Commodore 64 Getting Started & Buying Guide 2023!

C64 videos from Retro Bits:

Featured YouTube Channels for C64 Repair:

Products and Resources Mentioned in this Video:
A/V Breakout Options:
SD2IEC:
TOSEC:

Thanks to our awesome Patrons and Channel Members for their support!!!
Peter (Melair)
Kevin Gonzalez
Jon Ingersoll
John DiLiberto
John Trammell
Paraffine
Eric Stacey
Josh K
Mitch Hoffman
Alex Smith
Vince Valenti
William Sullivan
Ryan Brooks
James Taylor
FULLSET
Jim Leonard
Allister Fiend
Erik (goodjonx)
Pierre Kressmann
RobF228
Rayner Daniel Pedersen
Wolfgang Behrens
Eli
Thomas Jager
coughsoda

00:00 Introduction
01:12 What model to buy?
05:46 What ISN’T a C64?
07:33 How much to pay?
08:12 Killer Power Supplies
09:28 Replacing Capacitors
10:07 Display Options
16:10 NTSC vs PAL
19:44 Controllers
22:36 Loading Software & I/O ports
23:28 Cartridges
25:41 Cassette Tapes
26:57 Disk Drives
30:37 Double Density vs High Density
31:09 Basic Disk Commands
32:30 Modern Storage Devices
34:33 Fastloaders
36:40 Finding Software
38:17 Other Accessories: WiFi Modems
38:51 Other Accessories: Ram Expansions
40:39 Replicas, Emulation, and Modern Recreations
43:07 Help, it broke!
44:53 Bonus Round: RF Shields
45:25 Bonus Round: Getting help
45:46 Conclusion

*Retro Bits earns money from Amazon and eBay Partner Links

[tetsujin_]

It's not so much that C64's history is long, we're just still waiting for it to finish loading.

[AmigaLove]

90% of what we see here (or more) is stuff many may already know. But to have this all in one location, in 1 really beautiful package with the list o’ links below is simply superb. Really nice boilerplate resource, even for ‘pros’ IMO. Thanks for your hard work in putting together this excellent resource. I've already shared it with a friend just getting back into the scene after being away for many years.

[shytebucket]

Watched this from beginning to end. Clearly a lot of effort went into making this video. Thank you so much for taking the time!

[fredpies]

C64 is a phenomenal computer. Perfect for education. A machine in which I am constantly discovering something new for over 30 years. This computer really teaches how to program.

[andreasmartin]

Very old user here😊
Well, maybe not that old. Born in the seventies, my C64 was my first great love😅
Unfortunately, my mother decided to scrap it when I got my Amiga.
The graphics were abysmal, but I will never forget the sound.

[herberttlbd]

I worked as a tech at a Commodore dealer starting in the late 80's. There is no guarantee of the PCB on a breadbin. Commodore was only supplying shortboards to dealers so if the PCB needed to be replaced then it was getting one.

[derekdresser]

That has to be the most complete comprehensive guide of our beloved computers out there. What a great resource

[BreadboxBitfall]

Excellent! This can be a huge value for anyone not familiar with Commodore computers or the modern solutions.

[zvonimirstrucelj]

Excellent video trying to put everything on one place for new C64 user.

However, few things are missing.

First is GenAssister from US based Backbit - by far best C64 controller adapter you can think of using six-button Sega Genesis/MegaDrive controller, including wireless ones. All eight buttons on controller has function on C64 - dedicated buttons for jump, regular C64 2nd fire button, space (literally hundreds of games using it as additional button as second fire, pause etc.), rapid fire, automatic rapid fire, switch between ports... It's much comfortable to use joypad instead joystick these days - if you don't have problem with it, it's no brainer to buy for US citizens, for EU citizens is much expensive with postage and custom. You can still using regular C64 joystick with GenAssister with switch to change between Joy Port 1 and Port 2 on-the-fly.

Second is Tapuino - for lovers of original tape files in TAP format to use instead datassette.


Third is Tapecart SD - great storage device if you want to use PRGs only plus it has dedicated TCRT format having 2MB (only few games are converted to this plus few utils collection and original graphic collection).

Fourth is MP32C64 adapter - it allows you to load PRGs in MP3 or WAV format directly from your mobile phone or MP3 player.

[tetsujin_]

38:36 - (QuantumLink has been revived so you can experience what being online was like before the WWW)

Remember, you're not getting the real QuantumLink experience unless you're paying $5 per hour to use the fun/interesting portions of the service...

[JamesRichardsPlays]

I was only 6 in 1988 when my father showed me how to load games on our C64. I didn't pay much attention to anything else (I was only 6!) I have been interested in revisiting the platform a little more seriously lately and this is definitely going to help in getting a decent setup. I am really interested in building one maybe even cannibalize a mostly dead one.

[monzadriver]

Nice re-introduction to the C=64.
Last winter i started up my old brick, with a new powerumit.
Monitor was asnearas dead, so plugged in an old smaller flat tv.
My kid (9yo) oved it, and is learning his topografics for school on the old brick, and is training math with the old bingo-math cartridge 😁
He never wanted to use the Wii in the livingroom, but the old C= . . .

[amerigocosta]

I'm honestly glad to see there seems to be a renewed interest in the good old breadbin. I owned what I used to consider the ultimate C64 setup: C64C, 1541-II disk drive, Final Cartridge III, MPS-801 printer, all hooked up to a dedicated composite monitor (not a Commodore one, it was branded Buffetti which is an Italian office supplies company and it had a weird PET like shape). Of course now I know it was far from ultimate but at the time I didn't know any better. Still I was very proud I could do actual computing on it and enjoyed a lot of utility and productivity programs and not just games. And while I don't really feel like rebuilding a setup like the one I had, I'm going the Maxi route for convenience.

[DanielKelly-px]

I’m a long-time Commodore owner / user having started with a VIC20 and Datasette in 1983. Still have it, and my original C64 & 1541, and C128 & 1571 & 1581 and software. Also have a C64C, 1541-II, C128D, Plus/4, SX64, and Amiga 500, 1702 & 1084s monitors. ALL still work although my SX64 keyboard needs a new membrane. This is an excellent video with great info for those interested in getting into Commodore 64 computers and many great links all in one place, kind of like a “Commodore 64 for Dummies” video! I even learned a few things as well as being reminded about some things I had forgotten about. Nicely done!

[lupedarksnout]

I bought the BackBit cartridge because as a progammer, you can create a special file (of up to 4 GB in size) and access any part of it from the C64! The potential of this alone had my head spinning. Two years later, I am still excited about the possibilities!

[aki_]

From my experience with people untouched by (and not only) the 64 before: If you don't have the C64 in your heart from your childhood, you can't suddenly start loving it. The good old memories are missing.

[teme]

C128D is the most beautiful computer design ever created

[mechaform]

+1 for the Epyx 500XJ joystick. Thanks for compiling this information into a single reference.

[joecan]

Nice vid, but you missed one of the best emulation solutions out there! BMC64 offers, tape, cartidge, and disk mounting from an SDCARD, Can emulate 1 or 2 SIDs (both old and new SIDs too), supports both PAL and NTSC games, can use USB keyboard/mouse/joystick or Original C64 Keyboard and Joystick (allowing you to drop inside an original 64). and can work flawlessly from a Pi3. Added bonus, it can do almost Every other 8Bit Commodore with a flick of an option (VIC20, Plus4, C128, All the PETS too). BMC64 is Randy Rossi's project (Vic-II Kawari fame), but I'm sure every here knows!

[stylis]

This is such a great guide with great resources. I had no idea that the C64 scene is still so alive. Can't wait to get started again! It's been way too long. And the longer I wait, the worse I feel about having given away my old hardware.

To be fair, the bad part is that I don't know how much fun was/is had with it because I lost touch with the neighbour whose tech savvy 6 yo I gave it to, and I don't know if they have any idea what they got. Heck, I didn't know. I figured it was old and I wouldn't use it for long, but then, 10 -20 years later you see that demo's are still made, even hardware is still made by enthusiasts, and you find yourself looking for C64 videos on a Saturday morning just to hear that SID chip again because some habits and passions just run really deep. C64 for life! 💜