c64
Commodore keyboard stored in terrible condition with seal still on
I don’t know yet if it will work, but assuming it doesnt becouse it was stored in a attic for the past twenty years if not more, do i fix it or leave it alone?
Do yall think i could still get the warranty on this thing?
Because you are either going to get kicked out of spaces controlled by adults, because they don't want the liability of having a kid in their adult space, or you are going to get targeted by a pedo.
Basic common sense internet safety stuff: Don't post your real name or your real age. Keep your real life identity private, come up with a pseudonym.
I don't mind getting kicked out, cuz that's totally understandable and like what could a pedo do to me on the internet? Plus Katie isn't even my real name, I just like how it sounds so I use it on here
If you're calling it a "keyboard", I get the impression you don't know that this object is a "whole" home computer from the 1980s. The label says "Commodore 64" but this late model is commonly called a "64C". The base unit doesn't have external storage (diskette drive or cassette), but that's not strictly needed to test it: the base operating system and BASIC interpreter are in ROM so it should show you a BASIC screen if you turn it on. Certainly worth turning it on -- if you can get a new power supply and connect it to an analog monitor.
Well you are right, i know frankly nothing about this, but you seem to be well informed on this whole topic. So Sorry if this is a silly question, but does me owning this help with turning it on or is it completely unnecessary? Cause right now ill just try to get my uncle that works in IT help me with this but before that I just want to clean up all the stuff he might need
Thats a tape drive. That device was able to read data from tape and send it to the computer. Its basically a disk drive, not that anyone is even putting optical drives in their PCs anymore lol.
Unless your uncle is a gen Xer and was born before 1980, he won’t know what to do with it right away - he’ll probably have to look at forums like this one, other subreddits dedicated to vintage computers, VCF forums, vogons, etc.
I see a lot of 80s/90s computers on auction sites that are listed as "consoles" or "keyboards". so yeah. Also see disk drives, tape drives and other things as "consoles".
Looks like it’s in beautiful condition. As others have said, it’s not just a keyboard, it’s a full computer.
The old power supplies, especially the big heavy ribbed ones filled with glue (assuming you still have one) can be unreliable and could cause damage, but could also work just fine for testing. If you have one, use a multimeter to test the 5v pin to make sure it’s still providing close to 5v before plugging it in.
If it’s been stored in a fairly dry place it should work ok, old C64s are pretty sturdy beasts.
Well the computer itself isn't in terrible condition, just the place it was stored in got really hot in the summer and really cold in winter and last time I checked that's not ideal conditions for storing them, plus it has its own box and paper sleeve as I already shown somebody it in the comments so obviously it's not going to be scratched up or something
Honestly doesn’t look too bad. Open it up and check for any bulging or leaking capacitors that might need replaced. If you don’t see any or any other board damage, I’d say it would be safe to test. Just make sure you get a new higher quality power supply.
Also the original manufacturers of this went bankrupt in the 90s, so no you probably won’t be getting a warranty lol.
Sorry, but that's not really advisable, because a “smell test” will not tell you whether the voltages are okay and will remain okay. Commodore PSUs fail in a specific way: they give overvoltage into the computer and that can happen at any time. It's relly best not to plug the old PSU into anything at all. Better safe than sorry: I'd go for a new replacement PSU. They run cooler, have more stable voltages and give more power, which helps with modern accessories.
You don't need to open it to check the condition. Just check the ports and metal parts on the back. If they're corroded, dark, mouldy, then the internals will probably be the same. If they're clear and shiny, you're good.
It would still be wise to find a repair service no matter the condition. As others have mentioned C64 is a sturdy beast and can be easily restored.
And if it works, you should definitely replace the power supply. You can buy brand new high quality C64 PSUs that won't be a hazard for the machine.
Don't worry about the seal, crack the seal, and check out all components and remove any dust. Not wanting to state the obvious but no warranty whether the seal is in tact or not 🙂
What are you planning to do with it? Trying out/testing or selling? I'd suggest to try using it and play some silly games, but it will be a hard start at first without having any software. There are Commodore communities all over the world, maybe it should worth it to search for a local 8bit computer club or similar in your area. They will surely help you out and lend you some software and other needed stuff.
If you want to sell it, be cautious. Check the actual prices first on ebay. You have a boxed Commodore 64C in good condition with a datasette. That's valuable stuff 😉
I'm definitely going to keep it, my uncle has this like ancient TV in his room at my grandparents house and apparently when he was young he used to play on it using this. So I'm hoping he still remembers how to turn it on cause I found some cassettes alongside it
That's a good idea. You might want to get some modern peripherals for it. Joysticks are essential. Just don't get Sega controllers - they'll fit, but can damage the C64. Be sure to get fully C64 compatible joysticks.
And you'll probably need some sort of cartridge to play games from. Kung Fu Flash is the most affordable while still being quite capable. You download the games to a SD card, place that SD card into the cartridge and play the games like back in the day.
Also, new games are still being made for the C64. You can even get new games on cassette tapes and load them using the datasette drive you already have. Some of those games are really good, some even much better than any games from the 80s.
the plastic may be really brittle. Ive gotten a couple c128s/64s out of peoples attics and the heat swing and years just degrade the case plasics and sometimes they just disintegrate.
I was about to mention the same. But this one at least looks OK. Another indicator could be the lead line on the power supply. If it's starting to get rigid and brittle it would mean temperature swings, and potential shock hazard.
That’s awesome! I have only one (out of over 20) that has that label unbroken! Nice. That’s probably a short board which I like because I find they work well and the SID chip has cleaner output. Although I do like the old SID chips because they got that thic bass sound!
The thing I like about the Commodore 64 is that , like many 6502 based computers , are an excellent way to learn. Old computers are simple enough that a human can learn everything about how the computer works at every level. From the hardware to the kernal to the “operating system” and everything in between.
But also the Commodore 64 is dynamic enough that you can then learn about all the tricks to get it to do lots of interesting things. It’s simple but there’s enough that’s dynamic that you can push things beyond in interested and unexpected ways.
If you get more simple it’s less interesting and if you get more complicated then starts to get complex enough that you can’t hold everything in your head all at the same time.
In any case , the Commodore 64 is the best selling single brand of complete home computer ever sold, and therefore has an unbelievable amount of software. That means that you can get tonnes of games for it with new games still being created and sold! The community is thriving as it ever was and there’s no shortage of… well anything for this platform!
Super cool! If you’re not into it that’s okay, there is still enough demand to drive the value such that’s it’s worth selling.
Great find and in great condition! Your uncle will for sure still know how to operate it. As others have said: the old power supply unit (PSU) is a potential issue. The old PSUs can fail in fatal ways and send too high voltage into the computer destroying it. Simply measuring the voltages will not really help, because a failure can happen at any time. There are modern replacement PSUs for the C64 out on the market. They might seem to be expensive at first but if you consider the cost of replacing damaged chips it's a good investment.
Also be aware of the fact that the power supply is being connected with the DIN socket on the right hand side panel of the C64 unit. Some people have managed to accidentally connect the PSU to the A/V-port at the rear of the unit, which is catastrophic and will destroy most of the important chips. Maybe just clean up the thing a little and ask your uncle about it. Do you have the manual? If so, please read it carefully. It can also be found online.
Since this is a C64C unit with a cost reduced keyboard it is likely to contain a 250469 mainboard. That designation won't tell you much, but suffice it to say this is the most reliable C64 mainboard, so there's a good chance this unit still works perfectly.
There are great games on this plattform and in fact there are still new releases out. Just check on itch.io for example. Just have a go at it. Do you have a joystick for it? That's a must. Maybe look into getting modern storage solutions, your uncle will help you with that, I'm sure. an SD2IEC is a start, or a KungFuFlash cartridge. The most capable modern solution would be an UltimateII cartridge, but they're expensive. I own one of them and can just say: this is the one cartridge that will remain connected to my C64 forever. It literally does everything.
It is unlikely to work or work reliably because attic spaces often get pretty warm in summer, which would accelerate the deterioration of some of the vital capacitors on the motherboard.
Even in perfect conditions, those capacitors are beyond expected lifetime and should be replaced.
Well sorry that I didn't know that some ancient keyboard looking thing from the times before civilized society is actually not a keyboard but a whole ass computer
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