We tried a BackSID on our Commodore 64, here’s how it was

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

And when we built a Commodore 64 we needed something to replace the 6581 Sound Interface Device

MOS 6581 “SID” chip is the audible output of a Commodore 64 computer. It was revolutionary when it was released in the 1980s, and made it’s way in synthesizers and gave its sound to the Commodore 64.

This chip has an analog nature, filtering, and could produce 3 simultaneous voices – much better than anything IBM’s “personnal computer” could produce at the time.

When we built the 250466 reproduction board, the SID was borrowed from another C64. That meant one of the two Commodore had no audio output. It meant silent gaming and no music.

Shopping for a SID chip online has it’s share of frustration and getting a genuine, working one isn’t guaranteed. The scarcity of the chip has the side effect of increased pricing. An 6581R4AR like the one borrowed for the build can fetch north of 100$ on auction sites.

The repro chips are a bargain by comparison. And will be much more future proof than 40 years old microchips.

A question remain – Do they sound the same?

2023/09/042023/08/27 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64SID, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: 6581, audio, BackBit, BackSID, C64, commodore, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, DIY, electronics, MOS, MOS6581, MOS6581R4AR, retro, retro computer, retro computing, retrocomputer, SID, SID 6581, SID chip 6 Comments

IC Wing: a neat way for retro microchip modding

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

And geeks often modernize or alter their retro-computers.

Sometimes this imply having to connect new hardware to already existing ones, without proper connectors, and hacking it’s way there.

Today we explore an easy way to add connectors to vintage CPUs and other chips.

2023/08/172023/08/11 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Mods, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: 100% Geek, BYOC64, C64, C64C, commodore, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, DIY, electronics, Geek, IC wing, IRQ mod, mod, modding, PCBway, project, retro, retro computer, retro computing, retrocomputer, retrocomputers

Cleaning retro keyboards

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

And geeks like their retro computers.

But old computers get dirty with age, and needs some cleaning.

Today we explore the dismounting, cleaning, remounting and testing of an old C64 keyboard.

2023/07/312023/11/23 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Key, C64Maintenance, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Keyboards, keycaps, switches and key technologies, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: C64, C64C, cleaning, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, computer, DIY, electronics, fix, fixing up, Geek, isopropyl, isopropyl alcohol, Keyboards, keycaps, switches and key technologies, pcb, repair, retro, retro computer, retro computing, retrocomputer, Retrocomputing 1 Comment

What is a Commodore 64 Magic Desk Cart ?

We recently demonstrated how to build a Commodore 64 cart. This was the basic cart as originally planned on the Commodore 64, but at some point they started to develop larger-than-anticipated carts with multiple different standards; one of which is named Magic Desk.

Today’s article will discuss this standard, how it came to be, and how to build such a cart.

2023/06/052023/07/11 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Cart, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: binary, build your own, build your own cart, C64, cart, cartridge, commodore, Commodore 64, commodore cart, computer, Diagnostic, electronics, EPROM, EPROM Programmer, fast load, game cart, game cartridge, games, Geek, magic desk, pcb, programs, python, retro, retro gaming, retrocomputer, Retrocomputing, retrogaming, script, software, soldering, Sven Petersen, T48, thec64, TL866, tool, tools, tools cart, utility, video games, vintage 2 Comments

Altering Commodore’s Kernal

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

And geeks enjoy their retrogaming.

Sometimes this means building their own computer.

The Kernal, Commodore’s Kernel ROM, has apparently been named Kernal after one of the engineers made a typo on the Kernel name, and all of Commodore Business Machine ran with it, naming it Kernal even in documentations.

Talk about owning their mistakes!

The Kernal is in charge of operating the various aspects of the computer – it is similar to the operating system of modern computing, but is on a chip, on the motherboard. It has routines for loading, displaying and pretty much everything.

And, similarly to today’s OS alterations and mods, Commodore’s Kernal can be modified.

2023/05/292023/07/27 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Mods, C64ROM, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: alteration, assembly, BASIC, build your own, build your own computer, BYO, C64, C64C, commodore, Commodore 64, computer, computers, DIY, electronics, EPROM, games, Geek, hardware, hardware alteration, I adore my 64, instructions, Kernal, Kernel, machine language, microchip, mod, mods, operating system, OS, personalize, personalize your 64, personalize your commodore, programming, retro, retro computer, retro computing, retro gaming, retrocomputer, Retrocomputing, retrogaming, ROM, video games, wereallgeeks 1 Comment