OK got the Commodore 64 .... now where do I get software?

[ami_junki]

Yay!  The commodore 64 arrived today, got it hooked up to the TV now but I am a bit stuck on where to get software, the system came with a cassette drive but I am a bit stumped on how to get new software onto the tapes or how to download apps.  It came with a modem, is there a BBS I could connect to or a maybe a small HD?

Cheers,

Timo

[rednova]

Dear Friend:

Try this link:
http://www.oldsoftware.com/
they sell good software for the c-64 computer.
I recommend you buy a disk drive and then any games you like.
Cheers!!!

rednova
-mobilis in mobile-

[tokyoracer]

eBay, charity shops and car boot sales (if you have them in Japan).

[neuroflip]

build an XE1541 cable and try 64hdd... ops you will need a msdos machine

its a nice solution to run with and old laptop

[ChuckT]

You might try the library if they have any books on Basic programming but Commodore basic and internal commands won't be compatible with other forms of Basic (Apple Basic, etc.) because each computer wasn't totally compatible unless you changed the way BASIC did things on each computer.  You might be able to find old magazines with programs.  You at least need to find a copy of the reference manual that came with the computer.  They probably exist online or you can probably get someone to copy them on a photo copier because I probably have mine.

You might want to try the Toronto Pet User's Group if they are still around and do stuff for the C-64 or you will have to do a google search for a user group.

The C-64 will allow a modem but you will either need a Commodore modem or a RS232 adapter (and cable connecting the two) for it and I forget if it is RS232 or RS232C.  The highest speed you can get out of it is 2400bps if your modem supports it.  And you will need a terminal program with X-modem and Punter and that will only help you if you can find a BBS with Commodore programs on it if such exists anymore.

X-Modem always had a problem with the C-64 so you will need to save your files as a sequential file "Filename,S".  At least that is how I think I figured out how to fix it.

If you manage to find a 1541 or 1571 drive, you probably won't be able to find the disks for them unless there is a warehouse somewhere with unused disks that they never threw out.  You are probably more likely to be able to find someone's collection.

The only way your going to get files on your casette drive is to save them yourself once you type in programs in BASIC.

SAVE "Filename"

[giZmo350]

@ChuckT
Dude, 1985 called and they want their Mighty Mo 300 baud modem back!  hahaha, sorry couldn't resist.   ;-)

So many cool options these days for the C64...
Ebay listings...... Lots of software too...
Easy PC to 1541 transfer options too...

[Drummerboy]

In this time the best way, avaiable for uses a C64 its 64HDD using with a Cable XE1541 . Anyway if you want transfer .D64 images and T64 images, you will need a XE1541 cable and any software like Star Comander..
In this times are very hard obtain a 5 1/4 disks .. then i think the best thing you can do its uses 64HDD with any PC in DOS mode..
regards

[redrumloa]

What type of big box do you have around? At the very least you need to buy yourself a 1541 disk drive.

Here are some options based on platform, both require an X cable (X1541, XA1541, XE1541 etc) hooked to a real commodore disk drive (typically 1541)
Star Commander
OpenCBM

You could also buy a Catweasel and PC 5.25 floppy drive, but the Catweasel is sold out ATM.

[TjLaZer]

Since this is an Amiga forum get a EIC cable and hook up a 1541 drive to your Amiga to transfer images! Then goto c64.com or other sites and leech!!!  

[AMC258]

Much agreed.  It's the best possible way to grind an Amiga to a halt, but it's pure awesome having a 1541 hooked to an Amiga and working!

[ChuckT]

Thanks for telling me about the Emulator.  I may get it just to teach my son programming as I have a lot of the old Commodore programs and manuals.

[morcar]

ok this is what i did when i bought a c64 and it does work.

First off buy yourself a good tape recorder like a sony, then connect it to the speaker out on your pc. Look around for progs out there that will convert the .t64 images back into .wavs then play the wav and copy the sound from the speaker output onto tape and play that back to the c64. It worked for me and i got millions of games now.

I also did this with the ZX Spectrum 128 i had and it still worked.

[ami_junki]

Wow guys, thanks for all the responses, some really interesting ideas there, maybe i will look at getting a disk drive then, also i saw something called the IDE64 ... seems like you can plug in a SD card or IDE hard disk to the Commodore 64, anyone had any experience with this?

[amigakit]

OK heres some new kit that we sell for the C64:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=c64

[chiark]

Perhaps I'm jumping the gun, but clicking that link gives:
"There is no product that matches the search criteria."