Monitor cable

C-64_Duck · November 04, 2008, 05:11 AM

I tried connecting a C-64/128 to a TV with RCA audio & video jacks, but there was no display or sound. I was using a 1702 monitor cable. I then tried using a cable I picked up from Ebay that had the 5-pin plug and 2 red & white plugs. No matter how I connected the plugs, there was still no display or sound. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be.

Thanks

RobertB · November 04, 2008, 08:19 AM

Quote from: C-64_Duck on November 04, 2008, 05:11 AMNo matter how I connected the plugs, there was still no display or sound. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be.

Dead or faulty 1702, dead or faulty C64, or faulty monitor cable.

Just educated guesses,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
CommVEx v5 info - http://www.commodore.ca/forum and click on ComVEX

Andrew Wiskow · November 04, 2008, 10:27 AM

Since you tried different monitors and different cables, my guess would be something in the C64 is at fault. This document may help you diagnose the problem.

Andrew Sutton · November 04, 2008, 11:28 AM

Have you tried an RF hookup to see if it will display on a tv?

Golan Klinger · November 04, 2008, 12:21 PM

My first thought is that I don't remember any C= video cables with two red and two RCA plugs and my second is that you need a video cable with an 8 pin DIN rather than a 5 pin one. I'd have my doubts about the cable before the monitor.

Andrew Wiskow · November 04, 2008, 03:27 PM

Golan, I think what he meant is that the cable has 2 plugs, one each red and white. That's a cable with a video and audio output that should work in a C64 or C128. It was originally designed for the oldest C64's, but it'll work in the newer ones with an 8-pin DIN output, too, as well as C128's.

nathanallan · November 15, 2008, 05:43 PM

I have a similar problem on a 128 I just got, but I have a known-good cable and a good connection. The same cable works on all the other machines that uses it (Atari, Commodore 64, Vic 20, TI). What I get is a black ghostlike image, black on black. You can see something is there but there is that black on black happening.

Which chip controls video and mayube the colors? It happens on both the RF and DIN connectors.

Also, does anyone know where I can get a new spring for the spacebar? It sticks.

If I knew where to repair or troubleshoot, I can get it working again.

Nathan

RobertB · November 16, 2008, 04:56 AM

Quote from: nathanallan on November 15, 2008, 05:43 PM
I have a similar problem on a 128 I just got, but I have a known-good cable and a good connection. The same cable works on all the other machines that uses it (Atari, Commodore 64, Vic 20, TI). What I get is a black ghostlike image, black on black. You can see something is there but there is that black on black happening.

Hmm, black on black... Are you sure that you have the 40/80 column button in the correct position when in C128 mode? In C64 mode, the 40/80 column button has no effect on the display.

Quote from: nathanallan on November 15, 2008, 05:43 PMWhich chip controls video and mayube the colors? It happens on both the RF and DIN connectors.

8563

Quote from: nathanallan on November 15, 2008, 05:43 PMAlso, does anyone know where I can get a new spring for the spacebar? It sticks.

From other C128s.

Quote from: nathanallan on November 15, 2008, 05:43 PM
If I knew where to repair or troubleshoot, I can get it working again.

Ray Carlsen from Washington state and Charles Gutman from southern California provide repairs. Ray even has a website with troubleshooting tips at http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org/

nathanallan · November 16, 2008, 01:50 PM

Thanks for the info and tip on Ray Carlsen.

The 40/80 key is up, and this seems right (not locked down). Openes it up just now, and foudn that someone had been in there before as the keeper tabs on the RF shield were all bent to "open," had one stripped screw and in one place where there was supposed to be a screw, it was soldered shut. Not good. I have all my solder stuff at a bookstore that I work out of, and we're closed til Monday

This thing has had a rough life, you can tell. Checking out Ray's site now.

Nathan

RobertB · November 16, 2008, 02:08 PM

Quote from: nathanallan on November 16, 2008, 01:50 PMThis thing has had a rough life, you can tell.

The worst C128 I picked up was from a charity shop. It was very dirty and had many missing keys. I had to rescue it!

But it worked,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org/

Andrew Wiskow · December 20, 2008, 04:41 PM

Quote from: RobertB on November 16, 2008, 02:08 PMThe worst C128 I picked up was from a charity shop. It was very dirty and had many missing keys. I had to rescue it!

I've seen a few C64's and C128's that were obviously mistreated, too. I do try to rescue the ones that I can, but some of them are just beyond hope.

RobertB · December 20, 2008, 04:48 PM

Quote from: Andrew Wiskow on December 20, 2008, 04:41 PMI do try to rescue the ones that I can, but some of them are just beyond hope.

Heh, when I was deep into car restoration, I would tell my friends, "Just give me a bolt, and I'll build a car around it."

Memories of my father's 1930 Ford Model A standard coupe,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore/Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org/