Vic-20 score and questions

[save2600]

Just landed my very first Commodore Vic-20. This thing literally looks brand spanking new. I'd be surprised if whoever used it, kept it out for more than a day or two before putting back in the box. Anyway... it came with a rectangular black box that I'm guessing is an RF modulator (nothing is labeled and it didn't come with its manual, just some promo stuff) and only features ONE controller port. Umm... is this like a TI-99 scenario where you need a special box in order to get 2 players going or does it only accept a single Atari joystick? And holy puny power supply Batman! lol

[save2600]

Amazing looking condition. Good find.

Thanks! Yeah, they keys look untouched and there's no real dust anywhere to be found. Got it for $25. Looking on the 'net, I noticed some have the vertical rocker-switch for the on/off and a C64 looking power supply receptacle. This as a small horizontal on/off switch with a goofy rectangular 9vac plug. Taking a stab here, looks to be one of the earliest models they released.

[save2600]

Shoot... just plugged this puppy in and all I get is a green border and grey middle. BASIC does not come up. Looks like I might have to open her up and see if there are any I.C.'s that need to be re-seated.

-edit- WHEW! That's all it was. A chip just wasn't making good enough contact in its socket. I get BASIC now and 3583 bytes free... woohoo! lol  Damn this thing is clean inside.

[save2600]

Oh wow - yeah, so mine must have been in the middle of their product life then as it has C64 style keys. And yes, BASIC seems to take longer to boot than a C64 does. So what about the singular joy port? Are all games designed to be single player? If so, that kinda sucks Donkey's Kong  

[save2600]

Thanks Tone. Sounds as if it's wired exactly as a 2600 port then. Oh well, still a neat little system. I've really been getting into classic computing lately and this old Commodore stuff really does "rock" for what it is.

[save2600]

You might want to invest in this.
http://for8bits.com/jpg_fe3_case.php

Thanks for the info Red, thought you might have some input here    Wow - never saw that 512kb ram cart before, but am familiar with some of the other RAM expansions and how goofily the Vic addresses extended memory. That's why I've ordered that MegaCart doo-dad. Seemed like a good "all -in-one" beginners scenario for me.

And thanks for the Denial links ral-clan. Am vaguely familiar with 'em, but haven't sat down and really paid much attention yet.