Commodore 64 Diagnostic harness

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

And Geeks often build their own geeky tools.

One of the most powerful hardware debugging tool for a non fully functional commodore 64 is the C-64 Diagnostic Assembly Kit (CBM 326070-01) – this software is powerful because it pokes at hardware using a test harness.

Today’s article will discuss how to come up with a hardware test harness solution for that Diagnostic cartridge.

2023/06/122023/10/03 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Diag, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: build your own computer, building, C64, C64C, cartridge, commodore, Commodore 64, computer, datasette, debugging, design, Diagnostic, diagnostic harness, DIY, electronics, engineering, EPROM, expansion, expansion port, fix, game port, Geek, hardware, Harness, Kernal, Kernel, led, memory, microchip, Peter Schepers, planning, port, repair, Retrocomputing, retrogaming, ROM, soldering, Sven Petersen, test, testing, testing rig, tool, tools, user port 5 Comments

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

Simplest Tasmota IoT

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

And geeks enjoy building smart objects.

And sometimes they like to do it in the simplest manner possible.

What is the simplest smart object out there? How about a simple set of buttons, not even connected to relays, lights or anything, just buttons to send buttonpresses to the server.

Today’s article will look at building a very, very simple IoT device.

2023/05/252023/06/23 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, Computers and technology, Geek lounge, Geekyness, Home Automation, HomeAssistant, ProjectsTags: arduino, DIY, Electronic, electronics, ESP-01, ESP01, ESP8266, esp8266-01, GIT, Home Assistant, Home Automation, IoT, minimalist design, simple IoT, soldering, Tasmota, Theo Arends, tiny IoT, tiny-iot

C64’s Programmable Logic Array [PLA chip] and how to make a replacement

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

And geeks don’t always use stock parts when making their projects, even if said project is to build a commodore 64 from scratch.

One of the custom chips found on the C64 motherboard is a Programmable Logic Array (dubbed PLA) which contains combinatorial logic and is responsible for dictating the memorial map of the computer, enabling bank switching. The PLA is the glue logic that holds the Commodore 64 computer.

But the chip is no longer manufactured, so fixing up a broken C64 or building a brand new one require either to source a vintage (used) part, or to come up with a replacement.

Today’s article will explore such a replacement.

2023/05/222023/07/11 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64PLA, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: C64, C64C, commodore, Commodore 64, Daniël Mantionne, Daniel Mantionne, DIY, drop-in replacement, electronics, gal20v8, GALPLA, modern equivalent, pcb, PCBway, PLA, PLA20V8, Programmable Logic Array, replacement, shared project, Simple Programmable Logic Device, soldering, SPLD 1 Comment

Commodore 64 debuging – Diagnostic tools

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

For a geek to repair an old, broken Commodore 64, or to build a brand new one, the best tools are needed when it comes to figuring out defective old chips, broken traces or bad sockets.

Today’s article will discuss the what/how/why’s in diagnosing a defective commodore 64.

2023/05/162024/04/22 by wereallgeeks Categories: 100% Geek, C64Diag, Commodore 64, Computers and technology, Geekyness, Projects, RetrocomputingTags: 1541, C64, cartridge, Commodore 1541, Commodore 64, datasette, Dead test, debugging, Diagnostic, DIY, Electronic, electronics, Peter Schepers, programs, SID, SID chip, soldering, Sven Petersen, tools, utility software, VIC-II 5 Comments