Just got an SX-64 off Ebay. It's got issues. It has a problem keeping a horizontal hold, the disk drive runs continuously with the light on steady. Oh, and it didn't have a keyboard cable. I fixed that by getting a DB25 male to male cable from Radio Shack for 10 bucks. Had to modify the plastic to make it fit into the chassis, but it works real nice. I basically used Commodores exclusively in the early eighties, bought my own C-64 with my paper route money! Always wanted an SX-64, nothing looked cooler back in the day.
I actually removed the rom for the drive and powered it up, it still spun and the light stayed on, don't think it's the rom. I even swapped the 6502 with one from an older Apple II+ (probably not a great idea) to no avail. There were two pins on one of the 6522 that weren't even in the socket, I corrected this, but still the same issue. If anyone has any ideas, I sure would appreciate the help!!
SX-64
Well I cant help you, but I can send you to the website of the repair person I used to fix my SX-64.
http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/
He does have a few articles there to help people repair thier own stuff.
If you cant find what you need, try emailing him, he is a nice guy and may help you.
http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/
He does have a few articles there to help people repair thier own stuff.
If you cant find what you need, try emailing him, he is a nice guy and may help you.
Re: SX-64
No, not a great idea as the SX-64 did NOT use a 6502. It used a 6510 and as subtle as the differences are, they're important.moparram wrote:I even swapped the 6502 with one from an older Apple II+ (probably not a great idea) to no avail.
Call me Golan; my parents did.
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Re: SX-64
Though I cannot help you with the horizontal hold problem, the disk drive problem is a different matter. I've had many SX-64's repaired by Ray Carlsen, and the drive problem was always related either to the 6526 chips or the PLA chip.moparram wrote:It has a problem keeping a horizontal hold, the disk drive runs continuously with the light on steady.
Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The horizontal hold/adjustment should be fairly easy to adjust on your own
with a screw driver. Infact, they trimmers are all accessible and labelled.
Once you get your drive working properly, there is a mod you can do to
the reset circuit to give it a dual purpose:
http://sdf.lonestar.org/curiosity/sx64
Good luck with it!
with a screw driver. Infact, they trimmers are all accessible and labelled.
Once you get your drive working properly, there is a mod you can do to
the reset circuit to give it a dual purpose:
http://sdf.lonestar.org/curiosity/sx64
Good luck with it!
I think I basically need to score one (or two!) 1541 drives for parts. I tried removing all the socketed chips and reinstalled them. I think I can rule out the FDD controller board's 6502, the I/O board's 6526 because the keyboard works fine (unless only the lines referencing the floppy are bad!). Back in the day, I had a bunch of Commodore stuff, it was ridiculous. I could sure use some now! My dad even got a bunch of 1540 drives cheap (about 22-23 years ago) and he updated the ROMs to work with the C-64. I always had a joyus time adjusting my drive's stepper motor, trying to get that "sweet" spot! I wish this SX-64 were that easy.
I think this SX-64 doesn't like being in my basement (alittle chilly?), until it warms up that old CRT!
I think this SX-64 doesn't like being in my basement (alittle chilly?), until it warms up that old CRT!