website/content/museum/commodore-c128-c128d.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Commodore C128 - C128D	Computers	Home Computer	U.S.A.	1985	8502	name company company_name specs tabs photos adverts hardware emulators links docs videos comments related oc_id source C128 - C128D /companies/commodore Commodore label value NAME C128 - C128D label value MANUFACTURER Commodore label value TYPE Home Computer label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR 1985 label value END OF PRODUCTION Unknown label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE Basic label value KEYBOARD Complete full-stroke keyboard with separated numeric keypad label value CPU 8502 + Zilog Z80 label value SPEED 1/2 mHz (for the 8510), 1.022 MHz (for C64 mode), ~2.5 MHz (Z80) label value CO-PROCESSOR SID (sound), VDC & VIC-II (video) label value RAM 128 KB label value VRAM 16 KB label value ROM 48 KB label value TEXT MODES 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines label value GRAPHIC MODES several, most used : 160x200 / 320 x 200 / 640 x 200 label value COLORS 16 label value SOUND 3 voices / 6 octaves label value I/O PORTS RGB, Video Composite, Joystick (2), Cardridge, Tape, User Port (RS232 compatible), TV, serial label value BUILT IN MEDIA C128D : 1571 disk-drive label value OS C128 mode, C64 mode or CP/M label value POWER SUPPLY C128 : External PSU\ C128D : Built-in PSU label value PRICE 6495 SEK (nov. 85, Sweden) photos adverts hardware emulators links docs videos title subtitle text image C128 Special thanks to **Gene Kachurak** who donated us this complete C128 system. null title subtitle text image WITH FDD & PSU Commodore 128 with the 1571 FDD unit null title subtitle text image SIDE VIEWS null title subtitle text image KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP null title subtitle text image REAR CONNECTORS From left to right: • Expansion port, also used for ROM cartridges\ • Tape recorder connector, compatible with all previous Commodore computers\ • Serial DIN socket\ • Analogue video output, DIN socket *\ • TV/RF channel selector\ • TV/RF video output\ • RGB video output for Commodore color monitors\ • User port connector, also compatibles with previous Commodore models. * The DIN video port was for for the "normal" Commodore 64/128 video output of 40 columns of text or 320 pixels wide.\ 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.\ 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.\ Curiosity: some PC EGA monitors could also be used for the 80-column mode (only), by using (or make) the appropiate cable. null title subtitle text image MOTHERBOARD This is one of the most accomplished 8-bit motherboard, featuring hardware ressources for three separate machines: C128, C64 and standard CP/M system. **(1)** MOS 6626 Complex Interface Adapter (CIA). The motherboard uses 2 of them to manages system I/Os\ **(2)** C128 Basic 7 and C64 Basic 2 ROMs\ **(3)** MOS 8563 video controller used in C128 mode - 80-column, 640x200 graphics\ **(4)** MOS 8564 PAL, NTSC video interface used in C64 mode (40x25)\ **(5)** MOS 6581 Sound interface chip\ **(6)** MOS 8722 Memory Management Unit\ **(7)** Second MOS 6526 CIA\ **(8)** Zilog Z80A CPU used in CP/M mode\ **(9)** MOS 8502 CPU, an advanced version of the C64's 6510. Can run at 1.02 MHz or 2.04 MHZ clock speed\ **(10)** MOS 8721 Field Programmable Logic Array (FPLA) manages parallel I/Os\ **(11)** Character generator ROM and its 2 KB RAM buffer\ **(12)** 128 KB RAM chips - 16 x 4264. null title subtitle text image BOXES null title subtitle text image C128 MANUALS & MASTER DISKETTES null title subtitle text image C128 DUST COVER null title subtitle text image DREAN VERSION 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. null title subtitle text image DREAN LABELS null title subtitle text image C-128D null title subtitle text image C128D MAIN-UNIT null title subtitle text image US ADVERT, JULY 1985 Nice advert, although a little excessive. Byte Magazine null title subtitle text image US ADVERT, AUGUST 1985 null title subtitle text image U.K. AD. (DEC. 1985) null title subtitle text image US ADVERT, APR. 1986 null title subtitle text image MICROSOFT MULTIPLAN, APR. 1986 null title subtitle text image MICROSOFT FS II, APR. 1986 null title subtitle text image 1530 C2N Tape-recorder The classic Commodore tape-recorder ! /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_tape-recorder-1530-c2n_1.jpg title subtitle text image CMD SUPERCPU 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. Thomas Conté /media/museum/hardware/c64_supercpu.jpg title subtitle text image CMD RAMLINK 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. Thomas Conté /media/museum/hardware/c64_cmd_ramlink.jpg title subtitle text image 1571 DISK DRIVE UNIT 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.\ Disk formats are 175 KB or 350 KB when used with Commodore DOS and 410 KB when used with CP/M+. null title subtitle text image FLOPPY DISK UNIT 1540-1541 It is connected to the C64 via a serial link.\ It is very very slow and can store 170 kb per disk. /media/museum/hardware/commodore-diskdrive_1540_1.jpg title subtitle text image QUICK DATA DRIVE **Cheaper and faster than diskettes.** 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. 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. /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_quick_data_1.jpg title subtitle text image CMD HD-20 20Mb hard-drive 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. /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_cmd-hd20_1.jpg title subtitle text image VICMODEM Advert You could already send emails !! /media/museum/hardware/commodore_vicmodem_pub_1.jpg title subtitle text image WERSIBOARD MUSIC 64 Thomas Conté /media/museum/hardware/c64_wersiboard.jpg title subtitle text image MODEL 64 from Sequential Instruments 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. This thing cost 2260 fr in december 84 (France). /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_model64.jpg title subtitle text image MODEL 1525 It can print all the semi graphic characters of the C64. (30 characters per second) /media/museum/hardware/commodore_printer_1525_1.jpg title url platform text CCS64 http://www.ccs64.com/ Windows The best C64 emulator for the PC title url platform text Free64 http://www.umr.edu/~bmartin/ Windows A Freeware emulator for MS DOS title url platform text MESS http://www.mess.org Windows This fantastic emulator can emulate the mlost of the 8-bit Commodore systems title url platform text Win 64 http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/6558/win64.htm Windows The Best C64 Emulator for Win95 / WinNT title url platform text Win64 http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/park/6558/win64.htm Windows Good Commodore 64 for Windows title url platform text Mac Frodo http://internetter.com/titan/macfrodo/ Apple The MAC OS version of Frodo, one of the best C64 Emulator title url platform text Power 64 http://www.infinite-loop.at/Power64/index.html Apple Emulator for PPC Macintoshes title url platform text SID PLay http://stud1.tuwien.ac.at/~e9426444/sidplay/ Apple A player for C64 Musics title url platform text ccs http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/crossplatform/emulators/unix/ Unix / Linux C64 emulator for Unix title url platform text Frodo for Amiga OS http://www.uni-mainz.de/~bauec002/FRMain.html Amiga OS The best C64 Emulator for Amiga title url platform text VICE for Amiga OS4 http://amidog.se/amiga/vice/ Amiga OS This AmigaOS4 version is ported by Mathias "AmiDog" Roslund title url platform text c64.gr http://www.c64.gr/ Other platform C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser! title url platform text C-ONE http://c64upgra.de/c-one/ Other platform Hardware emulator (re-configurable computer) title url platform text Frodo for PalmOS http://frodopalm.sourceforge.net/ Other platform Frodo for PalmOS title url platform text VICE http://viceteam.bei.t-online.de/ Other platform 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 !! title url platform text Web C64 http://www.dreamfabric.com/c64/ Other platform The 64 as a Java applet in your Browser. Excellent ! title url platform text C=64 Emulator for OS/2 Full Screen http://home.hccnet.nl/w.m.brul/emulator/index.html OS2 Freeware emulator for OS/2 title url text C128 Infoseite http://www.graas.de/C128 Information about the Commodore 128 and CP/M 3.0, including all CP/M commands. Website in german language. title url text C64.COM http://www.c64.com/ Excellent and beautifully designed site, full of games to download. A must title url text c64.gr http://www.c64.gr/ C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser! title url text c64files.com :: the ultimate C64 portal! http://www.c64files.com/ News, Gaming, Music, Museum, Links etc. title url text Commodore 64 - http://folkvagn.commodore64.org Info about the C64 and successors, C64 emulators and the SID chip. Also contains C64 programs and a forum. In Swedish only. title url text Commodore 64 Game Endings http://www.c64endings.co.uk/ All your fave C64 game endings under one roof. title url text Commodore 64 Nostalgia http://www.staggs.pair.com/c64/ title url text Commodore Scene Magazine and Importing Service http://www.commodorescene.org.uk/ New publications, hardware and software for the Commodore 128/128d and C64 title url text Commodore Service Manuals http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/ Commodore Service Manuals & other stuff title url text Commodore-64 Programmer's Library http://home.comcast.net/~c64proglib many of Robert Baker's early original magazine articles, programs and programming tips (not free) title url text Commodore-related Net Resources http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/netresources.html title url text Good Old Games http://speccy.altervista.org/ Many games with screenshot comparisons, download and magazines title url text Greg and David's C64 Web page http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gvincent/ title url text HV C64 CD's - The ultimate CD set full of software for the C64 http://www.talent.demon.co.uk/64/ title url text LEMON 64 http://www.lemon64.com/ The source for all Your Commodore 64 Gaming and News needs ! Quite impressive !!! title url text Mayhem64 http://www.mayhem64.co.uk/main.htm For all your C64 cartridge needs... and more! title url text Remixes of music from C-64 games http://remix.kwed.org Hear the tunes from your fav C64 games like you've never heard them before! title url text Stadium 64 http://s64.emuunlim.com/ 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! title url text The Commodore 8-bit WWW server http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/ title url text The Secrets Weapons of Commodore http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/ Awesome website ! Presents all the weird systems imagined by Commodore. title url text The Star Commander homepage http://sta.c64.org/sc.html title url text Web Wiz CAPTCHA http://www.webwizcaptcha.com This is a bulletin board run on a Commodore 64! title url cover text C128 SYSTEM GUIDE http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/c128sg/toc.htm null [**C128 SYSTEM GUIDE**](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/c128sg/toc.htm)written by Commodore  compiled/archived by René van Belzen\  type of document : HTML\  source : [The Commodore C128 page](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/) title url cover text THE C128 BASIC INTERPRETER http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/128intpt/index.html /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif [**THE C128 BASIC INTERPRETER**](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/128intpt/index.html)written by S. Baloui / ah.  compiled/archived by Rene van Belzen\  type of document : HTML\  source : [The Commodore C128 page](http://members.tripod.com/~rvbelzen/128intpt/index.html) title url text Commodore C128 commercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86pDEFvf0Wc Length: 30 s title url text C64 assembly line pictures! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzfJLVS2YI Length: 6 min 56 s author date text Gary (US) Tuesday 15th March 2011 I remember a distinct feature of the C128 that the C64 didn''t have, out of the box... Play "A C B C B C A" Music! author date text Jon Fukumoto Friday 17th April 2009 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. author date text TheGrandRascal (NJ, USA) Saturday 8th February 2020 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 date text mike (United States) Tuesday 18th April 2017 @STEVE - you can install an emulator to run your programs . Google c128 emulators author date text Steve (Queens, New York) Thursday 2nd February 2017 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 date text Deathstrike Saturday 3rd September 2016 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 date text Ali Raza (Pakistan) Tuesday 16th August 2016 Commodore 64 , still remember that RoboCop Game and its diskette ,the character fires while move front leg backwards, sweet n unforgettable memories . author date text Petar Whywar (Croatia) Tuesday 17th November 2015 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 date text Roger Rabbit Tuesday 6th September 2011 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 date text Andres Serrano (Spain) Tuesday 31st May 2011 The speed in C64 mode is incorrect, should be the same as the C64, which is 0.980 MHz (PAL). author date text Shadow (USA) Friday 8th April 2011 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 date text SPJ Perera (Sri Lanka) Wednesday 19th May 2010 Well Mr.Alonso, you can sell your Commodore 128 computer to me! author date text Simon (Perth, Western Australia) Friday 11th November 2005 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 date text Alonso (New Orleans, La) Saturday 5th November 2005 I have a Commodore 128 system and i dont know what to do with it. Any suggestions? author date text Diego Mezzini (Argentina) Friday 7th October 2005 can i adapt another keyboard to the c128d? author date text Daniel (Sweden) Monday 27th June 2005 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 date text Adam C. (NY/VA/GA, USA) Sunday 28th November 2004 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 date text Héctor Castañeda (Lima, Perú) Wednesday 28th April 2004 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 date text Malc (UK) Tuesday 22nd April 2003 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 /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 96 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230530145847/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=96 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 and IBM PC (The famous advertisement said "Bad news for Apple and IBM"). In fact, the only star of this show was the Atari 130 ST !

It was the successor of the Commodore 64 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 or Kaypro 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.