VIC-1001 main board

[mythic66]

Hi,

Does any one knows, if the VIC-1001 might have come with an early VIC-20 board version ? I got a VIC-1001, but the board doesn't look like what we can see on the internet. It has all MPS chips with date code 81, the Kana char from, as well as the Japanese Kernal rom.

thanks,

[Mayhem]

I suppose it's possible, they made regular Vic20 computers in Japan, my PAL Vic is from there.

[srowe]

Could you attach a photo?

[mythic66]

I removed a part of the heatsink as well as the CPU for testing because I have a weird problem.

[nefaurora]

That's actually a very,very Late VIC-1001 board as it's the same identical board for the early Japan VIC-20 PET Keyboard VICs. Fixing the board you have pictured should be relatively easy since everything for it is still out there and available. (can still be found).

Normal VIC-1001 boards look absolutely nothing like your board that you have pictured. They are more simplistic in design with all of the chips in rows in a straight up and down fashion. I will see if I can find a pic and get it up here for you to see. Tony K.

[nefaurora]

Ok, For your viewing pleasure, Out of my own personal Data Files and Pics library, Pictured below is the "typical" VIC-1001 Motherboard, and Extremely Early Japanese VIC-20 Motherboard as well pictured below. Enjoy... Tony K.

[nefaurora]

What's your problem with the machine?? I have fixed more than a few... ) The design of your motherboard is of a "typical" 2-prong Late 1st Gen Vic-20. Very Common....even though it found it's way into a VIC-1001 casing. ;o)

[nefaurora]

Mayhem, They certainly did make Early VIC-20 computers in Japan. It goes like this.. The VIC-1001 was created and sold in Japan by Tony Takai's team and being produced and launched in Japan, and then the order came down from the Commodore hierarchy (Most likely from Michael Tomczyk and Jack Tramiel) to start actual VIC-20 production in Japan on the same VIC-1001 Assembly line... so all they changed in Japan literally was the VIC's label and Character ROM and box cover and then started shipping them to the United States and Canada. Once the first very few first actual VIC-20's had been shipped out of Japan, then VIC-20 Production shifted to Commodore's Santa Clara, California Facility once it was brought online, then later to the West Chester, Pennsylvania Facility. ....And that's how it happened! So, Yes, The very,very First VIC-20's were actually made in Japan on the same VIC-1001 Assembly line concurrently (At the same time.) ) Tony K.

[Mayhem]

Mayhem, They certainly did make Early VIC-20 computers in Japan. It goes like this.. The VIC-1001 was created and sold in Japan by Tony Takai's team and being produced and launched in Japan, and then the order came down from the Commodore hierarchy (Most likely from Michael Tomczyk and Jack Tramiel) to start actual VIC-20 production in Japan on the same VIC-1001 Assembly line... so all they changed in Japan literally was the VIC's label and Character ROM and box cover and then started shipping them to the United States and Canada. Once the first very few first actual VIC-20's had been shipped out of Japan, then VIC-20 Production shifted to Commodore's Santa Clara, California Facility once it was brought online, then later to the West Chester, Pennsylvania Facility. ....And that's how it happened! So, Yes, The very,very First VIC-20's were actually made in Japan on the same VIC-1001 Assembly line concurrently (At the same time.) ) Tony K.

I think what's more surprising is there are PAL Vic20 from Japan. They are all in the 5xxxxx serial number range I believe.

[srowe]

I think what's more surprising is there are PAL Vic20 from Japan. They are all in the 5xxxxx serial number range I believe.

The one I have has a 5xxxxx serial number.