yann64andClaude Opus 5.5
3eeabe9649
6,654 pages: 1,289 machines, 702 software, 460 companies, 64 history, 17 articles, 59 fun. 4,336 media files so far; references to files not downloaded yet are left out. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
546 lines
26 KiB
Markdown
546 lines
26 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Commodore C128 - C128D
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categories:
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- Computers
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types:
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- Home Computer
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origins:
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- U.S.A.
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years:
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- '1985'
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cpus:
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- '8502'
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params:
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name: C128 - C128D
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company: /companies/commodore
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company_name: Commodore
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specs:
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- label: NAME
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value: C128 - C128D
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- label: MANUFACTURER
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value: Commodore
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- label: TYPE
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value: Home Computer
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- label: ORIGIN
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value: U.S.A.
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- label: YEAR
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value: '1985'
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- label: END OF PRODUCTION
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value: Unknown
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- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
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value: Basic
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- label: KEYBOARD
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value: Complete full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad
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- label: CPU
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value: 8502 + Zilog Z80
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- label: SPEED
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value: 1/2 mHz (for the 8510), 1.022 MHz (for C64 mode), \~2.5 MHz (Z80)
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- label: CO-PROCESSOR
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value: SID (sound), VDC & VIC-II (video)
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- label: RAM
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value: 128 KB
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- label: VRAM
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value: 16 KB
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- label: ROM
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value: 48 KB
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- label: TEXT MODES
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value: 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines
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- label: GRAPHIC MODES
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value: 'several, most used : 160x200 / 320 x 200 / 640 x 200'
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- label: COLORS
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value: '16'
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- label: SOUND
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value: 3 voices / 6 octaves
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- label: I/O PORTS
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value: RGB, Video Composite, Joystick (2), Cardridge, Tape, User Port (RS232 compatible), TV, serial
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- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
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value: 'C128D : 1571 disk-drive'
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- label: OS
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value: C128 mode, C64 mode or CP/M
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- label: POWER SUPPLY
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value: |-
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C128 : External PSU\
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C128D : Built-in PSU
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- label: PRICE
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value: 6495 SEK (nov. 85, Sweden)
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tabs:
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- photos
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- adverts
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- hardware
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- emulators
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- links
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- docs
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- videos
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photos:
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- title: C128
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subtitle: ''
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text: Special thanks to **Gene Kachurak** who donated us this complete C128 system.
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image: null
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- title: WITH FDD & PSU
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subtitle: ''
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text: Commodore 128 with the 1571 FDD unit
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image: null
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- title: SIDE VIEWS
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: REAR CONNECTORS
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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From left to right:
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• Expansion port, also used for ROM cartridges\
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• Tape recorder connector, compatible with all previous Commodore computers\
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• Serial DIN socket\
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• Analogue video output, DIN socket \*\
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• TV/RF channel selector\
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• TV/RF video output\
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• RGB video output for Commodore color monitors\
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• User port connector, also compatibles with previous Commodore models.
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\* The DIN video port was for for the "normal" Commodore 64/128 video output of 40 columns of text or 320 pixels wide.\
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The 9 pin connector was for the 80-column resolution video output (normally used only for CP/M). Commodore monitors 1902A or later had to be used for the 80-column mode.\
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The machine started by default in the 40 columns mode. If you want to switch from one mode to the other, both cables had to be connected between the computer and the monitor. But there was a way to start the machine directly in the 80 columns mode. This also happened if you booted with the CP/M disk.\
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Curiosity: some PC EGA monitors could also be used for the 80-column mode (only), by using (or make) the appropiate cable.
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image: null
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- title: MOTHERBOARD
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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This is one of the most accomplished 8-bit motherboard, featuring hardware ressources for three separate machines: C128, C64 and standard CP/M system.
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**(1)** MOS 6626 Complex Interface Adapter (CIA). The motherboard uses 2 of them to manages system I/Os\
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**(2)** C128 Basic 7 and C64 Basic 2 ROMs\
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**(3)** MOS 8563 video controller used in C128 mode - 80-column, 640x200 graphics\
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**(4)** MOS 8564 PAL, NTSC video interface used in C64 mode (40x25)\
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**(5)** MOS 6581 Sound interface chip\
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**(6)** MOS 8722 Memory Management Unit\
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**(7)** Second MOS 6526 CIA\
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**(8)** Zilog Z80A CPU used in CP/M mode\
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**(9)** MOS 8502 CPU, an advanced version of the C64's 6510. Can run at 1.02 MHz or 2.04 MHZ clock speed\
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**(10)** MOS 8721 Field Programmable Logic Array (FPLA) manages parallel I/Os\
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**(11)** Character generator ROM and its 2 KB RAM buffer\
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**(12)** 128 KB RAM chips - 16 x 4264.
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image: null
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- title: BOXES
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: C128 MANUALS & MASTER DISKETTES
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: C128 DUST COVER
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: DREAN VERSION
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subtitle: ''
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text: In 1988 a local Argentine company, Drean, mainly known for its washing machines, started to sell the "Drean Commodore 64C", then the "Drean Commodore 128". Apart from the NTSC video output, they were same machines as the US versions.
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image: null
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- title: DREAN LABELS
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: C-128D
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: C128D MAIN-UNIT
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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adverts:
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- title: US ADVERT, JULY 1985
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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Nice advert, although a little excessive.
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Byte Magazine
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image: null
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- title: US ADVERT, AUGUST 1985
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: U.K. AD. (DEC. 1985)
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: US ADVERT, APR. 1986
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: MICROSOFT MULTIPLAN, APR. 1986
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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- title: MICROSOFT FS II, APR. 1986
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: null
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hardware:
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- title: 1530 C2N
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subtitle: Tape-recorder
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text: The classic Commodore tape-recorder !
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image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_tape-recorder-1530-c2n_1.jpg
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- title: CMD SUPERCPU
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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The SuperCPU by Creative Micro Devices is an accelerator cartridge for the Commodore 64. It contains an W65C816S processor running at 20 MHz, providing 20 times the performance of the stock 6510 processor! CMD later added a SuperRAM Card option that could include up to 16 MB of additional memory. There is also a v2 version that offers native 128 mode support (also called SuperCPU/128). It is one of the most sought-after Commodore peripherals.
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Thomas Conté
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image: /media/museum/hardware/c64_supercpu.jpg
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- title: CMD RAMLINK
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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This RAM expansion unit by Creative Micro Devices was intended to be used as a RAM drive to accelerate disk access. It is externally powered, and thus will preserve the data even when the computer is turned off.
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Thomas Conté
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image: /media/museum/hardware/c64_cmd_ramlink.jpg
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- title: 1571 DISK DRIVE UNIT
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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The 1571 has its own power supply and its own operating system which is in a built-in 32 KB ROM, as well as a 2 KB RAM for buffering. The interface is managed by a 6502 CPU.\
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Disk formats are 175 KB or 350 KB when used with Commodore DOS and 410 KB when used with CP/M+.
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image: null
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- title: FLOPPY DISK UNIT 1540-1541
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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It is connected to the C64 via a serial link.\
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It is very very slow and can store 170 kb per disk.
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image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore-diskdrive_1540_1.jpg
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- title: QUICK DATA DRIVE
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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**Cheaper and faster than diskettes.**
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This Quick Data Drive from Dean Electronics is dedicated to Commodore 64 and <$252$>Vic 20 systems. It uses a special tape called 'Wafer', of 16, 64 or 128 Kb capacity. This wafer was also used by a product marketed for the <$223$>Sinclair Spectrum, called Wafadrive. Various tests proved that the Q.D.D. was approximately 20 times faster than a normal cassette recorder and 2 or 3 times faster than the Commodore 1541 disk drive. The reason : data transfer routines (called QOS) much more efficient than those of Commodore, and a file management operating system (FMU) much more modern and powerful.
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The Q.D.D. is however not more than an advanced tape recorder using a magnetic tape, and the delay to access a specific file still remains higher than with a normal disk drive. Despite its qualities, the Q.D.D. did not meet success because most C64 software was sold on disks or tapes and users had to acquire both Commodore peripherals before investing in a third powerful storage system.
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image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_quick_data_1.jpg
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- title: CMD HD-20
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subtitle: 20Mb hard-drive
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text: This is a hard drive for the C64 or 128. SWAP-Devicenumber-Buttons let the HD become drive 8 or 9. It can create sub-directories and partitions, including 1541 emulation.
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image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_cmd-hd20_1.jpg
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- title: VICMODEM
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subtitle: Advert
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text: You could already send emails !!
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image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_vicmodem_pub_1.jpg
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- title: WERSIBOARD MUSIC 64
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subtitle: ''
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text: Thomas Conté
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image: /media/museum/hardware/c64_wersiboard.jpg
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- title: MODEL 64
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subtitle: from Sequential Instruments
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text: |-
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This synthesize fits in the cartridge slot of the C64. It has a MIDI interface with 2 plugs (IN & OUT). It can record 5 different sequences of 6 tracks each, with a total capacity of 4000 notes. But it doesn't have "step by step" record mode.
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This thing cost 2260 fr in december 84 (France).
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image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_model64.jpg
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- title: MODEL 1525
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subtitle: ''
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text: It can print all the semi graphic characters of the C64. (30 characters per second)
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image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_printer_1525_1.jpg
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emulators:
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- title: CCS64
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url: http://www.ccs64.com/
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platform: Windows
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text: The best C64 emulator for the PC
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- title: Free64
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url: http://www.umr.edu/~bmartin/
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platform: Windows
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text: A Freeware emulator for MS DOS
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- title: MESS
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url: http://www.mess.org
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platform: Windows
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text: This fantastic emulator can emulate the mlost of the 8-bit Commodore systems
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- title: Win 64
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url: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/6558/win64.htm
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platform: Windows
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text: The Best C64 Emulator for Win95 / WinNT
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- title: Win64
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url: http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/park/6558/win64.htm
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platform: Windows
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text: Good Commodore 64 for Windows
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- title: Mac Frodo
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url: http://internetter.com/titan/macfrodo/
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platform: Apple
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text: The MAC OS version of Frodo, one of the best C64 Emulator
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- title: Power 64
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url: http://www.infinite-loop.at/Power64/index.html
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platform: Apple
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text: Emulator for PPC Macintoshes
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- title: SID PLay
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url: http://stud1.tuwien.ac.at/~e9426444/sidplay/
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platform: Apple
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text: A player for C64 Musics
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- title: ccs
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url: http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/crossplatform/emulators/unix/
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platform: Unix / Linux
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text: C64 emulator for Unix
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- title: Frodo for Amiga OS
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url: http://www.uni-mainz.de/~bauec002/FRMain.html
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platform: Amiga OS
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text: The best C64 Emulator for Amiga
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- title: VICE for Amiga OS4
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url: http://amidog.se/amiga/vice/
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platform: Amiga OS
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text: This AmigaOS4 version is ported by Mathias "AmiDog" Roslund
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- title: c64.gr
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url: http://www.c64.gr/
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platform: Other platform
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text: C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser!
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- title: C-ONE
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url: http://c64upgra.de/c-one/
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platform: Other platform
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text: Hardware emulator (re-configurable computer)
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- title: Frodo for PalmOS
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url: http://frodopalm.sourceforge.net/
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platform: Other platform
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text: Frodo for PalmOS
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- title: VICE
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url: http://viceteam.bei.t-online.de/
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platform: Other platform
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text: Emulates the C64, C128, VIC20, all the PET models and the CBM-II under Unix, MS-DOS, Win95/NT, OS/2, Acorn RISC OS or BeOS !!
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- title: Web C64
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url: http://www.dreamfabric.com/c64/
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platform: Other platform
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text: The 64 as a Java applet in your Browser. Excellent !
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- title: C=64 Emulator for OS/2 Full Screen
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url: http://home.hccnet.nl/w.m.brul/emulator/index.html
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platform: OS2
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text: Freeware emulator for OS/2
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links:
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- title: C128 Infoseite
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url: http://www.graas.de/C128
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text: Information about the Commodore 128 and CP/M 3.0, including all CP/M commands. Website in german language.
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- title: C64.COM
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url: http://www.c64.com/
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text: Excellent and beautifully designed site, full of games to download. A must
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- title: c64.gr
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url: http://www.c64.gr/
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text: C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser!
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- title: 'c64files.com :: the ultimate C64 portal!'
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url: http://www.c64files.com/
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text: News, Gaming, Music, Museum, Links etc.
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- title: Commodore 64 -
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url: http://folkvagn.commodore64.org
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text: Info about the C64 and successors, C64 emulators and the SID chip. Also contains C64 programs and a forum. In Swedish only.
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- title: Commodore 64 Game Endings
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url: http://www.c64endings.co.uk/
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text: All your fave C64 game endings under one roof.
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- title: Commodore 64 Nostalgia
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url: http://www.staggs.pair.com/c64/
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text: ''
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- title: Commodore Scene Magazine and Importing Service
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url: http://www.commodorescene.org.uk/
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text: New publications, hardware and software for the Commodore 128/128d and C64
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- title: Commodore Service Manuals
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url: http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/
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text: Commodore Service Manuals & other stuff
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- title: Commodore-64 Programmer's Library
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url: http://home.comcast.net/~c64proglib
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text: many of Robert Baker's early original magazine articles, programs and programming tips (not free)
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- title: Commodore-related Net Resources
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url: http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/netresources.html
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text: ''
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- title: Good Old Games
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url: http://speccy.altervista.org/
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text: Many games with screenshot comparisons, download and magazines
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- title: Greg and David's C64 Web page
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url: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gvincent/
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text: ''
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- title: HV C64 CD's - The ultimate CD set full of software for the C64
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url: http://www.talent.demon.co.uk/64/
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text: ''
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- title: LEMON 64
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url: http://www.lemon64.com/
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text: The source for all Your Commodore 64 Gaming and News needs ! Quite impressive !!!
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- title: Mayhem64
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url: http://www.mayhem64.co.uk/main.htm
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text: For all your C64 cartridge needs... and more!
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- title: Remixes of music from C-64 games
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url: http://remix.kwed.org
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text: Hear the tunes from your fav C64 games like you've never heard them before!
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- title: Stadium 64
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url: http://s64.emuunlim.com/
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text: Are you a sportgaming fan? Then this site is definitely for you! Over 1000 sportgames available for download. Lots of manuals, reviews, covers, adverts, screenshots, hints&tips, world records + a lot more!
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- title: The Commodore 8-bit WWW server
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url: http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/
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text: ''
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- title: The Secrets Weapons of Commodore
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url: http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/
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text: Awesome website ! Presents all the weird systems imagined by Commodore.
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- title: The Star Commander homepage
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url: http://sta.c64.org/sc.html
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text: ''
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- title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
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url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
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text: This is a bulletin board run on a Commodore 64!
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docs:
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- title: C128 SYSTEM GUIDE
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url: http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/c128sg/toc.htm
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cover: null
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text: |-
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[**C128 SYSTEM GUIDE**](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/c128sg/toc.htm)written by Commodore
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compiled/archived by René van Belzen\
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type of document : HTML\
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source : [The Commodore C128 page](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/)
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- title: THE C128 BASIC INTERPRETER
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url: http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/128intpt/index.html
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cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif
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text: |-
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[**THE C128 BASIC INTERPRETER**](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/128intpt/index.html)written by S. Baloui / ah.
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compiled/archived by Rene van Belzen\
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type of document : HTML\
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source : [The Commodore C128 page](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/128intpt/index.html)
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videos:
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- title: Commodore C128 commercial
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url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86pDEFvf0Wc
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text: 'Length: 30 s'
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- title: C64 assembly line pictures!
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url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzfJLVS2YI
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text: 'Length: 6 min 56 s'
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comments:
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- author: Gary (US)
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date: Tuesday 15th March 2011
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text: |-
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I remember a distinct feature of the C128 that the C64 didn''t have, out of the box...
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Play "A C B C B C A"
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Music!
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- author: Jon Fukumoto
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date: Friday 17th April 2009
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text: Ahh yes!! The C128!! I had one of those!! There is one more tidbit. When you power on the machine, there''s a hidden message which showed the designers of the C128. Type SYS 32800,123,4,5 and voila it pops up. There''s also hidden messages in the 1571 and the 1581, but I don''t remember how they were activated.
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- author: TheGrandRascal (NJ, USA)
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date: Saturday 8th February 2020
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text: |-
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I actually still have $ and, (very) occasionally, still USE! $ my Commodore-128!
|
||
|
||
In addition to the C128 itself, I also have:
|
||
|
||
1\. An attached CMD SuperCPU$
|
||
|
||
2\. A CMD RamLink (16MB)$
|
||
|
||
3\. Two 1571''s (both wth JiffyDOS)$
|
||
|
||
4\. A 1581 (also with JiffyDOS)$
|
||
|
||
5\. A CMD FD-2000 (which came with JiffyDOS preinstalled $ it also has a realtime clock installed)$
|
||
|
||
6\. A Commodore 1084 color monitor$ and
|
||
|
||
7\. A Seikosha SP-1000VC dot-matrix printer.
|
||
|
||
And THEY ALL WORK!!! Yay!!!
|
||
|
||
All hail my Commodore might! $$9786$
|
||
- author: mike (United States)
|
||
date: Tuesday 18th April 2017
|
||
text: '@STEVE - you can install an emulator to run your programs . Google c128 emulators'
|
||
- author: Steve (Queens, New York)
|
||
date: Thursday 2nd February 2017
|
||
text: |-
|
||
Just cleaned out a desk draw and found an old TIMEWORKS box that Word Writer 128 came in. There are about a dozen floppys with some stuff on them that I would like to see. I live in New York City and would like to contact someone in this area with a 128 who could possibly open the floppys and print out anything worthwhile to me. I still have the Word Writer program and would give it to anyone who could help me, and I would of course cover any expenses.\
|
||
My e-mail address is mandelsm@gmail.com
|
||
- author: Deathstrike
|
||
date: Saturday 3rd September 2016
|
||
text: A truly revolutionary machine!!! The C128 had 128,64, and CP/M straight out of the box!!!! 3 machines in one making it arguably the best 8 bit computer ever made. I just wished they had made more games to take advantage of the 128 mode, they had a GEOS version that did and it was great!! Had this machine been introduced at the time of the Apple II and even the first IBM PC, I believe it would have been a real game changer and a great option for business and education.
|
||
- author: Ali Raza (Pakistan)
|
||
date: Tuesday 16th August 2016
|
||
text: Commodore 64 , still remember that RoboCop Game and its diskette ,the character fires while move front leg backwards, sweet n unforgettable memories .
|
||
- author: Petar Whywar (Croatia)
|
||
date: Tuesday 17th November 2015
|
||
text: |-
|
||
I am an (very) old commodore c128 computer user. In my attic I found my old „ c128”. After looking over his main PC board I was surprised by one special part designed like: COMMODORE FAB P/N 825091-01 (or 325091?) which care 28 pin chip: JAPAN 8515, U1009SS0, HN 482764 G. Additionally information,$ that peace of board with chip is connected to the 24 pin, U18 place (normally, at that place should be ROM 64K 128 Char, part No 390059-01!? That part carry also a strange text etched into the copper of the board of C128 computer. That phrase sounds like: RIP: HERD/FISH/GUAY/PAR.\
|
||
I will be appreciate if somebody give me a clue what that staff is.
|
||
- author: Roger Rabbit
|
||
date: Tuesday 6th September 2011
|
||
text: Actually the author''s correct about the Commodore 128 C64 mode CPU speed, it is 1022MHz (US Specification based on 120v 60Hz power) 922KHz (European Specification, based on 240v 50Hz power) the difference is solely in how the clock handles the incoming power frequency.
|
||
- author: Andres Serrano (Spain)
|
||
date: Tuesday 31st May 2011
|
||
text: The speed in C64 mode is incorrect, should be the same as the C64, which is 0.980 MHz (PAL).
|
||
- author: Shadow (USA)
|
||
date: Friday 8th April 2011
|
||
text: |-
|
||
I had an original 128 but only got a fair deal of use out of it before moving on to the PC, my 64C was my baby especially after all of the mods.
|
||
|
||
I had a buddy that had a 128D, but it always worked.... odd in 64 mode for soem reason, never knew anyone else that had one, so not sure if it was all of the models or just his.
|
||
- author: SPJ Perera (Sri Lanka)
|
||
date: Wednesday 19th May 2010
|
||
text: Well Mr.Alonso, you can sell your Commodore 128 computer to me!
|
||
- author: Simon (Perth, Western Australia)
|
||
date: Friday 11th November 2005
|
||
text: |-
|
||
I love my c128s. Im building an ultimate c128 setup. So far the c128 is painted electric blue. I plan for it to have switchable ROMS with LCD readout, Jim Brains IDE/Flash interface built in, possibly an internal HD if I can fit it and an upgraded power supply. The blue 1571 will have switchable roms with LCD readout too :)
|
||
|
||
Ill post here when finished....
|
||
- author: Alonso (New Orleans, La)
|
||
date: Saturday 5th November 2005
|
||
text: I have a Commodore 128 system and i dont know what to do with it. Any suggestions?
|
||
- author: Diego Mezzini (Argentina)
|
||
date: Friday 7th October 2005
|
||
text: can i adapt another keyboard to the c128d?
|
||
- author: Daniel (Sweden)
|
||
date: Monday 27th June 2005
|
||
text: |-
|
||
i just think the 128 has the most beutifull design of all computers of all time\
|
||
I rmember that a friend of mine had a 128D and damn he was proud if it ;) Myself had a c64(c) but started my computer life with a vic20 then c64c until i went over to Atari and my Atari 520Stm (upgrader ti 1mb) until the PC took over completely..but damn it was so much better before ;)
|
||
- author: Adam C. (NY/VA/GA, USA)
|
||
date: Sunday 28th November 2004
|
||
text: |-
|
||
Hey Héctor Castañeda , check out star commander http://sta.c64.org/sc.html it should help.\
|
||
C128 was what I upgraded to from C64... had the extra SID chip soldered in for 6 sid channles in stereo! Remember playing a C64 and a C128 at the same time with axel foley in both availible keys. Oh yah I was totally a geek.
|
||
- author: Héctor Castañeda (Lima, Perú)
|
||
date: Wednesday 28th April 2004
|
||
text: I've got important documents stored on 5 1/4" diskettes, made on a Commodore 128D, wich i need to convert to PC format. I don't have the Commodore anymore, but I do the external Dktte Drive . Is there a way to connect it to the PC? Do you know where can I get this data conversion service?
|
||
- author: Malc (UK)
|
||
date: Tuesday 22nd April 2003
|
||
text: I got the 128MB RAM pack for my 128 which was useful for a CP/M RAM disk - speeded up compilation of COBOL (Utah or was it Nevada COBOL?) programs enormously! I also ran dbase II. It was very useful during my HND in Computing in 1988/9 era
|
||
related:
|
||
- /museum/commodore-c64
|
||
- /museum/commodore-c64-aldi
|
||
- /museum/commodore-c64-golden-jubilee
|
||
- /museum/commodore-c64c
|
||
- /museum/commodore-c64g
|
||
- /museum/commodore-educator-64
|
||
- /museum/commodore-lcd
|
||
- /museum/commodore-sx-dx-64-executive-computer
|
||
- /museum/commodore-vic-1001
|
||
- /museum/eds-c64-edc
|
||
oc_id: 96
|
||
source:
|
||
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230530145847/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=96
|
||
date: '2023-05-30'
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
The Commodore 128 was launched at the Las-Vegas Consumer Electronic Show 1985. It was presented then as a competitor for the [Apple Macintosh](/museum/apple-macintosh/) and [IBM PC](/museum/ibm-pc-model-5150/) (The famous advertisement said "Bad news for Apple and IBM"). In fact, the only star of this show was the [Atari 130 ST](/museum/atari-130-st-260-st/) !
|
||
|
||
It was the successor of the [Commodore 64](/museum/commodore-c64/) and could use all the software and a lot of the hardware of the C64 (the 8502 could be slowed down 1 MHz for compatibility).
|
||
|
||
One of the main specialities of this machine was the additional Z80 CPU and Video chip, which means that you could attach two monitors. Thanks to the Z80, the Commodore 128 could run under CP/M + : lots of software were adapted for this computer and [Osborne](/museum/osborne-corp-encore/) or [Kaypro](/museum/kaypro-10/) programs could run directly.
|
||
|
||
**The 128D model:**
|
||
|
||
The 128D was the direct successor of the Commodore 128 : it had exactly the same characteristics as the 128 except its external case which contained the Commodore 1571 floppy disk unit.
|
||
|
||
Actually there were two distinct Commodore 128Ds : The 128D and the 128D-CR (for Cost Reduced).\
|
||
Differences between the 128D and the 128DCR were :\
|
||
\- The 128D was never sold in the U.S. because of all the radio frequency interference it gave off.\
|
||
\- the 128D-CR had a metal case rather than plastic for solving radio frequency problems. This version was sold in the U.S.\
|
||
\- the 128D-CR did not have a cooling fan, although there was a place to mount one.\
|
||
\- the 128D-CR case did not have storage clips for the keyboard.\
|
||
\- the 128D-CR came with 64k of video RAM (for the RGB video chip) rather than 16k for the C128.\
|
||
\- the 128D-CR's printed circuit board was different, and included the drive electronics. So there were 3 CPUs on the board.\
|
||
\- the 128D-CR came with bugfixed (1986) ROMs in two 32k x 8 chips instead of four 16k x 8 ones.\
|
||
\- The internal drive's ROM was different from the original 1571 ROM in two ways: it was bugfixed, and had changes for the new support chips. The bugfixes were bigger than the changes for the new hardware.\
|
||
\- 128D-CR CPU RAM was in four 64k x 4 chips rather than sixteen 64k x 1 ones.\
|
||
\- the 128D-CR did not have a carrying handle.
|