8 replies to this topic

[Vectrex-Atari]

I recently got a CIB Commodore 64c. My grandpa had it long time ago and it does not work. It powers up and I get a screen, But it displays random letters and signs (garbage like). I found this site, but I cant figure out what to look for. I tired resocketing the chips with no luck.

http://www.c64.priv....64-Computer.txt

Im not trying to be an electronics guy, but if its a simple chip or problem, I would like to try and fix it. Gives me something to play with.

[birdie3]

Me too!! This is so strange. I have the exact same symptoms. Resocketing did not help either. Are you able to play carts games?? PM me if you figure this out. I have Gyruss and Frogger II that I just picked up and no console to play them on.

[Ze_ro]

By far the most common problem I've seen with C-64's is a dead CIA chip. Since the power switch is right next to the joystick ports, it's very easy to accidentally zap the port with whatever static electricity your body may be carrying. Even a small shock (sometimes small enough that you don't even feel it) will fry the input/output chip (the CIA), and effectively kills the system (I think the CIA contains all the timers and such, so you can't operate without it). I've killed at least 3 C-64's, and maybe a few VIC-20's this way, but I can't remember what the symptoms were, since I haven't seen it in a while.

Replacing the CIA can be easy, but getting one can be tough. Considering how common the C-64 is, it's usually easier to just find a new one, and keep the broken one for parts.

--Zero

[Nukey Shay]

I had one where every character was replaced by boxes (i.e. a reversed space)

[Markimus of K.]

birdie3 said:

Me too!! This is so strange. I have the exact same symptoms. Resocketing did not help either. Are you able to play carts games?? PM me if you figure this out. I have Gyruss and Frogger II that I just picked up and no console to play them on.

Hey Birdie3, if want to get rid of the Gyruss cart, let me know, I'd like to buy it (one of my all-time favourites!)

As for the C64s, I wouldn't waste my time trying to fix it, unless of course you're into that kind of thing. They can be had for cheap still.

Markimus of K.

[Rockin' Kat]

I've heard of C64 power supplies going bad and causing the C64 to do some weird crap on the screen...

I had the CIA chip in my C64 go bad on me... NEVER use Genesis pads on a C64..(it's ok to use SMS pads though). I got a replacement CIA from someone on a Commodore Mailing list I'm on....this list I speak of has acctually helped me with more than a few problems I've had with my C64.

[birdie3]

I bought C64 Gyruss for the same reason and I haven't even tried it yet. I will let you know if I find another. I have tonnes of other stuff to trade so feel free to PM me if you are looking to trade. I am in Ontario as well.

[Paul Slocum]

check this out:

http://personalpages...arlsen/cbm.html

[birdie3]

Yes. I looked at that site last night. I would not doubt that the power supply is dead. Thanks for the suggestion.