Denial

RobertBe wrote:I'm beginning the restoration of a PET-keyed VIC-20 made in Japan with the serial number of 515188. The 6560 says 4780, but what really gives away the date of the machine is a silver sticker on the inner metal cage that says, "PRODUCED IN 7/81".

If my memory is correct, Commodore created the 6560 with the hope arcade machine companies would buy it and create video games for that circuit.

The VIC-1001 and later on the VIC-20 came into existence when only a few samples were ordered by development labs and Commodore was stuck with a few thousands of these chips they couldn't sell.

It makes sense the first VIC-1001 and VIC-20s would have been equipped with surplus 6560 made in the previous years.

Does anyone have any idea what the last serial numbers were for the PET-keyboard machines?

I just bought serial number V059443, made in USA with PET keyboard. Looks in good cosmetic state - will have to see if it works 'out of the box' when it arrives.

(EDIT: Vendor tells me that it works!)

Clean and tighten the fuse holder before you use it.

Recently there was a WGA17xxx on eBay.co.uk. This suprised me as all mine are < WGA15xxx and > WGA15xxx have Helvetia font keyboards

I will pay attention to the fuse holder. I remember having issues with that in my VIC back in the 80s too!

I also have to source a power supply for this machine but since it is just 9VAC it shouldn't be too hard to find something.

The machine was cheap because the PSU is missing. Apparently the vendor tested it for an hour or two with a borrowed power supply (good to have friends with VICs I guess!)

Any transformer that can deliver 9v AC at 3 amps is fine.

I am kind of excited to find a PET keyboard machine. My first VIC was a two-pronger (PAL version) but was too late for the PET keyboard.

I did try a recent eBay auction, but it went for a lot more money than I could afford . Prices went crazy lately.

This was eBay - I got lucky because it was a "buy now" rather than auction item so I just grabbed it as soon as I saw it!

The seller priced it low (he said) because there is no power supply.

You b... ehm, lucky man!

I am a very lucky girl! The shipping to Canada was more than the purchase price. (eBay rips Canucks off for shipping ...)

Not always. I just bought a C64 for 35 us $ postage with eBay global shipping to Germany. This is 1/2 the price that USPS.com offered.

My postage is $37 Canadian plus $10 import charges. The actual VIC was less than the shipping!
Still, overall, a total bargain I think!

Lucky You, here in Denmark the import fee alone is 24 usd$ + the import tax

Ouch!

Yep, but everyting else is free