Jimbob! Old computer guru needed!

[Capripete]

I've just got hold of a Commodore 64, (hands up all those who remember them) and it doesnt seem to work. When its switched on , the power light shines brightly for a second then goes very dim. There is a signal being sent to the tv, but its just a blank screen. Any ideas Mr pants?

[Burns]

silly question, but, got a game in?

[Capripete]

No, i need the start up screen to run a game. I did try sticking one on anyway, but no joy.

[Burns]

i assume it goes through the ariel cable and not a scart?

[Capripete]

Yup! All cables have been poked and jiggled about!

[Jimbob-Squarepants ©]

Hhhhmmmmmmmm

 

O.k, the first thing is, are you running it through a modern t.v set with electronic tuning????

 

If you are, go to a channel you don't use and switch the Commodore on. Next, do a manual search to tune in the computer on that channel. Various pieces of equipment such as old computers, vcr's etc. all output at different frequencies, so hoping it will work on your vcr channel isn't always the case.

 

See how you get on, I had a similar problem a little while ago with my old Sinclair ZX81. For some reason, it was slightly out of the T.V's range so the pic was fuzzy. But, I have used Commodores with modern tele's, so you should have no prob's.

 

If that doesn't sort it, try another RF lead (the one that goes from the computer to the aerial socket on the t.v), these do break down over time and you can still by them from places like Maplin's.

 

Let me know how you get on mate

[orionmojo]

i've still got one!

 

about 30 games and it still worked te last time i plugged itin

[Capripete]

Cheers Jimbob.

Ok, so far i'm using a known good RF lead (works on my NES) and i've tuned in the TV. When the commodore is switched on i get a black blank screen up. The power light is bothering me, as the switch is flicked to on it shines brightly, how i'd expect it to, then it goes very dim, so you can just see its on. However the tape player is working, so there is power in the system. Fuse in the power unit is good, as is the fuse inside the commodore. Any more ideas mate?

[Capripete]

i've still got one!

 

about 30 games and it still worked te last time i plugged itin

Gah! Wanna sell it to me? Mine appears to be broken....

[Jimbob-Squarepants ©]

Cheers Jimbob.

Ok, so far i'm using a known good RF lead (works on my NES) and i've tuned in the TV. When the commodore is switched on i get a black blank screen up. The power light is bothering me, as the switch is flicked to on it shines brightly, how i'd expect it to, then it goes very dim, so you can just see its on. However the tape player is working, so there is power in the system. Fuse in the power unit is good, as is the fuse inside the commodore. Any more ideas mate?

 

From memory, the power light does dim after the initial switch on, and if your tape player works the system is powering up.

 

But, if I remember correctly, the tape player shouldn't work unless it is told to, i.e. with the run/load command. Can I ask, what model of 64 is it?? Is it the very early one (Tan case and dark brown keys) or is it the later one (All beige)???

 

One problem that these machines do suffer from is the ROM chip going down. Basically, the blue screen your waiting for (the 64 operating system) is held on this ROM chip. If it fails, you will be left with a blank screen like you are describing.

 

How long have you had it & where did you get it??? The annoying thing is, I have just very recently got rid of a late 64 and a very rare 128.

 

See if you can post a couple of pic's of the power light and the screen

[orionmojo]

i've still got one!

 

about 30 games and it still worked te last time i plugged itin

Gah! Wanna sell it to me? Mine appears to be broken....

 

ask me again in july.

[Capripete]

Jimbob, its an early one, with the dark brown keys. can't find me camera at the mo, but more fiddling shows the only output is a black screen, and the power light is so dim that you can barely see it in daylight, though when the switch is flicked it glows brightly like a TV standby light for a second, then goes dim.