Most liked posts in thread: What's new Pussycat too?

I've had another minor system cull and the Playstation 4 has been sold off. Although I used it occasionally, the bloody loud fan really put me off (I know, getting fussy in my old age). So now it's place in the Al-Cave has been taken up by my XBox 360. Now thinking if I should hold on to my modded PS Vita or let that go to invest in an ST hard drive replacement...

In other news, just ordered some storage units for my magazines. Hopefully they'll arrive by midweek and then I can set them up and take some pictures to show you guys.

 

BAZ BAGS ANOTHER LOCAL BARGAIN.... ;-)

Yes, he's been at it AGAIN - Baz spotted a CBM64 (newer model with some keys missing) and TWO PSUs advertised for a tenner - attic find - just 10mins down the road from the biome so tonight he set orf for the aforementioned bargains and hey oooop, here they are after a damn good clean - the 64 was grafted, guys, but not looking too bad now:





I haven't as yet connected the machine up to a monitor but I can confirm that the little green power light comes on when you plug in a PSU so hopes are high for a screen test shortly AND... see if I can find a 3, 4 and 8 key from some 64 forum.

Please let me know, fellas, if you know of any likely candidate sites where I might get such spares.

Finally, keep checking those local private sales, post office windows, Marketplace and such like as you never know when YOU might bag the next retro micro bargain - but act fast - before Baz pounces

 

Too true, mate, too true... she has offered to cut off my (power) supplies, my vital leads and my unmentionables if any more dust assembles here WITHOUT at least twice as much going in the opposite directed and funds transferred to our holiday pot... there you go. Dust can turn into prizes, if yer canny, fellas.

 

See there's some mention of these two identical C64C PSUs (apart from the number of pins on the power DINs), here at breadbox64.com, but why the one I've got doesn't work... could lay in the plug's fuse department / the PSU's fuse/components failing... I will have to dig a little deeper, guys...

 

I'm your Marketplace bargain-hunting eyes and ears then, bud - no sweat. Will report back with findings...

 

Hi Rich.

couple of options here for you to look over:





Let me know if either catch yer eye, Richie,

 

Hi bud,
The C16 is the one as it matches my C64 and Vic-20's styling. Does it say if it's been tested? If it has a black screen on boot then the TED chip is banjaxed and it's expensive to replace.

 

Lovely internal and external views of your new Elk, Richie - it looks absolutely pristine.
Mog could do with giving his a little clean
I will enquire now with the C16 man...

 

T
I've msgd the £90 C16 to see if it has been tested... in the meanwhile, this one, from Matthew Clint, is going for £80, fella:








this is the key bit, but I think you'll agree, for £80 the lot above is very tempting...

Commodore 16 starter pack boxed with all original manuals and tapes I've plugged it in and got a game to load up and worked not sure if the aerial is faulty as screen went black so I turn it all off tried it again later and it was working fine again, I'm not very knowledgeable on these sorry. Little bit of yellowing on keys but other than that it's in really good condition considering it's age. Retro classic £80 no offers please Collection only.

Darn! I could twist his arm and offer him more, if you're really interested, Rich, but of course that mention of a black screen... does that sound like what you flagged up cos this one doesn't appear to occur on boot?

Let me know, mate, if you want me to conduct any enquiries with said gent.

 

Pure evil, guys... I like the way your brains work ;-)

My tank of choice would be Challenger II



Some nice specs:

 

Looking pretty damn impressive, Matt... the graphics are a thing of beauty. Keep us updated... on all your updates ;-)

 

As you say, Rich, it still is a fine computer for programming and learning to use BBC Basic with all its procedures and there are still some smashing software titles to try out... maybe not ELITE, but I can't wait to have another go on Dare Devil Denis before Mog gets it back. Cheers, my mate. Great fix and smart new feet! Many thanks, Rich.

 

Don't forget to share the arrival with us in pics and a little story, Rich - and lovely Atari calculator acquisition, Al... so tempting to open...so irritating but sensible to keep it sealed!!

 

I'm up for a wee high score competition as well for a bit of fun. The last time we done a couple it was good.
Also gives you a good reason to turn the A8 on and maybe play a game you haven't spent much time with.
GAME ON GUYS (well, from 1st October anyway)....

 

I'm good with Commando + if it plays on a standard 800XL/130XE etc.

 

Ah, we might have to stick with the best bog-standard version then - played on Matt's recommended highest difficulty for the comp (we can always train on the lower speeds).

 

Many thanks for clearing that up, Matt, so we've got a level playing field.
I will investigate my options when we get back (pretty sure I sold my 800XL 256K RAM model a wee while ago).
I do though have a few other Cart/Atarimax and a German diagnostic cart with additional RAM so maybe I can boot the enhanced version after all.

 

Ah, missed this earlier, Rich.

Many thanks in advance if I need the upgrade - though I think I might be OK, mate.

Much appreciate the heads up and might say yes in future!

 

You sure did, bud - yer laughing all the way to the (VR) bank, mate.

Excellent value for money immersive control system.

Get that paint job and sticker sorted and Bob's yer uncle.

 

Good call, Al.

That makes sense and there's every chance that the sale of the 800XL alone should recoup 50-60% of your costs at a stroke (does it come with PSU/a/v SIO leads?) - I can't get involved though so only asking in case anyone I know is interested.

Cheers, good luck and I'll let you know if I'm available next weekend - we fly home tomorrow and then head to Sunderland Sunday for the Cardiff fixture! 3 wins on the bounce for the Black Cats so Bev in Mackem heaven ;-) We've had a great break here, guys. Can definitely recommend this region of France for a great self-drive/ self-catering holiday.

 

Already got both packed for my week away Paul

 

Some great quality additions, Matt. Your collection just goes from great to greater! Enjoy those machines and take a well-earned break from the work, mate. You must be gagging for a proper play sesh (don't forget to give Commando a hammer!)

 

Here, here, guys.

The new war is another terrible tragedy.... whoever threw the Israelis/Jews and the Palestinians side by side together in the first place need their heads examining... us Brits in 1948? Probably - bad, bad, bad mistake. It'll never heal.

Again, in full agreement with Paul on this re-working of great innovational tech from back then made possible now with a new twist, new angle and new lurve of the usage for the hell of its sake - you always find a way, Matt and again, the screen pic you've provided is the best poss in the circumstances - a wonder you squeezed that out - again due to your devotion and perseverance and the lurve of these things.

Many many thanks again for finding time and the spirit to push through with these projects - they make the improbable come true and the rest of us give out a resounding WAHAY in goddamn admiration!

More power, once more, to yer elbow, mate.

Another fine fine project pushing forward - just remember to take an anti-sickness pill for those all day/all night seshes! ;-)

 

Looks great, Al, the Tiny Footie and all those acquisitions... mags, bits n bobs, esp the C64 Mini - hours of fun guaranteed with that little lot and I know what you mean about certain print styles/fonts and sizes... it's another sign that we're slowly pegging out, me old mate.

One day nearer now... ;-) PMSL!

Enjoy, fella - great buys, mate and you've done well getting it all on a decent budget without breaking the bank.

 

Nice Dreamcast MOD Matt, no issues with any games?