Commodore 64 questions

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:05 pm

Ok got a Commodore 64. I want to know if anyone out on the MB knows were I can get a converter for the keyboard. I've found one that goes to the system but I need the reverse. I'm going to just use the case for my C64 DTV.

Other then that... If anyone has a working 1541 disk drive I'd gladly buy it.

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:10 pm

I don't quite understand what you're saying, you want to hook up a keyboard to your DTV or you want to hook up a second keyboard to your Commodore 64? The one for the DTV is easy, just open it up, there are 3 solder pads you need to connect for a normal PS/2 keyboard, just find the pinouts online for the PS/2 connector and the pads are labeled. Make sure you attach the 5v and ground too. A disk drive is easy too, same thing, different pads. They're labeled as well.

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:17 pm

He wants to use the c64 keyboard on his DTV.

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:26 pm

Oh, I don't think that's possible, it would be a miracle if that thing was an actual PS/2 keyboard in thereâ€¦

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:27 pm

It needs some converter thing, hang on, I'll get a picture from a guy who did it.

EDIT -- Cannot find it.

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:29 pm

What I don't understand is why you're not using the DTV as a portable and the Commodore as your home systemâ€¦

Post by **bicostp** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:31 pm

Couldn't you wire the key switches to the ps/2 keyboard encoder chip? I know it's a stretch but if there are people with the patience to do all the solder joints needed to move a cartridge slot...

(By the way I'm definitely NOT one of those people.

)

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:37 pm

usbcd36 wrote:What I don't understand is why you're not using the DTV as a portable and the Commodore as your home systemâ€¦

Because, sorry to spoil the party, not everything has to be made portable. And its much easier to decode the keyboard than it is to find a small ps/2 keyboard.

Post by **gannon** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:39 pm

well..I think this should help, http://ilkerf.tripod.com/c64tower/

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:49 pm

soundwave wrote:
usbcd36 wrote:What I don't understand is why you're not using the DTV as a portable and the Commodore as your home systemâ€¦
Because, sorry to spoil the party, not everything has to be made portable. And its much easier to decode the keyboard than it is to find a small ps/2 keyboard.

Oh, I thought he wanted to use the Commodore board to make a portable and the DTV to replace the Commodore.

Also, it is fairly simple, just get one of those tiny PS2 keypads (for entering text on the game system) and wire it up with a USB to PS/2 adapter. Those things are about the size of a hacked-up Atari.

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:51 pm

USB/PS2 converters (actual converters, that change the signal, not just line up the pin-outs) cost an arm and a leg.

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:00 pm

What about those little thingies that you get with mice that (yes, I know, change the pinouts) allow you you to use a USB mouse on a computer through the PS/2 ports? And if not that, check www.hackaday.com for the guy that made a typewriter into a keyboard, the keyboard he used had all of the actual switches on one board and the ICs that converted the switches to the signals the computer would accept. That second board was about 1"x3" and all he had to do was wire up the switches in the typewriter to the board. Couldn't that be done with another keyboard of the same style?

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:02 pm

PCs can recieve either code in either port, the DTV needs the PS/2 code in its PS/2 port. And about the Hackaday thing, I'll look into it.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:09 pm

Alright as it seems to be a little confusing. I want to remove the broken guts of the Commodore 64 and put in the working guts of my C64 DTV. I'd like to keep it looking and feeling as much like the orginal as possible by using the orginal keyboard. I know the converter exsists as a guyt that built the SX-64 on mini-itx.com used one. However he didnt return my email.

I found a place called IDE64, they make a tone of cards for using the Commodore 64 with modern tech. But the card they have for keyboard is as I mentioned earlier.

@Gannon I looked at some of the links and they seem dated as they're not there.

Also I can make it portable (without the 1541) by throwing a few batteries in and maybe a screen that I pull out and forward.

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:24 pm

Hmm, I don't think the C64 DTV can have a cartridge slot. You'll have to see about converting the power adapter for the DTV (though you may be able to use a car adapter to go from 12v to 5v (or whatever the DTV takes) and still use the original adapter to convert from the wall voltage. I think you may not be able to wire up a second joystick either, it may be 1 player only. Apart from all that, you should have a nice Commodore system when you're done.