New Commodore 64 Owner needs tips

[ProfessorK]

Tonight I won a auction for a Commodore 64. I've been wanting one for a while and can't wait for it to get here.

This is the auction. I think I did pretty well. I was just wondering what I should know? What should I do now? Anything else I should buy? I assume I should get a 5 1/4 drive... How much should I be paying for one? I am new to vintage computing so any help or tips (or even something you may be willing to sell to get me started ) would be very helpful!

Thanks!

[Hobie-wan]

http://www.lemon64.com/ is a great place to learn about the games.

Atari 2600 controllers work, though some models were sensitive to having stuff plugged into port 1 while the system was on so a lot of 1 player game use port 2. When in doubt, plug your stick in port 1 with the power off. Wico make the best sticks to use IMHO.

The disk drive is painfully slow compared to modern PCs. There is an Epyx Fast Load cart, as well as others which can help and is compatible with a lot of games. Make sure the drive has adequate ventilation when you get one. There are cart games too.

If the video cable you get has red/white/yellow plugs, it is not video and L/R. It is s-video split into 2 RCA plugs and mono sound.

There are tons of C64 enthusiast sites out there. Many will be various European flavors.

[CRTGAMER]

Where is Commodore Guru Lord Santa ?

A forgotten Game-Computer hybrid console, easily hooks up to the HD

Definitely get a 1541 floppy drive and the now hard to find floppies. The floppies are the low density 360 kb ones. There are also game and programming carts that plug in the back. Omega Race can be played just like the original Arcade spinner with a 2600 or commodore paddle.

The C64 uses a regular monitor, a VGA monitor won't work. A plus is that an easy plug in to your HD right into the composite jack if you have the two RCA composite audio combo cable. If you have the 3 RCA cable, one is mono audio and the other two are proprietary for the Commodore 1701-1702 monitor back input. But since its a S-Video connection an adaptor cable allows hookup to a regular S-Video jack.

A classic C64 game, reminds me of the Roadrunner cartoons.

[ProfessorK]

Thanks for the help!

@Hobie: It's funny you should mention WICO for sticks. I just got a WICO with a Genesis I ordered and I know they use the same plug. Pretty good timing haha.

@CRT: That game looks amazing and definitely has to have had some inspiration from Wile E. Coyote (I think I spelled it right).

So about the cartridge games; Can I just buy those and play them? Do I need any additional software like a boot floppy or are those just good to go? Also, I've seen pictures of C64's using those radio shack RF switch boxes that are usually used with 2600's. Are the 64's compatible with the NES RF box like many of the era electronics?

[CRTGAMER]

So about the cartridge games; Can I just buy those and play them? Do I need any additional software like a boot floppy or are those just good to go? Also, I've seen pictures of C64's using those radio shack RF switch boxes that are usually used with 2600's. Are the 64's compatible with the NES RF box like many of the era electronics?

Cart games instant run, no floppy drive needed, hard to find at swap meets so try EBay. The HUGE C64 game library will be on floppy disk. Don't go RF, worse mistake for a crappy pic. Try to get the custom SVideo adaptor cable for the best quality. For now if you have the two RCA cable, plug it directly in you TV yellow composite and white audio jacks.

[Hobie-wan]

So about the cartridge games; Can I just buy those and play them? Do I need any additional software like a boot floppy or are those just good to go? Also, I've seen pictures of C64's using those radio shack RF switch boxes that are usually used with 2600's. Are the 64's compatible with the NES RF box like many of the era electronics?

Yes, if you're forced to use RF, it's the exact same switchbox as 70s consoles. That means that little plug aimed at 2600 people to connect to the coax jack should probably work too. But the s-video looks great.

Carts are just like consoles, plug in and turn on. This is a shot of a Commodore branded cart (with label removed from the contest last year).

[CRTGAMER]

Here is a nice video cable guide. You can make your own custom cable.

http://radagast.bglug.ca/C64_svideo/C64_Svideo.html




So the objective is to create a patch cable that goes something like this:

C64 Pin to SVideo Pin
2 ................. 1
2 ................. 2
4 or 6 ......... 3
1 ................. 4

Don't forget a separate audio cable.

[ProfessorK]

These tips are excellent guys! thanks! I can't wait for my 64 to get here. Any recommendations on cartridge games? I know there are some ports of popular games but it seems like most are on floppy. Is there anything that flew below the radar that I should look out for?

[Hobie-wan]

Cart wise, Gridrunner II - Attack of the Mutant Camels is a great old Jeff Minter Centipede clone. Omega Race is great and works with paddles.

[ProfessorK]

Cart wise, Gridrunner II - Attack of the Mutant Camels is a great old Jeff Minter Centipede clone. Omega Race is great and works with paddles.

Attack of the Mutant Camels is way more expensive than I thought it would be. It looks great though. I think I'm going to wait a while and try to get the best deal possible on a floppy drive. I don't need to pour money all over my C64 right away haha.