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Offline DarrinTopic starter

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Commodore 128D - need help!
« on: May 22, 2012, 01:25:53 AM »
Hi guys,

I managed to win a mint condition C128D off eBay.  The thing looks like it is almost brand new, whoever owned it looked after it like a baby.  It came with the manuals, disks plus some extra floppies and cartridges.

However, I have a problem.  The RF out works perfectly.  I have a C64 video-composite cable that only seems to produce monocrome images and when used on the C128D it produces rock-steady monocrome images in C128 and C64 mode.

I have a C64-S-video cable which I've used successfully with my C64C (until I got the Chameleon and used the VGA out) and I get this:

C128 Mode:  Distortion at the top of the screen.  Image moved to the left.


C64 Mode:  Perfect!


Does anybody know what might be causing this?  Does the C128 not like the s-video cable?  Is there something wrong with a chip?

The workaround is to simply use the RF output when using C128 mode, but it is annoying.

Also, is there anything that takes the RGBi of the C128/C128D and allows it to be connected to a VGA port?   I wouldn't mind being able to access 80 column mode.

Thanks in advance.

Darrin
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.
 

Offline Motormouth

Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2012, 01:40:23 AM »
Darn :(

What does the 80 column output look like?

I am not a commodore 128 expert, I do have a 128d, but I am guessing that this is interference of some sort, a bad Cap or bad video cable.
 

Offline DarrinTopic starter

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2012, 01:44:26 AM »
Quote from: Motormouth;693861
Darn :(

What does the 80 column output look like?

I am not a commodore 128 expert, I do have a 128d, but I am guessing that this is interference of some sort, a bad Cap or bad video cable.


No idea on the 80 column as I don't have a RGBi cable (or monitor).

I had to go on another trip so I can't fiddle with it at the moment.  When I get home, unless someone comes up with any solutions, I'll test the same s-video cable with a regular C128.

I guess it wouldn't do any harm to open her up and check for anything leaking or loose.
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.
 

Offline motrucker

Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2012, 02:47:47 AM »
You really need an 80 column monitor! That's were the 128 shines.
I have never this problem before - But I have never used S-video from a 128D.
PS - I may know where you could pick up something like a 1902 for a very fair price - not all that far from you....
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Offline Motormouth

Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2012, 03:03:04 AM »
Do you have a 1084 lying around (i bet you do)?  Hook up the 128D 80 column output up to the RGBI input on it (the only problem is finding a cable).
 

Offline Motormouth

Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2012, 03:13:14 AM »
Quote from: Motormouth;693867
Do you have a 1084 lying around (i bet you do)?  Hook up the 128D 80 column output up to the RGBI input on it (the only problem is finding a cable).

What I suggest may not work on all 1084 monitors (I am not sure).  My 1084S-P has a separate RGB and RGBI (Both Round DIN connectors) and S Video inputs.  Infact I have both an A2000 and a 128d hooked up to the one monitor at the same time (though I dare not turn them on at the same time).  I noticed on-line that many of the 1084 have only one RGB input (a 9 pin DB).  I do not know if this will work with RGBI of the 128d
« Last Edit: May 22, 2012, 03:17:13 AM by Motormouth »
 

Offline DarrinTopic starter

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2012, 03:27:29 AM »
Quote from: motrucker;693866
You really need an 80 column monitor! That's were the 128 shines.
I have never this problem before - But I have never used S-video from a 128D.
PS - I may know where you could pick up something like a 1902 for a very fair price - not all that far from you....


Really?  Please tell me.  I'd be interested.

Thanks.
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.
 

Offline DarrinTopic starter

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2012, 03:32:09 AM »
Quote from: Motormouth;693867
Do you have a 1084 lying around (i bet you do)?  Hook up the 128D 80 column output up to the RGBI input on it (the only problem is finding a cable).


I'm older than that.  ;-)

Unfortunately my A1081 died a couple of years ago so all of my connected Amigas now have some sort of scan doubler fitted instead.  VGA monitors all around I'm afraid.

Two of the monitors have the 3 RCA type (RGB) component inputs, if they're any use.
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.
 

Offline Motormouth

Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2012, 03:51:38 AM »
Darn :(

The TTL RGB would have worked on the A1081.

I think that some of the old CGA monitors out there would work.  There may be some on ebay.  They would need the ability to do RGBI.
« Last Edit: May 22, 2012, 03:54:40 AM by Motormouth »
 

Offline DarrinTopic starter

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2012, 04:11:40 AM »
Quote from: Motormouth;693871
Darn :(

The TTL RGB would have worked on the A1081.

I think that some of the old CGA monitors out there would work.  There may be some on ebay.  They would need the ability to do RGBI.


I'll see what Motrucker has up his sleeve.  This may be interesting.  :)
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.
 

Offline mongo

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2012, 05:19:14 AM »
Quote from: Darrin;693862
No idea on the 80 column as I don't have a RGBi cable (or monitor).


Don't need one if you can live with monochrome video. Pin 7 on the RGBi port is monochrome composite video. Pin 1 is ground.
 

Offline DarrinTopic starter

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2012, 05:27:39 AM »
Quote from: mongo;693874
Don't need one if you can live with monochrome video. Pin 7 on the RGBi port is monochrome composite video. Pin 1 is ground.


Interesting.  Thanks for that.  I might try and bodge a cable just to look.  It should be OK for CPM.
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Offline LoadWB

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2012, 05:48:42 AM »
Quote from: Darrin;693875
Interesting.  Thanks for that.  I might try and bodge a cable just to look.  It should be OK for CPM.


It is.  I used the same with a monochrome Apple monitor way back when.  Now, if you really wanna hear that monitor squeel, run something like Zed which uses the double-hires mode.
 

Offline Motormouth

Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2012, 02:06:47 AM »
@Darrin

Now that you have a commodore 128d, would you like the chameleon 64 to work with it?
 

Offline DarrinTopic starter

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Re: Commodore 128D - need help!
« Reply #14 on: May 23, 2012, 02:40:19 AM »
Quote from: Motormouth;693939
@Darrin

Now that you have a commodore 128d, would you like the chameleon 64 to work with it?


It would be nice, but the existing Chameleon64 will not (and supposedly never will) work with the C128 without a redesign.

While I'd rather have mine plugged into a C128 than my C64C (mainly for the keypad), I'm honestly more than happy with it as it is.  Besides, there is always the possibility that someone might port a C128 core.  Imagine having a C64 boot into C128 mode instead of the other way around.  :D
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.