Commodore 64 for CDN $30.

[epiphanius]

Hi:

I've been keeping my eyes open for Commodore 64's (with an eye to building one of the projects from Midibox) and have found one for CDN $30.

When I emailed the vendor, he indicated that sound is NOT working on the thing, he doesn't know why (the machine belonged to his son), it could be anything from a simple short to a blown cap or chip,  I suppose.

Is this a worthwhile purchase? More particularly, is the SID chip likely to work? Is the chip alone worth the $30.? I'd feel a little silly trying to get a lower price - would that be reasonable?

I realize no-one here is psychic (though if you are, I'm all ears), but I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks for any input,

[rosch]

well i don't know the prices they usually bring in canada, i just know for germany. earlier this year i purchased several C64s on german ebay for between 8 eur (newer C64, grey keyboard) and 10.50 / 16 eur (breadbin, brown kbd).

buying 4 C64s from the same guy i finally had 5 keyboards, 2 working PSUs, 2x6581 chips and 3x8580, but i do not know which chips actually work, will have to test them.

probably the price will be slightly higher when it is said to be working.

but i can't tell about your price because i don't know about the canadian$ exchange rate. but if he says there's no sound it is at least very likely that there's a problem with the sid.

Edit: just remembered that there are always people on ebay who offer pulls. some of them say they're working. here's what i found (quick search):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Commodore-MOS-6581-SID-sound-chip_W0QQitemZ290334525365QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item43994947b5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/6581-R3-SID-CHIP-COMMODORE-64-128-WORKING-PULL_W0QQitemZ290334669189QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item43994b7985&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-X-MOS-8580-R5-6581-SID-IC-CHIP-Commodore-64-Station_W0QQitemZ110417965283QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Musical_Instruments_Instruments?hash=item19b56c70e3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-X-MOS-6581-SID-Station-IC-CHIP-Commodore-64-MOS6581_W0QQitemZ110418548555QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Musical_Instruments_Instruments?hash=item19b575574b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

this guy has 2:

http://cgi.ebay.de/C64-Soundchip-SID-6581_W0QQitemZ110414511074QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKlassische_Computer?hash=item19b537bbe2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1229%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

tested:

http://cgi.ebay.de/MOS-SID-6581-Soundchip-fuer-Commodore-C64-Brotkasten_W0QQitemZ370232218894QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKlassische_Computer?hash=item56338f550e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1229%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

tested, cheap but will send only to EU & CH:

http://cgi.ebay.de/C64-Soundchip-6581_W0QQitemZ290330641581QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKlassische_Computer?hash=item43990e04ad&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1229%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

... and so on, just typing in "6581". "8580" or "commodore chip" may bring more.

but you can also take a look at djjonnyjams' SID order thread, maybe there's some left:

http://www.midibox.org/forum/index.php/topic,13575.0.html

*last edit: ortho

[epiphanius]

Wow, what a thorough reply. Very very helpful, I thought the chips were harder to find.

I will probably pass on the other offer.

Cheers,

e.

[nILS]

Dunno if it's just me, but "the sound isn't working and I don't know why" always sounds like I pulled the SID but conviently forgot about it/someone pulled it and I bought it w/o knowing and try to get rid of it. ;)

[Flemming]

It might be just the fuse that is wasted - ask him if the Datasette is working!

The case of 'blown fuse' is seen pretty often at mssiah/prophet64 forum

http://www.prophet64-forum.com/viewtopic.php?id=1316