Stupid Pet Tricks - Turn your 1977 commodore PET 2001 computer into a killa game machine!

[@8_Bit]

That PET box is fantastic! Great video Jim, so far anyway :)

[@PhG1961]

A wonderfull trip down memory lane... I remember all those models very well !

[@geekwithsocialskills]

Very cool project! I got a kick out of when you and your daughter played Pong. The end commentary was great! "Jim wins..." then your daughter responds with "boo..." haha. Classic!

[@TranceTrousers]

This was a really enjoyable and informative video. I have a PET 2001-8 and have played some modern games on it, but wasn't aware that some of the old games were so good and so playable. I'd heard of the audio mod but never actually heard it in action before, it sounds pretty good to be honest! For loading software onto my PET I use the SD2PET from The Future Was 8 Bit.

[@rivards1]

That's an amazing haul! Scan, digitize, upload, and archive to Archive . org!

[@allansheldon3909]

Hi Jim, this was a great video. I watched it through to the end and enjoyed every moment. All credit to you for bringing such excellent tech back into the land of the living. Regards, Allan S.

[@tetsujin_144]

The name written inside the PET made me think of my Apple IIc - It, too, was seemingly a "second-hand" machine with one previous owner. Apparently the previous owner bought it in 1984 to help run their hardware store business. The name of the business is scribed into the bottom of the machine, and the monitor has a burn-in pattern like a giant, inverted "L" on the screen - the result of long hours running Visicalc, I think. When I bought the machine I was fascinated by its history, I'd always known the IIc as a home/educational computer or a game machine, so I was very interested in learning what I could of the machine's story as a small-office utility machine (and occasional games machine, when the kids came 'round) - unfortunately I couldn't learn much but I think it was in service for a long time.

[@Dedicatedtolivinginthepast]

I would love to see a version of Dungeon that uses joysticks!

[@MattKasdorf]

Excellent video, thanks! Please keep the joystick info coming, I only knew of two techniques.

[@Keeping_IT_Simple]

Very cool project , thanks for sharing this! Have very fond memories of learning computer science as a teenage student in late 70s on the schools Pet2001. 1500 students , only 1 pet between us !!!

[@andrewjenery1783]

The school I went to acquired one of these in 1979 and had it on display on a table at the head of the assembly hall. I think it was running a version of BASIC if I remember correctly...

[@pjcnet]

The first computer I ever used when my dad bought one home from work on a regular basis, I learned to program in BASIC at the age of 10, I remember a simple game with a moving object you had to shoot.

[@atarimex2643]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing this story

[@christorkildson6472]

As someone who wrote a couple of those programs on the Cursor disks, thank you for bringing back the memory of learning BASIC and writing software for the pure fun of it. A few years later I sold the PET for $100 with half a station wagon full of add-ons and software. Life got a little more boring.

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Wow - do you remember the name of the programs you wrote? I’d love to load them and check them out!

[@christorkildson6472]

Sorry, cursor_issues

[@phreapersoonlijk]

I love your love for this machine, and the former owner's love for it too !!

[@MrMaxeemum]

That's an awesome Pet collection there, loving the DC2N deck. I use a C2N datasette from a C64 connected to my PC through a cheap usb sound card and I can record tap files directly to tape and read tapes back to tap files (search for "1530 usb datasette"). Those games looked brilliant especially for the limited hardware. I had never heard of the CB2 sound before. I am so happy to have found your page. Subscribed immediately.

[@DavidYoud]

Great video Jim, keep 'em coming!

[@acied6200]

Wow this brought back some sweet memories We also had a speaker and a self made joystick I never forget those days

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Nice! Do you remember your favorite joystick game from back then?

[@acied6200]

I think it was called SIEGE Petscii men climbing up your castle, you throwing stones to fight them off

[@pjcnet]

That Galaxian style game is stunning for a Commodore PET, I remember playing Lunar Lander and being amazed, in fact I even played games like Hunt The Wumpus that was text only and was very satisfied, strange how things change.

[@ashtonsretrocomputerroom]

Nice! I was just playing cosmic cosmiads the other day on my 4032.

[@happelsauce]

Hey jim love the videos! i was wondering if you were going to post an update on the new game that you made! really excited to see what it's about !!!!

[@AS-ly3jp]

This is a really cool video! The Tapuino (?) Box is really cool!

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Thanks - I had fun making that box!

[@philippelewis3543]

Great job, thanks for sharing.

[@johnj28]

Cool stuff Jim & Ella!

[@ouethojlkjn]

When these arrived in the UK I was twelve. No amount of saving pocket and paper round money was going to get me one of these. I used to go to the Computer Store and gaze at PETs, TRS80s and NASCOM kits. Four years later I eventually got a Sinclair ZX81 with a 16k RAM pack having been talked out of getting the earlier ZX80 by my math teacher (thanks Mr. Cuffaro) who said it was no good to use with the flashing screen.

[@carlwells9504]

If I had a retro computer shop would totally use one of those as a cash register lol

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Well, Commodore did try to get into the cash register business for a while.

[@rivards1]

The PET 2001 is my grail to complete my Trinity collection!

[@geekwithsocialskills]

Did you ever get a PET 2001 to complete your Trinity collection?

[@rivards1]

@@geekwithsocialskills I DID! But I have yet to get it working. I have video, and I have clock signal, but Im getting a black screen. Bad RAM I think. But I got a nice 2001-8 with a blue bezel.

[@geekwithsocialskills]

@@rivards1 Awesome! Memory failure is the number 1 issue with these early PET machines fro sure! I asked because I've got a lead on a black label 2001-8 and wanted to give you a heads up. There has been some discussions on which one the original PET 2001. blue or black label. IMHO it's still a toss up LOL!

[@rivards1]

@@geekwithsocialskills Thank for thinking of me! Mine has the old 6540 and 6550 ROM and RAM and also had a bad SN4LS04N so it could have all kinds of other things wrong with it too. I need to track down one of those all-in-one RAM/ROM boards to verify the basic system works. My understanding is that the VERY oldest PET has a blue bezel, white tape recorder keys, and a blue label.

[@geekwithsocialskills]

@@rivards1 Not a problem. I would have sent you an email, but your contact details are not on your about page. I do however have my email is on my channel about page. Feel free to reach out to me directly. I've got some other PET stuff that might be of interest to you 🙂

[@MattKasdorf]

I'm having keyboard issues - never checked the pins on the motherboard, D'oh 🤦‍♂️

[@JohnCrawford1979]

The one thing the PET got right was the under the hood form. This is how modern computers ought to be opened, considering upgrading and all around working with the hardware is akin to working under the hood of a car.

[@CityXen]

Sweet PET. You should make more vids!

[@BenM39435]

Very cool! thanks for sharing!

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Glad you like it!

[@swk38]

the program Miner, from cursor magazine 19 would be a good one with the joystick, you'd still have to use the key board for drill and pump

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Thanks - I'll check that game out!

[@swk38]

@@jim_64s8-bitprojects5 it has been one of my favorite games since 1981, it is oddly engaging for me...

[@MichaelDoornbos]

Great job on this video. Easily my favorite PET model

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Thanks. Yes, I love how these PETs look!

[@valentinmagureanu8039]

@@jim_64s8-bitprojects5 nu am

[@fuzzybad]

Great video and nice ebay haul! One small quibble, didn't the "1977 Trinity" include the PET 2001, TRS-80 Model 1, and the Apple I (not Apple II)?

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Thanks! The 1977 Trinity did in fact include the Apple II. The Apple I was released in 1976, but was only the circuit board, requiring the buyer to supply and integrate the rest of the parts.

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

But I did see very early Apple II advertisements stating that they also sold Apple IIs in the motherboard only format!

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Apple_II_advertisement_Dec_1977_page_2.jpg

[@fuzzybad]

@@jim_64s8-bitprojects5 Very cool thanks for sharing!

[@fuzzybad]

@@jim_64s8-bitprojects5 Good to know, I stand corrected!

[@RudysRetroIntel]

Excellent work and video! Do have a favorite joystick schematic? I heard there are several different ways to connect one up

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Not sure what you're asking here...

[@RudysRetroIntel]

@jim_64's 8-Bit Projects Sorry must have been drinking. Lol. I heard that there are different schematics to connect a joystick. Which one did you use or prefer

[@furroy]

great vid! enjoyed it!

[@overtoad]

Not sure I like Pong but I could sit and play the Galaga and Space Invaders one for hours.

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

As far as Pong goes, it’s a good version once you’re using joysticks. I understand not everyone likes Pong!

[@atarimex2643]

Hi! great work. I just finish with putting together my DY kit. Is there a repository of games with joystick implemented? thanks a lot!

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Great! Check out the middle of this page: www.bit-zeal.com/stupid-pet-tricks-instructions

[@OneSwitch]

Superb. Thanks for sharing this treasure trove of information on early joystick access to the Commodore PET. People adopting the Atari joystick standard was good news for a period of time with the widest range of off the shelf controllers. Wish there was still this attitude. I've posted a message on your blog. Would love to talk to you about an unusual PET project I have in mind that ties up with your post here.

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

I replied on the blog!

[@tetsujin_144]

It's funny to me seeing actual games and demos on the PET using PETSCII. I know PETSCII from the C64 but the C64 had real graphics modes (and redefinable character set) so it didn't rely on PETSCII graphics the way the PET did. It was on BBSes and BASIC programs but not so much on "real" software.

[@WinrichNaujoks]

I can't find a Galaxy Invader version without joystick support. Does it exist?

[@RussCottier]

Nice!

[@PaulDriverPlus]

Umm, KIM-1? If Apple's first computer was the Apple-1 then Commodore's first computer, ( released in 1976 ) was the KIM-1. Yes?

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

The 1977 trinity is seen as the first computers the average person could buy, bring home, plug in, and start using. The apple I, Kim 1, and heck - even the raspberry pi, are more single board computers for hobbyists that take extra components to get to a usable computer. Where the line is drawn is a matter of individual definition.

[@lazychemistry]

All metal production 😎🍹

Wow, this ebay seller can be the rare kind who really cares his stuff and want his PET to be in good hands even after selling it. I guess ... Btw, interesting about the "new 16 bit processor from Commodore" part: 65816 (can be found in SuperCPU cartridge, or for example Apple IIGS) was introduced in 1983, which is really a 8/16 bit CPU but as far as I know, not from Commodore (or MOS) but WDC (Western Design Center). It's interesting to hear that according to that manual, Commodore also planned a 16 bit CPU? Maybe they were planned to buy WDC? :)

[@8_Bit]

There was another 16-bit processor being designed by MOS at Commodore. It's mentioned in Brian Bagnall's Commodore history book, and I've seen references to it in either Computer! or Transactor magazines (or both) of the era. It never did get produced though.

@@8_Bit Wow. Exciting! Do you know any documentation on it? I would be very curious to learn more on this! Especially if there is any planned opcode set documented and things like that.

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Yeah, it's obvious the original owner loved this machine. So lucky he saved all this stuff and took such good care of it. I didn't show everything in the video, he even has receipts and notes from two repair jobs over the years! I've talked with him a few times and he even visited the machine at VCFMW 2018!

[@8_Bit]

@ I don't know much more about it, but I do plan to research it more in case there's more info.

@@8_Bit A bit different context the same with the planned 65832 (ie, 32 bit version of 65816) from WDC in this case, what you can find some documentation for, at least. They would call it "terbium" (or what), since then this name was recycled to a prototype board (or what) for 65816 though. But this is a bit special case, as it's not about WDC at all then.

[@Okurka.]

Can it run Crysis?

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Pretty sure that's more than 8k!

[@deepspacepilots]

I think the two thumbs down must be the people you outbid 😂 that would be the the only reason I can think of to downvote this awesome video.

[@chriswareham]

Hi Jim, are those modern Atari compatible joysticks? I'm using a clone of an original Atari 2600 joystick, and now remembering how awful they were! Acquiring a decent, microswitch based alternative is a bit of a priority 😁

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Chris Wareham They are Tac-2 Atari comparable joysticks from back in the day. I never had them as a kid, but they are really great! Not made anymore, so the used ones can be quite expensive.

[@bozimmerman]

Since the Tapuino was loading from #1, I assume you ran the cable to the inside port. Just curious why you didn't hook it up to the #2 port -- I'm assuming it didn't work? I have selfish reasons for asking...

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

If I remember right, when I used the Tapuino on port 2, it messes with the CB2 sound - I think it just stoped all the sound.

[@2010Thex]

I wonder if these cool additions will work on a PET 4032.if anyone knows please let me know :)

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

The 4032 already has sounds, but the joystick interface should work.

[@MattKasdorf]

Let's start a list, what's your chiclet PET 2001-8 serial number? I'm №: ~0030267

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

Chuck on the PET facebook group is keeping the master list!

[@MattKasdorf]

@@jim_64s8-bitprojects5 oh, well, there you go, I'm not a Facebook'er.

[@jim_64s8-bitprojects5]

@@MattKasdorf I'll ask how to get on the registry without The Face Book.

[@johneygd]

Getting more out of less.