Commodore 128 tower project thread #3

[weirdami]

@redrumloa

How about playing the 128 version of The Last V8 and telling me what the trick to the first level is :-?

I had the C=64 version. I didn't know there was a C=128 version, but if it's the game I remember, then I spent hours and hours doing that game and only ever passed the first level after a long time practicing. The trick is to just go fast and not crash at all. :-) If it's the same game I'm thinking of, where you race around the streets in the first level trying to get to the door to the underground in time, then the second level is underground and I think was pretty much the same thing with driving around really fast and I never ever got past the second level. Probably due to having to pass the first level again each time I failed the second one. :-/

[tokyoracer]

That's such a nice tower, il buy 5 of them please. :lol:

[redrumloa]

weirdami wrote:

I had the C=64 version. I didn't know there was a C=128 version, but if it's the game I remember, then I spent hours and hours doing that game and only ever passed the first level after a long time practicing. The trick is to just go fast and not crash at all. :-) If it's the same game I'm thinking of, where you race around the streets in the first level trying to get to the door to the underground in time, then the second level is underground and I think was pretty much the same thing with driving around really fast and I never ever got past the second level. Probably due to having to pass the first level again each time I failed the second one. :-/

Yes there actually is a 128 version that runs in 128 mode! The 128 version has more digitized speech and an additional level. The 128 version first level is not in the 64 version at all.

[redrumloa]

frootloop wrote:
Ingenius! I would not have thought of the modded cga adaptor for the 16 colour mode!

It's pretty easy, Mangelore over at commodore128.org revealed the easy mod that involved adding 3 resistors and diodes. I'd give a link but the forums over there seem to be down.

[redrumloa]

tokyoracer wrote:
That's such a nice tower, il buy 5 of them please. :lol:

When I'm done you can bu this one for $25,000 :-D

[frootloop]

This has inspired me to do a c64 version
That cga mod sounds interesting, think I'll read up on it!

[redrumloa]

frootloop wrote:
This has inspired me to do a c64 version
That cga mod sounds interesting, think I'll read up on it!

For a C64 tower you don't need a CGA to VGA adapter, but a composite to VGA adapter which is far more common. The CGA to VGA adapter is for the C128 80 column video display, which the C64 does not have.

I used one of THESE for 40 column video. The video quality is acceptable, but you can probably find a better one for a slightly higher price.

Be warned that the power receptacle on the converter I bought was flaky. I had to open it up and bypass this port completely. That wasn't a big deal for me since I wired it directly to the ATX +12V, but it may be for someone else who isn't comfortable with soldering.  

[frootloop]

Thanks - I know the C64 is composite - though I plan to use its svideo like output instead. I was just interested in the cga mod for interests sake ... dont know if any other hardware shares  the c128's 80 column mode spec? I have an old svideo/composite to vga box in the cupboard .. it stopped working a while back, I'm hoping it was just the power supply.  It may be easier for me to get a replacement powerpack for it, than to modify the 5V or 12V from an ATX PSY to the 7.5V it requires.

[countzero]

wow, awesome case mod red congrats !

btw, here's the link to the VGA mod.

direct links to pics. (incase c128 forum is down)

1
2
3
4

[redrumloa]

frootloop wrote:
Thanks - I know the C64 is composite - though I plan to use its svideo like output instead. I was just interested in the cga mod for interests sake ... dont know if any other hardware shares  the c128's 80 column mode spec? I have an old svideo/composite to vga box in the cupboard .. it stopped working a while back, I'm hoping it was just the power supply.  It may be easier for me to get a replacement powerpack for it, than to modify the 5V or 12V from an ATX PSY to the 7.5V it requires.

I forget where I read it, possibly commodore128.org, but there is someone who made a modification to get color composite video from the Commodore 128 RBGi port. You could potgentially use an LCD with SVIDEO in with your C128 80 column.

[redrumloa]

Expansion port extension cable is complete.



If I never have to do that again, it will still be too soon  :angry: Tomorrow I start fabricating the mounting brackets for the SuperCPU 128 and RamLink.

[Darrin]

redrumloa wrote:
Expansion port extension cable is complete.

If I never have to do that again, it will still be too soon  :angry: Tomorrow I start fabricating the mounting brackets for the SuperCPU 128 and RamLink.

Strewth!  Now that's what I call a DIY project!

[tokyoracer]

Can I have some of that Spaghetti?

[redrumloa]

Darrin wrote:
Strewth!  Now that's what I call a DIY project!

Yeah, no kidding! I started Sunday afternoon and only finished last night, I spent many, many hours at this thing :hammer:

So far here is the score card on this project:
Cuts that bled - 1
Burned by soldering iron - 2

[Darrin]

redrumloa wrote:

So far here is the score card on this project:
Cuts that bled - 1
Burned by soldering iron - 2

you missed:

Tylanol:  63 pills
Prozac:  8 pills
Vodka:  3 bottles
Beer:  98 cans

 :lol:

[Darrin]

My brother sent me some packages from the UK.  I just unpacked one and found this inside:

http://www.retrogames.co.uk/stock/assets/images/Mach_-_Currah_Speech_64_JC.jpg

There's no manual or anything (apparently he found it at a jumble sale).  DOes anyone know much about the Currah Speech 64?  Most of what I've found online refers to the ZX Spectrum version.