Search found 13 matches

by DistantStar001
Mon Feb 26, 2024 10:13 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: What do I need for a NTSC to PAL conversion on a short board?
Replies: 1
Views: 1476

What do I need for a NTSC to PAL conversion on a short board?

So like the title says, I have an NTSC VIC-20 sort board and would like to convert it to PAL since I live in the U.S. and PAL VIC-20s are hard to come by over here. Also, 6561 VICs are far easier to find than 6560s just about any where. In any case, I have a short board missing its ROMs, CPU, VIC, a...
by DistantStar001
Thu Aug 05, 2021 2:16 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: 1541 problem: Not finding files, Killed a VIA on VIC-20?
Replies: 2
Views: 395

Re: 1541 problem: Not finding files, Killed a VIA on VIC-20?

Ok. So I've done some more testing and the drive seems to work (somewhat).  I reseated and swapped the VIAs and got it to work with my other VIC-20.  However, when attached to the first VIC, the drive will spin and the red light stays on even though there is no power to the computer (even when the V...
by DistantStar001
Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:11 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: 1541 problem: Not finding files, Killed a VIA on VIC-20?
Replies: 2
Views: 395

1541 problem: Not finding files, Killed a VIA on VIC-20?

So I just got an old Commodore 1541 (VIC-20 colors, longboard) from my local friendly e-recycler. I can't say that I'm shocked that it has issues (it's missing more than half its screws), but I wasn't expecting it to damage my VIC-20. At first, it seemed to respond correctly. The red light lit up on...
by DistantStar001
Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:51 am
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: Question for users with original hardware
Replies: 11
Views: 896

Re: Question for users with original hardware

When I first got a VIC-20 one of the first things I was told was to get a 32k switching expander. Unfortunately, they were a little out of my price range at the time and I ended up (recently) getting a 16k instead. From what I've seen of modern games and software developed for the platform, much of ...
by DistantStar001
Wed Jan 06, 2021 9:38 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: What color is the border on your (NTSC) VIC-20?
Replies: 8
Views: 974

Re: What color is the border on your (NTSC) VIC-20?

Granted that memories can be slippery and old color tv's were rather notorious for being difficult to get the colors correct, I remember my first VIC (a very early model) as having a distinct tint of green(ish) to the border. For what that is worth. EDIT: (should I also mention I have some colorbli...
by DistantStar001
Mon Jan 04, 2021 5:50 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: What color is the border on your (NTSC) VIC-20?
Replies: 8
Views: 974

Re: What color is the border on your (NTSC) VIC-20?

Can you take photos? Descriptions of color are difficult, so I would not know what difference you are describing. For example, for me, VICE output is not green in any way. Sorry, I forgot. Also, my iPad seems to hate my CRT. I'll try to take some better pictures on an LCD. Also, maybe turquoise is ...
by DistantStar001
Sat Dec 26, 2020 11:57 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: What color is the border on your (NTSC) VIC-20?
Replies: 8
Views: 974

What color is the border on your (NTSC) VIC-20?

So this is a bit of a curiosity that emerged from my previous post, and I was hoping that some of you could shed some light. I presently own two NTSC VIC-20's, both of which display a light blue or cyan border upon bootup. Not the typical teal color you see on VICE. I have also been piecing together...
by DistantStar001
Fri Dec 25, 2020 1:01 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population
Replies: 7
Views: 685

Re: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population

Pictures are below. Maybe someone can clue me in as to which is correct, and how to adjust it? The bottom picture looks more normal. There's a trimmer in the video circuit that can be adjusted. OK! So an interesting discovery! Looking inside the video box, I found three trimming pots. Two plastic o...
by DistantStar001
Thu Dec 24, 2020 8:06 pm
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population
Replies: 7
Views: 685

Re: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population

So I've run into an interesting... not quite problem... More like a difference, and I'm not quite sure which is correct. I got a new (old stock) VIC chip and installed it, and yesterday I stopped by my local electronic recycler where they happened to have a VIC-20 for sale. I bought it figuring that...
by DistantStar001
Tue Dec 22, 2020 3:07 am
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population
Replies: 7
Views: 685

Re: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population

You don't say where you're located That would be helpful. I'm in the bay area, California, USA. Jim Brain sells these http://store.go4retro.com/2364-adapter/ The problem here is that I don't have the ability to program the EPROM, so I guess that puts me back at the original ROMs. Unless someone has...
by DistantStar001
Tue Dec 22, 2020 1:35 am
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population
Replies: 7
Views: 685

Re: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population

It might be some form of thermal fuse, for safety I would replace it with the correctly rated fuse. Not a problem. Also, I'm guessing that I should leave my other VIC the way it is. Do you want to use original ROMs or would you settle for an EPROM in an adapter? The latter is an easy and cheap opti...
by DistantStar001
Tue Dec 22, 2020 1:04 am
Forum: Hardware and Tech
Topic: VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population
Replies: 7
Views: 685

VIC-20 Motherboard repair/questions/PAL conversion/IC population

So I recently got this motherboard for an early (assuming due to the glass capacitors) two-prong VIC-20. I was told it works (at least it would if it were populated with all its missing IC's) with the exception of a bad power switch. I've repaired the switch (just some gummed up flux that was sticki...
by DistantStar001
Mon Dec 21, 2020 5:55 pm
Forum: Announcement Board
Topic: For new users - make a post or say hello
Replies: 66
Views: 29889

Re: For new users - make a post or say hello

Hello out there!!! DistantStar001 here. I got my first VIC-20 a couple of years ago, after having the hardest time getting a working C64 (lots of boards that would work for a few days then conk out on me). My VIC-20 is an older model (two-prong with a PET style keyboard and gold label). I honestly d...