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RickR

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  1. RickR
    Here are some pics of the outside cleaned up. I used a bucket of dish-soap water and a washcloth and it seemed to work very well. Not perfect, but better than before. The keyboard got vacuumed and that helped tremendously.
  2. RickR
    I think this video will be useful, even though it's not the exact model I have:
  3. RickR
    As noted in the "pickups" thread, I recently lucked into purchasing a very rare computer, the Commodore PET-64. I'm going to use this thread to document the process and progress in restoring this computer. GOALS: Make the computer fully functional and enjoy playing some C64 games on it. Make it presentable for permanent display on a desk in my gaming room. Do no harm! If I can't fix it without destroying it, leave it alone. Current State: It is extremely dirty on the outside. The computer does power on! The keyboard and screen work! However, the computer freezes after about 30 seconds. No idea on the condition of the SID chip. The "5" key on the keyboard has broken off (the stem is broken). I have the key with stem still attached. Here it is in the initial state:
  4. RickR
    @socrates63, given your list, I'd rank them like this in order of "must see". The Princess Bride: 36 years (OMG, what are you waiting for? This one is MADE for us Gen X'ers) Wall-E: 15 years (Pixar at their peak) Office Space: 24 years (It's really funny for those of us who worked in the office back in the dot com boom) The Godfather: 51 years (Absolutely a giant of movies. Masterpiece. FFC's debut. I watched this one with my adult children recently and they initially thought it seemed tired, until I reminded them that so many other movies have stood upon the shoulders of this giant. Marlon Brando's peak, and the slow-burn of Al Pacino as Michael Corleone gives it so much more depth than the book. Holy cow, now I want to watch it again) It’s a Wonderful Life: 77 years (It's Christmas season, and this one is schmaltzy, but not in a Hallmark Channel way. Jimmy Stewart is in FULL Jimmy Stewart-mode.) Psycho and Vertigo (Hitchcock - watch them together...they are short. Notice how Hitchcock is a master in sight and sound) Everything else on your list is worth watching, but I don't feel are good enough to rank.
  5. RickR
    "Somehow, Palpatine returned". Now we know the "somehow". Cue the Rocky theme.
  6. RickR
    From that list, there are only three I haven't ever seen. I'm not sure I want to 🙂 Avatar is one I probably should watch, but the long run time always discourages me.
  7. RickR
    I see it as an opportunity to revisit some of these classics.
  8. RickR

    Here's a pretty wild USPS Priority Mail shipment tracking.  It is supposed to go from Portland to Cleveland.  Looks like it is taking the scenic route. 

     

    Nov 30, 2023 3:07am PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY SALT LAKE CITY DISTRIBUTION CEN, 84198

    Nov 30, 2023 12:20am ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY SALT LAKE CITY DISTRIBUTION CEN, 84198

    Nov 29, 2023 11:32pm DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116

    Nov 29, 2023 8:04pm ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116

    Nov 29, 2023 5:45am DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY RENO NV DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 89510

    Nov 29, 2023 4:57am ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY RENO NV DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 89510

    Nov 29, 2023 1:14am DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY SACRAMENTO CA DISTRIBUTION CENT, 95799

    Nov 28, 2023 8:44am PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY SACRAMENTO CA DISTRIBUTION CENT, 95799

    Nov 28, 2023 5:39am Arrived at USPS Regional Facility SACRAMENTO CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

    Nov 27, 2023 4:46am Departed USPS Facility AURORA, CO 80018

    Nov 26, 2023 12:40pm Departed USPS Regional Facility DENVER CO DISTRIBUTION CENTER

    Nov 25, 2023 12:00am In Transit to Next Facility

    Nov 24, 2023 6:52pm PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY CLEVELAND OH DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 44101

    Nov 24, 2023 10:51am MISSENT OBERLIN, OH 44074

    Nov 23, 2023 8:03am ARRIVAL AT UNIT OBERLIN, OH 44074

    Nov 22, 2023 10:52am PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY CLEVELAND OH DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 44181

    Nov 21, 2023 1:23am PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY PORTLAND, OR 97215

    Nov 20, 2023 11:48am PICKED UP HAPPY VALLEY, OR 97086

     

    1. Justin

      Justin

      That's utterly insane. I haven't had the best luck with mail getting to Portland promptly. I've never tried mailing out of Portland though 🙃

    2. RickR

      RickR

      This is a really weird one for sure.  I've sent out a ton of packages over the years, and this is the only time this has happened. 

  9. RickR
    RickR pulls lever: Joker...JOKER!....Mockduck. Dang it!
  10. RickR
    It *is* monochrome. With multiple shades of green 🙂 I don't know for sure, but I *think* it will output color. There is the standard Commodore RF out and monitor output. Once i get it working, I'll experiment with that. It also has a cartridge port, two joystick ports, the tape port....it has everything a C64 has.
  11. RickR
    Yes, I have zero intention of using those floppy drives. This machine holds a special secret. Its internals are a Commodore 64. Commodore was trying desperately to hold on to the educational market they once dominated with the PET, but Apple had taken from them, by releasing this C64 in the guise of a PET. It didn't work, of course. But these machines are exceedingly rare. Since it is just a C64 inside, broken parts should be easy to find (fingers crossed). Most likely culprits in my mind are a bad power supply or possibly dust causing short circuits. Anyway, I already have a C64 SD card solution that will work great if I can get this thing working. It is an absolute treasure. I feel so lucky to have found it. My high school had PET computers and that is how I got my start all those years ago. This machine is pure nostalgia for me and I love it even if it can't be fixed.
  12. RickR
    Participation trophy has my name all over it! 36,111 Tempest 2000 mode playing with a classic controller on VCS
  13. RickR
    No idea! I'm glad the seller still had it though.
  14. RickR
    HOLY SH@T! I can't stop saying it because LOOK at what I've found. Rarity of rarities, it's the Commodore Educator PET-64. It is somewhat broken (it freezes a few minutes after boot) but I'm hoping I can repair it. First step is a nice, careful, thorough cleaning. And yes, I have the broken "5" key.
  15. RickR
    I saw that same sale and almost bought it too....but didn't. I can't blame you though. It is so tempting. I'm sure you'll love it.
  16. RickR
    In thinking more about this, it really shows the mess that Commodore management was at this time. The 128 and C65 were essentially the same, with an attempt at keeping C64 compatibility that was really poorly done (having a completely separate C64 mode) and held the new machine back. C16 and Plus 4 that brought nothing new to the table. And the incredible Amiga, which they should have placed all their chips in on, but didn't. Also, by this time, their initial "business" lead with the PET was completely gone and wasted. IBM had eaten their lunch in all respects at this moment. As with many computer/game companies at this time, they had a real lack of focus and too many irons in the fire.
  17. RickR
    I had a great time watching this one. Interesting note is how he laments that the C65 maybe should have been released instead of the Amiga. But the real question I had was how it compares to the 128, which seems like almost exactly the same machine.
  18. RickR
    Because they are using an emulator, I can almost guarantee this will be fixable with a firmware update.
  19. RickR
    I got a good one that I just signed up for: Hulu and Disney+ for $2.99 per month for one year. Just go to the hulu homepage and sign up, and make sure to choose the Disney+ add-on. Deal expires on 11/28
  20. RickR
    Things get really wild when the quotile curves, the little chaser thing moves fast, and the neutral zone is gone. Honestly, once you get above 100K forget about getting more lives and just shoot the base as soon as you've cleared the shield.
  21. RickR
    237220. Don't tell the boss, but I played during my lunch time today when I'm not so dang tired and BOOM. The shields turn pink at 200k and things get wild.
  22. RickR
    I've been playing a bit this evening. It's pretty great IMO. I think the challenge is about right for me. Good graphics for the 2600, although I don't like the little jump in the screen when your guy jumps. Minor issue. Sounds are just ok with a few boops here and there. As mentioned, the physical presentation is really good. Box, sleeve, and stickers are all A+. The cart feels and looks like a real classic cart. No dust shield on the cart end though. For $30, I'm more than happy with this. It may have been mentioned before, but if anyone has a link to the manuals, please let me know. I'd like to print out a copy and put it in the box.
  23. RickR

    Playing some Berserk Enhanced on this Atari Day!

    PXL_20231127_023641086.jpg

    1. Show previous comments  7 more
    2. RickR

      RickR

      That works!

      We may also make it multi-platform with the 5200 version, which is brutally hard. 

    3. Justin

      Justin

      @RickR I agree, I was thinking along similar lines. Definitely would open it up to Berzerk and Berzerk Enhanced so everyone can play. 5200 is super hard. How does scoring on 5200 compare with 2600?

    4. RickR

      RickR

      I'd have to examine it further, but I think the scoring is very similar.

      And Berzerk Enhanced is NOT the same game.  When I was playing last night, the robots can shoot diagonal.  I don't think they do on original 2600 Berzerk.  It makes the game harder. 

       

  24. RickR
    We've been to Montana's in Burnaby and I agree -- outstanding.
  25. RickR
    Mine is a mouthful: Jolly Joseph Arctic Puffin
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