My awesome new modded VIC-20

Schema · Post by **Schema** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:09 pm

I finally found a bit of free time during the holidays, so I blitzed on a long-overdue project to heavily pimp out my VIC20. Here's what it's got:

White keyboard from a 64C
Blue power LED
JiffyDOS
Reset button
Embedded uIEC/CF as Drive#10 with activity LED on the case

Keyboard:

Back of the unit with CF card slot:

With cartridge:

The uIEC and other bits inside:

The new LEDs. The activity LED is especially effective when blinking after an error.

I hadn't expected the uIEC's remaining onboard power LED to be so visible through the case - pretty cool though!

The reset button and JiffyDOS enable/disable switch:

Embedding the uIEC/CF worked really well. Best of all, the serial port on the back of the VIC is still active. So, I am still able to connect a 1541, 1581 etc. as drive #8 and it still works just fine, or I can use it and the uIEC simultaneously.

Plus, I can reprogram the uIEC to any drive# I want, either temporarily or permanently, for the rare multi-load game that expects drive #8.

Thanks to vic user for the 64C keyboard idea, and Dragos for the idea of where to mount the uIEC (as per his 128D).

6502dude · Post by **6502dude** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:14 pm

Very nice!!!

eslapion · Post by **eslapion** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:36 pm

That's a real neat setup.

I thought the uIEC was for SD card only? Are there 2 different versions or is there some SD<->CF adapter in there?

Schema · Post by **Schema** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:40 pm

There are three versions actually:

-uIEC (IDE connector and CF slot, also has IEC port)
-uIEC/CF (CF slot only) - the one I have
-uIEC/SD (SD slot only) - the newest

Jim hasn't set up a proper web page about them yet, but here are some pics of the various models: http://www.jbrain.com/vicug/gallery/uIEC

Post by **Jeff-20** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:22 pm

I could cry... I would commission the creation of such a VIC. How much has been invested here?

Centallica · Post by **Centallica** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:34 pm

Very sweet set-up man!

Would like to see a demo at TPUG sometime on how you did it

Hope that blank label cart represents the MEGACART

Richard James · Post by **Richard James** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:48 pm

That is such a cool setup. I especially like the slot for the memory card.

Schema · Post by **Schema** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:49 pm

Jeff-20 wrote:How much has been invested here?

$50 for the uIEC/CF, and probably $20 for all the buttons, switches, bits of wire and screws and so on. JiffyDOS (if you can get it) costs $20.

It was spread out over several days, but I'm guessing it took about 6 hours total to put it all together (which includes desoldering the old kernal ROM).

Oh, and $5 for the VIC

eslapion · Post by **eslapion** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:50 am

Schema wrote:JiffyDOS (if you can get it) costs $20.

If you ask me, until corporal Randall starts delivering, JiffyDOS is free if you can make your own out of the publicly available ROM image, 12$ from me if you can't and we have all the necessary tools if desoldering the kernal is necessary...

Anyways, these mods are cool. Gives me some ideas for my own FrankenVIC which already has a bunch of things including a hole (joke from WoC2007), keys borrowed from a C16, a freeze switch and a 1/16 slowdown chip.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:08 am

Very nice indeed

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:09 am

Yes, really nice job and finish.

Pedro Lambrini · Post by **Pedro Lambrini** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:42 am

Looks gorgeous. Well done!

Boray · Post by **Boray** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:07 am

gklinger · Post by **gklinger** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:26 am

How is the uIEC attached?

Mikam73 · Post by **Mikam73** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:10 am

Very nice

I didnt know that you can use CF with Vic.