It’s time to take a closer look at the JAFCO Commodore 64 from the last episode. Spoiler alert! There are problems. We’ll work to troubleshoot and repair this vintage C64, and discover the limitations of the “Dead Test” cartridge. There will be some interesting troubleshooting lessons for “black screen” C64s on this retro computer repair video. Be sure to watch part 1 to learn the history of this machine.
Author: Tim
I recently acquired a C64 from a friend, and he didn’t know much about the computer or its history. As I looked at this retro computer, and its included materials, some of this C64s history started to come into focus. Follow along and find out what I discovered.
As much as I like the CoCo 1 that I recently obtained, it is pretty limited without a way to save programs. I’ve found a great solution in an old Sanyo cassette player, but I will need to make the appropriate interface cables to get it working.
In this video, I share the newest retro-computer in my collection, a Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer 1 (or CoCo1). I’ll also share just a little bit of personal history that makes this Radio Shack computer special to me.
The third Commodore C128 from the “Box of Commodore Computers” has displayed a lot of problems. But, in this video you will see that its greatest problems may have been caused by me. Mistakes have been made. Find out what happened in this retro-computer repair gone wrong.
I recently attended the Portland Retro Gaming Expo and came across an entire box of Commodore computers for just $40. In this video, I’m currently testing the third Commodore C128 computer that was in the box. unfortunately this poor C128 is in need of some TLC. I hope you will join me as I attempt to get this classic retro-computer working.
In this video, I’ll be testing the second Commodore C128 that I acquired at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo in a box full of Commodore retro-computer goodness. To learn more about what was in the box, and how the testing went with the first C128, be sure to watch Part 1.
I recently attended the Portland Retro Gaming Expo and came across an entire box of Commodore computers for just $40. In this video, I’m testing the first of three Commodore C128 computers that were in the box. I’ve been collecting retro computers since before they were retro, but the c128 is one of the computers that’s been missing from my collection. This has been an exciting find, and shows that there are still some good deals out there in the retro computing hobby.
See what is in the box of Commodore computers that I purchased for $40. In this series, we”ll test and repair each of the systems in the box. Join me and see if this was the retro computer deal of the year, or just a box of old junk.
Well, after reconstructing the broken Fairchild Channel F controller (1) using the ‘plunger’ from a donor Video Command controller, I hit another snag. Three of the centering spring tabs on the other controller (2) are broken off. This causes random control input as the plunger can move freely from side to side if you let go of the stick. Since I replace the internals on controller 1 with parts from the Video Command controller, I salvaged some of needed centering springs from the original internal of controller 1. I’ve noticed that the centering springs in the Video Command controller are of a much better design. The system is now 100% other than some cosmetic flaws, and now has a place in the game room.
