Commodore USA Remaking the C64

[phyzik]

http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/111/1116901p1.html

For many gamers, nostalgia is spelled C, O, M, M, O, D, O, R, E. The company that made floppy disk gaming cool hopes to capitalize on its place in pop culture with the new Commodore All In One (AIO) line, which includes the PC64 -- a computer that looks like the old C64, but runs like a new rig.

The original 8-bit Commodore 64, the successor to the VIC-20, launched in 1982 and went on to become the best-selling PC of all time. Commodore USA is hoping to rekindle the magic with the AIO line of keyboard computers and the PC64.

http://pcmedia.gamespy.com/pc/image/article/111/1116901/c64_1283199512.jpg

"The legacy of the Commodore C64, which sold over 30 million units, making it the best selling computer of all time, and our reintroduction of this legendary form factor, combined with the world's most recognizable consumer electronics brand, is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Barray Altman, Commodore USA's president and CEO said in a statement. "We look forward to bringing these new products to market, and welcoming a whole new generation of computer users to the Commodore experience."

Available this holiday season, the PC64 features an exact replica of the original beige C64 chassis. Under that old-school hood, the PC64 is powered by an Intel Atom 525 CPU with NVIDIA Ion2 graphics, 4GB DDR3 memory, 1TB Hdd, HDMI, DVD/CD optical drive (Blu-ray optional), dual-link DVI, six USB ports, integrated 802.11n WiFi, bluetooth and a six-in-one media card reader.

No specifics on the release date or pricing information were announced.

[ChumpDumper]

That's pretty cool.

[Wild Cobra]

I wonder if my old Floppy drive I modified in the 80's will still work with it? Just pulled it out of the closet:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x262/Wild_Cobra/Misc/IMGP0642.jpg

[ChumpDumper]

omg is that your bed?

[lefty]

2.66 GHz Intel Core I7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512 MB, 2 TB hard drive, 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, BLU RAY drive. Available late 2010



http://www.commodoreusa.net/i//AMIGA-fantasyB_3_2_3.jpg

[clambake]

I wonder if my old Floppy drive I modified in the 80's will still work with it? Just pulled it out of the closet:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x262/Wild_Cobra/Misc/IMGP0642.jpg

where's the velvet elvis print?

[koriwhat]

i don't understand the appeal of the new commodore systems.

btw, that render up there is hilarious! who the fuck uses a floppy drive these days and who the fuck is going to care about using the amigaOS?

[lefty]

i don't understand the appeal of the new commodore systems.

btw, that render up there is hilarious! who the fuck uses a floppy drive these days and who the fuck is going to care about using the amigaOS?
Workbench 1.3 FTW !!!!!!

[Wild Cobra]

2.66 GHz Intel Core I7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512 MB, 2 TB hard drive, 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, BLU RAY drive. Available late 2010



http://www.commodoreusa.net/i//AMIGA-fantasyB_3_2_3.jpg
In the A500 I had, I desoldered the 512k memory and installed 2 megs. Removed the 8572A Agnus chip and replaced her with the 5872B that they put in the A3000. I had 2 megs of chip memory in an A500 after changing the appropriate jumpers. Withe the 20 MB HD and RAM it would hold, I had a sweet A500. I sold it when I bought my A4000, and wish I didn't. I don't think anyone else ever modified an A500 like that.

It's out there somewhere.

[MannyIsGod]

omg is that your bed?

[lefty]

In the A500 I had, I desoldered the 512k memory and installed 2 megs. Removed the 8572A Agnus chip and replaced her with the 5872B that they put in the A3000. I had 2 megs of chip memory in an A500 after changing the appropriate jumpers. Withe the 20 MB HD and RAM it would hold, I had a sweet A500. I sold it when I bought my A4000, and wish I didn't. I don't think anyone else ever modified an A500 like that.

It's out there somewhere.
Damn :wow


The only upgrade I made on my Amiga 500 was adding 500k to it :lol

[Wild Cobra]

i don't understand the appeal of the new commodore systems.

btw, that render up there is hilarious! who the fuck uses a floppy drive these days and who the fuck is going to care about using the amigaOS?

Nobody would use the old floppies unless they wanted to transfer old files. All you need is a 3-1/2 format. they have a 1.76 mbyte in Amiga format, but Amiga will read and write 1.44 DOS format.

as for AmigaDos...

Better than windows!

[Wild Cobra]

Workbench 1.3 FTW !!!!!!
Workbench went way beyond 1.3 before the company crumbled. It became a real sweet system. I keep meaning to fireup my only 3.x system that has the Cyber643D graphics card in it, and use it with my new 24" monitor. It stops at 1800 wide, but I can display 1800 x 1200 no problem on my very old Amiga.

[lefty]

Nobody would use the old floppies unless they wanted to transfer old files. All you need is a 3-1/2 format. they have a 1.76 mbyte in Amiga format, but Amiga will read and write 1.44 DOS format.

as for AmigaDos...

Better than windows!
Workbench 1.3 :lobt2: :lol


By the way, did you know that the 1st official UEFA Champion's League Intro (which looked great back then) was created on a motherfucking Amiga ???? :hat

[CuckingFunt]

omg is that your bed?

Kind of makes sense, now, that Wild Cobra bangs strippers and stalks chicks on Google Maps.

[Wild Cobra]

Kind of makes sense, now, that Wild Cobra bangs strippers and stalks chicks on Google Maps.
Take things out of context much?

[CuckingFunt]

Neither of that happens. take things out of context much Cunt?

You didn't once post that you were dating a stripper?

You didn't once post that some chick you didn't know got creeped out because you tracked down her house on Google Maps?

[Wild Cobra]

You didn't once post that you were dating a stripper?

You didn't once post that some chick you didn't know got creeped out because you tracked down her house on Google Maps?
Like I said, take things out of context much?

Yes, I have dated exotic dancers. Once you know someone on the inside, you get to know others. As for the map thing, there was a girl that posted pictures of her new house. It had her address clearly visible in one photo. I showed her she should remove the photo because someone could find her. Yes, I did it in a stupid way, but I did prove my point, and she removed the photo.

I shouldn't have to defend such actions.

Just how spiteful are you?

[CuckingFunt]

Like I said, take things out of context much?

Yes, I have dated exotic dancers. Once you know someone on the inside, you get to know others. As for the map thing, there was a girl that posted pictures of her new house. It had her address clearly visible in one photo. I showed her she should remove the photo because someone could find her. Yes, I did it in a stupid way, but I did prove my point, and she removed the photo.

I shouldn't have to defend such actions.

Then why are you?


Just how spiteful are you?

Spiteful? Not even a little bit. Merely made an observation that the fuzzy animal print made sense based on your previous posts.

[Wild Cobra]

With Ubuntu... I may have to get one for nostalgia.

[lefty]

Atari ST owners have calf tats

[Wild Cobra]

Then why are you?[QUOTE]
Because of what people read into others words, and may not have read those past posts.
[QUOTE=CuckingFunt;4617579]Spiteful? Not even a little bit. Merely made an observation that the fuzzy animal print made sense based on your previous posts.
That goes beyond observation.

[koriwhat]

Atari ST owners have calf tats

haha! i have never owned an atari nor do i own an atari. btw, you're a shitty troll!

i did however own a 3do.

[Ignignokt]

i don't understand the appeal of the new commodore systems.

btw, that render up there is hilarious! who the fuck uses a floppy drive these days and who the fuck is going to care about using the amigaOS?

Sometimes i think Jay and silent Bob fucked each other and birthed you.

[Ignignokt]

haha! i have never owned an atari nor do i own an atari. btw, you're a shitty troll!

i did however own a 3do.

Is that like a triple sized dildo?

[lefty]

haha! i have never owned an atari nor do i own an atari. btw, you're a shitty troll!

i did however own a 3do.
I wasnt referring to you

[koriwhat]

Is that like a triple sized dildo?

13 yrs old... brother let him borrow "jay and silent bob" a week ago... just found out what a dildo was yesterday while he searched his mother's drawers for a pair of undies to sniff.

[velik_m]

Speccy > C64
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/ZX_Spectrum%2B.jpg/800px-ZX_Spectrum%2B.jpg

[lefty]

Speccy > C64
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/ZX_Spectrum%2B.jpg/800px-ZX_Spectrum%2B.jpg


Damn the ZX :lmao

[MiamiHeat]

WildCobra reminds me of Quagmire

giggity giggity goo

[MannyIsGod]

Like I said, take things out of context much?

Yes, I have dated exotic dancers. Once you know someone on the inside, you get to know others. As for the map thing, there was a girl that posted pictures of her new house. It had her address clearly visible in one photo. I showed her she should remove the photo because someone could find her. Yes, I did it in a stupid way, but I did prove my point, and she removed the photo.

I shouldn't have to defend such actions.

Just how spiteful are you?

I agree. Stalking should be above reproach, regardless how dreadful your bed is.

[Wild Cobra]

I agree. Stalking should be above reproach, regardless how dreadful your bed is.
There you go again, proving you absolute stupidity. This was not stalking.

You should stop the personal attacks against me. They all are failures. At least be kind to others, and use an appropriate thread rather than keeping one hijacked.

[Sense]

There you go again, proving you absolute stupidity. This was not stalking.

You should stop the personal attacks against me. They all are failures. At least be kind to others, and use an appropriate thread rather than keeping one hijacked.

http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/lolumad-57503.jpg

[Ignignokt]

13 yrs old... brother let him borrow "jay and silent bob" a week ago... just found out what a dildo was yesterday while he searched his mother's drawers for a pair of undies to sniff.

32 yrs old, male secretary, holds his hair in a bun with a pencil and undoes said bun when pleasuring his boss orally.... just found out has no gag reflex while gobbling client's dicks for more tshirt sales.

[Wild Cobra]

Back on topic.

If anyone has an A500 with a revision 6A motherboard, I can tell you how to give it 2 megs of chip ram without the modification sold in the past. All on the motherboard.

I posted the instructions back in '92 on a BBS, but I doubt we can find that now.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x262/Wild_Cobra/Misc/A500-6Amotherboardmod.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x262/Wild_Cobra/Misc/A5006Ajumpers.jpg

[phyzik]

i don't understand the appeal of the new commodore systems.

btw, that render up there is hilarious! who the fuck uses a floppy drive these days and who the fuck is going to care about using the amigaOS?

unless you work in an IT department, you have no idea how many systems still require floppy drives.

For instance, even some of todays computers require a floppy drive to load RAID drivers when reloading the OS. At my place of business alone, there are data gathering modules that connect through serial ports on PC's. Who the fuck uses serial ports now? They do.

Im talking about multi-million dollar contracts that range from simple helmet testing to the NASA Columbia crash, to even higher levels of shit I dont have access to. I knew what happened to the Columbia almost a year before the official release... To this day, NASA has a contract where they continue to test different materials fired at different angles at NASA equipment. I just cant talk about shit like that (well, I can about Columbia since its been released, but there are other things that havnt been released to the public) because I am under contract and could easily lose my job, if not be put in jail, if I disclosed some of the shit I see on a day to day basis at Southwest Research.

I will readily agree, its fucking sad that they still use "antiquated" systems for data logging. In fact, today they had to do a liquid flow test for some shit I dont understand... The computer was Windows 2000 and they wanted it back on the network.... I got in a big ass arguement because we just cant have windows 2000 on the network anymore... its a security risk now and wont work with the new network cluster we have setup which has been updated to support Windows 7, and well, Windows 2000 is over fucking 10 years old!!! Microsoft doesnt even support it anymore!!!

We have told these fuckers for 3 months, they need to upgrade.... Its a fucked up system they have there... They readilly buy the hardware, thats not the problem.... The problem is getting them to buy a new enterprise license for an upgraded version of the software and a new data collection unit.

For this particular project, the software license is about $2500 a year and to get an upgraded data collection unit thats compatible with just Windows XP would cost upwards of $10,000 per unit. unfortunately, thats not in the budget right now :rolleyes

So, here I am having to argue this shit with a guy/girl that has a MASTERS degree and they cant understand the simple fact that its just not feasable to do what they want.






OK... Sorry for going off on a rant, I just got fed up today and had to vent. :lol

My point was, Floppy is still required in some situations, and I have already told my boss about the new commodores... We have "loaner" systems that we let people use when we have to reload their machines.... These would be SO much easier to lug around than a big ass 20-40lb desktop tower, and we have an enterprise license of XP and 7 so we could reload them with that in a snap.

I swear, the workstations Dell is putting out now HAVE to be made out of lead (the cases). They are fucking heavy!!

[phyzik]

Back on topic.

If anyone has an A500 with a revision 6A motherboard, I can tell you how to give it 2 megs of chip ram without the modification sold in the past. All on the motherboard.

I posted the instructions back in '92 on a BBS, but I doubt we can find that now.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x262/Wild_Cobra/Misc/A500-6Amotherboardmod.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x262/Wild_Cobra/Misc/A5006Ajumpers.jpg

I might have to dig out my Amiga to try this shit. Not sure if its the same though.... Havnt looked at it in years.... Pretty sure its an A500 though.

[Wild Cobra]

It's not always that simple to upgrade. Some software simply is too complex to port over to a different system. As for security, most businesses don't have access from the outside to all subsystems.

[phyzik]

It's not always that simple to upgrade. Some software simply is too complex to port over to a different system. As for security, most businesses don't have access from the outside to all subsystems.

Ohhh. Trust me, I know... I would be the one doing the upgrading.... Thats not the problem.

The software is there, they just need to purchase a new license and the hardware that goes with it.

As far as "most businesses" I can understand if you might not have heard of Southwest Research. Hell, I just thought they tested on Monkeys for the longest time.... Its one of the biggest contractors for the government in just about anything.... Boeing, NASA, Michelin tires, Castrol oil, and many other huge companies contract Southwest Research to test (and develope) their products. Almost all contracts are government funded.... this is not some small company... The institute is probably 1,200 acres, not including the biomedical station across the street or the few remote locations around the country... The main institute where I work at provides nearly 2 million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops and offices. That facility alone in 2009 created a revenue of almost $600 million from what I remember. And this is a non-profit orginization.

The problem is they just dont want to spend the money on the licensing and shit, yet they have no problem purchasing $6000 workstations that they use to check email and play solitair. Sometimes they occasionally render shit in Pro/E or Solidworks....

Its fucking infuriating!!! :bang:ihit

On the whole though, I wouldnt trade my job for anything short of winning the mega millions (it pays well and is a VERY lax environment.... Drinks with the devision lead during lunch? fuck yes!!!), SwRI is pretty interesting if you want to look it up and maybe, if you are qualified, can apply for a possition. I dont think they are hiring right now but if you get in, you will see shit that will blow your mind...

http://www.swri.org

Research areas include:

Aerospace Electronics and Information Technology

Applied Physics

Applied Power

Automation and Data Systems

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research

Fuels and Lubricants Research

Geosciences and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Signal Exploitation and Geolocation

Space Science and Engineering

Training, Simulation, and Performance Improvement

[Wild Cobra]

I might have to dig out my Amiga to try this shit.
Double check a few things first. I reconstructed this modification mostly from memory without an actual rev 6A in front of me. I found the photo that I cropped and modified on line, along with schematics. When I did this, I carefully verified actual connections. I'm pretty sure I'm right, but cannot guarantee it.

Verify that the top right pad of the 2x4 pads goes to pin 35 of Agnus and the top left goes to pin 48 of the 68000 (Address A20). Pin 35 is the external clock for the "A" version, but A20 for the "B" version. It's hard to read the online schematic I found, but Agnus pin 56(?) is the /RAS1 for the 2 bank memory, 8 256k x 4 chips for 1 meg, and /RAS1 isn't used for just 1 bank of 4 chips. /RAS0 is. With the (B) Agnus, it is DRAM address 9 (DRA9). This should go to pin 2 of U35 if I read the schematic right.

You see, you can simply add four 256k x 4 memory to it and have 1 meg chip memory. Only /RAS0 is needed for 1 bank.

The 2x2 jumper changes should reroute /RAS0 (after latching though the 74F244 U35, pin 15 to 5) from the occupied bank of 256kx4 pin 4 to the unoccupied bank pin 4 where the 1 meg x 4 will be placed. What was /RAS1 (8372A) is A20 (8372B), latches through the 74F244 U35, 2 to 18, rerouted to pin 5 of U16 to U23. In the first bank, U16 to U19, pin 4 and 5 are connected, so the 1meg x 4 memory cannot be used there. The 256k x 4 memory chips pin 5 is NC, but A9 for the 1 meg x 4.

A500 rev 6a and rev 7 schematic (http://www.shiftreload.com.au/users/4x4/schematics/A500_R6a_7.zip)

JDEC memory pinout (http://www.rambus.org/legal/ftc/Evidence/JX0056.PDF) goto PDF page 77

A500 board photos (http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/a500)

[Wild Cobra]

Phyzik...

How much does the software licensing run for the number of systems they would need?

I've see platform changes fuck things up before. maybe without knowing for certain, they want to stick with the devil they know?

[Wild Cobra]

SwRI is pretty interesting if you want to look it up and maybe, if you are qualified, can apply for a possition. I dont think they are hiring right now but if you get in, you will see shit that will blow your mind...

http://www.swri.org

I doubt it would blow my mind. I worked rapid research and development for four years in the semiconductor industry making CMP equipment when it was still new technology. We had a skunkworks project at our location on our prototype equipment for Copper IC interconnect development in 1995, long before copper was used commercially. I was probably the first person in the world to do a CMP process on 300mm oxide wafers of various types, in 199... 1996, maybe 1995. I forget now. I have already worked on the cutting edge. Best job satisfaction I ever had, but stressful at times. I earned a few gray hairs, and haven't received any more since leaving the company in 1998.

Unless they have a Portland area office, I'm not interested. This is home for me.

[phyzik]

Phyzik...

How much does the software licensing run for the number of systems they would need?

I've see platform changes fuck things up before. maybe without knowing for certain, they want to stick with the devil they know?

The software license would be an enterprise license... meaning we could install it on as many systems as we want.... The company is devided into devisions... which are then devided into sections... Each section is responsible for their own budget, which then is governed by a division lead... There are almost 20 divisions in the institute, each specializing in a certain field.

The problem lies in the fact that our network just cant support Windows 2000 anymore. Not only does it not WORK on the network (Windows 2000 wont be able to see our shared drives), it would be a security liability even if we COULD get it to work. Microsoft doesnt even support it anymore. We cant afford to have a windows 2000 machine on the network.... There are no more security updates for it.

The software they now use is over 10 years old. They need to upgrade. bottom line.

We ran into a similar problem with Windows NT and "let it go" back in 1997 or so... We had to spend 12 hours, just in our division, cleaning computers of the CIH virus (Chernobyl virus) back in 1998. Then again in 2003 with the Blaster Virus.... Then again in 2007 (at this point about 96% of our system where running windows XP, but some where still running Windows 2000) with the Storm Worm.... At that point, we said no more.

Let me put it this way.... The hourly cost of us having to "fix" these issues is ALOT more costly to the company than just doing the proper, necessary upgrade.

It would be a problem if we tried to use software developed over 10 years ago on Windows 7 or even XP, hell most of our systems are 64-bit now and the software just flat out doesnt work on 64-bit... The thing is, the companies that own this software have new versions that DO work with XP and 7. There would be little down time if they just spent the money for new software and equipment!

Not to mention the fact that alot of the systems that are still running windows 2000 have popped capacitors and crash constantly.... We have charged more time on these systems than it would have cost for them to upgrade everything 6 months ago.

[Wild Cobra]

I might have to dig out my Amiga to try this shit. Not sure if its the same though.... Havnt looked at it in years.... Pretty sure its an A500 though.
Did you ever try this?

[Drachen]

Ohhh. Trust me, I know... I would be the one doing the upgrading.... Thats not the problem.

The software is there, they just need to purchase a new license and the hardware that goes with it.

As far as "most businesses" I can understand if you might not have heard of Southwest Research. Hell, I just thought they tested on Monkeys for the longest time.... Its one of the biggest contractors for the government in just about anything.... Boeing, NASA, Michelin tires, Castrol oil, and many other huge companies contract Southwest Research to test (and develope) their products. Almost all contracts are government funded.... this is not some small company... The institute is probably 1,200 acres, not including the biomedical station across the street or the few remote locations around the country... The main institute where I work at provides nearly 2 million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops and offices. That facility alone in 2009 created a revenue of almost $600 million from what I remember. And this is a non-profit orginization.

The problem is they just dont want to spend the money on the licensing and shit, yet they have no problem purchasing $6000 workstations that they use to check email and play solitair. Sometimes they occasionally render shit in Pro/E or Solidworks....

Its fucking infuriating!!! :bang:ihit

On the whole though, I wouldnt trade my job for anything short of winning the mega millions (it pays well and is a VERY lax environment.... Drinks with the devision lead during lunch? fuck yes!!!), SwRI is pretty interesting if you want to look it up and maybe, if you are qualified, can apply for a possition. I dont think they are hiring right now but if you get in, you will see shit that will blow your mind...

http://www.swri.org

Research areas include:

Aerospace Electronics and Information Technology

Applied Physics

Applied Power

Automation and Data Systems

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research

Fuels and Lubricants Research

Geosciences and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Signal Exploitation and Geolocation

Space Science and Engineering

Training, Simulation, and Performance Improvement

I have wanted to work there for a very long time, but I am not an engineer/scientist, I would have to get a job doing financial analysis for their projects. That would honestly be my dream job (described generically as a job where I basically do the financials for a research company, specifically I would like to own an energy research company (still doing the financials) as that would marry the two things that I find most interesting)

[ChumpDumper]

I always wondered who actually purchased and used animal print fleece blankets.