Commodore 64 cassette loading fault repair

In this video I hunt down the solution that repairs the faulty cassette loading on one of my Commodore 64 computers. The cassette motor was running constantly after power on. The machine starts loading, but cannot complete the loading of the cassette.
Commodore 64 is one of the most popular microcomputers ever from the 80´s.
Watch me diagnosing the machine, then trying and failing on different options for fixing the fault. Including replacing the 6510 cpu, CIA chips, kernal rom and transistors (desoldering and soldering). The solution was the easiest one.
I also take a short tour of some of my retro computer collection.
Links:
Sven Petersen´s test harness: github.com/svenpetersen1965/C...
C64 Service manual: www.retro-kit.co.uk/user/cust...
C64 Schematics on Zimmers.net: www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cb...
Music from Bensound royalty free music.

[@AussieMysteries]

Thank you. I have the same issue, I'm going to skip straight to replacing the transistor

[@robertdaone]

I miss my old C64. Loved playing The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Alice in Video Land on cassette back in the 80s.

[@manueldi_77]

So the loading error was caused, because the motor was always on and when the C64 displayed the FOUND PITSTOP it didn't stop. Therefore, the tape was on the wrong position when the C64 started to continue the loading process. Nice video btw.

[@75slaine]

VICTORY, I really felt it when that first transistor didn’t do it. Congratulations 🥳

[@Arcticretro]

Thanks :)

[@bwack]

Great fault finding! And thanks for the room tour. Nice collection.

[@Arcticretro]

Thanks a lot :)

[@jessikapiche6097]

i salute your effort and to think it was just due to 2 transistor not working... i can't believe it.

[@donaldblakley6796]

Hello excellent trouble shooting:) I'm having a similar issue with a 250425 board that I just received . Same cassette port and 6510 bad. The difference is mine datasette won't run. I swapped out the 6510 so far, but now I have alot more to trouble shoot thanks for your video:) kernal, cia.. transistor ect. Thank you. Going to download schematics for my board and go from there. Thank you again ❤

[@donaldblakley6796]

It freaking works! 😲 so happy. It was the zener diode at cr2. :) dang

[@paolopagano5622]

Very nice! A terrific hunt! 🙂

[@A.D.D.808]

Very satisfying fix. Great video.

[@Arcticretro]

Yes it was. Thanks :)

[@RudysRetroIntel]

Thanks for the video and sharing. Excellent troubleshooting

[@Arcticretro]

Thanks :)

[@woolmerc]

Just brilliant video. You are an incredibly smart man. Thankyou!

[@Arcticretro]

Glad you liked it!

[@microbi46]

Nice video, after repairing, is the cassette running continuously?

[@claudioquintanilla1471]

in the beginning, my bet was Zener diode... but I was wrong!!! were the driver xtors!!! it was a pretty fun learning process, thks for your video!!!

[@Arcticretro]

Thanks a lot:)

[@emmettturner9452]

Came here looking for a fix to my Datasette and I see you are collecting big box operating system software. For the last two months I’ve been selling off my life-long big box PC collection after being displaced by a natural disaster (took a direct hit from the strongest part of an EF4 tornado). I’m still listing mostly games but I’ll be listing my big box Windows 3.0 (not 3.1 or 3.11) in the next few days. Just thought you might be interested. :)

[@Arcticretro]

Thanks!

[@stephenwhite506]

I remember having Pitstop2 on cassette and having it take 20 minutes to load.

[@Arcticretro]

I remember Summer games. Every exercise you had to wait for another 15-20 min load :)

[@Arsenic71]

Turbotape FTW!

[@arnolda.lampel6087]

1st things 1st - that RF shielding needs to go -Adrian :-D

[@Arcticretro]

LOL :)

[@pietrodesantis210]

Hi, I am a new member. I have a card with 2 5V inputs and 6 outputs with relays. Everything works fine, but I would like to get 3 inputs at 5V and 5 outputs. The program they associated with the card uses POKE and PEEK. Is there someone who can help me? Peter

[@DJSOP]

I get 0.84V on pin 3 when i checked with the mutimeter setted up at 20V , my datasette do not load any games recorded or original and suddenly freezes at the original tapes, and can only load saved little programs I wrote in basic, like for example for testing my joysticks, I also have problem on Port 1 when I press left on the joystick, its kind of laggy when the program prompts all the other Up right down Fire button works well, i used this program for testing joystick as there is no other way i can load anything: 10 for k=0 to 10:read dr$(k):next 20 data "","up","down","","left","up/left" 30 data "down/left","","right","up/right","down/right" 100 j1=peek(56321):j2=peek(56320) 110 f1=j1 and 16:f2=j2 and 16 120 j1=15-(j1 and 15):j2=15-(j2 and 15) 125 print "j1 "dr$(j1):print chr$(145) tab(20) "j2 "dr$(j2) 130 if f116 then print chr$(145) tab(14) "fire!" 140 if f216 then print chr$(145) tab(34) "fire!" 150 goto 100

[@DJSOP]

I tested the little transistors and shows me 700 value like it does on my new ones i bought, the Tip29C transistor shows me C=481 and E=516 value

[@DJSOP]

All had these been tested with mutimeter on the circuit soldered, the pins of the datasette port i tested like you do at 29:30

[@DJSOP]

Can you help up with some advice what should i do? should i replace tip29C transistor?

[@thecleggs]

Love your videos but 10 sets of ads in a half hour vid is a little too much.

[@Arcticretro]

Thanks. I actually remove some of the ads suggested by KZbin, If you want an ad free experience, you can subscribe to KZbin premium.