28 May
2002
28 May
'02
8:01 a.m.
The C128 has BASIC in ROM--two different ones, even.
The
regular C64 BASIC and BASIC 7.0 (IIRC) that supports 80
columns.
There is also the option of booting CP/M, as it also contains
a Z-80 in addition to its 6502 compatible chip. I don't know
where to find a CP/M boot disk for the 1581 (3.5" drive),
though.
The orignal CP/M Plus 3.0 bootdisk (don't use 2.2) is available on FUnet under
http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/ . It's a regular GCR disk and can boot from a
1541, although with a 1541 it will run considerably slower and you will not be
able to read MFM formats. A 1571 is a much better match.
If you get a 1541 or 1571 and an X1541-series cable, you can build disks on
most PCs. See http://sta.c64.org/
While pretty much any old composite monitor should
work,
it'd be nice to be on the lookout for a Commodore 1084 with
support for Luma/Chroma and RGB.
The 1902 is also a good choice. Avoid the 1802.
Enjoy your new find--there are _lots_ of programs
available
out there in disk image format--but they're usually 1541
images, which are 5.25". A 1571 drive (5.25" enhanced)
or 1541 should be easy to find in thrift stores, etc. If you
become desparate, drop me a line--I left two 1541s in my
basement and they've bred, so I can spare one.
To get into 64 mode, hold down the Commodore key while turning on the
computer, or plug in any C64 cartridge and turn the system on. I always
have an Epyx FastLoad in my 128DCR for this reason.
--
----------------------------- personal page: http://www.armory.com/~spectre/ --
Cameron Kaiser, Point Loma Nazarene University * ckaiser(a)stockholm.ptloma.edu
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