C64C boots up to the regular blue screen but no cursor. Is it a bad unit?

[F14DUDE]

Hiya, I have a question about a Commodore 64C which I have recently acquired from an eBay auction.  I got the machine a while back but just  got it out recent and boot it up since I didn't have a 1541 at the time.  Anyway, I started the machine up several times and it was working fine, with the command prompt cursor blinking and able to load in command for the 1541 drive but without any software I didn't do much else and packed it back up.  After a month or two later I finally got around to get some software for the machine and I loaded up some games like Ms. Pac Man and Kung Fu Master just to test it out.  After playing Ms. Pac Man for a few mins, the machine suddenly crashed.  I thought, ok, no biggie and turned the unit off and waited a few seconds before turning it back on and that is when I first notice the regular blue screen appeared but with no blinking cursor.  I tried typing in command like loading a directory, or load anything but it wouldn't response.

One thing I did notice.  I can plug in a cartridge and the 64 would load up the cartridge (Omega Race, Kickman etc.), but I couldn't get it to response to any joystick command.  So my question is this, can the 64 be fix in the form where a chip can be swap out?  If not then I guess I'll just junk it. 

Thanks for any info.

[BigDumbDinosaur]

It sounds like CIA #1 failed.  No flashing cursor means the jiffy IRQ isn't happening, and that is generated by CIA #1.  Without the IRQ, there's nothing to scan the keyboard and joystick ports.

[F14DUDE]

It sounds like CIA #1 failed.  No flashing cursor means the jiffy IRQ isn't happening, and that is generated by CIA #1.  Without the IRQ, there's nothing to scan the keyboard and joystick ports.

I see.  I have just opened the case and checked the inside of the C64C and found the 6526A chip but unfortunately it is soldered onto the motherboard and while I might be able to solder a wire or two together, I know I'm not skilled enough to replace the chip.  I wish the chip has a socket like most chips for the Amiga that can be easily be pull out and replace. 

I guess I will check eBay for a replacement sometime next year.

Thanks for the info.