the modern C64-DTV.
A few examples are: KIM-1, PET-2001, VIC20, C64, C128, Plus/4, C16, the Amiga series, the PC series, C64-DTV, C-one and many special editions.
From the big CBM 5,25" drives to the relative small 3,5'' 1581 for the C64/128.
A few examples are: 8050, VC-1540, 1541, 1541-II, 1570, 1571, 1581, 1551, Oceanic, A1010, A590.
This was a cost effective way of storing data.
Best known are the C2N, 1530 and the 1531.
Most Commodore computers can use a TV-set as display but a monitor gave a better picture.
A few examples are: 1701, 1081, 1084, 1402, 1930, 1950.
Games need a joystick to play. The best joysticks had micro switches such as the Competition Pro and the Arcade.
If you want to publish your work you need a printer. In the beginning there were only simple dot matrix printers. But later the inkjet made perfect prints.
Games and utillities were available as cartridge.
A few examples are: Final Cartridge, Power cartridge, EPYX fast load cartridge and many accelerators for the Amigas.
A way to store your data was the diskette. Many games came on diskettes. But more were copied (illegal) to diskettes.
In the beginning loading was slow. But after the tape turbo's speeded the loading 10x problems were over.
Commodore started with calculators. The first were mecahnical adders. Later came the LED and LCD calculators.
Many books were written for the Commodore computers and devices. From manuals to programming languages.
Everything that did not fit in a category is placed here.
Articles about Commodore computers, emulators, hardware, software, hacking, diskette and cassette data transfer and more.
New in my Commodore collection. I'm still collecting Commodore items.
Brochures from many Commodore items.
Latest news:
Maziacs is a new game for the Commodore Plus/4. This game was originally released in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum and was programmed by Don Priestley. Now the game is converted by Kichy and ASN for the Plus/4. In the game you need to find a treasure in a big maze. You need to find food for energy and swords to fight the monsters.
The Commodore Info Page has reached the milestone of 200 Commodore sightings. And number 200 is a special one. In a episode of the Channel 4 computer-show, 4 Computer Buff's, you can see Jack Tramiel. He talks about the new range of computers from Atari. Other examples of sightings are: Airwolf, Buck Rogers, Derrick, Futurama, Knight Rider, MacGyver, Magnum PI, Miami Vice, Police Academy 3, Red Dwarf, Sesame Street, Star Trek, The IT crowd and Wayne's World.
Richard Bayliss released a new version of the 1984 game Bionik Granny. In this game Granny has to clobber people in the street to get her hands on coins. But beware of people throwing things or shoot at Granny. The game has 8 levels and can be played on the Commodore 64.
Artur Jarosik released an update of the Amiga 68k web browser NetSurf. In this update the support for cookies is now included. NetSurf is a HTML 4.01 and CSS2.1 compatible browser with Bookmarks, Theme and Favorite buttons, Unicode support, Getvideo plugin, Site downloads and a Search bar. Requirements are: AmigaOS 3.x, Picasso/CGX, 64 MByte and a 020 CPU or better.
C64web has made a web page where you can download a disk image with the latest Contiki OS. you can fill in you internet configuration and choose which Ethernet card you are using. Contiki v2.4 contains the following programs: dhcp client, web server, web browser, wget, smtp client, irc client and a Twitter client.
In this German pdf and jpg magazine the following articles: Bild des Monats, AmigaONE X1000, Interview mit Güther Walter, Commodore USA, Joystick reparieren, Drei schlechte Ideen, Power Knete Tips, Trash Design, Commodore Meeting 2010, Leser-Diskussion, Spectrum Magazin Interview, Commodore Vorseriengeräte, Compitition Pro, Amiga 3000T and Burning Rubber.
The Pocket 1541 is a emulator for the 1541 disk drive. Pocket 1541 uses a SD card to store your data, supported formats are: D64, M2I, PRG, D71, D81 and P00. The firmware is based on the open source SD2IEC firmware. The device has four buttons and a LCD screen that can be used to navigate to the required files on the SD card. Visit the web page for more information. (The page is in Italian which you can translate with the help of Google-Translate.)
MIRKOSOFT released an update of his C128 System Information program. With this program you can detect which type of hardware is used in your Commodore C128. On Miro's web page you can find lots of information for the Commodore C128 and software like: CommOS 2008, aceDOS128 v1.1, Enhanced Keyboard 2.1 and Sprite Designer v2.4.
Jack Tramiel was born in Poland. He survived the concentration camps of World War II. In the year 1948 he emigrated to the United States. He joined the US army and became a typewriter repair man. In 1952 Jack left the army to set up his own company. It was just a little store that would repair typewriters and he didn't make that much money.
In 1955 he got a contract to assemble typewriter for a Czechoslovakian company. In Canada he met C. Powell Morgan who wanted to put money into the new company. With this deal Jack founded the company "COMMODORE". A few years later in 1962 Commodore went public. In 1965 there was trouble. The financial company of C. Powell Morgan went bankrupt and Commodore was in financial trouble. The next year a new money man was found by the name of Irving Gould.
In the sixties Commodore starting to make mechanical calculators and later electronic calculators. The first computers came after Commodore bought the company MOS in 1976. With this deal Commodore could make it's own chips for the calculators and get in the new world of computers.
The VIC 20 was the colorful future of Commodore. The VIC-20 was the first computer from Commodore that had color. In 1980 the president of Commodore (Jack Tramiel) gave an order to his designers to design a cheap computer. Jack feared stiff competition from competitors from Japan on the cheap home computer market. In stead of waiting for the competition he started the battle himself. He gave the order to design a computer that would cost no more than $300,-- and they had to have it ready in 9 months.
The VIC-20 was designed by Commodore Japan. In 1981 the first VIC-20s rolled of the assembly lines. Strange is that the VIC-20 does not have the same name all over the world. In Japan the VIC-20 is called the VIC-1001. In Germany it's called the VC-20. But in de rest of the world it's called the VIC-20. Why the VIC-20 in Germany is called the VC-20 is not clear but it would probably be short for Volks Computer.
The VIC-20 was a success right from the start. The production could only just keep up with the demand. At the top of production 9.000 VIC-20s rolled of the production lines per day. The competition did not know what hit them. They couldn't believe the introduction price of $300,--. The competition was pushed out of the market almost completely when the price dropped to only $130,-- in the next two years.
The Commodore 64 is the most known Commodore but why?
With the introduction of the C64 the computer made contact with ordinary people. Not only corporations or universities but everybody could now afford a computer with amazing capabilities. The predecessors of the C64 the PET / CBM range and the VIC20 already made there appearance with business and electronics wizards. The C64 was there at the right moment, had the right capabilities and the price was phenomenal. The introduction price was half of that of the competition. In the beginning the C64 cost about the same to produce as what it was sold for in the shops. But the large production numbers made the production cost drop to a very low level. The very good sales figures also improved to the availability of many books, programs and hardware.
Commodore never put a lot of money into advertising. There motto was If it's good it will sell it self. The sales of Commodore almost pushed the competition out of the market. The only competitor that could keep up was Atari. Commodore was the biggest computer firm in the world for a while. The exact sales figures of the C64 were never released but they are estimated to be about 22 million. And that is a official world record. The C64 is the world most sold "home computer". And because nobody makes "home computer" anymore the record will stand forever.
On the picture you can see the revision A C64. This was the first version of the C64 but after discovering a error in this C64 all were recalled to the factory. This model can be recognized by the silver logos. Only a few escaped the recall and are now collectors items. The C64 was in production from 1982 until 1992.
The Commodore 264 is not actually a computer but it's a model range. This range of computers consist of the C16, C116, Plus/4 and the prototypes 232, 264 and the 364.
The name 264 was used for the first proto type of this range and is printed on most of the serial tags at the bottom of the computers. After the success of the Commodore 64 and the end of the VIC 20 production it was time to develop a new computer range.
The exact reasons for the 264 range are not clear. Some sources say that it was the successor of the VIC20. But there are also sources that tell that is was intended to compete with the Sinclair Spectrum or Timex as it was called in the USA. And if you take a look at the C116 that you will see similarities with the Spectrum. The target was to build a cheap computer like the C116 and the C16 with above that the advanced version with bigger memory and build in programs like the Plus/4. The proto type 364 was a Plus/4 with a bigger keyboard and a processor that could produce spoken words. The 264 series was also a attempt to get into the professional market. This was the main task of the Plus/4 with build in programs like a word processor, spreadsheet, database and a graphical program. The strange thing is that all the three models (C16, C116 and the Plus 4) use a different motherboard.
The C64 DTV is a joystick with a complete C64 Commodore inside. And it also contains about 30 games. It can be connected to a TV. The power supply for the DTV are 4 "pen-light" batteries. DTV stands for Direct-to-TV. What means that you can connect the DTV directly to your TV and don't need any extras.
On the photo the first version of the C64 DTV. This is a NTSC version. The first generation is packed in a pyramid shape box. The second generation has a hexagonal shape box.
There are a few possibilities with the DTV that are not in the manual. These are called software hacks. Below a list of these possibilities.
On the picture an attempt to find extra connections on the ASIC of the C64 - DTV.
This DTV is dead, it was one of the first that was destroyed.
RIP 17-feb-2005.
This article is about hacking a C64 DTV-1 (NTSC version). The following will be added: IEC (disk drive), keyboard and two joysticks. The C64 DTV-1 will be connected to an 1571 disk drive.
This hack is not simple but can be done with some basic tools:
- Mini drilling machine like a Dremel.
- Some drills an cutters.
- A couple of needle files, screwdrivers.
- Small pliers, mini saw, ect.
- Soldering iron for electronics (Weller WECP-20)
- Multi-meter with V, A, Ohm, "beep"
This article is about hacking a C64 DTV-2 (PAL version). The following will be added: IEC (disk drive), keyboard external power-supply and two joysticks. The C64 DTV-2 will be connected to a small box with all the connectors.
This hack is not simple but can be done with some basic tools:
- Mini drilling machine like a Dremel.
- Some drills an cutters.
- A couple of needle files, screwdrivers.
- Small pliers, mini saw, ect.
- Soldering iron for electronics (Weller WECP-20)
- Multi-meter with V, A, Ohm, "beep"
This article is about hacking a C64 DTV-2 (PAL version). The following will be added: 1541-III, keyboard, external power-supply and two joysticks.
This hack is not simple but can be done with some basic tools:
- Mini drilling machine like a Dremel.
- Some drills an cutters.
- A couple of needle files, screwdrivers.
- Small pliers, mini saw, etc.
- Soldering iron for electronics (Weller WECP-20)
- Multi-meter with V, A, Ohm, "beep"
This article is about hacking a C64 DTV-2 (PAL version). The following will be added: IEC (disk drive), keyboard external power-supply and two joysticks. This DTV has an color-fix added. The C64 DTV-2 will build inside a new box.
This hack is not simple but can be done with some basic tools:
- Mini drilling machine like a Dremel.
- Some drills an cutters.
- A couple of needle files, screwdrivers.
- Small pliers, mini saw, etc.
- Soldering iron for electronics (Weller WECP-20)
- Multi-meter with V, A, Ohm, "beep"
The C-one is a reconfigurable computer. It has two FPGA's as processors. You can put a program inside the FPGA's. The program can emulate a processor. For example it can act like a C64 including all the chips inside the C64.
On this page I will show the step-by-step build of my C-one into a case including a hard-disk, 3,5" and 1541 disk-drive.
This page is dedicated to my Xtreme Commodore Logo. The decision to build the Xtreme Commodore Logo was taken after the Retro Computer Day in the Netherlands 2005. I was one of the people who had a stand and had a few of my Commodore computers on display. I had five working Commodore's on display and a couple of collectors items such as the C65, Max and the VIC 1001.
Strangely a stand next to my stand had a lot of visitors. But this stand had only one computer. It was a Vectrex game console. The Vectrex had a beautiful display. It was a big bubble on a stand. I noticed that the display itself pulled more visitors than the computer itself.
Knowing this I had to come up with something like that myself. The idea of the Xtreme Commodore Logo was born inside my head. I kept on thinking about it for about a month. Then I got started and the result you can see on the photo. And yes there is a Commodore computer inside the logo.
You can use Commodore computers for about every application. But almost every application has an interaction with the user. For these interactions you need a input device. The most well known is of course the keyboard. But there are also others such as the : joystick, paddle, mouse, touch pad and external keyboards like a piano keyboard. It is also possible to "read" switches or sensors via the different ports but these are not mentioned here.
Input devices have changed in the years. Sometimes only the shape like the keyboard. The mouse traded it's ball for a light what was the best thing ever. In the beginning joysticks had only 5 switches but nowadays you need the manual to learn and use all the options. And the latest fashion is to go wireless.
On the picture the Game mate 2 joystick set. This was one of the first remote devices available for the Commodore computers (also for other brands). Each joystick had a battery powered transmitter. And the receiver was connected to the computer such as the C64.
It is possible to transfer a diskette from a 1541, 1540, 1570, 1571 or 1581 disk drive to a PC. The opposite is also possible. For the transfer you need a special cable. There are different kinds but the most common are the X1541 and XE1541 cables. The X1541 is the simple version and works fine with older PCs. But with modern PCs the X1541 cable doesn't always work. For these PCs the XE1541 cable is a better option. You can also use a XE1541 cable with older PC's.
This article will explain how to build a X1541 cable. It is easy if you have some basic soldering skills. But also for the in-experienced people this is a nice starting project.
The X1541 cable is developed by Leopoldo Ghielmetti.
It is possible to transfer a diskette from a 1541, 1540, 1570, 1571 or 1581 disk drive to a PC. The opposite is also possible. For the transfer you need a special cable. There are different kinds but the most common are the X1541 and XE1541 cables. The X1541 is the simple version and works fine with older PCs. But with modern PCs the X1541 cable doesn't always work. For these PCs the XE1541 cable is a better option. You can also use a XE1541 cable with older PC's.
This article will explain how to build a XE1541 cable. It is easy if you have some basic soldering skills. But also for the in-experienced people this is a nice starting project.
The XE1541 cable is developed by Nicolas Welte and Wolfgang Moser.
Almost all of the Commodore 8 bit computers have a datassette connection. The only exceptions I can think of are the C64 Games System and it's successor the C64 DTV. The datassette was a cheap alternative to the disk drive and was sold by the millions. Most (budget) games for the C64 were sold on tape.
So you have a great collection of original tapes or made programs yourself on tape and want to use them on an emulator. This page will describe how it is possible to read the tapes into your modern PC. You need to build (or buy) a interface that connects an original Datassette to your PC.
VICE stands for Versatile Commodore Emulator. VICE provides emulation of the Commodore C64, C128, VIC20, PET, PLUS4 and CBM-II computers within a single package.
So what's an emulator? Some people say it's the only useful thing a modern PC can do. Emulation is making a computer do the same thing another computer does.
The modern PC can act like it is a Commodore 64. The program that does this trick is called an emulator. For the Commodore range of Computers there are several emulators available. VICE is a very good emulator and is kept up to date by a very enthusiastic team of programmers all around the world. Another advantage of VICE is that it can emulate about all of the 8-bit Commodore computers.
Not only the computer itself is fully emulated but also the diskdrive, datassette and printer. Besides software on virtual cassettes and virtual diskettes you can also use memory expansions, cartridges and much more.
VICE can be run on many platforms, at the moment VICE can be used on the following platforms: Unix, MS-DOS, Win32, OS/2, Acorn RISC OS, BeOS, QNX 6.x, Amiga, GP2X or Mac OSX.
CCS64 is an emulation of the Commodore C64, 1541 disk drive and the datassette C2N in a complete package.
So what's an emulator? Some people say it's the only useful thing a modern PC can do. Emulation is making a computer do the same thing another computer does.
The modern PC can act like it is a Commodore 64. The program that does this trick is called an emulator. For the Commodore range of Computers there are several emulators available. CCS64 is a very good emulator and is programmed by Per Håkan Sundell.
Not only the computer itself is fully emulated but also the disk drive, datassette and printer. Besides software on virtual cassettes and virtual diskettes you can also use memory expansions, cartridges and much more.
CCS64 can be used with DOS and Windows 95, 98, NT, 2k and XP.
In the past years I have collected many Commodore computers and related items. In the beginning I had all items in a storage space because I could not put it in my home.
To keep track of the items I started the www.commodore-info.com web page. This page made it possible for me what I already had or not.
But when I got a bigger house I started to make my museum. This is a report about building the museum.
Inside a CDi player is a special IC where games can store data. This data is stored even when the CDi player is switched off. The data is normally the high-score list of the game.
After a number of years the high-scores are not stored anymore. The Timekeeper IC does not function anymore. A simple solution is to replace the IC in the CDi player. But what is wrong with the Timekeeper IC? The IC is a RAM memory with it's own battery. This battery keeps the data inside the RAM available. Sadly after a number of years the battery will be empty.
On the picture you can see the inside of the CDi player. This is a Philips CDi-210 player. The red arrow points to the Timekeeper IC (M48T08 150). Click on the picture for a bigger version.
You are watching tv, and you spot a Commodore computer. In this article you can see these pictures. You can also read some background information about the tv-series, movie, music-video, arcade-game etc.
Click on the pictures for a bigger version.
Number of spotted Commodore's: 200 !!!
New:
- 4 Computer Buff's
- Les visiteurs
- Die Akte Enterprise
- Wiseguy
- Air Crash Investigation
- Desmond's
- Matlock
- Trödeltrupp
- Wardogs
- Computerzeit - ARD
- Computerfieber - NDR
You are watching tv, and you spot a Commodore computer. In this article you can see these pictures. You can also read some background information about the tv-series, movie, music-video, arcade-game etc.
Click on the pictures for a bigger version.
This article is about controlling a car wash with the help of a Commodore C64.
The car wash is a product from the company Staudinger GmbH. Staudinger makes educational models that can be controlled with a PLC.
The car wash has 6 inputs and 6 outputs. The portal can drive left and right. The horizontal brush can move up and down. The horizontal and vertical brushes can spin. There is detection at the begin and end of the portal, top / bottom detection for the vertical brush and a height detection for the car.
The car wash is sold in the Netherlands by the company
Edutec. Normally the car wash is controlled with a Siemens LOGO! or a Moeler Easy PLC.
When I'm dreaming I'm running through endless tunnels eating large dots. What does it mean...
