Ah, the built-in keyboard cover... I imagine it must be quite convenient to have such a device integrated into the C64, ready to swing down onto your fingers at any time as you type.
I had one on my '64 way back when. Those covers were remarkably stiff and not prone to falling down at all. As for the storage ledge, I seem to recall it was originally meant to hold sheets of paper or books for typing. At least, that's what I used it for, it was ideal for holding an issue of Compute's Gazette or RUN when keying in BASIC programs from an issue.
Excellent restore job and for a good cause too! A tip to rejuvenating the keyboard rubber contacts is to soak them it a weak alkaline solution (ammonia or caustic soda). Jeff Birt and Sven Petersen have explored this to remove any silicone oil contamination from the conductive rubber. I did this with my original 1983 C64 and the keyboard is as good as new.
Ahh yes Matthew Desmond. I figured he vanished into obscurity after Desterm. I wonder if anyone asked him about Desterm's outstanding bugs. I think it has long been considered "DONE" by him though. Dunno if he ever released the source code.
The joystick directional tests are trigged by the Write signal from the Cassette Port using the 4066 ics. The un-wired harness, does not include the 4066s, and of course the Write signal on the Cassette port can't be triggering the test. The Paddle inputs tests are simply the resistors on the joystick dongles. Compared to the "traditional" Test Harness, it seems the only loss is the Directional and Fire Button tests. I do see where the other one can reduces the cost, and it does "most" of the tests. You can do the Joystick test manually as is mentioned on the PCB Way shared project. If someone wants to get a test harness and save a bit, it seems to be a reasonable option.
3:46 - "If anybody knows what might have been stuck here..." (around the rear feet of the C64) Offhand... Maybe some kind of riser to tilt the keyboard? One of my dad's old C64 has some plastic parts attached there, I'm not sure if he did it to change the typing angle or if it was meant to help the machine keep cool or something (I'd always kind of guessed the latter, but would that even do anything for airflow? I dunno...)
It would be cool if you had a sticker for inside the case, "Restored by Retrobits 10/2024" to give the machine some more "provenance" as they say in the auctions biz. :) Also, I like that awesome right angle power input adapter... just found it on eBay and going to order one right now!
Good idea! I can certainly inquire if the auction winner wants something like that. Yea, that power adapter is definitely nice for keeping the cabling tidy!
I backed a black breadbin case in the latest Indiegogo campaign so there will certainly be some interesting possibilities once they've finished producing them!
Ah, the built-in keyboard cover... I imagine it must be quite convenient to have such a device integrated into the C64, ready to swing down onto your fingers at any time as you type.
Haha true😂
I had one on my '64 way back when. Those covers were remarkably stiff and not prone to falling down at all. As for the storage ledge, I seem to recall it was originally meant to hold sheets of paper or books for typing. At least, that's what I used it for, it was ideal for holding an issue of Compute's Gazette or RUN when keying in BASIC programs from an issue.
@@brycelynch2138 thanks for the explanation!
Good job! I had that same keyboard cover back in the day!
Good work! The rubber pads in the keyboard really like a tiny touch of silicone oil to preserve them from drying out.
Thanks for the tip, I hadn't heard of that til now!
Excellent restore job and for a good cause too! A tip to rejuvenating the keyboard rubber contacts is to soak them it a weak alkaline solution (ammonia or caustic soda). Jeff Birt and Sven Petersen have explored this to remove any silicone oil contamination from the conductive rubber. I did this with my original 1983 C64 and the keyboard is as good as new.
Interesting, I have not heard of that. Will look into it next time I have to fix another keyboard, thanks!
Out of the swag, the kitchen magnet is the best! Thx again for the one you gave me a year ago, Matt!
Haha no problem Jeramy! Sorry I missed you at VCFMW this year...
@@retrobitstv I wasn't able to make it this year due to personal reasons. I really, really wanted to be there...
Fabulous job and another amazing Commodore machine for the cause. I think the Watermelon keycap scheme was quite cool, but then I'm weird like that 😂
Ahh yes Matthew Desmond. I figured he vanished into obscurity after Desterm. I wonder if anyone asked him about Desterm's outstanding bugs. I think it has long been considered "DONE" by him though. Dunno if he ever released the source code.
Great video Matt! Love the 'unscripted' style and the flow. Really enjoyed this episode!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice repair, 64 looking good
The joystick directional tests are trigged by the Write signal from the Cassette Port using the 4066 ics. The un-wired harness, does not include the 4066s, and of course the Write signal on the Cassette port can't be triggering the test.
The Paddle inputs tests are simply the resistors on the joystick dongles. Compared to the "traditional" Test Harness, it seems the only loss is the Directional and Fire Button tests.
I do see where the other one can reduces the cost, and it does "most" of the tests. You can do the Joystick test manually as is mentioned on the PCB Way shared project. If someone wants to get a test harness and save a bit, it seems to be a reasonable option.
3:46 - "If anybody knows what might have been stuck here..." (around the rear feet of the C64)
Offhand... Maybe some kind of riser to tilt the keyboard? One of my dad's old C64 has some plastic parts attached there, I'm not sure if he did it to change the typing angle or if it was meant to help the machine keep cool or something (I'd always kind of guessed the latter, but would that even do anything for airflow? I dunno...)
Could be - definitely in keeping with the fact this owner accessorized their machine!
For the keyboard stems I just use a piece of paper on the rubber parts, one quick swipe to clean them, no liquid needed.
Cool, thanks for the tip! It seems like there are a number of different options available to tackle the problem.
Cool keyboard cover. There are some plastic polishing products that could possibly help with the finish of it even more.
I popped the cover off and gave it a second round of polishing up after the video was finished because I wasn't totally happy with it!
It would be cool if you had a sticker for inside the case, "Restored by Retrobits 10/2024" to give the machine some more "provenance" as they say in the auctions biz. :)
Also, I like that awesome right angle power input adapter... just found it on eBay and going to order one right now!
Good idea! I can certainly inquire if the auction winner wants something like that.
Yea, that power adapter is definitely nice for keeping the cabling tidy!
ooh Black bread bin with Pink keycaps and grey function control shier return space would be nice.
I backed a black breadbin case in the latest Indiegogo campaign so there will certainly be some interesting possibilities once they've finished producing them!
6:31 so did you give him his $25 in person at VCFMW? :)
Anyone else cringed seeing that dark green side of the sponge being used to "clean" the housing, especially the dust cover?
In hindsight it was a bad idea but live and learn...