commodore 128 faq
Commodore 128 hardware information
Commodore 128 peripherals
Commodore 128 commercial software packages
Commodore 128 programming languages
Commodore 128 expansion
Commodore 128 models
Commodore 128 easter eggs
Commodore 128 trivia
Commodore 128 magazines
How to exchange data with other computers
Alternate operating systems
Commodore 128 emulation
Troubleshooting & repair
Modifying a Commodore 128
Commodore 128 hardware information
The C128's hardware basically remained the same across all three models. It consisted of :
- 128kb of RAM (externally expandable via an REU)
- 8563 VDC chip driving the 80 column RGB display with either 16k
of RAM or 64k of RAm in later models (& easily retro-fitted) - in
the 128DCR this was replaced with an 8568
- VT-100 style keyboard with a numeric keypad
- 8502 CPU - an expanded 6502 which could run in either 1MHz mode or 2MHz mode (the 40 column screen turned off at the higher speed)
- Secondary Zilog Z80 CPU that controlled the startup of the
computer & allowed it to run CP/M in either 40 or 80 column mode.
Although this was a 4MHz chip, it was constrained to 2MHz due to the
requirements of interfacing with the 8502
- A reset button
- MMU bank switching chip
- In the two later models, the keyboard was detachable
- The 128D models also contained a built in 1571 disk drive
- 2 KB 4-bit dedicated color RAM for the VIC-II E
- MOS 8580 SID chip for sound - this was the cost reduced version,
earlier 128's had the 6581 SId as used in the C64
- RGBI video output allowing the computer to connect to a standard
CGA monitor but with an additional monochrome composite signal as well
Commodore 128 peripherals
The 128 could connect to almost any peripheral that the C64 used (with some small exceptions in cartridges). The 1570, 1571 & 1581 disk drives were designed for the 128 & in a standard C64 or C128 configuration only ran in burst mode when connected to a C128.
Commodore 128 commercial software packages
{coming soon}
Commodore 128 programming languages
{coming soon}
Commodore 128 expansion
{coming soon}
Commodore 128 models
There are three basic models of the Commodore 128 :
- The original "flat" version, broadly similar in looks to the 64C, Amiga 500, 600 & 1200. This model came equipped with the 16k VDC & had no internal disk drive.
- The Commodore 128D was an attempt to produce a more
"business-like" looking PC and was in a low profile plastic
box with an internal 1571, stowable keyboard & a retractable handle
that made the computer a luggable. It still had the 16k VDC. This PC
also had an internal fan.
- The Commodore 128DCR was the final version released. The CR stood
for "cost reduced". This release came in a sturdy metal case, dispensed
with the fan, had a reduced number of chip components & had the 64k
VDC.
Commodore 128 easter eggs
There is one known easter egg on the C128 - entering the command "
SYS
32800,123,45,6" on the 40 column screen will print out a list of
the software & hardware (herdware) engineers for the C128 & a
brief message.Commodore 128 trivia
The Commodore 128's BASIC V7, the programming language which came built-in with the computer, could be crashed or cause the computer to reboot by executing
PRINT""+-X (where X is
any integer), depending on the number entered for X.Entering the keywords QUIT or OFF will produce an "?UNIMPLEMENTED COMMAND ERROR".
The earlier ROM revision of the C128 included a rather obvious bug. When in "CAPS LOCK" mode, each of the alphabetic keys would type properly in upper-case except the "Q", which remained lower-case.
There were around 2 million 128's sold during its' lifetime.
Commodore 128 magazines
Here's a (non-exhaustive) list of magzines that supported the C128 :
- 64'er
- Ahoy!
- Attar Bitar
- Australian Commodore Review
- Australian Commodore & Amiga Review
- BBS Magazine
- Commodore CEE
- Commodore Network
- Commodore Power/Play
- Commodore User
- Commodore World
- Compute!
- Compute!'s Gazette
- Computer Shopper
- dieHARD
- GEOJOURNAL
- GeoVISION
- Illegal
- Info 64
- LOADSTAR Letter
- Micro-Bytes
- Optimizer 64
- Random
- Run
- The Commodore 128/64 Power User Network
- The Commodore GEOS Publication
- The Transactor
- The Underground
- TPUG Magazine
- Twin Cities 128
- Your Commodore
- Your Computer
- ZZAP!
How to exchange data with other computers
{coming soon}
Alternate operating systems
{coming soon}
Commodore 128 emulation
What emulators are available for the Commodore 128 ?
At the time of the writing of this FAQ there are three currently available of which two are still undergoing development & one that is no longer in development (abandonded).
- PC128 - an MS DOS based emulator hasn't been produced since 1998, but was, for the time fairly stable & had some good features.
- MESS - the Multiple Emulator Super System is a stable & fairly accurate emulation. It emulates other machines as well & is currently the only emulator for the Commodore 65.
- VICE - is
the best dedicated emulator (in the author's opinion) for any Commodore
8 bit machine. It is updated regularly & the C128 emulation (though
not complete) is very usable
Troubleshooting & repair
{coming soon}
Modifying a Commodore 128
{coming soon}
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