VIC20 WGB9441

History and Preservation Issues

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mrr19121970
Vic 20 Nerd
Posts: 873
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Germany
Occupation: IT service manager

VIC20 WGB9441

Post by mrr19121970 »

Yesterday, my 'new' and now most prized unit in my collection finally arrived. The postman left it on the steps outside my house, thankfully it was not raining and my wife was the 1st one to spot it.

Paper label VIC20 with microgamma keyboard. Serial WG B 9441, mainboard 017140

VIA1 2981
VIA2 3081
VIC1 4181
CHAR 1781
MPU 3381
BASIC 2181
KERNAL 2581

It was bought from the original owner, he bought it new on 'Tottenham Court Road, London' to replace his Commodore PET. He is unclear of the date but believes 'at the launch' of the VIC20

The case is slightly yellowed and could benefit from a clean. It has been stored in the attic for over 30 years. I assume in a box or covered as there is only a fine sprinkling of dust. The mainboard is in what i would call 'pristine' condition. There is only a trace of dust on the heatsink over the cartridge port . Even the carboard RF shield is intakt (I have never seen one before, and was unaware this model even had one).

The only manko seems to be the keyboard. Not one single key works. I tested this keyboard on a C64 to confirm and the C64 on the VIC20 to proove the VIA is OK.

I guess a stripdown will be needed at some stage and applying graphite to the contacts. This is a 'rainy day project' for the future. Update Well it is raining. Keyboard now fully functional.

Amongst the other "items of treasure" obtained:

. Star Battle
. Jelly Monsters
. Adventurelan
. Sargon Chess II
. Mikro Assembler
. Vicit 4 Machine Code Monitor
. BUTI programming aids + 3k expansion
. AM 16k static RAM
. Arfon Micro VIC Expansion (oldcomputr said it's like a 'pimped up VIC1020)
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ral-clan
plays wooden flutes
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Location: Canada

Re: VIC20 WGB9441

Post by ral-clan »

Nice acquisition.

The font name is actually "Microgramma". I love that font. Also used on the Andy Probert re-design of the Starship Enterprise!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgram ... ypeface%29
Image Music I've made with 1980s electronics, synths and other retro-instruments: http://theovoids.bandcamp.com
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rgrocha
Vic 20 Amateur
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:19 pm

Re: VIC20 WGB9441

Post by rgrocha »

Nice one ! ;-)
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mrr19121970
Vic 20 Nerd
Posts: 873
Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Germany
Occupation: IT service manager

Re: VIC20 WGB9441

Post by mrr19121970 »

I have seen WGA9626 is being offered on eBay currently. Also a 9vAC model but VC20 and with a Helvetia keyboard. And WGB14020 also with Microgramma
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