Commodore 128 Part 1: First Inspection and Surprise Enhancements

[@RetroRecipes]

Hey mate, so sorry for keeping you on the phone for so long. Thank you for the shout out! But why didn't you tell me you were in the middle of filming?!! Still waiting for you to call me back. It's been 22 minutes already. BTW why don't you make a Commodore 128 video sometime? Anyway, we should communicate more, or better! Call me back! 😉🕹📱🎶

[@GabrielAndroczky]

Ha ha ha :)) Amazingly funny :D

[@RacerX-]

LOL.

[@matthewsmithau]

Like crossover episodes! Hahaha! Nice work guys!

[@RetroRecipes]

Matthew Smith Thanks!

[@RogerBarraud]

@@matthewsmithau 'twould be better with more Simpsons and Griffins in it though, eh :-)

[@strayblackcatsmeow]

I looked at the Amiga strictly as a game machine and advanced to the 128D that was compatable with all my various drives, light pen and printers only to see all the Commodore publications abandon the 64/128 line and go exclusively Amiga. I can understand how the 128 designers felt.

[@LeftoverBeefcake]

Always wonderful to see another C128 getting some love. It s very underrated commodore machine in my humble opinion. :) Quite the interesting mods in your 128. I have an EPROM in my formerly empty socket called "The Servant" that has a file browser and some other extra stuff. Also it looks like that "Graphics Booster" upgrades the stock 16K of screen memory of the 80 column display to 64K (I also have a similar mod). That's a pretty sweet score for so cheap!

[@JanBeta]

Thank you! Yeah, the graphics booster seems to be a memory expansion basically. Pretty interesting indeed. I'm really looking forward to experimenting with this monster. :)

[@ElectroDrome]

11:18 There is no chip missing - this ist a additional ROM socket for user purpose...

[@flemmingvestergaard8526]

Never use an Amiga PSU on the C128 (or vice versa) even though they share the same connector. It will fry the machines.

[@chippy273]

Are you aware of the sound problems ? Around 8:30 minutes.

[@JanBeta]

I think that was just the RF shielding hitting my tripod accidentally.

[@MarkCisewski]

That board was extra ram so you could use graphics in 80 column mode. graphics booster as it was called here.. I just changed the chips on mine to the upgraded ram. I forgot what size was in there to begin with and what i upgraded it to. THE 128D has this video ram already upgraded in it

[@EduArana]

This was my second machine when i was a kid. My father buy it after the c64. He buy with the 1571. Still at my home, working. A beautiful machine in all the views (inside and outside). Great video as always Jan!

[@tomwilson2112]

Same here. We started with a VIC-20, then a C64. My parents bought me a 128 for Christmas, but I still had to share it with my mother (she used it for some bookkeeping stuff.) When we moved to a new house and I got a room in the detached garage, then I finally got myself a 1571 disk drive... then later a 1581 and 1764 RAM expander. I was in heaven. Right up until my second semester of college, when i started taking programming classes and realized I couldn't do my homework on my Commodore computer. So I sold it all and bought an XT.... which was a piece of junk, even by 1991 standards (by then, the 486 was already on the market, and the Pentium was about to be released.)

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Edu. Really looking forward to trying this thing out. :)

[@JanBeta]

Oh no, an XT really was a step backwards in many respects. :(

[@discoHR]

Nice video, as always. Some info... Empty socket is for utility ROM (TASM, GEOS etc). Your "Graphics booster" is just a VDC 64k RAM upgrade. Chargen mod is factory mod, all 128s passed through my hands had it. You'll probably find a wire mod or two on the bottom side of the PCB, they're factory mods too.

[@discoHR]

When you power it on make sure to have 80 column key disabled (up). You need a special RGBI to SCART cable for 80 columns. This cable can be found on eBay, it comes in two versions: monochrome and colour. Get a colour one. Same cable is needed for VDC upgrade (graphics booster), it only works in 128 mode. I think you'll have wrong colours (orange instead of brown) with just a cable but there are some modern mods which do the RGBI stuff with colour correction (google RGBI brown fix). DIN key just switches to an ugly font.

[@discoHR]

When you get it to display RGBI colour image run the "Risen from Oblivion" VDC demo to see what VDC upgrade (graphics booster) can do. :)

[@JanBeta]

Thanks for the tips! I'm really surprised that the Chargen mod is from factory. Looks pretty crude but I guess they hurried production when they finally finished the design. I actually have a C128 RGB cable somewhere that I got together with an assortment of used cables from eBay. It's the wrong cable for my 8833 monitor so I have to (hopefully) fix the 1084 first... So many projects! Really looking forward to trying the C128 out. :)

[@RogerBarraud]

Do you have (or can you point to) specifics of the factory mods?

[@FernandoelChachi]

30€ is a real bargain. I also bought one cheap for 50€ with some things, but I haven't opened the box where I've got it for lack of room, so your videos about it will be very interesting.

[@JanBeta]

It is! Required quite some time lurking on eBay. I'm really looking forward to trying this machine out. :)

[@KartKing4ever]

Those plastic tabs on the side are the only thing that worry me about opening mine. I am so hesitant to open it because I don't want to break them, even though with them broken it'd make it a heck of a lot easier to open.

[@awilliams1701]

Welcome to retro recipes!

[@KolliRail]

Great! Looking forward to see it running! The scene with the phone call by Chris made me laugh a lot!

[@JanBeta]

Glad you liked the phone call. :) I'm really excited about trying the machine out, too!

[@alexcochrane1966]

monty python, said "and now for something completely different"

[@JanBeta]

Yes! I absolutely love Monty Python! :)

[@Zhixalom]

They also occasionally said "and now for something completely the same"... so I guess you could use both, Jan :D

[@zzmaj]

You can remove graphic boster 128 and solder 64KB ram (same ones from C64c), directly to PCB instead 16KB on board ram , this rom modification are from commodore

[@JanBeta]

Thanks! Found out about the RAM during my research, too. Also about the Char ROM mod. It's hard to believe it's a factory mod because the soldering looks really dodgy. It seems it is, though. :)

[@RogerBarraud]

@@JanBeta What do you expect from 5-year-old slaves? :'(

[@kikoc71]

Hi Jan. Got same (almost) C128 with same Char rom... Strangely mine lacks the red loop wire and found that one of the pins was out of the socket underneath... Can you, please, tell me how the wire loop was attached and if any of the pins was out of its socket? Mine is still got a black screen so a long way ahead of me before it comes back to life (first I´ll socket all main ICs and find some spare ones). Regards from Spain... or Netherlands, depens when you read this!

[@JanBeta]

The little board is an adapter to fit the 28-pin EPROM in the 24-pin socket. The cable is part of that afaik, because the pinout is slightly different for 27xx EPROMs. You might have another little adapter which doesn't use the cable. The pin might also be left free on purpose. Here's a wiring diagram for this kind of adapter: sleepingelephant.com/ipw-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1959&start=15

[@kikoc71]

Super! Thanks a lot for the info. I'll check it and see what I can find. Still a long way ahead of my C128 (actually, I've got two of these... Can't wait to see the green&grey screen back!)

[@Zhixalom]

You can put like an Basic v8 upgrade or FileBrowser6 etc... in the U36, so it is almost like an extra internal cartridge slot. The Display Booster is an extra RAM upgrade for the 80 Column Display.

[@JanBeta]

Nice! Really excited to try stuff out. Fingers crossed the machine works (or I get it working again if it doesn't).

[@Zhixalom]

It's my favourite of the 8-Bit Commodores, I've got 3. I have to do a NTSC to PAL conversion on one of them which already has a lot of mods/upgrades. The casing is a bit battered and looks like plastic marble from a failed retro-brite. So I'm thinking about giving it a hot rod red coat and do the keys in a synthesizer keyboard style (like LukHash)… Pop in dual SID's and 4 potmeters nobs.

[@MindFlareRetro]

Oooo... A Commodore 128 is a great topic. I saw Bil Herd speak at the World of Commodore show here in 2016 - a very interesting guy - someone posted the video if you're interested, kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKnSeqCpd5icaNU. I'm not familiar with that graphics mod. I'm looking forward to this series, especially the PSU build. Oh, that phone call bit was hilarious by the way. 😄

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Mark! I hope to visit some Commodore shows in the future and meet some of my heroes, too. :) At least there's plenty of KZbin videos to watch. The graphics mod seems to basically add screen RAM. Still have to do a bit of research. Fingers crossed the machine works/I get it working. :)

[@mikaras]

Looking forward to seeing more of the c128. We had them at school and was primarily used with Comal80 cartridge for programming courses.

[@JanBeta]

Oh, interesting you had them at school. I think Commodore did quite some marketing in that area in the old days. It surely is a nice machine for schools with its different modes. :)

[@mikaras]

Yeah. I think the main incentive where that Comal 80 was a danish product I also believe that the Comal language had Danish roots(like 'c'), a shame really - we never got to play with the CPM part. :-) I remember the school office also had a 'Piccoline' computer. Also a danish product from 'regnecentralen': rc700.dk/ I don't think anybody really knew how to use it, It was always switched off, but they where present on all Danish schools probably for the same reason - to drive development of Danish computers. I fear all this good stuff ended up in landfills when the PC-10 and IBM PC's took over.

[@samcoupe4608KB]

can it run the z80 in parallel with the 6502MHz?

[@robbiew73]

No - they share the same data and address bus, only one at a time. The 128 CP/M mode used the Z80B 4MHz version running at 2.04MHz.. and would fallback to the 8502 (aka 6510 equiv) when in 64 mode which could run in either 1.02MHz or interesting at 2.04MHz.. you typed GO64 in order to activate C64 mode, or held down the C= key on power-on.

[@samcoupe4608KB]

what a pity so only the bbc model b could have parallel processors apart form the micro command interface for the zx spectrum!

[@robbiew73]

it was never any intention of Commodore to make the system have both CPUs run in parallel.. they wanted to support CP/M and all of the back catalogue of C64 software in a single machine.. which they did.

[@samcoupe4608KB]

yeah but two processors is nice!

[@Zhixalom]

Back then, I did manage to get it to switch to the Z80B without running CP/M. The beginning of the machine code in 8510, then the some Z80B code and finally back to 8510 before returning to Basic. Really just to see if I could figure out how.

[@15743_Hertz]

By the time that the C128 came out, 8 bit processors were long in tooth. The computer would have been a killer had it been released a few years prior. The CP/M mode took advantage of software that had all but disappeared at the time as well. Messy DOS took care of that. I really liked the C128 but "too little, too late".

[@JanBeta]

Yeah, it appeared at the wrong time. Still pretty interesting historically and a weirdly powerful machine. It marks the end of the 8-bit era I guess.

[@15743_Hertz]

You're spot on! MOS introduced a cheap alternative to the 6800 in the 6502 and CBM introduced inexpensive computers starting with the VIC-20. The Apple/AIM/PET/TI-99/Atari computers were costly prior to the C64/VIC-20. I wonder how many people got into programming due to them and uncle Clive's little wonder? When the C-128 came around a decade later, the 6502 was obsolete and everybody else was into 16 bits with 32 bits just around the corner. But it's the 8 bit machines that people still play with and enjoy obsolete or not.

[@eightbit1975]

This thing is a PITA to open, isn't it? I received one in the past week for free with a 1571 drive. Very yellow/brown, but retrobrite solved that problem. And the only thing wrong was a bad 128 BASIC ROM (U33) oddly enough. But it was scary getting the case open. Those tabs on the sides really hold this sucker together with a death grip. So afraid to break them when opening it, which is why I left it open until everything was done and now it is closed...and hopefully I never have to open it again!

[@gosammy1971]

I miss my C128D (first model). I programmed the C128 mode (assembler) and in CP/M Mode (Small C) and had a publication in 64'er special for the 128'er.

[@KennethSorling]

Are you German? Maybe you could help. How the hell do you pronounce the name of that mag? "Vierundsechtzig'er" feels like such a mouthful. Did you call it "Sixtyfour'er" in Germany?

[@gosammy1971]

@@KennethSorling It was called with the german title "Vierundsechtziger" .. the english sixtyfour was not common

[@KennethSorling]

@@gosammy1971 Thanks for clearing that up. I've been wondering for decades. Loved the mag, btw.

[@XAct-6510]

Important to notice that despite it's the same type of connector, you can't use an Amiga powersupply because the pinout is different. You will fry your C128...

[@JanBeta]

Yeah, I don't think it's a good idea to use an Amiga PSU (otherwise I would have tried as I have plenty of those lying around). The pinout is not all that different (the pins supplying 9V on the C128 are 12V on the Amiga, 5V is the same) so it might actually work for a while but I wouldn't recommend it.

[@RogerBarraud]

I definitely wanted one of these back in the day - IMO if the thing had been marketed/priced correctly by the 'Geniuses', it might have sustained the CP/M market for a while... perhaps with a crossover into Z8000 and hence Unix... Alternative Universes anyone? :-)

[@jamesgrimwood1285]

That keyboard shows how in the 80s, before PCs took over nobody had a standard layout for the buttons. Although I would like to know which psychopath put four cursor keys on two buttons, that's always bothered me about early Commodore machines.

[@JanBeta]

Yeah, there definitely are some confusing keyboard layouts from that era. :D My favorite Commodore cursor keys are on the plus/4 btw. Just four arrow-shaped buttons. Simple. :)

[@SpearM3064]

+James Grimwood It wouldn't surprise me if that "psychopath" was Jack Tramiel. Remember, he was all about building things as cheaply as possible. Two keys are less expensive than four keys. Keep in mind that this is the guy who insisted on using BASIC 2.0 to save money. They could have used BASIC 4.0, but it would have required more ROM, which would have cost more. Besides... you already had to hold the SHIFT key (or the C= key) to get the graphics symbols, so it shouldn't be too big of a deal to have to hold the SHIFT key to get CRSR LEFT or CRSR UP. At least, that seems to have been their thinking. If you look at the "PETSCII" codes for the cursor controls, you'll see that's exactly the design philosophy they used. CRSR DOWN is CHR$(17), CRSR UP is CHR$(145). CRSR RIGHT is CHR$(29), CRSR LEFT is CHR$(157). HOME is CHR$(19), CLR is CHR$(147). Holding down SHIFT simply set the 8th bit high (17+128 = 145. 29+128 = 157. 19+128 = 147.) By the time the 128 came out, Tramiel had already bought Atari and left Commodore. The C64 mode was actually something done in secret by the designers... when the executives finally noticed, it was too late to change the design. Otherwise it might not have had backwards compatibility at all.

[@JohnGotts]

It was never an issue in practice for Commodore 64 users.

[@slipknotboy555]

SpearM75503 Yeah, Jack definitely liked things cheap, heh. But hey, the savings were passed on to the customer, at least! (And he wasn't as cheap as Clive Sinclair, for instance, heh). I like his saying about "computers for the masses, not the classes." Could have somewhat been marketing, but still. I also didn't know that about C128! The designers saved the machine for sure, then. If the new management had been smart, they would've just listened to their engineers/designers in the first place

[@RogerBarraud]

@@JanBeta Sure - but they are so small and tightly-spaced that they are more or less unusable :'(

[@stephenbruce8320]

I loved using my C128 and 128D back in the day. I used my 128 to run a C-Net BBS with both a 20GB Data Chief and LT Kernal Hard Drive systems. I had my LT Kernal Hard Drive system connected to a Multiplexer so I could connect up 4 C128's to share the hard drive. It was a crazy time back then but I eventually replaced that system with an Amiga 2000 HD with a 7 Port (I believe 7 Ports) Serial Board and I had that running multiple phone lines. While many consider the 128 a let down because it was not fully 100% compatible with the C64 that was never a problem for me because there were some very good software titles not game related for the 128 put out by Time Works that really made the 128 Shine for me. While I could one in C64 Mode at the time I would just use a C64. CP/M was interesting and I did play with it for a bit because I was very familiar with CP/M but at that time MS-DOS or Messy DOS by Microsloth (yea that's what I have always called Microsoft) was taking over. After moving over to Amiga I sold off all my 8 Bit systems and over time I regretted doing so. When my hands stopped shaking I resumed doing PCB repairs so I bought up a bunch of non-working Commodore Units and brought them back to life. I think you will like the C128 but it does take up a lot of desk space but its a very special machine.

[@JanBeta]

Wow, that's quite an impressive setup! I'm really looking forward to trying out all the things the 128 can do. I already found quite a bit of interesting software online. Pity there's so few games for the C128 mode but there's a lot of serious programs out there for sure!

[@stephenbruce8320]

As I mentioned I used my C128's to run a BBS but I also used them for Productivity Applications for which the 80 Col Display came in very handy where as the 40 Col Displays lacked the screen real-estate for displaying information. If you have to do a lot of typing I think you will find the C128 more attractive as its more comfortable to type on than the C64.

[@AnimalFacts]

I longer for that machine when I was a kid. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@JanBeta]

It's a strange machine but a beauty indeed. :)

[@tomwilson2112]

I had one. It was epic.

[@FernandoelChachi]

Just wondering, did you use it often in the 128 mode or were you always switching to the 64 one?

[@JaySmith-cd1ln]

What a good deal and great video man :)

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Jay. I got lucky (and spend a lot of time lurking on eBay)... ;)

[@svensimon]

What?! That Graphic Booster board is from my hometown! Small world...

[@Horzuhammer]

Thought this was gonna be a crossover-episode when I saw Perifractic's mug. :D Nice cameo anyhow. Never ceases to amaze me how you find those computers for so cheap.

[@RetroRecipes]

Horzuhammer Now that's a good idea!

[@JanBeta]

Thanks! I spend way too much time lurking on eBay until something interesting pops up. No trickery involved. ;)

[@Horzuhammer]

I just recently got my setup: -C64C (+box & manual) -1541C disk drive (+manual) -1530 datasette (+box) -1351 mouse (+box) -Zipstik -803 printer (+box) -SD2IEC -A box of disks and tapes. A couple originals but mostly backups Paid 150€ for the whole schibang. Think I got a pretty sweet deal altogether. Required a lot of patience and a strike of good luck though, must've spent almost a year looking for the right deal.. Commodore was just as massive here as it was over there, but since Germany's got like over 15 times the population of Finland, there's probably some differences between how hard it is to find old stuff like that. It's not rare at all for just a 64C + psu to go for like +80€ around here, so I'm quite happy that I waited. Haven't really followed what people pay for 128s, but I think that'll provide some clue. Not cheap.

[@csabasanta5696]

It's always cheaper when you can find ones without PSU, cables or just 'not tested/was not able to test'. Don't be afraid to haggle and have the skills to build the missing parts yourself.

[@Nguyen_Phuc08]

I have 2 NTSC C128s. Just modded one of them - it uses 2 EPROMs instead of 4 ROMS, also convert it to PAL. Now thinking of using Switchless kernal adapter with it, need to "Google" to see what can be done....

[@JanBeta]

Nice! I think you could probably use bwack's switchless quad kernal adapter (I use in my main C64). :)

[@josephnealescratchcards]

Amazing video as always

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Joseph! Glad you liked it. More to come in the series. :)

[@hanneko3389]

So very nice to see the C128 finally get some attention. The 128 was my first computer and I remember it fondly though as you say, in 64 mode. I was never able to get anything interesting going on in CP/M back in the day. I hope you dive into it a bit once you get yours up and running. Do you have a 1571 sitting about?

[@JanBeta]

No 1571 here yet, but I'll definitely would love to get one some time. So excited to try everything out. Hope the machine works/I get it working!

[@FernandoelChachi]

Now thinking. I've got an original PSU, but I wonder if some power saver exists or could be done for the C128. I haven't seen any and that would be a wonderful video if you could design and make one I guess. In any case I've heard that the C128's PSUs are less prone to fail than the C64's ones. Well, as I haven't got an idea maybe they don't need that and a fuse is enough. Dunno.

[@danielmantione]

It is possible, but not needed. The C128 power supply has internal overvoltage protection, so the chance that it will kill your computer is not really there.

[@JanBeta]

Yes, I think Daniël is right. The C128 PSUs are pretty modern designs compared to the C64 ones. If they fail, they are very unlikely to put out any dangerous voltages.

[@samcoupe4608KB]

super cpu? parallel z80?

[@bit-ishbulldog2089]

The 128 is more nostalgic to me than the 64 as that is what my older brother had and that is what got me into Commodore 64 games.

[@JanBeta]

Nice! I remember having quite some respect towards my neighbor's C128 until I found out that it was used as a C64 mostly and it's superpowers remained unused. ;)

[@francoisleveille409]

You can now replace all 16 DRAM ICs in the C128 with a single static RAM module which consumes only a tiny fraction of the power of the original chips. www.melon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=12439

[@JanBeta]

Nice project (again), sir! :)

[@francoisleveille409]

@@HansCampbell WTF ?? It has nothing to do with TH vs SMT... DRAM is incredibly sensitive to bad voltages and will crap out first if there is any problem with the PSU while static RAM basically lasts forever. Ray Carlsen knows these damn Mt DRAMs die just like old light bulbs. This is certainly the most ignorant comment I have ever read about DRAM in C64/C128.

[@rossdag4232]

hello jan its ross from you know any info on eprom project , any way keep up good re[air surprises i joined patreon last week also. bye

[@philrod1]

Nice eBay score there, Jan, and a great video! I look forward to the rest. I don't think I've ever seen a C128 in action. When I have [time|money|space] (pick any two) I might have to look into getting one.

[@JanBeta]

Thanks! I so hope this thing works/I get it working. Such an interesting machine. :)

[@gunken8870]

;-) witzig Eure gegenseitige Verlinkung "per Telefon" :-) Muss echt schmunzeln :)

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Great video thanks for sharing.

[@JanBeta]

Glad you liked it. More to come in this series. :)

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Jan Beta yes really enjoyed it. I have repaired a few bbc micros in the past. I keep an eye out for old computers but not come across any for a while. If you interred I have a z80 build video on my channel. Regards Chris

[@Venturanu]

Great score for the price, especially with mods included - nice find!

[@JanBeta]

Thank you sir! One of those rare lucky finds on ebay (and quite some hours wasted scrolling through vintage computer auctions)... ;)

[@joshpayne4015]

Man, Chris is so needy on the phone, lol. You both have great channels, keep up the good work!

[@chickenlivers]

Josh Payne I don't think it was real.. Jan never leaves his phone on display in videos usually...

[@RetroRecipes]

I'm not needy! (Jan, call me back!!)

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Josh! :)

[@JanBeta]

Shhhh! Don't tell anybody. ;)

[@vladeb1104]

I would never guess that c128 has had a graphic booster.

[@JanBeta]

From my further research it seems that it's just expanding the video memory. A pretty simple yet effective mod. ;)

[@mrjsv4935]

Nice 128 :) I knew only two guys in the 80's who had C-128, one had 128 like this and another one the updated 128D. Sadly we played with them only in the C-64 mode so I'm not familiar at all how the CP/M or 128 mode look like, hope to see them later in the video series :) I'm from Finland so it was surprise to see 128 with Scandinavian keys, I don't remember if my friends had them or the standard keyboard.

[@JanBeta]

Yeah, I think most C128s were used as C64s with fancier cases sadly. Would have been interesting to see more dedicated software for the system. As far as I know, the CP/M mode is pretty flawed and not very compatible with anything else. I'm excited about trying it out. Hope the machine works/I get it working first though obviously. ;)

[@JeremyLevi]

CP/M mode compatibility is good, but its very slow. To be compatible with the bus the Z80 runs at 2MHz instead of 4MHz or higher like most CP/M machines, plus to make matters worse it has to wait on the 1MHz bus for access to I/O through the CIA chips, so its even slower there. There exists some user software hacks to the included Commodore version of CP/M that help bypass a few of the wait states, but its still fundamentally a very slow CP/M machine compared to others.

[@SteveStoltz]

I always wanted one of those back then. At least until I discovered the Amiga.

[@JanBeta]

Yes, they were really interesting machines back in the day. I remember having a lot of respect towards the C128 my neighbor had until I found out it was just used as a C64 in a fancy case. ;)

[@rossdag4232]

you payed a very good price we in australia pay prenium for uk pounds nearly double ossie dollar price ,i wish i lived in your country jan its cheap there to live. see ya

[@RDJ134]

Great video. I remember a friend of mine had a C128 that looked a Commodore SX64 (one of thos portables with a small screen) but then a 128, and suprisingly i cant find any info on that. I know for 100% sure it whas a 128 cause he had to switch to the C64 mode to play his games. You know more of that type of system that whas??

[@JanBeta]

Mh, never heard of a luggable C128 with a screen. I know there is a desktop version (the C128D) that also comes with a handle and you can clip the keyboard to the bottom. Maybe somebody hacked that system to have a little screen? Interesting stuff.

[@alynicholls3230]

there are some strange one offs and odd balls out there with commodore badges, mainly here in england, i have a proto 128 its a 128 in every way but its in a dark grey breadbin case(c16 style) with the old function keys, the board is socketed (every chip including crystals), and is obviously a low prod run it has no colour resist and silk screen is black, with hand drawn traces, i have only seen one like it on ebay about 6 years ago.

[@RDJ134]

It's very weird indeed, i never seen anything like that again. This whas way back in late 80's that he had that machine, and he whas always bitching about switching to c64 mode and i whas thinking why watch it on a small screen if you can normale play it on the television. With the no info (and your knowledge saying it dont excist and i dont doubt that, your a commodore guru) besides the other system i think some one back in the day did a very impressive hack/mod job.

[@tomwilson2112]

There was never a 128-portable, but as Jan said, the 128D model had a separate keyboard and built-in floppy drive, like a PC. That was really the best of the CBM 8-bit machines.

[@wimwiddershins]

Nice one Jan! Very tidy machine too. Envious & can't wait to see it boot. I bet you have been scouring the internet for C128 dedicated software to run on it. ;)

[@JanBeta]

Not yet actually. I guess I want to spare me the disappointment if I can't get the machine to work. :)

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Dave! Bookmarked for later use (if I get the C128 running). :)

[@tomwilson2112]

The only 128 specific software I ever messed with was a terminal program (I can't remember the name, but it supported the 17xx RAM expanders), and a word processor. I had GEOS 128 as well, but never really made much use of it.

[@RacerX-]

Nice video! I think the C128 is definitely the ultimate 8-bit computer. You can't go wrong. I bought one back in the day to replace my C64, although it never actually did. The original power supplies seem like they weigh more than the computer. I will have to check mine at home to be sure but I thought they were rated at 4 Amps or something like that?

[@JanBeta]

Thanks! According to the pictures I found all over the internet, the original PSUs are rated for 2.5A. There are Amiga PSUs rated at 4.5A though that look very similar.

[@RacerX-]

No Problem, Happy to help a fellow Commodore guy! I checked both of my C128 PSUs, I am in the USA so maybe they are different here but they are both rated at 4.3 Amp on the 5V and 1 Amp on the 9V. The model number is 310416-01. I do have a commodore PSU that came with my 1764 and it is rated at 2.5 Amp. I wonder if pics are mixed up?

[@danielmantione]

There are 3 different C128 power supplies. They all look the same, but they come from different manufacturers: Ismet, Dee-Van and Mitsumi. European C128s normally have a power supply from Ismet, which is 2.5A.

[@RacerX-]

@Daniël Mantione. That makes sense which is why I said that it must be a regional thing possibly.. Most of the ones I have seen in the USA all have a fuse slot on the bottom and they are rated 4.3 Amp. After looking at images of Euro ones, it seems the 2.5Amp ones don't have the fuse slot.

[@Ichinin]

There is a C128 adapter for C64 power supplies so you can use those - this also means that you can use a C64 Powersaver inline if the PSU should blow up. tinyurl.com/y9ghr9xl

[@JanBeta]

Interesting! Thanks for the link. You'd have to use a beefier supply anyway though. I think a stock C64 supply would give up pretty quickly. ;) I plan on maybe doing an adapter the other way around so you can use the C128 PSU on the C64.

[@Ichinin]

I wouldn't know, my powersupply is built into my C128... and it has a Diskdrive too :o)

[@officermeowmeowfuzzyface4408]

"graphic booster" is just RAM expansion for 80-column color.

[@KennethSorling]

I want one! I don't know what I'm gonna use it for, but I want one.

[@remisclassiccomputers341]

There are more C128 software than many people think. For those interested, I've together an incomplete list of commercial released C128 software: rclassiccomputers.com/c128software/

[@JanBeta]

Oh, thanks for sharing! It's pretty difficult to find info on what was available for the C128. Your list is probably the most complete one I have seen so far! Thanks for sharing, I'm going to make good use of it. :)

[@remisclassiccomputers341]

My plan was to have screenshots, box scans and manuals, and D64 images for download. But just takes to long time, just got started.

[@herbmyers805]

Jan I have 10 square DIN if you need one?

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Herb! Jeffrey Birt sent me some a while ago so I have plenty. :)

[@herbmyers805]

I got mine from Birt though eBay Small world

[@ludekstipal6120]

Why do you browse web on a Macbook? You should only browse on a Amiga in these videos! ;)

[@JanBeta]

You're absolutely right of course! Shame on me! ;)

[@georgemargaris]

I had a 128 D, desktop version

[@JanBeta]

Nice! I love the sleek looks of the D version. :)

[@PureAudioTones]

It seems that commodore put a lot of effort in c128 which in turn seems to had a very short life. I am not sure if it was a waste of resources or progress :( Anyway I am looking forward to see what is going to be with this one.And always love power supply making videos :-D

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Umut! I think they sold around 5 million C128s which isn't all that bad. It's a strange machine that was released at a strange time but it still did okay. Most likely the C64 mode saved it from being a total failure.

[@srdwa1]

Hallo Jan, warum machst du alle deine Videos in englisch und nicht in deutsch?

[@JanBeta]

Ganz einfach: Ich erreiche mehr Leute, die die Videos verstehen können. Ich finde es außerdem spannend, mit der internationalen Community vernetzt zu sein. Habe kurzzeitig überlegt, parallel einen deutschen Channel zu machen, aber dafür fehlt mir leider die Zeit. :/

[@davidwright9166]

bis ich deutsch geherrsche, wird englisch geschatzt :)

[@RogerBarraud]

OTOH, a better hybrid might have been 6502+68000... Which would really have been Amiga with a C64 mode, potentially. Or a 3-way perhaps? Cover all the bases (at the time)... Maybe with a V20? Mind you at this stage the 282, IBM AT was about out. What-might-have-been is a complicated pastime... :-)

[@timkovack4713]

Be careful opening up these 128's. There are plastic tabs on the sides of the top case that easily break, kind of like on the Amiga 500 and 600. Though they seem more robust on the 500. I find that using a plastic tool to carefully pry out the top case on the side helps. I've broken a few plastic tabs on my 128's. I cringed seeing you pry open yours! ;)

[@JanBeta]

Yes, I found that out while opening it... Strange construction. My tabs remained intact luckily but I'm gonna think twice before I close it up again. :)

[@jdryyz]

I will be changing my ring tone.

[@JanBeta]

Haha, mission accomplished. ;)

[@tails64dsntchannel8]

Nice!! ebay deals like this are getting harder to come by :)

[@JanBeta]

Yes, took me some days of lurking on ebay. ;)

[@Hutschnur]

I wonder if that's one of the C128 I was unsuccessfully bidding at on ebay :D Schöne Grüße von der Förde.

[@JanBeta]

If I remember correctly (it's been a while since I bought this one) it was Sofortkauf. I just was lucky enough to catch it the moment the auction went online. :)

[@KaroKoenich]

You're up early on this holiday :-)

[@JanBeta]

No holiday in Schleswig-Holstein today, off to work in an hour... Enjoy your holiday! ;)

[@KaroKoenich]

Oopsy daisy... I didn't know yet you're living in Southern Sweden. Looking forward to the next C128 videos. One of my friends had a C128 D back in the days. Man, that thing looked smart. Like the future. Of course we never used the C128 mode on that one either :-).

[@GustoTheGamer]

Look at all these caps

[@xorben1981]

Around 30€??? In what year? 😮 Btw: thanks for the content!

[@JanBeta]

Thank you sir. Got it a couple of months ago, before the move. It required quite some lurking on eBay before it popped up as "buy now" for that price. :)

[@filipmysliwiec1854]

Great content, dude ! BTW I bet u have Polish roots :)

[@JanBeta]

Thanks Filip! I think some of my ancestry comes from the Königsberg area so in a way you are right. :)

[@MiniWarzone]

Very nice sir 👌🏻

[@JanBeta]

Thank you! :)

[@IDPhotoMan]

Chris is awesome lol

[@JanBeta]

He is indeed. :)

[@RetroRecipes]

Chris who?

[@RogerBarraud]

Hopefully Chris' ringtone isn't a Cunning Cunning Plan to demonitize your channel by Copyright striking you ;-)

[@napomania]

too bad no PSU for this :-(

[@JanBeta]

I think it's not going to be a big problem to make one myself. Stay tuned for the next episode in this series. ;)

[@jusb1066]

you didnt even give it a good clean! how non german !

[@JanBeta]

Doing my best to be as un-German as possible, I guess. ;)

[@RogerBarraud]

BTW: Nnnnniiii!!!!!! ;-)

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

Hairy arms...hmmmm.

[@JanBeta]

You should see my legs!

[@twofour8127]

Too much video of your hand. Annoying.