More 8bit Goodies...

[Darrin]

I just got back from a drive to Lafayette (Louisiana) to collect the following items:

Commodore 1902 monitor
Commodore 8050 floppy drive
MSD SD-2 floppy drive
Commodore C2N cassette drive
Enough 5.25" floppies to sink a battleship

I picked up a C128D off eBay a while back, so the 1902 was the ideal solution to access 80 colum mode.  I've had it switched on for a couple of hours and it hasn't flickered yet:


I also got a PET off eBay, but missed out on the floppy drive.  Now I've managed to pick up a genuine 8050 floppy to match my 8032 and also a MSD SD-2 which will connect to either a PET or to a C64/128:


I'd forgotten just how big the 8050 was and now I'm stuck for somewhere to put it.  It might have to sit ontop of the C128D with the monitor on the 8050 until I can clear some more space.  They guy also threw in a C2N cassette drive for free and the disks are loaded with old software.  I think I'm going to be busy for a while...

[Darrin]

Bet I can guess where you got some of that stuff :lol:.  If so, I am glad it all worked out.

LOL.  I was hoping you would see this thread.  Yes, it all worked out perfectly and thanks for putting me in touch with that guy.  I was really lucky because he had a friend driving to Alexandria today so he gave the stuff to her and then I intercepted her at a gas station in Lafayette to collect it.  

[Darrin]

I am glad you got 80 column mode working.

Are you still having issues with 40 column mode?

It seems the 40 column issue in C128 mode was due to the monitor.  I picked up a new composite cable (instead of the s-video cable I was using previously) and it produced exactly the same distortion.  However, once I had this cable I tried it on another monitor (which didn't have a s-video socket, so I couldn't try it before) and the problem vanished.  On the 1902 all displays are rock solid (C64, C128 40 and C128 80).

I'm still trying to work out what to do with the CBM floppy drive.  I think I'll have to buy another computer desk tomorrow.  I've run out of space and my A4000 is now unplugged and under a table.

[Darrin]

I love both of my MSD-2 drives.  I have one of them upgraded as an automatic floppy copier.  Very nice, and more pleased that they still work

The MSD drive looks very interesting, although I've been warned not to connect it to the PET and the C128 at the same time or nasty things will happen.  It is also a hell of a lot smaller than the CBM drive.  Any idea what they used to sell for when they were new?  Cheaper than the CBM drive?