Dump a 2364 masked ROM

I’m a geek, you’re a geek, we’re all geeks.

And geeks not only use current and old tech, but sometimes alter them, or archive their content.

No matter the need, it sometimes is interesting to dump the content of a chip to disk in order to use it.

Today we explore how to dump 2364 masked ROM.

2024/04/242024/04/24 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64ROM, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, VIC-20Tags: adapter, BASIC, BASIC ROM, C64, C64C, character, Character ROM, commodore, Commodore 64, commodore computers, DIY, electronics, EPROM, Geek, Kernal, kernal quattro, Kernal ROM, KERNALquattro, Kernel, Masked ROM, PROM, retrocomputer, Retrocomputing, ROM, ROM chip, vc 20, VC-20, VIC 20, VIC-20 1 Comment

DIY C64 WiFi modem

I’m a geek, you’re a geek, we’re all geeks.

And sometimes geeks like to have a modern twist on older technology.

One of the most popular computer of all time was the Commodore 64, and it had a very active online scene. But the concept of online back in the 1980s did not include internet. People would connect computers to one another trough phone lines, connect to BBSes and online servers for news, games, latest demos…

Back in the 1980s, Commodore 64 had a 300 baud modem. Then a 1200 baud modem. The device was modulating and demodulating data into phoneline-compliant audio to transfer information over the phone at 300 and 1200 bits per seconds…

Is there a modern replacement for the old-style modem? can it be built DIY-style? Let’s figure out!

2024/02/132024/03/16 by wereallgeeks Categories: Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: BBS, BYOC64, C64, C64C, commodore, Commodore 64, d1 mini, DIY, electronics, ESP8266, Geek, modem, nodeMCU, telecommunication, terminal, wifi 13 Comments

Using a quad-kernal mod for C64 character ROM?

I’m a geek, you’re a geek, we’re all geeks.

And sometimes geeks repair or build retro computers.

There are ways to replace the various ROMs on the C64, but the various ROM files aren’t all the same size, requiring various sized chips.

Today we look at using a ROM replacement made for larger ROMs such as Kernal and BASIC, on a smaller PROM such as the Character ROM.

2023/12/132023/11/13 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Mods, C64ROM, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: BYOC64, C64, C64C, Character ROM, commodore, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, Commodore alteration, EPROM, EPROM Programmer, kernal quattro, microchip, mod, modding, mods, programming, ROM, ROM replacement

Commodore’s VIC-II chip – Are they interchangeable?

I’m a geek, you’re a geek, we’re all geeks.

And when geeks repair retrocomputers or build them they sometimes need to be imaginative with replacement parts.

The Commodore 64 has been the most successful home computer, and part of why comes from the Video Interface Chip II by Mos Technology.

During the lifetime of the Commodore 64, there has been several revisions of the VIC-II chip.

Why different versions? Are they compatible?

Today we discuss what is the VIC-II chip, why it was revolutionary, and how to interchange them.

2023/10/232023/10/10 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64VIC, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Games, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: BYO, BYOC64, C64, C64C, commodore, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, DIY, electronics, games, Geek, HMOS, HMOS-II, MOS technology, NMOS, retro computer, retrocomputer, Retrocomputing, retrogaming, VIC chip, VIC-II, VIC-II chip, video games

Gamepad controller for ATARI VCS or Commodore 64

I’m a geek, you’re a geek, we’re all geeks.

And geeks play retro video games.

On retro computers.

And sometimes, their retro arcade style joysticks aren’t well suited for the side-scroller platform retro-game.

What is a geek to do then?

Today we look at making – or modding – a gamepad controller that works on the Commodore 64

2023/10/022023/09/06 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Mods, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Games, Geekyness, Retrocomputing, RetrogamingTags: Atari, Atari 2600, Atari VCS, BYO game controller, C64, commodore, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, Commodore alteration, controller, DIY, electronics, Game controller, gamepad, games, Geek, joystick, personalize your commodore, retrogaming, video games