The Advice Thread

[Luke]

previous owner had a hydroponic marijuana setup

well there you go

That also makes it sound like the guy takes care of his "things" Isn't that set up like when people grow upside down crazy farms ranging from basil to pot? Attention to detail says a lot.

[Forlorn Drifter]

previous owner had a hydroponic marijuana setup

well there you go

Indoor hydroponics sounds good until you get the electricity bill. That's actually how most of the pot growers in my area get busted- the power company looks at extremely high power consumption in private homes, and a fly over or some such is done by the police to see if they have any legal reason to be using so much. If not, boom, you get raided.

Did suck for that guy growing tomatoes that time though.

[Michi]

Sigh. I see all my posts are ignored.

One could argue you in turn ignored Michi's post until just now. ;p

Don't tease him too much. He wasn't the only one who ignored my post until about 1 hour before the auction started

Hope Michi has some success.

I spent $30 on the C64 lot and $15 on the C128 lot. So, minus tax and auction fees, I think $45 is pretty good.

commodore2.jpg (236.09 KiB) Viewed 488 times

As you can see, the box for the C64 is a little beat up and (I didn't know this before the auction) is also lacking a power supply like the C128 It does have its manual though, and what I assume is its original receipt (Purchased at KMart for $199. 95 on 12/15/84.)

When I got home and managed to take everything out, the box tried to make up for its lack of power supply by revealing a C64 cart for Congo Bongo and Missile Control...for the Atari 2600

I would not be moved.

Both floppy drives come with their paperwork, demo discs and cords. They are also two slightly separate models. One has the front arm, the other doesn't. They both turn on alright, but that probably doesn't mean anything. The one on the left looks like they never even bothered to take it out of the plastic wrap it came in. But, and this is assuming these both came from the same seller, I conclude that they must have at some point, because there is a date written on the warranty that states it was purchased on 12/16/83 (at Toys r' Us). Or they took it out long enough to write on the paperwork and in the manual and then shoved everything back in the box for a year. I don't know. All I know is it looks like I bought someone's old Christmas presents.

Some quick web searches show me that a compatible AV cord should be quite easy (and cheap) to obtain and work on both models. I think? But I have no idea about the power supplies. Right now it looks like tracking those down is going to be more expensive than it was to buy the systems

Any ideas for that, O' mighty Bone and o.pwuaioc?

[noiseredux]

C64 was my first "console" when I was 6. It was hooked up to a 13" b/w TV. I have mad love for that computer. Just saying.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Like noise said, you can use the C64 as a "console." Get one of those aftermarket AV cables, there's no need for RF.

Buying a power supply online is annoying because they are HEAVY. Drives up shipping. Maybe check craigslist first? I'd just focus on getting the C64 running for now.

Do the floppy drives have the cords that connect them to the computer?

The fact that the floppy drives turn on is no indication they'll work - you are correct. We'll conduct some tests later.

Good news is you won't need a C64 specific controller. Use a 9-pin joystick (Atari 2600 or some 3rd party knock-off). Do not plug in a Genesis controller. Note that many games use controller port 2 for player 1. Just a heads up.

Let us know how you're progressing.

Oh, and Commodore carts and Atari carts look very similar. Probably an honest mistake by the seller.

[Michi]

Like noise said, you can use the C64 as a "console." Get one of those aftermarket AV cables, there's no need for RF.

I'm assuming you're reffering to the ones like Thierry Henry posted in the 'finds' thread a couple days ago? I've seen a few of those up on ebay and Amazon. They look like they'll work perfectly.

I read that they'll work on the C64 and 128. Is that right?

Buying a power supply online is annoying because they are HEAVY. Drives up shipping. Maybe check craigslist first? I'd just focus on getting the C64 running for now.

I was afraid of that Craigslist around here sucks (unless you want to buy a 360) But the ones on ebay for the C64 don't look too bad, so I hope to do a more through search this weekend.

Do the floppy drives have the cords that connect them to the computer?

The big ass black cords? Yes. They both came with a black connector cord and a gray power cord.

The fact that the floppy drives turn on is no indication they'll work - you are correct. We'll conduct some tests later.

Yeah, I think I read a post about their fallibility somewhere on here. It was probably by you, now that I think about it

Good news is you won't need a C64 specific controller. Use a 9-pin joystick (Atari 2600 or some 3rd party knock-off). Do not plug in a Genesis controller. Note that many games use controller port 2 for player 1. Just a heads up.

I actually have two 2600 controllers. They came with the games I bought with the TI/99 lot. Of course, they don't work with the 99, but it's good to know I'll be able to use them here.

Let us know how you're progressing.

Aye Aye, sir!

Oh, and Commodore carts and Atari carts look very similar. Probably an honest mistake by the seller.

A likely excuse if ever I heard one

[BoneSnapDeez]

You'll want something like this, which is what I believe you are referencing...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-64-12 ... 43dec9d89b

Yes they will work on 64 and 128. I believe with the VIC-20 too.

Atari 2600 sticks seem like the go-to choice for C64 owners. If you really get into the system you may want to track down a good third-party stick. The "official" C64 stick is bad.

[o.pwuaioc]

Atari 2600 sticks seem like the go-to choice for C64 owners. If you really get into the system you may want to track down a good third-party stick. The "official" C64 stick is bad.

Seconded. For Atari or C64, go get a Wico bat. They're affordable and much more comfortable than the CX-40.

[Michi]

You'll want something like this, which is what I believe you are referencing...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-64-12 ... 43dec9d89b

Yes they will work on 64 and 128. I believe with the VIC-20 too.

Yes. That is exactly what I was referring to.

Atari 2600 sticks seem like the go-to choice for C64 owners. If you really get into the system you may want to track down a good third-party stick. The "official" C64 stick is bad.

Seconded. For Atari or C64, go get a Wico bat. They're affordable and much more comfortable than the CX-40.

I shall look into them, thanks!

[dunpeal2064]

I could use some advice!

I'm trying to push my guitar playing further, and while I know where I need to go with the instrument itself, there are a few things I'd like to become more familiar with that take place outside of simply hitting strings.

1. Backup stuff (Rhythm, Bass, Drums) - I am pretty much just a solo guitarist, and am okay with this. However, playing to... nothing, just doesn't work. What are some good tools, tips, etc to creating some backing that I can play to? Doesn't need to be complex at this point, I just want to start creating songs, and need something to play to.

2. Recording - Obviously, if/when I do create some actual full songs, I need to record them, and I have no idea how to do this. All of my riffs/semi-songs so far have been recorded on my phone, and of course sound like they have. Again, doesn't need to be super clear or professional, just something that will be decent enough that I can document where I am, actually have some songs to my name, and get my feet wet with the non-playing side of making music.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated, even if it doesn't relate to these two but just guitar in general. I want to be the best guitarist that I can be, but I am feeling the weight of my current limitations. Rather than be bummed about it, I'd rather hunt down some answers and get to work!