Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

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Hobie-wan
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by Hobie-wan »

There you go, looks good.
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by CRTGAMER »

Updated my post. I modified and verified my Basic program below on my Commodore 128D. :D

Ghudda wrote:Spent an hour or so working on the keyboard and have it pretty clean. The entire chassis was caked in grime with clumps of hair and other "fibrous matter". Since the space is a bit to tight for q-tips, I used paper towel bits soaked in rubbing alcohol and used the sharp file of finger nail clippers to guide it in between the keys. After like 50 runs, it's looking pretty good. I also got the motherboard cleaned up as much as possible with qtips

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Nice job cleaning the keys. You just reminded me of another programing trick that many did not know. See the REVERSE ON and REVERSE OFF keys?

These would bold face your text though part of the text would be missing a line due to the pixel size of the font. Add a horizontal line graphic at the next row (now was it above or below the boldface?) to completely encircle the bold font.

A Basic program that fills your name all over the screen. Be sure to press RETURN key after typing each line number.

1 REM COMMODORE VIC20 PROGRAM
10 POKE 36879,8 : POKE 38400,1
20 INPUT "WHAT IS YOUR NAME"; A$
30 FOR A=1TO15
40 POKE 38400,A
50 PRINT " HELLO "A$;
60 NEXT
70 GOTO 30



1 REM COMMODORE 64 PROGRAM
10 POKE 53280,0 : POKE 53281,0 : POKE 646,1
20 INPUT "WHAT IS YOUR NAME"; A$
30 FOR A=1TO15
40 POKE 646,A
50 PRINT " HELLO "A$;
60 NEXT
70 GOTO 30

Line 10
The Poke commands listed are to change the screen and font color. Note the Colon between each command. Two rows of data are allowed for each line number.

Line 20
Asks your name. (type name followed by RETURN key)

Line 30
Sets a variable.

Line 40
Sets font color based on variable.

Line 50
Prints your name to the screen.

Line 60
Repeats your name across the screen with next color in the varable.

Line 70
After variable (font color) is used up, a repeat print to screen of you name. Screen keeps going until RUNSTOP is pressed.

==============================================

One thing neat about the Commodore is that most Basic Commands can be entered with just the first letter followed by a shifted second letter. The PRINT (on screen not printer) command can be entered as just a ? mark. The program shorthand entry will then list out as the full Basic command. Anything inside quote marks of the program gets printed.

10 ? "HELLO"

is the same as

10 PRINT "HELLO"

Type LIST to review the program listing for editing.

Type RUN to run a program in memory.
Last edited by CRTGAMER on Thu Feb 12, 2015 4:35 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by Ghudda »

:shock:

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Well done, CRT
Certainly not C or C++, that's for sure but it looks interesting and fun to learn. Love how high-level of a programming language basic is.

My replacement 'X' key came in today. Now just waiting for the plungers/springs, composite cable, and replacement '@' key. Going to possibly try and hunt down some games while i'm in my hometown this weekend. That or get a few ordered.

Being that I have the tape deck, anything major that's worth picking up as far as cassettes go? A generic tape was included, which I have no idea what's on it so i'm looking forward to checking that out.
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by CRTGAMER »

Ghudda wrote:Being that I have the tape deck, anything major that's worth picking up as far as cassettes go? A generic tape was included, which I have no idea what's on it so i'm looking forward to checking that out.

Thanks, I updated my earlier Reply with a description of each line number. Verified on my Commodore 128D, it works!

First, a good idea to clean and dry the Datasette tape player head and capstan with alcohol.

1. Rewind the tape and then press stop.
2. Press SHIFT RUNSTOP on the keyboard.
3. When prompted (should be immediate), press play on datasette.
4. Tape will stop and go on its own as program is loaded.
5. Press stop after the program fully loaded and the tape has stopped.
6. To clear the program from memory type in NEW followed by RETURN or turn off and on the computer.

Do not rewind the tape. Go thru the above process again in case there are additional programs on the tape.

For blank tapes be sure to get just STANDARD cassette tapes and not the metal oxide or any that has enhanced qualities for fidelity recording. I am not too familiar with Vic20 cassette games, but know of many of the cartridge games in the earlier Wiki link I posted. Go after the carts, they are instant load and tend to have the better quality games.

If you ever buy a Commodore 64, I have a huge library of hardware and software from years of collecting (none for sale) and can offer insight on the gems of that computer. The C64 has an amazing library of games, most are on floppy disk.
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by Ghudda »

CRTGAMER wrote:If you ever buy a Commodore 64, I have a huge library of hardware and software from years of collecting (none for sale) and can offer insight on the gems of that computer. The C64 has an amazing library of games, most are on floppy disk.

You sound like you know your way around vintage comps (EDIT: yup. just looked at your signature for the first time :P ).

I'd honestly love a C64. I think the next retro comp I own is going to be one. Can they be found for around the same price? The shop that I bought the vic-20 at has one for about $80 which sounds like a bit much. I'm not sure what else it comes with (definitely the hookups at least), but regardless, it's a bit pricey for it's condition. Is the software for the C64 as affordable as the Vic-20? The C64 library is a bit of a step ahead towards my desired video game generation.

Ugh, and i'd love to also get my hands on some of the vintage Japanese computers (PC-9801, FM Towns, X68000, etc.) but I think I have a somewhat good idea of the pretty penny those costs, especially to get one in the US. Do you own any import computers?
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

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Ghudda wrote:I'd honestly love a C64. I think the next retro comp I own is going to be one. Can they be found for around the same price? The shop that I bought the vic-20 at has one for about $80 which sounds like a bit much. I'm not sure what else it comes with (definitely the hookups at least), but regardless, it's a bit pricey for it's condition. Is the software for the C64 as affordable as the Vic-20? The C64 library is a bit of a step ahead towards my desired video game generation.

Ugh, and i'd love to also get my hands on some of the vintage Japanese computers (PC-9801, FM Towns, X68000, etc.) but I think I have a somewhat good idea of the pretty penny those costs, especially to get one in the US. Do you own any import computers?

No imports, but a do own an Apple II+, Texas Instruments TI994A and even a Timex Sinclair as well. I updated the Basic programs above again. I forgot that the Vic20 uses different Poke commands then the C64, listed both out.

The C64 software are more common due to much larger user base. The Vic20 is much more rare; though less sought after due to less power. The Vic20 has the distinction as the first under 300 dollar color home computer sold. The hook for me was the full sized keyboard versus the Atari 400 and the built in Basic that had long been established since the Commodore PET. At the time I wanted to try programming and knew Basic book guides were everywhere.

As mentioned earlier, the lower resolution 22 character screen also has larger game sprites which are better suited for some games. Type Attack is a must have cart on the Vic20 for its uniqueness of larger Font size. A superb keyboard "Space Invaders" style of gaming. Type in the words and fire with the Space bar. Use more keys as you progress to shoot the aliens and I thought Twinstick Robotron was difficult! :lol:

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Last edited by CRTGAMER on Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:33 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by BoneSnapDeez »

Japanese computers are insanely obscure and expensive. You're better off exploring the domestic market. After the VIC-20, the easiest to procure are the Commodore 64, Tandy Color Computer, and TI-99/4A. I have the aforementioned and am still hunting for an Atari 8-bit computer and Amiga - those two are typically more expensive.

$80 isn't terrible for a C64 if it comes with some goodies. I paid $60 for a craigslist lot with floppy drive, FastLoad, and games. A few years later I got a revised model (Commodore 64c) for $25, also from craigslist. This was the bestselling computer ever, they are everywhere. Don't overpay.

And as you probably know, the Commodore floppy drives and cassette drives aren't unique to one system. The tape deck you have for the VIC-20 will work on C64.

C64 has a huge library of games, and perhaps more arcade ports than any other system.
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by Ghudda »

Worth picking up a Commodore Monitor (1702) for $50? I already have a PVM so I don't know how much of a use it'd be to me. It'd be kind of cool to have the monitor with the computers, though.
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by CRTGAMER »

Ghudda wrote:Worth picking up a Commodore Monitor (1702) for $50? I already have a PVM so I don't know how much of a use it'd be to me. It'd be kind of cool to have the monitor with the computers, though.

YES! You can hook up the Vic20 in the front and the eventual find of a C64 in the back. With custom made cables it also doubles as a SVideo monitor with the back connections. Either monitor are great for two player PS1 Link and newer console LAN games!
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Re: Commodore VIC-20 Worth Owning?

Post by ApolloBoy »

Ghudda wrote:Worth picking up a Commodore Monitor (1702) for $50? I already have a PVM so I don't know how much of a use it'd be to me. It'd be kind of cool to have the monitor with the computers, though.

Honestly a 1702 is totally pointless as the PVM is a better monitor anyway. It's still a great monitor though, I used one as my regular monitor before I discovered the joys of RGB.
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