Brotikasten/BROTCD01.iso/texte/cbmfaq.txt

Text File | 1995-08-20 | 251KB | 5,533 lines

  Disclaimer:

  This file is maintained by Jim Brain ([e-mail]).  It is composed
  of information gleaned from articles in the USENET newsgroup comp.sys.cbm,
  the FidoNET echoes CBM and CBM-128, electronic mail messages, World
  Wide Web pages, and other mediums.  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 one of the Commodore
  forums.

  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 places:

  ftp sites:
    ftp://ccnga.uwaterloo.ca/pub/cbm/comp.sys.cbm/cbm-main-faq.3.0
    ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/faq/cbm-main-faq.3.0.gz
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.sys.cbm/main-faq/part*
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/commodore/main-faq/part*
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.answers/commodore/main-faq/part*

  World Wide Web sites:
    http://www.msen.com/~brain/faqhome.html

  Bulletin Board Systems:
    COMMODORE CEE BBS [phone],               FIDONET address: 1:203/999
    VGA Cologne BBS   [phone] (ZyXel 19k2)
                             -9808008 (V.FC)        FidoNET address 2:2450/140

  Mailservers:
    [e-mail].  First four lines of message:
      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

    Jim Brain's Mailserver (always has latest copy)
    Files:
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p1
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p2
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p3
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p4

  See Section 6 for directions on how to use these services to retrieve the
  FAQ.

  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_:
  -----------------------

  Section 7.X needs work.

  The first 3 items in Section 13.8 need un-"tech"ed in the wording.
  I haven't had time to complete that.  I will gladly accept rewrites from
  people.

  Section 14.X needs to be fleshed out considerably.

+ I am gathering a list of Commodore reference books together.  If you
+ have a book, please send me the ISBN, Author, TItle, short description,
+ number of pages, whether it has illustrations, and whether it has
+ any code samples.  Thanks.

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

  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
   1.1.  What is a FAQ
   1.2.  What topics does this FAQ cover?
   1.3.  Who decides what goes in the FAQ?
   1.4.  How do I retrieve updates to the FAQ?

   2.  Overview
   2.1.  Do people still use Commodore 8-bit machines?
   2.2.  How many Commodore machines are there?
   2.3.  What do people do with Commodore 8-bit machines?
   2.4.  What Commodore 8-bit machines are most widely used?
   2.5.  What is the economic status of Commodore?

   3.  The BASICs
   3.1.  How do I format a Commodore disk?
   3.2.  How do I transform a BASIC program to a text file?
   3.3.  How do I transform a text file into a BASIC program?
   3.4.  How can I change my drive device number through software?
   3.5.  Can I get my 1581 drive to change its device number on startup?

   4.  Publications
   4.1.  What paper publications are available?
   4.2.  What paper publications have disappeared?
   4.3.  What is a Disk Magazine?  Where do I find them?
   4.4.  What is an Online Magazine?  Where do I find them?
   4.5.  Are there other publications I should be aware of?
   4.6.  How do I know which magazines to subscribe to?

   5.  Connecting Up
   5.1.  How do I connect my computer to the outside world?
   5.2.  What services can I use to get online?
   5.3.  What hardware do I need?
   5.4.  What kinds of terminal programs exist?
   5.4.1.  What kinds of terminal programs exist for the 64?
   5.4.2.  What kinds of terminal programs exist for the 128?
   5.5.  Can I use my Commodore computer on Amateur Radio?
   5.6.  Is there TCP/IP software available for Commodore computers?

   6.  The Online Information Reservoir
   6.1.  How do I download?  What is a transfer protocol?
   6.2.  What is the difference between PETSCII and ASCII?
   6.3.  Where can I find Commodore programs?
   6.4.  What is a file extension, and what do they stand for?
   6.5.  What is electronic mail?
   6.5.1.  What are mailing lists and how do I join one?
   6.5.2.  What is a Mail Server?  How do I use one?
   6.5.3.  How do I contact people on Compuserve, Genie, etc.?
   6.6.  What is USENET or NetNews?  What is a USENET newsgroup?
   6.6.1.  What news groups cater to Commodore 8-bit machines?
   6.6.2.  What types of discussions belong in comp.sys.cbm?
   6.6.3.  Which issues does comp.sys.cbm discuss regularly?
   6.6.4.  How do I post in comp.sys.cbm?
   6.6.5.  How can I access comp.sys.cbm through email?
   6.7.  What is a FidoNET echo?
   6.7.1.  What echoes cater to Commodore 8-bit machines?
   6.7.2.  How do I post in an echo?
   6.8.  What is the World Wide Web?
   6.8.1.  What WWW sites have Commodore information?
   6.9.  What is File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?
   6.9.1.  What FTP sites have Commodore Information?
   6.9.2.  What is an FTP Mail Server?  How do I use one?
   6.10. What is Internet Relay Chat (IRC)?
   6.11. What else is available online?

   7.  Exchanging Data
   7.1.  How do I exchange data among Commodore 8-bit machines?
   7.2.  How do I exchange data between an IBM(tm) and my Commodore?
   7.3.  How do I exchange data between an Amiga and my Commodore?
   7.4.  How do I exchange data between a Macintosh(tm) and my Commodore?
   7.5.  How do I exchange data between an Atari ST(tm) and my Commodore?
   7.6.  How do I exchange data between a UNIX(tm) machine and my Commodore?
   7.7.  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.  Demonstrations
   9.1.  Just what is a demonstration, or demo?
   9.2.  What does NTSC and PAL mean?
   9.3.  Where do I get demos?
   9.4.  What is a demo competition?
   9.5   What does FLI, DYCP, etc. mean?

  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.  Troubleshooting
  11.1.  What do I do for my ill disk drive?
  11.2.  What do I do for my ill computer?
  11.2.1.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 64?
  11.2.2.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 128?
  11.3.  What do I do for my ill keyboard?

  12.  Modifications and Cabling
  12.1.  How can you alter which side a 1571 reads from?
  12.2.  How do I open a C128 power supply?
  12.3.  How do I make a cable to hook my CBM 1902A to my 64 or 128?
  12.4.  How do I build a simple RS-232 interface cable?
  12.5.  How do I build a 2400/9600 bps RS-232 interface cable?

  13.  Enhancements
  13.1.  How do I increase my disk drive's transfer speed?
  13.1.1.  What is a Fastloader?
  13.1.2.  What is a ROM replacement?
  13.1.3.  What are the disadvantages to using a drive enhancement?
  13.1.4.  What other things can I do to speed up the drive?
  13.2.  How do I expand my disk drive's capacity?
  13.2.1.  What is a Hard Drive?  Who sell them?
  13.2.2.  What is 64NET?
  13.3.  How do I expand my computer's RAM capacity?
  13.3.1.  What is a Ram Expansion Unit?
  13.3.2.  What is a geoRAM Unit?
  13.3.3.  What is battery backed GeoRAM (BBGRam)?
  13.3.4.  What is a RAMLink?
  13.3.5.  What is a RAMDrive?
  13.3.6.  How do I expand my C128 Video RAM?
  13.3.7.  How do I expand my C64 internally?
  13.3.8.  How do I expand my C128 internally?
  13.4.  How do I increase my computer's speed?
  13.4.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's speed?
  13.4.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's speed?
  13.4.3.  Can I speed up other Commodore computers?
  13.5.  How do I increase my computer screen's resolution?
  13.5.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's screen resolution?
  13.5.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's screen resolution?
  13.5.3.  How do I increase other CBM computers' resolutions?
  13.6.  How do I increase my computer's serial transfer speed?
  13.7.  How do I increase my computer's sound quality?
  13.8.  What other ways can I expand my Commodore computer?

  14.  Programming
  14.1.  What Programming Languages are available?
  14.2.  What is a Cross Assembler?  How do I use one?

  15.  User Groups

  16.  Sales and Service
  16.1.  Where do I purchase Commodore Equipment and Software?
  16.2.  Where do I get equipment serviced?
  16.3.  How do I know who to buy from or request service from?

  17. Miscellaneous
  17.1.  How fast does a Commodore 64 run?
  17.2.  How can a turn my NTSC-M 64 into a PAL-B 64 or vice versa?
  17.3.  What does this IC number mean?

  18. 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.


   1.1.  What is a FAQ

  FAQ is an acronym that stands for "Frequently Asked Questions".  Shortly
  after the introduction of USENET, many people noticed that certain
  questions were repeatedly asked in newsgroups.  To minimize the posting of
  answers to already answered questions, USENET developed the idea of FAQ
  files.  After a question has been asked a number of times in the USENET
  newsgroup, it is added to the list of answered questions in the FAQ.
  Then, readers are encouraged to read the FAQ to cut down on posts of
  repeated questions.

  A FAQ file is not solely for newcomers.  Experienced users are encouraged
  to glance over the FAQ every so often to check for errors and add items.
  Also, it seems that everyone gets a question answered by reading the FAQ,
  new user or not.


   1.2.  What topics does this FAQ cover?

  This FAQ answers questions on just about any topic concerning Commodore
  computers.  Obviously, given the nature of the FAQ file, it is impossible
  to answer every question here, and some topics are too broad for discussion
  in the FAQ.  However, when the FAQ cannot adequately answer a question, it
  does provide pointers to relevant people or materials.

  Even though a large number of people use their Commodore computer to
  program, the topic is much too broad for adequate coverage in the FAQ.  For
  those interested in programming, however, please see Section 14,
  "Programming".


   1.3.  Who decides what goes in the FAQ?

  Typically, a FAQ file is editted by a single person or small group of
  people.  These editors decide what should go into the FAQ.  Obviously,
  for the FAQ to fulfill its intended purpose, any question that has been
  asked repeatedly should be included, as should updates to any questions
  already in the FAQ.  The FAQ maintainer should try to provide as
  up-to-date information as possible in the FAQ.  Above that, the FAQ
  maintainer can include any other information he or she deems or interest
  or value to the readers.

  For this FAQ, the FAQ maintainer is Jim Brain, [e-mail].

  If you have information that you feel should be included, please mail
  it to Jim.  Please be aware that it does take time to include new
  information.


   1.4.  How do I retrieve updates to the FAQ?

  The FAQ is posted twice monthly, on the 5th and 20th, to the USENET
  newsgroup comp.sys.cbm.  It is automatically archived on the FTP
  site rtfm.mit.edu and automatically archived on Jim Brain's mailserver.
  Most Bulletin Board Systems and User Groups have a recent copy of the
  FAQ, and numerous magazines and other publications have included parts
  or all of the FAQ on disk or in print in recent months.  This FAQ is
  called the "COMP.SYS.CBM General Frequently Asked Questions List".

  The latest version of the FAQ may be obtained from the following places:

  ftp sites:
    ftp://ccnga.uwaterloo.ca/pub/cbm/comp.sys.cbm/cbm-main-faq.3.0
    ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/faq/cbm-main-faq.3.0.gz
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.sys.cbm/main-faq/part*
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/commodore/main-faq/part*
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.answers/commodore/main-faq/part*

  World Wide Web sites:
    http://www.msen.com/~brain/faqhome.html

  Bulletin Board Systems:
    COMMODORE CEE BBS [phone],               FIDONET address: 1:203/999
    VGA Cologne BBS   [phone] (ZyXel 19k2)
                             -9808008 (V.FC)        FidoNET address 2:2450/140

  Mailservers:
    [e-mail].  First four lines of message:
      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

    Jim Brain's Mailserver (always has latest copy)
    Files:
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p1
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p2
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p3
      cbm-main-faq.3.0.p4

  See Section 6 for directions on how to use these services to retrieve the
  FAQ.


   2.  Overview

  Obviously, we must walk before we run, and this principle applies to
  FAQ files as well.  Here are some general questions we often receive
  in the Commodore community.


   2.1.  Do people still use Commodore 8-bit machines?

  Yes, people still do.  Newer machines may have appeared and taken over the
  corporate world, but the Commodore 8-bit machines live on.


   2.2.  How many Commodore machines are there?

  If you are asking the quantity of Commodore machines sold, the simple truth
  is that we do not know.  Commodore never officially released any such
  numbers for all models.  It has been estimated that Commodore sold
  over 10 million Commodore 64 machines, but that has not been proven, as far
  as I know.  So, if you ever determine exactly what quantity of each model
  was produced, please pass the information along.

  If you are asking the number of different models Commodore sold, we have
  a slightly better idea.  Jim Brain has compiled a list of all known CBM
  products, marketed or not, into the "Canonical List of Commodore Products".
  This include all of the Commodore line, including the PCs and the Amiga
  systems.  As it is much too large to fit in the FAQ, it can be requested
  from Jim Brain's mailserver as file cbmmodel.txt (See Section 6.5.2 for
  directions on how to access the mailserver).  Alternately, the file is
  posted to the USENET newsgroup comp.sys.cbm on a periodic basis.


   2.3.  What do people do with Commodore 8-bit machines?

  People use their machines for very different purposes:

        Game Console.
        Home Computer.
        Experimentor's machine.
        Small Business Computer.

  No matter what purpose they use them for, they use them because there is a
  wealth of programs available for the Commodore computer systems.  The
  Commodore line of computers has a seemingly endless supply of quality
  programs available for it, and more are being created daily.


   2.4.  What Commodore 8-bit machines are most widely used?

     Well, it is a fact that all types of Commodore 8-bit computers are still
  in use, but the following machines get the most use:

        Commodore 64 (include SX64, DX64, and PET64)
        Commodore 128 (includes 128D and Euro 128D)

  The following systems manufactured by Commodore still have a devout
  following:

        Commodore VIC-20
        Commodore PET series
        Commodore B series
        Commodore Plus 4 and 16
        Commodore C65

  The Commodore 65 is a recent addition and is the result of a liquidation of
  some ALPHA stage test machines.  A number of people have purchased these
  test units, and they have a FAQ devoted just to this machine.  The C65
  faq is located in the same directory as this file under the name
  cbm-c65-faq.2.0.  The Commodore 65 FAQ is maintained by Russell Alphey and a
  copy of this file can be obtained from him at [e-mail].
| In spite of rumors, No company is considering manufacturing the C65.

  If you own a Commodore C65, the following person is compiling a list of
  people who own them.

  Robin Harbon
  542 West Donald Street.
  Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 5Y6
  Canada

  If you currently use a PET series Commodore computer or just want to know
  more about them, one person is trying to start a magazine devoted to these
  machine.  For more information or to submit articles for the magazine,
  please get in touch with:

  Mark J. Kingsbury
  25 Latta
  Battle Creek, MI  49017
  [e-mail]


   2.5.  What is the economic status of Commodore?

  On April 29, 1994, Commodore International announced that it had been unable
  to renegotiate terms of outstanding loans and were closing down the
  business.  In the months that followed, the liquidation process drug on,
  owing to the large far-reaching size of the corporation.  In addition, the
  fact that the company was incorporated in the Bahamas while a large share
  of the creditors were from the US made legal proceeding tense and drawn out.
  On April 20th, 1995, almost a full year later, Commodore was sold to
  a German company called ESCOM for approximately 10 to 12.5 million dollars.
  At present, the new acquisition has been named Amiga Technologies GmBh and
  is at the following address:

  Amiga Technologies, GmBh
  Berliner Ring 89
  B-64625
  Bensheim, Germany.

  The new head of Engineering is Dr. Peter Kittel, whome many know from
  his post in the liquidated Commodore Corporation.  A press release by Mr.
  Kittel states that the company will care exclusively for the Amiga line of
  machines at present, although licensing for the 8-bit technology is possibly
  an option for the near future.

  If people would like to become part of the new company, plain resumes
  (no fax or email) can be sent to:

  ESCOM AG
  Personalabteilung
  Tiergartenstr. 9
  D-64646 Heppenheim
  Germany

  I have word that the new company is licensing a manufacturer to produce
  C64s for the Chinese market, but these cannot be exported.

  Of course, since Commodore hasn't served the Commodore 8-bit community
  for quite some time, most Commodore owners are only interested in what
  will happen to Commodore Semiconductor Group (CSG), the fabricator for
  many of the special ICs in the Commodore 8-bit line.  Below is the current
  status of CSG as of April 6, 1995:

  Commodore Semiconductor Group liquidated in December, 1994.  The vast
  majority of the operational material and the real estate was purchased by
  GMT Electronics, a company formed by CSG's management.  GMT has paid the
  $1 million lien that the EPA had levied against CSG, and is now operating
  as a for-hire chip production plant.

  CSG/GMT is holding approximately $5 million in Commodore parts.


   3.  The BASICs

   These are some questions we receive about "BASIC", the built-in
   programming language in all 8-bit Commodore computers, and the "basics"
   of using the machine.


   3.1.  How do I format a Commodore disk?

  To format a disk in drive 0 (older PET drives had drive 0 and 1) on disk
  device #8, you issue the following command from BASIC:

  open1,8,15,"n0:16char_name,12":close1

| The name can be 16 characters in length, and the disk id (12 in this
  example) can be any two alphanumeric characters.

  For more information on how to use the 1541 disk drive or compatibles,
  a complete manual is available at ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/documents.
  (See Section 6.9 for direction on how to use ftp.)


   3.2.  How do I transform a BASIC program to a text file?

  As you may know, Commodore BASIC stores programs in "tokenized" format,
  so they are unreadable from a standard text editor.  To fix that, load up
  you BASIC program, and then type the following in direct mode:

  open1,8,2,"listing,s,w":cmd1:list

  The text listing will be placed on drive 8 in a file called listing.  After
  the listing is finished, your cursor should return.  Type the following
  in:

  print#1:close1

  You now have an un-"tokenized" copy of your program, which you can edit with
  any text editor.


   3.3.  How do I transform a text file into a BASIC program?

  Since Commodore BASIC stores its programs in "tokenized" format, one
  cannot simply load text files containing BASIC statements and run the file
  directly.  However, there is a solution.  In direct mode, type in the
  following:

  C64:
  open1,8,2,"filename":poke781,1:poke812,73:sys 65478

  C128:
  open1,8,2,"filename":poke7,1:poke812,73:sys 65478

  This will read in each line of the text file and try to execute it (or
  store it if the line is preceded by a number).  When the last line of
  the program is entered, hit RUN/STOP-RESTORE, and type in the following:

  close1:poke812,47:sys 65484

  The file will now be loaded into memory.  Immediately save the file
  to disk as a BASIC program.


   3.4.  How can I change my drive device number 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:

    1540/41/42/4040/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

    1551/70/71/81
        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.


   3.5.  Can I get my 1581 drive to change its device number on startup?

  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.


   4.  Publications

   Commodore users are always wanting more information about their
   computer.  They want to see articles about how to use it, program it,
   care for it, and expand it.  Some use publications to gain knowledge, while
   others use them to find other people who have knowledge.


   4.1.  What paper publications are available?

  The Underground

  The Underground
  4574 Via Santa Maria
  Santa Maria, CA 93455
  [e-mail] (Contact)
  Scott Eggleston (Editor)
  The Underground is a small format (8.5" x 5.5", with an average 28
  pages) publication which covers all sorts of Commodore topics.  Each
  issue will usually have two feature articles and two reviews, as well
  as regular columns on GEOS, telecommunications, programming, news,
  commentary, and Public Domain and Shareware.  One unique feature to
  the Underground is "Underware", which is all the PD/SW software
  mentioned in each issue which is provided "free" to those subscribers
  who send in a blank disk with return postage.  We also pride
  ourselves on being the most affordable publication, as well as being
  completely produced on Commodore equipment.  The Underground is
  produced using geoPublish and a TI Laser printer, and reproduced on a
  high-quality copy machine.  It appears regularly every other month.
  Writers are encouraged to send articles in PETASCII or ASCII format
  (1,000 words is recommended) on a disk, or directly to the editor's
  e-mail box.  The Underground pays $5 per article.

  Subscription rates: (All checks or money order in US funds)

  Type of Subescription             US       Canada/  International
                                             Mexico
  one year subscription (6 issues)  $11.00   $12.50   $21.50
  sample issue                      $2.00    $2.25    $3.75

  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.

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              US       Canada/  EC       All Others
                                             Mexico
  one year subscription (8 issues)  $29.96   $35.95   $45.95   $57.97
  sample issue + shipping           $6.95    $6.95    $8.95    $8.95

  Twin Cities 128/64 (TC128/64)

  Twin Cities 128/64 (TC128)
  Parsec, Incorporated
  P.O. Box 111
  Salem, MA  01970-0111
  [phone]
  Twin Cities 128 is (as of issue #29) published by Parsec, Inc.  It features
  Commodore 128 iand 64 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.

  Subscription rates: (All checks or money order in US funds)

  Type of Subscription              US       Canada/  International
                                             Mexico
  one year subscription with disks  $24.00   $24.00   $36.00

  dieHard

  dieHard subscriptions
  P.O. Box 392
  Boise, ID 83701-0392
  [phone] (Information)
  Magazine devoted to all 8-bit Commodore computers.

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              US       Canada/  International
                                             Mexico
  one year subscription (10 issues) $16.97   $16.97   $16.97
  subscription with SPINNER disk    $55.97   $55.97   $55.97

  Commodore Network

  Commodore Network Magazine
  Warren Naismith
  9 Wadeson
  St Cobram Victoria
  Australia  3150

  In U.S.:

  COMMODORE CEE
  P.O. Box 232115
  Sacramento, CA 95823
  EMAIL Jack [e-mail] (Contact)
  Jack Vanderwhite, editor.
  Fidonet: 1:203/999
  [phone] (Bulletin Board System)
  Starting 1/95 subscriptions will be available in the U.S. from Jack
  Vander White at $40.00 per 12 issues.  This is the same as the local
  price in Australia.  Back issues and Compendium volumes will be
  advertised in the near future for U.S. subscribers.

  Subscription rates: (From Jack Vander White)

  Type of Subscription              US

  one year subscription (12 issues) $40.00

  Random (64/128 Magazine)

  Random
  7161 North Maine
  Clovis, CA  93611-8200
  [e-mail] (Contact)
  [e-mail] (Contact)
  random-mag (GENIE Contact)
  [phone] (VoiceMail/Fascimilie)

  Random is a professionally published magazine which is printed bi-monthly.
  Each issue contains numerous articles on subjects affecting Commodore users
  such as modemming, maximizing your system, the Internet, GEOS, the effects
  of pirating and much more, along with countless columns on subjects such as
  GEOS, BASIC and ML progamming, Late Breakin' News, reviews of the latest
  Commodore commercial and shareware software and hardware, and much more.
  We also produce the Commodore Support Index, and are currently selling the
  remaining inventory of US Cities Volume One.(Sim City add-on).

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              US       Canada/  International
                                             Mexico
  one year subscription (6 issues)  $23.70   $23.70   $23.70
  two year subscription (12 issues) $46.00   $46.00   $46.00
  sample issue                      $ 5.00   $ 5.00   $ 5.00
  one year subscription with disk   $35.70   $35.70   $35.70
  two year subscription with disk   $71.40   $71.40   $71.40

  64'er (German)

  64'er
  Magna Media
  Post Fatch 1304
  D-85531 Haar bei Munich
  Germany
  [phone] (Voice)
  [phone] (Fascimile)
  [e-mail] (E-mail Address)
  [phone] (Bulletin Board System)

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              Germany/ Others
                                    Austria/
                                    Switzerland
  one year subscription             DM105.00 DM129.00
  (12 issues @ 64 p each, 12 disks)

  8-bit

  8-bit
  Atta Bitar (Anders Reuterswerd)
  82 66 75 - 1 (Orders and Information)
  This is a Swedish magazine that tailors to Commodore 64 and 128 users.

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              Sweden   Scandinavia
  one year subscription (6 issues)  75.00sek 100.00sek

+ The Commodore GEOS Publication

+ The Commodore GEOS Publication
+ 713 East Main Street
+ Independence, KS  67301-3726
+ User oriented magazine.


   4.2.  What paper publications have disappeared?

  Although the following magazines are no longer in print, most of the
  information is still timely.  Some of these publications, such as
  Transactor, are highly sought after for theor technical content.  Since
  some programs and information is not republished in newer magazines, these
  old magazines might have the only article about a given topic or problem.

  Ahoy!

  RUN

  Creative Micro Designs, Inc.
  P.O. Box 646
  East Longmeadow, MA  01028
  [phone] (Credit Card Orders)
  Creative Micro Designs offers back issues of RUN magazine.

  Commodore Microcomputing-Power/Play

  GeoVISISON

  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

  Parsec, Incorporated
  P.O. Box 111
  Salem, MA  01970-0111
  [phone]
  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.

  COMPUTE'S Gazette

  COMPUTE'S Gazette
  P.O. BOX 3244
  HARLAN, IA 51593-2424
  [phone] (Subscription Number)
  [e-mail] (Gazette Editor, Tom Netsel)
  Yes, the Gazette is finally shutting down.  They are trying to clear out
  old inventory, so give them a call for back issues.

  GEOJOURNAL

  COMMODORE CEE
  P.O. Box 232115
  Sacramento, CA 95823
  EMAIL Jack [e-mail] (Contact)
  Jack Vanderwhite, editor.
  Fidonet: 1:203/999
  [phone] (Bulletin Board System)
  COMMODORE CEE has taken over publication of back issues of GEOJOURNAL.


   4.3.  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.

  COMMODORE CEE (was CEE-64 Alive!)

  COMMODORE CEE
  P.O. Box 232115
  Sacramento, CA 95823
| Jack [e-mail] (Contact)
  Jack Vanderwhite, editor.
  Fidonet: 1:203/999
  [phone] (Bulletin Board System)
  The magazine covers all the Commodore computer systems  Also, a distibutor
  of both PD and original software in a catalog with magazines and demo issue.
  Distributes the Australian Commodore Network magazine.

  The magazine operates a Bulletin Board for subscribers.  However, anyone
  can log on or download on first access.  Speeds range from 300-14400 bps.
  the bulletin board maintains over 2000 files for the C64 and C128.

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              US       Europe   Australia

  one year subscription (6 issues)  $36.00   $48.00US Order from Commodore
  (18 disks)                                          Network
  demo issue                        $ 3.00   $--.--

  Back Issue Information:

  Volume 1/1992   5 issues             $20.00
  Volume 2/1993   6 issues             $25.00
  Volume 3/1994   6 issues (15 disks)  $30.00

  LOADSTAR 64 Monthly and LOADSTAR 128 Quarterly

  SOFTDISK PUBLISHING
  P.O. BOX 30008
  SHREVEPORT, LA  71130-00008
  Jeff Jones (Associate Editor)
  EMAIL: [e-mail] (Contact)
  [phone] (Phone)
  [phone] (Fascimile)
  [phone] (Bulletin Board System)
  Two disk magazines that feature C64/C128 programs, articles, news, music,
  and graphics.  Available on 3.5" and 5.25" disks.  The 64 magazine is
  currently offering a risk-free issue.  Just call and sign up.  Cancel if
  you are not satisfied.

  LOADSTAR pays a premium price for programs and is looking for good C64
  and 128 programmers.  LOADSTAR also pays for articles.  Call for a risk-free
  issue.  Each issue contains programmer's guidelines in a file called
  LOADSTAR BRIEFS.

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              US       Other

  LOADSTAR 64 (12 issues)           $ 89.95  $109.95
  LOADSTAR 128 (4 issues)           $ 39.95  $ 49.95
  LOADSTAR 64 and 128               $119.95  $149.95

  Driven

  Driven
  Steve Akers, [e-mail] (Editor)
  Roger W. Lueck, [e-mail] (Editor)
| Driven is a publication in a single disk file that can be downloaded
| and run on a Commodore 64.  The aim of each issue is to strengthen and unite
| the North American (NTSC) demo scene through dissemination of information
| about the scene, its participants, and the demos they make. The overall goal
| is to add yet another means of keeping the C64 alive as a whole.

| Each issue contains news about the demo scene (including what demos,
| utilities, etc. get released), contact information for scene members,
| interviews with demo authors, and demo reviews.  In addition, the
| magazine offers general interest articles describing C64 resources
| available on Internet, commercial products, online services, and
| software developers.

  Driven is FREE.  Distribution is unlimited and encouraged.  It can be found
| at ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/c64/magazines/ and on IRC channel #c-64 on one
  of the many bots.  In addition, the magazine can be retrieved from Corrosion
  of Conformity at [phone].  The editors can also uuencode and email
  each issue to you if wanted.  As a last resort for people unable to find
  Driven by one of these preferred free routes, you can "subscribe"
  for $2 an issue (maximum of 3 issues at a time, please).  Send subscription
  requests to:

  Threshold Productions
  17730 15th Ave. NE Suite #229
  Seattle, WA. 98155
  (Each disk will include a few demos and Threshold Production new game
  previews along with each issue on one disk)

+ Vision
+ Rick Mosdell, [e-mail] (Editor)
+ Saul Bottcher (Editor)
+ Founded in the summer of 1993, Visions is an all-original and constantly
+ improving magazine including not only articles, but also graphics
+ of high, medium, and low resolution, as well as fonts and music of all
+ styles.

+ A wide variety of information comes on every issue, ranging from
+ high-level technical research to social commentary to poetry.  The graphics
+ and music in each issue are high quality original work, with the occasional
+ classic picture or song.  The musical varieties available in the magazine
+ range from classicla to contemporary, including the Vision theme song.

+ All these elements are packed into a compact, efficent, and fast reader
+ program.  Each issue's articles, music, and graphics are tweaked to
+ provide as much effect as possible.

+ Vision accepts nearly any subject matter, making it an open forum for
+ writers and reporters of all styles and genres.

+ Vision is FREE and can be acquired locally in the Toronto Ontario Canada
+ area on Electric City at 905-793-9699 (C/G board at 1200 8/N/1) or
+ on the Internet at ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/c64/magazines/Vision/


   4.4.  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 creator and editor of the first 10 issues was Craig Taylor
| ([e-mail]), and the new editor is Jim Brain
  ([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 retrieved from Jim Brain's mail server (See Section 6.5.2 for
  directions on how to use the mail server).  If you have World Wide
  Web access, C=Hacking is at:

  http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/hacking/


   4.5.  Are there other publications I should be aware of?

  No library of publications is complete without some reference materials,
  like programmer reference guides, user's guides, machine language tutorials,
  and BASIC tutorials.

  Also, don't overlook the many fine Commodore User's Groups in the world.
  These groups typically publish newsletters with timely information and
  help for troubled machines or users.  See Section 15 for a list of Commodore
  User's Groups.

  The following publications are not "Commodore" publications, but do
  contain Commodore information periodically.

  Historically Brewed

  Historical Computer Society
  2962 Park Street #1
  Jacksonville, FL  32205
  "Historically Brewed" is the magazine put out by the Historical Computer
  Society.  From time to time, they have articles on Commodore equipment.

  Subscription rates:

  Type of Subscription              US

  one year subscription (6 issues)  $18.00
  demo issue                        $ 2.00


   4.6.  How do I know which magazines to subscribe to?

  This list of magazines is included for informational purposes only.
  No attempt by the FAQ maintainer has been made to validate the
  information contained in this list.  Also, the list is organized in
  a first-come, first-served order.  The ordering does not imply the
  rating of the magazines by the FAQ maintainer, nor does it indicate
  the past or present business status of each magazine.  Due to the
  somewhat dynamic nature of magazines, it is highly recommended that the
  prospective subscriber verify this information before subscribing.


   5.  Connecting Up


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

  First, we need to define what "outside world" means.  In this sense, we are
  referring to the process of connecting the Commodore computer up to another
  computer or computers and exchanging textual, binary, or graphical
  information.  To connect to another computer, one must have a
  Commodore computer system, a modem, a phone line, and a telecommunications
  program (called a terminal emulator or terminal emulation program).
  While you can use this to connect to other individuals, to access great
  stores of online information you need to subscribe to an "online
  service", which can take many forms.  This type of service allows you
  to correspond with many people with a single phone call, and may permit
  you to contact people out of your area without a long distance phone call.


   5.2.  What services can I use to get online?

  The following services can be accessed by a Commodore computer and
  allow the user to access online information.

    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.

        Compuserve Information Systems
        P.O. Box 20212
        Columbus, OH  43220
        [phone] (Information)

    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.

        GEnie
        401 North Washington Street
        Rockville, MD  20850
        [phone] (Information)

    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.

        Delphi Internet Services
        1030 Massachusetts Avenue
        Cambridge, MA  02138
        [phone] (Information)

    Phoenix Network                 - Phoenix is a new network system.  It is
        reviewed in Issue 3 of Commodore World, and other publications.
        [phone] (Information)
        [e-mail] (Contact?)

    Internet                        - The largest online service.  The
        Internet is a collection of 4 million machines interconnected using
        a common protocol called TCP/IP.  This service is the result of a
        U.S. defense experiment started in the late 1960's.  Due to its
        distributed nature, the Internet is unlike most other online services.
        In some cases, as in universities, there is no cost to access the
        "net", as it is called, and some other online services offer access
        to the Internet.  This is the home of all the FTP sites, the USENET
        and the USENET newsgroup comp.sys.cbm, Internet email, and the World
        Wide Web.  When you use these services you are utilizing the Internet.

    QuantumLink                     - Q-Link was a Commodore specific
        telecommunications service.  This service, while booming in the late
        1980's, has now been discontinued.

        There was an effort to retrieve as many of the QuantumLink files
        as could be retrieved.  Email Brenda G4 at [e-mail]
        for more information.


   5.3.  What hardware do I need?

  To access online services you will need a functional Commodore computer
  that is physically able to have a modem of some kind attached to the
  computer.  The more common C64 and C128 are able to be used with a modem,
  but computers like the Commodore C16, C116, some PETs and some older CBM
  business machines may require significant investments in order to be
  used.

  With a functional computer, you will need a modulator/demodulator
  (modem) unit of some kind.  There are two basic kinds that can be used
  on the Commodore computers:

  A standard RS-232 (EIA-232) external modem.

  These modems are very common in today's market, as they are usable on all
  computer systems.  They usually are constructed in a small rectangular
  box, have lights across the front, and have either a standard 9 or 25
  pin D-style connector on the back of the unit.  Speeds range from 300bps
  to 28,800 bps and above.  This modem requires an interface cable of some
  kind to connect to the Commodore computer.

  A Commodore compatible external modem.

  These modems are much less common in today's market.  Originally
  manufactured only by Commodore, some examples include the C1600 (300bps
  manual dial), C1650 (300bps, pulse dial), C1660 (300bps, DTMF dial), and
  C1670 (1200bps, AT commands, DTMF/Pulse dial).  Although other
  companies manufacture compatible modems, it seems that the maximum speed
  is 2400bps for all models.  This modem style plugs directly into the
  Commodore user port.

  Please note that all speeds marked are maximums.  Most modems will
  operate at any speed up to the maximum.  Most users agree that buying
  a Commodore compatible modem these days is an unwise move, except
  for special circumstances.  The suggestion is to purchase a standard
  modem and an interface to use the modem with the CBM machine.

  If you chhose to purchase a standard external modem, you must also
  purchase or build a suitable interface.  There are two major types
  of interfaces:

  Simple Cable Interface.

  This type of interface merely converts the nonstandard RS-232 pinout
  on the Commodore user port to the standard RS-232 pinout and performs
  voltage level translation as required by RS-232 specifications.  This
  interface can be purchased for $20 to $40 new or built by the user.

  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.
+ (See Section 12.4 and 12.5 for interface designs)

  UART interface.

  To use a modem, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART)
  is needed.  When Commodore designed the CBM VIC-20, C64 and C128, they
  emulated a UART in software to keep costs down.  Although this works
  for slower speeds, there is a limit to how fast the software UART can
  function.  For faster access, a real UART is needed.  This type of
  interface provides a complete UART in a cartridge that plugs into the
  expansion port.  To utilize it, all software must be written to take
  advantage of the real UART.  UART interfaces can be purchased from
  CMD (Swiftlink), HART (HART Cartidge), or built from plans (DataPump).

+ Swiftlink:

+ Creative Micro Designs, Incorporated. (CMD)
+ 15 Benton Drive
+ P.O. Box 646
+ East Longmeadow, MA  01028-0646
+ [phone] (Orders only)
+ [phone] (Information)
+ [phone] (Fascimile)
+ [e-mail] (Contact)

+ HART Cartridge:

+ Hatronics
+ 195 Lincoln Avenue
+ Montclair, NJ  07042
+ [phone]
+ Mark Hatten (Contact)

+ DataPump:

+ ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/CBM/documents/datapump.sfx (GEOS format)
+ ftp://hamsterix.funet.fi/pub/CBM/documents/datapump.sfx (GEOS format)

+ The decision of which interface to buy depends on the speed of your modem
+ and the software you are using.

+ If you are using 2400 bps or slower (4800 bps on a C128), the simple
+ interface cable will suffice, and most terminal programs can be used.

+ For speeds between 2400 and 9600 bps (4800 and 19200 bps on a C128), a
+ number of options are open.  Some programs can use the simple interface
+ cable to allow this faster access.  Newer terminal software may be written
+ to exploit Daniel Dallmann's 9600 bps access technique, which requires
+ some small modifications to the simple interface cable (see Section 12.5
+ for more information).  Finally, some programs allow the use of a UART
+ cartridge.

+ For speeds above 9600 bps, a UART interface and an approprite terminal
+ program is your only option.


   5.4.  What kinds of terminal programs exist?

  There are many types and versions of telecomunications programs (referred
  to as terminal emulation programs or terminal programs).  Some are better
  than others, but individual users will ultimately decide which they
  like best.  Most terminal programs available today are Shareware, but
  some are still sold commercially, and some new commercial terminal
  programs are being sold.

  All of these programs include emulations of the popular terminals such as
  DEC VT100, VT102, VT52, and ANSI.  Also, each includes a number of
  file transfer protocols (See Section 6.1 for more information on transfer
  protocols).


   5.4.1.  What kinds of terminal programs exist for the 64?

  Novaterm

  Novaterm 9.5
  Nick Rossi
  10002 Aurora Avenue North #1159
  Seattle, WA  98133
  $25 US for the program, now at version 9.5.
  [e-mail] (Contact)
  For more information, or to get a copy by mail, contact Nick Rossi.
  The version is also available as shareware at
  ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/voyager/Novaterm

  Nick will be commercially releasing Novaterm 10.0 at some point in the
  futire, but has schedulked an interim shareware release of Novaterm 9.6
  to be done in the next few months.  It will include a faster 80 column
  screen mode and an 80 column online timer, among other improvements.

  Kermit

  Kermit 2.2
  Kent Sullivan
  16611 NE 26th Street
  Bellevue, WA  98008
  $12.50 US for the program, now at version 2.2.
  Note that Columbia University holds the copyright for the Kermit Terminal
  Software.  You can get a copy of the Commodore version by ftp:
  cs.columbia.edu (128.59.1.2) /archives/C64KER.
  This 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?


   5.4.2.  What kinds of terminal programs exist for the 128?

  Desterm

  Desterm 2.0/2.1
  Matt Desmond
  [e-mail]
  For more information on DesTerm or to get a copy by mail, contact Matt.

  Bob's Term Pro

  Dialogue 128


   5.5.  Can I use my Commodore computer on Amateur Radio?

  Yes you can.  If you want to use your CBM system as a terminal for a
  standard RS-232 compatible packet radio Terminal Node Controller (TNC),
  you can hook it up in the same way as a modem.  See Section 5 for more
  information on how to connect your Computer to a modem.

  In addition, the ICHPUG User Group (see Section 15 for address) has
  an extensive library of files for the C64/128 relating to Amateur Radio.

  If you would like to use the Commodore 64 as a Amateur Radio repeater
  controller, Engineering Cosulting manufacturers such an item:

  Engineering Consulting
  583 Candlewood Street
  Brea, CA  92621
  Robert Blumenkranz (Contact)
  [e-mail] (Contact)
  http://www.earthlink.net/users/engcon/webdocs/


   5.6.  Is there TCP/IP software available for Commodore computers?

   Unfortunately, there is none at this time.  However, the following
   information is available:

   Jim Brain has performed tests that demonstrated the ICMP and IP
   protocol layers.  Daniel Dallmann has now verified these
   tests and both of them, as well as Cameron Kaiser, are independently
   working on a TCP/IP protocol stack for the Commodore 64.


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.3.0.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: 3.0
Last-modified: 1995/07/21


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

  Table of Contents (for this file)
  ---------------------------------

   6.  The Online Information Reservoir
   6.1.  How do I download?  What is a transfer protocol?
   6.2.  What is the difference between PETSCII and ASCII?
   6.3.  Where can I find Commodore programs?
   6.4.  What is a file extension, and what do they stand for?
   6.5.  What is electronic mail?
   6.5.1.  What are mailing lists and how do I join one?
   6.5.2.  What is a Mail Server?  How do I use one?
   6.5.3.  How do I contact people on Compuserve, Genie, etc.?
   6.6.  What is USENET or NetNews?  What is a USENET newsgroup?
   6.6.1.  What news groups cater to Commodore 8-bit machines?
   6.6.2.  What types of discussions belong in comp.sys.cbm?
   6.6.3.  Which issues does comp.sys.cbm discuss regularly?
   6.6.4.  How do I post in comp.sys.cbm?
   6.6.5.  How can I access comp.sys.cbm through email?
   6.7.  What is a FidoNET echo?
   6.7.1.  What echoes cater to Commodore 8-bit machines?
   6.7.2.  How do I post in an echo?
   6.8.  What is the World Wide Web?
   6.8.1.  What WWW sites have Commodore information?
   6.9.  What is File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?
   6.9.1.  What FTP sites have Commodore Information?
   6.9.2.  What is an FTP Mail Server?  How do I use one?
   6.10. What is Internet Relay Chat (IRC)?
   6.11. What else is available online?

   7.  Exchanging Data
   7.1.  How do I exchange data among Commodore 8-bit machines?
   7.2.  How do I exchange data between an IBM(tm) and my Commodore?
   7.3.  How do I exchange data between an Amiga and my Commodore?
   7.4.  How do I exchange data between a Macintosh(tm) and my Commodore?
   7.5.  How do I exchange data between an Atari ST(tm) and my Commodore?
   7.6.  How do I exchange data between a UNIX(tm) machine and my Commodore?
   7.7.  Are there other ways to exchange data between computers?

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


   6.  The Online Information Reservoir

   How true this is.  There is information everywhere online, just
   waiting to be accessed and used.  Hoever, getting at the information
   can be a time consuming process.

   6.1.  How do I download?  What is a transfer protocol?

  To transfer files for another computer (another 64 or 128, UNIX, OS/2,
  DOS, MVS, VMS, Amiga, Atari, or other), you should use a transfer protocol.
  Although it is possible to transfer files by turning on the terminal
  program's capture buffer and receiving the file, this is not very
  reliable and is prone to errors.  When transferring any sizable amount of
  data, one should use some sort of error-correcting file transfer protocol.
  A file transfer protocol splits a file into many pieces, or "packets", and
  send a number of them at a time.  It then waits for an acknowledgement from
  the receiver that the received received the packets correctly.  At this
  point, the sender send the next batch of packets.  This process is
  repeated until the entore file is transmitted.  Each packet contains
  computed checksums and other error detection bytes to ensure the
  received data is not corrupt.

  Below are descriptions for some of the more popular protocols:

  PUNTER

  PUNTER is a Commodore specific transfer protocol that used to be the
  standard for file transfer.  However, with the increase in IBM-based
  bulleting board, it has been replaced by other protocols.  Most Commodore
  BBS systems still offer PUNTER as an option, but almost no other BBS
  systems have support for it.

  KERMIT

  KERMIT is the name of one of the oldest file transfer protocols.  KERMIT
  is unique in that it can encode the file being transmitted so that
  it does not contain any bytes greater than 128 and does not contain any
  special control bytes that terminals use to perform special actions.  As
  such, this protocol is the most robust, but it is also the slowest.
  A common statement is, "if you can't KERMIT it, you can't get it"

  XMODEM

  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

  YMODEM is a "batch" XMODEM protocol, allowing you to transfer multiple
  files in one operation.

  ZMODEM

  A new file transfer protocol is ZMODEM.  ZMODEM is theoretically the
  fastest transfer protocol, but only shows a speed gain over the others
  on noise-free telephone lines.  It achieves this speed increase by only
  replying to the sender about the bad packets.

  Most terminal programs support PUNTER, XMODEM, XMODEM-1K, YMODEM, and
  KERMIT.  The Kermit terminal program only supports KERMIT, and Novaterm,
  as of version 9.5, supports ZMODEM receives, but not sends.


   6.2.  What is the difference between PETSCII and ASCII?

  When Commodore designed the PET line of computers, they chose for the
  character set encoding a special encoding called PETSCII.  This set is
  similar but not the same as the American Standard Code for Information
  Intercahnge (ASCII).  Now, this does not cause any
  problem when transferring information between or among Commodore
  computers (except the Amiga, which I believe uses ASCII), but causes
  problems when exchanging information with othe computer types.

  The obvious solution is for all Commodore users to translate incoming
  information into PETSCII from ASCII when talking to another type of
  computer.  However, this effectively ruins binary files, which have
  no concept of character codes.  Therefore, the rules are:

  Do not translate when exchanging binary files with any computer

  Translate all textual information exchanged with non-Commodore computers.

  Translate textual information exchanged with Commodore computers only
  if they are translating it as well.

  If  a text file you retrieve looks like the uppercase letters should
  be lowercase and vice versa, then the file is in ASCII and needs to
  be converted to PETSCII.


   6.3.  Where can I find Commodore programs?

   Commodore programs are available from a number of sources.  For commercial
   software, please see Section 15.1 for a list of software dealers.  For
   shareware and public domain, you can use FTP (Section 6.9), electronic
   mail (Section 6.5.2), and bulletin board system in addition to the
   software dealers to download or buy programs and other software.


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

  A file extension is a 1 or more letter suffix appended to the end of a file
  name to indicate the type of file it is.  The extension usually indicates
  the contents of a file.  The list below describes some more common file
  extensions, what they are used for, and how to use the file.

  Please note that these file extensions are not Commodore-exclusive.  Many
  computers use file extensions.  Also note that some file extensions
  are cumulative.  IF a file is named "filename.tar.gz", this indicates that
  the file is of type "gz", and the file(s) inside the gz file are of type
  "tar".  To use this file, one would note that both extension are
  archival extensions.  One would undo the "gz" archival method to restore
  the "filename.tar" archive, then undo the "tar" archival method to restore
  the original file.

  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.  Also, ZipCode can compress
                                    files, in which case the x is a letter
                                    (a,b,c,d) and there need not be 4 files.
                                    If ZipCode has compressed individual
                                    files, there will be an "i!" or
                                    "x!"-prefixed file on the disk that holds
                                    the directory of the file compressed.  To
                                    make things even more confusing, there
                                    are two versions of ZipCode (v1 and v2).
                                    The newer version will accept v1 archives,
                                    but not vice-versa.  Use ZipCode v2 to
                                    unpack such archives.

  x!!<file>     ZIPCode 6-pack      This is a ZIPCode archive that takes 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 UNZIP128
                                    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
                                    uncompress program, available on UNIX, PC,
                                    Mac and other platforms.
+                                   Also, a very old version of GNU Zip used
+                                   this extension, although the file is not
+                                   fully compatible with the compress format.

  .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.

  .tgz          Gzipped Tar File    This is a file that should have extension
                                    tar.gz, but has been shortened for MS-DOS
                                    Run gzip or similar on the file, then tar.

  .gif          Graphics            This is a compressed graphics format
                Interchange         created by Compuserve.  To view this file,
                Format              one must find a GIF viewer program.

| .jpeg         Joint               This graphics format can use one of two
|               Photographers       compression algorithms.  One, called DPCM
|               Expert              (Differential Pulse COde Modulation)
|               Group               retains all of the information in the
|                                   original file, which is usually a picture.
|                                   The more common algorithm, called DCT
|                                   (Discrete Cosine Transform), relies on the
|                                   inability of the human eye to distinguish
|                                   among some colors.  DCT "throws away" some
|                                   information in the file (picture), while
|                                   still retaining the essence of the picture.
|                                   To view these pictures, one must either
|                                   obtain a JPEG veiwer or convert them to
|                                   GIF format.

  .jpg          JPEG                This is an MS-DOS named .jpeg file.

  .tiff         Tagged              This is a graphics format used on high
                Image               performance workstations.  To view this
                File                graphics format, you will need to convert
                Format              something else.

  .pcx          IBM Picture         This is graphics format used in DOS on
                                    IBM machines.  Convert this file to a
                                    GIF file to view.

  .pict         Mac PICTure         This is a graphics format used on Apple
                                    Macintosh machines.  Convert this file
                                    to a GIF file to view.

| .d64          1541 Disk Image     This file stores an image of one entire
+ .x64                              disk, for use with Commodore emulator
+                                   programs.  Several programs exist to
+                                   extract the image onto a disk or place a
+                                   disk onto an image.  The only difference
+                                   between the .x64 and .d64 file types is an
+                                   added 64 byte header on a .x64 file.

+ .t65         DataSette Image      This file is analogous to the .d64 file
+                                   type, but for tapes.

| .p00          PC64 (Emulator)     This file encapsulates a Commodore program
+               Program File Image  or data file.  To extract the original
+                                   file, remove the first 26 characters.

  .bmp          Windows Bitmap      This is a format used for graphics in
                                    Microsoft Windows and OS/2.  Convert this
                                    file to a GIF to view.

  .pbm          Portable Bitmap

  .xbm          X bitmap            This is a format used for graphics on the
                                    X windowsing system.  Convert this file
                                    to a GIF to view.

  .html         HyperText           This is a WWW hypertext document.  To
                Markup              view this file, you will need a WWW
|               Language            browser of some kind.  See Section 6.8
+                                   for more information on WWW.

  .doc          Document            This file could be a word processing file
                                    from a program like Word for Windows,
                                    Wordperfect, or any other word processor.
                                    Also, some text files that contain
                                    documentation use this extension.

  .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.

  If the file type indicates an archive, there are many programs available
  that will handle most archival methods. One of these is called Omega-Q II,
  which includes one-stop compression and decompression of many of the above
  archival types.

  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.


   6.5.  What is electronic mail?

  Electronic mail is the online equivalent of post office mail.  Although
  email is a general term, its use is usually meant to mean "Internet email".
  To use email, you must have access to an internet email program.  On UNIX,
  these programs are called mail, elm, or pine.  BBS systems usually have a
  special message area for Internet email.  You address a message to a user
  by using his or her internet email address, which is usually of the form
  name@machine_name.doamin_name.type_of_institution_or_country.  An example
  would be [e-mail], which would be user "brain" at machine "mail"
  in doamin "msen" and the type "com" which means company or commercial.

  After addressing the message and choosing a sutiable subject, the body of
  the message is written with information meaningful to the addressee.
  Usually this information is textual in nature and reads much like a
  personal letter.

  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.


   6.5.1.  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
             shell look-and-feel. You can join this one by sending mail to
             [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]

  c65 -      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]

  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>

  c64coders - This list is for Commodore 64 coders.  Not much is known about
              the list, but here is how to join.  Send a mail message to:
              [e-mail] with a subject line of:

              subscribe.



   6.5.2.  What is a Mail Server?  How do I use one?

  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: MAILSERV
  Message Body:

  help
  quit

  That will return a list of commands.  Currently the following commands
  are supported:

  help               retrieves a list of available commands.
  catalog            retrieves a list of files currently available.
  send <filename>    retrieves the file <filename>


   6.5.3.  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. (denoted in FIDO as 1:233/115)  The address would be:

  FidoNet       Jim Brain       [e-mail]

  If the fido address is a point on a FIDO network (denoted as 1:233/115.200),
  then the address would be:

  FidoNet       Jim Brain       [e-mail]


   6.6.  What is USENET or NetNews?  What is a USENET newsgroup?

   USENET is a service on the Internet that presents the user with a variety
   of forums in which to place messages.  It can be viewed as the online
   equivalent of a set of bulleting "corkboards", like those in a hallway.
   Each corkboard or "newsgroup" caters to a different topic.  Users can
   place or "post" messages to the newsgroup for others to read, or followup
   to posts on the newsgroup.


   6.6.1.  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.*.

  comp.sys.cbm -

  This unmoderated newsgroup discusses all topics concerning Commodore
  8-bit machines, including everything from the KIM-1 to the Commodore
  65.  This is the flagship USENET newsgroup.

  comp.binaries.cbm  -

  This moderated groups permits the distribution of uuencoded binary files
  for the Commodore 8-bit computers.  The moderator is Mike Miller
  ([e-mail]).  If you have a favorite program you wish to put up for
  distribution, please download and read the comp.binaries.cbm FAQ (posted in
  its respective group).

  comp.emulators.cbm -

  This unmoderated newsgroup was created in 1994 for those who wish to
  run one of the many emulation programs available on other machines that
| emulate the C64.  This forum seems to be more appropriate for questions
+ concerning operation on "foreign" hardware and file types.

  zer.z-netz.rechner.c64+c128.allgemein -

  This is a German newsgroup that discusses much of the same topics as
  comp.sys.cbm.  "allgemein" = general.

  zer.z-netz.rechner.c64+c128.binaer -

  This German newsgroup parallels the function of comp.binaries.cbm.
  "binaer" = "binary".

  zer.t-netz.c64 -

  This 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."

  zer.z-netz.rechner.c64+c128.hardware

  This German newsgroups discusses hardware topics relating to the C64 and
  C128.


   6.6.2.  What types of discussions belong in comp.sys.cbm?

  Any discussions about Commodore machines excluding the Commodore Amiga
  line, the Commodore IBM PC Clone line are encouraged in comp.sys.cbm
  These machines are commonly referred to as the Commodore 8-bit line,
  whereas the Amiga and PC line is not 8-bit.  Please make sure any question
  you intend on posting is not already answered in this FAQ.  Also, when
  posting a troubleshooting question about inoperative equipment, please give
  as much detail as possible.  Be considerate of others in the group and keep
  questions not pertaining to some aspect of Commodore 8-bit machines and
  peripherals out of comp.sys.cbm.  The group does realize, however, that a
  large percentage of Commodore 8-bit owners also own another computer system
  and might have questions about interfacing or emulations.  Just use your
  own good judgement.


   6.6.3.  Which issues does comp.sys.cbm discuss regularly?

  Although comp.sys.cbm discusses all Commodore 8-bit machines at times,
  the C64 and C128 get most of the attention.


   6.6.4.  How do I post in comp.sys.cbm?

  You first need to access the newsgroup comp.sys.cbm through the use of
  newsreader.  There are many available in UNIX with names like rn, nn, tin,
  and trn.  I can't begin to tell you what command each uses to construct
  a posting, but your machine administrator should be able to tell you.
  All posts should contains relevant Summary and Keyword info, as well as
  a descriptive title.  If you are posting a followup to an existing article,
  and are quoting the article, please only quote the relevant portions of the
  existing article.

  If you find that you cannot post to a newsgroup via your newsreader, but do
  have Internet electronic mail capabilities, you can post to the newsgroups
  via e-mail.  For example, to posts a message to COMP.SYS.CBM, simply mail the
  message to either [e-mail] or [e-mail].
  It is probably best to use the U of Texas address, since the other is an
  anonymous posting service, so people won't know who originated the post.
  Such disguises are unnecessary in the CBM newsgroups.


   6.6.5.  How can I access comp.sys.cbm through email?

  If you do not have access to the USENET newsgroup comp.sys.cbm and do have
  access to Internet email, Allen Smith has graciously set up a list server
  that will mail each day's postings to you.  To use this service, email
   [e-mail] with NO subject and ONLY

   SUBSCRIBE comp-sys-cbm

   in the body (no leading spaces, no signature) to use this service.


   6.7.  What is a FidoNET echo?

  FidoNET is a "grass roots" network that originated to link bulletin board
  systems across the country together.  Unlike the Internet, which uses
  dedicated phone lines at high speeds to implement its network, FidoNET uses
  regular phone lines at normal modem speeds that are not dedicated to
  providing networking to link the machine on FidoNET together.  FidoNET
  allows the exchange of messages in message bases called "echoes" among
  various boards.  To use the FidoNET echoes, you must connect to a system
  that has FidoNET access.  It is not possible to describe all the features
  of FidoNET in this FAQ, so you should consult your local User Group or BBS
  sysop for more info.

  The FidoNET echoes are similar to USENET newsgroups, although the echoes
  have more strict rules about content and topics.


   6.7.1.  What echoes cater to Commodore 8-bit machines?

  The relevant echoes for Commodore users are:

  CBM       Commodore 64 and 128 News and Discussions
  CBM128    Commodore 128 specific News and Discussions
  GEOS      GEOS News and Discussions
  PCWRITE   Cross Platform Computing, including C64 emulators
  CBM.GER   German Fido area for CBM discussion.


   6.7.2.  How do I post in an echo?

  Echoes are usually posted in the same way that you would mail a BBS
  message in any other area, although the BBS may operate differently.
  It is best to follow any online directions or consult the local BBS sysop
  for more details.

   6.8.  What is the World Wide Web?

  The World Wide Web (WWW or W3) is a Internet-wide Hypertext document
  retrieval and display system.  To use WWW, you must have access to a
  WWW HyperText Markup Language (HTML) browser.  Typical examples include
  lynx, which is a ASCII browser available on UNIX, and Mosaic, a GUI
  browser available for UNIX, Windows, Mac, and other platforms.  There
  are others, but these are a few.  Once in a browser program, point it at
  some of these WWW "pages".

  If you do not have WWW access to the Web, you can request pages be mailed
  to by sending mail to [e-mail] with the subject help.  The
  return mail should tell you how to request a WWW page.

  However, if you do have access to telnet on the Internet, you can access
  the Web.  Instructions on how to do this, in a file called wwwtelnet.txt,
  can be retrieved from Jim Brain's MAILSERV server.  See Section 5.X for
  information on how to access the server.


   6.8.1.  What WWW sites have Commodore information?

  A number of them!  Below is a partial list of WWW sites that contain
  Commodore information.  This list is not exhastive, but will provide
  many hours of Commodore information.

  http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/
  The main European Commodore site maintained by Marko Makela

  http://ccnga.uwaterloo.ca/~csbruce/index.html
  Craig Bruce's site.

  http://www.msen.com/~brain
  Main US Commodore site maintained by Jim Brain

  http://www.prairienet.org/community/clubs/cucug/main.html
  The Champaign-Urbana Commodore User Group Site.

  http://monami.psc.edu/
  The Pittsburgh Commodore Group site.

  http://www.nada.kth.se/~d93-alo/c64/
  Commodore 64 Games Home Page.

  http://basil.cs.flinders.edu.au:2374/~gardners
  Paul Gardner-Stephen's home page, C65 information.

  http://www.rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de/~supermjk
  Marc-Jano Knopp's home page.

  http://www.infinet.com/~rbatina
  Robert Batina's home page.

  http://www.csd.uu.se/~d94aca/vic20.html
  Anders Carlsson's home page

  http://ix.urz.uni-heidelberg.de/~fs1/c64/
  Andre Fachat's home page

  http://131.188.190.131/~poldi/c64.html
  Daniel Dallmann's home page

  http://www.cs.tu-berlin.de/~poing/
  Demo scene info.

  http://www.cs.tu-berlin.de/~poing/english/padua.html
  Frank Michlick's home page

  http://130.239.24.82/asv/phred/index.html
  Fredrick Backman's home page

  http://stekt.oulu.fi/~jopi/
  Jouko Valta's (Jopi's) home page.  X64/128 emulator project home page

  http://www.industry.net:80/users/speck/
  Sean Peck's home page.

  http://www.alkymi.unit.no/~sveinw/
  Svein Yngvar Willassen's home page.

  http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ipoorten/8bit.html
  Atari 8-bit Home page

| http://www.accessone.com/slab/prodc64s.html
  Seattle Labs (C64S Emulator) WWW home page.

  http://www.engr.wisc.edu/~conover/c64.html
  Commodore 64 (*.d64 and *.t64 Archive) home page.

  http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/
  Ftp.funet.fi (via WWW)

  http://www.cs.umd.edu/users/fms/comp/
  Personal Computing and Emulation Homepage

| http://www.yaho.com/Computers/PCs/Commodore/
  Yahoo Commodore Index

  http://www.armory.com/~spectre/cwi.html
  The Computer Workshops WWW site.

  http://www.futurenet.co.uk/computing/commodoreformat.html
  Commodore Format magazine home page.

  http://www.futurenet.co.uk/computing/amigaformat/commodore.html
  Info on status of CBM and Amiga Format mag info.

| http://hangar18.acns.nwu.edu/users/aforte/cbm/cbm.emu.faq.toc.html
  Commodore Emulation FAQ.

  http://chrom.imbg.ku.dk/bonzai.html
  Bonzai home page.

  http://www.ling.umu.se/asv/phred/cbm64/cbm64.html
  Phred's home page.

| http://www.ccn.cs.dal.ca/Services/PDA/commodore.html
| Chebucto Community Net Commodore Public Download Area

  http://www.jyu.fi/~np/c64cheats.html
  The Great C64 Cheats Compendium

| http://www.netaxs.com/~rmk/com.html
  Rick Kephart's home page.

  http://www.kaiwan.com/~sirfitz/qlink.html
  Charles Fitzhugh's Qlink home page.

  http://www.portal.com/~steward/qlink.html
  Another Qlink home page.

  http://www.warwick.ac.uk/~stuce/default.html
  Peter Weighill's Original CBM WWW site (soon to go away)

  http://www.giga.or.at/pub
  WWW mirror of Guenther Bauer's ftp site.

  http://www.cs.cmu.edu:8001/Web/People/mjw/Computer/Amiga/News/AR/index.html
| Amiga Report Home page

  http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~pfkurek
  Peter Kurek's Interactive site for the C128/64.

  http://sdsdabmc.nesdis.noaa.gov/GEOF/wac.html
  Washington Area Computer User Group home page.

| http://www.webcom.com/~softdisk/c64.html
| LOADSTAR and LOADSTAR 128 Home Page (Softdisk Publishing).

  http://stud1.tuwien.ac.at/~e9426444/index.html
  Commodore SID Music home page.

| http://www.ccn.cs.dal.ca/Technology/CUGNS/CBM.html
  The Commodore User's Group of Nova Scotia WWW Site.

  http://www.lut.fi/~veijalai/
  Kimmo Veijalainen's home page.

  http://www.jyu.fi/~np/
  Niilo Paasivirta's home page.

  http://www.rhi.hi.is/~aaj/
  Agust Arni Jonsson's home page. NemeSID collection.

  http://www.inf.bme.hu/~mrc/
  Peter Suba's home page (Delta System home page).

  http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~jones/cross/
  Douglas W. Jones', author of the SMAL cross assembler, home page.

  http://www.earthlink.net/users/engcon/webdocs/
  Engineering Consulting WWW home page.

+ http://www.msen.com/~brain/guest/Gaelyne_Moranec/
+ Gaelyne Moranec's WWW home page and QWKRR128 information.

+ http://www.fastlane.net/homepages/msessums/
+ Metroplex Commodore Computer Club (MCCC) home page.

+ http://www.fastlane.net/homepages/msessums/msessums.html#METRO
+ Metro C-64/128 Users WWW home page.

+ http://www.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de/~grfrog/
+ Greenfrog's WWW home page

   6.9.  What is File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

   File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a service available on the Internet to
   allow users to send and retrieve files on the Internet.  To allow anyone
   to access some machines, the special user "anonymous" or "ftp" is used
   to log into another machine for ftp.  These machine, which hold public
   domain (PD), shareware, and freeware files, are called "anonymous ftp"
   sites.  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:

  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.

  To download software (files) from an anonymous ftp sites, one has to
  be aware 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.


   6.9.1.  What FTP sites have Commodore Information?

  A number of sites on Internet have areas for Commodore files. The list
  of current Internet FTP sites can be retrieved from the Jim Brain's
  mail server as file cbm-ftp-sites.MM.YY where MM is the Month and YY is the
  year that the list is for.  (See Section 6.5.2 for directions on how to
  use the mail server).  The FTP List is maintained by Howard Herman and a
  copy of the latest file can be obtained from him at
  [e-mail].


   6.9.2.  What is an FTP Mail Server?  How do I use one?

  If your service provider does not allow access to FTP directly, there
  are some systems that will perform the FTP session on your behalf.  These
  systems are called "ftp mail servers".  These allow the user to request
  files to be retrieved by electronically mailing a message to the server.

  To use the service, you must first learn how the service works.  This is
  done by mailing the server address with the word "help" in the body of
  the message This will result in the directions being sent in a message to
  you.  Then, following the directions, you can request files from any
  FTP sites through the server.  The server will send both the retrieved
  files and a message detailing the execution of your request.

  Here is a sample request message:

  To: [e-mail]
  Subject:
  Body:
  connect ccnga.uwaterloo.ca anonymous [e-mail]
  chdir /pub/cbm/comp.sys.cbm
  ls -l
  quit

  Please note the following:

  This service is only for retrieving files.

  Binary files will usually be uuencoded.  They must be decoded before use.

  Large files may be split into smaller pieces.  The resulting pieces must
  be editted back into one piece, and decoded if necessary.

  Potential ftpmail servers include:

  [e-mail]
  [e-mail]

  Craig Bruce has set up a ftp mail server off his regular email address.
  Here is how you would utilize it:

  To: [e-mail]
  Subject: ftpmail
  Body:
  help
  bcode
  ftp ccnga.uwaterloo.ca
  cd /pub/cbm/os/ace
  dir
  get ace12.doc
  quit

  All of the regular FTP commands are supported, with the addition of
  the following commands:

  help   - gives help information.
  bcode  - requests the data be sent as bcoded files.
  hexcode- requests the data be sent as hexcoded files.


   6.10. What is Internet Relay Chat (IRC)?

  Internet Raley Chat (IRC) is an online version of citizen's band radio or
  BBS chat rooms.  The service is worldwide and is available on the Internet.
  To use IRC, one would normally use a client program (typically called irc on
  UNIX machines) to access the service.

  Although the program used to access IRC varies, the commands are pretty
  much standard.  All commands are entered on the text line and begin
  with a "/" character.  Here are a few important ones:

  /join #c-64               Join the #c-64 channel, which discusses topics
                            concerning Commodore hardware and software.

  /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.

  /quit                     leave.

  /names *                  List names of all people in current channel.

  /dcc send (nickname) (filename)
                            Send a file to person (nickname).

  /dcc receive (nickname) or
  /dcc get (filename)       REceive a file from someone.

  If you need more info on how IRC works, there is a file available on
  Jim Brain's email file server called irc-info.txt that explains IRC in
| more depth.  (See Section 6.5.2 for directions on how to use the mail server)


   6.11. What else is available online?

  If you are looking for other places on the Internet to talk Commodore,
  there is the Commodore forum on CoSy, a system accessible from the
  Internet.  To access this service, you must have access to a telnet
  program.  Here is the relevant information:

  telnet cosy.softwaords.bc.ca
  login: cosy
  CoSy: j commodore

  This will bring up a list of topics pertaining to Commodore.  The forum
  moderator is Robert Todd and his email address is [e-mail].
  This forum is ideally suited to discussions about the Color64 BBS
  system and other Commodore BBS systems.  If you wish to post in the
  forum, please send email to that effect to Robert Todd.


   7.  Exchanging Data

   At some point in time it becomes necessary to move data from one machine to
   another.   Sometimes this is easy, sometimes it is not.  This section will
   help you decide which way of transferring files is best.


   7.1.  How do I exchange data among Commodore 8-bit machines?

+ You can exchange data between Commodore machines in a number of ways, but
+ each way requires an exchange medium, whether it be tape, disk, modem, or
+ null modem.

+ To transfer files between any Commodore machines besides the Plus/4
+ series that have datasette ports, the file can be save to tape and
+ exchanged.  The Plus/4 series tape drives read and write data in a format
+ not compantible with any other CBM system.

+ To transfer files between any Commodore computers with disk drives, you
+ need to find a drive that can be connected to either computer, or two
+ drives with compatible disk formats.  Some examples of two drive setups:

+ 2031   1541
+ 4040   1541     (Read but not write compatible_
+ 8050   8250     (can't use back side of 8250 disk)
+ 8050   SFD1001  (can't use back side of SFD1001 disk)
+ 1551   1541
+ 1571   1541     (can't use back of 1571 disk)

+ Modems can be used to exchange the information, if both computers can
+ use modems.  Just perform a dowload on one end, and an upload on the
+ other.  Null modems can make this job simpler, by removing the data->
+ telephone line step performed in a modem.

+ With all of these methods, data files should transmit fine, but program
+ file written in ML will most likely not work, and BASIC programs will
+ usually fail is loaded on a machine with a differing version of BASIC.


   7.2.  How do I exchange data between an IBM(tm) and my Commodore?

  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.

  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.

  There are no programs that will read a 5.25" Commodore disk in a 5.25" PC
  drive.


   7.3.  How do I exchange data between an Amiga and my Commodore?

  TransNib

  The TransNib 1.00 package for Amiga allows transferring files
  C64<->Amiga at up to 60000 bps. It uses a parallel<->user port cable that
  currently transfers 4bits at a time. Uses 2-way handshaking. 2 versions
  of the 64software are in the archive. Requires a disk drive. 1541
  fastloader compatible. The Amiga side software can be run from shell of
  WB, multitasks fine and has nice simple GUI."

  For more information, get the archive from ftp.wustl.edu,
  /systems/amiga/aminet/misc/emu/TransNib100.lha


   7.4.  How do I exchange data between a Macintosh(tm) and my Commodore?


   7.5.  How do I exchange data between an Atari ST(tm) and my Commodore?

+ Atari ST can read and write 3.5" DD disks formatted for PC. You need to use
+ TOS 1.4 or higher to format.  Using Big Blue Reader to write 3.5" PC
+ format on CBM will permit transfer.

+ ST also has RS-232 port, so one can transfer data by using RS-232 adaptor
+ on the C64 and some terminal/handshaking programs to control the transfer.


   7.6.  How do I exchange data between a UNIX(tm) machine and my Commodore?

+ One way is to use PC and then ftp to UNIX, unless the UNIX runs on a PC.
+ Some Sparctations have drives with MSDOS filesystem emulation, but it has
+ problems even with Atari/DOS disks.


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

  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.


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.3.0.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: 3.0
Last-modified: 1995/07/21


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

  Table of Contents (for this file)
  ---------------------------------

   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.  Demonstrations
   9.1.  Just what is a demonstration, or demo?
   9.2.  What does NTSC and PAL mean?
   9.3.  Where do I get demos?
   9.4.  What is a demo competition?
   9.5   What does FLI, DYCP, etc. mean?

  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.  Troubleshooting
  11.1.  What do I do for my ill disk drive?
  11.2.  What do I do for my ill computer?
  11.2.1.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 64?
  11.2.2.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 128?
  11.3.  What do I do for my ill keyboard?

  12.  Modifications and Cabling
  12.1.  How can you alter which side a 1571 reads from?
  12.2.  How do I open a C128 power supply?
  12.3.  How do I make a cable to hook my CBM 1902A to my 64 or 128?
  12.4.  How do I build a simple RS-232 interface cable?
  12.5.  How do I build a 2400/9600 bps RS-232 interface cable?

  13.  Enhancements
  13.1.  How do I increase my disk drive's transfer speed?
  13.1.1.  What is a Fastloader?
  13.1.2.  What is a ROM replacement?
  13.1.3.  What are the disadvantages to using a drive enhancement?
  13.1.4.  What other things can I do to speed up the drive?
  13.2.  How do I expand my disk drive's capacity?
  13.2.1.  What is a Hard Drive?  Who sell them?
  13.2.2.  What is 64NET?
  13.3.  How do I expand my computer's RAM capacity?
  13.3.1.  What is a Ram Expansion Unit?
  13.3.2.  What is a geoRAM Unit?
  13.3.3.  What is battery backed GeoRAM (BBGRam)?
  13.3.4.  What is a RAMLink?
  13.3.5.  What is a RAMDrive?
  13.3.6.  How do I expand my C128 Video RAM?
  13.3.7.  How do I expand my C64 internally?
  13.3.8.  How do I expand my C128 internally?
  13.4.  How do I increase my computer's speed?
  13.4.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's speed?
  13.4.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's speed?
  13.4.3.  Can I speed up other Commodore computers?
  13.5.  How do I increase my computer screen's resolution?
  13.5.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's screen resolution?
  13.5.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's screen resolution?
  13.5.3.  How do I increase other CBM computers' resolutions?
  13.6.  How do I increase my computer's serial transfer speed?
  13.7.  How do I increase my computer's sound quality?
  13.8.  What other ways can I expand my Commodore computer?

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


   8.  Operating Systems

  Most Commodore users aren't aware that each machine has an operating
  system.  Since all Commodore systems come complete with a built in
  operating system and BASIC programming language, the need for an
  operating system is minimized.  However, Commodore's internal OS is
  not always the right tool for the job, so alternate OS systems are
  available for the CBM.


   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.  Demonstrations

  Very few Commodore enthusiasts have never seen a demonstration, yet
  many aren't really sure what one is.  Well, since these programs are still
  alive and strong in the 1990's, we need to answer some of their mysteries
  (but not all of them, as their job is to amaze).


   9.1.  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.


   9.2.  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 operations, 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.


   9.3.  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.


   9.4.  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 somewhat 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.


   9.5   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)
  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


  10.  Emulators

  As time moves on, people move to other computer systems, for business resons
  or otherwise.  However, many still long to play Commodore games, use
  Commodore software, and enjoy Commodore demos.  Thus, emulators were born
  to bring the non-Commodore computer owner the enjoyment of owning a
  Commodore.


  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].

  For those with WWW browsers, the CBM Emulation FAQ is at:

  http://http.ecn.bgu.edu/users/xavf/cbm.ume.faq.toc.html


  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?

  There is a very basic Commodore 128 emulator bundled available for the
  UNIX platform under X.  It is bundled with X64.


  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.  You can also
  emulate a VIC-20 on some machines.


  11.  Troubleshooting


  11.1.  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.


  11.2.  What do I do for my ill computer?

  At times, every computer must be serviced.  As the parts supply of Commodore
  equipment dwindles, servicing becomes harder.  However, there are many
  sources in Section 16.2 that can service your Commodore machine, and here
  are some things you can do to service it yourself.


  11.2.1.  What do I do for my ill 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.


  11.2.2.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 128?

  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.


  11.3.  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, a
    solder iron of some type, 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.

    7a.Unsolder the wires going to the shift-lock key.

    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.


  12.  Modifications and Cabling

  As time wears on, many Commodore owners are turnign to themselves to
  manufacture small interfaces, modify their systems, and perform other
  enhancements.  Here are some common things the user can construct
  himself or herself.


  12.1.  How can you alter which side a 1571 reads from?

  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.


  12.2.  How do I open a C128 power supply?

  First, unplug both leads running from the power supply and turn it upside
  down.  Locate four (4) small circles in the bottom; two are in the corners
  and two in the other end a bit nearer each other.

  Find some sharp tool, e.g. pin or nail.  In turn, poke it inside each of
  the cirles, firmly, and pull the caps off gently. They'll come out easily.
  Breaking the caps should not matter, but there is no need to destroy the
  casing in process.

  Unsrew the 4 Phillips headed srews with an appropriate tool.

  Notes:

  This does not apply to the C64 brick!

  Some 128 power supplies do not have rubber feet; rather, they have "L"-
  shaped extensions on the casing.  The caps on these extensions are not
  made of rubber, but can be removed.


  12.3.  How do I make a cable to hook my CBM 1902A to my 64 or 128?

  Here is the diagram used to make a replacement Chroma / Luminence 40
  column cable, that the 1902A uses, to connect to the 64 or 128.

        _______                             ________
      /    3    \      1.  Not Used        /    2    \    *1. Luminance
     / 2       4 \    *2.  Audio          / 4      5  \   *2. Ground
    !             !   *3.  Ground        !             !  *3. Audio out
    !      6      !   *4.  Chroma        ! 1    6    3 !   4. Video out
    !             !    5.  Not Used      !             !   5. Audio in
     \ 1       5 /    *6.  Luminance      \  7     8  /   *6. Chroma
      \____n____/                          \____n____/     7. Not used
                                                           8. Not used
         1902A                                64/128
                            * Actually used


  12.4.  How do I build a simple RS-232 interface cable?

                          RS-232 interface
|                     <Transistors are 2n2222>
  <24 pin edge connector>
  N <-----------------------+-----------+
                           /            !
          22k         !-!>+             !
  M <----/\/\/--------!                 !
                      !---+             !
          1k               \            !  <male db25 connector>
  2 <----/\/\/--------------+------------>-------------------> 2
                                        !
                      +-----------------+
                       \
                        +<!-!                22k
                            !---------------/\/\/------------> 8
                        +---!
                       /
  H <-----------------+

  E <--------------------------------------------------------> 20

  C <---+
        !
  B <---+-------------+
                       \
                        +---!                22k
                            !---------------/\/\/------------> 3
                        +<!-!
                       /
  A <-----------------+--------------------------------+-----> 7
                                                       !
                                                       +-----> 4
                                                       !
                                                       +-----> 1


  If you are having problems with this circuit as it stands, you may wish
  to modify it in this way to reverse the clock signal:

  Disconnect the emitter and collector on the middle transistor of the
  diagram (the one that goes to the H line on the computer side)
  Connect the collector to pin 2 on the 24 pin edge connector (the 5v Vcc
  line), connect the emitter to pin H on the same connector, then connect a
  1k ohm resistor to the same pin H and the other end of the resistor to pin N
  or A.


  12.5.  How do I build a 2400/9600 bps RS-232 interface cable?

+ A new programming technique makes it possible to acheive 9600 bps on an
+ unexpected Commodore 64 without the use of a Swiftlink cartridge.
+ Daniel Dallmann of Germany is the originator of this technique and is
+ currently writing modem drivers for some of the popular C64 terminal
  emulation programs to take advantage of this new technique.

+ The interface described below is a little more complex than the one
+ in Section 12.4, but has many advantages:

+ * The interface generates proper EIA232 (RS-232) voltage levels.
+   The one in Section 12.4 relies on the ability of most newer RS232
+   equipment to handle lower voltages.

+ * The following interface can be used as a direct replacement for the
+   interface in Section 12.4, and will work will all existing
+   telecommunications programs at up to 2400 bps, while providing the
+   necessary interfacing to allow suitably equipped applications to
+   operate at up to 9600 bps.

+ * if you currently own a normal RS232 interface, that interface can be
+   modified to incorporate the new interfacing for 9600 bps operation.
+   (in some cases one line of the old interface has to be disconnected,
+    see note **1 )

+ 9600 bps is the maximum limit this type of technique due to the timing
+ limitations of the C64.  The delay between the activation of the NMI-handler
+ and the falling edge of rxd is too long.  The handler must be called in
+ less than 100 cycles.  That's no problem at 9600 bps, but for 19200 baud
+ (the next higher baud rate), you have only 50 cycles, and that's impossoble
+ (because of VIC-DMA ).  On a C128 in fast mode 38400 baud may be possible,
+ but I don't have a C128, so someone else has to try it out.


+             Schematic of a very simple RS232-Interface:


+   userport                       MAX232         rs232   9pin  25pin
+                               +----------+
+                               !          !
+ (C)    pb0--+                 !          !
+             !                 !    /!    !
+ (B)  flag2--*--------------------O< !---------  rxd     2      3
+             !                9!    \!    !8
+ *7*    sp2--+                 !          !
+                               !          !
+ *6*   cnt2--+                 !          !
+             !                 !          !
+ *L*    pb7--+ <NOTE **1!>     !          !
+                               !  !\      !
+ (M)    pa2--*--------------------! >O---------  txd     3      2
+             !               11!  !/      !14
+ *5*    sp1--+                 !          !
+                 74ls00        !          !
+                 +-----+       !          !
+                 !     !       !  !\      !
+ (D)    pb1-*------>O-------------! >O---------  rts     7      4
+            !   1!     !3    10!  !/      !7
+            +----!     !       !          !
+                2!     !       !    /!    !
+ (K)    pb6--------O<-----*-------O< !---------  cts     8      5
+                6!     !4 !  11!    \!    !13
+                 !     !--+    !          !
+ (1)    gnd------!     !5      !          !---   gnd     5      7
+                7!     !       !          !15
+ (2)    +5V------!     !       !          !     (dsr     6      6)
+               14+-----+       !          !
+                               !          !     (dcd     1      8)
+                               !          !
+                               !          !     (dtr     4     20)
+                       ! !+    !          !
+ (1)    gnd------------! !-----!          !     (ri      9     22)
+                       ! !    2!          !
+                               !          !
+                      +! !     !          !
+ (1)    gnd------------! !-----!          !
+                       ! !    6!          !
+                               !          !
+                       ! !+    !          !
+                     +-! !-----!          !
+                     ! ! !    1!          !
+                     !         !          !
+                     +---------!          !
+                              3!          !
+                       ! !+    !          !
+                     +-! !-----!          !
+                     ! ! !    4!          !
+                     !         !          !
+                     +---------!          !
+                              5!          !
+                               !          !
+ (1)    gnd--------------------!          !
+                             15!          !
+                               !          !
+ (2)    +5V--------------------!          !
+                             16+----------+

+ (x) - connections required for a normal RS232-Interface.
+ *x* - additional connections to go up to 9600 baud.

+ remark: The MAX232 needs 4 capacitors (22uF each)
+         to generate +/- 10volts signals.

+ notes :

+    **1 Some other interfaces use this pin.  In that case you have to cut
+        the connection and change it to new way.  PB7 is normally used to
+        receive the DSR (Data Set Ready) signal from the modem, but this
+        signal isn't supported by all terminal programs.  Because of the new
+        wiring DSR will seem to be active to all 'old' programs, so that
+        there won't be any troubles.


+    Top view of the used ICs:

+         74 LS 00                    MAX232
+         +------+                   +------+
+    inA -!1 \/14!- vcc       +cap1 -!1 \/16!- Vcc
+    inA -!      !-  inC      +cap2 -!      !- GND
+   outA -!      !-  inC      -cap1 -!      !- RS232/txd
+    inB -!      !- outC      +cap3 -!      !- RS232/cts
+    inB -!      !-  inD      -cap3 -!      !- TTL/^cts
+   outB -!      !-  inD      -cap4 -!      !- TTL/txd
+    gnd -!7    8!- outD  RS232/rts -!      !- TTL/^rts
+         +------+        RS232/rxd -!8    9!- TTL/rxd
+                                    +------+
+         4 X NAND
+                                    2 X RS232 transmitter
+                                    2 X RS232 receiver

+       user port (view on C64s backside)

+      1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12   (top)
+     ------------------------------------
+      A  B  C  D  E  F  H  J  K  L  M  N   (bottom)

+         1 - GND       A - GND
+         2 - +5V       B - ^flag2
+         3 - ^reset    C - pb0
+         4 - cnt1      D - pb1
+         5 - sp1       E - pb2
+         6 - cnt2      F - pb3
+         7 - sp2       H - pb4
+         8 - ^pc2      J - pb5
+         9 - atn in    K - pb6
+         10- 9V AC     L - pb7
+         11- 9V AC     M - pa2
+         12- GND       N - GND


  13.  Enhancements

  If you like to tinker with your Commodore to get the best possible
  performance out of it, these suggestions and products may help you
  in your quest.


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

  Since the introduction of the Commodore VIC-20 and the slow serial bus,
  Commodore owners have been plagued by slow disk access.  There are two
  ways to allevaiet this problem, fastloaders and ROM replacements.


  13.1.1.  What is a Fastloader?

  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...


  13.1.2.  What is a ROM replacement?

  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.


  13.1.3.  What are the disadvantages to using a drive enhancement?

  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.


  13.1.4.  What other things can I do to speed up the drive?

  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.


  13.2.  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 (preferrably 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 is now just
  one copy of the product.  Registered users simply receive a 64NET.KEY
  file that enables SAVING.  There is a student discount of AUS$40.00.

  The product is at version 1.68.03 BETA and has 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. The
  IBM programs have link-based helpsystems and will run on any IBM
  machine.  The registered version allows saving of files, wheras the PD
  version does not.

  The registered BETA version is available (with upgrade to final version
  free) for AUS$50.00, while the unregistered version is free.  These
  prices do not include the cable that is required for operation.  The cable,
  program, and more information can be received from Paul Gardner-Stephen at
  [e-mail].  Also, the system can be ordered from:

  In Europe:

  Performance Peripherals Europe
  Germany
  [phone]

  Michael Renz
  [phone]

  And in Australia from:

  Russell Alphey
  [phone] (A/H
  [e-mail]

  Paul Gardner-Stephen
  [phone] (A/H)

  The C128 version is close to completion, as is a version for the C65.


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

  13.3.1.  What is a Ram Expansion Unit?

  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.  The plans are
  at ftp://ccnga.uwaterloo.ca/pub/cbm/hardware.  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.

  If you don't wish to do it yourself, there are people who will do it for
  you, for a fee.  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
  [e-mail] (Contact)
  [phone]

  On a similar note, Software Support International sells a device called
  the 1750 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.

  13.3.2.  What is a geoRAM Unit?

  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 Section 13.3.4 for information.

  13.3.3.  What is battery backed GeoRAM (BBGRam)?

  Battery Backed GeoRam is a products marketed by Performance Peripherals
  International, and distributed by both them and other retailers, like
  LynnCarthy Industries, Incorporated.  The unit is actually a geoRAM
  clone, but has battery backup included within the unit.  The unit can be
  ordered in the following configurations:

  512kBytes     $92.97US
  1MBytes      $123.97US
  2MBytes      $165.97US

  13.3.4.  What is a RAMLink?

  RAMLink (RL) is a RAM expansion devices from CMD.  The RAM in these devices
  can be partitioned into native mode partitions (with dynamically allocated
  subdirectories), or 1541, 1571, or 1581 emulating partitions.  Thanks to the
  15x1 emulating partitions, software does not have to be specifically written
  to run with a RL. The RL devices should appear as a disk drive to most
  programs.  One notable exception is DesTerm v2.00, which does not work
  with the RL.  There are few other exceptions, and no major commercial
  program has a problem running with an RL .  The deciding factor seems to be
  whether or not the program uses a drive's internal ram.  The RL does 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 of it to the 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.

  RL has ts own power sources, separate from the computer.  When you turn
  off the computer, the power to the RL 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.

  If you have a geoRAM, the geoRAM can be plugged into the RL .  the
  geoRAM then acts as an extra piece of ram-based disk storage.

  The RL comes with a very well documented, thorough, and easily
  referenced User Manual.  Contact CMD for more details.

  Nhat-Viet Phi is compiling a list of RAMLink and RAMDrive owners around the
  world.  The resulting list comprises the RAMLink User's Group (RUG), and
  those individuals are called "RUG-Bees".  Email [e-mail] for
  more information or inclusion in the group.


  13.3.5.  What is a RAMDrive?

  The RAMDrive is similar in function to the RAMLink sold by CMD (see
  Section 13.3.4).  The main differences are the smaller amount of memory
  (1-4 MB) and the smaller size.

  At one time, the RAMDrive was sold by CMD, but is no longer available
  through them However, Performance Peripherals, Inc. still sell the
  RAMDrive unit.


  13.3.6.  How do I expand my 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).


  13.3.7.  How do I expand my C64 internally?

  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 Pessi'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.


  13.3.8.  How do I expand my C128 internally?

  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.


  13.4.  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.

  Also, for a quick way to gain a small speed increase, please see Section
  17.2.


  13.4.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's speed?

  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, the only one being currently produced, is also the
  fastest such accelerator for the Commodore 64 to date.  The module,
  which plugs into the expansion port of the Commodore 64, increases
  the CPU processing speed from 1MHz to 8MHz.  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
  onboad.  This product is the successor to the Rossmoeller TurboAccess 4MHz
  accelerator card.  The unit has the capability to provide 10x speed disk
  access via a parallel cable and has a CP/M option.

  GEOS compatible requires the special patches that are available from the
  manufacturer, and games or demos which do very intensive timing or raster
  effects might not fucntion correctly.  At present, the accelerator only
  works on PAL 64s of certain revisions and will not function on a C128 in
  64 mode.  Currenlty, the REU is not supported.

  From the advertisement:

    "FLASH 8 is a GEOS-compatible module for the expansion port with a 65816
     CPU that speeds the C64 to 8Mhz by highest compatibility with existing
     software.  Additionally to the original Commodore Kernal a JiffyDos
     kernal is available. You can choose between two different kernals via
     DIP-switch.  Flash 8 comes either with 256 Kbyte or 1 Mbyte RAM onboard.

     A CP/M-emulator for running Z80-CP/M-Software, a macro-library and
     assembler for the 65816 in native-mode are included."

  The prices are:

  349 DM (~$245.00 US) for the unit with 256kB RAM.
  449 DM (~$315.00 US) for the unit with 1MB RAM.

  It is being manufactured and sold by Discount 2000 and Performance
  Peripherals, Inc.


  13.4.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's speed?

  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
  at this time.


  13.4.3.  Can I speed up other Commodore computers?

  Although it is possoble to accelerate just about any Commodore machine,
  no commercial products exist to speed up other Commodore computers.


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

  Although the Commodore computers once reigned in terms or screen
  rsolution and number of colors available, newer machines have surpassed
  it in both areas.  Depending on whether you want more characters on the
  screen or more colors at one time, these products might help.


  13.5.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's screen resolution?

  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.


  13.5.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's screen resolution?

  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


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

  If you wish to operate serial devices at speeds faster than what the
  internal software emulated UART can handle, you will need to purchase
  a UART interface.  There are a couple of different kinds, and each has
  its advantages.

  To use these hardware UARTs, the appliaction must be written to take
  advantage of the device.

  SwiftLink

  the SwiftLink cartridge is manufactured by CMD and allows speeds up to
  38.4 Kbps.  This device contains a 6551 UART and plugs into your cartridge
  port and supplies you with a standard 9-pin serial port.  You then connect
  the desired modem.  Dialogue128, Novaterm64, and Kermit(v2.2s) support
  the SwiftLink.

  HART Cartridge

  The HART cartridge is a device similar to the Swiftlink in size.  However,
  the HART unit conatins an 8255 UART IC and can handle speeds up to 57.6Kbps.
  The unit is manufactured by Hatronics.

  DataPump

  DataPump is a set of plans used to build a device that functions just like
  a Swiftlink.  The plans are available at many FTP sites.


  13.7.  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.


  13.8.  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.

  C64 Games Port Expander  (Model #8401) 40/80 column converter.

  Switchable, it has 4 independent cartridge sockets plus a 5th switch
  position accessing an 80 col. character set ROM - (limited usability
  because it *apparently* accesses a C64 Ram location which interferes
  with a lot of stuff, I forget where or how) - and a 6th switch position
  independent of the cartridge port for general use stuff.

  It was built into a neat steel housing designed to sit flat on the desktop
  and slide into the cartridge port at exactly the right height.


Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.3.0.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: 3.0
Last-modified: 1995/07/21


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

  Table of Contents (for this file)
  ---------------------------------

   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.  Demonstrations
   9.1.  Just what is a demonstration, or demo?
   9.2.  What does NTSC and PAL mean?
   9.3.  Where do I get demos?
   9.4.  What is a demo competition?
   9.5   What does FLI, DYCP, etc. mean?

  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.  Troubleshooting
  11.1.  What do I do for my ill disk drive?
  11.2.  What do I do for my ill computer?
  11.2.1.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 64?
  11.2.2.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 128?
  11.3.  What do I do for my ill keyboard?

  12.  Modifications and Cabling
  12.1.  How can you alter which side a 1571 reads from?
  12.2.  How do I open a C128 power supply?
  12.3.  How do I make a cable to hook my CBM 1902A to my 64 or 128?
  12.4.  How do I build a simple RS-232 interface cable?
  12.5.  How do I build a 2400/9600 bps RS-232 interface cable?

  13.  Enhancements
  13.1.  How do I increase my disk drive's transfer speed?
  13.1.1.  What is a Fastloader?
  13.1.2.  What is a ROM replacement?
  13.1.3.  What are the disadvantages to using a drive enhancement?
  13.1.4.  What other things can I do to speed up the drive?
  13.2.  How do I expand my disk drive's capacity?
  13.2.1.  What is a Hard Drive?  Who sell them?
  13.2.2.  What is 64NET?
  13.3.  How do I expand my computer's RAM capacity?
  13.3.1.  What is a Ram Expansion Unit?
  13.3.2.  What is a geoRAM Unit?
  13.3.3.  What is battery backed GeoRAM (BBGRam)?
  13.3.4.  What is a RAMLink?
  13.3.5.  What is a RAMDrive?
  13.3.6.  How do I expand my C128 Video RAM?
  13.3.7.  How do I expand my C64 internally?
  13.3.8.  How do I expand my C128 internally?
  13.4.  How do I increase my computer's speed?
  13.4.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's speed?
  13.4.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's speed?
  13.4.3.  Can I speed up other Commodore computers?
  13.5.  How do I increase my computer screen's resolution?
  13.5.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's screen resolution?
  13.5.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's screen resolution?
  13.5.3.  How do I increase other CBM computers' resolutions?
  13.6.  How do I increase my computer's serial transfer speed?
  13.7.  How do I increase my computer's sound quality?
  13.8.  What other ways can I expand my Commodore computer?

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


   8.  Operating Systems

  Most Commodore users aren't aware that each machine has an operating
  system.  Since all Commodore systems come complete with a built in
  operating system and BASIC programming language, the need for an
  operating system is minimized.  However, Commodore's internal OS is
  not always the right tool for the job, so alternate OS systems are
  available for the CBM.


   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.  Demonstrations

  Very few Commodore enthusiasts have never seen a demonstration, yet
  many aren't really sure what one is.  Well, since these programs are still
  alive and strong in the 1990's, we need to answer some of their mysteries
  (but not all of them, as their job is to amaze).


   9.1.  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.


   9.2.  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 operations, 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.


   9.3.  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.


   9.4.  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 somewhat 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.


   9.5   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)
  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


  10.  Emulators

  As time moves on, people move to other computer systems, for business resons
  or otherwise.  However, many still long to play Commodore games, use
  Commodore software, and enjoy Commodore demos.  Thus, emulators were born
  to bring the non-Commodore computer owner the enjoyment of owning a
  Commodore.


  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].

  For those with WWW browsers, the CBM Emulation FAQ is at:

  http://http.ecn.bgu.edu/users/xavf/cbm.ume.faq.toc.html


  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?

  There is a very basic Commodore 128 emulator bundled available for the
  UNIX platform under X.  It is bundled with X64.


  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.  You can also
  emulate a VIC-20 on some machines.


  11.  Troubleshooting


  11.1.  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.


  11.2.  What do I do for my ill computer?

  At times, every computer must be serviced.  As the parts supply of Commodore
  equipment dwindles, servicing becomes harder.  However, there are many
  sources in Section 16.2 that can service your Commodore machine, and here
  are some things you can do to service it yourself.


  11.2.1.  What do I do for my ill 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.


  11.2.2.  What do I do for my ill Commodore 128?

  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.


  11.3.  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, a
    solder iron of some type, 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.

    7a.Unsolder the wires going to the shift-lock key.

    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.


  12.  Modifications and Cabling

  As time wears on, many Commodore owners are turnign to themselves to
  manufacture small interfaces, modify their systems, and perform other
  enhancements.  Here are some common things the user can construct
  himself or herself.


  12.1.  How can you alter which side a 1571 reads from?

  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.


  12.2.  How do I open a C128 power supply?

  First, unplug both leads running from the power supply and turn it upside
  down.  Locate four (4) small circles in the bottom; two are in the corners
  and two in the other end a bit nearer each other.

  Find some sharp tool, e.g. pin or nail.  In turn, poke it inside each of
  the cirles, firmly, and pull the caps off gently. They'll come out easily.
  Breaking the caps should not matter, but there is no need to destroy the
  casing in process.

  Unsrew the 4 Phillips headed srews with an appropriate tool.

  Notes:

  This does not apply to the C64 brick!

  Some 128 power supplies do not have rubber feet; rather, they have "L"-
  shaped extensions on the casing.  The caps on these extensions are not
  made of rubber, but can be removed.


  12.3.  How do I make a cable to hook my CBM 1902A to my 64 or 128?

  Here is the diagram used to make a replacement Chroma / Luminence 40
  column cable, that the 1902A uses, to connect to the 64 or 128.

        _______                             ________
      /    3    \      1.  Not Used        /    2    \    *1. Luminance
     / 2       4 \    *2.  Audio          / 4      5  \   *2. Ground
    !             !   *3.  Ground        !             !  *3. Audio out
    !      6      !   *4.  Chroma        ! 1    6    3 !   4. Video out
    !             !    5.  Not Used      !             !   5. Audio in
     \ 1       5 /    *6.  Luminance      \  7     8  /   *6. Chroma
      \____n____/                          \____n____/     7. Not used
                                                           8. Not used
         1902A                                64/128
                            * Actually used


  12.4.  How do I build a simple RS-232 interface cable?

                          RS-232 interface
|                     <Transistors are 2n2222>
  <24 pin edge connector>
  N <-----------------------+-----------+
                           /            !
          22k         !-!>+             !
  M <----/\/\/--------!                 !
                      !---+             !
          1k               \            !  <male db25 connector>
  2 <----/\/\/--------------+------------>-------------------> 2
                                        !
                      +-----------------+
                       \
                        +<!-!                22k
                            !---------------/\/\/------------> 8
                        +---!
                       /
  H <-----------------+

  E <--------------------------------------------------------> 20

  C <---+
        !
  B <---+-------------+
                       \
                        +---!                22k
                            !---------------/\/\/------------> 3
                        +<!-!
                       /
  A <-----------------+--------------------------------+-----> 7
                                                       !
                                                       +-----> 4
                                                       !
                                                       +-----> 1


  If you are having problems with this circuit as it stands, you may wish
  to modify it in this way to reverse the clock signal:

  Disconnect the emitter and collector on the middle transistor of the
  diagram (the one that goes to the H line on the computer side)
  Connect the collector to pin 2 on the 24 pin edge connector (the 5v Vcc
  line), connect the emitter to pin H on the same connector, then connect a
  1k ohm resistor to the same pin H and the other end of the resistor to pin N
  or A.


  12.5.  How do I build a 2400/9600 bps RS-232 interface cable?

+ A new programming technique makes it possible to acheive 9600 bps on an
+ unexpected Commodore 64 without the use of a Swiftlink cartridge.
+ Daniel Dallmann of Germany is the originator of this technique and is
+ currently writing modem drivers for some of the popular C64 terminal
  emulation programs to take advantage of this new technique.

+ The interface described below is a little more complex than the one
+ in Section 12.4, but has many advantages:

+ * The interface generates proper EIA232 (RS-232) voltage levels.
+   The one in Section 12.4 relies on the ability of most newer RS232
+   equipment to handle lower voltages.

+ * The following interface can be used as a direct replacement for the
+   interface in Section 12.4, and will work will all existing
+   telecommunications programs at up to 2400 bps, while providing the
+   necessary interfacing to allow suitably equipped applications to
+   operate at up to 9600 bps.

+ * if you currently own a normal RS232 interface, that interface can be
+   modified to incorporate the new interfacing for 9600 bps operation.
+   (in some cases one line of the old interface has to be disconnected,
+    see note **1 )

+ 9600 bps is the maximum limit this type of technique due to the timing
+ limitations of the C64.  The delay between the activation of the NMI-handler
+ and the falling edge of rxd is too long.  The handler must be called in
+ less than 100 cycles.  That's no problem at 9600 bps, but for 19200 baud
+ (the next higher baud rate), you have only 50 cycles, and that's impossoble
+ (because of VIC-DMA ).  On a C128 in fast mode 38400 baud may be possible,
+ but I don't have a C128, so someone else has to try it out.


+             Schematic of a very simple RS232-Interface:


+   userport                       MAX232         rs232   9pin  25pin
+                               +----------+
+                               !          !
+ (C)    pb0--+                 !          !
+             !                 !    /!    !
+ (B)  flag2--*--------------------O< !---------  rxd     2      3
+             !                9!    \!    !8
+ *7*    sp2--+                 !          !
+                               !          !
+ *6*   cnt2--+                 !          !
+             !                 !          !
+ *L*    pb7--+ <NOTE **1!>     !          !
+                               !  !\      !
+ (M)    pa2--*--------------------! >O---------  txd     3      2
+             !               11!  !/      !14
+ *5*    sp1--+                 !          !
+                 74ls00        !          !
+                 +-----+       !          !
+                 !     !       !  !\      !
+ (D)    pb1-*------>O-------------! >O---------  rts     7      4
+            !   1!     !3    10!  !/      !7
+            +----!     !       !          !
+                2!     !       !    /!    !
+ (K)    pb6--------O<-----*-------O< !---------  cts     8      5
+                6!     !4 !  11!    \!    !13
+                 !     !--+    !          !
+ (1)    gnd------!     !5      !          !---   gnd     5      7
+                7!     !       !          !15
+ (2)    +5V------!     !       !          !     (dsr     6      6)
+               14+-----+       !          !
+                               !          !     (dcd     1      8)
+                               !          !
+                               !          !     (dtr     4     20)
+                       ! !+    !          !
+ (1)    gnd------------! !-----!          !     (ri      9     22)
+                       ! !    2!          !
+                               !          !
+                      +! !     !          !
+ (1)    gnd------------! !-----!          !
+                       ! !    6!          !
+                               !          !
+                       ! !+    !          !
+                     +-! !-----!          !
+                     ! ! !    1!          !
+                     !         !          !
+                     +---------!          !
+                              3!          !
+                       ! !+    !          !
+                     +-! !-----!          !
+                     ! ! !    4!          !
+                     !         !          !
+                     +---------!          !
+                              5!          !
+                               !          !
+ (1)    gnd--------------------!          !
+                             15!          !
+                               !          !
+ (2)    +5V--------------------!          !
+                             16+----------+

+ (x) - connections required for a normal RS232-Interface.
+ *x* - additional connections to go up to 9600 baud.

+ remark: The MAX232 needs 4 capacitors (22uF each)
+         to generate +/- 10volts signals.

+ notes :

+    **1 Some other interfaces use this pin.  In that case you have to cut
+        the connection and change it to new way.  PB7 is normally used to
+        receive the DSR (Data Set Ready) signal from the modem, but this
+        signal isn't supported by all terminal programs.  Because of the new
+        wiring DSR will seem to be active to all 'old' programs, so that
+        there won't be any troubles.


+    Top view of the used ICs:

+         74 LS 00                    MAX232
+         +------+                   +------+
+    inA -!1 \/14!- vcc       +cap1 -!1 \/16!- Vcc
+    inA -!      !-  inC      +cap2 -!      !- GND
+   outA -!      !-  inC      -cap1 -!      !- RS232/txd
+    inB -!      !- outC      +cap3 -!      !- RS232/cts
+    inB -!      !-  inD      -cap3 -!      !- TTL/^cts
+   outB -!      !-  inD      -cap4 -!      !- TTL/txd
+    gnd -!7    8!- outD  RS232/rts -!      !- TTL/^rts
+         +------+        RS232/rxd -!8    9!- TTL/rxd
+                                    +------+
+         4 X NAND
+                                    2 X RS232 transmitter
+                                    2 X RS232 receiver

+       user port (view on C64s backside)

+      1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12   (top)
+     ------------------------------------
+      A  B  C  D  E  F  H  J  K  L  M  N   (bottom)

+         1 - GND       A - GND
+         2 - +5V       B - ^flag2
+         3 - ^reset    C - pb0
+         4 - cnt1      D - pb1
+         5 - sp1       E - pb2
+         6 - cnt2      F - pb3
+         7 - sp2       H - pb4
+         8 - ^pc2      J - pb5
+         9 - atn in    K - pb6
+         10- 9V AC     L - pb7
+         11- 9V AC     M - pa2
+         12- GND       N - GND


  13.  Enhancements

  If you like to tinker with your Commodore to get the best possible
  performance out of it, these suggestions and products may help you
  in your quest.


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

  Since the introduction of the Commodore VIC-20 and the slow serial bus,
  Commodore owners have been plagued by slow disk access.  There are two
  ways to allevaiet this problem, fastloaders and ROM replacements.


  13.1.1.  What is a Fastloader?

  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...


  13.1.2.  What is a ROM replacement?

  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.


  13.1.3.  What are the disadvantages to using a drive enhancement?

  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.


  13.1.4.  What other things can I do to speed up the drive?

  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.


  13.2.  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 (preferrably 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 is now just
  one copy of the product.  Registered users simply receive a 64NET.KEY
  file that enables SAVING.  There is a student discount of AUS$40.00.

  The product is at version 1.68.03 BETA and has 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. The
  IBM programs have link-based helpsystems and will run on any IBM
  machine.  The registered version allows saving of files, wheras the PD
  version does not.

  The registered BETA version is available (with upgrade to final version
  free) for AUS$50.00, while the unregistered version is free.  These
  prices do not include the cable that is required for operation.  The cable,
  program, and more information can be received from Paul Gardner-Stephen at
  [e-mail].  Also, the system can be ordered from:

  In Europe:

  Performance Peripherals Europe
  Germany
  [phone]

  Michael Renz
  [phone]

  And in Australia from:

  Russell Alphey
  [phone] (A/H
  [e-mail]

  Paul Gardner-Stephen
  [phone] (A/H)

  The C128 version is close to completion, as is a version for the C65.


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

  13.3.1.  What is a Ram Expansion Unit?

  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.  The plans are
  at ftp://ccnga.uwaterloo.ca/pub/cbm/hardware.  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.

  If you don't wish to do it yourself, there are people who will do it for
  you, for a fee.  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
  [e-mail] (Contact)
  [phone]

  On a similar note, Software Support International sells a device called
  the 1750 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.

  13.3.2.  What is a geoRAM Unit?

  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 Section 13.3.4 for information.

  13.3.3.  What is battery backed GeoRAM (BBGRam)?

  Battery Backed GeoRam is a products marketed by Performance Peripherals
  International, and distributed by both them and other retailers, like
  LynnCarthy Industries, Incorporated.  The unit is actually a geoRAM
  clone, but has battery backup included within the unit.  The unit can be
  ordered in the following configurations:

  512kBytes     $92.97US
  1MBytes      $123.97US
  2MBytes      $165.97US

  13.3.4.  What is a RAMLink?

  RAMLink (RL) is a RAM expansion devices from CMD.  The RAM in these devices
  can be partitioned into native mode partitions (with dynamically allocated
  subdirectories), or 1541, 1571, or 1581 emulating partitions.  Thanks to the
  15x1 emulating partitions, software does not have to be specifically written
  to run with a RL. The RL devices should appear as a disk drive to most
  programs.  One notable exception is DesTerm v2.00, which does not work
  with the RL.  There are few other exceptions, and no major commercial
  program has a problem running with an RL .  The deciding factor seems to be
  whether or not the program uses a drive's internal ram.  The RL does 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 of it to the 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.

  RL has ts own power sources, separate from the computer.  When you turn
  off the computer, the power to the RL 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.

  If you have a geoRAM, the geoRAM can be plugged into the RL .  the
  geoRAM then acts as an extra piece of ram-based disk storage.

  The RL comes with a very well documented, thorough, and easily
  referenced User Manual.  Contact CMD for more details.

  Nhat-Viet Phi is compiling a list of RAMLink and RAMDrive owners around the
  world.  The resulting list comprises the RAMLink User's Group (RUG), and
  those individuals are called "RUG-Bees".  Email [e-mail] for
  more information or inclusion in the group.


  13.3.5.  What is a RAMDrive?

  The RAMDrive is similar in function to the RAMLink sold by CMD (see
  Section 13.3.4).  The main differences are the smaller amount of memory
  (1-4 MB) and the smaller size.

  At one time, the RAMDrive was sold by CMD, but is no longer available
  through them However, Performance Peripherals, Inc. still sell the
  RAMDrive unit.


  13.3.6.  How do I expand my 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).


  13.3.7.  How do I expand my C64 internally?

  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 Pessi'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.


  13.3.8.  How do I expand my C128 internally?

  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.


  13.4.  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.

  Also, for a quick way to gain a small speed increase, please see Section
  17.2.


  13.4.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's speed?

  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, the only one being currently produced, is also the
  fastest such accelerator for the Commodore 64 to date.  The module,
  which plugs into the expansion port of the Commodore 64, increases
  the CPU processing speed from 1MHz to 8MHz.  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
  onboad.  This product is the successor to the Rossmoeller TurboAccess 4MHz
  accelerator card.  The unit has the capability to provide 10x speed disk
  access via a parallel cable and has a CP/M option.

  GEOS compatible requires the special patches that are available from the
  manufacturer, and games or demos which do very intensive timing or raster
  effects might not fucntion correctly.  At present, the accelerator only
  works on PAL 64s of certain revisions and will not function on a C128 in
  64 mode.  Currenlty, the REU is not supported.

  From the advertisement:

    "FLASH 8 is a GEOS-compatible module for the expansion port with a 65816
     CPU that speeds the C64 to 8Mhz by highest compatibility with existing
     software.  Additionally to the original Commodore Kernal a JiffyDos
     kernal is available. You can choose between two different kernals via
     DIP-switch.  Flash 8 comes either with 256 Kbyte or 1 Mbyte RAM onboard.

     A CP/M-emulator for running Z80-CP/M-Software, a macro-library and
     assembler for the 65816 in native-mode are included."

  The prices are:

  349 DM (~$245.00 US) for the unit with 256kB RAM.
  449 DM (~$315.00 US) for the unit with 1MB RAM.

  It is being manufactured and sold by Discount 2000 and Performance
  Peripherals, Inc.


  13.4.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's speed?

  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
  at this time.


  13.4.3.  Can I speed up other Commodore computers?

  Although it is possoble to accelerate just about any Commodore machine,
  no commercial products exist to speed up other Commodore computers.


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

  Although the Commodore computers once reigned in terms or screen
  rsolution and number of colors available, newer machines have surpassed
  it in both areas.  Depending on whether you want more characters on the
  screen or more colors at one time, these products might help.


  13.5.1.  How do I increase my Commodore 64's screen resolution?

  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.


  13.5.2.  How do I increase my Commodore 128's screen resolution?

  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


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

  If you wish to operate serial devices at speeds faster than what the
  internal software emulated UART can handle, you will need to purchase
  a UART interface.  There are a couple of different kinds, and each has
  its advantages.

  To use these hardware UARTs, the appliaction must be written to take
  advantage of the device.

  SwiftLink

  the SwiftLink cartridge is manufactured by CMD and allows speeds up to
  38.4 Kbps.  This device contains a 6551 UART and plugs into your cartridge
  port and supplies you with a standard 9-pin serial port.  You then connect
  the desired modem.  Dialogue128, Novaterm64, and Kermit(v2.2s) support
  the SwiftLink.

  HART Cartridge

  The HART cartridge is a device similar to the Swiftlink in size.  However,
  the HART unit conatins an 8255 UART IC and can handle speeds up to 57.6Kbps.
  The unit is manufactured by Hatronics.

  DataPump

  DataPump is a set of plans used to build a device that functions just like
  a Swiftlink.  The plans are available at many FTP sites.


  13.7.  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.


  13.8.  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.

  C64 Games Port Expander  (Model #8401) 40/80 column converter.

  Switchable, it has 4 independent cartridge sockets plus a 5th switch
  position accessing an 80 col. character set ROM - (limited usability
  because it *apparently* accesses a C64 Ram location which interferes
  with a lot of stuff, I forget where or how) - and a 6th switch position
  independent of the cartridge port for general use stuff.

  It was built into a neat steel housing designed to sit flat on the desktop
  and slide into the cartridge port at exactly the right height.


--
Jim Brain, Embedded Systems Designer, Brain Innovations, Inc.  (BII)
[e-mail] "The above views DO reflect my employer, since I am my employer"
Dabbling in WWW, Embedded Systems, VR, Old CBM computers, and Good Times! -Me-
<a href=http://www.msen.com/~brain/>BII, VR, CBM, and personal info</a>