20 Apr
2006
20 Apr
'06
10:01 a.m.
I found one of these on ebay (8278074346). I have never seen or heard
of it before, does anyone here have one ?
Dan
20 Apr
20 Apr
10:07 a.m.
I found one of these on ebay (8278074346). I have
never seen or heard
of it before, does anyone here have one ?
This comes up with 24 silk flowers. (!!)
If you mean the SX-64, yes, I have three of them (and I am looking for a
spare keyboard [cable not necessary but appreciated] if anyone has a dud
SX-64 and is willing to part it out). They are not amazingly common but they
are actually not terribly difficult to find either. However, they have
started to command rather disappointingly high prices even for non-mint
models.
My SX's regularly take trips to computer road shows. They often attract
more attention than the exhibits they are supposed to be helping in.
http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/exec.html
--
--------------------------------- personal: http://www.armory.com/~spectre/ ---
Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckaiser at floodgap.com
-- I believe in getting into hot water; it keeps you clean. -- G.K. Chesterton
10:14 a.m.
If you mean the SX-64, yes, I have three of them (and I am looking for a
spare keyboard [cable not necessary but appreciated] if anyone has a dud
SX-64 and is willing to part it out). They are not amazingly common but they
are actually not terribly difficult to find either. However, they have
started to command rather disappointingly high prices even for non-mint
models.
You are not kidding. This SX-64 (8278074345) is being offered for
$894.75!!!!
Cheers,
Bryan
10:37 a.m.
In message <200604201407.k3KE7RrK018110 at floodgap.com>
Cameron Kaiser <spectre at floodgap.com> wrote:
If you mean the SX-64, yes, I have three of them (and
I am looking for a
spare keyboard [cable not necessary but appreciated] if anyone has a dud
SX-64 and is willing to part it out). They are not amazingly common but they
are actually not terribly difficult to find either. However, they have
started to command rather disappointingly high prices even for non-mint
models.
Are there any custom ICs in there - custom defined as "not found in a
garden-variety breadbox Commodore 64"? Hardware-wise, how do the two machines
compare (besides the obvious "the SX64 has a built in monitor and disc
drives")?
I know there's the SID and VIC; I was wondering if the drives were
implemented as "guts of a 1541 strapped to the chassis" or custom ICs
integrated onto the mainboard.
Thanks.
--
Phil. | Kitsune: Acorn RiscPC SA202 64M+6G ViewFinder
philpem at dsl.pipex.com | Cheetah: Athlon64 3200+ A8VDeluxeV2 512M+100G
http://www.philpem.me.uk/ | Tiger: Toshiba SatPro4600 Celeron700 256M+40G
11:24 a.m.
If you mean
the SX-64, yes, I have three of them (and I am looking for a
spare keyboard [cable not necessary but appreciated] if anyone has a dud
SX-64 and is willing to part it out). They are not amazingly common but they
are actually not terribly difficult to find either. However, they have
started to command rather disappointingly high prices even for non-mint
models.
Are there any custom ICs in there - custom defined as "not found in a
garden-variety breadbox Commodore 64"? Hardware-wise, how do the two machines
compare (besides the obvious "the SX64 has a built in monitor and disc
drives")?
I know there's the SID and VIC; I was wondering if the drives were
implemented as "guts of a 1541 strapped to the chassis" or custom ICs
integrated onto the mainboard. 
2:06 p.m.
On Thursday 20 April 2006 10:37 am, Philip Pemberton wrote:
In message <200604201407.k3KE7RrK018110 at
floodgap.com>
Cameron Kaiser <spectre at floodgap.com> wrote:
One of the ROMs is a different part number, which gives slightly different
default screen colors, but I know that in repairing one the ROM out of a C64
can also be used. There are also differences in the drive, for sure, but
it's been long enough since I've been into one that I don't remember what
those are off the top of my head. I do have a service manual for those
around here someplace, I used to fix them, along with a lot of other C=
stuff...
Anybody looking for any c= parts? Drop me a note off-list.
--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. --Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
If you mean the SX-64, yes, I have three of them
(and I am looking for a
spare keyboard [cable not necessary but appreciated] if anyone has a dud
SX-64 and is willing to part it out). They are not amazingly common but
they are actually not terribly difficult to find either. However, they
have started to command rather disappointingly high prices even for
non-mint models.
Are there any custom ICs in there - custom defined as "not found in a
garden-variety breadbox Commodore 64"? Hardware-wise, how do the two
machines compare (besides the obvious "the SX64 has a built in monitor and
disc drives")?
I know there's the SID and VIC; I was wondering if the drives were
implemented as "guts of a 1541 strapped to the chassis" or custom ICs
integrated onto the mainboard. 
21 Apr
21 Apr
1:25 a.m.
On 4/21/06, Roy J. Tellason <rtellason at blazenet.net> wrote:
On Thursday 20 April 2006 10:37 am, Philip Pemberton
wrote:
> In message <200604201407.k3KE7RrK018110 at floodgap.com>
> Are there any custom ICs in there - custom defined as "not found in a
> garden-variety breadbox Commodore 64"? Hardware-wise, how do the two
> machines compare (besides the obvious "the SX64 has a built in monitor and
> disc drives")?
Disc drive, singular. There apparently was a plan to offer a
dual-drive unit (DX64), but the PSU wasn't up to it (and perhaps the
passive cooling as well).
> I know there's the SID and VIC; I was
wondering if the drives were
> implemented as "guts of a 1541 strapped to the chassis" or custom ICs
> integrated onto the mainboard.
The maintenance manual should be on funet, but ISTR the disk drive is
implemented on its own board, but is not exactly the same board out of
a 1541 (based on, yes, same part, no).
One of the ROMs is a different part number, which
gives slightly different
default screen colors, but I know that in repairing one the ROM out of a C64
can also be used. There are also differences in the drive, for sure, but
it's been long enough since I've been into one that I don't remember what
those are off the top of my head.
Yeah... think the differences only matter for fast loaders and such.
The trickiest thing I ever ran on an SX64 was a later version of the
Infocom interpreter that asked if you had a real 1541 or not (so it
could play tricks with the drive-to-CPU comms - a software speed
loader, IIRC).
The C-64 ROM works in an SX64, but, of course, the cassette stuff
doesn't, since the SX64 doesn't provide a cassette port.
I do have a service manual for those around here
someplace, I used to fix
them, along with a lot of other C= stuff...
http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/computers/c64/sx-64/index…
(apparently funet has been relocated...)
Anybody looking for any c= parts? Drop me a note
off-list.
Doing fine there - one of these days, I should go through my stacks of
stuff and offer it up- I have several tackle-boxes of upgrade parts
from that C= dealer... ROMs (all of which are imaged on
funet AFAIK),
various rev video chips, etc. Never enough time...
-ethan
2:49 a.m.
On Friday 21 April 2006 01:25 am, Ethan Dicks wrote:
Yeah, there were some significant hardware differences since in this unit
everything worked off one power supply rather than the two separate supplies
you'd have in a c64+1541.
See my other nearby comment about fixing that. :-)
Hmm.
--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. --Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
On 4/21/06, Roy J. Tellason <rtellason at
blazenet.net> wrote:
I never saw one of those, but heard rumors from time to time about them being
sold in Canada, or maybe in Europe.
On Thursday 20 April 2006 10:37 am, Philip
Pemberton wrote:
> In message <200604201407.k3KE7RrK018110 at floodgap.com>
> Are there any custom ICs in there - custom defined as "not found in a
> garden-variety breadbox Commodore 64"? Hardware-wise, how do the two
> machines compare (besides the obvious "the SX64 has a built in monitor
> and disc drives")?
Disc drive, singular. There apparently was a plan to offer a
dual-drive unit (DX64), but the PSU wasn't up to it (and perhaps the
passive cooling as well). > I know
there's the SID and VIC; I was wondering if the drives were
> implemented as "guts of a 1541 strapped to the chassis" or custom ICs
> integrated onto the mainboard.
The maintenance manual should be on funet, but ISTR the disk drive is
implemented on its own board, but is not exactly the same board out of
a 1541 (based on, yes, same part, no). One of the
ROMs is a different part number, which gives slightly
different default screen colors, but I know that in repairing one the
ROM out of a C64 can also be used. There are also differences in the
drive, for sure, but it's been long enough since I've been into one
that I don't remember what those are off the top of my head.
Yeah... think the differences only matter for fast loaders and such.
The trickiest thing I ever ran on an SX64 was a later version of the
Infocom interpreter that asked if you had a real 1541 or not (so it
could play tricks with the drive-to-CPU comms - a software speed
loader, IIRC).
The C-64 ROM works in an SX64, but, of course, the cassette stuff
doesn't, since the SX64 doesn't provide a cassette port. I do have a
service manual for those around here someplace, I used to
fix them, along with a lot of other C= stuff...
http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/computers/c64/sx-64/index
.html
(apparently funet has been relocated...)
Anybody looking for any c= parts? Drop me a note
off-list.
Doing fine there - one of these days, I should go through my stacks of
stuff and offer it up- I have several tackle-boxes of upgrade parts
from that C= dealer... ROMs (all of which are imaged on funet AFAIK),
various rev video chips, etc. Never enough time... 
10:54 a.m.
Dan Williams wrote:
I found one of these on ebay (8278074346). I have
never seen or heard
of it before, does anyone here have one ?
SX-64? Yep, we ended up with a couple at the museum that a guy had found at
the dump.
Both were dead; multiple faults on both plus various bits of case damage. I
managed to find a broken donor C64 (surprisingly difficult - I didn't want to
sacrifice a *working* model!) for various parts and then combine the best bits
of both cases to make a respectable machine.
That unit did stirling service at the CGE show a couple of years ago and ran
without problems (despite other machines having heat-related troubles that
day). It was the first time I'd seriously used any kind of C64 variant too - I
ended up completely underwhelmed by the clunky disk system (BBC micro, this
ain't!) and the portable keyboard felt like it was made of cardboard...
Our second machine *could* be made to run again I suppose - IIRC it has a
power supply fault, display fault, custom chip issues, and is missing a
keyboard cable. It's also lacking the blue end caps for the handle though, so
would need those sourcing from a scrap unit somewhere.
cheers
Jules
12:02 p.m.
I think you meant
8278074345
These are around in decent numbers, the SX64 "Executive" is a nice portable
computer for its time, Jack Tramiel - when he bought Atari proposed a similar product for
Atari at the 1985 CES show called the Atari 65XEP which looked almost the same as the SX64
but in the next Atari grey "XE" plastic styling.
Curt
Dan Williams wrote:
I found one of these on ebay (8278074346). I have
never seen or heard
of it before, does anyone here have one ?
Dan
12:08 p.m.
Yes, I have one and it gets pulled out every christmas to go under the
tree playing christmas carols. In its day it was quite a good
computer. I had mine hooked up thru a homebrew interface to my 2
meter handi talkie and worked 2 meter Packet radio with it. I still
have all the hardware but dont use 2 meters any more.
On 4/20/06, Dan Williams <williams.dan at gmail.com> wrote:
I found one of these on ebay (8278074346). I have
never seen or heard
of it before, does anyone here have one ?
Dan
--
Jim Isbell
"If you are not living on the edge, well then,
you are just taking up too much space."
2:02 p.m.
On Thursday 20 April 2006 10:01 am, Dan Williams wrote:
I found one of these on ebay (8278074346). I have
never seen or heard
of it before, does anyone here have one ?
Are you talking about the SX-64? I don't have one, but wouldn't mind if one
were to come my way. I always thought they were kinda nifty...
--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. --Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
10:25 p.m.
Back in the 80s there was a national merchandise liquidating company called
C.O.M.B. with stores in most major cities. They ran a 30 minute infomercial
on local cable access channels selling the SX-64 for $399. I remember
"drooling" over that ad thinking it was the best computer deal ever.
Also remember the local C.O.M.B store selling outdated Kaypro II machines
new in the box with everything for $99 around 1987. Those were the days...
Anyone remember a TV show called "Telephone Auction" that ran on local cable
access channels? It was based at a large outdoor flea market in the LA area
and had a guy in front of a large crowd who would advertise the merchandise
and take bids from the audience. Lots of closeout vintage computer stuff was
sold on that show. Remember them selling the Sanyo MBC-550 for $1300 being
hawked as the best thing since sliced bread...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at blazenet.net>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 1:02 PM
Subject: Re: Portable Commodore 64
Are you talking about the SX-64? I don't have
one, but wouldn't mind if
one
were to come my way. I always thought they were kinda nifty...
10:52 p.m.
I bought my SX 64 from COMB and still have it. I also bought four
signed and numbered prints by Salvador Dalli. Oh well, you cant
always win.
On 4/20/06, Steve Phipps <trs-80 at cableone.net> wrote:
Back in the 80s there was a national merchandise
liquidating company called
C.O.M.B. with stores in most major cities. They ran a 30 minute infomercial
on local cable access channels selling the SX-64 for $399. I remember
"drooling" over that ad thinking it was the best computer deal ever.
Also remember the local C.O.M.B store selling outdated Kaypro II machines
new in the box with everything for $99 around 1987. Those were the days...
Anyone remember a TV show called "Telephone Auction" that ran on local cable
access channels? It was based at a large outdoor flea market in the LA area
and had a guy in front of a large crowd who would advertise the merchandise
and take bids from the audience. Lots of closeout vintage computer stuff was
sold on that show. Remember them selling the Sanyo MBC-550 for $1300 being
hawked as the best thing since sliced bread...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at blazenet.net>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 1:02 PM
Subject: Re: Portable Commodore 64
--
Jim Isbell
"If you are not living on the edge, well then,
you are just taking up too much space."
Are you talking about the SX-64? I don't
have one, but wouldn't mind if
one
were to come my way. I always thought they were kinda nifty...
21 Apr
21 Apr
2:43 a.m.
On Thursday 20 April 2006 10:25 pm, Steve Phipps wrote:
Back in the 80s there was a national merchandise
liquidating company called
C.O.M.B. with stores in most major cities. They ran a 30 minute infomercial
on local cable access channels selling the SX-64 for $399. I remember
"drooling" over that ad thinking it was the best computer deal ever.
I remember that company, haven't thought about them in ages...
Also remember the local C.O.M.B store selling outdated
Kaypro II machines
new in the box with everything for $99 around 1987. Those were the days...
Wow, I must've missed that one, too. :-) Good thing I ended up getting
mine for free...
Anyone remember a TV show called "Telephone
Auction" that ran on local
cable access channels?
I don't have cable, and mostly haven't had it all along.
It was based at a large outdoor flea market in the LA
area and had a guy in
front of a large crowd who would advertise the merchandise and take bids
from the audience. Lots of closeout vintage computer stuff was sold on that
show. Remember them selling the Sanyo MBC-550 for $1300 being hawked as the
best thing since sliced bread...
Heh. I remember that machine. A "sort of" compatible...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at blazenet.net>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 1:02 PM
Subject: Re: Portable Commodore 64
> Are you talking about the SX-64? I don't have one, but wouldn't mind if
> one
> were to come my way. I always thought they were kinda nifty...
--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. --Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
6668
days inactive
6669
days old
16 comments
11 participants
participants (11)
-
bpope＠wordstock.com -
curt＠atarimuseum.com -
ethan.dicks＠gmail.com -
jim.isbell＠gmail.com -
julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk -
philpem＠dsl.pipex.com -
rborsuk＠colourfull.com -
rtellason＠blazenet.net -
spectre＠floodgap.com -
trs-80＠cableone.net -
williams.dan＠gmail.com