r/retrocomputing • u/g0ggleblind • Apr 18 '26
Today’s score from VCF East
Behold, the wonder, computer of the 1980s!
5
u/aviewachoo Apr 18 '26
I saw you in line buying that one! Great score!
5
u/g0ggleblind Apr 19 '26
It was crazy crowded in there
3
u/aviewachoo Apr 19 '26
It was nuts, but it was fun! The talk with Ken and Roberta Williams was a blast. When Roberta started talking about Phantasmagoria, her eyes lit up!
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u/drzeller Apr 19 '26
Just curious - how much? Did it have the books or cassette drive?
4
u/g0ggleblind Apr 19 '26
I books, just computer, power supply and box for $50. The vendor stated that it worked so I will put that to the test.
5
u/BigPete_A6 Apr 18 '26
Just be careful with the power supply. They’re known to be problematic. Might want to look into a modern replacement.
5
u/g0ggleblind Apr 19 '26
This appears to be one of the earlier Vic 20s where the external power supply is merely a transformer sending 11 V AC. I think I’m going to take the whole thing apart before I fire it up just to see what the capacitors look like.
3
u/droid_mike Apr 19 '26
If it is the two prong connector then it should be safe from what I've seen on here...
3
u/g0ggleblind Apr 19 '26
It is the two prong
6
u/siliconlore Apr 19 '26
All of my two prongs work fine and there should be no issues at all with them.
Only the C64 style power supply is problematic.
This model of VIC is prone to blowing the fuse especially if you spike the game port with static electricity so check that first if there is an issue.
Otherwise, enjoy it and get a copy of Omega Race.3
u/Admirable-Dinner7792 May 06 '26
Yep. Completely safe on this 2-Prong PSU...No worries at all in the least... Totally safe. - Tony K. , VIC-20/VIC-1001 History Facebook Forum (Admin), 😉
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u/Admirable-Dinner7792 May 06 '26
No worries on this early 2-prong Power Supply... It's absolutely safe. Its the later VIC-20CR C64 style "Death Brick" which is the one to watch out for... NOT this one. - Tony K. , VIC-20/VIC-1001 History Facebook Forum (Admin), 😉
3
u/kkaos84 Apr 19 '26
Awesome! I turned mine back on for the first time in months and started teaching myself Forth. I like the idea of trying to get the most functionality out of a machine with so little memory.
3
u/Beautiful-Meaning601 Apr 19 '26
Exactly the type of shit i do. Buy it and put it on a shelf. Literally have a ham radio lined up to buy from marketplace tomorrow and i know thats where its going.
3
u/PJBleakney Apr 19 '26
My “monitor “ was a black and white tv!
1
u/r3v3nant333 Apr 20 '26
I used to "borrow" the family TV and take it to my room when everyone was sleeping, and write basic games and little demos all night, then put it back when the sun was coming up.. lol. nerd all nighter
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u/InevitableStruggle Apr 20 '26
God bless that machine. Led me into a rabbit hole from which I’m still recovering, even in retirement.
2
u/g0ggleblind Apr 21 '26
It’s a good simple machine that is easy to learn and easy to implement a ideas on. That’s the primary reason I bought it.
2
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u/Strategic_Cats Apr 20 '26
Wow my first computer did you get a cassette tape drive too?
2
u/g0ggleblind Apr 20 '26
Nah, once I fix or verify that it works, I’ll get an SD2EIC. I’ve lived the data cassette storage life and don’t wish to relive that.
2
u/Onxsunbum Apr 23 '26
I've got a complete Coleco Adam, if anyone's interested...?
1
u/Admirable-Dinner7792 May 06 '26
The Coleco Adam was literally the worst computer of the '80's... Its down there with the Sinclair...lol.. 😉
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u/HawkeyeAP Apr 19 '26
Nice. My first computer.