8bitfiles.net/archives/archives.tar/archives/genie-commodore-file-library/Information/CBMFAQ.TXT

Internet Message Format | 2019-04-13 | 150.5 KB

From: [e-mail] (Jim Brain)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Organization: Brain Innovations, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.2.1.p1
Comp-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part1
News-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part1
Comp-sys-cbm-archive-name: main-faq/part1
Version: 2.1
Last-modified: 1994/06/06


  Disclaimer: This file is being maintained by Jim Brain
  ([e-mail]).  It is composed of information gleaned from many
  authors of articles in comp.sys.cbm, too many to list here.  All the authors
  have either directly or indirectly given their consent to use their work in
  this FAQ.  All of the information in this file has been gathered and checked
  if possible for errors, but I cannot guarantee the correctness of any
  statement in this file.  If in doubt, please bring up the subject in
  comp.sys.cbm.

  If you have suggestions, comments, or criticisms, please let Jim Brain
  know by sending electronic mail to [e-mail].  Keep in mind that
  new questions appear on a daily basis, so there is a finite time between a
  new question appearing in comp.sys.cbm, and its inclusion in this file.

  The latest version of this file may be obtained from the following ftp
  sites:

  ccnga.uwaterloo.ca in /pub/cbm/comp.sys.cbm/cbm-main-faq.2.1
  ftp.funet.fi in /pub/cbm/faq/cbm-main-faq.2.1.gz
  ftp.csv.warwick.ac.uk in /tmp/c64/cbm-main-faq.2.1
  rtfm.mit.edu in /pub/usenet/comp.sys.cbm/main-faq/part*
               in /pub/usenet/news.answers/commodore/main-faq/part*
               in /pub/usenet/comp.answers/commodore/main-faq/part*

+ and from the following World Wide Web sites:

+ http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~stuce/faq/default.html

+ See section 5.4 for directions on how to download the FAQ via ftp.
+ If you do not have access to ftp, you can send mail to
+ [e-mail] with the first 2 lines of the message containing:

+ send /usenet/comp.sys.cbm/main-faq/part1
+ send /usenet/comp.sys.cbm/main-faq/part2
+ send /usenet/comp.sys.cbm/main-faq/part3
+ send /usenet/comp.sys.cbm/main-faq/part4

  This file is posted to the groups comp.sys.cbm, news.answers, and
  comp.answers twice every month around the 5th and the 20th of the month.

  _Notes for this release_:
  -----------------------

+ Please help me in spotting and correcting errors.

+ I would like to add a section on IRC, so anyone who wants to write may feel
+ free to do so.

+ I have added more information to this FAQ, even since 2.0.  Please look over
+ it again, as each section has been updated.

+ I would also like to add a section on Amateur Radio.  Anyone who wants to
+ write it, please go ahead.

+ Shortly, the FAQ, in hypertext format, will be available.  Stay tuned.

+ I would also like to add a section for the FidNet people.  .....

+ Is geoVISION Intl. Still around?  The Maillink says no.  PLease confirm.

  -----------------------

  Lines preceded with a '|" have been modified since the last version of this
  file was posted.  Lines preceded by a '+' have been added since the last
  version was posted.

  If readers of this FAQ wish to make changes, please precede formatted lines
  sent to me with a 'C' so that I can see the changes even if you enclose
  header and trailer text to show context.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Table of Contents
  -----------------

   1. Introduction

   2. Net Etiquette
   2.1.  What news groups cater to Commodore 8-bit machines?
   2.2.  What is a FAQ?
   2.3.  What types of discussions belong in comp.sys.cbm?
   2.4.  How do I post in comp.sys.cbm?

   3. Overview
   3.1.  Do people still use Commodore 8-bit machines?
   3.2.  What do people do with Commodore 8-bit machines?
   3.3.  What Commodore 8-bit machines are most widely used?
+  3.4.  What is the economic status of Commodore?

   4. Starting Out
   4.1.  How many Commodore machines are there?
   4.2.  Which ones does comp.sys.cbm discuss regularly?
|  4.3.  Where do I purchase Commodore Equipment and Software?
   4.4.  Where do I get equipment serviced?

   5. Connecting Up
   5.1.  How do I connect my computer to the outside world?
   5.2.  What hardware do I need?
   5.3.  What kinds of terminal programs exist?
   5.4.  How do I download?  What does transfer protocol mean?
   5.5.  PETSCII vs. ASCII?
   5.6.  Where can I find Commodore programs?
   5.7.  What else is available online?
   5.8.  What is a file extension, and what do they stand for?
   5.9.  What are mailing lists and how do I join one?
   5.10. Are there other ways to transfer files?
   5.11. How do I contact people on Compuserve, Genie, etc.?

   6. Publications
   6.1.  What paper publications are available?
   6.2.  What is a Disk Magazine?  Where do I find them?
   6.3.  What is an Online Magazine?  Where do I find them?

   7. Exchanging Data
   7.1.  Can I read IBM(tm) disks?
   7.2.  Can my IBM(tm) computer read Commodore disks?
   7.3.  Are there other ways to exchange data between computers?

   8. Operating Systems
   8.1.  What Operating Systems are available?
   8.2.  What is GEOS?
   8.3.  What is UNIX?
   8.4.  What is CP/M

   9. Enhancements
   9.1.  How do I increase my disk drive's transfer speed?
   9.2.  How do I expand my disk drive's capacity?
   9.3.  How do I expand my computer's RAM capacity?
   9.4.  How do I increase my computer's speed?
   9.5.  How do I increase my computer screen's resolution?
   9.6.  How do I increase my computer's serial transfer speed?
   9.7.  How do I increase my computer's sound quality?
   9.8.  How do I hook a Hayes(tm) compatible modem to my Commodore computer?
+  9.9.  What other ways can I expand my Commodore computer?

  10. Emulators
  10.1.  What is an emulator?
  10.2.  What platforms do 64 emulators exist on?
  10.3.  What platforms do 128 emulators exist on?
  10.4.  Are any other Commodore computers emulated?

  11. Demonstrations
  11.1.  Just what is a demonstration, or demo?
  11.2.  What does NTSC and PAL mean?
  11.3.  Where do I get demos?
  11.4.  What is a demo competition?
+ 11.5   What does FLI, DYCP, etc. mean?

  12. Troubleshooting
  12.1.  What do I do for my ill disk drive?
  12.2.  What do I do for my ill computer?
  12.3.  What do I do for my ill keyboard?

  13. Miscellaneous

  14. Credits

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


   1. Introduction

  Welcome to the comp.sys.cbm "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) file.
  Many news groups maintain a FAQ file which is posted monthly, and
  is a repository for general interest and common information that many
  readers of the news group, or new readers of the news group, might be
  interested in.

  I would like to keep programming information in this FAQ file to a minimum;
  otherwise, it could balloon out of control.  For those interested in
  programming, see Section 6, Publications.


   2. Net Etiquette

   2.1.  What news groups cater to Commodore 8-bit machines?

  The first thing to discuss here is the dividing line between Commodore
  models.  All Commodore computers up to, but not including, the Commodore
  Amiga or the Commodore line of IBM PC Compatible computers, are
  discussed in comp.sys.cbm, which is what this FAQ covers.  The Amiga line
  of computers is covered in the separate newsgroups comp.sys.amiga.*,
  where the '*' indicates that there are a number of groups that match that
  name. The IBM PC Compatible computers are discussed in comp.sys.ibm-pc.*.
  This FAQ is concerned primarily with the newsgroup comp.sys.cbm
  and its associated binary distribution newsgroup comp.binaries.cbm.

  If you are in Germany, there are at least three German Commodore newsgroups
  available.  One is zer.z-netz.rechner.c64+c128.allgemein, which is a
| german version of comp.sys.cbm. "allgemein" = general.  Another is
| zer.z-netz.rechner.c64+c128.binaer, which parallels the function of
| of comp.binaries.cbm. "binaer" = "binary".  The third is zer.t-netz.c64,
| which is a general discussion group for the c64 computer.  It has the
| description 'Der am weitesten verbreitete Rechner', which means The most
| widely used/most popular computer."


   2.2.  What is a FAQ?

  FAQ is short for Frequently Asked Questions.  Most newsgroups have such a
 + Origin: Jina usenet <-> fidonet gateway, Beaverton OR USA (1:105/210)

... ... A woman drove me to drink & I never even had the courtesy to thank her
========================================================================
 Copied from COMP.SYS.CBM by Ralph Strauser (1:105/34.10)
========================================================================
  Expanders, Cabling, Joysticks, Disk Drive Cleaning Supplies, Diskettes,
  Printers, Computer Covers, Power Supplies, Productivity SW, Games.

  Software Support International
| 2700 N.E. Andresen Road Suite A-10
  Vancouver, WA 98661
  [phone] (Orders Only)
+ [phone] (Information)
  [phone] (Information)
  [phone] (Fascimile)
| 1750 Clone, Miscellaneous Software and Hardware.

  The Grapevine Group
  3 Chestnut Street
  Suffern, NY 10901
  [phone] (Orders only)
  [phone] (Information)
  [phone] (Fascimile)
  [phone] (BBS)
  EMAIL C.LEAZOTT1 on Genie   or  71562,1706 on Compuserve
  Miscellaneous Hardware.

  Software Hut
  2534 S Broad Street
  Philadelphia, PA 19145
  [phone] (Orders only)
  [phone] (Information)
  [phone] (Fascimile)
  Miscellaneous Software and Hardware.

  Rio Computers
  3310 Berwyck Street
  Las Vegas, NV 89121
  [phone]
  Video & Audio cartridges plus software
+ (Might not be in existence any more, need confirmation)

  SOGWAP Software
  115 Bellmont Road
  Decatur, IN 46733
  [phone]
  Big Blue Reader, and Bible Search Software

  The FGM Connection
  P.O. Box 2206
  Roseburg, OR 97470
+ [phone] (Information)
  Fun Graphics Machine Software, printing/ publishing utility

| Mad Man Software
  The Enterprise Center
  1400 E. College Drive
  Cheyenne, WY 82007-3298
  Software supplier

  Horse Feathers Graphics
  N. 27310 Short Road
  Deer Park, WA 99006-9712
  Western Graphics for Print Shop, Professional quality

  Busy Bee Software
  P.O. Box 2959
  Lompoc, CA 93438
  [phone]
  The Write Stuff 64/128 wordprocessing software

| Brown Boxes, Inc.
  26 Concord Road
  Bedford, MA 01730
  [phone]
| Quick Brown Box Battery Backed Memory cartridges for the C64/128

  Performance Peripherals, Inc.
  5 Upper Loudon Road
  Loudonville, NY 12211
  [phone]
  Battery Backed Ram expansion units. Cheap.

  Commodore Country
  1420 Country Road 914
  Burleson, TX 76028
  [phone] (Orders only)
  [phone] (Information)
  ?

  Living Proof, Ltd
  P.O. Box 80714
  Minneapolis, MN 55408-8714
  I paint software for the C128

  The Landmark Series
  New Horizon Software
  2253 N. Kansas Avenue
  Springfield, MO 65803
  Geos desktop replacement and other software

  Antigrav Toolkit
  P.O. Box 1074
  Cambridge, MA 02142
  KeyDOS ROM version 2 for the C128

  Creative Pixels, Ltd.
  P.O. Box 502
  Library, PA  15129
+ "The Adventures of Eric Hawthorne, P.I." action/strategy game.

  Micro Storm Software
  P.O. Box 1086
  Sidney, MT 59270
  Public Domain and Shareware software

  8-Bit
  P.O. Box 542
  Lindenhurst, NY 11757-0542
  [phone] (Orders)
+ Public Domain and Commercial Software

+ Commodore Connection
+ 127 North Sante Fe Avenue #C
+ Vista, CA  92804-5401
+ [phone] (Information/Orders)
+ Michael Hendren (Contact)
+ Miscellaneous software and hardware.

+ 64 Disk Connection
+ 4291 Holland Road, Suite 562
+ Virginia Beach, VA  23452
+ Large selection of public domain and shareware software.

+ Softside Supply
+ c/o Dale Sidebottom
+ 1001 Estate Circle
+ Georgetown, IN  47122
+ GEOS Applications

+ US Commodore Support
+ c/o Ron Snyder
+ 1192 South nome Street Suite B
+ Aurora, CO  80012
+ [phone] (Information)
+ Sells used Hardware and software. A full price list is available on
+ ccnga.uwaterloo.ca in /pub/cbm/comp.sys.cbm/us.cbm-list.

+ John Green
+ 365 Smith Street
+ Freeport, NY  11520
+ Sells "The Castle of Kraisar", a role playing game.

+ Home-Spun Software
+ P.O. box 1064DH
+ Estero, FL  33928
+ Unusual software, Foreign utilities.

+ Computer Bargain Store
+ 3366 South 2300 East
+ Salt Lake City, UT  84109
+ [phone] (Information: call only between 4-6 PM Mountain Time)
+ New and like-new C128D computers.

+ Tech Star Computer Center
+ 7036 188th South
+ Kent, WA  98032
+ [phone] (Information/Orders)
+ Refurbished hardware and new software.

+ Suzart
+ 1529 Longmont Avenue
+ Boise, ID 83706-3731
+ Fonts for GEOS.

+ Mega-Disk Software
+ P.O. Box 1554
+ Ellensburg, WA  98926-1554
+ Joshua Brandt (Contact)
+ [e-mail] (Internet contact)
+ Mega-Disk software specializes in public domain and shareware on sets of
+ 3.5" disk for the C-64 with a 1581, CMD FD-2000, or CMD FD-4000.
+ Each set has over 2.5 Megs of files and cost $10 to $20.
+ They currently have 3 different sets (SAMPLER #1, DEMOS #1, and GAMES #1).
+ Send a SASE to the above address for a complete catalog.

+ Briwall
+ P.O. Box 129/58
+ Kutztown, PA  19530
+ [phone] (Orders)

+ Software Discounters of America
+ P.O. Box 111327-Dept. RN
+ Blawnox, PA  15238
+ [phone] (Orders)
+ Commodore closeouts

+ MPCUG (Public Domain Software)
+ P.O. Box 391
+ Gloucester, VA  23061
+ Public Domain Titles

+ Compusult Software
+ P.O. Box 5160
+ San Luis Obispo, CA  93403
+ [phone] (Orders)
+ $5-$10 Commercial Software and Public Domain Software

+ Disks O'Plenty Software
+ 8362 Pines Blvd. Suite 270
+ Pembroke Pines, FL  33024
+ [phone] (Orders)

+ Microstorm Software
+ P.O. Box 1086
+ Sidney, MT 59270

+ Q Enterprises Software
+ P.O. Box 77123
+ Washington, DC  20013-7123

+ Powerdisk Software
+ 6813 Lotus Way
+ West Jordan, UT  84084

+ Compute Books!
+ c/o CCC
+ 2500 McClellan Ave.
+ Pennsauken, NJ  08109
+ Various Compute! Books.

+ Caloke Industries (Dept. GK)
+ P.O. Box 18477
+ Raytown, MO 64133
+ Send US$2.00 for catalog + sample disk of programs

+ J.P. PBM Products By Mail (Commodore Hardware)
+ c/o N. Sheridan
+ Mall Postal Outlet - Box # 60515
+ Downsview, Ontario  M3L 1BO
+ CANADA
+ Send US$2.00 For C64 catalog on disk.

+ Keystone Software - Dept. G
+ P.O. Box 8369
+ Pittsburgh, PA. 15218
+ [phone] (Orders)

+ KFPDS Software
+ c/o Kenneth Franklin
+ P.O. Box 470464
+ Los Angeles, CA 90047-0464
+ Send US$2.00 for catalog + sample disks.

+ Threshold Productions
+ 18801 26th NE
+ Seattle, WA. 98155
+ [phone]
+ Jon Mines (Contact)
+ [e-mail] (Information)
+ TP is a developer and producer of quality & budget software.

+ Fred Ogle
+ P.O. Box 35427
+ Dundalk, MD  21222-7427
+ [e-mail] (Information)
+ The Color 64 BBS Software.

+ R&K MicroTronics
+ 34 Hillwyck
+ Toledo, OH  43615
+ [phone] (Information and Orders)
+ Commodore repair and sales.

+ Centsible Software
+ P.O. Box 930
+ St. Joseph, MI  49085
+ [phone] (Information and Orders)
+ [e-mail] (Information)
+ Used software for the Commodore.

+ Pages Software Group
+ P.O. Box 670431
+ Dallas, TX  75367
+ PageArt Professional Images for GEOS.

+ Angelo Pasquella
+ P.O. Box 71
+ Beachwood, HJ  08722-0071
+ [phone] (Information M-F 10AM-5PM & 7PM-10PM EST)

+ ArcTech Soft
+ P.O. Box 56911
+ North Pole, AK 99705-1911
+ Software.

+ Psygnosis Ltd.
+ South Harrington Building
+ Sefton Street
+ Liverpool, L3 4BQ
+ ENGLAND
+ (44) 51-709-5755
+ Makers of Lemmings for the 64.

+ Psygnosis
+ 29 Saint Marys Court
+ Brookline MA 02146
+ [e-mail] (Contact)
+ [phone] (Information)
+ [phone] (Fascimile)
+ Makers of Lemmings for the 64.

| RM Software
+ 16 Maybrook Drive
+ Maywood, NJ 07607
+ [phone] (Information)
+ C-Net 128 and C-Net 64 BBS Programs

+ Virginia Micro Systems
+ 13646 Jeff Davis Highway
+ Woodridge, VA  22191
+ [phone] (Information: 10-8 MWF, 10-5 TTSAT)
+ Drive Maintenence Program.

+ Master Software
+ 6 Hillery Court
+ Randallstown, MD  21133
+ [phone] (Information and Orders)
+ BASIC Help Screens, Monitor Cables.

+ Russian Wyatt
+ 8614 Bramble Lane #203
+ Randallstown, MD  21133
+ Quest for Adventure for C-128.

+ ACS Computer and Video Incorporated
+ 5344 Jimmy Carter Blvd.
+ Norcross, GA  30093
+ [phone] (Information)
+ [phone] (Orders)
+ [phone] (Fascimile)

+ Aprotek
+ 9323 West Evans Creek Road
+ Rogue River, OR  97537
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)
+ [phone] (BBS)

+ Computer Bargain Store
+ 3366 South 2300 East
+ Salt Lake City, UT  84109
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)
+ [phone] (Fascimile)

+ Dave's Computers
+ 32400 Aurora Road
+ Solon, OH  44139
+ [phone]

+ EMS Computer Service
+ 4355 Kinney Road
+ Ludington, MI  49431
+ [phone]

+ Lyben
+ P.O. Box 130
+ 5545 Bridgewood
+ Sterling Heights, MI  48311-0130
+ [phone]

+ LYCO Computer Marketing
+ P.O. Box 5088
+ Jersey Shore, PA  17740-508
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)
+ [phone] (Orders)
+ [phone] (Fascimile)

+ Mid Continent Computers
+ 2332 North MacArthur
+ Oklahoma City, OK  73127
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Micro R&D
+ 721 "O" Street
+ Loup City, NE  68853
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Xetec
+ 2804 Arnold Road
+ Salina, KS  67401
+ [phone]

+ Andor House/Don Radler
+ 3907 Southeast 2nd Avenue
+ Cape Coral, FL  33904

+ Bare Bones Software
+ 940 4th Avenua., Suite #222
+ Huntington, WV  25701
+ [phone] (Orders)
+ [phone] (Information)
+ [phone] (BBS)

+ Bruno's Computer Warehouse
+ 510 Andover Park West
+ Tukwila, WA  98188
+ [phone] (Information and Orders)

+ Caloke Industries
+ P.O. Box 18477
+ Raytown, MO  64133
+ [phone] (Information and Orders)

+ Compsult
+ P.O. Box 5160
+ San Luis Obispo, CA  93403-5160
+ [phone] (Information and Orders)
+ [phone] (Fascimile)

+ Computer Workshops
+ 3612 Birdie Drive
+ La Mesa, Ca  91941-8044

+ Digital Vision, Incorporated
+ 270 Bridge Street
+ Dedham, MA  02026
+ [phone] (Information)
+ [phone] (Orders)

+ Easy Books Distributing
+ P.O. Box 216
+ Iowa Park, TX  76367-0216
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Epyx Incorporated
+ 1979 Palomar Oaks Way
+ Carlsbad, CA  92009
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Family Computers & Video Games
+ 510 South First Street
+ Mount Vernon, WA  98273
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Compustuff
+ 2759 Medina Road
+ Medina, OH  44256
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)
+ [phone] (Fascimile)

+ FRD Software
+ 3487 East Terrace
+ Fresno, CA  93703

+ GeoWorks/Commodore Order Processing Center
+ 960 Atlantic Avenua
+ Alameda, CA  94501
+ [phone] ext. 1012 (Orders)

+ Harv Harris
+ 981 Brownthrush
+ Wichita, KS  67212

+ Horse Feathers Graphics
+ North 27310 Short Road
+ Deer Park, WA  99006-9712
+ [phone]

+ Lance Haffner Games
+ P.O. Box 100594
+ Nashville, TN  37224
+ [phone]

+ Landmark Series
+ c/o New Horizon Software
+ 326 Fern Avenue - Second Floor
+ Lyndhurst, NJ  07071-2127

+ Maurice Randell
+ P.O. Box 606
+ 215 East Harris
+ Charlotte, MI  48813

+ Music Software Exchange
+ P.O. Box 533334
+ Orlando, FL  32853-3334

+ Nathan Fiedler
+ 5711 Nount Pleasant Road
+ Bernville, PA  19506

+ Novastar Game Company
+ P.O. Box 1813
+ Rocklin, CA  95677
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Quincy Software
+ 9479 East Whitmore Avenua
+ Hughson, CA  95326-9745

+ Russian Wyatt
+ 8614 Bramble Lane #203
+ Randallstown, MD  21133

+ Software Clearance Center
+ 2025 Southwest Freeway
+ Houston, TX  77098
+ [phone] (Orders)

+ Software Etc.
+ 801 South Greenville Avenua
+ Allen, TX  75002
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Spark's Electronics
+ 5316 South Ninth Street
+ Saint Joseph, MO  65404-1802
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Surplus Computer Software
+ 3301 South Harbor Blvd.
+ Santa Ana, CA  92704
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)


+ Nathan Fiedler
+ 5711 Mount Pleasant Road
+ Bernville, PA  19506

+ Terrapin Software
+ 400 Riverside Street
+ Portland, ME  04103-1068
+ [phone]

+ Titus Software
+ 20432 Corisco Street
+ Chatsworth, CA  91311
+ [phone]

+ User's Corner
+ 1110 East Jackson
+ Medford, OR  97504
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ West River Computer Center
+ 1212 Ordegon
+ Rapid City, SD  57701-2006
+ [phone] (Information)
+ [phone] (Orders)

+ Abacus
+ 5370 52nd Street Southeast
+ Grand Rapids, MI  49512
+ [phone] (Information)
+ [phone] (Orders)

+ Brantford Educational Services
+ 6 Pioneer Place
+ Brantford, ONT  Canada N3R7G7

+ Busy Bee User Group
+ P.O. Box 3
+ Arivaca, AZ  85601-0003

+ LynnCarthy Industries
+ P.O. Box 392
+ Boise, ID  83701-0392
+ [phone]
+ Performance Peripherals, dieHard

+ Digi-Key
+ 701 Brooks Avenue South
+ P.O. Box 677
+ Thief River Falls, MN  56701-0677
+ [phone] (Orders)
+ Replacement ICs.
  [phone] (Orders)
  [phone] (Information)
  Fixed repair prices are very low, C64 C128 etc!!

  TYCOM Inc.
  503 East Street
  Pittsfield, MA 01201
  [phone] (Information)
  Fast, fixed price all hardware repaired

  J&C Repair
  RD #2, Box 9
  Rockton, PA 15856
  [phone] (Information)
  [phone] (Fascimile)
  Repair all hardware.

  Harvey and Associates
  1409 Mill Street
  Laramie, WY 82070
  [phone] (Information)
  Repairs and service. Inexpensive.

  Computer Technologies
  121 North Ridgewood Avenue, Suite A
  Datona Beach, FL 32114
  [phone] (Information)
  Standard C64/128 repairs.

  Kasara Micro Systems
  21-G Airport Road
  Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
  [phone] (Information)
  All standard C64/128 repairs.

+ Commodore Connection
+ 127 North Sante Fe Avenue #C
+ Vista, CA  92804-5401
+ [phone] (Information/Orders)
+ Michael Hendren (Contact)
+ General repair.

+ Capestany Copmputer Repair
+ P.O. Box 2802
+ Titusville, FL  32781-2802
+ Philip Capestany (Contact)
+ General repair.

+ Sodak Electronics
+ 603 South mable
+ Sioux Falls, SD  57103
+ [phone] (Information/Orders)
+ Lamar nance (Contact)
+ General repair.

+ Sodak Electronics
+ RR2 Box 52
+ Hartford, SD  57033
+ [phone] (Information/Orders)
+ Jim Muir (Contact)
+ General repair.

+ Bear Computer Repair Inc
+ 1005 McKean Street
+ Philadelphia, PA 19148
+ [phone]
+ Repair C64, C128, Disk drives etc.

+ BCE Inc/Commodore Connection
+ c/o Jim Bethereum
+ 13914 E. Radcliff Pl.
+ Auroa, CO 80015
+ [phone]
+ Commodore and general computer/peripheral repair.

+ R&K MicroTronics
+ 34 Hillwyck
+ Toledo, OH  43615
+ [phone] (Information and Orders)
+ Commodore repair and sales.

+ Service Management Group
+ 930 Lancaster Avenue Suite 290
+ Exton, PA  19341

+ Gordy Wilson's Keyboard Studio
+ 304 North Maple Suite #203
+ Urbana, IL  61801
+ [phone]

+ Accurate Data Services
+ North 1414 Fiske
+ Spokane, WA  99202
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Computer Shoppe of Alabama
+ 310 Second Avenue Northwest
+ Suite C
+ Cullman, AI  35055
+ [phone]

+ Computer USERS
+ 138 North Fifth
+ Springfiled, OR  97477
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ North American Computer
+ 147 West Broadway
+ Waukesha, WI  53186
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+ Handi Hams System Care of Courage Center
+ 3915 Golden Valley Road
+ Golden Valley, MN  55422
+ [phone] (Orders and Information)

+


--
Jim Brain, Embedded Systems Designer, Brain Innovations.
[e-mail]
Dabbling in VR, Old Commodore Computers, and Good Times!
"The above views DO reflect my employer, since I am my employer" - Jim Brain

From: [e-mail] (Jim Brain)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Organization: Brain Innovations, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.2.1.p2
Comp-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part2
News-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part2
Comp-sys-cbm-archive-name: main-faq/part2
Version: 2.1
Last-modified: 1994/06/06


   5. Connecting Up

   5.1.  How do I connect my computer to the outside world?

  You need to first define what the "outside world" world means to you.  Here
  are a few examples:

        Bulletin Board System (BBS). - Small system usually with one phone
        line operated by an individual. Fees are optional.  For a list of
        BBS systems in your area, contact Myles Skinner for a listing at
        [e-mail].

        Compuserve Information Service.  - CompuServe has two Forums designed
        specifically for Commodore 8-bit computer users.  CBM Applications
        Forum (GO CBMAPP) deals with programming, geoProgramming,
        applications software, telecommunications, CP/M, utilities and
        hardware.  CBM Arts/Games/Music & GEOS Forum (GO CBMART) deals with
        GEOS in general, music (including SidPlayer and MIDI), games,
        graphics and graphics utilities.  Both Forums have full message
        boards and extensive data libraries, and both Forums have weekly
        real-time conferences.

        The CompuServe network is available virtually world wide.  The
        Commodore Forums are attracting increasing membership from Europe
        and Australia, and have begun to tap into the vast variety of
        Commodore files available around the world (some of the best new
        Commodore programs are coming in from Europe these days).  CompuServe
        has an extensive network of local numbers throughout the United
        States and Canada and is also available through supplemental
        networks such as SprintNet and DataPac.  The number of direct
        CompuServe connect numbers in Europe is beginning to expand.

        While there is no standalone CompuServe navigator program available
        for Commodore users, CBMAPP has the CIS.EXE script set that
        automates Dialogue 128 on CompuServe, and also VIDAUT.BIN which will
        virtually automate Vidtex (which is available again through Software
        Support International).  In addition there is OFFLIN.HLP, a text
        file in CBMAPP, that provides a method for semi-automating access
        with any standard comm program and word processor.

        CompuServe's rates are as follows:

        * The Standard Pricing Plan (also referred to as Basic Services)
        provides free unlimited access to a wide variety of news, reference,
        shopping, games, financial, communications and travel services for a
        monthly charge of $8.95.  New members get their first month of Basic
        Services free (the $8.95 charge does not begin until their second
        month of membership).  All other access is charged at standard
        hourly rates.

        * The Alternative Pricing Plan provides unlimited free access only
        to Membership Support Services (Customer Service, the Practice Forum,
        the Help Forum and the support Forums for CompuServe's software) for
        a monthly fee of $2.50.  All other usage is charged at standard
        hourly rates.

           Standard Pricing Plan:       Alternative Pricing Plan:
           300 bps.........$ 4.80/hour  300 bps...........$ 6.30/hour
           1200,2400 bps...$ 4.80/hour  1200,2400 bps.....$12.80/hour
           9600,14400 bps..$ 9.60/hour  9600,14400 bps....$22.80/hour

        While these rates on the face of it appear to be much higher than
        some of the other competing services, it is important to remember
        that with CompuServe's threaded message structure it is possible to
        capture all messages, sign off, read and reply to them off line, and
        transmit the replies in a very short time, so that one's actual
        connect time and cost will be minimized.  This is not possible on
        wholly-interactive services.

+       Genie - GEnie is a general interest telecommunications service
+       run by General Electric. For a monthly price of $9.00, you are given
+       4 hours of access time and then charged $3/hour for any service.

+       The Commodore support area on GEnie is known as the Flagship
+       Roundtable.  While there are a few premium services on GEnie that
+       charge an extra price, all of the Flagship is available at the basic
+       rate. The Flagship RT includes some "Real-Time Conferences" (RTCs)
+       featuring classes or discussion of issues associated with Commodore
+       computers. Additionally, there is a BB (Bulletin Board), which works
+       much like Usenets comp.sys.cbm (only the discussion is broken down
+       into categories and topics). Finally, the Flagship has an extensive
+       library of Commodore files.

+       The BB messages can be read economically by capturing all the new
+       messages in a terminal programs capture buffer, and reading the
+       messages off-line. Wizard, the C= GEnie fron end, supports this.

+       Because GEnie is a general interest service,it supports many different
+       computers, and you can use any ASCII terminal program to connect to
+       GEnie. Wizard is available, but not required. GEnie operates normally
+       at 300, 1200, and 2400 baud, although for additional cost you can
+       connect at 9600 baud. There are local access numbers across the
+       country.

|       Delphi Internet Services. - Delphi is a commercial system that,
+       while small in comparison to other systems, is growing rapidly.  It
+       has a large forum dedicated to Commodore computers, as well as access
+       to the Usenet and the comp.sys.cbm newsgroup.  Delphi has two plans.
+       One, called the Standard Plan, costs $10.00 a month and gives the
+       user 4 hours of non-prime time (6PM-7AM) free each month.  Each
+       additional hour is $4.00.  The other plan, called the Advantage Plan,
+       costs $20.00 a month and gives the user 20 hours of non-prime-time
+       free each month.  Each hour over 20 is $1.80.  Access to the Internet
+       via Delphi costs an additional $3.00 for both plans each month.

|       QuantumLink. - Q-Link is a Commodore specific telecommunications
+       service.  This service, while booming in the late 1980's, is now only
+       a mere shadow of what it once was.  QuantumLink is owned by America
+       Online, and calls to the Technical service area of Qlink have
+       unearthed the truth: AOL will spend no more money on Q-Link.  It will
+       be allowed to die.  There are rumors floating around about when it
+       will close, but the fact that it will close is true.  Many services
+       have already been shutdown, so it is wise to just avoid this service.
+       Many others listed here can provide the same level of Commodore
+       support as Quantumlink once did.

        Internet. - Huge system of interconnected systems.  Home of the
        Usenet newsgroups and all FTP sites.

  To get to each of these services, you must have a Commodore computer, a disk
  drive or tape unit, a modem, and a terminal emulation program.


   5.2.  What hardware do I need?

  You need a Commodore computer system that is functional.
  To connect at 2400 bps or lower (4800 bps on the C128 in 128 fast mode),
  you need either a modem that can plug into the user port of the computer,
  or a Hayes(tm) compatible modem and a RS-232 to RS-232C interface.  The
  interface can either be made or purchased.  See the enhancements section
  for more information.

  To connect at speeds greater than 2400(4800) bps, you must either build or
  purchase a serial port interface.  Typical examples are the Swiftlink
  cartridge from CMD or the DataPump cartridge that can be built. You will
  also need a Hayes(tm) compatible modem that will work at the speed you
  desire.

  The easiest modems to use are C= standard modems.  These modems plug
  directly into the user port of your 64/128.  The most popular modem from
  Commodore is the C= 1670.  The 1670 sports a (large and useful) subset of
  the Hayes command set, the standard command set expected by most terminal
  programs.  Most other C= standard modems are 1670 compatible, Hayes
  compatible, or both.  Standard C= modems can be found as fast as 2400 baud.

+ The next easiest is a Commodore compatible modems, like the Aprotek line.
+ These modems plug directly into the user port, and emulate Commodore modems,
+ but may be eaiser to find and cheaper to buy.

  You can connect a standard Hayes modem to your 64/128 if you acquire a
  RS232 adapter.  Such an adapter plugs into your User port, and provides
  you with a standard RS232 serial port, into which a standard modem can be
  plugged.  Peak Peripherals, Omnitronix, and a few others sell such
  adapters.  They typically cost from $20 to $40.  See 9.8 for details on
  how to make your own interface.


   5.3.  What kinds of terminal programs exist?

  Popular shareware and freely distributable terminal programs available on
  the net include DesTerm128 for the 128, Novaterm for the 64, and Kermit
  for both the 64 and 128.  Each of these programs include emulations of
  popular terminal types (e.g. VT100, ANSI), as well as one or more transfer
  protocols.  Popular commercial terminal programs include Bob's Term Pro
  and Dialogue 128.


   5.4.  How do I download?  What does transfer protocol mean?

  Downloading Files via Anonymous FTP

  Freely distributable (PD, freeware, shareware) files are available for you
  to download at a number of "anonymous ftp" sites on the net.  To get files
  from these sites, you use (on most systems) a program called ftp.  A typical
  ftp session (assuming you are running from a Unix system) would be as
  follows:

  To download software (files) from an anonymous ftp sites, one has to
  be cognizant that there are two connections to be concerned about.  The
  first connection is from your Commodore to you host computer and then
  the connection from your host to the ftp site.  In addition you need to be
  be aware of the nature of the information in the desired file, particularly
  if you are downloading programs.  If the file is not known to be in
  printable ASCII form, consider it a binary file.  It may also be be in an
  archived form, i.e. a form where it is packed with many files or in a
  shortened format.  Consider these to be binary unless it is of the "uu"
  type which is an ASCII format.  ASCII format will download faster as it
  does not have to worry about the high bit being set.

  SAMPLE SESSION:

  %ftp ccnga.uwaterloo.ca                   <ccnga.uwaterloo.ca is site name>
  Connected to ccnga.uwaterloo.ca.
  220 punisher FTP server (SunOS 4.1) ready.
  Name (cco.caltech.edu:rknop): anonymous     <Use "anonymous" for user name>
  331 Guest login ok, send ident as password.
  Password:                                   <Type your E-mail address here>
  230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply.
  ftp> cd /pub/cbm/utilities                         <"cd" changes directory>
  250 CWD command successful.
  ftp> dir z*                             <"dir" alone lists whole directory>
  200 PORT command successful.
  150 ASCII data connection for /bin/ls (131.215.48.57,2084) (0 bytes).
  -rw-r--r--  1 root     root        15427 Apr 13 15:42 zed-128.070
  -rw-r--r--  1 root     root        14107 Apr 13 15:42 zed-128.doc
  226 ASCII Transfer complete.
  remote: z*
  134 bytes received in 0.44 seconds (0.3 Kbytes/s)
  ftp> binary                           <specifies binary files. IMPORTANT!!>
  200 Type set to I.
  ftp> get zed-128.070                            <requests file zed-128.070>
  200 PORT command successful.
  150 Binary data connection for zed-128.070 (131.215.48.57,20) (15427 bytes)
  226 Binary Transfer complete.
  local: zed-128.070 remote: zed-128.070
  15427 bytes received in 0.1 seconds (1.5e+02 Kbytes/s)
  ftp> quit                                      <quit when you are finished>
  221 Goodbye.
  %

  To submit files to an ftp site, you use the command "put".  Again, make sure
  to first specify "binary" for programs and other binary files.  Typically,
  ftp sites will only accept submissions in an "INCOMING" directory.

  Mail Servers

  If you do not have access to ftp, there are also some "mail servers" that
  allow ftp access for only GETTING files from anonymous FTP sites.
  Basically, you send mail to [e-mail], and in the first
  message you ever send, the only thing you should say in the body is "help"
  on the first line and on another line "quit".  They will send you a help
  file.  From then on out, the mail you send to the mail server will be
  requests that you send for information from sites.  Ftpmail will send you a
  message telling you it got your request, then later on you get your
  file/directory in mail, and also a result message of what went on.

  All I do then is transfer the files to my work directory, edit out
  the headers from the mail, and d/l the file, uudecode it, and
  there I have the file I asked for.

  Included is a sample mail file I use to get the job done.
  As a matter of fact, the output of the actual FTP session is like the
  material in the section on anonymous FTP.  This process will take some time
  as it depends on the amount of requests in the queue.  I usually get one
  day turnaround, but I have also had bombs since the systems may be down etc.
  when the ftpmail server gets around to serving your request.  I guess
  that's part of life.  There are some limitations that apply and you will
  be told about them each time you send a request.

  The mail file is really a "here" document that I have in a shell script.
  If you don't understand what I mean by a shell script/"here" document
  all you have to do is type the the lines as shown below without the
  information in [] on the command line.
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  mail [e-mail][<<!]
  connect ccnga.uwaterloo.ca anonymous [e-mail]
  chdir /pub/cbm/comp.sys.cbm
  ls -l
  quit
  [!] or CNTL-D
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Something you need to know is that the mailserver will split
  files into smaller chunks and substitute the file name with "ftp.mail" or
  something close to that. You need to watch the sequence when you receive
  the parts so you get them in order and you come up with a good name
  or extra lines.  Experience will teach you.

  Other Mail Servers

  A couple of people are running servers that will respond to email requests.
  Each have a limited amount of files available.  To access them send the
  following email:

  To:  [e-mail]
  Subject: mailser
  In the body include commands as required.  The set of commands is:
  help
  catalog
  psend files  (binary files)
  send file (text files)

  Or another server:

  To: [e-mail]
  Subject: MAILSERV
  Commands available:
  send iss<number>. - send issue of C=Hacking magazine
  subscribe  - Subscribe to mailing list
  catalog - show list of files available
  psend name - send uuencoded binary


  Transfer Protocols

  To transfer files from your mainframe (usually Unix or VMS) system to your
  64/128, you typically need to use some sort of error-correcting file
  transfer protocol.  The most popular protocols for the 64/128 are X/YMODEM
  and KERMIT.  These two protocols are very common, and are available on many
  computer systems.  Note that the term kermit is used as a terminal emulator
  product as well as a file transfer protocol.  Indeed, the Kermit terminal
  program supports the KERMIT file transfer protocol.  Novaterm supports
| KERMIT and X/Y/ZMODEM. DesTerm supports KERMIT and X/Y MODEM.

+ For more info on Novaterm or to get a copy by mail, contact:

+ Nick Rossi
+ 10002 Aurora Avenue North #1159
+ Seattle, WA  98133
+ $25 US for the program, now at version 9.5.
+ [e-mail] (Contact)
+ The version is also available as shareware at eskimo.com in
+ /voyager/Novaterm

+ For more info on Kermit (the term prg) or to get a copy by mail, contact:

+ Kent Sullivan
+ 16611 NE 26th Street
+ Bellevue, WA  98008
+ $12.50 US for the program, now at version 2.2.

+ For more information on DesTerm or to get a copy by mail, contact:

+ Steve Cuthbert
+ [e-mail]

  XMODEM/YMODEM

  XMODEM comes in several varieties.  Standard XMODEM sends files in 128 byte
  packets.  There are two standard error-correction methods with XMODEM
  checksum and CRC.  CRC is the more modern of the two.  There is also a
  version of XMODEM which supports 1K-byte packets.  This version is most
  commonly known as XMODEM-1K, but is sometimes erroneously called YMODEM.
  YMODEM is a "batch" XMODEM protocol, allowing you to transfer multiple
  files in one operation.

  ZMODEM

| A new file transfer protocol is ZMODEM.  NovaTerm, as of version 9.5,
+ supports ZMODEM receives, but not sends.

  KERMIT

  Another file transfer protocol used is Kermit.
  It is on the Columbia machine (watsun.cc.columbia.edu) and available by
  anonymous ftp. The same package only supports 1200 baud; there used to be
  some 2400 baud patches on Milton by whom I don't know.  If someone has them,
  could they be put on ccnga.uwaterloo.ca?


   5.5.  PETSCII vs. ASCII?

  This debate has caused grief for many years.  Watch out for it.  The
  Commodore world represents all of its characters in an encoding called
  PETSCII, but the rest of the world uses the American Standard Code for
  Information Interchange (ASCII).  If your transferring text files,
  there is a possibility the file could be in ASCII or PETSCII.  If you
  fetch a file and it looks as though the case of the letters is reversed,
  the the file needs to be converted into PETSCII.


   5.6.  Where can I find Commodore programs?

  A number of BBS systems have download areas devoted to the Commodore line
  of computers.  Also, a number of sites on Internet have areas for Commodore
  files. The list of current Internet FTP sites can be retrieved from the
  same directory that this file was found and is called cbm_ftpsitesMMYY,
  where MM is the Month and YY is the year that the list is for.  The
  FTP List is maintained by Howard Herman and a copy of the latest file can be
  obtained from him at [e-mail].


   5.7.  What else is available online?

  Well, aside from people, programs, and newsgroups, there are such things
  as disk magazines, online magazines, mailing lists, and project
  descriptions for Commodore enthusiasts.


   5.8.  What is a file extension, and what do they stand for?

  A file extension is a 3 letter suffix appended to the end of a file name.
  This extension holds important information about the contents of the file.
  Most file extensions on Commodore files tell which type of archiving
  method was used to make the file smaller or place several files into one
  large file.  The list below tells what each extension stands for and what
  processing the user must do to the file before using it.

  Extension:    Meaning:            Notes:
  -----------------------------------------
  .txt          Text File           This file is not compressed, so it needs
                                    no decompression step.  However, the file
                                    may be in either ASCII or PETSCII format,
                                    so a conversion step may be necessary.
                                    Most terminal programs can do this
                                    conversion, and there are stand-alone
                                    programs that do the necessary conversion
                                    also.

  .sda          Self-Dissolving     Just load and run the .sda file to
                Archive             dissolve the archive.  Will dissolve
                                    itself into its constituent files.
                                    C64 and C128 .sda files are not
                                    compatible with each other.

  .sfx          Self-Extracting     Load and run just like a .sda file.
                Archive             The same archive can be extracted on
                                    either a C64 or a C128, memory permitting.

  .arc          ARChive             Use the program arc250.4 or earlier
                                    for the 64 or arc128 for the 128 to
                                    dissolve the archive.  arc128 is available
                                    as part of the CS-DOS package.  Other
                                    de-archive programs may exist.

  .lzh          LHArchive           Use the program lhx in CS-DOS on the
                                    128 to dissolve this archive.  These
                                    are not very common.  This archive
                                    uses the same format as .sfx files,
                                    but is not self-extracting.  It is
                                    a standard format also used by
|                                   Amiga (and MS-DOS) computers.  This
+                                   format originated on the PC.

  .lnx          Lynx Archive        The above formats all compress files when
                                    storing them; Lynx just stores them.
                                    There are many different versions of
                                    Lynx out there, so good luck dissolving
                                    these.

  .lbr          Library Archive     A format similar to lynx.  Library
                                    dissolving programs exist for both the
                                    64 and 128 to dissolve these.

  .uue          UUEncoded file      UUencoding is a process whereby a binary
                                    file can be converted to an all-text
                                    file, transferable by E-mail.  This
                                    encoded file can later be UUDecoded back
                                    to the original binary file.  Unix
                                    has uuencoding/decoding utilities.
                                    A program "uuxfer" for the
                                    C64 (by Fuzzy Fox) will both uuencode
                                    and uudecode.  Note that the contents of
                                    uue file could be another archived file.

  .uua          UU archive          An extension of uuencoding, a uuarchive
                                    file is a concatenation of one or more
                                    UUEncoded files.  So far as I know, this
                                    was introduced by Craig Bruce in his ACE
                                    shell for the C=128, and the utilities
                                    included with that shell create and
                                    dissolve uuarchives.

  .kar          Kevin's Archive     Another text archive format that seems
                                    to have originated with Craig Bruce,
                                    this is a proscription for concatenating
                                    a series of text files (which can include
                                    uuencoded files) into one file.  More
                                    information can be found in C. Bruce's
                                    documentation for his ace shell.

  x!<file>      ZIPCoded file       ZIPCode is a program that takes an entire
                                    disk and "compacts" it into 4 files that
                                    have a number followed by a '!' and then
                                    a filename.

  x!!<file>     ZIPCode 6-pack      This is a ZIPCode archive that takse an
                                    entire disk and puts it into 6 files,
                                    each file containing GCS codes and header
                                    info for the tracks.  This is basically
                                    a nybble copier that stores the data it
                                    receives from the disk into files.

  .bco          BCODEd file         BCODing is very similar to UUencoding in
                                    that a binary file is converted into an
                                    all-text format that is 33% larger than
                                    the original.  The difference is that the
                                    BCODE format provides additional
                                    information for error detection and
                                    automatic data segmentation and
                                    reordering.  C-code versions of "bcode"
                                    and "unbcode" are available via FTP and
                                    Commodore versions are provided with
                                    ACE-128/64.

   .zip         ZIP archive         Zip is a file format used on IBM
                                    platforms and is created by the PKZip
                                    program that is available for some
|                                   platforms.  There are two forms of zip
+                                   files that have the same extension.
+                                   Both are created by different versions of
+                                   PKZip.  The first, version 1.01, can be
+                                   dissolved on a 64 by using the program
+                                   UNZIP64.  The second, newer format is
+                                   version 2.04, which cannot be dissolved by
+                                   UNZIP64.  Your best solution when in doubt
+                                   is to dissolve the files on another
+                                   platform.  For the 128, there is a version
+                                   of the UNZIP64 program, called NZP128 that
+                                   has been modified to run in 128 mode.  It
+                                   is in a file called NZP12813.SFX.

+  <file>]x     Compression Kit     x = 4,7,8, cmd, or c(xx) to denote type
+               Archive             of media that was compressed.  The files
+                                   can be extracted only with The Compression
+                                   Kit, from Mad Man Software.

+ .tar          TAR Archive         UNIX Tape ARchiver.  This program can be
+                                   used to archive files as well.  The file
+                                   must be decoded using tar.

+ .Z            Compress archive    Compress is a program on UNIX that will
+                                   shrink a single file.  It is usually used
+                                   on .tar files in UNIX to reduce their
+                                   size.  The file must be decoded by the
+                                   decompress program, available on UNIX, PC,
+                                   Mac and other platforms.

+ .gz           GZIP Archive        GZIP is a free program developed by the
+                                   Free Software Foundation to freely shrink
+                                   their software.  the resulting file must be
+                                   decoded by GUNZIP, available on many
+                                   platforms, before using.

+ .taz          Compressed TAR      This is a file that should have the
+                                   extension "tar.Z", but has been shortened
+                                   for MS-DOS.  Run uncompress, then tar on
+                                   this file.

   .cvt         GEOS file           GEOS files use a special file format. The
                                    files are called USR files, but they have
                                    special information in the file that
                                    normal files don't, so you cannot just
                                    upload a GEOS file like any SEQ or PRG
                                    file. You can pack all the extra
                                    information and the data into a regular
                                    Commodore SEQ or PRG file with a program
                                    Called Convert.  It has a version 2.5 and
                                    a 3.0.  The files that result from this
                                    conversion have the extension.  The file
                                    must be processed again by Convert before
                                    it can be used with GEOS.

  There many programs available to do these conversions.  One of the them is
  called Omega-Q II, which includes one-stop compression and decompression of
  many of the available types.  It has a menu-style system and can do other
  things as weel, like display or print ASCII files.

  If you use a host system to download the files from, you may want to
  decompress the files before downloading.  Even though the files will be
  larger to download, the time to decompress them offline will not be a
  factor.  However, those who pay by-the-minute for download time would
  probably want the smallest possible file, which implies decompressing on
  the local machine, except in the case of a UU encoded file.  These files
  are actually bigger in the 'UU' format.


   5.9.  What are mailing lists and how do I join one?

  A mailing list is similar to a Usenet newsgroup like comp.sys.cbm, in that
  it provides a place for people to talk among each other and ask questions.
  The difference is that the mechanism used is mail.  You mail a message off
  to the list, the message then gets sent out to all members of that list,
  they read and reply to the list, and the process repeats.  It is used for
  topics that are considered temporary or topics that have a limited scope and
  may not sustain an entire newsgroup being devoted to them.  It may also
  be used when people want to privately discuss some issue.

  There are a number of Commodore 8-bit mailing lists for you to join:

  cbm-unix - This is a list devoted to the discussion of alternate operating
             systems for the Commodore line that have the familiar UNIX
             [e-mail] with the message:
             subscribe cbm-unix Jim Brain                 <use your own name>
             review cbm-unix          <this will show you who is on the list>
             help                     <this will explain how to use the list>

             you can then send mail to the list by addressing it to:
             [e-mail].
  old-cbm -  This is a list devoted to discussions of older Commodore
             equipment.  Typically, this list discusses issues concerning
             PETs, the VIC-20, Plus 4 and C16, and other lesser used
             machines.  You can join this one by sending mail to
             [e-mail] with the message:

             subscribe old-cbm Jim Brain                  <use your own name>
             review old-cbm           <this will show you who is on the list>
             help                     <this will explain how to use the list>

             you can then send mail to the list by addressing it to:
             [e-mail].

| c64-hackers - I do not know much about this list other than it is used to
             discuss issue realting to timing and special opcodes used in
             Commodore programs. You can join this list by sending mail to
             [e-mail] with the message:

             subscribe c64-hackers Jim Brain              <use your own name>
             review c64-hackers       <this will show you who is on the list>
             help                     <this will explain how to use the list>

             you can then send mail to the list by addressing it to:
             [e-mail].

  commodor - This is a list that is for all Commodore 8-bit computer
             discussion.  This list mirrors most of the discussion on
             comp.sys.cbm, so I would post to both places. You subscribe
             by sending a mail msg to:
             [e-mail] with the message:

             subscribe commodor Jim Brain                 <use your own name>
             review commodor          <this will show you who is on the list>
             help                     <this will explain how to use the list>

             you can then send mail to the list by addressing it to:
             [e-mail]

+ c65list -  This is a list that discusses the various aspects of the
+            Commodore C65 Prototype system.  There are files and
+            information available through this list to C65 owners.  Note
+            that this is NOT the list to ask where a C64 can be purchased
+            from, since the C65 is not a product, per se, as all available
+            units were in-house prototypes liquidated at a warehouse.
+            You can subscribe by sending a mail msg to:
+            [e-mail] with the subject:

+            subscribe

+            You can then send mail to the list by address it to:
+            [e-mail] or [e-mail].

+ c=hacking - This list is set up to automatically mail out the latest copy
+            of Commodore Hacking Online Magazine upon publication.  It is run
+            through Craig Taylor's mailserver.  You can subscribe by sending
+            a mail message to:

+            [e-mail] with a subject line of:

+            MAILSERV with a message of:

+            subscribe
             help                     <this will explain how to use the list>


   5.10. Are there other ways to transfer files?

  It is possible to mail people binary files.  To do this, you need access
  to a program called uuencode.  Most, if not all UNIX machines have this
  command available, and there are versions available for IBM, Amiga, and
  Macintosh. There is also a version of uuencode available for the
  Commodore 64 and 128 as part of the ACE 128/64 OS replacement. (See section
  8.3)  The uuencode program takes a binary file and expands it so that
  it only contains 7-bit ASCII characters.  This resulting file can then be
  mailed to a recipient, who then uses a similar program called uudecode
  that will transform the uuencoded file into the resulting binary file.
  This encoding technique is a standard one used across multiple platforms.
  If you want to send a file to another Commodore owner, you can use bcode,
  which is a Commodore-specific encoding available in ACE 128/64.

  If you are regularly on Internet Relay Chat (IRC), you can send binary
  files directly to others on IRC by issuing:

    /dcc send (nickname) (filename)

  where (nickname) is the nickname of the person you wish to send to, and
  (filename) is the name of the file, including path if not is current
  directory.

  You receive files by typing:

    /dcc receive (nickname)  or
    /dcc get (filename)


   5.11. How do I contact people on Compuserve, Genie, etc.?

  These online services have gateways to the Internet.  To send a message to
  someone on the following services, make sure they can receive Internet mail
  and address the message as follows:

  Service       Username        Internet Address

  Compuserve    12345,678       [e-mail]
| GEnie         j.smith2        [e-mail]
  Delphi        jsmith          [e-mail]

  FidoNet is special, since there are many fidonet nodes, so you need the
  specific node information for the system that the recipient is on.  Assume
| that Jim Brain is on a fido BBS that is node 115 on network 233 in zone
  1.  The address would be:

  FidoNet       Jim Brain       [e-mail]


--
Jim Brain, Embedded Systems Designer, Brain Innovations.
[e-mail]
Dabbling in VR, Old Commodore Computers, and Good Times!
"The above views DO reflect my employer, since I am my employer" - Jim Brain
From: [e-mail] (Jim Brain)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Organization: Brain Innovations, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.2.1.p3
Comp-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part3
News-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part3
Comp-sys-cbm-archive-name: main-faq/part3
Version: 2.1
Last-modified: 1994/06/06


   6. Publications

   6.1.  What paper publications are available?

  There are a number of publications which are specifically geared to
  information associated with the C64 and C128.

  THE DEAD LIST

  The following magazines have died:  AHOY,RUN,COMMODORE,TRANSACTOR.  Back
  issues that can be found are a treasure trove of good information.

  The Transactor

  Sure, it's dead, and has been for a few years, but this one was a classic.
  Calling itself the magazine for Commodore programmers, this magazine was
  enough to make any C64/C128 programmer drool.  Featuring in-depth technical
  information and programming tutorials, as well as "out-of-the-way" topics
  (things along the line of Richard Curcio's 256K and 512K articles that
  appeared in TC128).  If you are a programmer, and can get your hands on
  back issues of this magazine, do so.

  Micro-Bytes

  As of 25-May-1992, Parsec, Inc. has taken over the
  distribution of MB products, and back issues.
  More information about MB can be found in the /pub/cbm/micro-bytes
  directory on ccnga.uwaterloo.ca.


  THE LIVE LIST

+ Commodore World

+ Creative Micro Designs, Inc.
+ P.O. Box 646
+ East Longmeadow, MA  01028
+ [phone] (Credit Card Orders)
+ This is a new magazine that supersedes the RUN magazine.  It is packed
+ with info about Commodore computers. One year subscription (8 issues)
+ rates: $29.95 (U.S.), $35.95 (Can/Mex), $45.95 (EC), $57.95 (all others).
+ Single issue: $4.95 plus shipping of $2.00 (U.S./Can/Mex), $4.00 (other).

+ geoNews

+ geoCLUB
+ 55 High Bank Road
+ Droylsden
+ Manchester
+ M35 6FS
+ This magazine is published entirely with GEOS, and the contents are:
+ Meet the Members, Library Review (GEOS disk library which looks pretty
+ extensive), GeoSnips (Hints and Tips), and feature articles.

  Twin Cities 128 (TC128)

  Twin Cities 128 (TC128)
  Parsec, Inc.
  PO BOX 111
  Salem MA 09170-0111, USA.
  Twin Cities 128 is (as of issue #29) published by Parsec, Inc.  It features
  Commodore 128 specific information, and attempts to cater to readers at all
  levels of experience, not just novices.  Additionally, starting with Issue
  #31(February/March 1991), Twin Cities 128 comes with a companion disk.

  A subscription to TC128 in the US is $20 ($36.50 with disk), outside the US
  is $26 ($46.50 with disk).  Mail the check payable in US funds.

  geoVISION International

  geoVISION International
  816 Southeast Polk Street
  Camas, Wa  98607
  Geos publication devoted to that subject exclusively. Subscription $21
  for six issues. $4 for a sample issue. Disk subscriptions are $30 for
  6 disks or $5.50 for a single disk.

  dieHard

  dieHard subscriptions
  P.O. Box 392
| Boise, ID 83701-0392
  [phone] (Information)
  Magazine devoted to all 8-bit Commodore computers.  $16.97 for 10 issues
  or $49.97 for 10 issues including SPINNER companion disk. $2.95 for sample
  magazine.

  Commodore Network

  Commodore Network Magazine
  Warren Naismith
  9 Wadeson
  St Cobram Vic, Australia  3150
  This magazine comes out of Australia.  Please check the Address and correct
  this listing if wrong.

| Random (64/128 Magazine)

  Random
+ c/o Saber Enterprises
  7161 North Main
| Clovis, CA  93611-8200
+ $23.70 for one year (10 issues)/$5 for sample issue

  64'er (German)

  64'er (German)
  Markt & Technik Verlag
  Hans-Pinsel-Str. 2
  D-85538 Haar
  [phone] (Voice)

  User Group Newsletters

  Your local user group newsletter is another source of commodore
  information.  Often, newsletters will reprint articles of other user
  groups, allowing information to spread further.  Many user group
  newsletters can be subscribed to in the mail.  (Is anyone interested in
  compiling a list of user group newsletters to which one can subscribe;
  send me mail at [e-mail].)

  Try these out first.

  The Main Commodore Club in the United Kingdom:

  Independent Commodore Products User Group
  PO Box 1309
  London, N3 2UT
  It supports all Commodore computers and has a software library for each
  of them. It also produces 6 Journals a year of approx 100 pages each.
+ They have an Amateur Radio section in their c64 software library.

+ FRIENDZ & CONTAX
+ c/o Steve Hedges
+ 11 Dunsford Street, Whyalla Stuart
+ South Australia, Australia 5608
+ They have both disk and hard copy newsletters.

+ NMCUG: New Mexico Commodore User's Group
+ P.O. Box 37127
+ Albuquerque, NM
+ DIMensions newsletter.

+ CHUG: Commodore Houston User's Group
+ P.O. Box 441252
+ Houston, TX  77244-1252
+ ?SYNTAX newsletter

+ BCS Commodore User's Group
+ c/o The Boston Computer Society
+ 101-A First Avenua, Suite 2
+ Waltham, MA  02154
+ Edward Piecewicz, Secretary (Contact)
+ [e-mail] (Information)
+ A one year Associate membership for those outside Maine, Massachusetts,
+ Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, ans New Hampshire, is $35.00 US. If
+ inside, the cost is $39.00 US.  The membership includes the monthly
+ magazine "BCS Magazine", which includes the Commodore newsletter.

+ Brentwood Commodore Computer Club
+ c/o Brentwood Public Library
+ 2nd Avenua and 4th Street
+ Brentwood, NY  11717

+ Capital Region Commodore Computer Club/LOAD CRCCC
+ P.O. Box 2372
+ Vernon, CT  06066

+ Cheyenne Association of Computer Enthusiasts
+ P.O. Box 1733
+ Cheyenne, WY 82003

+ FUNHUG
+ 814 valley Run
+ hercules, CA  94547-1440
+ BBS Number: [phone]

+ Louisville Users of Commodore of Kentucky/The LUCKY Report
+ P.O. Box 19032
+ Louisville, KY  40219-0032
+ BBS Numberr: [phone]

+ LUCKY LINE Magazine (LUCKY member Dale Sidebottom's own newsletter)
+ c/o Dale Sidebottom
+ P.O. Box 972
+ New Albany, IN  47151-0972

+ Lansing Area Commodore Club
+ LACC membership
+ P.O. Box 1065
+ East Lansing, MI  48823-1065
+ Membership dues are $15.00 US per year per family.  membership entitles you
+ to receive the monthly newsletter and get PD software.

+ Arizona Commodore Users Group
+ P.O. Box 27201
+ Tempe, AZ  85285
+ One of the best newsletters around.

+ Anchorage Commodore Users Group
+ P.O. Box 104615
+ Anchorage, AK  99510-4615

+ Birmingham Commodore Club
+ P.O. Box 59564
+ Birmingham, AL  35259-9564

+ C-128 West User's Group
+ 17407 Devanah Street
+ Covine, CA  91722

+ The Fresno Sixty-Fourum
+ P.O. Box 16098
+ Fresno, CA  93755

+ Western Slope Commodore User Group
+ P.O. Box 81
+ Mack, CO  81525

+ Commodore Computer Club of Jacksonville
+ 141 Mango Court
+ MIddleburg, FL  32127

+ Commodore Hawaii User's Group
+ c/o M.N. Daniels
+ 46-329 Kumoo Loop
+ Kaneohe, HI  96744-3532

+ Champaign-Urbana Commodore User's Group (CUCUG)
+ 2010 West William
+ Champaign, IL  61821

+ Midwest Computer Users Group
+ P.O. Box 9311
+ Highland, IN  46322

+ Commo-Hawk Commodore User's Group
+ P.O. Box 2724
+ Cedar Rapids, IA  52406-2724

+ Michigan Commodore User's Group
+ 800 Lloyd
+ Madison Heights, MI  48071-1915

+ Commodore User's Group of Kansas City
+ P.O. Box 36034
+ Kansas City, MO  64111

+ Lehigh Valley Commodore User's Group
+ 931 Lawrence Drive
+ Emmaus, PA  18049

+ Sioux Empire Commodore Club
+ 1932 South Menlo Avenue
+ Sioux Falls, SD  57105-2717

+ Commodore Houston User's Group
+ P.O. Box 441252
+ Houston, TX  77244-1252

+ C64 Compendium
+ P.O. Box 70
+ Ringgold, VA  24586-0070

+ Commodore Computer Club of Toledo
+ P.O. Box 13011
+ Toledo, OH  43613

+ Commodore Home User Group of Wheeling (CHUG)
+ 81 Lynwood Avenua
+ Wheeling, WV  26003

+ Mountain Computer Society
+ 3898 Cheryl Street
+ Salt Lake City, UT  84119-4682

+ Peninsula Commodore User's Group
+ P.O. Box 11293
+ Newport News, VA  23601-9293

  Colorado Commodore Computer Club
  1192 South Nome Street
  Aurora, CO  80012
  [phone]
| Ron Snyder (Contact)
  large public domain library.
  Meeting 64/128 Users Through the Mail
| Route 7, Box 7614
| Palestine, TX  75801
| Francis Redmond, President
+ [e-mail] (Contact)
  A very good users group. Has been around for 7 years. $15 per year
  includes monthly newsletter.


  6.2.  What is a Disk Magazine?  Where do I find them?

  A disk magazine is a publication that comes out as a text file(s) on a
  diskette.  You load the reader program on a computer and view the magazine
  on the computer screen.

  CEE-64 Alive!

  CEE-64 Alive!
  P.O. Box 232115
  Sacramento, CA 95823
| EMAIL [e-mail] (CEE-64 Alive! Editor, G. Moranec)

  Demo disk is $3.00.  Subscription info:
  Before March 15th       $25.00
  After March 15th        $30.00

  Back Issue Information:
  Volume 1-5, ending 12-92     $20
  Volume 1-6, ending 12-93     $25

  Subscribers will receive 6 disk magazine issues pertaining to the C=64,
  and 6 disks with "extra" material on it - shareware, P.D., data bases,
  recipes, etc. for the 64, 128 and PLUS/4 computers.  Each issue will
  also be accompanied by a printed newsletter.

  LodeStar

  SOFTDISK PUBLISHING
  P.O. BOX 30008
  SHREVEPORT, LA  71130-00008
  [phone] (Phone)
  [phone] (Fascimile)
  A disk magazine that features C64/C128 programs. 3.5 or 5.25 disks.

  COMPUTE'S Gazette

  COMPUTE'S Gazette
  P.O. BOX 3244
  HARLAN, IA 51593-2424
  [phone] (Subscription Number)
  [e-mail] (Gazette Editor, Tom Netsel)
  In addition to the usual columns by Jim Butterfield, Larry Cotton, and other
  knowledgeable writers, each issue of the all new double-sided Gazette Disk
  has original ready-to-run programs--no more typing in long program listings!
  All documentation is included on disk. As a bonus, you'll also find a couple
  of outstanding PD programs on each disk.

  The price for a one year's subscription is only $29.95 for 12 issues ($42.75
  in Canada; $39.95 in other countries.)

  Programmers, Gazette is still interested in buying your best original
  efforts. Send your programs with documentation to our editorial office:

  Gazette Program Submissions
  324 W. Wendover Ave., Ste. 200,
  Greensboro, NC 27408.


   6.3.  What is an Online Magazine?  Where do I find them?

  An online magazine is one which exists in a text file format and can be
  downloaded like a regular file off the network by the user for browsing
  and/or printing.

  Usenet C= Hacking Magazine

  An on-line magazine written by denizens of comp.sys.cbm, this features
  in-depth technical programming information on C64 and C128 computers.  The
  editor of C= Hacking is Craig Taylor ([e-mail]).  The
  issues of C= Hacking can be found on ccnga.uwaterloo.ca in the directory
  /pub/cbm/hacking.mag.  Back issues can be gotten from Craig Taylor's
  mail server.  He also posts a summary notice each month with what is
  currently there.


   7. Exchanging Data

   7.1.  Can I read IBM(tm) disks?

  Commodore computers use a disk format which is not compatible with the
  disk formats of other computers.  However, some programs exist which allow
  you to read foreign, specifically MS-DOS, disks.  Note that in general to
  do this, you must have either a 1571 or 1581 disk drive.  The 1541 cannot
  read MS-DOS disks without some hardware modifications.

  A commercial package, The Big Blue Reader, from SOGWAP software, runs on
  either a 64 or a 128, will read and write MS-DOS format 3.5" (with a 1581)
  and 5.25" (with a 1571) disks.

  Other freely distributable programs exist to read and write 5.25" MS-DOS
  disks.  One such program is Crosslink, (available on ccnga.uwaterloo.ca
  although it is limited to reading files 43K in size or smaller.  Finally,
  there are a few CP/M MS-DOS reading utilities that work in the C128's CP/M
  mode.

  RUN magazine (4/89 to 6/89) published a series of programs that would use
  1571/1581 drives to transfer MS-DOS files to and from a C= drive.  It is
  also limited in file size handling ~43-44K.

  Issues 4 and 5 of C= Hacking magazine presented a program called Little
  Red Reader for the 128 that will copy files to and from MS-DOS floppy
  disks.  The menu-driven program requires two disk drives to work, where the
  one containing the MS-DOS disk must be a 1571 or 1581 (or compatible).  The
  program does not buffer data internally, so the only size restriction on
  copying is the capacity of the target disk.  The program provides PETSCII/
  ASCII conversion but will work only with the root directories of MS-DOS
  disks.  The program is also available via FTP and is FREE.

  To read and write to MS-DOS disks with 1541 disk drives you have to make a
  small hardware modification. The 1541-dos package contains instructions on
  how to modify Commodore 1541 and Oceanic OC-118/OC-118N disk drives, and
  programs to read disks in MS-DOS format and to write to disks in a format
  that can be read by MS-DOS computers.  The newest version of the package is
  available via anonymous ftp on ftp.funet.fi in /pub/cbm/documents/1541-dos.


   7.2.  Can my IBM(tm) computer read Commodore disks?

  To read CBM disks on an IBM, you can use the program x1541 available on
  ccnga.uwaterloo.ca in /pub/cbm/emulation.  This program uses the PC parallel
  port to emulate a C= serial port.  You need to have a unique cable built to
  make the connection.  The cable is connected to a 1541 drive.
  The documentation has a schematic for the cable.

+ Also, if you own a Commodore 1581, there is a PC program which can read
+ 1581 formatted disks.  It is called 22DSK13.


   7.3.  Are there other ways to exchange data between computers?

  NULL Modems

  If you are transferring data to another computer (e.g. a PC) in the same
  room, or if you are lucky enough to have a terminal server line near your
  64/128(more and more colleges are putting such beasts in dorm rooms), you
  be able to connect your serial port directly to another computer.  If you
  have a terminal server port, all you need is a C= RS232 to standard RS232
  adapter (see 9.8).  If you are connecting to another, PC, you will also
  need a null modem.  A null modem is a simple device that you can buy for
  less than $10.  It typically is a small box with a 25-pin (or 9-pin) RS232
  connector on either side.  Put it somewhere in the line between your C= and
  the other PC.


   8. Operating Systems

   8.1.  What Operating Systems are available?

  Well, Commodore computers come with a standard operating system
  built in ROM. They also contain a built in BASIC interpreter which is
  normally activated after switching on or resetting the computer.
  If you want alternative options to replace the existing OS, there are a few
  that may suit your needs.  GEOS is the best known, but a number of people
  have made UNIX-like operating system replacements for the Commodore 64 and
  128.  Also, on the 128, CP/M is available out-of-the-box. (see below for
  details on different OS types.)


   8.2.  What is GEOS?

  GEOS stands for Graphical Environment Operating System.  It is a Graphical
  User Interface (GUI) style of OS, and it brings to the Commodore 64 and 128
  integrated applications.  The graphical nature of GEOS allows applications
  to use fonts of any size, bitmaps, and menus and mice.  The system was
  Designed by Berkeley Softworks, now GEOWorks, and is supported now by CMD.
  There are a number of graphical style GEOS applications, like GEOWrite,
  GEOPaint, GEOPublish, GEOTerm, etc.  The system is very easy to use, and
| is very fast, even when compared to other GUIs like Windows and OS/2.

  GEOS can make very effective use of a Ram Expansion Unit, a RAMDrive or
  RAMLink, or GEORam.  GEOS allows you to configure your REU to appear just
  like another (very fast) disk drive, although it does not keep its contents
  when you turn your computer off.  So, any GEOS software that works off of
  a disk will work out of your REU.  Since GEOS is very disk-intensive, this
  greatly improves the performance of your system.  Indeed, some firm GEOS
  adherents have said that they would not use GEOS without a RAM device of
  some sort.
  GEOS will not work with a stock 1700.  To have a RAM drive, in GEOS, you
  must have at least 256K of expansion.  Thanks to patches developed by Jim
  Collette(configure2.1), GEOS also supports 1 Meg, 1.5 Meg, and 2 Meg REUs.

  GEOS files are structured differently from standard Commodore files.  They
  cannot be uploaded or downloaded directly.  Before you upload a GEOS file,
  use the freeware GEOS application convert2.5 by W.C. Coleman to convert it
  to Commodore format.  When you download a GEOS file, you must use the same
  program to convert it to GEOS format.  By convention, GEOS format files
  converted to standard Commodore format have a .cvt on the end; however,
  many converted GEOS files just have the same name as the original GEOS file.
  As a rule of thumb, any GEOS file you download, regardless of the extension,
  must be converted to GEOS format with convert2.5.

  If you download an archive of GEOS files (e.g. a .arc or .sda file
  containing GEOS files), you must first dissolve the archive using your C64
  or C128 in native mode.  The constituents of the archive will be converted
  GEOS files, whether or not they have the .cvt extension.  Each of these
  constituents (which are GEOS files) must be individually converted to GEOS
  format with convert2.5.

+ If you need some help with GEOS or any aspect of it, I refer you to Myles
+ Skinner at [e-mail].  He is one of many people who use GEOS
+ every day and can be of help.


   8.3.  What is UNIX?

  UNIX is an OS that was developed by Bell Laboratories in the 1960's and
  is now used on many workstations.  It is a multi-user, multi-process
  OS that has extensive support from the educational and commercial
  communities.  Internet and Usenet are primarily a collection of UNIX
  workstations networked together.  The UNIX-like OS replacements for
  Commodore computers mainly emulate the shell of UNIX, where programs are
  run by merely typing in their name.  Other aspects of UNIX, such as
  multiple processes are supported by some of the offering, which are:

       Asterix. - A UNIX-Look-and-feel Shell replacement for 64

       UNIX128. - A small implementation of UNIX for the 128.

       ACE 128/64. - A new offering which borrows the UNIX shell look for 64
       and 128.  It is available at ftp.funet.fi in /pub/cbm/csbruce.


  8.4.  What is CP/M

  CP/M stands for Control Program for Microcomputers and is available on
  every Commodore 128.  There is also a CP/M cartridge available for the
| Commodore 64, but it cannot read CP/M disks, just 1541 formatted disks, and
  there are questions concerning its ability to work with all revisions
  of the Commodore 64.  CP/M was very popular in the early eighties before
  MS-DOS became popular.  It requires a Z-80 microprocessor, which the 128
  has, or an 8080 processor, and a disk drive capable of reading CP/M disks,
  such as the 1571.  If you don't need to read existing CP/M formatted disks,
  then a 1541 could also be used.  This operating system is the one that
  MS-DOS was modeled after, so there are a lot of similarities.  If you are
  interested in using CP/M as your primary OS, then please check out the
  newsgroup comp.os.cpm, as they have more info on the current events
  concerning CP/M.

  The version of CP/M used on the 128 is 3.0, commonly called CP/M Plus.
  It is compatible with earlier versions of CP/M but adds some new features.
  The copy of CP/M 3.0 that ships with the 128 was specially modified to allow
  use of the features of the 128, such as the Ram Expansion Unit as a RAM
  disk, the SID chip, and the extra RAM of the 128.

+ In the March,1994 issue of dieHard, Mike Gordillo gave an overview of the
+ CP/M operating system.  It is one of many such articles that should be read
+ by anyone new to CP/M.


   9. Enhancements

   9.1.  How do I increase my disk drive's transfer speed?

  Fastloaders

  The Commodore 1541 drive and any drive attached to a VIC-20, C64, Plus 4,
  C116, or C16 suffer from very slow read and write times.  This is caused
  by Commodore's haste in "economizing" the IEEE-488 bus used in the PET
  series of Commodore computers into the serial bus.  The IEEE-488 bus
  transferred 8 bits of data at a time, and performed some synchronization
  steps, or handshaking, between bytes.  Commodore reduced the path to 1 bit
  but kept most of the original handshaking, most of which is redundant when
  transferring 1 bit at a time.  Early on, some developers noted that, since
  the 1541 drive was intelligent enough to execute a program loaded into its
  RAM, and the Commodore operating system calls to do disk I/O could be
  bypassed, they could write software that sped up the loading process by
  modifying or completely changing the protocol used on the serial bus.  This
  is the idea behind fastload cartridges like FastLoad, Mach 5, etc...

  Now, as programs became more complex, some programs would not operate with
  this approach.  Thus, the developers then rewrote parts of the Commodore
  operating system on both the computer and the disk drive, and replaced the
  parts of them that did disk I/O with new pieces of code.  This is the idea
  behind JiffyDos and others.

  The basic idea in speeding up the disk drive is to use more than 1 line
  to transfer data, effectively doubling the transfer speed.  Then, reduce
  synchronization requirements in the protocol to a bare minimum, as
  synchronizing time is time not being used to do transfers.

  The fastload cartridges are handicapped somewhat by the need to transfer
  the portion of the program that runs in the disk drive to the drive using
  the slow speed evry time the drive is used.  This can be alleviated
  somewhat, but the replacement operating system replacement products like
  JiffyDos win the race since they do not need to load code into the drive,
  as it is already there.

  The products are not 100% compatible, as they sacrifice reliability for
  speed somewhat.  That means that a program that does not load due to an
  error while using a fastload product will probably load without the
  fastloading enabled.  Also, some programs can not handle the change in
  loading or reading speed, so these enhancements yield about 90%
  compatibility.

  You can also increase the speed of disk drive operation by organizing
  consecutive parts of a file on disk to fall a certain number of disk
  sectors apart.  This is called the interleave or interleaving factor.
  Normally, a 1541 disk drive space consecutive parts of a file 10 sectors
  apart, but you can change that a little to minimize the time needed to find
  consecutive parts of a file.

| Also, the C128 in 128 mode hooked up to a 1571 or 1581 has a built-in
  fastloading scheme called burst loading.  Therefore, if you are in 128 mode
  and hooked up to a 1581 or a 1571, you already have this feature.  However,
  the 128 in 64 mode reverts back to the old slow serial routines, and the 128
  in any mode using a 1541 cannot use the burst load routines.


   9.2.  How do I expand my disk drive's capacity?

  CMD sells hard drives for the Commodore 64 and 128.  They range in sizes
  from 50 Megabytes to 200 Megabytes.

+ You can also expand your disk drives on board RAM capacity, and use that
extra
+ memory for better archiving performance.

+ Software Support International sells the 1541 RAMBoard, which will increase
+ you 1541's memory.  SSI used to market a similar board for the 1571, but they
+ have depleted stock and no longer carry it.

+ If you have access to an IBM of some kind with a hard drive, you can use a
+ product called 64NET to hook the drive up to the Commodore.  64NET consists
+ of a cable which connects the CBM User Port and the IBM Parallel Port
+ together, and a program that runs on both machines.  The program on the IBM
+ is a standard application, but the CBM part is a wedge, so it should
+ integrate seamlessly with some programs.  There are two versions of the
+ product: the public domain version and the commercial version.

+ Both are at version 1.57 BETA, have full OPEN/CLOSE/READ/READST
+ support, can support 4 gigabyte IBM partitions, and have a built-in
+ off-board monitor which includes some dos wedge functions. Both the
+ versions' IBM programs have link-based helpsystems and will run on any IBM
+ machine.  The commercial version allows saving of files, wheras the PD
+ version does not.

+ The BETA versions are available (with upgrade to final version free) for
+ AUST$75.00, while the PD version is free.  All prices do not include cable
+ that is required for operation.  The cable, program, and more information
+ can be received from Paul Gardner-Stephen at [e-mail].


   9.3.  How do I expand my computer's RAM capacity?

  C1700/1764/1750

  The original form of RAM expansion available to the C64 and C128 were the
  Commodore REUs (Ram Expansion Units).  These REUs plug into the cartridge
  port, and provide 128K (the C=1700), 256K (the C=1764), or 512K (the C=1750)
  of additional RAM.

  This RAM is not true system RAM however; simply adding a 512K REU to your
  system does NOT mean that your word processor will suddenly be able to edit
  512K larger documents.  A REU will only be used by a program that was
  written to take advantage of an REU.  As a caveat on this, you can use your
  REU as additional RAM for a RAMLink .

  An REU can be used as a Commodore Disk Drive by running the program
  RAMDOS.  This will allow users to save and load files from the REU.

  If you are using CP/M, the REU can be configured to act like a disk drive
  under CP/M.

  Although the C=1764 was originally advertised for the C64, and the 1700 and
  1750 for the C128, any of the three RAM expanders will work with either the
  C64 or the C128.  Note that if you want to use any of them on the C64, you
  need a heavy duty power supply.  The 1764 comes with such a power supply.

  There are hardware hacks that will expand a 1700 or a 1764 to 512K;
  additionally, a 512K REU can be expanded to 1 Meg or more.  See /pub/cbm/
  hardware on ccnga.uwaterloo.ca.  If you don't wish to do it yourself, there
  are people who will do it for you, for a fee.  While it appears completely
  safe to upgrade your REU to 1 Meg, there have been some reports of problems
  with REU's upgraded to 2 Megs.  Sometimes the REU will work fine for a while,
  then fail.  If you are upgrading your REU, it would probably be wise to stop
  at 1 Meg.  If you are still memory hungry, consider a CMD RAMLink or
RAMDrive.

  The following individual will do RAM expansions on the 17xx series. He
| Has lots of experience doing these modifications. His current quoted price
| for expanding a 1750 from 512k to 1 meg is $60. Call for the latest prices.
  In addition he can do repairs on the RAM.

  Raymond Day
  9601 Morton Taylor Road
  Belleville, MI 48111-1328
| GEnie email r.day
  [phone]

+ On a similar note, Software Support International sells a device called
+ the 1751 clone, which functions just like a 1750.  It is not as expandable
+ as the real 1750, but can be used where a 1750 is recommended or required.

  geoRAM

  When Commodore REUs became hard to find several years back, Berkeley
  Softworks introduced geoRAM, which is a 512K RAM expander.  This RAM
  expander gives you all of the advantages of a 1750 with GEOS.  However, it is
  not 1750 compatible, so it will not work like a 1750 outside of GEOS; it is
  transparent to other programs.  (As a caveat on this, see the info on
  RAMLink)).  DesTerm128 2.0 will not work with a geoRAM plugged in.  A
  special version of GEOS 2.0 (which is bundled with geoRAM) is necessary to
| use geoRAM.  No additional power supply is necessary to use geoRAM.  The
+ geoRAM can be upgraded to 2MB also.  Contact Jens-Michael Gross at
+ [e-mail] for information on upgrading the geoRAM.

+ The geoRAM can be used without GEOS if it is installed in a RAMDrive or
+ RAMLink.  See below for details.

  RAMDrive, RAMLink

  RAMDrive (RD) and RAMLink (RL) are RAM devices from CMD.  The
  RAM in these devices can be partitioned into native mode partitions (with
  dynamically allocated subdirectories), or competely 1541, 1571, or 1581
  emulating partitions.  Thanks to the 15x1 emulating partitions, software
  does not have to be specifically written to run with a RD or a RL. These
  RAM devices should appear as a disk drive to most programs.  One notable
  exception is DesTerm v2.00, which does not work with RD or RL.  There are
  few other exceptions, and no major commercial program has a problem running
  with RL or RD.  The deciding factor seems to be whether or not the program
  uses a drive's internal ram.  RL and RD do not `mimic' having this type of
  internal drive ram, and if a program relies upon this it will not run.  The
  heavily copy protected Digital Solutions' programs use this drive ram for
  its burst loading routines.  So, even though a Maverick/RamBoard combination
  will write a copy to it to RL, it will fail to boot.  However, these
  programs, once booted from a 1571, will use and access all of RL's many
  functions for lightening fast loads and saves.

  RD and RL both have their own power sources, separate from the computer.
  When you turn off the computer, the power to the RAM device is left on,
  leaving its contents intact.  This power supply always remains on.  (For
  safety from power outages, battery backups are also available.)

  RAMLink is a powerful, large device.  It can be configured from 0 to
  up to 16 Megs of RAM, using industry standard 1x8 (100ns) 1 Meg and 4 Meg
  SIMMs.(1x9, and faster Simms can be used.)  The RL is constructed so that
  the user may easily add additional SIMMs at any time.

  RAMLink has a port into which you can plug a Commodore REU or a geoRAM.
  You can configure RAMLink to either leave this RAM device alone, or to use
  the REU/geoRAM's RAM just as if it were part of the RAMLink's RAM.  A
  RAMLink also has a pass-through port, in which you can plug a normal
  C64/C128 cartridge, and a parallel port for a CMD hard drive.  The latter
  greatly improves the transfer speed of data between your computer and the
  hard drive.

  RAMDrive is no longer sold by CMD, since it wasn't much less expensive than
  the RAMLink, and it was not expandable.  However, there are still RAMDrives
  in many sizes from 1 to 4 MB available on the used market.  They are great
  for people who know they will need too much expansion, and the price of a
  RAMLink is more than they can spend.

+ If you have a geoRAM, the geoRAM can be plugged into the RL or RD.  the
+ geoRAM then acts as an extra piece of ram-based disk storage.
  Both RD and RL come with a very well documented, thorough, and easily
  referenced User Manual.  Contact CMD for more details.

  C128 Video RAM

  The original, "flat" C128's came with an 80 column display that had it's own
  display RAM that was separate from the system memory of the computer.  This
  "VDC RAM" was 16K in size.  After Commodore introduced the C128D, they
  changed the design and marketed some versions of the Commodore 128D with
  64K of VDC RAM.  Since them, some programs (e.g. I-Paint, Dialogue128)
  have come out that either need or support 64K of VDC RAM.  Owners of flat
  128's can upgrade their video RAM to 64K either by ordering an upgrade
  plug-in board(e.g. from Software Support International), or by replacing the
  RAM chips themselves.  All that needs to be done is, the two 4416 RAM chips
  next to the VDC chip need to be replaced with 4464 RAM chips.  Note,
  however, that since this involves soldering in tight quarters on your 128's
  motherboard, it is very easy to damage the motherboard or the nearby VDC
  chip.  Whenever you wish to use the extra RAM, be sure to set bit 4 in the
  VDC register 28 (0 = 16kB, 1 = 64kB).

  Expanded C64's

| THE TRANSACTOR magazine published two articles written by Paul Bosacki on
| expanding the Commodore 64.  The first article (in Transactor 9.2) described
| how to expand the 64 to 256kB by swapping RAM chips and contained switches
| to perform some special options.  The second (in Transactor 9.6) describes
| how to expand the Commodore 64 to 1MB, using a 512kB REU and 512kB on the
| motherboard.  In additiopn, this expansion needs no switches to enable
| options, which is an enhancement to the first article.

| The Nordic/Finnish MicroBITTI magazine published a two part article by Pekka
| Pessi on expanding the Commodore 64.  Pessi's design (in MicroBITTI Issues
| 1 and 2 for 1987) split the C64 memory map into 4 16kB pages, which could be
| each mapped to any 16kB page in 256kB of memory.  It uses the same approach
| of swapping the 64kB DRAMs for 256kB ones, but does the addressing somewhat
| differently.

| In 1993, Marko Makela, with help from Pekka Pessi, translated Pekki's
| article into English and made it available via the Internet.  It is now
| available from nic.funet.fi in the directory /pub/cbm/documents/256kB.

+ Expanded C128's

+ Marko Makela has written an article on how to expand the C128 and C128D's
+ memory up to 1024kB.  It is compatible with his earlier article on expanding
+ the C64 to 256kB, so programs written for the expanded 64 should run on the
+ expanded 128 in 64 mode.  The plan and schematic is available via ftp
+ from nic.funet.fi in directory /pub/cbm/documents/1028.

  The C-256 and C-512

  Twin Cities 128  issues #30 and #31 have a hardware scheme for expanding
  your 128 to 256K or 512K.  To people who understand banking on the 128, the
  256K modification adds RAM blocks 2 and 3 to your system.  The 512K
  modification adds four more RAM blocks that can be accessed as alternate RAM
  blocks 2 and 3, or as a completely separate set of RAM blocks 0-3.

  As with Commodore REUs, software must specifically support the expanded RAM.
  Since these modifications are relatively new, there is not much software out
  yet that supports the additional RAM.  However, ACE 128 does support this
  expansion without any special drivers.

  The hardware modification, while simple from software's point of view, is
  rather difficult to perform in hardware.  Richard Curcio, the designer of
  the memory modifications, can modify your 128 for you.  See Twin Cities 128
  issue #31 for more information.



   9.4.  How do I increase my computer's speed?

  There are a number of products that can increase the operating speed of
  the Commodore 64.  These products work by turning off the on-board 6510
  and turning on a compatible microprocessor, usually a 65C02 or a 65C816
  in 6502 emulation mode.  These products will work with any software that
  does not mind running up to 4 times faster and does not use any of the
  undocumented opcodes of the 6502 IC.

  Commodore 64 Accelerators:

| Please note that some of these products are no longer offered for sale
| by the original companies, but can be purchased from individuals as used
| equipment.

  Turbo Master Accelerator for C64.

+ The Turbo Master Accelerator is for a C64 (or C64 mode of C128) only, uses
+ a Rockwell R65C02P4 microprocessor clocked at 4.09 MHz, has its own 64K of
+ fast static RAM and a 32K EPROM, has hardware/software switchable speed
+ between 4.09 and normal, and has an enhanced ROM with faster disk routines
+ that can also be disabled.  A JiffyDOS compatibility option was available.

  Turbo Process Accelerator for the C64.

  This accelerator, made by Rossm"oller, uses a 65C816P-4 microprocessor
  to operate the 64 at three speeds: 1MHz, 4 MHz, or anything between 50kHz
  and 4 MHz.  The 65C816 is a 16 bit version of the 6502/6510, so it is
  possible to write software for the new IC that takes advantage of the 16
  bit opcodes.

+ Flash 8

+ This accelerator, which increases the speed of the 64 to 8MHz, should be
+ available in April 1994.  The module, which plugs into the expansion port
+ of the Commodore 64, will increase the processing speed from 1MHz to 8MHz.
+ The unit features a Centronics parallel printer port, a CP/M emulator, a
+ fastloader (60 times faster than standard), and will be 100% GEOS
+ compatible.  The suggested prices are:

+ 349 DM (~$180.00 US) for the unit with 256kB RAM.
+ 398 DM (~$210.00 US) for the unit with 1MB RAM.

+ It is being manufactured and sold by:

+ Discount 2000
+ Postfach 1107
+ 53333 Meckenheim, Germany.
+ +49/2225/701834 (Information)
+ +49/2225/13360 (Information)

+ It uses a 65816 CPU (The 65816 is a descendant of the 65XX series) running
+ at 8MHz to enable the increased speed.  Also, it can be optional expanded
+ to 4 or 8 MB RAM.  This product is the successor to the Rossmoeller
+ TurboAccess 4MHz accelerator card.  It contains an REU on-board.

  Commodore 128/128D Accelerators:

  The ZIP card for your C128.

  This accelerator was not produced.  Its development has been stopped due
  to miscellaneous problems.  There are no accelerators for the 128 or 128D.
+ However, there is no reason why the C64 accelerators mentioned above will
+ not work with the 128 in 64 mode.


   9.5.  How do I increase my computer screen's resolution?

  Commodore 64

+ Since the Commodore 64's VIC-II cannot be expanded, the only way to increase
+ the resolution of the Commodore 64 is to turn off the on-board video and
+ replace its output with one from another IC.  The simplist approach
+ involves attaching an 80 column video chip (6545, 6845, etc.) to the C64
+ via the expansion port.  This will provide 80 columns of monochrome text.
+ However, this is only useful for text applications, as most of these video
+ devices are not capable of doing high resolution graphics.  Also, none of
+ the following are currently produced, but many are sold as used equipment
+ by users.

+ Batteries Included BI-80

+ This unit combined an 80 column monochrome text video display (using the
+ 6545 IC) and BASIC 4.0.  Either options could be turned on or off via
+ software control.

+ DATA 20 80 column unit

+ This unit preceded the BI80 unit, and was produced from 1982-1984.

+ Protecto Enterprizes Protecto-80

+ This was basically a repackaged DATA-20 unit.  Some circuitry was changed
+ to permit price reduction, but the same functionality is there.

  Commodore 128

  The Commodore 128 comes equipped with an second video display controller
  in addition to the 40 column VIC chip.  This chip can be used while in
| 64 mode through clever programming, and the controller's standard 640*200
| pixel size can be expanded to 640*400.  However, there is no way to
| completely overcome the color limitation of 16 colors


   9.6.  How do I increase my computer's serial transfer speed?

  SwiftLink

  Normally, the C64/128 can easily support up to 2400 bps without special
  hardware.  (DesTerm will take the C128 up to 9600 bps, however; Dialogue128
  will do 4800 bps.)  If you wish to use a faster modem, you can do so via
  the SwiftLink cartridge put out by CMD which allows speeds up to 38.4 Kbps.
  This device plugs into your cartridge port and supplies you with a standard
  9-pin serial port.  You then connect the desired modem.
  display RAM that was separate from the system memory of the computer.  This
  "VDC RAM" was 16K in size.  After Commodore introduced the C128D, they
  changed the design and marketed some versions of the Commodore 128D with
  64K of VDC RAM.  Since them, some programs (e.g. I-Paint, Dialogue128)
  have come out that either need or support 64K of VDC RAM.  Owners of flat
  128's can upgrade their video RAM to 64K either by ordering an upgrade
  plug-in board(e.g. from Software Support International), or by replacing the
  RAM chips themselves.  All that needs to be done is, the two 4416 RAM chips
  next to the VDC chip need to be replaced with 4464 RAM chips.  Note,
  however, that since this involves soldering in tight quarters on your 128's
  motherboard, it is very easy to damage the motherboard or the nearby VDC
  chip.  Whenever you wish to use the extra RAM, be sure to set bit 4 in the
  VDC register 28 (0 = 16kB, 1 = 64kB).

  Expanded C64's

| THE TRANSACTOR magazine published two articles written by Paul Bosacki on
| expanding the Commodore 64.  The first article (in Transactor 9.2) described
| how to expand the 64 to 256kB by swapping RAM chips and contained switches
| to perform some special options.  The second (in Transactor 9.6) describes
| how to expand the Commodore 64 to 1MB, using a 512kB REU and 512kB on the
| motherboard.  In additiopn, this expansion needs no switches to enable
| options, which is an enhancement to the first article.

| The Nordic/Finnish MicroBITTI magazine published a two part article by Pekka
| Pessi on expanding the Commodore 64.  Pessi's design (in MicroBITTI Issues
| 1 and 2 for 1987) split the C64 memory map into 4 16kB pages, which could be
| each mapped to any 16kB page in 256kB of memory.  It uses the same approach
| of swapping the 64kB DRAMs for 256kB ones, but does the addressing somewhat
| differently.

| In 1993, Marko Makela, with help from Pekka Pessi, translated Pekki's
| article into English and made it available via the Internet.  It is now
| available from nic.funet.fi in the directory /pub/cbm/documents/256kB.

+ Expanded C128's

+ Marko Makela has written an article on how to expand the C128 and C128D's
+ memory up to 1024kB.  It is compatible with his earlier article on expanding
+ the C64 to 256kB, so programs written for the expanded 64 should run on the
+ expanded 128 in 64 mode.  The plan and schematic is available via ftp
+ from nic.funet.fi in directory /pub/cbm/documents/1028.

  The C-256 and C-512

  Twin Cities 128  issues #30 and #31 have a hardware scheme for expanding
  your 128 to 256K or 512K.  To people who understand banking on the 128, the
  256K modification adds RAM blocks 2 and 3 to your system.  The 512K
  modification adds four more RAM blocks that can be accessed as alternate RAM
  blocks 2 and 3, or as a completely separate set of RAM blocks 0-3.

  As with Commodore REUs, software must specifically support the expanded RAM.
  Since these modifications are relatively new, there is not much software out
  yet that supports the additional RAM.  However, ACE 128 does support this
  expansion without any special drivers.

  The hardware modification, while simple from software's point of view, is
  rather difficult to perform in hardware.  Richard Curcio, the designer of
  the memory modifications, can modify your 128 for you.  See Twin Cities 128
  issue #31 for more information.



   9.4.  How do I increase my computer's speed?

  There are a number of products that can increase the operating speed of
  the Commodore 64.  These products work by turning off the on-board 6510
  and turning on a compatible microprocessor, usually a 65C02 or a 65C816
  in 6502 emulation mode.  These products will work with any software that
  does not mind running up to 4 times faster and does not use any of the
  undocumented opcodes of the 6502 IC.

  Commodore 64 Accelerators:

| Please note that some of these products are no longer offered for sale
| by the original companies, but can be purchased from individuals as used
| equipment.

  Turbo Master Accelerator for C64.

+ The Turbo Master Accelerator is for a C64 (or C64 mode of C128) only, uses
+ a Rockwell R65C02P4 microprocessor clocked at 4.09 MHz, has its own 64K of
+ fast static RAM and a 32K EPROM, has hardware/software switchable speed
+ between 4.09 and normal, and has an enhanced ROM with faster disk routines
+ that can also be disabled.  A JiffyDOS compatibility option was available.

  Turbo Process Accelerator for the C64.

  This accelerator, made by Rossm"oller, uses a 65C816P-4 microprocessor
  to operate the 64 at three speeds: 1MHz, 4 MHz, or anything between 50kHz
  and 4 MHz.  The 65C816 is a 16 bit version of the 6502/6510, so it is
  possible to write software for the new IC that takes advantage of the 16
  bit opcodes.

+ Flash 8

+ This accelerator, which increases the speed of the 64 to 8MHz, should be
+ available in April 1994.  The module, which plugs into the expansion port
+ of the Commodore 64, will increase the processing speed from 1MHz to 8MHz.
+ The unit features a Centronics parallel printer port, a CP/M emulator, a
+ fastloader (60 times faster than standard), and will be 100% GEOS
+ compatible.  The suggested prices are:

+ 349 DM (~$180.00 US) for the unit with 256kB RAM.
+ 398 DM (~$210.00 US) for the unit with 1MB RAM.

+ It is being manufactured and sold by:

+ Discount 2000
+ Postfach 1107
+ 53333 Meckenheim, Germany.
+ +49/2225/701834 (Information)
+ +49/2225/13360 (Information)

+ It uses a 65816 CPU (The 65816 is a descendant of the 65XX series) running
+ at 8MHz to enable the increased speed.  Also, it can be optional expanded
+ to 4 or 8 MB RAM.  This product is the successor to the Rossmoeller
+ TurboAccess 4MHz accelerator card.  It contains an REU on-board.

  Commodore 128/128D Accelerators:

  The ZIP card for your C128.

  This accelerator was not produced.  Its development has been stopped due
  to miscellaneous problems.  There are no accelerators for the 128 or 128D.
+ However, there is no reason why the C64 accelerators mentioned above will
+ not work with the 128 in 64 mode.


   9.5.  How do I increase my computer screen's resolution?

  Commodore 64

+ Since the Commodore 64's VIC-II cannot be expanded, the only way to increase
+ the resolution of the Commodore 64 is to turn off the on-board video and
+ replace its output with one from another IC.  The simplist approach
+ involves attaching an 80 column video chip (6545, 6845, etc.) to the C64
+ via the expansion port.  This will provide 80 columns of monochrome text.
+ However, this is only useful for text applications, as most of these video
+ devices are not capable of doing high resolution graphics.  Also, none of
+ the following are currently produced, but many are sold as used equipment
+ by users.

+ Batteries Included BI-80

+ This unit combined an 80 column monochrome text video display (using the
+ 6545 IC) and BASIC 4.0.  Either options could be turned on or off via
+ software control.

+ DATA 20 80 column unit

+ This unit preceded the BI80 unit, and was produced from 1982-1984.

+ Protecto Enterprizes Protecto-80

+ This was basically a repackaged DATA-20 unit.  Some circuitry was changed
+ to permit price reduction, but the same functionality is there.

  Commodore 128

  The Commodore 128 comes equipped with an second video display controller
  in addition to the 40 column VIC chip.  This chip can be used while in
| 64 mode through clever programming, and the controller's standard 640*200
| pixel size can be expanded to 640*400.  However, there is no way to
| completely overcome the color limitation of 16 colors


   9.6.  How do I increase my computer's serial transfer speed?

  SwiftLink

  Normally, the C64/128 can easily support up to 2400 bps without special
  hardware.  (DesTerm will take the C128 up to 9600 bps, however; Dialogue128
  will do 4800 bps.)  If you wish to use a faster modem, you can do so via
  the SwiftLink cartridge put out by CMD which allows speeds up to 38.4 Kbps.
  This device plugs into your cartridge port and supplies you with a standard
  9-pin serial port.  You then connect the desired modem.
  Telecommunications software must be specifically written to support a
  SwiftLink; fortunately, this is not rare.  For instance, Dialogue128,
  Novaterm64, and Kermit(v2.2s) support the SwiftLink.

   9.7.  How do I increase my computer's sound quality?

  SID Symphony

  The C64 and C128 come equipped with 1 Sound Interface Device (SID) IC.
  This provides 3 channels of output.  For more channels, one can purchase the
  SID Symphony cartridge from CMD to provide 3 extra channels.  Most newer
  sound playing and editing software is able to use the extra channels.

  There are also a number of units one can purchase or build that will
  provide MIDI capabilities for Commodore 64 and 128 users.


   9.8.  How do I hook a Hayes(tm) compatible modem to my Commodore computer?

  There are a number of homemade interfaces available.  The TRANSACTOR
  published an interface in the Nov 87 issue (V8iss3) and Commodore Hacking
  Online Magazine published plans for one in issue 4 (See MailServer section
  for retrieval instructions.  These are both supposed to emulate the
  VIC1011A that C= put out many years ago, and you might find one at a
  computer "flea market".  Another version is designed by Stephen Coan.
  Send email to [e-mail] for a copy of the schematic in ASCII
  format.  The differences between the two is the Transactor one has
  switchable options for some of the leads and the Coan one is hard wired.

+  9.9.  What other ways can I expand my Commodore computer?

+ There are many hardware items that you can use.  Below is a list of a few of
+ them.  Note that some of these items may no longer be in production, and
+ thus are only available as used equipment.

+ 80-Line Simplified Digital I/O Board

+ This unit has 40 TTL input lines and 40 separate buffered digital output
+ lines plus an expansion socket that could support a standard ROM or clock/
+ calendar cartridge.  It works on the C64 and all modes of the C128
+ (including CP/M mode).  Its model number is the SS100 Plus.

+ "Original Ultimate Interface"

+ This is a universally applicable dual 6522 Versatile Interface Adapter board
+ with four 8-bit fully bidirectional I/O ports, eight handshake lines, and
four
+ 16-bit timer/counters.  It has IRQ interrupt capability and is expandable
+ to four boards.  It works on the C64 and all modes of the C128 (including
+ CP/M mode).  Its model number is the 641F22.

+ A/D Conversion Module

+ This unit is 16 channel, 8-bit, 100 microsecond conversion time.
+ Piggy-backs on the 641F22 and thus requires it to operate.  Works on the
+ C64 and all modes of the C128 (including CP/M mode).  Its model number is
+ 641F/ADC0816.

+ The Spartan Apple ][+ emulator for the C64, by Mimic Systems, Inc.

+ In addition to allowing the use of Apple ][+ hardware/software, this
+ device boasted four software selectable C64 cartridge slots, a non-
+ dedicated 8-bit parallel port, and standard audio cassette deck
+ capabilities for the C64.

+ ROM upgrades are available for the C-128 and the 1571.


--
Jim Brain, Embedded Systems Designer, Brain Innovations.
[e-mail]
Dabbling in VR, Old Commodore Computers, and Good Times!
"The above views DO reflect my employer, since I am my employer" - Jim Brain

From: [e-mail] (Jim Brain)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Organization: Brain Innovations, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.2.1.p4
Comp-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part4
News-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part4
Comp-sys-cbm-archive-name: main-faq/part4
Version: 2.1
Last-modified: 1994/06/06


  10. Emulators

  10.1.  What is an emulator?

  An emulator is a piece of software that runs on a given platform and
  emulates, or mimics, the operation of another machine.  When the
  emulator loads up a program, the programs runs as though it were running
  on the emulated platform.

  For more information on emulators and their use, please see the emulator
  faq, located in the same directory as this one, under the name of
| cbm.emulation.faq.  The Commodore emulator FAQ is maintained by Russell J.
| Alphey and can also be obtained from him at [e-mail].


  10.2.  What platforms do 64 emulators exist on?

  Well, C64S exists for the IBM, and X64 is available for anyone running
  X over UNIX.  There is also some development on a C64 emulator for the
  Macintosh.  If you own an Amiga, you can purchase A64 to allow the Amiga
  to run C64 applications.


  10.3.  What platforms do 128 emulators exist on?

  None at this time.  The 128 is a lot more complex than the 64.

  10.4.  Are any other Commodore computers emulated?

  There is a commodore product called the PET emulator that remaps a
  Commodore 64 to emulate a PET 40 column unit (i.e. PET 4032).  You can
  run this program on a C64 to emulate a PET, or you can run this program
  on a 64 emulator to emulate a PET on an IBM, for example.


  11. Demonstrations

  11.1.  Just what is a demonstration, or demo?

+ A demonstration, or "demo" as they are known, is a piece of software that
+ is designed to provoke a visually and aurally pleasing effect from the
+ computer.  This usually involves large amounts of multi-colored graphics,
+ complex synthesized or digitized sounds, and orchestrated movement of
+ shapes or color schemes on the screen.  Demos originated as introductions
+ to "cracked" games, games in which the copy protection had been rendered
+ useless.  As time wore on, the standard abilities of the computer were all
+ used in demos, and rival "cracker" teams raced to bring out the best demo.
+ In the search for the "best demo", demo authors, or "coders", tried to
+ maximize the use of the computer in a demo program.  Also, they exploited
+ any undocumanted feature the computer could provide.  Since most of the
+ circuits in the Commodore computers were multi-purpose, experienced coders
+ could use some of their features in non-standard ways. Some examples:

  Removing the top and bottom border.
  Removing the side borders.
  Placing text (text mapped sprites) in the open borders.
  More than 8 sprites on screen at once.
  pseudo interlacing to create illusion of up to 640*400 resolution.

+ Since the commercial game market has shrunk significantly over the past
+ few years, and since demos are sometimes too involved to be classified
+ as a game into, many demos are packaged so they can "stand-on-their-own".
+ Users can download a demo, load it up, and run it like any other program.

+ As demos got more involved, some coders produced cutting-edge technology
+ demos intended to "one-up" their rival coders, while others made artistic,
+ but less technically challenging demos for arts sake.  Either way, it is
+ important to note that demos are not usually interactive.  They are meant to
| be viewed and listened to.  Demos are mostly passive entertainment, and
  appreciation for the effects generated in a demo increases as one
  realizes the normal limitations of the Commodore line of computers.
| So, sit back, load up a demo, run it, and enjoy.


  11.2.  What does NTSC and PAL mean?

  These two acronyms refer to the type of TV broadcasting signals used
  to create the video picture on your TV or monitor. American, Japanese, and
  Canadians use NTSC, while a good part of Europe uses PAL.  This usually
  makes no difference to programs, as the C64 and C128 in C64 mode always
  present 200 lines of pixels to the video display.  However, since the PAL
  standard allows more lines to be displayed on the screen and has a slower
  screen refresh time, the PAL computer has more time before screen
  refreshes to perform other ooperations, and also can put more information
  on the screen in some cases, since there are more lines in a PAL dislpay.
  Since demos use highly optimized timing and complex routines to perform
  the effects, some demos can only be written for PAL machines.  Sometimes,
  a demo is written for a PAL machine, but it can be made to run on an
  NTSC machine.  Demos that can run on both machines without any code
  modification are called regular demos, those that can only run on PAL
  machines are PAL demos, PAL demos that have been modified to run on NTSC
  machines are called NTSC-fixed demos, and NTSC demos that have been
  modified to run on PAL machines (rare) are called PAL-fixed demos.


  11.3.  Where do I get demos?

+ There is a whole site full of  demos.  They are located in the
+ /pub/cbm/c64/demos directory of nic.funet.fi.  See section 5.4 for
+ directions on how to transfer files from this site.


  11.4.  What is a demo competition?

+ This is a "convetion" where people from the demo "scene" get together.
+ They are usually held in Europe, although other countries do have them.
+ Coders get together and exhibit previously unreleased  demos in a competition
+ where the best ones are ranked according to a subjective scoring system.
+ At the end of the competition, the demos are released to the public.  To
+ make things somewhata fair, demos are judged according to computer type, so
+ Amiga demos do not get judged alongside 64 demos.  These competitions are
+ usually held in conjunction with music or art competitions.

+ Most demo competitions are held within Europe due to copyright laws and
+ stuff.

+ Previous pardies (demos parties, or competitions) held were:-

+ Event                     Location        Date
+ -----                     --------        ----
+ Radwar Pardy              Germany         January 1994
+ Pardy III                 Denmark         Decemeber 1993
+ Chormance & Faces Pardy   Hungary         December 1993
+ Elysium Pardy             Poland          Decemeber 1993
+ Entropy Pardy             Holland         June 1993
+ Assembley '93 Pardy       Finland         May 1993
+ The Computer Crossroads   Sweden          April 1993
+ Radwar Pardy              Germany         January 1993

+ Duration 1993-1994 (March 1994)

+ Most pardies are held when all the schools are on hoildays.

+ The point of a copy pardy is to go there with your computer, meet other
+ computer friends from other groups and swap different warez, meet other
+ members of your group and using the combined skills from the members
+ (graphics/coding/musix/spreading), write a demo before the closing time for
+ the pardy so it can get voted on. The winner comes away with about 300
+ Kronar or similar.

+ 11.5   What does FLI, DYCP, etc. mean?

+ Here is a small incomplete list of acronyms used to describe the different
+ effects used in demos:

+ Compiled by:
+               Chief/Padua
+               MAD/Padua
+               Virus/The Acient Temple (UK)

Jargon          Description
------          -----------

+ Different Y/X Routines:

+ DYCP          Different Y Char Position.  Can run 4 sinus tables though
+               it. Each letter can have a sperate sinus tables per character.
+ DYPP          Different Y Pixel Position.
+ DYSP          Different Y Sprite Position.
+ DYXCP         Different Y/X Char Position.  Like DYCP with coordinate
+               X/Y movement. Works with Bobs. (Well is a bob routine really).
+ DYPPTT        Different Y Pixel Position Tech Tech. Same as a DYXPP.
+               TT means tech tech.
+ FPP/FPD       Flexible Pixel Posistion/Fexible Pixel Distance
+ FLD           Flexible Line Distance.
+ AFLIFPP       Advanced Flexible Line Interpretation Fexible Pixel Position.
+ Graphics:

+ Graphics      In the upper/lower border (Bitmap/4 Colour)

From: [e-mail] (Jim Brain)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Organization: Brain Innovations, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.2.1.p4
Comp-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part4
News-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part4
Comp-sys-cbm-archive-name: main-faq/part4
Version: 2.1
Last-modified: 1994/06/06


  10. Emulators

  10.1.  What is an emulator?

  An emulator is a piece of software that runs on a given platform and
  emulates, or mimics, the operation of another machine.  When the
  emulator loads up a program, the programs runs as though it were running
  on the emulated platform.

  For more information on emulators and their use, please see the emulator
  faq, located in the same directory as this one, under the name of
| cbm.emulation.faq.  The Commodore emulator FAQ is maintained by Russell J.
| Alphey and can also be obtained from him at [e-mail].


  10.2.  What platforms do 64 emulators exist on?

  Well, C64S exists for the IBM, and X64 is available for anyone running
  X over UNIX.  There is also some development on a C64 emulator for the
  Macintosh.  If you own an Amiga, you can purchase A64 to allow the Amiga
  to run C64 applications.


  10.3.  What platforms do 128 emulators exist on?

  None at this time.  The 128 is a lot more complex than the 64.

  10.4.  Are any other Commodore computers emulated?

  There is a commodore product called the PET emulator that remaps a
  Commodore 64 to emulate a PET 40 column unit (i.e. PET 4032).  You can
  run this program on a C64 to emulate a PET, or you can run this program
  on a 64 emulator to emulate a PET on an IBM, for example.


  11. Demonstrations

  11.1.  Just what is a demonstration, or demo?

+ A demonstration, or "demo" as they are known, is a piece of software that
+ is designed to provoke a visually and aurally pleasing effect from the
+ computer.  This usually involves large amounts of multi-colored graphics,
+ complex synthesized or digitized sounds, and orchestrated movement of
+ shapes or color schemes on the screen.  Demos originated as introductions
+ to "cracked" games, games in which the copy protection had been rendered
+ useless.  As time wore on, the standard abilities of the computer were all
+ used in demos, and rival "cracker" teams raced to bring out the best demo.
+ In the search for the "best demo", demo authors, or "coders", tried to
+ maximize the use of the computer in a demo program.  Also, they exploited
+ any undocumanted feature the computer could provide.  Since most of the
+ circuits in the Commodore computers were multi-purpose, experienced coders
+ could use some of their features in non-standard ways. Some examples:

  Removing the top and bottom border.
  Removing the side borders.
  Placing text (text mapped sprites) in the open borders.
  More than 8 sprites on screen at once.
  pseudo interlacing to create illusion of up to 640*400 resolution.

+ Since the commercial game market has shrunk significantly over the past
+ few years, and since demos are sometimes too involved to be classified
+ as a game into, many demos are packaged so they can "stand-on-their-own".
+ Users can download a demo, load it up, and run it like any other program.

+ As demos got more involved, some coders produced cutting-edge technology
+ demos intended to "one-up" their rival coders, while others made artistic,
+ but less technically challenging demos for arts sake.  Either way, it is
+ important to note that demos are not usually interactive.  They are meant to
| be viewed and listened to.  Demos are mostly passive entertainment, and
  appreciation for the effects generated in a demo increases as one
  realizes the normal limitations of the Commodore line of computers.
| So, sit back, load up a demo, run it, and enjoy.


  11.2.  What does NTSC and PAL mean?

  These two acronyms refer to the type of TV broadcasting signals used
  to create the video picture on your TV or monitor. American, Japanese, and
  Canadians use NTSC, while a good part of Europe uses PAL.  This usually
  makes no difference to programs, as the C64 and C128 in C64 mode always
  present 200 lines of pixels to the video display.  However, since the PAL
  standard allows more lines to be displayed on the screen and has a slower
  screen refresh time, the PAL computer has more time before screen
  refreshes to perform other ooperations, and also can put more information
  on the screen in some cases, since there are more lines in a PAL dislpay.
  Since demos use highly optimized timing and complex routines to perform
  the effects, some demos can only be written for PAL machines.  Sometimes,
  a demo is written for a PAL machine, but it can be made to run on an
  NTSC machine.  Demos that can run on both machines without any code
  modification are called regular demos, those that can only run on PAL
  machines are PAL demos, PAL demos that have been modified to run on NTSC
  machines are called NTSC-fixed demos, and NTSC demos that have been
  modified to run on PAL machines (rare) are called PAL-fixed demos.


  11.3.  Where do I get demos?

+ There is a whole site full of  demos.  They are located in the
+ /pub/cbm/c64/demos directory of nic.funet.fi.  See section 5.4 for
+ directions on how to transfer files from this site.


  11.4.  What is a demo competition?

+ This is a "convetion" where people from the demo "scene" get together.
+ They are usually held in Europe, although other countries do have them.
+ Coders get together and exhibit previously unreleased  demos in a competition
+ where the best ones are ranked according to a subjective scoring system.
+ At the end of the competition, the demos are released to the public.  To
+ make things somewhata fair, demos are judged according to computer type, so
+ Amiga demos do not get judged alongside 64 demos.  These competitions are
+ usually held in conjunction with music or art competitions.

+ Most demo competitions are held within Europe due to copyright laws and
+ stuff.

+ Previous pardies (demos parties, or competitions) held were:-

+ Event                     Location        Date
+ -----                     --------        ----
+ Radwar Pardy              Germany         January 1994
+ Pardy III                 Denmark         Decemeber 1993
+ Chormance & Faces Pardy   Hungary         December 1993
+ Elysium Pardy             Poland          Decemeber 1993
+ Entropy Pardy             Holland         June 1993
+ Assembley '93 Pardy       Finland         May 1993
+ The Computer Crossroads   Sweden          April 1993
+ Radwar Pardy              Germany         January 1993

+ Duration 1993-1994 (March 1994)

+ Most pardies are held when all the schools are on hoildays.

+ The point of a copy pardy is to go there with your computer, meet other
+ computer friends from other groups and swap different warez, meet other
+ members of your group and using the combined skills from the members
+ (graphics/coding/musix/spreading), write a demo before the closing time for
+ the pardy so it can get voted on. The winner comes away with about 300
+ Kronar or similar.

+ 11.5   What does FLI, DYCP, etc. mean?

+ Here is a small incomplete list of acronyms used to describe the different
+ effects used in demos:

+ Compiled by:
+               Chief/Padua
+               MAD/Padua
+               Virus/The Acient Temple (UK)

Jargon          Description
------          -----------

+ Different Y/X Routines:

+ DYCP          Different Y Char Position.  Can run 4 sinus tables though
+               it. Each letter can have a sperate sinus tables per character.
+ DYPP          Different Y Pixel Position.
+ DYSP          Different Y Sprite Position.
+ DYXCP         Different Y/X Char Position.  Like DYCP with coordinate
+               X/Y movement. Works with Bobs. (Well is a bob routine really).
+ DYPPTT        Different Y Pixel Position Tech Tech. Same as a DYXPP.
+               TT means tech tech.
+ FPP/FPD       Flexible Pixel Posistion/Fexible Pixel Distance
+ FLD           Flexible Line Distance.
+ AFLIFPP       Advanced Flexible Line Interpretation Fexible Pixel Position.
+ Graphics:

+ Graphics      In the upper/lower border (Bitmap/4 Colour)
 + Origin: Jina usenet <-> fidonet gateway, Beaverton OR USA (1:105/210)
+ FLI           Fexible Pixel Posistion. Full screen.
+ AFLI          Advanced Flexible Line Interpretation. Hi-RES same as amiga
+               graphics. Gives all 16 colours in an 4x8 character block unlike
+               usual 3 found in bitmap.
+ Morphing      Picture Coverting from One image to another.
+ Ray Tracing   Maths graphics.

+ Scrollers:-

+ Bob Scroll    Using character to display a text based scroller with light
+               source.

+ Sprite:

+ Zoomers       Sprite based stretching.

+               Serious side border routines.
+               Sprite stretching above the standard Double Y expansion
+               Sprite Multi-Plexing

+ Vector:

+ Standard      Lots of vector routines, too many to mention.
+ Shade
+ TV Box
+ Shadow
+ Vector
+ Under
+ Rubber
+ Morphing
+ Glenz
+ Light Source
+ Pixelized
+ Solid Filled
+ Plamsa
+ Rubber
+ Fractal
+ Shade Bobs
+ Shade Line

+ Plotting:

+ Star Balls    3D Star Field.
+ Dot Potters   Just dot plotters.
+ Plot Scroll   Dot Plot scrollers.

+ Maths:
+ Plasma        Very hard to explain
+ Fractals      You know these.

+ D011/D018
+ D011 Split    Charset on one side of the screen - Vectical splits in
+               which is Vecticaliy impossible - an on the other side of the
+               split you get a FLI or Bitmap Image).
+ Flexer        Bit like a Sprite stretcher.

+               Bitmap Hardware Swing/Scroll Swing.
+               Veritcal Rasters


  12. Troubleshooting

  12.1.  What do I do for my ill disk drive?

  If your drive won't even accept input from the computer, and the drive
  light is making some blinking pattern, then the drive may be telling you
  what is wrong.

  No Blink       Kernal (E000-FFFF) ROM or 6522 VIA Failure
  One Blink      6116 RAM Failure
  Two Blinks     Possible Zero Page RAM Failure
  Three Blinks   DOS (C000-CFFF) ROM Failure
  Four Blinks    DOS (C000-CFFF) ROM Failure
  Five Blinks    6116 RAM Failure
  Six Blinks     6116 RAM Failure
  Seven Blinks   6116 RAM Failure
  Eight Blinks   6116 RAM Failure

  1541

  The most common problem facing the 1541 disk drive is alignment.  If your
  1541 has trouble reading commercial disks, or reading disks written some
  time ago, but has less trouble reading recently written disks, chances are
  that your 1541 is out of alignment.  C= service centers will typically align
  a 1541 for anywhere from $20 to $45.  There are also 1541 alignment
  programs, (e.g. Free Spirit's "1541/71 Alignment System") which allow you
  to align a 1541 yourself.  There are those who claim that this does not
  produce good results, but there are others who claim to have had
  satisfactory results with these programs.  There were a couple of articles
  in COMPUTE Gazette and I think RUN on how to do this.  The real problem is
  mechanical in nature and can be over come.  Other products are PHYSICAL
  EXAM 1541 and 1571 versions.

  1571

  The C=1571 drive is normally a double sided drive.  However, it can also
  emulate a 1541 and read single sided disks.  Some of the earlier 1571's had
  older system chips (ROMs) which caused a couple of problems.  One, these
  older drives were typically very slow when writing to the back side of a
  disk.  Two, it would take these drives ~30 seconds to go into single sided
  mode.  To check your ROM version, read the error channel of the disk drive
  right after startup.  On the 128, just PRINT DS$.  On the 64, use:

  10 open15,8,15:input#15,a,a$,b,c:close15:printa,a$,b,c

  Run the program; if the message says v3.0 or v3.1, you have the newer ROM.
  If it has a version <3.0, you probably have the older ROM.

  One problem that might occur is not having the head close enough to the disk
  as required because of the light tension of the spring that pulls the head
  down.  Somewhere I remember that there was supposed to be a replacement
  part.  However, one of the alignment programs suggesting using pennies to
  weight it down and lo and behold it started working.

  1581

  The C=1581 drive is a 3.5" drive that uses DSDD 800K disks.  It is
  compatible with both the C64 and C128, although some programs will not work
  correctly with the 1581.

  A small number of 1581's were shipped with an early version of a controller
  chip which has problems with some software.


  12.2.  What do I do for my ill computer?

  Commodore 64

| A common problem with the C-64 is it's power supply.  The C64 power
  supplies are not especially powerful, and have this disturbing tendency to
  fail.  If your computer stops working, first check the power supply.
  Replacement power supplies can be obtained from a number of mail order
  places (e.g. Tenex, Parsec, Inc.).  Additionally, several places advertise
  "heavy-duty" power supplies that come with warranties, and give the C64
  enough power to run a REU.

  If your power supply goes, it can sometimes take other parts of the
  computer with it.  If your power supply has died, but the C64 continues
  to fail with a known working power supply, it is likely that a few of your
  chips got fried.

+ Also, another common problem with the C64 is the fuse inside the computer.
+ If the system power on light comes on, but you get a blank screen, suspect
+ the fuse.  It is usually blown by misinsertion of devices into the computer.


  Commodore 128 and 128D

  Like the 1571, the C-128 has an older ROM and a newer ROM.  The differences
  between the two are less serious than is the case with a 1571.  The easiest
  way to tell the difference is to click down the CAPS LOCK key and hit Q
  while in BASIC direct mode.  If you see a lower case q, then you have an
  older ROM.  If you see an upper case Q, then you have a newer ROM.  New ROMs
  can be ordered from (e.g. the Grapevine Group) for about $25.  The ROM chips
  in the 128 are all socketed, so replacing the chips is relatively easy.


  12.3.  What do I do for my ill keyboard?

+   Clean it:

+   Materials you will need:

+   Denatured (rubbing) alcohol, a clean pencil eraser, cotton swabs, a small
+   Phillips head screwdriver, a jewellers size Phillips screwdriver and a
+   Commodore 64 computer keyboard.

+   Procedure:

+   1. FIRST AND FOREMOST. Make certain that you have discharged any static
+      electricity in your body by grounding yourself to something like a cold
+      water pipe. Otherwise, you could blow chips in your computer if you
+      were to touch the wrong things.

+   2. Turn off your computer and unplug any and all cords and connectors,
+      fast-loaders, modems, etc. (just have yourself a naked (if you will
+      excuse the expression) computer).

+   3. Thoroughly clean all external connectors and ports with the swabs and
+      alcohol. Also, clean all plugs that go into those ports. If the problem
+      you had persists, proceed with the following:

+   4. On a clean surface, turn your key-board upside-down. Remove the screws
+      in the bottom.

+   5. CAREFULLY, separate the two halves about an inch. Unplug the connector
+      to the "power" LED on the top of the C-64.

+   6. Place the two halves flat so that the keyboard is facing  you. The two
+      halves will be connected by a wire harness. This harness may be held
+      down by tape that must be removed in order to place the unit flat.

+   7. Remove the 15 or so brass screws that hold the  circuit  board  under
+      the keyboard.

+   8. Turn the circuit board over. You will see the bottom of the keyboard
+      with a rubber "U" under each key, which makes contact with the board.
+      You will also see on the circuit board, a pair of gold contacts for
+      each key on the C-64.

+   9. CAREFULLY wash ALL the rubber "U"'s and the gold contacts with the
+      swabs and rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to DRY.

+   10.Gently, clean each gold contact with the eraser. BRUSH AWAY THE ERASER
+      CRUMBS (I use  a  small  hand-held, battery-powered vacuum cleaner).

+   11.Re-clean the gold contacts with the swabs and alcohol to ensure that
+      you have removed ALL traces of the eraser.

+   12.Reassemble the C-64 in the reverse order of disassembly.


  13. Miscellaneous
  1571 side swapping

  On a 128, you can force the 1571 to go into single sided mode with the drive
  command "u0>m0".  (Issue such a command with open15,8,15,"u0>m0":close15.)
  On the 64, a 1571 defaults to single sided mode, but you can convert it to
  double sided mode (and read full double sided disk in 64 mode) with the
  drive command "u0>m1".  While in single sided mode, you can actually format
  both sides of the disk as separate file systems.  The command "u0>h0"
  selects the regular side of the disk, and "u0>h1" selects the flip side of
  the disk.  Note that the flip side, when formatted this way, cannot be read
  by a 1541; neither side will be readable by a 1571 when the disk is
  inserted upside-down.

  1581 initial drive number

  When the 1581 is initialized, as well as checking the boot sector of the
  disk, it also looks for a file "copyright cbm 86".  This file, if found,
  can specify a device number for the 1581 disk.  Whenever the 1581 is booted
  or initialized with this disk inserted, its device number will be changed
  to the specified number.  The utility 1581-auto-dev by David W. Tamkin
  (can be found on ccnga.uwaterloo.ca in the utilities directory) will create
| this file.  It can also do other stuff, so check it out.

+ drive device number changing through software

+ To change the device number on Commodore drives, follow these steps:
+ In the following examples, 'olddn' is the drive's current device number,
+ and 'newdn' is the new number you wish to change it to.

+ 1)    Turn off all drives except one you wish to change device number of.
+ 2)    Type the following in, depending on drive type:

+   1540/41/Most Compatibles:
+       open 15,olddn,15
+       print#15,"m-w"chr$(119)chr$(0)chr$(2)chr$(32+newdn)chr$(64+newdn)
+       close 15

+   MSD SD-1 (Old ROM):
+       open 15,olddn,15
+       print#15,"m-w"chr$(117)chr$(0)chr$(2)chr$(32+newdn)chr$(64+newdn)
+       close 15

+   1570/17/81
+       open 15,olddn,15
+       print#15,"u0>"+chr$(newdn)
+       close 15

+ 3)    Turn back on other drives.

+ The change is only temporary.  It will revert back if the drive is turned
+ off.

+ Using Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

+ /join #c-64               Channel for the discussion of Commodore 64/128
                            topics.

+ /msg Commbot help         will get you info on Commbot which carries C64/128
                            software to download.

+ /msg Filebot help         another C64 bot with software to download from.

+ /msg coolhand xdcc list   if he is online, this user has many c64 files
                            which can be downloaded via this command.

+ FidoNet echoed message bases to join:

+ CBM       Commodore 64 and 128 News and Discussions
+ CBM128    Commodore 128 specific News and Discussions
+ GEOS      GEOS News and Discussions


  14. Credits

  I want to extend my thanks to the following people for their help in
  providing correct, up-to-date information in this FAQ:

  Fred Mueller, who maintained this FAQ before I.
  Compuserve Commodore Forum Sysop Marte Brengle, for the write up on CIS.
  Gunther Birznieks, for the updated info on the Zip-Card.
  Jouko Valta, for the info on accessing the extra VDC RAM.
  Robert Cook, for the correct info on the fastloader internals.
  Andreas Boose, for the info on the Turbo Process.
  Craig Bruce, for proofreading, spellchecking, LRR info, and .bco info.
  Richard Hable, for info on 1541-dos.
  Peter Weighill, for info on the emulation FAQ.
  Georg Schwarz, for proofreading the FAQ.
  Gaelyne Moranec, for info on CEE-64 Alive!
  Kevin Jensen, for the magazine and repair info, and for proofreading.
  George Page, for info on Colorado User's Group.
  Fredrik Ekman, for info on the commodor mail list.
  Chris Bongarts, for more info on the commodor mail list.
  Russell Alphey, for info on cbm-hackers mail list.
  Craig Bruce, for info on the new home of ccosun.
  Michael Kelley, for updated info on BBCG User Group.
  Richard Hable, for info on RAMDOS.
  Philip Zembrod, for info on drive blink patterns.
  Tom Netsel, for info on Compute's Gazette.
  Shahriar Ghadishah, for more info on the disk drive blink patterns.
  George Page, for still more info on the drive blink patterns.
+ Sven Goldt, for info on the Flash8 accelerator.
+ Edward Piecewicz, for info on the Boston Computer Society.
+ Jean Nance for more info on her User Group.
+ Mark Rejhon, for info on 22DSK137, and Novaterm's Z-modem.
+ Jim Butterfield, for info on new CIS rates, and proofing.
+ Patrick Fleming, for info on Novaterm Z-modem.
+ Charles Grifor, for the truth about Q-Link.
+ ETIPTON, for info on geoNews.
+ Chris McBride, for info on LHARC, UNZIP64, and troubleshooting tips.
+ David Case, for info on Commodore World.
+ Kevin Jensen, for info on user groups and magazines.
+ Lonnie McClure, for dispelling the CMD-C65 rumors.
+ Harold Hoover, for info on the Anchorage User Group.
+ Tony Clark, for more info on the demo scene.
+ David Tamkin, for info on changing drive numbers.
+ Marko Makela, for info on the 128 expansion plans and proofreading.
+ Jens-Michael Gross, for info on expanded geoRAMs.
+ Joshua Brandt, for info on Mega-Disk.
+ Anthony Hawkins, for proofreading and info on the 1750 clone.
+ Jim Deardon, for info on new GEnie prices and keyboard cleaning.
+ Andrew K, for info from his C64 Contacts Newsletter.
+ George Page, for more repair facilities and info on file types.
+ Jon Mines, for info on Threshold Productions.
+ Doug Cotton, for CMD and Commodore World corrections.
+ Gilles Bourdin, for info on the Commodore economic status.
+ Soeren D. Nielsen, for info on the US and overseas offices of Psygnosis.
+ Jane Davis, for info on the C-NET BBS program.
+ Anthony Hawkins, for info on the DATA 20/Protecto 80 column boards.
+ Eric W. Brown, for info on the 1541 RAMBoard and the  miscellaneous add-ons.
+ Ivan Kohler, for corrections to c64-hackers mailing list.
+ Eric W. Brown, for info on c=hacking mailing list.
+ Russell Alphey, for new info on the c65 mailing list.
+ Jon Mines, for updated info on Novaterm.
+ Peter Weighill, for info on WWW site for FAQ, and for HAM info on ICPUG.
+ Anthony Perotti, for info on the demise of Rio Computers.
+ Michael Kelley, for info on Basic Bits address.
+ Nhat-Vein Phi, for info on geoRAM on RAMLink.
+ David Schmoll, for info on his NZP128 program.
+ Jason Compton, for info on Psygnosis contacts.
+ George Taylor, for explaining the german newsgroups.--
Jim Brain, Embedded Systems Designer, Brain Innovations.
[e-mail]
Dabbling in VR, Old Commodore Computers, and Good Times!
Hi All,
  I ported these over in the best manner possible. I had a bit of a prob
  yesterday trying this so you will see some dupes but other than that
  I hope that some one finds these useful in not just interesting.

[e-mail]
Ralph Strauser 1:105/34.10
Lord Sagan on Twisted Sky BBS

  On the 64, a 1571 defaults to single sided mode, but you can convert it to
  double sided mode (and read full double sided disk in 64 mode) with the
  drive command "u0>m1".  While in single sided mode, you can actually format
  both sides of the disk as separate file systems.  The command "u0>h0"
  selects the regular side of the disk, and "u0>h1" selects the flip side of
  the disk.  Note that the flip side, when formatted this way, cannot be read
  by a 1541; neither side will be readable by a 1571 when the disk is
  inserted upside-down.

  1581 initial drive number

  When the 1581 is initialized, as well as checking the boot sector of the
  disk, it also looks for a file "copyright cbm 86".  This file, if found,
  can specify a device number for the 1581 disk.  Whenever the 1581 is booted
  or initialized with this disk inserted, its device number will be changed
  to the specified number.  The utility 1581-auto-dev by David W. Tamkin
  (can be found on ccnga.uwaterloo.ca in the utilities directory) will create
| this file.  It can also do other stuff, so check it out.

+ drive device number changing through software

+ To change the device number on Commodore drives, follow these steps:
+ In the following examples, 'olddn' is the drive's current device number,
+ and 'newdn' is the new number you wish to change it to.

+ 1)    Turn off all drives except one you wish to change device number of.
+ 2)    Type the following in, depending on drive type:

+   1540/41/Most Compatibles:
+       open 15,olddn,15
+       print#15,"m-w"chr$(119)chr$(0)chr$(2)chr$(32+newdn)chr$(64+newdn)
+       close 15

+   MSD SD-1 (Old ROM):
+       open 15,olddn,15
+       print#15,"m-w"chr$(117)chr$(0)chr$(2)chr$(32+newdn)chr$(64+newdn)
+       close 15

+   1570/17/81
+       open 15,olddn,15
+       print#15,"u0>"+chr$(newdn)
+       close 15

+ 3)    Turn back on other drives.

+ The change is only temporary.  It will revert back if the drive is turned
+ off.

+ Using Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

+ /join #c-64               Channel for the discussion of Commodore 64/128
                            topics.

+ /msg Commbot help         will get you info on Commbot which carries C64/128
                            software to download.

+ /msg Filebot help         another C64 bot with software to download from.

+ /msg coolhand xdcc list   if he is online, this user has many c64 files
                            which can be downloaded via this command.

+ FidoNet echoed message bases to join:

+ CBM       Commodore 64 and 128 News and Discussions
+ CBM128    Commodore 128 specific News and Discussions
+ GEOS      GEOS News and Discussions


  14. Credits

  I want to extend my thanks to the following people for their help in
  providing correct, up-to-date information in this FAQ:

  Fred Mueller, who maintained this FAQ before I.
  Compuserve Commodore Forum Sysop Marte Brengle, for the write up on CIS.
  Gunther Birznieks, for the updated info on the Zip-Card.
  Jouko Valta, for the info on accessing the extra VDC RAM.
  Robert Cook, for the correct info on the fastloader internals.
  Andreas Boose, for the info on the Turbo Process.
  Craig Bruce, for proofreading, spellchecking, LRR info, and .bco info.
  Richard Hable, for info on 1541-dos.
  Peter Weighill, for info on the emulation FAQ.
  Georg Schwarz, for proofreading the FAQ.
  Gaelyne Moranec, for info on CEE-64 Alive!
  Kevin Jensen, for the magazine and repair info, and for proofreading.
  George Page, for info on Colorado User's Group.
  Fredrik Ekman, for info on the commodor mail list.
  Chris Bongarts, for more info on the commodor mail list.
  Russell Alphey, for info on cbm-hackers mail list.
  Craig Bruce, for info on the new home of ccosun.
  Michael Kelley, for updated info on BBCG User Group.
  Richard Hable, for info on RAMDOS.
  Philip Zembrod, for info on drive blink patterns.
  Tom Netsel, for info on Compute's Gazette.
  Shahriar Ghadishah, for more info on the disk drive blink patterns.
  George Page, for still more info on the drive blink patterns.
+ Sven Goldt, for info on the Flash8 accelerator.
+ Edward Piecewicz, for info on the Boston Computer Society.
+ Jean Nance for more info on her User Group.
+ Mark Rejhon, for info on 22DSK137, and Novaterm's Z-modem.
+ Jim Butterfield, for info on new CIS rates, and proofing.
+ Patrick Fleming, for info on Novaterm Z-modem.
+ Charles Grifor, for the truth about Q-Link.
+ ETIPTON, for info on geoNews.
+ Chris McBride, for info on LHARC, UNZIP64, and troubleshooting tips.
+ David Case, for info on Commodore World.
+ Kevin Jensen, for info on user groups and magazines.
+ Lonnie McClure, for dispelling the CMD-C65 rumors.
+ Harold Hoover, for info on the Anchorage User Group.
+ Tony Clark, for more info on the demo scene.
+ David Tamkin, for info on changing drive numbers.
+ Marko Makela, for info on the 128 expansion plans and proofreading.
+ Jens-Michael Gross, for info on expanded geoRAMs.
+ Joshua Brandt, for info on Mega-Disk.
+ Anthony Hawkins, for proofreading and info on the 1750 clone.
+ Jim Deardon, for info on new GEnie prices and keyboard cleaning.
+ Andrew K, for info from his C64 Contacts Newsletter.
+ George Page, for more repair facilities and info on file types.
+ Jon Mines, for info on Threshold Productions.
+ Doug Cotton, for CMD and Commodore World corrections.
+ Gilles Bourdin, for info on the Commodore economic status.
+ Soeren D. Nielsen, for info on the US and overseas offices of Psygnosis.
+ Jane Davis, for info on the C-NET BBS program.
+ Anthony Hawkins, for info on the DATA 20/Protecto 80 column boards.
+ Eric W. Brown, for info on the 1541 RAMBoard and the  miscellaneous add-ons.
+ Ivan Kohler, for corrections to c64-hackers mailing list.
+ Eric W. Brown, for info on c=hacking mailing list.
+ Russell Alphey, for new info on the c65 mailing list.
+ Jon Mines, for updated info on Novaterm.
+ Peter Weighill, for info on WWW site for FAQ, and for HAM info on ICPUG.
+ Anthony Perotti, for info on the demise of Rio Computers.
+ Michael Kelley, for info on Basic Bits address.
+ Nhat-Vein Phi, for info on geoRAM on RAMLink.
+ David Schmoll, for info on his NZP128 program.
+ Jason Compton, for info on Psygnosis contacts.
+ George Taylor, for explaining the german newsgroups.--
Jim Brain, Embedded Systems Designer, Brain Innovations.
[e-mail]
Dabbling in VR, Old Commodore Computers, and Good Times!
Hi All,
  I ported these over in the best manner possible. I had a bit of a prob
  yesterday trying this so you will see some dupes but other than that
  I hope that some one finds these useful in not just interesting.

[e-mail]
Ralph Strauser 1:105/34.10
Lord Sagan on Twisted Sky BBS