On Wed, 16 Jul 1997, Gil Parrish wrote:
The C-128 and B-128 are completely different. The
B-128 was one of the
last/best members of the Commodore PET/CBM line; the C-128 was one of the
last/best members of the VIC/64 line. Both had 128K. The PET/CBM units
use an IEEE-488 interface for adding drives, printers, etc., and this
parallel approach is fairly fast; the VIC/64 line use a proprietary serial
connection that is fairly slow.
OK, I think we need some clarification here. What does your "B-128" look
like? My B series user guide indicates four distinct models...
1. C128-40 "Advanced Personal Computer"
Basically this is a B128-80 with a 40 column screen (sounds like a VIC
chip to me) and comes in a low profile case (sorta like an amiga or 64)
Not to be confused with the more common C128.
2. and 3. B128-80 "Advanced Business Computer"
the manula says there were two versions of a B128. A low-profile model
and, of course, a high profile one. The low-profile model is like the
C128-40 but the high profile model has integral disk drive(s) and display
and a detachable keyboard. The low-profile, of course, required external
drives (IEEE-488) and video.
4. B256-80 "Advanced 16-bit Proffessional Computer"
this model only came in the high profile case (I think) and came standard
with 256k ram (as opposed to the 128k i the other "B" computers), dual
processors (6509 and 8088), and "spots" for optional Z80 and 8087 co
processors. Really neato looking machine.
In other words, you'd better get back and pick up
that 8050 if you want a
disk drive that attaches to the B-128; there are other PET/CBM drives that
would also work (e.g., 4040, 8250), but the 8050 would probably provide the
greatest compatibility if you ever want to pick up software. Drives from
the 15xx series (1541, 1571, 1581) won't help you here.
Did you do good? Only you can answer that. The unit isn't extremely
common, but isn't extremely rare either. If you're not into Commodore, you
might want to find someone who is and see if you can work a swap of some
kind. (I already have a B-128, thanks.)
Gil Parrish
Well, I'm "in" to Commodore and don't yet have one so if yer willing to
sell/trade, lemme know!
Also, if you want a copy of my "User's guide" that shouldn't be much of
a
problem, it's a whole 120 pages.
Les
more(a)crazy.rutgers.edu