Commodore PET Repair

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A few episodes back on The 8-Bit guy, David restored a vintage Commodore PET Model 4016. However, he left one thing incomplete. The space bar didn't work. Since it wound up in my museum, repairing the Commodore PET has been high on my list of things to do. It's incredibly hard to use the thing with a broken keyboard.
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* Tacklife Rotart Tool: amzn.to/2EBpE84
* Weller Soldering Station: amzn.to/2FJIPMx
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* Grizzly Band Saw: amzn.to/2GLmCyU
* Curved Needle Nose Pliers: amzn.to/2EFz2I4
COMMODORE PET REPAIR ARTICLE:
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[@The8BitGuy]

That's more or less the same repair method I had in mind. Looks like it worked!

[@xander1052]

The 8-Bit Guy the more I hear the more awesome you’re family looks

[@MrGeekGamer]

I had no idea he was your brother but now I know I can see the resemblance.

[@DawnietotheMax]

MrGeekGamer...that they almost sound the same too...🙂

[@AngryDavid808]

Thx for bringing us here.

[@LateGameReviewer01]

and subbed to your bro

[@plankalkulcompiler9468]

WOW! I can't believe that you're David's brother. 2 awesome and important computer ethusiasts at the same family is just an improbable change.

[@jttech6834]

Two and the 8-bit-guy have two amazing channels. I never knew you were brothers.

[@BruceChastain]

what I didn't know you two were brothers! nice job on the repair.

[@bruwin]

Man, you can certainly tell when he goes "Always, always, always take pictures before you disassemble". Sounded just like David right then.

[@Dukefazon]

Bruce Chastain I thik David mentioned the Geek Pub channel once or twice but it took a common childhood computer to bring them together on KZbin :) I guess I’ll subscribe then

[@SofiaFox]

Yes, he has! He used the Geek Pub shop several times involving wood.

[@bredmond812]

Yeah, and their cousin is Dimebag Darrell.

[@Angelgreat]

And Vinnie Paul

[@AirborneSurfer]

Same last name, striking resemblance, same accent... Yeah, I think they're brothers 😁

[@CocoTheMii]

Yep!

[@SmaMan]

They should become the 8-Bit Bros!

[@Dyl_Apple]

Yeah and David said “my brother” a few times,

[@QuickenFixen]

Hey, the PET I donated has once again shown up! I’m so glad both you and David were able to repair it. I found this in an attic at my college’s IT department so I guess they got it when it was new. Thanks for giving it a good home!

[@thegamingconnoisseur4151]

This is by far my favorite donation

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

Thanks for keeping history... it's great to see how computers started out in the home my dad had a vic-20 and commodore 64...though i mostly remember the 64 probably the first computer i ever used...

[@cms1138]

The 9-bit guy

[@MisterHunterRow]

cms1138 *16-bit

[@roberttoews2775]

They call me 1/2-bit guy! :(

[@cataclysmicterrain]

32 bit guy

[@Valentine82]

I've been a subscriber of 8 bit guy for years. After discovering you were David's brother I decided to check out the channel. New happy subscriber here!

[@chops1976]

This is the first time I saw your channel, and I thought I noticed a family resemblance!

[@coffilover]

they are both bald and geeky

[@ilexgarodan]

Hi! Your brother sent me!

[@tbthegr81]

Your voice sounds like David with a cold. (Kinda like a deeper version of David, in some shots ya don't know if yar watching a 8-bit-guy video...)

[@Dyl_Apple]

They’re brothers so it make sense

[@tareva1]

Anyone else here from David's project update? Just subscribed here too.

[@Mayala285]

10:39 My eyes bulged out when i heard that you two are brothers :D

[@TheGeekPub]

Glad I could help with your medical bills! :-)

[@Mayala285]

Much Appreciated :) 👍

[@VictorCampos87]

If this channel had *English subtitles,* I would certainly watch your videos as I do with the videos on your brother channel, because you both have quality content (but *I'm a foreigner and I do not understand spoken English* so well).

[@Bleats_Sinodai]

Use the automatically generated English subtitles (press the letter "C" on your keyboard, if you're watching on a computer). I checked it myself and it's very accurate to what he's saying.

[@caltechchemist2927]

Awesome video, great editing. You and your brother both produce extremely high quality videos, I appreciate it a lot. I remember being introduced to computing from my schools Macintosh Classic II, I want to believe that was the model. My father did some renovations for the school and they gave us one as a gift! Unfortunately a couple years later my mom threw it out for whatever reason. Spent a lot of time playing games on it.

[@TheGeekPub]

Thanks!

[@newagederpderp]

D:

[@yellingcreaturesanta344]

Schools can be a very good indication (not nowadays but back then) of the computer you had as a kid when you were growing up, had you forgotten it. Apparently the one I spent a ton of time on until I was 5 was some unbranded custom built K6/Pentium II computer, which I had no clue on how I could find again since I forgot how it looked aside from having a triangle cutout for the lights which were rectangular. Until one day, when I was in elementary school, I noticed the computers they had looked exactly the same as the one I had as a kid. Only to find out from dad that my grandma bought the computer from the only person in my town who builds and sells computers. I assume they sold the same PCs (or at least cases) to my school. And eventually I found the exact case on eBay, so I rebuilt my childhood PC! Kinda. Still don't know what exact components it had. If you're wondering what happened to the original computer... well, when my grandma passed, it was given to my dad's friend's tech savvy son, and I still have yet to talk to him again and ask if he has it. I genuinely wonder what's on it, and if he still has it, I would not be opposed to paying a good sum of cash for it. I have some very, very strongly nostalgic and emotional ties to it.

[@bengineer8]

4:48 my wood working teacher would have a heart attack if he saw my hand that close to the blades. Not saying you are bad/wrong, just an observation. Also, 200th comment!!

[@DanielFildan]

History of commodore , a lot of facts , printing out steos of reassemble , "semi truck" you are absolutrly same 😂

[@bsvenss2]

Just came from your brother... subscribe!

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Why do I binge watch videos of computers that have been out of circulation for decades?

[@sheilaolfieway1885]

For the nostalgia or maybe you just like seeing the history of computers? or both?

[@Dukefazon]

I just watched David’s video on the old project recaps and found that your voice is quite similar.

[@MrTabs64]

The PET was my first computer too. I learned BASIC on that very machine. At school we had 2 models - The one in your video and the one with the crappy flat keyboard. In fact, that pc started my interest in programming and was the start of my 30 year career in IT as a programmer. So I have very fond memories of that PC. Thanks for the vid.

[@firehog]

The 8 bit guy sent me, I instantly subscribed to your chanel thanks to him. Now, I'll say goodbye to sleep and start bingewatching here...

[@DarkAvatar1313]

Must be talent in the genes, 8-bit Guy, and The Geek Pub and their cousin (My favorite Guitarist, RIP Dimebag Darrell)

[@tiagobandeira125]

got to this channel by "the 8 bit guy", loved the surprise that you are brothers! Great work in your videos! Greetings from Portugal.

[@TheGeekPub]

Glad to have you!

[@01136428]

Found out about you via "the 8 bit guy", watched some of your projects recently (very good). Would be great to see you and your brother do a few videos together! :)

[@EpicLPer]

I never knew David had a brother that's also on KZbin, awesome!

[@jesse_cantcook]

At first I couldn’t believe Him and David are brothers but I believe it now

[@roberthornibrook6344]

Brought back memories of taking apart my PET 20 years ago to fix the V button. Pre-youtube days. Ahh memories.

[@jamieh9351]

David has a brother with a channel about stuff I like. Subbed!

[@alswo9628]

So, this channel and The 8-Bit guy is literally a family channel

[@linushyper300]

Will you make a video with David some time in the future?

[@fnersch3367]

PET was my first too. Got it in 1979 for $750.

[@Arhentir]

Super Bit Bros 8

[@macartm]

Bandsaw to cut some wee bits of plastic? Show off :p Wish I had a workshop like that :D

[@stevensexton5801]

I wish you and your David were my brothers. I would have so many cool vintage computers

[@Renville80]

THE first computer I saw was in 1978 (during my elementary school years), and it was a PET 2001 with the chiclet keyboard and built-in Datasette. The next PETs I saw were in junior and high school, as my school district's computer labs were outfitted with PET 4016s and 4032s. That did not last, however, as the district began replacing them with Apple IIc computers during my senior year.

[@cam_DA_Hawkdriver]

Man, that brought back memories. It seems this is the machine that introduced Oregon Trail to me, green screen and all😀

[@SmithyyGCN]

Lovely to see this repaired. I don't like seeing things broken. :/ Been working on restoration projects of my own. It's fun. You and your brother have taught me that such endeavors are incredibly fun and worthwhile. :)

[@TheGeekPub]

You can do it!

[@SmithyyGCN]

@@TheGeekPub You bet I can! :)

[@quixotika3232]

Does it run Google chrome?

[@ChrisView777]

Love your videos (especially the tech ones) as well as your brother's. Keep it up!

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

Damn, David got alotta cool family members. First he told us his 2nd cousin is Dimebag Darrel and now his brother is this guy!

[@dominic0305]

My school *still* has a Commodore Pet... never got to use it though

[@TheGeekPub]

Tell them I will give it a good forever home.

[@mitsostechtips9047]

Wow, i have subscribed to these awsome channels. THE8BITGUY and THEGEEKPUB. Amazing work!!!

[@SuperYtviewer]

I remember using Cyber73 using punch tape to upload our computer programs on punch tape to the main frame over a dial up modem connected to the TIES computer system in MN. I was amazed at the "little" computers; Apple II, Comodor Pet, and the TRS-80. Thanks for bringing back greats memories. Anyone remember CARDiAC?

[@videogamemusicandfunstuff4873]

It's interesting watching your videos - at times you sound very similar to the 8bitguy in the way you talk. Good job on the repair, and I understand how you feel about the PET and Commodore computers. I had a similar kind of experience with the BBC Micro and Acorn computers.

[@5t0rZ0]

Hello, I recently built a commodore pet mini raspberry pi but iam having trouble. I installed GTK3VICE and did everything I had to but now I dont know what to do. I uploaded a rom to pi called c-pet.vsf its basically a commodore pet rom but when I launched my pi and then installed the rom onto it it launched commodore 64 basic v2 instead of commodore pet v4. How can I fix this? I used vice and do i need to use lr-vice? And when I turn my pi on I see commodore 64 then i click on it and there is the rom but it launches the commodore 64 basic 2v. Thanks if you help me!

[@NomadColossus]

I though you guys sounded familiar! ; )

[@kantrys]

I loved the BASIC sample at the end! Great video.

[@TheGeekPub]

Thanks!

[@MrKlaus314]

Fun fact: I started at school with a Commodore 8032 and started a business in 1983 with a C64 supplied by the client (I couldn't afford one). The software I developed on the C64 ran until the customer died in 2017. I never thought it will run so long. Asked the shop owner to migrate to a Windows solution and he replied "Why? It works fine!"

[@robertgallant6422]

I have a similar story as you for my love of the PET 2001 & C64. My friend's dad was a teacher and had a PET 2001 with the flat "graphics keyboard" and tape drive so this was the first computer I've played on. His dad had it fully upgraded with 16kb of memory.... Later on my brother got a VIC 20 and I eventually got the C64. Man I had so fun on it. I recently (2017) got a C64, no power supply not sure if it even works, my plan is to build a Raspberry Pi/Retropie system with it like you did in your other video. Should be cool and lots of fun. Can't wait to play Jumpman again, hope I can find it. Awesome videos. Thanks!

[@RobBob555]

I BET THIS IS MOST VIEWED VIDEO

[@TheGeekPub]

It's not. Not even close.

[@TheHexCube]

Just found your channel after having watched your brother's for quite a while. I grew up in the 80's, your channels calm my nerves and bring back memories of the best times. You guys are great. Thank you.

[@ynotw57]

Your brother’s channel brought me here. Looks like I’ve got another subscribed channel to enjoy. Great video.

[@Jena-cc6os]

I just came from David’s channel after watching his somewhat recent update video (hey, better late than never!). You both have awesome quality videos, I’m hooked!

[@MisterHunterRow]

"having a PET is awesome, but having one wiz a working keyboard is far more awesome" so should i add a keyboard to my cat or...?

[@TheOriginalJphyper]

"Having a pet is awesome, but having one with a working spacebar is far more awesome." Yeah, if my mother's dog had a spacebar, that would indeed make it more awesome, though some days I think a mute button would be better still.

[@HisVirusness]

I won't lie; I found out about your channel from your brother's citation on his last video. Seeing this video, and a lot of your others, you gained a subscriber. I also envy the arcade machine you built. A lot.

[@BertGrink]

Came just to see how the PET was fixed, but I think I'll stick around and see what else this channel has to offer. :)

[@TheGLGibson]

Aha! I thought you were the 8 bit guy's brother as you talk similarly.

[@jstyxx4110]

You’re lucky, the original had 16 screws, and were Torx I think.

[@greatwhiteretro]

I had a different problem with this keyboard type. The metal bits that held onto the space bar stabilizer kept slipping off the space bar. Since these were pressure fitted, I just wrapped some tape around the metal bits. Took a bit of force to reinsert them, but they stayed put.

[@edgeeffect]

I hardly ever used our 80-column Pet at college but I'd been wanting to use one since I was at school. Once I got my hands on it, it was lovely.... I wanted to take it home and interface it to loads of (I dunno) "scientific instruments" (or something)

[@SlavicBoi]

Your looks and your voice remind me of my favorite teacher Mr. Davidson

[@TechGorilla1987]

This man uses his Phillips screw driver to punch holes in drywall for anchors because its the perfect size. I like the cut of your jib, sir. You guys are eerily similar in voice, and style.

[@thetrashpanda9085]

The 8-Bit Guy sent me over here and I'm glad he did :) Subscribed!!

[@sheep1ewe]

I am pretty sure that those cutted off capslock wires was did on purpose by someone... ha ha

[@mikebell2112]

GeekPub and 8-Bit definitely have similar voices.

[@TanjoGalbi]

@4:25 "I can reattach that". You mean attach, not reattach because those parts you plan to make were never on the keyboard to start with :)

[@gezzuzzful]

dont clean your iron before you put it away.. always keep solder on it.. tips will last longer

[@thejunkman]

7:45 an activator would kick that CA over immediately and it would be fixture tight within seconds.

[@retropixelshow]

How do you like the Tacklife Tool? Bought it myself not so long ago and even if i do not use it that often, it does well.

[@DarkGT]

You talk kind of similar to your brother, who is the older from you?

[@techrev9999]

I started on a commodore Pet when I was 9. Awesome video.

[@shakester2010]

Talk about memories. :) The PET was my first exposure to a computer, I think it was Grade 7 or 8, around 1979 or 1980, Space Invaders!!!! LOL!!! My parents bought me a VIC20 and the 64 as well, WOW!!! Glad to see you're taking care of them and keeping them, that's FANTASTIC!!!

[@TheGeekPub]

I have an entire collection of 8 bit computers! Thanks for the comment!

[@FrancisRobert]

Oh my god... Almost had tears while watching this! So many memories! My first computer was a Vic-20 but I remember watching a weekly tv show where the guy used a PET to teach programming :-) Thanks for this :-)

[@TheGeekPub]

So awesome! Thanks for the comment!

[@araigumakiruno]

watching you give the same feelings when i was watching 8 bit guy

[@ceejayszee]

This guy is fantastic! What's the deal with the Murrays?

[@N2tech]

I have watched dozens of repairs on older computer and they have a ton of screws and no one ever uses a electric screwdriver. Is this a traditional thing or do you like hand cramps? ;-)

[@TheGeekPub]

Thats funny because I seriously thought at least 10 times to go get the impact driver and just never did it. I guess I just like the pain!?

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Well, at the same time, I think it's better to go by hand, since your can feel the torque better, and avoid breaking old plastic

[@The8BitGuy]

I don't in most cases. Electric screwdrivers (or drills) are notorious for stripping out a screw before you have time to react. They can also over-torque and crack the plastic.

[@bluedragon3085]

i use a drill to unscrew screws and a screwdriver to put them back into place

[@maciekuanowicz828]

Damn, i just discovered your channel and after watching second video you just became my new favourite youtuber.. Keep doing it, glad to be there, greetings from Poland!

[@TheGeekPub]

Welcome!!!

[@tensecondtwoii4182]

Great vid. Can you provide info on the music you used?

[@dalerimkunas]

What is the music playing throughout? I like it.

[@TechCowboy]

I'm jealous. Really, really would like to have a PET.

[@gregtheturner]

The 8-bit Guy sent me. And now I'm a fan.

[@futu1983]

Disliked for space in front of the exclamation mark.

[@papuchobello]

I have an IBM model number 5150 my first computer with a green text only screen. wow I feel old now

[@TheGeekPub]

I know right! I am pretty happy I got to experience the birth of modern computing though. It was an incredible time to be alive.

[@clumaster]

commodore actually started out selling typewriters in 1954, the calculator came along a bit later.

[@TheGeekPub]

That's a good point. Thanks for the comment!

[@XerShadowTail]

This is a very nice song! Great work on the repair!

[@Nick-ef8tu]

I still can’t believe the 8 bit guy has a brother

[@jasonknoll5170]

A-ha! I know you two looked alike for a reason!

[@EVRLYNMedia]

i just came from 8bg's latest video

[@philsbbs]

I also did not know you was brothers.

[@console]

You're literally the 8-Bit bro.

[@rodrigobrasiliense5406]

Commodore PET Keyboard Repair

[@RemusPaun]

Your working area is organised and neat.

[@josephcote6120]

In our school we had a little game/contest on the PET. Someone else would flip the power switch on. The challenge was to see how fast you could type ?TI TI was the internal timer counter in Jiffies, 1/60th of a second. The ? command was short for PRINT. The game was how low a count could you get. We were getting times, if I recall properly, of less than 30 jiffies (1/2 second)

[@kd1s]

My first computer was a TRS-80 Model 1 16K Level II - with an expansion interface, disks and TRSDOS.

[@Diggnuts]

After fixing the space bar, perhaps fix your white balance? 9 out of 10 for the rest of it though.

[@TheGeekPub]

Can't please everyone.

[@ralphiwreckit82]

I had about the exact Commodore history. The high school had PETs and when I was a freshman they made a full blown C-64 lab. There was a single PET in the classroom where all the honor student classes where held. I figured out you could poke a value into a register that controlled the frequency of the speaker, I set it at about 17,000 Hz so it could be heard but not localized. I had to turn it off before they destroyed the room trying to find it :)

[@3xP053r]

I just found your channel through David (8-Bit Guy) mentioning this repair in his new video on his previous projects. You have awesome content (rigs, repairs, tools, yay!). You two should be doing this "hidden" sort of collaboration more often, or at least he should have mentioned a lot sooner that his brother also has a very interesting channel.

[@Dukefazon]

Last summer I cleaned and fixed up an Amiga 500. I also had to remove a LOT of screws on the back of the keyboard unit, it was crazy.