Autopsy:

12►

The VIC-20 (Germany: VC-20; Japan: VIC-1001) is an 8-bit home computer which was sold by Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980, roughly three years after Commodore’s first personal computer, the PET. The VIC-20 was the first computer of any description to sell one million units.

The VIC-20 was intended to be more economical than the PET computer. It was equipped with only 5 kB of RAM (of this, only 3.5 KB were available to the BASIC programmer) and used the same MOS 6502 CPU as the PET. The VIC-20′s video chip, the MOS Technology VIC, was a general-purpose color video chip designed by Al Charpentier in 1977 and intended for use in inexpensive display terminals and game consoles, but Commodore could not find a market for the chip. As the Apple II gained momentum with the advent of VisiCalc in 1979, Jack Tramiel wanted a product that would compete in the same segment, to be presented at the January 1980 CES. For this reason Chuck Peddle and Bill Seiler started to design a computer named TOI (The Other Intellect).

The TOI computer failed to materialize, mostly due to the fact that it required an 80-column character display which in turn required the MOS Technology 6564 chip. However, the chip could not be used in the TOI since it required very expensive static RAM to operate fast enough. In the meantime, freshman engineer Robert Yannes at MOS Technology (then a part of Commodore) had designed a computer in his home dubbed the MicroPET and finished a prototype with some help from Al Charpentier and Charles Winterble. With the TOI unfinished, when Jack Tramiel was confronted with the MicroPET prototype, he immediately said he wanted it to be finished and ordered it to be mass-produced following a limited demonstration at the CES.

source: wikipedia

Autopsy:

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Olivetti S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of computers, tablets, smartphones, printers and other business products such as calculators and fax machines. Headquartered in Ivrea, province of Turin, the company has been part of the Telecom Italia Group since 2003.

The primacy of the first PC can be assigned to Olivetti thanks to Programma 101, which was produced in 1964 and had a big success in the U.S. market.

Olivetti’s first modern personal computer, the Olivetti M20, featuring a Zilog Z8000 CPU, was released in 1982. In 1983 Olivetti introduced the M24 and in 1984 the M21 (the first and last of transportable of Olivetti), a clone of the IBM PC using DOS and the Intel 8086 processor (at 8 MHz) instead of the Intel 8088 used by IBM (at 4.77 MHz).

The M24 was sold in North America as the AT&T 6300. Olivetti also manufactured the AT&T 6300 Plus, which could run both DOS and Unix.

The comparison (before / after):

Repairing & things before of the Cleaning:

12►

Defects:

• Mirror image.
• Sometimes garbled image with using the ISA Bus.

Replaced parts:

• Replaced a 74LS245N on the motherboard side.
• Replaced a 75LS244N on ISA expansion Module.
• Removed the battery for the Realtime Clock.

Upgrade:

• Bios v1.36 to v1.43 (latest).

source: wikipedia

Autopsy:

1234►

Kaypro Corporation, commonly called Kaypro, was an American home/personal computer manufacturer of the 1980s. The company was founded by Non-Linear Systems to develop computers to compete with the then-popular Osborne 1 portable microcomputer. Kaypro produced a line of rugged, portable CP/M-based computers sold with an extensive software bundle which supplanted its competitors and quickly became one of the top selling personal computer lines of the early 1980s.

While exceptionally loyal to its original consumer base, Kaypro was slow to adapt to the changing computer market and the advent of IBM PC compatible technology. It faded from the mainstream before the end of the decade and was eventually forced into filing for bankruptcy in 1992.

Kaypro began as Non-Linear Systems, a maker of electronic test equipment, founded in 1952 by Andrew Kay, the inventor of the digital voltmeter.

In 1981, Non-Linear Systems began designing a personal computer, called KayComp, that would compete with the popular Osborne 1 transportable microcomputer. In 1982, Non-Linear Systems organized a daughter company named the Kaypro Corporation and rechristened the computer with the same name.

The first product, the Kaypro II, carried the Roman-numeral designation because one of the most popular microcomputers at the time was the Apple II. The Kaypro II was designed to be portable like the Osborne. (When battery-powered laptop computers became available, the larger machines came to be called transportable or luggable, rather than portable.) Set in an aluminum case, it weighed 29 pounds (13 kilograms) and was equipped with a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, 64 kilobytes of RAM, and two 5¼-inch double-density floppy-disk drives. It ran on Digital Research, Inc.’s CP/M operating system, and sold for about US$1,795.00.

Kaypro’s first computer, the Kaypro II, had a 2.5 MHz Zilog Z80 microprocessor; 64 Kb of RAM; dual, single-sided, 191 kB 5¼ inch floppy disk drives; and an 80-column, green monochrome, 9″ CRT.

Early in the Kaypro’s life, there was a legal dispute with the owner of the Bigboard computer who charged that the Kaypro II main circuit board was an unlicensed copy or clone.

he outer case was constructed of painted aluminum. The computer featured a large detachable keyboard that covered the screen and disk drives when stowed. This and other Kaypro computers (except for the Kaypro 2000) ran off regular AC mains power and were not equipped with a battery.

The comparison (before / after):

Defects:

• Black screen of death.

Replaced parts:

• Removed the filter capacitors.
• Replaced some Electrolytic Capacitors exhausted (PSU).

source: wikipedia

Gallery of the repair:

Defect:

• Black screen of death.
• Improper adjustment of Contrast and Brightness.
• Power Supply “tired”.

Replaced parts:

• Removed the filter capacitors.
• Replaced all Electrolytic Capacitors exhausted .
• Contrast and Brightness adjustments.

Autopsy:

123►

TRS-80 (“Tandy/Radio Shack, Z-80 microprocessor”) was a brand associated with several desktop microcomputer lines sold by Tandy Corporation through their Radio Shack stores.

The original “TRS-80 Micro Computer System” launched in 1977 (later known as the Model I) was one of the earliest mass-produced personal computers. The first units, ordered unseen, were delivered in November 1977, and rolled out to the stores the third week of December. The line won popularity with hobbyists, home users, and small-businesses. Tandy Corporation’s leading position in what Byte Magazine called the “1977 Trinity” (Apple, Commodore and Tandy) had much to do with Tandy’s retailing the computer through more than 3,000 of its Radio Shack storefronts. Notable features of the original TRS-80 included its full-stroke QWERTY keyboard, small size, its floating point BASIC programming language, an included monitor, and a starting price of US$600 (equivalent to US$2,230 in 2011). The pre-release price was US$500 and a US$50 deposit was required, with a money back guarantee at time of delivery.

In July 1980 Tandy released the Model III. The improvements of the Model III over the Model I included built-in lower case, a better keyboard, 1500-baud cassette interface, and a faster (2.03 MHz) Z-80 processor.

With the introduction of the Model III, Model I production was discontinued as it did not comply with new FCC regulations as of January 1, 1981 regarding electromagnetic interference. The Model I radiated so much interference that while playing games an AM radio placed next to the computer could be used to provide sounds.

The Model III could run about 80% of Model I software, but used an incompatible disk format. Customers and developers complained of bugs in its BASIC and the TRSDOS operating system. The computer also came with the option of integrated disk drives.

Download:

• TRS-80 Model III Games Compilation in DMK/JV3/IMD Format (1474)
• TRS-80 Model III LDos v5.31 in IMD Format (1430)

Video of some games with sounds:

source: wikipedia

This is the official demo party results from Datastorm 2014 (Top 3 Entries only). See also the CSDB DATASTORM 2014 section for more informations.

C64 Demo:

• We Are All Connected by Fairlight, Offence, Prosonix
• Continuum by TRIAD
• The Doors of Perception by SHAPE

C64 Music:

• Valentine by Dane
• The Greatest Pal by Scarzix
• Better Call Saul by X-jammer

C64 Graphics:

• Ze bramblebee by Redcrab
• Strikeforce by Prowler
• Kind of Blew It by Fedja

Mixed Graphics (PETSCII):

• Yarr! by Genesis Project
• The Accident by Hack n’ Trade    
• Stay Forever by wysiwtf

Download: Datastorm 2014 Party stuff (1167)

source: datastorm.se

Onslaught / Wrath Designs / Vandalism, bring to you the 61th issue of the Vandalism News.

Download: Vandalism News #61 (1068)

source: noname.c64.org/csdb

Autopsy:

The HS2 is a joystick adapter to improve the playability (like a Arcade/Coin-op). The adapter is compatible with the consoles ColecoVision & Atari 2600.

Autopsy:

The LO>>PROFILE professional keyboard is the ultimate upgrade for your Spectrum. By replacing its existing keyboard with a high quality LO>>PROFILE, you give this world-beating computer the keyboard it deserves.

The LO>>PROFILE is a full size QWERTY keyboard with full-travel positive-actions keys for super-fast entry of programs and data. Presented in an ultra-modern and robust enclosure, the LO>>PROFILE is elegantly styled and is inclined forwards for convenient operation.

Featuring a full size space bar with dedicated numeric and cursor keypad the LO>>PROFILE increases the number of keys from 40 to 53. A combination of clearly labelled, sculptured and height-adjusted keys aids the advance to fault-free touch-typing.

Descriptions are taken from the Advertising of the LO>>PROFILE keyboard.

Details:

I thank a friend for the donation.

Donated item:

• Macintosh Plus Motherboard.
• Macintosh 800k 3.5″ Floppy Drive.
• Atari 600XL (dead)
• Turbo 5000 Cartridge from Robtek for MSX 1 or 2
• Commodore 64 Tape Adapter.
• A unknown Cable.

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

• Kong Strikes Back +5MH +Pic
• Helikopter Jagd 102% Jewel V1.2 +7HD
• Star Battles +5HGD
• Eggland Mystery Preview +2
• Another Day, Another Zombie
• Dark Force
• Planet Popper +1H
• Hero Time 2
• Dark Force +2H
• Blob Preview 2 +
• Honey Bee Preview +
• Legacy of the Ancients/Legend of Blacksilver +4D [EasyFlash]
• Hero Time II +2D
• Crazy Dog Racing +M DE

Download: All Games in One Archive (2822)

source: csdb.dk

I really enjoyed this donation that was made by Mokuccio and Zibri. Many thanks.

Donated items:

9 x CGS 8580R5 COMMODORE 64 SID
1 x MOS 8580R5 COMMODORE 64 SID
3 x CGS 6581R4AR COMMODORE 64 SID
2 x MOS 6581R4AR COMMODORE 64 SID
5 x MOS 6532 RAM-I/O-Timer (RIOT)
6 x MOS 8565R2 VIC II (HMOS)
1 x MOS 8501 COMMODORE 264 SERIES CPU
7 x MOS 6504 28-PIN 6502, 8K ADDRESSABLE MEMORY, ON-CHIP
1 x MOS 901229-05 COMMODORE 1541 (OLD) KERNAL
2 x MOS 901226-01 COMMODORE 64 BASIC
3 x MOS 901227-03 COMMODORE 64 KERNAL
1 x MOS 901225-01 COMMODORE 64 CHAR
1 x MOS 901486-07 COMMODORE VIC-20 KERNAL
2 x MOS 390059-01 COMMODORE 128 CHAR
1 x MOS 251913-01 COMMODORE 64 KERNAL+BASIC
1 x MOS 901460-03 COMMODORE VIC-20 CHAR
1 x MOS 901486-01 COMMODORE VIC-20 BASIC
1 x MOS 318004-04 COMMODORE 16 KERNAL
1 x MOS 310654-03 COMMODORE 1571 KERNAL
1 x MOS 325341-08 COMMODORE 1526/MPS802 ROM
1 x CGS 251968-03 COMMODORE 1541 II (NEW) KERNAL
1 x MOS 325302-01 COMMODORE 1541 DOS V2.6 LOW C000-DFFF
1 x MOS 251828-01 GATE-ARRAY 1540/SFD1001/C128D
3 x MOS 317054-01 COMMODORE PLUS/4 ROM
2 x CGS 8701 COMMODORE 64 VIDEO CLOCK GENERATOR
1 x MOS 8701 COMMODORE 64 VIDEO CLOCK GENERATOR
1 x MOS 251641-02 COMMODORE PLUS/4 PLA
1 x MOS 318006-01 COMMODORE C16/116/PLUS 4 BASIC ROM
1 x MOS 317053-01 COMMODORE PLUS/4 3-PLUS-1
1 x CGS 6559R5 COMMODORE 64 VIC II
7 x MOS 6569R3 COMMODORE 64 VIC II
1 x MOS 6569R3 COMMODORE 64 VIC II (CERAMIC)
9 x CGS 6510 CPU
4 x MOS 6510 CPU
1 x ROCKWELL 6502 CPU
1 x MOS 325340-03 MPU COMMODORE PRINTER 1520
1 x SHARP 252535-01 COMMODORE 64C CUSTOM PLA MEMORY CONTROLLER
10 x CMD G65SC22P-2 (VIA)
5 x MOS 6522 (VIA)
5 x MOS 8520 (CIA)
6 x CGS 8520 (CIA)
9 x MOS 6529B COMMODORE 16/116/PLUS-4 KEYBOARD CONTROLLER
7 x MOS 6561-101 COMMODORE VIC-20 PAL VIDEO CHIP
4 x MOS 8551 PLUS-4/A2232-3 ACIA
3 x MOS 8568 CRTC COMMODORE 128
5 x MOS 5710 COMMODORE 1571 CIA
7 x CGS 8372R8 AMIGA FAT AGUS
3 x MOS 8372R8 AMIGA FAT AGUS
1 x MOS 8372R6 AMIGA FAT AGUS DIP (CERAMIC)
3 x CGS 8373R4 AMIGA DENISE HI-RES
3 x MOS 8367R0 AMIGA AGNUS
2 x MOS 8364R4 AMIGA PAULA (CERAMIC)
1 x MOS 8364R7 AMIGA PAULA
5 x CGS 8364R7 AMIGA PAULA
7 x CGS 8375 AGNUS HI-RES
4 x CGS 8372A AMIGA FAT AGUS
3 x MOS 8371 AMIGA FAT AGNUS
15 x CGS 5719/318072-01 AMIGA GARY
3 x MOS 5719 AMIGA GARY
4 x KICK ROM v1.2
2 x KICK ROM v2.05
2 x KICK ROM v3.0 (39.106)

Read more…

Spare parts:

• Commodore 64.
• Toshiba Floppy Drive 5.25 inch Model FDD 6475R1K
• Fujitsu HarddDisk Model M2227D2 43MB 3.5″/HH MFM (ST506)

I thank a friend for the donation.

Donated item:

• Homebrew RTTY demodulator for Commodore 64.
• Software and Documentations.

Like we know well the keyboard of the Commodore 116 may NOT be fixed because you can’t open it without break it.

The only way is break the plastic pins that hold the keyboard PCB and find the right way to close the whole thing, i leave you the right way for do this.

Once you have open it, we realize that this keyboard is a colossal shit, the conductive material of the keys is ridiculous a thin layer that is consumed very briefly.

The only way before you throw it is use the “Kontakt Chemie Graphit 33” but without spraying directly on the tiny conductive part of the key but first try on a plastic surface and then with a very fine brush take the graphite to paint the conductive part of the key.

The “Kontakt Chemie Graphit 33” with the days/months or years tends to dry, this solution make a new life to the keyboard, but not for always.

Another classic failure and is the FPC Connector (18 pins) for the keyboard flat that can be easily replaced if you find an FPC connector with 18 pins ;-D