Commodore 64 questions

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Thanks for the help guys. One more thing: what's the proper way to turn things on? Disk drive, then C64? Or the other way around? How about turning off the machine, and is there any way to "shut down" the C64 besides just flipping the switch to off? Thanks.

I think I read somewhere that you should turn on the floppy drive first then the C64.

On a related note, I just ordered a floppy drive and Impossible Mission to go with it.

[BoneSnapDeez]

My C64 came with Impossible Mission, but the label is just a sticker with pencil writing on it, so I assume it's some sort of copy. Haven't tried to play it yet.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

My C64 came with Impossible Mission, but the label is just a sticker with pencil writing on it, so I assume it's some sort of copy. Haven't tried to play it yet.

Piracy was rampant on the C64.

I've heard it's really fun and watching videos on YouTube it seems like it would be. Fast paced and randomly generated.

[Hobie-wan]

I'm pretty sure it is better to turn on the drive first and that's what I was in the habit if doing. For shutting down it really doesn't matter though I'd pop out any floppies before turning the drive off. If you're resetting the system to load another game, leave it off a second or two before turning it back on. As I mentioned, some early C64s had delicate controller ports, so try to avoid lots of swapping while the system is on.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm pretty sure it is better to turn on the drive first and that's what I was in the habit if doing. For shutting down it really doesn't matter though I'd pop out any floppies before turning the drive off. If you're resetting the system to load another game, leave it off a second or two before turning it back on. As I mentioned, some early C64s had delicate controller ports, so try to avoid lots of swapping while the system is on.

I have another question. Do all games require a gamepad? Only some? Or can I just play everything with the keyboard?

If I could play everything with the keyboard I wouldn't bother getting a joystick. As I hate all of them except the 7800's for whatever reason.

[Hobie-wan]

You need a joystick. Suncom TAC-2, Slick Stick, or Starfighter are your best bet if you want something that just 'stops' and gives definite solid feedback you've hit a direction. Wico Command Control (ball or bat style) or Boss use leaf springs so they don't stop dead in a direction and are good too if you don't mind or prefer that.

Also, you like the 7800 ones? I don't find them comfortable for long periods of use.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

You need a joystick. Suncom TAC-2, Slick Stick, or Starfighter are your best bet if you want something that just 'stops' and gives definite solid feedback you've hit a direction. Wico Command Control (ball or bat style) or Boss use leaf springs so they don't stop dead in a direction and are good too if you don't mind or prefer that.

Also, you like the 7800 ones? I don't find them comfortable for long periods of use.

Yeah, I like them. It seems weird, but they just work in my hand well. I have trouble with the 2600 joystick however.

[Hobie-wan]

Yeah, I like them. It seems weird, but they just work in my hand well. I have trouble with the 2600 joystick however.

Frankly all of Atari's 1st party joysticks were terrible. The 2600 one is iconic, but it isn't good for extended use either.

[Hobie-wan]

I found the note I was looking for warning about Genesis pads on a C64. Seems the thing is using the pad and hitting keys on the keyboard at the same time. Since the joystick only has one button, that could be more common than immediately apparent. For instance you hit spacebar to throw grenades in Commando.

http://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic. ... enesis+pad

[CRTGAMER]

I'm pretty sure it is better to turn on the drive first and that's what I was in the habit if doing. For shutting down it really doesn't matter though I'd pop out any floppies before turning the drive off. If you're resetting the system to load another game, leave it off a second or two before turning it back on. As I mentioned, some early C64s had delicate controller ports, so try to avoid lots of swapping while the system is on.

I have another question. Do all games require a gamepad? Only some? Or can I just play everything with the keyboard?

If I could play everything with the keyboard I wouldn't bother getting a joystick. As I hate all of them except the 7800's for whatever reason.

When the Floppy Drive is not accessing, you can just open the door flap or flip the lever up. The idea is to keep the head from touching the floppy in case of a surge. Removing a floppy before turning on is a good precaution though. I'm not sure if any order matters when turning on, I have luck either way. The risk of a surge between components is a concern, but both the C64 and Floppy Drive have chips inside. The 1541 is a "smart drive" it can even be programmed to kick the stepper motor around.

Though not advisable, the 1541 can be programmed to "Sing" Daisy.

As Hobie pointed out never pull or install plugs when anything is powered on.

Get a 2600 Wico Joystick
As for Keyboard controls, there are games that utilize the keyboard but most needed a Joystick. Some work beautiful with a paddle, Omega Race comes to mind. Note that if the game uses the Joystick in port 1, the keyboard might work although the key layout is weird and pretty much unplayable. Joy right is the 2 key and Fire Button is the SPACE BAR. The other directions were spread out on the keys including a C= graphic symbol.

http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/Joystick

Joysticks connect to the two control ports at the rightmost end of the C64. Inside the machine, the five switch lines from the joysticks connect to ports A and B in CIA #1; in parallel with the keyboard matrix. This is the reason why a joystick, especially one connected to control port #1, causes the machine to "type" characters when the joystick is operated.